University Archives returns Nov. 29 with signed items from history’s most interesting people

Abraham Lincoln signed correspondence hand-written on Executive Mansion stationery, $65,000-$75,000 at University Archives.

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WILTON, Conn. — Documents and personal correspondence signed by history’s most interesting people are a hallmark of University Archives, specialists in American and European history written and signed by the hands of the greats. Its Rare Autographs, Manuscripts, Books & Sports auction on Wednesday, November 29 includes 472 lots of one-of-a-kind items from history, with bidding open now at LiveAuctioneers.

Clearly planning for the future, Horace Wright, nephew to aviators Orville and Wilbur, amassed a small collection of Wright-related items from the various celebrations and accolades given to the famous flyers. He and his wife Sue gathered the collectibles from the 1910s through the late 1930s, and the complete lot, including a medal worn by one of the brothers, is now coming to market with an estimate of $1,500-$2,000.

Writer and illustrator Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) is best remembered for his series of children’s books, including The Giving Tree, an international best-seller. But he also produced content for adults, often as a featured cartoonist in Playboy and other publications. University Archives has two Silverstein items grouped into a single lot: an illustration for his character Runny Babbit, and a signed music contract for his children’s song The Waves Roll In And Out, from 1963. Interestingly, Silverstein worked on the Runny Babbit concept for 20 years, but died before publishing the collection of spoonerist verse. Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook was released posthumously and became a New York Times best-seller in 2005.

A letter written and signed in July of 1863 by Abraham Lincoln on Executive Mansion stationery discusses issues associated with the Freedmen’s Inquiry. Freedmen were, of course, newly emancipated former slaves residing in the Confederate States of America. The Lincoln Administration soon realized a major effort would be required to transition these people from a life of bondage to mainstream society, and the Inquiry was set up to address that. The framed letter is estimated at $65,000-$75,000 and is the top lot in the sale.
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Wright Bros. group of personally owned medals, signatures and other ephemera, estimated at $1,500-$2,000 at University Archives.
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Shel Silverstein Runny Babbit illustration and signed music contract, estimated at $1,500-$1,700 at University Archives.
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Abraham Lincoln signed correspondence hand-written on Executive Mansion stationery, estimated at $65,000-$75,000 at University Archives.
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Woody Guthrie letter to lover Charlotte Strauss, estimated at $4,500-$5,000 at University Archives.
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Huddie ‘Lead Belly’ Ledbetter handwritten letter to manager Marjorie Fairbanks, estimated at $6,000-$7,000 at University Archives.
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Beethoven 4-page letter earns $251K at RR Auction

Four-page 1815 letter written by Ludwig von Beethoven, $251,240
Four-page 1815 letter written by Ludwig von Beethoven, $251,240
Four-page 1815 letter written by Ludwig van Beethoven, $251,240

BOSTON – A handwritten letter by Ludwig van Beethoven sold for $251,240 at RR Auction on April 13. The four-page letter was rendered in German and dated September 24, 1815. Beethoven wrote it to his librettist, the court poet Friedrich Treitschke, asking him to help secure 200 gold ducats in payment for their planned opera Romulus und Remus. The letter read in part: “Many sacrifices I have willingly made and am making for the sake of my art.”

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