Rear Admiral Henry Walke Signed Navy Pay Check – 1855

Description

Rear Admiral Henry Walke Signed Navy Pay Check – 1855
Offered for your consideration is a naval pay check issued in 1855 to Henry Walke, a Civil War officer and future rear admiral. Issued from the “
United States Navy Yard, New York,
” on “
June 1
185
5
”, the body of this small document states that there was “
Received, from J. GEO. HARRIS, Purser United States Navy,
One hundred & One
Dollars,
Seventy One
Cents, on account of my Pay, &c.
”. This figure is repeated in numerical format at the lower left, while at the lower right is the signature of the recipient, “
H Walke
”. The foregoing elements are enclosed on three side by borders, the one at the left being decorative in nature. To the left of this is a large blank area upon which is written, “
H. Walke
/
1
st
June 1855.
/
101.71
”, possibly used as a stub. The back of this piece is blank. This document is printed in blank ink on a light blue stock. While not large, this piece would frame wonderfully below a portrait of Walke in his naval uniform.
Henry Walke
was born on December 24, 1809 in Princess Anne County, Virginia. He was appointed a midshipman on February 1, 1827, with his initial posting being at the Gosport Navy Yard, Virginia. From July, 1827 until November, 1828, Walke cruised the Caribbean in search of pirates, and from August, 1829 through November, 1831, he cruised the Mediterranean aboard the
Ontario
. He received a warrant as a passed midshipman on July 12, 1833, and after a leave, he reported for shore duty at the Philadelphia Naval Yard in March, 1834. He served in the Pacific Squadron aboard the 74-gun ship of the line
North Carolina
from January, 1836 until June, 1839, after which he was promoted lieutenant. He cruised the East Indies aboard the
Boston
, along the Brazilian coast aboard the
Bainbridge
, and during the Mexican-American War aboard the
Vesuvius
. He returned to the Mediterranean aboard the Cumberland, serving from June, 1849 through January, 1851, after which he spent time aboard a receiving ship. In January, 1861, Walke, now a commander, was in command of the storeship
Supply
at Pensacola, Florida, and after the surrender of the navy yard there, Walke transported the loyal sailors and workers to New York. He loaded his ship with supplies and reinforcements and landed them at Fort Pickens, the Union fort at Pensacola that refused to surrender. Following minor duties in the East, Walke was transferred to the Western Flotilla and given command of the
Tyler
, a river gunboat, with which he engaged several Confederate shore batteries and supported U. S. Grant at Belmont, Missouri. In mid-January, 1862, Walke assumed command of the ironclad gunboat
Carondelet
, serving at the captures of Forts Henry and Donelson, and in the passing of Island No. 10. On July 15, 1862, Walke and the
Carondelet
, along with two other vessels, engaged the Confederate ironclad ram CSS
Arkansas
. The
Carondelet
suffered heavy damage early in the action and they were unable to prevent the Southern vessel from completing its mission. He was promoted to captain on August 4, 1862 and given command of the ironclad ram
Lafayette
, his most important service being with Grant at Vicksburg. In July, 1863, Walke was ordered back east and following assorted duties, was placed in command of the screw sloop
Sacramento
. He spent the final two years of the war aboard that vessel in search of Confederate commerce raiders. Walke was promoted to commodore on July 31, 1866 and rear admiral on July 20, 1870. He was placed on the retired list on April 26, 1871, though he did see service with the United States Lighthouse Board. Finally detach from duty on April 1, 1873, he retired to write and sketch until his death. Henry Walke died in Brooklyn, New York, on March 8, 1896.
The presently offered document exhibits signs of very little period use, as well as reasonably good long-term storage. Toning is present across the entire surface, somewhat darker at the edges. While no folds are noted, minor wrinkling can be found along the top and bottom edges. One short paper tear is noted at the top, easily strengthened with archival tape if the purchaser wishes. A small section of what appears to tape residue can be seen on the back, invisible from the front. The contrast is sharp, with all printed and manuscript elements visible. One small pencil check mark can be seen beside the numerical amount at the left is mentioned for accuracy. This interesting check measures approximately 3 x 8⅛ inches, with the lower edges being somewhat ragged. Overall, a nice example of the signature of this important Union naval officer.
A charge of .95 will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance.
If you have any questions concerning this item, please ask before purchasing.
Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
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Shreveport, LA