The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware  19735

Telephone: 302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         Osborne, Charles, 1847-1920                                    

Title:               Papers and Drawings

Dates:             ca.1870-ca.1920

Call No.:         Col. 137         

Acc. No.:        91x23

Quantity:        240 items

Location:        42 I 1-4, and map case C, drawer 1

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

Charles Osborne was a designer of patterns for silver objects, active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  He was employed first by the Whiting Manufacturing Company and then by Tiffany & Co.  In 1888, he returned to Whiting where he eventually became a company vice president.  Osborne patented designs and an improved method of shaping ornamental borders of silverware. He was a member of the Art Students League of New York City and was active in New York's community of artists, although for part of his career he resided in Attleboro, Massachusetts.  A 1905 article from a North Attleboro newspaper cast favorable judgement upon Osborne when it commented: "the work of Mr. Charles Osborne in the production of graceful art objects in silver have [sic] placed him among the foremost designers of the world of silversmiths."

 

In the 1870 census for Attleboro, Mass., Charles Osborne was listed as a 24 year old silver engraver, born in England, living with the silver manufacturer William D. Whiting.  Osborne is mentioned in an article by Abigail Nova, “The Japanesque Silver of the Whiting Manufacturing Company,” published in The Magazine Antiques in its September/October 2011 issue.  Unfortunately, nothing else was learned about him.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

The collection consists of Osborne's personal and professional papers; photographs of family members, sources for designs, and Osborne's finished work; rough pencil sketches of design patterns; and finished drawings of objects.  The drawings are the highlight of the collection, depicting as they do such objects as pitchers, vases, trophies, medals, water kettles, tea and coffee pots, sugar bowls, milk pitchers, and trays.  There is much use of subdued color, and in a few instances, drawings are of objects that combine the use of both glass and silver.  The most frequently depicted item is the spoon.  Some of Osborne's drawings of spoons have numbers written on them, suggesting that he may have had access to a catalog or register to record patterns.  The spoon designs range from early conceptual sketches to illustrations of finished products.  Some have very plain handles while others are highly ornate.  In addition to designing spoons for everyday use, Osborne created souvenir spoons, specifically for Chicago's World's Columbian Exhibition in 1893.  Osborne also designed a seal for the American Fine Arts Society.

 

Among Osborne's professional papers is a three year contract with the Whiting Manufacturing Company, dated 1871, that made him artist and director of matters dealing with "works of art and design" in the firm's design department.  Also present is a letter from a competing firm asking him to talk over business matters, an 1878 letter explaining his move to Tiffany, and an 1888 offer of salary and stock benefits from Whiting.

 

The manuscripts of a personal nature include Charles and Eliza Osborne's marriage certificate, the family's deed to a plot in Woodlawn Cemetery, receipts from doctors for medical and dental treatments, and a few family oriented letters.  Photographs of family members feature Charles for the most part.  There are a few likenesses of his wife and what appears to be a picture of his son with fellow Columbia University classmates.

           

 

ORGANIZATION

           

The collection is organized into three series: papers and manuscripts, photographs, and drawings.

 

 

PROVENANCE

 

Osborne's papers and drawings remained in the possession of his descendants until 1991 when the settlement of the estate of a family member occasioned their acquisition by Winterthur.         

 

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

People:

            Osborne, Eliza

            Church, Frederick S. (Frederick Stuart), 1842-1924, correspondent.

            Low, Will H., 1853-1932, correspondent.

 

Topics:

            American Fine Arts Society. 

            Art Students League.

            World’s Columbian Exposition (1893: Chicago, Ill.)

            Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.

            Design.

            Wages – Metal-workers.

            Glass, Ornamental.    

            Design protection.

            Art metal-work.

            Silverwork, Victorian.

            Silverwork, 20th century.

            Decoration and ornament.

            Silverware - Patterns.

            Silver flatware - Drawings.

            Silver industry - New York - New York.

            Silver bowls - Drawings.

            Arts and crafts movement.

            Silverwork - Designs and plans.

            Spoons - Design.

            Decoration and ornament - Louis XIV style.

            Medallions (Decorative arts).

            Finance, Personal - Massachusetts - Attleboro.

            Receipts.

            Photographic prints.

            Sketches.

            Drawings.

            Drafts (documents).

            Patents.

            Clippings.

            Envelopes.

            Contracts.

            Letters.

            Sketchbooks.

            Artists.

            Silversmiths.

            Designers.

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location: 42 I 1-4 and map case C, drawer 1

 

 

Series I: Papers and manuscripts

 

Box 1:

 

Folder 1: Receipts

 

            .2         Receipt for Osborne’s payment of $33.33 for the month of Oct. 1881.

 

            .24       Receipt for payment of dues by Osborne to the Fortitude Lodge, no. 19, F. and A.M., April 1878.

           

            .31       Receipted bill to the estate of Sarah Ann Elder, New York City, from H.N. Meredith, New York City, Feb. 18, 1884.

                        for payment of undertaking services – chestnut casket, silver name plate, silk robe, porters, hearse, coaches, pine box, clearing away snow, opening grave, ferriage

 

Folder 2: Receipts

 

            .3-.10   Receipts for doctor's bills and other medical services, dating between 1874 and 1889.  The doctors were located in Attleboro, Mass., New York City, Yonkers, and Glen Cove (Long Island).

 

Folder 3: Receipts

 

            .11-.14             Receipts from Delos Palmer for dental services, New York, 1877-1880.

 

Folder 4: Promissory notes

 

            .15-.22             Promissory notes to Osborne from William and David Elder, 1876.

            .23                   Promissory note to Osborne from Sidney Osborne, Oct. 1879

 

Folder 5: Lists

 

            .26       List of dates and prices from 1874 to 1879.

 

Folder 6: Accounts

 

            .27-.28             Accounts between John F. Baker (lawyer) and Charles Osborne, 1875-1881.

 

Folder 7: Legal documents

 

            .29       Certificate of marriage between Charles Osborne and Elisa Harris Chapman Elder, Brooklyn, NY, October 13, 1870, with embossed envelope

 

            .1         Landlord's agreement.  Charles Osborne rented a house on Riverdale Ave. in Yonkers, N.Y. on May 1, 1878 for $300.

 

            .25       Deed for the Woodland Cemetery, New York City, lot number 11530, October 4, 1905.

 

Folder 8: Letters

 

            .45       Letter to Osborne, no place, from his brother, John Baker, Brooklyn, Nov. 6, 1871.

                        Discusses his [Baker’s] idea of buying a house in Westwood

 

            .33       Letter to Osborne, Supt. Whiting Co., New York City, from Will H. Low, New York City, Nov. 21, 1871.

                        Regarding a design and cutting a seal for the American Fine Arts Society.

 

            .32       Letter to Osborne, N. Attleboro, Mass., from his brother Harry at the Whiting Manufacturing Co., New York, March 9, 1875.

                        Sorry Charles did not get the commission for the “Bryant Vase” – everyone thinks his was the best design; Whiting Co. business; looking forward to seeing Charles’ new designs

 

            .46       Letter to Osborne, no place, from H. B. Dominick, no place, Nov. 2, 1878.

                        Discusses a time for a meeting. 

                        [See material with the finding aid relating to H. B. Dominick, a silver manufacturer]

 

            .41       Letter to Osborne, Whiting Co., New York City, from Alex J.C. Skene, Brooklyn, April 9, 1882.

                        Thanks Osborne for the photo of Harold Skene Osborne.

 

            .30       Letter to Osborne from F.S. Church, New York City, Dec. 17, 1887.

                        “I have set up a statue of you … as my patron saint.  How I worship at your shrine.  Consider yourself St. Osborne ….”

                        Includes a sketch of Church kneeling at the statue of St. Osborne.

 

            .34       Letter to Osborne, Whiting Mfg. Co., from Frank Millet, New York City, Feb. 19, no year.

                        Setting a date to meet

 

Folder 9: Osborne and Whiting Mfg. Co.

 

            .44       Agreement between Osborne and Whiting, March 1, 1871.

                        Osborne agrees to work as an artist in Whiting’s Design Department in Attleboro, Mass.  He is to be supervisor, inspector, and director in the department, as well as artist.  Salary for next three years to be $1800 the first year, $2000 the second, and $2300 the third year.

 

            .40       Draft of a letter to Whiting Manufacturing Co. from Osborne, Nov. 15, 1878.

                        Osborne resigns from his position at Whiting in order to work with Mr. Moore at Tiffany & Co. – wants to go there in order to further develop his artistic abilities.

                        [the envelope in which this letter was found was addressed to Charles Osborne at Whiting Co., and is not the original envelope for the letter]

 

            .47       Note about an agreement between Osborne and Whiting Mfg. Co., New York City, Jan. 23, 1888.

                        Whiting Co. is to transfer shares of its stock to Osborne provided Osborne can “secure his release from a certain verbal understanding with Tiffany & Co.”

 

            .42       Letter to Osborne, New York City, from R.W. Higgins, Whiting Manufacturing Co., New York City, March 24, 1911.

                        Discusses the need for more Wedgwood serving pieces and asks Osborne's permission to use various "punches" to make needed pieces.  Mentions cream ladle, medium and small cold meat forks, salad spoon and fork, mayonnaise ladle, olive spoon and fork, pea spoon, and butter knife.

 

            .43       Inventory and price list for Wedgwood fancy flatware, March 25, 1911.

 

Folder 10: Patents

 

            .48       Patent certificate awarded to Osborne for improvement in the method of shaping ornamental borders in silverware, May 26, 1877.

 

            .49       Copy of a patent given to Osborne for the design of a salad spoon, March 24, 1891.  Includes a drawing of the spoon.

 

            .50       Copies of four designs of fork and spoon handles patented by Osborne between 1874 and 1876.

 

            .51       Copy of a patent given to Osborne for a hinge, Aug. 30, 1892.

 

            .52       Copy of a patent given to Osborne for a method of perforating metal, particularly for tops of condiment bottles and similar articles, Jan. 31, 1893.

 

Folder 11: Manuscripts

 

            .56       Papers explaining the loss of pieces during production and use of certain "punches" for various serving pieces.  Also included is a letter written in French.

           

            .57       Paper discussing how the production of silverware could be done in a manner similar to coin production, hence cutting time, steps, and cost.

 

Folder 12: James Donna material

 

            .53-.54             Letters to James Holden, White Plains, N.Y., and Richard Osborne, Pittsfield, Mass., from James Donna, Pittsfield, Mass,  May 15 and 18 1964.

                                    Regarding the estate of Christine S. Osborne.

 

Folder 13: Miscellaneous

 

            .35       Letter in form of a poem to Santa Claus from Evelyn and Harold Skene Osborne children, Dec. 14, 1882. 

                        Includes a list of what they want for Christmas: parlor skates, velocipede, violin, dolls’ cloak, “and as many other things as you can spare”

 

            .36       Note in crayon, May 3, 1884.

                        “1000d thanks – will write from London.  Always yours, Joseph(?) Halton(?)”

 

            .37       Newspaper article describing services held at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, no date, but probably 1880-1885.

                        A Mr. Osborne was the basso soloist in the choir.  Most of the article describes the floral decorations and the music.

 

            .38       Newspaper clipping giving home remedies for smallpox and colds.

 

            .39       Ticket for the Steamship Montana from Panama to San Francisco, n.d.  Issued to Mr. Osborne.

 

            .55       Photocopy of a page from the catalog, American Historical Medals, illustrating the Cleopatra's Needle medal designed by Charles Osborne and Gaston Feuardent in 1881.  The medal commemorated the erection of an ancient Egyptian obelisk, called Cleopatra’s Needle, in New York City.

 

            .58       Newspaper clipping advertising a ceramic "Columbus Water Pitcher," made by Copeland & Sons, Stoke-on-Trent, England.

           

 

 

Series II: Photographs

 

Box 1:

 

Folder 14: Family Photographs

 

            .187     Bust of a youngish man, perhaps Osborne.

 

            .188     Bust of a man identified as Louis Gurmaer, taken in New York

 

            .189     Tintype of a young woman; checks and lips have been tinted; in pink paper folder

 

            .190     Tintype of two young woman; checks and lips have been tinted; ca.1870.

 

            .191     Print of a young woman, ca.1860.  In an envelope addressed to Osborne at Broadway & 19th, New York.

 

Box 2:

 

Folder 9:

 

            .183     Photo of statue of a woman partially draped in classical garb, holding a small figure of a woman in flowing drapes

 

            .184     Photo of statue of a man and woman in a classical landscape (trees and top of a temple or tomb), beneath them is another figure, perhaps meant to represent death; an animal of some sort (or perhaps an animal pelt with the tail attached) hangs from the man’s shoulders.

 

            .185b   Photograph of a silver trophy, decorated with figures that are half woman and half fish (but not like the usual representation of mermaids), seaweed, and dolphins.

 

            .186     Photograph of a silver bowl with footed base, with classical decorative motifs.

 

Folder 10:

 

            .192     Photograph of a bust of a man, perhaps Osborne.

 

            .193     Photograph of six young men in suits.  “Jester” is written under the photo.   Osborne’s son attended Columbia University, which had a student magazine called Jester.  The photo is probably of the editors of the magazine.

 

            .194     Photograph of a young man, perhaps Osborne.

 

            .195     Photographs of a man, perhaps Osborne.

 

Folders 11-12:

 

            .196-.198         Photographs of a man, perhaps Osborne.

 

Folder 13:

 

            .179     Photograph of round plaque, with an angel playing a harp centered on the round dial which features the signs of the zodiac.  The name C. Bauer appears on the outer rim of the circle and it is dated 1862.

 

Folder 14:

 

             .185a  Photograph of bas relief depicting an angel holding up a sign with a religious quotation (“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord...”).

                       

 

 

Series III: Drawings

 

Box 1:

 

Folder 15:

 

            .59       Sketch of the tines of a fork.  "5755 serving fork, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood.  Sp. to match"

 

            .60       Sketch of the blade of a knife.  "5752 crumb knife (small) duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .61       Sketch of a knife (spreader). "Butter spreader (small) duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .62       rough sketches of the tines of four forks, with titles: "Large D.V. C.M.F/r," "Jumel(?) - Medium cold meat fork," "Adam, cold meat fork," and "Cold meat fork, small." 

                        The reverse side features an outline for a hand held mirror--cut to shape on one side.  Names of various pieces of flatware are written in pencil (caddy scoops, toast fork, etc).

 

            .63       Sketch of the bowl of a spoon.  "Jelly spoon, Wedgwood."

 

            .64       Three sketches on tracing paper of tines of forks, identified as a "salad fork, small," "cold meat fork, medium," and "cold meat fork, large."

 

Folder 16:

 

            .65       Sketch of the tines of a fork, labeled  "5680 Cold meat fork, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."  Drawing crossed out with the note “too short.”

 

            .66       Sketch of the end of large sugar tongs.  "5789, ice cream and coffee handles, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .67       Sketch of the tines of an "olive fork" (with two tines).

 

            .68       Sketch of the end of small sugar tongs. "5789A, coffee sp. handle, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .69       Sketch of the tines of a small beef fork. "5682, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .70       Sketch of the tines of a lettuce fork.  "5617, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

 

Folder 17:

 

            .71       Sketch of the bowl of a tomato server.  "5621, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .72       Sketch of the blade of a large fish knife. "5750, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .73       Sketch of a flat butter knife, and the blade of a butter knife. "5792, use die of individual fish knife, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .74       Sketch of individual fish knife.  "5790, flat butter knife handle, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .75       Sketch of flat cake knife.  "5791, flat butter knife handle, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

Folder 18:

 

            .76       Sketch of the tines of an olive fork.  "5847, make plaster, duplicate."  With an additional note about making the handle.  Dated 3/28/11.

 

            .77       Sketch of the tines of a cold meat fork, medium.  "5680, new tracing, die made."  March 30, 1911.

 

            .78       Sketch of the bowl of a spoon.  "5788, Saratoga chips, dessert handle; crackers, tea handle; vegetable spoon, table handle; vegetable fork, table handle; duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .79       Sketch of the bowl of a sugar spoon, with tea spoon handle.  "5798, sugar, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .80       Sketch of a bowl of a berry spoon.  "5795, table spoon handle, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

Folder 19:

 

            .81       Sketch of the bowl of a preserve spoon.  "5796, dessert spoon handle, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .82       Sketch of the bowl of a jelly spoon.  "5797, tea spoon handle, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .83       Sketch of the bowl of a serving spoon.  "5754, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .84       Sketch of the bowl of a fried oyster and tomato spoon.  "5787, dessert and tea handle, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .85       Sketch of the bowl of a spoon, with two versions shown.  "5786, pie knife (plain), fried egg (pierced), and waffle server (plain), dessert spoon handle, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

Folder 20:

 

            .86       Sketch of a butter spreader.  "5622, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

            The sketch of the spreader is done on tracing paper and has been affixed to another piece of paper, on which was drawn the blade of another kind of knife, perhaps a cheese knife.

 

            .87       Sketch of the bowl of an olive spoon.

 

            .88       Sketch of the tines of a terrapin fork.  "5794, use punch or ice cream spoon handle, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .89       Sketch of the tines of an ice cream fork.  "5793A, use punch or ice scream spoon handle, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .90       Sketch of the tines of an individual fish fork, small.  "5790B, tea handle, use punch of large individual fish fork, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

Folder 21:

 

            .91       Sketch of the tines of an individual fish fork, large.  "5790A, dessert handle, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .92       Sketch of the blade of a fish knife, small.  "5751, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

 

            .93       Sketch of the tines of a sardine fork.  "5681, duplicate tracing, Wedgwood."

                        Also includes another sketch labeled “top of tongs”

 

.94       Sketch of the bowl of an olive spoon, with long and short handles.  "5846, make brass, duplicate."  Additional note indicates that the cutter leaves the handle too wide to join, March 28, 1911.

 

            .95       Sketch of the bowl of an oyster ladle, with depth indicated, “Wedgwood.”

 

Folder 22:

 

            .96       Sketch of the tines of an individual salad fork.  Note about not being able to find Osborne's original tracing dated April 4, 1911.

 

Folder 23:

 

            .98       Sketch of a border consisting of swags topped by fleur-de-lis, mounted on cardboard.

 

Folder 24:

 

            .99       Sketch of a border consisting of a pole wrapped with stylized acanthus leaves, mounted on white cardboard.

 

Folder 25:

 

            .100     Sketch of a bread basket or embossed silver tray on one side, with sketches of a handled cup (like a baby cup) and saucers or small trays on the reverse.

 

            .101     Sketch of half the body of some article, perhaps a coffee or tea pot, or a container with a lid.

 

            .102     Sketch of an ornate border for a tray, with trellis work, acanthus leaves, scallop shells, and scrolls.  (see also .239)

 

            .105     Sketch of a handle with a plain, beveled edge.

 

Folder 26: handles

 

            .106     Sketch of a handle with a plain, beveled edge and fleur-de-lis at the top.

 

            .107     Sketch of handle with a beveled edge and fleur-de-lis and scroll at the top.

 

            .108     Sketch of a handle with a beaded edge and leaves and shell forming a scroll-like decorative element at the top. 

 

            .109     Sketch of a handle with stylized flowers and a shield as decorative elements.

 

            .110     Sketch of a handle with a squared end and decorative flowers arranged in a wreath.

 

Folder 27: handles:

 

            .111     Sketch of a handle with a squared end featuring a decorative motif of fan swags and a shield.

 

            .112     Sketch of a spoon initialed and dated, December 5, 1913.  The handle features decorative leaves and a shield.

 

            .113     Sketch of a handle initialed and dated, December 1, 1913.  The handle has a squared end with fluting, a decorative shield, and swags of flowers.

 

            .114     Similar to .113, but dated November 29, 1913.

 

 

Folder 28:

 

            .117     Watercolor of a spoon.  The handle features a shield surrounded by leaves.  Initialed and dated December 29, 1913.

 

            .118     Wash drawing of a spoon.  Handle features scrolls and a flat border.

 

            .119     Sketch of a spoon with a plain handle that has beveled edges and a fleur-de-lis.  Initialed and dated September 14, 1 [i.e. 1911?]

 

Folder 29:

 

            .120     Wash drawing in blue of a souvenir spoon for the World's Columbian Exposition, 1893.  Features a fair scene on the bowl, and an ornately decorated handle with a statue of Columbus. No. 3860.

 

            .121     Wash drawing in a blue for another souvenir spoon for the World's Columbian Exposition.  The bowl is decorated with a ship, and the handle with Columbus' bust . No. 3859

 

            .122     Wash drawing in blue of a souvenir spoon for the Great Falls of the Yellowstone.  The handle features a waterfall scene and the bowl shows the geyser "Old Faithful."  No. 3654.

 

            .123     Spoon identified as the Tudor Rose pattern.  The spoon handle features scrolled borders with a rose at the top.  [see also .144-.145]

 

            .124     Spoon featuring a plain handle with a bead at the top.  Initialed and dated Aug. 8, 1912.

 

            .125     Spoon featuring scrolled borders with wreath of flowers, titled "Empire."  Initialed and dated March 1914.

 

Folder 30:

 

            .132     Watercolor of a spoon, with scrolls decorating bowl and the handle with a nude woman among trees; a god’s face looks down on the woman.

 

            .133     Plain spoon with beveled edge.  Initialed and dated 1915.

                        On back: outline of a handle

 

            .134     Wash drawing of a spoon.  Handle has shield and decorative leaves as its design.

                        Initialed and dated 1915.

 

            .135     Wash drawing of a spoon.  Handle has shield and decorative leaves as its design (different design from .134).

                        on back: pencil sketch of this spoon and part of a drawing of a handle

 

Folder 31:

 

            .136     Wash drawing of a spoon.  Handle has shield and decorative leaves as its design (different design from .134, but they are similar).

                        Initialed and dated 1915.

           

 

            .137     Ink drawing of a spoon with highly ornate handle decorated with leaves and flowers around an urn in a relief pattern.  Signed and dated 1908.

 

Folder 32:

 

            .199     Sketchbook kept by Osborne, ca. 1910.

                        Consists of ink drawings of a variety of silver objects, particularly hollowware forms, including punch bowls, tea kettles, pitchers, and soup tureens in a variety of styles.  A few items are noted as being of glass and silver.  Most of the book is blank.

                        Note in front (in two different hands) reads “Returned to studio, April 20, 1910.  Jno. La Farge’s writing.”

 

Folder 33:

 

            .200-.216         Loose sketches that were originally laid in .199.  A variety of silver objects along with sketches of people that may have been used as design sources are featured.

 

            .200     card holder or match holder decorated with a nude woman who is kneeling;

            .201     vase;

            .202-.203         coffee pots;

            .204-2.05         coordinated spoon and fork decorated with shells.  The shells are gray, but the rest of the spoon and fork are gold colored;.

            .206     three sketches of the ends of handles, all with various shield shapes;

            .207     card holder or match holder decorated with a nude woman kneeling on a rock;

            .208     Chinese man

            .209     pitcher with American eagle

            .210     two groups of figures standing under umbrellas

            .211     sketch of a handle; on back: remnants of other designs

            .212     sketches for a pitcher, two coffee pots, and details of designs

            .213     sketch of a coffee pot; on back: sketch of a vase

            .214     sketches of bowls

            .215     sketches of coffee pots, a candelabra, and a rough sketch of a vase; on back: designs

            .216     sketches of a vase and a ewer and a design

 

 

Box 2:

 

Folder 1:

 

            .97       Sheet showing a “Group of Sterling Silver Toilet Ware,” dated April 3, 1906.  It is a replacement page for a trade catalog.  The company is identified by its hallmarks, but not by its name.

            Included among the toilet wares are hair brushes, combs, clothes brushes, mirrors, curling tongs, jewelry boxes, shoe horns, and other various items.

 

            .103     Sketch of a tray or plate in a square shape with scalloped corners, decorated with scrolls and rococo leaves along the border.

 

            .104     Sketch of a round plate or tray with fluted edges and rococo scrolls.

 

Folder 2:

 

            .151     Watercolor sketch of a spoon with beveled edges.  Initialed and dated 1914.

 

            .152     Watercolor sketch of a spoon with a couple of flowers on the handle and simple scrolls on the edges.  Initialed and dated 1914.

 

            .153     Watercolor sketch of a spoon with a pattern identified as Elizabethan.  Initialed and dated 1914.

 

            .154     Two spoons with decorative scrolls at the top of the handle as well as other scrolls on the handle.  Both signed and dated July 26, 1911 and July 28, 1911.  The reflection of a man appears in the bowls of both spoons, presumably a self-portrait of Osborne.

                        0n back: outlines of two spoons

 

            .155     Watercolor of a spoon with beveled edge and floral design on the handle.  Initialed and dated Mar. 12, 1914.

 

Folder 3:

 

            .156     Watercolor of a spoon with ornate decorative handle featuring rococo flowers and acanthus leaves.  Signed.

 

            .157     Watercolor of a spoon with ornate decorative scrolls, flowers, and a scallop design.  Signed.

 

            .158     Watercolor of a spoon with decorative shield design on the handle.

                        Initialed and dated Dec. 22, 1913.

 

            .159     Ink drawing of a spoon with decorative pearl design.  Signed and dated 1906.

 

            .160     Watercolor of a spoon with bell flowers and an ornate scrolled design.  Signed and dated August 1, 1911.

 

Folder 4:

 

            .161     Watercolor of a spoon with a design featuring buds extending from a shield.  Initialed and dated Aug. 21, 1912.

 

            .162     Ink drawing of a spoon with decorative pearl design, similar to .159.  Signed and dated 1906.

 

            .163     Spoon with ornate design showing a woman with a basket on her head.  The top features a scroll.  Signed and dated 1906.

 

            .164     Watercolor of a spoon with decorative leaves along the handle.  Signed and dated July 25, 1911.  Also a rough sketch of a spoon/fork.

 

Folder 5:

 

            .165     Pencil sketch of a tray, coffee pot, sugar, and creamer.

 

            .166     Pencil sketch of a tea pot.

 

            .167     Sketch of a coffee or chocolate pot with decorative scroll design

 

            .168     Sketch of a coffee pot with a great deal of ornamentation.

 

            .169     Watercolor of a tea pot with oval shaped shield, possibly for a monogram in the center.  Identified as Louis XVI style.  Signed and dated 1914.

 

Folder 6:

 

            .174     Watercolor of a tea pot, with some details of size of bottom.  Some elements similar to teapot in .169.

 

            .175     Watercolor of a salad bowl with a "wishbone" border.  Decoration features rooster heads with wishbones underneath.  Signed.

 

Folder 7:

 

            .176     Shield design drawn on Daughters of the American Revolution stationery.

 

            .177     Shield design featuring a Roman woman with and eagle and a view of a domed building in the background.  The date Oct. 21, 1892 appears on design, as well as the word Recipient.

                        Note: this medal was probably a design made for the official dedication of the World’s Columbian Exposition buildings and grounds which took place on October 21, 1892.  During the ceremonies, medals designed by Elihu Vedder were given to the artists of the exposition. 

 

            .178     Commemorative coin or medal for The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, founded 1904, featuring the bust of a man and name plate amidst acanthus leaves.

 

            .180     Sketch of a candlestick with a nude woman (probably a mermaid) as the base.

 

 

Folder 8:

 

            .181     Pencil sketch of the Annunciation: angel holding stalk of lilies kneels before the Virgin Mary, who is holding a book.

 

            .182     Sketch of a woman draped in classical robes, with her arms over her face as she  leans on a round jar.

 

 

Box 3: Drawings

 

Folder 1:

 

            .115     Watercolor of a handle featuring a shield surrounded by rococo leaves, signed and dated July 29, 1911.

 

Folder 2:

 

            .116     Sketch of a spoon, with handle partially painted in blue.  Motif is ornate featuring a disc surrounded by leaves and flowers.

 

Folder 3:

 

            .141     Wash drawing of a spoon.  The edge features a decorative pattern of stylized leaves.  No. 4050.  Signed and dated 1904.

 

            .142     Wash drawing of a spoon with ornate decorative pattern in the Louis XIV style.  No. 4049.  Signed and dated 1904.

 

Folder 4:

 

            .138     Wash drawing of a spoon with a few scrolls along the edge and a central scroll at the top.  No. 4053.  Signed and dated 1904.

 

            .139     Wash drawing of a spoon that has a handle with an ornate design of roses and leaves.  No. 4054.  Signed and dated 1904.

 

            .140     Wash drawing of spoon.  The handle has scrolled edges with two large intersecting scrolls at the top.  No. 4051.  Signed and dated 1904.

 

Folder 5:

 

            .131     Wash drawing in blue of a spoon in the Ivy pattern.  Signed and dated August 23, 1911.

 

Folder 6:

 

            .128     Wash drawing of a spoon with a shield on the handle.  Some stylized leaves on the edge.  Signed and dated 1904.

 

            .129     Etched drawing of a spoon with leaves and stylized flowers (sunflowers?) decorating the handle.

 

            .130     Wash drawing of a spoon with leaves forming a heavy border around the edges of the handle.  Signed.

 

Folder 7:

 

            .126     Wash drawing in blue of a spoon with scrolled edges and shell at the top of the handle.  No. 4055  Signed and dated 1904.

 

            .127     Wash drawing of a spoon.  The handle has fluted edges with a shell and scroll motif at the top of the handle.  Signed and dated 1906.

 

Folder 8:

 

            .143     Wash drawing of a spoon labeled "New Art Sunken Cameo."  The top of the handle features the head of a person within an ornate border.  No. 3043.

 

            .144     Spoon with pattern identified as "Tudor Rose."  Signed and dated 1909.

                        [see also .123 and .145 below]

 

            .145     Another rendition of the Tudor Rose pattern.  Signed and dated 1909.

 

 

Folder 9:

 

            .146     Spoon with decorative pattern identified as "Pearl."  Signed and dated 1909.

 

            .147     Spoon featuring acanthus leaves as the decorative border of the handle.

 

Folder 10:

 

            148      Spoon featuring pattern identified as "Violet.   No. 2882.  Signed and dated 1904.

 

Folder 11:

 

            .149     Spoon with design that shows a man and women sitting amidst more ornate decorations.  Identified as "Watteau."  Signed and dated 1904.

 

            .150     Spoon with pattern called Rose."  Roses are set amidst an ornate leaf pattern.  No. 4056.  Signed and dated 1904.

 

 

Boxes 4a-4b:

 

            .217     Sketchbook of design sources.

           

                        Includes pencil and ink sketches and clippings from magazines and newspapers.  A number of pieces of silver flatware and hollowware are depicted.  A couple of sketches are dated 1891-1892; a newspaper article is dated 1905.  One sketch is a caricature of a man stringing telephone or electric wires.  There are a few depictions of Native American designs

 

 

Box 5:

 

Folder 1:

 

            .170     Full pencil sketch of a coffee pot, with additional smaller sketches of a coffee and tea pot.  Decorated with flower and leaf pattern.

 

Folder 2:

 

            .171     Pencil sketches of a coffee pot, sugar, creamer, and water pitcher (some details drawn in ink)

 

Folder 3:

 

            .172     Sketch of a coffee pot, design colored in on half of the sketch; on green paper.

 

Folder 4:

 

            .173     Sketch of a coffee pot, with oval shield in the center surrounded by a leaf design.  Note: "This was suggested by an Adam ‘Ex Libris.’”

 

Folder 5:

 

            .221a-b            Sketches of basins and creamers with central shield and decorative pattern. The two sheets show different, but similar, designs.  Initialed and dated December 1913.  (for matching pieces for .221b, see .224-.226, .228b; .221a matches .227, .228a)

 

Folder 6:

 

            .222     Sketch of a kettle on stand, with a pattern of acanthus leaves and central flowers.  Initialed and dated Nov. 12, 1913.  (Similar to .221a, but not quite the same.)

 

Folder 7:

 

            .223     Partial sketch of a 24" tray, with a note referring to the handle: “this matches handles of set.”  Shown with two design variations (one of which matches .221a and the other .222).  Initialed and dated Nov. 17, 1913. 

 

Folder 8:

 

            .224     Sketch of a kettle on stand, with decorative pattern featuring laurel leaves.  Initialed and dated Nov. 11, 1913.  (see note about  matching pieces for .221b)

 

Folder 9:

 

            .225     Sketch of a sugar bowl with engraved shield and decorative pattern.  Initialed and dated Nov. 14, 1913.  (see note about  matching pieces for .221b)

 

Folder 10:

 

            .226     Wash drawing of a tea pot with engraved shield and decorative pattern.  Initialed and dated Nov. 17, 1913.  (see note about  matching pieces for .221b)

 

Folder 11:

 

            .227     Sketch of a sugar bowl, with engraved shield in the center and decorative pattern.  Initialed and dated Nov. 14, 1913.   (see note about  matching pieces for .221a)

 

Folder 12:

 

            .228a   Wash drawing of a coffee pot with engraved shield in the center. Note: “This is an original scaled up in size – but with suggested feet.”  Initialed and dated 1913.  (see note about  matching pieces for .221a)

 

            .228b   Watercolor of a coffee pot with engraved shield and other floral decorations.  Note: “Shaped in die.”  Initialed and dated 1913.  (see note about  matching pieces for .221b)

 

Folder 13:

 

            .229     Watercolor of a round silver plate with lattice work edge and decoration of acanthus leaves in a circle in the middle.  Number 99696.

 

Folder 14:

 

            .230     Watercolor of a double handled urn.  Handles are in the shape of scrolls ending in the heads of females, and the design on the body features an elaborate engraved shield with scrolled edges, leaves, and flowers.  Number A 9511.  Signed and dated Feb. 1912.

 

Folder 15:

 

            .231     Watercolor of a water pitcher with elaborate engraved design, including a head or mask.  Notes as to its construction are written in pencil.  Signed and dated 1912.

 

Folder 16:

 

            .232     Watercolor of a water pitcher with elaborate engraved floral pattern and scrolled handle.  Initialed. and dated Jan. 1913

 

Folder 17:

 

            .233     Watercolor of a coffee pot with a beveled handle and simple engraving.

 

Folder 18:

 

            .234     Watercolor of a water pitcher with elaborate engraving, including a head under the spout.  Note: “Can leave off head if thought best but it belongs.”  Number A9504.

 

Folder 19:

 

            .235     Wash drawing labeled “Tete-a-tete set, engraved.”  Includes teapot, creamer, and sugar.

 

Folder 20:

           

            .218     Watercolor of an urn with cupids and decorative pattern in Renaissance style.  Number A9509.

 

Folder 21:

 

            .219     Watercolor of a double-handled urn.  A decorative rose and leaves are featured as part of the design.  Number A9510.  Includes a note about the patterns for the roses and leaves.  Signed and dated 1912.

 

Folder 22:

 

            .220     Watercolor of a double-handled urn.  Bunches of grapes make up the decorative pattern.  Signed and dated Jan. 1912.

 

Folder 23:

 

            .236     Watercolor of a creamer with a note: chassed or engraved.  It features an ornate design, with a woman’s bust sticking up from the top of the handle. No. A9505.  Signed and dated 1912.

           

 

Map Case C, drawer 1

 

            .237     Life size watercolor of a vase, 36" high.  Note on back: “Not selected, Jan. 1914.”

 

            .238     wash drawing of a two-handled cup or urn, with Renaissance decoration

 

            .239     sketch of a footed dish and borders for two round trays; one tray with trellis work, scallop, and acanthus leaf design (see also .102); and the other with masks and cornucopias

 

            .240     engraving of an elderly bearded man, signed G. Mercier(?)