Ellison Glass Negative Collection

Description:

This collection of 41 original glass negatives came from the estate of Chester W. Ellison, proprietor of the Ellison Book Shop in Lansing, Michigan. Most are not dated, but due to the events pictured such as the flood of 1904, some were able to be identified. Not all images are of Lansing. Several of the negatives have paper fibers from storage enclosures adhered to the emulsion; some are cracked; there is evidence of other surface damage and decay. It is not known who the photographer was for these negatives. Mr. Ellison came to Lansing in 1921 from Alma. In March 1935 he established the Ellison Book Store located at No. 8 Strand Arcade (in the Strand Theatre, 217 South Washington Avenue). His shop specialized in rare, out-of-print, and first editions and association copies. The March 5, 1935, issue of the Lansing State Journal noted, "No. 8 Strand Arcade doesn't appear to be a 'book store' with unbroken rows of filled book shelves. Rather, it might pass for the private library of a book lover. There are easy chairs, wall cases, autographed etchings and unusual oils on the wall...there are copies of books about that were printed in 1594, a collection of nearly a hundred of Christopher Morley's books in first editions, first edition Mark Twains...first edition Walter Scott's "Lady of the Lake" and hundreds of volumes of a similar nature." Prior to opening the book store, Ellison had been in the jewelry business at Morgan's Inc. for 13 years. In 1942, the shop in the Michigan Arcade merged with a branch store at 101 East Washtenaw Street. For a number of months prior to the merger, this location served as the headquarters for the second-hand book store while being remodeled to accommodate the entire inventory of both businesses. His love for old books turned him to history, and in 1942 he was named to the state Historical Commission on which he served for 18 years. He was a member and served several terms as president of the State Historical Society. Ellison closed his shop in 1975 due to failing eyesight and poor health. On November 2, 1977 he died at the age of 77. His obituary noted that he was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church. He was a member of Lansing Lodge 196 B.P.O.E., Lansing Lion's Club, a Veteran of World War I, a member of Capital City Post 12, American Legion, a member of Voiture 946 40/8 and Veterans of World War I Barracks 235. The photograph in this record is of Ellison and his sons. It appeared in the Lansing State Journal with the following caption: "COLLECTOR AND SONS - Raymond Ellison, 14 (left), and John Ellison 12, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Ellison, enjoy visits to their father's private library located in a special room at Ellison's book store. Mr. Ellison, who collects books for pleasure, has many rare books, some of which he obtained from the library of the late Justice Howard Wiest."

Date Created:

[1886 TO 1906]

Data Provider:

Capital Area District Library (Lansing, MI). Forest Parke Library and Archives

Collection:

Ellison Glass Negative Collection

Subject Topic:

Lansing (Mich.) and Glass negatives

Language:

English

Rights:

Copyright Not Evaluated

URL:

http://cadl.pastperfectonline.com/archive/12AA101B-D4D2-4563-B4A8-583034619294