Morris Canoe, c1916 Antique For Sale, Exc Condition

UP FOR AUCTION - One extremely well preserved antique 18' MORRIS CANOE. This canoe was, according to its serial number, recorded on an original brass plate mounted on one of its stems (#14248), built c1916, making it over 100 years old, and as such, a genuine antique (furthermore, being hand-made, this survivor qualifies as an antique even by the most strict definition)! What is more, and very unusual for this type of closed-gunwale canoe (the common early type, which traps water, and which is therefore subject to rot), this example is virtually or completely rot-free. I was not able to find even a speck of rot (though there is a very minimal amount of wear at the gunwale tips). The wood is in OUTSTANDING condition.

The canvas and paint are old, but serviceable, and the seats have been rewoven, albeit in a non-original manner. There are some minor breaks in the seat webbing. The original decal/label is worn but still present and visible (see my final image). This canoe comes with all original wood parts, in good condition, including the brass serial number plate, fixed to the end of one distinctively splayed stem. This is an outstanding example of a Morris canoe, complete and intact, which would be an exceptional basis for a restoration, or which can be used as-is.

From "The Wood and Canvas Canoe," by Jerry Stelmok and Rollin Thurlow: "B.N. Morris started the Veazie Boat and Canoe Company on the second floor of his home in Veasie, ME in 1882. It soon became the B.N. Morris Canoe Company, and for a long time it was one of the largest and best known canoe companies in the world, until a fire destroyed the factory in 1920." "Some of the highest-quality wood-canvas canoes were built by the B.N. Morris Canoe Company of Veasie, ME, a small town 3 miles north of Bangor.

The company had a 30 year career that ended prematurely over 60 (now 90) years ago. The MORRIS name and the fine canoes (it produced) slipped into obscurity until the recent wooden canoe revival (mediated mostly by Stelmok and Thurlow) afforded the pioneering canoe company recognition and admiration again." "As well-known as the company once was, hard facts about B.N. Morris are now difficult to find. Morris was one of the very early wood-canvas canoe companies, but how early is difficult to determine. A review of the company's publications suggests that different founding dates were claimed at various times.

In 1912, it was reported to have started sales in1891. In 1908, the company boasted it had built canoes since 1887, and in 1917 it claimed to have been manufacturing since 1882.The most commonly accepted date is 1887, which would have been when Burt Morris, the founder, was 21 years old." "Bert Morris started building canvas canoes in his home in Veasie using the Indian birchbark method. Only a few canoes were built using this method, however, as he quickly switched to the new method of building over a form." "Morris canoes were aimed toward the turn-of-the-century recreational canoe market and not the guides and woodsmen who wanted a less glamorous craft. His canoe designs soon departed from the style of the local bark canoes and became wider, fuller and more stable, with graceful. High, sweeping ends.

The shapeliness, style and workmanship of the Morris canoes and boats made some of the most picturesque craft that were ever built with this construction style." ETCETERA! Anyone with a true interest in wood and canvas canoes will need to obtain a copy of Stelmok and Thurlow's book, which is the wood-canvas canoe BIBLE. I bought this canoe because I LOVE its form, craftsmanship and history. I am giving it up only because it is too big and heavy for my 65yo frame to handle solo (it weighs something on the order of 85 lbs). MOST of the time, I go solo.

This canoe is however easily handled by 2 men or strong women, so its size and weight should present few problems to those who typically paddle with a friend or friends (this canoe can carry 3-4 passengers). My loss is your gain! Anyone buying this historically important canoe must agree to take good care of it! Thank you all, for visiting (and especially for bidding on) my auction.