Seth Kaller is a specialist who handles premium Americana. Dealers almost always set a price and promote to the logical audience. In time, a buyer makes a deal. But when timing can affect the price, selling at auction may be a better way to complete the transaction. When there’s interest, both sides win.
He chose that path because America was about to celebrate its 250th anniversary.
So recently he asked his clients to consider bidding at auction on a lot he’s posting - a rare July 1776 Declaration broadside. What would be the fair price? The market would decide. The sale would occur within days of America’s semi quincentennial.
On July 8th, at Goldin Auctions he sold his copy of the Declaration of Independence for $3,646,443.
It’s possible it may be among the top auction lots for the year.
As a side note, Goldin Auctions is not a typical book auction site. They handle hyper-premium material.
Freeman’s, August 20. President Washington Reaffirms the US Treaty of Friendship and Peace with Morocco, the Longest Unbroken Treaty in US History. $50,000 – 80,000.
Freeman’s, August 20. Weeks After Victory at Yorktown, Benjamin Franklin Promises Repayment of a French Loan that Funded the American Revolution. $200,000 – 300,000.
Freeman’s, August 20. Rare First Edition of the Foundational Text of the Mormon Church. $100,000 – 150,000.
Freeman’s, August 20. President Washington Sends the First Major Law Passed by Congress, the Tariff Act of 1789. $100,000 – 150,000.
Freeman’s, August 20. A Scarce Example of Audubon's Depiction of a Brown Pelican, Plate CCLI from his Birds of America. $30,000 – 50,000.
Freeman’s, August 20. The Official and First Obtainable Broadside Printing of the Lincoln's Final Emancipation Proclamation. $30,000 – 50,000.
