New York--New York. Undated (1835-1838) Atwoods Railroad Hotel. HT-221, Low-201, W-NY-200-10a, Musante GW-152, Baker-510A. Rarity-6. Copper. Reeded Edge. 25 mm. MS-63 BN (PCGS).Medal alignment. Lustrous surfaces. Chestnut-brown overall with hints of blue. Undoubtedly among the finest extant of the variety. As Bowers writes in his 2015 <em>Guide Book of Hard Times Tokens</em> for Whitman:<p><em>"All bets regarding rarity [for HT-221] were off when 12 from the Ford Collection were auctioned in 2013, ranging in grade from Fine to </em>three<em> MS-64 -- a shock and surprise. It seems that these were hoarded by Ford for many years, including from the holdings of F.C.C. Boyd and Wayte Raymond. Illustrated is the finest of the Ford pieces. The MS-64 pieces realized $3,055 for one and $3,535 for [two others, including the present example]. It was speculated that if such had been offered singly the price would have been much higher. As these are dispersed into the marketplace the rarity will of course remain the same, but the </em>availability<em> will sharply decrease."</em><p>This is a significant and rare Choice Mint State example of a type that, excluding our Ford XXIII sale, is typically offered in VF and EF grades<p>This is one of the most famous tokens of its era, combining the appeal of a transportation token with a Washington token. Lyman H. Low did not list it as a Hard Times token, seemingly unaware of its era, in absence of being dated. Russell Rulau did additional research and placed the token as circa 1835 to 1838, with no citations given. The obverse die (Washington side) was also used by Bale & Smith for their own token (HT-227).This token is lettered, "CARRY ME TO / ATWOODS / RAILROAD HOTEL / 243 BOWERY / AND MY FACE / IS GOOD FOR / 3 CENTS." The hotel was kept by Henry C. Atwood, known as Harry to his friends. The location had been the first downtown stop of the New York & Harlaem Railroad when it opened for service in 1832.<p>On December 11, 1832, D.P. Hall, 17 Hanover Street, posted this advertisement: "Bowery Property for Sale-The corner house and lot at 245 Bowery-directly opposite the termination of the <em>Harlaem Rail-Road</em> and known as the Rail-Road Hotel House, very substantially built of brick, lot 27 feet 7 inches front by about 120 feet on Stanton Street. The above would be a first rate stand for a large grocery or hotel." The notice was continued through early 1833.<p>It seems that no buyer came forward. On January 21 this was announced: "Peremptory Sale of Bowery Property-James Bleecker & Sons will sell at auction, Friday 25th instant, at 12 oclock at the [Merchants] Exchange the 3 story brick house and lot, 245 Bowery, corner of Stanton Street, directly opposite the termination of the Harlaem Rail Road, known as the Rail Road Hotel-lot 25 feet 7 inches front by 120 feet deep on Stanton Street. The above property offers a very eligible opportunity for an investment as the house at a trifling expense can be yours so as to produce a handsome interest."<p>The New York <em>Commercial Advertiser,</em> January 21, 1836, published this notice relative to the great fire that consumed over 600 buildings in the downtown district on the preceding December 16, which began: "Eleventh Ward Meeting for relief of sufferers by the fire. At a meeting of inhabitants of the Eleventh Ward, held at the house of Mr. Henry C. Atwood, Rail Road Hotel, Bowery, on the evening of the 19th instant, Charles A. Clinton, presiding…"<p>At a later date, Atwood turned to other activities. In 1845 and 1846 he was a gauger in the New York Custom House. He also served as Grand Master of the St. Johns Grand Masonic Lodge.<p>As to the property, on February 1, 1843, an advertisement by William H. Franklin, auctioneer, stated that on Friday, February 10 this would be offered: "No. 243 Bowery. The 2 story brick house and lot of ground No. 243 Bowery, with a brick shed in the rear with a passage way of 2 feet 3 inches leading to the same. The house is 42 feet by 22 feet 6 inches. The lot is 24 feet 9 inches in front by 77 feet 2 inches on the one side and 75 feet 9 inches on the other. Terms--$3,000 can remain on bond and mortgage." It was put up for auction again on February 7, 1844. On July 2, 1850, a notice stated: "Foundling-a fine female child about two or three weeks old and well-dressed was found last night in the hall of No. 243 Bowery."<p>This is one of the most famous tokens of its era, combining the appeal of a transportation token plus a Washington token. Lyman H. Low did not list it as a Hard Times token, seemingly unaware of its era, in absence of being dated. Russell Rulau did additional research and placed the token as circa 1835 to 1838, with no citations given. The reverse die (Washington side) was also used by Bale & Smith for their own token (HT-227).<p>In 1858 Charles I. Bushnell listed the token as No. 116 in his study. At the Bangs, Merwin & Co. sale of the Benjamin Haines Collection, January 19 to 23, 1863, Lot 908 was described as: "George Washington, equestrian figure. Reverse, Carry Me to Atwoods. etc. Very fine, very rare." It sold for $9, a very high price at the time. In the same sale an 1859 Proof set from the cent to the dollar sold for $4.50, an Uncirculated 1793 half cent realized $8.75, an AU 1793 Wreath cent went to $7.75, a Proof 1856 Flying Eagle cent fetched $1, a Proof 1829 half dime brought 75 cents, an "unusually fine" 1796 quarter commanded $3, and a Proof 1824 half dollar fetched $3.75.<p>In 1864, <em>Coins, Medals, and Seals,</em> by W.C. Prime, a popular book on the hobby, called the Atwoods token "highly prized" and suggested a valuation of $5. At the sale of the J.C. Brevoort Collection in June 1886 a similar token sold for $11. Over a long period of time the Carry Me to Atwoods token increased in recognition.<p><p>From the Q. David Bowers Collection. Earlier ex F.C.C. Boyd; our sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XXIII, August 2013, lot 22177.
