"Col. Thompson's Battalion of Pennsylvania Riflemen" commemorative plate. In center, around rifleman:" Edward Hand, Lieutenant Colonel; Captains James Ross, Lancaster; Robert Cluggage, Bedford; Michael Doudle, York; George Nagel, Berks; James Chambers, Cumberland; John Lowdon, Northumberland; William Hendricks, Cumberland; Abraham Miller, Northampton; Matthew Smith, Lancaster. Lancaster County 1775-1975"
On back, 2 "RWP" seals; + 2 additional seals in ovals. "U.S.A." impressed twice.
This sampler's subject is a vase with flowers and the maker's name in cross-stitching at the bottom: Elizabeth Ann Eberlein's Work Done in 1830. The frame is an American canted pine picture frame with a fruitwood finish. The sewing work is silk thread on tiffany cloth. The footed vase has various flowers - two cabbage roses, two carnations, four rose buds, foliage and intertwined thorn-covered stems. The blossoms and foliage appear in a variety of shades of greens and light browns while the vase stands on an oblong patch of ground represented by brown satin stitches.
Watercolor on paper, depicting a mantel and fireplace. the mantel has numerous decorations along the top and down both sides, the largest of which, in the center, show a group of roman soldiers, lions and cherubs. the two gold andirons have devils' head on top.
The caption on the bottom reads 'MANTEL AT "HARDWICKE" LANCASTER PA: DEMOLISHED NOV: 1881/BUILT'
The neoclassical composition ornaments were probably by the notes Philadelphia manufacturer Robert Wellford. When Hardwicke was demolished in 1881, this mantel was purchased by Andre Jackson Steinman for use in his house on the corner of E. Orange and N. Shippen Streets. It is still in that building, which is now the Showcase of Fashion. (Written by Scott Sager)
Miniature Empire chest of drawers. Cherry case with mahogany veneer on drawer fronts and edges of top and bottom. Large top drawer overhangs three graduated drawers, all with cock beaded molding. Pressed glass pulls. Overhang of top is supported by S-scrolls at sides. Turned bulbous feet. Small nails with oblong heads used throughout.
Inscriptions in pencilled script: Under bottom drawer is "Made in 1845 by Daniel Kurtz, Lancaster, Pa." On back of 2nd bottom drawer is "Mrs. Kurtz Lancaster, Pa." Chest back has: "Made in 1845 by Daniel Kurtz" and chest bottom has "Flora Kurtz got 1889 from Grandmam when I was 13 years".
A business card, now in file, reads "DANIEL KURTZ./NO. 130 CHARLOTTE STREET,/LANCASTER, PA." On reverse side is written: "Made by Daniel Kurtz in the/ midsumer [sic] of 1845 and/ presented to Miss Lizzy Stoner/ as a token of respect/ Lizzie Stoner who in the/ same year 1845 became his/ wife, later the mother of/ E.S. Kurtz."
Daniel Kurtz, son of Conrad, was raised in the Golden Triangle area. In 1847 he renovated the "Overlook" house on Fruitville Pike and lived there until listed in 1860 Census in the SE Ward of the City
Provenance
File states donor (Mary Herr Glenn) acquired this piece from her neighbor Florence Kurtz, later Mrs. Daniel Musselman Groff.
Maker Daniel Kurtz was a carpenter/builder. Son Emanuel S. Kurtz became a job printer, resided on Church St. and Florence (Flora) was his daughter. She, at age 13, was the recipient of the chest from her "grandmam" (Lizzie Kurtz) in 1889. How and when donor acquired this chest from her neighbor Florence is unknown.
Under bottom drawer is "Made in 1845 by Daniel Kurtz, Lancaster, Pa." On back of 2nd bottom drawer is "Mrs. Kurtz Lancaster, Pa." On chest back is: "Made in 1845 by Daniel Kurtz" and chest bottom: "Flora Kurtz got 1889 from Grandmam when I was 13 years".
Inscription Type
Inscription
Object Name
Chest of Drawers
Oither Names
Miniature Chest Of Drawers
Material
Wood, Glass
Height (in)
11.25
Width (in)
8.75
Depth (in)
5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2015-05-12
Condition Notes
Multiple blemishes overall. Top has 2 losses of veneer at right and 1 at left end. Bottom has veneer at back left edge, as well as a repaired break of this corner with leg. Long crack along grain at back.
Landscape, The Barns at Norwood, by Lloyd Mifflin, circa 1900. Oil on board with gold-painted floral-and-wheat -decorated flat frame w/ corner blocks.
Reverse is covered with grey-painted linen and is protected by Plexiglas. Central paper sticker reads "RUSSELL'S / CANVAS BOARD / " and "PATENTED MARCH 18, 1879." The number "120" is handwritten in ink in corner of sticker. At upper right is taped a magazine clipping depicting outbuildings and fencing surrounded by grass and trees. Entitled "Farm Scene - Autumn." A few lines follow, noting his (Mifflin?) return from abroad" and the pleasure of enjoying the "sheltered pastoral environment of his choice." A poem follows. Finally, a small paper sticker near top reads "RICHMAN / Bainbridge / Pa. 17502 / (717) 426-1860 / Cat: / P86 / 054-32-1198 / 181-32-7788". Written in marker in large letters at bottom right is "Local Scene / Norwood, Pennsylvania / near / Columbia, Pa. - About 1900 / (1846-1921)." Below this, In pencil, is "Painted by / Lloyd Mifflin / artist. Houston Mifflin, M.D. / Brother."
Provenance
Apparently purchased by Richman from the Minich sisters estate sale.
Flat profile wooden frame with raised corner blocks having gold-painted wheat, daisies and carnations.
Image Size
16 x 22 inches
Object Name
Painting
Material
Paint, Canvas, Wood
Medium
Painting, Oil
Height (in)
21.5
Width (in)
27.5
Dimension Details
Frame dimension is H: 21.5 inches x W: 27.5 inches.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-03-30
Condition Notes
Overall good condition, both painting and frame. On reverse of board are water stains. Glass covers board & secured with primitive wood strips.
Frame has multiple cracks, especially at miter joint at corner blocks.
Object ID
2015.017.1
Notes
The son of John Houston Mifflin, Lloyd followed in his father's footsteps. He also studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, studying under Thomas Moran, and would further his studies with a trip to Europe. He returned to settle in Columbia in 1873. Lloyd has gained greater recognition than his father, primarily due to his landscapes, particularly those of the areas surrounding his home in Columbia and scenes of the Susquhanna River. Lloyd Mifflin died in 1921.
Hardwood Printing Block of irregular shape with scenes near Norwood, depicted in muted colors. Roughly divided into quarters: two scenes appear to be mountainscapes, one sideways, another appears to be a painting on canvas of a river, and the remaining 1 appears to have been crossed out. Written in pencil on back is "Lloyd Mifflin c. 1865".
Dressing table w/ mirror has Sheraton and Empire features, is made of solid mahogany and veneers with secondary woods of poplar and pine. This is a rare form.
Top has veneered half-column mirror frame supported by turned stiles which are set into top with a double tenon set at a backward cant. Mirror corners are blocks with turned bulls-eyes. Inner cove-molded fillet has vestiges of gilding.
Oblong table top comprised of solid 3/8" thick mahogany laminated onto 1/2" thick poplar, and secured to carcase with screws. A rounded molding is applied to front and ends.
Veneered carcase contains five dovetailed drawers faced with mahogany veneers: one long flanked by two short, over two long. The top drawers have a rounded profile while the two bottom drawers are cockbeaded. All drawers have replacement pulls of hollow, rounded brass knobs with a pierced floliate design. The two bottom drawers are fitted with locks; keyholes have brass insets but dark ghosting indicates missing escutcheons.
Baluster-turned legs extend from table top to floor. They support a low shelf 11 1/2" from floor. Shelf is shaped with recessed cutouts at front and ends.
Inscription: Interior of top central drawer has "J.F. MARKLEY/ CABINET MAKER/ Locust St./ COLUMBIA." stamped within an oval laurel wreath.
Also in collections is a J. F. Markley Empire chest of drawers (P77.02).
Provenance
Provenance: This dressing table was previously owned by an acquaintance of John J. Snyder, Michael Stinchcomb of ???, who recently changed his mind about using this piece in his bathroom when he realized the veneers would suffer. He consequently consigned it to sale at Pook and Pook.
Cracking in veneer on mirror. Numerous spots of corrosion on mirror. Moderate cracking in veneer on front and sides. Minor chips and scratches overall. Top has two cracks, one is 2" long at left and one is 6 1/2" long at right side. Bottom shelf has 6 1/2" crack at right side. Nails have been added to secure top to carcase; back of top is not secure due to stripped screws. Top left drawer has significant wood removed with rasp at front of sides.
Rhythm band uniform handmade by Lizzie Heistand Gehman (Mrs. Rev. Gilbert T. Gehman) for her 2nd grade daughter Griselda A. Gehman, for a school program celebrating National Music Week on May 2,1932. Three-piece outfit has:
A. Light yellow cotton flannel top with front opening secured with snap closures.Dark yellow cotton shoulder straps cross in front and and attach to waist with snaps. Cape of same dark yellow hangs from back of shoulders.
B. Trousers of light yellow cotton flannel with drawstring tied at side of waist. Two side stripes of dark yellow cotton. "Griselda Gehman" written on drawstring.
C. Beret made with the dark yellow cotton.
See photo collections for large B&W photo of Griselda with her 2nd grade class posing on steps of school building, dressed in uniforms and holding rhythm instruments,
Provenance
Descent from Griselda to sister-in-law Alma Shelly, the donor.
Top: Length is 22" with cape Width is 15" at waist.
Trousers: Length is 26" Width is 15" at waist.
Beret: Diameter is 10"
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2017-02-23
Condition Notes
Top and trousers both have some color bleeding of dark yellow onto light yellow. Top and trousers both have some minor soil.
Object ID
2017.001
Notes
See two related Griselda Gehman items in "Related" field.
Rev. Gehman of Cookman Methodist Episcopal Church of Columbia, died suddenly of a ruptured appendix in 1932. Mrs. Gehman and Griselda then moved away to Washington D.C. to live with grandparents.
See obituary for Griselda in file.
Place of Origin
Columbia
Related Item Notes
See photo collections for large B&W photo of Griselda with her 2nd grade class posing on steps of school building, dressed in uniforms and holding rhythm instruments.
See archives for "Jofa" book, a handwritten journal of Griselda's life from birth until the sudden death of father in 1932. Entries written by father, Rev. Gilbert Gehman.
Credit
Gift of Alma Shelly in memory of Javan, only child of Maynard and Griselda Shelly
Watercolor on paper of the Hardwicke mansion; beige coloring with gray/white roof and columns, green shutters on windows. The main section of the house has a grand elliptical facade with four monumental columns. The section adjacent to this has arched windows. The house continues in several smaller sections to the viewer's right; one of these sections is a greenhouse. The surrounding area is filled with grass and trees. NOT FOUND IN BOX 0066, July 2023
The painting has a caption at the bottom which reads '"HARDWICKE" NEAR LANCASTER PA'. The painting is dated "Nov. 1881" in the lower right corner.
Hardwicke was the country seat of the attorney and judge Charles Smith who married Jasper Yeates' daughter; it was built east of Lancaster, overlooking the Conestoga River, in about 1804. It may have been designed by Stephen Hills, who also designed the Old Capital Building in Harrisburg. John J. Snyder states the house was "the most sophisticated and most elegant Federal mansion in Lancaster County." He says the Smiths moved to Baltimore in the 1820s, after which a son of ironmaster Robert Coleman owned the building.
Hardwicke later became the summer home of the Cassatt family where artist Mary Cassatt was born (1844). Apparently a Colonel Wiley owned it when the railroad demolished it in Nov. 1881.
J.W.W. Loose, The Heritage of Lancaster, pp.74-75.
Height (cm)
10.16
Height (ft)
0.3333333333
Height (in)
4
Width (cm)
20.6375
Width (ft)
0.6770833333
Width (in)
8.125
Dimension Details
Hinged within a window mat..
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2017-06-28
Condition Notes
The front of the painting is in almost perfect condition, except for a few small brown dots; the reverse has several glue stains in the corners and along the sides where the paper was apparently attached to a previous backing.
Mounted in a hinged window mat.
Object ID
P.77.31.10
Place of Origin
Manheim Twp.
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
