Wooden ruler of 5-inch length, natural finish, printed both sides. On front side, at left, above the inches scale is "CORKS / OF ALL KINDS"; at middle is "M.W. WARREN & CO., / LANCASTER, PA."; at right is "TRY OUR XXX QUALITY. / THE BEST." Reverse side is divided roughly in half, left side is printed "U. S. STANDARD / "DIAMETER" / CORK MEASURE" and at right is "M W. Warren & Co. / CORKS. / Manufacturers. LANCASTER, PA."
Marshall W. Warren ran a cork business at 617-19 N. Lime St., Lancaster.
Keys to Shober Hotel. Set of three related large bronze keys (A, B, C), each with oval handle and heart-shaped cutout. Long hollow barrels shafts are lathe-turned, with decorative turned detail near handle. Each shaft has slight tapering, increasing in diameter from handle to opposite end. Ends have a flat rectangular "tooth" cut and shaped into similar but varying configurations.
Printed portrait of Thaddeus Stevens with full head of curly hair and stern gaze. Mounted in old molded oak frame with handcut paper window mat.
Under bust is "THADDEUS STEVENS: "OLD COMMONER./ APRIL 4, 1792 - AUGUST 11, 1808/ Chairman Committee of Ways and Means of U.S. House of Representatives during the Civil War./ FEARLESS CHAMPION OF FREEDOM FOR THE OPPRESSED./ His unique service to the Common schools of Pennsylvania lay in retaining upon the Statue Book the Law of 1834 against the will and purpose of the majority of a Legislature elected and pledged to its repeal. In old age he spoke of this stern contest/ with much interest, and seemed to regard the memorable speech of April 11, 1835, in its results to the cause of General Education in the Commonwealth the best work of his life."
At the bottom left is "Engraved by Rea.", at center is "Lincoln Art Series: Copyright 1899, by J.P. McCaskey, Publisher, Lancaster, Pa." and at right is "Photograph by Eberman." Lower section of image has engraver's name "REA Sc."
McCaskey was a lifelong educator, principal & longtime writer of The Pennsylvania School Journal. Bio Annals notes he was a proponent of memory work in literature and he produced and displayed good portraits of notables in education (Thaddeus Stevens, Thomas Burrowes, etc.) appropriate mottoes, vocal and instrumental music, etc. In his later years, McCaskey published at lease 20 engraved images, called the "Lincoln Art Series," for display in homes and schools. He distributed many thousand copies to all parts of the country. Sometime during is long career as educator he was awarded and honorary M.A. degree and later a PhD. degree, both from Franklin and Marshall College (Bio Annals) (Written by Wendell Zercher)
Minor stains with liquid stains at very bottom (sitting in damp area), incipient breaks and creases run horizontally in several areas. Silverfish damage scattered mostly at bottom and around top & sides of image. one spot of damage under tie.
Frame is dark on face with some wear. Framing materials acidic and unprofessional.
Trinket chest of dovetail construction, hinged lid, turned feet and polychrome decoration. Bottom secured with square nails. Keyhole at front; key missing. On a burnt orange ground are 5 large decals (4 of fruit and 1 of flowers) and one small decal at front center of spread eagle, shield and banner. Chest sides and top have centered line decoration of 3 concentric rectangles with hollow corners (black, ochre, white). Feet are black. Edge moldings of lid and base painted black with yellow-green double line decoration enclosing leafy scrolling vines. Interior and underside unfinished.
Inked # 00.43.1 on bottom. Two old stickers: "65603" on back and "65625" on bottom.
Attributed to Joseph Lehn (1798-1892). South of Clay, Elizabeth Township.
Provenance
Transferred from the James Buchanan Foundation where chest was "found in collection" with history/provenance.
Paint soiled and darkened. Large scar on left end of lid molding. Arc scored into top at right front of lid. Wear/abrasions overall, especially lid and base molding. Loose left front foot and paint loss of right back foot. Pristine interior. One hing screw missing.
Object ID
G.03.35.1
Place of Origin
Elizabeth Twp.
Credit
Gif ot James Buchanan Foundation, Heritage Center Collec