American Historical Ephemera & Early Photography
Department
The American Historical Ephemera & Early Photography Department at Freemans's brings to market exceptional artifacts, manuscripts, early photography, and more, illuminating the military, political, social, and cultural history of the United States from the Colonial Period into the 20th century.
The department handles a wide range of physical objects, textiles, manuscripts, print material, and early photography, from vernacular portraiture to rare images capturing seminal events in US history. Our Early American History auctions feature historically important pieces that tell a story: from ephemeral items like broadsides and flyers, to more durable relics like medals and campaign textiles, to diaries and archives that convey the depth and breadth of the American experience. Building upon the nationally-recognized excellence of Cowan's Auctions in Americana and historic photography and combining that legacy with the national reach of Freeman's, the department maintains its positions as a market leader in offering historic Americana.
Early American History Auctions
In recent years, our team has had the distinct honor of offering some of the category’s finest collections, achieving record-setting prices and setting the standard for how multi-faceted yet carefully curated collections can be most effectively brought to market.
Those collections include Property of N. Flayderman & Company; the Civil War Collection of James C. Frasca; Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Broadsides, Ephemeral Americana, and Historical Documents; and the Steve Turner Collection of African Americana.
Significant highlights include two daguerreotypes of miner William J. Jewell (1818-1885) in the California gold fields in July 1852 ($60,480); an Antebellum daguerreotype taken in Georgia, believed to be the earliest known image of enslaved African Americans with cotton ($324,500); an archive of materials mostly related to abolitionist George H. Hoyt's work as an attorney for John Brown ($43,750); and the earliest and rarest of the Lincoln Assassination Reward broadsides entitled $30,000 Reward. Description of John Wilkes Booth!, printed ca 16 April 1865 ($31,250).
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Team
Katie Horstman
VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography
Latest Articles
Where Art Meets Design: Diego Giacometti's Berceau Table Leads Freeman’s November Design Auction
On November 17, Freeman’s will present its Modern and Early 20th Century Design auction, bringing together an exceptional selection of furniture, lighting, and decorative arts spanning the 20th century. Headlining the sale is a remarkable Berceau table, première version, by Diego Giacometti, estimated at $250,000–350,000. The sale spans the evolution of 20th-century design, from Tiffany Studios lighting and French Art Deco furniture to the bold, sculptural forms of modern designers such as Paul Evans, Maria Pergay, and Judy Kensley McKie. Works by George and Mira Nakashima, Karl Springer, and Phillip Lloyd Powell further demonstrate the range of the offering, alongside a selection from the estate of American designer John Risley. Decorative arts by Clarice Cliff, Charles Lotton, and Albert Paley round out the sale. “This auction brings together an exceptional range of 20th-century design, from French Art Deco to modern American furniture,” says Roger Ward, Vice President and Head of Design at Freeman’s. “Among these works, the Giacometti table is particularly special. It perfectly captures the intersection of art and design, combining the craftsmanship of a skilled sculptor with the elegance of functional furniture.” Diego Giacometti: Sculpture in Functional Form At the heart of the auction is Diego Giacometti’s Berceau table, première version, designed circa 1963 (Lot 126, estimate: $250,000–350,000), offered from the Collection of Mai Hallingby Harrison, Palm Beach, Florida, and Southampton, New York. An extraordinary marriage of sculpture and furniture, the table exemplifies Giacometti's ability to transform utilitarian objects into works of art. Diego developed his artistic sensibilities working alongside his older brother, the celebrated sculptor Alberto Giacometti, in Paris, where the two collaborated for nearly four decades. Together, they moved within the city's vibrant artistic circles and worked with influential figures including designer Jean-Michel Frank. While Diego initially played a supporting role in realizing his brother's sculptural visions, he gradually developed a distinctive artistic language of his own, finding his greatest expression in bronze furniture that combined traditional craftsmanship with imaginative, sculptural forms. Conceived in 1963, the Berceau table captures an important period in Diego's emergence as an independent artist. Its elegantly curved bronze supports form a cradle-like structure—berceau in French—beneath a substantial glass top, creating an arresting interplay between strength and delicacy. The richly textured, patinated bronze bears the unmistakable character of the artist's hand, while the graceful proportions lend the composition an unexpected sense of lightness. For collectors, the Berceau table offers a compelling example of Giacometti's distinctive approach to furniture design. Created during his years working alongside Alberto, it reflects his growing artistic independence and ability to unite sculptural expression with functional purpose. The result is a work that embodies the craftsmanship and creative vision that would come to define his legacy. Additional Auction Highlights Lot 229 | Judy Kensley McKie, Table with Bird, 1982 Estimate: $15,000–25,000 Carved and painted in poplar and topped with glass, this whimsical table incorporates a bird motif into its sculptural form. The work reflects McKie's inventive approach to furniture, seamlessly combining craftsmanship, playful imagery, and function. Lot 214 | John Risley, Candelabra Sculpture Estimate: $1,200–1,800 Offered from the estate of John Risley, this large-scale wrought-iron sculpture embodies the American designer's ability to merge artistic expression with functional design. The work is among a selection of pieces from the Risley family's cabin in Maine, reflecting the creativity and wit that defined his contributions to mid-century American design. Lot 188 | Karl Springer, Free Form Coffee Tables, Set of Three, circa 1970 Estimate: $12,000–18,000 Featuring stainless steel and black glass, this set of three tables showcases the fluid silhouettes and striking materials characteristic of Springer's modern designs. Their sculptural forms bring a bold, sophisticated presence to the traditional coffee table. Lot 152 | Maria Pergay, Ring Chair, 1967 Estimate: $15,000–25,000 Crafted in stainless steel, Pergay's Ring Chair demonstrates her innovative approach to material and form. Its distinctive circular silhouette transforms an industrial material into an elegant, sculptural statement. Auction Information Modern and Early 20th Century Design Tuesday, November 17, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. CST 1550 West Carroll Avenue, Chicago, IL Preview Exhibition: Diego Giacometti Berceau Table Freeman’s New York Gallery 32 East 67th Street, New York, NY October 30–November 16, 2026 Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Saturday, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays How to Bid The Modern and Early 20th Century Design auction will be offered on November 17 at 10:00 a.m. CST in Freeman’s Chicago saleroom. Bidding will be available in person, over the phone, and via absentee or live online bidding. About Freeman’s Freeman’s is a premier American auction house offering services in multiple categories including fine art, jewelry, design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, antiquities, couture, and Asian works of art. With 14 regional locations nationwide, the firm provides auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory services, connecting clients to the global art market. Freeman’s strives to bring art, history, and design to life by connecting people with extraordinary objects through exceptional service and expertise.
The Cradle and the Craftsman: Diego Giacometti’s Berceau Table
by Roger Ward, Vice President, Head of Department, Design
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