Gardner Civil War sketchbook captures $144,000 at Cowan’s
Fine quarter plate daguerreotype of Nathaniel Miller, a California pioneer. Price realized: $15,600. Cowan’s Auctions Inc. image
The highest selling lot in the auction was one of the most important photograph sketchbooks of the Civil War. Alexander Gardner’s Photographic Sketchbook of the War by Philp & Solomons, 1865-1866, sold for $144,000.
LiveAuctioneers.com provided Internet live bidding.
“Although small in size, Cowan’s Nov. 21 American History Auction commanded a tremendous amount of interest and enthusiastic bidding,” said Katie Horstman, director, American History Department, “We are delighted with the strong prices that were achieved and couldn’t be happier to end our 2014 auction year on a high note.”
Exceptional documents and archives were also offered in the auction. An important Revolutionary War Naval document detailing the official record of the court martial of Captain Whipple, signed by John Paul Jones and other Naval and Marine Corps officers realized $51,600. A J.E.B. Stuart ALS, a handwritten and signed letter, sold for $14,400. A Thomas Stonewall Jackson endorsement on Kenton Harper ALS realized $15,990, and an archive of Col. Orland Smith, including war diaries, sword and escutcheon brought $18,000.
Fine books and manuscripts were highlighted in the Nov. 21 sale. An edition of Zebulon Pike’s Expeditions to the Sources of the Mississippi, dated to 1805-1807, realized $9,600, and a book detailing mathematical collections and translations by Thomas Salusbury sold for $20,400.
Photography displayed a strong performance in the auction. A scarce whole plate ambrotype of Capt. John Wilson of the 8th Kentucky Infantry sold for $9,000, a quarter plate daguerreotype of California pioneer Nathaniel Miller, realized $15,600, and a fine Annie Oakley cabinet card hammered down at $4,800.
Additional notable lots in Cowan’s Nov.21 American History Auction included an exceptionally rare Confederate cipher disc, which brought $18,000, and a rare William Henry Harrison campaign band box realized $5,700.
For more information about the auction call Katie Horstman at 513-871-1670 ext. 246.
View the fully illustrated catalog, complete with prices realized, online at LiveAuctioneers.com.
Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Fine quarter plate daguerreotype of Nathaniel Miller, a California pioneer. Price realized: $15,600. Cowan’s Auctions Inc. image
This rare Confederate cipher disk turned up $18,000. Cowan’s Auctions Inc. image
‘Gardner’s Photographic Sketch Book of the War’ sold for $144,000. Cowan’s Auctions Inc. image
