Bearing assembly. Tag reads "The Star Ball Retainer Co." and accompanying information from the donor found in the object file.
Use in a 1913 district court case: Hess-Bright Mfg. vs Fichtel & Sachs. This ball bearing was "defendents' exhibit brought to the U.S. by Ernst Sachs in 1904." Owned by Jack L. Straub.
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.
Merchandising box for Hager & Bro., Inc. Originally light blue checkerboard twill pattern with logo on the lid. Original items removed: skeins of colored thread.
Match stick dome top jewelry chest made by inmates of Lancaster County Prison, purportedly in the1950's, for Helen, the wife of guard Harry J. Shaub (1899-1980).
Constructed of 1/4" plywood, with some solid wood & cardboard. Exterior covered with a layer of matchsticks glued on in geometrical patterns similar to marquetry. Dark brown-stained matchsticks create a diamond on the hinged lift lid and all four sides. Inside top diamond is "HELEN" with letters conforming to diamond shape.
Glued-up matchstick form a handle at lid front as well as 3/4-length drawer front below. Built out at base with matchsticks to create a skirting as well as 4 protruding feet. Interiors of both the drawer and th top compartment under lid have padded upholstery done with a yellow satin-woven fabric.
Provenance
Harry J. Shaub was a Lancaster Co. Prison Guard according to City Directories through 1950. The 1952 Directory, and henceforth, lists him as a maintenance man or mechanic (at the US Naval Base Bainbridge, Md). Thus, this chest would NOT have been made later than c. 1950, perhaps as a departing gift for Harry's wife Helen.
Repairs needed. Overall soil, especially interior upholstery; fabric torn at left front on top compartment; broken retaining ribbon; missing cover on underside of lid. Missing matchstick base and rear proper right foot.
Broadside: Notice of Public Sale - 1 story brick dwelling, estate of Thomas M'Caslin. December 26, 1829, at 3 p.m. at public house of Bernard M'Gonigle.
