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University Archives: Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books

Auction Reports

Auction Name Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books Total Sales (USD) 764,829.50
Auction Date October 08, 2025 - October 08, 2025 Low Estimate of Lots Sold (USD) 531,800.00
Sale Number #100825 High Estimate of Lots Sold (USD) 715,790.00
Total Lots 421
Sold Lots 400.0 Low Estimate of All Lots (USD) 601,600.00
% of Lots Sold 95.01% High Estimate of All Lots (USD) 812,190.00
Unsold Lots 21 Total Sales as a % of High Est. 94.17%

Top twenty-five by sale price

Lot Number Author Name Book Title Year Published Estimate Actual Price
135 Woodrow Wilson, Thomas Marshall, and Champ Clark.

Wilson Declares War on Germany! 1917 Original Government Printed Joint Resolution Signed by the President, VP & House Speaker

 2017-04-06 USD 25,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD 62,500.00
42 THOMAS JEFFERSON,

Thomas Jefferson Certifies 3 Acts with 3 Sigs, Securing the Coasts with Lighthouses, Injured Battle Monmouth Soldier, Hugh Mercer - Fantastic!

 March 2, 1793 USD 20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD 22,500.00
127 George Washington (1732-1799)

Fabulous George Washington Signed Letter to his Aide-de-Camp Col. Stephen Moylan Re: Promotions in his Regiment

 January 5, 1780 USD 18,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD 21,250.00
128 George Washington (1732-1799)

George Washington 1781 LS Re: PA Line Mutiny Aftermath: "the continuance of this unhappy affair"

 January 15, 1781 USD 15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD 21,250.00
357 Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots Signed Letter, 1565

 October 9, 1565 USD 15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD 17,500.00
43 THOMAS JEFFERSON,

Thomas Jefferson 2nd Congress Act Alexander Hamilton's Assumption Plan Settlement of Accounts between United States and Individual States

 February 27, 1793 USD 15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD 15,000.00
44 THOMAS JEFFERSON,

Thomas Jefferson Certifies An Act Concerning Deserters and Commerce on The High Seas!

 February 16, 1792 USD 14,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD 15,000.00
249 Benjamin Franklin (1707-1790)

Benjamin Franklin Signed 1787 Land Grant as President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania

 September 30, 1787 USD 10,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD 15,000.00
358 Mohandas K. Gandhi

Best Gandhi ALS "Don't worry about my fast, God will fill that... Don't lose the hope"

 1934-07-24 USD 15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD 13,750.00
153 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)

Pablo Picasso "Pour Roby (L'Age de Soleil)" Original Metal Etching Plate

 ca. 1950 USD 7,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD 12,500.00
421 Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Albert Einstein Signed Booklet Exploring Relativity! "On the Special and General Theory of Relativity" Issued Shortly Before Nobel Prize Win

 n.d. USD 10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD 11,875.00
395 Jerome David Salinger (1919-2010)

J.D. Salinger Lengthy TLS Re: Boarding School, Identity Crises, and Other Holden-esque Adolescent Difficulties

 December 23, [1971] USD 10,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD 10,625.00
90 Barack Obama (born 1961)

Barack Obama First Handwritten Letters as Presidentand 1 of 2 Known on Full WH Stationary

 [January 2009] USD 10,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD 10,000.00
129 George Washington (1732-1799)

George Washington Full Sig Buys Plantation Having Many Slaves for Stepson, Suitable Replacement For Bank Check

 May 10, 1771 USD 10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD 10,000.00
232 Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Signed 1st Ed. of "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?"

1967 USD 4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD 9,375.00
344

Superb "Band of Brothers" Photo Signed by 18 Members of "Easy Company," with PSA Authentication

 n.d. USD 600.00 - 800.00 USD 9,375.00
54 Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

A. Lincoln 1864 Appointment of William H. Parkhurst to Commissary of Subsistence of Volunteers

 March 5, 1864 USD 7,500.00 - 10,000.00 USD 8,750.00
57 Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

Lincoln-Owned Book 1 Of Few Known! Later Gifted by Mary Lincoln to Chicago Builder, Unique

 November 8, 1861 USD 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD 8,750.00
315

George A. Custer Signed Unique 7th Calvary Orders For Horses and Formations

 April 26, 1873 USD 7,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD 8,750.00
170 Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins

Apollo 11 Crew Signed Type 3 Insurance Cover, Armstrong, Aldrin & Collins

 1969-07-16 USD 7,500.00 - 10,000.00 USD 8,125.00
267

Treaty of Amity & Commerce: Incredible Archive, 1778-1783, Nearly 200 Pages!

 ca. 1778-1783 USD 9,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD 7,500.00
406 Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836)

Very Rare Stephen F. Austin Signed Texian Loan

 January 1, 1836 USD 3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD 7,040.00
45 THOMAS JEFFERSON and JAMES MADISON

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison Issue Ship's Passport to South Carolina Schooner

 February 13, 1804 USD 5,500.00 - 7,500.00 USD 6,875.00
56 Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

Abraham Lincoln Full Signature On Scarce Civil War Naval Appointment of Charles H. Davis, To Whom Filibuster William Walker Surrendered!

 November 15, 1861 USD 3,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD 6,875.00
98 Ronald Reagan (1911-2004)

Ronald Reagan "I know ... that God was watching over me. I feel just fine now and am back on horseback" 250+ Word ALS Reflecting On Assassination Attempt!

 1981-06-16 USD 2,800.00 - 3,500.00 USD 6,875.00
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  • <center><b>Swann<br>Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books<br>December 9, 2025</b></center> <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 156: Cornelis de Jode, <i>Americae pars Borealis,</i> double-page engraved map of North America, Antwerp, 1593. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 206: John and Alexander Walker, <i>Map of the United States,</i> London and Liverpool, 1827. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 223: Abraham Ortelius, <i>Typus Orbis Terrarum,</i> hand-colored double-page engraved world map, Antwerp, 1575. <center><b>Swann<br>Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books<br>December 9, 2025</b></center> <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 233: Aaron Arrowsmith, <i>Chart of the World,</i> oversize engraved map on 8 sheets, London, 1790 (circa 1800). <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 239: Fielding Lucas, <i>A General Atlas,</i> 81 engraved maps and diagrams, Baltimore, 1823. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 240: Anthony Finley, <i>A New American Atlas,</i> 15 maps engraved by james hamilton young on 14 double-page sheets, Philadelphia, 1826. <center><b>Swann<br>Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books<br>December 9, 2025</b></center> <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 263: John Bachmann, <i>Panorama of the Seat of War,</i> portfolio of 4 double-page chromolithographed panoramic maps, New York, 1861. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 265: Sebastian Münster, <i>Cosmographei,</i> Basel: Sebastian Henricpetri, 1558. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 271: Abraham Ortelius, <i>Epitome Theatri Orteliani,</i> Antwerp: Johann Baptist Vrients, 1601. <center><b>Swann<br>Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books<br>December 9, 2025</b></center> <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 283: Joris van Spilbergen, <i>Speculum Orientalis Occidentalisque Indiae,</i> Leiden: Nicolaus van Geelkercken for Jodocus Hondius, 1619. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 285: Levinus Hulsius, <i>Achtzehender Theil der Newen Welt,</i> 14 engraved folding maps, Frankfurt: Johann Frederick Weiss, 1623. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 341: John James Audubon, <i>Carolina Parrot, Plate 26,</i> London, 1827.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 9, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 156: Cornelis de Jode, Americae pars Borealis, double-page engraved map of North America, Antwerp, 1593.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 206: John and Alexander Walker, Map of the United States, London and Liverpool, 1827.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 223: Abraham Ortelius, Typus Orbis Terrarum, hand-colored double-page engraved world map, Antwerp, 1575.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 9, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 233: Aaron Arrowsmith, Chart of the World, oversize engraved map on 8 sheets, London, 1790 (circa 1800).
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 239: Fielding Lucas, A General Atlas, 81 engraved maps and diagrams, Baltimore, 1823.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 240: Anthony Finley, A New American Atlas, 15 maps engraved by james hamilton young on 14 double-page sheets, Philadelphia, 1826.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 9, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 263: John Bachmann, Panorama of the Seat of War, portfolio of 4 double-page chromolithographed panoramic maps, New York, 1861.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 265: Sebastian Münster, Cosmographei, Basel: Sebastian Henricpetri, 1558.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 271: Abraham Ortelius, Epitome Theatri Orteliani, Antwerp: Johann Baptist Vrients, 1601.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 9, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 283: Joris van Spilbergen, Speculum Orientalis Occidentalisque Indiae, Leiden: Nicolaus van Geelkercken for Jodocus Hondius, 1619.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 285: Levinus Hulsius, Achtzehender Theil der Newen Welt, 14 engraved folding maps, Frankfurt: Johann Frederick Weiss, 1623.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 341: John James Audubon, Carolina Parrot, Plate 26, London, 1827.
  • <b><center>SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions<br>The Odfjell Collection<br>Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books<br>Ending December 4th</center></b> <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ROALD AMUNDSEN: «Sydpolen» [ The South Pole] 1912. First edition in jackets and publisher's slip case. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> AMUNDSEN & NANSEN: «Fram over Polhavet» [Farthest North] 1897. AMUNDSEN's COPY! <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ERNEST SHACKLETON [ed.]: «Aurora Australis» 1908. First edition. The NORWAY COPY. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ERNEST SHACKLETON: «The heart of the Antarctic» + SUPPLEMENT «The Antarctic Book», 1909. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> SHACKLETON, BERNACCHI, CHERRY-GARRARD [ed.]: «The South Polar Times» I-III, 1902-1911. <b><center>SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions<br>The Odfjell Collection<br>Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books<br>Ending December 4th</center></b> <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> [WILLEM BARENTSZ & HENRY HUDSON] - SAEGHMAN: «Verhael van de vier eerste schip-vaerden […]», 1663. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION | LIEUTENANT HENRY ROBERTSON BOWERS: «At the South Pole.», Gelatin Silver Print. [10¾ x 15in. (27.2 x 38.1cm.) ]. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ELEAZAR ALBIN: «A natural History of Birds.» + «A Supplement», 1738-40. Wonderful coloured plates. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> PAUL GAIMARD: «Voyage de la Commision scientific du Nord, en Scandinavie, […]», c. 1842-46. ONLY HAND COLOURED COPY KNOWN WITH TWO ORIGINAL PAINTINGS BY BIARD. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> JAMES JOYCE: «Ulysses», 1922. FIRST EDITION IN ORIGINAL WRAPPERS.
    SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions
    The Odfjell Collection
    Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books
    Ending December 4th
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ROALD AMUNDSEN: «Sydpolen» [ The South Pole] 1912. First edition in jackets and publisher's slip case.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: AMUNDSEN & NANSEN: «Fram over Polhavet» [Farthest North] 1897. AMUNDSEN's COPY!
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ERNEST SHACKLETON [ed.]: «Aurora Australis» 1908. First edition. The NORWAY COPY.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ERNEST SHACKLETON: «The heart of the Antarctic» + SUPPLEMENT «The Antarctic Book», 1909.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: SHACKLETON, BERNACCHI, CHERRY-GARRARD [ed.]: «The South Polar Times» I-III, 1902-1911.
    SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions
    The Odfjell Collection
    Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books
    Ending December 4th
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: [WILLEM BARENTSZ & HENRY HUDSON] - SAEGHMAN: «Verhael van de vier eerste schip-vaerden […]», 1663.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION | LIEUTENANT HENRY ROBERTSON BOWERS: «At the South Pole.», Gelatin Silver Print. [10¾ x 15in. (27.2 x 38.1cm.) ].
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ELEAZAR ALBIN: «A natural History of Birds.» + «A Supplement», 1738-40. Wonderful coloured plates.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: PAUL GAIMARD: «Voyage de la Commision scientific du Nord, en Scandinavie, […]», c. 1842-46. ONLY HAND COLOURED COPY KNOWN WITH TWO ORIGINAL PAINTINGS BY BIARD.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: JAMES JOYCE: «Ulysses», 1922. FIRST EDITION IN ORIGINAL WRAPPERS.
  • <center><b>Sotheby’s<br>Book Week<br>December 9-17, 2025</b></center> <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> Darwin and Wallace. On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties..., [in:] <i>Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society,</i> Vol. III, No. 9., 1858, Darwin announces the theory of natural selection. £100,000 to £150,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> J.K. Rowling. <i>Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,</i> 1997, first edition, hardback issue, inscribed by the author pre-publication. £100,000 to £150,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Autograph sketchleaf including a probable draft for the E flat Piano Quartet, K.493, 1786. £150,000 to £200,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 12:</b> Hooke, Robert. <i>Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses.</i> London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 12:</b> Chappuzeau, Samuel. <i>The history of jewels,</i> first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 12:</b> Sowerby, James. <i>Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions,</i> London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
    Sotheby’s
    Book Week
    December 9-17, 2025
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: Darwin and Wallace. On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties..., [in:] Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society, Vol. III, No. 9., 1858, Darwin announces the theory of natural selection. £100,000 to £150,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1997, first edition, hardback issue, inscribed by the author pre-publication. £100,000 to £150,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Autograph sketchleaf including a probable draft for the E flat Piano Quartet, K.493, 1786. £150,000 to £200,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Hooke, Robert. Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses. London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Chappuzeau, Samuel. The history of jewels, first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Sowerby, James. Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions, London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.