Title:
Major General Daniel Sickles Signed Civil War-Era CDV – PSA/DNA Certified Authentic Auto
Description:
Offered here is a striking Civil War-era carte de visite (CDV) photograph of Major General Daniel E. Sickles, boldly signed along the bottom margin in black ink:
“Maj. Gen. D.E. Sickles / U.S. Army”
The signature remains clear and strong, positioned just beneath the image. The photograph captures Sickles in formal military uniform, facing left in profile. The verso bears the imprint of Sarony Photography Studio, 680 Broadway, New York, with an additional date notation.
The card is encapsulated in a PSA/DNA tamper-evident holder and graded as an authentic autograph, preserving both the photograph and signature in excellent condition for display.
Historical Context:
Daniel Edgar Sickles (1819–1914) was a Union general, diplomat, and one of the most colorful and controversial figures of the Civil War. Though he had no formal military training, Sickles was instrumental during the Battle of Gettysburg—where he famously advanced his corps without orders, nearly compromising the Union line. Despite the strategic risk, his actions ultimately contributed to Union success, though he lost his right leg in the fighting.
Prior to the war, Sickles was already infamous for the sensational killing of Philip Barton Key, son of Francis Scott Key, in a crime of passion that led to the first successful use of a temporary insanity defense in U.S. legal history. After the war, Sickles served as U.S. Minister to Spain and continued to be active in veteran and political affairs.
Authentication & Encapsulation:
This historically significant CDV has been authenticated and slabbed by PSA/DNA, one of the most respected names in autograph certification. The PSA label reads:
The item is preserved in a PSA tamper-evident holder, ensuring its long-term protection and authenticity.
Closing Appeal:
This signed and dated CDV of Major General Daniel Sickles offers collectors a compelling combination of history, character, and controversy—capturing one of the Union Army’s most complex figures at the height of his postwar prominence. For enthusiasts of Civil War autographs, this piece pairs beautifully with our Benjamin Butler signed CDV, also available in the Historical Autographs Gallery, showcasing two of the most distinctive—and polarizing—Union generals of the era. A standout relic for any serious student of 19th-century American military and political history.
