General Robert E. Lee — Fabric Relic from a Chair Belonging to Robert E. Lee / SOLD

Description

General Robert E. Lee — Fabric Relic from a Chair Belonging to Robert E. Lee 

 
Presented to His Godchild 
 
This framed display contains an authentic fragment of fabric attributed to a chair that originally belonged to General Robert E. Lee, the commanding general of the Confederate Army. 
 
According to the accompanying provenance, the fabric was discovered inside an old envelope labeled “General Robert E. Lee, button and material from his rocking chair which he presented to his friend Stanton… Grosse Ile.” The Stanton referenced is identified as Robert Lee Stanton (1842–1932), son of General Henry Stanton, who served alongside Lee during the Mexican War. Robert Lee Stanton was named after General Lee and was his godchild, lending a strong personal connection to the artifact. 
 
The provenance notes that Stanton later moved to Grosse Ile, Michigan, where he became a farmer. The envelope bearing the relic includes an imprint for The Hotel Book-Cadillac, Detroit, Michigan, a hotel built in 1924 and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, helping to anchor the period documentation. 
 
The fabric fragment is professionally mounted beneath glass, accompanied by a period photographic portrait of General Robert E. Lee and an explanatory placard detailing the historical context and chain of custody. The display is presented in an ornate gilt frame, ready for exhibition. 

 
Inventory Number: CON 653