Orig Civil War Officer Soldier Lap Desk Maj Charles Appel withcarved whimsy & more
This wooden (mahogany, I believe) artifact from the mid nineteenth century is a finely constructed, lockable, and portable writing case or lap desk taken to war by Civil War officer Major Charles A. Carried in their luggage, this hinged two-piece writing desk measures a relatively compact 11 long x 7-3/4 wide x 3-1/2 high when closed. The case exterior is covered in a handsome veneer-like finish that retains its original sheen overall. Box is free of chipping, cracking, with very minimal to no edge scuffing. Does show very minor light scratches from storage and use.
Box lid opens upwards and reveals a flat, two-piece writing surface covered in a pleasing but faded blue velvet cloth material that extends into the top base of the case. In overall good condition, the thin velvet. Each writing surface area opens to reveal a compartment below for paper and storage.Interior case houses individual compartments for pencils, pens, ink vials and other sundry writing items. Middle compartment has a lift-off wood lid for pencils and pens.
Includes key however top part of lock at some point was snapped/broken off; however it is included for possible repair. Bottom exterior of case surface is unpainted which shows scuffing and wear. A fine piece of Civil War era Americana by itself; however, this desk contained documents from Major Charles A. Appel, including the following items.A hand carved wood whimsy by Major Appel when he was captured in the civil war in 1865 and taken to Libby Prison, carved etchings going around imprisoned ball read "Major C A Appel" with carved wooden chain links`. His civil war era wallet (inside the wallet was the actress photo and recital ticket stubs). Leather cover book The Columbia National Bank of Washington D. Post Card unsent of Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, D. Dirt streets with horse and wagons.
Photo of late 1800's actress Kate Girard. Kate Girard performed frequently in leading roles in the legitimate theatre in New York and environs during the latter half of the 1870s. She appeared in the chorus with one of two R. D'Oyly Carte and E. Rice Opera Companies playing Billee Taylor in America in the Spring of 1881.Her name appears in the programme for a benefit matinee put on by the combined companies in New York for Helen Lenoir, May 19, 1881. The programme consisted of the first act of The Pirates of Penzance, the second act of H. Pinafore, followed by the first act of Billee Taylor. Miss Girard played Ruth and Little Buttercup in the first two segments.
This wonderful collection celebrating the world of 19th century Theatre, Opera and Ballet was compiled by brothers Harry and William Taggart of Philadelphia in the last quarter of the 1800s. Though the collection consists mainly of cabinet cards (125+), some autographed, there are also several letters, advertising cards, commemorative programs and homemade items all pertaining to the Philadelphia and Broadway theatre. The brothers were the Editors and Publishers of Taggarts' Sunday Times which had offices at 819 Walnut Street in that city. On the masthead of the paper they billed themselves as, John H. John was apparently a prominent correspondent with the Philadelphia Inquirer in the 1860s. (4) Recital ticket stubs, Admission 10 cents. 1895 letter to Major Appel from Real Estate broker. 1895 bill to Mary Appel (Major's wife). Appel for a vacant lot on "S" Street. 1896 Real Estate broker document to Mary. 1895 bill of repair of home to Mary. (2) 1898 Deed receipts, one to Mary and another to Charles.1915 letter and dues receipt from National Geographic Society in which Charles Appel nominated another individual for membership to the society. Letter to Charlie Appel (the major's son) from Bertie M. About his father's death. He was born in Easton, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1836.
He received his academic education in the academy of Rev. John Vandeveer, in Faston, and entered Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, in October, 1851, and graduated there from in July, 1855, an honor man in the class. In 1861 he was editor and part owner of the Lehigh Register, published in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He recruited part of Company A, Ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, in Allentown, and was mustered into the United States service as lieutenant in October, 1861, at Camp Cameron, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In April, 1862, he was made captain Company F, same regiment, and in 1864 was mustered as major of the regiment, not being able to be mustered prior to that time, because the battalion to which he was assigned lacked the requisite number of men. In the fall of 1861 he went with his regiment to Louisville, Kentucky.During the winter of 1861-62 he was with the movement on Mumfordsville and Bowling Green, Kentucky, and entered Nashville, Tennessee, with Buell's army. He was engaged in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, and in the winter of 1862-63 was in the raid into East Tennessee, known as "Carter's Raid;" was in command of the courier line between Franklin, Tennessee, and Triune; was in the battle of Chickamauga, and after that battle went with his regiment back to Murfreesborough, and thence across the mountains to Knoxville, Tennessee, to the relief of General Burnside. In crossing the mountains he had the advance in command of his battalion, and had considerable fun with bushwhackers, particularly the notorious Champ Ferguson. He was in the cavalry fights at Strawberry Plains, New Market, Dandridge, Fair Garden, etc.
Major Appel was captured at Solomon's Grove, March to, 1865, and taken to Libby Prison, from which institution he was released about April 1, 1865, and sent to Annapolis, Maryland, and mustered out under Special Orders No. 10, from War Department, mustering out all paroled prisoners of war. He was in every skirmish and battle in which his regiment was engaged up to the time of his capture, having had five horses shot from under him. In October, 1865, he went to Washington, D. And has resided there ever since. He became associated with M. Marshall as contractor and builder, their line of business being mostly government work. The following public buildings have been erected either wholly or in part under his personal supervision: United States Post-offices at Austin, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; Jackson, Tennessee; Oxford, Mississippi; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; and Eastport, Maine.Also the Life-Saving Stations at South Haven, Whitehall, Pentwater, and Frankfort, Michigan. In 1870 he married Mary C.
Fisher, and sister of Thos. He has one son, Charles A. The 1880 Federal Census recorded that he lived in Washington, District of Columbia, birthplace was Pennsylvania, married. Other household members included his wife Mary, son Charles, Jr, stepson James Dunford and a servant Nannie Parker.The National Park Service recorded the following. 9th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry (92nd Volunteers). In the Battle and Land Use of Monroe's Crossroads, the Union order of battle for the Third Brigade, taken from the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion recorded Lieutenant Colonel William B.
Way and consisted of 1st Regiment, Major Charles A. Appel, captured March 10, 1865. The item "Orig Civil War Officer Soldier Lap Desk Maj Charles Appel withcarved whimsy & more" is in sale since Tuesday, February 16, 2016. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Other Civil War-Related Items".
The seller is "fossilsrfun" and is located in Newark, Delaware. This item can be shipped to United States, to Canada, to United Kingdom, DK, RO, SK, BG, CZ, FI, HU, LV, LT, MT, EE, to Australia, GR, PT, CY, SI, to Japan, to China, SE, KR, ID, to Taiwan, ZA, TH, to Belgium, to France, to Hong Kong, to Ireland, to Netherlands, PL, to Spain, to Italy, to Germany, to Austria, RU, IL, to Mexico, to New Zealand, SG, to Switzerland, NO, SA, UA, AE, QA, KW, BH, HR, MY, TR, BR, CL, CO, CR, DO, PA, TT, GT, SV, HN, JM.