Today, we're spotlighting Darren Winston, Vice President, Head of Department, Books & Manuscripts.
Learn about his journey in the world of Books and Manuscripts, and notable achievements at Freeman’s ahead of our Printed and Manuscript Americana sale, to be held live in Philadelphia on January 29.
Freeman’s: What first sparked your interest in rare books and manuscripts, and how did that early passion shape your career path from bookseller to auction specialist?
Darren Winston: My earliest memories of books are from the very early 70s when Dr. Seuss books would occasionally arrive by mail, the anticipation of which was all consuming! (I now realize my parents must have had some sort of subscription). I loved those books, not just for the stories but for the tactile part. Another early favorite author of mine was Stephen King—me aged 11 or 12 now—and I would only read him in hard cover; I turned my nose down at paperbacks! I continued to buy only hard covers from that moment forward while also realizing that the keeping and care of them was becoming very meaningful to me. I started selling books in my mid-twenties and the rest is history!
F: As Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, how do you approach building a Printed and Manuscript Americana sale?
DW: Every sale, every sale starts with a clean canvas and the “painting” usually starts the first day after whatever sale has just finished. Usually there are little to no books in yet but then they start. We get consignment inquiries regularly and continue to follow up on those, we reach out to existing consignors, existing clients who have expressed interest in possibly consigning, and once the first book comes in, we start to mold the sale. Every book that follows shapes the sale and shapes how we will find the next one and the next one. It is an art, a bit of alchemy, and a lot of fun as you are constructing a puzzle with no box to help you during the process!
Lot 148 | [Washington, George] Washington, George. Autograph Letter, signed
F: Are there themes or types of material you are especially excited to present in the January 29 Printed and Manuscript Americana auction?
DW: The 250th anniversary of America declaring independence has allowed us to really drill down on the curatorial part of sale-building as there are very definite guardrails as well as opportunities to explore moving the guardrails! In addition to our usual schedule of three to four various-owners and various-themed sales, we have added several Americana-only sales as the demand is very high in 2026.
F: You have worked across bookselling, broadcasting, museums, and television. How do these experiences inform the way you talk about and interpret historical material for today’s audiences?
DW: All of that variety allows me to keep turning the object in my hand and focusing very hard on one angle until I turn it 90 degrees and focus on the next angle. Having the ability to work across those platforms makes me anticipate each question in one of several ways. I am constantly learning in this role and that learning lets me interpret more broadly with each new hat and each new book/object.
F: What advice would you give to new collectors interested in entering the field of American historical material as the nation approaches its semiquincentennial?
DW: Focus on what interests you, don't be led by anything else. If you are interested, you are always all-in. The semiquincentennial brings a hyper focus into our world and that is a great wave to try and ride.
F: Looking ahead, how do you see the market for Americana evolving over the next decade?
DW: One never wants to jinx anything, but we have been on an upward trajectory since Covid and that appears to be continuing! One is always concerned that with certain subjects in collecting desire goes up and down, key players come and go, but things almost always right themselves. The key is to try and observe, understand, and even predict your market. Calmness and clarity are great friends!
We’d like to thank Darren Winston, our Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, for sharing his remarkable story and expertise with us. Darren's passion for Books and Manuscripts shines through in everything he does—from uncovering hidden treasures to guiding collectors and families as they share their pieces with new generations.
With such experience in the field, Darren continues to inspire both seasoned collectors and newcomers alike with his deep knowledge, curiosity, and genuine love for the books and stories that shape our shared past.
If you’d like to learn more or discuss consigning with Darren, he’d love to hear from you:
Darren Winston
Senior Vice President, Head of Department
Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia
[email protected]
267.414.1247
