Freeman's White-glove Sale of Alexander Hamilton Material Delights Collectors of American History

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Freeman’s October 25 white-glove sale of The Alexander Hamilton Collection of John E. Herzog confirms Freeman’s strength in presenting single-owner collections and securing excellent results for significant historic American material. The auction totaled nearly $600,000 in 44 lots, achieving 185% of the overall high estimate.

“I’m very happy with the result,” says Darren Winston, Head of Freeman’s Books and Manuscripts department. “Our department and the consignor both did our part, and we were able to congratulate one another on an excellent sale. The buyers that participated in the sale were a very dedicated and passionate group that were all determined to bring home a piece of American history—and we’re thrilled to have sold all lots offered, thanks to them.”

The auction, featuring significant documents, first-edition pamphlets, and autographed material, is a deep dive into the professional and personal life of the Founding Father and eminent American statesman amassed by John E. Herzog, a preeminent collector of financial documents of the 18th century and Federalist Era, and founder of the Museum of American Finance.

Lot 10, [Hamilton, Alexander] [Public Credit] Report of the Secretary of the Treasury to the House of Representatives, Relative to a Provision for the Support of the Public Credit of the United States...the 14th Day of January, 1790. Sold for $81,900

PUBLIC CREDIT MATERIAL SHINES

Documents pertaining to Hamilton’s work in the Treasury Department and negotiating public credit performed particularly well at Wednesday’s sale. Report of the Secretary of the Treasury to the House of Representatives...1790, a first edition of Hamilton’s fundamental report that ushered in the financial revolution in the United States, achieved $81,900 following a competitive bidding war (Lot 10; estimate: $30,000-50,000).

The Report of the Secretary of the Treasury...Containing a Plan for the further support of  Public Credit exceeded its pre-sale high estimate by a remarkable 52 times to achieve $63,000 (Lot 39; estimate: $800-1,200), and Treasury Department. September 19, 1789...sold for $40,950 (Lot 5; estimate: 8,000-12,000).

PRE-SALE ESTIMATES SHATTERED

Spirited bidding wars for nearly every lot pushed sale prices well above their estimates, as in the case of a Deferred Stock Certificate of the United States from the Panic of 1792, which sold at 17 times its pre-sale high estimate to achieve $44,100 (Lot 21; estimate: $1,500-2,500). An Ordinance for the Establishment of the Mint of the United States of America; and for Regulating the Value and Alloy of Coin sold for $32,760 following an estimate of $6,000-9,000 (Lot 3), and the Report from the Commissioners for Purchasing the Public Debt, which achieved $40,950, a five-fold outperformance of its pre-sale high estimate (Lot 27; estimate: $5,000-8,000).

ONGOING BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS SUCCESSES

Freeman’s Books and Manuscripts department has presented consistently excellent results, particularly in 2021; Freeman’s single-lot July 2021 sale of a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, This Important State Paper, achieved $4.42M, the second-highest price ever paid for any copy of the Declaration of Independence, and the highest price ever paid for an American document printed in the 19th century.

Freeman’s, American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts on Wednesday, November 10

UPCOMING AT FREEMAN’S

Freeman’s presents American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts on Wednesday, November 10, featuring a fine selection of silver, furniture, paintings, Flags, and objects illustrating the customs, politics, and design sensibilities of early America. The American National Flag Collection of Jeffrey Kenneth Kohn, MD consists of rare examples from one of the nation’s foremost experts in and dealers of the National Flag, presenting a unique opportunity for Flag collectors.

ABOUT FREEMAN’S

Since 1805, Freeman’s has been part of the fabric of Philadelphia, helping generations of clients in the buying and selling of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, design, and more. We host many auctions throughout the year, including sales of single-owner collections. Freeman’s, Philadelphia’s auction house. Sharing the world of art, design, and jewelry with you, wherever you are.