Commemorative banner of Pennsylvania Coat of Arms and U.S. shield. Embroidered silk banner in original wooden frame. Embroidery measures about five feet square and shows an American spread eagle and the U.S. shield between four tasseled American flags.
Provenance
Banner was stored in a public building near Cleveland, Ohio for several decades (unknown how banner reached Ohio or why it was stored there). It reached the art market in the 1960s. It is believed to be from the Japanese delegation of 1860.
Banner is believed to have been a gift to President Buchanan in 1860 by the first Japanese mission to the White House. According to documentation from Thomas L. Hughes, the Pennsylvania Coat of Arms was regulated in 1875 to have two white horses and 'no
a.(medal): Circular bronzed copper commemorative medal. Raised profile of James Buchanan in center. Around edge:"James Buchanan, President of the United States." Beneath is name of the designer, "S.(alathiel) Ellis. SC."
On reverse: Border of 3 layers of oak leaves and acorns with a striped shield at bottom center. In center above: " In/Commemoration/of the/ First Embassy from/ Japan/to the/ United States/ 1860" On right, beneath striped shield: "Paquet F."
b. Leather case for Buchanan Commemorative medal in the shape of a large coin. On both black leather covers and spine is a gold 3-line border that frames an eagle perched on a striped shield with arrows and olive branches beneath its clawed foot. 13 gold stars surround it and sprays of peonies are in each corner. The book opens to the back. Wood edges frame a circular holder for the medal. Peony sprays are pressed into all 4 corners of the velvet covering.
Commemorates the Japanese Delegation visit to United States of America
Pennsylvania Coat of Arms once hung over the judge's bench at the old Lancaster county courthouse (1786-1853). Lancaster served as the capitol of of the Commonwealth of PA from 1799 to 1812. Made of oak,
Coarse linen US flag with 34 stars and 7 red stripes and 6 white stripes.
January 1861, Flag of John Roberts, who served in the Revenue Cutter Service which was the forerunner of the Coast Guard. Probably from Virginia or Maryland.
Hand-stitched. Blue panel (27.5" x 25") is made of 3 pieces. White stars are stitched on both sides. On ends, left is bound with white machine-stitching (cahin stitching). Right end (stripes) doubled over and attached with running stitch. Stripes attached with French seams so no raw edges. Top and bottom red edges are selvedges. Top blue edge turned and attached with running stitch.
Ambrotype in case, note inside panel reads, "Catharine Hardy 19 years old" Note on back of case reads, "Kate Hardy, Jan. 28th, 1860 / Henry Long, Jan. 37, 1860"
Bronze-colored metal coin. Face: Head of Thaddeus Stevens with his name and years "1792" and "1868." Interior border of tiny dentals around circumference of coin on both sides.
Reverse: Torch, top center; beribboned curved bough with leaves and berries on lower left. "1792 to 1868 / Champion of the Free Schools, Friend of the Poor and Downtrodden"
Bronze medal awarded to Professor B. Kevinsky for meritorious service in the civil war. On face, scene of wounded or dying soldier, bordered by, "We Give Our Wealth for those who give their health for us" On reverse, "Great Central Fair for the US Sanitary Commission held at Philadelphia / June 1864"
Stored in leather covered case. See Journal minutes, February, 1925.
