Inspired by History

The Raab Collection

From The Raab Collection, stories of inspiration and discovery, using rare historical documents to bring history alive. We talk about how history continues to teach and guide us today, and discuss the rarity, authenticity, and value of these documents.

  1. Jun 2

    Washington & Revolution: A Newly Discovered Archive Tells a Unique Story of War & Independence

    On this episode of Inspired by History, Nathan Raab of The Raab Collection gives a behind-the-scenes account of a recent major acquisition: a Revolutionary War document collection kept in one family for nearly a century. Totaling hundreds of pages, the collection is heavily focused on George Washington and his circle. Raab describes the vetting process from initial contact to reviewing scans, examining the full group in person, and then researching, cataloging, and preparing to place the collection. Highlights include four Washington letters, including one to Robert Morris signed by Washington with the body in Alexander Hamilton’s hand forwarding a confidential message from the imprisoned Charles Lee; plus letters to Henry Knox and one mentioning Lafayette. The collection also includes uncommon war-date material from figures such as John Hancock, Aaron Burr, Benedict Arnold, General Cornwallis, Israel Putnam, and others, much of it tied to 1777–1779 New Jersey/New York encampments. Raab notes it would cost seven figures and great patience to assemble today. 00:00 Introduction 00:32 A Revolutionary Collection 01:05 First Contact and Verification 02:15 Viewing and Acquiring 04:06 Cataloging and Next Steps 04:58 Washington Letters Highlights 07:09 Collector Taste and Rarity 10:57 Cornwallis and Other Gems 11:55 NY/NJ Geography and Encampments 12:45 Building a Collection Like This Today 13:55 America 250 and Closing

    16 min

  2. May 27

    Steven Raab on the History of the American Autograph Trade

    On this special episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Stephen Raab, founder of The Raab Collection, about influential autograph dealers of the past, prompted by a recent acquisition of a major Revolutionary War document collection assembled in the mid-20th century with many original dealer receipts. Raab traces the field’s origins to Walter Benjamin, inspired by his father Park Benjamin’s literary and political circle, and notes how Walter’s daughter Mary Benjamin ran the Walter R. Benjamin firm for decades, becoming a leading authority on authenticity and pricing. They discuss other major figures including Charles Hamilton, the Sessler firm and mentor Mabel Zahn (who trained Neale Lanigan, Raab’s teacher), A.S.W. Rosenbach, Thomas Madigan, Joseph Rubinfine, and Bob Batchelder. Raab explains that receipts from top dealers signal authenticity and exceptional taste, and observes that mid-century collecting was the heyday, with far more top material available than today. 00:00 Introduction 00:25 New Acquisition Backstory 01:07 Origins of Walter Benjamin 02:52 Mary Benjamin Legacy 03:37 Mentorship Lineage 05:38 Charles Hamilton Spotlight 07:22 Why Dealer Receipts Matter 08:37 Other Legendary Dealers 11:02 Dealer Catalogs 11:51 How the Business Changed 12:26 Heyday and Value Today 13:07 Closing Reflections

    15 min

  3. May 22

    The Historical Document Collecting Masterclass Podcast Series (Ep. 5)

    For the fifth in The Raab Collection's Masterclass Series on starting and building a collection of historical documents, Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection, focuses on historical document authentication and forgery.  Raab explains that experts begin with an intuitive “feel” developed over decades of experience, then confirm it through many interlocking checks: paper, ink, format, showthrough, handwriting details (including numbers and line quality), autographs, and whether the signer was in the right place at the right time. He notes signatures are often examined last because forgers practice them, and describes modern challenges like glossy signed photographs and high-resolution reproductions, as well as tools such as microscopy, specialized lighting, and ink-movement tests. The discussion also covers the value of reputable dealers’ lifetime guarantees and the limitations of third-party certificates of authenticity. They also dip into notable forgers and an example of uncovering a forged Abraham Lincoln letter. 00:00 Introduction 00:49 The Expert Gut Check 02:41 Authentication Touchpoints 05:30 Modern Photo Pitfalls 07:02 Tools and Techniques 08:01 Collector Learning Curve 10:15 Guarantees and COAs 13:07 Famous Forgers and Fakes 16:18 Avoiding Forgeries: The Basics 19:29 Lincoln Forgery Case Study 22:33 Healthy Skepticism Mindset 24:12 Conclusion

    25 min

  4. May 3

    This Piece of Paper Saved Theodore Roosevelt’s Life … and Then Disappeared 

    On this episode of Inspired by History, Nathan Raab of The Raab Collection discusses two newly discovered Theodore Roosevelt documents from the October 14, 1912 Milwaukee assassination attempt. Raab describes discovering and acquiring Page 1 of Roosevelt’s prepared campaign speech, a small typed sheet from the manuscript folded in his pocket and pierced by two bullet holes, also bearing Roosevelt’s own handwritten notation and autograph. Raab notes that it is the only such annotated page from the TR “Bullet-Hole” manuscript ever known to appear for sale. He also describes a second find: Roosevelt’s hand-corrected copy of the speech he actually delivered after being shot, transcribed and typed by his stenographer Elbert Martin, with over 100 edits reflecting how Roosevelt wanted the event memorialized. Both pieces had been in a private collection for nearly a century.   To learn more, visit: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidential-autographs/roosevelt-speech-handwritten and https://www.raabcollection.com/presidential-autographs/roosevelt-speech-bullet 00:00 Introduction 00:32 Theodore Roosevelt’s Attempted Assassination in 1912 01:16 The “Bullet-Hole” Manuscript 02:10 Resilience and Rarity 05:24 Holding History in Your Hands 06:34 How it Changed American History 08:50 A Second Document Revealed 09:08 Stenographer Captures Speech 10:41 Roosevelt Edits the Transcript 13:14 Historical Research & Provenance  14:37 Conclusion

    15 min

  5. Apr 27

    The Historical Document Collecting Masterclass Podcast Series (Ep. 4)

    The Raab Collection’s Masterclass Series continues in this episode in which Nathan Raab discusses what to look for when buying historical documents. He emphasizes that “content is king” because value and excitement come from historical importance: who created the document and what they were doing, with examples contrasting routine Washington letters with those revealing character or major events. Raab advises collectors to buy what they love rather than what others recommend, be patient, work with knowledgeable reputable people, and buy fewer but more important pieces, noting examples of costly, poorly chosen collections and meaningful collections built on modest means. Condition is another issue, which Raab views as a sliding scale—natural wear is expected, some damage can be conserved, sun fading can be a dealbreaker, and sometimes flaws are part of a document’s story. Another factor is provenance, although that is often incomplete when working with documents that are hundreds of years old. 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Why Content Is King 02:23 Best Era to Collect 03:53 Collect What You Love 07:32 Condition Dealbreakers 10:50 Historical Wear and Tear 13:47 Provenance and Paper Trail 16:28 Final Buying Mindset 18:23 Conclusion

    19 min

  6. Apr 22

    On the Brink of WWII, a Rare Churchill Letter Reveals His Foresight

    On this episode of Inspired by History, Nathan Raab of The Raab Collection introduces us to a rare Winston Churchill letter written in mid-August 1939, weeks before Germany invaded Poland and started World War II. Churchill, then a backbench MP outside Neville Chamberlain’s Cabinet, visits France to inspect the Rhine sector of the Maginot Line because he believes a crisis is imminent and questions Allied preparedness. The letter notes he may extend his stay if there is no crisis and reflects his growing certainty that Germany intends to wage war soon. Churchill also reports urging the Secretary of State to use “compulsory powers” for national mobilization, an issue that culminated in legislation the following month. Raab explains the letter’s rarity as evidence of Churchill’s foresight and leadership before he became First Lord of the Admiralty and later Prime Minister. For more information, visit: https://www.raabcollection.com/foreign-figures-autographs/churchill-maginot-line  00:00 Introduction 00:33 Churchill Before the War 01:00 A Lone Voice in Parliament 03:28 Trip to Inspect Maginot Line 04:52 The Content of this Historic Letter 05:24 Compulsory Powers  06:33 Foresight and Legacy 07:38 Rarity and Value of Churchill Letters 09:08 Conclusion

    10 min

  7. Apr 16

    The Historical Document Collecting Masterclass Series (Ep. 3)

    The Raab Collection’s Masterclass Series continues in this episode in which host Rebecca Barry speaks with Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection, about how and where to buy historical documents and autographs. Raab explains how the market shifted in the 1990s from mailed dealer catalogs and phone orders to internet-based selling, with wider access, credit card purchasing, and online marketplaces, but also increased risk in a “buyer beware” environment with fewer experienced dealers. He advises that knowledge and authentication matter because mistakes are expensive, and stresses working with reputable sellers who stand behind what they sell. Raab describes his relationship-driven dealer model, access to private collectors and descendants, and ability to offer newly discovered material, contrasting it with auctions, which can yield widely varying prices depending on timing. He also emphasizes specialization and buying what you love at a comfortable price. 00:00 Introduction 00:43 How Buying Historical Documents Used to Work 01:51 Internet Changes Everything 04:23 Online Risks and Trust 05:55 Raab’s Front-Line Access 06:38 Dealers Versus Auctions 08:16 Pricing and Market Reality 10:00 Specialization Matters 11:02 Buy What You Love 12:16 Conclusion

    13 min

  8. Apr 13

    A Historic Manuscript Central to the Louisiana Purchase

    On this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab of The Raab Collection about a rare manuscript marking the moment France, led by Napoleon, handed the signed Louisiana Purchase Treaty to U.S. representatives James Monroe and Robert Livingston in 1803, instructing it be delivered to President Thomas Jefferson. Raab describes the key participants, including French negotiator Barbé-Marbois, and explains that the treaty was ultimately carried to the U.S. by Peter Augustus Jay, John Jay’s son, amid delays and concerns that France might reconsider.  The episode discusses Jefferson’s surprise at the scale of the purchase, constitutional questions it raised, and the document’s significance in enabling westward expansion and explorers like Lewis and Clark. Raab also notes its French formal script and its provenance in the Karpeles Manuscript Library, including its rescue during a 2019 fire. To learn more: https://www.raabcollection.com/american-history-autographs/louisiana-purchase-manuscript  00:00 Introduction 00:31 The Louisiana Purchase  01:31 Where the Treaty Changed Hands 01:52 Who Signed and Delivered It 02:37 Thomas Jefferson, Ratification 03:34 The Manuscript’s Script 04:43 Why It Matters Historically 06:03 Provenance 07:23 Awe of Holding a Piece of History 08:28 Conclusion

    9 min
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About

From The Raab Collection, stories of inspiration and discovery, using rare historical documents to bring history alive. We talk about how history continues to teach and guide us today, and discuss the rarity, authenticity, and value of these documents.

Information

  • Creator
    The Raab Collection
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Raab Collection
  • Show Website
    Inspired by History