September 26, 2018 O'Connor's Americana Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2018
This historic powder horn is inscribed: "IONATHAN PARKER"
"OCTOBER 6 YE"
"1747".
All of the lettering and decoration on this horn is contained in panels. On both sides of the name panel are panels of stylized vine and leaf patterns. At the spout end of the horn is a narrow, abstract border and at the plug end there is an extensive 1 1/2" border of stylized leaves, vines, and a heart. There is an impressive peacock carved in good detail, as well as two other animals, which may be deer.
The flat, pine plug is attached with eight wooden pins. There are two holes on each side of the plug that go through the horn and into the plug for a strap attachment. On the spout end, there are two rings for the strap just below the applied charger. This charger is no longer secured to the horn due to two missing pins. The brass charger has a broken spring. This horn measures 9 - 1/2" overall.
According to William H. Guthman in his book, "Drums Abeating Trumpets Sounding", "Many men with the Name John Parker are listed as serving in New England and New York in 1775. A John Parker was Captain of a company of Ranger of Col. Timothy Bedel's Regiment of Rangers raised by the Colony of New Hampshire in 1775. A John Parker is listed in the First New York Regiment for 1775 and another was a Minuteman from the town of Coventry, Connecticut in 1775. Nine men of that name are listed in the Massachusetts rolls for 1775. The most famous was John Parker (1729-1775) who commanded the detachment of the Lexington Militia that engaged the British at Lexington on April 19, 1775."
Walter attributed this horn to the carver Stephen Parks. Parks was a farmer in Lincoln, Massachusetts. His son, Willard Parks, was listed as a member of the Lincoln Minute Man Company on the 19th of April, 1775 "when the shot was fired that was heard around the world". Willard Parks carried a horn carved by his father at Concord Bridge. An additional Stephen Parks horn, which is in the collection of the Concord Antiquarian Society, is believed to have been used at Concord Bridge.
A very similar horn, dated 1749 and inscribed to Johnathan Conant, is being offered in this sale. He was mustered and lived in New Hampshire. This horn was also attributed by Walter to the hand of carver Stephen Parks.
Condition: Very Good, as described. This horn displays a nice, warm, honey colored patina. All images and lettering are intact and easy to read.The plug has some minor chips and scratches. Also at the plug end of the horn there is a 1/4 inch hairline crack. There are some additional minor chips and two smooth, flattened areas from wear on the rings below the spout. Normal scratches, abrasions, and minor brown staining from use during the period are present.