Portrait of young gentleman. Fairly faded out. Water marks/stains, one around right eye of man (viewer's left) in decorative bronze-colored frame with glass narrow gold-colored braid around edge. All with a red velvet rectangle. On the red velvet lining of the lid/cover: "Addis (?) s Lancaster Gallery/ NE Corner of Centre Square & N. Queen St." Black container has decorative motifs on front and back.
Studio tintype photo of Civil War soldier, full length, holding his rifle.
Sticker on back reads: "Zaloudek 10-28-72" (original date of donation). Handwriting on back in faint pencil is: "Benjamin McComsey 61 to 65."
Benjamin McComsey volunteered to serve in the Civil War. He was killed Nov. 7, 1862 in Berlin, MD. This item transferred to Objects collection from Archives. See Notes for typed biographical info.
This item transferred to Objects collection from Archives. Accompanying this tintype is a perforated paper bookmark with cross-stitched "A Present for Bennie." Typed biographical info is:
"This is the chief treasure of the McComsey family. Young son Benjamin volunteered to serve in the Civil War, and these letters (In Archives) tell the story of the remainder of his life.
Benjamin was the son of William McComsey, who was City Treasurer of Lanc. in the late 1880's. A descendant of Mathias McComsey, who was born in Manor Township in 1787. Benjamin's mother was Mary Dorwart, daughter of Henry, a tailor in Lancaster.
Benjamin died Nov. 7, 1862 in Berlin, Md. in the 18th year of his life. He is buried in the McComsey plot at Lancaster Cemetery."
Additional items given by this donor are 1972.026.1-.5. This includes a wedding hat, pair of lady's snow glasses and three shawls.
Sepia-tinted photo of Harriet Lane. Oval. Harriet facing 3/4 front, to her right. Hair rolled under with flowers. Decolletage dress with flowers at center and at shoulders. Light-colored dress, no jewelry. Shown from hips up. Frame: rounded front, plain,
a. (medal): Circular bronzed copper commemorative medal. On Front: Raised profile of James Buchanan in center. Around edge: "James Buchanan, President of the United States" "Paquet F." under profile. On reverse: Standing toga-clad man with snake around his right wrist. To left is seated female; young man on knees with arm around standing man/physician; bearded man with scythe behind and to right. "To Dr. Frederick Rose, Assistant Surgeon, Royal Navy, G.B." At base: "For kindness and humanity/ to officers and crew/ of the U.S. Steamer/ Susquehanna."
b.(case): Book-like red leather case. On both outside covers, an eagle within a circle surrounded by 13 stars. A square floral border with spray of flowers in each corner is inside an outer border of 3 solid lines. All impressions in gold. A brass clasp in center on front and back covers. Circular opening/holder for medallion is surround by a metallic thread cord. Dark blue velvet with impressed floral sprays in each corner cover the front and back. Metallic cord around outer edges. Narrow red leather edges are stamped with a gold chain pattern.
Photographic print / painting of Prince of Wales visit to Mount Vernon. Large, black and white print showing entrance to Washington's tomb to the left with the Prince of Wales and James Buchanan at entrance. Wide array of men and women across picture, mo
White ribbon bookmark with red and blue stitching around image of George Washington. "The Father of Our Country' arches above. Flags are draped over a canon and sword below with plaque reading: "General /George Washington/ The first in peace,/the first in war,/ the first in the hearts/ of his countrymen."
At bottom of ribbon: T. Stevens, Coventry" (Thomas Stevens, Coventry Bookmark)
Bookplate on a page from a Martyrs Mirror, done in the style of Ephrata Cloister with a flowing hand using strong, bold letters. Letters are black with green and orange infill. Bookplate simply reads: "Carl/ Christo/ phel." One flower is at top right and a stylized pot with plant having 3 flowers is at lower left. Page is float-mounted in a window mat with a handmade cherry frame.
Ephrata Cloister, Lancaster Co.
Removed from Martyrs Mirror by a previous owner (Evelyn Good) due to water damage to the book which was then discarded. The opposing page was also saved and is mounted in Mylar on reverse side of frame. It carries a ghost image of the bookplate; string from binding is visible.
Acquired with typewritten inscription mounted on back of frame states: "BOOKPLATE MADE FOR CARL CHRISTOPHEL FOR/ HIS COPY OF THE EPHRATA MARTYR'S MIRROR-1748./ WORK OF SISTER ANASTASIA THE PEN-ARTIST OF THE CLOISTER ABC PATTERN BOOK OF LETTERS."
According to Clarke Hess, the penwork is by an unknown Ephrata Cloister artist. Clarke notes that Carl Christophel was a deacon at New Danville Mennonite Church in Conestoga Twp.(now Pequea Twp.) He died in 1767.
In Masonic Lodge Fraktur exhibit for several years. Removed circa 2008.
On short-term exhibit at Historical Society of Cocalico Valley, 2010.
Unknown Ephrata Cloister artist
Provenance
Dr. Robbins purchased framed pages from Evelyn Yingst Good's sale, Sat., May 11, 1991, lot #152, for $3,800. Evelyn Good was an Ephrata librarian. Valued at $5000, Robbins sold to museum for $2,500, donating the other half. Irene Walsh then reimbursed museum for the $2,500.
Acid burned edges are brown; soiled along outside edges; stains and foxing. Moisture stain at top left. Remains of binding still attached at left. Moisture staining at upper left corner. Two minor tears at top center, with ragged edges overall. Paper losses within black ink.
Conserved by Marilyn Kemp Weidner of Phila.
Object ID
P.98.52.1
Place of Origin
Ephrata
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of Irene Walsh and Dr. Warren Robbins, Heritage Center Collection
Two circular ID tags for Private N.C. Myers tied to a strip of tan, twill woven tape. Identifing information is stamped into the tag; "N.C. Myers, Batt. C. 44 U.S.A" and "6053858" on reverse.
Two ID tags for Robert C. Myers with next of kin and address listed. "Robert C Myers/33513055/Emma M Myers/128 N Ann St/Lancaster PA" stamped on two rounded rectangular metal tags that are attached to a clear, plastic cord.
