Art and Artifacts Collection

: Merchant's Exchange, Philadelphia; Merchant's Exchange, designed by William Strickland and constructed 1832-33, was one of the earliest stock exchanges in the United States., Gift of David Doret, 2002.

: Merchant's Exchange, Philadelphia; Merchant's Exchange, designed by William Strickland and constructed 1832-33, was one of the earliest stock exchanges in the United States., Gift of Michael Zinman, 1996.

: Mercury; A bronze figure of Mercury striding with right hand raised, left foot emerging. He wears his winged sandals "talaria.", Bronze statuary and pedestal set in a marble base.

: Meschianza Mirror; This richly decorated frame has carved and gilded moldings with pendants of leaves, blossoms, and fruit. Lettered around the frame in gilt reads, “Mischianza-1778. / This mirror was in the ballroom of the Wharton House, Philadelphia at the above date & on the occasion of above fête./ General Meredith Read’s André relics.” The Meschianza ended with a ball, which took place in an elaborate canvas tent. The interior of the tent was painted and decorated with mirrors (including this one) and chandeliers, many of them borrowed from neighboring mansions., Gift of Mrs. John Meredith Read, 1900., Exhibited in the Philadelphia Museum of Art's exhibition, Art in Revolutionary Philadelphia (2010-2011).

: Metal Die: Benjamin Rush; Die of a Benjamin Rush commemorative medal. This die is the Obverse of the medal. (Reverse is OBJ 248)., Inscribed: "Benjamin Rush M.D. of Philadelphia.", Bequest of Dr. James Rush.

: Metal Die: Sydenham; Die of a Benjamin Rush commemorative medal. This die is the Reverse side of the medal. (Obverse is OBJ 249.), Inscribed: “Sydenham, Read Think Observe MDCCCVIII.” Sydenham was Rush's country home. Depicts a flowing river. In the background is a setting sun with clouds and mountains; there are large trees in the foreground. In front a block of stone with " Read, Think, Observe" and upon this an open book. Beneath, to the right, M. Furst Fec., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.

: Minerva as Patroness of American Liberty; Gift of the Continental Congress, ca. 1800., Exhibited in the Library Company and Historical Society of Pennsylvania's exhibition, Women 1500-1900 (1974). Exhibited in the Library Company's exhibition, Quarter of a Millennium (1981).

: Miscellaneous artifacts found during the Cassatt House renovation; 1. Envelope addressed to “Mr. C.F. Brice 1320 Locust St. Philadelphia PA.” Postmarked, “Philadelphia PA Jun 19 3-PM.” Return address states, “If not delivered in 5 days, return to The Continental Title and Trust Co. Twelfth Street Above Chestnut Philadelphia Insures Titles-Issues Searches Acts as Executer, Administrator, Trustee, Guardian Agent, &c., and as Surety for Persons so Acting Deposits Received, Interest Allowed.” Right corner of envelope missing, appears burned. 2. Envelope, left side badly damaged, perhaps water? Addressed to ?emer, Locust St., ? City. Postmarked, Philadelphia, PA 1909 with a one cent stamp. Return address is “George Miller & Son Co. Importers of Mandarin Fire Crackers, Fire Works, Etc. Nos [2]55 to 263 South Third St. Philadelphia, PA.” Below is a picture of fireworks. 3. Label ripped in two pieces. Appears to have a hole burned through the larger piece. The label says, “H…Children” with pictures of children surrounding, all in blue. Scant bits of the address remain; the rest is torn away. 4. Brochure for “Miller’s Fireworks 255-263 SO. THIRD ST., PHILADELPHIA.” For the Fourth of July, 1909, lists the different fireworks and their prices. Booklet is torn in half but repaired with tape. Much of the top half is faded but still legible. 5. Instructions for restarting the “gas lights” by turning off and turning on “switches” to determine the area in the house that is causing the problem. Typed. 6. Matchbox. Ads for “Hanscom Restaurants” and “Protection from Fire.” 7. Book of matches. “Safety BookMatches” “The Diamond Match Co.” 8. Small envelope from “The Bailey, Banks & Biddle Company Philadelphia, PA.” which included samples of their stationary. Lists two different sheets with their price., Found at the Cassatt House, 2000-2001.

: Model for the Ridgway Library; The Ridgway Library was built with a million dollar bequest from Dr. James Rush with the condition that he would choose the site. It was named in honor of Dr. Rush’s wife, Phoebe Ann Ridgway Rush., This model was made for comparative purposes in choosing the architecture for the Ridgway Branch of the Library Company. The model was supplied by Addison Hutton, the architect of the Ridgway Library at Broad and Christian Streets., Made for the Library Company, ca. 1870.

: Mountainous Landscape with Bridge; Bequest of Dr. James Rush.

: Mountains with Cottage and Person with Cart; Signed and dated., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.

: Mrs. Zachariah Poulson [Susannah Knorr Poulson]; Susannah Knorr was born in Germantown in 1756. She married Zachariah Poulson in 1780., Purchased by the Library Company, 2011.

: Mummers badges; Nine badges with silk and metallic trim and a photo portrait on each. M. A. Bruder New Years Association, Comic Club. These badges were worn as identification badges by club members in the parade. Some were marked President, Treasurer, etc. Some were dated and worn only once. As much work went into making the badges as costumes. Mostly Comics and Fancies wore badges. Many of the Comic and Fancy clubs marched for a few years and then died out or combined with other clubs.

: Mummy's Hand; The Library Company acknowledges that in the past it regarded the mummified hand as a curiosity, which is harmful and offensive. The Library Company aims to correct this by showing dignity and respect to the remains of a once living person., On the top of the box is a label in Francis Hopkinson's hand that reads: “Woman's Hand taken from an Egyptian Mummy: presented to the Library Company of Philadelphia by Mr. Benjamin West formerly of this City, but now of London - Historical Painter - November 1767.”, LCP Minutes vol. 1, Dec. 14, 1767, p. 253: “He [the secretary, Francis Hopkinson] reported that Mr. Benjamin West formerly of this City; but now of London, Historical Painter had presented the Company, with his respectful Complts. a Woman's Hand taken from an Egyptian Mummy in good Preservation. Ordered that the Secretary in the Name of this Board return Mr. West their respectful Complts. with many Thanks for the Present he has been pleased to make them; being a real & valuable Curiosity; but more particularly as Instance of Regard from a gentleman of this City who has distinguished himself by his extraordinary Abilities.”, Gift of Benjamin West, 1767., Exhibited in the Library Company's exhibition, Quarter of a Millennium (1981).

: Nail from Christ Church, Philadelphia; Nail from Christ Church. Reads, “Christ Church in Phila. 1695.” Encased in plastic?

: Nathaniel Bowditch; Inscription on left side reads: “Dr. Bowditch, LLD. Executed in marble by Ball Hughes for the Society of Arts and Sciences, Boston. ” on right side; “Ball Hughes, / Phila.a / 1839, / Sculptor” on left side; and “TRAITÉ DE / MECHANIQUE CELESTE / A La Place” on spine of book at base. The book at the base is by Pierre Simon, marquis de Laplace (1749-1827), which was translated into English by Bowditch., LCP Minutes vol. 6, April 6, 1848, p. 294: "A bust of the late Nathaniel Bowditch was offered for sale for twelve dollars, and the Treasurer was authorized to purchase it at that price."

: Needlework Sampler

: New York Harbor - View of New York from Upper Bay near Bedloes Island; Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869., Exhibited in the Philadelphia Maritime Museum's exhibition,Thomas Birch 1779-1851: Paintings and Drawings (1966).

: Now Montgomery Ave. and 27th Street, South of Glenwood Ave.; Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell, 2021., Landscape of a field showing green grass, bushes, and trees with a wooden fence running along the center. Dated, 1871, in red in the lower left corner. Title from manuscript label on the reverse of the frame (now photographed and pasted on the back). Montgomery Avenue and 27th Street are east of the Schuylkill River and Fairmount Park in Philadelphia.

: Oakum taken from the USS Constitution; Label reads: “Oakum taken out of the Constitution Oct. 16th, 1847 put in at the time the Constitution was built, 1797.”

: Obelisk; An inscription on the side reads: "Model of the only obelisk now standing at Heliopolis the One of the Scriptures erected by Osortseen the 1st, the earliest of the Pharaohs whose name is found in the Hieroglyphics.”

: Old Tun Tavern.; David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell Collection, 2018., Label on the front reads: Old Tun Tavern, Philadelphia, Where the First Grand □ of F. & A.M. was Held in America. Tun Tavern stood at the intersection of King (later Water) Street and Wilcox (later Tun) Alley. It was the location of the first lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the colonies as early as 1732. The June 26, 1732 Pennsylvania Gazette contains an announcement of William Allen being chosen Grand Master. The Tavern is also regarded as the location where the United States Marines held their first recruitment drive in 1775. In 1781, Tun Tavern burned down. A reproduction was built on the grounds of the 1926 Sesquicentennial and demolished after the exposition ended.

: Oliver Goldsmith

: Oval spectacles; Round spectacles marked "McAllister Philad" "18" with extendable temples. Missing lenses., Gift of Dr. Vincent J. Marchese, 2013.

: Peace Medal (From the Friendly Association for Regaining and Preserving Peace with the Indians); Presentation medal with the bust of King George II on the obverse and, on the reverse, a Quaker man holding a peace pipe at a council fire with a Native American man. Duffield, a clockmaker, engraved the die; the silversmith Richardson struck it. It was the first peace medal made in America. Benjamin Franklin and members of the Friendly Association would distribute these medals to Native Americans as tokens of goodwill., Exhibited in: Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World (2005-2007); Library Company's exhibition, Quarter of a Millennium (1981).

: Pewter Plate; Stamps on the back indicate it was made 1697-1720: a lion’s head erased; Britannia; “London”; an indistinguishable mark that may have once been a date letter; a crowned X; a touch mark of either AMH or A & H; and two identical marls of a spread eagle between towers., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.

: Philadelphia Centennial Bandanna; Printed in sepia with dark blue border/background. Reads, "Centennial International" at the top and "Exhibition, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, 1776-1876" at the bottom. Depicts scenes of the exhibition buildings with "Memorial Hall, Art Gallery" in the center, "Main Exhibition Building" and "the Machinery Hall" at the top, and "The Agricultural Hall" and "The Horticultural Hall" at the bottom. At the top center there is an eagle with a shield and an "E-Pluribus Unum" banner., Gift of Michael Zinman, 2008. (Part of the Michael Zinman World's Fair Collection.)

: Philadelphia Founders Week Commemorative Medal; Medal of William Penn with "1683-1908, Founders Week." Attached to a blue and yellow ribbon which reads, "City Council." Engraved, George Morris Abbott on the reverse.

: Philadelphia Harbor from the South; Philadelphia landmarks in the painting include Spark’s Shot Tower on the left, the steeple of Christ Church in the center, as well as the Old Navy Yard. Anchored in front of the Navy Yard is what is believed to be the U.S.S. Pennsylvania, which is thought to be the largest sailing man-of-war ever built in the United States. At the right is the steamboat Robert Morris, built in 1830., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869., Exhibited in: Philadelphia Maritime Museum's exhibition, Thomas Birch, 1779 - 1851, Paintings and Drawings (1966); American Paintings of Ports and Harbors at the Cummer Gallery of Art, Jacksonville, Florida and the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences (1969); Library Company's exhibition, Quarter of a Millennium (1981).

: Philadelphia Public Buildings, 1876; Depicts City Hall with "Philadelphia Public Buildings 1876" underneath. On the back is stamped, "F.R. Pratt and Co., Fenton, Staffordshire" and a retailer's stamp, "R. J. Allen, Son & Co., 309/311 Market St. Philadelphia.", Gift of Walter Brenner, 1984.

: Picture of a sailing ship in stormy sea; Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.

: Plaque; The scene of two lovers in a landscape is tinted green; the floral border is tinted maroon., Possibly used as a purely decorative hanging plaque or for the purposes of acting as an example in a bookbinder's shop., Gift of Wendy Woloson, 2005., Inscription on the back, "Design by Gobrecht x Tinted and cast by Clas. Hazeltine."

: Plaque; A scene of two lovers in a landscape with a raised border. Tinted black. Inscription on the back, "H.", Possibly used as a purely decorative hanging plaque or for the purposes of acting as an example in a bookbinder's shop., Gift of Wendy Woloson, 2005.

: Pocket watch; Gold pocket watch with rack-lever escapement (Peter Litherland's patent of 1791) by Robert Roskell of Liverpool. The mechanism is signed, “R. Roskell Liverpool 6015” “Patent.” Cream dial with Roman numerals and gold hands. Gold case, eighteen carats, by Thomas Helsby of Chester, with Chester assay office marks for assay year 1809/10. Key wound (with key). Includes watch papers with MS of formulas (see accession file for more details)., Owned by Mathew Carey (1760-1839)., Gift of Mrs. Francis Carey Lea, Jr. in memory of Francis Carey Lea, Jr., 2011.

: Political campaign medal "Harrison The People's Choice"; Political campaign medal promoting William Henry Harrison for president., Inscribed, “Maj. Gen. W.H. Harrison.” The reverse reads, “The People’s Choice, the Hero of Tippecanoe.”

: Political campaign medal, Harrison/Tyler; Political campaign medal promoting William Henry Harrison for president and John Tyler for vice president., Obv.: military bust of Harrison with the inscription: “Maj. Gen. W.H. Harrison 1841.” On the reverse side an eagle is depicted with the inscription, “Go it Tip Come it Tyler.” There is a small hole at the top of the medal.

: Poor Richard Club pin.; Pin for the Poor Richard Club, which was a private club in Philadelphia founded in 1906, whose members were mostly in the advertising industry. Reads on the front, “Poor Richard Club, Philadelphia,” with a left facing profile of Benjamin Franklin. Name in ink filled in on the front “E.H. Peterson.” Marked on the Back “W&H Co.” and “The Whitehead & Hoag Co. Newark, NJ”, Gift of Chris Neopolitan, 2017.

: Primary Lessons No. 5; “Primary Lessons. No. 5” at the top and within a decorative border includes nine poems. There are four relief prints along the top that illustrate the poems. Stamped, Boston Chemical Printing Company, at the bottom., Contents: The Birth-day (first lines: Try me, father, try me, and mark me on the wall) -- The School (first lines: School is out, but do not shout) -- Invitation to a little bird (first lines: Little bird, roam, quick to my home) -- The Bird's answer (first lines: I thank you, my dear, but I'd rather live here) -- Invitation to a little ant (first line: Run here, little ant, for the pretty bird can't) -- The Ant's answer (first line: Stop, stop, little miss) -- Little Mary (first line: Little Mary was good) -- Mama and the baby (first line: What a little thing am I) -- My mother's sweet kiss (first line: I have learned my lesson)., Bequest of S. Robert Teitelman, 2009.

: Primary Lessons No. 8; Within a decorative border is “Primary Lessons, No. 8.” Includes five poems, with three relief prints that illustrate the poems. Stamped, Boston Chemical Printing Company, at the bottom. Hemmed around the edges by hand., Contents: The Little child (first line: See me, I am a little child) -- A Morning prayer (first lines: Awaked from sleep, O God to thee I lift my heart, and bow my knee) -- The Child's time table (first line: Sixty seconds make a minute) -- The Infant school boy (first lines: Pray, how can I, a little lad, in speaking make a figure?) -- Anna and her chicken (first line: Mamma, my little chicken see)., Bequest of S. Robert Teitelman, 2009.

: Reverend Samuel Preston; This portrait is signed and dated, lower right, B. West, 1797. “Presented by Elizh West 1804” hand lettered on the frame, bottom center., Reverend Samuel Preston was an English cleric who never visited America, but nevertheless bequeathed to the Library Company his rich collection of 2,500 illustrated volumes on history, geography, and the arts. It is possible that West induced him to give his valuable collection to the Library Company., Gift of Elizabeth West (Mrs. Benjamin West), 1804., Exhibited in: Newark Museum's exhibition, An Exhibition of American Painting from 1700 to 1900 (1931); the Art Center in West Chester's exhibition, Yesterday in Chester County Art (1936); Pennsylvania Museum of Art's exhibition, Benjamin West, 1738-1820 (1938); Library Company's exhibition, Quarter of a Millennium (1981); Philadelphia Museum of Art's exhibition, Benjamin West in Pennsylvania Collections (1986); Library Company's exhibition, In Living Color: Collecting Color Plate Books (2007)., Library Company Minutes vol. 5, May 6, 1819, p. 57 :"Thomas Sully and John Vaughan, a Committee on behalf of the Academy of Fine Arts having requested the loan of West's picture of Preston to be exhibited in their Hall, it was agreed to, they engaging to return it uninjured at the end of two months."

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