This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/27/2016
This beautiful 15 3/4" x 19 1/4" engraved military commission has been signed by President Ulysses S. Grant and countersigned by Secretary of War John Aaron Rawlins. It is dated March 8th, 1869 and appoints Lemuel B. Norton as "First Lieutenant in the Thirtieth Regiment of Infantry" as of September 1st, 1868. Lemuel Norton was a Chief Signal Officer during the Civil War, including at the Battle of Gettysburg, where he was cited for "Gallant and Meritorious Service". Although we have handled several Grant signed military commissions, we have never encountered an example quite as well-preserved as this document. The commission is clean and crisp, the engravings dark and bold, and the signature of the President is dark, bold, and beautiful. The document retains its original blue paper affixed seal in the upper left hand quadrant. There is a miniscule hole at the central, vertical crease on the head of the spread wing eagle and the usual vertical and horizontal creases to the vellu, but otherwise the document is exceptionally well-preserved. Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.