DALLAS, TX.- J. Doyle DeWitt is remembered best for two things: as a titan in the insurance industry, and as a history afficionado who assembled one of the finest collections of American presidential campaign items, a portion of which will be offered March 19-20 in Heritage Auctions’ Inaugural J. Doyle Dewitt Collection Americana & Political Signature® Auction. All items in the auction are being offered without reserve.

"The DeWitt is one of the major national political history collections in the country, in both its scope and quality of material," Harry Rubenstein, chairman of the Smithsonian's division of political history at the National Museum of American History said in the Hartford Courant in 2016. "There are many unique objects, but especially it is in its 19th century holdings that make the DeWitt Collection a valued resource for scholars and the public interested in American political life and culture."

DeWitt’s collection runs the gamut – “There are textiles, prints, pottery, glassware, mugs, medals, buttons, banners, ribbons and posters in a collection of presidential memorabilia so expansive it has never been entirely cataloged,” the Courant wrote – but he is perhaps best known in the collecting community for his extraordinary collection of American presidential campaign materials, a trove that included more than 25,000 pieces.

Among the top selections in this auction is a Stephen A. Douglas: 1860 George Clark Ambrotype and Rare Mate to the Legendary Lincoln Badge. Douglas defeated Abraham Lincoln in the 1858 U.S. Senate election in Illinois, but was one of two Democratic candidates who lost the Presidential election two years later to Lincoln. Heritage Auctions sold an Abraham Lincoln George Clark Ambrotype in 2018 for $35,000. The Douglas badge, like the Lincoln badge sold three years ago (another example of which is available in this auction), is manufactured from a portrait taken by Mathew Brady. Ambrotypes were so susceptible to damage that it is no surprise that precious few remain – it is believed the offered example is one of fewer than a half a dozen survivors; they were so fragile that they were discontinued in favor of the more durable ferrotype.

Items from the 11th U.S. President range from scarce to exceptionally rare, which is why they always have been in high demand among collectors, who now have a chance to acquire a James K. Polk: Rare Campaign Flag. For comparison: Threads of History: Americana Recorded on Cloth 1775 includes just four Polk items, compared to 29 for Henry Clay. The most prized Polk campaign artifacts include political flag banners like the one offered here – an example that is in exceptional condition considering its age.




An Abraham Lincoln: Fantastic Baseball Themed Currier & Ives Cartoon is widely considered the best political cartoon of the 1860 election because of its connection to the formative years of baseball; this one is exceptionally desirable because it is in color. The cartoon is titled The National Game. Three “Outs” and One “Run.” “Abraham Lincoln Winning the Ball.” It features portrayals of the four presidential candidates, each wearing a belt with the name of his team (political party) and carrying a bat acknowledging his political program or platform; Lincoln appears to be on the cusp of winning, standing on “Home Base” while sharing advice with his opponents.

Lincoln’s 1860 presidential opponent makes another appearance in the sale as half of a Douglas & Johnson: Exceedingly Rare Brady Jugate Ribbon. This rarity is the key to the Brady 1860 jugates, and has not been brought to market for more than 15 years. It measures 7 inches long by 2 inches wide, and bears exceptionally bold, unblemished portraits.

A John C. Frémont: “Fremont, and Jessie” Folk Art Banner is identified as No. 267 in Threads of History: Americana Recorded on Cloth 1775 to the Present by Herbert Ridgeway Collins. The banner depicts the former Western U.S. explorer, military officer and politician and his wife riding horses and wielding whips, dressed in colorful finery, perhaps hunting gear.

Other top selections in the auction include, but are not limited to:

• A John C. Breckinridge: Wonderful Campaign Flag Banner
• A John C. Frémont: Fantastic Campaign Flag
• A Henry Clay: Large Portrait Flag
• A Jefferson Davis: Inaugural Badge Rosette and Confederate States of America Flag
• A Lyndon B. Johnson: White House Presidential Flag

“Collectors have known about the DeWitt collection for many years,” Heritage Auctions Americana & Political Director Curtis Lindner said. “This is a great opportunity for collectors to acquire pieces that rarely, if ever, appear on the market.”