Copper teakettle with round body, gooseneck spout, very low domed lid w/ scrolled knob of sheet copper riveted onto lid with a hand-cut washer added under lid, suggesting repair or replacement. Curved handle hinges onto tapered plinth tab bases with two rivets each. Vertical dove-tailed side seam opposite single-seamed spout. Dove-tailed bottom.
Touchmark on top of handle is "R..REED." within a rectangular reserve with serrated ends.
Made by Robert Reed, working in Lancaster 1771-1779, then 1785-1795.
Provenance
Purchased by Heritage Center from Philip Bradley Antiques
Transferred from Heritage Center to LancasterHistory.org December, 2012.
Tax assessment lists Robert Reed 1786-1793.
Kauffman, Henry J. American Copper and Brass. New York: Bonanza, 1979.
Coppersmith info from Shelley Horvath Posten (dau. of Don Horvath), 2009
Copper dented and scratched overall, polish residue at handle hinges. Side handle break repaired with sheet iron patch secured to outside with two iron rivets. Knob appears to be a repair or a replacement.
Object ID
P.80.131
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection. Purchased through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation,
Large copper teakettle with rounded body, goose-neck spout and hinged handle having a medium arc, mounted on shaped flanges with three rivets. The domed lid has a small brass mushroom knob (replaced). Dovetailed seams on bottom and vertical seam on side opposite spout. Seamed repair to spout tip.
"F. STEINMAN" is stamped on the handle within a reserve.
Provenance
Transferred from Heritage Center Collection, Dec. 2012
Jack Brubaker, The Steinmans of Lancaster, pp. 11-15.
HJ Kauffman, Early American Copper, Tin & Brass, 1995, pp. 42-43.
HJ Kauffman, American Copper & Brass, 1979, p. 65.
Height (in)
13
Width (in)
16
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2013-11-13
Condition Notes
Many dents and overall wear. HJK says handle slightly shortened (likely done by him). Tip of spout replaced. Plugged hole in bottom. Replaced knob. Stamped name very worn. Tarnished with polish residue where the spout, handle, and lid meet the main body.
Object ID
G.77.14
Notes
When his father died in 1758, John Frederick Steinman, Sr. (1752-1823) moved with his mother to Lititz from his birthplace, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His mother remarried a few years later to John Christophe Heyne, a tinsmith and pewterer from Lancaster. The shop of Heyne and Steinman would become known as Steinman's Hardware Store, the oldest hardware store in America.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection. Gift of Henry J. Kauffman
Copper pint measure or mug. Straight sides taper in toward mouth with rolled lip edge. Strap handle anchored with 2 rivets at top; one at base. Keyed seam beneath handle. Some tinning remains on interior.
Handle is stamped "(E)ICHHOLTZ". Letter "E" is partially hidden at top.
Provenance
Purchased by Gunnions at Conestoga Auction circa March 1986.
Heritage Center purchased from Gunnion Antiques Aug. 1986
Tom Ryan, The Worlds of Jacob Eichholtz., pp. 1-3 and 82.
Henry Kauffman, American Copper and Brass, p. 119.
Height (in)
4.5
Width (in)
4.5
Diameter (in)
3.25
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2013-11-18
Condition Notes
Interior worn with some corrosion. Handle split below top left rivet. Small to significantly larger dents on sides and bottom. Some scratches from general wear. Surface has been polished and lacquered. Some polish residue visible at both the rolled lip and rolled base.
First "H" and "T" of "ichholtz" are very worn.
Object ID
P.86.3
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation.
Pewter dram bottle, canteen or flask. Flattened round body with flat bottom having a thin oval foot. Seam at center of rounded sides. Very short, tapered, threaded neck has a fitted and threaded 3/4" high thimble-shaped cap. Decorative concentric circles incised on flattened sides.
Touchmark stamped on bottom is "I.C H/ LANCASTER" in lettering with serifs. Mark is a Laughlin touch #532, 533.
W. King Street, Lancaster
Provenance
Bottle was in the attic of Samuel R. Haldeman's home until he died and Harry, the youngest son, surreptitiously took it along with other belongings to Buffy's Auction in Lebanon where the bottle was sold in a box lot to Mahlon Keith for 30 cents. Keith later sold it to friend William Snyder of Bleak House in Paradise for about $400. Snyder then sold it at the Bleak House sale through A.R. Cox Antiques of Kinzer on May 4, 1965 to donor Dr. Scott, who purchased it for $5,000. Heritage Center purchased at Scott sale (Christie's) for $18,400 on June 10, 1994.
Small plate, used as a paten (communion plate). Circular, with single reed brim, marked on bottom with initials "I.CH." and Jacobs touch #169. Double incised lines near brim and single incised line within sunken bottom.
Clock wheel cutting machine used by Lancaster clockmaker Martin Shreiner, Sr. Made of steel and brass with turned wood handle knob on crank. Main frame of tool is steel resting on four rounded, downward-curving legs with coin-shaped feet. Many moving parts, arms and cranks/screws, including the swiveling cutting yoke/frame at top (cutter blade with arbor/spindle missing) and the shaped index arm that "reads" the holes on the 13"-diameter brass wheel furnished with concentric circles of surface holes.
The LaFonds call this a very sophisticated machine, incorporating Swiss, German and English ideas/influences. This indicates to them that the machine was made in America, very likely by Shreiner himself. It was imperative for clockmakers to own this tool to practice their trade. Few survive. This machine was first described in the early book or article (LCHS Bulletin) printed in 1917(or 1919) & 1939 by D. McGee who wrote about Lancaster clockmaking. Ed believes this machine to be "the finest American engine in existence" and that it very well may have been made by Shreiner, probably in the 1790s. The cutter blade was used to cut the teeth on the large brass wheels that turn the pinions. There would have been either a slitting cutter or a form cutter used. Carter Harris says form cutters were used by the 1790s.
Attributed to Martin Shreiner (1769-1866).
An 8x10 B&W photo is in picture file under "clocks." Also slide is in slide collection, #14-3-11.
Lancaster Borough, most likely
Provenance
Owned by two brothers, Samuel K. and William L. Fraser, clockmakers who lived in Lincoln (just west of Ephrata) and grandsons of clockmaker William Fraser (1801-1877), then to early collector Earl T. Strickler (FNAWCC) who had it on display at the Columbia Clock and Watch Museum. Upon Strickler's sudden death circa 1974, it was sold by his widow, Mary Jane Strickler, to Edward F., Jr. and Virginia A. LaFond who removed rust and kept it on a window sill. They then traded it to dealer Jamie Price for some clocks. Price had it on sale at the 2004 Philadelphia Antiques Show in mid-April where, as representative for the von Hess Foundation, Tom Cook, purchased it for this museum's collections.
Ed LaFond believes the Fraser family was related to the Gorgas family, thus they were in a position to inherit tools. Due to this, it was believed at first that both the machine and the scribe were from the Gorgas family. However, LaFond believes the Frasers were also related to the Shreiners. Stacy Wood claims this machine was one of Martin Shreiner's tools (Vol. 96, LCHS Journal).
Pitting on steel surfaces, slight discoloration on brass parts, signs of wear overall.
Object ID
G.04.19.1
Notes
Information from: Clockmakers of Lanc. Co., Wood/Kramer, 1977, p. 142. 225 Years of Timepieces (Catalog of 1st Annual Exh. of NAWCCM, 1979), p. 63. Stacy Wood researched origins and provenance of these tools and wrote article in Vol. 96 #4 of LCHS Journal. Conversations with Virginia LaFond ( 5/19/04), Ed LaFond (7/6/04) and Carter Harris (7/7/04).
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Usage
Shreiner, Martin
Credit
Gift of the Richard C. von Hess Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Dial scribe used originally for engraving circular lines (chapter rings) in brass dials. Converted for use with later white-painted dials (probably held a pen, according to clock expert Ed LaFond). Used by Jacob Gorgas (1728-1798). Maker unknown; most likely Lancaster Borough.
The tool arm is created from a foot-long bar of iron, rectangular in section. One end is enlarged and fitted with a vertical attachment made of cone-shaped iron surmounted by a turned wooden (walnut?) handle. This vertical attachment comes to a blunt point at the bottom. A shaped sleeve fits onto the horizontal iron bar and is fitted with a vertical hexagonal hole at one side. Two iron thumb screws are positioned at each side of sleeve.
Provenance
Owned by two brothers, Samuel K. and William L. Fraser, clockmakers who lived in Lincoln (just west of Ephrata) and grandsons of clockmaker William Fraser (1801-1877), then to early collector Earl T. Strickler (FNAWCC) who had it on display at the Columbia Clock and Watch Museum. Upon Strickler's sudden death circa 1974, it was sold by his widow, Mary Jane Strickler, to Edward F., Jr. and Virginia A. LaFond who owned it for "20 some" years. They then traded it to dealer Jamie Price for some clocks. Price had it on sale at the 2004 Philadelphia Antiques Show in mid-April where, as representative for the von Hess Foundation, Tom Cook, purchased it for this museum's collections.
Ed LaFond believes the Fraser family was related to the Gorgas family, thus they were in a position to inherit tools. Due to this, it was believed at first that both the machine and the scribe were from the Gorgas family. However, LaFond believes the Frasers were also related to the Shreiners.
Iron surface is pitted from corrosion, now stable. Turned wood handle is moderately worn and scarred with a broken off piece creating one flattened side. Wood is also checked (cracked) throughout neck.
Object ID
G.04.19.2
Notes
Stacy Wood researched origins and provenance of these tools and wrote an article in Vol. 96 #4 of LCHS Journal. Conversations with Virginia LaFond ( 5/19/04) and Ed LaFond (7/6/04).
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Usage
Gorgas, Jacob, 1728-1798
Credit
Gift of the Richard C. von Hess Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Tall case clock w/ 8-day movement housed in a cherry Chippendale style case with scroll pediment, carved floral rosettes and three flame finials. Arched glass door and side lights. Partially engaged, smooth columns at front corners, forming part of the hinged door.
Brass dial has Roman numeral chapter ring, C-scroll and vining foliate engraving at spandrels as well as above and below moon wheel which is painted with a star-spangled sky and moon with face. Engraved "Wilton Atkinson" on lower dial.
Waist has broken arch door and recessed, plain quarter columns. Base has raised, scalloped panel at front with quarter columns that match those in the waist section. Feet are bold ogee bracket style.
Atkinson is believed to have been the son of Matthew Atkinson of Lampeter Twp. Wilton was in the Borough as early as 1763 as a cutler. In tax records, he was listed in 1770 as a watchmaker and in 1772 and 1773 as a clockmaker. He married Anna Maria, daughter of the early Borough clockmaker Abram Laroy. Legend states that Anna Maria also made clocks in Lancaster that were sold bearing her husband's name. The Atkinsons eventually moved to Baltimore where, following his death, Anna Maria conducted business until 1819. (Clockmakers of Lanc. Co.)
Snyder notes on p. 40 of Clockmakers of Lanc. Co, that this case is considered one of the earliest examples of the Chippendale style in Lancaster Co., based on the brief working career of Atkinson (1770-1773).
Provenance
Owned by Dr. George Rohrer, then to son Henry A. Rohrer, then to daughter Mary Louise Webster. Tape adhered to reverse side of dial has the name of the donor's father, "Henry Rohrer/ 9-22-87."
Case has been overcleaned, finished with a glossy varnish then handrubbed with steel wool to remove gloss. Vertical scratch on right side of base; feet marred. Crack at lower right corner of base, below raised panel. There are about nine nail holes over the expanse of the tympanum suggesting missing carving. Heavy dent on dial at left edge, center, and hammer marks at this point on reverse side. Lower left corner distorted.
Object ID
G.01.49.1
Notes
Entry for Wilton Atkinson in "Clockmakers of Lancaster Co. and Their Clocks 1750-1850" notes that: "Atkinson married Anna Maria, a daughter of the early Borough clockmaker Abrum Laroy and legend states that she also made clocks in Lancaster that were sold bearing her husband's name. "
Brochure of the First Reformed Church (UCC) notes that in the 1760s, "the French Laroys" belonged to this church. "One chronicler called the LeRoy sisters (four daughters of a local clockmaker) the 'Belles of the congregation.'... Anna Maria, the youngest of the sisters, learned her father's trade and was said to be 'as good a clockmaker' as he was. She and her husband, Wilton Atkinson, took over the family business." (Note: Abrum Laroy died in 1763).
Above brochure is http://visithistoricalancaster.com/pdf/02LP109 HOW-FR-UCC
Call to church office & conversation with paster Dana Schlegel offered no clues to source of above information (Jan. 2017).
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
In memory of Dr. George Rohrer and Mrs. & Mrs. Henry A. Rohrer by Mary Louise Webster, Heritage Center Collection
Copper measure of sheet copper with conical body. Beneath applied handle is a keyed seam. Rolled copper base and lip. Applied strap handle, attached with 2 rivets at top, 1 rivet at bottom. Handle terminates with heart form at bottom and two lobes at top. Interior is tinned.
The name "(E)ICHHOLTZ" is stamped onto top of strap handle. "E" of Eichholtz is hidden where handle is attached at top. Interior is coated with tin.
Jacob Eichholtz worked as a coppersmith/tinsmith with his brother George on East King St. until c. 1815, when he began focusing on portrait painting. 1830 Tax Assessment lists him as a portrait painter.
Research by Pat C. Keller at Historical Society of PA in Jacob Eichholtz's daybook, indicates he made measures, not mugs. Notes in file indicate purchase was contingent on results of an effort to x-ray upper handle for evidence of initial unseen letters of stamped name. No indication this was ever done.
Provenance: Sellers Jackie & Vernon Gunnion purchased measure at Conestoga Auction circa March 1986. Jackie reports Don Fennimore of Winterthur knows only two other signed copper pieces -- by Apple and by Schlosser.
Photos: slides #23-5-1 to 9 and multiple B&W 8x10s
Small to significantly larger dents on sides and bottom Some scratches from general wear. Surface has been polished and lacquered. Some polish residue visible at both the rolled lip and rolled base.
First "H" and "T" of "ichholtz" are very worn. Corrosion and wear to interior tin surface.
Upper terminal of handle has split at left rivet (stable).
Object ID
G.86.03
Notes
See accompanying P86.3 file for research done by Heritage Center Director Pat Keller-Connor to determine authenticity of the touchmark. There was a possibility of the first initial being "J" for Jacob or "G" for George, a brother. On Feb. 17, 1802 Jacob advertised with his brother George as "tin-plate workers". Pat K-C intensively did research to settle the matter before finalizing the purchase of the measure
studied Vol. 1 & 2
See Henry Kauffman, American Copper and Brass, p. 119.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Chamber Organ in Hepplewhite kidney-shaped case, flat top, with French feet. Cabinet made of mahogany veneers; secondary woods are curly maple, walnut, and pine. Figured mahogany veneers on case contrast with lighter colored wood inlay on top, sides, and front. Three wide strips of banding encircle case at lid, above doors, and at bottom above feet and apron.
Front section of lid is hinged, revealing keyboard of 32 ivory-plated keys and 22 sharp keys of ebonized poplar and fruitwood nosings At each end of keyboard are pierced wood grilles (for sound emission) with badly deteriorated fabric backing. Below keyboard lid is an inlaid lock escutcheon. Two front doors curve inward, recessing below keyboard section and creating a concavity for knee space. Inlaid lock escutcheon on right door.
Pine and leather bellows in good shape, some repair at hinged end. There are 17 loose pipes, apparently fallen out but intact. Fabric covering missing on back.
Conrad Doll was a cabinetmaker, organ builder and tunebook publisher as well as organist & schoolmaster for the First Reformed Church. Three extant organs by Doll are the 1807 organ in Chippendale case made for Peace Church near Camp Hill, Pa., and two chamber organs which are visually identical (One owned by Ray Brunner and the other by HCLC). Ours was deemed to have been built circa 1806 due to the Oct-Dec.1805 date of the newspaper lining of the bellows. See Notes!
Provenance
Likely built by Doll for his brother Joseph, a tunebook publisher in Harrisburg. The organ passed to Joseph's daughter Catherine Elizabeth Doll who married George Mish (1783-1851). Their son Dr. George F. Mish (1824-c.1919) married Ms. Smuller and they lived at 460 Union St., Middletown. The organ remained at the house, passing to son George Smuller Mish (1862-1939) & successive descendants until the house was sold in 1983. The furnishings went to auction, but the organ did not sell for lack of interest and was shoved under staircase. The Vreelands who purchased the house agreed to keep the organ, allowing it to be rescued and eventually sold to HCLC. It was restored to playing condition by R.J. Brunner and Co. (Ray & Ruth) of Silver Spring, Pa. in 1995-1996.
Originally in need of many repairs to case and interior musical works (see file for description). Restored to playing condition in 1995-1996 by Raymond & Ruth Brunner.
Foot piece later came unglued and is detached.
Object ID
P.85.09
Notes
In Historical Soc. of Pennsylvania's Daybook of J. Eichholtz on page 30 is an entry dated March 1, 1810 for John Wind: "To painting frontispiece" with a charge of 15. This is presumably for the one in LHO collection, or perhaps another.
An identical entry on page 20 for organmaker Conrad Doll dated May 19, 1809 lists "To painting a frontispiece" for the same charge of 15. (Copies of these pages in file P.86.3 for Eichholtz copper measure).
See: That Ingenious Business, Pa. German Organ Builders, Raymond J. Brunner, The Pa. German Society, 1990, pp. 158-161.
"A Conrad Doll Chamber Organ," The Tracker, Raymond J. Brunner, Vol. 25, No. 2, Winter 1981, pp. 16-19.
Research notes on Doll family genealogy. Also one-page article written for 1997 Exhibit label by Ruth Brunner.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation
