Gold Rush-era daguerreotypes of a miner and his claim captured the moment at Hindman

One of two 1852 daguerreotypes of miner William J. Jewell and his California Gold Rush claim, which together sold for $48,000 ($62,400 with buyer’s premium) at Hindman.

CHICAGO – Billed as American Historical Ephemera & Photography, Hindman‘s November 30 sale was all about vintage cartes-de-visite, ambrotypes and daguerrotypes, with some amazing performances captured for posterity. Complete results are available at LiveAuctioneers.

As anticipated, buyers surged to the pair of daguerrotypes of miner William J. Jewell (1818-1885) in the California gold fields of Poverty Bar (in Calaveras County, of Mark Twain’s jumping frog fame). Bidding started at $7,500 against a presale estimate of $15,000-$25,000, but kept climbing until leveling off at $48,000, or $62,400 with buyer’s premium.

Walking into a Victorian parlor of the late 19th century, visitors would be greeted by fascinating displays of cartes-de-visite (visiting cards, similar to the American cabinet card) – small, inexpensively produced photographs that were collected and traded. Often, the subject matter was the famous names of the day, but many other examples survive of lesser-known people and things.

Jose Maria Mora (1847-1926) was a well-known New York City cabinet card photographer whose hallmark was using theatrical backdrops to depict exotic locales for his photographic subjects. This collection of 228 Mora CDVs reads like a list of forgotten 19th-century celebrity culture, which clearly caught bidders’ attention. Estimated at only $500-$700, the lot hammered for $6,000 ($7,800 with buyer’s premium), a very surprising result indeed.

A quarter-plate ambrotype of the Randolph & Bridgewater Railroad’s flagship 4-4-0 steam locomotive with single-truck, six-wheel tender sent rail photography enthusiasts into a bidding war, pushing the lot to $6,000 ($7,800 with buyer’s premium), double its high estimate. Captured in the late 1840s at the R&B locomotive shed in South Braintree, Massachusetts, the locomotive type is an extremely early version that would be refined throughout the Civil War period, culminating in examples like that made famous in Buster Keaton’s 1926 silent classic The General.

Two 1852 daguerreotypes of miner William J. Jewell and his California Gold Rush claim, which sold for $48,000 ($62,400 with buyer’s premium) at Hindman.

Two 1852 daguerreotypes of miner William J. Jewell and his California Gold Rush claim, which sold for $48,000 ($62,400 with buyer’s premium) at Hindman.

A 228-piece carte-de-visite collection by photographer Jose Maria Mora, which sold for $6,000 ($7,800 with buyer’s premium) at Hindman.

A 228-piece carte-de-visite collection by photographer Jose Maria Mora, which sold for $6,000 ($7,800 with buyer’s premium) at Hindman.

Quarter-plate ambrotype of the Randolph & Bridgewater Railroad’s flagship 4-4-0 steam locomotive with tender, which sold for $6,000 ($7,800 with buyer’s premium) at Hindman.

Quarter-plate ambrotype of the Randolph & Bridgewater Railroad’s flagship 4-4-0 steam locomotive with tender, which sold for $6,000 ($7,800 with buyer’s premium) at Hindman.

Ferdinand V. Hayden, photographic views along the right-of-way of the Union Pacific - Central Pacific transcontinental railroad line, which sold for $8,500 ($11,050 with buyer's premium) at Hindman.

Ferdinand V. Hayden, photographic views along the right-of-way of the Union Pacific - Central Pacific transcontinental railroad line, which sold for $8,500 ($11,050 with buyer's premium) at Hindman.

A 228-piece carte-de-visite collection by photographer Jose Maria Mora, which sold for $6,000 ($7,800 with buyer’s premium) at Hindman.
A 228-piece carte-de-visite collection by photographer Jose Maria Mora, which sold for $6,000 ($7,800 with buyer’s premium) at Hindman.
Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte has worked in editorial, design and the toy and auction industries for more than 30 years. He co-founded Auction Central News in 2007.

Civil War and Gold Rush-era ephemera and photography showcased at Hindman Nov. 30

Only known daguerreotype of General James Birdseye McPherson, $4,000-$6,000 at Hindman.

CINCINNATI, Ohio — A potent collection of 19th-century photographs, documents, correspondence and more come to market Thursday, November 30 in Hindman’s American Historical Ephemera & Photography sale. The catalog is now available for bidding at LiveAuctioneers.

Fresh with gold fever, William J. Jewell (1818-1885) left his wife and children behind in Michigan in 1852 to head to the gold fields in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Jewell kept a diary and all his correspondence, which helps date these two daguerreotypes he had commissioned of him and his claim at Poverty Bar, California (which since 1962 has been at the bottom of Camanche Reservoir). Captured with remarkable clarity, the two images show Jewell as the central figure, pushing a wheelbarrow to the Long Tom sluice box, and in another view, panning for gold. The daguerreotypes are estimated at $15,000-$25,000.

The second highest-ranking officer to be killed in the American Civil War, General James Birdseye McPherson (1828-1864) fell at the battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864. His death was a major blow to the Union Army, and he was widely mourned by Generals U. S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman. In a touch of pathos, the commanding officer of the Confederate forces at the battle, General John Bell Hood, expressed remorse, remarking on the death of his West Point “classmate and boyhood friend.” This is the only known daguerreotype of McPherson, and it is estimated at $4,000-$6,000.

Descended directly in the family of General Nelson Appleton Miles (1839-1925) are U.S. Army Cavalry regimental colors from the Indian Wars period (1870s-1890s). Miles was a Civil War hero, Medal of Honor recipient, and leader of major U.S. Army operations during the Indian Wars. Though he commanded infantry, he had numerous Cavalry (horse-mounted troops) attached to his units. The colors are estimated at $8,000-$10,000.

Two 1852 daguerreotypes of miner William J. Jewell and his California Gold Rush claim, which sold for $48,000 ($62,400 with buyer’s premium) at Hindman.

Two 1852 daguerreotypes of miner William J. Jewell and his California Gold Rush claim, which sold for $48,000 ($62,400 with buyer’s premium) at Hindman.

Extensive California Gold Rush archive of William J. Jewell, estimated at $15,000-$25,000 at Hindman.

Extensive California Gold Rush archive of William J. Jewell, estimated at $15,000-$25,000 at Hindman.

Only known daguerreotype of General James Birdseye McPherson, $4,000-$6,000 at Hindman.

Only known daguerreotype of General James Birdseye McPherson, $4,000-$6,000 at Hindman.

U.S. Cavalry regimental colors descended directly in the family of U.S. Army General Nelson Miles, estimated at $8,000-$10,000 at Hindman.

U.S. Cavalry regimental colors descended directly in the family of U.S. Army General Nelson Miles, estimated at $8,000-$10,000 at Hindman.

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte has worked in editorial, design and the toy and auction industries for more than 30 years. He co-founded Auction Central News in 2007.

Winchester and Colt firearms from Paul Friedrich collection are sure shots at Morphy Oct. 25

Sheriff's model Colt single action Army, estimated at $100,000-$150,000 at Morphy Auctions.

DENVER, Penn. — To hear his friends tell it, Paul Friedrich (1943-2022) was a true one-of-a-kind collector. Captivated by TV cowboys of the 1950s and stories of the California Gold Rush and Old West, Paul grew into a consummate collector of firearms and historical relics that will come to Morphy Auctions on Wednesday, October 25. The catalog is now available for bidding at LiveAuctioneers.

The Friedrich collection includes antique and vintage firearms; Gold Rush and Old West artifacts; and gold jewelry, coins and nuggets. Additionally, the collection features 19th- and early 20th-century antique advertising, gambling items, and many other fascinating curios.

“Paul was everything a collector of historical American objects aspires to be,” said Morphy Auctions President Dan Morphy. “As a buyer, he had uncanny intuition, and he never forgot a single detail about any of the items in his collection. He was one of a kind.”

The sale’s top lot is a Winchester ‘1 of 1000’ 1876 lever-action rifle from the first year of production and marked with the serial number 724. It comes with full provenance and is estimated at $300,000-$500,000.

Friedrich’s fabulous assortment of Colts is led by a factory-engraved .45-caliber Colt Sheriff’s model single action revolver that was shipped in 1892 as a shipment of one to Dunlay & Geisler in Houston, Texas. In excellent condition with the barrel retaining nearly all of its original bluing, it is accompanied by a Colt factory letter, photos and additional literature, and is estimated at $100,000-$150,000.

An exceedingly rare prewar Colt .38 Super Match comes with pearl grips and an adjustable sight, making it literally one of a very few made before the outbreak of World War II. With full documentation on its history, beginning with being shipped in 1935 to Abercrombie & Fitch in New York, the piece is estimated at $75,000-$150,000.

'1 of 1000' Winchester 1st Model 1876 Deluxe, serial number 724, estimated at $300,000-$500,000 at Morphy Auctions.

'1 of 1000' Winchester 1st Model 1876 Deluxe, serial number 724, estimated at $300,000-$500,000 at Morphy Auctions.

Sheriff's model Colt single action Army, estimated at $100,000-$150,000 at Morphy Auctions.

Sheriff's model Colt single action Army, estimated at $100,000-$150,000 at Morphy Auctions.

Colt Super Match .38 semiautomatic pistol, estimated at $75,000-$150,000 at Morphy Auctions.

Colt Super Match .38 semiautomatic pistol, estimated at $75,000-$150,000 at Morphy Auctions.

Colt Model 1894 double-action revolver, estimated at $75,000-$125,000 at Morphy Auctions.

Colt Model 1894 double-action revolver, estimated at $75,000-$125,000 at Morphy Auctions.

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte has worked in editorial, design and the toy and auction industries for more than 30 years. He co-founded Auction Central News in 2007.

Potter & Potter tests new waters with successful Historic Memorabilia sale

Trio of British World War I medals, $1,320
Trio of British World War I medals, $1,320
Trio of British World War I medals, $1,320

CHICAGO – Potter & Potter Auctions held its first Historic Memorabilia & Americana sale on November 17. It contained nearly 700 lots and posted a total of $340,000.

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SS Central America shipwreck treasures total $1M at Holabird

Miner’s work pants with a five-button fly, recovered from the S.S. Central America, $114,000. Image courtesy of Holabird Western Americana Collections
Miner’s work pants with a five-button fly, recovered from the S.S. Central America, $114,000. Image courtesy of Holabird Western Americana Collections
Miner’s work pants with a five-button fly, recovered from the S.S. Central America, $114,000. Image courtesy of Holabird Western Americana Collections

RENO, Nev. – An auction of 270 never-before-offered historic California Gold Rush sunken treasure artifacts, conducted on December 3 by Holabird Western Americana Collections, totaled nearly $1 million. The recovered jewelry, mid-1800s clothing, glassware and other items were retrieved from the legendary vessel dubbed the Ship of Gold, the S.S. Central America, which sank during a voyage to New York in 1857. More than 7,500 registered bidders across the United States and in six other countries participated.

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Gold Rush-era bounty from SS Central America sails to Holabird, Dec. 3

Miner’s work pants with a button fly, recovered from the S.S. Central America, possibly made by or for Levi Strauss, estimated at $50,000-$100,000. Image courtesy of Holabird Western Americana Collections
Miner’s work pants with a button fly, recovered from the S.S. Central America, possibly made by or for Levi Strauss, estimated at $50,000-$100,000. Image courtesy of Holabird Western Americana Collections

RENO, Nev. – On Saturday, December 3, Holabird Western Americana Collections will offer a time capsule of Gold Rush life in the form of items recovered from the 1857 sinking of the legendary vessel dubbed the “Ship of Gold,” the S.S. Central America. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Holabird plans 3,200-lot auction spectacular, Oct. 28-Nov. 1

Hollow silver bead bear claw necklace with central turquoise cabochon, est. $2,000-$4,000
Hollow silver bead bear claw necklace with central turquoise cabochon, est. $2,000-$4,000
Bear claw necklace with central turquoise cabochon, est. $2,000-$4,000

RENO, Nev. – Holabird Western Americana Collections’ five-day Autumn Splendor Western Americana Auction, October 28-November 1, is packed with more than 3,200 lots of Americana, railroadiana, mining collectibles, numismatics, stock certificates, rare books, art and more. Bidding begins at 8 am Pacific time on all five days. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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