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Lot 153
Brass Boxlock Percussion Door Alarm, with spoon handle front lever, hammer with chained safety pin, mounted on wooden block; and another stamped G.J.B. PATENT, the action intended to be tripped by an opening door (top of folding hammer spur missing). The first 9.5” maximum; the last 3”. Average good condition, both polished bright.
Lot 49
3x Assorted 19th Century African Tribal Knives, the first Salampasu (head hunters) with swollen shaped blade of conventional form, carved wooden hilt with fluted pommel and bobbin carved grip; a Yaka tribal knife with slightly swollen blade cut with narrow fullers, skin covered grip and scabbard, the former with cage-work pommel and cylindrical iron finial; another Yaka tribal knife with conventional blade and skin covered hilt with brass studs, cage-work pommel and tall iron finial; and the iron shoe from a Masai lion spear. Average good condition.
Lot 135
Boxlock Percussion Pocket Pistol, turn off barrel Birmingham proved, slab walnut grip; together with a Bosnian dagger jambya, 20th century, hilt of horn, bone and brass layers with inlaid decoration, in its engraved brass sheath. The first overall 17cms, barrel 7cms; the second overall 22 ¾ cms, blade 12cms. Good condition. (2 items)
Lot 169
American Pistol-Size Copper Powder Flask, common top, fixed nozzle charge, body embossed with eagle above US shield and motto; and another similar, top deformed and charger missing, body embossed with US martial trophy, containing a credible hand-written note ‘This powder Horn (sic) belonged to a Cherokee Indian of Southern Nevada. U.S.A.’. The first 5.5”, second 5”. Good condition. (2 items)
Lot 23
Afghan/Pathan Dagger Pesh Kabz, 19th Century, T-section blade with engraved decoration, iron grip-strap, 2 piece brass and horn grips; and a decorative Pakistani brass adze (not old) with steel blade and decorated with applied birds and a deer’s head. The first 36cms with 25cms blade; the second 25cms. Good condition. (2 items)
Lot 583
First Edition - A leather bound book entitled 'Ramblings In The Elucidation Of The Autograph Of Milton' by Samuel Leigh Sotheby. Printed by Thomas Richards London. Various plates throughout, set within a green leather binding with gilt tooled work with front and back having engraved wooden plates referring to Paradise. Measures 37cm long by 27cm wide.
Lot 1332
Tom Carr (British 1912-1977) - A pair of original 20th Century coloured drypoint etchings of hunting interest. The first entitled ' The Ditch ' with rider and horse leaping in pursuit with hounds signed, titled and numbered 3/75. The other entitled ' Breaking Cover ' depicting similar scenes also signed titled and numbered 68/75. Both framed and glazed. Measures: 41cm x 51cm.
Lot 16
JADE WARRIOR - RELEASED AND JADE WARRIOR LPs - ORIGINAL UK PRESSINGS (VERTIGO SWIRL - 6360 062 & 6360 033). The first 2 x original UK Vertigo swirl pressing LPs from Jade Warrior, both highly presentable copies. Titles are Released (6360 062 - super clean Ex+ or archive record, showing very few markings even under intense LED lighting/VG+ solid condition 6 panel fold out sleeve with one light tear on the top of the 'spine' section) and Jade Warrior (large swirl 6360 033 - brill Ex+ record with only a couple of very faint and wispy marks noted/Ex strong condition gatefold sleeve, a little minor scuffing).
Lot 65
THE RATS - SPOONFUL 7" - ORIGINAL UK DEMO (COLUMBIA - DB 7483). Immaculate condition original UK 7" demo from The Rats - Mick Ronson's first band! The record (Columbia white/red labels, DB 7483) is in brilliant Ex+ or 'NM' condition with an extremely minor hairline mark running with the groove towards the start of the B side. Extremely fine and clean condition labels. Complete with very clean Ex condition original company sleeve.
Lot 76
HUBERT SUMLIN - ACROSS THE BOARD 7" - ORIGINAL UK PRESSING (BLUE HORIZON - 45-1000). The very first UK Blue Horizon 7" introducing Hubert Sumlin with Across The Board c/w Sumlin Boogie. The record is in very strong Ex condition with a couple of light paper scuffs marks, these are absolutely not heavier in nature.
Lot 24
PINK FLOYD - THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN LP - ORIGINAL UK MONO PRESSING (COLUMBIA - SX 6157). A clean example 1st UK mono pressing of the landmark debut LP from Pink Floyd that was released in August 1967. The record is in VG+ condition - both playing sides retaining their glossy lustre, there are a few light and minor hairline marks and one 'just feelable' scratch at the end of side 2. Play tested, there is no disturbance to playback. A small sticker on side 1 label. Matrix/mother stampers: XAX 3419-2 1 O & XAX 3420-1 1 O. With company inner with a newspaper article and picture of the band from the period on it. The first pressing (no 'File Under Popular' sleeve is in Ex condition - a finely presented example, the front super clean with only some very minor laminate wear, there is a name, address and date written neatly in pen on the bottom section of the reverse.
Lot 110
Air France Concorde cover flown on first flight 1990 Maurice to Moroni signed by Edouard Chemel and Capt Claude Delorme, head of Air France's Concorde division. Chemel joined Air France in 1947 as a radio cabin crew member and was appointed captain and chief flight engineer on Concorde in 1983. When he left Air France after forty-two years of career, he worked over 22,000 hours. flight, including 1,400 in supersonic. Good Condition. All autographs are genuine hand signed and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99.
Lot 297
A 19TH CENTURY SCOTTISH SPORRAN, the white metal cantle finely engraved with Celtic strap work and the motto RESURGET PARS MELIOR, the central patent leather panel, applied with a white metal crest being two claws grasping bunches of clover, white horse hair body, with leather back, together with a small child's white metal mounted sealskin sporran retailed by A. CAIRD & SONS HIGHLAND OUTFITTERS LONDON & PERTH. Leather work worn or lacking to the reverse and one finial lacking from the first. (2)
Lot 300
A RARE PAIR OF 25-BORE FRENCH FLINTLOCK OFFICER'S PISTOLS BY BOUTET CAPTURED BY CAPTAIN FRANCIS STANFELL OF HMS SCORPION FROM CAPTAIN LOUIS JOSEPH GUINIAN OF THE FRENCH SHIP LA GLANEUSE ON NOVEMBER 21ST 1807, 8.5inch heavy octagonal brass barrels engraved Boutet Directeur artiste on the top flats, each of the right hand flats engraved with the details and dates of the pistols capture. The first pistol: Taken by Capt. Frances Stanfell of HMS Scorpion. On Nov 21st 1897. The second pistol: Taken from Capt. Louis Joseph Guinian. Of the French ship La Glaneuse. On Nov 21st 1807, border engraved stepped and signed locks, full stocks with brass mounts, brass-capped wooden ramrods.
Lot 307
AN EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY FRENCH OFFICER'S SWORD CIRCA 1830, 96cm curved blade with clipped back point, profusely etched with false damascus, the first third with etched grey ground over laid with ornate stands of arms and trophies in gilt, regulation gilt hilt with D-shaped knuckle guard, decorated with laurel leaves, wire bound fishskin grip, contained in its gilt mounted steel scabbard.
Lot 448
A SECOND WAR PERIOD STEEL HILTED COMMANDO KNIFE, 14.5cm flattened diamond section blade, the crossguard pierced for a lanyard, machined grip and button pommel, together with an Indian Third Pattern commando knife. The first amongst other suggestions is believed to have been made for dropping to the Resistance, both patinated. (2)
Lot 519
TWO BRONZE MODEL SWIVEL CANNON OR LANTAKA, the first with 11inch four-stage sighted barrel, characteristic flared muzzle set with a frog on top and another at the breech, mounted on a wooden plinth, together with another similar with three-stage 7.25inch barrels, mounted on a wooden plinth. (2)
Lot 527
TWO 19TH CENTURY MALAY OR SUMATRAN DAGGERS, the first with 22cm curved watered blade chiselled and pierced at the forte, characteristic carved wooden hilt with foliate carved decoration highlighted in guilt, contained in its carved wooden scabbard decorated to match, together with 18.5cm curved heavy blade, plain horn hilt and contained in its bone mounted wooden scabbard. Some old worm to the latter. (2)
Lot 552
SCOTLAND, Mary 1542-67, first period testoon 1556 with crown over thistle countermark, F/VF, together with a 1558 testoon, fine or better. (2)PLEASE NOTE THAT OPINIONS ON CONDITION ARE SUBJECTIVE - IT IS DOWN TO THE INDIVIDUAL BUYER TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION AS TO THE CONDITION OF EACH COIN.
Lot 1263
A rare Mettoy/Corgi Toys Karrier Bantam Two Tonner (455). A pre-Corgi example in red 'C.W.S. Soft Drinks' livery, with black loadbed/chassis, domed spun wheels with black tyres. In a first issue Corgi box (as purchased), minor wear/creasing. Vehicle VGC- a very good example of this hard to find model, only minor wear to decal. £150-225
Lot 1038
A Graham Farish class 158 2-car Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU). In First North Western dark blue & yellow livery. Together with a class 08 0-6-0 diesel locomotive, RN 08834. In Railfreight two-tone grey livery. Plus 2 corridor coaches in Regional Railways blue & grey livery. All boxed, minor wear. Contents VGC-Mint £50-70
Lot 10
Han Meilin (Chinese, B. 1936) "Horse" Signed and dated lower left. Original Watercolor/ Ink painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. The horse has a been a favorite subject of artists for centuries. Man's first attempt to portray the horse in art was probably in prehistoric times when they were drawn on cave walls. As world cultures developed, horses were depicted in pottery, sculpture, painting, mosaics and other art forms. An inspiring symbol of strength, freedom, power and beauty, the horse was vital in agrarian economies before the Industrial Revolution. Farmers used them to clear land and plow fields. Cowboys and shepherds used them to herd cattle and sheep, while city folk depended on them for delivering goods. Artists also portrayed horses in scenes of leisure like horse racing, polo or simply romping in a scenic pasture. Image Diameter: 13 in. Overall Size: 20.75 x 20.75 in. Unframed. (B08376)
Lot 100
Ren Yu (B. 1945) "White Camellias" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. Although it is native to the forests and gardens of the Far East, the Camellia has long been a favorite in the Western world as well. The first Camellias to be exported from China to England were probably owned by Lord Petre, a collector of rare plants. However, these flowers promptly died when planted in the warm conditions of a greenhouse. Occasionally, sailors from the British East India Company would bring the lovely Camellias home from their exciting voyages to the exotic East. Their tales of manicured gardens and brilliantly hued blossoms dangling pendant-like from forest trees no doubt painted vivid mental pictures for hopeful gardeners and quickened European interest in the elegant flowers. However, it took the enchanting novel La Dame aux Cam?lias to raise the flower to the romantic vogue it so long enjoyed in Europe. This enthralling book, based on a true story, tells the tale of Alphonsine Plessis, a girl loved by both the composer Liszt and the novel's author Dumas. When the young woman, who often wore Camellias in her hair, died at the age of twenty-two, heartbroken mourners covered her grave with her favorite blossom. Soon, Camellias became the rage in Europe and many flower dealers made their fortunes speculating in new species. The Camellia was first introduced in the United States in 1797. Over the years, the blossoms have become just as popular here as they were in Europe. Image Size: 9.25 x 10.75 in. Overall Size: 14.25 x 15.75 in. Unframed. (B05685)
Lot 100a
Ren Yu (Chinese, B. 1945) "Peony Camellia" Signed upper right. Original Watercolor painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. Although it is native to the forests and gardens of the Far East, the Camellia has long been a favorite in the Western world as well. The first Camellias to be exported from China to England were probably owned by Lord Petre, a collector of rare plants. However, these flowers promptly died when planted in the warm conditions of a greenhouse. Occasionally, sailors from the British East India Company would bring the lovely Camellias home from their exciting voyages to the exotic East. Their tales of manicured gardens and brilliantly hued blossoms dangling pendant-like from forest trees no doubt painted vivid mental pictures for hopeful gardeners and quickened European interest in the elegant flowers. However, it took the enchanting novel La Dame aux Cam?lias to raise the flower to the romantic vogue it so long enjoyed in Europe. This enthralling book, based on a true story, tells the tale of Alphonsine Plessis, a girl loved by both the composer Liszt and the novel's author Dumas. When the young woman, who often wore Camellias in her hair, died at the age of twenty-two, heartbroken mourners covered her grave with her favorite blossom. Soon, Camellias became the rage in Europe and many flower dealers made their fortunes speculating in new species. The Camellia was first introduced in the United States in 1797. Over the years, the blossoms have become just as popular here as they were in Europe. Image Size: 9.25 x 10.75 in. Overall Size: 14.25 x 15.75 in. Unframed. (B05686)
Lot 101
Ren Yu (B. 1945) "Baby Tea" Signed upper right. Original Watercolor painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. Although it is native to the forests and gardens of the Far East, the Camellia has long been a favorite in the Western world as well. The first Camellias to be exported from China to England were probably owned by Lord Petre, a collector of rare plants. However, these flowers promptly died when planted in the warm conditions of a greenhouse. Occasionally, sailors from the British East India Company would bring the lovely Camellias home from their exciting voyages to the exotic East. Their tales of manicured gardens and brilliantly hued blossoms dangling pendant-like from forest trees no doubt painted vivid mental pictures for hopeful gardeners and quickened European interest in the elegant flowers. However, it took the enchanting novel La Dame aux Cam?lias to raise the flower to the romantic vogue it so long enjoyed in Europe. This enthralling book, based on a true story, tells the tale of Alphonsine Plessis, a girl loved by both the composer Liszt and the novel's author Dumas. When the young woman, who often wore Camellias in her hair, died at the age of twenty-two, heartbroken mourners covered her grave with her favorite blossom. Soon, Camellias became the rage in Europe and many flower dealers made their fortunes speculating in new species. The Camellia was first introduced in the United States in 1797. Over the years, the blossoms have become just as popular here as they were in Europe. Image Size: 9.25 x 10.75 in. Overall Size: 14.25 x 15.75 in.. Unframed. (B05687)
Lot 103
Zeng Xiaolian (B. 1939) "Rhododendron Agglutinatum" Original Watercolor. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the China 50fen Rhododendron stamp issued June 25, 1991. Born in 1939 in Yunnan Province, Zeng Xiao Lian is a talented Chinese artist. He worked as a senior engineer of the Botanical Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences. In addition, Zeng Xiao Lian received artistic training in Beijing. The artist has painted a series of beautiful botanical images of flowers and birds. These accurate detailed images have been published in more than fifty books, including "Flora of China", "Flora and Rhododendrons Yunnan" and others. Paintings by Zeng Xiao Lian participated in numerous national exhibitions in China, as well as in the United States, Canada and Australia. R. agglutinatum is native to China, bearing shocks of reddish-pink flowers that stand out stunningly against the deep, rich green of its leaves. Its striking beauty can be found brightening much of China, especially the moist, humid mountains near the Malay Peninsula. Gardeners find this plant grows best in partial shade, sheltered from strong winds. It does poorly in alkaline soils, preferring an acid soil rich in organic material. Image Size: 9.75 x 12.75 in. Overall Size: 12 x 13.75 in. Unframed. (B13053)
Lot 104
Zeng Xiaolian (B. 1939) "Rhododendron Delavayi" Original Watercolor painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.This painting was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the China 10fen Rhododendron stamp issued June 25, 1991. Born in 1939 in Yunnan Province, Zeng Xiao Lian is a talented Chinese artist. He worked as a senior engineer of the Botanical Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences. In addition, Zeng Xiao Lian received artistic training in Beijing. The artist has painted a series of beautiful botanical images of flowers and birds. These accurate detailed images have been published in more than fifty books, including "Flora of China", "Flora and Rhododendrons Yunnan" and others. Paintings by Zeng Xiao Lian participated in numerous national exhibitions in China, as well as in the United States, Canada and Australia. Native to the higher altitudes and moist acid soils of southern China and Southeast Asia, the R. delavayi is a plant as hardy as it is colorful. In the nurturing climate of its homeland, this plant forms dense thickets of ground cover and tall, elegant trees bearing flowers of white, pink or red. It is also a popular hedge and border shrub, its ornamental flowers appearing over a long season and its infintie varieties delighting gardeners worldwide. Image Size: 8.75 x 12.75 in. Overall Size: 12 x 13.75 in. Unframed. (B13054)
Lot 104a
Zeng Xiaolian (B. 1939) "Rhododendron Fortunei" Original Watercolor. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the China 80fen Rhododendron stamp issued June 25, 1991. Born in 1939 in Yunnan Province, Zeng Xiao Lian is a talented Chinese artist. He worked as a senior engineer of the Botanical Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences. In addition, Zeng Xiao Lian received artistic training in Beijing. The artist has painted a series of beautiful botanical images of flowers and birds. These accurate detailed images have been published in more than fifty books, including "Flora of China", "Flora and Rhododendrons Yunnan" and others. Paintings by Zeng Xiao Lian participated in numerous national exhibitions in China, as well as in the United States, Canada and Australia. In 1856, Robert Fortune discovered deep in eastern China the breathtaking creamy-pink flowers of a beautiful new species of Rhododendron. This plant often attains a height of 12 feet, exhibiting clusters of its multi-petaled flowers from its slender stalks. R. fortunei, named for its discoverer, is now found in gardens throughout the world, an ever-popular evergreen variety of the beautiful Rhododendron. Image Size: 9.25 x 11.75 in. Overall Size: 12 x 13.75 in. Unframed. (B13060)
Lot 105
Zeng Xiaolian (B. 1939) "Rhododendron Wardii" Original Watercolor. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the China 5 Rhododendron souvenir sheet issued June 25, 1991. Born in 1939 in Yunnan Province, Zeng Xiao Lian is a talented Chinese artist. He worked as a senior engineer of the Botanical Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences. In addition, Zeng Xiao Lian received artistic training in Beijing. The artist has painted a series of beautiful botanical images of flowers and birds. These accurate detailed images have been published in more than fifty books, including "Flora of China", "Flora and Rhododendrons Yunnan" and others. Paintings by Zeng Xiao Lian participated in numerous national exhibitions in China, as well as in the United States, Canada and Australia. During the early 20th century, Frank Kingdon-Ward was among those who scoured far-away countries searching for new varieties of plants to bring back to Europe and North America. One of his many discoveries is the fabulous yellow-flowered species which bears his name, Rhododendron wardii. Native to western China and Tibet, this attractive bloom thrives only in mild climates, much to the chagrin of growers living in areas where the growing season is short. Image Size: 10.25 x 13.25 in. Overall Size: 12 x 13.75 in. Unframed. (B13058)
Lot 11
Zhan Gengxi (Chinese, B. 1941) "Mother Pig w/ Babies" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Rice Paper laid on Cardboard. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the 29c The Year of the Pig Lunar New Year Series stamp issued December 30, 1994. Regarded by many Westerners as a combination of mathematical complexities and symbolic tradition, the Chinese lunar calendar is aligned in repeating 12-year cycles. Each year in the cycle is represented by a different animal. Many legends offer explanations for how these particular creatures were chosen. One states that the Heavenly Jade Emperor summoned all the world's animals to participate in a race. The first 12 to complete the challenge were chosen to represent each of the different years, which were assigned by the order in which the animal finished. Occupying first place is the rat, who, according to the story, did so by using trickery. When confronted by a large river that he was unable to cross, the clever rodent hitched a ride on the back of the ox, another participant in the race. As they neared the far side of the river, the rat jumped from the large beast to finish first. The pig, 1995's symbol, came in 12th, capturing last place. Perhaps this explains why those born during the Year of the Pig appear to be sedate and easy going! People whose birth years are represented by the Pig are also believed to be sincere, tolerant and honest. But, because they expect others to possess these same honorable traits, they are considered to be naive as well. Image Size: 8.25 x 9.75 in. Overall Size: 12.5 x 14.25 in. Unframed. (B14910)
Lot 116
Shannon Stirnweis (Arizona, New York, New Hampshire Oregon, B. 1931) "Fort Prince of Wales" Signed lower left. Original Oil on Illustration Board painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Canada 32c Fort Prince of Wales stamp issued June 30, 1983. The first forts built in the New World by both the French and English were built by fur-traders. One of the most famous of these early forts was Fort Prince of Wales, the most northerly fortress on the North American continent. It was built by the Hudson Bay Comapny and was situated on a sand point which extended out into the bay at the mouth of Churchill River. Within the walls of the Prince of Wales, the cruel and despotic Governor Norton ruled. Also he was Indian, he had completed a nine year course of study in England which equipped him for the governorship. Unfortunately, during his education Norton had grasped many of the vices but few of the virtues of the white man and he also embodied few of the pleasing qualities of his own native people. He dressed like a native but ruled like a European prince. Frightful crimes lay at his door and few residents were sorry when the evil governor died. Apart from the crimes of Governor Norton, Fort Prince of Wales will be remembered as the starting point for Samuel Hearne's exploring expeditions which discovered the Coppermine River and exposed the myth of there being a Northwest water route to Asia from Canada. When Hearne returned from his expeditions, he succeeded Norton to the governorship of Fort Prince of Wales. It was this fine man and brave explorer who was compelled to lower the British flag to French conquerors in 1782. The Fort sustained heavy damage, but today has been restored as a National Historic Park. Image Size: 19.25 x 16.75 in. Overall Size: 23 x 20 in. Unframed. (B08159)
Lot 117
Tom McNeely (Canadian, B. 1935) "Flathead Headdress" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media on Paper painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 25c Flathead Headdress stamp issued August 17, 1990. Though many Indian tribes clashed time and again with the invading white men, early relations between whites and the Flatheads were generally friendly. This friendship was reflected in the headdresses of the tribe. Made from the tail feathers of a Golden Eagle, the headdress often contained products obtained in trade with the white man, such as wool, felt, beads and other items. Typically used only for very important events, the headdress was most often worn into battle with the tribe's neighbors and traditional enemies, the Blackfeet. The Flathead Indians traded often with the white man, first in beaver pelts during the mountain man era, then in buffalo robes as the demand for beaver tapered off. The Flathead tribe also adopted Christianity, with a Jesuit priest, Father Peter John De Smet playing an important role in converting many. Among the early pioneers, the Flathead were thought to be intelligent, honest and peaceful. But this friendship also had its price: They were frequently decimated by a white man's disease, smallpox. The first epidemic attack was in the 1770s and this was the beginning of a series of plagues which nearly wiped out the tribe. And for their initial friendship with the whites, the Flathead were reduced to poverty and finally driven out of their long-time home, the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. Consequently, relations with the whites declined and the erstwhile allies became foes. Image Size: 26.75 x 21.5 in. Overall Size: 27.5 x 22.25 in. Unframed. (B12302)
Lot 118
Shannon Stirnweis (B. 1931) "Missions of the West" Signed lower right. Original Oil on Illustration Board painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting appeared in the Fleetwood Trails West Collection of Fine Art Prints as "Missions of the West" published in 1983. Spain's expansion in the New World was marked by the founding of many new churches in western America. Soldiers and priests had rallied to explore the wastelands and mountain ranges, then subdue, baptize and train the Indians. Docile tribes were gathered into missions ... self-contained communities guided by religious zeal. Not only were these missions a way of life, they were a Spanish formula for ruling an empire that spanned thousands of miles over two continents. By 1630, missions dotted the Southwest. San Diego de Alcala Mission, California's first mission, was founded by Father Junipero Serra on July 16, 1769. With a handful of priests and thousands of Indians he overcame naked hills and stony deserts to turn a wilderness into rich, fertile farmland. Indeed, fifty years later, twenty-one missions stretched from San Diego to north of San Francisco Bay. Spaced about a day's journey apart, they formed links in El Camino Real, commonly known as The King's Highway. The Indian converts of each mission lived communally ... working forty hours a week as farmers, soapmakers, weavers, masons, or herders ... and celebrated 130 holy days a year. Under the direction of the priests, fields were irrigated and golden grain shimmered. Paintings and religious artifacts were collected and libraries grew while the priests taught music and learned dozens of dialects to spread their message. Image Size: 18 x 20.75 in. Overall Size: 19.5 x 22.5 in. Unframed. (B06262)
Lot 11a
Zhan Gengxi (Chinese, B. 1941) "Two Black-necked Cranes Walking" Signed and stamped lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Rice Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the 29c Black-necked Crane stamp issued October 9, 1994. To the Chinese people, many varieties of birds are considered symbolic. The golden pheasant, for example, is associated with royalty, denoting glory, splendor, wealth and rank. The beautiful kingfisher, too, is fraught with symbolism. Its jade-colored feathers represent nobility and fortune. The crane is considered a meaningful bird in China as well. One writer comments that cranes are best known as symbols of longevity. Still others report that Chinese mythology describes the birds as emblems of justice. China's Black-necked Crane is also reputed to denote the ideas of friendship and peace. Those attributes are both no doubt partly responsible for the Black-necked crane being chosen as one of the two birds featured on stamps issued jointly by the United States and the People's Republic of China in 1994. The other bird is America's Whooping Crane. Both species of cranes are today considered rare. Though at one time naturalists could easily count thousands of Black-necked Cranes wintering in China's Y?nnan province, they have become noticeably fewer in number. Likewise the Whooping Crane, which once numbered in the thousands, has been reduced to a mere 100 or so individuals. Conservation efforts in both countries seek to preserve these striking birds for the future. Only time will tell if they will be successful. Image Size: 11.25 x 12.5 in. Sheet Size: 12.25 x 14.5 in. Overall Size: 16 x 20 in. Unframed. (B14740)
Lot 12
Zhan Gengxi (Chinese, B. 1941) "Two Whooping Cranes Standing" Signed and stamped lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Rice Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the 29c Whooping Crane stamp issued October 9, 1994. Few birds are as large or as distinctive as America's Whooping Crane. And few birds are as threatened. Crowned with fashionable feathers, Grus Americana was virtually wiped out in the 19th century due to the popularity of its plumes with milliners. Known for its trumpeting call, created by an unusual coiled windpipe, the sizable Whooping Crane can be as long as 56 in. Though they are more numerous today thanks to strict conservation measures (in the late 1980s there were nearly 100 individuals), in 1941 just 11 of these majestic birds were believed to exist. Cranes around the world have faced similar difficulties, and of the 14 known species most are now rare. An exception is the somewhat smaller sandhill crane of the central and western United States. Conservation laws there have helped this bird to hold its own. Every spring, thousands of bird watchers gather in western Nebraska's Sandhill region to view the migration of these birds. Interestingly, the sandhill crane may do its part in saving its cousin the Whooping Crane. In recent years, experimental projects have been undertaken in which Whooping Crane eggs have been placed in sandhill crane nests in the hope that the wild birds would successfully raise the newly-hatched Whoopers which would then be fit to survive in the wild. Image Size: 11.25 x 12.5 in. Sheet Size: 12.75 x 14.75 in. Overall Size: 16 x 20 in. Unframed. (B14741)
Lot 120
Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "The Stars and Stripes - Fort Sumter Flag" Signed lower right. Original Oil on Canvas painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.This painting was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 33c Fort Sumter Flag Classic Collection Series stamp issued June 14, 2000. By early 1861, several Southern states had seceded from the Union, claiming possession of all U.S. forts and arsenals within their territory. Fort Sumter -- named for Revolutionary War patriot Thomas Sumter -- was located on Sullivan's Island at the entrance to the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. Union troops were garrisoned at Fort Sumter under the command of Major Robert Anderson. Confederate authorities demanded that President Abraham Lincoln surrender the fort to the South. Although Fort Sumter was of no strategic value to the Union -- it was an incomplete structure whose 60 guns pointed toward the Atlantic -- Lincoln believed the fort symbolized national unity and refused to surrender it to the Confederacy. The president dispatched much-needed supplies to the garrison, but before they arrived, South Carolina troops, led by General Pierre Beauregard, opened fire on the fort. The shelling began at dawn on April 12, 1861, marking the first engagement of the Civil War. The U.S. garrison surrendered two days later. The Fort Sumter flag features 13 red and white stripes, representing the 13 original colonies. A diamond-shaped grouping of white stars is displayed on the blue canton. Image Size: 14 x 11.5 in. Overall Size: 18 x 14 in. Unframed. (B16806)
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