George Washington document archive to lead at Sotheby's on June 3

An archive of 56 documents signed by President George Washington will headline Sotheby's' fine books and manuscripts auction on June 3.

The majority relate to the future president's time as director of the Potomac Company, which aimed to open a channel between the Potomac and Ohio rivers in order to facilitate trade throughout the Midwest.

The complete lot is valued at $250,000-350,000.

George Washington archive
The archive consists of materials relating to George Washington's role as the head of the Potomac Company

Construction began in 1785, with Washington at the reins until 1789 - the year that he was elected president of the United States.

Ultimately, the planned waterway was never fully built due to a lack of funds and conflict between the adjacent states. The archive consists of pay slips, invoices and requests for luxuries including rum and felt hats.

We have this lottery ticket signed by George Washington for sale.

The 1935 Noel prize-winning medal awarded to James Chadwick, the scientist responsible for the discovery of the neutron, also features estimated at $200,000-400,000.

It's accompanied by a number of other medals, including an honorary degree from the Swedish Academy of Sciences and the 1932 Mackenzie-Davidson bronze medal of the British Institute of Radiology.

Chadwick's discovery proved fundamental to the development of physics. He later went on to head the Manhattan Project during the second world war.

Check out this hand typed autographed letter by Albert Einstein.  

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