EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBExtremely Rare Joseph Francis Corrugated Metallic Life Boat
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
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
About Auction
LiveSep 17, 2016 - Sep 18, 2016
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (330)
- Lot Description
American, mid-19th century. A metallic life boat constructed of stamped and riveted corrugated sheet metal with air chambers at bow and stern, manufactured by Stillman, Allen & Co Novelty Iron Works of New York, including a patent label reading STILLMAN, ALLEN & CO / NOVELTY IRON WORKS / NEW-YORK / JOSEPH FRANCIS / PATENT 1845 (referring to patent US3974 A) Joseph Francis (1801-1893) was an inventor who is best known today for his invention of the Life Car, a life-saving marine vehicle that could be dispatched from shore to a foundering ship. He spent a lifetime improving the construction of marine life-saving equipment to better serve the Navy, the US Life-Saving Service (now the Coast Guard), then in its infancy, as well as merchant and passenger ships. His advances in life-saving technology were so valuable that by 1841 nearly all merchant and government vessels out of New York were outfitted with his life boats. In 1888, Congress saw fit to award Francis a Congressional Gold Medal to be presented to him as "Inventor and Framer of the Means for the Life Saving Services of the Country." Based on the size of this vessel, it is possible that this served as one of Francis' Life-Cars. At just over 12 feet long, it falls short of the usual 20-30 feet typical of his ocean-faring surf boats. However, throughout his career, Francis fashioned a variety of boats using his patented method stamping corrugated sheets of metal including barges, whaleboats, and sailboats. As the boat appears to have been heavily modified, and is missing its signature top, we cannot say with certainty that this is a Life-Car. Buker, George E. The Metal Life Car: The Inventor, the Impostor, and the Business of Lifesaving. The University of Alabama Press, 2008.Boat has been repainted and modified, some paint is chipping. Please contact cleveland@cowans.com for condition inquiries. Please note that a condition report is only an opinion, given as a courtesy, and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Cowan's Auctions shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Condition
- Shipping Info
-
Shipping Information:
Cowan’s WILL NOT be providing in-house shipping. Cowan’s recommends the following local shippers to handle purchases:
The UPS Store
1284 Som Center Road
Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
Phone: (440) 461-5605
Fax: (440) 461-6654
Email: store0226@theupsstore.comFalls Pak & Ship
46 Chagrin Plaza
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
Phone: (440) 247-9340
Fax: (440) 247-1104
Email: fallspaknship@gmail.com
-
- Buyer's Premium
