Page 32 - Antiques and Collectibles September 2019 Historic Hudson Valley
P. 32
Aficionados may also find half-pikes, battles-axes, and bayonets, which from Hingham, Massachusetts – who delivered 216 canteens to the Siege of
transformed British muskets into in-your-face spears, captivating. Some seek Boston on July 16, 1775.”
resplendent bone or ebony-handled French rapiers, horsemen’s sabers, or Revolutionary War uniforms, which vary from regiment to regiment, have
officers’ swords featuring ornamental engravings. Others prefer small personal rarely survived. Some of their vest, cuff, and coat buttons, however, have.
arms like knives or flintlock pistols. Common, hand-molded, pewter Continental Army ones featuring sharp edges
Less sturdy Revolutionary War items, like knapsacks or haversacks, have and shanks intact are most collectible. Due to their scarcity, however, even
rarely survived. Yet much of their contents—including tinderboxes, shoe ones that have considerably disintegrated underground are desirable.
buckles, wrought iron “flesh forks,” pewter spoons, plates, cups, combs, and Decorative, French copper or brass buttons, some backed with bone or
mirrors—have. Some bear makers’ marks or identifying initials. wood, fared far better through the years. Yet in comparison, high quality,
Soldiers also carried small, hand-turned or drum-like, staved pine canteens well-crafted, beautifully designed British ones are works of art. Marked ones,
bound with hickory, willow, or iron-wrought bands. Those featuring pewter stamped 24th, 60th, or 97th Regiment of Foot, for example, offer opportunities
linings, carrying straps, plugs, or original mustardy, bluish-green, or reddish for deeper dives into history.
paint are especially desirable. Rich patina, as well as signs of heavy use, like Though the Colonies issued paper Continental Currency, a limited
dents, nicks, cracks, scrapes, and scratches, also increase their charm. number of foreign coins circulated, among them King George III copper
Round, wooden, “cheesebox” canteens may be marked to an individual farthings and Spanish silver dollars – “pieces of eight.” After the Declaration
soldier. “Recently,” reveals Bohy, “we received one that had been found in a of Independence was issued in 1776, several states created copper coins of their
barn in Massachusetts. One side featured the owners' initials and the date own, featuring patriotic slogans and popular images. Though some seek
“1775.” The other bore a makers stamp, “IB.” Through research conducted at uncirculated coinage, others prefer pieces that were actually used. That said,
the Massachusetts Archives, we were able to identify its maker as Israel Beal all Revolutionary Era coins that survived, even those in poor condition, are
highly collectible.
General Samuel McClellan
Military Fowler built by Joel Captain Peter Perit’s Carved
White, c. 1775, cherry stock Powder Horn, c. 1775, attributed
with a French-style butt, brass to carver Jacob Gay, with soldiers
buttplate with bayonet dancing to a fiddler, British and
storage area, silver escutcheon American troops in line firing at
plate, silver side plate in the each other, a mermaid looking at
shape of a serpent engraved her reflection, a Native American,
with foliate designs and animals, trees, a British coat of
“SMC,” lock plate with a step arms with a circle below which
tail engraved with foliate reads SUCCESS TO AMERICA
designs and “JOEL/WHITE,” with a central figure of what
barrel engraved with foliate looks to be George Washington, and a banner below marked WITER HILL 1775 with
designs and “JOEL WHITE” a small N above, in the center of the horn is carved PETER/PERIT/His Horn/MADE
on the flat sighting plane, brass AT/Tempels Farm/DECm: 20: 1775, and a pine plug at the base of the horn with two
ramrod pipes, iron ramrod, holes for the iron strap staple (missing), overall lg. 15 1/2”, realized $39,975 in 2015.
brass nose cap and made to photo: Skinner, Inc., skinnerinc.com
accept a fusil-style bayonet,
barrel lg. 50 1/2, overall lg. 66 1/2”, provenance: by direct descent in the McClellan Note: Captain Peter Perit was born in Milford, Connecticut, in 1735. He served in
family, realized $58,425 in 2017. the French and Indian War and was commissioned a Captain in Colonel Charles
photo: Skinner, Inc., skinnerinc.com Webb’s Regiment on July 6th, 1775. His regiment was stationed at Winter Hill in
September of 1775, and the location Tempels Farmis actually Ten Hills Farm on
Note: Joel White was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, in 1747 and worked as a the bank of the Mystic River, and owned by the Temple family. Perit later joined
gunmaker until about 1800. Samuel McClellan was born in Worcester, Henry Knox’s Artillery and was captured at the Battle of Fort Washington in 1776.
Massachusetts, in 1730. He moved to Killingly, Connecticut, and served as an After his exchange, he could not get his position back in his regiment, and in 1781
Ensign, as well as a Lieutenant during the French and Indian War. Prior to the start was released from service. Documents relate that he was not paid for his service,
of the American Revolution, he helped to train and equip the county militia. After and as late as 1794, James Blanchard is writing to George Washington about Perit
receiving word of the British expedition to Concord, Massachusetts on April 19th, and others to get the financial situation resolved. Perit died on September 29th,
1775, he set off with his company to Boston. He was in the Battle of Bunker’s 1803, at age 68, and is interred in Milford, Connecticut.
(Breeds) Hill on June 17th, 1775, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1776.
By the end of the Revolution, he had been promoted to General. George Washington
had asked him to take a commission in the Continental Army, but he remained in Revolutionary War arms and militaria artifacts currently sell well at
Connecticut overseeing troops in the New London area. General McClellan was the auction, especially those boasting exceptional provenance. Though these are
great-grandfather of General George B. McClellan and Major Henry B. McClellan. typically costly, more inexpensive items, like bayonets starting at hundreds of
dollars, swords in the high hundreds, and muskets at a few thousand dollars
each, are also available. Today's market welcomes every type of collector, at all
price points.
Revolutionary War Major General Jedediah Huntington’s Revolutionary War artifacts are displayed at many key Hudson River Valley
Shoulder Straps, c. 1783,
gold metallic tape with two embroidered stars locations, including the Fort Ticonderoga Museum and the Fort Montgomery
on each epaulet, gold bullion State Historic Site. Also, the Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site
braid, the reverse is backed offers demonstrations, like cannon and musket firings, along with military
with buff broadcloth, blue re-enactments.
broadcloth attachment The Concord Museum (MA), The Museum of the American Revolution in
strap, and yellow silk pil- Philadelphia, and Colonial Williamsburg (VA) maintain extensive
lows under the braid, over- collections as well.
all lg. 8 3/4”, provenance:
by family descent to the con-
signor, realized $23,370 in Artillery Calipers, mid-18th century, constructed of boxwood
2018. photo: Skinner, Inc., with iron/steel points and brass hinge pin and washers, marked
skinnerinc.com at the end of one arm “Made by A. Lamb/N. York,” one side
marked with scale noting the calibers and corresponding proof
Note: Jedediah Huntington was born on and service charges for iron guns and brass guns, the opposite side
August 4th, 1743, in Norwich, Connecticut. noting weights of various metals, and a scale for measuring the
He graduated from Harvard College in 1763 bore diameter of guns from 1 to 42 pounder, hinge scales also
and received his master’s degree in 1770 from measure inches and degrees, overall lg. 6 7/8” realized $25,830
Yale University. He served as an officer in the militia in 2016. photo: Skinner, Inc., skinnerinc.com
in the early 1770s prior to the outbreak of the American
Revolution. After receiving word of the British expedition to
Concord, Massachusetts, on April 19th, 1775, Huntington and his Connecticut Title Image: Surrender of General
militia marched to Roxbury and took part in the Siege of Boston. He quickly rose Burgoyne, John Trumbull (1756-
through the ranks and commanded a brigade of Connecticut troops. On June 24, 1843), depicting British General John
1783, he was promoted to Brevet Major General by George Washington. Burgoyne (holding sword) at Saratoga,
Huntington died on September 25, 1818. NY on October 17, 1777, the
turning point in the American
Revolutionary War. photo: Wiki Commons
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
30
transformed British muskets into in-your-face spears, captivating. Some seek Boston on July 16, 1775.”
resplendent bone or ebony-handled French rapiers, horsemen’s sabers, or Revolutionary War uniforms, which vary from regiment to regiment, have
officers’ swords featuring ornamental engravings. Others prefer small personal rarely survived. Some of their vest, cuff, and coat buttons, however, have.
arms like knives or flintlock pistols. Common, hand-molded, pewter Continental Army ones featuring sharp edges
Less sturdy Revolutionary War items, like knapsacks or haversacks, have and shanks intact are most collectible. Due to their scarcity, however, even
rarely survived. Yet much of their contents—including tinderboxes, shoe ones that have considerably disintegrated underground are desirable.
buckles, wrought iron “flesh forks,” pewter spoons, plates, cups, combs, and Decorative, French copper or brass buttons, some backed with bone or
mirrors—have. Some bear makers’ marks or identifying initials. wood, fared far better through the years. Yet in comparison, high quality,
Soldiers also carried small, hand-turned or drum-like, staved pine canteens well-crafted, beautifully designed British ones are works of art. Marked ones,
bound with hickory, willow, or iron-wrought bands. Those featuring pewter stamped 24th, 60th, or 97th Regiment of Foot, for example, offer opportunities
linings, carrying straps, plugs, or original mustardy, bluish-green, or reddish for deeper dives into history.
paint are especially desirable. Rich patina, as well as signs of heavy use, like Though the Colonies issued paper Continental Currency, a limited
dents, nicks, cracks, scrapes, and scratches, also increase their charm. number of foreign coins circulated, among them King George III copper
Round, wooden, “cheesebox” canteens may be marked to an individual farthings and Spanish silver dollars – “pieces of eight.” After the Declaration
soldier. “Recently,” reveals Bohy, “we received one that had been found in a of Independence was issued in 1776, several states created copper coins of their
barn in Massachusetts. One side featured the owners' initials and the date own, featuring patriotic slogans and popular images. Though some seek
“1775.” The other bore a makers stamp, “IB.” Through research conducted at uncirculated coinage, others prefer pieces that were actually used. That said,
the Massachusetts Archives, we were able to identify its maker as Israel Beal all Revolutionary Era coins that survived, even those in poor condition, are
highly collectible.
General Samuel McClellan
Military Fowler built by Joel Captain Peter Perit’s Carved
White, c. 1775, cherry stock Powder Horn, c. 1775, attributed
with a French-style butt, brass to carver Jacob Gay, with soldiers
buttplate with bayonet dancing to a fiddler, British and
storage area, silver escutcheon American troops in line firing at
plate, silver side plate in the each other, a mermaid looking at
shape of a serpent engraved her reflection, a Native American,
with foliate designs and animals, trees, a British coat of
“SMC,” lock plate with a step arms with a circle below which
tail engraved with foliate reads SUCCESS TO AMERICA
designs and “JOEL/WHITE,” with a central figure of what
barrel engraved with foliate looks to be George Washington, and a banner below marked WITER HILL 1775 with
designs and “JOEL WHITE” a small N above, in the center of the horn is carved PETER/PERIT/His Horn/MADE
on the flat sighting plane, brass AT/Tempels Farm/DECm: 20: 1775, and a pine plug at the base of the horn with two
ramrod pipes, iron ramrod, holes for the iron strap staple (missing), overall lg. 15 1/2”, realized $39,975 in 2015.
brass nose cap and made to photo: Skinner, Inc., skinnerinc.com
accept a fusil-style bayonet,
barrel lg. 50 1/2, overall lg. 66 1/2”, provenance: by direct descent in the McClellan Note: Captain Peter Perit was born in Milford, Connecticut, in 1735. He served in
family, realized $58,425 in 2017. the French and Indian War and was commissioned a Captain in Colonel Charles
photo: Skinner, Inc., skinnerinc.com Webb’s Regiment on July 6th, 1775. His regiment was stationed at Winter Hill in
September of 1775, and the location Tempels Farmis actually Ten Hills Farm on
Note: Joel White was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, in 1747 and worked as a the bank of the Mystic River, and owned by the Temple family. Perit later joined
gunmaker until about 1800. Samuel McClellan was born in Worcester, Henry Knox’s Artillery and was captured at the Battle of Fort Washington in 1776.
Massachusetts, in 1730. He moved to Killingly, Connecticut, and served as an After his exchange, he could not get his position back in his regiment, and in 1781
Ensign, as well as a Lieutenant during the French and Indian War. Prior to the start was released from service. Documents relate that he was not paid for his service,
of the American Revolution, he helped to train and equip the county militia. After and as late as 1794, James Blanchard is writing to George Washington about Perit
receiving word of the British expedition to Concord, Massachusetts on April 19th, and others to get the financial situation resolved. Perit died on September 29th,
1775, he set off with his company to Boston. He was in the Battle of Bunker’s 1803, at age 68, and is interred in Milford, Connecticut.
(Breeds) Hill on June 17th, 1775, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1776.
By the end of the Revolution, he had been promoted to General. George Washington
had asked him to take a commission in the Continental Army, but he remained in Revolutionary War arms and militaria artifacts currently sell well at
Connecticut overseeing troops in the New London area. General McClellan was the auction, especially those boasting exceptional provenance. Though these are
great-grandfather of General George B. McClellan and Major Henry B. McClellan. typically costly, more inexpensive items, like bayonets starting at hundreds of
dollars, swords in the high hundreds, and muskets at a few thousand dollars
each, are also available. Today's market welcomes every type of collector, at all
price points.
Revolutionary War Major General Jedediah Huntington’s Revolutionary War artifacts are displayed at many key Hudson River Valley
Shoulder Straps, c. 1783,
gold metallic tape with two embroidered stars locations, including the Fort Ticonderoga Museum and the Fort Montgomery
on each epaulet, gold bullion State Historic Site. Also, the Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site
braid, the reverse is backed offers demonstrations, like cannon and musket firings, along with military
with buff broadcloth, blue re-enactments.
broadcloth attachment The Concord Museum (MA), The Museum of the American Revolution in
strap, and yellow silk pil- Philadelphia, and Colonial Williamsburg (VA) maintain extensive
lows under the braid, over- collections as well.
all lg. 8 3/4”, provenance:
by family descent to the con-
signor, realized $23,370 in Artillery Calipers, mid-18th century, constructed of boxwood
2018. photo: Skinner, Inc., with iron/steel points and brass hinge pin and washers, marked
skinnerinc.com at the end of one arm “Made by A. Lamb/N. York,” one side
marked with scale noting the calibers and corresponding proof
Note: Jedediah Huntington was born on and service charges for iron guns and brass guns, the opposite side
August 4th, 1743, in Norwich, Connecticut. noting weights of various metals, and a scale for measuring the
He graduated from Harvard College in 1763 bore diameter of guns from 1 to 42 pounder, hinge scales also
and received his master’s degree in 1770 from measure inches and degrees, overall lg. 6 7/8” realized $25,830
Yale University. He served as an officer in the militia in 2016. photo: Skinner, Inc., skinnerinc.com
in the early 1770s prior to the outbreak of the American
Revolution. After receiving word of the British expedition to
Concord, Massachusetts, on April 19th, 1775, Huntington and his Connecticut Title Image: Surrender of General
militia marched to Roxbury and took part in the Siege of Boston. He quickly rose Burgoyne, John Trumbull (1756-
through the ranks and commanded a brigade of Connecticut troops. On June 24, 1843), depicting British General John
1783, he was promoted to Brevet Major General by George Washington. Burgoyne (holding sword) at Saratoga,
Huntington died on September 25, 1818. NY on October 17, 1777, the
turning point in the American
Revolutionary War. photo: Wiki Commons
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
30
