English BLoG

Full view of the Persky & Co anchor lantern. Today the company is known as PERKO. The PERKO Story consists of many interesting pieces. They make up a modern day marine hardware success story that goes back over 100 years! This is the first sentence from the Perko story, the history of the famous American marine lighting company as taken from their website. I had known enough about the Perko story to turn to it while researching this recently discoverd lantern and the article was the source that validated it's maker. So, this blog is in part about the Perko companies beginnings and is demonstrated by an example of one of the first marine lanterns produced by this famous marine hardware company. Name of PERSKY & CO., AJAX , NEW YORK, U.S.A. on hourglass shaped globe. This early example is of one of their first anchor lanterns produced when the company was created by F. Persky & Company, New York, lantern makers in the early 1900's. The company was in operation for abo...

Massive 48 star US ensign laid out in front of Skipjack Nautical Wares. It's a wonder what one might find digging around at local antiques and flea markets. And that is what we encountered this last Saturday at the Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market here in Portsmouth, Virginia. Held the first Saturday of each month, the Olde Towne Portsmouth event is always full of interesting items, from the typical yard sale flea type finds to the most unexpected treasures. Last year, I discovered and purchased a Philadelphia windsor bowback side chair, branded with the name of the maker, John Letchworth (1759-1843). His shop was located on Third Street between Chestnut and Walnut (1784) and he actually made chairs for Thomas Jefferson and used at Monticello. More on this in a later blog. A view above the flag. Magnificent! This time we discovered an extremely large pile of wool bunting stuck in the corner of the vendors booth that appeared to be the colors and design of an American flag. Upon c...

Post or Anchor lantern made by Barbier, Benard & Turenne, Paris France. A recent discovery by our firm, this exceptional post or anchor lantern was produced by the French manufacturer Barbier, Benard & Turenne, Paris France. What makes this lantern so exceptional is that Barbier, Benars & Turenne, also known as BBT was a major manufacturer of the Fresnel lens that light up numerous of the lighthouses found along our countries coastlines. Notice the lighthouse styling of this exceptional maritime light- reminiscent of the LANTERN DESCRIPTION Manufacturers nameplate for Barbier, Benard & Turenne.   This fine brass lantern stands 14 1/2 inches tall and features a thick, 360 degree glass Fresnel type lens that survives without cracks or chips, protected by 6 heavy gauge cast brass guards. The upper body of the lantern is designed with a ball style chimney with a series of cylindrical vents on the bottom edge. The lower body measures 4 1/4 inches tall...

The Skipjack Mariner bracelet is now available in three great NEW colors, royal blue, orange and neon green. Add a splash of color to your wardrobe with Skipjack's Mariner nautical rope bracelet for men, women or children... the perfect accessory for your coastal lifestyle, now available in three NEW great nautical colors, royal blue, orange, and neon green!  Skipjack's affordable nautical bracelet features a reef knot tied with durable nylon cord with a rust proof shackle, making it easy to get on and off. Choose between a stainless steel shackle in two different sizes or a solid brass shackle. The Skipjack mariner bracelet is perfect for boaters, surfers, beach goers or anyone that enjoys being in or around the water- quick drying nylon and stainless steel shackle won't rust! Bracelets are available with small (7/8" long) or large (1-1/8" long) shackles. The Mariner Nautical bracelet hand-tied in navy blue nylon and stainless steel shackle clasp. Bracelets are ...

America 2.0 at the beginning of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, 2011. Photo by Joe Elder aboard the Schooner Spirit of Independence.      Olde Towne Portsmouth once again hosted the finale of the 23rd Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race  from Baltimore Mayland with 37 participating schooners. Here is a photographic study of these exceptional sailing vessels docked along Olde Towne's waterside. Enjoy! An 18th century cannon stands sentinal  in front of the schooner "Mystic Whaler" docked along side the High Street basin. Photo by Joe Elder. HISTORY Schooner "Adventurer" figurehead. Photo by Joe Elder. Schooner racing on the Chesapeake Bay is rooted in the trade rivalry between Baltimore, Maryland, at the northern end of the Bay, and Portsmouth/Norfolk, Virginia, at the southern end. The fastest sailing vessels delivered goods and people to their destinations and often garnered the best price for their cargo by beating slower schooners into port. Ov...

Schooners of all types and sizes will be docked along Portsmouth's riverside Saturday, October 13, 2012 as part of the 23rd Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. Photo by Joe Elder They're schooners here, there and just about everywhere along our riverside and you won’t want to miss it. That’s right, this Saturday, October 13, 2012, the City of Portsmouth, Virginia hosts the 23rd Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race post race celebration. The world’s largest gathering of schooners will race again from Annapolis, Maryland to Portsmouth, Virginia, with nearly 40 entries in this year's race. They'll be schooners of all types and sizes docked along Portsmouth’s waterfront for you to view, with some open to the public. The 23rd Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race from Annapolis, MD to Portsmouth, VA. Photo by Joe Elder  We also invite you to stop by (we'll, we're only a few steps away) and see all of the great new inventory here at Skipjack including ...

Carved and painted yellowfin tuna by Greg Pezzoni. Raised in Santa Barbara, on California's southern coastline until his early teens. Greg was exposed early to both fresh and salt water angling. Half day boats in the Santa Barbara channel and full day excursions to the city's famous wharf introduced him to numerous species, such as bonita, halibut, sheep head, sharks, rock fish and kelp dwellers of all kinds. A small lake within walking distance instilled his passion for largemouth bass fishing, while supplying mixed bags of bluegill, crappie and catfish. With back packing trips to the nearby Santa Ynez and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, Greg then added California's numerous trout species (including the coveted golden trout, California's state fish) to his fishing "have caught" list. Relocating to Kentucky, then North Carolina, enabled him to fish waters he had only read about. Carolina's famous outer banks, the Dan and New rivers of Virginia, and the TVA ...