Military orders for Battle of Bunker Hill realize $22,050 A military document issued by General Artemus Ward of the U.S. Armed Forces just prior to the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775 sold for $22,050 in a sale held Aug. 25 by Early American History Auctions.
News-Antique.com - Sep 12,2007 - MILITARY ORDERS FOR THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL, ISSUED JUNE 14-16, 1775,
SELL FOR $22,050 AT EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY AUCTIONS SALE HELD AUG. 25
(Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) - An original, two-page military document issuing direct orders by the Commanding General of the American Forces in the days immediately preceding the famous Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, sold for $22,050 in a mail bid and Internet sale held August 25 by Early American History Auctions (www.EarlyAmerican.com). All prices include an 18% buyer's premium.
The document is dated June 14-16, 1775, and contains regimental orders from General Artemus Ward, the Commander of the American and Continental and Patriot Militias at Cambridge (outside Boston). The dates are significant, since they coincide with the official founding of the United State Army by the Continental Congress. June 14th has forever since been celebrated as Flag Day here.
“This document was one of our favorite lots of the sale,” remarked Dana Linett, president of Early American History Auctions. “The winning bidder was a woman who bought it as a gift for her husband's collection. I'm sure he was very pleased. It's a true piece of American history.” Mr. Linett added the sale was “our most heavily bid-on auction of the year. Most lots exceeded their estimates.”
In other highlights:
The top lot of the sale was a 1694 Carolina Elephant Token, PCGS graded Very Fine-30, that crossed the block at $25,960. The piece was able to soar past the high estimate of $24,000 by its great condition, but also because of its rarity: on the side that says “God Preserve Carolina The Lord's Proprietor, 1694,” the “O” is over the “E” in 'Proprietor.' An elephant is clearly visible on the obverse.
The biggest surprises of the sale was an 1860 ferrotype portrait pin of Abraham Lincoln – beardless – in choice near mint condition. The pin was expected to fetch no more than $1,800, but a pair of determined bidders drove the final gavel price to an astounding $12,980. The pin featured a sharp, clean image of Lincoln from his first presidential campaign, in an elegant, gilt brass oval frame.
An oil-on-canvas painting that served as cover art for the auction catalog, titled “President Jefferson and His Cabinet, 1801,” unsigned and in choice extremely fine condition, realized $11,800. Depicted in the 26” x 45.5” painting are President Jefferson, Vice President Aaron Burr, Secretary of State James Madison and other cabinet members, in an ornate, carved, gold-painted wooden frame.
A rare 5-cent Drink Sands Ale key encased postage merchant stamp, in choice extremely fine condition and one of only perhaps 10 in existence, soared to $10,620. The 5-cent denomination is the only one available to collectors. Others have been lost over time as to question their very existence. The example purchased was in excellent shape, with Thomas Jefferson clearly depicted on the obverse.
A valuable collection of Morgan and Peace silver dollars, 113 coins in all and encased in five Whitman folders, hammered for $9,660.
