EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FROM THE U.S. FRIGATE CONSTITUTION “OLD IRONSIDES”.

EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FROM THE U.S. FRIGATE CONSTITUTION “OLD IRONSIDES”. Undoubtedly the most famous ship in the history of the U.S. Navy is the U.S. Constitution. This book is the official Watch and Quarter Bills of the U.S. Frigate Constitution and is so titled on its cover. It consists of 32 pages (including the front and back covers) about 10” wide by 12-3/4” tall, sewn along its spine with heavy twisted thread. The first 12 pages consist of the Watch Bills, indicating to which watch each man on the ship is assigned. The last of these pages is titled “Idlers” and consists of the personnel who had no assigned watch, including Jacob Jones – Commodore, Foxhall A. Parker – Lt. Commandant, Geo. Washington Storer – First Lieut, James Ferguson – Sailing Master, and thirteen other men. The next pages are the Quarter Bills and they designate where each officer and sailor is quartered and to what duties they are assigned and under what circumstances. For instance, 5th Lieut. Samuel L. Breese was Captain of the 4th Watch. He also commanded the Gun Deck 1st Division, and in the event that an enemy ship was to be boarded, he commanded the Musket Men of the 2nd Division of Boarders. Similarly detailed assignments are made for all the critical crewmen and officers. This book is a historical treasure – it is a detailed record of how the manpower and resources on the Constitution were allocated and under what conditions – watch, battle, boarding, etc. This book was a working document, as demonstrated by the many entries for which names were crossed out, and new names were substituted. These amendments likely represent changes in duties due to promotion, transfers, death, disability, etc. There are few pages that do not bear at least one such amendment. The U.S. Navy’s records of the Constitution’s assignments, commanders, etc are quite accessible, so it is possible to date this rare document to the exact tour of duty on which it was written and used. Jacob Jones is listed as the ship’s captain from 1818-1823; however, during the first 3 years of this period, the ship was being repaired and refitted in Boston. The Constitution was re-commissioned in 1821 and under Commodore Jacob Jones, it served as the flagship of the American fleet in the Mediterranean until 1823, a position that it continued to fill for another two cruises in the following years with a succession of captains. We can therefor confidently date this Watch and Quarter Bill to the 1821-1823 tour of duty under Commodore Jacob Jones, Lieutenant Commandant Foxhall A. Parker, and First Lieutenant George Washington Storer. As noted, the man who was third in command during this tour of duty was First Lieutenant George Washington Storer. Storer was a career naval officer son of Mary Lear (Colonel Tobias Lear’s sister and Samuel Storer). Storer was commissioned mid-ship men in 1809 and at the time served on the frigate Constitution in the Mediterranean from 1820-1824. In 1861 he was promoted to Rear Admiral. He was named for the President and as a baby; he was blessed by Washington when the former President visited the Lear home. This wonderful document has descended directly through Storer’s family for these 180-odd years. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to acquire an authentic and historically important document from “Old Ironsides”, the most famous ship in the U.S. Navy. CONDITION: Stitched binding is intact, and although there are some stains and light soiling, these are confined primarily to the outsides of the covers. Leaves are complete with a little edge wear and slight dog-earing, primarily on the first few leaves. Overall, very good condition. 9-98756 (30,000-40,000)

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
	2149	$28,750.00	EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FROM THE U.S. FRIGATE CONSTITUTION “OLD IRONSIDES”. Undoubtedly the most famous ship in the history of the U.S. Navy is the U.S. Constitution. This book is the official Watch and Quarter Bills of the U.S. Frigate Constitution and is so titled on its cover. It consists of 32 pages (including the front and back covers) about 10” wide by 12-3/4” tall, sewn along its spine with heavy twisted thread. The first 12 pages consist of the Watch Bills, indicating to which watch each man on the ship is assigned. The last of these pages is titled “Idlers” and consists of the personnel who had no assigned watch, including Jacob Jones – Commodore, Foxhall A. Parker – Lt. Commandant, Geo. Washington Storer – First Lieut, James Ferguson – Sailing Master, and thirteen other men. The next pages are the Quarter Bills and they designate where each officer and sailor is quartered and to what duties they are assigned and under what circumstances. For instance, 5th Lieut. Samuel L. Breese was Captain of the 4th Watch. He also commanded the Gun Deck 1st Division, and in the event that an enemy ship was to be boarded, he commanded the Musket Men of the 2nd Division of Boarders. Similarly detailed assignments are made for all the critical crewmen and officers. This book is a historical treasure – it is a detailed record of how the manpower and resources on the Constitution were allocated and under what conditions – watch, battle, boarding, etc. This book was a working document, as demonstrated by the many entries for which names were crossed out, and new names were substituted. These amendments likely represent changes in duties due to promotion, transfers, death, disability, etc. There are few pages that do not bear at least one such amendment. The U.S. Navy’s records of the Constitution’s assignments, commanders, etc are quite accessible, so it is possible to date this rare document to the exact tour of duty on which it was written and used. Jacob Jones is listed as the ship’s captain from 1818-1823; however, during the first 3 years of this period, the ship was being repaired and refitted in Boston. The Constitution was re-commissioned in 1821 and under Commodore Jacob Jones, it served as the flagship of the American fleet in the Mediterranean until 1823, a position that it continued to fill for another two cruises in the following years with a succession of captains. We can therefor confidently date this Watch and Quarter Bill to the 1821-1823 tour of duty under Commodore Jacob Jones, Lieutenant Commandant Foxhall A. Parker, and First Lieutenant George Washington Storer. As noted, the man who was third in command during this tour of duty was First Lieutenant George Washington Storer. Storer was a career naval officer son of Mary Lear (Colonel Tobias Lear’s sister and Samuel Storer). Storer was commissioned mid-ship men in 1809 and at the time served on the frigate Constitution in the Mediterranean from 1820-1824. In 1861 he was promoted to Rear Admiral. He was named for the President and as a baby; he was blessed by Washington when the former President visited the Lear home. This wonderful document has descended directly through Storer’s family for these 180-odd years. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to acquire an authentic and historically important document from “Old Ironsides”, the most famous ship in the U.S. Navy. CONDITION: Stitched binding is intact, and although there are some stains and light soiling, these are confined primarily to the outsides of the covers. Leaves are complete with a little edge wear and slight dog-earing, primarily on the first few leaves. Overall, very good condition. 9-98756 (30,000-40,000) 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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