3/4 profile bust portrait of "James Sproul of Octoraro . 1781 -1847 ." Subject's face towards viewer. See notes for additional information regarding date of gift and donor.
According to the "Papers Read Before the Lancaster County Historical Society, February 1, 1907, Minutes of the February meeting:
The following donations to the Society were announced by the Librarian: A large frame photograph of James Sproul, once a prominent citizen and iron master on the Octoraro Creek, below Christiana, donated by his grandson, Hon. W. C. Sproul, of Chester Pa.
The presentation of the Sproul portrait was made by Dr. J. W. Houston, who accompanied it by an address of considerable length, in which the career of Dr. Sproul was sketched, showing him to have been a man of mark in the earlier period of the county's history.
William Cameron Sproul (September 16, 1870 – March 21, 1928) was the 27th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1919 to 1923. He also served as a state senator from 1896 until his election as governor in 1919.
Image of Trinity Lutheran Church. 1800's. New brick facade, wrought iron grate/fence surrounding building's sides. Steeple now integrated with building's face.
Linen cross-stitch Pa German show towel. Most in typical red thread but for large "MH" in center section done in red and blue threads. Stitched designs on top 26 inches and lower 10 inches with a 23.5-inch plain section in the middle. "Martha Hoover" & "MH" twice as well as an 8-line rhyme. In bottom section are designs, alphabet and "1833" Top is rolled hem with bias tap loops at both corners. Lower edges are fringes.
13 stems/lengths of broom corn: smooth stems with straw (14-15" long) at ends. Cord string through some of the stems. Whiter string wrapped around the outside of the bundle of 13 with older string and descriptive card tied on. In black ink, handwritten, the card reads:
(Side 1)"Lancaster, Penna./October 31, 1961/ This broom corn was left over from the sale of George F. G. Erisman (Doll Hospital) belongings of (February 23, 1863 birth) And belonged to his great grandfather John Erisman Sr. born March 20,1765 died April 9, 1853; after he was retired from his carpender (sic) trade, grew broom corn in his back lot #315 West Orange St. and made brooms complete. (over)
Side 2: "That would make this broom corn about 150 years old. Presented to the Lancaster county/ Historical Society./By Martin Garfield Kreider/Lancaster/Panna."
Oil Painting on paper of General John Steele. Gen. Steele is seated with his right arm on the arm of a chair, left hand on his right wrist. He's attired in a black coat high with high back collar. A high white collar around his neck has a bow tied in the front with a ruffled front.
Adam Reigart Jr. (original catalog description was Capt. John Steele)
Description
Oil portrait on canvas of Adam Reigart, Jr. (1765-1844). (Original catalog description was: "Painted portrait of Captain John Steele by Jacob Eichholtz". This ID correction approved by Tom Ryan).
Half-length male figure, faces slightly to left, gray hair brushed forward over forehead in thin wisps, long sideburns, his left ear visible; white turned down collar, light color waistcoat and white stock and frill. Black double-breasted coat. Plain brown background.
Modern wood frame 1.75" wide, painted black with gold beaded inner edge.
See G.86.09.2 for an identical oil on canvas portrait of Reigart by Eichholtz. (On art racks)
Painting has strong tears and needs cleaning. This is the condition in which it was received. Large irregular tear 7.5" x 4/5" across his left chest & shoulder. Small 1" x 1/2" tear above shoulder. Another irregular tear 2" x 1" on right shoulder. Straight line dent w/ some tearing below this. Another straight line dent 3.5" to left of head.and a 1"-long dent with tear above head. Extensive craquelure, esp. in upper 2/3.
Modern wood frame 1.75" wide is painted black with gold beading on inner edge. Round, blue sticker at top back of stretcher reads: "(W)alnut Lan(e) / Art Shop / German(town) / Philad(elphia).
One of two deep silver plated round coasters with deep sides. Top edge flared and molded bottom. Turned wood surface inside. Bottom ouside has inner cirlce of green woolen fabric. Wooden bottom is lacquered.
Gilded, ogee-molded frame with applied acanthus leaf design at two bottom corners. Top crest heavily molded with applied relief. Two sides have c-scroll with top crest of shield, shell, foliate floral design. Garlands of flowers across with central appled bunch of grapes. Crest curves out and forward.
