The Colonel Ash very fine and rare Chippendale carved mahogany side chair, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania circa 1770

Chair marked V and original slip seat marked V.  Slip seat retain original linen webbing and a portion of the leather finish covering.  Chair retains a dark historic surface.

Colonel Ash, aide de camp of General Washington

Ginsburg & Levy, New York

Chair marked V, slip seat marked V; original slip seat; retains dark historic surface; slip seat retains original webbing and leather upholstery; covered over with later crewel-worked cover
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In a letter written to Admiral Moore on May 14, 1957, Lewis Rockwell, on behalf of Ginsburg & Levy, wrote the following: "I am enclosing a photograph of a room in a house in Germantown near Philadelphia, which shows the Chippendale chair that you purchased from us a short time ago. This is an enlargement from a small old snap-shot which has written on the back of it as follows: This chair and table originally belonged to Col. Ash, Aide de Camp to General Washington.  We were given this snap-shot, which was made about 1900, by the descendants of the original owner of the chair."

This history probably refers to Colonel James Ash (1749-1830) of Philadelphia. He was a member of the Provincial Convention and the Committee of Correspondence in 1775. In 1777, he served as a lieutenant in John Cadwalader's brigade of militia and later became a Colonel. From 1788 to 1795, he was high-sheriff of Philadelphia and alderman from 1796 to 1799.