U.S. NAVY LIEUTENANT'S COMMISSION SIGNED BY PRESIDENT CHESTER A. ARTHUR — WILLIAM E. SEWELL, FUTURE NAVAL GOVERNOR OF GUAM — 1883

U.S. NAVY LIEUTENANT'S COMMISSION SIGNED BY PRESIDENT CHESTER A. ARTHUR — WILLIAM E. SEWELL, FUTURE NAVAL GOVERNOR OF GUAM — 1883

Hover to zoom

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4

$750.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-1197

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

A large, ornately engraved United States Navy commission appointing William E. Sewell a Lieutenant (Junior Grade) in the U.S. Navy, boldly signed by President Chester A. Arthur and countersigned by Secretary of the Navy William E. Chandler. The document is dated May 19, 1883, with the appointment effective from March 3, 1883.

The commission bears the printed engraved eagle vignette at the top, elaborate calligraphic text executed by the American Bank Note Company of New York, and a fine allegorical maritime scene at lower center featuring Neptune, a triton, and attendant figures amid ships and naval ordnance. A large embossed blue paper seal of the Navy Department is affixed at bottom center. The document also notes, in a secretarial hand along the left margin, that the recipient's title was later changed from Master to Lieutenant per an Act of Congress of March 3, 1883, with the date of Master's commission given as April 26, 1876.

WILLIAM E. SEWELL (1851–1904) was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from New York in 1867 and graduated in 1871. He rose steadily through the ranks — Ensign (1872), Master (1876), and, per this commission, Lieutenant, Junior Grade (1883), followed by promotion to full Lieutenant later that same year and Lieutenant Commander in 1889. During his career he served aboard USS Congress, USS Ticonderoga, USS Passaic, USS Alaska, and commanded USS Alarm, among other postings, and spent time at the U.S. Naval Observatory. He later commanded the Mare Island Observatory and, in 1903, was appointed the 6th Naval Governor of Guam, serving until early 1904, where he enacted a number of tax, legal, and judicial reforms before his death in office on March 18, 1904.

Matted and set in a later wooden frame (approx. 16" x 19" as framed) under glass; the frame is modern and not period to the document. Document itself shows overall toning and old fold lines consistent with age, with a short closed tear at the upper right edge of the paper. The Arthur signature, executed in brown ink, remains strong and fully legible. A wonderful, boldly signed presidential naval commission with a well-documented and traceable career recipient.  [ss][ph:L]

Additional shipping charge required.

Policy for shipment of framed items containing glass

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire »

Inquire About U.S. NAVY LIEUTENANT'S COMMISSION SIGNED BY PRESIDENT CHESTER A. ARTHUR — WILLIAM E. SEWELL, FUTURE NAVAL GOVERNOR OF GUAM — 1883

should be empty