Rare Historical Documents Auctioned for US 250th Birthday Celebration

Historic Documents in Auction

• 📜 An auction titled 'We the People: America at 250' features rare items tracing U.S. history for the nation's 250th birthday.
• 💡 Among the highlights is a rare 1776 broadside printing of the Declaration of Independence from New Hampshire, estimated at $3 million to $5 million.
• 🎯 This printing represents how everyday Americans encountered the Declaration, rather than the parchment version.

Drafting the Constitution

• ✍️ A printed draft of the Constitution by Rufus King, created days before the final version on September 17, 1787, is featured.
• 🔍 This document shows the Constitution taking final form with edits being made in real-time, offering a glimpse into the drafting process at Independence Hall.

Emancipation Proclamation and Private Collectors

• 📜 A printed, authorized edition of the Emancipation Proclamation, commissioned for a sanitary fair to support Union troops, is available.
• 🤝 Commissioned by Lincoln, Seward, and Nicollay, 48 copies were signed and sold for $20 each at the Philadelphia fair in June 1864.
• 🌟 Private collectors play a crucial role in preserving these historical relics, allowing future generations to connect with their impact and the ideals they represent.