Lot 5
  • 5

[Civil War] — Lincoln, Abraham — William H. Weldon

Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Appointment of William H. Weldon with captured flag, sword, and other memorabilia, 1863-1865, as listed below:
  • linen, brass, paper
Engraved document accomplished in manuscript, signed ("Abraham Lincoln"), counter-signed by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells and by the Registrar William P. Moran, 1 page (18 1/2 x 15 in.; 470 x 380 mm, sight), Washington DC, 7 February 1862, being the appointment of William H. Weldon as Assistant Paymaster in the Navy, engraved eagle in top margin, engraved Neptune with attendants and martial symbols in bottom margin, by the American Bank Note Co., New York; formerly folded, some soiling at creases, clean fold-tear at right edge touching 6 words, some spotting. Matted, framed and glazed.

With: Union Jack flag, folded to 19 x 31 in.; 482 x 788 mm, but significantly larger, with accompanying typed caption; soiled, singed with several obvious bullet holes. Matted, glazed and framed.



With: A U.S. Navy Model 1852 Naval officer's sword, marked W. H. Horstmann & Sons, Philadelphia, and etched with extensive panels depicting panoply-of-arms, American Shield, American Eagle and Fouled Anchors and Stars, the gilt-brass hilt with "USN," the grip with shagreen (ray skin) bound by twisted brass-wire binding, scabbard of leather with three gilt brass mounts, the chape with serpent drag, the center and top-most mounts with knotted rope motifs; some looseness in stitching of scabbard, an aged patina overall the sword with some deep staining to the blade.



With: A photograph of the U.S.S. Sacramento, in Antwerp harbor, July 1864, 5 x 8 in.; 126 x 204 mm, mounted on board; lightly browned with a few stains. Matted, glazed and framed.



With: A lithographic [?] portrait of William H. Weldon, 10 x 7 7/8 in.; 254 x 200 mm, on light brown paper; a few minor marginal stains. Matted, glazed and framed.



With: 5 brass buttons, 2 brass naval insignia, and 1 brass naval belt buckle. Matted, glazed and framed.

Condition

see cataloguing
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Fine collection of memorabilia from the Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

William H. Weldon (1839-1868) served as Assistant Paymaster on the steam-screw sloop U.S.S. Sacramento under Captain Charles S. Boggs. Launched in April 1862 from Portsmouth New Hampshire, he joined the ship in July of 1863 while she was engaged in blockade duty off the North Carolina coast. While cruising off Wilmington NC on 1 (or 2) May 1863, she had captured the British blockade runner Wanderer. The present Union Jack flag was presented to Weldon, and probably comes from that engagement. The Sacramento went on to serve in European waters, when the accompanying photo was taken of the ship in Antwerp.