Monroe’s 1822 Letter to China Nets $19,150
- Share via
A 179-year-old letter from President Monroe to China’s emperor, seeking the return of a damaged vessel pillaged on southern Chinese shores, sold for a higher-than-expected $19,150, New York auction house Sotheby’s said.
The 1822 letter, thought to be the first direct communication between a U.S. president and the emperor of China, was bought by an absentee bidder.
Aside from its historical significance, the letter was interesting for its modern parallel--Washington’s request that Beijing return a damaged U.S. spy plane held on China’s Hainan Island, Sotheby’s said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
