Oh, say can you see, by the dawns early light
What so proudly we hailed in the twilights last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
Oer the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming
                                      Francis Scott Key, Baltimore Harbor 1814

The British endowed two amazing gifts to the United States in the War of 1812, neither one purposely: the words penned by Mr. Key and the melody that carries those words. Francis Scott Key was a front-row eyewitness to the bombardment of Ft. McHenry having been detained on a neutral British ship in the harbor. The mission that found him in this unique position was his attempt to release an American, Dr. Beanes, who was facing execution. His mission was successful, but his return to the shores delayed. The British Navy would not allow any early warning of the barrage it was about to unleash.

The second gift is great taste and less filling. The melody was first composed in an eighteenth century London social club but quickly spread throughout the city. To Anacreon in Heaven celebrated wine, women, and song; soon bawdy lyrics filled the streets and pubs of Old London Town. From there it emigrated to America. Anacreon was a Greek 6th century B.C. poet, an entertainer employing ribaldry. Some sources indicate the one and one-half octave range would make this a difficult song to sing while drinking. Apparently these same sources never drank.

Enter our segue. This week our auction includes a variety of antique German beer steins, from the mid 18th century to the twentieth century. A Bacchanal delight indeed with a blend of excellent German culture, so essential to the American lifestyle. The German stein is a byproduct of the 14th century Bubonic Plague, an epidemic that killed 25 million Europeans. Lack of proper hygiene accelerated diseases as governments scrambled to stop the sources. Laws soon required that lids be attached to steins. Apparently swarming flies were a major issue in 14th century Europe. And, in a universal timeless move, the pewter guild politically insured the lids would be composed of their livelihood, a tradition lasting over 300 years. Regulations also covered the handling of food, including the production of beer. The number one result was the improved flavor of the product; both sales and consumption soared which no doubt added handily to the repopulating of Europe.

So fill your flagons and swill your steins, this week the gallery just might be a bit more nutsy than usual, if that were at all possible. Doors open at 8 AM. Auction starts at 9 AM. PA AU 1265L