Foldable eyeglasses with D-shaped blue-tinted lenses and similar side panel lenses. Worn by Amos Ellmaker (1787-1851) and are seen in portrait.
Provenance
Amos Ellmaker (1787-1851) wore these glasses, including during his sitting for accomplished Lancaster portrait painter Jacob Eichholtz. Amso graduated from Princeton before embarking on a long and successful career as both an officer in the army and a lawyer; rising to positions such as State Representative and Attorney General of the Commonwealth. Amos almost became a state senator as well, but lost to the future president, James Buchanan.
Black painted canvas knapsack with "F. / 1st. P.V. / J. Conner" stencilled in white on outside. Belonged to John Conner of Co. F, 1st Pennsylvania Volunteers (Three Months), a company which originated in April 1861 from the Lancaster Fencibles.
Canvas with black waterproof finishe on outside. Machine sewn, squared corners with flaps at top sides that can be tied together to cover top opening. On back are four strips under which belts can be slid. Belt like a "Y"--two ends with holes from one strip that has 2 buckles at its end.
33" x 23.25" hemmed piece, centered along one long (33") edge and sewn to top back of case. Two 8.5-inch strips of twill tape sewn 7 inches apart in center of both 23.25" edges so this piece can fold over, completly covering the case and can be secured with ties.
