DALLAS, TX.- It was a rarity made for what has been called “the most important manhunt in American history” … and the savviest of collectors knew it.

A $100,000 Reward Broadside issued by the U.S. War Department, April 20, 1865, created after John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, sold for a record $275,000 to lead Heritage Auctions’ Sept. 25-26 Americana & Political Auction, including the Brook Mahoney Collection of George Washington Inaugural Buttons, to $2,170,799 in total sales.

The price broke the previous auction record for a Booth broadside of $214,200 set earlier this year at Sotheby’s.

“This broadside called for the public’s help after what has to be considered the most important murder in American history,” Heritage Auctions Americana & Political Director Curtis Lindner said. “Lincoln was one of the most popular and important presidents in the history of the country, and his assassination immediately became national news, international news. His impact on the country is difficult to quantify, as was the significance of his death.”

The $100,000 reward was an enormous sum at the time, equating to roughly $1.6 million today. Half was designated for the arrest of Booth, "in addition to any reward offered by Municipal Authorities or State Executives," while $25,000 for the apprehension of John H. Surratt (misspelled "Surrat") and David C. Herold (misspelled "Harold"). Signed in print by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, this broadside, which carried a pre-auction estimate of $50,000+, is one of just a handful of copies known to remain in existence.

Also eclipsing the $200,000 plateau was a George Washington: Pater Patriæ... the Holy Grail of GW Inaugural Buttons, which brought $212,500. One of the gems of the Brook Mahoney Collection of George Washington Inaugural buttons – a trove from which 31 lots sold in the auction – the button is the only portrait button in the accepted canon of George Washington inaugural buttons and has long been coveted by collectors of Washington memorabilia and items from that period of history. It may also be the earliest artifact that refers to Washington as the “Father of His Country,” and is one of fewer than 10 examples remaining in existence.

Presidential china, especially from Lincoln’s presidency, often is in high demand among top collectors, and this sale was no exception, as a Very Rare White House China Celery Dish rode more than a dozen bids to a final price of $93,750, a record for Lincoln-era presidential china and nearly five times its pre-auction estimate. Pieces offered most commonly are round desert plates or dinner plates, making this oval-shaped plate an unquestioned rarity.

A Unique and Highly Important Banner from the Turbulent Era of Reconstruction Politics, with Quote from Abraham Lincoln drew a winning bid of $90,000. It is the only banner Heritage Auctions experts have seen promoting Andrew Johnson, since the 17th U.S. president never actually ran for the office. Johnson was selected as Lincoln's running mate in 1864 as a gesture of conciliation, after serving as Tennessee's governor and U.S. Senator, and was the only southern senator to remain loyal to the Union when the War broke out. He became president after Lincoln was assassinated, and he spent much of his term at odds with congressional Republicans, who ultimately brought him up on impeachment charges – a divide that only deepened when he refused to sign both the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the 14th Amendment.




A Wooden Parade Ax carried by members of the Wide Awakes marching club, in support of Abraham Lincoln in the pivotal election of 1860, climbed to $87,500, more than four times its pre-auction estimate. The ax head has a painted inscription that reads “Lincoln Campaign 1860 Rail Splitters’ Brigade.” The other side has an old paper label that reads: “Carried by John E. Edmunds.” No more than six wooden parade axes from 1960 are known to remain in existence. The Wide Awakes were led by captains and lieutenants who carried red or blue glass lanterns. Besides banners and double-swivel Pitkin torches, they occasionally carried rifle torches or wooden axes, symbolic of Lincoln, the “Rail Splitter” candidate.

“This was an exceptional auction,’ Lindner said. “The results only underscore the continued growth of the Americana collectibles market, and Heritage Auctions’ increased stature within it.”

Other top highlights in the auction included, but were not limited to:

• An Anti-Stamp Act Textile: Perhaps the Earliest Expression of Political Sentiment on such an Item: $50,000

• A Harry S Truman: Nazi Germany's Surrender Proclamation Inscribed and Signed to Cabinet Member Frances Perkins: $41,250

• Abraham Lincoln: The President and His Son Tad: $33,750

• An 1860 Abraham Lincoln Campaign Parade Banner: $32,500

• A Grant & Wilson: Rare Jugate Portrait Flag: $32,500

• Cox & Roosevelt: The "Holy Grail" Jugate Button for These 1920 Running Mates: $30,000