Signed by Abraham Lincoln himself, the “Authorized Edition” of the Emancipation Proclamation stands as one of the most powerful and poignant artifacts in American history. Printed in 1864 to raise funds for Union soldiers through the U.S. Sanitary Commission, only 48 copies were ever made—and just 27 survive today. This edition is not just a relic; it’s a direct imprint of the moment Lincoln changed the course of a nation. This video delves into the Proclamation’s layered legacy—from Frederick Douglass calling it “the greatest event of our nation’s history” to the remarkable survival story of this rare copy. Through archival images, powerful words, and emotional resonance, we trace how a single sheet of paper became a defining force in the long march toward American freedom—and why collectors and institutions still vie to preserve it. Exceptionally rare and early copies of these documents signed by Abraham Lincoln will be offered in Sotheby’s New York's Fine Books and Manuscripts, In...