Christie's auction "We the People: America at 250" on January 23, 2026, achieved $35.5 million in total sales, doubling its presale estimate. The top lot was a draft of the U.S. Constitution annotated by founding father Rufus King, which sold for $7.3 million. Other highlights included a signed Emancipation Proclamation ($6.7 million), a 1776 Declaration of Independence copy ($5.6 million), and the Apple Computer Company Partnership Agreement from 1976, signed by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, which fetched $2.5 million. A Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington (ca. 1804) realized $2.8 million, setting a new auction record for the Athenaeum type.
The sale matters because it demonstrates the enduring market value of historically significant documents and artifacts, particularly those tied to American independence and innovation. The strong results—doubling estimates—signal robust collector demand for rare Americana as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary. The inclusion of the Apple partnership agreement also highlights how tech history has become a sought-after category within the broader collectibles market, bridging corporate heritage with traditional historical artifacts.