Books and Manuscripts

A book was the first item ever sold by Freeman’s founder, Tristram Bampfylde Freeman, in 1805. Freeman’s Books and Manuscripts department has sold countless books in the intervening 217 years, and we still treat each one—and every consignor—with the respect and professionalism they deserve.

The specialists in Freeman’s Books and Manuscripts department maintain a deep knowledge of current market trends; although their focus always shifts in response to the material at hand, they have been particularly successful bringing to market the prints of John James Audubon, Americana, Medieval manuscripts, presidential letters and documents, and material related to the history of travel and exploration.

Our multiple annual Books and Manuscripts auctions offer a range of printed books, manuscripts, fine bindings, photography, posters, prints, autographs, and maps. Recent successes include the record-shattering $4.42M sale of signer Charles Carroll’s copy of the Declaration of Independence, which marked the second-highest price ever paid at auction for a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and the highest price ever paid at auction for an American document printed in the 19^th century.

The department has been entrusted with several recent important single-owner collections, including works deaccessioned by the Virginia House Museum from the Collection of Ambassador & Mrs. Alexander Weddell; the Alexander Hamilton Collection of John E. Herzog; and selections from the library of Victor Niederhoffer.

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