R.M. Smythe & Co., Inc, held one of the most successful autograph auctions in its 125-year history on January 17. The sale, featuring the collection of Steven Lee Carson, saw more than 75 percent of the offered lots sell; and, in the end, bidders on the floor, on the phone and at their computers were able to take home a remarkable variety of historical autographs and Americana.
Not surprisingly, the highest hammer price was achieved by a letter written by President Abraham Lincoln, asking Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to approve the resignation of a cavalry captain at the request of the officer’s wife. Lincoln, typically a “soft touch” in such cases, makes the argument that “we are rapidly getting an over-proportion of officers.” The letter sold for $16,675. Keeping it in the family, a pair of 1869 letters (one incomplete) from Lincoln’s widow, in which she refers to him as having been “from my eighteenth year †Always †lover †husband †father and all, all to me †truly my all,” brought $14,950.
One of the most exciting events at any auction is to watch a lot open at a modest price and then just keep going up and up. That is just what happened with a rare autograph note signed by artist Norman Rockwell that had an original concept sketch on it for one of his Saturday Evening Post covers. The lot had a modest estimate of $650, but due to mail bids received before the auction, it opened at $2,000, and furious bidding drove it to a final price of $6,325.
Another high climber was a typewritten letter signed by Theodore Roosevelt as president during his negotiation of the treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War, complaining about the stubbornness of both sides. Estimated at $2,500, it sold for $9,775.
Also shooting well beyond its estimate was a signed copy of Woodrow Wilson’s book Why We Are at War , which was estimated at $700 and sold for $3,450, a record price. According to American Book Prices Current , this was the first copy to sell at auction in 30 years.
Writings by early presidents and first ladies were hotly contested, with an unusual letter by Abigail Adams, in which she commiserates with a friend whose son died in battle, bringing $8,050. A great document signed by her husband, authorizing a letter of marque for the Quasi-War with France, sold for $6,900. An autograph letter of recommendation signed by Vice President Thomas Jefferson brought $11,500.
Highlights from other collecting areas included an outstanding content typed letter signed by novelist Henry James in 1914, with his views on wartime topics ($977 †a record for him in that format); a delightful original drawing of the Grinch, signed by animator Chuck Jones, who directed the television version of Dr Seuss’s book ($805); and a scarce program for a 1942 German marksmanship competition signed by Adolf Hitler ($2,357).
Along with great autographs, Smythe offered collectible Americana, books, prints and photographs in a mail and online sale following the public auction. A most unusual hand-drawn map of the area around Vicksburg, Miss., used by soldiers under General W.T. Sherman during the Union siege, sold for $2,415.
A large tapestry celebrating the Declaration of Independence went for $2,185. A letter from a girl who had witnessed the horror of the Great Chicago Fire reached $690, while a wonderful diary along with a few letters of a Civil War soldier, telling of his participation in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, went all the way to $3,737.
Prices quoted include the 15 percent buyer’s premium.
R.M. Smythe and Co., is at 2 Rector Street. For information, www.smytheonline.com or 212-943-1880 or 800-622-1880.
