Autographs
1864 Civil War Date Navy Letter Signed "Gideon Welles"
GIDEON WELLES (1802-1878). American politician who served as the Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War (1861-1869), playing a crucial role in expanding and modernizing the Union Navy; steadfast supporter of President Abraham Lincoln's policies and his contributions to the Union war effort.
May 30, 1864-Dated Civil War Period, Autograph Letter Signed, "Gideon Welles" as Secretary of the Navy, 1 page, measuring 7.75" x 9.75", on "Navy Department Washington" printed official letterhead, Choice Fine.
1. This being short letter to a Major William B. Slack, as Quartermaster in the Marine Corps, asking him to "insert the recent advertisement from your Bureau in the Portsmouth Journal, N.H...". Docket on verso. Very light toning to recto from a mounting remnant on verso, minor marginal creases otherwise quite clean on light blue lined wove period paper.
2. Offered together with Gideon and Mrs. Welles' Personal Invitational Card, in near Mint quality printed on off-white cardstock, which in and of itself is very rare and the only example we have offered. January 28 and February 11, [1868]-Dated, measuring 4.5" x 2.75"., Crisp Very Fine. This, an invitation to visit the couple "At Home Tuesday Evenings January 28th and February 11th 8 o'clock." Rare. (2 items.)
Gideon Welles (1802-1878). Secretary of the Navy affectionately known as "Old Neptune." An influential newspaper editor and political operative, Welles became one of President Lincoln's closest advisers and personal confidantes; the two shared a fascination for technological advancements in warfare and often discussed new military contracts and patents.