Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 113

The Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

U.S. Revolutionary War

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1162		(Van Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm) Original Sketch Attributed to John Trumbull. Original portrait sketch, approximately 6¾ x 5¼", executed in black ink on the front pastedown of a detached book cover, attributed to JOHN TRUMBULL (1756-1843), the American painter of Revolutionary War portraits and scenes, who also served as adjutant to George Washington. The sketch, entirely consistent with Trumbull's style, presents a chest-up view of Major General FRIEDRICH WILHELM VON STEUBEN (1730-1794), inspector general of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Trumbull signs the sketch with "J.T." at right beneath von Steuben's shoulder, adding the date "1786." At this time, Trumbull was living in Paris, sketching studies of individuals for his "Declaration of Independence" and "Surrender of Lord Cornwallis," both later purchased by Congress and displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Von Steuben would be among the figures depicted in the latter work, making it possible that the sketch presented here is one of those studies. Trumbull launched his career as an artist by painting miniature portraits, following advice from his mentor Benjamin West; he would execute over 250 such miniatures in his lifetime, and it is also possible that the sketch presented here may be a study for such a portrait. The composition and details of von Steuben's physical appearance, dress and decorations suggest that Trumbull may have modeled this depiction after Charles Willson Peale's well-known 1780 portrait of the general. Affixed to the bottom of the portrait is a 1" x 3¾" handwritten paper label, reading: "Gen. von Steuben by John Trumbull Gen. Washington's adjutant. Sketched on cover of War Records." A second hand has added the parenthetical notation "Dr. C. Fields," likely an early owner of the piece. The portrait shows even toning overall with soiling at upper right, not affecting the sketch, with bumped corners and a ragged edge at top where the cover was removed from the book. An old pin hole is visible at top center, and the marbled paper of the cover is still visible on the verso; very good overall. Also present with the portrait is a backing board originally used in framing the piece, bearing the label of Kennedy Galleries in New York, one of the oldest and most respected art galleries in the United States. This label also bears the number "63531" in blue ink, likely a gallery stock number. The backing also bears a copy of the information listed on the label affixed to the portrait, as well as a photocopy biographical entry on Trumbull from a French reference. Altogether a fantastic, previously unknown depiction of a significant figure in our Revolutionary history, executed by one of the preeminent portraitists of the era. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,640
Lot 1163		Revolutionary War Naval Commander John Paul Jones: 18th Century Hand-Tinted Stipple Engraving (1747-92) Scottish-born sailor who joined the fledgling Continental Navy to fight against the British. Hand-tinted period stipple engraving of a wide-eyed Jones with pistols tucked in his waistband. Engraved by J. Chapman and dated August 1st 1796. Plate is 6½ x 4½ on 7¾ x 4 5/8" board. Light foxing to paper and a couple of small chips in lower corners, not affecting image, Very good to fine. The intrepid Scotsman was a founder of the U.S. Navy and is best remembered for his 1779 encounter aboard the Bon Homme Richard with HMS Serapis. When the British captain asked if he surrendered, he defiantly replied, "I have just begun to fight!" Estimated Value $250 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1164		Revolutionary War Officers With Pennsylvania Connections: Clement Biddle and Walter Stewart. Clement Biddle (1740-18140) was Commissary General at Valley Forge under George Washington; in 1781 Biddle was made quartermaster general of the Pennsylvanian troops. From 1789 to 1793 he served as the first U.S. Marshal for Pennsylvania. Manuscript document signed "Clement Biddle," 2pp, folio, laid paper, Philadelphia, Dec. 4, 1799. Being an "Account of Repairs of Ship Commerce." Fine condition. With a manuscript document signed "Walter Stewart" as Surveyor, one page, folio, on laid, watermarked paper, June 1794. Stewart approves an accounting for services of the collector for the district of Pennsylvania. Fine. Stewart (1756-1796) served as an aide de camp to Horatio Gates for a year and was given command of the Pennsylvania State Regiment, which became the 13th Pa. His regiment was involved in the 1780 Pennsylvania Line Mutiny and he was deeply involved in the Newburgh Conspiracy. Estimated Value $250 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1165		Revolutionary War Soldier's Pewter Tea Caddy and Creamer Plus Letter & Broadside -- Robert Wilson, Who Accepted the British Standards at Yorktown. Four items belonging to Robert Wilson (1755-1811), the youngest commissioned officer in the Continental Army. The caddy is a narrow oval box with a hinged lid and nob handle, with lock but lacking key. Exterior with ornate engraving on walls and lid, the walls with floral borders and swags and oval cartouche on both sides with the initials "R W." The lid has similar pendant border and central starburst emanating from the handle. The hinge with, apparently, several repairs, one old and perhaps contemporary with the box, along with some more recent work. The lid has an added inscription: "Used in Camp in the War of the Revolution, 1781." Height: 4½ in.; Width: 5½ in. Condition better than Fine. Along with the caddy is a contemporary creamer, footed, with deep-bowl and arching handle. Border and shield cartouche engraved in same manner seen on canister, but by a different hand. The shield bears the initials, "R A W"; some dark spots in the patina. Height: 5 in. Overall fine condition. Accompanied by a letter from Wilson's mother, [2 pp, c. 1786] during Indian hostilities along the Mohawk River in New York, expressing her happiness "to hear that you have compleated your Service without having rec'd a Wound…now that these scenes of blood shed are over…"; letter has stains, chips, and paper fill. Finally, a broadside, 13¼ x 12", Manlius, N.Y., Apr. 22, 1807, headed "TO the People of Onandag County," signed in type by Wilson, in which he attacks the publishers of "Plain Truth" for malighing his reputation. Robert Wilson was the youngest commissioned officer in the American Army. He was 18 at the time of the Battle of Yorktown. On October 19, 1781, Lord Cornwallis surrendered with his entire force, military and naval, to the allied forces of America and France. The Army, with all of its artillery, stores, military chest, etc., was surrendered to General Washington; the Navy, with its appointments, was surrendered to French Admiral de Grasse. The delivery of the colors is recounted in Benson J. Lossing's The Pictorial Field-Book Of The Revolution: "…For this purpose, twenty-eight British captains, each bearing a flag in a case, were drawn up in line. Opposite to them, at a distance of six paces, twenty-eight American sergeants were placed in line to receive the colors. Ensign Wilson of Clinton's brigade, the youngest commissioned officer in the army (being then only eighteen years of age), was appointed by Colonel Hamilton, the officer of the day, to conduct this interesting ceremony. When Wilson gave the order for the British captains to advance two paces, to deliver up their colors, and the American sergeants to advance two paces to receive them, the former hesitated, and gave as a reason that they were unwilling to surrender their flags to noncommissioned officers. Hamilton, who was at a distance, observed this hesitation, and rode up to inquire the cause. On being informed, he willingly spared the feelings of the British captains, and ordered Ensign Wilson to receive them himself, and hand them to the American sergeants…". Estimated Value $4,000 - UP From the Private Collection of An Esteemed Revolutionary War Expert and Collector Purchased; Goldberg Auctions, Sept. 20, 2003, Lot 22; Stuart Goldman Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,600
Lot 1166		Revolutionary War Steel Engravings: "The Unfortunate Death of Major André" and "The Surrender of Earl Cornwallis". "The Unfortunate Death of Major André. (Adjutant General to the English Army) at Head Quarters in New York, Octr. 2, 1780, who was found within the American Lines in the character of a Spy." Engraving by Goldar after Hamilton, 11½ x 8". Ornate border; light stain at top left and small paper loss in upper right corner. George Washington offered to exchange André, who was captured behind enemy lines wearing civilian clothing, for the American traitor Benedict Arnold, and called André "more unfortunate than criminal, An accomplished man and a gallant officer." The second steel engraving is "The Surrender of Earl Cornwallis…" Engraved by Thornton after Hamilton, 14¼ x 9". Some damage at upper edge and thinning, with a couple of small tape repairs on verso at far right edge. Cornwallis, pleading illness, did not attend the surrender ceremony, but sent his second-in-command, General Charles O'Hara, to carry his sword to the American and French commanders. Washington, refusing to accept the insult, sent General Benjamin Lincoln to accept it. A pair of fine black and white steel engravings. Estimated Value $500 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $313
Lot 1167		Two Union Generals: Daniel Sickels and George Sears Greene. Daniel Sickles (1819-1914) Union general, congressman and diplomat, also known for being the first person acquitted of murder on grounds of temporary insanity (after killing Francis Scott Key's son). Check signed "D. Sickles," New York, June 25, 1885. A Bank of the Metropolis check, engrossed in Sickles' hand, to Herring & Co. for $9.50. Attractively matted with an engraving and a biographical plaque and framed to an overall size of 16¾ x 23½". With George Sears Greene (1801-99) Civil engineer and Union general; hero at Culps Hill. Civil War-date document signed "Geo. S. Greene," one page, 10 x 8", May 15, 1862. One month after being promoted to brigadier general, Greene signs a Certificate of Disability For Discharge for Milo B. Collins of the New York State Volunteers. Handsomely matted with an engraving and a biographical plaque to an overal size of 24 x 28". Estimated Value $250 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1168		Sullivan, John -- War-date ALS (1740-1795) Irish American general who was present at most of the important battles of the Revolutionary War; he was a delegate in the Continental Congress and served as Governor of New Hampshire. Autograph letter signed "Jno Sullivan," one page, 12½ x 7¾", on laid paper (near Dobbs Ferry/Tarrytown, NY), Nov. 26, 1776. To "Dear General," in part: "Colonel Scammill ordered a Party of thirty Men from my Division to relieve a Party of [Col. John] Glover's stationed at Dobb's Ferry. They marched by Way of Tarry Town and were met since dark by a Party of Horse about twelve or fifteen in Number about three Miles on this side of Tarry Town…" After hailing this cavalry unit three different times and receiving no response, Sullivan's party fired upon them and pursued them. Sullivan adds, "I have ordered out a hundred and fifty Men to cover our Party if anything further…is necessary, you will…let me know…." Text is light and signature very light; overall toning with scattered staining; professional reinforcement to verso. Accompanied by an engraving of Sullivan. Estimated Value $650 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $600
Lot 1169		Eleven Documents, Including 7 Revolutionary War-date From Connecticut and One From Virginia--Plus an 1812 Document. The lot includes two partly-printed receipts for payment received from the Connecticut Pay Table, both datelined Hartford: one for £49.10.3 to William Bartholomew, dated Sept. 16, 1780, with an ANS from Bartholomew to allow William Chapman to receive the money for him; a receipt for £173.0.3 signed by Theophilus Woodbridge, Sept. 14, 1780, with a note from two selectmen certifying that Woodbridge served in the Continental Army Connecticut Line in Col. Wyllys Regt.; and one pay order for Col. Elias Worthington for 11 shillings, Mar. 7, 1783, signed by three selectmen. There are also two handwritten pay orders directed to treasurer John Lawrence: one dated June 25, 1776, to pay Ebenezer Smith for 2 lbs 5 oz. of Sal. Petre., and a second dated July 6, 1775, to pay £74.12 to Capt. Joseph Thompson of New Haven, Captain of the First Company in the 2nd Regt., to pay 82 soldiers in his company. Also, a 1782 Commissioners Account for a Specific Tax in King George County, Virginia; a 1764 handwritten Connecticut financial document; a partly-printed document from the Connecticut Comptroller's Office certifying that Richard Deshon is entitled to receive a pound in interest "on the liquidated Debt of the State of Connecticut," signed by Ralph Pomeroy; and a War of 1812 handwritten, list of militia officers in Capt. Stephen Brown's Company on one side, and on the other side, a list of the officers in the regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Walten. The latter document is stained; the remainder are very good to fine. Estimated Value $400 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $324