Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: Swain, Charles V.
| title | Charles V. Swain Papers, 1947-2005. | repository | The Winterthur Library |
| description | This body of papers including not only those generated by Charles V. Swain, but also some by his good friend and fellow collector John Fell Ruckman, document their interest, involvement and influence in the field of collecting American pewter and to a somewhat lesser extent, its English counterpart. The collection includes correspondence with fellow collectors, including Ledlie Laughlin and Melvyn Wolf; invoices; catalogs from pewter dealers; catalogs of museum collections; photographs of pewter pieces; and index cards listing Swain’s and Ruckman’s pewter pieces, with information about provenance and price. The photographs are of pieces from various collections, not just those owned by Swain and Ruckman. Some were gathered for publication. A number are not labeled. Additional photos are found with correspondence. As well, the collection includes publications, membership lists, and other information from the Pewter Collectors’ Club of America and The Pewter Society (of England). Medallions and buttons from the Pewter Collectors’ Club of America and a linen tea towel decorated with pictures of American pewter are found. The collection also includes a copy of the two volume catalog of Charles Swain’s collection. A very few items pertain to Chinese snuff bottles. Also part of the collection are miscellaneous Ruckman family papers and student art projects completed by Swain. Included with the Ruckman papers are trade cards, hand-written Valentines, Christmas cards, rewards of merit, calling cards, embroidery patterns, fashion plates and other pictures, stock certificates for the Centre Bridge Company (to build a bridge over the Delaware River), and a few tickets. One of the Valentines includes a pencil sketch entitled “Woman’s Right,” depicting a woman in a bloomer outfit kneeling before a man, presumably making a marriage proposal as the Valentine was sent in 1852, a leap year. A receipt book was kept by John Ruckman to document his guardianship of the Soliday children from 1833-1850. Also found are poetry by John Fell Ruckman and letters written to him, chiefly by his mother, while he was at Columbia University. A friendship album for Sarah Ruckman and a circa 1876 scrapbook round out this part of the collection. Charles Swain’s art and drawing projects include color charts, lettering exercises, designs for posters and magazine covers, room elevation drawings, room layouts, prints, and shop class drawings. As well, there are photos of his Pewter Room (taken circa 1965), a business card for his interior decorating firm, a Japanese woodblock print, and postcards of Winterthur Museum. Biography or history Charles V. Swain of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, was a noted pewter and art collector. He acquired part of his collection from his friend John Fell Ruckman. Swain was an interior decorator by profession, but enjoyed collecting Chinese snuff bottles, American art, and American and European pewter. . His interest in pewte eventually led him to membership in the Pewter Collectors’ Club of America and to The Pewter Society, based in England. Swain served as editor of the PCCA's Bulletin for a number of years. Location The Winterthur Library, Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera, Winterthur, DE 19735 Call Number Col. 798 |
| extent | 9 boxes, 2 v. : ill. |
| formats | Correspondence Financial Records Catalogs Photographs Ephemera |
| access | Collection open to the public. Copyright restrictions may apply. |
| record link | http://findingaid.winterthur.org/html/HTML_Finding_Aids/COL0798.htm |
| record source | http://library.winterthur.org:8000/cgi-bin/webgw |
| finding aid | A finding aid to the collection is available at this repository. Organization: The papers are arranged by subject: correspondence; invoices; dealers catalogs; museum catalogs; papers from pewter societies; photographs; catalog cards; and medallions and buttons. |
| acquisition information | Both accessions are gift of Don Fennimore, nephew of Charles V. Swain, Jr. |
| updated | 03/16/2023 10:29:58 |
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| title | Ruckman family photographs and papers, ca.1838-ca.1910. | repository | The Winterthur Library |
| description | A collection of 14 photographs, one drawing, and a number of prints collected by unknown members of the Ruckman and Fell families of Pennsylvania. Fourteen photographs show rooms in homes; unfortunately, most are not identified. Three photos are of the front and back parlors in the home of Amanda Ruckman (Mrs. J. Gillingham) Fell who lived on Walnut Street. The photos were taken in 1900. The rooms are ornate, filled with Victorian furniture, decorations, and paintings. The other photos are from a less-ornate home (or homes). Halls, a dining room, parlors, and bedrooms are depicted. Most of the furniture is from the late 19th century, but some 18th century pieces, such as Chippendale chairs and a tall case clock, are also found. A pencil drawing of flowers was done by Mary W. Fell in 1867(?). Most of the prints were removed from 19th century publications, including Godey’s Lady’s Book, Miss Leslie’s Magazine, and Graham’s Magazine. Included are fashion plates from 1838-ca.1850, a portrait of King Charles I of England, pictures of ladies, and genre scenes. As well, there are a series of illustrations from “Us Fellers” by B. Cory Kilvert (copyrighted 1906), and illustrations of the five senses by Jessie Willcox Smith. All these items had been placed inside a battered copy of the song “Watch on the Rhine.” Bio/History: The Ruckman family lived in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and the Fell family lived in Philadelphia. John Ruckman (1771-1861) was the progenitor of the people who amassed the items in this collection. His daughter Amanda (1819-1900) married Gillingham Fell; they lived in Philadelphia. John’s son Thomas Hart Ruckman (1827-1908) was the grandfather of John Fell Ruckman (1901-1965) who kept these items together. John Fell Ruckman collected pewter; some of his papers are in the Charles V. Swain papers at this repository. Location The Winterthur Library, Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera, Winterthur, DE 19735 Call Number Col. 802 |
| extent | 2 boxes (about 65 items): chiefly ill. |
| formats | Photographs Drawings Prints Ephemera |
| access | Collection open to the public. Copyright restrictions may apply. |
| record source | http://library.winterthur.org:8000/cgi-bin/webgw |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:30:03 |
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