Past Sales

An original 1860's Civil War cdv sepia albumen photo of General George Armstrong. This Brady image was from a negative which combines of the head of Custer from life with his uniform from an engraving. The back has the photographer's marking "Published by E. & H. T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York. from photographic negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery".

This cdv is one part of a 98 piece collection of cdv photos that was formed during the Civil War and slightly after by General George Hampden Crosman & his wife.

An original 1860's Civil War cdv sepia albumen photo of General Alexander Hays. The photo is ink signed with rank on the bottom front "Alex Hays. Brig Genl Vols. U. S. A." This is an authentic autograph in the hand of General Alexander Hays & it is guaranteed entirely original in all respects. The back has the printed photographer's marking "Henry Ulke, 278 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D. C."

This cdv is one part of a 98 piece collection of cdv photos that was formed during the Civil War and slightly after by General George Hampden Crosman & his wife.

This is an elaborate pinback badge with original dark blue silk ribbon. This was issued for the: August 17, 1904 ”26th Clam Bake" & has the wording: "Member" "Joel Parker Association".

Joel Parker, a Democrat, served as governor of New Jersey from 1863 to 1866 and 1872 to 1875. Parker served as a justice on the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1880 to 1888. The badge has two fancy gilt brass bars at the top with celluloid strips that have wording about the clam bake.

This very rare & quite beautiful badge shows an image of Joel Parker printed on celluloid which is mounted in the middle of an ornate gilt brass shield. The badge is 5 inches long by 2 7/16 inches wide across the top bar. The shield is 2 1/4 inches tall by 2 inches wide.

The back still retains the original brass pin. There is a little toning on the top two metal bars but significant original luster still remains. There are two thin separations at the top corners of the celluloid "Clam Bake" bar. There is a tiny chip off of the celluloid at the bottom right corner of the "Member" bar.

The metal shield is very bright & still retains most of the original luster. The original dark blue silk ribbon has two matching 1/2 inch long by 1/32 inch wide strips of loss across from each other along the lower edges.

Overall this rare & beautiful pinback ribbon badge, issued for this one day event, is in near mint condition. The only example ever seen by us in over 52 years of actively looking for early pinback buttons. Most likely the only known example &, in any event, a real visual jewel. This is a recent find from an early New Jersey estate where it had resided carefully sequestered for 115 years since it's issue in 1904.

At the Democratic Convention in Freehold, N.J. in 1870, Parker gave a speech opposing the 15th Amendment. The 15th Amendment was adopted into the U.S. Constitution in early 1870 giving the right to vote to African American men. New Jersey was among the states that did not ratify the Amendment in 1870. New Jersey did not ratify the 15th Amendment until February 15, 1871.

In a newspaper clipping found online from the February 12, 1880 Monmouth Inquirer of Freehold, New Jersey, Parker’s opposition to the 15th Amendment in 1870 is mentioned along with his being sworn in before the United States Supreme Court to serve as a justice on the New Jersey State Supreme Court on February 2, 1880, the same day as an African American man also was sworn in. We tried to find the name of the African American man who was sworn in on that same day and to which court he was sworn in to but could not figure out who he was.

The address of the Joel Parker Association was 7 Commerce St. in Old Newark, New Jersey in 1893. In an August 20, 1903 newspaper article the Joel Parker Association is referred to as New Jersey’s leading Democratic organization which had celebrated its silver anniversary (25th) on the previous day with a clambake and an excursion to the Port au Peck on the Shrewsbury River. The pinback badge is one that would have been worn at the 1904 clambake.

Original 1 1/4 inch diameter pinback Patriotic Order of Sons of America button with ribbon suspension. The absolutely gorgeous button design has Washington at the center. Definitely one of the most beautiful early button designs that we have seen. The red, white, & blue ribbon has the wording "Central Penna. Assn. P. O. S. of A. Martinsburg, Pa. July 14th 1928".

Rare silk presidential campaign ribbon dating from the 1888 campaign of Benjamin Harrison for president & Morton for vice president. The ribbon has their portraits in ovals & the wording: "1840-1888. The Veteran Tippecanoe Corps of New Brunswick, New Jersey." The "Tippecanoe" makes reference to the battle of Tippecanoe which took place on 7 November 1811 between the U.S. army forces led by general William Henry Harrison in the battle against the Shawnee Indians. William Henry Harrison, who was president only 31 days from 4 March 1841 - 4 April 1841, was Benjamin Harrison's grandfather.

This is an elaborate pinback badge with original dark blue silk ribbon. This was issued for the: August 17, 1904 ”26th Clam Bake" & has the wording: "Member" "Joel Parker Association".

Joel Parker, a Democrat, served as governor of New Jersey from 1863 to 1866 and 1872 to 1875. Parker served as a justice on the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1880 to 1888. The badge has two fancy gilt brass bars at the top with celluloid strips that have wording about the clam bake.

This very rare & quite beautiful badge shows an image of Joel Parker printed on celluloid which is mounted in the middle of an ornate gilt brass shield. The badge is 5 inches long by 2 7/16 inches wide across the top bar. The shield is 2 1/4 inches tall by 2 inches wide.

The back still retains the original brass pin. There is a little toning on the top two metal bars but significant original luster still remains. There are two thin separations at the top corners of the celluloid "Clam Bake" bar. There is a tiny chip off of the celluloid at the bottom right corner of the "Member" bar.

The metal shield is very bright & still retains most of the original luster. The original dark blue silk ribbon has two matching 1/2 inch long by 1/32 inch wide strips of loss across from each other along the lower edges.

Overall this rare & beautiful pinback ribbon badge, issued for this one day event, is in near mint condition. The only example ever seen by us in over 52 years of actively looking for early pinback buttons. Most likely the only known example &, in any event, a real visual jewel. This is a recent find from an early New Jersey estate where it had resided carefully sequestered for 115 years since it's issue in 1904.

At the Democratic Convention in Freehold, N.J. in 1870, Parker gave a speech opposing the 15th Amendment. The 15th Amendment was adopted into the U.S. Constitution in early 1870 giving the right to vote to African American men. New Jersey was among the states that did not ratify the Amendment in 1870. New Jersey did not ratify the 15th Amendment until February 15, 1871.

In a newspaper clipping found online from the February 12, 1880 Monmouth Inquirer of Freehold, New Jersey, Parker’s opposition to the 15th Amendment in 1870 is mentioned along with his being sworn in before the United States Supreme Court to serve as a justice on the New Jersey State Supreme Court on February 2, 1880, the same day as an African American man also was sworn in. We tried to find the name of the African American man who was sworn in on that same day and to which court he was sworn in to but could not figure out who he was.

The address of the Joel Parker Association was 7 Commerce St. in Old Newark, New Jersey in 1893. In an August 20, 1903 newspaper article the Joel Parker Association is referred to as New Jersey’s leading Democratic organization which had celebrated its silver anniversary (25th) on the previous day with a clambake and an excursion to the Port au Peck on the Shrewsbury River. The pinback badge is one that would have been worn at the 1904 clambake.

This is an interesting 1892-1893 Columbian World's fair medal. This is a very elaborate medal which was issued by & is marked on the edge: "Boldenweck & Co. Pat'd Oct. 7 1890".

This is the white metal plain edge version listed as HK #157 in the "So-Called Dollars" book. It has a diameter of 2 9/32 inches inches & has a weight of 2.2 ounces.

The medal has wonderful & colorful natural toning. Our example is in proof-like AU on the obverse & proof-like uncirculated on the reverse. The medal is still contained in it's original cardboard box of issue.

The original box has a partial damaged & incomplete label. The box lid has heavy wear, separations at the corners, & flaws to the lid. The bottom of the box is sound & tight.

The box interior still retains the original red cotton insert as issued. This medal was recently found in an early estate from New Jersey where it had been carefully sequestered for the last 127-126 years since it's issue in 1892-1893.

This is a very rare "People's Anti-Lecompton" political party campaign paper ticket which we have been informed is a New Jersey 3rd District Ballot. This historically important anti-slavery connected ticket was issued circa 1858.

The ticket has "For Congress, Garnet B. Adrain, For Assembly, Charles Scranton, For Sheriff, William Sweeny, For Coroners, Robert Little, Robert Galloway, Gideon C. Angle”. Garnet B. Adrain was the U.S. Representative of the 3rd District from 1857 to 1861.

We have only ever seen one other example of this very rare ticket/ballot. The ticket/ballot measures 3 1/8 inches tall by 3 inches wide. There are many creases & flaws & numerous tiny chips off of the paper.

This paper ticket/ballot was found in an early estate from New Jersey where it had been carefully sequestered for the last 161 years since it's issue in 1858. Here is background information relating to the Lecompton Constitution which will serve to inform as to the historical significance of this important & fragile little bit of paper:

The Lecompton Constitution (1857) was one of four proposed constitutions for the state of Kansas. It was drafted by pro-slavery advocates and included provisions to protect slaveholding in the state and to exclude free blacks from its bill of rights. It was overwhelmingly defeated on January 4, 1858 by a majority of voters in the Kansas Territory. The rejection of the Lecompton Constitution, and the subsequent admittance of Kansas to the Union as a free state, highlighted the irregular and fraudulent voting practices that had marked earlier efforts by bushwhackers and border ruffians to create a state constitution in Kansas that allowed slavery.

A pleasing, finely cast, & extremely appealing "1890-1891 TOWER" iron still bank. This bank is listed & an example is pictured in the Andy Moore still bank book on page 118 item #1198. This bank was produced by the Kyser & Rex Co. of Frankford, Pa. as mentioned in the Moore book. Clearly the castings are of the very fine quality that Kyser & Rex is known for.

On the front of the door the original brass combination lock has letters for the positions in the combination. Underneath the bank incised in the casting is the wording :" Pat. Apld For 475 ". The bank measures 6 7/8 inches tall by 5 7/8 inches wide by 2 7/8 inches deep. The bank has a weight of 2 pounds 4 ounces.

The bank still retains the vast majority of the original paint & finish. The door has some areas of minor surface rust. The bank has never been cleaned & is just like we found it. There are no paint touch-ups, & no repairs of any kind to the iron. There are seven tiny casting flaws to the mullions located in the windows on the top tower area of the bank. These flaws are very minor & we absolutely 100% guarantee that these occurred in the original making of the bank.

The vast majority of the modest number known of this bank have some of these mullion casting flaws. In over 50 years of examining various examples of this bank I don't remember ever seeing a single example without some mullion flaw or flaws in the making.

The brass lock on the front of the door is frozen solid & does not turn. The inside lock mechanism is incomplete & there are some small pieces missing from the interior lock mechanism. The inside screw is an old replacement which holds the one original turning wheel which is still present. The brass dial would probably turn easily if the old replacement screw were taken out & the interior mechanism was fixed.

Underneath the bank there is an old penciled inscription which we are unable to read & and also there is an old paper label. This Tower bank is certainly a wonderful & intricate design of great visual beauty. One of the superior achievements of design & casting quality produced by the renown Kyser & Rex Company of Frankford, Pa. A joy to have owned & a privilege to be able to pass this one on to a buyer who will also have the chance to experience joy from owning it.

An original 1860's Civil War cdv sepia albumen photo of General Winfield Scott. The photo is ink signed "Winfield Scott". The signature which was clipped from a larger piece was affixed, in period, to the front bottom of the photo.

This is an authentic autograph in the hand of General Winfield Scott & it is guaranteed entirely original in all respects. The back has the photographer's marking "Photographed by F. Gutenkunst, 706 Arch Street. Philadelphia."

This cdv is one part of a 98 piece collection of cdv photos that was formed during the Civil War and slightly after by General George Hampden Crosman & his wife. The Crosman album contained a number of scarce & elusive cdvs of Union generals as well as a number of cdvs of Union generals with original autographs. 

Original Stump Speaker cast iron mechanical bank. This bank was patented in 1886 & was designed by Charles G. Shepard & Peter Adams, Jr. The bank was manufactured by the Shepard Hardware Company of Buffalo, New York.

An all original Jonah and the Whale Bank made by the Shepard Hardware Company of Buffalo, New York. This large & impressive bank was designed by Peter Adams & has an incised patent marking of July 15, 1890 under the base.

Original circa 1936 red cast iron toy “Gasoline” truck made by the A. C. Williams Toy Company of Ravenna, Ohio. This toy gas truck has all original rich red paint with original gold highlights to the details & is in excellent condition.

Original Bing German long tin toy windup touring car. This toy is circa 1910-1916 or so & was made by the Bing Toy Company in Germany. The toy has the maker's marking on the back end which is "G B N" in a rectangle with rays which is the marking of Gebruder Bing of Nurnberg, Germany.

Original Bing (or Fisher or unknown maker, refer to the third paragraph for additional details) German 7.5 inches long tin toy windup saloon car. This red & black tin toy car dates circa 1910-1916 or so. The toy does not have any maker's marking. However, we believe that the car was made by the Gebruder Bing Toy Co. of Nurnberg, Germany. The reason that we say this is that we have seen a couple of German tin cars in the past which had a Bing maker's marking & the identical detachable headlamps.