FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY “DITTY-BOX” FROM THE U.S. FRIGATE “CONGRESS”.

FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY “DITTY-BOX” FROM THE U.S. FRIGATE “CONGRESS”. Circa 1818. The rectangular box with conforming hinged lid, crossbanded and brass bound, centering a tiger maple inlaid oval patera further centering an oval brass plaque engraved “Made on board the US / Frigate Congress / on a cruise to South America/In 1818.”The velvet lined lid with webbing for papers. The interior fitted with a compartmented tray, lined with velvet, additional pen trays fitted within. Sold with contents including an 1819 map of South America from the drawings by Brackenridge, sheets of stamps originating from Japan mounted within a watercolor decorated pamphlet, a volume of “Treatise of Keeping the Heart” by the Reverend John Flavel, and signed by Mary Lear. A copy of the article “Ditty-box a Sailor’s Pride” found in the New York Sun, Saturday, Feb. 15, 1936, written by Stephen Decatur. SIZE: 6-1/2″ h x 17″ l x 9-3/4″ PROVENANCE: “The box was obtained from the maker by George Washington Storer, then a Lt. on the Frigate, and then given to his grandmother Mrs. Mary Lear, the mother of the Tobias Lear who was George Washington’s private secretary…Mrs. Lear used it as her sewing box…now in the possession of one of her descendants.” By descent through the family of Stephen Decatur. CONDITION: With losses to string inlays, overall very good. 9-97964 (1,500-2,000)

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2010

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2122	$15,525.00	FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY “DITTY-BOX” FROM THE U.S. FRIGATE “CONGRESS”. Circa 1818. The rectangular box with conforming hinged lid, crossbanded and brass bound, centering a tiger maple inlaid oval patera further centering an oval brass plaque engraved “Made on board the US / Frigate Congress / on a cruise to South America/In 1818.”The velvet lined lid with webbing for papers. The interior fitted with a compartmented tray, lined with velvet, additional pen trays fitted within. Sold with contents including an 1819 map of South America from the drawings by Brackenridge, sheets of stamps originating from Japan mounted within a watercolor decorated pamphlet, a volume of “Treatise of Keeping the Heart” by the Reverend John Flavel, and signed by Mary Lear. A copy of the article “Ditty-box a Sailor’s Pride” found in the New York Sun, Saturday, Feb. 15, 1936, written by Stephen Decatur. SIZE: 6-1/2″ h x 17″ l x 9-3/4″ PROVENANCE: “The box was obtained from the maker by George Washington Storer, then a Lt. on the Frigate, and then given to his grandmother Mrs. Mary Lear, the mother of the Tobias Lear who was George Washington’s private secretary…Mrs. Lear used it as her sewing box…now in the possession of one of her descendants.” By descent through the family of Stephen Decatur. CONDITION: With losses to string inlays, overall very good. 9-97964 (1,500-2,000) Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2010 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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