Lathe-turned wooden tar bucket with fitted lid and remnants of leather straps. Cylindrical vessel has slight taper inward toward middle. Decorated with two double score marks below center. Above center are shoulders jutting outward with vertical holes through which straps of leather handle pass. Handle also passes through lid of conforming shape, although one strap broken off at shoulder while the other is broken off 3 inches above shoulder.Center hole in lid apparently accepted a now-missing stick used to apply tar to wheels. Broken-off 5-inch length of leather strap rests inside. Tar residue in bucket.
Lancaster County or region.
Provenance
Donor believes bucket descended from family members to his parents who displayed it on their mantle. Donor inherited it from parents.
Coin of dull gray nonferrous cast metal in an irregular shape, replicating a Spanish piece of eight. One side has a central cross dividing the space into quadrants, two filled with a rampant lion and two with a stylized castle. Opposite side has a pirate ship with skull and crossbones prominently emblazoned on one sail, while top sail has "PIRATES / LANCASTER / PA" in raised letters.
Produced under the auspices of the Pirates Club of Lancaster as an emblem of their men's club, likely a later rendition of the original produced c. 1948. See Notes.
Some wear and flattening on coin edge. Faces have some wear at salient points.
Object ID
2009.003.7
Notes
This coin is perhaps the one described below, or perhaps a later incarnation. The following is lifted from the history given on their website:
"A beautiful emblem of membership was suggested and adopted at a dinner meeting October 21, 1948, following a cruise to the United States Naval Base in Philadelphia. It is a sterling pocket piece – the piece-of-eight - and insures the distribution of plenty of booty. The reserve of this fine coin carries the H.S. Williamson in full sail. Her flag shows, “Pirates of Lancaster, PA.” the coin is an exact replica of a piece-of-eight “the last one left of 4,623 picked up off the Azores some years ago.” The emblems: skull and cross bones, crows nest compass, treasure map, cutlass, tri-cornered hat, Pirate chest and a bottle of rum."
Commemorative Plate, "Washington / Visits Lancaster" with image of courthouse and individuals; in brown ink. Reverse marked "DeVault-Noble / Fine China / c.1974."
200th Anniversary of the United States Army Commemorative Plate
Description
Commemorative Plate, "Riflemen of Thompson's Battalion / Commemorating the 200th Anniversary / of the United States Army / 1775 1975" with image of three soliders, each holding a longrifle on a green and blue background. Reverse contains historical and copyright information. Copyright is Lancaster County Bicentennial Committee.
Old Lancaster City Hall & Historic Masonic Lodge Commemorative Plate
Description
Commemorative Plate, "LANCASTER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA / OFFICIAL BICENTENNIAL PLATE / 1776 1976 / OLD LANCASTER CITY HALL and HISTORIC LANCASTER LODGE" in brown ink. Reverse contains historical information and marked "Copyright 1975 / DEVAULT NOBLE FINE CHINA COMPANY."
Hanging balance scales with two brass dishes. Attached tag: "Miss Emma H. Ranck". Listed in original accession notes as "Assayers Scales" used specifically for weighing metals.
