Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2023.003.001 |
Object Name |
Mold, Casting |
Title |
Trenton Iron Company Pedal Pattern |
Description |
The object is a brown wooden, cylindrical-shaped pedal pattern, with two pedals extending from its right and left sides. The main cylinder is positioned near the center of the piece. Protruding from the center of the larger cylinder on both sides are smaller cylinders, which are a slightly darker shade of brown. At the top of the larger cylinder, there is an elevated rectangular section. Both pedals are rectangular with curved edges, and each pedal ends in a square-shaped platform. The pedals are decorated with an elevated diamond-shaped pattern. The pedal on the left side of the cylinder is pointing upward and is slightly tilted to the left, while the pedal on the right is pointing directly to the right. Near the center of the bottom of the cylinder, there is a silver metal piece screwed into the wood, with an inscription that reads "RS3507." According to the Historical Marker Database and the Hagley Museum, the Trenton Iron Company, also known as Trenton Iron Works, was incorporated by Peter Cooper, Abram Hewitt, Edward Cooper, and James Hall in 1845 or 1847. The partnership was formed when they took control of the Cooper family's iron manufacturing facilities. In 1847, the company purchased iron mines in Andover, New Jersey, and a blast furnace in Philipsburg, New Jersey. In 1854, they produced the rail beams for America's first skyscraper. During the Civil War, they manufactured barrels and locks for the Trenton Springfield Rifle. By 1862, the Andover mines were nearly depleted. After the Civil War, the company changed its name to the New Jersey Steel and Iron Company. By 1900, it was acquired by the American Bridge Company, which ultimately went out of business by the end of 1976. Citations: Finding aids. Hagley Museum and Library. (n.d.). https://findingaids.hagley.org/agents/corporate_entities/796 Trenton Iron Works 1847-1867 Historical Marker. Historical Marker. (2023, February 16). https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=3922 |
Year Range from |
1845 |
Year Range to |
1867 |
Material |
Wood, Metal |
Artist |
Trenton Iron Company |
Height (in) |
8.500 |
Length (in) |
14.500 |
Width (in) |
5.500 |
Condition |
Fair |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Abrasions, scratches, and accretions throughout. Front: There are four white accretions surrounding the smaller cylinder. There is wear around the larger cylinder. And finally, there are large brown accretions around the areas where the cylinder connects to the pedals. Right Side: There are tiny abrasions and scratches near the top of the pedal: There are large brown accretions where the pedal connects to the curved rectangle. And finally, there are abrasions on the elevated platform. Back: There is a white accretion above the smaller cylinder to the left. Also, there are brown accretions near where the cylinder connects to the two pedals. Left Side: There are abrasions, scratches, and white accretions all over the pedal. There is wear on the edges of the platform. There is a brown accretion where the curved rectangle connects to the platform on top near the left side. And finally, there is a brown accretion where the rectangle connects to the platform on the bottom near the right side. Top: There are tiny abrasions and scratches all over the curved rectangle. There are tiny abrasions all over the two platforms. And finally, there are six white accretions on the rectangle on top of the cylinder. Bottom: There are abrasions and scratches on the left side. |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
Bottom, Center, Middle |
Inscription Technique |
Etched |
Inscription Text |
"Rs3507" Line 1 |
People |
Peter Cooper Abram Hewitt Edward Cooper James Hall |
Classification |
Transportation Business & Commerce |
Subjects |
Woodwork Woodworking Woodworkers Wood carving Wood carvings Wood Metals Ironwork Iron industry |
Search Terms |
Wood Metal Clifford Zink Peter Cooper Abram Hewitt Edward Cooper James Hall Pedal Casting Mold Trenton Iron Works Trenton Iron Company RS3507 Diamond Brown Silver Cylinder 1845 1865 19th Century Trenton Iron Company Pedal Pattern |
Provenance |
This item was donated to the library by Clifford Zink. It became apart of the Museum Collection on January of 2023. |