CINCINNATI – On June 25, Cowan’s, a Hindman company, held an American Historical Ephemera and Photography auction. It realized more than $705,000 and saw active and competitive bidding throughout. The sale presented an outstanding selection of 18th to early 20th century material and reflected important historical periods including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Indian Wars, World Wars I and II, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Women’s Suffrage Movement.
The standout lot of the sale was an archive of more than 200 letters related to Danvers, Massachusetts physician and statesman Dr. Samuel Holten, who was an officer during the Revolutionary War and a delegate to the Continental Congress. It realized more than four times its presale estimate, ultimately selling for $46,875.
Philip Henry Sheridan’s personal headquarters flag, used when he led the 2nd Michigan Cavalry during the spring and summer of 1862, climbed past its presale estimate of $20,000-$30,000 to ultimately sell for $40,625. A half plate daguerreotype of firefighter Walter Van Erven Dorens sold for more than double its presale estimate, achieving $31,250.
An exceptional collection of 27 stereoviews from John Carbutt’s series Excursion to the 100th Meridian, from October 1866, realized $17,500 against an estimate of $10,000-$15,000. Ferdinand V. Hayden’s Sun Pictures of Rocky Mountain Scenery soared past its presale estimate of $1,500-$2,500 to sell for $16,640.
Other sale highlights included a previously unknown quarter plate daguerreotype of Zachary Taylor, which sold for $16,250, more than double its presale estimate. A presidential “Standard” flag identified to Theodore Roosevelt’s administration, from Navy Yard, New York also saw excellent bidding activity and ultimately realized $15,000, five times its presale estimate. The navy flag features an appliqued federal eagle with embroidered detailing holding an olive branch and 13 arrows in its talons and is superimposed by a federal shield. A poster emblazoned with the legend “Union Forever! Lockwood Legion!” also performed well, selling for $12,500 against an estimate of $4,000-$6,000.
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