Abandoned 1536. A wooden sliver from the wreck of the French-built carrack Petite Hermine used by Jacques Cartier in his voyages of exploration in North America, with accompanying museum display note: 'Piece of wood from the vessel of Jacques Cartier, wrecked in St. Charles River, near Quebec and the St. Lawrence River. From the Museum of Naval University, Quebec. Presented by the Curator to H.B. Adams.' 0.18 grams, 38mm (1 1/2"). Property of a North London gentleman; previously with Robin Symes Gallery, Mayfair, before 1999. Although not named in the note, the vessel Petite Hermine was the only one of those used by Cartier to have been wrecked in the St. Charles River, abandoned due to too many crewmen having died in the preceding winter for the expedition to continue. [No Reserve]

Fine condition.