Lincoln, Einstein headline University Archives Aug 25-26 auction
One-page 1863 autograph letter signed by Abraham Lincoln, with slavery-related content, est. $50,000-$60,000
WILTON, Conn. – University Archives will hold back-to-back online auctions on August 25 and 26, starting at 10:30 am Eastern time both days. The August 25 auction will be a general sale offering collectors a variety of autographs, rare books, historical documents and memorabilia. The August 26 auction will be a smaller, specialized Judaica sale. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
With 363 lots, the August 25 auction is the larger of the two. More than one-third of the sale is dedicated to U.S. Presidents and First Ladies. An expected top lot is a one-page autograph letter signed by Abraham Lincoln and dated just weeks after the Battle of Gettysburg, on July 22, 1863. It’s addressed to Freedmen’s Inquiry Commissioner Robert Dale Owen and has slavery-related content. In it, Lincoln refers to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, the Supreme Court, and the plight of American “freed-men.” It carries an estimate of $50,000-$60,000.
Working scientific manuscript inscribed in German and signed by Albert Einstein around 1938, est. $40,000-$50,000
A working scientific manuscript inscribed in German and signed by Albert Einstein around 1938, in advance of a work later co-authored by him and Peter Bergman titled On a Generalization of Kaluza’s Theory of Electricity, has an estimate of $40,000-$50,000.
Science-related letter written and signed by Albert Einstein in German in 1921, est. $12,000-$14,000
In the Judaica auction, a letter written and signed by Einstein in German in 1921, discussing the Rutherford-Bohr atomic theory, the Theory of Relativity, and the Stark effect of electricity, should hit $12,000-$14,000.
Illuminated Czar Alexander II signed document, in Russian, est. $5,000-$6,000
A gorgeously illuminated Czar Alexander II signed document, in Russian, granting a heraldic device to a Crimean War veteran and naval surgeon, and featuring many sumptuous hand-decorated details, is expected to change hands for $5,000-$6,000.
First edition of ‘Korean Historic Relics’ signed and inscribed by North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, est. $12,000-$14,000
Also, a first edition copy of Korean Historic Relics, a book celebrating the flowering of Korean arts and culture, signed and inscribed by Kim Il Sung, the elusive former leader of North Korea, has an estimate of $12,000-$14,000.
Small photocard dated 1864, depicting Sojourner Truth, signed with an “x” as her mark, est. $24,000-$28,000
A small photocard dated 1864, depicting a seated portrait of the slave, abolitionist and women’s rights advocate Sojourner Truth, signed by her with an “x” as her mark, should command $24,000-$28,000.
Signed, handwritten 1937 copy of the poem ‘Acquainted with the Night’ by Robert Frost, est. $7,000-$8,000
In addition, a handwritten copy of the poem Acquainted with the Night by Robert Frost, signed by the renowned poet and dated Jan. 5, 1937, composed for Mrs. Emmaline Jones and offered with a printed photo of Frost, should go for $7,000-$8,000.
Archive of 13 letters handwritten by Moshe Dayan while in prison, and smuggled out, est. $30,000-$40,000
In addition to the Einstein letter, highlights of the Judaica sale will include an archive of thirteen letters handwritten by Moshe Dayan on fragile prison tissue and smuggled out of prison while he was an inmate at Acre Prison in British-controlled Palestine between 1939-1941, estimated at $30,000-$40,000; and a fabulous archive of artifacts relating to the Jewish Brigade Group of the British Army during World War II, including uniforms, equipment and awards, carries an estimate of $3,000-$3,500.
View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/
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