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."
Signed on the bottom left corner, “GB Wood, 1880.”, The painting depicts the interior of the Library Company's building on 5th Street. Lloyd P. Smith, the Librarian, is standing behind the charge desk. There is a woman and her dog standing in front of the desk with her back to the viewer. It is possible the woman is supposed to be Anne Hampton Brewster who owned a dog and was a close friend of Lloyd P. Smith., Represented in the painting (behind the Librarian's Desk) are the following objects: Bust of Clytie (OBJ #536), Bust of Apollo (OBJ #538), Painting of Stenton by Lewis (OBJ #142), and Portrait of James Logan by Sully (OBJ#255), Gift of Dr. William Pepper, 1893.
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).
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
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Laid on August 31, 1789., The cornerstone was formerly embedded in the base of the statue of Benjamin Franklin (OBJ 596). At the time the cornerstone was laid, a collection of coins and medals was placed inside (OBJ 054)., Library Company Minutes vol. 3, September 3. 1789, p. 178: "The building Committee reported, That the first stone of the edifice was laid on the thirty =first of August last;- that upon the suggestion of Dr. Benjamin Franklin a large stone was prepared and laid at the south=west cornor (sic) of the building with the following Inscription, composed by the Doctor, except so far as relates to himself, which the committee have taken the liberty of adding to it:-`Be it remembered,/In honor of the Philadelphia Youth,/then chiefly Artificers/ That in MDCCXXXI,/They cheerfully,/At the Instance of Benjamin Franklin,/one of their Number,/Instituted the Philadelphia Library;/which, tho' small at first,/Is become highly valuable and extensively useful,/And which the Walls of this Edifice/Are now destined to contain and preserve;/The first stone of whose Foundation,/was here placed/The thirty-first day of August,/Anno Domini MDCCLXXXIX,/ Benjamin Gibbs, Josiah Hewes, John Kaighn, Mordecai Lewis, Thomas Morris, Thomas Parke, Joseph Paschall, Benjamin Poultney, Richard Wells, Richard Wistar, then being Directors-, Samuel Coats, Treasurer, William Rawle, Secretary, Zachariah Poulson, Junr., Librarian'". Vol. 3, September 3, 1789, p. 179-180 describes the coins and medals placed inside the cornerstone. Vol. 8, May 7, 1880, p. 332: "On motion, the matter of the removal of the cornerstone of the building at 5 & Library Sts was referred to Mr. Biddle as a Committee with power to act".
Reads: “Commercial Lithography, Established 1851, Theo. Leonhardt & Son, S.E. Cor. 5th & Library Sts., Opposite Drexel Building Philadelphia.” Reads down the left side, “Bonds, Certificates of Stock, Checks, Diplomas, Cards, Letterheads, Labels.”, Copperplate of an advertisement for the firm used in the 1894-1897 editions of Gopsills Philadelphia City Directory. Contains a view looking southeast of the multi-storied lithographic establishment and vignettes of the front and back of the "Silver Medal" awarded to the business by the Maryland Institute for "Lithographic Work" in 1878. View includes street traffic. Leonhardt & Son was a partnership established circa 1874 between Theodore Leonhardt and his son Arno. The firm operated from 123-125 South Fifth Street, i.e., s.e. cor. 5th and Library streets, beginning in 1890.
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.
Gift of William H. Helfand, 2017., Round metal container of the patent medicine Jew David’s plaster. Reads on the lid, “Jew Davids, Plaster, E. Taylor, Rochester, N. York.”
The seal is a thick disc of brass. The surface is deeply engraved with the Library Company’s emblem, which Franklin designed. Its motto, composed by Franklin, reads “Communiter Bona profundere Dêum est,” which translates as “To pour forth benefits for the common good is divine.” On the reverse of the disc is cast a cylindrical stub, perforated with a hole to permit the metal to be fastened to a handle., Made for the Library Company, ca. 1731-1733., Exhibited in, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World (2005-2007).
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).
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).
Cushman was a Boston-born actress who became the leading American stage actress and immensely famous in both America and England. Cushman was the stage manager of the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia from 1842 to 1844, and this portrait was painted during that time., The Folger Shakespeare Library has an almost identical portrait of Charlotte Cushman, also painted by Sully, which was donated to them in 1936 by Mrs. Vincent Cushman, wife of Charlotte's nephew., Bequest of Anne Hampton Brewster, 1892., Exhibited in: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts' exhibition, Memorial Exhibition of Portraits by Thomas Sully (1922); Philadelphia Art Alliance for a theatrical exhibition culled from the Charlotte Cushman Club (1955); National Portrait Gallery's exhibition, This New Man (1968); National Portrait Gallery's exhibition, Thomas Sully, Portrait Painter (1983); Library Company and Historical Society of Pennsylvania's exhibition, Women 1500-1900 (1974); Milwaukee Art Museum and San Antonio Museum of Art's exhibition, Thomas Sully: Painted Performance (2013-2014).
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.
Sully Register, #1286., Parke was a director of the Library Company from 1778-1835., There is a MS bill in the Daniel Parker Papers at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania from Thomas Sully to the Directors of the Library Company for the portrait and frame (by M. Pike) for $120., Purchased by the Library Company's Board of Directors, 1822., Exhibited at the College of Physicians (1887). Exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (1922).
Poulson was librarian from 1785-1806 and a board member from 1812-1844 at the Library Company., Sully Register, #1356., Commissioned by the Library Company's Board of Directors, 1843., Exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (1922). Exhibited in the Library Company's exhibition, Quarter of a Millennium (1981). Exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery's exhibition, Mr. Sully, Portrait Painter (1983).
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).
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.
LCP Minutes, vol. 7, June 6, 1867, p. 287-288, “The following presents were recorded for which the Librarian was directed to thank the donor… Portrait Duke of Brunswick- P.F. Snyder.”, Gift of P.F. Snyder, 1867.
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).
On the back of the canvas: "Painted by T[] Henry Smith 1886 from the original painted from life by John Neagle 1825.", LCP Annual Report 1886, p. 2: "The Company is indebted also to Mr. Henry C. Baird for the gift of a fine portrait of his grandfather, the late Matthew Carey, Esq...suitably acknowledged by the Board of Directors.", Gift of Henry Carey Baird, 1886.
Margaret Burke was the sister of Mathew Carey. Not long after her portrait was taken, she followed her brother to the United States. She married a Baltimore sea captain named James Burke, who presently abandoned her and their children. She moved to Philadelphia and for a while worked as a school mistress and a milliner., Gift of Mrs. H. Lea (Mary) Hudson, 1994.
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.
Wood carving of David Sower with an elaborately carved oak frame with plaster., Bequest of Charles G. Sower, 1904., Front inscription reads: David Sower 1st, Printer and Publisher, Founder of the Norristown Herald 1799, Born 1764 Died 1835. Grandson of Christopher Sower 1st., Manuscript note on back reads: Designed and executed by Prof. Rupert Schmid Sculptor from Munich Germany 1886. Pronounced to be a perfect likeness by Edward Stroud before knowing who it was intended for, who lived in the same house with David Sower 1 and was 28 years old when the latter died.
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.
Made to promote the National Export Exposition, which took place in Philadelphia from Sept. 14- Dec. 2, 1899 and attracted over a million visitors., Reads, "National Export Exposition, 1899, Philadelphia." At the bottom, "Made by Sauquoit Silk Mfg. Co.," "Bethlehem, Philadelphia, Scranton," and "J.J. Jordan, designer.", Depicts William Penn, Benjamin Franklin, and William McKinley framing a bird's eye view of the Commerical Museum., Gift of Helen Beitler, 2002.
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.
Blue transferware plate titled “Souvenir of Philadelphia.” The center shows City Hall and along the border are illustrated New United States Mint; Library Ridgeway (sic) Branch; River Drive Fairmount Park; Post Office; Girard College; University of Pennsylvania. The back is stamped: R&M Co., The Rowland & Marsellus Co., Staffordshire, England. R&M Co. operated between c. 1893-1938., Gift of George E. Thomas, 2019.
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.
Johnson was an eminent corporate lawyer and was involved in the case dealing with the building of the Ridgway Building. His art collection became the nucleus of the Philadelphia Museum of Art., LCP Annual Report May, 1939, p. 6, “By the kindness of Mr. William De Krafft the Library Company has become the possessor of the portrait of John G. Johnson, painted by Albert Rosenthal.”, Gift of William de Krafft, 1938., Exhibited by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in the 112th Annual Exhibition, 1917.
On the back of the frame: "Albert Rosenthal, 1903.", Staake was a lawyer who became Judge of the Court of Common Pleas No. 5 for the County of Philadelphia in 1906.
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).
