A strangely contemporary mix of fashion, politics and music, across half a millennium, marked the top results of R&R’s auction, which concluded on May 14.
Five centuries before he became the subject of Showtime’s series The Tudors , Henry VIII gave real meaning to “the emperor’s new clothes” in a 1512 document addressed to Sir Andrew Wyndesor, “Knight Keeper of Our Greate Wardrobe.” The document, dating to the third year of Henry’s reign, ordered Wyndesor to deliver to Stephyn Jasper, “our Taillor … the following towardes his apparaill,” including “four brode yards and an halfe of violet cloth … for a gown” as well as “black woll,” “black velvet” and “black damask for a Jaquit.” The document, which boasted Henry’s large, bold signature and cipher, reached $40,612 and was the auction’s top result.
Abraham Lincoln, responding to one woman’s offer of aid to Union soldiers in the midst of the Civil War, wrote to the surgeon general to provide facilities for a Mrs Ames, “who wishes to go anywhere she can to minister to our wounded soldiers.” The letter sold for $27,738.
A constellation of classical music legends, including Maria Callas, Jacqueline Du Pré, Leonard Bernstein and scores of others, were the stars of an extensive archive of signed original drawings by the artist “Georges.” The lot, which comprised more than a thousand signed portraits, topped the music category at $27,738.
Top performers in the presidential category included a Thomas Jefferson letter recommending a French diplomat, $15,654; a mailing envelope signed by Abraham and Mary Lincoln, $14,231; a very rare executive mansion card signed by Garfield during his brief presidential tenure, $12,936; a handwritten draft of FDR’s will, $10,690; and a 1912 Taft letter regarding the Panama Canal Treaty, $5,899
Historical highlights included a 1962 Lee Harvey Oswald letter mentioning the Francis Gary Powers spy case, $22,923; a rare 1555 passport signed by Philip II and “Bloody” Mary, $17,220; a document signed by Ferdinand and Isabella, $9,502; a petition for a liquor license signed by John Hancock, Samuel Adams and three participants in the Boston Tea Party, $8,833; and a 1915 Pancho Villa letter, $5,484.
Space and aviation items achieved similarly strong results, led by a book signed by all three Apollo 11 crew members, $6,489; a replica of the plaque left on the moon, signed by the Apollo 11 crew and Richard Nixon, $5,899; and a photo signed by all seven crew members from the ill-fated shuttle Challenger , $4,874.
The music and entertainment categories featured such notable items as a signed certificate from Bruce Lee’s martial arts school, $10,690, and Elvis Presley’s 1958 army equipment record, signed by him seven times, $10,453.
Sports standouts included a limited edition jersey signed by Mickey Mantle, $5,105; a baseball signed by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, $4,874; and a check signed by Ruth, $4,219.
All prices above include the buyer’s premium.
For additional information, www.rrauction.com or 800-937-3880.
