America will celebrate next year.
2026 marks 250 years since the start of an experiment in a new type of government.
An American history-themed Christmas gift is the perfect way into a huge anniversary year for US patriots.
It was marked by the signing of a document, on July 4 of course, that opens with the immortal words (after a short pre-amble):
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
It’s been a long and sometimes troubled road for that small band of 13 states since then.
There were just 45 state stars on this Spanish American War-era flag, marking a key turning point in America's story. Wouldn't this look spectacular in your library or study? Click the image to find out how to get it there.
But there's no denying it ended up with the Stars and Stripes steadily adding territorial symbols and the nation underneath it rising to global hegemony.
There are multiple ways of telling and understanding that story.
If you think America goes into its sestercentennial (or quarter millennial if you prefer) birthday more divided than its ever been, then a reading of some of that history might show that we’ve been here before.
Many times.
And, there’s plenty to celebrate in American history.
And whether you study it from a patriotic or more critical standpoint, you’ll find fascinating and illuminating material here that will sit beautifully on the wall of any American history fan.
1 - Political heroes
American politics has seen some big personalities.
The Founding Fathers are the first of them, and their autographs and papers are among the most valuable treasures for American history collectors.
The best news is that there might be more of these papers out there to be found: last year a copy of the Constitution that had sat in a North Caroline filing cabinet for decades was auctioned. It made $9 million.
After the Founding Fathers, two tragic POTUSes attract a lot of money and attention.
Kennedy's election in 1960 was a moment of hope for many young Americans (though it was a close run contest). His youth and energy is well represented in this campaign poster. Click the image to own it.
Both Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy were cut down by assassins when they had a lot of political road ahead of them. Both are now associated with broadly progressive change - Lincoln ended slavery, Kennedy’s administration started civil rights reforms and coincided with the youth explosion of the 1960s.
Relics of their lives, and violent deaths, are highly sought after.
And what about the latest guy? Where will his star land? He's certainly doing well in collecting markets already, and there's no sign he's going to fade in terms of pure notoriety is there.
A very familiar signature on an impeachment document. What a symbolic and important example of Donald Trump's signature. Click the image to own the document.
2 - Frontiers on the land and in the sky
America was expansionist from the start. It grew across a bountiful, resource-rich continent - often violently - and reaped the rewards.
And, those resources (plus an endless stream of arriving immigrants) gave it industrial and military power like the world has never seen.
Some of that power combined in NASA, which - at President Kennedy’s urging - pulled off perhaps the greatest feat in human history by putting men on the Moon.
The road to Apollo 11 was long, and trod by aviation pioneers like the political firebrand, Charles Lindbergh, whose personal tragedies inspired such strong feeling that he had to leave the States to live anything like a normal life.
And NASA’s story is one of pioneers.
First after first after first. Stories of bravery that defy belief.
All to push a bit farther, go higher, fly faster.
3 - The dream factory
The thing that America has sold most successfully to the world is a dream.
What we now call without thinking Hollywood began on America’s east coast. But when they shipped out to pastures new in sunny California something clicked.
The landscapes were perfect both for “horse operas” and epic biblical stories (if we allow some Hollywood licence). These bright, attractive backdrops for universal stories made with the latest tech (courtesy of the likes of Thomas Edison) by studios adept at selling, selling, selling went global.
And gave us stars!
And stars are what collectors love.
This early, signed picture of Marilyn is a true rarity. Click the image to own this picture now.
A few stratospheric achievers in this mysterious magic can go by a single name: Marilyn.
Or a nickname, like The Duke, as John Wayne, the ultimate western star, is known.
Sadly, the tragedy of Marilyn’s short life (and potential mystery of her death) attracts even more attention.
She burned so brightly, like her contemporary James Dean, that even a brief light leaves a lasting trail across the sky.
Iconic. There's nothing more to say. Click the image to own it.
Collectors want to feel close to the real people who created the on-screen image.
That’s why signatures add so much value to star collectibles - you know that a piece of paper, a document, a script or a picture has been held, even fleetingly, by your hero.
4 - G-men, cowboys and Hollywood’s real-life stories
Hollywood both created and reflected America’s turbulent, ever-changing society:
The elegant bachelors of Fred Astaire’s glistening, gliding routines reflect a Broadway reality.
The James Gang were certainly cleaned up for public consumption. Though - like us all - they were more complicated than any black-and-white description.
J Edgar Hoover was a master of image manipulation and used Hollywood to craft an image of the heroic G-Man taking on a ruthless wave of machine gun-toting gangsters as he formed the FBI.
Later revelations about his career would bring questions marks to some of his activities in that role.
But, he remains one of the most consequential figures of the American 20th century.
5 - Big characters, big heroes
Although the revolt that tore the USA away from the UK was an act of political associations and armies they created a state that was very much about individuals.
Perhaps that is the most important thing about America. It is a nation of individuals.
Perhaps that’s why it so often feels so divided.
And, perhaps that’s why the best way to celebrate it is through individual titans, those big names who have made a personal impact, and crafted not just their own course but the history of their nation.
Collecting America
You’ll find American icons throughout our collections.
There’s an excellent selection of these American legends for American history collectors here.
