Bronze-colored metal coin. Face: Head of Thaddeus Stevens with his name and years "1792" and "1868." Interior border of tiny dentals around circumference of coin on both sides.
Reverse: Torch, top center; beribboned curved bough with leaves and berries on lower left. "1792 to 1868 / Champion of the Free Schools, Friend of the Poor and Downtrodden"
Walking cane used by Congressman Thaddeus Stevens late in life. Made of a tree branch with irregularities and smoothed knots; unusual wood with pronounced grain. Grip end curves into a burled knob. Glossy finish.
Silver cap on tip of grip is engraved: "This cane / was the property / of Hon. Thaddeus Stevens / during his latter days. / Presented to H.A. Zug, 1868." Bottom end wrapped with a 1.25" wide brass collar and an iron tip.
Provenance
Zug's relationship to Stevens is unknown. Henry A. Zug (22 Aug 1825 - 22 Apr 1890) married Fannie Hershey (5 Jul 1819 - ??) on 19 Nov 1844. Resided in Lancaster City.
In 1871 Henry Zug was a pharmaceutist at 44 E. Chestnut.
In 1873-74 Zug was a custom house inspector at 41 W. Orange St.
1880 Census says Zug was a "dealer in produce".
Death ceritificate of 1890 notes occupation as "druggist supplies".
His daughter, donor Lola Zug (9 Dec 1861 - 28 Jul 1952), was unmarried and a teacher in city.
Pen nib of gold. Marked on top is "MABIE / TODD & CO / NEW YORK / 4". This company had roots in the 1840s, but established as Mabie, Todd & Co. in New York around 1907. They were known for their gold nibs, pencils and pens.
Taped to card with "See Minutes" in pencil. Accompanying cut envelope is addressed to LCHS with postmark from Seattle, Washington 26 Sep 1976. In pen is written "Gold Pen Point Box 23." Crossed-out name below is "Ann Hoeck(?)".
Provenance
A present from Thaddeus Steven to Eli Lybe--with memorandum "Thaddeus Stevens pen. Presented to Eli Lybe by young Thad."
Engraving of Thaddeus Stevens, Artist Proof by John Sartain
Description
Print of Thaddeus Stevens; artist proof signed by John Sartain and Thaddeus Stevens; matted, some loss. Fair condition.
Additional information related to the print can be found in LancasterHistory library book 923.2 S846po. This book indicates that the print was taken from an 1862 photograph. The book also includes information advertising the print as well as testimonials from local newspapers and Stevens himself confirming the likeness. The letter (or a copy of it) from Stevens that is transcribed at the beginning of the book is folded into the back pages. A subscribers' list at the back of the booklet shows the 1867 price for the print: an artist's copy is $15. The booklet identifies the print as a steel engraving.
Provenance
John Sartain was an important nineteenth-century printmaker, who moved from England to the United States and is credited with pioneering mezzotint engraving in the United States.
Portrait of Thaddeus Stevens in gold-painted oval frame, an 1867 mezzotint of an 1862 photograph. Stevens' left shoulder is right front and he faces left. He wears a suit jacket, vest, white shirt with buttons and thin knotted necktie around the stand-up collar.
Typed on paper on back of piece: "Thaddeus Stevens./ The great commoner and promoter of the public school system/ practised (sic) law in Lancaster, Pennsylvania/ Uncle William T. Fulton, Esq., of Oxford, Chester Co. Pennsylvania,/ studied law under Thaddeus Stevens./ My father, Hugh R. Fulton, Esq., was a great admirer of Stevens/ and delivered lectures on his philosophy./ This picture, in its oval frame, hung in father's office,/ above his desk, throughout his fifty eight years practising (sic) law/ in Lancaster, Pennsylvania."
Below, written cursively in ink: "This should go to the/ Lancaster County/ Historical Society-/ E. J. Fulton"
Oval frame is 15.5' wide x 18.25' long with depth (about 1.5 inches)
On back are two eyebolts with wire loops attached for hanging.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-09-22
Condition Notes
Image is under glass. Small nick in gold paint on frame revealing plaster on lower outside of frame, center right. A chip off shiny gold paint on upper right.
Tiny cracks on both sides, inside of frame touching glass, middle of portrait.
Servants bell used by Thaddeus Stevens. Has thin, disk-shaped stone base with bell mounted above, encircled by a decorative housing comprised of three Mother of Pear shells, floral and vining grapes of copper, and external copper clapper suspended from an arching copper wire. Stone base supports a brass pierced gallery encircling the bell.
Letter from Thaddeus Stevens to William B. Thomas (forwarded to Joseph Gibbons)
Description
Transcribed copy of a letter from Thaddeus Stevens in Lancaster, Pa. to William B. Thomas, which was evidently sent to Dr. Joseph Gibbons. Gibbons had asked for a recommendation and Stevens provided it.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Gibbons Diaries, Family Papers, and Mill Records (MG0846), Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available.
Original documents may be used by appointment--contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
2021.008
Other Numbers
MG-846
Other Number
MG-846, Folder 9
Classification
MG0846
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by MB, 8 July 2021. Added to database 21 July 2021.
Carte de visite of Thaddeus Stevens from a photo album that belonged to Samuel W. Woodhouse, the noted naturalist, surgeon and explorer who took part in the Sitgreaves and other expeditions.
Letter from Thaddeus Stevens in Caledonia to Dr. Joseph Gibbons at the Customs House in Philadelphia. Letter reads: "Dear Sir, Certainly! Do it ________. I know the great worth of your friend _ I hope he is in no danger. Thaddeus Stevens."
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Gibbons Diaries, Family Papers, and Mill Records (MG0846), Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available.
Original documents may be used by appointment--contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
2021.008
Other Numbers
MG-846
Other Number
MG-846, Folder 12
Classification
MG0846
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by MB, 8 July 2021. Added to database 28 July 2021.
