Collectibles and Curiosities

PRESENTING A RARE EDITION hardback copy of The Epic of America by James Truslow Adams, Illustrated by M.J. Gallagher, Published by Little, Brown and Company of Boston in 1932. Con...

These are a wonderful addition to a library or study! The two books date to 1777 or the era of George III. At first glance, I thought they were Italian, but upon further study, they ...

19th century Italian Confraternity Voting Urn of Tuscan origin realized with turned and carved poplar wood. The barrel-shaped central body, in which hands were inserted to insert the ballot ball into one of the two holes connected to the small drawer below, where on the front we find the inscription YES and NO related to voting, SI and NO, in order to distinguish for and against votes on paper, then collected in two separate small drawers, just below. Standing on four curly feet, it has a beautiful curved handle and carved parts at both ends, highlighted by ebonized details. In a fraternity, this ballot box was used to collegially adjudicate community choices. In good age related condition, with sogns of wear and use. This antique Italian ballot wooden box, carved and painted, coming from Tuscany, in Central Italy. This ballot urn is an excellent example of a 19th century wooden voting box...

A George III shaped circular silver salver, plain within a shell and scrolling wave border and outer gadrooned edge, engraved with the royal coat of arms, crest and motto (period 1714-1800) of King George III and, on the reverse with a presentation inscription: For the Launching of His Majestys sloop ‘Otter’ 14 Gunns 305 Tonns 26 October 1767 & His Majestys ship ‘Egmont’ 74 Gunns 1643 Tonns 29 August 1768 by Mr Adam Hayes Master Shipwright of his Majestys yard at Deptford; further monogrammed A*H P A*M. Hallmarked for Benjamin Cartwright, London, 1769 Adam Hayes (1710-1785) began his career as ship’s carpenter in Centurion during Commodore Anson’s famous voyage around the world...

A George III gallery magnifying glass, the circular glass within a mahogany frame, the baluster handle screwing into a brass bracket in the rim, the handle with a brass collar. Engli...

This is an antique folding London map. An English, paper on linen cartographical study of the London metropolis and the surrounding area, published in the mid Georgian period, dated ...

A fabulous quality early 19th century mahogany stick barometer by Girolimo of London, having an architectural top with a central brass finial, rectangular silvered dial with a glazed and hinged door, the dial itself displays weather notations and has a mercury thermometer...

Pair 19th century French cast brass Altar candlesticks were crafted with images of the Holy Family in glorious full relief on the three facade...

PRESENTING A FABULOUS Original hand-written Letter from Theodore Dreiser dated 19 Dec 1916 to Eliza Calvert Hall. The letter is entirely hand written with pen and signed by the re...

Vintage model wood house featuring front portico and door with many windows and four dormers. House has interior bulb that functions to light interior a...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique enamel and English silver filigree box; an addition to our silver ornamental collection. This except...

PRESENTING A RARE and FULLY AUTHENTIC General William Tecumseh Sherman Autograph. Last page of a hand written letter, circa 1885-1890. P...

The Bucket is worn overall in keeping with its function. A round leather covered bucket with black leather strap and painted British royal crest. W...

A Rare George III pocket globe by T. Harris and Son, London, 1813. Housed in the original sharkskin case. A fasinsting and rare item in wonderful condition. The terrestrial globe inscribed 'New Terrestrial Globe By T.Harris and Sons 1813' rotates on its axes inside a hinged black shagreen case. The concave interior of the case applied with the engraved celestial charts of the Northern and Southern skies and depictatioins of the symbols of Zodiac. The Harris family — Thomas Harris (d. 1837) and his son William Harris (1797-1846) — were London opticians who also sold and later produced terrestrial and celestial globes. Initially, Thomas Harris was principally an optician and mathematical instrument maker. He was joined, and then succeeded, by William in...

An Extremely Rare Mid 18th Century, George II Period Elm Table Top, Miniature, Bureau Retaining Exceptional Colour And Patina To Figured Timber Throughout, Having Fall Front Enclosin...

A very large George III rosewood gallery magnifying glass, the circular glass within a rosewood frame, the baluster handle screwing into a brass bracket in the rim. English, circa 18...

An Attractive 18th century Georgian, Mahoghany Miniature chest, having two short and three long drawers with original turned wooden knobs, raised on original shaped bracket feet. Almost certainly made by an apprentice looking to showcase his skills to a prospective employer at an established cabinet making workshop, this georgian miniature chest of drawers has real charm and character to it. Normally antique miniature furniture...

An extremely attractive and very good quality late 18th century, Georgian, oak miniature chest, having well figured rectangular top, over two short and three long drawers retaining original turned wooden knobs, flanked by elegant half turned columns, raised on elegant original shaped bracket feet. A beautifully charming little piece of 18th century miniature furniture, constructed from rich, warm oak timbers which retain an exceptional colour and patina, it boasts original handles and feet. Almost certainly it was made as a sample piece of furniture originally. There is regular debate over whether miniature furniture was made as an apprentice piece, which is when a craftsmen who was looking for a job at a workshop would create something to showcase their talents. Or whether it was made as a travelling salesman...

Carved Wood Model of a Locomotive showcased in a glazed and painted wood case. This intricately crafted piece captures the essence of a locomotive with stunning attention to detail. ...

Broadway Musical Martin Gottfried 1984 hardcover book.Large heavy book. A colorful tribute to the great Broadway shows of our time. Profusely illustrated in color. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Title Broadway Musicals Author Gottfried, Martin Format/Binding Hardcover Binding Hardcover Publisher Harry N. Abrams Place Of Publication NY Date Published 1984 395 illustrations, 112 in full color. Great oversized heavy coffee table art book. A true treasure of a book. This is a very large book, and not just width wise. It is very tall too. There are many pictures, a lot of them in color. They have some of the rarest flops featured toward the back of the book, and the classics are all here too. Some high points are the run-through of how they make (made) "Annie" run every night. There is also a synopsis of "Hello Dolly" which helpful since I have only seen the movie. There is a flaw though, and it is not insignificant. The author does not separate fact from opinion. Example: "Sweeney Todd does not hold a place in the theater". This book came out the same year "Sweeney Todd" did(1979), so it might be just a bit early to say that. Obviously, he is a critic, but he should have took that hat off ,and taken on the role of an author who looks at the facts.("Sweeney" is just one of the hows that gets criticized.) Colorful entertaining masterpiece with many of these Broadway Musicals some of them are THE WIZ...

19th C original painted decorated doll or jewelry chester drawers. Decorated in the 20's or 30's.

Vampyre, The Terrifying Lost Journal of Dr. Cornelius Van Helsing by Knight, Mary-Jane. Published by Harper Collins, 2007. Vampyre! The name alone strikes terror into the hearts of...

Rare collection of 35 plaster casts from XIX century, as Grand Tour Souvenir. I found them like this: You can put them in frame according to the size...

Vintage Adirondak Pro Ring number 302, Ken Landreaux Big Stick Flame Treated wooden baseball bat with brass plaque “To Commemorate the 51st All Star Game Dodger Stadium Los Angeles, ...

Made in the Philippines, in the style of Theodore Alexander. A tapering cylindrical fluted support with a banded round top and an inlaid compass. With a gilt faux tan leather apron w...

PRESENTING AN HISTORIC AND EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND IMPORTANT American Civil War Collection consisting of: (1) ORIGINAL and FULLY AUTHENTIC Confederate Field Map of Richmond, VA 1864 belonging to Capt W.A. Obenchain C.S. Engineers, (2) ORIGINAL and FULLY AUTHENTIC Surrender/Parole Paper for Capt. W.A. Obenchain dated 1st May 1865 at Greensboro, NC (3) ORIGINAL and FULLY AUTHENTIC Pamphlet for Hillsborough Military Academy, NC with Major W.M. A. Obenchain listed as 'Military Staff'. These ALL belonged to Captain (later promoted to rank of Major) William Alexander Obenchain and the battlefield map was his 'personal' field map for the Battle of the Richmond Peninsula in 1864, at the end of the US Civil War...

A very attractive and charming 18th century, George II Period, walnut and oak miniature bureau, having elegant inlaid decoration and original brasswea...

"John Stobart (British b. 1929) paintings and limited edition prints are collected around the world and seen by visitors of the Peabody Museum in Massachusetts and the Portland Museum in Maine. He is well known maritime artist known for images of ports and vessels as they were in the great era of sail and stream". SAVANNAH Moonlight over the Savannah River in 1850 depicting a view of Savannah...

Early 19th century mahogany stick barometer by Tagliaue & Torre of 294 Holborn, London, having an architectural top with a central brass finial, rectangular silvered dial with a glazed and hinged door, the dial itself displays weather notations and has a mercury thermometer...

This is a gilt bronze/brass double apothecary scale. It depicts an upside down bronze Corinthian column that holds two different set of balance brass ...

Decorate a living room, library or study with this important antique painting. Created in Italy circa 1850, and set in the original carved gilt wood frame, the hand painted canvas titled "Madonna of the Harpies", depicts the Virgin Mary holding her Child, our Lord, Jesus Christ; She is flanked by Saint John the Evangelist, and either Saint Francis or Saint Bonaventure. The large religious painting...

American Impressionism Hardcover Book by William H. Gerdts. American Impressionism Book by William H. Gerdts Hardcover Book. Lavishly illustrated with more than 400 paintings by 125 different artists, this volume contains documentary photographs of the artists and quotations from their private letters and journals complementing the text. Good copy bound in cloth with an equally fine dust wrapper. 336 pages; Beginning with a brief prelude discussing the roots of Impressionism in America and its relationship to French Impressionism, Gerdts recounts the early adventures of American artists in Claude Monet's village of Giverny, evaluates Impressionism's progress from an avant-garde aesthetic to its triumph during the 1813 Chicago World Fair and its replacement by the radical styles of Cubism and Futurism. Also studies how Impressionism flourished across the United States and includes an exhaustive bibliography. Among the masters reproduced are Childe Hassam, John Twachtman...

Remarkable in scale and artistry, this George III-style cup and cover was created by the famed London silversmith Hannah Northcote. Set on a circular foot and taking the form of a vase, the cup features two leaf-capped handles and a detachable domed cover crowned with a bud finial. Astounding in craftsmanship given the scarcity of gold at the time of its creation, the sentimental message engraved within the frontal cartouche indicates the prestigious provenance that further distinguishes this cup. Originally commissioned by Robert Peel, the father of 19th century British Prime Minister Robert Peel, the gold cup...

Great image of helmets Copper-plate engraving Published C.1820 Unframed.

Scale 1/8”=1’. A very well crafted and detailed model of the 1812 Schooner with Cannons, Hatches, Rigging and Life Boat. Fine Museum quality with descriptive engraved plaque. Please ...

Classics : U. S. Aircraft of World War II by Walter J. Boyne, Mark Meyer. A must for any WWII buff, this collection boasts photographs of restored aircraft and interviews with the men who flew them. The pilots discuss training, missions, and even capture and imprisonment. 115 color and 40 b&w archival...

Beautiful and Collectible Vintage 1968 Hardback Time Life Library of Art “The World of Rembrandt” Book. The World of Rembrandt 1606-1669 by Robert Wallace. New York, NY, Time Life ...

A perfect elegant vintage American evening bag! All beaded by Whiting & Davis Co. - For You, now. With classic style and color, this vintage ...

Albert Gast upright piano with a quartered, walnut case and ornate, brass candlesticks. Entire cabinet inlaid in neoclassical designs. Piano has an eighty-eight keyboard and two pedals. Front panel features inlay of a central urn surrounded by scrolling acanthus and flowers. The cabinet pilasters are carved Corinthian style with a palmette flourish. The scroll piano cheeks are carved with curlicue strapwork and inlaid with foliage and flowers. The piano legs...

A fine antique 18th century map of the North American seaboard. Entitled "A New Map of North America from the Latest Discoveries 1763". By the Cartographer/Engraver - John Spil...

Schiedmayer grand piano with a french polished, burr walnut cabinet. The burr walnut is figured creating rippled patterns in the veneer reminiscent of oil on water. The serpentine piano cheek features carvings of scrolling foliage, spirals and a dual linear case moulding that borders the cabinet in high relief. The cut-out filigree music desk...

Wonderfully distressed books with a lovely color of boards and equally beautiful fore edges. They are random volumes of The Encyclopedia Britannica...

Early 19th century butchers steelyard for weighing scale. A good original industrial piece, the balance has blacksmith made sliding hook for adjustm...

An important and striking Walnut Chest dating from the Early 18th Century with fine color and original hardware. The slightly overhanging top over three graduated long drawers that l...

Map of Wiltshire Drawn & Engraved by Joshua Archer Pentonville London Window Parts of Wiltshire in Berkshire Explanation of Salisbury County Divisions

A fine antique brass handled aspersory or holy water container dating from the 18th or 19th century. Probably British, the aspersory is made in solid b...

Moments with Jackie by Jean Mills hardcover book Barnes & Noble Books, 1999 - Celebrities - 120 pages. Stunning black-and-white photography accompanies a close-up portrait of Jacqu...

New shipment of over 200 leather bound books in English, photo's are of sets. Preconditioned as we fully condition all of our books before they go out. Also have an extensive collect...

An extremely rare, exquisite architectural model of a Doric column England, third quarter of 18th century. Why we like it Exquisitely carved and having accents picked out in gold, this extremely rare survivor from the golden era of Classical architecture in Britain was perhaps intended for an architect's office, or for a study of a gentleman architect, such as Lord Burlington (1694–1753), who was famously known as the "Apollo of the Arts" and the "Architect Earl". Such exquisite and decorative objects were copied from ancient Greek and Roman originals, that aspiring architects could see and draw during their 'Grand Tour' in Italy, Greece, Ottoman Empire and etc. The only other comparable example of such rare objects that we came across was a set of three columns, previously owned by the late Sir Albert Richardson (1880–1964), architect, historian, writer, artist, teacher and sometime President of the Royal Academy –  sold by Christie’s London, 19 September...

A rare, late-18th century, silk, embroidered, double hemisphere, world map, blackwork, sampler, showing the tracks of captain cook’s three voyages - Illustrating public understanding of the world in the late-18th century and the recent discoveries of the time delineating the tracks of Captain Cook’s three voyages. - Shows the incentive for further exploration during the 19th century as no mass is indicated within the southern polar region, the interior portions of western North America, Africa, and Australia are still relatively void of detail even though California is no longer shown as an island. - Includes beautifully worked allegories of the four continents Asia, the Americas, Africa & Europe, a cartouche being supported by two angels and a compass - The cream, silk ground is finely embroidered with a variety of stiches in black, silk threads emulating the black ink on maps. -“Recent international conflicts and voyages by Captain Cook and others made the study of geography exciting at the time this map was made. Elaborate embroidered maps...

Remembering Jackie: A Life in Pictures Hardcover – January 1, 1994 by Life Magazine. Uses photographs to trace the life of the former first lady, including her childhood, marriage, ...

An extremely rare, exquisite Grand Tour-inspired architectural model of a Corinthian column England, third quarter of 18th century. Why we like it Exquisitely carved and having acce...

A fine quality example of a mercury wheel barometer. A mahogany case. A wider and deeper case with an opening door for the long scale thermometer with silvered dial. A silvered engraved dial signed 'J.B.Sala, Holborn'. Circa 1820. The banjo barometer is also known as the wheel barometer. It was invented by Robert Hooke...

New Classic Interiors by Alessandra Branca hardcover coffee table book in Box Sleeve. Abrams, Dec 15, 2018 - Architecture - 272 pages. For Alessandra Branca, living means living comfortably. Growing up in Rome, Branca was always surrounded by exquisite art and architecture. She learned early on that beauty is meant to intermingle with everyday life, and to this day her interior designs, while abiding by classical principles, comfortably accommodate her clients’ lifestyles. “You can’t just do something that looks pretty,†? she says. “It has to work.†? In this book, the designer—based in Chicago—generously reveals her step-by-step creative process, offering invaluable guidance to anyone who wants a home that is both gorgeous and livable. Beginning with her own Chicago townhouse and interweaving insights drawn from several other prominent projects, she shows how she assesses each space’s form and function, selects foundation elements, chooses furniture and lighting, and, finally, incorporates decorative elements that reflect the resident’s personality. Illustrated with 200 lush photographs, the book offers a welcomes introduction to Branca’s enchanting and livable interiors. Great book for inspiring rooms, very knowledgeable and Alessandra Branca gives a wealth of information when it comes to decorating your spaces. Ms. Branca teaches you how she decorates for her clients!! This book is a must for someone who likes to decorate their own spaces.Alessandra Branca is an extremely talented designer. Dressmaking type details abound in the photographs in this book. She is just a cut above many designers out there. New Classic Interiors starts off in Rome (her birthplace), then on to Chicago, and New York. There are great photos of projects and diagrams. The text is interesting and you will learn why certain things were created the way they were, her opinions on lighting, and general design information that make her rooms just a cut above other designs. If I had to be critical at all, it would be the use of red. This use to be one of my favorite home and clothing colors, but now blue reigns. Alessandra is heavily invested in the color red, and uses it magnificently! As a passionate collector of interior design books...

Antique forty six star large wool American flag by Horstmann Company, circa 1908-1912. Horstmann firm was founded by William H. Horstmann (1785-1850), who had immigrated to Philadelphia from Germany. Horstmann bought out a local swordmaker in 1828 and thereafter entered the military goods field. The firm benefitted from the Civil War, becoming the largest military goods supplier in the nation by 1864. WILLIAM H. HORSTMANN & SONS, Manufacturers of Dress Trimmings and Military Goods. 5th & Cherry Streets, Philadelphia, PA. This house was founded, in 1815, by William H. Horstmann, a native of Cassel, in Germany. He had learned the trade of silk-weaving in France, and, emigrating to the United States in the above-mentioned year, established himself in Philadelphia as a manufacturer of fringe, laces and trimmings of various kinds. He married the daughter of Frederick Hoeckly, a German settler in Philadelphia, and also a manufacturer of fringe, coach-lace and tassels. He devised several improvements in this trade, especially by introducing varieties in the styles and patterns of this class of goods, there being at that time only two patterns used in the trade, which were known as the Jefferson pattern and the Monroe pattern. In 1824, he introduced into this country from Germany the use of plaiting or braiding machines, and about the same time he was the first to introduce into this country the use of the Jacquard loom, for weaving patterns in textile fabrics. His location was in the first instance at No. 50 North Third street, but within a short time he removed to a store next to the Harp and Crown tavern, afterwards known as the City hotel, and continued his business within a short distance of this point for many years. In 1828, he commenced the manufacture of military trimmings as a special department, and this branch has grown to most important proportions, Horstmann's military goods being in demand throughout time country. The firm have also executed large Government contracts in this line for the War and Navy Departments. In 1831, he established a branch house in New York city, and about the same time erected a factory at the corner of Germantown road and Columbia avenue. The factory was continued here until time erection of the extensive building at Fifth and Cherry streets, where the works, salesrooms and offices of time firm now are. This massive structure is six stories high, and extends 140 feet on Fifth street and 200 on Cherry street, and reaches back to Race street. The separate departments into which the business is divided are thirty in number. More than 1000 distinct looms and machines are in use in the building, many of them very costly and some invented and used exclusively by this firm, the motive power being supplied by a steam engine of fifty horse power. The area covered by the works is about 11,000 square feet. Time number of hands employed is very large, about 500. When the erection of a vast factory at this point was first proposed, a strong opposition was made by time holders of the neighboring property. The ancient German Lutheran Church and burying ground, since removed, stood opposite the site, and a bill was introduced into the Legislature to forbid the use of a steam engine within 100 yards of any place of worship. The interests which such a bill would have affected injuriously, especially those of several newspapers, roused a strong opposition to it, and it failed to become a law. In 1845, William H. Horstmann, the founder of the house, retired from the business, and his two sons, William and Sigmund, assumed the management and it was under their direction that the new building, above described, was erected. The goods produced by this house are of almost endless extent and variety. They include goods woven from all the various textile fibres—cotton, wool, silk, etc.—in every style, color and pattern, and are used for an infinite number of purposes. Narrow woven goods are time staple production, made up into material for dresses for both sexes, for use in daily life, and for regalia for ""societies;"" for the costumes of the stage, the upholstering of houses and of carriages, the uniforms of soldiers, together with equipments for the same, and for funeral purposes. The raw material used in the manufacture is to a great extent very costly, and their store rooms often hold as much as $200,000 worth of goods in an unworked state. There are two rooms devoted to power looms in the factory, one for coach lace and one for other styles of weaving, in which about 250 of these machines are constantly running. The braiding machines in the coach lace room are very noteworthy. The cord to be covered with braid is drawn through an opening in time middle of a flat, circular, metallic plate, about 15 inches across. Up to a point on this cord, about a foot above the plate, the threads of the braiding material converge, like the ribs of a tent-roof, and there weave in and out and out and in, as the coating of braid grows, and time covered cord rises and is wound away above. The weaving is accomplished by the motion of the spools below that carry the different threads of the braid. These spools stand in uprights, which are carried round and amongst each other in curved slots in the above-mentioned broad metallic plate. All but two of these spools run in and out among each other, with a swift, easy and intricate motion, mind so rapid that time eye can hardly follow it, while one or two special spools run steadily round and round among time twisting spools with the most extreme swiftness. Many other machines, displaying equally ingenious mechanism, are used in the factory. The various details of equipment manufactured and supplied by this house are also important, both for their number and the superior quality of the manufacture. The one article of swords may be taken as an instance. This trade grew naturally and immediately out of the established army and navy goods department of the works, it being necessary that the sword itself should be furnished together with the sword-belt and other trappings all complete. Every part of the sword and trappings, with the exception of the blade, is made on the premises. The blades are almost all imported from the ancient German sword-blade emporium of Solingen, where, it is said, swords have been made ever since the year 1147, when Count Adolphus of Berg brought home from the East and established there the business of forging Damascus blades. There is in this department a stock of some thousands of blades, of many different patterns and sizes, ready to be set and finished. Any style or sword can be had from this warehouse, from the plainest kind up to a presentation sword...

An exceptionally rare, museum quality Maltese, Neoclassical walnut chest of drawers with ebonised & fruitwood inlaid maltese cross on the top and drawer fronts Maltese furniture of this period is exceptional reflecting the status and affluence of the island. Given the size of the island relatively little Maltese furniture was made in comparison to Europe & American mainland. Minature furniture is rare made either as a model or an apprentice's piece so it is extremely rare to find a minature piece from Malta bearing the Maltese cross. This minature commode is highly original with beautiful proportions, ornamentation and patination. The 'H' shaped top with a large centered inlaid Maltese Cross and a border of stringing. The breakfront fitted with three drawers each with stringing and inlaid six point stars centrally positioned behind the wooden knobs. The uprights with two continuous vertical bands of stringing ebonised and fruitwood from the top to the bottom of the drawers in walnut to match the front of the chest and then reverting to ebonising and fruitwood down the feet. Terminating in tapering feet. The panelled sides with a repeat of the double banding on the uprights and rectangular borders within the panels. The oak lined drawers with the original 18th century blue paper lining. Measures: length 27 cm 10 1/2", height 24 cm 9 1/2", depth 20 cm 8". Maltese Cross: The Maltese cross is a symbol that is most commonly associated with the Knights of Malta (also known as the Knights Hospitallers...

A fine antique magnifying glass or loupe. The frame comprised of horn (likely from a steer or ram). The magnifying glass is be rotated in and out of the cover protecting the lens while not in use. Simply a great antique magnifier...

A Charming and Relatively rare mid 18th century, Georgian, oak miniature kneehole desk, having seven drawers with original turned brass knobs flanking central cupboard door with geometric inlaid decoration. Often there is debate over miniature furnitures original purpose. Was it was made as an apprentice piece, which is where somebody who is looking for a job in a workshop would create something to showcase their talents, or was it made as a travelling salesman...