Details
Creator Leaming, Robert Waln, 1824-1884, photographer.
Title Photographs taken by Robert Waln Leaming 1865-1875 at Ashwood, Villa Nova, Delaware County, Penna. Lancaster Pike and Spring Mill Road [graphic].
Publisher PA. Philadelphia. 1865-1875
Date 1865-1875
Physical Description 1 album (67 photographic prints): albumen on cardboard; album 28 x 26 cm. (11 x 10 in.)
Description Album containing 67 photographs showing the grounds and residence of the Ashwood estate near Villanova during different seasons; neighboring properties in Delaware and Montgomery counties; and formally posed family portraiture. Images include the front and rear facade of the Ashwood residence and landscape views of the grounds; Paxson's Mill and Dam in Radnor; J. Howard Lewis's paper mill at Darby Creek; 'Hammer Hollow," including the mill dam; Gulph Mill (Montgomery County); Leaming's other family estate Waln Grove near Frankford; old spring houses near Gulph Mill and Paxson's Mill; and Ancrum, "Seat of the Scotts Baronets of Ancrum Scotland." Many of the estate views include Leaming's wife and children (attired in clothing appropriate to the season) posed at the residence and on the grounds, including near fences, the barn, woods, and creek and in characters, as tableaux, and with farm and domesticated pets. Also contains photographic reproductions and photo-collages. Reproductions depict the the "Scott of Ancrum" family tree and Leaming's painting "Where the Sea Mew roams" and the collages show Leaming's daughters in a parlor setting (possibly Ashwood) and painted works by Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier, James Reid Lambdin, and Edwin Henry Landseer including the visage of Robert Waln Leaming. Other portrait sitters include Alice Burda, Tom Stewart, "Our Truck-man" in his horse-drawn buggy; the "Coachman" with horse "'Nelly'"and Mrs. Scott, i.e., probably, Leaming's mother-in-law Mary Emlen Scott
Notes Blue morocco binding, plate on front cover: R. W. Leaming and stamped: Photographs.
Title from inscription on front free end paper. Also includes family tree of descendants of Robert Waln Leaming and his wife Julia Scott (1821-1914).
Insert: Portrait print of Robert Waln engraved by Samuel Sartain after 1825 painting by Jacob Eicholtz. Verso inscribed with biographical information.
Captions by Robert Waln Leaming below the images.
Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
LCP AR [Annual Report] 1999, p. 45-46.
Gift of Mrs. Clifford Lewis III.
Housed in phase box.
Biographical / historical note Robert Waln Leaming, grandson of China Trade merchant Robert Waln, was a merchant by trade who also painted and practiced photography. He was married to Julia Scott, descended from the royal Scotts of Ancrum, with whom he had four children Rebecca, i.e., Reb (1850-1911); Mary, i.e., Mame (1851-1911); Julia, i.e., Duly (1854-1913), and Thomas (1856-1911). Leaming was also an active member of the Photographic Society of Philadelphia. His residence Ashwood, not to be confused with the Penn-Gaskell/DeCosta property of the same name (208 Ashwood Road, Villanova), was razed in the late 19th century.
Subject Leaming, Robert Waln, 1824-1884 -- Homes and haunts.
Leaming, Robert Waln, 1824-1884 -- Portraits.
Leaming family -- Portraits.
Leaming family -- Animals & pets.
Estates -- Pennsylvania -- Delaware County.
Creeks -- Pennsylvania -- Delaware County.
Mills -- Pennsylvania.
Seasons -- Pennsylvania -- Delaware County.
Geographic subject Ancrum (Scotland)
Ashwood (Pa. : Estate)
Frankford (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Villanova (Pa.)
Waln Grove (Pa. : Estate)
Delaware County (Pa.)
Montgomery County (Pa.)
Genre Albumen prints -- 1860-1880.
Landscape photographs -- 1860-1880.
Portrait photographs -- 1860-1880.
Tableaux -- 1860-1880.
Photograph albums -- 1860-1880.
Morocco bindings (Binding),
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| albums [P.9759.1]
Accession number P.9759.1