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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Gift of Miss Gillingham, June 2, 1904., LCP Minutes vol. 10, June 2, 1904, p. 88: "One portrait and two pastels bequeathed by Miss Gillingham to the Library were received."
Black silk with cut paper on top., Removed from its frame in 2007., Note on top recto: Profile taken by Major Andre of the British Army; bottom: Major Stanly of the 17th Light dragoons 1778, cut by Major Andre. MS on verso: return'd to me after the Death of Mr. H. Pennington and I now give it to Foxhall A. Parker, U. S. Navy Eliza Lawrence, Aug. 22, 1862. The profile of Major Stanly of the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons since Earl of Derby. Done by Major Andre while the British Army was in Philadelphia, and presented by him to Miss Rebecca Redman (afterwards Mrs. E. Lawrence)., LCP Annual Report, 1900: "In concluding this brief review of the year’s gifts, it remains to mention that which Philadelphians will probably considered the most valuable: it is the André Collection, belonging to the late Gen. John Meredith Read, at one time Minister of the United States to Athens, presented by his family to the Library Company. It comprises a large mirror (68 x 29 x 2") which formed part of the decoration of the Wharton House at the time of the Mischianza; profiles cut by Major André for Miss Rebecca Redman, in 1778, of Capt. Lullum Batwell, of the 46th Regiment of Foot, and of himself; a ticket for the Mischianza, May 18th, 1778, with invitation written on the back and signed by Sir Henry Calder; profile of Major Edward Stanley, of the 17th Light Dragoons, afterwards the twelfth Earl of Derby, and the following verses written to a German air by Major André at the request of Miss Redman, January 2d, 1777.", Gift of Mrs. John Meredith Read, 1900.
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).
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).
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.
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.
Black silk with cut paper on top., Removed from its frame in 2007., Label on verso: Profiles of Captain Batwell and Major Andre cut by Major Andre for Miss Rebecca Redman Lawrence in the year 1778, and presented by her daughter Miss Eliza Lawrence to her cousin Henry Penington in the year 1841. After the death of Mr. Henry Penington these profiles were returned to me, I now give them to Commander Foxhall A. Parker. Eliza Lawrence, Aug. 22, 1862., Gift of Mrs. John Meredith Read, 1900., LCP Annual Report, 1900: "In concluding this brief review of the year’s gifts, it remains to mention that which Philadelphians will probably considered the most valuable: it is the André Collection, belonging to the late Gen. John Meredith Read, at one time Minister of the United States to Athens, presented by his family to the Library Company. It comprises a large mirror (68 x 29 x 2") which formed part of the decoration of the Wharton House at the time of the Mischianza; profiles cut by Major André for Miss Rebecca Redman, in 1778, of Capt. Lullum Batwell, of the 46th Regiment of Foot, and of himself; a ticket for the Mischianza, May 18th, 1778, with invitation written on the back and signed by Sir Henry Calder; profile of Major Edward Stanley, of the 17th Light Dragoons, afterwards the twelfth Earl of Derby, and the following verses written to a German air by Major André at the request of Miss Redman, January 2d, 1777."
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.
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.
The Lambdin portrait is a copy of an original painted by David Martin in 1766., Purchased by the Library Company, 1880., LCP Minutes vol. 8, April 1, 1880, p. 311: "A letter was recd from JR Lambdin offering for sale a portrait of Dr. Franklin, which was declined, the price being $200." Vol. 8, November 11, 1880, p. 343: "On motion it was decided to purchase from Mr. J.R. Lambdin a portrait of Dr. Franklin, provided it could be obtained for $150.00." Vol. 8, December 3, 1880, p. 352: "The following orders were drawn upon the Treasurer... No. 527, JR. Lambdin. Portrait of Dr. Franklin 150.00."
Larger-than-life statue of Franklin originally placed in a niche over the entrance to Library Hall at Fifth Street in 1792., Universal Asylum and Columbian Magazine, April 11, 1792, p. 284: "The statue of Dr. Franklin was last Saturday fixed in its niche over the front door of the new library in fifth-street----Francois Lazzarini is the sculptor, and Carrara the name of the place where it was executed. If the intrinsic merit of this master-piece of art did not speak its value, the name of the artist, where he is known, would evince it. Here perhaps price may give the best idea of its worth. We have heard that it cost above 500 guineas.----The statue of Dr. Franklin is a full length figure, erect, clad with a Roman toga--the position easy and graceful--in the right hand is a scepter reversed, the elbow resting on books placed on a pedestal--the left hand, a little extended, holds a scroll. This elegant piece of sculpture is executed in the finest white marble, and is the donation of William Bingham esq. of this city, to the library-company.", Several newspapers reported the arrival of the statue. See Object file for the list., Gift of William Bingham, 1792., LCP Minutes vol. 3, various entries from Aug. 6, 1789-May 3, 1792. See Object file for transcriptions.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Gift of Mrs. H. Lea (Mary) Hudson, 1991., Exhibited in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's exhibition, John Neagle: Philadelphia Portrait Painter (1989).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
A letter inserted in the LCP Minutes vol. 9, p. 137, dated Nov. 16, 1888, from Lambdin to G. M. Abbot, reads: "The John Penn was copied from a picture said to be by [Godfrey] Kneller, but that could not have been for he died very many years before Penn was born. I think it was probably painted by Hudson, who lived in John Penn's day. The original belonged, I think, to Samuel Lardner, from whom it was borrowed. The copy was presented by me to the Library Co.", Gift of James Reid Lambdin, before 1864.
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.
Possibly the bust given by John J. Smith, Jr. in 1833. See also OBJ 527., LCP Minutes vol. 6, March 7, 1833, p. 42: “A bust of William Penn was presented by John J. Smith, Jr.”
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).
