Franked Official Engineer Department Envelope – Brig. Gen. Joseph G. Totten

Description

Franked Official Engineer Department Envelope – Brig. Gen. Joseph G. Totten
Offered for your consideration is an official government envelope addressed and franked by Joseph G. Totten, a long serving member of the United States Army. Headlined “
ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
” and used for “
OFFICIAL
BUSINESS
”, this envelope was apparently produced for the use of Totten, as the rank and position “
B’t Brig. Gen. & Col. Eng’rs.
” are pre-printed in italics below his signature. The envelope is addressed to “
J L Putnam Eqr
/
Cornish
/
NH
”, the father of a Union officer killed during the Second Battle of Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863 (one can only wonder whether this envelope originally contained information or condolences surrounding the death). It is signed at the upper right, between the official header and his rank, by “
J G Totten
”, a career Army officer who served in the War of 1812, Mexican-American War, and the Civil War (he served over 55 years in the military). Part of a Washington D. C. postmark can be seen at the top center, though almost all of the information is missing (only the “
REE
” in FREE and “
D.C
.” are visible). Sadly, the original contents of this envelope are missing. This piece would look very nice if it were framed with a period photograph of Totten, and possibly one of J. L. Putnam (he was a Judge of Probate for Sullivan County).
An interesting autograph of this long-serving United States officer.
Joseph Gilbert Totten
was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on April 17, 1788. His higher education was received at the United States Military Academy, apparently the tenth man to graduate from that fledgling institute. Totten was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers on July 1, 1805. From 1806 through 1808 he served as his uncle’s secretary while they made the first formal survey of the newly admitted states of the Northwest Territory. During the War of 1812, Totten performed bravely, winning the brevets of major and lieutenant colonel for services rendered on the Canadian frontier. In 1818, he was promoted major in the engineers, and from 1825 until 1838, he oversaw the construction of Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island. In 1838, Totten was appointed Chief Engineer of the United States Army, a position he held until his death in 1864. During his years of service, he was a prominent contributor to numerous military related projects, principal among these being an iron-reinforced embrasure for cannons, with shutters shielding the gunners from incoming fire (these were nicknamed “Totten shutters”). He saw service in the Mexican-American War, directing the siege of Vera Cruz, and receiving a brevet to brigadier general on March 29, 1847. Totten wrote numerous reports relating to the country’s defenses in the years before the Civil War. With the outbreak of hostilities, he continued to serve as chief engineer with the official rank of colonel, though he was advanced to brigadier general on March 3, 1863. Joseph G. Totten died suddenly from pneumonia on April 22, 1864 in Washington, D. C., and was buried in that city’s Congressional Cemetery. He was brevetted to the rank of major general. (one source indicates this occurred on April 21, 1864, another says it was posthumous).
The presently offered envelope exhibits signs of significant period use, though some of its condition issues probably stem from its subsequent storage. Toning and soiling are present across the entire surface, obviously initiated when the piece traveled through the mail. These issues have caused the paper to appear off-white to beige, with grayish edges and brownish highlights on the back. Little care was taken when this piece was originally opened, with damage to the upper fold and on the closing flap (several tears are noted, easily strengthened with archival tape show the buyer choose). Each of the corners is rounded, not surprising given its purpose. The contrast is average, though it was penned in a fine hand and with little extra ink. A look at the accompanying scans should illustrate that little damage, other than some minor dirt and toning, affects the signature. Measuring 3⅛ x 5½ inches, this piece would make a great research project (someone may be able to date it from what’s left of the postmark).
A .95 charge will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance.
A .00 charge will be added to any item picked up in person at our physical location.
If you have any questions regarding this item, please ask before purchasing.
Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA