American Stories Celebrating 250 Auction on Jun 30, 2026 by Bonhams in MA
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Bonhams
American Stories Celebrating 250
Starts on:
Marlborough, MA, United States
Auction Details

American Stories Celebrating 250

Bonhams

Bonhams

After 250 years of independence, America has a rich and diverse history to share. These stories are rooted in human experience and expressed through objects, artworks, and the written word. The most cherished pieces from our past are those whose histories have been preserved and can be passed on to future generations. American Stories: Celebrating 250 Years of Independence presents a carefully curated selection of significant works, each with a compelling story to tell. The sale spans Revolutionary War artefacts that shaped the nation's founding, artworks that reflect the development of American life and identity, and printed materials that carried transformative ideas to an eager audience. Together, these works highlight the depth and character of America's historical legacy. Previews for this auction will be held in our Marlborough Gallery on June 25, 26, and 29 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Book a preview appointment at the following link: American Stories Preview Booking. The buyer's premium for the militaria in this auction, Lots 1-13, is 17.5%. The buyer's premium for the decorative arts in this auction, Lots 14-34, is 28% on first $50,000, then 27% up to 1M, then 21% up to 6M and 14.5% thereafter.
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A RARE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE PRESENTED CONTINENTAL LIGHT INFANTRY 'USA' SWORD AND SCABBARD,: A RARE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE PRESENTED CONTINENTAL LIGHT INFANTRY 'USA' SWORD AND SCABBARD, France, c. 1780. Cast brass hilt, slotted guard and short round quillon, connecting to a slotted knuckle bow
0001: A RARE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE PRESENTED CONTINENTAL LIGHT INFANTRY 'USA' SWORD AND SCABBARD,Est.
$50,000
-
$70,000
$50,000
A RARE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TOWN OF IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS-OWNED, FRENCH MODEL 1763/66 INFANTRY MUS...: A RARE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TOWN OF IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS-OWNED, FRENCH MODEL 1763/66 INFANTRY MUSKET, 44 3/4 in., .73 caliber round barrel with partial crown over 'D' mark at the breech; flat lock
0002: A RARE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TOWN OF IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS-OWNED, FRENCH MODEL 1763/66 INFANTRY MUS...Est.
$4,000
-
$6,000
$4,000
FRANCIS TOWL'S CARVED SIEGE OF BOSTON POWDER HORN,: FRANCIS TOWL'S CARVED SIEGE OF BOSTON POWDER HORN, dated Fort Brookline, October 17, 1775. The amber toned horn with neatly cut inscription 'FRANCIS TOWL HIS HORN/MADE AT BROOKLINE FORT OCTOBER/THE
0003: FRANCIS TOWL'S CARVED SIEGE OF BOSTON POWDER HORN,Est.
$20,000
-
$30,000
$20,000
CAPTAIN JOSEPH THOMSON'S MASSACHUSETTS MILITIA CARVED STONE SHOT MOLD,: CAPTAIN JOSEPH THOMSON'S MASSACHUSETTS MILITIA CARVED STONE SHOT MOLD, 1772. The rectangular mold with seventeen carved cavities for casting buck and musket shot in calibers ranging from approx. .25
0004: CAPTAIN JOSEPH THOMSON'S MASSACHUSETTS MILITIA CARVED STONE SHOT MOLD,Est.
$3,000
-
$5,000
$3,000
A REVOLUTIONARY WAR AMERICAN OFFICER'S EPAULET,: A REVOLUTIONARY WAR AMERICAN OFFICER'S EPAULET, probably New England, c. 1770s-1780s. The gold epaulet constructed of gilt metallic braid fashioned into double knot with ten double helix bullion
0005: A REVOLUTIONARY WAR AMERICAN OFFICER'S EPAULET,Est.
$6,000
-
$8,000
$6,000
A BADGE OF MILITARY MERIT PURPORTED TO HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO SERGEANT WILLIAM BROWN, 5TH CONNECTI...: A BADGE OF MILITARY MERIT PURPORTED TO HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO SERGEANT WILLIAM BROWN, 5TH CONNECTICUT REGIMENT, c. 1783. Heart shaped badge constructed of deep blue/purple woolen cloth with
0006: A BADGE OF MILITARY MERIT PURPORTED TO HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO SERGEANT WILLIAM BROWN, 5TH CONNECTI...Est.
$30,000
-
$50,000
$30,000
AN 18TH CENTURY LIKELY AMERICAN GRENADIER CAP CONVERTED TO A COMB CASE OR WALL POCKET,: AN 18TH CENTURY LIKELY AMERICAN GRENADIER CAP CONVERTED TO A COMB CASE OR WALL POCKET, The front face composed of the upper portion of the cap with applied worsted tap in the form of a flowing ribbon
0007: AN 18TH CENTURY LIKELY AMERICAN GRENADIER CAP CONVERTED TO A COMB CASE OR WALL POCKET,Est.
$8,000
-
$12,000
$8,000
A REVOLUTIONARY WAR BRITISH 24TH REGIMENT BAYONET BELT AND BELT PLATE,: A REVOLUTIONARY WAR BRITISH 24TH REGIMENT BAYONET BELT AND BELT PLATE, The approx. two-inch-wide buff leather belt with intact cast brass openwork '24' plate with hook and two studs on the back, the
0008: A REVOLUTIONARY WAR BRITISH 24TH REGIMENT BAYONET BELT AND BELT PLATE,Est.
$10,000
-
$15,000
$10,000
A BRITISH PATTERN 1756 LONG LAND SERVICE MUSKET WITH MASSACHUSETTS MARKINGS,: A BRITISH PATTERN 1756 LONG LAND SERVICE MUSKET WITH MASSACHUSETTS MARKINGS, c. 1762. Barrel shortened to 44 1/2 in., .80 caliber, the breech with ring decoration, marked on the top with Tower
0009: A BRITISH PATTERN 1756 LONG LAND SERVICE MUSKET WITH MASSACHUSETTS MARKINGS,Est.
$7,000
-
$9,000
$7,000
A RARE 18TH CENTURY FRENCH MILITARY CARTRIDGE POUCH.: A RARE 18TH CENTURY FRENCH MILITARY CARTRIDGE POUCH. The pouch with an outer and inner flap of Russia leather with distinctive cross-hatched texture, the outer flap decorated with an applied brass
0010: A RARE 18TH CENTURY FRENCH MILITARY CARTRIDGE POUCH.Est.
$5,000
-
$7,000
$5,000
THE ATTACK AND DEFEAT OF THE AMERICAN FLEET UNDER BENEDICT ARNOLD, BY THE KINGS FLEET COMMANDED ...: THE ATTACK AND DEFEAT OF THE AMERICAN FLEET UNDER BENEDICT ARNOLD, BY THE KINGS FLEET COMMANDED BY CAPTN. THOS. PRINGLE, UPON LAKE CHAMPLAIN. THE 11th OF OCTOBER, 1776, London: Wm. Faden, December 3,
0011: THE ATTACK AND DEFEAT OF THE AMERICAN FLEET UNDER BENEDICT ARNOLD, BY THE KINGS FLEET COMMANDED ...Est.
$20,000
-
$25,000
$20,000
A PLAN OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE KING'S ARMY UNDER THE COMMAND OF GENERAL SR. WILLIAM HOWE, K.B. ...: A PLAN OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE KING'S ARMY UNDER THE COMMAND OF GENERAL SR. WILLIAM HOWE, K.B. IN NEW YORK AND EAST NEW JERSEY, AGAINST THE AMERICAN FORCES COMMANDED BY GENERAL WASHINGTON, FROM THE
0012: A PLAN OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE KING'S ARMY UNDER THE COMMAND OF GENERAL SR. WILLIAM HOWE, K.B. ...Est.
$10,000
-
$12,000
$10,000
A MASSIVE AND APPARENTLY UNRECORDED 18TH CENTURY ENGRAVING CAPTAIN PAUL JONES,: A MASSIVE AND APPARENTLY UNRECORDED 18TH CENTURY ENGRAVING CAPTAIN PAUL JONES, after Claude Jacques Notte, c. 1780. The line engraving printed on laid paper bearing a watermark of a fleur-de-lys
0013: A MASSIVE AND APPARENTLY UNRECORDED 18TH CENTURY ENGRAVING CAPTAIN PAUL JONES,Est.
$20,000
-
$25,000
$20,000
Circle of Rembrandt Peale (1778-1860) Portrait of George Washington 37 x 30 1/4 in. (94.0 x 76.8...: Circle of Rembrandt Peale (1778-1860) Portrait of George Washington oil on canvas 37 x 30 1/4 in. (94.0 x 76.8 cm.) Footnotes: Early American painters portrayed George Washington not only as a
0014: Circle of Rembrandt Peale (1778-1860) Portrait of George Washington 37 x 30 1/4 in. (94.0 x 76.8...Est.
$4,000
-
$6,000
$4,000
James Sharples (c. 1751-1811) Pastel Portraits of General David Forman and His Daughters, drawn ...: James Sharples (c. 1751-1811) Pastel Portraits of General David Forman and His Daughters, drawn circa 1795 unsigned pastel on paper larger sheet 9 x 7 1/2 in. framed 14 1/2 x 12 1/2 in. Footnotes:
0015: James Sharples (c. 1751-1811) Pastel Portraits of General David Forman and His Daughters, drawn ...Est.
$8,000
-
$12,000
$8,000
George II Cast Iron Fireback Oxford Furnace (1741-1884), Warren County, New Jersey, dated 1746: George II Cast Iron Fireback Oxford Furnace (1741-1884), Warren County, New Jersey, dated 1746 Sand cast tablet relief-molded with coat-of-arms of King George II, inscribed 'Oxford' and dated '1746,'
0016: George II Cast Iron Fireback Oxford Furnace (1741-1884), Warren County, New Jersey, dated 1746Est.
$12,000
-
$18,000
$12,000
Attributed to John Wollaston (fl. 1742-1775) Portrait of a Lady, possibly Maria Morris: Attributed to John Wollaston (fl. 1742-1775) Portrait of a Lady, possibly Maria Morris unsigned; reverse bears a fragment of a modern paper label inscribed indistinctly 'Mar-- Morris / --- of
0017: Attributed to John Wollaston (fl. 1742-1775) Portrait of a Lady, possibly Maria MorrisEst.
$8,000
-
$12,000
$8,000
Carved Pine Bible Box North America, early 18th century: Carved Pine Bible Box North America, early 18th century Six-board construction with nailed rabbeted corners, cleated lid opening on two iron wire hinges, three exterior walls filled with compass- and
0018: Carved Pine Bible Box North America, early 18th centuryEst.
$800
-
$1,200
$800
'Jeremiah Pearson, 1766' Canvaswork Pocketbook possibly Newbury, Massachusetts, dated 1766: 'Jeremiah Pearson, 1766' Canvaswork Pocketbook possibly Newbury, Massachusetts, dated 1766 Crewel yarns dyed blue, yellow, red, green, and purple, worked in Irish flame stitch, the edges bound with
0019: 'Jeremiah Pearson, 1766' Canvaswork Pocketbook possibly Newbury, Massachusetts, dated 1766Est.
$2,000
-
$3,000
$2,000
Canvaswork Wool, Linen, and Silk Pocketbook North America, initialed 'GW' and dated 1770: Canvaswork Wool, Linen, and Silk Pocketbook North America, initialed 'GW' and dated 1770 Crewel yarns retaining vibrant yellow, pink, blue, green, and purple dyes, worked in a gradated carnation
0020: Canvaswork Wool, Linen, and Silk Pocketbook North America, initialed 'GW' and dated 1770Est.
$2,500
-
$3,500
$2,500
A Fine Wool and Silk on Linen Needlework Picture Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1750-60: A Fine Wool and Silk on Linen Needlework Picture Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1750-60 The canvas worked predominantly in tent stitch, with French knots lending texture to foliage and sheep's fleeces,
0021: A Fine Wool and Silk on Linen Needlework Picture Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1750-60Est.
$25,000
-
$45,000
$25,000
A Rare William & Mary Joined American Walnut, White Oak, Pine, Beech, Maple, Crabwood and Lette...: A Rare William & Mary Joined American Walnut, White Oak, Pine, Beech, Maple, Crabwood and Letterwood Chest over Drawers Massachusetts, c. 1660 and later In two associated sections, the upper part
0022: A Rare William & Mary Joined American Walnut, White Oak, Pine, Beech, Maple, Crabwood and Lette...Est.
$10,000
-
$15,000
$10,000
Joshua Johnson (circa 1763-1824) Mrs. Thomas Donovan and Elinor Donovan Painted circa 1799.: Joshua Johnson (circa 1763-1824) Mrs. Thomas Donovan and Elinor Donovan unsigned oil on canvas 30 1/4 x 25 in. Painted circa 1799. Footnotes: Provenance Thomas Donovan (1765-1858) and Nancy Anne Cole
0023: Joshua Johnson (circa 1763-1824) Mrs. Thomas Donovan and Elinor Donovan Painted circa 1799.Est.
$80,000
-
$120,000
$80,000
The Meikleham Family Queen Anne Walnut Block-front Kneehole Bureau Table probably Boston, Massa...: The Meikleham Family Queen Anne Walnut Block-front Kneehole Bureau Table probably Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1750 Single-board walnut top overhanging a conforming case of dovetailed white pine
0024: The Meikleham Family Queen Anne Walnut Block-front Kneehole Bureau Table probably Boston, Massa...Est.
$20,000
-
$40,000
$20,000