West Sea Co. YACHTING & RACING Catalog Page 19

19.70 YACHT LOG. Absolutely pristine speed and distance log identified as “Walker’s “Excelsior” IV Ship Log” on the inner and outer labels and on the dial. This handsome, state-of-the-art mechanical instrument is of all brass construction. The hard-fired white porcelain register dial reads “Walker’s EXCELSIOR IV LOG, MADE IN ENGLAND BY THOS. WALKER & SON. LTD. BIRMINGHAM.” It features an outer scale marked in “NAUTICAL MILES” from 0 – 100 in 10’s, subdivided by 5’s. The subsidiary dial is divided from 0 -10 “MILES” subdivided by quarter miles. Indications are made by 2 blackened brass hands sweeping over the dial which has a glazed, hinged cover secured by a knurled thumbscrew. The register has a heavy brass flywheel painted red with a center eyelet for attaching the line to the rotor. To these ends the brass rotor (also known as the “fish”) has four fins, each marked “T.W. EXCELSIOR” with the firm’s anchor trademark. It is attached to several fathoms of original braided cotton line having a lead weight. The register is complete with its original pivoting bracket and “shoe” marked “PORT” and “AFT” for mounting to the vessel. It even retains a hand-held brass-tipped oiler! The entire unit is contained in its original machine dove-tailed pine box with brass hinges and hook closures. The lid contains the original signed label reading (in part) “Walker’s “Excelsior” IV Patent Log For Yachts, Motor Launches, and Fishing Craft.” Also included are 3 tables printed on stiff cardboard. The first is titled, “Speed Table for use with Walker’s Excelsior IV log.” The second is titled, “Graph of recommended length of line to be streamed with Excelsior Log.” The third is entitled, “Time and Knot Table” and “Table of Nautical and Statue Miles.” The perfect porcelain dial measures 2 ¼ inches in diameter and the register is 6 ¼ inches long. The box measures 15 by 7 ¼ by 6 inches. This unit has obviously never been used! As such it must be rated as being in “factory new” condition. 649

19.66 YACHT HISTORY REFERENCE BOOK. Yet another of the beautifully-illustrated, action packed books from the Time-Life series The Sea Farers. This lovely, hard bound faux leather cover book contains 173 pages exclusive of index. Authored by maritime expert and historian A.B.C. Whipple, it was published by Time, Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia in 1980. The book begins in 1661, documenting the meeting between two Royal yachts sailing down the Thames. There was the CATHERINE with King Charles II aboazrd, and the yacht ANNE with the King's brother, the Duke of York. To spectators it looked like a lavish floating party. But what they were actually witnessing was the first yacht race in history! From there the book chronicles the advent and advance of yacht racing through more than 3 centuries. Engendered by the Great London Exhibition of 1851, the 50 Guinea Cup Race, run around the Isle of Wight, featured upstart America’s namesake pitted against the most prized vessels of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Queen Victoria was in attendance. The astounding outcome has perpetuated an international yachting rivalry known ever since as the America’s Cup. This informative book covers those races at length: technological advances, the races themselves and the personalities of the great yachtsmen who made the races happen. A chapter follows which deals in depth with the other great ocean races: The Transatlantic Races and The Kaiser’s Cup, culminating in the "Whitbread Race" of open ocean yachts around the world in 1973. Profusely illustrated in color and black and white with paintings, drawings, period photographs and diagrams. This is a “must have” book for the yachting enthusiast! One original copy only. 59

19.65 AMERICA’s CUP PIN. Genuine sterling silver cloisonné lapel pin commemorating the famous 1992 America’s Cup Race in San Diego, California. This lovely pin is housed in its original box with the inner cover reading “SPORT Silver Sterling Silver America’s Cup `92 Official Licensed Product. A portion of all sales will go to help support the American’s Cup Event. Made in U.S.A.” The pin with clasp measures 1 ¼ inches. Mint condition! 29

Altered just before the 1992 America’s Cup race, AMERICA3 was the successful defender, skippered by legendary yachtsman, Dennis Conner. In a best of seven match, AMERICA3 kept THE Cup for the Americans, sponsored by Bill Koch, famous entrepreneur and yachtsman in his own right, who spent millions on the project. The defeated Italian challenger, IL MORO di VENEZIA, skippered by Paul Cayard, won a single race by a mere three seconds. But the races won by the Americans were remarkably close, with times of only 0:30, 1:58, 1:04 and 0:44 respectively.


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19.45 IDENTIFIED YACHT BAROMETER. Highly collectible turn-of-the-last century yacht barometer with the back beautifully hand-engraved "N.Y.Y.Y.C. Secret" in fancy script. This quality aneroid barometer is of solid brass with a white enameled dial reading from 25 to 32 inches in .02 inch increments, marked with the standard weather indications "Rain, CHANGE, Fair," etc. The dial is signed "WILLIAM SENTER & Co. PORTLAND Me" and is further marked "HOLOSTERIC BAROMETER PNHB" at the bottom. It has a delicate blued steel indicator needle under the original old wavy glass which has a brass set needle with knurled knob. The body of barometer is housed within a period, custom-made mahogany mount with suspension loop for attachment to the yacht's bulkhead and measures 7 1/4 inches in diameter overall. The dial itself measures 4 1/2 inches. The entire presentation is in outstanding original condition with a great old age patina on all surfaces. The finish of the wooden case is original with the old variegated surface so sought after by collectors. The back of the case has been lightly cleaned to enhance the inscription. Fully functional. A rare, identified American yachting relic. 895

The New York Yacht Club Yacht SECRET was a 32 foot sloop built in 1907, designed by the famous yacht builders and designers, Burgess & Packard of Marblehead, Massachusetts. As late as 1927 she was still active, owned by J.P. Story of Washington, D.C. (Lloyds Register of American Yachts, 1927 Ed.)

Paul Naudet, Holosteric (aneroid) Barometer maker, "PNHB," was France's premier maker of quality aneroid barometers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Until his death in the 1920's, the prestigious Chelsea Company used only barometers made by Naudet for their world renowned clock/barometer sets.


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19.50 FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPH. Absolutely splendid early 1900's photograph of a magnificent schooner yacht on the downwind leg of an open ocean race under every single stitch of sail she can muster! This famous photograph was taken by "Beken of Cowes" Isle of Wight as signed lower right. It is titled "WESTWARD" in the center and serial numbered "12203" lower left. The lovely original sepia tone silverplate image shows several crewmen on the deck of WESTWARD busily engaged in keeping her well in front of the trailing competition shown far right. The large size image measures 11 1/2 by 14 inches sight and is matted under old wavy glass in its original rosewood frame with gold liner measuring 17 by 21 inches. Absolutely outstanding condition in every respect.

The book "YACHTING" A Pictorial History by Peter Heaton, published by the Viking Press, New York, 1972, depicts this very photograph on page 68 with the caption, "Perhaps the most famous of all racing schooners, Mr. F. T. B. Davies' 338-ton schooner, Westward. Built in 1910 by Nathaniel Herroshoff at his yard in Bristol, Rhode Island, she was eventually enlisted for the German Emperor's maritime aspirations under the name Hamburg II."

Anthony Peluso, maritime historian, author, marine art and photography authority has seen this image. Mr. Peluso notes thatWESTWARD was originally built for New York industrialist and yachtsman Alexander Smith Cochran. She was skippered by Charlie Barr, a most distinguished captain and successful defender of the America's Cup in 1899, 1901 and 1903. Under his command,WESTWARD beat Kaiser Wilhelm's yacht METEOR in a 1910 race at Kiel. Barr died shortly thereafter and Cochran sold the yacht.

Of Frank Beken, Mr. Peluso states, "He was a chemist, who began as an amateur photographer. He first displayed his yachting photos in his store window sometime around 1888 and the rest is history. They are now in the fourth (?) generation at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. I think they are without much doubt the best that ever was, from whatever period. They had early outstanding rivals like George West & Son at Gosport, Kirk & Son also at Cowes, but Beken is the survivor. Like Rosenfeld they bought the estates of their rivals and their images are subsumed in their collection. This image seems as good as they come!

Average Beken photographs routinely sell at major marine auctions in the four figure range. This example rates even better in terms of subject matter and condition.


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19.62 EARLY YACHTING TROPHY. Genuine, late 19th century American presentation loving cup with the fancy hand-engraved inscription:

"Morris Yachtsmen
Open Regatta
Sept. 1898
Class. B.
->Won. By<-"

Within the date is affixed the colorful cloisonné burgee of the Morris Yacht Club flying on a gold flagstaff. This handsome 3-handled loving cup is quality silver-plate marked on the bottom "Derby Silver Co., Quadruple Plate 441" with a crown above a fouled anchor. The cup stands 6 inches high by 4 1/2 inches in diameter and 6 1/2 inches wide handle to handle. It is in good overall condition with a few minor dents, scratches and wear indicative of its 110 years. 395

According to "Lloyd's Register of American Yachts," 1925 edition, the Morris Yacht Club of Pelham Bay Park, Long Island Sound, New York was organized in 1899 and incorporated in 1900. Interestingly the inscription on this trophy "Morris Yachtsmen" with a date of 1898 suggests that this trophy predates the formation of the actual yacht club by a year!

The Derby Silver Company was a manufacturer of silver plate flatware and hollowware in Derby, Connecticut. It was one of the original companies that joined together to form the International Silver Company in 1898. It was also known by the name of the Derby Silver Plate Company. Again, the date of 1898 suggests a time of transition for this manufacture and indicates that this cup was one of the last that Derby made.


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19.60 YACHT WHEEL WITH IDENTIFIED MAKER. Very handsome turn-of-the-last century steering wheel from a major yacht. This classic 6 spoke helm bears the inlaid brass maker's plate reading "American Engineering Company, Phila. PA." It is beautifully constructed with a hefty laminated rim consisting of teak inlaid with two concentric rings of a lighter blonde wood, either birch or maple, interrupted at the each spoke with inlays of mahogany. The hub is of heavy solid brass with a key way corresponding to the king spoke identified by the maker's label. This substantial ship's wheel measures 41 inches from spoke to spoke, 31 inches across the outer rim and weighs a hefty 24 pounds. Excellent condition with the original old finish, showing goods signs of use and wear, but no abuse.


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19.41 YACHT BOOK. Bill Robinson, "Legendary Yachts, The Great American yachts from Cleopatra's Barge to Courageous," 1978, David McKay Co., New York, 306 pages, hard cover with dust jacket. The title tells it all. This book, written by the former editor of "Yachting Magazine," is a comprehensive treatment of yachts in America begining with the Salem-built CLEOPATRA'S BARGE in 1816 through such names as AMERICA and CORSAIR, ending with Ted Turner's America's Cup winner COURAGEOUS in 1977. Copiously illustrated. Mint condition. 69


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6.96 YACHT PORTHOLE. Unusual late 19th or very early 20th century porthole from a wooden hull American sailing yacht. This opening porthole is made entirely of heavy cast brass with the outer frame designed to be inset into the vessel's hull, secured with 7 large wood screws. The hinged port glass opens from the bottom and closes tight with a T-shaped bronze thumb screw. There is a space between the frame and port to accommodate a gasket. What makes this porthole so desirable is its pleasingly aesthetic oval form. It measures 15 1/4 inches wide by 9 1/2 inches high and is designed for a hull thickness of 1 3/4 inches. The thick tempered port glass measures 11 1/2 inches wide by 5 inches high. Outstanding restored condition with a lustrous finish sealed against tarnishing. Weighs 20 pounds. 795


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