Political Writing
See also : Autograph Manuscript Ancient England Birth of USA Revolution and Empire
Chronology : 1150-1300 1770-1779 1780-1789 1860-1869
Chronology : 1150-1300 1770-1779 1780-1789 1860-1869
1215 Magna Carta of King John
2007 SOLD 21.3 M$ including premium by Sotheby's
I invite you to play the pre-sale video shared by Reuters on YouTube.
1775 Last Chance before the Revolution
2014 SOLD 910 K$ including premium
The first Continental Congress was a failure when King George III refused to hear the demands of the American colonies. After its dissolution on October 26, 1774, the war began in Massachusetts.
The second Congress met in Philadelphia from May 10, 1775. The Americans were now convinced that it was useless to try diplomacy with the British government. The Congress entrusted two of its delegates, Livingston and Lee, with the action of preparing a petition advocating reconciliation, more subversive because it was to be distributed directly to inhabitants in Great Britain.
The petition was printed in Philadelphia. It probably had little direct political impact but it occured in that period of political overheating which will culminate in January 1776 by the anti-royalist pamphlet of Thomas Paine.
The draft manuscript of the petition was discovered in Morris-Jumel Mansion, a house in Manhattan that had served as headquarters during the Revolution and now operates as a museum. An employee who was sorting papers for digitizing immediately understood its importance.
This document written on both sides of 6 leaves 31x24 cm is an autograph manuscript by Robert R. Livingston, confirming his leading role in the implementation of this action. Dated July 1775, it is largely remorsed. It is easily readable but with significant damage at the location of folds.
This historic document whose price is difficult to predict will be sold on January 26 by Keno Auctions in New York. Here is the link to the catalog.
The actual role of Livingston in this operation remained confidential but his patrons had appreciated the efficiency of his work. Member of the Committee of Five charged in 1776 to prepare the Declaration of Independence, he was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and had a brilliant legal career.
POST SALE COMMENT
This outstanding document of American history was sold for $ 730K before fees.
The second Congress met in Philadelphia from May 10, 1775. The Americans were now convinced that it was useless to try diplomacy with the British government. The Congress entrusted two of its delegates, Livingston and Lee, with the action of preparing a petition advocating reconciliation, more subversive because it was to be distributed directly to inhabitants in Great Britain.
The petition was printed in Philadelphia. It probably had little direct political impact but it occured in that period of political overheating which will culminate in January 1776 by the anti-royalist pamphlet of Thomas Paine.
The draft manuscript of the petition was discovered in Morris-Jumel Mansion, a house in Manhattan that had served as headquarters during the Revolution and now operates as a museum. An employee who was sorting papers for digitizing immediately understood its importance.
This document written on both sides of 6 leaves 31x24 cm is an autograph manuscript by Robert R. Livingston, confirming his leading role in the implementation of this action. Dated July 1775, it is largely remorsed. It is easily readable but with significant damage at the location of folds.
This historic document whose price is difficult to predict will be sold on January 26 by Keno Auctions in New York. Here is the link to the catalog.
The actual role of Livingston in this operation remained confidential but his patrons had appreciated the efficiency of his work. Member of the Committee of Five charged in 1776 to prepare the Declaration of Independence, he was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and had a brilliant legal career.
POST SALE COMMENT
This outstanding document of American history was sold for $ 730K before fees.
1776 Dunlap Broadside of the US Declaration of Independence
2000 SOLD for $ 8.1M including premium by Sotheby's
1776 Announcement in Salem
2018 SOLD for $ 1.2M including premium
The printed disclosure of the Declaration of Independence of the United States takes the forms of official or private posters and of spontaneous newspaper inserts. The posters have the format of broadsides, intended to be visible on walls for a few days. They are also read to the troops and to the public.
The official broadside of the Congress is printed by Dunlap in Philadelphia in the early morning of July 5, 1776 and passed on to the delegates for disclosure in the thirteen colonies without waiting for the ratification. This document is directly or indirectly the source of all early publications of the Declaration.
The Declaration reaches Boston on July 13 and Watertown three days later. The executive Council of Massachusetts meeting in Watertown decides on July 17 a new edition of the broadside for use by religion ministers. It adds in post scriptum a requirement to read the text aloud after the Divine service of the very first Lord's Day following the receipt of the document.
This edition by order of the Massachusetts Council is commissioned to the official printer of the colony, Ezekiel Russell, working in Salem. Very similar to the Dunlap edition, it is typed in a single broad column.
Russell was also the printer of Salem's only newspaper, The American Gazette. The Council was unaware that the Declaration had already been published in the No. 5 of this new weekly paper on 16 July in four narrow columns spreading over two pages. During the composition of this issue the same four columns had been printed as a 43 x 36 cm broadside, perhaps by the Gazette's publisher for his personal trade. A copy was sold for $ 570K including premium by Sotheby's on June 17, 2010.
On July 23 the No. 6 of The American Gazette is devoted to the Declaration as authorized by the Council, with a few words apologizing to readers for that exclusive content. The authorized broadside 50 x 40 cm was certainly printed simultaneously. A poor copy was sold for $ 510K including premium by Heritage on April 5, 2016. A very fresh copy passed at Sotheby's in New York on June 19, 2015 and is estimated $ 1M in the same auction room on January 17, lot 176.
On August 5 the Council approves its official broadside. Both examples discussed above identify on their back the recipient Reverend and his parish. The American Gazette had permanently ceased its publication after its No. 7, probably due to a break of partnership between publisher and printer.
The official broadside of the Congress is printed by Dunlap in Philadelphia in the early morning of July 5, 1776 and passed on to the delegates for disclosure in the thirteen colonies without waiting for the ratification. This document is directly or indirectly the source of all early publications of the Declaration.
The Declaration reaches Boston on July 13 and Watertown three days later. The executive Council of Massachusetts meeting in Watertown decides on July 17 a new edition of the broadside for use by religion ministers. It adds in post scriptum a requirement to read the text aloud after the Divine service of the very first Lord's Day following the receipt of the document.
This edition by order of the Massachusetts Council is commissioned to the official printer of the colony, Ezekiel Russell, working in Salem. Very similar to the Dunlap edition, it is typed in a single broad column.
Russell was also the printer of Salem's only newspaper, The American Gazette. The Council was unaware that the Declaration had already been published in the No. 5 of this new weekly paper on 16 July in four narrow columns spreading over two pages. During the composition of this issue the same four columns had been printed as a 43 x 36 cm broadside, perhaps by the Gazette's publisher for his personal trade. A copy was sold for $ 570K including premium by Sotheby's on June 17, 2010.
On July 23 the No. 6 of The American Gazette is devoted to the Declaration as authorized by the Council, with a few words apologizing to readers for that exclusive content. The authorized broadside 50 x 40 cm was certainly printed simultaneously. A poor copy was sold for $ 510K including premium by Heritage on April 5, 2016. A very fresh copy passed at Sotheby's in New York on June 19, 2015 and is estimated $ 1M in the same auction room on January 17, lot 176.
On August 5 the Council approves its official broadside. Both examples discussed above identify on their back the recipient Reverend and his parish. The American Gazette had permanently ceased its publication after its No. 7, probably due to a break of partnership between publisher and printer.
#AuctionUpdate 'We hold these truths to be self-evident...' A broadside of The Declaration of Independence achieves $1,185,000 in #SothebysBooks auction. Next up: Important Americana at 10am EST #SothebysAmericana pic.twitter.com/W0ZRylIf3H
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) January 17, 2018
1787 Washington promotes the Spirit of the American Constitution
2009 SOLD 3.2 M$ including premium
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 is presented for auction by Christie's in New York on December 4. We anticipate a price equivalent to the major political manuscripts of Lincoln. It is estimated $ 1.5 million.
I would not discuss the U.S. Constitution without mentioning the great legislator who designed the mechanism for implementing such a political masterpiece. His name was James Madison. His unsignificant presidential output undervalues him in the American memory, and it is a pity. The U.S. Constitution is still in force today without fundamental changes, while the French Revolution, which began two years later, is mostly leaving an emotional memory.
POST SALE COMMENT
As I expected (or better: as I hoped in the preparation of my auction barometer) this letter of Washington met the prices of the two political manuscripts of Lincoln recently sold (with less than 10% accuracy range).
For Lincoln:
$ 3.4 million including premium at Sotheby's in New York on April 3, 2008, and the same price at Christie's in New York on February 12, 2009.
For Washington, yesterday: $ 3.2 million including premium.
See the image of that lot, shared before the sale 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 is presented for auction by Christie's in New York on December 4. We anticipate a price equivalent to the major political manuscripts of Lincoln. It is estimated $ 1.5 million.
I would not discuss the U.S. Constitution without mentioning the great legislator who designed the mechanism for implementing such a political masterpiece. His name was James Madison. His unsignificant presidential output undervalues him in the American memory, and it is a pity. The U.S. Constitution is still in force today without fundamental changes, while the French Revolution, which began two years later, is mostly leaving an emotional memory.
POST SALE COMMENT
As I expected (or better: as I hoped in the preparation of my auction barometer) this letter of Washington met the prices of the two political manuscripts of Lincoln recently sold (with less than 10% accuracy range).
For Lincoln:
$ 3.4 million including premium at Sotheby's in New York on April 3, 2008, and the same price at Christie's in New York on February 12, 2009.
For Washington, yesterday: $ 3.2 million including premium.
See the image of that lot, shared before the sale by AuctionPublicity.
1787 The Federalists in New York
2015 SOLD for $ 1.45M including premium
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 is estimated $ 600K for sale by Christie's in New York on December 8, 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 volumes 18 x 11 cm 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 is estimated $ 300K in the same sale as above, lot 243.
I invite you to watch the video shared by Varney and Co for Fox Business.
RESULTS including premium :
draft of essay by John Jay : $ 1.45M
book : $ 320K
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 is estimated $ 600K for sale by Christie's in New York on December 8, 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 volumes 18 x 11 cm 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 is estimated $ 300K in the same sale as above, lot 243.
I invite you to watch the video shared by Varney and Co for Fox Business.
RESULTS including premium :
draft of essay by John Jay : $ 1.45M
book : $ 320K
The only surviving manuscript of the #Federalist papers in private hands fetches $1,445,000! https://t.co/kxCtbz2wTY pic.twitter.com/Z6jglb8gYf
— Christie's Books (@ChristiesBKS) December 8, 20151789 Creation of American Freedoms
2012 SOLD 9.8 M$ including premium
During the ten years following the Declaration of Independence of the United States, the Congress sets up a code known as the Articles of Confederation to manage the relations between the states. Too idealistic, this first law is a failure.
The founders of the nation are now trying to redefine the delicate balance between the executive and legislative branches while considering also the need for autonomy of each state. Their work is outstanding, since the system defined between 1787 and 1789 is still the foundation of the US law.
George Washington is one of the key figures in this success. On June 22 in New York, Christie's sells his personal copy of the main acts of Congress. This collection gathers the Constitution, various acts including the creation of major Executive Departments, and the first draft of twelve articles known as the Bill of Rights for an effective and pragmatic definition of freedoms.
This collection was a working document for the new President. It is also a much valuable autograph: signed on the title page, it includes handwritten notes in the margin of several acts.
This collection of 53 sheets 30 x 19 cm assembled in 1789 in a binding probably made in the same year remains in excellent condition. It is difficult to predict the price of such a treasure, but the auction house tries an estimate: $ 2M to 3M. Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
US people know to recognize their historical documents of great importance. This extraordinary witness of the birth of the Constitution was sold $ 9.8 million including premium.
I invite you to play the video shared before sale on YouTube from Fox News :
The founders of the nation are now trying to redefine the delicate balance between the executive and legislative branches while considering also the need for autonomy of each state. Their work is outstanding, since the system defined between 1787 and 1789 is still the foundation of the US law.
George Washington is one of the key figures in this success. On June 22 in New York, Christie's sells his personal copy of the main acts of Congress. This collection gathers the Constitution, various acts including the creation of major Executive Departments, and the first draft of twelve articles known as the Bill of Rights for an effective and pragmatic definition of freedoms.
This collection was a working document for the new President. It is also a much valuable autograph: signed on the title page, it includes handwritten notes in the margin of several acts.
This collection of 53 sheets 30 x 19 cm assembled in 1789 in a binding probably made in the same year remains in excellent condition. It is difficult to predict the price of such a treasure, but the auction house tries an estimate: $ 2M to 3M. Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
US people know to recognize their historical documents of great importance. This extraordinary witness of the birth of the Constitution was sold $ 9.8 million including premium.
I invite you to play the video shared before sale on YouTube from Fox News :
1792-1794 The Remorses of the Incorruptible
2011 SOLD 900 K€ including premium
Robespierre was the most controversial of French politicians. To understand the tragedy of his involvement, we must forget our time and imagine the implications of the French Revolution.
The old monarchy had increased social disparities without preventing the economic disaster. It had to be replaced. Theorists within the Première République have sincerely believed that they could govern with a logic based on principles of humane thinking.
Robespierre, nicknamed the Incorruptible, endeavoured to be one of their leaders. Caught in a terrible spiral of violence, he went to accept the war and the physical elimination of the revolutionaries who did not follow all of his own logic. In terms of communication, it could not operate.
He published much, and his political thought has been the subject of detailed studies. Understandably it was compromising to own his manuscripts, and many of them were burned. But nobody really paid attention to 116 pages of handwritten work that had been kept by his housekeeper Duplay. These drafts cover two years of preparation of his most important speeches since 1792 until the swan song of 8 Thermidor year II (July 26, 1794), the day before his sudden fall.
Most of the final texts are known, but many writing remorses make of these documents a unique testimony penetrating in depth into the mind of Robespierre. The lot is estimated € 200K, for sale as a single lot on May 18 by Sotheby's in Paris.
As always when exceptional historical documents arrive on the market, activist groups are trying to stop the sale.
POST SALE COMMENT
According to the facility allowed by the French law as "droit de préemption", these documents have been acquired by the French State at the best bid price, € 900K including premium. The government has two weeks to confirm that decision.
It was difficult to predict the price for such a unique set that had never been offered on the market before.
This lot was shown on the article shared by ARTINFO before sale.
The old monarchy had increased social disparities without preventing the economic disaster. It had to be replaced. Theorists within the Première République have sincerely believed that they could govern with a logic based on principles of humane thinking.
Robespierre, nicknamed the Incorruptible, endeavoured to be one of their leaders. Caught in a terrible spiral of violence, he went to accept the war and the physical elimination of the revolutionaries who did not follow all of his own logic. In terms of communication, it could not operate.
He published much, and his political thought has been the subject of detailed studies. Understandably it was compromising to own his manuscripts, and many of them were burned. But nobody really paid attention to 116 pages of handwritten work that had been kept by his housekeeper Duplay. These drafts cover two years of preparation of his most important speeches since 1792 until the swan song of 8 Thermidor year II (July 26, 1794), the day before his sudden fall.
Most of the final texts are known, but many writing remorses make of these documents a unique testimony penetrating in depth into the mind of Robespierre. The lot is estimated € 200K, for sale as a single lot on May 18 by Sotheby's in Paris.
As always when exceptional historical documents arrive on the market, activist groups are trying to stop the sale.
POST SALE COMMENT
According to the facility allowed by the French law as "droit de préemption", these documents have been acquired by the French State at the best bid price, € 900K including premium. The government has two weeks to confirm that decision.
It was difficult to predict the price for such a unique set that had never been offered on the market before.
This lot was shown on the article shared by ARTINFO before sale.
1864 Lincoln's Fatal Blow to Slavery
2010 SOLD 3.8 M$ including premium
On 22 September 1862, President Lincoln issued an ultimatum to the secessionist states: slavery shall be abolished on January 1 in all states that will not come back into the Union before that date.
At the promised date, January 1, 1863, Lincoln proclaimed an executive order abolishing slavery in the ten states on which he had no control.
This strategy is of paramount political skill. It confirms that in the mind of Lincoln the end of slavery is the main issue of the American Civil War. Without alienating the states loyal to the Union, it gave such a boost to the slaves that their emancipation had no more obstacles, entering into the constitution through the Thirteenth Amendment on December 18, 1865.
One hundred years later, the Kennedy brothers are considering new advances for civil rights. The murder of the President does not slow down the ardor of his brother. In 1964, Robert Kennedy bought at auction at Parke-Bernet a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln.
This document is again for sale on December 10 in New York by Sotheby's (Parke-Bernet's successor). It is estimated $ 1M, and illustrated in the press release shared by Paul Fraser Collectibles.
POST SALE COMMENT
The estimate of this prestigious lot was undervalued. It was sold for $ 3.8 million including premium.
This document printed and signed in 1864 is bearing the autograph signatures of Abraham Lincoln and of Secretary of State William Seward.
I invite you to play the video shared on the web by Sotheby's :
At the promised date, January 1, 1863, Lincoln proclaimed an executive order abolishing slavery in the ten states on which he had no control.
This strategy is of paramount political skill. It confirms that in the mind of Lincoln the end of slavery is the main issue of the American Civil War. Without alienating the states loyal to the Union, it gave such a boost to the slaves that their emancipation had no more obstacles, entering into the constitution through the Thirteenth Amendment on December 18, 1865.
One hundred years later, the Kennedy brothers are considering new advances for civil rights. The murder of the President does not slow down the ardor of his brother. In 1964, Robert Kennedy bought at auction at Parke-Bernet a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln.
This document is again for sale on December 10 in New York by Sotheby's (Parke-Bernet's successor). It is estimated $ 1M, and illustrated in the press release shared by Paul Fraser Collectibles.
POST SALE COMMENT
The estimate of this prestigious lot was undervalued. It was sold for $ 3.8 million including premium.
This document printed and signed in 1864 is bearing the autograph signatures of Abraham Lincoln and of Secretary of State William Seward.
I invite you to play the video shared on the web by Sotheby's :
1864 The Two Victories of Abraham Lincoln
2009 SOLD 3.4 M$ including premium
In one of my first articles, I discussed a letter from Lincoln dated 5 April 1864. The document, written during the election campaign for his second presidency, was sold $ 3.4 million including expenses by Sotheby's in New York on April 3. I considered it too emotional.
Now, in a press release, Christie's reminds with suitable details the events of this decisive year. Until June, Lincoln, the outgoing president, was considered a loser. The popular opinion was in favor of McClellan calling to enter into negotiations to end the civil war.
In August the fall of Atlanta happened, and supporters of Lincoln saw that a military victory was possible. On November 8, Lincoln won the election, one of the most important in the history of his country: his anti-slavery ideas would now be able to overcome. The end of the war came also very soon afterwards.
On 10 November 1864, at the White House, the reelected president made an important speech to celebrate his political victory. The paper he wrote with his hand for reading it on that day will be sold by Christie's in New York on 12 February 2009. Those four pages in excellent condition were owned by the heirs of Lincoln before going into a library that sells them now.
In a nice marketing approach that we would like to see more often from auction houses (big and small), Christie's organizes this sale the very day of the 200 th anniversary of Lincoln, who was born on 12 February 1809. This lot is expected to realize more than $ 3 million.
POST SALE COMMENT
Sold for $ 3.4 million charge included, the manuscript of an important speech has made the same price as the emotional letter sold last year. I would hope it sells more, but perhaps is it just the regular price for an important autograph of Lincoln.
This is of course one of the most important results at the beginning of this year.
Now, in a press release, Christie's reminds with suitable details the events of this decisive year. Until June, Lincoln, the outgoing president, was considered a loser. The popular opinion was in favor of McClellan calling to enter into negotiations to end the civil war.
In August the fall of Atlanta happened, and supporters of Lincoln saw that a military victory was possible. On November 8, Lincoln won the election, one of the most important in the history of his country: his anti-slavery ideas would now be able to overcome. The end of the war came also very soon afterwards.
On 10 November 1864, at the White House, the reelected president made an important speech to celebrate his political victory. The paper he wrote with his hand for reading it on that day will be sold by Christie's in New York on 12 February 2009. Those four pages in excellent condition were owned by the heirs of Lincoln before going into a library that sells them now.
In a nice marketing approach that we would like to see more often from auction houses (big and small), Christie's organizes this sale the very day of the 200 th anniversary of Lincoln, who was born on 12 February 1809. This lot is expected to realize more than $ 3 million.
POST SALE COMMENT
Sold for $ 3.4 million charge included, the manuscript of an important speech has made the same price as the emotional letter sold last year. I would hope it sells more, but perhaps is it just the regular price for an important autograph of Lincoln.
This is of course one of the most important results at the beginning of this year.
1864 The Authorized Edition of the Emancipation Proclamation
2012 SOLD 2.1 M$ including premium
The Proclamation of Emancipation enacted by Lincoln on 1 January 1863 is one of the most important political acts of all countries and all time.
Of course, this statement was not sufficient to end the U.S. Civil War. In the middle of the next year, 1864, charity gatherings organized by the U.S. Sanitary Commission are held everywhere to support the Union troops.
The President, always ready for personal engagement, then accepts the project of the authorized edition of the Emancipation Proclamation, one of the initiatives to raise funds.
The document consists of a title and 52 lines of text printed in a single page on a watermarked Whatman paper sheet 55 x 44 cm. 48 copies bear the three autograph signatures of Abraham Lincoln, of the Secretary of State William Seward and of John Nicolay, private secretary to the President.
The highly publicized copy bought one hundred years later at auction at Parke-Bernet by Robert Kennedy was sold $ 3.8 million including premium by Sotheby's on 10 December 2010.
Another copy is estimated $ 1.8 million, for sale by Robert A. Siegel in New York on June 26.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result, $ 1.85M before fees, 2.1M including premium, is in line with the estimate.
Of course, this statement was not sufficient to end the U.S. Civil War. In the middle of the next year, 1864, charity gatherings organized by the U.S. Sanitary Commission are held everywhere to support the Union troops.
The President, always ready for personal engagement, then accepts the project of the authorized edition of the Emancipation Proclamation, one of the initiatives to raise funds.
The document consists of a title and 52 lines of text printed in a single page on a watermarked Whatman paper sheet 55 x 44 cm. 48 copies bear the three autograph signatures of Abraham Lincoln, of the Secretary of State William Seward and of John Nicolay, private secretary to the President.
The highly publicized copy bought one hundred years later at auction at Parke-Bernet by Robert Kennedy was sold $ 3.8 million including premium by Sotheby's on 10 December 2010.
Another copy is estimated $ 1.8 million, for sale by Robert A. Siegel in New York on June 26.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result, $ 1.85M before fees, 2.1M including premium, is in line with the estimate.
1865 The Proclamation of Equality
2016 SOLD for $ 2.4M including premium
The founding fathers of the USA stated that all men are created equal. The slavery of the Negroes is seen as a disgrace by President Lincoln, not for moral or economic reasons but indeed because it opens up the possibility for a persecution of other minorities.
The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution was a major political achievement by Lincoln. It was not an easy operation, especially as the President did not want to wait for the end of the Civil War.
On 8 April 1864 the Senate voted at 38 against 6 a resolution in favor of the thirteenth amendment, but its embedding into the Constitution also required the approval of the House of Representatives and of 3/4 of the States.
In the House, the required 2/3 majority of voters was impossible to achieve in 1864 but the new elections have strengthened the power of Lincoln. The text was accepted on January 31, 1865 after a first negative vote followed by a change of opinion of some voters.
The joint resolution of both chambers is signed on the next day. In the joy of this event, some manuscript duplicates are prepared on the official paper of the Congress.
One of these copies is estimated $ 2M for sale by Sotheby's in New York on May 25, lot 79. This document 55 x 40 cm is signed by 36 senators from the historic proclamation of 1864 and by Abraham Lincoln himself who endorse it as "Approved".
Slavery was abolished in the United States of America in December 1865 when Georgia becomes the 27th state to ratify the thirteenth amendment, eight months after the death of the President.
I invite you to watch the video shared by Sotheby's for introducing the sale. Another top lot is a copy of the "Authorized edition" of the Emancipation Proclamation (June 1864), also signed by Abraham Lincoln. It is estimated $ 1,5M, lot 78.
RESULTS INCLUDING PREMIUM :
1864 Authorized edition : $ 2.17M
1865 Signed manuscript copy of the proclamation : $ 2.4M
The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution was a major political achievement by Lincoln. It was not an easy operation, especially as the President did not want to wait for the end of the Civil War.
On 8 April 1864 the Senate voted at 38 against 6 a resolution in favor of the thirteenth amendment, but its embedding into the Constitution also required the approval of the House of Representatives and of 3/4 of the States.
In the House, the required 2/3 majority of voters was impossible to achieve in 1864 but the new elections have strengthened the power of Lincoln. The text was accepted on January 31, 1865 after a first negative vote followed by a change of opinion of some voters.
The joint resolution of both chambers is signed on the next day. In the joy of this event, some manuscript duplicates are prepared on the official paper of the Congress.
One of these copies is estimated $ 2M for sale by Sotheby's in New York on May 25, lot 79. This document 55 x 40 cm is signed by 36 senators from the historic proclamation of 1864 and by Abraham Lincoln himself who endorse it as "Approved".
Slavery was abolished in the United States of America in December 1865 when Georgia becomes the 27th state to ratify the thirteenth amendment, eight months after the death of the President.
I invite you to watch the video shared by Sotheby's for introducing the sale. Another top lot is a copy of the "Authorized edition" of the Emancipation Proclamation (June 1864), also signed by Abraham Lincoln. It is estimated $ 1,5M, lot 78.
RESULTS INCLUDING PREMIUM :
1864 Authorized edition : $ 2.17M
1865 Signed manuscript copy of the proclamation : $ 2.4M
Not 1 but 2 important documents signed by Abraham Lincoln are coming to auction this month: https://t.co/RioDqJhUnY pic.twitter.com/rfhKXhKwj6
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) May 14, 2016
1916 Throughout the Dublin Easter Rising
2005 SOLD for € 700K before fees by Adam's
2016 UNSOLD
PRE 2016 SALE DISCUSSION
The Irish rising is launched on Easter Monday 24 April 1916 in Dublin against the British rule in order to create an independent Irish Republic. It fails. On April 30 the last rebel groups surrender. All the leaders of the rebellion were executed in the next month.
On December 7 in Dublin, Adam's sells three documents related to this event : two original copies of the proclamation poster dated April 23 and an autograph order for unconditional surrender signed by the strategist and spokesman of the movement, PH Pearse, on a paper 35 x 21 cm.
Each poster is estimated € 250K, lot 51 and lot 52. Another copy was sold for £ 305K including premium by Sotheby's on December 15, 2015. The surrender manuscript is estimated in excess of € 1M, lot 50. It had been sold for € 700K before fees by the same auction house on May 25, 2005.
The broadsheet had been printed in a great hurry on a 76 x 51 cm paper size. About 1,000 copies have been printed and less than 50 survive. The printer did not have the necessary equipment, which is perfectly visible with the two different types of the tiny 'e'. The inking is irregular.
The order of surrender was written by Pearse in several copies to communicate with each of the insurgent groups. Pearse himself had to surrender the day before and had no possibility to negotiate. Its text clearly indicates the intention to stop the slaughter. The National Museum of Ireland has two of these documents.
The Irish rising is launched on Easter Monday 24 April 1916 in Dublin against the British rule in order to create an independent Irish Republic. It fails. On April 30 the last rebel groups surrender. All the leaders of the rebellion were executed in the next month.
On December 7 in Dublin, Adam's sells three documents related to this event : two original copies of the proclamation poster dated April 23 and an autograph order for unconditional surrender signed by the strategist and spokesman of the movement, PH Pearse, on a paper 35 x 21 cm.
Each poster is estimated € 250K, lot 51 and lot 52. Another copy was sold for £ 305K including premium by Sotheby's on December 15, 2015. The surrender manuscript is estimated in excess of € 1M, lot 50. It had been sold for € 700K before fees by the same auction house on May 25, 2005.
The broadsheet had been printed in a great hurry on a 76 x 51 cm paper size. About 1,000 copies have been printed and less than 50 survive. The printer did not have the necessary equipment, which is perfectly visible with the two different types of the tiny 'e'. The inking is irregular.
The order of surrender was written by Pearse in several copies to communicate with each of the insurgent groups. Pearse himself had to surrender the day before and had no possibility to negotiate. Its text clearly indicates the intention to stop the slaughter. The National Museum of Ireland has two of these documents.
1939 Secular Gospel for the Drinkers
2004 SOLD for $ 1.58M including premium by Sotheby's
PRE 2018 SALE DISCUSSION
Alcoholism was a social problem of the utmost importance. In the United States the Prohibition had tried to take the root harm by banning the production but the side effects went worse when adulterated liquor was provided by the underworld. It is repealed in 1933.
In 1934 a heavy drinker considered as incurable by the doctors tries to recover. He understands that alcoholism is a mental and physical illness but not a sin. After failing in a spiritual approach, he conceives that only a former alcoholic can help a patient disavowed by his family and friends.
He stops drinking but that is not enough. During a professional visit that goes very badly at Akron OH, he feels that he will relapse and looks in the city for another incurable for a mutual help. He finds a surgeon whom he heals and persuades. Bill W and Dr. Bob consciously launched a chain of healing from that disabling illness, without a doctor, without a psychoanalyst, without a priest, simply by ordinary people helping other ordinary people.
They reached at the first attempt a balanced practice, based on the instinctive desire of drinkers to group together for avoiding their natural surroundings, on the protection against relapsing simply brought by the pride of helping another victim, on the anonymity and the absence of a guru which allow the patient to keep his freedom of thought.
They have founded a fraternity without registration and without obligation, without fees and without sponsoring, operating through regular local meetings where it is forbidden to debate anything else than the healing from alcohol. They are the Alcoholics Anonymous.
The method is pragmatic and the early successes are blatant. That deserves a book in which the two founders actively participate. This is another achievement. The first typed draft is sent to a large number of sympathizers invited to comment from their personal experience.
The modifications are written on a reference copy that is considered suitable for publication early in 1939. This 161-page document is a unique example of a collective text serving a great cause. It was sold for $ 1.58M including premium by Sotheby's on June 18, 2004. It is estimated $ 2M for sale by Profiles in History in Calabasas CA on May 5, single lot of the sale here linked on iCollector bidding platform.
The book titled Alcoholics Anonymous is also known by its nickname The Big Book. Its basic principles are applied in all countries of the world.
Alcoholism was a social problem of the utmost importance. In the United States the Prohibition had tried to take the root harm by banning the production but the side effects went worse when adulterated liquor was provided by the underworld. It is repealed in 1933.
In 1934 a heavy drinker considered as incurable by the doctors tries to recover. He understands that alcoholism is a mental and physical illness but not a sin. After failing in a spiritual approach, he conceives that only a former alcoholic can help a patient disavowed by his family and friends.
He stops drinking but that is not enough. During a professional visit that goes very badly at Akron OH, he feels that he will relapse and looks in the city for another incurable for a mutual help. He finds a surgeon whom he heals and persuades. Bill W and Dr. Bob consciously launched a chain of healing from that disabling illness, without a doctor, without a psychoanalyst, without a priest, simply by ordinary people helping other ordinary people.
They reached at the first attempt a balanced practice, based on the instinctive desire of drinkers to group together for avoiding their natural surroundings, on the protection against relapsing simply brought by the pride of helping another victim, on the anonymity and the absence of a guru which allow the patient to keep his freedom of thought.
They have founded a fraternity without registration and without obligation, without fees and without sponsoring, operating through regular local meetings where it is forbidden to debate anything else than the healing from alcohol. They are the Alcoholics Anonymous.
The method is pragmatic and the early successes are blatant. That deserves a book in which the two founders actively participate. This is another achievement. The first typed draft is sent to a large number of sympathizers invited to comment from their personal experience.
The modifications are written on a reference copy that is considered suitable for publication early in 1939. This 161-page document is a unique example of a collective text serving a great cause. It was sold for $ 1.58M including premium by Sotheby's on June 18, 2004. It is estimated $ 2M for sale by Profiles in History in Calabasas CA on May 5, single lot of the sale here linked on iCollector bidding platform.
The book titled Alcoholics Anonymous is also known by its nickname The Big Book. Its basic principles are applied in all countries of the world.
