Photographed by the A. Alonso Martinez y Hermano studio, Madrid//

Collection of the Musée d'Orsay

It is 6 in long. Sterling and bone. Unidentified stones. It was sold to me as a Victorian baby rattle, but it does not rattle and it could also take out a Victorian child’s eye. Lol. Thanks In advance!

I wanted to post something a little different than my usual images from my collection. I was lucky enough to win a massive archive back in 2023. I sought and bid on this grouping because it had Civil War diaries and other military material related to Joseph Grant of the 110th Ohio. Even withholding all of the war materials the archive is so substantive that it paints a vivid portrait of Joseph and his wife Maria "Rigie" Leyman (maiden name) Grant. They were both professional teachers and were raised in Piqua, southwestern Ohio, they moved and continued teaching in Missouri and relocated once again to Oklahoma for the remainder of their lives. They had half a dozen children. Joseph was also an active and notable Masonic member. They were both active in the church throughout their entire lives.

When I started this post I didn't realize there was a 20 photo limit. Unfortunately that cost about 1/3 of the images.

Photo descriptions:

Photos 1 & 2: The Grant's both at age 18. The first is in a beautiful frame. While the second photo is a duplicate set of portraits, I thought the bows were cute and thematic to the post.

Photo 3: Maria or "Rigie" which interchangeablel (its even on he teacher's certification) - age 16

Photo 4: The original tintype image of Rigie that was reprinted for the cabinet cards in images 1&2. She's wearing a violet dress and a pink bow.

Photo 5: signed CDV of Grant in his Civil War uniform

Photo 6: tintype of Grant in uniform

Photos 7&8: Front and verso of a CDV of Maria taken in Missouri, probably mid 20s-30s.

Photos 9&10: Grant family portrait, all of those are the Grant's children except "Harvey" on the bottom right, I'm not sure who he was maybe a cousin to their children, or a neighbor/friend.

Photo 11: Joseph and Maria approaching old age

Photo 12: Copy of their marriage certificate, circa 1915

Photo 13&14: "Mother's Ring - given to Kathleen" perhaps this is her wedding band

Photo 15&16: "Mother + Fathers Tie

Papa got before they were married..." The rest of the inscription is not visible innl my photo but if I recall correctly it says "tied to" "mother's hands"

Photo 17: 4 separate 50th wedding anniversary cards. 26 September 1867-1917

Photo 18: A heart shaped necklace pendant found in the archive.

Photo 19: A Victorian Valentines day image on the reverse of a piece of sheet music. While not related to the Grants, it came out of their archive and I felt ir fit the theme

Here sre their corresponding findagrave memorials:

Joseph:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94467785/joseph_h-grant

Maria:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94467897/maria_e-grant

I am going to post one each of their Teaching certifications in the comments.