A curated selection of historical documents that offers insight into the men and women who blazed trails in politics, science, and the arts
What do Gandhi, Earhart, Einstein, Darwin, and Lincoln have in common? They were all leaders and innovators: people who lived extraordinary lives and who accomplished so much through diligence and hard work.
This selection of historical documents focuses on these historical figures, and others, who rose to the top and continue to resonate with society at large. Chosen by Raab’s founder, Steven Raab, this curation reflects his interest in history’s best and brightest. Below are some highlights; click here to view the entire selection.
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
A Signed Photograph of the Inauguration of John F. Kennedy, Showing Him Taking the Oath of Office
“The Sixties were a time of excitement, hope and optimism, and John F. Kennedy was an inspirational force whose brief term of office set off the Sixties. This photograph of his inauguration heralded the start of this great era.”
The Dawn of the Victorian Age: Victoria Summons a Member of the House of Lords to Her Coronation
“It’s not every leader that has an entire age named after them. Queen Victoria has the momentous 64-year-long Victorian Age named after her, and her coronation was the start of it all. This invitation to her coronation, signed by Victoria, was the beginning of a new and important age.”
“Thomas Edison’s invention of the electric light changed the world and may have been the most significant invention ever. This is a piece of the first wire to bring electricity to light a home in the world, taken from Edison’s own property in Menlo Park. It draws a line between everyday life before electrification and after it.”
“The most famous law firm ever to practice was that of the small firm of Abraham Lincoln and William Herndon. Herndon took a strong anti-slavery stance that influenced Lincoln’s own views and actions on the issue. This document, with the handwriting of both, is from their first case together and gives a unique glimpse of the moment their partnership began.”
“George Washington’s presidency was an example to, and set precedents for, those to come. What was Washington’s goal for his presidency? He says in this letter to the U.S. Senate that it is to increase the happiness and welfare of the country. Worthy goals indeed, and ones we have not seen him articulate before.”
This selection was created using Search & Curate, Raab’s refined search experience where collectors can filter their results by signer, date, price, category, and more, and then email the curation to themselves to peruse at a later date. Click here to learn more about Search & Curate.
