$16,590
"Don't Give Up the Ship" Naval Battle Enamel Decorated Silver Pocket Watch, London, 1803, pair case watch with bull's-eye crystal, polychrome decorated white enamel dial with central scene of a naval battle over the inscription "Don't Give up The Ship," 30-hour fusee movement with pierced balanced cock and ruby endstone and the inscription "Don't Give Up the Ship" on the inside of the watch; the scene likely depicts the June 1, 1813, battle in which the British frigate H.M.S. Shannon defeated the American frigate U.S.S. Chesapeake ; the young American captain, James Lawrence, after being mortally wounded, ordered the officers who attended him "Don't give up the ship!"; the back plate also engraved "Don't Give up the Ship," maker's marks for London, letter date for 1803, maker's initials "IR," key-wind with key, (enamel dial with minor hairlines, small chips). Possibly recased. Several hairlines to clock face area of dial, a few tiny specks of enamel losses around edges and around key-wind, 1/8 dia. enamel loss l.r., also there''s a dent on back of inner case, the back of the inner case also marked with the same maker''s marks as the exterior case. Decorated at a later date because watch date marks are for 1803-04, and battle incident where "Don''t give up the Ship" was quoted, took place in 1813.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2008-06-08
