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3044 |
late 1700s / early 1800s – BRASS FRAME SPECTACLES
This pair of early brass framed spectacles with hinged ribbon loop bows are in excellent all original condition and are untouched after decades of storage leaving a wonderful soft age patina. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
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3078 |
Civil War era Portland, Maine MILITARY GOODS DEALER – pasteboard box
A neat companion item for the collector of Civil War era military or fraternal insignia and related items, this little 3 ¼ X 3 ¼ X 1 1/16 pasteboard box sports the bold label of J. A. MERRILL & CO. – Military & Society Goods – PORTLAND, MAINE. As the largest and best known military goods dealer in Maine’s largest city, the city that played host to the majority of Maine regiments in the days before the left the state for the seat of war, many an officer and enlisted man carried a product of the Merrill Co. off to war. This original period box is solid as is and has no evidence of damage though it shows good evidence of age and originality with some foxing and a split at the corners that can be easily repaired with a bit of Elmer’s glue and an elastic for a clamp till it dries. We have been fortunate to acquire a small number of these (4) from years if storage and have priced them individually for the collector who would like one. A neat personal item display piece, the period tendency to keep such as a catch all or ditty-box for stamps, mending material and buttons or other personal smalls offers much opportunity for use in any Civil War collection. (see: Directory of American Military Goods Dealers & Makers by Bazelon & McGuinn and Civil War period Portland Business Directories)
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3101 |
Jan. 4, 1800 Ulster County Gazette / DEATH OF Geo. WASHINGTON
An original, early to mid 19th century, printing of what has long been considered by collector / historians as likely the most famous of American newspapers. Only two verified original examples of the January 4, 1800 Ulster County Gazette published by Samuel Freer & Son of Kingston, New York are known to exist. Strangely enough the reason for the newspaper’s notoriety is not its coverage of George Washington's death on December 14, 1799, at Mt. Vernon, nor its account of his funeral ceremonies but the fact that, through the years, this edition has been the subject of more reprints than any other American newspaper. It is not known who was the first to set the lead type and publish a reprinting, nor what the date was, but it is said that type setting to do so likely began as a commemorative printing marking the 25th anniversary of Washington's death in 1825. The printing was repeated with the 50th anniversary in 1850, and was proliferated at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876. It is known that in the 1850s, copies were offered for sale in both Boston and in Chicago and that the type setting for these printings of the original were being used as an exercise for training apprentice printers through the 1850s. Later on, there were several reprints in larger editions done for the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. In addition to size, this printing is most easily distinguishable by virtue of the wood pulp paper used which has caused the 1876 printings to become characteristically brittle and dark in color. While this offering is clearly not an addition to the two known 1800 printings the buyer will agree that this rag paper, letter press example of the January 4, 1800 (death and funeral of George Washington) Ulster County Gazette dates no later than the 1850s. This offering remains in excellent original condition with folds and good evidence of age and originality but no rips, tears or repairs. Each of it’s four pages measure approximately 18 X 12 inches. |
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3104 |
Civil War vintage Trotting Horse - BROADSIDE
The U. S Agricultural Society sponsors a day of big stake prize money, and no doubt some active behind the barn wagering with a TRIAL OF SPEED FOR TROTTING STALLIONS . Best two out of three and three of five in three categories will pay $300., $200. and $300. respectively with second place in each category bringing prizes of $150.,$100. and $100. A fall day of a total eleven races with prize awards totaling $1150.00, not counting the behind the barn take, would surely be a rich day’s activity and a hardy diversion for the Civil War era citizen. (Of significance in the dating of this horse racing broadside is evident upon perusal of period calendars to find that the printed race date, Saturday October, 27 fell in the year 1861) Printed in Boston by the Franklin Printing House. (see: Samuel Chism prop. Civil War vintage Boston Business Directories) They were active participants in the printing of all manner of broadsides, pamphlets and books during the war years. (see: Ceremonies at the dedication of the soldiers' monument in Newton, Mass. Franklin Printing House, 1864.) The broadside remains in excellent and untouched original condition and is in a nicely displayable size (12 X 9.25 inches). Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques! |
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3109 |
earlier 1850s / Civil War era – Broadside / Song Sheet
A single 5 x 8 inch sheet printed on one side with two, ten-line stanzas. This piece is signed Music of this song to be obtained at LEE & WALKER’S MUSIC STORE No. 722 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia . A nice ornamental border is set off by a bold type set at the top of the sheet and a nice cut of a young lady. Working in Philadelphia, ca. 1850s through the Civil War era, Lee and Walker were a popular resource for such song sheets however our search did not show a single copy of IN HAPPY MOMENTS by them listed in the Library of Congress collection of 19th Century American Song Sheets, Rare Book and Special Collections Division. ( Full text of In Happy Moments may be found at their American Memorysite.) A scarce example all in nice condition and of special interest to the mid 19th century Americana, ephemera or music collector. |
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3119 |
original Civil War era TOBACCO WRAPPER
We have a small number of original Civil War vintage MINNE – HA – HA ! EXCELSIOR CAVENDISH TOBACCO wrappers by H. L. TICKNER & CO. – ANOKA, MINN. (see: 1860 census) and are offering them here individually priced while they last for the collector / historian who would like one for display without throwing down the long dollar demanded of an un-opened packet. The flat sheet measures approximately 7 ¼ X 6 ½ inches so as to wrap (as shown) to a standard store bought plug size of about 3 ½ X 2 ¼ inches. A wonderful display item set out as is with a pipe, a plug of tobacco or wrapped and sealed to simulate an un-opened packet. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
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3162 |
Civil War era MAINE Adju’t GENERAL / POSTAL COVER
All in nice unused condition, such personal size 5.5 X 3 inch envelopes were used by the State Adjutant Generals office during the Civil War. This all original example will make a nice addition to any period collection. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!!
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3160 |
Victorian era POLISHED SATIN RIBBON – Original Unopened Spool!
Some considerable time ago we were fortunate enough to acquire a small number of original pasteboard spools containing the most wonderful early polished satin ribbon and are offering the spools here individually priced for the textile collector or conservator who would appreciate such a rarity either for display or use in a restoration. The spool is complete and as it was sold with a full complement of 10 yards of 7/8 inch wide satin ribbon wound with a paper liner as was the custom in the time and secured at the end by a small straight pin. The ribbon is that rich chocolate brown that Civil War collectors will appreciate. The pasteboard spool core measures approximately 2 ½ inches in diameter with a total diameter of about 3 3/16 inches. A classic process of the Victorian era ribbon maker was to stiffen the finely loomed satin with such as starch, shellac or bee wax. The ribbon was then passed through pressurized and polished hot rollers. This process was called calendaring and produced a durable high metallic gloss on the ribbon. (Likely more than you needed to know.) A wonderful find for the Civil War era textile enthusiast ! please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! |
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3183 |
19th century LEECH JAR
A scarce item for the 19th century American apothecary / medical collection or simply a neat conversation piece, this classic bowl shaped leech jar with it’s distinctive wide, turned over lip, measures approximately 4 1/8 inches in diameter and stands about 4 inches high. Considered a personal size as it is smaller than the more elaborate porcelain master jars of period apothecary shops, such plain glass jars as this one would have been offered by the druggist or hospital dispensary as a repository for a leech or two for ward or home use. A common utility of the well supplied home or hospital ward medicinal cabinet, such a jar with a piece of gauze tied over the mouth to facilitate passage of air while preventing escape of the leech, could keep a leech in place and ready for use for months without additional attention. While all such simple glass leech receptacles are seldom available outside of the best private and public collections, the vast majority found are of the footed design indicative of the more frequently seen French imports ( see illustration). Some time ago (back in the good old days) we were fortunate to have acquired a very small number of the jars from the bowels of an old country apothecary and have finally gotten around to offering them individually priced for the collector who would like one. All original and period without a chip, ding or crack!
Bloodletting or bleeding was a commonly accepted medical practice from antiquity through the late 19th century. It was believed that withdrawal of, often considerable quantities, of blood would cure or prevent a great many illnesses. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best. |
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3214 |
original & complete-Civil War date BOSTON NEWSPAPER
This original issue of Boston's Zion's Herald & Weslegan Journal is dated April 12, 1865 and is complete in four large 28 X 22 inch pages. It remains in nice solid condition with period folds and is stuffed with interesting reading reflective of the period. Article headings include such as PRISON LIFE AMONG THE REBELS and THE FALL OF RICHMOND with additional items of subscribers interest to include A Letter From The Rebel Capital - Out Own Veteran on HOSPITAL DUTY - Weekly Summary From The War. The paper offers the usual obituaries and a liberal number of advertisements for such as Quack Cures - Sewing Machines - Photographers - Worm Cures - Clothing and more. ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!!
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3264 |
Civil War Confederate Reference Set – NORTH CAROLINA REGIMENTS
Officially titled HISTORIES OF THE SEVERAL REGIMENTS & BATTALIONS FROM NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GREAT WAR 1861-1865
this 5 volume set including index is a compilation of histories of each regiment and organization from North Carolina which served in the Confederate army. A massive work of five volumes totaling more than 4,000 pages, in addition to Regimental Histories the set contains sketches of brigades, accounts of battles in which North Carolinians fought. This set is a must have for any serious North Carolina collector, offering lists of officers, a roster of North Carolinians who surrendered at Appomattox, and articles on North Carolina prisoners in the North, the Home Guard, the Medical Corps, and numerous other topics all written by Confederate North Carolina participants, the set provides several hundred portraits, many available only in this set. Reprinted by Broadfoot Publishing in 1996, this set was originally edited by Walter Clark (Lt. Col. 70th N.C.) and published by the State in 1901. We bought this Broadfoot set directly from Tom (a neat fellow by the way) several years ago for some special project that we can’t even remember. It remains in as new condition and will make a fine addition to any Confederate reference library at something less thsn the going price.
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3282 |
original Civil War Uncle Sam & Jeff - SATIRICAL ENVELOPE
Patriotic and politically satirical postal covers were a popularly circulated art form in the turbulent times of the American Civil War with virtually every subject and opinion of the day expressed. Political and social satire envelopes were second only to patriotic subjects with both pro Union and pro Confederate bent. While the vast majority were put to use in the mails and have not survived, the wide variety of subject matter made the little covers a natural collectible even in the period. An ever dwindling supply of nice condition, unused examples have thus survived offering today’s collector / historian an opportunity to put together a respectable collection of quality original examples. A rather uncommon opportunity on today’s market to accumulate a category of original Civil War artifacts and watch them grow in interest and value all at a relatively modest initial cost. We try to keep a small and varying supply of these on our site for those folks who might enjoy them. You can bring them all up for viewing by entering satirical envelope in our search feature. |
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3297 |
19th century BLEEDING CUP
This nice glass cupping device with rolled rim remains in excellent condition and is larger than the most common example (shown here with a quarter for size comparison). These glass medical devices were used in the widely utilized medical cure process of bleeding with examples dating in the late 1700s and early 1800s with use into the Civil War period. This cupping device or bleeding cup would be a staple in any physician's bag or medical chest of the period. A nice original example, in excellent condition with no chips or flakes, this piece demonstrates all the characteristics glass collectors of the period appreciate . We are fortunate to have a small number of these of varying size shape and construction (use our search feature to see item #2710) and are offering them individually priced for the antique medical collector who would like one. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !!
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3312 |
c. 1876 Centennial Fair - Stevensgraph silk ribbon
Centennial Stevensgraph silk ribbon with portrait of George Washington over ‘The First in Peace, The First in War, The First in the Hearts of His Countrymen’ below is the Centennial Fair, Horticultural Hall with flags and shield over ‘Philadelphia 1876’. The book-mark size ribbon measures approximately 7 ¼ inches long by 2 1/16 inches wide and remains in nice solid condition with no splits as are so frequently found in old silk. It’s color reflects a soft patina and it does have a small hole in the margin just above and to the left of Washington’s portrait. An attractive original example of a decorative textile art taking it’s name from Thomas Stevens (1828 – 1888) an English silk weaver who developed a mechanical technique which produced fine pictures, portraits and lettering woven in silk thread. A nice piece of decretive Americana. |
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3326 |
silver mounted CROSBY marked FIFE by Civil War maker Geo. Cloos
A most desirable instrument in style, condition and maker, this beautiful fife remains in wonderful condition with classic long silver ferrules and a smooth age patina over good evidence of period use and carrying. The fife is approximately 17 inches in length and is nicely marked CROSBY over the intertwined G. C. familiar to period musical instrument collectors as the mark of Civil War era New York, maker GEO. CLOOS. A well known maker in his own rite the CROSBY became synonymous with the instrument type in the period thus it's use by Cloos. All original and in outstanding condition with just enough evidence of careful period use to add to it’s charm and desirability. (see: Bazelon & McGuinn Directory of American Military Goods Dealers & Makers ) Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. |
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3335 |
earlier 1800s through Civil War era TRAVELING INK
This screw top traveling ink should not be confused with the bottle type used with ready to use liquid ink but was intended for the carrying of ink powder generally in travel. The small amount of powder or pellets held by this screw top container would make as much as a quart of writing ink when dissolved in water. As such, dissolved and mixed as needed, a little at a time, the little traveling ink could supply sufficient writing ink to last the average traveler or soldier for an indefinite period. This example was turned from walnut and remains in excellent original condition with no cracks of flaws. A rich natural patina and evidence of period use is testimony of age and originality.
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3343 |
Civil War era BONE DOMINOES
An especially attractive full set of ebony mounted bone dominoes. With all the evidence of Civil War era construction and materials, each game piece measures a substantial 7/8 x 1 ¾ x 7/16 of an inch thick and is fashioned from slab sawed bone and black ebony held together by a single brass pin. ( Illustrated here with a Civil War vintage quarter for size comparison. ) A full set of twenty-eight game pieces all matching and in fine condition, this is an especially nice set for the collector who strives for authenticity and period charm. The set offers an attractive smooth age patina with no splits, chips or cracks in the game pieces, each with distinctive red dots which set the whole thing apart from the more common set with black dots. This eye appealing, fine condition, Civil War period game, will fit well in any personal grouping Union or Confederate. |
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3376 |
scarce: Southern Patriotic - thermoplastic PHOTO CASE
This wonderful all original quarter-plate thermoplastic photo case remains in fine condition, tight at the hinges and clasp with no chips, cracks, or warping. Both front and back present the same high relief South Carolina scene of the famous 1836 wilderness dinner meeting between Southern Department of the Continental Army, partisan forces commander Genl. Francis Marion (The Swamp Fox.) and British officers. A clandestine meeting to arrange exchange of prisoners, the occasion would be brought before the American public and immortalized by South Carolina artist John Blake White’s painting which now hangs in the senate gallery in Washington. Credited with playing a key role in reclaiming most of South Carolina from the British in 1781 Gen. Marion became a lasting hero in the South extending through the Civil War era when the exploits of the Swamp Fox and his men became a Confederate rallying point. The scene then popularly known as the Sweet Potato Supper was utilized on the Confederate $10.00 bill and was preserved in a limited production run of decorative thermoplastic photo cases. A scarce piece of interest in a wide variety of collector categories the condition and originality of this offering is guaranteed to please. As with all direct sales, we are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with refund of the purchase price upon return as purchased Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!!
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3386 |
New England Guards / ladies PIN & EARRINGS set
This wonderful ladies pin and earrings set was nicely jeweler made in the period from uniform buttons of the historic New England Guards militia of Boston. (see also our item 3122) Made from R. W. Robinson uniform buttons (in business from 1836 to 1848) this set properly dates from the Mexican War era with use through the Civil War. They are photographed here with a US quarter for size comparison and we have left the set un-cleaned and as found with a full complement of age patina.
Organized in Boston in the early fall of 1812, the New England Guards was comprised of Boston’s socially elite. A practice that would stay with the unit throughout it’s existence, passing through the Civil War when the NEG took up the mantle of war as the 24th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (1861-1866). As the 24th Mass. members of the New England Guards would see action at the battles of Roanoke Island, New Bern, Secessionville, the Assault on Fort Wagner, Drewry's Bluff, the Bermuda Hundred line, siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, and more. At the war’s closing the hard fought 24th performed guard duty in Richmond, not mustering out until January 20, 1866. A wonderful token of affection from a member of the elite NEG to a special lady, this jewelery set remains in excellent totally wearable condition just as it was set aside decades ago.
We offer a standard three day inspection, satisfaction guarantee backed by a no questions asked return of the purchase price upon return as purchased.
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3377 |
Civil War era Dr. Strong’s STOMACH PILLS / UN-OPENED PACKET
All original and still sealed with a spot of that old orange sealing wax that will be familiar to Civil War era collectors, this packet of DR. STRONG’S vegetable STOMACH PILLS will set in nicely with any mid 19th century medical, apothecary, or personal grouping. Illustrated here with a quarter for size comparison this little packet will unwrap to reveal a 6 X 9 ¾ inch printed sheet offering directions for use and claims as a curative for all manner of ailments from dyspepsia to coughs, colds as well as asthma and bronchitis. Inside this colorful wrapping is the pill container it self; a wonderful little 2x1 inch oval shaped wooden box. In the box are the 30 original vegetable pills as promised on Dr. Strong’s colorful outer label (not offered here for consumption).
We acquired a number of these original packets years ago when such things could occasionally be found and thought they were long gone until we recently discovered a few while digging through our considerable accumulation of period stuff. Offered here individually priced, if you would like one to preserve as is and one to open for display let us know and we will give you a lesser price for the second one. ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!! |
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