US Belt Buckle - Carved Initials "WRP" - John A. Marks Collection - Documented and Published

SOLD

Item: US Belt Buckle - Carved Initials "WRP" - John A. Marks Collection - Documented and Published
Construction: Stamped thin sheet brass with raised large letters "US". Rear with solder fill and arrow type attachment hooks.
Condition: Excellent, excavated. Its smooth brass front has a very pleasing even brown patina. The rim has a couple of tiny dents in one area but otherwise is in great shape. The rear has nearly all of its solder with old surface flaking at the arrow hook end which is now stable. Also printed on the rear is the buckle's recovery location and date of "HC+2 / 2-11-74". All three attachment hooks are present, and the plate has no cracks, breaks, bends, or repairs.
Recovered: February 11, 1974, Hurricane Creek, Mississippi
Approximate size: 56 x 88 mm.
Comments: This absolutely stunning excavated large US belt buckle from the Civil War relic collection of longtime Tennessee relic hunter John A. Marks. It is another one of the best documented relics that I have had the opportunity to offer. Mr. Marks relic hunted over a span 33 years beginning on January 11, 1967, and recovered a copious amount of relics during that time. He managed to meticulously document each relic he recovered by marking it with its date of recovery and his letter and number code indicating area of recovery. Many of the relics Mr. Marks he recovered were in pristine or near pristine condition and this is one of those relics. 
Documentation: Mr. Marks included this find in his journal which began 11 Jan. 1967 under the "Abstracts of Plates Found". The abstract indicated the item's recovery location, date of recovery, item description, and item disposition.  In the additional images, I have included a copy this page from his Abstracts that includes the entry he made for this particular find on "2-11-1974". A copy of this journal page will be included.
Published: This buckle is also included in a group image of plates in an article titled "The Way It Was" by John A. Marks found in the "North South Trader's Civil War" magazine, Vol. XXVII, No. 2 page 59 (center image, 4th column from left, 2nd row). An image of this page is included in the additional images of this buckle. A copy of the entire article will be included with the purchase of the buckle. Click the preceding link to read the article now. 

Mr. Marks passed away on March 13, 2000, but what he left the Civil War relic collecting community, as well as Civil War historians, will be forever appreciated. This fine buckle will be an excellent addition to any Civil War buckle, plate, or general relic collection.

Product Code:
PC5852

MISSED OUT ON THIS ITEM?

I may have other similar examples not yet listed.

To find out:

Call or Text: 804-873-5462

Email: virginiarelics@comcast.net