Richmond Depot Type II Jacket from 2nd Lieutenant John James Haines, 2nd Virginia Infantry, c. 1862-63 (Lot 147, Estimate $30,000-$40,000)
MARLBOROUGH, MA – October 21, 2015 – Skinner, Inc. will hold an auction of Historic Arms & Militaria on Friday, October 30th, at 4PM. The sale includes 326 lots of important militaria from the American Revolution through World War II. Items on offer include artillery, swords, pistols, powder horns, uniforms, muskets, and rifles featuring the very special Civil War collection of Denis E. Reen.
The Denis E. Reen Collection
Skinner is proud to be handling the collection of the late Denis E. Reen. The 42 lot collection includes some wonderful and important objects, containing a Richmond Depot Type II Jacket from 2nd Lieutenant John James Haines, 2nd Virginia Infantry, c. 1862-63 (Lot 147, Estimate $30,000-$40,000), a Civil War-era Four-button Fatigue Blouse, c 1861-65 (Lot 174, Estimate $10,000- $15,000) and Federal Infantry Uniform Jacket, c. 1861-1865 (Lot 189, Estimate $7,000-$9,000)
Military Historian and author Leslie D. Jensen said “Denis Reen preserved these pieces to learn from and to honor those who fought in our great Civil War. He extended their life another fifty years and passed them on to the next generation. The objects presented at Skinner’s are the best of Denis Reen’s collection; those pieces with a known history or which are so rare as to be seldom seen in either private or museum collections…the items offered here are the crème de la crème of his remarkable fifty year collection.”
Pair of Silver-mounted Wilson Flintlock Pistols, c. last quarter 18th century (Lot 33, Estimate $8,000-$10,000)
Artillery Deaccessioned from Fort Ticonderoga
A variety of late 18th and 19th century artillery from the collection of Fort Ticonderoga will be presented at auction including Spanish-American War Breech-loading Rifled Field Gun (Lot 25, Estimate $4,000-$6,000). Fort Ticonderoga was one of the earliest historic preservation projects begun in North America, and these pieces of artillery have been in the collection since the association was established in 1931.
Historic Arms & Militaria director Joel Bohy Commented, “We are proud to present these objects to benefit the acquisition fund of the Fort Ticonderoga Museum. We wholeheartedly support the Fort’s mission to ensure that future generations learn from the struggles that shaped our nation.”
Admiral Peary Flag from the North Pole Expedition, c. early 20th century (Lot 241, Estimate $15,000-$20,000)
Historic Arms & Militaria
The auction also features pistols and muskets, historic documents, and antique arms from the American Revolution through World War II. Items include A Revolutionary War powder horn attributed to carver Jacob Gay evokes an important moment in early American history carved at the siege of Boston (Lot 114, Estimate $20,000-$25,000). Carved with the name “Peter Perit”, as well as wonderful scenes of soldiers dancing, fighting, Native Americans, and “Success To America.” Also in this auction are a Colt model 1851 Navy Revolver, presented to Louis T. Wigfall from General Joseph E. Johnston is a rare find (Lot 52, Estimate $10,000-$12,000) and a pair of silver-mounted Wilson flintlock pistols with wonderful silver wire inlays (Lot 33, $8,000-$10,000). Additionally, a selection of historic documents will be offered, including the Civil War letters and documents of James C. Duane, chief engineer of the Army of the Potomac (Lot 157, $5,000-$7,000).
Previews, Catalog and Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Wednesday, October 28, from noon to 5 PM, Thursday, October 29, from noon to 7 PM, and Friday, October 30, from noon to 3:30 PM. An Illustrated catalog #2856M is available from the Subscription Department at 508-970-3240.The catalogue is also available at the gallery. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. The Skinner website also enables users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogs and bid live, in real-time through SkinnerLive!
About Skinner
Skinner auctions draw international interest from buyers and consignors alike, with material regularly achieving record prices. The company’s auction and appraisal services focus on fine art, jewelry, furniture, and decorative arts from around the globe, as well as wine, fine musical instruments, rare books, Asian art, clocks, Judaica, and more. Monthly Skinner Discovery auctions feature a breadth of estate material. Widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the business, Skinner appraisers have appeared on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, since the show’s inception. Skinner has galleries in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusetts, as well as in New York City and Coral Gables, Florida, with bidders participating in person, by phone, and online. Join auctions live with SkinnerLive! and Bidsquare. For more information and to read our blog, visit the website at www.skinnerinc.com, find us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
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Contacts
Joel Bohy
Specialist, Historic Arms & Militaria
508-970-3125
militaria@skinnerinc.com