Empire style chest of drawers, mahogany veneer on pine or poplar. Four drawers, each with two pressed glass pulls & keyhole and each with bookmatched veneer of highly figured mahogany. The top drawer overhangs lower drawers and has a curved front (top-to-bottom), while the three lower drawers have flat fronts. Freestanding ionic columns flank drawers with carved plinths. Sunken panel construction at sides. Two extensively carved paw feet in front; two ball feet in back.
In April 1982, the entire case was disassembled and discovered to be signed and dated by Markley, behind the left front stile above the column. (Not seen in 2011. Inscription appears on top of thick drawer divider supporting top drawer.) Also stamped by maker within oval on upper surface of top drawer bottom: "J.F. MARKLEY/ CABINETMAKER/ Locust Street/ COLUMBIA."
According to file, the 1830-1846 Columbia Borough tax records list Markley variously as a doctor, cabinetmaker, contractor or gent.
See also a gentleman's dressing table with mirror, P00.39.01.
Piece of veneer 1.5" x 0.5" is missing from top right above drawer. Small spots and scratches overall, and two large cracks on top: one near front right corner, and one at rear center, partially filled in. The left pull on the second drawer up from the bottom is split in half; held in place with string windings.
Two toes on the right front foot were pieced and recarved by Joseph Molz of Lancaster City. Some veneer was also pieced.
Object ID
P.77.02
Notes
More info in file. There was a discrepancy in the research with two different Jacob Markleys. It appears that the maker of this chest of drawers was Jacob Fry Markley (1800-1854), born in boro of Strasburg to parents Jacob Markley, Sr. (1765-1829) and Barbara Fry Markley. Jacob Sr. was also a cabinetmaker.
Son Jacob is listed with different occupations over the years. He was living in Columbia in 1830 and possibly as late as 1841. He moved to Spring Grove, Philadelphia County by 1850 and is listed as a druggist in the 1850 Census with wife Ann & 5 children. "JACOB F. MARKLEY M.D." is on his tombstone in the Hatboro Cemetery. Thus Jacob Markley claimed to be a cabinetmaker, druggist and doctor (Doctor is perhaps what he called a pharmacist).
Place of Origin
Columbia
Role
Cabinetmaker
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Coll
Pennsylvania Bicentennial Commemorative Plate. Armetale, shiny top surface. A 5.75" central design with raised state of PA with liberty bell in northwest and atom in southeast. "1776-1976" at top. Keystone in center at bottom between "Pennsylvania Bicentennial" in raised letters.
2 RWP seals on back: "Wilton-Columbia, PA" stamped. Circle with "C". Additional seal in oval (a molder).
150th Anniversary Commemorative plate. "Lancaster Theological Seminary - 150th Anniversary - 1825...1975" around Armetele plate edge. Recessed letters are black. Center contains a raised tower at the seminary, highlighted with black/recessed areas. Top surface is smooth and shiny in contrast with the black surface that's a coarser texture.
Seals on back: RWP (2 times), 3 additional stamped seals on reverse.
Armetale metal cup wider at top, tapers to 2 inches at base. Band of 3 lines beginning .75" from the top. Round design with "1776-1976" above the state of PA with a Liberty Bell and an atom impressed. Circling below the state is "Pennsylvania Bicentennial" with a keystone between the words. Three stamps near the top edge in black: One is in an oval; "RWP" in a circle; and a "C" in a circle.
Armetale metal mug that curves in from lip and expands below. At bottom, there's a neck before a ridge base again expands to 3.75 inches. On the right front there's a curved handle. 2-inch round seal on front: "1776-1976" above the state of PA with a Liberty Bell and an atom impressed on it. Below is "Pennsylvania Bicentennial" with a keystone between the words. "RWP " seal stamped into back of handle at top. On cup stamped near lip: an oval seal and a "C" in a circle.Paper sticker on bottom: "MW 71.11"
Copper sculpting/modeling tool hand fashioned to create a flattened, spoon-like handle leading to a rounded shank ending in another flattened end bent at the tip to create a short 1/2" extension bent to nearly a right angle for working in clay or plaster. End is squared off. Crude but effective tool for sculpting bears marks of hammering, especially underside of flattened handle. Used by Lloyd Mifflin. Tool presumed to have been fashioned by Lloyd Mifflin himself from a length of copper. Provenance: Mifflin to the Minnich sisters to the groundskeeper at Norwood to donors.
Metal plate with shiny upper edge/rim. Central circle design is religious artifact in relief. Indented black letters below read: "Santo Innocenzo Society, Lancaster, PA 1921-1982" On reverse, at top, a small projection with a hole for hanging the plate has been soldered on.
This sampler's subject is a vase with flowers and the maker's name in cross-stitching at the bottom: Elizabeth Ann Eberlein's Work Done in 1830. The frame is an American canted pine picture frame with a fruitwood finish. The sewing work is silk thread on tiffany cloth. The footed vase has various flowers - two cabbage roses, two carnations, four rose buds, foliage and intertwined thorn-covered stems. The blossoms and foliage appear in a variety of shades of greens and light browns while the vase stands on an oblong patch of ground represented by brown satin stitches.
Landscape, The Barns at Norwood, by Lloyd Mifflin, circa 1900. Oil on board with gold-painted floral-and-wheat -decorated flat frame w/ corner blocks.
Reverse is covered with grey-painted linen and is protected by Plexiglas. Central paper sticker reads "RUSSELL'S / CANVAS BOARD / " and "PATENTED MARCH 18, 1879." The number "120" is handwritten in ink in corner of sticker. At upper right is taped a magazine clipping depicting outbuildings and fencing surrounded by grass and trees. Entitled "Farm Scene - Autumn." A few lines follow, noting his (Mifflin?) return from abroad" and the pleasure of enjoying the "sheltered pastoral environment of his choice." A poem follows. Finally, a small paper sticker near top reads "RICHMAN / Bainbridge / Pa. 17502 / (717) 426-1860 / Cat: / P86 / 054-32-1198 / 181-32-7788". Written in marker in large letters at bottom right is "Local Scene / Norwood, Pennsylvania / near / Columbia, Pa. - About 1900 / (1846-1921)." Below this, In pencil, is "Painted by / Lloyd Mifflin / artist. Houston Mifflin, M.D. / Brother."
Provenance
Apparently purchased by Richman from the Minich sisters estate sale.
Flat profile wooden frame with raised corner blocks having gold-painted wheat, daisies and carnations.
Image Size
16 x 22 inches
Object Name
Painting
Material
Paint, Canvas, Wood
Medium
Painting, Oil
Height (in)
21.5
Width (in)
27.5
Dimension Details
Frame dimension is H: 21.5 inches x W: 27.5 inches.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-03-30
Condition Notes
Overall good condition, both painting and frame. On reverse of board are water stains. Glass covers board & secured with primitive wood strips.
Frame has multiple cracks, especially at miter joint at corner blocks.
Object ID
2015.017.1
Notes
The son of John Houston Mifflin, Lloyd followed in his father's footsteps. He also studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, studying under Thomas Moran, and would further his studies with a trip to Europe. He returned to settle in Columbia in 1873. Lloyd has gained greater recognition than his father, primarily due to his landscapes, particularly those of the areas surrounding his home in Columbia and scenes of the Susquhanna River. Lloyd Mifflin died in 1921.
Hardwood Printing Block of irregular shape with scenes near Norwood, depicted in muted colors. Roughly divided into quarters: two scenes appear to be mountainscapes, one sideways, another appears to be a painting on canvas of a river, and the remaining 1 appears to have been crossed out. Written in pencil on back is "Lloyd Mifflin c. 1865".
Dressing table w/ mirror has Sheraton and Empire features, is made of solid mahogany and veneers with secondary woods of poplar and pine. This is a rare form.
Top has veneered half-column mirror frame supported by turned stiles which are set into top with a double tenon set at a backward cant. Mirror corners are blocks with turned bulls-eyes. Inner cove-molded fillet has vestiges of gilding.
Oblong table top comprised of solid 3/8" thick mahogany laminated onto 1/2" thick poplar, and secured to carcase with screws. A rounded molding is applied to front and ends.
Veneered carcase contains five dovetailed drawers faced with mahogany veneers: one long flanked by two short, over two long. The top drawers have a rounded profile while the two bottom drawers are cockbeaded. All drawers have replacement pulls of hollow, rounded brass knobs with a pierced floliate design. The two bottom drawers are fitted with locks; keyholes have brass insets but dark ghosting indicates missing escutcheons.
Baluster-turned legs extend from table top to floor. They support a low shelf 11 1/2" from floor. Shelf is shaped with recessed cutouts at front and ends.
Inscription: Interior of top central drawer has "J.F. MARKLEY/ CABINET MAKER/ Locust St./ COLUMBIA." stamped within an oval laurel wreath.
Also in collections is a J. F. Markley Empire chest of drawers (P77.02).
Provenance
Provenance: This dressing table was previously owned by an acquaintance of John J. Snyder, Michael Stinchcomb of ???, who recently changed his mind about using this piece in his bathroom when he realized the veneers would suffer. He consequently consigned it to sale at Pook and Pook.
Cracking in veneer on mirror. Numerous spots of corrosion on mirror. Moderate cracking in veneer on front and sides. Minor chips and scratches overall. Top has two cracks, one is 2" long at left and one is 6 1/2" long at right side. Bottom shelf has 6 1/2" crack at right side. Nails have been added to secure top to carcase; back of top is not secure due to stripped screws. Top left drawer has significant wood removed with rasp at front of sides.
"Col. Thompson's Battalion of Pennsylvania Riflemen" commemorative plate. In center, around rifleman:" Edward Hand, Lieutenant Colonel; Captains James Ross, Lancaster; Robert Cluggage, Bedford; Michael Doudle, York; George Nagel, Berks; James Chambers, Cumberland; John Lowdon, Northumberland; William Hendricks, Cumberland; Abraham Miller, Northampton; Matthew Smith, Lancaster. Lancaster County 1775-1975"
On back, 2 "RWP" seals; + 2 additional seals in ovals. "U.S.A." impressed twice.
Rhythm band uniform handmade by Lizzie Heistand Gehman (Mrs. Rev. Gilbert T. Gehman) for her 2nd grade daughter Griselda A. Gehman, for a school program celebrating National Music Week on May 2,1932. Three-piece outfit has:
A. Light yellow cotton flannel top with front opening secured with snap closures.Dark yellow cotton shoulder straps cross in front and and attach to waist with snaps. Cape of same dark yellow hangs from back of shoulders.
B. Trousers of light yellow cotton flannel with drawstring tied at side of waist. Two side stripes of dark yellow cotton. "Griselda Gehman" written on drawstring.
C. Beret made with the dark yellow cotton.
See photo collections for large B&W photo of Griselda with her 2nd grade class posing on steps of school building, dressed in uniforms and holding rhythm instruments,
Provenance
Descent from Griselda to sister-in-law Alma Shelly, the donor.
Top: Length is 22" with cape Width is 15" at waist.
Trousers: Length is 26" Width is 15" at waist.
Beret: Diameter is 10"
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2017-02-23
Condition Notes
Top and trousers both have some color bleeding of dark yellow onto light yellow. Top and trousers both have some minor soil.
Object ID
2017.001
Notes
See two related Griselda Gehman items in "Related" field.
Rev. Gehman of Cookman Methodist Episcopal Church of Columbia, died suddenly of a ruptured appendix in 1932. Mrs. Gehman and Griselda then moved away to Washington D.C. to live with grandparents.
See obituary for Griselda in file.
Place of Origin
Columbia
Related Item Notes
See photo collections for large B&W photo of Griselda with her 2nd grade class posing on steps of school building, dressed in uniforms and holding rhythm instruments.
See archives for "Jofa" book, a handwritten journal of Griselda's life from birth until the sudden death of father in 1932. Entries written by father, Rev. Gilbert Gehman.
Credit
Gift of Alma Shelly in memory of Javan, only child of Maynard and Griselda Shelly
Appraisements of real estate for inheritance tax. Some personal property appraisals are also included. Appraisals include: name of decedent; location and description of real estate; description of personal property; valuation of real estate and personal property; and assessed tax. May also include names of heirs. Arranged chronologically by year, then alphabetically by first letter of decedent's last name. Handwritten; from 1886, handwritten on printed forms.
System of Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by year, then alphabetically by first letter of decedent's last name.
