Bidders Took a Shot at Alexander Hamilton Collectibles

Who needed Fourth of July fireworks when the Disney+ streaming of the Broadway sensation “Hamilton” caused millions of viewers to explode with joy? Disney paid an estimated $30 million for the movie of the Tony Award winning play with the original Broadway cast, including superstar actor-writer-producer Lin-Manuel Miranda. The hip-hop musical is about America’s founding fathers, with the emphasis on Alexander Hamilton of course. The Disney deal pushed the gross of the musical to above $1 billion in global revenue (ironic since Hamilton essentially established our national monetary system). 
 
Since it debuted in 2015, “Hamilton” has stirred interest in the man himself. Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) was an immigrant and self-made man who was pivotal in the Revolutionary War, an ally of George Washington, a rival of Thomas Jefferson and who was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr. Hamilton collectibles seem to be all over auction floors. Here are some interesting artifacts from Hamilton’s life that recently sold.

Powder horn, 1773, personally engraved, used by Hamilton in the Revolutionary War to store his gunpowder. Inscribed with Hamilton’s name, the date and symbols, including a unicorn, symbolizing fortune; a cinquefoil (five-petaled flower) from the Hamilton coat-of-arms; and the phrase “First When When [sic] Came To Ohio,” a phrase referencing the settlement of America, 12 in. Sold in 2016 for $115,620. 
Photo: Sterling Associates Auction

Letter written by Hamilton, March 26, 1792, to Gulian Verplank, president of the Bank of New York, requesting payment of $50,000 to William Seton Esquire to be applied to purchase of the public debt on account of the United States. Sold in 2017 for $37,500.
Photo: Rage Arts and Auction Center

Paterson, New Jersey, Centennial ribbon with portrait of Hamilton, 1892. Silk with image of Hamilton, who founded Paterson, New Jersey, in 1792; eagle with red, white and blue flag at the top. Approximately 6 1/2 in. by 2 1/2 in. Sold in 2019 for $96.
Photo: Roland Auctioneers & Valuers

Letter signed and dated 6 Oct 1800 by John Jay, then Governor of New York, directing the “Treasurer of the State” to pay a sum of $1,500 to Alexander Hamilton Esq. “Counsellor at Law.” John Jay (1745 – 1829) signed the Treaty of Paris of 1783, was the second governor of New York, and was the first Chief Justice of the United States. Sold in 2020 for $2,360.
Photo: Bunch Auctions

Pamphlet, “Observations” by Alexander Hamilton, 1797. Paper-cover pamphlet, full title reads “Observations of Certain Documents Contained in no. V & VI of ‘The History of The United States of the Year 1796’ in which the charge of speculation against Alexander Hamilton, Late Secretary of the Treasury, is Fully Refuted, by Himself.” Inscribed “Henry Bairse from his affectionate friends July 22/52” written on the cover, 8 3/4 in. by 5 1/2 in. Sold in 2020 for $12,250.
Photo: Keystone Auctions LLC