Ink drawing of "an arch erected by the patriotic citizens of W. King S. Lanc. in honor of the arrival of General G. M. Lafayette who visited this town July 27th 1825." G. B. xxxx
Stitched leather fire bucket painted red on outside. Wooden band inside rim is visible where seam has come apart at a handle attachment point. Two metal D rings hold leather handle to bucket. "Geo. Hoff Jun.r Friendship" painted in gold letters on red background. this wire used to anchor both ends of handle.
Tall case clock with inlaid borders and mitered, figured veneers and string inlays on front surfaces. White dial has paint-decorated spandrels with raised lines of paint. Signed "SOLOMON PARKE / Philadelphia" below center dial and calendar wheel. Roman numerals on painted chapter ring; moon wheel at top.
Bonnet has scroll pediment with "reeded" face on scrolls with small, round rosettes. Three ball and spire finials, center on on keystone outlined with lightwood string inlay. String inlay outlines tympanum. Bonnet door has veneer with lightwood escutcheon inlay. Four free-standing columns.
Chamfered corners on trunk and base with triple lines of vertical lightwood stringing. Figured wood on pendulum door and base panel surrounded by wide string inlay of tiger maple? edged with lighter wood. Straight bracket feet.
Parke worked as a clockmaker in Newtown, Bucks Co. for nearly 10 years before moving to a larger facility in Philadelphia in 1790. He produced clocks under his own name until about 1805 when he changed the signature on his clocks to "Solomon Parke & Son."
Provenance
Typescript page in file states clock was owned by Elmer Ellsworth Hansell (1863-1940) and Amanda Matilda Storch (1874-1966) of Philadelphia, married 1895.
Clock then passed to son Elmer Ellsworth Hansell, Jr. (1903-1974) and wife Virginia Palmer (1907- ? ), married 1935. Elmer Jr. was a civil engineer in Lancaster, working with John H. Wickersham Eng. & Construction Co.
Bottom of interior has broken out board. Some veneer damage with small repairs. Along top of base front are three plugged screw holes.
Object ID
2003.023
Notes
Notes in file state the Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia own a Solomon Parke clock as does Mrs. Chris. Martin (Mary), of Lancaster.
Research by volunteer : Solomon Parke worked in Newtown and Southampton, Bucks County as a clockmaker. He then moved to Philadelphia where he was listed in directories from 1791-1822. At different times he signed his clocks, "Solomon Parke, Philad," "Solomon Parke and Company," and "Solomon Parke and Son." Solomon is believed to be the father of watchmaker Charles B. Solomon. He had a large clock manufactory and employed French, German, and Swiss workers in the assembly of eight day movements.
Framed flag of John Wise used on Balloon flights. 13 stars, 7 red stripes, 6 white stripes. Attached note reads, "This flag has accompanied 239 aerial voyages - has travelled in the air over 11,000 miles - has been constantly the harbinger of good fortune and no serious accident ever occurred while it was present. It is a talisman of good luck. It is over 34 years old and was made in 1834." Bdly faded.
Woven coverlet with central medallion circled by leaves, vines and grapes. Eagles on each of the four inner corners have wings spread, stars and stripes on their breasts. Eagles on the border have wings closed. Outer border of swags and tassels. Band at foot edge:, "Made by H. Stager - Mount Joy - Lancaster Co. PA - Fast Color - No 1 - Clara L. Whitlock"
One piece, no center seam. Cream-colored cotton warp; red, green and blue-green wool weft. Top edge rolled and stitches. 2-inch self-fringes on sides; tape with fringes sewn to foot edge.
