In Wheeler, J.H. Trial of Rev. Issachar Grosscup (Candaigua, N.Y., 1848), title vignette., Three-quarter length portrait of the young woman, wearing a bonnet.
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).
Anne Leslie was the sister of Eliza Leslie and Charles Robert Leslie. She was a portrait painter and copyist. Written on the back of the canvas, “Benjamin Franklin a copy by Miss Anne Leslie from the original by the French artist J.S. Duplessis when Franklin was in Paris. The first proprietor of Gruese’s picture of Franklin was Thomas Jefferson, by whose grand-daughter, Mrs. Coolidge, it was presented to the Boston Athenaeum.”, LCP Minutes vol. 7, April 29, 1858, p. 121: “A letter was received from Mrs. Haven stating that she had authority from Major Leslie to say that a portrait in oil of Dr. Franklin copied by Anna Leslie from the original by Greuze in the Boston Athenaeum and deposited by the late Miss Eliza Leslie in this Library was intended by Miss Leslie as a gift to this Institution. The Librarian was directed to return thanks.”, Gift of Eliza Leslie, c. 1858.
Frame contains: 1. Page of Rittenhouse Almanac, 1820; 2. Engraving of David Rittenhouse; 3. Newspaper clipping, "Rittenhouse's First Clock"; 4. Receipt signed by David Rittenhouse., Gift of George Maurice Abbot, 1929.
In Chapin, J.R. The historical picture gallery (Boston, 1856), p. 359., Full-length portrait of the frontier wife, kneeling behind a fence with a rifle aimed at a bear in her dooryard; a pig runs away from them. According to the text, the rifle failed to discharge, which was fortuitous because a wounded bear would have been even more dangerous; the bear returned to the woods. Possibly Isabella W. Austin (1826-1901), of Geneva, Ohio.
Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Pad: Red velvet with a small spray of flowers in the center and swirls all around. Note on pad reads George Thompson, brother of my grandfather, James B. Thompson - John T. Morris., Mat: Ornamented oval., Case: Leather. A bouquet of mixed flowers in a modified octagonal border, with scroll work all around. Same design on verso., See the article The Ties That Bind: Daguerreotypes and the Roberts and Thompson Families by Sarah Weatherwax in The Daguerreian Annual 1999 (Pittsburgh, Pa.: The Daguerreian Society, 1999) pgs. 210-221 for information about the Roberts and Thompson Families. See also the Board Report for January 20, 1998.
Date
ca. 1845
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [P.9562.2]
Copy photograph. Detail of full plate portrait of Caroline with her two sisters, Mary and Julianna (see P.8926.21) in reverse. Very pale hand colored pink on cheeks., Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Pad: Deep purple velvet. No design., Mat: Oval., Case: Leather. No design., See Anne Ayer Verplanck, Facing Philadelphia: Social Functions of Silhouettes, Miniatures, and Daguerreotypes, 1760-1860, (Ph.D. diss., College of William and Mary, 1996), section of Chapter IV, Wood Family Daguerreotypes, pp. 221-233. See research folder for biographical information about the Wood Family.
Date
ca. 1854
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [P.8926.21]
Portrait of an elderly Wilson, looking slightly to his right, wearing glasses., Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Pad: Dark purple velvet, embossed Brady's Gallery 205 & 207 Broadway, New York. Fancy design surrounds broken scroll border., Mat: Oval., Case: Leather. A small oval surrounded by leaves and flowers is within a modified nonpareil like border. Scroll work all around., Bird Wilson, D.D., LL.D, was a lawyer, a President Judge of the Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 7th Circuit 1806-1807, and chair of Systematic Divinity at the General Theological Seminary in New York, 1821-1850. See collection folder for additional biographical information. See Board Report for September 21, 1993.
Creator
Brady, Mathew B., 1823 (ca.)-1896, photographer
Date
ca. 1850
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [P.9419]
Portrait of Wood, probably about 5 years old, standing in front of a studio backdrop. She is holding a purse on her right arm, and is holding onto a chair with her left hand. A purse and a bonnet rest on the chair beside her. Hand colored pale pink on cheeks., Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Pad: Faded purple velvet. Leaf design in an oval surrounded by scrolls., Mat: Nonpareil. Photographer's imprint: Collins, 3d & Chestnut., Case: Thermoplastic. A clover shaped design is in an oval in the center, fancy scrolls and shells form the border. Same design on verso., See Anne Ayer Verplanck, Facing Philadelphia: Social Functions of Silhouettes, Miniatures, and Daguerreotypes, 1760-1860, (Ph.D. diss., College of William and Mary, 1996), section of Chapter IV, Wood Family Daguerreotypes, pp. 221-233. See research folder for biographical information about the Wood Family.
Creator
Collins, photographer
Date
ca. 1852
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [P.8971.2]
Bust length portrait. Wood wears a dark dress with a white collar and bodice. A brooch is pinned at the collar. Pale hand painted pink on cheeks., Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Pad: Dark purple velvet. Design is obscured., Mat: Oval., Case: Leather. No design., See Anne Ayer Verplanck, Facing Philadelphia: Social Functions of Silhouettes, Miniatures, and Daguerreotypes, 1760-1860, (Ph.D. diss., College of William and Mary, 1996), section of Chapter IV, Wood Family Daguerreotypes, pp. 221-233. See research folder for biographical information about the Wood Family.
Date
ca. 1852
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [P.8926.23]
Three quarter length pose of Dickens standing with his right hand in his pocket and his left hand, holding his gloves, resting on an urn., Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Pad: Red velvet., Mat: Elliptical., Case: Leather. Gold stamped on front: Seal of Great Britain with photographer's imprint: Mr. Claudet, 107 Regents St. Quadrant., Title from paper label pasted to recto., Acquired from Charlotte Irene King Sumner, granddaughter of Rev. Demetrius P. Calliphronas, from his daguerreotype collection, June 21, 1940.
Creator
Claudet, A. (Antoine), 1797-1867, photographer
Date
ca. 1852
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [94383.D]
A sweet faced, seated, nine year old Wood is wearing a jacket with buttons down the front and a white collar. Hand colored pink on cheeks., Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Pad: Deep purple velvet. No design., Mat: Oval. Photographer's imprint on mat: S. Broadbent., Case: Leather. No design on front or back., See Anne Ayer Verplanck, Facing Philadelphia: Social Functions of Silhouettes, Miniatures, and Daguerreotypes, 1760-1860, (Ph.D. diss., College of William and Mary, 1996), section of Chapter IV, Wood Family Daguerreotypes, pp. 221-233. See research folder for biographical information about the Wood Family.
Creator
Broadbent, Samuel, 1810-1880, photographer
Date
ca. 1858
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [P.8926.17]
Portrait of white haired, scowling, Bouvier. Hand colored pink on cheeks., Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Pad: Deep red velvet with flower design in center and geometric border all around., Mat: Oval. Photographer's imprint stamped on mat: McClees & Germon, Phila., Case: Leather. Double clasp. Blank in the center, with a geometric design at each corner. Same arrangement on verso., John Bouvier was a noted jurist who practiced law in Philadelphia. He is best known for his Law Dictionary and The four voume Institutes of American Law. See P.9357.1 for another daguerreotype of John Bouvier
Creator
McClees & Germon, photographer
Date
ca. 1850
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [P.9357.2]
McMichael is sitting on a high backed chair with patterned upholstery. The fingers of both hands are touching each other. He appears to be in his early 40's and is looking slightly to his left., Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Mat: Double elliptical., Case: Uncased., Manscript note on verso: Hon. Morton McMichael - Daguerreotype portrait taken about 1848., Morton was a Philadelphia editor and newspaper publisher. For additional biographical information about McMichael see LCP 1996 Annual Report, pp. 43-44, and research file.
Date
ca. 1848
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [P.9506]
Depicts Wood as a young man. He is looking slightly to his right. His hair is parted neatly on the side, and he has a short beard under his chin. Pale hand painted pink on cheeks., Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Pad: Dark purple velvet. No design., Mat: Oval. Photographer's imprint stamped on mat: S. Broadbent., Case: Leather. A tall spray of mixed flowers and leaves, with a fancy scolled border. Same design on verso., Probably taken at the same time as P.8926.24., See Anne Ayer Verplanck, Facing Philadelphia: Social Functions of Silhouettes, Miniatures, and Daguerreotypes, 1760-1860, (Ph.D. diss., College of William and Mary, 1996), section of Chapter IV, Wood Family Daguerreotypes, pp. 221-233. See research folder for biographical information about the Wood Family.
Creator
Broadbent, Samuel, 1810-1880, photographer
Date
ca. 1855
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [P.8926.25]
Depicts Wood as a young man, hair parted neatly on the side with a short beard. Pale hand painted pink on cheeks., Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Pad: Faded red velvet. Geometric design with scrolls and leaves., Mat: Oval. Photographer's imprint stamped on mat: S. Broadbent., Case: Thermoplastic. Geometric design with scrolls and leaves. This design is #3-32 in Nineteenth Century Photographic Cases and Wall Frames by Paul K. Berg (Huntington Beach, Ca. 92647. Huntington Valley Press, 1995.) It is designated as scarce. Same design on verso., Probably taken at the same time as P.8926.25., See Anne Ayer Verplanck, Facing Philadelphia: Social Functions of Silhouettes, Miniatures, and Daguerreotypes, 1760-1860, (Ph.D. diss., College of William and Mary, 1996), section of Chapter IV, Wood Family Daguerreotypes, pp. 221-233. See research folder for biographical information about the Wood Family.
Creator
Broadbent, Samuel, 1810-1880, photographer
Date
ca. 1855
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [P.8926.24]
Red, blue and yellow flowering vines surround colored vignettes of Benjamin Franklin reading and the seal of Philadelphia. A solid gilt border encloses the vignettes., Title page in R.A. Smith's Philadelphia as it is, in 1852: being a correct guide to all the public buildings; literary, scientific, and benevolent institutions; and places of amusement; remarkable objects; manufactories; commercial warehouses; and wholesale and retail stores in Philadelphia and its vicinity. With illustrations, and a map of the city and environs (Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1852)., Not in Wainwright., Philadelphia on Stone, POSP 173
Date
[1852]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare Am 1852 Smith [68527.D.title page], Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare Am 1852 Smith [(2) 10006.D.title page], Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare Am 1852 Smith [(3) 10006.D.title page]
Depicts a dark-haired cat perched on an unidentifiable surface in the foreground, and the photographer's daughter, Alice Berry, attired in a light colored dress with a large bow in her hair, looking at the camera from the background., Modern reference prints available., Gift of Richard R. Frame.
Creator
Berry, Frank, b. 1863, photographer
Date
ca. 1907
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department 4x5 Glass Negatives - Berry [P.8986.20]
Series of three proof, possibly trial, prints after plates from the seminal work about early 19th-century Native American culture containing 117 portraits, several after paintings by Charles Bird King. Depicts No. 3 "Mo-Hon-Go, An Osage Woman"; No. 4 Shar- I-Tar-Ish, A Pawnee Chief; and No. 6 "Se-Quo-Yah, Inventor of the Cherokee Alphabet." Plates possibly trials for the Rice & Rutter edition published 1865-1870., Title supplied by cataloger., Contain registration marks., Contain plate numbers., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Date
[ca. 1865]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department albums - Specimens Album [P.9349.63a & 64a&b]