Description:

Catlin George

George Catlin 3x Signed Patent Caveat Application for "Submarine Battery", all in Catlin's Hand, & with Original Illustration!

 

A patent caveat application engrossed entirely in the hand of George Catlin (1796-1872), and 3x signed by him as "Geo. Catlin". (Two signatures appear on the first page, the first within the body of the text, the second at lower right; and the third signature appears on the back of the illustration page.) Presumably written during Catlin's self-imposed European exile in Ostend, Belgium, ca. 1861. Comprised of two double-sided leaves of paper. Mount remnants at fore-edge and scattered tape residue. Expected folds and isolated repaired full vertical tears at center. The third signature was unevenly cropped, resulting in a slight loss to the signature. Apparently missing at least one sheet. Else near fine. 15.75" x 9".

 

In part, with original spelling and punctuation:

 

"To the Commissioners of Patents.

 

Patent Office of the United States

 

City of Washington. D.C.

 

The petition of George Catlin of the City of New York, United States of America, now residing in Ostende, Belgium, Respectfully Represents ----

 

That he has invented an Engine of Warfare for the protection of Towns and harbours on the sea coast, against the Bombardment by vessels of War, and that he is now engaging in making experiments for perfecting the same, preparatory to his applying for Letters patent therefor. He therefore prays that the subjoined description of his invention may be filed as a Caveat in the confidential Archives of the Patent Office…"

 

Catlin had established a serious reputation as an artist after the 1841 publication of his masterpiece Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North American Indians, which featured approximately 300 engravings of indigenous peoples. Though Catlin was not known as an engineer or inventor, he evidently believed that his artistic skills could be used in the design and development of submarine military technology!

 

The first sheet offered here is a retained draft cover letter to the Commissioner of Patents of the United States, applying for caveat letters patent and explaining that he has paid the requisite $20.00 fee. The word "Caveat." is inscribed verso.

 

The second sheet has three original numbered pen and pencil illustrations depicting the partially submerged submarine battery, as well as a cutaway profile showing a 4-man crew within the battery preparing to fire its cannon. These illustrations come without descriptions; the style is reminiscent of the line-drawing illustrations in some of the later editions of Catlin's Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North American Indians. Detailed descriptions of illustrations 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are found verso, but the illustrations are not present.

 

We have traced no filed copies or press mentions of Catlin's "submarine battery" caveat patent. This application thus represents an interesting detour in the later career of an important American artist, and an underexplored area of Civil War-era history.

 

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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