Smith, John Rubens “State Fencibles. 1st Compy”

John Rubens Smith from sketches by William Huddy. “State Fencibles. 1^st Compy.” From The United States Military Magazine. 

Philadelphia: Huddy & Duval, 1839.  Vignette 6 x 6 (image).  Uncolored lithograph by A. Hoffy.  Large margins.  Minor smudges margins with a repaired one inch tear in bottom margin.  Else, very good condtion.  Rare. 

The Old Guard State Fencibles was a militia organization in Philadelphia that existed between 1813 and 1981. Today, the State Fencibles is carried on by Troop B, 1-104th Cavalry of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

The rare and fascinating magazine entitled, The United States Military Magazine and Record of all the Volunteers, together with the Army and Navy, was published in Philadelphia by Huddy & Duval from 1839 to 1841.  Volume I dealt with volunteer companies, volume II with the exploits of the United States Army & Navy, and volume III with more volunteers.  Issues were sold either colored for $1.00 or plain for 50 cents.  One way pictures were obtained and issues sold was, “Any company sending correct sketch of their corps, endorsed by commanding officer, can be inserted in the magazine by taking fifty colored plates at the established price, or one hundred plain.  The same privilege is extended to Officers of the Army and Navy, where likenesses are taken.  Colored plates 50 cents; plain 25 cents.”  (From cover of Jan. 1841 issue, quoted in Drepperd, p. 180)