Manhattan, New York – January 31, 2008 – R.M. Smythe & Co. held 6 auctions in 2007 offering historical autographs, currency, coins, stocks, bonds, antiques and even two cannons. While compiling a list of the more interesting lots that sold in 2007, the one unifying factor that fits all of the items listed is that collectors were looking for quality merchandise. This relentless search for quality became evident in heavy bidding activity resulting in final bids that in many cases far exceeded pre-auction estimates and set new auction records. Of particular note was the December 12-13 sale #275 of part 13 of the Schingoethe collection of obsolete currency, which saw many notes selling for up to 10 times their presale estimates, with 94% of the 1162 lots sold at the final gavel (See http://www.news-antique.com/?id=783436 ). Although interest in obsolete currency was very high, it represented just a small portion of the antique and collectible merchandise that saw very active bidding on the Smythe auction floor in 2007.
Here are realized prices on some of the more noteworthy lots sold by R.M. Smythe & Company in 2007. The listed lots include the sale#, the lot# and the final bid. In most cases the presale estimate is also listed. The realized price listed does not include the buyers premium. Detailed photos of each lot listed can be viewed by visiting the online catalog for the specified sale# and lot# at Smythe auctions. See:http://www.smytheonline.com/prices_realized/index.php .
Sale #270 –
Lot# 1136 – Final Bid $24,0001838 Die Alignment III, Reeded Edge Judd-84 Brilliant Proof. As a type Gobrecht dollars are quite scarce, and when they are encountered, they are usually from the 1836 mintage of 1,600 pieces. The Restrike Pattern Gobrechts of 1838 (Judd-84) are considered to be R.5. This piece has dark slate gray toning, but when rotated under light, very attractive underlying hues of copper, gold, aqua, and blue can be seen. The proof flash is very visible under the layers of color. Fully struck up, which they are often not. The eagle’s feathers are quite distinct. Although quite attractive, there are some of hairlines on the obverse fields adjacent to
Liberty, below STATES, and below the eagle. Not perfect, but rare this nice.
Sale #270 –
Lot#1219 – Final Bid $55,0001911 Matte Proof NGC PR-66. There is no doubt that the double eagles designed by Augustus St. Gaudens are the most beautiful coins struck by the United States for general circulation. During this period of coinage history, the US Mint was experimenting on ways to make our coinage more artistic. One such way was the new process the Mint used to proof gold coins, resulting in what we now refer to as “matte proofs.” They were not well received by the public, and the low mintages for gold proofs dropped further. The mintage for 1911 was a mere 100 pieces struck. This coin is a picture perfect example of the Matte proof type. Pale yellow, deeply struck and nearly flawless.
Sale #270 –
Lot#1683 – Presale Estimate $15,000 and Up – Final Bid $21,000
New York Ch.E923. /
Brooklyn. /First NB. $10. Fr.624. 1902 PB. No.D765506/1 A. Choice-Gem Uncirculated. An incredibly rare serial number 1 red seal
Brooklyn that has not appeared publically since the Kriegsberg sale in 1965. Totally original and in nearly perfect condition except for some minor handling. The highlight of our National offerings which promises to generate very aggressive bidding.
Sale #270 –
Lot#3501 – Presale Estimate $25,000 and Up – Final Bid $30,000$1000. A. T-1. Cr.1. No.129. PF-1. A crisp, bright, and remarkably vivid example that until now has never appeared in any public sale. Its existence was unknown to Criswell, Ball, Shull, or Fricke! VF or Better, with seven light to moderate vertical folds. Neatly hammer cancelled, with no pieces missing. Very boldly executed signatures of Clitherall and Elmore. On the back are two lightly pencilled notations, stamp hinges behind the cancellation, and an inconsequential water stain. None of these are distracting, and they have no impact on the choice appearance of the note when viewed from the front. Great eye appeal, with brilliant green color, razor sharp black images and text, and ample and even margins on all four sides. Strictly original , with no repairs or “conservation” often encountered on Type 1 Confederate notes. This is a note that would fit nicely into almost any museum quality collection of CSA paper money. VF, CC. Ironically, the very first Confederate paper money was engraved and printed by the National Bank Note Company, in
New York City. Shortly after the notes were ordered and delivered, hostilities broke out at
Fort
Sumter, and Federal Marshals moved in to the National Bank Note Company’s offices and confiscated the printing plates. Of the 607 $1,000
Montgomery notes issued, 116 are known, 9 in Uncirculated condition, and two of those are cancelled. Perhaps a third of the survivors are virtually unobtainable, locked away in public and private institutions. The $1,000 notes were signed by Alexander B. Clitherall as Register and Edward Elmore as Treasurer. The fiery Mr. Elmore was not a man to be trifled with. Mr. Daniels, the publisher of a
Richmond newspaper, wrote an article claiming that Elmore was a heavy gambler who was embezzling large sums from the Treasury. Elmore immediately challenged Daniels to a duel and shot him! This extraordinary Criswell Type-1 has never been offered publicly or recorded in any census, and it was probably collected decades before Confederate paper money rareties were considered to be particularly valuable. This may account for the fact that other than having been carefully dismounted from the two stamp hinges that held it to an album page, the note has never been tampered with in any way. Worthy of a premium bid.
Sale #271-
Lot#35 – Presale Estimate $5,500 and Up – Final Bid $6,500British statesman, war-time Prime Minister and Nobel laureate (1874-1965). Choice Typewritten Document Signed /”Winston L.S. Churchill,”/ 1-1/5 pages, 4to, on parchment,
London, January 18, 1957. Churchill’s signature is penned at the conclusion [partially through seal] and is witnessed by a solicitor. Bears embossed revenue stamp at head. A / “Supplemental Agreement”/ to the existing book contract between /”The Right Honourable Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill K.G., O.M., C.H., M.P. of Chartwell Westerham in the County of Kent…and Cassell & Company Limited…in the City of
London”/ amending the existing agreement between them /”to the extent that the Publishers shall despatch proofs of the Third and Fourth Volumes of ‘A History of the English-Speaking Peoples’…as soon after the thirty-first day of January one thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven as the printers can provide them…Save as aforesaid the provisions of the Principal Agreement shall remain in full force and effect…_”_/ In exceptionally fine condition. Churchill’s four-volume work A History of the English-Speaking Peoples was published between 1956 and 1958, and was the last major literary work completed by him before his death in 1965. This great work had a somewhat checkered life however. It was commissioned by Newman Flower and the contract was signed in 1933. Although Churchill continued to work on the manuscript, his public duties did not enable him to complete the work by the outbreak of war in 1939; when he returned to his old post as First Lord of the Admiralty he delivered 450,000 words to the publisher in the best shape he had been able to give them, covering his subject from the beginnings to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. When, after the mighty events of the next six years and the loss of the election of 1945, Sir Winston had the time and the inclination once more to take up his pen, it was to the new project, his Second World War, that he turned first. With these six volumes happily completed, he was able to look again at the unfinished History of the English-Speaking Peoples which had been laid aside in such ominous circumstances so many years before. Churchill had recently served his last term as Prime Minister [1951-55], during which time he had been awarded the Nobel prize in literature [1953]. An extremely scarce agreement between Churchill and his publisher covering one of his most important works.
Sale #271 –
Lot#159 – Presale Estimate $3,000 and Up – Final Bid $4250NELSON, HORATIO British naval officer (1758-1805); in 1800, he blockaded Malta and
Naples, held by French and Neapolitan Jacobins; annulled Cardinal Ruffo’s proposed terms to rebels, received absolute surrender; restored Neapolitan royal family to power; became romantically involved with Emma Hamilton, the wife of
Naples consul Sir William Hamilton; promoted Vice Admiral; created Duke of Bronte by Ferdinand I of
Naples; died in the battle of Trafalgar. Choice Manuscript Letter Signed /”Nelson & Bronte” / as Vice Admiral of the Blue, 1 page, small 4to [8-1/4″ x 8-1/2″], on his ship, the /HMS Victory, “Off
Toulon, the 13th August 1803.” / Addressing the /”Naval Storekeeper at
Malta,” /Nelson directs /”that you receive into His Majesty’s stores under your charge, the Barge and Jolly (or four hand) Boat belonging to His Majesty’s Ship Victory, and keep them under a Shade or Cover ’till they are wanted for the use of the said Ship…” /Paper repairs at folds, minor stain at top, otherwise in very good condition. Nelson had been given command of the /Victory/ just three months earlier, and joined the ongoing blockade of the French
port of
Toulon. However, the French fleet managed to slip past the blockade in 1805, and Nelson led a failed pursuit. Retiring due to ill health, he was recalled in September of that year, and fought his great and final victory at Trafalgar just a month later. A good naval letter, showing how control of Malta, achieved in 1800, allowed
England to maintain a fleet in the
Mediterranean, a key to its dominance at sea.
Sale #271 –
Lot#722 – Presale Estimate $3,000 to $3,500 – Final Bid $5500
OXFORD: OXONIA ILLUSTRATA “Oxonia Illustrata.” David Loggan.
Oxford, 1675. Folio, red leather [by
Bartlett?] with gilt cottage-roof design, spine, six bands. Three engravings laid in. Minor dampstains and sparse soiling, front free endpaper creased, front board slightly curled, otherwise very good/fine.
Sale #272 –
Lot#1263 – Presale Estimate $1,500 to $3,000 – Final Bid $8500Central Bank of
Brooklyn (NY) 1854. #199. 20 shs. Jolly old Saint Nicholas rides in a sleigh full of toys, pulled by reindeer. A classic vignette by Baldwin, Adams & Co. Durand Vignette Type III. Santa Claus vignettes are some of the most sought after of all vignettes. The Schingoethe collection of Santa Claus vignetted obsolete notes established many record prices. First we have seen from this company. We expect the bidding on this certificate to be quite competitive. Light staining, left. VF.*
Sale #272 –
Lot#4842 – Presale Estimate $7,000 to $8,000 – Final Bid $14,000$20. Fr.953b. 1914. No.B2522533A. Choice Uncirculated. A real blazer Red Seal $20 that looks perfect from the front and only the slightly askew back centering keeps it from a Super Gem grade. The originality and strong embossing are clearly visible through the PMG64 EPQ holder. A marvelous note.
Sale #272 –
Lot# 4938 – Presale Estimate $10,000 to $15,000 – Final Bid $37,000LT. Uncut 18-Subject Sheet of $5 1953 Legal Tender Notes. A00000001A-A00136001A. The last note on the sheet bears the autographed signatures of the Treasurer of the
United States, Ivy Baker Priest, and the Secretary of the Treasury, George M. Humphrey. Almost Uncirculated, with some corner bends, and a trace of paper clip rust on the #1 note. These are mentioned for accuracy, as you can never obtain a better example of this unique sheet. Accompanied by a copy of a letter on official Treasury Department letterhead, signed by Edward F. Bartelt, Fiscal Assistant Secretary, dated May 20, 1953, certifying that this is the first sheet of the first run of this series. A wonderful addition to any great collection of U.S small size currency.
Sale #272 –
Lot#2501- Presale Estimate $25,000 and Up – Final Bid $52,500$1000. A. T-1. Cr.1. No.88. PF-1. John C. Calhoun, states-rights advocate, left. Andrew Jackson, right. A crisp, bright, and remarkably vivid example that was purchased in 1987 from our auction of Dr. Douglas Ball’s personal collection. Described by Dr. Ball as “EF, plus, cut cancelled.”According to the 1987 description, on the back there were two lightly pencilled notations, stamp hinges behind the cancellation, and an inconsequential water stain, but these have all been professionally removed. Hauntingly attractive, with the full eye appeal of an Uncirculated example. The cancellations were done so neatly that they are virtually undetectable from the front, and the paper quality is just extraordinary. No folds are apparent. The signature of Clitherall is boldly executed. The Elmore signature is a bit lighter. This is a note that would fit nicely into almost any museum quality collection of CSA paper money. Ex Phillip H. Chase, Dr. Douglas Ball, and Frederick Mayer. You can’t ask for a more impressive provenance! Far superior to the one we just sold in our April 2007 Western Reserve Historical Society Sale, described as ” VF, CC” which brought $30,000. VF, CC. Ironically, the very first Confederate paper money was engraved and printed by the National Bank Note Company, in
New York City. Shortly after the notes were ordered and delivered, hostilities broke out at
Fort
Sumter, and Federal Marshals moved in to the National Bank Note Company’s offices and confiscated the printing plates.The $1,000 notes were signed by Alexander B. Clitherall as Register and Edward Elmore as Treasurer. The fiery Mr. Elmore was not a man to be trifled with. Mr. Daniels, the publisher of a
Richmond newspaper, wrote an article claiming that Elmore was a heavy gambler who was embezzling large sums from the Treasury. Elmore immediately challenged Daniels to a duel and shot him! Of the 607 $1,000
Montgomery notes issued, Approximately 116 are known, 9 in Uncirculated condition, and two of those are cancelled. Perhaps a third of the survivors are virtually unobtainable, locked away in public and private institutions.
Sale # 272 –
Lot#2521 – Presale Estimate $7,500 to $15,000 Final Bid $19,000Act of February 28, 1861. $1000. Cr.Unlisted. B-8. Hand drawn mockup, with pasted on proof vignettes on red silk fiber paper, with hand drawn coupons. Wagon load of cotton. Sailor bottom. American Bank Note. Top right panel separated. Vignettes loose. Worthy of some restoration. Has the appearance of VF. Apparently the work on this bond started later than the $500. The firm got the text of the bond, had it written in by a scribe and then stuck in vignettes as appropriate. An important unique and historical
Sale #274 –
Lot#1595 – Final Bid $13,000
Colombia. 8 Escudo, 1779NR JJ. Carol(us) III. KM 50.1. (NGC MS-64). obv.: Armored bust, facing right. rev.: Crowned arms in collar of the Golden Fleece. Slight lamination on cheek, and rubbed forehead away from Gem.
Sale #274 –
Lot#1616 – Final Bid $950018th Century Spanish Bronze Breech Loaded Cannon. Typical form, 39 1/2″ in length. Bourbon arms of Charles III on top of barrel. Breach fired cannon with breech block present. Minor damage to pindle. Nice surfaces with only traces of verdigris. One of only 40 cannons that were reported on the /El Cazador. /The fact that the breech block is present is simply amazing. Cannon weighs 200+ pounds. Must be picked up-no shipping available.
“As you can see, 2007 was a great year for Smythe.” said Mary Herzog, Vice President of R. M. Smythe & Co. “We had some exceptionally high quality consignments, which resulted in a great deal of bidder interest. For 2008 we’ve got some wonderful auctions planned and our customer can expect even more quality merchandise on our auction floor.”
Accredited media interested in scheduling an interview to discuss this release or past or upcoming auctions are encouraged to contact Mary Herzog at 212-943-1880
About R. M. Smythe & Co.R. M. Smythe and Co., established in 1880, buys, sells, and auctions coins, paper money, stocks and bonds and autographs at their corporate headquarters at
2 Rector Street in the heart of the Financial District in
New York City. To order a catalog, to contact any of the firm’s specialists, or to make general inquiries, call 212-943-1880 or 800-622-1880, or visit the firm’s website at: http://www.smytheonline.com.
