[MEXICAN WAR]. Quarter plate daguerreotype portrait of Thompson Darrah Shaw, USN, with sword presented to him for gallantry at Veracruz, 1847.

Seated portrait of Thompson Darrah Shaw wearing a double-breasted frock coat having 2 rows of 9 anchor buttons, with minimal rank insignia. He wears dress epaulettes and holds his presentation M1841 eagle head naval officer's sword with both hands. (Some tarnishing to edges, some stray residue or plate imperfections to lower portion, minor clouding to subject's shoulder and light surface scratches to left of subject; resealed.) Housed in a fully separated leatherette case (split at spine, exterior wear).

The presentation sword Darrah holds bears pearl grips and a gilded scabbard - both being embellishments over the standard model. According to the records of the Ames Sword Company, the sword was ordered from Ames on 16 December 1847 by an unknown military outfitter listed as "B. & Co., Phila" (likely Bailey and Company) at a cost of $150. Parenthetically, Ames supplied no fewer than 122 "presentation" swords to both army and navy Mexican War recipients.

An article in Philadelphia's The Public Ledger and Daily Transcript, dated 29 February 1848, notes that the sword and a pair of epaulets were presented to Lieutenant Shaw on 22 February 1848 for his command of the US schooner Petrel in the Gulf of Mexico during the Mexican War and in high appreciation of his gallant and meritorious conduct on the boisterous and perilous station. The sword is currently housed at the US Naval Academy Museum at Annapolis.

Thompson Darrah Shaw (1801-1874) commanded the Petrel during the Mexican War. Ironically, the Petrel was under construction in New York City for the Mexican Navy before being purchased by the US Navy on the outbreak of war. Petrel, with Shaw in command, served prominently - and with distinction - in the storied "Mosquito Fleet" during 1846-1847 inshore operations against Vera Cruz and environs. Petrel was engaged at Alvarado (July/August 1846), Tampico (November 1846), Vera Cruz (March 1847) and Tuxpan (April 1847). Shaw was later promoted to Commander in August 1850.

This image was published as the front cover of Military Images. Vol. XXX, 1. July/August 2008.

Lot accompanied by photocopied research and correspondence with the US Naval Academy Museum regarding Shaw and his presentation sword.

Early Photography Collection of Jules Martino, Silverton, Oregon