SOUTH CAROLINA SECESSION COCKADE OF PALMETTO FRONDS, SC BUTTON, AND NOTE

SOUTH CAROLINA SECESSION COCKADE OF PALMETTO FRONDS, SC BUTTON, AND NOTE

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$1,250.00

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Item Code: 1273-33

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A South Carolina secession cockade made of coiled Palmetto fronds about 2-1/2” in diameter, sewn to a thin white card on the reverse, with a cuff-size South Carolina button mounted at center with a strand of heavy green thread, perhaps part of its original attachment or decoration, tying it to the back of a ca. 1900 printed postcard, 3-1/4” by 5-1/2”, from a Philadelphia music publisher/dealer, inscribed in old ink below the cockade: “This rosette a S.C. Confed soldier took off his cap or suit & gave Aunt Rosa or Aunt Eddie Baker.”

The button is a South Carolina state seal button, about 19mm in diameter, showing the Palmetto tree at center on a lined field, with the oak tree trunk at bottom, two arrows tied to the tree, the letters “SC” on either side of the tree, the motto, ANIMIS OPIBUSQUE PARATI (“Prepared in Spirit and Resources”) near the raised rim, set off by a line underneath, almost reaching the fronds of the tree on either side. The button is dark, with some lighter tones on the raised “SC,” veins of the fronds, etc., but retains sharp detail. We have not attempted to look at the backmark (and see little point to risking the integrity of the piece.) The fronds are all in place, with no losses. The thread may have been blue originally and shifted color: secession cockades frequently used blue ribbon, but could also have reflected green trim on the soldier’s “suit,” indicating a rifle company.

The identity of the recipient(s) is unclear. We would assume they were South Carolinians, sisters, and likely relatively young in 1861. We read the first name as “Rosa” rather than “Rose.” “Eddie” is pretty clear and likely the familiar version of Edina or something similar. Cross-checks have not turned up likely candidates yet, and there is always the possibility these were middle names, but further research might turn up something.

South Carolina was no stranger to secession crises, but things hit a fever pitch with the November 1860 election, resulting in the state’s Ordinance of Secession in December. Cockades were worn in support of the movement for some time, with blue as a favored color and red and white not far behind, but with a variety of materials, designs, and colors, and the fad quickly spread beyond the borders of South Carolina. Sales were brisk not only in southern and border states, but even in the north, where novelty as well as sentiment may have spurred their display by some.   [sr] [ph:L]

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