|
In 1911 G.A.R.
Union and Confederate veterans shook hands over the stone wall where
they fought against each other 53 years earlier at Pickett's Charge, the
furthest North the Confederate Army ever advanced to, the turning point
of the War, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. |
The first post
of The Grand Army Of The Republic (G.A.R.) was established at Decatur, Illinois in April 1866. The organization was originally envisioned as a brotherhood of Civil War veterans who were dedicated to helping other veterans.
By 1890 when the G.A.R. was reaching it’s peak years, the membership of the organization
had soared to 409,489 veterans, partially due to it's affiliation with
the Fraternal Order Of Masons. By 1911 the membership lost more
than half it's members from natural causes and totaled 203,410
veterans. Ten years later at the National Encampment they numbered
93,171 members. In 1941 there were 763 members. The G.A.R. held its last National Encampment
in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1949. Six of the sixteen surviving
members attended that Encampment. The last member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Albert
Woolson, died in 1956.
It was through the G.A.R., and the pension lobby, that many soldiers and their families received pensions. The Grand Army also promoted patriotism through parades, national encampments, placement of war memorials, and the establishment of Memorial Day as a national holiday.
Rothchilde Antiques
showcases what we consider to be the most coveted Civil war memorabilia,
items that were once prized by the veterans. Lots of G.A.R. items
today are found and seen often. The veteran brought home these souvenirs
from his reunions and wore them proudly, medals, ribbons and pins, all
manufactured with meaning that today still symbolizes what it means to
sacrifice and fight for your country and in the end find brotherhood and
peace.
|
|
G.A.R. Membership
Badge
Click For More Images
|
An
original Civil War GAR membership medal with a low 3 Digit Number. The
GAR Membership Medal is 3-1/4" in overall size, complete, nicely
detailed, with a pinbacked top eagle bar and it is in VF Condition, some
staining evident on the pendant and top bar. The GAR Membership Medal
was worn by Civil War veterans. The piece is numbered on the edge with
"W902", a nice, low, 3 digit numbered GAR Membership Medal.
This is a clean example of a GAR Membership Medal and would complement a
Civil War Soldier's Medal Grouping perfectly!
SOLD
|
A COLLECTION OF WAR SONGS, BATTLE SONGS, CAMP SONGS, NATIONAL SONGS, MARCHING SONGS, ETC., - AS SUNG BY OUR BOYS IN BLUE IN CAMP AND FIELD
|
1886 antique
soft cover Book titled: " GRAND ARMY WAR SONGS " - Compiled Expressly for the Grand Army of the Republic -
- To Which Is Added a Selection of Memorial Songs and Hymns For Use on Decoration Day and Other Special Occasions - The Choruses Have All Been Arranged for Male Voices and the Entire Work Edited By WILSON G. SMITH - Published By S. BRAINARD'S SONS, Cleveland and Chicago - Copyright MDCCCLXXXVI (1886).
162 pages filled with music, words and songs.
Condition, considering its age, is fair. Shows overall general wear and soiling from use, storage and handling, with the cover completely loose from the binding, quite a bit of fading, several tears, scuffs, light stains and small pieces missing from the cover, the first two pages and the last two pages have come completely loose from the three staple binding, yellowing and foxing to the pages from age and exposure, and various small tears, light stains and corner folds here and there on the pages, but no other major rips, tears, folds or damage that we can see. There are several notations in pencil on the blank pages at both the front and the back of the book.
$147.50
|
|
|
The laurel leaf has been a symbol for victory and triumph for
thousands of years. During the Civil War it was worn by staff
officers. Attached to the wreath center is the abbreviation
for the Grand Army Of The Republic.
This G.A.R. hat insignia is brass, the front and back pin are
in almost new condition.
SOLD
|
|
G.A.R. Lapel Pin
Pat. May,
13, 1894
|
This is a scarce, Civil War Veteran brass lapel button
manufactured expressly for the for the Grand Army of the Republic
(G.A.R.) veterans. The pin measures 5/8” wide.
Brass lapel pins were one of the veterans most prized possessions,
signifying his proud participation in the greatest event of the 19th
Century, the American Civil War. They used to be found all the time
now they are seldom seen. It displays its magnificent detail as
shown in the enlarged image on the left.
SOLD
|
|
Soldiers Home
Bazaar Advertisement, Boston 1881
|
This is a rarely seen advertising
card for a Soldiers' Home Bazaar in Boston in the Autumn of
1881. There are forty-two Relics From Gettysburg listed on the
backside. Proceeds from such events were used for the veterans
and their care in the soldiers homes throughout the country.
This card is in pristine condition, I have never seen another
one. This is a great item for anyone who collects civil war
veteran relics.
$83.50
|
1900 G.A.R. Chicago, Illinois Encampment, Official Souvenir Badge
|
This official souvenir badge was
made for the attendees at the Chicago Illinois Encampment in 1900, manufactured
by S. D. Childs & Co. Chicago. The 34th National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic met
in Chicago, Illinois, August 29-30, 1900.
The membership at this time was 276,612.
This badge is special for the fact
that it was made from
captured Confederate cannons. It measures 2-3/4" high and 1-3/4"
wide. It is in excellent condition and has a nice patina. The back reads:
S.D. CHILDS & CO. MAKERS CHICAGO
THIS IS TO CERTIFY
THAT THIS BADGE
IS MADE FROM CAPTURED CANNON.
$249.00
|
 |
Very
seldom encountered Grand Army of the Republic officers badge envelope
with directions for wear etc. for the captured cannon medal.
SOLD
|
|
2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery Badge
|
This reunion ladder badge has some damage as shown. On the pin it reads "Comrade" and on the red cloth it reads "Reunion 2nd Conn. Heavy
Artillery". The photograph is of the Commander of the
G.A.R. unit at the time of issue.
Part of The Army of the Potomac, the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery
fought at
Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Winchester, Cedar Creek and
in significant skirmishes in the Civil War while holding back the
Confederate army.
This is a great badge for a Civil War artillery or Connecticut
Civil War collector.
$54.00
|
|
GAR Boston 1890
|
A G.A.R. souvenir canteen pin from the
Boston Encampment in 1890. The G.A.R. ribbon bar at the top is
navy blue with gold letters. The canteen is a silver tone.
The reverse does not have a pin.
SOLD
|
|
|
A G.A.R. souvenir canteen pin that
has U.S. on the face. The canteen is a gold tone. There
is nothing on the reverse.
$38.50
|
|
|
GAR Photo
Post Card ID'd, Henry Bonnel
Photo postcard in good condition
with ID on the back, Henry A. Bonnel, Chaplain, Charles Russell
Lowell Post #7, dated Memorial Day, May 31, 1921.
$47.50
|
|
N.Y.
Gettysburg Veteran's Commemoration Medal
30th Anniversary
July 1-3, 1893
Reverse
|
In 1893, on the 30th
anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, the State of New York
decided to support the return of those living veterans of that
battle to Gettysburg for the dedication of the New York Monument.
Special trains were arranged to take the soldiers from various parts
of New York to Gettysburg, and the old soldiers camped on the old
battlefield for the 3 days of commemoration, July 1-3, 1893.
New York also had Gettysburg Veterans' medals struck, somewhere
around 11,000 of them.
The medal is a circular medal 44mm in diameter, suspended from a
bronze bar which reads: "July 1-2-3 1863 Gettysburg
Veteran."
The obverse contains the Great Seal of the State of New York
surrounded by the words "Dedication of State Monuments at
Gettysburg July 1, 2, 3 1893 - New York Day".
The reverse contains a bas relief of the New York Monument with the dates 1863-1893. An open laurel surrounds
the monument.
In 1893, on the 30th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, the
State of New York decided to support the return of those living
veterans of that battle to Gettysburg for the dedication of the New
York Monument. Special trains were arranged to take the soldiers
from various parts of New York to Gettysburg, and the old soldiers
camped on the old battlefield for the 3 days of commemoration, July
1-3, 1893.
New York had Gettysburg Veterans' medals struck, somewhere around
11,000 of them.
The medal is a circular medal 44mm in diameter, suspended from a
bronze bar which reads: "July 1-2-3 1863 Gettysburg
Veteran."
The reverse contains the Great Seal of the State of New York and
says "Dedication of State Monuments at Gettysburg July 1, 2, 3
1893 - New York Day".
SOLD
|
|
|
1899 Philadelphia National
Encampment medal, September 4th - 9th, 1899. Great condition with pin firmly
attached on back. Large medal with liberty bell on the front.
SOLD
Reverse
|
|
|
During the War of 1812 with the
British raiding along our coastlines, it was decided in New Haven to
form a second company of Light Infantry to protect New Haven. On
September 13, 1816 the New Haven Grays were formed from members of
the New Haven Militia and new recruits.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, the
New Haven Grays enlisted as part of the 2nd Connecticut Infantry. They took part in the first major engagement of the Civil War, the Battle of Bull Run.
The unit took part in 19 battles during the Civil War, and at Gettysburg several monuments stand today in honor of those men and their deeds.
This 75th Anniversary ribbon
reads 1816-1891, 75th Anniversary New Haven Grays, September
13. There is a Grays pin attached at the bottom portion of the
ribbon.
SOLD
|
|
|
-
-
- "Their spirits live
in the hearts of men,
- Good deeds can never die.
- The banner fair that they
sought to save,
- Still floats 'neath the
evening sky,
- And the bright North Star
o'er their graves
- Shall keep A vigil eternal
and sure,
- A symbol forever of hope
that shines,
- For lives that were brave
and pure.
- Taps are sounded, lights
are out,
- The soldiers sleep."
-
- The
final Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic (its 83rd)
was held in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 29th
through September 1st, 1949. Only six veterans were
in attendance.
The final Campfire, held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom,
ended with the Marine Band bugler playing “Taps” and the
colors of the GAR were retired for the last time.
Not
For Sale
|
|
|
William Tecumseh
Sherman Banner
William Tecumseh
Sherman , "A country and government such as ours , are worth fighting
for, and dying for, if need be." The banner is made of felt.
The banner is
wrinkled and dirty with small holes here and there in the
material. They are hard to see in the pictures provided.
For the most part the decoration on the felt is intact with some
cracking in the lettering and portrait.
The top part
measures almost 12" in width and the longest part of it being
around 30" in length.
SOLD
|
|
|
Very nice Whitehead & Hoag
marked "Memorial Day " celluloid pinback with Civil War
Veterans tending a grave. This pin will date to the 1st few
years of memorial day as we know it when it was changed from "
Decoration Day " in 1895 or 1896
$89.50
|
|
|
Celluloid over tin pinback is 1 1/4 inches in diameter. celebrating the 75th anniversary 1863-1938, battle of Gettysburg. with picture of Confederate and Union Soldier, holding their flags and shaking hands. has a blue ribbon that was tucked into back of pinback.
$57.50
|
|
|
Rare vintage strung together trinket
collection, late 19th century: the canteen appears to be brass and
has a metal chain strap, it has the GAR insignia and says "We
Drank From The Same Canteen 1861-1865". There are also
little carved nut baskets (one is carved from a peach pit), a pair
of Victorian brass boots, a fan, shells and a lock.
$142.50
|
|
|
An original Civil War document.
The document says "Samuel Clark of the 14th Regiment of U.S. Infantry
born in Ireland aged 18 years old 5 feet 6 inches with light
complexion blue eyes dark hair by profession a laborer is entitled
to a discharge by reason of a surgeons certificate of
disability".
$84.50
|
|
Woman's Relief Corp Badge
|
The Woman's Relief Corps purpose is to perpetuate the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic, as they are their auxiliary
and was organized at the request of the Grand Army of the Republic on July 25 and 26, 1883 in Denver, Colorado.
They have the distinction of being the only patriotic organization in existence founded solely on the basis of loyal womanhood, regardless of kinship, and through which any woman may render patriotic service to her
country.
Their badge is a Maltese Cross of copper bronze, with the Grand Army Badge Medallion center; in this center are five outstanding figures, Statue of Liberty, a Soldier (Fraternity because the Comrades created the organization as their Auxiliary in 1883), a Boy (youth and strength of the future life of our Nation),
and a Woman (motherhood, the very source of all civilization throughout the world. She has taught mercy, kindness, and has extended Charity from the beginning of time), a Child (Loyalty, hope of the world, with our patriotic teachings), and the American Flag, and all are encircled in a wreath of stars.
This early Women's Relief Corps badge
from 1886 is in
outstanding condition, both front and back.
$68.00
|
|
|
This very rare ID'd Connecticut Woman's Relief Corps badge is still on
the original presentation card, it is serialized on the back of the
card as No. 546, R. B. Beers (Col) Nat Comm. GAR 1912-13.
The top metal bar reads "WRC Connecticut", a red
silk ribbon hangs beneath with a brass medallion depicting the
Connecticut State Seal. A real nutmeg hangs below, Connecticut
is nicknamed "The Nutmeg State."
This fascinating badge is in pristine condition.
$390.00
|
