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.
David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell Collection, 2018., Label on the front reads: Old Tun Tavern, Philadelphia, Where the First Grand □ of F. & A.M. was Held in America. Tun Tavern stood at the intersection of King (later Water) Street and Wilcox (later Tun) Alley. It was the location of the first lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the colonies as early as 1732. The June 26, 1732 Pennsylvania Gazette contains an announcement of William Allen being chosen Grand Master. The Tavern is also regarded as the location where the United States Marines held their first recruitment drive in 1775. In 1781, Tun Tavern burned down. A reproduction was built on the grounds of the 1926 Sesquicentennial and demolished after the exposition ended.
A genre painting in the vein of Anthoni Palamedesz (Rotterdam) or Pieter Codde (Amsterdam) of the 1630s. The panel support suggest they could be 17th century., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
Depicts the meeting of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 33:4. Esau comes with an army, Jacob with his family, and the twin brothers embrace in the center. From the circle of Gillis van Coninxloo (Antwerp-Utrecht) or another Bruegel follower- an Antwerp painting., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
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.
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."
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).
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.
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.
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."
The painting is signed "S. Jennings Pinxt.1792" on a scroll in the lower right corner. The frame is original, made by the Philadelphia carver and gilder James Reynolds (c. 1736-1794)., LCP Minutes vol. 3, April 1, 1790, p. 195-197: "Extract of a Letter from Samuel Jennings, dated London January 12th, 1790. `My Dear Father. Having lately received Information that an Elegant Building is now erecting for the Philadelphia Library, an Idea immediately struck me, that if it would not be thought presumptuous, I should esteem myself very happy to have the honor of presenting a Painting to the Company that would be applicable to so noble, and useful an Institution, and which if agreeable to the Gentlemen who have the Directions of it, shall use my utmost exertion & abilities to make it acceptable; the great affection I retain for my native Country, will always be an inducement to me to contribute my mite towards the Encouragement of Arts and Sciences, hoping in due time, they will arrive to as great perfection as they are at present, in the place I now reside--- As I do not know who the Gentlemen are that have the direction of the Library, I request you will be so obliging as to communicate to them the Information I have given you, and if they should be pleased to approve of it, as I hope they will, it will be necessary for me to be acquainted with the length, breadth and height of the Room, together with the Situation they would wish to place in it, and if over the Fire-place, the distance from the Mantle-piece to the Ceiling-- You will perhaps think me too particular, but these are things essentially necessary--/As soon as I receive an answer from you with their approbation, which I hope will be by the first Packet from New York, or any other immediate opportunity, I shall put the piece into Execution., In regard to the subject, there are three, which I think would be applicable to the Institution vizt. Cleo - Goddess of History, and Heroic Poetry. Calliope - Goddess of Harmony, Rhetoric, & Heroic Poetry - Minerva- Goddess of Wisdom & all the Arts, The Presidentess of Learning, which seems to comprehend everything that can be desired.The dress of Minerva is grand, and would make a better picture than either of the others. But if my other Subject should be their choice, I shall with plesure, comply with it-' This handsome Compliment from one of our Fellow Citizens now in London, is gratefully received, and Mordecai Lewis, John Kaighn, Doctor Parke, Thomas Morris and Richard Wells, are appointed a Committee to prepare a Letter to go by the next Packet expressive of the high Sense which the Board entertain of the genteel proposal, and that the Committee take the subject of the picture into consideration, and transmit their opinion thereon-.", Vol. 3, May 6, 1790, p. 206-207: "The Committee appointed by the last board reported that they had transmitted a letter to Samuel Jennings in answer to his polite and liberal offer of a painting for this Institution which was read and ordered to be entered on the minutes--- `Phila. April 3, 1790, Esteemed Friend- The Directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia having been furnished with an extract of thy letter respecting a Piece of Painting intended for the Library they have instructed us to transmit their grateful acknowledgments for so genteel a notice of their Institution--To recieve such a proof of Attachment from one of their Fellow-Citizens, at so great a distance, must be truly pleasing to every Member of the Company, to whom the Directors will have an opportunity of communicating it, at their annual Election next month-/ The Board have considered the three Subjects submitted to their Choice, and readily agree in giving a preference to that of Minerva; but as a more general latitude has been so politely granted, they take the liberty of suggesting an Idea of Substituting the figure of Liberty/with her Cap and proper Insignia/displaying the arts by some of the most striking Symbols of Painting, Architecture, Mechanics, Astronomy etc, whilst She appears in the attitude of placing on the top of a Pedestal, a pile of books, lettered with, Agriculture, Commerce, Philosophy, & Catalogue of Philadelphia Library., A broken chain under her feet, and in the distant background a Groupe of Negroes sitting on the Earth, or in some attitude expressive of Ease & Joy -/ This is handed merely as a Sketch of what struck the Directors, but they have so much diffidence on Subjects of this nature, that they wish to submit the whole to thy own Judgment-/ We are on behalf of the Directors very respectfully Thy Friends. Signed by Richard Wells, Thomas Morris, Thomas Parke, John Kaighn'., Gift of Samuel Jennings, 1792., Exhibited in: Art Institute of Chicago's exhibition, From Colony to Nation (1949); Corcoran Gallery of Art's exhibition, American Processional (1950); Library Company and Historical Society of Pennsylvania's exhibtion, Negro History, 1553-1903 (1969); The National Portrait Gallery's exhibition, The Black Presence in the Era of the American Revolution, 1770-1800 (1973); Library Company and Historical Society of Pennsylvania's exhibtion, Women 1500-1900 (1974); Library Company's exhibition, Quarter of a Millennium (1981); Corcoran Gallery of Art's exhibition, Facing History, The Black Image in American Art, 1710-1940 (1990).
Merchant's Exchange, designed by William Strickland and constructed 1832-33, was one of the earliest stock exchanges in the United States., Gift of David Doret, 2002.
Merchant's Exchange, designed by William Strickland and constructed 1832-33, was one of the earliest stock exchanges in the United States., Gift of David Doret, 2002.
Merchant's Exchange, designed by William Strickland and constructed 1832-33, was one of the earliest stock exchanges in the United States., Gift of Michael Zinman, 1996.
The South East Prospect of the City of Philadelphia is the oldest surviving oil painting that depicts a North American city. A key at the bottom numbers and identifies landmarks. The arms of William Penn and the City of Philadelphia appear in the top corners. In the lower left corner the artist has depicted himself sketching the scene., LCP Minutes vol. 7, February 5, 1857, p. 92-93: "Mr. Hutchinson read the following letter from Hon. George M. Dallas (Minister to Great Britain), dated London, January 12, 1857 and laid on the table the painting therein mentioned. `I will send for the Phila Liby an antique daub painted as is believed here in 1720 purporting to be "The South East prospect of the city of Philadelphia by Peter Cooper, painter." It is on torn canvas some 8 feet long by 1 1/2 wide. One of the members of Parliament in looking over the rubbish of a City curiosity shop picked it up and brought it to me. The principal buildings of the City at that day are pointed out & 24 good old Philadelphia Householders are named in the margin. Although worthless on any score but that connection with Auld Lang Syne it presents at half a glance so strong a contrast to the Consolidated City of 1857 that it has its interest for a corner of the Phila Library'. Whereupon the following Resolution was unanimously adopted:`Resolved that the Directors of the Library Company of Phila having received from the Hon. George M. Dallas a picture of Phila. by Peter Cooper do return him their grateful thanks for his attention and kindness in procuring & transmitting to them a most interesting & valuable Record of the appearance of our City as it was upward of a century & quarter ago, with a reference to the public buildings & private residences of many of our earliest and most remarkable citizens.'", Gift of George Mifflin Dallas, 1857., Exhibited in: Great Central Fair in Philadelphia, in the "Wm. Penn Parlor" (1864); Pennsylvania Museum of Art's exhibition, The Sea (1935); Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition, Franklin and His Circle (1936); Corcoran Gallery's exhibition, American Processional, 1492-1900, (1950); University of Pennsylvania's exhibition, Benjamin Franklin Winston Churchill (1951); Library Company's exhibition, Quater of a Millennium (1981).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
This painting satirically illustrates animal magnetism or magnetic therapy. On the wall are three pictures: Loutherbourg, an artist turned quack, Yeldell (with donkey ears) a follower of Mesmer, and probably de Mainaudiac, a doctor who advertised magnetic cures and animal magnetism. Also in the painting are packets of "Mag Snuff" and an open book that reads, "Magnetic Effluvia" and "List of Cures" with a dog urinating on it., Labels on the back read “1831 From James S. Earle & Sons, Earle’s Galleries, No. 816 Chestnut Street Philadelphia” and “Library Company of Philadelphia. 3775.”, Engraving in The Attic Miscellany. London: Bentley, 1791 (Vol. I, pictured on p. 121). Engraving is signed: Drawn by Collings, etched by Barlow, published by Bentley & Co., 1790.
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).
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.
Smith was the librarian of the Library Company from 1851-1886 and a director from 1857-1886., Letter inserted in the LCP Minutes, vol. 9, dated Nov. 16, 1888, p. 137 from Lambdin to G. M. Abbot reads: The Portrait of Mr. Lloyd Smith has been transferred by me to his widow, who will in the future control it. Feb. 4, 1915: A portrait of Mr. Lloyd P. Smith and some pictures relating to the Library presented by his great nephew Lloyd M. Smith were received, and thanks returned for the same., Gift of Lloyd M. Smith, 1915.
The Loganian Library Minutes vol. 1, Nov. 7, 1867, p. 346-347: "We the undersigned desirous of preserving for posterity a faithful and artistic representation of Stenton the residence of the Hon. James Logan hereby agree to contribute the sums set opposite our names respectively to be expended in an oil painting by Edmund Lewis of the said house and grounds of Stenton as they exist at present; the painting to be presented to and preserved by the Loganian Library." The names of the contributors pledging $10 are as follows: J.D. Sergeant, John Lambert, P.S.P. Conner, George W. Amis, John Jay Smith, J. Dickinson Logan, Lloyd P.Smith, Samuel Betton, Wm. Ritch Wister, M.N. Logan, Samuel M. Fox, Thos. Stewardson, Jr., Wm. Wister, N.& P.S. Hilles, Eliz. R. Fisher, John S. Newbold, A.C. Logan. The contributors pledging $5.00 are as follows: Dr. J. Carson, R. Morris Smith, H. Gates Jones, R.W. Ryerss, J.C. Milligan, D.R. King, and John Cooke. The total amount pledged was $215., Commissioned by the contributions of 25 individuals in 1867 for the Loganian Library.
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.
