This was a treat for any ephemera enthusiast. I am glad I have the catalogue so that I can go back at my leisure and read through the offerings. Below are a few of special interest to me.
Lot 241 A 1777 broadside giving an account of George Washington and his troops crossing the Delaware River and the ensuing battle in Trenton. The illustrated woodcut of a Continental soldier is quite thrilling. Estimate $40,000. -$60,000. Sold for $140,000.
Lot #275 The Earliest Obtainable Full Printing of The Star Spangled Banner in the Daily Federal Republican, Georgetown, September 1814. Somehow, I thought I had a shot at this. The Star Spangled Banner is dear to my heart. I wrote my High School term paper on this topic. It was my first research project. Hope springs eternal. I thought , possibly, this might pass under the radar. Oh no. It started at $2,000. and increment by increment ( which took about 15 minutes in hushed silence) ended at $135,000.Well done!
Lot #413 Coffee Anyone? A complete copy of the first herbal written and published in America by Johann Christoph Sauer Germantown, PA. The coffee page was posted in 1770. Folks cared about their coffee as much then as they do now. Estimate $6,000. -$9,000. Sold for $7,500.
Lot # 366 How to pickle barberries from The First Known Published Cookbook in America 1796. After reading this description, it hardly seems worth the trouble, don't you think? Estimate $5,000-$8,000.
Lot # 330 The Signature of Button Gwinnett, the Rarest of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Gwinnett emigrated to America and as a merchant, eventually settled in Georgia. He became interested in the movement toward independence, attended a meeting, and was named to the Continental Congress. He was present for the vote and signed the Declaration of Independence.Estimate $100,000. - $150,000. Sold $319,500.
Lot # 432 See above for description. Sold for $607,500.