*83. FINE 19TH CENTURY WOOLWORK PICTURE depicting port view of

a large British naval ship. In the background off the stern is a view of

another ship leaving the entrance of a harbor. 18 3/4" h. x 28 1/2"w.

Original, 3 1/2 wide, rosewood veneer frame. Condition very good still

retaining strong colors in yarns. Has few saggy pieces of rigging which is

typical but in this case not at all distracting. Nice quality work throughout

and an impressive woolie in this larger size.

7250.00

*84. GOLD HANDLE PRESENTATION WALKING STICK. Tapered ebony

shaft mounted with ornate gold knob that

is beautifully inscribed "Presented/to/Capt J.L. Smith/of the Steamer/W.N.

Ray/by the/Members/of the/Editorial Expedition/to the/Aroostook/1853"

Overall length 34 1/2". Condition very good only having a few very shallow

dents on top of knob. Shaft missing metal tip and with age crack at tip area.

Haven't completed researching this event but I believe it has to do with the first newspaper in Aroostook

County started by Joseph B. Hall. It is documented that "the old office of the Bangor Gazette...was pur-

chased by Mr. Hall and transported...to Presque Isle...where the first ever paper in Aroostook was printed in

the fall of 1857. The project proved a success". A nice Maine item that's worth probing further into.

sold

*85. SUPERBLY CARVED SCRIMSHAW TOOTH WITH NELSON MOTIFS...ATTRIBUTED TO W. HILL.

Over the years I have had a few examples by this artisan and all have been of

great quality and obviously are the work of a very skilled engraver. Other exam-

ples of his work can be found in Flayderman, pg. 13 and Stuart Frank's 1989

publication pg 16. Frank also has a lengthy entry for artisan W. Hill in his

"Dictionary of Scrimshaw Artists". Nice size tooth measuring 7"l. x 3" wide.

Profusely covered with bold style engraving typical of this artist. One side with

angels holding banners marked "NELSON/SHIP/VICTORY". Beneath them is an

over the stern port view of most famous British naval ship Victory. Above are

depictions of female with two children, Brittania with ship and another female.

At very top are clasped hands above a whaling scene. Reverse with port view of

another British frigate, Neptune in his horse pulled chariot, "HOPE" leaning on

anchor with ship in distance, two love birds, an eye and the moon. Along sides

is Nelson's Tomb, a sailor and a Dove. Condition fine. Stuart Frank states Hill to

be one earliest practitioners of pictorial scrimshaw. Important example worthy of a home in the best of

scrimshaw collections.

sold

*86. RARE LARGE EBONY FRAME SEXTANT WITH MAKER & OWNERS NAMES AND DATE. Very hand-

some looking instrument having two nicely curved support limbs below the

arched cross bar. Length of reinforced brass index arm 14". Top mounted tangent

screw for fine adjusting ivory vernier. Ivory scale with anchor logo and initials

denoting that it was divided by Jesse Ramsden. Eyepiece mount with pivoting

cover that has single peep hole. One screw-in optic. Horizon glass and seven col-

ored glass shades. Rosewood handle on back of

frame. Ivory nameplate signed "Made by B:

Meffer No 76 Wapping London/for Iohn Ker

1792". Condition absolutely superb with all brass retaining most all its original

lacquer finish as well as dark finish in front of index mirror. No case. Benjamin

Messer worked at the Wapping addresses from from 1789-1797. A fine and very

rare instrument representing the earliest use of the sextant.

sold

*87. NICELY CARVED WHALE IVORY SEAM RUBBER. Three piece

construction with very end having a quality carving of classic

clenched fist. Middle section done with Turks head knot. 1 5/8"w. rub-

bing section with some extra carving detail in center where it joins

shaft. Overall length 5 1/2". Condition very nice. Exact piece illustrat-

ed page 54 in Flayderman's "Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders". Seamers

with this type of carving detail are very rare.

sold