Historical Americana Auctions surpass $700,000

Peter Force printing of The Declaration of Independence brings $30,000 Nov. 8 in Dallas

DALLAS — Two historical Americana auctions held Nov. 8 at Heritage Auctions brought a combined $703,328 Nov. 8 in Dallas, as collectors sought fresh-to-market-finds with impeccable provenance. An 1833 rice paper print of The Declaration of Independence from William J. Stone’s original copperplate by Peter Force sold for $30,000 to top the firm's fall Americana & Political Signature Auction while a rare, signed Jack of Spades, shot through by the notorious Texas gunslinger John Wesley Hardin, sold for $13,750 to lead its Legends of the West Signature Auction.

"We think the future market for Americana is extremely bright," said Tom Slater, Director of Americana Auctions at Heritage. "Strong bidding in nearly every quadrant of the hobby pushed prices well past expectations. Several high estimates were outright ignored."

A striking and highly important American Silk Patriotic Banner, probably of the Federal Period, circa late 1780's more than doubled its estimate to sell for $20,625. The piece was accompanied by expert forensic and stylistic analyses by former Smithsonian curator Herbert Collins, and Fonda Thomsen, leading textiles expert. An important bronze figure of President Abraham Lincoln, signed D.C. French June 1915, sold for $10,625 following interest from seven bidders and an exceptional bronze bust of Lincoln by A.A. Weinman Sc also sold for $10,625.

A rare, $5 Sands Hourglass Chip from the storied but shuttered Las Vegas casino sold for $12,500 and an Album of more than 50 Original 6" x 8" Photographs by F. Jay Haynes, documenting an 1896 hunting expedition to Jackson Lake Country, sold for $11,250.

An extraordinarily rare Flag from Franklin D. Roosevelt's Presidential Yacht "Potomac" sold for $10,000 and an important, 63-Page Handwritten Memoir by Charles A. Varnum, a 7th Cavalry Officer and Chief of Scouts at Little Big Horn, also sold for $10,000 following interest from five bidders.

Additional highlights include, but are not limited to:

A 1916 Jugate Political Pinback featuring Woodrow Wilson & Thomas R. Marshall: Realized: $9,375.

Annie Oakley: One of the Most Sought-After Forms of Her Autograph: Realized: $7,500.

A 50th Anniversary Bronze Plaque Commemorating the Pony Express, signed "A. Phimister Proctor Sc. [Copyrighted]": Realized: $4,687.

A figural Boss Tweed: Tammany Still Bank: Realized: $8,750.