Civil War Folk Art Pipe Featuring Morse Code, Attributed to Atkins Higgins, U.S. Engineers, 1863

Lot 155

About Seller

6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States

With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more

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About Auction

American History, Featuring the Property of N. Flayderman & Co. by Cowan's Auctions

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American History, Featuring the Property of N...

By Cowan's Auctions

Jun 9, 2017 - Jun 10, 2017

Set Reminder 2017-06-09 10:00:00 2017-06-10 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History, Featuring the Property of N. Flayderman & Co. https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-featuring-the-property-of-n-flayderman-co-2392 Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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Lot Description

Delicate, nicely made folk art carved soldier's pipe, medium to dark brown in color, possibly laurel root. Front of bowl features only relief carving, consisting of three large letters, U.S.E., possibly U.S. Engineers. The date 1863 is inlaid in brass above the three letters. Brass inlay in oval design surrounds the date and relief carved letters, with the outer edge of the brass oval inlay completely encircled with very tiny, evenly spaced small brass studs. Brass inlays in the form of Co. and B are at top of bowl, on left and right sides. With several tiny brass line and stud inlays on both sides of the lower bowl and along the shank. Initials of the original owner, T.J.N., in tiny decorative brass inlay are at extreme bottom of bowl and underside of shank. Top edge of shank also edged in brass, and entire perimeter of flat top of bowl's wall edged in brass, with numerous tiny round brass inlays decorating the flat top. Overall width of bowl and stem 2.175 in.; bowl height 1.75 in., dia. 1.25 in.

The pattern comprised of the irregular line and dot inlay is actually a representation of Morse code, as determined in “A Marvel of Taste and Skill": Carved Pipes of the American Civil War, written by Lea Catherine Lane in 2015 (pp. 95-98). When translated, the pattern reads "Atkins Higins." Higgins was a Massachusetts native who served as a member of Co. B, United States Engineer Corps from December 1861 through December 1864. Prior to the war, he worked as a carpenter within the household of master cabinetmaker James A. Winn. After the war, Higgins was a woodworker and cabinetmaker. He was also an inventor and received a patent for a device designed to relieve the neck pain of invalids.

Provenance: Property of N. Flayderman & Co.
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