Lot 1101

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Description:

OLIVER HAZARD PERRY
(1785 - 1819) Perry served in the West Indies during the Quasi War of 1798–1800, in the Barbary Wars of 1801–1815, and in the Caribbean fighting piracy and the slave trade, but is most noted for his heroic role in the Battle of Lake Erie, leading American forces in a decisive naval victory. He is remembered for the words on his battle flag, 'Don't Give Up the Ship'. Rare excellent content A.L.S. 'O. H. Perry', 2pp. 4to., Newport, July 17, 1817 to Edward J. Coal in Baltimore. Perry reacts to a pamphlet just published by an officer involved in a physical altercation with him. In part: '...sincere thanks...for your kind offer in giving currency to any reply I might make to Heaths pamphlet - while I am sensible that this book containing as it does many falsehoods and much distortion of the truth will make in the opinions of many good men impressions unfavorable to me - I shall decline altogether in noticing it - It is a source of mortification that nearly twenty years of honorable service should not have found in the public mind some favor - and that a worthless fellow, whom misconduct & impertinence brought upon himself a chastisement...should have it in his power...to injure my character I must console myself with the good opinion of the Government & a few friends...I trust you...are among the numbers...' Fine condition. While in command of the Java and anchored at Naples in July, 1814, an unseemly incident caused Perry to slap the Java's Marine officer, John Heath. Both men brought charges against each other in October, 1816 and after highly-politicized courts martial, were given verbal reprimands. Nevertheless, Perry's otherwise sterling reputation was tarnished for the episode.

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December 8, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, 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