Striking Embossed Cameo Calling Card of the Episcopal Bishop of Rhode Island, with Chinese characters on ivory white card stock

Boston: Dickinson. Very good condition. John Prentiss Kewley Henshaw (1792 - 1852) was elected the fourth Episcopal Bishop of Rhode Island in 1843, and served as rector of Grace Church in Providence. He is listed as one of the Missionary Bishops elect for Chinese mission in church minutes dated October 23, 1844. In 1845 he served as co-consecrator with William Jones Boone, who was the first Anglican missionary bishop of Shanghai. While it is not clear that Henshaw served in China, one would assume that he had sufficient Chinese connection to warrant a calling card with his name in Chinese.

Bishop Henshaw seems to have been a slave holder. The Rhode Island Historical Society, which holds his papers from 1813 - 1852 (Catalog number: MSS 1133), lists a bill of sale for a female slave named Fanny, who Henshaw purchased in May of 1835 in Baltimore from a man named Charles Harrison. The embossed or "cameo" card with two female allegorical figures, garlands and dove. With the bishop's name in elaborate hand, with Chinese characters below. Mitchell Sc. embossed at lower left corner, and banner with "Be these your guides". 3 3/4 x 2 1/2"