Heritage Purchases Slater's America

Dallas, Texas: Dallas-based Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers, has announced the acquisition of Slater's Americana and Slater's Provenance auctions. Indianapolis-based Tom Slater is one of the nation's best-known experts and auctioneers of historical and popular culture Americana.

The move is part of a systematic expansion of Heritage's scope beyond their established base as the leading dealers and auctioneers of rare coins. In recent years Heritage has opened divisions handling vintage movie posters and comics, sports memorabilia, autographs, celebrity memorabilia, and fine and decorative arts. "Acquiring Slater's Americana is a logical step for us," declared Heritage's Co Chairman, Steve Ivy. "We wanted to work with an even broader range of collectibles, and Slater's has established a strong following in many diverse areas. We have also obtained the invaluable services of former Slater's Americana Director Tom Slater, who has a great reputation as a knowledgeable and reputable dealer."

A veteran of nearly thirty years as a full-time dealer/auctioneer, Slater has experience in fields as diverse as museum-quality African art and political Americana. "Tom is perhaps the nation's best-known dealer in political items," said Ivy. "In the early 1990's he handled the personal political collection of sports dealer Bill Mastro, which was the first political item collection to realize over $1 million in the open market. From 1999-2001, Slater's auctioned the legendary U.I. 'Chick' Harris collection, which realized over $3 million in a series of six landmark sales."

Slater's Americana has operated since 1997 as a successor to The Political Gallery (1990-1997), both under the personal direction of Tom Slater. No other auctioneer or dealer in the political Americana arena handled more or better material during this period. Tom Slater, president and founder of Slater Americana, has been involved with collectibles since the mid-1960s, when as a teenager he owned half interest in a Pittsburgh coin store with an adult partner.

In June 2003, Slater added a new concept, "Slater's Provenance." These were to be omnibus auctions covering all areas of collectable historical and popular culture Americana. Slater produced three new auctions, each offered over two thousand lots in full color, and each sale topped $1 million

The new Heritage venture will be known as the Heritage-Slater Americana auction. Tom Slater will head the division, and will have primary responsibility for purchases, consignments, and putting each sale together. The auctions themselves, as well as related customer services, financing and marketing, will be handled by Heritage's experienced staff in Dallas.

Heritage-Slater's first auction will be an all-political sale closing October 28, coinciding with this year's presidential election. It will feature material from the famous Joe Brown collection of 19^th century campaign items, as well as other selected items of special interest such as a fine array of brass clothing buttons from George Washington's first inauguration.

The firm's first general Americana auction is tentatively scheduled for February, 2005. Interested parties may inquire at: Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers
3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor
Dallas, TX 75219
800-872-6467
info@HeritageGalleries.com
www.HeritageGalleries.com