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by John Sexton

Q: Mr. Sexton, I recently acquired some Civil War images. In the lot was You can look up Mr. Corthell and see his history, which is long and
a 1/16 plate tintype of a “Servant named Gabriel belonging to a World significant in American development and history. He was in the Rhode Island
Famous Man of the 19th century named Elmer Lawrence Corthell – He light artillery and fought in the Virginia and North Carolina
was one of the most famous Civil Engineers of the 19th century,” as written campaigns. He started as a private and was a captain of a battery at the end.
on the reverse. (Corthell lived and died close by me.) Let me know what you think.
Anyway, I have attached the front and back of the photo. I believe
this to be a historically important, if not a valuable item. I would hope JS: African-American cultural items from the Civil War are in demand
someone with Civil and quite marketable. Unfortunately, the condition of the image is very
War interest might be poor, but the inscription on the back is fantastic, telling a piece of
interested. history not often seen.
There are many hard images of African-American soldiers that
have been sold over the past 20-30 years. Only in the last few years has
the market been strong, though. Average tintypes of Black Union
soldiers are selling for an average of $1,500. Some great images
(generally albumen) with great content have brought tens of thousands
of dollars. If your tintype was undamaged, I would estimate in an
auction it would bring $2,000-$3,000. Even though it is not a soldier
Left: A tintype of Gabriel, Corthell’s servant, perhaps $1,500 to $2,000 or image but that of a servant, I would not be surprised if it brought more.
more, Center: The reverse with the inscription about Gabriel, Considering the condition here, I doubt it would bring the estimate –
Right: A tintype of Elmer Lawrence Corthell but you never know.

Q: I was wondering if you could help me out. I have a North Carolina Left: The back of
sunburst button that I found awhile back. The condition looks amazing, the button, its
and I was wondering if you could tell me anything about its value. I would thicker shank
hate to let it go because I am from the Carolinas, and I love history. Your identifies it as
honest estimate could help me make a good decision. a reproduction

JS: This button is a modern copy of the North Carolina starburst Right: A copy of a
button. The face looks quite convincing in your photo, but the cast North Carolina
back gives its vintage away. Originals are thin with soldered shanks. starburst button
This is the style made most likely for reenactors.

Q: John, this a Bowie knife I recently took in on trade. It’s marked “WJ Q: I am interested in selling the attached
McElroy Macon Georgia 1861” and has a CSA stamp. It has “Stovall” on documents. These are Civil War records that
one side of the handguard and “18th Georgia” on the other. Can you give were handed down to me by my grandmother
me some more information on it? decades ago. Kindly let me know your opinion and
appraisal of these.
JS: I’m sorry to
inform you that JS: Your 1863 Civil War letter is written on
this knife is a fairly nice, patriotic stationery, and similar letters
modern reproduc- with average content can be found at Civil War An 1863 Civil War
letter, $20-$40
tion, and the mark- shows priced between $20 and $40. The map
ings, of course, are drawn of the 109th Pennsylvania's winter
fake. An original camp near Chattanooga, Tennessee 1863/1864
McElroy-marked is not professional but always popular among
knife of any form collectors. I noticed that the soldier who drew
is worth at least the map used a blank adjutant general's office
a few thousand stationery or document form. Similar maps can
dollars. This knife sell anywhere from about $100 to $200 .
is a novelty and has Markings of
A fake Bowie knife little value. “McElroy” and “Stovall” Map of 109th Pennsylvania’s winter camp, $100-$200

John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser
organizations. He can be contacted at john@CivilWarDealer.com, 770-329-4984 or www.CivilWarDealer.com. For a free
appraisal of a Civil War item, email a photo and a description to him or mclwriter@gmail.com.

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