GROUPING THAT FEATURES AN ALBUM CONTAINING SIGNATURES FROM THE VMI CLASS OF 1860 

This is an auction preview, more information is forthcoming.

A grouping of five (5) items relating to Henry H. Faunt Le Roy (1837-1914), noted as one of the oldest Confederate veterans within the city of Baltimore at the time of his death. Faunt Le Roy graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1860, at the brink of the Civil War. Under ‘Stonewall’ Jackson’s (1824-1863) tutalage, Faunt Le Roy was called to Charles Town, Virginia, with other senior cadets to oversee the hanging of abolitionist and Harper’s Ferry Raid instigator, John Brown. Anticipating unrest, Jackson enlisted the help of 86 academy cadets, a list of names which has thus far only been found published in the Petersburg (VA) Daily Express of December 8, 1859. 

Though his military records are scarce, it is noted that Faunt Le Roy was one of the first to enlist when the Civil War broke out. He was stationed at the Military Academy of Lexington, where he drilled recruits. At the war's conclusion, Henry Faunt Le Roy moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where he would live out the rest of his days, establishing and presiding over the Faunt le Roy Elevator Company. 

This grouping includes three views of Henry H. Faunt Le Roy, a newspaper clipping of his obituary, and the signature book from his graduation year (1860) at the Virginia Military Institute, signed by his fellow cadets. 

The items included in this lot are as follows:

1. Henry Faunt le Roy studio bust portrait silver gelatin boudoir card. Baltimore: Perkins, n.d. Photographers imprint printed to mount recto. Period pencil inscription naming the subject’s children and grandchildren to mount verso. 

Wearing a suit and bowtie, Faunt le Roy’s gaze is focused to the side of the photographer. His beard and moustache are neatly trimmed. One of the views captured by Perkins in this particular sitting. 
 

2. Henry Faunt le Roy studio bust portrait silver gelatin boudoir card. Baltimore: Perkins, n.d. Photographers imprint printed to mount recto. Period pencil inscription naming the subject’s children and grandchildren to mount verso. 

Wearing a suit and bowtie, Faunt le Roy’s gaze is focused squarely on the photographer’s lens. His beard and moustache are neatly trimmed. The companion view captured by Perkins in this particular sitting. 

3. Henry Faunt le Roy studio bust portrait print boudoir card. Baltimore: Perkins, n.d. Photographers signature in period pencil to mount recto. Pencil identification to mount verso. 

A printed copy of the first silver gelatin print by Perkins. 

4. H.H. Faunt Le Roy, Aged Veteran, Dead 2.75x 6.75inch newspaper clipping [11 March 1912].

Obituary clipping of H.H. Faunt Le Roy. Though the exact publication is unknown, it was likely published locally in Baltimore, Maryland where Faunt Le Roy resided and where other local newspapers such as The Baltimore Sun were reporting in a corresponding manner and timeline. In addition to Faunt Le Roy’s military endeavors, it is also noted his exact residence within Baltimore, his elevator business, his association with the Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, and his survivors. The clipping is slightly torn at the bottom, so the entire article is not quite complete. 

5. 12 mo Autographs hand gilt album. Spine completely detached and repaired with modern tape. Period Pencil identification to cover page. [1860]

Includes a dedication to classmates penned by Henry H. Faunt Le Roy. 37 pages of written autographs detailing days from the Virginia Military Institute at which he and fellow cadets were under the tutelage of “Stonewall” Jackson. Some of these cadets were likely also at the hanging of John Brown.

 A lock of hair is pressed within the pages of the book, but no identification is attached to it. 

Wonderful sentiments of classmates from the Virginia Military Institute dated to a time right at the brink of the nation plunging into the Civil War. 
 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [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]