Wilton, CT, USA, April 6, 2023 — A handwritten note twice signed by Abraham Lincoln just days before winning the 1864 presidential election, ship’s papers from 1794 signed by both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and a 1748 handwritten note signed by Benjamin Franklin are a few of the expected highlights in University Archives’ next online-only auction slated for Wednesday, April 19th.
The auction – Rare Signed Manuscripts, Books, Photos & Relics, Signers of the Declaration & Sports – will start promptly at 11 am Eastern time. In honor of the 248th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in the American Revolution, the catalog will feature over 55 lots of material autographed by Declaration of Independence signers.
All 413 lots in the catalog are up for viewing and bidding now (on the University Archives website: www.UniversityArchives.com), as well as Invaluable.com, Auctionzip.com and LiveAuctioneers.com. Telephone and absentee bids will be taken, but there’s no live gallery bidding. The sale represents United States presidents from George Washington all the way to Joe Biden.
“Other items include historical documents and relics, rare books, large vintage photographs and memorabilia highlighting the best in U.S. presidential, early American, science, sports, aviation and space, international, Judaica, literature, art, music and entertainment,” said John Reznikoff, president and owner of University Archives. “This is a great collecting and buying opportunity.”
Lincoln penned a cheerful note to an unidentified young man, probably his eldest son Robert, on the cusp of the 1864 presidential election. Lincoln wrote: “Bravo! my good boy. Whether Mr. L. shall be re-elected or not, he feels sure that you will stick to the cause of the country. A. Lincoln”. Lincoln’s use of the third person is rare but not without precedent. The note should fetch $40,000-$50,000.
For more information about University Archives and the online-only Rare Signed Manuscripts, Books, Photos & Relics, Signers of the Declaration & Sports auction on Wednesday, April 19th, at 11 am Eastern time, please visit www.universityarchives.com. Updates posted frequently.
