Friday, November 16, 2007

Skinner Sale Highlights

A few of the many interesting pieces from Sunday's auction at Skinner Galleries in Boston:

- Lot 11: An early broadside printing of the Declaration of Independence. Boston: Printed by John Gill, and Powars and Willis, in Queen-Street (believed to have been printed around 12-16 July 1776). Very few copies of this broadside exist (one bibliography lists just three, although there are apparently at least four, since I've confirmed this is not one of the three). Estimate: $70,000-90,000.

- Lot 20: A letter from Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney (Ambassador to Great Britain), informing the latter of Jefferson's resignation as Secretary of State. Philadelphia, 3 January, 1794. Written four days after Jefferson had informed President Washington of his decision to resign. Estimate: $70,000-100,000.

- Lot 51: A much-damaged page from the diary of Dr. /Major General Joseph Warren, dated 24 January, 1771. The page lists Warren's medical appointments for the day. Estimate: $1,500-2,000.

- Lot 336: Second edition of Defoe's Robinson Crusoe (London: W. Tatlor, 1719). Estimate: $2,000-4,000.

- Lot 519: A complete collection of eleven Thoreau first editions. Estimate: $18,000-25,000.

Many other goodies too - I might have to swing by for part of the sale.