December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
1) An extremely rare example of a common American sailor's seabag from the late 18th century, found in Connecticut. It is constructed of heavy hempen sail cloth, which was typically loomed in narrow lengths of 18-24 inches, which is reflected in the bag's construction: the joined short lengths of sailcloth then formed into a long tube and sewn together to form a tube, with a circular piece of sailcloth cut for the base, thus forming a tubular bag that has a 2 1/2 inch turnover of the cloth at top--forming a reinforcing band or hem on which are placed 8 equally spaced grommets hand-worked with hemp line or cord. The resulting sea bag is 31 3/4 inches high by 12 1/2 in diameter as finished and is hand inscribed in large figures "No. 2 / 1789 / J.L." Sailors usually had at least one or two seabags in which to stow all of their clothing, personal items and gear, especially on ships that could not accept sea chests due to tight quarters. WITH 2) a sailor's ditty bag constructed of cotton sailcloth or canvas, similar construction to the sea bag, but only 15 1/2 inches by 6 in diameter, with a handsomely worked lanyard of hemp cord featuring sliding turk's head knot and braided handle. Both bags were exhibited in 2023 as part of an exhibition on Westport Island maritime history. CONDITION: the 1789 seabag is in very good-excellent condition for its age, with some surface soiling, mostly in the bottom and lower portion of the body; the original lanyard is missing and has been replaced by a reproduction one made of worked, hemp line; the ditty bag is complete, the body and lanyard in good-very good condition, with some fraying to the top loop of the latter and the body has scattered patches of rust, oil and paint stains, demonstrating its working use as the carry-all for a sailor tools and working gear.