Rare and Unexpected Items from Extant Americana

Speaking of New Orleans during the Civil War, item 28 is a Proclamation, issued by General Benjamin Butler shortly after Union forces seized the city in 1862. Martial law was declared, and the proclamation requires the surrender of arms, no flags other than that of the U.S. be flown, oaths of allegiance be given, and so on. Butler established a no-nonsense rule, at times harsh, leaving him an unpopular man in the South. That did not bother him. $7,500.

We usually expect to find attractive or important scenery on postcards, the Grand Canyon or the Washington Monument. This postcard instead features a picture of a hanging. The man dangling from the rope is John Heath, a one-time Deputy Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona (Tombstone), who was not unwilling to ply the other side of the law. He moved to Bisbee, south of Tombstone, and opened a saloon. It was there he was alleged to have conspired with, most likely directed, five other men in what would be a robbery of a local store. It was expected there would be a payroll for a local mine at the store. There wasn't, but the five men stole other money they found, as well as robbing some customers. Then, something went awry, shooting started, and by the time it was over, four citizens of Bisbee lay dead. Heath did not participate in the crime. He said he was hiding behind his bar when the shooting broke out. The five were all convicted of murder and hanged for their crime. Heath was convicted of second degree murder for his involvement and sentenced to life in prison. That was not sufficient for the good folks of Bisbee. They dragged him from his cell and strung him up from a telegraph pole. Someone had a camera and caught the dangling Heath surrounded by a group of participants and spectators of the lynching. Another enterprising person turned the photograph into a postcard. Having fun, wish you were here. The lynching took place in 1884, while the postcard is dated 1885. Item 68. $2,250.

Item 39 is a photograph of General George Armstrong Custer, taken by Mora of New York in 1876. That was the year of a major life changing event for General Custer. We need say no more. This was taken at the last formal photography session for the Civil War General and Indian fighter. In his profession, you cannot afford to make even one mistake. Armstrong is dressed in his military uniform, looking as much debonair as military. $2,500.