This fantastic grouping consists of the following items:

[A] GAR SWORD, ca. 1890s. Marker mark “Patch & Fellows/Boston”. Blade displays “GAR” emblem along w/ scattered age spots w/some extremely light pitting. Missing its washer. Gilt hilt assembly is relatively tight w/handle retaining its original leather, which exhibits medium wear & slight cracking. Brass wire wrapping somewhat loose. Scabbard is bright & come w/worn chamois sheath & fragment of small chamois bag w/draw string. Overall VG.

[B] Four Framed Post-War Images—three of Billings, the earliest showing him clean-shaven in a photo initialed and dated “J.D.B. 1865”. The latter two date from the late 70s/early 80s, and show him in GAR uniform while sporting a mustache & mutton-chop whiskers. In one of these (bottom maker mark “Notman Photo Co./184 Boylston St. & 3 Park St./Boston”) Billings is posed standing with sword in both hands; in the other is a matted bust pose w/Billings full signature - “John D. Billings” - on gray matting just below the bottom edge. The fourth picture is a large cabinet image of Billings’ residence in Cambridge, Mass., w/the address “17 Perry St.” inked in at bottom. All images are clean & clear, though the one of Billings’ house is somewhat faded. All frames—two wooden, two gilt—are attractive and in good shape.

[C] Documents—Two Commonwealth of Massachusetts legal documents; the first a mortgage, the second an appointment of Billings as an estate administrator, the former dated 25 June 1902, and the latter 20 July 1906.

[D] “HARDTACK AND COFFEE,” by John D. Billings. Boston: Willard Small, 1901. 408pp., ills. 6.25 x 9”, brown glazed cloth w/blind-stamped covers, gilt cover & spine lettering. Presentation inscription written upside down written in rear end papers: “Theodore S. Richards/by his friend/ John D. Billings/ April 20/21” Light to medium wear & rubbing at the extremities & upper rear spine. Rear hinge cracking. Random spots of foxing in interior text. Else VG.

[E] “SLEEPER’S TENTH MASSACHUSETTS BATTERY,” by John D. Billings. Boston: Hall & Whiting, Publishers, 1881. 400pp. Ills. 6.75 x 10”, red glazed cloth w/gilt cover & spine lettering & imagery. Medium wear & exterior soiling. Front & rear hinges & cracked clear through, but easily glued and easily repairable. Else good.

A 19-year-old resident of Canton, MA., and a machinist by trade, John D. Billings enlisted as a private and was mustered into the Massachusetts 10^th Light Artillery Battery on 9/9/1862. Promoted to corporal on 11/3/11864, Billings was mustered out with his unit at Boston on 6/9/1865. Mustered into service just prior to the Battle of Antietam, this unit—known as Sleeper’s Battery—participated in most of the major campaigns and battles of the Potomac, including the Battle of Gettysburg. The experience of this unit was the grist of Billing’s HARDTACK AND COFFEE, a book regarded by many as the finest the enlisted memoir of the American Civil War, bar none.

Personal effects of the noted John D. Billings, including a signed copy of his famous work. An extraordinary grouping. [JP] [ph:L]

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