University Archives Rare Autographs, Manuscripts, Books & Space Memorabilia
June 26 at 10 am
Bidding is now open
www.universityarchives.com
203-454-0111

WILTON, CONN. — A carte de visite photograph of Abraham Lincoln signed by him less than three weeks before his assassination, the lyrics of the song “Tangled Up in Blue” written in Bob Dylan’s hand and signed by him at the bottom and a document in Russian signed by Peter the Great from 1717 are a few of the expected highlights in University Archives’ online-only rare autographs, manuscripts, books and space memorabilia auction slated for Wednesday, June 26.

Items signed by many of history’s brightest stars will come up for bid. “We’re proud to announce that, once again, we’ve been chosen to catalog and offer at auction important items from the prestigious Forbes collection,” said John Reznikoff, the president and owner of University Archives.

Reznikoff added, “University Archives regulars will recall that we last offered items deaccessioned from the Forbes collection four years ago. We’re delighted to present more phenomenal ex-Forbes items in our June sale, with additional pieces to come throughout 2024.”

Highlighted collecting categories in the June sale include US presidential, aviation / space, music, entertainment, early America, military and sports, plus many other categories.

The carte de visite photo of Abraham Lincoln is signed by him (as “A. Lincoln”) along the bottom, PSA/DNA graded GEM MT 10. The original photograph was taken by Anthony Berger on February 9, 1865. A handwritten inscription on verso indicates the carte de visite was presented to a well-wisher on March 25, 1865, less than three weeks before Lincoln was killed. It may have been one of the last photographs that Lincoln ever signed. With outstanding provenance from Charles Hamilton; ex-Christie’s ($100/150,000).

The lyrics of Bob Dylan’s song “Tangled Up in Blue” are entirely inscribed in his hand on a leaf of London hotel stationery in 2013 and signed by him at the conclusion. “Tangled Up in Blue” was the opening song to Dylan’s best-selling, double-platinum album Blood on the Tracks, released in 1975. The lyrics are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Jeff Rosen, Dylan’s longtime manager and president of the Bob Dylan Music Co. ($40/50,000).

An untranslated document in Russian is signed by Peter the Great, dated December 17, 1717. In it, the tsar grants permission to Artillery Major Johnson Henning to obtain craftsmen from Germany, notably shipbuilders, in an effort to expand and modernize the Russian Navy ($14/18,000).

A signature clip from Thomas Lynch (as “Lynch”), considered the second rarest Declaration of Independence signer, was likely removed from a book in Lynch’s personal library. Its provenance traces it to Goodspeed’s Book Shop ($12/15,000).

A document dated August 29, 1782, signed by John Hancock as governor and commander-in-chief of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, appoints Nicholas Bartlett commander of a 20-ton armed schooner, named the Adventurous Fisherman. Financed and outfitted by Boston merchants, the privateer ship and its complement of 10 men was given the task of “Cruizing against the Enemies of the United States” ($6/7,000).

A scarce and likely battlefield-used Confederate surgical kit was owned by Thomas Stark Hemingway, staff surgeon of Col. B. Huber Rutledge’s 4th Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry, a unit that suffered heavy casualties. The kit is nearly intact and contains more than 60 German steel instruments, including probes, clamps, scalpels housed in a fitted case mounted by a brass plaque engraved “T.S. Hemingway Surgeon” ($6/7,000).

A four-page autograph letter is signed by Acting Adjutant General Edward D. Townsend, dated December 19, 1889, and elaborating on the exact circumstances of the capture of former Confederate President Jefferson Davis by the Union Army in May 1865. Townsend stated that Davis was apprehended wearing “a ladies waterproof coat and a black shawl over his head.” He speculates on the possible motives of such unconventional dress ($5/6,000).

Two lots are original Walt Disney Studios animation cels, inscribed and signed by Walt Disney on the Guthrie Courvoisier stamped mats. The painted celluloid images of Minnie and Mickey Mouse were used during the production of the 1952 short film Pluto’s Christmas Party. The pair will be offered as separate lots, each carrying an estimate of $4,5/6,000.

The auction will start at 10 am Eastern time. All 510 lots in the catalog are up for viewing and bidding now — on the University Archives website — www.universityarchives.com – as well as invaluable.com, auctionzip.com and liveauctioneers.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted. For information, 203-454-0111.

auctionzip
liveauctioneers
invaluable
Walt Disney signed Mickey Mouse cel with Courvoisier mat
Bob Dylan signed handwritten Lyrics, “Tangled Up in Blue”
Abraham Lincoln CDV, PSA GEM MT 10 signed 3 weeks before death
Confederate surgical kit, likely battlefied-used 60+ instruments