2086

Civil War Autographs of Elizabeth L. Van Lew Union Spy c. 1865 (2) [186167]

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 500.00 USD
Civil War Autographs of Elizabeth L. Van Lew Union Spy c. 1865 (2) [186167]
SOLD
750.00USD+ (187.50) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2024 Aug 23 @ 09:30UTC-7 : PDT/MST
UNCLAIMED MERCHANDISE: In the event that a successful bidder has paid in full for their merchandise but fails to settle outstanding shipping invoices or make arrangements for merchandise pickup within 60 days, HWAC reserves the right to declare the merchandise forfeited. This forfeiture will result in the merchandise becoming the property of HWAC and the successful bidder shall have no claim to or rights over the forfeited merchandise.
Elizabeth Van Lew was a cleaver Union Spy while living in Richmond, Virginia capitol of the Confederacy. The impressionable young lady had access to Libbey Prison in Richmond where she aided Union POWs but also received pertinent information of Confederate activities. She was noted to send messages to Union commanders along with fresh cut flowers from her garden to symbolize the expediency of her messages. She was able to place a member of her household to Jefferson Davis's office as a domestic servant. There are two documents here, a portion of a cancelled check with her signature in the endorsement area. The second document is a hand-written letter to "Dear Major" dated "April 26th, 1865". The letter is light on ink with a watermark stamp in the upper left for "Delarue & Co./ London"; beautiful penmanship. Her signature is visible lower right corner page two. Four pages folded at 5 in.X 8 in. Very good condition, light ink, nick at one fold. [] [Virginia] [] [] []