In 1846, the first plank road in the United States was completed between Salina (Syracuse, New York) and Central Square. Another plank road nearby, the Auburn and Moravia Plank Road, was organized in 1848. It’s 18-mile length connected Auburn and Moravia. Recently an interesting lot of 45 items relating to the A and M was offered on Rare Book Hub's eCatalogues. It was a mixed group of printed and manuscript material that captures the spirit of that time. I have long been interested how the New York road system developed. When I saw it, I pounced.
In the documents dating from 1848, one name consistently appears, David Wright, who served as the company’s president from its early stages through to at least 1862. Among the documents are six appealing stock certificates, all signed by Mr. Wright. Fittingly, No.1 was both issued and signed by Mr. Wright.
Other stock certificates are interesting. No. 79 was issued to Samual Eddy, a well-known figure (and constable) in the Auburn/Owasco area. No. 81 was issued to Theron Green, who represented the established village leadership. No. 93 was issued to John H. Chedell who was known as heavyweight in 19th-century finance and infrastructure.
Another printed document was one of the Auburn and Moravia Plank Road Company’s bonds. From what I gather, that bond, No. 3, was being paid up to November 7th, 1862.
That one and others, probably did not fare as well. This plank road was organized in the late 1848 during what has been described as the Plank Road Craze. Both investors and their engineers overestimated the useful life of the planks. The wood rotted more quickly than expected.
In addition to the printed documents, 38 manuscript documents related to this project including correspondence, invoices and payments to and from related parties were included.
Looking back, after the planks rotted, not all was lost. The road they built would become part of New York’s Route 38. If you by luck or chance make that drive, as you pass by Auburn, you’ll be on the very path this plank road made possible.
And how did I encounter this wonderful lot? It was posted by Michael Brown, ABAA, on eCatalogues on Rare Book Hub. I was lucky to see it before others did. His complex lots are significant additions to collections.
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.")