Mirror, Wall
- Title:
- Untitled
- Object Name:
- Mirror, Wall
- Object ID:
- 2006.047
- Creator:
- Plummer, Willis Henry (1839-1929)
- Date:
- circa 1886
- Description:
- Wall mirror / mailbox, decorated with hand-painted White Mountain scenes by Willis Henry Plummer (1839-1929), c. 1886. Oil on board, steel, glass. Black painted maple panel, 0.9" thick, with vertical diamond-shaped beveled mirror in center. Mirror surrounded by three scenes painted in oil: at top, Mount Washington Summit House and Cog Railway within stylized oval with orange reticulated border, signed "WH Plummer", lower right, in white; on left, profile of the Imp within arch-topped rectangle bordered in green, titled "IMP MOUNTAIN" in white; on right, Franconia Notch with man in rowboat within arch-topped rectangle bordered in green, titled "MT CANNON / ECHO LAKE" in white. Mirror framed by half-round molding painted black with gilt groove; many paint losses, revealing white paint underneath [restored during conservation]. Evidence of red banner with gold lettering below mirror, overpainted in black. [Lettering was revealed during conservation treatment: "CENTRAL VERMONT / RAILROAD."] Wooden box at base, 5" high at front, covered with tin-plated sheet iron, corroded [restored during conservation], attached to sides with screws; divided into three slots, probably for mail; central slot 2" lower than the others. Back covered with tan wool felt; many moth holes; dark diamond-shaped stain behind mirror [felt replaced as part of conservation treatment]. Remnants of wool felt on bottom [replaced]. Back reinforced at top and bottom with two horizontal steel straps, 1.75" x 13.5", attached with wood screws -- 8 screws on top plate and 6 screws on bottom plate (2 missing). Two brass "bell" hanger plates attached to top of back.
- Material:
- Wood
Maple
Metal
Iron
Tin
Textile - Dimensions:
- H-27.5 W-13.5 D-3.5 inches
- Provenance:
- Willis Henry Plummer was a baggage master for the Boston Maine Railroad and an artist. Plummer painted this advertising wall mirror for the Central Vermont Railroad around 1886. Mirror was probably used in a hotel or tourist attraction to distribute literature.
Acquired by seller from a dealer in Bedford, NH. - Credit Line:
- New Hampshire Historical Society Purchase, Katherine Prentis Murphy Fund
Electronic Resources are only available to New Hampshire Historical Society members. To access electronic resources, please join the New Hampshire Historical Society.