Royalty and Rock N’ Roll at RR Auction

A new “Fine Autographs and Artifacts” auction opened this month at Boston-based RR Auction, a trusted source for authentic and rare autographs. This auction features a variety of documents and historic artifacts that would appeal to a myriad mix of collectors. The vast selection of available items includes documents written by America’s Founding Fathers to the weapons commissioned by foreign royalty nearly a century ago.

All lots can be viewed in their organized and full-color virtual catalog. Several notable items from this auction include:

·         An authentic and professionally cleaned 1808 letter written by and signed by Thomas Jefferson: “Th: Jefferson.” This one page letter is addressed to Secretary of War, Henry Dearborn, concerning an “estimate of the blocks at N. York,” a likely reference to the expensive preparation for the Erie Canal project that troubled Jefferson due to the costs. This document is estimated to be sold at auction for $18,000.

·         A rare three page document signed by the two Spanish monarchs who sponsored Christopher Columbus’s voyages to the New World, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The royal decree document is written in Spanish and signed “Yo el Rey” and “Yo la Reyna,” dated March 28, 1494. The decree, with an intact embossed seal, grants certain privileges to a Toledo citizen. This rare example of signatures from two influential historic monarchs is estimated to auction for $15,000.

·         A custom-made engraved Beretta Carcano M1891 Cavalry Carbine with a gold finish, one of the four guns commissioned in 1939 by Prince Amadeo di Savoia, Viceroy of Italian East Africa. The carbine, with a folding spike bayonet, is engraved with a beautiful gold rose and dragon. This weapon is estimated to auction for $5000.

·         A 1970s glossy photo autographed by music legend Bob Dylan: “To John, from Bob Dylan.” This photo will be recognized as the cover art from Dylan’s 1964 album The Times They Are a-Changin’. This rare vintage photo is estimated to auction for $3000.

Be sure to check out the item galleries on RR Auction’s website. This auction closes on August 10^th.  

For continued updates on rare and historic documents and artifacts in upcoming auctions, please also follow RR Auction’s Twitter at https://twitter.com/rrauction and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rrauction/.

Local Olympic History Found at RR Auction

RR Auction has made a name for themselves as a source of authentic artifacts and autographs all over the world, but they are also becoming known for the light they shine on local histories with their auctions. Again this auction house is showing that they are a fantastic source for pairing collectors with famous historical mementos from their hometowns with the attention they are receiving in local newspapers across the country.

This July, RR Auction’s Olympic Memorabilia features a number of items that have history in cities across the United States. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote specifically on a gold-plated brass and aluminum replica torch signed by the late and great boxing legend Muhammad Ali. The torch, with a Georgian pecan hardwood handle, was lit by Ali in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics.

The item at auction is not the exact torch used by the legend to spread the Olympic flame, but a replica. Several thousand were produced to be distributed as gifts. However, Ali certainly didn’t sign that many --- only a few. And one of those few has made it to RR Auction.

An accompanying photograph with this lot shows Ali with the torch.
Other impressive and rare Olympic items available throughout the next few days include:

·         A silver-colored brass and steel alloy 1952 Oslo Winter Olympics torch, estimated to auction for $75,000+.

·         The 1988 Calgary Olympics torch, constructed from aluminum with a maple handle, the handle decorated with pictograms and the ball at the bottom bearing the engraving “Citius, Altius, Fortius,” the Olympic motto. This torch is estimated to auction for $50,000+.

·         A rare gold medal from the 1908 London Summer Olympics, featuring an engraving of the image of St. George, England’s patron saint, slaying a dragon. This medal is estimated to auction for $15,000+.

·         A silver medal from the 1912 Stockholm Summer Olympics, engraved with the image of Ling, the founder of Swedish gymnastics, is estimated to auction for $20,000+ due to these medals’ scarcity.

·         A bronze medal from the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics Ice Hockey World Championship is estimated to auction for $4,000+.

There are many more examples of Olympic memorabilia for auction and the local history of American cities being featured on RR Auction’s website.

For continued updates on rare and historic documents and artifacts for auction, please follow RR Auction’s Twitter at https://twitter.com/rrauction and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rrauction/.

RR Auction Concludes Successful Summer Auction

RR Auction wrapped up another successful summer auction this July with the conclusion of “Fine Autographs and Memorabilia.” A wide array of artifacts, documents and autographs were available, spanning from early American history to the space age to modern events. Happy collectors and enthusiasts will be finishing off this week knowing that they’ve added another fine item to their collection.

Let’s take a look at some of the artifacts that received the highest and most astonishing bids:

·         A large sample containment bag carried and flown on Apollo 15, containing traces of lunar dust on the inside due to equipment, surpassed 50,000 with its final bid. The wear from use on this item actually made it more valuable in the end --- how many people can say they own something covered with moon dust? With a certified statement from astronaut Dave Scott, this artifact is a fascinating addition for a space age collection.

·         A letter penned and signed by Founding Father Thomas Jefferson declining the invitation to publish the private letters of his deceased friend Benjamin Rush sold at auction for more than $33,000. This valuable and authentic letter was written from Jefferson’s famous Monticello estate and was professionally restored.

·         A Revolutionary War era letter written and signed by Benjamin Franklin surpassed $30,000 this summer, the purchase coming with the letter mounted and framed with a portrait of the Founding Father.

·         A rare Apollo 15 topographical lunar map carried, used for navigation on the lunar rover while traveling on the moon’s surface and with various lunar sites labeled, sold at auction for more than $27,000. This item also comes with a certifying letter from Commander Dave Scott.

·         A first United Kingdom pressing of the The Beatle’s debut EP Twist and Shout, signed by all four members, sold at auction for more than $20,000.

·         A letter written and signed by Declaration of Independence signer John Hancock sold at auction for more than $16,500.

·         A letter from Paul McCartney to Prince, beginning “Dear Princely person,” sold at auction for more than 13,000. This is noteworthy, as this letter had an initial estimated value of $4,000+. Perhaps the final bid exceeded the initial estimate because of the recent untimely passing of the pop star Prince. Hundreds more auction results from this July auction can be previewed online at RR Auction’s website. For more updates on rare and historic documents and artifacts at upcoming auctions, please be sure to follow RR Auction’s Twitter at https://twitter.com/rrauction and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rrauction/.

RR Auction’s July Artifacts on Auction Report

RR Auction has made quite a name for themselves in the auction world after nearly four decades of successful work with collectors and achieving record-setting bids. The Boston-based auction house has continued to spin out constant online auctions, arranging two a month, presented with lovely full-colored catalogs providing history and insight into their lots.

The website Auction Report has a comprehensive presentation displaying in detail all 1171 lots currently featured in RR Auction’s “Fine Autographs and Artifacts” July auction. This online auction is open for bids until July 13^th.

There is an exceptionally wide range of variety in the lots offered this month, and Auction Report has a nice list of all the categories in which the items are classified. Some notable items that can be previewed on this page include:

·         A letter penned and signed by Thomas Jefferson, the contents expressing his refusal to publish the private letters of the late Benjamin Rush, dated August 17, 1816. This letter was written in his famous abode Monticello and directed to James Mease. As he affirms that he will not publish Rush’s letters, he writes in part, “When we are pouring our inmost thoughts into the bosom of a friend, we lose sight of the world… it is to a friend we have committed ourselves, who knows us, who will not betray us… To fasten a man down to all his unreflected expressions, and to publish him to the world in that as his serious & settled form, is a surprise on his judgment and character.” This beautifully penned letter by one of our most famous Founding Fathers is estimated to auction for $35,000+.

·         A hardcover first edition copy of Helen Keller’s Journal, signed by the author herself. The first free end page is inscribed, “To my sweet friend Miss Olson, from Helen Keller, Thanksgiving, 1938.” Estimated to auction for $800+.

·         A stock certificate for an innovation signed three times by the famous inventor Thomas Edison, dated August 19, 1899. This rare full certificate, featuring so many signatures by the late innovator, is estimated to auction for $1500+.

·         A rare UK pressing of the Beatle’s early “Twist and Shout” debut EP, signed by all four of the Beatles on the back cover of the sleeve. This item comes with a certificate of authenticity from Beatles expert Frank Caiazzo. Estimated to auction for $20,000+.

Many more lots can be previewed on RR Auction’s Auction Report page.

For additional information on how to register and place bids on the July auctions, please visit RR Auction’s website and follow their Twitter at https://twitter.com/rrauction and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rrauction/ for continuous updates on valuable and authentic documents and artifacts in present and future auctions.