Kenneth C. Griffin,  Photo: Paul Elledge - Citadel Enterprise Americas LLC

억만장자 헤지펀드(시타델 LLC) 케네스 그리핀(Kenneth Griffin)이 6월 26일 소더비 경매에 나온 에이브라함 링컨 서명 수정헌법 제13조와 노예해방선언문을 구입했다. 수정헌법 제 13조는 예상가 800-1천200만 달러를 넘는 1천370만 달러, 노예해방선언문은 예상가(3-5백만 달러)에 준하는 440만 달러에 낙찰됐다. 

케네스 그리핀은 지난해 7월 소더비 경매에서 스테고사우루스 공룡 '에이펙스(Apex)' 화석을 4천460만 달러에 구입했으며, 현재 맨해튼 미자연사박물관에 전시 중이다. 

그리핀은 2019년 4층 펜트하우스(220 Central Park South)를 2억3천800만 달러에 구입, 맨해튼에서 가장 비싼 부동산으로 기록했다. 그는 2020년 장 미셰 바스키아의 회화 'Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump' (1982)를 1억 달러에 구매해 시카고아트인스티튜트에 전시하기도 했다. 

그러나, 하버드대학에 총 5억 달러 이상을 기부했던 그리핀은 하버드의 반유대주의 정책을 비판하며, 금진 기부를 중단하겠다고 발표했으며, 하마스의 이스라엘 공격 서한에 서명한 하버드 학생들을 채용하지 않겠다고 밝혔다. <Update, 2025. 6. 30>

소더비, 링컨 서명 수정헌법 제13조, 노예해방선언문 경매(6/26)...예상가 최고 1천7백만불

Two Cornerstone Documents of American History

Conceived by Abraham Lincoln & Leading to the Abolition of Slavery in the United States to Highlight Sotheby's Books & Manuscripts Auction:

The Thirteenth Amendment (est. $8-12m)  & Emancipation Proclamation (est. $3-5m)

On View in New York 20-25 June 

Live Auction 26 June 

From left to right: The "Authorized Edition" of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln as sixteenth President; A fine manuscript copy of the Thirteenth Amendment, signed by Abraham Lincoln as sixteenth President

"I am President of the United States, clothed with great power. The abolition of slavery by Constitutional provisions settles the fate, for all...not only of the millions now in bondage, but of unborn millions to come..."

-Abraham Lincoln

"These documents are rare and profoundly important pieces of the story of America, so to present them together at auction is a rare privilege. Though distinct, they are inextricably linked, with the Emancipation Proclamation laying the groundwork for the Thirteenth Amendment. Each bears the signature of Abraham Lincoln, who viewed this cause as the most important achievement of his presidency -- an unwavering pursuit that shaped his life and defined his legacy."

-Selby Kiffer, Sotheby's Senior International Specialist for Books & Manuscripts

NEW YORK, 12 June 2025 – This month, Sotheby’s will present two era-defining documents that reshaped the course of American history: the Thirteenth Amendment (est. $8-12 million) and the Emancipation Proclamation (est. $3-5 million), both signed by President Abraham Lincoln. Marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, these important documents will lead Sotheby’s forthcoming Fine Books and Manuscripts auction in New York. Rarely seen together, these companion documents represent a profound insight into the enduring legacy of Lincoln’s vision for the legal abolition of slavery in the United States - something he considered as his most important act as president. 

The rare documents represent the most valuable copies of each document to ever come to auction. In particular, the congressional copy of the Thirteenth Amendment is one of only 15 recorded manuscript copies signed by Lincoln, and one of just nine signed by Lincoln alongside the senators and congressmen

who passed it for ratification by the states. Only four of these are in private hands, and of those four, this copy bears the most signatures of the supporting legislators (96%). 

This example of the Emancipation Proclamation is also signed by Lincoln. Some 48 limited edition copies were produced to be sold - for the then mighty sum of $10 each - to benefit the Sanitary Commission, which provided vital medical care and support for Union soldiers. This was a cause close to President Lincoln’s heart. In 1864 he attended in person the Great Central Fair in Philadelphia, at which the documents were to be sold, delivering a speech that provoked such an emotional response from his audience that officials suggested it might be best if he absented himself from such occasions in the future. Of the 48 limited edition copies printed for this purpose, only 27, including the present, are known to survive. 

The documents will be on public view at Sotheby’s York Avenue galleries from 20-25 June, alongside further highlights from Sotheby’s June Books & Manuscripts sales ahead of the auction on 26 June.