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1898 Loyal Legion Original Artwork

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,800.00 USD
1898 Loyal Legion Original Artwork
<B>1898 Loyal Legion Original Artwork by James Henry Moser</B></I> The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States was founded in April 1865 at Philadelphia by a group of U.S. military officers in response to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. There was speculation at the time that there was a conspiracy to bring down the government by assassinating its leaders. The order was patterned after the post-revolutionary Society of Cincinnati and, at its peak late in the 1890s, had over 8000 members. Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, Philip H. Sheridan, Rutherford B. Hayes, Chester A. Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, and William McKinley were all numbered among their members. John Philip Sousa even composed a march in their honor, the "Loyal Legion March", in 1890. Offered here are two pieces of original watercolor art by James Henry Moser, a renowned landscape painter who is represented in the Smithsonian by seven works. These were likely created for the cover of a booklet or program; they are matted together, and the mat is signed "<I>To Major W. P. Huxford Compliments of D. N. Gregory '98</B></I>". The item on the left has "Commandry of the District of Columbia" as well as the order's name with military vignettes and is signed "HJ Moser - Del - 98". The other item features a drawing of the Lincoln Emancipation Statue, as well as the Washington Monument and the Capitol building. <BR><BR>William Pitkin Huxford was a Civil War veteran, having served in the 162nd New York Infantry Company "A" and, at around this time, was treasurer of the national Loyal Legion organization. An excellent piece of MOLLUS memorabilia from the peak of its popularity. The condition of the art is excellent, though the period frame has some damage.