Union League art and artifact collection Objects Last updated on March 12, 2012. Union League of Philadelphia 03.15.2011 Union League art and artifact collection Table of Contents Summary Information....................................................................................................................................3 Biography/History..........................................................................................................................................4 Scope and Contents....................................................................................................................................... 5 Administrative Information........................................................................................................................... 5 Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................6 Collection Inventory...................................................................................................................................... 8 - Page 2 - Union League art and artifact collection Summary Information Repository Union League of Philadelphia Creator Union League of Philadelphia. Title Union League art and artifact collection Call number Objects Date [inclusive] 1840-2009 Extent 1406 items Language English Abstract Founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the Union and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln, the Union League of Philadelphia laid the philosophical foundation of other Union Leagues across a nation torn by Civil War. From its founding to the present, the League has been a leading civic organization and has played an important role in the history of our country and the City of Philadelphia. Over the past 150 years, this service has ranged from raising troops during the Civil War and lobbying for enforcement of the “freedom” amendments during Reconstruction, to feeding the hungry during the Great Depression, to finding jobs for returning veterans after World War II. Adorning the walls and hallways of the Union League’s historic building is a distinguished collection of art and artifacts. The collection is a rich, historical chronicle of Philadelphia’s unique imprint upon the American landscape from the 19th century to today and is recognized by historians and art experts as valuable components of our shared American history. - Page 3 - Union League art and artifact collection Cite as: [Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Union League art and artifacts collection, 1840-2009, Union League of Philadelphia. Biography/History Founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the Union and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln, the Union League of Philadelphia laid the philosophical foundation of other Union Leagues across a nation torn by Civil War. From its founding to the present, the League has been a leading civic organization and has played an important role in the history of our country and the City of Philadelphia. Over the past 150 years, this service has ranged from raising troops during the Civil War and lobbying for enforcement of the “freedom” amendments during Reconstruction, to feeding the hungry during the Great Depression, to finding jobs for returning veterans after World War II. The Union League has hosted U.S. presidents, heads of state, industrialists, entertainers and visiting dignitaries from around the globe. It has also given loyal support to the American military in each conflict since the Civil War, and continues to be driven by its founding motto, "Love of Country Leads." The classic French Renaissance-styled League building, with its brick and brownstone façade and dramatic twin circular staircases leading to the main entrance on Broad Street, dates to 1865. Additions to the building in the Beaux Arts style, designed by Philadelphia architects Horace Trumbauer and Julian Abele and completed in 1910 and 1911, expanded the building to occupy an entire city block. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Inside, the traditional décor is accented in rich leather, patinated wood and polished marble. Adorning the walls and hallways is the League’s distinguished collection of art and artifacts. The collection is a rich, historical chronicle of Philadelphia’s unique imprint upon the American landscape from the 19th century to today and is recognized by historians and art experts as valuable components of our shared American history. Biographical note taken entirely from the websites of the Union League of Philadelphia (http:// www.unionleague.org/history-philanthropy.php) and the Heritage Center of the Union League of Philadelphia (http://www.ulheritagecenter.org/) - Page 4 - Union League art and artifact collection Scope and Contents The Union League’s distinguished art and artifact collection is a rich, historical chronicle of Philadelphia’s unique imprint upon the American landscape from the nineteenth century to today. The materials date from 1840 to 2009 and provide a unique glimpse into a private club's activities for more than 150 years. Included in this collection are articles of clothing; coins; badges; dish and glassware; engravings; flags; furniture; medals; military equipment and weapons; paintings; patches, pins and political buttons; plaques and prints. While there is a concentration of material from the Civil War, there is material relating to the Republican party, presidential campaigns, and other political events. Civil War materials include amunition, uniforms, bugles, battle flags, medals and weapons. Some of the material was generated by the Union League and sports its logo. In particular, there is clothing, dish and glassware, Christmas ornaments, commemorative ribbons and trophies. The Union League’s collection of art includes many important paintings, bronzes and other works. Highlights include portraits of two American presidents. Thomas Sully’s portrait of George Washington is the first painting the League ever purchased. The collection also includes the League’s first commissioned painting, a life-portrait of Abraham Lincoln by Edward D. Marchant, as well as two bronze life masks made of Lincoln in 1860 and 1865. In addition, researchers will find engravings, prints and sculptures. This collection is arranged in alphabetical order. Researchers are advised to perform a keyword search to ensure that all relevant items are located. Administrative Information Union League of Philadelphia 03.15.2011 Sponsor The creation of the electronic guide for this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project. Finding aid entered into the Archivists' Toolkit by Garrett Boos. - Page 5 - Union League art and artifact collection Access Restrictions This collection is open for research use. Use Restrictions Copyright restrictions may apply. Please contact the Heritage Center of the Union League of Philadelphia with requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote or reproduce the material. Processing Information note The creation of the electronic guide for this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project. Finding aid entered into the Archivists' Toolkit by Garrett Boos. Controlled Access Headings Corporate Name(s) • Union League of Philadelphia. Form/Genre(s) • Engravings (prints) • Ephemera • Flags • Furniture • Medals • Paintings (visual works) • Sculpture (visual work) • Weapons Geographic Name(s) • Philadelphia (Pa.) - Page 6 - Union League art and artifact collection Personal Name(s) • Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1965 Subject(s) • Military history • Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ) • United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 - Page 7 - Union League art and artifact collection Collection Inventory Animal, Stuffed. Groundhog stuffed in a standing position on a flat wood platform. Condition: Poor. Location: Northwest corner, undated. Apron. Red felt apron with "UL" embroidered on the pocket. Condition: Excellent. Location: Shelf BB.1, undated. Armband. Armband with black letters printed on white, "Union League." Condition: Fair. Location: Shelf DD, undated. Armband. Armband with black letters printed on white, "Union League." Written in pencil at one end, "Meade." Condition: Fair. Location: Shelf DD, undated. Armband. Light green armband with gold letters printed "Union League." Condition: Fair. Location: Shelf DD, undated. Armband. Light green armband with gold letters printed "Union League." Condition: Fair. Location: Shelf DD, undated. Ashtray. With an attachment and screws to be screwed to the edge of a card table. Inscribed on the top of the box in pencil, "For new card table." On the box top, "Samson Glass Holder and Ash Tray for Card Tables $1.00 per pair. Condition: Excellent. Location: Shelf FF.3, undated. - Page 8 - Union League art and artifact collection Ashtray. Round small white bowl with upright slot for matches, with a double blue line inside rim and a single band at top of match holder with seal of Union League on it in brown and blue. Condition: Excellent. Location: Shelf JJ, undated. Ashtray. Square shallow ashtray with rounded edges and slots on two sides for four cigarettes. Scratched