Lot 319
Farragut, David Glasgow. Document signed ("D.G. Farragut / Comdr U.S. Navy"), 1 page, 12½ x 8 in., Norfolk, April 1850. Pale blue paper, integral leaf; light toning. The document comprising "A List of Vessels captured by the U.S. Frigate Essex on her last cruise in the years 1812 & 13 on the Coast of Brazil and in the Pacific Ocean." Fifteen warships are listed, along with the date of their capture, their tonnage, the number of crewmen, the number of guns, and how each ship was disposed of, including "Burnt…sent home but recaptured…Given up to prisoners…Sold in N.Y.," etc. Farragut certifies that the list is correct and that the ships "were supposed to be worth at that time by a number of the residents at Valparaiso and the Officers, at about 2,500,000 Dollars." One wonders why Farragut chose, almost forty years later, to document the prizes of the Essex, the ship on which he served as a young twelve-year-old prizemaster. Certainly a rare document.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000.
|
| |
| Realized $1,170 |
