Rare Anti-British American Revolution Pamphlet Leads Americana Auction

Freeman’s July 25 Books and Manuscripts auction is led by more than a hundred Americana lots, almost 60 of which are either examples from the signers of the Declaration of Independence or related to that document. The leading lot is America in Arms, an extremely rare anti-British pamphlet published during the American Revolution, one of only two known copies. 

Thee sale also features a rare and important document marking the appointments of John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, and Elbridge Gerry to the Second Continental Congress. Other highlights include:

• a 1790 manuscript document signed by Thomas Jefferson
• several lots related to George Washington, including a fine signed Revolutionary War–era military discharge
• eight lots related to Abraham Lincoln, including campaign-related material and two fine signed military commissions

The sale also features several fine maps and atlases, including a rare copy of the 1535 heretical Ptolemy world atlas and an inscribed first edition of Amelia Earhart’s 20 Hrs. 40 Mins. Additional noteworthy items include:

• a fine hand-colored copy of George Catlin’s two-volume Illustrations of the Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North American Indians
• five titles by or about Samuel Johnson, including a first edition of James Boswell’s 1791 biography
• seven prints by John James Audubon, including six from Birds of America