9 minute read
Military
260. Marquis de Lafayette Autograph Letter Signed Twice. ALS in
French, signed twice as “Lafayette,” at the conclusion and at the start in the third person, one page, 6.25 x 7, April 3, 1833. Untranslated handwritten letter from the American Revolutionary War hero. In very good condition, with overall creasing, and a stain and paper loss to the bottom edge. Starting Bid $200
Rare letter from Laurens as the president of the Continental Congress
261. Henry Laurens Autograph Letter Signed. Im-
portant South Carolina statesman (1724–1792) who served in the Continental Congress. ALS signed “Henry Laurens, President of Congress,” one page, 8 x 13, March 19, 1778. Addressed from “York Town,” a handwritten letter to Richard Caswell, the governor of North Carolina, in part: “The present cover will convey to Your Excellency an Act of Congress of the 16th for obtaining from each State in the Union proper information of the determination in each, respecting the Acts & Recommendations of Congress transmitted & to be transmitted from & after the 1st November 1777.” Laurens has addressed the reverse in his own hand and has added his franking signature to the upper right of the central panel. Letter has been professionally inlaid to a slightly larger sheet and has also been professionally cleaned to fine condition. Starting Bid $500
262. USS Constitution 1927 Restoration
Hull Wood. Block of wood removed from the hull of the USS Constitution during the frigate’s historic 1927 restoration, measuring 4 x 1.25 x 2.5, with the original bronze plate reading: “This material was taken from the original hull of the U.S. Frigate Constitution, Keel laid 1794, Rebuilding 1927.” In fine condition, with some verdigris to plate nails. Starting Bid $200
Anderson prepares to leave “for the N. W. Frontier” with General Winfield Scott
263. Robert Anderson Autograph Letter Signed. Union general (1805-1871) in command of Fort Sumter who refused a formal demand for his surrender, leading to the bombardment of the fort and start of the Civil War. Scarce ALS, one page both sides, 7.75 x 9.75, August 13, 1841. Written below a manuscript copy of a notice from Assistant Adjutant General L. Thomas issuing Special Orders No. 57, a letter to Brigadier General Abraham Eustis, informing him that he will accompany General Scott to the North West Frontier and discussing his prospects for promotion, as well as matters relating to other officers. In part: “The Genl. will probably pass E’town on Monday for the N. W. Frontier. I will, I think, accompany him. He has asked me to go with him, and, having finished my translation of the exercise of heavy guns & the mechanical maneuvers, I see no good reason why I may not go.” In fine condition, with light toning along intersecting folds. Starting Bid $200
Rare wartime handwritten letter from the hero of Little Round Top: “The Pres’t, Stanton, & Halleck came down yesterday...the plans are made & the army will be at it soon”
264. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Autograph Letter
Signed. Civil War-dated ALS signed “Your own,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, no date. A fascinating handwritten letter to his wife Fanny, which, while undated, indicates that this letter was written by Chamberlain on April 9, 1863, as it references the visit made by President Abraham Lincoln, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, and General in Chief Henry Halleck to the 5th Corps, which occurred the day prior. Additionally, Chamberlain discusses the regiment being held back due to a smallpox outbreak and his and Colonel Ames’ desire to somehow get the opportunity to take an honorable part in the upcoming battle. One third of the letter, however, is dedicated to the topic of the corps badges made by Fanny and Mrs. Harris, the Chamberlain’s housekeeper in Brunswick, Maine. In fine condition. Starting Bid $300
Less than three months before his death, Stuart forwards a message to “His Excellency the President,” praising the soldiers of the Gulf states
265. J. E. B. Stuart Autograph Letter Signed. Civil War-dated ALS signed “J. E. B. Stuart, Major Gnl,” one page, 3 x 2, February 24, 1864. Addressed from Cavalry Corps Headquarters, the handwritten letter reads: “Res. forwarded—There are no better troops in this army than this command coming as it does from all of the Gulf States. I request that these resolutions be forwarded to His Excellency the President in honor of whom this command rec’d its name.” Matted and framed with an engraved portrait to an overall size of 9.75 x 12.75. In fine condition. Dating to less than three months before Stuart’s death, this is an important handwritten message from one of the more famous generals of the Civil War. Starting Bid $300
267. Douglas MacArthur Signed ‘VJ-Day’ FDC. Highly
appealing ‘VJ-Day’ FDC with a stamped color cachet honoring the ‘Unconditional Surrender of Japan,’ postmarked on September 2, 1945, bearing a series of 10 multicolored “Victory, Commonwealth” stamps, signed in fountain pen, “Douglas MacArthur,” with another hand adding above, “…and I am returned!” In fine condition, with moderate signature contrast. Starting Bid $200
Image larger than actual size.
Scarce photo of the ‘Red Baron’ proudly wearing the Pour le Merite
266. Manfred von Richthofen Signed Photo-
graph. Fabled German military pilot (1892-1918) who shot down 80 enemy planes in World War I before he was killed in action at age 25. Scarce vintage matte-finish 3.25 x 5.25 postcard photo of Manfred von Richthofen wearing the ‘Pour le Merite,’ the ‘Blue Max,’ Prussia’s highest military order, signed below in fountain pen, “Frhr. Richthofen.” In fine condition, with poor-to-moderate contrast to the faded signature. A stellar example of this most coveted of military and aviation legends. Starting Bid $1000
268. Abel Aubert du Petit-Thouars Autograph Letter Signed. French naval officer (1793–1864) who accomplished a
circumnavigation between 1836 and 1839, and played an important role in France’s annexation of French Polynesia by taking possession of the Marquesas Islands and establishing a protectorate over Tahiti. ALS in French, signed “A. du Petit-Thouars,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.25 x 9.25, January 6, 1828. Lengthy untranslated handwritten letter by du Petit-Thouars. In very good to fine condition, with light staining and old repairs to seal-related loss at the hinge. Starting Bid $200
269. Pierre André de Suffren Autograph Letter Signed. Celebrated French Navy officer and admiral (1729–1788) who participated in the War of the Austrian Succession, Seven Years’ War, and the American Revolution, notably taking part in the Siege of Savannah. Scarce ALS in French, one page both sides, 7.25 x 9.25, 1784. Untranslated handwritten letter by Pierre André de Suffren, annotated at the head in another hand. In very good condition, with central vertical and horizontal folds, minor paper loss to edges, a few horizontal slits to the lower half, and a black ink stamp at center. Starting Bid $200
270. Laurent Jean François Truguet Autograph Letter Signed. French
admiral (1752–1839) who participated in the American Revolution (a member of Guichen’s and then de Grasse’s fleet) and the French Revolutionary Wars, remembered as a competent sailor, as an advocate for the abolition of the slavery, and for his sometimes embattled relationship with Napoleon Bonaparte. ALS in French, signed “Truguet,” one page, 4.5 x 7, personal letterhead, June 15, 1802. Untranslated letter as admiral and councillor of state, granting authorization to a colleague. In fine condition, with a small piece of tape to the upper right corner. Starting Bid $200
Significant handwritten letter on early 18th century British naval matters by Admiral Rooke
271. George Rooke Autograph Letter Signed. English naval officer (1650–1709) who served in the Third Anglo-Dutch War, Nine Years’ War, the Great Northern War, and the War of the Spanish Succession, who distinguished himself at the Battle of La Hogue and captured Gibraltar. ALS signed “G: Rooke,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7 x 8.75, June 28, 1702. Handwritten letter to “Mr. Clarke,” saying that he will carry out the Prince’s orders to suspend Sir John Munden, though he disagrees with the decision; makes a suggestion for the Queen’s oversight of her fleet; and complains about a junior officer’s request for assignment on a certain ship. In part: “Truly I begin to be of an opinion that the Queene will never be well searv’d att sea till she sends a Committee of her councell to see the execution of her orders; the Dutch whoe are a wise people once tooke that course for theire information, and have ever since taken their sea Officers Acc’ts of theire Expeditions wth. satisfaction.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Rare 1684 letter on maritime victories over the Barbary pirates: “We have had good success against the Sallay Pyratts: for in nine mounths we have destroyed five of them, two taken, one sunk, & two chased ashore”
(1650–1707) who took part in the Third Anglo-Dutch War, Nine Years’ War, and War of the Spanish Succession before perishing in a disastrous shipwreck off the Isles of Scilly. ALS signed “Clou: Shovell,” one page, 8 x 11.75, March 8, 1684. Handwritten letter reporting on his victories over the Barbary pirates out of the port of Salé, in part: “We have had good success against the Sallay Pyratts: for in nine mounths we have destroyed five of them, two taken, one sunk, & two chased ashore. Another of 26 gunns narrowly escaped me. I chased him into Mamora who venturing in before high watter to escape me he struck upon the Barr.” He goes on to discuss the strength of part of the fleet’s ships, enumerating the quantities of their guns. In very good condition, with overall wrinkling, foxing, and a newspaper clipping affixed at the bottom. Starting Bid $200
Celebrated French warrior Turenne writes amidst his final campaign in 1675
Illustrious French general who rose to Marshal General of France (1611–1675) whose military exploits over the course of five decades earned him a reputation as one of the greatest military commanders in modern history; he was killed by an Imperial cannonball at the Battle of Salzbach, in present-day Germany, in June 1675. Extremely rare LS in French, signed “Turenne,” one page, 7 x 9.5, May 4, 1675. Untranslated handwritten letter by Henri de La Tour d’Auvergne, Viscount of Turenne as Marshal General of France (“maréchal général des camps et armées du roi”), regarding a military campaign in Germany. Retains a red wax seal impressed with his coat of arms to the left side. In very good condition, with heavy and diagonal horizontal creasing throughout, scattered small stains, and a small hole to the first line of text. A scarce and highly sought-after historical autograph. Starting Bid $300
