Mar 31, 2001, The B. H. Manuscript/Collectible/Philatelic Sale, Sale 9
Lot 1058
1884 Election Cover.
Election envelope featuring the 1884 Democratic Presidential candidate
Grover Cleveland, and his running mate, Indiana Governor, Thomas A.
Hendricks. Unused, this 6 x 3½" envelope, printed in blue ink, also
features the motto: "Rouse ye freemen, from your slumbers, And prepare
ye for the fight! Let your war cry be 'Our Country! -- Cleveland and
Hendricks, law and right'!" In very good condition overall.
Estimated Value $50-75.
Lot 1059
1888 Campaign Tie.
1888 political campaign tie. This patriotic chocolate brown tie, sewn
to maintain a permanent full-Windsor knot, has been embroidered with an
American flag on the knot and the phrase "1888 Campaign" inside the neck
loop. Measuring 18½" in length. Stitching attaching neck loop to
knot has deteriorated and lining is a bit frayed. Overall, in good
condition.
Here we offer a quaint memento from another close
election. In the first of their two face-offs, the 1888 political campaign
set Grover Cleveland against Benjamin Harrison in the quest for the
Presidency. Though Cleveland was initially nominated because of his
popularity as New York Governor, it was Harrison who won the race based on
the electoral votes of that very state.
Estimated Value $100-200.
Lot 1060
1892 Republican
Campaign Attire. The 1892 Election, pitting Benjamin Harrison against
Grover Cleveland, was notable for several reasons: the two candidates had
both been president, neither of the two main party candidates campaigned
very vigorously, and Cleveland's victory returned a defeated president to
the White House for a second term -- an historic event never repeated.
Harrison chose to limit his election activity when it became evident Mrs.
Harrison's health was in serious decline (she was in the end stages of
tuberculosis) and, out of respect, Cleveland refused to actively campaign.
The limited personal appearances and negligible presence of both candidates
in the field restrained traditional demonstrations of party support, but
surely in the hearts of the faithful the partisan fire never dimmed and a
costume like the one offered here would have been worn proudly.
This
exceedingly rare political costume worn by a Republican campaigner during
the 1892 Presidential Election Campaign is made up of the following items:
1. Silk red and white drawstring pants, showing wear and some silk
separation. 2. Black silk tuxedo jacket patterned with red, white and blue
top hats, shows wear at seams and extensive silk separation at collar,
cuffs and outer arms. 3. Over the shoulder sash has a faded blue velvet
decoration field with red and white striped velvet back and tail. Six of
the ornaments on the decoration field have lost their colored accents, but
all are present. 4. Blue and white woven neck piece with center red, white
and blue rosette. Some fading, central star on medallion missing metal
accent. 5. Felt top hat decorated with a stars and stripes hat band. Inside
the top hat is a paper insert which reads "The G.O.P. Campaign Hat,"
"Campaign 1892" and printed portraits of Benjamin Harrison and Whitelaw
Reid loom over their slogan "Protect Home Industry." Minor paper loss in
unprinted section of the insert and the band is somewhat faded. This
elaborate and painstakingly constructed outfit would benefit from
professional conservation but remains a remarkable piece of
Americana.
Discovered in an attic, this fantastic piece of history
is a museum-worthy artifact of a type seldom seen at auction and offers a
unique opportunity for the collector of presidential or election
memorabilia.
Estimated Value $5,000-10,000.
Lot 1061
[Cleveland, Grover].
22nd and 24th President of the United States, 1885-1889, 1893-1897.
Passbook issued for Grover Cleveland from the Manufacturer's and
Trader's Bank of Buffalo, New York. Forty-six pages, paper bound with
embossed leather cover. Numeric text and notations in three different
hands, none of which can be identified as Cleveland's.The leather on the
front and back covers has cracked and shows some peeling, there are tape
repairs inside the front cover and a significant diagonal crease on the
rear cover, minor foxing on the pages. Good condition.
With an
opening entry dated October 1, 1873, and a final entry dated May 26, 1877,
this account book covers part of the time Grover Cleveland spent practicing
law between his term as county sheriff and his term as mayor of Buffalo.
The nine years between political offices were good ones for Cleveland -- he
had saved much of his salary as sheriff and was out of debt for this first
time in his life, he was a wealthy bachelor who enjoyed frequent hunting
and fishing trips with his cronies and his law practice was booming.
Estimated Value $250-300.
Lot 1062
Illustrated London
News -- George VI Coronation Issue. The Illustrated London
News, May 15, 1937, volume. 190, no. 5117. Complete issue, Coronation
Ceremony Number. One loose section at center, otherwise fine to very fine
condition.
This beautifully illustrated magazine offers coverage of
every aspect of the Coronation from street decorations to visiting
dignitaries to the Royal Salute. Stunning illustrations are the focal point
of this issue: portraits of the King, Queen, Princesses Elizabeth and
Margaret open the presentation and the actual Coronation ceremony is
beautifully portrayed through vivid paintings.This was not the last
Imperial coronation, but it was the last great British event before World
War II, and that (arguably) more innocent time is perfectly captured here.
Estimated Value $75-125.
Lot 1063
Independence Hall
Relic. Wood switch relic originally part of Independence Hall. Affixed
to this 13 x 1½" rod is a handwritten inscription that reads: "Piece
of original lath, taken (during the restoration of 'Independence
Hall' in 1898) from the ceiling of the room in which the
'Declaration of Independence' was signed". One edge of the
wood is rough and cracked. Still, the piece is in good
condition.
Independence Hall, designed by Andrew Hamilton, is better
known for the important American documents signed within the structure
rather than the Georgian architecture. Important pronouncements such as the
Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, as well as the
Constitution were all completed in the building. Restored in 1898, the
structure now serves as a museum. Here we offer a unique artifact from the
patriotic spot.
Estimated Value $300-500.
Lot 1064
Kennedy, John F
(1917-1963). Thirty-fifth President of the United States.
Pair
of White House matchebooks featuring the Presidential seal on one side, and
an embossed image of the White House with Kennedy's name on the verso. Both
rare mementos are in excellent condition.
Estimated Value $50-75.
Lot 1065
Political Button
Collection. Large assemblage of political buttons and pins spanning
American history. Including some 137 buttons and 6 pins in support of the
likes of Lincoln, Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, Taft, Coolidge, Hoover,
Truman, Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Perot, Clinton, with numerous
others. Featuring an impressive 31 pins promoting Franklin Delano
Roosevelt. Also includes buttons from local-level politicians and senate
nominees. With many reproductions. Conditions range from fair to excellent.
Estimated Value $250-350.
Lot 1066
Political/Propaganda
Postal Stationery. Over 30 mostly different, unused, envelopes or
wrappers with propaganda slogans with regard to the Pacific Railroad
swindles, various issues relating to Huntington such as "bribery and
corruption wherever Huntington appears", "Huntington never stole a red hot
stove", "California's protest against the funding bill and others." A rare
and historical group worth inspection.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 1067
Presidential "Air
Force One" Plate. Polished pewter plate featuring the Presidential seal
at center with a ring of stars encircling a bald eagle. Below the eagle,
the signature of George Bush has been reproduced. Lining the edge of the
plate, the phrase: "President of the United States / Air Force One".
Diameter: 10-1/2". In very good condition overall.
Estimated Value
$75-100.