COMPLIMENTARY COPY TM
The Most Widely Read Collector's Newspaper In The East VOL. 46, NO. 32 FRIDAY AUGUST 7, 2015
Published Weekly By Joel Sater Publications www.antiquesandauctionnews.net
1844 Political Banner Sets World Record At Heritage Auctions A
n outstandingly preserved, handpainted, double-sided jugate banner from the 1844 Presidential campaign of James K. Polk sold for $185,000 and claimed the world record as the most valuable piece of political memorabilia ever sold at public auction in Heritage Auctions’ June 27 presentation of the Merrill C. Berman collection, part II. The banner took top lot honors amid more than 350 lots that realized $756,178 and recorded a sellthrough rate exceeding 98 percent by value. “Simply, this is the finest political banner known to exist and fully deserving of a new world record,” said Tom Slater, director of Americana Auctions at Heritage Auctions. “Not only is this banner historically important to early American political campaigns, it is a true work of art unique in the world of Americana memorabilia and American folk art,” said Slater. The auction represented just the second time the banner has been seen publically in more than 30 years. It was first shown publicly when it graced the cover of the catalog for the 1984 exhibition of items from the
Berman collection at the Hudson River Museum. The 171-year-old banner spans 76-by-75-inches, and its colors and portraits of Polk and running mate George M. Dallas remain vivid and vibrant. A second banner in the auction is also from the 1844 election and featured Polk in addition to his opponent Henry Clay. The handpainted scene depicted Clay giving Polk a sound drubbing below a soaring eagle holding a banner reading “Protective Tariff,” an issue central to Clay’s campaign. The banner sold for $31,250.
A large, “pewter rim” engraved portrait of Andrew Jackson under glass sold for $20,000 against a $2,500 estimate. Although quite prolific at the time, few remain, and larger specimens such as this one, measuring a full 94 millimeters in diameter, are highly sought-after by collectors of preCivil War political and presidential memorabilia. A classic Abraham Lincoln ambrotype brooch by George Clark, perhaps one of the most famous of all photographic political badges of all time, quickly surpassed its $5,000 pre-auction estimate to end at $16,250. The storied Berman collection of pinbacks once again lived up to its reputation as a jugate of Cox and Roosevelt, referred to as the iconic “Americanize America” button, sold for $20,000 despite some minor condition issues. A rare jugate pinback of Davis and Bryan, the Democratic ticket who lost badly to Coolidge and Dawes in 1924, sold for $18,750, and a stunningly vibrant jugate by American Artworks of Coshocton, Ohio, featuring Wilson and Marshall brought $11,875. For further information, visit www.HA.com.
Firefighting Day And Modern Equipment Show To Be Held On The Grounds Of The Mercer Museum The Mercer Museum will celebrate its exhibit, “To Save Our Fellow Citizens: Volunteer Firefighting, 1800-1875,” by bringing together fire companies from around Bucks County and the nearby Delaware Valley for a free outdoor muster on its grounds. The museum’s Firefighting Day and Modern Equipment Show will take place on Sunday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The muster will feature local fire companies displaying their equipment and showcasing contemporary firefighting methods and technologies. The event will also include special demonstrations like a
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“side by side burn,” a live, graphic demonstration of the role sprinklers play in containing and extinguishing fires before they get out of control, to be presented by the Mid-Atlantic Region, National Fire Sprinkler Association. Activities for children will include storytelling, bucket brigade and helping firefighters put out a “fire” in a model house. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see a special advance screening of “Let’s Go to the Firehouse!,” a locally-produced video by Scott Seraydarian of Lunch Productions Inc. The video features many of Bucks County’s Fire companies in action. In
addition, food and beverages will be available for purchase on the grounds. The museum will open at 10 a.m., so visitors can see the Mercer’s special exhibit, “To Save Our Fellow Citizens: Volunteer Firefighting, 1800-1875.” The exhibit tells the exciting story of Philadelphia’s volunteer firefighters and fire companies as the city grew and expanded during the 1800s. More than 175 artifacts from the museum’s collection will be on view, including tools, parade regalia, artwork, apparel, equipment and photographs. Regular admission fees apply to the museum. Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8 for youths
ages 6 and up. The Firefighting Day and Modern Equipment Show will be presented in collaboration with the Bucks County Fire Chiefs and Firefighters Association. The Mercer Museum’s parking lot will be closed for the day. Visitors can park on the street or in the nearby Boy Scouts and Free Library parking lots. The Mercer Museum is located at Pine Street and Scout Way in Doylestown, Pa., and is open for self-guided exploration seven days a week. For additional information, call 215345-0210 or visit www.mercermuseum.org.