The June 2-5, 2002, Pre-Long Beach Sale, Sale 14
Lot 1649
Berdan, Hiram.
Excellent carte de visite uniformed standing portrait. Early Anthony/Brady
backmark overlaid with a Guille & Alles Interior Decorators "Sold By" label.
Striking, clear portrait; very minor toning/silvering to top right corner and
table at right edge; minor toning to card. Pencil ID verso indicates portrait
from 1857. Overall, fine condition.
Gunmaker/innovator, acknowledged as
the best shot in the nation for almost 20 years before the War, Berdan
developed two regiments of specially-trained sharpshooters for the Union Army.
Dressed in distinctive green uniforms and equipped with the best long rifles,
Berdan's men underwent rigorous training and received special bonuses for
qualifying for the sharpshooter units. Although Berdan was a brilliant
inventor, he was a poor commander and he resigned in January 1864.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 1650
Ericsson, John. Lot of
two cartes de visite. From two different points in his life, we offer images of
John Ericsson, inventor of the USS Monitor.
The first image, a seated chest
portrait, shows a young Ericsson . Mounted on a thin card, indicating a
pre-Civil War date, there is minor foxing to the image and very minor buckling
of the card. Overall, very good condition.
The second image, another seated
bust portrait, shows Ericsson later in life, likely in the mid-1860s, as it
resembles known 1862 photographs. Charles D. Fredricks backmark, silver border.
Minor, shallow areas of paper loss verso at corners; minor bumping at edges;
interesting toning heightens impact of image. Overall, near fine.
Estimated
Value $600-700.
Lot 1651
Harris, John. Standing
uniformed portrait carte de visite. Brady imprint at bottom margin. Pencil ID
verso; one abrasion recto at margin; two small abrasions at the extreme top
edge of the image. Strong contrast, beautifully shot -- extra fine condition.
A roster of less than 3000 men, an officer corps decimated by the
resignation of Confederate sympathizers, and a reluctant staff ensured that any
role the Marines would play in Union strategy would be a small one. Mostly
relegated to guarding forts and ships, Marines did participate in the landings
at New Orleans and in the attack on Charleston and Fort Fisher. Harris was in
favor of this minimal involvement, believing (rightly) that the Army had the
greater resources and better leadership necessary for success. Fewer than 150
U.S. Marines died in the war.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 1652
Nelson, William and Davis,
Jefferson C. Matted and framed to 10¼ x 9¾, here we offer two
cartes de visite featuring the principals from one of the most intriguing
episodes of the Civil War: General Jefferson Columbus Davis, U.S. and General
William "Bull" Nelson, U.S. The two men are in uniform -- Nelson in major
general shoulder straps and Nelson in epaulets. Both images are mounted on
ivory cards with a double line border and show some toning and soil to the
edges. The Nelson card has been labeled in ink at the bottom margin of the
card: "Maj. Gen. Nelson" and the Davis card shows very faint mat-burns around
its edges -- it may have been mounted in an album.
On September 29,
1862, in the lobby of the Galt Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, the two men
engaged in a loud argument that escalated to insults and Davis slapping Nelson
twice. Davis left, borrowed a pistol from another officer, returned to th hotel
and shot Nelson. Shot through the heart, Nelson died after uttering one of the
most pithy death-bed speeches of the War: "Send for a clergyman, I wish to be
baptized. I have been basely murdered." The violence between the two officers
was even covered by Harper's Weekly, which included a sketch of the killing.
Davis was never brought to trial for the murder, indeed he was incarcerated for
only twenty days before being released and returned to the field.
Estimated
Value $600-700.
Lot 1653
Sprague, Governor and Mrs.
Lot of two cartes de visite, featuring one of the most famous (possibly
infamous) couples of the Civil War era -- Kate Chase and William Sprague. The
marriage between Washington's the most famous hostess and a dashing,
unbelievably wealthy young Senator gradually disintegrated into lives lived
apart, alcoholic rages, infidelity, a divorce and, for Kate, poverty -- the
stuff of novels.
The two lovely images offered here, betray none of the
coming strife. Kate's card, by Anthony from a Brady negative, has minor foxing
and toning, with a few faint, scattered abrasions; a tax stamp cancelled with a
large "X" and a pencil ID of "Miss Chase" verso. Overall, very good
condition.
Governor Sprague appears on an Anthony card with a printed label
in the lower margin and no backmark. A uniformed chest portrait. There are a
few pinpricks above and below the image; minor toning and soil; pencil notes
verso; otherwise, this cdv is in very good to fine condition.
Estimated
Value $250-350.
Lot 1654
Union Officers, Cartes de
Visite. Lot of five Union officer cartes de visite, including one signed
and inscribed.
The signed card features a chest portrait of Major J.S.
Katner of the 33rd New York Volunteers, inscribed "Fraternally Yours".
Backstamped by B.P. Paige of the Plumb Gallery in Washington, there is minor
soil and toning, but the overall condition is very good.
Two identified
officers on unsigned cards: A chest portrait of Eliakim Sherrill (killed at
Gettysburg) of Geneva, New York, is backstamped by J.G. Vail of Geneva. A
pencil ID verso, but, except for very minor toning, very good condition. The
other officer has been identified as Aaron Woodhull and appears in a chest
portrait (in what appears to be a lieutenant's uniform), backstamped by
W.L.Germon's Photographic Studio of Philadelphia.
We must admit, to our
chagrin, that although the next two gentlemen are familiar faces, but we cannot
match faces to names and invite identification from any of our esteemed
readers. The first unidentified CDV features a bearded gentleman not in
uniform, rather in a dark coat. We are not certain if the gentleman was in the
Union Army or not. This carte de visite is backstamped by McGonegal's of
Geneva, New York, and shows only minor toning. The second unidentified CDV
features a chest portrait in uniform of an unbearded gentleman of distinguished
bearing and was published by C.D. Fredricks & Co. There is very minor toning,
foxing and soil, otherwise the card is in very good condition.
Estimated
Value $150-200.
Lot 1655
11th Tennessee Cavalry,
U.S.A. Document. One page, quarto, Washington DC, January 14, 1865. Being a
true copy of orders to the 11th Tennessee Cavalry, ordering its consolidation
into the 9th Tennessee Cavalry, Special Order No. 22. Signed by John C.Wright,
Captain of Company D, 11th Tennessee Cavalry Volunteers. Transmittal folds;
adhesive residue verso from old mounting, some show-through at extreme bottom
edge. Overall, very good condition.
A quick look at the history of the
11th reveals a unit of some notoriety: three months after mustering in, Colonel
DeCourcy described the unit as made up of raw, undisciplined troops; the entire
first battalion was captured in February, 1864; a report from a commanding
officer in March of 1864 indicated "...the 11th Tennessee Cavalry (10
companies) 252 men for duty, no horses, are without discipline, and with their
present organization of but little value..." As indicated in the document
offered here, the troops of the 11th were consolidated with the 9th Cavalry in
early 1865 and: "...all officers present and absent rendered supernumerary by
this consolidation will be mustered out of Service at date thereof. The
Commanding General, Department of the Cumberland, will charge the proper
Commissary of musters with the prompt execution of this order..."
Estimated
Value $200-350.
Lot 1656
3rd Colorado Cavalry
Statement of Service. Document. Partially printed, accomplished in
manuscript. One page, quarto, Washington DC, June 30, 1866. Being a statement
of service for one Christian Housworth, to Lieutenant Colonel J.W. Nicholls.
Stamped signature of Sam Breck, Assistant Adjutant General. Two horizontal
folds; top left corner missing, no loss of text; minor toning. Overall, very
good condition.
A 100 days regiment, the 3rd Colorado Cavalry was raised
to quell Native American unrest in Colorado, filling a gap caused by the
necessary loss of Army troops to Civil War battlefields. A volunteer regiment,
created with War Department authorization, the 3rd is infamous for its decisive
part in the Sand Creek/Chivington Massacre, an incident where troops attacked a
band of about 500 Cheyenne and Arapahoe, almost 2/3 of whom were women and
children. Believing they fulfilled the terms of an amnesty offered by the
Territorial military leaders, the Native Americans had made winter camp about
40 miles from Fort Lyon, flying an American flag and a white flag of truce. The
3rd Cavalry, under Colonel John Chivington, attacked the camp and killed or
mutilated almost 200.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 1657
Buffalo Soldier
Stereoviews A. Lot of three stereoviews featuring images of the 10th
Cavalry.
Card one: Part of the "Standard Series", published by the
International Stereoscopic View, Co., of New York. The caption reads: "Tenth
U.S. Cavalry 'The Heroes of Santiago'". Surface soil; image is somewhat faded
(possibly a lower-quality paper or fixative was used); one small flaw under
surface of image. The photograph shows the 10th U.S. Cavalry marching in a
victory parade following the Spanish American War. Fair to good condition. The
photos, on examination, do not appear to be true stereoscopic images, rather
they were probably created from newspaper photographs of the time to fill the
demand for mementos of the Spanish American War.
Card two: From the
Keystone View Company, copyright 1898. Caption: "9120 -- Troop K, 10th U.S.
Cavalry, Camp Chickamauga, Ga., U.S.A." Shows the soldiers and horses waiting
by a road. Minor surface soil recto and verso; very minor fading to image; one
abrasion on right edge of card; two chips from bottom margin; one bump to left
bottom corner. Overall, good to very good condition with strong contrast and a
clear image.
Card three: Published by Strohmeyer & Wyman, sold by Underwood
& Underwood, copyright 1898. Caption: "Troop A, Ninth U.S. Calvary -- Famous
Indian Fighters." Minor toning to very edges of card, else very fine. The
renowned soldiers line up somewhere in the scrub deserts of the Southwest, or,
maybe on the plains of Nebraska -- a striking image.
Estimated Value
$350-500.
Lot 1658
Buffalo Soldier
Stereoviews B. Lot of three stereoviews.
Card one: Published by Keystone
View Company, copyright 1898. Caption: "9442 - Away from the Fever Camps of
Cuba -- Montauk Pint -- 10th U.S. Cavalry." Minor surface soil to card; two
faint thumbprints from developing; one very faint waterstain on each panel;
pencil ID verso. Overall, near fine. This is a very scarce view and in super
condition.
Card two: Published by Strohmeyer & Wyman, sold by Underwood &
Underwood. This is duplicate of "Troop A, Ninth U.S. Cavalry. Famous Indian
Fighters" offered in the lot above. Card and image somewhat evenly faded; minor
surface soil to card; pencil ID verso; bottom margin chipped at one spot.
Overall, very good condition.
Card three: Published by Strohmeyer & Wynn,
sold by Underwood & Underwood, copyright 1898. Caption: "Trumpeter -- 9th
Cavalry, famous colored regiment". Minor toning and surface soil to edges of
card; one tiny piece of paper adhered to one panel at the knee of the
trumpeter; generally fine condition.
Estimated Value $350-500.
Lot 1659
Buffalo Soldier
Stereoviews C. Lot of four cards, three of which are colored lithographs
(no publisher's imprint) rather than photographic stereocards.
Card one:
Lithograph. Caption: "Cavalry on March". Minor surface soil; minor foxing to
outer edges of card; very good condition. A handsome image of the soldiers
riding off on the plain (looks like western Nebraska to me).
Card two:
Lithograph. Duplicate image to the one above, "Cavalry on March". Waterstains
to all edges, with some separation of card layers; some surface soil;
beginnings of foxing. Overall, fair to good condition -- the image is strong.
Card three: Another lithograph image. Caption: "Recreation Time". Minor
toning, surface soil and foxing do not interfere with this wonderful image of
soldiers gathered in a circle playing a game, possibly gambling. Images of
soldiers riding, marching, and in more formal settings are common, ones
depicting off-duty activities command a nice price.
Card four: Published by
Keystone View Company, copyright 1898. Caption: "9120 -- Troop K, 10th U.S.
Cavalry, Camp Chickamauga, Ga., U.S.A." (identical image in lot above). Surface
soil to card and image, some fading and solarization to image; bumps to card;
still, a nice image. Good condition.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 1660
Gettysburg Artifacts.
Four bullets, one ball and one large metal shard collected as artifacts
after the Battle of Gettysburg. A landmark in American history, Gettysburg
marks the turning point of the Civil War and the assertion of the ultimate
superiority of the Union forces. The amount of ammunition spent at Gettysburg
is unimaginable even in these modern times of total warfare and this collection
is a wonderful lot and representative of the fighting. We are fortunate to
offer this collection of artifacts, mounted in cardboard with a plastic
protective sheet.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 1661
Railroad Bridge
Stereoview. Stereoview from The War Photograph & Exhibition Company of
Linden, Connecticut. Very minor toning to card and edges of image; two shallow,
square areas of paper loss verso from early mounting. Overall, very good to
fine.
Images from the Civil War were popular into the early 20th
century, and this card was issued by one of the most successful companies of
the era. The photograph, number 762 in the War Photograph & Exhibition Company
series, is titled Destruction of A Railroad Bridge and has a clever caption
printed on the verso: "Both armies had a reckless habit of leaving the roads
and bridges in a condition which ought not to have been permitted by the
selectmen of the towns through which the army passed..."
Estimated Value
$200-300.
Lot 1662
Three Civil War-Link
Letters. Three letters, various lengths, two war date.
Our first
letter, on "Head Quarters, Army of the Potomac, Office of the Provost Marshal
General" letterhead, is a request from Edson Fitch (after the war, he was a
prominent match manufacturer and Mason) for leave to return home and settle his
father's estate. To Brigadier General S. Williams. Docketed, commented on and
denied on verso: "The interests of the service will admit only of the granting
of leaves of absences in extreme cases and this is not considered an
exceptional case." An endorsement of the leave is Signed by Marsena R.
Patrick ("MR Patrick"), Provost Marshall. The denial is signed by S.F.
Barstow on behalf of General Mead. Very good to fine condition.
The
second letter, nine pages on "U.S. Sanitary Commission" stationery, signed
"James Logan" and dated "Winchester Nov 7th 1864", contains a great deal of
information about doctors and the wounded: "...When the field hospital of our
corps was established and the wounded began to be brought in I went to work and
did for the poor fellows to the extent my strength would admit. But O it is a
sad sight to see so many poor fellows mangled bleeding and suffering from every
variety of wound..."
The third letter was likely written by Union
General Bernard G. Farrar to "Jim" on May 25 (?) -- it is signed
"Bernard G. Farrar". Written before the Civil War. Apparently
recuperating at a relative's home, Farrar writes of riding horses and cautions
Jim about falling in love with "Eliza."
Estimated Value $250-300.