Ruschenberger, William Samuel Waithman

[South American Travel Album with watercolor and pencil sketches of Peruvians, signed on pastedown:] W.S.W. Ruschenberger, Philadelphia, January 1, 1835



36 drawings of which 24 are watercolor, 1 pen-and-ink, and 11 pencil, plus 2 lithographs and 1 engraving, various sizes from 7 5/8 x 12 1/4  to 3 7/8 x 8 in.; 194 x 310 to 100 x 204 mm, also including 3 broadsides dating from 1821 to 1838, all mounted in an album 13 x 8 5/8 in.; 330 x 220 mm, some with captions in ink or pencil; occasional marginal cockling from mounting. Contemporary three-quarter calf and marbled boards; backstrip and corners renewed with gold-stamped title label added to upper cover, edges rubbed.

occasional marginal cockling from mounting, backstrip and corners renewed with gold-stamped title label added to upper cover, edges rubbed.
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A charming album of vivid images of natives in local costume.

Ruschenberger (1807-1895) was a physician in the U.S. Medical Corps from 1826, serving at the Naval Asylum in Philadelphia from 1842, and at Brooklyn from 1843. During the Civil War he was chief surgeon at the Boston Navy Yard, and he was an active member of the Philadelphia College of Physicians from 1854 to 1883. His first cruise (1826-1829) was aboard the frigate Brandywine which made port in Callao, Peru; Valparaiso, Chile; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From 1831 through 1832, he was fleet surgeon aboard the Peacock serving again in South America. Many of his papers are now at the Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina.

The brilliant watercolor drawings are of individuals and groups in local costume, fruit still lifes, musical instruments, buildings, and persons. The drawings appear to be in two or perhaps three hands, one is stamp-signed "Chas. H. Duryee" (a fellow sailor commissioned as a lieutenant in 1833). It is not unreasonable to suppose that some are in the hand of Ruschenberger since physicians were taught to draw, and one drawing is captioned: "Drawn from description by Miss Malvina Lawson." The three broadsides include: 1. an undated appeal for contributions to a local hospital, 2. "Himno Nacional Republica Peruana" dated 28 July 1821, and 3. "El Gran Dia de Lima" a celebration of military victory, dated 1838.