Time and time again, a piece of a history will surface. When we find such things, such questions arise as: Where did it come from? Is it authentic? How old is it? How much is it worth? Seek the answers no further than John Reznikoff, founder of University Archives, the premier hub for historical collectibles. Over the last several decades, Reznikoff has built up a significant reputation as being one of the most trusted experts in the autograph industry.
Reznikoff trained with the Illuminati of autographs, the late Charles Hamilton. His other mentors included the late Robert Batchelder and late Robert Tollett; in fact, Tollett’s and Batchelder’s heirs selected Reznikoff to purchase their valuable 7-figure estates. Another great influence in Reznikoff’s life was the late Robert A. Siegel, namesake of the philatelic firm established in 1930. Siegel was a grandfatherly figure to Reznikoff, and helped him launch his full-time career at age 18.
The University Companies began in 1979, but Reznikoff first started as a collector more than ten years before that time. At 8 years of age, Reznikoff was given some stamps by his grandmother, who had escaped Nazi Germany. At age 13, his mother would ferry him back and forth to various trade shows and watch proudly as her son conducted business, from one table to another.
Reznikoff is one of few people in his trade who can claim the Triple Crown of collectibles: 2 Honus Wagner baseball cards, 3 Inverted Jenny (C3A) stamps, and 3 Declaration Signer Button Gwinnetts, the rarest of American autographs. In his 46 years in business, he has bought and sold nearly $500 million – a half billion – in collectibles. He has helped build some of the greatest collections in the history of autograph collecting, including for several household names. On behalf of clients, he has built at least a dozen near-sets of Signers of the Declaration of Independence. He has supplied five William Henry Harrison documents as President. He has sold approximately 75 printings of the Declaration of Independence, including about 30 from the Peter Force printings of the Stone engraving. He has sold hundreds of letters and documents written by “The Big Three” – George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson.
Reznikoff is an innovator in the field of relics, and even holds a Guinness Book of Records entry for this field. University Archives has owned two of John F. Kennedy’s cars, Ernest Hemingway’s typewriter, Babe Ruth’s baseball bat, Annie Oakley’s gun, Abraham Lincoln’s desk, Al Capone’s gun, Obama’s first car, and many other treasures.
Reznikoff has been a fearless crusader in the fight to identify and eliminate theft and forgery within the industry. He has worked with many law enforcement agencies, including the F.B.I., and has helped put several fraudsters in prison. Reznikoff is also a tireless supporter of many charities, both local and international. Over the years, he has worked very closely with Paul Newman’s “Hole in the Wall Gang” charity, which provides support to terminally ill children. Reznikoff also raised a large and busy family. In addition to these accomplishments, Reznikoff is also an avid tri-athlete and martial artist who has trained with the U.S. Navy Seals as well as other widely-respected foreign military forces.
Reznikoff encourages history lovers and fellow collectors alike to put together history’s puzzle, one piece at a time.