Autographs
October 31, 1863 Author Belgian General Charles Bormann Signed Presentation Book Inscribed: "To Admiral Dahlgren United States Navy,... from his affectionate friend"
(JOHN A. DAHLGREN)( (1809-1870). Rear Admiral, Naval Ordnance Innovator and Commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron during the Civil War, called the "Father of American Naval Ordnance."
October 31, 1863-Dated Civil War Period, Book bound in green cloth Hardcover, Owner Signed, "Jno Dahlgren", measuring 5.5" x 8.75", 128 pages, Complete, Choice Very Fine. An original Signed Presentation copy of the classic book on the exploding artillery shell and the "Bormann Fuze", invented by Belgian General Charles Bormann (1796-1872), and this unique historic inscribed copy being presented by him in Brussels, to Admiral John A. Dahlgren (1809-1870) of the United States Union Navy, inventor of the Dahlgren Howitzer, used by the American forces in the Civil War.
General Bormann has inscribed the book to Dahlgren on the loose front end paper, "To Admiral Dahlgren, United States Navy, ect. ect. ect. from his affectionate friend Bormann / Brussels, October 31, 1863." The Admiral later boldly added his ownership signature to the title page, "Jno Dahlgren". The book was published in Berlin and is printed in German. The front end paper has come loose but is present. Historic, and important in understanding the use of artillery during the Civil War. From the estate of Admiral Dahlgren
John A. Dahlgren (1809-1870) was on ordnance duty in Washington from 1847-1863, reorganizing and equipping Washington's Navy Ordnance Yard. In 1851, Dahlgren devised a new 11-inch muzzle loading cannon known as the Dahlgren gun.
In July 1863, Rear Admiral Dahlgren became Commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and in 1864, aided in the capture of Savannah. John Dahlgren's brother, Charles Dahlgren, was a Confederate General. His son, Col. Ulric Dahlgren, was killed in 1864 during an abortive raid on Richmond, the purpose of which is still hotly debated by historians.
John Dahlgren devoted much time in his later years to refuting the claim that the intended purpose of this raid was to assassinate Jefferson Davis. The U.S.S. Winona, which he mentions in the note, was a Unadilla class gunboat built for service in the Civil War. It saw action in the Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River, and returned home safely after the war
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Black History & Slavery: (Lots 1 - 63)
Abraham Lincoln Related: (Lots 64 - 74)
Historic Autographs: (Lots 75 - 235)
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Early American Guns & Weapons: (Lots 307 - 318)