A CAST OF PRESIDENT EISENHOWER’S
HANDS, ONLY ONE OF THREE
IN EXISTENCE - LOT 21
Stuart Lutz Historic Documents, Inc.
784 Morris Turnpike, PMB #161
Short Hills, New Jersey 07078-2698
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
Phone number for international clients (862) 252-6292
E-mail: [email protected] / Website: www.HistoryDocs.com
Dear Autograph Collector,
I hope this finds you well, and I believe you will find interesting historical material in these pages. Highlights include a very early American document (1640), a cast of Eisenhower’s hands (only three were made), Presidential letters
by Eisenhower mentioning ongoing crises, Herbert Hoover planning his predecessor’s memorial service, Coolidge noting that no one can help a President, and two Ulysses Grants. There are content letters by Robert Kennedy about corrupt union officials, Gene Roddenberry on the making of the first Star Trek movie, and a scarce F. Scott Fitzgerald
ALS. I also have signed photographs by Grover Cleveland (it is gigantic), Walt Whitman and Henry Stanley. And I
offer a number of unusual travel letters, including ones from early Arizona, Paris and Italy in the Nineteenth Century,
and a New England road trip archive with dozens of photographs of an early Dodge.
If you want to receive my monthly email newsletter, please provide me with your email address. I have found that
most of my best and interesting material sells that way...long before it reaches these pages. Plus, you can participate in
the never-easy American history trivia contest that I feature in my newsletter.
If you going to London soon, you may want to stop by the world-famous Victoria & Albert Museum to see a few
items from my extensive Vietnam War collection on display. The V&A currently has a very-well reviewed exhibit on
the Sixties, the counterculture and the Vietnam War. I lent them, among other things, a 1970 Bill Clinton letter, from
Oxford, discussing Vietnam and his draft status. As a fellow collector told me, “I collect the past for the future.”
Lastly, I took my son to Gettysburg recently. It is astonishing to be at the Copse of Trees (the High Water Mark)
and look across that bloody battlefield. And to imagine 12,000 Confederate troops emerging from the woods, in a line a
mile wide, marching across the open field, and converging on the spot where my son and I stood.
Many thanks to Alexandra Kiely for her fine writing and editing found throughout these pages.
Sincerely,
Stuart Lutz
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1) All material sold here is guaranteed genuine without a time limit. If any piece if proven not to be authentic, I will refund
the full purchase price to the original buyer.
2) Payment is requested when an order is placed, unless earlier arrangements have been made, or you are a museum or library. All items will be held a maximum of seven days awaiting payment.
3) All items are subject to prior sale. When you see something that interests you, please call right away to avoid disappointment. The toll free number is 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]. If I am not available, please leave a message on the answering machine.
4) Payment plans are available. Please e-mail or call for details.
5) Shipping charges and methods are as follows (charges for foreign destinations will be higher):
Under $2,000.00 - $10.00 additional for USPS Insured Mail (slightly higher charges for books or frames)
Over $2,000.00 - $15.00 additional for USPS Express Mail or FedEx Overnight (slightly higher charges for books or
frames)
6) New Jersey residents, please add 7% for sales tax.
7) Payment may be made by check, money order or www.PayPal.com (my PayPal user name is “[email protected]”).
8) If you want to see an image of any piece, I will gladly provide you with an e-mail scan.
9) If you are not entirely satisfied with any material upon delivery, or it is not properly described, you may return it for a full
refund if you call me within forty-eight hours of receipt. All material must be returned by USPS Insured Mail, insured for its
full value.
10) A 10% discount will be extended to fellow dealers who issue catalogs, or are members of trade organizations.
11) Throughout the year, you will find new material on Ebay under the name “StuartLutz”, and on my Website,
www.HistoryDocs.com.
Member of The Professional Autograph Dealers Association, The Manuscript Society, The Antiquarian
Booksellers’ Association of America, and a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America
[Certified in Books and Manuscripts: Historical Documents]. Copyright Stuart Lutz 2016 - All Rights Reserved
A 1776 AMHERST LETTER ABOUT STAFF PAY AND GOING ON A SHIP
1) JEFFREY AMHERST (1717-1797). Amherst, a British general, was one of the victors in the
French and Indian War; he conquered Louisbourg, Quebec City and Montreal.
ALS. 1pg. 9” x 7 ½”. March 22, 1776. Office of Ordnance. An autograph letter signed “Jeff: Amherst” to Major G.G. Williams: “I am very glad that by some precedents which have been laid before the Board, which did not appear before this day, that the Board think themselves justified in
recommending Staff Pay for you and in allowing you a Boat, on so important an occasion and service as you are going on, in which I most heartily wish you all the success and good health you can
desire. I am Sir your most obedient Humble Servant.” The letter is in fine condition with dark ink,
the usual mailing folds and docketing on the verso. $1,500.00
AN EARLY ARIZONA LETTER DESCRIBES THE COUNTRY
2) (ARIZONA TERRITORY). AL. 4pgs. Mar ch 2, 1869. For t Whipple, Ar izona Ter r itor y. A
lengthy-but-incomplete letter sent from Arizona Territory. Writing to parents back home, the author
describes in detail the landscape, agriculture, and mining in the region. Fort Whipple was its first
capital: “My Dear Father & Mother, We left Camp McDowell on the 19th of last month, and made
about thirty miles to the settlements on the Salt River: this is the finest part of the country I have seen
so far for agricultural purposes; it would do Shoddy good to see the immense stretches of country, as
level as a floor and without a stone...The entire country is just as fertile as these river bottoms, but the great drawback is the scarcity of water;
even on these river bottoms nothing would grow, if they did not make irrigating ditches (aquafers the Mexicans call them) all over the land and
plow their crops in the dry season...The only markets they have are the military posts, so they raise grain principally for forage: barley is the
grain most used by the government for feed for the horses: in fact it is far better than corn and the horses do more work on it...In the valley of
the Santa Cruz nine miles south of Tucson is the old Cathedral of San Xavier del Bac as fine an old ruin as you could wish to see; in fact it is
hardly a ruin, but is in a fine state of preservation, having the roof entire and most of the decoration; some of the statuary is really good and
would not disgrace some of the public buildings in the States. This cathedral is supposed to be some two hundred years old. I think there is
little doubt that what this country has been settled at one time, and its mines worked, but it has keen land waste by the depredations of the Indians. Our next days march was thirty miles to mud tanks, covering two (so called) rivers on the route; these rivers are dry half the time, in fact
are only rivers during the rainy season...I visited the Vulture mine and also the mill, and was very much entertained in so doing; the gold is
found there almost in the quartz, and varies in value (that is the rock) from thirty to three hundred dollars per ton. The mill in what is called a
twenty stamp mill; the stamps being on the same principal as a trip hammer. The rock is first fed into a machine like a picker, that crushes it
somewhat; from this it passes through the stamps, they crushing it to a fine powder: water is continuously pouring on these stamps, washing
the crushed powder down a sluice-way to the pans, this sluice-way is lined with quick-silver, and the silver retains nearly all the gold: the pans
are also lined with mercury, and what gold escapes is caught there. After it is thrown out of the pans it is called tailings and these again are
called to an account, and go through much the same process, until they have taken every particle of gold...it pays nine hundred dollars in gold
per day, after all expenses are taken out. I should like to own it for about a year...[the incomplete letter ends here].” The Vulture Mine was
highly-successful from 1863 through the mid-Twentieth Century. The Catholic church the author speaks so highly of, San Xavier del Bac, was
near Tucson and built by Jesuit missionaries in the Eighteenth Century. $500.00
ADAM BADEAU’S DRAFT OF HIS CONDOLANCE LETTER TO WILLIAM SHERMAN’S CHILDREN
3) ADAM BADEAU (1831-1895). Badeau was an Union Army officer who served on Ulysses Grant’s staff during the Civil War.
AL. 5pg. 5” x 8”. Feby 18, 1891. New York City. An autograph letter unsigned in the handwriting of Adam Badeau. It is addressed to William Sherman’s son, Father Thomas Sherman, four days after the general’s death: “…I am willing to offer my sympathy to you are your dear
brother and sisters. Now while the whole country mourns I will not admit that after those who were closest in blood there is no who loved or
admired your great father more…than I. Surely no one had more peculiar opportunities to know the wisdom and the genius of your great father to test his full and loyal nature. My life…should for twenty years made me contemplate his career, and the constant assistance he gave me
by…the informal knowledge I had…in him the solder was truly the development of the man…know not only the soldier by the man. He came
towards Genl Grant…so magnanimous and so difficult…unsurpassed for freedom from moral defect. In all my…peculiar knowledge of his
character and career I never found a manner a shadow of a vice…My heart has spoken in spite of me. I only want to say to all the sons and
daughters of Genl Sherman that after themselves and the others closest in blood no one in the nation has better cause to mourn, because no
one has more cause to love and admire his memory. Your father and mother were both my friends and you will let me tell you all that…”.
There are some additional words in another’s handwriting. There are a few crossouts and two faint folds that affect little. $300.00
BRAGG TELLS HIS WIFE ABOUT THE NEW CONFEDERACY – “WE COMMENCED OUR GOVERNMENT AND
OPERATIONS WITH OUT MEANS OF ANY KIND, AND WITHOUT ORGANIZATION...HAD TO BE IMPROVISED”
4) BRAXTON BRAGG (1817-1876). Bragg was a Confederate General and adviser to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
AL. 4pgs. June 3, 1861. Barrancas [Florida]. An autograph letter by Bragg to his wife that is missing the final page. From his command in
Florida, Bragg writes Eliza: “...We must expect to hear of great dissatisfaction every where in regard to our military operations...If they are not
fully consulted and charged with all the plans of operation complaints commence. Some causes exist grievous over tis true but we must not
expect to escape such things. We commenced our government and operations with out means of any kind, and without organization. All has
had to be improvised. This has been a work of great labor, and has had to be performed by a very few who were competent so far they have
accomplished much...A mere mass of men does not have an army. And the task of supplying their wants is Herculean. A great error was committed in allowing so much valuable time to be lost by diplomatic rascality in Washington before the attack on Sumter, but since our eyes have
been opened we have made gigantic strides in preparation for the means we had...Since the reinforcement of Fort Pickens, which no power we
possessed could prevent, the question has been one merely of time and means...That the end does not justify the means now that we have to
fulfill a demand elsewhere, I have constantly thought and my views are being received and acted on. Yet much good is being done by the
demonstration here. We have a large portion of their finest regular troops…up, lying with secrecy, and a large fleet at another to aid them,
which if relieved would do us more harm than any force here could do us good...if it is for the general good it should be borne with fortitude...There seems to be some change going on in the more moderate circles at the North and a few disasters and captures by our privateers
and mere failures of their merchants is going to produce a change of sentiment soon. Mr. Lincoln’s energy and success so far is only the howling”. This partial letter is in fine condition with two tiny tears to the edges along folds and some professional repairs to the folds. $750.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
PEARL BUCK ADVISES THE WRITER OF A CHILDREN’S BOOK
5) PEARL S. BUCK (1892-1973). Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning American author best known for her book The Good Earth.
TLS. 1pg. December 13, 1947. Perkasie, Pennsylvania. A typed letter signed “Pearl S. Buck” to Cecil Boulton: “Since seeing your manuscript for a book on the United Nations, I have heard of another book already published and written for children, or so I believe. I have not
been able to find this book but it may be that you can make inquiries yourself. I mention this so that you may avoid duplication...”. The verso
is covered with writing in another hand. The letter is in good condition; it is splitting along the fold. $200.00
CHIEF JUSTICE BURGER WRITES A LENGTHY LETTER TO A FRIEND ABOUT FRENCH WINE TASTING
6) WARREN BURGER (1907-1995). Burger was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
ALS. 2pgs. November 2, 1978. Washington D.C. An autograph letter signed “Warren” as Chief Justice on Supreme Court letterhead: “Dear
John My friends in the Chevalier de Tastevin gave a dinner in my honor & it turned out that your good friend Glasgow Reynolds sat next to
me. We exchanged bits & pieces about your great career & drank a toast. I think in the Chateau d’Yquem – to you. We continue the battle to
get things done and succeed perhaps half the time. But as in your day of leadership, we will never give up! Vera joins in Greetings to you and
our fond regards. As ever. Warren”. The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin is a French wine-tasting fraternity, and Chateau d’Yquem is a
white wine from the Sauternes region. The letter is in fine condition. $275.00
CHARLES CARROLL SIGNS A CHECK
7) CHARLES CARROLL (1737-1832). Carroll was a Declaration of Independence Signer from Maryland and the only Catholic Signer.
DS. 1pg. 6 ¾” x 3 2/3”. April 30, 1831. Baltimore. A partly printed check signed “Ch Carroll Carrollton” in his elderly handwriting. He
paid George Neelso $250. It has cut cancellations and is backed to a slightly larger sheet for stability. It is in very good condition. $600.00
A CIRCUS ARCHIVE ADDRESSED TO ELLIS GIMBEL
8) (CIRCUS) - ELLIS GIMBEL, JR. (1898-1964). Gimbel was the son of the founder of Gimbels department store.
Archive. 1930s-1940s. Various places [though generally in the Philadelphia region]. An archive of over one hundred letters to Ellis A. Gimbel concerning the Orphan’s Day Circus in Philadelphia. The grouping includes retained copies of letters to Eleanor Roosevelt and Henry
Ringling North. There is a 1943 letter by Grace Kelly’s mother to Gimbel. An 8” x 10” photograph is signed by Bobbee, the author B. Boyd
Blount, who holds her circus book Eyes Light. Half of the letters have mounting remnants, and some are attached to larger sheets. $250.00
A RARE CITIZEN K ANE PREVIEW DOCUMENT
9) (CITIZEN KANE). Citizen Kane, a 1941 film by and starring Orson Welles, was a thinly disguised biography of William Randolph
Hearst. Very controversial during its original release, it is considered one of the greatest movies ever made.
TD. 1pg. N.d. [probably circa 1941]. N.p. A typed one-page document listing the cast and staff of Citizen Kane. The credited cast includes
Welles as the titular newspaper magnate; William Alland as reporter Jerry Thompson, and Ray Collins as Kane’s political rival Jim W. Gettys.
The document specifies a running time of 120 minutes but the release date is blank. $200.00
10) CHARLES BADGER CLARK (1883-1957). Clark was Poet Laureate of South Dakota in 1937 and is associated with Western themes.
TLS. 1pg. August 21, 1957. Custer, South Dakota. A typed letter signed “Badger Clark”: “I enclose some lines which may do as a substitute
for ‘Pasque Flower’ they being chosen of course, purely because of the space they occupy rather than for any literary reason. Once, long ago,
mother’s birthday happened to coincide with a new edition of one of my books, so I gave her a copy as a birthday gift, hand-printing in the
verses to ‘personalize’ it, as they so dreadfully say...”. It is in fine condition. $125.00
A GIANT SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH OF GROVER CLEVELAND AND HIS CABINET
11) GROVER CLEVELAND (1837-1908). Cleveland was the Twenty-Second and Twenty-Fourth President.
PS. 22” x 17”. N.d. [circa 1885]. N.p. [Washington]. An oversized photograph of Grover Cleveland and his first administration cabinet,
signed by all of them; the image is autographed by “Grover
Cleveland”, Postmaster General “Wm F. Vilas”, Secretary
of State “T.F. Bayard”, Secretary of the Navy “W.C. Whitney”, Secretary of War “Wm C. Endicott”, Secretary of the
Treasury “Daniel Manning”, Attorney General “A.H. Garland” and Secretary of the Interior “L.Q.C. Lamar”. The
image was taken in 1885 by the Washington, D.C. studio of
Prince & Cudlip. There are lighter portions in the center
vertical section and the top margin, but the details of the
foreground and background are there. There is some damage
to the portion near Cleveland’s autograph, moving upwards
towards his feet; there are two cracks that look like a shark
fin that starts in the middle of “Grover” and extends to
Cleveland’s left shin. There is also a vertical crack in the
upper right corner that only affects the background of the
picture. Such large Presidential cabinet signed photographs
are difficult to find; a slightly larger Grover Cleveland photograph signed by his first cabinet sold at Christie’s in 2002
for $5,500. The giant photograph is framed to an overall
size of 32.5” by 25.5” and is housed in an antique wooden
frame. A truly scarce Presidential signed photograph.
$1,900.00 (please see www.HistoryDocs.com for additional detailed photographs)
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
CLEVELAND REQUESTS FAMILY PHOTOS BE IMMUNE “FROM NEWSPAPER PUBLICATION”
12) ALS. 2pg. 4 ½” x 7”. January 14, 1902. Princeton, New Jersey. An autograph letter signed “Grover Cleveland” as a former President to
Mr. C.H. Kavanaugh, the tailor who provided Cleveland with suits during his Presidency: “I send by mail to-day the photograph of our children which please present to Mrs. Kavanaugh with my compliments. I also enclose those of Mrs. Cleveland and myself. I have waited until I
could obtain what we considered the best in existence and some of them arrived only to-day. The children’s are the most truthful pictures I
have ever seen of them or any other children: Ruth born in New York City Oct 3. 1891 Esther the White House Sept 9. 1893 Marion Gray Gables Mass July 7. 1895 Richard F. Princeton N.J. Oct 28. 1897. Mrs. Kavanaugh will be one of half a dozen people who have the children’s
pictures; and of course we desire to continue their immunity from newspaper publication.” Cleveland married his much-younger wife Frances
after being a bachelor president for two years, and they had children. The letter has a horizontal fold and the original mailing envelope in
Cleveland’s hand. It is a fine letter dealing with the personal side of his Presidency. The original photographs are not included. $750.00
FUTURE CONFEDERATE GENERAL COBB SIGNS A LETTER AS TREASURY SECRETARY
13) HOWELL COBB (1815-1868). A Georgian, Cobb urged his state to secede. He was appointed a general and served in his state.
LS. 1pp. 8” x 10”. December 18, 1860. Treasury Department. A letter signed “Howell Cobb” as Secretary of the Treasury; he wrote to “Victor
& Achelis” of New York regarding an appeal of customs rates on cotton hosiery. Just a few months after signing this, Cobb resigned from the
Cabinet. The letter is in very good condition with very dark ink (thought a little bit of the ink has spread) and short fold separations. $225.00
NINE LETTER ARCHIVE FROM 1880S COLORADO – SCENES OF LIFE IN THE OLD WEST
14) (COLORADO). Ar chive. 9 pieces. 1888-1889. Buena Vista, Colorado. An archive of letters from early statehood Colorado. The letters
are written to a Walter Markham, many from his brother J.H. Markham. They address topics of concern to settlers such as health, land, livestock, and hunting. The most frequent subject is the need for money. The letters provide an illustrative picture of life in the semi-settled, Nineteenth Century West. Many are written on interesting letterhead from Colorado establishments such as hardware stores and hotels. Colorado
had officially become a state about a decade prior, in 1876. All letters are in at least good condition with deep fold lines and minor faults. Here
is a partial listing, but a full description can be found on my website www.HistoryDocs.com:
a) ALS. 1pg. J anuar y 12, 1888. Buena Vista, Color ado. An autogr aph letter signed “JH Markham” to his brother Walter: “I am going to
Montezuma Valley will start just as soon as I can get over the Range did you say Pa would furnish money to buy a horse in the spring Bill & I
have got one partly paid for but want two. I have worked for Wilber some and that counts on paying for the horse. Bill paid $20…”.
b) ALS. 2pgs. November 9, 1888. Buena Vista, Color ado. An autogr aph letter signed twice signed “Ronnie”: “ ...I shot a cotton tail and
shot at a Jack Rabbet and missed him Election is over and the democrats fell sick Mr Libbie did not get left Say my face is all broke out pimples
and feel better than I did when you were here. Bob has not got well yet…”.
c) ALS. 2pgs. November 12, 1888. Buena Vista, CA. An autogr aph letter twice signed “Ronnie”. In an atmospheric letter, the author discusses aspects of life on the Wild West, including fights, six shooters, animals theft, and the “n” word. “Received yours and was glad to hear
that you got home all safe and sound you know that D d Coyote that extracts teeth with out pain wall he pulled three for me and if he had not
left town just as he did he would never got out alive for I came home and got my six shooter ready for him But he got out that after noon Jerry
and a Niger stole some chickens and tried to sell them and the Nig and Mack Hulett had a fight the Nig let Mack hammer him on the head and
broke his fist now he is going kill Mr Nig when he gets the chance. Ronnie I drove Mc’s team down one day and went to see Maj M and left me
in his office while he got his Breakfast and I got tired of waiting for him and locked his door and drove out You know Wms and there was 150
acres next to Mc well Mcs Brother-in-law has come to file on it, there is a Hot Spring on it. Ronnie”. It is on “Cottonwood Hot Springs Hotel
and Sanitarium ” stationery. In very good condition with several fold lines.
d) ALS. 1pg. J anuar y 28, 1889. Buena Vista, Color ado. An autogr aph letter signed “E. Nelson” to Walter Markham, on “Farmers Protective Association” stationery: “The Boy has improved very much & I think in two years he will be in perfect health with something to occupy his
time & mind his expenses will be Fifty Dollars for…$25 seed $25 tools & his Board. He seen…with us here to get his plowing done & yet the
work will gladly do any thing we…for him to help him along. E. Nelsen”. In very good condition with deep fold lines. $750.00 for the archive
FORMER PRESIDENT COOLIDGE REFLECTS: “THE TROUBLE
WHICH YOU MENTION IS CONSTITUTIONAL TO THE OFFICE.
THE FACT IS NOBODY CAN HELP A PRESIDENT VERY MUCH”
15) CALVIN COOLIDGE (1872-1933). Coolidge was the Thirtieth President.
TLS. 2pg. 8 ½” x 11”. October 20, 1932. Plymouth, Vermont. A typed letter signed
“Calvin Coolidge” to Henry Stoddard of The Evening Mail: “I was very much used up
trying to make a speech and I have had to be away for two days so I did not get a chance
to respond to your interesting letter. The trouble which you mention is constitutional to
the office. The fact is nobody can help a President very much. I judge it was thought
you had been of so much help to me that you ought to be called on for more. In spite of
some favorable response I still think the speech I made was without much form or substance. You have no idea how extremely difficult it is for me to make a speech under
present conditions where everything that I have advocated during my life and all that I
achieved during my public service cannot now be mentioned. So far as I have been able
to study the things Mr. Hoover has done it seems to me they ought to be helpful. Of
course I am besought to make more speeches, which was probably the plan they had in
mind when they put me in New York on the 11th instead of waiting until later. It is a
physical and mental impossibility for me to make any more speeches. Please accept my
thanks for your constant kindness and indulgence toward me.” Apparently, former President Coolidge made speeches on Hoover’s behalf during the 1932 Presidential election,
although he admitted in private “I feel like I no longer fit in with these times”. Less than
three months later, President Coolidge was dead at age sixty. The letter has light toning
and mailing folds, and is in fine condition. A fine letter concerning the burdens of the
Presidency. $1,250.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
A FORENSIC CRIME ARCHIVE RELATED TO THE WILKES-BARRE GOOD FRIDAY
BOMBINGS OF 1936; THE PERPETRATOR WAS CAUGHT AND ELECTROCUTED
16) (CRIME) - STANLEY R. KEITH (1890-1959). Keith, a 1913 graduate of Lehigh University, was one of the premier metallurgists in
the country and worked for Bethlehem Steel. He was hired by the State of New Jersey during the Lindbergh Kidnapping Trial to link the nails
found in Hauptmann’s garage to the handmade ladder used to break into the Lindbergh nursery.
MICHAEL FUGMANN. In 1936, Fugmann sent mail bombs to sever al Pennsylvania coal union officials. The dynamite was wr apped
in cigar boxes that were wired to explode when the lid was opened. Three people, including a child, were killed, and two were wounded.
Fugmann was convicted and died in Pennsylvania’s electric chair on July 18, 1938. Since the first bombing took place on Good Friday, the
crimes are known around Wilkes-Barre as the “Good Friday Bombings.”
Archive. Circa 1936. Pennsylvania. An archive of materials, retained by Stanley Keith, related to the conviction of Fugmann. Since Fugmann
used cigar boxes, Keith testified as to the composition of the nails. The archive consists of two glass negative photographs and a number of
envelopes and handwritten notes mentioning Keith (including one that says “Seidenberg Box Nails Removed by S.R. Keith Aug 31, 1936”).
The archive also has two small glass vials (one of which holds a small nail) and over a dozen black and white photographs of nails (greatly
magnified); many of the photographs have pencil notations on the back. An unusual forensic crime archive from an early date. $300.00
AN ARCHIVE RELATED TO JAMES DENVER RAISING TROOPS IN MISSOURI FOR THE MEXICAN WAR
17) JAMES W. DENVER (1817-1892). Denver was a Congressman and bureaucrat, a Civil War general and Western figure.
An archive of documents related to James Denver raising troops in Missouri for the Mexican War. In 1847, he recruited a company for the
12th United States Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned a captain, serving under General Winfield Scott. None of these documents appears to be signed by Denver, though his name is mentioned numerous times. The grouping is arranged chronologically:
a) DS. 1pg. May 3, 1847. N.p. [per haps St. J oseph, Missour i]. A document signed “Elisha Camron” stating “To boarding and lodging
Capt. J.W. Denver of 12th Regt U.S.I. recruiting officr at Athens Mo and three men four days from the 13th to the 17th days of April 1847. To
transporting seventeen recruits from Athens in Gentry County to St. Joseph, Mo at 75 cts each as per contract.”
b) DS. 1pg. May 3, 1847. St. J oseph. A document signed “W Redenbaugh Publisher of St. Joseph Gazette” about “publishing advertisement for Capt J.W. Denver of the 12th Regiment…on recruiting service $2.50…”.
c) DS. 1pg. May 4, 1847. N.p. [pr obably Missour i]. A document signed “F.A. Pollock”, who was at Oregon, Missouri, stating “To lodging
and boarding Capt. J.W. Denver of 12th Reg. U.S.I. on the Recruiting service from the 2nd day of May to the 4th day of May 1847 inclusive…
Recd payment in full of the above of Capt. J.W. Denver”.
d) DS. 1pg. May 12, 1847. N.p. A document signed “S. Johnston” stating that he has received payment from Captain James W. Denver.
The top is partially removed in a curved pattern.
e) DS. 1pg. May 19, 1847. N.p. [pr obably Missour i]. A document signed “Wm H Edgar” about “subsistence for recruiting party of Capt
Denver 12 Regt US Infantry from the 2 day of April to the 19 of May 1847 $13.50…I certify on honor that the above is correct and that the
amount of thirteen 50/100 dollars in justly due…”.
f) DS. 1pg. May 19, 1847. St. J oseph. A document signed “Wm H Edgar” regarding “subsistence for recruits of 12 Regt USI stationed at
St. Joseph as per contract…Amount due $49.42…”.
g) DS. 1pg. J une 21, 1847. Washington. A document signed “Geo Gibson” to Elisha Green of Platt City, Missouri: “Your account for
issues to recruits at Platt City, Mo. in April and May ’47, has been examined and transferred to 3d auditor for final settlement. The amount of
$99.45 will in due course be remitted you by the Treasurer of the United States…”. $400.00 for the archive
18) GEORGE DEWEY (1837-1917). Dewey served in the Civil War and the Spanish-American War.
TLS. 1pg. May 17, 1900. Washington D.C. A typed letter signed “George Dewey”: “I wish to thank you most heartily for the courtesy which I
have received at the hands of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company in connection with my trip, just ended, to the West and South. The
magnificent train which was placed at my disposal, the arrangements effected for its transportation over the lines of other companies, and the
very efficient services of Mr. J. H. Maddy and his corps of assistant, all deserve my highest commendation...”. The letter is in good condition.
The top of the letterhead is cut off, the letter is mounted onto another sheet, and the paper is worn in places. $150.00
19) (DIPLOMATIC HISTORY). LS. 2pg. 8” x 10”. May 19, 1831. Paris. A letter signed “W.C. Rivers” to Randolph Clay, the American
diplomat to St. Petersburg: “I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 20th ult accompanying a dispatch for Mr. Van Buren, which
shall be forwarded by the first conveyance. Several previous communications from you bearing the same address, have also been received
and transmitted with my own dispatches. I beg you to be assured that I shall, at all times, be most happy to facilitate your relations with the
United States government and your friends by transmitting my communications you may find it convenient to send to the care of this Legation.” The letter has some browning and a missing portion from the red wax seal. $150.00
A DOCUMENT ABOUT A DUEL: “MR. BIGGS HAS DECLINED TO ACT ANY LONGER IN THE
CAPACITY OF SECOND…HIS REPUTATION REQUIRES AN ACQUIESCENCE IN THE PROPOSAL”
20) (DUELING). ADS. 2pg. 4 ¾” x 7 ¼”. June 28 1808. N.p. An autograph document signed “Charles W A Morton” to Mr. Biggs: “As
Mr. Biggs has declined to act any longer in the capacity of second, Mr. Morton wishes to know, if Mr. Thompson has come to a definitive resolution upon the subject. Saturday was the day appointed for the encounter, and Mr. M is certainly entitled to the intermediate time for the
purpose of providing his second, especially since the arrangements necessary to be made by a person acting in that relation, may be completed in a few hours. Mr. M. has been involved in a disagreeable predicament by the defection of him, who had originally undertaken his cause,
and has hitherto been unsuccessful under the circumstances. Mr. M. relying on the honor and ability of Mr. B is willing, that he should act as
the common friend on the occasion, and he conceived that his opponent cannot occur any possible disadvantage in consequence of the measure, and that his reputation requires an acquiescence in the proposal. If Mr. B absolutely declines, he is still ready to go out alone with Mr. T
in the last resort, in pursuance of preliminary arrangements, written and agreed to between the parties. Charles W A Morton”. The letter is
in very fine condition with dark writing. $250.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
A CAST OF PRESIDENT EISENHOWER’S HANDS
21) DWIGHT EISENHOWER (1890-1969). Eisenhower was the Thirty-Fourth President and Supreme Allied Commander of European forces during World War II.
A cast of Dwight Eisenhower’s hands, made in 1963. The hands are separate from each other, and are bronze colored; they are hollow, not
solid. The detail is exacting enough that one can see the wrinkles in Ike’s skin. The hands are attached to a lucite that base measures 12” by
12”. There is a small plaque on the base stating “DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER President U.S. 1952-1960” (the dates are incorrect). There are
only three of these Eisenhower casts in the world, and this is the only one available for sale. It was given to one of Eisenhower’s close advisors
and had once been at the Eisenhower Presidential Library until its return to the owner. Once these three casts were made, the mold was destroyed. A terrific Presidential collectible. For complete photographs of the sculpture, please visit www.HistoryDocs.com. $18,500.00
(photograph front cover)
PRESIDENT EISENHOWER OBSERVES ABOUT HIS JOB: “I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE
IS ALWAYS A CRISIS ON HAND; THE ONLY DIFFERENTIATION IS IN THE DEGREE”
22) TLS. 1pg. 6” x 8”. September 7, 1957. Newport, Rhode Island. A typed letter signed “Dwight Eisenhower” on “The White House” letterhead, but written from Newport, Rhode Island. He wrote to Harold H. Helm the Chairman of the Chemical Corn Exchange Bank: “Thank you
very much for taking the trouble to write me concerning the appointments of Neil McElroy and Julian Baird. I consider the Administration
fortunate that two men of such capabilities found it possible to make the sacrifice that government service inevitably requires. So far the
weather has been New England’s best – but if events both at home and abroad were a little quieter I could enjoy myself more. However, I have
learned that there is always a crisis on hand; the only differentiation is in the degree. With warm regard and again my appreciation of your
thoughtfulness in writing.” Ten days earlier, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first Federal Civil Rights legislation since Reconstruction. As a consequence, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus called out the National Guard to prevent nine African-American students
from entering Little Rock’s Central High School on September 4. This is probably the “crisis” Eisenhower mentions. When Faubus would not
back down, President Eisenhower ordered the 101st Airborne to Little Rock to insure the students would have access to the school. The letter
has a central mailing fold and is very fine condition. $750.00
PRESIDENT EISENHOWER INVITES A BANKER TO A WHITE HOUSE DINNER
23) TLS. 1pg. 7” x 10 ½”. February 24, 1955. The White House. A typed letter signed “Dwight Eisenhower” to Harold Helm of Chemical
Bank: “I wonder if it would be convenient for you to come to an informal stag dinner on the evening of Wednesday, March twenty-third. I hope
to gather together a small group, and I should like very much for you to attend if it is possible for you to do so. Because of the informality of
the occasion, I suggest that we meet at the White House about half past seven, have a reasonable early dinner, and devote the evening to a general chat. While I am hopeful that you can attend, I realize that you already may have engagements which would interfere. If so, I assure you
of my complete understanding. I shall probably wear a black tie, but business suit will be entirely appropriate…As a personal favor to me,
would you keep this reasonably confidential until after the affair?” The letter has two mailing folds, light soiling, a hint of toning, a “H.H.H.”
stamp, and is in very good condition. $500.00
24) (ESKIMO CULTURE) - SOPHUS MÜLLER (1846-1934). Müller was the director of the National Museum of Denmark.
LS. 1pg. February 17, 1897. Copenhagen. A letter signed “Sophus Müller” as Director of Denmark’s National Museum. On museum letterhead. Müller writes to Walter Hough, who was then an assistant curator of ethnology at the United States National Museum: “To reply to your
favored of January 17, I very much regret not being able to furnish any exact
information respecting the locality of the Eskimo stone lamps in your museum.
That they are from the west coast of Greenland is quite certain, but a more precise indication of the spot, where they have been collected, does not exist in our
catalogues. These lamps are common in West Greenland; our collection contains a great number. For the form of East Greenland lamps I can refer to the
figure No 14 Plate XXIV of Capitain Holms ‘Ethnografisk Skizze af Angmagsalikerne’ in the ‘Meddelelser om Gronland’ vol 10. Yours truly Sophus Müller”. After Greenland became a Danish colony in 1814, Danish scholars and
explorers studied its history, culture, and geography. Meddelelser om Gronland was a periodical on the subject. The article Müller recommends was written
by Danish naval commander and explorer Gustav Frederik Holm. The letter is in
good condition with minor losses to the bottom right corner that do not affect the
text. $150.00
25) MARY KATHERINE KEEMIE “KATE” FIELD (1838-1896). Field
was an American writer and actress.
Signature. 1pg. Jan. 11, 1886. N.p. An autograph inscription and signature
“Mormonism is organized treason Kate Field Jan. 11. ’86.”. Field was very
outspoken against polygamy. In fine condition with mounting remnants. $100.00
F. SCOTT FITZGERALD HANDWRITES A
BEAUTIFUL LETTER : “I’LL TRY TO OBLIGE YOU”
26) F. SCOTT FITZGERALD (1896-1940). An American novelist and chronicler of the Jazz Age, Fitzgerald authored The Great Gatsby, Tender Is The
Night, This Side Of Paradise, and The Beautiful and the Damned.
ANS. 1pg. 13” x 8 ½”. N.d. N.p. [France]. An autograph letter signed “Scott F.
Fitzgerald” on a long piece of paper. The great author wrote in pen: “Dear Mr.
Burckart: Thanks a lot for your letter. I’ll try to oblige you. Sincerely F. Scott
Fitzgerald c/o Guaranty Trust Co. Paris France”. The letter has mailing folds
and comes with the original mailing envelope postmarked from France. The
letter is in fine condition with a large, beautiful, artistic autograph. $3,500.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
A LETTER TO ZELDA FITZGERALD
27) (ZELDA FITZGERALD) (1900-1948). Zelda was the wife of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, and an author herself. She and her husband,
despite a turbulent marriage, were celebrities in the Twenties. She was institutionalized by Scott in 1930 and died in a fire.
BENJAMIN DE CASSERES (1893-1961). De Casseres was an author in a group that included James Huneker, and H. L. Mencken.
ALS. 1pg. 5” x 6”. Christmas 1931. New York City. An autograph letter signed “Bio De Casseres Benjamin De Casseres” addressed to Zelda
Fitzgerald: “Dear Zelda: Here’s the latest news about the Virgin Birth – Bio De Casseres Benjamin De Casseres Christmas, 1931 New York
City”. This is in the handwriting of Bio. It is penned in green ink and has some light toning that affects nothing. Letters to Zelda are scarce,
and this was sent when she was first hospitalized. $250.00
FLAGG SENDS A SKETCH TO A HOTCHKISS STUDENT FOR THEIR YEARBOOK
28) JAMES MONTGOMERY FLAGG (1877-1960). An American artist, best known for his famous World War I army recruitment poster
that depicted Uncle Sam pointing at observers and saying “I want YOU for U.S. Army.”
ALS. 1pg. 8” x 10”. March 2, 1910. 33 West Sixty-Seventh Street. An autograph letter signed “James Montgomery Flagg” to Henry D.
Scott, a student at Hotchkiss. The artist wrote “I enclose a head which I drew especially for your year book. Unless you tone down your exuberantly jocose style I predict a successful career for you as a commercial traveler. But I’m sure Your heart is in the proper locality.” The
letter has a black ink stain to the verso of the page that has not moved through to the front, but is still noticeable. The condition is very good
with dark ink and a large signature. A copy of Flagg’s sketch accompanies the letter. $250.00
PRESIDENT FORD SIGNS THE WARREN COMMISSION REPORT
29) GERALD R. FORD (1913-2006). Ford was the Thirty-Eighth President.
SB. 888pg. N.d. N.p. A copy of The Official W arren Commission On The A ssassination Of President Kennedy signed “Gerald R. Ford” on
the first free endpage. It was published in 1964. The dustjacket has chips, and the interior pages are generally in fine condition. $150.00
SHORTLY AFTER HER BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS, BETTY FORD ACCEPTS
AN AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY HONORARY CHAIRMAN POSITION
30) BETTY FORD (1918-2011). The wife of Gerald Ford, Betty Ford was the First Lady of the United States.
TLS. 1pg. November 28, 1974. Washington D.C. A typed letter signed “Betty Ford” as First Lady, on “The White House” letterhead. In her
first year as First Lady, Ford wrote to the American Cancer Society’s Board of Directors. Two months prior, Ford had been diagnosed with
breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Using her place in the public eye to spread the word, Ford became a strong breast cancer awareness
advocate. Her openness about her diagnosis was quite unusual for a First Lady at that time: “It is a great personal pleasure for me to serve as
Honorary Chairman of the 1975 American Cancer Society Crusade and to convey my warmest greetings to all who join me as volunteers in
this endeavor. We are a nation whose history and development have been directed by the high hopes of its people and their undiminished energy even in the face of setbacks and discouragements. Our forefathers’ resolve to surmount difficult adversities and accept the challenge of a
worthy goal is still a vital characteristic of our people. The thousands of American Cancer Society volunteers who will be working hard to
raise urgent funds for cancer research are testimony to this spirit today. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to express my admiration for
those thousands of volunteers who constitute the 1975 Crusade and convey my encouragement to all who are actively involved in the American
Cancer Society’s programs of education, early detection and cancer control. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the American people
whose outpouring of encouragement has meant so much to me and who share our mutual, unveering commitment to the conquest of cancer.
May we, together, meet this challenge. With warmest greetings, Sincerely, Betty Ford”. It is in fine condition. $400.00
31) JANE FRANKLIN (1791-1875). Franklin was an explorer, as was her husband Sir John Franklin, who was lost in the Arctic in 1845.
ALS. 1pg. October 22, 1860. New York. A short autograph letter signed “Jane Franklin”. Franklin responds to an autograph request. “Sir I
have the pleasure of complying with your request, and am your obedt Jane Franklin New York Oct 22. 1860”. In very good condition, with a
small tear to the upper edge of the paper. $175.00
32) HENRY GEORGE (1839-1897). George was an American economist and writer with influential views on property rights, known as
Georgism. He wrote the notable book Progress and Poverty.
ALS. 1pg. September 27, 1889. New York. An autograph letter signed “Henry George”. On letterhead of “The Standard”, George wrote to a
James Clark on behalf of a journalist looking for work in New York City. “Dear sir: Will you permit me to recommend Mr. W. E. Hicks friend
of the St. Louis Post Dispatch who has recently returned from Europe and desires to go to work in this city. Mr Hicks is an extremely active
and capable newspaper man. Yours truly Henry George”. The letter is in fine condition. $150.00
STEPHEN GIRARD PLANS THE NEVER REALIZED DANVILLE-POTTSVILLE RAILROAD
33) STEPHEN GIRARD (1750-1831). Girard, a Philadelphia merchant and banker, traded with the British during the Revolution and made a
fortune in shipping. He used this money to enter into the banking business and was the First Bank of the United States’ largest financier.
LS. 2pg. 7 ¾” x 9 ¾”. May 5, 1831. N.p. A letter signed “Stephen Girard” and “S.H. Carpenter” regarding their work on the DanvillePottsville Railroad: “Know all men by these presents that Mr. Samuel H. Carpenter and Stephen Girard, Esq...held and firmly bound unto the
President and managers of the Danville and Pottsville Rail Road Company in the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars money of the United States
to be paid to the Said President and Managers or their assigns, to which payment will and truly to be made…ourselves jointly and severally
our and each of our heirs, executors and administrators firmly by these presents sealed with our seals dated the fifth day of May A.D. Eighteen
Hundred Thirty One. Now the condition of this obligation is such that if the above bound Samuel H. Carpenter who has been duly elected
treasurer of the said Danville and Pottsville Rail Road Company…truly perform the duties of said office of Treasurer and at the termination of
his Treasurership transfer and deliver over to his successor in office all books and effects belonging to the said company which shall have
come into his possession and Treasurer of said company then this obligation to be void or else remain in full form…”. With construction beginning in 1826 to open the coal reserves north of the Broad Mountain in the Shenandoah and Mahanoy valleys, the Danville-Pottsville Rail
Road ran from Mount Carbon to Mill Creek Gap in Pennsylvania. Girard had laid the plans for the rail road, even importing English iron for
the rails. His death in 1831, however, halted construction. The western section of the construction was obtained by Pennsylvania Railroad and
the eastern part by the Reading system. This is a very early mention of railroads, as the Baltimore and Ohio was chartered in 1827. The letter
is in good condition, with Girard’s elderly signature rather faint; there are professional repairs to improve the fold separations. $250.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
TRANSPORTATION TYCOON GOULD ADDS ANOTHER RAILROAD TO HIS VAST COLLECTION
34) JAY GOULD (1836-1892). Gould was one of the most notorious robber barons from the Gilded Age. He made a fortune by buying and
selling railroads, and manipulating their stock. In 1868, when he, Jim Fisk and Daniel Drew fought Vanderbilt for the Erie Railroad.
DS. 1pg. 10 ¾” x 4”. April 4, 1865. Troy, New York. A partly printed document signed “Jay Gould” approving the transfer of shares in the
Saratoga & Whitehall Rail Road Company to himself, as part of his project to consolidate the railroads in Vermont and northern New York.
The document is in fine condition. $400.00
PRESIDENT GRANT WRITES TO
“AUNT BETSY”, A WOMAN FROM HIS
HOMETOWN OF GEORGETOWN, OHIO
35) ULYSSES S. GRANT (1822-1885). Grant was the
Eighteenth President and the head of the Union Army during
the Civil War.
ALS. 4pg. 5” x 8”. Sept 1st 1871. Washington, D.C.. An
autograph letter signed “U.S. Grant” as President to Elizabeth King of Georgetown, Ohio, a woman he affectionately
called “Aunt Betsy”. Although Grant was born in Point
Pleasant, Ohio, his family moved to Georgetown when he
was an infant and he grew up there: “My dear Mrs. King, I
received your kind invitation for myself and family to be
your guests during my proposed visit to Brown Co. [location
of Georgetown]. On the receipt of your invitation I had
abandoned the idea of going to the Pacific this year, and did
not much think that I should go even to Ohio. My mind however is now made up, Providence willing, to leave Long
Branch [New Jersey] about the 12th of Sept. I will spend
three or four days in Pa with friends & relations and them
push on to Covington Ky. While there my family, excepting
my oldest son…myself will drive up to Georgetown to spend
a day or two. There will be too many of us I fear to go into
any private home, but no doubt all of us will find accommodations, and a hearty welcome, among our friends in Georgetown. My relations will
I think feel hurt if I do not stop with them and I am sure that it will afford me pleasure to see them, as it will to see all my old acquaintances. I
thank you though for your kind invitation just as much as if I could accept it. Please present my kindest regards to Mr. King and all other members of your family. With great respect, Your obt. Sevt U.S. Grant”. The letter has two horizontal folds and one vertical; they have been archivally reinforced. There is one small hole at a fold intersection that affects no words, and there is some light soiling. The overall condition is
fine and the ink is dark throughout. $2,900.00
GRANT, COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES
ARMY, LOSES A TWENTY-FIVE-DOLLAR CHECK
36) ALS. 2pgs. May 23, 1868. Washington D.C. An autograph letter signed “U.S.
Grant” as Commanding General of the United States Army. Grant asks for a lost
check to be reissued. “Dear Sir: Some weeks or so since I received your check for
twenty-five dollars and seven cents, bring amount overpaid by me when settling my
last bill, which I have either mislaid or lost. It is barely possible that I may have
endorsed the check, which was made payable to my order, so that it can be collected
by anyone into whose hands it may fall. Will you please notice whether the check is
returned to you, and, if not, duplicate it. Yours &e, U.S. Grant”. Grant would become President the following year. The letter is in very good condition with some
ink bleeding through onto the first page. As this short missive shows, even the most
extraordinary historical figures occasionally made simple mistakes. $1,750.00
37) (THE GREAT DEPRESSION). ALS. 2pgs. February 2, 1932. Lyndon Center,
Vermont. An autograph letter signed “Arthur Merrill Oliver Smith” and addressed
to his parents. Writing during the Great Depression, Smith, who was probably a
student at the Lyndon Institute boarding school, regrets that he cannot come home
for the weekend due to a lack of money but instructs his parents not to send more on
his behalf: “Dear Mother and Dad, I had a dandy little day, or as dandy as could be
expected in a place like this. I got a spauling of sixteen apiece and that was just
about 160 whacks too much. I am going to tell you that I am sorry that I will have to
stay up here over the weekend because my financial standing is not to allow me to
come home but don’t think anything is wrong it is only the depression and I will be
able to make arrangements to stay here because one of my pals is staying here and I
can stay with him. Don’t send me any more money to come home on because I’ll see
if I can help out by not spending any more money than I have to. Write again soon
and tell me what you think of it. I have paid all my bills and I will be able to make
out O.K. Write soon. Much Love Your 16 yr old Son Arthur Merrill Oliver Smith
(Amos) (Budge) (Smith)”. A touching little anecdote showing how the Great Depression affected people of all ages and statuses. The letter is in fine condition. $75.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
ALEX HALEY SIGNS ROOTS
38) ALEX HALEY (1921-1992). Haley, a writer, is best remembered for The A utobiography of Malcolm X and Roots.
SB. September 17, 1984. N.p. An edition of Roots inscribed by author Alex Haley in 1984 on the front endpage. The dustjacket has light wear
and chipping, and the interior pages are in fine condition. $200.00
FORMER PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRISON POSTPONES PLANS DUE TO A LEGAL CASE
39) BENJAMIN HARRISON (1833-1901). Harrison was the Twenty-Third President of the United States.
LS. 2pgs. January 19, 1895. Indianapolis. A letter signed “Benj Harrison” to a New Jersey lawyer: “...I fear I will have to delay my visit to
New York. I am engaged in the trial of an important will case at Richmond, in this state, which was entered upon the 2nd inst, and which I supposed at the beginning would certainly be ended during the month. It now seems probable that the hearing will be extended as late as the middle of February, but it is still my purpose to go to New York as soon as this case is disposed of...”. It is in fine condition with a fold. $400.00
40) KATHARINE HEPBURN (1907-2003). An American actress, Hepburn is best remembered for The A frican Queen, Woman Of The Year,
The Philadelphia Story, and On Golden Pond.
SB. N.d. N.p. A book, Me, signed “Katharine Hepburn” on the bottom of the title page. It is a tenth printing of her autobiography. The dust
jacket has some wear and the spine has some sunning. The interior pages are in fine condition. $300.00
41) SB. N.d. N.p. The Making Of The A frican Queen, signed “Katharine Hepburn” on the bottom of the title page. It is a fifth printing. The
dust jacket has some light yellowing and the spine has some sunning; the price is clipped. The interior pages are in fine condition. $200.00
42) SAM HILL (1815-1889). Hill was a Michigan mining engineer who is allegedly the origin of the term “What the Sam Hill?”
DS. 1pg. 7 ½” x 3 ½”. July 15, 1865. Pennsylvania Mine, MI. A check for signed “Sam M. Hill” written from Pennsylvania Mine, Michigan:
“In ten days sight, pay to the order of H.J. Fowler sixty 00/100 dollars.” The document is in fine condition, with some staining on the upperright corner and a cut cancellation. $200.00
CLOCKMAKER SILAS HOADLEY WRITES TO A RAILROAD PRESIDENT, ASKING HIM TO REROUTE A LINE
43) SILAS HOADLEY (1786-1870). Hoadley was a prominent American clockmaker from Connecticut.
ALS. 1pg. 7 ¾” x 12 ½”. March 31, 1853. Plymouth [Connecticut]. A rare autograph letter signed “Silas Hoadley” to James M. Bunce, the
president of the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Railroad: “...had a conference this day with Mr. Bronson (1st Select Man of Waterbury) and
several others who expressed the opinion that the road down the brook from my place to Waterville could not consistently be blocked up so as
to prevent the travel, that appears to be there general impression so far as my enquiries have extended...it is practicable to change the road
east of R. Road, but it may not be acceptable. I see no way to come to any decision or any thing useful, but for those in authority to come out &
act. To move the road east will make about ½ a mile more road to built than to keep the west side of a brook, and after all it may be found the
less expensive to keep the west side...Your humble servt Silas Hoadley”. The letter has three mailing folds and is in very fine condition. I could
find no other examples of a Hoadley letter selling at auction. $750.00
44) ABBIE HOFFMAN (1936-1989). Hoffman was an American dissident who protested the Vietnam War.
SB. N.d. N.p. A book, Steal This Urine Test, signed “Abbie Hoffman” on the bottom of the endpage. The paperback book is a first edition
and in fine condition. As Hoffman killed himself just two years after the release of this book (and the title is a play on his famous Steal This
Book), it is probably an uncommon signed book. $125.00
A RARE SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST HANS HOFFMAN
45) HANS HOFFMAN (1880-1966). Hoffman, an early Abstract Expressionist, taught many of the famous Expressionist painters.
PS. 3 ½” x 4 ½”. N.d. [circa 1955]. New York. A photograph signed “To Mrs. John T. Willis with kind regards Hans Hoffman” on the verso.
The black and white portrait shows the older painter standing outside. It is accompanied
by a March 27, 1955 letter from his wife Maria to Willis, as well as the envelope. $400.00
HOOVER WRITES OF HIS PREDECESSOR: “A MEMORIAL TO
PRESIDENT COOLIDGE…IS A MOST ADMIRABLE ONE…I SHOULD
CALL IN THE MEMBERS OF THE COOLIDGE CABINET AND ASK
THEM TO CONSTITUTE THE PRELIMINARY COMMITTEE”
46) HERBERT HOOVER (1874-1964). Hoover was the Thirty-First President.
TLS. 1pg. 8” x 10”. February 23, 1933. The White House. A typed letter signed “Herbert
Hoover” to Henry Stoddard of The Evening Mail: “I have a note from Edgar Rickard on
the question of a Memorial to President Coolidge. The suggestion is a most admirable
one. I discussed it yesterday with Ted Clark who is going to see Mrs. Coolidge the end of
this week. If agreeable to her, I will call a small preliminary meeting and launch it. My
present thought is that I should call in the members of the Coolidge Cabinet and ask them
to constitute the preliminary committee asking Ted Clark to act as Secretary. I would then
ask them to set up some form of organization where Mr. Coolidge’s many friends could be
brought in. It would, of course, be impossible to do anything very great in the present
time, but certainly we should be able to take over the Vermont home if Mrs. Coolidge is
willing to sell it.” Ted Clark was Coolidge’s Presidential secretary. Despite Hoover’s
offer for the Federal government to buy Coolidge’s Vermont home, it never happened.
Coolidge’s son John was the beneficiary, and he donated the house to the State of Vermont
in 1956. President Coolidge died on January 5, 1933 at age sixty. The letter has a faint
paper clip stain and two mailing folds with a dark signature. I’ve never seen a Presidential
letter in which a sitting President plans the memorial service for his predecessor. A most
unusual content Presidential letter. $2,000.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
47) OLIVER OTIS HOWARD (1830-1909). Howard was a General in the Union Army; he founded Howard University in Washington D.C.
TL. 1pg. September 7, 1909. New York. A typed letter signed “O. O. Howard” by his secretary and sent the month before Howard’s death. It
is addressed to Louis V. Bell, Esq. of New York City, asking Bell to assist Lincoln University’s endowment association as an honorary vice
president. “...you were informed that you had been nominated and elected an Honorary Vice President of the Lincoln University Endowment
Association. I trust that you are in receipt of same and will lend your name and assistance to this great work...”. Howard had helped to found
Lincoln University in the 1890s. The letter is on “The Lincoln University Endowment Association” letterhead. It is in fine condition. $75.00
JULIA WARD HOWE INVITES A FRIEND AND FELLOW AUTHOR TO HER HOME
48) JULIA WARD HOWE (1819-1910). An activist for abolitionism and suffrage, Howe wrote “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”.
ALS. 3pg. March 18, 1903. 241 Beacon Street [Boston]. An autograph letter signed “Julia Ward Howe” to Mrs. Spofford: “I write to ask that
you will allow us to use your name in connection with the biographical sketch of Mrs Louise Chandler Moulton which you have contributed to
the ‘Characteristic Women of New England,’ a book still in process of composition. I should wish to publish the sketch with your name as its
writer…I stay at home now on Thursday afternoons, from four to six o’clock. Could you possibly drop in tomorrow afternoon, 19th. It is a long
time since I have had more than a passing glimpse of you...”. Moulton was an American poet. It is in fine condition with folds. $250.00
AN AMERICAN RECOUNTS A TRIP TO ITALY IN A LENGTHY TRAVEL LETTER – “I DO NOT THINK WE
SHALL EVER FORGET NAPLES…TO ME A VISIT TO ROME HAS BEEN HOPEFUL DREAM FROM BOYHOOD”
49) (ITALY TRIP). ALS. 8pgs. J une 12, 1879. Hotel New Yor k, Flor ence, Italy. An autogr aph letter signed “Eugene”. Eugene Claghorn writes to American friends back home while visiting Italy with his wife. He wrote on letterhead of the “Hotel Royal des Étrangers, Naples” showing a detailed vignette of the hotel’s exterior. Claghorn details his experiences in Naples and Rome, including visiting the Blue
Grotto in Capri, witnessing a minor eruption of Mount Vesuvius, celebrations of Italian unity on March 17th, and seeing King Umberto I: “...I
write this on Naples paper to show you what a beautiful Hotel we stopped at there. You see it was right in front of the Bay the old fortress
stands a few hundred yards out in the crater and grand old Vesuvius sprouting forth fire and smoke was a few miles to our right, a splendid
drive along the Bay in front of our Hotel, while back of us and on our right rose tall rocky cliffs crowned with fortresses and old ruined castles.
All along the shore are beautiful villas, gardens filled with the most beautiful flowers, and orange lemon and olive trees and…grape vines. I do
not think we shall ever forget Naples...The stars shown out beautifully and we looked up at Vesuvius, the fire & smoke was coming out of its
crater and red sparks of lava running down its sides. It appeared as if we never could tire, looking at this enchanting scene, and then singers
with guitar and violin & flute would come under our window, and sing beautiful songs...We took a steamer and went to the beautiful Island of
Capri, full of…indeed and then we visited the charming ‘Blue Grotto’...A large grotto, with vaulted ceiling of rock and the water a transparent
blue. Nothing could exceed its beauty...I could fill a book on Naples and the Grotto, and the wonderful views of Pompeii & Herculaneum and I
must commence to tell you how we used the ‘Flag’ you gave to us and what fun we had with it. Well we were at Rome, wonderful, majestic,
historic Rome...To me a visit to Rome has been hopeful dream from boyhood and when I got there you can fancy my pleasure. To you it would
present attractions that no words could express, for it abounds with the stories of Bible History and you can see here the very places where
martyrs and saints perished for the faith. When we stood in the Coliseum and our courier pointed out the dens that held the wild beasts and the
broad circle where the martyrs were torn to death, we shuddered...the greatest & grandest of all Churches. ‘St Peters’ with its 400 columns,
and wonderful dome and matchless frescoes and statues. But we have written all this before and you no doubt have heard it from Louise. And
now to ‘the flag’. It was the day in which is celebrated the anniversary of Italian Unity. Rome was gay with flowers and flags and from our
window hung a large silk American flag that we brought from home. There was to be a grand review of the troops by the King & Queen, and in
the street in front of our Hotel were ranged in line about 500 soldiers. We stood on the balcony out of our window and Annie had in her land
your flag. Very soon there was a stir and the troops came to a ‘present arms’. I looked down the street and saw the King of Italy coming. He
was mounted on a splendid small war charger. His helmet was of burnished silver and a long plume floated behind it. His buff uniform was set
off by a sash of purple satin, and his long boot was set into golden stirrups. He looked splendid and I truly should be proud of King Umberto,
for he is a good sovereign. In front of him was a herald splendidly attired and behind him were all the ambassadors of the different countries,
in full military costume. As he passed out window Annie waved your flag, and the King looked up and gave it a graceful bow. On he passed
with his retinue and then there was a lull. Again the troops ‘presented arms’ I looked down again and saw the Queen coming. She is a beautiful
woman and good as she is beautiful, it is she who has reclaimed King Umberto and made him a man and a good King. She is devout and very
charitable and all her time is devoted to doing good. A troop of horsemen in splendid uniform, every man over six feet high mounted in splendid charges, preceded her, there are these are the ‘Queen’s body guard’ then came a open coach, drawn by six horses with out riders, and in it
was the Queen beautifully attired in spring costume. Annie again waved the little flag and the Queen looked up and bowed. Now was not this
very nice and we thought of you, and determined to tell you how the King & Queen of Italy saluted your little flag...I never expected to witness
and all other displays fade into insignificance. Each piece cost from $10.000 to $20.000 and it was majestic. The whole face of the river Tiber
was illuminated with flaming fire – waterfalls of fire 300 feet high poured over the summit of the Tower of St Angelo to the ground. Tens of
thousands of rockets burst in the air at once and the entire bands of the city fully 500 piece played the National March at once. The scene was
grand beyond description. And now as I have told you all about ‘the flag’ I now end this letter, for we are away to Venice tomorrow morning at
4.30. Maybe I will tell you about Florence, beautiful Florence, at some future time...”. This beautifully written letter eloquently describes the
sights and sounds of the newly-unified Kingdom of Italy. The letter is in very good condition. There are two small tears in the upper edge of the
second sheet (pages five to eight). $250.00
A SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH OF ENGLISH HUMORIST JEROME K. JEROME
50) JEROME K. JEROME (1859-1927). Jerome was an English writer; he is best known for his comical works, including Three Men in a
Boat, Three Men on the Bummel, Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow and Second Thoughts of an Idle Fellow.
PS. 5” x 3”. N.p. N.d. [ca. 1890s]. A black-and-white cabinet card photograph signed “Jerome K. Jerome” in black ink. The photograph has
been matted and framed to a total size of 10” x 8”; it is in fine condition. $250.00
51) GEORGE KENNAN (1845-1925). Kennan was an American explorer, writer, and lecturer, and a strong opponent of the Tsarist regime.
TLS. 1pg. November 13, 1893. Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. A typed letter signed “George Kennan”. Kennan attempts to arrange a
speaking engagement in Washington D.C. “...I am under engagement to lecture in Great Britain this winter from the first of January until the
tenth of March and am not accepting any invitations from the United States. If however you could take a lecture in the latter half of March or
early part of April I could probably give you one as I expect to be in Washington at that time...I should be willing to speak for $150 if you could
take a date in March or April...”. Kennan often lectured on topics relating to his critique of Imperial Russia, his support of Russian democracy,
and the political exiles he met in Siberia. A highly-prolific public speaker, he gave presentations about his other experiences as well. $150.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
KENNEDY THANKS INFLUENTIAL SOCIAL SCIENTIST
FRANCES COOKE MacGREGOR FOR HER BOOK
WITH ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, THIS IS AMERICA
52) JOHN F. KENNEDY (1917-1963). Kennedy was the Thirty-Fifth President.
FRANCES COOKE MacGREGOR (1906-2001). MacGregor was a highlyinfluential social scientist. She collaborated with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt on This
is America, a 1942 book about the town of Hingham, Massachusetts.
TLS. 1pg. July 22, 1957. Washington D.C. A typed letter signed “Jack” with an autograph postscript as Senator from Massachusetts, on his Senate letterhead. Kennedy
wrote to Frances MacGregor to thank her for sending him This is A merica, her book
with Eleanor Roosevelt: “Dear Mrs. MacGregor: I regret very much that I have been
so dilatory in acknowledging your thoughtfulness in sending me a copy of the book
‘This is America’, which you and Mrs. Roosevelt wrote in 1942. I do appreciate it very
much and not until I talked with Dr. Travell did I discover that I had not written you. It
is an extremely interesting book. Hoping to see you sometime soon and with every good
wish, I am Sincerely yours, Jack many thanks hope we meet soon”. Dr. Janet G. Travell was Kennedy’s personal doctor. The letter is in fine condition. $2,000.00
UPON THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF JFK’S DEATH, FIVE
PROMINENT AMERICANS RECOLLECT NOVEMBER 22, 1963
TO THE DAY K ENNEDY W AS SHOT AUTHOR JIM BISHOP
53) (KENNEDY ASSASSINATION) - JIM BISHOP (1907-1987). Bishop was the
author of The Day Kennedy W as Shot.
Archive. Five pieces. 1973. An archive of five letters by prominent Americans sent to
Bishop. The letters recount the writers’ memories of the day that John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Bishop used their stories for his November 1973 article in Ladies’ Home Journal, “November 22, 1963: the End of Camelot”. These letters provide a compelling account of the shock
and grief that was felt as news of Kennedy’s death spread across the nation. The majority of the archive is in fine condition.
a) TDS. 2pgs. Apr il 18, 1973. Washington D.C. A typed document signed “Arthur Krock” from the important Washington, DC journalist.
“There is a permanent, floating dice-game in the second floor bar of The Metropolitan Club...I was thus occupied, about 1:32 p.m. Eastern
Standard time, on November 22, 1963, when I was called to the telephone. The call was from the Washington Bureau of The New York Times,
to inform me that President Kennedy had been shot while riding in a motorcade in Dallas. I immediately left for the Bureau...the A.P. and
U.P.I. tickers were reeling off bulletins every few seconds...I became convinced before the announcement of his death at 2:00 p.m., that Kennedy would not survive. My immediate thoughts were conventional – personal grief for one I had known well from his boyhood, and for his young
wife...such thoughts as these: Will the tragic event further disunify the American people and evoke a resort to the streets for blind reprisal in
which the innocent will suffer and government be paralyzed? Or will, as in all but one previous instances of the succession of a murdered President, the continuum of the Presidency...My opinion that the constitutional procedure would be carried out with the full support of the people
was fortified by the general estimate at the time that Lyndon B. Johnson was the most skilled politician in the country...”. It is in fine condition.
b) TLS. 1pg. Apr il 26, 1973. New Yor k. A typed letter signed “Roy Wilkins” on NAACP letterhead with the organization’s logo on the
front: “...when I first heard of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I was on the elevator in our office en route to lunch when one of
the passengers stated that President Kennedy had been shot. To this I responded, ‘It can’t be. He is speaking in Texas.’ The passenger reiterated, ‘That is where he was when he was shot.’ When I reached the sidewalk, people were clustered around autos which had stopped so that they
could hear the news on the radios. It was at that point that I heard the bulletin that the President had been mortally wounded. My reaction was
one of profound shock and very deep sorrow...”. The letter is in fine condition and with the original mailing envelope.
c) TDS. 2pgs. N.d. [c. May 8, 1973]. N.p. [pr obably Montr eat, Nor th Car olina]. A typed document with a shor t autogr aph postscr ipt,
signed “BG” by evangelist Billy Graham. Graham gives a two-page account of his memories of JFK’s death. “I feel that the strangeness of
November 22, 1963, will linger in my mind forever. The week prior to the President’s trip to Dallas I received a telephone call from a prominent Texan. He knew that I was to play golf with Senator George Smathers and the President in Florida. My Texas friend was alarmed by the
hostile feelings in Texas for President Kennedy and doubted the wisdom of his visit but was in no position to call it off. After mediating on what
he had told me I felt an inner prompting to call Senator George Smathers and urge him to request the President not go to Texas at this
time...The morning of Friday, November 22, I met with several of my associates to discuss the broadcast ministry of our Association...We were
on the first tee and had just completed our drives when the professional of the course came out to tell me that...the President had been shot in
Dallas and had suggested that I go to out local radio station and go on the air and pray for our country...The two of us went into one of the
sound-proof studios and we talked together about the burden now on the shoulders of the new President. We went on the air and I read from
the 46th Psalm and from II Chronicles 2:7-12, and I prayed for President Kennedy’s family and for the new President and the sad way in which
his new responsibilities came upon him...”. It is in good condition.
d) TLS. 1pg. J une 13, 1973. Washington D.C. A typed letter signed “Jack” by journalist Jack Anderson: “...A telephone call gave us the
astonishing report that the President had been shot. We couldn’t believe it, but turned on the television set to check. From that moment, we
forgot about story ideas and watched the television screen in horror. I confess to a surge of anger against the hate fanatics in Texas. I remember commenting that Dallas’ Love Field was misnamed. John F. Kennedy had been a personal friend since he arrived in Washington as a Congressman. We both had often recalled that I was the first Washington correspondent he met after his arrival in the House...”. In fine condition
with two tiny holes from a staple, and including the mailing envelope.
e) TLS. 1pg. J une 29, 1973. N.p. A typed letter signed “Andy” by entertainer Andy Williams: “...I was flying from Los Angeles to Chicago...It was a regular commercial jet, and shortly before we landed there was a rumor circulating around the airplane...When we landed the
passengers tumbled out and began questioning the skycaps...I rushed to a man and asked him if it was true. He nodded yes, and I was paralyzed. Then I looked around and saw people were crying and collecting around television sets in lounges, bars and restaurants. I kept thinking
there was no way John F. Kennedy could die. But as the reports came in there was a great feelings of despair and futility...When I got to my
hotel I watched the tube for two straight days...”. In fine condition. $750.00 for the archive
JOSEPH KENNEDY CONSIDERS HIS HOME CITY OF BOSTON SUPERIOR
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
54) JOSEPH KENNEDY (1888-1969). The father of John F. Kennedy, Joseph Kennedy was an influential businessman and diplomat.
ALS. 1pg. January 16, 1919. San Francisco. An autograph note signed “Joe Kennedy”. On a postcard depicting Golden Gate Bay in San Francisco before the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, Kennedy wrote to Lieutenant Arthur Goldsmith of Boston concerning the superiority
of the two men’s home city. “The more cities I see the more I am convinced that the order of superiority should be 1. Boston 2. New York then
stop. Best to all, Joe Kennedy”. The postcard is in good condition. A tear to one corner touches the last letter of Kennedy’s signature. $450.00
DURING THE JIMMY HOFFA CASE, ROBERT KENNEDY HOPES TO SANCTION CORRUPT UNION LAWYERS
55) ROBERT F. KENNEDY (1925-1968). The brother of John F. Kennedy, Robert was Attorney
General and a Senator from New York.
TLS. 1pg. August 12, 1959. Washington D.C. A typed letter signed “Robert F. Kennedy” as
Chief Counsel for the United States Senate. It is on Kennedy’s official letterhead as a member of
the “Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labor or Management Field”, a committee dedicated to identifying union and other labor-related corruption. Kennedy served as Chief
Counsel of this committee, through which he built his famous case against Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa. This letter, written one month before Kennedy resigned from the crumbling committee,
laments the lack of sanctions placed on lawyers who help corrupt union leaders like Hoffa. Due to
its inability to convict Hoffa and various other failures, the committee would disband in 1960.
Hoffa would eventually be convicted on several charges and serve prison time in the 1960s. “Dear
Mr. Bellamy: Thank you for your letter of July 24. Our reports have pointed out many occasions
where unscrupulous lawyers have assisted crooked union officials in the execution of their
schemes. It was a source of great concern to us that although a number of cases involving unethical conduct by lawyers has been referred to bar association throughout the country, not one of
these associations has yet to take action against these lawyers.” The letter is in fine condition
with light mailing folds. $1,500.00
56) JAMES KENT (1763-1847). An American jurist, Kent was the first professor of law at Columbia College. He was then made Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court, where his
groundbreaking decisions did much to revive the English principle of equity. He is best remembered for his four volume Commentaries on A merican Law.
DS. 1pg. 10” x 8”. August 14, 1817. New York. A partly printed vellum document signed “James
Kent” as Chancellor of New York, admitting Charles Baldwin as a Solicitor. There is a red wax seal in the lower left, a decorative border, and
an engraving in the upper left corner. The signature is a bit light since it is on vellum, but completely readable. There are a couple of folds, and
the condition is fine. $200.00
JAMES MADISON AND JAMES
MONROE GRANT OHIO LANDS
57) JAMES MADISON (1751-1836). Madison was the Fourth President and “Father of the
Constitution.”
JAMES MONROE (1758-1831).
was the Fifth President.
Monroe
DS. 1pg. 15” x 8 ½”. January 1, 1812. Washington. A partly-printed land document signed
“James Madison” as President and “Jas Monroe” as Secretary of State. The vellum document granted “Douglas Wilson of Washington
County, Pennsylvania” land in Ohio. The
Monroe autograph is dark, and the Madison is a
bit light, especially the lower part of the initial
“J”. The document has one vertical and one
horizontal fold, light soiling and an intact seal.
It is in very good to fine condition. $1,500.00
58) ANDREW W. MELLON (1855-1937). Mellon was a successful businessman who served as Secretary of the Treasury from 1921 to 1932.
TLS. 1pg. March 21, 1929. Washington D.C. A typed letter signed “A W Mellon” as Secretary of the Treasury. Mellon thanks A.H. Murchison, an Oklahoma scholar, for his sentiments of approval. “Dear Mr. Murchison: I have your letter of March 18th and thank you for the approval which you expressed of my work at the Treasury and for your good wishes on my continuing in the Cabinet of President Hoover Sincerely
yours, A W Mellon”. In 1929, Herbert Hoover was about to succeed Calvin Coolidge as President. Mellon would remain Secretary of the Treasury in Hoover’s administration until, facing impeachment, he resigned in 1932. The letter is in fine condition. $200.00
MARIANNE MOORE CANNOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE BOOK NEW Y ORK AS I K NOW IT
59) MARIANNE MOORE (1887-1972). A famous American poet, she was friends with Wallace Stevens and William Carlos Williams, and
contributed to The Dial. She often wrote about animals and won the Pulitzer Prize for her Collected Poems.
TNS. 1pg. 8 ½” x 11. N.d. [circa 1964]. N.p. [Brooklyn]. A typed note signed “Marianne Moore” at the bottom of a letter sent to her by two
junior high school students. She wrote “Kindly make allowance for me, Jack Ishmole. Almost obliterated by four difficult pieces of writing to
be prepared simultaneously. I can't add even a word to enhance what you are preparing. Sorry and I truly am…”. The students, Jack Ishmole
and Sally Ronsheim, asked Moore for “quotations from outstanding contemporary New Yorkers in a section entitled, NEW YORK AS I KNOW
IT. As a notable poet, we feel your statement would add greatly to the value of the book…”. The letter is in fine condition. $200.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
SMITHSONIAN ETHNOLOGISTS DEBATE AN OFFER TO EXCAVATE NATIVE AMERICAN SITES IN ARIZONA
60) (NATIVE AMERICANS). Archive. 5 pieces. January-April 1907. An archive of five letters from the ethnology department of the United
States National Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. The letters, all from the early part of 1907, concern a potential archaeological excavation of Native American sites at Cibicu Creek, White Mountain Apache Reserve, and Tonto Basin in Arizona. The dig was
proposed by Kenneth M. Jackson, owner of the nearby Scott Ranch, who was willing to fund and supply the dig in return for a share of the
objects found. In this archive, four influential scientists of the United States National Museum – William Henry Holmes, Walter Hough, Otis
Tufts Mason, and Richard Rathbun – debate the feasibility, desirable, and legality of the proposal:
a) ALS. 1pg. J anuar y 31, 1907. N.p. An autogr aph letter signed “Walter Hough”: “Mr. Kenneth M. Jackson, a man of competent means,
who has bought the Scott Ranch on the borders of the White Mt. Apache Reserve, told me the other day that he would be glad to finance an
expedition to the ruins southwest of his place and in the Tonto Basin under the terms of the Gates agreement with the Museum. I promised to
ascertain whether this would be practicable under the new law and tridepartmental regulations...”. It is in very good condition.
b) TLS. 2pgs. Febr uar y 5, 1907. Washington D.C. A typed letter signed “Walter Hough”: “Mr. Kenneth M. Jackson, a man of competent
means, owner of the Scott Ranch, at Lakeside, Navajo County, Arizona, personally asked me to ascertain whether the Museum would undertake
the exploration of the ruins west of his ranch---those of Cibicu Creek and other parts of the White Mountain Apache Reserve and in Tonto Basin. He agrees to furnish outfit, labor, and everything necessary for a season’s fieldwork (June 1 to October 1)...”. The letter is in good condition with a few small tears to the right margin of both sheets. It is stamped with Rathbun’s initials and a filing date.
c) TLS. 1pg. Febr uar y 12, 1907. [Washington D.C.]. A typed letter on museum letter head, signed by Rathbun’s assistant. Mason is asked
to remind the sender of the dig proposal at a later date. “To Prof. Mason: The Assistant Secretary directs me to bring up early in April the field
work proposed by Doctor Hough in connection with Mr. Kenneth M. Jackson...”. It is in very good condition with a tear in the left corner.
d) ALS. 1pg. N.d. [c. Apr il 11, 1917]. N.p. [Washington D.C.]. An autogr aph letter signed “R”, possibly by Rathbun, on museum letterhead. “Mr. Hough – Please let me know if the Museum can use the entire collection for study and report. R”.
e) ALS. 3pgs. Apr il 12, 1907. N.p. An autogr aph letter signed “Walter Hough”: “Mr. Rathbun decides that by reason of the law which prohibits an individual receiving any archaeological specimens from public lands, or rather, that such objects should go only to reputable museum
– it will be impossible to take advantage of the proposal...”. It is in fine condition with a staple hole. $250.00 for the archive
PHOTOARCHIVE AND JOURNAL FROM A COUPLE’S 1925 NEW ENGLAND ROAD TRIP, INCLUDING
PHOTOS OF THEIR DODGE SEDAN AND A MENTION OF SEEING PRESIDENT COOLIDGE IN VERMONT
61) (NEW ENGLAND ROAD TRIP). Document. 18 pgs. August 1925. A handwr itten tr avel jour nal by a
Connecticut woman who took a week-long camping trip through New England with her husband in the summer
of 1925. She records the towns and landmarks the couple passed through, the friends they visited along the way,
the camping spots they stopped in, and their daily mileage. Accompanying the journal is a photo album containing sixty-eight sepia photographs from the couple’s travels in the 1920s. Subjects include family and friends,
landscape features, houses, and the couple’s Dodge sedan. The journal states: “Aug 1925 Trip over Mohawk Trail
and thro White Mountains...We went by way of Hartford Pike, watched the sun rise when out on the road aways.
Reached Warehouse Pt. and Lilians soon after seven o’clock...From there we started in company with Rud Lilian
Robert, Arthur & Ted and drove to Southwick and stopped Congamong [sic] Lake. All went in for a fresh water
swim and from there drove to town of Russell at foot of Jacobs Ladder. We...journeyed over the Ladder and to
Pittsfield our mileage for the day being 137 ½ miles...Went to some of the stores and drove around Pittsfield past
the station and our West Hoosatonic St and saw my old home which we had moved from 36 before...We then
started out to go over the Mohawk Trail by way of North Adams. Stopped at the Hair Pin Turn took a picture also
one of the mountain before going up...We pitched our tent along with a good many others, some from Ohio &
Penn. After our supper we walked over to the Tower and Souvenir shops where we bought cards and souvenirs.
Then to bed. Making 42 3/10 miles...We were about the last to leave as we wrote some home letters and cards to
mail at next place. Then we went down the Eastern trail a wonderful place and at Greenfield we went North
headed for Vermont...went to Woodstock Vt...That night Pres. Coolidge was dining with the Gov. of Vt. Whose
home was in Woodstock...took their advice and went about 14 miles over to Plymouth to see the home of Col.
John Coolidge and the Pres. & Mrs. Coolidge were there on vacation. Such a wonderful country and their home
set in the notch near the church and the general store which was the birthplace of Pres. Coolidge. The hiring
rooms were in the back of the store. Secret Service men kept folks away from the Coolidge home but Mrs. Coolidge was knitting on front porch and the Pres came out to the street to see someone off in auto...going to Lisbon
N.H. and from there to Sugar Hill N.H...Just there the trees was a lovely sight of the Pres. Range of Mountains.
We got tent up and all under cover before shower came. Bought milk and corn at the farm. Dressed and cooked
our chicken that evening in tent and went to bed early. Mileage for day 105 9/10 miles...Packed up our things and
got an early start going to Franconia stopping there to buy cards and send to folks at home. We were advised to
take a dirt road leading around the western side of mountains which was a lovely drive and beat us to the ‘Lost
River’. We stopped, paid to go in, Chas. Went all thro’ but I stopped at ‘Cold Feet Rock’...all went up Flume
together at the ‘Old Man of the Mountain’ where a shower came over the mountain tops and emptied down on
us...That night we had a good chicken supper and potatoes. After supper we visited with Bulkleys and then turned
in. Milage [sic] for day only 54 miles...going down thro Crawford Notch. It was a lovely trip thro those mountains many of them were partly in
the clouds...could see Mt. Washington in the cloud. In Conway we got off the road a few miles but got back to town just as the car stopped.
While the garage man was repairing a wire...We cooked our supper and then went over to the store. We went to bed early, we were the only
campers on that ground. Our milage [sic] for that day was 83 miles...Next thro’ Meredeth and by the Lake down to Laconia, then Concord,
Manchester and at Nashua we went across to Ayer, saw Camp Devens, and while on the crossroad stopped on the edge of cudge pine trees and
spread out our canvas and had a rest, then we drove on down thro’ Worcester Mass...pitched our tent in open lot. We bought milk there and
after supper turned in. Milage [sic] for day 143 ½ miles...When we reached Danuleon Ct., we phoned home, our first news from home since we
left a week before. Found all O.K., we then came down thro’ Norwich and was home in time for dinner soon after 12 o’clock. Milage [sic] for
that day 70. Total miles on trip 760. Expenses for gas-oil, camping priviliges [sic], souvenirs, cards, eats and fares into fox farms, flume Lost
River etc. $33.01. Saw cars from 20 different states.” The journal pages are not bound, though each page has a pair of filing holes in the upper
margin. All are in very good condition. Two additional lined pages briefly record every road trip that the author, her husband, and their friends
and family took between 1925 and 1941. Many of the photographs have captions written on the margins, versos, and album pages. The album
is in poor condition and missing its front cover, but the photographs are in good to very good condition. $500.00 for the archive
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
62) (NEW HAMPSHIRE). ALS. 2pgs. Apr il 15, 1810. For t McClar y. An autogr aph letter signed “Amos Jones” to his brother Joshua in
New Hampshire. Writing from Fort McClary in Maine, a recently-established military base that would later factor heavily into the War of 1812,
Jones tells his brother of three soldiers’ recent drowning in Milton, New Hampshire: “I would inform you, that I arrived safe home, & enjoy
good health, & wish a similar blessing to yourself & rest the family...I went to the work-house, at Portsmouth, but could find any Boy, who
would answer your purpose. I would inform you, that on Sunday, 8th the day that I left Milton, 4 of our soldiers went out in a sail-boat, & were
upset. 3 of them (viz) Jn-Head, William Daves, & his & brother Jeremiah were drown, & the other one, was taken off the Boat Bottom by a
schooner, & savd. But is yet very ill. I have nothing more...Amos Jones”. It is in very good condition with dark ink and some staining. $175.00
63) (NEW MEXICO). ALS. 1pg. December 16, 1885. Silver City, New Mexico (Territory). An autograph letter signed “J.N.S.” by a recent
settler in New Mexico Territory. Writing to her cousin, the author mentions her recent marriage and the birth of her child just a few months
later: “...Bill has been sick in bed ever since we got into our house with a bad cold but he is better now and able to be around again he will
wish to leave today. We like it here very much better than Tucson, and I think the climate will agree with me better. There is no dust here & that
is a great thing. We were married April 4th 1885 and the baby was born Oct 22nd 1885. I will write again in a short time. Bill joins me in much
love to you all. Your aff cousin J.N.S.” The letter is in good condition with a few minor holes. $150.00
TWO EXTREMELY EARLY NEW YORK CITY DOCUMENTS, SIGNED IN 1640 AT FORT
AMSTERDAM AT THE TIP OF MANHATTAN ISLAND. BOTH CONCERN THE WEST INDIA
COMPANY, THE CORPORATION THAT FOUNDED WHAT BECAME NEW YORK CITY
64) (NEW YORK CITY). NEW AMSTERDAM. New Amster dam, the for er unner of New Yor k City, was founded in 1624 lar gely by
the Dutch, though it was ethnically diverse (Peter Minuit was German). In May 1624, the ship Nieu Nederlandt, chartered by the West India
Company, arrived near Manhattan Island. The vessel had thirty families. A few families were left near New Haven, other people settled near
the mouth of the Delaware River, some were left on Governor’s Island, and the remaining families sailed up the Hudson River to form Fort
Orange (now Albany). Later in 1624 and 1625, six additional ships left Holland with colonists, livestock and supplies.
FORT AMSTERDAM. The for t was a stockade built by the Dutch on the souther n tip of Manhattan ar ound 1625. It was likely built
by slaves and it was to protect the Hudson River from British and French infiltrations. It was torn down in 1790 after the American Revolution.
THE WEST INDIA COMPANY (WIC). In 1621, the West India Company was gr anted a char ter for a tr ade monopoly in the Car ibbean, and it operated between West Africa (where it engaged in the slave trade) and the Americas. The company became very important in the
Dutch settlement of the Americas. The company established many trade posts and colonies in the 1620s and 1630s. In 1629, the company
began selling large estates in New Netherlands.
CORNELIUS VAN TIENHOVEN (1601-1656). Van Tienhoven was the secretary of New Netherlands from 1638 until shortly before his
death, and was a very influential man. He served under both Willem Kielt and Peter Stuyvesant. When he caused trouble in New Netherlands,
the Dutch West Indies Company ordered him back to Holland. His hat and cane were found in the Hudson River, but no body was recovered; it
is unknown if he was murdered or committed suicide.
HARMEN MEYNDERTSZ VAN DEN BOGAERT (1612-1647). Bogaert arrived in Manhattan in 1630, and was a respected surgeon, the
commissary of stores for Fort Orange, and an explorer of the Iroquois hinterlands. He kept a valuable journal describing his travels through
upstate New York. In 1634, Bogaert was named the ambassador to the Mohawks, and he attempted to restore the fur trade. In 1647, while in
Albany, he was found with a young male slave, which was a capital offense. He fled to the Mohawks and was cornered by the Dutch. He set
fire to the Mohawk’s longhouse full of supplies and was caught. He escaped jail, but fell through an icy river and drowned.
WIJBRANT PIETERSZ / WYBRANDT PIETERSEN (1600-1655). In 1638, Pietersz was appointed to supervise the quality of tobacco
being harvested in New Amsterdam.
CAREL LOOTEN. Looten was an Amsterdam financier.
GOVERNOR DR. WILLEM KIEFT (1597-1647). Willem Kieft was the fifth director of New Netherland. He took up the position in 1638
and held it until 1647.
DS. 2pg. 9 ¾” x 8 ½”. March 22, 1640. Fort Amsterdam. Two extremely early New York documents autographed by four of the first Dutch
settlers of New Netherlands. The documents, which are back to back on the same sheet of paper, are signed by “Hamanus A. Booghardii”,
“Wybrant Pietersen”, “Ulrich Lupoltt” (two times) and “Cornelis van Tienhoven” (two times). The first document is a Power of Attorney,
issued in the court of Cornelius van Tienhoven. It acknowledges that Harman Mijndertsz van Bogaert (aka Herman van Bogart) appointed
Carel Looten to travel to Amsterdam to collect money owed to Bogaert from the West India Company. Looten could withhold his expenses.
The document is written in Dutch, and translates as: “Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, in the presence of the
undersigned witnesses, appeared Harman Myndertsen van de Bogaert, surgeon, who appoints and empowers, as he does hereby, Mr. Carel
Looten, 337 merchant residing in the city of Amsterdam, to collect in his, the principal’s, name from the honorable directors of the West India
Company, chamber of Amsterdam, all such wages and board money as the principal has earned from the 21st of March 1630, when he sailed
from the Texel on the ship De Eendracht, Jan Brouwer, skipper, arriving on the 24th of May following here in New Netherland, to the first of
February Ao . 1633, as appears by the Book of Monthly Wages, which was sent over and which shows a debit account only, without any credit
for wages or board money; the principal holding valid whatever shall be transacted herein by the above named Carel Looten, who is empowered to give receipt and to act further as necessity may require. Done this 22nd of March 1640, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland. Hamanus A. Booghardii Wybrant Pietersen Ulrich Lupoltt Acknowledged before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary”. The other side, also in
Dutch, is a certification of correctness and authority granted on behalf of Governor Dr. Willem Kieft, and is signed by Lupoltt and Tienhoven.
It reads “I, the undersigned, Ulrich Lupoldt, commissary of merchandise for the West India Company in New Netherland, hereby acknowledge
that for the account of the aforesaid Company I have received to my full satisfaction from Wybrant Pietersen, late commissary, the sum of
twelve thousand, nine hundred and forty-five guilders, three stivers, six farthings, being the [value of the] balance of merchandise delivered to
me by said Wybrandt Pietersen, of which I promise to render a full and true account to the Hon. Director Willem Kieft, or the Company’s
agent, except that the Company’s account is to be reduced by so much as the weights and measures may be found to be less than the entries call
for. Done this 27th of March Ao . 1640, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland. Ulrich Lupoltt Acknowledged before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary”. Pre-1670 American letters are exceptionally rare. Signed documents, from the future American colonies (such as New Netherlands and New Sweden), of such an early date are virtually unknown. The A merican Book Prices Current shows one entry for “Fort Amsterdam”, and it was sold at Sotheby’s in 1977. Likewise, ABPC shows a few entries for “New Amsterdam”, and the earliest of those documents
was 1654. These documents were signed just fifteen years after New Amsterdam was established. The ink is dark, and there are a few folds
and some light staining. A true American rarity. $7,500.00 (photographs back cover)
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
A NEW YORKER DESCRIBES THE 1820 DESTRUCTION OF THE FAMOUS PARK STREET THEATRE
65) (NEW YORK CITY THEATER). ALS. 2pgs. May 29, 1820. New Yor k. An autogr aph letter signed “Eliza Thompson” to her cousin
Matilda Crawford. Along with family news and pleas for a return letter, Thompson describes the recent destruction of the famous Park Street
Theatre, that had burned down the prior week. “… You will probably hear before you receive this, that our large and elegant Theatre was entirely destroyed by fire, last Wednesday night, it made a formidable appearance indeed, the night being cloudy the light was much more apparent, fortunately the wind changed during the fire or our Church would probably have been injured. The Theatre was said to be the largest in the
Union. Some of our good folks would rejoice at this, if they were sure that another would not be erected, but it is more probable it will be rebuild in the course of a year or two; most part of the walls are standing. You will present my kindest love to your Father and Mother, brother
and sisters, and I should mention a number of others, but fear it would give you too much trouble. Mother desires to be kindly remembered to
you all. Recollect that I shall be expecting a letter from you very soon, and I hope you will not disappoint me if you wish ever to hear from me
again Yours with sincere affection Eliza Thompson”. The Park Street Theatre was erected in 1798 and quickly became New York City’s most
popular theatre, attracting large audiences from a variety of social classes. It burned down in 1820 and was quickly rebuilt, as Thompson supposed it would be; the new structure burnt down in 1848. The letter is in very good condition with a small hole in the left margin. $200.00
NIXON THANKS A NORTH CAROLINA CONGRESSMAN FOR HIS PRO-VIETNAM WAR VOTE: “THE NATION
IS AGAIN IN YOUR DEBT FOR PUTTING COUNTRY ABOVE PARTY IN THE VOTE ON VIETNAM”
66) RICHARD NIXON (1913-1994). Nixon was the Thirty-Seventh President.
ALTON LENNON (1906-1986). Lennon was a North Carolina Democratic Senator and Congressman.
TLS 1pg. 6 ¾” x 9”. April 24, 1972. The White House. A typed letter signed “RN” by Richard Nixon as President. He wrote on embossed “The White House” letterhead to the conservative North Carolina Congressman Alton Lennon about his pro-Vietnam War vote on April
20, 1972. The President wrote: “Dear Al, The Nation is again in your debt for putting country above Party in the vote on Vietnam in the Democratic Caucus Thursday. I believe events to come will prove the wisdom of your courageous act.” Nine months later, the United States completed a peace treaty with North Vietnam. The letter is in very fine condition with a central mailing fold. $750.00
WALLACE NUTTING WRITES ABOUT FURNITURE
67) WALLACE NUTTING (1861-1941). Nutting was a photographer, writer, artist and antiques expert.
TLS. 1pg. 8 ½” x 11”. October 2, 1939. Framingham, Massachusetts. A typed letter signed “Wallace Nutting” on his decorative letterhead.
He wrote to Mrs. Frederick Delavan about an order of furniture: “The chest of drawers with the quarter and fluted columns is $130. Without
the fluted columns, otherwise the same, it is $104 in mahogany. In maple it is $98. All the brasses are hand made, about $12 worth of brasses
alone. The size is 37” high, 38” long and 19” deep at the top. We have a smaller one block front and very exquisite and dainty 30” high, 35”
long and 30” deep at the top. The price on that is also $130. We have a Sheraton turned leg piece about the size of the former quoted at $60.”
The letter is in fine condition with mailing folds, a large signature and a small stain near the lower margin. $200.00
AN ARCHIVE OF LETTERS BY THE GREAT JOURNALIST AND HUMORIST BILL NYE
68) BILL NYE (1850-1896). Nye was one of the most famous humorists and journalists of his day. He founded the popular magazine The
Boomerang and authored Bill Nye’s Comic History of the United States.
An archive of material related to Edgar William Nye:
a) ALS. 1pg. 5 ½” x 8 ¾”. March 10, 1888. New York. An autograph letter signed “Bill Nye” on “The World” letterhead. He wrote to Isaac
N. Roland of Illinois: “Your calm assurance leads me to wonder why you did not ask my wife for one of my letters, written to her before we
were married. Or perhaps in the excitement of the time, you did not think of it. Seriously however and with an air of courtesy which I assure
you is assured, let me say that I dictate all my matters unless I am writing to an insurance or lightning rod man. Then it would not be right to
ask a pure, Christian girl to stenograph the style of language I use.” The bottom three-quarters of the letter is evenly toned and the writing is
dark.
b) ALS. 1pg. 4 ½” x 7”. July 14, 1888. New York. An autograph letter signed “Bill Nye” to Bradley H. Phillips of Pennsylvania: “Your autograph dated the 11th inst. is received. Your proposition to swap is highly satisfactory.” It is penned in purple ink and is in fine condition.
c) ALS. 1pg. 6” x 9 ½”. Feb 13, 1892. Duluth, Minn. An autograph letter signed “Edgar W. Nye” to Isaac N. Roland: “Thank you very many
time for what you wrote. Back from Burbank & I am getting extremely middle aged but we like to know that we are making the smiles grow
where only one used to grow. I’m like Patti (though I am seldom mistaken for her in the broad glare of day) I am playng my farewell then. I
hope I want to go home and stay there and attend to my business. Thanking you again in a rather rugged style of penmanship...”. The letter,
on “The Spalding” stationery, is in very good condition with toning and a couple of fold separations.
d) ALS. 1pg. 4 ½” x 7”. March 27, 1894. N.p. An autograph letter signed “Bill Nye” to Dr. F.I. Cook in Buffalo: “Your note was first recd.
Rockwood the photographer Broadway NY City has photographs of mine and would...furnish you with me. I have none myself. I prefer other
styles of art.” The letter has light foxing.
e) DS. 3pg. 8 ¾” x 12 ¼”. N.d. N.p. A story “The Lex Loci of the Hired Girl” signed “Bill Nye” at the conclusion. The large pages were originally removed from a large publication.
f) A few other miscellaneous pieces, including a handbill adver tising his appear ance on Febr uar y 5th in Illinois, an envelope in his handwriting and signed by him “E.W. Nye”, and a facsimile letter advertising a play. $600.00 for the archive
A SCARCE JOHN O’HARA SIGNED LETTER
69) JOHN O’HARA (1905-1970). An American writer, O’Hara’s first novel A ppointment in Samarra was an immediate success. He is best
remembered for Butterfield 8, Pal Joey, A Rage to Live, The Doctor's Son and The Horse Knows the Way.
TLS. 1pp. 8 ½” x 10 ½”. N.d. Quogue, Long Island. A scarce typed letter signed “John O’Hara” in pencil, addressed to the writer Eckert
Goodman: “About an interview on your circus piece, I am not sure when I am coming to town again, although it looks like next Thursday, the
23rd, when I’ll be in New York overnight. I’ll call you Tuesday or Wednesday, but if I haven’t called you Wednesday late, the chances are I
won’t be coming to town at all during that week.” The letter is typed on inexpensive manila paper, but is in fine condition. $350.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS IN 1851: “I AM SANGUINE THAT FRANCE HAS BEFORE HER A GLORIOUS
REPUBLICAN DESTINY…THE REIGN OF TERROR AND THE REIGN OF KINGS ARE BOTH FOREVER PAST”
70) (PARIS TRAVEL LETTER). ALS. 4pg. May 25, 1851. Paris. An autograph letter signed “Chas. O.P. Clark” by an American living in
Paris to his sister back home. Clark writes about his observations on Parisian culture and society, as well as the young republican government
under Napoleon III. He wrote, in part: “…My interest in Paris increases every day. At first, a stranger among a strange people, I was blinded
by the multiplicity of objects, and drowned in a sea of historical scenes and recollections...among the monuments and the localities of this center of European life. I became more and more conscious every day that I am in the city of revolution – when the human soul has suffered some
of its greatest agonies, and enjoyed many of its sublimest triumphs; in the city when the children of the North and the passion of the people of
the South are mixed in the proportion to give to neither the predominance to lean to both an energy that have given her equal eminence in fine
arts and in science, in the deeds of the field and in the deeds of the closet. I sometimes feel now that the men whom I meet have sat upon the...of
the conquerors of Europe, that the streets I traverse have been traversed by Charlotte Corday, and by Robespierre & Alasillon and by Leplace,
that from here Napoleon departed on his mission of glory and of exile, that from here has issued the spirit that has twice revolutionized Europe
– And that still burning with an unquenchable fire will revolutionize it yet…I am struck very often, in going about the city and visiting the public places, with evidences of the admiration – almost of adoration in which the ‘great Napoleon’ is held by his countrymen...This was painted
under the direction of L.P., the central and most prominent figure is Bonaparte, the ‘Code of Napoleon’ in his hand. I asked the cicerone why
so conspicuous a position was given by Louis Philippe to a man who usurped the place of the legitimate monarchs of France. ‘Ah,’ he said,
with a Frenchman’s shrug of the shoulders, ‘Public feelings, these sentiments of the French people demanded it; they would not permit their
Kings to fail to do homage to the Emperor of the French.’…Nothing strikes the attention of an American in Paris more forcibly than the constant appearance everywhere of men in uniform and the frequency of military displays. The streets, the palaces, the public gardens, even the
churches and the hospitals are sprinkled with soldiers. It seems to us a useless and even a noxious expense of men and money, but till a government is established and sustained on the affections of the people; till legislation, control of the majority is seen of a majority in its favor, till the
people by the long exercise of power have learned that the peaceful remedy of the ballot box is alone certain and sufficient, as is the case with
us, there is a sort of necessity that the power of the law should be every where visible. Everything is learned by slow degrees; Nations as well as
individuals have habits: France is only beginning to learn to use republican institutions: it has been for centuries habituated to the presence of
military authority. It will go right by and by I know no more of French politics than I did when I came here, and feel no more able to guess
what will happen in the next year, now, than I did then. But I have seen the French people, the Parisians, and I am sure that they have
the capacity of self-government, and I am sanguine that France has before her a glorious Republican destiny. The cause of just government
may meet with reveres, but it will, ultimately triumph. The reign of terror and the reign of Kings are both forever past…”. Clark lived in Paris
during the Second Republic, the period in which Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon III) was President of a French republic. This republican
regime was short-lived, however, In December 1851, Napoleon III would seize total power for himself and form the Second Empire, which
would last until 1870. In this letter, Clark speaks hopefully of the newly-formed republic and the end of the tyrannies of both the monarchy and
the French Revolution, but there was still much turmoil ahead for France. This letter, in fine condition, is an interesting outsider’s perspective
of the turbulent France of the mid-Nineteenth Century. $250.00
AT THE END OF HIS MILITARY SERVICE, PIERCE RECOMMENDS A GENERAL FOR A POSITION
71) FRANKLIN PIERCE (1804-1869). Pierce was the Fourteenth President.
ALS. 1pg. February 8, 1848. Lowell [Massachusetts]. An autograph letter signed “Frank Pierce”, shortly after the end of Pierce’s service in
the Mexican-American War. He wrote to a Concord, New Hampshire General concerning the General’s desire for a political position, probably
in the War Department: “My dear Sir Your letter of yesterday received this morning. I have forwarded with my own recommendation of same to
Mr. Atherton – who, I have no doubt will do all in his power to promote the wishes of the same, but I doubt whether there be at present any
vacancy in the Department. Yr friend & servt Frank Pierce”. Charles Gordon Atherton was a Senator from New Hampshire. Pierce himself had
been a Congressman from New Hampshire until 1842. Pierce’s letter is in very good condition with fold lines and minor spotting. $750.00
72) VICTOR SAWDON PRITCHETT (1900-1997). Pritchett was a British writer of short stories and literary criticism.
AM. 1pg. 4” x 7”. N.d. N.p. An autograph manuscript by V. S. Pritchett of a poem called “Fashion Show in Narssaq”. Pritchett wrote down
three stanzas of the poem on a sheet of notebook paper in holograph ink “Fashion Show in Narssaq. Here in Greenland against a backdrop of
icebergs, / On a platform set up by the bay of a fjord / Five mannequins parade in the latest summer attire / Flown in that day from Copenhagen. // One of the girls / Has a limp, and they all need training in deportment, / Frizzed or frizzled their otherwise lank hair. Half boldly, / Half
shyly they show off before their parents as the whole / Population of Eskimo Narssaq assembled, while / An amplifier diffuses its music. / At the
end of the show / They line up for applause, and are then presented – / By the District Inspector of the Trading Monopoly – .” The manuscript
is lightly stained and torn at the perforations, and it is in near fine condition overall. $200.00
PULLMAN SIGNS A BOOK FROM THE DEDICATION
OF HIS CHURCH IN ALBION, NEW YORK
73) GEORGE W. PULLMAN (1831-1897). Pullman created the first sleeping railroad car.
SB. 30pg. 1895. Albion, New York. A book, Pullman Memorial Universalist Church Dedication
Services, signed “Compliments of Geo W Pullman” on the first endpage. Pullman was from Albion and built a church for his community. Pullman agreed to give $5,000 for its construction if Albion came up with another $5,000. Tiffany designed the windows and the building was dedicated on
January 31, 1895, with Pullman present. This book was used at the ceremony. It is in fine condition. $400.00
REAGAN CONGRATULATES HIS SECRETARY ON A BOWLING VICTORY
74) RONALD REAGAN (1911-2004). Reagan was the Fortieth President of the United States.
TLS. 1pg. January 30, 1985. Washington D.C. A typed letter signed “Ronald Reagan” as President. On “The White House” letterhead, Reagan wrote a warm missive to Patsy Skidmore, one of
his correspondence secretaries, to congratulate her on an impressive recent bowling score. “Dear
Patsy: I just heard that you had a great night on the lanes and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity
to congratulate you on your whirlwind series of 626. Those are good numbers for anyone but I was
especially happy to see them for you. Keep up the good work and keep on knocking them down!
Sincerely, Ronald Reagan”. The letter is in fine condition. $750.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
NANCY REAGAN INSCRIBES A PHOTOGRAPH TO JAMES BRADY
75) NANCY REAGAN. Nancy was the wife of Ronald Reagan, the For tieth Pr esident.
IPS. 10” x 8”. N.d. N.p. A photograph signed “Nancy” to James Brady, inscribed “To my Y & H with love Nancy”. “ Y & H” was the
Reagan’s nickname for Brady, “Young & Handsome”. The image shows Nancy Reagan and James Brady outdoors, with Brady wearing equestrian gear. It is in pristine condition. $400.00
REMINGTON WRITES TO THE EDITOR OF HARPER’S
ABOUT AN ARTICLE AND ILLUSTRATIONS
76) FREDERIC REMINGTON (1861-1909). Remington was a famous Western painter.
ALS. 1pg. 4 ½” x 7”. Sept 3. New Rochelle, N.Y. A scarce autograph letter signed “Frederic Remington” addressed to Henry M. Alden, the editor of Harper’s: “Enclosed please find an article ‘The Spirit of Mahogue’ If
acceptable for the Magazine I should like to make 3 pages of illustrations.” The letter is in extremely fine condition; a small smudge to the end of the autograph affects little. $1,250.00
RIMINI INSCRIBES A PHOTOGRAPH TO THE MUSICIAN HARRY NEWTON REDMAN
77) GIACOMO RIMINI (1887-1952). Rimini was a baritone born in Italy and a naturalized American. He is
best known for his interpretations of Verdi, and being married to Rosa Raisa.
PS. 8” x 10”. N.d. N.p. A studio photograph of Rimini in operatic costume, signed “Giacomo Rimini” on the
vertical left margin. It is inscribed to Harry Newton Redman, an American composer and instructor at the New
England Conservatory of Music. The photograph was taken in Chicago. The image has some silvering, and the
inscription is dark, but inscribed along a dark portion of the image. It is in very good condition. $300.00
RODDENBERRY PREPARES FOR THE FIRST STAR TREK MOVIE:
“PARAMOUNT BRASS AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO CLOSE THE
DEAL WITH SHATNER AND NIMOY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE”
78) GENE RODDENBERRY (1921-1991). Roddenberry was the creator of Star Trek.
TLS. 2pg. April 13, 1976. Hollywood CA. A typed letter signed “Gene” to NASA engineer Jesco von Puttkamer. Roddenberry wrote on terrific “Star Trek” letterhead with the
words “From the Log of the Starship Enterprise” on it. At this time, Roddenberry was
trying to convert the very successful television series into a movie (based on its syndication success), and the result was 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture. He wrote to von
Puttkamer: “…After our telephone conversation today, I had one of the upcoming meetings
with Paramount brass and encouraged them to close the deal with Shatner and Nimoy as
quickly as possible. Took them some interesting information on the high level of fan interest across the country, including news clippings and that sort of thing, trying to prove that
we have a phenomenal box office potential. I believe they tend to agreed. About your
participation in the film production, let me try to answer some of the questions. First, we
would be delighted to have your participation in some sort of ‘official’ capacity. However,
if this turns out to be impossible, we would at least like to be able to identify you in film
credits as a member of NASA’s advanced programs staff even though your actual work
was on a ‘personal’ level. About your leave status, I doubt at the very moment that any
kind of extended NASA leave would be necessary…No doubt there would be a number of
quick flights out here you would have to make, but I doubt that the preproduction phase of
the film would be a full-time job
for you…When cameras do roll,
it seems likely to me that you
would have to be here during the
actual filming. Until we get a budget, I have no idea of how long we would shoot but
it seems to me we would probably be at it for a month and a half…The decision on
financial compensation will also have to await some kind of budget. Of course, you
will be compensated and expenses paid, but at this moment I have absolutely no idea
what kind of figure is in the minds of the studio people at this time. I’ll try to get
some sort of feeling on that as quickly as we begin talking budget. Am sure they
would be willing to pay more if it turns out you can be identified in screen credits as
‘NASA.’…”. The letter has staples holes in the left corners and some light rust and
White-Out from where he made corrections; the overall condition is very fine.
$1,250.00
FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT THANKS A FEDERAL
JUDGE FOR HIS JUDICIAL RECOMMENDATION
79) FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (1882-1945). Roosevelt was the Thirty-Second
President.
TLS. 1pg. February 7, 1939. The White House. A typed letter signed “Franklin D.
Roosevelt” as President. It is on seafoam green “The White House” stationery and is
addressed to Federal Judge John Knight of Buffalo, New York: “Thank you very
much for your letter of February second, endorsing Judge Knox for appointment on
the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second District when that post becomes vacant. I
was glad to know of your high opinion of Judge Knox’s qualifications and do want to
assure you that your interest will be borne in mind.” The letter has one horizontal
mailing fold and a large, dark autograph. $1,750.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
A FRAGMENTARY THEODORE ROOSEVELT LETTER SIGNED AS PRESIDENT MENTIONING TRUMP
80) THEODORE ROOSEVELT (1858-1919). Roosevelt was the Twenty-Sixth President of the United States.
TLS. 1pg. N.d. [1905] N.p. A partial typed letter signed “Theodore Roosevelt” as President. It is addressed to Roosevelt’s friend Curtis Guild
Jr. as Governor-elect of Massachusetts. “What a trump Draper is! I think he is one of the very best fellows I know. If Douglas comes here as it
is reported he will on Wednesday with the boot and shoe manufactures, I am going to make substantially the enclosed statement to him. Faithfully yours, Theodore Roosevelt”. Draper was probably politician and businessman Eben Sumner Draper, who had just been elected Lieutenant
Governor of Massachusetts and would eventually succeed Guild as Governor. Douglas may have been Guild’s gubernatorial predecessor William Lewis Douglas, who owned a shoemaking company. The fragmentary letter is faded and in fair condition generally. It is pasted to an image of Roosevelt. $650.00
81) ELEANOR ROOSEVELT (1884-1962). Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945.
TLS. 1pg. 6” x 7”. July 29, 1932. New York. A typed letter signed “Eleanor Roosevelt” shortly before she became First Lady; she wrote “I
am very glad to enclose these two autographs of my own, but the Governor has to stop sending his out...”. A separate slip of paper has two
autographs, “Eleanor Roosevelt” and “(Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt)”. Both are in fine condition. $200.00
82) WILLIAM SIEMENS (1823-1883). Siemens was a German-born engineer who created the regenerative furnace that produced steel.
ALS. 3pg. 4 ½” x 5 ¾”. January 19, 1878. 3 Palace Houses [England]. An autograph letter signed “William Siemens” declining an invitation:
“I am horrified to find that I must after all decline the pleasure of dining with you at the Albion on Wednesday next! My fate will have it that
this is the day on which I have to deliver my Inaugural Address as President elect of the Society of Telegraph Engineers at 8pm. An honor and
labour which has been forced upon me in view of the meeting of the Telegraphic Conferences in London this year. I might have known that
Wednesday next was the day fixed for the Address but I found no entry in my memorandum book against that day and was glad to enter your
institution. I hope that under these circumstances you will not add your displeasure with me to my desirous disappointment and allow me to
remain with our united kind regards.” It is in fine condition with a pinhole on the first page that touches a word; there are two folds. $300.00
83) WILLIAM SHERMAN (1820-1891). Sherman was an important Civil War Union general.
ADS. 1pg. 8 ¼” x 2 ¾”. November 25, 1876. Washington. A check signed “W.T. Sherman” and completely engrossed by him. He paid his
brother-in-law, General Charles Ewing, twenty-five dollars. The check has the usual cut cancellations, including one through the large, dark
autograph. $650.00
84) SARGENT SHRIVER (1915-2011). Shriver was the first director of the Peace Corps.
Archive. 1961-1995. Various locations. An archive of ten letters signed by Sargent Shriver; all are to Harry McLaughlin of The Harrisburg
Patriot-News. The earliest one is a 1961 letter on “Peace Corps” letterhead (with a lengthy handwritten postscript), and they continue throughout the mid-1990s. There is also a photograph of Shriver at a baseball game. The overall condition is fine. $150.00
SMITH HANDWRITES A COMPLETE FAIR COPY OF “AMERICA”
85) SAMUEL F. SMITH (1808-1895). A Baptist clergyman and poet, Smith authored “America (My Country ‘Tis Of Thee)”.
AMS. 2pg. 4 ½” x 7 ½”. 1877. No place. A fair copy of “America” signed “S.F. Smith 1832-1877”. He penned all four stanzas on two separate sheets and the entire text is displayed at once. Although Smith would often write out a couple of lines from “America”, he would not often
give a complete holograph of the entire text, especially in his older age. The item is matted in blue and framed in dark brown to a size of nearly
22” by 18”. The pages are mounted with a photograph of Smith and a typed transcription of the hymn. The ink is light and there was a complete horizontal separation to each sheet that touches a few words, but this fault has been stabilized by the mounting and is not very noticeable
(particularly on the first page). The condition is fair. $1,000.00
SYDNEY SMITH MENTIONS “BECOMING A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF PREACHER TO LOYD INN”
86) SYDNEY SMITH (1771-1845). A British author, Smith launched American literature when he commented “Who in the four corners of
the globe reads an American novel?”; it prompted James Fenimore Cooper to pen his Leatherstocking works.
ALS. 1pg. 7 ½” x 8 ½”. September 25, 1811. Holland House. An autograph letter signed “Sydney Smith”: “I beg leave to mention my intention of becoming a candidate for the office of Preacher to Loyd Inn – and to solicit the honor of your support upon this occasion. Should I be
so fortunate as to succeed, I hope that my candidate both as a gentleman, and a Clergyman will give the Society no cause to repent of their
appointment.” The letter has a narrow tape strip down the left side that touches a few letters, but is in fine condition. $275.00
AN AMERICAN SOLDIER IN THE PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR GIVES A LENGTHY
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGHTING: “GOT INTO A LITTLE BASIN AND ENEMY OPENED UP ON ME FROM
TRENCHES ON SMALL HILL DIRECTLY IN FRONT…AT CREST OF SMALL HILL, THEY OPENED ON US AND
AFTER A HOT LITTLE SCRAP DROVE THEM OUT ON TO THE NEXT HILL WITH NO LOSS OURSELVES”
87) (THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR). ALS. 4pg. December 3, 1899. Passi, P.I. [Philippine Islands]. A lengthy autogr aph letter
signed “Malcolm” to his family: “...we left the barracks and went on board the transport El Cano...We marched seven miles without halt with
two days rations in haversacks & blanket rolls to Oton where we stopped twenty minutes for supper. Then on to Boton five miles further fording rivers up to our waists and rain galore, stopped about ten P.M. Not much sleep in the rain...Got into a little basin and enemy opened up on
me from trenches on small hill directly in front. Deployed second Platoon across creek & with ‘E’ Co. advanced on trenches. Enemy kept up
fire till we were 50 yds. from trenches then skipped none of our men were touched. Much blood in trenches then we returned to Leon for supper. Fired at from distant hills all the way back. Camped in church till Tuesday. Then mounted detachment & ‘C’ company under Maj. Huston made reconnaissance towards Alimodian over a trail (bamboo thorns, rain etc. included). At crest of small hill, they opened on us and after
a hot little scrap drove them out on to the next hill with no loss ourselves but killing one native & wounding one other I know of. From top of
hill could hear bell ringing but could not see town so went down in little valley. While in the bottom they open up on us from all sides. Getting
out of there was the hottest work I ever want. I had one man wounded which delayed us but we got twenty natives. Friendly natives as they are
called when dead. I will tell you about it some day as I thought all hands were gone. That week we made two more little excursions and the
other companies did also but did not run against anything…”. Much, much more detail about fighting in the Philippines. The oversized letter
has folds and is in very fine condition. $450.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
A HENRY STANLEY SIGNED CABINET CARD
88) SIR HENRY M. STANLEY (1841-1904). Stanley was an English journalist and African explorer; he is best remembered for “finding” David Livingston.
PS. 4 ¼” x 6 ½”. 1891. N.p. A cabinet card photograph signed “Henry M. Stanley 1891” below his
image. The photograph was taken by Fotografia Calzolari of Milan, Italy. The studio portrait shows
Stanley as an older man. There are light mounting remnants to the extreme edges, and mounting
tape on the verso. It is in very good condition. $750.00
89) ALFRED TENNYSON, 1ST BARON TENNYSON (1806-1892). Celebrated British poet best
known for “In Memoriam A.H.H.”, “The Lady of Shalott”, and “The Charge of the Light Brigade”.
He was the Poet Laureate of Great Britain and Ireland under Queen Victoria.
ANS. 1pg. 5” x 8”. April 14, 1884. N.p. An autograph note signed in the third person: “Lord Tennyson is much obliged to Mr. Cleveland for his newspaper extracts and thanks him for his kind
letter.” It is in fine condition with very light toning. $200.00
THAXTER SENDS HER POEM “MAIZE FOR THE NATION’S EMBLEM”
90) CELIA THAXTER (1835-1894). Thaxter was a New England poet and author.
ALS. 1pg. 5” x 8”. March 31, 1893. N.p. An autograph letter signed “C. Thaxter” to Mrs. Goodwin: “I send you this grandmother’s literature & the Maize, with much love to you all from your
affectionate C. Thaxter”. The Thaxter poem “Maize for the Nation's Emblem” was first published in
May 1893 in New England Magazine. The letter has a central fold and is in fine condition. $250.00
PRESIDENT TRUMAN EXPRESSES THANKS FOR BEING GIVEN AN HONORARY
MEMBERSHIP IN THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
91) HARRY S. TRUMAN (1884-1972). Truman was the Thirty-Third President.
TLS. 1pg. June 29, 1948. Washington. A typed letter signed “Harry S Truman” as
President. He wrote on “The White House” letterhead to Colonel Melvin J. Maas, the
National President of the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association: “I certainly
appreciated very much the presentation of the Honorary Membership in the Marine
Corps Reserve Officers Association and would like for you to express my thanks to all
those who had anything to do with it.” The letter has light toning around the edges
and a central mailing fold; the condition is very good. $750.00
A SIGNED ENGRAVING OF PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN
92) HARRY S. TRUMAN (1884-1972). Truman was the Thirty-Third President.
PS. July 21, 1964. N.p. An engraved portrait signed “Harry Truman to Robert A.
Flynn 7-21-64”. The engraving is matted and framed and in fine condition. $350.00
TRUMBULL SIGNS A CONNECTICUT LEGAL DOCUMENT
93) JONATHAN TRUMBULL (1710-1785). Trumbull was the Revolutionary Warera Connecticut Governor, and the only Governor to support the patriot cause. He was
a close friend of George Washington.
DS. 1pg. September 15, 1763. Lebanon [Connecticut]. A partly-printed document
signed “Jonth Trumbull Assist.” Trumbull wrote to the Sheriff of Windham County
concerning seizing the property of Bazaleel Badger of Lebanon and that Badger must
appear before the Justice Isaac Huntington. There is additional writing on the back.
The document has a quarter-sized stain on the right margin and a large signature. It is
accompanied by a transcription. $250.00
A COVER COMMEMORATING THE LOSS OF THE AIRSHIP USS AK RON SIGNED BY THE SURVIVORS
94) USS AKRON. The USS Akron was a helium-filled airship. It was slightly shorter than the Hindenburg. On April 4, 1933, it crashed into
the ocean off the New Jersey coast and killed 73 of the 76 people aboard. The only survivors were Lieutenant Commander Herbert V. Wiley,
Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Richard E. Deal and Aviation Metalsmith Second Class Moody Erwin.
Signed cover. 6 ½” x 3 ½”. May 30, 1933. Lakehurst, New Jersey. A cover signed “H Wiley”, “R.E. Deal” and “M. Erwin”, the only three
survivors of the accident. The cover has a large memorial on the left side, commemorating the loss of the A kron. It was cancelled the month
after the accident. There is light toning and dark signatures, and it is in fine condition. $400.00
95) HERBERT GEORGE “H.G.” WELLS (1866-1946). An English science fiction writer, Wells is best known for The W ar of the W orlds.
ALS. 1pg. N.d. N.p. An autograph letter signed “H.G. Wells” on a small card. The author wrote: “Dear Madam, Thank you very much for the
opportunity you have given me of reading the…Very Sincerely Yours, H.G. Wells”. It is in fine condition. $250.00
I AM ALWAYS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING
QUALITY HISTORIC DOCUMENTS AND MANUSCRIPTS
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
A HANDSOME WALT WHITMAN SIGNED PORTRAIT
96) WALT WHITMAN (1819-1892). Whitman was a prominent American poet, journalist and essayist. He is best remembered for his masterpieces Leaves of Grass, “Song
Of Myself”, “O Captain! My Captain!” and “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard
Bloom’d”.
PS. 4 ¼” x 6 ¾”. N.d. [circa 1872 or later]. N.p. A sepia studio photograph signed
“Walt Whitman born May 31 1819” in black ink. The image was taken in September
1872 by the Brooklyn photographer G. Frank Pearsall. This was most likely removed
from an edition of Two Rivulets, a collection of Whitman poetry that used this image as
its frontispiece. The signature is dark and bold with some light skipping. The borders
are slightly irregular and there is very minor creasing, noted for accuracy. The photograph is still glued down to paper from the frontispiece, which can easily be removed.
A fine signed photograph of the great writer. $2,750.00
JUST AFTER MAKING IT BIG WITH THE GLASS MENAGERIE,
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS THANKS A JOURNALIST FOR HER
ARTICLE ABOUT HIM, INVITES HER TO HIS COCKTAIL PARTY
97) TENNESSEE WILLIAMS (1911-1983). Williams was one of the most influential
American playwrights of all time. He is known for The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar
Named Desire, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
TLS. 1pg. N.d. [c. 1945-6]. N.p. [New York City]. A typed letter signed with a symbol
and the typed word “Tennessee”, addressed to a journalist: “Dear Miss Martin – I am
delighted with your article, it is the best ever written about me and there is nothing in it
to which I have the least objection, which certainly distinguishes it from others lately.
Don’t forget my cocktail party at SHERRY’S on Friday from 5-7 to meet Laurette Taylor and my Mother – hope you can make it. Very best, Tennessee.” Although this letter
is undated, it is likely that it was written during the original Broadway production
(March 31, 1945-August 3, 1946) of The Glass Menagerie, which starred Laurette Taylor (1883-1946) in the role of Amanda Wingfield. Sherry’s is likely the Sherry Netherland Hotel in New York City. This letter was written at the time of Williams’s first
major success. It is in fine condition. $200.00
A LEGAL DOCUMENT AUTOGRAPHED BY SIGNER JAMES WILSON
98) JAMES WILSON (c. 1741-1798). Wilson, born in Scotland, was a Pennsylvania lawyer. He attended the Constitutional Congress and
signed the Declaration of Independence. He also signed by Constitution and served as one of the first Supreme Court Justices.
ADS. 1pg. 8 ¼” x 6 ¼”. July 1772. Cumberland County [Pennsylvania]. A partly-printed legal autograph document signed “Wilson” on the
verso and signed “John Agnew” on the front. Wilson engrossed much of the front, including “WE Command you, that of the Goods and Chattles, Lands and Tenements, of George Wingler late of your County Yeoman in your Bailiwick, you cause to be made, as well the sum of Eight
Pounds Fourteen Shillings Lawful Money of Pennsylvania, which William Lyon Esqr Asnee [sic] of Wm Abernathy lately in our County Court of
Common Please, before our Justices at Carlisle, recovered against him of Debt, as Twenty one shillings & five pence which to said William
Lyon in our same Court were adjudged for his Damages…”. There is more Wilson writing, as well as his signature, on the verso. There are two
vertical folds with light toning, the ink is dark, as is the Wilson signature. It is in fine condition overall. $400.00
As always, ye olde last minute additions...
TOBIAS LEAR WRITES AS WASHINGTON’S SECRETARY, SENDING AN APPOINTMENT TO A RHODE ISLAND MAN
99) TOBIAS LEAR (1762-1816). Lear served as Washington’s private secretary from
1785 until his death. He was the last person to whom Washington spoke on his deathbed. Later, Lear served in the diplomatic corps as consul at Santo Domingo and Algiers.
ALS. 1pg. 5 ¾” x 8”. July 5, 1790. United States [likely Philadelphia]. An autograph
letter signed “Tobias Lear” as “Secretary to the President of the United States”. He
wrote to Jeremiah Olney, the collector of the District of Providence, Rhode Island: “I
have the honor to enclose you a commission for Mr. John Anthony Aborn Surveyor of
the Port of Patuxet [Pawtuxet] within your District; requesting that you will cause the
same to be transmitted to him as soon as may be. I have the honor to be with dear respect Sir, Yr most Obedt Sert Tobias Lear Secretary to the President of the United
States.” Aborn declined his appointment, and the job was given to Zachariah Rhodes.
In a quarter century of dealing in historic documents and letters, this is the first Lear as
“Washington’s Presidential Secretary” letter I have ever handled; they appear to be
quite scarce in the marketplace. The letter has dark ink, the left edge has been trimmed
(affecting a few letters) and there is some archival tape to the verso. $1,250.00
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
KAY SUMMERSBY SIGNS HER BOOK, EISENHOW ER W AS MY BOSS
100) KAY SUMMERSBY (1908-1975). Summersby was Eisenhower’s chauffeur and secretary during World War II.
SB. 302pg. No date. No place. A first edition Eisenhower W as My Boss signed “Kay Summersby” on the front end page. It is a memoir of her
time with the General during World War II. The spine is sunned and there are some chips and tears to the jacket, which is protected with mylar.
A fine World War II book. $250.00
AN 1863 LETTER ABOUT FUNDING THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD: “THE
PROCEEDS OF THESE BONDS WILL BE NEEDED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD”
101) (THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD - THE UNION PACIFIC). L. 6pg. 5” x 8”. June 20, 1863. Milwaukee. A retained copy
of the letter signed by the New York politicians and financiers Washington Hunt and Samuel Ruggles. The letter was sent to Samuel Hallett,
and concerns the financing of the Union Pacific Railroad as it attempted to build the Transcontinental Railroad. In 1862, Congress passed the
Pacific Railroad Act, in which the Federal government gave land directly to corporations for the purpose of constructing the Transcontinental
Railroad that was completed in 1869. The government issued thirty year bonds at six percent interest to fund the construction. The letter states
in part: “On returning from St. Paul we found here the Mortgage executed to us as Trustees by the President of the Union Pacific Railroad
Company E.D. to secure the Bonds proposed to be issued in anticipation of the U.S. Stock ($16,000 per mile) granted by act of Congress to aid
in the construction of the road. You will recollect that in one of the last conversations between your and the first of the undersigned, an additional clause was proposed and assented to providing that the Bonds shall be issued from time to time as needed for the prosecution of the work,
and retaining in the Trustees a certain discretion in regard to the amount of bonds which the progress of the railroad will justify them in countersigning. At the same time, the reasons for reserving this discretion, were fully explained…We can hardly imagine that you could expect or…
to countersign the whole amount of $5,700,000 in advance, and before any part of the time is completed. The creation of so large an amount at
once would impact confidence in the bonds and tend to discredit both the company and the Trustees…The proceeds of these bonds will be needed for the construction of the road, and for another purpose. They should be issued as the work advances…we will request you to recall the
mortgage from Kansas by telegraph before it is recorded…You will of course submit our views to Gen. Fremont, the President of the Company…”. Washington Hunt was a Congressman from New York, as well as the state’s Comptroller and Governor. Samuel Ruggles was a New
York politician who donated the land for Gramercy Park. The letter’s recipient, Samuel Hallett, was an investor in the Union Pacific Railroad.
The letter is in very good condition. $250.00
102) (EARLY VIRGINIA TRADING). ALS. 2pg. 7 ¼” x 9”. April 17, 1762. Leeds, Virginia. An autograph letter signed “Wm Outram” to
his brother John in York, England. Outram, a merchant captain of the Liberty, had just sailed across the Atlantic to Virginia: “After a long passage of nine weeks have ye pleasure to acquaint of my arrival in Virginia. I have nothing very particular to acquaint you of only am afraid. I
shall be a running shop Home herein a convoy to sail from hence ye 6th of June, but no Possibility in me getting Loaded to save her so I expect
will be ye Latter End of July before I said from ye Country you may begin to look for me ye Beginning of Septr. I have been very unwell ever
since I left London and can’t get rightly clear of it yet am very much Troubled with a pain in my head and of Rheumatism but ye Latter thank
God am Pretty well clear off at present. I hope this will find you and relations well…”. It is accompanied by a 1765 letter from another Outram
sibling. William Outram corresponded with Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, and he once shipped fifteen hogsheads of Washington’s tobacco. The letter has some tape on the verso and folds, and is in very good condition. Amazing that a trader would spend nine weeks on
his ship, a couple months on land, and then back on this ship for the return. $300.00
103) (CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH). ALS. 1pg. 13” x 8 ¼”. December 8, 1849. Baltimore. An autograph letter signed “William Wilson”
regarding California gold making to the east coast. He wrote to the milling firm of Hoover & Frick in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. First, he
discusses crop prices, then mentions “A steamer arrived yesterday at N. York from Chagins with $1,400,000 in gold, showing the richness of the
mines in California; the fever is up again – but numbers have returned disappointed…”. This must represent one of the earliest shipments of
gold to the east coast, since it would take months for a steamship to travel around South America. Also, the news from New York City to Baltimore was likely transmitted by an early telegraph. The letter has folds and is in fine condition. $125.00
Clipped signatures
Clement Attlee - $50
Eamon de Valera - $100
Dwight Eisenhower - $150
King Gustaf of Sweden - $50
King Hussein of Jordan - $75
King Paul of Greece - $50
Anastasio Somoza - $50
Index
Business – 33, 34, 43, 58, 73
Revolutionary War - 1, 7, 93, 98, 99
Civil War - 3, 4, 13, 35, 36, 47, 83
Supreme Court & Legal - 6, 56
Entertainment & Musicians - 8, 9, 40, 41, 65, 77, 78
Western - 2, 14, 17, 101, 103
Literature & Art - 5, 26, 27, 28, 38, 45, 48, 50, 59, 68, 69, 72,76,
Women - 5, 27, 30, 31, 48, 59, 75, 81
85, 86, 89, 90, 95, 96, 97
Presidents - 11, 12, 15, 21, 22, 23, 29, 35, 36, 39, 46, 52, 53, 57,
66, 71, 74, 79, 80, 91, 92
www.HistoryDocs.com
Toll Free Phone 1 (877) I-BUY-DOCS [428-9362]
TWO EXTREMELY EARLY NEW
YORK CITY DOCUMENTS,
SIGNED IN 1640 AT FORT
AMSTERDAM AT THE TIP OF
MANHATTAN ISLAND - LOT 64