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Ø A LARGE 19TH CENTURY SAILOR WORK SCRIMSHAW DECORATED WHALE'S TOOTH
worked over one side and depicting a Royal Navy frigate underway - 5½in. (14cm.) high ; 658g
£400-600
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Ø A RARE SAILOR WORK EROTIC SCRIMSHAW-DECORATED WHALE'S TOOTH, CIRCA 1830
worked over both sides, the obverse depicting a two-decked warship with American eagle over with banner title E Pluribus Unum; the reverse with a lady of fashion bare breasted and hitching her skirts to reveal herself - 7in. (17.8cm.) high; 399g
£1000-1500
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Ø A NOVELTY FAMILY SET OF MARINE IVORY PENGUINS, PROBABLY INUIT, CIRCA 1920
and comprising a 'father' with top hat and cane; a 'mother' and three 'children', each mounted on brown Bakelite plinths (one missing) - largest 6¼in. (15cm.) high
(5)
£350-450
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Ø A 19TH CENTURY MARINE IVORY AND PALMWOOD WALKING STICK
the plain tapering shaft with handle carved with a serpent with scales and ebonised eyes - 35in. (89cm.)
£400-600
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Ø A 19TH CENTURY SAILOR WORK WHALE BONE AND MARINE IVORY WALKING STICK
the tapering shaft with four contrasting carved sections and tapering octagonal flared ivory handle - 35¼in. (89.5cm.) long
£300-500
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Ø A SILVER-MOUNTED WHALE BONE AND IVORY CITY STICK, CIRCA 1900
the plain tapering bone shaft with silver-mounted cuff inscribed Sterling, carved ivory handle in the form of a hand clutching a serpent with an eagle's head - 36in. (91.5cm.)
£600-800
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Ø A 19TH CENTURY WHALE BONE AND MARINE IVORY WALKING STICK
the plaIn tapering whale bone shaft inscribed ASA DUTCH. MASTER. NEW BEDFORD 1847, with eagle's head marine ivory handle and metal ferrule - 32½in. (85cm.); together with another with shaft inscribed HARM. MEWES. ANNO. 1780 with plain ivory handle - 30in. (76cm.) long
(2)
£300-500
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Ø A 19TH CENTURY WHALE BONE WALKING STICK
the plain tapering shaft with silver-mounted neck piece, and square section handle inscribed FCH - 35in. (89cm.); together with another comprising a wooden shaft with silver cap hallmarked for London 1897 with scrimshaw decorated whale's tooth hand and brass ferrule - (33¼in. (787cm.) long
(2)
£300-500
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Ø A 19TH CENTURY WHALE BONE AND MARINE IVORY SAILOR WORK WALKING STICK
the tapering barley twist shaft with octagonal cut ivory stock with plain knop handle - 35½in. (90cm.) long; together with another comprising two canes conjoined with brass repair, terminating in turk's head knot - 33½ (85cm.) long
(2)
£200-300
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Ø A WHALE TOOTH HANDLED WALKING STICK, CIRCA 1908
with tapering ?briar shaft with metal ferrule and white metal mount stamped with maker's mark for McG & Co. and inscribed ADM 1908 with inset whale's tooth handle (old wear) - 36¼in. (92cm.) long
£150-250
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A LATE 19TH CENTURY TELESCOPE WALKING STICK
the plain tapering wooden shaft with metal ferrule and shagreen-covered three draw telescope with removable cap serving as handle - 37½in. (95cm.) high
£200-300
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Ø A PRESENTATION MARINE IVORY SEAM RUBBER, CIRCA 1880
with bulbous handle connected to head with wood and metal joint - 6½in. (16.5cm.) long; together with a whale bone fid, plain tapering form with cut mark at centre - 11in. (28cm.) long
(2)
£500-800
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A SILVER-MOUNTED COCONUT CUP, CIRCA 1800
unmarked, the rim engraved with armorial, mounted on three splayed feet - 4¾in. (12cm.) high
£80-120
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A QUANTITY OF 19TH CENTURY CARVED BONE SAILOR WORK
including a wig scratcher, spoons, page-turners, syringe etc
(A lot)
£400-600
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A GREENWICH HOSPITAL WATCH STAND, CIRCA 1805
modelled in stained oak after the Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital main door, with contrasting inlaid edging, reverse glass windows, two drawers and bun feet (old wear and missing parts) - 18 x 15¼in. (46 x 39cm.)
£200-300
Provenance: Messer family and thence by descent; Sotheby's 3rd May 1995 Maritime Sale, lot 342 to private collector.
Mark Messer was a 21 year old landsman who served aboard the Colossus at Trafalgar and was presumably an invalid in Greenwich when he produced this watch stand.
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR BONE MODEL GUILLOTINE
the bone platform with fret-cut sides and the top platform with sliding blade with prostrate female victim and four carved guards in attendance - 12¼in. (31cm.) high
£1000-1500
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR BONE DOMINO COFFER
with fret-cut hinged domed top and fine polychrome full-length depiction of the Duke of Wellington on slide to domino compartment with dominoes, the sides cut with cribbage streets - 10¼in. (26cm.) wide
£600-800
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR BONE DOMINO COFFER
with fret-cut hinged domed top to domino compartment with dominoes, the sides with cribbage streets and bone feet (old restoration) - 9in. (23cm.) wide
£500-700
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR BONE AND WOOD WATCH STAND
decorated in fret-cut panels overall with paper-lined drawer to front - 10½in. (26.5cm.) high; together with an associated late 19th century silver watch
(2)
£800-1200
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR BONE VIVO
inscribed INRI to the top, the Christ figure with polychrome decoration - 10.5in . (27cm.) high; together with a small quantity of carved bone sailor work including spoons, scoops and a bowie knife
(A lot)
£400-600
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR CARVED BONE AND POLYCHROME DOMINOES AND DICE SET
the sliding lid with fretwork stars and drill-work decoration with paper backing, the contents with complete set of dominoes and chamber with three dice - 5¾in. (14.5cm.) wide
£400-600
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR BONE DOMINO SET
with carved sides, fret-cut sliding lid with cribbage board and wooden base faintly inscribed John ?Roth - 4½in. (11.5cm.) long; together with an incomplete dome topped domino chest lacking base contents - 6in. (15cm.) wide
(2)
£300-500
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR BONE DOMINOES SET
with pierced sliding lid and plain sides, with complete set of dominoes within - 4¾in. (12cm.) wide
£300-500
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Ø A FINE SAILOR WORK MARQUETRY DOMINOES SET, CIRCA 1840
in the form of a book, the cover with compass roses and contrasting inlaid bone and wood dog's tooth decoration, with bone 'pages', one side sliding to chamber with complete set of drilled bone dominoes with green and red dividing lines, 4¼ x 2½in. (11 x 6.5cm.); together with a plain whalebone section of cribbage streets - 8½in. (21.5cm.) long
(2)
£500-800
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR BONE NOVELTY DOMINOES SET IN THE FORM OF A DRUM
with fret cut sides and string, threaded both ends and containing a complete double-six set of 28 miniature tiles - 1¼in. (3cm.)
£300-500
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR CARVED BONE SNUFF BOX
the hinged lid with finely carved view of Dartmoor prison - 3¼in. (8.5cm.) wide; together with another similar with carved flowers
(2)
£400-600
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR BONE SPINNING JENNY
of typical form with single character 'Jenny' spinning on top, with crank to front (restoration) - 5½in. (14cm.) high
£200-400
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR PAIR OF BONE SALAD SERVERS
carved overall, the fork with period repair - 12½in. (32cm.) long
£400-600
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AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR STRAW WORK PICTURE,
worked in coloured inks and possibly depicting a view of a Thames-side town and footbridge, mounted within a maple wood frame, the straw work - 5¼ x 7½in. (15 x 19cm.); together with another smaller, depicting ships off a coastal town within original Hogarth frame
(2)
£200-300
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δ FRANK VINING SMITH (AMERICAN, 1879-1967)
R.M.S. 'Titanic' depicted in profile with Southampton at her stern and New York with the Statue of Liberty before her bow
Signed 'Frank Vining Smith' (lower right)
Watercolour on board
12 x 19in. (30.5 x 48.2cm.)
£1500-2500
This interesting view of Titanic was presumably completed to commemorate her successful maiden voyage. The bow is faintly inscribed "S.S. Titanic" although the covered walkway, which distinguishes her from her sister Olympic, and the limited number of lifeboats on view confirm the attribution. It is possibly a study intended for a larger exhibition format, but is still very detailed with the compass platform etc. clearly seen.
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A FINE SILVER PLATED OVAL SERVING PLATTER BY ELKINGTON & CO. FOR THE WHITE STAR LINE, CIRCA 1898
the foliate border with house flags, scalloped and ribbed interior, the reverse with oval foot maker's marks - 13½in. (37cm.) diam
£400-600
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AN ARCHIVE OF TITANIC-RELATED POST-CARDS FROM SURVIVOR PAUL MAUGÉ TO HIS FAMILY, MAY 1912
comprising ten cards sent from New York of assorted New York views on the 19th and 20th May to his mother, and the 8th and 15th June to a 'Msr. Antin', some dated and signed on front and mostly signed and dated to reverse, mentioning his escape from Titanic; and a London 'Pocket Novelty' card to his mother containing twelve London views on a concertinaed strip, unstamped but signed Paul Maugé Rescapé du Titanic le 15 Avril 1912, each - 3½ x 5½in. (9 x 14cm.); together with some biographic data.
(A lot)
£600-800
Provenance: The Maugé family and thence by descent.
Paul Maugé (1887-1971) was a kitchen clerk in the À La Carte Restaurant on Titanic - his first ship. He gave evidence at the UK enquiry on the 7th June 1912 (when he presumably sent his London card) and testified that he and the chef, P. Rousseau, made it up to the boat deck and he jumped eight feet into a boat being lowered - he pleaded with Rousseau to follow but he declined as he was 'too fat'.
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AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING ARCHIVE OF SWAN HUNTER PLANS AND EPHEMERA OF R.M.S. MAURETANIA, CIRCA 1905-08
including fourteen rolled mostly hand-tinted linen-backed plans with yard stamps for 1908 and comprising: three rigging plans; two sectional plans; six deck plans for decks A-F inclusive; promenade deck; general arrangement decks A-C and D-F, the largest - 36 x 98½in. (92 x 250cm.); together with a further three carbon paper copies of the general arrangement; a contract: Agreement for Building a Steamship, dated 18th May, 1905, 19 pages, signed and sealed by Directors of Cunard and Swan Hunter; a signed specification for Steamer No.735 also dated 18th May, 1905; a leather-bound copy of the specification dated 20th May, 1905; and a typed document entitled Case for the Opinion of Counsel dated 24th June, 1907, comprising ten pages and dealing with overruns in costs versus builders' estimates and which side liability might lie with.
(A lot)
£10000-15000
Provenance: Norman Gilchrist, OBE and thence by descent.
This remarkable archive only survives by the chance intervention of Norman Gilchrist. Having joined Swan Hunter as an apprentice shipwright during World War II, he became a draftsman with the company. Rising through the ranks, his last position before he retired in 1985 was project manager for the construction of H.M.S. Ark Royal. The Walker Naval Yard was wound down from the late 1970s and the drawing office became used as a store for plans and models in preparation for the pending closure. When it came, the entire contents were thrown out wholesale, but Mr Gilchrist had the foresight to save this group, unwilling to see such history destroyed. Permission was gladly given by George Murray, the site director - and one plan even has a dedication to that effect on the reverse
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AFTER ANTONIO JACOBSEN (AMERICAN, 1850-1921)
The Cunard Steam Ship 'Bothnia', circa 1878
Oil on canvas, removed from stretcher and rolled
26½ x 43in. (67.5 x 109cm.) painted area
£150-250
A liner of just over 4,500 tons, Bothnia was built in 1874 by J.G. Thomson & Co. for the British and North American Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company which became part of Cunard in 1878 with whom she maintained her Liverpool-New York via Queenstown run. She was broken up at Marseilles in 1899.
Provenance: J. G. Thomson & Co, Shipbuilding, Glasgow, given to David Moor, Naval Architect, on yard's closure.
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A RARE 'MALTESE' PATTERN IRONSTONE PLATE FOR CUNARD, CIRCA 1877
transfer decorated with the Cunard company crest to centre and shell-work motifs to rim, the reverse with diamond registration mark and inscribed over E.F. Bodley & Son Burslem - 9in. (23cm.) diam
This is believed to be the first pattern of Cunard china to display the Cunard lion
£150-250
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A COLLECTION OF POSTCARDS
approximately 230, almost all of French ships, mostly of packet boats and their sumptuous interiors, many of the French Navy (including a submarine) and one showing the interior of an aeroplane and 15 of sailing boats, also including two booklets containing 33 cards (Isle de France 20 cards, Athos II 13 cards) contained in a lever arch file, leatherette, 4to
(A lot)
£200-300
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AN ALLAN LINE TRAVEL AGENT'S POSTER FOR THE STEAMERS BAVARIAN AND TUNISIAN, CIRCA 1900
coloured lithograph, depicted steaming off New Brighton Tower on the Mersey, inscribed along lower edge Allan Line Royal Mail Twin-Screw Steamers "BAVARIAN & TUNISIAN" 10,000 tons each and for Turner & Dunnett Lithographers Liverpool
20 x 32in. (51 x 81.5cm.)
£300-500
The short-lived New Brighton Tower seen so prominently in this lithorgraph was, briefly, the tallest building in the United Kingdom - and more importantly to Liverpool, larger than the Blackpool Tower. Completed in 1900, it was demolished by 1921, although the ballroom survived until 1969 when destroyed by fire
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THE DIVER OF THE YEAR TROPHY
comprising a 6-bolt copper and brass diving helmet by Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd, numbered 17373 (matching), the bonnet with removable faceplate, spit-cock, hinged safety catch, air inset with spring non-return valve, telephone port with inscribed blanking nut, and adjustable exhaust; the causelet with maker's plate, front weight studs and set of full set of brasses with bolts, now with soldered copper plate over opening, loosely mounted on hexagonal laminated wood display stand with with brass plaques listing recipients between 1970 and 2001, including stand - 26in. (66m.) high
(2)
£2500-3500
Provenance: Diver Magazine
Issued intermittently by this magazine between 1970 and 2001, the final recipient was the BBC'S 'Blue Planet' documentary team.
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A MODERN BRASS SCULPTURE OF A 6-BOLT SIEBE GORMAN DIVING HELMET
solid casting and mounted on a square onyx plinth - 5½in. (14cm.) high; together with a novelty brass diving helmet, hinged behind neck; a solid brass sculpture of an aqualung diver; a glass paperweight etching internally with a 3D view of a Siebe Gorman diving helmet; a commemorative US Navy Gulf Stream Drift mission brass token and a Very pistol.
(5)
£200-400
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A COMMEMORATIVE DIVING KNIFE BY WENOKA CUTLERY, CIRCA 1983
the 7in. steel blade numbered 899 with depiction of a diver and inscribed Diving Knife 1983 Commemorative Issue, contained within heavy thread tubular counter-marked scabbard, within fitted box with issuing certificate - 17in (43cm.) wide; together with another dated 1981 and numbered 386 the blade inscribed The Birth of Sport Diving 1942 with embossed leather scabbard and fitted box of issue (2)
£200-400
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A RARE SIEBE GORMAN DIVER'S TORCH, CIRCA 1968
with ribbed handle, signed as per title and dated 1968 with on/off switch by threaded glazed face plate - 11in. (28cm.)
£250-350
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A SIEBE GORMAN PATTERN DIVER'S TORCH
unsigned, chromed-bodied with bullseye lens, four bulbous guards and riveted leather strap - 11½in. (29cm.)
£150-250
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A 175TH ANNIVERSARY DIVING KNIFE BY SIEBE GORMAN
the 7½in. steel blade signed as per title and numbered 021 with 175th commemorative logo, turned wooden handle contained within brass scabbard - 13½in. (30.5cm.) overall
£250-350
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A DIVING KNIFE BY SIEBE HEINKE
the 7¾in. steel blade signed Siebie Heinke of England, with turned black handle and brass scabbard of issue - 13½in. (34cm.) overall
£250-350
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A 1:12 SCALE MODEL OF A 24-PDR GUN POSITION FROM H.M.S. ROYAL GEORGE
modelled as a cross section with planked and trennelled hull with boarding companionway, ebonised wale top, and raised port-lid with lion's face, the inner hull painted Venetian red with shot racks and lid tackle, planked deck with 11in. brass gun mounted on Venetian red stepped wooden carriage secured with blocks and tackle as appropriate, loading tools either side and plaque - 8¼ x 17 x 14in. (21 x 43 x 35.5cm.)
£400-600
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THREE 18TH CENTURY ENGRAVINGS OF LIGHTHOUSES
comprising the Eddystone lighthouse, engraved 1763 by E. Rooker; the Rudyard's lighthouse, engraved 1784 by J. Record; and a view of ?Smeaton's lighthouse under construction engraved by J. Record 1786; together with a general view of the [Bellrock Works] lighthouse engraved by William Miller circa 1910 first three Pl. 20 x 13in. (51 x 33cm.); and a coloured French Pontonnier certificate, circa 1887
(5)
£150-250
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A RARE A. LÉGÉ & CO. PATENT 'TRACTION TORPEDO', LONDON, CIRCA 1886
of tapering form, constructed in brass panels with adjustable side planes and tail fins, split ballast keel and explosive plunger - 60in. (152.5cm.) long; stand; data
£1500-2500
Based in Hatton Garden, London, A Légé & Co. were a firm of scientific instrument makers who advertised a huge range of items, but who seem to be mainly associated with two or three unique instruments such a Lord Kelvin's tide predictor of 1876 (on loan to the Science Museum, London, No. 1876-1129) and early cinema projectors. The idea behind the Traction Torpedo was that several would be hitched to a endless chain within the confines of a harbour or secure area. When not in use they would settle harmlessly on the sea bed, but when needed - at night, or in foggy weather when it was assumed an enemy might attack - the chain was started and the torpedoes rose, settled to a pre-determined depth and 'patrolled' the harbour. The accompanying research refers to one other example made of 'Delta Metal' which was supposed to be resistant to sea water. As this one appears to be brass it may be a working prototype used as a sales pitch to Governments. Their rarity suggests that this complicated and dangerous system was never deployed, perhaps unsurprisingly when the risk to the users' own ships was vastly greater than that of their enemies.
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A FINE FEMALE FIGUREHEAD, CIRCA 1860
carved from laminated wood with polychrome finish and depicting a nearly full-length lady clutching her chest and wearing a headpiece with flowing locks, on base with two thole pins - 54in. (137cm.) high
£10000-15000
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AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING GEORGIAN PEWTER TANKARD
with wriggle work foul anchor to front and inscribed either side, Mr Castle, Woolwitch with further indistinct inscription underneath and the thumbpiece with further owner's initials and proof marks for George IV and Victoria under rim, stamped internally with maker's mark to base - 6in. (15cm.) high
£150-250
This tankard, which undoubtedly would have been kept hanging in a local tavern is clearly associated with the famous Castle family of ship breakers who maintained yards at Vauxhall, Woolwich and Charlton throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries.
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A 19TH CENTURY FIGUREHEAD POSSIBLY OF AMERIGO VESPUCCI
carved full length in laminated yellow pine, and depicted wearing fur-lined boots, flowing green robes with belt, clasping a document and holding his chin, mounted on an ebonised plinth - 59in. (150cm.) high (including plinth)
£800-1200
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