Goffering Iron, Wrought and Signed by Maker Patrick Lyon, Philadelphia
PATRICK LYON * PANTENTEE
Scottish born American blacksmith, mechanic and inventor working in
Philadelphia…working class hero.
Date/Period: Late 18^th or Early 19^th Century

Goffering Iron, Wrought and Signed by Maker Patrick Lyon, Philadelphia PATRICK LYON * PANTENTEE, entire view 1

Measurement: H: 7.75”, L: 21.5”, D: 3.75

Material: Cast and wrought iron

Condition: Fine original condition

Additional Information: Larger than usual with long handle; the barrel raised on
wrought standard that pierces and is peened on the underside of oval cast iron base.
For ruffling, frilling and pleating fabrics.

Goffering Iron, Wrought and Signed by Maker Patrick Lyon, Philadelphia PATRICK LYON * PANTENTEE, Pat Lyon at the Forge

"Pat Lyon at the Forge," by John Neagle, 1829.
Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia
Patrick Lyon (1779-1829) was a Philadelphia blacksmith
of some reputation and wealth. Born in London, he
moved to America to establish a smithing business there.
In addition to blacksmithing, he also built fire engines and
was renowned for his locksmithing. Early in his career,
the Bank of Pennsylvania commissioned him to make the
locks for their vault and in 1798, when it was robbed of
over $160,000, suspicion immediately fell on him. 1798
was the same year that yellow fever plagued the region
and therefore, Lyon was away from Philadelphia, in
Delaware, with his assistant. Upon his
return and learning of the accusations against him,
he went to prove his innocence to the bank's
president, cashier, and alderman. Despite an undeniable
alibi for his whereabouts, they insisted
that he was at the least an accomplice and had him
imprisoned under a large bail. Unable to

meet the bail, Lyon remained in the Walnut Street Gaol for three months. It was later discovered
that the robbery had been perpetrated by the bank's porter and a carpenter, who returned
almost all the stolen money, the porter having died of yellow fever shortly after the robbery.
Upon his release, Lyon sued the bank's directors and was eventually granted a sum of $9,000
for the damages to his smithing business and reputation. It is unclear whether this sum was the
foundation of his fortune, but he was able to recover fully from the injury to his business and
went on to amass considerable wealth. Lyon wrote a narrative about his imprisonment: The
Narrative of Patrick Lyon, who suffered three months Imprisonment in Philadelphia Gaol, on a
vague suspicion of being an accomplice in the Robbery of the Bank of Pennsylvania: with his
remarks thereon. (1799). In its introduction, he pleaded for equal justice for rich and poor.
An engraved portrait by Philadelphia artist James Akin is the frontispiece of the work and shows
a 30-year-old Lyon in Walnut Street Prison, incongruously dressed as a gentleman, seated on a
Chippendale chair, and holding a technical drawing and calipers.

$1,475.00

605-146

Goffering Iron, Wrought and Signed by Maker Patrick Lyon, Philadelphia PATRICK LYON * PANTENTEE, scale view

Goffering Iron, Wrought and Signed by Maker Patrick Lyon, Philadelphia PATRICK LYON * PANTENTEE, entire view 2

Goffering Iron, Wrought and Signed by Maker Patrick Lyon, Philadelphia PATRICK LYON * PANTENTEE, detail view 1

Goffering Iron, Wrought and Signed by Maker Patrick Lyon, Philadelphia PATRICK LYON * PANTENTEE, detail view 2

Sugar Nips [nippers], Brass Baluster Post, Molded Walnut Base, Wood handle
Date/Period: 1800-1830ish

Sugar Nips [nippers], Brass Baluster Post, Molded Walnut Base, Wood handle, entire view 1

Measurement: Base: 11.5" x 4"; Nipper length: 14"

Material: Wrought iron, cast brass, walnut

Condition: Fine

Additional Information: A nice example, wrought iron, very nice brass baluster post on
circular domed base mounted to molded walnut base. Beautifully turned and incised
handle display great surface, warm patina, and brass ferrule.

$340.00

660-44

Sugar Nips [nippers], Brass Baluster Post, Molded Walnut Base, Wood handle, entire view 2

Sugar Nips [nippers], Brass Baluster Post, Molded Walnut Base, Wood handle, entire view 3

Goffering Iron, Wrought and Signed by Maker Patrick Lyon, Philadelphia PATRICK LYON * PANTENTEE Scottish born American blacksmith, mechanic and inventor working in Philadelphia…working class hero. Date/Period: Late 18th or Early 19th Century

Sugar Nips [nippers], Brass Baluster Post, Molded Walnut Base, Wood handle Date/Period: 1800-1830ish

Goffering Iron, Wrought and Signed by Maker Patrick Lyon, Philadelphia
PATRICK LYON * PANTENTEE
Scottish born American blacksmith, mechanic and inventor working in
Philadelphia…working class hero.
Date/Period: Late 18^th or Early 19^th Century

Sugar Nips [nippers], Brass Baluster Post, Molded Walnut Base, Wood handle
Date/Period: 1800-1830ish