The April History & Culture auction attracted a vast amount of collectors and buyers this month with outstanding results. It boasted a curated selection of photographs, documents, memorabilia, and more. There were 250 lots offered this month spanning a large range of historical eras from 18th & 19th century British history to the Revolutionary & Civil Wars through to present day entertainment & sports.
The lots that saw great success belonged to both global and national icons. The international individuals to garner high bids included Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, the First Duke of Wellington, and Charlie Chaplin. American historical notables included John F. Kennedy, Benjamin Harrison, Ronald Reagan, J. Edgar Hoover, Orville Wright, and the 1976 U.S. Olympic Boxing team.
Additionally, there were impressive collections that caught the attention of bidders. These lots were expansive and allowed buyers a wide selection and variety of ephemera to add to their own collections. For example, an Atomic Bomb Collection encompassing signatures from key individuals during World War II was featured. It included Paul Tibbets Jr's autograph, the captain who flew the B-29 and dropped Little Boy, the first of two atomic bombs used in warfare, on Hiroshima, Japan. Furthermore, another collection included 250 signatures from 19th through 20th century individuals including Bernard Partridge, Henry Irving, Nellie Melba, and more.
We are appreciative of our buyers and consignors and look forward to another successful History & Culture Auction in May! In the meantime, we are proud to share our auction highlights from April with you below.
April History & Culture Top Selling Lots
LOT 43: WELLINGTON - PRIME MINISTER OF UNITED KINGDOM & BATTLE OF WATERLOO COMMANDER - AUTOGRAPHED LETTER
Estimate: $250.00 - $400.00
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington autographed handwritten letter (ALS) dated June 16th, 1821 and sent from London, England with a final selling price of $412.50 (Including Buyers Premium).
LOT 48: BENJAMIN HARRISON - 23RD U.S. PRESIDENT - AUTOGRAPHED OCTOBER 16TH, 1885 CANCELED CHECK
Estimate: $200.00 - $300.00
Benjamin Harrison autograph check dated October 16th, 1885. Harrison has hand-signed and filled out the entire check in his hand with a final selling price of $362.50 (Including Buyers Premium).
LOT 49: JOHN F. KENNEDY - AUTOGRAPHED 1954 TLS RE. PUBLIC LAW 199 CONCERNING PARCEL POST
Estimate: $1,000.00 - $1,250.00
John F. Kennedy autographed typed letter (TLS) on Senate letterhead, sent from Washington, D.C., dated May 19, 1954 with a final selling price of $1375.00 (Including Buyers Premium).
LOT 56: RONALD REAGAN - 40TH U.S. PRESIDENT - LARGE EPHEMERA COLLECTION (APPROXIMATELY 100 PIECES
Estimate: $150.00-$200.00
Ronald Reagan large collection of ephemera, approximately 100 pieces. The collection includes buttons, invitations, Christmas cards, dinner cards and much more with a final selling price of $337.50 (Including Buyers Premium).
LOT 125: ATOMIC BOMB COLLECTION OF 10 AUTOGRAPHS INCLUDING TIBBETS & OTHER SCARCE SIGNERS
Estimate: $250.00 - $350.00
Atomic Bomb collection of 10 autographs including photographs and signed cards with a final selling price of $400.00 (Including Buyers Premium).
LOT 133: 19TH - EARLY 20TH CENTURY AUTOGRAPH ALBUM WITH APPROX. 250 SIGNATURES, THEATRE, MUSIC & MORE
Estimate: $250.00 - $350.00
19th through early 20th century autograph album featuring approximately 250 signatures. Some notable signers include Bernard Partridge, Henry Irving, Nellie Melba, Ella Russell, William Hunter Kendal, Marion Terry, Ada Rehan, Anthony Hope Hawkins, Clara Butt, Ignacy Jan Paderewski and many more. with a final selling price of $425.00 (Including Buyers Premium).
Lot 147: J. EDGAR HOOVER - FIRST FBI DIRECTOR - AUTOGRAPHED CUT
Estimate: $50.00 - $75.00
J. Edgar Hoover autographed cut with a final selling price of $212.50 (Including Buyers Premium).
LOT 160: ORVILLE WRIGHT - WRIGHT BROTHERS HISTORIC AVIATOR - AUTOGRAPHED CHECK FROM 1925
Estimate: $450.00 - $550.00
Orville Wright (August 19, 1871 - January 30, 1948), historic American aviation pioneer, authentic autographed vintage bank check. This check is dated April 10, 1925 and made payable to "the Dayton Gas Co." for "50 cents” with a final selling price of $562.50 (Including Buyers Premium).
LOT 170: CHARLIE CHAPLIN - ORIGINAL PACH BROTHERS STUDIO 10.125 X 13" SILVER GELATIN
Estimate: $75.00 - $100.00
Charlie Chaplin original oversized silver gelatin photograph from Pach Brothers studios with a final selling price of $212.50 (Including Buyers Premium).
Estimate: $75.00 - $100.00
1976 U.S. Olympic Boxing team 25th anniversary commemorative sheet autographed by Sugar Ray Leonard, Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks, and Leo Randolph with a final selling price of $162.50 (Including Buyers Premium).
If you have a collection of U.S. Presidential, American History, or World History autographs or rare documents you'd like to consign or sell, please contact us today.