Bookplate on a page from a Martyrs Mirror, done in the style of Ephrata Cloister with a flowing hand using strong, bold letters. Letters are black with green and orange infill. Bookplate simply reads: "Carl/ Christo/ phel." One flower is at top right and a stylized pot with plant having 3 flowers is at lower left. Page is float-mounted in a window mat with a handmade cherry frame.
Ephrata Cloister, Lancaster Co.
Removed from Martyrs Mirror by a previous owner (Evelyn Good) due to water damage to the book which was then discarded. The opposing page was also saved and is mounted in Mylar on reverse side of frame. It carries a ghost image of the bookplate; string from binding is visible.
Acquired with typewritten inscription mounted on back of frame states: "BOOKPLATE MADE FOR CARL CHRISTOPHEL FOR/ HIS COPY OF THE EPHRATA MARTYR'S MIRROR-1748./ WORK OF SISTER ANASTASIA THE PEN-ARTIST OF THE CLOISTER ABC PATTERN BOOK OF LETTERS."
According to Clarke Hess, the penwork is by an unknown Ephrata Cloister artist. Clarke notes that Carl Christophel was a deacon at New Danville Mennonite Church in Conestoga Twp.(now Pequea Twp.) He died in 1767.
In Masonic Lodge Fraktur exhibit for several years. Removed circa 2008.
On short-term exhibit at Historical Society of Cocalico Valley, 2010.
Unknown Ephrata Cloister artist
Provenance
Dr. Robbins purchased framed pages from Evelyn Yingst Good's sale, Sat., May 11, 1991, lot #152, for $3,800. Evelyn Good was an Ephrata librarian. Valued at $5000, Robbins sold to museum for $2,500, donating the other half. Irene Walsh then reimbursed museum for the $2,500.
Acid burned edges are brown; soiled along outside edges; stains and foxing. Moisture stain at top left. Remains of binding still attached at left. Moisture staining at upper left corner. Two minor tears at top center, with ragged edges overall. Paper losses within black ink.
Conserved by Marilyn Kemp Weidner of Phila.
Object ID
P.98.52.1
Place of Origin
Ephrata
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of Irene Walsh and Dr. Warren Robbins, Heritage Center Collection
Profile of man in a high collar uniform, believed to be Napoleon Bonaparte, cast in chalkware as a framed representation under glass. Rectangular frame has conforming recessed area with cast profile in relief. Old glazing on frame covers image. Chalkware frame is painted dark green with a wire hanging ring imbedded at top center. Profile has black-painted, forward-swept hair with sideburns and pink-rouged cheek. Uniform is of red and black with high red collar and gold epaulette. Created as a memento and sold likely via peddler.
Inscriptions on back in pencil are faint. It appears to be "John M. Snavely/ picked April the 19/ A.D. 1863/ John S(nave)ly." Research reveals a John M. Snavely born 12/17/1843 and died 9/22/1883. 1880 census records him living at home with his farmer parents, Michael and Fannie, and working as a laborer. Obit notes funeral held at Denlinger's Mennonite Meeting House.
Interior profile appears in good condition due to glazing. Outside frame suffers the most with extensive paint loss and significant wear to frame corners. Strong soil on back and other unpainted area.
Object ID
G.04.23.16
Place of Origin
Eastern US
Credit
Gift of Sarah Muench, Heritage Center Collection, LancasterHistory.org
Chest is red-painted poplar. Lid has molding pegged to 3 sides, supported by plain iron strap hinges. Brass escutcheon at keyhole. Wrought iron bail handles on a heart-shaped plate, on each end. A till is at left end of interior.
White-painted platter-shaped panels at each end, two on lid and two on front. Above the painted front panels is a thin, long, white-painted cartouche containing a painted inscription along with geometric floral/star motifs. The inscription reads: "17 BARBARA POTZERIN 95."
On the underside of the lid, left side, is pasted a fraktur measuring 6.5" x 8" showing a woman in a red dress and a man in a pink coat and black pants flanking a text block, with red and blue flowers above.
The fraktur is a "baptismal sponsor's letter form" done with ink and watercolor on laid paper for "Maria Barbarra" Potzer, born March 11, 1768 in Warwick Township, Lancaster County. The central text block expresses good wishes for the child (translation in file)and in the upper left and lower right corners are the names of baptismal sponsors, Maria Barbara Fockt [?] and Jakob Zook [?]. This unusual form was used in the Alsace/Palatine areas, according to Pastor Fred Weiser.
Barbara Potzer was original owner. Maker of the chest is unknown. The fraktur is by the Sussel-Washington artist.
Provenance
Chest was purchased at a sale in Harrisburg in approximately June, 1979, by seller, H. William Koch. It
Multiple large marks and stains on lid, including two blotches of a varnish-stain. Edges are worn, and bits of wood are missing in several areas. Base is separating from the front and sides. The iron hinges are rusted. Top has a long split along grain.
A condition report and treatment proposal for the fraktur were done by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia in May 1986, but no treatment was done.
Object ID
G.79.103.1
Notes
This is a twin of the "Anna Nislesin" chest (G.95.29.1) except for paint color and feet.
There is a group of several other similar chests (see file).
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Pencil sketch with white highlights, executed on brown paper, depicting a scene near Turkey Hill, PA. Shows a rocky hill with trees on both sides and a pool with a small waterfall. The title of the scene at bottom center in pencil script is "Near Turkey Hill." Below this is a small window cut into mat showing a white card that reads, in script: "Given J.(F?) D. L. by / Artist 1860." Artist signed in lower left corner of drawing, "W.Sanford Mason / 1854."
Mounted in a natural finish wood frame with peach window mat. Brown paper dust cover on back has sticker at bottom: "The Frame Shop, Santa Rosa, Calif." Small paper clipping taped to back is a synopsis of artist's professional life. It notes that fact that Mason lived in Phila. but made trips into the country in 1854.
H: 19.25 inches x 13.25 inches. Thin natural brown finish wood, peach window mat.
Object Name
Drawing
Material
Paper, Glass, Wood
Medium
Drawing
Height (in)
19.25
Width (in)
13.25
Depth (in)
8.875
Dimension Details
Frame dimensions.
11.5" x 8.75" drawing dimensions
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-10-13
Condition Notes
Sketch appears to be clipped in lower right corner. Paper dust cover on back is abraded, punctured and torn.
Object ID
P.94.01.2
Notes
In 1853, Mason married Elizabeth Strickler Weaver of Columbia, Lancaster County. He likely returned to this area from time to time to visit his in-laws.
Signed Name
W. Sanford Mason
Signature Location
Lower left corner
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation
Pencil drawings with white highlights on brown paper. Shows a rocky hill with trees on both sides. Artist signed "Wm Sanford Mason/1854" in pencil on a rock on right side of the drawing. In lower right corner "Safe Harbor, PA" is written in pencil. Below is a window cut in the tan mat showing a white piece of paper with the following written cursively in brown ink: "Presented to F. D. S. ?/ Artist - 1860/ Phil-"
A clipping is pasted on the back (obituary/bio) giving details of his life and career. William Sanford Mason (1824-1864)
Sticker on Reverse: The Frame Shop, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Figure of a woman with brown hair wearing an ochre broad-rimmed hat, long-sleeved, full-skirted dress painted blue-green with ochre trim on bodice only, and unpainted pantaloons with black shoes. She is also holding a hankerchief in her right hand and flowers in her left hand. Square plinth with clipped corners is lightly dabbed with tannish-brown. Back side is inpainted.
Inscription inside base is pencilled "PRC".
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during their visits back East from CA. Donation to the Heritage Center.
Moderate soiling and paint loss. Small chips throughout; large loss on back right corner of base. Mended break in the left skirt. Several paint splatters on skirt front.
Object ID
G.98.51.75
Place of Origin
Pennsylvania
Credit
Given in memory of Harpo by Susan Marx, Heritage Center Collection
Large hollow chalkware bird bank has a dove perched on top of a naturalistic base resembling a large block of wood with branch molded in relief at front, painted orange-brown with 2 red berries. This base serves as a coin bank and a large slot if positioned at front between the bird's legs and the branch with berries. Bird and bank base are unpainted except bird has a red and orange beak, red and orange eyes, orange feet and black claws and pupils.
Paper sticker remnant has price written in pencil: "$5.00."
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Large hollow chalkware deer with antlers is in semi reclining position on a base resembling a grassy area. Painted brown overall, now darkened with age and soil. Eye and eyebrow painted black.
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Moderate soil overall with numerous signs of wear due to scratches and abrasions and chips, such as along base, Back of base has large chip with crack. Antlers appear to have some losses at tips. Multiple areas of paint loss with white or grey showing through.
Object ID
G.98.51.41
Place of Origin
Pennsylvania
Credit
Given in memory of Harpo by Susan Marx, Heritage Center Collection
Large hollow chalkware Spaniel in a seated position on an 8 sided base. Painted tan overall with black spots over fur. Brows, dog tag, pupils and nails are all black. Collar, mouth and nostrils are red. Eyes are ochre. This form is the poor man's equivalent of the exprensive Staffordshire spaniels.
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
