Autographs Auction on Oct 8, 2026 by Swann Auction Galleries in NY
Theodore Roosevelt. Autograph Letter Signed, to William Sewall ("Dear Will"). New York, 9 March 1884
J.R.R. Tolkien. Typed Letter Signed, to D.L. Paul. Oxford, 8 November 1963.
Alexander Hamilton. Letter Signed, "AHamilton," as Secretary of the Treasury, to Collector Sharp Del
Starts on:
New York, NY, United States
Auction Details

Autographs

This fall’s autographs auction includes many scintillating items, not only by presidents, Supreme Court justices, and other figures from American history, but also a glittering assortment of writers, artists, world leaders, sports figures, and others. Among the Americans is a privateer’s commission signed by founding father John Hanson as President of the Confederation Congress in 1782; and an autograph letter signed by Theodore Roosevelt, declining to dwell upon the recent death of both his wife and mother by launching straight into his work (“I have never believed it did any good to flinch or yield”). Lighting up our imaginations are the writers, including J.R.R. Tolkien, who signed a typed letter discussing Hobbitese and reporting that he expects to expand upon the appendices to The Lord of the Rings; and also an autograph letter signed by L. Frank Baum in which he offers to donate to charity the manuscript for the book he “personally consider[s] . . . my best work”: The Emerald City of Oz; and a fair copy of Beatrix Potter’s poem, “The Wanderings of a Small Black Cat,” signed by her. A postcard from Pablo Picasso is on offer in which he signs a brief autograph letter showing a reproduction of one of his erotic drawings. Also available is a portrait of Babe Ruth by Howard Chandler Christy, signed by Christy and Ruth; a document signed by Napoléon conferring a title, illustrated with a painting of the coat of arms; and a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird signed by Harper Lee and the cast of the 1962 film; and many others.

Auction Curator:

Marco Tomaschett
Marco Tomaschett
Specialist, Autographs
Live Bidding Starts In:
2 days 15 hrs 51 mins 11 secs 
H.A. Rey. Ink drawing Signed. Np, nd.: H.A. Rey Ink drawing Signed, sketch of Cecily Giraffe, on pale yellow ruled paper. Signed diagonally along Cecily's neck. 5¼x3½ inches; mounted to larger sheet. Np, nd. Notes: Cecily
Est.
$600
-
$900
$450
Ronald Searle. Two items: Ronald Searle Two items: Illustrated Autograph Letter Signed, with a small ink drawing * Ink drawing Signed and Inscribed. The first, "Ronald," to "Dear Nick," declining to illustrate his book. The
Est.
$600
-
$900
$450