A "Galena 'Catwhisker' Wireless Detector" used in early crystal radio. Precision crystal detector with iron pyrite crystal, used in commercial wireless stations.
Mounted on a 3/5-inch square, .5-inch high with beveled edge. 2.5-inch glass tube secured between metal pieces. Screw on side of metal bracket can be removed to uncover the glass tube.
Broadside: Notice of Public Sale - 1 story brick dwelling, estate of Thomas M'Caslin. December 26, 1829, at 3 p.m. at public house of Bernard M'Gonigle.
Sheraton-inspired mahogany veneer night table with satinwood inlay accents that outline the apron, drawer and keyhole, as well as the legs. The table top has eight sides and surmounts four saber legs that also support a lower inward-curved shelf.
Small teacup (A) and saucer (B), white-bodied china. (A) Round teacup has scalloped base including four projecting feet. Rises with an inward curve before curving outward at lip.decorated with applied dark blue petals flanking a circle of applied light blue-painted flowers centering in gold-stampled lettering: " Souvener/ of/ Lancaster/ Pa." Body has molded flowers embossed around top and branch-like handle applied at side. Gold painted trim on one side of handle, the lip, and applied flowers as well as three stamped flowers at each side.
(B) Saucer (4 3/4" dia.) has embossed foliate design on top; small foot ring. Gold painted line on outer edge and inner line circle at central depression. Does not match teacup and may be a later addition.
(A) Teacup stamped on bottom with a crown over a shield with the monogram of "TGC"(?). Impressed nearby is a number, possible "1912" or "1917". (B) Saucer is stamped "MADE IN GERMANY" within a circle. The number "50" is stamped in gold.
Provenance
Donor believes this set was purchased at Woolworth's store in Lancaster.
Chippendale style miniature blanket chest form. Mahogany-stained softwood, dovetail contruction, Lid with brass butt hinges, four ogee bracket feet. Edge molding on lid; chest bottom extends beyond sides to create look of molding. Interior till at left. All surfaces stained and glossy-varnished. Large brass batwing lock escutcheon; silvered key. Top of lid has central relief-carved cartouche incorporating the monogram of Frances Mayer Hershey "FMH" according to Clarke E. Hess. He believes chest was commissioned by Frances' grandparents Henry M. and Frances Mayer. Pencilled in cursive on bottom is "M. Mayer Rohrerstown." Frances' parents were Harry E. Hershey and Dora E. Mayer.
Attributed to Henry Slough, Sr. workshop.
Provenance
Descent from Frances Mayer Hershey to son Henry R. Outin. Purchased by Heritage Center at estate sale of Henry Outin of 2107 Wood St., Rohrerstown, held by Shaub at Willow Street Fire Hall. According to Clarke E. Hess, Outin died just a few months before the Sept.sale. He was the only child of Frances Mayer Hershey and her French husband, (?) Outin. Clarke recalls this couple lived in Algiers and perhaps other places abroad. Frances M. H. Outin left America with her husband in 1928, putting all her belongings in storage until she returned as a widow in 1967, at wich time Hess Builders built a home for her behind the Rohrerstown Mennonite Church. Mrs. Outin died later at age 92.
Lid is strongly abraded, notably a large oblong outline. Minor wear and abrasions overall. Several small cracks at left front at dovetails and a 2 3/4" long crack at midline. Interior abraded and scarred with accretions.
Object ID
P.00.38.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
In memory of Anne Bausman Woodcock by Sally Slaymaker & Caroline S. Nunan
A: Homemade awl or piercing tool with hand-shaped shank with turned up tip set into a crude wooden handle with no finish. L: 5.25"
B: Awl or bodkin with decoratively turned walnut or rosewood handle fitted with a foresection of bone set into handle that tapers to a sharp point. L: 5"
C: Section of cow's horn (thumb protector?) L: 3.25"
D. Section of cow's horn (thumb protector?) L: 3"
Provenance
These four items were designated as basketweaving tools by donor. Unknown origin.
Pen nib of gold. Marked on top is "MABIE / TODD & CO / NEW YORK / 4". This company had roots in the 1840s, but established as Mabie, Todd & Co. in New York around 1907. They were known for their gold nibs, pencils and pens.
Taped to card with "See Minutes" in pencil. Accompanying cut envelope is addressed to LCHS with postmark from Seattle, Washington 26 Sep 1976. In pen is written "Gold Pen Point Box 23." Crossed-out name below is "Ann Hoeck(?)".
Provenance
A present from Thaddeus Steven to Eli Lybe--with memorandum "Thaddeus Stevens pen. Presented to Eli Lybe by young Thad."
World War I medal consists a cast bronze pentagonal medallion suspended from a silk ribbon of green and white, pinned to an oblong buff colored card printed with "WELCOME HOME / BOYS!" at the top and "LANCASTER, PA. / MADE BY J.F.A.Co." at the bottom.
Medallion hangs from ribbon via two brass rings. Raised detail on face is "WELCOME HOME" written in a banner at top. At center is the Lancaster seal flanked by the date "1919". Banner at bottom reads "LANCASTER PA." Ribbon has a safety pin stitched to upper back side, and is mounted by pin onto printed card.
Inscribed in ink on card to right of medallion is "$6.50". Struck on reverse of medallion is "JFACo."
Bronze is very dark with tarnish and soil. Ribbon is in poor condition with losses of green threads at left and broken and separating threads at right side. Card is worn and darkened with bottom right corner missing.
Fraktur birth certificate for Lydia Glasz / Glass, daughter of Leonard Glass and wife Christina, nee German. Hand drawn and colored on paper. Unusual confronting women with yellow dresses and red parasols flank central textblock within border. Tree of life above textblock; undulating plant w/ flowers sit on shelf at sides. Triple-line outside border.
German text translates to "Lydia Glasz daughter of Leonard Glasz and his wife Christina a born German. Was born 25th day of Jan. in the year of our Lord 1811.
Some buckling of paper overall. Some bleeding of ink, causing brown marks around letters; also in entire upper left corner. Small 1.4" brown streak below the word "Christina" in center panel.
Condition report of 1986 by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Phila. in file. No documented treatment. Matted and framed in 1996 by conservator Brian Howard.
Object ID
P.77.12
Notes
Similar to designs of Plate #61 in Weiser & Heaney, Penna. German Fraktur of The Free Library of Phila., v.1.
Research: Ancestry.com gives the marriage of fraktur recipient Lydia Glass to John Kempfer on 20 Nov. 1828 in Ephrata at the Bethany United Church of Christ. Husband John was born 19 Feb. 1809, died 4 April 1865. Lydia died 24 June 1853. Their daughter Elizabeth Kempfer (1836-1909) married David Rudy Buch (1834-1925) and lived in Lititz.
Ancestry also gives the 1810 Census in Earl, Lancaster Co. that lists Leonard Glase with 4 household members under 16 yrs., 1 at 16-25 yrs., and 2 over 25 yrs. Total of seven in home. Lydia was born the following year in 1811.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection