West Sea Co. OTHER NAUTICAL Catalog Page 12

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. 195

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! 595/pr

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

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

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.

12.81 SAILOR’s VALENTINE. A particularly special 19th century shell work “valentine” of the type carried home by sailors who visited the Caribbean island of Barbados. This full diptych example consists of 2 octagonal cases hinged in the middle with glazed presentations on both sides. The left, comprised of hundreds tiny shells, expresses the endearment “THINK OF ME,” while the right portrays a colorful pink heart above which is a classic kedge anchor. Both sides exhibit meticulous detail done by a skilled artisan with utmost skill and forethought. The presentations are sealed under old wavy glass in their original Spanish cedar cases which fold together nicely with a hook and eye closure. Two old suspension rings are attached on the tops for display. Each side measures slightly over 9 inches wide on the flats. The entire presentation measures 18 ½ inches wide and closes to just under 3 inches thick. Outstanding original condition. Serious collectors will really be hard pressed to find a better example of this type of seafaring folk art!

The first true sailor-made valentines were probably of English origin dating to the early 1800’s. Sailors combed the beaches of tropical ports of call during their time ashore and used their carefully collected bounty to fabricate colorful designs of the utmost intricacy. These were contained within mahogany cases often carved with exceptional beauty in their own right. By the mid-19th century a pair of enterprising English brothers struck upon the idea of providing ready-made valentines for visiting sailors. They found the Caribbean island of Barbados to be ideal for their business venture. Barbados, once considered the crossroads of the world and a major stopover point on long sea voyages had abundant raw material for their proposed trade. The brothers set up shop employing local women and children to collect shells and fabricate the valentines which were then marketed to visiting sailors in souvenir shops around town. One of the most famous of those was The Old Curiosity Shop. The trade flourished and literally thousands were sold in the latter decades of the 1800’s.

Genuine “Sailors’ Valentines” as they are now known, usually included shells arranged in the form of a flower or a heart, geometric patterns and often a short message. The most common messages were, “A Present From Barbados, Remember Me, Forget Me Not, Think of Me, For My Mother, For My Sister, Love The Giver, Home Sweet Home, A Gift, Home Again, With Love, etc.” In short they bore an endearing message of a fond nature which gave rise to the moniker “Valentine.” Some valentines contained one or more slots for a photograph. Regardless of their content, the boxes were consistent. They were made of Spanish cedar in an octagonal form representing the 8 points of the mariner’s compass. Most were two-sided (double), hinged in the center (diptych), with glass panels and closed with a hook and eye or small box lock. When shut, the shell work was concealed and the glass covered for safety in transport.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the trade waned, but another form of valentine began to be manufactured during the late Victorian era. These were described as “fancy work for ladies” and often contained chromolithographed prints along with their shell patterns. The cases were no longer made of wood but of stiff paper, often in geometric forms like stars and circles -- even anchors, hearts and bells.

According to The Ancient Mariner at http//:www.seagifts.com, “Antique Sailor’s Valentines are selling for prices between eight and eighteen thousand dollars.” Although high end antique dealers sell examples for in excess of $25,000..


CASE	LEFT DETAIL	RIGHT DETIAL	PERSPECTIVE

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. 295

12.79 BATTLESHIP MAINE CANDY DISH. 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. 139

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.

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

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!

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

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.")

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!

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.

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." )

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

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


OPEN	DECANTER	STOPPER	BOX	INLAY DETAIL


CONTENTS	OPEN	INSCRIPTION	SIGNATURE	CLIPPING


DETAIL	SIDES	BACKS	MAKER


OPEN	INTERIOR	FRONT	TOP	BOTTOM


CANT	OPEN	TILL	DETAIL


PROFILE	MUZZELS	DETAIL


DETAIL	BACK	BASE


DISPLAY IDEA	OPEN


LANTERN	BASE