Historical Wood Relic from Independence Hall
Wolf Art Co., Philadelphia: 1926
Engraved certificate with applied small square of relic wood
8 x 12 inches, image
10  x 14 inches, overall
$450

A square of souvenir relic wood from the original timbers of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, attached to a certificate of authenticity.  The certificate bears “sworn affidavits” from Samuel S. Reeves, Superintendent of Independence Hall from 1892 to 1908, verifying that the wood, dating back to the building’s construction in 1732-35, was removed from the building during restoration in 1897, and that 16 of these original beams had been transferred to the Wolf Art Co. to be made into relics including canes and miniature Liberty Bells.  Oval illustrations of the interior and exterior of Independence Hall, and a depiction of the Liberty Bell also decorate the page.  The wood is affixed to the center of an engraving of a decorative pediment bearing stars and stripes and surmounted by a bald eagle.

This item was produced as a souvenir of the Sesquicentennial International Exposition, a world’s fair held in Philadelphia in 1926 in honor of the 150th anniversary of the American independence in 1776.  Another copy of it is displayed on the web site of the Liberty Bell Museum (see reference below), where it is described as “an interesting and unusual souvenir from the Sesquicentennial.”

Below is the majority of the text on the certificate:

Copyright 1926. Wolf Art Co., 713-15 Spring Garden St., Phila.

This piece of wood was cut from the original timbers out of which Independence Hall was built by Andrew Hamilton. 1732 to 1735 Inclusive…

We Hereby Certify that the piece of wood hereto attached is a part of the original lumber or timbers taken from under the flooring of Independence Hall during the first restoration of said Hall in 1897.

Sworn Affidavit.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, City of Philadelphia.

To whom it may concern: Whereas, I, Samuel S. Reeves, Superintendent of Independence Hall or the “Old State House” in the city of Philadelphia, do hereby certify that the wood out of which the “Canes”  and “Miniature Liberty Bells” are manufactured, was taken from the said Independence Hall or Old State House during the restoration of the said hall during the year 1897, and that the same is part of the original lumber and timbers out of which said Independence Hall or Old State House was built by Andrew Hamilton in the years 1732 to 1735 inclusive.
 (signed) Samuel S. Reeves

Sworn Affidavit.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, City of Philadelphia.

Samuel S. Reeves being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he occupied the position of Superintendent of Independence Hall, between the years 1892 and 1908 and that during that time of the restoration of Independence Hall in the years 1897, he came into possession of sixteen 12in. X 14in. X 5ft. long beams or timbers, which were the original beams or timbers taken from under the flooring of Independence Hall, and that he preserved said beams or timbers, and which said beams or timbers as originally taken and as the beams or timbers from the original building of Independence Hall before its restoration are now turned over and delivered to the Wolf Art Company of Philadelphia for the purposes of cutting same up and making relics.

 (signed) Samuel A. Reeves.

Condition: Generally fine overall, with only minor toning and wear.

Reference:

“1926 Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition.”  Liberty Bell Museum.  1997-2005.  http://www.libertybellmuseum.com/WorldsFair/1926sesqui.htm (31 January 2005).