8. Ship Relics
Prices in U.S. Dollars are in GREEN
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8.86 SHIP's BUILDER's PLATE. Very handsome early 1900's ship builder's plaque of heavy cast brass with raised letters reading, "B/T "ART. 32 CONSTITUTIONAL" TAMPICO- MEXICO ARMADORES FLOTA MERCANTE NACIONAL S. A." Translated it means the B/T Corporation of Tampico, Mexico, builders of the ship "'ARMADORES" for the Mexican Merchant Fleet. This solid brass builder's plaque is beautifully–made in high relief, mounted to a large oval backboard of heavy mahogany measuring 17 ½ by 11 inches. The plate itself measures 16 x 9 ¾ inches. The casting is of the very highest quality attainable. The entire unit weighs 11 pounds. Circa 1940. Rare! 895 S.A. or "Sociedad Anonima" in Spanish refers to a type of corporation. Tampico is a coastal town on the Gulf of Mexico. |
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8.85 E.O.T. BELL. Heavy solid brass enunciator bell from a World War II vintage U.S. Navy pilot house engine order telegraph. It is marked "HENSCHEL CORPORATION AMESBURY, MASS. TYPE 3, VOLTS 6 CYCLES DC." The bell works with a loud clear tone when properly electrified. 5 inches tall by 4 inches wide. The bell is 3 inches in diameter. 5 pounds. Untouched original condition with a nice sea patina. WAS $189 NOW! 99 |
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8.83 ENGINE OFER TELEGRAPH. Turn-of-the-last century pilot house telegraph from a coal burning, twin screw British ship. The term "unique" is frequently abused in the antiques trade. But in this case it is absolutely appropriate. This unique E.O.T. is actually two telegraphs in one! Literally Siamese in construction, the two dials are supported on twin columns joined at the base forming an ellipse rather than a circle. The glass dials are signed "MECHANS LIMITED SCOTSTOUN GLASGOW." The AHEAD direction is marked "STAND BY, SLOW, HALF and FULL." The ASTERN direction, marked in red, reads "FINISHED WITH ENGINES, SLOW, HALF and FULL." The engineroom indicating arrows, now conjoined with the handles, point to the speed ordered and ring the internal bells when moved. The bells ring with a pleasingly clear, crisp note. The dials measure 10 inches in diameter. The turret head is 11 ¾ inches in diameter and 11 inches side. This heavy, solid brass telegraph stands 42 ½ inches tall exclusive of the handles and 47 inches tall overall. The base measures 14 ½ by 10 ¼ inches and had a total of 8 countersunk holes for mounting to the deck. Each of the two columns has a recessed rectangular inspection cover. Excellent overall condition showing good age and no abuse. The brass surfaces have acquired a rich bronze age patina from years of sea service. Price Request |
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8.82 ENGINEROOM TELEGRAPH. Genuine turn-of-the-last century engineroom telegraph from a coal-fired steamship. This early mechanical device has a perfect hard porcelain dial 12 inches in diameter. It is boldly signed "MECHANS LIMITED SCOTSTOUN GLASGOW." It is marked with the AHEAD indications "Full, Half, Slow, Stand By." The "ASTERN" segment, marked in red, reads "Full, Half, Slow, Finished With Engine." In between the two is "STOP" in red. A large brass indicator needle rotates at the center indicating signals from the bridge. The dial is covered by glass held in by a thick brass bezel 14 ½ inches in diameter overall. The engineroom's answering lever with brass arrow overrides the bezel, extending 4 inches beyond. The body of this E.O.T. is heavy cast iron with several ports to exude the sound of the large internal brass bell. The housing is backed by a 13 inch diameter mounting flange with 4 holes for attachment. The body is 7 inches thick and 14 ½ inches high, top to bottom, inclusive of the rectangular port at the top which accommodated the signal chains (now removed). Excellent original condition throughout. Weight 56 pounds. The internal bell rings with an astonishingly loud, clear tone of long duration. Price Request |
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8.81 IDENTIFIED HELM BELL. Genuine mid-19th century ship's bell from the full-rigged sailing ship "CITY OF PERTH" as deeply hand-engraved on the front. This handsome solid brass bell has a hefty brass clapper which rings with a loud, sonorous, long-lasting tone. 9 inches tall by 8 ¾ inches in diameter at the mouth. Excellent original condition, showing good age, especially on the interior. 1689 |
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8.76 COMMEMORATIVE TRAY. Small, very early 1900's souvenir tray from the famous Hudson River steamer the "ROBERT FULTON." This handsome tray is made of solid pewter with an extremely detailed image of the huge vessel plying the waters of the Hudson with mountains in the background. The exquisite detail bears close scrutiny under magnification. It is entitled on the bottom "DAY LINE STEAMER "ROBERT FULTON."" It is also embossed "ROBERT FULTON" on the vessel's starboard side amidships. The tray has a curvaceous ornate floral boarder in high relief. 2 ¾ by 3 ½ inches. Excellent original condition showing good age and no damage. 69 |
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8.74 BOAT WHEEL. Early 1900's small craft steering wheel. This charming little relic consists of a solid cast bronze steering wheel fitted with rich wooden mahogany grips on 6 spokes with brass end caps. The central brass hub is attached to the steering shaft by 3 screws. The shaft itself bears a 3/16 inch hole for attachment to a larger shaft by means of a taper pin. The body of the wheel measures a mere 5 ½ inches in diameter and 12 ¼ inches across, spoke to spoke. Excellent original condition with a lovely original age patina. 249 |
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8.68/19.89 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 spokes and spindles are of nicely turned oak. 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 at sea, but no abuse. Price Request |
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8.61 FAMOUS MAKER's PLAQUE. High relief cast bronze maker's plate reading "J. & E. HALL, Ltd. MAKERS... Dartford, England." This heavy oval plaque measures 4 ¼ by 2 ½ inches. It shows signs of rust on the back indicating it was mounted on an iron component, likely a ship's boiler. Excellent original condition. 39 |
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8.54 SHIP’s VOICE TUBE. Very, very scarce late 1800’s flexible sound-powered voice tube. Every aspect indicates it is British. This very well-made device has a heavy solid brass “telephone” receiver and mouthpiece, both encircled by thick rubber rings. The brass handle is insulated with hand-stitched leather. It is attached by means of a wire coupling to a canvas-covered corrugated tube containing an inner spiral ribbing which provides complete flexibility with extreme durability. At the opposite end is a knurled brass coupling, secured by multiple wire turnings attached by wires, which connected it to the ship’s internal hard-mounted voice tube network. Of great significance is the fact that this early device is sound powered, accomplished by thin diaphragms of mica in the handset, which picked up and amplified the vibrations of the user’s voice. This clever system is similar in time and function to Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone using such oscillations augmented with electricity. However, on shipboard, a simplistic system sans electricity was the preferred fail safe method of interior communication. This was true whether the ship lost power, or of course if it was pre-electric. In either case the system provided a very effective means of reliable interior communication. 73 ½ inches long overall. The handset measures 11 ½ inches long by 6 inches wide. This rare shipboard relic is the first of its type we have ever seen. It is in an outstanding state of original preservation showing good use, but remarkably no abuse or damage. Without question, this is a precious survivor from the age of steam/sail, the likes of which was little valued and summarily discarded at the time of the ship’s demise. Price Request |
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8.44 MORE SHIPS’ COMPARTMENT PLAQUES. Genuine early 1900’s identifying plates taken from various steamers salvaged in the 1970’s. All of these plaques are solid brass and are guaranteed to be authentic -- actually removed from the vessels on which they served dating from the 1920’s. Lengths and configuration vary. These have been in our possession, untouched, for over 30 years.
MAIN STEAM. Engraved brass. 3 7/8 inches. 24 STEAM. Engraved brass. 4 inches. 19 W.C. Engraved brass. 4 inches. 29 W.C. Engraved brass. 4 inches. 29 CERTIFIED FOR NAVIGATION OF SHIP. Engraved brass. 89
The following plaques come from a pre-World War II Hungarian freighter : OFFICERS ACCOMODATION. Engraved brass. 4 inches. 39 WIRELESS STATION. Engraved brass. 4 inches. 45 BOATSWOIN (sic). Engraved brass. 4 inches. 29 SHOWER. Engraved brass. 4 inches. 29 SHOWER. Engraved brass. 4 inches. 29 CREWS MESSROOM. Engraved brass. 4 inches. 39 RESERVE ROOM. Engraved brass. 4 inches. 29 PANTRY. Engraved brass. 4 inches. 34 CHIEF MATE’S BEDROOM. Engraved brass. 4 inches. 49 |
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8.43 SHIPS’ COMPARTMENT PLAQUES. Genuine early 1900’s identifying plates taken from various steamers salvaged in the 1970’s. All of these plaques are solid brass and are guaranteed to be authentic -- actually removed from the vessels on which they served dating from the 1920’s. Lengths and configuration vary. These have been in our possession, untouched, for over 30 years. CURRENT STATUS: P.O. & RATING'S PANTRY. Cast brass. 49 DISPENSARY. Cast brass. 6 ¼ inches. 39 OFFICERS MESS. Engraved brass. 6 5/8 inches. CERT. FOR OFFICERS. Engraved brass. 8 ¾ inches. 39 WHEEL HOUSE. Thick engraved brass. 6 ¾ inches. CERT. HOSPITAL W.C. Engraved brass. 7 3/8 inches. 34 OIL SKIN LOCKER. Engraved brass. 6 inches. SOLD CERT. FOR USE OF CREW. PASSENGERS. Cast brass. 5 3/8 inches. 39 CERTIFIED FOR CREW. CERTIFIED ACCESS. Engraved brass. 39 CERT. REST ROOM . Engraved brass. 29 |
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8.39 STEERING STATION. Early 1900’s American steamship’s steering pedestal with helm wheel. This exceptionally handsome example is made entirely of heavy solid brass. The distinctive “mushroom” pedestal is capped by a rudder angle indicator arrow on top sweeping an arc of 38 degrees, port and starboard from the amidships centerline “0.” The wheel is connected to the pedestal on a fitting with bearings and grease cup, secured by a large bonze hexagonal cap nut. The hefty all brass wheel has 8 spokes radiating to bulbous brass handles measuring 41 inches from tip to tip. The rim of the wheel is 32 inches in diameter. The gracefully tapered pedestal flares at the bottom to a massive deck flange 1 inch thick and 11 ½ inches in diameter. The entire assembly measures 50 ½ inches tall as pictured. Excellent cosmetic condition with a particularly nice, smooth high polish, showing some age spotting. A stunning original steamship relic with a bold nautical statement. SOLD |
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