[Americana] Fulton, Robert. Original Drawing of a Detonator and Muzzle for an Underwater Cannon

(New York, ca. 1807). Pen and ink with watercolor on paper. Expertly repaired closed tear in bottom left; New Jersey Historical Society ink stamp on verso. 20 1/2 x 28 in. (521 x 711 mm). In mat and in frame, 28 1/2 x 34 in. (724 x 864 mm).

A fine original drawing by American engineer and inventor Robert Fulton, showing details of flintlock detonators for submarine bombs and underwater guns.

Robert Fulton studied painting under Benjamin West, and launched the first successful paddle-steamer service in the world, designed and tested the first practical submarine, and significantly advanced the design of submarine torpedoes and torpedo boats.

Born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Fulton moved to England in 1786 to study painting. His practical experiments with submarine torpedoes and torpedo boats began with his move to France in 1797 and culminated in the testing of the first practical submarine (The Nautilus) in 1800. In 1804 he moved back to England and continued his experiments with torpedoes in tandem with his overseeing the construction of a steam engine to power a boat that he had designed. In late 1806 he returned to the United States to supervise the construction of what was to become the North River Steamboat or Clermont. While this was going on he also continued with his experiments with torpedoes and submarines: his "torpedo" bombs were tested in New York Harbor and he published a pamphlet, "Torpedo War and Submarine Explosions," in 1810. With government support, he continued his experiments, and with the outbreak of the War of 1812, he concentrated on his "submarine gun," a precursor of modern torpedo techniques.

This drawing is divided into two parts. The left side shows various sections and details of a flintlock mechanism designed to be watertight and used underwater. The right appears to show two alternative designs for a waterproof gun muzzle: one with a waterproof hatch lowered using a toothed cog, the second, a flap lowered using a lever system.

The drawing was de-accessioned by the New Jersey Historical Society. It originally formed part of a large collection of Fulton's drawings given to the Society in 1855 by the Dutch-born engineer, ethnologist and historian Solomon Alofsen (1808-1876).

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Darren Winston

SVP, Head of Department, Books and Manuscripts, Philadelphia

[email protected]267.414.1247

Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

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[Americana] Fulton, Robert. Original Drawing of a Detonator and Muzzle for an Underwater Cannon

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