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3044
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late 1700s / early 1800s – BRASS FRAME SPECTACLES
This pair of early brass framed spectacles with hinged ribbon loop bows are in excellent all original condition and are untouched after decades of storage leaving a wonderful soft age patina. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
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3045
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Civil War issue Williams’ Pat. Self-Cleaning .58 cal. PAPER CARTRIDGE
A Civil War issue Williams’ Patent self cleaning .58 cal. rifle musket cartridge. All original and as issued just as we removed it from a long stored Maine soldier’s cartridge box nearly thirty-five years ago (those were the days!). Collectors will recognize this scarce blue paper cartridge as the one to a packet, issue cartridge fitted with the William’s Patent of 1862 bullet. Fitted with a zinc washer or wad at it’s base the thin zinc disk was designed to expand upon firing and scrape away excess black powder fouling as the bullet passed through the musket’s rifling. Not intended for constant use the Williams’ patent cartridges were wrapped in blue paper so as to differentiate them from the others and were issued only one to a packet. Interestingly enough the use of these self-cleaning bullets led to considerable controversy stemming from accusations that the Yankee intent was only that the zinc wads would cause more wound damage. Many believed that these bullets contained poison within them that would be carried to the blood stream by the slashing of the jagged zinc washers. This erroneous accusation persisted for some years after the Civil War. Excellent reference on this and others may be found in Dean Thomas’s excellent work ROUND BALL TO RIMFIRE – A History of Civil War Small Arms Ammunition. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
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3055
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1891 Illinois CIVIL WAR Vet’s / G.A.R. ENCAMPMENT MEDAL
All in fine, all original condition after decades of attic storage, this 1891 Illinois Grand Army of the Republic encampment delegate medal will be best described by our illustrations except to remind the viewer that the subject Civil War veteran is Dr. B. F. Stephenson, who served as surgeon to the 11th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and after the war founded the powerful G A R veteran organization.
A resident of Springfield, Illinois, Stephenson was commissioned as surgeon of the 11th Illinois Infantry on April 7. 1862 and was mustered out June 24, 1864. Dr. Stephenson founded the Grand Army of the Republic on April 6, 1866 and served as it’s first Commander in Chief. A good sized medal measuring 1 3/8 of an inch in diameter this piece will go well in any nice collection. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
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3046
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Civil War Soldier Made CARVED BONE CHARM
Our photo illustration will do best do describe this lovely little carved bone basket charm ( Illustrated here with a Civil War vintage quarter for size comparison ). The old brown ink tag reads Made from beef bones by soldiers in the Civil War. Better quality work than most, this attractive little memento will go well on a fine period neck chain or just to set in with sewing or other period collectables. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
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3056
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Civil War vintage – 1860 / 1862 MAINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY
This book is titled A Business Directory of Subscribers to the New Map of Maine,(map originally sold separately/ not available here) with a Brief History and Description of the State, Prepared By William Willis; also, Valuable Statistics and Advertisements The directory was printed by Thurston / Steam Printers / Portland, Maine. In nice usable condition for reference , this directory is arranged by county and town, is illustrated with lots of wonderful woodcuts and numerous advertisements. It has a brown cloth covered hard cover with printed endpapers and preceding / following leaves on pink paper. The directory is complete with the exception of one pink following leaf in the back. It contains 344 pages all in nice condition without repairs, tears or other problems. The cover is light from fading and shows wear from period use but the hinges are good with a nice tight binding and clean pages with light scattered foxing but free from names or other markings,. A clean and sound example, this directory offers an extensive business directory of the cities and towns of Maine during the Civil War. The listing is by proprietor within each town, noting type of business/occupation. The directory contains more than 80 pages of advertisements, many illustrated and full page. The ad inside the back cover is for Rich Rolling Prairie Lands offered by the Illinois Central Railroad Company at $12 per acre.
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3047
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Civil War issue - Musket PERCUSSION CAP PACKET
An unopened paper packet of Civil War musket percussion caps untouched and all original just as we removed it from a long stored Maine soldier’s cartridge box nearly thirty-five years ago. A wonderful companion piece to go with a cap box or cartridge box, this piece will also lay in well with a period percussion cartridge collection. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!!
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3057
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Civil War era TOOTH POWDER LABEL
We have a small quantity of original HEINTZELMAN’S PHARMACY, Phila., TOOTH POWDER labels to be offered here individually priced for the collector of Civil War vintage pharmaceutical and personal items. These original Heintzelman’s labels (see Civil War era Philadelphia directories) measure approximately 15/16 X 2 1/8 inches and are in fine un-used condition after decades of storage. Each will display nicely as is or mounted on a period container. Civil War medical collectors and enthusiasts will be pleased to note that the Philadelphian, Heintzelman served as a Hospital Steward with the 72nd Penn. Volunteer Infantry from 8/10/1863 to 12/4/1862 then as Assistant Surgeon of the 42nd Mass. Volunteers until 8/20/1863 (see: Rush B. Heintzelman - - History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865 by Bates and Civil War Mass. Adjt. Genl. Reports)A neat all original item with lots of eye appeal for the person who would enjoy a colorful little remnant of the time without spending a weeks pay. See item # 798, 1212 & 1589 other period labels from HEINTZELMAN’S PHARMACY.
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3048
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Civil War era ODD FELLOWS LAPEL DEVICE
Our photo illustration likely will do best do describe this delicate little three link pin of the Fraternal Order of Odd Fellows ( Illustrated here with a Civil War vintage quarter for size comparison ). Well made with that telltale T-Backpin fastener that collectors of the Civil War era prefer.
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3049
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fine! Eagle on Hummock / PERCUSSION REVOLVER POWDER FLASK
Though a small flask measuring only approximately 4.5 inches in length including the spout, this flask is referred to by collectors as the large Eagle on a Hummock flask. With the sole exception of a small ding at the bottom seem (no splitting) this example remains in fine condition with approximately 98 to 99% of it’s original dark lacquer finish remaining with only the slightest thinning of the finish at the neck and amazingly enough, retaining nearly all finish at the high wear points of it’s design. Considered by collectors as the earliest and best representation of it’s type, this double-faced, Eagle on a Hummock powder flask, was primarily for use with the early Colt Pocket Model revolver of 1848 or early 1849 (see: Riling’s Powder Flask Book p. 340, #760). This wonderful old pistol flask is entirely original and in fine condition with the exception of one very small ding (see photo). If you like our illustrations you will be pleased with this wonderful old flask. 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!
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3050
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Civil War era ACCOUTREMENT - BELT
This attractive all original waist belt measures approximately 1.5 inches wide and is about 32 inches in length. This rather crudely stitched belt of thinly split, home tanned leather is fitted with matching iron frame buckle and accoutrement rings. Buckle and rings show traces of original paint finish. The piece offers that special look and charm knowledgeable Civil War enthusiasts look for in typical Confederate home grown equipment and will make a wonderful companion piece to go with that special Confederate accoutrement or grouping. Just the ticket to go with that Confederate used holster, side knife or sword! All original and in nice untouched condition the leather remains soft and pliable after decades of attic storage. 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!
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3051
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c. 1850’s - flintlock armed / cigar smoking – MILITIA AMBROTYPE
A small image to be sure but this 1/9th plate (1 ¾ X 2 ½ inches) ruby-glass ambrotype has a lot going for it. With strikingly sharp focus and crisp contrast our jaunty militiaman looks out at the viewer with the same clarity of attitude that he presented to the photographer’s camera decades ago. The subject stands in his finest for this full length portrait. He sports the soft Army style cap of the period and thrusts forward a cocked cigar. Clutched at his side is a U. S. Model 1842 musket in original flintlock action. In our years of seeking out and observing such things we have seen other such images including a group of 1/9th plate ambrotypes with each subject, got up in the same fashion and displaying the same model flint musket. That group was clearly a militia outfit emanating from the Portland, Maine area where this image originated. The photograph remains nested in it’s original Peck’s patent 1854 / Halverson’s patent 1855 marked thermal plastic UNION photo case. The case remains in acceptable condition for display but is chipped at the clasp and is offered with the ambrotype only for the sake of originality. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
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2988
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'Battlefields of the Civil War' featured - Excavated 183rd Penn. ID BADGE
This all original excavated silver identification badge is offered here as recovered at Deep Bottom, Virginia and as photographed and illustrated in Wm. C. Davis’s best selling publication Battlefields of the Civil War. As our illustrations should do best to describe the physical characteristics of the silver badge, we will focus here on the service history of the 183rd Pennsylvania Infantry troop who wore it until he was wounded and lost his badge at Deep Bottom. John S. Clark mustered in on November 12, 1863 as a Private in Co. C, of the 183rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The Regiment was in it’s infancy with official organizational efforts only about to commence. Though his health never seemed to be good and with frequent bouts of hospitalization for maladies to include typhoid fever and gonorrhea, Clark remained with the 183rd P. V. I. until he mustering out with the Regiment on July 13, 1865. During Pvt. Clark’s term of service the 183rd PVI saw action in campaigns from the Rapidan to the James River The hard fought 183rd P.V.I. saw action at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Po River, Spotsylvania Court House, Assault on the Salient, North Anna River, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. Clark’s regiment was present at the Siege of Petersburg and participated in action at Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon Railroad and at Deep Bottom where per records now in the National Archives, Pvt. Clark was wounded. It was here at Deep Bottom sometime before the wounded soldier was moved North to be hospitalized that Clark’s silver identification badge separated from the breast of his Army blue coat and would lay where it fell until being recovered in 1983 by veteran digger Civil War historian, John Duggan of Virginia. (A collection file folder has been maintained with the piece and will come with it.) The history of the exact circumstances of the Clark’s loss of the little silver shield will, at this point, have to be left to supposition though further research could shed more light on the likelihood, based on the condition of the badge, that it came free from Clark’s breast when struck and wounded to the degree that he wound not return to his Regiment until March or April 1865. (Records indicate that he was a patient at the 1st Division Field Hospital, Virginia.) The particulars of Clark’s wounds suffered at Deep Bottom are key to completion of the story of the inscribed silver shield that would fall at Deep Bottom, Virginia where it would lie for decades before discovery and ultimately being featured in Wm. C. Davis’s – BATTLEFIELDS of the CIVIL WAR . 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!
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3052
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1850 dated U.S. military issue Batty PEACE FLASK
A wonderful all original and complete, as issued and as found, U. S. Ordnance Department contract powder flask. Long considered the most attractive of U. S. martial issue powder flasks, this example will be just the thing for the collector looking for a nice pure example that demonstrates good evidence of period use but remains in excellent condition. This offering sports strong maker marking (BATTY) with the manufacture date of 1850. As you can see by our New Hampshire Sharpshooter photo these flasks did find their way into the Civil War. (see also: Howard Crouch’s (Excavated) Civil War Artifacts - A Guide for the Historian ) This flask is in excellent condition with the original measure spout, round suspension rings and good evidence of period use with a rich natural age patina over all. With no dents or splits the lack of a cap spring (easily replaced) is all that may detract from this outstanding all original martial powder flask. (See page 363, number 862 in The Powder Flask Book by Ray Riling. 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!
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3041
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Abolitionist – WENDELL PHILLIPS – autographed Civil War era CDV
This original Civil War vintage portrait of Wendell Phillips bears the back mark of Fredericks of Broadway, New York. It appears here as you will see it in your hand with sharp focus, strong contrast and is in excellent original condition in all respects. Those familiar with Civil War era public figure autographs will recognize the ink signature as unquestionably that of the subject. A Harvard graduate, young Wendell Phillips was propelled to leadership in the antislavery movement some years before the Civil War when he first gained national attention steaming from an impassioned speech he offered at a Boston protest over the murder of fellow abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy. Phillips , a vocal supporter of John Brown when in Virginia arrested him for armed insurrection in 1859, was considered by many in his own camp to be a radical. He attacked Lincoln for his moderate stand on emancipation and opposed Lincoln’s re-nomination. Phillips held that the government owed blacks not merely their freedom, but land, education, and full civil rights as well. Not content to rest on his laurels after the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment, Phillips took up the sword of activism in support of reform among other social ills. While his style was easier and colloquial, Wendell Phillips oratory was considered equal to that of Edward Everett and Daniel Webster. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting our catalog!!
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3042
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Mann’s Pat. 1864 CAVALRY CARTRIDGE BOX
This wonderful example of the small size Mann’s Patent cavalry box (patent renewed June 7, 1864) remains in exceptional condition with only natural age as evidence of period originality. A bit of the proper conservator’s leather preservative would likely bring the finish back to it’s original sheen but we will leave that decision to the new owner. (We like to leave things as is.) This is the rarer smaller size box with inside dimensions of approximately 6 x 1.25 x 3.5 inches deep. As is most common with these rare cavalry size carbine boxes it is without the single sling strap sometimes seen, depending instead on the original single belt loop for suspension. (The condition of this example suggests the box was intended for issue and use as offered here.) This scarce cartridge box was designed by Col. Wm. Mann of the 7th Michigan Cavalry. The design was intended to facilitate the option of front rather than the common side carrying position and the cartridge tin or magazine, as called by Mann in his Patent application, was fitted with an inner sliding tin fitted with a finger loop allowing the bottom magazine to be pulled up for easier access once the top complement of cartridges were expended. (Scarce in any condition, the inner sliding magazine is nearly always missing from these boxes.) As our photos show, Mann’s all important pull-up inner magazine is present and functional in this situation and the outer flap is embossed US with COL. MANN’S PATENT REISSUE JUNE 7TH 1864 and E. GAYLORD MAKER CHICOPEE, MASS. around a bold US. 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!
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