New York

Album With Rare Harriet Tubman Photo From 1860s Sells for Whopping $161,000 at New York City Auction

The album went for about $100,000 more than its estimated sale price

What to Know

  • The Tubman photo shows her seated on a chair and was taken in Auburn in central New York in 1868 or 1869
  • The auction house says the image was part of an album featuring photos of contemporary political and abolitionist figures
  • The album had an estimated sale price of $20,000 to $30,000 but went for $161,000 at auction

An album containing a rare photograph of 19th century abolitionist and Underground Railroad hero Harriet Tubman has been sold at a New York City auction for $161,000. 

Swann Galleries says the circa late 1860s image and other items in the album sold Thursday for a hammer price of $130,000, plus a $31,000 auctioneer fee. The album had an estimated sale price of $20,000 to $30,000. 

The winning bid was made by phone by Lion Heart Autographs, a Manhattan-based dealer. 

The Tubman photo shows her seated on a chair and was taken in Auburn in central New York in 1868 or 1869. 

The Maryland-born Tubman led escaped slaves to freedom before and during the Civil War. She settled in Auburn after the war and is buried there.

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