With a wide range of expertise, University Archives specializes in all kinds of autographs, manuscripts, photography, and artifacts. Their founder, John Reznikoff, is the world’s leading expert in historical autographs, making University Archives a premier source for collectors to purchase important historical collectibles. Their recently published auction catalog for the September 6 auction is highly impressive, including many valuable historical items and collectibles covering all fields.
Bob Dylan’s Handwritten Lyrics
Perhaps the finest lot in the auction is handwritten lyrics by Bob Dylan in pristine condition. Dylan, who is regarded by many as the greatest singer-songwriter of all time, holds many auction records in terms of handwritten lyrics – for example, the original lyrics to Like a Rolling Stone, sold for $2 million in 2014.
Related: Auction Record for Bob Dylan's Love Letters
The sale includes lyrics to the song Subterranean Homesick Blues from Dylan’s classic album Bringing It All Back Home. The lyrics were handwritten on a hotel stationary paper by Dylan in 2013 while on tour, and refers to cultural flashpoints of the 1960s, including the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. The paper is beautifully signed in full name by Dylan and has a conservative estimate of $40,000–$50,000.
Handwritten Letter by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Barnebys had the opportunity to sit down with John Reznikoff, who told us about his favorite item in the auction. The item that drew his attention the most was a handwritten and signed letter by the great American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald.
“It is a newly discovered letter that is consigned by a local library, who found it in a box of papers that was donated”, Reznikoff said, adding: “In the letter, Fitzgerald quotes Mark Twain in relation to his famous work The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."
Related: How The Great Gatsby Got Its Cover
The letter was written in 1922 and is one of the best Fitzgerald letters ever to hit the auction block, with Fitzgerald's aesthetically beautiful handwriting and signature. The content of the letter also makes it a historically important literary collectible.
Declaration of Independence
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Among the historical lots, the Declaration of Independence stands out. Ratified on July 4, 1776, the founding document of the United States was originally signed by 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress with the famous John Hancock signature highlighted in the center. Although the original is stored by the National Archive, and will never be for sale, faithful facsimile copies of the Declaration of Independence are available for purchase. The document offered by University Archives is from circa 1848 by William Stone/Peter Force copperplate engraving printing, and comes with an estimate of $20,000–$30,000.
