CSA Soldier, John D. Whittington, 4th Alabama Infantry, Ambrotype, Folk Art Carved Pipe & Fob

Lot 166

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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Price	Bid Increment
$0	$25
$500	$50
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$2,000	$250
$5,000	$500
$10,000	$1,000
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$50,000	$5,000
$100,000	$10,000

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

Lot of 4, featuring incomplete Confederate soldier's tobacco pipe, carved fob, sixth plate ambrotype, and notary card identified to John D. Whittington.

The collection features a folk art, partially carved Confederate soldier's tobacco pipe in an incomplete state, with partial branch of tree from which it was carved still in tact. The bowl is hollowed out in an almost completely finished state, while the stem has never been bored through and the base still shows its clean cut from the rest of the tree branch. The name of the noted Civil War battle, Lookout Mt., is crudely incised carved on the bowl's rim, possibly referring to the location where the wood for the pipe was acquired. The pipe's exterior is almost entirely rough with the exception of a crude, relief carved design of a skull and crossbones over a leaf shaped panel, which has a lighter, incised carving of a smaller skull and crossbones. The panel also includes three small initials F.C.B. carved in three separate spots around the skull and crossbones. Overall height 6.25 in.; bowl height approx. 3 in.

The pipe is accompanied by a sixth plate ambrotype of two young Confederate servicemen shown seated, arm in arm, wearing identical CS blouses and wide brim felt hats. Housed in half case. Flayderman notes that the original owner strongly believed that one of the young soldiers pictured in the ambrotype was Alabama soldier John D. Whittington, although this cannot be confirmed. A small wooden “fob," 3 in. overall, with neatly incised carved large initials J.D.W. and an original business card of Jno. D. Whittington / Justice of the Peace, showing his address as Richmond, (Dallas Co.), Ala. are included with the lot.

Norm Flayderman purchased this group from an Alabama antique dealer in 1986. In a letter to Flayderman from the antique dealer, dated April 7, 1986 (which is included with the lot), he describes John D. Whittington as "a Native Alabamian as far as I can determine. His young life was spent in Selma (Dallas County) Ala. At the time of the War between the States, Whittington enlisted in the Confederate Army (the 4th Ala. Inf.)..." The dealer also relates that the "ambrotype, carved pipe, and carved fob were found together in a box in a drawer" in a Richmond, Dallas County, AL Country Store that Whittington ran after the Civil War. No further information has been discovered regarding Whittington's service with the 4th Alabama Infantry.

Provenance: Property of N. Flayderman & Co.

Condition

Pipe in unfinished state. Ambrotype, plate with some scratches throughout, discoloration in lower left corner and along lower left edge. Light tarnish along perimeter. Half case with damage. Wear to carved "fob." Light wear to business card.
Shipping Info
- SHIPPING. At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.