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James W. Eldridge

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
James W. Eldridge

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Auction Date:2014 Apr 16 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Excellent grouping of items from Sergeant James W. Eldridge. First, a November 1, 1862, document confirming the promotion of Private James W. Eldridge to the rank of Sergeant in Company A, 127th New York Volunteer Infantry, signed by Lt. Colonel Stewart L. Woodford (in lieu of the commanding officer, Colonel William Gurney) and countersigned by the regimental adjutant, 1st Lieutenant John L. Little, in well-executed Spencerian script. The document has a uniform shade of overall toning, not affecting its legibility, and several intersecting folds, otherwise fine condition. Archivally matted and framed (so both sides may be viewed) to an overall size of 26 x 16.5, along with a large, double-sided bronze medallion depicting the arms of the state of New York on the obverse; and an engraved presentation on the reverse. The shield-shaped medallion has a rich red-ochre patina throughout with some faint trace of brighter metal visible within the engraving itself. Also included is a carte-de-visite of Eldridge wearing a federal enlisted frock coat. On the front of the card is written in pencil, “Eldridge, James W.”, while on the reverse is: “1864/July 11/James W Eldridge/Sergeant/Co A/127th NYSVol/Infantry/Morris Island/SC.”

James William Eldridge was 21 when he enlisted as a private on August 8, 1862, mustering into Co. A, 127th N.Y. Infantry on September 8. He was promoted to Corporal on October 6, and to Sergeant on November 1 (as noted in the framed certificate). Eldridge was discharged for promotion on August 12, 1864, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. I, 23rd U.S. Colored Infantry the same day; just prior to the war’s end, he was promoted once more to 1st Lieutenant, and finally mustered out on May 5, 1865. After the war he embarked on a quest to preserve and document the struggle between the states by collecting artifacts and through his correspondence with participants on both sides of the conflict becoming one of the first serious collectors of Civil War memorabilia and items. The bulk of Eldridge's collection today forms a part of the Henry E. Huntington Library collection in San Marino, California, but deaccessioned portions (of which these items were a part) were sold in October of 1910 by Walter H. Murray of Providence, Rhode Island. Also included with the items are copies of documents relating to Eldridge's life and service. Oversized.