James E Routh, Jr.

James E. Routh, Jr. passed away today at the age of 98. Jim was know for his collection of American Powder Horns. Some of the Powder Horns from Jim's collection can be seen here. Jim was also known for his drawings and printmaking.

"Mississippi Delta"

Jim, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, created several lithographs in 1940 based on sketches made that year during a tour of the South, which was supported by a Rosenwald Fund fellowship. One of these lithographs, Mississippi Delta, is housed at theGeorgia Museum of Art in Athens. Routh studied at the Art Students League with Sternberg and painter Raphael Soyer, and under the guidance of Will Barnet at the League, he learned how to print lithographs. He and Barnet printed lithographs for both students and established artists alike at the League.

Eternal rest grant unto Jim, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

James E. Routh, Jr. Collection

The display by Mel Hankla at the Baltimore Show, 2009. The collection will be at the KRA show in June at Carlisle, Pa.

The Frietrich Leppert Horn

Palatine German Influence - Tryon County, New York - Mohawk River Valley, 1782

INSCRIPTION TRANSLATION: “ When mine hour has come I shall go my way to Lord Jesus Christ. He will not allow my soul, which I entrust to his keeping, to go unaccompanied on my last journey. ”

The Johan Schreibber Horn

Engraved by Frietrich Leppert- Tryon County, New York - Mohawk River Valley, 1782

INSCRIPTION TRANSLATION: “Herkimer’s battle in the year 1777, Aug 6. My wife Rebecca and my children Elizabeth, Abraham, Maria Schreibber were captured in the year 1780, Aug 7. The 77 Psalm, 11 Verse: But I said I must endure this: The right hand of the highest can change everything. Johan Steffahn Schreibber in the year 1782, Oct 28 – F.L.”

The Stephen Tambling Horn

Lake George School of Carving - Crown Point, New York - August 4, 1761

INSCRIPTION:

Courteous Lady these lines I do present

Unto you to give your Heart Content

Not only this but willingly would kneel

The first letter of each line to feel

The Capt. James Abercrombie Horn

Lake George School of Carving- Sandyhook, New York - June 16, 1757

INSCRIPTION: Capt. James Abercrombie’s Horn made at Sandyhook Ye 16th June on Board the Ship Sheffield

The Jabez Gooddel Horn

Siege of Boston School - New York, New York, area - June 7, 1776

INSCRIPTION: Jabez Gooddel’s Horn Made June Ye 7th A.D. 1776
To arms to arms O Free Born Sons Exert the Sword and Spear.
Oppose the Tyrant and bands: Defend your rights Most Dear
Street firing
Make ready
Present
Fire

Eager the Soldier meet his desperate foe
With an Intent to fire the Fatal Blow
The cause he fights For Animate him high
Names Religion and a dear Liberty
For These he conquers or more bravely dies
And Yields himself A willing Sacrifice.

The Jabez Gooddel horn, if was first published The Magazine Antiques in 1925. It was on exhibit at Fort Ticonderoga for many years. Is reputed to be the finest Rev War horn in existence.

The Jacob Struble Horn

American Folk Art - Attributable to Pennsylvania - Circa 1775 – 1800

INSCRIPTION: “Iacob Strubles horn” the bust of a woman, followed by the bust of seven men; houses, an elongated scene showing farm animals, fowl a church, servants, a fortification and a deer on a rooster back.

Thomas Shearer Horn

Southern Theater School - Charleston, South Carolina - February 3, 1772

INSCRIPTION: Thomas * Shearer February 3, 1772

Charlestown, Suth Cirlenea, Asshely River

Cuppere River, Neuberui, Ft. Johnston

The William Latham Horn

Siege of Boston School - Roxbury, Massachusetts – 1775

INSCRIPTION: William * Latham * His Horn Made*
PooR Charls Town, Castle William
Cambredg ~ Fort Roxbury ~ Fort Brockline

A second - William Latham Horn

Siege of Boston School - Roxbury, Massachusetts – 1775

INSCRIPTION: William * Latham * His * Horn
Made * At * Roxbury * Camp * In
The*Year*Of*Our*Lord*1775

Copy, top two photos and The Johan Schreibber Horn supplied by Mel Hankla, all other photos by Jan Riser.

James E. Routh, Jr.

Jim Routh, a perceptive and talented artist, became fascinated by the artistic as well as the historical appeal of beautifully engraved powder horns. Over many years, he has built an accomplished, diverse collection of horns representing different regional styles and talents from the 1750’s to the 1780’s. Each of his nine horns has been carefully selected with the keen eye of a connoisseur and the sensitivity of a fine artist who recognizes and appreciates the efforts of those artists who created his wonderful collection two hundred years earlier.

William H. Guthman ~ 1999

Photo supplied by Mel Hankla.