Washington Relic, Royal 'Diamond' Among Rare Collectibles Up for Auction

From a mysterious George Washington manuscript to a Swatch watch owned by David Lynch, a wide range of high-value collectibles are hitting the market.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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A rare written declaration by George Washington with an enigmatic phrase is up for sale at Raab Collection for $10,000. Meanwhile, a 120-foot scroll on which Jack Kerouac wrote 'On the Road' could fetch $2.5 million to $4 million at Christie's, and a silver medal from the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 is expected to sell for up to €40,000 ($47,170) at a Bruun Rasmussen auction. Other notable items include royal regalia from Queen Elizabeth II, memorabilia from Whoopi Goldberg's career, and a Chanel Graffiti backpack from Karl Lagerfeld's archive.

Why it matters

These rare and high-value collectibles reflect the continued demand for unique cultural artifacts, historical memorabilia, and items with strong personal connections to famous figures. The sales coincide with major milestones, like the 250th anniversary of American independence, highlighting the significance of these collectibles in preserving and understanding our shared history and heritage.

The details

The George Washington manuscript fragment contains the phrase 'Fathers of the Senate!', which is not found in any of his known writings. It was clipped from a lost manuscript in the 19th century by Washington biographer Jared Sparks, who was known to distribute the president's papers to autograph hunters. The 120-foot scroll on which Jack Kerouac typed 'On the Road' is from the collection of the late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, whose trove of pop culture treasures is being auctioned. The 1896 Olympic silver medal up for sale is a rare specimen from the first modern Games in Athens.

  • The George Washington manuscript fragment is now up for sale at Raab Collection.
  • The 120-foot 'On the Road' scroll will be auctioned at Christie's on March 12.
  • The 1896 Olympic silver medal will be sold at a Bruun Rasmussen auction on March 1.

The players

Raab Collection

The auction house selling the rare George Washington manuscript fragment.

Jared Sparks

A Washington biographer known for cutting up the president's papers to satisfy autograph hunters.

Jim Irsay

The late owner of the Indianapolis Colts, whose collection of pop culture treasures is being auctioned.

Jules-Clément Chaplain

The Art Nouveau pioneer who engraved the 1896 Olympic silver medal up for auction.

Bruno Peek

The late Queen Elizabeth II's long-serving pageant master who designed the glass 'diamond' that marked her 2012 Diamond Jubilee.

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What they’re saying

“This is a true mystery and an exciting reminder that there remains things yet to discover in our understanding of our nation's first president.”

— Nathan Raab, of the Raab Collection (artnet.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These rare and high-value collectibles highlight the continued fascination with unique cultural artifacts, historical memorabilia, and items with strong personal connections to famous figures. The sales coincide with major milestones, underscoring the significance of preserving and understanding our shared history and heritage.