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 April, 2020 | 26 Items | June, 2020  |
| SHERATON INLAID CHEST OF DRAWERS, Attributed to Kentucky, 2nd quarter-19th century, walnut with mahogany veneer and poplar secondary. Two over three dovetailed drawers with applied beading and replaced pulls. Turned legs. Banded inlay and trailing vines on the stiles with flower urn on the apron. Old refinishing, age splits, and some edge loss. 43"h. 43"w. 19”d. Condition: Top has light wear and age splits on the left side, sides have light drip stains, some beading loss to drawers, mainly on bottom two drawers. Drawers have age splits to flame veneer but no loss. Second drawer has small nailed repair to banded inlay, top left drawer has multiple small nicks in one fan inlay. Sold at Garth’s Auction May 18, 2020. Estimate: $2,000-4,000 Price Realized: $7,200 | |
| PORTRAIT OF A BOY, Probably American, 1st half-19th century, oil on canvas. Three-quarters length portrait of a boy holding a robin. Restoration. 13"h. 10.5"w., framed, 16.5"h. 13”w. Condition: Rebacked on canvas, cleaned, late revarnishing is irregular, inpainting in the back ground around his head and approx. 30% or so of his face. Patchy revarnish is thick in areas making it hard to accurately judge amount of background inpainting. Sold at Garth’s Auction May 18, 2020. Estimate: $200-400 Price Realized: $1,500 | |
| ENGLISH SAMPLER, Wool on linen. Two large houses, one with an animal corral, on either side of a mother and two daughters. Other images are birds, flowers, and sailing ship flying English flag. "Elizabeth Burn aged 10 years Wrought this in the year of our Lord 1824". Toning and a few holes. Framed, 21"h. 20.75”w. Condition: Light toning, 1.5" tear in center of left edge, small hole under left house. Sold at Garth’s Auction May 18, 2020. Estimate: $350-550 Price Realized: $1,500 | |
| REDWARE DONUT FLASK, Probably American, mid 19th century. Yellow slip star decoration and illegible writing on both sides. Imperfections. 10.5”d. Condition: Glaze loss, wear and hairlines. Sold at Garth’s Auction May 18, 2020. Estimate: $100-300 Price Realized: $960 | |
| | AMERICAN SHERATON TALL CASE CLOCK, Ca. 1820s, cherry. Bonnet with broken arch pediment, rosettes and freestanding columns, case has chamfered corners with lamb's tongues, beaded edge door, inlaid flame-grain mahogany panel, and turned feet. Painted face with moon phase dial labeled "George Stepey, Salem". Imperfections. 95”h. Condition: Pieced repairs to door and edges, including bottom molding of bonnet which has one missing piece of repair. Edges have multiple small dings and nicks. Face has small areas of inpainting, yellowed varnish and flaking including moon dial. Missing finial. With weights, key and pendulum. Sold at Garth’s Auction May 18, 2020. Estimate: $900-1,200 Price Realized: $7,500 |
| AMERICAN MINIATURE DECORATED BLANKET CHEST, First half-19th century, pine. Dovetailed case and dovetailed bracket feet with scrolled returns. Three dovetailed drawers with original pulls and carved corners. Original vinegar sponging with black trim. Some imperfections. 8.5"h. 14"w. 8.5”d. Condition: Edge wear, paint flaking, some wear to feet with added screw and nail. Age split in lid. Repaired hinge rail on one side. Front feet do not extend to bottom of posts but only have minor edge wear and do not appear to have edge loss. Two returns have some loss, one in front, one in side. Sold at Garth’s Auction May 18, 2020. Estimate: $1,000-1,250 Price Realized: $7,800 | |
| AMERICAN CANDLE MOLD, Mid 19th century. Pine frame with thirty-six tubes. Original red paint with stencilled "J. Walker". Wear with some edge loss. 11"h. 10.5" x 12.75”. Condition: Wood has edge and paint wear, most edge wear on the feet. Tin has one raised corner and two small pieces of missing trim on one side. No wire rods to hold wicks. Tin tubes have a bit more rust on one side than the other. Sold at Garth’s Auction May 18, 2020. Estimate: $100-350 Price Realized: $1,750 | |
| PAPER VALENTINE, Probably American, mid 19th century, watercolor and pen and ink. Circular cutout with hearts and German text. Some edge loss. 11.5"d. Framed, 16.5"h. 19"w. Sold at Garth’s Auction May 18, 2020. Estimate: $100-350 Price Realized: $1,625 | |
| FRAMED MOTIF SAMPLER BY SARAH BATT, England, 1st quart 19th century. Linen with black petit point stitching. Multimedallions with flowers, birds, geometric patterns, verses, a fouled anchor, and Sarah Batt 1821. 15" square. Sold at Garth’s Auction May 7, 2020. Estimate: $250-450 Price Realized: $4,063 | |
| FRAMED ADAM AND EVE SAMPLER WITH VERSE BY CAROLINE SMITH, England 2nd quarter 19th century. Linen with multicolored thread in petit point. Floral corners, diamond shaped reserve with alphabet, religious verse, flowers, cherubs, birds, squirrels, baskets of fruit, Adam and Eve under the tree of life, and "Caroline Smith Aged 12, 1839." 16.5"h. 17”w. Sold at Garth’s Auction May 7, 2020. Estimate: $200-400 Price Realized: $1,063 | |
| FRAMED VERSE SAMPLER BY MARY O’LEARY, England, 2nd quarter 19th century. Linen with mulitcolored thread in petit point, floral border, "Honor your parents" verse, flowers, trees, Georgian house, and "Mary O'Leary, Aged 11 yeaars 1843." 18"h. 13.5”w. Sold at Garth’s Auction May 7, 2020. Estimate: $200-400 Price Realized: $1,375 | |
| EARLY 19TH CENTURY NEW ENGLAND IRON, TIN, & WOOD PRIMITIVE 12 LIGHT CHANDELIER, old red paint under later repaint, each drip catcher stamped with the letter L in an oval, ht 19.5", width 19”. Sold at Merrill’s Auction May 29, 2020 Estimate: $500-1,000 Price Realized: $1,400 (Does not include buyer’s premium) | |
| | SPATTERWARE BLUE AND PURPLE PLATE, 8.5" from the estate of Clyde Youtz Newmonstown, Lebanon Co. PA. All good. Sold at Merrill’s Auction May 29, 2020 Estimate: $250-500 Price Realized: $850 (Does not include buyer’s premium) |
| SPATTERWARE PEAFOWL PLATE WITH BLUE SPATTER, Molded rim. 8.5" from the estate of Clyde Youtz Newmonstown, Lebanon Co. PA. All good. Sold at Merrill’s Auction May 29, 2020 Estimate: $100-200 Price Realized: $700 (Does not include buyer’s premium) | |
| SPATTERWARE PLATE IN SCHOOL HOUSE PATTERN IN BLUE SPATTERWARE, 9.5". This plate is from the collection of Clyde Youtz Newmonstown, Lebanon Co. PA. This plate also won a blue ribbon at the Allentown Fair 1970. Sold at Merrill’s Auction May 29, 2020 Estimate: $700-1,200 Price Realized: $2,000 (Does not include buyer’s premium) | |
| SPATTERWARE PLATE IN DAHLIA PATTERN, with blue green rainbow. 12 sided. 8.5" diameter. All good. Sold at Merrill’s Auction May 29, 2020 Estimate: $250-500 Price Realized: $2,200 (Does not include buyer’s premium) | |
| SPATTERWARE SUGAR BOWL IN ADAMS ROSE PATTERN, with blue green rainbow spatterware. 5" h. Molded handles, 3 small glaze flakes. Sold at Merrill’s Auction May 29, 2020 Estimate: $225-500 Price Realized: $950 (Does not include buyer’s premium) | |
| SPATTERWARE OCTAGON PLATTER, in purple red rainbow. Ironstone, 13.52" x 10.5". All good. Sold at Merrill’s Auction May 29, 2020 Estimate: $1,000-2,000 Price Realized: $4,250 (Does not include buyer’s premium) | |
| | EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND FINE SILVER MOUNTED AND INLAID PRESENTATION PIPE TOMAHAWK SIGNED R. BUTLER AND INSCRIBED TO LT. MCCELLAN. This tomahawk is arguably the most important, most historic, most well decorated and best known American tomahawk in existence. Most recently it was on display as part of the "Clash of Empires: The British, French & Indian War, 1754-1763" exhibit of French and Indian War items commemorating the 250th anniversary of the conflict in 2005, where it was shown at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, the Canadian War Museum/Museum of Civilization in Ottawa and the Smithsonian in Washington DC. A copy of the publication on this exhibit by R. S. Stephenson is included. The tomahawk is shown on the front cover in color of "Indian Tomahawks & Frontiersman Belt Axes" by Daniel D. Hartzler and James A. Knoles. The tomahawk itself has a plain maple haft of 21 inches in length overall. The haft has a silver end cap on top of the teardrop shaped eye. The cap is inscribed "Lt. Maclellan". There is a silver band about five inches from the top of the haft with a decorative engraved eye probably for a string attached to the bowl so that it would not be lost, as the turned and the threaded silver bowl also has a loop for an attachment. The haft also has a replaced silver mouthpiece. There are two sections of period Shawnee porcupine quill work on the haft. One measuring 6 and 1/2 inches and the other measuring about 3 and 3/4 inches. They are died using red, black and white dyes. The hand forged head measures 5 and 1/2 inches in length excluding the silver bowl, which brings the overall length to 7 and 1/4 inches. The bottom edge of the blade is signed "R. Butler" in script and both sides of the eye have detailed moldings, as well as scalloping on the bottom edge of the blade. The turned silver bowl measures about 1 and 3/4 inches in height and is threaded and removable. The head has a silver diamond on each side around the eye. Both are engraved, The blade has a crescent cutting edge and the right side features and engraved shell design at the top and an engraved sun in splendor with a silver engraved inlay as the center. The other side shows an engraved inlaid half moon with a face surrounded by other engraved designs. The tomahawk was made by Richard Butler who was an armorer at Fort Pitt between 1765 and 1770. Butler was from Carlisle, Pennsylvania and his father was also a gunsmith there. Richard Butler apprenticed under his father and the Butler gun shop still stands near Court Square in Carlisle, PA. Richard Butler's day book gives a record of his time at Fort Pitt and is in the possession of the Carnegie Library. The day book lists many pipe tomahawks as being made by Richard Butler. In 1772 Richard Butler was commissioned a Captain in the Pennsylvania Militia. Richard was highly trusted by Indians in the region and was partnered with his brother to provide gunsmithing services and conduct fur trading. In 1775 he resigned as Captain of the Pennsylvania Militia and became an agent of Indian Affairs for the region. He strengthened relations with the Shawnee and Delaware Indians, signing a Treaty of Neutrality with them. In 1776 he was commissioned as a Major in the Continental Army's 8th Pennsylvania Regiment. He fought with the riflemen at Saratoga and commanded the 9th Pennsylvania Regiment at Stony Point. he then was Colonel of the 5th Pennsylvania regiment at Yorktown. He was killed in 1791 at the Battle on the Miami River in Ohio. Lieutenant John McClellan is also from the outskirts of Carlisle, Pennsylvania and was a rifleman who carried the tomahawk during the Revolutionary War. Lieutenant John McClellan was a First Lieutenant in Company D of Thompson's Battalion of Pennsylvania Riflemen who were raised in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Riflemen were required to carry tomahawks as secondary weapons as their longrifles were not equipped for bayonets. caption Hendricks assisted by Captain John Chambers kept a journal of the brutal march from Carlisle to the Battle of Quebec. The entries describe long marches, dwindling supplies, bad weather and illness. When the company reached Boston, they were detached and put under the command of Benedict Arnold. They marched through the wilderness of Maine, down the the Chaduiere River to the St. Lawrence in Quebec. They left Boston on September 11. The next month Lieutenant McClellan wrote a letter from Maine to Captain James Chambers, left behind in Boston in charge of another battalion of Pennsylvania riflemen. The letter describes the dismal conditions of the march. On October 31, Captain Hendricks reported in his journal that after capsizing his bateau in the river, McClellan was "far spent and unable to march, was left in the care of two in our company; he was greatly loved by the whole detachment." Three weeks later the two men returned to Hendricks to inform him of McClellan’s death. He was buried with the help of local Indians. Upon his passing the tomahawk was given to his brother Daniel for safe keeping. Daniel continued on the march to Quebec and participated in the battle where we was taken prisoner by the British. A British officer plundered the tomahawk along the rest of the prisoner's valuable possession. The trophy of war was taken back across the Atlantic to England. A catalog printed in 1785 in London "A Catalog of the Rarities to be seen at Don Saltero's Coffee-House in Chelsea" lists number 148 as "Indian tomahawk, taken in the field of battle before Quebec". Object of curiosity from the colonies attracted much attention in England and were often displayed. The tomahawk was purchased by George Greville (1746-1718) who was the Earl of Warwick for his extensive arms collection at Warwick Castle. The tomahawk remained there until it was loaned to the Tower of London to be displayed. In 1997, the Earl of Warwick decided to offer some of its collection at auction and the tomahawk was sold at Sotheby's of New York after it was discovered it was on loan in America. It was purchased there in 1997 by Dave Kleiner. The same year it was sold to Gordon Barlow and then to Kelly Kinzle, who sold it to the present owner. Condition: Excellent. The head retains a light gray patina showing little wear with only a few scattered dark spots. Silver inlays retain a pleasing pewter patina. Original haft is in excellent condition with some minor denting to cap on top. Quill work shows some minor losses to surface and minor fraying in some areas. Provenance: Lt. John McClellan, Daniel McClellan, Warwick Castle Collection, Tower of London, Sotheby's of New York (1997), Dave Kleiner, Gordon Barlow Collection, Kelly Kinzle. The tomahawk is complete with a massive binder of provenance, letters of authentication, copies of historical documents and military records of the associated parties, professional research and descriptions, photographs, copies of Butler's journal, information on the regiments in which McClellan and Butler served and various letters from important collectors. Literature: The tomahawk is featured in a two page spread on pages 267-268 (Figure 16) in "Indian Tomahawks & Frontiersman Belt Axes" by Hartzler and Knoles. The tomahawk is shown and described on page 89 of "Clash of Empires: The British, French & Indian War, 1754-1763" by R.S. Stephenson. It is also shown on pages 108 and 109 of "American Adversary West and Copley in a Transatlantic World" by the Museum of Fine Arts in Huston. Lastly, it is shown on page 21 of "Masterpieces of American Indian Art from The Eugene And Clare Thaw Collection". A copy of the book for each of these references is included. In conclusion, this sis a rare opportunity to own this masterpiece of American Revolutionary War period art that has an important and well documented provenance. CORRECTION: George Greville lived from 1746-1816. The Butler Tomahawk was sold at Christies in the December 5th, 1996 Important American Indian Art sale, not Sotheby's as previously stated. Blade. Sold at Morphy Auction May 27, 2020 Estimate: $300,000-500,000 Price Realized: $664,200 |
| | SCARCE ENGRAVED FORT PITT POWDER HORN FEATURING INDIANS, ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN SMALL. This rare Fort Pitt powder horn is inscribed in script: "HWP" "Fort Pitt" "Castle Wm" "F__Chartres". The "HWP" is engraved in a crest surrounded by a panoply of arms. Several horn attributed to John Small are known with different monogrammed initials, some have been identified as to the probable owner's. Illustrated forts with legible names include "Fort Pitt" and "Castle Wm" in script. There is another fort flying a British flag that is probably "Fort Chartres". The "Allegheny" and "Monongahela" rivers are also pictured and named. There is a whimsical Indian, smoking what appears to be a pipe tomahawk, and carrying a bow and an edged weapon. He is surrounded by two small animals. Several crude buildings, which may be Indian, are shown along with a small watercraft along the Monongahela River. Horn is fitted with a domed, hardwood plug secured with bass tacks. There is a wavy, hatched border just below this plug. A large, 1 - 1/2" iron staple just below the plug. The spout is carved with four beautifully carved, graduated rings. This horn measures 15 inches overall. This horn is attributed to engraver John Small who is believed to have worked at Fort Pitt. Another similar Fort Pitt "AR" horn by the same hand is in this sale. Condition: Good, as described. There are two areas of what appears to be water damage on the back side, otherwise very good. Provenance: Ex. Walter O'Connor Collection. Sold at Morphy Auction May 27, 2020 Estimate: $13,000-20,000 Price Realized: $14,760 |
| REDISCOVERED PORTRAIT OF GENERAL JOHN STARK ATTRIBUTED TO ALEXANDER RITCHIE. Attributed to Alexander Ritchie (American, 1782-1862). "Portrait of General John Stark." Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 inches, within carved and gilded frame. Until recently rediscovered, this important work, one of only three known contemporary portraits of the Revolutionary hero, had been missing from public view for more than 170 years. Previously, it was only known by a daguerreotype taken of it in c. 1850 and the earlier engraving made from it by Manville Brown and published in 1831. Its artist, Alexander Ritchie, was an 1802 distinguished graduate of Harvard, who practiced law in Boston and later became a West Indies planter. It is uncertain under whom he may have studied drawing and painting, but he exhibited works at the Boston Athenaeum during the 1830s and also was known as a collector of master works. His portrait of Stark remains his most important work. General John Stark (1728-1822) is one of the most iconic Patriot heroes of the Revolutionary War. Born on the New Hampshire frontier, Stark’s life fully embodied the words, “Live free or die; death is not the worst of evils”, words he uttered 136 years before they became that state’s official motto. As a young man, he was captured by an Abenaki raiding party in 1752, ran the gauntlet and was adopted into that tribe. Later redeemed, Stark became one of the most effective combat officers in Roger’s Rangers during the French & Indian War. He responded to the Lexington Alarm and commanded a regiment of New Hampshire troops during the Siege of Boston, fighting with distinction during the battle of Breed’s Hill. Continuing in Continental service, Stark and his men fought at Trenton and Princeton, but Stark later resigned after being overlooked for promotion to brigadier general. Appointed to that rank in the New Hampshire militia, Stark gathered his troops during the British invasion down the Hudson in 1777 and decisively defeated the Baum’s column of Germans and Loyalists at Wallomsac, in what became known as the battle of Bennington on August 16, 1777, which he later claimed was “the hottest engagement I have ever witnessed, resembling a continual clap of thunder.” Stark returned to Continental service and was active through the war, being promoted to major general by Congress in 1783. He died in 1822 at the age of 94 as the last surviving Revolutionary War general. Condition: relined probably 30-40 years ago and paint surface with craquelure, but quite stable; otherwise very good with only scattered spots of inpainting. Sold at Morphy Auction May 27, 2020 Estimate: $15,000-30,000 Price Realized: $28,290 | |
| | EXTREMELY RARE HANOVERIAN PATTERN 1776 FLINTLOCK RIFLE. One of two surviving examples, this one numbered '184' (the other, in a private American collection, numbered '196') of the 200 rifles ordered from August Heinrich Huhnstock of Hanover by the British Board of Ordnance on 4 January 1776 and upon which the Birmingham-made, British Pattern 1776 rifles were modeled. All 1000 rifles purchased by the Board of Ordnance (200 from Hanover and 800 from Birmingham makers) were shipped to America later that year. These rifles were initially issued to the provisional rifle platoon organized in each of the two battalions of British light infantry, as well as Provincial rifle-armed corps, such as Emmerick's Chasseurs and the rifle company of the New York Volunteers, and later to Ferguson's American Volunteers and the rifle company of the Queen's Rangers. German jaeger-style rifle with 27 5/8 in. L octagonal barrel of 0.68 caliber bore (for 0.625 cal. carbine ball), key-fastened, with rear sight (one pronounced standing and one hinged leaf, with vacant holes on each side near muzzle that once supported ramrod swivel, rifled with seven grooves, brass-bladed, fore-end sight, and plain breech with tang bearing an engraved, '184'. Flat beveled lock terminating in a point at tail, unmarked, with flat, goose-neck cock, faceted, bridle-less pan, and feather-spring with teardrop finial. Figured European walnut, full stock and bearing Ordnance storekeeper's stamp on left side of butt behind raised cheekpiece, with brass mounts including spur trigger-guard with trefoil finial ends, buttplate with trefoil end to its tang, three wide ramrod pipes (a steel ramrod spring between the fore-pipe and middle pipe), rounded "tailed" sideplate, and the 1 7/16 in. L nose-cap is indented 1/4 in. from its top edges for 1/2 in. from the front and inlet below to allow the swivel (now missing) to function, with sliding wooden patch-box, sling swivels and original iron ramrod. 43 1/4 in. Overall length: 44 in. Condition: Barrel retains a spotted brown patina. Lock retains a lightly cleaned gray surface and is in its original flintlock configuration and is in very good working order. Stock shows scattered areas of worm damage and a portion of comb was removed during the period. Wrist has a small professionally repaired crack on each side, not visible to the naked eye. Brass retains a pleasing mustard patina. Literature: Dewitt Bailey. "British Military Flintlock Rifles, 1740-1840." (Lincoln, RI: Mowbray, 2002), this exact rifle is discussed and illustrated on pp. 22-25 and 199. Sold at Morphy Auction May 27, 2020 Estimate: $15,000-30,000 Price Realized: $34,440 |
| | EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT FRENCH INDIAN PRESENTATION PIPE TOMAHAWK DATED 1760. These tomahawks were presented as gifts from King Louis XV to Indian Chief Allies of the French in North America during the Seven Years War. There are only approximately 8 examples known. Another example that is very similar with this date is in the Smithsonian and another is in the Bern Museum in Switzerland. Other examples are in museums in Paris, Scotland, and Canada. This example is shown in color in figure 16 on page 123 of "Tomahawks and Frontiersmen Belt Axes" by Daniel D. Hartzler and James A. Knowles. The tomahawk is also featured on page 23 of "Tomahawks and Pipe Axes" by John Baldwin and in "Accouterments (Vol. I)" by James R. Johnston. The known examples date between 1760 and 1763 with a few of the examples with illegible dates. The head measures 6-5/8" including the bowl, crescent cutting edge measures 2-3/4". The straight 1-3/8" bowl is has a brass overlay with gadrooning and a wedding band at the top. The right side of the eye's upper shoulder is inscribed "A R" and the opposite side is inscribed with the date "1760". The lower portion of the eye, towards the blade, shows a relief chiseled fleur-de-lis on the right side and an acanthus leaf in relief on the other side. At the top of the blade on the right side, there is a relief brass inlay engraved with a clamshell design, while the other side has the same inlay, only in silver. The top and bottom edges on the blade are ornately scalloped. The right side is engraved with a crescent moon, a star, a fleur-de-lis, a drum, cannon, and cannon balls, along with decorative borders. The left side features ornate borders, a fleur-de-lis and a sun in splendor with a silver inlaid circular center engraved with a face. The original haft has a brass band towards the mouth. Condition: Excellent, overall. Head retains an even pleasing grey patina, showing a few microscopic nicks to cutting edge. Inlays are well-patinated. Engraving is all excellent and inscriptions are clearly visible. Haft is original and shows some shrinkage, head slightly loose. There are a few scattered marks from use and a minor age crack. This is an extremely important French and Indian War tomahawk with fantastic provenance. Provenance: Originally brought to Glode Requa by an English picker in the 1960's, where it was probably brought back by a British officer as a war trophy. It was later owned by Walter O'Connor and Bill Grimmison. Later purchased in 1995 by Dave Kleiner with others from a collection of the best tomahawks known. It was subsequently sold to Marvin Lince of Oregon for $85,000. The piece was later sold to a noted collector who also owned the Butler Tomahawk. The tomahawk includes a binder with information, photos and descriptions of the other known examples, copies from books featuring the piece, professional photographs of this tomahawk both by itself and with the Butler tomahawk, and a letter of provenance from Dave Kleiner. Sold at Morphy Auction May 27, 2020 Estimate: $75,000-150,000 Price Realized: $172,200 |
| | EXTREMELY FINE AND WELL-DOCUMENTED SILVER-INLAID PRESENTATION PIPE TOMAHAWK. This is probably the most-publicized tomahawk in existence, featured in eight printed works and also has wonderful provenance as being part of some of the most important American Collections ever assembled. Most recently, the tomahawk was part of a display at the 2019 Kentucky Rifle Association Convention titled "Silver Mounted Pipe Tomahawks" by Bill Myers, Steve Fuller, and Jim Johnston. Dating circa 1770-1800, the 21-1/2? figured maple haft has six silver bands and twelve engraved silver inlays, along with silver mouthpiece. The well-forged head with teardrop shaped eye also has two engraved silver insets in blade, one being half moon and the other a florally decorated oval. There are also filed designs on bowl and the blade. Below the bowl on both sides of the eye, there are small silver inlaid hearts in relief. The edge around the bowl is serrated. The silver cap on top of the haft is engraved with a star and rocker-panel borders. There are bands of cross-hatched silver inlays on top edge of the blade and filed crosshatching on the bottom edge. Literature: Copies of covers and pages featuring this piece are included for each reference. This exact tomahawk is illustrated on page 34 plate 52 of John Baldwin’s "Tomahawks, Pipe Axes of the American Frontier" 1995 and attributed to the William H. Guthman Collection. It is also shown and described on page 45 of "Bowie Knives" by Robert Abels and on page 20 of "The Robert Abels Collection of Bowie Type Knives of American Interest" (Copies of both books are included). This piece is also shown as plate 9.VII on page 258 of "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution" by George C. Neumann. Also shown and described as number 122 of "American Indian Tomahawks" by Harold R. Peterson and on page 133 of "Indian Tomahawks & Frontiersmen Belt Axes" by Daniel D. Hartzler and James A. Knowles. Also in a March 1981 Article of "The Magazine Antiques" by William H. Guthman pages 658 to 664. Also featured in a 1999 article "Collecting Americana" by Bill Guthman for the American Society of Arms Collectors. Provenance: Bill Guthman Collection; Robert Abels Collection; William Myers Collection. Condition: Excellent, overall. A couple silver inlays are slightly loose or raised, due to haft shrinkage and a couple missing silver pins. Appears "as found" with its original haft, iron has a smooth gray patina and silver has a gray pewter patina overall. Head slightly loose due to shrinkage, a couple minor nicks and marks. This is as fine an example of a late 18th Century pipe tomahawk as you will encounter with great provenance and a complete an extensive portfolio of documentation. Item Dimensions: 21 - 1/2" x 8 - 1/4”. Sold at Morphy Auction May 27, 2020 Estimate: $65,000-100,000 Price Realized: $73,800 |
| | P1756 BRITISH "LONG LAND" MUSKET OF THE 43RD REGIMENT OF FOOT This superb example of a regimentally-marked Long Land musket is one of three muskets surviving from the 43rd Regiment of Foot during the Revolutionary War epoch (one associated with Captain John Parker of Lexington Minute Company fame, now in the Massachusetts State House collection and the other, ex. coll. Bill Ahearn, sold at Skinner in 2019 for $49,200). It is engraved "43 REGT" on the top of the barrel and bears Ordnance view and proof marks, also centered on top near breech, with the maker's touchmark "FG" near breech on the left. The rounded lock has a crown/GR engraved before the cock and "GALTON/1756" behind, with a broad arrow inspection mark underneath the pan. The musket exhibits the standard regulation brass hardware for the Pattern 1756 Land Pattern musket with the exception of the second pipe, which is swelled at the front- or entry end to allow for more effective seating of the ramrod, an innovation later copied (with minor changes) by the "Pratt improved" pipe introduced in post-1778 muskets produced for the Tower. This flared or swelled-pipe is a feature also observed in the other two surviving 43rd Foot P1756 Long Lands--an "extra" improvement added at the Tower upon application of the regimental commander or perhaps later done by the regimental armorer. The brass thumbpiece at the wrist of the stock is engraved "2/2" (indicating likely issue to the second corporal of No. 2 or the Major's Company). The original walnut stock is unmarked, while the sheet-brass noseband and the iron ramrod with threaded end are both period replacements, almost certainly American. The musket has an original British, buff leather sling of the type observed on late 18th and early 19th century muskets in various collections, (although the brass buckle, although probably period, is not original to the sling) and an associated, Land pattern bayonet, fitted to the musket. The 43rd Foot had been carrying the same arms since 1762 and were completely rearmed (less the light infantry company) with a new set of 351 Long Land muskets and bayonets in just prior to its departure for America in early 1774, with additional wartime augmentation issues in 1775 and 1778. In late 1773, the regimental agent noted an extra fee of more than 14 pounds "Cash paid W[illiam]. Sharp for Engraving Arms" at the Tower--clearly the regimental name on the barrel and the company issue numbering on the thumbpieces of the said 351 sets of arms. The 43rd Foot had a long and distinguished combat record during the Revolution, from the opening engagements at Lexington, Concord and Bunkers Hill in 1775, through the New York campaign of 1776, the Philadelphia campaign of 1777, the 1778 siege of Rhode Island and finally, the 1781 siege of Yorktown, where the regiment and the rest of Cornwallis's army surrendered to the Franco-American forces under General George Washington and the Comte Rochambeau. Condition: the iron hardware a gunmetal grey, somewhat brownish in low spots from residual, old varnish once applied to the arm; the markings quite good and the lock in original flint configuration and in good working order; an old varnish applied to the stock, with random dings and bruises to the wood, otherwise good. JLK. Illustrated and discussed on pp. 94-95 of "For Liberty I Live.” Sold at Morphy Auction May 27, 2020 Estimate: $30,000-60,000 Price Realized: $73,800 |
| | AN IMPORTANT REVOLUTIONARY SEAL, ENGRAVED "FOR LIBERTY I LIVE”. Turned ivory handle (3" long x 1 3/16" diameter at base) on which is mounted a bloodstone seal (7/16" diameter), set in a silver collar (3/4" L x 19/32" dia. at the seal) that is edge-finished with a pattern of 13 stylized facets or stars, symbolizing the 13 united colonies of America. The iconographic impact and historical importance of this seal, as its relates to the patriotic zeal in Revolutionary New England, cannot be emphasized enough. The bloodstone seal has been reverse-engraved by an extremely accomplished hand, its positive impression on wax revealing the following: "FOR [elm tree motif--the New England "Tree of Liberty"--for purposes of this seal, the word "LIBERTY"] / [a Masonic eye--symbolizing "I"] LIVE", or "FOR LIBERTY I LIVE." This striking seal was almost certainly made for a leading figure of the Sons of Liberty and, as believed by the collector who found this seal and first recognized its importance (and hence, the title of his book), very likely done by Paul Revere of Boston, leading silversmith and engraver, Mason and one of the leading members of the Sons of Liberty. As noted by Mr. Benting, it "is known that Paul Revere made bloodstone seals", while neighboring artisan Isaac Greenwood was "an ivory turner...instrument maker, and tooth carver." JLK Illustrated and described on pp. 66-67 of "For Liberty I Live", as well as shown on the book's cover. Sold at Morphy Auction May 27, 2020 Estimate: $5,000-15,000 Price Realized: $23,370 |
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