Description:

GOLD SHOE BUCKLE GIVEN BY THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE
MARIE JOSEPH DE LAFAYETTE (1757 - 1834) French statesman and military officer who served as a major general under Washington and was instrumental in the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown. A fine Lafayette relic, a 3/4" square ornate gold-tone shoe buckle given by the Marquis to a Lady. The buckle bears a detailed raised floral pattern and two closures on the swivel backing. Mounted to a period card reading, in full: "Received from Mary Jane Ann Simms, Granddaughter of Nathan Smith, whose first wife was a niece of Martha Custis W[ashington] , Washington, D.C. Oct. 1874[signed] Julia A. Wilbur". An additional docket beneath the buckle reads, in full: "This gold shoe Buckle is one of a pair given by Gen. La Fayette to a lady who danced at his Ball. He brought from France several pairs & gave them to the ladies.". A niece of Martha Custis Washington (1731-1802), wife of George Washington, of course would have had occasion to meet Lafayette at any number of social events. Directly from the family of Mary Custis Lee, wife of Robert E. Lee, the last surviving daughter of George Washington's step-grandson George Washington Parke Custis and great-granddaughter of Marsha Custis. Never before offered, very good condition.

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October 9, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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