12. Other Nautical

12.19 P.O.W. SNUFF BOX. Absolutely charming late 18th or very early 19th century carved bone folk art snuff box depicting a handsome gentleman suitor courting a lovely maiden. This intricately constructed box is indicative of the incredible output of French prisoners in British prisons during the Napoleonic War era. It consists of an inner core of solid wood that has been hollowed out. Overlaying the wood is sheathing consisting of bovine bone attached with tiny brass pins. The box opens with fine hand-made brass hinges and is equipped with a tiny friction latch which allows it to close with a positive fit, assuring preservation of its precious contents. The front of the box is engraved with the initials "CT DW." It is both relief carved AND engraved with floral motifs and a "brick" pattern. It measures 3 1/2 inches long by 2 1/4 inches wide and 1 1/4 inches thick. This snuff box is in an incredible state of original preservation with no damage or repairs whatsoever. A superbly rare example of 200 year old P.O.W. work with a delightfully endearing subject! 1895

12.37   SAILOR’s VALENTINE.   Early, very impressive, large double sailor’s shellwork valentine of the type produced in the Caribbean from the mid-1800’s onward.  This example dates to the earliest production of these sailors’ mementoes as evidenced by the fact that it has a key lock -- a feature found only on the oldest, higher quality surviving examples.  It is of classic diptych construction  having two octagons hinged in the center.  The cases are made of Spanish cedar having glazed covers of original old wavy glass protecting the fragile shells within.  The geometric patterns so-formed are remarkably complex and extremely colorful.  The left panel (also known as a “flat”) has a 6-side star with a central rosette.  In keeping with the fact that this sailor memento was  a souvenir for a loved one, the central theme of the right flat is a large heart encircled by 3 rosettes.  Each flat measures 13 ¾ inches across with a combined overall width of 27 3/8 inches.  Condition is absolutely outstanding, untouched, original.  As bright and vibrant as it was made over 150 years ago!   Museum-quality.  Price Request Back to Top

12.36  SIGNALS and ABBRVIATIONS.   Authentic British Admiralty broadside of chart quality dating from 1910 with printed revisions though 1947, entitled “EXPLANATION OF SIGNS and ABBREVIATIONS.  This detailed depiction undoubtedly adorned the chartroom bulkhead of one of Her Majesty’s ships.  It contains an amazing array of nautical information ranging from “General Abbreviations used on Admiralty charts, Quality of the Bottom, Conventional Signs (coastal topography),  Buoys and Beacons, Lights (with amendment), Tides and Tidal Streams, Fog Signals, Radio Stations, Wrecks” and much more.  Printed in black and red ink on heavy chart stock.  The reverse is marked, “5011 SIGNS AND ABBREVIATIONS USED ON BRITISH CHARTS.”  The bottom is marked “Crown Copyright.”  27 ¾ by 20 ¼ inches.  Good overall with minor condition issues consisting of thumb tack holes in the corners and a small tear, professionally repaired, on the bottom.  A great wall hanger with much interesting nautical information.  Worthy of framing.  Shipped rolled in a mailing tube unless otherwise requested.  99

12.34  WORKING STEAM ENGINE.  Unusually detailed 19th century industrial model of a reciprocating steam engine.  This functional model is set on a cast iron bed plate on which the steam chest, piston cylinder, reciprocating components and flywheel are mounted.  There is a small operational pet cock on the front of the cylinder and there are grease cups on the bearings supporting the crank shaft.  The valve assembly is actuated by a complicated gearing system attached to the eccentric and connecting rod.  All of these components are nickel-plated brass.  The large spoked flywheel is of steel with a double power take-off pulley for belt drives.  In testament to its quality the pulleys are finely knurled on their inside grooves to assure maximum traction of the belt.  In another nod to authenticity, the bed of the engine bears red pin striping typical of the decorative embellishment found on 19th century industrial equipment.  8 ¾ inches long overall and 5 3/8 inches wide.   Mounted to a thick solid block of vintage teakwood.  The whole mechanism runs perfectly.   We have put compressed air to the model and it purrs like a sewing machine!  565

12.32  MINIATURE BOS’N PIPE.   Professionally-made silversmith’s special bos’n call made of hallmarked sterling silver.  This original  hand-made boatswain’s whistle has the maker’s mark “DMB,” followed by the Birmingham sterling mark and the indistingusihable date mark on the keel.  The bowl is decorated with applied high relief anchors on both sides.  The stem is gracefully curved and terminates in a single flared mouthpiece.  This diminutive call measures a mere 2 inches in length, yet produces a loud shrill call.  The keel is rove through with a tiny attachment ring less than ¼  inch in diameter!  Overall condition is outstanding and original.  This is the first bos’n pipe of this unusually small size we have ever seen.   Perfect for wearing as an authentic nautical necklace.  The price is right! 149

12.32  LIVE STEAM ENGINE.  Well made, industrial quality (not a toy) working steam engine.  This classic reciprocating steam plant features a brass cylinder closed on both ends with tiny brass lug nuts.  The articulated piston rod runs in a track holding the connecting rod which in turn operates the crank shaft.  The shaft operates the large spoked flywheel on one side and the eccentric wheel on the other which operates the steam intake and exhaust valves.  The unit is in good overall condition and all components operate freely and properly.   Again, this is not a toy but a hand-made model made by an expert steam engineer.  8 ½ inches long, 4 3/8 inches wide and 3 ½ inches high.  Very hefty brass and steel construction done in a realistic manner.  A bargain at  275

12.30  PAIR, NAVAL SWORDS.  Handsome pair of late 19th century Naval officer swords made with blades marked “WKC” and the emblem of a helmeted knight.  These authentic Naval dress swords are French or German, not identified by service.  They are both complete and in very good original condition having ivory-like grips with gilded brass wire wraps.  The very decorative yet functional hilts consist of highly detailed lion head pommels holding the chased and gilded guards with floral patterns.  Each guard is made up of opposing semi-circular hinged plates, one on each side of the blade.  The larger of the two is decorated with a fouled anchor in high relief while the other consists of a curved flap with slot which fits over a lug in the scabbard to secure the blade in the scabbard.  The gracefully curved blade has a reinforcing fuller (ridge) running atop its entire length.  At the hilt it is fitted with a protective “chappe” also known as a rain guard.   The equally fine scabbards are of sewn leather with three brass sections.  The upper portion or “locket” has a securing ring and it is stamped with the maker’s mark and a serial number on each.  The center brass section has another ring and bears more marks.  The end or “chape” is decoratively marked and bears a flared, flattened tip.  While nearly identical, the pair differs slightly, in that one measures 37 ½ inches long and the other measures 35 ½.   Otherwise they are identical and correctly identified as a “matched pair.”  1795 the pair  Back to Top

(See  http://www.wwiidaggers.com/34717.htm )

12.28  SAILOR’s CLAY PIPE.  Clay pipe of the type used by sailors from the 17th century into the mid-1800’s.  This handsome example features an elongated round bowl with a very long stem designed to cool the smoke of the harsh tobacco not so readily available during long voyages at sea.  The well-used pipe measures 14 inches long with the bowl just under 1 inch in diameter.  Excellent original condition showing good age.  139

12.26  SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR COMMEMORATIVE.  Large, hard fired porcelain charger (center serving dish) of American manufacture commemorating the loss of the Battleship MAINE and the resultant victory of U.S fleets over the Spanish Navy.   This lovely work was made by the Sebring Pottery Company of East Liverpool, Ohio in 1898 as marked on the bottom.  The impressive presentation colorfully depicts images of famous warships involved in the war, they being the dynamite cruiser USS VESUVIUS, cruiser USS NASHVILLE and the battleship USS INDIANA.  The central vignette is that of the famed Battleship USS MAINE depicted steaming off of Morro Castle in Havana Harbor.  Above it is the portrait of the victorious Admiral Dewey of Battle of Manila (“You may fire when ready Gridley”) fame, surrounded by an acanthus leaf garland.  The vignettes are stenciled then hand-tinted.  These are surrounded by raised cartouches in the plate itself, with floral designs around the rim.  The inner floral designs are highlighted in gold and the entire plate is in its original crackle glaze finish.   The bottom is signed “Sebring Porcelain.”  13 inches in diameter.  Excellent original condition with no chips, cracks or breaks.  SOLDBack to Top

The explosion and sinking of the Battleship MAINE (ACR-1) in Havana Harbor on February 15th, with the loss of 260 American lives, led to America declaring war on Spain.  On April 23rd, after much Yellow Journalism and political wrangling, Congress declared that a state of war had existed between the U.S. and Spain since April 21, the day the U.S. began to blockade Cuba.  In the ensuing 10 weeks U.S. Naval and land forces thoroughly decimated the Spanish.

With resounding defeats in Cuba and the Philippines, Spain sued for peace.  Hostilities were halted on August 12, 1898, when a Protocol of Peace between the United States and Spain was signed in Washington.  The formal peace treaty was signed in Paris on December 10, 1898.  As a result of the war the United States gained all of Spain's colonies outside of Africa, including the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico, excepting Cuba, which became a U.S. protectorate.  These gains prompted John Hay, America’s Ambassador in Britain, to refer to it as “the splendid little war,” in a letter to his friend Theodore Roosevelt.  Theodore Roosevelt and George Dewey benefited greatly from their participation in the war.  Both men gained immediate fame as national heroes.  Roosevelt’s fame ultimately propelled him to the White House.

Years later it was determined the Battleship MAINE did not explode and sink due to hostile action, but as a result of its faulty boilers.