Important Artifacts and Documents of History Auction on Jun 17, 2026 by Christie's in NY
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Important Artifacts and Documents of History
An important diplomatic memoir of his Spanish missionThe Bloody MassacreThe Federalist Papers
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New York, NY, United States
Auction Details

Important Artifacts and Documents of History

Christie's

Christie's

In celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday, Christie’s is pleased to present a special summer auction dedicated to American history, spanning the Revolutionary era to the present day.

Highlights include Paul Revere’s iconic 1770 engraving of the Boston Massacre; Benedict Arnold’s last will and testament; and a remarkable autograph manuscript by John Jay, detailing his diplomatic maneuverings as the first U.S. minister to Spain in the early days of American independence — three works from private American collections that illuminate the drama and legacy of the American story.
Auction Curator:
Andrew Darlington
Andrew Darlington
Senior Sale Coordinator | Books & Manuscripts
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FEATURED
To the Delaware Pilots ...: To the Delaware Pilots ... Committee for Tarring and Feathering, 1773 Details THE TEA ACT – To the Delaware Pilots. We took the Pleasure, some Days since, of kindly admonishing you to do your
0001: To the Delaware Pilots ...Est.
$20,000
-
$30,000
FEATURED
First newspaper account of the Boston Tea Party: First newspaper account of the Boston Tea Party Boston Gazette, 20 December 1773 Details BOSTON TEA PARTY – The Boston-Gazette and Country Journal. Boston: Edes & Gill, 20 December 1773. No.
0002: First newspaper account of the Boston Tea PartyEst.
$10,000
-
$15,000
FEATURED
The Bloody Massacre: The Bloody Massacre Paul Revere, 1770 Details REVERE, Paul (1734-1818). The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street, Boston, on March 5th 1770, by a Party of the 29th Regt. Boston: Engrav'd
0003: The Bloody MassacreEst.
$300,000
-
$500,000
FEATURED
Revolutionary War Loan Certificate: Revolutionary War Loan Certificate Engraved by Paul Revere, May or June 1775 Details REVERE, Paul (1735-1818), engraver. Engraved treasury note for £50 from Joseph LEE (1744-1831) at annual
0004: Revolutionary War Loan CertificateEst.
$15,000
-
$20,000
FEATURED
Throwing off Royal authority in Pennsylvania: Throwing off Royal authority in Pennsylvania Henry Miller, 1776 Details The Alarm or, An Address to the People of Pennsylvania, On the Late Resolve of Congress, for Totally Suppressing all Power and
0005: Throwing off Royal authority in PennsylvaniaEst.
$80,000
-
$120,000
Engraving of Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence: Engraving of Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence ca. 1829 Details [DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE] A Declaration by the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in General
0006: Engraving of Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of IndependenceEst.
$5,000
-
$7,000
FEATURED
On his return from London: On his return from London Thomas Jefferson, 4 May 1786 Details JEFFERSON, Thomas (1743-1826). Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson") as United States Minister to France to William Stephens Smith,
0007: On his return from LondonEst.
$7,000
-
$10,000
FEATURED
Libertas Americana Medal: Libertas Americana Medal Benjamin Franklin and Augustine Dupré, ca. 1783 Details An excellent example of a 1783-dated Libertas Americana Medal, the most recognizable early American medal. As
0008: Libertas Americana MedalEst.
$20,000
-
$30,000
FEATURED
To Dr. James Carter: To Dr. James Carter George Washington, 27 April 1772 Details WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Autograph letter signed ("Go: Washington") to Dr. James Carter, Mount Vernon, 27 April 1772. One page, 178
0009: To Dr. James CarterEst.
$7,000
-
$10,000
FEATURED
His last will and testament: His last will and testament Benedict Arnold, 1781 Details ARNOLD, Benedict. (1741-1801). Autograph document signed ("B. Arnold," with circular flourish), as Brigadier General, Royal Army,
0010: His last will and testamentEst.
$40,000
-
$60,000
FEATURED
An important diplomatic memoir of his Spanish mission: An important diplomatic memoir of his Spanish mission John Jay, c. 1780-1782 Details "America exhibits a new Spectacle to the political world and is rising to Empire & Greatness in a manner so
0011: An important diplomatic memoir of his Spanish missionEst.
$600,000
-
$800,000
FEATURED
The Federalist Papers: The Federalist Papers [HAMILTON, Alexander (1739-1802), James MADISON (1751-1836) and John JAY (1745-1829)] Details The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution,
0012: The Federalist PapersEst.
$120,000
-
$180,000
Appointing Aaron Burr as New York Attorney General: Appointing Aaron Burr as New York Attorney General George Clinton, 29 September 1789 Details CLINTON, George (1739-1812). Manuscript document signed ("Geo:Clinton"), New York, 29 September 1789. One
0013: Appointing Aaron Burr as New York Attorney GeneralEst.
$3,000
-
$5,000
FEATURED
The Constitution of the United States of America: The Constitution of the United States of America Aaron Burr's copy Details [BURR, Aaron (1756-1836), owner.] The Constitution of the United States of America as proposed by the Convention held at
0014: The Constitution of the United States of AmericaEst.
$30,000
-
$50,000
Two letters on the death of Alexander Hamilton: Two letters on the death of Alexander Hamilton New York, 11 & 14 July 1804 Details DEATH OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON – STEWART, William. Autograph letter signed ("Wm. Stewart") to Philip Church, New
0015: Two letters on the death of Alexander HamiltonEst.
$3,000
-
$5,000
FEATURED
CARIBBEAN AND FLORIDA: CARIBBEAN AND FLORIDA Sailing charts, 1796 Details BISHOP, Robert. Original Charts of the Gulf & Windward Passages, Old Straits of Bahama, &c. London: Robert Laurie and James Whittle, 1796 (cover
0016: CARIBBEAN AND FLORIDAEst.
$60,000
-
$80,000
FEATURED
San Francisco in 1826: San Francisco in 1826 Original watercolor Details [SMYTH, William (1800-1877).] "Mission of San Francisco, Upper California," watercolor drawing, captioned as above in lower right, circa November
0017: San Francisco in 1826Est.
$30,000
-
$50,000
GOLD RUSH LEDGER BOOK: GOLD RUSH LEDGER BOOK Wolcott B. White, from 13 July 1849 Details CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH – WHITE, Wolcott B. (fl. 1849). Manuscript ledger book, "Dry Creek" [Sierra foothills], dated from 13 July
0018: GOLD RUSH LEDGER BOOKEst.
$4,000
-
$6,000
FEATURED
Leaves of Grass: Leaves of Grass Walt Whitman, 1855 Details WHITMAN, Walt (1819–1892). Leaves of Grass. Brooklyn: [Printed for the author], 1855. Frist edition, first issue, in a fine Cosway-style binding by
0019: Leaves of GrassEst.
$15,000
-
$25,000
Appointing a captain within the precursor to the United States Coast Guard: Appointing a captain within the precursor to the United States Coast Guard Abraham Lincoln, 11 July 1864 Details LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865). Partly-printed document signed ("Abraham Lincoln") as
0020: Appointing a captain within the precursor to the United States Coast GuardEst.
$4,000
-
$6,000
FEATURED
A draft call for New York issued weeks after the battle of Gettysburg and the Draft Riots: A draft call for New York issued weeks after the battle of Gettysburg and the Draft Riots Abraham Lincoln, 15 July 1863 Details LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865). Partly-printed document signed ("Abraham
0021: A draft call for New York issued weeks after the battle of Gettysburg and the Draft RiotsEst.
$20,000
-
$30,000
FEATURED
Account of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg: Account of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg Abner Doubleday, [c.1870s/80s] Details DOUBLEDAY, Abner (1819–1893). Autograph manuscript account of the first day of the Battle of
0022: Account of the first day of the Battle of GettysburgEst.
$80,000
-
$120,000
Edison's light bulb: Edison's light bulb Charles Clarke, 1880 Details “Photometric Diagram of Carbon Loop.” Pen and ink drawing with long manuscript caption, Edison’s Laboratory, [Menlo Park, New
0023: Edison's light bulbEst.
$7,000
-
$9,000
FEATURED
Experiments and Observations in Soaring Flight: Experiments and Observations in Soaring Flight Wright Brothers, 1903 Details WRIGHT, Wilbur (1867-1912). "Experiments and Observations in Soaring Flight." Offprint from: Journal of the Western
0024: Experiments and Observations in Soaring FlightEst.
$8,000
-
$12,000