Date: Fri 08-May-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: DONNAM

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MaritimeAuctions

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Maritime Antiques Auction

W/4 CUTS - SS

By Rita Easton

BYFIELD, MASS. -- Olde Byfield Expo Center was the site of a March 21 auction

by Maritime Antiques, Inc. Chuck DeLuca auctioneered 542 catalogued lots and

an additional 25 A and B lots, with competition among 200 bidders on the floor

and an additional 100 on the phones or using absentee bids. More than 80

consignors were represented.

Garnering the top bid of $8,000 was a 56-hour gimbal marine chronometer by "H.

Hughes & Son Ltd. - 59 Fenchurch St. London" inscribed. The case was mahogany

with brass ivory fittings and flush fitting lift handles. The lot was in

running condition and complete with original ratchet key and case key, and

carried a pre-sale estimate of $2,5/3,500.

Following with the winning $7,000 bid was a POW style cased model of the US

frigate Hancock. The construction bore bone, ebony, and ivory trim, with

minuscule detail work in the construction, including planked hull, working

pulleys, deadeyes that were properly rigged, carved figurehead, and a cannon

on ivory carriages. The 23 inch long by 17 inch tall model, which was not

antique, was estimated at $10/15,000.

An exceptional scrimshaw sewing basket made of whalebone fetched $4,500. The

entire basket was constructed using pierced whalebone slats with top and

bottom supports pierced as well. The bottom of the basket was also cutout

whalebone. Measuring 7« by 5 inches, the basket was given to the previous

owner's mother by Warren Gifford, who was first mate on board the bark

Sunbeam. A US Navy Mark V Morse Diving Equipment deep sea diving helmet

garnered $5,500. The copper and brass lot retained much of its original

tinning and was in very good condition, noting one braille is a replacement.

Dated 1/13/43, the serial number on the helmet was 5483.

Several lots tied at $3,000, including a scrimshaw busk profusely carved with

several ladies in period attire, a dove with "love" inscribed above, a

memorial with "forget me not," and a man on horseback as well as floral

borders; a POW carved bone domino game box with domed top pierce carved with a

lion, a horse, two cannons, and floral and geometric designs; and a marine

gimbal barometer carved on the main body in a tapering rope style, with

acanthus carving above and below. The unsigned instrument is thought to be

circa 1840.

A builder's half hull model fo the SS Moravian, in original paint, with three

masts, smoke stack, carved figurehead, trail boards, and a specification

plaque, measuring 18 inches by 94 inches including backboard, made $3,500; a

four-masted bark model of the "Arthur Sewall Bath Maine," 48 inches long by 26

inches tall, went out at $3,250; and a handcrafted ship model of the

four-masted bark the Shannondoah, Bath, Maine, measuring 46 inches long and 26

inches tall, rang up $2,600.

An ivory sculpture of Admiral Nelson in full dress naval uniform, including

details of medals, crossed cannons on epaulets, plumed hat, with fine patina,

approximately 7¬ inches high, reached $2,500; an oil on canvas of a fishing

boat with land mass and lighthouse in the distance, painted by W. Halsall,

sold at $2,500; and a "Charles Wilder Peterborough NH" mercury barometer with

patent date of June 5, 1860, was purchased at $2,250.

Prices quoted above do not reflect a required ten percent premium.