Sold for $1,397

Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium

Lot Description

American School, Mid-19th Century

The Ship of War Columbia
watercolor on paper
faintly dated 6th mo 12th 1862, lower right, with inscription Home of My Youth, lower left
inscribed The Columbia, first-rate ship / of War mounting 104 carriage Guns, the / right noble Jacob McCracken Lord High / Admiral of Ponunkechunk, owner, upper left, with faint initials and date, S. D. 1798
16 3/4 x 21 inches.

The ship flies three 13-star American flags, featuring unusual blue stripes and a 3-2-3-2-3 star arrangement, first seen in Matthias Chrisitan Sprengel's Almanac of 1784. Such flags were later used as naval ensigns during the late nineteenth century when employing flags with accurate star counts rendered them too small for visibility at sea. Also depicted are a Union flag without the Cross of St. Andrew, used until 1801, and an early nineteenth-century Irish flag.

Condition Report

Framed: 21 1/2 x 26 inches.

Not fully examined outside frame out of concern for stability of ground. Seemingly significant embrittlement after prior exposure to water, with several areas of buckling, cockles, puckers, spotting, and damp staining throughout. Colors are reasonably bright but often with areas of bleeding. Verso shows multiple areas of repaired tears and reinforcements, including along upper left edge, where additional losses also present. Few holes along bottom edge of boat. Frame with scratching and finish loss throughout.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Hindman.

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