West Sea Company

VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Catalog Page 15

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15.93  PERIOD PHOTO.  Original photograph of the wreck of the steamship SS ANNA SCHAFER on the rocks on the approaches to the Golden Gate of San Francisco Bay.  The ill-fated 4-masted vessel can be clearly seen with her name just visible on the starboard bow.  The clear black and white image measures 8 by 9 ½ inches and is in its nice, period wood frame under the original old glass measuring 9 ¼ by 11 ¼ inches overall.  Ready to hang.  29 According to Don B. Marshall, author of “California Shipwrecks,” 1978, Superior Publishing Co., Seattle,  The ANNA SCHAFER was owned by the Schafer Brothers Logging Company of Aberdeen, Washington.  She ran hard aground on the rocky headlands just north of the Golden Gate in 1940.

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15.92    FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPH.   Original late 19th century, large format albumen photograph signed and identified by the noted Boston marine photographer Nathaniel L. Stebbins.  This handsome example is “blind signed” (impressed) lower right “N.L. STEBBINS Photo BOSTON.”  Then it is stamped in ink on the reverse, “N. L. STEBBINS.  MARINE  & LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER, 521 WASHINGTON ST. BOSTON, MASS.”  Further it is  pencil signed in the photographer’s own cursive hand, “Steam Yacht Aurora taken when moving 10 nautical miles per hour.”  This photo depicts the large 2-masted steam/sail yacht on the port beam.  The detail of this photograph bears close scrutiny under magnification showing 2 crewmen on the foc’scle, the vessel’s nameboard reading “AURORA” on the pilothouse, looming smokestack and at least 6 of the owner’s party on the fantail.  The image measures 9 3/8 by 7 ¾ inches sight and is matted on its original tan mat under the original old wavy glass measuring 13 ½ by 10 ½ inches.  It is housed in the original solid oak frame with fancy gilt liner measuring 20 by 17 inches overall.  The back retains its original single pine board backing held in with hand-cut square nails.  The overall presentation is in excellent original condition throughout.  395 Nathaniel Livermore Stebbins (1847 - 1922) is quite arguably the most famous American marine photographer in history.  His photographs documented an important era in the development of American maritime activities at a time when the industrial revolution was taking hold.  The revolution created sweeping technological and social changes in the activities of military, commercial and leisurely ocean travel. In 1882, shortly after the introduction of the dry plate photograph, Stebbins became interested in photography.  The fast exposure time and ease of use, made photography more practical.  These photographic innovations, his interest in the sea, and the fact that he had virtually no competition, lead Stebbins to embark on a career as a maritime photographer.  In furthering his pursuits it is known that Stebbins was a member of yacht clubs both in the Boston and Marblehead, Massachusetts Stebbins obviously sold a number of his original prints, but he also produced a number of books containing nautical images, including an illustrated coastal guide which was ground-breaking in its use of practical photography.  Stebbins’ images appeared in such well-known magazines as “The Rudder” and “Yachting.” Spanning a career from 1884 to 1922, Stebbins took an estimated 25,000 photographs.  Of those about 60% were of marine subjects.   The remainder of his work comprised city scenes, theater, railroads and domestic interiors.. Stebbins published a number of books which depicted his maritime photography.  Of note was his innovative Illustrated Coast Pilot, which included actual photographs of landmarks and aids to navigation on the East Coast.  The first edition, published in 1891 covered the East Coast between New York and Maine.   The second edition of 1896 expanded the coverage to include the entire Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Upon his death, Stebbins’ collection consisted of about 20,000 negatives, mostly glass plates, which were the usual medium for high-resolution negatives at the time.  The collection was purchased by another photographer.  Tradition holds that most were sold for scrap as greenhouse glass. Today, only a few of the original plates survive in the Peabody Museum in Salem Massachusetts.  A precious few more are protected in the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia.  Thankfully, the bulk of the remaining collection (about 5,000 images total, of which a little over 2,500 are the original glass negatives) were rescued by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities by William Appleton, founder of the Society. The steam auxiliary 2-masted schooner yacht AURORA was recorded in the 1895 edition of the “Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector General” dated September 9 – “Steam Yacht Aurora coming out of Salem Harbor, collided with a dory containing six persons, but no one was hurt.”

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15.66 LAUNCHING PHOTOGRAPHS. Pair of original large format black and white photographs detailing the launchings early in World War II of the Liberty Ships BENJAMIN FRANKLIN and PAUL REVERE from the California Shipbuilding Corporation's facilities in Los Angeles. These extremely clear images show the ways and surrounding wooden structures of the shipyard. In the case of the Franklin, unfinished sister ships flank both sides, with numerous yard personnel visible on the deck of the ship to the right. In the distance, all manner of pleasure craft and a tugboat can be seen. In the case of the Revere, there is little fanfare. Only a lone gentleman on the dock is to be seen. However a view of the surrounding port facilities is clearly visible in the distance. Each image is matted and titled in pencil lower center, "CAL-SHIP HULL 3" in the case of the Franklin and "CAL-SHIP HULL 5" for the Revere. Each is untouched in its original simple wooden frame under glass measuring 16 by 18 inches overall. 149/pr  The S.S. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was the 3rd and the S.S. PAUL REVERE was 5th ship built at "CALSHIP" just after America's entry into the War in early 1942. Liberty ships were normally recorded with their U.S. Maritime Commission numbers (the number shown on the builder's plate), those being 66 and 68 for these ships respectively. In a special edition of CALSHIP's magazine, "The 400th Ship Issue," this identical photograph of the just-launched PAUL REVERE appears! "The maiden voyage of the BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was an uneventful delivery of 10,000 tons of bombs, fuses, rations, trucks, gasoline, road graders, flour, Army cots, asphalt, lime and nitrate to Vila in the New Hebrides. She returned by way of Antofogasta, Chile for a cargo of ore. The only break in the routine came when a fireman did not report on the 4 to 8 watch. "A thorough search was made," said the ship's log. "Various members of the crew were questioned as to when the man was last seen and why he might want to jump overboard. He was not found."" (John Bunker, "Liberty Ships," 1972, Ayer Co. Publishers, Salem, New Hampshire.)

FRANKLIN	REVERE

15.89  SCHOONER PHOTO.  Original 19th century albumen photograph of a 3-masted schooner at anchor.  The reverse is signed in pencil “Sch at Boston.”  The image measures 4 ½ by 6 ½ inches and is mounted on its original heavy photo card mount 6 ½ by 8 ½ inches.  Untouched original condition.  5

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15.84  USS OLYMPIA PHOTOGRAPH.  Impressive panoramic photograph of the festive welcoming of Admiral Dewey’s flagship the USS OLYMPIA upon returning from its around the world cruise and celebration of it victory over the Spanish Armada in the Spanish-American War.  This original silver plate photograph is blind signed lower right “Copyright 1902 C. E. BOLLES, BROOKLYN, N.Y.”  It depicts the white battleship surround by numerous tugboats festooned with flags and pennants.  Several bear bold banners reading “POLICE.”  In the background can bee seen the harbor surrounds, which look more like Boston than Brooklyn.  The perfect image is clear and bright, measuring 7 by 9 ¼ inches sight under a gray mat measuring 13 by 15 inches.  An original historic photograph over 100 years old.  295

15.83  FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPH.  Genuine very early 1900’s glass plate silver print of the Cruiser USS CHESTER (CL-1) on a speed run, as taken by renowned marine photographer N.L. Stebbins.  This spectacular photo is signed lower left, “18486 U.S.S. Chester Copyright 1908. by N. L. Stebbins. Boston, Run 10. South – 25.07 knots.”  The port bow shot shows the vessel under a full head of steam belching black coal smoke.  This detailed image bears close scrutiny under magnification revealing the Union Shield adorning the prow, 5 inch deck gun, officers manning the flying bridge and many other deck details, including crewmen aft.  The coast of Massachusetts can be seen in the distance.  8 ½ by 7 ½ inches sight, mounted on its original hard dark gray card 14 by 11 inches.  Shrink-wrapped on foam core backing.  Mint condition.  269 USS CHESTER (CL-1) was the first ship to be so named, after the city of Chester, Pennsylvania.  She was launched on June 26, 1907 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine and was commissioned in Boston on April 25, 1908. During the years leading up to World War I CHESTER steamed to Africa, South America, the Mediterranean and participated in U.S operations during the Mexican uprising in 1911. In April, 1912, CHESTER escorted the RMS CARPATHIA back to New York, after the CARPATHIA had picked up survivors from the RMS TITANIC. After a period in reserve from December 1911 through November 1913, CHESTER returned to duty in the Gulf of Mexico guarding American citizens and property during the Mexican revolution. She joined in the occupation of the customs house at Veracruz on April 21st, and transported refugees to Cuba, performed various diplomatic missions, and carried mail and stores to the squadron off Veracruz until mid-June 1914, subsequently returning to Boston for overhaul. Late in 1915 into 1916 CHESTER was in the Mediterranean to aid in relief work in the Middle East, and off the Liberian coast in support of the government there threatened by insurrection. Beginning in late March 1917 CHESTER patrolled off the U. S. East Coast, sailing for Gibraltar in late August to begin convoy escort duty between Gibraltar and Plymouth, England. On September 5, 1918, the cruiser sighted an enemy submarine. In attempting to ram the enemy, CHESTER passed directly over the U-boat as it dove, damaging her own port paravane.  Depth charges were dropped on the submarine, but no further contact was established. At war's end, CHESTER carried Allied Armistice commissions on inspection tours of German ports, then carried troops for Army operations into northern Russia. On her last homeward voyage in April 1919, she returned American doughboys to New York, arriving May 7th.  She was decommissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on June 10, 1921 and sold for scrap in May 1930. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS Class:  Chester Type:  Light Cruiser   Displacement:  3,750 tons Length:  423.1 ft Beam:  47.1 ft Draft:  16.8 ft Speed:  24 knots Complement:  359 officers and enlisted Armament:  2 – 5 inch/51 cal, 6 - 3 inch /50 cal guns,  2 - 21 inch torpedo tubes.

15.79  EARLY NAVY PHOTO.  Very unusual late 19th century albumen photograph of officers posed on the deck of a U.S. Navy warship.  What is so very rare about this group photo is that women in their Victorian finery are mingled amongst the smartly uniformed officers!  There are a total of 19 officers and 4 women plus a crewman behind and 2 standing on the upper deck in the background, for a total of 26 individuals.  A large Dahlgren gun is shown in the left foreground.   On the deck above stands a sailor in flat hat holding a large telescope.  To his left is an early wooden hexagonal binnacle on pedestal with another sailor standing behind.  Faintly visible is standing rigging and a mast indicating this is aboard a sailing ship.  And the fact that the binnacle is non-compensating means it is a wooden sailing ship!  The image itself measures 7 ½ by 9 ½ inches sight.  It is mounted on its original heavy card backing which is signed “CREWES, PHOTOGRAPHER CAPE TOWN”.  There is a faint penned inscription in the lower center which we have not been able to decipher.  Perhaps a better eye could ascertain the identity of the ship!  The mat opening is 9 ¼ by 10 ¾ inches mounted in a period frame under glass measuring 14 by 16 ½ inches.  Condition is acceptable.  The image is very clear but lightly soiled.  There is a small tear with puncture upper middle which does not affect the main field of view.  Circa 1880.  195

15.77  FAMOUS PHOTO.  Original ship’s photograph of the USS BALTIMORE (Cruiser No. 3) taken by professional marine photographer Enrique Hart in New York Harbor as the vessel proceeded to the Presidential Review at Oyster Bay, New York 15-17 August 1903, with  Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, embarked.  The hand-penned inscription at the bottom of the photograph reads, “U.S.S. Baltimore. With President of the United States and Party, en route to G.A.R. Encampment at Boston, Mass.”  Signed lower right “E. H. Hart. 248 - E. 23D St., N.Y.”  This sepia tone photograph shows a starboard bow view of the imposing  iron man-o-war with ram bow, two masts and two funnels, flying the American ensign from the stern.  Several crewmen can be seen on the focs’le and open bridge.  Sailing craft dot the background and the New York waterfront is in view.  This fine image under old wavy glass measures 8 by 9 ½ inches sight and is housed in its ornate Eastlake walnut frame measuring 12 by 14 inches.  Outstanding original condition in all respects.  795 USS BALTIMORE was launched October 6, 1888 by the William Cramp & Sons Ship & Engine Building Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and commissioned January 7, 1890.  BALTIMORE saw action in the Spanish-American War during the famous Battle of Manila Bay under Commodore George Dewey, 1 May 1898.  The ship saw limited action in World War I before being decommissioned on September 15, 1922. From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, this excerpt:  “From 5 August to 23 December 1903 USS BALTIMORE (Cruiser No. 3) served with the Caribbean Squadron, North Atlantic Fleet, taking part in summer maneuvers off the coast of Maine, in the Presidential Review at Oyster Bay, New York (15-17 August), and in Santo Domingo waters. From 28 May to 26 August 1904, she was attached to the European Squadron and cruised in the Mediterranean. On 26 September she sailed from Genoa, Italy, for the Asiatic Station and spent the next two years cruising in Asiatic, Philippine, and Australian waters.” During the journey documented in this photograph, President Teddy Roosevelt delivered a speech to the Holy Name Society in Oyster Bay, New York on August 16,1903.  He is quoted: "It is no use to preach to [children] if you do not act decently yourself." After returning from the journey, in a letter to the citizens of Oyster Bay dated September 1st, the President wrote: "There are good men and bad men of all nationalities, creeds and colors; and if this world of ours is ever to become what we hope some day it may become, it must be by the general recognition that the man's heart and soul, the man's worth and actions, determine his standing."

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15.68 EARLY SHIP PHOTOS. Interesting compilation of 2 period photographs depicting the famous early West Coast liner SIERRA. The first is a classic commemorative in the form of a wooden ship's wheel encircling a sepia tone photograph of SIERRA at anchor, circa 1910. The photograph is extremely clear, showing numerous crew and passengers on deck with the name "SIERRA" clearly visible on the port bow. The ship's wheel frame is hand-painted "S.S. SIERRA" in fancy lettering with a fouled anchor. The second larger photograph, taken approximately 10 years later, shows war weary USS SIERRA, differently configured as a troopship, underway returning from the European theater with literally thousands of soldiers standing on every square inch of topside space available! This sepia toned starboard bow aspect, again is extremely detailed, bearing close scrutiny under magnification, clearly showing the vessel name. In addition it is titled by the photographer, "U.S.S. SIERRA" lower center. It can be precisely dated to 1919. Both images are in good condition. The larger evidences some toning and minor flaws. Both are within their original frames under old wavy glass. The first measures 5 1/2 inches in diameter sight, with the wheel 12 inches across. The larger photo measures 18 1/2 by 11 inches sight, within its simple wooden frame measuring 20 1/2 by 13 inches. 495 /pr The first commissioned Naval ship to bear the name SIERRA. was built by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia in 1900. She was a passenger steamer of 416 feet in length, breadth of 50 feet, with a mean draft of 24 feet. Initially owned by the John D. Sprekels Brothers Company of San Francisco, California, SIERRA was operated by the Oceanic Steamship Company in service between San Francisco, Sydney and Honolulu. With America's entry into World War I SIERRA. was acquired by the Navy on May 27, 1918, refitted as a troop carrier, and commissioned a U.S. Navy ship on July 1. SIERRA. was assigned to transatlantic station transporting troops to France until War's end. After the War SIERRA. remained in Naval service transporting American soldiers home, as seen in this photograph. She was decommissioned on October 1, 1919 and returned to her owners for merchant service.

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15.61 EARLY LAUNCHING PHOTOGRAPH. Important and rare, signed, dated and identified early albumen photograph of the launching of the 4-masted schooner FREDERICK BILLINGS at Rockport, Maine, 1885. This fabulous photograph depicts the exact moment when the large schooner plunges into the water, much to the delight and amazement of onlookers poised in small boats in the foreground. The photograph shows remarkable detail and bears close scrutiny under magnification to see the surrounding town, the intricacies of the ship itself, and the numerous onlookers -- on shore and on the decks. The back of the image is boldly signed by the photographer, "Ship Frederick Billings, Built by Carleton, Norwood & Co., Rockport, Maine, 1885, Master Builders, John Pascal & Son. - Dimensions of Ship: . . . - Photographed by W.V. LANE, Camden, ME." It goes on to advertise the photographer's prowess and states, "These views give a perfect picture of the ship as she descended into the water. The friction of the ways was so intense as to cause smoke, like fire, and it is photographed perfectly in the picture." The image measures 7 3/4 by 9 1/2 inches sight and is professionally matted under old glass in its original gilt-lined walnut frame measuring 13 1/2 by 15 1/2 inches. A really exceptional photograph which captures a remarkable moment in time over 135 years ago! 495

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15.41 PHOTOGRAPH. Late 19th century silver process photograph identified as the "Bark Levi G. Burgess J. Younger, Master" as hand written across the bottom. This period image shows the Burgess alongside the wharf. An old fashioned steam "donkey engine" can be seen to the left, and in the background the roof of one of the buildings reads "...RSON BUILDER." This image shows good detail under magnification and the vessel name can clearly be seen on the port bow.  The image measures is in perfect condition and 7 by 9 inches sight.  It is  mounted on it original card (rough edges) with the additional notation on the back, "Built Thomaston (Maine) 1877."  Perfect for framing. 149 This original photograph shows the LEVI G. BURGESS docked in San Francisco sometime between 1897-1900. Built as a full rigged ship by Samuel Watts at Thomaston, Maine, she was launched on Oct. 6th 1877. The LEVI G. BURGESS was named after the son of Captain Joseph S. Burgess of the famous shipping firm "Snow & Burgess" N.Y., who were part owners. She was a good carrier and made several fast passages "'round Cape Horn." Sold in San Francisco in 1887, she became a well known Pacific coast and "Offshore Trades" vessel. Re-rigged a Bark in 1897 (as shown in this photo) she did splendid service up until 1910 when she was sold to Alaska Portland Packers Association. Thereafter she operated as a salmon fisheries packer until 1928 when she was broken up and burnt for her metal.

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