GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
EXTREMELY RARE, UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT ARCHIVE OF PATENT PAPERS ALONG WITH PGT BEAUREGARD LETTER OF INTRODUCTION OF COL. LEMAT FOR PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING HIS PATENT.Included in this archive is the original 20" x 12-1/2" hand drawn patent illustration along with printed United States patent letter and similar drawing printed by U.S. Patent Office. The original drawing has the bold signature of Dr. LeMat and is well known in the literature having been published in at least 3 important texts. The highly detailed LeMat drawing has inscription in upper right corner translated from French "To my excellent friend, Mr. Robert Benguerel" signed boldly "A. LeMat". Though LeMat's full name was Jean Alexandre Francois LeMat he was always simply known as Dr. Alexandre LeMat. After 1859 he was always known as "Colonel Alexandre LeMat". The accompanying letter from LeMat's business partner at the time in April 1859, PGT Beauregard, introduces Col. A. LeMat. "Permit me to introduce to you my friend Col. A. LeMat who is on a visit to Washington for the purpose of submitting to the government his 'grapeshot revolving pistol' which is a great improvement on Colt's revolver..." This is a spectacular archive that was originally put together by prominent Confederate revolver collector, Don Bryan. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Original drawing: Dr. Alexandre LeMat 1856; Robert Benguerel (Col. LeMat's friend and attorney); John W. Boyle; pictured on page 481 in "The Powder Flask Book" by Ray Riling 1953; pictured on page 85 of "Confederate Handguns" by Albaugh, Benet & Simmons 1963. Printed patent paper: pictured on page 16 of "Colonel Francois A. LeMat" by Marie and Alain Serpette 1995; pictured on page 26 of "LeMat The Man, The Gun" by Forgett and Serpette 1996; pictured on frontispiece and page 17 of "The Confederate LeMat Revolver" by Doug Adams 2005. Outstanding estate collection of Confederate and historical arms of Morris Racker, 1998. CONDITION: Documents are all mounted in 4 frames. None were removed. The two printed patent documents both show cracks and folds and the printed document has several reductions and that particular piece of paper appears yellow and brittle as can be seen in photographs. The hand drawn document shows several repaired cracks but drawing does not appear affected. The ink inscription and signature are discernible. The Beauregard letter of introduction appears very good-fine also. 51957-29 JS (8,000-12,000)