How to Sell Your James Buchanan Autograph or Memorabilia

To auction, sell or consign your James Buchanan autograph or memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).

Who Was James Buchanan?

James Buchanan had a long career in politics, including roles as senator, congressman and Secretary of State, before becoming the 15th president. Tensions were high in the U.S. during his presidency term over slavery and he is often credited with ineffectively handling the divide between the North and South prior to the Civil War. His policies, such as allowing states to make their own decisions on slavery, mainly increased conflict and further paved the way for the Civil War.

Here Are Some James Buchanan Autographs and Memorabilia We Sold:

James Buchanan Half-Plate Daguerreotype — Sold for $19,000

Incredibly rare half-plate daguerreotype (measuring 4″ x 5″) of American President James Buchanan, possibly taken as early as 1860 while Buchanan served as President. Image is matted to an overall size of 4.75″ x 6″, presented in an English-style push-button maroon leather case which measures 6.25″ x 5.25″ x .5″. Gold-stamped imprint on cases’ verso reads “Mayall, 224 Regent Street / Argyll Place / London.” Minor gray flecks to glass cover, else very good condition. An exceptional, historically important photo valued not only as an early photograph of a U.S. President, but also for its very large size and as a fine example of the earliest daguerreotype photographic process. Scarce. Sold for $19,000.

Manuscript Check Signed From 1852 — Sold for $11,000

James Buchanan manuscript check signed, written entirely in his hand and dated 5 April 1852. Written the same year Buchanan sought the Democratic presidential nomination for the third time. Check is drawn on the Lancaster Bank for $20.00 payable to Jacob S. Yost, a congressman from Pennsylvania who was later appointed U.S. Marshall for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by President Buchanan. Two cut cancellations slightly affecting the signature. Check measures 7.75″ x 3″. Very good condition.  Sold for $11,000.

Autograph Letter Signed

James Buchanan autograph letter signed, dated 7 April 1853 according to docketing on verso. Addressed to an unnamed recipient, Buchanan discusses his potential appointment as Minister to the United Kingdom. Letter reads in part, ”After reflection, I cannot avoid the conclusion that the publication of the annexed letter might appear to be presumptuous on my part. I would, therefore, beg you to state its contents to discreet friends & urge them…to make my reasons as acceptable as possible to my friends…I hope you are wrong in your conjectures about [James C.?] Van Dyke. Somewhat to my surprise, I find that judicious friends in the interior of the State strongly advise me to accept the mission to England on the score of expediency…James Buchanan”. Buchanan accepted this appointment, which would take him to England for three years. His absence during the tumult surrounding the Kansas-Nebraska At would make him the least-tainted nominee for the Democratic candidate for President in the 1856 election. Single page measures 7.75” x 9.75”. Shallow folds and light creasing, overall in very good to near fine condition.

1848 Passport Signed

James Buchanan signed passport for William S. Wood on 13 December 1847, signed as Secretary of State. The document lists some of the man’s physical features at left: ”Eyes: dark grey / Chin: small and pointed” and is signed at bottom right, ”James Buchanan”. The 10.5” x 16.5” document features the Great Seal of the United States and a large eagle illustration. Small losses at right vertical fold, chipping and curling to edges, and toning, but overall in very good condition with bold and prominent signature.

Thanks for learning about some of the James Buchanan autographs and memorabilia we’ve sold! Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to sell your James Buchanan memorabilia. View our current auction.

FAQs

How do I consign or sell my James Buchanan autograph?
It’s never been easier to sell your James Buchanan autograph at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and photos of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a free appraisal.

This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement to review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.

What factors determine the value of James Buchanan memorabilia?
The value of your memorabilia can vary based on condition, subject matter and provenance.