Holy Moses!!! Look what is coming up for auction at Cowan's 5/2/18

Michael W.

First Sergeant
Joined
Jun 19, 2015
Location
The Hoosier State
I can't believe this is in private hands, but it is. John L. Worden's presentation sword, presented on the day the U.S.S. Monitor was commissioned into service, and most likely carried by him a few weeks later during the pivotal battle of the ironclads, is up for public auction at Cowan's in Cincinnati on 5/2/18. Worden was given a Tiffany presentation sword AFTER the battle between the Monitor and the Virginia, that sword is at the museum at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. Even Cowan's auction house states in the description that "In reality, this sword should be given to the Naval Academy and take its place of honor beside its sister sword," or something to that effect. Unbelievable. https://www.cowanauctions.com/lot/u...n-worden-commander-of-the-uss-monitor-3222838
 
Or the Hampton Roads Naval Museum in Norfolk (within Nauticus).

If I had the disposable income for it, I'd cheerfully purchase it and donate it to one of those. However...

Wonder if it was kept by Worden's family for at least part of the intervening years?
 
Or the Hampton Roads Naval Museum in Norfolk (within Nauticus).

If I had the disposable income for it, I'd cheerfully purchase it and donate it to one of those. However...

Wonder if it was kept by Worden's family for at least part of the intervening years?
Oh come on Mark, we can go in together and get it! I've got 300 bucks, can you come up with the other 19,700? It is for a good cause...:D
 
Anyone know anything about this sword Worden is holding?
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Anyone know anything about this sword Worden is holding?
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LOC - 03896
THAT is the Tiffany presentation sword given to Worden as a gift from the State of New York AFTER the Battle of Hampton Roads. That sword was donated to the U.S. Naval Academy by Worden's family in the early part of the 20th Century. Interestingly, this sword was stolen from the Academy in 1931, and was missing until recovered by the FBI in 2003. The sword had been in possession of an unidentified family from the 30's until it was sold to a Midwestern collector. Who specifically stole the sword has not been published. The FBI returned the sword to the Academy in 2004.

The sword coming to auction at Cowan's is the sword that was presented to Worden the day the Monitor was commissioned in February, 1862, a few weeks BEFORE the battle at Hampton Roads.
 
THAT is the Tiffany presentation sword given to Worden as a gift from the State of New York AFTER the Battle of Hampton Roads. That sword was donated to the U.S. Naval Academy by Worden's family in the early part of the 20th Century. Interestingly, this sword was stolen from the Academy in 1931, and was missing until recovered by the FBI in 2003. The sword had been in possession of an unidentified family from the 30's until it was sold to a Midwestern collector. Who specifically stole the sword has not been published. The FBI returned the sword to the Academy in 2004.

The sword coming to auction at Cowan's is the sword that was presented to Worden the day the Monitor was commissioned in February, 1862, a few weeks BEFORE the battle at Hampton Roads.
Thank you! That is an interesting story.
 
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