Cast iron ashtray in rectangular form, sloping sides, sunken top with raised sides having a textured surface with two corner indentations for cigarettes. Opposite end of indentation is a grouping of four geese, fully formed, attached to top surface with screws. Entire surface is bronzed with a pattern of oblique stripes on sides.
Marked "144" on bottom. The Hubley catalog "Metal Art Goods" lists this ashtray as #144 and named "Goosie Goosie Gander." The description notes it has "an unusual bronze finish".
Provenance
Owned by J. Roland Gilbert (1888-1940) and inherited by his daughter the donor (1916-1992). Donor writes: "acquired in the late '20s or early '30s and 'possibly' a gift from Mr. Joseph Breneman, a Hubley Exec." J. Roland Gilbert was president of Lancaster Press Inc. and general manager of the New Era Publishing Co.
Oval tin box (A) with fitted, domed lid (B). Box has two raised bands on sides. Flat bottom of box is soldered to sides. Lid created by soldering a hammered, rounded oval top onto a 1/2" oval band. Interior of both A and B is tinned.
Used as a container for the miniature tea kettle G.00.03.1.
Lancaster County or region
Provenance
Ownership by donor's father, William A. Heitshu. Donor believes oval box was original container for teakettle.
Exterior surface has vestiges of an original finish, now oxidized with areas of corrosion. Abrasions over much of surface. Interior moderately rusted and corroded.
Object ID
G.00.03.2a-b
Credit
Gift of Martha Munster, Heritage Center Collection
Sketch box made of brown alligator skin / leather over wood. Flat rectangular base w/ raised section at right end has two sunken containers. Top one is oval with ornate raised decoration on hinged silver(?) lid; beaded oval trim at base marked "PAT. March. 25.90." Oval well lined with suede. Lower container has alligator-covered round hinged lid leading to another hinged metal lid leading to a small ink jar within.
Place of origin is unknown.
Large part is a padded alligator-covered lid hinged at top. Underside of lid has pouches of light brown leather. Writing/sketching surface has a blue paper blotter secured by leather corners. Leather loop at hinge holds a metal pen decorated with raised beaded rings.
Inscription on underside is pencil script: "From Charles / Xmas 1890". Alongside is a sticker with name and address of donor.
Provenance
Donor acquired this and many other Mifflin pieces from the Mifflin estate and, then donated it to the Heritage Center in 1995.
The alligator skin and leather are cracked, especially along the spine and bottom of the folder. The box with the two compartments is uneven on the top. The lid of the oval shaped compartment is tarnished, and the snap is broken. The ink jar is staine
Object ID
G.95.36.2
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lamar L. Libhart, Heritage Center Collection
Box of mourning pins. Paper matchbox covered in dark gray paper has top, fitted lid with a paper label. Label is priinted with scrolls at corners and a football shaped reserve at center has "80 MOURNING PINS / ASST / Germany." Black head pins with blue shafts within. Less than half this number remain.
Used for securing black clothing such as veils and hats during the time of mourning a death.
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.
Miniature toleware tin box with hinged, domed lid fitted with a hasp at front and a pull ring at top. Red painted ground. Red striping separates upper and lower panels on front: above is a yellow ground with a stylized foliate design of red and green; below are yellow banana-like crescents which continue on box ends.
Strong paint losses overall, cracking and flaking. The left rear hinge is detached, despite the attempt to resolder it. Solder joint at right rear corner of lid is broken and joint separated.
Object ID
G.98.14.3
Place of Origin
Probably Southeastern PA
Credit
Gift of Drs. Irwina and M. Susan Richman, Heritage Center Collection
Tole painted tin box with hinged, domed lid fitted with a hasp at front and a large ring pull at top. Red painted ground overall except underside. Front painted with a stylized design of yellow and black leaves with a pink and white flower at each end. Ends have a "twisted rope" decoration in an X configuration. Lid top has similar twisted design of black and yellow bordering a central foliate design of yellow and black.
Interior solder repairs on hinges and pull ring. Extensive points of paint loss due to chips, scratches and other abrasions. Lid is especially weathered with oxidized paint. Inside strongly oxidized at bottom and sides.
Object ID
G.98.12.5
Place of Origin
Southeastern Pennsylvania
Credit
Gift of Mrs. S.R. Slaymaker II, Heritage Center Collection
Roughly fashioned polychromed softwood miniature trinket box of rectangular form. Domed lid hollowed out underneath and ends fitted with conforming caps. Wire hinges and wire loop at front with missing tin hasp. Corresponding wire loop for hasp on box front. Box sides constructed of rabbet joints secured by two wood pegs at front and two at back. Beveled bottom board attached with two pegs and extends beyond box sides. Top and four sides each have a floral motif of dark green, cream, ochre and red all on a tan ground. Glossy varnish overall except for bottom and interior. Indecipherable initials painted on bottom.
Probably Lancaster County
Provenance
Purchased by donor at Lancaster County sale. At least four other examples known. See example in collection #1973.003.2
Possible maker is Peter Brubacher (1816-1898), shoemaker and woodworker in Clay Township.
Trinket box of softwood constuction covered by German newsprint outside and a coarse blue-green paper inside. Glued over the newsprint are strips of straw of various tones arranged in geometrical designs on domed lid and sides in a technique very similar to marquetry. Newsprint visible on underside as well as where straw pieces are missing. Lid has hinge of coarse linen under laminate. Bent wire hook on lid fits into wire loop on box front.
Provenance
Collected by donor in Lancaster Co. According authority Clarke Hess, these boxes are plentiful, but not usually with newspaper lining. Clarke owns two of these boxes, both with Lancaster German language newsprint, and believes these boxes were made 1820-1840 in PA.
John Tannehill, expert in iron, reports someone told him these boxes were made in prisons.
Trinket chest of dovetail construction, hinged lid, turned feet and polychrome decoration. Bottom secured with square nails. Keyhole at front; key missing. On a burnt orange ground are 5 large decals (4 of fruit and 1 of flowers) and one small decal at front center of spread eagle, shield and banner. Chest sides and top have centered line decoration of 3 concentric rectangles with hollow corners (black, ochre, white). Feet are black. Edge moldings of lid and base painted black with yellow-green double line decoration enclosing leafy scrolling vines. Interior and underside unfinished.
Inked # 00.43.1 on bottom. Two old stickers: "65603" on back and "65625" on bottom.
Attributed to Joseph Lehn (1798-1892). South of Clay, Elizabeth Township.
Provenance
Transferred from the James Buchanan Foundation where chest was "found in collection" with history/provenance.
Paint soiled and darkened. Large scar on left end of lid molding. Arc scored into top at right front of lid. Wear/abrasions overall, especially lid and base molding. Loose left front foot and paint loss of right back foot. Pristine interior. One hing screw missing.
Object ID
G.03.35.1
Place of Origin
Elizabeth Twp.
Credit
Gif ot James Buchanan Foundation, Heritage Center Collec
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
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this document reflects the racial prejudices and actions of the era. In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.
Additional Notes
1. Larceny.
Identified in the document as "Negro Sol"
African-American.
2. Accessory before the fact.
Baker, John. Baker, Jacob.
3. Receiving.
4. Misdemeanor.
Baker, Mary. Baker, Margaret.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
