A 1p document signed by 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893), as "RB Hayes" near lower right. Also counter-signed by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Robert Wiggington Thompson (1809-1900), as "RW Thompson" near lower left, and also by a registrar. Issued from Washington, D.C. on April 22, 1880. The partly printed and partly handwritten document on parchment bears a blue embossed "Navy Department" seal at the bottom. Expected wear including light folds and wrinkles. Isolated damage/wear to the Navy seal, including minor bent sawtooth points, else near fine. 15.75" x 19.75."

The naval appointment co-signed by President Rutherford B. Hayes and U.S. Secretary of the Navy Robert W. Thompson promoted Stephen Platt Quackenbush (1823-1890) to the rank of Commodore retroactively from March 13, 1880.

Stephen P. Quackenbush was a career naval officer who saw action in both the Mexican-American War and Civil War. First appointed midshipman in 1840, Quackenbush steadily advanced up the ranks, being promoted to lieutenant in 1855, lieutenant commander in 1861, commander in 1866, captain in 1871, commodore in 1880, and rear admiral in 1884. Quackenbush retired in 1885 after 45 years of service.

Quackenbush's most exciting and productive years were definitely during the Civil War, when he commanded various vessels attached to Union Blockading Squadrons. He captured multiple Confederate blockade runners carrying important military supplies; the sale of goods confiscated from the blockade runner "Princess Royal" resulted in $250,000. The Naval History and Heritage Command, a navy database, as well as a Quackenbush family genealogical resource, indicate that injuries Quackenbush received during the Battle of Malvern Hill (1864) later necessitated the amputation of his right leg.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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