Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 24

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Post U.S. Revolutionary War

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 178		(Naval Rescue By A New York Sea Captain). Ornate certificate headed "The Corporation of The City of New York," with a resolution that "The Thanks of This Common Council be and the same are hereby tendered to Captain Henry R. Hovey of the Ship Devonshire of New York, for his humane and daring efforts, in rescueing from imminent peril, and safely conveying to this port, the Crew and Passengers numbering One hundred and seventy five persons, of the Steamer Helena Sloman, Cap. P.N. Paulsen, of Hamburg, fallen in with at sea on the 28th of November 1850, In a Sinking Condition; Also that a Grateful Recognition is due to the Heroic Services of his Gallant Officers and Crew, of whom his third mate, John G. Johnson of this City, and Three Seamen, Nobly Perished in their endeavours to Save Others from the fate which they themselves so suddenly experienced. Resolved also, that as a further mark of the appreciation of the City of New York of the Noble Conduct of Captain Hovey, a Gold Box suitably inscribed, be presented to him." The resolution was approved and signed on December 24, 1850, by Mayor "C.S. Woodhull" at lower right, and by "D.T. Valentine," clerk of the Common Council at lower left, with a bright orange seal above. The text has a border composed of a ribbon with the names of the members of the Common Council. The gold-toned, ornately-engraved document is 17½ x 14 in. and is housed in its original, gilt frame, which is 24 x 22½ in.; a couple of chinks are missing from the name, but it is still very attractive. Accompanying the document is the 18 karat gold box that was given as a reward to Captain Hovey. It is 3¼ in. long x 2 in. wide x ¾ in. deep, and weighs 4½ ounces. Hovey's name is inscribed on the top and the inside cover is inscribed with the brave rescue carried out by Hovey and his crew on November 28, 1850 A unique and historic lot. Of special interest to the collector of Naval history. (2 items). Estimated Value $3,000 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $6,900
Lot 179		Granger, Gideon (1767-1822) Postmaster General under Thomas Jefferson. Manuscript Letter Signed twice as Postmaster General, at the end of the letter ("Gidn: Granger") and freefranked ("Granger PMG") on the integral address leaf, postmarked Washington, June 29, 1804, 1½ pp, quarto. To Abraham Skinner, Painsville, Trumbull County, Ohio, expressing ambitions to develop part of the Connecticut Western Reserve in Ohio, adjacent to Painesville, and desiring "…a liberal arrangement with me for building up of a town in that place…." Some toning, foxing, and archival fold repairs. Very Good. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $115
Lot 180		Buttons, Medals, and A Record (1) Two Revolutionary War-era brass butttons, 1-1/8 in diameter (2) two medals, one bronze and one silver, commemorating the bicentennial of Bunker Hill, both encased in plastic holders (3) 33 LP record, "Grand Musick," 1974, Old North Bridge Records, being a selection of colonial music played by fifes and drums. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details	Realized $86
Lot 181		Musket. Made in Canton, Mass., probably 1810-20. Stamped on the lock is "D. Dana" above "Canton." The lock is a little more ornate; also, rifle has brass trigger strap and brass lock cover, and other brass fittings. Unlike the military models, there are no lugs for a carrying strap. The only visible proof mark on the barrel is a "P"; stamped "E.H."on the stock where the lock cover is. Nicely refurbished and in full working order. Appears complete. One small split at the base of the ramrod, although there are pins scattered throughout the stock for strengthening. Overall length 57¼ inches. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $719
Lot 182		Musket. Made in Canton, Mass. Stamped on the lock is "T. French" above eagle over U.S. cartouche. At rear of lock stamped "Canton, 1810." Barrel with proofing marks, including large "U.S., V," plus an additional "V" at the breech strap, and oval incuse with eagle head and "C.T." On the stock also a faint tri-lobed mark, "V/CW". Nicely refurbished and in full working order. Appears complete. A small split in the stock at the frizzen spring and a narrow split on the stock, which is stable and solid. Although build to standardized specs, the proportions seem a little slimmer and slicker that on the other two muskets. As a bonus, the owner had set his initials in brass pins, "A*L" toward the base of the stock. Overall length 59½ inches. Estimated Value $700 - 900. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,323
Lot 183		Musket. Made in Canton, Mass. Stamped on the lock is "R. & C. Leonard" above eagle over U.S. cartouche. At rear of lock stamped "Canton, 1811." Barrel with proofing marks, including large "U.S., V," and oval incuse with eagle head and "C.T." On the stock also a tri-lobed mark, "V/CW". Nicely refurbished and in full working order. Appears complete. A small split in the stock at the frizzen spring and some minor losses here and there; overall a very displayable piece of U.S. history. Overall length 59¼ inches. Estimated Value $700 - 900. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,208
Lot 184		Collection of Civil War-Date Letters and Documents. A collection of approximately 60 letters and documents that belonged to the family of Robert P. Wilson, who served with the 16th New York Infantry and the 121st N.Y. Volunteers during the Civil War. Twenty-six are war date and are addressed to Wilson, as are two post-war letters. The documents include a circular letter written July 4, 1863 at Gettysburg by order of General Meade ordering Corps Commanders to send in "a field return of officers and enlisted men present for duty. Also a return numerically first and subsequently nominally of the killed wounded & missing." They also include a scouting report describing the area around Mechanicsville, receipts for supplies and clothing, a surgeon's report, a pass, etc. (List available upon request). A notebook of approximately 35 letters and documents contain family lore about an earlier Robert Wilson (grandfather of the Civil War Wilson) who was the youngest commissioned officer in the Continental Army and who accepted the British standards at Yorktown; a 30-page notebook contains interesting information about the Wilsons coming over from Ireland on the same ship as the DeWitt and Clinton families (all of them cousins), a story of a Wilson widow being made a commissary general by George Washington, and more. Six letters to Wilson pertain to the Society of the Cincinnati, of which Wilson was a hereditary member; one is an ALS from Hamilton Fish and five AlsS are from John Schuyler, secretary of the New York Society of the Cincinnati. One other letters regard the Centennial celebration of the surrender at Yorktown. Condition is overall Very Good to Fine. A very interesting family collection. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $391
Lot 185		Letters and Original To Rebuilt The Bridge In Loudon, Tenn. Seven letters, plus two duplicates and two printed diagrams on silk, regarding the rebuilding of the bridge at Loudon, Tennessee that was burned by the Confederates in September 1863 to keep Union General Ambrose Burnside and his troops from using it. It was the longest bridge crossing the Tennessee River on the East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad and ran between Knoxville and Dalton, Georgia. It was an important transportation link between the southern and western Confederacy and was heavily guarded by Confederate troops to prevent its destruction by Union troops. In the end, the Confederates burned it themselves to prevent their enemy from using it. The first letter is from D.C. McCallum, Col. and Gen. Manager of the RR Div. of the Miss., datelined from the Office of Supt. Military Railroad, Dept. of the Cumberland, Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 9 1864, informing Lt. Col. J.L. Donaldson, Gen. & Supr. Qr. Ms. Dept of the Cumberland: "I have this day closed a contract with W.H. Bristol for the reconstruction of the Tenn. River Bridge at Louden…I have in behalf of the U.S. agreed, that men, materials, and supplies shall be transported from Cincinnati or Louisville to Nashville, by Boat or Railroad, at the rates paid by the United States, and from thence to Louden free…."; this letter is a true copy, with a duplicate true copy. A letter from Donaldson, Chief Quartermaster's Office in Nashville, also dated Feb 9, to Brig. Gen. Robt Allen in Louisville, orders him to fulfill the terms agreed upon in McCallum's letter; a true copy is included with the original letter. Four other letters contain technical information: the chief engineer of U.S. Military Railroads orders a pile driver sent to Johnsonville; another discusses splice blocks, rails, spikes, and ties, etc., and their costs; another letter (poor condition) is from the manufacturer of a steam pumping machine (with image on envelope); and a letter from the manufacturer of a drilling machine with pile driver and hydraulic sand pump. The letters vary from Poor to Very Good, having dampstains and foxing. With two printed diagrams on silk, one 19¾ x 18 in., headed "BRIDGE / 50 Feet clear span, Scale 4 feet to One Inch," and one 21 x 42½ in are in Very Good condition. Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $449
Lot 186		Mallory, Stephen R. & Maxwell, Augustus E. Two Autograph Letters Signed, both in June 1854, both 1 pg., responding to inquiries from Martha Bradstreet about the character of Col. (or Mr.) D.G. Gardner. Mallory, who would become secretary of the Confederate navy, says, in part, "..I do not know Mr. Gardiner, but my friends from Florida inform me that he is unworthy of confidence, & that he at present resides at Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania Co., Va." Maxwell, who would serve in the Confederate senate 1862-65, says, in part, "…I know nothing of Col Gardner…except that a person of such a name was introduced to me in this city (Washington) some three or four months since…." Both letters have folds, else Fine. (2 items). Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 187		Edited by Allen Johnson. Dictionary of American Biography. Twenty volumes, plus two supplements and one index. Published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1928, "Under the Auspices of the American Council of Learned Societes." Deep red buchram covers with gold lettering. Covers are rubbed and interiors are toned, but otherwise clean and complete. A few letters written by people whose biographies are in the dictionary are laid loosely into the pages. An important reference work. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $288
Lot 188		*Letters from Brazil.* Collection of 11 letters written from Catherine Raquet to Lydia Harper of Philadelphia during the 1820s. The Raquets journeyed to South America to conduct business and Raquet writes back to a relative describing life in Brazil. The letters include political, social, and family information. Specific highlights include a description of the baptism of a princess, a discussion of the merits of girls receiving a good education, and some content on black slaves. One account includes a description of the capture, in Africa, of one of the Raquet's slave, with very good content. Very fine condition. (11 items). Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $661
Lot 189		*Society of the Cincinnati.* A group of books and pamphlets pertaining to the Society of the Cincinnati. They include Original Members and Other Officers Eligible to the Society of the Cincinnati 1783-1938; General Washington's Correspondence Concerning The Society of the Cincinnati (1941); Truths and Traditions of the Daughters of the Cincinnati (1931); Liberty Without Anarchy, A History of the Society… by Minor Meyers, 1983; Dr. John M. Mason's oration at the 1804 New York meeting, upon the death of Alexander Hamilton; and Theodore Dwight's 1792 oration to the Connecticut Society; also, a scroll with facsimile signatures of the original members of the Society. Several other books and pamphlets pertain specifically to the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati, including Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati…and Establishment of the Society of the Cincinnati of Massachusetts (1859); proceedings from the 1812 meeting and the 1859 meeting; a list of Massachusetts members in 1880, with a roll of the original members; minutes from 1783 through 1825 (published in 1964). Should be seen. Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $288
Lot 190		*Miscellaneous Almanacs, Books & Pamphlets.* This lot includes two pocket almanacs, one for 1783 and one for 1793, published by T. & J. Fleet, Boston; 1854 copy of the Constituition and By-laws of the New England Protective Union, Division No. 108; a 1911 "Catalogue of Colonial Portraits," from the Metropolitan Museum of Art; an 1859 certificate for shares in the Mariners' Bethel Mission Ship Company; an empty carte de visite photograph album; three booklets on the history of Heath, Massachusetts; a booklet titled, "The Jewish Community in Early New York 1654-1800"; a pamphlet on Hopewell Village, and one on "The Winslows of 'Careswell''; A Bibliography of Military Books up to 1642 by Cockle, 1978 (first published 1900); Early Military Books in the University of Michigan Libraries by Spaulding and Karpinski, 1941; The Life and Times of Major John Mason of Connecticut: 1600-1672, by Louis B. Mason, 1935; A Rhode Island Chaplain in the Revolution (1949); Charles Howland Russell 1851-1921 (1935); and From Bull Run to Chancellorsville, The Story of the Sixteenth New York Infantry…by Curtix, 1906. Should be seen. Condition overall Very Good to Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details	Unsold
Lot 191		Napoleonic Period Snuff Box. Snuff box made from hoof or horn, probably a horse's hoof, shaped like Napoleon's hat, with an "N" inside a wreath on the top, approximately 2 x 3 in. A period piece, most likely made by a French prisoner of war. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 192		Antique Ebonized Box. Early 19th century, with brass inlay, 4¼ in. long x 3 in. wide x 1¾ in. deep. Base panel, hinges, and some of the screws have been replaced. Probably for sundries or an instrument. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $86
Lot 193		Oval Miniature Of A Gentleman. Late 18th century frame of low karat gold, probably 9 karat, in lovely red leather box, a little worn but solid and complete. The painting is a modern replacement, c. 1920s-40s. A delicate tracery of gold monograms laid to paper is probably original to frame. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $374
Lot 194		Place Setting of Gorham Silver Plus Cake Server. Six pieces of an unidentified pattern with roses, consisting of two knives, two spoons, and two forks. Also, a sterling silver cake server made by "WEB" in "Germany." (7 items). Estimated Value $50 - 100. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $29
Lot 195		Two Late 18th/Early 19th Century Demitasse Spoons. Two unmarked silver spoons, 4¼ in. long, both initialed "HM" in cursive script on end of handle; one has a cockleshell imprint on the bowl. Attractive. Estimated Value $100 - 125. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $58