Rare American Documents from Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, Plus The Book of Mormon, Headline Freeman's August Books & Manuscripts Auction
Spanning virtually all 250 years of American Independence, the sale brings together rare and important books, presidential manuscripts, fresh-to-market abolitionist and African American material, natural history, and important works of literature, offering collectors the opportunity to acquire objects that helped shape the American experience.
As the United States continues to commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding, Freeman's August 20 Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana auction presents an exceptional selection of books and documents that illuminate the nation's history.
Led by an extraordinarily rare 1781 promissory note printed and twice signed by Benjamin Franklin to facilitate repayment of a French loan that helped finance the American Revolution, the auction is particularly strong in Revolutionary and presidential history, while also featuring significant works of religion, African Americana, science, and literature. Additional highlights include a first edition of The Book of Mormon, two important presidential letters signed by George Washington, and a rare autograph letter by Black abolitionist and entrepreneur Paul Cuffe.
“This sale features many extraordinary items—Washington, Franklin, Lincoln, Audubon, to name just a few—but as a whole, the selections being offered from the archive of American abolitionist Rev. Samuel J. May may prove the most extraordinary of all,” says Darren Winston, SVP, Head of Department, Books & Manuscripts. “These twenty-five lots of unique documents dealing primarily with the abolitionist movement, but also educational reform and anti-slavery in general, have descended through May’s family and have never before been offered for sale. They may not rewrite history, but they will certainly help to color in the lines.”
Auction Highlights
Lot 23 | Franklin, Benjamin. Partially-Printed Promissory Note, printed, accomplished and twice-signed by Franklin
Estimate $200,000 – 300,000
The top lot of the sale, this exceptionally rare promissory note was printed, accomplished, and twice signed by Benjamin Franklin at his celebrated Passy press outside Paris in December 1781. Issued less than two months after the American victory at Yorktown, the document records repayment of a French government loan that helped finance the Revolutionary War at a pivotal moment in the nation's fight for independence. Printed as part of a limited series of certificates supporting loans negotiated by Franklin during his tenure as Minister Plenipotentiary to France, the document is among the last works produced at his Passy press. Only a small number remain in private hands, making it one of the most significant Revolutionary-era financial documents to come to auction in recent decades.
Lot 43 | Smith, Joseph. The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, Upon Plates Taken From the Plates of Nephi Rare First Edition of the Foundational Text of the Mormon Church Property from Bethany College
Estimate $100,000 – 150,000
One of the defining religious publications of the nineteenth century, this rare first edition of The Book of Mormon was published in 1830, just days before the formal establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the only edition identifying Joseph Smith as the book's author rather than its translator and retains its original witness testimonies. With only an estimated 500–700 copies surviving from the original 5,000 printed, it stands among the most sought-after works in American religious history.
Lot 198 | Washington, George. Letter, signed President Washington Sends the First Major Law Passed by Congress, the Tariff Act of 1789
Estimate $100,000 – 150,000
Signed only months after taking office as the nation's first president, this letter finds George Washington transmitting the Tariff Act of 1789—the first major legislation enacted under the newly ratified Constitution—to Maryland Governor John Eager Howard. The act established the federal government's first significant source of revenue and laid the financial foundation for the young republic. Examples of Washington's signed transmittal letters for this landmark legislation are exceedingly scarce, making the document an important milestone in the development of the federal government.
Lot 199 | Washington, George, and Thomas Jefferson. Manuscript Letter, signed President Washington Reaffirms the United States’ Treaty of Friendship and Peace with Morocco Property from Bethany College
Estimate $50,000 – 80,000
Signed by both President George Washington and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, this 1791 manuscript letter reaffirms the Treaty of Friendship and Peace between the United States and Morocco following the death of Sultan Mohammed III. Addressed to his successor, Sultan al-Yazid bin Mohammed, the letter offers America's condolences while introducing Thomas Barclay as the first United States Consul to Morocco, tasked with reaffirming the alliance between the two nations. First established in 1786, the U.S.-Morocco treaty marked the first treaty between the United States and an African nation and remains the longest unbroken diplomatic relationship in American history.
Lot 6 | Cuffe, Paul. Autograph Letter, signed Paul Cuffe Makes Preparations for His Last Voyage to Africa
Estimate $15,000 – 25,000
A rare autograph letter by Black entrepreneur, abolitionist, Quaker, and pioneering PanAfricanist, Paul Cuffe, documenting preparations for his final voyage to Sierra Leone in 1815. Written just weeks before his departure, the letter details the logistical and financial arrangements for transporting free Black families from Massachusetts to West Africa aboard his brig Traveller. Largely financed by Cuffe himself, the expedition became the first African American-led effort to voluntarily resettle free Black Americans in Africa. With only a handful of Cuffe letters known to have appeared at auction, the document offers an extraordinary firsthand account of one of the earliest chapters in the Back-to-Africa movement.
LEFT TO RIGHT
Lot 205 | Milligan, Spike. "Rommel?" "Gunner Who?" A Confrontation in the Desert. Signed by Stephen Hawking | Estimate $15,000 – 25,000; Lot 136 | Audubon, John James. Brown Pelican | Estimate $30,000 – 50,000
Additional Top Lots Include:
• Lot 19 | Wright, Elizur, Jr., and Arthur Tappan. Abolitionist Rev. Samuel J. May's Partially-Printed American Anti-Slavery Society Executive Committee Commission | Estimate $8,000 – 12,000
• Lot 136 | Audubon, John James. Brown Pelican | Estimate $30,000 – 50,000
• Lot 176 | The Official and First Obtainable Broadside Printing of Abraham Lincoln's Final Emancipation Proclamation | Estimate $30,000 – 50,000
• Lot 179 | Leale, Dr. Charles A. Autograph Document Recounting Lincoln's Assassination | Estimate $12,000 – 18,000
• Lot 205 | Milligan, Spike. "Rommel?" "Gunner Who?" A Confrontation in the Desert. Signed by Stephen Hawking | Estimate $15,000 – 25,000
Auction Preview
Highlights from the auction will be on view at Freeman’s Philadelphia gallery:
August 17–19, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Freeman’s Philadelphia
2400 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
How to Bid
The Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana sale will be offered live in Freeman’s Philadelphia saleroom. Bidding will be available in person, over the phone, and via absentee or live online bidding. For more information, please visit freemansauction.com.
About Freeman’s
Freeman’s is a premier American auction house offering services in multiple categories including fine art, jewelry, design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, antiquities, couture, and Asian works of art. With 16 regional locations nationwide, the firm provides auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory services, connecting clients to the global art market. Freeman’s strives to bring art, history, and design to life by connecting people with extraordinary objects through exceptional service and expertise.