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đź“– 1887 AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY FAMILY BIBLE & HISTORICAL ARCHIVE
An unusual surviving family archive centered around an 1887 American Bible Society Bible and containing handwritten Radcliff family genealogy, pressed botanicals, a handwritten mourning poem and an extraordinary original 1901 letter concerning Kellogg’s “Obesity Food.”
I researched the Bible, family records, letter and associated names extensively in an effort to document the group as accurately as possible.
Everything originally found with the Bible is being kept together and sold as one historical group.
đź“š THE BIBLE
American Bible Society
New York
1887
Approximate size:
7.25” tall
5.5” wide
2” thick
Black textured binding with gilt “HOLY BIBLE / MAPS” lettering.
Period color maps are present.
✍️ RADCLIFF FAMILY GENEALOGY
Numerous handwritten family records appear throughout the Bible, including births, marriages and other genealogical information.
One particularly identifiable entry records:
James William Radcliff — born August 13, 1859
Historical research located an independently published Cowley County, Kansas family history identifying James William Radcliff as born August 13, 1859 in Le Sueur County, Minnesota, later settling in Cowley County, Kansas.
The exact matching name and birth date provide strong evidence connecting the handwritten records to this documented Radcliff family.
Additional Radcliff family names and dates are recorded throughout the Bible.
🌹 PRESSED BOTANICALS
Old pressed flowers/botanical material remains within the Bible exactly as found.
These are dry and fragile and have not been removed or cleaned.
📝 HANDWRITTEN “THE GOLDEN STAIR” MOURNING POEM
Also included is an original folded handwritten manuscript titled “The Golden Stair.”
The poem is a mourning verse concerning the loss of a child and includes imagery of putting away the child’s clothing and playthings and meeting the child again in heaven.
The manuscript includes references appearing to read Mrs. W. H. Kulp, Le Sueur, Minnesota, along with a faint reference to J. W. Radcliff.
Some handwriting is difficult to decipher, so exact authorship has not been claimed.
đź’Ś ORIGINAL AUGUST 1, 1901 KELLOGG LETTER
Perhaps the most historically unusual item preserved with the Bible is an original handwritten letter dated:
Detroit, Michigan — August 1, 1901
Addressed:
“My Dear Prof. Kellogg”
Signed:
Mrs. Emma Chubb
230 Fischer Ave.
Detroit, Michigan
The writer discusses her experience using Kellogg’s “Obesity Food.”
She describes previously weighing more than 200 pounds, trying other “anti fat medicines,” and experiencing physical difficulties associated with her weight.
She states that after using Kellogg’s product she could breathe and walk more easily, perform her housework and eventually weighed approximately 130 pounds.
🔎 HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Period newspaper research confirms that F. J. Kellogg of Battle Creek, Michigan marketed a product called “Kellogg’s Obesity Food” during this period.
Contemporary advertisements promoted trial packages and referenced testimonials from customers reporting weight loss.
The August 1, 1901 letter specifically addresses “Prof. Kellogg” and discusses his “obesity food,” providing strong historical context for identifying the subject of the correspondence.
No claim is being made that Emma Chubb’s particular letter was ever published as an advertisement or testimonial.
Any newspaper advertisement photographs/screenshots shown in this listing are provided ONLY as historical research and context. They are NOT included in the sale.
🏛️ WHAT IS INCLUDED
• 1887 American Bible Society Bible
• Handwritten Radcliff family genealogy
• Original handwritten “The Golden Stair” mourning poem
• Original August 1, 1901 Emma Chubb/Kellogg letter
• Pressed flowers/botanical material
• Original family papers/ephemera remaining with the Bible
NOTE- newspaper advertisement is NOT included, it is a part of my research for illustration only.
⚠️ CONDITION
Please consider this an historical archive in fragile, heavily worn condition, rather than a complete collectible Bible in fine condition.
There is extensive wear including old tape repairs, tears, staining, foxing/toning, loose and partially detached leaves, edge losses, writing and other age-related damage.
Early/title/family-record leaves have been heavily repaired and some appear to have been reattached or placed out of their original sequence.
The 1887 title leaf is present.
The Bible has NOT been checked page-by-page for completeness and completeness is not guaranteed.
The letter and poem have folds, toning and other age-related wear.
Nothing has been restored or separated. Please examine all photographs carefully for condition.
This group is being preserved and sold together because its primary interest lies in the family genealogy, handwritten documents, social history and provenance accumulated within the Bible over many decades.
