John Martin (1823-1904) drew several images of the inside of the shop he kept on Center Street in Bangor for several years starting in 1862.

Martin, an accountant, had worked for various other businesses in Hampden and Bangor since he was a boy. He obtained funds from Edwin B. Patten to stock the store, essentially selling items on commission to repay Patten. Due to various economic downturns and the start of the Civil War, Martin thought being in business for himself was safer than working for someone else.

In 1864, Martin began writing and illustrating a detailed journal about his family, life, and experiences. This illustration appears on page 565 and is followed by explanations of each item pictured.