Diminutive hammer has elongated steel head; tapered cylinder end and thin flattened opposite end. Long hardwood handle mortised into head is wide and flat at head end and swelled to a rounded oval shape before tapering to blunt point at terminal.
Provenance
Donor was given hammer mid 1970s by an acquaintance, Frances Geiger, a "maiden lady from Quarryville." Attribution to Gorgas was stated by Ms. Geiger at that time. (Research indicates Frances was a teacher living in Millersville.)
Handmade sticker on hammer, now removed, had "Circa 1763-1798". These dates relate to Gorgas Sr. rather than Jr. The father appeared on Cocalico tax records by 1763 and died 1798.
Head has some dark tarnish. Handle is smooth and polished with some dark stains. Two small nails driven into handle end as it protrudes at top of head.
Object ID
G.08.19.1
Usage
Gorgas, Jacob, Jr. (b. circa 1763-1828)
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Diminutive hammer has elongated steel or iron head; tapered cylinder end and a tapering, flattened, thin end. Long hardwood handle is square-mortised into head and has a swell near opposite end with a blunt tip.
Provenance
Donor states the hammer was used by clockmaker Martin Shreiner (1769-1866), his great, great, great grandfather. Donor donated a signed statement by Edward D. Glass (1881-1962) that the hammer was purchased by him from the Shreiner estate sale at 136 E. Walnut St. in Lancaster, apparently around 1895 or 1896. (see file) Glass was a paperboy in that district of town and lived with his parents Daniel & Mary at 556 N. Shippen St. He would have been 14 or 15 yrs. old when he bought the hammer.
Head has some considerable corrosion. Moderate wear and soil on handle with some minor loss of wood near terminal. Head is loose on handle and small nail has been driven into handle end as it protrudes at top of head.
Object ID
G.96.31.2
Usage
Shreiner, Martin
Credit
Gift of Paul A. Mueller, Jr., Heritage Center Collection
Clock wheel cutting machine used by Lancaster clockmaker Martin Shreiner, Sr. Made of steel and brass with turned wood handle knob on crank. Main frame of tool is steel resting on four rounded, downward-curving legs with coin-shaped feet. Many moving parts, arms and cranks/screws, including the swiveling cutting yoke/frame at top (cutter blade with arbor/spindle missing) and the shaped index arm that "reads" the holes on the 13"-diameter brass wheel furnished with concentric circles of surface holes.
The LaFonds call this a very sophisticated machine, incorporating Swiss, German and English ideas/influences. This indicates to them that the machine was made in America, very likely by Shreiner himself. It was imperative for clockmakers to own this tool to practice their trade. Few survive. This machine was first described in the early book or article (LCHS Bulletin) printed in 1917(or 1919) & 1939 by D. McGee who wrote about Lancaster clockmaking. Ed believes this machine to be "the finest American engine in existence" and that it very well may have been made by Shreiner, probably in the 1790s. The cutter blade was used to cut the teeth on the large brass wheels that turn the pinions. There would have been either a slitting cutter or a form cutter used. Carter Harris says form cutters were used by the 1790s.
Attributed to Martin Shreiner (1769-1866).
An 8x10 B&W photo is in picture file under "clocks." Also slide is in slide collection, #14-3-11.
Lancaster Borough, most likely
Provenance
Owned by two brothers, Samuel K. and William L. Fraser, clockmakers who lived in Lincoln (just west of Ephrata) and grandsons of clockmaker William Fraser (1801-1877), then to early collector Earl T. Strickler (FNAWCC) who had it on display at the Columbia Clock and Watch Museum. Upon Strickler's sudden death circa 1974, it was sold by his widow, Mary Jane Strickler, to Edward F., Jr. and Virginia A. LaFond who removed rust and kept it on a window sill. They then traded it to dealer Jamie Price for some clocks. Price had it on sale at the 2004 Philadelphia Antiques Show in mid-April where, as representative for the von Hess Foundation, Tom Cook, purchased it for this museum's collections.
Ed LaFond believes the Fraser family was related to the Gorgas family, thus they were in a position to inherit tools. Due to this, it was believed at first that both the machine and the scribe were from the Gorgas family. However, LaFond believes the Frasers were also related to the Shreiners. Stacy Wood claims this machine was one of Martin Shreiner's tools (Vol. 96, LCHS Journal).
Pitting on steel surfaces, slight discoloration on brass parts, signs of wear overall.
Object ID
G.04.19.1
Notes
Information from: Clockmakers of Lanc. Co., Wood/Kramer, 1977, p. 142. 225 Years of Timepieces (Catalog of 1st Annual Exh. of NAWCCM, 1979), p. 63. Stacy Wood researched origins and provenance of these tools and wrote article in Vol. 96 #4 of LCHS Journal. Conversations with Virginia LaFond ( 5/19/04), Ed LaFond (7/6/04) and Carter Harris (7/7/04).
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Usage
Shreiner, Martin
Credit
Gift of the Richard C. von Hess Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Brass spoon mold of two parts that mate to allow molten metal to be poured into bowl end of spoon mold via its funnel opening. Squared tangs project on top and bottom of mold at midpoint.
Mold will create spoon with moderately large, oval bowl, round stem and flaring, flattened handle with rounded terminal and raised center ridge on top. Rattail support under bowl.
Folding rule of boxwood with brass hinges and ends. One-foot rule has a brass hinge every three inches, resulting in a compact unit of four wood lengths. Both sides of rule are calibrated with inches; both read from right to left.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Balance-type scale, body of cast iron, flat pan of bronze and large scoop-shaped pan of copper. Two large weights of bronze and six smaller weights of cast iron housed in pine box.
Scale (A) has heavy cast iron base supporting a pivoting/balancing armature. One end of armature has flat, round, brass pan while opposite end has four fingers of iron supporting a detachable copper pan shaped like a large oval scoop with a rolled edge. Base has remnants of original red paint and gold striping. "Fairbanks" is embossed on top of both sides of central base section. Brass plate near center of armature reads: "Pat'd. Dec. 18, 1877."
Eight weights are as follows:
(B & C) Two circular disks marked "2" at top center, signifying 2 lbs.
(D) One cast iron weight, pie-shaped, with embossed "1" at top center, signifying 1 lb. Lead infill stamped "S" on bottom.
(E) One cast iron weight, pie-shaped, with impressed "8" at top center, signifying 8 oz. Bottom has small lead infill, unmarked.
(F) One cast iron weight, pie-shaped, with embossed "4" at top center, signifying 4 oz.
(G) One cast iron weight, pie-shped, with embossed "2" at top center, signifying 2 oz.
(H) One cast iron weight, pie-shaped, with embossed "1" at top center, signifying 1 oz.
(I) One cast iron weight, pie-shaped, with embossed "1/2" at top center, signifying a half oz.
(J) Square, finger-jointed pine box, used for housing the eight weights.
Provenance
Donor states scale was used in the candy department at Woolworth's store on North Queen Street. It was later acquired by the family. Donor recalls that her mother Florence E. Werner Cohen (1895-1994) used the scales extensively for baking in her home since she sold baked goods at her Central Market stand.
Width includes large pan length. Length is pan to pan.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2014-12-19
Condition Notes
Considerable wear, esp. to copper pan which is tarnished and dented. Food residues in crevices. Red-painted body is worn w/ light corrosion over some parts. Weights are well worn, esp. the two 2# weights which are covered in small gashes and have dark stains. Box is strongly deteriorated and held together with nails. Heavy soil with accretions.
Object ID
G.01.19.3a-j
Notes
This scale has a removable pan for scooping merchandise such as candy. Disc weights determined the weight of goods by counterbalanceing on the opposing flat pan. This balance scale was used in the candy department of Woolworth's and then at home for measuring backing ingredients.
Place of Origin
St. Johnsbury, Caledonia County, Vermont
Credit
Gift of Rheta e. cohen Stacy in memory of Florence E. Werner Cohen
