LEE, ROBERT E., General, C.S.A.. Engraved document signed ("R E Lee") as Captain, Brevet Colonel and Superintendent of West Point, countersigned by ten professors, including Dennis Hart Mahan (later expert military strategist during the Civil War), George Washington Cullum (later General Halleck's Chief of Staff) and George H. Thomas (later "The Rock of Chickamauga"); West Point, New York, 17 June 1853. 1 page, folio, 640 x 540mm. (25 x 21 1/4 in.), ON FINE PARCHMENT, slight spotting, otherwise in fine condition, the head is beautifully engraved: an American Eagle with spread wings clutches part of an American flag in its talons, while thick curtains frame the printed, cursive and calligraphic text. A suit of armor, war drums and various weaponry hang from the curtains. At bottom three cadets prepare to fire a cannon, army tents, a globe, scholarly books, scientific paraphernalia, maps and a telescope are displayed on the ground, and a mother eagle feeds her young in a large nest resting on a mountain peak, with small legend "Printed by J.N. Gimbrede" and "Thos Gimbrede SC."LEE AS SUPERINTENDENT OF WEST POINTA United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Cadet Thomas M. Vincent (who eventually became Attorney Adjutant General in the Union Army). The text declares that Cadet Vincent "has been judged worthy to receive [this] degree" and also recommends Vincent "for promotion in the Ordinance, Artillery, Infantry, Dragoons or Mounted Riflemen." West Point diplomas signed by Robert E. Lee are extremely uncommon, and this is the first example to appear at auction in some years.

LEE, ROBERT E., General, C.S.A.. Engraved document signed ("R E Lee") as Captain, Brevet Colonel and Superintendent of West Point, countersigned by ten professors, including Dennis Hart Mahan (later expert military strategist during the Civil War), George Washington Cullum (later General Halleck's Chief of Staff) and George H. Thomas (later "The Rock of Chickamauga"); West Point, New York, 17 June 1853. 1 page, folio, 640 x 540mm. (25 x 21 1/4 in.), ON FINE PARCHMENT, slight spotting, otherwise in fine condition, the head is beautifully engraved: an American Eagle with spread wings clutches part of an American flag in its talons, while thick curtains frame the printed, cursive and calligraphic text. A suit of armor, war drums and various weaponry hang from the curtains. At bottom three cadets prepare to fire a cannon, army tents, a globe, scholarly books, scientific paraphernalia, maps and a telescope are displayed on the ground, and a mother eagle feeds her young in a large nest resting on a mountain peak, with small legend "Printed by J.N. Gimbrede" and "Thos Gimbrede SC." LEE AS SUPERINTENDENT OF WEST POINT A United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Cadet Thomas M. Vincent (who eventually became Attorney Adjutant General in the Union Army). The text declares that Cadet Vincent "has been judged worthy to receive [this] degree" and also recommends Vincent "for promotion in the Ordinance, Artillery, Infantry, Dragoons or Mounted Riflemen." West Point diplomas signed by Robert E. Lee are extremely uncommon, and this is the first example to appear at auction in some years.

Details

LEE, ROBERT E., General, C.S.A.. Engraved document signed ("R E Lee") as Captain, Brevet Colonel and Superintendent of West Point, countersigned by ten professors, including Dennis Hart Mahan (later expert military strategist during the Civil War), George Washington Cullum (later General Halleck's Chief of Staff) and George H. Thomas (later "The Rock of Chickamauga"); West Point, New York, 17 June 1853. 1 page, folio, 640 x 540mm. (25 x 21 1/4 in.), ON FINE PARCHMENT, slight spotting, otherwise in fine condition, the head is beautifully engraved: an American Eagle with spread wings clutches part of an American flag in its talons, while thick curtains frame the printed, cursive and calligraphic text. A suit of armor, war drums and various weaponry hang from the curtains. At bottom three cadets prepare to fire a cannon, army tents, a globe, scholarly books, scientific paraphernalia, maps and a telescope are displayed on the ground, and a mother eagle feeds her young in a large nest resting on a mountain peak, with small legend "Printed by J.N. Gimbrede" and "Thos Gimbrede SC."

LEE AS SUPERINTENDENT OF WEST POINT

A United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Cadet Thomas M. Vincent (who eventually became Attorney Adjutant General in the Union Army). The text declares that Cadet Vincent "has been judged worthy to receive [this] degree" and also recommends Vincent "for promotion in the Ordinance, Artillery, Infantry, Dragoons or Mounted Riflemen." West Point diplomas signed by Robert E. Lee are extremely uncommon, and this is the first example to appear at auction in some years.