Lot 660
[Navy} Matthew C. Perry, one page ALS signed "M. C. Perry" and dated Aug. 4th 1852 concerning the inspection of the mail steamer "Golden Gate", Very Fine.Estimate $150 - 200.
In 1848, Commodore Perry was appointed to the newly created post of General Superintendent of Mail Steamers. His responsibility was to oversee the construction of all ocean mail steamers to be used on the New York to West Coast ocean mail route via Panama. These ships were built to be converted to war steamers in case of emergency. In 1852, he was relieved of duty and assigned to the East India Squadron with instructions to negotiate a commercial treaty with Japan, which led to the opening up of that country after centuries of self-imposed isolation.
Realized: $220