City of Harrisburg Collection of Western Memorabilia Auction Realizes $3 Million+ So Far! A series of auctions that included the Western Collection of the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, conducted by Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, has realized $3,072,430.
News-Antique.com - Nov 14,2007 - DALLAS, TEXAS: A series of auctions that included the Western Collection of the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, conducted by Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, has realized $3,072,430, although after-auction sales are still ongoing, and a Final Session, scheduled for Monday, November 12, as well as an auction of Historical and Vintage Pop Culture Americana, taking place on Monday, November 12 and Tuesday, November 13, has yet to take place. All told, results for the suite of auctions are expected to exceed $3.5 million, and may approach $4 million.
"These auctions encompassed the full breadth and scope of the American West," said Gary Hendershott, Consignment Director for Heritage, "including vintage photography and manuscripts, incredible artifacts, and a stunning collection of American Indian art. For anyone with anyone interest in the history of our Western States, this was a potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"Bidding was strong across all lines," said Hendershott, "with collectors responding to both the quality of the material and its historic significance. We had a number of people in attendance at the auction, and even more bidding via phone and Internet. Rarely have I seen this much excitement and enthusiasm concentrated in one place at one time."
"The top piece of this series of auctions was the incredible 1883 Gatling gun," said Hendershott, "which sold for $334,600. One of the most important advancements in firearms technology since the development of gunpowder, the Gatling gun, the first widely produced automatic weapon, changed the face of armed conflict forever. This museum-worthy example was offered in superb condition, and was the subject of some excited bidding."
"This isn't, by any means, the end of the City of Harrisburg Collection," Hendershott said. "There's still plenty left, which we'll be offering in several additional auctions, whose dates are still being determined. I'd invite anyone with an interest in Western history to keep checking our website at www.HA.com , where they'll be able to watch the auction grow via enlargeable, full-color images and thorough catalog descriptions. As the auction draws nearer, they'll even be able to place their bids online."
Highlights of the Harrisburg Western Photography and Artifacts Signature Auction included:
Native American Woodlands/Great Lakes Indian Chief Daguerreotype with a George III Peace Medal, ca. 1840s-1850s:
