Jun 25, 2026 10:00 EST
The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
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Abner Doubleday signed note from Fort Sumter on the first day of the Civil War
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
DOUBLEDAY, ABNER
Autograph note signed from Fort Sumter as Captain in the 1st U.S. Artillery. Fort Sumter, South Carolina: April 12th, 1861. Written in black ink. Nicely matted with a portrait of Doubleday in uniform. The note 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (6.5 x 9 cm), overall display 17 x 11 inches (43.25 x 28 cm). Fading to ink, see note below; Together with Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1882. First edition. Wear to the binding; and General Orders No. 135, mustering Doubleday out of service. Disbound with stab holes along left margin.
A remarkable note from Abner Doubleday, dated from the day the first shots were fired in the American Civil War, reading: "Armed treason must be answered from the mouth of a cannon / Abner Doubleday / Captain 1st U.S. Arty / Commanding Co. 'E' at Fort Sumter, S.C. / April 12th 1861." Doubleday is credited with having aimed the first Union gun that was fired in defense of the fort. The note is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
Sold for $3,200
Estimated at $300 - $500
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
DOUBLEDAY, ABNER
Autograph note signed from Fort Sumter as Captain in the 1st U.S. Artillery. Fort Sumter, South Carolina: April 12th, 1861. Written in black ink. Nicely matted with a portrait of Doubleday in uniform. The note 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (6.5 x 9 cm), overall display 17 x 11 inches (43.25 x 28 cm). Fading to ink, see note below; Together with Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1882. First edition. Wear to the binding; and General Orders No. 135, mustering Doubleday out of service. Disbound with stab holes along left margin.
A remarkable note from Abner Doubleday, dated from the day the first shots were fired in the American Civil War, reading: "Armed treason must be answered from the mouth of a cannon / Abner Doubleday / Captain 1st U.S. Arty / Commanding Co. 'E' at Fort Sumter, S.C. / April 12th 1861." Doubleday is credited with having aimed the first Union gun that was fired in defense of the fort. The note is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
Auction: The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile, Jun 25, 2026
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Successful Auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 Tops $550k with 97% Sell-Through Rate
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Featuring a Wide Range of Americana and Military History Spanning the 18th through 20th Centuries
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's highly-anticipated auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 delivered outstanding results, with trans-Atlantic bidding driving the sale total beyond expectations and an impressive 97% sell-through rate. Comprising more than 200 lots, this extensive and fascinating collection featured books, manuscripts, and original illustration art spanning centuries of antiquarian interest.
Signed Volume from Abraham Lincoln's Personal Library - Sold for $64,000
Books from Abraham Lincoln's personal library are among the great rarities of the American book trade. Leading the sale was an 1849 first edition of William W. Campbell's The Life and Writings of De Witt Clinton inscribed by Lincoln that achieved $64,000, more than doubling its $20,000-30,000 estimate. Lincoln signed the book on November 19, 1860, less than two weeks after his election to the presidency. In February 1861, he would depart Springfield by train for Washington, never returning to his hometown until his burial following his assassination.
A United States Senator, Mayor of New York City, and Governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton is best remembered for championing the Erie Canal, one of the great infrastructure projects of the 19th century. Lincoln admired Clinton's vision and leadership, looking to him as a model of a strong executive capable of undertaking and completing ambitious public works.
British Military & Naval Color Plate Books - Sold for $16,640
The wide selection of color plate books featured magnificent first editions of James Jenkins' celebrated The Martial Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1799 to 1815 and The Naval Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1793 to 1817. Amid trans-Atlantic bidding, this elegant two-volume set sailed its $7,000-10,000 estimate to realize $16,640. Among the finest military color plate books of the early 19th century, these large-paper editions, featuring over 100 hand-colored aquatint plates, were presented in their most desirable state, with coloring of exceptional quality and delicately tinted plate surrounds not found in the regular issue. Completing the lot was an original watercolor by William Heath, the leading British military watercolorist of the period, prepared for one of the plates in The Martial Achievements.
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