Home » Museums Articles » Big guns go for big bucks at Smythe sales of shipwreck artifacts, currency, stock certificates and obsolete notes.
Big guns go for big bucks at Smythe sales of shipwreck artifacts, currency, stock certificates and obsolete notes.
A twin pair of brass canons from the 1784 shipwreck "El Cazador" saw a final bid of $10925 each, bringing the total for the one week, four auction extravaganza at Smythe to $1,259,250
/Museums PR News/ - MANHATTAN, NY, November 15, 2007 - Over 5500 lots which included an intriguing mix of historical paper, currency, stock certificates and artifacts recovered from the 1784 shipwreck "El Cazador" were greeted by enthusiastic bidders at Smythe & Company. The one week, four auction, whirlwind of sales that ended November 1, realized a total hammer of $1,259,250.
Among the more noteworthy offerings were a pair of 18th century Spanish bronze breech loaded cannon. They were of typical form, measuring 39 1/2" in length and weighing 200 Lbs each. These canon were marked with the Bourbon arms of Charles III on their barrels. Each cannon realized $10925
"With four auctions closing in such a short period, it was a very busy week for us at Smythe." said Mary Herzog, Vice President of R. M. Smythe & Co. "The 'El Cazador' shipwreck artifacts brought us a great deal of interest, but we also saw very strong bidding activity among many of the other lots."
Other noteworthy sales from the auctions include:
Lot #: 2065 Estimate-$1,250-2,500 United States of America 5/11/1779. Virginia. #21. 24 Dollars in Twenty Livres Tournois. Red. Sheet of three certificates. Anderson US-99. Hessler X32C.Signed by Armistead and Francis Hopkinson, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Tear in the upper right of the top certificate, otherwise VF. Realized - $4830
Lot #: 2062 Commonwealth of Virginia 12/22/1781. #10201. Land-Office Treasury Warrant. 500 Acres/800 Pounds. Issued to and boldly signed on the reverse by Daniel Boone. Unlisted in Anderson. Fine, but with age tone. Broken folds have been expertly repaired. Ink is light with thin spot on verso of document. Realized - $8625
Lot #: 3490 Estimate-$800-1,200 RI. Wakefield, South Kingston. Bank of the South County. $25. 1850s. (RI-515 G16). Proof on India paper. Men working in foundry, top; Indian maiden as Liberty, left; young woman seated with spyglass, right. TCC. VF-EF. Realized - $2990
Lot #: 1596 Colombia. 8 Escudo, 1780NR JJ. Carol(us) III. KM 50.1. (NGC MS-63). obv.: Armored bust, facing right. rev.: Crowned arms in collar of the Golden Fleece. Nicked neck. tiny blackened reverse spots visible under magnification. Realized - $9200
Lot #: 2662 Estimate-$3,000-5,000 MA. Boston. Market Bank. $2. 1860s. (MA-265 G16a SENC). Full red tint lathe. Proof on India paper mounted on card. Group of elk at a stream. Corn basket lower left and male portrait lower right. Intricate color lathe work derived from the Cyrus Durand patents with the city and title interwoven with the denomination protectors in a repeating pattern across the note. An absolutely stunning impression. The India paper mounted directly to a gilt edged wide margined card with an overleaf of tissue guard from the presentation album. The only one we have handled from this series. The only other note from this Market Bank series by the National Bank Note Co. we have seen was the Denly Collection note that came from the January, 2002 CAA Sale. This example has small POC and was remounted on the wide card smartly. Some minor edge wrinkling on the India. NBN. Choice Uncirculated. Realized - $6325
Lot #: 1594 Spain. 1/2 Escudo, 1754M JB. Ferdinand VI. KM 378. (NGC AU-58) obv. darkened area behind head. rev. die break above "ISP". At this grade, a successful mail bidder will be pleasantly surprised. Realized - $7762
Lot #: 1595 Colombia. 8 Escudo, 1779NR JJ. Carol(us) III. KM 50.1. (NGC MS-64). obv.: Armored bust, facing right. rev.: Crowned arms in collar of the Golden Fleece. Slight lamination on cheek, and rubbed forehead away from Gem. Realized - $14,950
Lot #: 1314 Bulk lot of American Eagle proofs in Original Mint Packaging. Lot includes: 1) 1986 Silver Eagles (10) 2) 1987 Silver Eagles (5) 3) 2004 Silver Eagles (2) 4) 1986 One ounce Gold Eagles (7) [24] Realized - $6050
Lot #: 1278 1799 Small Stars BD-7 NCS AU Details, Damaged. R-3. A nice shade of yellow gold, and despite its flaws has a decent eye appeal. The damage that the NCS holder cites appears to be limited only to the rims. Realized - $9200
Lot #: 2164 United States Treasury Note (USA) Act of October 12, 1837. Hessler X-99I, Rarity 8. Specimen. Allegorical Wealth. Mercury, left. Justice, right. In 1837 a major depression hit the United States (Panic of 1837). To raise funds the government issued interest-bearing notes in denominations of $50, $100, $500 and $1000 that were redeemable one year after being issued. Blank notes were also issued so other denominations could be written in. The interest rate also varied which was to be written in. Ex Mittendorf Collection. Tipped onto larger sheet. EF. Realized - $6325
Lot #: 2133 Standard Oil (OH) 1875. #6. 100 shares. Black. Capitol Building. Liberty with flag and sword ("The Standard Bearer"). The original Standard Oil founded by John D. Rockefeller and signed as president by him. Also signed by Henry Morrison Flagler as secretary and again on the stub. Issued to and signed on the stub by Charles Pratt . Lightly cancelled in red pen through the vignette and the officers' signatures, hardly distracting. An extremely important piece of American financial history representing the early days of one of America's most significant industries. VF+. Realized - $4600
All prices listed include a 15% buyers premium. A complete catalog of all 5500+ lots including photos and realized prices can be viewed online at: http://static.smytheonline.com/prices_realized/index.php
Accredited media interested in scheduling an interview to discuss this release or past or upcoming auctions are encouraged to contact Mary Herzog at 212-943-1880
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