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Friends Historical Library collected silhouettes

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Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Cut paper silhouettes were a popular art form in the first half of the 19th century as an alternative to painted portraits. They were generally mounted on a contrasting color paper or silk and often collected in albums or framed for home display. Skilled specialist artists such as August Edouart could quickly cut freehand and produce faithful likenesses in duplicate. Other artists drew an outline on paper, then painted it in. The physionotrace apparatus made the production and duplication of likenesses easily available. Charles Willson Peale introduced the machine in his Museum in Philadelphia in 1803, and thousands of images were produced. Silhouettes were particularly popular with members of the Society of Friends who were opposed to the vanity of painted portraiture, but embraced the simplicity and close representation from life of silhouettes. The popularity of silhouettes quickly declined with the invention of photography.

This collection combines various silhouette albums and images acquired by Friends Hitorical Library into a single unit.

The albums and collections were described as separate series.

In 2018 the scattered silhouette collections in Friends Historical Library from various sources and poorly described were combined into a single artificial collection for better preservation and cataloging.

Publisher
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Finding Aid Author
Susanna Morikawa
Finding Aid Date
September 2018
Access Restrictions

Access is restricted due to the fragility of the materials.

Use Restrictions

Friends Historical Library believes all of the items in this collection to be in the Public Domain in the United States, and is not aware of any restrictions on their use. However, the user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status before reproducing. See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/.

Collection Inventory

SFHL-PA-033A. Edouart, Augustin-Amant-Constant-Fidèle, 1789-1861. August Edouart silhouette of Price family, 1843. 1 items.
Existence and Location of Copies

Eduouart's duplicate figures were published in the book August Edouart, A Quaker Album by Helen and Ned Laughon. Richmond, Virginia: Cheswick Press, 1987.

Scope and Contents

Mounted and enhanced cut silhouettes of Philip M. Price, Matilda Price and Hannah P. Davis. Signed and dated Augt Eduouart, fait 1843.

Physical Description

1 itemsFoldered

SFHL-PA-033B. Edouart, Augustin-Amant-Constant-Fidèle, 1789-1861. August Edouart duplicate silhouette album and index, 1827-1849. 2 volumes.
Existence and Location of Copies

Published as August Edouart, A Quaker Album by Helen and Ned Laughon. Richmond, Virginia: Cheswick Press, 1987.

General

After the volume was purchased in 1969, on the urging of Friends House, London, the seller provided a fragmentary account of its history as he knew it. The silhouette artist was not identified until 1983 when Helen and Ned Laughon visited FHL to study silhouettes in the Library's collection, especially the Thomas Gilpin album.

Related Materials

The Thomas Gilpin silhouette album contains a lithographed self-portrait by Edouart. The Edouart duplicate volume includes a silhouette of Gilpin, page 140.

Scope and Contents

An album of duplicate silhouettes created by August Edouart, beginning in 1827 and during his visit to the United States, 1839-1849. Many of subjects were members of the Society of Friends, all identified. This is the only "American" Edouart folio that is still intact, and the images not only preserve a likeness in silhouettes of the sitters but also details of dress and activities.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright has not been assigned to Friends Historical Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to the Curator. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Friends Historical Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by reader.

Physical Description

2 volumesBound volume 14-1/2 x 10-1/2 inches and soft bound Index titled "Friends"

Scope and Contents

This album of profiles was the property of Thomas Gilpin, Quaker manufacturer and author. It contains primarily copies in ink of profiles made by Joseph Sansom about 1790 in Philadelphia of distinquished personages of the day as well as some other collected images. The sitters include well-known figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison and also important Quakers including William Savery, the Pembertons, George Dillwyn, Miers Fisher, Rebecca Jones, and Nicholas Waln. The copyist is not identified, but but the collection also includes a card addressed to Thomas Gilpin, signed by the silhouette artist, Augustin Edouart, Philadelphia 1st March 1843.

Related Materials

Augustin Edouart Album, PA 33-A;

"An Occasional Collection of Physiognomical Sketches. . ." by Joseph Sansom, Historical Society of Pennsylvania

General

Inscription inside front cover: Thomas Gilpin/Philadelphia/1820

Physical Description

1 volumes1 leather bound volume

Archival Resource Key. John S. Hutton (of Philadelphia, Sliversmith a native of New York).
Archival Resource Key. Dr. Abraham Chovet.
Archival Resource Key. William Savery (Minister in the Society of Friends).
Archival Resource Key. John Pemberton (Minister in the Society of Friends).
Archival Resource Key. Rebecca Jones (Minister in the Society of Friends).
Archival Resource Key. Owen Jones.
Archival Resource Key. George Dillwyn (Minister in the Society of Friends).
Archival Resource Key. Mary Ridgeway.
Archival Resource Key. James Pemberton Esqr.
Archival Resource Key. Sarah Rhoads.
Archival Resource Key. Nicholas Waln (Counsellor at Law Minister in the Society of Friends).
Archival Resource Key. Benjamin Chew (Chief Justice of Pennsylvania).
Archival Resource Key. John Redman (MD).
Archival Resource Key. William Lewis Esqr. (Counsellor at Law).
Archival Resource Key. Richard Smith (of Burlington).
Archival Resource Key. Daniel Williams Esqr.
Archival Resource Key. Samuel Shoemaker (Mayor of Philadelphia).
Archival Resource Key. Philip Benezet Esqr.
Archival Resource Key. Robert Proud (Author of History of Philadelphia).
Archival Resource Key. Thomas Harrison (Advocate of Emancipation).
Archival Resource Key. John Head.
Archival Resource Key. Miers Fisher Junr.
Archival Resource Key. Samuel Coates.
Archival Resource Key. Tseruyeaathaw [Tsekuyeaathaw] (or The man who keeps you awake Chief Speaker of The Five Nations.).
Archival Resource Key. (Standing for the last time before The Representatives of the People).
Archival Resource Key. William White (DD. Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania).
Archival Resource Key. Robert Morris.
Archival Resource Key. Timothy Pickering (of Wilkes Barre).
Archival Resource Key. James Madison.
Archival Resource Key. Dr. Benjamin Franklin.
Archival Resource Key. Several unlabeled sketches.
Archival Resource Key. Images of seals, all labeled "EXECUTED BY A. SPENCER".
Archival Resource Key. Inserted silhouette with a description (Presented to Thomas Gilpin...) and no name.
Archival Resource Key. Deborah Darby.
Archival Resource Key. Elias Hicks.
Archival Resource Key. Page with illustrations (not silhouettes) labeled "HENRY D. GILPIN".

Scope and Contents

Commercial album containing hollow-cut silhouettes of the extended Philadelpia Quaker Coates and Horner family and friends mounted on blue paper. All are identified, some stamped MUSEUM, cut at the Peale Museum. The bulk of the silhouettes date between about 1803 to 1824. An unrelated printed reproduction of a silhouette of Thomas Shillitoe (Liverpool, 1839) is glued near the end of the volume. Also includes some Quaker ministers and prominent Philadelphians such as Benjamin Rush.

Physical Description

1 volumes

Archival Resource Key. Mery Morrison [born Mary Warner, sister of Robert Warner, wife of Captain George Morrison], p. 3.
Archival Resource Key. George Warner [?].
Archival Resource Key. Benjamin Horner [stamp].
Archival Resource Key. Mary Horner, p. 6.
Archival Resource Key. Rebecca Horner, 7 years [stamp, p. 7].
Archival Resource Key. Rebecca Horner, 4 years [p. 8].
Archival Resource Key. George Coates [George Morrison Coates, p. 9].
Archival Resource Key. Beulah Coates [sister of George, p. 10].
Archival Resource Key. Josiah Coates, son of Josiah Langdale Coates [stamp, p. 11].
Archival Resource Key. Alice Coates, married E. Corsing [stamp, sister of Josiah, p. 12].
Archival Resource Key. Elizabeth Morrison [stamp,p. 13].
Archival Resource Key. Evan Morrison [stamp, p. 14].
Archival Resource Key. Hannah Clement, cousin, married 1800 [child of Samuel and Lydia Clement, stamp, p. 15].
Archival Resource Key. James Clement [brother of Hannah, p. 16].
Archival Resource Key. John R[eynall] Coates [p. 17].
Archival Resource Key. Joseph Saunders Coates [p. 18].
Archival Resource Key. Samuel Coates [p. 19].
Archival Resource Key. Joseph Saunders [p. 20].
Archival Resource Key. Lydia Coates (married Minteson) [p. 21].
Archival Resource Key. Mary Lawrence (of N.Y.) [stamp, p. 22].
Archival Resource Key. Sarah Horner [p. 23].
Archival Resource Key. Amy Coates [p. 24].
Archival Resource Key. Hannah Vicasy, p. 25.
Archival Resource Key. George Morrison, p. 26.
Archival Resource Key. Dr. John Redman Cox (2), p. 27 [as young man].
Archival Resource Key. Dr. John Redman Cox (2), p. 28 [older].
Archival Resource Key. John Field, p. 29.
Archival Resource Key. Samuel Pleasant,, p. 30.
Archival Resource Key. Zebedee Clement, p. 31.
Archival Resource Key. Beulah Clement, p. 32 [stamp].
Archival Resource Key. Anna Potts, p. 33.
Archival Resource Key. Rebecca Potts, p. 34.
Archival Resource Key. Cornelia Harrison, p. 35.
Archival Resource Key. Elizabeth Glifton [?], p. 36.
Archival Resource Key. Sarah Clement. p. 37.
Archival Resource Key. Elizabeth Clement, p. 38.
Archival Resource Key. Sarah Williamson. p. 39 [stamp].
Archival Resource Key. Mary Dawson, p. 40 [stamp}.
Archival Resource Key. Deborah Howell, p. 41, and Hannah Howell, p. 42.
Archival Resource Key. George Morrison, p. 43.
Archival Resource Key. William Morrison, p. 44.
Archival Resource Key. Lydia Hart, p. 45.
Archival Resource Key. Sarah Speakman, p. 46.
Archival Resource Key. Joseph Fields, p. 47.
Archival Resource Key. Mercy Coates (Marcia Coats), p. 48.
Archival Resource Key. George Deg.
Archival Resource Key. William Savery, p. 50.
Archival Resource Key. Reese Lewis, p. 51.
Archival Resource Key. Sarah Robinson (of New York), p. 52.
Archival Resource Key. John Dorsey, p. 53; Hannah Dorsey, p. 54.
Archival Resource Key. Mary West, p. 55.
Archival Resource Key. Esther Vondenberg, p. 57.
Archival Resource Key. Mary Hallowell, p. 58.
Archival Resource Key. Elizabeth Robinson, p. 59.
Archival Resource Key. Jane English, p. 60.
Archival Resource Key. Hannah Bowie/Bowne, p. 61.
Archival Resource Key. Josiah Hewes, p. 62.
Archival Resource Key. Ann Clement, p. 64, and Elizabeth Clement [of Philadelphia]. p. 65.
Archival Resource Key. John Drinker, p. 66.
Archival Resource Key. James Pemberton, p. 67.
Archival Resource Key. William Stokes, p. 68, and Abigail Stokes, p. 69.
Archival Resource Key. [Mary Coates and Josiah L. Coates - on handwritten list but page cut from album].
Archival Resource Key. Agnes Eldridge, p. 72.
Archival Resource Key. Ann Hopkins of NY, p. 73.
Archival Resource Key. James Wood, p. 74.
Archival Resource Key. Sarah Forster [Peale stamp]. p. 74.
Archival Resource Key. Rachel Gardener, p. 77.
Archival Resource Key. Rebecca Horner, p. 78, and Joseph Potts Horner, p. 79 .
Archival Resource Key. Benjamin Horner, Sr., p. 80, and Amy Horner Clifton, p. 81 [elderly].
Archival Resource Key. Jane Horner. p. 82.
Archival Resource Key. Henry Clifton, p. 83.
Archival Resource Key. Ellis Yarnall, jr., p. 84, and Benjamin Yarnall, p. 85. [both as children: Ellis b. 1794 and Benjamin b. 1790].
Archival Resource Key. Sarah Yarnall, p. 86, and Amy Yarnall, p. 87.
Archival Resource Key. David Sands. p. 88.
Archival Resource Key. Mary Ridgeway of Ireland, p. 89.
Archival Resource Key. Dr. Benjamin Rush, p. 90.
Archival Resource Key. Dr. Redman, p. 91.
Archival Resource Key. Elizabeth Horner, p. 92, and Stacy Horner, p. 93.
Archival Resource Key. Nicholas Hopkins, p. 94, and Rebecca Hopkins, p. 95.
Archival Resource Key. Rachel Cumming, p.. 96.
Archival Resource Key. Margaret Club, p. 97.
Archival Resource Key. Margaret Ail, p. 98, and Elizabeth Ail, p. 99.
Archival Resource Key. William Wagner p. 100 and Elizabeth Weyer p. 102, of New England.
Archival Resource Key. Lydia Tracy, p. 102, and ---- Peabody, p. 103, of New England [?].
Archival Resource Key. Dr. Samuel Hopkins, p. 104, and Elizabeth Hopkins, p. 105 [Museum stamp].
Archival Resource Key. Josiah Langdale Coates, p. 106.
Archival Resource Key. Captain Weyer.
Archival Resource Key. Thomas Roberts, p. 108.
Archival Resource Key. Mary Emlen [or Anna Emlen], p. 109.
Archival Resource Key. Zebedee Cook, p. 110.
Archival Resource Key. George Ail, p. 111.
Archival Resource Key. Mary West, p. 112, and Charles West, p. 113.
Archival Resource Key. Beulah Hopkins, p. 114, and John Hopkins, p. 115.
Archival Resource Key. Griffith Cooper, p. 116.
Archival Resource Key. William Hopkins, p. 117.
SFHL-PA-033E. Truman-Shaw collected silhouettes , 1806-1850.
Scope and Contents

Hollow cut silhouettes pasted onto pages of a copybook. The lettering practice workbook is autographed Jane Trumans Book, and some copy poetry is signed by Sarah Shaw, 1806. The album includes silhouettes of members of the Truman and Shaw families of Philadelphia as well as other figures of the day including George Washington. Some are imprinted with the Peale MUSUM stamp. An additional 56 silhouettes mounted on 7 pages of black paper are associated family members, including children of Joseph M. and Sarah Shaw Truman.

Archival Resource Key. Samuel Eastlake.
Archival Resource Key. John Evants [MUSEUM stamp].
Archival Resource Key. Jacob Evants.
Archival Resource Key. Matthew Franklin.
Archival Resource Key. Elizabeth Fry (ink on paper).
Archival Resource Key. Elias Hicks, (ink on paper).
Archival Resource Key. Elizabeth Hodgkin (in on paper with added detail).
Scope and Contents

Handwritten note: thy affectionate friend/Elizabeth Hodgkin

Archival Resource Key. Paul Moon James.
Archival Resource Key. Aaron Pancoast.
Scope and Contents

Stitched onto black silk

Archival Resource Key. Anne Pancoast.
Scope and Contents

Stitched onto black silk

Archival Resource Key. Abraham Paxson (ink on paper).
Archival Resource Key. Evelina Paxson (ink on paper).
Archival Resource Key. Unmounted cut paper silhouettes presumably of the Paxson family.
Scope and Contents

Given to FHL together with the inked silhouettes. Placed in archival plastic individually for fragility. Some are stamped and a few are identified.

Archival Resource Key. J. Reeve.
Archival Resource Key. Elizabeth Parsons.
Archival Resource Key. John Sloan.
Archival Resource Key. James Stackhouse [museum stamp].
Archival Resource Key. Ann Warner.
Archival Resource Key. Unidentified woman, mounted on black paper, museum stamp.
Archival Resource Key. Unidentified - 3 hollow cut and 1 cut-out.

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