Oswalt, Benjamin F.

19th Century American Folk Art - original calligraphic ink drawing of bird, presumably an eagle, and two feathers by Benjamin F. Oswalt dated 1856. (With four tax receipts for Preble County, Ohio dated for 1877, 1880, 1881, and 1888.)

      [Preble County, OH]: Benjamin F. Oswalt, 1856. - Age-toned sheet, H 15.75cm x L 20.75cm, with black ink drawing of a bird, perhaps an eagle. 19th century folk art style perhaps done as a calligraphy exercise as the bird is whimsically drawn with stylistic ink swirls of varying thickness; eagle image is adjoined by two feather drawings with one on the sheet's right edge and the other on the bottom. Signed "B.F. Oswalt 1856" and dated again at bottom left. Full signature of Benjamin F. Oswalt appears on the otherwise blank verso. Sheet retains several fold lines but strongest along the vertical half; 9.75cm closed horizontal tear along a right side fold with shorter closed tear on left side. Ink from drawing's right side wing and feather has mirrored impression on sheet's left side. A simple but still charming mid-19th century drawing. An online genealogical search via Google found a Benjamin Oswalt of Preble County, Ohio married Sarah Jane Williams on May 20, 1858. Included with the drawing are four receipts from the Treasurer's Office, Preble County, Ohio for tax payments made by Benjamin Oswalt for 1877, 1880, 1882, and 1888. Receipts are approx. H 10.5cm x L 17.5cm and have strong horizontal folds.