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.
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.
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.
Political ribbon. Off-white silk framed ribbon, black printing with detailed bust of James Buchanan with his signature below. Maker's mark on ribbon '[Daguerreotype by Brody' 'Engraved by J.C. But[tre]'
Traveling trunk. Large chest-shaped with metal sheet strips at corners. Studded wooden bands at front, back, and top over canvas-covered wood. Two metal catches on lid, remains of leather strap. Lid is rounded. Exterior has remnants of travel destination stickers and one end cap has Henry Elliot Johnston's initials stenciled 'HEJ'.
Hand painted feather fan with pierced bone stays and white feathers. Painted on one side is multicolor spray of flowers with perching bird.
The 20 feathers connect on back with string near midpoint. First and last bone stays are nearly as long as the feathers while remainder of stays are only 3.25" long. Fan spreads open at pivot point at bottom where a stirrup shaped wire is riveted to bottom ends of stays with mother-of-pear washers. Hanging off wire is a double length of braided silk cord, decoratively knotted near midpoint. Cord ends wrap around small beads and unbraided individual threads extend from beads to create tassels. Accompanied by small hand-lettered label: "Fan - mid 19th century."
Front bone stay is cracked and broken at three places along its length. Cellophane tape hold first break from bottom. Soil and stain overall, especially on cord.
Object ID
1980.003.8
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.