American Historical Ephemera and Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann

Double-breasted frock coat with velvet standing collar and matching three-button velvet-trimmed functional cuffs. Coat buttons spaced in four sets of twos as per regulations for brigadier general officers. Buttons specific to the New York Militia design for general staff and officers as prescribed in 1858, and feature the large eagle with New York Military Shield above the New York state motto "Excelsior." Backmarks of "Scovill MG Co. / Waterbury." Both shoulders with permanent brass holders for attachment of epaulettes. Four coat-sized buttons on rear vent at waist and at tails. Black stitch lining at back and white cotton lining in sleeves. One interior left breast pocket and two lined pockets at the tails. Within right sleeve handwritten inked identification of Swan's name "L.B. Swan" in reverse followed by indecipherable second line. Coat with scattered mothing, wear, and light soil. Interior lining with wear and torn/frayed/separated areas of lining. Velvet on coat collar heavily worn along top collar edge.

[With:] Cased set of brigadier general epaulettes manufacturer marked "Horstmann Brothers and Co." New York. Epaulettes housed in tin case with "Swan" etched into black finish below the handle. Each epaulette with gilt bullion tape body, double row of heavy bullion fringe, and gilt brass crescents. Undersides with red silk and red morocco. Brass fasteners marked "Left" and "Right" respectively along with "Horstmann Brothers & Co. / New York." High relief six-point silver stars. Artillery buttons at edge. Overall wear, especially to underneath red silk and leather, but overall in good condition.

[With:] Early 1840s-1850s militia belt. Gold bullion embroidered velvet with two-piece interlocking eagle tongue and wreath plate buckle. Tongue with spread wing eagle and wreath with oak leaf motif. Two hanging straps with two ornate sword hooks. Belt with wear, some missing and loose threads, but overall in generally good condition. A rare, antebellum militia belt.

[Also with:] A group of three images including: a crisp sixth plate daguerreotype of Swan in civilian attire housed under octagonal mat with paper identification pinned to the purple mat "L.B. Swan / 1848-9"; sixteenth plate daguerreotype of Swan in civilian attire housed in red velvet case; and an albumen photograph in oval frame, 12 1/2 x 15 in, with image of unidentified individual, likely a later image of Swan (wear and losses to frame, image unexamined outside frame). -- A brass name plate stencil "A.B. Swan," likely having belonged to L.B. Swan's daughter, Abby (sometimes Abbie) B. Swan.

Provenance: Portions of grouping sold as part of Lot 328 (archive which included General Swan's frock coat, epaulettes, photographs, and other accouterments), Cottone Auctions, 17 November 2018; James Mountain Antiques; from that buyer to present consignor. 

Lansing B. Swan (1809-1861) was born in Onondaga, New York. He founded the "Rochester Union Grays" in 1838 as an independent volunteer military organization, and served as its first captain. He was later appointed a major in the 54th New York regiment. In 1851, he was appointed by Governor Hunt to assume command of the 25th Brigade, 7th Division, State of New York. He held that position until his death on December 20, 1861. See also Lot 444.