Above: Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs. (courtesy photo)
Rare autographs by creator of Apple
Apple founder Steve Jobs. (courtesy photo)
Steven Paul Jobs (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011) was an American entrepreneur, inventor and industrial designer. He was the chairman, CEO and a co-founder of Apple Inc., CEO and majority shareholder of Pixar, a member of The Walt Disney Company’s board of directors following its acquisition of Pixar, and the founder, chairman and CEO of NeXT.
Jobs and Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple in 1976 and are widely recognized as pioneers of the microcomputer revolution, beginning with Wozniak’s Apple I, then the Apple II and the breakthrough Macintosh in 1984, which ushered in the desktop publishing industry.
Creating NeXT, Jobs helped develop the visual effects industry when he funded Pixar, the computer graphics division of George Lucas’s Lucasfilm, in 1986. Apple merged with NeXT in 1997, and Jobs became CEO of his former company within a few months. He revived Apple, which had been at the verge of bankruptcy. In 1997, with the “Think different” advertising campaign Jobs lead a cultural revolution with the iMac, iTunes, iTunes Store, Apple Store, iPod, iPhone, App Store, and the iPad.
The impact Steve Jobs and his inventions have had on modern society and business cannot be overstated. He was a true visionary and inspired leader.
Jobs was notoriously reticent about giving out his autograph, so items bearing it are hard to come by. After our success last year selling a rare signed Newsweek cover, our Pop Culture auction (March 8-15) will feature three new highly sought items that include Steve Jobs signatures:
Steve Jobs-signed job application questionnaire from 1973. Offered at auction by RR Auction.
Incredible job application questionnaire filled out in 1973 and signed by 18-yr-old Steve Jobs, just months before he dropped out of college, and only a few years before meeting Wozniak. At the bottom, he describes his ‘Special Abilities’ as “electronics tech or design engineer. digital.—from Bay near Hewitt-Packard [sic].”
Steve Jobs-signed newspaper article from 2008. Offered at auction by RR Auction.
Newspaper clipping, 2008, featuring an image of Jobs speaking at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference for the introduction of the iPhone 3G, with the headline, “New, faster iPhone will sell for $199,” signed by Jobs and by the senior vice president of Apple’s iPod division, Tony Fadell.
Steve Jobs-signed Apple Mac OS X Manual from 2001. Offered at auction by RR Auction.
Rare Apple Mac OS X Administration Basics spiral-bound manual, signed on the front cover, “All the best, Steve Jobs.” The book is sparsely annotated throughout with training course notes. Obtained by a person getting his training to become an Apple Technician in 2001.
(Above: Prince signature from 1985, sold at auction for $4,165)
There’s still much purple passion
Devoted Prince fans turned out for our latest auction of the music legend’s memorabilia on Feb. 15. From museums to private collectors, bidding went into the night for many of our elite items. Here are the Prince auction results.
The top sales item was a shrink-wrapped original 1987 U.S. first pressing of “The Black Album,” which garnered a price of $42,298. The infamous work, pulled immediately after a cancelled release, has been seldom heard by anyone besides Prince himself and a few industry insiders.
Rare Prince “The Black Album” – sold by RR Auction for $42,298.
Other stand-out sales included several items handwritten by the artist. Handwritten draft lyrics for “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man,” with slightly different words than the final hit, went for a top bid of $20,886. His handwritten acceptance speech for the 1988 Minnesota Music Awards attained $12,251, while a sweet apology note that implored “I’m sorry—please don’t hate me. Prince” achieved a final price of $11,257. A lengthy letter to Rolling Stone music critic Tom Moon, containing incredible insight into Prince’s approach to writing, garnered a princely sum of $11,004.
Draft lyrics handwritten by Prince for “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man” – sold by RR Auction for $20,886.
Prince handwritten acceptance speech for the 1988 Minnesota Music Awards; sold by RR Auction for $12,251.
Prince apology note, “I’m sorry—please don’t hate me. Prince” – sold by RR Auction for $11,257.
Prince handwritten letter to Rolling Stone music critic Tom Moon. Sold by RR Auction for $11,004.
Several objects with Prince’s musical pedigree were successful. Prince’s stage-used Purple Rain Tour microphone went for an impressive $22,869. There were several tambourines, with the top one – Prince’s rehearsal-used “Purple Rain” tambourine – going for $6,487.
Prince’s stage-used Purple Rain Tour microphone. Sold by RR Auction for $22,869.
Prince’s rehearsal-used “Purple Rain” tambourine. Sold by RR Auction for $6,487.
Many bidders wanted an item that had been worn by the fashion-forward musician. Top memorabilia in that category included Prince’s personally worn “Diamonds and Pearls” cufflinks ($7,840); his personally worn purple leather gloves ($6,373); and a faux-gemmed paisley broach ($5,834).
Prince’s personally worn “Diamonds and Pearls” cufflinks. Sold by RR Auction for $7,840.
Prince personally worn purple leather gloves. Sold by RR Auction for $6,373.
Prince personally worn paisley broach. Sold by RR Auction for $5,834.
See the complete list of Prince auction results here.
“The Prince Estate is not affiliated, associated, or connected with RR Auction or this auction, nor has it endorsed, authenticated or sponsored the items available for auction. Further, The Prince Estate has not licensed any of its intellectual property to RR Auction.”
Cpl. Desmond Doss, conscientious objector, medic, WWII hero of Hacksaw Ridge and Medal of Honor recipient.
The hero of Hacksaw Ridge
Desmond Thomas Doss (February 7, 1919 – March 23, 2006) was a United States Army corporal who served as a combat medic with an infantry company in World War II. A conscientious objector – or as he called himself, “a conscientious cooperator” – Desmond Doss refused to kill an enemy soldier or carry a weapon into combat because of his personal beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist.
As a medic assigned to 2nd Platoon, B Company, 1st Battalion, 307th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division, Doss was twice awarded the Bronze Star Medal for exceptional valor in aiding wounded soldiers while under fire in Guam and the Philippines. He is perhaps best known for his actions in the Battle of Okinawa, where he single-handedly saved 50–75 wounded infantrymen atop the area known by the 96th Division as the Maeda Escarpment or Hacksaw Ridge.
His life has been the subject of books, the documentary “The Conscientious Objector” and the critically acclaimed 2016 film “Hacksaw Ridge.”
Doss was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Okinawa, becoming the first conscientious objector to receive that distinction. (Tom Bennett was the only other such recipient, for his service, also as a medic, during the Vietnam War.)
Medal of Honor recipients
March 25 is National Medal of Honor Day. This month, our Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction’s featured Military section offers personally owned artifacts from a decidedly unique MOH hero.
A hand saw owned by Medal of Honor recipient Desmond Doss. Offered by RR Auction.A hand saw owned by Medal of Honor recipient Desmond Doss. Offered by RR Auction.
First, we present Desmond Doss’ personally owned and used crosscut hand saw with open wooden handle, measuring 19.75˝ in length, marked on the handle, “25–01–9900,” and signed on the blade in black felt tip, “Desmond Doss, CMH.” Affixed to the handle is an impressed bronze ID tag, “Desmond T. Doss, Medal of Honor, Personal Effects—Artifacts, 027.” In very good condition, with expected signs of use and age. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from his Pastor and longtime friend, Les Speer. Shortly before his death in 2006, Doss sold his small mountain farmstead and modest possessions at auction, and personally signed a few of those items. This hand saw is one such item.
“Desmond Doss: In God’s Care” book. Offered by RR Auction.
MOH men: Doss, Davis
We also have agroup lot of four items signed by Medal of Honor recipients Desmond Doss or Ray Davis, including: a soft cover copy of “Desmond Doss; In God’s Care,” published by the College Press in 1998, signed on the title page in black ballpoint, “Desmond T. Doss, C. M. H.,” and by his wife and the book’s author, “Frances M. Doss”; a first edition of The Story of Ray Davis, hardcover, published by Research Triangle Publishing in 1995, signed and inscribed on an opening page in black ballpoint, “To Jim, with all best wishes! Ray Davis, General, USMC (retired), Medal of Honor, Korea, 8/8/98”; affixed to the first free end page is a Post-It note annotated and signed in black ballpoint by Davis: “Note, Photo on pg 14 not available—maybe copy from book? Substitute photo enclosed. Ray Davis.” Also included is a glossy 8 x 10 photo of Davis in his military uniform, signed in silver ink, “Ray Davis, General, US Marine, Medal of Honor.” In overall fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope for the Doss book, which has been addressed in Doss’s own hand.
Bob Marley was never seen. He was an experience which left an indelible imprint with each encounter.
Such a man cannot be erased from the mind. He is part of the collective consciousness of the nation.
–Jamaican Prime Minister Edward Seaga in eulogy for Marley, May 21, 1981
Bob Marley autographed tour poster, 1976. Offered by RR Auction.
Robert Nesta Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981) was a Jamaican singer-songwriter who became an international musical and cultural icon. With the Wailers, he created a distinctive songwriting and vocal style that blended reggae, ska and rocksteady into the mix.
As a solo artist, Marley released Exodus in 1977, which established his worldwide reputation with hit singles “Exodus,”“Waiting in Vain,”“Jamming” and “One Love.” In 1978, he released the album Kaya, which included“Is This Love”and “Satisfy My Soul.” The greatest hits album, Legend, was released in 1984, three years after Marley died from metastasized skin cancer. That album became the best-selling reggae album of all time.
Marley was a committedRastafariwho infused his music with a sense of spirituality. He is credited with popularizing reggae music around the world and served as a symbol of Jamaican culture and identity.
Autographed 1976 concert poster boasts long inscription
Our signature item in the Pop Culture auction (March 15) is a very desirable color 23.5 x 35 Island Records poster for Bob Marley and the Wailers’ 1976 North American Tour, which features a large image of Marley, various tour dates and an image of the cover for the Rastaman Vibration album.
The poster is signed along the right side in blue ballpoint, “Jah Live, Bob Marley,” who adds this Rastafarian sentiment:
Haile Selassie I. King of kings & Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of Tribe of Judah,
Elect of God & Light of This World. Defender of the Faith:
of the Kingdom of Ethiopia.
He is the 225th Descendant of Solomonic Dynasty.
Is Jesus Christ in His Kingly Character Fulfilling the Promises or Covenant
Made by God 2,000 Years Ago
That He Shall Come Again in Like Manner (Man, with Flesh & Blood),
Act. 2. V. 29–30, Rev. 5. II Samuel. 7. Genesis Chap. 49. V. 8–12. Allah Dan.
The poster is also signed in thin black felt tip, “Don Taylor, Manager,” and in ballpoint, “Al Patterson,” “Donald Kinsey,” “Best wishes from: Tony Gilbert, Road Manager for Bob Marley & The Wailers,” “Michael Whyte, (In the Bible you Find Truth for yourself, Your God & King),” with an unknown hand adding “Dan” before his name, “Carlton Barrett, Wailers Drummer,” “Aston Family man Barrett,” and “Earl Smith, Jah Love.”
This lovely poster is rolled and in very good to fine condition, with scattered light creasing and some light staining near the edges. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from UK authentication experts Tracks.
The signatures on this poster were obtained by a cleaner at a Miami hotel when Marley & the Wailers were staying there during rehearsals prior to their show on June 1, 1976, while on their Rastaman Vibration Tour.
Signed by nine touring members of the Wailers, and elevated furthermore by Marley’s lengthy Rastafarian verse, this is a rare and highly displayable concert poster dating to the band’s most successful period.
(shown above, an American flag flown at the White House for two decades; sold at auction for $22,689.)
Auction results: February, feat. US Presidents
RR’s February Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction featuring US Presidents saw passionate collectors of presidential ALSs (Autographed Letter, Signed) bidding on some highly rare historical artifacts. Here are the auction results.
Despite aggressive bidding competitions for our near-complete set of presidential ALSs, it was instead a family heirloom that garnered the top spot in the auction results. A red swatch of fabric off the doomed Hindenburg airship sold for $36,282. The consignor’s grandmother – then a young teen at the event with her sisters and father, who was to be part of the Hindenburg landing crew that day – snatched the scrap from the wreckage at the unforgettable historic disaster:
A remnant swatch off the doomed Hindenburg, obtained at the time of the disaster. Sold by RR Auction for $36,282.
There was plenty of Hail to the Chief, however, as autographed letters signed while in-office by US presidents yielded several great auction results. The top item was an ALS from LBJ, a letter to the wife of his Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, which achieved $27,455. George W. Bush and Richard Nixon also landed in the top five, while a unique land grant signed by Abraham Lincoln went for $15,496.
Another exceptional presidential artifact did well: An American flag (shown above) that was in service at the White House for 20 years – from Nixon to Reagan – took third spot with a sale price of $22,689.
International items also hit the top 10. A signed photograph of influential Chinese reformist leader Deng Xiaoping went for $14,323; a DS (Document, Signed) from Marie Antoinette garnered $13,316; and Scottish moral professor and political economist Adam Smith’s signature yielded $13,316.
There were also several Olympics-related items, which surely saw attention with the PyeongChang Winter Games opening today. The top item in that category was a St. Louis 1904 Summer Olympics Official’s Participation Medal, which sold for $20,212.
St. Louis 1904 Summer Olympics Official’s Participation Medal
If you doubt that April Morrison bleeds purple, you’d be mistaken.
Morrison is slowly turning the North Carolina home she shares with husband Andy Whitted into a museum devoted to the purple majesty that is Prince. She wears her heart on her sleeve – literally, as witnessed by her beautiful arm tattoo.
Prince collector April Morrison’s arm tattoo.
Morrison’s life took a detour when she left college six months prior to earning a degree in psychology to care for her sick grandmother for a decade, in the family home she and Whitted now own. It’s during that time that her Prince house-museum journey began, in a way.
“When I was 17 I took her – a 60-year-old – to see Prince in concert,” Morrison said. “She fell in love with him! [Later] we shut her room off for like five years after she passed; made it into a guest room, then an office. We still didn’t really use it.
“Then when he died, it hit me so hard… Prince? At 57? I wasn’t ready; I went over the edge. I told Andy ‘we’re building a museum.’ We started with that room. My grandma would love what we’ve done,” she said.
Prince collector April Morrison’s office in North Carolina.
The couple have already amassed a good deal of Prince items – “I didn’t realize it would grow so quickly!” she noted. Through RR Auction’s last Prince auction, she acquired leggings worn by Prince that he gave to his ex-fiancee Susannah Melvoin (listen to Melvoin discuss that item, and others, in her podcast with us) and a makeup compact he used. “I like to imagine this is his fingerprint in the makeup,” she said wistfully.
Suit yourself
Many items have come from eBay or private sellers, as well. One incredible story is how she came to acquire a four-piece Purple Rain suit.
A four-piece suit once worn by Prince, now owned by Prince collector April Morrison.
“You can’t make this kind of stuff up, you really can’t,” Morrison said, laughing. “The suit was found by a secondhand store (cue “Raspberry Beret” lyrics) in Denver, Colorado. [During an estate liquidation] someone found it – it was so small, they thought it might be a little girl’s! They packed it up with all the other things and were just going to sell it at the store,” she marveled.
Once they noticed the special “Prince” labels sewn into the pieces, however, plans changed. To corroborate the provenance, Morrison is “going to visit the designer’s brother” who’s now a mayor in a town in Georgia.
Room, to grow
Whitted’s commercial-services business skills have come in handy during the creation of the burgeoning museum. He installed a floor of white unfinished oak and created a custom purple stain (I am not going to have to point out the rhyming humor to you, am I?). “Sherwin Williams made it [custom] and it is called Purple Unicorn. It is now in their database with its own code number,” Morrison noted. “The floor is like purple glass; took him three months to finish it.”
The ceiling tray border trim is wallpaper special-ordered to replicate what is in the Purple Rain room at Paisley Park in Chanhassen, MN. The tray is painted like Prince’s “cloud” suit from theRaspberry Beret video. There’s a wall hanging replicating the 1971 Pontiac Grand Am (via a purchased header panel and grille) that was used on the Sign O The Times album cover. Whitted has also installed LED lighting to showcase huge wallpaper murals. “I keep on purple lights most of the time,” Morrison said. “There are 10 different colors.”
With all his sweat-equity in this Prince-ly endeavor, is Morrison’s husband as big a fan of Prince as she is? “Andy is a fan of me,” she said, cheerfully matter-of-fact. “We have a saying: He’s not purple; he’s light lavender. I bleed purple! But he just puts up with this for me.”
Prince collectors April Morrison and Andy Whitted on a pilgrimage to Minneapolis.
“I made him that outfit for our Minneapolis trip, and I’m damn proud of it!” she declared, laughing. “And I don’t sew! He didn’t want to wear it at first, but once people started coming up to us and asking for photos, he loved it!”
Their museum already includes Prince’s Purple Rain notebook with handwritten script – complete with a pencil that’s been lodged in there since he put it there more than 30 years ago; a practice tambourine he used on the sound stage at Paisley Park while recording and filming Graffiti Bridge; a couple of zipper pulls; a purple carnation he gave Morrison in 1987 (below); a pair of Purple Rain pants; a coat check from a party he threw at his Beverly Hills home; and more.
A carnation given to April Morrison by Prince in 1987.
“I am not done. I am always looking to add to my museum,” she said. The couple is judicious with their spending; “We’ve managed to acquire at a pace without too much damage to our wallets,” Morrison joked. Her top wish list, someday item? “A waist chain! I would love a waist chain!”
The future
Morrison and Whitted are shooting for an invite-only open house on April 21 – the second anniversary of Prince’s death. Several special celebrity guests are in the works to appear.
Going forward, they will continue to add to their collection. Despite the bigger, flashier items they’ve already acquired, Morrison notes a desire for more intimate pieces. “I’d love some smaller, neater things – like jewelry, even socks,” Morrison said. “Maybe a hat, like the one from Lovesexy.
“Really personal items. These small things make me happy.”
(Photo credit, above: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston)
2017 top sales at RR Auction
RR Auction had a terrific 2017! With more than 10,000 items sold, we grew our popular categories, like Space and JFK memorabilia, with record-breaking results. Let’s look at the 2017 top sales in review.
If we look at the Top 20 highest-grossing item sales for RR last year, we see the hot trends at auction. The categories of Space, JFK and Prince were huge winners. A few singled-out items relating to the infamous (Al Capone and Lee Harvey Oswald) garnered big consignor payoffs, as did a unique lot of Revolutionary War amputation kits. Several sales marked the highest price achieved for that individual at one of our auctions.
Buzz Aldrin’s Apollo 11 Cartier solid gold Lunar Module replica, sold by RR Auction for $149,862.
Space takes off
RR has become the leader in curating artifacts relating to space exploration. Space sales snagged the most spots in our Top 20, with 8 items totalling $772,005. With our next Space auction on the horizonApril 19, we’re expecting more records to be made this year.
Prince stage-worn yellow boots, sold by RR Auction for $75,147.
Purple Rain reigns
Iconic music superstar Prince proved his passionate following continues. RR’s multiple themed auctions devoted to memorabilia from his incredible career proved to be some of the most exciting auction nights all year, with vigorous bidding interest. Of our Top 20, 4 Prince-ly items comprised a total in sales of $245,625. Our next Prince auction will be held Feb. 15.
We were privileged to curate a special live auction for a sole item: The diary that a young John F. Kennedy kept over the summer of 1945, which went for $718,750. It was RR’s top seller of the year.
Also, handwritten letters by US presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both attained the second-highest sales with RR for each of those men.
Al Capone’s platinum and diamond watch, sold by RR Auction for $84,375.
Watch the watches
We’re noticing that watches are really becoming a hot trend at auction. RR has had much success with them – Moonwalker Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 Lunar Surface Chronograph achieved $1.625 million at our auction in 2015, a world record at the time. This year proved to be just as noteworthy, with two watches making it into our Top 10 of our 2017 top sales.
Mobster Al Capone’s glitzy diamond watch fetched $84,375, supporting his reputation as a sharp dresser – and obtaining the highest price to date we’ve had for a Capone artifact. And astronaut Alan Shepard’s flown watch from the Apollo 14 mission earned $81,312 at auction this year.
Dr. John Warren’s Revolutionary War Amputation Kits, sold by RR Auction for $104,147.
Rare and Remarkable
We also had some rather unique items this year! Our fifth best seller, at $104,147, was a set of amputation kits used during the US Revolutionary War by Continental Army surgeon Dr. John Warren, a founder of Harvard Medical School; one kit given to him by his famous brother, the patriot Dr. General Joseph Warren, who was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
RR also offered the toe tag of Lee Harvey Oswald; that item garnered $56,301 at auction.
The torch is comprised of bronze-colored leather and metal, symbolizing a blend of modern technology and a reference to Ancient Greece. Only 140 torches were manufactured for the Lake Placid Winter Olympics – one of the smallest production runs for any Olympic torch.
Here are the top six items sold (click to enlarge):
Garmisch 1936 Winter Olympics Silver Winner’s Medal
Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympics group of 10 badges. Sold by RR Auction for $27,174.
Cortina 1956 Winter Olympics Torch. Sold by RR Auction for $21,700.
Chamonix 1924 Winter Olympics Third Place Bronze Winner’s / Participation Medal. Sold by RR Auction for $15,312.
Paris 1924 Summer Olympics Sevres Vase. Sold by RR Auction for $12,866.
Lake Placid Winter Olympics 1980 Bronze Winner’s Medal. Sold by RR Auction for $10,003.
Top 10 Space sales: RR Auction had a wonderful 2017, with three auctions focusing on space exploration. We got to work with great people like moonwalker Dave Scott, NASA engineer Dan Schaiewitz, “Meteorite Man” Geoff Notkin, the family of Bill Lende(a lifelong collector of space memorabilia), other private collectors, and more.
We’re proud of the record-setting – and in some cases, record-shattering – results we achieved for our consignors. Here are our “out of this world” Top 10 Space sales (click image to enlarge):
Buzz Aldrin’s Apollo 11 Cartier solid gold Lunar Module replica, sold by RR Auction for $149,862.
Apollo 11 Flown Command Module Columbia Rescue Arrow from Crew Hatch, sold by RR Auction for $147,572.
Apollo 11 crew-signed flown flag presentation, sold by RR Auction $120,693.
Alan Shepard’s Apollo 14 Vacheron Constantin watch, sold by RR Auction for $81,312.
RL-10 rocket engine, sold by RR Auction for $78,346.
Top 10 Space sales in 2017:
Buzz Aldrin’s Apollo 11 Cartier solid gold Lunar Module replica: $149,862 Apollo 11 flown Command Module Columbia rescue arrow: $147,572 Apollo 11 crew-signed flown flag presentation: $120,693 Alan Shepard’s Apollo 14 Vacheron Constantin watch: $81,312 RL-10 rocket engine: $78,346 Apollo 11 LM flown page with Neil Armstrong notations: $78,346 Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 lunar orbit-flown CSM systems data book: $60,995 Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 lunar surface-used contour map: $54,879 Satellite light model: $39,946 Gennady Padalka’s flown Omega Speedmaster Pro watch: $39,458
Apollo 11 LM flown page with Neil Armstrong notations, sold by RR Auction for $78,346.
Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 lunar orbit-flown CSM systems data book, sold by RR Auction for $60,995.
Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 lunar surface-used contour map, sold by RR Auction for $54,879.
Satellite light model, sold by RR Auction for $39,946.
Gennady Padalka’s flown Omega Speedmaster Pro watch, sold by RR Auction for $39,458.
Thanks to everyone who helped us grow our Space category to these stellar heights! We’re excited about 2018 and are always looking for new Rare and Remarkable items to share with our buyers. Do you have an artifact or collection you’d like to discuss?Contact us here!
Our current Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction (Jan. 19 – Feb. 7) includes a featured section relating to US Presidents. There are many unique and rare documents, but here is one stand-out: A land grant signed by President Abraham Lincoln.
The item (Lot 53) is considered “excessively rare” and was signed by President Lincoln on Jan. 2, 1863 – the very day after signing the Emancipation Proclamation into law, ending slavery in the United States.
In it, President Lincoln grants 120 acres of land in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to “Margaret Donnell Widow of Eli Donnell who served in the name of Eli Donnald Private Captain Harpole’s Company Tennessee Militia War 1812.” The document states the plot of land has “been assigned by the said Margaret Donnell to George H. Marsh and by him to Emma C. Stebbins now Emma C. King in whose favor said tract has been located.”
A history of the land grant
The rather mundane presidential practice of signing land grants was discontinued in 1833 during Andrew Jackson’s second term, when Congress passed a law authorizing the president to appoint a special secretary to sign them on his behalf. It is therefore incredibly rare to find an authentically signed land grant after that.
Indeed, this is the only Lincoln-signed land grant we have ever encountered, and our research suggests that no other authentically signed example has appeared at auction. The vast majority of land grants issued during the Lincoln administration were signed by William O. Stoddard, who was specifically appointed for the task on July 15, 1861.
The ultimate recipient of this parcel of land, Emma C. King, was the wife of Horatio Collins King, son of politician Horatio King, who briefly served as postmaster general at the end of the Buchanan administration. Lincoln and the elder King saw eye-to-eye on many issues, and in April 1862 President Lincoln appointed Horatio King to the three-man Emancipation Commission, which reviewed petitions for compensation by DC-area slave-owners affected by the end of slavery in the district. In September, Lincoln issued a warning that he would order the emancipation of all slaves in any state that did not end its rebellion by the new year.
Rare and Remarkable
The vellum document is boldly signed at the conclusion by President Lincoln, and countersigned by Recorder of the General Land Office G. W. Granger. The printed “By Sec’y” text beside Lincoln’s signature has been struck through, signifying that the president himself signed the document—a highly unusual occurrence.
In addition to being an unheard of format for a Lincoln signature, this remarkable document dates to a defining moment in American history and landmark achievement of Lincoln’s legacy.
