Collectibles Archives - Simply Christine

Finding Soldier’s Names on Powder Horns

American RevolutionChristineApril 22, 20120

Written by Tom Grinslade, author of the book “Powder Horns – Documents of History” Note from Christine: I am very excited to publish the article Tom wrote after I reached out to him with the idea that it seems that most people who own a powder horn are looking for information about its original owner,…

William Farwell’s Powder Horn

American RevolutionChristineOctober 15, 20110

The enlarged images can be viewed in a slideshow by clicking the first image and then clicking the “next” button. Eliot contacted me and was hoping to learn more about this 1775 powder horn, inscribed with the name William Farwell. I thought I would share it with all, as it is a very interesting powder…

Mystery Powder Horn

CollectiblesChristineAugust 2, 20110

I received an email from Jules asking for help. He is looking for any information about the powder horn he owns. Can you help? Leave us a comment! Here is what Jules knows about it: It is inscribed with the name “NICLAUS KENDZINGER” and the date is 1772 OR 1722. The picture on the reverse…

Brittany Wooden Shoes

BrittanyChristineMay 15, 20114

I love playing history detective. It always takes you to places you could not expect! This time it starts with the story of an ordinary pair of painted Brittany wooden shoes seen at the Vermont Antique Show last week, and ends with Paul Gauguin’s carved wooden shoes which sold this week for nothing less than…

Engraved Powder Horns – Part 4

American RevolutionChristineMay 11, 20110

The enlarged images can be viewed in a slideshow by clicking the first image and then clicking the “next” button. See the biography of the watercolorist Rufus Alexander Grider after the images. A few months ago an old article on powder horns alerted me to the work of the watercolorist Rufus Alexander Grider. He must…

Engraved Powder Horns – Part 3

American RevolutionChristineFebruary 20, 20110

This article has been reproduced from the July 1939 issue of the American Collector. American Engraved Powder Horns By Stephen V. Grancsay Curator of Arms and Armor Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (All illustrations from the J.H. Grenville Gilbert Collection, Metropolitan Museum) THE period of the French and Indian War was a map-making era….

Engraved Powder Horns – Part 2

CollectiblesChristineJanuary 30, 20112

William H. Guthman, an avid collector of powder horns! I don’t think you can talk about powder horns without talking about this well-known scholar and dealer in historical and military Americana. I don’t pretend to know him, but I’d love to show you a few things he has shared with us. He was born in…

Engraved Powder Horns – Part 1

American RevolutionChristineJanuary 20, 20113

Engraved powder horns are simply fascinating. Particularly those with detailed historical maps. They are truly a piece of art, and the work of incredible craftsmen. I discovered them by pure chance, and got interested in them because they often feature maps from the region of Lake Champlain, the region where I live and which I…

Celebrating Samuel de Champlain in 1908

CollectiblesChristineJanuary 16, 20110

Some days luck is on your side. It’s that simple! On this day of July 2009, I came across the most unexpected little treasure: an original newspaper from July 18, 1908, a Special Issue celebrating the 300th of the founding of Quebec City by Samuel de Champlain, with four pages dedicated to Champlain, Honfleur, Wolfe…