Page 11 - JOA-Sept-2021

$3,208 (11 bids, 7 bidders): Horsman’s Lawn Tennis Set with $2,708 (61 bidders, 11 bids):
Cleveland Rackets, circa 1890s. Selling a very rare lawn tennis crate made Constitution & Guerriere Ship
by Horsman. This item was part of a recent barn find, and the set was Antique Papier Mache Glasses
appraised for between $1k-$2k. The set includes four original tennis Spectacles case box. This is for a
rackets. Two are branded as AJAX, and two are Cleveland. Set also fabulous historical antique papier
includes net, stakes, mallet and an awesome color picture inside the crate. mache spectacles case from the
Overall good condition considering the age of the items. One piece of early 1800s. The top panel has a
wood on the bottom of the case is missing, and the tip of one of the stakes colour painting of two warships
is no longer very sharp. Otherwise, the rackets are nice and straight. at sea, a representation of the
(photos courtesy of eBay seller swoonfo.) battle of the USS Constitution
and HMS Guerriere in 1812. The
reverse of the case has a black
background with a gold water-
mark decoration, and the panels
are joined by leather. It is in really
nice condition considering its
age. No cracks, no fading to the
image; there are no cracks in the
panels and only the light surface
wear you see. It measures 70 mm
(2.75 inches) by 135 mm (5.3
inches) long. (photos courtesy of
eBay seller flikmywick.)

PH: The spectacles or glasses
case falls into the category of
collectible commemoratives.
Commemoratives are produced
PH: Edward Horsman to generally mark an event or
was born in Brooklyn, honor a person. In this case, a
NY, in 1843. His earliest naval battle at the beginning of
job was for Paton & Co, the War of 1812 fought
importers. By 22, he was between the young United
self-employed importing States and Great Britain is honored – a David-and-Goliath match-up that
high-quality German was most important for the U.S. as a morale booster following several
dolls to sell, and then he defeats. The hand-painted case would have been an everyday object carried
began designing sporting in someone’s pocket that when pulled out, became a reminder of U.S.
goods to take advantage naval success on the high seas.
of the growing interest in The artwork, though hand-painted, appears to be based on the
archery, croquet, cycling, engraving published in 1813 by Cornelius Tiebout after the original
and lawn tennis. In the artwork of Thomas Birch commemorating the engagement but as a
1880s, Horsman was also flipped, or mirror, image. The most common commemoratives of this
selling a wide range of battle appear to be artwork (prints mostly) and reverse-painted tablets for
board games and toys. shelf and wall clocks.
The company manu- I also found snuff boxes with associations to the battle and its
factured some parts and participants. I was not able to locate another past or current offering of the
sourced others, and case, but most spectacle cases are sold for under $500. I believe the seller
based on his import should be quite pleased with the selling price, and since apparently rare,
knowledge, assembled its the buyer should be happy, too
product at offices in Rhode Island.
The company also offered an
xtensive wholesale catalog of games,
toys and sporting goods to retailers
across the U.S. Though independ-
ent of the Horsman family after his
death in 1927, Horsman’s company
produced products into the mid-
20th century.
Toys, especially original and
complete ones including original
packaging and finishes, are a sought-
after collectible. I was able to find a
complete and original Horsman
Lawn Tennis set selling at a Lelands
Auction in 2017 for $1,171.
Another missing its rackets sold at
Morphy Auctions in 2018 for Philip Hawkins, ISA AM, AAG is an accredited member of the International
$2,250. The price trend appears to be upward, and our seller should be Society of Appraisers and a founding member of the Appraisers Association of
happy with his auction result. Georgia. He can be reached via the ISA website or at 404-320-7275.

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