LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72288

CONFEDERATE GENERAL WADE HAMPTON’S JEWELER MADE

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:31,250.00 USD Estimated At:65,000.00 - 85,000.00 USD
CONFEDERATE GENERAL WADE HAMPTON’S JEWELER MADE
<B>CONFEDERATE GENERAL WADE HAMPTON’S JEWELER MADE SOLID GOLD TWO PIECE INTERLOCKING SOUTH CAROLINA WAIST BELT PLATE</B></I> <B>WITH THE ORIGINAL KEEPER AND ADJUSTING BUCKLE.</B></I> The only known "gold Confederate waist belt plate" in existence, believed to have been ordered by Hampton from Hayden & Whilden of Charleston, S. C. on the eve of secession in 1860. This plate was originally acquired from direct lineal descendants of Wade Hampton by noted author/collector William A. Albaugh and is illustrated as Plate #284 on page 193 of O’Donnell’s book. The plate has been professionally tested for gold content and the tongue device and wreath and keeper are 18 karat with the inner bezel being 14 karat. The belt adjustment buckle is gold plated. The keeper and adjusting buckle are decorated with a jeweler finished motif of leaves and acorns. The plate was presumably cast in wax and exquisitely hand finished by a Charleston jeweler under the auspices of Hayden & Whilden. Absolutely unique, exhibiting the highest quality and really without peer. Wade Hampton was born in Charleston, S. C. in 1818 and graduated from South Carolina College in 1836. By 1861 he was the largest land owner in the newly formed Confederate States and at the outbreak of the war organized the famous Hampton’s Legion which he equipped at his own expense and led into battle at First Bull Run, doubtless wearing this buckle. Hampton was severely wounded at Gettysburg and assumed command of the cavalry corps of the Army of northern Virginia after J. E. B. Stuart’s death. By the close of the war Hampton was one of the five highest ranking in the Confederate Army. Absolutely the finest Confederate buckle extant with a superb history of being worn by one of the Confederacy’s highest ranking generals.<BR><BR><B>Condition:</B></I> Just a few tiny hair scratches on the back, obviously the result of it being worn, otherwise absolutely mint and untouched. Really superb.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Miscellaneous Collectibles, Smal (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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