The US Frigate Constitution was one of six naval ships authorized by Congress to be built in 1794. It played a pivotal role in the War of 1812 and was active in combat service for more than 100 years. The boat was nicknamed “Old Iron Sides,” as cannonballs from enemy fire would just bounce off its thick oak siding and splash into the ocean below. The Constitution is still an active vessel of the United States Navy, but primarily serves as a floating museum in the Boston Navy Yard. An early engraving of the ship approaches the block at Thomaston Place, joining other top lots from around the United States in this week’s picks.
THOMASTON PLACE AUCTION GALLERIES
Sale Date: June 1–3, 2018
Lot 2027
Abel Bowen (1790–1850)
“US Frigate Constitution, of 44 Guns,” engraving with aquatint and handcoloring by A. Bowen after a drawing by Wm. Lynn, published in Boston by Wm. Lynn. Engraved after the Constitution arrived in Boston from the famous victory over the Guerriere in 1812. In the original black lacquered cove frame, under rippled glass.
Estimate: $6/8,000
TREMONT AUCTIONS
Sale Date: June 2–3, 2018
Lot 305
Chinese Jade Carving
Ming period (1368–1644), translucent grey stone, study of a grooming camel, 2½ inches long.
Estimate: $12/15,000
PBA Galleries
Sale Date: May 31, 2018
Lot 226
Second Earliest Copy Known Of Huckleberry Finn
Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Tom Sawyer’s Comrade), New York, Charles L. Webster, 1885, 366 pages. First American edition.
Estimate: $15/25,000
KENNEDY’S AUCTION SERVICE
Sale Date: June 2, 2018
Lot 27
Civil War Scrimshaw Carved Powder Horn, Joseph Lamb
Horn features fine-toothed engraving, inscribed “Made by Joseph Z Lamb Harrison Co. Indiana.” Dated March 5, 1862. With images of deer pulling a sleigh, eagle, dog, a capitol dome, fish, church, ears of corn, a seascape screen with sailing ship and setting sun, sword, urns, an Indian with bow, and goose. Horn measures 9¾ inches long.
Estimate: $10–$100,000
NADEAU’S AUCTION GALLERY
Sale Date: June 2, 2018
Lot 200
Limestone Eagle Figure
With head and neck turned back, from the garden of Peggy and David Rockefeller, 22 inches high.
Estimate: $800–$1,200
HERITAGE AUCTIONS
Sale Date: June 2–3, 2018
Lot 43042
James Monroe: Child’s Mug with “Munroe” Misspelling
Reddish brown transfer incorporating a Federal-style eagle on creamware ceramic mug, 2½ inches high.
Current Bid: $3,000
SOULIS AUCTIONS
Sale Date: June 1, 2018
Lot 20
Thomas Hart Benton (1889–1975)
“The Meeting,” 1941, edition of 250, circa 1941, 9-by-11½-inch image.
Estimate: $1,750/2,500
GROGAN & CO.
Sale Date: June 3, 2018
Lot 73
Armodio (Italian, born 1938)
“Pulcinella Guardiano,” tempera on panel, 19½ by 15½ inches.
Estimate: $1,5/2,000
FUSCO AUCTIONS
Sale Date: June 2–3, 2018
Lot 1474
Lock Of Abraham Lincoln’s Hair
Including letters and provenance back to Dr Charles Leale, the first surgeon to arrive in aid of the dying president and removed in order to gain access to the wound.
Estimate: $2,5/4,000
