Inspired by History

The Raab Collection’s Masterclass Series continues in this episode in which host Rebecca Barry speaks with Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection, about how and where to buy historical documents and autographs. Raab explains how the market shifted in the 1990s from mailed dealer catalogs and phone orders to internet-based selling, with wider access, credit card purchasing, and online marketplaces, but also increased risk in a “buyer beware” environment with fewer experienced dealers. He advises that knowledge and authentication matter because mistakes are expensive, and stresses working with reputable sellers who stand behind what they sell. Raab describes his relationship-driven dealer model, access to private collectors and descendants, and ability to offer newly discovered material, contrasting it with auctions, which can yield widely varying prices depending on timing. He also emphasizes specialization and buying what you love at a comfortable price.

00:00 Introduction

00:43 How Buying Historical Documents Used to Work

01:51 Internet Changes Everything

04:23 Online Risks and Trust

05:55 Raab’s Front-Line Access

06:38 Dealers Versus Auctions

08:16 Pricing and Market Reality

10:00 Specialization Matters

11:02 Buy What You Love

12:16 Conclusion

On this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab of The Raab Collection about a rare manuscript marking the moment France, led by Napoleon, handed the signed Louisiana Purchase Treaty to U.S. representatives James Monroe and Robert Livingston in 1803, instructing it be delivered to President Thomas Jefferson. Raab describes the key participants, including French negotiator Barbé-Marbois, and explains that the treaty was ultimately carried to the U.S. by Peter Augustus Jay, John Jay’s son, amid delays and concerns that France might reconsider. 

The episode discusses Jefferson’s surprise at the scale of the purchase, constitutional questions it raised, and the document’s significance in enabling westward expansion and explorers like Lewis and Clark. Raab also notes its French formal script and its provenance in the Karpeles Manuscript Library, including its rescue during a 2019 fire.

To learn more: https://www.raabcollection.com/american-history-autographs/louisiana-purchase-manuscript 

00:00 Introduction

00:31 The Louisiana Purchase 

01:31 Where the Treaty Changed Hands

01:52 Who Signed and Delivered It

02:37 Thomas Jefferson, Ratification

03:34 The Manuscript’s Script

04:43 Why It Matters Historically

06:03 Provenance

07:23 Awe of Holding a Piece of History

08:28 Conclusion

The Raab Collection’s Masterclass Series continues in this episode which gives an overview of essential terminology used when buying historical documents and autographs. Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection, explains common abbreviations such as ALS (autograph letter signed) versus LS (letter signed, written by someone else but signed by the named person), TLS (typed letter signed), AMS (autograph manuscript signed), DS and ADS (document signed versus autograph document signed), and SP (signed photo), with examples involving figures like George Washington, Winston Churchill, and Abraham Lincoln. He also defines “secretarial signed” items, discusses clipped signatures and their relative value depending on context and rarity, and reviews condition terms collectors encounter, including foxing, separations at folds, silking, and lamination/encapsulation. The episode emphasizes reading document descriptions carefully and asking sellers to clarify unfamiliar terms.

00:00 Introduction 

00:27 Collector jargon basics

01:01 ALS vs LS explained

02:31 Typed letters TLS

03:06 Manuscripts AMS

04:27 Documents DS and ADS

06:13 Photos and Catalog Terms

07:24 Secretarial Signatures

08:36 Clipped Signatures

09:15 Value Depends on Context

11:22 Condition Terminology

15:33 Why Abbreviations Exist

16:15 Ask the Seller

17:44 Conclusion

On this episode of Inspired by History, Nathan Raab of The Raab Collection tells us about a newly acquired, previously unknown manuscript diary written by Founding Father John Jay during his 1794 London mission to negotiate the Jay Treaty. He describes the treaty as the Washington administration’s first major diplomatic effort to resolve lingering post-Revolution issues including British forts in the Northwest, debts, and impressment at sea, and notes Jay served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court while negotiating. The diary, passed down in Jay’s family for 230 years and never before offered for sale, meticulously logs Jay’s daily visits and invitations with dates and addresses, documenting meetings with figures such as Lord Grenville, royals, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Jeremy Bentham, Angelica Schuyler Church, artists, merchants, and abolitionists including William Wilberforce. Raab describes the diary’s research potential as a material addition to scholarship and discusses possible institutional or private buyers. For more information, visit: https://www.raabcollection.com/american-history-autographs/jay-diary-us-first-national-treaty

00:00 Introduction

00:32 The John Jay Diary Discovery

01:03 Why the Jay Treaty Mattered

02:24 John Jay’s Role in Government

03:08 Where the Diary Has Been

03:41 Inside the Diary’s Structure

05:13 Who Jay Met in London

06:47 Holding History in Hand

07:34 How Scholars Will Use It

09:47 Rarity of Jay Documents

10:50 Unexpected Finds and Buyers

12:37 A Gift to History, Conclusion

On this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Steven Raab, founder of The Raab Collection, to launch a series on starting and building a collection of historical documents. Episode 1 focuses on why people collect. Raab traces collecting from ancient Greece’s preservation of important texts and Roman-era autograph shops to modern autograph collecting, highlighting Walter Benjamin’s 1880s U.S. autograph firm and the hobby’s 20th-century growth. He explains that collecting is driven by personal connection to admired historical figures, learning more about them through their letters, preserving history as “custodians,” and the thrill of the hunt and discovery, sharing examples from his childhood Yankees-signed baseball to buying an Abraham Lincoln-signed order to blockade the Confederacy. For newcomers, he recommends starting with a focused interest, recognizing your motivation for collecting, and prioritizing quality over quantity by buying the best material one can afford.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:41 Ancient Roots of Collecting

02:01 Modern Autograph Market Boom

03:36 Why History Matters First

04:52 Personal Motivations to Collect

06:06 Childhood Collecting Stories

07:57 Custodians of History

09:00 The Thrill of the Hunt

09:51 A Lincoln Discovery Moment

11:57 How to Start Your Collection

15:04 Advice: Quality Over Quantity

16:04 Final Thoughts on Collecting

In this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab of The Raab Collection about two newly discovered George Washington letters written from Morristown, New Jersey, in late 1779 and early 1780, during the Revolutionary War. Addressed to Lieutenant Colonel William De Hart of the New Jersey regiments, the letters contain campaign and battlefield instructions, including efforts to counteract local Tories—whom Washington describes as “detestable and pernicious”—and guidance related to a planned invasion of Staten Island, a British stronghold. Raab explains how uncommon it is for significant Washington documents to surface for the first time, describes the letters’ provenance as having remained in one family for centuries, and discusses the process by which heirs and descendants contact The Raab Collection to evaluate and sell inherited materials. The conversation also connects the discovery to America’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, predicting increased supply and demand for Founding-era documents and noting interest in artifacts connected to figures such as John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, and the Marquis de Lafayette. To learn more visit:

https://www.raabcollection.com/presidential-autographs/washington-protect-american-patriots and https://www.raabcollection.com/presidential-autographs/washingtonp-staten-island-raid

00:00 Welcome to Inspired by History

00:32 Two Newly Discovered Washington Letters

01:40 Meet Lt. Col. William De Hart & Setting the Scene (Morristown, 1779–1780)

02:21 Inside the Letters: Orders, Tories, and the Staten Island Plan

03:31 Holding History: The Thrill of a Never-Before-Seen Washington Letter

04:25 How Family Treasures Surface: The Call That Brought Them In

05:13 America 250: Will the Anniversary Bring More Discoveries?

06:26 Founders, Signatures, and Cross-Party Appeal

07:33 Adding to the Historical Record: Why These Finds Matter

08:25 Wrap-Up and Where to Learn More

On this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection and author of The Hunt for History, about forgery in historical documents, manuscripts, and autographs and how collectors can avoid being deceived.

Raab discusses notable forgers such as Charles Weisberg, Robert Spring, Joseph Cosey, and Lee Israel, noting that some Spring and Cosey forgeries have become collectible and that modern issues often involve high-resolution reproductions that can be hard to detect in scans. He advises lay collectors to buy from trusted, experienced experts and to apply common-sense and contextual tests—matching dates, locations, handwriting, paper, ink, and overall consistency—emphasizing that authenticity is determined by multiple interlocking criteria and a single failure can invalidate a piece. 

Raab recounts uncovering a forged early Abraham Lincoln letter that had been published and offered by a reputable dealer, explaining that problems in the letter’s writing and line quality raised suspicion and underscored the need for skepticism and fresh scrutiny. He distinguishes healthy suspicion of documents from suspicion of sellers, noting many people unknowingly possess forgeries, and he addresses misconceptions about rarity by explaining relative definitions of uncommon, rare, and very rare, including that Lincoln military commissions are desirable but not rare.

To learn more, visit https://www.raabcollection.com/learning#forgery

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:31 Forgery in Historical Documents: Why It Matters

00:50 Famous Forgers: Spring, Cosey, and the ‘Collectible’ Forgery

02:14 Modern Forgery & High-Res Reproductions in the Internet Age

03:43 Beginner-Proof Advice: How to Avoid Buying Forgeries

05:10 Authenticity Checklist: Context, Paper, Ink, Handwriting & Provenance

07:05 Case Study: The Forged Lincoln Letter

09:38 Healthy Skepticism: History vs. Lore + Don’t Blame the Seller

10:56 When Fakes Come to You: Washington Letter Reproductions

11:39 Misrepresentations: What ‘Rare’ Really Means: Rare vs. Uncommon vs. Unique

12:57 Conclusion

In this special Presidents’ Day episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection, about the rich history and enduring appeal of documents signed by George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Nate delves into the types of Washington documents that collectors commonly encounter, ranging from his youth to his retirement. He also discusses market trends, document prices, and the authentication of signatures. Shifting to Lincoln, Nate outlines the variety of documents from Lincoln's life and presidency, touching upon their value and historical significance. The episode provides valuable insights for collectors on what makes a document significant and the best practices for beginning or enhancing a collection of historical documents and autographs. To learn more visit: raabcollection.com

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:46 Collecting George Washington Documents

02:40 Value and Rarity of Washington's Letters

07:43 Washington's Signature and Forgeries

11:02 Collecting Abraham Lincoln Documents

12:38 Value and Rarity of Lincoln's Letters

16:28 Lincoln's Signature and Forgeries

17:52 Advice for Collectors

20:43 Conclusion and Subscription Information

On this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry and Nathan Raab discuss a letter written by the Marquis de Lafayette to James Madison from Mount Vernon in 1784. They delve into Lafayette's return to the United States after the Revolutionary War and his deep connections with key American figures, particularly George Washington. The letter, which is unpublished and has been in a private family collection for nearly a century, offers a unique glimpse into the personal and diplomatic relationships among America's Founding Fathers. The conversation highlights the significance of such documents in bringing history to life and the rarity of correspondence between Founders. For more information, visit: https://www.raabcollection.com/foreign-figures-autographs/lafayette-to-madison

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:31 Lafayette's Return to America

01:55 Lafayette & Washington

03:35 The Content and Context of the Letter

04:11 The Letter's Rarity

06:54 Lafayette's Legacy and Friendship with James Madison

09:00 Conclusion and Podcast Information

On this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab of The Raab Collection about a rare letter written by Thomas Jefferson in late 1789, during his final day in France before his return to the United States for good. The discussion explores Jefferson's onerous voyage back to Virginia and the unexpected news awaiting him: that President George Washington had nominated him to be the first Secretary of State. The letter also touches upon his personal affairs and America’s transition post-Revolution. They delve into the provenance and historical significance of the document, highlighting its journey from a Philadelphia bookshop in the 1960s to a private collection and now back into the marketplace where a collector can buy this piece of history. To learn more: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidential-autographs/jefferson-bids-farewell-europe

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:31 Thomas Jefferson's 1789 Letter from France: Context and Background

01:57 Jefferson's Journey and Unexpected News

03:15 Significance of Jefferson's Return to the U.S. 

04:20 Details of the Letter and Its Recipient

06:14 Provenance of the Letter

07:51 Conclusion and Closing Remarks