*114. LARGE INLAID, 19TH CENTURY, SCRIMSHAW BOX. Dovetailed rosewood or coromandel con-

struction with raised, hip style, lid. Inset into very top center of hinged lid is 3" x 4"

panel of whalebone that is engraved with vine motifs and an eight point star. In cen-

ter of star is large whale ivory knob for lifting lid open. Around border of lid are four

bands of inset bone with leaf and vine engraving. Front beautifully decorated with

large(5" x 7 1/2"), urn shaped whalebone panel that is scrimshaw carved with port

view of British ship. Above urn is crown and two British flags. On each side of urn

there are large whale ivory columns with globes on top.

Both ends inset with 1/2" wide whalebone borders and fit-

ted with nicely fashioned whale ivory drop handles.

Bottom fitted with four, 1" diameter, ball shaped feet made from whale ivory.

Interior with removable tray. Overall size 12"l. x 8 3/4" w. x 10"h. Condition excel-

lent noting typical sound age cracks and one rear foot appears to be an older

replacement. Box itself possibly from 19th century Anglo-Indian trade and then

embellished with whalebone and whale ivory by 19th century British sailor. No way to be sure of that and

could well be that maker was simply influenced by that style of 19th century furniture. Overall a very impres-

sive looking scrimshaw box that I've owned for 30 years.

14,500.00

*115. LARGE CASED EBONY OCTANT fully signed in fancy script on flat index arm

"John Mann Maker Liverpool". Overall length of arm 17". Eyepiece with double peep

holes and pivoting cover. Two horizon glasses, backsight and three movable shades.

Ivory vernier, scale, pencil finial and notepad on

back of frame. Ivory name plate with initials

`O.H.P.B.". Original stepped storage box. Condition of everything fine. Nice clean brass

throughout. John Mann IV worked in Liverpool from 1781-1810. This octant likely

dates circa 1790.

sold

*116. WHALE IVORY PIE CRIMPER WITH THREE

TINED FORK. Entire handle, pierced wheel arms and

fork made from single piece of whale ivory. Very end fitted with swiveling

shackle. 1 3/4" diameter serrated wheel. Overall length 6 1/4". Handle carved

with three deep cove and incised designs. Condition excellent noting a fork

tine has been expertly restored. Good age color. Circa 1850. Has custom dis-

play stand. Interesting design on this crimper and I think I have seen other

examples by this maker.

4950.00

*117. RARE BRASS DEEP SEA SOUNDING DEVICE BY NEW YORK MAKER. All brass construction with

maker name engraved in front of dial "R. Merrill & Sons/New/York". Overall size 12"h. when fully extended.

5" wide. Has the original wood storage box that has full set of printed instruc-

tions attached to bottom of lid. The header of instruction paper reads "Hand

Lead and Deep Sea Sounding Machine/ Manufactured by Robert Merrill/56

Water St, New York. This device is a near identical version of one made circa

1800 by London maker Edward Massey. Condition very fine with brass retain-

ing most all original lacquer finish. Instruction label fully intact and all legi-

ble. Robert Merrill began in New York in 1835 and operated alone until 1869

when the firm became Robert Merrill & Sons. He died in Brooklyn in 1876. I've

seen the Massey version before but this is the only one by Merrill that I have come across.

sold0

*118. EARLY AND UNUSUAL EBONY FRAME OCTANT WITH CAPTAIN NAME AND

DATE. Inset ivory name plate signed "Made by Jno Gilbert on Tower Hill/LONDON/For

Capt Willm McNeill Febry 20: 1766". The 18"l. index arm

made of ebony with lower portion being brass. Ivory vernier,

scale and notepad on back. Ivory pencil finial. Eyepiece with

double peep holes and pivoting cover. Front and back horizon glasses, two movable

shades and backsight. Condition of everything excellent with nice clean brass through-

out. John Gilbert II worked at Tower Hill as early as 1751. He died in 1791. A handsome

instrument with its most unusual wood and brass index arm.

sold