Lot 609

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Description:

(RUSSIAN REVOLUTION) RUSSIAN CRUISER "AURORA" BOSUN'S PIPE AND MESSWARE
Collection of nine items from the historic Russian cruiser AURORA which fired the shot signaling the start of the October Revolution. The eight items, apparently of various periods of manufacture, include a chromed bosun's pipe with chain, a stovetop tea kettle, matching white enameled metal teapot and sugar bowl, enameled metal mug, steel soup bowl, knife and two spoons. These items were given to an American permanent consultant to St. Petersburg's Central Naval Museum by the ship's senior warrant officer between 1994-98 and were intended for display. Two letters of provenance on the consultant's Monterey letterhead setting forth additional details are included. Built in 1900, AURORA was one of three Pallada-class cruisers, built in St. Petersburg for service in the Pacific. She survived the Battle of Tsushima. During World War I Aurora operated in the Baltic Sea, and at the end of 1916, she was moved to St. Petersburg for repairs. The city was brimming with revolutionary ferment and part of her crew joined the 1917 February Revolution. A revolutionary committee was created on the ship, with Aleksandr Belyshev elected as captain. At 9:45 P.M. on Oct. 25, 1917 a blank shot from her forecastle gun signalled the start of the assault on the Winter Palace, which was to be the beginning of the October Revolution. During the Second World War, guns were taken from the ship and used in the defense of Leningrad, while the ship itself was shelled, bombed, and finally sunk. The vessel, now restored, remains in St. Petersburg as a museum ship. Provenance: The War Museum, New York.

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May 25, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, 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 + $10,000