Premiere campaign keepsakes offered during online auction

YORK, Pa. – Since 1967, Hake’s Americana has been a premier source for pop-culture memorabilia. Hake's current auction is open to bidding now and is set to close Nov. 15-17. Collector favorites and unique historical campaign keepsakes abound.

Hake’s pulled out all the stops to secure political campaign memorabilia that even the most advanced collectors would find irresistible. Among the top highlights is an 1872 miniature cloth “Flag of Chappaqua – Greeley & Brown” with associated original ephemera. The vibrant 37-star flag-badge is a rare campaign keepsake with a wooden staff. According to its accompanying certificate, it came from the “Farm of Hon. Horace Greeley, and from Choppings and Prunings by the Philosopher’s Own Hand.” The three-piece grouping consisting of the flag-badge, printed certificate and pictorial envelope is the only known complete set of similar campaign keepsakes. The lot’s presale estimate is $10,000 to $20,000.

An outstanding William McKinley “Prosperity” poster produced for the incumbent president’s 1900 re-election campaign is also on offer. Rich with symbolism, the image depicts laborers, military personnel and businessmen holding above their heads a large gold dollar labeled “Sound Money.” Standing atop the oversize coin is the candidate, doffing his top hat and grasping an American Flag ($10,000-$20,000).

While on the subject of posters, not even the most sinister of monster-movie images is as foreboding as the one seen on a World War I recruitment poster. Boldly titled “Destroy This Mad Brute,” it depicts a wild-eyed, German-helmeted gorilla wielding a club and abducting a young woman. Printed by the U.S. Government circa 1917, this example of military campaign keepsakes urges men to “Enlist” ($10,000-$20,000).

Representing Houdini memorabilia is a hand-signed photo of the famed illusionist. The inscription reads: “Harry Houdini Los Angeles Oct 5, 1907,” suggesting the photo may have been obtained at one of Houdini’s LA performances around that time ($2,000-$5,000).

One of the sale’s sweet spots is comic books. Of the more than 2,000 comics included, 400 are CGC-graded. The selection is comprehensive, spanning Golden Age through Modern productions, and includes many first issues, key first appearances, and high-grade copies. Topping the list are two bona-fide classics, the first of which is a March/April 1941 issue of All Star Comics featuring the first adventure of the Justice Society of America With Larson pedigree, it is the only one of its kind that is CGC-graded 9.4 NM – the best condition of all known examples of the title. The book has been off the market since 1980 and has never before been offered at auction. The second comic-book highlight is issue #1 of The Incredible Hulk. Published in May 1962 and one of the most sought after of all Silver Age comics, it contains the first appearance of the Hulk and is CGC-graded 6.0 Fine. Each of these comic books carries an estimate of $10,000 to $20,000.

Hake’s Americana Auction #219 has opened for bidding by phone, mail and online at www.hakes.com. The first session closes Nov. 15; the second session closes Nov. 17. For more details, contact 866-404-9800, 717-434-1600, or hakes@hakes.com. ■