PLEASE READ BEFORE BUYING. I sell ONLY ORIGINAL items and NOT ANY reproductions.
This Is ONE
original INVITATION
from the headquarters of
THE OLD GUARD.
This invitation has a perfect slight indentation all the way around the border which indicates, to me, that it was stone lithographed.
It reads:
"Head Quarters, Fifth Ave. cor. Fourteenth St, New York.
THE OLD GUARD
request the pleasure of your company at their Reception, Academy of Music,
Thursday Evening January 19th, 1883.
Committee, Major Geo. W. McLean, Capt. Alexander Henriquest, Capt. H. L. Faris, Lieut E. S. Poallin, Lieut. James Hamel, Leut. L. C. Bruce, Adjt. Thomas F. Morris, Charles H. Todd, Genl. J B. Woodward, H. R. McMurray, Joseph Torrey, John Martin, and Jas. P. Whitfield secretary.
The favor of an answer is requested. Military Guests will please appear in Uniform.
PRESENT THIS FOR ADMISSION."
So, this invitation also served as a ticket to get in to the event.
OK, below is an email sent to me by a military historian:
This is a nice item, but I wanted to mention that The Old Guard noted here wasn't THE OLD GUARD of the Army - the 3rd US Infantry Regiment. At the time of this document, 1883, the 3rd US Infantry was stationed at Ft Snelling, MN., not in New York. Also, records indicate that none of the officers whose names appear on the document ever served in the 3rd US Infantry. HOWEVER, there WAS a New York MILITIA unit which also used the nickname 'Old Guard' during the late 1800s and I suspect that is the organization mentioned. Militia units often had social events of this type in those days. Also, the format for an actual REGULAR ARMY event of the period is all wrong. I hope this helps --- I'm a former soldier in the 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard) and now a PhD Military Historian.
The following is from another email I rcv'd from another viewer: To expand slightly on your description. the Twelfth Regiment of Infantry (NGSNY) was The Old Guard (and also known as the Independence Guard), the Old Guard designation was an honorific given within the New York City militia community; however the designation was ruled as much by politics as its was for performance. The unit was deactivated. Social events were the norm for militia units, often more important to standing than military skills.
Here is a most recent email I received: To correct what some of your correspondents have said: The Old Guard of the City of New York is still around, and the name is not a nickname, but is the legal designation of the Unit. It was founded as part of the 106th regiment of Militia, but was briefly assigned as part of the 8th, 9th, 12th, regiments, as well as the (83d?) NY Volunteers. This is a thumbnail, and ignores the history of company B altogether. I am the Commander. Sincerely, COL Gallagher
Condition: This invitation is invery good condition with some foxing around the edges and lower left corner. It is approx.The " ITEM" thing is just a loose piece of papger that is not attached to the
It is approximately 7" X 10" in size and is on a card stock.
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