Two-handled, rectangular, seamed sugar bowl with raised-panel, bulging sides on four ball feet; flared, rectangular cover is topped by an acorn finial. Body is engraved "DFB" in conjoined foliate script and has die-rolled bands of eight-petaled flowers and snowflake motifs at top and bottom of its incurved shoulder and narrower band of leaves at base. Spurred, right-angled, C- and S-curve handles are rectangular in section. Underside is struck incuse twice "P.GARRETT" in raised serif letters in a rectangle and incised "21, 2". No centerpunch. From a three-piece tea service, DL*303918.0001-.0003.
Four-jar canner and sterilizer consisting of a square, copper-bottom tank with four perforated collars on top that hold four, tall, cylindrical covers with wire bail handles and rounded, spun-copper, friction-fit tops inverted at their centers. Screw-cap opening at one top corner of tank also functions as a low water alarm whistle; two oval wire handles are on opposite sides. Folded seams. Rectangular, beaded-edge, brass tag mounted to side of tank is embossed "JOHN L. CAUMER CO. / MAKERS / PHILADELPHIA"; clipped-corner, beaded-edge brass tags on the covers read "MUDGE (arched) / PATENT / CANNER (curved)".
This device is named for Charles F. Mudge of Eskridge, KS, who received U.S. Patent No. 346,122 on July 27, 1886, for his "canning apparatus". Originally came with an adjustable can lifter and booklet containing instructions and recipes.
Tall, octagonal or panel-sided, inverted trumpet-shaped pitcher with raised bead at neck and rounded bottom on four cast ruffled scroll feet; engraved in small script on front panel, "To / M\rs/.. Alexander Cummings / A Mother's Gratitude". Reeded rim steeply curves to a U-shaped pouring lip. Tapered S-curve handle has fluted shell upper terminal, tab thumbpiece, applied oval leaves or feathers at middle and scrolled lower terminal with pendant pointed leaf or feather. Underside struck twice above and below centerpunch "R&W.WILSON" in raised roman letters in a rectangle, both facing the same direction.
Two-handled, covered bowl with a 12-lobed, raised rectangular urn-shape body on a flared and cyma-curved, rectangular pedestal base that is engraved on one side "Lottie E. Mersereau. / From N. A." Applied gadrooning at rim and die-rolled bands of an undulating vine of grape leaves and clusters alternating with oak leaves and acorns around upper body and foot. Scrolled-end, segmented angular strap handles. Four-paneled, flared and cyma-curved, rectangular cover is topped by a cast urn finial. Underside of base is struck "WILLIAMSON" in raised serif letters in a rectangle and incised "19 4". Three circular punches to left of centerpunch on underside of body.
Japanned conical coffeepot with a rounded, hinged lid topped by a small loop at front. Tapered D- or ear-shaped strap handle is opposite of the straight, tapered, soft-soldered lapped-seam spout; flat bottom with projecting, folded edge. Wire-rimmed body has an added triangular piece below its vertical folded seam and is perforated at spout. Painted decoration features a red, left-facing, kidney-shaped flower on curved red stem with green leaves; flower is accented by rows of yellow, alizarin and white dots above a fan of white and alizarin overtones, and is surrounded by yellow and green leaflets. Yellow and red brushwork covers lid and borders rim and base. Fine yellow strokes beneath spout. Mottled asphaltum background. No marks.
Attributed to one of the Filley Tinshops, located in Bloomfield, CT, Lansingburgh, NY, and Philadelphia, PA; with decoration painted by Edward Francis (d. 1826), who worked for the Filley family at all three shops.
Electric flatiron. Metal, triangular-shaped body, chrome-plated. Fabric guide on top of body, “OFF/ART-SILK/SILK/WOOL/COTTON/LINEN” embossed into top, streamlines, circular design. Molded plastic pointer/selector, pointed, black, “PROCTOR” logo embossed into top. Handle comprised of bent metal, with molded cork grip, horizontal, black, molded plastic ends. Power attachment built into bottom of handle, power cord attached. Coiled metal wire, woven fabric cord, black, molded plastic plug, black, two-pronged, interior circuitry is visible. Cooling stand comprised of two bent metal wires, attached at heel rest, which rotate from top of body around to the underside of soleplate. Heel is marked: “PROCTOR/SNAP STAND SPEED IRON/NO 930 AUTOMATIC/USE ON ALTERNATING CURRENT ONLY/1000 WATTS VOLTS 110-120/MADE BY PROCTOR & SHWARTZ ELECTRIC CO./PHILADELPHIA, PA., U.S.A./PATENTS PENDING”. Red paper tag attached to power cord, printed, illegible.
Maker is Proctor & Shwartz Electric Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 1885 as the Philadelphia Textile and Machinery Company, now a part of Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
An ad from 1935 featuring this iron stated that the dealer would buy your old iron from you for $1.
Horizontally mounted, brown-speckled emu egg held aloft by a bearded aboriginal or Maori man in loincloth on one knee, flanked by an emu and a kangaroo, all three on an oval base shaped as rocky ground on four, three-lobed, split-scroll feet. Egg is secured with twisted wire tied between a small cylindrical cup covered by a cast spreadwing bird on top, two ring handles at sides, fern leaves on bottom, and a clipped-corner rectangular plaque on front inscribed in script "Souvenir / of the / Centennial Exhibition / 1776 Philadelphia 1876 / from / Australia". Underside of bottom mount on egg is struck "H.STEINER" in raised sans serif letters next to a lion passant facing left in shield, and a kangaroo standing in a vertical rectangle. Areas of black on man's legs, possibly losses in silverplate.
Maker is Henry Steiner (1835-1914) of Adelaide, Australia. A German-born and -trained silversmith, Steiner showcased his works at numerous international and intercolonial exhibitions of the late 1800s.
Rectangular, seamed cream pitcher with raised-panel, bulging sides and a high, spurred, right-angled, S-curve handle, rectangular in section, on four ball feet. Body is engraved "DFB" in conjoined foliate script; a die-rolled band of six-pointed stars is applied around its deeply curved rim and wide pouring lip, a larger band of snowflake motifs at bottom of its flared upper body, and a narrower band of leaves at base. Underside is struck incuse twice "P.GARRETT" in raised serif letters in a rectangle and incised "oz 7 dwt 11". No centerpunch. From a three-piece tea service, DL*303918.0001-.0003.
Oversized, raised bulbous or bellied cann or mug engraved "JAW" on front in shaded conjoined foliate script. Applied molded rim, rounded bottom, and cast stepped circular foot. Hollow, double C-scroll handle has a plain, cyma-curved upper terminal attached at rim and lower heel terminal with large circular attachment on belly and rectangular vent in underside. Shaded serif initials erased from face of handle "(P?) / (I?)*E". Struck once on bottom underside at centerpoint "I•L" in raised serif letters in a rounded-corner square, and once on lower face of handle "I•L" beneath a ring, all in a conforming surround.
Maker is John Leacock, Jr. (1729-1802) of Philadelphia, PA; working, circa 1750-1767. A successful gold and silversmith, Leacock purchased an estate in nearby Lower Merion, PA, and retired from the trade to take up agricultural pursuits, including viticulture. He was active in the Revolutionary cause as a popular playwright and parodist, and served as coroner of Philadelphia from 1785 until his death.
Vertical rectangular printing plate for a trade card for "LEONARD ALTEMUS: / Taylor / 83 / NORTH third STREET / PHILADELPHIA"; engraved in reverse. Top half of design depicts Liberty seated at left next to a shield blazoned with the coat of arms of Pennsylvania and surrounded by commercial and agricultural goods; she holds a liberty pole in her right hand and points her left to an American eagle with banner "Let an American Honour merit! Wherever it be Found" in its beak that hovers amidst clouds above a three-masted barque sailing towards a sun with face on the horizon; broken tree stump at right. Tradesman's name, address and product advertisment in oval below. Signed at bottom center "Bower". Plate reverse stamped incuse "J\B/. KEIM / PHIL\A/." in roman letters.
Leonard Altemus (1763-1826) worked for several years as a tailor at 64 Sassafras before appearing in the 1811 directory at 83 N. Third Street; two years later, he is listed as a tavern keeper on Filbert Street. Jacob Keim is listed in Philadelphia directories from 1809 to 1845 as a steel and copperplate maker, while engraver John Bower worked in Philadelphia, 1809-1819.
Gasoline-powered, double-point iron with globular fount or reservoir and screw-valve at back attached by metal brackets to the contoured, green-painted wooden handle. Body has ignition opening at back left and ventilation slots and holes below deflector and along bottom edge of both sides; red caution tag tied to handle instructs "Use only clean, colorless gasoline". Comes with rectangular asbestos mat, brass pump (to pressurize the reservoir), and a small paper envelope containing a miniature torch with cotton wick (for lighting the burner), double-ended wrench and small black gasket (purpose unknown). All in the original shipping box with address label from Sears, Roebuck & Co. in Philadelphia, PA to W.W. Betts of Williamsport, PA ("CAROL WORNOM" inscribed [in blue ink] above), "FRAGILE" sticker, and five 3-cent Washington stamps (Scott #720) postmarked Philadelphia on top; large concentric circular mark of box manufacturer printed in blue on one side. No marks on iron or its components. Used condition.
This iron is identical to the "Laundry Maid" gas iron marketed by Sears, Roebuck & Co. and manufactured by National Stamping & Electric Works, Chicago, IL; marked examples have a manufacturer and model tag affixed to the base of the handle. Shipping carton made by Brunt & Company of Chicago, IL; exact dates in operation not known, but appears to have been founded in the early to mid 1930s.
Silver filigree, bail-handled, footed basket. Circular body consists of eight trapezoidal panels topped by 8-lobed fans or shells for the sides and a large circular flower for well; small spool shaft and low-domed circular foot are screwed to threaded rod attached to cable-bordered domed boss at center. Designs are outlined with thin, solid strips and embellished with smaller matching bosses. Hinged handle has a 6-petaled flower at bow, pointed ovals along sides and elongated drops for ends. No marks.
"Bostonia" pattern bonbon dish. Small, shallow dish has flared sides ending in an octagonal or clipped-corner rim with downturned edge and a flat circular well; no foot ring. Plain; no monogram or surface decoration. Underside of well struck with two sets of incuse marks, an S-arc-and-rampant-lion logo above "STERLING" and "3953" at top, and "J.E. CALDWELL & CO. (arched) / 925 / STERLING / 1000 / PHILADELPHIA" in serif letters at bottom.
Handleless, rectangular, rounded-bottom bowl on a rectangular, stepped pedestal base with applied reeded molding for foot. A wide, die-rolled band of grapevine and oak branch decoration is at rim above a raised lower body with bulbous upper half and two overlapping rows of chased points around bottom. Underside of body is struck with four hallmarks, but no maker's mark; centerpunch visible. One end of base underside is struck with seller's mark and incised with weight. From a four-piece service, DL*383361-DL*383363A-B.
Hallmarks appear to be those for Chester, England, in 1814, although there is no town mark. Sellers are Liberty Browne (1776-1831) and William Seal (active, circa 1810-circa 1822) of Philadelphia, PA; in partnership, circa 1810-1811.
Rectangular, seamed teapot with raised-panel, bulging sides and a flared, rectangular, hinged lid topped by cast acorn on four ball feet. Body is engraved "DFB" in conjoined foliate script and has die-rolled bands of eight-petaled flowers and snowflake motifs at top and bottom of its flared shoulder and a narrower band of leaves at its base. Spurred, right-angled, C-curve handle, rectangular in section, has ribbed fruitwood insulators. Bellied S-curve spout, also rectangular in section, has a curvilinear upper lip. Underside is struck twice "P.GARRETT" in raised serif letters in a rectangle and incised "$62.40" and "oz 26 dwt 7". No centerpoint. From a three-piece tea service, DL*303918.0001-.0002.
Maker is Phillip (or Philip) Garrett (1780-1851) of Philadelphia, PA; worked alone, 1801-1828, and in partnership with his son Thomas Cresson Garrett (1805-1888) from 1828 to 1835.
Chinoiserie and floral repousse chased, raised globular creamer on a double-domed, circular pedestal foot with flared, hinged lid having a downturned, scalloped edge and kneeling Oriental man holding fan in left hand for finial. Continuous landscape design around body depicts on one side a pavilion behind fence and pagoda at river's edge with additional buildings on opposite shore and sampan at left; opposite side has large pine and coconut trees bending over a bridge to form empty reserve at center; no figures. C-curve handle is composed of overlapping leaves with flared leaves at bases. Stubby, wide, S-curve spout is covered with acanthus and overlapping ruffled shells.
Rounded underside is struck above and below centerpunch "BAILEY & CO." and "PHILADA." in raised roman letters in rectangles, with "15398" scratched directly above marks and "#135" to left.
Part of six-piece coffee and tea service, DL*276317.0001-.0006.
Rectangular, rounded-bottom creamer with a high, right-angled, reeded strap handle on a rectangular, stepped pedestal base with applied reeded molding for foot. Body consists of a wide die-rolled band of grapevine and oak branch decoration between a raised, flared neck with deeply curved rim and wide pouring lip and a raised lower section with bulbous upper half and two overlapping rows of chased points around bottom; a narrow, die-rolled band of laurel leaves is applied at rim. No marks; centerpunch visible. From a four-piece service, DL*383361-DL*383363A-B.
Hallmarks appear to be those for Chester, England, in 1814, although there is no town mark. Sellers are Liberty Browne (1776-1831) and William Seal (active, circa 1810-circa 1822) of Philadelphia, PA; in partnership, circa 1810-1811.