Shortly before and in the first years of the Civil War, many envelopes in both the South and the North were printed with patriotic emblems, cartoons, and sentiments.

The envelopes in the collection at the Ridgewood Public Library were collected by Lt. George Williams of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and donated to the Library by Rebecca Hawes, his niece, a Ridgewood resident, and an early supporter of the George L. Pease Memorial Library and its history collections. The envelopes were never used, but kept as souveniers. There are only a few Confederate examples in the collection.

Lady Liberty with National Symbols including the Liberty Cap, made popular during the American Revolution, and the fasces, a symbol of authority.

The Croakers in Council
("croakers" are grumblers or doomsayers)

Zouaves were Union soldiers

Jeff is Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy

The War was fought on the seas, as well. The Confederacy was portrayed as a pirate--acting outside the law.
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Right: African Americans are shown standing up against slavery.

First Confederate Flag

Right: Symbols include ships, a train, munitions, and agricultural products