Clock wheel cutting machine used by Lancaster clockmaker Martin Shreiner, Sr. Made of steel and brass with turned wood handle knob on crank. Main frame of tool is steel resting on four rounded, downward-curving legs with coin-shaped feet. Many moving parts, arms and cranks/screws, including the swiveling cutting yoke/frame at top (cutter blade with arbor/spindle missing) and the shaped index arm that "reads" the holes on the 13"-diameter brass wheel furnished with concentric circles of surface holes.
The LaFonds call this a very sophisticated machine, incorporating Swiss, German and English ideas/influences. This indicates to them that the machine was made in America, very likely by Shreiner himself. It was imperative for clockmakers to own this tool to practice their trade. Few survive. This machine was first described in the early book or article (LCHS Bulletin) printed in 1917(or 1919) & 1939 by D. McGee who wrote about Lancaster clockmaking. Ed believes this machine to be "the finest American engine in existence" and that it very well may have been made by Shreiner, probably in the 1790s. The cutter blade was used to cut the teeth on the large brass wheels that turn the pinions. There would have been either a slitting cutter or a form cutter used. Carter Harris says form cutters were used by the 1790s.
Attributed to Martin Shreiner (1769-1866).
An 8x10 B&W photo is in picture file under "clocks." Also slide is in slide collection, #14-3-11.
Lancaster Borough, most likely
Provenance
Owned by two brothers, Samuel K. and William L. Fraser, clockmakers who lived in Lincoln (just west of Ephrata) and grandsons of clockmaker William Fraser (1801-1877), then to early collector Earl T. Strickler (FNAWCC) who had it on display at the Columbia Clock and Watch Museum. Upon Strickler's sudden death circa 1974, it was sold by his widow, Mary Jane Strickler, to Edward F., Jr. and Virginia A. LaFond who removed rust and kept it on a window sill. They then traded it to dealer Jamie Price for some clocks. Price had it on sale at the 2004 Philadelphia Antiques Show in mid-April where, as representative for the von Hess Foundation, Tom Cook, purchased it for this museum's collections.
Ed LaFond believes the Fraser family was related to the Gorgas family, thus they were in a position to inherit tools. Due to this, it was believed at first that both the machine and the scribe were from the Gorgas family. However, LaFond believes the Frasers were also related to the Shreiners. Stacy Wood claims this machine was one of Martin Shreiner's tools (Vol. 96, LCHS Journal).
Pitting on steel surfaces, slight discoloration on brass parts, signs of wear overall.
Object ID
G.04.19.1
Notes
Information from: Clockmakers of Lanc. Co., Wood/Kramer, 1977, p. 142. 225 Years of Timepieces (Catalog of 1st Annual Exh. of NAWCCM, 1979), p. 63. Stacy Wood researched origins and provenance of these tools and wrote article in Vol. 96 #4 of LCHS Journal. Conversations with Virginia LaFond ( 5/19/04), Ed LaFond (7/6/04) and Carter Harris (7/7/04).
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Usage
Shreiner, Martin
Credit
Gift of the Richard C. von Hess Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Dial scribe used originally for engraving circular lines (chapter rings) in brass dials. Converted for use with later white-painted dials (probably held a pen, according to clock expert Ed LaFond). Used by Jacob Gorgas (1728-1798). Maker unknown; most likely Lancaster Borough.
The tool arm is created from a foot-long bar of iron, rectangular in section. One end is enlarged and fitted with a vertical attachment made of cone-shaped iron surmounted by a turned wooden (walnut?) handle. This vertical attachment comes to a blunt point at the bottom. A shaped sleeve fits onto the horizontal iron bar and is fitted with a vertical hexagonal hole at one side. Two iron thumb screws are positioned at each side of sleeve.
Provenance
Owned by two brothers, Samuel K. and William L. Fraser, clockmakers who lived in Lincoln (just west of Ephrata) and grandsons of clockmaker William Fraser (1801-1877), then to early collector Earl T. Strickler (FNAWCC) who had it on display at the Columbia Clock and Watch Museum. Upon Strickler's sudden death circa 1974, it was sold by his widow, Mary Jane Strickler, to Edward F., Jr. and Virginia A. LaFond who owned it for "20 some" years. They then traded it to dealer Jamie Price for some clocks. Price had it on sale at the 2004 Philadelphia Antiques Show in mid-April where, as representative for the von Hess Foundation, Tom Cook, purchased it for this museum's collections.
Ed LaFond believes the Fraser family was related to the Gorgas family, thus they were in a position to inherit tools. Due to this, it was believed at first that both the machine and the scribe were from the Gorgas family. However, LaFond believes the Frasers were also related to the Shreiners.
Iron surface is pitted from corrosion, now stable. Turned wood handle is moderately worn and scarred with a broken off piece creating one flattened side. Wood is also checked (cracked) throughout neck.
Object ID
G.04.19.2
Notes
Stacy Wood researched origins and provenance of these tools and wrote an article in Vol. 96 #4 of LCHS Journal. Conversations with Virginia LaFond ( 5/19/04) and Ed LaFond (7/6/04).
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Usage
Gorgas, Jacob, 1728-1798
Credit
Gift of the Richard C. von Hess Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Detached family record pages from an English language Bible; one folded sheet of paper having 4 printed pages for marriages, births and deaths. In succession, pages have been filled in by William Henning, the Francis Blum and finally David C. Hoke (per Josh Reeder, expert).
Holy Matrimony page by William Henning (and/or Francis Blum) records marriage of William W. Brenneman and Mattie L. Mann, in Lancaster City on Nov. 15, 1887.
Births page has births of parents and 5 children. All work by Henning or Blum except for last entry (Viola) by David Hoke.
Copper measure of sheet copper with conical body. Beneath applied handle is a keyed seam. Rolled copper base and lip. Applied strap handle, attached with 2 rivets at top, 1 rivet at bottom. Handle terminates with heart form at bottom and two lobes at top. Interior is tinned.
The name "(E)ICHHOLTZ" is stamped onto top of strap handle. "E" of Eichholtz is hidden where handle is attached at top. Interior is coated with tin.
Jacob Eichholtz worked as a coppersmith/tinsmith with his brother George on East King St. until c. 1815, when he began focusing on portrait painting. 1830 Tax Assessment lists him as a portrait painter.
Research by Pat C. Keller at Historical Society of PA in Jacob Eichholtz's daybook, indicates he made measures, not mugs. Notes in file indicate purchase was contingent on results of an effort to x-ray upper handle for evidence of initial unseen letters of stamped name. No indication this was ever done.
Provenance: Sellers Jackie & Vernon Gunnion purchased measure at Conestoga Auction circa March 1986. Jackie reports Don Fennimore of Winterthur knows only two other signed copper pieces -- by Apple and by Schlosser.
Photos: slides #23-5-1 to 9 and multiple B&W 8x10s
Small to significantly larger dents on sides and bottom Some scratches from general wear. Surface has been polished and lacquered. Some polish residue visible at both the rolled lip and rolled base.
First "H" and "T" of "ichholtz" are very worn. Corrosion and wear to interior tin surface.
Upper terminal of handle has split at left rivet (stable).
Object ID
G.86.03
Notes
See accompanying P86.3 file for research done by Heritage Center Director Pat Keller-Connor to determine authenticity of the touchmark. There was a possibility of the first initial being "J" for Jacob or "G" for George, a brother. On Feb. 17, 1802 Jacob advertised with his brother George as "tin-plate workers". Pat K-C intensively did research to settle the matter before finalizing the purchase of the measure
studied Vol. 1 & 2
See Henry Kauffman, American Copper and Brass, p. 119.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Chamber Organ in Hepplewhite kidney-shaped case, flat top, with French feet. Cabinet made of mahogany veneers; secondary woods are curly maple, walnut, and pine. Figured mahogany veneers on case contrast with lighter colored wood inlay on top, sides, and front. Three wide strips of banding encircle case at lid, above doors, and at bottom above feet and apron.
Front section of lid is hinged, revealing keyboard of 32 ivory-plated keys and 22 sharp keys of ebonized poplar and fruitwood nosings At each end of keyboard are pierced wood grilles (for sound emission) with badly deteriorated fabric backing. Below keyboard lid is an inlaid lock escutcheon. Two front doors curve inward, recessing below keyboard section and creating a concavity for knee space. Inlaid lock escutcheon on right door.
Pine and leather bellows in good shape, some repair at hinged end. There are 17 loose pipes, apparently fallen out but intact. Fabric covering missing on back.
Conrad Doll was a cabinetmaker, organ builder and tunebook publisher as well as organist & schoolmaster for the First Reformed Church. Three extant organs by Doll are the 1807 organ in Chippendale case made for Peace Church near Camp Hill, Pa., and two chamber organs which are visually identical (One owned by Ray Brunner and the other by HCLC). Ours was deemed to have been built circa 1806 due to the Oct-Dec.1805 date of the newspaper lining of the bellows. See Notes!
Provenance
Likely built by Doll for his brother Joseph, a tunebook publisher in Harrisburg. The organ passed to Joseph's daughter Catherine Elizabeth Doll who married George Mish (1783-1851). Their son Dr. George F. Mish (1824-c.1919) married Ms. Smuller and they lived at 460 Union St., Middletown. The organ remained at the house, passing to son George Smuller Mish (1862-1939) & successive descendants until the house was sold in 1983. The furnishings went to auction, but the organ did not sell for lack of interest and was shoved under staircase. The Vreelands who purchased the house agreed to keep the organ, allowing it to be rescued and eventually sold to HCLC. It was restored to playing condition by R.J. Brunner and Co. (Ray & Ruth) of Silver Spring, Pa. in 1995-1996.
Originally in need of many repairs to case and interior musical works (see file for description). Restored to playing condition in 1995-1996 by Raymond & Ruth Brunner.
Foot piece later came unglued and is detached.
Object ID
P.85.09
Notes
In Historical Soc. of Pennsylvania's Daybook of J. Eichholtz on page 30 is an entry dated March 1, 1810 for John Wind: "To painting frontispiece" with a charge of 15. This is presumably for the one in LHO collection, or perhaps another.
An identical entry on page 20 for organmaker Conrad Doll dated May 19, 1809 lists "To painting a frontispiece" for the same charge of 15. (Copies of these pages in file P.86.3 for Eichholtz copper measure).
See: That Ingenious Business, Pa. German Organ Builders, Raymond J. Brunner, The Pa. German Society, 1990, pp. 158-161.
"A Conrad Doll Chamber Organ," The Tracker, Raymond J. Brunner, Vol. 25, No. 2, Winter 1981, pp. 16-19.
Research notes on Doll family genealogy. Also one-page article written for 1997 Exhibit label by Ruth Brunner.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation
Tankard, lidded barrel form. Copper body with brass handle, shell thumb piece and four bands encircling body. Interior is tinned. Engraved on opposite side from handle, "COMPLIMENTS/ OF/ JOHN G. SCHAUM/ TO/ FRANK J. RIEKER." One of a pair with P00.42.2.
Believed to be a presentation piece given by Schaum in appreciation for all the work he was given in Rieker's brewery. Schaum did copper, tin and sheet iron work and was the son and one-time partner of plumber/ coppersmith John P. Schaum.
Provenance
Collection of J. Harlan Miller sold at Conestoga Auction Oct. 21, 2000.
Tankard, lidded barrel form. Copper body with brass handle, shell thumb piece and four bands encircling body. Interior is tinned. Engraved on opposite side from handle, "COMPLIMENTS/ OF/ JOHN G. SCHAUM/ TO/ JOSEPH HAEFNER." One of a pair with P00.42.3.
Believed to be a presentation piece given by Schaum in appreciation for all the work he was given in Haefner's brewery. Schaum did copper, tin and sheet iron work and was the son and one-time partner of plumber/ coppersmith John P. Schaum.
Provenance
Collection of J. Harlan Miller sold at Conestoga Auction Oct. 21, 2000. Transferred from Heritage Center Dec. 2012.
Heavy tarnish overall. Moderate scratching. Slightly dented in center of and below engraving. Small nicks on rim of lid. Minor corrosion where handle and thumb piece connect to body and on bottom. Some polish residue in crevices.
Large copper teakettle with rounded body, goose-neck spout and hinged handle having a medium arc, mounted on shaped flanges with three rivets. The domed lid has a small brass mushroom knob (replaced). Dovetailed seams on bottom and vertical seam on side opposite spout. Seamed repair to spout tip.
"F. STEINMAN" is stamped on the handle within a reserve.
Provenance
Transferred from Heritage Center Collection, Dec. 2012
Jack Brubaker, The Steinmans of Lancaster, pp. 11-15.
HJ Kauffman, Early American Copper, Tin & Brass, 1995, pp. 42-43.
HJ Kauffman, American Copper & Brass, 1979, p. 65.
Height (in)
13
Width (in)
16
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2013-11-13
Condition Notes
Many dents and overall wear. HJK says handle slightly shortened (likely done by him). Tip of spout replaced. Plugged hole in bottom. Replaced knob. Stamped name very worn. Tarnished with polish residue where the spout, handle, and lid meet the main body.
Object ID
G.77.14
Notes
When his father died in 1758, John Frederick Steinman, Sr. (1752-1823) moved with his mother to Lititz from his birthplace, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His mother remarried a few years later to John Christophe Heyne, a tinsmith and pewterer from Lancaster. The shop of Heyne and Steinman would become known as Steinman's Hardware Store, the oldest hardware store in America.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection. Gift of Henry J. Kauffman
Copper pint measure or mug. Straight sides taper in toward mouth with rolled lip edge. Strap handle anchored with 2 rivets at top; one at base. Keyed seam beneath handle. Some tinning remains on interior.
Handle is stamped "(E)ICHHOLTZ". Letter "E" is partially hidden at top.
Provenance
Purchased by Gunnions at Conestoga Auction circa March 1986.
Heritage Center purchased from Gunnion Antiques Aug. 1986
Tom Ryan, The Worlds of Jacob Eichholtz., pp. 1-3 and 82.
Henry Kauffman, American Copper and Brass, p. 119.
Height (in)
4.5
Width (in)
4.5
Diameter (in)
3.25
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2013-11-18
Condition Notes
Interior worn with some corrosion. Handle split below top left rivet. Small to significantly larger dents on sides and bottom. Some scratches from general wear. Surface has been polished and lacquered. Some polish residue visible at both the rolled lip and rolled base.
First "H" and "T" of "ichholtz" are very worn.
Object ID
P.86.3
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation.
Yellow earthenware lobe-paneled spittoon decorated with streaked and spattered dark brown manganese under a clear lead glaze. Oval drain hole on side. Underside has impressed maker's name in block letters: "Eagle/ Porcelain Works / Lancaster City, PA / Henry Gast, S.Q. St. "
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
Blanket chest, walnut with dark brown stain, by Henry Slaugh, showing stylistic influences of Colonial Revival, Italian Renaissance and Arts & Crafts (per donor). Elaborate carving on front & two bottom drawers. Unusual tenoned dado joint used in case construction. Secured with nails.
Hinged lid is unadorned except for double string inlay on edges.
Front, at top, is a frieze with two 1.75"-wide panels of intricate relief carving on either side of a shield inlay keyhole escutcheon. Centered within each carved panel are the first and last names in overlapping letters of the attorney who commissioned the chest "REDMOND" "CONYNHAM". The date of 1916 is also carved at sides of names. In the top corners of the front are carved rectangular boxes with relief carved initials, "H" on left and "S" on right for the maker, Henry Slaugh. Within the relief carving are smaller incised letters, "F" and "W" on left and "E" and "R" on right." Henry Slaugh Workshop.
Center panel has a long rectangle of string inlay with hollow upper corners. Applied, carved ionic columns at extreme left and right are decorated with vertical string inlay. At the top and bottom of the central panel is a thin molding with double string of inlay. The bottom molding and inlay continue around the sides.
Below the center panel are two drawers with double brass bail pulls and central shield inlay keyhole escutcheons and string inlay around the perimeter of each drawer. Flanking the drawers are two inlaid oval paterae. There is a thin molding under the drawers that continues around the sides with a double string of inlay.
Chest has French feet with spurs. Interior contains two fitted sliding drawers.
Redmond Conyngham (1863 - Jan. 8, 1929) was a Lancaster lawyer whose longtime office address was 53 N. Duke. His home at 134 N. Duke was the same residence of his mother & step-father. Later it was 304 N. Lime some time before his death. The 1912 Lancaster Business Guide, p. 11, lists Conyngham, lawyer, and Wm. H. Hager, Dept. Store, at 134 Duke St. Mrs. Wm. H. Hager was his half sister Mary Wilson Hager(1871-1956). Their mother was Mary E. Miller Conyngham Wilson, M.D.; Redmond's father was John Redmond Conyngham(b. 5-26-1842 d.?).
Provenance
Donor purchased chest for $1,000 at the Mary Hager sale held by Horst Auction, Jan. 29, 2000. Chest passed to Conyngham's half-sister who died in 1956, Mary Wilson Hager (Mrs. Wm. H. Hager).
Horst records only say "From the home of Mary Hager." Many items were consigned this way, apparently by a bank that was administering the estate.
Moderate soil and abrasions overall. A 1-inch-long discoloration on top is11.75" from right edge and 22" from front. Chips along top edge of lid. Left column partially separated from chest. Wear near bottom of feet. Back left foot has large loss and some chipping. Chip on right front foot. Loss at left drawer escutcheon;some cracks in others. Scrape below carved numeral "9".
Object ID
G.00.05.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Gift of John J. Snyder, Jr. in honor of the Krote Cousins, Heritage Center Collection
Large iron box lock from Conestoga Cotton Mill #3 gate. Very long rectangular box has four screw holes for securing to gate and two very small butt hinges attached with screws to back edge. A projecting hollow key escutcheon is riveted to front of box about 5" from one end. Key would be inserted into lock through escutcheon.
In addition, there is an iron latch plate with L-shaped projection mounted onto face of plate, for receiving a lift latch bar. It has five screw holes for mounting on gate.
Depth or thickness is box lock only. Overall thickness including projecting handle holder is 3".
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2014-10-07
Condition Notes
Expected strong weathering, resulting in surface pitting, rust, white paint residue and 3 significant cracks branching out from one screw hole near latch holder. Latch plate is extremely worn with apparent missing sections. L-shaped projection has lost its original surface due to grinding. Interior of box lock also ground away in sections.
World War I medal consists a cast bronze pentagonal medallion suspended from a silk ribbon of green and white, pinned to an oblong buff colored card printed with "WELCOME HOME / BOYS!" at the top and "LANCASTER, PA. / MADE BY J.F.A.Co." at the bottom.
Medallion hangs from ribbon via two brass rings. Raised detail on face is "WELCOME HOME" written in a banner at top. At center is the Lancaster seal flanked by the date "1919". Banner at bottom reads "LANCASTER PA." Ribbon has a safety pin stitched to upper back side, and is mounted by pin onto printed card.
Inscribed in ink on card to right of medallion is "$6.50". Struck on reverse of medallion is "JFACo."
Bronze is very dark with tarnish and soil. Ribbon is in poor condition with losses of green threads at left and broken and separating threads at right side. Card is worn and darkened with bottom right corner missing.
a) Silver teapot with carved wooden handle; with three letter script monogram and decorative flourish on two sides; decorated base; gallery row. Stamped "D HALL" on bottom.
