Rockwell Antiques Historical Memorabilia

PRESENTING A VERY RARE and Original J Mack Moore Photo of Virginia Memorial in Vicksburg, MISS and probably taken circa 1907/08, after it’s dedication. Paper photograph mounted on board, on it’s original matting. Taken by famous photographer John Mack Moore of Vicksburg and signed by him in red ink on bottom left “J Mack Moore’ and “Vicksburg, Miss” on the bottom right (also in red ink). Hand-noted in black ink on rear as “Virginia Tablet, Vicksburg National Military Park” and also signed again by J. Mack Moore in red ink on left center on the rear and “Vicksburg, Miss” on the right center (also in red ink). Newly framed and matted and under glass. Original photos by J. Mack Moore are ‘highly’ sought after and have performed very well at auction. John Mack Moore, born in 1869, was the son of prominent residents of antebellum Vicksburg. He was only a toddler when the famous 1870 race between the Robt. E. Lee and Natchez had his hometown in a state of excitement as the big sidewheelers passed upriver en route from New Orleans to St. Louis. As a young man, he became an avid and skilled photographer, spending much time at the wharf along the Mississippi and Yazoo, recording on glass plate negatives the daily activity of the busy river landing. Conversations with masters, mates, mud clerks and roustabouts were his daily fare. Moore learned photography from an elderly master of albumen, wet plates and homemade printing papers. He had a disdain for newfangled gadgetry and held fast to utilizing the old methods of previous decades in the making of photographs, with sparkling results. J. Mack Moore was considered the dean of photographers as well as a colorful character around Vicksburg. In later years, owing to his white hair and moustache, he was said by many to bear a close resemblance to Mark Twain. Moore’s Clay Street home, where he also operated his photographic studio, was built from the top down, a most amazing feat accomplished by a unique individual. Originally it was a rambling residence in a Southern, park-like setting. However, when paved streets eventually came to the city, the house was left at the base of an embankment, the large oak trees removed to make way for an unsightly culvert. Singlehandedly, Moore raised the house to street level. As the edifice gradually rose, Moore fashioned lower floors, accomplishing the feat with heavy timbers and screw jacks...

PRESENTING a FANTASTIC and HISTORIC Early 19C American Hepplewhite Virginian Secretary Chest with OUTSTANDING Provenance. This Secretary Chest was made in Virginia in the Early 19th Century, circa 1810. It is made of cherry, walnut and maple and is most definitely in the Hepplewhite Style of the period, with it’s original Hepplewhite brass drawer pulls. IT IS A REALLY INTRIGUING AND HISTORIC PIECE, ESPECIALLY, WHEN VIEWED IN CONTEXT WITH IT”S AMAZING PROVENANCE! This piece was originally owned by Major William Alexander Obenchain who ‘hailed’ from the State of Virginia. He was an engineer and was in the Virginia Corps of Engineers during the Civil War and served on General Robert E. Lee’s staff. It was acquired by him before the Civil War and we believe that this piece was on campaign with him during the War. We know for a fact that he fought at the Richmond Campaign in 1864, as we have, in our Collection, his original Field Map for that Campaign which ended the War. It has remained in family ownership ever since. It has come directly from the Family Estate, together with other VERY IMPORTANT items belonging to Major Obenchain and other IMPORTANT items that belonged to his wife, Eliza Calvert Hall-Obenchain. ALL these items contained in the Collection, are listed/posted individually on our Website. The top drawer is on retractable curved side hinge supports and pulls outwards and drops to reveal a secretary and writing area. The Bureau/Secretary Gallery has 6 drawers and 6 cubbies, a central tabernacle door with another drawer and 2 cubbies and this is flanked by 2 secret pull out compartments. The central tabernacle door has it’s original key and working lock. Closed, it is almost ‘flush’ like the rest of the drawers, with some very minor bowing through age. The 3 drawers underneath are graduated in size and it ends with a serpentine shaped base and sits on four hand carved legs with original metal casters, marked ‘Universal 3’. It has it’s original brasses and hardware throughout, save the addition to 2 contemporary replacement brass hinges to the drop down desk front, as the original hinges were broken, could not be repaired and were not supporting the weight of the drop down leaf. Some minor repairs but not noticeable. Otherwise, the piece is in it’s entirely, ORIGINAL condition! What makes this piece even MORE INTRIGUING and APPEALING HISTORICALLY, are the 2 ‘historic’ circular holes on the piece:- (1) in the back of the piece as seen in the photos. This hole is not symmetrical or fully round and appears to serve no purpose to the piece whatsoever. Sometimes, pieces have holes for wiring for lighting, put in them over the years, but this one never had such lighting or, indeed, any such explanation for this hole, AND (2) the rear hole is replicated, in the corner portion of the bottom drawer and someone (a very long time ago) has used a tin can top, to cover the hole in the back of the drawer. The tin can top is period to the Civil War Era and is embossed “Minimum Volume 1 Pint”. Our conclusion, is that (whilst we are, by no means ballistic experts) that these holes were created by musket balls, fired during one of the Major’s campaigns in the Civil War. It is entirely conceivable that this piece, being strapped into a covered wagon for carriage, would have been on it’s side. We are of the opinion that both holes, were caused or created by a musket ball entered the chest trough the base and back. We also believe that ‘the Major’, used what he had at his disposal on the battlefield, namely, a tin can lid to repair the hole in the drawer. SO THIS PIECE IS A VERY SPECIAL PIECE OF US HISTORY, INDEED! NOT ONLY IS IT AN EARLY 19th CENTURY AMERICAN PIECE, WITH A CONNECTION TO THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, THE CIVIL WAR, HISTORIC & IMPORTANT FIGURES IN THAT WAR AND IMPECCABLE PROVENANCE AND HISTORY! IT IS TRULY UNIQUE! William Alexander Obenchain. Born April 27, 1841 at Buchanan, Botetourt Co., Virginia. Parents: Thomas Jefferson Obenchain and Elizabeth Ann Sweetland. Entered VMI on July 18, 1859 as a member of the VMI (Virginia Military Institute...

PRESENTING A UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT Original Scrap Book and Photograph of Major WA Obenchain, pertaining to Ogden College, Bowling Green, KY. The photograph is ‘new’ to the market and has never left family ownership until NOW! It is a previously, unseen image, of a significant historical figure, Major William Alexander Obenchain, who served on General Robert E. Lee’s Staff during the Civil War and was President of Ogden College in Bowling Green, Kentucky between 1883 – 1906. We are of the opinion that the photo was taken, whilst, Major Obenchain was President of Ogden College, and circa 1890-1900. It bears the stamp on the bottom right for “McClure of Lexington, KY”. Framed and under glass. The Scrap Book is his personal Collection of numerous and various newspaper article cuttings, letters, speeches and other historical items of memorabilia, MAINLY, relating to Ogden College (now part of Western Kentucky University), from the 1870’s up to 1918. Signed in ink, by the Major, on the inside of the front cover and hand-written annotations by him, throughout. It also includes newspaper article cuttings and other historical items of memorabilia personally relating to Major Obenchain and his family, including: Articles relating to the ‘Stone’ Criminal Trial in Dallas, TX in 1876 for the almost fatal shooting of his brother, James T Obenchain , Merit Certificate for distinguished academic achievement by Major Obenchain, from the Buchanan Collegiate Institute dated July 6th 1849, et al. Over 53 Pages of content! An EXCEPTIONAL and UNIQUE Collection that is ‘new’ to the market, has never been seen by the public before and has never left family ownership until NOW! A UNIQUE HISTORICAL RECORD OF OGDEN COLLEGE/WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY and BOWLING GREEN! William Alexander Obenchain. Born April 27, 1841 at Buchanan, Botetourt Co., Virginia. Parents: Thomas Jefferson Obenchain and Elizabeth Ann Sweetland. Entered VMI on July 18, 1859 as a member of the VMI (Virginia Military Institute...

PRESENTING A LOVELY late 19C Bronze Sculpture of Napoleon Crossing the Alps. 19th Century Bronze of Napoleon on Horseback in Battle, with c...

Presenting a fabulous historic treasure of times past, namely, a 19th century large Civil War Era bronze and tin pitcher. From circa 1850, this is an American frontier piece. I...

PRESENTING AN EXTREMELY RARE FIRST EDITION hardback copy of ‘The Rural and Domestic Life of Germany with Characteristic Sketches of its Cities and Scenery, Collected in a General To...

Presenting an extremely rare first edition hardback copy of Genealogies and Sketches of Some Old Families Who have taken Prominent Part in the Development o...

Presenting an extremely rare first edition and signed hardback copy of the History of Muhlenberg County by Otto A. Rothert from 1913. This rare book is in super condition for its ...

PRESENTING A FABULOUS Original hand-written Letter from Theodore Dreiser dated 19 Dec 1916 to Eliza Calvert Hall. The letter is entirely hand written with pen and signed by the re...

PRESENTING AN HISTORIC AND EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND IMPORTANT American Civil War Collection consisting of: (1) ORIGINAL and FULLY AUTHENTIC Confederate Field Map of Richmond, VA 1864 belonging to Capt W.A. Obenchain C.S. Engineers, (2) ORIGINAL and FULLY AUTHENTIC Surrender/Parole Paper for Capt. W.A. Obenchain dated 1st May 1865 at Greensboro, NC (3) ORIGINAL and FULLY AUTHENTIC Pamphlet for Hillsborough Military Academy, NC with Major W.M. A. Obenchain listed as 'Military Staff'. These ALL belonged to Captain (later promoted to rank of Major) William Alexander Obenchain and the battlefield map was his 'personal' field map for the Battle of the Richmond Peninsula in 1864, at the end of the US Civil War...

PRESENTING A RARE and FULLY AUTHENTIC General William Tecumseh Sherman Autograph. Last page of a hand written letter, circa 1885-1890. P...

PRESENTING A HUGELY IMPORTANT, EXCEPTIONALLY RARE and FULLY AUTHENTIC COLLECTION of 6 Items pertaining to President Theodore Roosevelt, that have never been outside family ownership, namely: (1) Original Theodore Roosevelt Letter 14th August 1918 to Eliza Calvert Hall, (2) Original Envelope – Aug 1918, with postage stamps, marks, etc. (3) Original Theodore Roosevelt Letter 8th November 1918 to Mrs Obenchain (4) Original Envelope – Nov 1918, with postage stamps, marks, etc. (5) HUGELY IMPORTANT handwritten ‘Poem’ on an Index Card by Eliza Calvert Hall which was sent by her to Theodore, after the death of Quentin in July 1918 and is referenced to by him, in the letter of August 1918, and (6) Original letter dated 12 September 2018 to Maj LC Obenchain, which completes provenance/background. (1) & (2) – PRESENTING AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE and FULLY AUTHENTIC Theodore Roosevelt Letter from August 1918 with original envelope. On ‘Sagamore Hill’ letterhead. Fully handwritten and personally signed by President...

Presenting a very important Teddy Roosevelt letter of January 1918. On ‘Sagamore Hill’ letterhead. Fully handwritten and personally signed by President...

Presenting a very important Teddy Roosevelt Letter of June 1911 . On ‘The Outlook’ letterhead. Typed and personally signed and amended by President Theodore Roosevelt. Dated June 20th 1911. What makes this letter so important is the author, the office and the content. It refers to the beliefs and opinions of the then President and First Lady (Edith) towards the women’s sufferage and empowerment movement that was the ‘hot topic’ of the time. It is addressed to Eliza Calvert Hall/Obenchain who was a well known author at the end of the 19th Century and Early 20th Century. In 1905, Teddy referred to her book “Aunt Jane of Kentucky’ in a speech and recommended that every man in America should read it to understand ‘the plight of their womenfolk’. He regularly corresponded with her and we have a number of those letters in our collection. It appears that both he and Edith became big fans of Mrs Hall/Obenchain who was also heavily involved in the Suffragist movement. The letters also provide a fascinating and historic record of Roosevelt’s personal beliefs and feelings on female empowerment. The Letter Reads: The Outlook 287 Fourth Avenue New York Office of Theodore Roosevelt June 20th, 1911 “My dear Miss Hall: I am touched by your sending me “To Love and To Cherish”. But then, I am one of those included in the dedication, for I well know and dearly love ” Aunt Jane of Kentucky”. Mrs. Roosevelt and I do not feel that the hero ought to have yielded to his wife’s feelings ! Ultimately it was doing an injustice to her and to his children, as well as to the State. It is a good thing to have a Governor’s wife a woman who can be as gracious a hostess, and of as fine a type, as Dolly Madison...

Presenting A Very Important Teddy Roosevelt Letter from White House June 1907. On ‘The White House’ letterhead. Typed and personally signed and amended by President Theodore Roosevelt. With it’s original White House envelope, stamp and postage marks. Dated June 14th 1907. What makes this letter so important is the author, the office and the content. It refers to the beliefs and opinions of the then President and First Lady (Edith) towards the women’s sufferage and empowerment movement that was the ‘hot topic’ of the time. It is addressed to Eliza Calvert Obenchain who was a well known author at the end of the 19th Century and Early 20th Century. In 1905, Teddy referred to her book “Aunt Jane of Kentucky’ in a speech and recommended that every man in America should read it to understand ‘the plight of their womenfolk’. He regularly corresponded with her and we have a number of those letters in our collection. It appears that both he and Edith became big fans of Mrs Obenchain who was also heavily involved in the Suffragist movement. The letters also provide a fascinating and historic record of Roosevelt’s personal beliefs and feelings on female empowerment. The Letter Reads: The White House Washington Oyster Bay, N.Y., June 14, 1907 Personal “Dear Mrs. Obenchain: I gladly accept the autographed copy of “Aunt Jane” which you have been so kind to send me. But Aunt Jane is so good and so wise that she must not (amount “race (illegible)) fall into the terrible mistake of the self-indulgent, selfish, shortsighted women, cold in heart and in temper, who shirk the duties of mother-hood and then try to cover up to themselves and to others their cowardice or self-indulgence by making believe they are actuated by wise or lofty motives. * With great regard, believe me, Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt *And she must not give aid and comfort to unsexed or sexless creatures by a jest which they may take for earnest ! Mrs. Eliza Calvert Obenchain, Bowling Green, Kentucky.“ The envelope is From: The White House. Addressed to: Mrs. Eliza Calvert Obenchain, Bowling Green, Kentucky and marked ‘Personal’. It is stamped on the front as posted from Oyster Bay, New York Post Office on June 16 1907. It has a red 2 Cent...

PRESENTING AN EXTREMELY RARE EDITION hardback copy of ‘Bibliomania or Book Madness; A Bibliographical Romance. Illustrated with Cuts’, by Thomas Frognall Dibdin, D.D. New and Improve...