Welcome to Kenrick A. Claflin & Son Nautical Antiques Online Catalogue

We specializes in the field of United States Lighthouse Service (USLHS), Light House Establishment (USLHE), Life-Saving Service (USLSS), Revenue Cutter Service (USRCS), Shipwrecks and early Coast Guard (USCG), and works by Edward Rowe Snow. More particularly, we work to provide various governmental agencies, historical groups, restoration contractors and collectors with information and original artifacts relating to lighthouses, life-saving stations, keepers, etc. in their area. Our stock includes books, post cards, both new and out-of-print, photos, engravings, newspapers, charts, lithographs, paintings, uniforms, flags, insignia, antiques, Fresnel lenses, lamps, lanterns, brassware and more.

We offer the largest and most complete selection of Antiques of the U.S. Lighthouse Service, Life Saving Service, Revenue Cutter Service, U. S. Coast Guard to be found anywhere.

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Florida Items...

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11488. (photo) USLSS/USCG Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge, Hutchinson Island, Stuart, Florida c.1973. Clear, close original 8” x 10”press photo shows great detail of the Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge and later watch tower. The Gilbert’s Bar  House of Refuge was originally one of ten houses commissioned by the U.S. Lifesaving Service, designated as havens for shipwrecked sailors and travelers along the sparsely populated Atlantic coastline of Florida. Photo is b/w and includes date and description on back. Dated August 28, 1973. Clear view. (VG+). $28.

   

12381. [Victorian commemorative covered Mauchlineware box] St. Augustine Light House, Florida c.1900. Superb, rare wooden Victorian covered box features a beautiful b/w lithograph of the tall striped lighthouse at St. Augustine, Florida. A pretty piece, the box is of hardwood, varnished and measures 2 3/8” x 3 3/8” x 1 ¾” high. The pretty image measures about 1 ¾” oval and shows the tall masonry light tower and keeper’s dwelling, atop the high sandy prominence. The box has a nicely hinges cover with a brass latch. Such wooden Victorian era commemorative pieces, known as Mauchlineware, are exceptionally difficult to find and are quite pretty for display. Clean, some minor light wear and a few light scratches, catch with tip missing. Most Rare! (VG). $128.

  

11180d. (coat button) House of Refuge” (Florida). U.S. Life Saving Service. 23mm. 7/8”. Backmarked “Henry V. Allien & Co. N.Y.”. The Houses of Refuge in Florida were a series of stations operated by the United States Life Saving Service along the coast of Florida to rescue and shelter ship-wrecked sailors. Five houses were built on the east coast in 1876, with five more added in 1885. The houses were manned by civilian keepers, contractors who lived in the houses with their families. Most of these houses remained in service as life-saving stations until 1915 or later. Buttons from the few uniforms that were worn are extremely rare. (VG+). $195.

 

     

1053. (lot 3 RPPC) USLSS/USCG Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge, Hutchinson Island, Stuart, Florida c.1970. The Gilbert’s Bar  House of Refuge was originally one of ten houses commissioned by the U.S. Lifesaving Service, designated as havens for shipwrecked sailors and travelers along the sparsely populated Atlantic coastline of Florida . Lot of three b/w photo post cards show great detail of the entrance door, 35’ WWII observation tower, and a USLSS Lyle Gun. Nice set, clean, crisp. (VG+). $28.

22265. Dean, Love. Lighthouses of the Florida Keys . 1992. 198p. Soft wraps. Quite scarce account of the series of twelve lighthouses constructed between 1825 and 1886 marking  the Florida Reefs. This expert chronicle contains a host of information, from the history of lighthouses in the area, light keeper’s duties, construction and more. From the 1852 investigations which revealed the inadequacy of American lighthouses to the keeper of Key West Lighthouse who survived the collapse of the light during a hurricane, this volume is chock full of lighthouse history. Well illustrated with vintage photos, architectural drawings, and more. Excellent reference and most interesting reading. Clean, tight, near fine. (VG+). Very difficult to find. $42.

 

11353. (architectural drawing) U.S. Light House Establishment. Light House Dames Point, St. John’s River, Florida. 6th District. 1872. 25” x 33”. This is an original hand drawn architectural drawing on linen for a Screw Pile Light House, octagonal style, to b erected on Dames Point to mark an 8-foot-deep shoal a sharp bend in the St. Johns River in Florida that was a danger to ships heading to or from Jacksonville. On 3 March 1871 Congress appropriated $20,000 for erecting an iron screw-p;ile lighthouse on the shoals off Dames Point, and during the winter of 1871-1872 the structure was framed at the workshop at Lazaretto Point, Maryland. The fixed white light was first exhibited on 15 July 1872. In 1893 the establishment of numerous post lights in the St. Johns River above and below the Dames Point Lighthouse made the continuance of the light unnecessary and it was discontinued 28 February 1893. The lantern and lens were taken down and transferred to Charleston, South Carolina and the lantern parapet was roofed in with shingles. The remaining lighthouse structure was destroyed by fire on 25 December 1913. This architectural drawing represents an unprecedented view into the design and construction of this style of lighthouse. The drawing is quite beautiful and would be wonderful for research or to frame for display. This is Sheet No. 1 which includes large half elevation view and half sectional elevation view of the entire light house, lantern and support structure, as well as a second large detail view of the iron support structure. This is an original four color hand drawn in ink on linen architectural drawing. Light edge wear, small tape remains on corners. (VG+). $1,195. Reduced $895.

 

5235f. BAR LIGHT-HOUSE, MOUTH OF ST. JOHN ’S RIVER. [ Florida ]. Appleton ’s Picturesque America. 1872. Full page beautiful hand-colored engraving of the abandoned Bar Light-House framed with palm trees, a sandy beach and a glimpse of the ocean. 7” x 10”. Quite clean, most attractive for display. (VG+). $22.

21345c. Dean, Love. REEF LIGHTS – Seaswept Lights of the Florida Keys. nd. 134p. Soft wraps. Scarce account of the series of six lighthouses constructed between 1852 and 1880, marking the Florida Reefs from Fowey Rocks to sand Key. All of these lights were similar in construction, being of the wrought iron skeleton type. This expert chronicle contains a host of information, from the history of lighthouses in the area, light keeper’s duties, construction and more. Well illustrated with vintage photos, architectural drawings, and more. Excellent reference and most interesting reading. Clean, tight, light use. (VG). $44 net.

L-180. Marx, Robert F. Spanish Treasure in Florida Waters – A Billion Dollar Graveyard. Boston. 1979. 147p. Cloth wraps. Like his other earlier books, this is a compilation of brief details on wrecks in the Florida and Caribbean waters, this one done in cooperation with area diving clubs. Includes listings of over 370 wrecks with history and salvage information, area history and much more. Scarce. Near fine. (F-). $28.

  

11142. (stereoview) Tybee Island Lighthouse c.1870’s by O. Pierre Havens, Savannah, Ga. Backmarked "O. Pierre Havens (Successor to Wilson & Havens,) Photographer, 141 & 143 Broughton Street, Savannah, Ga. Publisher of the largest collection of southern views in the United States." Born in Ossining, New York, O. Pierre Havens moved to Savannah, Georgia, in 1872, opening a photography studio in partnership with J. N. Wilson. He later took over the business from J. N. Wilson. In 1888 he relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where he maintained a studio until his death in about 1913. Very light foxing, light edge wear, overall clean, clear. (VG). $135.

1008. [glass projection slide] Sand Key Lighthouse, Key West, Florida c.1900. Excellent  b/w glass projection slide features a close, clear view of the tall iron screw pile lighthouse on sand Key. Lighthouses to mark Florida’s reefs had just recently been completed at Cape Florida, Key West, and the Dry Tortugas, when Congress allocated $16,000 on May 18, 1826 for a lighthouse on Sand Key. This site would prove a dangerous one for a light station as was demonstrated over and over again on, as three dwellings, one lighthouse, and numerous wharfs, privies, and outbuildings were lost to the power of wind and water. The glass slide is large 3 ¼” x 4” and would provide a large clear view. Fine, clear image, close, quite detailed, rare. (VG+). $110.

2710. (photograph) St Augustine Lighthouse, Florida. c.1950's. 10 ½”  x 14” mounted on board. Small tack hole in top. Excellent professional clear close view with tower lantern and gallery, superb for framing. (VG). $35.

28160. (panoramic photo) Fort Barrancas, Florida c.1900 by McMahan. Large early 7 ½” x 32" panoramic “bird’s eye view” photo of Fort Barrancas shows great detail of the Spanish American War era fort with Pensacola Lighthouse visible in the distance. Fort Barrancas stands on a site which has been the home for harbor fortifications since 1763, when the British built a fort. The United States began constructing fortifications at Pensacola in the 1820's and Fort Barrancas was one of four fortifications constructed to defend the navy yard there. Fort Barrancas was designed with two roles. It acted as a harbor defense fort, forming a rough triangle at the entrance to the bay with Fort McRee and Fort Pickens. It also acted together with the Advance Redoubt to prevent troop movement to the navy yard from the mainland side. Fort Barrancas was involved in some of the Civil War battles around Pensacola. It was originally abandoned by Union troops, who moved to Fort Pickens. On November 22 and 23 of 1861, Union and Confederate forces engaged in an artillery duel between the harbor forts, firing 6000 shells. However, the ranges were extreme for the smoothbore weapons, and little damage was done by either side. Pensacola was abandoned by Confederate troops in May of 1862, and Fort Barrancas saw no further combat. Superb large, clear, close view would be wonderful framed. (lines of shading on my scan are not on original) (VG+). $145. 

25142. Garner, Thomas M., THE PENSACOLA LIGHTHOUSE. Pensacola . 1994. 18 p. Soft wraps. History of this important aid to navigation, from its construction in the 1820’s through its many changes over the years. Illustrated with photos. (VG).  $4.50.

10345. [Light-House Service District Maps]. U. S. Light-House Service. c. June 30, 1891. A rare opportunity to obtain an official U. S. Light-House Service District charts of all district aids to navigation as bound in their Annual Reports. Normally these charts are included within the Annual Reports and we are unable to offer them separately but we have found a lot of disbound charts in good condition. These are fine for matting and framing for your wall. Charts detail the entire Light-House District in three colors, and show all lighthouses, beacons, light vessels, fog signals, lighted buoys, Light-House Depots, and more. Charts average 8 ½” x 10” in size and are overall clean, may have very light stain,  with only one light original fold, light age toning. A rare chance to obtain the chart of your District for framing. (VG).

FIRST LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From the head of navigation on the St. Croix River , Maine to Hampton Harbor , New Hampshire . Includes all of Maine and New Hampshire .                                                    $44.

SECOND LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From Hampton Harbor , New Hampshire to Elisha Ledge off Warren , Rhode Island . Includes all of Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard .                                           $44.

THIRD LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From Elisha Ledge off Warren , Rhode Island to and including a point on the coast of New Jersey opposite Shrewsbury Rocks.                                                                                  $44.

PART OF THE THIRD LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Includes all of Lake Champlain .                                        $18.

FOURTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From a point on the coast of New Jersey opposite Shrewsbury Rocks to and including Metomkin Inlet, Virginia. Includes New Jersey , Delaware , Maryland and Virginia .                           $44.

FIFTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From Metomkin Inlet , Virginia to and including New River Inlet , North Carolina .   $44.

SIXTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From New River Inlet , North Carolina to and including Jupiter Inlet Light-Station, Florida . Includes part of North Carolina , all of South Carolina , Georgia , and Florida between the limits named. $44.

SEVENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From a point south of Jupiter Inlet Light-Station to Perdido Entrance , Florida . Includes all of the sea and Gulf Coasts of Florida .                                                                                             $44.

EIGHTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From Perdido Entrance , Florida to the Rio Grande, the southern boundary of Texas . Includes all of the Gulf Coast and lower Mississippi River .                                                                          $44.

NINTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Includes all of Lake Michigan, Green Bay and tributary waters.               $44.

TENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Extends from the mouth of the St. Regis River , St. Lawrence River , New York to and including Grassy Island, Detroit River, Michigan. Includes the waters of Lakes Erie and Ontario , and the upper part of the St. Lawrence, the Niagara, and the lower part of the Detroit rivers.                                                                $44.

ELEVENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Extends from the Grassy Island Light Station, Detroit River , Michigan to the head of Lake Superior including the waters of Lakes St. Clair, Huron, and Superior and the upper part of the Detroit River , the St. Clair and St. Mary’s Rivers, and part of the Straits of Mackinac.                                                              $44.

TWELFTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From the boundary between California and Mexico to the boundary between California and Oregon .                                                                                                                                      $44.

THIRTEENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From the boundary between California and Oregon to the northern boundary of the United States and includes Alaska . Includes all of Oregon and Washington , and Alaskan waters.              $44.

U. S. Light-House Service District Charts

20178. [Light-House District Maps]. U. S. Light-House Service. c. 1900-1908. A rare opportunity to obtain an official U. S. Light-House Service District charts of all district aids to navigation as bound in their Annual Reports. Normally these charts are included within the Annual Reports and we are unable to offer them separately but we have found a lot of disbound charts in wonderful condition. These are perfect for matting and framing for your wall. Charts detail the entire Light-House District in three colors, and show all lighthouses, beacons, light vessels, fog signals, lighted buoys, Light-House Depots, and more. Charts average about 16" x 20" in size and are clean and crisp, with only light original folds. A rare chance to obtain the chart of your District, ideal for framing. (VG+).

UNITED STATES. Outline Map shows all of the United States Light-House Districts with the more important lights noted. Includes all of continental United States and Alaska. $88.

FIRST LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From the head of navigation on the St. Croix River, Maine to Hampton Harbor, New Hampshire. Includes all of Maine and New Hampshire. $88.

SECOND LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From Hampton Harbor, New Hampshire to Elisha Ledge off Warren, Rhode Island. Includes all of Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. $88.

THIRD LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From Elisha Ledge off Warren, Rhode Island to and including a point on the coast of New Jersey opposite Shrewsbury Rocks. $88.

PART OF THE THIRD LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Includes all of Lake Champlain. $44.

FOURTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From a point on the coast of New Jersey opposite Shrewsbury Rocks to and including Metomkin Inlet, Virginia. Includes New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. $88.

FIFTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From Metomkin Inlet, Virginia to and including New River Inlet, North Carolina. $88.

SIXTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From New River Inlet, North Carolina to and including Jupiter Inlet Light-Station, Florida. Includes part of North Carolina, all of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida between the limits named. $88.

SEVENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From a point south of Jupiter Inlet Light-Station to Perdido Entrance, Florida. Includes all of the sea and Gulf Coasts of Florida. $88.

EIGHTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From Perdido Entrance, Florida to the southern boundary of Texas. Includes all of the Gulf Coast and lower Mississippi River. $88.

NINTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Includes all of Lake Michigan, Green Bay and tributary waters. $88.

TENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Extends from the mouth of the St. Regis River, St. Lawrence River, New York to the mouth of the River Rouge, Detroit River, Michigan. Includes the waters of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and the upper part of the St. Lawrence, the Niagara, and the lower part of the Detroit rivers. $78.

ELEVENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Extends from the mouth of the River Rouge, Detroit River, Michigan to the westerly end of Lake Superior including the waters of Lake St, Clair, Huron, and Superior and the upper part of the Detroit River, the St. Clair and St. Mary’s Rivers, and part of the Straits of Mackinac. $78.

TWELFTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From the boundary between California and Mexico to the boundary between California and Oregon. $88.

THIRTEENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From the boundary between California and Oregon to the northern boundary of the United States and includes Alaska. Includes all of Oregon and Washington, and Alaskan waters. $88.

FOURTEENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Extends on the Ohio River from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Cairo, Ill., on the Tennessee River 255 miles, and on the Great Kanawha 73 miles. $54.

FIFTEENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Extends on the Mississippi River from the head of navigation to Cairo, Ill., and on the Missouri River to Kansas City, Mo., and on the Illinois River from LaSalle to its mouth. $54.

SIXTEENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Extends on the Mississippi River from the head of navigation to Cairo, Ill., to New Orleans, La., and on the Red River. $54.

LIGHT-HOUSE CHART. Includes West Indies between the Mona and Virgin Passages comprising Puerto Rico and dependencies, and all of the Hawaiian Islands. $38.

 

8228. DeWire, Elinor. GUIDE TO FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSES. Englewood , Fl., 1987. 96p. Stiff wraps. Filled with over 45 superb vintage and color photographs of some 30 Florida light stations representing many diverse styles of architecture and design. Includes a great deal of historical narrative and presents a wonderful perspective on the Light House Service in the 7th District. (VG).    $14.95.

  Original Lighthouse Photography by Bruce Roberts.

 

 Bruce Roberts has been a well known and respected lighthouse historian, photographer and author since the subject gained the nation’s interest in the 1980’s. The former Director of Photography and Senior Photographer at Southern Living Magazine, Bruce was also a member of the legendary 1960s photo staff of The Charlotte Observer, which pioneered the use of the 35mm camera and natural light for newspaper photography. For over twenty years, lighthouses have become his favorite subject. His renowned lighthouse photography has appeared in hundreds of books and magazines including Southern Lighthouses and American Lighthouses.  Bruce has also done freelance photography for Life Magazine, Sports Illustrated and many others. He has coauthored numerous best selling lighthouse books as well as numerous other historical books. His photography is respected world wide and some are part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution. He is also a founding charter member of the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society . “Bruce Roberts has earned the right to be acknowledged as one of our era’s most important photojournalists, and although he seldom displays them, he has a room full of awards to prove it.” says co-author Ray Jones.

We have been most fortunate to obtain from Mr. Roberts a selection of his early lighthouse photographs done for his first  lighthouse series with Globe Pequot;  Northern Lighthouses and Southern Lighthouses. These prints were hand printed by Mr. Roberts at the time and all bear his signature on the back. They are all printed on double weight fiber based paper of the same type used for museum archival printing. All are silver prints done by hand and tray processed – an art that is fast fading away today, being replaced by digital photography. Because of the process and paper used, these museum quality prints will last a hundred years into the future.  

Presently we have 37 prints available in 8 x 10 and 11 x 14 format, with pricing from $25 to $125. Light stations include: (Maine) Portland Head (2), Pemaquid Point (3), Portland Breakwater (1) , Owls Head (1), Fort Point (1) , (Mass.) Boston Light (4), Nobska (3), (Conn.) New London (1), (Maryland) Assateague (1),  (Virginia) Portsmouth Lightship (2), Old Point Comfort (1802) (2), Old & New Cape Henry (1), (Georgia) Cockspur Island (1), (Florida) St. Augustine (1), Pensacola (5), Port Boca Grande (Gasparilla Is.) (1), (Alabama) Sand Island (1), Mobile Bay (1), (Texas) Old Point Isabel (shown below) (2), Bolivar Point (shown below) (1),

We have shown just a few here but this medium does not do them justice. When matted and framed, you will have a lovely work of art for your wall. Many more are available. Please ask for specific stations noted above and we will email you images available and pricing. 

Fort Point, Maine 11 x 14 $125,  Pensacola, Fl. 8 x 10 $44,  Old Point Isabel, Texas 6 x 9 $40

   

 Drum Point (Md), Ponce Inlet (Fl), Jupiter Inlet (Fl), Tybee Island (Ga), Boca Grande (Fl), Hooper's Strait (Md), Sand Island (Al). Please inquire for pricing.

 

 

26159. (chart) U. S. Department of Commerce, Weather Bureau. COASTAL WARNING FACILITIES CHART. 1962. Great for framing, these charts show in good detail all of the U. S. Coast Guard light stations (lighthouses), lifeboat stations and light vessels that displayed  day and / or night weather warning signals. Also includes in color a diagram if the weather signals, as well as a complete listing of weather broadcast stations. Two color red-black maps have beautiful contrast and are perfect for framing. Pick the map of your area to locate those old Coast Guard lifeboat stations that no longer exist. Clean, crisp, with original folds but will mount nicely. All measure 12” x 19” unless otherwise noted.

a.        Eastport, Maine to Montauk Point, NY. $24

d.       Eastern Florida from Brunswick, GA to Cedar Key, FL. $34

e.        Morgan City, LA to Apalachicola, FL. $24

f.         Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. 12” x 12” $16

g.       Hawaiian Islands $16

Lighthouse & Lightship Trade Cards

Beautiful multi colored trade cards c. 1880’s showing a very nice, close, multi colored images of lighthouses, light-vessels or buoys. These fantastic cards were issued by the Duke Tobacco Co. as an insert premium in their brands of HONEST LONG CUT  and G. W. GAIL & AX’S Tobacco and Cigarettes during 1889. These cards are from a fairly rare series of 25 cards entitled , " LIGHTHOUSES", and are designated as N119 in Burdick’s American Card Catalogue. The front of each card features a colorful die cut image of a particular lighthouse, light-vessel or buoy, while the back features advertising for Duke Tobacco. The lithography for the cards is exceptional, full of vibrant color and detail and was done by the Giles Co of New York . Labeled “Smoke and Chew Honest Long Cut Tobacco” or G. W. Gail & Ax’s Navy on the obverse. Trade cards were used as are our present day advertising or business cards. Nice images, die cut to shape of lighthouse, vessel or buoy. Each approx. 4”w x 2½”h. A very pretty set to collect and display. Extremely difficult to find and a most valuable collector’s item.

  

#605 

ww. Sandy Hook Lightship. (VG+). $78.

p. Sandy Hook Lightship. (Fine). $78.

c. Bartlett Reef Lightship. (VG-). $68.

eee. Vineyard Sound Lightship. (VG-). $68.

ii. Minot’s Ledge Lighthouse. (VG). $58.

mm. Stratford Shoal Lighthouse. Two folds to base. (VG). $38.

LL. Sanibel Island Lighthouse, Florida . (Fine). $68.

c3. Bell Buoy. (VG+). $54.

nn. Bell Buoy. One fold. (G). $34.  

 

27198. Kerber, Stephen H. THE UNITED STATES LIFE-SAVING SERVICE AND THE FLORIDA HOUSES OF REFUGE. Florida Atlantic University. 1971. 144p. Facsimile copy, spiral bound. The Houses of Refuge in Florida were a series of stations operated by the United States Life Saving Service along the coast of Florida to rescue and shelter ship-wrecked sailors. Five houses were built on the east coast in 1876, with five more added in 1885. There was also two Life Saving Stations built, one just south of the Jupiter Inlet, the other on the Gulf coast on Santa Rosa Island near Pensacola. The houses were manned by civilian keepers, contractors who lived in the houses with their families. Most of these houses remained in service as life-saving stations until 1915 or later. Some of the locations became Coast Guard stations after the Life Saving Service was merged into the Coast Guard in 1915. The houses were built of Florida pine, using 8x8 heartwood timbers for the foundation and frame, intended to withstand the area’s many hurricanes. The station keeper's family occupied the main floor, and the attic was a dormitory for ship-wrecked sailors. This author’s thesis presents a great deal of information on these little-known stations, their keepers and the work that that they performed. (M). $34.

 CLEARANCE PRICED at Only $7.95 each:

Roberts, Bruce and Ray Jones. Over 80 color and b/w photographs. Soft wraps. Scarce early editions of this author’s earlier works covers the lighthouses along the coasts of the United States . The superb narrative and exquisite photography have made this lighthouse series repeated best sellers. Many signed by the author. (M).  

8264. SOUTHEASTERN LIGHTHOUSES. Outer Banks to Cape Florida . 1998. 92p. (2)

SOUTHERN LIGHTHOUSES. Outer Banks to Cape Florida . 2002. 88p. (2)

8265. GULF COAST LIGHTHOUSES – Florida Keys to the Rio Grande . 1998. 92 p. (2)

6306d. Waters, Harold and Wisberg, Aubrey. PATROL BOAT 999. Philadelphia.1959. 1st ed. 256pp. DJ. Joining the Coast Guard at the age of seventeen, the author recounts his experiences in chasing rum-runners during Prohibition. Stationed off the coast of Florida, Patrol Boat 999 met with piracy and cold-blooded murder in the roaring twenties. Well written by this 20 year veteran. Light shelf wear, good copy. (VG). $24.

7209s. Shelton-Roberts, Cheryl. LIGHTHOUSE FAMILIES. 2006. 210p. Soft cover. Living in a lighthouse was a way of life for the families of more than 5000 keepers and employees of the United States Lighthouse Service. These quiet people faithfully manned their remote outposts and withstood enemy attacks, hurricanes, and dishonest bureaucrats while saving countless thousands of lives. These men, women and children daily experienced physical hardship, round-the-clock work, isolation, and danger - and the strong bond of family. Though the Lighthouse Service no longer exists, many of the children who grew up at these stations do and their stories are preserved for the first time in this remarkable book. Family tales from Pigeon Point California, St. Augustine Florida, Saddleback Ledge Maine, Old Mackinac Point Michigan, Morris Island South Carolina and many more. Illustrated with over 100 family vintage photographs and a beautiful full color photo of the light as it appears today. This is a book that you won’t want to put down. (M). Published at $14.95. Our price $9.95.

  

HC-1,2. (museum prints) Fowey Rocks Iron Pile Lighthouse, Florida. Views from 1875. Wonderful large display prints measure 26” wide by 37 ½” high and are professionally mounted on board for display. Prints are made from the original U. S. Light House Board drawings for the new Fowey Rocks Lighthouse that was completed in 1878. Fowey Rocks Light is located seven miles southeast of Cape Florida on Key Biscayne. The loss of the H.M.S. Fowey in the area was widely known and the treacherous reef just north of the wreck had been christened Fowey Rocks in honor of the vessel. In 1878 the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse had been placed atop the reef to prevent similar tragedies. The lighthouse was completed in 1878, replacing the Cape Florida Lighthouse. The prints were made a few years ago to grace an office wall and would be perfect for a museum display or your den of office. Views are vertical section through the lighthouse tower, and exterior elevation view. Prints are clean save a few very light areas of foxing. (VG). $85 each or $150 pair. 

U-05. BAR LIGHT-HOUSE, MOUTH OF ST. JOHN ’S RIVER. [ Florida ]. Appleton ’s Picturesque America. 1872. Full page beautiful hand-colored engraving of the abandoned Bar Light-House framed with palm trees, a sandy beach and a glimpse of the ocean. 7” x 10”. Quite clean, crisp, most attractive for framing and display. (VG+). $45.

 U-04. MOUTH OF THE ST. JOHN ’S RIVER – LOOKING OUT. [ Florida ]. Appleton ’s Picturesque America. 1872. Half page beautiful hand-colored engraving of the shoreline with the St. John’s River Bar Light House just beyond in the dunes, with the sandy beach and a glimpse of the ocean in the foreground. 4” x 9 ½” . Quite clean, crisp, most attractive for framing and display. (VG+). $38.

 

29309. Biggs, Jerry. Rescue and Refuge: Florida . Trent ’s Publishing. 2008. 122p. Soft wraps. Lavishly illustrated with 122 vintage and contemporary black and white and color photos, paintings and more. Rescue And Refuge: Florida was written by Jerry Biggs to fill a missing gap in Florida 's maritime lore. The U.S. Life-Saving Service, and its successor, the U.S. Coast Guard contributed greatly in establishing Florida 's shoreline frontier. This book covers all of Florida 's coastal stations with true-life heroic rescue tales of shipwreck survivors, homicide on the high seas, hurricanes, primitive living conditions, “long periods of isolation broken by moments of sheer terror”. But there were good times also and a few chuckles to relieve the tension. There are many factual discrepancies, but still one of the few sources of information on the subject. Almost every page is beautifully illustrated with rare vintage views of the men and the stations that they manned. (M). $21.95.

 

2907. Barnette, Michael. Florida's Shipwrecks. Arcadia. 2008. 128p. Soft wraps. 200 vintage photographs. The Sunshine State has a rich maritime history spanning more than five centuries. Tragically, part of that history includes thousands of ships that have met their fates in Florida waters. Potentially more than 5,000 shipwrecks reside off Florida’s 1,200 miles of coastline, with hundreds more lost in the state’s interior rivers. In and of itself, the Florida Keys archipelago, consisting of approximately 1,700 islands stretching 200 miles, is littered with the remains of close to 1,000 shipwrecks. In fact, many features of the Florida Keys were named after various shipwreck events, such as Fowey Rocks, which earned its name after the 1748 wrecking of the British warship HMS Fowey, and Alligator Reef, where the schooner USS Alligator met her demise in 1822. Florida’s Shipwrecks utilizes captivating images to illustrate dramatic stories of danger and peril at sea, introducing readers to a fascinating cross-section of Florida’s shipwreck history. This interesting volume draws from public and private collections, most never before published. Superb photographs of the station, keepers, equipment  and more, well worth it. (M). $19.99.

28300. DeWire, Elinore. LIGHTHOUSES OF THE SOUTH – Your Guide to the Lighthouses of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Stillwater . 2004. 160 p. DJ. A Pictorial Discovery Guide. A fresh look at the history and technological evolution of lighthouses in the area, the development of apparatus, architecture, construction and maintenance on their remote sites, the daily life of the keepers and much more. The author presents an exciting history illustrated with stunning photographs, historical anecdotes, architectural details and local legends. Lavishly illustrated, an excellent text on the subject and guide for the area. (M). Published at $29.95. Our Price $21.95.

28169. Thurlow, Sandra Henderson and Deanna Wintercorn. GILBERT’S BAR HOUSE OF REFUGE – Home of History. Stuart. 2008. 96p. Soft wraps. The Houses of Refuge in Florida were a series of stations operated by the United States Life Saving Service along the coast of Florida to rescue and shelter ship-wrecked sailors. Five houses were built on the east coast in 1876, with five more added in 1885. There was also two Life Saving Stations built, one just south of the Jupiter Inlet, the other on the Gulf coast on Santa Rosa Island near Pensacola. The houses were manned by civilian keepers, contractors who lived in the houses with their families. Most of these houses remained in service as life-saving stations until 1915 or later. Some of the locations became United States Coast Guard stations after the Life Saving Service was merged into the Coast Guard in 1915.Today, only one remains – Gilbert’s Bar. This rare and wonderful account of the life and work at these lonely outposts is long overdue. (M). $16.95.

27108. Roberts, William. LIGHTHOUSES AND LIVING ALONG THE FLORIDA GULF COAST. Bloomington. 2005. 97p. Soft wraps. Signed by the author. Here is a true story of the Roberts family's three generations of lighthouse keepers in the U. S. Lighthouse Service. Their dedication and devotion began in 1894 when grandfather was assigned to the Cape St. George Lighthouse in Apalachicola, Florida, and lasted over fifty-eight years and three generations. This account, recorded by a family member, includes their lighthouses, family lives, maintaining and  operating the lighthouses, as well as childhood stories of his  growing up on lighthouse stations during the depression years of the late 1920's and 1930's. (M). $21.95.

26264. Snyder, James D. A LIGHT IN THE WILDERNESS The Story of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & the Southeast Florida Frontier.  North Pa lm Beach . 2006. 287p. DJ. Filled with vintage photographs. In his fourth book about South Florida’s rich history, James D. Snyder explores the role of the Jupiter Lighthouse and how it transformed the southeastern coast of Florida . $35,000 was provided by Congress in 1853 for establishing a lighthouse “near Jupiter inlet, to mark the dangerous shoals lying of that point, and to guide vessels along that coast.” With the completion of the lighthouse plans, five hundred tons of building materials were assembled and shipped to the  Indian River inlet using shallow draft scows. However, in 1855, just as construction on the tower had started, a group of careless surveyors in the  Everglades destroyed the prized banana plants of Chief Billy Bowlegs, touching off the Third Seminole War. Despite these difficulties, and a combination of malaria and yellow fever, brick by brick, the tower slowly rose to its preordained height of 108 feet. A two-story dwelling for a head keeper and two assistants was built near the base of the hill in 1859. After $60, 859.98, almost twice the original appropriation, was spent on the construction work, the lighthouse finally commenced operation on July 10, 1860. With more than seventy rare photos, maps and letters, Mr. Snyder will describe how the lighthouse construction progressed, and how the region survived the aftermath of the Civil War and built the steamboat-railroad link that brought the first influx of pioneers to this “Garden of Eden.” (M). $27.95.  

       

25213. Taylor, Thomas W. KEY WEST LIGHTHOUSE: A LIGHT IN PARADISE. 2005. 141 p. Soft wraps. Key West in the Florida Keys is the southernmost city in the continental United States. It history is replete with stories of pirates, hurricanes, and shipwrecks. Soon after Florida became a territory of the United States, lighthouse was built on Key West in 1826 to serve as a primary aid to navigation to help reduce the number of shipwrecks. This lighthouse was destroyed by the hurricane of 1846 but was replaced by a tower which survives today. Thomas Taylor’s new book Key West Lighthouse: A Light in Paradise brings to life the history of this unique lighthouse and the tropical setting in which it is located. The book includes a number of historic photographs of the lighthouse and details the lives of its keepers. Well done by this noted historian and writer. (M). $19.95.

25116. Monks, Sheryl. GHOSTLY LIGHTHOUSES FROM MAINE TO FLORIDA. Winston-Salem. 2005. 128 p. Soft wraps. Lighthouses have always fascinated people. In this collection, Sheryl Monks gathers 15 tales about the ghostly inhabitants of some of America's most haunted beacons along the eastern seaboard. The stories include Sequin Island Light in Maine, where the eerie sound of piano music can be heard drifting across the harbor; Bird Island Lighthouse in Massachusetts, which was cursed by a pirate light keeper and is now haunted by the wife he murdered there; and the St. Augustine Lighthouse in Florida, where two young sisters who drowned during its construction still play pranks on visitors. Included is a history of each beacon, a photo and travel information. (M).  $12.95.  

2057. Hairr, John. FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSES. Arcadia Publishing. 1999. 126p. Soft wraps. Another from the Images of America Series, this book is a fascinating visual tour of the lighthouses that dot the Florida coast from Amelia Island to Pensacola and the people who maintained them. The history of Florida's Lighthouse past and present is compiled in an array of vintage photographs that tell the tale of a maritime era of long ago and the lighthouses of Florida that once guided mariners to safety. (M). $18.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More items added daily. 

 

See also our recently updated Commemorative China page

Procedure to order items:

1. I suggest that you call us or email to check on availability of any item that you would like other than recent books. As items go quite quickly, please call and leave a message to reserve items that you would like. I will return your call, hold the items and await your letter or credit card information. We will also weigh the items and advise postage. 

2. You may then call or email credit card information, or forward a check in the mail.

Most items are mailed US Priority Mail or UPS. Additional information on our "Ordering Page".

Massachusetts residents must add 6.25% sales tax.

 

Page updated April 12, 2013 .

How to reach us:
Kenrick A. Claflin & Son Nautical Antiques
1227 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602 

Phone (508) 792-6627

All text and illustrations on web site Ó James W. Claflin . 04/12/2013 All rights reserved. Use prohibited without written permission.

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