Picture of Buchanan's birthplace. Rectangular gilded frame concave cyma and convex molded. Only front edges of frame gilded. Mitred joints attached with small nails and glue. Extra nail holes indicate that extant nails are not original. Greyish-tan mat.
Remains of green silk at both ends over linen. Backing appears to be natural color linen with an open weave wool decorated with needlepoint floral-design repeated about ten times down length. Red rose/lavender rose/blue violets, with green leaves also shadings of brown.
Japanese Embassy Print 1860 Black wood framed print of water-colored May 26, 1860 Harper's Weekly Print of 'The Landing of the Japanese Embassy with Treaty in a box at Navy Yard Washington.' Large steam-paddle ship in background with crowds on it and in
Japanese Embassy Reception Print 1860 Black wood framed print of water-colored May 26, 1860 Harper's Weekly Print of 'Reception of the Japanese Embassadors by the President at the White house, May 17, 1860.' Inside large hall with mirrors and chandeliers
Three-mold colorless glass pint decanter etched on one side with initials 'JB' and the other with a sheaf of wheat above the word 'Wheatland'. Elongated chamfered neck with applied handle and bullseye stopper. Teardrop-shaped body with flat front and back.
Cane made of maple owned by James Buchanan. Long, tapered with tip and 2-part handle of ivory. Handle grip is in the shape of a lily or trumpet flower. Lower section is elaborately carved w/ high-relief eagle on a background of leaves, stars and banner w/ "E PLURIBUS UNUM". Inscribed in black on side of handle in script is "James Buchanan / from E.C.L." Believed to be gift of Elizabeth Chapman Lawrence, friend of Buchanan and Harriet Lane.
Provenance
Descent from Buchanan to James B. Lane, grand nephew, then to donor's husband, grandson of J. B. Lane.
Cracks in handle and separation. Stains on wood. Ivory tip scarred.
Object ID
W.89.58
Notes
The cane was owned by James Buchanan and at his death given to James B. Lane, his grand nephew. It was passed down to the donors husband as grandson of James B. Lane.
Signature stamp. Thin metal layer mounted on thick piece of wood, attached by small nails. Thin metal has signature of 'James Buchanan' carved out of it in reverse. Wood stained along metal strip from ink
Political ribbon. Off-white silk framed ribbon, black printing with detailed bust of James Buchanan with his signature below. Maker's mark on ribbon '[Daguerreotype by Brody' 'Engraved by J.C. But[tre]'
Political ribbon. Robin's-egg-blue color silk, possibly faded. Printed bust of James Buchanan with 'For President James Buchanan For Vice-President John C. Breckenridge. We Po'ked 'em in '44, We Pierced 'em in '52, And we'll 'Buck 'em' in '56.' Maker's m
Silk political ribbon. Champagne pink silk, possibly faded. Printed bust of James Buchanan with 'For President James Buchanan For Vice President John C. Breckenridge. We Po'ked 'em in '44, We Pierced 'em in 52, And We'll 'Buck 'em' in '56.' Maker's mark
Cut paper picture. Oval center with bust of Buchanan 'This calligraphic likeness is composed of the telegraphic messages of Queen Victoria and President Buchanan' written around bust with 'James Buchanan' underneath. Picture is mostly punched-out paper
Engraving of James Buchanan. Tinted engraving. James Buchanan stands 3/4 front to his left at center of picture dressed in a black suit with white tie. James Buchanan has left hand resting on upright brown book on table to his left. Table has round top with green baize cloth.
J. C. Buttre, 48 Franklin St., New York, New York.
$500 Scholarship certificate from Franklin and Marshall College issued to Andrew Bausman, signed by James Buchanan as President of Board of Trustees, J. M. Long as Treasurer, and Thomas C. Porter as Secretary. Dated June 20, 1864.
"No. 6" at top with "Scholarship" above a photo of college buildings flanked on left with the face of Franklin and Marshall on the right. "Franklin and Marshall College/ Second Series." is printed below.
Thin white mat does not appear to be acid-free. There are some ripples on the upper right of the scholarship paper and a small tear on upper edge, right of center.
Commemorative plate. Large round plate, painted black top and bottom, deep foot. c. 1' rim with raised scene at center. Circa 15th or 16th Century German (?) scene with central male figure standing on dais with raised left arm, two fingers pointed; surro
James Buchanan's inaugural address speech printed on silk. Rectangular white silk with cobalt blue printing. Border c. 1' wide of morning glory vines. Heading: 'The Inaugural Address March 4, 1857. President Buchanan.' A round medallion and pictue medal
Deed to Wheatland on parchment. Indenture for purchase of Wheatland by James Buchanan from William Meredith and Catherine Meredith. Dated December 2, 1848 with seal of William Meredith and of Catherine Meredith. Not signed by James Buchanan. Some fold marks and stain
Conservation proposal by Lancaster Galleries (Fine Art, Custom Framing, Restoration) June and July 2001. Quote to suface clean, mount, glaze to prevent fading, and seal.
Wine bottle. Brown glass, shallow pontil, seamed shoulder and neck. Cork with red wax to seal mouth. Wine inside almost to shoulder level. Found by volunteers sometime during the early years of the James Buchanan Foundation. Bottle was found in the east end of the basement level in the Wheatland mansion.
Sideboard. Heavy, lion-paw feet at front. Free pillars at side with ionic capitals. Bottom 2/3 rounded at front sides with two drawers each side, top one shallower than other with keyhole surround and cut-glass knobs. Two central doors with central panel
Purchased by Frederick Wolf at public sale at Wheatland at time of James Buchanan's death (exact date unknown). Passed to step-grandchild, Mabel Bair, on his death. Purchased by Rorhbaughs in 1974 from estate of Mabel Bair.
Marble Fragment from Original Tomb of James Buchanan
Description
Fragment from James Buchanan's tomb in Woodward Hill Cemetery, Lancaster, PA. Rectangular base with relief carving of three oak leaves on one short branch with an acorn on top. White marble. On back: paper with handwritten ink: 'a piece of waste marble from (the?) Tomb of Hon. James Buchanan.
Provenance
Found by donor at gravesite. From original tombstone. Gift of Jim McMullin per Pat Clarke 4/5/2023
