History on the Block: Louisiana Purchase Documents Lead Presidential Sale at RR Auction
A Louisiana Purchase ratification led the results, but routine presidential paperwork signed by Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and others proved that even everyday documents can command serious collector interest.
In a sale that blended foundational American history with a parade of presidential signatures, RR Auction’s February “Fine Autographs and Artifacts Featuring Presidents” auction delivered a compelling mix of Americana and authority. Anchored by cornerstone material tied directly to the expansion of the United States, the sale gave collectors a chance to own physical pages from some of the nation’s defining moments.
Leading the results was a pair of documents connected to the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, the blockbuster land deal that doubled the size of the young republic. Signed in Paris by American envoys James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston, along with French official François Barbé-Marbois, the document records the ratification of the treaty and directs that the paperwork be sent to President Thomas Jefferson “without delay.” That direct link to one of the most consequential diplomatic achievements in U.S. history carried the day, selling for $82,394, including buyer’s premium, well above its modest estimate.
While the Louisiana Purchase material was unquestionably the star from a historical standpoint, the auction showcased other noteworthy lots that connected tangible artifacts to numerous chapters in the nation’s story:
Lot 11: James Madison Signed Check (1815) — This rare presidential check from the fourth president realized $7,175, a strong result for what amounts to a day-to-day financial document from Madison’s post-war era.
Lot 158: William McKinley Document Extending a Blockade of Cuban Ports — With the Spanish-American War simmering in the background, McKinley’s signature on this official wartime order found a buyer at $1,740, a reminder that even transactional military paperwork can draw interest when tied to a significant conflict.
Lot 8: Thomas Jefferson Document Appointing a Midshipman — Not all lots were headline grabs, but this signed naval appointment from Jefferson’s presidency sold for $3,670, showcasing the appeal of everyday executive paperwork from the nation’s early leadership.
Lot 1: George Washington Signed Trade Voyage Documents — Three-language ship's papers issued to "George Smith, master or commander of the Schooner called the Hector, signed by President George Washington, September 1, 1794.
What makes this sale especially compelling is not just the headline Louisiana Purchase material but the sheer depth of presidential content woven throughout the catalog. Page after page reveals documents that may have seemed routine or administrative in their day, appointments, orders, and financial instruments, now resonate differently simply because of the hands that signed them. Names like James Monroe, John Tyler, James K. Polk, Franklin Pierce, and Abraham Lincoln appear not as distant historical figures, but as working presidents conducting the daily business of a young and evolving nation. These once-ordinary papers have become extraordinary artifacts, valued as much for their signatures as for the tangible link they provide to the moments that shaped the United States.
Beyond these American luminaries, the sale’s eclectic roster included rare cultural material, from Beatles-signed singles to letters by historic figures such as Rasputin, showcasing RR Auction’s signature blend of political, historical, and pop culture highlights.
For collectors who relish the tactile connection to the past, this sale is a reminder that often, the most meaningful pieces from the archives are not always those with the highest estimates.
All images courtesy of RR Auctions.
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