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ANTIQUES PEEK by Jessica Kosinski
ANTIQUES PEEK

I Read it in a Letter

here are many items you could collect
that reflect history as it happened.
THowever, letters are arguably among
the best. They may not always have high
monetary values (though the right ones
certainly do), but they always give unique
insights. Letters are like windows to the past.
You can learn a lot about your own family
from old letters. Letters contain historic
information from the perspective of someone
with boots on the ground. Letters can also
help you learn about the history of your home
town, or even about the lives of historical
figures. Let’s take a peek at historical letters
and why people love to collect them.

Historical Letters and Scientific
Advancements
Certain scientists absolutely love finding
ancient letters. Hundreds of years ago, letter
folding techniques were complicated. Today,
many of those folded-up letters still exist.
However, they’ve been an enigma for years A special typed letter dated March 28, 1961 that was
because unfolding them could damage or signed and also includes a handwritten note from
destroy them. Thankfully, technology has Martin Luther King to Sammy Davis, Jr. that says in
caught up to this problem, and scientists have part, “Slowly—but surely and relentlessly—the In this 1959 letter, Helen Keller, the author, lecturer
discovered a solution. Just this year (2021), [Freedom] Movement keeps pressing insistently for- and internationally famous advocate for the disabled,
several letters from the Brienne Collection ward step by step. One such step, in my opinion, thanks Dr. Elbyrne G. Gill of Roanoke for a
were read using the new technology. That was the historic affair at Carnegie Hall on February box of “firm, juicy” apples he’d sent her
collection contains letters sent from 1689 to 27, which you personally initiated and organized, as a Christmas gift in 1958.
then crowned with your astonishing artistry.”
1706. The knowledge gained from reading photo: Roanoke.com
photo: goldinauctions.com
those letters is all thanks to 3-D imaging and letters relating to them are also held in
related technologies. also occurred in other countries as historical private collections.
events took place all over the world. When it comes to collecting presidential
Historical Letters and letters, the first question is which president or
Genealogical Research Historical Letters and Political presidents do you want to collect? Next, ask
A couple years ago I got a membership to or Presidential History yourself what your area of focus will be. Some
one of the leading genealogy websites. Some of the most important and valuable people prefer only the letters written by
Therefore, I can say from personal experience letter collections here in the U.S. relate to presidents, themselves. Others prefer letters
that digging into your own family tree can presidential history. Among the most popular written to or about them by family, friends, or
be quite interesting. You never know what are letters to, from, or about Abraham Lincoln rivals. Also, some collect letters relating to
surprises you’ll discover. That said, there are or George Washington. The Library of presidents only while they were in office.
certain things online research and DNA tests Congress holds extensive letter collections However, pre and post-term letters can give
can’t convey, such as how your ancestors felt relating to both President Lincoln and a lot of insight into the personal lives of
about certain situations, secrets they may have President Washington. However, many certain presidents.
kept, or personal struggles they may have gone In the case of assassinated presidents or
through. Those are all things you can often presidents who died in office, such as presi-
learn from reading old letters, especially those dents Lincoln or Kennedy, letters written
written in times of stress. about them after their deaths can also be quite
intriguing. You may also enjoy focusing on
Historical Letters and letters connected to other famous political
Postal History figures who never served as president, such as
Benjamin Franklin.
In terms of monetary value, many of the
letters that are worth the most still have their
envelopes and stamps. The reason such letters Other Historical Letter
have higher values is that they are not just fun Categories to Collect
to read. They also give a glimpse into postal If presidential, postal, and genealogical let-
history, as well as history in general. Certain In this letter, General George Washington offers ters do not interest you, you might enjoy col-
stamps were only produced for limited periods Nathaniel Sackett $50 a month (more than lecting letters in other categories. Some collec-
of time. Some of them depict important $1,000 today) to spy for the Continental Army, tors find wartime letters from specific wars fas-
changes, such as stamps showing the various plus another $500 to set up a spy network. cinating. Often, those letters detail unknown
early versions of the U.S. flag. Similar changes photo: spymuseum.org romances and help connect family trees. They
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34 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles