A true window into the mid-20th-century autograph and manuscript world, the 1957 Manuscript Society 10th Annual Auction catalog transports readers back to a time when collecting was a hands-on experience. This slim, neatly typed booklet with its mid-century cover reflects an era when bidders had to show up in person, fill out their forms, and raise physical paddles, waiting eagerly as each rare manuscript or autograph passed before them.
The Manuscript Society, founded in 1951, has been instrumental in fostering a community of collectors, dealers, and scholars interested in manuscripts and related materials. Their annual auctions provide a platform for members to acquire and sell historically significant items, preserving and sharing cultural treasures with future generations.
A Closer Look: 1957 Manuscript Society Tenth Annual Auction Catalog
The title page of the 1957 catalog details essential auction information, including the auctioneer, date, and location. The auction was led by Charles Retz, a prominent figure in the rare book and manuscript auction world of the 1940s and 1950s. Retz operated Charles Retz, Inc., a specialized auction house known for high-quality, historically significant sales. His auctions attracted both collectors and institutions seeking rare manuscripts, letters, and autographs.
American Ledgers & Ancient Documents
The first full page features Two American Ledgers (1742–1808), including material related to John Quincy Adams, alongside ancient documents bearing the names of Benjamin Franklin, George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Charles III, Robert Browning, and others. Additional items cover historical periods like the Civil War and the French Revolution, with starting bids ranging from $25 to $40.
Houdini Autograph Offered with Starting Bid of $25.00
Lot 53: HOUDINI. Magician.L.S.,one page, Montreal, October 21, 1826. Please let me know exactly what your letter means, if it means anything. Broke a bone in my left food while in Albany, and am semi-invalid....Reply to Schubert Theater, Detroit, Michigan." One of his last letters, fine condition. (Thaxter Institute). [$25.00]
Grant Autograph Featured with Starting Bid of $20.00
