A USS Tallapoosa Eagle, Shield and Cannon Carved, Brass-Mounted Walnut Gangway Board

1867-1877

incised PA on the reverse, the shield showing 37 stars.
Height 50 x width 13 1/4 inches.

Property from the Collection of the Legendary Dealer Norm Flayderman

The USS Tallapoosa was a Civil War Double-Sided Gunboat constructed at the New York Navy Yards by C.W. Booz of Baltimore, Maryland. She was launched in 1863 and commissioned in 1864. Years after the war ended, in 1884, the USS Tallapoosa collided with a schooner in Vineyard Sound off the coast of Massachusetts. She was subsequently raised from the depths, repaired and sent back on the water. In 1892, she was sold at public auction in Uruguay.

The late E. Norman Flayderman (1928-2013) remains legendary as an antique arms dealer, a prolific author, and a perspicacious collector across a wide range of categories. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both antique dealers, he founded N. Flayderman & Co. in 1952. The third-generation dealer ran a brick-and-mortar shop for ten years before changing his business model to focus solely on scholarly catalogue sales, producing 119 consecutive issues between 1954 and 1998.

Flayderman delighted in finding decorative items rich with history and sharing their stories with fellow collectors who shared his passion. Many items offered here from his storied collection reflect the breadth of his knowledge of nautical history, including carved gangway boards identified to nineteenth century ships, paintings of sailing vessels, nautical instruments, and thematically decorated American and English pottery.

In overall fine and stable condition, with general surface wear consistent with age and use. Repair to upper left edge of arch. Eagle breast piece likely carved as separate plank of wood that was nailed and glued into place. Discoloration is apparent between this piece and the rest of the plank, likely due to weathering and handling.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Ben Fisher

Managing Director, Furniture and Decorative Arts

[email protected]312.447.3270

Mr. Fisher rejoined the firm in 2019 after working as a specialist in the American Furniture and Folk Art department at Sotheby’s New York. His areas of expertise include 18th, 19th, and 20th century American, Continental, and English furniture, decorative and folk art. Before coming to Hindman in 2013, Mr. Fisher worked in European Furniture and Decorative Arts in Philadelphia. He began his career working for a prints dealer focusing on works from the 16th through the 20th centuries.

American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts

A USS Tallapoosa Eagle, Shield and Cannon Carved, Brass-Mounted Walnut Gangway Board

American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts

A USS Tallapoosa Eagle, Shield and Cannon Carved, Brass-Mounted Walnut Gangway Board

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