Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2024.FIC.043 |
Object Name |
Embosser |
Title |
Horace E. Fine Company Frederick W. Donnelly & Sons Embosser |
Description |
The object is a black, half-circular shaped embosser. The base of the embosser is slightly longer than the rest of the body. On both the front and back of the embosser, on the left side, there is a gold "Horace E. Fine Company" logo. This logo is an oval with an inscription inside that reads, "HORACE E FINE CO. GENERAL ENGRAVERS. TRENTON, N.J." Between the words "GENERAL" and "ENGRAVERS," there is a diamond shape containing the inscription, "HEFCO." On the right side of the embosser, there are two plates: a gold plate situated above a silver plate, with a small gap between them. Both plates feature the same logo from "Frederick W. Donnelly & Sons," with the only distinction being that the logo is engraved on the gold plate and embossed on the silver plate. The logo is an oval with the inscription, "FREDERICK W. DONNELLY & SON. INCORPORATED 1912. NEW JERSEY." The embosser comes with a piece of paper with an embossed Frederick W. Donnelly & Sons logo on it. This logo was presumedly created using the embosser. The embosser has a long lever on top that curves slightly near the top. When the lever is pushed down, the gold plate presses against the silver plate, which is how the embosser creates the embossing. The bottom of the embosser features two holes. The left hole is oval-shaped and reveals the inside of the embosser, while the right hole is circular and is covered by a silver metal plate. According to Findagrave.com and Christopher Loos from the Trenton Free Public Library, Frederick W. Donnelly served as mayor of Trenton from 1911 to 1932. Born in 1866, Donnelly's father, Richard A. Donnelly, also served as mayor of Trenton from 1884 to 1886 and was Quartermaster General of New Jersey. Frederick W. Donnelly became the first executive under the Walsh Act of 1911, where the mayor's position was largely ceremonial. During his time as mayor, he navigated the city through numerous crises, including the 1916 polio epidemic, World War I, the influenza pandemic, and the early years of the Great Depression. He is credited with developing new roads, the Trenton Municipal Colony (an infectious disease hospital), and the Port of Trenton (now Marine Terminal Park). For his efforts in developing New Jersey's waterways, including an unsuccessful attempt to build a canal from Trenton to Raritan Bay, The New York Times dubbed him "the Father of New Jersey Waterways." In 1924, he ran for the U.S. Senate but was unsuccessful. After the sudden death of his son in 1932, Donnelly resigned as mayor to focus on the family business. He passed away in 1935. According to Christopher Loos and Frederick Donnelly Haulenbeek's obituary, the store was first founded by Richard A. Donnelly as a men's clothing retail business. After Frederick W. Donnelly took over, he later passed the business on to his son. Following his son's untimely death in 1932, Frederick W. Donnelly resigned as mayor to run the business himself. The business eventually passed to his grandson, Frederick Donnelly Haulenbeek, who operated it for 34 years, making it the oldest family-operated retail store in Trenton. The business expanded with locations in Ewing, Sea Girt, and Lawrenceville. According to Porcelain Plates.net, Horace E. Fine Company was an engraving business that operated in Trenton, New Jersey, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although Horace E. Fine did not officially incorporate his company until 1909, the business first began operations in 1892. Fine was known for producing a variety of engraved items, including name cards, wax seals, cigarette cases, wedding invitations, Christmas cards, rubber stamps, license plates, and dog tags. His license plates were found not only in New Jersey but also in New York, Connecticut, and Delaware. Fine was a prominent business owner in Trenton and frequently advertised in the Trenton Times. The company ultimately went out of business in 1919. Citations: Balyer, S. (n.d.). Frederick William Donnelly (1866-1935) . Find a Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8611593/frederick-william-donnelly Frederick Haulenbeek Obituary (2010) . Legacy.com. The Trenton Times (2010, May 20). https://obits.nj.com/us/obituaries/trenton/name/frederick-haulenbeek-obituary?id=24740656 Loos, Christopher (2024 March) Frederick W. Donnelly Collection, Trentoniana Department, Trenton Free Public Library, 120 Academy St., Trenton, NJ 08608 https://www.trentonlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/F.-W.-Donnelly-Papers.pdf Taylor, E. R. (n.d.-a). Horace E. Fine. Porcelain Plates.Net. https://porcelainplates.net/gallery_horace_fine.html |
Year Range from |
1912 |
Year Range to |
1919 |
Material |
Metal |
Artist |
Horace E. Fine Company |
Height (in) |
11.000 |
Length (in) |
6.500 |
Width (in) |
2.500 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Paint cracking, corrosion, and abrasions throughout. Front: There is paint cracking throughout. There are abrasions on the center near the middle. And finally, the logo is faded. Right Side: There are scratches all over the top of the lever. There are abrasions all over the bottom. And finally, there is corrosion all over the gold plate. Back: There is paint cracking throughout. There is corrosion all over the gold metal plate. There are a few abrasions on the silver metal plate. And finally, the logo is faded. Left side: There is paint cracking throughout. There are abrasions on the center near the middle. And finally, there is corrosion on the center near the middle. Top: There is paint cracking throughout. Also, there is corrosion on the center near the middle. Bottom: There is paint cracking all over the edges. Also, there is corrosion all over the silver plate. |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
Front + Back, Center, Left |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Text |
"HORACE E. FINE CO." Line 1 "GENERAL" Line 2 "HEFCO" Line 3 "ENGRAVED" Line 4 "TRENTON, N.J." Line 5 Manufacturer's Mark Embossed and Etched Gold + Silver Plate, Top to Bottom, Left to Right "FREDERICK W. DONNELLY & SONS" Line 1 "INCORPORATED" Line 2 "1912" Line 3 "NEW JERSEY" Line 4 |
People |
Frederick William Donnelly Richard Augustus Donnelly Frederick Donnelly Haulenbeek Horace E Fine |
Classification |
Business & Commerce Government & Politics |
Subjects |
Clothing industry Clothing & dress Government employees Government officials Government policy Politicians Seals (Insignia) Metals Politics & government Politicians Political representation Political participation Mayors Voting |
Search Terms |
Frederick William Donnelly Frederick W. Donelly Richard Augustus Donnelly Richard A. Donnelly Frederick Donnelly Haulenbeek Frederick Haulenbeek Horace E Fine 20th Century Mayor Quartermaster General Frederick W. Donelly and Sons Donnelly Trenton New Jersey Embosser Seal Engraved Embossed Horace E Fine Horace E Fine Company HEFCO Black Gold Silver 1912 1919 Democrat Horace E. Fine Company Frederick W. Donnelly & Sons Embosser |
Provenance |
Found in collection. There is a piece of paper attached to the back of the embosser that reads, "3/28/12." Suggesting that it may have been donated in march of 2012. |