Lot 1274

(JOHN BROWN’S RAID) FRANKLIN B. SANBORN AND JOHN BROWN, JR.

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(JOHN BROWN’S RAID) FRANKLIN B. SANBORN AND JOHN BROWN, JR.

Estimate: $500 - $600

Starting Bid: $240

(0 Bids)

by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
July 31, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
106 East Main Street, Suite 103
Elkton, MD, US 21921

(JOHN BROWN'S RAID) FRANKLIN B. SANBORN AND JOHN BROWN, JR.
FRANKLIN B. SANBORN (1831-1917) American abolitionist and one of the ‘Secret Six' conspirators in John Brown's raid of Harper's Ferry. An ardent supporter of Brown who, despite his dislike of the idea of the raid, threw his whole support behind the cause after failing to persuade Brown to drop his designs. When the raid upon Harper's Ferry failed, he was ordered arrested by the Senate for refusing to go to Washington to give his testimony. After twice fleeing to Canada, he was arrested in early 1860 but freed by the actions of the state courts and the mob. Rare A.E.S. ‘F. B. Sanborn' on the verso of a lengthy A.L.S. of JOHN BROWN, JR. (1821-1895), son of John Brown and who was captured and beaten by ruffians and soldiers who accused him of participating in the Pottawatomie Massacre. He would be exchanged for prisoners captured by his father. He also served as a plotter in the Harper's Ferry attack, and formed Jennison's Jayhawkers during the Civil War. In his 4pp. 4to., Ohio, Jan. 30, 1893 letter to Sanborn, Brown mentions the Delamater case, news from the West, the John Brown Fort Co., the World's Fair, and more, with a full transcription provided. Sanborn writes, in full: ‘This letter read in Athens, Feby 17, should go to G. J. Garrison and [?] who will return it to Concord. F. B. Sanborn'. Central fold reinforced with archival tape, pink stain at top right affects nothing, overall near fine condition.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000