Sotheby's will offer in its sale of Important Americana A Rare and Important Molded Copper Fireman “Old Jake” Weathervane

(News from Art Daily)
NEW YORK, NY.- On January 24, 2009 Sotheby’s will offer in its sale of Important Americana the most important, and perhaps the earliest, weathervane to appear on the auction market in recent history, A Rare and Important Molded Copper Fireman “Old Jake” Weathervane Made for the Union Fire Hall, now Charley Rouss Fire Company, Winchester, Virginia, dating to circa 1850, which is estimated at $3/5 million. “Old Jake,” as the weathervane has long been called, is unprecedented in its quality, form, and scale – measuring over six feet high and six feet wide – and has topped the Charley Rouss Fire Company since just after the Civil War. After almost 140 years above the skyline of Winchester, Virginia, the weathervane is being sold to raise funds for new fire equipment and the potential construction of a new firehouse.

“Old Jake” depicts a fireman with intricately detailed flowing ribbons at his neck and horn in hand – with the other hand he bravely points to danger. The work was first mentioned in the records of the then-named Union Fire Company of Winchester, Virginia, in 1871. Though “Old Jake’s” exact origin and maker are unknown, the piece is possibly a depiction of an 1858 Louis Maurer print “Rushing to the Conflict,” from his American Firemen series, which was reproduced and distributed by printmakers Currier and Ives and depicts a nearly identical fireman prepared to dash to the rescue. Many local residents believe “Old Jake” was named by a local carriage maker George Barnhart, who is thought to have crafted the weathervane for his son Jacob. In 1895, the town of Winchester gathered to watch as “Old Jake” led a parade through the center of town to the fire company’s new home, which was constructed after fire destroyed the volunteer company’s previous post and would later be christened the Charley Rouss Fire Company in honor of its greatest patron.