The world of rare document collecting is a PERPETUAL PAPER CHASE featuring obsessed history buffs, treasures hidden in attics, and loads of cash.
The document’s circuitous journey to the bottom of a carton in Texas was something out of a suspense novel, including a stint when it was hidden for years behind the wallpaper of a house in Virginia during the Civil War to prevent its becoming loot. O’Mara figured the fraying Declaration, stained, weathered, and torn, might be worth a few thousand dollars. Maybe.
He called a rare documents dealer, who barraged him with questions: Were there engravings on the top left and right? (No.) Were there smudges? (Uh, yes.) Take pictures, blow them up, and send them to me, the dealer said. O’Mara did. And when the dealer called back, he got the surprise of his life.
“You have an 1823 W.J. Stone version,” he said. “Only 201 were printed then. Two copies went to each president and each signer of the Declaration.” O’Mara’s was one of two made for O’Mara’s fifth-great-uncle—President James Madison. “That was when I realized it was worth more than a couple thousand dollars,” O’Mara says. “A lot more.”
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 2018-Ausgabe von Town & Country.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 2018-Ausgabe von Town & Country.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Wake Up and Smell the PALM TREES
In Palm Beach, second homes are the new first homes. For Tommy Hilfiger, Coral House is much more. After 40 years of running a fashion empire, he's shifting gears and staying put for a while.
Bite Me!
Perfumes with sweet notes of vanilla, cocoa, caramel, and honey are a guilt-free indulgence. Join us in the dining room, won't you?
Battle for the Soul of SKIING
Lift lines are interminable and slopes are packed. Meanwhile, wealthy resort owners have been making their mountains semi- or entirely private. Can the original gonzo-glamorous sport survive its new highs and lows?
Kingdom Come
Kelly Reilly has become a sensation for her turn as Yellowstone's Beth Dutton, the deliciously wicked daughter of a Montana cattle baron. Now, as the family saga reaches its dramatic finale, the actress is ready to shed her alter ego. Or is she?
Town? Country? YES.
A new Charleston hotel makes it plain: This place is made for traveling, happily between worlds.
Escape from the WHITE BOX GALLERY
Art collectors, stifle your yawns and
Escape to WHERE TOURMALINES SPEAK LOUDER
Desperate to mute quiet luxury?
Escape WORTH AVENUE
Can't stomach yet another lunch at BiCE?
Escape to THE MIND OF ELSA
Are you over every influencer wearing, the same uninspired trinkets?
Escape to SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW
Are you ready for lapels featuring something other than political posturing?