RARE ENGRAVED HAVANA POWDER HORN DATED 1760 WITH GUTHMAN LETTER.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2021

The horn measures 16” in length on its outer curve. An extremely rare, important and detailed French and Indian War (Seven Years War), Siege of Havana professionally engraved map horn. The siege of Havana was a successful British siege against Spanish ruled Havana that lasted from March to August of 1762. The attacking army consisted of Colonial American troops as well as British Regulars. The horn's image was copied from a map that probably was included in a 1762 London Magazine. It is engraved, within a decorative cartouche: "A PLAN OF HAVANA WITH THE DIFFERENT ATTACKS IN THE SIEGE; 1762; DRAWN ON THE SPOT." Shown is a map of Havana with the British and Spanish Fleets in the waters prepared for battle. Prominent images include marching soldiers, forts/redoubts, troop formations and a compass star. Another cartouche with ten numbered locations of military significance during the siege is carved along with a “scale of one mile”. The pine, wooden plug has a large iron staple flanked by the initials "CB" in a square type cartouche. There is a decorative border around part of the butt end of the horn consisting of conjoined circles. The throat is divided by a raised ring. This lot includes an original, matted 1762 engraving that was drawn on the spot by a British officer and copied on to this horn. The color catalog of the “Clash of Empires Exhibition" and a flat drawing of the horn are also included. Bill Guthman’s 2004 letter, regarding provenance will also accompany this offering. A WQED letter requesting permission to use photos of this horn in their Viking, Penquin book that accompanied their PBS film of “The War that made America”. CONDITION: A tapering 3/8” x 2 1/2” piece of horn is vacant at the plug along with a smaller 1/2”missing chip. Several empty wooden peg holes at butt edge of horn. About 1/2” of missing horn at the spout. Some minimal loss to engraving from carrying during its time of use, horn has been cleaned. PROVENANCE: "Clash of Empires, the British, French and Indian War” Exhibition, 2005 ; “Accoutrements IV”, 2016, by James R. Johnson, page 95; The War that made America, Viking/Penquin, 2005. A fantastic and important Havana powder horn. DRG