Christie's New York Hosts Landmark Auction for America's 250th Anniversary
As the United States approaches its monumental 250th birthday in 2026, a prestigious auction house in New York is preparing a remarkable sale that traces the nation's history through its most significant documents and artifacts. The event, scheduled for Friday at Christie's, has been titled "We the People: America at 250" and promises to bring together foundational political texts, iconic American art, and rare historical objects that collectively narrate the American story.
Foundational Documents with Historic Significance
The auction's highlights include several cornerstone documents of American democracy, each carrying substantial estimates and profound historical weight. Among them is a rare 1776 broadside printing of the Declaration of Independence, produced in New Hampshire by printer Robert Luist Fowle. This item is estimated to fetch between $3 million and $5 million.
Peter Klarnet, senior specialist for books, manuscripts and Americana at Christie's, emphasised the item's importance, stating: "It's historically significant because you get to see what people at the time actually saw. While the initial printing was produced by John Dunlap on the night of July 4, 1776—with about 200 copies printed and only 26 known to survive—other printers quickly began producing their own versions. This is the way that everyday Americans would have encountered the Declaration of Independence whether it was tacked to a wall or read from the pulpit of their local congregation."
Another pivotal document featured is Rufus King's edited draft of the U.S. Constitution, also estimated at $3 million to $5 million. Printed just five days before the final version was issued on September 17, 1787, this document captures the nation's founding charter during its finalisation stage. Klarnet noted: "This is the Constitution taking final form. You can see the edits being made in real time. King was a delegate from Massachusetts to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and a member of The Committee of Style, tasked with refining the text. This puts you directly in Independence Hall as they're drafting and making the final changes and edits to this remarkable document."
Emancipation Proclamation and Iconic American Art
The auction also presents a signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, estimated similarly at $3 million to $5 million. This authorized printed edition was commissioned for the Great Central Fair, a Civil War-era fundraiser held in Philadelphia in June 1864 to support Union troops. Klarnet explained: "Lincoln, together with his Secretary of State William Seward and his Secretary John Nicolay, signed 48 copies of this. They were originally sold for $20 each—and not all sold at the time."
American art constitutes another major component of the sale. Leading this category is Gilbert Stuart's portrait of George Washington, believed to have inspired the face on the U.S. dollar bill. Commissioned by James Madison, this painting carries an estimate of $500,000 to $1 million.
Additional artworks include:
- A Jamie Wyeth painting depicting John F. Kennedy accepting the 1960 Democratic presidential nomination at the Los Angeles Coliseum, estimated at $200,000 to $300,000.
- Grant Wood's original pencil sketch of American Gothic, drawn on the back of an envelope, with an estimate of $70,000 to $100,000.
Rare Historical Artifacts and Collector Perspectives
Beyond documents and art, the auction features extraordinary historical objects, such as the only known flag recovered by U.S. forces from the 1876 Battle of Little Bighorn. This flag is expected to sell for between $2 million and $4 million.
Historians observing the auction highlight the crucial role private collectors play in preserving national heritage. Historian Harold Holzer commented: "Private collectors play an important role. They save things, they preserve things, and ultimately they pass on their collections."
Reflecting on the emotional resonance of these items, Holzer added: "You almost feel the electricity from these relics, their impact on the people, who not only read these documents, but fought for what they were calling for." He poignantly described the documents as "great words fought for with blood."
This Christie's auction not only commemorates America's 250th birthday but also serves as a testament to the enduring power of material culture in connecting contemporary audiences with the nation's revolutionary past and democratic foundations.
