Four piece archive consisting of a handwritten note from Stuart while at West Point, sent to the daughter of his French teacher, a gold thimble, and accompanying provenance:
ANS signed “Beauty” (his nickname) in the text, one page, 2.5 x 2.5 triangular-shaped, affixed to 4.5 x 2.5 sheet with a straight pin, dated “1854” in pencil on the larger sheet, above a note by the recipient, Minnie Berard Swartwout. The straight pin holds a small twig of what seems to be the arbutus. Stuart writes, in full, “Miss Minnie, A young Virginia guest. Treat him well for Beauty’s sake.” Miss Minnie Berard Swartwout has penned on the larger sheet, “Sent to me by Mr Stewart [sic].”
A note from Minnie reads: “Epigea gathered around flirtation taking a walk with Mr Stuart.” Two two-inch-long twigs are inserted to the right of the note, through two small cuts in the paper. Accompanied by a 4 x 3.5 ANS of Minnie’s daughter (identified in pencil at lower edge, in an unknown hand, as “Miss Katherine): “note – ‘Epigea’ is the / botanical name for / an arbutus.” With 4.5 x 3.5 envelope, noted “Miss Katherine” at the lower edge in pencil in an unknown hand, with handwritten note of Katharine G. Swartwout on its front: “Flowers gathered by Minnie Bérard walking with Gen. Stuart.”
A gold thimble which was Stuart’s gift to Minnie Berard. The thimble, 7/8-inch high, approximately half-inch diameter at the open end, presented to Minnie by Stuart bears seven ornate panels, one blank panel upon which has been engraved “Minnie.” With its original custom-made leather box with clasp. Accompanied by statement signed “Katharine Swartwout” on her letterhead, which reads:“This picture* of Gen J.E.B. (‘Beauty’) Stewuart or Stuart was given to my mother Minnie (Bérard) Swartwout by him and also a gold thimble in the (original case) when he was a Cadet at West Point at about 1857 [sic].”
Also included is a newspaper clipping, from The Morning Press, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, dated October 29, 1952, noting the recent passing of Miss Katherine [sic] Swartwout at age 92, and a recollection from someone who knew her. Some passages are highlighted in yellow. In part, “Many of Miss Katherine’s young and happy days were spent at West Point where her grandfather was professor of French. Many a child spending long evenings in her home has heard from her how General Grant would take tea with her aunt when he was a student at the Military Academy. She owned a silver [sic, gold] thimble, a Valentine and an ancient daguerreotype, gifts from Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, of the Confederate Army, a onetime suitor of her mother. The daguerreotype was a picture of the general, ‘Beauty’ they called him.” In fine condition.
A well-known flirt, Stuart enjoyed kissing, and being kissed by, the ladies. But that is said to be where the flirtation ended, as he the object of his “affection” would never become “Mrs. Stuart.” That honor went to Flora Cooke, whom he married in 1855. An interesting peek into Stuart’s personality…in love, not war. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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