Traveling trunk manufactured by J.W. Allen Military Outfitter, 37 Strand, London, England. Low profile oblong trunk with a leather handle on both short ends. Single hinged metal hasp on center apron of the lid locks into flat lock opening at top center of the trunk body. Two partial leather straps that added additional closure to the trunk are extant. Oval brass medallion attached below the lock with J.W. Allen Military Outfitter 37 Strand embossed. H.E.J. Baltimore painted in white stenciling on both ends. White label stating 'Deposit ticket / May 16, 1874 / Henry E. Johnston / 3743' on one end.
Lithograph signed Print of Queen Victoria from painting by F. Winterhalter. Black ink, oval background. Victoria-body is 1/4 to her left, head front. Wearing crown, drop jewel earring, large stone necklace. Shoulder gown in trimmed with fur. Mounted in a The frame is a gilt decorated wood frame. Signed "Victoria R."
F. Winterhalter painted the original. J. A. Vinter, engraver. Day & Son, lithographer.
Wardrobe with mirrored door. Overhanging cornice molded. Frieze has cock-bead molding, same molding on drawer front and down front sides. Rounded corners. Mirror in single door front is rounded at top corners with floral relief framing. Keyhole escutcheo
David A. Weaver, Cabinet Work, Quarryville, PA completed refinishing in 1993.
Object ID
W.1992.012.001
Notes
Accessioned twice - second accession number is 00.33.1. Removed folder 00.33.1 on 27 June 2011 and merged with file 92.12. All documentation is now in file 92.12.
Rosewood bed with walnut, poplar, and pine. Headboard higher than footboard, but identical in shape. Arched crest with c-curved finish. This is repeated with molding below and on footboard. Molding is cyma-curved and appears on the outside of footboard and inside of headboard. The top of each post is capped with a round finial that transitions to squat bun above a smooth cylinder above a ring and ball shape that transitions to ring and vase surmounting an octagonal post terminates on bun feet Scroll cut brackets connect the posts to the side rails that feature cyma-curved molding.
Bed is higher at headboard than at footboard. Footboard height is 42.625'.
Condition
Excellent
Condition Date
2022-11-10
Condition Notes
Restoration done in 1992-1993 by David Weaver, cabinetmaker, Quarryville, PA. Restoration of rosewood.
Object ID
W.1992.001.039
Notes
Harriet had this custom built with large dimensions to accomodate her Uncle James Buchanan's size. It was intended for his use whenever he would visit her at her Baltimore, Maryland home.
James Buchanan's Inaugural Rail Car Window Screen was painted by Philip Kraus to depict the northern façade of Buchanan's Wheatland home. The farm's carriage house is seen in the West meadow; in the foreground the artist painted the east carriage path, trees and meadow grasses.
Philip Kraus was a German artist living in Baltimore, Maryland. The mid-19th century contemporary name for this type of artwork was known as "stained glass". Kraus was commissioned to paint the screen by Robert Magraw, then president of the Northern Central Railroad for James Buchanan's inauguration rail car.
The elaborate, high relief carved stand was made after Buchanan's inauguration for William Magruder, Mayor of Washington, D.C. He purchased the window screen from Robert Magraw.
On March 2, 1857, Buchanan would begin his journey to Washington, D.C. for his inauguration. For the trip from Lancaster to Washington, D.C., Supt. of the Phila. & Columbia Railroad, Joseph B. Baker, had prepared four rail cars for Buchanan that were decorated with patriotic scenes. One decorative touch included the use of window screens that were painted with images of Wheatland. These window screens were composed of painted or "stained" glass that could be placed in the existing window wells.
Buchanan's train traveled to Baltimore and then to Washington, D.C. The increasing affordability of railroad travel not only made Buchanan's inauguration trip possible, it also permitted many other people throughout the nation to attend the events. The crowds in Washington, D.C. for Buchanan's inauguration were the largest in history up to that time. He was sworn into office on March 4, 1857.
Place of Origin
Baltimore, Maryland
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of Andrew Bieber, Michael Birkner and Robin Wagner-Birkner, Margot Brubaker, Tom and Jan Dunlevy, Thomas G. Englert, Jerre and Phyllis Frankhouser, Dr. Wendell L. Funk, Eugene and Bernadette Gardner, Anne and Gene Gardner, Susan and James Volker.
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
Copy of painting of Harriet Lane. Brownish-green background, lighter to lower right. Harriet Lane is seated, torso 1/4 to her left, head facing forward. Right hand in lap holding handle of gold fan. Left hand holding white handkerchief resting on table top.
Donor commissioned copy based on original portrait by G. C. Munzig in 1899. Original portrait gifted to Mr. Speer through his aunt, Mary Clarke Speer Denny, who was a companion to Harriet Lane Johnston. This copy was painted by Ted Morrow of Baltimore, Maryland. He also painted two other copies.
Rosewood chest of drawers has a white marble top with round-carved front corners surmounting turned columns terminating at bun cyma-curved feet. Chest has three drawers with two bulls-eye shaped wood pulls and a centered keyhole with circular raised trim. Centered on the marble top is a rosewood framed mirror with a serpentine crest flanked by scroll cut shelf brackets.
One of 6 sterling silver teaspoons featuring the standard shell pattern on the handle's end both front and back, as well as on the back of the bowl's head. Front of handle also features scrollwork with a palm leaf and fleur de lis. Centered below the front shell pattern is the Johnston family's coat of arms symbol; a bent armored arm holding a dagger.
One of 6 sterling silver teaspoons featuring the standard shell pattern on the handle's end both front and back, as well as on the back of the bowl's head. Front of handle also features scrollwork with a palm leaf and fleur de lis. Centered below the front shell pattern is the Johnston family's coat of arms symbol; a bent armored arm holding a dagger.
