The Raab Collection
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Raab Collection is a Philadelphia-based dealer of autographs, historical documents and manuscripts, publisher of the Liberty Bell newsletter [1] and host of The Collector: An Autograph Forum.
Founded in 1989, the firm buys, sells and loans manuscripts both nationally and internationally, and assists private and institutional clients in building historically significant collections.[1] Additionally, it is one of the nation’s principle consultants on authenticity, and is often called upon by colleagues and auction houses to provide definitive opinions.
The Raab Collection also maintains an active grant and lending program with Philadelphia area and national non-profit institutions, including the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.[2]
Over the years, the firm has handled some of the most important historical manuscripts to reach the market, including Abraham Lincoln’s signed order to blockade the Confederacy,[3] Theodore Roosevelt’s letter coining the phrase “Speak softly and carry a big stick,”[4] 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 and William McKinley’s order ending the Spanish-American War, among many others. Many descendents and relatives of famous historical figures, among them Thomas Jefferson and Dwight D. Eisenhower, have come to The Raab Collection to sell their family archives.[5]
Steven Raab, founder of The Raab Collection, is a former Penn Ambassador for the Pennsylvania Museum Commission and is presently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rosenbach Museum & Library [2] in Philadelphia.[6] He was instrumental in establishing, and was for years Executive Vice President, of the Professional Autograph Dealers Association (PADA) [3]. The firm, a two-generation business, is also a member of the Universal Autograph Collectors Club [4] and The Manuscript Society [5].
[edit] References
- ^ Schwartzman, Brian. "Brothers 'Document' History by Tracking Down Historical Documents." Jewish Exponent 4 Jan. 2007.
- ^ The Raab Collection. "National Constitution Center and The Raab Collection Pay Tribute to Abraham Lincoln." 23 June 2005 <http://www.raabcollection.com/about_pressreleases_lincolnconstitution.aspx>.
- ^ The Raab Collection. "National Constitution Center and The Raab Collection Pay Tribute to Abraham Lincoln." 23 June 2005 <http://www.raabcollection.com/about_pressreleases_lincolnconstitution.aspx>.
- ^ The Associated Press. "People: Martin Scorsese, Keith Richards, Deborah Voigt." International Herald Tribune 5 April 2007.
- ^ Broom, Dick. "Local Man Handles Eisenhower Letter Sale." Bar Harbor Times Dec. 2006.
- ^ The Rosenbach Museum and Library. "Staff and Board." 2007 <http://www.rosenbach.org/information/staff.html>.
