Description:

Dealer's Lot of Civil War Commanders & Ideologues, 4 Signers, 3 Pcs

A small archive of material autographed by notable abolitionist ideologues and military leaders of the Civil War and Civil War-era: Gerrit Smith, Thomas M. Vincent, Régis de Trobriand, and Simon Forrester Barstow. The archive includes autograph letters signed, autographed quotes signed, and documents signed, ca. 1857-1863.

The lot is comprised of, in chronological order:

1. A 1p autograph quote in French signed by Régis de Trobriand (1816-1897), a French-born commissioned officer during the Civil War who was brevetted to the rank of Major General in the U.S. Army in January 1866. August 23, 1857. Rockaway, New York. The quote is the ninth or last stanza of de Trobriand's ode "Rachel à L'Amérique" [trans: "Rachel to America"], originally published in November 1855, along with his signature as "R. de Trobriand" at lower right. On a fragment of pale pink paper with cropped corners. Expected wear including mounting traces recto and verso and a few scattered scuffs, else very good to near fine. 7.25" x 6.25."

De Trobriand was a poet, author, and journalist before commanding the Garde de Lafayette, or the 55th New York Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War. He dedicated "Rachel à L'Amérique" to Elisabeth Félix (1821-1858), a classically trained stage actress of Swiss Jewish heritage more widely known by her stage name Mademoiselle Rachel. The beautiful actress had taken Europe and the Americas by storm with her restrained performances of works by Racine, Molière, Corneille, Voltaire, and others. De Trobriand wrote the ode in advance of Rachel's departure from New York in November 1855. Bayard Taylor translated de Trobriand's "Rachel à L'Amérique" for publication in "The New York Tribune" as: "No future, from the memory of to-day / Shall dim the picture which I bear away - / Whose charm will follow, where my steps depart, / To guide my efforts and to cheer my heart: / And this the glory henceforth I pursue - / Since you adopt me, to be worthy [of] you."

2. A 2pp autograph letter signed by Gerrit Smith (1797-1874), the celebrated abolitionist, as "Gerrit Smith" towards the top of the second page, and also additionally signed in the text when writing out his wife's name as "Mrs. Smith." December 30, 1857. New York, New York. On bifold paper. In the letter addressed to C.M. Wheeler, Smith writes that he has greatly enjoyed Wheeler's lecture published in the newspaper. He also introduces an acquaintance, and bemoans his own "ignorance of Geology." Expected flattened transmittal folds, else near fine. 5" x 8."

In addition to advocating for the abolition of American slavery, Smith also championed other nineteenth-century causes such as women's rights, temperance, and colonization.

3. A double-sided military docket, being signed recto by Thomas M. Vincent (1832-1909), an Assistant Adjutant General in the U.S. Army who has been described as the single most important organizer of Union volunteers during the Civil War, as "Thomas M Vincent" near the bottom. Issued from the War Department in Washington, D.C. on November 4, 1863. The reverse features a partly printed and partly manuscript document clip signed by fellow Assistant Adjutant General Simon Forrester Barstow (1817-1882), as "S.F. Barstow." Issued from the Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac on the same day. Both men were brevetted Major Generals in March 1865.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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May 31, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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