Inspired by History

On this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab of The Raab Collection about a rare letter written by Thomas Jefferson in late 1789, during his final day in France before his return to the United States for good. The discussion explores Jefferson's onerous voyage back to Virginia and the unexpected news awaiting him: that President George Washington had nominated him to be the first Secretary of State. The letter also touches upon his personal affairs and America’s transition post-Revolution. They delve into the provenance and historical significance of the document, highlighting its journey from a Philadelphia bookshop in the 1960s to a private collection and now back into the marketplace where a collector can buy this piece of history. To learn more: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidential-autographs/jefferson-bids-farewell-europe00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History00:31 Thomas Jefferson's 1789 Letter from France: Context and Background01:57 Jefferson's Journey and Unexpected News03:15 Significance of Jefferson's Return to the U.S. 04:20 Details of the Letter and Its Recipient06:14 Provenance of the Letter07:51 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

On this special episode of Inspired by History, we invited Steven Raab, founder of The Raab Collection, into the studio to discuss his journey from a law career to becoming a full-time dealer in historical documents and autographs. Steven shares stories about his first collectible purchase, the excitement and challenges of the trade, and the evolution of the autograph market over the past 40+ years. The conversation highlights key acquisitions, the importance of authenticity, and Steven's passion for storytelling through historical artifacts. Steven also delves into his personal collecting preferences and reflects on influential figures in his career. And if you missed part 1 of "How to Buy and Sell Historical Documents Like an Expert" with Nathan Raab, check out episode 14. 00:00 Introduction 00:33 Steven Raab's First Autograph Purchase01:21 Transition from Law to Autograph Dealing02:53 Evolution of the Autograph Trade05:23 Challenges and Joys of Collecting10:27 Authenticity and Reputation in the Business11:35 Career Highlights and Memorable Finds13:19 Advice for Aspiring Collectors14:08 Early Beginnings and Mentorship17:06 Conclusion and Farewell

On this episode of Inspired by History, Nathan Raab shares the story of three newly uncovered letters written by George Washington to his trusted Cabinet member Timothy Pickering—documents unseen for over two centuries.The letters, penned during Washington’s presidency, reveal the first known instance of executive privilege, as Washington debated whether to share sensitive papers on the Jay Treaty with Congress. They also capture his concerns about James Monroe’s diplomacy in France and his efforts to gauge public reaction to the treaty that helped shape America’s early foreign policy.Nathan discusses how these letters resurfaced through Pickering’s descendants, their historical significance, and what they reveal about Washington as both President and person—measured, thoughtful, and still defining the limits of executive power.These letters offer a rare glimpse into the early Republic, the birth of American political divisions, and the rediscovery of Washington’s voice in his own hand.

On this episode of Inspired by History, Nathan Raab announces the fascinating discovery of what may be the earliest known example of modern musical notations from Western Europe in private hands. Unearthed from a ninth-century Latin manuscript originally part of a Sacramentary, the notations on this leaf are revealed to be groundbreaking remnants of the Carolingian Renaissance. The episode explores the meticulous process of authenticating these rare documents and the historical significance of Charlemagne's influence on handwriting standardization. Learn about the exciting journey of uncovering these medieval musical notations and their remarkable impact on our understanding of history. To learn more, visit: https://www.raabcollection.com/medieval-manuscripts/earliest-musical-notations00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History00:32 Unveiling a Historical Discovery00:53 The 9th-Century Sacramentary Manuscript02:21 The Significance of Carolingian Script03:25 Discovery at Auction03:44 Musical Notations (Neumes) in Medieval Manuscripts05:34 Confirming the Discovery05:55 Research and Historical Context07:05 The Excitement of Historical Discoveries08:08 Conclusion

In this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab about a newly discovered, unpublished letter of Abraham Lincoln. The episode explores how rare historical documents like this Civil War-era Lincoln letter provide fresh insights into history. They delve into the letter's background, detailing its journey from Lincoln's hands to General Washburn, stationed in Brownsville, Texas, to its recent discovery in a private collection, and discuss the value of Lincoln autographs and letters. The episode also highlights the importance of preserving and studying these documents to deepen our understanding of historical figures and events. To learn more, visit: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidents-autographs/abraham-lincoln-autograph00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History00:33 Unveiling a Rare Lincoln Document02:18 The President’s Correspondent: General Cadwallader Washburn02:49 The Battle of Brownsville, Texas05:39 Lincoln's Handwritten Letters06:09 The Value of Lincoln Documents06:59 Incorporating this Discovery into Lincoln Scholarship07:28 Conclusion