A suggestion box with the face of a lion depicted and the words, "Gentlemen are Requested to deposit in the Lion's Mouth the titles of such Books as they may wish to have Imported" painted underneath., Made for the Library Company., Exhibited in, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World (2005-2007).
Depicts City Hall with "Philadelphia Public Buildings 1876" underneath. On the back is stamped, "F.R. Pratt and Co., Fenton, Staffordshire" and a retailer's stamp, "R. J. Allen, Son & Co., 309/311 Market St. Philadelphia.", Gift of Walter Brenner, 1984.
Pastel portrait of Wood seated at a desk. Wood was the 30th President of the St. Andrew's Association. Exhibited in the Library Company of Philadelphia's exhibition, The Living Book: New Perspectives on Form and Function (2017-2018).
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).
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.
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.
Written on the back of the frame: Coleman., 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 Dr. Mary Dewitt Pettit, 1965.
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.”
Reads: “No. __, The Library Company of Philadelphia, Purchased from James Cox, Artist of the City of Philadelphia, Communiter Bona Profundere Deum Est.”
Residence of Rev. William Marshall, no. 322 Spruce Street, Philadelphia. Shows a partial view of Scots Presbyterian Church, where Marshall was the First Pastor. After a photograph by Frederick DeBourg Richards, March 1859. Marked on the back with a stamp, (illegible) N.J.W.?mmer, 5 Pear St., Phila., Engraving from a booklet entitled: 322 Spruce Street. Philadelphia: s.n., 1859 [54113.O.11 ; 2569.Q.22].
An inscription on the side reads: "Model of the only obelisk now standing at Heliopolis the One of the Scriptures erected by Osortseen the 1st, the earliest of the Pharaohs whose name is found in the Hieroglyphics.”
Susan Barton was the sister of Phoebe Ann Rush and the wife of John Rhea Barton., LCP Minutes vol. 15, Feb. 1944, p. 101: “The President presented a letter from Mrs. Ridgway, offering to the Library Company a bust and portrait of Mrs. Barton, the sister of Mrs. James Rush. On motion, these gifts were accepted with gratitude of the Board, and the President was asked to write to Mrs. Ridgway to accept them and to express the appreciation of the Board.”, Gift of Mrs. Thomas Ridgway, 1944.
Buckets were the first means of defense against a fire in the 18th century. Home owners and businesses purchased them from saddlers or bellow-makers and had their name painted on them (to distinguish them from the public or fire company buckets). They were kept hanging in a convenient location in the building at all times., Six leather buckets inscribed, Library Company of Philadelphia, with a ornamental scroll above and a sunburst below., LCP Minutes vol. 6., Feb. 7, 1797, p. 64: “The Librarian was instructed to purchase six good large leathern buckets, painted with the words “Library Company of Philadelphia,” to be kept in the Library-Hall.” Vol. 6, Apr. 6, 1797, p. 65 : “The Librarian produced an account, amounting to L7.17.6, for six fire buckets, procured by directions of the board, for which amount an order was drawn on the Treasurer in his favor.”, Purchased by the Library Company in 1797., Exhibited in, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World (2005-2007).
Susan Barton was the sister of Phoebe Ann Rush and the wife of John Rhea Barton., LCP Minutes vol. 15, Feb. 1944, p. 101: “The President presented a letter from Mrs. Ridgway, offering to the Library Company a bust and portrait of Mrs. Barton, the sister of Mrs. James Rush. On motion, these gifts were accepted with gratitude of the Board, and the President was asked to write to Mrs. Ridgway to accept them and to express the appreciation of the Board.”, Gift of Mrs. Thomas Ridgway, 1944.
A bronze figure of Mercury striding with right hand raised, left foot emerging. He wears his winged sandals "talaria.", Bronze statuary and pedestal set in a marble base.
Possibly the bust given by John J. Smith, Jr. in 1833. See also OBJ 506., LCP Minutes vol. 6, March 7, 1833, p. 42: "A bust of William Penn was presented by John J. Smith, Jr."
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.
The top of the stand supports an artificial horizon with astrological notations; there is an hour circle around the North Pole. The globe rotates within a metallic meridan to which the axis is attached. The inscription on the globe reads: “Loring’s Terrestrial Globe Containing all of the Late Discoveries and Geographical Improvements. Also the Tracks of the Most Celebrated Circumnavigations Compiled from Smith’s New English Globe with Calculations and Improvements by American auth. Revised by Roswell Park 1851 Manufactured by Gilman Joslin Boston.”
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.”
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.
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).
In 1785, Houdon accompanied Benjamin Franklin to visit Washington at his Mount Vernon home. Houdon spent two weeks at Mount Vernon, sketching, measuring, and observing the General as well as creating this plaster life mask. He returned to Paris and used this mask to aid him in sculpting a marble, life-sized sculpture of Washington which still resides in the Richmond Capitol. There are four known copies of the mask in existence.
LCP Minutes vol. 5, November 3, 1831, p. 330: "The following presents were received for which the Secretary is to thank the donors...From Zachariah Poulson, Esq. fine Busts of Shakespeare and Milton in plaster.", Gift of Zachariah Poulson, 1831.
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."
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.
LCP Minutes vol. 5, November 3, 1831, p. 330: "The following presents were received for which the Secretary is to thank the donors...From Zachariah Poulson, Esq. fine Busts of Shakespeare and Milton in plaster.", Gift of Zachariah Poulson, 1831.
View showing the Associate Presbyterian Church, also known as the Secession Church, on Walnut Street above Fourth Street, Philadelphia. Also shows two crates in the front lot of the church and a partial view of the adjoining building, the former residence of Rev. William Marshall, first pastor of the Church. Marked on the back with a stamp, (illegible) N.J.W.?mmer, 5 Pear St., Phila., Engraving from a booklet entitled: 322 Spruce Street. Philadelphia: s.n., 1859 [54113.O.11; 2569.Q.22].
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.
Three puzzles that have lithographs of: William Penn's Treaty with the Indians, Pennsylvania Railroad, and a Map of the United States. Housed in a wooden box with William Penn's Treaty with the Indians on the sliding lid., "Pubd by Jacob Shaffer Philada" on the map.
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.
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.
