 FLORIDA. George J. Alden, Formerly Major of the 82nd, now POST SUTLER Barrancas. Folding cardboard scrip note or fractional currency holder in two identical halves bound together in original ribbons, so-called ''Magic Ribbon'' style. Printed on each exterior piece in light powder blue on white cardboard. Each half 88mm by 56mm. Integral pink ribbon inserted, one side criss-crossed and the other parallel for holding notes in. The ''face'' half with ornate style frame with ''frilly'' details. From the top in seven lines using mixed fonts: 'READY CASH/TO BE EXCHANGED FOR/THE CHOICE GOODS OF/GEORGE J. ALDEN,/Formerly Major of the 82d, now/POST SUTLER/Barrancas'.
The opposite piece or 'back' differently styled ornate frame. Text from the top 'AT THE/Post Sutler's/CAN ALWAYS BE HAD: [in two vertical columns] Can Goods, Butter, Cheese, Vegetables, Tobacco & Cigars/Books & Papers, Stationary, Socks, gloves, Raisins, Figs,'. Below, 'AND EVERYTHING NEEDED TO CAMP./THAT'S THE PLACE TO TRADE!' At the base, under the frame is the imprint 'Rea's Print,/48 Magazine [New Orleans]'.
This is an amazing Sutler item. If it were a Florida-issued Sutler note out of Barrancas, the sky might be the limit. However, this scrip note holder is a significant advertising item and the New Orleans imprint enhances the appeal. More significantly, the 82nd was a U.S. Colored Troop Regiment and as such makes this a significant Black History association item. The first we have ever seen and obtained by Mr. Ford in 1963 and offered here for the first time.
Extremely Fine. There is a black ink spot and a piece of glue residue on the imprint (''back'') piece side. The ribbons are superb and the item conveys the grand and historical majesty of the late Civil War era.
Ex Bill Ross, August 10, 1963.
Barrancas, Florida was a fort on the bluff overlooking Pensacola Bay. The brick fort was taken by the Secessionists at the start of the War, but was abandoned by May, 1862. The 82nd Colored Troops Infantry Regiment was formed on April 4, 1864. They were consolidated with the 80th, 97th and 99th U.S. Colored Troops later on and were at Fort Barrancas from April, 1864 until March, 1865. Alden after his tenure as the Post Sutler later became the Secretary of State of Florida in 1868, at the height of the Reconstruction era.
Samuel Riddle is also listed as a Sutler for Barrancas in the directory provided in the Keller reference.
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