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Letters signed by Washington, Hancock, and More in Online

Auction in February at University Archives

WILTON, CT – Letters boldly signed by early American historical giants A 1963 Hallmark Christmas card was boldly signed by President John
George Washington, John Hancock, and Thomas Paine, plus a 1963 F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy just days before his assassination
Christmas card signed by both JFK and Jackie, and an archive of material and was never mailed. The words “Blessed Christmas” had been excised at
signed by Lincoln and Douglas, will all come up for bid in University the last minute in a gesture of sensitivity towards JFK’s Jewish friends, and
Archives’ online auction slated for Wednesday, February 1st at 11 a.m. the card was simply engraved, “With best wishes for a Happy New Year.”
Eastern time. (est. $15,000-$20,000.)
This Rare Manuscripts, Books & Sports Memorabilia auction features Albert Einstein signed
historical material from multiple collecting categories. All 460 lots are up a cryptic dedicatory
for viewing and bidding now at www.UniversityArchives.com, inscription, “Two years
LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Telephone and absentee bids after the Fall of the
will be taken, but there will be no any live gallery bidding. German Goyim. / Kindly
“Our February auction offers many exceptional buying and collecting granted / Albert Einstein /
opportunities and is especially strong in the U.S. Presidential, Early 1935” on the flyleaf of a
American, science, and sports collecting categories, with 25 lots relating to first edition copy of his
professional baseball, basketball, hockey, boxing, soccer, and even horse- German language book
racing,” said John Reznikoff, the president and owner of University Mein Weltbild, or The
Archives. “In addition, the aviation/space, entertainment, literature, art, World As I See It. His
and music categories are also abundantly represented.” biblical allusion to a “fall”
Of historic note is a document referred to Hitler’s rise in
signed “G. Washington” by George Germany in 1933. The
Washington authorizing the discharge book is expected to finish at $12,000-$14,000.
of Corp. Robert Pappe from a Horse A one-page typed letter
Troop on Dec. 10, 1783 (est. $20,000- boldly signed by Walt Disney,
$30,000); an autograph letter signed by PSA/DNA slabbed and certified
patriot pamphleteer Thomas Paine to a authentic, in which he writes a
Quaker friend in London on July 12, flattering recommendation letter
1806, confirming reports that he had narrowly missed for Robert Neuschotz, a former
injury or death on Christmas Eve 1805 when an employee in Disney’s Special
assailant opened fire at Paine’s home in New Effects Department, should
Rochelle, New York, possibly motivated by Paine’s fetch $6,000-$7,000. “He was
public criticism of Christianity or views in general of great assistance in devising and
(est. $24,000-$35,000); and a three-page autograph developing devices that have
letter signed by John Hancock on March 11, 1777, proven to be of value to this
conveying the latest news from Philadelphia, where the organization,” Disney wrote.
Continental Congress was to convene, to his wife Dolly in Baltimore. In it, A 1996-1997 Michael Jordan
Hancock mentions (but discounts rumors) that, “… General Howe is bent home game-worn “Chicago
on coming here, [with] another report … that the Merchants at New York Bulls” jersey, emblazoned with Jordan’s iconic
are packing their goods and putting them on board ships and that the player number “23” in scarlet, is expected to
troops are going away” (est. $20,000-$30,000). change hands for $6,000-$7,000. The jersey,
An amazing legal archive of eight documents totaling 34 pages from showing light wear, is graded A5 and comes with a
1838, signed by two political giants, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen MEARS Letter of Authenticity. That season was
Douglas, and foreshadowing their classic debates for the Illinois Senate seat one of Jordan’s most outstanding in terms of
20 years later, should bring $18,000-$20,000. points, assists, steals, and rebounds.
A Wayne Gretzky All-Star exhibition game-
worn purple, white, and black sweater, signed and
dedicated by the Canadian “Great One” to Major
League Baseball relief pitcher Duane Ward on the
player number “99” verso, estimated at $4,500-
$5,500. The sweater is accompanied by a letter of
provenance from Ward, who pitched for the Braves and Blue Jays from
1986-1995.
Thomas A. Edison, John Burroughs, and Harvey Firestone—three
important figures from early 20th century history—each signed a privately
printed copy of their travel journal, In Nature’s Laboratory, documenting
a 2-week-long road trip from Orange, NJ to southern Canada during the
summer of 1916. The journal features 44 original photographs showing the
celebrity friends resting, eating, and conversing (est. $4,000-$5,000).
University Archives was founded in 1979, as a division of University Stamp
Company, by John Reznikoff, who started collecting stamps and coins in 1968,
while in the third grade. Industry-wide, Reznikoff is considered the leading
authenticity expert for manuscripts and documents. He consults with law
enforcement, dealers, auction houses, and both major authentication companies.
Anyone who has a single item or a collection that may be a fit for a future
University Archives auction may call John Reznikoff at 203-454-0111, or
email him at john@universityarchives.com.
University Archives’ new offices are located at 88 Danbury Rd. (Suite 2A)
in Wilton, CT. For more information visit www.universityarchives.com.

14 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles