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RARE CONFEDERATE CANVAS DITTY BAG STENCILED M.J.

Currency:USD Category:Clothing, Shoes & Accessories Start Price:4,500.00 USD Estimated At:9,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
RARE CONFEDERATE CANVAS DITTY BAG STENCILED M.J.
RARE CONFEDERATE CANVAS DITTY BAG STENCILED M.J. FREEMAN/C.S.N.". An extremely rare relic identified to Chief Engineer of the CSS Alabama, Miles J. Freeman. Heavy canvas bag measuring 16" high x 16" wide with reinforced top and four heavy brass grommets. The face of the bag is stenciled "M.J. Freeman/C.S.N. (over a folded anchor and cannon insignia). A photograph of Freeman exists in the photo album of Edwar M. Anderson in the William Hanley Hoole papers in the Special Collections Library of the University of Alabama. Freeman served under Rapheal Semmes on the famed ship CSS Alabama during iits historic clash with the USS Kearsarge. CONDITION: Very good overall. Bottom corners are worn through. Reinforced top shows much wear with minor separations from the ridge. Grommets show traces of old leather around the rims(perhaps they secured a shoulder strap). Canvas is dark and discolored. Stenciling, in heavy black paint, remains quite strong. An extremely rare and historic survivor from an important officer of the Confederate navy's most famous sailing ship. 4-57078 CW (9,000-12,000)"