Lot 58: 19th c. Ship Captain’s Desk Box

Mahogany, top of box has brass plate engraved “W. Whiting”, top compartment includes general papers from Captain Winslow Whiting of the American Barque “Volant” of Plymouth, Massachusetts, bills of lading from ship and boat builders, sail makers, etc. concerning repairs to the ship due to the fire of August 6, 1860; statement from Captain Whiting and some crewmen prior to fire of how coal was properly secured, etc.; receipts of duties paid – London, Newfoundland 1858; paper money; leather bound diary on board Barque Volant (includes typed pages of this diary); and obituary of Captain Winslow Whiting; bottom compartment includes carte-de-visites, 11 eyeglass cases with eyeglasses; bronze plaque in bas-relief with “Massachusetts Bay Tercentenary in New England 1630-1930″ on the front, and pilgrims, native americans, the Mayflower, airplane, witch on broomstick, etc. on the back; three packets of letters (mainly from Captain Whiting to his wife Abby) dated 1842-1854; four small hidden drawers with military medals and ribbons, and 14 framed carte-de-visites (1″ x 3/4″); five cubbyholes in front contain small tin sander used for drying writing ink, miniature photos, letter opener, and arrowheads; one brass corner on top of box missing, handles missing; 7 1/2″ h, 19 1/2″ w, 11 1/4” d, (ex. Whiting estate, Plymouth, MA).

Estimate: $700-1,000