Political Memorabilia and Americana Auction Posts Impressive Results!

DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Auction Galleries held their latest Grand Format Auction of Political Memorabilia and Americana in their World Headquarters on June 7, 2006. The auction realized $609,521 overall, although after-auction sales are still ongoing and are expected to raise the total to even higher levels.

"I'm thrilled with the results of this auction," said Tom Slater. "Over the last several years, we've seen a steady increase in both interest and participation surrounding this unique and historic material, resulting in record prices realized. Owning this material is an opportunity to hold history in the palm of one's hand, in a very real and tangible way, and I think our clients appreciate and respond to that."

"The stars of the show were the Slave Hire tags from Charleston and Charleston Neck, South Carolina," Slater said. "There was an exceptional amount of bidder interest in these unique items, which posted healthy prices realized. Civil War and Presidential memorabilia were also strong performers, especially material dealing with Abraham Lincoln."

"There were a number of pieces that brought prices well over our pre-auction estimates," said Slater, "including a Bryan & Stevenson Jugate 'Eclipse' button which realized $20,315 over an estimate of $12,000 - $15,000, and a U.S. Grant Pottery Delegate Pig Bottle, which we had estimated at $5,000 - $7,000, and which actually brought $13,145."

"We're already working on our next offering of Political Memorabilia & Americana," said Slater, "which will be held on December 13 in Dallas, Texas. We've already accepted some very exciting consignments for that auction, so stay tuned!"

Highlights of the auction included

Unique 21 Star Silk American National Flag
REALIZED: $28,680

Amelia Earhart, First Woman to Fly Across the Atlantic: Her Historic Original Flight Plan and Related Documents
REALIZED: $23,900

Full-Color Bryan & Stevenson Jugate "Eclipse" Button, The Premier Celluloid in the Loewenstern Collection
REALIZED: $20,315

1802 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge. Number 73
REALIZED: $15,535

1815 Charleston FRUITERER Slave Hire Badge. Number 109
REALIZED: $14,340

Rare U.S. Grant Pottery Delegate Pig Bottle
REALIZED: $13,145

Unique and Historically Important Sword Belt Plate Worn by a Member of Washington's Escort for His Inauguration on April 30, 1789
REALIZED: $11,950

1824 Charleston MECHANIC Slave Hire Badge. Number 103
REALIZED: $9,560

Abraham Lincoln 1/6th Plate Ruby Ambrotype
REALIZED: $8,365

Very Rare 1868 Seymour & Blair "This is a White Man's Country" Ribbon
REALIZED: $8,365

Heritage Auction Galleries' next Grand Format auction of Political Memorabilia and Americana will be held on December 13, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. An auction of Autographs and Rare Books & Manuscripts will be held on September 7, 2006, also in Dallas.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of political memorabilia, Americana, and related collectibles are invited to visit www.HeritageAuctions.com/Americana and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Tom Slater at TomS@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com to order by email.