George Stapf(Harrisburg & Lancaster, PA, 1862-1958) - Rare carved plaque of a spread winged eagle surmounted by a waving American flag and a shield and olive branch in one talon and 3 arrows in the other, the eagle with a gilded surface, the flag and shield with red, white, and blue polychromed surface, 24" h., 38" w. George Stapf worked in Lancaster and Harrisburg, carving eagles for government buildings including GAR posts (one is still on display in Philadelphia, Post No 2), Pennsylvania State Capital, and others. Similar examples include one from "The River Queen", President Lincolns barge on display at the U.S. Naval Academy, and one sold from the Garbisch Collection, Sotheby's, 1980. Photographs and history supplied by Stapf's great grandson accompany this lot.