Silver beaker or handless cup; flared form with double lip.
Engraved "J C M" in script lettering on the side; engraved "C. MAYER" in block letters on the underside of the base. The base also has maker's mark in the center, "W H" in a small rectangle with a scrolled serif on the bottom of the left stroke of the "H".
According to John J. Snyder, Jr, "C. Mayer" is Christopher Bartholomew Mayer (c. 1756 - Aug. 11,1815 and son of George Ludwig Mayer), a wealthy Lancaster hardware merchant who lived in the elegant stone house built by his father-in-law, George Burkhard (c. 1721-1783), a prominent Lancaster joiner, in 1764, at the NW corner of Orange and Duke Sts. Christopher B. Mayer married Jan. 2, 1783, to Susannah Burkhard(t) (1761-1848), later producing 8 children. Mayer was prominent in politics, and twice represented Lancaster in the state Senate."
Snyder continues: "The "JCM" of the monogram may be identified, tentatively, as Juliana (Julia) Catherine Mayer (1806-1857), later the wife of George May Keim of Reading." They married in 1827. Keim was a US Congressman, representing the 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives (1838-1843) He also served as Mayor of Reading in 1852. They are buried in the Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading. Juliana (Julia) was apparently a daughter of Christopher & Susannah Mayer.
At time of acquisition,this beaker was believed to be the only piece of Wm. Haverstick hollow ware then known. With its history of early ownership by a very prominent Lancaster family, it adds a valuable historical dimension.
Provenance
Purchase from dealer Harry Hartman. Previous history unknown.
Round copper vessel, shaped like a teakettle, but without a spout. A shaped strap handle is attached to each side of the opening at shoulder with riveted brackets. The handle widens near the middle, where the maker's mark is stamped: "P & B. SCHAUM"
Body is dovetailed to base, one dovetailed vertical seam, handle attached to flanges held in place by two rivets each. Pot insert is missing. Another insert (S.13) was purchased as a replacement.
Vessel has multiple dents, creating a general distortion overall. Surface is also tarnished and has drip stains running down the sides. The bottom is very worn and has numerous stains. Blueish-white stains on the inside. Polish residue on handle.
Object ID
P.77.61
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Related Item Notes
See broadside for Benjamin Schaum's hardware store, P.91.02
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
