First, the history of the piece. George Arnold (1799-1879) was a very active merchant in Gettysburg, also an associate and friend of Thaddeus Stevens. Of interest to us here is his foundry business. The Gettysburg Steam Foundry was established in late 1838 and was advertised as the first such business to be established within the borough and could make “castings, of every kind, in the neatest and best manner.” In newspaper advertisements from 1839, Arnold offered new and superior cook stoves for sale that were made at his Gettysburg facility.

George Arnold had several retail store fronts during his merchant career, all on the southern edge of the “diamond.” The specific store front he occupied during the period this stove was cast (1839-1852) is on the corner of Baltimore Street, where the old House of Bender gift shop was located. In 1852 he again moved, not far, to the corner of York Street where the Adams County bank is currently. By then he was claiming to be a “clothing emporium” and “tailor shop” where just a few stoves, from time to time, were offered for sale.

Interestingly, there is a William Tipton photograph recorded on July 2, 1886 of Josephine Miller posing with the stove she used to bake bread for Union soldiers during the Battle of Gettysburg. The photo was taken during the dedication of the monument to the 1^st Mass. Infantry along Emmitsburg Road at the Rogers house site. Although Arnold’s name is not visible in the image, the style and other visible details leave little doubt that the stove was of his creation. Who knows, maybe this is Josephine Miller’s stove?

This is a solid and heavy cast iron stove. The main body consists of a firebox on the bottom with an oven above. The top could be used as a cooking or warming surface and is flat except for the 4.5” collar at one end for the vent pipe. This large stove box is separate and sits upon a stand (a connected set of legs). Overall, it stands approximately 37.5” tall (24” body over 13.5” legs). The stove body is essentially rectangular but has rounded ends and slightly bowed-out sides; measuring 15” wide and 29” long. A flat “ash tray” extends an additional 12” out on one end under the door to the firebox.

The firebox is accessed by a hinged door at one end. This door also has a smaller hinged air vent. The oven has hinged doors on both sides of the stove. All of these doors have hand-forged latches.

This is a very well decorated stove! Doors, ends, and sides all have floral ovals that are framed with intricate cross-hatch patterns. The “corners” also feature vertical lines of cross-hatching. The best feature, however, is a bold, raised “G. ARNOLD   GETTYSBURG” cast onto both sides at the top.

The overall condition is good. The piece is heavily used but remains strong and very solid. It is painted flat black with just a few spots of rust showing. The flat surfaces (cook top, oven floor, and ash tray) exhibit shallow pitting. The oven floor has two large cracks. There is some rust and minor flaking around the outside edge at bottom of firebox. The air vent and lower hinge on firebox door have been replaced as well as both hinges on one of the oven side doors. This same side door also has one hinge pin broken and one missing. These two doors would benefit from some professional restoration. The system of connected legs that the stove sits on remains very strong. Overall, this piece of cast iron is good and solid!

This is a rare and wonderful example from the early Adams County iron forge industry. Also perfect for any home with early American decor. [jet] [ph:M/L]

Extra shipping required; pick up at the shop is preferable.

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