Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Pierce, Jane M. (1806-1863) to Mary Aiken

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03177 Author/Creator: Pierce, Jane M. (1806-1863) Place Written: Washington, D. C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa July 1855 Pagination: 8 p. : envelope : free frank ; 16.9 x 10.4 cm. Order a Copy

Writes as first lady to her sister about her attempts to socialize. Mentions that she saw Mrs. Jefferson Davis who is nervous about her husband being in Tennessee because there is a cholera epidemic in New Orleans and along the river. On black bordered mourning stationery. With Franklin Pierce free franked envelope.

Pierce, Jane M. (Jane Means)., 1806-1863
Aiken, Mary Means, fl. 1883

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources