Press Release

Wilton, CT, USA, February 25, 2025 -- Past U.S. Presidents will take center stage in University Archives’ online-only Rare Autographs, Manuscripts, Books & Memorabilia auction slated for Wednesday, March 12th, starting at 10am Eastern time, as items signed by Abraham Lincoln and George Washington and a White House engraving signed by six former Presidents will all cross the auction block.

All 549 lots in the catalog are up for viewing and bidding now on the recently redesigned University Archives website – www.UniversityArchives.com – as well as LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and Auctionzip.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

“The March auction is a carefully curated selection of outstanding historical items, representing the best of U.S. Presidents, Science, Aviation/Space, World Leaders, Civil Rights, Literature, Art, Sports, and so much more,” said John Reznikoff, president and owner of University Archives.

Mr. Reznikoff added, “Most of the lots in this blockbuster sale are unreserved, meaning they will be sold to the highest bidder regardless of price, providing collectors with an exceptional buying opportunity. Scroll through our beautifully illustrated catalog to bookmark your favorite lots.”

21 lots in the sale are from the Skip Hensel Presidential Collection, an incredible group of presidential signed White House engravings amassed by the late Harold “Skip” Hensel (1940-2024). A presidential historian and a lifelong autograph collector, Hensel was a member of the United Autograph Collectors Club, the first club devoted to autograph collectors; the Manuscript Society; and philatelic organizations.

Hensel’s collection includes White House engravings signed by presidents ranging from Chester A. Arthur to Bill Clinton, plus two First Ladies’ signatures. All 21 items in the collection are certified by a third party, the majority of them PSA/DNA slabbed and graded between NM-MT 8 and GEM MT 10.

The marquee item of Hensel’s collection is lot 164, a superb and excessively rare White House engraving signed by six Presidents of the United States, they being Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon. The engraving measures 8 inches by 6 inches and is in good to fine condition. It has a pre-sale estimate of $6,000-$8,000.

Lot 74 is a blank ship’s passport boldly signed by President Abraham Lincoln and counter-signed by Secretary of State William Seward. The near fine state of the passport blank and the attractive signatures would make this a fine addition to any presidential collection (est. $10,000-$12,000).

Lot 155 is a document signed by George Washington in Alexandria, Virginia on August 5, 1786 in his capacity as President of the Potomac Company, which expanded the navigability of the Potomac River basin through the construction of canals. The receipt was for eight barrels of pork costing £32. In provenance provided with the lot, a copy of Washington’s diary reveals later that night he met with Potomac Company directors and dined at Wises Tavern (est. $8,000-$10,000).

Lot 205 is a vintage color photograph of all of the Mercury 7 astronauts in silver space suits and helmets, signed on the mat by: M. Scott Carpenter; L. Gordon Cooper, Jr.; John H. Glenn, Jr.; Virgil I. Grissom; Walter M. Schirra, Jr.; Alan B. Shepard, Jr.; and Donald K. Slayton. The lot is accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Zarelli Space Authentication (est. $5,000-$6,000).

University Archives has become world-renowned as a go-to source for rare items of this kind. It is actively seeking quality material for future auctions, presenting a rare opportunity for sellers. 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.

For more information about University Archives and the Rare Autographs, Manuscripts, Books & Memorabilia auction p

Organisation Profile: