SELECTIONS FROM THE JUNE 2018 EARLY AMERICAN SALE

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V21 2018 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 21, Number 23, June 10, 2018, Article 14

The June 23, 2018 sale from Early American History Auctions (EAHA) has a number of items of interest in both numismatics and related areas. Here are some that caught my eye this week. -Editor

1768-Dated Colonial Era, Partially-Printed Document Signed, “G(eorge) Washington” on a “Mountain Road Lottery” Ticket, Choice Extremely Fine. This excessively rare example of a Mountain Road Lottery Ticket, measuring about 1.5” tall x 4.5” long with the signature of the Father of our Country as signer and proprietor. This Colonial Virginia Lottery Ticket states that the possessor shall be entitled, “to whatever PRIZE may happen to be drawn against its Number in the Mountain Road Lottery.” This Ticket is well centered, slightly trimmed at the top printed divider line, as are virtually all known examples and tipped heavier paper along the outer edge for protection and support to display. The quality of George Washington’s signature is sharp and clear, carefully written in medium tan ink and it measures a full 1.75” across. The overall visual appearance is fresh and very clean, the “G. Washington” signature is excellent and clear. Ticket No. 348. This original, historic piece of Washingtonia is a Key item and is considered the “King” of American Lottery Tickets. A wonderful, prize in the collecting of Colonial era American lottery tickets and George Washington autographs.

The Mountain Road Lottery was described by the Virginia Gazette as "A Scheme of a Lottery for raising the sum of nine hundred pounds, to make a road over the mountain to the warm and hot springs in Augusta county." The Mountain Road Lottery offered 62 cash awards, including a 1,000 pound first prize. Tickets were sold for 20 shillings, with "15 percent to be deducted from the Prizes."

On February 21, 1771, Captain Bullitt placed a notice in the Virginia Gazette that notified Washington and others that the "Hot Springs, Augusta County" project agreement between them was rescinded. The road was never built with this lottery endeavor. However, the Mountain Road was built in 1772 when the Virginia legislature voted a sum of 300 pounds for the purpose of "clearing a safe and good road from the Warm Springs in Augusta County to Jennings Gap." That road is now part of Virginia Routes 629 and 39 from Jennings Gap into Warm Springs Valley, site of the famous Homestead Hotel. Bullett went on alone and later built the road and spa in Hot Springs.

This ticket is quite typical of lotteries of its era, but it gets outsized attention because of its famous signer. it would be a centerpiece of any lottery or Presidential autograph collection. -Editor

(1789) George Washington Inaugural Button, “GENERAL WASHINGTON - PATER PATRIAE” Major Design Type with General Washington in Uniform. 25 mm. Copper shell with lead-filled base as made. With Original Shank. Albert WI-19B. DeWitt GW-1789-41. Fine.

Rarity-6 (3 to 5 known) according to Albert, (currently believed 6 to 7 known). 25 mm. This extremely rare “GENERAL WASHINGTON - PATER PATRIAE” type features a central Bust Portrait of General George Washington dressed in his fancy military uniform. Above at its left and right sides reads, “GENERAL - WASHINGTON” and below the bust, “PATER PATRIAE”. This historic button has a Copper shell with lead-filled back, as made with its original iron shank intact. This example is well worn at its center, though the outer inscription “GENERAL WASHINGTON” is clear, plus portions of the well worn lower inscription can be read, with still parts of the Washington design seen.

Another example of this GW Inaugural Button Type in nicer but not choice condition, sold in the Stack’s Cobb Collection sale of January 21, 2003 for $22,000 (hammer price, totaling $25,300), plus a low quality example in 2015. In February 2018 another example was offered at auction from the David & Janice Frent Collection which did not provided a specific grade yet stated to have been “well-struck with strong detail” which this cataloger would have graded as Extremely Fine. That example, being one of the finest known for the type sold for the remarkable world record price of $225,000.

Here's another quite rare item of Washingtoniana - a low grade but rarely seen Inaugural button design. -Editor

Chris. O’Neill’s Wholesale & Retail Liquor Store, 25 Cents U.S. Postage Stamp Envelope, Black printed text on Buff wove envelope,

Rarity-9 (1 to 3 known) according to Fred Reed. of this Civil War period U.S. Postage Stamp Envelope thought to exist. #KL103-25. Deep well centered Black printed text on buff envelope, “25c,” printed in all four corners. Printed text reads: “UNCLE SAM’S/ CHANGE.” (printed at top & bottom), with “CHRIS. O’NEILL’S / Wholesale & Retail Liquor Store, / Corner Hudson Av. & Prospect St., / BROOKLYN.” (printed within a fine black oval at center). Highly attractive and distinctive in its design and overall appearance being Complete but for its flap. One of only two Varieties known. Likely Unique and the Finest Known prize for the successful bidder having been used for the Plate Illustration Example In Friedberg.

The small change panic of the U.S. Civil War led to a myriad of small currency substitutes including postage stamps and these little envelopes designed to hold them. I was only able to acquire a few of these rare items for my Civil War collection. Great item. -Editor

1869 Fisk Mills of Washington, D.C.. Three Cents. Abraham Lincoln Vignette Design. Unadopted Envelope Essay for “United States Postal Currency.” Undersander Number E804d. Extremely Fine.

This Unique Design Type Essay has ornately Engraved designs which are printed in rich red on a light green and white “wood grained” background. This is the front panel, mounted onto thin boxwood card for display, measuring 3” tall x slightly more than 5.5” wide. In the upper right field, below the word “Currency” is a unique hand-drawn additional design element, showing a “3” centered within several brownish-red ornate designs. At the bottom right are the words, “PATENT APPLIED FOR” with a small patriotic Union shield design in the corner. At top left, “P.M. RE______DAYS.” At the upper right is printed the stated use, “United States Postal Currency.” Unique in this format. Undersander Number E804d. Attributed as being Ex: Brazer Collection. This is a handsome, impressive looking, highly colorful Postal Currency and Philatelic related item of museum quality that has great eye appeal for display.

Circa 1860 Exceptional Collector Archive Lot of Five CHARLES W. GEEKIE "Ladies Blush" Items. Set of (4) Tokens; (2) Struck in German Silver & (2) Struck in White Metal and (1) 1862 Hand-dated Civil War Period Currency Note.

Circa 1860 Geekie Baltimore, Maryland Trade Tokens. (2) German Silver and (2) White Metal, 23 mm, about 3.6 gm. The trade tokens of Charles W. Geekie are rarely offered for sale and are extremely underrated. This is the first example ever to be offered at the auction block at Early American History Auctions, and to have a Set of FOUR is simply extraordinary! The “Anchor” and two “Decanters” on the obverse are motifs with ties to Geekie's liquor business at 123 Baltimore Street in Baltimore, Maryland. These example are as nice as known for the issue, two being a solid AU tokens with lustre. The surfaces appear to be typical for what is known and under magnification trivial imprefections observed within the devices or as described individually and im aged below. Rulau's 2004 reference values this rare issue at $500 in VF, with no prices provided beyond that grade. We located one auction record from 2008 for a German Silver “5” example graded AU which sold for $690 (it was also the very first example that major firm had ever offered). The same type offered in the current set being finer and more lustrous. A wonderful opportunity to acquire a remarkable set of four, together with a Signed “Geekie” Note!

What a great scrip note - payable in "Ladies Blush, Hen fruit Cobblers & Rum Coolers." -Editor