Perspective colored drawing of two buildings apparently on southwest corner of the Moravian Church Square (est 1757) in Lititz. The artwork is signed at lower left by artist Samuel A. Steel and dated May 20, 1863. It also read "Copy 2nd." Modern framing is done in a dark gray window mat and black wood frame.
Drawing (17.5" high x 20" wide) is done on off-whit paper in pen and ink; the water-colored rendering at bottom is of a stone building and a clapboard building, nearly touching at their corners. Perspectives of the buildings are projected above the watercolor via extended dotted lines, showing three views of the larger stone building (facade, end and floor plan), but only two views of the smaller one (facade and floor plan). The stone building at left was originally the Single Brethren's House, built in 1759. It is now stuccoed and stands next to the Moravian Church. The smaller building at right is unknown and is no longer extant.
Large open lettering impressed on paper at bottom right reads: "WHATMAN/ 1859." Probably a watermark or imprint of artist's firm?
Below framer's sticker on back is an older printed sticker apparently removed from previous frame job (John Wanamaker) and affixed here.
(Written by Wendell Zercher.)
Provenance
Believed to have been purchased by Chris Machmer (antiques dealer of 146 W. Main St. in Annville) at the antiques markets in Adamstown sometime within the past ten years (this was written in 2003) and offered to this museum (The Heritage Center) several year ago for $7,000. Finally purchased by Museum at Conestoga Auction sale of Chris Machmer antiques following his death this year (2003).
Generally good with light soiling overall. Variety of stains (moisture and colored) over surface. Darker discoloration along top edge as well as to left of colored rendering. Tears visible at edges. Creases throughout center of paper. Framed in recent years by Gallery 444 Ltd. of Hershey, PA, but frame was damaged at front of sides while handled at sale. Minor scars elsewhere. Dust cover at back is punctured at top center and along bottom.
Watercolor on paper of "Old Court House Lancaster" gives a head-on view of a 2-story brick building with four chimneys and a clock/bell tower. A wagon with a team of four horses and a driver a re shown in front of the building. (Written by Scott Sagar.)
The lower right corner is creased and partially detached. What appears to be an early sketch of the top of the bell tower can be seen to the right of painted bell tower. There are glue stains from a previous backing on the corners of the reverse.
The piece is currently mounted in hinged (on the left side) window matting and the area of the paper that shows through the window is slightly darker than the outer edges.
Object ID
P.77.31.15
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Watercolor on paper of "Plough Tavern. N.E. Cor. W. King & Charlotte. 1881." A 2-story gray stone building with multiple entryways, and green doors and shutters. A tilting lamppost is in front of the building. A sign for Charlotte Street can be seen at the corner of the building on the side facing to the viewer's left.
This building was apparently built in stages over many years, but the earliest elements were from 1745. It was demolished on April 1, 1924. (Written by Scott Sagar.)
There is some buckling along the top edge. Glue stains from a previous backing are visible on the corners of the reverse and have bled through slightly at the two upper corners.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.19
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing over a pencil sketch of "Ye Fountain Inn- S. Queen St./ FD 1758" dated Nov. 1881. On lower right: "Lancaster. Pa./ Nov. 1881." In upper right corner there's a drawing of a sign picturing a fountain with "Fountain Inn" above it. Hanging below the sign: "Geo. Hastings."
Another building to the viewer's left has been drawn in pencil but not inked.
The site is presently (2000) occupied by the Lincoln Hotel building.
The left corners are 90-degree angles and the right corners are rounded.
The edges of the paper are slightly browned and the upper right corner is torn off. Some brown markings are visible in the lower right area of the drawing, to the right of the signpost. There are the remains of a previous backing on the corners of the reverse.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.18
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Pen and ink drawing of "Swan Hotel. /S. Queen & Vine Sts-./ Lancaster.-Pa.". Dated " Nov. 1881" in lower left corner with "Dr. P. Cassidy" written in lower right. In the upper left corner there's a small insert drawing labeled: "window Top-." A sign with a swan hangs in the upper right corner with "D.M.Moore" below it.
Watercolor on paper of the German Reformed Church: "GER.REF.CHURCH. BUILT. 1753. TAKEN.DOWN. 1852. LANC.PA:" Marked at base of drawing are streets: 'Orange St; on the left and "Christian St." on the right.
Watercolor drawing of "The Grape Tavern, N. Queen St. Lancaster" A 3-story building with 2 entryways and green-shuttered windows on the second and third floors. The tavern sign, a bunch of grapes, hangs out over the sidewalk from above the second story windows.
The edges are slightly darker than the rest of the paper, possibly as a result of being in window matting. There are the remains of a previous backing on the corners of the reverse.
Hinged within a window mat..
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-06-22
Condition Notes
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.22
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Watercolor on paper drawing of "Lamb Tavern, West King St. Lancaster. Built 1747." A 3-story brick building on a stone foundation with a raised double entryway and basement entrance. The tavern sigh is posted on the sidewalk in front, showing a lamb with the word "LAMB' above and the name "J.S. KAUFFMAN" below. There is a date stone on the third floor that says "1747".
Beneath the drawing, lower right: "Co. Frazer's House."
The edges of the paper are slightly darker than the rest, possibly to result of window matting. There are the remains of a previous backing on the corners of the reverse.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.24
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing on paper of "Donegal Meeting House-/ Lancaster Co. Pa-". Includes walled graveyard with visitors in foreground. Congregants chat. Horses and carriages are near the meeting house and adjacent building. While the buildings and people are drawn in simple style, the trees and wall of the cemetery are done in more detail.
Ink drawing of 2-story stone building the sign "ROTHARMEL" on side facing viewer. Written at the base of the drawing (in the street) on left: Nov. '81."; and to the right: "Dr. Abra. Breneman./ S.W. Cor. S. Queen & German./ Lancaster: Pa."