1787
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Development of USA Political writing Coin US gold coins Coins 1776-92
See also : Development of USA Political writing Coin US gold coins Coins 1776-92
1787 US Constitution
2021 SOLD for $ 43M by Sotheby's
Eleven years after the Declaration of Independence, the USA still needed to have a federal law accepted by the thirteen states. They were tentatively ruled since 1781 by the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia from May 25, 1787 with George Washington as president. The final version of the US Constitution established by the committee was signed on September 17 by 39 of the 55 delegates.
The text was immediately edited in 500 copies for the use of delegates and congressmen. No public release was suitable at that time as it still had to be ratified by the federal Congress and the states. The 6-page 41 x 26 cm document printed in Philadelphia by John Dunlap in partnership with David Claypoole includes in appendix the list of delegates who voted for it and a copy of Washington's letter urging the ratification by the Congress.
This original US Constitution is still in force today without fundamental changes. Such an unprecedented longevity is due to the remarkable political insight of the delegates who prepared it under the leadership of James Madison and Alexander Hamilton and to the foreseen capability to amend it as necessary.
Thirteen copies are surviving. One of them was sold for $ 43M from a lower estimate of $ 15M by Sotheby's on November 18, 2021, lot 1787. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This piece was the top highlight from the collection of S. Howard Goldman and his widow Dorothy. It is sold for the benefit of the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Foundation whose aim is to advance the principles of America’s founding documents through educational programs. Mrs Goldman introduces her collection and educational purpose in the video shared by Sotheby's.
The underbidder for the US Constitution had been an organization just created for the express purpose of raising money to acquire it. They gathered more than 17,000 contributors who, in a matter of only weeks, raised more than $ 40 million, not enough against the winning bidder, the fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin.
The Sotheby's catalogue included a census of 13 surviving copies. A 14th copy later surfaced at Yale University.
The number 10 in that list was simply identified as Private American Collection. We know now that it had been acquired in 1894 at auction for presentation to the 7 year old Adrian Van Sinderen who later became a keen collector including the ownership of an original Bay Psalm Book. The document was offered in 2022 at Sotheby's from his collection 59 years after his passing. It had not been in public view since 1987. The auction was postponed.
No other copies than the Goldman-Griffin and the Van Sinderen are in private hands.
Also from the Goldman collection, a copy of the first separate printing of the so called Bill of Rights was sold for $ 1.53M by Sotheby's on November 23, 2021, lot 71.
This 3-page 34 x 21 cm document is dated August 24, 1789. It was prepared for proposing to the Congress a resolution of amendments to the US Constitution. Such articles had been desired by US citizens for preventing the government to infringe the basic individual rights. They were approved on September 26, 1789 and constitute the Third to Twelfth Amendments.
The Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia from May 25, 1787 with George Washington as president. The final version of the US Constitution established by the committee was signed on September 17 by 39 of the 55 delegates.
The text was immediately edited in 500 copies for the use of delegates and congressmen. No public release was suitable at that time as it still had to be ratified by the federal Congress and the states. The 6-page 41 x 26 cm document printed in Philadelphia by John Dunlap in partnership with David Claypoole includes in appendix the list of delegates who voted for it and a copy of Washington's letter urging the ratification by the Congress.
This original US Constitution is still in force today without fundamental changes. Such an unprecedented longevity is due to the remarkable political insight of the delegates who prepared it under the leadership of James Madison and Alexander Hamilton and to the foreseen capability to amend it as necessary.
Thirteen copies are surviving. One of them was sold for $ 43M from a lower estimate of $ 15M by Sotheby's on November 18, 2021, lot 1787. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This piece was the top highlight from the collection of S. Howard Goldman and his widow Dorothy. It is sold for the benefit of the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Foundation whose aim is to advance the principles of America’s founding documents through educational programs. Mrs Goldman introduces her collection and educational purpose in the video shared by Sotheby's.
The underbidder for the US Constitution had been an organization just created for the express purpose of raising money to acquire it. They gathered more than 17,000 contributors who, in a matter of only weeks, raised more than $ 40 million, not enough against the winning bidder, the fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin.
The Sotheby's catalogue included a census of 13 surviving copies. A 14th copy later surfaced at Yale University.
The number 10 in that list was simply identified as Private American Collection. We know now that it had been acquired in 1894 at auction for presentation to the 7 year old Adrian Van Sinderen who later became a keen collector including the ownership of an original Bay Psalm Book. The document was offered in 2022 at Sotheby's from his collection 59 years after his passing. It had not been in public view since 1987. The auction was postponed.
No other copies than the Goldman-Griffin and the Van Sinderen are in private hands.
Also from the Goldman collection, a copy of the first separate printing of the so called Bill of Rights was sold for $ 1.53M by Sotheby's on November 23, 2021, lot 71.
This 3-page 34 x 21 cm document is dated August 24, 1789. It was prepared for proposing to the Congress a resolution of amendments to the US Constitution. Such articles had been desired by US citizens for preventing the government to infringe the basic individual rights. They were approved on September 26, 1789 and constitute the Third to Twelfth Amendments.
1787 Archetype of the US Constitution
2024 SOLD for $ 9M before fees by Brunk
A further print of the US Constitution was executed in 100 copies on September 28, 1787 in New York by John McLean on behalf of Dunlap and Claypoole, for being sent to the legislatures of the states. This 4 page folio 40 x 28 cm document known as the Archetype of the US Constitution is composed in two columns while the 6 page original edition of September 17 was printed in one column.
A copy signed by the Secretary of the Congress Charles Thomson has just surfaced in a North Carolina plantation ranch which had belonged to Samuel Johnston, the governor of that state from 1787 to 1789 and a later senator, a slave holder and Freemason leader who lived at that place since 1765. Johnston, who supported the project, presided over the two conventions in North Carolina, successively rejecting the Constitution in 1788 and ratifying it in 1789.
This document was sold for $ 9M before fees by Brunk on October 17, 2024, lot 1509. Its condition is good overall with expected wear and a heavy central horizontal fold. No other example of the less than 10 surviving copies is in private hands. The September 28, 1787 resolution officially launching the ratification process is attached.
A copy signed by the Secretary of the Congress Charles Thomson has just surfaced in a North Carolina plantation ranch which had belonged to Samuel Johnston, the governor of that state from 1787 to 1789 and a later senator, a slave holder and Freemason leader who lived at that place since 1765. Johnston, who supported the project, presided over the two conventions in North Carolina, successively rejecting the Constitution in 1788 and ratifying it in 1789.
This document was sold for $ 9M before fees by Brunk on October 17, 2024, lot 1509. Its condition is good overall with expected wear and a heavy central horizontal fold. No other example of the less than 10 surviving copies is in private hands. The September 28, 1787 resolution officially launching the ratification process is attached.
A copy of the #USConstitution sells for $ 9M at @BrunkAuctions https://t.co/pVckm92YC2
— ArtHitParade (@ArtHitParade) October 18, 2024
narrated by @JSCollinsAP for @AP
In the top 10 of Development of USA, Political writing and 1780shttps://t.co/dIe1fotRQVhttps://t.co/NeefQMJtZ0https://t.co/AuA6L7cOzX
NY print of the #USConstitution including the resolution officially launching the ratification process.
— ArtHitParade (@ArtHitParade) September 14, 2024
For sale by @BrunkAuctions https://t.co/jiMPteXR86
Targeting the top 10 of Development of the #USA https://t.co/dIe1fotRQV
1787 The Federalist
2015 SOLD for $ 1.45M by Christie's
The Constitution of the United States of America is prepared in Philadelphia in 1787 by a committee composed of delegates from twelve of the thirteen member states and chaired by the future President George Washington. On September 28, the process of ratification by the states is released.
The difficulty comes from New York where a strong majority of delegates is hostile to the new project. The anti-Federalist publicists begin publishing pamphlets.
Alexander Hamilton counter-attacks with great energy. With his political friends John Jay and James Madison, he publishes in the New York newspapers under the collective pseudonym Publius no less than 77 essays, starting in October 1787. Hamilton's goal is to provide to the federalist orators the best arguments to persuade their opponents that a weak or divided state will always be ineffective against foreign threats.
John Jay quickly suspends his contribution for health reasons, but his essays numbered 2 to 5 in the series are highly effective. The autograph manuscript of the essay number 4 of November 7, 1787 was sold for $ 1.45M from a lower estimate of $ 600K by Christie's on December 2015, lot 242.
This pamphlet boldly refers to the enemy as an example of political strength by the cohesion between its elements, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The manuscript includes republican thoughts that were not maintained in the published text, probably because the author wisely realized that they could open unnecessary controversies.
The collection extended to 85 texts and titled The Federalist is published in two subsequent volumes 18 x 11 cm in 1788 just in time for the New York State Convention held in Albany. The rallying of this extremely important state to the Constitution on 26 July 1788, saving forever the federal state, is undeniably due to Hamilton's skill as publicist and negotiator.
A copy of this highly rare book in its original condition was sold for $ 320K in the same 2015 sale as above, lot 243. It was sold by Sotheby's for $ 480K on July 20, 2023, lot 1008.
The difficulty comes from New York where a strong majority of delegates is hostile to the new project. The anti-Federalist publicists begin publishing pamphlets.
Alexander Hamilton counter-attacks with great energy. With his political friends John Jay and James Madison, he publishes in the New York newspapers under the collective pseudonym Publius no less than 77 essays, starting in October 1787. Hamilton's goal is to provide to the federalist orators the best arguments to persuade their opponents that a weak or divided state will always be ineffective against foreign threats.
John Jay quickly suspends his contribution for health reasons, but his essays numbered 2 to 5 in the series are highly effective. The autograph manuscript of the essay number 4 of November 7, 1787 was sold for $ 1.45M from a lower estimate of $ 600K by Christie's on December 2015, lot 242.
This pamphlet boldly refers to the enemy as an example of political strength by the cohesion between its elements, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The manuscript includes republican thoughts that were not maintained in the published text, probably because the author wisely realized that they could open unnecessary controversies.
The collection extended to 85 texts and titled The Federalist is published in two subsequent volumes 18 x 11 cm in 1788 just in time for the New York State Convention held in Albany. The rallying of this extremely important state to the Constitution on 26 July 1788, saving forever the federal state, is undeniably due to Hamilton's skill as publicist and negotiator.
A copy of this highly rare book in its original condition was sold for $ 320K in the same 2015 sale as above, lot 243. It was sold by Sotheby's for $ 480K on July 20, 2023, lot 1008.
The only surviving manuscript of the #Federalist papers in private hands fetches $1,445,000! https://t.co/kxCtbz2wTY pic.twitter.com/Z6jglb8gYf
— Christie's Books (@ChristiesBKS) December 8, 20151787 Autograph Letter by Washington
2009 SOLD for $ 3.2M by Christie's
In the United States, 1787 is the year of the Constitution. It became vital to build a strong government and to end the risk of opposition between these former colonies whose respective histories were so varied.
George Washington, the hero of the War of Independence, is one of the most active proponents of this reform. In a letter written to his nephew on November 9, he explains that power is not given to people but will always be with the people.
This autograph letter of four large pages was sold for $ 3.2M from a lower estimate of $ 1.5M by Christie's on December 4, 2009. It is illustrated in the pre sale release by AuctionPublicity.
George Washington, the hero of the War of Independence, is one of the most active proponents of this reform. In a letter written to his nephew on November 9, he explains that power is not given to people but will always be with the people.
This autograph letter of four large pages was sold for $ 3.2M from a lower estimate of $ 1.5M by Christie's on December 4, 2009. It is illustrated in the pre sale release by AuctionPublicity.
1787 Brasher Doubloon
1
MS65 by NGC
2021 SOLD for $ 9.4M by Heritage
When the United States declared their independence, the issue of monetary autonomy became a puzzle whose importance was paramount to the new union. In 1783 the first federal project named Nova Constellatio is a failure. In 1785, a step forward is made with the naming of the new currency, the dollar.
Meanwhile, business transactions use large foreign gold coins, dominated by those from the Spanish colonies in South America. Banks and grand merchants are the only users of such coins. To deal against counterfeiting, they have their gold checked by specialists, the assayers, who put their own punch on the controlled pieces.
Ephraim Brasher is a goldsmith operating in New York City where he is a neighbor and supplier of George Washington, the President, known as a great lover of silverware. Brasher appreciates that he can play a role in the fight against the monetary anarchy, but his offer in early 1787 to carry out a copper coinage for the state of New York is rejected.
Brasher is an assayer. He knows well the doblon of Lima, a large gold coin worth 8 escudos and weighing 26 grams, whose name is anglicized to doubloon. Circa 1786, he produces in his workshop some Lima-type doubloons which are not fakes because their gold content is correct.
Brasher changes his theme in 1787 for producing doubloons and half doubloons to the use of New York.
The independence of the United States had created the need for a national emblem which will be affixed from an official seal. The project was accepted by Congress after six years, in 1782. It was double-sided, so that it could be printed at the end of a ribbon, but in practice only the face with the heraldic eagle would be used. The popular iconography seized on this patriotic symbol in 1786, with the engravings prepared by James Trenchard for the first two issues of Columbian Magazine.
The eagle with its outstretched wings, the thirteen stripes on the breast shield, the olive branch and the arrows also appeared in 1787 on the reverse side of the Cent and Half Cent from Massachusetts.
Brasher was a metallurgist and definitely not an artist, which had been amply demonstrated by his Lima-style doubloon prepared in 1786. In the meantime he partnered with the designer John Bailey. His new doubloon is superbly engraved on both sides. The centering is very good, with full readability all around.
Both sides are inspired by national emblems. The eagle has all of its attributes, including the constellation of thirteen stars around its head. On the other side, the Eye of Providence shines its radiant light from above a pyramidal mountain. The inscription conforms to the federal motto E Pluribus Unum but the production is located in Nova Eboraca (New York).
The pieces are stamped with his initials, EB, with two possible positions on the wing and on the breast of the eagle. Although their centering and cutting are rather awkward, they are beautiful coins whose design is sharp enough to discourage counterfeiting.
Brasher's Lima-type and New York-type doubloons were not documented in period, which confirms how limited their use was. The gold alloy had undoubtedly been recovered by the melting of some jewelry. Brasher assayer's punch EB gave these coins an authorization for circulation and they are considered regular by numismatists.
The finest of the seven known examples, graded MS65 by NGC, was sold for $ 9.4M by Heritage on January 21, 2021, lot 3934.
A half doubloon is kept at the Smithsonian. It was made with the same dies and a thinner planchet. Unlike the doubloons of the same year but in accordance with the two known Lima style doubloons, some trimming was required to adjust the weight. This half doubloon was perhaps an intermediate version for testing the dies.
Meanwhile, business transactions use large foreign gold coins, dominated by those from the Spanish colonies in South America. Banks and grand merchants are the only users of such coins. To deal against counterfeiting, they have their gold checked by specialists, the assayers, who put their own punch on the controlled pieces.
Ephraim Brasher is a goldsmith operating in New York City where he is a neighbor and supplier of George Washington, the President, known as a great lover of silverware. Brasher appreciates that he can play a role in the fight against the monetary anarchy, but his offer in early 1787 to carry out a copper coinage for the state of New York is rejected.
Brasher is an assayer. He knows well the doblon of Lima, a large gold coin worth 8 escudos and weighing 26 grams, whose name is anglicized to doubloon. Circa 1786, he produces in his workshop some Lima-type doubloons which are not fakes because their gold content is correct.
Brasher changes his theme in 1787 for producing doubloons and half doubloons to the use of New York.
The independence of the United States had created the need for a national emblem which will be affixed from an official seal. The project was accepted by Congress after six years, in 1782. It was double-sided, so that it could be printed at the end of a ribbon, but in practice only the face with the heraldic eagle would be used. The popular iconography seized on this patriotic symbol in 1786, with the engravings prepared by James Trenchard for the first two issues of Columbian Magazine.
The eagle with its outstretched wings, the thirteen stripes on the breast shield, the olive branch and the arrows also appeared in 1787 on the reverse side of the Cent and Half Cent from Massachusetts.
Brasher was a metallurgist and definitely not an artist, which had been amply demonstrated by his Lima-style doubloon prepared in 1786. In the meantime he partnered with the designer John Bailey. His new doubloon is superbly engraved on both sides. The centering is very good, with full readability all around.
Both sides are inspired by national emblems. The eagle has all of its attributes, including the constellation of thirteen stars around its head. On the other side, the Eye of Providence shines its radiant light from above a pyramidal mountain. The inscription conforms to the federal motto E Pluribus Unum but the production is located in Nova Eboraca (New York).
The pieces are stamped with his initials, EB, with two possible positions on the wing and on the breast of the eagle. Although their centering and cutting are rather awkward, they are beautiful coins whose design is sharp enough to discourage counterfeiting.
Brasher's Lima-type and New York-type doubloons were not documented in period, which confirms how limited their use was. The gold alloy had undoubtedly been recovered by the melting of some jewelry. Brasher assayer's punch EB gave these coins an authorization for circulation and they are considered regular by numismatists.
The finest of the seven known examples, graded MS65 by NGC, was sold for $ 9.4M by Heritage on January 21, 2021, lot 3934.
A half doubloon is kept at the Smithsonian. It was made with the same dies and a thinner planchet. Unlike the doubloons of the same year but in accordance with the two known Lima style doubloons, some trimming was required to adjust the weight. This half doubloon was perhaps an intermediate version for testing the dies.
Heritage Auctions will offer the Donald G. Partrick Collection in a series of auctions over the next year, making available one of the most historic collections of American colonial coins ever assembled.https://t.co/lZtpZzLOKC#Coins #DonaldPartrick pic.twitter.com/0a798TEqkh
— Heritage Auctions (@HeritageAuction) August 11, 2020
Join us tomorrow for a little F-U-N!
— Heritage Auctions (@HeritageAuction) January 20, 2021
It is a coin any collector would love to own, but only one will be able to possess. We could only be talking about the 1787 New York-Style Brasher Doubloon!
Jan. 20-24 FUN US Coins Auction #HeritageAuctions #coins https://t.co/Jq3TVG58jP pic.twitter.com/wysPjhL8uk
2
MS63 by PCGS
2014 SOLD for $ 4.6M by Heritage
On January 9, 2014, Heritage sold for $ 4.6M the other one from only two Brasher doubloons in mint condition from an overall surviving total of six wing marked doubloons, lot 5100. It is graded MS63 by PCGS. This example had been in the nineteenth century the first Brasher doubloon to be described. It was at that time in the estate of an important dealer importer named Gilmor also known as an early collector of coins.
This mercantile provenance strengthens the argument that the Brasher doubloon, earliest gold coin made for circulation in the United States, was designed to supersede the foreign currencies in large commercial operations. Other assumptions are however not rejected such as a promotional operation or a demonstration of know how.
It was sold privately in 2018 for a reported $ 5M.
This mercantile provenance strengthens the argument that the Brasher doubloon, earliest gold coin made for circulation in the United States, was designed to supersede the foreign currencies in large commercial operations. Other assumptions are however not rejected such as a promotional operation or a demonstration of know how.
It was sold privately in 2018 for a reported $ 5M.
1787 Brasher #gold doubloon changes hands for more than $5 million in private sale https://t.co/FE1uy1Zzat via @CoinNews #numismatics pic.twitter.com/L0X9E3fZd3
— David L Tranbarger (@dltcoins) March 23, 2018
3
EB mark on breast, AU50 by PCGS
2005 SOLD for $ 3M by Heritage
A Brasher doubloon graded XF45 by NGC was sold for $ 3M by Heritage on January 15, 2005, lot 30017. It was later graded AU50 by PCGS.
It is the only New York type Brasher doubloon with the EB punch mark on the eagle's breast. A private sale at $ 7.395M was reported in December 2011.
The six other surviving units have the punch on the wing.
It is the only New York type Brasher doubloon with the EB punch mark on the eagle's breast. A private sale at $ 7.395M was reported in December 2011.
The six other surviving units have the punch on the wing.
4
AU55 by NGC
2005 SOLD for $ 2.4M by Heritage
On January 15, 2005 in the same sale as above, Heritage sold for $ 2.4M a Brasher doubloon with the EB punch on the eagle's wing, graded AU55 by NGC, lot 30016.
1787 GANDOLFI
1
Diana and Callisto
2010 SOLD for $ 4.1M by Christie's
In the century of Boucher, mythology is an excuse to show the nude. Gaetano Gandolfi works in Bologna. His neoclassical groups are like a choreography of Nymphs, Graces and Cupids whirling around the main goddess.
One of his most important works is a pair of paintings made to order for an anonymous Russian client. It is attested by a letter from Mauro Gandolfi who desired to find the preparatory drawings made by his father.
The patron is now identified with a strong presumption as a prince Yusupov who was ambassador to Turin and had a great collection of modern paintings. The appointment of this aristocrat as an honorary member of the Accademia Clementina in Bologna in 1787 provides a plausible date to the commission executed by Gandolfi.
The two oil paintings of the same size 148 x 170 cm resurfaced separately. Their processing of the theme of love is in opposition.
Diana and Callisto was sold by Christie's for $ 4.1M on January 27, 2010 from a lower estimate of $ 800K, lot 29. The chaste goddess is a vigilante refusing an amnesty to Callisto naked by the nymphs to reveal her pregnancy. The image is shared by Wikimedia.
One of his most important works is a pair of paintings made to order for an anonymous Russian client. It is attested by a letter from Mauro Gandolfi who desired to find the preparatory drawings made by his father.
The patron is now identified with a strong presumption as a prince Yusupov who was ambassador to Turin and had a great collection of modern paintings. The appointment of this aristocrat as an honorary member of the Accademia Clementina in Bologna in 1787 provides a plausible date to the commission executed by Gandolfi.
The two oil paintings of the same size 148 x 170 cm resurfaced separately. Their processing of the theme of love is in opposition.
Diana and Callisto was sold by Christie's for $ 4.1M on January 27, 2010 from a lower estimate of $ 800K, lot 29. The chaste goddess is a vigilante refusing an amnesty to Callisto naked by the nymphs to reveal her pregnancy. The image is shared by Wikimedia.
2
The Birth of Venus
2016 SOLD for $ 2.63M by Christie's
The Birth of Venus is the classic episode of fertility and hope. The fully grown newborn goddess rises out of her shell to entice her surrounding. This painting was sold for $ 2.63M by Christie's on April 14, 2016, lot 115.
