Lot 195

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Description:

Early Robert E. Lee Signed Mississippi River Improvement Voucher, With Provenance From George Washington Custis Lee

A portion of a partially printed document signed by then Captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (and future Confederate General) Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) as "RE Lee / Captain US" verso. Dated June 22, 1839. The top of the voucher is headlined "The United States, Dr. to Steam-boat Malta For the Improvement of the Mississippi River, above the Mouth of the Ohio." Lee confirmed that the items listed on the receipt, namely grappling irons, pitch, and oakum among other shipping materials, had been delivered. Trimmed edges and light paper folds, otherwise in near fine condition. 7.875" x 2.75." Comes with provenance from Lee's oldest son George Washington Custis Lee.

Robert E. Lee served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during his early military career. Between 1834-1837, he was an assistant in the chief engineer's office in Washington, D.C. before moving on, as first lieutenant, to a construction project at St. Louis harbor and its conjunction with the Mississippi and Missouri Riverheads. He was promoted to captain in part for his work mapping the Des Moines rapids.

Provenance:

The document is accompanied by a 2pp autograph letter signed by Lee's oldest son George Washington Custis Lee (1832-1913) with the original transmittal envelope. Written in Burke, Virginia on August 10, 1910. G.W.C. Lee gifted Lee's autograph to an Ohio man named Harry S. Lutz, praising the clarity of his father's early signatures.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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April 14, 2021 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000