RR Autograph Auctions Bidder Testimonials

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RR Autograph Auctions June Auction Highlights

June Auction Highlights...

Frederic Chopin Sold for $40,954! $90,394 Military Collection $40,954 Frederic Chopin $32,142 Beatles $27,971 Frank Lloyd Wright $23,116 Babe Ruth $17,788 Mary, Queen of Scots $17,365 The Doors: Jim Morrison $15,436 John Tyler $13,391 Walt Disney $12,076 Beatrix Potter

RR Autograph Auction Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies

Reigned variously over Naples, Sicily, and the Two Sicilies from 1759 until his death. LS in French, signed “Ferdinand T.B.,” one page, 7.5 x 9, January 17, 1779. Ferdinand announces the birth of a daughter. In full (translated): “I hasten to announce to your Majesty the happy accouchement of the Queen, my dear wife, who this day, at five o’clock in the morning, gave birth to a Princess, who is baptised Marie Christine. I hope that your Majesty will share with me the joy of this agreeable event, and I flatter myself that you will believe in the sincerity of my wishes for your prosperity, and of the perfect esteem which I am…” Central horizontal and vertical fold, a few creases and edge dings, and a bit of light toning and soiling, otherwise fine condition. Ferdinand’s wife gave birth to two daughters that day, Maria Cristina, who would go on to serve as Queen of Sardinia, and Maria Cristina Amelia, who would die of smallpox at the age of five. RRAuction COA.  

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=208

RR Autograph Auctions June 2012 (# 388

Every month we offer collectors more than 1,250 quality, fully guaranteed signed items, including photos, documents, letters, and books from a variety of categories—just as we have for more than 30 years.

Auction # 388 ends June 20th, 2012. For details, go to
http://www.rrauction.com/

RR Autograph Auctions B. B. King Agreement

DS, one page both sides, 8.5 x 11, April 16, 1979. Agreement for King to perform two shows at the Bryant’s Center in Oklahoma City for $6500 or fifty percent of the gate. Signed at the bottom in blue ballpoint. In fine condition, with a couple small ink notations and several staple holes to top edge. RRAuction COA.  

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=667

RR Autograph Auction Prince "Prince Rogers Nelson" Contract

Early DS, signed “Prince Rogers Nelson,” one page, 8.5 x 14, March 10, 1981. Agreement for Prince to perform one show at the Agora in Atlanta, Georgia on March 13, 1981, for “$5,000.00 plus 70% of the gross admission receipts (exclusive of taxes) in excess of $8,750.00 total.” Signed at the bottom in blue ballpoint, “Prince Rogers Nelson.” Contract is stapled to the 12-page rider for the show detailing all the particulars and requirements for the show and venue. In very good condition, with moderate horizontal fold above signature, scattered creasing and light toning to bottom portion, a couple red pencil circles, and aforementioned staple.

Personnel shake-ups and a marked change in Prince’s own onstage concert attire marked the ‘Dirty Minds’ tour in support of his third Warner Brothers Records album, which extended from December 1980 until June 1981. Prince had, indeed, been making waves on the concert stage the previous year; the nightly performance of ‘Head,’ causing keyboardist Gayle Chapman to leave the band as she felt the lyrics and onstage antics conflicted with her religious beliefs. The departure of bassist Andre’ Cymone Anderson, who was embarking on a solo career, coincided with his feeling that he was not given due credit for his contributions, and further charges that Prince stole ideas that were intended for his own use with his group The Time. The most striking change; however, was seen in Prince’s concert finery when, at the conclusion of the previous tour in 1980, he was told by his managers that he could no longer wear spandex without underwear. It was at the outset of the ‘Dirty Minds’ tour that he began performing in a long trench coat, black, high-heeled boots and leggings, a striking look for which he was universally recognized within the film which catapulted him to international rock stardom, Purple Rain.

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=694

RR Autograph Auction Bill Clinton Felt tip signature

Felt tip signature, “Best wishes, Bill Clinton,” on an off-white card. Double suede matted and framed with a color glossy portrait of Clinton in the Oval Office to an overall size of 13 x 18.75. In fine condition. RRAuction COA.  

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=24

RR Autograph Auction P. T. Barnum Circus Pass

Handwritten circus pass, signed “P. T. Barnum,” on a 3.75 x 2.25 light brown card. Barnum writes: “Big Show 1886. Give good reserved seats for two & a child including admission.” In the lower left corner, Barnum adds, “From Thomas Ball, Sculptor, Italy.” In fine condition, with a uniform shade of toning, not detracting from the bold writing and signature. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.  

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=167

RR Autograph Auctions Titanic Edward Herbert Keeping Locket

Mr. and Mrs. George Dunton Widener from Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, France, with their son, Harry Elkins Widener, Mr. Widener's man servant, Edward (a/k/a Edwin) Herbert Keeping, and Mrs. Widener’s maid, Amalie Henriette Gieger. They had been in Paris with their servants searching for a chef for Widener’s new Philadelphia hotel, the Ritz Carlton. The Wideners were one of the richest and most influential couples on board. It was they who were standing on deck with White Star Line manager J. Bruce Ismay when Captain Smith handed Ismay the now iconic ice warning from the Baltic which Ismay then placed into his pocket. And it was they who hosted the now famous dinner party in honor of Captain Smith on the night the Titanic hit the iceberg. Questions have arisen as to whether Smith had imbibed too much alcohol at this party, but such rumors have never been substantiated.

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=1642

RR Autograph Auctions Titanic vintage first generation photo of the Titanic wreck site

Original unsigned vintage first generation photo of the Titanic wreck site, 5.25 x 3.5, taken aboard the Carpathia on the morning of April 15, 1912. Photo shows the frozen north Atlantic, with two icebergs off in the distance, and visible in the upper right corner, the hull of a lifeboat, with a hauling rope passing diagonally through the image. Given the position of the rope, this lifeboat likely belonged to the Titanic, as the Carpathia delivered the Titanic’s lifeboats to New York. Photo was taken by Mabel Fenwick, a newlywed passenger on the Carpathia. She took numerous photographs that day, and provided this one to John Snyder, whom she befriended on the boat. In very good condition, with trimmed right edge, missing top left corner, and some light creases. A stoic image the morning after the tragedy. RRAuction COA.  

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=1659

RR Autograph Auction Titanic Passenger list

White Star Line First Class passenger list for the RMS Cedric, 5 x 7.5, May 27, 1911. Inside back cover bears a full-page advertisement with a blue image of the Titanic promoting the Olympic and the Titanic “Building at Belfast, 45000 Tons.” In very good condition, with expected handling wear, mounting remnants to back cover, a fragile binding, and some toning and soiling to covers. RRAuction COA.  

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=1808

RR Autograph Auction Beatles: Ringo Starr Signed Photo

Color vintage 10 x 13 magazine photo, signed and inscribed vertically in black ballpoint “To Ray, Best Wishes, Ringo Starr.” In very good condition, with a central horizontal fold affecting the facial area, some light creasing, and a piece of reparative tape to the right edge of the fold and over a portion of the signature and inscription. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.  

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=818

RR Autograph Auctions Robert E. Lee Rare Check

Scarce and extremely desirable handwritten check, 7.75 x 2.75, filled out, “West Point, N. Y., Cash—Bank of the Old Dominion at Alexandria,” and signed by Lee, “R. E. Lee,” payable to “Cash—B—Farmers Bank of Virginia” for $32.50, July 5, 1854. Several vertical folds, uniform toning, some light areas of soiling (a heavier area showing through from a stain on the reverse), wrinkling to the paper over which the signature is placed, a small area of glue residue, and the expected cancellation cut and red pencil notation, otherwise very good condition.
http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=434

RR Autograph Auctions Disney: Don Rosa

Original felt tip sketch of the Disney duck family on an off-white 8.5 x 11 cardstock sheet, signed below in black felt tip, “Don Rosa, © Walt Disney Co.” In fine condition, with a light crease to the top right corner. RRAuction COA.  

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=697

RR Autograph Auction Beatles: Ringo Starr Remo drumhead

Promotional 14″ photo Remo drumhead from Starr’s 2010 Art Tour, featuring an image of Starr holding up one of his works, signed in black felt tip, “Ringo.” In very fine condition. Accompanied by an unsigned color promotional poster for the tour. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=816

RR Autograph Auction Andrew Jackson Letter to General John Coffee

Jackson criticizes the debate over slavery in congress, writing “the Misouri question has occupied all their attention, of late, at length is determined in the Senate by a great majority against the instructions”

ALS, one page, 7.5 x 11.5, February 23, 1820. Letter to General John Coffee. In part: “I have recd a letter from Mr. James Jackson advising me that you had been very much indisposed but had recovered your health, you must be more carefull than heretofore, your constitution, much like mine…exposure - we must content ourselves with things as they are, wind up our worldly concerns, & take care of our health.

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=67

RR Autograph Auctions Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz

Two checks: personal check, 8.5 x 3, filled out in type and signed “Lucille Ball Arnaz,” payable to Martin N. Leeds for $281.25, stamp-dated July 12, 1954; and a bank check, 6.25 x 2.75, filled out and signed by Desi Arnaz, payable to Cash for $40.00. In very good condition, with vertical folds to both checks, expected stamps and holes, and adhesive remnants to reverse of Desi’s check. RRAuction COA.

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=1081 

RR Autograph Auctions Franz Joseph Haydn Rare signed music score

A supreme rarity from one of the preeminent geniuses of Western music: Haydn signs a copy of his solo cantata Ariana a Naxos

Rare signed music score: Ariana a Naxos, Cantate a Voce Sola o Forte-Piano. First edition. London: “Printed for the Author and sold by him at No. 18, Great Pulteney Street and at J. Blands Music Warehouse, 45 Holborn,” no date [circa 1790], 14 x 10, 18 pages. Signed in ink on the cover at lower right, “Haydn.” In very good condition, with pencil notations and a bookplate affixed to inside front cover, expected toning and soiling, and some scattered edge wear and chips.

Hadyn wrote Ariana a Naxos in either 1789 or 1790, and he originally intended to orchestrate the work, but never undertook that task. Ariana a Naxos, a cantata for soprano and keyboard, is a scena, a miniature dramatic scene, drawn on the Greek myth of Ariadne. The daughter of Minos, the King of Crete, Ariadne helps Theseus escape from the Cretan Labyrinth. Theseus marries Ariadne, but later abandons her on the island of Naxos. When Hadyn composed this cantata, he was about to embark on the most prolific and successful phase of his career. With the death of his patron, Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy, in 1790, Haydn gained new freedom from his official musical duties. In the period from 1791 to 1795, he made two extended journeys to London to conduct new symphonies, where he enjoyed spectacular success and generated some of his best-known work. Material signed by Haydn has become exceedingly difficult to obtain; his signature on a score (itself a notable scarcity) from the most fertile period of his career makes for an item of exceptional interest, and one that deserves a place of honor in any serious classical music collection. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.  


http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=743

RR Autograph Auctions Amelia Earhart

Original vintage glossy 2.25 x 4 photo of Earhart, clad in an overcoat and hat, talking to two mechanics in a hangar, signed in fountain pen. Light overall surface marks, mounting remnants to reverse, and a few light creases, otherwise fine condition. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=484

RR Autograph Auctions Winston Churchill Early Parliament

Vintage glossy 3.5 x 5 J. Beagles’ postcard photo of a young Churchill outside in a hat and overcoat, circa 1910, signed along the bottom in fountain pen, “Winston S. Churchill.” In very good condition, with trimmed top edge, paperclip impression along top edge, some light vertical creases, and a bit of light contrast to portion of signature. A particularly early photo of the vibrant man who helped direct and shape the course of history.

http://rrauction.com/PreviewContent.cfm?Winston_Churchill_Signed_photo