Het Vergulde Varken (sailing barge)
Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 10:30 pm
The name given in Stanley Gibbons is incorrect.
The correct name is in old Dutch spelling HET VERGULDE VERCKEN, in new spelling HET VERGULDE VARKEN translated in “the gilded pig”.
This stamp shows a spritsail vessel, dating from 1649, in Chesapeake Bay but this picture has been copied from a painting of 1642 by a master of the Dutch School, The original is in the Boijman's Museum, Rotterdam while a large sketch of this craft is also reproduced in E. Keble Chatterton's "Fore and Aft Craft and Their Story". The original plate is called "The Arrival at Rotterdam of the Market ‑ Barge between Dordrecht and Rotterdam". Apparently the stamp designer was unable to find a suitable picture of a colonial sailing vessel of the period of the founding of Annapolis in 1649. As a result be may well have decided to "adapt" the only craft available‑a Dutch "market‑barge".
The stamp designer has added a cherub to indicate the direction of the wind but unfortunately the only position suitable for this decoration was immediately astern of the barge. Consequently he has had to alter the flags worn by the ship so that they would agree with the cherub. The sails, however, have not been altered accordingly. The designer has given the ship a full complement s of passengers and has, of course, substituted the flag of St. George for the Dutch flag shown in the original painting.
The typical Dutch lee‑board has been omitted because it must have been realised that such a fitting was not common to English craft of the period while the standing rigging of the mast of this market‑barge is completely contrary to Dutch custom, for the shrouds are led far forward of the mast instead of abaft it. The sprit is supported in the centre by a tackle, but the axe‑like rudder, obviously originating in the Netherlands, has been faithfully reproduced. The absence of a bowsprit is also in keeping with the country of origin and with the age. It will also be seen that the anchors are stowed outboard another feature which has reproduced well on this stamp.
Sea Breezes, Ernest Argyle August 1954
U.S.A. SG981
The correct name is in old Dutch spelling HET VERGULDE VERCKEN, in new spelling HET VERGULDE VARKEN translated in “the gilded pig”.
This stamp shows a spritsail vessel, dating from 1649, in Chesapeake Bay but this picture has been copied from a painting of 1642 by a master of the Dutch School, The original is in the Boijman's Museum, Rotterdam while a large sketch of this craft is also reproduced in E. Keble Chatterton's "Fore and Aft Craft and Their Story". The original plate is called "The Arrival at Rotterdam of the Market ‑ Barge between Dordrecht and Rotterdam". Apparently the stamp designer was unable to find a suitable picture of a colonial sailing vessel of the period of the founding of Annapolis in 1649. As a result be may well have decided to "adapt" the only craft available‑a Dutch "market‑barge".
The stamp designer has added a cherub to indicate the direction of the wind but unfortunately the only position suitable for this decoration was immediately astern of the barge. Consequently he has had to alter the flags worn by the ship so that they would agree with the cherub. The sails, however, have not been altered accordingly. The designer has given the ship a full complement s of passengers and has, of course, substituted the flag of St. George for the Dutch flag shown in the original painting.
The typical Dutch lee‑board has been omitted because it must have been realised that such a fitting was not common to English craft of the period while the standing rigging of the mast of this market‑barge is completely contrary to Dutch custom, for the shrouds are led far forward of the mast instead of abaft it. The sprit is supported in the centre by a tackle, but the axe‑like rudder, obviously originating in the Netherlands, has been faithfully reproduced. The absence of a bowsprit is also in keeping with the country of origin and with the age. It will also be seen that the anchors are stowed outboard another feature which has reproduced well on this stamp.
Sea Breezes, Ernest Argyle August 1954
U.S.A. SG981