Greetings,

To celebrate the New Year, Martifacts is having a “10% off” sale on all navigation lights.  This includes copper or brass oil and electric navigation lights as well as all of our galvanized lamps - sidelights (red or green), masthead or stern lights and anchor lights.  Unfortunately there are no matched pairs Oil brass or copper, but we do have matched Electric sidelights.  This sale will run through January and February.  As our lamps number in the hundreds, we cannot illustrate all of them, but let us know where you want to put it – (in a bookcase, in a corner of a large room, on a wall, outside, etc) and lens preference (clear or color, Fresnel or plain) and we will provide pictures of lamps we think fit the bill.

HENSCHEL ENGINE ORDER TELEGRAPHS - We have two telegraphs from Henschel, an American manufacturer that is still in business, but these are no longer used aboard ship.  All engine control is handled on the bridge, while the engine room control station only monitors the machinery.

 1.  Marked with a Henschel label plate, this electric telegraph has been fully restored and lacquered.  It is in excellent condition. The orders are in English.  The indicator arrow is white and the face has a slightly tinted appearance. An external bell is visible but does not ring.
 2.  The other Henschel is likely older. It is mechanical telegraph and has a brass indicator arrow. We have arranged that the internal bell rings when moving the handle. This is sort of artificial, for if on board, the bell would only ring when the engine room answers the bridge orders and the engine room hears bells only when the bridge changes engine orders.  This type of telegraph has two wheels with chain link, like bicycle chain, that are connected with corresponding wheels in the engine room.  To sound the bell, we merely linked the two wheels.  The mechanical telegraph has been stripped and polished, but not lacquered.

Either telegraph would require crating at additional charge, unless picked up.  They are $3100 and $2750 respectively - plus shipping.






USN SERVING PIECES FOR A REAR ADMIRAL - We located two unique flatware pieces - a large meat serving fork and a gravy ladle.  They are the ornate Kings pattern used by the Navy and have USN on the underside and two stars on the topside.    These are priced at $39 each.

USCG SERVING BOWL - We came across this unusual silver serving bowl, made by International Silver in 1921, that is
6 ½ in. diameter and 2 ½in. high with the USCG shield on the side.  It is $69.

Though not nearly as old, we also have several pieces of USCG china available which would complement the bowl.









FLAME SAFETY LAMP -This is an unusual battery powered lamp.  Typically they are painted black gloss enamel, but we stripped one and polished it, although it is not lacquered.  They are intrinsically safe and are regularly used in cargo tanks or other spaces that may have an explosive atmosphere.  They were made in England of brass by CEAG, and are about 8.5” high OA.   These lamps need special batteries and we do not have any that are charged. It would look neat when placed on a desk.  It is priced at $125.

NAMEBOARDS - We have several name boards from ships.  These are big – be sure to note measurements.  The largest is one from GOPHER STATE, an American flag ship built for WWII and served through the Viet Nam war, and was owned by States Marine Lines.  It is in two pieces totaling about 150” long by 18”wide and made of mahogany.  Another is one from SUNSHINE STATE, a foreign flag ship but also owned by States Marine Lines.  It is also in two pieces and is about 106” and 70” long by 18” and made of pine.  Typically there are two name boards aboard mounted on each side of the ship above the flying bridge (the deck above the wheelhouse).  They are priced at $700 and $500, respectively.

A more reasonable size, another name board is one that came from a USN minesweeper.  It measures about 63” long by 10” but we don’t know which wood was used. Condition is excellent with letters (Gallant) cut in and painted gold.  Typically this type of board is used on the ship’s brow (the platform used to boarding the ship in port), or on the rail on the ship’s quarterdeck (the formal entry to the ship).  This is priced at $ 325.


GET YOUR NEIGHBOR’S ATTENTION - We have a number of noisemakers such as bells, alarms, buzzers, etc., but noticed that we have a contact maker that was used as a general alarm contactor from a tug.  It is similar to the Navy general alarm contactor.  We have sirens, horns and bells - some from navy ships as well as tugs.  Illustrated is a Navy siren which is loud and attention getting.  This combination is priced at $165.  Send an email and we can send pictures of the selection of our noisemakers.  In general the alarm bells, buzzers and horns are quite as expensive.




      


UNITED STATES ITEMS – Many years ago, Martifacts was invited to visit the SS UNITED STATES in Norfolk and buy        
some of the items still aboard after the auction.  Later we acquired more saved items from the then owners. With the latest efforts to preserve the fastest ocean liner ever built meeting with some success, we have had several requests for a list of the many items in our possession that were aboard UNITED STATES.  We compiled a list that we can send by email.  It is simply a list of all items that we have –even those preserved for our own purposes.  Prices are included and we try to describe each item.  It is surprising how many things we have.  There are no pictures with the list, but we can provide pictures based on your interests.  Just send an email and we will send a list to you.  Pictured is the United States Lines seal as woven in the center of tablecloths.  We have a number of tablecloths of various sizes.  The smaller table cloths are about 45” X 40”, and are priced at $30, depending condition.

The ship remains in Philadelphia but was recently sold to S. S. UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY.  Their site is:    www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org.



HOW ABOUT SOME CLEATS - We have two 20 in. long cast steel cleats (great door stops or for tying up your horse or boat).  These are very heavy and would be excellent deck décor. They are in great shape (as if something can damage them). They are priced at $225 each.








METAL CLEANER, POLISH AND LACQUER - When asked “how do you clean and maintain brass and silver?” we can only say what works for us.  We use and make available the following:
               Metal Polish per tube                     $9.95
               Metal Cleaner per spray bottle   $11.00
               Lacquer Type Spray Can             $19.95

NOTES:

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE CHANGED TO:  martifacts@gmail.com   and no longer have the old comcast address. 

When we write about items in the newsletter or when you find items on the website, it does not imply that there is a quantity available.  In most cases we have only one.  Sometimes months after people have seen an item, they call and we can only say that it has been sold some time earlier.  If you see something of interest, drop a line or give us a call at 904-645-0150.  Depending on the hour, you might get our old-fashioned, in-house answering machine but chances are you will get a human.  

If you have any questions please send an email to us at info@martifacts.com or martifacts@gmail.com. For copies of earlier newsletters, please send an email and we will forward them.

Prices vary depending on our acquisition cost and condition.  Prices stated in earlier issues of the newsletter may not apply to similar items mentioned in later newsletters.

If you screen your email to eliminate spam, please check to see that Martifacts newsletters are allowed.

We can now accept payment via PAYPAL, after advising shipping costs, etc.  Paypal payment is to be made via martifacts@aol.com.  Remember that any sales made in the state of Florida are subject to sales tax, which is 7% for Duval County.

Best regards,
Ray Newman