This fascinating Volume is titled “The Pennsylvania College Book / 1832-1882”. Edited by E. S. Breidenbaugh. Philadelphia, 1882. Published by the Lutheran Publication Society. 1st Edition.

    This early and important, Photographically illustrated Volume measures approx. 6 1/2" by 9 1/4" and contains 475 pages of text and 17 mounted, albumen photographs. It is bound in its original, publisher’s pebbled green cloth with gilt decoration on the front board picturing the seal of Pennsylvania College. Included in the Volume are a "History of Pennsylvania College" by President M. Valentine, "Historical Sketches of College Societies", "Biographical Sketches of Former Instructors", "Alumni", "Memorabilia", etc.

    The Photographs by Tipton include interior and exterior views of the buildings and grounds of the College, portraits of present and former members of the faculty, members of various societies, etc. One of the 17 mount photographs is actually a stereoview of the interior of rooms of the Linnean Society.

    Gettysburg College (originally Pennsylvania College) was founded in 1832 as a sister institution for the Lutheran Theological Seminary; the latter is now a campus of the United Lutheran Seminary. Both owe their inception to Thaddeus Stevens, a Radical Republican and abolitionist from Gettysburg. The college's original name was Pennsylvania College; it was founded by Samuel Simon Schmucker. In June 1863, southern Pennsylvania was invaded by Confederate forces during the Gettysburg campaign. Many local militia forces were formed around the area between Chambersburg and Philadelphia to face the oncoming foe. Among these units was Gettysburg's 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia Regiment (PEMR). Composed mostly of students from the college and seminary, the 26th PEMR was mustered into service on June 22, 1863. Four days later, the students saw combat just north of town, skirmishing with advanced units of Confederate division commander Jubal A. Early. Casualties were light on both sides, but about 100 of the militiamen were captured and paroled. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Hall, also known as Old Dorm, was used as both a signal corps station and field hospital. Due to the geographic position it held, it was used by both Confederate and Union troops at different points during the battle. On November 19, 1863, college president Henry Louis Baugher gave the benediction at the ceremony opening the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg; speaking after Abraham Lincoln. Classes were canceled at the college and students and faculty walked with the parade to the cemetery to hear the now famous Gettysburg Address. This walk was later recreated for the now annual tradition of the "First Year Walk."

    "William H. Tipton (August 5, 1850 – September 20, 1929) was a noted American photographer of the second half of the 19th century, most noted for his extensive early photography of the Gettysburg Battlefield and the borough of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Tipton was born in Gettysburg. He studied photography as the apprentice of Charles and Isaac Tyson, who were among the earliest Gettysburg photographers. In 1868, Tipton purchased much of assets of the Tyson studio and went into business for himself. He became quite popular as an outdoor portrait photographer, taking thousands of photographs of visitors to the Gettysburg battlefield, where he established Tipton Park. By 1888, he had produced an estimated 5,000 views of the battlefield of Gettysburg and more than 100,000 portraits. He eventually became one of America's best known photographers, but images of Civil War battlefields remained a mainstay, including Antietam and Harpers Ferry."(wiki)

    This very rare and original, 1882 Photographically Illustrated History of Gettysburg College is in very good condition – complete and attractive. The covers are well preserved and attractive with light edge wear only. The binding is tight but split at the interior, front hinge. While the block is tight and the internal text pages and plates are clean and crisp, nearly all 17 mounts are neatly detached at the stub. The Photographs themselves are exceptionally well preserved exhibiting sharp focus, strong contrast and rich, warm tonality. There is no staining, foxing or soiling of any kind to the photographs themselves, however, as stated above, the mounts are detached at the spine edge (it appears that thew mounts were weak along the same line close to the insertion point into the block and the mounts have split along this line). Overall the Volume is well preserved other than the issue of the detached mounts. Please see the scans below for a good representation of the content and the condition of this important, photo illustrated work.

    A very rare and original, 1882 Photographically Illustrated Volume with mounted Albumen Photographs of the of the Grounds and Faculty of Pennsylvania College – today known as Gettysburg College and a fantastic addition to any Collection or Library!!!