Rare Book Monthly

Articles - February - 2026 Issue

POV: You Just Doubled the Estimate. Christie's NYC is Officially GOATed 🏛️

GenZ: Welcome

GenZ: Welcome

NYC Christie’s Auction Just Cleared $35M+ 🗽🍎

 

NYC really ate with the Christie’s 250th US Anniversary auction. Early 2026 is officially peaked because the vibes were immaculate and the Americana was strictly main character energy.

 

The room was low-key shaking because the final total more than doubled its estimate, securing a massive $35,562,465 bag. 💰 The math was definitely mathing. 📈

 

The absolute standouts?  The Legendary Grails

 

The Declaration of Independence: A rare 1776 broadside printing sold for a massive $5.6 million. Literally the OG “receipt” of freedom.

 

The Emancipation Proclamation: A signed copy of this absolute W for human rights cleared for $3.5 million. Straight-up GOAT behavior from Lincoln.

 

The OG 1976 Apple Computer partnership agreement sold for a casual $2.5 million. 🍏📜 No cap, Steve Jobs and the squad signed some papers that changed the world, and now those docs are the ultimate 1-of-1 grail.

 

Early 2026 is already a W for history stans. Congrats to Christies! Stay woke. 🇺🇸🔥

Rare Book Monthly

  • 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.

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