On Friday, September 18, 2026, the auction house in Besançon, France, showcased a collection of 100 historical documents, including manuscripts, letters, and administrative papers from the 16th to the 20th centuries. These items are linked to Franche-Comté, a region in eastern France, and feature writings by notable historical figures such as Victor Hugo, Napoleon, François I, and George Sand. The collection was donated by a man who had a deep interest in French and regional history. After his passing, his children decided not to keep the items and instead chose to let them be acquired by other collectors. Jean-Paul Renoud-Grappin, the auctioneer, highlighted the unique personal connection these documents offer to famous figures. He explained that the appeal of old letters lies in their authors, content, recipients, rarity, and the emotional resonance they carry. "We have the impression of having a little of Napoleon, since he touched this piece," he said, emphasizing the tangible link between the reader and the historical figure. One of the most notable items was a letter from Victor Hugo to his godmother, who was living in Besançon at the time. In the letter, Hugo explained that he could not visit her due to his work, and his wife tried to persuade him to go to Besançon. The letter is estimated to be worth between 600 and 800 euros and could attract both literature enthusiasts and those interested in Besançon's history. Other letters offer more personal insights. For example, George Sand wrote to a friend after meeting someone she had introduced to her. She described the encounter as unpleasant, noting that the person "didn't say hello and then she looked down on me," according to the auctioneer. These kinds of documents provide a glimpse into the private lives of historical figures. The auction also featured documents tied to regional history, such as a letter from Philip II, King of Spain, recalling a time when Franche-Comté was under Spanish rule. The auctioneer noted that historical context is crucial for the value of such items, explaining that "if Philip II had written a letter saying: 'I am not happy with our gardener,' that would have been less interesting." Collectors have diverse interests, with some focusing on Franche-Comté, others on French kings, military history, or literature. "The person who buys Pasteur's letter will not be the same as the one who buys Victor Hugo's letter," Renoud-Grappin noted. Price estimates vary, with several letters valued between 1,000 and 1,500 euros, while others are available for a few hundred euros. The auctioneer emphasized that rarity alone does not dictate price, as "it's still supply and demand." The most expensive item, a set of manuscripts in which Napoleon practiced English by writing sentences in French and in the language of Shakespeare, sold for 4,300 euros and was acquired by an Australian collector.