Rare items signed by historical figures, including some of the American Founding Fathers and Presidents, are going to be on the auction block next week.
On August 17, University Archives is holding an online auction titled Rare Autographs, Manuscripts Books with 537 lots for sale, including documents signed by George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and John F. Kennedy.
According to a press release, the auction has 12 categories ranging from Presidential and Early American, Entertainment, Civil Rights, Science and World Leaders.
Items from figures such as Benedict Arnold, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali and Helen Keller will be up for auction.
This sale is our largest ever, eclipsing the previous company record-holder, our 534-lot auction held January 6th, said John Reznikoff, president and owner of University Archives.
Reznikoff added that the sale has a large collection of items that represent the best of the U.S. presidential, early American and civil war Western collecting categories, as well as music, sports, art and literature.
One item being auctioned next week is a survey of a tract of land in then-Virginia but is signed by George Washington in 1752 in West Virginia. The press release said the document is expected to sell for between $20,000 and $24,000.
A receipt for the Pennsylvania Gazette signed by Benjamin Franklin in 1756 is expected to sell for between $9,000 and $10,000, according to the press release.
The auction will include two items a signed personal check and a typed letter from John F. Kennedy's failed Democratic Vice Presidential bid in 1956. The items will be sold as a lot, which is expected to bid for between $15,000 and $17,000.
The Rare Autographs, Manuscripts Books auction, held by University Archives, will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 10: 30 a.m. EDT.