Explore the array of Americana materials offered, including an important letter from President Lincoln to General Halleck regarding military strategy, another from John Quincy Adams to fellow politician Ambrose Spencer, and four volumes of the Gazette of the United States.

Explore a host of property that underscores the spirit of American independence and possibility.

Exceptional Americana

An exceptionally complete set of the Latin edition of the most famous and influential of all collections of voyages.

Truly the most famous and influential of all collections of voyages.

De Bry’s Great and Small Voyages

A remarkable letter on the iconography of the United States, written to John Trumbull, a "founding father" of American art, whose four grand canvases hanging in the United States Capitol rotunda are among the most familiar images in American history: Declaration of Independence, Surrender of General Burgoyne, Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, and General George Washington Resigning His Commission.

A remarkable autograph letter from Adams regarding Trumbull’s paintings for the U.S. Capitol.

John Adams Congratulates John Trumbull

“The World Turned Upside Down”: a riveting eyewitness account of the decisive battle of the American Revolution by Captain James Duncan, a Continental Artillery Officer in Colonel Moses Hazen’s Regiment.

"The World Turned Upside Down”: a riveting eyewitness account of the decisive battle of the American Revolution by Captain James Duncan, a Continental Artillery Officer in Colonel Moses Hazen’s Regiment.

 Captain James Duncan’s Manuscript Journal

 Captain James Duncan’s Thrilling Autograph Manuscript Journal

Fine contemporary manuscript map of General Edward Braddock's route towards Fort Duquesne, at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers in the Ohio Country.

Perhaps the most important cartographical witness to the Braddock expedition.

Braddock's Expedition

New York

Sotheby’s Books and Manuscripts is pleased to join our colleagues across other departments in “Visions of America.”&nbsp; Our sale “Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana” is open for bidding the 11th of January and will culminate in a live sale on the 29th of January at 14:00 EST. This sale offers a focused and carefully curated selection of highly important Americana, both printed and manuscript, bringing to market material central to the nation’s founding and development. Highlights include an important letter from President Lincoln to General Halleck regarding military strategy, another from John Quincy Adams to fellow politician Ambrose Spencer, and a host of other property that underscores the spirit of American independence and possibility. The exhibition will be open for viewing by appointment Sunday 1/21 – Monday 1/29. Sale Number: N11494

Senior Vice President, Global Head of Department, Books & Manuscripts

Richard Austin

Senior Vice President, International Senior Specialist, Books & Manuscripts

Selby Kiffer

Assistant Vice President, Specialist, Books & Manuscripts

Ella Hall

Assistant Vice President, Head of Sale, International Specialist, Books & Manuscripts

Dr. Kalika Sands

Cataloguer, Books & Manuscripts

Fenella Theis

Associate, Books & Manuscripts

Bridget Quinn

Pre-Sale Coordinator, Books & Manuscripts

Caroline Woodward

Meet Our Team

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact: +1 212 606 7000 
 
 <a class="Link" href="mailto:enquiries@sothebys.com" target="_blank">ENQUIRIES@SOTHEBYS.COM</a>

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Sotheby’s Books and Manuscripts is pleased to join our colleagues across other departments in “Visions of America.”&nbsp; Our sale “Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana” is open for bidding the 11th of January and will culminate in a live sale on the 29th of January at 14:00 EST.