Page 192 of "Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion" from 1854. Includes an article on James Buchanan with images of him as Minister to England and of Wheatland. Also includes musings on "What is the hardest mode to die?"
Large black leatherbound volume with boldly molded and decorated boards having tooling and gilt on both boards and spine. On spine is "Schoolcraft's History of Indian Tribes. / Illustrated by S. Eastman, U.S.A. / Part Third." Longer complete title on title page. Henry R. Schoolcraft. Published by authority of Congress by Lippincottt, Grambo & Co.
Gilt edged pages have elaborate impressed floral and scroll designs with centered American shield. Inside of covers is a large pasted-on panelof dark blue felted fabric with foliate designs. End papers have beautiful wallpaper-like, full-color designs of flowers and leaves in gold, green and red. Inscribed in pencil is "JBH Jr." on tissue page covering title page.
Appraiser notes a letter of presentation to Buchanan by Charles E. Mix, Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated Oct. 15, 1857. Not presently located (in pages?).
Provenance
Descent within James Buchanan Henry family to donors.
Abrasions and wear; cracking at hinge of front board and spine. Detached back board along with some pages. Most pages have liquid stains at the top; many pages have light to heavy foxing with some acid burn at edges.
Object ID
2013.008.025
Place of Origin
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Credit
Gift of the Family of Eleanor N. Henry (John D. McNeill Jr., Mary Catherine Henry West, James Buchanan Henry IV, and Elizabeth Henry Richardson)
Lithograph? 2-part marriage certificate in black ink with gold border elements. 2 printed colored flowers are visible through 2 oval cutouts. Certificate announces the marriage of Alice Fisher and John B. Herr.
Portrait of young gentleman. Fairly faded out. Water marks/stains, one around right eye of man (viewer's left) in decorative bronze-colored frame with glass narrow gold-colored braid around edge. All with a red velvet rectangle. On the red velvet lining of the lid/cover: "Addis (?) s Lancaster Gallery/ NE Corner of Centre Square & N. Queen St." Black container has decorative motifs on front and back.
Liberty Bell pendant medallion with Independence Hall on the back. Outline of bell has contoured image of Liberty Bell with inscription, crack and clapper. Inscription at top reads "OF LEV XXV&X PROCLAIM / IN PHILDA. BY ORDER OF TH--" and below this is "PASS AND STOW / PHILADA. / MDCCLIII."
Back is flat with a raised image of Independence Hall. Extended tab at top has hole with two linked wire rings for hanging.
Oval picture in rectangular frame with velvet backing. Buchanan facing almost front, dark suite, white tie. Back of frame 'Daguerreotype presented to President Buchanan by J. Henry Brown-1851'
Sepia-tinted photo of Harriet Lane. Oval. Harriet facing 3/4 front, to her right. Hair rolled under with flowers. Decolletage dress with flowers at center and at shoulders. Light-colored dress, no jewelry. Shown from hips up. Frame: rounded front, plain,
