WILTON, Conn. – A Revolutionary War powder horn, an extensive archive of material about Playboy magazine’s Hugh Hefner and a legal summons signed by the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp will all be part of University Archives’ online auction on Wednesday, November 10, at 10:30 am Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
The powder horn belonging to 18-year-old minuteman Oliver Buttrick and used at the Battle of Concord on April 19, 1775 is a remarkable relic of the Revolutionary War and carries a modest pre-sale estimate of $90,000-$100,000. The Battle of Concord was the first battle of the Revolutionary War, and witnessed the “shot heard ‘round the world” that both announced and legitimized the American Revolution. It would be hard to think of a better relic symbolizing American freedom than this item. The horn has an ownership label on vellum at its base and is accompanied by more than 50 pages of provenance that is available by request as a .pdf.
The large archive of original letters, cartoons, photographs and memorabilia relating to Hugh Hefner’s 75-year relationship with high school classmate and close friend Jane “Janie” Borson Sellers is expected to realize $50,000-$60,000. Included are more than 150 letters by Hefner, half of which are illustrated with pen and ink cartoon drawings by him.
The many lots documenting the lawlessness and disorderliness of the Wild West include the summons personally endorsed by a young Wyatt Earp, then just 21 years old and on his first job in law enforcement, as constable of Lamar, Missouri. In May 1870, Earp clearly wrote more than twenty words on the back of a legal summons and signed it “WS Earp constable.” It is estimated at $30,000-$35,000.
A one-page autograph letter signed by Thomas Jefferson and written to American diplomat William Lee, touting America’s superiority over Europe, is expected to change hands for $25,000-$30,000. Also on offer is a white Chinese Export porcelain dessert bowl from Jefferson’s White House service, circa 1790s, with 13 gold stars encircling the elegant “J” monogram at the center. It is estimated at $10,000-$12,000.
A Civil War-dated autograph album compiled by a correspondent of Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase contains 180 signatures of Lincoln administration officials and members of the 37th U.S. Congress, including President Abraham Lincoln himself and six current and future Lincoln cabinet members (Seward, Chase, Welles, Stanton, Smith and Fessenden). It is estimated at $20,000-$24,000.
Anyone who has a single item or a collection that may be a fit for a future University Archives auction may call John Reznikoff at 203-454-0111, or email him at john@universityarchives.com.
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