Lot 498
Powder Horn - Independence Day, 1777, With Early Artistic Rendering of Stars and Stripes. Nautical horn, 13¼", with scrimshaw inscription "Augustus S[a]unders 1777"; other etchings on the horn include intricate miniatures of warships and other vessels in Philadelphia's harbor for the July 4, 1777 Inpendence Day celebration, as well as other scenes from the event. Ships carved on the powder horn include the frigate Delaware, the top sail sloop Sachern, the frigate Montgomery, the schooner Fly, the xebec Repulse, the sloop Race Horse, the brig Andrea Doria, the sloop Surprise, a half galley with sail, a row galley, and a top sail sloop. The frigate Delaware is flying two crudely-etched flags bearing the Stars and Stripes design adopted by Congress three weeks earlier on June 14, 1777; these are possibly the earliest artistic representations of the original Stars and Stripes. Of interest is the fact that in May of 1777, Betsy Ross signed a contract with the Pennsylvania Navy to make flags. The flag flying from the Delaware could well have been taken from Betsy Ross' design. Also engraved on the horn are a freedom fighter, probably Private Augustus Saunders, with his musket over his shoulder; a mermaid; and a rendering of Philadelphia's Christ Church sprouting the Tree of Liberty.
John Hancock and John Adams boarded the Delaware during the Independence Day celebration. All of the ships present at the celebration except the Delaware were scuttled as the British closed in on Philadelphia in late 1777, and she was commandeered by the Royal Navy.
This powder horn was featured in the August 2010 issue of the magazine "American History," pp 16-17. A historic and unique powder horn.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000.
Ex. The Claude Harkins Collection of Americana; Guthman Americana, 1993.
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| Realized $13,200 |
