736C

HISTORIC NAVAL RELICS OF THE CIVIL WAR ASSEMBLED

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
HISTORIC NAVAL RELICS OF THE CIVIL WAR ASSEMBLED
HISTORIC NAVAL RELICS OF THE CIVIL WAR ASSEMBLED INTO FANTASTIC HALL TREE AND UMBRELLA STAND. This wonderful set of hall furniture is constructed entirely of relics from famous United States warships. Each piece is fitted with an engraved brass plate naming the ship from which the relic was taken, and the entire set is accompanied by a heavy brass plaque with the names of the ships and a key to each of the relics cast in high relief. The cast plaque is hollow, and inside it (under glass) is a hand-inked card listing the major duties and engagements of the ships whose parts comprise the furniture. As listed on the plaque, the ship’s wheel is from the Monitor Montauk (destroyer of the “Nashville”). The upright oars are from the Monitor Jason and the boat hook in the center is from the Monitor Nahant. Apart from their various engagements, all three of these ships were present at the fall of Charleston, Dec 18th, 1864. The spikes (coat hooks) are from the Kearsage, the ship that ultimately vanquished the Alabama in French waters, ending the reign of that Confederate raider. The pin rail is from the Hartford, flagship of Admiral Farragut, and the halyard rack, now doing duty as an umbrella stand, is constructed from parts of the Ossipee. Finally, the large oak base of the hall tree is a plank from the U.S. Frigate Constitution, Old Ironsides - the most famous and historic American warship of all time. These items are accompanied by an approx. 34” x 17” shield-shaped brass plaque engraved with “WOODRUFF AND BEACH IRON WORKS - HARTFORD, CT - 1859”. The association of this plaque with the naval relics is unclear, although it is likely that this plaque was affixed to a bulkhead of one of the aforementioned vessels, perhaps in an engine room or pilothouse, since Woodruff & Beach outfitted naval vessels and supplied steam engines for them. The hall tree is about 8’7” in height and about 3’8” in width. The umbrella stand is about 20” high. CONDITION: There is a repaired break in the shaft of one of the oars, hidden by the ship’s wheel, and the lower foot of the lower left metal brace of the stand needs to be reattached. Otherwise, the hall tree and umbrella stand are in good condition with some scuffs and dents and showing considerable age. These pcs should clean up very nicely with a minimum of restorative effort. This grouping is fresh to the market, having only recently surfaced in an estate in the Northeast. These wonderful pcs of furniture may have once resided in the office of a high-ranking naval official. Further research, including examination of official photos taken in the outer offices of admirals and cabinet-level officials, may disclose for whom these historically important treasures were fashioned. 4-53769 SO36 (10,000-25,000)