William McKinley Naval Appointment

Scarce partly-printed vellum naval appointment signed by President William McKinley, dated April 14, 1899, Washington, D.C. The document appoints Henry W. Carpenter as "First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps" and is countersigned by Secretary of the Navy John D. Long. Elegantly engraved with maritime and martial vignettes, and bearing a bold dark blue U.S. Navy seal. Signed prominently by McKinley in brown ink at lower right.

The document measures 14" x 17" and is handsomely matted and framed to an overall size of 19" x 23". Folded edges and minor wrinkling; in near-fine condition. A striking piece of presidential naval history from the Spanish-American War era.