Description:

(UNION NAVY) BATTLE OF HAMPTON ROADS FIGURES (3)
A fine lot of three items signed by U.S. Navy officers, all future rear admirals, who participated in the Battle of Hampton Roads on March 8-9, 1862, during which the Confederate ironclad CSS VIRGINIA (ex-USS MERRIMACK) destroyed the Union frigates USS CUMBERLAND and USS CONGRESS, before dueling the USS MONITOR to a draw the next day. Includes: SAMUEL R. FRANKLIN (1825-1909), U.S. Navy rear admiral who was aboard the Merrimack's sister ship, the screw frigate USS ROANOKE, and witnessed the battle and the latter scuttling of the Virginia. Fine association and content partly-printed D.S., 1p. 4to., ‘Off Mobile, Ala', May 13, 1865, ordering Thomas H. Jenks, a mate aboard the USS PORTSMOUTH at New Orleans to report for duty to the commanding officer of the ‘prize steamer Baltic'. The order is signed by acting Rear Admiral HENRY K. THATCHER (1806-1880) as commander of the Western Gulf Squadron. Franklin adds his A.E.S. at bottom right in black ink, forwarding the order. The verso bears an additional endorsement forwarding the order to future Rear Admiral THEODORE P. GREENE (1809-1887), who executes his own name in the endorsement and adds an additional A.E.S. as commander of the naval forces at New Orleans, ordering Jenks to report for transportation to Mobile Bay. The order is finally endorsed as reported on May 22, 1865, in an A.E.S. of CHARLES L. HUNTINGTON, commander of the steamer Baltic. Shows original mailing folds, else in very good to fine overall condition. WITH: THOMAS O. SELFRIDGE, JR. (1836-1924), U.S. Navy rear admiral who briefly commanded USS Monitor, as well as the ironclad CAIRO and the gunboat CONESTOGA. He escaped from the Norfolk Navy Yard aboard the Cumberland and was aboard when that ship was sunk by the Virginia. Signature ‘Thos. O Selfridge Jr.' in black ink on a 3.5 x 2 in. card, adding his rank ‘R. Admiral U.S.N.' and the date ‘1898'. Shows a pencil notation to the verso, else in fine condition. WITH: EDWARD SHIPPEN (1826-1911), U.S. Navy rear admiral who served as assistant surgeon aboard the USS Congress when it was sunk by the Virginia. Signature ‘Edwd Shippen' in black ink on a 3.75 x 2.25 slip of paper cut from the conclusion of a letter, adding ‘Med[ical] Director U.S. Navy'. Shows pencil notations to the recto and mounting remnants to the verso, else very good. Three pieces.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$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 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000