West Sea
Company
OTHER NAUTICAL
Catalog Page 12
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12.96 18th CENTURY CLAY PIPE. Unusually
large clay pipe as used by sailors smoking their tobacco in
the 1700's. This scarce example measures 14 inches long and
has a bowl 1 inch in diameter. This pipe is in wonderful
original condition exhibiting actual use, with a nice age
patina to all surfaces. 139
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BOWL
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TIP
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12.95 SEA CAPTAIN’s CHAMBER
POT. Genuine, very scarce
turn-of-the-last-century vitreous china “honey pot”
as used by captains and elite ship’s officers aboard
sailing vessels before the advent of shipboard
plumbing. This large bowl has a handle affixed to one
side. The inside bottom and both sides are decorated
with the same chromolithograph transfer depicting merchants
on the shore, a sailing vessel at anchor in the harbor and a
town with lighthouse in the background. The bottom is
signed “Safe Harbor Designed from an old platter on
hand engraved copper attributed to Rogers 1824 Produced in
Royal Staffordshire Ceramics ENGLAND” with the image
of a brigantine. This lovely old pot measures 9 ¼
inches in diameter, 10 ¾ inches wide overall and stands
5 ¼ inches high. It is in outstanding original
condition with no chips or cracks, but still evidencing
mellow age and cracilature in the glaze. The first of
these we have ever been able to offer! Circa
1900.
695
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REVERSE
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INTERIOR
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BOTTOM
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SIGNATURE
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12.93 NAVAL CANNON.
Authentic, very realistic 19th century model
of a naval gun. This handsome piece consists of a
finely cast and turned brass barrel mounted in trunnions on
a mahogany carriage with brass fittings and four brass
wheels. This cannon has a threaded breach, through
bore and a touch hole in the end. It was not intended
for firing. 7 ¾ inches long by 3 3/8 inches
wide. Outstanding original condition with a great old
patina to all surfaces.
99
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12.90 ANTIQUE SAWFISH BILL.
Interesting anatomical relic in the form of the snout of a
sawfish. This fearsome specimen has 30 razor sharp “teeth”
symmetrically spaced down the edges of the bill. The
bill itself is a thin, very stiff, leather-like extension of
the fish’s snout which was apparently used to hack and
capture prey. This example measures 18 ½ inches
long by 6 inches wide at the widest. One side is
deeply hand-carved, “KILLED – 1901.”
Very good original condition noting that two of the teeth
are chipped.
195
Unmistakably unique, the small tooth sawfish resembles
sharks in appearance but is actually a large,
bottom-dwelling ray. The name makes reference to the long,
saw-like bill, edged by numerous razor-sharp teeth.
This has been a mixed blessing for the species. The
small tooth sawfish can use its jagged snout to great
advantage to sense and capture prey. Yet its bill makes it
especially prone to capture in fishermen’s nets.
Throughout the twentieth century people killed the sawfish
as a curiosity — a novelty to be mounted on a
wall.
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12.85 CANNON BOOKENDS. Excellent matched
pair of 18th century style ship’s guns mounted on their
carriages. This realistic presentation features the cast iron
cannons with decorative turnings and brass fittings mounted in
trunnions to their solid walnut carriages with ebony wheels and brass
axles. Adding to their realism the carriages are equipped with
quoins, brass elevating gear, chocks and brass chains. Each is
then mounted to a heavy solid walnut stand in rich original finish
with a black felt bottom. Each bookend measures 9 ½ inches long
by 5 ½ inches wide and 5 ½ inches high. The barrels
themselves measure 7 ½ inches long. Outstanding original
condition with a great old look. Circa 1950. One of the
nicest pairs of bookends we have ever come across! 
12.84 STATUARY BRONZE LIGHHOUSE
LIGHT. Period 1930’s table lamp in the
form of an old American lighthouse. This functional lamp is
cast of solid bronze with very fine detail. It consists of the
slender lighthouse tower set atop a heavy, broad base of craggy rocks
with winding stairs. The tower itself is cast in high relief
depicting realistic interlocking hewn stone with 3 shuttered
windows and a door. Atop the tower is the lantern with
six windows, conical roof and classic bulbous chimney. It is
surrounded by a viewing platform with railing. Adding to its
realism, a functional low wattage light is installed in the lantern
which is activated by a rotating brass On/Off switch in the
base. The bottom of this lamp is protected by the original
metal cover plate. 6 ½ inches wide by 13 ¾
inches tall and weighing 8 pounds. Outstanding original
condition with its magnificent original statuary bronze age
patina. They don’t come any nicer!
495
12.83 EARLY SAILOR’s KNIFE.
Classic, blunt-tipped knife as issued to and used by seamen in the
18th and 19th centuries. This nice example has “jigged”
carved wooden grips on each side, a metal bolster and a pivoting bail
on the working end. This single blade knife has a thumbnail
indent for pulling out the blade which locks into place with a sure
action. It measures 5 ¼ inches closed (inclusive of bail)
and 8 ½ inches extended. Excellent original condition with
some minor spotting on the blade, as expected of an antique knife
used in a marine environment.
49
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CLOSED
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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.
795
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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12.79 BATTLESHIP MAINE CANDY
DISH. Very rare, genuine, late 19th century milk glass
candy dish with cover. This charming commemorative is cast with
high detail in the form of the famous Battleship Maine which blew up
in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898. That event sparked the
Spanish-American War. The resultant outpouring of patriotism
led to a ready market for such commemoratives, and the famous slogan “Remember
the Maine.” This example, made by Atterbury later that
year, is cast in relief “MAINE” on both sides of the
bow. It measures 7 ¾ inches long, 3 ¾ inches high and
4 1/8 inches wide. It is in exceptionally fine condition for
such a fragile item of this vintage, with only a couple of very minor
fish eyes on the rim.
199
See Everett Grist, “Covered Animal Dishes,” 1987,
Collector Books, page 93. This large, covered milkglass dish is one
of the rarest.
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MAINE
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COVER
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12.77 EARLY BOOKENDS.Matched pair,
turn-of-the-last century bookends in the unusual form of a bow-on
sailing ship.These precisely-cast sculptures are in their original
antique statuary bronze finish.The front of each bears the
inscription, "IRON BARQUE MACQUERIE" while the backs are incised with
the ship's statistics:"BUILT IN 1875. BY MESSRS R & H GREEN OF
LONDON HER REG. TONNAGE IS 1977.LENGTH. 269.8 FT.BEAM: 40.1
FT.DERTH:23.7 FT."The rear is embossed "JB 2503" indicating Jennings
Brothers Manufacturing Co. of Bridgeport, Connecticut.These handsome
bookends stand 6 1/2 inches tall, 4 inches wide, by 2 1/2 inches deep
and weigh just under 3 pounds.Outstanding original condition.A rare
pair of antique bookends made contemporaneously with the vessel they
honor.195/pr
Jennings Brothers began their manufactory in
Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1891 and continued business into the early
1900s. The company produced some of the finest crafted art metal
pieces ever made.The product line included high grade bookends,
candlesticks and figurines. Their methods were exacting and
meticulous, not lending themselves to mass production.Rather, they
relied upon the expert skills of individual artists, sculptors and
metal craftsman.Today Jennings Brothers metalwork is highly prized.
Surviving examples bearing the distinctive "JB" mark are avidly
sought after by collectors world-wide.
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SIDES
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BACKS
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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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12.75 BOOK ENDS. Finest quality book
ends made by the prestigious firm of Bradley & Hubbard as marked
on the backs, "B&H." This matched pair is constructed of heavy
cast brass in high relief with extraordinary detail! Each depicts a
17th century galleon at sea with sails set and pennants streaming.
The vignette is encircled by an ornate "rope" border with mythical
winged dolphins of the period flanking either side. The backs feature
a hand-punched surface of the most exceptional quality. Each book end
is in its original gold finish with polished brass highlights. 2 1/2
pounds each. 6 1/2 inches tall by 4 inches wide each. Circa 1920.
Perfect original condition! 295
In 1854 Nathaniel Bradley and his brother William formed a
partnership with Walter Hubbard named Bradley and Hubbard in
the town of Meridian, Connecticut. The same company, under its
previous owners, was engaged primarily in the production of clocks.
But bells and sewing machines were added to the line through the
1860's.
During the Civil War Bradley and Hubbard expanded its
market west of the Mississippi, adding flags, hoop skirts, spring
measuring tapes and match safes to its production during the war.
With the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania in 1859 Bradley &
Hubbard decided to begin production of kerosene burning lamps. By
1871, kerosene virtually replaced whale oil for heating and
illumination. New ways of burning it more efficiently were needed.
Between 1868 and 1875 Bradley and Hubbard secured 33 patents
relating to oil-burning lamps. In 1875 the firm was reorganized and
renamed The Bradley and Hubbard Manufacturing Company.
Growing rapidly during the 1880's, the company added new products
such as architectural castings, railings, fences, window guards, and
elevator enclosures. By the 1890's the Bradley and Hubbard
name was synonymous with high quality and artistic merit.
The company continued into the early 20th century, surviving the
Great Depression. But after 88 years in business, it was sold in 1940
to the Charles Parker Company, also of Meriden.
12.71 CIGAR CUTTER/ASHTRAY. Authentic, 19th century German
figural ashtray with the dual purpose of being a cigar cutter. This
is without question the finest example of such a nautical novelty
that we have ever offered. It consists of a realistic solid brass
ship's engine order telegraph mounted to an ashtray with two supports
for lit cigars. The double sided dial of the telegraph head is marked
in relief with the standard engine orders (in German) with STOP
(HALT) marked in red. The moveable handle swings indicator arrows
over both dials while moving internal knife edges on both sides.
These were used to cut off the tips of old fashioned cigars. The
threaded removable base also acted as a repository for the tips. One
of the nicest features of this presentation is the hand-hammered
brass ashtray which exhibits hundreds of small impressions done in a
repoussé manner. 6 1/2 inches high by 6 inches wide and 5 1/2
inches from front to back. Outstanding original condition, totally
functional, and with a lovely statuary bronze age patina to all
surfaces. 495
12.67 EARLY SHIP COMMEMORATIVE.
Genuine, early 1900's framed photograph of the American steamer
identified as the S.S. STEEL WORKER. This handsome
presentation consists of a period black and white photograph of the
vessel that has been hand tinted. It is mounted under glass within a
turned redwood frame in the form of a ship's wheel. The frame is
decoratively hand-painted in a distinctive style, "S.S. STEEL WORKER"
with a fouled anchor. The image measures 5 1/2 inches in diameter
with the entire presentation being 12 inches across. Excellent
original condition.
179
The S.S. STEEL WORKER, call sign
KDBJ, was built by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. (a
division of United States Steel) Kearney, New Jersey in 1920. She was
of 5,860 gross tons, 3,450 net tons, had a length of 424 feet, a
breadth of 56 feet and a draft of 26 1/2 feet. With a crew of 34,
S.S. STEEL WORKER operated under the ownership of the Isthmian
Steamship Company, home ported in New York.
The distinctive style and format of this
presentation is quite recognizable and has come to our attention
several times before. (See West Sea Co. items 5.13, 5.14, 5.74, 5.77
and 15.68). Although the authorship of these commemoratives is
unknown, they apparently were produced by a cottage industry in the
San Francisco Bay Area in the first quarter of the 20th century. They
are quite collectible and are still very inexpensive for what they
are -- decorative, real time ship mementoes made for the
crew!
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SHIP
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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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12.60 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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12.51 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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12.48 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
With the passing of what is known as
the Glorious Era of Sail, the ancient custom of sailors' sea chests
aboard ship came to an end. Rarely found in the naval service, often
seen on the merchantmen, the sea chest was always carried by the
whalers.
Today an occasional specimen turns up in an
old barn, attic or country auction, whereupon it suddenly acquires a
value that would astound its former owner. This is as it should be,
for it represents an era and a breed of man long since gone, and an
art that would be lost to posterity were it not for the interest of
today's collectors.
The sea chest was the sailor's wardrobe, his
secret hiding place, his hope chest, the repository of his pitifully
few treasures -- his one bit of privacy where privacy was almost
nonexistent.
Except for the cheap affairs with cast iron
handles, the sailor invariably made his own beckets -- no two of them
made alike. Weeks and months of odd moments went into making these
rope beckets, for they were the culmination of all that he had
learned of his craft. In fact sea chest beckets represent the highest
type of marlinspike seamanship. (Hervey Garrett Smith, "The
Marlinspike Sailor." )
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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!
12.37 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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12.19 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
12.26 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
© 1998-2012 West Sea Co. All
rights reserved.
