DANIEL FRANK SEDWICK presents…

 

TREASURE AUCTION #2

A Mail-Bid Sale, Closed October 30, 2007

Click here for Prices Realized: Prices Realized

Many thanks to all the consignors and bidders who made Treasure Auction #1 a success! It is hard to believe the second auction is already here, and it is just as packed with goodies as the last one was!

In this auction we feature the shipwreck silver-cob collection of Louis Ullian, original Real Eight Co. member and longtime “treasure guru” in Florida. Lou had a chance to sock away some beautiful coins over the years, mostly rarities, from the Capitana (1654), Maravillas (1656) and “Jupiter wreck” (1659), as well as the 1715 Fleet (of course) and San Martín (1618). We hope to offer his even more impressive collection of gold cobs in the future—Lou and his family still enjoy them too much for now!

The next major coin consignment comes from ROBCAR, S.A., the Ecuadorian company responsible for the salvage of the Consolación (1681). The marketing of these coins got off to a bit of a rocky start, first with an underachieving auction in New York and then with a short-lived “slabbing” venture in Florida, but in more recent years there has been a more sensible wholesale marketing of these coins. But as you will see in this auction, the salvagers have been saving some nice coins for our new venue, with opportunities for collectors and retailers alike.

The artifact section of this auction is probably the most impressive part, with over 70 different items from many different wrecks and other sources. This is where our auctions stand out—where else can you find such things? The highlight of the bunch is a heavy gold chain from the Santa Margarita wreck of 1622 (lot #438), but also note a couple gemstone rings and the variety of cannons and other armaments.

One of the largest parts of this auction, however, is the section on treasure books, mostly from the libraries of Dave Crooks and Bruce Prior. The Crooks consignment is the first of what we hope will be many from Dave’s library of over 2000 treasure books, but the Prior consignment is a total liquidation, including many items pedigreed to the library of Kelly Tarlton’s Museum of Shipwrecks in New Zealand. In many cases the books are harder to find than the coins and artifacts they describe!

As before, this catalog is being presented simultaneously on our website as well. At present we are not able to offer secure bid-sheet submission or real-time high-bid updates through our website, but we intend to do so in subsequent auctions as our manpower and resources increase. You are welcome to phone in your bids and inquire as to whether you are currently the high bidder, but please understand that the closer to the closing time, the less chance you have of getting through by phone, which is why we recommend email or fax instead. If you send your bids by postal mail, please call to confirm that we have received them.

 Above all, we hope you have fun with this sale. Please feel free to contact us at any time if we can help make the experience more enjoyable for you!