Battle of Tippecanoe

May 8th, 2013

Founded in 1885, Kurz & Allison is well known for its production of commemorative prints of American historical scenes using the chromolithograph printing process. Drawn in a broad, graphic style that developed from Kurz’s background as a muralist, these prints have a striking appearance that makes them not only interesting historical images but also excellent decorative prints.

Battle of Tippecanoe

Battle of Tippecanoe

The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought on November 7, 1811, between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory and Native American warriors associated with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa (commonly known as “The Prophet”) were leaders of a confederacy of Native Americans from various tribes that opposed U.S. expansion into Native territory. As tensions and violence increased, Governor Harrison marched with an army of about 1,000 men to disperse the confederacy’s headquarters at Prophetstown, near the confluence of the Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers.

Tecumseh

Tecumseh

Tecumseh was away recruiting allies when Harrison’s army arrived. Tenskwatawa, a spiritual leader but not a military man, was in charge. Harrison camped near Prophetstown on November 6 and arranged to meet with Tenskwatawa the following day. Early the next morning, warriors from Prophetstown attacked Harrison’s army. Although the outnumbered attackers took Harrison’s army by surprise, Harrison and his men stood their ground for more than two hours. The Natives were ultimately repulsed when their ammunition ran low. After the battle, the Natives abandoned Prophetstown.

Harrison

Harrison

Tenskwatawa

Tenskwatawa

Batle

Battle

Navajo Painter Harrison Begay

April 16th, 2013

Harrison Begay (Haskay Yahne Yah, “Warrior Who Walked Up to His Enemy”) (November 15, 1914 – August 18, 2012) was a renowned Navajo painter, perhaps the most famous of his generation.

Harrison Begay was born as Bert Begay in White Cone, AZ on the Navajo reservation, to Black Rock and Zonnie Tachinie Begay. His mother belonged to the Zuni White Corn Clan, and his father was Walk Around Clan / Near Water Clan.

 Harrison Begay at age 89

Harrison Begay at age 89

He was raised traditionally; speaking Navajo, living in a hogan, and herding his family’s sheep and goats. He would often draw while herding sheep. When he was about eight, Harrison left to attend a government boarding school. He changed his name to Harrison at this time. It was at school that Harrison learned to speak English.

In 1933, Harrison entered the Santa Fe Indian School to study art under Dorothy Dunn (1903–1990) in her new Studio School. He was one of Dunn’s star students. His classmates included Gerald Nailor, Quincy Tahoma, Geronima Montoya and Andrew Tsihnahjinnie.

War Dance. Beautiful silk screen (serigraph)

"War Dance". Beautiful silk screen (serigraph)

Following art school, Harrison attended college and then enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. Begay served in the US Army Signal Corps from 1942 to 1945.

During his service, Harrison was assigned to communications, and served in Normandy, Germany, France, and Iceland. He was wounded in France while setting up a communications line. After being shot, he fell from the telephone pole, and down a 300 ft. canyon cliff. A tree broke his fall and saved his life. Eight months later after recuperating from a broken back and bones in an English hospital, he was released from duty.

After returning from the service, Begay became one of the first Native American artists to support himself by painting full-time.

 Harrison Begay at work

Harrison Begay at work

Begay specialized in watercolors and silkscreen prints. His most familiar subjects are Navajo people in ceremonial and daily life, horses and riders, and deer.

Deer

Deer

In recognition of his contributions to Native American art Begay was awarded the French government’s Palmes Académiques in 1954.

In the 1960s Begay met General Eisenhower, who he served under, at the annual Ceremonials in Gallup, New Mexico. At that time Harrison presented General Eisenhower with one of his paintings which is in a permanent collection in Washington, D.C.

Hoop Dance Beautiful silk screen (serigraph)

"Hoop Dance" Beautiful silk screen (serigraph)

His work has been included in a vast number of public and private collections of Native American art, including the Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Heard Museum, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Wheelwright Museum, the Southwest Museum, the Philbrook Museum, the Gilcrease Museum, and many more.

Begay won two grand awards at the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial and has been a consistent winner at state and tribal fairs. In 1995, he was awarded the Native American Masters Award by the Heard Museum. In 2003, he won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, the organizers of the annual Santa Fe Indian Market.

Original watercolor by Harrison Begay.

Original watercolor by Harrison Begay.

Close up of original watercolor by Harrison Begay.

Close up of original watercolor by Harrison Begay.

Model Railroading

March 21st, 2013

Model railroading is a hobby in which rail transport systems are modeled at a reduced scale, or ratio. The modeled world includes rail vehicles (locomotives and rolling stock), tracks, signaling, and scenery (roads, buildings, vehicles, model figures and natural features such as streams, hills, canyons, etc.). The earliest forms of model railways are the ‘Carpet Railways’ which first appeared in the 1840s. Model trains are generally more realistic than toy trains.

American Flyer passenger cars.

American Flyer passenger cars.

Model train set in a scene.

Model train set in a scene.

Involvement in the hobby can range from the possession of a train set to spending many hours and large sums of money on a large and exactingly executed model of a railroad and the scenery through which it passes, called a “layout. Layouts vary from the very stylistic (sometimes just a simple circle or oval of track) to the “absolutely realistic”, where real places are modeled to scale.

Railroad layout

Railroad layout

American Flyer #597 Passenger and Freight Station. It has built in record player that tells what train is leaving.

American Flyer #597 Passenger and Freight Station. It has built in record player that tells what train is leaving.

American Flyer The Royal Blue Engine

American Flyer "The Royal Blue" Engine

Small town layout

Small town layout

American Flyer Royal Blue coal car.

American Flyer Royal Blue coal car.

Train in scene

Train in scene

George Washington Flintlock Pistol Set

March 19th, 2013

A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two individuals, with matched weapons in accordance with agreed-upon rules.

Like many men of his time George Washington owned a set of dueling pistols he prized.

During the American Revolutionary War, Washington encouraged his officers to refuse challenges because he believed that the death by dueling of officers would have threatened the success of the war effort.

George Washington’s favorite pistol was made in London in 1748 by Hawkins, one of the best known gun makers of the period. It still survives today as one of our national treasures.

A fine matching pair of Hawkins Flintlock pistols.

A fine matching pair of Hawkins Flintlock pistols.

Limited production set produced by the U.S. Historical Society

Hawkins Flintlock

Mask butt

Mask butt

Silver plated brass furniture.

Silver plated brass furniture.

Walnut stocks

Walnut stocks

Walnut stocks

Walnut stocks

Silver plated brass furniture

Silver plated brass furniture

Silver plated brass furniture

Silver plated brass furniture

Hawkins Flintlock

Hawkins Flintlock

Silver plated brass furniture

Silver plated brass furniture

George Washington Hawkins pair of matching .58cal. Flintlock pistols. Limited production set produced by the U.S. Historical Society. Condition : New in the original case. Unfired. S/N 328A & 328B. Mask butt. Silver plated brass furniture. Walnut stocks. Mahogany maroon velvet lined fitted case. Produced in 1976 for the Bicentennial in a limited production of 975. Clean, handsome set. Fine addition to nay collection. 14″ overall with 8″ flared brass barrels. The top of the barrels are highly engraved and marked “London”.

Recent Visit to New York Museums

February 22nd, 2013

A few of the things we saw at the museums in New York.

Babylonian statue

Babylonian statue

Babylonian statue

Guitars

Guitars

Back of guitar

Nice guitar

Nice guitar

Guitar detail

Guitar detail

Sword

Sword

Sword

Sword

armour

Armour

Armour

Armour

Armour

Armour

Armour

Armour

Armour

Armour

Armour

Armour

Armour

Armour

The Flatiron Building

February 21st, 2013

The Flatiron building was designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham and built in 1902. The name “Flatiron” derives from its resemblance to a cast-iron clothes iron.

The distinctive triangular shape of the Flatiron Building allowed it to fill the wedge-shaped property located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway. At 22 stories and 307 feet, the Flatiron was never the city’s tallest building, but is considered to be a groundbreaking skyscraper. Its popularity with photographers and artists has made it an enduring symbol of New York for more than a century. The Flatiron building was a popular image in the golden age of postcards.

Recently on a trip to New York I decided to take a photo of me in front of the Flatiron building holding a postcard of the classic building.

Standing in front of the Flatiron building.

Standing in front of the Flatiron building.

Postcard in hand.

Postcard in hand.

Postcard at the Flatiron building.

Flatiron Building - New York 1906

Flatiron Building - New York 1906

Looking up.

Looking up.

New York icon.

New York icon.

The distinctive triangular shape of the Flatiron Building allowed it to fill the wedge-shaped property.

The distinctive triangular shape of the Flatiron Building allowed it to fill the wedge-shaped property.

Automobiles

February 20th, 2013

Although several other German engineers were working on the problem at about the same time, Karl Benz generally is acknowledged as the inventor of the modern automobile.

A photograph of the original Benz Patent-Motorwagen, first built in 1885 and awarded the patent for the concept.

A photograph of the original Benz Patent-Motorwagen, first built in 1885 and awarded the patent for the concept.

Here is a look at some automobiles through the years.

1905 Vauxhall

1905 Vauxhall

Franklin Sedan

Franklin Sedan

1914 Winton Six

1914 Winton Six

Buick Rumble Seat Coupe

Buick Rumble Seat Coupe

1946 Pontiac Streamliner

1953 Willys Aero-Falcon

1953 Delahaye

1946 Pontiac Streamliner
1960 Rambler Custom Cross Country Wagon

1960 Rambler Custom Cross Country Wagon

1960 Ambassador super 4-Door Sedan

1960 Ambassador super 4-Door Sedan

1968 Oldsmobile Delmont 88

1968 Oldsmobile Delmont 88

1960s Karmann Ghia

1960s Karmann Ghia

1969 Dodge Charger

1969 Dodge Charger

Turquoise and Native American Jewelry

January 21st, 2013

Turquoise is probably one of the oldest gemstones known. The name turquoise may have come from the word Turquie, French for Turkey, because of the stone was mined in Turkey and Iran. Another possibility could be the name came from the French description of the gemstone, “pierre turquin” meaning dark blue stone.

Turquoise Nugget Necklace

Turquoise Nugget Necklace

Native American Indians had as many different words for turquoise as there were languages spoken. Many of the words translated into English as the sky stone.

Turquoise is one of the dominant materials of Southwestern Native American jewelry. Thousands of pieces were found in the Ancestral Pueblo sites at Chaco Canyon. It has been used by both southwestern U.S. Native Americans and by many of the Indian tribes in Mexico

Native American jewelry normally reflects the cultural diversity and history of its makers, but tribal groups have often borrowed and copied designs and methods from other, neighboring tribes or nations with which they had trade, and this practice continues today. Native American tribes continue to develop distinct aesthetics rooted in their personal artistic visions and cultural traditions.

C. Dishta Zuni Silver inlaid Bracelet.

C. Dishta Zuni Silver inlaid Bracelet.

Silver Navajo Braclet

Silver Navajo Bracelet

Silver and Turquoise Navajo Brooch

Silver and Turquoise Navajo Brooch

Southwest Indina Silver Bracelet

Southwest Indian Silver Bracelet

Vintage Silver and turquoise bracelet. Hallmarked LD.. Lowell Draper - White Hogan - Navajo.

Vintage Silver and turquoise bracelet. Hallmarked "LD".. Lowell Draper - White Hogan - Navajo.

Original Sterling Silver and turquoise belt buckle. Made by Franck Socyma - Hopi Indian.

Original Sterling Silver and turquoise belt buckle. Made by Franck Socyma - Hopi Indian.

One of the most important forms of Navajo and Southwestern Native American jewelry is the Squash Blossom Necklace. Most are made of a string of plain round silver beads, interspersed with more stylized “squash blossoms”, and feature a pendant, or “naja”, hung from the center of the strand. The squash blossom beads are copied from the buttons which held together the pants worn by the Spanish, and later, Mexican caballeros. These buttons represent - and are modeled after – pomegranates. Their identification as “squash blossoms”, which they closely resemble, is an understandable. The naja, which resembles an upside-down horse shoe, completes the design. Their origin can be found a continent, and several hundred years away, as a traditional part of Spanish horse halters.

Vintage Squash Blossom Necklace and Bracelet

Vintage Squash Blossom Necklace and Bracelet

The use of Turquoise is the most influential aspect of ancient Indian jewelry used in modern western fashion.

Alpaca & Turquoise Vintage Earrings

Alpaca & Turquoise Vintage Earrings

Turquoise is sensitive to some solvents; perfume and other cosmetics may affect the finish and may alter the color of turquoise gems, as will most commercial jewelry cleaning fluids. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may also discolor turquoise. After use, turquoise should be gently cleaned with a soft cloth to avoid a buildup of residue, and should be stored in its own container to avoid scratching by harder gems.

Fun With Calendars

July 13th, 2012

Calendars have been part of civilizations for thousands of years. Different calendars have been used at different times. One of the most common calendars used today is a solar calendar. Lunar calendars are used, but I am writing a blog and not a book so I am keeping this short. The solar calendar is a calendar whose dates indicate the position of the earth on its revolution around the sun. This can be tricky; the solar year is not exactly 365 days long. It is closer to 365 solar days, 5 hours 49 minutes and some seconds.

The Gregorian calendar is considered the internationally accepted civil calendar. It was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII, after whom the calendar was named, in 1582. The motivation for the Gregorian improvement was that the Julian calendar, named after Julius Caesar, was inaccurate and gained about three days every four centuries.

The improved calendar was adopted later that year by a handful of countries, with other countries adopting it over the following centuries.

OK, lesson over. At some point someone got the clever idea of adding illustrations to calendars. The calendar became art as well as functional. You can find a calendar theme on just about any subject you can imagine. Here is a look at some of the calendars we have found.

Original 1917 advertising calendar. Compliments of Mathew Hall - Lumber and Building Supplies. St. Cloud, Minnesota. Artwork is by Frank Stick - Moose Call.

Original 1917 advertising calendar. Compliments of Mathew Hall - Lumber and Building Supplies. St. Cloud, Minnesota. Artwork is by Frank Stick - "Moose Call".

Original 1921 Advertising calendar. Compliments of: Mathew Hall - Lumber and Building Materials. Artwork is a great Philip R. Goodwin hunting scene.

Original 1921 Advertising calendar. Compliments of: Mathew Hall - Lumber and Building Materials. Artwork is a great Philip R. Goodwin hunting scene.

Original 1918 advertising calendar. Compliments of Mathew Hall - Lumber and Building Materials. St. Cloud, Minnesota. Complete 1918 calendar.

Original 1918 advertising calendar. Compliments of Mathew Hall - Lumber and Building Materials. St. Cloud, Minnesota. Complete 1918 calendar.

Original WWI era calendar. January 1919 . Entitled: The Battlefields. Poster shows Italian, American, German, French, Scottish and English soldiers all hailing the Maiden of the Battlefields. Complete 1919 calendar.

Original WWI era calendar. January 1919 . Entitled: "The Battlefields". Poster shows Italian, American, German, French, Scottish and English soldiers all hailing the Maiden of the Battlefields. Complete 1919 calendar.

Original 1931 Boy Scouts of America Calendar. Scout Memories. Painted by Norman Rockwell. In the scene Dan Beard is telling a story to a seated Scout. Complete monthly calendar plus a Scout Record of yearly activities is under the artwork.

Original 1931 Boy Scouts of America Calendar. "Scout Memories". Painted by Norman Rockwell. In the scene Dan Beard is telling a story to a seated Scout. Complete monthly calendar plus a "Scout Record" of yearly activities is under the artwork.

Great 1962-1963 Hamms Beer Sports calendar.

Great 1962-1963 Hamm's Beer Sports calendar.

original 1919 advertising calendar. Conquest of the Wilderness. Compliments of Mathew Hall - Lumber and building Materials. St. Cloud, Minnesota.

original 1919 advertising calendar. "Conquest of the Wilderness. Compliments of Mathew Hall - Lumber and building Materials. St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance company large advertising calendar.

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance company large advertising calendar.

Fine unused 1963 calendar advertising Jims Standard Service

Fine unused 1963 calendar advertising Jim's Standard Service

1954 Advertising calendar from Moores Food Market and Variety

1954 Advertising calendar from Moore's Food Market and Variety

Shortys Texaco 1952 Calendar. Candor N.Y.

Shorty's Texaco 1952 Calendar. Candor N.Y.

This is just a sample of the many items we have on our website.

We hope you enjoy looking through them as you explore the ever changing treasures within.

WWII Era

July 3rd, 2012

The History Channel, Books, Documentaries, and television shows have covered this subject more than I can. I will let the objects we have speak for themselves as we look at the WWII era.

This is a presentation prepared to promote Gau Franken as a center for a Nazi school and as a site for a German Reichsparteitag. Included in this proposal is a cover letter stating that this would be a great location for the school and that with the completion of the new autobahn that there would be great access for a future Party Day.

This is a presentation prepared to promote Gau Franken as a center for a Nazi school and as a site for a German Reichsparteitag. Included in this proposal is a cover letter stating that this would be a great location for the school and that with the completion of the new autobahn that there would be great access for a future Party Day.

German Mauser K98 Bayonet. Manufactured by F.W. Holler. 1941 production date.

German Mauser K98 Bayonet. Manufactured by F.W. Holler. 1941 production date.

http://www.historybound.net/catalog/images/74778.jpg

E Pluribus Unum. n God We Trust to Save America

E Pluribus Unum. In God We Trust to Save America

So we’ll meet again.

"So we’ll meet again."

WWII USAAF Cloth Helmet. Mfg. by Bates Shoe Co.

WWII USAAF Cloth Helmet. Mfg. by Bates Shoe Co.WWII German - Georgien Volunteers Sleeve Shield.

WWII Original Navy Amphibious forces Patch

WWII Original Navy Amphibious forces Patch

Original Nazi Service Flag. Measures 17.5 x 17.5. Leather corners with mounting ropes. Two Waffenampt stamps.

Original Nazi Service Flag. Measures 17.5" x 17.5". Leather corners with mounting ropes. Two Waffenampt stamps.

World War II era Schalmei (Shawm). Unique double trumpet. Rings underneath for holding a banner. Used extensively by the HJ. Horst Wessel introduced the use of these into the HJ. Marked D.R.G.M. , Signal.

World War II era Schalmei (Shawm). Unique double trumpet. Rings underneath for holding a banner. Used extensively by the HJ. Horst Wessel introduced the use of these into the HJ. Marked D.R.G.M. , Signal.

WWII LUFTWAFFE PILOTS OBSERVERS BADGE

WWII LUFTWAFFE PILOT'S OBSERVERS BADGE

WWII GERMAN PARTROOPERS BADGE

WWII GERMAN PARTROOPERS BADGE

WWII GERMAN NAVAL 2ND PATTERN E-BOAT WAR BADGE

WWII GERMAN NAVAL 2ND PATTERN E-BOAT WAR BADGE

WWII U.S. NAVY AIR CREW FLIGHT WINGS.

WWII U.S. NAVY AIR CREW FLIGHT WINGS.

Original WWII Japanese meatball flag. Measures 26 tall x 32 wide. Still has the original tie down straps.

Original WWII Japanese "meatball" flag. Measures 26" tall x 32" wide. Still has the original tie down straps.

First Pacific coast torpedoed ship  General Petroleum Tanker Emidio. Torpedoed by Japanese Dec. 19, 1941 off Eureka coast, as it appeared after floating to Crescent City, California on Dec. 20, 1941.

First Pacific coast torpedoed ship " General Petroleum Tanker Emidio". Torpedoed by Japanese Dec. 19, 1941 off Eureka coast, as it appeared after floating to Crescent City, California on Dec. 20, 1941.

JAPANESE - WWII. Award document.

JAPANESE - WWII. Award document.

This is just a sample of the many historical items we have.

We hope you enjoy looking through them as you explore our website.