Duane Beckett
The upcoming RR Auction, titled “March Manuscript & Artifact Sale,” should have history buffs and collectors seeking OOAK (one of a kind) items on high alert. The auction closes March 18, 2026, and includes 1,250+ lots, some of which are simply unique.
This sale includes historical manuscripts, scientific material, cultural artifacts, and a pretty broad mix of names that stretch across centuries, including Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and more. It’s not just political either, every interest is covered, from music to sports, space, and literature. For example, there’s a Charles Darwin-signed cheque to his son.
When it comes to genuine paperwork from history, it’s no longer simply what looks nice in an environment, it’s about the historical significance. That’s what makes this one interesting.
Standout items in the auction
This auction has a number of standouts, but the first on the list has to be the Thomas Jefferson letter signed while he was serving as secretary of state. It’s forwarding legislation tied to slavery in the Tennessee Territory. The estimate is $20,000, and bidding is currently at $9,748 (at the time of writing).
RR Auction’s catalog adds the historical weight behind this document, stating that the Southwest Ordinance allowed slavery to continue in that territory. That’s not light material. It’s the sort of document that says a lot about the time and past events.
Another piece that jumps out is the George Washington-signed 1768 “Mountain Road” lottery ticket. The estimate is $20,000, but bidding already puts it at $17,540 (at the time of writing).
RR Auction’s catalog reports that only about 25 examples are known to survive, which helps explain why this kind of early Washington item gets attention fast.
If presidential material is your lane, there’s plenty to scan through, because there are 81 lots in the “American Presidents and First Ladies” section alone.
Other top lots include a heavily revised Theodore Roosevelt manuscript on the Progressive Party and an FDR World War II letter tied to opening a second front against Nazi Germany.
Who is RR Auction?
RR Auction was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Boston, with a long focus on rare manuscripts, autographs, and historic artifacts.
Its official site says bidders need a bidder number before they can take part, and the bidding guide notes that minimum bids apply, and standard raises must be at least 10 percent of the current bid.
Terms on the site also state that a 25 percent buyer’s premium is added to the hammer price.
If you’re planning to bid, do the boring part now: register. This is important because the auction ends on March 18, and RR Auction states that internet bidders should register at least one full day before the auction.