Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-05
coAT-oF-ARMs DEFECTIVE
.."( -t-.
Pennsyivsnls state Seal Reprodue.
tlon All Wrong, Capitol Ex.
perts Discover
By GEORGE NOx MCCAIN
A PRETTY kettle of fish has just b

A PRETTY kettle of fish has Just been
"A uncovered at Harrisburg.
1t is neither sensational scandalous nor
compromising
1t is neither dramatic nor tragic though
its development borders closely on the 70 :
mantle.
II the discovery, in it's consequences,
could be carried out to the last analysis II
would result in the overhauling of hun :
every copy Of the Pennsylvania coat of :
arms now In existence in the common
wealth.
1t hasn't been decided vet whether Her
man L. Miller, the crudite and experienced
Senate librarian, or James G. Deininger,
executive clerk, Is responsible for discoy
erins the facts to the public.
AT all events, it is one of the most inter
esting oddities that has come to light in
recent years within the precincts Of the
massive Capitol.
EOR n quarter of a century--how much
- longer the experts have not determined
every painting of the Pennsylvania coat
of-arms has been defective.
They have, in distinct particulars, diff.
fered from the original.
This fact does not materially affect the
states heraldic device as to its legality az
a part of the seal Of the state and Its rela
tion to official documents and papers.
The coat of arms as a seal Is merely a
colorless mass of figures embossed on q
state document.
When, however, the coat of arms Is
blazoned forth in full detail in gold and
color on flags, banners, shields and orna
mental devices 1t Is all wrong.
AND 1t has been wrong for 30 long that
the experts at the Capitol haven't got back
as yet to the time when the blunder was
first made. "
For a generation artists and colorists
have been painting Pennsylvania coat of
arms that wasn't true to form.
IN ITS general outline our coat of arms
is familiar to every native born son of
The eagle that resembles a glorified crow
poised for flight on a horizontal stick Of
mint candy, the prancing plow horses
doing two step on their hind legs, the
ship in full sail, the plow that would have
ddisgraced any, up-to date farm in the last
100 years, together with the three sheaves
oranch-st least that Is what they resem-
oie~are the principal features of the device
These were presumed to be perfect until
tuesday of this week. The glaring defect
is in the ribbon like scroll that carries the
motto, Virtue, Liberty and Independence "
This motto in every coat of arms for
years has been painted or printed in black
upon light gray or blue background
In the original. certified to by NJ. s.
quay, secretary Of the commonwealth on
March 81, 1875, the scroll is a dark golden
brown carrying the motto in black letters
On Tuesday last Mr.. Miller made another
discovery.
In all existing copies of the device the
tull- rugged ship is sailing serenely along on
sea of blue.
In the original the sea is a light gray.
70 say the least, the original is in mighty
bad taste, for it is of shade that no occa,,
voyager ever saw.
IKE the Declaration of Independence,
- the original water color of the state
coat of arms is fading.
The writing beneath it. which. in the
what the various figures mean, has become
almost indistinguishabe The only line
thRt stands out boldly and clear il the
grabbed chiroeraphy of one NJ. =. QUAY,
Here is what the pale writing says con.
cerning the coat of arms, its figures, in
sigma and colors:
Escutcheon--Party per fess azure and
vert. On the chief of the first a ship
under sail. On fess or a plow proper
y" base of the second and three
garbs or
I..>t~-An eagle rousant proper ON a
wreath of its color.
Supporters-Two horses sable capari-
soned for draught rearing respectant.
Motto-Firtue, Liberty and Independ-
ence.
Filed in the Office of the secretary of the
commonwealth March q, 1875,
Secretary Of the Commonwealth.