R.M. Smythe & Co. to hold Internet auction of historical materials including autographs and more.. On October 1, 2007, R.M. Smythe & Co. will hold an Internet auction on eBay live of an eclectic collections of historical materials including autographs, photographs, ephemera, books and Americana.
NEW YORK MARINE SOCIETY ($200-Up)
In 1769, a group of citizens met to discuss helping distressed ship captains, their widows and children and fostering education about the sea. This resulted in the formation of the Society, still active today. The present piece, a membership certificate for Capt. Walter S. Morgan admitted May 10, 1875. Beautifully engraved at Moorfields London, it is under glass in a frame, 15x18” overall, and in very fine condition.
844 NEW YORK SUBSTITUTE AND RELIEF COMMITTEE [70] ($100-Up)
The provision that substitute soldiers could be engaged to fight in place of those who had been drafted, but were needed at home, or those who preferred to stay home gave rise to this committee, which verified these activities. In the imaged example, John Patterson, a clerk and an exempt member of the Fire Department found a substitute named William Harrison, verified by the Committee, Sept 11, 1863, and signed by George Opdyke, the Mayor. Important Civil War memorabilia, very good condition.
845 PHOTOGRAPHS: UNION SQUARE, 1868 ($250-Up)
Choice 4to albumen Photograph on slightly larger mount, identified on mount at bottom as “North Union square taken 1868.” Identified on verso as by Richard J. Murphy of New York, photographed for E.L. Henry. With pencil identifications in margins of buildings that were “Formerly the Union League Club,”“The Moffat House, afterwards the Fennian Hd Qtrs.,”“Everett House”and “Lawyer Cram’s House.”Someone has penciled in a flag over the Everett House.With ghost images of three people who had moved during the long exposure time. Age-toned, with light foxing in extreme edges, otherwise in very good condition. With a late-19th-century photographic souvenir card showing the square and surrounding landmarks, split at fold and repaired with tape.
846 NEW YORK CITY: MARINE COURT DOCUMENTS, 1870’s [130] ($50-Up)
As above, aged but good insight into the subject.
847 NEW YORK: THIRTY-FIVE VIEWS [33] ($20-Up)
From a Rand, McNally view book, 1897 except for one sheet of stationery with a pigeon’s eye view of “New York and Adjacent Cities from Jersey City Heights.” Good condition, fine.
848 NEW YORK. O WHAT A CHARMING CITY! ($60-Up)
Title page of a song by I. A. Gardner, A.M., and published by Geo. Willig, Jr. Baltimore. Beautiful view of the city from Brooklyn, 14 x 10” with the first page of the music and words on the verso. Lovely piece, nice message, very fine.
849 NYC CHECKS: 50 [50] ($100-Up)
New York City Checks: Various Denominations Signed by Mayor, New York City, 1860s.
850 NYC CHECKS: 50 [50] ($100-Up)
New York City Checks: Various Denominations Signed by Mayor, New York City, 1860s.
851 NYC CHECKS: 50 [50] ($100-Up)
New York City checks, signed by the Mayor, well printed in blue, 1860s.
852 NYC CHECKS: 50 [50] ($100-Up)
New York City Checks: Various Denominations Signed by Mayor, New York City, 1860s.
853 NYC CHECKS: 100 [100] ($150-Up)
New York City Checks: Various Denominations Signed by Mayor, New York City, 1860s.
854 NYC CHECKS: 100 [100] ($150-Up)
New York City Checks: Various Denominations
