Perspective colored drawing of two buildings apparently on southwest corner of the Moravian Church Square (est 1757) in Lititz. The artwork is signed at lower left by artist Samuel A. Steel and dated May 20, 1863. It also read "Copy 2nd." Modern framing is done in a dark gray window mat and black wood frame.
Drawing (17.5" high x 20" wide) is done on off-whit paper in pen and ink; the water-colored rendering at bottom is of a stone building and a clapboard building, nearly touching at their corners. Perspectives of the buildings are projected above the watercolor via extended dotted lines, showing three views of the larger stone building (facade, end and floor plan), but only two views of the smaller one (facade and floor plan). The stone building at left was originally the Single Brethren's House, built in 1759. It is now stuccoed and stands next to the Moravian Church. The smaller building at right is unknown and is no longer extant.
Large open lettering impressed on paper at bottom right reads: "WHATMAN/ 1859." Probably a watermark or imprint of artist's firm?
Below framer's sticker on back is an older printed sticker apparently removed from previous frame job (John Wanamaker) and affixed here.
(Written by Wendell Zercher.)
Provenance
Believed to have been purchased by Chris Machmer (antiques dealer of 146 W. Main St. in Annville) at the antiques markets in Adamstown sometime within the past ten years (this was written in 2003) and offered to this museum (The Heritage Center) several year ago for $7,000. Finally purchased by Museum at Conestoga Auction sale of Chris Machmer antiques following his death this year (2003).
Generally good with light soiling overall. Variety of stains (moisture and colored) over surface. Darker discoloration along top edge as well as to left of colored rendering. Tears visible at edges. Creases throughout center of paper. Framed in recent years by Gallery 444 Ltd. of Hershey, PA, but frame was damaged at front of sides while handled at sale. Minor scars elsewhere. Dust cover at back is punctured at top center and along bottom.
3/4 profile bust charcoal portrait of man facing viewer. He is wearing a dark jacket with wide lapels with trimmed edges; a white shirt with stand-up collar and a bow tie.
Back: "Jacob Gruel / Confectioner / N. Queen St near Chestnut / for 60 years / at N. N. Queen St. entrance to / the Colonial Theater / grandparents of Mrs. Edgar Fahs Smith / provost of U. of P."
Written on back:" 576-P" and number "18."
Note: Jacob J. Gruel (1809-1882) married Jacobina Swartz (1811-1892).
3/4 profile bust charcoal portrait of woman wearing amulet clasp at center of neckline with white collar. Four buttons are visible down front of her bodice. Her hair is parted in the center. There appear to be ribbon/folds over her left ear with hint of fabric on top of her head and along right side like a bonnet or hair-covering on back of her head. She is looking left, eyes skyward. Back: "Mrs. Jacobina Gruel" written cursively in pencil on back.
Drawing, attached to cardboard, is brown overall. Lighter border from frame that has been removed.
(Note: Jacob J. Gruel (1809-1882) married Jacobina Swartz (1811-1892)
Sketch by Lloyd Mifflin (and Thomas Moran?), "The Bridge at Wrightsville". Gray flecked paper has pencil sketch of landscape with river and bridge in distance. Mounted with homemade window mat of dark gray with line borders around window.
Kraft paper backing has "Wrightsville Bridge" in ink at top right and pencil inscriptions at center reading "acid free linen mat barrier and backing used herein - another Mifflin sketch on back of existing sketch-"
Provenance
Presumed to be inherited from Lloyd Mifflin by the Minich sisters
Thin, w/ molded plaster? foliate decoration on wood, painted black over original gold
Image Size
5 x 7 inches
Object Name
Drawing
Material
Paper
Medium
Drawing
Height (in)
5
Width (in)
7
Dimension Details
Image size. Frame H: 10.625 inches x W: 13.625 inches.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2015-01-27
Condition Notes
Bottom right corner of sketch missing. Old glass in a plaster-molded thin wood frame is painted flat black over original gold. Multiple paint chips. Backing paper perforated especially at top and left side.
Pastel portrait of a woman, dark hair parted in middle, facing slightly to the left. Her white head covering has a thin band beneath the chin. A white sash is around her neck, overlapped in the front to cascade below her chin and widen down of her chest.
This Gutekunst photo has been enhanced with charcoal and white pastels. It is matted with an oval opening. Angled along the base of her left sleeve impressed in tiny cursive is " F. Gutekunst" with a line beneath.
Written in pencil on reverse: " 189/ Pastel Portrait,/ woman".
Label on back: "From/ F. Gutekunst/ Photographer,/ 719 Arch Street, Philadelphia."
Frederick Gutekunst (September 25, 1831 – April 27, 1917) was an American photographer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He opened his first photographic portrait studio with his brother in 1854 and successfully ran his business for sixty years.
Year Range From
1854
Year Range To
1914
Object Name
Drawing
Oither Names
Portrait
Condition
Good to excellent
Condition Date
2023-06-19
Condition Notes
The fine condition has been preserved by the oval-cut mat and backing for this piece. There is a chunk of the top mat missing from the lower left edge.
Watercolor on paper, depicting the residence of Mrs. Eli K. Kline. It shows a gray Federal two-story stone house with German dormers and a doorway flanked by columns. Portions of the two adjacent buildings can also be seen.
The caption reads "Residence of Mrs. Eli K. Kline./Lebanon Pa/ 1869
Beautifully composed and shaded pencil drawing of a bouquet of flowers including three roses with some other smaller flowers. On the reverse, written in the upper left corner in pencil: "Emma E. Bowers/ High School/ Lancaster- 1863-"
Color of paper is browned all over. Small portion of lower left corner missing. Some spots in lower portion and on left side. A few in the drawing and some on the back.
Pencil drawing with white highlighting some buildings and the sky. In foreground a waterway curves by three people working on a grounded single-masted ship. Women and children chat and play behind it. Attire is historic, with long skirts and head coverings. Village behind and along the opposite side of the water. Signed "Emma E. Bowers," written in pencil on mounting paper on lower right. "Emma Bowers" is written on front lower right corner of drawing.
Written on the back upper left corner in pencil: "Bowers/ February 4, 1863."
Drawing is mounted with corners in slots cut into a paper 18" x 13.5".
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-09-11
Condition Notes
Dark spot from liquid on drawing in sky, 3/4" from top margin to right of center. Some other small spots near pier and in sky area. Mounting paper is browned overall.
Pencil drawing with white highlights of a winter scene. Leafless tree grows from the base of a grave topped by a tall cross. In left foreground the partially snow-covered body of a man (dead?) while his loyal horse (central to the drawing) saddled and carrying supplies, leans over the man, waiting.
"Emma Bowers/ Sept. 14th, 1863" written in pencil on upper left corner on back of drawing.
