Dial scribe used originally for engraving circular lines (chapter rings) in brass dials. Converted for use with later white-painted dials (probably held a pen, according to clock expert Ed LaFond). Used by Jacob Gorgas (1728-1798). Maker unknown; most likely Lancaster Borough.
The tool arm is created from a foot-long bar of iron, rectangular in section. One end is enlarged and fitted with a vertical attachment made of cone-shaped iron surmounted by a turned wooden (walnut?) handle. This vertical attachment comes to a blunt point at the bottom. A shaped sleeve fits onto the horizontal iron bar and is fitted with a vertical hexagonal hole at one side. Two iron thumb screws are positioned at each side of sleeve.
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 owned it for "20 some" years. 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.
Iron surface is pitted from corrosion, now stable. Turned wood handle is moderately worn and scarred with a broken off piece creating one flattened side. Wood is also checked (cracked) throughout neck.
Object ID
G.04.19.2
Notes
Stacy Wood researched origins and provenance of these tools and wrote an article in Vol. 96 #4 of LCHS Journal. Conversations with Virginia LaFond ( 5/19/04) and Ed LaFond (7/6/04).
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Usage
Gorgas, Jacob, 1728-1798
Credit
Gift of the Richard C. von Hess Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Pewter dram bottle, canteen or flask. Flattened round body with flat bottom having a thin oval foot. Seam at center of rounded sides. Very short, tapered, threaded neck has a fitted and threaded 3/4" high thimble-shaped cap. Decorative concentric circles incised on flattened sides.
Touchmark stamped on bottom is "I.C H/ LANCASTER" in lettering with serifs. Mark is a Laughlin touch #532, 533.
W. King Street, Lancaster
Provenance
Bottle was in the attic of Samuel R. Haldeman's home until he died and Harry, the youngest son, surreptitiously took it along with other belongings to Buffy's Auction in Lebanon where the bottle was sold in a box lot to Mahlon Keith for 30 cents. Keith later sold it to friend William Snyder of Bleak House in Paradise for about $400. Snyder then sold it at the Bleak House sale through A.R. Cox Antiques of Kinzer on May 4, 1965 to donor Dr. Scott, who purchased it for $5,000. Heritage Center purchased at Scott sale (Christie's) for $18,400 on June 10, 1994.
NOTE: Gift of Irene N. Walsh (reimbursed purchase price).
Birth record in German for Barbara Eschlemann made on laid paper by the Johannes Schopp/Schopf Artist. Paper has Ephrata watermark (CIB with tulip design). Framed in old frame of softwood with dark, crazed finish and applied blocks at corners.
Execution is typical of this artist's design. Horizontal orientation has outer and inner double-line borders with central heart having an open ring at top from which emanate vining flowers. Space between inner and outer borders is especially full with typical flowers of muted colors as well as a crown at top and shells both at top and a large one at bottom center.
Within heart is the text: "Barbara Eschlemann/ Ist gebohren im Jahr unsers Herrn und Heilandes Jesu/ Christi Anno 1777 den 8 Januarius. Morgens um/ 4 uhr, im Zeichendes. Steinbock." Additional text is added in muted ink within the space between heart and inner border. At left is: "Gott allein/ Hilf dahichseyvonher(?)/ heu from(?) ohn alle heucheley(?)." At right is: "die Ehre/ damit mein gankes(?)/ Christenthum, dir Wohlgefalligley(?)."
Breaking at fold lines; two corners missing and two corners with small holes. Three-inch tear extends from left bottom corner to right side. Tear at bottom, 2" from right corner, extends upward 1/2-inch. Additional tears with losses at bottom, esp. at center. Reverse has paper tape repairs: vertical strip entire length of center fold line and shorter strip along bottom from center to torn corner. Several moisture stains along bottom.
Frames\'s wood backing removed and replaced with acid free backing, Dec. 2004.
Object ID
P.05.51.1
Notes
Gift of Irene N. Walsh (reimbursed purchase price).
See G77.50.11 for another Birth Record by Schoff Artist (done for Anna Schenck). Additional Schoff pieces are photocopied in this file.
Earnest, Papers for Birth Dayes, pp. 675-676.
Earnest, Fraktur: Folk Art & Family, pp. 99, 109.
Weiser & Heaney, Pa Germ. Fraktur in the Free Library of Phila. #870-872.
