COMPLIMENTARY COPY
Battle-Scarred D-Day Flag Stars In $1 Million Arms And Armor Sale
FRIDAY JULY 21, 2017 • VOL. 48, NO. 29
Robert E. Lee’s Desk Tops Cowan’s Spring American History Auction Unique 19th-Century Photography Highlights Strong Sale A desk owned by Gen. Robert E. Lee was the top lot of a day of robust bidding in Cowan’s American History Live Salesroom Auction, which was held on June 9. Selling for $32,400, the Lee desk was one of eight lots to sell for more than $10,000 during the five-hour sale that saw over 600 collectors, dealers, and institutions bidding on 392 lots. Prices reported include buyer’s premium. In addition to the lure of owning something that once belonged to one of the Civil War’s most famous generals, the humble, drop-front desk has an impeccable provenance, which helped drive bidding past its estimate. At the time of the general’s death, Lee’s widow gifted the desk to his personal physician, Dr. Robert Madison, himself a descendent of President James Madison. Madison’s family passed the desk down for generations before consigning it to Cowan’s.
This quarter plate daguerreotype of a mathematics teacher with young students sold for $10,800.
“Waud’s illustrations so rarely hit the market that it’s considered a special sale when even one comes up at auction,” said Katie Horstman, Cowan’s director of American History. “We had nine today, so needless to At the time of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s say we had overdeath, Lee’s widow gifted his whelming interest, and drop-front desk to his personal the prices certainly physician, Dr. Robert Madison, reflect that.” himself a descendent of President The top lot by James Madison. Madison’s family Waud was a watercolpassed the desk down for or of Lieutenant generations before consigning Bayard Wilkeson holdit to Cowan’s. It sold for ing his battery to its $32,400. work in an exposed position at the Battle of The auction also feaGettysburg, which sold tured nine original works for $19,200. Other top of art by Alfred R. Waud Waud lots included (1828-91), who worked Gen. Custer’s division during the Civil War as a retiring from Mt. sketch artist for the New Jackson, Va., and burning York Illustrated the forage for $16,800; Newspaper and Harper’s Weekly. Gen. George McClellan bidding The Library of Congress houses farewell to the Army of the Potomac most of his original wartime sketch- for $8,100; and the Devil’s Den at es, making it very rare for his work the Battle of Gettysburg for $6,000. to hit the market. As has come to be expected at a Cowan’s American History Auction, this sale featured an extraordinary collection of rare 19th century photography. This included the second highest sale price of the day, an exceptionally rare Wounded Knee Massacre and Pine Ridge Agency photo album, which sold for $26,400. The album contains 52 boudoir-size albuThe Little Bighorn relic collection of bullets, cartridges, men prints, most with credit in and horse bone acquired by Custer scholar James the negative to Northwestern Photo Co. of Chadron, Neb. It’s Hutchins realized $9,600. Continued on page 6
AAN Current News
Antique Radio Club Of Illinois To Host 36th Annual Radiofest on page 2
Heritage Auctions’ June 11 Arms and Armor, Civil War and Militaria Auction in Dallas, Texas, grossed $1 million, with Lt. William L. Willhoit’s D-Day battle-scarred flag taking top lot honors at $55,000. “This flag is not only memorable because of the pivotal days it was flown, it is momentous because of the story that comes with it,” said Jason Watson, Arms and Armor consignment director at Heritage. “Ensign Wilhoit, a true American hero, assumed command of the LCT 540 after his officer-in-charge was killed in the first moments of the assault. Despite his young age, Wilhoit persisted and continued to fight and lead for the next four days of the landing,” continued Watson. The exceedingly rare Operation Overlord and Neptune “Situation Map” owned and used by Gen. Omar Bradley made its auction debut and went for $43,750. The
auction was 93 percent sold by lot. Additional flags highlighted at the auction included a 34-Star, Battle of Antietam, blood-stained flag that realized $27,500, following interest from three bidders, and a 35-Star Company K Silk Cavalry Guidon, which sold for $8,750. A unique assortment of guns were offered, led by a fine Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver, which ended at $16,250. A Colt with original blued finish, a Colt Single Action Army 45, realized $15,000 and was offered in the original Colt black box that was numbered to the gun. An engraved L.C. Smith crown grade double barrel shotgun sold for $12,500; a scarce and highly desirable Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum with original box and certificate realized $11,562; and a Colt Bisley Model single action revolver from 1907 brought $10,000. Continued on page 2
Cordier’s Spring Catalog Auction Brings Strong Results
Grist Mill Presents Americana And Patriotic Memorabilia on page 3
Morphy Auctions’ Firearms Sale Brings Almost $3.3 Million In Sales on page 9
A 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Realized $27,000 A 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air cruised to the top of Cordier’s Spring Antique Catalog Auction on May 20, hammering for $27,000 after fierce competition. The car, purchased by a California buyer, was just one of almost 500 fine antiques, works of art,
2.16-carat diamond solitaire ring was the top lot in jewelry, followed by a Marco Bicego 18-carat gemstone necklace at $3,700. Standout coins included a 1799 draped bust large eagle silver dollar
Fine Art Sales At Leslie Hindman Auctioneers Realize Over 4.6 Million
jewelry, and collectibles offered by the Harrisburg, Pa., auction house. The sale was the second of four cataloged antique and fine art auctions planned by Cordier in 2017. Prices reported are hammer prices. At $11,000, a stunning 14K
A 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air sold for $27,000.
on page 10
($2,500) and a 1795 draped bust three leaves silver dollar ($2,100), both with PCGS grading. An oil painting by Harold Newton depicting a pair of palm trees was another highlight of the sale at $3,300. Harold Newton was a Continued on page 4
What Is Junk Silver? on page 15
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 The 14K 2.16-carat diamond solitaire ring went for $11,000.
A Steinway grand piano brought $10,000.
SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 5 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 7 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 7
FEATURED SHOW: Virginia Beach Antiques Show - Aug. 4, 5 & 6 in Virginia Beach, Virginia - Page 2
AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . . on page 8 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 15