Strong Prices Realized in Heritage Rare Books & Manuscripts Auction

Enola Gay Log, Che Guevara Archive, Harry Potter First Edition Among Standouts

DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Auction Galleries' Rare Books and Manuscripts auction, held October 25 & 26, 2007 in Dallas, Texas, realized $2,231,488 for 1,218 lots, although after-auction sales are still ongoing. The auction received international attention for its sale of both the navigator's log from the Enola Gay, and the Che Guevara archive, which included a lock of the famed revolutionary's hair.

"There was a great deal of interest in this auction," said Sandra Palomino, Manager, Rare Books & Manuscripts for Dallas-based Heritage, "spurred, no doubt, by the high quality and incredible scarcity of the items offered."

"There were a number of tremendously historic pieces in this auction," Palomino continued, "such as navigator 'Dutch' Van Kirk's log from the Enola Gay, documenting the flight that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, that sold for $358,500. This was one of the most significant events in the history of the world, and this log is an important record that captures an eyewitness account from one of the participants. We obtained this consignment directly from Mr. Van Kirk, making the log's provenance impeccable."

Palomino said, "Another significant piece of history is the letter that Abraham Lincoln wrote as president following the tragic massacre at Fort Pillow. The letter realized $131,450, and provides incredible insight into the mind of one of our most revered leaders. Originally part of a much larger collection, this exceptional document was filed away in an envelope marked 'facsimiles.' Historians have long known about this letter, which found its way into private hands and then fell off the radar. We discovered it while sorting through the collection and realized its value instantly. Needless to say, the consignor was thrilled that we had managed to unearth such an unexpected treasure."

"The single lot that received the most attention internationally was the archive of material relating to Che Guevara, including an actual lock of his hair, that brought $119,500," Palomino said. "This material came from Gustavo Villoldo, the ex-CIA agent who supervised the burial of the famed guerilla leader. Although the auction raised controversy in some sectors, we're very pleased to have presented this incredible archive to the world."

"Another important category in this auction was our offering of rare and first edition books," Palomino said, "with a true first edition of the initial book in the phenomenally popular Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, taking top honors with a price realized of $33,460. With the recent addition of James Gannon, our new Director of Rare Books, to our team, we look forward to expanding our presence in this exciting market."

"This was a very exciting auction," Palomino said, "and we're now hard at work on our next offering of important books and manuscripts. I'd invite anyone interested to visit our website at www.HA.com, where they'll be able to watch the auction grow, complete with full-color, enlargeable images as well as our thorough and informative catalog descriptions. As the auction draws closer, you'll even be bale to place your bids online."

Heritage Auction Galleries' next Rare Books & Manuscripts auction will be held on February 21 & 22, 2008 in Dallas, TX.

• Navigator Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk's Enola Gay Log, in pencil, 2 large folios, 26" x 20.25" and 26" x 10". Tinian Island to Hiroshima, Japan, and back, August 6, 1945: Realized: $358,500
• Abraham Lincoln Historic Autograph Letter, two pages, 7.75" x 9.75", separate conjoined sheets. Executive Mansion, Washington, D.C., May 17, 1864. To the Secretary of War (Edwin M. Stanton): Realized: $131,450
• Historic Che Guevara Archive, Including a Lock of His Hair, from the CIA Agent Who Supervised Che's Burial: Realized: $119,500
• J.K. Rowling: The Rare True First Edition of the First Harry Potter Book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. ([London]: Bloomsbury, [1997]). First edition. Octavo (7.75" x 5"). 223 pages: Realized: $33,460
• Thomas Jefferson Manuscript Letter Signed "Th: Jefferson" as Secretary of State, one page, 7.5" x 9.5", New York, July 19, 1790. To the Governor of Georgia (George Walton), fellow Signer of the Declaration of Independence: Realized: $26,290
• Chief Geronimo: A Very Rare Signed Copy of Geronimo's Autobiography Geronimo's Story of His Life Taken Down and Edited by S.M. Barrett, Superintendent of Education, Lawton, Oklahoma. (New York: Duffield & Company, 1906). First edition: Realized: $23,900
• Benjamin Franklin Autograph Document Signed Three Times "B Franklin". One page, 7.75" x 6.25", attractively framed to an overall size of 15" x 17.75", 1744, [Philadelphia], to The Reverend M. Clapp, ink: Realized: $19,120
• James Montgomery Flagg Autograph Drawing/Letter Signed, 10.5" x 8.25" (16.5 x 14.5" including the frame), pencil and watercolor on paper: Realized: $19,120
• Herman Melville: A Handsome Copy of The First American Edition of Moby-Dick; or, The Whale. By Herman Melville, Author of "Typee," "Omoo," "Mardi," "White-Jacket." (New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1851). First American edition: Realized: $17,925
• Bruce Lee Document Signed: His Green Hornet Contract. 39 pages, 9" x 11.5", housed in red titled paper wraps, Los Angeles, June 8, 1965: Realized: $15,535

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of rare books are invited to visit www.HA.com/Sell. Or simply contact Sandra Palomino at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 1107 SandraP@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Client Services at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 150, or visit www.HA.com/Catalog to order by email.