The Raab Collection will soon enter its third decade buying and selling significant historical letters, documents and manuscripts. Our goal is to make history come alive, make it accessible to the public, and preserve it for the future. Our team is dedicated to finding historical treasures, linking them with clients, using the internet to further historical education, and providing outstanding client service.
We have had the privilege of introducing to the market some truly significant collections and pieces. Letters and manuscripts of famous people are family heirlooms, which collectors or their heirs, as well as descendants of the writers and recipients, often chose to sell. They select us to handle or purchase these treasures because of our reputation, understanding of the market, appreciation of the history, and the financial rewards. If you have autographs for sale, whether single items, small groups or collections, please contact us. We are respected for our integrity, fairness and prompt payment.
Among the families we have worked with are those of:
- Thomas Jefferson - we have represented a descendant in sale of a major manuscript;
- Dwight D. Eisenhower - we obtained his important letters to his brother;
- General John Glover, who ferried Washington and the Continental Army across the Delaware - descendants selected us to purchase his correspondence with General Washington;
- Bishop Carlton Chase of New Hampshire - his descendants sold us his correspondence with Abraham Lincoln;
- Jacob Trieber, first Jewish federal judge - we obtained his entire archive from descendants, including his original appointment signed by President McKinley;
- Senator George Murphy - we represent his entire archive, including his seat in the U.S. Senate and correspondence with Ronald Reagan.
They have looked to us for our services:
- We are used as consultants by many well-known auction houses and autograph dealers;
- We have appeared as expert witness in federal and state lawsuits;
- We serve as a historical resource for historians.
We have been quoted in (also see our press section):
- The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Philadelphia Inquirer, Business Week, others.
- CNN, Fox News, BBC, ABC, Associated Press, others.
About Steven Raab
Steven Raab began collecting autographs and historical items in 1959 when he was a child. He made his career in law and initially started this business in 1989. By the late 1990s the enterprise had grown considerably, and he closed his law office to devote his time to his passion of history. He has led it to its position of prominence today.
Steven is a Penn Ambassador for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rosenbach Museum and Library, one of the premier manuscript institutions in the nation. He is also a consultant for major auctions houses.
Steven Raab was a founding member and former Executive Vice President of the Professional Autograph Dealers Association (PADA) and is also a member of the Manuscript Society and UACC.
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