Lot 327

Gideon Welles Signed War-Dated Naval Academy Promotion of PA Teenager - Future Rear Admiral!

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Gideon Welles Signed War-Dated Naval Academy Promotion of PA Teenager - Future Rear Admiral!

Estimate: $300 - $400

Current Bid: $160

(3 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Gideon Welles
[Washington, D.C.], August 13, 1863
Gideon Welles Signed War-Dated Naval Academy Promotion of PA Teenager - Future Rear Admiral!
PPDS

A Civil War-dated naval promotion boldly signed by Gideon Welles (1802-1878), in his role as Secretary of the Navy, as "Gideon Welles" at lower right. August 13, 1863. [Washington, D.C.] The 1p partly printed and partly manuscript document features a naval vignette at top, and has a blind-embossed "Navy Department" seal at lower left. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and a few extra wrinkles. Isolated foxing not affecting the signature or text. Matted and framed behind glass; not examined out of the frame. The frame exhibits isolated surface loss. Else very good to near fine. The sight size of the document is 9" x 14.5" while the overall frame measures 13.375" x 23.75" x 1.5."

This promotion elevated 17-year-old Albert Ross (1846-1926) to the grade of midshipman in the U.S. Navy after July 24, 1863. Ross, a Pennsylvanian, had enrolled at the Naval Academy at Newport, Rhode Island (the Academy's temporary wartime headquarters) around July 1862, when he was just 16 and a half years old. Ross graduated from the Naval Academy well after the Civil War had ended, in 1867, after which point he served as a midshipman aboard the steam frigate "U.S.S. Minnesota." The career naval officer was steadily promoted over the next four decades, achieving the rank of Ensign in 1868; Master in 1870; Lieutenant in 1871; Lieutenant Commander in 1890; Commander in 1897; Captain in 1902; and Rear Admiral in 1908. Ross returned to service to oversee a naval school in Indiana during World War I.

Gideon Welles served as Secretary of the Navy during the entire duration of the Civil War and into the Johnson administration. In the Lincoln cabinet, Welles focused on reorganizing a naval service riddled with Confederate defections, and mobilizing recruits, vessels, and supplies. Throughout the war, Welles and his navy blockaded Southern ports, weakening an economy already overly dependent on cotton exports. Welles remained at his post until 1869.

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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  • Dimensions: framed: 13.375" x 23.75" x 1.5"
  • Medium: PPDS

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Bid Increments
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$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000