Partial self-contained partly-printed DS, signed “R. E. Lee, Capt. Engrs.,” one page, 8 x 2.75, no date but circa June 1839. Lee certifies the necessity and receipt of supplies for the “Improvement of the Mississippi, above the Mouth of the Ohio.” The reverse is filled out in another hand with the purchase order, submitted to the firm Kingslands & Lightner and dated June 1, 1839, for “2 Bars Iron—332 lbs @ 9¢, for repairing grappling irons,” totaling $29.88. This was clipped from the top of a larger document by Lee’s eldest daughter, Mary Custis Lee, to give as a gift to family friend Mary Mason Anderson, signed and inscribed at the bottom, “For dear little ‘Mary Mason,’ from Mary Custis Lee, June 15, 1915.” In fine condition, with light toning and expected document wear. Mary Mason Anderson was the granddaughter of Joseph Reid Anderson, an iron manufacturer and Confederate army officer, whose Tredegar Iron Company was the largest producer of munitions, cannon, railroad iron, steam engines, and other ordnance for the Confederacy—perhaps it was this ironworks association that inspired Mary Custis Lee to present this specific autograph of her father. At the time he signed this, Lee was a decade removed from graduating West Point as a lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. Between 1837 and 1842, he supervised the development of St. Louis harbor and the upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers, ultimately earning a promotion to captain for his work there. A highly desirable document in both its early date and direct family provenance. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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