Philadelphia History Museum
15 South 7th Street, between Market & Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia
Made in Philadelphia, Gifts that Gleam: Stories in Silver
Until June 2014
Silver objects, drawn exclusively from the Museum’s collection, include a miniature blacksmith’s anvil, dating to 1913, given to John Wanamaker on his 75th birthday from the heads of departments at the New York Wanamaker’s (at Broadwayand 8th Streets). Also on view is a Cricketer Batting Cup from 1879 made by J. E. Caldwell & Co., and given as a gift to the Germantown Cricket Club and the Associated Cricket Clubs. The first cricket club formed at Haverford in 1834, and within 40 years there were more than 100 clubs in the area. There are so many names on this cup –honoring Philadelphia’s finest cricket players from 1879 to 1926–that they are even inscribed on the bottom. Objects dedicated to giving for the sake of posterity are also presented, such as on view and include a serving fork made by Bailey, Banks, & Biddle ca. 1870.
Highlights of the exhibition include the only American-made silver presentation sword commissioned by the Continental Congress; the Libertas Americana medal commissioned by Benjamin Franklin in Paris to thank France for assisting in the battles of Saratoga and Yorktown, and an urn by Harvey Lewis to honor Frederick Graff for the design and completion of the Waterworks at Fairmount. It was a gift from the city in 1822. In honor of the 125th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Museum will exhibit a Congressional Medal of Honor received for valor at the battle and designed at the US Mint in Philadelphia. Objects on view are by noted Philadelphia silversmiths such as Bailey & Co., Fletcher & Gardiner, JE Caldwell & Co., the Thibault Brothers, and the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Admission: $10 Adults - $8 Seniors
http://www.philadelphiahistory.org/node/151