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Joseph Roswell Hawley (1826-1905) was a career
Republican in Connecticut in the 19th century to
early 20th century. He was among the leaders of the
nascent Republican Party in the antebellum era and
became the editor of the new Hartford Evening Press
in 1857. During the war, he rose to become a brevet
major general of volunteers. His leadership propelled
him to the governorship in 1866-1867. After his defeat,
he purchased the Hartford Courant which dates back
to the colonial era and combined it with the Evening
Press, and it became one of the most prominent
organs for the Republican Party in the post-war era.
The Hartford Morning Post and Hartford Evening Press
were merged into the Hartford Evening Post in 1868.
Hawley also became the chairman of the Republican
National Convention in 1868 and was president of
the U.S. Centennial Commission in charge of planning
and running the famous 1876 Centennial Exposition
in Philadelphia. He served in the U.S. House of
Representatives in 1872-1875 and again in 1879 to 1881
and then was elected to the U.S. Senate from 1881 to
1905. The various editions of the “Evening Post Annual”
from the late 19th century provide a nice biographical
information and a portrait of Hawley.
Augustus Putnam (1817-1890) ran a stationary, book
binding, and newspaper business in Middletown until
selling it during the Civil War while he was serving as
deputy provost marshal in the 2nd District in Connecticut
during the Civil War. He was an active Republican from
Middletown, Connecticut, and is noted to have been
a correspondent for the Hartford Evening Post for
twenty-eight years and thus was an ally and employee of
Hawley. In 1865, he was also appointed as an agent for
the Connecticut River & New York Express Company. On
October 19, 1867, the Courant acknowledged Putnam
for doing “all that could be done to provide for the ‘press
gang’” at the Middlesex County Agricultural Fair. In 1868,
the Courant indicates Augustus Putnam of Middletown,
Connecticut, was one of the secretaries of the Middlesex
County meeting of Republicans during which Hawley
gave a speech. The following year, Putnam was
appointed as a collector of customs for Middletown by
Republican President Ulysses S. Grant, and he remained
in the office until 1886. His obituary in the Courant on
January 14, 1890, closed noting: “He was a public spirited
citizen and held various local offices. He was a thorough
going republican and a firm friend.”
CONDITION: Excellent with crisp engraving and markings,
98% of the original brilliant blue finish on the frame,
barrel, and cylinder; small spots of smooth brown patina,
bright blued screws, brilliant casehardening on the
hammer, and fairly minor overall wear. The grip is also
excellent and has crisp checkering and attractive natural
aged tones. The trigger reset is weak, but the revolver
otherwise functions. Aside from a small crack in the case
lid, the case and accessories are excellent with minimal
age and storage related wear. The inscription is crisp.
Overall, this is an outstandingly high condition cased set
with interesting reconstruction era Hartford
political connections.
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 65,000 - 95,000