Around the Web: James Julia Auction

Below are some of the items that were offered this week at the James Julia Auction, Session2.

Revolutionary War Era Tricorn Hat

A difficult object to find for the Revolutionary War collector is an original tricorn hat. The cocked hat was the most popular form of gentleman’s headgear circa 1750-1800. This particular piece of headgear is in fine condition with a hand sewn polished cotton liner, hand sewn leather sweatband, cockade, ribbons and felted edging. The cockade device exhibits a hand embroidered six-pointed star sewn over most likely a brass or pewter button. There is an old pasted ink label inside crown which reads “ASEL STEERE’S PROPERTY”. The research included locates an Asel Steere born 1780 in Gloucester, RI, dying in 1871. Asel had two older brothers William and Richard who would have been 16 and 17 years old at the close of the war. Asel’s father, Stephen, was a Quaker and pacifist and did not serve during the war. Also in records is listed in the 1777 military census the names of 15 different Steere’s including an Asa all aged 16-50 that were able to bear arms. Regardless of who originally owned this hat, if not Asel, the hat still appears to be correct and of the era and we have never see another contemporary tricorn offered for sale and overall condition is excellent for display. 

PROVENANCE: Estate of Siro R. Toffolon, of Old Lyme, CT. 

CONDITION: Very good overall. Insect damage to scattered areas. Nap on velvet ribbons and edging worn and only about 50% intact. Lining and sweatband both fairly sound. 49476-125 

(6,000-8,000)

Two Indian Axes and a Pipe-Tomahawk

This grouping consists of 1) a forged pipe-tomahawk, 18-1/2″ overall, with stamped decoration (head 6-3/4″, 3″ wide). Haft is old, but probably a later addition with brass band at mouthpiece and teardrop-shaped piece at eye along with two long triangular brass insets below head. 2) spiked hatchet on 21-1/2″ haft, head measures 7-1/2″, appears hand forged. 3) Celt with good patina 4-1/2″ long, 3″ across with later attachment to haft with repaired rawhide strapping 18″ overall. 

PROVENANCE: Estate of Siro R. Toffolon, of Old Lyme, CT. 

CONDITION: 1) head has iron patina with rust and pitting. Is loose and slides back on haft. Mouthpiece appears to be a more recent addition. 2) chipping and reductions to one upper corner. Haft exhibits hand worn patina and is well fit. 3) Celt appears to be excavated relic with patina and some chipping on cutting edge as can be seen in photos. Rawhide and wood banding for attachment are broken and re-glued to affix as a tight unit for display. 49476-80 

(2,000-3,000)

Revolutionary War Powder Horn Used by Minuteman Oliver Buttrick at the Battle of Concord, April 19, 1775

In untouched, original condition and inscribed “Oliver Buttrick, OCT. 1774”, this important powder horn was carried at the first battle of the American Revolution. Early in April, 1775 word was passed on to the British command that rebel colonists had amassed arms and powder now hidden in Concord, MA. Lt. Col. Francis Smith was commander of about 700 British army regulars in Boston and on the morning of April 19th an expedition would march from Boston to Concord to capture and destroy these arms. Word of this action was discovered by the colonists and immediately spread to local militias. ...See more here.

PROVENANCE: Oliver Buttrick, 1774, James P. Hughes, Windham, NH before 1883, Robert Thayer, 1994. Exhibited at the Concord Historical Society Museum, 2014 at the “Shot Heard Round the World” Exhibition. 

CONDITION: Very good with original surface, minor cracking and chipping near lip. Wood bezel has two chips which are well patinated as can be seen in photos and glass cover lens has a vertical crack. Original bailing wire loops are still present with smooth iron patina. 49789-5 

(20,000-50,000)

Copy and photo from James Julia.