Outstanding 18th Century, French & Indian War, Colonial New York map powder horn c. 1760-64. This high quality, professionally engraved, colonial powder horn was executed sometime after 1759 based on the location of British forts George on Lake George and Crown Point on Lake Champlain. The horn is the work of a professional engraver located in England or one of the larger colonial cities. High quality, professionally carved, map powder horns were popular with British officers both as practical, elegant, accouterments and mementos of military service in the American colonies. This medium sized powder horn has been scrubbed and bleached to a very attractive cream color with contrasting dark throat and delicately turned spout and pinned wooden base plug with turned rings. The delicate engraving is high-lighted with red and black ink. The body of the horn is engraved with a detailed map of the Hudson River Valley and the northern and western routes to Canada thru Lake Ontario, Lake George, Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River. The base of the horn has a detailed engraving of New York City with batteries and ships in the harbor. The engraving depicts the Hudson River Valley and significant towns, settlements and forts along with lakes Ontario, George and Champlain. A highly detailed British Royal Coat of Arms with rampant lion, crown, unicorn and motto is engraved near the base of the horn. A cartouche located above the coat of arms is engraved in a different hand with a crest that appears to be a bishop's miter above a banner bearing the name "Wm Woolsey". The crest and the banner are surrounded by delicate flourishes. The crest engraving is contemporary to the engraving on the powder horn. William Woolsey has not been identified. Map powder horns from the French and Indian War are some of the most desirable and attractive of all colonial artifacts. Included with the with powder horn are letters from Stephen D. Hench and Walter O'Connor which describe it as an original, professionally carved 18th century powder horn.

Excellent. This original 18th century powder horn shows limited handling wear and was probably purchased to commemorate an officer's American service. The professionally executed engraving remains crisp and sharp. The body of the horn retains the attractive cream color with scattered, minor, handling marks. The wooden base plug is in fine condition with scattered minor nicks and scratches. This is a top example of a high quality, professional carved, colonial map powder horn that would complement the finest collection of 18th century American or British firearms.