SML-300  Stephen Decatur

      
SML-300 Stephen Decatur (bronzed)
SML-300A Stephen Decatur (painted)

click here for an explanation of the info shown below
click here for info on any abbreviations used below
reference numbers SML-300: Stephen Decatur paperweight (bronzed) (M)
SML-300A: Stephen Decatur - Museum of the City of New York (M)
SML-300B: Stephen Decatur - Burrows Gallery (Lance 2196)
SML-300C: Stephen Decatur pen stand - Decatur Bank (M)
SML-300D: Stephen Decatur (painted, small round base) (M)
description Stephen Decatur standing
dimensions height (paperweight on bronze base) = 5 inches
topics and series Topics: Art & Sculpture Reproductions  Commercial  Famous People
 Military & War  The Sea & Seafarers
Series: Burrows Gallerye
related items none
first issued/withdrawn/
discontinued forever		 SML-300: (1958/1958/-)
SML-300A: (1960/1960/-)
SML-300B: (1982/-/-)
SML-300C: (1958/1958/-)
SML-300D: (1958/1958/-)
private issue and/or limited edition & quantity SML-300: PI Decatur (IL) National Bank 1,200 made
SML-300A: PI Museum of City of New York  1,000 made
SML-300B: PI Burrows Gallerye, 4,500 made
SML-300C: PI Decatur National Bank
era first introduced. Marblehead
value range SML-300: 150/225
SML-300A: 150/200
SML-300B: 35/45
SML-300C: 275/300
SML-300D: 225/250
auction notes none
comments/observations This series is larger than most Sebastian figurines of people.  The average height is about 4 1/2 inches.  These highly detailed figures are generally considered to be among Prescott W. Baston's finest works.

GENERAL INFORMATION. Stephen Decatur (1779-1829) joined the U. S. Navy in 1798. During the War of 1812, he gained fame by capturing several British ships with daring tactics.  The town of Decatur, Illinois was named after the war hero.
     In 1958,Baston was requested by the president of the Decatur National Bank to design and produce 1,200 bronzed Stephen Decaturs for a bank promotion.  The man was astonished to hear that Stephen Decatur, a direct descendant of the Commodore, was Baston's next-door neighbor in Marblehead.
     In 1960, Baston converted the design to a hexagonal base and inscribed "Museum of the City of New York" for the Museum series (see SML-310) and produced 1,000 pieces.  The design was reissued in1982 as part of the series commissioned by the Museum and Burrows Gallerye in Englewood, New Jersey.

From Dr. Glenn Johnson's book, The Sebastian Miniature Collection.

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Revised: October 20, 2004