Knoxville (865) 558-3033 • Nashville (615) 812-6096 • info@caseantiques.com

Case Auctions
Live Auction

2026 Summer Fine Art & Antiques Day 1

Sat, Aug 1, 2026 09:00AM EDT
  2026-08-01 09:00:00 2026-08-01 09:00:00 America/New_York Case Antiques Case Antiques : 2026 Summer Fine Art & Antiques Day 1 https://auction.caseantiques.com/auctions/case-antiques/2026-summer-fine-art-antiques-day-1-20331
Live 2-Day Auction at our Knoxville Gallery featuring 1,300+ lots from fine Southern estates and private and museum collections. Sale starts Sat. August 1 at 9 AM EST with lots #1-714 and continues Sun. August 2 at 10 AM EST with lots #715-1320. Be sure to view BOTH catalogs.
Case Auctions bid@caseantiques.com
Lot 558

Archive of Milton Buffington, ex-CIA, incl. White House Gavel, Truman & Ford Signed Items

Estimate: $600 - $700
Starting Bid
$300

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

Archive of Col. Milton W. Buffington (1909-1979), WWII veteran and CIA agent under Truman. 1st Item: Framed, signed photograph of President Harry Truman, seated, surrounded by Buffington (speaking) and others, taken upon the formation of the Military Government Association, April 2nd, 1947. Signed by Truman, lower center, as well as John H. Hilldring (lower left, faded), National President of the Association, and Senator Harry P. Cain, National Vice President. Also included is the November, 1947 issue of the Military Government Journal, featuring this photograph on its cover. 2nd Item: Wooden fragment from the 1950's renovation of The White House, of what appears to be a section of trim molding, identified and dated in pencil March 1952. 3rd Item: Presentation gavel made of two-toned, contrasting woods. (Gavels of this type were made from fragments of the White House removed during the renovation and given as gifts during President Truman's term). 4th Item: Framed, signed photograph of President Gerald Ford, inscribed to Buffington and his wife. 5th Item: Framed photograph of John F Kennedy, inscribed to Anne Louise Buffington, mechanically signed. 6th Item: Framed invitation to the 1981 Presidential Inauguration of Ronald Reagan. 7th-8th Items: CIA Bronze Retirement Medallion, with Buffington's name and years of service. The Bronze was for employees who completed between 15-25 years of service. Encased in clear plastic, 4 in x 4 in x 1 in., with framed CIA Retirement Certificate.9th Item: Glass ashtray with United States Senate emblem, 8 in Dia. 10th-11th Items: Porcelain ashtray with emblem of The Military Order of the World Wars, 6 1/2 in Dia., along with Buffington's framed Certificate of Appreciation. 12th-14th Items: Buffington's Framed Army Reserve Retirement Certificate, Jimmy Carter Era US recognition certificate (facsimile signed), with a small 4in. x 5 in. framed portrait of Buffington in uniform. 15th-16th Items: Lyndon Johnson era US Recognition certificate to Buffington's father, Dr. Leonard M. Buffington (facsimile signed), and a telegram dated March 30th, 1970 from Richard Nixon to Mrs. Martha Buffington (Buffington's mother) congratulating her on her 90th birthday. Biographical Note: Col. Milton W. Buffington (1909-1979). In World War II, Col. Buffington served as a military intelligence officer overseas and then joined the CIA under President Truman, serving in the Office of Policy Coordination 1948-1952. He retired from the CIA in 1970, and taught various subjects on the university level until his death.  Note regarding 1st Item (Truman photo): Entry from Truman's Presidential appointment calendar dated 12:30 pm April 02, 1947 - "Hon. J. H. Hilldring, Assistant Secretary of State and four officers of the Military Government Association: Charles M. Spofford, Vice President Senator Harry P. Cain, Vice President Richard H. Wilmer, Vice President Milton W. Buffington, Treasurer (These gentlemen are meeting today with Mr. Hilldring organizing the Military Government Association, and wanted picture taken with the President marking the start of this organization)". Source: Daily Appointment calendar of Harry S. Truman at The Truman Library, https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/calendar

Condition

All items in very good condition. Photo with Hildring signature faded. Ashtray with slight usage wear. Lot includes 5 pieces of personal supplemental materials not pictured here, ranging in size from 6 1/2 H x 5 1/2 W to 9 1/2 in H x 12 in. W: 1938 yearbook from the Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA, a framed wedding photo, and 3 wall plaques.

Provenance

The estate of Anne Buffington, Brentwood, TN (daughter of Milton Buffington).

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay

Payment must be received no later than five (5) days after the sale.


Unless you are a known customer of Case Auctions, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gem lots must be made by bank wire transfer, ACH, certified bank check, or money order. No exceptions.


If you pick up your lots from any of our galleries, Tennessee state sales tax will apply. Sales tax will only be waived if you provide a valid resale certificate from your state of residence.


If paying with a credit card, a 3.5% credit card processing fee will be applied to the final sales price (i.e. hammer price + buyer's premium + applicable taxes). If you have a credit card on file with Case, any winning bids will be automatically charged (up to $3000) along with applicable fees 72 hours after you receive your invoice unless other arrangements have been made.


If paying with wire transfer, please use the following information:
Bank: Pinnacle Bank
150 Third Avenue South, Suite 900
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone # (865) 766-3000
Swift Code: PNFPUS44
Routing, Transit, ABA: 064008637
Beneficiary: Case Antiques, Inc.
4310 Papermill Drive
Knoxville, TN 37909
Account #: NOT DISCLOSED (please refer to your invoice email for the Deposit Account Number or contact us )

The UPS Store of Bearden Contact – Joe 865-584-0081 (press 5) fax 865-584-0094 store2630@theupsstore.com Click here to get a quote

The UPS Store of Northshore Knoxville Contact – Eve 865-951-2499 store6461@theupsstore.com

Package Manager (FedEx, USPS, DHL) Offers crate & large freight services Contact – Burak 865-584-3000 Email: info@PackageManager.net

Crate Pros (International Shipping) Contact – Tim 865-217-6121 Email: knoxville@cratepros.net