The Library Company’s collection of paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, scientific instruments, and other artifacts.

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A. McCoy's House Village Green
Signed on the lower right corner, "W.F. Vache 71." On the back is an inscription, "A. McCoy's House Village [Green?], W.F. Vache 1871."
Abraham Lincoln
The piece is signed in the weaving: "S. Chevre 1861" and "Isaac Dreyfus Sons Basle." It consists of a portrait of Lincoln in an oval frame of flowers. At the top of the Oval is a shield with an eagle bearing a banner in its beak that says Union For Ever.
An Academic Study (Possibly of the Acropolis in Athens)
Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
Adonis
Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869., Exhibited in the Library Company's exhibition, Fine Feathered Friends (1994).
Air Pump Case
John Penn sent the Library Company an air pump in 1738, and this case was built to house it. It is the earliest surviving piece of American architectural furniture in the Palladian style., Ordered by Benjamin Franklin and Hugh Roberts about May 15, 1738 to house the air pump given by John Penn. Delivered in 1739 to the home of William Parsons., Exhibited in: Library Company's exhibition, Quarter of a Millennium (1981).
American Expeditionary Forces pin.
Gift of George Allen, 2022., Safety bar pin with metal locking clasp. AEF in the center of a red keystone with a blue background. Written on the recto: Auxiliary. Society of the 28th Div American Expeditionary Forces 1917 1819[sic]. Marked on the verso: B.B. Co. STER. Pat.2066969. The 28th Infantry Division represents the Pennsylvania National Guard and was also called the “Keystone Division.” The Division served in World War I, including at the Battle of Chateau-Thierry.
Anti-slavery Token
Reads, "Am I Not A Woman & A Sister 1838." The back reads, "United States of America." Picture of a wreath with "Liberty 1838" within it., These tokens were sold at antislavery fairs organized by abolitionist women to raise money for the cause. In this example, to avoid charges of counterfeiting, the N in United States is reversed., Gift of Chris McCauley, 1996., Exhibited in the Heritage Center at the Union League of Philadelphia exhibition, Philadelphia 1861: The Coming Storm (2011).
Apollo
Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
Badges for the 1883 German American Bicentennial
Three badges for the Bi-Centennial Parade, 1683-1883. 1. Deutsch Amerikanischer Verein (blue and gold). 2. German American Bi-Centennial Executive Committee (red and gold). 3. German American Bi-Centennial Parade (blue and gold)., Gift of Don Yoder and William Woys Weaver, (Roughwood Collection), 2000., Exhibited in Good Bye Bayern- Grüb Gott America at the Center for Bavarian History, Augsburg Museum “Alte Schranne” in Nördlingen (Bavaria) (2004).
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Commemorative Medal
Inscription reads, “The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company 1827-1927; Peter Cooper’s Tom Thumb.”, A card accompanying the medal reads, “This medal is issued on the one hundredth birthday of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company to commemorate not merely the important milestone in its own history but the rounding out of a century of a definite American Railroad achievement. The Baltimore and Ohio was the first American railroad to operate its line for the public handling of passengers and freight. This was early in 1830. In all the one hundred years of its life it has changed neither its corporate name, its charter nor its fundamental organization. The obverse of the medal depicts one of the most modern trains of the Baltimore and Ohio—The Capital Limited or The National Limited—drawn by one of the largest and most modern passenger locomotives built. The spirit of Transportation guides the locomotive on its onward flight. The reverse shows the Tom Thumb, designed by Alderman Peter Cooper of New York and the first steam locomotive to be built in the United States even though it was never put into practical service. Mr. Hans Schuler, director of the Maryland Institute in Baltimore, is the sculptor who designed the medal and it was reproduced direct from his models by the Medallic Art Company of New York City.”, Gift of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, 1927.
Bas relief of William Penn
Batac near Cairo
Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
Benjamin Franklin
In the late spring of 1777, Caffieri completed a terra cotta bust of Franklin from life. It was said to be the best likeness of Franklin. Thereafter, the sculptor made a number of casts., LCP Minutes vol. 4, Jan. 17, 1805, p. 186: "A bust of Dr. Benjamin Franklin was presented to the Company by Walter Franklin, Esquire.", Gift of Walter Franklin, 1805., Exhibited in the Library Company's exhibitions, Quarter of a Millennium (1981) and Benjamin Franklin: Writer and Printer (2006)., Photograph courtesy of Linda Lennon Objects Conservation.
Benjamin Franklin
The Lambdin portrait is a copy of an original painted by David Martin in 1766., Purchased by the Library Company, 1880., LCP Minutes vol. 8, April 1, 1880, p. 311: "A letter was recd from JR Lambdin offering for sale a portrait of Dr. Franklin, which was declined, the price being $200." Vol. 8, November 11, 1880, p. 343: "On motion it was decided to purchase from Mr. J.R. Lambdin a portrait of Dr. Franklin, provided it could be obtained for $150.00." Vol. 8, December 3, 1880, p. 352: "The following orders were drawn upon the Treasurer... No. 527, JR. Lambdin. Portrait of Dr. Franklin 150.00."
Benjamin Franklin
Larger-than-life statue of Franklin originally placed in a niche over the entrance to Library Hall at Fifth Street in 1792., Universal Asylum and Columbian Magazine, April 11, 1792, p. 284: "The statue of Dr. Franklin was last Saturday fixed in its niche over the front door of the new library in fifth-street----Francois Lazzarini is the sculptor, and Carrara the name of the place where it was executed. If the intrinsic merit of this master-piece of art did not speak its value, the name of the artist, where he is known, would evince it. Here perhaps price may give the best idea of its worth. We have heard that it cost above 500 guineas.----The statue of Dr. Franklin is a full length figure, erect, clad with a Roman toga--the position easy and graceful--in the right hand is a scepter reversed, the elbow resting on books placed on a pedestal--the left hand, a little extended, holds a scroll. This elegant piece of sculpture is executed in the finest white marble, and is the donation of William Bingham esq. of this city, to the library-company.", Several newspapers reported the arrival of the statue. See Object file for the list., Gift of William Bingham, 1792., LCP Minutes vol. 3, various entries from Aug. 6, 1789-May 3, 1792. See Object file for transcriptions.
Benjamin Franklin
Anne Leslie was the sister of Eliza Leslie and Charles Robert Leslie. She was a portrait painter and copyist. Written on the back of the canvas, “Benjamin Franklin a copy by Miss Anne Leslie from the original by the French artist J.S. Duplessis when Franklin was in Paris. The first proprietor of Gruese’s picture of Franklin was Thomas Jefferson, by whose grand-daughter, Mrs. Coolidge, it was presented to the Boston Athenaeum.”, LCP Minutes vol. 7, April 29, 1858, p. 121: “A letter was received from Mrs. Haven stating that she had authority from Major Leslie to say that a portrait in oil of Dr. Franklin copied by Anna Leslie from the original by Greuze in the Boston Athenaeum and deposited by the late Miss Eliza Leslie in this Library was intended by Miss Leslie as a gift to this Institution. The Librarian was directed to return thanks.”, Gift of Eliza Leslie, c. 1858.
Benjamin Franklin 200th Year Anniversary Commemorative Medal
Inscription on the front reads, “Benjamin Franklin Printer Philosopher Scientist Statesman Diplomat.” The back reads, “Struck by an Act of Congress of the United States History Literature Science Philosophy To Commemorate Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of Benjamin Franklin MCMVI.” A profile of Franklin’s head appears on the medal with the dates, “1706-1790.”, Gift of the American Philosophical Society.
Benjamin Franklin figurine.
Staffordshire figurine of Benjamin Franklin wearing a blue jacket, vest with floral decoration, gold-striped breeches, and black shoes carrying a tricorn hat in his left hand and a newspaper in his right hand. Gilded decoration and “Franklin” at the base in gilt. No maker’s marks. Firing hole at the bottom of the base., Gift of Beatrice Garvan, 2015.
Benjamin Franklin portrait miniature pendant
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin set into a gold frame with ribbon surmount, the foliate pierced and enameled border set with enameled urns and basket decorated with seed pearls, the reverse glazed to reveal the counter-enamel. The portrait is one of five extant versions and the jeweled setting is most likely contemporary and commissioned so that the image could be worn as a pendant. Weyler painted this portrait as a part of a series of miniatures he called “Panthéon Iconographique,” which included famous men he wanted to preserve for posterity in enamel. Franklin was the most popular of the series’ subjects. The original portrait for which the enamel was based on has not been traced, but it is believed to be a pastel taken from life., See accession file for more information about provenance., Purchase of the Library Company, 2013.
Benjamin R. Morgan
Benjamin Morgan was a prominent Philadelphia lawyer. Admitted to the bar in 1785, he became one of the judges of the District Court in 1821, and, previous to this, one of the founders of the Penna. Academy of the Fine Arts in 1805. Morgan was Secretary of the Library Company from 1792-1825 and one of its directors, 1825-1840., LCP Minutes vol. 9, April 4, 1889, p. 158: “A vote of thanks was directed to be sent to Mrs. Robert W. Leaming for her gift of a portrait of Benjamin R. Morgan.”, Gift of Mrs. Robert W. Leaming, 1889.
Benjamin Rush
Plaster cast of William Rush's 1812 terracotta bust of Benjamin Rush., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
Benjamin Rush
Printed on silk with MS (paper) label., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
Book Cover
19th century tooled and dyed leather book cover. Crests with a lion in the center on the front and back. Gold, green, blue, and red paint., Gift of David Doret, 2007.
Brewster Chairs
Set of four chairs., Bequest of Anne Hampton Brewster, 1892.
Brewster Table
The table has an accordion, wire and wheel system to aid in expanding and contracting it for the use of leaves., Library Company Minutes vol. 9, p. 308, "I give and bequeath to the Library Company of Philadelphia... long carved Quattro Cento nut-wood library table.", Bequest of Anne Hampton Brewster, 1892.
Bronze plaque of Christopher Sower, Sr.
Label on the back reads: "This supposed portrait of Christopher Sower first was modeled by Rupert Schmid a celebrated German Artist and sculptor from likeness and description of Christopher Sower's descendants, in Nov. 1886. Ch. G. Sower.", Bequest of Charles G. Sower, 1904.
Bronze plaque of David Sower, Jr.
Bequest of Charles G. Sower, 1904.
Brotherhood of America Medals
George Lippard (1822-1854) founded a fraternal organization, the Brotherhood of the Union c. 1847. It was a secret labor and socialist organization that hoped to overthrow the capitalist system in America. Later (c. 1890) the organization was called the Brotherhood of America and turned into a social and mutual aid society. The Brotherhood of America dissolved in 1995., All ten medals read “Truth, Hope, Love” and have a scene depicting men on a ship across the top. Each medal has a different metal ornament hanging from the top piece (see descriptions below). All have a blue ribbon with “Brotherhood of America” in metal at the bottom of the ribbon. The medallion depicts an “H.F.” on an altar with a torch surrounded by stars. “H.F.” stands for “The Hope of the Future.” It can also stand for: Holy Flame, Holy Fruit, Holy Faith, Holy Freedom, Hope Fulfilled, Holy Fraternity, Human Family. See the B.C.G.[79190.O] for more information., 876 a.: Chief Washington: A cross in a circle hangs from the top piece. 876 b: PCW: Liberty Bell hangs from the top piece. 876 c: Watcher of the Night: A sword hangs from the top piece. 876 d: Treasurer: A key hangs from the top piece. 876 e: Jefferson: 2 crisscrossing torches hang from the top piece. 876 f: Watcher of the Day: 2 crisscrossing swords hang from the top piece. 876 g: Honorable Scroll Keeper: A scroll with “H.F.” hangs from the top piece. 876 h: Herald: 2 crisscrossing horns or trumpets hang from the top piece. 876 i: Franklin: 2 crisscrossing fasces hang from the top piece. 876 j: Register: An open book with “H.F.” hangs from the top piece., All medals except 876j are pinned to a Whitehead and Hoag Co. cardboard advertisement., Gift of the Brotherhood of America, 1994.
Caesar Augustus
Cameos
Five boxes containing 150 cameos of Greeks and Romans. Some boxes have lists indentifying the people., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
Candle Lantern
This tallow candle lantern formerly hung in the entrance to the Library's 5th St. building. It was preserved and rehung in the Ridgway Branch., Purchased by the Library Company from Poultney & Wilson in 1791.
Captains Windsor Chair
In 1980, Charles Santore examined the chair and thought that it was made by a Carpenter Hall Chairmaster in Philadelphia., Gift of Glorvina Fort, Dec. 20, 1876.
Cast from Death Mask of Napoleon
Plaster cast taken from the death mask made by Napoleon's physician., Bequest of Anne Hampton Brewster, 1892.
Celestial Globe
The top of the stand supports an artificial horizon with astrological notations. There is an hour circle around what would be the North Pole. Figures of the constellations are drawn in. The inscriptions on the globe reads: “Loring’s Celestial Globe Containing all the known stars, Nebula &c. Compiled from the various works of Wollaston, Flamstead, de La Caille, Havelius, Mayer, Bradley, Herschel, Smith’s New English Globe. Boston, Josiah Loring, Washington St., 1841.”
Centennial Handkerchief
A framed cotton Centennial handkerchief or bandanna printed with views of buildings from Philadelphia’s International Exhibition, including the Main Building, the Art Gallery, and the Horticultural Building, portraits of George Washington and Ulysses Grant, and patriotic seals. Printed with black on a white ground with a geometric border. Label of the framer, Ursula Hobson, on the back., Gift of James T. Carson, 2008.
Centennial Medal
Small medal from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition. Obverse inscribed, "Memorial medal, 1776" with image of Independence Hall; reverse inscribed, "Struck Within the International Exhibition 1876.", Gift of Raymond Holstein, 2011.
Centennial Medal
Inscription reads, “In Commemoration of the Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence Act of Congress 1874.”, The obverse depicts the "Genius of American Independence" with a sword in her right hand while her left hand is raised to thirteen stars representing the orginal thirteen colonies. On the reverse is the "Genius of Liberty" bestowing laurel wreaths to the “arts” and “sciences.”, Gift of F. Lynwood Garrison, Esq.
Centennial Ribbon
“A Present from the International Exhibition, Philadelphia, 1877.” Decorated with blue, yellow, green, and red with flowers and a blue tassel at the bottom. Ribbon mounted on a paper backing which reads: at the top corners, “Highest Premium Awarded” “Centennial Exposition 1876.” “B.B. Tilt & Son. 477 Broom St. N.Y. Works. Phoenix Man’F’G Co. Paterson, N.J.” Decorated with an eagle and inscribed “Trade mark.”, Purchase of the Library Company of Philadelphia, 2013.
Centennial Scissors
"Philadelphia 1876" engraved on the shank.
Charles A. Gillingham
Gift of Miss Gillingham, June 2, 1904., LCP Minutes vol. 10, June 2, 1904, p. 88: "One portrait and two pastels bequeathed by Miss Gillingham to the Library were received."

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