PHILADELPHIA — Freeman’s October 25 white-glove sale of The Alexander Hamilton Collection of John E. Herzog confirms Freeman’s strength in presenting single-owner collections and securing excellent results for significant historic American material. The auction totaled nearly $600,000 in 44 lots, achieving 185% of the overall high estimate.

“I’m very happy with the result,” says Darren Winston, Head of Freeman’s Books and Manuscripts department. “Our department and the consignor both did our part, and we were able to congratulate one another on an excellent sale. The buyers that participated in the sale were a very dedicated and passionate group that were all determined to bring home a piece of American history — and we’re thrilled to have sold all lots offered, thanks to them.”

The auction, featuring significant documents, first-edition pamphlets, and autographed material, is a deep dive into the professional and personal life of the Founding Father and eminent American statesman amassed by John E. Herzog, a preeminent collector of financial documents of the 18th century and Federalist Era, and founder of the Museum of American Finance.

PUBLIC CREDIT MATERIAL SHINES

Documents pertaining to Hamilton’s work in the Treasury Department and negotiating public credit performed particularly well at the October 25 sale. Report of the Secretary of the Treasury to the House of Representatives … 1790, a first edition of Hamilton’s fundamental report that ushered in the financial revolution in the United States, achieved $81,900 following a competitive bidding war.

The Report of the Secretary of the Treasury … Containing a Plan for the further support of Public Credit exceeded its pre-sale high estimate by a remarkable 52 times to achieve $63,000, and Treasury Department. September 19, 1789 … sold for $40,950.

PRE-SALE ESTIMATES SHATTERED

Spirited bidding wars for nearly every lot pushed sale prices well above their estimates, as in the case of a deferred stock certificate of the United States from the panic of 1792, which sold at 17 times its pre-sale high estimate to achieve $44,100.

An Ordinance for the Establishment of the Mint of the United States of America; and for Regulating the Value and Alloy of Coin sold for $32,760 following an estimate of $6,000-$9,000, and the Report from the Commissioners for Purchasing the Public Debt achieved $40,950, a five-fold outperformance of its pre-sale high estimate of $5,000-$8,000.

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