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Remarkable Grouping of Items Related to George Hobbs, Sutler to the 27th Maine Inf., the Famed "Medal of Honor" Regt. Probab... (Total: 7 Items)
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Description
Remarkable Grouping of Items Related to George Hobbs, Sutler to the 27th Maine Inf., the Famed "Medal of Honor" Regt. Probably the most extensive and important Civil War sutler archives known to exist. During the American Civil War, the sutler was a civilian merchant, operating under government contract, to sell certain necessities to the soldiers which the army itself did not provide. His wagon was his warehouse and his tent his store. He stocked just about anything the soldier might find need in his daily routine. The sutler followed the army into the field setting up shop in the large army camps. His prices were deemed high by some, but they were not out of line when one considers the risks taken by him in transporting these goods into the field. All things considered, the sutler's profits were hard-earned. This grouping is highlighted by a horizontal quarter-plate tintype view of Hobbs behind the "counter" of his operation. The soldiers in front appear to be toasting the proprietor, their trousers tinted blue. Really one of the rarest Civil War tintypes we've ever seen. Very fine quality and condition in a full floral leather case. Three account books, one 5 ½" x 12 ¼", one 5 ¾" x 15", both quarter leather with hard boards, and one 8" x 12 ½" loose leaf, all filled with ink script entries, covering 1862 and 1863. The hard bound ledgers are filled with the monthly purchases of individually named soldiers, primarily on credit. Many hundreds of entries and a remarkable insight into not only the operations of a sutler, but the daily life of a Civil War soldier. The 58-page loose-leaf ledger, also with hundreds of entries with monthly totals of purchases by individually named soldiers by company. All in excellent condition, with all entries in ink, bright and crisp. As a whole an extremely important Civil War document. Also included is a great CDV in album page of Col. Mark F. Wentworth, Commander of the 27th. Military backdrop wearing slouch hat, unusual piped overcoat, with sword and smoking a pipe. Period pencil ID by Davis Brothers of Portsmouth, some fading but very good. A group of eleven receipts, covering the period Jan. thru April 1863, from Alexandria, Va. wholesalers, including several from "Hallet & Hinckley" stating "Sutlers Supplied At Short Notice", for large quantities of supplies purchased by Hobbs for his operation, all excellent. 7" x 12" hand colored litho of "Camp Seward 27th Regt. Me. Vs" dated 1862. Archivally mounted and framed, very good with some toning and foxing. A 4" x 8 ½" manuscript "chit" from Capt. S. E. Bryant, 27th Me., dated April 18, 1863 acknowledging a debt to Hobbs of $2.00 and authorizing Hobbs to deduct it from his pay. Archivally mounted and framed along with a nice full length CDV of Bryant in uniform, both excellent. A 7" x 8" manuscript document headed "Camp Genl Casey Vis. January 1st 1863", signed by eight officers of the 27th Me., recommending that Hobbs be appointed sutler for the regiment. Archivally mounted and framed and in excellent condition. A group of ten manuscript "invoices" to officers in the regiment listing the items they purchased in Jan./Feb. 1863, all about perfect. The 27th Maine gained renown in June 1863, when, as the result of a clerical error all 864 men in the regt. were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, with nearly all of the awards being revoked in the MOH review. A unique slice of Civil War history and eminently worthy of publication.Auction Info
2008 November Signature Civil War Auction #6015 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
November, 2008
20th-21st
Thursday-Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,345
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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