A poetry journal connected to the notorious outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow has been listed at Heritage Auctions’ upcoming Americana Auction, scheduled for April 24–25.
The Dallas-based auction house, one of the largest in the world, is also offering a painting by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, remnants from the Hindenburg disaster, and a factory-sealed first-generation iPhone among dozens of newly listed lots.
The Bonnie and Clyde archive was consigned by Barrow’s nephew, according to the auction house, who received it directly from his mother, Clyde’s older sister. Its centerpiece is a small green appointment book from 1933, repurposed by the couple as a poetry journal.
Many of the verses, written while the pair was “on the lam,” reflect their lives of crime and their awareness, or even fear, of their inevitable end.
“Few, if any, criminals in American history have captivated public attention like Bonnie and Clyde did,” said Ray Farina, Historical Consignment Director at Heritage Auctions. “Their story became the subject of songs and movies, so to have something like this, that they wrote, is an incredible opportunity, because it tells their story from a perspective nobody else can.”
The Eisenhower painting – an original oil on canvas depicting a Native American encampment – adds a lesser-known dimension to the 34th president’s legacy. Eisenhower began painting landscapes and Western-themed scenes in the 1940s and continued to do so throughout his presidency and retirement. He gave this particular work to Alex Frieder, an American businessman who helped organize the rescue of around 1,300 Jewish refugees during World War II, securing their safe passage from Nazi-controlled Europe to the Philippines.
Also crossing the auction block is a lighting fixture salvaged from the wreckage of the German Hindenburg blimp, which was destroyed in 1937 while attempting to land in New Jersey. According to family history, the consignor’s father – a U.S. Marine stationed at Quantico – was assigned to guard the crash site and recovered the fixture during cleanup efforts. The lot also includes original photographs of the Hindenburg’s wreckage and a real-photo postcard taken less than three weeks after the disaster.
However, April’s Americana lot also includes some more “modern” offerings.
For tech enthusiasts, Heritage is offering a factory-sealed, first-generation iPhone from 2007 – still in its original box with factory shrink-wrap. The 4GB model was discontinued less than three months after its June 2007 launch, making it significantly rarer than its 8GB brother that was produced later that year.
Rounding out the headliners are over 70 Abraham Lincoln-related auction lots, including an 1860 campaign flag inscribed “Lincoln and Hamlin” featuring a 33-star “Great Star” pattern, and a pen used by President Lyndon B. Johnson to sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The auction will be held April 24–25, and more information about each listing is available on Heritage Auctions’ official website.