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18.67 CABIN LANTERN.
Genuine, mid-1900’s English ship’s cabin lantern
of the highest quality made of solid brass. This
lovely bulkhead lantern has three thick beveled glass panels
inset into its brass body with stout hanging bracket riveted
to the back. Amazingly the original matching bulkhead
mount has also been preserved. This lantern had a
folding bale handle at the top and a hinged door with pin
closure on the right. The all brass font with
aspirated burner and original crystal chimney has a wick
advance knob marked “ENGLISH MADE” and slides
into a secure track within the lantern. The back of the lamp
is also stamped “MADE IN ENGLAND.”
13 ¾ inches high as shown, by 7 inches wide and
extending from the bulkhead 5 ½ inches. Outstanding
original condition with a lovely age patina.
Our list price
$295 |
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18.68 AMERICAN ANCHOR LAMP.
Classic early 1900’s anchor lamp as used on small
craft and yachts of the era. This handsome little
veteran of the sea is of galvanized steel with a brass top,
stout suspension loop at the top and six vertical brass
struts which serve to hold the lamp together while
protecting its lens. The sides are provided with
pivoting brass eyelets for securing to halyards in a
seaway. The lovely thick glass Freznel lens is
clear and flawless. This lamp is complete with its
original all brass font and non-aspirated “wedge-type”
burner with the wick advance knob signed “P & A.
MFG CO. WATERBURY. CONN. MADE IN U.S.A.”
The font screws into the bottom of the lamp with a bayonet
twist. 10 inches tall overall and 4 ¼ inches in
diameter. Outstanding original condition showing good
age and TLC during its service life.
Our list price $189
“P & A,” Plume & Atwood, was organized in January, 1869 as HBA (Holmes, Booth and Atwood) with the name changing to the Plume and Atwood Manufacturing Company in 1871.The company was incorporated in 1880. Plume & Atwood produced a full line of kerosene lamps and associated oil burning equipment. Between 1871 and 1912 the company had 62 lighting patents thanks primarily to the company’s namesake, Lewis J. Atwood, who was a prolific inventor. While Plume & Atwood manufactured and marketed their own line of lamps, they also produced and supplied fittings to other lamp manufactures. For example, P&A made all of the brass parts for the famous Aladdin lamp line. |
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MAKER
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20.62 LAMINATED LEATHER WALKING
STICK. Real, 19th century gentleman’s
cane made up of literally hundreds of leather discs tightly
held together with a stiff inner rod. The gracefully
tapered can shaft has a bulbous knob at the top capped by
what appears to be a hand-hammered copper coin. The
slender tip of the cane terminates in its original brass and
metal ferrule. 35 ½ inches long with the knob
measuring 1 ¼ inches in diameter. Outstanding
original condition. The leather has a nice lustrous
polished finish. Our list
price $149 |
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FERRULE
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KNOB
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20.63 GENTLEMAN’s DRESS
CANE. Fine, second half of the 1800’s
walking stick with a slender tapered shaft of rosewood and a
sterling silver-marked knob. This elegant accoutrement
of a 19th century aristocrat’s apparel signaled the
epitome of culture in its day. It has its
original brass ferrule with metal tip and original lustrous
finish on the shaft. The knob is finely stamped “STERLING.”
There are some dents in the knob, mostly on the top and
there are some minor chips in the wood where it abuts the
ferrule. 35 inches long. The sterling silver
knob is 1 inch in diameter. Our
list price $149
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DETAIL
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STERLING
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5.66 PERIOD BATTLESHIPs PHOTO.
Authentic old black and white gelatin print of the spanking new
battleship U.S.S. NEVADA as the lead ship steaming abreast
in a line of column with two other battleships abaft her starboard
quarter. Indicative of its early period, NEVADA is shown
with her original "cage masts" and large early salvo timer on the
mainmast. Interestingly the ship’s forward main battery
can be seen trained directly at the observer! This high
resolution original image reveals surprising details under
magnification, including numerous crewmen on deck involved in a
flurry of activity. This original photograph is entitled "U.S.S.
NEVADA" lower center and is numbered “3230" lower left. 7 by 9
inches sight and 8 by 10 inches overall. Outstanding original,
beautifully-preserved condition. Again, this is an original, period
photograph on its heavy photographic card paper, NOT a copy or
reproduction. Circa 1922. Museum
Quality! Our List Price
$39 
for $33.
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4.06 SCRIMSHAW BODKINS. Lot of 3 nice
19th century bodkins produced during the heyday of the American whale
fishery. These hand-turned miniature fids are made of the dense
panbone of a sperm whale. They measure 2 ¾, 3 and 4 inches
long respectively. Outstanding original condition.
Our list price $149
for $110.
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13.60 RECORDING BAROGRAPH. Early 20th
century English recording barometer made by "SHORT & MASON LONDON
MADE IN ENGLAND No. 9258" as engraved on the gilded brass bedplate.
This precision instrument consists of a silvered metal bellows with
at least 12 separate chambers. It is attached to a recoding pen via a
complex linkage which traces the barometric pressure reading on a
revolving drum. The revolving brass drum, encircled by chart paper,
is driven by a jeweled mechanical clockwork which turns the drum
exactly once in a week long period. The chart paper is divided by
days and hours of the week on the horizontal axis with barometric
pressure in inches on the vertical. The small inking nib on the
end of the stylus permanently records the barometer reading for any
given time over a week long period. The top of the linkage is
equipped with a knurled adjusting knob to set the pen trace at the
proper barometric reading. A lever is provided to hold the pen trace
off of the drum when not in use. The entire mechanism is housed in
its solid mahogany case, glazed on 3 sides, hinged on the back end
and equipped with double brass hook closures on the front. A
folding brass handle on the top is provided for carrying the
instrument which rests atop 4 wooden "feet." The case measures 12 1/4
inches long by 6 1/4 inches wide and stands 7 1/2 inches high,
exclusive of the handle. Good working condition, complete with
several blank chart papers and original ink
vial. Our list price $1695
for $1495.
Edwin Banfield, author of "Barometer Makers & Retails 1660-1900."
1991, Baros Books, Wiltshire, England, states that the firm of Short
& Mason was a partnership begun between Thomas Short and George
Mason in 1873 working as nautical instrument and compass makers,
first at the address of 62 Hatton Garden, London and then 40 Hatton
Garden into the early 1900's. He goes on to note that the firm
"made a large number of barographs."
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6.08 MASSIVE STEAM GAUGE. Classic
early 1900’s steam gauge made by “Dewrance & Co.,
London” as marked on the bottom of the lovely white enameled
dial under old wavy glass. The dial is boldly marked from 0 –
200 indicating “Pounds Pressure Per (square) Inch”
in 5 pound increments. The solid brass case has a lovely flared
bezel in a high polish measuring 11 ¾ inches in diameter and 2
¾ inches thick, weighing a hefty 11 pounds. Outstanding
condition in all respects. Very
impressive!Our list price $249
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5.57 U.S. NAVY COFFEE SERVER.
Authentic World War II era U.S. Navy Officers’ Mess coffee
server. This elegant formal tableware item is heavy silver
plate on ferrous metal in the “fancy” pattern with “rope”
border and is signed on the bottom “Reed & Barton Silver
Soldered 3000” with the company's fasces logo. It is also
stamped “139A.” The side of the pot is beautifully
hand-engraved with the traditional Navy fouled anchor and “U.S.N.”
The hinged lid with stop has an acorn knob. The side is
equipped with a stout solid ebony handle for pouring from the
graceful swan’s neck spout. Cosmetically the exterior of
this server is “excellent.” However there are
several corroded spots on the bottom which are not apparent when the
item is standing in its normal upright position.
Our list price $249
for $190.
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1.13 PERIOD PRINT. Very dramatic,
period stone lithograph entitled "U.S. NAVY - NAVAL BATTLE OF MANILA
BAY - MAY 1st, 1898." It is signed lower left in script "Werner"
below which is the printed name "The Werner Company, Akron, O." On
the lower right is written "Copyright 1899 by the Werner Company."
This colorful depiction of Admiral Dewey's famous battle shows a
column of American battleships firing on and sinking several Spanish
warships in the distance. The image itself measures 9 x 13 inches
sight, is clear and bright and in absolutely PERFECT
condition. It is on heavy paper with full margins measuring 12 x 16
inches. There are a couple of tiny tears in the top periphery and
another mended tear about 2 inches long at the bottom --
insignificant with proper matting. A great value for an authentic
print now over 110 years old! Our
list price $149
for $95.
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3.71 BRASS “OCTANT.” Mid
1800’s marine navigational instrument with the brass arc signed
in script "S. Clementsen, Arendal." The finely engraved silver
scale is inlaid into the brass arc and calibrated from – 5
degrees to 115 degrees, with each 10 degree increment identified by
hand-engraved numbering. The substantial frame is of cast
bronze in its original oxidized finish. The braced index arm is
equipped with a knurled locking knob and a fine adjust knob. It
bears a silver vernier scale which is calibrated to indicate readings
within an accuracy of 15 arc seconds. To view such a precise
reading the arm is equipped with a strong pivoting magnifier.
This quality instrument has both of its index and horizon mirrors and
a complete compliment of 4 index and 3 horizon filters.
On the back of the frame are 2 supporting brass “feet”
and a lovely, early form rosewood handle. It is complete
with all attachments including its telescopic sight, peep tube and
adjusting wrench – all housed in the original hand-dovetailed
mahogany box with decorative trade label of "Thomas Sargent, London."
In addition, the box retains its original brass skeleton key
lock and hook and eye closures. The box does have some old cracks in
the lid from shrinkage of the wood – very common in such
antique wooden cases. But it is still very sound. The
instrument measures 10 inches high by 8 ¾ inches wide. The
box measures 9 ½ by 11 inches and is 5 inches thick. Circa
1850 or earlier. Our list price $1295
While this octant apparently bears a Norwegian signature, Norwegian makers were not producing such instruments in the first half of the 19th century. Everything about this instrument says “English,” including its period trade label. Accordingly it is our opinion that Clementsen was the retailer. It was commonplace in the 19th century instrument trade for a re-marked instrument to be sold with the retailer’s name vs. the actual maker’s name engraved on the instrument.
The identifiers used to describe navigational instruments of reflection are commonly interchanged: “quadrant, quintant, sextant and octant.” Technically a quadrant and octant are the same, although typically quadrants are the older of the two. The quadrant, was so named because its scale described ¼ of a circle – 90 degrees. The octant, with the same degree scale, but accounting for Rene Descartes’ principle of reflection on which it operates, was named because its arc actually took up 1/8 of a circle. Accordingly, while the instrument offered here might be construed to be a sextant, it is more correctly identified as an octant.
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10.86 MARK V BREASTPLATE. Very scarce, World War II vintage hard hat diver's breastplate made for the U.S. Navy by A. Schrader's Son as indicated on the oval cast brass nameplate affixed to the front. The entire tag reads:
This genuine American hard hat relic is in
excellent, "as last dived" condition and is complete with the leather
O-ring which seats in the bonnet and the dumbbell lock channel with
chain as pictured. Our list price
$1500
for $1300.
* For the privacy and security of the ultimate purchaser, the serial number of this item is being withheld.
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14.28 SHIP'S DESK. Authentic early
1900's American Merchant Marine ship's officer's stateroom desk. This
solid oak drop front desk was made to the highest standards with
pinned and dowelled construction using heavy solid oak
(not plywood) construction! The slopped front has a large wooden
handle and is inset with a rectangular panel, edged with beading. The
writing surface measures 15 by 33 1/2 inches when extended. It is
attached to the desk with heavy pivoting brass hinges and a massive
solid brass "stop" running the entire width of the desk. Within are 6
cubby holes with oak shelves individually faced with sold oak trim.
The back of this desk does not lie flush to the bulkhead, but rather
has scalloped edges on both rear corners. It measures 39 inches wide,
17 inches high and 22 1/2 inches deep and is in excellent, sound
condition - very sturdy. The drop front was originally fitted
with a lock which has now been plugged with oak. Without a doubt,
this desk represents a fantastic bargain for a genuine piece of very
usable authentic old ship's furniture. This is a deal!!
Our list price $995
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13.36 BOTTOM BELL CLOCK. Classic late
19th century American ship's bell clock manufactured by Seth Thomas
of Thomaston, Connecticut. The uniquely handsome ship's clock is
known as the "outside bell" or "bottom bell" and dates from the
1890's It has a silvered brass dial with bold black Roman numerals,
blued steel spade hands, minute chapter ring and a seconds bit
showing individual seconds below "XII." The dial is marked "Made In
U.S.A." along the bottom. The Fast/Slow adjust lever is above the 12
o'clock position and the manual strike lever marked "Strike" is left
of "IX." The glazed hinged bezel with reflector ring opens from the
right with a tight press fit. The clock case is all brass in its
original nickel finish. This clock is mounted to its original wooden
backboard with brass hanging brackets top and bottom and retains a
paper label reading, "ONE DAY * LEVER, _._ Seth Thomas, Thomaston,
Conn., U.S.A. Manufacturer of Every Variety of One and Eight Day
Weight and Spring mantel Clocks.", etc. The dial is 5 1/2 inches in
diameter while the clock measures 11 inches high by 7 inches wide
overall. The all brass movement is in excellent running condition and
strikes the ship's bell sequence properly with a surprisingly loud
clear tone. The dial is in near perfect original condition - rare for
this type of clock. Our list price
$995
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1.97 CHINA TRADE PAINTING. Original
late 19th century oil on board ship's portrait of a steamer
identified as the "HANOI." This starboard broadside view of the
vessel is presented in a manner typical of the Chinese port painters
during the 1800's. It shows the vessel plowing through heavy storm
seas with waves breaking in the foreground and ominous skies in the
background. Details of the ship are meticulously executed. Several
crewmen are depicted on the bridge. The vessel's name is clearly
shown on the starboard bow and again in Chinese characters on the
nameboard just aft of the starboard running light. The painting is a
nice size, 12 1/2 by 18 1/2 inches and is house in a period, antique
gesso frame with floral motifs in an old gold finish. The frame
measures 19 1/2 by 25 1/2 inches overall. Fine condition throughout.
Ready to hang. Our list price $995
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20.54 SAILOR'S SCRIMSHAW WALKING STICK.
Good, authentic 19th century sailor-made scrimshaw cane with a
carved whalebone handle inland with black mother-of-pearl in the top.
This handsome cane has a tapered oak shaft with the knob separated
from the stick with a sterling silver spacer fancily hand-engraved
with the initials of the owner. The solid whalebone knob is
beautifully carved with 14 concave facets. 32 inches long and in
excellent original condition, noting the ferrule tip is gone and
there are the expected age cracks in the handle.
Our list price $199
for $150.
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15.48 PERIOD PHOTOGRAPH. Original,
19th century albumen photograph of an American passenger vessel
steaming down a river with flags flying and numerous passengers
visible on deck. This 4 x 5 inch photograph contains an incredible
amount of detailed imagery and bears close scrutiny under
magnification. The central vessel is identified on the bow as the
"D.B.C. & A. LINE's" R.G. STEWART underway with smoke
belching from her single funnel. As she proceeds, she passes a
variety of shipping, including a tugboat and schooner berthed on her
starboard side and a lighter and large steam ship to port. Buildings
line both sides of the river and a revolving bridge with several
spectators spans the river in the distance. On deck scores of
passengers in their Victorian finery can be seen. The men sport
bolder or top hats, and the women, some with umbrellas, wear bonnets.
Two large name pennants fly in the breeze, and the American flag is
distinctly visible at the stern. The reverse of the photograph is
signed by the photographer "William Howard." This untouched
photograph is mounted under glass in a very high quality dark oak
frame with an ivory border! The frame measures 7 1/2 by
6 1/2 inches and has a small brass hanging ring at the top.
Outstanding original condition. Circa 1885.
Our list price $295
According to the "List of Merchant Vessels of the United States - 1895" the steam screw, wooden hull passenger ship R.G. STEWART was built in Buffalo, New York in 1878. She was a Great Lakes vessel of 198 gross tons and 100 feet in length, home ported in Duluth, Minnesota. The STEWART no longer appears in the 1899 register of Merchant Vessels, proving that this image is definitely 19th century. Likely this photograph was taken of the STEWART while plying the St. Louis River which flows into Lake Superior at Duluth.
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22.47 GINGER JAR. Genuine
turn-of-the-last century Chinese porcelain ginger jar signed with a 4
character mark on the bottom. This lovely hand-thrown and
hand-painted jar is of high quality hard fired porcelain adorned with
tranquil domestic scenes including potted plants, stands, flowers,
bamboo, fruits, candles and even a butterfly. The primary vignettes
are additionally incised and in slight relief! The jar is complete
with its original domed lid decorated with matching motifs. 6 inches
high overall by 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Perfect original condition.
Guaranteed to be authentic and not a modern reproduction. Retail $395
Our list price $149
for $100.
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