John S. Mosby Signed Letter to William "Willie" Chapman with Photograph
Item Details
A framed letter and photograph attributed to John S. Mosby. The photograph of Mosby and letter are presented beneath glass and matting; and encompassed by a gilt accented frame with hanging wire affixed to the verso. Also affixed to the verso is a certificate of authenticity from Antiquities with registration number ‘19410026’. The featured letter (October 16, 1901) is handwritten and signed by John S. Mosby (1833-1916), also known as ‘Gray Ghost.’ Mosby was a confederate battalion commander over the Mosby’s Rangers (43rd Battalion, Virginia Calvary) that fought in the Battle of Bull Run and the Peninsular Campaign. He later worked as an attorney, consul to Hong Kong, and for the Department of Justice. The letter includes its original envelop addressed to William A. Chapman of San Francisco, California and postmarked from Akron, Colorado. William Chapman (Willie), was the son of Mosby’s good friend Samuel Chapman. Samuel was an early addition to Mosby’s Rangers, the two remained close after the Civil War, sharing frequent letters, and Mosby also grew fond of William. Towards the end of the 19th century the letters became less frequent, which this letter also touches on. This letter was written during Mosby’s time in Colorado working as a special agent to the Department of Interior under Theodore Roosevelt where he handled fraudulent homesteading claims.
| Brand | Unmarked |
| Subject | John S. Mosby / Willie Chapman |
| Autographed | Yes |
| Authentication | Unknown |
| Number of Items | 1 |
- The autograph(s) on this item were visually inspected by a third-party authenticator and have received a “pass” in their pass/fail visual inspection test. An Auction Letter of Authenticity (ALOA) will be mailed to the winning bidder following the sale.
Condition
- heavy edge wear, scuffs, stains, chips, and peeling to frame; smudges to glass; toning and stains to paper items.
Dimensions
- measurement of frame.
Item #
18WDC299-131
