Signed French ruler documents sell for five times minimum bid

A collection of 32 documents signed by each ruler of France from 1483 to 1873 headlined RR Auction's July 16 online sale.

It sold for an impressive $56,301, more than five times its $10,000 minimum bid.

Marie Antoinette
The archive contains signatures from hundreds of French monarchs, including Marie Antoinette

Included are the autographs of some of the earliest king and queens of the nation, including the 15th century King Louis XI alongside pivotal figures like Marie Antoinette and Napoleon Bonaparte.

It was compiled by a French collector over many years and was later sold to an American businessman, who bound it in leather.

The binding is particularly fine and features endpapers made of red silk and gilt textblock edges, indicating that no expense was spared on its preparation.

An autograph letter written by Albert Einstein to the widow of fellow physicist Paul Hertz in 1940 made $21,703.

It reads in part: "With utmost regret I learned of the bitter loss you have suffered; this, after all the other difficulties and hardships that fate has brought you.

"Your husband's work often impressed me with its enlightening clarity, and I don't believe it was ever accorded the proper recognition.

"I hope that your excellent sons will provide you with comfort and support in your hard life."

A collection of letters written by Einstein to Paul Hertz sold for $161,000 in November 2013.  

You can check out all our autographs here.

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