Print of portrait of President James Buchanan. Buchanan stands in center, facing left with his right hand on a small book that rests on a table. Behind him is an upholstered chair with an eagle and shield on the seatback.
Watercolor portrait of James Buchanan in profile, facing left. He wears a black coat and waistcoat, pale tan shirt with high, very white collar, and soft tie or cravat. His white hair is styled high at the crown and combed back on the sides. Very pale blue eye. Delicate grey and tan washes over background. Portrait is an 8.75in x 6.75in oval created by reverse painted glass. The glass is painted black with gold semi ellipses and diamonds arranged to create a sunburst like effect. The glass is 10in x 8in.
The reverse is inscribed "James Buchanan drawn from life at Wheatland February 10th 1866." Inscription is under a 10.75in x 8.75in piece of glass that has been built into the back of the frame. Some damage has occured from nails scratching the back of the frame upon hanging.
The frame is 3in wide, painted gold in alternating bands of shiny cool toned gold and matte or brushed warm toned gold. Losses around the edges reveal plaster, ochre and black or dark grey paint under the gold. Top edge of the frame is black either from paint or dirt.
Provenance
Descended in an Eastern Shore, Maryland family, purchased in 1948.
overall dimensions provided. See description for component dimensions.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-05-11
Condition Notes
loss of gold paint on outer edge of frame. Dents and chips on frame. Discoloration on gold frame, possibly from tape or stickers. Loss of paint on glass at left side and upper right corner.
Left earlobe has broken off. Base is chipped. Various smudge marks all over.
Object ID
W.1960.006.001
Notes
James Buchanan Henry inherited this bust when his Uncle James Buchanan died; his cousin, Harriet Lane Johnston inherited the matching bust, which she later donated to the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
James Buchanan Henry bequeathed this bust to his son, Frank Anderson Henry, who donated it to the James Buchanan Foundation in 1960.
Waist-up portrait of James Buchanan, Jr. with brown hair combed back and brushed forward at ear. Wearing dark brown coat, white vest with gold buttons, olive green/aqua tie with gold stick pin with ruby head. The portrait is mounted in a Regency caveto moulded gilt gesso frame with beaded border with projecting corners ornately adorned scrolling foliage patterns with fleur-de-lis patterns. James Buchanan, Jr. was the Private Secretary to the President of the United States.
Provenance
Edward Y. Buchanan
to Maria Buchanan Cassatt
to her granddaughter, Katherine S. de Spoelberch (the donor, Mrs. Eric) grand-niece of James Buchanan, Jr.
A Regency caveto moulded gilt gesso frame with beaded border with projecting corners ornately adorned scrolling foliage patterns with fleur-de-lis patterns.
Object Name
Painting
Material
Paint/Canvas/Wood
Height (in)
36.875
Width (in)
32
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2003-10-20
Object ID
W.1945.002.001
Notes
James Buchanan, Jr. was the first born child to Reverend Edward Young Buchanan and Ann Eliza Foster Buchanan. He served as the Private Secretary to President James Buchanan, his uncle, after his cousin, James Buchanan Henry resigned the position in 1859.
Stormy scene; water in foreground, land to center, back and left. Norman Castle is on top of cliffs. Two smaller buildings at shore level below castle. Wrecked ship against cliffs. Four smaller figures on cliff. Sea is rough with high waves.
'Chepstow (Beaufort Arms; George), a town with 2,953 inhabitants, on the west bank of the Wye, is a station on the G.W.R. and a good centre for excursions.
Inscription Type
Paper Tag
Frame
H: 49.50 inches x W: 63.25 inches. Rococo Revival gilt wood and gesso
Object Name
Painting
Material
Paint/Canvas/Wood
Medium
Painting, Oil
Height (in)
49.5
Width (in)
63.25
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2003-10-21
Condition Notes
Paint is cracking in areas
Object ID
W.1950.003.001
Notes
Text Found on Reverse of Painting- 'Chepstow (Beaufort Arms; George), a town with 2,953 inhabitants, on the west bank of the Wye, is a station on the G.W.R. and a good centre for excursions.
One of set of two. Tan-colored horse with black mane and tail, female figure in dark blue dress seated side-saddle on horse. Figure wears orange headware and shoes, has brown hair, paintedeyes, eyebrow, mouth and tinted cheeks. Back of horse and figure are painted. Fine gold line painted on front, .25in above base.
Print of Queen Victoria. Frame is black, painted wood, round, with heavy moulding. Picture has reddish-tinted background. Victoria wearing jewelled crown; long, heavy earrings, necklace. Brownish-red hair and blueish eyes. Copper twisted wire attached
4 1/4" diameter circular wood frame painted black on front. Glass covers the drawing of Queen Victoria with gold-colored crown and dangling earrings.
Opening is back with black paper. Eyebolt holding a metal/wire ring on center back at top for hanging.
Small but wide and deep ogee molded gilt frame. (Shadow-box frame of gold leaf?) Picture quite small in comparison. Shows young man, blonde hair with blue eyes, wearing high collar, white tie, black suit. Blue background. A miniature of John L. Lane, unc
Engraving of James Buchanan. Simple rounded front rectangular frame. Print is on paper showing bust of James Buchanan in white tie, high collar, dark suit, lighter vest. James Buchanan's signature at bottom with 'President of the United States' below.
Framed black & white engraving of James Buchanan. Oval-shaped portrait with J.B. at center. he wears a black jacket, unbuttoned, with a buttoned vest and high white collar and white bow tie. Stern look on face, hair peaked at top.
James Buchanan, Fifteenth President of the United States
Description
Framed Currier print of James Buchanan. Buchanan sits at center, face diagonally to the left. He wears a white button-up shirt with high collar and white bow tie under chin. Black vest with four buttons all buttoned. Black jacket with lapels, two buttons
Engraving of of dark haired woman, Mary Kittera Snyder. Thick beige paper, black ink. Mary Kittera Snyder at center, pictured from waist-up. Dark-colored dress, white lace collar. Dark oval brooch at throat with thin black bow hanging down. Pale skin, dark eyes and relaxed espression. Dark hair parted at center, loose ringlets at sides. "Mary Kittera Snyder" signature below image.
Klein, Philip S., "BACHELOR FATHER — JAMES BUCHANAN
AS A FAMILYMAN", https://journals.psu.edu
Height (in)
11
Width (in)
8.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2007-09-24
Condition Notes
Some age spots.
Object ID
W.2007.007.001
Notes
As of July 21, 2023 this engraving has not been found in any storage locations at LancasterHistory. Patrick Clarke.
H. Harvey Schoch, the donor's grandfather, lived in Selinsgrpve, PA where he was a close friend of Mary Kittera Snyder. Additionally, H. Harvey Schoch served as executor of Mary Kittera Snyder's estate in 1899. Donor's grandfather gave him the engraving of Miss Snyder who chose Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania as her adopted home town during her adult years after she was appointed the Post Mistress of Selinsgrove.
The Buchanan letters, that were also donated to the collection, suggest the possibility that Mary Kittera Snyder and Buchanan were at one time engaged.
Set of two figurines. Oval bases with gold line around base. White to grey horse with black mane and tail, male figure in dark blue tunic with white collar, orange headware and orange shoes. Brown hair, painted eyes, eyebrows, mouth, and tinted cheeks. Back of horse paint; rider's right leg is not. Fine gold line painted on front, .25in above base.
Color lithograph of Empress Eugenie. The lithograph was created from an original painting by F. Winterhalter. The Empress is standing on a platform, her body facing left, head turned front, her right hand raised over a jewelled crown that sits atop of a gold trimmed brown pillow on a red and gold trimmed table; a gold embroidered arm chair is behind her. The Empress is wearing a a long pearl necklace over her white double flounced evening gown trimmed in lace and enhanced by a green bustle as well as a blue and white sash. She wears a jeweled bracelet on both arms, a pearl tiara with a small pearl crown atop her chignon veil.
Framed watercolor painting. Frame: Plain wood, painted gold with wood squares at each corner featuring the Johnston family coat-of-arms (arm and dagger). Cream colored matting. Painting features a cloudy, hazy sky, rocky terrain with mountains at sides and in the background. Lowlands features trees.
Plain wood, painted gold with Johnston crest at four corners.
Object Name
Painting
Material
Paint, Canvas, Wood
Medium
Painting, Watercolor
Height (in)
30.25
Width (in)
40.5
Dimension Details
Dimensions include frame.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-11-30
Object ID
W.1992.001.016
Notes
Cleaned and restored in 1992 and 2004. 2004 restoration focused on the bottom right corner of frame (restoring corner block with coat-of-arms). 2004 restoration completed by David A. Weaver, cabinetmaker, 100 Wesley Road, Quarryville, PA 17566.
Fashion plate print. Black line drawing of three women. 'Fashions for September 1831' at bottom. Picture is hand-watercolored. First woman wears a peach and white dress, off the shoulder, and a white and green hat with plumes. Second woman wears a green
James Buchanan shown from waist up, sitting in red upholstered chair. Wearing black suit, white shirt and white bow tie, high collar. Eyes looking right and body turned to left. Right hands holds document-may be the constitution. See notes for letter rem
Provenance
William McMaster
To - Mrs. C.E. McMaster (wife of)
To - Edward Y. Buchanan (1/1892)
To - Mrs. Eric DelSpoelberch (great-granddaughter of E. Buchanan)
Painting is very dirty; requires cleaning 05/31/2023
Gesso & wood frame is damaged in several areas requires conservation.
Object ID
W.1945.001.001
Notes
The following original letter is in the accession folder. Letter from back of Painting: ' Phila. Jan. 1892 - This is the original portrait of James Buchanan painted by Wm. E. MacMaster of New York in July 1856, by personal sittings given him during his stay at Wheatland.
Oval picture set in rectangular frame. James Buchanan is shown wearing a blue jacket with white buttons, tan vest, and white shirt and tie. Hair is brown. 3/4 front and turned to his left. Frame has scroll-work inlay, black and red. Back of frame is 'Lou
Black, grey and white chalk drawing on white medium. Image of James Buchanan's upper body, facing slightly to his right wearing dark suit, white shirt and stock collar with a white cravat. Buchanan's hair is dark with gray mixing in with his darker color. The image's matt is a cream color, Frame is gilded with bevelled and curved edge, gesso layer under paint.
