Auction Date:2011 Apr 13 @ 19:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, 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
American naval officer (1779–1820) who cemented a reputation as a hero for his peerless leadership during the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. Following a raid on a US frigate that had been seized during the First Barbary War, which England’s Lord Nelson deemed ‘the most bold and daring act of the age,’ Decatur was promoted to the rank of captain at the age of 25, a record that remains unmatched in the history of the American Navy. Rare ALS signed “S. Decatur,” one page neatly trimmed in size to 7.25 x 8, January 19 [no year; but circa 1810]. Decatur writes to “Bullus” [his friend, Naval doctor John Bullus]. In full: “I wrote you by last mail informing you that a fight might take place. The belligerent aspect has evaporated, no fight—the enclosed is a correct tho abridged account; you must not say it comes from me.” After signing, Decatur adds a postscript: “My compliments to Mrs. B.” Vertical fold (tiny chip and split at bottom edge), some stray ink marks, right half of letter affixed to a slightly larger album page and left half of letter professionally reinforced on the reverse, otherwise fine condition.
The “fight” referred to a challenge made by the commanding officer of the new British frigate HMS Macedonian, who wagered Decatur—then the captain of the USS United States—a beaver hat that his vessel would topple the American vessel if the two should ever meet in battle. Decatur was so fearful that the challenge might make it into the press that he had written an earlier letter to Bullus—referenced in this correspondence—to ‘wait on all the editors with whom you may have influence, and request them to withhold publishing until the affair is settled.’ It didn’t take long, as this letter reveals that the “belligerent aspect has evaporated, no fight”—in part because Decatur ultimately ordered that his men not partake in any such salvo. He did seize the opportunity, however, to rally American patriotic sentiment and the fighting spirit of his sailors, forwarding to Bullus “a correct tho abridged account” with the warning that “you must not say it comes from me.”
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
Previewing Details:
Visit www.RRAuction.com
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Up to $100 $10.00
$101-$500 $15.00
$501-$1,000 $20.00
$1,001-$3,000 $35.00
$3,000-$10,000 $45.00
Over $10,000 $100.00
Payment Details:
Paypal address: mandy@rrauction.com
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Check/Cheque
- PayPal
Buyer's Premium
A 20% buyer's premium will be added to each winning bid, with a 2% discount for those paying by check, cash, or money order.
Your bid is a contract
Placing a bid online means you agree to abide by the terms and conditions listed by RRAuction.
Payment methods accepted
Money Order, Cashier's Check, Personal Check, or Wire Transfer.
Payment for items won in auction 353 is due by Monday, April 25, unless prior arrangements have been made. Late payment may result in suspension of your bidding privileges.
Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, or Discover are only accepted up to $5,000 without prior arrangement: please contact Mandy Eaton-Casey.
Further descriptions
You can call us or email us if you'd like us to answer questions about these items.