UNSIGNED TIFFANY & COMPANY SOLID GOLD PRESENTATION SNUFF BOX- FINELY ENGRAVED- A GIFT FROM THE CITIZENS OF BUFFALO, NY TO LIEUT. JOHN L. WORDEN, COMMANDER OF THE U.S.S. MONITOR DURING ITS HISTORIC BATTLE WITH C.S.S. VIRGINIA (MERRIMAC) MARCH 9, 1862.

UNSIGNED TIFFANY & COMPANY SOLID GOLD PRESENTATION SNUFF BOX- FINELY ENGRAVED- A GIFT FROM THE CITIZENS OF BUFFALO, NY TO LIEUT. JOHN L. WORDEN, COMMANDER OF THE U.S.S. MONITOR DURING ITS HISTORIC BATTLE WITH C.S.S. VIRGINIA (MERRIMAC) MARCH 9, 1862. One of the most important and historic American Civil War U.S. Navy artifacts to be presented for public sale. The unmarked SOLID GOLD (approximately 18 Karat) snuff box measures 3-5/8” x 2-3/8” x 6/8” being a hinged rectangular snuff box with a thumb lip on the front. The perimeter of the box is presented with a two-strand twisted gold wire border simulating rope at the top and bottom. On the lid is an oval panel 3” x 1-5/8” framed with the identical twisted gold wire. Within the oval panel is engraved the battle scene between the U.S. Navy Ironclad “Monitor” and the Confederate Navy Ironclad “C.S.S. Virginia” (Merrimac). This engraving is done with the finest hand. The corners of the box (outside the oval panel) are shaded with engraved lines and decorated with nautical devices such as fouled anchors, laurels and tridents. In an arc across the top of the oval panel is engraved in olde English script: “Lieut. John L. Worden, U.S.N.” immediately below in script “From the Citizens of Buffalo, N.Y./ April 8, 1862.” Arched at the bottom in very small Roman capital letters “YOU BEAT THE MERRIMAC AND SAVED THE MINNESOTA.”

The presentation of this box is detailed in the “Buffalo Morning Express” April 9, 1862 on page two. This account tells us that the box originally cost $300.00 and that the amount was raised through subscription of 60 individuals all contributing $5.00 each. A contemporary description of the presentation box and the circumstances surrounding reprinted in the “Buffalo Morning Express” from the “New York World” is presented here:

The citizens of Buffalo upon hearing of the Monitor’s victory over the Merrimac were so delighted at the act that they raised three hundred dollars, and sent it to Tiffany & Co. of this city. In return for the act, Tiffany worked up eight ounces of eighteen carat gold into a box nearly four inches long, some two inches and a quarter broad, and about one inch deep. The edges of the box are ornamented with a solid twist border, representing the ship’s rope-cable. On the lid, a border of the same kind encloses a broad oval, within which is engraved a very spirited engraving of the most extraordinary sea-fight of this, or any other age. Over the engraving is the inscription “To Lieut. John L. Worden, U.S.N.” and under it “You beat the Merrimac and saved the Minnesota.” In the corners of the box are pretty little designs in etchings of a naval character. The snuff box is a very fine one though too heavy for use, its preposterous thickness of material happily exemplifying the ironclad Monitor.

Years later, Worden visited his friends in Buffalo, as noted in the Sept. 2 1874 issue of the Commercial Advertiser. His host Captain E.P. Dorr is quoted as saying “I learned out of his own mouth that the first testimonial reached him from Buffalo, and he said it was the first thing which called his attention to the fact that he had done anything meriting commendation. He said: I was lying on my back, helpless and blind, when my good wife put into my hands the beautiful and appreciated remembrance from friends in Buffalo. I asked my wife to guide my fingers over the inscription and the names of the donors. You cannot imagine the thrill of emotion and pleasure that passed through my mind…”

The single most famous naval engagement of the American Civil War began at dawn on 9 March 1862, as CSS Virginia prepared for renewed combat. The previous day, she had utterly defeated two big Federal warships, Congress and Cumberland, destroying both and killing more than 240 of their crewmen. This day, she expected to inflict a similar fate on the grounded steam frigate Minnesota and other enemy ships, probably freeing the lower Chesapeake Bay region of Union sea power and the land forces it supported. The innovative C.S.S. Virginia would thus contribute importantly to the Confederacy’s military, and perhaps diplomatic, fortunes.

However, as they surveyed the opposite side of Hampton Roads, where the Minnesota and other potential victims awaited their fate, the Confederates realized that things were not going to be so simple. There, looking small and low near the lofty frigate, was a vessel- the USS Monitor, the Union Navy’s own ironclad, which had arrived the previous evening after a perilous voyage from New York. Though her crew was exhausted and their ship untested, the Monitor was also preparing for action.

Undeterred, Virginia steamed out into Hampton Roads. Monitor positioned herself to protect the immobile Minnesota, and a general battle began. Both ships hammered away at each other with heavy cannon, and tried to run down and hopefully disable the other, but their iron-armored sides prevented vital damage. Virginia’s smokestack was shot away, further reducing her already modest mobility, and Monitor’s technological teething troubles hindered the effectiveness of her two eleven-inch guns, the Navy’s most powerful weapons. Ammunition supply problems required her to temporarily pull away into shallower water, where the deep-drafted Virginia could not follow, but she always covered the Minnesota.

Soon after noon, Virginia gunners concentrated their fire on Monitor’s pilothouse, a small iron blockhouse near her bow. A shell hit there blinded Lieutenant John L. Worden, the Union ship’s Commanding Officer, forcing another withdrawal until he could be relieved. By the time she was ready to return to the fight, Virginia had turned away toward Norfolk. The first battle between ironclad warships had ended in stalemate.

John Lorimer Worden was born on March 12, 1818 in the Town of Mt. Pleasant, in Westchester County, NY. After his initial schooling, he became a U.S. Navy Midshipman in 1834 at the age of 16.

He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1846 and he served in the store ship Southampton off California during the war with Mexico.

As the secession crisis moved toward civil war in early 1861, Lieutenant Worden was sent to Pensacola with secret instructions for the local Naval Commander. While returning to Washington, D.C. by rail, he was arrested by Southern authorities and held as a prisoner of war for several months, an experience that badly damaged his health. He was eventually exchanged for a Lt. Sharpe of the Confederate Navy and returned to New York to recover his health in the care of his wife Olivia Toffey and her family for about seven months in the Quaker Hill area of Dutchess County.

In February 1862, upon resuming active duty, he was given command of the revolutionary ironclad USS Monitor and took her into the historic battle with the CSS Virginia on March 9, 1862. Receiving serious eye injuries in the action, he had to relinquish command. Reportedly, Worden bore the powder marks from his facial wound for the rest of his life, as well as some loss of sight. However, this battle made him a major war hero in the North.

While recovering, Worden was promoted to Commander in July of 1862. Further promoted to Captain, he commanded the Monitor-class Montauk during the first months of 1863, bombarding Fort McAllister, Georgia in January, destroying the Privateer Rattlesnake in February, and participating in the April 7, 1863 attack to recapture Fort Sumter. Captain Worden spent the remainder of the Civil War on the important duty of supervising the construction of new ironclads.

He received the rank of Commodore in 1868 and the next year began five years as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, during which time he was promoted to Rear Admiral. Rear Admiral John L. Worden died in Washington, D.C., on October 18, 1897. CONDITION: The snuff box is in excellent condition being very well cared for through the years. No damage of any sort, marks or other faults are seen on the box other than superficial surface wear to the bottom. 4-49448 CW (20,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2003

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	524	$63,250.00	UNSIGNED TIFFANY & COMPANY SOLID GOLD PRESENTATION SNUFF BOX- FINELY ENGRAVED- A GIFT FROM THE CITIZENS OF BUFFALO, NY TO LIEUT. JOHN L. WORDEN, COMMANDER OF THE U.S.S. MONITOR DURING ITS HISTORIC BATTLE WITH C.S.S. VIRGINIA (MERRIMAC) MARCH 9, 1862. One of the most important and historic American Civil War U.S. Navy artifacts to be presented for public sale. The unmarked SOLID GOLD (approximately 18 Karat) snuff box measures 3-5/8” x 2-3/8” x 6/8” being a hinged rectangular snuff box with a thumb lip on the front. The perimeter of the box is presented with a two-strand twisted gold wire border simulating rope at the top and bottom. On the lid is an oval panel 3” x 1-5/8” framed with the identical twisted gold wire. Within the oval panel is engraved the battle scene between the U.S. Navy Ironclad “Monitor” and the Confederate Navy Ironclad “C.S.S. Virginia” (Merrimac). This engraving is done with the finest hand. The corners of the box (outside the oval panel) are shaded with engraved lines and decorated with nautical devices such as fouled anchors, laurels and tridents. In an arc across the top of the oval panel is engraved in olde English script: “Lieut. John L. Worden, U.S.N.” immediately below in script “From the Citizens of Buffalo, N.Y./ April 8, 1862.” Arched at the bottom in very small Roman capital letters “YOU BEAT THE MERRIMAC AND SAVED THE MINNESOTA.” The presentation of this box is detailed in the “Buffalo Morning Express” April 9, 1862 on page two. This account tells us that the box originally cost $300.00 and that the amount was raised through subscription of 60 individuals all contributing $5.00 each. A contemporary description of the presentation box and the circumstances surrounding reprinted in the “Buffalo Morning Express” from the “New York World” is presented here: The citizens of Buffalo upon hearing of the Monitor’s victory over the Merrimac were so delighted at the act that they raised three hundred dollars, and sent it to Tiffany & Co. of this city. In return for the act, Tiffany worked up eight ounces of eighteen carat gold into a box nearly four inches long, some two inches and a quarter broad, and about one inch deep. The edges of the box are ornamented with a solid twist border, representing the ship’s rope-cable. On the lid, a border of the same kind encloses a broad oval, within which is engraved a very spirited engraving of the most extraordinary sea-fight of this, or any other age. Over the engraving is the inscription “To Lieut. John L. Worden, U.S.N.” and under it “You beat the Merrimac and saved the Minnesota.” In the corners of the box are pretty little designs in etchings of a naval character. The snuff box is a very fine one though too heavy for use, its preposterous thickness of material happily exemplifying the ironclad Monitor. Years later, Worden visited his friends in Buffalo, as noted in the Sept. 2 1874 issue of the Commercial Advertiser. His host Captain E.P. Dorr is quoted as saying “I learned out of his own mouth that the first testimonial reached him from Buffalo, and he said it was the first thing which called his attention to the fact that he had done anything meriting commendation. He said: I was lying on my back, helpless and blind, when my good wife put into my hands the beautiful and appreciated remembrance from friends in Buffalo. I asked my wife to guide my fingers over the inscription and the names of the donors. You cannot imagine the thrill of emotion and pleasure that passed through my mind…” The single most famous naval engagement of the American Civil War began at dawn on 9 March 1862, as CSS Virginia prepared for renewed combat. The previous day, she had utterly defeated two big Federal warships, Congress and Cumberland, destroying both and killing more than 240 of their crewmen. This day, she expected to inflict a similar fate on the grounded steam frigate Minnesota and other enemy ships, probably freeing the lower Chesapeake Bay region of Union sea power and the land forces it supported. The innovative C.S.S. Virginia would thus contribute importantly to the Confederacy’s military, and perhaps diplomatic, fortunes. However, as they surveyed the opposite side of Hampton Roads, where the Minnesota and other potential victims awaited their fate, the Confederates realized that things were not going to be so simple. There, looking small and low near the lofty frigate, was a vessel- the USS Monitor, the Union Navy’s own ironclad, which had arrived the previous evening after a perilous voyage from New York. Though her crew was exhausted and their ship untested, the Monitor was also preparing for action. Undeterred, Virginia steamed out into Hampton Roads. Monitor positioned herself to protect the immobile Minnesota, and a general battle began. Both ships hammered away at each other with heavy cannon, and tried to run down and hopefully disable the other, but their iron-armored sides prevented vital damage. Virginia’s smokestack was shot away, further reducing her already modest mobility, and Monitor’s technological teething troubles hindered the effectiveness of her two eleven-inch guns, the Navy’s most powerful weapons. Ammunition supply problems required her to temporarily pull away into shallower water, where the deep-drafted Virginia could not follow, but she always covered the Minnesota. Soon after noon, Virginia gunners concentrated their fire on Monitor’s pilothouse, a small iron blockhouse near her bow. A shell hit there blinded Lieutenant John L. Worden, the Union ship’s Commanding Officer, forcing another withdrawal until he could be relieved. By the time she was ready to return to the fight, Virginia had turned away toward Norfolk. The first battle between ironclad warships had ended in stalemate. John Lorimer Worden was born on March 12, 1818 in the Town of Mt. Pleasant, in Westchester County, NY. After his initial schooling, he became a U.S. Navy Midshipman in 1834 at the age of 16. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1846 and he served in the store ship Southampton off California during the war with Mexico. As the secession crisis moved toward civil war in early 1861, Lieutenant Worden was sent to Pensacola with secret instructions for the local Naval Commander. While returning to Washington, D.C. by rail, he was arrested by Southern authorities and held as a prisoner of war for several months, an experience that badly damaged his health. He was eventually exchanged for a Lt. Sharpe of the Confederate Navy and returned to New York to recover his health in the care of his wife Olivia Toffey and her family for about seven months in the Quaker Hill area of Dutchess County. In February 1862, upon resuming active duty, he was given command of the revolutionary ironclad USS Monitor and took her into the historic battle with the CSS Virginia on March 9, 1862. Receiving serious eye injuries in the action, he had to relinquish command. Reportedly, Worden bore the powder marks from his facial wound for the rest of his life, as well as some loss of sight. However, this battle made him a major war hero in the North. While recovering, Worden was promoted to Commander in July of 1862. Further promoted to Captain, he commanded the Monitor-class Montauk during the first months of 1863, bombarding Fort McAllister, Georgia in January, destroying the Privateer Rattlesnake in February, and participating in the April 7, 1863 attack to recapture Fort Sumter. Captain Worden spent the remainder of the Civil War on the important duty of supervising the construction of new ironclads. He received the rank of Commodore in 1868 and the next year began five years as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, during which time he was promoted to Rear Admiral. Rear Admiral John L. Worden died in Washington, D.C., on October 18, 1897. CONDITION: The snuff box is in excellent condition being very well cared for through the years. No damage of any sort, marks or other faults are seen on the box other than superficial surface wear to the bottom. 4-49448 CW (20,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2003 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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