City of Harrisburg Collection of Western Memorabilia Auction Realizes $3 Million+ So Far!

November 12, 2007 AmericasnaCity of Harrisburg Collection of Western Memorabilia Auction Realizes $3 Million+ So Far!

Dallas, TX: A series of auctions that included the Western Collection of the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, conducted by Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, has realized $3,072,430, although after-auction sales are still ongoing, and a Final Session, scheduled for Monday, November 12, as well as an auction of Historical and Vintage Pop Culture Americana, taking place on Monday, November 12 and Tuesday, November 13, has yet to take place. All told, results for the suite of auctions are expected to exceed $3.5 million, and may approach $4 million.

"These auctions encompassed the full breadth and scope of the American West," said Dennis Lowe, Consignment Director for Heritage, "including vintage photography and manuscripts, incredible artifacts, and a stunning collection of American Indian art. For anyone with anyone interest in the history of our Western States, this was a potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Bidding was strong across all lines," said Lowe, "with collectors responding to both the quality of the material and its historic significance. We had a number of people in attendance at the auction, and even more bidding via phone and Internet. Rarely have I seen this much excitement and enthusiasm concentrated in one place at one time."

"The top piece of this series of auctions was the incredible 1883 Gatling gun," said Lowe, "which sold for $334,600. One of the most important advancements in firearms technology since the development of gunpowder, the Gatling gun, the first widely produced automatic weapon, changed the face of armed conflict forever. This museum-worthy example was offered in superb condition, and was the subject of some excited bidding."

"This isn't, by any means, the end of the City of Harrisburg Collection," Lowe said. "There's still plenty left, which we'll be offering in several additional auctions, whose dates are still being determined. I'd invite anyone with an interest in Western history to keep checking our website at www.HA.com, where they'll be able to watch the auction grow via enlargeable, full-color images and thorough catalog descriptions. As the auction draws nearer, they'll even be able to place their bids online."

Highlights of the Harrisburg Western Photography and Artifacts Signature Auction included:

Native American Woodlands/Great Lakes Indian Chief Daguerreotype with a George III Peace Medal, ca. 1840s-1850s:
REALIZED: $15,535

Amazing Barry Photograph of Indian "War Party" Council with Sitting Bull's Tribe:
REALIZED: $14,340

Terrific Cabinet Card of Judge Roy Bean in Front of the Jersey Lilly - "The Law West of the Pecos":
REALIZED: $11,950

Geronimo Son and Two Braves. C. S. Fly, Tombstone, Arizona Territory Cabinet Card ca. 1886:
REALIZED: $10,157

Geronimo and Naiche on Horse Back, C.S. Fly, Tombstone, Arizona Territory, Cabinet Card ca. 1886:
REALIZED: $10,157

A C. S. Fly Photograph of Geronimo:
REALIZED: $7,767

California "Gold Miner" Standing with Marysville Gentleman. 1850s:
REALIZED: $7,767

Highlights of the Harrisburg Collection of Western History Signature Auction included:

Fantastic Model 1883 Gatling Gun:
REALIZED: $334,600

A Heavy Western "Concord" Style Stagecoach:
REALIZED: $107,550

The Earliest Known Signature of "Wyatt Earp" circa 1870:
REALIZED: $44,812

A Conestoga Wagon That Went West on the Oregon Trail in 1850:
REALIZED: $41,825

The Famous "Pony Express Bible", Russell, Majors & Waddell St. Joseph, Missouri; Denver, Colorado 1858:
REALIZED: $38,837

Very Rare Wells Fargo & Co. Express Sign:
REALIZED: $28,680

Highlights of the American Indian Art Signature Auction included:

A Northern Cheyenne Beaded Hide Baby Carrier:
REALIZED: $65,725

An Apache Beaded Hide Shirt:
REALIZED: $31,070

A Gros Ventre/Assiniboine Man's Beaded Hide and Cloth Shirt:
REALIZED: $28,680

A Sioux Wood Ball Head Club:
REALIZED: $26,290

A Shoshone Pictorial Painted Elk Hide Robe Attributed to Cadzi Cody (1866 - 1912):
REALIZED: $26,290

An Ojibwa Shaman's Ritual Material:
REALIZED: $23,900

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 political memorabilia, Americana, and related collectibles are invited to visit www.HA.com/Sell. Or simply email Dennis Lowe at DennisL@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 1150, or visit www.HA.com/Catalog to order by email.