September 26, 2018 O'Connor's Americana Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2018
This rare Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania map horn is engraved with towns and forts from "Philleadelbea" to "Pitsburg" including the famous Forbes Road from Bedford to Fort Pitt. Forts included on he map are "Lowden", "Littleton", "Bedford", "Crossings", "Legener" and "Pitsburg". Towns include "Philleadelbea", "Lankister", "Harrisburg" and "Shippisburg".
From "Louden" to "Legener" a four bastion fort symbol appears to the left of the name. The three-leafed foliage separating each place name could represent the jungle of rhododendron (mountain laurel) by which the road cutters were constantly besieged, especially as they went westward.
An enlarged view of a five bastioned Fort Pitt is in accurate detail, even showing the three water pumps over the wells on the parade. The engraving includes an excellent folk art rendering of the British coat of arms.
No "original owner" name was engraved; however, two subsequent owners each in a different hand appear, "M ROWLAND" in small black letters and "Oren Corey" in small script. The engraving is undated but is circa 1761, as Fort Pitt was completed that year.
An additional inscription "god Bles the master," borders the road. This may indicate that the engraving was done by a servant, indentured or otherwise, as it is not likely one would say "God bless God". By master, he also could have possibly meant the king.
This artillery horn has the usual concave, hardwood butt plug, which extends over the horn and brass ring. The loops for carrying straps are fashioned from musket sling swivels, bound around the horn with brass bands. The horn is missing its brass charger. Overall, this horn measures 13".
This horn is attributed to engraver John Fox. His horns are all done in a similar fashion with the city or town names enclosed in boxes. He is best known for the mini Forbes Road engraved map horns and Fort Pitt map horns. This example is unusual due to its large size. For a signed example by John Fox, see the John Cox horn in this sale.
Walter felt that this was likely a British artillery horn due to its generous size. The is a well engraved "1/3" on the brass base band in the English military manner. It very likely originally had a mechanical charger, as an iron pin remains at the spout which may have secured it. It was probably removed when it "fell" into private use and then engraved.
Ex. John DuMont. See page 40, plate 46 of "American Engraved Powder Horns". Also see Tom Grinslade's book "Powder Horns" page 72.
Condition: Good. This horn displays a beautiful, mellow, brown and amber patina. There is a 5 - 1/2" crack running from the plug end. There is a 3/4 inch threaded hole in the plug where a knob, now missing would have been. The plug also has a 1 - 1/2" crack as well as a 1/4 "piece of wood that appears to have been chiseled or broken out during its period of usage. This horn is also missing its charger.