A trove of documents collected in the late 1930s from legendary dealers Goodspeed’s in Boston, Massachusetts, and John Heise of Syracuse, New York, included a wide variety of interesting early documents spanning four centuries. 

A rare and well-preserved George Washington-signed Revolutionary War printed discharge form for a soldier in the 2nd New York Regiment sold for $18,750. A 1787 sworn oath testifying to a debt owed by a Philadelphia sailmaker signed by Benjamin Franklin brought $10,000.… Read More

My daughter is 15 years old, and she is an ardent fan of musical theater. At our house, any possible topic of conversation could (should and will) relate directly to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. Sometimes it’s really a bit of a stretch, but she always comes through with a lyric that fits, and favors us with song. For me, as the head of the book department at Skinner, this is perfect.

Although some connect to history effortlessly, many others feel only the distance, compounded by an obligation to memorize sterile dates that memorialize stale moments in the lives of old dead people.… Read More