Lincoln astral lamps to headline Cohasco sale, Feb. 25 Over 500 lots of historical items, to include a set of three bronze lamps by which Abraham Lincoln studied, wrote, spoke and even danced, will be sold in a Feb. 25 auction conducted by Cohasco, Inc.
(Yonkers, N.Y.) – Over 500 lots of historical items in a dazzling array of categories will be sold at auction by Cohasco, Inc., on February 25. The mail, phone, fax and e-mail auction will also go online at the firm’s website, www.cohascodpc.com starting the last week of January. The auction marks the latest in Cohasco’s 63-year history.
Important items pertaining to Abraham Lincoln headline the event -- timely because they are being offered concurrent with the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth, in February 1809. One of the expected star lots is a set of three bronze lamps by which Lincoln “spent many hours reading, talking, thinking, laughing, and even dancing.” In 1842, they illuminated his wedding to Mary Todd (est. $40,000-$70,000).
Also to be sold will be the original manuscript order to prepare for Lincoln’s interment, in Springfield, Ill., after the slain President’s funeral train had traveled across the country. The order, issued by Springfield Mayor George Willis, is dated April 26, 1865, and directs the City Sexton to await the arrival of Lincoln’s body, which was buried in Springfield on May 4 of that fateful year (est. $7,500-$10,000).
Another lot is a very rare captioned photo of Lincoln, prepared in 1865 by Charles Magnus, an outstanding printer of the Civil War period. The photo, previously unseen, measures 5 by 7 inches, and shows an introspective Lincoln (est. $175-$250).
Other categories include famous men and women, Presidents and First Ladies, Slavery and Black History, Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, Judaica, Aviation, Stocks and Bonds, Finance, Americana, Political History, Entertainment, Maps and Prints, an archive of the Old South, Newspapers, Medical, and more.
A letter in the hand of poet Emma Lazarus, best known for her words at the base of the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free...,” will also be auctioned. The letter, dated 1877, is to the Independent Journal, discussing future publication of a new poem. Lazarus passed away at age 38 (est. $10,000-$13,500).
An archive of over 900 documents on the early days of the U.S. automotive industry will be offered. These original specimen-proofs of their logos trace the rise of an industry that once had countless hundreds of manufacturers - far from the few left today. Now believed unique, these trademark documents represent a plethora of iconic marques, including Duesenberg and Rolls-Royce (est. $45,000-$65,000).
An important five-part collection gathered over a period of decades traces the saga of the Old South, spanning Mississippi from territorial years, to statehood, to the eve of the Confederacy. Included is an excessively rare plantation journal entirely in the hand of its overseer, penned during the Civil War. (110+ items, est. $40,000-$60,000).
Also offered are four items of Helen Keller, the deaf, dumb and blind author whose achievements remain an inspiration today. The centerpiece is a tragic letter lamenting the death of her caretaker, written to her friend, stage actress Katharine Cornell (est. $1,250-$1,750).
