Over the past 44 years, University Archives has provided clients with access to some of the greatest examples of American historical documents and artifacts, among these 3 complete 56-signature sets of all signers of the Declaration of Independence, and many more sets missing only Button Gwinnett, the rarest signer.
John Reznikoff, president of University Archives, was the successful bidder of a complete 56-signature Declaration Signer set, which crossed the auction block at another auction house for a record $1.4 million dollars! Reznikoff immediately placed the newly acquired set with a seasoned collector.
This set was especially exciting because it included one of the finest examples of the rare signature of Georgia signer Button Gwinnett on a full document. (Gwinnett was killed in a duel less than a year after the signing, so his signature is especially valued.) Reznikoff said that a Gwinnett signed document is often the only missing piece--the last one sold a dozen years ago for over $700,000--and it is considered a plum among collectors, with a value now of well over $1 million alone.
As Reznikoff explained, “Gwinnett was among the least-known of the signers, so relatively few examples, thought to be as few as 10 in private hands, were preserved and were not considered to have much value. Today, a Button is often the jewel that completes the crown.”