NEW YORK, NY.- Hundreds of rare treasures including foundational American documents from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, will be offered at Christie's New York in January in two sales that mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We The People: America at 250 and The American Collector will be part of the largest Americana Week in history. This landmark series will include nine auctions and around 700 lots with a combined estimate around $80 million to $120 million, taking place online and at Rockefeller Center January 13-28, 2026. Both auctions will be on view at Rockefeller Center, January 16-22, 2026.

Highlights of We the People include:

• A contemporary broadside edition of the Declaration of Independence, published July 12th to 16th, in Exeter, New Hampshire by Robert Luist Fowle (estimate: $3 million – 5 million).

• A printed copy with handwritten edits of the second draft of the Constitution belonging to the Founding Father Rufus King. The document is believed to be the only obtainable copy of any printed draft of the Constitution (estimate: $3 million – 5 million).

• One of 27 known copies of a version of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln, Secretary of State William Seward, and Lincoln's secretary John Nicholay (estimate: $3 million – 5 million).

• The April 1, 1976 contract that founded the Apple Computer Company, signed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak (estimate: $2 million – $4 million).

• President James Madison's portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart (estimate: $500,000 – $1 million).

• The only preparatory drawing for Grant Wood's masterpiece, American Gothic, sketched out on the back of envelope in 1930 after Wood was inspired by an A-frame farmhouse on a drive through Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and from the collection of the artist, Red Grooms (estimate: $70,000 – $100,000).

• Important furniture, including a Classical Paint-Decorated Parcel-Gilt Couch, attributed to John and Hugh Finlay, Baltimore, circa 1815 (estimate: $150,000 – 300,000)

The Chairman of Christie's Americas, Marc Porter, said: “America's multifaceted history, spirit, and cultures can be found in the incredible, storied objects that Christie's New York is sharing with the public in January to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States. This rich, diverse group of objects, from exceedingly rare drafts of founding documents to objects made for everyday domestic use to splendid examples of folk art, showcases the many overlapping histories and perspectives of our nation, and we are proud to show them.”

The daughter of President and Mrs. Carter, Amy Carter, said: “It is a pleasure to share this glimpse into my parents' world. I hope these objects paint a fuller picture of them -their lives of service, their devotion to each other and the joy and curiosity that kept them learning and engaged throughout their lives.”

The American Collector

This sale brings together a dynamic selection of traditional American folk art, furniture, silver, and rare books and manuscripts — each reflecting American cultural heritage and creative spirit. Highlighting connoisseurship and the personal stories behind collecting, the sale features property from distinguished and iconic American collections, including a selection from the Property of Mr and Mrs John D Rockefeller 3rd from the Collection of Sandra Ferry Rockefeller; an exciting group of folk art and game boards from The Bruce and Doranna Wendel Collection; and highlights from the collection of President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Carter Family Foundation, a charitable organization that continues to support the projects of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter with a special emphasis on the rural Georgia community they loved.

Highlights of The American Collector include:

• A vibrant double-sided paint-decorated Parcheesi board (estimate: $5,000-7,000) from the Bruce and Doranna Wendel Collection. A Connecticut couple, the Wendels, lovingly and meticulously assembled this group of American folk art pieces over the course of four decades with a special focus on decorative game boards.

• A set of six Shaker Maple slat-back side chairs (estimate: $2,000- 4,000), Property of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd from the Collection of Sandra Ferry Rockefeller.

• An intimate and heartwarming handwritten letter from President Carter to Mrs. Carter on White House Stationary, wishing her happy birthday with the message, “It's nice to be growing old together with you," from the Private Collection of President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter (estimate: $2,000-3,000).