Smythe’s Memphis Sale Should Be Their Best Ever On July 5, 6 & 7, 2007, R. M. Smythe & Co., Official Auctioneers for the 31st Annual Memphis International Paper Money Show, will conduct an extraordinary auction of paper money, stocks, bonds, and re
of East Greenwich is in glorious color. The Slater Bank sheet of North Providence features vignettes unique to this bank. The Globe Bank of Providence, Rhode Island, is represented by three examples. On the first two, Atlas holds the Earth on his shoulders. The third example is an outstanding color proof featuring the Four Seasons surrounding the Earth. Virginia (and West Virginia) collectors will surely notice the colorful $10 Merchants & Farmers Bank of Clarkesburg, another extraordinary color Proof. One of the most outstanding lots in the entire sale is a magnificent four-subject color Proof $1-$2-$3-$5 Sheet from the Oneida Bank of Berlin, Wisconsin. Estimated at $6,000-$12,000, it is sure to be hotly contested.
What follows is a collection of carefully selected obsoletes, mostly from Western states. This consignor had a great eye for quality and rarity, and this is a very pleasing collection. It begins with two of the most rare and most desirable Arizona Territory notes, a 25 Cent L. Zeckendorf & Co., and a Lord & Williams $1. These are followed by three rare and ornate examples from Idaho Territory, the $10, $20, $50, and $100 First National Bank of Idaho notes. Nevada collectors will be pleased to see three Butter Cup Silver Mining Notes, two $5s (one issued, and one unissued).
The next offering is one of the most outstanding collections of Alabama Obsoletes ever to appear in a public sale. It starts off with three rare and early notes issued in Catawba by the Alabama State Comptroller in 1821. These are followed by a sharp Farmers Banking Association $5 Proof from Demopolis. Two exceptional notes from Florence are a Proof $1 scrip believed to be issued by George Brown, and a $1 Kirkman & Andrews. Bank of Mobile Proofs include a $1, and $100, both rarely encountered. Another fine Mobile offering is the Bank of the State of Alabama at Mobile $10. Another rare Proof is from the Montgomery Branch of the same bank. Reconstruction-era examples include a $5 County of Montgomery proof, and a State of Alabama $5. The star of this collection may well be the 1862 $100 Bank of Selma. While a few proofs, and modern impressions are known, genuine issued notes are virtually unheard of. This entire collection is laced with hidden gems, and should be carefully examined.
Additional obsoletes include a $2 1860 Toulon Bank, Illinois, color Proof; an Atlantic Bank, Portland, Maine, $1 color Proof; a superb, and excessively rare $2 Market Bank of Boston color Proof; a breathtaking $5 Prescott Bank of Lowell color Proof on card; and an exceptional $3 Taunton Bank of Maine color Proof.
Over 50 nice lots of Michigan are being offered, including many Lee plate notes. Featured is a four-subject $1-$2-$3-$5 Bank of Brest Proof sheet; only one appeared in the ABN Archives Sale. Other Choice Proofs are the $5 Peninsular Bank, and the $3 Bank of Michigan.
One of the most important items in the sale is the 1862 50 Cent Cherokee
