The November 2019 postcard collection on display, at the Shenandoah County Historic Courthouse in Woodstock VA, is from the personal collection of Edgar Lamma III. Edgar has been collecting these postcards for about 20 years and is only one of a handful of individuals that he’s encountered that collect these postcards. Shenandoah Publishing House used to publish the Northern Virginia Daily newspaper.
SPH postcards were printed in varying shades of black, green and brown inks. There are only a few known postcards that contain any color. Several “logos” were used on the backside of postcards, some of which are on display. SPH postcards predominately cover the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and West Virginia. Most cover historic landmarks many of which deal with civil war sites.
Most SPH postcards are known to be numbered from 1 through 331. There is one odd postcard numbered 400. There are 34 numbers for which a postcard has not yet been identified. Some postcards were printed without an identifying number in the lower left corner on the backside. Of the known SPH postcards there are: (a) 244 in Virginia; (b) 49 in West Virginia; (c) 4 in Maryland; (d) 2 in Pennsylvania; (e) 1 in North Carolina; and, (f) 1 in Washington DC.
One of Edgar’s favorite SPH postcards is directly above the copy block. Notice that he is sitting on two chairs.
There are several publications known to contain block images (with text) that appear on the frontside of SPH postcards. These include: (a) A History of Shenandoah County by John W. Wayland; (b) The prospectus for John W. Wayland’s book titled The History of Old Shenandoah; (c) Shenandoah County Geography Supplement; and, (d) How Fair the Way to Strasburg.
Edgar has indexed 79 publications, mostly hardbound books, that were printed by SPH. There are many, many more that Edgar has not yet documented.
• Foster a spirit of cooperation between existing organizations, writers, historians, genealogists, collectors, preservationists, and other members of the Shenandoah County community.
• Aid in the collection and creation of materials and publications about the history of Shenandoah County and ensure that they are preserved and made available to the community.
• Support efforts by citizens, organizations and government to preserve historic buildings and sites.
• Share history through programs and exhibits.
The Shenandoah County Historical Society was founded in 1985 and is established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It is completely volunteer driven. The Society is sustained by memberships, donations, grants and profits from book sales. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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Shenandoah County Men in Gray (Volume 1 of 2-volume set)
Thomas Spratt
This two-volume set reproduces the service record of the Confederate soldiers from Shenandoah County who served in all the theaters of combat. It also gives valuable information regarding the soldier’s family and where possible, personal facts including where buried. 1992. 902 total pages (total of both volumes).
Softcover
Item# 1030
Price: $30
Members: $29
23rd Virginia Cavalry
Richard Kleese
This is a numbered edition of 1000 and signed by author. One of the Virginia Regimental Histories Series. Lists names with short bio information on those who were part of this group. Includes some photos and maps and detailed descriptions of battles and campaigns.
Hardcover
Item# 1023
Price: $27
Members: $26
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Shenandoah County in the Civil War: Four Dark Years • Hal F. Sharpe • Four battles took place in and around Shenandoah County: New Market, Toms Brook, Fisher's Hill & Cedar Creek. Although these historic battles have been well documented, their effects on the lives of the people involved have been largely forgotten. In this book, Hal recounts how their spirits were tested. 2012. 156 pages. Softcover • Item #1009 • Price: $21 Members: $20
My Own Dear Maggie - A True Shenandoah Love Story • Elsie Newcomber & Janet Ramsey • Both are Henkel Granddaughters. A fascinating love story which uniquely reveals the rebuilding and growth of the Shenandoah Valley after "The War Between The States." Letters between Willie Renalds and Maggie Henkel and other family members, pictures and newspaper articles paint a vivid picture of what the people of the Valley endured during and after its rebuilding. 2015. 398 pages. Softcover • Item #1024 • Price: $26 Members: $25
Life in the Shenandoah Valley - 1861 • Elsie Newcomber & Janet Ramsey • Both are Henkel Granddaughters. A compilation of the Journal of Siram Peter Henkel, the letter collection of Caspar Coiner Henkel, M.D. and the Richmond Times Dispatch. These accounts of the first year of the Civil War reveal how the transition from peace to war affected his community and the Town of New Market, Va. A look at life in 1861. 2011. 346 pages. Softcover • Item #1004 • Price: $20 Members: $19
Locomotives Up theTurnpike • David L. Bright • When the Civil War began, the railroads of the Confederate States had the immense job of collecting the men, supplies and equipment needed to create a government and its armed forces. This is the story of Thomas Sharp, the young superintendent who was commissioned to haul the cars and locomotives captured by Stonewall Jackson from the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in Martinsburg, Va. (now WV) to Confederate points to the West and South. Softcover • Item #1028 • Price: $26 Members: $25DOWNLOAD BOOK ORDER FORMS HERE
