Kennedy-Lincoln document 'sells for more than double antiques valuation'

Robert Kennedy's copy of his Emancipation Proclamation with Abraham Lincoln, signed by the latter, has sold for more than double its antiques valuation.

The item - which has set an auction record for a presidential document at auction, according to Southey's - went under the hammer for $3.8 million (£2.42 million).

The product - which was sold at the auctioneers in New York to a telephone bidder who wished to remain anonymous - is believed to be one of only 25 copies still around and 18 of those are thought to be in institutional collections.

What's more, sports fans might be interested to note James Naismith's Founding Rules of Baseball have fetched more than $4.3 million, also more than double its antiques valuation, at the same sale.

In addition, a photo of former US president John F Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe sold for more than $9,000 earlier this month, beating its pre-sale estimate.

Posted by Keith Leicester