A rare books and important historical documents collection will be auctioned Feb. 7-9 in Atlanta, Ga

ATLANTA - Jan. 25, 2024 - PRLog -- William Shakespeare's Second Folio dated to 1632, an 1818 copy of the Declaration of Independence as published by Benjamin Owen Tyler, and a sea letter from 1793 signed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are a few of the expected headliners in Ahlers & Ogletree's auction slated for February 7^th-9^th, online and live in the Atlanta gallery.

The event comprises the lifetime collection of important historical books and documents from the estate of Fred Bentley, Sr. – over 900 lots in all across the three days. Mr. Bentley's contributions have left a lasting legacy in his community, and the items in this auction offer an opportunity for bidders to invest in the collections that he curated over the course of his life.

Session 1, on Wednesday, February 7^th, will feature Dickens, Shakespeare, Incunabula and early documents. Session 2, on Thursday February 8^th, will contain historical books and documents from the Revolutionary War through the 19^th century. Session 3, on Friday, February 9^th, will showcase important works of fiction and poetry from Mark Twain and others.

The auction's undisputed star lot is the Second Folio edition of Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories and Tragedies, printed in London in 1632 by Thos. Cotes for Robert Allot. The folio, with annotations, contains John Milton's first appearance in print (his anonymous epitaph to Shakespeare). The rare folio is expected to change hands for $200,000-$250,000.

The 1818 copperplate engraving on paper broadside of The Declaration of Independence by Benjamin Owen Tyler (1789-1855) was published by Peter Maverick (1780-1831). The facsimile is 29 inches by 20 ¼ inches (paper, less frame) and has a dedication to Thomas Jefferson and an endorsement to Secretary of State Richard Rush (est. $10,000-$20,000).

The incredibly rare letter boldly signed by George Washington (as President) and Thomas Jefferson (as Secretary of State) is a four-language cut ship document dated July 9, 1793. It is countersigned by Hodijah Baylies, the collector of customs, for the schooner Rebecca, to ship commander Samuel Swasey. It's matted in archival glass and framed (est. $5,000-$10,000).

Internet bidding will be available on bid.AandOAuctions.com, LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Absentee and phone bids will be accepted. Previews will be held by appointment only, in the Ahlers & Ogletree gallery at 1788 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard NW in Atlanta. To schedule an appointment, call 404-869-2478; or, email to info@aandoauctions.com.

To learn more, visit www.aandoauctions.com.