Sotheby’s offering James S. Copley’s library of original manuscripts in April

In April of this year, Sotheby’s of New York will offer the James S. Copley library, a large collection of original manuscripts of American history and worldwide literary, artistic and scientific achievement.

The collection reflects the interest and passion of Copley, a collector and newspaper publisher. Working with curator Richard Reilly, he assembled around 2,000 manuscripts, books, pamphlets and maps during the 1960s and 1970s that is today valued at more than $15 million.

Copley was the editor of the San Diego Union-Tribune and CEO of Copley Press until his death in 1973. He received numerous industry awards, and he and his wife were notable philanthropists in the San Diego area.

President Richard Nixon appointed Copley to the Bicentennial Media Committee in 1969, and his collection reflects his interest in U.S. history, containing many publications related to the struggle of the United States to gain its independence and establish its Constitution.

Copley’s collection includes documents from Thomas Paine, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Charles Dickens, T.S. Eliot, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Thomas Edison and many more.

Up until now, there has been public access to the library and scholarly research has been undertaken, but the exhibitions and interest the upcoming auctions will create will expose many more people to the impressive collection.

“In our years of handling private collections, this is a rare opportunity for existing and new collectors to find such a comprehensive treasure trove of American historical documents, books, manuscripts and fine art, including autographs of all the signers of the Declaration of Independence, manuscripts from Presidents Washington to Lincoln and beyond, examples of prolific Americans such as Mark Twain, Albert Einstein and George Gershwin as well as so many other iconic works. It is a veritable Who’s Who from three centuries of America,” said Elizabeth von Habsburg, President of Gurr Johns, Inc, the agent for the library in the sale.

Copley’s library will be sold in a series of eight auctions that will be held over the course of a year, beginning in April.

Click here for a more detailed list of documents and historical figures included in the collection.