Military

Beautiful display box made from the hull of the USS Constitution, darkened by exposure to the sea

351. USS Constitution Wooden Box. Very attractive display

box constructed of wood removed from the hull of the USS Constitution during the frigate’s historic 1927 restoration, measuring 7.25 x 4.25 x 2.5, with the box front bearing the original bronze plate, which reads: “This material was taken from the original hull of the U.S. Frigate Constitution, Keel laid 1794, Rebuilding 1927.” The handsome box lid features a 2.5? diameter bronze emblem with embossed image of “Old Ironsides” with its sails up, with raised text below: “Launched 1797, 1804 Tripoli, 1812 Guerriere, Java, 1813 Cyane, Levant, U.S. Frigate Constitution.” This particular lid is interesting as the lower third is darkened, showing where the waterline was against the hull of the USS Constitution for its first 130 years of existence. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

352. USS Constitution 1927 Restoration Bookends.

Appealing pair of foundry cast bronze bookends made from metal reclaimed during the 1927 restoration of the USS Constitution. Each bookend measures 5.75 x 6.5 and features a ship’s wheel on a lead-weighted base, which reads: “This material was taken from US Frigate Constitution 1927.” In overall fine condition. The metal rigging items for the USS Constitution were originally supplied by Paul Revere’s shop, making these metal relics highly desirable. When the ship was restored in 1927, official souvenir items including bookends, ashtrays, and pin trays were created from the salvaged material. The souvenirs were sold to the public to assist with funding of the restoration. Starting Bid $200

353. USS Constitution 1927 Restoration Bookend.

Very attractive bookend made from reclaimed wood removed from the hull of the USS Constitution during its 1927 renovation, measuring 6.75? x 3.75? x 7.25?, with the original bronze plate attached to the plinth: “This material was taken from the original hull of the U.S. Frigate Constitution, Keel laid 1794, Rebuilding 1927.” This uncommon example was shaped in the form of a breech of a muzzle-loading cannon, showing both trunnions and cascabel. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

As commander of Virginia’s forces, Lee raises troops and arms at the dawn of the Civil War

354. Robert E. Lee Letter Signed. Civil War–dated LS

signed “R. E. Lee, Maj. Genl. Commd,” one page both sides, 7.75 x 9.75, May 11, 1861. Letter to Major Francis M. Boykin, written from the headquarters of Virginia’s forces at Richmond just one month after the bombardment of Fort Sumter. In full: “Your letter of the 7th has just been received and I regret to learn that the prospect of assembling the Volunteer Forces at Grafton is so unfavorable. You must persevere, however, and call out companies from the well affected counties and march them to Grafton, or such other point in that vicinity as you may select. Four hundred rifles & some ammunition, have been ordered from Staunton to Major Goff, Va. Vols. at Beverly Randolph Co., who has been directed to communicate their arrival to Col. Porterfield, and take his directions as to their disposition. You can by this means arm certain companies, and prepare them for service, preparatory to receiving those from Harper’s Ferry. I do not think it prudent to order companies from other parts of the State to Grafton, as it might irritate, instead of conciliating, the population of that region on Colonel Porterfield’s arrival at Grafton, communicate this letter to him.” Lee initials a short postscript, “R.E.L.,” in full: “Major Goff has been directed to assemble some troops in his vicinity for the protection of the arms, and their safe conveyance to the point required.” In fine condition, with multiple horizontal folds.

Though an opponent of secession, Lee had resigned his commission as a US Army colonel just three weeks earlier out of a sense of loyalty to his native Virginia. He was at first appointed to command all of Virginia’s forces, and later commissioned as one of the Confederate States Army’s first five full generals upon its formation. In this incredibly early, war-dated letter, he signs as commander of Virginia forces—the state would not secede until May 23rd, though their forces were in close cooperation with the Confederacy. Here, Lee seeks to bolster his troops with recruits from Grafton—a key strategic location due to the presence of the B&O and Northwestern Virginia Railroads—and assures appropriate armaments for the growing forces. However, recruitment in Grafton proved unsuccessful—most residents there sided with the Union— and the city would soon fall under the control of George B. McClellan and his federal troops. A significant letter from the start of the great conflict. Starting Bid $500

355. Stephen Miller Signed Photo-

graph. Uncommon 2.5 x 4 carte-de-visite photo of Miller in uniform, published by Whitney’s Gallery of St. Paul, boldly signed in ink, “Very Respf’y yours, S. Miller.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

356. J. E. B. Stuart

Signature. Neat

and crisp ink signature, “J. E. B. Stuart,” on an off-white 2.5 x .5 slip, archivally double-matted and framed with an engraved portrait to an overall size of 9.25 x 13. In fine condition, with a small stain to the bottom center. Starting Bid $300

Rare WWII-dated letter by Rene Gagnon, boasting a remarkable nine total signatures

357. Iwo Jima: Rene Gagnon. United States

Marine Corps corporal (1925–1979) who participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. He is generally (but incorrectly) remembered as one of the six flag-raisers who helped raise the second U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. World War II–dated ALS signed seven times, “R. A. Gagnon,” and once, “Rene,” seven pages, 6.25 x 9.75, December 6, 1944. Handwritten letter to his future wife, Pauline Harnois, sent two months before the Battle of Iwo Jima from an undisclosed location in the “Central Pacific.” In part: “I hope you’ll excuse the wisecracks but, I’m in a joking mood tonight: And its not because I’ve been dancing or romancing with any South Sea Hula girls; and I’m not drunk either…I’m sure we won’t be back for at least a year and a half…Hopeless Chest…I hope you were just kidding; please don’t give up hope, now after waiting two years, you must be able to wait at least a couple more.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Gagnon’s hand and bearing another signature (“Pfc. R. A. Gagnon U.S.M.C.”) in the return address area Starting Bid $200

358. George S. Patton Signed Photo-

graph. Vintage matte-finish 6.5 x 8.5 photo of Gen. Patton in his tank helmet, binoculars in hand, nicely signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “From one Skeeter to another, G. S. Patton, Jr.” In fine condition, with some light silvering, and a surface crease touching the helmet. Starting Bid $300

359. George S. Patton Typed Letter Signed. World War

II-dated TLS signed “G. S. Patton, Jr.,” one onionskin page, 8 x 6.25, Headquarters Seventh Army letterhead, November 12, 1943. Letter of thanks to a woman. In full: “Thanks very much for the Christmas cards which are charming and deeply appreciated. Also, thanks for the interesting snapshots of the cold weather. Fortunately for us, we have not seen snow since leaving home.” Letter is affixed by its top edge to a slightly larger sheet of cardstock. In fine condition, with trimmed edges, and show-through from two pieces of tape on the reverse. Starting Bid $200

360. World War II: Now All Together Mini Poster. Iconic

original color 9 x 12.5 World War II poster distributed by the US Treasury in 1945, showing the classic image of the Iwo Jima flag raising, with “7th War Loan Now…All Together,” in white text below the image. Printed at the bottom is “U.S. Government Printing Office: 1945-O-637980.” Affixed to an off-white 10.5 x 14 heavyweight sheet. In fine condition, with a smoothed and unobtrusive central horizontal fold. A beautiful, vibrant example of one of the most recognizable images in American history. Starting Bid $200

Featuring a piece of the bowsprit from Lord Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory

361. British Royal Navy Ship Relics (6) with HMS Victory. Desirable boxed set of six napkin rings crafted from wood removed from Great Britain’s famous ships—highlighted by a piece of the bowsprit from Horatio Nelson’s flagship, the HMS Victory—each with a metal identification plaque on the front. Ships represented are HMS Victory, HMS Valiant, HMS Ganges, HMS Warspite, HMS Iron Duke, and RMS Mauretania. Complete with the original box, marked “The Fleet” on the cover. In very good to fine condition, with some staining and repaired splits to corners of the box. Starting Bid $200