Inspired by History

On this special episode of Inspired by History, we invited Steven Raab, founder of The Raab Collection, into the studio to discuss his journey from a law career to becoming a full-time dealer in historical documents and autographs. Steven shares stories about his first collectible purchase, the excitement and challenges of the trade, and the evolution of the autograph market over the past 40+ years. The conversation highlights key acquisitions, the importance of authenticity, and Steven's passion for storytelling through historical artifacts. Steven also delves into his personal collecting preferences and reflects on influential figures in his career. And if you missed part 1 of "How to Buy and Sell Historical Documents Like an Expert" with Nathan Raab, check out episode 14.

00:00 Introduction 

00:33 Steven Raab's First Autograph Purchase

01:21 Transition from Law to Autograph Dealing

02:53 Evolution of the Autograph Trade

05:23 Challenges and Joys of Collecting

10:27 Authenticity and Reputation in the Business

11:35 Career Highlights and Memorable Finds

13:19 Advice for Aspiring Collectors

14:08 Early Beginnings and Mentorship

17:06 Conclusion and Farewell

On this episode of Inspired by History, Nathan Raab shares the story of three newly uncovered letters written by George Washington to his trusted Cabinet member Timothy Pickering—documents unseen for over two centuries.

The letters, penned during Washington’s presidency, reveal the first known instance of executive privilege, as Washington debated whether to share sensitive papers on the Jay Treaty with Congress. They also capture his concerns about James Monroe’s diplomacy in France and his efforts to gauge public reaction to the treaty that helped shape America’s early foreign policy.

Nathan discusses how these letters resurfaced through Pickering’s descendants, their historical significance, and what they reveal about Washington as both President and person—measured, thoughtful, and still defining the limits of executive power.

These letters offer a rare glimpse into the early Republic, the birth of American political divisions, and the rediscovery of Washington’s voice in his own hand.

On this episode of Inspired by History, Nathan Raab announces the fascinating discovery of what may be the earliest known example of modern musical notations from Western Europe in private hands. Unearthed from a ninth-century Latin manuscript originally part of a Sacramentary, the notations on this leaf are revealed to be groundbreaking remnants of the Carolingian Renaissance. The episode explores the meticulous process of authenticating these rare documents and the historical significance of Charlemagne's influence on handwriting standardization. Learn about the exciting journey of uncovering these medieval musical notations and their remarkable impact on our understanding of history. To learn more, visit: https://www.raabcollection.com/medieval-manuscripts/earliest-musical-notations

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:32 Unveiling a Historical Discovery

00:53 The 9th-Century Sacramentary Manuscript

02:21 The Significance of Carolingian Script

03:25 Discovery at Auction

03:44 Musical Notations (Neumes) in Medieval Manuscripts

05:34 Confirming the Discovery

05:55 Research and Historical Context

07:05 The Excitement of Historical Discoveries

08:08 Conclusion

In this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab about a newly discovered, unpublished letter of Abraham Lincoln. The episode explores how rare historical documents like this Civil War-era Lincoln letter provide fresh insights into history. They delve into the letter's background, detailing its journey from Lincoln's hands to General Washburn, stationed in Brownsville, Texas, to its recent discovery in a private collection, and discuss the value of Lincoln autographs and letters. The episode also highlights the importance of preserving and studying these documents to deepen our understanding of historical figures and events. To learn more, visit: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidents-autographs/abraham-lincoln-autograph

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:33 Unveiling a Rare Lincoln Document

02:18 The President’s Correspondent: General Cadwallader Washburn

02:49 The Battle of Brownsville, Texas

05:39 Lincoln's Handwritten Letters

06:09 The Value of Lincoln Documents

06:59 Incorporating this Discovery into Lincoln Scholarship

07:28 Conclusion 

In this episode of Inspired by History, Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection, answers some frequently asked questions about historical documents and autographs. Nathan shares insights on how he entered the business, the daily operations of a historical document dealer, and the intricate process of authenticating documents. He emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity in building meaningful collections and discusses the challenges and nuances of the autograph market. The episode also covers how The Raab Collection sources its materials and provides practical advice for new collectors.

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:34 Meet Nathan Raab: The Historical Document Expert

01:49 The Day-to-Day Life of a Historical Documents Dealer

03:10 The Art of Authenticating Historical Documents

04:53 Selling Historical Documents to The Raab Collection

07:06 The Role of Third-Party Authenticators

14:26 Advice for New Collectors

17:09 Where The Raab Collection Finds Its Treasures

18:55 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of Inspired by History, Nathan Raab recounts the discovery and acquisition of President Ronald Reagan’s original, handwritten “Are You Better Off” speech, his closing statement from the 1980 presidential debate against Jimmy Carter. Raab delves into the manuscript's origins, its long-hidden existence, and its lasting impact on American political rhetoric. The manuscript also contains Reagan’s line: “Join us in a crusade to make America great again,” making it a remarkable bridge between political generations. The episode also highlights Reagan's legacy and the historical value of collecting and preserving rare documents.

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:31 The Impact of Reagan's 'Are You Better Off' Speech

01:00 Discovery of the Manuscript

01:34 The Speech's Enduring Influence on American Political History

03:07 Origins and Preservation of the Document

05:48 Collecting Reagan Documents & Autographs

06:45 Conclusion

In this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab about an archive of documents related to Paul Revere and a Colonial-era church in Massachusetts. The conversation covers Revere’s historical significance during the American Revolution, the rarity of his autograph, and the context of these historical documents which span from 1760 to 1809. Highlighting the journey of Revere's documents from his Midnight Ride to his creation of a church bell in Arlington, Massachusetts, the episode also delves into the lives and contributions of the lesser-known Minutemen and community members whose stories are captured in this fascinating archive.

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:31 Paul Revere's Midnight Ride and Historical Documents

01:34 The Rarity and Significance of Revere's Autograph

02:16 Lexington, Concord, and Monotomy

03:17 The Church and Community of Arlington, Massachusetts

04:11 Inside the Archive

05:56 The Revolutionary Spirit Captured in Documents

08:58 Conclusion and Reflections

In this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab, president of the Raab Collection, about a recently surfaced, unpublished letter from JRR Tolkien. The letter, acquired by the Raab Collection, features Tolkien discussing his characters and providing permission to a fan to name his golden retriever after one of them. They delve into the historical significance and market value of Tolkien's autographs, the enduring impact of his works, and the unique insights these letters offer into his creative process and personality. Additionally, they discuss how collectors often start their journeys with items related to their personal heroes, like Tolkien. For more information: https://www.raabcollection.com/literary-autographs/tolkien-names-of-chatacters

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:32 An Unpublished J.R.R. Tolkien Letter

01:30 The Legacy of Tolkien's Characters

05:06 Tolkien's Correspondence and Unusual Handwriting

06:22 The Value of Tolkien's Autographs

08:14 Collecting Autographs: A Personal Journey

09:39 Conclusion 

In this special episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry and Nathan Raab welcome Mayor Viktor Šimunić, mayor of the Croatian town of Oroslavja, Croatia, to discuss the acquisition of Joseph Mikulec’s remarkable autograph book. 

This artifact, containing tens of thousands of signatures from prominent figures of the early 20th century, was lost to history until rediscovered by Nathan Raab. Mayor Šimunić’s dedication to bringing the book back to Croatia highlights the importance of preserving national heritage. The episode delves into the personal journeys and efforts that led to the book's return, its potential to boost historical tourism, and the mayor's vision for a museum dedicated to Mikulec’s adventures.

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:31 A Special Episode: The Famous Autograph Book of Joseph Mikulec

02:06 Mayor's First Impressions of the United States

02:44 The Journey of the Autograph Book

03:18 The Mayor's Determination and Vision

04:35 The Discovery and Acquisition of the Book

07:20 The Book’s Future in Croatia

12:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Inspired by History, Nathan Raab explores a rare 1783 letter written by Thomas Jefferson, just months after the Revolutionary War ended. Nathan provides insights into Jefferson's emotions and the history surrounding the Treaty of Paris, the spread of democracy, and the right of democratic citizens everywhere to bear arms against tyranny.

The discussion covers the letter's journey through time, its disappearance and eventual rediscovery, and its significance in the context of Jefferson’s life and the broader democratic movements of the period. Overall, the episode emphasizes the enduring impact of historical documents on our understanding of history.

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:31 Thomas Jefferson's 1783 Letter

01:46 The End of the Revolutionary War, The Treaty of Paris and Its Challenges

02:45 Jefferson's Life and Career in 1783

03:28 The Journey of Jefferson's Letter

05:06 Jefferson's Views on Democracy and Bearing Arms

07:33 The Broader Impact of the American Revolution

08:37 Reflecting on Jefferson's Achievements

10:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Further Resources: 

To learn more about this piece of American history: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidential-autographs/jefferson-ratify-treaty-of-paris

To see other documents signed by Thomas Jefferson: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidents-autographs/thomas-jefferson-autograph