An American treasure: Theodore Roosevelt’s pocket watch
Lot 250 in The American Sale on March 18 may well be the most historically significant item we've ever handled: Teddy Roosevelt's personal pocket watch, a gift from his sister, Corinne, given to him in 1898. Frankly, it's not much to look at. It's a simple American...
A word or two about guns
Blackwell Auctions deals with a lot of firearms, antique and modern. In the American Sale, we're offering about seven dozen of them. (A complete list of them appears below.) Please know this, though, if you're interested in bidding on a firearm made after 1899: We...
Annie Oakley’s clock, books from her personal library
It was none other than Sitting Bull who bestowed the nickname “Little Sure Shot” on American sharpshooter Annie Oakley, who features prominently in the American Sale on March 18. Several items personally owned by Oakley will be offered, including a French carriage...
Portrait of Sitting Bull by Caroline Weldon, 1890
On March 18, 2023, Blackwell Auctions will offer a painting of one of the most historically important figures of the 19th century, Sitting Bull, the chief who united the Sioux to defeat Gen. George Armstrong Custer at Little Big Horn in 1876. The portrait was one of...
Archive of a soldier’s Civil War letters
Outstanding collection of more than 80 letters (plus several post-war documents) from Edson Haskell, 1st Reg., New York Engineers, beginning with basic training at Camp Washington to his return to private life, November 1861 to November 1865. Remarkable details and...
Officer accuses General William Hull of treason in 1812 surrender of Detroit
Letter with outstanding content, written by Captain John Sharp, who effectively accuses his commander, Brigadier General William Hull, of treason in his surrendering of Detroit to the British General Brock and the Shawnee leader, Tecumseh. Sharp writes: “… great God!...
Blackwell Auctions to Offer Three Watercolors by Carl Werner
Blackwell Auctions to Offer Three Watercolors by Carl Werner May 03, 2022, 08:44 ETOne of the renowned artist's works garnered $690k in late 2021CLEARWATER, Fla., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackwell Auctions will be selling three paintings by important European...
Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to Yellow Fever Hero to be Sold at Blackwell Auctions
Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to Yellow Fever Hero to be Sold at Blackwell Auctions Jan 20, 2022, 08:44 ET"His exhibition of moral courage has never been surpassed in the annals of the Army."CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 12, 2022,...
This guy I knew
About 20 years ago, I noticed that the antique mall booth next to mine was selling everything at half off. The booth was in a prime spot: a corner of the main aisle. And they were moving out. Seeing the opportunity to expand my 100-square-foot empire by colonizing...
Not a good sign
Many years ago, I spotted an eBay listing for a signed copy of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It was an old book, to be sure -- a late 1890s printing. Anyway, I wrote to the seller and said that, prior to bidding, I really needed to know 1) the condition of the...