The Rare Book School (RBS) at the University of Virginia is offering a full schedule for 2026. They are currently accepting applications for nearly 50 courses, including both in-person sessions in Charlottesville and synchronous online options.
For both the experienced and the neophyte, RBS provides a neutral environment to understand the complexities of collectible paper. Many fields have grading services that convert random examples into estimated values. Collectible paper doesn’t lend itself to such straightforward solutions. RBS helps the serious to achieve competence.
Here are Key Dates & Deadlines for 2026.
First-Round Application Deadline: February 17, 2026 (Applications submitted by this date have the best chance of admission.
February 4, 2026, from 2:00-4:00 EST at the UVA Shannon Library
Course Seasons: Courses run from the Winter session (January/February) through the summer session (May-August)
Here is the link to the RBS website: https://rarebookschool.org/schedule/
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.