Swann Galleries sale of Printed and Manuscript Americana held June 12 reached $513,452, well into the auctions pre-sale estimates of $369,100 to $549,150. Of the 25 top lots, six sold to institutions and seven sold to private collectors, including four collectors who were new to the house. Large family archives drove the success of our Americana auction. The top lot featured the only known letter by Mormon founder Joseph Smiths grandmother, Lydia Mack. Bidding remained vigorous among collectors, and institutions were active. This sale also welcomed several new collectors to the Swann rolls, summed up Rick Stattler, director of books and manuscripts at Swann and the specialist for the sale. A group of letters led the sale from Joseph Smiths New Hampshire uncle. The star among the offering was the only known letter by Mormon founder Joseph Smiths maternal grandmother,Lydia Mack, which sold to a collector for $32,500. On the discovery of the letter, Stattler shared, It was found by our eagle-eyed cataloguers among an otherwise undistinguished collection of ca. 1800 New Hampshire family papers. Further Mormon material included the family papers of Mormon pioneerJohn Silvanus Davis, which sold for $13,750. The papers of Panama Canal engineerHarry Rousseausold to an institution for $16,250, and the papers of his father-in-law,Herbert Squiers, a diplomat in China, brought $9,750. The letters and diary of aNortherner observing slavery in Mississippi in 1859, found among a larger collection of family papers, brought $13,000. These five lots were among the top ten lots in the auction. Many of the books in the auction also achieved high prices. Record performances included the first European history of the American Revolution, Geschichte der Kriege, 1776-77, at $5,000; the Revolutionary War naval print Memorable Engagement of the Serapis, 1780, $6,500; and Horacio Carochis 1645 first editionArte de Lengua Mexicana, went for $10,400. The Civil War diary and letters of Capt. William Wood of the 9th New York and other family papers, 1829-1910, realized $6,500. For further information, visit www.swanngalleries.com.