Object of the Month Series

OBJECTS
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Nineteenth Century Foot Bath

British, Belonged to Cap. Joseph King
Porcelain
1973.3.11

According to John Bell, a 19th century physician, a foot bath would alleviate pains in the head, teeth, eyes. He assessed that cold water and constant rubbing of the feet would heal illnesses. These foot baths came in different materials, from brass and tin, to ceramic and porcelain. They also were usually adorned with decorations such as the handles, feet, and patterns on the base. This particular foot bath is made from porcelain with blue and white decorations.  The design on the bath features figures and Europeanized Chinese buildings with turrets. Blue and white patterns on porcelain were influenced by Chinese and Islamic art. When the design was appropriated by Europeans, the term is known as chinoiserie. Chinoiserie is the European interpretation and imitation of Chinese and East Asian artistic traditions, especially in the decorative arts, garden design, architecture, literature, theatre, and music. Oftentimes, the design would evoke Chinese motifs and techniques.

A Union Jack is featured on the bottom of the bath which conveys that King purchased it in England and had brought it back to the States. It was made in one of the porcelain manufacturers in Staffordshire and is an excellent example of Staffordshire blue transfer porcelain. This item representing the health aspect of social history presents an article of the early Industrial Revolution.

Filmed in Queens SPOILER ALERT!

Though many famous films were shot in Manhattan, it was not the only borough of NYC to have screen time. Queens is also home to popular films shot in various locations. Here are just a few!

 

Men in Black Flushing Meadows Queens

Men in Black (1997):

The well known film Men in Black starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones was filmed in Flushing-Meadows Corona Park, Queens! During the climax of the film, the Observation Towers became the focal point, representing alien spacecrafts. The top of one of the towers lifts off and flies over Shea Stadium. During this exciting scene, Mets outfielder Bernard Gilkey gets distracted by the spectacle above and allows the baseball to bounce off his head. 

Spiderman Homecoming – Astoria

Spiderman: Homecoming (2017):

For the Marvel fans out there living in Queens, we are proud to call our friendly neighborhood Spiderman (starring Tom Holland) a Queens boy! Most Queens residents will recognize locations of shots in Queens such as Peter Parker’s apartment in Sunnyside, the bustling Queens Boulevard, and his fictional high school Midtown School of Science and Technology. The school is supposed to be an imitation of Forest Hills High School. Interestingly enough, the argument between Spiderman and Aaron Davis about Delmar’s versus Sub-Haven seems to be a nod at the famous rivalry between Christina’s and Cherry Valley, Whitestone.

 

Goodfella Diner

Goodfellas (1990):

One the most famous mafia films, Goodfellas starring Ray Liotta, shot the iconic diner scene at the Goodfellas Diner (destroyed in 2018) in Maspeth. During this famous scene Henry Hill realizes that Jimmy The Gent (Robert de Niro) plans to whack him.

 

Iron Man 2 – Fresh Meadows Corona Park – Unisphere

Iron Man 2 (2010):

Iron Man 2, starring Robert Downey Jr. is another great Marvel that features Queens. In the climactic war-tech battle scene, playboy/philanthropist/billionaire Tony Stark relaunches his father’s Stark Expo in a fictional massive stadium at Flushing-Meadows Corona Park, Queens. In several angles, the scene features glimpses of the iconic Unisphere.

Objects

Fraternal Lodge, Queens, Seals

Quaker Bible from 1675

This Quaker Bible is one of the oldest and precious items in our collection, dating back to 1675. One of many indicators that this is before the early nineteenth century is the “F’s” that were commonly used for “S’s.” The reason for this was to distinguish between a hard ‘s’ and a soft ‘s’. The ‘f’ represented the soft ‘s’ which is why you will find it spelled ‘houfe’ and ‘houses’ in old English texts. By 1817, the use of F to distinguish the difference in sounds had stopped since the practice was too complicated to survive.

This Quaker Bible has many pages where the genealogy of the family is recorded: marriages, births, and deaths. It was common for Christians to use Bibles for records of the family’s genealogy, not only was it useful, but it now helps to provide specific information for historians. Having this Bible in the collection epitomizes the rich history of Quakers in Queens, as well as the Quaker family who lived in Kingsland. The settlement of the Quakers in Queens dates back to the early 1600s. Not only do we have the Quaker Friends Meeting House in Flushing that’s over 300 years old, but we still have Quakers living in the borough! Most notably, Quakers were known for the Flushing Remonstrance which protested the persecution of Quakers by the Dutch and their fight for religious freedom which has been adopted in the Bill of Rights.

The Trees of Flushing, 1944

2019.15 
Gift of Susan Gottlieb

Last December, we received a pamphlet on the trees in Flushing that hold historical significance. The pamphlet was published in 1944 by the Flushing Historical Society, which was eventually incorporated into the Queens Historical Society in the 1980s. Flushing has a rich history of horticulture dating back to the 18th century when Parsons, Bloodgood, Prince, and other nurseries were founded. This town has also been known for its beautiful, unique and exotic trees. The men who founded the historic nurseries imported rare species of trees and other plants from Europe and Asia, such as Cedar from Lebanon, Sycamore from Europe, and Ginkgo from Japan. Many of these rare species of plants and trees still exist today in areas such as Kissena park, which was originally part of the Samuel Prince Nursery. The Weeping Beech tree is actually the only landmarked (1966) tree in Queens, which was planted by Prince in 1946. The tree and its offspring are located on 37th Avenue west of Parsons Boulevard where the Kingsland Homestead is located.

Next time you find yourself driving or walking around Flushing, take note of the street names, many of them are actually names after these species! This pamphlet also includes a poem inspired by Flushing’s tree by Joyce Kilmer.

Trees

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a Tree;

A Tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
>Against the Earth’s sweet flowering breast;

A Tree that looks at God all day
And lifts its leafy arms to pray;

A Tree that may in summer wear
A nest of Robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain
Who intimately lives with rain;

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a Tree.

-Joyce Kimer

Victorian Photography:
Prelude to the Photography Exhibition

Portrait of a Woman
Tintype with gold gilt accents 
A1998.661

Recently, we found many items in our collection (specifically photographs) as we’ve been going through boxes and cataloguing. This item is a 19th century tintype portrait of a woman who lived in Queens. Judging by the costume and hair style, it was taken around the 1870s. Unfortunately as we’ve been reaccessing the collection, there are many items that lack some provenance. Though it was exciting to see a photograph of a Queens resident from the late 19th century, we are still researching to know more. This photograph is particularly unique, since tintypes were usually small, roughly about 3” x 2 ½”. Another beautiful aspect are the gold gilt accents in the jewelry, which was a common practice to add to photographs. In addition, photographers would sometimes lightly paint rose pigment on the figures’ cheeks.

Tintypes were a printing process developed in the 1860s in which the positive was printed on a sheet of metal, coated in dark lacquer or enamel. They were incredibly popular since they were durable, portable and lasted over time. This printing process was in continual use into the 20th century. Today many photographic galleries and institutions have revived them as a novelty. You can even go to one of these establishments and make your own! One day we hope to provide programs for adults and students to learn more about tintypes and other photographic processes, and hopefully we can teach the public how to make their own.

Ye Olden Tavern Fountain House, Flushing, 1903

Albumen Silver Print

The Ye Olden Tavern Fountain House stood at Main St. and Northern Blvd in Flushing, Queens. Signs over the entryway read, “Fountain House,” and “Jacob F. Haubeil.” Haubeil owned the Tavern, where it was originally called the Fountain House until it was renamed Ye Olden Tavern, which symbolized the character of the cozy place. The tavern was a local gathering place for the community of Flushing during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was once quoted as the oldest hotel on the North Shore in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, in 1914, built in 1813! Sadly, by this time, Haubeil had closed the establishment, where the space was eventually occupied by the Janice movie theater, making Flushing an entertainment center. Businessmen and local politicians of Flushing frequented the cozy and lively tavern to enjoy hearty meals and discuss the latest news. During this time, Flushing was very communal where everyone knew everyone, including the latest happenings.

ARTICLE – Public Life on Main Street

Elevation Structure in Long Island City

July, 1913, Oil on wood panel
Arthur Weindorf
1974.4

This painting depicts the elevation structure in Long Island City, Queens which was to be built in the later part of the 1910s. The location is on 34-25 34th st and Thomas Avenue. The bridge structure in which the subway would travel was inspired by Victorian revival neoclassical design. One can see how dynamic the composition is painted, with bustling motor vehicles, and strolling pedestrians in early 20th century costumes. The vehicle closest to the foreground is assumed to be a Ford model T vehicle. 

This work was painted by the renowned artist Arthur Weindorf who lived in Queens most of his life. The impressionist modern artist produced most of his work during the 1930s, many of which depicted subway stations, bustling streets, and architectural structures throughout New York City. Weindorf received many commissions by New York City to depict various neighborhoods throughout the boroughs. Though this painting appears muted in color due to the effects of time, Weindorf’s work was known for its vibrant, brilliant bright colors and attention to detail.

 

Harry Houdini’s Grave in Machpelah Cemetery, Glendale

Houdini’s Grave

October, or Halloween month, is a time to celebrate not only the macabre and scary, but imagination and the creativity of embracing fantastical made up worlds. I’d like to highlight a special landmark we have in Queens, Harry Houdini’s Grave in Machpelah Cemetery, Glendale. Houdini (1874-1926) was a celebrated Hungarian-American escape artist and illusionist and one of the greatest magicians in history. He decided to use his stage name Harry Houdini instead of his original name, Erik Weisz, when he first became noticed in vaudeville performances. Fittingly, Houdini died on Halloween at the young age of 52 from appendicitis. Over 2,000 people attended his funeral at the Jewish cemetery Machpelah. The grave site has become a place of ritualistic pilgrimages, which was sparked by Houdini’s wife Bess. Bess began an annual tradition of Halloween seances which continue till this day, almost a century later. Visitors come bearing gifts of pumpkins, broomsticks, and playing cards.

 

Harry Houdini was the president of The Society of American Magicians until his death. The Society was the official caretaker for many years. The site is a beautiful massive grave with a bust of Houdini on top of a semicircular structure, 12 ft wide with three shallow steps. and a melancholy stature of a woman kneeling in mourning over the structure. An ornate seal of the Society of American Magicians is just below the bust.

Bugle Trumpet (possibly early 20th century)

This is a fairly small Bugle Trumpet from our collection about 11 inches long and speculated to be used as a cavalry horn. A bugle Trumpet  is a simply constructed instrument, originally invented in Europe, made fully of brass. It typically has no valves or pitch-altering components. The pitch is solely controlled by the player’s movement of lips, facial muscles, tongue, and teeth.

 

The first known use of a bugle was for the purpose of hunting. Eventually, they were used as signalling instruments in the military. Bugles were traditional in the U.S. Army since its inception during the Revolutionary War as well as the British Empire. Today they have changed in various constructions such as single, double, or triple coils, some simple and other more elaborately decorated and complicated. Bugle trumpets are still used in school bands and military orchestras.

 

ARTICLE – Early Bugle Usage in the New World