Additional Features

The Astle-Alpaugh Family Showcase is maintained by The Astle-Alpaugh Family Foundation and works in conjunction with local museums, historical groups and local private collectors to provide images and descriptions of items of visual and cultural interest to the public at large in the hope that it will provide an appetite to enjoy America’s history and learn some of the country’s lost historical secrets and lifestyles.

Professor Anderson of Boston

Queen Victoria’s Cruise

Gleason’s Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion was an illustrated news magazine published from 1851-1855 in Boston, Massachusetts.

This December marks another showcase of vintage greeting cards. Our cards, all a part of the Astle-Alpaugh family collection, span decades of holiday seasons. This year, we are sharing 25 greeting cards from December 1989. CLICK here to view the collection.

UK, Belgium

South America

The black-and-white lantern slides showcased here are a selection of ten from a larger 600-slide set published by the Keystone View Company and commonly known as the “600 Set”. They provided teachers and pupils with a tour of the world of sorts, beginning in the United States and traveling to western and eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. CLICK on the image to see the full collection!

This collection of 20 glass lantern slides depicts majestic vistas and woody natural scenes in Yellowstone National Park at what we believe to be the turn of the twentieth century. The park was officially created on October 1, 1890; these slides likely depict the landscape of the park near its “birth” 120 years ago. CLICK on the image to see the full collection!

Mount Washington Lantern Slides: Included in our varied collection of antique lantern slides is this set of 16 slides of Mount Washington (originally called Agiocochook by some regional Native Americans). Mount Washington is the crown jewel of the Presidential Range in the White Mountains of New Hampshire; at over 6,200 ft., it is the tallest peak in the northeastern United States and a beloved destination for tourists, naturalists, and adventurous hikers. CLICK on the image to see the full collection!

CLICK image to hear recording

The Edison Diamond Disc Phonograph and Diamond Disc Record are types of phonograph players and accompanying records marketed by Thomas A. Edison, Inc. from 1912-1929. The “Diamond” name comes from the phonograph’s diamond-shaped stylus. The records, proprietary in manufacture, could only be played on the Diamond Disc Phonograph, meaning they were incompatible with the lateral-groove record players (e.g. the Victor Victrola) that so many already owned. Edison, Inc. had previously only made phonograph cylinders, but expanded into disc production as shellac records grew in popularity. Thus, the Diamond Disc Phonograph and Diamond Disc Record collection were born.

A Diamond Disc Phonograph stands out for the diaphragm of the reproducer (what amplifies the sound) being parallel to the surface of the record.

Ansonia Bobbing Doll

It’s about TIME this month with a look at our exquisite clocks… a French mantle clock, most likely made between 1660 and 1700, is an original from the workshop of the masterful Parisian clockmaker Antoine Gaudron – CLICK here for a closeup look. We also have a Boulle clock which is a type of marquetry involving patterned inlays of alternating bronze and tortoiseshell, is a predominantly French style of decoration that originated in the 17th century with cabinetmaker André Charles Boulle – CLICK here for a closeup look. And finally, we have a really fun Ansonia Bobbing Doll Clock, manufactured by the Ansonia Clock Company – CLICK here for a closeup look.

Accused kidnapper, Hauptmann is escorted to court.

Our January 2017 Showcase features press photographs and ephemera from the infamous Lindbergh trial. The collection is shared with us by David Reid, a neighbor of ours and the grandson of William McCrea, warden of the Hunterdon County Jail during the time of the trial. The family’s refreshing perspective on this historic event – and collection of trial ephemera – can be seen here.

Some new items for the glass collection show a Durand Vase, Red Cameo Vase, Columbia Exhibition Egg and 1893 World’s Fair Bowl.

Part of the Alpaugh family’s collection are dolls. The three categories are Raggedy Andy, Bisque-Head Dolls and China Dolls. Click on the categories to see the collection!