1 / 7
Click To Zoom
Lot 187
Orrin W. Clark, Company H, 60th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Civil War-era writing kit patented by George Hathaway, 1861. 
Sale 964 - The Civil War Collection of James C. Frasca
Nov 12, 2021 10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
Own a similar item?
Estimate
$600 - 800
Price Realized
$688
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
Orrin W. Clark, Company H, 60th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Civil War-era writing kit patented by George Hathaway, 1861. 

8 1/2 in. lg. cylindrical writing kit comprised of nine wooden slats secured on a tarred canvas backing (two slats detached from cloth). Pivoting slat locks remaining slats into place via brass brackets to create a flat, rigid writing surface. Across 3 slats is stamped "Pat'd Dec. 24.1861." Slats enclose a second piece of tarred canvas wrapped around a tin cylinder designed to contain writing implements including inkwell, pens, paper, envelopes, etc. Contained here are 3 wooden pencils, a likely original cylindrical inkwell (patented 4 February), mechanical pencil, mechanical pen, and extra nib. Unfinished cloth stamped "O.W. Clark" in one area and pencil inscribed "O.W. C[lark] / Co H 60th" in another.

Orrin W Clark, a 35 year old carpenter from Newburyport, Massachusetts, mustered into Company H of the 60th Massachusetts Infantry (100 day Regiment) on 23 July 1864, and mustered out on 30 November 1864 at Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to this, he had served in the 8th Massachusetts Infantry.

The Civil War Collection of James C. Frasca
Condition Report
Auction Specialist
Search