The items in this group are all identified to Colonel Henry S. Lansing of the 17^th New York Infantry.

First up in the group is Lansing’s Model 1850 Field & Staff officer’s sword. This sword is complete with the original metal scabbard and is a handsome specimen made by the Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Mass.

This quality steel edged weapon measures a total length of almost 36” from point to pommel. The fine looking blade is 30.50” long and carries a 16” narrow fuller and a 20.50” stopped wide fuller. Blade, with its slightly rounded back, is profusely embellished via the acid etching process on both sides and features ornate military motifs and floral designs. Etchings are still clear and distinct. Obverse flat is etched with foliate, a panoply of arms and a spreadwinged eagle with riband reading “E. PLURIBUS UNUM” followed by more foliate to within 13” of the point. Reverse flat starts with a panoply of arms, a foliate design, block letters “US” followed with more crossed cannons and spears with decorative foliate to within 13” of the point. Obverse ricasso exhibits “AMES MFG CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS.” while the reverse is blank. Blade washer is present. Blade has just very minor pinprick pitting in areas with minor scattered mottling. Edge has only one minor nick. Blade wears a pleasing satin-like sheen overall.

This sword specimen features a highly detailed, two-band, cutout brass hilt with the guard and knucklebow cast in one piece. Upper band of brass hilt features prominent cutout letters “US” surrounded by finely detailed, cutout foliate. Inside band has an intricate, foliate cutout design. Has an ornate quillon. Covering the center-swelled wood handle is a grip of gray sharkskin, possibly rayskin, in excellent tight condition with little wear evident. Seam is tight. Double twisted brass / copper wire is wrapped tightly about the grooves in the handle. Brass ‘Phrygian-style’ pommel cap is border-engraved in a floral pattern and exhibits a tiered cap. Hilt is tight.

The smooth, dark, plum gray steel scabbard is in very good original condition with only minor surface pitting on the upper third. No dents in body. Has the maker’s stamping “AMES MFG. CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS” on the upper scalloped brass band. Also has the two brass ring mounts and brass drag adorned with tooling. Brass throat collar is tight to the scabbard. Sword rings solidly attached. Upper ring mount shows much wear from being belted and worn. Sword bands and drag have their small, brass setscrews. Drag exhibits a complement of dings and dents.

Next in the group is a nice conditioned matching pair of Colonels shoulder-straps housed in a folding leather wallet. The interior flap of the wallet has gold embossing that reads “COMPLIMENTARY / GENERAL H. S. LANSING / AUDITOR / CENTENNIAL BOARD OF FINANCE.” The shoulder-straps themselves have a faded dark blue backing with a single thick bullion border with an inner and outer jaceron border of bright dead bullion. The center rank field appears to be made out of a heavy corduroy type material. The rank field was black at one time but exposure and age has faded the color to almost green. At center of each strap is a detailed spread-winged eagle done in silver bullion thread with silver sequins. Both straps show wear but only one small moth nip.

The photographs in the group are two large albumens. The first is on paper mount that meas. approx. 18.50” x 13.25” while the image itself is 14.50” x 10.00.” The mount is very dirty with chips and small tears throughout and badly dog-eared and torn across the top. However, the image itself is not damaged and has only light surface dirt. The image is a wonderful shot of the 17^th New York Regiment in a column of companies, two company front. Colonel Lansing is mounted on his white horse at the front of the column with the regimental band off to the right side. The background of the image is filled with the regiment’s camp complete with pine bough arches. The bottom of the mount has a caption that reads “BRADY’S INCIDENTS OF THE WAR / 17^TH REGT. NEW YORK VOLS. COL. H. S. LANSING / BUTTERFIELD’S BRIGADE. FITZ JOHN PORTER DIVISION. HALL’S HILL, VA.”

The second image meas. approx. 18.00” x 13.50”. The top1.50” inches is folded over across the top. Both side edges are chipped and have small horizontal tears. Upper right corner is dog-eared and badly worn. Image is of Colonel Lansing with six of the staff officers of his regiment. All are full standing. Lansing is posed at center with his left hand resting on the hilt of his sword which is a Field & Staff sword and most likely the very one offered here for sale. Of the seven officers pictured three can be identified and two tentatively. Standing at far left is Assistant Surgeon Lewis Tice, fourth from left is Colonel Lansing and fifth from left is Major Charles A. Johnson. The man standing sixth from left wears a dark civilian suit with officer’s belt and militia type sword and is most likely the regimental chaplain Thomas G. Carver. It would also stand to reason the officer in the double-breasted frock coat standing third from left is the regiments Lieutenant Colonel, Thomas F. Morris. Reverse of the image is blank.

The group also contains a large document titled “INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION 1876 CERTIFICATE OF AWARD.” Document meas. approx. 25.75” x 19.00” and is water stained over three-quarters of its surface but despite this it is readable. The edges also have minor chips and tears along the 5 vertical fold lines. The document recognizes Lansing’s services contributed to the United States Centennial Commission. With the document are two vignette drawings of the main exhibition building and a memorial vignette. These are dirty and have some foxing and meas. approx. 21.00” x 11.50”.

The last item in the group is a notebook of 125 pages each containing a document, photo, ribbon or letter relating to Colonel Lansing. There are too many items to list but some of the items are a large cabinet card of Senator Charles Sumner, two tintypes of Lansing as an older man in a bathing suit, some clipped autographs, documents relating to the Centennial, some early war letters from his bank, newspaper clippings, calling card for various persons, wedding certificate, some wartime correspondence from the Adjutant Generals Office, commission from the Governor of New York as Colonel of the 17^th Regiment, wartime discharge and his commission as Brigadier General with printed Andrew Johnson signature and much more.

Henry Seymour Lansing was born in Utica, New York on February 17, 1824. Prior to the breaking out of the war he was the chief manager of the American-European Express Company, and superintended the banking department of the company at Paris for a considerable time. He assisted in organizing the Military Commission of the State of New York before the war.

At the outbreak of the Civil War Colonel Lansing was appointed to the command of the 17^th New York Infantry. His regiment saw action on the Peninsula, 2^nd Bull Run, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Lansing was honorably mustered out of the service July 17, 1863 and was brevetted Brigadier General United States Volunteers, March 13, 1865, for faithful and meritorious services during the war.

During the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, 1876, General Lansing occupied the position of auditor to the Board of Finance, where he showed himself a skillful accountant.

General Lansing had remained in Philadelphia until sometime before his death, and being a sufferer for several years from dropsy he had determined to go to New York and was on his way there when taken ill on the train at Burlington, N. J., when he was compelled to stop off, and he remained in that city until he died.

He was a genial gentleman, possessing fine social traits. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Commandery, Loyal Legion, and of George G. Meade Post, No. 1, Grand Army of the Republic, of Philadelphia. He died April 13, 1882 and was buried in the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Yard in Burlington, New Jersey.

This is a fantastic photo and document archive with a nice condition Model 1850 Staff & Field sword for this New York Colonel.

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