A landmark collection of Benjamin Franklin memorabilia assembled by sports and entertainment mogul Jay Snider is heading to Sotheby’s New York on June 24. The collection includes over 150 items—books, broadsides, letters, and manuscripts—tracing Franklin’s career from printer to scientist to diplomat. Highlights include a 1758 letter to Joseph Galloway (estimated $70,000–$100,000), a 1778 letter from George Washington introducing the Marquis de Lafayette (which sold for over $1 million in January), and a bound volume of Franklin’s electrical experiments ($75,000–$125,000). The full catalogue is valued at $3 million to $4.5 million, and 40 artifacts will be displayed at the Library Company of Philadelphia from May 5 to 7.
This sale matters because it offers a rare, comprehensive view of Franklin’s multifaceted legacy through a single private collection built over nearly five decades. The auction’s high estimates and the January sale of the Washington letter underscore sustained demand for Americana and historical manuscripts. The collection also highlights Franklin’s civic contributions—such as co-founding the Pennsylvania Hospital—and his scientific breakthroughs, reinforcing his status as a foundational figure in American history. For collectors and institutions, it represents a unique opportunity to acquire items that illuminate the breadth of Franklin’s influence.