Seaport Autographs was founded in 1976 by Norman F. Boas, a lifetime collector of historical manuscripts and letters, a physician (retired), editor and author. Since its inception, Seaport Autographs has issued 103 catalogues, listing between 15,000 and 20,000 autographs, each with appropriate biographical data. Dealing has been primarily with historical material and has generally excluded entertainment and sports figures. Many large collections have been sold to universities, historical societies and libraries.

Publications relating to autographs include Jane M. Pierce (1806-1863) The Pierce-Aiken Papers, in two volumes, 171pp, 1983, describing 577 family letters with many illustrations; Stonington During the American Revolution, 195pp, 1990, profusely illustrated with documents; Colonel Jonathan Palmer's War Diary . . . 1774-75, 33pp, 1985 & 1992, plus many articles published in Manuscripts, The Rail Splitter, and other specialty journals. Editorships have included publication of The Manuscript Society Criteria for Describing Manuscripts and Documents, 1990, and The Battle of Groton Heights, September 6, 1781, 1999. Boas has also been a contributor to the American National Biography.

In recent years, we have been dealing with a large number of Abraham Lincoln-related materials, including letters, documents, prints and photographs of Lincoln, his relatives, associates, friends and political associates. Special Lincoln catalogues are issued from time to time. Seaport Autographs is a charter member of PADA and holds membership in the Manuscript Society and UACC.