Autographs

It is doubtful that anyone needs to be reminded that the names of Americans have a surprising way of turning up on the pages of history. Foremost among them are the names of U.S. presidents, and the fall autographs auction includes some remarkable illustrations of this, including an extraordinary album of autographs by presidents—a continuous run of autograph letters, many outstanding in content and condition, from George Washington to Harry Truman—one of only a handful of such albums ever offered at auction (pictured left). Other important Americans in the sale include a Revolutionary War–dated letter signed by Friedrich Wilhelm von...