Description:

JOHN YATES BEALL
(1835 – 1865) Confederate privateer who was arrested as a spy in New York and executed at Fort Columbus on Governors Island. Beall was commissioned as acting master in the Confederate States Navy, and then proceeded on his own as a privateer, active in the areas of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. Captured and released six months later, he took two Union vessels on the Great Lakes and undertook an ambitious plan to attack a train to free Confederate officers. He was arrested, tried and sentenced to death. Six U.S. Senators and 91 members of Congress appealed to Lincoln for clemency, to no avail. Excessively rare and personal signed book, Beall's copy of an autograph album titled: 'The Token Album', approx. 200pp. 8vo., ca. early 1850s in red leather with gilt decorations, scuffed. On the front flyleaf, Beall signs his name 'John Y. Beall Jefferson County Virginia', also noting: 'University of Virginia' at bottom. The page bears some offsetting from a printed piece which laid upon it for years, otherwise very good. The album contains several lengthy and very sentimental 'farewell' messages and poems from Beall's classmates at the University of Virginia and with later additions. Interestingly, the last message, by one 'Moss Yancey' of '[?] Legion' is dated June 12, 1864 - He notes: 'You have left without asking [?] to write in your book; but I think the impressions made upon my feelings the night before you left suggested by democratic associations...Beware the broad and easy road...when you appear at that great bar - not to plead but to hear the final judgement - you will receive the welcome plaudit...' One page disbound, else very good. Beall left the University of Virginia in 1855, prior to graduation, as his father had died and he was needed at home to manage the family's affairs. SOLD WITH: MARY G. K. BEALL, niece of John Yates Beall and additionally signed much later by his niece Annie. Rare signed book: 'Memoir of John Yates Beall: His Life; Trial; Correspondence; Diary; and Private Manuscript Found Among His Papers, Including His Own Account of the Raid on Lake Erie' (Montreal: John Lovell), 1865. 298pp. 8vo. in green faux pebble leather with gilt title to spine. Very rare albumen photograph of John Y. Beall appears opposite the title page, saisd by the family to have been taken on the day of his execution on Governors Island. in New York. Ends of spine chipped, cover edges worn and stain, front cover separating from binding, front pastedown stained at bottom, ownership signature opposite half-title page. Beall signs the front flyleaf in light pencil adding date 'Jan 1st 1867'. A very rare book, more so with the photograph and Mrs. Beall's signature, obtained direct from the family.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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