Starlust Columbiana Auction

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Now open for bidding at Heritage Auctions is a special assemblage of tokens, medals, and memorabilia from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The Steve Starlust Showcase Auction of Rare 1893 Columbiana includes 209 cherrypicked treasures from Starlust’s collection, including 47 finest-known specimens and never-before-offered pieces. 

Over the past 15 years, Starlust amassed his collection of sought-after memorabilia from this historic world’s fair that celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s discovery of America. The expo drew nearly 29 million visitors to Chicago, thrilling attendees with its elaborate exhibition halls, electric lighting and transportation, the world’s largest Ferris wheel, and many other innovations.

Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) created a limited-edition slab label for the Starlust Collection that features the Ferris Wheel. NGC also adopted some of Starlust’s award-winning reference numbers from his book Referencing Columbiana, which he compiled over the course of six years, replacing the 60-year-old guide by Nathan N. Eglit. 

Starlust is thrilled to see his collection receive such high regard throughout the numismatic community. “It was not easy to part with many of these items, but I know they will get good homes,” he says. “There will be affordable items and some you’ll really have to fight for.”

The sale is offered through November 9 at Heritage Auctions’ website. 

Highlights

This Christopher Columbus Massonet medal dated 1892-93 is one of only three examples graded Mint State-64 by NGC. The toned piece displays a rendering of a clean-shaven Columbus.

A lot of two Iron Maiden torture chambers, which open to reveal the blades of death, are in excellent shape. With only four known to exist, these, according to Starlust, “get a really cool reaction from all who see them.” The terrifying Iron Maiden was first introduced in 1802 in Nuremberg, Germany. A copy from the Royal Castle of Nuremberg was crafted for public display and sold by J. Ichenhauser of London to the Earl of Shrewsbury in 1890, along with other torture devices displayed at the Chicago exposition in 1893 and then taken on tour in America. The copy was destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II.

A “prize acquisition,” this 1892 Columbus’ Voyage bronze medal is tied with one other for the finest certified at NGC in Brown. This piece displays a red-brown patina with semi-glossy surfaces and bold definition. The fields are modestly reflective. 

This undated silver medal of Cristobal Colon, Fernando, and Isabel is the only example certified by NGC. This stand-out piece stars Columbus with his Spanish royal financiers depicted in great detail on the reverse. All devices feature luminous luster. 

This 1893 silvered white-metal brooch of Mrs. Potter Palmer, president of the Board of Lady Managers for the exposition, is directly linked to the U.S. Mint Isabella quarters. At the exposition, women contributed to exhibits, spoke at events, and served in leadership roles. The Woman’s Building exclusively featured women’s accomplishments. Palmer sunk the “golden nail” marking the completion of the building. This brooch was made to honor her and her board.