MORE ON THE FRENT POLITICAL COLLECTION

We sometimes talk about “single-owner” catalogs that exclusively feature items from a notable collection. The scope of some collections exceed the bounds of a single catalog and must be sold in several installments. In the case of the “David & Janice Frent Collection of Presidential & Political Americana,” we are “tossing out the rule book” and planning a series of seven or eight auctions, perhaps more. This is necessary by the fact that the Frent Collection is the largest and most valuable non-institutional collection of Political Americana ever assembled.

Dave & Janice, whom I have known personally for around 45 years, remind me of Chick & Ceil Harris. Like those two “pillars of the hobby,” Dave & Janice share an interest in preserving the artifacts associated with our political history. They both share a passion for American history and have worked in tandem, as a team, assiduously gathering material for their collection… going to auctions, antique shows, and regional & national hobby gatherings. They also benefitted from the dispersal of several old-time collections that came on the market from time-to-time. Their collection is “memorialized” in the two-volume set Running for President: The Candidates and Their Images edited by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. (co-edited by Fred Israel and David Frent). The book contains chapters on each presidential election with a brief history of the campaign, accompanied by illustrations of items from the Frent Collection. It remains the finest book of its type, combining history with material culture.

The Frent Collection is somewhat of a “throw-back” to a more traditional time. While many collectors specialize in an era or candidate, the Frents assembled a general collection, covering all elections from 1789 to the present. All types of items are represented, ranging from “smalls” to large display pieces and “3-D”. There is depth and breadth across the board. What follows is a brief “sampling” or survey of the material to be offered in the first installment, our Political & Americana Auction #6181, on October 21st . Both Signature Session and Final Session lots will be offered at starting bids that are 50% of the estimated value, with a $100 minimum. Online bidding is scheduled to begin on or before October 2nd.

The most valuable item in the sale, in our opinion, is the huge Grant & Colfax jugate campaign flag/banner, measuring 47” x 34.5”. This is one piece that surely won't fall between the cracks. There are six flags in the sale. It will be a “Great Adventure”.

There are seven George Washington Inaugural buttons being offered, with more to come! The prettiest one, perhaps, is the 20 mm Laurel Wreath variety retaining all the original gilding in the recessed devices.

If tokens and medals “float your boat,” check out the large John Quincy Adams medal. It is a DeWitt #1 (JQA-1828-1) with the original silk ribbon attached. It's a toughie and much-prized.

We like the William Jennings Bryan “Silver Dollar” poster, issued in very limited numbers by a San Francisco Democratic organization. So limited, in fact, that this is the only one we've ever seen. It has great crossover appeal to numismatists, poster, and political buffs.

To read the complete newsletter, see:
Legendary Frent Collection Debuts on October 21 (https://historical.ha.com/heritage-auctions-newsletter/historical-news-legendary-frent-collection-debuts-on-october-21.s?id=5381)

To read the earlier E-SYlum article, see:
THE FRENT POLITICAL MEMORABILIA COLLECTION (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n36a24.html)

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