Cowan’s to Offer the Paul DeHaan Admiral Farragut Collection in June 13th American History Auction
Exceptional Early Photography Also Highlighted in the Sale

CINCINNATI, OH – June 2, 2014— Cowan’s Auctions, Inc. will host their American History: Live Salesroom Auction on June 13th, 2014. The 608-lot auction will be held in Cowan’s salesroom, in Cincinnati, OH, and will include scarce daguerreotypes, manuscripts, books, maps, political campaign ephemera, flags, photographs of the American West and fresh-to-the-market 19th century photography. Also highlighted in the June 13th auction will be the Paul DeHaan Collection of items related to Admiral David Glasgow Farragut and his Flagship, the USS Hartford.

A selection of over 150 lots from the singular collection of naval enthusiast Paul DeHaan relating to the life and career of American naval icon Admiral David Glasgow Farragut and the USS Harford will hit the auction block in the June 13th sale. A respected navy collector for nearly three decades, most of the DeHaan artifacts are one-of-kind and would certainly be the focal point of any institutional exhibit or display. The scope of the historic collection is inspiring, the individual items exquisite, appealing to both generalists and specialists alike. Drawn from a range of categories, the material includes art and prints - highlighted by a number of fine portraits and nautical paintings and renderings reflecting Farragut’s exploits in a cultural context. A dramatic oil on canvas depicting the Battle of Mobile Bay is attributed to William Stubbs (1842-1909) and estimated to bring $5,000/7,000. Framed albumens and individual cartes de visite are well represented by nearly thirty lots.  Many of the known photographs of Farragut are offered in the sale with several autographed. Without question, the premier image is an early Sixth Plate Daguerreotype of Captain Farragut taken at Mare Island, California, ca 1854, while he oversaw the construction of the Navy Yard. The image is expected to bring anywhere between $8,000/10,000. Autographs and manuscripts abound.  One example is a fine ALS by Farragut to Captain Henry Wise written shortly after the Admiral’s signal victory at Mobile Bay, estimated at $4,000/6,000. Additional ephemera from the Farragut collection include a Pair of Fire Buckets from the USS Hartford Commemorating Farragut’s Victory at New Orleans & Mobile Bay are expected to sell anywhere between $5,000/10,000, and a Sheet Iron Weathervane modeled after Farragut, estimated at $2,500/3,500

“I am thrilled to be offering the Paul DaHaan Collection of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut,” notes Katie Horstman, Director, American History. “This is a rare opportunity to obtain some great pieces that have yet to come to auction.”

The photography portion of the auction will feature a set of 32 Stereoviews by Alexander Gardner of the Fort Laramie Treaty in 1868 and estimated at $60,000/75,000. The set includes Manuscript Titles in Gardner’s own hand. A Collection of 52 CDV’s by Kimball & Sons of New Hampshire Regimental Battle Flags is expected to bring anywhere between $25,000/35,000, a George Fiske Photograph Album of Yosemite dating to the 1880’s is estimated at $15,000/20,000, and a photograph by Brady of General Robert E. Lee with his staff is expected to fetch $8,000/10,000.

Fresh-to-the-market daguerreotypes, tintypes and ambrotypes, including early cameras, will also be included in the photography portion of the auction. A Full Plate, Hand-Colored Tintype of the Outlaw Jesse James is estimated at $10,000/15,000, a rare and important Daguerreotype of the Kamehameha Royal Family by Hugo Stangenwalk, dated to 1853, is estimated at $5,000/10,000, a Lewis-style Whole Plate Daguerreotype Camera with early modifications is estimated to bring $5,000/10,000, a Quarter Plate Daguerreotype of Aunt Jane & Uncle Jerry, Slaves owned by a Norfolk, Virgina family is estimated at $4,000/6,000, and a Civil War Ninth Plate Ambrotype of Brig. General Thomas Smyth is estimated at $1,500/2,500.

Cowan’s will be featuring flags in the June 13th sale. A Scarce William Henry Harrison Campaign Flag Banner is expected to fetch anywhere between $8,000/10,000, an 11-Star Flag taken from the Blockade Runner Ivanhoe by Lt. J.C. Watson on July 6th, 1864 is estimated to bring $6,000/8,000, a 36-Star Grand Luminary Flag is estimated at $4,000/7,000, and a Rare 32-Star Ship Ensign with a Blood Stripe is estimated at $4,000/6,000.

The manuscript and archive portion of the auction is expected to inspire competitive bidding. Cowan’s will be offering Volumes I, II, IV and VI of the Histoire de Don Quichotte from Thomas Jefferson’s Personal Library for $20,000/30,000. A George Washington ALS on March 14, 1785 to Mathew Carey is expected to bring anywhere between $10,000/15,000, and an Abraham Lincoln Commission Signed as President, for Thomas H. Ruger, Brigadier General, in April of 1863 is expected to bring $3,000/5,000.

Additional notable lots in the June 13th auction include a VIII-Inch Navy Bureau of Ordnance Shell Gun, estimated to bring $20,000/30,000, a Civil War Marine Corps Drum titled “USS Hartford” is estimated to bring anywhere between $15,000/25,000, an extremely rare California Gold Quartz Pocket Watch is estimated at $10,000/15,000, and a set of Transatlantic Cables Presented to General Thomas Eckert by Siemens Brothers in 1866 is estimated at $4,000/6,000.

“This sale has quite a bit of diversity, and a wide variety of items for all collectors in the American history field.” Horstman says. “Time is ticking away, and your opportunity to bid in this auction will be here shortly. The sale is already up on our website and available for absentee bidding at www.cowans.com.”

For more information about the auction or to view the catalogue, please visit cowans.com or call Katie Horstman at 513.871.1670 ext. 236.


About Cowan’s Auctions, Inc.
As one of the nation’s leading auction houses with sales approaching $20 million, Cowan’s has been helping individuals and institutions build important collections for more than a decade. To learn more about Cowan’s, visit cowans.com.