Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2024.FIC.047 |
Object Name |
Embosser |
Title |
Mercer County Soldiers & Sailors Monument Association Embosser |
Description |
The embosser features a black and gold half-circular design. The base is slightly longer than the rest of the embosser, and it includes a series of raised gold bumps across its surface. At the center of both the front and back are large embossed gold wings. On the right side, there are two plates: a gold plate situated on top of a silver plate, with a small gap between them. Both plates display the same logo of the Mercer County Soldiers & Sailors Monument Association, with the only difference being that the logo is engraved on the gold plate and embossed on the silver plate. The logo features a circle surrounded by multiple triangles. Inside the circle, the inscription reads: "MERCER COUNTY SOLDIERS & SAILORS MONUMENT ASS'N. INCORPORATED JUNE 11, 1891." Between the words "INCORPORATED" and "JUNE 11, 1893," there is an image of two men shaking hands, likely representing a soldier and a sailor. Above the right side of the gold plate, the inscription reads: "PAT'D OCT. 9, '83." Below the silver plate, the area is colored red. The embosser has a long, curved lever on top, which operates by pressing down, causing the gold plate to imprint the silver plate and emboss the item. The bottom of the embosser contains four holes: two opposite one another on the right and left sides that go through to the top, and two near the center covered by a silver substance. The embosser comes with a piece of paper featuring an embossed Mercer County Soldiers & Sailors Monument Association logo, presumably created with the embosser. According to Ellen R. Callahan, the Mercer County Soldiers & Sailors Monument Association was founded in 1891 with the goal of creating a monument in honor of the U.S. Civil War veterans in Trenton. Initially, the association faced challenges when the Trenton Battle Monument Association requested they pause their fundraising efforts to avoid competing for donations. After the Battle Monument's completion in 1893, the association faced further setbacks due to an economic downturn. Despite these obstacles, by 1909, the association had raised $13,000 to fund the project, and the Soldiers & Sailors Monument was officially dedicated on June 19, 1909, in Cadwalader Park. The monument was later given to the city of Trenton in 1912. The monument consists of three stairs leading up to a square concrete base, topped with a granite pillar. At the top of the pillar stands an 8-foot-tall bronze soldier holding an American flag. The base was once flanked by 6-foot-tall brass statues of a soldier and a sailor, but these were removed around 2007. The inscription on the base reads: "Mercer County to her sons, who served in the United States Army and Navy, 1861-1865." The steps of the monument are inscribed with the names of Union victories during the Civil War. Additionally, the monument contains a time capsule that includes a Bible, copies of the Declaration of Independence and the constitutions of the U.S. and New Jersey, several newspapers, a photograph of the monument, a copy of the Association's by-laws, and a Roll of Honor listing contributors to the monument's creation. Citations: Callahan, E. R. (2022, February). Mercer County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Association Finding Aid. www.trentonlib.org. https://www.trentonlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Coll.-661-USS-Trenton.pdf |
Year Range from |
1893 |
Year Range to |
1912 |
Material |
Metal |
Artist |
Unknown |
Height (in) |
10.500 |
Length (in) |
6.500 |
Width (in) |
2.500 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Paint cracking and corrosion throughout. Front: There is paint cracking throughout. Also, there is corrosion all over the bottom. Right Side: There is paint cracking throughout. Also, there is corrosion all over the bottom. Back: There is paint cracking throughout. Also, there is corrosion all over the bottom. Left Side: There is paint cracking throughout. Also, there is corrosion all over the bottom. Back: There is paint cracking throughout. Also, there is corrosion all over the bottom. Top: There is paint cracking throughout. Bottom: There is paint cracking throughout. Also, there is corrosion throughout. |
Inscription Type |
Inscription |
Inscription Location |
Right Side, Center, Left to Right |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Text |
"PAT'D OCT. 9, '83" Manufacturer's Mark Etched and Embossed Gold and Silver Plate, Top to Bottom, Left to Right "MERCER COUNTY SOLDIERS & SAILORS MONUMENT ASS'N'" Line 1 "INCORPORATED" Line 2 "JUNE 11, 1891" Line 3 |
Classification |
Historic Sites |
Subjects |
Seals (Insignia) Metals Historic sites War Military officers Monuments Monuments & memorials Monument builders |
Search Terms |
Metal Gold Black Wing Mercer County Trenton Monument Mercer County Soldiers & Sailors Monument Association 1893 1909 1912 Mercer County Soldiers & Sailors Monument Cadwalader Park American Flag Civil War Union 1891 Mercer County Soldiers & Sailors Monument Embosser Gold Silver Soldier Sailor Trenton |
Provenance |
Found in collection |