American Nautical Objects

A silver gilt Newport Yacht Racing Association won by Columbia, 1901. This silver-gilt trophy is a two-handled ‘loving cup’ with a gilded interior and flowerhead adorned scroll handles. The lower body and foot have repoussé spiral gadrooning and rocailles. Inscribed on one side ‘Newport Yacht Racing Association, August 1st 1901 won by Columbia’. Stamped ‘1899 Sterling Howard & Co’ and ‘William B. Durgin’. American. Weight: 58 oz. Height: 10½ in (27cm) Width: 11¾ in (30cm) Diameter: 6¼ in (16cm) Provenance: John Pierpont Morgan (1837-1915) – the financier, to his son John Pierpont Morgan Jr. (1867-1943) – ‘Jack’, to his son Junius Spencer Morgan (1892-1960) – to his son John P. Morgan II (1918-2006) Columbia, built by the Herreshoff Company, Rhode Island, was a legendary yacht, one of a tiny number of vessels to successfully defend the America’s Cup. Her first victory was in 1899 and her second victory against Independence on 1st August 1901, commemorated by this trophy, is viewed as an unofficial trial for the forthcoming race which she also won. The owner of Independence, Thomas W. Lawson, desperate to beat his rival, reputedly made the extraordinary offer of $100,000 to his crew in the event of their beating Columbia and securing their own chance to race in the America’s Cup. The race was organised by the Newport Yacht Racing Association and Columbia began as favourite. The race started two hours later than expected due to a lack of wind and Columbia quickly established a considerable lead. She won by as much as a mile. Lawson was so disgusted by the performance of his yacht that she was entirely stripped down after the race...

This is a large antique ship's wheel. An American, cast iron and beech nautical helm, dating to the mid Victorian period, circa 1860. Fascinating wheel from the time of the Americ...

Magnetic compass on universal joint mounted on a wooden board. The compass was produced in 1940 by the Lionel Corporation N.Y. Company for the U.S. Navy. Navy Bu Ships 4-inch Boat Co...

Taylor Instruments, 1950s 'Navigator Compass', model number 2957 Grey plastic, chrome. Very good original condition. Boxed. Appears unused. A super little collector's item and fun desk...

Small travel compass of chromed brass, supplied to the US army during the First World War, on the lid you read Eng: Dept U.S.A. 1918, in the shape of a pocket watch, an instrument co...

Historical photography of the Fitzgerald sailboat with 17 people on board, circa 1930. Very good condition. Cm 24 x 19.5. Shipping is insured by Lloyd's London.  

Magnetic compass on universal joint mounted on a wooden board. The compass was produced in 1940 by the Lionel Corporation N.Y. Company for the U.S. Navy. Navy Bu Ships 4-inch Boat Co...

19th century Jonah and the whale mechanical bank A non-functioning cast iron mechanical bank with original paint. Made by Sheppard Hardware, Buffa...

Pocket compass for an American army officer of the First World War of chromed brass in the shape of a pocket watch, signed WITTNAUER. The compass is equipped with a lid with snap clo...

Brass telescope with leather-covered handle, signed Williams Brown Carle Inc Philadelphia from the second half of the 19th century. Focus with three extensions complete with dust fla...

Pelorus made in 1920s of brass, signed Kelvin & Wilfrid O. White Co. Boston and New York complete with original mahogany box. It is an azimuth dial equipped with a compass used to de...

Lithograph with frame of a photo by Daniel Forster of 2001 America’s Cup. Frame size 55.5 x 39.5 cm - 21.8 x 15.55 inches, frame thickness 1.8 cm...