University Archives is excited to announce its upcoming sale. Our March auction will feature 45+ lots related to Space (Mercury through the Space Shuttle) and 25+ lots dedicated to Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Hornet, etc.) It will also include Part II of the Yousuf & Estrellita Karsh Estate, including several dealer’s lots of large-scale photographic prints of celebrity subjects which were exhibited around the world in 1988 and later retained in Yousuf Karsh’s personal collection. Buyers and collectors will also be able to find rare and superb historical memorabilia from other collecting categories as well, including U.S. Presidents, Science, Notables, Art, World Leaders, and more.
U.S. Presidents
Lot 40 is a Thomas Jefferson autograph letter signed mentioning not only the University of Virginia (of which Jefferson proved an invaluable patron and donor), but also referring to Jefferson’s Enlightenment beliefs in human excellence. The former President thanked his correspondent, Major John Michael O’Connor, on May 16, 1824 from Monticello, for having given him a textbook on military theory entitled A Treatise on the Science of War and Fortifications. Jefferson promised that he would donate the book to the university library, for the edification of future students and citizens of the Republic. In addition to this autograph letter signed by Jefferson, there are also two documents signed by Jefferson in the March sale: one a signed transmission of an Act of Congress; and one a signed Revolutionary War-dated death warrant.
Lot 40, Thomas Jefferson ALS
Lot 142 is a George Washington signed Revolutionary War discharge paper and Badge of Merit certificate awarded to Anthony Parcell, a drummer in the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, after “Six Years of faithful Service.” Washington, in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, confirmed Parcell’s official discharge on June 5, 1783. The Badge of Merit was granted to soldiers who exhibited exceptional gallantry or fidelity. We also have a George Washington free frank, accompanied by Washington’s personal wax seal, in the March sale.
Science
Lot 425 is an Albert Einstein autograph letter signed in German, dated September 17, 1927, addressed to his frequent correspondent and collaborator, Dr. Chaim Herman Müntz. The letter with nine equations explores the relationship between the radius, mass, and volume of spherical objects, both large and small, and how they react to different forces. The discussion of whether electrons and planets behaved differently from each other related to Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, now in a fully mature state of articulation.
Lot 429 is a Sigmund Freud signed photograph showing the psychoanalyst holding a cigar, in what is perhaps his most iconic portrait. The photographer, Max Halberstadt, was also Freud’s son-in-law. The portrait was taken in 1921, the year after Freud’s daughter (and Max’s wife) Sophie Freud Halberstadt died of the Spanish Flu. March will include several Freud inscribed calling cards and envelopes, as well as an Anna Freud typed letter signed.
Notables
Lot 247 is a Meyer Lansky owned Vacheron Constantin wristwatch, extensively photo-identified, and sourced directly from the family of the “Mob Accountant.” The timepiece, with its 18K gold watch face and black leather strap, was gifted by Lansky to his grandson, Gary Rapoport, on the latter’s 21st birthday on June 3, 1976. The wristwatch is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity as well as a 2018 estate family appraisal.
Art
Lot 177 is a dealer’s lot of 40 silver gelatin bleed mounted photographs originally taken by Yousuf Karsh for inclusion in a 1988 retrospective at London’s Barbican Gallery organized by the International Center for Photography. The lot includes large-scale black and white photographic prints of celebrities, including the Apollo 11 astronauts, Ernest Hemingway, Muhammad Ali, and other sitters, each measuring 19.75″ x 23.75.” Karsh reduced the photos in size and mounted them for the worldwide exhibit, and afterwards, they were retained in his personal collection. The lot includes an Estrellita Karsh Estate Certificate of Authenticity. The March sale includes other dealer’s lots of Karsh photographic prints, as well as original artwork, correspondence, and signed books/exhibit catalogs, from Part II of the Yousuf & Estrellita Karsh Estate.
Lot 177, Yousuf Karsh Photographs
Comics
Lot 163 is a vintage issue of DC Comics, Superman, No. 12 (September-October 1941), encapsulated and graded by CGC with a Universal Grade 6.5. This is one of 25+ lots in our March sale featuring Golden Age comic superheroes Batman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, and others, offered singularly and in dealer’s lots.
World Leaders
Lot 353 is a vintage photograph of Mohandas Gandhi, double-signed by him in both Hindi and English. The signed photo is PSA/DNA slabbed and graded NM-MT 8, and comes with provenance from Kanu Gandhi, the Mahatma’s second cousin once removed, who served as his staffer and official photographer from 1938-1948. Collectors will also find an 1889 autograph letter signed by Gandhi in our March sale – the earliest example that we’ve ever handled.
Entertainment
Lot 305 is a first edition copy of Pete Martin, Will Acting Spoil Marilyn Monroe? (Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, 1956), boldly signed by Marilyn Monroe on the front free endpaper. Monroe’s signature measures 4.5” in length alone! The illustrated volume, which is arguably the closest thing to an autobiography published during Monroe’s lifetime, is based on interviews. This is the first of its kind signed by Monroe offered at auction in over 50 years! Our March sale also includes a Monroe signed photograph dating from the “Some Like It Hot” film premiere in New York City; a Monroe signed check; and several pages of “The Misfits” revision script pages personally owned by Monroe.
Lot 305, Marilyn Monroe SB
Early America
Lot 270 is a Huntington Printing of the Declaration of Independence, by engraver Eleazer Huntington of Hartford, Connecticut, ca. 1820-1824. The handsome broadside shows the exact text of the foundational document as well as the signers’ signatures in exact facsimile. It represents one of the earliest broadside reproductions of the Declaration of Independence.
Lot 391 is a James Bowie clipped signature, PSA/DNA encapsulated and graded MINT 9 – the highest ever graded example. Bowie’s autographs are excessively rare, even notwithstanding his premature death defending the Alamo in March 1836.
Space
Lot 204 is an Apollo 11 fireproof Beta cloth bearing the Apollo 11 mission emblem, signed by all three crewmembers, and pre-certified by space expert Steve Zarelli.
Sports
Lot 444 is a Babe Ruth signed autograph album page accompanied by a University Archives Certificate of Authenticity. It could grade very high, possibly even a 10!
These are just some of the outstanding items in our March sale.
We hope you can join us!
