Oil on canvas portrait of Rev. Hans Herr (1639-1725), attributed to Baron Leon von Ossko, unframed.
Painting depicts elderly gentleman with nearly shoulder-length hair and long beard, wearing a plain brown coat with two buttons showing at front; plain dark background. Up-cast eyes and unsmiling face denote a properly pietistic expression for this patriarch and pastor of the first group of Mennonites to settle in Lancaster County in 1710. At upper right hand corner in block letters is painted "HANS HERR."
Canvas is attached with tack to sides of a mitered stretcher. The miters are fitted at back with a cast iron device embossed with two patent dates of 1883 and 1885.
The book Genealogical Record of Rev. Hans Herr & His Lineal Descendants depicts a copy of this painting, noting that it was painted by John Funk. Von Ossko reportedly produced a number of these paintings for the Herr descendants, apparently copying the original Funk portrait. The artist married a descendant of Hans Herr, Ella Louisa Breneman, in 1884. They lived in Lancaster City. Marrying into the Herr clan likely sparked the idea for generating copies of the patriarch on canvas.
(Written by Wendell Zercher.)
Provenance
The Farmers (Mr. and Mrs. C. Richard Farmer) say they obtained painting from an unknown source. They gave it to their son years ago, but he never used it.
This painting was after the original by John Funk of Strasburg.
Puncture of 1/2" x 1/2" to right of sitter's left eye; near complete puncture at bottom, 7" in from right corner, with pigment loss. A ft-long scratch begins at right of sitter's curl and extends obliquely to lower right corner. Some pigment loss at edges; deterioration of canvas and tacks failing along left edge. Soiled overall. A small piece of paper is affixed at back to repair the major puncture. Recent tacks added to secure canvas at sides.
Framed theorem of stencil-painted fruit on light brown cotton velvet. Painting is a still life of variously colored fruits: melons, peaches, apricots, a half-eaten pear, grapes with leaves, plums and a pomegranate. Composed on a blue-colored base or table. An insect is depicted near bottom center below grapes.
There is no border signature or date. Frame is a flat-profiles with walnut veneer facing.
Provenance
Found in the Slaymaker attic among other framed objects, in very dirty conditions. Unknown maker, but possibly done at a Moravian school such as the one at Lititz. See Slaymakers at Linden Hall on page 147 of Slaymaker history.
Taken to Dottie McCoach for conservation June 1, 1998. Returned Sept. 17, 1998. See report in this file. After treatment the piece is still dark, stained and moisture damaged along the bottom.
A: Watercolor on wove paper of J. Crump Tannery, Marietta, Pa, depicting a panoramic view of the Klumpp Tannery and residence, viewed from Front St. The white 2-story frame house with one-story addition is in the foreground on the left with a man and woman by the front door. The tannery complex with smokestack is on the right, set further back from the street with the tanning operation underway. A man in a small horse-drawn carriage is in the street in the front and a boy chasing 2 chickens is in the yard between the house and tannery. A brick church is in the background center.
John C. Klumpp's Tannery was built by P. Moyer on Locust Street between 2nd St. (now E. Market) and Prospect Alley in 1815. Klumpp acquired the tannery in 1874 and operated it until his death in 1901. The tannery occupied lots 69-70-71-72, Strawberry Alley ran beside the Klumpp residence on the left. To the rear of the dwelling, behind the fence can be the kitchen garden and outhouse.
Signed bottom left, in ink, "P. Meissner./18/1/76."
2 photographs of tannery:
B: Black and white photo showing roughly the same view as A, although closer to ground level. The house is on the left and the tannery on the right. At least five people are sitting/standing on the porch of the house facing the yard. The buildings appear mostly unchanged from the watercolor. The date "1908" is written in the lower left corner in ink.
C: Black and whit photo of the tannery from the back. Four separate buildings of varying design can be seen in a row, with the smokestack extending up out of frame slightly right of center. A stone bridge over a creek is at extreme right, with creek running around the buildings to the left. The date "1929" is written in the lower left corner in blue ink.
The photographs appear to be photographic copies of the originals. They were attached to the paper backing covering the frame of the watercolor.
A: watercolor has brown staining all over, especially apparent in the sky. Further discoloration along the top edge. The pieces was cleaned (dry and wet), mended, and flattened by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia in 1991.
B,C: Photos. B is browned and faded at the edges and curves inward. Both B and C have tape and backing residue on the reverse. They were dry cleaned, mended and flattened by the CCAJA in 1991. Further details available in file.
Deed printed on laid paper (with scalloped top edge) by Francis Bailey. Heading at top has "This Indenture made" in large fraktur-like lettering, surrounded by ornamentation including architectural device of architrave supported by squat columns of balusters with the words 'Peace and Plenty" interspersed within. At very top is "LANCASTER: Printed by FRANCIS BAILEY, in King's-Street."
Printed text has blanks filled in by hand in black ink as well as signatures below, on June 18 & 20 of 1774. Walter and Elizabeth Newman of "Hydelberg" Twp of Lancaster County are selling to "Frederick Kapp of "Hydelberg" Twp. Berks County a piece of ground in Heidelburg Twp of Berks Co. (at or near the "Town of Newbury"). Signed three times at bottom by Justice of the Peace Peter Spycker.
Two overlapping diamond shapes of paper affixed with sealing wax near bottom right. Reverse side has handwritten description of legal deed transaction for a Berks Co. property being sold by Walter Newman and wife to Frederick Kapp.
Bailey was the official printer to both the U.S. Congress and the Commonwealth. He operated a printing office at 14 W. King St. from 1773-1780, from where he produced many historic imprints including Thomas Paine's "Crisis No. 4" and the Articles of Confederation (1777).
Generally good with weakening fold lines and small holes at the intersections of fold lines. Minor soiling and staining, especially along the three vertical and one horizontal fold lines as well as edges.
Deed (indenture) printed by Ephrata Cloister on vellum for John Miller, blacksmith of Lancaster Borough, and his wife Elizabeth, for use in selling lots in the "Town Called "Millers Burgh." Blank areas are filled in by hand for sale of property to Margaret Stout for 50 pounds. Initially filled in on May 1, 1764, and completed at bottom on March 8, 1765. Pink linen ribbons and red sealing wax are affixed at bottom right. The headpieces printed at top left is done in elaborate letter style using the first two words "This indenture." Each initial line is done in the distinctive illuminated manner of Ephrata Cloister, employing floral and foliate designs.
Reverse is also used as a deed for the transfer of property for Margaret Stour to Patrick McElkar, begun 1770 and completed 1771. Red linen ribbons and red sealing wax are affixed to bottom right (of reverse).
Generally good, darkened and soiled on sections of reverse side, sprinkled stains and light soiling overall. Bottom right corner torn off. Three vertical and two horizontal fold lines.
Framed for 2006 Printed Word Exhibit.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2004-07-28
Condition Notes
Generally good, darkened and soiled on sections of reverse side, sprinkled stains and light soiling overall. Bottom right corner torn off. Three vertical and two horizontal fold lines.
Sketch box made of brown alligator skin / leather over wood. Flat rectangular base w/ raised section at right end has two sunken containers. Top one is oval with ornate raised decoration on hinged silver(?) lid; beaded oval trim at base marked "PAT. March. 25.90." Oval well lined with suede. Lower container has alligator-covered round hinged lid leading to another hinged metal lid leading to a small ink jar within.
Place of origin is unknown.
Large part is a padded alligator-covered lid hinged at top. Underside of lid has pouches of light brown leather. Writing/sketching surface has a blue paper blotter secured by leather corners. Leather loop at hinge holds a metal pen decorated with raised beaded rings.
Inscription on underside is pencil script: "From Charles / Xmas 1890". Alongside is a sticker with name and address of donor.
Provenance
Donor acquired this and many other Mifflin pieces from the Mifflin estate and, then donated it to the Heritage Center in 1995.
The alligator skin and leather are cracked, especially along the spine and bottom of the folder. The box with the two compartments is uneven on the top. The lid of the oval shaped compartment is tarnished, and the snap is broken. The ink jar is staine
Object ID
G.95.36.2
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lamar L. Libhart, Heritage Center Collection
Fiddleback teaspoon with design on undeside of bowl, of a bird on a branch with a twig in its beak. The initals "MB" are engraved on the end of the handle. Maker's mark appears on the undeside of the handle: "WH" with a center pellet in a small rectangle. William Haverstick Sr. or Jr.
One of a pair of teaspoons.
Scratches overall; small dents in bowl. End of handle is bent. Heavy to moderate wear overall.
Provenance
The donor, Mrs. Dana Mann Hutchinson, is the daughter of Mrs. Jerry Mann (R.D. 2, Lancaster PA). The spoons were purchased at an auction by Mrs. Mann's grandmother.
Fiddleback teaspoon with design on undeside of bowl, of a bird on a branch with a twig in its beak. The initals "MB" are engraved on the end of the handle. Maker's mark appears on the undeside of the handle: "WH" with a center pellet in a small rectangle. William Haverstick Sr. or Jr.
One of a pair of teaspoons.
Scratches overall; small dents in bowl.
Provenance
The donor, Mrs. Dana Mann Hutchinson, is the daughter of Mrs. Jerry Mann (R.D. 2, Lancaster PA). The spoons were purchased at an auction by Mrs. Mann's grandmother.
Fiddleback teaspoon with a decoration of a bird on a branch with another branch in its beak on the underside of the bowl. The initials "TCC" or "JCC" are engraved on the end of the handle.
The maker's mark is stamped in the undersude of the handle: "G. FRANCISCUS" in a rectangle.
Minor scratches overall. dented and cracked where the bowl and handle meet. Other small dents and black marks in bowl. Bird decoration amd maker's mark are worn down.
Elongated oval hinged lidded case made from silver with varying zigzag design on top and bottom. Pushbutton clasp in center of side. Interior is lined with black velvet. Oval medallion in center of top, surrounded by a triple leaf patterm; engraving in the medallion reads 'D Heitshu / Lancr/ Pa."
Outside is blackened and dented, especially on the ends. Clasp does not hold case shut. Velvet in interior is loose.
Silver tablespoon, marked twice on handle's reverse, "Ewing" in a conforming rectabgle or cartouch. The spoon is engraved on the obvserse of the andle, "G A L" in intertwined script.
The maker, John Ewing, is listed in Vivian Gerstell's "Silversmiths of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1730-1850" as a silversmith working as early as 1778 in Lancaster.
Provenance
John Ewing was the nephew of Jasper Yeates (his mother was Yeates's sister). John Ewing was buring in 1799 at St. James Episcopal Church.
