HIGH GRADE TIFFANY PRESENTATION SWORD TO GENERAL THOMAS FLETCHER AND LATER GOVERNOR OF MISSOURI.

HIGH GRADE TIFFANY PRESENTATION SWORD TO GENERAL THOMAS FLETCHER AND LATER GOVERNOR OF MISSOURI. This most unusual sword no doubt a Tiffany product WAS retailed and marked by a St. Louis jeweler. This sword has a silver and gilded knucklebow, silver grip, and silver scabbard mounts. Sword appears in almost new condition seeing little use or wear after its 1862 presentation. Thomas Fletcher was born in 1827 and would become the first Missouri-born governor of his state. Even though his family owned slaves, he was an ardent abolitionist. He was colonel of 31st Missouri volunteer infantry when he was captured at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou and taken to Libby Prison where he remained for five months until his exchange. He was then present at the Battle of Vicksburg and later commanded a brigade after Chattanooga during the Atlanta campaign. He returned to St. Louis in the spring of 1864 and organized the 47th and 50th Missouri regiments. He was involved in actions in Missouri and was breveted Brigadier General for these services. Before war’s end, Fletcher was elected governor and served until 1869. After serving as governor, Fletcher practiced law in St. Louis finally moving to Washington DC where he practiced law until his death writing “Life and Reminiscences of William T. Sherman” in 1891. Fletcher died in 1899 and is buried in the Belle Fontaine cemetery in St. Louis. This is a spectacular “piece of art” in like new condition to an important figure in Missouri history. PROVENANCE: Kevin Hoffman Collection. CONDITION: The sword is in fine overall condition. The 32″ blade is bright/white retaining most of its original luster including Tiffany’s unique 22″ panels with various patriotic themes including a full-standing officer and a color bearer carrying the American flag. The agent mark of jeweler “E. Jaccard & Co St. Louis” is etched above ricasso the blade maker is stamped on ricasso “Collins & Co. Hartford, Conn.” Silver grip has gray/silver patina, is smooth with twisted silver wire being tight and complete, gilded hilt, as panoply of arms and medallion of US unique to this pattern sword terminating in a large lion’s head quillon. Remainder of knucklebow is silver and terminates into pommel which is made from torso of soldier with cape and helmet. Brass components of hilt and pommel retain most of their original gold plating. The scabbard body is finely engraved and retains most of its original gold. The silver mounts which include throat, ring mounts, and drag are finely engraved and have good silver/gray patina. 4-46901 JS86 (60,000-70,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

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
	2009	$0.00	HIGH GRADE TIFFANY PRESENTATION SWORD TO GENERAL THOMAS FLETCHER AND LATER GOVERNOR OF MISSOURI. This most unusual sword no doubt a Tiffany product WAS retailed and marked by a St. Louis jeweler. This sword has a silver and gilded knucklebow, silver grip, and silver scabbard mounts. Sword appears in almost new condition seeing little use or wear after its 1862 presentation. Thomas Fletcher was born in 1827 and would become the first Missouri-born governor of his state. Even though his family owned slaves, he was an ardent abolitionist. He was colonel of 31st Missouri volunteer infantry when he was captured at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou and taken to Libby Prison where he remained for five months until his exchange. He was then present at the Battle of Vicksburg and later commanded a brigade after Chattanooga during the Atlanta campaign. He returned to St. Louis in the spring of 1864 and organized the 47th and 50th Missouri regiments. He was involved in actions in Missouri and was breveted Brigadier General for these services. Before war’s end, Fletcher was elected governor and served until 1869. After serving as governor, Fletcher practiced law in St. Louis finally moving to Washington DC where he practiced law until his death writing “Life and Reminiscences of William T. Sherman” in 1891. Fletcher died in 1899 and is buried in the Belle Fontaine cemetery in St. Louis. This is a spectacular “piece of art” in like new condition to an important figure in Missouri history. PROVENANCE: Kevin Hoffman Collection. CONDITION: The sword is in fine overall condition. The 32″ blade is bright/white retaining most of its original luster including Tiffany’s unique 22″ panels with various patriotic themes including a full-standing officer and a color bearer carrying the American flag. The agent mark of jeweler “E. Jaccard & Co St. Louis” is etched above ricasso the blade maker is stamped on ricasso “Collins & Co. Hartford, Conn.” Silver grip has gray/silver patina, is smooth with twisted silver wire being tight and complete, gilded hilt, as panoply of arms and medallion of US unique to this pattern sword terminating in a large lion’s head quillon. Remainder of knucklebow is silver and terminates into pommel which is made from torso of soldier with cape and helmet. Brass components of hilt and pommel retain most of their original gold plating. The scabbard body is finely engraved and retains most of its original gold. The silver mounts which include throat, ring mounts, and drag are finely engraved and have good silver/gray patina. 4-46901 JS86 (60,000-70,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 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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