Dog bookends. 1. Front half of white dog with black spots shows round black nose, yellow glass eyes, stippled cheeks,ears and front legs. 2. Back portion of white dog with black spots with rear legs and tail. Dog halves are mounted on wood stained in dark brown.
Handcarved by Rev. Howard D. Bare.
Provenance
Rev. Howard D. Bare, affectionately called Lancaster's 'Whittling Preacher." "His hobby of carving humourous and sometimes satirical caricatures depicitng Lancaster farm lif, local and church history, and antics he observed from the pulpit, put him in much demand as a speaker." ( From newspaper obit, 8/30/51)
13 stems/lengths of broom corn: smooth stems with straw (14-15" long) at ends. Cord string through some of the stems. Whiter string wrapped around the outside of the bundle of 13 with older string and descriptive card tied on. In black ink, handwritten, the card reads:
(Side 1)"Lancaster, Penna./October 31, 1961/ This broom corn was left over from the sale of George F. G. Erisman (Doll Hospital) belongings of (February 23, 1863 birth) And belonged to his great grandfather John Erisman Sr. born March 20,1765 died April 9, 1853; after he was retired from his carpender (sic) trade, grew broom corn in his back lot #315 West Orange St. and made brooms complete. (over)
Side 2: "That would make this broom corn about 150 years old. Presented to the Lancaster county/ Historical Society./By Martin Garfield Kreider/Lancaster/Panna."
