3-sided cornice at top of curtain, ogee molded, gilded; with central applied medallion, molded with a shield which stands above the cornice, other decoration in relief on shield at top and sides. Fair condition, quite worn.
James Buchanan's Inaugural Rail Car Window Screen was painted by Philip Kraus to depict the northern façade of Buchanan's Wheatland home. The farm's carriage house is seen in the West meadow; in the foreground the artist painted the east carriage path, trees and meadow grasses.
Philip Kraus was a German artist living in Baltimore, Maryland. The mid-19th century contemporary name for this type of artwork was known as "stained glass". Kraus was commissioned to paint the screen by Robert Magraw, then president of the Northern Central Railroad for James Buchanan's inauguration rail car.
The elaborate, high relief carved stand was made after Buchanan's inauguration for William Magruder, Mayor of Washington, D.C. He purchased the window screen from Robert Magraw.
On March 2, 1857, Buchanan would begin his journey to Washington, D.C. for his inauguration. For the trip from Lancaster to Washington, D.C., Supt. of the Phila. & Columbia Railroad, Joseph B. Baker, had prepared four rail cars for Buchanan that were decorated with patriotic scenes. One decorative touch included the use of window screens that were painted with images of Wheatland. These window screens were composed of painted or "stained" glass that could be placed in the existing window wells.
Buchanan's train traveled to Baltimore and then to Washington, D.C. The increasing affordability of railroad travel not only made Buchanan's inauguration trip possible, it also permitted many other people throughout the nation to attend the events. The crowds in Washington, D.C. for Buchanan's inauguration were the largest in history up to that time. He was sworn into office on March 4, 1857.
Place of Origin
Baltimore, Maryland
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of Andrew Bieber, Michael Birkner and Robin Wagner-Birkner, Margot Brubaker, Tom and Jan Dunlevy, Thomas G. Englert, Jerre and Phyllis Frankhouser, Dr. Wendell L. Funk, Eugene and Bernadette Gardner, Anne and Gene Gardner, Susan and James Volker.
Molded face. Convex gold edge with raised dots. Gold center. Flower-shaped with fleur-de-lis design. Black at very center. Black molded with grape bunches, leaves, and vines in sharp relief. Black metal arm turned shape, ends in six-sided 'nut' with flat
Light weight metal. Basically oval with designs in relief and impressed. Arm, 'S'-curved ending in knob with rounded porcelain piece inserted. Back plate has two small holes, one at top and at bottom for wall mounting. Decorated with two flower and leave
Glass tieback. Pressed glass knob with rosette / daisy design on face. Rounded / scalloped edge. Wider than neck base also has daisy design, central rounded head screw.
Molded glass tiebacks. Lemon-yellow color. Central hole for screw. Rounded octagonal edge on face; central design round, with raised radii from central hole. Base round with rounded edge. Slightly concave surface on bottom.
Clear blue-tinged molded glass in flower design, six petals with three smaller petals between two larger ones. Central beaded design around metal pin. Petals have small bead outline. Back has impressed petal design, dotted. Octagonal pink through center.
Unknown history of ownership. Possibly made by Sandwich Glass, Sandwich, MA. Could have also been made by the New England Glass Company in Cambridge, MA or by other competing companies.
