Metals
Simon Edgell (Maker)
Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America
1713-1742
Pewter
1953.0028
Object Number1953.0028 |
Dish
Metals
Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont
Simon Edgell (Maker)
1687-1742
According to Laughlin, Simon Edgell was apprenticed to William Hux in London starting on June 18, 1702, and he became a freeman on October 13, 1709. He was recorded in Philadelphia on December 13, 1713 and was admitted as a freeman there on May 27, 1717. He worked as a pewterer and merchant until his death in 1742. In 1718 he bought property in High Street and added to his holdings over the years. He may have periodically returned to London to purchase goods. Benjamin Franklin's signature appears as a witness on Edgell's will. An inventory of Edgell's goods was taken at the time of his death, and is reprinted in an appendix in Laughlin (vol.2, p.155).
Edgell's wife was Rebecca Edgell (Edgal).
Edgell's birth date identified as 1667 by a previous cataloguer (AKW 2006).
For more on Simon Edgell's marks, see C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.253; Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.88; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.131; and Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.221. See also Jay R. Steifel, "Philadelphia Cabinetmaking and Commerce, 1718-1753: For the beginnings of further research, see Jay R. Stiefel's articles: The Account Book of John Head, Joiner," American Philosophical Society Library Bulletin, n.s. vol. 1, (Winter 2001); "Simon Edgell, Unalloyed," in Antiques & Fine Art, Spring 2003; and the footnotes for "Simon Edgell (1687-1742) -- 'To a Puter Dish' and Grander Transactions of a London-trained Pewterer in Philadelphia," in The Bulletin, Pewter Collectors Club of America, vol. 12, no. 8 (Winter 2002). Earlier references are L. Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.2, p.39-40; J.B. Kerfoot, American Pewter (1942), p.31.
See also newspaper advertisements: As a merchant, Simon Edgell placed numerous ads in Philadelphia papers, including: The American Weekly Mercury in 1731 (where he also listed as an executor for William Champion's accounts), and an ad in German language and script in The Pennsylvania Gazette, June 8, 1738: "Simon Edgell, Kauffmann, in Philadelphia..." Regarding his estate, seethe Boston Post-Boy, October 4, 1742, p. 3: "To be Let in Philadelphia, the House which Mr. Simon Edgal Pewterer, deceas'd, lately dwelt in, with a compleat Set of all kinds of Pewterers Tools and Instruments, and a working Shop, well-fitted, together with a Negro Man that understands the Business, Enquire Rebecca Edgal, Widow and Executrix of the deceased. The House has long been accustomed in the Pewterer's Way, stands close to the Market in High Street, and the principal Shop for that Business in Philadelphia."
Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America
1713-1742
1. Mark; Upper surface, rim; "[ ]ELL", stamped, partly effaced
2. Mark; Underside of base; "[ ]EDGELL", stamped
3. Mark; Underside of base; "PHILADELPHIA" in a banner, stamped, partly effaced
4. Mark; Underside of base; ship, water and "MICHEL" below a wavy banner, partly effaced
5. Inscription; Underside of base; "M" and "S", each under a crown-like device, stamped
Pewter
1.62 (H) , 19 (Diam)
4.13 (H) , 48.26 (Diam)
Text available soon.
[Book] Laughlin, Ledlie Irwin. 1970 Pewter in America: Its Makers and Their Marks. I thru III.
• Published: Plate CVII, figs. 528a, 529a. Discussed p. 9. Marks only are illustrated.