The Webmaster's Antiques

An American, most likely Philadelphia, Pennsylvania early tole decorated tin miniature Tinder Box, complete with an early Bear Fat Candle. This is an absolutely rare Folk Art form of Early American Lighting! It is an important piece for several reasons: one is it's tiny size which indicates it was made for a traveler; another is how very compact and efficient it is; and it's condition is original and untouched showing only normal wear. I'll bet you haven't seen another of this type of fold out early lighting. The photos show how it unfolds and has the Flint and Tinder in a separate lidded area. The Tole Decoration is of a Georgian Colonial Home on the lid, a band of Yellow around the perineter of the lid, and the balance of the box is Japanned which is normal for an early piece of American Tole. Don't burn the miniature Candle, it is made of Bear Fat and it is itself very old and very rare. If you collect early lighting, this is a piece for you, no others are known.

This is an early wooden (not bamboo) fly rod in two sections, ~9'-3" in length when assembled. It consist of a base section, two tips (one of them missing about 2 inches at the end) and a carrying case.

The case is ~60" long and is made of cherry (I believe) with a leather tip on either end secured by brads. One side has a fitted groove for the lower section and the other side has two fitted grooves for the two tips. The sections of the rod are held in place by ribbons, themselves secured by brass tacks.

The sections of the rod appear to be made of cherry. They have brass eyes bound to the rod with thread, four on the base and eight on the upper section with a brass eye on the tip (one tip missing).

Wrought iron skillet ~11-1/2” diameter and the handle ia ~6-3/4” long, overall length is ~18-3/4”. Wrought handle attached by three rivets and sighen “W. Foster”. A fine example of the blacksmithing art.

Blacksmithing is defined by the process of forming hot metal, generally between the hammer and anvil. Materials, mild steel in most cases, are first heated in a coal-fired forge to 1500-2000 degrees. At this heat the iron becomes plastic and can be reworked (forged). These elements are then joined using hand-forged methods such as mortise and tenon joints, rivets and hot collars. Hot forging in the traditional blacksmith's manner gives the iron more life and depth than other methods.

Emigrants following the California and Oregon Trails were advised that every party carry at least “one frying pan of wrought iron.”

Stoneware washboards of any kind are generally not found except in longtime collections and ones made of red clay or pottery are some of the hardest to find of all. This example is a striking piece of rich red clay glazed with two bold splashes of brown. The body is a textured diamond gridded basketweave pattern within a wooden frame, and it is in excellent condition.

~26-1/2" x 11-3/4" x 1-1/2"

A wonderful burl trencher, not a bowl. This trencher was not turned, it was carved by hand. Excellent condition and patina. ~ 15" by 18" 6" tall.

A very nice wire cradle in original green paint. The oval cradle is 32" by 18" by 11" deep. The stand is 34" tall and 37" long.

Besides a cradle, it would make a great store fixture (perhaps for displaying linens) or a magazine holder or a decorative plant stand.

Nice early hand carved butter press, figure of a cow. The carving is clear, crisp, sharp and deep and I don't believe it has ever been used. The detail in the carving is incredible, with patterns throughout the figure.

~ 4-1/8" by 4" by 1-1/4", handle was removed or perhaps, never in place.

Superior Condition Powders, Andrews Drug and Chemical Co. Attleboro, Massachussets and Brillion, Wisconsin.

"These Powders are prepared with great care from selected material, from the best medicines known to Farriery... They will give tone to the stomach, increase the appetite and purify the blood."

Recommended for the various diseases peculiar to Horses and Cattle, such as Distemper, Hide Bound, Loss of Appetite, Fistula, Poll Evil, Yellow water, Scratches, Founder, Rheumatism or Stiff Joints, Lung Fever, Skin Eruptions, Coughs, Colds, Worms, Pinkeye, Horse Ail, Thick Wind, Heaves, Roughness of the Hair, Etc., Etc.

Price. 50 Cents

PRESCOTT, William H.;  History of the Conquest of Mexico - Philadelphia: J. B. Lipincott & Co., 1865

History of the Conquest of Mexico with Preliminary View of the Ancient Mexican Civilization and the Life of the Conquerer, Hernando Cortez;  three volumes.
History of the Conquest of Peru with Preliminary View of the Civilization of the Incas; two volumes.
History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, The Catholic; three volumes.
History of the Reign of Emporer Charles the Fifth; three volumes.
History of the Reign of Philip the Second King of Spain; three volumes.
Biographical and Critical Miscellanies; one volume

Fifteen volumes. Octavo, Uniformly bound gilt-decorated spine, six panels, marbled covers and endpapers, illustrated with engraved frontispiece plates, as well as several folding maps, additional plates and facsimiles.

"History for Prescott was primarily a form of polite literature, written quite as much for the entertainment as for the instruction of his readers; it was, therefore, in the recounting of stirring events and thrilling scenes that he took pleasure and excelled." His works today remain standard authorities and reflect "the scrupulous care and integrity with which he used his materials, and the pains he took to find the exact truth" (DAB VIII, 199). "As a writer, Mr. Prescott occupies a distinguished place in the first rank of English historians. His fidelity and industry-- qualities which form the foundation of historical merit-- are universally acknowledged" (Allibone, 1674).

This is the original 1820 publication of Harmon's Journal. The book is in fair condition considering it's age. The leather cover has a 2" tear where the back cover attaches to the spine. The title page is missing as is the map and several pages of the specimen of the "Tacully or Carrier Tongue" at the end of the book. The last intact page is 406. The paper has discolored some around the edges as can be seen in the scans below.

Harmon spent nineteen years as an explorer for the North West Company in the present provinces of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. He kept this account of his travels and adventures "partly for his own amusement, and partly to gratify his friends, who he thought, would be pleased to be informed, with some particularity, on his return, how his time had been employed, during his absence." Harmon's personal impressions of the life of an explorer, therefore, were far more vivid than those recorded in the often dull, official business documents kept by many of his colleagues.

Unfortunately, the integrity of Harmon’s account had been clouded by the pious efforts of the book’s editor, Rev. Daniel Haskel, who stated:

"The following work was furnished to my hand fully written out; and though I have written it wholly over, I should have been much better able to satisfy myself, with respect to its style, if I could as fully have possessed the materials, in the form of notes and sketches, or by verbal recitals."

However, Haskel's labors for a literary, as well as a moral narrative, did not alter the original character of simplicity and authenticity intended by Harmon. The last entry is dated August 18, 1819.

To counteract his "World of disappointments and sorrows," Harmon frequently exchanged letters with neighboring fur traders, noting their activities in his journal. Thus we have recorded the achievements of many influential men, such as David Thompson, Simon Fraser, Roderick McKenzie, and John Stuart.

One such passage from the manuscript copy of Hannon's journal anticipated, perhaps, the most important of all North American exploratory adventures:

November 24, Saturday [1804] A Man arrived from Montagne a la Basse, with a letter from Mr. Chaboillez which informs me that two Captains Clarke & Lewis & one hundred & eighty Soldiers had arrived at the Mandelle [i.e. Mandan] Village on the Missisouri [sic] River -- who invite Mr. Chaboillez to go & pay them a visit (which is only a distance of five or Six Days march from where he is). It is said that on their arrival there they hoisted the American Flag and told the Natives that they were not come among them to traffic, but merely to see the Country, and that as soon as the navigation was open they should continue their route across the Rocky Mountains & then down to the Pacific Ocean. They also made the Natives a few trifling presents, as well as repaired their Guns & Axes &c gratis. Mr Chaboillez writes that they behave remarkably honourably towards his people who are there to traffic with the Natives. This page is presented below.

Doris Stauble is a well-known folk artist famous for her fabric constructions from Victorian ladies' millinery supplies. This is a small creation of various plant parts in a wire sieve with tin handle. Doris is from Wiscasset, ME.

~ 6-1/2" dia., 6" high

This beauty is from a building in St. Joseph, Missouri, which was located next to the original Pony Express Station, which was just down the street from the Jesse James home (comes with guarantee that Jesse stood beneath....just kidding)...This fragment would be a handsome decorative object for almost any decor.  Painted darkest brown over tin with a wood and steel frame for reinforcement.  It is 45 x 86 inches.

Set of fourteen stencils for painting rubber balls. Variably made of bronze, blued steel, and iron, from the Ashland Rubber Company, Ashland, Ohio, circa 1920-40. Sizes range from 10.75" to 4.75" in diameter.

Pair of reverse painted portraits, probably of sisters and possibly Chinese Export, 12" by 9 3/4" including frames which are original but have been re-silvered.One portrait has a slight crack in the glass.

PAIR of hitching post finials, horseheads, cast iron, circa 1880.

Early American candle chandelier found in New England. The turned wood center shaft has old red paint. The arms and candlecups are early tin with great wear.

Apothecary 12 foot long and 8 foot tall apothecary ~ drug store cabinet.  Made circa 1870 and spent most of its career in a drug store in small Kansas town.  There are 48 drawers on the bottom part of the cabinet and all but three have their original porcelain pulls which describe what was housed in each drawer.....such exotic things as: SKUNK CABBAGE, WINTER GREEN, INDIAN TURNIP, BRIMSTONE, UNICORN ROOT, LIFE EVERLAST, GUM KINO, GUTTA PERCHA, EMERY FLOUR, BELLADONNA, BLUE SMALTS, CASSAR BARK, & WORMWOOD.  Oak cabinet is two piece and actually manageable to move when drawers are removed.  It is in original dry finish.

1966 Reprint of "Crofutt's Grip-Sack Guide of Colorado"

The Cubar (R³) Associates (Francis B. Rizzari, Richard A. Ronzio and Charles S Ryland) have been collecting rare photographs and books about the west for over 20 years. Now they are sharing their collections with others interested in its history. In December 1965, they reprinted the rare Williams' Guide to the San Juan Mines of Colorado, 1877. Three extremely rare maps supplemented the Guide.

Now they have reprinted the almost equally rare volume II of Crofutt's Grip-Sack Guide of Colorado, 1885. To this, they have added a pictorial supplement of the towns and railroads as they appeared in the (18)80's. Most of these have never before been published. We believe it will give you as great a thrill as it does them, to take this book and visit some of the towns listed, and compare the photograph in the pictorial section with what is left of the town today.
 

Cubar (R³) Associates
Golden, Colorado

Early day photographers whose pictures we have reprinted include W. H. Jackson, Alex Martin, C. H. Clark, Joseph Collier, the Duhem brothers, T. E. Barnhouse, Charles Goodman, W. G. Chamberlain, George Wakeley, Frank Dean, Ben F. Hawkins, Charles Weitfle and George Mellen.

Illustrations include 14 large views and 52 smaller view. The general index includes: Colorado, Denver, tours by rail (such as, Denver & Rio Grande Railway to Leadville), alphabetical list of  Cities , Towns, Villages, Stations, Mining Camps, Post Roads of Colorado, Ancient Ruins, Glossary of Mining Terms, Irrigating Canals and Stock Raising.

CROFUTT'S GRIP-SACK GUIDE OF COLORADO A COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE STATE RESOURCES AND CONDENSED AUTHENTIC DESCRIPTIONS OF Every City, Town, Village, Station, Post Office and Important Mining Camp in the State; Soda, Sulphur, Hot and Medicinal Springs; Summer, Health and Pleasure Resorts; The Mining, Stock Raising and Farming Interests; WHERE TO HUNT, FISH, AND VIEW THE MOST MAGNIFICENT SCENERY IN THE WORLD. ALTITUDES, DISTANCES, ROUTES AND FARES. In fact it tells you WHAT IS WORTH SEEING, WHERE TO SEE IT, WHERE TO GO, HOW TO GO, WHERE TO STOP AND WHAT IT COSTS. WITH MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY GEO. A. CROFUTT, Author of  "Great trans-Continental Railroad Guide," "Crofutt's Trans-Continental Tourist," "Crofutt's New Overland Tourist," etc. VOL. II - 1885 OMAHA, NEB. The Overland Publishing Co