Explore a well-rounded selection of Americana, including documents and autograph letters signed by Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Robert E. Lee. Also offered is “The Freedman’s Primer,” a unique surviving 1864 primer designed for the use of formerly enslaved persons. Maps by John Smith and William Wood round out our strong cartographical offerings.

A comprehensive offering of important Americana.

Americana

Explore first editions by F. Scott Fitzgerald, J.K. Rowling, Vladimir Nabokov, and Ernest Hemingway, manuscript material by Walt Whitman, Louisa May Alcott, and J.D. Salinger, illustrations by Ludwig Bemelmans, Kate Greenaway, and Maurice Sendak, and more.

Discover first editions and presentation copies from literary greats.

Fine Literature 

Sotheby’s is thrilled to present a collection of Austen material, exactly 250 years to the day after the author’s birth on 16 December 1775. Explore first editions of her beloved novels, including Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion, and a remarkable autograph letter signed to her sister, Cassandra.

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth—to the day.

Jane Austen

Explore remarkable offerings by Salinger, Fitzgerald, Nabokov, and Rowling.

Modern Classics

Fine Books and Manuscripts, Including Americana” is rounded off with a selection of works appealing to a wide-ranging variety of interests.

Explore a range of works and subjects that will appeal to a host of interests.

Various Subjects

New York

After the sale, property can be collected by appointment only through Post-Sale Services. Property will be available for collection starting on Friday, December 19, 2025 from Replica Shoes ’s Gantry Point, located at 25-11 49th&nbsp;Avenue, Long Island City, New York. Please contact Post-Sale Services to arrange for payment and property release. Sotheby's is free and open to the public. To visit our exhibitions from&nbsp;Saturday, December 13–Sunday, December 21,&nbsp;
 
 <a class="Link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sothebys-new-york-free-admission-including-icons-bing-crosby-tickets-1977312054583?aff=oddtdtcreator">please click here to reserve an entry time</a>
 
 . Kindly note that a reservation is required for entry on these dates.

SVP | Global Head of Books & Manuscripts

Richard Austin

Senior Vice President | International Senior Specialist

Selby Kiffer

Vice President | Head of Department, Americas

Dr. Kalika Sands

Specialist

Noah Goldrach

Associate Cataloguer

Emily Zas

Pre-Sale Coordinator

Gabriella Hetu

Meet our Specialists

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact: +1 212 606 7000 
 
 <a class="Link" href="mailto:enquiries@sothebys.com" target="_blank">ENQUIRIES@SOTHEBYS.COM</a>

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Sotheby’s is thrilled to present New York’s December sale, “Fine Books and Manuscripts, Including Americana,” open for bidding on 25 November and culminating in an online auction closing at noon on 16 December. The sale brings together a broad range of compelling books, letters, and other printed and manuscript artifacts, including works by F. Scott Fitzgerald, J.D. Salinger, Jane Austen, and L. Frank Baum. The fine selection of Americana includes works by Karl Bodmer, letters by George Washington and Robert E. Lee, and the unique surviving copy of “The Freedman’s Primer.”

Fine Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana