Dressed to Kill, Dressed to Till
A handsome all-blue uniform coat superfine woolen cloth, single-breasted and closed with 9 large buttons down the breast, each with long, gold cord holes ending in a crows-foot. The standing collar is framed with ½ inch-wide gold lace, with a false hole on each side ending in a large button. There is a worked grommet hole and cross-strap of the same lace on each shoulder for securing an epaulet. The lower sleeves have three chevron of gold lace, each with a button set at the point. The round cuffs have three false buttonholes set on them. The skirts have four chevrons running down them similar to the sleeves, with a cross pocket with three lace holes and corresponding buttons below. The coat’s 39 buttons are gilded-brass, high-domed, 3-piece buttons of the form first prescribed for General and Staff officers of the US Army in 1832 and subsequently adopted by most states and territories for their own general and staff officers. All but the four, small cuff buttons being 23mm diameter. This face has an eagle with Federal shield on breast and five arrows clutched in his right talon, with 24 stars encircling it (Albert GS21). The buttons are back-marked “W.H. HORSTMANN & SONS * PHILAD *”, as used by that firm from the late 1840s through the 1850s. With the coat is a pair of epaulettes, with 3 inch-wide straps of gold lace ending in wider crescents of gilded brass, from which hangs two rows of gold bullion fringe, the outer row fringe 3 ½ in. L by ½ dia. This uniform belonged to Joshua Pierce Haven (1817-1860), born in Portsmouth, NH, educated at Exeter Academy (Class of 1829), who moved to Philadelphia where he practiced law and became active in politics. With the advent of the Gold Rush, Haven sailed to San Francisco, where he practiced law and engaged in other business ventures, as well as an unsuccessful run for mayor. He was a founding member of the 1st California Guard in 1849 and later was appointed brigadier general in the state militia, promoted to major general commanding the 2nd Division in 1859 and became Acting Adjutant General the following year, including service on the Washoe Indian campaign. He died on 24 November 1860. An old paper label formerly attached to the lining in the right sleeve-cap and now separately secured, reads “GEN. JOSHUA PELL [sic—actually “Pierce”; his son’s middle name was Pell] HAVEN, COMMANDANT PRESIDIO, CALIF. 1850’s.” With extensive documentation. Coat in very good condition, less a few scattered, insect nibs.
Share this lot:
