Leather fire bucket . Painted black banner with yellow letters: "Farmer's Bank." has foliate designs on both ends of banner. "No. 9" is painted below banner in black. Stitched leather construction. Metal D rings and leather loops attach 1in wide leather handle and bucket. Tag found inside bucket: "Water Bucket of C W Richenbach Property of Union No 1". Tag is for 1931 Union Fire Company annual dinner. Tag is now in object file.
Cane made of maple owned by James Buchanan. Long, tapered with tip and 2-part handle of ivory. Handle grip is in the shape of a lily or trumpet flower. Lower section is elaborately carved w/ high-relief eagle on a background of leaves, stars and banner w/ "E PLURIBUS UNUM". Inscribed in black on side of handle in script is "James Buchanan / from E.C.L." Believed to be gift of Elizabeth Chapman Lawrence, friend of Buchanan and Harriet Lane.
Provenance
Descent from Buchanan to James B. Lane, grand nephew, then to donor's husband, grandson of J. B. Lane.
Cracks in handle and separation. Stains on wood. Ivory tip scarred.
Object ID
W.89.58
Notes
The cane was owned by James Buchanan and at his death given to James B. Lane, his grand nephew. It was passed down to the donors husband as grandson of James B. Lane.
Large rectangualr rosewood veneer box with hinged lid and pressed metal oval-shaped handle centered on lid. The underside of the lid has a mirror that is hinged with a top swinging catch that comes down to convert it to a writing surface. Several separate velvet-lined compartments of varying size comprise the inside of the box. There is cock-bead molding around lower edge of lid and the keyhole is centered just below the front lip of the lid; on the short end of the oblong chest is a 2 inch high wide drawer with a keyhole and lined with velvet.
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.
Hand painted feather fan with pierced bone stays and white feathers. Painted on one side is multicolor spray of flowers with perching bird.
The 20 feathers connect on back with string near midpoint. First and last bone stays are nearly as long as the feathers while remainder of stays are only 3.25" long. Fan spreads open at pivot point at bottom where a stirrup shaped wire is riveted to bottom ends of stays with mother-of-pear washers. Hanging off wire is a double length of braided silk cord, decoratively knotted near midpoint. Cord ends wrap around small beads and unbraided individual threads extend from beads to create tassels. Accompanied by small hand-lettered label: "Fan - mid 19th century."
Front bone stay is cracked and broken at three places along its length. Cellophane tape hold first break from bottom. Soil and stain overall, especially on cord.
Object ID
1980.003.8
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Silver bouquet holder of thin strip silver netting. In shape of tulip, collapsible with adjusting ring and pin. Attached note adds that this holder was presented to Eleanor Reynolds at the age of 18, 1853, by Robert W. Coleman.
NOTE: Eleanor Reynolds (1835-1923) was the daughter of John Reynolds, Sr. and brother of Gen John F. Reynolds. Her father was a friend of Thomas B. Coleman (1794-1836), ironmaster of Cornwall Furnace. When Thomas died, Reynolds became guardian of the Coleman children, one of whom was Robert W. Coleman (1823-1864).
Political medal from James Buchanan's presidential campaign. Obverse has inscription starting with 'James Buchanan [...]' (remainder is too worn to read). Reverse has inscription, 'United States of America' with a seal.
Raised bust profile of Buchanan in center on obverse with 'Hon. James Buchanan' around edge. Reverse: Raised circular wreath with 'Buchanan-The Crisis Demands His Election' in the center and 'The Union one and Indivisible' around edge with star at bottom
