Manuscript letter dated May 16, 1807, addressed to a director of a cadet corps. Signed "Clarke" as Governor-General of Berlin, just three months before taking over as Minister of War. In French, not translated. $200.00

Partially printed official document from the Ministry of War conferring command of the Department of Aude on General of Brigade Pouget. Dated May 21, 1813, and signed by Clarke "Duc de Feltre" as Minister of War. A nice Napoleonic military document in fine condition. $355.00

Typed letter in German to Mr. Edmond Marino, dated January 3, 1960, along with the original envelope. The admiral conveys his best wishes for the New Year, and has signed at the bottom "Donitz." $260.00

World War Two German Admiral, originator of the dreaded U-boat "Wolfpacks," successor to Hitler in the final days of the war. Nice printed response sending thanks for birthday wishes, and apologizing for not being able to send a hand-written response. In the case of this particular note, Donitz adds a nice hand-written greeting and appends his bold signature in blue, "Donitz." $325.00

Winner of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. German Lieutenant-General in the Second World War, commanded the 344th Infantry Division and the 9th Panzer Division. In the last weeks of the war, he commanded a group named "Combat Team Jollasse," comprised of the remains of the 344th Infantry Division and the 10th Waffen SS Division "Frundsberg." Signed letter, in German, to a collector mentioning a signed photograph (not included) and wishing him luck with his collection. Dated November 3, 1986, and signed "E. Jolasse." $165.00

Skilled and respected artillery general during the War of the Revolution, ultimately becoming the chief artillery officer for the army. Friend and confidante of George Washington. First United States Secretary of War 1785-1794. Manuscript War Department letter dated May 30, 1793, authorizing "all the brass mounted muskets put into order." Large, bold signature "H. Knox" as Secretary of War. $725.00

British General, Napoleon's jailer on the island of St. Helena during the time that the former emperor was exiled there, from 1815 until his death in 1821. Lowe was a target of the exiled Napoleon's spite, and is sometimes implicated in conspiracy theories surrounding the Emperor's death. Signature clipped from a document, "Hudson Lowe." $125.00

Union Major-General, winning the Congressional Medal of Honor for action at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Commanded US Army 1895-1901, retired as a Lieutenant-General. Successful Indian fighter, he fought the Nez Perce 1877 and the Apaches under Geronimo 1886. Organized and trained troops for the Spanish-American War 1898. Typed letter dated August 29, 1890, recommending a US Army lieutenant for brevet rank under an Act of Congress to reward "gallant services in Indian campaigns." Excellent content as Miles recounts the lieutenant's conspicuous gallantry in action against the Nez Perce and later the Apache war against Geronimo's band. Signed in pencil "N. A. Miles, MG" as major-general commanding the Division of the Pacific. On very thin paper with some age discoloration, and a few spots of paper loss. Archivally de-acidified and backed. Scarce, with very good content. $1200.00

Union Major-General, winning the Congressional Medal of Honor for action at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Commanded US Army 1895-1901, retired as a Lieutenant-General. Successful Indian fighter, he fought the Nez Perce 1877 and the Apaches under Geronimo 1886. Organized and trained troops for the Spanish-American War 1898. Very nice manuscript letter on Headquarters Division of the Pacific stationery, dated November 23, 1889. Addressed to General HENRY L. ABBOTT (1831-1927), an engineer officer who had commanded the Union siege artillery at Petersburg. Although only a colonel in the regular army, Miles addressed him by the brevet rank of major-general of volunteers awarded for his Civil War service. The letter concerns a visit by Abbott and his attendance at an event hosted by Miles. Fine condition, boldly signed "Nelson A. Miles." $285.00

Distinguished US Navy officer, one of the heroes of the early American naval tradition, brother of Matthew C. Perry. Veteran of the Quasi-War with France, victor of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. Fantastic letter entirely in Perry's own hand, addressed to Commander WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE (1774-1833). US Navy Officer, one of the first heroes of the American naval tradition. He saw active service in the Quasi-War with France and the wars with the Barbary States. Succeeded Isaac Hull in command of the famed US Frigate Constitution, "Old Ironsides," during the War of 1812. The letter hints at naval intrigue and political maneuvering, and mentions several of the top officers of the day. Dated September 20, 1807, and signed "O. H. Perry." A rare item from one of the legends of the early US Navy. $3900.00

Patriot activist, served as member of the Board of War and Quartermaster-General of the Army during the War of the Revolution. Appointed Secretary of War 1795, he served until dismissed by political enemy John Adams in 1800. An ardent Federalist, he opposed the war of 1812. Original manuscript document dated June 19, 1784, at West Point, where John Burges has been paid 92 days extra pay for his services as an artificer, as the last of the Massachusetts Regiments to remain at West Point. Burges was part of the tiny caretaker force that remained when the Continental Army was disbanded following the Revolutionary War. The American army would eventually just number a few hundred men once most of the remainder, like Burges, mustered out. A great Revolutionary artifact, signed by Pickering as Quartermaster General. $490.00

Senior naval officer in the U.S. Navy who served under six Presidents for nearly four decades. He served aboard the Constellation and commanded both the Insurgente and and the Maryland. His service included the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. Serving in the Navy during its formative years, he became a senior officer and helped to develop the practices and traditions that emerged. Rodgers was noted for commanding the largest American squadron to sail the Mediterranean Sea. He also commanded the USS John Adams which was the flagship of the fleet that would defeat the Barbary states of North Africa. It was during the War of 1812 where Rodgers, serving as a ranking officer, fired the first shot aboard the USS President and played a leading role in the recapture of Washington DC after it was burned by the British.
This letter is handwritten and signed by Rodgers. Dated April 13, 1831, it is a letter of the Navy Commission Office directing the replacement of the tin roof of the Ship House over the Pennsylvania which had been blown off by a gale of wind. Included with the letter is the postal cover, with the free frank signature of Rodgers, directed to the Commanding Officer, Navy Yard, Philadelphia. $475.00

Son of Commodore John Rodgers and Civil War naval officer. Captain of the monitor "Weehawken," Rodgers would distinguish himself in the attack on Fort Sumter in April 1863 and against the Confederate ironclad "Atlanta." He received the Thanks of Congress and a promotion to Commodore. He took command of the ship, Dictator, but ongoing design and construction problems kept him with that ship for the remainder of the war. Post war, Rodgers would command the Boston Naval Station, take command of the Asiatic Squadron, command Mar Island and eventually become the Superintendent of the United States Naval Observatory.

This document is written on the official stationary of the U.S. Navy Yard, Boston. Dated June 22, 1867, the letter requests a one week leave of absence for E.J. Brooks, 1st Assistant Engineer. It is approved and signed by Alex Henderson, chief engineer. The document has been signed "Granted, John Rodgers." $475.00

The U.S.S. Constitution is a wooden-hulled three masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, the frigate is the world's oldest floating commissioned naval vessel. Launched in 1797, the USS Constitution was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third constructed out of the six.

The Constitution is most famous for her actions during the War of 1812 against Great Britain when she captured numerous merchant ships and defeated five British warships. It was after a battle with the HMS Guerriere, that the Constitution was nicknamed "Old Ironsides." The frigate's popularity inspired public outcry anytime the subject of scrapping came up, repeatedly saving it from being dismantled. Today, the Constitution serves as an historical symbol of the Navy's role in war and peace. The frigate is the oldest commissioned vessel afloat in the world.

This rare, original receipt is in excellent condition and dated August 27, 1798. It was issued to confirm the receipt of $66.66 for the rental of a piece of land occupied in building the frigate, Constitution. A partially printed document, issued in Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. $16,000.00

Original letter addressed to Colonel Robert Pogue, commanding the 4th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers. The author, William Shotwell, encloses newspapers with an "account of the Battle of Queenstown, the President's message, and many other things." He mentions seeing Mrs. Pogue, from whom he bought some oxen, and assures the colonel that his family is well. Dated November 18, 1812. Some tape repairs to missing sections of paper. No postal markings on the integral address leaf, so this was carried and delivered privately. A great piece of early Americana from a war that left relatively few paper documents. $195.00

On November 28, 1833, a group of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officers, including Captain Matthew Perry and Commodore Charles G. Ridgely, founded the United States Naval Lyceum at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Organized to "promote the diffusion of useful knowledge, to foster a spirit of harmony and a community of interest in the service, and to cement the links which unite us [Navy and Marine Corps officers] as professional brethren," the Lyceum consisted of a library, a museum, and for a brief time boasted its own journal, Naval Magazine. Additionally, members of the Naval Lyceum were among the leading voices in favor of the establishment of a formal naval academy.

Fifty-five years after its founding, the United States Naval Lyceum was disbanded. After ceasing operations, the Lyceum's collections were transferred to the United States Naval Academy where they became the core of the Naval Academy Museum's collection.

Measuring 15" x 18" this United States Naval Officers Membership diploma of the United States Naval Lyceum is issued by the Navy Yard, New York and dated December 29, 1836. It contains the signatures of:

Charles Goodwin Ridgely (1794-1848,) President: Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Ridgely served with Edward Preble during the First Barbary War. He was promoted to captain and placed in command of Erie. He commanded the Brazil Station and saw campaigns against the West Indian Pirates.
Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858,) 1st Vice President: The brother of Oliver H. Perry and serving as Commodore of the U.S. Navy, Perry commanded a number of ships. He served in the Mexican-American War and the War of 1812. Perry aided in setting the first course of instruction at Annapolis and organized the naval engineer corps. With the advent of the steam engine, he was a leading advocate in the modernization of the US Navy and was dubbed "The Father of the Steam Navy."

Tunis Cravin (1813-1864,) 2nd Vice President: Cravin served in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was an officer in the US Navy and a leading surveyor and hydrographer of the navy. During the Civil War he commanded the ironclad Tecumseh, 1863-1864, and went down with her in Mobile Bay.

$3500.00

US Navy Officer, one of the first heroes of the American naval tradition. He saw active service in the Quasi-War with France and the wars with the Barbary States. Succeeded Isaac Hull in command of the famed US Frigate Constitution, "Old Ironsides," during the War of 1812. Splendid 4-page manuscript letter dated October 26, 1822, addressed to JAMES BIDDLE (1783-1848), a veteran naval officer and hero of the War of 1812. In 1822, Biddle was captain of the US Frigate "Congress."

The letter, comprising over 700 words, contains sensitive and detailed advice for Biddle on his strained relations with two brother officers, and mentions many of the best-known US Navy officers and vessels. A rare and intriguing glimpse inside the early American Navy. Written in Bainbridge's hand and signed "Wm. Bainbridge." A complete transcription of the letter is included.