Rare Pair of Fireman s Axe Parade Torches

CAST IRON BOOT JACK, MADE FOR THE 1864 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF GENERAL GEORGE B. MC CLELLAN, WITH A FANTASTIC SLOGAN THAT READS "THE UNION AT ALL HAZZARDS" Made for the 1864 presidential run of George B. McClellan, this cast iron bootjack is both rare and graphically exceptional. Displaying the original black-painted surface, with attractive and desirable patina, the stylized profile has a wonderful folk art quality. Molded block letters that wrap around the heel clasp read simply "Gen. Mc Clellan. These are accompanied by a prominent Civil War-associated slogan: "The Union at all Hazards." The text is intermingled with 34 stars, which was equivalent to the number of states during the opening two years of the war, but was one star short by mid-1863 and two stars short by the time of the actual election in 1864. It's not unusual to encounter this feature in civil war campaign parade flags as well as all manner of flag-related ephemera. The iron was reportedly cast by G. & D. Cross of Morrisville, New York, though it is unsigned and I have not yet verified the attribution. I have seen two other examples, one of which had a broken and repaired tine on the U-shaped horns and newly painted surface, while the other appeared to have broken lifters and inferior, rusted patina. This is, hands-down, the best of the identified examples. Brief History of the 1864 Campaign: President Abraham Lincoln had a checkered relationship with his 1864 opponent, who he had formerly chosen as General-in-Chief of the entire Union Army. The career officer repeatedly knocked heads with his Commander-in-Chief. Having raised a well-trained and organized military force, McClellan often seemed reluctant to use it. By 1862, after losses in Virginia during the Peninsula Campaign, Lincoln grew frustrated with McClellan and the progression of the war and removed him from command. By the early part of 1864 the American people shared some of the same frustrations and Lincoln was no longer the clear choice for the White House. The nation was tired of war and the remains of the Democratic Party...

An exceptional, painted American trade sign made from carved wood in the full-bodied form of a race horse’s head. Wonderful movement, tremendous f...

Masterpiece tramp art carving: "THE GRADUATE" This exceptional tramp art figure and podium, nicknamed "The Graduate", is one of the best pieces of this genre of work that I have ever seen. If the form is outstanding, the painted surface is better, scoring a firm ten out of ten. Probably of Pennsylvania origin, the carving was sold about 25 years ago by Lehigh Valley...

A TREMENDOUS CHILD'S WHEELBARROW FROM MAINE, CA 1840-1870: Ex scudder smith. Great iron work and excellent paint-decorated surface.

A pair of West African incised iron and copper wire axe form currency pieces or may have used as dance wands. On custom mounts. In the form of a ritual axe, which in many parts of A...

An warior axe from the Fang tribe (Gabon) with a rich aged using patina from the 19th century Totally uncleaned blade Length wooden handle 49 cm, iron blade 15.5 x 10.5 cm Tribal pat...

An adze is a cutting tool similar to an axe but with a cutting edge perpendicular to the handle rather than parallel. Toraja people from Sumatra Island, used for wood carving, were made from nephrite (also known as jade) in the South Island. In the North Island they were commonly made from greywacke or basalt. At the same time on Henderson Island, a small coral island...

Classic Native American Eastern Plains Indian tomahawk. With tulip shaped bowl and maple wire wrapped shaft. One tin cone drop with horse hair. Beautiful layered steel blade with dar...