Autographs

Swann Auction Galleries Sale #2751: This fall’s autographs auction includes many scintillating items, not only by presidents, Supreme Court justices, and other figures from American history, but also a glittering assortment of writers, artists, world leaders, sports figures, and others. Among the Americans is a privateer’s commission signed by founding father John Hanson as President of the Confederation Congress in 1782; and an autograph letter signed by Theodore Roosevelt, declining to dwell upon the recent death of both his wife and mother by launching straight into his work (“I have never believed it did any good to flinch or yield”). Lighting up our imaginations are the writers, including J.R.R. Tolkien, who signed a typed letter discussing Hobbitese and reporting that he expects to expand upon the appendices to The Lord of the Rings; and also an autograph letter signed by L. Frank Baum in which he offers to donate to charity the manuscript for the book he “personally consider[s] . . . my best work”: The Emerald City of Oz; and a fair copy of Beatrix Potter’s poem, “The Wanderings of a Small Black Cat,” signed by her.

A postcard from Pablo Picasso is on offer in which he signs a brief autograph letter showing a reproduction of one of his erotic drawings. Also available is a portrait of Babe Ruth by Howard Chandler Christy, signed by Christy and Ruth; a document signed by Napoléon conferring a title, illustrated with a painting of the coat of arms; and a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird signed by Harper Lee and the cast of the 1962 film; and many others.

Exhibition Hours
Sat, Oct 3rd 12pm - 5pm
Mon, Oct 5th 12pm - 5pm
Tue, Oct 6th 12pm - 5pm
Wed, Oct 7th 12pm - 5pm