LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

72182

A Very Rare and Ornate Silver Tiffany Presentati

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:80,000.00 - 120,000.00 USD
A Very Rare and Ornate Silver Tiffany Presentati
<B>A Very Rare and Ornate Silver Tiffany Presentation Civil War Sword - Captain W. A. Treadwell, 14th New York Heavy Artillery - Battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, The Grand Review</B></I> This extraordinary, magnificent silver Tiffany sword was presented to Captain William A. Treadwell of the 14th New York Heavy Artillery, a unit that would see service at major battles of the Civil War. A masterpiece crafted by the premier designer Louis Comfort Tiffany, it is also an important historical jewel owned by a captain in a unit that saw some of the heaviest fighting in the war.<BR><BR>Captain William A. Treadwell was appointed captain of the 14th New York Heavy Artillery in September 1863 and saw duty at the Battle of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, the Siege and Mine Explosion at Petersburg and in the Appomattox Campaign. This sword would have accompanied him at the Grand Review 'Victory Parade' at the close of the war in Washington, DC.<BR><BR>The sword hilt and scabbard are constructed of sterling silver. The obverse of the blade is marked by the blade's maker "Collins & Co. Hartford Conn." at the ricasso below elaborate scrollwork inside which appears the engraved "Tiffany & Co. N.Y.", mark of the New York jeweler that crafted this magnificent silver work. Continuing up the 35” blade and 26” double fuller, is an engraving of a soldier, sword in hand surmounted by additional elaborate scrollwork that continues a full 20” up the blade. A "U. S." separated by scrollwork is engraved at the midpoint of the designs.<BR><BR>On the reverse at the ricasso is the date "1861" followed by scroll engraving up the blade 4” to an engraved image of a cavalry officer. Above the cavalier is additional scroll engraving among a stand of arms surmounted by floral and foliate scrollwork. A scalloped red felt washer is at the ricasso.<BR><BR>Perhaps the most striking work on the sword is Tiffany's treatment of the hilt, especially the guard. The guard is an elaborately engraved basket-style guard with tightly carved openwork topped by a federal eagle with arrows in each of its claws, a shield at its breast. Hoop-shaped etching trims the entire guard terminating at the pommel with a massive Medusa-headed cap. Opposite is an open-mouthed panther head at the quillon, its tongue toward the top of the ricasso. The grip is sterling silver with banding and an engraved backstrap with a foliate design.<BR><BR>The scabbard of this sword is marked at the throat with Tiffany's cartouche and the "925.1000" number signifying sterling silver. The mounts are elaborate oak leaf devices finished with a large bow at the rings. Between the two mounts appears the following engraving:<BR><BR>Presented in behalf of<BR>Company “G” 14th Regt. NYHA<BR>TO<BR>Capt. W. A. Treadwell<BR>Below the dedication is inscribed “<I>Vera amicitia est sempiterna</B></I>”, translated from the Latin meaning 'true friendship is eternal'.<BR><BR>The drag of the scabbard is engraved on the opposite side with an oak leaf pattern topped by an inverted chevron. The tip of the drag is scalloped and engraved as well.<BR><BR>A scabbard very similar to this Tiffany example may be found in John H. Thillman's book <I>Civil War Cavalry and Artillery Sabers</B></I> (page 423). <BR><BR>This is a remarkable, singularly important Civil War officer's sword from the famous <B>The Sword of General Philip Sheridan Presented to Thomas Donaldson, of The Smithsonian Institution</B></I> General Philip Henry Sheridan was one of the most famous commanders of the Civil War. This presentation sword was presented to Thomas Donaldson in 1887, a good friend of Sheridan's who was an collector of American historical artifacts. <BR>An 1853 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Sheridan served in the 1st United States Infantry Regiment and took part in Indian fighting receiving a minor wound near Portland, Oregon. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was already a seasoned warrior who quickly rose through the ranks to lead the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac under his friend General Ulysses S. Grant. Sheridan was instrumental in blocking General Robert E. Lee's escape and forcing his surrender at Appomattox Court House. <BR>This imported sword owned by General Sheridan early in his career was manufactured by David Wilhelm Walscheid of Germany, a popular maker of this ornate version of the 1850 regulation foot officer's sword which were widely imported during the early days of the Civil War (<I>Echoes of Glory,</B></I> Time-Life, pg. 74). Sheridan would be active in the United States Army after the Civil War including fighting in the Indian Wars where he was promoted to Lieutenant General. President Grant sent Sheridan to observe the Franco-Prussian War where Sheridan toured Europe, returning to report to Grant. In 1886 Sheridan was named as president of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, a military order that dated back to the Civil War composed of almost every military officer of note. Modeled on the Society of the Cincinnati, membership was later opened up to descendants of such officers.<BR> It was on that ceremonial occasion that we learn that Sheridan was a close friend of Thomas Corwin Donaldson, a former Civil War officer and personal friend of President Rutherford B. Hayes. Donaldson writes extensively in his memoirs of the induction of Sheridan as Commander of the Loyal Legion at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. As Donaldson witnessed the event, former President Hayes was present and handed the ivory gavel of Commander to Sheridan. Afterwards, the group walked to the local chapter of the Loyal Legion where they viewed a copy of the famous painting <I>Sheridan's Ride to Winchester</B></I> whereupon Hayes remarked, "Get me a copy of this lithograph; I am one of the few men that saw this ride."<BR> It was shortly after this event that Sheridan presented this sword to Thomas Donaldson. Engraved at the ornate spread-eagle guard, <I>Philip H. Sheridan, Lieut. Genl. to Thomas Donaldson. Feb. 24th 1887</B></I> In his memoirs, Donaldson later writes of how Sheridan gave him a full recollection of the ride at Winchester on a later occasion, most certainly the date of this presentation.<BR> Thomas Donaldson was a major collector for the Smithsonian Institution but also amassed an enormous personal collection of historical objects ranging from President Abraham Lincoln's furniture, an original copy of the 13th Amendment signed by President Lincoln, General Grant's 'unconditional surrender' letter and this sword given to him personally by Lieutenant General Philip Sheridan. It is listed in the <I>Memoirs of Thomas Donaldson</B></I> as edited by Watt P. Marchman which is housed at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, Ohio.<BR> The 1850 Regulation foot officer's sword is an ornate version made and imported by Walscheid for the U. S market at the beginning of the Civil War with a 33" Solingen blade. Along the 19 1/2" fuller there appears foliate engraving with the federal eagle clutching a ribbon bearing the inscription 'E. Pluribus Unum'. At the ricasso is the brass round insert with the word 'proved'. On the reverse is the maker's mark at the ricasso with foliate engraving extending up the fuller interspersed by the engraved 'U. S.' The brass guard has openwork in the form a spread-winged eagle over a "US" and is surmounted by the inscription "E. Pluribus". A ribbon at the top of the guard bears the engraved dedication from Sheridan to Donaldson. The rayskin grip is bound by twisted brass wire and overall the sword is in very good condition with a nice dark patina throughout.<BR> This is a remarkable, singularly important Civil War officer's sword from the famous New York jewelers and artisans Tiffany and Company. Historically important in that it was carried by an officer that fought through some of the most important engagements of the Civil War, it is in remarkable condition with only some light pitting along the blade. It is truly a masterpiece of Tiffany silver.<BR><BR><B>Provenance:</B></I> <I>The Tharpe Collection of American Military History</B></I><BR><BR><B>Exhibited:</B></I> <I>The Liberty Heritage Society Museum</B></I>*****<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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