Swann Auction Galleries to Offer Archive of Ford’s Theatre, Early Publications of the Continental Congress in Upcoming Auction

This upcoming sale, presented by Swann Auction Galleries, reflects centuries of American Revolution and Civil War history with political proceedings, civil rights documents, historic newspapers, maps, and more. A key highlight is an archive of Ford’s Theatre and the theatrical Ford family. This lot contains more than 3,500 items of various sizes and conditions collected in three boxes. Several scrapbooks, pictures, letters, artifacts, and ephemera are dated between 1849 and 1968. Also showcased in the auction is a manuscript diary that includes 21 pages of memoranda. This diary is a compilation of meetings with George Washington and John Hancock in the midst of the retreat from New York during the American Revolution.  

Other notable lots include an archive on the surrender of a Confederate cavalry brigade in May of 1865, early publications of the Continental Congress, an early printing of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense; Addressed to the Inhabitants of America, and a complete run of The Gentleman’s Magazine from the period of the revolution. Visit Swann Auction Galleries to view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming Printed & Manuscript Americana sale.