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Post by bill12020 on Jun 26, 2017 13:19:16 GMT -5
I have a "ticket" addressed :To The Sheriff of Hunterdon County that reads Will you please admit the bearer to the Court Room in the trial of State vs Hauptmann on Jan 1935 and is signed Edward Reilly Attorney for the Defense. The back has driving directions from New York. It is contained in an envelope with E.J. Reilly''s return address and his business card. I wonder how common this is. I am interested in selling it and welcome your thoughts about it's value.
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Post by Michael on Jun 26, 2017 16:33:15 GMT -5
I have a "ticket" addressed :To The Sheriff of Hunterdon County that reads Will you please admit the bearer to the Court Room in the trial of State vs Hauptmann on Jan 1935 and is signed Edward Reilly Attorney for the Defense. The back has driving directions from New York. It is contained in an envelope with E.J. Reilly''s return address and his business card. I wonder how common this is. I am interested in selling it and welcome your thoughts about it's value. It's not an official trial pass? Anyway to scan a picture of it?
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Post by bill12020 on Jun 26, 2017 18:05:22 GMT -5
Thanks. I can scan the item. Can I post that to this thread? I am new at this
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Post by Michael on Jun 26, 2017 19:08:06 GMT -5
Thank you. Well, I've never seen one of these before. I do know that without an official pass no one was getting in. It's why the Defense started issuing subpoenas to their friends to get around that. This is different than both of those things so I am guessing it was Reilly's initial attempt at getting around the process. Is there a date on the envelope? I am going to get with Mark Falzini at the Archives to see if he's ever seen one of these. Once I hear from him I will get back to you.
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Post by bill12020 on Jun 26, 2017 19:21:48 GMT -5
The envelope is postmarked. It is not clear but it appears to be Jan. 11, 1935 but I may be reading it wrong. I scanned the envelope and will post the image of I can figure out how to do it. It was send to William Lamborn in Albany. Lamborn was a longtime receptionist for New York governors and I have news clippings of as testimonial given to him at his retirement. This item was in the testimonial. I do not know why.
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Post by bill12020 on Jun 26, 2017 19:30:57 GMT -5
Thought the easiest way to post the envelope was in a new thread which I created.
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Post by Michael on Jun 27, 2017 5:21:06 GMT -5
Okay just as I had suspected this was the first one of these Mark has seen too. However, he tells me he's seen a couple like this from the Prosecution so that obviously tells me these were a legitimately issued "ticket" and not something Reilly created himself. My guess is then, that before the trial both sides were given a certain amount of these as a matter of courtesy. It's a perfect example of both finding and learning new things! Also, on your envelope it says "tickets" so I am assuming there were more but were probably used.
On the price.... The thing about any Lindbergh Kidnapping item is that those of us who consider them the most valuable are usually the ones with the least amount of money to spend. Also for us, you can't put a price tag on history so they are invaluable. Over the years I've seen the actual trial passes go for anywhere from $100 to $250. I've also seen them listed for these prices and never sold. In my mind they are worth more then that, but if there's one listed and isn't selling then I suppose it's not.
So I am trying to qualify my judgement to let you can grasp where I am coming from.
What you have here are (3) items that when combined make the whole thing that much more valuable. Also, that is really Reilly's signature so you don't have to wonder if it was his secretary or someone else who signed it as can be the case. I hesitate to say it's "unique" because there always seems to be things turning up all the time, but I think having never seen one myself, and that Mark hasn't either - then there's probably very few left.
If I owned it, I would never sell it because no price would be enough. However, to my point above, you could list it for "any" price and it may never sell. I'd say it's worth anywhere between $400 to $600 as far as trying to sell it goes. Honestly I think it's worth much more but I don't think someone would pay more.
Anyone else have a different opinion?
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Post by bill12020 on Jun 27, 2017 7:10:43 GMT -5
Thanks. I appreciate your thoughts. I collect political memorabilia and concur with the sentiments you expressed about the this item. In a sense we collectors are the custodians of the objects we acquire. I know that there are political items in my collection that are significant and that I would never part with. I hope this item ends up with a collector who appreciates it and values it. I am still considering how to offer it. I might explore a prominent auction house, offer it on ebay, or entertain offers. You have been very helpful in this regard. I am very thankful for that.
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Post by Michael on Jun 27, 2017 18:34:10 GMT -5
Thanks. I appreciate your thoughts. I collect political memorabilia and concur with the sentiments you expressed about the this item. In a sense we collectors are the custodians of the objects we acquire. I know that there are political items in my collection that are significant and that I would never part with. I hope this item ends up with a collector who appreciates it and values it. I am still considering how to offer it. I might explore a prominent auction house, offer it on ebay, or entertain offers. You have been very helpful in this regard. I am very thankful for that. Feel free to announce and link up whatever site you decide to list it at on this Board.
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