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.
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.
Reads: “Presented by the American Association of Book Sellers to Hopkins and Seymour for the Second best Specimen of Printing 1804.” Verso reads, “Charles 5th, 3. vol.”, From 1802-1804 the first American book fairs were held semi-annually in New York and Philadelphia to encourage cooperation among publishers. The fairs marked the birth of the American publishing industry. In 1804, the gold medal went to Rober Carr of Philadelphia for a bible. This silver medal was awarded to a new edition of William Robertson's classic History of the Reign of the Emperor Charles V (New York: Hopkins and Seymour, 1804)., Purchase of the Library Company with the help of Joesph Felcone, 1997.
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.
A funeral hatchment depicts the coat of arms of the deceased person., Used at the funeral of Gov. John Dickinson, Feb. 14, 1808., Letter inserted in the LCP Minutes, vol. 9, p. 117 from Miss Maria Logan to G.M. Abbot discussing the gift of the Hatchment to the Library Company., Gift of the Heirs of John Dickinson, 1887.
Die of a Benjamin Rush commemorative medal. This die is the Reverse side of the medal. (Obverse is OBJ 249.), Inscribed: “Sydenham, Read Think Observe MDCCCVIII.” Sydenham was Rush's country home. Depicts a flowing river. In the background is a setting sun with clouds and mountains; there are large trees in the foreground. In front a block of stone with " Read, Think, Observe" and upon this an open book. Beneath, to the right, M. Furst Fec., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
Die of a Benjamin Rush commemorative medal. This die is the Obverse of the medal. (Reverse is OBJ 248)., Inscribed: "Benjamin Rush M.D. of Philadelphia.", Bequest of Dr. James Rush.
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).
Blue and white transferware, by J. & W. Ridgway, Shelton, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, between 1814 and 1830. Part of J. & W. Ridgway’s “Beauties of America Series.” Depicts the Library Company's 5th St. building surrounded by a border of medallions of roses and leaves., Gift of Donald H. Cresswell, 1997., Exhibited in Haverford College's exhibition, The Pennsylvania Landscape: Colonial to Contemporary (2007).
John Markoe was the son of Abraham Markoe and his second wife, Elizabeth Baynton. John married Mehitabel (Hitty) Cox in 1804 and succeeded his father as head of extensive business interests in Philadelphia. About 1810 a mansion was built for the Markoes designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe and supervised by Robert Mills, on Chestnut St. between 9th and 10th., Gift of Mary De Witt Pettit, 1965.
Mehitabel (Hitty) Cox was the daughter of James S. Cox of Bermuda, who became a prominent Philadelphian, and his wife Catherine Sitgreaves. Hitty married John Markoe in 1804., Gift of Dr. Mary De Witt Pettit, 1965.
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).
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.
The signature on the stretcher indicates that the painting was a New Year's present to Dr. James Rush's wife, Phoebe. Dr. Rush was the Peale family physician, as well as a friend, and the painting might have been payment for medical services., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869., Exhibited at the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Bicentennial exhibit, Philadelphia: Three Centuries of American Art (1976). Exhibited in the Library Company's exhibition, Quarter of a Millennium (1981).
Gift of Mrs. H. Lea (Mary) Hudson, 1991., Exhibited in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's exhibition, John Neagle: Philadelphia Portrait Painter (1989).
D-horseshoe spectacles with blue-tinted lenses. Marked with "McAllister" and a flower with pivot-style temples. The flower mark was commonly used as a journeymen's mark., Gift of Dr. Vincent J. Marchese, 2013.
Doughty's first version of the lake scene was said to be painted for Henry Pickering, a Hudson River poet. From this painting, George B. Ellis engraved a print which illustrated the poem, "A Lake Scene", by Pickering which appeared in the 1827 gift book, The Atlantic Souvenir. The Library Company's painting is a later version that differs slightly with the addition of a pair of huntsmen., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869., Exhbited in the Library Company's exhibition, Quarter of a Millennium (1981).
Mackenzie was a Philadelphia merchant and book collector whose library of over 7,000 volumes came to the Loganian Library and the Library Company., Painting is signed “J. Neagle, 1829.”, LCP Minutes vol. 5, Nov. 5, 1828, p. 244: "Mess. Norris and Gibson were authorized to contract with any artist whom they may select to paint a portrait of the late William Mackenzie Esquire to correspond with the portrait of the late Dr. Preston by West." Vol. 5, Dec. 4, 1828, p. 246: "Mr. Norris from the Committee appointed for that purpose reported that they had contracted with Mr. Neagle to paint a portrait of the late Mr. Mackenzie Esq. under the authority conferred upon them at the last meeting and that the work had begun." Vol. 5, Aug. 6, 1829, p. 264: “An order was drawn in favour of Joseph Parker Norris for ninety seven dollars for the payment of John Neagle’s bill for painting a portrait of the late William Mackenzie and causing the same to be framed and put up in the room.”, Receipt from John Neagle for the portrait, July 1, 1829. LCP Records, 1829 [7446.F.14]., Commissioned by the Library Company, 1829.
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).
Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell, 2022., Label on the verso from Montclair Art Museum (Montclair, N.J.) (Double Head Study), Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ethan D. Alyea. 1964.51., Bust-length, forward-facing portrait study of two white women. In the left, shows an older woman with brown ringlet curls framing her forehead and attired in a white lace day cap tied in a bow under her chin and a dark-colored dress with a white lace collar. In the right, shows a young woman with her dark brown hair parted in the middle and tied back and attired in dress with a white neckline. There is an additional portrait of a woman on the verso of the canvas. A cut out in the frame reveals the eyes of the portrait. A photocopy reproduction is taped to the back. Bust-length portrait of a white woman with her blonde hair tied back and attired in drop earrings, a multi-stranded necklace, and a light blue dress.
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).
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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).
Inscription on left side reads: “Dr. Bowditch, LLD. Executed in marble by Ball Hughes for the Society of Arts and Sciences, Boston. ” on right side; “Ball Hughes, / Phila.a / 1839, / Sculptor” on left side; and “TRAITÉ DE / MECHANIQUE CELESTE / A La Place” on spine of book at base. The book at the base is by Pierre Simon, marquis de Laplace (1749-1827), which was translated into English by Bowditch., LCP Minutes vol. 6, April 6, 1848, p. 294: "A bust of the late Nathaniel Bowditch was offered for sale for twelve dollars, and the Treasurer was authorized to purchase it at that price."
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).
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).
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.
Political campaign medal promoting William Henry Harrison for president and John Tyler for vice president., Obv.: military bust of Harrison with the inscription: “Maj. Gen. W.H. Harrison 1841.” On the reverse side an eagle is depicted with the inscription, “Go it Tip Come it Tyler.” There is a small hole at the top of the medal.
Political campaign medal promoting William Henry Harrison for president., Inscribed, “Maj. Gen. W.H. Harrison.” The reverse reads, “The People’s Choice, the Hero of Tippecanoe.”
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.”
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).
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).
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.
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.
