Commemorative ashtray of cast iron with a silvered, sand-textured finish. Oblong functional ashtray has large extension in shape of a porringer handle. This is cast with raised letters: "LAST/HEAT" and a centered date of "6 12 68". Below this is "POSEY IRON WKS./ LANCASTER PA" Apparently made as a memento of some unknown event designated by the words "LAST HEAT".
Ashtray of pressed milk glass, triangular dish form with clipped corners and sloping sides. Indented at top of each corner for receiving cigarette. Three sides are each printed in black ink: "COURSON'S / SUBS AND HAM BOATS / 564 W. ORANGE ST. / PHONE 394-6034."
City Directories of circa 1930s to early 1950s list Harley J. Courson at 564 W. Orange, listed as a confectioner, followed by son? Howard J. Courson in 1954. For a short time, from 1960-1965, Howard was listed under Grocery & Meats, but returning to confectionary by 1966.
See another Courson's advertising piece, a magnifying glass, 2012.12.2.
See Courson's Son's letter from Penn Dairies Inc. in file.
Set of three keys to the Conestoga Cotton Mill. Keys have oblong, pivoting heads. Attached note reads, ""Second" only Conestoge (sic) Cotton #3 Mill Gate Key in Existence."
White oval-shaped platter with a .25-inch band of gold around the edge. An inner border wavy- line decoration of gold has been rubbed of on one side. There is a 1.25-inch center gold design of a three-stemmed plant. Between the border and the curve/dip of the serving portion of the platter, embellished with cuts of pairs of alternating short-long slots lend a lattice-like fancy edge to the platter.
Light tan earthenware sectional spittoon with darker "runny" slip or glaze finish. On bottom is impressed "Eagle Porcelain Works / Lancaster PA / Henry Gast S.Q. ST."
Heavy iron key, reported to be a key to the old Lancaster County jail located at Prince and West King Streets. Key has a round shaft with a swell near the center and several decorative rings and score marks. Paddle-like extension near tip for throwing the tumblers of lock. Handle is shaped like an oval ring.
Good condition overall with pitting over surface. Wear is evident overall, especially along shaft where decorative rings are diminished. Gold paint remains in corners and crevices.
Object ID
G.02.49
Notes
There were two office visits by men presenting a key purported to be the Lancaster Jail key:
1. Walter Hager McGovern, Jr., age 68, a descendant of a Hager who was sheriff of Lancaster Co. File on handle was "XXVI". It was slightly longer and heavier than ours (G.02.49.1).
2. Kevin Perrett of Reading presented a copy of a notarized statement by Rosanna E. Rohrer of Lancaster who sold him the key. She obtained the key from her grandfather Capt. Edward Edgerly, former mayor of the City (1878-80). It was stamped "J.F. REMLY" four times on the handle, was 8 5/8" long with the same configuration at the working end as ours and had knurled rings on shaft.
Yellow earthenware lobe-paneled spittoon decorated with streaked and spattered dark brown manganese under a clear lead glaze. Oval drain hole on side. Underside has impressed maker's name in block letters: "Eagle/ Porcelain Works / Lancaster City, PA / Henry Gast, S.Q. St. "
Conventional "L" shaped bookend of cast iron likely made as a memento of the maker, "LANCASTER IRON WORKS/ LANCASTER PA" which is inscribed in raised letters above a riveted boiler with a man wearing workman's clothing, leaning into the boiler and pushing a broom or similar tool. This scenario projects from the face of the bookend in dramatic relief. The floor or bottom of the bookend slopes down from the back to a much thinner front edge with slightly hollow corners. Reverse side of back and bottom have flat surfaces that show signs of grinding to remove roughness. Entire bookend is painted a bright coppery color but protruding surfaces have darkened. Reverse side of back upright has a large concavity matching the swell of the protruding boiler in front.
Pocket of corrosion under workman's foot; additional corrosion/oxidation on reverse side of upright. Paint dulled and soiled except for recessed areas.
Object ID
2014.003.2
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Gift of Barbara Breneman. In Memory of Robert Posey Breneman.
Figural tobacco jar with container and lid both forming the bust of an Arab, a dark-skinned, bearded man with head dress. Hollow-molded earthenware, painted and clear-glazed overall except for most of face.
Underside has impressed number "7671."
Provenance
Descent to Sarah Muench from family (likely Aunt Alice Potter Fordney, an antiques dealer).
Some small chips on bottom edge and surfaces that meet between lid and base. Larger chip beginning to break at base section's proper left side at top edge. Light crazing. Wear and soil on base; interior has minor soil.
Object ID
G.04.23.14
Credit
Gift of Sarah Muench, Heritage Center Collection, LancasterHistory.org
