Emancipation Proclamation Copy Signed By Lincoln At Auction-- Part 1: Estimated Price, $2 Million

While writing about those 48 Lincoln signed copies of the Emancipation Proclamation that were sold at the Great central Fair in Philadelphia in June 1864, I got to wondering how many are still around and how much they would be worth.

What started off earlier this month as mention of Meade's spurs and Semmes' sword at the Rock Island Auctions, this has really grown into quite a project.

From the June 25, 2012, History Site  "Emancipation Proclamation Copy Signed By Lincoln For Sale" by Eliza Hanes.

On June 26, one lucky bidder can expect to pay around $2 million to own it.

I Don't have $2 Million Lying Around.  --Old Secesh

Another Pair of Gen. Meade's Spurs

From the James D. Julia Auction site.

Steel spurs belonging to Gen. George Gordon Meade.    Leather strap and fine coddeburr spurs.

Nicely framed, matted and silhouetted in contemporary gold frame.

Spurs and other items, supposedly from the Meade family estate.

Lot #420   Price $4,427

A Bit More Reasonable.  Old Secesh

About Gen. Meade's Spurs-- Part 5: J.E.B. Stuart's Spurs

The set of presentation spurs are accompanied by a large 20 X 16, war time albumen print of Meade and his staff.

The only other high grade collectible spurs known of the Civil War known are gold plated ones identified with J.E.B. Stuart which sold at auction in December 2006 for $119,500.00.

The silver on Meade's spurs have oxidized to brilliant hues of blue, powder blue and gray and retain much of the original polish.  The leather straps show age and fragility.

--Old Secesh

About Gen. Meade's Spurs-- Part 3: Spurs and a Pistol

The Great Central Fair raised $1 million for the United States Sanitary Commission.

Many of General Meade's personal items have been donated or sold by family members in the 1990s, including the sword, uniforms, a cased and engraved Remington New-Model Revolver (now at the Autry Museum) and other artifacts.

I'll be writing about the pistol later this week as well.  The auction story has definitely branched out.

The spurs were in the estate of the late George Gordon Meade Easby (Meade's grandson) until a few years ago.

--Old SecSpur

About General Meade's Spurs-- Part 1: Presented By the Great Central Fair to the General

From the Rock island Auction Site.

Lot 1123--  Officer eagle Head Spurs Inscribed to Major General George Meade.

This has never been offered to the public before.  It is one of two known sets of solid silver head spurs known.

The inscription reads:

"Major General  George G. Meade /  FROM THE / Great Central Fair / Philadelphia 1864."

General Meade had the nickname "Old Snapping Turtle."

This was presented to him on June 4, 1864.  The Central Fair took place June 7 to June 28, 1864 and was a fundraiser for the U.S. Sanitary Commission.

--Old Secesh

General Meade's Spurs At Auction

Rock Island Auction Company Auction April 13-15, 2018.  In the April 8, 2018, Chicago Tribune.

Among the items up for auction is a pair of Major General George Gordon Meade's spurs.

Lot 1123

"Extremely Rare, Historic, Fully Documented and Excellent Condition Presentation Officer's Spurs of Major General George Gordon Meade.

Pre-Auction Estimate $25,000-50,000.

Well, I Don't Know What the Wife Would Say.  --Old Secesh