Sotheby's to Auction Rare Acts of Congress Volume
A book gifted by George Washington to John Jay will be offered in New York this December.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Sotheby's will feature a rare volume of the Acts of Congress in a December 2026 auction in New York City. The historical book, gifted by George Washington to John Jay in 1789, is among the items set for sale.
Why it matters
This auction provides a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire foundational American documents, as the featured Acts of Congress volume is the only one of five original copies remaining in private hands.
The Acts of Congress volume is projected to fetch between $8 million and $12 million. Other notable items include a 1787 Pennsylvania Packet issue expected to sell for $600,000 to $800,000 and a first edition of The Federalist valued at $200,000 to $300,000.
The players
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is an international auction house that manages the sale of luxury goods, fine art, and significant historical artifacts.
George Washington
George Washington served as the first President of the United States and was a central figure in the American Revolution.
John Jay
John Jay was a Founding Father of the United States and served as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The details
The auction house is processing a single-owner collection that includes this significant volume, which contains the Bill of Rights and a custom binding by Thomas Allen. Provenance for the piece includes previous ownership by noted collectors Estelle Doheny and Richard Manney.
Timeline
September 19, 1787: The Constitution is published in The Pennsylvania Packet.
1788: The Federalist essays are published.
December 9, 1789: George Washington presents the book to John Jay.
October 20, 2026: Sotheby's held the first auction installment.
December 2026: Sotheby's holds the second auction installment.
Market Landscape
This sale fits into the long-standing industry trend of high-profile, single-owner auctions of foundational American historical archives. It positions the current collection within a competitive market where rare, private-hand political documents generate significant interest among top-tier institutional and private collectors.
While this auction targets elite collectors, it underscores the continued investment demand for primary-source American historical documents. Prospective collectors should monitor the auction house's buyer premium and provenance documentation requirements.
The takeaway
Collectors tracking high-value historical sales should focus on the provenance of items like the Acts of Congress to ensure long-term value preservation. This event highlights the rare intersection of personal history and national founding documents that drives the valuation of such archives.
Further reading
Learn more about the auction market for historical archives on our Philanthropy page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Artdaily.
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