Internet bidders almost exclusively called the shots on two five-figure lots in Philip Weiss's Feb. 28 sale

Feb. 29, 2004

Two significant lots in Philip Weiss Auctions' Feb. 28 sale of Books, Autographs, World's Fair, Art and Sports Memorabilia were boosted to healthy five-figure results thanks, almost exclusively, to Internet bidders using LiveAuctioneers.com.

The fifth item in the 200-lot sale was a fantastic four-page letter dated July 29th, 1798, handwritten and signed by George Washington. The two-sided correspondence dealing with a land dispute – exhibiting clear, bold ink – was an exceptional example, and collectors recognized it as such. Opening at $750, the historic document attracted 25 bids – every one of them via the Internet – before ending its impressive run at $15,000.

Again, it was the Internet that packed a punch when lot 88 took its turn on the block. A linen-boxed 1966 Leon Amiel folio of The Story of the Exodus, one of 285 copies produced, with illustrations by Marc Chagall, drew 33 bids – all but one coming from the Internet. It crossed the finish line at $36,000, exceeding the high end of its $30,000-35,000 presale estimate.

Congratulations to Philip Weiss Auctions on these outstanding results.

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