Rare 1851 US Navy Medical Requisition Document...

Updated September 26, 2026

Lot number22
Estimate150.00 - 300.00 USD
AuctionSale 260929
DateSeptember 29, 2026 at 10:00 PM EDT
Auction housePeriod Americana
LocationBoston, Massachusetts

USS Preble Naval Academy Annapolis. This authentic pre-Civil War 1851 United States Navy medical requisition manuscript (Form II) was issued for the practice ship USS Preble, stationed at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Dated October 4, 1851, the requisition is dual-signed by U.S. Navy Surgeon Dr. John Francis Tuckerman (1817–1885) at the top right and countersigned at the lower margin by Dr. Thomas Harris, the 2nd Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (serving 1844–1853). The detailed handwritten manuscript itemizes essential sick bay supplies including Tincture of Camphor & Opium, Tincture of Ipecac, Syrup Scilla, Oil of Copaiba, Silver Nitrate, White Sugar, fine salt, delft pottery, tin coffee pots, and a Britannia tea pot, making this an extraordinary historical artifact for collectors of early US military, naval medicine, and Annapolis maritime history. Bureau of Medicine and Surgery / Navy Department, dated October 4, 1851, ink on rag paper, signed "J. Francis Tuckerman" and "Tho Harris", measures approximately 8 x 10.5 inches. Displays expected signs of age including minor age-appropriate toning, light handling wear along the edges, and original vertical fold lines; ink remains remarkably dark, crisp, and legible, with no major tears, severe foxing, or missing paper loss observed. See photos for close-up details.

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Rare 1851 US Navy Medical Requisition Document...

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