Every Auction Has a Story and sometimes they get dark
On 16 May 1870 the inventory and collection of Edward P. Boon was offered at auction at Leavitt Strebeigh in New York. It was an important sale because of its contents and significant that its consignor selected Leavitt rather than Bangs, who was the perennial leader in New York auctioning collectible paper. Boon's first sale was committed earlier while two other sales remained to be confirmed. Bangs wanted them. The market was already off and Leavitt in an increasingly strong position. As an auction power since the 1840’s, Bangs had been through thick and thin periods but 1870 was fee...
