Mahogany and Brass Silverware Chest from Pennsylvania c.1868

ABOUT

This is an original Mahogany and brass silverware chest from Pennsylvania USA, circa 1880. Engraved in the plaque is the name "Frances Ruckman McCredy". The wood is in excellent condition, with some wear and minor cracks expected of a piece from the period. The joins are dove-tailed and the handles and name tag are brass. The case is lined with chamois leather and has a triangular mount-board attached to the bottom. The lining has some water damage and the canvas lid strap has torn cleanly in two. The case comes with the original key which has a tag attached with France's name also. The lock works easily. This pieces has retained its original its original finish and has the appropriate patina for the age and use. The left handle has been replaced.

• CREATOR Unknown (Manufacturer) Frances Ruckman McCredy (Owner)
  
• DATE OF MANUFACTURE c1868-1880
  
• MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Mahogany, Chamois leather, Canvas, Brass.
  
• CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
• DIMENSIONS H 12 in. x W 28 in. x D 20.5 in.

HISTORY

Richard Wilson McCredy (1854-1924) was an iron merchant and alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania (Class of 1874). Born in Philadelphia, McCredy lived in the city for most of his life, residing in the Rittenhouse Square area. He enrolled as a student in the Arts department in 1870, but did not complete his degree and left college at the end of his freshman year, in 1871. Over the the following decades, however, he remained involved with many organizations connected with the University of Pennsylvania including the Delta Sigma fraternity (Delta chapter), for which he served as secretary. In the 1890s, he was a board member of the Penn Athletic Association, and was affiliated with the University Barge and Corinthians Yacht Clubs.

He married Frances Hart Ruckman (b. 1868) on January 16, 1909. The couple had no children, and divided their time between their residence in Philadelphia and their summer home in Cape May, New Jersey.

Frances R. McCredy, died December 26, 1964. Richard Wilson and Frances Ruckman McCredy are buried in the Doylestown Cemetery (Doylestown, Pennsylvania). Her estate was left to her brother John F. Ruckman who died 31 days later.