Page 192 of "Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion" from 1854. Includes an article on James Buchanan with images of him as Minister to England and of Wheatland. Also includes musings on "What is the hardest mode to die?"
Cane made of maple owned by James Buchanan. Long, tapered with tip and 2-part handle of ivory. Handle grip is in the shape of a lily or trumpet flower. Lower section is elaborately carved w/ high-relief eagle on a background of leaves, stars and banner w/ "E PLURIBUS UNUM". Inscribed in black on side of handle in script is "James Buchanan / from E.C.L." Believed to be gift of Elizabeth Chapman Lawrence, friend of Buchanan and Harriet Lane.
Provenance
Descent from Buchanan to James B. Lane, grand nephew, then to donor's husband, grandson of J. B. Lane.
Cracks in handle and separation. Stains on wood. Ivory tip scarred.
Object ID
W.89.58
Notes
The cane was owned by James Buchanan and at his death given to James B. Lane, his grand nephew. It was passed down to the donors husband as grandson of James B. Lane.
Oval picture in rectangular frame with velvet backing. Buchanan facing almost front, dark suite, white tie. Back of frame 'Daguerreotype presented to President Buchanan by J. Henry Brown-1851'
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.
James Buchanan's inaugural address speech printed on silk. Rectangular white silk with cobalt blue printing. Border c. 1' wide of morning glory vines. Heading: 'The Inaugural Address March 4, 1857. President Buchanan.' A round medallion and pictue medal
Black beaded purse of rectangular shape. A black silk band trims the mouth at top, enclosing the black twill-weave cotton tape drawstrings. Main body of bag has black beads mounted on a crocheted tan cotton mesh grid through which the off-white muslin interior lining is visible. Fringe at bottom has beaded openwork ending with intertwining loops.
Crocheted black cotton Miser Purse with single crochet pattern throughout. Sock-like form has one round end and the other a squared off opening that is stitched closed. All but center section of purse is decorated with rows of steel beeds incorporated during crocheting. Elongated hole in side provides access for coins and is safeguarded by two encircling, sliding rings of steel with a pierced pattern, 3/8" wide . Both ends of purse decorated with teardrop shapes suspended from small rings, similar to charm bracelet jewelry. Single cluster at round end and attached singly along with disks at blunt end, like a fringe.
Large rectangualr rosewood veneer box with hinged lid and pressed metal oval-shaped handle centered on lid. The underside of the lid has a mirror that is hinged with a top swinging catch that comes down to convert it to a writing surface. Several separate velvet-lined compartments of varying size comprise the inside of the box. There is cock-bead molding around lower edge of lid and the keyhole is centered just below the front lip of the lid; on the short end of the oblong chest is a 2 inch high wide drawer with a keyhole and lined with velvet.
