Description:

GREAT SEAL OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES, IN SILVER, BOXED
The Great Seal of the Confederate States in silver, 3 1/2" diameter, featuring George Washington in the center (modeled after an equestrian statue in Richmond), surrounded by a wreath of Confederate products (wheat, cotton, tobacco, corn, sugar and rice) and the text: "THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA : 22 FEBRUARY 1862" and "DEO VINDICE" around the exterior. Set in a glass topped frame in a red leather case with yellow felt lining. Case covering is worn, the seal and frame are in fine condition. Ordered by the Confederacy to serve as both a means to emboss documents and to lend themselves credibility as a government, the original Great Seal of the Confederacy was engraved in England, and smuggled in-country via Bermuda circa 1864. As the embossing machine never left Bermuda, the Seal saw little use, and was eventually smuggled out of Richmond by one William Bromwell, disbursing clerk with the Confederate State Department, along with the contents of the State Department Archives. Nearly a decade later, in 1872, Bromwell, by way of John T. Pickett, former Confederate Commissioner to Mexico, arranged for the sale of the Confederate Archive to the U.S. Government. At the close of the deal, Pickett gave the Seal as a gift to Lieutenant (later Admiral) Thomas O. Selfridge, USN, the Government representative for the transaction. A year later, Pickett borrowed the seal from Selfridge and took it to one Samuel H. Black of New York who produced a series of electrotype copies in gold, silver and bronze directly from the original seal. Pickett returned the original to Selfridge, and made a hefty income selling his copies as originals.

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Shipping

Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 14 - 21 days for shipments to arrive after receipt of payment due to the high volume of package being shipped.

February 11, 2015 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000