American Civil War interest. An interesting American bale of cotton sample

American Civil War interest. An interesting American bale of cotton sample, part covered in silk and bound with brass straps, one end inscribed in pen 'To Captain Crandon Schooner ... of Belfast Maine', the other end inscribed 'A. J. Ingersoll Cotton Farmer Mobile Ala (for Alabama) ...exe... bale f...', mid-19th century, 19.1cm high, 28.1cm long.