Heritage Auction Galleries auction of Civil War collectibles, held June 30, 2008 in Gettysburg, PA, realized $1,541,812 for 848 lots offered, with after-auction sales still ongoing and expected to raise the final total to even higher levels. (Click here to view after-auction buys.) The auction featured photographs, autographs, uniforms, firearms, edged weapons, and flags, as well as a number of historic items relating to the watershed Battle of Gettysburg.

“This was a wonderful event, held on the site of one of the most important battles of the American Civil War,” said Dennis Lowe, Director of Civil War Auctions for Dallas-based Heritage. “Results were strong across all categories, with avid bidding for everything from important paintings and edged weapons to vintage photography and battle-carried flags.”

“The top item in the auction was Thomas Buchanan Read’s painting, Sheridan’s Sheridan’s Ride From Winchester,” Lowe said, “which brought $149,375. A celebrated artist, poet, and sculptor, Read served on the staff of General Lew Wallace - author of the best-selling novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ - and was well-known for his historical paintings, many of which demonstrated a marked poetic flair. This spectacular work is considered by many to be his masterpiece, so the outstanding result comes as no surprise.”

Highlights of the auction included:

Sheridan’s Ride From Winchester by Thomas Buchanan Read: Realized: $149,375.
Magnificent Jeweled Ames Presentation Sword to Captain Allen Lowd for Action at Fort Texas (Brown) in 1846: Realized: $77,675.
Confederate Naval Officer’s Sword, Patterned After the U.S. M1852, by Firmin & Sons of London, Consigned by Descendants of Robert Baker Pegram, Commander of the Confederate Steamer CSS Nashville: Realized: $59,750.
Impeccably Provenanced and Authenticated Confederate Civil War Enlisted Man’s Jacket. Accompanied by a Period Ink Tag which is Inscribed. “Rebel Coat Captured by the Union Soldiers at Cumberland Gap”: Realized: $41,825.
Xanthus Smith, Sinking of the Alabama, circa 1865-1870, Oil on canvas: Realized: $38,837.
Impeccably Provenanced Gauntlets of Major General Philip H. Sheridan Presented by Him to Captain Augustus C. Paul: Realized: $32,862.
Rare Pattern Character Laden 32-Star American Flag Captured at 1st Bull Run by Thomas Cawood, Co. K, 3d Tennessee Infantry (Mounted) CSA: Realized: $28,680.
100 Identified Confederate CDVs in Photo Album, ca. 1860s: Realized: $28,680.
Unquestionably the Rarest of the Colt Numbered Model Dragoon Series are those Martially Marked 2d Models Bearing “New Hampshire” on the Side Flat of the Barrel Housing: Realized: $26,887.
Sheffield Bowie Knife by Joseph Hawksley with the engraved legend on the ½” X 2¾” silver plaque inset on the grip, “Presented to Chas. E. Dilkes by Dan’l J. Doyle/ Co. C Ellsworth’s Fire Zouaves/ Captured by him from one of the Black Horse Cavalry/ at Bull’s Run, Va. July 21st 1861″: Realized: $23,900.
Striking Plaster Bust of John Singleton Mosby by American Master Sculptor Herbert Barbee:
Realized: $21,510.
Scoped Heavy Barrel Sharpshooter’s Rifle By Horace Fox, Hydetown, Pennsylvania, with the Original Form Fitted Wooden Case: Realized: $20,315.
Walker Replacement Dragoon, Bearing the Moniker “Fluck” Dragoon in Honor of the Collector who First Identified this Distinct Model: Realized: $19,120.
Historical Inscribed Civil War Military Sharpshooter’s Issue Rifle: Realized: $17,925.
Exceedingly Rare US Contract Navy Cutlass, ca. 1800: Realized: $16,730.

Auction info www.HA.com.

Posted: 07|16|08 at 10:20 am. Filed under: US News.