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RARE THIRTEEN STAR AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY FLAG, hoist inscribed, "Natt. Ames. of England, March. 26 1784"

Comprised of blue wool canton with thirteen 5-pointed white cotton stars in a 4-5-4 pattern appliqued on both sides, thirteen white and red wool stripes, cotton hoist, all hand-sewn with linen thread, 21 1/2 in. x 38 3/4 in.

PROVENANCE: According to family tradition, the flag was found in a trunk belonging to Michael Patrick Patton (1870-1943) of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, a draper and decorator of flags for patriotic displays, by his great grandson.

Born to John and Catherine Patton of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, Michael and most of his seven siblings worked at the Cardington Mills cotton cloth factory at nearby Cobb's Creek. Their jobs included weaving, dying, piecing and picking. At the time of Michael's marriage, his bride Julia Elizabeth Ruth, June 5, 1892, is listed as a weaver. In the early part of the 20th century Michael became involved in decorating buildings and large interiors such as large rooms in the Frankford Arsenal.

It wasn't until the early 1960s that his trunk was passed on to his great grandson. Even then, the great grandson, who was occupied by making his way in life following his profession, took little interest in the trunk. At that time he recognized the piece as an American flag but took no real interest in its potential as an important piece of American history. It wasn't until he had retired that he realized what it was.

He then began in earnest to pursue verifying that it was indeed an 18th century flag. He had the flag inspected and analyzed by McCrone Associates, Inc. of Westmont, Illinois and they concluded that this flag had all the characteristics of an 18th century flag. The owner has recently had it conserved and framed by a well-known textile conservator.

The flag's hand written inscription is thought to have been made by Nathaniel Ames (1761-1863). Born in Killingly, Connecticut, Ames joined the New London County Militia at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War at the age of 17, and helped build Fort Griswold. He later joined the Connecticut Continental Army and served under Washington during the harsh winter at Morristown in 1780. Ames then joined the crew of a 16-gun brig, "Marquise de Lafayette" as a privateer and traveled to Holland and the West Indies.

Upon its return in 1783, Ames signed onto another merchant ship going to the West Indies, this time under an English captain. This ship was captured and taken to Bermuda where the crew was held prisoner for three months. It is during this captivity that Ames supposedly signed and dated the flag. It is also possible that Ames was impressed onto a British ship for three more years at sea.

Ames eventually became a farmer and Methodist minister in Oneida County, New York, until the age of 75 when he moved to a farm in Wisconsin.

The flag is accompanied by photocopies of Ames's pension records from the National Archives, correspondence relating to his years of military service, a number of accounts of his life, photographs and transcriptions of interviews with Ames dating from December 11, 1832 and a June 28, 1833 during which he recounts his Revolutionary War service. Also included is a photocopy of "A Sketch of the Life of Nathaniel Ames as Dictated by him, the R.P. Main, Oregon, Wis," and an article from The Saturday Globe, March 5, 1898. Sold at Freeman's Auction April 17, 2013.

Estimate: $175,000-250,000

Price Realized: $212,500


IMPORTANT BONAPARTE FAMILY SILVER WINE COASTER, S. Kirk & Son, Baltimore, Md, 1868-1896. The base of circular form with reeded edge, mounted with six winged lion-paw monopediae supporting smaller, reeded ring, the base engraved with the Bonaparte Family coat-of-arms. Diam: 6 3/4 in. Total Weight: 13 1/4 troy oz. (includes wood base)

PROVENANCE: Property of a Prominent Pennsylvania Collector.

The likely mate to the Bonaparte Family wine coaster exhibited in Uncorked! Wine, Objects & Tradition (2012-2013), Winterthur Museum, Wilmington, Delaware. See fig. 1.

Rejected by Emperor Napoleon I after marrying his youngest brother Jerome in 1803, Elizabeth "Betsy" Patterson Bonaparte (1785-1879) returned from Europe to her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland in 1805 with only her newborn son, Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte (1805-1870). Though abandoned by her husband, Betsy refused to let American society forget her Imperial alliance, emblazoning the Bonaparte Family coat-of-arms on her carriage and other items.

Samuel Kirk & Son, who advertised in New York Magazine as having provided the service used at the wedding of Jerome and Elizabeth, fashioned silver for Betsy bearing the Bonaparte Crest. Such pieces include this wine coaster; the wine coaster at Winterthur; a tea service; and a repousse sugar dish and covered tureen currently in the collection of the Maryland Historical Society (MdHS).

Though it remains unclear as to who commissioned this wine coaster, it bears the same coat-of-arms seen on other pieces commissioned by Betsy. Given the hallmark, it could have been ordered by any member of the Bonaparte family living in Baltimore from 1868-1896, including Betsy who, in 1834 after sojourns in Europe, returned to Baltimore and lived there until her death in 1879.

Betsy's tradition of heraldic display was adopted by her son, Jerome, who, like his mother, was reported to ride around in a coach decorated with the Crest. Furthermore, Jerome amassed quite a collection of Napoleona, which he passed along to his son, Charles Joseph Bonaparte (1851-1921).

Although Charles Joseph took much greater pride in promoting his American, rather than European, heritage, he kept all these inherited relics and collectibles in his Baltimore Home in a room appropriately dubbed "The Bonaparte Room" (see fig. below). He presumably acquired additional items directly from Betsy (the soup tureen at MdHS is listed as having been made for Betsy but bears his monogram) and may have received the two wine coasters in honor of his marriage to Ellen Channing Day of Newport, RI, in 1875.

Upon Betsy's death in 1879, her estate of 1.5 million dollars was bequeathed to Charles Joseph and his brother, Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte II (1830-1893). Sold at Freeman's Auction April 17, 2013.

Estimate: $6,000-8,000

Price Realized: $23,000


QUEEN ANNE MAHOGANY DRESSING TABLE, Delaware Valley, third quarter 18th century. The molded rectangular top with notched corners above arrangement of five beaded drawers, shaped apron on cabriole legs ending in Spanish feet.

H: 32 1/2 in. W: 32 1/2 in. D: 19 3/4 in.

PROVENANCE: Ex-collection: Katherine Prentiss Murphy. In the 1950s, the dressing table was on loan to the New York Historical Society when Mrs. Murphy was creating the "Murphy Rooms." Sold at Freeman's Auction April 17, 2013.

Estimate: $6,000-8,000

Price Realized: $21,000


FEDERAL CARVED MAHOGANY PIER TABLE, Haines-Connelly School, Philadelphia, Pa, circa 1810. The shaped top with reeded edge above conforming frieze carved with flower-heads, acanthus leaf and tapering reeded legs on brass casters. H: 36 in. W: 41 1/2 in. D: 19 3/4 in.



This rare form exhibits the ovoid acanthus-carved knees, slender reeded, tapering legs, turned feet and fine mahogany associated with the work of Henry Connelly (1770-1826) and Ephraim Haines (1775-1837). For related examples, see the set of settee and chairs made in 1807 by Ephraim Haines for Stephen Girard, in Robert D. Schwarz, The Stephen Girard Collection, Girard College, Philadelphia (1980), figs. 24, 26, and 27. Sold at Freeman's Auction April 17, 2013.

Estimate: $15,000-25,000

Price Realized: $21,000


SCHOOLGIRL DECORATED BOX, NEW ENGLAND, early 19th century. The lid decorated in polychrome showing the Common in Framingham, Massachusetts, with buildings, carriages, pedestrians and a church beyond, the sides decorated with a leafy vine. H: 3 3/4 in. W: 12 1/4 in. D: 7 1/2 in.

PROVENANCE: Collection of a Pennsylvania Gentleman.

Robert Thayer Antiques, Sheffield, Massachusetts.

The scene depicted on the lid is after a watercolor, "View of Framingham Common, Massachusetts, 1808" by Daniel Bell (active 1800-1810). The watercolor was reproduced in 1872 by the New England Lithographic Company, Boston as a hand-colored chromolithograph. Sold at Freeman's Auction April 17, 2013.

Estimate: $6,000-8,000

Price Realized: $8,000


EXTENSIVE CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN DINNER SERVICE, circa 1790

Decorated in blue enameling and gilt with a beribboned shield enclosing the intials "GC" and a vine border, comprising a soup tureen with cover and stand, a smaller covered soup tureen, pair of covered vegetable dishes, two open vegetable dishes, pair of covered sauce tureens and stands, pair of sauce boats and stands, four oval platters, twenty-three dinner plates, twelve soup plates, twelve dessert and twelve side plates; together with two similarly decorated tea caddies, four coffee cups and saucers, two circular serving dishes and six Mottahedeh salts. L: 15 in. (platter).

PROVENANCE: Property from a Private Pennsylvania Collection.

Sotheby's, New York, January 20, 2006, lot 567.

Sold at Freeman's Auction April 17, 2013.

Estimate: $15,000-25,000

Price Realized: $34,000


ENAMELED AND GILT DECORATED PORCELAIN PITCHER AND WASH BASIN, Tucker & Hemphill China Factory, Philadelphia, Pa, 1826-1832

The elongated urn form pitcher and bowl decorated with polychrome floral and gilt leafy sprays, the pitcher with incised "W" (for Andrew Craig Walker) to underside; together with a similarly decorated covered box, with incised "C" to underside. H: 12 in. Diam: 13 3/4 in.

Literature: For a related, undecorated box of identical form see: Tucker China 1825-1838: An exhibition of examples of the porcelain made in Philadelphia by William Ellis Tucker, Tucker and Hulme, Tucker and Hemphill, Joseph Hemphill and Thomas Tucker, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, pg. 20, item 31. Sold at Freeman's Auction April 17, 2013.

Estimate: $3,000-5,000

Price Realized: $16,000


HENRY YOUNG (SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, active 1817-1861), WATERCOLOR AND INK ON PAPER BIRTH CERTIFICATE, done for Elizabeth Buck, 1827, Lycoming County, the upper script flanked by red and blue stars, over birds perched on tulip stems and the profile of a woman wearing a yellow dress holding a bouquet of flowers, all in red, blue, pink, and yellow, 10 1/2" x 7 1/4". For a similar example, see the Shelley collection, Lot 8, October 2004, Pook & Pook, Inc. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $4,000-6,000

Price Realized: $18,960


HENRY YOUNG (SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, active 1817-1861), WATERCOLOR AND INK ON PAPER FRAKTUR for Elizabeth and Peter Fluck, 1821, Northumberland County, the upper script flanked by red and blue stars, over a profile of a husband and wife with a candlestand between them and a wine decanter on top, the wife wearing a red dress with flowers and holding her husband's hand, the husband wearing a blue coat and holding a wine glass, 11" x 7 1/2". Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $2,500-3,500

Price Realized: $6,518


BALTIMORE FEDERAL MAHOGANY SIDEBOARD, ca. 1810, with a serpentine front with line inlaid panels on the doors and drawers, and floral inlaid panels over bell flower inlaid legs, 40" h., 76" w. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $5,000-8,000

Price Realized: $10,665


BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA WATERCOLOR AND INK ON PAPER TAUFSCHEIN done for Gertraut Frichbaum, 1769, with central script surmounted by a green bordered heart enclosing script, flanked by flowering vines arising from hearts, all within a sawtooth border, 8" x 12 1/2". Provenance: Lester Zettle. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $2,500-4,500

Price Realized: $8,295


ABRAHAM HUTH (SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, ACTIVE 1807-1830), WATERCOLOR AND INK ON PAPER TAUFSCHEIN, done for Johannes Becktolf, 1829, with a central rectangular panel with a yellow, red, and green border enclosing script, surmounted by a yellow, red, and green starburst flanked by birds and flowering vines, and above a yellow and green lawn with a house and trees all in vibrant colors, 13" x 16". Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $7,500-8,500

Price Realized: $21,330


ALAMANCE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA REDWARE CHARGER, ca. 1800, with three central tulips within a dotted border, with a swag and fern decorated rim, 15" dia. For further discussions on North Carolina pottery, see Hunter/Beckerdite, Ceramics in America. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $40,000-60.000

Price Realized: $65,175


HENRY YOUNG (SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, active 1817-1861), WATERCOLOR AND INK ON PAPER CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH AND BAPTISM, done for Michael Wagnor, 1856, Snyder County, son of Solomon and Sarah Wagnor, with upper script flanked by blue, red, and yellow stars, over figures of a husband and wife with a candlestand between them and a vase on top, the wife wearing a blue dress with a lace collar and the husband wearing yellow pants and holding a bouquet, 10 1/4" x 7 3/4". Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $3,000-4,000

Price Realized: $17,775




VIRGINIA RECORD BOOK ARTIST (FREDERICK COUNTY, VIRGINIA, ACTIVE 1795-1825), WATERCOLOR AND INK ON PAPER FRAKTUR FAMILY RECORD BOOK consisting of seven double pages and one triple page, the first with the date 1811 is a record of the marriage of Daniel Ferneau and Catharine Ridenour of Virginia with intricate scrolls, flowers, and birds, and the facing page with a Temple and Masonic symbols, all in red, yellow, and sepia, the other seven pages are records of six children born to them, one of those including a death record of Joseph Ferneau. All the pages are profusely decorated with fanciful designs, birds, wild flowers, and leaves in red, yellow, and sepia colors, each page is approximately 7 1/4" x 6 1/4". Further information can be found in Earnest, Papers for Birth Days, pages 780-782. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $20,000-30,000

Price Realized: $54,150


ENGLISH PEARLWARE MUG, early 19th c., with beehive decoration, 6" h. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $300-500

Price Realized: $2,133


TWO ENGLISH MOCHA MUGS, 19th c., TOGETHER WITH AN EARTHWORM DECORATED PEPPER POT, tallest - 4 1/2". Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $400-600

Price Realized: $1,701


YELLOW AND BLUE RAINBOW SPATTER COFFEE POT, 19th c., with tulip decoration, 9" h. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $3,000-5,000

Price Realized: $8,295


GEORGIAN EBONIZED AND ORMOLU MOUNTED BRACKET CLOCK, ca. 1770, with a revolving figural bell ringer under a portico finial, an eleven-bell musical works, and an enameled dial with an automated musician and a black minstrel, 31" h. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $30,000-50,000

Price Realized: $40,290


PENNSYLVANIA WALNUT SEWING BASKET, ca. 1825, with a pierced tulip basket, bobbin turned supports, and lower drawers, 15 1/2" h., 12 1/2" w. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $500-1,000

Price Realized: $1,185


PENNSYLVANIA SHERATON TIGER MAPLE WORK DESK, ca. 1840, the interior with drawers, 45" h., 36" w., 24" d. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $1,000-2,000

Price Realized: $2,607


MASSACHUSETTS CHIPPENDALE CHERRY TWO PART SECRETARY, ca. 1765, attributed to the shop of Eliakim Smith (1735-1775), Hadley or Springfield, the bonnet top with two tombstone panel doors flanked by scroll carved pilasters, resting on a base with a fall front and blocked drawers supported by bracket feet, 93 1/2" h., 39" w. Illustrated in Wallace Nutting, Furniture Treasury, figure 697. A nearly identical secretary is illustrated in The Great River: Art & Society of the Connecticut Valley, 1635-1820, catalog 106. Provenance: C. W. Lyon, New York, 1938. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $20,000-30,000

Price Realized: $37,920


VIBRANT LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, PAINTED DOWER CHEST, inscribed Salame Gaumerrin 1809, having two hearts on the lid which repeat on the front panel, centering a six-pointed star over two stippled drawers, the end panels with three color philphlots, all resting on ogee bracket feet, 30 1/4" h., 47 3/4" w., 22 1/4" d. For a similar example, see Fabian, The Pennsylvania German Decorated Chest, pg. 176, figure 180. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $12,000-18,000

Price Realized: $22,515


DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA SILK ON LINEN SAMPLER, dated 1833, wrought by Fanny Keever, Hummelstown C Jontz instructor, 16 3/4" x 13 1/2". Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $1,000-2,000

Price Realized: $4,305


PENNSYLVANIA SACKBACK WRITING ARM WINDSOR, ca. 1780, with a bird cage writing surface and a single drawer. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $2,000-4,000

Price Realized: $4,266


MINIATURE PENNSYLVANIA WALNUT BLANKET CHEST, ca. 1790, the interior retaining its original wallpaper surface, with a till and secret drawers, 11 1/4" h., 18 1/2" w. Provenance: Philip H. Bradley Antiques; Lee Nichols; Wistar Family. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $3,000-4,000

Price Realized: $14,220


MINIATURE PAINTED PINE CUPBOARD, ca. 1830, probably New York, retaining its original red and yellow decoration on a brown ground, 24 1/2" h., 13"w. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $2,000-4,000

Price Realized: $13,035


PHILADELPHIA CLASSICAL MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE-A-ABATTANT, ca. 1830, attributed to Anthony Quervelle, with a gilt decorated pediment and fall front enclosing a bird's-eye maple interior, above two doors flanked by grapevine carved styles, 68" h., 41 3/4" w. Illustrated in Boor, Philadelphia Empire Furniture, figures 286 and 286a. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $10,000-20,000

Price Realized: $20,665


PENNSYLVANIA REDWARE DOG, 19th c., attributed to Jesiah Shorb, York, standing with a basket of fruit in its mouth, 6 1/2" h. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $5,000-8,000

Price Realized: $8,295


VIRGINIA HARD PINE PIE SAFE, 19th c., with elaborately punched tin panels of flowers, pinwheels, etc., 65" h., 47" w., 22 1/2" d. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $3,000-5,000

Price Realized: $3,159


YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA PAINTED CORNER CUPBOARD, mid 19th c., with smoke decorated twelve-lite doors, the base with sunken panel doors, all resting on bracket feet, retaining its original red and yellow surface, 89" h., 50 1/2" w. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $4,000-8,000

Price Realized: $11,258


NEW YORK PAINTED PINE CANDLEMOLD, mid 19th c., inscribed J. Walker E. Bloomfield, having thirty-six pewter tubes, 11" h., 13 1/2" w., 10 3/4" d. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $1,000-1,500

Price Realized: $3,888


NEW JERSEY BRASS SURVEYER'S TRANSIT, ca. 1805, inscribed Daniel Dod Mendham, with its original fitted case, 13 1/4" l. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $1,000-2,000

Price Realized: $2,252


PENNSYLANIA QUEEN ANNE WALNUT DRESSING TABLE, ca. 1765, the rectangular top with notched corners, overhanging a frame with a single drawer and a scalloped skirt, supported by cabriole legs terminating in trifid feet, retaining an excellent old surface, 28 1/2" h., 36" w. Sold at Pook and Pook April 19-20, 2013.

Estimate: $20,000-40,000

Price Realized: $30,810


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