9 minute read
Military
Lincoln’s avengers: rare autographs of Corbett and Doherty, highlighted by a photograph “taken in Washington on the 27th day of April 1865 a few hours after I delivered the body of John Wilkes Booth”
219. John Wilkes Booth Captors: Boston Corbett and Edward P. Doherty. Scarce
pairing of autographs by the Union men who captured and killed Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth: a bold ink signature of Booth’s killer, “Boston Corbett, Seg’t Co. L. 16th N. Y. Cavalry,” on an off-white 4.25 x 2 slip; and a rare 4.25 x 6.25 cabinet photo of Corbett with 16th New York Cavalry commander Edward P. Doherty, lengthily described and signed on the reverse in ink by Doherty, “See Vol. 6, Part 1, Records of the War of the Rebellion—This copy of a photograph of myself and Boston Corbett was taken in Washington on the 27th day of April 1865 a few hours after I delivered the body of John Wilkes Booth and the prisoner David E. Herold, two of the assassins of Abram Lincoln President of the United States on board the iron clad Montauk at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. and is presented to my friend comrade, and Asst. A[djutant] General as a token of esteem and respect. Edward P. Doherty, New York, May 30th 1895. Grand Marshal GAR.” In overall very good to fine condition, with the cabinet card shaved at foot, taking a good deal of Doherty’s handwritten title. Starting Bid $300
220. Meyer Lansky Autograph Letter
Signed. Legendary organized crime leader (1902–1983) who headed the notorious ‘enforcement’ syndicate Murder, Inc., which emerged in the early 1930s as successor to the warring Prohibition gangs and the old-line Mafia, and continued to operate into the 1950s. ALS signed “Meyer,” two pages, 7.5 x 10.5, September 9, 1977. Handwritten letter to his Israeli confidante, Joseph “Yushki” Sheiner. In part: “You may wonder why I did request at this troublesome time in Israel... My Rabbi went to Israel he asked me if I want to send regards to David Landau of I. P. My Rabbi carried on with him about not being permitted to visit Israel…I never made an official request...I truthfully didn’t expect any different. Very few politicians have the courage to face up to the truth. Many people here resent the decision. They feel what was done to me can be done to them at some time.” In fine condition, with two file holes to the right edge. Starting Bid $200
Lansky weighs in on Ford’s pardon of Nixon: “We thought we were through with Watergate. Again it is first in our daily life”
crime leader (1902–1983) who headed the notorious ‘enforcement’ syndicate Murder, Inc., which emerged in the early 1930s as successor to the warring Prohibition gangs and the old-line Mafia, and continued to operate into the 1950s. ALS signed “Shalom, Meyer,” one page, 7.25 x 10.5, September 11, 1974. Handwritten letter to his Israeli confidante, Joseph “Yushki” Sheiner, a member of the Israeli Security Agency and Prime Minister Ben-Gurion’s security director in the 1960s. In this interesting letter, Lansky makes reference to his own federal tax evasion charges, as well as the Watergate scandal and President Ford’s pardon of Nixon, which came on September 8, 1974. In part: “You now know that I’m cleared of all my matters, soon I will be able to travel. As of now I haven’t asked for my passport but I will in a few months. I would like to know what comments if any on me?...Your premier received a warm welcome from our President (Mr. Clean) who doesn’t look clean to us anymore. We thought we were through with Watergate. Again it is first in our daily life.” In fine condition, with two file holes to the right edge. Starting Bid $200
222. Jack Ruby: Bullet Fired From the Gun that Shot
Oswald. A bullet shot by the actual .38 caliber Colt Cobra revolver, Serial #2744 LW, used by Jack Ruby to shoot Lee Harvey Oswald on November 24, 1963, in the basement at Dallas Police Headquarters, along with its spent cartridge case. The bullet and casing are both stamped “O.P.,” signifying ‘Owner’s Proof Edition,’ and mounted in a display with engraved plaque, photograph, and certificate of authenticity signed by Anthony V. Pugliese III of the National Historical Mint. The framed piece measures 17 x 13. In fine condition. A unique relic fired from ‘The Most Famous Gun in the World.’ Starting Bid $200
military
336. Charles Cornwallis Autograph Letter
Signed. ALS signed “Cornwallis,” one page, 7.25 x 5, February 21, 1797. Handwritten letter to John Halkett, in full: “I beg that you will accept my best thanks for your attention to Mr. Barlow; he would prefer the living, if it is about the value you mention, but if there should be any difficulties in that transaction, he will be perfectly satisfied and very grateful for the Prebend of Bristol.” Matted and framed with a book page on Cornwallis to an overall size of 11.75 x 19.5. In fine condition, with minor paper loss to the lower left corner. Starting Bid $200
Lafayette pens a political letter, praising a newly elected deputy: “Your principals, your character, and your ideas will sustain the same good cause and will guarantee for them a deputy worthy of them”
signed “Lafayette,” one page, 7.25 x 8.75, September 18, 1830. Handwritten letter from Paris to “de Las Cases,” a politician and the son of Emmanuel, comte de Las Cases, author of an admiring book about Napoleon, Le Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène [The Memorial of Saint Helena]. In part (translated): “You write to me my dear young friend that electors from Breton have proposed that you fill a vacancy to become a deputy. I congratulate you and I congratulate them because they have made an excellent choice. Your principals, your character, and your ideas will sustain the same good cause and will guarantee for them a deputy worthy of them.” In fine condition, with light toning along the left edge. Starting Bid $200
338. War of 1812 HandPainted Captured Wooden
Canteen. Hand-painted and richly embellished War of 1812 wooden canteen, with one side reading, “This Canteen Captured from the British at the Battle of N. Orleans, Jan. 8th 1815,” and the other, “Presented By Capt. Charles Griggs to Lieut. Georg[e J]asson 1858.” Intricately painted illustrations of war scene, grape borders, and star with starburst. The Battle of New Orleans was fought on January 8, 1815, between the British Army under Major General Sir Edward Pakenham and the United States Army under Brevet Major General Andrew Jackson. The Americans suffered just 71 casualties, while the British suffered over 2,000, including the deaths of the commanding general, Major General Sir Edward Pakenham, and his second-in-command, Major General Samuel Gibbs. The victory vaulted Jackson to national stardom, and foiled British plans for an invasion of the American frontier. Starting Bid $200
339. Civil War Whiskey Flask.
Civil War Whiskey Flask, glass, leather, decorated pewter top, New Bern, NC 1863. Engraved: “Corp’l J.T. [John T.] Pitman, Co. H. 43d Regt M V M New Bern NC 1863,” and engagements engraved on the reverse: “Kinston Dec. 14th 1862 – Whitehall [Dec.] 16th [1862] – Goldsboro [Dec.] 17th [1862].” Early note with provenance of the flask found inside the base of the flask. Records indicate that John T. Pitman was discharged for disability on 4/29/1862 at Hilton Head, SC., but in September of the same year he returned to duty and mustered into Co. H, 43rd MA Infantry, known as the “Tiger Regiment.” Starting Bid $200
340. Confederate Surgeon’s Apothecary Chest. CSA
Apothecary Chest, Joseph Graham, M.D. Surgeon, 67th N.C. Infantry Regt. CSA. Full set of bottles in wooden case with engraved plate attributing the chest to Dr. Graham. Dr. Joseph Graham was born in Craven County, the son of Governor William A. Graham. He resided as a physician in Mecklenburg County prior to his appointment as 2nd Lieutenant in Company C, 1st Artillery, 10th Regiment, North Carolina State Troops (the Charlotte Artillery) by Governor Ellis on May 16, 1861. He mustered in at Raleigh at age 24, on August 15, 1861. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant November 27, 1861 and to Captain June 27, 1862. He resigned February 1, 1864 on being appointed Surgeon by Governor Vance and attached to the 67th Regiment N.C. Troops with the rank of Major. After the War, Dr. Graham returned to civilian life as a physician and practiced medicine in Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties until his death in 1907. Starting Bid $200
342. Jefferson Davis Autograph Letter Signed. ALS, two pages, 5.25 x 8.25, September 1, 1876. Handwritten letter to J. H. Oglesby, in part: “I supposed you had received my London address at Liverpool...and anxiously await your coming to London as I required assistance in the difficult and not hopeful task which I had undertaken in the interest of our house...I write at once to you with the hope that you will be able at once to come over, and join Mr. Kennedy and myself in the effort to reorganize the society here...I have had a dreary and trying labor among the wreck of the Parent Society.” In very good to fine condition, with light creasing, and a tear to the last page passing through the final paragraph, but not affecting the signature. Starting Bid $200
Rare 1863 Confederate naval appointment— Jefferson Davis commissions the future commander of the ironclad CSS Richmond
341. Jefferson Davis Document Signed as President of CSA. Rare Civil War–dated manuscript DS, signed “Jeffer-
son Davis,” one page, 17 x 14, April 28, 1863. As “President of the Confederate States of America,” Jefferson Davis appoints Hamilton H. Dalton as “First Lieutenant in the Navy of the Confederate States.” Crisply signed at the conclusion by Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and countersigned by Confederate Secretary of the Navy Stephen R. Mallory. The red CSA Navy seal affixed to the lower left remains intact. In fine condition, with slightly irregular light toning; both signatures are exceptionally clean and bold.
The Confederate States Navy was established on February 21, 1861, and Jefferson Davis named Stephen Mallory as Confederate States Secretary of the Navy. All extant CSA naval commissions are accomplished in manuscript, as the handsome engraved documents were printed in Great Britain and captured while en route to the American South. Aside from occasional skirmishes with Union ships—most famously at the Battle of Hampton Roads—the Confederate Navy focused on the protection of Southern harbors and coastlines, and running the Union blockade. The lieutenant appointed by this commission, Hamilton Henderson Dalton, is best known as the commander of the ironclad CSS Richmond, which he burnt on April 3, 1865, to prevent her capture by Union forces. A scarce and sought-after Confederate naval appointment. Starting Bid $1000
