Description:

MASSIVE RELIC PLAQUE FROM THE U.S.S. MAINE
Historic relic commemorating the tragic sinking of the cruiser U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor on Feb. 15, 1898, an impressive 17.5 x 13 in. bronze plaque cast from material salvaged from the wreck of the vessel. The plaque depicts Columbia looking downwards in sympathy and raises her right arm upwards towards the heavens. She holds in her left hand a shield with thirteen stars and stripes with the words 'PATRIOTISM DEVOTION'. A scene with the wreckage of the Maine appears in the background. The plaque reads: 'IN MEMORIAM U.S.S. MAINE DESTROYED IN HAVANA HARBOR FEBRUARY 15TH 1898 THIS TABLET IS CAST FROM METAL RECOVERED FROM THE U.S.S. MAINE'. The bottom right corner bears the artist's name 'Charles Keck', who made 1,000 of these plaques, of which this is no. 815. The plaque is mounted to a 24.5 x 20 in. period section of black painted wood, with a small brass plaque reading 'COL. JOHN JACOB ASTOR CAMP 28 U.S.W.V'. This no doubt refers to JOHN JACOB ASTOR IV (1864-1912), the American business magnate, real estate developer, and lieutenant colonel in the Spanish-American War, and a prominent member of the Astor family. He would die in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. In June, 1898, Astor equipped and organized the 'Astor Battery', a force of three officers and 101 men. During the fighting at Manila on Aug. 13, 1898, the Astor Battery was on the right of the line. It shelled the blockhouse with its Hotchkiss mountain guns, and the men, under Capt. March, subsequently charged the position with revolvers, losing three dead in the attack. Astor also allowed his personal yacht 'Nourmahal' to be used by the Navy during the short war. Sculptor CHARLES KECK (1875–1951) studied at the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League of New York with Philip Martiny, and was an assistant to Augustus Saint-Gaudens from 1893 to 1898. He also attended the American Academy in Rome. In 1921 he was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member and became a full Academician in 1928. He is best known for his monuments and architectural sculpture. A fine patina, the piece in overall excellent condition and a stunning item for display.

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April 1, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000