| Manhattan, New York - January 31, 2008 - R.M. | | | | [1953]. An extremelyscarce agreement between |
| Smythe & Co. held 6auctions in 2007 offering | | | | Churchill and his publisher covering one of hismost |
| historical autographs, currency, coins,stocks, bonds, | | | | important works. |
| antiques and even two cannons. While compiling a list | | | | Sale #271 - Lot#159 - Presale Estimate $3,000 and |
| ofthe more interesting lots that sold in 2007, the one | | | | Up - Final Bid $4250 |
| unifying factorthat fits all of the items listed is that | | | | NELSON, HORATIO British naval officer (1758-1805); |
| collectors were looking forquality merchandise. This | | | | in 1800, he blockaded |
| relentless search for quality became evidentin heavy | | | | Malta and Naples, held by French and Neapolitan |
| bidding activity resulting in final bids that in many | | | | Jacobins; annulled |
| cases farexceeded pre-auction estimates and set | | | | Cardinal Ruffo's proposed terms to rebels, received |
| new auction records. Ofparticular note was the | | | | absolute surrender;restored Neapolitan royal family to |
| December 12-13 sale #275 of part 13 of the | | | | power; became romantically involvedwith Emma |
| Schingoethe collection of obsolete currency, which | | | | Hamilton, the wife of Naples consul Sir William |
| saw many notesselling for up to 10 times their | | | | Hamilton;promoted Vice Admiral; created Duke of |
| presale estimates, with 94% of the 1162lots sold at | | | | Bronte by Ferdinand I of Naples;died in the battle of |
| the final gavel (See | | | | Trafalgar. Choice Manuscript Letter Signed |
| ). Although interest in obsolete currency was very | | | | /"Nelson & Bronte" / as Vice Admiral of the Blue, 1 |
| high, it representedjust a small portion of the antique | | | | page, small 4to |
| and collectible merchandise that sawvery active | | | | [8-1/4" x 8-1/2"], on his ship, the /HMS Victory, "Off |
| bidding on the Smythe auction floor in 2007. | | | | Toulon, the 13th |
| Here are realized prices on some of the more | | | | August 1803." / Addressing the /"Naval Storekeeper |
| noteworthy lots sold by | | | | at Malta," /Nelsondirects /"that you receive into His |
| R.M. Smythe & Company in 2007. The listed lots | | | | Majesty's stores under your charge,the Barge and |
| include the sale#, thelot# and the final bid. In most | | | | Jolly (or four hand) Boat belonging to His Majesty's |
| cases the presale estimate is alsolisted. The realized | | | | Ship |
| price listed does not include the buyers premium. | | | | Victory, and keep them under a Shade or Cover 'till |
| Detailed photos of each lot listed can be viewed by | | | | they are wanted forthe use of the said Ship..." /Paper |
| visiting the onlinecatalog for the specified sale# and | | | | repairs at folds, minor stain attop, otherwise in very |
| lot# at Smythe auctions. See: . | | | | good condition. Nelson had been given command |
| Sale #270 - Lot# 1136 - Final Bid $24,000 | | | | ofthe /Victory/ just three months earlier, and joined |
| 1838 Die Alignment III, Reeded Edge Judd-84 Brilliant | | | | the ongoing blockadeof the French port of Toulon. |
| Proof. As a type | | | | However, the French fleet managed to slippast the |
| Gobrecht dollars are quite scarce, and when they are | | | | blockade in 1805, and Nelson led a failed pursuit. |
| encountered, theyare usually from the 1836 mintage | | | | Retiring dueto ill health, he was recalled in September |
| of 1,600 pieces. The Restrike Pattern | | | | of that year, and fought hisgreat and final victory at |
| Gobrechts of 1838 (Judd-84) are considered to be | | | | Trafalgar just a month later. A good navalletter, |
| R.5. This piece hasdark slate gray toning, but when | | | | showing how control of Malta, achieved in 1800, |
| rotated under light, very attractiveunderlying hues of | | | | allowed Englandto maintain a fleet in the |
| copper, gold, aqua, and blue can be seen. The | | | | Mediterranean, a key to its dominance at sea. |
| proofflash is very visible under the layers of color. | | | | Sale #271 - Lot#722 - Presale Estimate $3,000 to |
| Fully struck up, whichthey are often not. The eagle's | | | | $3,500 - Final Bid $5500 |
| feathers are quite distinct. Althoughquite attractive, | | | | OXFORD: OXONIA ILLUSTRATA "Oxonia Illustrata." |
| there are some of hairlines on the obverse | | | | David Loggan. Oxford, |
| fieldsadjacent to Liberty, below STATES, and below | | | | 1675. Folio, red leather [by Bartlett?] with gilt |
| the eagle. Not perfect, butrare this nice. | | | | cottage-roof design,spine, six bands. Three |
| Sale #270 - Lot#1219 - Final Bid $55,000 | | | | engravings laid in. Minor dampstains and sparsesoiling, |
| 1911 Matte Proof NGC PR-66. There is no doubt that | | | | front free endpaper creased, front board slightly |
| the double eaglesdesigned by Augustus St. Gaudens | | | | curled,otherwise very good/fine. |
| are the most beautiful coins struck bythe United | | | | Sale #272 - Lot#1263 - Presale Estimate $1,500 to |
| States for general circulation. During this period of | | | | $3,000 - Final Bid $8500 |
| coinagehistory, the US Mint was experimenting on | | | | Central Bank of Brooklyn (NY) 1854. #199. 20 shs. |
| ways to make our coinage moreartistic. One such | | | | Jolly old Saint |
| way was the new process the Mint used to proof | | | | Nicholas rides in a sleigh full of toys, pulled by |
| goldcoins, resulting in what we now refer to as | | | | reindeer. A classicvignette by Baldwin, Adams & Co. |
| "matte proofs." They werenot well received by the | | | | Durand Vignette Type III. Santa Clausvignettes are |
| public, and the low mintages for gold proofsdropped | | | | some of the most sought after of all vignettes. The |
| further. The mintage for 1911 was a mere 100 pieces | | | | Schingoethe collection of Santa Claus vignetted |
| struck. Thiscoin is a picture perfect example of the | | | | obsolete notesestablished many record prices. First |
| Matte proof type. Pale yellow,deeply struck and | | | | we have seen from this company. Weexpect the |
| nearly flawless. | | | | bidding on this certificate to be quite competitive. |
| Sale #270 - Lot#1683 - Presale Estimate $15,000 and | | | | Lightstaining, left. VF.* |
| Up - Final Bid $21,000 | | | | Sale #272 - Lot#4842 - Presale Estimate $7,000 to |
| New York Ch.E923. /Brooklyn. /First NB. $10. Fr.624. | | | | $8,000 - Final Bid $14,000 |
| 1902 PB. | | | | $20. Fr.953b. 1914. No.B2522533A. Choice Uncirculated. |
| No.D765506/1 A. Choice-Gem Uncirculated. An | | | | A real blazer Red |
| incredibly rare serialnumber 1 red seal Brooklyn that | | | | Seal $20 that looks perfect from the front and only |
| has not appeared publically since the | | | | the slightly askewback centering keeps it from a |
| Kriegsberg sale in 1965. Totally original and in nearly | | | | Super Gem grade. The originality andstrong |
| perfectcondition except for some minor handling. The | | | | embossing are clearly visible through the PMG64 EPQ |
| highlight of our Nationalofferings which promises to | | | | holder. Amarvelous note. |
| generate very aggressive bidding. | | | | Sale #272 - Lot# 4938 - Presale Estimate $10,000 to |
| Sale #270 - Lot#3501 - Presale Estimate $25,000 and | | | | $15,000 - Final Bid |
| Up - Final Bid $30,000 | | | | $37,000 |
| $1000. A. T-1. Cr.1. No.129. PF-1. A crisp, bright, and | | | | LT. Uncut 18-Subject Sheet of $5 1953 Legal Tender |
| remarkably vividexample that until now has never | | | | Notes. |
| appeared in any public sale. Itsexistence was | | | | A00000001A-A00136001A. The last note on the |
| unknown to Criswell, Ball, Shull, or Fricke! VF or | | | | sheet bears the autographedsignatures of the |
| Better,with seven light to moderate vertical folds. | | | | Treasurer of the United States, Ivy Baker Priest, |
| Neatly hammer cancelled,with no pieces missing. Very | | | | andthe Secretary of the Treasury, George M. |
| boldly executed signatures of Clitheralland Elmore. On | | | | Humphrey. Almost Uncirculated,with some corner |
| the back are two lightly pencilled notations, | | | | bends, and a trace of paper clip rust on the #1 note. |
| stamphinges behind the cancellation, and an | | | | These are mentioned for accuracy, as you can never |
| inconsequential water stain. Noneof these are | | | | obtain a betterexample of this unique sheet. |
| distracting, and they have no impact on the | | | | Accompanied by a copy of a letter onofficial |
| choiceappearance of the note when viewed from | | | | Treasury Department letterhead, signed by Edward |
| the front. Great eye appeal,with brilliant green color, | | | | F. Bartelt, |
| razor sharp black images and text, and ampleand | | | | Fiscal Assistant Secretary, dated May 20, 1953, |
| even margins on all four sides. Strictly original , with | | | | certifying that this isthe first sheet of the first run of |
| no repairsor ``conservation'' often encountered on | | | | this series. A wonderful addition toany great collection |
| Type 1 Confederate notes. Thisis a note that would | | | | of U.S small size currency. |
| fit nicely into almost any museum qualitycollection of | | | | Sale #272 - Lot#2501- Presale Estimate $25,000 and |
| CSA paper money. VF, CC. Ironically, the very first | | | | Up - Final Bid $52,500 |
| Confederate paper money was engraved and printed | | | | $1000. A. T-1. Cr.1. No.88. PF-1. John C. Calhoun, |
| by the National Bank | | | | states-rightsadvocate, left. Andrew Jackson, right. A |
| Note Company, in New York City. Shortly after the | | | | crisp, bright, and remarkablyvivid example that was |
| notes were ordered anddelivered, hostilities broke out | | | | purchased in 1987 from our auction of Dr. Douglas |
| at Fort Sumter, and Federal Marshalsmoved in to the | | | | Ball's personal collection. Described by Dr. Ball as "EF, |
| National Bank Note Company's offices and | | | | plus, cutcancelled." |
| confiscated theprinting plates. Of the 607 $1,000 | | | | According to the 1987 description, on the back there |
| Montgomery notes issued, 116 areknown, 9 in | | | | were two lightlypencilled notations, stamp hinges |
| Uncirculated condition, and two of those are | | | | behind the cancellation, and aninconsequential water |
| cancelled. | | | | stain, but these have all been professionallyremoved. |
| Perhaps a third of the survivors are virtually | | | | Hauntingly attractive, with the full eye appeal of an |
| unobtainable, locked awayin public and private | | | | Uncirculated example. The cancellations were done so |
| institutions. The $1,000 notes were signed by | | | | neatly that theyare virtually undetectable from the |
| Alexander B. Clitherall as Register and Edward Elmore | | | | front, and the paper quality is justextraordinary. No |
| as Treasurer. Thefiery Mr. Elmore was not a man to | | | | folds are apparent. The signature of Clitherall isboldly |
| be trifled with. Mr. Daniels, thepublisher of a Richmond | | | | executed. The Elmore signature is a bit lighter. This is |
| newspaper, wrote an article claiming that Elmorewas | | | | a notethat would fit nicely into almost any museum |
| a heavy gambler who was embezzling large sums | | | | quality collection of CSApaper money. Ex Phillip H. |
| from the Treasury. | | | | Chase, Dr. Douglas Ball, and Frederick Mayer. |
| Elmore immediately challenged Daniels to a duel and | | | | You can't ask for a more impressive provenance! Far |
| shot him! Thisextraordinary Criswell Type-1 has never | | | | superior to the onewe just sold in our April 2007 |
| been offered publicly orrecorded in any census, and it | | | | Western Reserve Historical Society Sale,described as |
| was probably collected decades before | | | | " VF, CC" which brought $30,000. VF, CC. Ironically, |
| Confederate paper money rareties were considered | | | | thevery first Confederate paper money was |
| to be particularlyvaluable. This may account for the | | | | engraved and printed by the |
| fact that other than having beencarefully dismounted | | | | National Bank Note Company, in New York City. |
| from the two stamp hinges that held it to an | | | | Shortly after the noteswere ordered and delivered, |
| albumpage, the note has never been tampered with | | | | hostilities broke out at Fort Sumter, and |
| in any way. Worthy of apremium bid. | | | | Federal Marshals moved in to the National Bank Note |
| Sale #271- Lot#35 - Presale Estimate $5,500 and Up - | | | | Company's officesand confiscated the printing |
| Final Bid $6,500 | | | | plates.The $1,000 notes were signed by |
| British statesman, war-time Prime Minister and Nobel | | | | Alexander B. Clitherall as Register and Edward Elmore |
| laureate | | | | as Treasurer. Thefiery Mr. Elmore was not a man to |
| (1874-1965). Choice Typewritten Document Signed | | | | be trifled with. Mr. Daniels, thepublisher of a Richmond |
| "Winston L.S. | | | | newspaper, wrote an article claiming that Elmorewas |
| Churchill,"/ 1-1/5 pages, 4to, on parchment, London, | | | | a heavy gambler who was embezzling large sums |
| January 18, 1957. | | | | from the Treasury. |
| Churchill's signature is penned at the conclusion | | | | Elmore immediately challenged Daniels to a duel and |
| [partially throughseal] and is witnessed by a solicitor. | | | | shot him! Of the 607 |
| Bears embossed revenue stamp athead. A / | | | | $1,000 Montgomery notes issued, Approximately 116 |
| "Supplemental Agreement"/ to the existing book | | | | are known, 9 in |
| contractbetween /"The Right Honourable Sir Winston | | | | Uncirculated condition, and two of those are |
| Leonard Spencer Churchill | | | | cancelled. Perhaps a thirdof the survivors are virtually |
| K.G., O.M., C.H., M.P. of Chartwell Westerham in the | | | | unobtainable, locked away in public andprivate |
| County of | | | | institutions. |
| Kent...and Cassell & Company Limited...in the City of | | | | Sale # 272 - Lot#2521 - Presale Estimate $7,500 to |
| London"/ amendingthe existing agreement between | | | | $15,000 Final Bid $19,000 |
| them /"to the extent that the Publishersshall | | | | Act of February 28, 1861. $1000. Cr.Unlisted. B-8. Hand |
| despatch proofs of the Third and Fourth Volumes of | | | | drawn mockup,with pasted on proof vignettes on |
| 'A History ofthe English-Speaking Peoples'...as soon | | | | red silk fiber paper, with hand drawncoupons. Wagon |
| after the thirty-first day of | | | | load of cotton. Sailor bottom. American Bank Note. |
| January one thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven | | | | Topright panel separated. Vignettes loose. Worthy of |
| as the printers canprovide them...Save as aforesaid | | | | some restoration. Hasthe appearance of VF. |
| the provisions of the Principal | | | | Apparently the work on this bond started laterthan |
| Agreement shall remain in full force and effect..._"_/ | | | | the $500. The firm got the text of the bond, had it |
| In exceptionallyfine condition. Churchill's four-volume | | | | written in by ascribe and then stuck in vignettes as |
| work A History of the | | | | appropriate. An important uniqueand historical |
| English-Speaking Peoples was published between 1956 | | | | Sale #274 - Lot#1595 - Final Bid $13,000 |
| and 1958, and wasthe last major literary work | | | | Colombia. 8 Escudo, 1779NR JJ. Carol(us) III. KM 50.1. |
| completed by him before his death in 1965. | | | | (NGC MS-64).obv.: Armored bust, facing right. rev.: |
| This great work had a somewhat checkered life | | | | Crowned arms in collar of the |
| however. It wascommissioned by Newman Flower | | | | Golden Fleece. Slight lamination on cheek, and rubbed |
| and the contract was signed in 1933. | | | | forehead away from |
| Although Churchill continued to work on the | | | | Gem. |
| manuscript, his publicduties did not enable him to | | | | Sale #274 - Lot#1616 - Final Bid $9500 |
| complete the work by the outbreak of war in | | | | 18th Century Spanish Bronze Breech Loaded Cannon. |
| 1939; when he returned to his old post as First Lord | | | | Typical form, 39 1/2"in length. Bourbon arms of |
| of the Admiralty hedelivered 450,000 words to the | | | | Charles III on top of barrel. Breach firedcannon with |
| publisher in the best shape he had beenable to give | | | | breech block present. Minor damage to pindle. Nice |
| them, covering his subject from the beginnings to | | | | surfaceswith only traces of verdigris. One of only 40 |
| theassassination of Abraham Lincoln. When, after the | | | | cannons that were reportedon the /El Cazador. /The |
| mighty events of thenext six years and the loss of | | | | fact that the breech block is present is |
| the election of 1945, Sir Winston had thetime and the | | | | simplyamazing. Cannon weighs 200+ pounds. Must be |
| inclination once more to take up his pen, it was to | | | | picked up-no shipping available. |
| the newproject, his Second World War, that he | | | | "As you can see, 2007 was a great year for |
| turned first. With these sixvolumes happily completed, | | | | Smythe." said Mary Herzog, |
| he was able to look again at the unfinished | | | | Vice President of R. M. Smythe & Co. "We had some |
| History of the English-Speaking Peoples which had | | | | exceptionally highquality consignments, which resulted |
| been laid aside insuch ominous circumstances so | | | | in a great deal of bidder interest. |
| many years before. Churchill had recentlyserved his | | | | For 2008 we've got some wonderful auctions planned |
| last term as Prime Minister [1951-55], during which | | | | and our customer canexpect even more quality |
| time hehad been awarded the Nobel prize in literature | | | | merchandise on our auction floor. |