LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72352

INCREDIBLE HUGE HAND CARVED BRIARWOOD PIPE OF

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,950.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
INCREDIBLE HUGE HAND CARVED BRIARWOOD PIPE OF
<B>INCREDIBLE HUGE HAND CARVED BRIARWOOD PIPE OF COLONEL (LATER MAJOR GENERAL) WILLIAM WOODS AVERILL 1862.</B></I> Averill is credited with winning the first major victory against Confederate cavalry forces in the Civil War at Kelly’s Ford. Averill graduated from West Point in 1855 and served in the Regiment of Mounted Rifles in the west, sustaining a serious wound in an action against hostile Indians in New Mexico in 1858. At the beginning of the civil war he continued to serve as a junior officer in the Mounted Rifles but was finally, in August 1861, given command of the 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry, serving in that capacity until his promotion to brigadier general on September 26, 1862. This pipe bowl was obviously commemorates his service during that period. The carving is executed in 5/16” high block letters, crisply and uniformly incised. “<I>Col. W. W. Averill Com: 3D Penna. Cav</B></I>.” At the top with “<I>Hail To The Chief</B></I>” just below. “<I>The Union Forever/On To Richmond</B></I>” surrounds a five pointed star in a recessed circular panel. Further carving covers virtually all of the pipes surfaces and reads as follows; “Yorktown Evacuated May 4, Glorious Victory At Williamsburg, Great Battle At Fair Oaks May 31 & June 1 &2 Rebels Driven Back, Gen. McClellan (sic) Successful Change of his Position and Battles of Sth Mts & Antietam Sep 14 & 17” and large “1862” on top of the stem base. Absolutely unique in our experience. The bowl is 5 ¼” high and over 3” across the top flats. Also included is a vignetted bust carte de visite of Averill in his brigadier general’s uniform by “J. D. Vickey/Photographic Artist/Bath, N. Y.” signed by Averill in ink script “Wm Averill Brevet Major Genl.” Certainly meant as a commemorative rather than functional piece as its huge size would make smoking it wholly impractical. A remarkable early war artifact with a history of ownership by a gallant Union cavalry general.<BR><BR><B>CONDITION:</B></I> Absolutely perfect untouched condition with a wonderful rich untouched patina. Really superb. Carte de visite with just some minor even fading, negligible, otherwise perfect with bright crisp signature. <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Miscellaneous Collectibles, Smal (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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