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.

Phelps, Anson New York Colonization Society certificate of membership for Alexander Fraser

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05781 Author/Creator: Phelps, Anson Place Written: [New York] Type: Document signed Date: 26 February 1854 Pagination: 1 sheet 35.7 x 25.2 cm Order a Copy

Certificate of membership for life for Alexander Fraser of Fowlerville. The certificate has a large engraving at top showing a white man shaking the hands of thankful naked Africans while a ship rides at anchor in the background. Two scriptural quotations appear at bottom. Signed Anson Phelps as President (or possibly corresponding secretary).

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