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

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Engraving Plate for Library Company Letterhead
Reads: “Library Co. of Philadelphia, Philadelphia.” The Library Company’s seal is at the left.
Engraving Plate of Library Company Receipt
With glass negative of the Library Company seal. Reads: “Philadelphia__ 18__, The Library Company of Philadelphia having received from you __ The Directors of the institution have instructed me to transmit you their thanks. I have the honour to be, Your obedient servant.” Marked on the back, “Keim Phila.”
Fire Mark of the Fire Association of Philadelphia
Removed from 204-206 South Juniper Street in 1949., The Fire Association of Philadelphia was organized in 1817 by volunteer fire companies and incorporated as an insurance company in 1820. It became a joint stock company in 1871., Insurance policy holders were required to affix fire marks outside of their building to inform fire brigades that the building was insured and by which company., Fire Association of Philadelphia fire marks include a fire-plug with a section of hose attached to it, with the letters F.A. on each side of the plug.
Fireplace Tiles
Colored tiles which were placed around the fireplace in the Librarian’s room. Depicts the Logan coat of arms with the inscription, “Haec Majorum Virtus,” the Penn coat of arms, and the Library Company's coat of arms., Purchased by the Library Company, 1882.
Flags.
Set of six flags: French, Belgium, Italian, Union Jack, and two 48-star American flags. These flags decorated Mabel Brice’s home at 1320 Locust Street when she hosted the Queen of Belgium for tea. Mabel Brice Wheeler (1873-1965) volunteered in the Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania’s Belgium Relief Committee during the First World War. The Belgian Royal family toured the United States between September 23 and November 1919 to thank the American people for all of their help. King Albert and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, along with their son Leopold, the Duke of Brabant, traveled to Philadelphia on October 27, 1919. They went to Independence Hall and the headquarters of the Belgian Relief Committee. The Queen had tea at the home of Mabel Brice while the King and Duke explored the shipyard at Hog Island. Ephraim and Mary Brice (Mabel’s parents) purchased the house in 1900, and Mabel lived there the rest of her life. The Library Company bought the residence in 1967., Found in the collection-from the Cassatt House.
Four Scrapbooks
Four books assembled by Daisy Lowengrund: 1. "Sewing Book" in brown paper with front and back pockets. Pockets contain drawings on trace paper and small sewn blocks, some dated 1902-1905. Book contains embroidered pictures in various colors. 2. Half-bound volume of "Mat Weaving" containing weaved paper designs in various colors. 3-4. Two accordion-folded portfolios of colored paper cut-outs. Exhibited in Library Company of Philadelphia's exhibition, The Living Book: New Perspectives on Form and Function (2017-2018)., Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bendiner, 1998.
Fragment of the American flag, "Star Spangled Banner"
The flag was commissioned by Major George Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry, and made by Mary Pickersgill. Small pieces of the flag were given away as relics; over two hundred square feet of the Star-Spangled Banner was eventually given away, including one of the stars., Note on back of frame reads: "Fort McHenry Sept. 13 & 14 1874. The original of the "Star Spangled Banner." Photographed June 24, 1873 by permission of Mrs. Georgianna Armistead Appleton, daughter of Colonel Armistead.", Part of the McAllister Collection., Exhibited in: the Smithsonian's exhibition, Snippings from the Star-Spangled Banner (2001); the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's exhibition, "Our Flag Was Still There": The Star-Spangled Banner's Bicentennial (2014).
Framed Items Concerning David Rittenhouse
Frame contains: 1. Page of Rittenhouse Almanac, 1820; 2. Engraving of David Rittenhouse; 3. Newspaper clipping, "Rittenhouse's First Clock"; 4. Receipt signed by David Rittenhouse., Gift of George Maurice Abbot, 1929.
Francis Bacon
LCP Minutes vol. 7, Dec. 7, 1865, p. 249: "An original portrait of Francis Bacon Lord Verulam was offered by Philip F. Snyder, Esq. in exchange for 4 shares in the Library Company, which was accepted and the Treasurer was authorized to issue certificates accordingly.”, Gift of Philip Snyder in 1865 in exchange for four shares in the Library Company.
Franklin Bifocal Sesquicentennial, 1784-1934, Medal
Profile of Franklin holding bifocals in his hand. Back states, “Commemorating the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s Invention of the Bifocal Lens in 1784.”, Gift of Donald Oresman, 2000.
Friendship album
Album with locks of hair sewn onto the pages in loops of stylized flowers with colored drawings of flowers. The hair was assembled by Margaret Williams. Family names contained in the book are: Williams, Barmore, Mary, Washburn, Lee, Holden, Pullen, Armstrong, Darlen, Underhill, McIntyre, Rasnell, Halsted, Marshall, Philips, and Smith., Exhibited in: the Library Company's exhibition, Picturing Women (2004) ; and the Living Book: New Perspectives on Form and Function (2017-2018).
Garden of the Friends Almshouse
These buildings were built 1713-1745 on Walnut Street between Third and Fourth Streets to house Quaker poor. The main building of the almshouse was removed in 1841 and the last of the cottages in 1876., Stenciled on the back of the frame: Ashton & Browne, 204 Chestnut St., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
George Campbell
George Campbell was the librarian of the Library Company, 1806-1829 and on the board of directors from 1836-1855. This portrait was painted for the Musical Fund Society, of which Campbell was president., Gift of Edwin Wolf 2nd, 1960., Exhibited in the Library Company's exhibition, In Living Color: Collecting Color Plate Books (2007).
George Washington
LCP Minutes vol. 4, April 17, 1814, p. 333: “Mr. Joseph Sansom having presented a bust of General Washington...the Secretary was directed to thank Mr. Sansom for the present made by him.", Gift of Joseph Sansom, 1814.
George Washington
Inscription on verso says: “Presented to the Library Company of Phila. by their Treasurer 1801 J.D. John Dorsey.”, Library Company Minutes vol. 4, Feb 5, 1801, p. 129: A Portrait of General Washington elegantly framed, was presented by Mr. Dorsey the Treasurer, for which he has the thanks of the board., Gift of John Dorsey, 1801.
George Washington
This portrait is a copy of the Gilbert Stuart portrait., Gift of Mrs. T. Hudson Rich.
George Washington Norris
George W. Norris was a Library Company board member from 1840-1874. He was a Philadelphia surgeon and author and editor of books on historical medicine. He served as president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, vice-president of the Philadelphia Medical Society, vice-president of the College of Physicians, vice-president of the AMA, and an associate of the Academy of Natural Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.
German Prisoner of War Camp Medal
Commemorates the prisoner-of-war camp for German soldiers on the Isle of Man during World War I., Obverse shows a view of the prison camp with tents and huts, castle and lighthouse in background, within a wreath of barbed wire. Inscription on the reverse reads: Weltkrieg 1914-1916 Erinnerung an die Kriegshaft Douglas Isle of Man.
Glass Panel with Library Company's Seal
Yellow glass with the painted seal of the Library Company., Six panes of glass that were probably salvaged from the 5th Street building and/or Furness building before it was torn down.
Halfpenny Trade Token.
Gift of Jessica Linker, 2017., Obverse: "J. Lackington / [Bust of Lackington, facing front left] / 1794” Reverse: Central figure of a Fame blowing a trumpet surrounded by two-line inscription "Halfpenny of Lackington, Allen & Co." / "Cheapest booksellers in the world." "Edge lettered "Payable at the Temple of the Muses * / * / * " James Lackington opened his first bookstall in London in 1773 and issued his first catalog in 1779. The firm later was known as Lackington, Allan & Co. and occupied a large premises, "The Temple of the Muses," in Finsbury Square, London. According to his published "Confessions" (1804), he made the business wholly over to his cousin, George Lackington, in 1798. Tokens such as these were issued in many places in England between 1787 and 1800 when the government failed to mint enough copper coinage for the conduct of business.
Halfpenny Trade Token.
Gift of Jessica Linker, 2017., Obverse: "J. Lackington / [Bust of Lackington, facing front left] / 1794” Reverse: Central figure of a Fame blowing a trumpet surrounded by two-line inscription "Halfpenny of Lackington, Allen & Co." / "Cheapest booksellers in the world." "Edge lettered "Payable at the Temple of the Muses * / * / * " James Lackington opened his first bookstall in London in 1773 and issued his first catalog in 1779. The firm later was known as Lackington, Allan & Co. and occupied a large premises, "The Temple of the Muses," in Finsbury Square, London. According to his published "Confessions" (1804), he made the business wholly over to his cousin, George Lackington, in 1798. Tokens such as these were issued in many places in England between 1787 and 1800 when the government failed to mint enough copper coinage for the conduct of business.
Henry C. Carey
Copy after a 1867 portrait by T. Henry Smith (b. ca. 1820)., Gift of Helen Lea Humphrey, 1996.
Henry Charles Lea
Inscribed “1825-Henry Charles Lea-1909” on front of base; “May 1910 / CHARLES GRAFLY” on right verso; and “ROMAN BRONZE WORKS N-Y-” on verso along center of lower edge., Henry Charles Lea was a Library Company board member, 1870-1879, 1887-1902., LCP Annual Report for 1911, p. 1: “A bronze portrait bust of Mr. Henry Charles Lea, a benefactor and for many years a member of the Board, has been presented by the family through Mr. Arthur H. Lea. The work is by Mr. Charles Grafly and is considered an excellent likeness as well as a work of art. The base upon which the bust rests is of Negalla marble and is a very beautiful specimen of stone.”, Gift of Arthur H. Lea, 1911.
Henry Clay
Henry Clay Medallion
Copper medallion set in an oval wood frame. Profile bust of Clay facing left, with a laurel wreath border. Nothing on the reverse., "T.D. Jones, Del., C.C. Wright, fecit."
Henry Wharton
Signed and dated on the lower right corner, S.B. Waugh 1881., Henry Wharton was a Library Company Board member for 18 years., Purchased by the Library Company's Board in 1881.
Hester Prynne & Pearl
LCP Minutes vol. 14, Dec. 1, 1938, p. 35: “Mr. Parrish said that the grandsons of Mr. Howard Roberts have recently presented books to the Library and have offered to present to the Library Mr. Roberts’ statues of Hester and Lot’s wife. … Resolved that the Directors on behalf of the Library Company as well as on their own behalf warmly thank Mr. Paul Roberts and Mr. Radclyffe Roberts for their generous donations.” LCP Annual Report, May 1, 1939: “A collection of valuable books, formerly the property of the late Mr. and Mrs. Howard Roberts, was given to the Library by Mr. Paul Roberts. At the same time Mr. H. Radclyffe Roberts presented to the Library the marble statue of Hester Prynne and Pearl, the first important work of Howard Roberts. When exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy in 1872 it attracted widespread attention throughout the country.”, Gift of H. Radclyffe Roberts (the artist's grandson), 1939., Exhibited at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (1872) and the Philadelphia Art Museum (1966-1981).
Hollandische Kuff
Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
Homework Sampler
Eleven samplers, mounted on board in the form of a book, made by Emily Bell while attending the Bethlehem Female Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The sampler includes examples of buttonhole, hemming, and pin-tuck stitches., Exhibited in: The Library Company's exhibitions, The Hook and the Book: The Emergence of Crochet and Knitting in American Popular Culture, 1840-1876, (2001) and The Home Sewing Machine: America's "Queen of Inventions" (2009).
Independence
Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869., Exhibited in Philadelphia Maritime Museum's exhibition, Thomas Birch: 1779-1851, Paintings and Drawings (1966).
Interior Scene - People Dancing
A genre painting in the vein of Anthoni Palamedesz (Rotterdam) or Pieter Codde (Amsterdam) of the 1630s. The panel support suggest they could be 17th century., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
Iron Mortar Shell
This mortar was sent by Isaac J. Wister to the Library Company in 1864. His accompanying letter [7431.F.47] reads: Head Quarters, U. S. Army Forces, Yorktown Va., February 16, 1864. To the President and Managers of the Library Company of Philadelphia. Gentlemen, I have the honor to present to the Library Company, one thirteen inch mortar shell, just examined by a fatigue party from the terreplein of old Fort Yorktown - which from its position must have been fired from the right batteries of Gen'l Washington's second parallel during the siege by the Allies in October, 1781. The fuze has entirely decayed, but the charge remains. It has been effectively drowned and is believed to be inexplosive.", Gift of Isaac J. Wistar, 1864.
Iron Strong Box
Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
Isaac Newton
Jacob Duché's Mansion (3rd & Pine Streets)
The painting is not signed or dated., The figure in the foreground supposedly is Benjamin Franklin flying a kite during an electrical storm., Exhibited in Haverford College's exhibition, The Pennsylvania Landscape: Colonial to Contemporary (2007).
Jacob Ridgway; Phoebe Anne Ridgway Rush; James Rush
Portrait of James Rush signed and dated: "Anna C. Peale 1829" front left, vertical.
James Cox
LCP Minutes vol. 8, April 30, 1885, p. 557a: “A portrait in oil of James Coxe, artist whose library of 5000 vols was purchased in 1832 by the Co., was presented by Philip F. Snyder Esq. and the Sec’y was instructed to return the thanks of the Board.” Note by George Maurice Abbot, Dec. 4, 1890: The painting of “Mercy Interceding for the Vanquished” said to be by Etty, was given to the library by Philip F. Snyder who also painted for the library from a pencil sketch, a portrait of James Cox, from whom the library at one time bought a large number of books.”, Gift of Philip F. Snyder, 1885., Exhibited in the Library Company's exhibition, In Living Color: Collecting Color Plate Books (2007).
James Logan
The Library Company directors commissioned Thomas Sully to replace the portrait of James Logan that was destroyed in a fire in the Loganian Library on Jan. 6, 1831. Sully copied his painting from a portrait by Gustavus Hesselius in the possession of Mrs. D. Logan of Stenton (now in the possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania/Atwater Kent) and received two shares of LCP stock in payment., LCP Minutes vol. 5, Jan. 7, 1831, p. 309, "The destruction of an original portrait of James Logan, the distinguished donor of the Library bearing his name...is...a subject of great regret..." Loganian Library Minutes vol. 1, Nov. 10, 1831, p. 202-203: "An order was drawn ... for two shares of the stock of said company agreed to be given to Thomas Sully, Esqr. for painting a portrait of the founder of the Loganian Library from the one in the possession of Mrs. D. Logan of Stenton.", Commissioned by the Directors of the Library Company, 1831., Exhibited at the Great Central Fair in Philadelphia, in the "Wm. Penn Parlor" (1864). Exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition, Benjamin Franklin and His Circle (1936).
James Logan Fisher
LCP Minutes vol. 12, March 3, 1927, p. 93: “… the residue of the Estate of Sydney George Fisher is left to the Library Company, and in addition various designated engravings and prints.”, Bequest of Sydney George Fisher, 1927.
James S. Biddle
Biddle was on the Library Company's Board of Directors from 1870-1900., Gift of the Library Company's Board of Directors, 1901.

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