The Neal Auction Company’s annual Louisiana Purchase auction, featuring items of particular local interest, will be held December 2—4, 2016. In addition to over one thousand lots of fine paintings, period furniture, sculpture, maps, silver, porcelain, and other decorative works, collectors can vie for (and the rest of us can covet) The Gaspar Cusachs Collection of Important Historic Louisiana Material Culture, a keystone collection of artifacts from throughout Louisiana’s history.
In the words of Neal Auction founder Neal Alford: “[Gaspar] Cusachs can be credited with preserving the social history of Louisiana through a collection that tells the story beyond just prominent officials. The Gaspar Cusachs Collection tells the story of Jordan B. Noble, soldiers who fought during the Civil War, musicians who performed at the New Orleans French Opera House, and many other unsung heroes of Louisiana.”
Among the most incredible items to be auctioned from the Gaspar Cusachs Collection are the infantry snare drum and commemorative presentation flag associated with Jordan Bankston Noble, the drummer boy who beat the call to arms for Andrew Jackson’s troops before the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. Born into slavery, Jordan was a teenager during the famous battle that saved the city from a British attack; he would go on to fight in the Seminole and Mexican wars before joining the Union Army during the Civil War—when he was over 60 years old. In addition to his military service, Noble was a widely respected leader of the African American community and participated in efforts to cement rights for black Americans after emancipation.
The drum and flag he owned are valuable, very rare pieces of Louisiana history, with auction estimates of $200,000 to $250,000 each. Some lucky bidder will have a very merry Christmas.
Visit nealauction.com to see how you might get your hands on a paddle or a view of the action.
