Patent medicine bottle made in amber glass. Reads along the side of the bottle, Dr. H.S. Thacher’s Cholera Mixture Chattanooga, Tenn. Diamond embossed on the base. Henry Savage Thacher (1826-1898) was a chemist and apothecary who founded the Thacher Medicine Company in 1890. John Lupton bought the company in 1910, and the FDA later shut it down in the 1930s. The American Medicine Association and the federal government declared Dr. Thacher’s medicines to be quackery, that they made false and fraudulent claims, and that the ingredients were misbranded., Gift of Charles E. Rosenberg, 2017.
A silk banner that was carried by Thomas Leiper for the tobacconists in the Grand Federal Procession in honor of the ratification of the Constitution in Philadelphia on July 4, 1788., Banner has a painted design of a tobacco plant, bottle and bladder of snuff, thirteen stars, and a tobacco barrel beneath a pink ribbon which reads, "Success to the Tobacco Plant" and the date, "1788.", See Francis Hopkinson's Account for a detailed decription of the Tobacconists in the Procession., On deposit from the Friends of the Thomas Leiper House.
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).
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.
Obverse: Profile of William Penn with Legend that reads, “William Penn. B. 1644 D. 1718. L.P.” (Lewis Pingo). Reverse: Penn shaking hands with a Native American who has a bow in his left hand. Legend reads, “By Deeds of Peace. Pennsylvania Settled 1681.” John Fothergill (1712-1780) was a Quaker and a friend of Peter Collinson and John Bartram. Collinson introduced Fothergill to Benjamin Franklin. When Franklin became ill after his arrival in London in 1757, he became Fothergill’s patient. They remained close friends. William Logan (1718-1776) was the son of James Logan., LCP Minutes, Vol. 2, p. 121: At a meeting of the Directors held September 12th 1775. Mr. William Logan having in the Name and by the Direction of Doctor Fothergill presented the Library with a silver Medal representing on the Face a striking Likeness of William Penn the worthy Founder of this Province Legend “William Penn. B 1644. D. 1718” and on the Reverse William Penn shaking hands with an Indian Legend “By Deeds of Peace Pennsylvania settled 1681.” The Board request Mr. Logan will be pleased to communicate their Thanks to the Doctor for his truly valuable present—Ordered that the Secretary furnish Mr. Logan with a Copy of the aforegoing Minute.”, Gift of John Fothergill, 1775.
Loganian Library Minutes, vol. 1, p. 250, Feb. 6, 1845 acknowledges the receipt of the portrait. “A portrait (in oil by Lambdin) of William Penn, framed, was presented by John J. Smith, Jr. for which the thanks of the Board were tendered to him.” A letter inserted in the Library Company Directors' Minutes, vol. 9, p. 137, dated Nov. 16, 1888, from Lambdin to G. M. Abbot, reads: The portrait of Wm. Penn at the Library was painted from a small stipple engraving said to have been made from a carved head of Penn on the top of a cane, by one of his friends., Gift of John Jay Smith, 1845.
Gift of Tim Long, 2016., Seal for the Woodlands Cemetery. Reads: Woodlands Cemetery Company of Philaa. Depicted is a cemetery urn with a lyre and a large tree on the right. A garden folly is in the far left background with the sun’s rays filling the sky. The Woodlands, the former country seat of William Hamilton (1745-1813), was established as the Woodlands Cemetery Company of Philadelphia in 1840. Located in West Philadelphia on the banks of the Schuylkill River, it has over 54 acres of land with over 30,000 people buried wherein.
“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.
Decorative handkerchief with three hymns, the first with music, Sabbath School Hymn; We Never Part From Thee; The Golden Rule. Decorative border with a pattern of leaves encircling the text. Image of a Sunday school teacher and children at the top along with open books. Stamped, Boston Chemical Printing Company, at the bottom. Printed within the circle, “Sabbath Schools first instituted by Robert Raikes in Gloucester, Eng. A.D. 1782.”, Sabbath school hymn; first line: Where do children love to go. We never part from Thee; first line: God, who dwellest every where. The Golden rule; first line: Love God with all your soul and strength., Bequest of S. Robert Teitelman, 2009.
Cardboard suitcase with metal reinforced corners and edges. Missing side on bottom piece and lacking handle. Forms part of the Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders-Venning Collection. Given by the family with Bible inside [*Am 1873 Bible 17281.Q (SCSVC)]. Has labels for CC Hinkson, 329 N. 40th St. Phila. [ie Cordelia Chew Hinkson (1897-1983)]; Miss Bunny Hinkson [ie Mary Hinkson Jackson (1928-2014)] address obscured by Bekins sticker. [Cornelia was Mary’s mother]. Also has several Railway Express labels. Inside the top case, metal snap is labeled “United Carr.”, Gift of descendants Cordelia H. Brown, Lillie V. Dickerson, Mary Hinkson Jackson, and Georgine E. Willis in honor of Phil Lapsansky, 2016.
In his will, Dr. James Rush left the following instructions: "...I should be glad that the remains of the late Jacob Ridgway, of his daughter, my late wife, and of myself, should be removed to the new library building...and be placed in some spot within the outward limits of the building, under a plain and simple tablet.....I desire that my wife and myself may be placed in the new library building...The library will then be her monument, and I desire to lie by her side." Jacob Ridgway was not buried with the Rushes. The inscription on the tombstone reads as follows: "Sacred/To the Memories of/ Mrs. Phoebe Ann Rush./ Daughter of/Jacob & Rebecca Ridgway./ And wife of/ James Rush M.D./ Born Dec. 3, A.D. 1799/ Died Oct. 23, 1857./ And of/ James Rush M.D./ Third son of/ Dr. Benjamin & Julia (nee Stockton) Rush./ Born March 15, A.D. 1786./ Died May 26, A.D. 1869. The tombstone was moved to the Library Company's building at 1314 Locust Street in 1966., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
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.
Cardboard suitcase with metal rivets with cloth straps that have metal reinforced ends. Has label of Dehaven Hinkson, 29 N. 40th Street, Phila, 4, Penna. and Mrs. Mary D. H. Jackson, 146 West 23rd Street, New York 11 New York stamped 1961 [ie Dr. Dehaven Hinkson (1891-1975); Mary Hinkson Jackson (1928-2014) DeHaven was Mary’s father].Also has Bekins sticker. Forms part of the Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders-Venning Collection., Gift of descendants Cordelia H. Brown, Lillie V. Dickerson, Mary Hinkson Jackson, and Georgine E. Willis in honor of Phil Lapsansky, 2016.
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.
Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell, 2018., Textile shot bag. On the front of the bag in red letters: “Standard Drop Shot, T.W. Sparks, Philadelphia. 7.” An eagle in red is in the center. Inside the bag is a newspaper clipping, “A Brief History, Sparks Shot Tower.”, Opened in 1808 by Thomas Sparks and John Bishop, the 142 foot tall brick tower revolutionized the manufacture of ammunition. Gun shot was made by pouring lead from the top of the tower. The lead developed a round shape through falling and solidified in cold water at the bottom. Four generations of Sparks operated the tower until 1903 when it was sold to the United Lead Company. The City of Philadelphia bought the site in 1913.
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.
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.
Depicts the meeting of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 33:4. Esau comes with an army, Jacob with his family, and the twin brothers embrace in the center. From the circle of Gillis van Coninxloo (Antwerp-Utrecht) or another Bruegel follower- an Antwerp painting., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Seven pins: 1. Red Cross 1919. 2. Red Cross 1920. 3. Red Cross. 4. Fourth Liberty Loan with flag. 5. Liberty Loan with V. 6. Third Liberty Loan with Liberty Bell. 7. I Helped War Chest with chest filled with gold and American flag crest. 1, 2, 5 -Made by The Whitehead Hoag & Co. Buttons, Badges, Novelties, and Signs Newark, NJ. 3, 6, 7- Made by American Art Works Conshocton, Ohio. 4-Made by American Art Sign(?) New York
United States one cent piece, "Liberty" and "1801" on the obverse with "United States of America" and "One Cent" on the reverse., Given to commemorate the year the 204 Juniper St. building was built (1801)., Gift of the Women's Committee by Miss Gertrude Atkinson, Feb. 15, 1943.
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.
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.
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.
Zachariah Poulson (1761-1844) edited and published the newspaper "Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser" from 1800-1839. The artist has painted Poulson holding his newspaper, as well as some correspondence from Mr. Ogilvie. Although the portrait is unsigned in the traditional sense, the newspaper Poulson holds contains an advertisement that reads, “James Peale / No. 69 / Lombard Street / Paints Portraits / In Oils and Miniature / Oct. 29. 1808.” Adjacent to this advertisement is one for the museum run by James's brother, Charles Willson Peale., Purchased by the Library Company, 2011.
Silk mourning ribbon with portrait of President Zachary Taylor. Atop the portrait is a bald eagle with a shield. Reads, “A Nation Mourns, A Nation’s Loss. The Peoples Choice, Inaugurated March 5th 1849. Died July 9th 1850. Aged 66 Years.”, Gift of John J. Nesbitt, III in memory of Mary (Rogers) Grist, 2012.
White silk satin ribbon. At the top of the ribbon is an American eagle with a shield of the republic on its breast which is sewn to a black five-pointed star in folded gauze. Letterpress and wood engraving of a funerary urn and weeping willow tree, on a base with a portrait of Lafayette. The base is flanked by French and American flags. Atop of the tree is an eagle that holds in its beak a banderole that reads, “a grateful nation’s mournful tribute.” Written at the bottom, “Gen. Gilbert Mottier Lafayette, born at Auvergne, Sept. 6th 1757. Died May 20th, 1834, aged 76 years 8 months, and 14 days, Funeral Obsequies performed to his memory, July 21, 1834, Philadelphia.”, Various fire companies, trade associations, and civic societies marched in the parade., Gift of Davida Deutsch, 2011.
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.
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."
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.
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).
Reads, "Libertas Americana" and "4 Juil 1776." Translation: "American Liberty—4th of July, 1776." Depicts Liberty with her cap and pole. Reverse reads, "Non Sine Diis animosus infans" "17 19 Oct. 1777-1781." Translation: "The fearless child was not without the help of gods." (Verse from the Odes of Horace; Book III, Ode IV, 20.) Depicts Minerva, with a spear and shield, protecting an infant Hercules from a lion. Hercules is strangling two serpents., Gift of Benjamin Franklin., Exhibited in, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World (2005-2007).
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).
Medallion by Nini after a drawing by Thomas Walpole (1755-1840). Bas-relief profile portrait of Franklin facing to the left wearing a fur cap. Inscription around the circumference, “B. Franklin. Americain.” Stamped on the truncation under the shoulder, “Nini / F 1777” and shield bearing a lightning rod and thunderbolt, with a crown as its crest; below the truncation, “1777.”, Gift of Michael Robinson, 2014.
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.
Gift of David M. Doret and Linda G. Mitchell in memory of Robert Lindsley and Eric de Hoogh, 2019., Made for the Library Company’s Juniper and Locust Street Library branch, which was designed by Frank Furness and opened on February 24, 1880. Carved Library step stool with two steps and stabilizing arm topped with a carved finial.
The inscription on the face reads, "John Child, Philad[elphi]a." Child also stamped his name on the pendulum bob and in many places on the movement., LCP Minutes vol. 6, May 7, 1835, p. 80: "A letter was received from John Child offering to sell to this institution a clock with an alarm to ring at sundown, which was referred to the committee of repairs and improvements with power to take order on the subject." Vol. 6, June 4, 1835, p. 81: "Mr. Norris from the committee on repairs and improvements reported that they had purchased the astronomical clock offered for sale to this institution by John Child for which they agreed to give one hundred twenty five dollars." Vol. 6, Oct. 1, 1835, p. 85: “An order was drawn in favor of John Child for one hundred twenty five dollars for an astronomical clock.”, Purchased by the Library Company from John Child in 1835.
Engraved “Christopher Souers” on the 10 5/8 inch diameter chapter ring., An aperture in the dial just below figure XII shows the stages of the moon. Above figure VI is an aperture through which may be seen the date of the month., Bequest of Charles G. Sower, 1904., Exhibited at the Philadelphia Antiques Show, It’s About Time (2000).