Founding Fathers Manuscripts Drive $1.9M Results at Freeman’s Printed & Manuscript Americana Auction

Freeman’s Printed & Manuscript Americana auction on January 29 realized a strong $1,897,216 total, marking the first sale in a series of auctions and public programming planned for 2026 in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

 

The auction was led by the sustained demand for presidential and Founding Era material and achieved an impressive 143% sell-through rate by value, with 80% of lots sold. The sale also attracted new participation, with 25% of buyers bidding with Freeman’s for the first time.

 

Lot 29 | [American Revolution] Hancock, John. Manuscript Document, signed | Sold For $563,200

"The entire Freeman’s Books & Manuscripts team was thrilled with the results of this inaugural sale marking the 250th anniversary of American independence,” said Darren Winston, SVP and Head of Department, Books & Manuscripts. “Drawing consignments from across the original thirteen colonies and beyond, the auction brought together material that reflects the breadth and depth of the nation’s history. Our consignors were equally pleased, particularly the owner of the John Hancock–signed letter of credence, which realized $563,200. When we first discussed the possibility of offering the document at auction, a bald eagle happened to fly overhead—an unexpected and meaningful moment that ultimately helped inspire the decision to sell."

Lot 148 | Washington, George. Autograph Letter, signed | Sold for $371,200

Lot 23 | (Dickinson, John, and Thomas Jefferson). A Declaration...setting forth the Causes and Necessity of their taking up Arms | Sold for $76,800

 

Founding Fathers Material Leads the Sale

The top lot of the auction was a manuscript document signed by John Hancock, The Seed of American Victory Over Great Britain: The Continental Congress Appoints the American Envoy to France—Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Silas Deane (Lot 29), which realized $563,200, nearly quadrupling its pre-sale estimate of $150,000–250,000. Dated September 30, 1776, this newly discovered document is the first letter of credence issued by the Continental Congress, formally appointing Franklin, Jefferson, and Deane as commissioners to negotiate a treaty of alliance with France. Of exceptional historical importance, the manuscript represents the earliest formal expression of American diplomacy and the nation’s efforts to secure foreign support crucial to independence. One of only three known extant official copies, it is the sole example remaining in private hands.

In the same vein, the second-highest price in the sale was achieved by a George Washington autograph letter (Lot 148), written just weeks before his first inauguration, which realized $371,200, surpassing its $250,000–350,000 estimate. Addressed to Frederick Phile and dated March 15, 1789, the letter offers a rare articulation of Washington’s governing philosophy at the very outset of the American presidency. Responding to a request for a government appointment, Washington emphasizes that he would enter office “totally free from pre- engagements,” guided solely by “justice & the public good.” The phrase appears only infrequently in his writings and, in this context, represents the only known example to have reached the market.

Rounding out the top three lots was an extremely rare printing of A Declaration of the Representatives of the United Colonies of North-America… setting forth the Causes and Necessity of their taking up Arms (Lot 23), which sold for $76,800. Issued by the Continental Congress in July 1775, the document stands as one of the most significant precursors to the Declaration of Independence and one of the earliest justifications of armed resistance published by the American colonies. This Providence, Rhode Island printing is one of only three surviving examples, and the only one known remaining in private hands.

 

Lot 84 | Lincoln, Abraham. Autograph Note, signed | Sold for $64,000

Lot 109 | Catlin, George. Catlin’s North American Indian Portfolio | Sold for $64,000

 

Additional Highlights Across American History

• Lot 84 | Lincoln, Abraham. Autograph Note, signed

Sold for $64,000

Tripling its $20,000–30,000 estimate, this autograph note signed by Abraham Lincoln and dated April 13, 1865—the day before his assassination—authorizes General James W. Singleton to pass through Union lines to Richmond. One of only a handful of documents written by Lincoln in the final days of his life, the note reflects his direct involvement in early Reconstruction efforts and carries exceptional historical resonance.

• Lot 109 | Catlin, George. Catlin’s North American Indian Portfolio

Sold for $64,000

Surpassing its $40,000–60,000 estimate, this rare hand-colored deluxe issue of Catlin’s landmark portfolio stands among the most important illustrated records of Indigenous life in 19th-century America. The result of years spent living and traveling among Native nations of the Great Plains, the work is celebrated for both its artistic achievement and its sympathetic documentation of Indigenous cultures.

• Lot 98 | Scull, Nicholas. Map of the Province of Pennsylvania

Sold for $48,000

One of the largest and most detailed American maps of the 18th century, Nicholas Scull Jr.’s monumental survey depicts Pennsylvania with extraordinary accuracy and richness of detail. With fewer than a dozen institutional examples known and only a handful appearing at auction in the past fifty years, the map’s strong result reflects sustained collector demand for foundational American cartography.

• Lot 66 | Hamilton, Jay, and Madison. The Federalist

Sold for $41,600

Nearly tripling its $15,000–25,000 estimate, the bidding for this exceptionally fine, uncut copy in original boards of The Federalist—widely regarded as the most important work in American political thought—was highly contested. Copies in such untouched condition are exceedingly rare and highly prized by collectors and institutions alike.

 

Additional Successes

• Lot 25 | [Declaration of Independence] Force, Peter. In Congress, July 4, 1776... | Sold for $41,600

• Lot 149 | Washington, George. Autograph Letter, signed | Sold for $38,400

• Lot 77 | Franklin, Benjamin. Autograph Letter, signed | Sold for $32,000

• Lot 85 | Leale, Charles A. Autograph Notes Recounting Lincoln's Assassination | Sold for $28,800

• Lot 102 | The Deplorable State of New-England, By Reason of a Covetous and Treacherous Governour, and Pusillanimous Counsellors...to be Published in their Boston News-letter...| Sold for $24,320

• Lot 34 | Lafayette, Marquis de. Autograph Letter, signed | Sold for $19,200

 

A Strong Opening to America 250

Freeman’s Printed & Manuscript Americana auction sets a high bar for the firm’s forthcoming series of auctions and educational initiatives commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, demonstrating sustained collector enthusiasm for material that illuminates the nation’s political, cultural, and intellectual foundations.