Christian F. Gobrecht papers
Collection 0241
1794-1902, undated (bulk, 1822-1884)(0.5 Linear feet ; 1 box, 2 volumes, 1 flat file)
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Historical Society of Pennsylvania
- Creator
- Gobrecht, Christian F., 1785-1844
- Title
- Christian F. Gobrecht papers
- ID
- 0241
- Date
- 1794-1902, undated (bulk, 1822-1884)
- Extent
- 0.5 Linear feet ; 1 box, 2 volumes, 1 flat file
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Cary Hutto.
- Language
- English
Preferred citation
Cite as: [Indicate cited item or series here], Christian F. Gobrecht papers (Collection 241), Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Scope and content note
Christian F. Gobrecht was born in Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania, in 1784/5, to minister John Christopher Gobrecht (1733-1815), originally of Angerstein, Germany, and Elizabeth Sands (born 1746), whose family originated from England. Gobrecht developed a talent for drawing, design, and invention, and he eventually took up engraving. In 1811, he moved to Philadelphia where he began work as an engraver of bank notes. His artististic work continued in varying capacities, and in 1840, President Martin Van Buren appointed him chief engraver of the United States Mint at Philadelphia. He served in this position until his death in 1844.
This collection, housed in one box and spanning primarily to the 19th century, contains an assortment of papers of Christian F. Gobrecht. There are papers on and about his inventions and improvements in the art of engraving, family letters and photographs, sketchbooks, and examples of his work both on bank checks and in portraiture. There are also a few papers from other Gobrecht family members and Charles Gobrecht Darrach (1846-1927), a Gobrecht descendant. In addition, the collection contains a group of papers of Joseph E. Temple (1811-1880), a local patron of the arts, concerning various projects he helped fund.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Historical Society of Pennsylvania ; 2022.
1300 Locust StreetPhiladelphia, PA, 19107
215-732-6200
Revision Description
Finding aid updated to include conserved items that were returned to the collection ; 2024.
Access restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Provenance
Gift of Charles Gobrecht Darrach, 1902.
Related Materials
Separated materials
"Map of the seat of war in North America," London (1776) has been transferred to the HSP map collection, call number Of 930* 1776c.
Controlled Access Headings
Subject(s)
- Engraving--19th century
Collection Inventory
| Box | Folder | |||
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Dr. Henry Bond letters and annoucements 1819-1844 |
1 | 1 | ||
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Papers of and relating to Christian F. Gobrecht 1822-1902 |
1 | 2 | ||
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Papers about Gobrecht's invention of a ruling machine 1826-1830, 1842, undated |
1 | 3 | ||
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Farmers and Mechanics bank book 1827-1844 |
1 | 4 | ||
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Gobrecht family letters 1837-1847 |
1 | 5 | ||
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Engravings/images by Gobrecht undated |
1 | 6 | ||
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Loose engravings and experiments using mica undated |
1 | 7 | ||
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Engraved bank checks circa 1844, undated |
1 | 8 | ||
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Gobrecht family portraits - photographs and prints 1875, undated |
1 | 9 | ||
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Charles Gobrecht Darrach pamphlet and Institution of Operating Engineers booklet 1899, 1900 |
1 | 10 | ||
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List of Gobrecht engravings by Charles Gobrecht Darrach 1902 |
1 | 11 | ||
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"Christian Gobrecht: Artist and Inventor" by Charles Gobrecht Darrach undated |
1 | 12 | ||
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Dr. William H. Gobrecht papers 1899, 1901, undated |
1 | 13 | ||
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Joseph E. Temple - miscellaneous papers and correspondence 1876-1884 |
1 | 14 | ||
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Joseph E. Temple - Temple Trust Fund, Academy of Fine Arts 1880 |
1 | 15 | ||
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Joseph E. Temple - papers relating to chime of bells for Holy Trinity Church 1880-1884 |
1 | 16 | ||
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Joseph E. Temple - Reynolds' Monument Association 1880-1884 |
1 | 17 | ||
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Joseph E. Temple - Hospital of the Good Shepard, Rosemont 1884 |
1 | 18 | ||
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Joseph E. Temple - Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art 1884 |
1 | 19 | ||
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Miscellaneous undated |
1 | 20 | ||
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Sketchbook 1794 |
1 | |||
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Sketchbook undated |
2 | |||
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| Oversize | ||||
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Certificates: Christian Gobrecht appointment as engraver of the U. S. Mint (two copies), Joseph E. Temple Pennsylvania Hospital membership certificate 1840, 1876 |
Flat file 1 | |||
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