Description:

(UNION NAVY) JONATHAN M. WAINWRIGHT SIGNED C.D.V. AND PAYCHECK, K.I.A. AT GALVESTON
JONATHAN M. WAINWRIGHT (1821-1863) U.S. Navy lieutenant, commander of the revenue cutter USS HARRIET LANE. He was killed in action at the Battle for Galveston on Jan. 1, 1863, when the Union fleet occupying the city was surprised by two Confederate Army cottonclad gunboats, BAYOU CITY and NEPTUNE, under Maj. Leon Smith. Harriet Lane sank the Neptune, but was in turn rammed and boarded by the Bayou City, with Wainwright being killed in the subsequent hand-to-hand fighting, reportedly by Smith himself. The Harriet Lane was captured and pressed into Confederate service, and Galveston would remain in Confederate hands throughout the war. A fine pair of rare signed items, the first a carte de visit photograph, 2.5 x 4 in. sepia, a side profile, chest-up portrait of Wainwright in a suit. He signs boldly ‘J. M. Wainwright' in black ink on the verso, above the backstamp of Rintoul & Rockwood of New York. The portrait shows some foxing, otherwise in very good condition. Also present is a partly-printed D.S., 6.5 x 2.5 in., Brooklyn, April 1, 1845, a paycheck issued to Wainwright by U.S. Navy purser William Sinclair to be drawn on the Atlantic Bank of Brooklyn. Wainwright endorses the check ‘J. M. Wainwright' on the verso, affirming that he has received payment. Signed by Sinclair on the recto, the check shows a punch cancellation away from both signature, otherwise in fine condition. Two pieces.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. We will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. 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 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

March 27, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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