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Stephen A. Douglas: 1860 George Clark Ambrotype and Rare Mate to the Legendary Lincoln Badge. ...
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Sold on Mar 19, 2022 for:
$118,750.00
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Description
Stephen A. Douglas: 1860 George Clark Ambrotype and Rare Mate to the Legendary Lincoln Badge. J. Doyle DeWitt could have scarcely guessed when he published his book, "A Century of Campaign Buttons 1789 - 1889" that absent then from his comprehensive work and his own collection, would be two giants of such magnitude that if he had written his book today would still dominate among the scores of items included in his chapter on the 1860 election! These two special pieces of course are the George Clark ambrotypes for Lincoln and Douglas manufactured from portraits taken by Mathew Brady. DeWitt's Lincoln example can also be found elsewhere in this sale. The manufacture of ambrotypes was so fraught with susceptibility to damage, that it is easily understood why there are so few survivors, ambrotypes themselves being discontinued in favor of the more resilient ferrotype. Printed on thin glass, the fragile layer of emulsion could be easily scratched, was prone to flaking and bubbling from moisture, and should the glass crack the image would again be severely compromised. This badge is identified with printed cardboard verso, For President/ Hon. Stephen A. Douglas /Manufactured by/ Geo. Clark, Jr. & Co./Ambrotype Artists/No. 59 Court Street/Boston. There is an insignificant brown stain on the extreme bottom of the card slightly obscuring the word "Boston". For attachment either a vertical pin or sometimes as here, a neatly placed hole at the top was used for suspension, unobtrusive to the printing on verso. Measuring approximately 65 x 55mm this item is superb, and in choice condition in nearly every way! Absent are the typical flaws present in the overwhelming majority of Clark ambrotypes. A standout item even among its somewhat more frequently found Lincoln peers, this highly regarded Douglas specimen presents a singular opportunity to acquire an ultimate and near incomparable rarity among this genre! It is estimated that there are perhaps less than five of the Douglas ambro's extant aside from this DeWitt example. Although missing from DeWitt's published reference in 1959, thankfully both the Lincoln and Douglas became part of his legendary collection and now, both offered separately in this sale, can be part of yours! No minimum bid. From the J.Doyle Dewitt Collection.Auction Info
2022 March 19 - 20 Inaugural J. Doyle Dewitt Collection of Americana & Political Signature® Auction #6246 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
March, 2022
19th-20th
Saturday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 25
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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