Sotheby's is off to a fast start for 2026. They already have four sales in the field of collectible paper under their belt, three in New York, one in London, with several more already planned for February.
On January 8, they presented Bibliotheca Brookeriana: A Renaissance Library. The Reference Library. Reference libraries are not exactly a sexy field for collectors, but this collection took in $218,710, easily surpassing the total of all the high estimates.
On January 23, they held a sale of Contemporary Discoveries. It was a small sale of mostly printed art work. It still took in $144,526.
Also on January 23, they held a sale of Important Americana including Early American Silver from the Roy Zuckerberg Collection. While not the most famous Zuckerberg, the late Roy Zuckerberg was a very successful investment banker, supporter of charitable causes, and silver collector. The part of his collection of interest to paper collectors was the nine Audubon prints which took in over $260,000.
On January 27, Sotheby's held a major sale of Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana. This was a small but spectacular collection. The top lot sold, a letter from George Washington introducing the Marquis de Lafayette to Benjamin Franklin, sold for over $1 million. The total proceeds from the sale were $2,851,150.
On February 5, Sotheby's will start the month with a one-lot sale that is expected to exceed the price of all of the January sales combined. That one item is the Rothschild Vienna Mahzor. This is a spectacular illustrated manuscript of Jewish prayers completed in 1415. It is estimated to sell for $5-$7 million.
Sotheby's is off to a great start and it looks like 2026 will be another strong year for the famed auction house.
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.")