In recent years, there has been a growing interest in previously undervalued items such as celebrity letters and manuscripts. These historical documents have gradually gained attention in the auction market, with prices steadily rising. The appeal of these items often lies not only in the sender's fame but also in the recipient's status—both are typically notable figures. Additionally, the content of the letter must carry significance. If it relates to historical events or addresses major issues, its value is naturally higher. On the other hand, if the letter is merely about personal gossip or trivial matters, its collectible value tends to be lower. This trend is not limited to China; it’s also evident in international auction markets.
For instance, Lincoln’s last speech manuscript was sold for $3.086 million at an auction in the U.S. in 2002, setting a record for presidential manuscripts. In recent years, letters and manuscripts from cultural icons like Liu Bannong, Zhang Yuanji, Hu Shi, and Yu Dafu have frequently appeared at high prices in auctions. Among them, literary works from the May Fourth Movement era are especially sought after. Authors like Lu Xun, Hu Shi, Cai Yuanpei, Liang Qichao, and Zhou Zuoren have seen their writings, even short notes, become highly desirable among collectors. Their market values have increased significantly over time.
At the Guardian Fall Auction in 2010, a manuscript by Zhou Zuoren was sold for 3.584 million yuan. It included several of his works, such as “Custom Records of Beijing,†“Footprints of Tianqiao,†and “Mr. Yanjing’s Yearbook.†Another notable item at the same auction was a letter written in 1935 by Qi Baishi to collector Yip Keng Yeh. The letter, translated into Chinese and marked with a note by Tuo Ye, was eventually sold for 336,000 yuan. A letter that originally accompanied a painting worth less than 300 yuan ended up fetching over 300,000 yuan after more than 70 years. Such stories continue to circulate among collectors, showing the enduring value of celebrity letters and manuscripts.
One particularly significant sale occurred on December 20, 2010, at Beijing Zhongzhao International Auction Co., Ltd. A group of five copies of the “Qian Meixi Manuscript†(including the “Six Chapters of the Floating Lifeâ€) were auctioned. Notably, one volume referred to the Diaoyu Islands as part of Chinese territory. Another book, “The Record of the Sea Kingdom†from the Ryukyu Kingdom, was also included. The auction started at 9 million yuan, and after 40 rounds of bidding, it finally sold for 13.25 million yuan, plus a 10% commission, bringing the total to 14.575 million yuan. This sale highlighted not only the historical significance of the items but also the strong demand for culturally and politically important documents.
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