JEB Stuart's West Point Class Ring, gold with a green stone depicting the West Point insignia. This ring was given to him by...

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JEB Stuart's West Point Class Ring, gold with a green stone depicting the West Point insignia. This ring was given to him by his mother and father when he graduated in 1854. The engraved gold ring mount is identical to other West Point rings from the Class of 1854, each class having a unique design. The ring of his classmate, William M. Davant, who was commissioned out of West Point with Stuart into the mounted infantry, is identical to Stuart's ring only with a red stone. The tradition of American college class rings was started at West Point in 1835. Since most officers rode horseback, especially a cavalryman like Stuart, this ring shows extensive wear due to the rubbing action of the reins by JEB Stuart from 1854 until his death in 1864. Since West Point graduates wore their rings as a symbol of pride and accomplishment, this ring very well could have been removed from his finger at death by his wife Flora.

Provenance: Stuart Family correspondence and Bill of Sale.