The picture below shows a larger view of all (9) Old United States Navy Ship U.S.S. Constitution Old Ironsides Advertising Souvenir Items in this lot. The three older linen type postacrds were mailed in 1942 and 1943 by U.S. Navy Sailors during World War II with no stamps and free postage. All three were from Newport, Rhode Island, and sent to different Portsmouth, New Hampshire addresses. One other postacrd here has the ship at the Boston Navy Yard at night with lights. The other items are not dated and the years that they were made are unknown. Other items included here are an old square shaped ceramic pitcher that pictures the U.S.S. Constitution. It would look great at a bar, tavern, or pub. There are (2) old pinback buttons. These are similar, but with a different print and pin on the backs. They both picture the sailing ship and are marked as follows: U.S.S. CONSTITUTION “OLD IRONSIDES” LAUNCHED OCT. 21, 1797 There is a smaller advertising souvenir pin, with the back section, that also pictures the ship and reads: “OLD IRONSIDES” BOSTON The final item here is an unused advertising souvenir sticker. It pictures the ship and reads: WE VISITED U.S.S. CONSTITUTION “OLD IRONSIDES” All nine of these U.S.S. Constitution items for one price! To judge the sizes the three linen post cards each measures about 5-3/8'' x 3-3/8''. These items appear to be excellent to mint unused condition as pictured. Below here is some additional Historical, reference, and background information from the Ship's official website: USS Constitution Statistics Armament: (32) 24 - pound Long Guns; Crew: 6 - 14; Range: 1200 yards; Weight: 5600 lbs. (20) 32 - pound Carronades; Crew: 4 - 9; Range: 400 yds; Weight: 2200 lbs. (2) 24 - pound Bow Chasers; Range: 1000 yds. Ship's Statistics: Sail Area: 42,710 square feet. Speed: 13+ knots Foremast Height: 198 feet. Mainmast Height: 220 feet. Mizzenmast Height: 172 feet., 6 inches Displacement: 2200 tons Length: 204 feet. (billet head to taffrail) 175 feet. (at waterline) Crew: (1812 era): 450, including: 55 Marines, 30 small boys, 20-30 officers & midshipmen (Today): 50 - 80 active duty Navy Sailors Anchors: 2 Main Bowers 5300 lbs. 1 Sheet Anchor 5400 lbs. 1 Stream Anchor 1100 lbs. 2 Kedge Anchors 700 - 400 lbs. Boats: 1 Longboat 36 feet. 2 Cutters 30 feet. 2 Whaleboats 28 feet. 1 Gig 28 feet. 1 Jolly 22 feet. 1 Punt 14 feet. 1794, March 27 - Naval Armament Act signed by President George Washington. 1794-1797 - Under construction in Boston. 1797, Oct. 21 - USS Constitution launched. 1798, July 22 - Ship puts to sea for first time. 1798-1801 - Quasi-war against France, protecting merchant shipping from French privateers. 1803 - 1805 - Barbary Wars. 1812, Aug. 19 - Constitution vs. HMS Guerriere. Ship earns nickname “Old Ironsides”. 1812, Dec. 29 - Constitution vs. HMS Java. 1815, Feb 20 - Constitution vs. HMS Cyanne, HMS Levant. 1828 - 1833 - Rumored ship will be scrapped 1830 - Oliver Wendell Holmes writes poem “Old Ironsides”. Congress approves funding for restoration. 1844 - 1851 - “World Cruise” Constitution travels over 52,000 miles around the globe. 1860 - 1870 - Constitution serves as a training ship at Naval Academy. 1882 - 1897 - Moored in New Hampshire serving as a receiving ship for new recruits. 1897, Sep. 21 - Constitution returns to Boston. 1925 - 1927 - Pennies campaign to restore ship 1927 - 1930 - Extensive restoration. 1931 - 1934 - “Three Coast Tour” of U.S. 1997, Jul. 21 - USS Constitution sails for the first time in 116 years. The Constitution currently serves as a museum ship in Charlestown (Boston), Massachusetts. |