DALLAS, TX.- Few, if any, American presidents are as collectible as Abraham Lincoln. The country’s 16th president is one of those crossovers who appeals to collectors in multiple categories.

Among the 328 lots in Heritage Auctions’ Dec. 4-5 Collection of Tom Charles Huston Americana & Political Signature® Auction is a trove of lots relating to Lincoln, whose popularity among collectors can be traced to his presidency, his role in helping to end slavery and the furthering of civil rights for all Americans and his time in Congress.

The event is the second in which Heritage Auctions has offered a portion of the Indianapolis real estate developer’s collection; the first was a hugely successful event in May 2021.

“If Abraham Lincoln isn’t the most collected President, he certainly is right there near the top of the list,” Heritage Auctions Americana & Political Consignment Director Curtis Lindner said, “and he should be. When you think about his role in ending slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation … most people credit him with saving the Union.”

Among the 45 lots with ties to “the Great Emancipator” is a group of four 1860 jugate ferrotypes in a single lot (estimate: $15,000+). Each is 22mm in diameter, complete with original pin on reverse, except for the Douglas/Johnson example, which is missing its pin.

The auction also includes a set of three back-to-back Abraham Lincoln et al: High-Grade Gault Frame Ferrotypes (estimate: $10,000+). This trio, in near-mint condition, features the Democrat, Republican and Radical Republican tickets for 1864: Abraham Lincoln AL-1864-94, George B. McClellan GmcC-1864-49 and John Fremont JF-1864-7.




“Lincoln’s popularity with collectors is well-documented, and ferrotypes are exceptionally popular items,” Lindner said. “These Lincoln ferrotypes bring those worlds together, and this specific lot is an exceptional opportunity, because finding Lincoln ferrotypes in this condition is exceedingly rare.”

Also offered is a pair of Abraham Lincoln and George B. McClellan 1864 ferrotypes (estimate: $6,000+) – the largest-size ferrotypes available (45mm, with a ferrotype surface of nearly 35mm) for Lincoln and McClellan. The Abraham Lincoln is listed in the 1959 J. Doyle DeWitt reference as item AL-1864-83. The mate, featuring McClellan, apparently was unknown at the time of publishing for both the DeWitt reference and the subsequent update published in 1981 by Edmond B. Sullivan. Both items feature brass frames stamped at the bottom with “Patent Applied For.”

A large oval Lincoln ferrotype brooch (estimate: $5,000+) In its excellent condition, the portrait is clear, and in sharp focus.

A set of four 1860 "doughnut" ferrotypes featuring Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, John C. Breckinridge and John Bell. These (estimate: $4,000+) are the third of five sizes in which these "doughnuts" (because of the bulbous, hollow silvered copper shell frames) were made with diameters of 30mm.

With its 47mm diameter, a set of the largest size of Lincoln “doughnut” ferrotypes (estimate: $4,000+) is the largest of the four available sizes in this series of frame types for 1860. Lincoln, Douglas, John C. Breckinridge, and John Bell each appear with their respective vice presidential candidates on reverse. These are the third of five sizes in which these "doughnuts" were made with diameters of 30mm. The style acquired the nickname because of the bulbous, hollow silvered copper shell frames.
Other top Lincoln lots in the sale include, but are not limited to:

• An Abraham Lincoln: 1860 Campaign Parian Bust (estimate: $10,000+)
• An Anti-Abraham Lincoln: "Honest Old Abe on the Stump" Cartoon (estimate: $8,000+)
• An Abraham Lincoln: Rare Executive Mansion Funeral Pass (estimate: $4,000+)
• An Abraham Lincoln: White House Invitation (estimate: $2,500+)

“Simply put, he kept the country together,” Lindner said of Lincoln. “People loved him, and they still do.”