The Edwin W. Sims Collection: Political History and Rare Ephemera at Auction

Turner Auctions + Appraisals presents a remarkable opportunity for collectors and history enthusiasts this September with the sale of the Edwin W. Sims Collection of Political Ephemera. Offering a fascinating glimpse into American politics and culture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the collection includes rare correspondence, photographs, campaign memorabilia, and more—many directly tied to Sims’ storied legal and political career.

Who Was Edwin W. Sims?
Born in 1870, Edwin W. Sims rose from small-town roots to become one of the most influential attorneys in Chicago. Appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt as U.S. District Attorney for Northern Illinois, Sims became a nationally known “trust buster,” famously taking on John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil. He also played a pivotal role in shaping early 20th-century law, influencing the Mann Act and serving as the first president of the Chicago Crime Commission. Beyond his legal accomplishments, Sims was a meticulous archivist of his own career, preserving correspondence, documents, and memorabilia that now provide a window into a dynamic era of American history.

Highlights from the Sims Collection

The upcoming auction features an eclectic mix of political and cultural treasures:

John Lennon Print (Lot 3)
A signed serigraph titled Lennon Broadhurst Theatre – New York, numbered 805/1000 and signed by Yoko Ono Lennon, with a certificate of authenticity. A striking crossover between music and visual art.

Estimate: $400 - $600

Ralph Waldo Emerson Photograph & Signature (Lot 148)
A cabinet card portrait of the great American essayist and philosopher, photographed by John S. Notman & Co., Boston, with Emerson’s clipped signature mounted below. A rare opportunity to acquire a piece linked to one of America’s most influential thinkers.

Estimate: $700 - $900

“The Long Count Fight” Contracts and Ephemera (Lot 176)
Material related to the legendary 1927 boxing rematch between Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney at Soldier Field, Chicago. Known as “The Long Count Fight,” this event remains one of the most famous bouts in boxing history. Sims, as an attorney, prepared the original contracts.

Estimate: $600 - $800

Theodore Roosevelt Letter (Lot 177)
A typed letter signed by Roosevelt on White House stationery, congratulating Sims for his role in the Standard Oil case, with a handwritten correction by the President himself. A historically significant document connecting two men central to America’s Progressive Era reforms.

Estimate: $400 - $600

Theodore Roosevelt Campaign Buttons (Lot 185)
A group of early 20th-century political pins, including the iconic “The Winner” button from Roosevelt’s 1912 campaign. These evocative pieces of Americana capture the energy of a transformative election year.

Estimate: $200 - $400

Why This Auction Matters
The Sims Collection is more than memorabilia; it’s a tangible record of a period when politics, law, and culture were reshaping modern America. From Roosevelt’s progressive policies to the cultural echoes of Emerson and Lennon, the items in this auction connect collectors to the people and moments that defined a century.

Auction Details
The Edwin W. Sims Collection, along with additional offerings of books, maps, historic collectibles, and more, will be offered by Turner Auctions + Appraisals on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 10:30 am PDT. Bidding is available through Turner Auctions, Bidsquare, Invaluable, and LiveAuctioneers.

For collectors of political history, literature, or cultural ephemera, this sale presents a unique chance to own a piece of America’s past. See the full catalog and register to bid on Bidsquare.com.