Impressive Grouping Associated With Sultana Survivor

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/18/2013

Eighteen (18) items pertaining to Private Albert Norris, Co. A, 76th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Norris enlisted on February 18, 1864 only to be captured in Little River, Georgia on October 26, 1864. Paroled from the notorious prison in Cahaba on March 18, 1865, Norris found himself heading to Cairo, Illinois on the doomed steamer Sultana. On April 26th near Memphis, the transport's boilers exploded, killing two-thirds of her 2,400 passengers. Norris, though injured, made it into the water and safety. A railroad telegraph operator and, later, merchant, he would live until 1936. The following is a remarkable grouping pertaining to this exceedingly fortunate Union veteran: Sixth plate tintype of Norris, 1865, pencil identified as being taken at the Gayoso Hospital, in half case…plus; brass plate with inset reading SULTANA, 3 ½"…plus; brass stickpin, 2 ¼", of an eagle and kepi marked "76"…plus; small 48-star American flag imprinted with UNION EX-PRISONERS OF WAR…plus; aluminum medal with hanger for the 20th GAR Encampment, Washington, D.C., September 20, 1892…plus; GAR pinback button with Memorial Day 1912 ribbon…plus; 1913 Memorial Day postcard inscribed by Norris…plus; white silk ribbon for the 35th Annual Reunion of the Society of the 76th Regiment Ohio Veteran infantry, Newark, Ohio, September 17, 1913…plus: Enameled plate, 9", with "GAR 71" on underside…plus; Sons of Veterans medal with hanger and the organization's Constitution…plus; Knights of Pythias cross with black ribbon…plus; Knights of Pythias triangular "jewel" with hanger engraved "A. Norris"…plus; Knights of Pythias gauntlet…plus; straight razor in case…plus; large canvas change purse with hand lettering "P. C. & ST. L. R.R." (Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad)…plus; two 1923 copies of the "Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen's Magazine"…plus; possible 5th Corps badge, silvered metal, 2 ½", with "A. Norris" on back, not associated with Norris' military service. All items very good condition or better.

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