June 12-13, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/13/2019
This horn has a tremendous provenance, as it was in both the collections of John S. duMont and William Guthman. The horn is shown on the front cover of "American Engraved Powder Horns" by John S. duMont and shown in plate 18 on page 26. A copy of duMonts book is included with the horn. The powder horn was also featured in the April 2006 edition of the Pennsylvania Antique Gun Collector's Association's "Monthly Bugle" in an article written by Roy Garizio, two copies of the edition with this article, as well as Guthman's receipt from the sale of this horn, are included. The horn has a 12-1/2" curved tapered two-stage body. The spout section has two relief rings. The main body has a scalloped edge where the section ends. Slightly convex wooden plug with a large 2-1/4" iron staple, retains by wooden pins. The horn is inscribed "JUDAH THACHER / HIS HORN MADE AT / HALF MOON FEBry 3, 58." There is also a large tree of life with a blooming tulip at the end of each branch as well as large mermaid. Three horns by this hand are known to exist, made within a 45 day span of time. All are inscribed Half Moon and show a large tree of life and a mermaid. One is in the Fort Ticonderoga collection. Half Moon was located 12 miles north of Albany on the Hudson River, just above the Mohawk River, and served as a supply base and staging area for troop movements during Lord Amherst's attack on Fort Ticonderoga. There was an early wood fort built there in the early 1700's, which went out of service and was abandoned by 1747. It was restored by 1756 as men moved up the Hudson to Lake George. The horn is part of the Lake George School of engravers, a name coined by William H. Guthman. CONDITION: Horn has a pleasing patina with one minor 1/4" round insect hole on the back side and some minor chipping at the base. Horn retains a pleasing light honey patina.