Sotheby’s to Sell Historic Weathervane in January 2009 Sale of Important Americana New York, New York – 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 hi
Nancy Druckman, Director of Sotheby’s American Folk Art Department, said, “The weathervane ‘Old Jake’ is a
magnificent example of American vernacular sculpture and three-dimensional American folk art. A swellbodied
form, ‘Old Jake’ has an enormous and commanding presence and conveys a sense of urgent forward
movement. Coupled with the remarkable aesthetics of the piece, ‘Old Jake’ has a wonderful and well-known
history in the town of Winchester, Virginia, with
marvelous archival photographs and newspaper
accounts to document its history in the town. The
provenance, history, and beauty of the piece
combine to make ‘Old Jake’ one of the most
important, evocative and appealing examples of
American folk art.”
“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.
Charles Broadway Rouss was a Winchester native and patron who built a successful department store empire
first in Virginia and then in New York City on lower Broadway, a name he so loved he chose it to replace his
own middle name of Baltzell. His ties to Winchester remained strong however and in 1895 records show he
donated funds towards the construction of the new Winchester firehouse, which was subsequently named in his
honor after continued support from the colorful entrepreneur.
The weathervane has remained atop the current home of the Charley Rouss Fire Company, a registered
501(c)3 organization, since its 1895 installation and is being sold in January to raise funds for the purchase of
new fire equipment as well as the potential construction of a new firehouse. Two exact copper replicas of “Old
Jake” are being made thanks to generous support from Rouss’s great-granddaughter, one of which will continue
to crown the Charley Rouss Fire Company and the other of which will likely be on public display until plans for a
new firehouse are finalized.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium
