Now thru Dec. 17: Monticello, the Republic of Texas, and Marilyn Monroe stand out at One of a Kind Collectibles
- by Thomas C. McKinney
You could be bidding on any of these items right now
Collectors of autographs and letters, you'll thank me later if you weren't already aware of this auction taking place... One of a Kind Collectibles’ sale this month brings 260 lots of interesting and varied material. Bidding is live now, and as always, One of a Kind’s easy website navigation makes it easy to locate the topics that most interest you.
American manuscript letters stand out. If you collect Jefferson, and more specifically, Monticello, his April 29, 1792 letter to Gouverneur Morris inquiring about the possibility of hiring a former cook in Paris to work at his Virginia home, would be a unique addition. You won't have to look hard to find this one—it's lot 1.
The Republic of Texas lasted a hair less than a decade, so material is evidently limited. This month’s sale includes an opportunity to own a piece of that history. Lot 79 is a personal letter authored and signed by Sam Houston to Sam May Williams on September 1, 1841. Here’s a fun fact: at the time of this letter’s writing, Sam Houston was a former President of Texas. Only five days later, on September 6th, he would be elected to a second term.
But perhaps the Civil War is more your speed? Then Winfield Scott’s 1861 letter to Major General Benjamin Butler ordering him to take control of Ft. Monroe and its volunteers could appeal. As lot 12, you will have competition. As of 1pm Eastern time on November 30, there have already been 9 bids.
While the inscription won’t mean as much to you as it did to “Bob,” aka Robert Mitchum, the man that the photo is inscribed to, a signed glamour shot of Marilyn Monroe is nonetheless highly desirable. At the time of writing, lot 2, which started bidding at $100, already has 19 bids and is currently sitting at $2,225. I’m certain by the time you’re reading this, the bid will be even higher...
Staying with the theme of Marilyn, which do you think is Andy Warhol’s most famous print? It’s debatable, I think—Campbell’s Soup comes to mind first, personally—but I don’t think anyone would disagree that his “Marilyn” is certainly among the most recognizable. Lot 14 is a massive 36” x 36” version, signed by Warhol. You'll find this one under lot 14.
These are but a few of the items already accepting bids in One of a Kind Collectibles’ sale of Rare Autographs, Manuscripts and Books. I highly recommend checking out the online catalog here. Bidding ends on December 17th.
Forum Auctions Online: India Ends 19th February 2026
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 40 Ramasvami (Kavali Venkata). A Digest of the Different Castes of India, 83 charming hand-coloured lithographed plates, Madras, 1837. £5,000-7,000
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 50 Watson (John Forbes) & John William Kaye. The People of India: A Series of Photographic Illustrations...of the Races and Tribes of Hindustan, 8 vol., 480 mounted albumen prints, 1868-75. £4,000-6,000
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 53 Afghanistan.- Elphinstone (Hon. Mountstuart). An Account of the Kingdom of Caubul, first edition, hand-coloured aquatint plates, a fine copy, 1815. £2,000-3,000
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 57 [Album and Treatise on Hinduism], manuscript treatise on Hinduism in French, 31 watercolours of Hindu deities, Pondicherry, 1865. £3,000-4,000
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 62 Allan (Capt. Alexander). Views in the Mysore Country,
[1794]. £2,000-3,000
Forum Auctions Online: India Ends 19th February 2026
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 76 Bird (James). Historical Researches on the Origin and Principles of the Bauddha and Jaina Religions..., first edition, lithographed plates, Bombay, American Mission Press, 1847. £3,000-4,000
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 100 Ceylon.- Daniell (Samuel). A Picturesque Illustration of the scenery, animals, and native inhabitants, of the Island of Ceylon: in twelve plates, 1808. £5,000-7,000
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 123 D'Oyly (Charles). Behar Amateur Lithographic Scrap Book, lithographed throughout with title and 55 plates mounted on 43 paper leaves, [Patna], [1828]. £3,000-5,000
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 139 Gandhi (known as Mahatma Gandhi,) Fine Autograph Letter signed to Jawaharlal Nehru, Sevagram, Wardha, 1942, emphasising the importance of education in rural communities. £10,000-15,000
Forum Auctions Online: India Ends 19th February 2026
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 140 Gantz (John). Indian Microcosm, first edition, Madras, John Gantz & Son, 1827. £10,000-15,000
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 146 Grierson (Sir George Abraham). Linguistic Survey of India, 11 vol. in 20, folding maps, original cloth, Calcutta, Superintendent Government Printing, 1903-28. £2,000-3,000
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 195 Madras.- Fort St. George Gazette (The), No.276-331, pp.493-936 and Index to all of 1834 at end, modern half calf, Madras, 2nd July - 31st December 1834. £2,000-3,000
Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 205 Marshall (Sir John) and Alfred Foucher. The Monuments of Sanchi, 3 vol., first edition, 141 plates, most photogravure, [Calcutta], [1940]. £3,000-4,000
Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: HAMILTON, Sir William (1730-1803) - Campi Phlegraei. Napoli: [Pietro Fabris], 1776, 1779. € 30.000 - 50.000
Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: [MORTIER] - BLAEU, Joannes (1596-1673) - Het Nieuw Stede Boek van Italie. Amsterdam: Pieter Mortier, 1704-1705. € 15.000 - 25.000
Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: TULLIO D'ALBISOLA (1899-1971) - Bruno MUNARI (1907-1998) - L'Anguria lirica (lungo poema passionale). Roma e Savona: Edizioni Futuriste di Poesia, senza data [ma 1933?]. € 20.000 - 30.000
Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: IL MANOSCRITTO RITROVATO DI IPPOLITA MARIA SFORZA. TITO LIVIO - Ab Urbe Condita. Prima Decade. Manoscritto miniato su pergamena, metà XV secolo. € 280.000 - 350.000
Sotheby's Fine Books & Manuscripts Available for Immediate Purchase
Sotheby’s: Balthus, Emily Brontë. Wuthering Heights, New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1993. 6,600 USD.
Sotheby’s: Charles Dickens. Complete Works, Philadelphia & London: J.B. Lippincott Company & Chapman & Hall, LD, 1850. Limited Edition set of 30 volumes. 7,500 USD.
Sotheby’s: John Lennon, Yoko Ono. Handwritten Letter from John Lennon and Yoko Ono to their Chauffer. 1971. 32,500 USD.
Sotheby’s: Winston Churchill. First edition of War Speeches, Cassell and Company, Ltd., 1941. Set of 7 volumes. 5,500 USD.
Sotheby’s: Andy Warhol, Julia Warhola. Holy Cats First Edition, Signed by Andy Warhol. 1954. 30,000 USD.