9 minute read
Military
The future hero of Bunker Hill approves “fit & suitable persons to keep the Houses of Publick Entertainment”
377. Israel Putnam Document Signed. American general (1718-1790) who
played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Rare manuscript DS, signed “Israel Putnam,” one page, 8 x 12.75, January 1764. Document issued to the Windham County Court, authorizing several individuals as “fit & suitable persons to keep the Houses of Publick Entertainment in the said Town for the ensuing year.” Signed by a number of justices of the peace, selectmen (including Israel Putnam) constables, and grand jurymen. In very good to fine condition, with toning, and splitting, to the central horizontal fold. Starting Bid $200
Exemplary, unblemished portrait of General Lee— “The picture is a very perfect one”
379. Robert E. Lee Signed Photograph. Exceptional 2.25 x 4
carte-de-visite portrait of Robert E. Lee in a bust-length profile pose, signed nicely in black ink, “R. E. Lee.” Published by Alex Gardner of Washington, D.C. Included with the photo is a handwritten letter of transmittal from John White Brockenbrough, a judge of the Confederate District Court for the Western District of Virginia, dated August 25, 1866, who writes: “I have the honor to enclose herewith the ‘Photograph’ and ‘Autograph’ of our beloved & illustrious General R. E. Lee. The picture is a very perfect one.” In fine condition, with two small pin holes at the bottom, made by Brockenbrough to affix the photo to his transmittal letter. Starting Bid $500
Rare handwritten letter by J. E. B. Stuart from Fort Riley, requesting a subscription to the “Congressional Globe”
Confederate general (1833–1864) best known for his consummate skill in reconnaissance and as a cavalry officer. After leading successful offensive actions during the Northern Virginia Campaign—as well as a ‘late,’ disastrous showing at Gettysburg, which led to a personal rebuke by Lee—Stuart was killed during the Overland Campaign at the age of 31. Scarce ALS signed “J. E. B. Stuart, 1st Lt. 1st Cav.,” one page, 7.75 x 5, December 2, 1858. Handwritten letter from “Fort Riley, K.T.,” in full: “I enclose herewith $3 for the Congressional Globe and appendix for the approaching Session. I hope you will try to send it regularly, last winter I received only one or two for the first month.” Handsomely suede-matted and framed with a portrait and an 1855 three-dollar note from the Mercantile Bank of Hartford to an overall size of 24.75 x 18.5. In fine condition, with a tiny area of thin paper to the left of the signature, and minor loss to the lower right corner. Starting Bid $500
The future Confederate general tells of pursuing an Indian chief—in amazing detail— including the capture of women and children and a soldier’s arrow wound to the face
Confederate general (1833–1864) best known for his consummate skill in reconnaissance and as a cavalry officer. After leading successful offensive actions during the Northern Virginia Campaign—as well as a ‘late,’ disastrous showing at Gettysburg, which led to a personal rebuke by Lee—Stuart was killed during the Overland Campaign at the age of 31. ALS signed “J.E.B. Stuart, 1st Lt., 1st Cav, Comd’g Detachment,” three pages on two lightly-lined 8 x 10 sheets, July 12, 1860. Handwritten letter to Lt. J. A. Thompson, Adjutant of Major John Sedgwick’s column. In part: “I have the honor to make the following report of a scout made by a detachment of 20 U.S. Cavalry under my command...the detachment formed from the column at a moment’s notice, marched directly north from Bent’s Fort in the direction in which the Kiowa War-Chief ‘Sotauke’ was reported to have just fled with his family - in all two lodges. I soon found the trail and commenced a rapid pursuit...I saw that my pursuit to be successful must be rapid, and followed at full gallop...I had not proceeded far however till I saw that part of Capt Steele’s command having mistaken my Detachments for Kiowas were coming after us at a charge, to avoid this I had already had several calls sounded but they were not heard. They recognized us on nearer approach, and coming up the two columns saluted each other with a shout and joined in pursuit of the common foe. My horses though much jaded by the hard run did well and the last warrior killed was mortally wounded by Sergt Occleston of my detachment who, after both he & the Indian had left their horses exhausted, kept up the chase on foot. Two warriors were killed and one Squaw taken prisoner in this pursuit two squaws mounted on the fleetest ponies escaped.” In fine condition, with a couple small areas of reinforcement to splitting along horizontal folds, and a diagonal crease and scattered faint stains to the lower right area of the first page. A remarkable report report that reads like an Old West thriller rather than an official military document. Starting Bid $1000
One of just two signed Custer portraits that we have offered
382. George A. Custer Signed Photograph. Rare 4.25 x 6.5 bust-length portrait of George A. Custer sporting an impressive mustache, signed and inscribed on the reverse in crisp black ink, “Sincerely, your friend, G. A. Custer, Washington, D. C., Apl 16/76.” Published by W. H. Illingworth of St. Paul, Minnesota. In very good to fine condition, with staining, soiling, and small areas of surface loss.
Illingworth was a renowned Western photographer who traveled with Custer throughout his 1874 expedition to the Black Hills, which is likely when this portrait was taken. Custer was in Washington to testify before the Senate Committee on Military Affairs and he stirred up some political controversy after insulting President Grant and his family. Grant at first demanded that Custer be removed from his post at Fort Lincoln but relented after the intercession of Custer’s allies in Congress and Generals Sherman and Sheridan, who insisted he was the ideal candidate to lead an expedition against the Sioux. Returning westward to his post, Custer was killed in the Battle of the Little Bighorn just two months after signing this photograph. Starting Bid $1000
383. Iwo Jima Flag Raisers Signed Photograph. Vintage matte-finish
10 x 8 photo of three of the men credited with the raising of an American flag atop Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi, showing the soldiers holding and examining the tattered second flag, signed in fountain pen by all three: “Ira H. Hayes, Pfc., U.S.M.C.,” “John H. Bradley, Ph. M. 2/c,” and “Pfc. R. A. Gagnon.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
384. Douglas MacArthur Signed Blood Chit. Rare
blood chit with flag of the Republic of China issued to American airmen flying over Asia in World War II, 8 x 10, signed in ink, “Douglas MacArthur, Tokyo - 1945.” These were sewn either onto the back or inside of pilots’ flight jackets, identifying them as friendly and asking for aid and protection in the event of a downed aircraft. In fine condition, with intersecting folds, some creasing, and bleeding to the ink due to the nature of the fabric. Starting Bid $200 386. Napoleon Letter Signed. LS in French, signed
“Bonaparte,” one page, 7.25 x 10.5, March 30, 1794. Untranslated letter posing several questions related to the Army of Italy. In very good to fine condition, with light soiling, and paper loss to the lower right corner. Starting Bid $200
385. Napoleon Partial Letter
Signed. Partial LS in French, signed “Napole,” one page, 7 x 9, April 21, 1806. An untranslated letter to his stepson, the French nobleman, statesman and military commander Eugène de Beauharnais, who commanded the Army of Italy during the Napoleonic Wars and was Viceroy of the Kingdom of Italy under his stepfather. Double-matted and framed with a picture to an overall size of 19.75 x 15. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
387. Robert Baden-Powell Signed Photograph.
Uncommon 4.25 x 6.5 cabinet photo of Baden-Powell in his decorated military uniform by Elliott & Fry of London, signed in ink, “Robert Baden-Powell, Feb. 1919.” In fine condition, with light contrast to signature. Starting Bid $200 389. Li Hongzhang Signature. Qing Empire general
(1823-1901) who quelled several major rebellions and served as the premier viceroy of Zhili and the minister of Belyang from 1871 to 1895. Large and bold ink signature in Chinese on an off-white 4.5 x 6.75 album page. In fine condition, with a central horizontal fold. Starting Bid $200
388. Charles ‘Chinese’ Gordon Autograph Letter Signed. British general
(1833–1885) who, in 1860, crushed the Taiping Rebellion in China, earning the nickname ‘Chinese.’ ALS signed “C. G. Gordon,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8, September 17, 1878. Handwritten letter from “Kartoum,” in part: “We have had the most extraordinary season, the Rain began, to rise very late…I fear it will do much damage in Egypt….All the deserts have been flooded. Korosko desert is covered with grass, a thing never before heard of.” In fine condition, with light toning from prior display. Starting Bid $200
The archive of Lt. George Helms, Chief Carpenter of the USS Maine
Additional images available online
390. USS Maine: George Helms Archive.
Comprehensive archive of personal effects belonging to Lieutenant George Helms, a career Navy officer and the Chief Carpenter on the USS Maine when it exploded in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898. Helms enlisted in the United States Navy on December 10, 1894, and was one of 23 Naval officers and 60 enlisted sailors, as well as one Marine Corps officer and 11 Marine Corps enlisted men, that survived the Naval disaster, a catalyst to the 10-week-long Spanish–American War. In all 260 Naval and Marine personnel lost their lives as a result of the explosion and the subsequent sinking of the USS Maine. Helms served in the U.S. Navy for 34 years before his retirement on April 26, 1929. His archive includes two presidential commissions signed by Theodore Roosevelt and Grover Cleveland, rusted fragments of Helms’ naval sword removed from the USS Maine when it was raised in 1911, a gold-painted iron gothic ‘M’ removed from a launch/lifeboat of the USS Maine, U. S. Navy dress coats, trousers, epaulettes, and various other photos and documents related to Helms and the USS Maine. In overall very good to fine condition. A more detailed description can be found online. Starting Bid $200
