Images, Medals, Paper and Badges
Billboard Image(s) Not For Sale
Brady CDV of Major General A. A. Humphreys w His Signed Business Card
Major General Andrew Atkinson Humphreys (November 2, 1810 – December 27, 1883)
A career United States Army officer, civil engineer, and a Union General in the American Civil War. He served in senior positions in the Army of the Potomac, including Division command, Chief of Staff, and Corps command, and was Chief Engineer of the U.S. Army.
Andrew Atkinson Humphreys was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a family with Quaker ancestry. His grandfather, Joshua, was the "Father of the American Navy", who had served as chief naval constructor from 1794-1801 and designed the first U.S. warship, including the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") and her sister ships.
Humphreys entered the United States Military Academy (West Point) at the age of seventeen. He graduated from the Academy on July 1, 1831. Upon graduation Humphreys joined the second artillery regiment at Fort Moultrie in South Carolina. Near the beginning of the Seminole Wars he followed his regiment in the summer of 1836 to Florida where he received his first combat experience.
A nice CDV and signature of a significant Union General. Price $295
Image of Humphreys shown standing left of tent pole in camp at Antietam with Pres. Lincoln
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Circa 1882 Albumin Copy of Old Libby Prison - Richmond - Made from an Original Charles Rees Image of August 1863 - The printer added a “CSA” to the foreground Tent SOLD
Libby Prison served as the headquarters for the Confederate States Military Prisons since the first of the year 1863 and was the depot prison to which all prisoners were brought before being transferred to other facilities in or outside the city. Each day more prisoners were brought in than would leave, thus increasing the prison population at Libby.
After a short lull during the prisoner exchange program, the population quickly rose to over 4,000 and was never less than 1,200 prisoners on each floor, or an average of 400 to each room.
The building was 3 stories at the front, 4 stories in the rear, and measured almost 45,000 square feet. The inside was divided into 3 sections by thick walls that extended up from the basement to the roof. There was 100 prisoners in each room.
During the capture of Richmond April 3 1865, Rees’s Studio / Negtives were mostly destroyed by fire. Albumin is 10 x 8 inches - antique frame is 14.5 x 12.5 inches. Price $395 Now $295
Four men in foreground – Wm D. Turner, Clerk Erasmus Ross, Jailer Richard Turner, & Commandant Thomas Turner and a small Child to the left of Ross. Printer added CSA letters to the tent. Charles Rees's original image on stereocard below.
Mint Condition Washington Light Infantry Medal - Pre Civil War July 4 1860 South Carolina Militia Medal & Col. Simonton Signed Soldier Pass to Go to Charleston Dated 1863 SOLD Price $2200
This item is a beautiful WLI (Washington Light Infantry) bronze medal (39mm diameter) and was issued in the fall of 1860 following the annual 4th of July parade in downtown Charleston, for which the Washington Light Infantry had raised the enlistment role to 144 men divided into two companies (A and B). The WLI was the premier militia unit of the city enlisted mostly sons of wealthy families and is considered rare today - it is estimated less than 12 - 14 of the original 144 issued medals still exist today.
The Obverse of the medal features an excellent engraving of the WLI’s crest – an angel (or winged Victory) with horn flying above the clouds. The unit’s motto “Virtue and Valor” appears above the angel with the initials” W.L.I.” below. Immediately under the clouds in very small letters are the diesinker’s initials “R.L.” – Robert Lovett – and his address “Phila.” for Philadelphia. Lovett made the famous Confederate Cent.
The Washington Light Infantry was formed on June 22, 1807 following the British attack on the U.S. Chesapeake. (Many such militia units took Washington's birthday as their "fictitious" founding date.) The unit was the ancestor of today's 188th Infantry Regiment.
The Reverse of the medal features a rendition of the state seal of South Carolina above the following inscription. W.L.I. / Capt. Simonton / 144 Men / 4th July / 1860. Around this inscription is a long ribbon with the date 22d. Feb, 1807 and the following names: Lowndes, Cross, Crafts, Simons, Miller, Gilchrist, Ravenel, Lee, Jervey, Porter, Walker and Hatch. These are the names of the first twelve commanders of the WLI and the date of the WLI’s founding.
Charleston Captain Charles H. Simonton (the group’s commander from 1857 to 1862 until he became Colonel of the 25th SC Regiment) presented 144 militia men with rifles- with each man receiving a medal in late 1860.
Period newspaper indicates that July 4th 1860 was the occasion for a grand military parade in Charleston in which many local units participated. Among those groups was the Washington Light Infantry under Capt. Simonton.
When the Civil War broke out the WLI became part of the 25th SC Regiment (Eutaw Battalion - Co's A & B) in Feb. 1862 serving with high distinction in the Charleston area (Secessionville, James Island, Battery Wagner and Fort Sumter). Company B of the 25th SC Regiment was later sent to Petersburg VA and Fort Fisher NC where they fought with bravery.
The medal also comes with a paper military pass dated June 6 1863 from Secessionville James Island for Capt. N.Z. Mazyck to see Lt. Duc in Charleston and is signed by Col. Simonton, 25th SC. Subject - Private Business. It also comes with several pieces of supporting and informational documents including two photocopies of the WLI in camp during the war with a WLI lettering on a soldier's kepi and of the current WLI headquarters building in Charleston.
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Civil War Albumen Print of "Rebel Winter Quarters At Centreville Va. 1862"
$975 Now $800
Published by Taylor & Huntington "The War for The Union Series - Photographic History"
The albumen is in very fine condition with clear definition and a few light aging marks around the outer border. It totally measures 11 x 9 inches. It is placed in a nice antique wood frame 12 x 14 inches. The reverse of the photograph has a list of all the images available by Taylor & Huntington from negatives of Civil War photographers M. Brady and Alex. Gardner, and a copy of their reverse list is attached to the back of the frame. The albumens original cost 75 cents each. A very nice image.
The picture on the left show reflections near the bottom from the glass and are not part of the image.
Group of Civil War Stereoview Cards produced by Taylor & Huntington of Hartford Ct in the 1870's to 1880's period. Each Titled: 1861 - PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY - 1865. Very nice condition - priced as marked. Come in a plastic protective cover.
Brady Image - Cumberland Landing above
Civil War CDV Image of Sergt. Johnny Clem
Famous 12 Year Old Drummer Boy of 22nd Mich. Infantry - Circa Oct. 1863
Clem served as a drummer boy for the 22nd Michigan at the Battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 1863. He is said to have ridden an artillery caisson to the front and wielded a musket trimmed to his size. In the course of a Union retreat, he shot a Confederate colonel who had demanded his surrender. After the battle, the "Drummer Boy of Chickamauga" was promoted to sergeant, the youngest soldier ever to be a noncommissioned officer in the United States Army.
This Image comes in a Riker Case with an original page from Feb. 6 1864 Harper's Weekly which used the same image in an article "Our Youngest Soldier" and reviewed his meeting General Rosecrans and Clem's killing of a Confederate Colonel at Battle of Chickamauga . Reverse of CDV also gives a short summary of service in the Army with reference to his participation at Battle of Chickamauga.
In October 1863, Clem was captured in Georgia by Confederate cavalry men while detailed as a train guard. The Confederates confiscated his U.S. uniform, which reportedly upset him terribly, including his cap, which had three bullet holes in it. He was included in a prisoner exchange a short time later, but the Confederate newspapers used his age and celebrity status for propaganda purposes, to show "what sore straits the Yankees are driven, when they have to send their babies out to fight us." After participating with the Army of the Cumberland in many other battles, serving as a mounted orderly, he was discharged in September 1864. Clem was wounded in combat twice during the war.
Clem Signature on CDV is a copy. Price $1100 Now $750
There is also have available a war dated CDV of Johnny Clem with his real signature on the back. Make inquiry for more detail / see below.
This printed history above is on the back of the CDV of Clem
A second CDV by Brady of a standing Johnny Clem (left) in uniform is available as shown below - back of card is signed with compliments by Johnny to
Maj. Gen. Abner Doubleday Price $3800
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SOUTH CAROLINA MEDAL TO GENERAL NATHAN GEORGE EVANS - Dated 1861 - 57mm Bronze
Captain Nathan George "Shanks" Evans, South Carolina native son, played a key role in the Confederate victory at 1st Bull Run as commander of a small brigade. He was promoted to Colonel and by October of 1861, was in command of Confederate troops at Leesburg, Virginia. On October 21st, 1861.
Union General C. P. Stone authorized Col. E. Baker to move against Confederate forces opposing the Potomac river crossing fords near Poolesville. Evans intercepted, ambushed and decimated Baker’s command (Union losses 921 men Confederate losses of 149).
Evans was given the Confederate Thanks of Congress and promoted Brigadier General.
Anxious to honor one of their own, the South Carolina General Assembly commissioned this medal in gold for General Evans. The original gold medal is housed in a box imprinted with the name of James Allan & Company, Charleston, SC. and exists in the Confederate Museum in Richmond. The medal was authorized by the SC Congress between Nov. 30 - Dec. 2 1861. This was one of the first Confederate medals issued during the war.
The obverse inscription is the state motto ANIMIS * OPIBUSQUE * PARATI meaning "Prepared in Mind and Resource" around a lone palmetto tree with a mountainous landscape in the distance. Below the tree are two bundles of broken arrows and a broken tree branch. Reverse inscription in 14 lines. AWARDED/ BY A / CONCURRENT RESOLUTION/ OF THE/ GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE/ STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA/ TO/ BRIGADIER GENERAL/ NATHAN GEORGE EVANS/ FOR/ CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY/ AT/ LEESBURG, VA./ 1861
The gold medal and limited bronze copies were issued around 1882 after Gen. Evans had died. They were made in Charleston SC.
This medal is in pristine condition and came from famed collector Lewis Leigh's collection. Reportedly there was a silver one was struck and 3-10 bronze copies in existence, possibly given to the SC legislative sponsors of the bill . Price $4800
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Original Gold 1861 Leesburg Medal shown above.
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1/6th Tin Plates of Adorable Twin Brother & Sister Price $475
A great pair of identical twin boy and girl images sitting in small chairs. The double images are in a nice condition leather case with the same brass border frames. The boy shows five pointed stars on his shirt and cuffs with brown laced shoes and a pair of buttoned trousers over leggings. The girl is holding a pull string cloth bag or small purse with black laced shoes. She is wearing a dark shirt top and lighter short skirt over an under skirt and leggings. The faces and hair style of each child are identical. A great set of images of twin children from the mid 19th century.
1/6 Size Tin Plate Double Image of Civil War Union Soldier in Uniform w Musket Etc. & a Second Image of Same Soldier Sitting w His Brother or Friend in Civilian Clothes - Full Hard Rubber Case Price $595
Soldier is wearing his Kepi, Cartridge Box/Sling, US Buckle & Breast Plate and Holding His Converted Musket - Same Soldier in Civilian Clothes w Brother or Friend shown below.
April 6 1862 William Lowndes Yancy (Aug. 10 1814 – July 27 1863) Letter to Confederate Pres. Jefferson Davis Price $3450
Letter is endorsed and initialed by Pres. Davis as “JD” with Davis also writing on the letter "Secty of War, for attention and conference with Secty of Treasy. with a view to consultation &c."
3 ¼ pages - 7 7/8 x 12 3/16 in. - old folds, light toning and ink staining to back page.
Yancey writes about the procurement of arms from Europe claiming "a full personal knowledge" of the capacities of European manufacturers to supply arms. Yancey points out the conflict between arms procurement agent Caleb Huse's prejudice for "the most superior rifled arms," and the European market's ability to provide those weapons. He notes, however, that there are plenty of smooth bore muskets to be obtained in Europe "if the pains is taken to find them. He advises CSA President Davis that additional officers should be put to the task of obtaining arms contracts with European manufacturers in order to supply the great abundance of arms the Confederacy will need moving forward. He secondly advises that more money will need to be sent in advance to pay and keep these contracts.
Yancy was a highly influential and prominent / fire-eater Southern politician and was a very vocal proponent for secession who authored the Alabama Ordinance of Secession which was passed in January of 1861. He was also chosen to head the an unsuccessful commission to present the Confederate cause to the governments of England and France later that year. He was elected to the first Confederate States Senate in February of 1862 - he died the following year at his plantation home near Montgomery Alabama.
Pres. Davis written comments - signed "JD" above
Letter Transcription Above
William Yancy Image
Quarter Size Tin Type of Confederate Artillery Officer (1st Lt.) Standing in a Tent Holding an Officer's Sword w Sword Knot in Hard Rubber Case Price $950
This image is a Quarter Size Tin Type showing a soldier standing in a tent holding a single branch guard artillery sword with hanging sword knot and wearing a 10 button jacket and a kepi having a crossed canons insignia w a letter or number above the insignia. The soldier is wearing a rectangular brass panel plate on red colored leather belt as well as a red color cross breast strap perhaps holding a box on his back.
The artilleryman is also showing a patriotic bow on his jacket. His jacket shows red piping on the sleeves & jacket edge next to the button holes. There two horizontal gold stripes on the jacket red collar.
The hard rubber case has a beautiful matching covers front and back with double latches.
A very nice clear Confederate Artillery Officer Image.
A "PRE-FIRST EDITION" SET OF THE 4 VOLUMES OF "R.E. LEE" BY DOUGLAS DOUTHALL FREEMAN Printed 1935 Price $500 Now $400
The set was in the University Club Library of New York State University at Albany, NY.
The Club is being disbanded after decades and the set plus some other books were donated to the Capital District Civil War Round Table in Albany, NY. None of the membership is interested in the set, so it is available for sale.
There is a cover letter from Professor David Hochfelder, Department of History at Albany.
On the fly of the first edition, Freeman has dedicated the book to:
John Gabbert Bowman
with grateful admiration
of the man and the scholar
Douglas Southall Freeman
Freeman also adds below the dedication the following:
"This is one of 100 advance sets of the first printing of the first edition. D.S.F."
The set is a first printing as evidenced by Schriber's A on the copyright page. But rarer than a first edition is Freeman's note that it is one of 100 advance sets of the first printing of the first edition. If you go on line and try to price signed, dedicated first editions, you will find that they have all been sold.
As a bonus, there is also a probable bookmark in one of the volumes.
The bookmark is a small envelope containing a small, red, handmade Christmas card signed by John G. Bowman in 1953. The card was addressed to Dr. and Mrs. Omar C. Held in Bloomington, Indiana. Held was a professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Pittsburgh and later became an associate dean. The stamp is the 3-cent Jefferson stamp of the early 1950s and is postmarked December 16, 1953.
The four volume set is bound in the publisher’s red cloth with the title in gilt on the spines and the cover face. All volumes have Scribner’s A on the copyright page indicative of a first printing. There is light toning on the spines, but the cover face red is rich in color. There is no evidence of dog-ears. The publisher’s slipcase is not present. The inscription is in Volume I.
The set of books are in very good condition.
