US, 1927, Book End, Wood From Old Ironsides, USS Constitution
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $100.00

Original era manufacture. A wonderful old relic, made from reclaimed woodfrom the hull of the War of 1812 US Navy Frigate, USS Constitution, better known as "Old Ironsides".In 1927 a nationwide program to save the shipfrom being scrapped was enacted, and as the story goes the donations ofpennies by the nation's school children saved the ship.Souvenirs were made from scraps left over from her restoration, in a wide variety of forms. Our example is one half of a set of bookends, carved into theform ofa breech of a muzzle loading cannon. The trunnions are intact but sadly the cascabel is missing. Perhaps it could be replaced or repaired. Tacked to the sloped plinth is acopper plaque which reads, "THIS MATERIAL WAS TAKEN FROM THE ORIGINAL HULL OF THE FRIGATE USS CONSTITUTION, KEEL LAID 1794, REBUILDING 1927. What a wonderful old souvenir, measuring 6.5 x 3.5 x 6.5 inches.