New This Week:

4.55   MOST IMPRESSIVE SCRIMSHAW SWIFT.  Certainly one of the best 19th century scrimshaw objects to come on the market in recent times.  This mid-1800’s mechanical masterpiece is a Yankee whaleman-made yarn winder known as a “swift.”  It is embodied in a complicated revolving double cage carved from sperm whale teeth with panbone stays, sea turtle inlays, sterling silver rivets and period, blue ribbons.  Of extraordinary form, this example has a massive sculpted whale ivory finial below which is a carved rectangular support with inlaid tortoise shell “windows.”  The turned ivory cage collars support a total of 72 whalebone stays, each finely secured with silver rivets, silver wire and thread.  The central shaft is sculpted from the marble-like dense bone of a sperm whale’s jaw known as “pan bone.”  Each of the delicate but durable stays is carved from the same material.  Below the bottom cage collar is a lovely turned “barrel stop” with a threaded whale ivory knob with cross hatching.  It rides upward on the shaft to secure the entire apparatus in its working position.  Below it, separated from the clamp, is an ornate reticulated whale tooth “washer.”  The base clamp is a truly exceptional example of the whaleman’s creativity and precision. It consists of a huge, single chunk of whale’s tooth inlaid with 15 “windows” of sea tortoise shell, matching the finial.  The reticulated whale ivory clamp at the bottom matches the washer.  It is threaded to provide a secure clamp with which to mount the swift onto a table or bread board.  The overall height is 20 inches and approximately 5 inches thick when closed.  It expands to about 15 inches in diameter in working condition.  Yet, it will extend to an amazing 30 inches overall. Condition is extraordinary in all respects.  There are absolutely no flaws!  7400

Not available or for sale in California.  Shipped from Massachusetts.

(See item 4.83)

3.73  CIVIL WAR COMPASS by the INVENTOR.  IMPORTANT.  The ultimate.  Museum-quality boxed compass made by Edward S. Ritchie of Boston.  This rare, early, liquid-filled compass is stamped on the periphery ring “E.S. RICHIE BOSTON” and “PATENTED SEPT 9, 1862, with the serial number “(?)395” astride an incised arrow.  Of great significance, the card itself is painted in the maker’s own hand “RITCHIE BOSTON.”   As designed by Ritchie the compass features a circular card in 3 dimensions, colloquially known as a “doughnut compass.”  The design was dramatically different from the conventional flat card of all compasses up to that time.  This unique feature, in combination with its liquid-filled properties (to dampen unwanted movement of the card at sea), combined to make it the most significant advancement in the navigator’s compass since its inception by the Chinese more than 1,000 years earlier!  The card measures 5 ½ inches in diameter.  The unusually heavy brass compass body is 7 inches in diameter.  It is slung in its original heavy brass gimbal measuring 8 inches across.  In turn, it is mounted in its substantial hardwood wooden box with sliding lid measuring 10 by 11 inches and 7 inches thick.  Exceptional original condition considering this item is 163 years old!  1895

Without a doubt this is the finest example of such a compass we have ever seen in our 45+ years in the nautical antiques business.  To be sure, Ritchie and his sons manufactured thousands of compasses in the late 1800’s into the early 1900’s.  Significantly however, this was one of the first, made during the Civil War, at the very beginning of the elder Ritchie’s manufactory.

Edward Samuel Ritchie was born in 1814.  In 1839 he established a hardware business in Boston, Massachusetts with a partner to form the firm of Palmer & Ritchie.  From 1842-1849 he operated a ship’s chandlery in New Bedford.  In1850 Ritchie began his scientific instrument making career with Nathan Chamberlain as a partner.  By 1862 the company was known as Edward S. Ritchie & Co.  In 1867, after the Civil War, the firm name became E.S. Ritchie & Sons.

 Edward Ritchie is credited with inventing the first practical liquid-filled compass circa 1860.
 In 1861 his ground breaking innovation was to find its way onto another maritime first – John Ericsson’s famous USS MONITOR.  Known as the “cheesecake on a raft” this new form of floating man-o-war employed the use of an innovative revolving turret from which its gun could fire in any direction.  Up to that time all compasses were of the free floating “undamped” drycard type.   Similarly primitive, Naval gunfire required cumbersome side-by-side naval ship engagements.  Both of these ingenious innovations were conceived and built into the MONITOR in 1862.  Undoubtedly they made significant contributions to the Union’s ultimate victory at sea and radical modifications in Naval construction.  Ritchie was awarded his first patent for the invention on September 9, 1862, at the height of the War.  A number of improvements and subsequent patents followed.  The elder Ritchie died in 1895, but his sons carried on the business, which still survives today as E. S. Ritchie & Sons, Inc. Pembroke, Massachusetts.

This is a genuine, surviving relic of that important advancement in Naval history.

5.90/7.06   BLUE JACKETS` MANUAL.  Highly prized wartime edition of the famous issue of the U.S. Navy’s “THE BLUE JACKETS’ MANUAL 1943.”  This classic publication was issued at the height of World War II.  As such, it represents the most comprehensive text of its type ever produced, in a period when the fate of the world was at stake.  It contains an impressive 1,445 pages exclusive of the index in its original hard cloth cover.  This is literally the “Navy Bible” of its time, covering every aspect of the American sailor’s life in the most trying times in the nation’s history -- In the very depths of the world war in 1943.   Those seriously in the know about this series of Naval books are familiar with their content.  We will not elaborate.  As a wartime publication this is by far the most extensive and collectible of the series.  Excellent original condition showing good, minor expected combat wear to the cloth cover.  Content is exceptionally fine, with no losses, tears or soiling.  A super war relic.  195

3.50/5.69  NAVY LANDING  CRAFT BINNACLE.  Authentic World War II vintage U.S. Navy small craft binnacle compass as used on the larger American amphibious assault craft of the era such as the LCU and LCM.  This handsome example is made of heavy solid cast bronze containing a liquid compass.  It bears the maker’s plaque reading “Naval Ship’s Systems Command Compensating Binnacle Mark VII Mod 5” and is signed “John Hand & Sons, Cherry Hill, N.J.”  The black compass card with luminescent markings is calibrated in 5 degree increments of the compass rose, marked by 30’s with the Cardinal points “N, S, E, W.” identified.  The helmsman’s side of the binnacle is marked “AFT” and bears correction markings for adjusting the compass.  To these ends, the original compass correction card in 4 columns is displayed.  Two are marked “Magnetic Course” and the 2 others “Compass Course.”  Within the binnacle body is a complex series of magnets and gears for making magnetic adjustments.  Interestingly the inside of the folding brass cover is insulated with an early style cork liner.  What is remarkable is it comes complete with its rarely found protective all bass cover which contains “CORRECTION INSTRUCTION” in the underside of the lid. This very substantial precision navigational instrument weighs a hefty 8+ pounds!  It measures 5 inches tall and is 4 ½ inches in diameter.  The compass is lively and accurate.  The cosmetic condition of the entire presentation is exceptional.  495

9.31  PRECISION SCALE WEIGHTS.  Full set of balancing scale weightsused for determining the exact weight of precious substances such as gold, diamonds and medicine.  This pristine set contains 8 identified brass weights marked from one through 50 grams, with duplicate 2 and 10 gram weights.  Then there is a cut black glass tray which contains thin metal strips ranging from 1 milligram up to 500 milligrams.  The set is complete with its original brass tweezers.   The total contents are neatly mounted in the substantial mahogany box with dark blue felt liner and brass hook closure.  The set is signed by the maker as stamped into the case “F. HOPKIN & SON, JERSEY CITY, NJ.”   5 1/8 inches long by 3 inches wide and 1 ½ inches thick.  It is amazing that this set has remained entirely intact in such good condition for over 100 years!  249

15.10  HUDSON RIVER PHOTOGRAPH.  Latter half 1800's albumen photograph of the grand passenger stern wheeler NEW YORK steaming down the Hudson on a bright, sunny day absolutely crammed with passengers on all 3 decks.  The huge river steamer plies the placid river, her reflection clearly showing in the water in the foreground.  The ship flies the Union Jack from the jack staff and at least 4 other flags aft, including the American ensign.  This early river boat has the unusual feature of 3 large smoke stacks positioned abreast of one another and forward of its old fashioned rocking beam engine.  Two masts are in evidence, one just forward of the pilot house and the other aft.  All the way astern can be seen the massive paddle box clearly marked “NEW YORK” on its side.  The white hulled vessel appears to be beautifully maintained as the well dressed passengers regale its every inch of space.  The thickly wooded banks of the Hudson River are clearly visible on both sides of the photograph.  It measures 4 ½ by 6 3/8 inches sight and is mounted on its original stiff photograph card measuring 8 by 10 ¼ inches.  The image is in excellent original condition and bears close scrutiny under magnification revealing many interesting details.  The original card is complete and sound, but does have a water stain in the upper right quadrant.  This could be easily matted out when the photograph is framed.  Currently preserved under shrink wrap mounted on foam core.  149

The famous stern wheel river steamer NEW YORK was built in Brooklyn in 1863.  She had a length of 192 feet, a breadth of 34 feet and a draft of 13 feet. She was homeported in New York City. 

AUTHENTIC LIGHTHOUSE. The ultimate! This was an exceptional opportunity to own a very historic relic of America’s rich maritime heritage embodied in the original lamp room from the famous Ballast Point Lighthouse, which served its sentinel duties in the channel of San Diego Bay from 1890 until 1960. This incredibly well-preserved piece of history was built according to specifications laid out by the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1885. A copy of the original specifications are included as are much printed references and photographs. Erected in 1890, the 5th Order lighthouse was a significant aid to navigation in conjunction with the Point Loma Lighthouse (1850) poised at the entrance to San Diego Bay. Ballast Point Light was situated further inside the massive bay on a point which jutted into the seaway which posed a hazard to shipping. 135 years old! SOLD

HISTORY

On October 2, 1888, recognizing the need for a harbor light in the increasingly congested channel of San Diego Bay, Congress authorized $25,000 for the construction of a lighthouse to be built on Ballast Point. Fashioned in the late Victorian style, the entire structure took 3 months to build beginning in March 1890. The light was first lit on August 1st. It was a sister of the lights at San Luis Obispo and Table Bluff, south of Humboldt Bay. All were wood framed structures with attached living quarters. The ironwork for the lantern was forged in San Francisco and carried south to San Diego by ship. The French firm of Sautter, Lemmonier, & Cie. manufactured the Freznel lens for the Ballast Point Light in 1886. The fixed 5th Order lens was visible for a distance of at least 11 miles.

When California was still part of Mexico the peninsula jutting into San Diego Bay was known as Punta del los Guijarros or “Pebble Point.” For centuries cobblestones washed down by the San Diego River had been deposited on the point. When California gained statehood in 1850 the point was renamed Middle Ground Shoal. As time went on and merchant traffic in the harbor increased, many sailing ships found it convenient to load or discharge the stones as ballast. The practice continued and eventually the name “Ballast Point” stuck.

Accompanying the Ballast Point lighthouse was a huge 2,000 pound fog bell in a wooden tower. In 1928 it was supplanted by a single tone electric diaphone horn.

The first keeper of the light was John M. Nilsson, assigned duty on July 15, 1890. The second was Henry Hall, who took the job on December 1, 1892. Perhaps the most famous keeper was Irish born David R. Splaine, a Civil War veteran and veteran lighthouse keeper, who assumed the post in 1894, having served at Point Conception, the Farallons and San Diego’s own Point Loma light from 1886-1889.

In 1913 the original old kerosene lamp was replaced with an acetylene burner. Acetylene gave way to electricity in 1928. In 1938 a filter was fitted inside the 5th Order Freznel lens giving the light a distinctive green hue for recognition. One of the last keepers of the light was Radford Franke who recalled receiving the order to “douse the light” upon the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

By early 1960 the light was deemed to be of no further service, so in June of that year the lantern room was removed to a salvage yard. The wooden tower and its brick and mortar foundation remained a couple of years later until they too were declared structurally unsafe and demolished. The bell tower continued to survive, mounted with a 375 mm high intensity lamp on its roof. However the value of maintaining any light on Ballast Point diminished with the installation of harbor entrance range lights. In the late 1960’s the bell and its tower were dismantled. The tower found its way to a private residence in Lakeside, California. The bell had a more circuitous later life. It was purchased from a San Diego area junk yard in 1969 for its scrap value of 5 cents per pound! The one ton bell remained on local private property until 1991, when it was put on loan to the San Diego Maritime Museum. In 1999 the bell was transported to the son of the original buyer, living in Colorado. Then in 2002, the bell finally found its way to the home of the owner’s granddaughter living in Vermont, where it rests to this day.

The story of the lantern’s later life is even more fascinating. The nation was just recovering from the Cuban Missile Crisis between JFK and Khrushchev, when in 1964 the Cuban government cut off the fresh water supply to the U.S. Naval base at Guantanamo Bay. By that time, an experimental desalinization plant had been in operation at Point Loma for 2 years. The Navy hastily ordered it to be disassembled and shipped through the Panama Canal to Cuba. A gentleman working as a crane operator during the process noted the shabby lantern room in a trash heap nearby. He inquired as to the fate of the relic and was told it was salvage. Asking if he could purchase it, the yard foreman told him he could “have it” if he would haul it away. With that, for the next 34 years the lantern room served as a gazebo in the backyard of the man’s residence in Bonita, California. It was purchased by the present owners in 1998, fully refurbished, and then placed on public display ever since. Now it is time for it to find its next new home. According to the crane operator who delivered the lamp room it weighs approximately 5 tons. It will require a crane and a flat bed truck for removal.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

F. Ross Holland, “The Old Point Loma Lighthouse,” 1978, Cabrillo Historical Association, San Diego, California

Jim Gibbs, “The Twilight of Lighthouses,” 1996, Schiffer Publishing, Atglen, PA.

Kin Fahlen and Karen Scanlon, “Lighthouse of San Diego,” 2008, Arcadia Publishing, San Francisco

Kraig Anderson, “Forgotten Ballast Point “Lighthouse” Seeks New Home,” article in “Lighthouse Digest,” East Machias, Maine, September – October 2011, Vol. XX, no. 5 pages 34 – 37.

“Mains’l Haul,” a periodic publication of the San Diego Maritime Association, Summer 1990, Vol. XXVI, No. 4, pp. 11-12.