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quality CIVIL WAR era AMERICANA
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Our goal is to provide maximum buying potential and buyer confidence for the advanced and casual enthusiast. Visitors are encouraged to enter and scroll page to page, browsing our full inventory while those limited by time or specific interest may utilize our word search to locate specific items or categories. (Always use lower case for best search engine results. ) We hope you find our catalogue informative, entertaining and fruitful. Thanks for visiting and please return often! |
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Visitors to our online shop are encouraged to scroll from page to page and enjoy browsing the wide variety of our full inventory or to utilize the word search by entering key words and phrases. ( Always use lower case for best search engine results. ) We hope you find our catalogue informative, entertaining and fruitful. |
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3120
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Civil War era laurel root PATRIOTIC PIPE
A classic example of popular handwork among Yankee soldiers who found the root of the Southern laurel made a particularly enjoyable smoke, this attractive tobacco pipe appears to have been fashioned with an eye on the shield bearing American eagle of an enlisted coat button. All in original untouched condition, this carved pipe remains just as it was last set aside with good evidence of many a pleasurable smoke. ( Illustrated here with a Civil War vintage quarter for size comparison. ) 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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3121
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Civil War date – PRESENTATION CANE / 32nd Mass. Infantry
Missing the bottom ferrule and showing some good evidence of period use, this silver mounted inscribed cane will make a nice Civil War display item all the same. It’s silver mount is finely script engraved J. P. Robinson / Roxbury. Mass. and Dr. Carl Both / April 1863. Though additional research may be fruitful, whether the cane was presented to the Doctor or by the Doctor will likely remain a matter of speculation. Our preliminary effort did, however, produce some interesting information for the Civil War / medical collector.
Joseph P. Robinson was twenty-two years old when he enlisted in Roxbury’s neighboring metropolis of Boston. Robinson was commissioned as 2nd Lt. of Co. F 32nd Mass. Volunteer Infantry. Robinson was promoted to 1st Lt. of Co. H on March 19, 1863. He declined a Captaincy on December 4, 1864. ( The most common reason for declining such a promotion stemmed from an unwillingness to leave one Co. for promotion in another? ) Lt. Robinson mustered out with his Regiment at the close of the Civil War. While in the military, Lt. Robinson’s hard fought 32nd Mass. Vols. saw action in such well known engagements as the battles of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and others to include Appomattox Court House. The regiment was present at the surrender of Lee and his army and participated in the Grand Review. The regiment lost a total of 289 officers and enlisted men.
Dr. Carl Both (note odd spelling) who either received the cane from Robinson or gave the stick to him, is listed under physicians in both the 1861 Boston Business Directory and the 1864 Boston Almanac. Dr. Both was the object of some notoriety in the medical community when he published a monograph on the causations and prevention of small-pox. He also authored a similarly targeted publication on Consumption (tuberculosis) which sold for .25 cents. A hefty sum at the time, such booklets were eagerly received by soldiers and a public at large anxious to narrow the odds against contracting such terminal maladies. A neat item for the walking stick enthusiast, Civil War and medical collector. 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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3122
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Mexican War LETTER / a rare NED BUNTLINE find!
A wonderful 2 ¼ page letter (7.75 X 9.75 inches) penned by a young Boston patriot to his Aunts, Nanny and Liddy Taber in Gardner, Maine. The letter is dated January 25, 1847 and is filled with the writer’s exuberance for personal involvement in the war with Mexico. The writer is Maine born Augustus B. Taber then living in Boston (see period U.S. Census) where he is a member of the New England Guards, a socially influential militia / Chowder & Marching outfit with a history back to the War of 1812. Taber advises his Aunts in Gardner that he will be leaving Boston in a few weeks, off to war in Mexico, probably never to return again says he. The Governor has received orders from the President for another regiment. Taber advises further that a number of Light Infantry companies have volunteered and about 40 of the New England Guards myself included he proudly announces. We are getting up a splendid company (about 150 men) of mounted riflemen says our young writer, adding, I am first Lieut. A hardy band of mounted troopers they must have been too as the 1st Lt. describes there armament. Our equipment are a short rifle slung to the back, a large and heavy sword, a brace of six barreled pistols, dirk knife, &c &c. He adds that the Government will furnish horses. We have been highly complimented on our drills and it is said by the press and many military men that we can do more execution than a whole regiment 1,000 men on foot says he. Here our writer leaves us a most interesting morsel that is, as far as we can determine, hitherto undocumented. Our Captain is Charles Judson (alias Ned Buntline) of the Navy who has been there ever since he was eleven year old probably now 25 or 30, he is a great writer, I dare say you have read a great many of his writings. Our young Lieutenant is clearly most impressed to serve as second in command under Charles Judson, a.k.a Ned Buntline. One can feel the boyish enthusiasm as Taber writes, Our dress is green jacket and pants and we do intend to have our braveries and praise spread everywhere. I have a large and handsome white horse, he is a magnificent creature he writes, advising further that the animal was brought from Lexington on purpose for me. Taber tells his Aunts I have got my uniform most done and I think I shall look kind of tall when I am dressed up in it. He closes saying Mother is worried almost to death about it adding that Father does not care so much about it though he has been terrible cross. The writer follows the above with a short post script to a friend regarding some material he had wanted Taber to acquire in Boston. He then closes his letter with: Your affectionate boy, Augustus B. Taber / 1st Lieut. of the Invincible
As a matter of historical interest let us quickly review the life of Ned Buntline. Edward Zone Carroll Judson, better known as Ned Buntline was born in 1823, ran away to sea as a boy and, by the time he was fifteen, was a midshipman in the navy. Resigning four years later, he led a life of incredible adventures in the Seminole Wars, and later in the Northwest fur trade. When he was twenty-three, he was tried for murder in Nashville, was lynched by a mob, and was cut down in time to be brought back to life. It was said Buntline could sport more scars, including a bullet hole in his chest, than any man he met and he had a yarn to go with each wound. Most frequently remembered by today’s gun collectors and enthusiasts of the American Wild West, as the father of the special order long barreled Colt Buntline revolver and his acquaintances such as Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill, and a myriad of other characters and places made famous in large part through Buntline’s popular dime novels.
All in excellent condition, in a nicely legible hand with no tears or repairs this Mexican War period letter from an enthusiastic 1st Lieut. of the Invincible is worthy of inclusion in the finest of American historical collections. 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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3111
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Historic Virginia - THOMAS LEE / CARTER’S GROVE- fire bucket
Retaining strong traces of the original decorative paint, this all original, vintage leather fire bucket will be worthy of consideration by the most selective of American history enthusiasts . Most importantly and consistent with the general period practice of identifying the owner of such, either by virtue of name, family crest, or in the case of public property, by fire company or apparatus number, this bucket offers clearly legible and unquestionably original identification to the Virginia Lee family patriarch Thos. LEE. Of significance to the serious student / collector of American historic material, in particular early Virginia memorabilia, is the fact that this bucket was acquired at a sale featuring de-assessed property from the historic Carter's Grove Plantation of Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. (Our letter of provenance as to the above will accompany the Thomas Lee fire bucket.)
Named for Virginia’s prominent Carter family and nearby Grove Creek, the Carter’s Grove Plantation was completed in 1755 and served for decades as home to some of Virginia’s most influential citizens. Subsequent to the death of the last resident in 1964, Carter's Grove was ultimately added to the properties of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The Plantation was gifted in it’s entirety by theRockefeller Foundation in 1969. In late 2006 the Williamsburg Foundation announced that the Carter’s Grove Plantation would be offered for sale with specific restrictive conditions with respect to the land and structures. Sale of the de-assessed content fell to a prominent New England auction house and was acomplished in two sales. The subject Thos. Lee fire bucket was aquired at the last sale of featured items of the Carter’s Grove Plantation .
Thomas Lee (c. 1690 – 1750) was a leading political figure of colonial Virginia and American patriarch of the Lee political and military dynasty serving this country from pre-Revolutionary war until the late 20th century (not the least of which was Robert E. Lee). Thomas Lee’s son Thomas Ludwell Lee (c.1734 – 1778) was an active contributor to formation of the Virginia Declaration of Rights a document that would influenced the United States Declaration of Independence (1776) and the United States Bill of Rights (1789). He was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses (1758-1765); the the first elected legislative assembly in the New World. John Adams would say of Thomas Ludwell Lee that he was the delight of the eyes of every Virginian. While it is clear that such prominent Virginia figures as the Lee’s and the Carters would have been intertwined socialy, politically and professionally Thomas Ludwell Lee’s son Thomas Ludwell Lee Jr. (c. 1752 – 1807) left the earliest documentation of that commonality when he married Francis ‘Fanny’ Carter in 1755. A second union was established June 13, 1793 when Henry ’Light Horse Harry’ Lee took the wealthy young Anne Hill Carter as his bride. (Their most notable child was none other than Robert E. Lee. )
While the speciffic circumstances of the inclusion of the Thomas Lee fire bucket in the Carter’s Grove Mansion collection is not known, the knowledge that it came from among items of the Carters Grove collection and the known union between the two prominent Old South families leaves little opportunity to deny the conection to the colonial Virginia patriach Thomas Lee.
Missing the leather handle but otherwise sound and strong with good seams and strong traces of original paint to include the original identification to Thos. LEE, this important period fire bucket will come with our letter atesting to it’s origin as stated above. 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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3109
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earlier 1850s / Civil War era – Broadside / Song Sheet
A single 5 x 8 inch sheet printed on one side with two, ten-line stanzas. This piece is signed Music of this song to be obtained at LEE & WALKER’S MUSIC STORE No. 722 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia . A nice ornamental border is set off by a bold type set at the top of the sheet and a nice cut of a young lady. Working in Philadelphia, ca. 1850s through the Civil War era, Lee and Walker were a popular resource for such song sheets however our search did not show a single copy of IN HAPPY MOMENTS by them listed in the Library of Congress collection of 19th Century American Song Sheets, Rare Book and Special Collections Division. ( Full text of In Happy Moments may be found at their American Memorysite.) A scarce example all in nice condition and of special interest to the mid 19th century Americana, ephemera or music collector.
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3106
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Confederate Stonewall Jackson - GLASS LANTERN SLIDE
Put out by E. B. Thompson, this is an especially appealing and colorful patriotic magic lantern slide retains it’s period hand inscribed label identifying the subject as Virginia Battlefield Park – Monument where Jackson Was Shot in two lines. The glass slide is hand tinted in oils and measures 4 X 3.25 inches. Frequently too expensive for personal ownership, these colorful glass slides were produced and hand tinted in oils in limited number and were most popular in turn of the century veteran and community halls where traveling projectionists presented their patriotic slide shows to enthusiastic GAR and like Civil War veteran groups. This example is all original and in excellent condition with good strong color. This desirable view will display nicely projected shown against soft backlighting, or simply set against a light background.
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3107
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c. 1850s – DRINKING SONG - Broadside / Song Sheet
A single 6 x 9.5 inch pre Civil War sheet printed on one side with four, eight-line stanzas. A drinking song to be sung by the tune of Ben Bolt which was set to music by a Philadelphia composer. Ben Bolt was written in 1842 in England but was first sung in Pittsburgh in 1848. The piece achieved great popularity in this country, and many parodies such as this one called The Paupers were published in the late 1840s and 1850s. This piece is signed T.M. Scroggy, Publisher, 443 Vine St. below 13th. A nice ornamental border is set off by an attractive type set at the top of the sheet. Working in Philadelphia, ca. 1850s, Thomas M. Scroggy was a popular publisher of such song sheets however our search did not show a single copy of THE PAUPERS listed in the Library of Congress collection of 19th Century American song sheets. A scarce example all in nice condition and of special interest to the 19th century Americana, ephemera, music collector or nautical enthusiast. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting our catalog!!
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3112
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BROADSIDE - Edward Everett at Civil War era AGRICULTURAL FAIR
The U. S Agricultural Society sponsors a Grand Cavalcade with Exhibition of Matched Horses and examination of mounts by the Committee of Stallions. The day will include Examination and trial of Working Oxen, exhibition of Family Horses. All will be culminated by a Grand Agricultural Banquet with attendance of the Governor of Massachusetts and other dignitaries. The attendance would undoubtedly be swollen by the broadside’s promises of an oration by Massachusetts native the Hon. Edward Everett. Already one of the Union’s most popular speakers, Everett would be enjoying the notoriety of a presentation at the dedication of the new Gettysburg Union Cemetery. Printed in Boston by the Franklin Printing House. (see: Samuel Chism prop. Civil War vintage Boston Business Directories) They were active participants in the printing of all manner of broadsides, pamphlets and books during the war years. (see: Ceremonies at the dedication of the soldiers' monument in Newton, Mass. Franklin Printing House, 1864.) The broadside remains in excellent and untouched original condition and is in a nicely displayable size (12 X 9.25 inches). See our item 3104 for a companion piece.
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3116
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Dept. of NH - Webster GAR Post – GAVEL BLOCK
Eye appealing and demonstrating lots of good age, this old Grand Army of the Republic gavel block was cut from a heavy section of oak to measure approximately 6 X 5.5 X 3.25 inches high. It is painted in black enamel and hand lettered in gold to identify it’s use by the MOULTON S. WEBSTER / POST No.68 / G. A. R.. While in this case the heavy old section of relic oak is not identified as to it’s origin, in years past we have observed more than one other New England GAR Post gavel block of this configuration and material identified as having been cut from carrying timber of Fort Sumter in Charlestown Harbor. Post No. 68 Department of New Hampshire was named for 1st Lt. Moulton S. Webster of Sandwich, N.H. who enlisted on August 14, 1862 and was commissioned into Co. K 14th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. Lt. Webster was mortally wounded on at Opequan, Virginia on September 19, 1864 when the charge of the 14th holding the right of the battle line cost the Regiment a loss of one third of its number in approximately thirty minutes. The fallen Lieutenant would survive to be sent home to Sandwich where he would die of his wounds on November 5, 1864. After the war local veterans and friends would honor their fallen comrade by naming their G. A. R. Post No. 68 in his memory.
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3096
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Illinois Civil War Vet’s GAR ENCAMPMENT MEDAL
This especially attractive bronze medal is approximately 1.5 inches in diameter and sports the profile of the circa 1908 Illinois G.A.R. Dept. Commander John Corson Smith. Beautifully cast in high relief, the medal is pierced for suspension with 40TH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT- DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS – GAR – GALESBURG – May 22-23-24,1906 Brig. General John Corson Smith had served in the Civil War an Colonel 96th Illinois Volunteers. The bronze medal and original silk ribbon remain in fine condition. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!!
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3103
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earlier 1800’s through Civil War era COFFIN NUTMEG GRATER
The configuration of this little tin nutmeg grater with it’s storage compartment for the nut has given the grater a distinctive shape resulting classification of the type by collectors as a coffin style grater. This example is handmade of tinned sheet iron, the product of a mid 1800’s tin-knocker, and remains in excellent all original condition. Total length of the grater, not counting the ring, is approximately 5 3/8 inches. A popular condiment from the colonial era through the Civil War period, grated nutmeg was commonly used on meat to offset any offensive taste due to age. A nut was thus frequently considered a desirable carry-along when traveling. So desirable in fact that in the earlier times unscrupulous types were known to carve fake nutmegs for sale or trade with the unwary. Too long a story I suppose but such trivia is part of what we have loved about our antiquing all these years.
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3104
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Civil War era Trotting Horse - BROADSIDE
The U. S Agricultural Society sponsors a day of big stake prize money; and no doubt some active behind the barn wagering with a TRIAL OF SPEED FOR TROTTING STALLIONS . Best two out of three and three of five in three categories will pay $300., $200. and $300. respectively with second place in each category bringing prizes of $150.,$100. and $100. A fall day of a total eleven races with prize awards totaling $1150.00, not counting the behind the barn take, would surely be a rich day’s activity and a hardy diversion for the Civil War era citizen. Printed in Boston by the Franklin Printing House. (see: Samuel Chism prop. Civil War vintage Boston Business Directories) They were active participants in the printing of all manner of broadsides, pamphlets and books during the war years. (see: Ceremonies at the dedication of the soldiers' monument in Newton, Mass. Franklin Printing House, 1864.) The broadside remains in excellent and untouched original condition and is in a nicely displayable size (12 X 9.25 inches). See our item 3112 for a companion piece. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting our catalog!!
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3105
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earlier to mid 1800’s- PATENT WAX VESTAS BOX / SAFETY LIGHT
A wonderful item for the 19th century lighting collector, this well marked little tinned sheet iron slide top box measures approximately 1 13/16 X 1 1/8 X 7/16 of an inch thick . The cover bears a rough surface for striking a match and around it’s edge is Palmer & Sons - PATENT WAX VESTAS – ONE PENNY / Per. BOX . A corner of the tin sliding top is pierced to hold a single vesta mini-candle. What we had by virtue if the content and the tin box was what is frequently referred as a going-to- bed light. Unlike the usual pasteboard or thin wood container, Palmer offered his bees wax mini-candles or vistas in the little non-flammable tin box as a safety assurance against destructive fire. Removed from the tin box with it’s stub end placed in the little hole pierced in the cover, the tip of the vesta was lit. Placed safely on the night stand it would offer a bit of light for a brief period before it would, by design, burn out safely and leave the room dark thus eliminating the necessity and inherent hazard of trying to extinguish an open candle flame from the bed as well the potential of falling asleep with a lighted candle. The all original little tin box remains in eye appealing untouched and as found condition with a natural age patina and a bit of scaling (could be removed if done properly but we wouldn’t) as good evidence of age and originality. Often times the most rudimentary relics of our past, like the simplest utilitarian items of today, are the least likely to be preserved to be passed on to future generations. The rarity of the Palmer & Sons - PATENT WAX VESTAS – ONE PENNY / Per. BOX ‘night light’ will make it a welcome addition to any number of collectable categories. 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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3117
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Civil War era NON – REGULATION 2nd Lt. DEVICE
An interesting non-regulation insignia device for the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Measuring approximately 3" in length, this single piece is fashioned from die struck, gold gilded brass, 7/16" figures of the classic "false bullion" type used in the Civil War. (see: Philip’s Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields & Campsites of the Civil War ) The figures are individually soldered on gilded wire with wire fasteners, all typical of Civil War vintage construction. Clearly non regulation in design and most likely intended for wear on the frock or hat of a volunteer officer. A neat period variation on Civil War Civil War insignia of rank at a reasonable price. We also have a single example of the same type for the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.) 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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3115
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Civil War era - UNION Hair Restorative - BROADSIDE
The Civil War had a tremendous influence on medical quackery and gave patent medicine apothecaries the opportunity to market their concoction by use of a universally popular patriotic theme while displaying their patriotism at the same time. Windsor Vermont druggist Milton K. Paine was no exception as he introduced his product to an anxious public as none other than UNION Hair Restorative. In case the UNION name needed more enticement, Paine’s advertising broadsides placed the title under the bold proclamation PRO BONO PUBLICO !, a Latin term meaning for public good. This all original Civil War era sales broadside remains in excellent plus original condition with only a bit of natural age color as evidence of originality. It measures approximately 9.25 X 6 inches and is printed on one side for posting. In fine, unused condition, a For Sale by space at the bottom for identification of the sales agent has been left blank. Interestingly enough the Windsor, Vermont Historical Society is currently featuring a display on M. K. Paine who came to Windsor to established his Apothecary in 1849. (see: Soldiers and Self-dosing – A Brief History of Patent Medicine in the Civil War Era by Len Overcash, Sr.)
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