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THBJohn Ericsson, Oil on Canvas Painting, of the Designer Civil War USS Monitor Union Ironclad Warship
Lot 126
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Early American History Auctions
1520 Commerce St., #312
Winchester, VA 22601
United States
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$2,500 - $3,500
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About Auction
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By Early American History Auctions
Dec 20, 2025
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2025-12-20 12:00:00
2025-12-20 12:00:00
America/New_York
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Bidsquare : Early American History Auctions - December 20, 2025
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/early-american-history-auctions/early-american-history-auctions---december-20-2025-21473
199 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Historic Maps & more. Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
199 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Historic Maps & more. Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
View Full Catalog (199)
- Lot Description
Civil War Important
John Ericsson Oil Painting on Canvas the Noted Designer of the Historic Civil War Union Ironclad the "USS Monitor"
John Ericsson, Oil on Canvas Original Painting of the historic Designer and Engineer of the famous Civil War Union Ironclad Warship "USS Monitor", Artist Signed and Dated by "O. Thorvaldsen - 1911", Framed, Extremely Fine.
John Ericsson (1803-1889), Swedish-born American Engineer and Inventor, perfected the Screw propeller and constructed radically designed Warships, notably the Civil War Union Ironclad "Monitor." This original Oil Painting measures about 18.5" x 23.25", in its gold gilt wooden framed measuring fully to 24.5" x 29.5". A handsome Portrait in Oil of John Ericsson who was one of the most influential mechanical engineers of the mid-19th century. He was best known for designing the Union Navy Civil War Ironclad USS Monitor, but he was also the inventor of the underwater propeller, among other noted innovations and historic inventions of note.
This Painting is signed and dated, "O. Thorvaldsen, 1911" at lower right. This original American portrait oil painting is created on stretched canvas. It depicts John Ericsson, his portrait above a sprig of oak leaves and a branch with berries. Below the branches is a depiction of the American Flag, shown together with the Swedish Naval Flag in tribute to Ericsson's native heritage. This vivid canvas painting is held in a gold gilt painted & linen wooden frame with some wear to the surface gilt, yet it is in its original un-restored condition. A similar historic photographic image of John Ericsson is held within the collection of the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.. Overall, this Painting has nice color and eye appeal and it is ready to hang on display.
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John Ericsson (born July 31, 1803, at Lngbanshyttan, Sweden. - died March 8, 1889, at New York, N.Y.). The famous Swedish-born American Naval Engineer and Inventor who designed and built the first armoured turret warship, and also developed the screw propeller.
After serving in the Swedish army as a topographical surveyor, Ericsson went to London in 1826 and constructed a steam locomotive, the Novelty, for a railway competition at Rainhill, Lancashire, in 1829. The prize was won by George Stephenson's Rocket.
Ericsson also devised a plan for placing warship engines below the waterline to protect them against shell fire. In 1833 he exhibited his caloric engine, on which he worked the rest of his life, and in 1836 he patented a screw propeller, first used in 1837 on the Francis B. Ogden, built in London. Capt. Robert F. Stockton, of the U.S. Navy, ordered a small iron vessel, the Robert F. Stockton, to be fitted by Ericsson with engines and screw; it reached New York City in May 1839.
A few months later, Ericsson immigrated to the United States, and he lived the rest of his life in New York City, becoming a naturalized citizen in 1848. During the American Civil War, Ericsson's proposal to the Navy Department for a novel warship was accepted, and the Monitor was launched on Jan. 30, 1862. Wholly steam-powered and with a screw propeller, the vessel, with its armoured revolving turret, set a revolutionary pattern for warships that continued into the 20th century.
On March 9 the Monitor fought the Confederate Ironclad Virginia (formerly Merrimack), leading the federal government to place an order with Ericsson for many more Monitor-type vessels; these ships played an important role in the blockade of the Confederacy. (See Battle of Monitor and Merrimack.) In later years he developed a torpedo and even investigated solar-powered motors!
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