Lot 1080

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Description:

THE DAGGER OF GREEK WAR OF INDEPENDENCE GEN. THEODOROS KOLOKOTRONIS
THEODORS KOLOKOTRONIS (1770-1843) Greek patriot and general. A leader in the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule in the 1820s, he was instrumental in the capture of Trípolis, Návplion, Corinth, Pátrai, and Árgos. In 1823 he was appointed commander in chief of forces in the Peloponnesus. A supporter of Count Capo d'Istria, Kolokotronis was one of the leading pro-Russian advocates. He opposed the regency of Bavarian ministers during the minority of King Otto I and was charged with treason, but was pardoned in 1835. An intriguing item, a 13" long dagger with iron blade and silver grip, ca. 1820, which bears a scrollwork design typical of Greek origin. A silver plaque is nailed beneath the dagger, reading: "Presented to Rear Admiral James H. Foskett U.S.N. by Commander and Mrs. Jasson J. Theophanides R[oyal] H[ellenic] N[avy] Athens, 17 Sept. '48". These items are mounted upon four horizontal boards, each 2 1/4" - 2 3/4" wide, possibly teak or mahogany, creating a display piece with dimensions 14 3/4" x 9 3/4". The verso bears a 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" (damp-stained) typed note of provenance tacked thereto, reading: "Personal weapon of: General Theodors K. Kolocotronis (1770-1843) C. in C. of the Greek Revolutionary Army of Liberation (1820-1833) ( ... Great-great-great grandfather of Cdr. Jasson J. Theophanides R.H.N.)". Also present are photocopies of Foskett's diary for the period, obtained from the Truman Library, showing that he did indeed have dinner with Theophanides on Sep. 17, 1948, and had earlier that week met with the Minister of the Navy and several Greek admirals. Although no further provenance is available, we can say with complete confidence that the silver plaque attached to the front of the display bears period engraving. Additionally, the typewriter font, spacing and irregularity in letter alignment and spacing points to a period typewriter. From the language and grammar used in the note of provenance, we believe it was typed by Commander Theophanides and given to Foskett at the time the dagger was presented. Additionally, we removed one of the tacks to examine the paper beneath: the paper has partially adhered to the wood, likely due to dampness, and paper beneath the tack and rust stains show that this note has been attached to the display for certainly many, many years. Research (included) shows that the dagger was auctioned in Rhode Island in December, 1999, selling for $935 and then was again sold sometime thereafter by an antique dealer in Essex, CT. There was good reason for Foskett to be presented this important relic. At the time, Greece was in imminent danger of communist takeover from within. Foskett, serving as Chief Naval Aide to President Harry Truman and intensely involved in naval intelligence, was in a key position to funnel military aide, both covert and overt, to the struggling government to avoid a communist take-over. Certainly worthy of further research!

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May 14, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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