21st Oct, 2009 12:00
Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Victory)
108
[M] AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING CANE MADE FROM OAK...
AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING CANE MADE FROM OAK RECOVERED FROM THE CELEBRATED U.S. BRIG LAWRENCE, FLAGSHIP AT THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE, 1813
the tapering shaft with inset silvered plaques inscribed Taken from the flag-ship Lawrence. March 5th 1836 / Com. O.H. Perry's victory Lake Erie. Sept. 10th AD1813 / "We have met the enemy and they are ours", pierced for carrying loop and terminating in an ivory handle - 34in. (86.5cm.) Folder of data and provenance
Provenance: The family and thence by descent and auction.
Oliver Hazard Perry (1785-1819) provided the United States with what proved to be the defining victory in her War with Britain in 1812-13. His squadron of nine vessels fought the Royal Navy's six and after a bitter and very bloody action lasting several hours, during which time Perry had been obliged to transfer his flag (parting with the famous order "don't give up the ship") to the Niagra because the Lawrence was so battered. He returned to the Lawrence to receive the surrender. The vessels were anchored and hasty repairs were underway near West Sister Island when Perry composed his now famous message to General Harrison: We have met the enemy and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop. Winning this battle ensured American control of the lake for the remainder of the war, which in turn allowed them to recover Detroit and win the Battle of the Thames to break the Indian confederation of Tecumseh. His younger brother was Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858) who also served with distinction in the U.S. Navy in this war and was the original recipient and owner of this lot. In mid-1815, following the end of hostilities, Lawrence was sunk in Misery Bay on Presque Isle, Pennsylvania in order to preserve her hull. Her submerged hulk was sold in 1825 and, except for a brief examination in 1836, remained underwater for five more decades. By 1836 M.C. Perry was second officer at the New York Navy Yard and it seems highly likely that he was presented with this highly appropriate souvenir of his brother's greatest moment at that time. In September 1875 her remains were raised, cut into sections, and transported by rail to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she was exhibited during The U.S. Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. Her remains were destroyed by a fire during that exhibition, suggesting very little wood from this famous ship survives.
the tapering shaft with inset silvered plaques inscribed Taken from the flag-ship Lawrence. March 5th 1836 / Com. O.H. Perry's victory Lake Erie. Sept. 10th AD1813 / "We have met the enemy and they are ours", pierced for carrying loop and terminating in an ivory handle - 34in. (86.5cm.) Folder of data and provenance
Provenance: The family and thence by descent and auction.
Oliver Hazard Perry (1785-1819) provided the United States with what proved to be the defining victory in her War with Britain in 1812-13. His squadron of nine vessels fought the Royal Navy's six and after a bitter and very bloody action lasting several hours, during which time Perry had been obliged to transfer his flag (parting with the famous order "don't give up the ship") to the Niagra because the Lawrence was so battered. He returned to the Lawrence to receive the surrender. The vessels were anchored and hasty repairs were underway near West Sister Island when Perry composed his now famous message to General Harrison: We have met the enemy and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop. Winning this battle ensured American control of the lake for the remainder of the war, which in turn allowed them to recover Detroit and win the Battle of the Thames to break the Indian confederation of Tecumseh. His younger brother was Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858) who also served with distinction in the U.S. Navy in this war and was the original recipient and owner of this lot. In mid-1815, following the end of hostilities, Lawrence was sunk in Misery Bay on Presque Isle, Pennsylvania in order to preserve her hull. Her submerged hulk was sold in 1825 and, except for a brief examination in 1836, remained underwater for five more decades. By 1836 M.C. Perry was second officer at the New York Navy Yard and it seems highly likely that he was presented with this highly appropriate souvenir of his brother's greatest moment at that time. In September 1875 her remains were raised, cut into sections, and transported by rail to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she was exhibited during The U.S. Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. Her remains were destroyed by a fire during that exhibition, suggesting very little wood from this famous ship survives.
Sold for £3,100
Estimated at £2,500 - £3,500
(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)
AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING CANE MADE FROM OAK RECOVERED FROM THE CELEBRATED U.S. BRIG LAWRENCE, FLAGSHIP AT THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE, 1813
the tapering shaft with inset silvered plaques inscribed Taken from the flag-ship Lawrence. March 5th 1836 / Com. O.H. Perry's victory Lake Erie. Sept. 10th AD1813 / "We have met the enemy and they are ours", pierced for carrying loop and terminating in an ivory handle - 34in. (86.5cm.) Folder of data and provenance
Provenance: The family and thence by descent and auction.
Oliver Hazard Perry (1785-1819) provided the United States with what proved to be the defining victory in her War with Britain in 1812-13. His squadron of nine vessels fought the Royal Navy's six and after a bitter and very bloody action lasting several hours, during which time Perry had been obliged to transfer his flag (parting with the famous order "don't give up the ship") to the Niagra because the Lawrence was so battered. He returned to the Lawrence to receive the surrender. The vessels were anchored and hasty repairs were underway near West Sister Island when Perry composed his now famous message to General Harrison: We have met the enemy and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop. Winning this battle ensured American control of the lake for the remainder of the war, which in turn allowed them to recover Detroit and win the Battle of the Thames to break the Indian confederation of Tecumseh. His younger brother was Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858) who also served with distinction in the U.S. Navy in this war and was the original recipient and owner of this lot. In mid-1815, following the end of hostilities, Lawrence was sunk in Misery Bay on Presque Isle, Pennsylvania in order to preserve her hull. Her submerged hulk was sold in 1825 and, except for a brief examination in 1836, remained underwater for five more decades. By 1836 M.C. Perry was second officer at the New York Navy Yard and it seems highly likely that he was presented with this highly appropriate souvenir of his brother's greatest moment at that time. In September 1875 her remains were raised, cut into sections, and transported by rail to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she was exhibited during The U.S. Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. Her remains were destroyed by a fire during that exhibition, suggesting very little wood from this famous ship survives.
the tapering shaft with inset silvered plaques inscribed Taken from the flag-ship Lawrence. March 5th 1836 / Com. O.H. Perry's victory Lake Erie. Sept. 10th AD1813 / "We have met the enemy and they are ours", pierced for carrying loop and terminating in an ivory handle - 34in. (86.5cm.) Folder of data and provenance
Provenance: The family and thence by descent and auction.
Oliver Hazard Perry (1785-1819) provided the United States with what proved to be the defining victory in her War with Britain in 1812-13. His squadron of nine vessels fought the Royal Navy's six and after a bitter and very bloody action lasting several hours, during which time Perry had been obliged to transfer his flag (parting with the famous order "don't give up the ship") to the Niagra because the Lawrence was so battered. He returned to the Lawrence to receive the surrender. The vessels were anchored and hasty repairs were underway near West Sister Island when Perry composed his now famous message to General Harrison: We have met the enemy and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop. Winning this battle ensured American control of the lake for the remainder of the war, which in turn allowed them to recover Detroit and win the Battle of the Thames to break the Indian confederation of Tecumseh. His younger brother was Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858) who also served with distinction in the U.S. Navy in this war and was the original recipient and owner of this lot. In mid-1815, following the end of hostilities, Lawrence was sunk in Misery Bay on Presque Isle, Pennsylvania in order to preserve her hull. Her submerged hulk was sold in 1825 and, except for a brief examination in 1836, remained underwater for five more decades. By 1836 M.C. Perry was second officer at the New York Navy Yard and it seems highly likely that he was presented with this highly appropriate souvenir of his brother's greatest moment at that time. In September 1875 her remains were raised, cut into sections, and transported by rail to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she was exhibited during The U.S. Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. Her remains were destroyed by a fire during that exhibition, suggesting very little wood from this famous ship survives.
Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Victory), 21st Oct, 2009
