The Providence Directory for the Year 1864: Containing a General Directory of the Citizens and Business Directory of the State of Rhode Island, City Record, is up for bid on eBay. [Providence, 1864. Published by Sampson, Davenport & Company.]
The seller says, "This fantastic directory of the City of Providence--contains 280 pages plus 86 additional pages of mostly illustrated advertisements. Included in the Directory are the names, addresses, and occupations of every citizen in Providence, along with information on every aspect of public life in the city. Included is information on the government, fire department, police department, Schools, Churches, Institutions, Society, Temperance Organizations, Cemeteries, Railroads, etc. There is a complete Business Directory of the City and another Business Directory for the State of Rhode Island. Interspersed and at the beginning and end of the volume are approx. 100 pages of beautifully illustrated ads for Business of every type. This volume is published with advertising covers in the style of many City Directories of the period and this is among of the most comprehensive Directories we have ever come across. A rare and fascinating look at the City of Providence, Rhode Island during the Civil War and a fantastic reference volume for the collector or historian!"
Click the link in the first paragraph to investigate further.
Out here we had Polk's, which are highly collectible. I have gone to the Montana Historical Society many times to consult these directories.
Posted by: Dave Dubé | December 30, 2010 at 06:05 AM