University Archives sets Sept. 9 auction with Einstein, Monroe and Churchill signed items

University Archives will hold an online-only rare autographs auction on Sept. 9, led by signed pieces tied to Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Winston Churchill and other major historical figures. The 409-lot sale spans autographs, documents, books, photos, artwork and relics, with bidding open now.

Why it matters: - The sale brings together high-profile historical material that appeals to collectors across politics, science, civil rights, entertainment and literature. - Top lots include signature material tied to some of the 20th century’s most recognizable names, which can drive strong competition and prices. - University Archives is offering the catalog online, making the auction accessible to bidders on multiple platforms.

What happened: - University Archives will hold its online-only Rare Autographs, Manuscripts, Books & Photographs auction on Wednesday, Sept. 9, starting at 10 a.m. Eastern. - The catalog includes 409 lots and is open for viewing and bidding now on the University Archives catalog, as well as Invaluable, AuctionZip and LiveAuctioneers. - Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted. - The auction features items signed by Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Winston Churchill, George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., Thomas Jefferson, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Bill Clinton, the Beatles, Ernest Hemingway and Princess Diana.

The details: - The auction includes material in autographs, documents, archives, books, photographs, artwork and relics. - John Reznikoff, president and owner of University Archives, said the sale is loaded with outstanding historical material across major collecting categories. - Major collecting categories include U.S. Presidents, Science, Civil Rights, World Leaders, Early America, Entertainment, Literature and Music. - The Douglas Wertman Collection will be offered in a series of auctions. - Wertman was the longtime secretary of the Universal Autograph Collectors Club and worked for three decades at the U.S. Information Agency. - University Archives says Wertman carefully identified, documented and researched each lot. - The Albert Einstein letter, written in German to Michele Besso from Berlin in 1926, carries a $30,000 to $40,000 estimate. - The letter argues that simple experiments should reveal a deeper rational order and rejects the work of Swiss chemist Johann Gottfried Beck. - The Marilyn Monroe model release from April 30, 1946, is signed as “Norma Jeane Dougherty,” before she adopted her stage name. - The Monroe contract with photographer Richard C. Miller is PSA/DNA slabbed and graded NM-MT 8, and carries a $17,000 to $22,000 estimate. - Lot 348 is a George Philip Edition map titled “Dunkirk to Berlin / June, 1940 - July, 1945 / Journeys Undertaken By The Rt. Honble. Winston S. Churchill...” and is boldly signed by Churchill. - The Churchill map shows 19 destinations from World War II and was issued to coincide with his war memoirs reprint. - The Churchill map carries a $10,000 to $15,000 estimate. - A J. Robert Oppenheimer typed letter signed on March 14, 1949, asks whether Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study should contribute to the Einstein Award or support another cause. - That letter copies Albert Einstein and Admiral Lewis Strauss and has a $8,000 to $10,000 estimate. - A George Washington signed letter from May 22, 1779, from Middlebrook, New Jersey, discusses logistics for the Sullivan Expedition. - The Washington letter carries a $22,500 to $35,000 estimate. - A Martin Luther King Jr. signed Ebenezer Baptist Church program dated March 25, 1968, was presented in Atlanta 10 days before his assassination. - The King item is PSA/DNA slabbed, certified authentic and accompanied by a JSA LOA and recipient information. - The King program carries a $20,000 to $30,000 estimate. - An archive of Charles George Gordon correspondence includes 55 documents and more than 100 pages with at least 50 Gordon signatures. - The Gordon archive contains examples from his time at Khartoum before he and about 7,000 defenders were killed. - A Thomas Jefferson autograph letter from May 4, 1786, written from Paris, mentions the Diamond Necklace Affair and is addressed to Col. William Stephens Smith. - The Jefferson letter carries a $15,000 to $20,000 estimate. - A Bill Clinton signed presentation photo from about Feb. 13, 1997, is inscribed to the people of Israel and is PSA/DNA slabbed and graded GEM MT 10. - The photo shows Clinton with Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office promoting the Hebron Agreement. - The Clinton photo carries a $12,000 to $15,000 estimate. - Lot 277 is an original sketch of John Lennon signed by all four Beatles: Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. - The Beatles sketch shows Lennon in profile and includes a manuscript arrow and caption reading “JOHN / BEATLE.” - The Beatles sketch is accompanied by a JSA LOA and carries a $12,000 to $15,000 estimate. - Ernest Hemingway’s signed Florida driver’s license dates to about 1939-1940 and lists 907 Whitehead Street in Key West as his primary address. - The license is PSA/DNA slabbed and certified authentic and carries a $10,000 to $15,000 estimate. - A Princess Diana autograph letter signed on Nov. 27, 1995, responds to Michael Barratt and discusses communication in future relationships. - The letter was written one week after Diana’s controversial “Panorama” interview and carries a $9,000 to $12,000 estimate. - University Archives says the auction is part of its broader effort to offer rare material from major collections and individual consignments. - John Reznikoff can be reached at 203-454-0111 or john@universityarchives.com for potential future consignments. - University Archives was founded in 1979 as a division of University Stamp Company. - Reznikoff started collecting stamps and coins in 1968, while in third grade, and is widely regarded as a leading authenticity expert for manuscripts and documents. - University Archives is located at 88 Danbury Road, Suite 2A, in Wilton, Connecticut.

Between the lines: - The auction leans on marquee names and well-documented provenance, two factors that often matter most in the autograph and manuscript market. - The Douglas Wertman Collection adds depth in presidential, political and Civil War material, which may broaden bidder interest beyond headline lots. - The company’s emphasis on authentication and grading reflects how much the market depends on trust as well as rarity.

What's next: - Bidding remains open ahead of the Sept. 9 sale. - University Archives will continue offering the Douglas Wertman Collection in later auctions. - Sellers with single items or collections may contact John Reznikoff about future consignments. - More information is available on University Archives.