| Sale: | Private Collection Thursday March 18th at 6:00 p.m. IMPORTANT AUCTION OF HISTORIC ARMS, MILITARIA, AMERICANA AND ARTWORK FROM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF JAMES L, KOCHAN The Lukens-Lenox Papers, c. 1740-c. 1870 |
 251 Papers and Artifacts of Captain Washington Hood, Topographical Engineers (18) During 1999, I handled the sale of Washington Hood’s effects, including his papers (now in the Streeter Collection, Yale U.), his uniforms and portraits. A few years later, by sheer luck, I happened to acquire a small grouping of additional Hood items from a collector. Included in this grouping is a self-portrait of Hood, done in watercolor on ivory (another Hood self-portrait miniature, c. 1827, is now in the Don Troiani Collection). Although the miniature has suffered some abrasion to the surface, it is the only known view of a Topographical Engineer officer wearing the distinctive forage cap and shoulder wings adopted by that corps during 1838-39. Other documents and related materials include: Hood’s draft of a report to the Building Committee of the National Theater relating to its heating system and his recommendations for improvement (a watercolor drawn by Hood to accompany this report is now in the Streeter Collection); a 29 March 1840 (?) free-franked cover signed by Secretary of War Lewis Cass; a 2 Feb. 1840 ALS by John J. Abert, Chief of Topographical Engineers, to Washington’s father, John M. Hood, requesting the gift of a “bound manuscript common place book” owned by his son that he intended to keep as “the relick of an esteemed friend and valuable officer”; a War Dept. transmittal letter notifying him of his appointment as captain in the Topographical Engineers and two drafts of his acceptance letters; the specifications for the “building and completely finishing a portico for the southern front of the dwelling house belonging to John Carter heretofore Known as “Peter Grove” in Georgetown D.C.” in 1836; an 1827 letter notifying Hood that he had been appointed an honorary member of the Philadelphia Washington Greys; a 12 September 1838 ALS by S. Cooper, acting Secretary of War, stating that “in the event of difficulties with the Indians on the frontier, Your patriotic offer of Services will be duly Considered.”; along with various draft outgoing and incoming military and War Department correspondence, as well a few family items, including the estate inventory for his father (d. 1842). Also with this grouping are the following objects: a cut silhouette from the Peale Museum, dated August 1826 (probably done while Washington Hood was on leave from the Academy); a rattlesnake rattle that he brought home as a souvenir from his western travels; and a leather wallet with U.S.N. eagle/shield motifs embossed on it, but once belonging to the young engineer (18 items total). $3500/5500 | ||
 252 Francis Bicknell Carpenter (1830-1900) Captain George Hasket Derby, 1861 Oil on canvas, 42 x 34 in., in original (?) frame Derby (1823-1861) was a member of the famous Class of 1846 of the U.S. Military Academy and at the outbreak of the Mexican War was a 2nd lieutenant in the Topographical Engineers. While serving as Maj. General Winfield Scott’s aid de camp at the battle of Cerro Gordo, he was seriously wounded (the wounds would plague him for the remainder of his short life), for which he received a brevet promotion. Derby was a noted wit and caricaturist and during his stay in California, began publishing humorous stories in the San Diego Herald under the pen-name of “Squibob” and later, “John Phoenix”. In 1855, some of these parodies were collected and published as Phoenixania, and he soon had an international following. Today, he is considered the most important Western humorist before Mark Twain. However, Derby was first and foremost a career soldier and his assignments included such projects as the survey of San Diego Harbor and road planning in the Pacific Northwest (which place, “Squibob” observed, “rains incessantly twenty-six hours a day for seventeen months of the year”). Derby’s health had rapidly failed just prior to the Civil War and while sitting for this portrait in New York while on convalescence, Fort Sumter fell. Derby noted to Carpenter that he “felt that I ought to go” back to serve with the Army, upon which the artist asked him why he didn’t do so, to which he replied, “No, I cannot; I have many bullets in my body which have all settled in my legs, and I cannot walk.” Less than a month later, on 15 May 1861, he was dead. This original life portrait is accompanied with a copy of Phoenixania, as well as the biography cited below, copies of family papers, and a reprint of Derby’s Colorado River report of 1850-51. $9000/12,000 Provenance: by descent in the Derby family, from his son LTC George McClellan Derby, until sold in 2002. Literature: George Hasket Derby Papers in the USMA Library Special Collection, West Point, NY; George R. Stewart. John Phoenix, Esq.: The Veritable Squibob. New York: Holt and Co., 1937. | ||
 253 1812 Pennsylvania Artillery Broadside Recruiting broadside (8 ¼ x 5 in.), placed in the Philadelphia Democratic Press June 1812 issue, overall: 21 ½ x 13 in. A 27 May 1812-dated call for volunteers to join the ‘First Regiment Pennsylvania State Artillery in anticipation of a declaration of war, proclaiming that “the situation of our country calls for immediate military preparation, and every citizen...will eagerly rally round the standard of the union.” Describes the organization of the corps and names its officers, and promises that enlistees will “be exempt from militia service forever, after continuing in the Regiment ten years.” A nice line engraving of uniformed artillerymen serving their cannon, with two flags in the background, is above the text. $100/200 |
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 254 Isaac Hull (1773-1843), US Naval Hero DS, 1 p., 6 x 8 in.; partly-printed USN payment authorization, Boston, 13 Dec. 1814; laid down on another sheet. A document signed by Isaac Hull requesting that payment be made to Nathaniel Cushing for providing “1 Capstan spindle 765 lbs wt.” at the price of $214.20 on 13 December 1814. Cushing acknowledged receiving payment for the above on 2 May 1815 by signature affixed to the bottom of this form (and we think government payment on purchase orders is slow today?!?). Hull became the first United States naval hero of the War of 1812 when he met HMS Guerriere, a 38-gun frigate, while cruising in the heavy frigate USS Constitution, In a four-hour, bloody battle, Hull pounded his enemy to pieces before the ship struck her colors--earning him the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. $350/450 | ||
 255 William Bainbridge (1774-1833), US Naval Hero DS, 1 p., 9 ½ x 8 in.; partly-printed USN requisition, Boston, 10 January 1815; laid down on another sheet. An official United States Navy requisition of $5,500 for “Paying off Men & for Pay & subsistence of Officers & Men attachd. to the United States Ship Independence....under Commodore William Bainbridge”, signed by the ship’s purser and counter-signed by Bainbridge. The document is endorsed and docketed, noting that payment was received for the above from Amos Binney, Esq., US Navy Agent at Boston on the same date. Captain William Bainbridge was in the command of the Boston Navy Yard at the opening of the war, but took command of USS Constitution from Hull (who wished relief) following her victory over Guerriere. While aboard her, on 29 December 1812, he defeated HMS Java after a hard-fought action, which also secured him the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. His new command, the USS Independence, was one of the few American ships-of-the-line built during the war and which never saw action. $350/450 | ||
 256 The Yankey Torpedo Drawn and etched by “E___s”, 1813, published 1 November 1813 by Thomas Tegg, London; hand-colored etching, 10 x 13 5/8 in. Without benefit of a battle-fleet to oppose the British squadrons blockading the American coast during the war, the latter were free to anchor in American bays and estuaries and raid American shipping and stage amphibious expeditions with impunity. To counter such attacks, Congress in March 1813 passed the so-called “Torpedo Act”, which promised a reward of half the estimated value of any British warship destroyed. This encouraged a number of inventors, including Robert Fulton, to submit their designs for mines, torpedoes and other “infernals” to such privately-financed ventures. This rare cartoon shows the British reaction on the home front to such unorthodox methods of waging war. Ultimately, the law backfired as the British ships--now skittish around any American vessels--gave chase to and frequently took or destroyed the smaller coastal ships and boats which they had earlier left largely unmolested. $500/800 | ||
 257 Attributed to Charles Balthazar Fevret de St. Memin (1770-1852), 1814 Sailing Master Moses Rogers Smith, United States Navy Watercolor on paper, 12 x10 in., within gilded and carved wood frame; inscribed below portrait: “Moses Rogers Smith/United States Navy New York 1814”. Captain Isaac Chauncey, commanding the New York Navy Yard at the opening of hostilities, needed experienced officers and sailors with which to man his shallow-drafted, but heavily-armed gunboats and began to aggressively recruit from the merchant marine. Master mariner Moses Rogers Smith was one of the first nominated by Chauncey to serve as a sailing master in the United States Navy. Rogers took command of Gunboat Number 94 on the New York station on 23 April 1812 and his appointment confirmed by the Secretary of the Navy effective 4 May 1812. Records of this vessel show that he was detached on 2 October 1812 and reassigned to the “New York Station” where he remained in service as the senior sailing master of the New York Flotilla through the close of the War of 1812. Smith, who became enamored of naval service and wish to continue in the Navy, lacked sufficient seniority for retention in the (significantly reduced) postwar naval establishment and was discharged on 16 June 1815 when the gunboats were decommissioned. Smith’s service in the defense of New York Harbor during the war is perpetuated by the survival of both his portrait and sword. His profile portrait, done in watercolor on paper, is attributed to expatriate French artist Fevret St. Memin. St. Memin was working in New York during 1812-1814 and apparently did not sign any of his works from this period. However, the portrait of Rogers is done with the same deft hand and style found in other St. Memin watercolor profiles and depicts the handsome sailor in the uniform of a U.S. Navy master and commander. $4500/7500 Provenance: by descent in family to c. 1994; purchased 1995 from William Guthman |
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 258 Fighting Sword of Sailing Master Moses Rogers Smith, USN Overall Length: 35 ½ in. Blade Length: 30 ½ x 1 3/8 in. Weight: 1.6 (w/o scabbard) Smith’s sword is a French-made light infantry officer’s saber—a form that became popular among American naval and military officers as a practical fighting weapon during the War of 1812. The curved blade has a wide fuller and is unmarked, while the guard is brass-mounted and has checquered grips of black-dyed bone; the scabbard is of leather with brass throat, middle band and drag. The scabbard throat recto is engraved “Moses R. Smith/ New York” and it was most likely purchased in that city from a merchant-importer. Despite the Royal Navy blockade of the coast, French imports continued to be brought into American ports. Similar swords are depicted in the portraits of American naval heroes Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and Samuel Chester Reid , both painted by John Wesley Jarvis in 1815. Reid’s original sword shown in the portrait is now in the collections of the U.S. Naval Academy Museum at Annapolis, while an identical sword to Smith’s, carried by Captain Alden Partridge of the Corps of Engineers, is now in the Norwich University Museum. Same provenance as lot above. $4500/7000 | ||
 259 After John Theophilus Lee The Commencement of the Action Between His Majesty’s Ship Shannon and the United States Frigate Chesapeake off Boston Light House on the 1st of June 1813 Colored aquatint by Joseph Jeakes, pub. G. Webster & Co., London, nd (c. 1814), 18 x 22 ¾ in. $1200/1500 | ||
 260 Rare Canadian Privateer’s Articles from the War of 1812 Iron-gall ink on laid paper with ‘Whatman/1808’ watermark, 21 x 29 in. Articles of agreement for the last voyage of the privateer Dart, a small, sloop of 47 tonnage out of St. John, New Brunswick. Armed with four carronades plus swivels, she sailed under a British letter of marque. Known for her daring, the Dart enjoyed a very successful career taking larger Yankee prey--eleven vessels all told--during three cruises in 1813. These articles pertain to discipline, duties, and the division of prize money aboard the sloop; it includes the signatures and ratings of Captain John Ross and the 26 officers, seamen and marines that constituted her crew on this, her last voyage under British colors. Among other things that the signatories agreed to as was that “the first Man proved to board a prize before she strikes shall have a gratuity of five pounds for his bravery” and “on the Loss of the Officers, they are to be replaced out of the Ships Company, According to their gallant behaviour...” While sailing off the coast of Rhode Island, she was pursued and captured by the US revenue cutter Vigilant on 22 October 1813. The logbook of her first voyage, 22 May-9 June 1813, survives in the Public Archives of Nova Scotia. $1500/2500 Literature: Snider. Under the Red Jack, pp. 53-72. | ||
 261 American Round Hat, 1800-1820 Ht: 7 in. Dia. (at top): 7 in. W ( of brim): 2 in. Cylindrical, fur-felt, “round hat” of the type worn by both military officers and civilians from about 1800 until about 1820. The United States Infantry wore round hats from 1792 until 1811 and in 1806 and again in 1810-12, the Corps of Engineers adopted a round hat of this exact form for their enlisted men, in 1810. Officers of all corps were authorized to wear round hats for undress or fatigue duties, which were privately purchased. In addition, the civilian round hat was standard headgear for most militia and volunteer corps during the War of 1812. A British observer noted that the frontier militia, no matter how ragged their clothing might be, had fur round hats of the most fashionable kind upon their heads. $2000/2500 Provenance: acquired in New England; William Guthman Collection until January 2003. |
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 262 1808 USLD Letters A new pattern cap of leather was approved for the U.S. Light Dragoons in 1808, which had a vertical front-plate that had cast brass letters, “US/ LD”, with “good pliable brass tongues to bend and clinch” mounted to the front as insignia. These letters continued to be worn on the caps during the first year of the war, although the caps were eventually replaced in late 1812 with a new pattern cap, this bearing the device of a horseman charging with saber upraised. These letters, excavated at a dragoon campsite along the Mississippi River, are accompanied with half of a dragoon cap-plate (also dug) of the form first adopted in 1812. $500/850 Provenance: acquired from an collector in Tennessee, 1998. Literature: Kochan, (2000 and 2001); Coates and Kochan (1998), 87, 97. | ||
 263 1812 Dirk Scabbard of Lieutenant William Lyman, U. S. Ordnance Length: 13 ½ Width (at throat): 1 3/8 in. Massachusetts-born William C. Lyman was appointed 1st lieutenant and assistant deputy commissary of ordnance on 19 April 1813. After the war, he was retained in the 1815 peacetime establishment of United States Army, later resigning his commission in 1819. Although most often associated with naval officers, U.S. Army officers frequently wore dirks in lieu of swords, especially when off-duty or for undress occasions (this longstanding practice was officially prohibited in 1813). Although the dirk that once belonged with this scabbard is now lost, it must have been a fine piece, judging by the form and quality of its companion scabbard. The gilded copper scabbard has various patriotic motifs engraved upon it relating to Lyman’s branch of service, including an eagle straddling two cannons. On the throat of the scabbard is one of the earliest depictions known of a US ordnance device, while on the recto of the same is the owner’s name, “W. C. Lyman.” $650/950 | ||
 264 1812/13 Starr Contract Cavalry Saber w/Scabbard Length: 38 in. Blade: 34 x 1 3/8 in. Weight: 2.2 lbs. (w/o scabbard) A very nice example of one of the first five hundred sabers completed in the modified Starr contract of 1812. The blade has a wide, unfullered blade with a clipped point, well-stamped upon the obverse face with the early version of the inspection and maker’s marks: “P/HHP/N.STARR”, uncommon and most desirable to collectors. $1000/1200 | ||
 265 Diedericks Import (?) Saber and Scabbard with American Shoulder-Belt Length: 37 3/8 in Blade: 32 3/8 x 1 7/16 in. Weight: 1.6 lbs. (w/o scabbard) The need to arm a vast militia force beyond the capacity of the Federal and states’ arsenals, in addition to the small regular army, led to the importation of vast quantities of military arms and other warlike stores from Europe during the 1790s and early 1800s. A good deal of these stocks were captured or surplus goods from the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic conflicts. Among the importers was one firm, Messrs. Diedericks & Company, who sold a large stock of swords to the War Department in 1807 (subsequently issued out prior to and during the War of 1812). This stirrup-hilt saber, with its cruciform-shaped guard, is very similar in form to those carried by Austrian light cavalry, as well as satellite German principalities. It fits the description of some of those delivered to the Schuykill Arsenal by Diedericks and is also, coincidentally, fitted with a 2 ¼ inch-wide linen belt of the type used by the U.S. Army during the first decade of the 19th century. While it cannot be conclusively proved that this saber is of the Diederick importation, it clearly saw American usage, whether European import or American copy. $1600/1800 Provenance: Tom Moran Collection until 2001. Literature: US National Archives, RG92, Office of the Quartermaster General; Entry 225, Consolidated Correspondence Files and Entry 2118, Coxe-Irvine Papers. |
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 266 U.S. Fighting Knife Length: 15 in. Blade: 9 1/8 x 1 in. Weight: 0.6 lbs. Crude fighting knife made by cutting-down a Model 1813 Starr Non-Commissioned Officer’s Sword. Its narrow-fullered blade was reforged as a slashing weapon, with a pronounced curve. It still bears the original inspection marks on the recto face of the blade at the guard: “V/ HHP”. $350/450 | ||
 267 A Leopard- or Cheetah Skin Saddle Cloth, Saddle Holsters and Valise, 1800-1830 Saddle: 17 x 42 in. Holsters: 38 x 8 in. Valise: 16 x 6 in. dia. This saddle-cloth, holsters and valise are done in imitation of the hussar style favored by French and British mounted officers during the Napoleonic Wars. The grouping comes with a framed trade card for a military harness and accoutrement maker, picturing a dragoon seated on a similar saddle-rig; also comes with a custom-made display stand of forged iron. $5000/6000 Provenance: William Guthman Collection; Sothebys, 19 January 2003. | ||
 268 [The Battles of Chippewa and Lundy’s Lane, 1814:] Ephraim Shaler [or Shaylor], ALS, 2 ½ pp, folio, to U.S. Senator Thomas Ewing from Ohio, Tallmadge, Portage County, Ohio, 9 June 1834. Massachusetts native Ephraim Shaler received a commission as ensign in the 25th U.S. Infantry in 1812 and was twice promoted during the course of the war. He served with distinction, participating in the battles of Stoney Creek, Chrysler’s Field, Chippewa and Niagara (Lundy’s Lane). The War of 1812 hero writes to his senator, asking for Ewing’s help in securing a military pension, noting that the House has already passed a bill for this purpose, but soliciting his assistance in seeing it through the Senate. Among his wartime experiences, he notes that in “the Battle of Bridgewater/ or Lundys Lane...I received two Musket Shotts, one of which deprived me of the use of an Arm, the other passed through my side....” He then discusses his hardships during postwar duty as a captain at Council Bluffs, on the Missouri River, and other remote frontier posts. He closes, noting that “I do not wish to boast of my duty...I make the statements merely to enforce my claim” of disability in the service of his country. [with] Thomas S. Jesup, affidavit signed, 1 p., folio, np, 7 June 1834. A detailed narrative of Shaler’s 1814 services as written by Thomas Sidney Jesup, his former commanding officer during the 1814 Niagara campaign. Jesup was then major commanding the 25th Infantry and he and his regiment immortalized themselves by their stellar performance during the battles of Chippewa and Lundy’s Lane. Jesup himself received two brevet promotions as the result of his gallantry and skill during the two actions and went on to become Quartermaster General in 1818. He describes the battles in great detail (including the regiment’s capture of General Riall, the British commander, during the fierce night-fighting of the latter action) and emphasizes Shaler’s critical role as regimental adjutant, noting that at “a particular crisis of the battle of Niagara his services were of the utmost importance.” Jesup, “in feeble health, wounded, and dismounted, was compelled to impose upon Adjutant Shaler very important and dangerous duties...and he considered that the efforts...contributed in a considerable degree to the success which attended the operations of the regiment.” Jesup closes, noting that “Shaler continued for some time after he was wounded to encourage the men, and did not leave his station until positively ordered....” $700/900 | ||
 269 War of 1812 Chapeau Bras with Hat Box Hat Length: 16 ½ L (tip to tip); 7 ½ in. H (front fan); 9 ¼ in. H (rear fan) A fine example of an American War of 1812 period chapeau bras (a cocked hat that folded flat, called such because it could be carried under the arm) that conforms closely to size specifications of the 1813 U.S. Army regulations. The hat is trimmed with gold tassels at the tips, a gold bullion loop over its black silk cockade in front, and edged with black binding with an American eagle motif woven into it. The hat comes with its original wallpaper-covered hat box. Provenance: William Guthman Collection; Sothebys, 19 January 2003 |
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 270 New York Officer’s Cockade and Eagle, c. 1812 Cockade: black silk ribbon backed with black linen, 4 in. dia.; Eagle: ¾ x 1 5/8 in. This circular, silk cockade is the type that would have been worn on an officer’s chapeau or cocked hat. It bears a small eagle surmounting a half-globe, a style that is generally considered to be a New York militia device. However, in actuality, this motif can be observed on the uniform insignia and plates of neighboring state’s militia and volunteers, in addition to early U.S. Navy insignia. The eagle/globe device probably originated with New York City artisans and a different version of this form is found on New York State militia buttons of the 1810s-30s. $500/600 | ||
 271 American Military Neckstock, c. 1812 15 ½ long x 3 in. wide (center), tapering to 1 ¼ in. wide(ends) x 1/8 in. thick Black-dyed stock of thick leather, with dye-struck or embossed design of parallel lines and channels, edged with small zig-zag motif of raised dots. Stock still retains its ties of red silk tape, which fasten to the two holes punched at each end. Scarce uniform accessory from War of 1812 period. $800/1000 | ||
 272 U.S. Artillery Officer’s Epaulette, c. 1813 5 ½ L x 5 1/2 in. W; bullion fringe: 2 ½ L x 3/8 in. dia. Officers in the United States Army were distinguished by wearing of epaulettes of silver for infantry and gold for artillery and rifle regiments. This artillery epaulette has a gold-embroidered strap and bullion fringe, set on blue ground lined with yellow silk. Imported from France, it is very similar to another pair worn by Major General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans, now in the Smithsonian Institution collections. $150/250 | ||
 273 American Eagle Belt Clasps, c. 1812 Gilt eagle: 2 1/8 x 1 1/16 in.; Silvered eagle: 2 x 1 3/16 in. These rare, eagle-headed right- and left portions of a snake clasp or belt plate were excavated on two early 19th century sites in Georgia and match another example found on a War of 1812 site. The smaller, “left-hand” clasp retains much of its original fire gilt finish; the other bears silver-plate traces. The form of the eagle head is reminiscent of the pommels found on some imported English sabers of the period and matches drawings for sword and dirk belt fittings found in a c. 1815 English trade catalogue now at the Winterthur Museum. $400/500 |
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 274 Gilt Officer’s Spurs, 1810-25 Gilded brass, each 2 ½ L (incl. rowel) x 2 ¾ W, with original chains and leather straps. $500/600 | ||
 275 The Monmouth County (NJ) Artillery, 1812 DS, 30 September 1812, 2 p., sheet 15 3/8 x 12 in. A detailed “Inspection Roll of Captain Samuel Ranlets Company of Artillery” of Monmouth County, New Jersey, which was mobilized during the War of 1812 for the defense of Sandy Hook and New York City. The obverse bears the names of all officers and enlisted men in the company, listing whether they are in possession of their uniforms and swords and present for inspection. The recto contains a detailed breakdown of the company’s ordnance equipage, which included two “brass 3 Pounders” on their “Field Carriages.” $300/400 | ||
 276 Wartime Correspondence and Papers of Captain John Scott, 15th US Infantry (10) Scott was commissioned a captain in Zebulon Pike’s famous command, the 15th U.S. Infantry and served with it for seventeen months, most spent along the Canadian border. He participated in the battle of LaColle Mills, and the taking of York and Fort George. A Morristown, New Jersey native, Scott resigned his commission in August 1813 due to poor health and returned home to practice law (d. 1839). A partially-printed, 20 7/8 x 15 7/8 muster roll of Scott’s company, dated 28 February 1813 lists 46 men then in the company, including 4 officers, 10 sergeants, and 4 musicians. Annotated next to their names are notations as to clothing issues, deaths, &c. The remaining items consist of incoming correspondence from other 15th Infantry officers, his father, brother, and friends. Scott’s outgoing letters to one of the latter, David Thompson, Jr., Esquire, are now in the New Jersey Historical Society and have been published (see below). This grouping contains Thompson’s responding letter of 1 April 1813, in which he notes that “There is great talk of an armistice, & negotiations for peace, I wish such...but to tell the truth, I would rather chuse to see our troops gain one or two victories first, to wipe off the blot which Hull fixed on our character” (referring to the surrender of Detroit in 1812). Another correspondent is another fellow Anti-Federalist, U.S. Congressman Lewis Condict who wrote a free-franked ALS from Washington, DC to Scott at Niagara on 31 July 1813, in which he regrets “to learn that so little success has yet crowned your [the Northern Army’s] efforts, & am strongly impressed with the opinion, that your commanders are not the most competent & vigorous men that our Country could afford” and announcing that Major General James Wilkinson, a “man of energy & possessing probably more military skill than any other man in the government”, is due in Washington that day enroute to Niagara. Condict further wisely notes that “your operations on the land, must be governed very much by those of [Commodore] Chauncey on the lake....We wait with much anxiety the issue of the contest between the hostile fleets, which is to decide who is to command Ontario.” Scott’s other correspondents provide similar insights and observations on the conduct of the war and the politics of the young nation. Literature: John C. Fredericksen, “The Letters of Captain John Scott, 15th U.S. Infantry: A New Jersey Officer in the War of 1812”, New Jersey History 107, no. 3-4 (Fall/Winter 1989), 60-83. | ||
 277 Nathaniel Rogers (American, 1787-1844) Miniature of a U. S. Infantry Officer, 1812 Watercolor on ivory, 3 x 2 ½ in. oval, within 9 x 8 in. gilded, 19th century frame bearing the remnants of a trade label: “Mirrors, Engravings, Fine Frames/ “Rich and Plain Furniture/ Imported Goods”. One of the best miniaturists working in New York City during the early 19th century, Rogers began his career in c. 1806, although he truly began to flourish after an apprenticeship with Joseph Wood in 1811. A year later, Rogers had opened his own studio and gained rapid recognition and patronage due to his exquisite manner of execution, painting “most of the fashionables of his day.” His early works are similar in composition to those of Anson Dickinson, who then worked at a nearby studio, although Wood’s influence is seen in the more skillful detailing that typify Rogers miniatures (delicate stipple work delineation of facial features and the use of gum arabic to define costume details). He worked in an oval format until about 1825, when he switched to a rectangular shape. Despite the hairline crack to the right of the head (expertly stabilized by miniatures conservator Katherine Eirck) this portrait of a handsome, but unidentified, field officer of U.S. Infantry was probably executed during 1812-13 (during which period this red-faced blue uniform and shoulderbelt were worn). $3500/5500 Provenance: purchased in Maryland in 1994. Literature: Dale T. Johnson, American Portrait Miniatures in the Manney Collection (NY: Metropolitan Museum, 1990), 187-93; artist’s identity established by Katherine Eirck and Elle Shushan, 1997; published in Campbell and O’Donnell (2000), 19; and Kochan (2000), 6. |
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 278 Embossed Model 1808 Cartridge Box Variant Body: 8 ¼ x 4 7/8 x 2 ½; flap approx. 9 in. wide; 26-hole block with tin below. Following the conclusion of the War of 1812, many arms and accoutrements made under contract for the U.S. and state governments were put up for public sale, especially those that were either worn-out in service or those that in some way, did not meet the ideal contract standards or specifications. This cartridge box is clearly an early version of the U.S model of 1808, as it does not have side-ears to the flap. It is probably a wartime-production piece that was auctioned off by virtue of being “made to Button on the Box instead of Buckling (23 August 1815 inspection report of George Flomerfelt), referring to the lack of iron harness buckles to retain the shoulder-belt. There were wartime shortages of such stocks, which resulted in many boxes being fabricated with leather buttons in lieu of buckles and this box is so constructed. The flap of the box has a die-stamped decorative border and floral wreath in center that only covers the lower 2/3rds. This was probably due to the flap being stamped post-production (if stamped prior to assembly, as were those of the 1828 pattern, the decorative border and central device would have covered part of the upper third of the flap, as well) to make it a more attractive sales prospect to a potential militia or volunteer unit; it is the only one of this form known in existence. The U.S. Army later adopted full-stamped flaps in the Model of 1828. The box still retains its original webbing sling, of 1 7/8 inch width, with pick and brush still attached. $1500/2000 Literature: Frederick C. Gaede, “U.S. Infantry Accoutrements: Model of 1808”, MC&H XXXVII, No. 3 (Fall 1985), 98-110. | ||
 279 John Wesley Jarvis (1780-1840) Brigadier General Robert Patterson, New York Militia, 1815 Oil on wood panel, 30 x 25 in., in original gilded, carved wooden frame. Jarvis was born in England, but emigrated with his family to the United States about 1786, where they settled in Philadelphia. Jarvis was apprenticed to Edward Savage, where he studied both painting and engraving. In 1802 he moved to New York City where he began to paint portraits and miniatures in partnership with Joseph Wood. After the dissolution of the partnership, Jarvis focused more of his energies into oil works and was the foremost portrait painter in New York during the first quarter of the 19th century. He was commissioned by the City of New York (now hanging in City Hall) to paint full-length portraits of War of 1812 naval and military heroes in 1813 and the following year, took Henry Inman as an apprentice. Jarvis was also a celebrated wit and bon vivant, although alcoholism and debt rose in his later years, while his artistic talents were duly diminished. This fine painting was probably executed at the close of the War of 1812 to commemorate the Robert Patterson’s active duty service as an artillery officer and later, brigade commander, in the New York State Militia. The Jarvis companion portrait of his wife was unfortunately sold separately prior to my acquisition of this work. Patterson is shown in the uniform established for field grade and general officers of the New York militia, which mimicked that of the regular army with the exception of a unique state button (featuring an eagle/globe motif), that is precisely delineated. Such careful rendering of uniform and accoutrement details can be observed in all of the Jarvis 1812 military portraits and are almost a trademark of his hand. He holds an French general officer’s saber in his right hand and his embroidered, red morocco belt with Medusa-head clasps is also French-made. Provenance: by descent in the Patterson family to Dora Alderson Curtis, New York City, and thence to her daughter; purchased from the Dawson Gallery, 7 April 1998. Literature: Catalog no. 175 in the checklist of known Jarvis works, published in Harold E. Dickson, John Wesley Jarvis: American Painter, 1780-1840 (NY: New York Historical Soc., 1949), 361. | ||
 280 1812 US Army Canteen by Jacob Barger Body: 6 ¾ dia. x 2 5/8 in. W; iron bands: 9/16 in . W On 14 February 1812, Purveyor of Public Supplies wrote that “the canteen we use is about 7” diameter, from outside of the chinhoop to the outside of the same. 3 to 3 ½ in. length of the stave. Common stave ¼ “ thick. Bung or mouth stave nearly 7/8” thick to enable the cooper to form a convenient mouthpiece to drink out of.” The staves were originally to have been secured by hickory hoops, but most of the few surviving U.S. contract canteens encountered have thin, sheet-iron bands instead, as with this canteen made by Jacob Barger. Barger, a Philadelphia cooper, received a contract in 1812 to “whoping” and repairing all the canteens then in store at the Federal arsenal in Philadelphia and also had wartime contracts to produce canteens for the army. A September 1812 government request for proposals specified iron-bound canteens with “two coats of light blue paint”, as found on this example which is branded “J. BARGER on one face, with a “J.B.” later incised over it. $1000/1500 | ||
 281 1812 US Army or New York Contract Canteen Body: 7 ¼ dia. x 3 in. W; iron bands: ½ in. W Of near-identical construction to the above canteen, this canteen is painted a dull dark gray color--almost with a greenish caste under certain lighting conditions. Painted on one face is “S+Y” in 1 3/8inch-high black letters, possibly a contractor’s interpretation of the “S.N.Y” required to be painted on State of New York canteens. The canteen has half of an old label tacked to the opposite face: “[torn] by his/ Grandson/ Thos. G. Dean”. The canteen came from the member of an old New York family, which may further support the possibility that this is a state, rather than Federal, contract canteen made U.S. Army specifications. $950/1450 Three examples of “Cheese-box” 1812 Period Canteens: The “cheese-box” method of manufacturing canteen cooperage seems to be a construction tradition firmly lodged in New England, where most of the examples have originated. Documented Revolutionary War examples are known, thereby establishing this form as one of longevity and approved success. It had been earlier argued that these canteens were post-War of 1812, based largely on the prevalence of the smaller, painted volunteer militia parade canteens of such construction, but there are too many examples of War of 1812 provenance to accept this modern-day claim. In dimensions, they fully meet Federal specifications as to size and capacity. It is believed that these canteens were probably contracted by one or more of the Deputy Commissary Generals working in New England during 1813-1815. Most bear either “U.S.” or “M.S.” painted on their faces for Federal or Massachusetts State ownership--others are found with the “M.S.” painted over the “U.S.”, which probably reflects application of state ownership markings to canteens received from Federal stores or purchased at post-war surplus sales. Most are painted in black, with red lettering. |
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 282 Light Artillery Regiment Canteen, c. 1813 Body: 7 1/8 dia. x 2 9/16 in. W This canteen is painted in dark green and is maker-stamped “J.R” on one face, over which is painted in yellowed white or pale yellow paint, “LA” in the script motif used on the U.S. Regiment of Light Artillery’s uniform buttons. The tips of both letters are rather worn, but are readily visible when examined in raking light or under UV examination. $1200/1500 | ||
 283 Massachusetts Cheese-Box Canteen, c.1813 Body: 7 1/16 dia. x 2 ½ in. W Black body with original “U.S.” markings painted over and replaced with “M.S.” The canteen has “III” and maker’s name “E. BURR” stamped on the recto face. It has its original wooden stopper, rarely encountered. $800/1200 | ||
 284 U.S. Issue-Type Cheese-Box Canteen, c. 1813 Body: 7 1/8 dia. x 2 11/16 in. W Black body with red lettering, maker-marked on recto face “J. BURR”, a known Massachusetts cooper of the period. This canteen has a black-painted stopper of cork, which appears to be original to the piece or a period replacement. $700/900 | ||
 285 Attributed to Isaac Hutton (American, 1766-1855) Birds-Head Pommel Sword w/ Scabbard, c. 1800 Length: 34 ¼ in. Blade: 29x 1 ¼ in. Weight: 1.2 lbs (w/o scabbard) A classic American silver-hilt that is almost certainly by one of the premier smiths of the period, Isaac Hutton of Albany, New York, this “birds-head pommel has radiating flutes from its central capstan and a pointed “beak.” Although without touch mark, these are signature, stylistic characteristics of Hutton’s work. Also notable is the scalloped, pierced side-guard of the reverse-P hilt, with open-work heart inset. A near-identical example, bearing Hutton’s mark, is in the Lattimer collection and other unsigned examples are also known. The grip is ivory with silver band in the channeling and the wide-fullered, “cut and thrust” or spadroon blade is of English-make. It bears the mark of the importer, merchant-cutlers “L. Wells & Co. New York” and has etched on the faces various American patriotic motifs, including an eagle bearing in its beak a scroll engraved “E Pluribus Unum”. $6000/9000 Provenance: collection of Keith Barker. Literature: Daniel D. Hartzler, Silver Mounted Swords: The Lattimer Family Collection (State College, PA, 2000), 247-51; Jack Bethune, “A Silver-Mounted...Saber by Isaac & George Hutton, Albany New York, c. 1810”, Man at Arms 23, #1 (June 2001), 18-27. Charles Balthazar Fevret de St. Memin (1770-1852) Major Alexander Macomb, Jr., 1809 Mixed-method copper-plate engraving, 3 x 2 ½ in. (oval), within early 19th century oval frame. Undeniably one of the most talented and distinguished officers of the first half-century of the United States Army, Macomb (1782-1841) first entered service in 1799 as a cornet of light dragoons. His exceptional skills earned him an appointment as a lieutenant in the newly-created Corps of Engineers in 1802. By 1809, when he sat for this portrait, he had already been serving with major’s rank for a year and had completed many significant fortifications, not to mention preparing the first published manual on court-martials for the army. He commanded the 3rd Artillery Regiment as colonel during the outbreak of the War of 1812 and was promoted to brigadier general in January 1814. For his gallant and distinguished service at the battle of Plattsburg, he was presented with a gold medal by Congress and brevetted to major general. He became Chief of Engineers in 1821 and was promoted to major general and commander-in-chief in 1828, a position that he served in with great merit until his death in 1841. He is shown wearing an Engineer officer’s undress uniform. Provenance: by descent in the Macomb-Whiting family to the late Thomas Nash Graham; purchased at the latter’s estate sale in 1999. Literature: Miles (1994), 177-78, 348; Kochan (2001), 34 (this example is illustrated therein). |
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 286 Unknown American soldier Manuscript Plan of the Battle of Plattsburg (2) Ink and pencil on woven paper, 15 5/8 x 12 ¾ in.; addressed on recto: “Mrs Sarah Thornton/Saco/Maine” and bearing a Portland, Maine postal cancellation, dated 26 December 1814. This heretofore unpublished plan of the battle of Plattsburg is one of only a handful of surviving, eyewitness views of this important battle, fought on 2 September 1814. The lower half of the plan depicts the British squadron of sailing warships and gunboats led by the frigate Confiance beginning its attack. Commodore Thomas Macdonough had anchored the American squadron 2 miles from the mainland with his largest ships stem-to-stern in a protective line ranging from Hospital Island (Crab Island today) to Cumberland Head, with the smaller gunboats positioned to fill the intervals as necessary. In a hard-fought action lasting two hours, the Americans finally prevailed. Although miniscule in comparison to Napoleonic fleet actions, it was nonetheless one of the most decisive battles of the War of 1812 and a justly-celebrated victory in American naval annals. On land, Brigadier General Alexander Macomb, Jr., hero of Sacketts Harbor, was in charge of the mixed force of regulars and militia left to defend Plattsburg. An skilled engineer officer, Macomb had made significant improvements to the ring of forts, redoubts, and batteries protecting the harbor, cantonments and harbor and carefully positioning his troops. Largely due to this, he successfully repelled the simultaneous land attack against the Plattsburg and the British invasion force was forced to retreat back into Canada. The upper half of the plan shows the American positions at Plattsburg, New York in great detail--all fortifications and positions are identified and even the barrack building are inscribed with the specific units assigned to them. Although the artist has not yet been fully identified, he was almost certainly in Captain Thomas Dinsmore’s company of the 33rd U.S. Infantry (then serving at Plattsburg), as the map was found with various 1814 military records of this command. In light of such association, it is likely that he was either an officer or sergeant in the company (and, if the latter is correct, his surname may be that of the recipient party, Thornton--perhaps his wife or mother). The plan is accompanied with a partly-printed, manuscript return, Report of Military Clothing received for...the 33rd Regt. of Infantry for the Year Ending on the 28th. day of Feby. 1815; pen and ink on laid paper (2 sheets joined), 12 x 25 1/8 in. Provenance: Library of Frank Cutter Deering, noted Maine book and manuscript collector until 2001. | ||
 287 After West Battle of New Orleans and the Death of Major General Packenham Color line engraving by J. Yeager, printed by Y. Saurman, published by McCarty and Davis, Philadelphia, July 1817; 15 7/8 x 20 7/8 in., in original, early 19th century frame. This is one of the more famous prints depicting the death of the British commander at the Battle of New Orleans, which was issued both colored and uncolored--the latter being the more commonly-encountered form. This print, despite its age, still retains relatively fresh, original coloring, despite light age toning to the paper. $2000/3000 | ||
 288 After Samuel Seymour The Battle of New Orleans Color aquatint by J.W. Steel, published by Wm H. Morgan, Philadelphia, 13 ¼ x 18 1/8 in. Samuel Seymour’s c. 1815 view is one of the two most historically-correct (and now quite rare) prints of the battle, vying with that published in 1816 by Laclothe of New Orleans. He probably relied on eyewitness descriptions and possibly drawings furnished to him, although it is possible that he may have been in New Orleans during and shortly following the event. His perspective is shown from the rear of the American cotton-bale breastwork, with General Andrew Jackson directing the deployment of reserve troops to counter the British assault. The details of military dress are depicted with great precision and the original coloring is still quite fresh--one of the finest examples of this scarce print and still within its 19th century frame with eglomise mat. $3000/5000 | ||
 289 An American Painted Canteen, 1791 Wood, 8 in. dia. x 4 7/8 in. W Stave-construction and painted with Spanish brown or red ochre primer and then over-painted with pale green (probably white lead combined with verdigris) with “DW/1791” carved on one face. $900/1000 Provenance: William Guthman Collection until 2003 |
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 290 Unknown American Artist, late 18th c. Portrait of Gustavus Taylor of Rhode Island, c. 1795 Pastel on paper, 14 x 10 ¾ oval (view) within original eglomise mat and gilded, carved frame; inscribed on recto of frame: “George Taylor/from Rhode Island”. $900/1200 | ||
 291 View of the Detail of...Men, detached from the first Brigade, eighth Division of the [Massachusetts] Militia; in conformity to the General Orders, of June 6, 1794. Partially-printed return, large folio, 15 x 19 in. Strength return for 725 officers and men detached for active service from the five regiments in the 1st Brigade. It is endorsed at bottom: “Hallowell, July 1, 1795. N.B. There were no Cavalry or Artillery detached from the 8. Division. B. Genl (then Colonel) Paltee, was directed to organize the Regiment of Detachment (consisting of two Battalions....” $200/300 | ||
 292 [Germantown-published Psalm Book of 1799]. Das neue und verbesserte Gesangbuch, worinnen die Sammlung alter und neue Geifreicher Lieder...vor die Evangelisch=Reformirten Gemeinen inden Wereignigten Estaaten von America. Germantown [PA]: Michael Billmeyer, 1799. frontis., title p., [4], 585, index [x], catechism [25] pp., in original leather binding with raised bands and clasps. Early Germantown imprint of German language Psalm book with music and lyrics printed within the text and frontispiece of Christ or bearded angel with a harp. [with] Das Stufenalter ein Menschen. Colored line engraving, Pennsylvania-German block print(?) c. 1825, 10 ½ x 7 ¾ in. Shows the stages of the life of a man, in 10-year increments, from birth until age 100. $100/150 | ||
 293 Anonymous artist, probably Pennsylvania-German Lady in Riding Habit, c. 1800 Watercolor on paper, 8 5/8 x 7 7/8 in. (view) in original frame Whether this full-length, naive watercolor of a lady is intended to be a portrait or merely a decorative painting is unknown. She is shown wearing a c. 1800 riding habit and bonnet and carries a crop in her gloved hand. The drawing originated in Pennsylvania and appears to be the work of an unidentified fraktur artist. The colors are fresh, although the paper is toned; there was a small loss in the upper right margin, which has been skillfully repaired during conservation. $1000/1500 Provenance: Joe Kindig, Jr; Appel Family Collection |
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 294 [Anonymous]. Rules and Regulations of the Light-Infantry Company of Winslow’s Blues, Unanimously Adopted, June 1801. Boston: Printed by Nathaniel Willis, Jun., MDCCI [1801]. 12 pp., in original marbled paper wraps, 4 7/8 x 3 ¼ in. Includes a membership list, with iron-gall ink annotations as to changes therein. $75/100 | ||
 295 The Ward Family of Rhode Island, c. 1700-1850s An archive of approximately manuscripts from the 18th and early 19th centuries of an important and influential Rhode Island family, the Wards (whose members included Governor and Continental Congressman Samuel Ward (1725-1776), and his son , Samuel Jr. (1756-1832), Continental Army officer and important merchant/land speculator. Included in this collection are early 18th century Rhode Island property surveys and plats, military documents, mercantile records, private correspondence, NYC property deeds, and even early 19th c. verse. $150/250 Provenance: Sale of the Ward Family Papers, 1664-1855, in Charlotte and Edgar Sittig Collection Sale, Horst Auctions, 22 May 1999. | ||
 296 An Eagle Wafer Iron, c. 1812 Overall length: 26 ½ in.; 5 ½ in. diameter plate Used to make small cakes and wafers, this fine piece of early American ironwork bears a decorative “frog-legged” Federal eagle beneath 16 stars. $1200/1500 Provenance: Frank Ahlers; William Guthman Collection | ||
 297 Washington [View of Washington’s Vault, Mt. Vernon], c. 1830 “Sketched on the Spot by L. C. Facis Esqr.”; lithographed and printed by R. Marsh, 19 George Street, London; 9 x 11 in. (view) A fine, early lithograph of a drawing of Washington’s original resting place at Mount Vernon, the old family vault set along the river bluff. Below the drawing is a memorial dedication, entitled “Washington.” An unusual and scarce early print of a Mount Vernon; no other examples have come to this cataloguer’s attention. $200/350 |
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 298 Jefferson and Adams: Wirt, William. A Discourse on the Lives and Characters of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, Who Both Died on the Fourth of July, 1826. Delivered, at the request of the Citizens of Washington, in the Hall of Representatives of the United States, on the Nineteenth October, 1826. Washington: Gales & Seaton, 1826. 69 pp. 5 x 8 ½ ins., disbound pamphlet. 50/75 | ||
 299 Gilt American Epaulette, c. 1830 6 ¼ L x 3 5/8 in. W (at crescent); fringe: 3 ½ L x 7/16 in. diameter Near-mint example of the epaulette style popular in the 1820s-30s among American regular and militia officers alike, but often identified by collectors as from the War of 1812 period. This example is lined on the underside with yellow silk and has its original “ball” or “bullet” attachment button still in place. $250/400 | ||
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