Mosby & Co. revisits Civil War era with Nov. 11-12 auction of important 60-yr. collection Authentic Civil War clothing, artifacts and memorabilia from a 60-yr. private collection lead the roster of antiques to be auctioned Nov. 11-12 by Mosby & Co.
News-Antique.com - Nov 07,2011 - FREDERICK, Md. – America’s enduring fascination with the War Between the States is never more evident than in our nation’s auction rooms. Authentic Civil War clothing, artifacts and memorabilia of the type to be offered at Mosby & Co.’s Nov. 11-12 sale is consistently in demand with collectors, said the firm’s owner, Keith Spurgeon.
“In particular, buyers are seeking out items that come from long-established collections with deep provenance. That’s exactly what we’ll be auctioning in November – a collection from Texas that was started when the consignor, who is now in his seventies, was only nine years old,” said Spurgeon. All Civil War auction items were vetted and cataloged by Brian Akins, a renowned specialist dealer who produces Civil War collector shows.
In all, more than 920 lots will be presented over the auction weekend, with approximately 400 Civil War lots comprising the entire Friday session. Roughly 99% of the militaria comes from the Texas consignment, with pieces representing both Confederate and Union armies. Basic categories include uniforms, hats, weapons, swords, flags, corps badges and saddles. Additionally, there are relics recovered from battlefields, buttons and soldiers’ miscellaneous personal effects.
In terms of volume, the strongest part of the sale is the swords, with more than 40 fine-quality examples entered. Highlights include several eagle-head swords from both the Union Army and pre-Civil War eras.
Several rare and desirable Union jackets will be auctioned, with examples dating to periods before, during and after the Civil War. Other top clothing lots include a United Confederate Veterans general’s frock coat and a Confederate battle shirt from the 24th Louisiana Crescent Regiment. The latter item comes with provenance from the collection of the late artist, author and historian Randy Steffan. Another special inclusion is a complete 1860s lady’s lace over silk mourning outfit described in the auction catalog as being in “spectacular” condition.
More than 20 lots of corps badges will be offered, including two with period engraving that directly links them to specific soldiers. “It’s tough to find identified corps badges, so those two, in particular, should do very well,” said Spurgeon.
Flags include a Confederate ceremonial flag from a major, and a 34-star Civil War Union flag in superb condition. It measures an impressive 10 ft. by 6 ft.
Among the other notable lots are four saddles, including a Grimsley and a McLellan-design of the Civil War period; and an 1861 cavalry recruiting broadside illustrated with a man on a rearing horse. The firearms section is led by an original Spiller & Burr Confederate frame, serial #10 – one of probably three known surviving examples. Also to be auctioned are an 1844 Waters pistol with a Fayetteville conversion, in outstanding condition; and a battlefield pick-up of a bullet-struck gun. Other battlefield relics include numerous gun barrels, bridle bits, buttons, knives, a cannon barrel and soldiers’ personal articles.
The Saturday session will be brimming with colorful antique toys, country story and advertising pieces; Americana, black memorabilia, and an array of posters that includes
