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IMPORTANT AND POSSIBLY UNIQUE FIVE-GALLON STONEWARE CHURN WITH COBALT MARCHING CIVIL WAR SOLDIER DECORATION, New York State origin, possibly Fort Edward, NY, circa 1861-1865, ovoid churn with tooled shoulder, rounded rim, and applied lug handles, boldly-decorated with a large slip-trailed design of four marching Union Civil War soldiers. Decoration depicts four strong-jawed, mustached soldiers in a tightly-formed battle line, each with distinctive kepi hat, buttoned coat, and rifle with bayonet leaning against his shoulder. The color of the cobalt is strong and vibrant, and the size of the decoration is impressive, measuring approximately 13" tall and covering most of the churn's front. The decorator may have been inspired by a personal account of the Civil War, or perhaps by one of various published magazine illustrations available at the time. Images created by noted American artist, Winslow Homer, in "Harper's Weekly," for example, may have served as a basis for this design. Aspects of the form, decoration, color, and capacity mark, strongly suggest this churn was made at one of the many stoneware manufactories located in Fort Edward, New York, during the time period. A Union militia training ground located on Rogers Island in the town of Fort Edward, may also have been the motivation behind this work. Combining bold figural decoration, purely American subject matter, and a wonderful folk art quality, this churn could easily be described as one of the most important stoneware discoveries of the past several years. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market museum deaccession, last purchased in the 1930s. Thin 2.5" crack from rim. A small shallow chip to back edge of one handle. Faint surface lines to shoulder at handle on left side, not visible on interior. Small, in-the-firing stone ping to front, which is glazed over. A minor in-the-firing chip to interior of rim, which is partially glazed over. Two typical tiny nicks to inner rim where a lid would rest. H 15.5".

Sold at Crocker Farm July 19, 2014.

Price Realized: $402,500


EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT THREE-GALLON STONEWARE WATER COOLER WITH COBALT LION, DEER, AND HOUSE SCENE, STAMPED "J. & E. NORTON / BENNINGTON, VT.," Julius and Edward Norton, Bennington, Vermont, circa 1855, keg-form cooler with circular bung hole and incised and cobalt-highlighted banding, the body profusely decorated with a slip-trailed animal scene. Decoration includes a very large reclining lion with spotted body, upswept tail, and heavy mane, and a reclining doe with spotted body and unusual, upward-pointing muzzle. These two dynamic figural designs are surrounded by various other decorative elements, which encompass the body of the cooler, including three houses, five fences, two trees, rolling hills, shrubs, and a cross. The use of a reclining lion juxtaposed with a doe, together with the unusual addition of a cross, suggest this cooler may be decorated with a Peaceable Kingdom design, referencing the Old Testament prophetic scripture, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shallow lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little boy will lead them" (Isaiah 11:6). The extraordinary design on this cooler can be attributed to John Hilfinger (1826-1888), an itinerant artist born in Wurttemberg, Germany, who was active at several potteries in New York State and New England during the third quarter of the 19th century. Arguably his finest work is found on Norton family stoneware from Bennington, where he was employed from 1855 to 1864. Coolers such as this example, which would be prominently displayed in a house or public setting, served as wonderful opportunities for a decorator to present his skill and promote the pottery business he worked for. The lion motif, one of the Norton family's most iconic and coveted designs, is also one of the pottery's rarest. Few examples of Norton lion-decorated stoneware have sold publicly or privately in the past fifteen years. We have yet to find a public auction record of a stoneware water cooler with lion decoration, made by the Nortons or any American operation, selling in recent decades. When considering the maker, form, and outstanding decoration of this cooler, it could easily be described as one of the finest examples of American stoneware to be auctioned in the past twenty years.

Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased privately approximately twenty years ago. A thin, inverted Y-shaped crack descending from rim to midsection on left side of cooler's front. A second thin, inverted Y-shaped crack, which becomes very thin, descending through lion's tail. A few other short, faint lines from rim. Restoration to shallow chipping on interior of rim. Minor chips to exterior of rim. A small chip to exterior of bung hole, and very minor wear to interior of bung hole. A few small, in-the-firing contact marks to surface. H 13.25".

Sold at Crocker Farm July 19, 2014.

Price Realized: $63,250


EXCEEDING RARE AND IMPORTANT SLIP-DECORATED REDWARE LOAF DISH WITH ELABORATE BIBLICAL INSCRIPTION, NORWALK, CT ORIGIN, mid 19th century, with coggled edge, draped-molded platter of rectangular form with rounded edges, the interior profusely decorated with the slip-trailed script inscription "Blessed are the Poor in spi/ rit for thars is the kingdom of / heven". These words are the first of eight Beatitudes spoken by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew Chapter 5 of the Bible's New Testament. In our research, we can find no other example of Norwalk redware with a longer slip inscription. The distinctive handwriting style with pointed "t's" and other specific characteristics reveal that it was probably decorated by master calligrapher, Henry Chichester, who was responsible for the majority of the finer Norwalk inscriptions known. This recently-discovered example is an important addition to the large body of slip-inscribed work known from Norwalk, CT, and is possibly the most profusely-decorated example known from this popular school of early dishware. Provenance: Recently found in Kentucky, this loaf dish was purchased by the consignor's wife in the 1930s or 1940s. Literature: For more information on Norwalk, CT redware and the decorator, Henry Chichester, see Andrew and Kate Winton, Norwalk Potteries, Phoenix Publishing, Canaan, CT, 1981. Glazed interior surface and slip survive in strong condition with some light wear to edges of slip. 1" chip to bottom edge, primarily visible on reverse. A few other minor chips to corners, visible on reverse. L 13.25" ; W 10.5".

Sold at Crocker Farm July 19, 2014.

Price Realized: $13,800


EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND IMPORTANT NEW ENGLAND REDWARE WEDDING JAR, Inscribed "Louisa Dickenson" and "Whately / Lemuel A. Wait," Whately, Massachusetts origin, circa 1825-1830, skillfully-potted, ovoid jar with flared rim, semi-circular lug handles, and elaborate incised banding throughout body and rim. Incised in fine script on the front "Louisa Dickenson". Reverse incised "Whately / Lemuel A. Wait". Surface covered in a striking lead-based glaze with mottled yellowish-green coloration and heavy orange spotting. This recently-discovered jar was made by Whately, Massachusetts, potter, Lemuel Allis Wait (b. 1803), for his future wife, Louisa Dickinson (b. 1808). Lemuel Allis Wait (sometimes spelled "Waite"; January 12, 1803-June 18, 1881) was born in Whately on January 12, 1803, the son of Lemuel Wait (1776-1847), an earthenware potter, and Roxa Russell (1776-1843), the daughter of a saddler and harness maker. Probably sometime around 1825 he began his relationship with Louisa Dickinson (August 10, 1808-June 8, 1887) and the two were married by 1830. That year's federal census shows Lemuel A. Wait living in Hatfield, Massachusetts, (adjacent to Whately) in a household that contained only himself and one woman between the ages of twenty and thirty years (Louisa). The 1899 version of "History of the Town of Whately …" described Lemuel A. Wait as a "potter by trade." By the mid century, Lemuel A. Wait is listed in census schedules as a farmer, indicating that he had either given up the potter's trade by that time, or, like so many other American earthenware potters, supplemented his primary trade of farmer by provided necessary goods for his community. As an object that physically represents the courting of one potter's wife, few examples of early American ceramics capture a potter's personal life as this jar does. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, recently discovered in New York State. Tight spider line on right side of jar's front below inscription, which extend approximately 5" to base and 1" onto underside. A faint Y-shaped hairline on underside, continuing approximately 5 1/2" up right side of reverse of jar, below inscription. An in-the-firing separation line on interior body, not visible on exterior. 1 3/4" x 3/4" reglued piece at rim on reverse, beside a rim chip. Some wear to rim. A few short, relatively minor lines from rim, primarily visible on interior only. Glazed surface of jar survives in very nice condition, with an in-the-firing dry area to glaze, approximately 3" below inscription on front. H 10.5".

Sold at Crocker Farm July 19, 2014.

Price Realized: $10,925


EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT LIDDED REDWARE SUGAR JAR WITH PROFUSE THREE-COLOR SLIP DECORATION, ALAMANCE COUNTY, NC ORIGIN, possibly Jacob Albright, Jr. and Henry Loy, circa 1790-1810, squat-shaped, ovoid jar with footed base, open horizontally-oriented handles, and original domed lid with pointed finial. Surface covered in dark manganese and profusely decorated with floral, geometric, and line designs in sea-green, orange, and white slip. Front and reverse with sunflower motifs in orange and white slip, separated by vertical orange slip lines flanking columns of green slip spots. Body of jar with circumferential bands of green, orange, and white slip. Area below handles decorated on each side with a large sunflower or daisy motif in orange and white slip. Each handle decorated with an orange and green slip flower blossom flanked by stripes. Lid heavily-decorated with alternating bands of cream, orange, and green slip, applied over dark manganese. A rare survivor, this jar is one of a small body of work recently attributed to the St. Asaph's school of potting in Alamance County, North Carolina. In the past, several examples of this style have been attributed to the Moravian potters of Salem and Bethabara, North Carolina, including Rudolph Christ and John Butner. However, recent research indicates that pieces of this distinct style were made in or around the St. Asaph's district of modern-day Alamance County, North Carolina; the entire decorative style was primarily driven by members of the Loy family of potters, working for or alongside members of the Albright family (see Beckerdite, Brown, Hunter, and Carnes-McNaughton, "Earthenware Masterworks of the St. Asaph's Tradition", Antiques and Fine Art Magazine, Winter 2010). Many of the sugar jars now in public or private collections, including this example, were purchased in North Carolina by pioneer antiques dealer, Joe Kindig, Jr., during the 1930s, and later sold through his business in York, PA. The term "sugar jar", used on many 18th and 19th century inventories, is corroborated by the fact that many of the jars Kindig found in North Carolina still contained sugar when he purchased them (see Beckerdite et al., "Earthenware Masterworks of the St. Asaph's Tradition," Antiques and Fine Art Magazine, Winter 2010). The majority of known examples of slipware from this school are currently held in museum collections, most prominently at Old Salem Museum and Gardens in Winston-Salem, NC. Others can be found at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Williamsburg, VA, the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI, and the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, PA. Few sugar jars have entered the secondary market in recent decades, and very few can be considered new discoveries. In our research, the last instance of a slip-trailed Alamance County sugar jar of any significance selling at auction occurred at the sale of the John Gordon Collection of Folk Americana, conducted by Christie's in January 1999. Two jars crossed the block, at that time attributed to Moravian potters, both lacking their lids, with less-elaborate decoration than this jar, and neither with the striking manganese ground so distinctive to the region. Given its high aesthetic value, historical significance, and rarity, this jar is certainly one of the most important examples of North Carolina pottery to come to auction in the past decade. Provenance: This jar was recently discovered in the collection of the Pfaltzgraff Company Archives in York, PA. The Pfaltzgraff Company was a well-known producer of salt-glazed stoneware during the second half of the 19th century and art pottery and dinnerware throughout the 20th century, and a direct descendant of the Pfaltzgraff family, Helen Pfaltzgraff Appell (1900-1989), was also an early collector of Americana. Living in York, PA much of her collection, including this jar, was acquired by Joe Kindig, Jr. This jar is featured on page 96 of the book, Pfaltzgraff America's Potter, which was published in conjunction with an exhibition at the Historical Society of York County in 1989, and discussed the history of Pfaltzgraff pottery production as well as its American antecedents. The collection of Helen Pfaltzgraff Appell and her husband, Louis B. Appell, would later be sold by Sotheby's in 2003. However, the jar along with a very few other items, which were part of the 1989 exhibition, were not sold, having remained in the Pfaltzgraff Company Archives until now. Literature: Pictured on page 96 of Pfaltzgraff America's Potter, Historical Society of York County, York, PA, 1989; for discussion of Alamance County, NC redware and images of similar examples, see Beckerdite, Brown, and Carnes-McNaughton, "Slipware from the St. Asaph's Tradition", Ceramics in America 2010; see also Beckerdite, Brown, Hunter, and Carnes-McNaughton, "Earthenware Masterworks from the St. Asaph's Tradition", Antiques and Fine Art Magazine, Winter 2010. Jar with very old, possibly 19th century, plaster repairs to one handle, rim chips, and some sporadic glaze loss. Numerous small chips to edge of lid, heavy chipping to flange on underside of lid, wear to surface of lid, and a 3" hairline to lid. H (including lid) 10".

Sold at Crocker Farm July 19, 2014.

Price Realized: $35,650


RARE SGRAFFITO REDWARE DISH WITH TRIPLE TULIP IN URN MOTIF AND INSCRIBED BORDER, probably Bucks County, PA, early 19th century, with rounded rim molding, the interior coated in yellow slip and decorated with straight and wavy stripes of copper slip. Center of dish with fine sgraffito decoration of a tulip plant emanating from an open-handled urn, with excellent cross-hatched detail to blossoms and urn. Border features a whimsical Pennsylvania-German sgraffito inscription, which translates to "No greater grief in all the land / As when the wife gets upper hand / Experience proves it." A finely decorated and inscribed example with excellent provenance. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased from Joe Kindig, Jr., during the second quarter of the 20th century. Two rim chips, a minor rim nick, and a shallow, possibly in-the-firing area of wear to edge of plate. Flaking to interior. Diameter 12.875".

Sold at Crocker Farm July 19, 2014.

Price Realized: $5,175


POSSIBLY UNIQUE ONE-GALLON STONEWARE JUG WITH FOLKY COBALT DECORATION OF A HUMAN-HEADED ANIMAL LOOKING AT A BIRD, STAMPED "J. & E. NORTON / BENNINGTON, VT.," circa 1855, cylindrical jug with semi-squared spout, decorated with a slip-trailed design of a mythological creature of a four-legged animal with human head. This unique figural design features a turned head with stylized hair and pronounced chin, and faces a typical Norton bird-on-branch motif on the jug's front. While the exact identity of the animal is unknown, it may represent a sphinx, a mythological creature with a lion's body and human head. The distinctive hair or headdress of the figure in some ways resembles the headcoverings found on various depictions of sphinxes (such as that found on the Great Sphinx of Giza). From another standpoint, the figure may represent something from American Indian folklore, as the figure's hair style, with its shaved sides, raised strip of hair at the center, and long flowing hair at the back, somewhat resembles that of the Pawnee people, whose hairstyle, while somewhat similar to that of the Mohawks, would more accurately be called a predecessor to the modern "mohawk." A visually-striking jug. Mythology seems to have played a small but important role in American stoneware decoration, and a select number of anthropomorphic creatures can be found on other examples, primarily early incised pieces. These include mermaids and mermen, devils, a minotaur, and various birds with human faces, among others. This jug is the only Norton example of such a design known. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, found by the consignor in a Maine farmhouse over sixty years ago. Spout chips. Faint surface line on underside. H 11.125".

Sold at Crocker Farm July 19, 2014.

Price Realized: $16,100


EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND IMPORTANT HALF-GALLON STONEWARE PITCHER WITH PROFUSE COBALT DECORATION, STAMPED THREE TIMES "N. COOPER & POWER / MAYSVILLE, KY," third quarter 19th century, finely-potted pitcher with heavily-tooled body, tall collar with heavily-stepped rim, and ribbed strap handle, the pitcher's body decorated with an elaborately-brushed oval and draped swag design. This striking design is applied to both sides, meeting a third brushed oval at the center surrounding the Maysville, Kentucky mark, "N. COOPER & POWER. / MAYSVILLE. KY". This mark is additionally impressed on each side of the collar and surrounded by a brushed cobalt oval. The mark "N. COOPER & POWER" refers to the partnership of Maysville, Kentucky merchant Newton Cooper and his brother-in-law, Hugh Power. Power married Cooper's sister, Lavina, on May 15, 1850, and the couple was living with Newton Cooper by the time the census was recorded on August 6, 1850. Since the census also lists both men as Tin-ware Merchants, it is possible that the partnership of N. Cooper & Power had commenced by this time. Newton Cooper, son of Catharine Ricketts and Hugh Cooper, inherited a connection to the Maysville, KY, stoneware industry through both of his parents. Family members who were stoneware potters include: Grandfather - Rulef Ricketts (1759 – 1848) Father - Hugh Cooper (1791-1831) Uncle - Isaac Thomas (1791-1877) - Married to Sarah Ricketts (1788-1874) Uncle - Evan G. Ricketts (1785-1874) Uncle - Joseph Claghorn Mendell (1796-1863) Several cousins were engaged in the Maysville stoneware industry. An old note inside of the pitcher, which has since been lost, indicated that the pitcher was made as a presentation piece for the firm of Cooper & Power. This information is corroborated by the pitcher's elegant craftsmanship, strong decoration, and highly unusual triple impression of the merchants' stamp, which promotes or celebrates the firm. Newton Cooper frequently ordered stoneware from Greensboro, PA, made at both the Boughner and Hamilton factories. While the pitcher's form is strongly related to Western Pennsylvania stoneware production, its decoration is not. Furthermore, the impressed mark is in a different font and form than the typical Greensboro-produced jars for this firm, and the overall style of the piece appears to predate these examples. A Western Pennsylvania manufactory outside of Greensboro, or even a Kentucky origin of manufacture, is possible. Given the fact that several Cooper relatives were engaged in the potting industry (namely members of the Thomas family as well as Evan G. Ricketts), it is possible that a member of Cooper's family made this elaborate pitcher celebrating the beginning of the Cooper and Power partnership. It is also possible, although less likely, that this pitcher was made at a Maysville stoneware factory briefly owned by Cooper and Power. More research would need to be conducted. Regardless, Newton Cooper was unquestionably a very active businessman with obvious ties to both the Western Pennsylvania and Maysville stoneware industries. One of the finest examples of Kentucky merchant stoneware known. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example from a long-term Southern U.S. collection. Purchased in Kentucky decades ago. Excellent overall condition with professional restoration to two upper beads on right half of spout, and some minor restoration to rim on reverse. H 8.5".

Sold at Crocker Farm July 19, 2014.

Price Realized: $17,250


EXTREMELY RARE SALT GLAZED STONEWARE SNAKE JUG WITH PROFUSE COBALT AND ALBANY SLIP DECORATION, INCISED "little Brown Jug / by Anna Pottery / Jan 22 1885," Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick, Anna, Illinois, 1885, ovoid jug with tooled spout, scalloped carving to foot, and highly unusual chip-carved ovals around its body. Handle in the form of a snake coiled around the neck of the jug. Excellent detail to snake, including heavy scaling to body, flattened head with poison glands, bulging eyes, and incised mouth. Body of snake profusely-decorated with alternating bands of vibrant cobalt slip and amber-colored Albany slip. Head, eyes, and mouth with additional cobalt decoration, interspersed with Albany slip accents. Jug is incised with the cobalt-highlighted inscription "little Brown Jug / By Anna Pottery / Jan 22 1885". This jug is the first salt-glazed "little brown jug" by the Kirkpatricks we have seen. Its color and profuse slip application are visually stunning. The carved surface is also highly unusual, a decorative treatment that can also be found on the important Albany-slip-glazed "High Water Flask," pictured on pages 63-65 of Pottery, Politics, Art: George Ohr and the Brothers Kirkpatrick, by Richard D. Mohr. This example is certainly one of the finest Anna Pottery little brown jugs known. Provenance: A recently-discovered example, found in the Midwestern U.S. Excellent condition with minor base wear. H 5.5".

Sold at Crocker Farm July 19, 2014.

Price Realized: $17,250


EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND LARGE CHRISTOPHER HAUN EAST TENNESSEE RING BOTTLE, copper oxide and lead glazed earthenware with elaborate tread stamp designs and coggled band around outer circumference consisting of hexagonal and diamond star geometric designs and letters, "HAUN", (Christopher Alexander Haun, Greene Co., TN, 1821-1861). Christopher Haun was a Union sympathizer during the Civil War and participated in burning a Confederate railroad bridge (Lick Creek) in Greene County, TN. This important event in East Tennessee Civil War history was initiated with a campaign by Union loyalists to burn 9 bridges. It was led by William B. Carter and strongly supported and encouraged by President Abraham Lincoln. Several potters from the Pottertown, TN area were among the men who conspired and succeeded in burning the bridge. The potters decided not to capture or kill the Confederate bridge guards but allowed them to go free based upon their solemn promises to not reveal their identities. Union troops did not materialize as promised, and the Confederates were able to pursue and capture some of the perpetrators. The Confederate guards, who were allowed to live, were the very ones who served as witnesses to implicate the five men who were hung, four of them potters. Among those sentenced to death was the potter Christopher Alexander Haun. On December 11th, 1861, Haun was hung from the gallows in Knoxville, TN. Provenance – descended through the John Houston Cox family of Lenoir City, TN (b. 1863 ñ 1949). Diameter 10?, total length including spout, 10.75?. (Research courtesy of Carole Wahler). Note ñ one of the most elaborately decorated Southern ring bottles to surface, it is believed to be the only C.A. Haun ring bottle example extant, and is the earliest Tennessee ring bottle example by a known maker.

Condition: Overall excellent condition.

Sold at Case Antiques Auctions and Appraisals July 19, 2014.

Estimate: $16,000-18,000

Price Realized: $30,680


MIDDLE TENNESSEE SUGAR CHEST, WILLIAMSON COUNTY, CHERRY WITH POPLAR SECONDARY WOOD. Dovetailed locking top case and hinged top with bread board ends and ogee molding, interior with divider. Upper dovetailed case rests on a stand with a single dovetailed drawer with wooden pulls, underside of the drawer with distinctive row of woodblocks running beneath the drawer sides. Tall turned tapered legs with ring turnings, terminating in ball and spike feet. 35.75" H x 28.125" W x 16.625" D. Circa 1825. Provenance: descended from the Moore family of Mooreland Plantation, Williamson Co., TN (Brentwood). The sugar chest was given to the consignor's father James Tippens by Mooreland descendant, Robert Moore, Jr. Mooreland Plantation was built in 1838 and remains standing in present day Brentwood, TN. Condition: Older refinish, wooden strip to back of top replaced, hinges have been moved and replaced, shrinkage and minor losses to top molding. Internal left drawer support is a 19th century replacement. Some light shrinkage to case sides with minor fill to back right side.

Condition: Older refinish, wooden strip to back of top replaced, hinges have been moved and replaced, shrinkage and minor losses to top molding. Internal left drawer support is a 19th century replacement. Some light shrinkage to case sides with minor fill to back right side.

Sold at Case Antiques Auctions and Appraisals July 19, 2014.

Estimate: $4,000-6,000

Price Realized: $11,800


CARRIER'S NEW YEAR ADDRESS, CINCINNATI 1807. In days gone by, for nearly two centuries, it was traditional for newspaper carriers to deliver a New Year's Address on the first of the year. In turn, the subscriber was expected to give the news boys a tip. The addresses were generally a single page, usually written in verse, and may recount the highlights of the preceding year. Sometimes they hinted that their carriers deserved a large tip, other times the expectation was unspoken. These were possibly (likely?) written by professionals (possibly at the newspaper or print office), and sometimes elaborately decorated by the printers (as advertising for their skills).

The tradition began as early as 1720 and continued into the early 20th century, although a few continued until nearly mid-century. Brown University Library has made a large number of these available, since, even though anonymous, taken together they constitute a large body of American poetry. And they address historic concerns - war, pestilence, grief (such as the death of George Washington), slavery, local politics, and much more. They should be of interest to numerous fields of research.

This address is to the patrons of Liberty Hall, a newspaper in Cincinnati, OH that only existed as a separate paper from 1809-1815. Before this it was Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Mercury (1804-1809). In 1815 it merged with the Cincinnati Gazette, and continued publication until 1857.

It must have been a cold winter, since the early lines refer to bundling up in the cold, and mentions the patterns created by skaters on the ice. Then it moves on to darker news:
Hark! the post-boy blows his horn,

Ush'ring in the New Year's morn -

Brings the news from distant climes,

Tells the horrors of the times;

'Counts the feats of martial art,

Of the conq'ring Bonaparte.

Poor Europeans! how they fare,

Press'd with war and rack'd with care!

See the monarchs' sceptres shake,

And their hearts with anguish quake -

Germanic princes cease to reign -

Thrones destroyed, and armies slain -

Mangled limbs bestrew the plain....

War, thou curse of human race,

Mournfully thy woes we trace;

Europe feels thy scorpion scourge,

Bloody fields and briny surge -...

O How blest Columbia's land!

Freedom here has made its stand;

Here the balmy sweets of peace

All the joys of life increase;

Here the bands of union join,

Heart with heart as one combine,

To defend this rising land

From rebellion's ruthless hand….
But, oh, what a difference a couple years would make. At this point they had been at peace (other than some "Indian troubles") for over two decades, so the optimism for the new year was understandable.

Condition: Overall moderate toning and foxing; water stain upper left. Column of numbers along left upper margin, and name in upper right corner. Old folds.

Sold at Cowan's Auctions July 28, 2014.

Price Realized: $1,200


THIRTEEN GLASS FLASKS AND BOTTLES, including an olive green Keen sunburn flask, an olive green cornucopia flask, an olive green Washington/Jefferson flask, an olive green Willington Glass Co. Liberty flask, and an aqua Washington flask, ht. to 9 in.

Condition: Washington/Taylor and lighthouse flasks are with residue affixed to the surface, an eagle flask has been painted over, a rim chip of the TWD Washington flask, rim chip and residue to the railroad flask, and rim chips to the aqua Union flask.

Sold at Skinner Auctions July 10, 2014.

Estimate: $300-500

Price Realized: $7,995


PENNSYLVANIA YELLOW PAINT DECORATED COVERED BOX, 19th century, round wood box, the cover with inlaid mother-of-pearl ring and red and blue dot and teardrop borders, the sides with red stylized flowers, the interior containing five small apothecary and needle boxes, ht. 2.875, dia. 4.125 in.

Condition: Retains an old, dry surface. Craquelure to paint decoration throughout. Minor wear and loss to paint decoration at edge of top and molded bottom of box. Wear and discoloration to paint around molded bottom of box. Interior of top with very minor worm damage. Box holds five small pine apothecary and needle boxes. Box remains in a remarkable state of preservation.

Sold at Skinner Auctions July 10, 2014.

Estimate: $400-800

Price Realized: $2,091


RED-PAINTED TWO-TIER ROTATING SPICE BOX, 19th century, the six-drawer hexagonal upper section on a round six-drawer lower section, with large turned acorn finial and iron tripod base, (minor loss), ht. 12, dia. 13.75 in.

Sold at Skinner Auctions July 10, 2014.

Estimate: $300-500

Price Realized: $1,845


PAIR OF MIRRORED TIN WALL SCONCES, America, early 19th century, the circular concave backs with crimped candle cups below, ht. 9, dia. of back 8 in.

Condition: some rust and discoloration to edges of mirror pieces, one candleholder slightly bent.

Sold at Skinner Auctions July 10, 2014.

Estimate: $300-500

Price Realized: $1,046


AMERICAN SCHOOL, 18TH CENTURY, SHIP BELISARIUS OF SALEM, JOHN CROWNINSHIELD COMMANDER 1795. Signed indistinctly in pencil l.r. Watercolor on paper, 18 x 26 1/2 in., framed.

Condition: white streak approximately 2" long above the masts, trimmed at top.

Sold at Skinner Auctions July 10, 2014.

Estimate: $250-350

Price Realized: $923


BLUE PAINTED AND CARVED OVOID PINE TRENCHER, America, 19th century, ht. 6.25, wd. 23, dp. 16 in.

Sold at Skinner Auctions July 10, 2014.

Estimate: $200-300

Price Realized: $1,599


BAVARIAN SILVER GILT EMBLEM BEAKER, Nuremberg, Germany, 1609-29, Hans Reiff, maker, cylindrical, engraved with three emblematic scenes, each with a Latin motto within the emblem cartouche and corresponding German epigram below, the pictorial emblem in an ovoid cartouche framed by a foliate and floral wreath and joined to the other emblems by pendant fruit garlands amidst foliate scrolls, monogram to the underside, ht. 3.25 in., approx. 3.5 troy oz.

N.B. This emblem beaker would have originally been part of a set. Another example from this set sold at Sotheby's Paris, June 26, 2013, Lot 246.

Sold at Skinner Auctions July 19, 2014.

Estimate: $2,000-3,000

Price Realized: $19,680


WALNUT TALL CASE CLOCK, AUGUSTINE NEISSER (1717-1780), Germantown, Pa, third quarter 18th century, H: 94.5 in.

A native of Moravia, Neisser, fleeing from religious persecution, settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1739. He was hired to make a tower clock for the Great Moravian Church in Bethlehem.

Sold at Freeman's Auction July 16, 2014.

Estimate: $4,000-6,000

Price Realized: $2,816


FEDERAL TIGER MAPLE AND CHERRYWOOD TALL CASE CLOCK, New England, circa 1815 with weights and pendulum, face has not been repainted. H: 98 in. W: 20 in. D: 11 in.

Provenance: Property from the McKnight Collection, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.

Sold at Freeman's Auction July 16, 2014.

Estimate: $2,000-3,000

Price Realized: $1,408


AMERICAN SCHOOL, 19TH CENTURY, BOY IN A RED DRESS HOLDING A WHIP, OIL ON CANVAS, Framed, 35.75 in. x 27 in. (sight)

Provenance: Property from the McKnight Collection, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.

Sold at Freeman's Auction July 16, 2014.

Estimate: $1,500-2,500

Price Realized: $4,063


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