St. Louis Mercantile Library Spring Newsletter, 2024

Spring 2024

News of the Mercantile Library

Exhibition Highlight

The Great St. Louis Bridge In Image and Print:

Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Eads Bridge

On view in the Meier Gallery through July 8, 2024

From the time of its completion in 1874, the Eads Bridge became an iconic symbol of the industry, modernity, and energy of the city of St. Louis. The St. Louis Mercantile Library celebrates this anniversary with an exhibition showcasing selections from its transportation and fine art collections that illustrate the bridge’s construction, its history, its use as a symbol, and the ways artists depicted its ground-breaking design.

F. Welcker, The Bridge at St. Louis, Printed by Compton & Co., St. Louis, 1874.

In 1867, James B. Eads faced a daunting task to build a bridge across the Mississippi River at St. Louis. Smaller bridges had been built upstream, where the river is narrower, but at St. Louis its size and strong currents defied known bridge-building methods. Eads had never designed a bridge, but his ideas revolutionized bridge construction. His methods were even used in the Brooklyn Bridge, begun in 1870. The competing business interests of river and railroad transportation companies also complicated the construction, even impacting the height of the bridge so that steamboats could be accommodated. However, when President Ulysses S. Grant dedicated the bridge on July 4, 1874 with General William T. Sherman in attendance, it was a source of pride for all St. Louisans.

Invitation to the opening of the Eads Bridge, June, 1874.

Civic pride in the Eads Bridge was encouraged by the national attention it received. For example, Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, published in New York, had a full page of images when the bridge opened. Very quickly the bridge began appearing on many kinds of advertising and promotional items. Two examples shown here include a lithograph advertising the German Mutual Fire Insurance company, and a guest ticket to the Republican National Convention held in St. Louis June 16, 1896. Birds-eye views of the city often featured the bridge, symbolizing the connection of commerce and industry from east to west across the Mississippi River. It is interesting that some of these early images show figural sculptures on the pylons of the bridge – a cultural addition that was planned but never completed because the project was significantly over budget.

By the early 1900s, the bridge was accepted as an essential aspect of the St. Louis riverfront. The river had always been central to the city’s foundation and development, and especially to its economic growth. Despite the riverboat industry’s concerns that the bridge would undercut their business, imagery from this period shows how completely the bridge was integrated into depictions of the riverfront, flanked by boats of all types and sizes, and leading to the bustling factories of downtown St. Louis. Many artists became fascinated with the bridge, from James Godwin Scott’s scenes of river traffic around the bridge to Douglas Troutt’s watercolor of the bridge and surrounding buildings. Other artists were more fascinated with the architecture of the bridge, as in the dramatic lines of the arches shown in Joseph Pennell’s and Frederick Oakes Sylvester’s close-up views of the area beneath the bridge.

Frederick Oakes Sylvester (1869-1915), Under the Eads Bridge, oil on canvas, 1900.

The mid-20^th century saw many changes in artistic styles, but the bridge retained its role as a landmark for the city, even after the Gateway Arch was completed in 1965. Just like businesses at the time of its completion, Famous-Barr used the bridge’s 100^th anniversary in 1974 as part of its full-page ad in the Globe-Democrat, in which the image of the bridge could be used as a needlepoint pattern so that craft artists everywhere could make their own anniversary image of the city’s great bridge. Artists remained fascinated with the bridge as a subject, interpreting it in dynamic, abstract ways that reflect its landmark status and depicting its complex architecture, as had artists before them.

Elizabeth Cavanagh Cohen (1924-2016), Eads Bridge, color woodcut, artist's proof, 1967.

The Mercantile Library was joined by members and donors on March 17 to celebrate the exhibition opening. Guests were treated to informative talks by Executive Director John Hoover, Curator of Fine Art Collections Julie Dunn-Morton, and McKnight Transportation Curator Nick Fry, followed by a Q&A. Attendees enjoyed an afternoon reception of light refreshments and lively discussions. We are grateful to everyone who could be there!

This exhibition is a program of the Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Collection, the John W. Barriger Railroad Historical Collection, and the St. Louis Mercantile Library Art Museum, and is on view March 18 – July 8, 2024 in the Meier Gallery.

Additions to the Fine Art Collection

August Becker (1821–1887), Tea Table with Pound Cake, 1875.

August Becker was the half-brother of Carl Wimar. After relocating from Germany as a child, Becker studied in St. Louis under Leon Pomarede, although Wimar was generally considered his strongest influence. Both Becker and Wimar worked together on the murals of the courthouse in 1861, with Becker doing the fresco in the dome and Wimar the lunette murals.

Like his older brother, Becker was known for his images of Native Americans and life on the frontier, but this work proves he had skills in other areas as well. It is also an excellent example of the role that still-life paintings played in St. Louis’s cultural scene in the 19^th century and an important addition to this particular area of the art collection we are building.

Edward Eugenia Boccia (1921 - 2012), Still Life, 1964, pastel on paper.

Edward Boccia’s artwork reflects a combination of influences, including his classical academic training and the work of 20th century modernists, tempered by his unique individualism and a deep dedication to the craft of painting. After extensive art training in New York, Boccia served in World War II in the 603^rd Camouflage unit, known today as the Ghost Army. After the war he began teaching, and in 1951 he came to St. Louis to become Assistant Dean of Fine Arts at Washington University where he taught painting for 30 years. While there he became familiar with the work of Max Beckmann.

Boccia is well known for large-scale triptychs with themes drawn from Catholicism and literature that show his unique visual language. This abstract pastel drawing, done on a more modest scale and in the established tradition of still life painting, reveals his mastery of color and composition, and reflects some of Max Beckmann’s influence but with elements of Cubism as well. This piece is an important acquisition in that it is the first Boccia piece acquired by the Mercantile, and it also expands our ability to display and interpret the genre of still life painting as explored by Missouri artists. We are grateful to those members of the Mercantile Library Art Museum Board who generously funded this purchase.

Mercantile Art Collections on the Move!

The Mercantile Library’s historic collections are frequently requested for exhibitions at cultural institutions across the region and the world. Recent loans have included the model of the Chinese Pavilion at the 1904 World's Fair, requested by Olin Library at Washington University for the exhibition Gateway to the East: China at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair that recently closed.

Upcoming loans include three architectural drawings of St. Ann of Normandy Catholic Church by Joseph Murphy, from the Mercantile's St. Louis Historical Architectural Plans Collection, for the special exhibition Design Agendas: Modern Architecture in St. Louis, 1930s - 1970s to be held at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum August 2024 - January 2025.

Most recently, one of the Mercantile’s foundational works, Theodore Kaufmann’s Westward the Star of Empire, was requested for a three-venue exhibition. All Aboard: Trains in American Art is organized by the Dixon Gallery and Gardens and will be presented at the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, Vermont; at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis, Tennessee; and at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. The painting will be on tour from May 2024 – May 2025, and will return to view on Level 1 of the library.

Theodore Kaufmann (1814 - 1896), Westward the Star of Empire, 1867, oil on canvas.

The Mercantile's Map Collection Expands

Over the winter months, the Mercantile Library’s map collection expanded to include a vast collection of geologic, topographic, and historical transportation maps, increasing the range of the collection considerably. Thousands of maps, including a complete series of lunar and planetary maps of the solar system, some of the first ever published, along with early rail, river, and other historic maps of every region of the United States, other nations, and the oceans were transferred to the Mercantile from another library in the University of Missouri System—the Curtis Laws Wilson Library at Missouri S&T (Rolla). Along with the maps were added many river and flood atlases and other very hard to acquire resources making the overall collection of historic maps here at the Mercantile one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the state and beyond in the surrounding region. An exhibition is scheduled to highlight some of the most interesting additions to the Mercantile Library’s fabled collection of early American maps and plans.

Library Renovation Updates

The Libraries renovation project is progressing rapidly now, as the demolition phase continues. The new Wallace H. Smith Gallery of Art has had existing flooring and ceiling removed, areas of the window wall have been removed to create openings for the new entrance – which will include the Mercantile’s historic 19^th century front doors – and the new access into the Shopmaker Gallery, and the access hallway has been roughed in to create the new back wall of the gallery which provides nearly 60 linear feet of installation space.

Meanwhile, visitors to the Mercantile will notice that the Napoleon death mask has been removed for safety’s sake during the process of filling in the floor below it. The main lobby is now separated from the construction area by a protective plastic barrier in preparation for the removal of the partial wall and the infill of the space behind it. This process will impact Level 1 and require it being closed to the public starting May 13 for four – six weeks.

In other parts of the library, plywood partitions separate areas of Level 3 (entrance level) and around the central circular stair, which is now being removed. These areas of the floor will be infilled to duplicate the existing floor. Stairway access is maintained through existing staircases in the corners of the building, however access for each corner changes as the areas of construction shift. Please see the signage in the main lobby or inquire at the service desk inside the main doors for additional information.

Transportation Acquisitions

Recent Acquisition of the Pott Waterways Library: Thomas Hutchins' Map of Northwest Territories

This Spring the Pott Library acquired an important map of the early history of the Northwest Territories and river navigation on the Ohio River and its tributaries. Thomas Hutchins was a lieutenant in the Pennsylvania militia during the French and Indian War. After the Treaty of Paris was ratified in 1763, he worked with Col. Henry Bouquet to survey the lands newly acquired from France. This map covers the area he and Col. Bouquet surveyed in 1763 and 1764 during Pontiac’s Rebellion. In 1766 Hutchins became a full-time surveyor for the British Army in this region until 1772. Like this one, the maps he made during this time became the basis for all future maps of “The Old Northwest.”

Hutchins served with the Continental Army during the Revolution and was assigned to the Southern Department. He continued in this role until after the war and was named Geographer of the United States. He then began a survey of “The Seven Ranges” in what is today eastern Ohio and died while working on that project in 1785.

Recent Acquisition of the Barriger Railroad Library: Kent Hannah Collection - Presidential Trains

In March the Barriger Library went to Texas to box up and ship the Kent Hannah Collection to the Library. Kent was the President of the National Association of Timetable Collectors and passed away in 2021. Kent’s collection was one of the most comprehensive collections of timetables in the world. The library brought back the best of the best including these rare timetables for Presidential specials.

Shown are the timetables for two presidential trips for Ulysses S. Grant and Grover Cleveland, and the funeral trains of Presidents Grant and McKinley. These timetables were printed and distributed to the public to make them aware of these schedules and allow them to see the Presidential trains as they passed by.

Staff Spotlight: Alicia Leathers

Alicia Leathers, Rare Book and Special Collections Cataloger

The Mercantile was pleased to welcome our newest addition to the Library staff, Alicia Leathers. Alicia earned her M. S. in Library & Information Science at Syracuse University and has a B. A. in Comparative Literature. She was previously a library assistant at the American Philatelic Research Library and had experience at the Syracuse University College of Law Library, the Centre County Library & Historical Museum, and was a copy cataloging assistant at the Penn State University Libraries.

Since moving here from Pennsylvania in April, Alicia has been learning her way around the library and UMSL campus, getting familiar with her office, working on the cataloging backlog, and learning the Library cataloging system (FOLIO). This has been a great introduction to the scope of what she will be working with. Next on her list is to begin cataloging our Peter Pauper Press collection. She is excited to get further into some of the 19th century material and attend Rare Book School in July.

Board Spotlight: Thomas C. Grady

The Honorable Thomas C. Grady is an attorney and Hearing Officer for the City of St. Louis, retired from the St. Louis Circuit Court bench. His history with the Mercantile Library stretches back to the early days of his law career when he worked at a firm in the Railway Exchange Building. Tom recalls, “It was a few easy blocks from the old Mercantile Library's second building where it operated on the top floor with rented space below it - later the First National Bank and St. Louis Union Trust Co. There were Trust Co. private dining rooms where the Board held periodic meetings. I was elected to the Board and was the youngest member for a while until Marian (Muffy) Rice joined. Nick Franchot was President and a truly Edwardian gentleman of the old school. Elizabeth Kirchner was Chief Librarian and had a complement of seven employees with an average patronage of seven patrons daily!"

Tom fondly remembers the days when the Library acquired the John W. Barriger III Railroad collection, and later the steamboat collections of Ruth Ferris and the Waterways Journal, both treasured additions to the Pott Waterways Library.

The Pott Waterways and Mercantile Library Boards are grateful to Tom Grady's dedication to the Library and its collections and his service on the Boards for countless years.

Tom has collaborated with the Mercantile Library on a highly successful history of The Lost St. Louis Riverfront 1930 - 1943, which has already sold out once and is currently available in paperback. Tom has also recently co-authored a forthcoming book alongside Michael Boyd about the Vandeventer Place neighborhood as it once existed in the "Golden Age" of St. Louis, which will be available in July.

Forthcoming Publication: Vandeventer Place, Golden Age St. Louis

A Social, Economic, Architectural and Urban History of the Legendary Post-Civil War Enclave

by Michael Boyd and Thomas C. Grady

The History and traditions of Saint Louis are a fascinating, complex subject. This book is one element in the story which, until now, has evaded a comprehensive publication. To most St. Louisans of long presence in the town, the mention of Vandeventer Place conjures up a mixture of amazement and mystery. The finest book published which details the Street’s architecture in part is “Architecture of the Private Streets of St. Louis, the Architects and the Houses They Designed,” by Charles C. Savage - University of Missouri Press c. 1987. That work offers the serious student of turn of the Nineteenth Century architecture a professionally outlined, detailed description of the many featured homes of Vandeventer Place, as well as many others from the numerous old private streets of St. Louis. It is a masterpiece of architectural erudition we commend to the serious student and enthusiast.

In this work, and for the first time, we offer the comprehensive view of all fifty homes in Vandeventer Place, with biographical detail of the owners and the source of their considerable Gilded Age wealth, not as gossip but as a study of how wealth was gained and held in the time just after the Civil War. We also include the 1900 Census record of the people who lived in the homes as staff and their ethnologies for historians and the curious.

Both hardcover and softcover editions will be available to purchase and be signed by Tom Grady at the next Mercantile Library Annual Meeting on Friday, July 12 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Hardcover editions are $50 and softcovers are $30. Members of the Mercantile get 10% off. For pre-orders please call (314) 516-7248, or email [email protected].