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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

[War of 1812 lacquer snuffbox showing victory of United States over Macedonian]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04750 Author/Creator: Place Written: s.l. Type: Object Date: 1812 Pagination: 1 snuff box Height: 2.5 cm, Width: 9 cm Order a Copy

Cylindrical, varnished snuff box from the War of 1812. Lid commemorates the 25 October 1812 capture of the British ship Macedonia by the USS United States, commanded by Stephen Decatur. Bottom depicts the bald eagle seal of the United States surrounded by patriotic sentiments such as "United We Stand. Divided We Fall." Probably made after December 1812, when knowledge of the fight became better known (per Henry Adams, Administration of James Monroe). Image on lid is damaged at center.

Decatur, Stephen, 1752-1808

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