In the buzz and excitement of an expiring offer it is easy to forget the other sign that often looms on eBay: all sales final. For those who go to bars and/or buy collectible books this is why aspirin was invented.
Looking ahead to a future auction house offering of the recently acquired copy the house will have two choices in how to describe it, tongue in cheek or hard-nosed.
But for the title page lacking for reasons obscured by history an otherwise almost complete copy of the first Philadelphia printing of the New York State Constitution. Uniquely marked by an ancient liquid, possibly water, leaving discernable evidence for future generations to ponder.
Or
An incomplete copy, lacking the title page, with water damage throughout.
Auction houses or dealers will inevitably choose the second approach. What altered the process in this transaction was the story in the Kingston Freeman that included statements not mentioned in the eBay description. According to the follow-up article in the Freeman the buyers learned of the item from reading the paper. Whether their thinking was effected by it is unknown.
So it’s a cautionary tale suggesting you read your newspaper for the news and consult experts or databases if venturing into collectible material. Important material is usually sold by dealers or by traditional auctions that carefully examine and explain condition and estimates. A common novice collector error is to underestimate the importance of missing leaves and discoloration. That the purchase was made with the best civic intentions makes this all the more disappointing.
Sotheby’s Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana 27 January 2026
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: An extraordinary pair of books from George Washington’s field library, marking the conjunction of Robert Rogers, George Washington, and Henry Knox. $1,200,000 to $1,800,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: An extraordinary letter marking the conjunction of George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Benjamin Franklin. $1,000,000 to $1,500,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: Virginia House of Delegates. The genesis of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. $350,000 to $500,000.
Sotheby’s Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana 27 January 2026
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: (Gettysburg). “Genl. Doubleday has taken charge of the battle”: Autograph witness to the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, illustrated by fourteen maps and plans. $200,000 to $300,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: President Lincoln thanks a schoolboy on behalf of "all the children of the nation for his efforts to ensure "that this war shall be successful, and the Union be maintained and perpetuated." $200,000 to $300,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.
![<b>Sotheby’s, Jan. 27:</b> [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/9d2762bc-9f26-47ef-96de-1c28070e19f6.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Jan. 27:</b> [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.")