Fleischer’s Auctions is pleased to announce our upcoming sale of the Herbert “Herb” Peck Jr. Collection, a historic selection of Civil War-era photography once thought lost forever.
WANT TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE CATALOG IS RELEASED? REGISTER FOR THE SALE HERE: HERB PECK COLLECTION SALE REGISTRATION
Starting in the 1950s, with a focus on Southern subjects, Herb built one of the United States’ premier collections of Civil War portrait photography at a time when the genre’s importance was only first being realized. A true pioneer, Herb recognized the deep value of these photographs to our shared American history and was generous in sharing them with the public. Herb’s iconic images can be seen in many popular books and films, including Ken Burns’ documentary The Civil War. It’s likely that nearly every American interested in history has seen a copy of an image from the Peck Collection, whether in a book or film, in a museum, or while visiting a national park.
What makes this once-in-a-lifetime offering particularly exciting is that the collection was once believed to have been destroyed. In 1978, thieves stole the Peck Collection from Herb’s Nashville home, leaving the collecting community in shock and the survival of his captivating images shrouded in doubt. Recently, the Peck family’s persistence and the hard work of law enforcement bore fruit when a break in the case led to the successful recovery and return of 50 of Herb’s original photographs.
After thoughtful consideration, the Peck family believes the time has come to find the next generation of caretakers for Herb’s photographs. These historic tintypes, ambrotypes, and daguerreotypes will now be offered to the public, finally free to be enjoyed after decades in hiding. Fleischer’s Auctions is honored to make Herb’s collection available through exclusive public auction in the Spring of 2024. The sale’s catalog will be entirely comprised of Peck Collection photographs.
After 45 years, it is time for Herb and his family to have their day.
Specific information regarding this sale, including registration and a full catalog, will be released in the upcoming weeks. Please direct all inquiries to info@fleischersauctions.com.
MORE ABOUT HERB & HIS COLLECTION
Herbert Jefferson Peck, Jr. was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Known for his storytelling, keen eye for artistic merit, and sense of humor, Herb was much-beloved in the Civil War artifact collecting community. We encourage interested parties to learn more about Herb and the theft of his collection here: https://www.
