Rear admiral in the US Navy (1810–1877). Two items: original 2.25 x 4 carte-de-visite three-quarter-length portrait of Alden in uniform, signed in the lower border in black ink, “James Alden, U. S. A.” Published by Whipple of Boston; and an LS, one page, lightly-lined, 7.75 x 9.75, Navy Department letterhead, September 8, 1870. Letter to John J. Sullivan. In full: “On the reporting of Lieutenant Z. L. Tanner, you will regard yourself detached from the Vermont and waiting orders.” Clipped corners to bottom of the carte-de-visite and some spotting at the bottom of the image, and overall feathering to ink and slight foxing to letter, otherwise overall fine condition. RR Auction COA.
