Bookplate on a page from a Martyrs Mirror, done in the style of Ephrata Cloister with a flowing hand using strong, bold letters. Letters are black with green and orange infill. Bookplate simply reads: "Carl/ Christo/ phel." One flower is at top right and a stylized pot with plant having 3 flowers is at lower left. Page is float-mounted in a window mat with a handmade cherry frame.
Ephrata Cloister, Lancaster Co.
Removed from Martyrs Mirror by a previous owner (Evelyn Good) due to water damage to the book which was then discarded. The opposing page was also saved and is mounted in Mylar on reverse side of frame. It carries a ghost image of the bookplate; string from binding is visible.
Acquired with typewritten inscription mounted on back of frame states: "BOOKPLATE MADE FOR CARL CHRISTOPHEL FOR/ HIS COPY OF THE EPHRATA MARTYR'S MIRROR-1748./ WORK OF SISTER ANASTASIA THE PEN-ARTIST OF THE CLOISTER ABC PATTERN BOOK OF LETTERS."
According to Clarke Hess, the penwork is by an unknown Ephrata Cloister artist. Clarke notes that Carl Christophel was a deacon at New Danville Mennonite Church in Conestoga Twp.(now Pequea Twp.) He died in 1767.
In Masonic Lodge Fraktur exhibit for several years. Removed circa 2008.
On short-term exhibit at Historical Society of Cocalico Valley, 2010.
Unknown Ephrata Cloister artist
Provenance
Dr. Robbins purchased framed pages from Evelyn Yingst Good's sale, Sat., May 11, 1991, lot #152, for $3,800. Evelyn Good was an Ephrata librarian. Valued at $5000, Robbins sold to museum for $2,500, donating the other half. Irene Walsh then reimbursed museum for the $2,500.
Acid burned edges are brown; soiled along outside edges; stains and foxing. Moisture stain at top left. Remains of binding still attached at left. Moisture staining at upper left corner. Two minor tears at top center, with ragged edges overall. Paper losses within black ink.
Conserved by Marilyn Kemp Weidner of Phila.
Object ID
P.98.52.1
Place of Origin
Ephrata
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of Irene Walsh and Dr. Warren Robbins, 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.
Trinket chest of dovetail construction, hinged lid, turned feet and polychrome decoration. Bottom secured with square nails. Keyhole at front; key missing. On a burnt orange ground are 5 large decals (4 of fruit and 1 of flowers) and one small decal at front center of spread eagle, shield and banner. Chest sides and top have centered line decoration of 3 concentric rectangles with hollow corners (black, ochre, white). Feet are black. Edge moldings of lid and base painted black with yellow-green double line decoration enclosing leafy scrolling vines. Interior and underside unfinished.
Inked # 00.43.1 on bottom. Two old stickers: "65603" on back and "65625" on bottom.
Attributed to Joseph Lehn (1798-1892). South of Clay, Elizabeth Township.
Provenance
Transferred from the James Buchanan Foundation where chest was "found in collection" with history/provenance.
Paint soiled and darkened. Large scar on left end of lid molding. Arc scored into top at right front of lid. Wear/abrasions overall, especially lid and base molding. Loose left front foot and paint loss of right back foot. Pristine interior. One hing screw missing.
Object ID
G.03.35.1
Place of Origin
Elizabeth Twp.
Credit
Gif ot James Buchanan Foundation, Heritage Center Collec
Broadside commercially printed on wove paper in Pa. German script. Geometric border surrounds text block of 4 long paragraphs. Modern frame.
Title is "Kraftiges Gebet, / Wodurch man sich vor Kugel und Degen, vor sichtbarlichen und un- / sichtbarlichen Feinden, so wie vor allem moglichen / Uebel beschutzen und bewahren konne."
Place of origin is unknown.
Seller's translation: "A Powerful Prayer whereby one can protect himself from shot and sword, of a visible or invisible enemy, just as from all other possible wounds that one need protect against."
Rows of letters at bottom with more text with a title "Vor die fallende Sucht, oder Gicht," which seems to mean "For those who've come down with an ailment (addiction?), or gout."
Within a twisted foliate border is a central block depicting Adam & Eve flanking a tree with a serpent wound around the trunk offering Eve an apple. This is an engraving executed by Gabriel Miesse of Reading; his name appears at lower right followed by "sc" for "sculpsit", indicating the engraver. Two columns of verse flank the central block, telling the story of "the Fall" in conversational form. At top of broadside is the title in German: "Adam und Eva im Paradies." A subtitle reads: "Mel. Herzlich thut mich Verlangen, etc."
At bottom is: "Gedruckt in der Druckerey des Adlers von H.W. Villee, Lancaster, Pa. allwo alle Sorten Bilder, Bucher,/ Schriebmaterialien und Arzneyen zu haben find." This indicates the broadside was printed in the Lancaster Eagle's printshop (a newspaper started by Villee and Jacob Baab on Oct. 26, 1826). Villee was also selling pictures, books, stationery and even medicines out of his shop on N. Queen St.
See biographical info about Villee from Klaus Stopp's book in this file. He was born in France, served as a captain under Napolean, had to leave France in 1815 and ended up in America in 1820. Villee entered the printing business by working at "the Eagle," a newspaper in Reading. Villee was not successful as a printer in Lancaster, and he left sometime in 1832 or soon after, going to places like Lewisburg, Sunbury and Milton. After moving to Northumberland Co. and becoming a teacher, he finally died in 1842.
The Earnests note that Adam & Eve were popular fraktur subjects, especially among German-language printers of SE PA. They note that there are only about a half dozen Adam & Eve broadsides by Villee known.
Exhibited in Fraktur Exhibit in Masonic Lodge circa 2004 through 2007 (removed spring 2008).
See also P.01.60.1 and P04.48 for examples of a Heaven & Hell broadside by Villee.
North Queen St., Lancaster (printer); Reading, PA (engraver). Villee, Herman W., printer; Gabriel Miesse, engraver; unknown colorist
Paper darkened and soiled overall, wrinkled with fold lines and rough-edged with minor tears and folds. Stains scattered over surface with darkest stains within right text above center. Small hole at center of top foliate border.
Frame is homemade of stained and varnished tiger maple. Acidic cardboard backboard replaced with acid free matboard.
Object ID
P.04.48.1
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of Irene N. Walsh, Heritage Center Collection
Profile of man in a high collar uniform, believed to be Napoleon Bonaparte, cast in chalkware as a framed representation under glass. Rectangular frame has conforming recessed area with cast profile in relief. Old glazing on frame covers image. Chalkware frame is painted dark green with a wire hanging ring imbedded at top center. Profile has black-painted, forward-swept hair with sideburns and pink-rouged cheek. Uniform is of red and black with high red collar and gold epaulette. Created as a memento and sold likely via peddler.
Inscriptions on back in pencil are faint. It appears to be "John M. Snavely/ picked April the 19/ A.D. 1863/ John S(nave)ly." Research reveals a John M. Snavely born 12/17/1843 and died 9/22/1883. 1880 census records him living at home with his farmer parents, Michael and Fannie, and working as a laborer. Obit notes funeral held at Denlinger's Mennonite Meeting House.
Interior profile appears in good condition due to glazing. Outside frame suffers the most with extensive paint loss and significant wear to frame corners. Strong soil on back and other unpainted area.
Object ID
G.04.23.16
Place of Origin
Eastern US
Credit
Gift of Sarah Muench, Heritage Center Collection, LancasterHistory.org
Chippendale style miniature blanket chest form. Mahogany-stained softwood, dovetail contruction, Lid with brass butt hinges, four ogee bracket feet. Edge molding on lid; chest bottom extends beyond sides to create look of molding. Interior till at left. All surfaces stained and glossy-varnished. Large brass batwing lock escutcheon; silvered key. Top of lid has central relief-carved cartouche incorporating the monogram of Frances Mayer Hershey "FMH" according to Clarke E. Hess. He believes chest was commissioned by Frances' grandparents Henry M. and Frances Mayer. Pencilled in cursive on bottom is "M. Mayer Rohrerstown." Frances' parents were Harry E. Hershey and Dora E. Mayer.
Attributed to Henry Slough, Sr. workshop.
Provenance
Descent from Frances Mayer Hershey to son Henry R. Outin. Purchased by Heritage Center at estate sale of Henry Outin of 2107 Wood St., Rohrerstown, held by Shaub at Willow Street Fire Hall. According to Clarke E. Hess, Outin died just a few months before the Sept.sale. He was the only child of Frances Mayer Hershey and her French husband, (?) Outin. Clarke recalls this couple lived in Algiers and perhaps other places abroad. Frances M. H. Outin left America with her husband in 1928, putting all her belongings in storage until she returned as a widow in 1967, at wich time Hess Builders built a home for her behind the Rohrerstown Mennonite Church. Mrs. Outin died later at age 92.
Lid is strongly abraded, notably a large oblong outline. Minor wear and abrasions overall. Several small cracks at left front at dovetails and a 2 3/4" long crack at midline. Interior abraded and scarred with accretions.
Object ID
P.00.38.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
In memory of Anne Bausman Woodcock by Sally Slaymaker & Caroline S. Nunan
Chest is red-painted poplar. Lid has molding pegged to 3 sides, supported by plain iron strap hinges. Brass escutcheon at keyhole. Wrought iron bail handles on a heart-shaped plate, on each end. A till is at left end of interior.
White-painted platter-shaped panels at each end, two on lid and two on front. Above the painted front panels is a thin, long, white-painted cartouche containing a painted inscription along with geometric floral/star motifs. The inscription reads: "17 BARBARA POTZERIN 95."
On the underside of the lid, left side, is pasted a fraktur measuring 6.5" x 8" showing a woman in a red dress and a man in a pink coat and black pants flanking a text block, with red and blue flowers above.
The fraktur is a "baptismal sponsor's letter form" done with ink and watercolor on laid paper for "Maria Barbarra" Potzer, born March 11, 1768 in Warwick Township, Lancaster County. The central text block expresses good wishes for the child (translation in file)and in the upper left and lower right corners are the names of baptismal sponsors, Maria Barbara Fockt [?] and Jakob Zook [?]. This unusual form was used in the Alsace/Palatine areas, according to Pastor Fred Weiser.
Barbara Potzer was original owner. Maker of the chest is unknown. The fraktur is by the Sussel-Washington artist.
Provenance
Chest was purchased at a sale in Harrisburg in approximately June, 1979, by seller, H. William Koch. It
Multiple large marks and stains on lid, including two blotches of a varnish-stain. Edges are worn, and bits of wood are missing in several areas. Base is separating from the front and sides. The iron hinges are rusted. Top has a long split along grain.
A condition report and treatment proposal for the fraktur were done by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia in May 1986, but no treatment was done.
Object ID
G.79.103.1
Notes
This is a twin of the "Anna Nislesin" chest (G.95.29.1) except for paint color and feet.
There is a group of several other similar chests (see file).
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Jacquard coverlet of cotton warp and dyed wools (blue, red, green). Corner block reads: "Jacob C. / Schriver. / Hampton / Adams / County. PA. / AD. 1844 / Eve / Spangler."
Two-part (42-inch widths) coverlet is joined with a vertical center seam. Dominant motif in centerfield is a 4-part floral motif of leaves and tulip-like flowers. Interspersed with several smaller motifs: stars, snowflakes and floral designs. Outer border has repeating tulip branches with two leaves, one of is dominating. Self-fringe of natural cotton at foot end.
Made for Eve Spangler (Aug 17, 1825 - Nov. 21, 1895), obviously before she married Daniel Trimmer in the same year coverlet was made (1844).
Jacob C. Shriver (1816-1896) working 1840-1856
Provenance
Passed down within Spangler family in unknown manner to Edna Spangler Keefer, then to daughter.
Woven piece is 92 inches long with 4 inch fringe = 96 inches long
84 inches wide with 3-inch fringes on both sides = 90 inches
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2015-02-09
Condition Notes
Generally good with brown stains along top/head.
Object ID
G.09.03.14
Notes
See donor's note about Eve Spangler in file. Eve married Daniel Trimmer, a farmer in Tyrone Twp., and they had Sarah Ann Eliza who grew up to marry her 2nd cousin Franklin S. Spangler.
Coverlet passed to Franklin and Annie's son Charles then to his had a daughter Edna who had a daughter Betsy (donor).
Weaver Jacob C. Schriver also cited in :
1. Heisey, John W., compiler. A Checklist of American Coverlet Weavers. Williamsburg, VA: The Colonial Wmsbrg. Foundation, 1978. p.103
3. Anderson, Clarita. American Coverlets and Their Weavers. Wmsburg, VA, 2002. p.208
Place of Origin
Hampton, Adams County, Pennsylvania
Credit
Gift of Betsy Keefer in memory of the Spangler family quilters, Heritage Center Collection
Button-hole cutter, creaser or marking tool is silver plated ferrous metal.
In form of a miniature spoon with a blade instead of a bowl. Blade is eye-shaped with raised midline extending from tip to tip. Edges of blade are fairly sharp. Handle end has the bust of a crowned femal monarch with long flowing hair and necklace above a decorative base of scrolls surrounding a cabochon. Shaft of tool is similar to an architectural column. Entire handle is made of two identical halves, cast and joined with side seams visible.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Some tarnish overall. Large dent in one cabochon and small dent in the other.
Object ID
G.05.15.19
Notes
See another example of this ring found on internet in this file. Iguala is a town near the renowned silvermaking town of Taxco (near the west coast of Mexico) where William Spratling, in the 1930s, famously reinstituted the silver industry and craftsmanship that had died centuries before.
Credit
Gift of Susan Garofola in memory of Lillian Kiker (mother), Heritage Center Collection
