Page 135 - 4095-BOOK2

Historically, it appears the
Donadio lordship was
centered in the La Loma
region of southern Spain,
primarily based around
productive pasture ground.
It appears that the Marquis
of Donadio purchased
la Casa de la Colina near
Selaya sometime during
the 19th century and it may
have become a primary
residence. The reason for the
presentation and connection
between Donadio and
Hawley, apart from both
being significantly involved in
the 1876 Exposition, remains
unknown at this time.
Joseph R. Hawley (1826-
1905) was born in
Stewartsville, North
Carolina, but around
10 years later
returned with his
family to Hartford,
Connecticut, his
father’s native state.
In 1847, Hawley
graduated from
Hamilton College
of New York, and
just three years later
was admitted to
the bar, eventually
practicing law in
Hartford for six
years. As tensions
in the country over
slavery grew, Hawley
became an ardent opponent
of it, initially joining the Free
Soil Party and later helping
to establish the Republican
Party in Connecticut, as well
as running a Republican
newspaper there. When the Civil War broke out in April of 1861, Hawley raised an
infantry company and mustered into the three-month 1st Connecticut Infantry
Regiment as captain, seeing action at the First Battle of Bull Run. After his three
months had ended, Hawley assisted Alfred H. Terry in raising the 7th Connecticut
Infantry Regiment and was named its lieutenant colonel, eventually succeeding
Terry as colonel. From then on, Hawley rose through the ranks, eventually
commanding a division at the Siege of Petersburg and was serving as Chief of
Staff of X Corps until the conclusion of the war. In September of 1865, he was
breveted major general and in January 1866 was mustered out of the army.
After his impressive military career, Hawley turned to politics, being elected
Governor of Connecticut in April of 1866, but being defeated in the 1867
election. Upon losing the governor’s seat, Hawley purchased the “Hartford
Courant”, combining it with the “Hartford Evening Press”, which he had been
editor of since 1857, the resulting paper becoming the most influential in
Connecticut, and one of the leading Republican papers in the country. Hawley
became a prominent member of the Republican National Convention, and in
1872 was elected to congress,
serving until 1875. From 1873
to 1876, he served as president
of the United States Centennial
Commission, which planned
and organized the Centennial
Exposition in Philadelphia in
1876, making him arguably the
most prominent figure involved
in the exposition, as well as
likely being well-connected
with the various delegations
from other countries, including
Spain and Conte del Donadio.
Hawley was again elected to
congress in 1879, serving until
1881 when he was elected to
the senate. He became one of
the leading Republican figures
in all of congress, serving until
1905 when he stepped down
after his fourth term and died
in Washington D.C. two
weeks later. Hawley
was succeeded
in the senate by
Morgan Gardner
Bulkeley, and a Colt
revolver inscribed
to him is in Lot 125.
While it is unclear
who presented
this revolver to
Bulkeley, it is
certainly possible
that it was also a gift
from Hawley, given
the similarities in
embellishment.
Also included with the
revolvers is a large copper
United States Centennial
Commission medallion, a
National Rifle Association
silver medal with case, a copy
of the book “History of the
Centennial Exhibition” by James D. McCabe, a print of a Centennial Commission
stock certificate, and a plethora of research, documents, and photographs
pertaining to primarily Joseph R. Hawley.
CONDITION: Excellent plus, retains 99% plus of the original nickel finish and 98%
plus of the bright, original nitre blue with only the slightest handling marks and
crisp engraving overall. The grips are also excellent plus. Mechanically excellent.
The case is very fine with a minor age-related split in the lid and otherwise
some minor wear on corners and some mild fading of the interior velvet.
B) Colt New Line .38 Spur Trigger Revolver - Serial no. 10983, 38 CF cal., 2
1/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Excellent plus, retains 99% plus of the original nickel finish and
95% plus of the brilliant original nitre blue with only the slightest handling
marks overall. The grips are also excellent plus. Mechanically excellent.
This is, without a doubt, the finest known, exhibition factory engraved,
presentation inscribed and cased pair of Colt New Line revolvers extant!
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 100,000 - 180,000
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