Some letters are too priceless to be left in history books. Handwritten messages from world leaders, revolutionaries, scientists, and artists have fetched millions at auction, offering a rare glimpse into the minds that shaped history. From battlefield commands to spiritual reflections and emotional goodbyes, these documents are more than ink on paper — they’re tangible pieces of humanity’s most pivotal moments. Here are 10 of the most valuable historical letters ever sold.
1. Einstein Warns Roosevelt About the Nazis
This letter, penned toward the onset of World War II, fetched around $3.9 million. Written by Albert Einstein in 1939, it captures his deep concern about the potential for Nazi Germany to perform nuclear research that would lead to the development of an atom bomb. This warning rang true to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who set in motion the beginnings of the Manhattan Project, which would eventually end the war at great cost.
2. The Founding Fathers’ Signatures
The only discovered letter with signatures from Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin together went up for auction in 2024. In it, these three Founding Fathers proposed negotiations for a trade agreement and overall goodwill with the Two Sicilies, a kingdom of southern Italy at the time. This letter was expected to sell for as high as $1 million.
3. Napoleon’s Cold Calculations in Russia
Written in 1812 during his ill-fated Russian campaign, Napoleon Bonaparte’s letter sold for around $243,000. The letter was composed in code, and in it, Napoleon threatens to blow up the Kremlin while admitting the toll the campaign was taking on him. Though short, the note is packed with insight into the cold, strategic mind of one of Europe’s most infamous rulers and the harsh realities of his military ambition.
4. Hancock Adopts the Declaration of Independence
On July 6, 1776, John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, signed a letter formally adopting the Declaration of Independence. While the actual Declaration had been signed two days prior, the Founding Fathers still needed to make the announcement. In 2020, that letter sold for more than $1 million.
5. Lennon Gets Snarky With McCartney
Written shortly after the Beatles’ split, John Lennon’s 1971 letter to Paul and Linda McCartney is packed with raw emotion and a bit of sarcasm. Sold for $29,843 in 2016, the typed letter with handwritten notes, reportedly replying to Linda’s criticism of John for not announcing his departure from the Beatles, tears into McCartney over business disagreements and artistic differences. “Do you really think most of today’s art came about because of the Beatles?” Lennon snapped. It’s a dramatic and fascinating look into the breakdown of one of music’s most iconic partnerships.
6. A Titanic Goodbye From the Deep
This haunting letter was penned by Titanic survivor Esther Hart just hours before the ship struck an iceberg and sank. Dated April 14, 1912, the letter was recovered in her husband’s pocket after the tragedy, which he did not survive. The emotional note, which Esther intended to mail to her mother, details their time aboard the ship. It sold in 2014 for £119,000, or close to $200,000 in U.S. dollars. Perhaps the last letter written on the Titanic, it captures the eerie calm before one of the greatest maritime disasters in history.
7. The DNA Letter That Changed Everything
Francis Crick’s letter to his 12-year-old son describing the discovery of DNA’s double-helix structure sold for a jaw-dropping $5.3 million. Dated March 1953, it casually explains the groundbreaking finding, including a hand-drawn sketch. Crick called it “a beautiful structure.” The letter’s simplicity and clarity only add to its value, offering a stunning contrast between a childlike explanation and one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of all time.
8. Einstein Questions Faith in the ‘God Letter’
Albert Einstein’s 1954 letter to philosopher Eric Gutkind became known as the “God Letter.” It fetched $2.9 million at auction in 2018. In it, Einstein expresses skepticism about religion, stating, “The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses.” The handwritten German letter reveals Einstein’s deeply personal thoughts on religion, science, and identity. It’s a rare philosophical window into one of the greatest scientific minds of all time.
9. Lincoln’s Opposition to Slavery
In 1864, a group of 195 children started a petition to free “all the little slave children in this country.” President Abraham Lincoln took the opportunity to respond via letter. In this letter, Lincoln thanks the children for being so full of sympathy and righteousness. He also provided some thoughts about God and emancipation itself, unique for this post-Emancipation Proclamation time period before slavery was actually made unconstitutional. This precious piece of history sold for $3.4 million in 2008.
10. Artist Zhao Mengfu’s Count Invitation
Sometime between 1253 and 1322, celebrated Chinese artist Zhao Mengfu sent two letters to his friend Guo Tianxi. Together, these two letters earned a value of $38.2 million. In these letters, the calligraphist, artist, and scholar admitted his uncertainty when requested to be an imperial count for the Yuan Dynasty. It also illustrated how Zhao Mengfu felt about friendship, from facing conflicts head-on to wishing well for friends who had fallen on hard economic times.
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