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

72016

Confederate States Patent and Document Archive

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Confederate States Patent and Document Archive
<B>Confederate States Patent, Mechanical Drawing and Document Archive to James M. Lilley Father of CSA General Robert Doak Lilley.</B></I> An important archive that includes a United States patent document, number 18608, dated November 10, 1857, 14.75” x 19.75”, granted to James M. Lilley of Greenville, Virginia for an improved instrument for surveying and calculating areas including the original schematic diagram illustrating the device and a hand-written description of the device. On the reverse of the official patent document is the hand-written official Confederate States patent transfer information, dated February 4, 1862, with the Confederate Patent Office wax seal and signed by Rufus R. Rhodes, commissioner of patents. These Confederate transfer patents are quite scarce. There are only about 266 known examples cataloged. The document is in very good condition with fold creases as expected and only moderate age toning to the paper. The description document has a 6” tear at the center fold. Included with this rare Confederate transfer patent is a two-page, 8.25” x 13.5”, document and hand-drawing by James Lilley which describes his measuring device. It is likely that this document was produced in the early stages of the patent process. Further highlighting the group is a four-page advertising document, 8.5” x 11”, circa 1866 from the Stuart, Lilley & Company, real estate agents based in Staunton, Virginia, advertising the aforementioned surveying and calculating instrument and including endorsements from satisfied users. Noteworthy among those users is General G. T. Beauregard. The document is in fine condition with only light age toning to the first page.<BR>James M. Lilley (1802-1875) was also an important military presence in the Virginia Militia in the early part of the 19th century. Included in this lot is a one page hand-written document 12.5” x 7.75”, dated 1824, county of Augusta, noting the return men and arms of the 1st Battalion of the 93rd regiment of the Virginia Militia which is endorsed by Lilley, their commander. The document is a bit rough around the edges and toned with age but still in very good condition. A similar one page oblong document, 29.5” x 8”, dated November 1, 1820 to January 13, 1821, in very good condition is also included. Of particular interest is a Commonwealth of Virginia commission document, signed by Virginia governor David Campbell, 10” x 8”, on parchment, with Virginia Commonwealth wax seal, dated November 14, 1838, promoting James M. Lilley to the rank of colonel of the 93rd regiment of the infantry of the line, in the seventh brigade and third division of the Virginia Militia. Lastly is a printed circular of this Lilley patent for a 'survey transom' which was endorsed by Robert E. Lee, Beauregard and others. This is an important archive to an important Virginia family. Lilley's son, Robert Doak Lilley, was a much-celebrated Confederate Brigadier General. He fought at many important battles during the war.<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> Books & Catalogs (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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