Civil War Gen. Alexander S. Webb, CMOH, Post-War Personal Ephemera and Sword

Lot 155

About Seller

6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States

With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more

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$0	$25
$500	$50
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$10,000	$1,000
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$50,000	$5,000
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About Auction

American Historical Ephemera and Photography by Cowan's Auctions

Live

American Historical Ephemera and Photography

By Cowan's Auctions

Nov 19, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-11-19 10:00:00 2020-11-19 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American Historical Ephemera and Photography https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-historical-ephemera-and-photography-5894 Cowan’s Auctions, a Hindman Company, is pleased to present the November 19 Fall Auction, featuring over 400 lots of historically significant photography, manuscript material, artwork, and other ephemera dating from the 18th through the early 20th century, including the Civil War. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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Lot Description

Lot of 39 items associated with General Alexander S. Webb (1835-1911), Union army officer, CMOH winner for gallantry at Gettysburg, and long-time president of the City College of New York. Collection predominantly dates to Webb's post-war life and accomplishments, and includes publications related to the general's military service, ephemera from fraternal organizations and military commemorations, invitations extended to Gen. and Mrs. Webb, an albumen bust portrait of Gen. Webb as Brigadier General, and a Pattern 1872 Field and Staff Officer's Sword. Consignor relates that the sword and associated ephemera came from a book seller in New York City who purchased the estate of an Alexander Webb descendent. Several publications are identified on interior cover or pages to Alexander Webb, his daughter Helen Webb Alexander, his wife Anna Remsen Webb, and/or his granddaughter Anna Remsen Alexander. General Webb left the army in 1870 several years before the accompanying sword transitioned into vogue, and the sword cannot be definitively identified to Alexander Webb. Potentially the sword could have been owned by Webb's son, 1st Lieutenant William Remsen Webb (1872-1899), who was appointed July 9, 1898, to serve with the 16th US Infantry. However, the sword instead may have related to the general's extensive involvement in military fraternal organizations or some unknown fraternal association, as similar swords saw extensive usage by members of non-military organizations beginning roughly in the 1880s. General Webb was a member of New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, a founder of the Military Order of Foreign Wars, and was an honorary member of the New York Society of the Cincinnati, among other affiliations. After the war, Gen. Alexander Webb served as President of the City College of New York from 1869-1902. During this time he and his family were prominent members of New York society. With the exception of "Clayton's Quarto Diary, for 1851" which is identified on the interior in pencil script "Alex S. Webb / From his Father," all items in the collection are representative of the post-war period in Webb's life. Lot includes, in part, the following: pamphlet "An Address Delivered at Gettysburg, August 27, 1883, By General Alexander S. Webb, at the Dedication of the 72d PA. Vols. Monument" (1883), with cover inscription identifying the book to Webb's daughter "Helen L. Webb"; a hardcover version of the same address with interior sticker affixed to board identifying the book to the collection of "Alex S. Webb"; a pamphlet "Addresses on Presentation of Portrait of President Alexander S. Webb, LL.D. to Trustees of the College of the City of New York"; a copy of Webb's 1881 book "The Peninsula, McClellan's Campaign of 1862," inscribed on interior with "Helen L. Webb / November 21st 1881" and "Anna Remsen Alexander / grandaughter [sic] / 'Spring Lawn - 1929"; a small leather book with gilt-lettered "Alexander Stewart Webb" presented in 1902 on the occasion of his retirement from City College of New York and signed by 94 representatives of the college; a proclamation issued upon Webb's death by the Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States New York Commandery, for which Webb served as Commander General; a watercolor portrait of a battle scene by unknown artist (possibly by his granddaughter Anna Remsen Alexander who was an amateur painter); and over a dozen other documents such as invitations, menus, and more.

Condition

1851 Journal is missing cover and has damage to spine resulting in loose pages; some pamphlets are severly toned, brittle and with some losses and damage; photograph with soil, spotting, adhesive remnants; most items in generally good condition.
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