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.
Label on the back reads: "This supposed portrait of Christopher Sower first was modeled by Rupert Schmid a celebrated German Artist and sculptor from likeness and description of Christopher Sower's descendants, in Nov. 1886. Ch. G. Sower.", Bequest of Charles G. Sower, 1904.
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.
Marker for the staute of Franklin (OBJ 596). Inscription: "This statue of Dr. Benjamin Franklin was presented by William Bingham, Esqr. MDCCXCII.", LCP Minutes vol. 3, April 11, 1792, p. 303: "...The following Inscription was agreed to, and the building Committee appointed to have it engraved on the Stone Tablet on which the Statue is placed:- `This Statue of/ Dr. Benjamin Franklin/ Was presented by/ William Bingham, Esqr./ MDCCXCII.'" Vol. 3, May 3, 1792, p. 306: "Orders were drawn on the Treasurer, as follows:-....In favor of Richard North for cutting and painting the letters under the Statue of Dr. Franklin, two Pounds, six shillings and eight pence.", Purchased by the Library Company, 1792.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Copy after bust by Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey, 1781-1841., LCP Minutes vol. 5, Jan. 5, 1832, p. 334: "Gift of bust of Sir Walter Scott from John J. Smith.", Gift of John Jay Smith, 1832.
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.”
Gift of the Continental Congress, ca. 1800., Exhibited in the Library Company and Historical Society of Pennsylvania's exhibition, Women 1500-1900 (1974). Exhibited in the Library Company's exhibition, Quarter of a Millennium (1981).