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The Most Widely Read Collector's Newspaper In The East Published Weekly By Joel Sater Publications www.antiquesandauctionnews.net
VOL. 44, NO. 50 FRIDAY DECEMBER 13, 2013
Washington Signed U.S. Federal Bond Sets World Record Price At Archives International Auction Michigan Mining certificates were well early 1,500 lots of rare and highrepresented by a new estate stock certificate ly collectible U.S. and worldfind. The highlights included an 1863 Dodge wide banknotes, scripophily (the Mining Company certificate and an 1864 collecting of stocks and bonds), Isabella Silver Lead Mining company certifiautographs, historical documents, and securicate, both of which fetched $3,540. Two ty printing ephemera sold for a combined other Michigan certificates also topped $637,870 in a two-day, two-session catalog $3,000. Also, a Wells Fargo Mining and Internet sale, held Oct. 19 and 22 by Company certificate from 1880 rose to Archives International Auctions. $2,596. The auction was held on nonconsecutive Railroads overall did well, with more days in two states. The Oct. 19 session was than 60 percent of lots offered finding new on the final day of the third annual Wall owners. Two different Iowa Specimen certifiStreet Coin, Currency & Collectibles Show, cates, a Boone County Railway Company held at the Museum of American Finance in and a Southern Iowa Railway, hammered for New York City. The Oct. 22 session was held $747 and $885, respectively. Both were at Archives International Auctions’ offices, record prices for Iowa railroads. Additional located at 1580 Lemoine Avenue in Fort Lee, railroad certificates knocked down for N.J. impressive prices during the session. Highlighting the auction was a historic A historic circa 1850-1870 San Francisco U.S. federal bond, issued to and signed by city bond collection was broken down into then-President George Washington in 1792. five lots. All did well, with the top earner (of With an 18 percent buyer’s premium, the bond soared to $265,500, the most ever paid The top lot of the auction was this George Washington signed U.S. federal bond from 1792, 29 bonds) climbing to $1,829. Also, an 1818 Bank of the State of Mississippi breezed to at auction for a single U.S. stock or bond. It selling for $265,500 and setting a new world record price for a U.S. scripophily item. $1,121, easily passing its high estimate was one of the very first securities traded on the New York Stock Exchange, after the Exchange’s found- Revere. It went for an impressive $6,195. Other Colonial of $500. items hammered for strong prices. Worldwide banknotes totaled 225 lots sold, out of 346 ing in 1792. The autograph session featured 55 lots of autographed offered (for a 65 percent sell-through). Star lots included a “We are thrilled that the Washington bond changed hands for such a staggering amount in the burgeoning field documents, stocks and bonds, 37 of which found new Chinese 1904 Hupeh Government Cash Bank issue of scripophily,” said Dr. Robert Schwartz of Archives homes. A star lot was an issued stock book of 24 certificates ($3,599); a 1917 Banque de France essay proof, back by International Auctions. “The consignor and the buyer were dating from 1911-1914, signed by the founders of Abraham ABNC ($4,425); a Banque de L’Indochine 1,000 Piastres both very happy.” He added, “The sale overall was a huge & Strauss (including the signatures of Isidor Strauss and his note from 1951 ($5,605, tying a record); and a 1952 success, heavily attended in-person and online both days, wife, who both died aboard the Titanic in 1912). The stock Kingdom of Libya bank specimen ($3,835). book made $11,800. The historic ephemera and document category featured and with solid prices realized.” Other lots that did well in the autograph session includ- a fresh Wells Fargo estate collection assembled in the late The following are highlights from the auction. All prices include an 18 percent buyer’s premium. More than 250 ed two items signed by Buffalo Bill Cody, one a letter 1890s. Highlights included a circa 1850s Wells Fargo & people registered to bid online, via www.archives ($1,239), the other a stock certificate ($2,360); a Daniel Company banking broadside from San Francisco ($3,068). Drew signed stock certificate for the Buffalo & Stateline U.S. banknotes included a New York, Astor Bank black and international.com. The Oct. 19 session was heavy with non-numismatic, Railroad Company, dated 1854 ($2,242); and a Standard Oil white obsolete banknote proof from around the 1850s but historically important items, beginning with the First stock certificate signed by industrial magnate John D. ($826). Other star U.S. lots included a Second Liberty Loan that Hour collection of significant documents and objects. These Rockefeller, dated 1881 ($3,835). The scripophily section boasted 486 lots (309 of which was canceled and then reissued ($2,596); and a 1925 United included an authentic Edison stock ticker ($8,850); a large format circa 1850 lithograph of the Declaration of changed hands, for a sell-through rate of 63 percent). States Adjusted Service certificate ($2,124). This was the 16th auction for Archives International Independence ($1,534); and a Brooklyn Bridge Opening Section highlights included a circa 1920 Victor Talking Machine Company specimen ($1,121); a Republic of China auction company in its young, six-year history. Ceremonies souvenir book ($767). They have planned a February 2014 auction of U.S. & Next up was the Copps collection of historic Colonial $1,000 issued bond ($797); a Republic of Haiti 1922 specifiscal paper, documents and stock and bond certificates, men bond ($738); and a Higgins Wonder Oil Company Worldwide banknotes, scripophily, and autographs, as well as a Hong Kong banknote auction planned for March, 2014. gathered 30-plus years ago. Included in the group was the specimen ($2,478). For more information, visit www.archivesinternation Washington bond. Another highlight was a 1775 Colony of al.com or call 201-944-4800. Massachusetts bond, engraved by the legendary Paul
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Previously unlisted 1890 Mexico Bono de Caja specimen, from El Banco de Veracruz ($5,015).
Wells Fargo Mining Company stock certificate from 1880, with racing stage coach graphic ($2,596).
A New York Astor Bank black and white obsolete $1 banknote from around the 1850s ($826).
Chinese 1904 Hupeh Government Cash Bank issue ($3,599).
This 1917 Banque de France essay proof, back by ABNC, sold for ($4,425).