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
Bookcase on desk, Queen Anne, walnut, owned by the Jenkins family of Churchtown area in Caernarvon Twp. Upper section has a scroll pediment with shallow-carved round rosettes with button centers above a plain tympanum. The three turnip finials are replacements. Distinctive chamfered, fluted front corners terminate in lamb's tongues. Two doors have two raised panels and stationary shelves within. Maker is unknown.
Restored straight bracket feet, four lipped graduated drawers with two candle drawers flanking the top drawer. Interior has a central prospect door with tombstone shape and applied outer moldings creating the impression of frame-and-panel construction; center panel has highly figured wood. Flanking manuscript drawers faced with wide fluted columns on plinths with capitals. Each side of central section has four pigeon holes above two tiers of drawers, four each side.
Snyder states most of the brass hardware has been "correctly restored." Inscription on the side of one drawer reads: "David and Martha Jenkins" in script. David Jenkins (1731-1797) was the ironmaster at Windsor Forge near Churchtown.
Snyder notes the distinctive chamfered, fluted corners of this secretary relate to the Old family highboy (P78.76) as well as to a highboy in Winterthur collections originally owned by Christopher Marshall who moved to Lancaster on the eve of the Revolutionary War. In addition, there are similar corners on a George Hoff clock w/ brass face as well as some Reading clocks, and some furniture made by Phila. and Maryland cabinetmakers.
Provenance
History of ownership is soundly documented, according to Snyder. (See his appraisal in file, pp. 5-6). It passed down within the Jenkins family until sold at public auction in Churchtown from the estate of Miss Mary Irwin, a direct Jenkins descendant. Purchased by Elaine Holden.
Robert E. Jenkins, Jenkins Family Book, Chicago, 1904.
At LHO are:
- Jenkins family file
- 1797 David Jenkins estate inventory
- 1815 Direct Tax for Caernarvon Twp.
David Jenkins' 1797 Will, # G-1-98, is in the Archives, Lancaster Co. Courthouse.
Height (cm)
264.16
Height (ft)
8.6666666667
Height (in)
104
Width (cm)
96.52
Width (ft)
3.1666666667
Width (in)
38
Depth (cm)
57.15
Depth (ft)
1.875
Depth (in)
22.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2017-03-08
Condition Notes
Finish has been stripped; metal polish residue clogs pores of wood around hardware. Restoration and replacement of various parts, including feet, finials, patch on upper lip of upper drawer, and all large drawer bottoms. Breakout at points above bottom drawers where lock strikes.
Object ID
G.03.01.01
Notes
Furniture Exhibit in Gerhart Gallery
Related Item Notes
John J. Snyder notes the distinctive chamfered, fluted corners of this secretary relate to those of the Old family highboy (P.78.76) and a Q.A. Phila. highboy in Winterthur collections originally owned by Christopher Marshall who moved to Lancaster on the eve of the Revolutionary War. In addition, there are similar chamfered corners on a George Hoff clock w/ brass face, some Reading clock cases and some case furniture made in Maryland and Philadelphia (Joseph Armitt and Jonathan Gostelowe).
Credit
Gift of Elaine Ewing Holden, Heritage Center Collection
