Premier Fine Art & Antiques Auction
August 29, 2023
Below is just a small portion of the massive selection of high quality art & antiques to be featured in our upcoming August 29th 2023 auction! This auction will span multiple genres of collectibles, including Fine Paintings & Art, Jewelry & Silver, Orientalia, Rare Glass & Lamps, Early & Victorian Furniture, Decoys, Carvings, Coin-Op, & MORE!
FINE & RARE LEECH & RIGDON “FLOATING CS” STAFF OFFICER SWORD, CAPT. N. B. VANLANDINGHAM, 12TH SOUTH CAROLINA ATTRIBUTION.
02-17230
There are 2 versions of Leech & Rigdon’s “floating CS” staff & field sword. This is the one with larger “CS” which is only correctly viewed if sword is held pointing up like when charging. This example has the best blade possible, like new with almost all its original luster. The grip may be the best grip seen on a Leech & RIGDON officer’s sword. The cord wrapped brown leather and twisted wire wrap has no defects and shows little wear. The original scabbard protected blade since the war.
This sword is pictured and described in Hartzler’s 1986 “Confederate Presentation Swords & Revolvers” pages 330-331 from Don Tharpe collection. Hartzler states sword carried by M.B. Vallandingham, 12th SCV badly wounded at Gaines Mill June 27, 1862. When searching records, There are 2 brothers in regiment, N.B. and J.T.C. Nathaiel B. Vanlandingham is the officer, Captain company “1” who was wounded Gaines Mill and had his leg amputated. He resigned March 2, 1863 Robert E. Lee, A.P. Hill, and Stonewall Jackson all signed his resignation found in National Archives. His younger brother Joseph Todd was killed at Port Royal Ferry January 1, 1862 by a shell explosion, a private in Nathaniel’s company. Nathaniel returned home and became postmaster at Dry Creek, Lancaster County, SC till his death in 1890.
PROVENANCE: Cullen Smith estate collection. (02-17230/JS). $20,000-25,000.
