A 19th Century Stoneware Presentation Spaniel from Western Pennsylvania that Also Appears to Share a Family Relationship with the Glassworks in New Geneva, Pennsylvania

Two significant nineteenth century cobalt decorated presentation spaniels from Greensboro, Pennsylvania have recently been consigned to Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland; the first sold in the spring of 2024 for $22,000 plus the buyer's premium, whereas the second example will sell at the auction house's sale later this summer.

Interestingly, there are not many of these types of spaniels known today, although there is a third example in the collection of Winterthur Museum in Delaware; this object also appears to be a presentation spaniel, where it is inscribed around the base, "U.C. James / Greensboro / Dealer in Dry Goods & Groceries Hats Caps Boots &. Shoes / Compliments of P. L. E. Kramer."

According to the 1880 Federal Census of Greensboro, U.C. James (b. about 1847) was 33-years-old and a dry goods merchant in the town. He was living with 82-year-old "Christa Kramer" who was a retired glass blower. 

However, earlier census records suggest this is actually Christian Kramer (1798-1881), the son of another Christian Kramer (1774-1858), who migrated from Karlsbrunn, Regionalverband Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany about the time he was born in 1773. He eventually worked at the New Geneva Glassworks in Greene County, Pennsylvania, which operated from the late 1790s or early 1800s to just before 1850. This was the first glass factory west of the Monongahela River and was heavily influence by Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury under Thomas Jefferson. The Kramers were also related to a larger group of Kramers in the Greene County area in the nineteenth century, some of whom were also glass blowers in New Geneva, as well as local farmers.

Furthermore, U.C. James is listed as the postmaster of Greensborough, Greene County, Pennsylvania in the 1881 and 1883 U.S. Registries of Civil, Military and Naval Service. Although, the 1880 Federal Census is the only record that I can find of U.C. Davis employed as a dealer in dry goods.

Note: Winterthur suggests this spaniel was made by James H. Atchison (b. circa 1850) in Greensboro, the son of potter Henry K. Atchison (1820-1893), who is best known as a stoneware manufacturer in New Geneva, across the Monongahela River from Greensboro.

19th Century Stoneware Presentation Spaniel from Western PA

19th Century Presentation Stoneware Spaniel from Greensboro, PA

Inscribed "U.C. James/ Greensboro / Dealer/ in/ Dry Goods/ &/ Groceries Hats/ Caps/ Boots &. Shoes / Compliments/ of/ P. L. E. Kramer"

Circa 1870-1880

Stands 9 5/8" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Winterthur Museum

1880 Federal Census from Greensboro, PA

U.C. James is Listed as a 33-Year-Old Dealer in Dry Goods

He is Living with 82-Year-Old Christian Kramer who is a Retired Glass Blower

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U.C. Davis Listed as Postmaster in Greensboro, PA

He is Listed with this Titled in 1881 and 1883

This is from the 1881 U.S. Registries of Civil, Military and Naval Service

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U.C. Davis Listed as Postmaster in Greensboro, PA

He is Listed with this Titled in 1881 and 1883

This is from the 1883 U.S. Registries of Civil, Military and Naval Service

See Article for More Information

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