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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Three-quarter length painting of Buchanan in black frock coat, high white collar and stock. Signed 'Matilda Mueden, Leiseuring, 1922' Painted by Wm. M. Chase at the White House from an old engraving.
Copy of painting of Harriet Lane. Brownish-green background, lighter to lower right. Harriet Lane is seated, torso 1/4 to her left, head facing forward. Right hand in lap holding handle of gold fan. Left hand holding white handkerchief resting on table top.
Donor commissioned copy based on original portrait by G. C. Munzig in 1899. Original portrait gifted to Mr. Speer through his aunt, Mary Clarke Speer Denny, who was a companion to Harriet Lane Johnston. This copy was painted by Ted Morrow of Baltimore, Maryland. He also painted two other copies.
Easgles Nest completed conservation on the image and frame.
Height (cm)
36.195
Height (ft)
1.1875
Height (in)
14.25
Length (cm)
6.985
Length (ft)
0.2291666667
Length (in)
2.75
Width (cm)
41.275
Width (ft)
1.3541666667
Width (in)
16.25
Dimension Details
Dimensions are for frame
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-07-21
Object ID
W.1995.015.001
Notes
Based on the pointed waistline of her bodice, this photograph was likely taken in Washington DC while she was the First Lady and before the year 1860. This style was at the height of fashion in the mid-1850s and quickly disappeared in the year 1860, when the straight waistline came into fashion.
Daguerreotype of Harriet Lane. Full bust length view, facing right. Her hair is coiled and pinned back. She is wearing a dark jacket over a white blouse, with a white lace collar. Broach at her neck and long earrings are prominent. Gold matting around image. Image mounted inside of book-type case of black leather and red velvet inner lining. Two hook clasps.
This daguerreotype represents the earliest known image of Harriet Lane, niece of President James Buchanan. This likeness might have been photographed ca. 1845, Harriet Lane would have been about fifteen years old.
Page 192 of "Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion" from 1854. Includes an article on James Buchanan with images of him as Minister to England and of Wheatland. Also includes musings on "What is the hardest mode to die?"
On front, James Buchanan written along the top above a heatshot engraving of James Buchanan. Beneath the portrait, "IN GOD WE TRUST/15th President/1857-1861". On back, Statue of Liberty, showing top half only. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" written alongside the outer edge of the back of the coin. Underneath arm holding torch is "$1". "DE" inscribed in tiny letters on the cover of the book the Statue of Liberty is holding. Copper colored edges. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" inscribed on edge. "2010 P" and 13 stars also inscribed on the edge.
On front, James Buchanan written along the top above a heatshot engraving of James Buchanan. Beneath the portrait, "IN GOD WE TRUST/15th President/1857-1861". On back, Statue of Liberty, zoomed in to show only the top half of the statue."UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" written alongside the outer edge of the back of the coin. Underneath the arm holding the torch is "$1". "DE" inscribed in tiny letters on the cover of the book the Statue of Liberty is holding. Copper colored edges. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" inscribed on edge. "2010 P" and 13 stars also inscribed on the edge.
Gold pocketwatch belonging to James Buchanan. Simply designed, largely unadorned pocketwatch -- with only worn initials of three letters, only the third, "B," is legible on one side. Watch face is white with black Roman numerals . Small inset with seconds. Other side of watch opens to reveal two openings to wind watch. Engraved around openings "No. 16943/ Time Keeper/ Lewis Ladomus & Co/ Philadelphia Pa." On inside of cover "From/ James Buchanan/ May 9th 1865" Stamped E. T. & Co./ 18K/16943." Golden chain clipped to bow at top of stem with Albert or t-bar at other end, to attach to button hole on vest. Chain links are short and thick, giving the appearance of thick golden cord . Lighter, cooler toned gold than the watch.
Provenance
The gold watch was left by James Buchanan to his brother Edward Y. Buchanan through his last will and testament. Edward youngest daughter, Alice Cunningham Buchanan inherited from her father. Alice married Maskell Ewing and they had a total of 6 children; the youngest son, Buchanan Ewing, inherited the gold watch. Buchanan Ewing’s grandson, Edward “Ted” Ewing inherited the watch. Ted visited Wheatland two years ago in late spring. Upon meeting him, Ted was impressed by the high percentage of family artifacts on display. He mentioned that he owned a gold watch that had been handed down through the family from the Reverend Edward Buchanan and he wondered if we would want it. Pat gave him an enthusiastic yes as his answer. Ted called Pat in April 2016 and asked if he was remembered; Pat said “of course.” Ted added that he had found the watch and that he and his siblings were in agreement to donate it to LancasterHistory.org. The youngest sibling in the family would donate it because she lives in Allentown, PA. Jessie Ewing Snyder visited Wheatland on October 1, 2016 and donated the gold watch to the museum.
Sheraton-inspired mahogany veneer night table with satinwood inlay accents that outline the apron, drawer and keyhole, as well as the legs. The table top has eight sides and surmounts four saber legs that also support a lower inward-curved shelf.
Engraving print taken from "History of the United States" publication dated 1869. Image shows full-length portrayal of President James Buchanan in formal dress suit extending his left hand that is holding a paper document. Facing the President are the four Japanese Delegates to the United States dressed in traditional garb. To the President's left are cabinet members, Lewis Cass, Secretary of State and Howell Cobb, Secretary of Treasury. Standing behind the President is Miss Harriet Lane, Hostess and an unidentified gentleman.
Provenance
Michael Hall, Dealer - Grove City, OH to Samuel Slaymaker, Lancaster, PA to The James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland
Silver serviing spoon with the silver mark for Philadelphia silversmiths Bailey & Co. and Christmas 1864 engraved on the handle accompanied be an engraving on the back of the handle that reads J.B. from H.R.L. (James Buchanan from Harriet Rebecca Lane.) 136 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
Provenance
Lane, Harriet R.
Christmas gift to Buchanan, James
To Johnston, Harriet Lane
To Lane, John Newton (son of James B. Lane) To Fay, Patty Lane (JB Lane daughter)
To Sebrell, Patty Lane Fay (JB Lane granddaughter)
Originally Bailey & Co, the company was founded by Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen. It was located at 136 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1840 Joseph’s brother Eli Westcott Bailey, a New York City jeweler and importer hurt financially by the Panic of 1837, came to Philadelphia and entered the firm. The name continued as Bailey & Kitchen. When Joseph died, Eli became the senior partner of Bailey & Co. until he retired in 1867.
Length (cm)
22.86
Length (ft)
0.75
Length (in)
9
Object ID
W.1998.001.003
Notes
Originally Bailey & Co, the company was founded by Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen. It was located at 136 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1840 Joseph’s brother Eli Westcott Bailey, a New York City jeweler and importer hurt financially by the Panic of 1837, came to Philadelphia and entered the firm. The name continued as Bailey & Kitchen. When Joseph died, Eli became the senior partner of Bailey & Co. until he retired in 1867.
