Tuesday, JuLy 22, 2008 - John Moran Auctioneers

1084 Gentleman’s California gold quartz walking stick
Presentation walking stick inscribed, ‘’A.B. Valentine, Bennington, VT from ADE San
Francisco, Cal., May 20th 1882’’, the yellow gold-filled head set with 1’’ diameter gold
quartz roundel, mounted on a pale walnut tapering stick, together with a framed
photograph of Valentine with other Union Army members, with five $0.02 cancelled
stamps to reverse dated ‘’Jul/1/1865’’, two portrait photos, one taken by C. Dart,
Bennington, VT, signed ‘’A.B. Valentine, 1862’’, the other taken by Brady’s, NY, NY;
and a cylindrical gold quartz bar pin, in a yellow gold-filled mount (2’’), matching
cane, 5 pcs, the walking stick overall, 36.75’’ H x 1.5’’ Dia., est:$6000/8000. Note: Major
Alonzo B. Valentine (April 1 1830 - [after] 1900) was a born into a well-to-do family in
Bennington, Vermont and in the early part of his life worked in the family woolen mill.
In 1852 Valentine journeyed west after news of the rich gold deposits in California.
He worked in the gold fields until 1854, when he returned to Vermont and the family
business. Valentine remained in Vermont until the start of the civil war when he
enlisted in the Union Army in 1862 and served ‘’meritoriously’’ until 1866, when
he again returned to Bennington. Upon his return, Valentine became a prominent
businessman and statesman, serving as commander of the Vermont Department of
the Grand Army in 1882 and 1883 and state Senator in 1884. Provenance: Property
from the Perkins Collection, Newhall, CA Condition: Cap of cane 2’’ high. Cane with
typical slight marks abrasions and very minor dings to gold-filled cane head. Typical
marks and slight scuffing to cane shaft. Gold quartz has visible, but stable 0.75’’ crack.
Engraved inscription rubbed. Photos in overall good condition, with typical marks,
fading and light scratches, as visible in catalogue images. Group image with some
brown discoloration to edges, only visible outside of frame. Bar pin with pin element
slightly bent.
1085 stella symphonic 17.25 disk golden oak music box
Circa 1900, numbered ‘’2929’’, with double comb, stop/play and speed regulation
levers, within a rectangular golden oak case with hinged lid, over an oak leaf-carved
frieze above a disk drawer, on bracket feet, together with approximately 40 disks of
various waltzes and other pieces, 41 pcs, 13’’ H x 28.25’’ W x 20.5’’ D, est:$3000/4000
Condition: Case in good overall condition. With slight warp and shrinkage crack to
top panel. General light marks and scratches commensurate with age. Apparently in
working order. Securing arm works smoothly. Levers working but may require some
adjustment. Four teeth on bottom comb broken off. Crank works smoothly with good
spring resistance. Disks in various states, with some bending, and oxidation.
1086 a swiss cylinder music box
Late 19th / early 20th c, with single cylinder and comb, playing four airs: ‘’Il
Trovatore’’, Verdi; ‘’Monastery Bells’’, Lefebure-Wely; ‘’Carnival of Venice’’, Paganini;
Blue Danube Waltz’’, Strauss, within a rectangular grain-painted case,
4.75’’ H x 12.5’’ W x 6.5’’ D, est:$700/900. Provenance: Property from the Perkins
Collection, Newhall, CA Condition: Case with general marks, nicks and scratches
commensurate with age and use- notable nicks to top. Some flaking to finish in areas.
Lacking some string inlay from top and front. Apparently in working order. Movement
would benefit from light cleaning and proper maintenance. Some wear, yellowing and
tears to list mounted to reverse of top. No key.
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