Press Release

Wilton, CT, USA, August 12, 2025 -- Items signed by George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Walt Disney, Napoleon Bonaparte and many more of history’s brightest luminaries – 437 lots in all – will come up for bid in an online-only Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books auction scheduled for Wednesday, August 27th by University Archives, beginning promptly at 10am Eastern Time.

The catalog in its entirety is up for viewing and bidding now on the University Archives website, www.UniversityArchives.com, plus Invaluable.com, Auctionzip.com and LiveAuctioneers.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted. “Our last auction of the summer will provide collectors with the opportunity to show off their latest acquisitions around Labor Day barbecue pits and swimming pools,” said John Reznikoff, the president and owner of University Archives.

Lot 127 is a George Washington signed letter dated February 20, 1790, addressed to a state governor, possibly North Carolina state governor Alexander Martin. In it, President Washington transmitted an Act of Congress regarding import laws, shipping procedure, and tax collection districts in the state. It’s one of only two such letters known to exist in which Washington notified a state governor of a Congressional Act during the first year after ratifying the U.S. Constitution. Estimate: $24,000-$35,000.

Lot 233 is a Benjamin Franklin signed autograph document dated April 23, [1755]. This ledger recorded expenses in paper money, silver coins, and Spanish and Brazilian-minted gold coins, which Franklin had accrued while undertaking General Edward Braddock’s commission to collect forage, horses, and wagons during the French & Indian War. Braddock’s subsequent Pittsburgh expedition was disastrous and resulted in his death. Estimate: $16,000-$24,000.

Lot 315 is a manuscript document in French featuring a 22-word note signed by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. The document, written on May 19, 1808, asked for Napoleon’s direction regarding the formation of a new battalion to accommodate Westphalian recruits during the Peninsular War. It’s one of three items signed by Napoleon in the sale. Estimate: $7,000-$10,000.

Lot 252 is a Walt Disney signed 1st edition copy of “Fantasia” (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1940), published in tandem with the release of the animated film of the same name set to classical music. The illustrated volume features 16 mounted color plates and also has its original dust jacket. It’s expected to attract keen bidder interest and has an estimate of $3,000-$4,500.

Lot 255 is Bob Dylan’s handwritten and signed lyrics to “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall,” from his 1963 second studio album. Dylan inscribed all five stanzas of the song, inspired by the flow of traditional English folk songs, on a sheet of Holmenkollen Park Hotel Rica stationery (Oslo, Norway), circa 2013. Comes with a COA from Dylan’s manager. Estimate: $35,000-$40,000.

Lot 170 is a massive meteorite (lunar feldspathic breccia) retrieved near Laâyoune, Morocco in the Western Sahara Desert, in January 2022. The meteorite tips the scales at an impressive 371 grams, and features a scattering of desirable white and red clasts. Space Memorabilia is a category of collectible fast becoming hugely popular. This item should bring $28,000-$30,000.

For more information about University Archives and the online-only Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books auction scheduled for Wednesday, August 27th, please visit www.universityarchives.com.

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