Title-page of a copy of The Transactions of the Royal Humane Society gifted to George Washington, with his signature, $350,000 (£279,105) at Freeman’s.
A volume from George Washington’s personal library that had been estimated at $18,000 was sold for a rather higher sum: $350,000 (£279,105).
The lot in question was a copy of The Transactions of the Royal Humane Society that had been gifted to Washington during his second presidential term by a physician, Dr John Coakley Lettsom.
It bore Washington’s bold signature at the top of the halftitle page, and that was what made the bidding soar.
Title-page of a copy of The Transactions of the Royal Humane Society gifted to George Washington, with his signature shown in detail here, $350,000 (£279,105) at Freeman’s.
“The market for presidential books, documents, and autographs is quite strong, and this exceptional result really drives that home”, said Darren Winston, head of the saleroom’s books and manuscripts department.
“As rare as material like this is, it’s still Freeman’s bread and butter, right in our wheelhouse, and we’re thrilled with the result – as is the consignor.”
