In Freeman's Books and Manuscripts Auction, Pieces Of American History Exceed Estimates

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Freeman’s is pleased to announce the results of its September 23 auction, a 140-lot sale that achieved a 95% sell-through rate and underscores Freeman’s strength in presenting material across a wide range of disciplines and time periods. Thursday’s auction saw strong results for documents of American history from the Revolutionary War to the 1960s counterculture. “American history is in our wheelhouse, and today was further evidence of that,” says Darren Winston, Head of the Books and Manuscripts department. “We had some very strong results and happy consignors—ultimately, great material sells itself.”

Lot 16, [Americana] Jefferys, Thomas The American Atlas: Or, a Geographical Description of the Whole Continent of America; London: Printed and Sold by R. Sayer and J. Bennett, 1776. Second edition, early issue. Sold for $69,300

18TH-CENTURY AMERICAN MATERIAL SHINES

Following a record-breaking $4.42M sale of a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence in July, Freeman’s Books and Manuscripts specialists continue to confirm their place as premier presenters of 18th-century American material. Lot 16, a second edition of The American Atlas, widely considered the most important 18th-century atlas of America, sparked a lively bidding war between buyers and achieved $69,300 (estimate: $30,000-50,000). A very rare New Haven printing of the first acts of the first congress of the United States, printed ca. 1789, sold for $22,680 (Lot 11; estimate: $10,000-15,000), and Printed Privateers Bond Form, a rare printing from Benjamin Franklin’s official printing press in Passy, France, achieved $11,970, more than doubling its pre-sale high estimate (Lot 4; estimate: $3,000-5,000).