The second field trip was to Sotheby’s on February 17.

Sotheby’s had an exhibit of Americana from the James A. Copley Library.

There were many interesting items that I saw. It was awesome to see such items up close, especially because seeing the prices made it so obvious how rare it is for someone like me (not wealthy) to see these items up close.

The items included a beam from one of the hospitals in Valley Forge, a chair that President Lincoln sat on, a mask and fist made of metal in President Lincoln’s likeness, and letters from President Lincoln. It also included letters from famous American authors like Samuel Clemens, Louisa May Alcott, Emily Dickens, Charlotte Bronte and more. The collection of Mark Twain (aka Samuel Clemens) consists of around 200 items and includes an unpublished manuscript.