An incredible collection of both cased and paper photography, as well as post-war reunion badges, buttons, cufflinks and ribbons related to Adam K. McQuilling (29 November 1840-3 July 1940), who lived to be nearly 100 years old. 

Born in Mercer County, Illinois, McQuilling mustered into Company A, 30th Illinois on 24 September 1861 as a private. Company A was assigned to the Army of the West, placing McQuilling under General Grant’s command on 7 November 1861 at the Battle of Belmont, as well as in February 1862 for the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson. According to one source, McQuilling was shot at near his heart during the Battle of Fort Donelson, but because he bundled up to stave off the cold, he left with only a flesh wound (Guinn, 756). 

McQuilling took part in the Siege of Corinth and the occupation of Jackson, Tennessee, the latter in which he came down with typhoid fever. After partially recovering, Gen. Grant placed McQuilling on special duty in the Jackson hospital; McQuilling then reported to the chief of hospitals in Memphis, where he received the assignment of hospital commissary at Washington Hospital in Memphis. He stayed here until his discharge on 20 September 1864 in Springfield, Illinois. While working as hospital commissary, he was twice examined for field duty and twice rejected, most likely from lasting effects due to his typhoid fever. 

After the war, McQuilling worked as a farmer and then as a store clerk, where he eventually met his wife Margaret, whom he married on 24 November 1870. The pair had a daughter before moving to California in 1875; they had a son the following year. The family of four settled in Pasadena, where McQuilling worked as the president of the Pasadena Land and Water Company,  a director and founder in the First National Bank of Pasadena, a member of the city council and a trustee of the Pasadena Public Library. He was the oldest surviving member of the G.A.R.’s John Godfrey Post No. 93 until his passing just a few months before his 100th birthday. 

This lot includes: 

1. Quarter plate seated portrait tintype. N.p., ca. 1861-1864. Separated full leatherette case. 

This image depicts two young Union soldiers, with McQuilling on the right, seated at a studio table in an occupational clerical setting — one is holding open a blank ledger or record book and the other is holding an ink pen posed over paper. Both men wear frock coats with gold-tinted button trim over vests and cravats, with forage caps resting on the table. 

2. Sixth plate seated portrait tintype. N.p., mid-to-late 19th century. Half leatherette case. 

This image captures an older woman sitting in a billowing gown with a lace collar and bonnet. She remains unidentified. 

3. Vignetted studio bust portrait albumen cabinet card of McQuilling. Galesburg, Illinois: Barker, [ca. 1870s]. Photographer’s imprint to mount recto. 

4. Vignetted studio bust portrait of McQuilling. Pasadena, California: Kohler, [ca. 1900-1910]. Affixed in cardstock folder with period pencil inscription to verso. Photo approx. 4 x 6 in. 

5. Seated studio bust portrait of McQuilling. N.p., ca. 1930s. Approx. 4 3/8 x 6 3/8 in. 

6. Two (2) small outdoor photographs of McQuilling. [Pasadena, California]: N.p., ca. 1930s. Approx. 2 1/2 x 3 5/8 and 2 1/4 x 3 in. 

7. Seated studio bust portrait of McQuilling. Pasadena, California: Edgar L. Bowman, 1931. Mounted in cardstock folder with period ink inscription opposite image. Photo approx. 5 x 7 in. 

8. Woman’s Relief Corps badge. Bronze-toned Maltese cross affixed to a red, white and blue grosgrain ribbon, suspended from a bronze-toned pinback bar. Obverse Maltese cross features the figures Lady Liberty, a soldier, a boy and a woman surrounded by “WOMANS / RELIEF / CORPS / 1883” in relief. Obverse pinback is engraved with the monogram “FCL” for the Corps’s motto: “Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty.” Reverse Maltese cross is embossed with its patent dates. Approx. 37 x 80 mm. 

9. G.A.R. Type V membership badge. Cast bronze, silk ribbon and brass. Obverse suspension pinback features an eagle clutching two crossed cannons in its talons. Tricolor silk ribbon suspended from the pinback and features a brass rank strap in its center, touting blue velvet and two gold gilt oak leaves. Five-point star badge suspended from ribbon, with obverse showing men at a campfire and the arms of service’s insignia. Star reverse features a medallion of all the different corps’ insignias. Approx. 45 x 110 mm. 

10. Yellow G.A.R. reunion ribbon. Silk and screen printed. For the 50th anniversary of the John F. Godfrey Post No. 93. Pasadena, California: N.p., 1935. Approx. 2 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. 

11. Tan G.A.R. reunion ribbon. Silk and screen printed. For the 21st reunion of the Mercer County Soldiers and Sailors’ Association. Viola, Illinois: N.p., 1904. Approx. 6 x 2 in. 

12. Cream G.A.R. reunion ribbon. Silk and screen printed. For the 30th reunion of the 102nd Illinois. New Windsor, Illinois: N.p., 1916. Approx. 2 x 5 3/4 in. 

13. Tan G.A.R. reunion ribbon. Silk and screen printed. For the 39th reunion of Mercer County Soldiers and Sailors’ Association. Aledo, Illinois: N.p., 1916. Approx. 2 x 6 in. 

14. Teal G.A.R. reunion ribbon. Silk and screen printed. For the Illinois Veterans in Southern California G.A.R. Association. Long Beach, California: N.p., 1903. Approx. 2 1/4 x 6 1/4 in. 

15. Red Pioneers Society ribbon. Silk and screen printed. N.p., 1887. Approx. 2 1/4 x 8 in. 

16. Gold Southern California Veteran Association ribbon. Silk and screen printed with brass pinback suspension bar and fringe. For the association’s 12th annual encampment. Long Beach, California: N.p., 1899. Approx. 3 x 9 in. 

17. Tan Pasadena Pioneers ribbon. Silk and screen printed with brass fringe. For New Year’s Day celebrations. Pasadena, California: N.p., 1898. Approx. 2 3/4 x 9 1/4. Safety pin closure with previous institution’s stamp to verso. 

18. White G.A.R. reunion ribbon. Silk and screen printed. For Pasadena Day for Godfrey Post No. 93. Pasadena, California: N.p., 1886. Approx. 2 3/4 x 8 1/2 in. 

19. Pair of brass G.A.R. cufflinks. Obverse features Type V G.A.R. badge relief of men at a campfire. Reverse shows a campfire stove and an embossed patent date. Diam. approx. 15 mm. 

20. Gilt button. Embossed with G.A.R. monogram. Diam. approx. 25 mm. 

References: 

Guinn, J.M. Historical and Biographical Record of Los Angeles and Vicinity. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1901. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards] [Veterans, Veterans’ Organizations, Fraternal Organizations] [GAR, Grand Army of the Republic] [Relics, Militaria] [Medals, Corps Badges, Badges, Ribbons]

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