JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
(1767-1848). 6th US President, Diplomat, son of 2nd US
President John Adams. A particularly
effective Secretary of State under James Monroe, he was largely responsible for drafting
the Monroe Doctrine. Vellum land grant
document dated 1828, made out to Mr. James Findley for 164 acres of land in Zanesville, in
the Ohio territory. Signed “J. Q. Adams” as president, with most of
the wax and paper seal intact. $790.00
SOLD
LORD JEFFREY AMHERST
(1717-1797). British General, led his army to victory over the
French in Canada during the French and Indian War, later commander-in-chief of the British
Army during the War of the Revolution. Manuscript
Office of Ordnance document concerning the gunner’s stores aboard the HMS Thames. Dated August 8, 1775, and signed “Jeff
Amherst.” Lord Amherst was serving as
Lieutenant-General of the Ordnance at the time.
$890.00
NATHANIEL P. BANKS
(1816-1894). US Congressman and Governor of Massachusetts,
Union Major-General during the Civil War. Captured
Port Hudson in 1863, earning the thanks of Congress.
Letter written and signed by Banks recommending a man for the position of
gas engineer at the Boston Post Office Building. Nice
example of late nineteenth century political networking.
Dated January 27, 1877 at Washington, DC.
Great condition, and signed “N. P. Banks.” $250.00
THOMAS BRAGG (1810-1872). Governor
of North Carolina, Confederate Attorney General during the Civil War, brother of
Confederate General Braxton Bragg. Signature
cut from a document, “This. Bragg” as NC Governor. $155.00
Robert
Browning (1812-1889).
British Poet, husband of Elizabeth
Barrett Browning, author of The Ring and the Book. Envelope cover addressed to Lady Ardilann, and
dated July 1885. Signed in the lower left
portion “Robt. Browning.” $375.00
LUTHER BURBANK (1849-1926). Plant breeder. Influenced by the ideas of Darwin, he
conducted over fifty years of successful plant breeding experiments. Signed and
inscribed card, "Your friend, Luther Burbank, Santa Rosa, Calif., Aug. 28th,
1922." Beautiful large and bold signature. $195.00
BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
(1818-1893). Union general, Massachusetts politician, known
to the South as “Beast Butler” for his harsh rule of occupied New Orleans. He played an active role in the impeachment of
President Andrew Johnson. Handwritten
letter concerning legal matters, discussing the merits of a particular case. Addressed to
US Attorney Sidney DeKay in New York, and dated April 23, 1872. Signed “B.F. Butler.” $195.00
BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
(1818-1893). Signature on paper, “Yours truly, Benj.
Butler” $145.00
JOHN C. CALHOUN (1782-1850). US
Congressman and Senator from South Carolina, US Secretary of War under President James
Monroe 1817-1825, US Vice-President under Presidents John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. One of the most important and influential American
statesmen of the nineteenth-century. Manuscript
letter dated September 17, 1823, concerning the bonding of an Indian Agent to the
Chickesaw Nation. Signed “J. C.
Calhoun” as Secretary of War. Signature
slightly brushed before the ink was dry, but clear and legible nonetheless.$285.00
ANDREW CARNEGIE (1835-1919). One
of the most successful of the late nineteenth-century industrialists. He sold out to US Steel in 1901 and thereafter
devoted his efforts to philanthropy, eventually giving away hundreds of millions of
dollars. 14 page article by Carnegie,
“Genius Illustrated from Burns,” concerning the work of the great Scottish poet
Robert Burns. Signed at the conclusion,
“Andrew Carnegie.” $775.00
MARC CHAGALL (1887-1985). Russian-born
painter. Postcard-sized print of the
Chagall painting “Moses Receiving the Tablets of the Law” removed from a small
book. Signed in crayon “Marc
Chagall.” A beautiful piece that would
be ideal for framing. $225.00
(CIVIL WAR). Fascinating
collection of speeches on the topic of potential disunion published on the eve of war in
January, 1860. Titled “The Republic and
its Crisis” it featured speeches given by Edward Everett, Thomas Seymour and Samuel
Eliot in December of 1859 advocating accommodation with the South as an alternative to
disunion. Everett, a friend and protégé of
Daniel Webster, was considered on of the great orators of his day. His speech denounces the John Brown raid and
strives to rationalize the existing situation. Original
23-page pamphlet published by “Many of the conservative and Union loving men of
Connecticut.” A great piece of history. $135.00
SOLD
(CIVIL WAR - NAVY). Union Navy
letter from the height of the Civil War with splendid military content. Two-page letter on stationery of the “Flag
Ship Black Hawk,” of the US Mississippi Squadron, dated July 11, 1863, from
Lieutenant-Commander John G. Walker, a particularly courageous and respected officer. Walker has written to Admiral David Dixon Porter,
commander of the squadron and the second US admiral, to explain his decision to parole the
Rebel prisoners captured when an expedition under Walker’s command over-ran a
Confederate military hospital. Walker points
out that many of the prisoners were very sick, and attempts to move them would have killed
many. A fine and interesting Civil War naval
letter. $350.00
WILLIAM CLARK (1770-1838). American
soldier, veteran of General Anthony Wayne’s Fallen Timbers Campaign, Governor of the
Missouri Territory. He joined Meriwether Lewis on the greatest exploratory
expedition of the early republic. Manuscript
order for the provisioning of eighty-three Indians, dated July 30, 1794, during the Indian
war in the Ohio River valley. Signed “W.
Clark, Lt., 4th SL,” as a lieutenant in the fourth sub-legion of the newly
reorganized US Army. Some ink erosion and
water spotting, but all legible. A rare
document, and dated just three weeks before General Anthony Wayne defeated the allied
tribes at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. $1650.00
(CONFEDERATE BOND).
Original engraved Confederate loan
certificate. Ornately engraved
Confederate $1000.00 loan certificate of the issue of February 17, 1864. Hand-numbered “48,” and ornamented with
the equestrian image of Washington from the Great Seal of the Confederacy. A particularly nice example, with most of the
original coupons still attached. $165.00
JOHN J. CRITTENDEN
(1787-1863). US Senator from Kentucky, author the last-ditch
“Crittenden Compromise” designed to avoid the Civil War by restoring most of the
Missouri Compromise and limiting Federal authority to abolish slavery where it already
existed. He failed to bring the two sides
together, and two of his own sons fought on opposite sides during the ensuing Civil War. Manuscript third-person note in Crittenden’s
hand sending his regrets to “Mr. & Mrs. Sherman,” and informing them that a
late-running Senate session will require his attention.
Signed at the commencement “Mr. Crittenden.” $125.00
ANDREW G. CURTIN
(1817-1894). Civil War Governor of Pennsylvania, US
Minister to Russia, US Congressman. Large
partially-printed state document appointing John A. Cumming a Clerk of the Orphan’s
Court. Civil War-dated November 22, 1864, and
signed “A. G. Curtin.” Ornately
engraved with a state seal, and set with two wax and paper official seals. An impressive looking document. $125.00
THOMAS A. EDISON
(1847-1931). Inventor, businessman. Invented the phonograph, developed the electric
light bulb and the motion picture projector. Typed
“Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of Directors of Edison Storage Battery
Company,” dated May 17, 1921. The board
authorized certain check signers, and agreed to purchase some company shares from Thomas
Edison. Signed by the board, including Thomas
Edison and his son Charles Edison. $895.00
OLIVER ELLSWORTH (1745-1807). Continental
Congressman and later US Senator for Connecticut, one of the framers of the US
Constitution, Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court 1796-1800. He is credited with suggesting the name
“United States” for his newly independent country. Manuscript pay order for £8.3.0, “for
expense of sundry sick soldiers.” Dated
June 16, 1777, at the height of the War of the Revolution, and signed “O.
Ellsworth” as a member of the Connecticut Pay Table Committee. $360.00
ORRIS
S. FERRY (1823-1875). US Congressman
and Senator from Connecticut, he interrupted his political career to serve as a Union
Brigadier-General during the Civil War. Nice
signature on paper, Orris S. Ferry, Conn.” $45.00
King GEORGE III (1738-1820). King of Great Britain and Ireland, grandson of King
George II, last king to rule over America. He
was the first king of the Hanovarian dynasty who was a native of England rather than
Germany, and was somewhat more popular with his subjects as a result. It was his policies, and those of his government,
that led directly to the Declaration and the American Revolution. Royal decree
authorizing a payment of £200 to the widow of Lieutenant-General William Wynyard for her
husband’s "long and faithful services in Our Army." Dated May 14, 1790, an
boldly signed as king, "George R." $550.00
THOMAS KNOX GORDON. Pre-Revolutionary
Royalist Chief Justice of South Carolina. Great
partially printed arrest warrant for John Husbands, accused of an armed home invasion in
the middle of the night “to the great terror and annoyance of (the victim) and his
family…” Dated August 26, 1772, set
with a wax and paper seal and boldly signed “Tho. Knox Gordon.” A great colonial legal document. $195.00
EDWARD
W. HINCKS (1830-1894). Union Brevet
Major-General, wounded at the Battle of Antietam, commanded the first African-American
division to see combat during the Civil War. Fine
signature on card, signed on both sides “Edw. W. Hincks, U.S. Army.” Unusual, especially as Hincks dropped the
“c” from his name early in the war. $80.00
HERBERT HOOVER (1874-1964). 31st US President, successful director of several
international food relief programs. His
presidency was doomed by the Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression which followed. Splendid typed letter on Hoover’s personal
stationery to historian James Atkinson, dated November 17, 1959. Atkinson was helping Hoover with research for the
second volume of An American Epic, concerning United States food and other relief
efforts during the World Wars. Hoover is
responding to a request from Atkinson for names of foundations that might potentially
offer grants for scholarly writing, to help Atkinson publish his latest book. Hoover supplies details of the Carnegie,
Rockefeller and Sloan foundations. Includes
Atkinson’s hand-drafted letter to Hoover a few days previous. An interesting set of documents. Hoover’s letter boldly signed
“Herbert Hoover” in bright blue ink. $245.00
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER (1895-1972). Long-time Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
Typed letter on FBI stationery responding (negatively) to a request for the
release of material related to the Kennedy assassination case. Hoover directs the correspondent to the National
Archives for the official report and documents. Dated
August 30, 1967, and signed J. Edgar Hoover. $250.00
SAM HOUSTON (1793-1863). Lawyer,
soldier, statesman. US Congressman and
Governor of Tennessee. Led Texas to victory
in her war for independence from Mexico, and became the first President of the Republic
of Texas. After statehood, he served as
US Senator and Governor of Texas. Texas
Treasury Note for $50.00, dated September 1, 1837. Signed
on the front “Sam Houston” as president of the Republic of Texas. Cut cancellation with no signature or paper loss. A great item from the earliest days of Texas
independence. $1200.00
CHARLES EVANS HUGHES
(1862-1948). Governor of New York, Chief Justice of the
United States 1930-1941. Signed
card, dated February 10, 1923. $45.00
ROBERT H. JACKSON
(1892-1954). Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court
1941-1954. He took leave of absence 1945-1946
to be US Chief Counsel at the Nuremburg War Crimes Trials. Typed letter on Supreme Court stationery, dated
March 11, 1949, signed “Robert H. Jackson” $195.00
LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON
(1908-1973). 36th US President. As Senator for Texas, he was an acknowledged
master of Congressional maneuvering. Elected in 1964 by the highest margin in US history,
only to have his presidency destroyed by the Vietnam War.
Excellent letter on White House stationery congratulating Congressman
John E. Moss (D, Cal.) on his birthday. Strong signature of Johnson as president,
and a fine condition document. $550.00
PRESTON
KING (1806-1865). Congressman and
Senator from New York, he was one of the original members of the Republican Party. He advocated strong measures to prevent disunion,
including war. Letter written and signed
by King, Civil War-dated April 21, 1862, relaying the news of a promotion to paymaster for
a constituent. $95.00
HENRY KNOX (1750-1806). Skilled
and respected artillery general during the War of the Revolution, friend and confidante of
George Washington, Secretary of War 1785-1794. Two-page
manuscript letter from the War Department, dated August 3, 1793, and addressed to John
Cochrane, Commissioner of Loans for the State of New York.
The letter concerns the Federal government’s policy concerning payments
to “Invalid Pensioners” from the Revolutionary War. Boldly signed “H. Knox, Secy of War.” $385.00
SOLD
KING LOUIS PHILIPPE
(1773-1850). King of the French 1830-1848, called the
“Citizen King.” Served as a
lieutenant-general in the French Revolution. The
only French monarch of the Bourbon-Orleans line, he was overthrown by a revolution in
1848, and fled to England. Manuscript
letter to an official of the French Royal Court, dated November 11, 1820, and signed
“Louis Philippe D’Orleans” as Duc D’Orleans. $485.00
JAMES MADISON (1751-1836). 4th US
President, principal architect of the US Constitution, co-author, with Alexander Hamilton
and John Jay, of the Federalist Papers, friend and ally of Thomas Jefferson. Check drawn on the Office of Pay and Deposit of
the Bank of Columbia for $13.00, dated August 9, 1814, and payable to Jno.
Bayles. Made out entirely in Madison’s
hand and signed “James Madison,” as President during the War of 1812. $1450.00
JOSEPH
K. F. MANSFIELD (1803-1862). Union
General killed in action at the Battle of Antietam.
A war-dated safe conduct pass for a man and his family, written in April
1862 and signed by Mansfield. Somewhat faded
and worn, but a scarce wartime relic from a very rare Civil War general. $825.00
STEPHEN MIX MITCHELL (1743-1835). Jurist,
Continental Congressman and US Senator from Connecticut. 1792 manuscript document
written and signed by Mitchell authorizing payment to the town of Preston for the support
of Sarah Barnaly and Thomas Senot, being “transient persons.” An interesting early example of social welfare,
with the state of Connecticut paying for the support of a homeless citizen. $350.00
JAMES MONROE (1758-1831). 5th
US President, presided over a particularly harmonious and prosperous time known as the
“Era of Good Feelings.” Promulgated
the “Monroe Doctrine” as US policy. Partially
printed land grant document made out to Vincento Sandusko, and dated November 14, 1818,
for land in Elwin North, in the Illinois Territory. This
is the military land grant for service with the 2nd Infantry Regiment in the
War of 1812, and features an engraved vignette of Columbia rewarding a returning soldier,
who is shown standing with his family. Countersigned
by JOSIAH MEIGS (1757-1822), scholar, educator, first professor and acting president of
the University of Georgia upon its founding in 1800.
He was Commissioner of the General Land Office from 1814 until his death. $875.00
JAMES MONROE (1758-1831). Printed “Additional Instruction” for
American Navy ships and privateers, ordered them not to interrupt unarmed ships bound for
the British “humane establishment” at Sable Island. War of 1812-dated November 7, 1812. The establishment referred to is probably the
lifesaving and rescue station set up in 1801. Sable
Island, a few hundred miles Southeast of Halifax, was a notoriously treacherous region
responsible for well over a hundred shipwrecks during the age of sail. Signed “James Monroe” as Secretary of
State. An attractive relic of the naval War
of 1812. $1675.00
JOHN TYLER MORGAN
(1824-1907). Confederate Cavalry General during the
Civil War. At the close of the war, he was
involved with the Confederacy’s last-ditch efforts to recruit and train black troops. Later served as US Senator. Manuscript letter on Senate stationery notifying
the Senate Postmaster of his Summer address and requesting his mail be forwarded. Dated August 11, 1898, and signed “Jno
Morgan.” $265.00
ROBERT
MORRIS (1734-1806). Financier of
the Revolution, Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the
United States. Large manuscript
mortgage document between the Morrises and two ladies of the prominent Philadelphia
Cadwalader family, dated 1796. The document
is cleanly separated at most of the lengthwise fold, not affecting the signature section. Strong, bold signature “Rob.t Morris.” Also signed by Morris’ wife, “Mary
Morris.” It is very unusual to ever
find signatures of the Signers’ wives! The
document is officially signed by the witness, ISAAC
SMITH (1736-1807), a Justice of the New
Jersey Supreme Court and Revolutionary patriot who had commanded a regiment during the War
of Independence. Smith was also serving as a
US Congressman at the time of his signing. $950.00
NAPOLEON I (1769-1821). One of the greatest military
geniuses of the modern era. He was born a
younger son of an obscure Corsican lawyer, yet rose, thanks to his abilities and the
opportunities of the French Revolution, to become Napoleon I, Emperor of the French. Abdicated his throne in 1814, and was exiled to
the Island of Elba, only to return the following year for the “Hundred Days,”
which culminated in the disastrous Battle of Waterloo and resulted in banishment to the
Island of St. Helena. Fascinating document concerning one of the veteran
soldiers who helped make the armies of Napoleon so formidable. Lieutenant Colonel Adrien Ramand has written to
request the decoration of the Iron Crown, and listed a virtual resume of his remarkable
career in support of his case – including a copy of a letter of commendation from
Napoleon himself when he commanded the Army of Italy!
Ramand entered service in 1786 as a soldier, became an officer when the
French Revolutionary Wars broke out in 1793, and rose to Lieutenant Colonel by 1809, being
wounded four times along the way. Most of his
career as an officer was spent with the elite Imperial Guard. With such a record, and an early endorsement from
himself when he was only “General Bonaparte,” the Emperor could hardly refuse. The letter is marked “Accorde
(approved)” in Napoleon’s hand and signed “Np.” $2250.00
LORD NORTH (1733-1792). 2nd Earl of
Guilford, Tory Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770-1783. North’s administration had the misfortune of
losing the American Revolution. Large
11½” by 19” ledger sheet recording the annual pay of His Majesty’s First
Troop of Life Guards. Undated. Signed by North.
$485.00
HENRY VISCOUNT PALMERSTON (1784-1865). Popular
and effective British Prime Minister. Among
the challenges of his tenure was the American Civil War and the British decision not to
recognize the Confederacy. Manuscript
letter dated March 22, 1821, regarding some information he has about a Mr. Knowles. Entirely in his hand and signed
“Palmerston.” $225.00
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PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973). Enormously
successful Spanish painter, pioneer of Cubism and other important modern art trends. Black-and-white book of images from a show of
Picasso’s work from 1900-1914, dated 1954. Signed
on the front by Picasso. $975.00
SOLD
TIMOTHY PICKERING (1745-1829). Patriot
activist, served as member of the Board of War and Quartermaster-General of the Army during the War of
the Revolution. Appointed Secretary of
War 1795, he served until dismissed by political enemy John Adams in 1800. An ardent Federalist, he opposed the war of 1812. Two-page letter written and signed by Pickering
concerning the accounts of General Arthur St. Clair, Continental Congressman and future
Governor of the Northwest Territory (1787). He
led the disastrous expedition against the Indians of the Ohio River Valley in 1791. Dated December 20, 1785, and signed “Tim:
Pickering.” $575.00
FRANKLIN PIERCE (1804-1869). 14th
US President, Brigadier-General in the Mexican War, signed the controversial
Kansas-Nebraska act. Partially printed
authorization to affix the seal of the United States to a presidential pardon granted to
August Kesting. Signed by Pierce as
president, and dated July 28, 1854. Mounted
at the very edges of the page to another sheet (easily removed if desired). A large and strong Franklin Pierce autograph. $895.00
LORD RAGLAN (1788-1855). British
General, aide-de-camp to the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War 1809-1814 and
the Waterloo campaign. He married
Wellington’s niece, Emily Wellesley-Pole. Commanded
the British Army during the Crimean War. Manuscript
letter dated “Horse Guards, May 12, 1841” concerning the debts of an ensign who
was selling his commission. Includes a copy
of a letter from a firm that the ensign owes money to, with a request that it be deducted
from the sale of his commission. Signed
“Fitzroy Somerset,” Raglan’s name before his elevation as Baron Raglan in
1852. $145.00
SOLD
JOSEPH REED (1741-1785). Continental
Congressman from Pennsylvania, Military Secretary to General Washington, Adjutant General
of the Continental Army, President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Revolutionary War-dated pay order written and
signed by Reed authorizing payment for state troops, January 14, 1781. The order is
endorsed and signed as received on the reverse by Timothy Matlack (1734-1829), a Pennsylvania official whose
handwriting was so admired he was chosen to engross the Declaration of Independence! $450.00
SOLD
PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR (1841-1919). One of the
greatest of the French Impressionist painters. One-page
letter written entirely by Renoir, in French, untranslated.
Dated 1909 and Signed “Renoir.” $2850.00
EDDIE RICKENBACKER
(1890-1973). America’s “Ace of Aces” as the
highest scoring fighter pilot for the US during World War One. Great personal check made payable to Western Union
for $9.73, dated August 7, 1969. Boldly
signed “E. V. Rickenbacker,” matching the personal imprint at the top of the
check. $285.00
EDDIE RICKENBACKER
(1890-1973). Unique and interesting 8" by 10"
certificate printed in black, orange and silver for the "Flying Fisherman Club"
of Eastern Air Lines, commemorating the landing of a 74 pound sailfish by Charles
Hendricks off the Miami coast. Beautiful signature "Eddie Rickenbacker" as club
president. An attractive and very unusual Rickenbacker signed item, great for framing. $350.00
ROBERT RIPLEY (1893-1948). Cartoonist,
author, creator of the popular “Ripley’s Believe it or Not!” cartoon
features, radio program and books. Trademark
signature, “Ripley, Believe it or Not,” on paper mounted to cardstock. Some glue staining, otherwise nice. $95.00
OWEN J. ROBERTS (1875-1955). Associate
Justice of the US Supreme Court 1930-1945. 3½”
by 4½” card printed with “Supreme Court of the United States, Washington,
D.C.,” signed “Owen J. Roberts.” $145.00
NORMAN ROCKWELL (1894-1978). American
artist and illustrator. Typed letter on
Rockwell’s personal stationery, dated May 28, 1945.
Interesting letter thanking a writer from New York for sending a “word
picture” of a scene he had witnessed. Nice
signature in green ink, “Norman Rockwell.” $345.00
SOLD
JOHN RODGERS (1771-1838). Distinguished
US Naval officer, fought in the Quasi-War with France, commanded the “Congress”
during the War with the Barbary Pirates, commanded the “President” during the
War of 1812. He led a force of sailors and
Marines in the defense of Fort McHenry in 1814, and served as president of the naval
commissioners 1815-1837. Manuscript
letter signed by Rodgers, dated April 13, 1831, concerning repairs on the ship house over
the “Pennsylvania.” The letter
includes an integral address leaf directing it to the commander of the Philadelphia Navy
Yard, and is signed by Rodgers with his free frank from the Naval Commission Office,
making two signatures on the one document. $375.00
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT (1884-1962). Wife of
Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, Delegate to the United Nations. A respected and much-loved first lady, she did a
great deal for numerous social justice and reform causes. Interesting typed letter dated September 26, 1955.
In only a few short paragraphs, she declines a trip to Russia, provides an update on
hurricane damage to Hyde Park, and side-steps a request for a job. Signed “Eleanor Roosevelt.” $285.00
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
(1882-1945). 32nd US President, longest-serving president,
having been elected to four terms. He
constructed the “New Deal” to combat the Great Depression, and directed the US
effort in World War Two. Interesting
portion of a partially printed arrest warrant authorizing the arrest of a fugitive in New
York State, dated March 22, 1930. Includes
state seal and signed as governor “Franklin D. Roosevelt.” $775.00
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
(1882-1945). Typed letter on Roosevelt’s official
stationery as Governor of New York, dated June 23, 1930, discussing possible dates for a
visit to an Oswego, New York, school. Signed
“Franklin D. Roosevelt.” FDR’s
success at battling the Great Depression during his tenure as New York Governor attracted
national attention, and helped to propel him to the presidency in 1932. $595.00
THEODORE ROOSEVELT (1858-1919).
26th US President, led the “Rough Riders” to glory at San Juan
Hill during the Spanish-American War. Succeeded
to the presidency when McKinley was assassinated. Appointment
document for a delegate to the “Farmer’s National Conference” for 1899,
signed by Roosevelt as NY Governor. Missing
the seal, although the embossing is still visible. Unusual
and ornate official document with a strong signature. $625.00
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
(1858-1919). 222-page program for the Pan-American Missionary
Service held on October 25th, 1903, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in
Washington, DC. Signed in ink on the front
“Theodore Roosevelt, Oct. 25th, 1903” as President. An unusual presidential item.
$900.00
DANIEL RUGGLES (1810-1897). Confederate
General, veteran of the Seminole War, graduate of West Point 1833. He was twice brevetted for gallantry during the
Mexican War. He commanded a division at
Shiloh, and held various commands in the Mississippi theater. Brief letter written and signed by Ruggles,
dated June 19, [1862], to Major-General Tupper, written at Grenada, Mississippi. Ruggles discusses the enemy retreat on Grand
Junction, Tennessee, from Holly Springs, Mississippi.
“Please suspend all movements of State Troops until further
information.” Signed “Our success,
Daniel Ruggles, Brig. Genl. CSA.” A
clean and attractive item. $850.00
(SLAVERY). Original
documents relating to a runaway slave. Two
documents presented as evidence for the recapture of an escaped slave named Smith Bristoe. One item is a manuscript copy of the original bill
of sale for the Bristoe. The copy was made in
1827 from the original dated 1811. The other
item is a three-page description of the circumstances of Bristoe’s flight, testimony
concerning his whereabouts and his cover-story, etc. Bristoe
had fled from Virginia to Maryland, and was apparently passing himself off as a freed
slave named “Jeremiah Washington Smith.” Fascinating
material from the heyday of African slavery. $650.00
CHARLES P. STEINMETZ
(1865-1923). Renowned mathematician,
electrical engineer and inventor. Noted for his pioneering work in artificial
lightning, and in alternating current electricity. Check drawn on the Schenectady
Trust Company of New York for $10.00, payable to Mrs. J. Le Roy Hayton. Dated May 12,
1904, and elegantly signed "Charles P. Steinmetz." $185.00
ALEXANDER STEPHENS
(1812-1883). U.S. Congressman from Georgia, Secessionist
leader, Vice-President of the Confederate States of America. Printed receipt for books recording the doings of
the 1st session of the 28th Congress, dated Dec. 17, 1844, during Stephen’s first
congressional term. Signed boldly in ink,
“A.H. Stephens.” $195.00
ROGER BROOKE TANEY (1777-1864). Jurist,
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, ally and supporter of Andrew Jackson. Taney authored the inflammatory opinion in the
Dred Scott decision, which helped heighten sectional tensions prior to the Civil War. Fantastic legal-size 3-page manuscript legal brief
entirely in Taney’s hand, concerning a case of trespass and debt. Signed by Taney as attorney for the plaintiff,
signed again in the text and twice on the verso along with docket information! Dated 1814 in Frederick County Maryland. A great autograph document from a key figure in
American legal history. $385.00
LORENZO THOMAS (1804-1875). Union
General, Adjutant General of the Army, instrumental in raising regiments for the US
Colored Troops. Signature on paper,
“L. Thomas, Bvt. Major General & Adjutant General USA. $65.00
CHARLES THOMSON (1729-1824). Philadelphia
teacher and merchant, he served as Secretary of the Continental Congress from 1774-1789. He was a friend of Benjamin Franklin and was
widely respected for his intellect and abilities. Address
leaf made out in Thomson’s hand to Thomas Fitzsimmons (1741-1811) of
Philadelphia, a Continental Congressman and framer of the US Constitution. Docketed March 22, 1784, signed in the lower left
“Chas. Thomson.” $425.00
HARRY S. TRUMAN (1884-1972). 33rd US President, ascended to the Presidency upon
the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, authorized the first use of the Atomic Bomb. Check of the City Bank of Kansas City payable to
Miss C. Reyling for $20.00, dated August 8, 1925. Signed in full, "Harry S.
Truman." $375.00
JOHN TRUMBALL (1756-1843). American
artist noted for his scenes of American historical events, studied under Benjamin West. Partially printed check of the United States Bank
Office of Discount and Deposit at New York, payable to James Stuart for $78.22. Signed “Jno. Trumbull.” $585.00
THOMAS TUDOR TUCKER (1745-1828). South
Carolina Member of the Continental and US
Congresses. Despite his Federalist politics,
he was appointed Treasurer of the United States by Thomas Jefferson, and served from 1801
until his death. Signed book, Jacob
Duché, The Duty of Standing Fast in our Spiritual and Temporal Liberties (James
Humphreys, Jr.: Philadelphia, 1775). A 25-page printed sermon preached in Christ Church
before the “First Battalion of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia.” The Sermon is dedicated to General George
Washington, commander of the forces of “The United English Colonies in North
America!” Washington had just been
appointed to command the fledgling Continental Army, but Independence had not yet been
declared. Signed at the top of the title page
“Thomas Tucker.” $745.00
QUEEN VICTORIA (1819-1901). Queen of England during the height of the
colonial glory of the British Empire. Interesting
manuscript legal document allowing Grant Heatly Tod, an Ensign in the “23rd
Regiment of Native Infantry in the Service of the East India Company,” to take the
surname “Heatly” in addition to and after Tod.
Dated October 24, 1848, signed on the front “Victoria R.” A nice example, set with several official seals. $890.00
LEW WALLACE (1827-1905). Veteran
of the Mexican War, Major General during the Civil War.
Best known as the author of “Ben Hur.” Interesting letter written and signed by Wallace
to J. B. Lippincott Co. forwarding some postage stamps as payment for a copy of “The
Moorish Empire” by Scott. Dated May 27,
1904, the year before his death. Old tape
repair to one separated seam, not affecting signature, otherwise good condition. A scarce piece, entirely in Wallace’s own
hand. $390.00
JOHN WANAMAKER (1838-1922). Merchant,
department store pioneer, US Postmaster-General under President Benjamin Harrison. Typed letter on Wanamaker’s private
office stationery, concerning Wanamaker’s feelings regarding the direction of the
Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip, a Protestant men’s service and prayer organization. An interestingly personal letter from a sincerely
spiritual man, who disagreed with the expansion of the Brotherhood into “boys’
work” rather than remaining a men’s organization.
Signed with his (literally) trademark autograph, “John Wanamaker” $135.00
DUKE OF WELLINGTON (1769-1852).
British General, gained fame and his title fighting Napoleon’s
armies in Spain, defeated Napoleon himself at Waterloo.
Later, Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Excellent four-page letter written and signed by Wellington, dated
August 20, 1826. The letter is addressed to GENERAL
SIR JOHN MALCOLM (1769-1833), British soldier and historian who spent much of his
career in Persia and India. The letter
concerns Sir John’s brother ADMIRAL SIR PULTENEY MALCOLM (1768-1838), who
fought the French during the American Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. It was he who escorted Wellington’s army to
Portugal in 1808. Later, he commanded the St.
Helena station, where the Emperor Napoleon had been exiled.
Wellington is explaining the limits to his ability to get the Admiral
promoted to commander of the Mediterranean Squadron – at the time, Wellington was
serving as Master-General of the Ordnance with a seat in the Cabinet. Fine condition, and a nice military/political
letter. $975.00
BENJAMIN WEST (1738-1820). American
expatriate painter, he lived in London from 1763 until his death in 1820. He succeeded his good friend Sir Joshua Reynolds
as President of the Royal Academy. He was
noted for his paintings “Death of Wolfe,” “Penn’s Treaty with the
Indians,” and numerous royal portraits. Manuscript
letter written and signed by West to United States Minister Rufus King, dated August 7,
1802. West was planning an excursion to Paris
with his youngest son to view the French National Gallery of Art, and wanted King to help
with a letter of introduction to the American Minister at Paris, and with obtaining the
necessary passports. West was taking
advantage of the brief cessation of hostilities between France and Great Britain produced
by the Treaty of Amiens – the following May the fragile peace collapsed, and war was
renewed until Napoleon was driven from power more than a decade later! A great letter, with one of the greatest painters
of his time arranging an artistic expedition to the art capital of Europe through a tiny
window of opportunity in the otherwise turbulent era of the Napoleonic Wars. $1850.00
King WILLIAM I of Württemburg (1781-1864). King of Württemburg, commanded the
Württemburg troops in Napoleon’s 1812 Russian Campaign. Signature cut from a document, signed as King of
Württemburg.$125.00
WILLIAM IV (1765-1837). King
of England, third son of King George III, succeeded King George IV in 1830. He reigned during a time of turbulent political
reform. With no male heir, the throne
passed to his niece Victoria. Very large,
bold signature on paper cut from a document, as King, “William R.” $135.00
WILLIAM WILLIAMS
(1731-1811). Patriot activist, Connecticut merchant,
Continental Congressman, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, attended the
state convention ratifying the US Constitution. Pay
order written and signed by Williams granting a petitioners request and authorizing
payment by the lower house of the Connecticut legislature.
Dated January, 1769, and signed “Wm. Williams.” $395.00
WOODROW WILSON (1856-1924). 28th
US President, Governor of New Jersey, President of Princeton University. Led the United States through the First World War,
and personally helped negotiate the Treaty of Versailles. Note written entirely in Wilson’s hand,
“My Dear Sir, I very cheerfully comply with your request for an autograph. Woodrow Wilson.” Dated April 28, 1909, at Princeton. $725.00
WOODROW WILSON (1856-1924).
Princeton University academic schedule for a student registering for classes in the second
term for the 1903-1904 class year. The seven
courses the student registered for are filled in ink, and the required signatures of the
professors teaching them are below. First on
the list is Wilson, giving approval for registration in his course on Jurisprudence and
Political Economy. Signed in pencil
“Woodrow Wilson.” $260.00
ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1948). Aviation
pioneer, first pilot. Orville piloted the
first powered aircraft, which he developed with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk in 1903.
Attractive check of the City National
Bank of Dayton, Ohio, dated June 23, 1927. Payable
to Lottie Jones for $6.25. Especially strong
signature, “Orville Wright.” Includes
a beautiful photograph of the Orville and Wilbur walking, perfect for framing. $790.00
ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1948). Pilot’s
license of the National Aeronautic Association of USA, signed on the inside
“Orville Wright” as Chairman. Dated
1929. This is the scarce “Annual
Sporting License” of the type used by barnstormers and air racers rather than the
more common “Aviator’s Certificate.”
Photograph of licensee missing, otherwise very good condition. A nice piece of
aviation history. $1875.00
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