Freeman's

Three days after the Treaty of Paris officially ended the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson sat down in Annapolis to write about the future of a new nation.

Offered in How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X, this remarkable 1784 autograph letter captures Jefferson reflecting on America's stability, the challenges facing the fledgling republic, and his plans to publish what would become Notes on the State of Virginia.

Carried to Paris by Lt. Col. David Franks—likely the first Jewish American to serve in the nation's diplomatic corps—the letter also sheds light on a lesser-known patriot whose contributions helped shape the early United States.

A powerful witness to the dawn of American independence, this extraordinary document offers a rare glimpse into Jefferson's vision for the nation at one of the most pivotal moments in its history.

Lot 80 | June 30

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What does it take to build one of the most significant historical archives ever assembled?

In a recent interview with rare book dealer Adam Weinberger, renowned collector Eric C. Caren reflects on a lifetime spent preserving the documents, newspapers, manuscripts, photographs, and ephemera that bring history to life.

Containing more than one million original items, the Eric C. Caren Collection offers a remarkable record of the people, events, and moments that shaped America and the world. From Revolutionary War manuscripts and Civil War documents to iconic sports memorabilia and cultural artifacts, the collection reveals history through the firsthand accounts that witnessed it unfold.

As we prepare for Part X of the Eric C. Caren Collection, we invite collectors, historians, and enthusiasts alike to explore this extraordinary archive and the passion behind its creation.

Watch the full interview and discover why Eric Caren's collection is widely regarded as one of the greatest assemblages of historical paper ever formed.

I Interviewed the World's Greatest Paper Collector Before His 10th Auction What happens when one man spends a lifetime rescuing history?Brow...

The Quay captures the artist’s signature impressionistic style, with luminous color and energetic brushwork bringing a bustling waterfront scene to life.

This charming oil on board is offered in our upcoming Interiors auction, presenting an opportunity to acquire a work by one of America’s celebrated maritime painters.

Lot 55 | Richard Hayley Lever (American, 187-1958) 'The Quay'
Interiors | June 26

Register to bid and explore the full sale at the link in our bio.

Offered in How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X is an extraordinary manuscript logbook kept by British Royal Navy midshipman Charles Robert Malden during the War of 1812. Among its pages is one of the only known eyewitness accounts of the bombardment of Fort McHenry in September 1814—the battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to write what would become The Star-Spangled Banner.

Documenting the British fleet's movements throughout the Chesapeake Campaign, the log provides a rare and remarkable perspective on a pivotal moment in American history. Presumably the only contemporary English account of the shelling ever to come to market, this manuscript stands as an exceptional historical survival.

Live Auction | Philadelphia
June 30 at 10 AM EDT

A master of modern Pointillism, Yvonne Canu transformed coastal scenes into luminous studies of light, color, and atmosphere.

Les Mouettes captures a tranquil seaside moment through Canu’s signature technique, layering vibrant brushstrokes to create remarkable depth and movement. Inspired by the traditions of the Impressionists and Neo-Impressionists, her work remains highly sought after by collectors around the world.

Les Mouettes
Offered in our upcoming auction in Chicago.
Register to bid at the link in bio.

A striking example of contemporary Diné jewelry artistry, this 14K gold cuff bracelet by Vernon Haskie (Diné, b. 1968) showcases his signature cobblestone inlay technique, featuring vibrant coral, sugilite, turquoise, and diamonds.

Combining exceptional craftsmanship with bold design, this wearable work of art highlights the innovation and enduring legacy of Native American jewelry traditions.

Offered in our Native American and Southwestern Jewelry auction on June 15.

Register to bid at the link in bio.

Freeman’s Important Jewelry auction on June 10 features Grace and Gavel: Jewelry from the Collection of the Honorable Sandra Schultz Newman, the first woman elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Led by a spectacular 19-carat elongated emerald-cut diamond, the collection reflects the refined taste and remarkable legacy of a pioneering jurist.

The sale also presents exceptional jewelry from distinguished private collections and estates nationwide, including coveted designs by Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Cartier, Marina B, and Tiffany & Co., as well as an extraordinary Oscar Heyman sapphire and diamond bracelet.

Whether you're a seasoned collector or bidding for the first time, this is a sale not to be missed.

June 10
Important Jewelry

Browse the catalog and register to bid at the link in bio.

History wasn't written in textbooks first, it unfolded on paper.

From the founding of the United States to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X presents an extraordinary opportunity to collect the documents, newspapers, manuscripts, photographs, and ephemera that witnessed history as it happened. Drawn from the renowned collection of Eric C. Caren, often called the "Babe Ruth of Historical Collecting," this landmark sale represents one of the most extensive documentations of American history ever assembled in private hands.

Highlights include a remarkable letter from Thomas Jefferson announcing the ratification of the Treaty of Paris, a firsthand account of the bombardment of Fort McHenry that inspired The Star-Spangled Banner, and some of the earliest printed announcements of American independence.

How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X | June 30

Register to bid and explore a collection that tells the story of America through the rare surviving records of its defining moments.

Mildred Young Olmes' Wind Sweep (1941) captures nature in motion a striking sense of atmosphere.

Offered in our upcoming Collect: American and European Art auction, this evocative painting is part of a thoughtfully curated selection spanning American, European, Western, Modern, and Old Master traditions.

Mildred Young Olmes (American, 1906–1994) 'Wind Sweep, 1941'
Collect: American and European Art | June 17

Whether you're a seasoned collector or discovering the world of fine art for the first time, this sale offers exceptional opportunities to acquire works with character, history, and lasting appeal.

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Featuring more than 300 carefully curated lots, this exceptional sale showcases the richness and diversity of Asian art traditions, from Chinese porcelains and scholar's objects to finely carved jade, s***f bottles, textiles, and important Japanese and Korean works of art.

Highlights include a Qing dynasty blue and white dragon tripod censer, a rare Han dynasty lacquered ear cup, an impressive Meiji-period Japanese household shrine, and a powerful Tibetan gilt bronze figure of Yamantaka. Spanning centuries of cultural achievement, the sale offers discoveries for seasoned collectors and newcomers alike.

June 25 | Asian Works of Art
Explore remarkable works that celebrate the enduring beauty, history, and craftsmanship of Asia's artistic traditions. Link in bio to register and browse the catalog.