4246 RED KEPI OF LIEUTENANT ALSTON OF THE

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 May 11 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 5,000.00 USD
Estimated at 10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
1ST SOUTH CAROLINA ARTILLERY WITH HIS CDV, BOOK AND OBITUARY. This historic group contains the kepi of First Lieutenant J. Julius Alston of the 1st South Carolina Artillery. Also included is a signed CDV of Alston with a tribute on the reverse, his obituary cut from a newspaper, and a book that belonged to him titled "NEW MISCELLANIES" by Charles Kingsley. The kepi has a fine red English broadcloth crown with a dark blue band at the base. The top of the base is trimmed with narrow gold bullion and a single row of gold bullion rises from the front, sides, and rear to the crown. The crown is encircled with the same narrow bullion and a single quatrefoil on the crown, of course of the same bullion, that indicates the rank of lieutenant. There is a small bullion "1" sewn to the front of the band above the chinstrap. The kepi has a black enamel finished leather chinstrap with cuff size Yankee staff buttons at the ends. The chinstrap also shows a sizing loop on each end. The heavy leather visor appears to have a tarred or thick enamel finish with a sewn binding of very thin leather. The lining is a black and white checked cotton and the sweatband is thin black leather. The card reinforced crown has a glued-on label that reads "J. JULIUS PRINGLE ALSTON CHARLESTON, S. C.". The CDV shows a full standing view of Lieutenant Alston in uniform, wearing what appears to be this kepi. The front of the CDV is signed "J. Julius Alston Ist Lt SC Arty". The reverse of the CDV is marked "QUINBY & CO., PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST CHARLESTON, S C.". The reverse also shows an ink inscription the reads "Died 20 Aug 1863 of fever contracted at Battery Wagner. Where he served with great distinction Wounded in the head 10 July 1863 South and Morris Island. Every inch a man". The book included in this lot is titled "New Miscellanies" and is inscribed by the lieutenant in the front "J. Julius Pringle Alston Feby 1860". Lastly, Lieutenant Alston's obituary, clipped from a newspaper, is included with this group. The obituary extols the virtues of the young lieutenant who died of typhoid fever after a long and arduous duty at Battery Wagner. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a book titled "HISTORICAL SKETCH AND ROSTER SC 1ST ARTILLARY REGIMENT". CONDITION: the kepi shows a few scattered moth holes in the broadcloth but the color and form remain crisp and pleasing to the eye. The chinstrap is solid, as is the brim. The sweatband is complete but shows universal expected wear. The lining has separations but is substantially intact. The label and crown show some sweat staining. The CDV is a bit faded with wear to the edges. The signature remains crisp, as does the inscription on the reverse. The book is generally intact with about 20% of the binding missing. Pages appear complete and show no notable staining. The obituary remains clear and easily read. (02-23602 /BF). $10,000-15,000.