LOT #25298 |
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Edwin M. Stanton 1863 Autograph Letter Signed. One page, 4" x 7.5", "Washington City" letterhead, September 11, 1863. In ful...
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Sold on Dec 1, 2006 for:
$657.25
Bid Source: Live: Floor bidder
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Description
Stanton Revives an Ancient Weapon!
Edwin M. Stanton 1863 Autograph Letter Signed. One page, 4" x 7.5", "Washington City" letterhead, September 11, 1863. In full: "The Adjutant General will give a pass & transportation to Levi E. Short to go to Hilten [sic] Head & take with him 400 gross Greek fire and report to General Gilmore with request that he furnish Mr. Short Substinence & quarters as long as he deems Mr. Shorts presence useful to the service...P.S. Direct the Chief of Ordnance to order 400 gross of Mr Shorts Greek fire." Greek fire was a burning-liquid weapon originally used by the Byzantine Empire. Inventor Levi Short or Philadelphia resurrected the substance during the Civil War as an incendiary substance used to charge shells. It saw little service because of its tendency to explode in the gun before it was fired. Short's version was probably a solution of phosphorus in bisulfide of carbon. This letter shows Stanton's willingness to try a "new" weapon in hopes of bringing a quicker end to the war. Very good condition. Purchased from Charles Hamilton in 1955.Auction Info
2006 December Signature Civil War Auction #642 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2006
1st-2nd
Friday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 5
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,085
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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