quality CIVIL WAR era AMERICANA

Dolly Madison CDV A scarce CDV of Dolly Madison done in the Civil War era from a rare circa 1840 daguerreotype now in the collection of the Maine Historical Society. She is pictured here wearing a shawl given to her by prominent Maine socialite and intimate personal friend, Julia Dearborn Wingate. In fine condition with sharp contrast and focus the image is unmarked as to photographer. Acquired from an old collection of Portland, Maine photographs.
 

original Civil War 8th Maine Infantry DISCHARGE An original Civil War discharge certificate issued to Pvt. Ole Hanson of Co. B 8th Maine Volunteer Infantry. The term of service given is September 2, 1862 with a discharge date of March 1, 1865 given at Cony U. S. General Hospital by reason of Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability. All original with no tears or repairs yet with good evidence of age and originality
 

19th Century American Eagle engraved - POCKET WATCH An attractive old 19th century key wind and set Swiss pocket watch. All in nice running condition, fitted to an 18K gold case and with a beautifully engraved silver face, this fine old watch is offered as it came out after decades of storage. A proper cleaning of the detached lever, 13 jewel, Swiss works is advised before use though as a matter of personal choice we would leave the delicately engraved silver face as is displaying the natural patina. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly.
 

Civil War era STRAIGHT RAZOR in HUNTING SCENE CASE A nice old period straight razor maker marked Joseph Rogers . A plain working razor with natural horn grip and lots of stropping from period use but remaining in nice, even useable, condition with no chips in the blade or cracks in the slabbed grips. The embossed carrying case is extra nice with a hunting scene with dogs and birds. A nice honest Civil War era personal item.
ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting our catalog!!

 

early J. H. Bunnell & Co. TELEGRAPH RELAY A scarce early 150 ohm telegraph relay by the firm of J. H. Bunnell & Co. founded by the famous Civil War telegrapher Jesse Bunnell in 1878. The relay remains in fine condition, functional and with attractive age patina throughout. Only a single missing and easily replaced tension spring represents a single condition issue. The instrument retains its’ early Bunnell & Co. tag and a period penned notation on the underside tells us the instrument was tested at 150 ohms on January 28, 1893. As for Jesse Bunnell, our research tells us he was born in 1843, at age eleven he was delivering telegraph messages and by thirteen was a full fledged telegraph operator serving at telegraph offices in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia from 1859-61. At the outbreak of the Civil War Jesse joined the Union Military Telegraph Service (UMTA). In this service he would observed one of the few ascensions of a wired balloon operated by a balloonist and a telegraph operator to relay troop movements and dispositions.
From about June of 1862 to August of 1864, Bunnell served with the Army of the Potomac as General McClellan's personal telegrapher, with the sign MC, and with Sherman's Army of the Cumberland through the bloody battles in Tennessee and on to Atlanta. He was considered to be among ablest and bravest operators. At the conclusion of his service to the military Bunnell continued to make his living in the growing telegraph field ultimately founding J. H. Bunnell & Co. in 1878. As a relatively scarce example of the Companies’ early production, this 19th century relay instrument will make a nice display item. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly.


 

extra nice U. S. Grant CDV All original and of the Civil War period, this CDV image of U. S. Grant remains in exceptional condition. An especially nice condition item without spending a lot of money. ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting our catalog!!
 

Civil War era Telescoping PEWTER CUP A fine example of the classic telescoping pewter cup so popular with the Union soldiers of the Civil War(see: Gettysburg Visitor’s Center Civil War Museum collection). Difficult to find in this condition, this example will be sure to please some discriminating collector. ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting our catalog!!


 

Confederate Gen. Beauregard CDV In especially nice condition, this photograph of Confederate Gen. Beauregard was published by Anthony from a Matthew Brady view. Taken before the outbreak of the Civil War, this view depicts the Confederate leader in his pre-war Union uniform. It’s publication was an attempt to satisfy a large Eastern market egger to add military leaders of both sides to their parlor photo albums. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
 

Civil War era GENTLEMAN’S FELT HAT A classic Civil War vintage gentleman’s hat, this Dandy stands approximately 6 3/8 inches high, retains its original 2 1/8 inch wide sweatband and remains in nice condition without mothing. As you can see the silk binding around the brim has deteriorated and will require removal, replacement or simply leave it as is. Likewise the hat could be shaped and blocked and cleaned to as new but we would leave good things alone and preserve the character and eye appeal that comes only with period use and decades of proper storage. A wonderful display item! As with all direct sales, we are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with refund of the purchase price upon return as purchased!
 

Civil War ere PATENT 1861 C. L. W. BAKER PATENT MOP You can put this in the seldom seen, generally used up and discarded in the period category. All original, un-used and as new, is this NEW IMPROVED MOP manufactured by C.L. W. Baker of Hartford Conn. Made especially for the O’Brian patent mop and brush holder. Per U. S. patent office records Baker was issued a patent for his mop in June 11, 1861. This example actually pre-dates the June 1861 award as it is marked PATENT APPLIED FOR. Our photos will do best to describe this piece except to advise that the old label measures 6 X 2 ¾ inches. All original and un-used after decades of storage, this old utility will make a wonderful addition to any period display. A neat kitchen item or will fit in especially well in a Civil War era medical or hospital setting. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
 

portable TELEGRAPH KEY Illustrated here with a U. S. quarter for size comparison, is this nice old telegraph key. Smaller and lighter than the more common station agent type, this little key was more attuned to field use where it could be carried in a pocket or implement pouch. All original and functional this scarce little piece remains in excellent condition.


 

New England Guards / ladies PIN & EARRINGS set This wonderful ladies pin and earrings set was nicely jeweler made in the period from uniform buttons of the historic New England Guards militia of Boston. (see also our item 3122) Made from R. W. Robinson uniform buttons (in business from 1836 to 1848) this set properly dates from the Mexican War era with use through the Civil War. They are photographed here with a US quarter for size comparison and we have left the set un-cleaned and as found with a full complement of age patina.
Organized in Boston in the early fall of 1812, the New England Guards was comprised of Boston’s socially elite. A practice that would stay with the unit throughout it’s existence, passing through the Civil War when the NEG took up the mantle of war as the 24th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (1861-1866). As the 24th Mass. members of the New England Guards would see action at the battles of Roanoke Island, New Bern, Secessionville, the Assault on Fort Wagner, Drewry's Bluff, the Bermuda Hundred line, siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, and more. At the war’s closing the hard fought 24th performed guard duty in Richmond, not mustering out until January 20, 1866. A wonderful token of affection from a member of the elite NEG to a special lady, this jewelery set remains in excellent totally wearable condition just as it was set aside decades ago.

We offer a standard three day inspection, satisfaction guarantee backed by a no questions asked return of the purchase price upon return as purchased.

 

Civil War era Native American ILLUSTRATED COLLAR BOX This most attractive Civil War era pasteboard collar box measures approximately 3.25 inches in diameter and remains in nice solid condition with appealing natural patina and period wear as evidence of its age and originality. The cylindrical lid offers an attractive lithograph image of an Indian Chief. A label on the side with MASSASOIT COLLARS / PERSIG [N.Y.] #14 tells us that the Native American leader is none other than Massasoit Chief of the Wampanoag. Massasoit was the chief of the Wampanoag tribes who befriended early American settlers offering vital aid to the Pilgrims. (The Pilgrims celebrated their first Thanksgiving with the Wampanoag Indians in 1621.) Remembered as an American hero in the time of the Civil War, the Boston built Union gunboat USS Massasoit was commissioned in March 1864. Utilized as little catch-all or ditty boxes in the period, most of these attractive advertising pieces were used up in the period seldom surviving into modern times. An attractive personal item seldom available to today’s collector / historian. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.


 

earlier 1800’s through Civil War era REED COVERED FLASK This wonderfully shaped old reed covered spirits flask measures a full 9 inches in length and remains in a pleasing original, untouched condition with a rich age patina to the reed and some minimal evidence of period use. Our photos will speak best for the condition and appeal. If you like what you see here you will like the piece. As with all direct sales, we are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with refund of the purchase price upon return as purchased!
 

Civil War era Dr. Strong’s STOMACH PILLS / UN-OPENED PACKET All original and still sealed with a spot of that old orange sealing wax that will be familiar to Civil War era collectors, this packet of DR. STRONG’S vegetable STOMACH PILLS will set in nicely with any mid 19th century medical, apothecary, or personal grouping. Illustrated here with a quarter for size comparison this little packet will unwrap to reveal a 6 X 9 ¾ inch printed sheet offering directions for use and claims as a curative for all manner of ailments from dyspepsia to coughs, colds as well as asthma and bronchitis. Inside this colorful wrapping is the pill container it self; a wonderful little 2x1 inch oval shaped wooden box. In the box are the 30 original vegetable pills as promised on Dr. Strong’s colorful outer label (not offered here for consumption).
We acquired a number of these original packets years ago when such things could occasionally be found and thought they were long gone until we recently discovered a few while digging through our considerable accumulation of period stuff. Offered here individually priced, if you would like one to preserve as is and one to open for display let us know and we will give you a lesser price for the second one. ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting our catalog!!