Lot 211

Harvey Milk, Brief Autograph Letter Signed, "Harvey," to Tip Hallihan.

Previous image preload Next image preload

Harvey Milk, Brief Autograph Letter Signed, "Harvey," to Tip Hallihan.

Estimate: $600 - $900

Current Bid: $475

(2 Bids)

by Swann Auction Galleries
August 13, 2026 10:30 AM EDT
Live Auction
104 East 25th Street
New York, NY, US 10010

Harvey Milk
1930-1978
Brief Autograph Letter Signed, "Harvey," to Tip Hallihan.

"All I can say is in the fullest & truest meaning of the words, thank you. Without the 'Tips,' the 'Harveys' would never be able to do it." 1 page, "for supervisor" stationery; faint scattered foxing, horizontal folds.

[San Francisco], "Sunday" [1973-77].

  • Provenance: Harvey Milk was a boisterous New Yorker before moving in
    1972 to San Francisco, where he opened a camera shop on Castro Street. Milk was
    soon confronted with the burdensome taxes borne by all San Francisco small
    businesses, but getting relief was especially challenging because of the
    invisibility experienced by those in the gay community. Milk was nevertheless determined
    to do something about it. Although some criticized his attention-getting stunts
    and unrelenting thirst for media coverage, Milk's loud personality was one of
    the reasons he was successful at helping to make gays and gay culture visible when
    in 1978 he was elected the first openly gay man to hold public office in the
    state. Despite being murdered later that year by a political rival, Milk
    continues to draw attention to himself, as he does in the present letter, by exemplifying
    the loud voice acknowledging that making change is a community effort.
  • Condition: Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
32.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
27.00%
$1,000,001+:
17.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000