16. Other Antiques

16.30  ORNATE CONVEX MIRROR.   Classic mid-19th century gilded Federal-style foliate wall mirror.  Sometime referred to as “girandole,” this handsome hand-carved wall hanger retains its beautiful original gilt surfaces.  The large convex mirror is free from damage but does show minor irregularities evidencing its early manufacture over 160 years ago.  It is encircled by a total of 16 golden orbs which encompass the scalloped ebonized frame.  Of particular note are the exceptional carved decorations top and bottom.  The piece-de-resistance is of course its handsome, realistically-carved American eagle perched at the apex.  36 ½ inches high by 23 ¾ inches wide.  The eagle protrudes 5 ½ inches.  Condition is excellent and original.  1695

 Due to its large size and potential fragility, custom packaging is required.

Currently, an on-line retailer is selling a contemporarily-made mirror described as a “Regency Girandole Convex Mirror” for $4,656!

https://thefederalistonline.com/products/regency-girandole-convex-mirrors-with-eagle-and-decorations-mc-9

16.28  SNUFF BOX.   Exquisite early 1800's personal box carved from horn with an unusual hinged lid.  The unique hinge is actually carved top and bottom out of contiguous material.  There is no metal.  The hinge is part of the box!  The body of the lid is also carved from horn with a layer of decorative tortoise shell laminated on top.   Crowning the presentation is a very delicate and elaborate inlay of silver wire with an oval cartouche.   The workmanship lavished on this piece is of exceptional quality.   We have never seen better! 349

16.27  EXCEPTIONAL KALEIDOSCOPE.  An original example of the ingenuity exemplified in America's early cottage industries which propelled it into world class status as an industrial giant at the end of 1800's.  This is a rare Bush kaleidoscope, widely recognized as the best of its kind ever made.  This scarce example represents an early Bush model which was patented in November of 1873.   The main body consists of a cardboard tube covered in faux black shark skin.  The non-magnifying eyepiece provides a clear undistorted look at the object glass.  The "working end" of this kaleidoscope features a rotating brass cylinder much like a ship's wheel.  It is stamped "C.G BUSH & Co. INVENTORS  M.N.FRS PROV, RI" with the faint image of a kaleidoscope.  The cylinder contains an array of ingenious liquid-filled glass vials, crystals and other intricate objects enclosed in a translucent glass cylinder.  These unique items were later a source of yet another Bush patent.  Even in these days of computer graphics and neon, it is hard to believe what amazingly colorful and geometrically perfect imagery Bush was able to capture in his pre-electricity device.  The early style stand is articulated so it actually elevates up or down for illumination by window or simple candlelight.  Later models did not have this feature.  Seeing is believing.  Modern day video games don't even compare.  Nothing short of incredible!  Later patented versions were not as tall.  This earliest example measures 13 inches high overall and 10 inches long.  The base footprint is 7 1/2 inches in diameter.  The original condition is absolutely exceptional after 150 years. And it still produces equally amazing images guaranteed to wow and delight viewers!  1795 Back to Top

Charles Bush (Busch) was born in Prussia in 1825.  In 1847 he immigrated to Plymouth, Massachusetts and took up the rope-making trade of his father.  Quite unexpectedly, his ongoing examination of rope fibers under a microscope ultimately lead to an interest in kaleidoscopes. Around 1870, while living in Providence, Rhode Island he developed and began manufacturing a high quality kaleidoscope with the help of his wife.  His output was deemed "extraordinary" and his kaleidoscopes quickly found world-wide demand.  Bush was granted several American patents in 1873 and 1874.  One was for "new and useful objects for the object box."  Another was for his four-legged stand which could be taken apart for transport.  That patent was dated Nov 17, 1874.  By 1875 Bush was credited with having made 5,000 such instruments before he and his wife moved to Claremont, New Hampshire.  Unfortunately, fewer than 1,000 of his original output are known to have survived today.  As such the competition for authentic examples is very keen.  Auction sales of these scarce instruments show prices of $1,500 and up, depending on condition, especially for the most rare models which this is.

(See item 21.15 )

16.25  EARLY "BLACK GLASS" BOTTLE.   Genuine "black glass" wine bottle from the 1700's.  This hand-blown vessel is surprisingly heavy with telltale swirling surfaces and indented blown "pontil" on the bottom.   The glass is nearly opaque but bright light as from the sun can be seen passing through it.   8 ¼ inches tall by 2 ¾ inches in diameter.  Excellent condition with no flaws.  Our research indicates this type of bottle was made from 1770 to 1800.  69

16.26  MINIATURE ANTIQUE BOTTLE.  Charming brown glass bottle standing a mere 4 ¾ inches tall by 1 ¼ inches in diameter.  This molded bottle is made of very thick irregular glass and dates from the Civil War era or earlier.  29

16.24  19th CENTURY GLOBE.  Authentic second half of the 1800's terrestrial globe of French manufacture.  The globe is signed in the South Pacific "G. THOMAS Éditeur =PARIS= 44, Rue N.-D.  (Fabrication Francaise)."  This 5 inch variety world globe was made in the traditional way with a plaster core overlaid by 12 chromolithographed paper gores.  The quality and detail for a globe of this size is really amazing.  The globe is supported on its original ebonized turned wooden stand with brass fittings.  11 ¾ inches tall by 6 inches in diameter on the base.  Outstanding original condition.  An absolute "gem" for desk, library or display shelf!  895

In the offerings of noted scientific instrument dealer "Tesseract," a similar 6 inch terrestrial globe, item 1, sold for $950 a quarter of a century ago from catalog 52, Spring of 1996.  (A dollar in 1996 was worth $1.78 today, or $1,691.00.  The price was about double back then what it is now, and this is 25 years older!).

"Thomas, G., Paris," is listed as a late 19th century publisher in Elly Dekker and Peter van Der Krogt's reference book "Globes From The Western World," 1991 Zwemmer, Philip Wilson Publishers, Ltd., London."  A nearly identical globe is featured on the cover of that book.

16.78  ESKIMO SLED.   Very, very fine quality miniature, scale model of an Eskimo sled, hand-made in the traditional way using only native wood and seal sinew.  This intricate early 1900's exhibition piece is of patent model quality with a bentwood frame, mortised to the sled runners and supports all attached without fasteners, only strips of seal skin.  14 inches long by 3 1/8 inches wide and 3 ¼ inches tall.  This model exudes exceptional craftsmanship with museum quality.  395

16.23  FERRY BOAT TOKEN.  Genuine early 1900's token for transportation in the San Francisco Bay Area.  This solid brass coin-like token is about the size of a dime (10 cent piece).  It is nicely minted with the obverse reading "MUNICIPAL RAILWAY" on a "spider web" background with the center prominently cut-out "SF."  The reverse, in the same, format reads "ONE FARE  • SAN FRANCISCO."  Excellent original condition.  8.50

Price includes First Class mail service in U.S.

16.17 NUT CRACKER. Charming late 19th C. hand-carved German nutcracker of Black Forest origin. This cleverly contrived and beautifully executed device is in the form of a realistic bear with inset "bean" eyes. The bear's mouth effectively cracks smaller nuts whereas a carved recess at the rear, under the lever, accommodates larger nuts such as walnuts. This intricate, two piece carving is made from a dense dark hardwood, probably walnut. Detailing is very realistic. Excellent original condition with no chips or cracks and a lovely age patina.  7 inches long.  250

16.16  AMERICAN TELLURIUM.   Extremely rare 4th quarter of the 19th century American planetary model by “A.H. ANDREWS & CO. CHICAGO” as signed in relief on the ornately decorated cast support arm.  It is additionally signed in the maker’s cartouche located in the northwestern Pacific, “A. ANDREWS 8 Inch TERRESTRIAL GLOBE with the latest discoveries and ocean currents A. H. Andrews & Co. Chicago.”  This amazing apparatus depicts the earth revolving about the sun in the center of the weighted stand with a proportional radial sector of the sun in brass indicating serrated “flames.”  Between the sun and the earth is a moveable rod on which a wooden orb representing the moon is attached.  These ride on a pedestal atop a very heavy cast iron base which is encircled with the 12 signs of the Zodiac.  Each of the 12 quadrants is charmingly decorated with an image of the mythological sign, the month, the degrees from North and the points of the compass.  These lithographed images are somewhat faded with time, but still very colorful and legible.  Attached to the swinging support arm opposite the earth is an arrow which indicates the earth’s position on the Zodiac as it orbits the sun.  The earth is represented by a globe made in the traditional manner with a plaster sphere overlaid by 12 lithographed gores.  The detail of the geography is of a very high standard with multi-color countries and major cities shown.  As the name implies, ocean and atmospheric currents are notable as is the declination line of the sun between the 2 solstices.  The condition of the globe is excellent and original with no damage of repairs, noting good age toning to its protective varnish.  The North Pole is fitted with a moveable brass arrow to highlight a specific Meridian or geographical feature.  Surround the globe is a heavy brass cage mounted to the support arm.  It has two Meridian Circles and one Equatorial circle connected to a removable swan’s neck support on the arm   Construction and materials throughout are of the highest order!  21 ½ inches wide and 16 ½ inches tall overall.  The base measures 12 inches in diameter.  The entire apparatus weighs 13 pounds.  Price Request 

The firm of Andrews & Co. was begun by A.H. Andrews in 1866 and continued to flourish into the 1890’s.  At the end of the Civil War this pioneer maker established Chicago as the center for globe manufacturing in America, leading the way for other globe makers to practice their trade.  Names like Rand McNally and Weber Costello continued their production into the end of the 20th century.  (Elly Dekker and Peter van der Krogt, “Globes From the Western World,” 1993, Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd., London).

16.15  WORLD WAR I GOGGLES.  Very rare surviving pilot’s or motorcyclist’s goggles dating to or before World War I.  This cloth and leather pair consists of 4 glass panels held in metal frames.  Indicative of their early manufacture the glass is not curved, but has wrap around sides.  The top and bottom have small breather holes within metal grommets.  The goggles themselves are 9 inches wide with the cloth straps extending to 36 inches in width overall.  These goggles are in frail condition evidencing some hand-stitched repairs.  That noted, the glass panels are in excellent original condition.  These very scarce early goggles make a great statement as a genuine testament to a bygone age over 100 years ago!  59

16.14  ANCIENT JAPANESE HAND MIRROR.  Mid-19th century nickeled bronze dressing mirror of Japanese origin.  The “working side” of this early-form mirror is in a high polish which remarkably still provides a highly reflective image.  The reverse is richly decorated in incredibly detailed relief depicting a turtle at the center facing two kissing cranes.  Below is their brood of 3 chicks.  The background is made up of pine bows and bamboo, set within 2 concentric circles.  On the outer edge are more decorative floral designs.  This unique piece is signed with a 4 character mark beginning with “da” meaning large or grand.  Interestingly the turtle’s shell is rove through with a hole for attaching a thong.  5 inches in diameter, ¾ of and inch think and weighing 2 pounds.  289

16.13  CANNON CIGARETTE LIGHTER.  Very early 1900’s American cigarette/cigar lighter in the form of a pre-World War I artillery cannon.  Made in U.S.A. by "Negbaur, NY." as signed on the bottom of the lighter.  It measures 8 inches long and is 3 inches wide.  The spoked carriage wheels actually turn.  It is made of a heavy non-ferrous metal, either pewter or brass.  The lighter is completely functional.  The finish details are superb. 295

16.12  RARE GERMAN TERRESTRIAL GLOBE.  An exceptional world globe by Germany’s preeminent 19th century cartographer Ludwig Heymann as indicated (in part) on the maker’s cartouche in the Pacific Ocean just above the Sandwich Islands,

“ERD-GLOBUS.
36 cent.
Durehgesehen von Dr Henry Lange.
BERLIN.
Ludwig. Jul. Heymann
Oceanographisch Artisctecehe Austalt”

This is a much larger than average library table globe with a circumference of 45 inches and a diameter of 14 ½ inches, made during the reign of the German Kaisers.  It stands an impressive 25 3/4 inches high overall with a base 10 3/4 inches in diameter having cleverly-inlaid brass tripodal inserts on the bottom to assure leveling.  By its geographical features this globe can be dated 1891 - 1893.   In the United States, the Dakotas were divided into North and South (1889), but the Matabele Empire, which existed until 1893, is still shown.  The identifying names of towns, cities, territories, rivers, mountains, countries and other geographical features are extremely detailed and much more finely depicted than virtually all other makers of the period.  Also included are many ocean trade routes with record passages.  In fact Heymann was noted for his superior attention to detail and was awarded many prizes at exhibitions in which he displayed his output.  This early globe is in original, unrestored condition.  It is mounted on its original large, decoratively-turned, very lovely hardwood stand, complete with functional compass.  It is mounted in a brass Meridian ring engraved in single degrees 0 – 90, marked by 10's.  At aged 125 years this globe is in a remarkable state of original preservation.  Colors are clear and bright and all of the literally thousands of the identifying inscriptions are very legible.  Nice expected age toning of the surfaces, but no damage.  This is really an outstanding bargain.  Research the Internet. Price Request   

Ludwig Julius Heymann (1836-1899) began the production of globes in 1883.

16.10  CARVED AMERICAN EAGLE.   Genuine late 19th century carving of a patriotic American eagle in the style of John Hayley Bellamy.  It is carved of pine using the sure, precise strokes of a professional wood carver.  It is of classic two-piece carved pine construction with the head and body screwed onto the backboard which also serves as the wings.  The eagle carries a flagpole which once waived a wooden banner, again in the Bellamy tradition.  The banner is missing.  This antique carving retains its old genuine gilded surfaces on the front with good telltale oxidation of the bare wood and old iron fasteners on the back.  The carving measures 24 inches wide by 5 inches high and is 2 7/8 inches deep.   If this carving could be attributed to Bellamy, we would conservatively adjudge its value to be $12,000.  We are not asserting it is Bellamy, but we definitely assure it is from the same late 19th century period.  It is certainly equal to Bellamy’s work at a fraction of the price his works demand for such a carving.  Was 1495 NOW 895!

16.11  FIGURAL MEERSHAUM PIPE.  Interesting 19th century smoker’s pipe carved in the form of a Barbary Pirate.  This unique pipe features the head of a grimacing African man with a goatee and prominent earring on his right ear.  Adorning his chest is a nicely-carved scarf.  This well-used pipe is connected to its hard rubber stem with an ornately-engraved rose gold (unmarked) sleeve in floral designs.  The stem is removable for cleaning and there are two solder joints (repairs) in evidence.  7 inches long by 1 ¾ inches wide on the bowl.  There is extensive wear to the bowl especially on the sides and the front, where the user would have held the pipe.  A real rarity! 

16.66  EARLY CORK SCREW.  Very old, wine cork screw of French manufacture.  This oenophilic tool has a sculpted bone handle with a tufted bristle brush on one side and a turned bone cap on the other.  The working end is a cast iron cork screw with radiating circular top, the entire assembly of which is rove through the bone, held by a very old style circular nut.  The width of the bone handle is 3 ¾ inches.  With brush is measures 4 ¾ inches wide and 4 inches to the tip of the corkscrew to the top of the handle.  Overall condition is excellent, however the tip of the screw was broken off by an enthusiastic wine bibber.  Priced accordingly.  149

16.91  TERRESTRIAL GLOBE for the ENGLISH MARKET.   Scarce 4th quarter 1800’s terrestrial globe of Belgium manufacture, with the important appeal of having been made for the English speaking market.  This classic old globe is signed in the maker’s cartouche located south of Australia, “GEOGRAPHICAL INSTITUTE OF BRUSSELS New Physical Political Globe Published by MERSBACH & FALK Brussels, 1881.”  The inscription is encircled by an iconic Victorian era “belt” as a border.  This finely manufactured representation of the earth was made in the traditional manner with lithographed gores overlaying a stiff globular core.  Details include major cities, territories and states, along with major geographical aspects such as mountain ranges and ocean currents. It measures 11 ½ inches in diameter and stands 2 feet tall.  The turned ebonized base with blue faux leather covering on the bottom measures 9 inches in diameter.  It mounts the sphere on a turned wooden column holding a thick brass support in crescent form which allows the globe to turn freely.  This antique globe is in amazing original preservation. It was obviously highly revered and carefully displayed.  It is in near mint condition.  Perhaps the only apology is that the varnish which covers and preserves the surfaces has discolored slightly with age.  Otherwise this rare, 135 year old world globe is perfect!  995