Game-worn Orioles gear perches atop lineup at University Archives, May 31

Detail from circa-1990-2016 group of six game-worn baseball helmets and jerseys from the Baltimore Orioles, estimated at $900-$1,000
Circa-1990-2016 group of six game-worn baseball helmets and jerseys from the Baltimore Orioles, with grading and authentication from JSA and Mears, estimated at $900-$1,000
Circa-1990-2016 group of six game-worn baseball helmets and jerseys from the Baltimore Orioles, with grading and authentication from JSA and Mears, estimated at $900-$1,000

WILTON, Conn. – An autograph letter handwritten in German and signed by Ludwig van Beethoven, regarding his only opera, Fidelio; a group of six game-worn baseball helmets and jerseys from the Baltimore Orioles, dating to circa 1990-2016; and an autograph letter signed by John Adams in 1801 regarding the influence of Virginia Democrats will headline University Archives’ next online-only auction, scheduled for Wednesday, May 31. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

Hail to the chiefs who grace presidential dinnerware

A James Monroe Paris porcelain demitasse cup with an engraved transferware portrait of the nation’s fifth president realized $8,500 plus the buyer’s premium in December 2016. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.
A James Monroe Paris porcelain demitasse cup with an engraved transferware portrait of the nation’s fifth president realized $8,500 plus the buyer’s premium in December 2016. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.
A James Monroe Paris porcelain demitasse cup with an engraved transferware portrait of the nation’s fifth president realized $8,500 plus the buyer’s premium in December 2016. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK —  Even the address, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, sounds impressive. The White House in Washington, D.C., where the U.S. President lives and conducts the nation’s business, is not known as the “People’s House” for nothing. As the seat of the Executive branch of the nation, the White House is a source of fascination and pride for its citizens. Countless members of the public have toured its halls, attended holiday events such as the famed Easter Egg Roll, and seen the lavish tree displays in December on television. Its interiors and furnishings have long been of interest, particularly items used by the leaders who once called the White House home. Chief among these is presidential china and dinnerwares.

Continue reading

RR Auction launches PSA Encapsulated series Sept. 22

Signed matte-finish photo of Marilyn Monroe, estimated at $20,000-$25,000
Signed matte-finish photo of Marilyn Monroe, estimated at $20,000-$25,000
Signed matte-finish photo of Marilyn Monroe, estimated at $20,000-$25,000

BOSTON — RR Auction‘s inaugural PSA Encapsulated Auction, taking place on Thursday, September 22, brings a treasure trove of nearly 700 items to the auction block — a diverse assortment of material ranging from straightforward signatures to iconic photographs to intriguing etters and documents. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

Plans in motion for center to honor Presidents Adams and Quincy Adams

The Adams Academy in Quincy, Massachusetts, photographed in November 2009. The former school, built in the 19th century with funds bequeathed to the city of Quincy by John Adams, could become the site of a proposed Adams Presidential Center. It would be devoted to the father-and-son presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams, and their wives, First Ladies Abigail Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit Sswonk. Shared under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Left, Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of John Adams, rendered circa-1800-1815; Right, Thomas Sully’s 1824 portrait of John Quincy Adams. The father-and-son presidents and their wives, First Ladies Abigail Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams, will be the focus of a proposed Adams Presidential Center in Quincy, Massachusetts. Both images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, sourced from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The image of the Adams portrait is shared under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication; Wikimedia Commons states the image of the John Quincy Adams portrait is considered to be in the public domain in the United States.
Left, Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of John Adams, rendered circa-1800-1815; Right, Thomas Sully’s 1824 portrait of John Quincy Adams. The father-and-son presidents and their wives, First Ladies Abigail Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams, will be the focus of a proposed Adams Presidential Center in Quincy, Massachusetts. Both images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, sourced from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The image of the Adams portrait is shared under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication; Wikimedia Commons states the image of the John Quincy Adams portrait is considered to be in the public domain in the United States.

BOSTON (AP) – A Boston suburb that was the birthplace of two of the nation’s earliest presidents is planning to build a center honoring their legacies. Officials in Quincy, Massachusetts, announced on July 12 the formation of a new nonprofit foundation to raise money and oversee the design and construction of the Adams Presidential Center honoring former President John Adams and his son, former President John Quincy Adams, as well as former First Ladies Abigail Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams.

Continue reading

Moshe Dayan manuscript could triumph at University Archives, March 30

197-page book manuscript handwritten entirely by Israeli military commander and statesman Moshe Dayan, for his subsequent book Vietnam Diary, est. $60,000-$80,000
197-page book manuscript handwritten entirely by Israeli military commander and statesman Moshe Dayan, for his subsequent book Vietnam Diary, est. $60,000-$80,000
197-page manuscript handwritten entirely by Israeli military commander and statesman Moshe Dayan for his subsequent book Vietnam Diary, est. $60,000-$80,000

WILTON, Conn. – A 197-page book manuscript written entirely in the hand of Israeli military commander and statesman Moshe Dayan, two items pertaining to Albert Einstein (a photograph and a manuscript), and a document boldly signed by John Adams in 1801 are just a few of the expected highlights in University Archives’ online-only Rare Autographs, Manuscripts, Photographs & Books auction planned for Wednesday, March 30, starting at 10:30 am Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading