American Historical Ephemera and Photography

A group of items related to Admiral David G. Farragut, comprising:

CDV, standing view of Farragut. New York: Rockwood (toning, some soiling). -- CDV after lithograph/engraving captioned on mount, "Vice Admiral D.G. Farragut (toning, spotting, trimmed edges/corners). -- 5 3/8 x 4 in. albumen photograph on cardstock mount of Farragut with facsimile signature in lower margin of mount, "D.G. Farragut, Admiral" (toning to print, chipping and some loss to mount).

[With:] 2 engravings of Farragut, largest 10 1/2 x 8 in. (including margins), published by Johnson, Wilson & Co., New York. Second engraving, 10 x 6 1/2 in., published by D. Appleton & Co. Each with Farragut's facsimile signature in lower margin (soiling to margins). -- Harper's Weekly. One complete issue dated 29 August 1863, featuring portrait of Farragut on the front page, accompanied by 2 single pages from 1867 and 1870 issues featuring coverage involving Farragut's flagship, the USS Franklin, as well as his passing (toning, some soiling, chipping and wear to edges).

Together, a group of 8 items. Condition generally good unless otherwise noted.

David Glasgow Farragut (1801-1870) was already the senior officer in the United States Navy when he was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral on 21 December 1864 by a grateful President Lincoln in recognition of his signal victory at Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864. After braving the guns of Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, Farragut had charged into the Bay "damning the torpedoes" that had struck the monitor USS Tecumseh.  He engaged a small Confederate squadron centered around the ironclad ram CSS Tennessee under Admiral Franklin Buchanan and captured the fearsome vessel making a prize of her. Farragut became the first Vice Admiral in the Navy, famous for framing his "damn the torpedoes" exhortation and adding it to his navy's growing chest of stirring rallying cries!  Farragut was promoted to full Admiral on 26 July 1866 and further accorded the honor of remaining on active duty for life.  He died at age 69 on 14 August 1870, having served the Navy for nearly 60 years.