This is a very nice example of a “desk set” sold by Edward Woodward here in town, made from relics picked up on the field. He is known also for his engraved cannonballs, and seems to have sold these souvenirs to veterans and other visitors to the battlefield as early as 1865.

This consists of a beveled wood base, about 3.5 by 4.25 inches, stained brown, with “Gettysburg” painted in gold on the front upper edge and seven relics mounted on the top. The centerpiece is the bottom of a Schenkl shell, flanked at rear by .69 caliber round ball or canister shot at left and a section of broken bayonet blade at right. At right front a U.S. general service eagle button is flanked by a 3-ring Minie ball. At left a C.S. 2-ring Gardner Minie is next to a rather nice South Carolina button. Both bullets are fired examples. The U.S. button has a slight push and some stains. The South Carolina has some oxidation but is very good, with nice detail.

Woodward’s creations are collectible in their own right as folk-art, but they have a special appeal in carrying relics of the battle and as often taken home by the veterans themselves as mementos of the greatest experience of their lives.  [sr] [ph:m]

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

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

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.