First edition copy of 'The Book of Mormon' will headline University Archives' online auction Feb. 18

WILTON, Conn. - Feb. 2, 2026 - PRLog -- A first edition copy of Joseph Smith Jr.'s "The Book of Mormon" from 1830, an Abraham Lincoln autograph letter signed and dated May 6, 1861, a George Washington signed letter dated Nov. 29, 1778, and a Yousuf Karsh original photographic print signed by all three Apollo 11 crewmembers are just a few of the highlight lots in University Archives' online-only Rare Autographs, Books Including Lincoln & Space Exploration auction slated for Wednesday, February 18^th.

The auction, starting promptly at 10am Eastern Time, is filled with items in many categories. The catalog in its entirety – all 420 lots – is up for viewing and bidding now on the University Archives website -- UniversityArchives.com -- plus the popular platforms Invaluable.com, Auctionzip.com and LiveAuctioneers.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

"The February sale will include outstanding items from highlighted collections, like the Yousuf and Estrellita Karsh Estate, and the Presidential Collection of a Midwestern Gentleman," said John Reznikoff, the president and owner of University Archives. "We will also feature two important collecting categories – Abraham Lincoln (40-plus lots) and Space (50-plus lots)."

Part I of the Yousuf & Estrellita Karsh Estate includes pristine photographic prints from Yousuf Karsh's personal collection, as well as items related to Karsh's photography subjects and fellow photographers. This collection - monumental in quality as well as scope - will be offered over the course of several sales, beginning with 25 lots in the February sale, then in future sales later on.

Lot 41 is a Thomas Jefferson (as Secretary of State) signed copy of a foundational congressional act, "An Act supplementary to the Act, intitled, 'An Act to Incorporate the Subscribers to the Bank of the United States,'" approved on March 2, 1791 in Philadelphia. This Act was part of the Bank Bill of 1791, establishing the First Bank of the United States, of which Jefferson strongly disapproved. Estimate: $10,000-$15,000

A strong candidate for the auction's top-selling item is the first edition copy of Joseph Smith, Jr.'s "The Book of Mormon…." (Palmyra: Printed by E.B. Grandin, 1830), with exciting ownership signatures on the free front endpaper. The book was printed just two weeks before the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was formally established, and the only edition where Smith is referred to as an "author" and not a "translator." It is expected to gavel for $200,000-$250,000.

To learn more visit www.UniversityArchives.com.