Page 38 - joa-aug-22

by John Sexton

Q: I received this belt buckle as a gift. A friend of mine found it in a The braised-on bar on your buckle is a style of belt buckle popular
random antique shop, and since I like belt buckles, he got it for me. I since the mid-20th century and is never seen on wartime buckles.
polished it a little, and after doing a bit of research, I’m convinced it might
be from the Civil War. Photos attached are one before polishing and one
after polishing along with a picture of the back. Thanks so much!

JS: Your buckle is in the style of a Civil War eagle belt buckle, but it is
a 20th century copy that sells for about $20 or so. It was made to be
worn, and similar fine reproductions are made by several companies.
Among the best-known companies making quality reproduction l-r, A 20th century reproduction of a Civil War eagle buckle, about $20,
buckles is Hanover Brass Company which has an excellent website. the back of the buckle, and the buckle cleaned up.

Donelson. In the same frame are two colored engravings by H.W. Smith,
NY, one of Sherman and one of Grant. I assume the signatures under the
engravings were printed, not signed, but I don’t know. Could you estimate
a value?

JS: You are correct in that the engravings have facsimile signatures; the
value is a few hundred dollars for the pair.
The wartime letter signed by Sherman is interesting. This letter is
not written by Sherman but by his clerk. Interesting that the secretarial
signature was crossed out and then Sherman signed above. I would love
to see the dispatches that were included with that letter.
A signed letter from General Engravings of Sherman and Grant, Sherman was a prolific writer, and there are other letters known to
William T. Sherman, facsimile signatures, a few hundred have been written in this same time frame (March 1862). Several letters
$2,000-$5,000. for both.
have sold in auction over the years, peaking around 2000, with values
Q: I bought this framed piece at Wm. Graham Trader in the late 1970s. higher. Recent Sherman wartime letters, 2021-2022, have sold from
It contains a signed letter from Sherman to General Wallace asking that $850 to $5,500 that I found in a quick search. I would estimate your
two couriers be protected to deliver a letter to Grant at Ft. Henry or Ft. letter at $2,000-$5,000 for auction.

Q: I have a question about this cannonball, or I think it’s a cannonball, for a 9-pounder, 5.82 inches for an 18-
anyway. I found it in my grandmother’s garage while I was cleaning it out pounder, etc.
for her after she passed. I have no idea how old it is because it looks like it There are many other purposes for iron or
was cleaned up, so maybe you can tell me. I know it doesn’t have any seams steel balls, and it seems that just about any
on it, if that helps. such ball is sold as a cannonball. Cannonballs
typically have a discerned casting line and an
JS: This is not a cannonball. Cannonballs have to be exact sizes and iron patina instead of a smooth, steel surface.
exactly round to fit the bore of the cannon. Cannonballs were made to exact sizes and had a casting
Some common bores are 3.67 inches for a six-pounder, 4.2 inches line; this steel ball has neither of those characteristics.

Q: I was hoping to see if you could appraise a few pics cool “historic documents.” I occasionally see them
for me. If they have no value, that’s fine, and sorry to come up in auction framed, and they sometimes
waste your time. My dad passed a few weeks ago, and bring a few hundred dollars with someone thinking
I found these in his things. I plan to frame them they are old. There are actually many copies that
regardless of their value. Please let me know. are now 50 years old. In reality, however, they’re
only decorative and worth a few dollars apiece.
JS: These broadsides were very popular breakfast 1. This cereal company’s premium broadside screams:
cereal company premiums in the 1950s-1960s. I “An outrageous insult to the Women of New Orleans!”
remember the days of saving box tops and getting 2. A cereal premium in the form of a Civil War Era
1. 2.
broadside, decoratively worth a few bucks.
John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert on Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser
organizations. He can be contacted at 770-329-4984. If you have a Civil War item for him to appraise, email a photo and a
description to him at: jsextonatlcom.ne@mindspring.com.

36 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles