A0354 VERY RARE 19TH CENTURY CARVED MINIATURE FIGUREHEAD.
Finely carved bust of a woman dressed in green flowing shawl robe with dark reddish brown trim with flowered thin vine flanking the central stem. She wears a tiera with the back grey veil which continues down to the lacing piece. 13 inches tall.
This figurehead has been described as a model for the SLOOP BAYADERE because of its small size. However there were very small figureheads actually used on yachts and other small vessels so she could have actually been mounted on the small sloop.
Provinance: Collection of Susan and Raymond Egan, Northeast Auction 2006.
Collection of Miriam and Arthur Spector, Northeast Auctions 2004
David A Schorsch; Sotheby’s June 1998
The Dabney family Boston
$11,750
A0350 IMPORTANT MANUSCRIPT JOURNAL OF DR. CALVIN CARTER ABOARD THE USRC RELIANCE AND LATER IN FORT WRANGELL ALASKA. 1867-1868
Dr. Calvin Carter was appointed by the US Treasury Dept. to report on board the newly built US Revenue Cutter RELIANCE as medical officer on a voyage from Baltimore to San Francisco.
The journal reveals little about his history except he writes on August 18 1867 that its his 30th birthday making his birth year1837. He also make references that he served in the Civil War.
Carter writes in lengthy literary style entries recording many details from his observations at sea and in ports. He records lengthy descriptions of nature: the marine life, avian creatures, and his celestial observations with occasionally lines of poetry.
Carter makes mention of the poor slaves who were huddled together aboard vessels during the so-called “Middle Passage” as well as a crew member; “a Darkie” called “Pins”. Little did Carter or anyone else aboard know that their officer, 2nd Lieut M. A Healey (Michael A Healy) would become the first African-American commander of any US Naval vessel. Healy became famous as the commander of the USRC BEAR. Carter must have been close to Healy as he was asked to keep his logbook.
The voyage around Cape Horn was generally incident free save the loss of the cabin boy, William H. Howard who was washed overboard. The Captain’s gig was lowered with Healy and 4 others, but there was no sign of him.
They returned as they went & after being hoisted up & the boat secured we filled away on the
Port Tack, leaving the poor boy in his vast watery grave till the day when the sea shall give up
her dead.
Carter arrives in San Francisco where he leaves the RELIANCE. He records detailed observations of the city especially the Chinese inhabitants. He visits the US Mint and the famous Cliff House where he makes notes about the California Sea Lions.
“Californians set great store to them as pets, and to injure or kill them is punishable with fine.”
In March 1868 Carter is appointed as Acting Assistant Surgeon and ordered to Ft. Steilacoom Washington Territory then to Ft. Wrangle, Alaska. He takes passage on the SS CALIFORNIA for Victoria then to Fort Steilacoom. On the passage he observes Indians by their wigwams. The women cooking while the men lay around. Children running on the beach and dogs waiting to snatch a morsel of food from the fire.
Carter proceeds to Fort Wrangell, Alaska, which had just been acquired from Russia. Carter’s orders to Ft Wrangell was part of the American establishment of the new territory.
Carter arrives on May 3rd where they land supplies, set up tents and post buildings in preparations for a proper fort. A store house was built and temporary quarters, but no hospital yet, Carter writes. The Hudson Bay Company steamer Otter arrives towing the bark Oakland with lumber for the fort. They celebrate the 4th of July with officers from other vessels and the new telegraph station. Work continues with the help of Indians.
Carter ends his journal writing of a sense of gloom feeling they have been totally forgotten.
$1850
A0343 GOLD RUSH PERIOD LETTER WITH VIVID ACCOUNT OF THE KILLING OF JOAQUIN MURRIETA.
“The story runs that the company raised for the purpose of ferreting out these desperadoes encountered them near the Mariposa, and after a running fight at the length took several prisoners, and killed both Joaquin and another deep-eyed villain called three fingered Jack.”
This rare first hand account of Murrieta is part of a letter written by Joseph G. Eastland to Edward D. Hicks on Donahue's Union Iron and Brass Foundry letter sheet. Eastland came to California with his father in 1849 and founded the town of Oro. In 1851 he entered the Union Foundry under Donahue.
Eastland records that Murrieta's head was cut off and preserved in spirits to obtain the reward.
$3500
A0339 IMPORTANT SEACHEST BELONGING TO COMMODORE JOHN ORDE CREIGHTON 1785-1838
John Orde Creighton had a lengthy though controversial naval career. Born in New York City though the navy registers say West Indies. He entered the navy in 1800 as a midshipman first serving aboard the USS Constitution from 1802-1804 during the first Barbary war.
In 1804 he was promoted to Master’s Mate aboard the USS John Adams. During this time Creighton was put in command of one of the Adams boats to sneak into Tripoli harbor, but it was spotted and came under fire. The boat was hit killing 3 men.
In 1807 was a Lieut aboard the frigate Chesapeake when HMS Leopard fired and boarded the Chesapeake searching for British deserters. Creighton testified at the court martial of Chesapeake’s commander Barron.
In 1811 Creighton was Lieut aboard USS President when she demolished the smaller HMS Little Belt. Creighton was sent aboard the Little Belt and lamented what happened.
During the War of 1812 Creighton commanded USS Rattlesnake. He was offered command of the new Argus being built at Washington but came too late as Washington was burned including the Argus.
In 1815 he took command of the new 74 Ship of the Line, Washington launched at Portsmouth. He commanded her till 1818. It was during this time Creighton was court martial-ed for striking a midshipman. It was the first of two court martials.
In 1829 he was in command of the USS Hudson as Commodore. Again court martial-ed for mistreatment of midshipmen.
The chest measures 26 x 15 inches, constructed of pine with dove-tail joints and with iron bail handles. It is neatly lettered on the top: “Com Creighton USN”
$1450
A0357 WATERCOLOR OF THE SS NEVADA ATTRIBUTED TO “O CHI YAI”
Extremely fine detailed watercolor depicting the Pacific Mail steamer NEVADA. She was built in 1865 and named PAOU SHUN, but the next year was purchased by William H Webb and renamed NEVADA for the North American Steamship Co. In 1875 she briefly served on the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and since the painting shows the house flag of the P.M.S.S. Co. it can be dated to 1875.
The painting can comfortably attributed to the Japanese artist O Chi Yai who is known for his painting of Pacific steamers and of the extremely fine detail of his work. sight size 9.5 x 14 inches.
$1850
SOLD
A0358 IMPORTANT SEA BAG BELONGING TO CAPTAIN CHARLES C. MOOERS ON THE BARK KATHLEEN 1860-1864
This sail cloth sea bag belonged to Captain Charles C. Mooers (1818-1891). He was master of the ill fated KATHLEEN which was sunk by a whale in 1902. Mooers commanded the KATHLEEN from 1860-1864.
Hand made of canvas sail cloth with hand whipped grommets securing six lanyard strands and rope-work with a loop at the end. The sea bag is inscribed “Ch C. Mooers Bk Kathleen New Bedford” 31 inches tall.
$1500
A0348 RARE DIETZ US LIGHTHOUSE LANTERN
This early Deitz USLHS, lantern was found in Newburyport and probably was used at the Plum Island Lighthouse. It has the original Brass USLHS label, soldered to the brass base and is in very good condition. Original Glass globe, font, fill cap, and handle all intact.
$1250 sold
A0347 SCOTTISH DOUBLE FLUE HARPOON FROM THE SHIP WILLIAM YOUNG, DATED 1831.
A fine British style hand thrown double flue harpoon with stop withers. Is marked “WM. YOUNG” and dated 1831. The reverse marked “W. A” for the unidentified maker.
The ship WILLIAM YOUNG was owned by the W. & G. Young. This iron was used on the vessel on a voyage when she was crushed in the ice off Greenland.
$2650
SOLD
A0351 RARE CASE BAILER FROM THE WHALING BARK WANDERER. EX BARBARA JOHNSON COLLECTION.
“WANDERER” is painted on the side. This example measures 21 ½ x 11 inches, Attached on opposite sides at the top, a rope joined around a wood thimble which was used to lower and raise the bailer.
This bucket appears to have never been used, therefore its reasonable to assume it was recovered from the wreck of the WANDERER on her outward bound voyage in 1921.
The case bailer was a deep wood bucket used to extract the spermaceti oil from the head of the whale. A man would be lowered from the ship with the bucket to scoop out the oil.
Exhibited at the American Folk Art Museum, Hunt for the Whale. 1967
$1500
SOLD
A0352 UNIQUE SCRIMSHAW WHALE IVORY PIE CRUST “STAR” PIERCER. EX BARBARA JOHNSON COLLECTION.
Finely turned whale ivory handle with baleen separators with hand carved points on the working end that form a star. 5 ½ inches.
This is the only example we know of. Barbara Johnson identified it as a biscuit punch found on Nantucket. However we think more likely was used to decorate pie crusts. The star pattern produced can make a starry constellation on a pie. We actually used it on a small chicken pie.
$675
A0330 PAIR OF SCRIMSHAW POLYCHROME TEETH BY THE THISTLE ENGRAVER C. 1840
The Thistle Engraver, so called, is known for his garlands of thistles surrounding ships and figures. His work is beautifully executed with color. This pair depicts on the obverse, ships titled "Outward Bound" and "Home Bound". The reverse male and female figures in Scottish dress depicted with the national flag of Scotland. The figures may represent Rob Roy MacGregor and his wife Mary.
The teeth measure 5.5 inches. The teeth have old chips on the tip and base.
$4500
A0334 UNUSUAL WHALEBONE AND IVORY SWIFT WITH SCRIMSHAW WHALE TOOTH CLAMP
What make this swift so rare and unusual is the clamp made from a whale tooth plus being engraved with scrimshaw decorations. It is the only example we know so constructed.
The swift is composed of a central whalebone shaft with a turned whale ivory goblet finial. The double-cage of whalebone ribs and struts. The ribbons are replacements. The clamp is made from a 5 3/4 inch whale tooth profusely engraved with young children and floral decorations. The ornate thumbscrew made of whale ivory. Overall height is 19 1/2 inches.
$3750
A0322 18TH CENTURY SAILOR MADE WOOD BUSK
This 18th century busk is finely engraved with pinwheel, floral design, intertwined hearts with chip carved decorations. But significantly is engraved a portrait of a topsail schooner and identified "THE SCHOONER RAINE"
It was probably made by a sailor or master of the vessel as a memento to his wife or sweetheart.
​
Provenance: The William Guthman Collection
$1500
A0318 RARE WHALING BLUBBER MNCING KNIFE
This authentic mincing knife is made with a large thin steel blade, reinforced along the back with wood handles on each end. It shows evidence of being well used. The reinforce back has numerous holes, a feature we have not seen before.
Overall surface rust. Other wise good condition. 38 inches long.
Formerly in the collection of the Valley Forge Historical Society.
$650
A0301 THE ANDREW INDERWICK NAVAL ARCHIVE 1807 - 1820
This archive consists of 13 letters written by Andrew Inderwick, Royal Navy officer who served aboard several warships during the Napoleonic and War of 1812. He details accounts of the growing conflict between Britain and the Americans. Includes details of clashes with the America.
One fascinating account describes a strange creature found dead on a beach 35 feet in length and having hoofs like a horse. Inderwick records the account from the captain of the brig Slade that was under convoy of HMS Crocodile. A complete summery of each letter is available upon request.
$2750
A0333 RARE COMPLETE 19TH CENTURY CHIP LOG
Very rarely found is this complete chip log for measuring the speed of a vessel.
Made up with the reel and line with the original wood chip. The triangular chip is weighted with lead pins to float vertically in the water. Its connected to the reel by a bridle and a removable wood pin.
The chip would be cast over the stern. The line having knots tied every 8 or 7 fathoms would be counted over 28 seconds measured by a 28 second sand timer.
Excellent condition. Reel measures 19 inches overall
$1250 sold
A0335: FINE CLIPPERSHIP CARD FOR SHIP PURITAN
A very fine large sailing card for the Boston ship PURITAN, captain Allen Knowles for the Glidden & Williams Line.
Probably dates 1866 for her maiden voyage to San Francisco.
Watson & Clark Printers.
This card is in extremely fine condition and measures 17 x 10.7 cm.
$1250
A0323 EARLY CLIPPERSHIP CARD FOR SILVER STAR 1856
A fine early sailing card for the short lived ship SILVER STAR, Captain Wade for the Sutton & Co's Dispatch Line. This advertisement was for her maiden voyage in 1856. She was built at Medford MA that year for the San Francisco route. She was wrecked 1860 on Jarvis Island in the Pacific.
These early sailing cards were smaller than the later cards from the 1860s and 70s. This one measures 5 1/4 x 3 inches and is in fine condition.
$650
A0295 MAMMOTH CIVIL WAR PHOTO OF USS SANTEE
This very rare mammoth plate albumen photo of the 44 gun frigate SANTEE was taken by noted photographer J. W Black. in 1864. She is shown at Newport RI after she saw active duty during the Civil War. At the end of the war she and the USS CONSTITUTION moved to Naval Academy at Annapolis. She was built at Portsmouth and launch in 1855.
The title is hand lettered and the image measures 12 x 16 (sight)
