Jacket attributed as being part of the military uniform worn by Theophilus Frank of the 48th North Carolina Infantry during the Civil War.

First found in 1977 by Les Jensen (curator of Arms and Armor at West Point) and others at the family home of Theophilus Frank?s descendants in Davidson County, North Carolina, the grouping originally included various articles of clothing ostensibly worn by Frank and his family during the Civil War and Reconstruction era. Though much of the clothing was not related to military use, evidence suggested that the jacket offered here, trousers, and a hat (published in North South Trader, Winter 1991) accompanied Theophilus Frank during his service with the 48th North Carolina Infantry. In Jensen?s words ?the single small US enlisted man?s eagle button at the collar was the only immediately obvious part of the garment that defined it as military, but comparison of the material of the jacket to a number of other North Carolina issue jackets?shows that the material is virtually identical.? Jensen goes on to describe its similarity to a jacket held by the North Carolina Museum of History and that the pattern of this jacket is known in Confederate military clothing. He concludes ?these items do indeed constitute the surviving original wartime uniform of Private Theophilus Frank, 48th North Carolina Volunteers. As such, they are an extraordinarily rare grouping from a Confederate soldier who came from the poorer, but much more typical part of the Confederacy?s population. This is especially significant when one considers that most surviving Confederate uniforms?come from reasonably well-to-do members of the Confederate Army.? (Jensen, 2001 letter).

The coat itself is light brown and single breasted made of fine wool and cotton material woven in a 2/1 twill, with a thread count of 48 x 56 threads per inch. The basic pattern is similar to a shirt, but with a waist band and placket front that runs across its length affixed with six small US eagle enlisted buttons. The button at the coat's collar is original. The lining of the body is made of a reddish wool and unbleached cotton, tabby weave. The sleeves are lined with an unbleached cotton, tabby weave.

Rare example. Serious parties are encouraged to request the extensive file of documentation accompanying this coat that details its discovery and subsequent conservation. Included are copies of letters from Les Jensen, a conservation report, Theophilus Frank?s service history, and more.

Theophilus ?Theo? Frank (1823-1884) was born in Davidson County, North Carolina and enlisted in the 48th North Carolina in 1863. Letters written by Frank during his Civil War service are kept by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Please see the next lot, 219, which features Theophilus Frank?s post-war sharecropper clothing referenced in this description. In-house shipping is not available for this lot.






[Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Tintype, CDV, Albumen, carte-de-visite, Salt print, Cabinet Card] [Civil War, Union, Confederate]