Page 46 - Journal of Antiques and Collectibles December 2019
P. 46
by John Sexton
Hello, John, I have I have found little as far as the sale of
Q: JS:
inherited a tiny book or artifacts concerning this tale. Patrick
bible charm which was Schroeder is the current historian at
described as made from Appomattox Courthouse and he discusses
the wood of the apple tree the myth of the surrender under the apple
under which General Lee tree in a monograph he wrote titled 30
surrendered. I am aware Myths about Appomattox. There may actu-
of the mistaken origins of ally be a current display at Appomattox
that story (understanding national park on that very subject.
that the surrender actually There are numerous small carved bits
A note accompanying the charm which reads: “This charm was made from an apple tree
took place in Mr. and pieces of similar ilk seen often in Civil
McLean’s house) that which Lee was standing under when he surrendered;” a popular myth. War Era soldiers’ groupings. Often, these
reports Lee was resting under an apple tree which was cut down and cut into many items were carved in camps or by prisoners of war or as souvenirs after the war.
pieces. Still, I have this little item that needs some identification, if possible. The most common carved items are generally pipes and canes. Miniature books,
My grandfather Leroy Vincent Ray was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, in boxes, and other items are also seen.
1877 but as a young man came to Alaska where our family remained. I live in What makes your little relic interesting is that it still has the old inked note
Anchorage. My grandfather died in 1946 in Seward so this charm was received with it. Often, the small carvings might have a soldier’s name and unit or the ori-
into the family before that year. My grandmother, who died much later, didn’t gin of the wood used for the carving. I have seen a good many souvenirs carved
share any other information when she gave it to me years ago. It is the accompanying from various woods from Appomattox, usually parts of the McLean House but
note (pictured) that identifies the reported source of the little charm. I’m a reasonably never a piece identified as a piece of the apple tree of this surrender myth.
accomplished googler but have been unable to locate anything remotely similar Few items like this are found searching auction archives. The only item found
reportedly made of that apple tree wood. I’ve read a number of reports on the web in even close was found at Cowan’s Auction; an old inked card with attached pieces
publications devoted to history about the cutting down of the apple tree, but I find no of wood tagged, “A piece of the wood and bark of the tree that General Lee sur-
relics or charms other than one shadow box containing a raw piece of wood. rendered to General Grant under” offered as lot 191, 12-8-2009 and unsold with
Now that I am the matriarch of the family (a paper title), I want to be a good a $500 estimate. Other small bits carved with tags such as yours generally sell for
steward of the various items and treasures which are in my custody. Your help and a few hundred dollars but not with this story. Your miniature is quite elaborate
input would be very helpful and I thank you. with gold clasp and inset mother-of-pearl Maltese cross. The best wartime-
identified carvings like this have brought as much as $1,000-$1,500 in the past.
Hello, Mr. Sexton. I recently acquired Many drums were cut in height for change in pitch and even cut into
Q:
this antique drum from a friend in Georgia painted patriotic decorations. The red hoops are also typical with cord holes
and was told that it could possibly be from cut directly into the wood without later
the Civil War Era. As you can see, it is in patented metal fasteners. Civil War drums
rough shape but looks intact. It measures are often seen with these patented fasteners
approximately 12 inches high by 16 inches added just after the war for continued use
in diameter. The drum heads appear to be with “updated technology”.
made of animal skin and the bands red. It Your drum being so plain and no maker
doesn’t have any markings that I can find. marks inside could possibly make this mar-
Any information you could give me about ketable as Southern-made or used.
its origin and possible value would be very Confederate drums are so rare, and few are
much appreciated. identified. With a good story, this as-is,
cut-down snare drum with loose cord
Your drum is Civil War Era and is and broken hoop might bring more
JS:
typical in dimensions, though a bit short. Regulation Civil War snare drums than the general antique market value
are typically about 16-16 1/5” wide and 14-18” high including hoops. of $200-$300.
Mr. Sexton, I know that this razor is reputedly The box appears to be from the 19th century.
Q: JS:
from a period earlier than the Civil War, but with The razor could be Revolutionary War; it is at least
your no doubt extensive experience and knowledge, I’m the late 18th century, 1780-1790 for the “WOLF”
hoping that you can help me or refer me to someone trademark. Do not know the maker, but it could be
who might be able to help. researched.
I purchased the razor as part of a lot at auction and I do not have the resources to do so on English
would like to confirm its A Wolf straight cutlery from this era,
authenticity. The razor razor from but there is a Sheffield
is contained in a case between the registry from 1787 that
which states that it was Revolutionary War probably lists this mark,
used in the American Era to the and then you can find
Revolution; please see late 1700s the maker and research
attached photographs. the company.
John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser organizations.
He can be contacted at 770-329-4984 or www.CivilWarDealer.com. For a free appraisal of a Civil War item, email a photo and a de scription
to mclwriter@gmail.com.
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
44
Hello, John, I have I have found little as far as the sale of
Q: JS:
inherited a tiny book or artifacts concerning this tale. Patrick
bible charm which was Schroeder is the current historian at
described as made from Appomattox Courthouse and he discusses
the wood of the apple tree the myth of the surrender under the apple
under which General Lee tree in a monograph he wrote titled 30
surrendered. I am aware Myths about Appomattox. There may actu-
of the mistaken origins of ally be a current display at Appomattox
that story (understanding national park on that very subject.
that the surrender actually There are numerous small carved bits
A note accompanying the charm which reads: “This charm was made from an apple tree
took place in Mr. and pieces of similar ilk seen often in Civil
McLean’s house) that which Lee was standing under when he surrendered;” a popular myth. War Era soldiers’ groupings. Often, these
reports Lee was resting under an apple tree which was cut down and cut into many items were carved in camps or by prisoners of war or as souvenirs after the war.
pieces. Still, I have this little item that needs some identification, if possible. The most common carved items are generally pipes and canes. Miniature books,
My grandfather Leroy Vincent Ray was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, in boxes, and other items are also seen.
1877 but as a young man came to Alaska where our family remained. I live in What makes your little relic interesting is that it still has the old inked note
Anchorage. My grandfather died in 1946 in Seward so this charm was received with it. Often, the small carvings might have a soldier’s name and unit or the ori-
into the family before that year. My grandmother, who died much later, didn’t gin of the wood used for the carving. I have seen a good many souvenirs carved
share any other information when she gave it to me years ago. It is the accompanying from various woods from Appomattox, usually parts of the McLean House but
note (pictured) that identifies the reported source of the little charm. I’m a reasonably never a piece identified as a piece of the apple tree of this surrender myth.
accomplished googler but have been unable to locate anything remotely similar Few items like this are found searching auction archives. The only item found
reportedly made of that apple tree wood. I’ve read a number of reports on the web in even close was found at Cowan’s Auction; an old inked card with attached pieces
publications devoted to history about the cutting down of the apple tree, but I find no of wood tagged, “A piece of the wood and bark of the tree that General Lee sur-
relics or charms other than one shadow box containing a raw piece of wood. rendered to General Grant under” offered as lot 191, 12-8-2009 and unsold with
Now that I am the matriarch of the family (a paper title), I want to be a good a $500 estimate. Other small bits carved with tags such as yours generally sell for
steward of the various items and treasures which are in my custody. Your help and a few hundred dollars but not with this story. Your miniature is quite elaborate
input would be very helpful and I thank you. with gold clasp and inset mother-of-pearl Maltese cross. The best wartime-
identified carvings like this have brought as much as $1,000-$1,500 in the past.
Hello, Mr. Sexton. I recently acquired Many drums were cut in height for change in pitch and even cut into
Q:
this antique drum from a friend in Georgia painted patriotic decorations. The red hoops are also typical with cord holes
and was told that it could possibly be from cut directly into the wood without later
the Civil War Era. As you can see, it is in patented metal fasteners. Civil War drums
rough shape but looks intact. It measures are often seen with these patented fasteners
approximately 12 inches high by 16 inches added just after the war for continued use
in diameter. The drum heads appear to be with “updated technology”.
made of animal skin and the bands red. It Your drum being so plain and no maker
doesn’t have any markings that I can find. marks inside could possibly make this mar-
Any information you could give me about ketable as Southern-made or used.
its origin and possible value would be very Confederate drums are so rare, and few are
much appreciated. identified. With a good story, this as-is,
cut-down snare drum with loose cord
Your drum is Civil War Era and is and broken hoop might bring more
JS:
typical in dimensions, though a bit short. Regulation Civil War snare drums than the general antique market value
are typically about 16-16 1/5” wide and 14-18” high including hoops. of $200-$300.
Mr. Sexton, I know that this razor is reputedly The box appears to be from the 19th century.
Q: JS:
from a period earlier than the Civil War, but with The razor could be Revolutionary War; it is at least
your no doubt extensive experience and knowledge, I’m the late 18th century, 1780-1790 for the “WOLF”
hoping that you can help me or refer me to someone trademark. Do not know the maker, but it could be
who might be able to help. researched.
I purchased the razor as part of a lot at auction and I do not have the resources to do so on English
would like to confirm its A Wolf straight cutlery from this era,
authenticity. The razor razor from but there is a Sheffield
is contained in a case between the registry from 1787 that
which states that it was Revolutionary War probably lists this mark,
used in the American Era to the and then you can find
Revolution; please see late 1700s the maker and research
attached photographs. the company.
John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser organizations.
He can be contacted at 770-329-4984 or www.CivilWarDealer.com. For a free appraisal of a Civil War item, email a photo and a de scription
to mclwriter@gmail.com.
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
44
