Press Release

Wilton, CT, USA, September 4, 2024 -- A one-page typed letter in German signed by Albert Einstein referring to Sir Isaac Newton; an autograph letter signed twice by General George A. Custer with Battle of Little Big Horn associations; and a crisp sepia-toned photograph of then-President Theodore Roosevelt signed and dedicated to Pope Pius X are just a few of the historically significant items bidders will vie for in University Archives’ online-only Rare Signed Autographs, Manuscripts, Books & Memorabilia auction on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

The auction will start promptly at 10:00 am Eastern time. All 549 lots in the catalog are up for viewing and bidding now on the newly redesigned University Archives website – www.UniversityArchives.com – as well as LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and Auctionzip.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be taken.

“The September 18th auction will feature outstanding historical documents, rare books, celebrity autographs, photographs, original artwork, relics, and sports memorabilia,” said John Reznikoff, the president and owner of University Archives, adding, “U.S. Presidential, Science/Technology, Military, Literature, Sports, and Space/Aviation are the categories to watch in this exciting sale.”

Items consigned by the Manuscript Society, from the estate of well-known manuscript dealers Forest G. & Forest H. Sweet and Julia Sweet Newman, will also be featured in the auction. Forest G. Sweet was an early leader of the Manuscript Society as well as a rare book scholar. The proceeds from the purchase of these items will benefit the work of the Manuscript Society. To learn more, and to become a member of the Manuscript Society, visit www.manuscript.org.

The one-page typed letter in German signed by Albert Einstein, dated October 15, 1944, is addressed to university professor Giuliano Hugo Bonfante. In it, Einstein compares his general theory of relativity to “Newton's theory” and also alludes to the unified field theory he was then developing (est. $20,000-$30,000). This is one of several Einstein-related items in the auction.

The several Gen. George A. Custer lots in the sale will be led by an autograph letter signed twice by Custer, seeking the appointment of one of his “Custer Clan” lieutenants, Algernon Smith, to the rank of captain. Custer writes glowingly of Smith’s service during the Civil War and his tenure in the 7th Cavalry. Smith was later killed at the Battle of Little Big Horn (est. $8,000-$12,000).

Lot 107 is the magnificent vintage sepia-colored photograph of Theodore Roosevelt, signed as President on April 30, 1906 and dedicated to Pope Pius X. In the inscription, Roosevelt assures the Pope that “he will ever occupy the same high position he now holds in the eyes of all Christian statemen.” Both men concerned themselves with social issues (est. $8,000-$10,000).

Lot 372 is a letter signed by Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Gettysburg, believed to be the only Gettysburg correspondence of Lee’s in private hands. Lee addressed this July 4, 1863 letter to his enemy, Union Gen. George Meade, inquiring about Col. Hugh Reid Miller, a Confederate officer of the 42nd Regiment of Mississippi Volunteers who was wounded and captured during Longstreet’s Assault the day before. Miller died of his injuries less than two weeks after Gettysburg (est. $40,000-$50,000).

University Archives’ offices are located at 88 Danbury Rd. (Suite #2A) in Wilton, Conn. For more information about University Archives and the 549-lot, online-only Rare Signed Autographs, Manuscripts, Books & Memorabilia auction scheduled for Wednesday, September 18th, starting at 10:00 am Eastern time, please visit www.universityarchives.com. Updates are posted frequently.

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