University Archives

Rare Autographs & Books

Including Lincoln & Space Exploration

February 18, 2026

University Archives is excited to announce its upcoming sale! February will include outstanding items from highlighted collections, like the Yousuf & Estrellita Karsh Estate, and the Presidential Collection of a Midwestern Gentleman. As always, collectors will be able to find rare and superb historical memorabilia from other collecting categories as well, including Early America, Science, Space/Aviation, Literature, Art, Music and more.

Part I of the Yousuf & Estrellita Karsh Estate includes pristine photographic prints retained in Yousuf Karsh's personal collection, as well as items related to Karsh's photography subjects and fellow photographers. This collection - monumental in quality as well as scope - will be offered over the course of several sales, beginning with 25 lots in our February sale.

Part I of the Presidential Collection of a Midwestern Gentleman includes presidential autographs from John Quincy Adams through Ronald Reagan.

2024 State Sales Tax Collection Update

University Archives now participates in Invaluable Payments in addition to Live Payments.

Bidders will be able to pay directly for auction items using the Invaluable, AuctionZip, and LiveAuctioneers platforms.

State sales tax will be collected by Invaluable Payments and Live Payments in 45 states (excluding Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon.)

HISTORIC AUCTION RESULT

Sir Isaac Newton Signed South Sea Bubble Document Fetches $106,000 At Our May 6, 2020 Sale

A financial document signed by British physicist Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) as "Isaac Newton" changed hands for over $100,000 at our May 6, 2020 online auction.

The partly handwritten and partly printed contract dated July 13, 1720 authorized Newton’s financial adviser Joseph Safford to obtain shares in the South Sea Company. The infamous joint stock company endorsed by the British monarchy and enriched by the transatlantic slave trade would later become the textbook example of a speculation bubble. In September 1720, just three months after signing this document, South Sea shares plummeted, and Newton lost £20,000. When asked his opinion of the prospect of South Sea stock, Newton replied that while he could calculate the motions of heavenly bodies, the madness of the people defied natural laws.

Auction activity for the Sir Isaac Newton signed document was intense. Total online demand on just one of our online platforms exceeded $194,000, and auction staff were riveted as three live phone bidders competed for supremacy. The Newton finally went to an international businessman at more than double its high estimate.

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ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Historic Results: Autographs, Manuscripts, Photography and Artifacts.

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HISTORY'S FOREMOST FAMILIES

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ABOUT OUR FOUNDER

John Reznikoff

Leading Expert in the Field of Rare Historical Documents, Manuscripts and Relics.

John Reznikoff, founder and President of University Archives, is a world-renowned collector and purveyor of historical items of significant value. His expertise, honed over 45 years in the autograph industry, has served him well in his quest for exceptional documents, manuscripts, rare books, relics, and memorabilia. John has bought and sold over $250 million dollars’ worth of items over his career to institutions and individuals. His record-breaking monthly online auctions attract bidders from over 60 countries.

In addition to running a highly successful auction house, John is also one of the world’s most requested expert witnesses and autograph authenticators. His clients have included the U. S. Justice Department, the FBI, state law enforcement, top auction houses, and the largest rare book dealers in the world.  John is regularly sought out by print and broadcast media to comment on current events relating to history, collecting, or the autograph industry in general.