The Raab Collection

Updated on Dec 22, 2023

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The Raab Collection is a Pennsylvania-based historical document and autograph dealer whose specialties include documents signed by Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Napoleon Bonaparte, Winston Churchill and other historical figures from the 16th through the 21st century. Founded in 1989 by attorney and long-time collector Steven Raab, the firm buys, sells and loans historical documents both in the United States and internationally, and assists private and institutional clients in building historically significant collections. Additionally, it is one of the nation’s principal consultants on authenticity of autographs and a frequent presence in media worldwide.

The Raab Collection maintains an active historical document lending program, with pieces from its archives and from the collections of its clients appearing in national exhibits. These include exhibits at The National Constitution Center, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library, the National Museum of American Jewish History, and Mount Vernon.

Work with descendants

Many descendants and relatives of famous historical figures, among them Thomas Jefferson, Ronald Reagan, Ulysses S. Grant, F. Scott. Fitzgerald, William Henry Harrison, Martin Van Buren, William H. Crawford, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, have come to The Raab Collection to sell or assess their family archives.

Notable sales and acquisitions

Over the years, the firm has handled some of the most important historical documents to reach the market, including Abraham Lincoln's signed order to blockade the Confederacy, Theodore Roosevelt's letter coining the phrase "Speak softly and carry a big stick," John Brown's will written the morning of his execution, Napoleon's order to invade the Iberian peninsula, Meriwether Lewis' signed pay receipt for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, William McKinley's order ending the Spanish–American War, the original order to seize the Rosetta Stone, Andrew Jackson's order to the Native Americans to move West, starting the Trail of Tears, several scientific manuscripts of Albert Einstein, Amelia Earhart's filled in and executed certificate of landing upon becoming the first woman to fly the Atlantic Ocean solo, among many others.

The Raab Collection has been featured for its sales and discoveries on CNN, NBC Nightly News, CBS Morning News, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, and BusinessWeek, among many others.

In the Spring of 2016, The Raab Collection acquired the archive of the descendants of Secretary of War and Secretary of the Treasury William H. Crawford, a large and historically important archive. Many of these letters are now in United States institutions.

In January 2016, the firm discovered and sold an Amelia Earhart letter from 1933 that offers advice to an aspiring young aviatrix.

In 2015, The Raab Collection acquired the archive of the descendants Presidents Benjamin and William Henry Harrison. This included the Congressional Gold Medal of William Henry Harrison.

In April 2015, the firm sold a rare important document of Stephen Hawking: his original signed agreement to write his first book.

In July 2014, The Raab Collection sold a previously unpublished letter by Abraham Lincoln immediately after his Cooper Union Address which shows Lincoln nervous as he transitions from local politician to national figure.

In March 2014, The Raab Collection sold an unpublished letter in which Albert Einstein wrote a group of soldiers stationed in the Pacific Theater of World War II, explaining that space is a four-dimensional continuum and reconciled that with his newer scientific theories.

In October 2013, The Raab Collection discovered and sold an unpublished letter of Abraham Lincoln from 1849 and relating to the role of a democracy.

In September 2013, the firm sold Thomas Jefferson's order of the first books for the newly revamped Library of Congress, a document also in the hand of explorer Meriwether Lewis.

In July 2013, the company discovered and sold an unpublished archive of correspondence on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War in the hand of newspaper publisher Horace Greeley.

In May 2013, the descendants of the family of Ulysses S. Grant sold to The Raab Collection a collection of documents signed by Grant and President Lincoln, among them Grant's appointment as Major General.

In February 2013, The Raab Collection announced the acquisition and sale of a collection of historical documents from the descendants of the father of the nuclear navy, Admiral Hyman Rickover. The correspondence was largely in the hand of President John Kennedy

In March 2012, The Raab Collection sold a document signed by Abraham Lincoln and his cabinet, the so-called "Team of Rivals."

In September 2012, The Raab Collection announced the discovery and sale of a previously unpublished letter and "B Free Franklin" signature of Benjamin Franklin

In September 2011, The Raab Collection sold a letter of Abraham Lincoln, his final letter to embattled commander George McClellan before relieving him of duty.

In September 2010, The Raab Collection sold an unpublished letter of Susan B. Anthony decrying the treatment of women as "pets."

In April 2010, the firm sold a letter of Theodore Roosevelt written home to his son from his trip to Yellowstone Park.

In November 2009, The Raab Collection sold a long-lost letter of Abraham Lincoln, a rare example of his correspondence with children.

In April 2007 the firm offered for sale the original letter in which Theodore Roosevelt coined the term "Speak softly and carry a big stick."

In November 2006, The Raab Collection acquired the correspondence of Dwight Eisenhower to brother Edgar from the Eisenhower descendants and sold that correspondence.

In September 2004, The Raab Collection sold an extensive collection of letters of Ronald Reagan to congressional ally Senator George Murphy.

The archive of Ambassador and Cabinet Member William H. Crawford

In 2016, the firm acquired the archive of William H. Crawford, which included hundreds of historical documents received in the 19th century by the former Ambassador to France, Secretary of War, and Secretary of the Treasury. Among these documents was an archive of unpublished letters of President James Monroe and draft articles of the Treaty of Ghent, as well as letters of John Marshall, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson. These include Thomas Jefferson's letter reacting on first learning of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent and his letter on secession and Alexander Hamilton.

The discovery of the Air Force One John Kennedy assassination tapes

In late 2011, The Raab Collection announced that it had discovered and would offer for sale an original audio recording of the events on board Air Force 1 immediately following the assassination of President Kennedy. This tape was significantly longer than the only other copy known to exist. On January 30, 2012, Nathan Raab appeared on set on Piers Morgan Tonight to discuss the discovery, which contained new information on the immediate aftermath of the assassination of John Kennedy. Earlier in the week, the firm had been featured on many national media outlets, including CNN, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, and CBS Morning News with Charlie Rose.

A copy of the tape was donated to the National Archives, where it is now available to the American public.

Nathan Raab as media contributor

Nathan Raab is a contributor to Forbes.com, where he authors the column "Historically Speaking." On August 8, 2013, the New York Times published a piece by him on the writings of Abraham Lincoln by Nathan Raab. He is a frequent media presence and expert on historical documents.

Professional affiliations

Nathan Raab is a member of the Board of Councilors of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, of which the firm is an active supporter. Steven Raab is a former member of the Board of Directors at the Rosenbach Museum and Library. The Raab Collection is a founding member of the Professional Autograph Dealers Association (PADA) and a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers of America Association (ABAA). Karen Pearlman Raab is a former member of the Director’s Council of the University of Pennsylvania Museum and past chairwoman of the Founders Award at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. She currently serves as a member of the advisory board for the Homeless Advocacy Project.

References

The Raab Collection Wikipedia

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