Description:

US Navy
various, various
Secretaries of the Navy and Naval History Group – Over 40 Pieces!
Archive
A fine archive of material relative to the United States Navy and spanning the years 1786-1897, in various formats and signed by Secretaries of the Navy, Naval Captains and Commanding Officers and Naval administrative bodies. Includes 12 pieces signed by Secretaries of the Navy, as well as others signed by Nicholson Broughton, Silas Talbot, William D. Porter, Isaac Chauncey, William B. Shubrick, and Christopher Ellery, and more. Please view scans for content. Some pieces ex: Forrest Sweet, and the lot is accompanied by several of his original catalogue folders.

Condition varies fair to fine, and we welcome bidders to view this archive in our Connecticut offices. Please see terms regarding lots containing more than five items.

Secretaries of the Navy include:

1. Benjamin W. Crowninshield (served 1815-1818): two pieces, a signed letter regarding a midshipman (1815), and a recommendation (1818).
2. Samuel Southard (served 1823-1829): manuscript letter signed regarding the "Committee of Claims" (1827).
3. Levi Woodbury (served 1831-1834): letter signed to the Commandant of the Philadelphia Naval Yard regarding admitting a man to the hospital (1834).
4. Mahlon Dickerson (served 1834-1838): two pieces: an autograph letter signed sending a recommendation (1835); and a letter to the Commandant of the Philadelphia Naval Yard regarding an exchange of duties (1836).
5. James K. Paulding (served 1838-1841): letter signed regarding a seaman's inability to obtain his pension (1839).
6. George Bancroft (served 1845-1846): letter signed to the Commandant of the New York Naval Yard regarding a boatswain's discharge (1846).
7. William B. Preston (served 1849-1850): letter signed to the Commandant of the New York Naval Yard regarding the use of his facilities for a trial (1849).
8. John P. Kennedy (served 1852-1853): letter signed to the Commandant of the New York Naval Yard, regarding a leave of absence (1853).
9. James C. Dobbin (served 1853-1857): letter signed to the Commandant of the Philadelphia Naval Yard regarding a discharge (1853).
10. William C. Whitney (served 1885-1889): two pieces, a signed letter regarding a legal case (n.d.), and a partly-printed document of discharge (1882).

Other items include:

1. Nicholson Broughton: a partly-printed signed document, one page, 13" x 8", Gibraltar, June 29, 1812, an attestation to the contents of the ship ORIENT recently docked at Marblehead and now in Gibraltar. Broughton (1724-1798) was first commodore of the United States Navy and commanded George Washington's first vessel, the USS HANNAH. With blind-embossed seal at left, toned folds, light wear and toning at margin, very good.

2. Silas Talbot: a fine association manuscript letter signed, two pages, 8" x 13", Philadelphia, September 22, 1786, to Benjamin Bourne regarding a man's dividend. Talbot (1751-1813) was a military officer and slave trader, best remembered for commanding the USS CONSTITUTION from 1799-1801. Talbot's correspondent is Benjamin Bourne (1755-1808), a U.S. Representative for Rhode Island and Judge for District and Circuit Courts, nominated by George Washington and John Adams respectively. Wear to right margin, otherwise good.

3. Isaac Chauncey: a late manuscript letter signed, one page, 7.75" x 9.75", May 18, 1839, to Charles Stewart, Commandant of the Philadelphia Naval Yard requesting 42-pounder guns. Chauncey (1772-1840) participated in the Quasi-War, Barbary Wars and War of 1812, and also played an important role in the creation of the New York Naval Shipyard.

4. William B. Shubrick: an autograph letter signed, one page, 8" x 10", January 30, 1839, to a Reverend regarding the recommendation of a "Lad." Folds, otherwise very good. Shubrick (1790-1874) was an officer who served in the War of 1812 and Mexican-American War, commanding the LEXINGTON and NATCHEZ.

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: 9" x 13"
  • Medium: Archive

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