NEW YORK, NY.- Christie's is marking the 250th anniversary of the United States with the next chapter in what has already been a record-breaking series of sales. The Jim Irsay Collection: Icons of History is the latest group of objects from the meticulously compiled personal collection of the late philanthropist and owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts.
The sale includes nearly 70 incredible, rare objects documenting many transformative moments in the history of the nation, spanning its birth to the dawn of the 21st Century.
Highlights include the monumental 1823 stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence, an extremely rare broadside proclaiming the first Thanksgiving in 1777, a letter from George Washington to Thomas Jefferson transmitting a copy of the Constitution for his review, several personal and historic objects connected to Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, first editions of Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, reserve notes for $5,000, $10,000 and other rare bills, autographed photos, documents, books and more from historic figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony, Albert Einstein, Harry Houdini, and Teddy Roosevelt, posters and pennants from key elections and historic moments, such as the 1963 March on Washington, and much more.
A live auction will take place on July 1, and a free, public exhibition of the trove of rare artifacts from American history will take place before the sale from June 25 to 30 at Christie's New York at 20 Rockefeller Plaza.
This sale—valued at approximately $6 million—is the next installment in The Jim Irsay Collection Series, with the first four happening in March of this year. Nearly 400 items that traced the 20th Century's pivotal moments in music, film, sports, and pop culture totaled $95.5 million, setting a world record for a memorabilia auction, breaking multiple records at Christie's New York and underscoring Mr. Irsay's brilliance as a collector.
“Our dad was a passionate collector, driven not by possession, but by a profound appreciation for the beauty, history, and cultural resonance of the items he curated,” said Irsay's three daughters Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson in a statement. “He considered himself a steward of the collection, not its owner.
“He loved acquiring important items from American history and was especially inspired by great leaders, great moments, and great stories. From rare artifacts to original manuscripts to signed historical documents, each piece tells a story about America, and he was always so excited to share them with the world.
“As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States this year, this next phase of the auction is a celebration of these American stories. We look forward to these artifacts finding new stewards who will protect and preserve them for the future and continue to share the stories they represent.”
A portion of the proceeds of these sales will be donated to philanthropic causes supported by Jim Irsay during his lifetime.
