Portrait of James Buchanan, painted by William McMaster. The artist painted this as a copy of his July 1856 Buchanan portrait after the General Election in November 1856. This portrait was commissioned by the Empire Club, which was a powerful political organization in New York during the mid-19th century. Captain Isaiah Rynders was the founder of the Club; his "sluggers" committed voter intimidation and election fraud on behalf of Tammany Hall throughout the 1840s and 1850s. The Empire Club purportedly paid McMaster $1,000 (equal to $28,571 today) to paint a copy of McMaster's July 1856 Buchanan portrait. This copy was hung in the Capitol Rotunda when Buchanan took office; however, at some point during his term, as his popularity began to sink, it was removed. Mounted in a Rococo Revival gilt wood and gesso frame with ornamental projecting corners featuring ornate scrolling foliage patterns with centre repose engraved with sculptural shells & acanthus leaves and fleur-de-lis patterns.
On back: stencil "A. Armstrong Artist Lancaster, Pa. Painted 1846"
Pencil #3
July 17, 2017: Oil on canvas portrait has vertical seam. Seated man turned slight right with brown hair, not part. Brown eyes, prominent nose and chin. Black coat. black waistcoat, black neck wear, whit shirt with down-turned collar. Sitter's right arm draped over wooden chair back. Brown background.
July 24, 2017: Painting has extensive craqelure. On lapel just below center of painting has a 1/8 inch hole. A split 1/5" from his index finger and 2 " from bottom edge.
Frame: Back has moisture staining and soil. Front has strong grime. On right side near top is a marred spot. Gesso chips at both lower corners.
Portrait of three sons of Jacob Eichholtz, Henry Clay Eichholtz, Lavallyn Barry Eichholtz, and Robert Lindsay Eichholtz.
Jacob Eichholtz and his second wife, Catherine Trissler Eichholtz, named their three youngest children after prominent Kentucky senator and former secretary of state Henry Clay; Baltimore banker Lavallyn Barry; and beloved son-in-law and Philadelphia bookseller Robert Lindsay.
The father of 13 children, Eichholtz portrayed his three youngest with an immediacy and grace that rivals his finest work. Captured just four years prior to the artist's death, these angelic faces are rendered through the eyes of a father's's love and affection. - Thomas Ryan, President and CEO of LancasterHistory.org
On reverse is attached note, "To make sure that the old portrait of Julie Shultz and her father, who has her by the hand shall go into permanent possession of Lancaster County Historical Society
Miss Ella B. Hart who lived with her niece Mary Agnes Schultz when she died at 9 or 11 Shippen Street in 1911 gave it to me with that understanding (gave in the fall of 1935)
Julie was sister of Alexander Shultz who was a tinsmith in Strasburg. He built the house now owned by Robert E. Groh on site of birthplace of Thomas Burroughs.
Portrait of Daniel Tyler Willson (1826-1874). Married in 1848 to Anna Esther Bell Bowman. Willson was the principal owner of D. T. Willson, Bros. & Co., iron founders and manufacturers of agricultural machinery in Harrisburg, PA. Willson was the great grandfather of the donor. Painted and signed by J. Augustus Beck.
Painting: Pen & ink on board, Fair, under glass, backed by newspaper & wood slats, light staining & horizontal acid burn lines, some paper cockling, top banner collaged on.
Painting conservation needs: Remove from frame, humidify, flatten, deacidify, remount, bond to acid free backing, refit with spacers.
Frame: 3" wood frame with 1" gold liner, Good condition.
Frame conservation needs: Surface clean, minor touchup throughout.