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12.66 CAPTAIN's LIQUOR CHEST.
Scarce, late 18th century or very,
very early 19th century ship captain's 6 bottle tantalus. This lovely
set consists of a finely decorated marquetry box, inlaid with
varietal woods to form geometric patterns on all sides and
herringbone edges. The base wood is oak, overlaid by mahogany veneer.
The two ends are equipped with folding brass drop handles for
carrying. The lidded box, complete with functional lock and key opens
to reveal 6 hand-blown crystal decanters, each complete with its
original fitted glass stopper. The decanters are meticulously
hand-decorated with a gold wash in elegant floral designs. Telling of
their age, each of the bottles has a "pontil" on the bottom --
evidence of the glass blower's art. The interior of the box is lined
in royal purple padded satin with substantial individual compartments
containing each decanter. Condition, considering such a delicate set,
is outstanding. All of the bottles and their stoppers are in
perfect condition, with no chips or cracks. All of the
stoppers seat tightly. The box shows signs of age and use but no
abuse and is very presentable. 11 3/4 inches wide, 8 inches tall and
7 inches deep. Each bottle measures 7 1/4 inches tall inclusive of
stopper. A real rarity to find of this quality, age and
condition! 1695 
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OPEN
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INTERIOR
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DECANTER
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DETAIL
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BOX
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12.57 P.O.W. STRAW WORK "BOOK."
Very scarce late 18th or very early
19th century dressing/jewelry box made in the form of a book. This
cleverly constructed box, is made of wood with all surfaces
meticulously covered with split straw in a marquetry fashion. The
resulting effect is a remarkably lustrous surface with intricate
geometrical star burst, pinwheel and fan designs. The end pages of
the "book" appear to be genuine gilt paper which have been fitted
with faux drawer pull knobs made of bone. Opening the hinged lid
secured with a button latch reveals the beautifully preserved
interior fitted with a mirror and two hinged doors covering two tills
within. The entire interior is also decorated with straw work in the
same phenomenal fashion. This "book" measures 6 1/4 inches high by 4
1/4 inches wide and 2 inches thick. It is in an exceptionally good
state of original preservation given its great age and fragility of
this medium. As is typical of such straw work, there is evidence of
wear and small losses on the exterior. The interior is virtually
perfect and original. 695
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OPEN
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INTERIOR
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FRONT
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TOP
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BOTTOM
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12.64 IDENTIFIED SHIP'S SPEAKING TRUMPET.
Outstanding, third quarter of the
19th century American ship captain's hailing trumpet identified on
the side as coming from the "VETERAN 1874." This all brass megaphone
measures 16 inches long and 5 1/2 inches in diameter at the flared
bell and the speaking end is equipped with a form fitting mouthpiece
3 1/4 inches wide. This professionally made instrument has rolled
edges and tight seams. It is covered in its original old weathered
gray paint on the outside with traces of dark red paint within.
Condition is excellent, very sound, noting only a couple of very
minor dents. 995
The 3-masted bark VETERAN, call sign
PWHK, was a 167 foot wooden ship built in Portland, Maine in 1862.
Her homeport was Fall River, Massachusetts. In 1874-1875 she was
rebuilt in Somerset, Massachusetts, the time of this trumpet.
("Record of American and Foreign Shipping, 1885.")
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INSCRIPTION
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PERSPECTIVE
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12.63 SAILOR-MADE PURSE. Beautifully fashioned old ropework purse made by a
skilled marlinespike seaman for his sweetheart. This complicated
example of sailor knot work, known as sailor macramé, or more
precisely, "McNamara work," consists of small cotton line
meticulously knotted to form a large, very utilitarian purse or bag.
The handles are of an intricate form of cockscombing giving way to a
"cross-over" variety of the same knotting technique and then the
purse is repetitively-looped with hundreds of knots to form the bag
itself. This genuine antique example was never used, having been
stored away for decades! 17 inches wide by 25 inches high to the
handles. It is in exceptional, perfect original
condition! 149
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DETAIL
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12.12 NAUTICAL PLATES. Matched pair of turn-of-the-last-century decorative
dinner plates with detailed transfers depicting 16th century sailing
ships. These lovely plates measure over 10 inches in diameter, are
marked "Diana, Made In Sweden" and each bear the hand-painted number
"11042." They are also impressed with a crown and additional
numbering. Perfect original condition noting that one has a small
chip on the reverse side of the rim, not visible from the front.
69/pr
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MARKS
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12.61 FISHING GAFF. Late 19th century or very early 20th fishing gaff
likely used in the early commercial fishing industry of West Coast
America. This fearsome looking device features a long, gradually
tapering wooden handle 29 inches in length. The handle is constructed
in a most unusual and decorative manner, consisting of 4 long
triangular interlacing "splines" of mahogany on the large end with
lighter shade maple on the tapered end, much like a pool cue! The
handle could be refinished for an beautiful effect. However we have
chosen to leave it in its as-found finish. At the "working end" is a
graceful steel hook with a sharp point. The shaft of the hook is
deeply imbedded into the wooden handle. Of special note and appeal is
the fact that the handle is is adorned with three Turk's head knots
and a tightly wrapped grip done with cotton line in a seamanlike
manner. This effective fisherman's tool is entirely hand made and was
obviously the source of great pride to its owner. Surely it rewarded
him with many a trophy! 39 1/2 inches long overall. Excellent
original condition, noting wear to paint along the shaft and slight
surface rust on the hook -- both good signs of use. 250
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DETAIL
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12.60 DOOR STOP. Very handsome 19th century American door stop cast
out of solid bronze in the
form of a magnificent full-rigged clipper ship. This rare door stop
is nicely detailed showing the ship's sails, rigging and lines -- all
done in a very difficult medium to portray same. It stands 9 1/2
inches tall by 11 1/2 inches wide and weighs 8 pounds. Perfect
original condition with an exceptional statuary bronze age
patina. 495
We have seen similar mid-1800's door stops
in cast iron with painted surfaces selling in the $300 range. This
splendid example is solid bronze!
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BACK
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12.58 BOOKENDS. Early 1900's solid brass bookends made in the form of
the famous Portland Head Lighthouse on Cape Elizabeth, Maine. This
matched pair is made of solid brass and is cast in high, detailed
relief. Each bookend weighs a substantial 3 1/2 pounds! The backs
are both signed in embossed lettering "O.P. Peterson Co., Portland,
Maine." The quality of these castings is extremely good, even down to
the curved foghorn on the right! 5 inches tall by 5 inches wide.
Excellent condition with the original polish now showing signs of
age. A really nice set with the most desirable subject matter.
395/pr
Portland Head Light is arguably the most
famous lighthouse in America. Originally built in 1791 under the
administration of President George Washington, this classic
lighthouse has since been the object of untold admiration in the form
of paintings, sculptures and even poetry! In still functions today as
an ocean sentinel in testament to the determination and ingenuity of
the early American citizens who built her.
12.52 FID. Incredibly massive sailor's seagoing tool in the
form of a "marlin spike" or fid, constructed entirely of dense lignin
vitae wood. This heavy ropeworking tool was turned out of a solid
chunk of the rich tight-grained wood. There are three decorative
scribes on the butt end. Such a tool would have been used to open the
lay of the largest mooring lines and hawsers for splicing. 19 inches
long by 4 1/2 inches thick at the widest. Excellent original
condition showing use with good patina. The biggest we've seen!
195
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DETAIL
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12.51 STERLING SALT
SPOON. Beautifully made hallmarked
sterling silver salt spoon bearing the Sheffield mark of a crown with
the letter "m" indicating the year of manufacture, 1904. The spoon is
further marked "STERLING." On the obverse is written in relief
"HUDSON RIVER" followed by a very detailed reticulated image of a
large side wheel steamer underway with pennants streaming and smoke
belching, identified as "WASHINGTON IRVING." Spoon measures 2 3/4
inches long and rates as being in mint condition. 69
The passenger/excursion steamer
WASHINGTON IRVING was a legendary presence on the Hudson River in the
late 1800's between New York City and upstate destinations.
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HALLMARK
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12.50 SEA BAG LOCK. Very scarce turn-of-the-last century all brass
folding bar lock used to secure a sailor's sea bag. This clever
hand-made device consists of a curved brass bar with pivoting arm
which closes similar to a locking hasp. In use, the eyelets or
grommets surrounding the opening of a sea bag were rove through with
the straight portion of the bar and then it was secured with the
padlock. The original early padlock is marked "Made In England Pat
267348" on one side with an anchors and chain mark on the reverse.
Excellent original condition. No key, but a competent locksmith could
easily fabricate one. Our low price 95
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LOCK
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12.47 LAUNCHING RELICS. Rare, early World War II launching commemorative in
the form of a sterling silver cigarette box. This jewelry-quality box
is signed on the bottom "Shreve & Co San Francisco Sterling." The
inside of the gold-washed lid is beautifully engraved with the
presentation reading "Mrs. O.A. Mechlin, Sponsor of "S.S. THOMAS
MACDONOUGH" on January 28th 1942 Built by Oregon Shipbuilding
Corporation for the United States Maritime Commission." This
wood-lined humidor is two-tiered, separated by a glass partition. On
the bottom are shards of the original champagne bottle used in the
launching ceremony. In the top is the red, white and blue ribbon
which was tied to the bottle. Together with this presentation is an
original newspaper article dated January 29, 1942. It shows a picture
of MACDONOUGH during launch and a close-up of Mrs. Mechlin with
the champagne bottle in her hand. The caption reads, "PORTLAND Mrs.
O.A. Mechlin, wife of maritime commission's co-ordinator of plant
construction on the west coast, is shown about to christen the new
liberty ship Thomas Macdonough at launching ceremonies at Oregon
Shipbuilding corporation Wednesday. Mr. Mechlin watches her wind up
with a bottle of champagne." 9 1/2 inches long by 3 1/4 inches wide
and 2 1/2 inches high. Perfect condition. 895
The S.S.
THOMAS MACDONOUGH United States
maritime Commission hull number 179, was a Liberty Ship of 441 1/2
feet in length with a beam of 57 feet. It displaced 14,425 tons with
a registered tonnage of 7176 tons. With a shaft horsepower of 2500
its maximum speed was 11 knots. MACDONOUGH was one
of the first ships of its type, launched just weeks after the
Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor. It saw uneventful service a war
cargo carrier. Put in mothballs after the war, it was eventually
scrapped in 1960.
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CONTENTS
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OPEN
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INSCRIPTION
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SIGNATURE
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CLIPPING
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12.48 SEA CHEST. Diminutive size mid-19th century American seaman's
trunk. This stout six-board chest is constructed of pine with a
mahogany bottom. The overlapping lid hinges open to reveal a lidded
till and the original lock with striker plate. This chest is slightly
canted on the front and retains its original wooden skirt at the base
on all four sides. The skirt in the front shows some old losses
indicative or actual use. The significant value of this chest is its
decorative, unusually large, oversize beckets done in sailor
macramé. These ropework handles have grips covered in tight
Spanish hitching flanked on either side by Turk's head knots. The
knots retain traces of original old red paint. This chest measures 35
inches long, 13 1/2 inches high and 14 inches across. Excellent
condition with original old variegated paint surfaces showing much
use but no abuse. A really fine example of a seaman's chest in a size
that is perfect for a small space. 1195
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OPEN
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DETAIL
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12.43 EARLY SEA CHEST. Authentic seaman's trunk from the turn of the 19th
century (circa 1800). This fine, very early seagoing chest is
constructed in the traditional manner using hand dovetailed joinery
and exhibits the distinctive "canted" or sloped sides. This stout box
is made of wide boards of solid
teak and is unusually heavy! The
fitted top with overhanging lip is made of less heavy, easier lifted
pine, attached with brass hinges and lock striker plate. The front of
the chest retains its original huge old brass skeleton lock with
London markings. On the left is a lidded till with yet another lock.
Speaking to this chest's age and quality, the massive bottom boards
are attached with very early bronze "Rose Head" nails! The original
molded skirt rims the bottom of the chest and there is evidence that
it was once fitted with two "runners" which originally served to
elevate the chest from the deck -- a necessary feature when the deck
was awash. An important aspect of any sea chest are its beckets. This
chest has a beautiful pair of decoratively woven ropework handles.
They are suspended in their original carved cleats, reinforced with
leather and adorned with Turk's head knots. These decorative yet
phenominally strong beckets show minimal wear and retain virtually
all their nice old blue-gray paint. The chest measures 42 1/2 inches
long at the base, with the overall length including cleats at 45 1/2
inches. It is 21 inches wide at the base, 15 1/2 inches wide on the
lid and stands 17 1/2 inches tall. The chest is in excellent
extremely sound condition for its age. It does evidence good use,
expected wear and some old filling of seams due to age shrinkage.
Handsome natural finish to all rich surfaces. A genuine
classic!
12.38 LIGHTHOUSE. Impressive early 1900's lighthouse made of
solid bronze!This unusually large example stands 17 1/2 inches
tall by 8 1/2 inches wide at the base and weighs a hefty 17 pounds.
The "lantern" at the top is removable and contains its original clear
glass lens. The sides of the lighthouse are cast in the form of
bricks, beautifully finished and retaining their original statuary
bronze surface. There are three windows and a door in the lighthouse,
all hand-painted for further realism. The massive base is cast in the
form of craggy rocks with a stairway leading to the door. The base is
in its original deep green verdigris finish which simulates sea rocks
perfectly! Certainly one of the biggest and nicest lighthouse statues
we have yet seen. 795
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LANTERN
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BASE
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12.37 SHIPWRIGHT'S TOOL. Very scarce 19th century auger used in shipbuilding
to drill holes in timbers for attaching same with iron or copper
spikes. This hand wrought iron and cast steel hand drill has a one
piece oak handle secured to the shaft by means of an iron collar with
thumb screws. The helical drill shaft terminates in its original
2-bladed cutter with sharp threaded screw tip. This drill is of a
very impressive size, measuring 17 inches wide at the handle by
nearly a yard long, and is capable of cutting a hole 1 3/8th inches
in diameter! Outstanding original condition showing good age and use
with excellent old surfaces.
249
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HANDLE
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12.20 CAPTAIN'S INKWELL. Very scarce and highly collectible mid-19th century
or earlier ship's inkwell. This elegantly fashioned inkwell is made
of spun pewter with a very broad base to prevent it from tipping or
sliding from the Captain's table in a seaway. The tapered and fluted
body features a hinged cap covering a removable porcelain insert
which held the ink. Encircling the inkwell are 5 openings for storing
additional pen quills. The pewter is unmarked but is quite likely of
American origin. 6 inches in diameter and 2 inches tall. Condition is
absolutely outstanding with a nice untouched old surface with a
wonderful age patina. Remarkably the porcelain inkwell insert is in
perfect original condition after more than a century and a half of
use! A real rarity that we are very pleased to be able to
offer. 395
Found in coastal Maine. Quill pen shown is
not included in of this offering.
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OPEN
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DISPLAY IDEA
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12.19 P.O.W. SNUFF BOX. Absolutely charming late 18th or very early 19th
century carved bone folk art snuff box depicting a handsome gentleman
suitor courting a lovely maiden. This intricately constructed box is
indicative of the incredible output of French prisoners in British
prisons during the Napoleonic War era. It consists of an inner core
of solid wood that has been hollowed out. Overlaying the wood is
sheathing consisting of bovine bone attached with tiny brass pins.
The box opens with fine hand-made brass hinges and is equipped with a
tiny friction latch which allows it to close with a positive fit,
assuring preservation of its precious contents. The front of the box
is engraved with the initials "CT DW." It is both relief carved AND
engraved with floral motifs and a "brick" pattern. It measures 3 1/2
inches long by 2 1/4 inches wide and 1 1/4 inches thick. This snuff
box is in an incredible state of original preservation with no damage
or repairs whatsoever. A superbly rare example of 200 year old P.O.W. work
with a delightfully endearing subject! 1895
12.16 LIFESAVING MEDAL. Extremely rare, and highly collectible lifesaving
badge award to a ship's Captain for saving a ship in distress. This
genuine 19th century lifesaving medal was awarded by the "Liverpool
Shipwreck and Humane Society (estab. 1839)" as embossed on the
reverse with the image of a large crane holding an olive branch and
surrounded by acanthus leaves. It was awarded to "Cap.t Oliver R.
Young S.S. "St. PANCRAS" For Rescuing The Crew of The Brigantine
"PETREL". Feb.y 19. 1892" as engraved on the periphery. The obverse
depicts a dramatic scene in high relief of a muscular rescuer
retrieving a limp child from the wreckage of a ship while another
rescue is shown in the background. The accompanying legend reads
"Lord Save Us. We Perish." This large medal is struck from heavy
sterling silver and is fitted with its original ornate hanger affixed
to a blue silk ribbon with sterling pin clasp. It is in fine,
original, unpolished condition and exhibits amazing detail with no
wear. The medallion itself is 1 1/2 inches in diameter and over 1/8th
inch thick, with the entire presentation measuring 3 3/4 inches. A
superbly historic, and dramatic relic of adventure at sea during the
late 1800's! 795
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'PETREL'
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REVERSE
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'St.PANCRAS''
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12.69 "EASTER EGG." Quite unusual decorative 19th century oblong milk
glass display piece. This Victorian Easter "egg" is entirely hand
done -- molded and hand blown with a telling pontil at the pointed
end. The side of the egg is cast in relief with an old fashioned
anchor and the word "EASTER" above. It was then colorfully hand
painted with lilacs, foliage, and gold highlights. The egg itself is
in outstanding original condition with no cracks or chips; the
applied paint showing expected wear. 6 1/4 inches long by 4 inches
wide. Very reminiscent of the glass "sailor's rolling pins" of the
period. A lovely antique display piece fitting for the
season. 
12.26 SCULPTURE. Genuine 19th C. French statue of a handsome young
fisherman carrying his net entitled "PECHEUR." This spelter metal
statue is mounted to its original turned wooden base painted to
resemble marble. 11 1/4 inches tall. Good overall condition noting a
small section of the wood has been reattached. Decorative and
pleasing. 199
12.35 CHINA TRADE FRAME. Ornate 19th century frame carved to commemorate an
American sailor's visit to Shanghai, China. This beautifully executed
hardwood frame is carved in the form of a ship's life ring backed by
an American eagle perched atop an old fashioned anchor surrounded by
acanthus leaves. The lifering bears the painted inscription "SHANGHAI
CHINA" and is flanked by a colorful American flag on the left and
Norwegian flag on the right. The center of this presentation has an
aperture suitable for a portrait photo measuring 3 1/2 by 5 1/4
inches. To these ends the reverse is cleverly equipped with 3
pivoting wooden tabs to hold the picture in place. This charming
rendering measures 8 inches wide by 11 1/2 inches tall and is in an
outstanding state of preservation. The wooden surfaces are original
and have a lovely rich, mellow age patina. The painted flags show
very desirable cracilature to the paint. 395
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