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JOHN ERICSSON CDV Inscribed + Signed, Engineer Designed + Built Ironclad Monitor

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
JOHN ERICSSON CDV Inscribed + Signed, Engineer Designed + Built Ironclad Monitor
Autographs
Rare “J. Ericsson” Carte-de-visite Photograph Inscribed and Signed Engineer Designed and Built the Ironclad "Monitor"
JOHN ERICSSON (1803-1889). Swedish-born American Naval Engineer Who Designed and Built the Civil War Union Navy Ironclad "Monitor."
c. 1860s Civil War Era, Carte-de-visite Photograph Inscribed and Signed on its reverse, “Miss A. Smith from J. Ericsson” on the verso, measuring 2.5” x 4”, framed to 8.5” x 10.75”, Very Fine. John Ericsson, Swedish-born American naval engineer and inventor who built the first armored turret warship and developed the screw propeller. This three-quarter length Portrait of Ericsson in his dark frock coat, looking to his right; his arms are folded and he sports “mutton chop” whiskers. There are a few trivial voids to the albumen at the extreme top edge, not affecting the image. Overall, a good contrast photo image and a rarity being signed on the back side. American Book Prices Current lists no signed photographs of Ericsson as having sold since 1975. EAHA originally offered this “J. Ericsson” Carte-de-Visite Photograph Inscribed and Signed in our August 25, 2001 sale where it sold for $2,415. Modern professionally matted and framed under special UV Plexiglas with a engraved brass plaque below. We have not seen any other anywhere since, during the past 22 years.
After serving in the Swedish army as a topographical surveyor, Ericsson went to London in 1826 and constructed a steam locomotive, the Novelty, for a railway competition at Rainhill, Lancashire, in 1829. The prize was won by George Stephenson’s Rocket.

Ericsson also devised a plan for placing warship engines below the waterline to protect them against shell fire. In 1833 he exhibited his caloric engine, on which he worked the rest of his life, and in 1836 he patented a screw propeller, first used in 1837 on the Francis B. Ogden, built in London. Capt. Robert F. Stockton, of the U.S. Navy, ordered a small iron vessel, the Robert F. Stockton, to be fitted by Ericsson with engines and screw; it reached New York City in May 1839.

A few months later, Ericsson immigrated to the United States, and he lived the rest of his life in New York City, becoming a naturalized citizen in 1848.

During the American Civil War, Ericsson’s proposal to the Navy Department for a novel warship was accepted, and the Monitor was launched on Jan. 30, 1862. Wholly steam-powered and with a screw propeller, the vessel, with its armoured revolving turret, set a revolutionary pattern for warships that continued into the 20th century.

On March 9th the Monitor fought the Confederate ironclad Virginia (formerly Merrimack), leading the federal government to place an order with Ericsson for many more Monitor-type vessels; these ships played an important role in the blockade of the Confederacy. (See Battle of Monitor and Merrimack.) In later years he developed a torpedo and with amazing foresight, investigated solar-powered motors.