15

(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

William Penn Door Latch and Hat Peg Relics, Pilgrim Century [Quaker]

Oak door latch and hat peg purportedly used by William Penn (1644–1718), influential Quaker leader, theologian, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania. From the collection of Dr. James V. Mansfield (1817–1899), the well-known 19th-century spiritualist medium. He was an active collector of historical relics and documents. See Lots 14–19 for additional items from this collection.

The latch is mounted on a walnut presentation board bearing a large handwritten label that reads, in part: "Door latch taken from the door of the bedroom in which William Penn slept in during the time he was building the Penn Mansion, 1681 or 82 / Also his hat pin from the bed room door." Behind the primary label is a smaller secondary label with a faint, partially illegible inscription, including the name "Dolly P[?]". Beneath the principal label is a second large handwritten note repeating the attribution: "Door latch taken from the door of the bed room in which Wm. Penn slept in while building his house at Penn Manor. Also his hat pin." Very faintly written at the bottom of this second label is an additional inscription: "Presented J. V. Mansfield by Robt C[sic]."

James Valentine Mansfield (1817-1899) was a 19th-century writer, educator, and prominent spiritualist medium whose career reflected many of the social and intellectual currents of his era. He began his working life as a penmanship teacher and merchant before turning, in the late 1850s, to spiritualism, where he became widely known for producing written messages during séances. Mansfield lived and worked in several major American cities, including Boston, San Francisco during the Civil War years, and New York, and his clients included a number of notable figures, among them Mary Todd Lincoln. He was also a careful collector of historic relics and documentary material, preserving letters and manuscripts that illuminate both his own career and the broader culture of 19th-century America.
Board: 10 x 15 1/2 in. (25.4 x 39.4 cm.)

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April 25, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Portsmouth, NH, US

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