Most expensive signed object

The most expensive signed object is a custom-bound leather edition of the Acts of Congress of the United States of America made in 1789 and signed by George Washington. Personally annotated by the first US president himself, the book contains America’s Constitution and Bill of Rights. The book was sold by Christie’s in New York, USA, on 22 June 2012, to Ann Bookout, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association regent of the board, who spent $9,826,500 (£6,269,940) to secure the signed volume. The bidding, which lasted for just five minutes, also set the record for the most expensive American presidential document.

The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association is a privately funded, not-for-profit association that runs the former president’s Virginia estate. Ann Bookout planned to return the historic volume to the president’s library.

A non-autographed edition of the Acts of Congress is valued in the region of $5,500.