32 minute read
Presidents and First Ladies
CONTENTS
Presidents and First Ladies...................................................................................................................3 Notables ..............................................................................................................................................27 Military ................................................................................................................................................ 60 Aviation .............................................................................................................................................. 68 Space ................................................................................................................................................. 69 Art, Architecture, and Design............................................................................................................. 70 Literature .............................................................................................................................................77 Music ...................................................................................................................................................87 Classic Entertainment .......................................................................................................................107 Sports ................................................................................................................................................114 Comic Art and Animation ...................................................................................................................115 Conditions of Sale .............................................................................................................................187
View 500+ Additional Lots online at www.RRAuction.com!
Bob Eaton CEO, Acquisitions bob.eaton@rrauction.com
Carla Eaton Owner, Auctioneer carla.eaton@rrauction.com
Bobby Livingston Executive Vice President, Public Relations bobby.livingston@rrauction.com
Bobby Eaton VP, Business Development Auctioneer, MA/Lic. #3214 bobby.eaton@rrauction.com
Sue Recks Customer Service Manager Accounts Receivable sue.recks@rrauction.com
Melissa Adams Accounting Executive melissa.adams@rrauction.com
Amey Fuller Staff Accountant amey.fuller@rrauction.com Elizebeth Otto Consignment Director elizebeth.otto@rrauction.com
Jon Siefken Consignment Director jon.siefken@RRAuction.com
Fiona Lenaire Consignor Customer Service Manager fiona.lenaire@rrauction.com Cecily Gruce Inventory Manager Customer Service cecily.gruce@rrauction.com
Kevin Lessard Shipping Manager kevin.lessard@rrauction.com
Matt Klein Filemaker Developer and IT Administrator matt.klein@rrauction.com
Bill White Lead Autograph Appraiser bill.white@rrauction.com Dan McCarthy Writer, Researcher dan.mccarthy@rrauction.com
Evan Mugford Writer, Researcher evan.mugford@rrauction.com
Sarina Carlo Head of Production sarina.carlo@rrauction.com
Nikki Brickett Photographer nikki.brickett@rrauction.com
Joe Boucher Production Assistant joe.boucher@RRAuction.com
Patty Kleiman Production Assistant
Robert S. Eaton Sr. 1940–2001
presidents and first ladies
Rare 1787 Potomack Company payroll document, boldly signed by George Washington
1. George Washington Document Signed. Manuscript
DS, signed “Go: Washington,” one page, 8.75 x 16, January 3, 1787. Potomack Company payroll document for workers at Shenandoah Falls from September 29–November 12, 1786, overseen by Alexander Pollock, Thomas Pollock Robert Duke, and James Hamilton, listing the names of over fifty men along with their occupations, number of days worked, rate of pay, and amount owed. Endorsed on the reverse by George Washington, John Fitzgerald, and George Gilpin as directors of the Potomac Company. In very good condition, with archival repairs to fold separations; Washington’s crisp signature remains bold and unaffected.
One of George Washington’s greatest interests in the period between the end of the Revolutionary War and the start of his presidency was the development of the picturesque Potomac River as a navigable inland transportation route. The Potowmack Company, formed to accomplish this task using a series of locks and canals, was formed in 1785 and Washington was named the company’s president. The company’s 1785 charter provided ‘liberal wages’ for ‘any Number not exceeding one hundred good Hands with provisions and a reasonable Quantity of Spirits.’ These laborers led a difficult life, being required to remove a certain amount of rock and debris before receiving their rations of spirits.
With an eye toward the greater good of the nation, Washington’s ambitions surpassed those of the ordinary businessman—he believed that improved infrastructure would strengthen the fledgling United States, with the Potomac Canal forming a literal link from east to west and binding together territories in a ‘chain which could never be broken.’ The project was beset by constant difficulty: insufficient funding and constant legal trouble contributed to the company’s ineffectiveness and eventual failure. A significant document associated with a major early American infrastructure project. Starting Bid $1000
2. James Madison Document Signed as President.
Partly-printed vellum DS as president, one page, 10 x 15, March 22, 1809. Scalloped-top ship’s pass issued to the “Brig Jane of New York, William Gorham master or commander… navigated with nine men to pass with her Company, Passengers, Goods and Merchandize without any hinderance seizure or molestation.” Signed at the conclusion by President Madison and countersigned by Secretary of State Robert Smith. Lower left corner retains the original embossed seal. Mounted and framed to an overall size of 13.25 x 18. In very good to fine condition, with areas of light staining. Starting Bid $200
3. James Madison and James Monroe Document Signed as President and as Acting Secretary of State.
Scarce partly-printed DS, signed “James Madison” as president and “Jas. Monroe” as acting secretary of state, one page, 15.75 x 10, January 24, 1815. President Madison appoints William Ward of Ohio as “Principal Assessor under the act, entitled ‘An act for the assessment and collection of Direct Taxes and Internal Duties.” Signed at the conclusion by both Madison and Monroe. Lower left bears the original white paper seal. In very good condition, with creasing, edge tears, and areas of paper loss, none of which affect the two bold signatures. Starting Bid $200
“The use of my fathers name for the purposes to which Mr. Sheppard would now apply it is an injury to his memory”—a lengthy, impassioned letter from John Quincy Adams refuting his father’s support of ‘the Masonic Institution’
4. John Quincy Adams Autograph Letter Signed.
ALS as a Massachusetts Congressman, four pages on two sheets, 7.5 x 9.5, August 22, 1831. On the eve of the 1831 National Anti-Masonic Convention, John Quincy Adams pens a candid and lengthy handwritten letter to Stephen Bates, vehemently refuting the suggestion that his father was ever a member or supporter of Masonry. In part: “The letter from my father to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts which Mr. Sheppard has thought proper to introduce into his address, was a complementary answer to a friendly and patriotic address of the Grand lodge to him. In it he expressly states that he had never been initiated in the Order. He therefore knew nothing of their Secrets—their Oaths—nor their Penalties... That Mr. Sheppard should resort to a letter from my father, a professedly uninitiated man, to liberate the Masonic Institution from the unrefuted charge of unlawful Oaths of horrible and disgusting penalties, and Secrets, the divulging of which had been punished by a murder unsurpassed in human atrocity, is to me passing strange. All that my father knew of Masonry in 1798 was that it was favourable to the support of civil authority, and this he inferred from the characters of intimate friends of his, and excellent men who had been members of the Society…The use of my fathers name for the purposes to which Mr. Sheppard would now apply it is an injury to his memory, which I deem it my duty as far as may be in my power to redress. You observe he says, he never had been initiated in the Masonic Order. And I have more than once heard from his own lips why he had never enjoyed that felicity.” Matted and framed to an overall size of 22 x 15.25; frame backing features windows for viewing other pages. In fine condition, with a few small stains to the last page. Starting Bid $1000
Adams forwards a resolution to a political rival and former ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ member of Jackson’s, now Printer to Congress
5. John Quincy Adams Autograph Letter Signed.
ALS signed “J. Q. Adams, Chairman of the Committee of Manufacturers,” one page, 8 x 10, no date, but 1833. Letter to “Duff Green, Esqr., Printer to Congress,” sent from the “Committee Room of the Committee of Manufacturers of the House of Representatives of the United States.” In fine condition, with a single spot of mild toning and some mirroring of ink along lower portion of page. The copy has scattered light toning and a pencil notation to lower blank portion. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
Appointed chairman of the Committee of Manufacturers just seven days after being elected to Congress, Adams served as a strong advocate for factories and manufacturing, highlighting their importance as a means of developing the nation’s economy and becoming less dependent on European goods. Starting Bid $200
President Jackson grants a patent for improvements in the “Cog-Cylinder Washing Machine”
6. Andrew Jackson Document Signed as President.
Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 11.75 x 15.25, May 14, 1836. Patent issued to “Luke R. Prince, a citizen of the United States, [who] hath alleged that he has invented a new and useful improvement in the Cog-Cylinder Washing Machine.” Prominently signed at the conclusion by President Jackson, and countersigned by Secretary of State John Forsyth and Attorney General Benjamin Franklin Butler. The white paper seal and ribbon affixed to the lower left remains intact, and the document retains its second page bearing a description of the invention (color copies included in sleeve on the reverse). Corner-mounted, matted, and framed under UV-protective museum glass to an overall size of 24 x 28. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
7. Andrew Jackson Autograph Letter Signed. ALS,
four pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 9.5, December 14, 1842. Handwritten letter to J. George Harris, editor of the Nashville Union, expressing his delight with the result of the 1842 midterm elections, criticizing the propaganda associated with the 1840 presidential campaign, and denying the claims of Democratic newspapers that he and his former vice president, John C. Calhoun, had reconciled.
In part: “I have never despaired of our republican system— have allways relied on the virtue of the sovereign people to defend & protect the Constitution & glorious Union. It is true the people in 1840 were deluded by the humbuggery of coons & coonskins, hard cider, big balls, & log cabins, but I allways believed that as soon as this canvass was over, and the people began to seriously reflect, their eyes would be opened from delusion under which they acted, & the recoil would be such, as we see realized all over this union—and I now predict, that such humbuggery will never he[re]after deludge the American people—[the] republican system will long endure...When Mr. Calhoun’s name has been introduced as a candidate for the presidency, I have uniformly replied that a national convention fresh from the people must decide upon the candidate; and whether that be Mr. Van Buren, Mr. Calhoun, or Mr. Buchannan which may be selected, the whole Democratic Party must unite upon him—that the object of the Whiggs will be to endeavour to divide the republi[can] ranks, by getting more than one candidate into the field, like Bell with Judge White, to divide and conquer…Should Mr. Calhoun be selected by the Democratic Peoples Convention to be holden, I as one of the Democrats would…support [the] candidate thus represented.” He adds a handwritten postscript on the address leaf, signed with his initials, “A. J.” Professionally repaired and restored to near fine condition, with a small tear to the edge of the last page. Accompanied by a handsome custom-made finely bound full morocco leather case. Starting Bid $1000
In the wake of the Battle of New Orleans, a victorious General Jackson writes “on the subject of sending another flag to the adml of the British forces”
8. Andrew Jackson Autograph Letter Signed.
Monumental war-dated ALS, one page, 8 x 10, February 3, 1815. A handwritten letter from Andrew Jackson as major general, sent to Commodore Daniel Patterson and addressed from the 7th military district headquarters in New Orleans, in part: “The undersigned with complements to Commodore Patterson request him to call at headquarters before ten o’clock am today, as he wishes to consult him on the subject of sending another flag to the adml of the British forces, & to Genl Lambert comdg…Please bring with you the roster of the cartel as far as compleated, the undersigned is about to send to…for Capt…if necessary to compleat the exchange, and any others (if any) that may be.” Matted to an overall size of 11.5 x 16. In fine condition, with faint staining and slightly irregular light toning. Accompanied by an engraved portrait of Jackson bearing a facsimile signature.
This remarkable letter dates to shortly after the Battle of New Orleans, the climax of the five-month Gulf Campaign, and the closing conflict of the War of 1812 that had formally ended on December 24, 1814, with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent. As the pact was signed across the Atlantic in what was then the United Netherlands (now Belgium), it took a month for news of the treaty to reach the United States, during which period American forces under General Jackson won the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815. Starting Bid $5000
Polk and Buchanan pardon a burglar
9. James K. Polk and James Buchanan Document Signed as President and Secretary of State. Manuscript DS, signed “James
K. Polk” as president and “James Buchanan” as secretary of state, one page, 10 x 15.5, June 1, 1848. Robert Scott, convicted of burglary by the Criminal Court of the District of Columbia in its June session, 1844 and sentenced to a term of four years imprisonment, is granted a “full and unconditional pardon” on the recommendation of the Warden and Physician of the penitentiary, and “considering that the ends of justice have probably been obtained in this case.” Boldly signed at the conclusion by President Polk and Secretary of State Buchanan. The white paper seal affixed to the lower left remains fully intact. In fine condition. Starting Bid $300
Taylor finds he has “barely enough [money] on hand to defray the expenses” of traveling to Washington to attend his own inauguration
10. Zachary Taylor Autograph Letter Signed as
President-Elect. Boldly penned ALS as president-elect, signed “Z. Taylor,” one page, 7.75 x 9.75, January 15, 1849. Written from Baton Rouge, a letter to John Ewing, in part: “Your letter of today was handed me about sun down while in the town attending to some business preparatory to leaving for the North...not expecting any call for money from friends, or in any other way, it is entirely out of my power to make you the loan in question, as I have barely enough on hand to defray the expenses of my family and self to our places of destination or to Louisville Kentucky, where I have so arranged as to have funds to carry me to Washington.” Addressed on the reverse of the partial second integral page in Taylor’s hand, “Honbl. John Ewing, present.” In very good to fine condition, with light creasing, file holes to the left edge, and small old repairs on the reverse; the address panel is wrinkled and soiled and missing its lower third. Starting Bid $300
Four-language ship’s pass for a New Bedford whaler
11. Franklin Pierce Document Signed as
President. Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 22 x 16.75, June 19, 1855. Four-language ship’s pass issued to “Philip Howland master or commander of the Ship called Golconda…lying at present in the port of New Bedford bound for the Pacific Ocean and laden with Provisions, stores and utensils for a whaling voyage.” Prominently signed in the fourth panel by Franklin Pierce and countersigned by Secretary of State William Marcy. The original white paper seals remain affixed to the third panels. In very good condition, with staining and wrinkling, areas of paper loss, and tear and fold separations repaired with tape on the reverse. Starting Bid $200
A patriotic party on the 4th of July: “No true Democrat will ever desert the flag”
12. James Buchanan Autograph Letter Signed. ALS as secretary of state, one page, 7.5 x 9, July 1, 1848. Letter to members of Pennsylvania’s Democratic Party, in part: “I have had the honor of receiving your kind invitation to unite with the Democratic Club of the City of Reading in celebrating the approaching anniversary of our national Independence...I must express...that it is impossible for me to be with you...Will you be kind enough, in my name, to present the following sentiment to the assembled Company?...No true Democrat will ever desert the flag.” Nicely matted and framed with a portrait to an overall size of 23.5 x 19.5. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Early 1840 promissory note involving the schools of Sangamon County, co-signed by Abraham Lincoln
13. Abraham Lincoln Document Signed. Partly-printed DS, signed “A. Lincoln,” one page, 7.5 x 6.25, April 20, 1840. Promissory note, in part: “Twelve Months after date, we jointly and severally promise to pay Erastus Wright School Commissioner, and Agent for the Inhabitants of the County of Sangamon, for the use of the inhabitants of the County Sangamon, the sum of one hundred dollars.” Signed at the conclusion by William Butler, Nathaniel Hay, and Abraham Lincoln. In good to very good condition, with heavy toning, and professional repairs to paper loss and tears, two of which pass through the signature. Starting Bid $500
14. U. S. Grant Signature. Neat ink signature,
“U. S. Grant,” on an off-white 3.5 x 2 card. In fine condition, with a small stain under his first initial. Starting Bid $200 15. Grover Cleveland Signed Photograph. Handsome
4.25 x 6.5 cabinet photo of Grover Cleveland by Benjamin Falk of New York, neatly signed at the bottom of the image in ink, “Grover Cleveland.” In very good to fine condition, with a trimmed top edge, a small area of surface loss touching the first letter of the signature, and some surface loss and old adhesive residue to the top and bottom borders. Starting Bid $200
President Harrison proclaims an act “providing for the neutrality and autonomous government of the Samoan Islands”
Partly-printed DS as president, signed “Benj. Harrison,” one page, 8 x 10, May 21, 1890. President Harrison directs the Secretary of State “to cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to my proclamation of the General Act providing for the neutrality and autonomous government of the Samoan Islands.” Mounted, matted, and framed to an overall size of 14.75 x 17. In fine condition, with a handful of small stains, and slight brushing to the signature. Starting Bid $200
17. Theodore Roosevelt Signed Photograph as
President. Exceptional matte-finish 6 x 7.5 portrait of Roosevelt in a seated profile pose by the Clinedinst Studio, affixed to the original 6.5. x9 studio mount, which is signed in fountain pen as president, “With regards of Theodore Roosevelt, May 16th 1906.” In fine condition, with old adhesive residue on the back. Starting Bid $300
18. Theodore Roosevelt Signed Photograph. Matte-finish 4.5 x 6.5
Harris and Ewing photo of the former American president in a distinguished pose, affixed to the original studio mount, which is signed in fountain pen, “With the regards of Theodore Roosevelt, July 5th 1910.” Handsomely matted and framed to an overall size of 11.5 x 15.75. In very good to fine condition, with a small stain to the upper left corner of the mount, and silvering to the perimeter of the image. Starting Bid $200
Roosevelt on selecting his successor— “This is one of the most puzzling situations I have ever had to face”
19. Theodore Roosevelt Typed Letter Signed
as President. TLS as president, one page, 7 x 8.75, White House letterhead, August 8, 1908. Letter to Colonel Archibald “Archie” Rogers, in full: “I send you, strictly for your own information, a copy of a letter I have just received from Herbert Parsons. This is one of the most puzzling situations I have ever had to face. I am trying to get at the feeling of the Republicans; but it really looks as if there is an almost equal division among men who say that they won’t stand for anybody but Hughes for Governor and among men who say that they will bolt the ticket outright if he is nominated. There are a number of individuals in each camp who insist that if their desire is not met they will even bolt the National ticket. Your daughter is a dear. We were all so glad to have her here.” In very good to fine condition, with some creasing in the margins. Accompanied by the referenced copy of the Herbert Parsons letter, and the original White House mailing envelope. Starting Bid $200
20. Theodore Roosevelt Signature. Bold and attractive ink
signature, “Theodore Roosevelt,” on an off-white 4.25 x 2.75 sheet. In fine condition, with trivial brushing to the end of the signature. Starting Bid $200
21. Woodrow Wilson Signed Oversized Photograph. Huge
matte-finish 13.25 x 17 photo of President Wilson signing a document with his private secretary Joseph Patrick Tumulty by his side, signed in fountain pen by both, “Woodrow Wilson” and “Joseph P. Tumulty.” Attractively cloth-matted and framed to an overall size of 20.25 x 23.75. In very good to fine condition, with speckled discoloration, and some light silvering, to the image. Starting Bid $200
23. Harry S. Truman Typed Letter Signed.
Desirable TLS, two pages, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, October 5, 1960. Letter to California Congressman John E. Moss, in part: “This is an urgent plea that you do everything you possibly can to help the Democratic ticket and the Honorable John F. Kennedy and the Honorable Lyndon B. Johnson, the Democratic nominees for President and Vice-President. Now, as never before, it seems to me, there is a need for us to submerge whatever differences may exist among us within our own Party and fight for a Democratic victory, National, State and Local. I simply do not believe that the United States can stand four more years of another Republican President in the White House...From my viewpoint, there is much to be gained and nothing to be lost by working together and doing our best for the whole ticket. I will be campaigning, just as I have done in times passed, not because I want anything for myself, but because the country needs a leader in the White House and leaders in the Congress. I ask you to join in all-out support of the Democratic ticket.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
“Some day!!”—desirable signed ‘Dewey Defeats Truman’ photograph
22. Harry S. Truman Signed Photograph and Typed Letter Signed. Vintage glossy 8 x 10 photo of Truman holding
up the iconic ‘Dewey Defeats Truman’ issue of the Chicago Tribune, signed and inscribed on the newspaper in fountain pen, “To Alexander Nahas, Some day!! Harry S. Truman,” who adds the date above, “Signed 3–30–62.” Reverse bears two Wide World Photo stamps and an affixed caption sheet dated November 5, 1948. Included with the photo is a TLS from Truman to Nahas, one page, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, March 28, 1962, in full: “As you have requested, I have signed the picture and it is being returned to you, herewith. I was glad to autograph the picture and appreciate what you had to say concerning it.” The letter is framed to a slightly larger size. In overall fine condition. Starting Bid $1000
President “Ike” writes a note to Mamie on his personally monogrammed White House letterhead
24. Dwight D. Eisenhower Autograph Letter Signed as President. Scarce ALS as president, signed “Ike,” one page
both sides, 7 x 10.25, on his lesser-seen personal “DDE, The White House” letterhead, April 7, 1955. Handwritten letter to his wife Mamie. In part: “I hear a car is soon to leave here for the farm. Possibly the florist will be sending you flowers—but I want you to have these from my office so that they may help me say how much I miss you! I do hope you improve hourly, and are getting a real rest. When you feel like talking on the phone please call; I don’t want to bother you when you’re in bed...All my love—and my constant hope that you’re coming along splendidly.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered light toning and staining. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope addressed in his own hand, “M. D. E.—Farm,” as well as a handsome custom-made quarter-leather case. Starting Bid $1000
Ike on the reeducation of postwar Germany— “There is no thought of relinquishing our control until Nazi ideology has been eradicated”
25. Dwight D. Eisenhower Typed Letter Signed.
TLS, two pages, 7 x 9, War Department, Office of the Chief of Staff letterhead, March 9, 1946. Letter to Master Sergeant Arnold Meccner, in part: “I appreciate your interest in the problem of re-educating the German nation toward a more democratic way of life. In general, our policy on German re-education is founded on the concept that re-education must ultimately come from the Germans themselves...We can point the way... but we cannot forcibly re-indoctrinate the Germans if we are to obtain the desired results. Up until now, our accomplishments in German re-education have been largely on the negative side, limited principally to purging the German educational system of Nazi influences. This phase of our work was a necessary and continuing one and there is no thought of relinquishing our control until Nazi ideology has been eradicated.” In very good to fine condition, with creasing to the second page, and both pages showing light show-through along the edges from old tape stains on the reverse. Starting Bid $500
Shortly after securing victory in Europe, Gen. Eisenhower applies to join the Military Order of the World Wars
26. Dwight D. Eisenhower Twice-Signed Document. Partly-printed DS,
signed twice, “Dwight D. Eisenhower,” one page both sides, 8 x 10, August 31, 1945 (but curiously indicating his election to membership on June 25, 1945). Eisenhower’s application for a life membership in the Military Order of the World Wars, New York Chapter, a veterans’ fraternal order founded after World War I to perpetuate the democratic ideals for which they fought. On the front, Eisenhower’s personal details are filled out in type, indicating his highest attained rank as “Gen. of the Army” and mailing address as “c/o War Department.” Further detailed are filled out on the reverse, indicating his graduation from West Point in 1915, his first commission (“June 12, 1915, Rank: 2nd Lt.”), his last commission (“Dec. 20, 1944, Rank: Gen. of Army”), and service record during World War I. Both sides are signed in ink by Gen. Eisenhower. In fine condition, with minor loss to the top edge, and a strip of toning along the bottom edge. Signed shortly after German surrender in World War II, this is a remarkable explication of Eisenhower’s service record in the First World War—and somewhat humorous, as the highest-ranking Army officer still had to fill out a form in order to join. An extraordinary piece of presidential and military history. Starting Bid $200
Letter archive and voice messages from Jackie O. as a Doubleday editor, “fascinated” by a proposed tale of Russian espionage
27. Jacqueline Kennedy Archive of (7) Letters and (2) Voice Message
Cassette Tapes. Archive of seven letters from Jackie Onassis as an associate editor at the Doubleday publishing house, each signed either “Jackie” or “Jackie Onassis,” all of which were sent to attorney Philip Myers, who had contacted Jackie in hopes of securing a deal for a Russian spy novel he had written. The archive consists of four ALSs, one ANS, and two TLSs dated between 1992 and 1994, the last of which is dated to May 18th, the day before she succumbed to non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 64. Included with the correspondence are two cassette tapes containing brief voice messages sent to Myers in 1992. In overall fine condition. Accompanied by a TLS (May 16, 1994) from Nancy Tuckerman, the White House Social Secretary during the Kennedy administration, who, after the Kennedy assassination, remained the personal secretary to Jackie Kennedy until the latter’s death in 1994.
A more detailed description of this amazing archive can be found on our website. Starting Bid $500
28. John F. Kennedy Signed Photograph as
President. Very appealing matte-finish 10.75 x 14 photo of President John F. Kennedy standing in the White House next to William and Gary Perkins, father and son, the latter the photo’s young recipient, signed and inscribed in the lower border in fountain pen, “For Gary Perkins, with very best wishes, John Kennedy.” In very good to fine condition, with creasing, primarily to the edges and corners, and easily matted out. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from JSA. A handsome front-facing portrait of JFK.
William H. Perkins, Jr. (1929-2009) was an esteemed and well-respected lobbyist, historian, and humanitarian. During his 50-year career, he amassed one of the largest private collections of presidential and political memorabilia. He was present at the founding of the United Nations, and he had the honor of meeting 11 U.S. Presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Bill Clinton. This photograph originates from his personal collection. Starting Bid $300
29. John F. Kennedy Typed Letter Signed. TLS signed “John,”
one page, 8 x 10.5, United States Senate, Committee on Labor and Public Welfare letterhead, January 21, 1953. Letter to fellow Harvard graduate and Massachusetts Congressman John P. McMorrow, in full: “Since I have been moving about continuously since the election, I have been delayed in writing to tell you how much I appreciate your help during the campaign. It meant a great deal to our success to have the assistance of people like you, and I am very grateful for everything you did. I am looking forward to seeing you sometime soon to thank you personally.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope with preprinted free frank. Starting Bid $200
30. John F. Kennedy Signature. Desirable fountain pen
signature as president, “John F. Kennedy,” on an off-white 6.75 x 8.75 sheet of blank official White House letterhead. In very good to fine condition, with old tape stains along the edges, and toning from prior display. Starting Bid $200 31. Lyndon B. Johnson Signature. Felt tip signature,
“Lyndon B. Johnson,” on a beveled 4 x 2.25 placed card calligraphically inscribed “The President” below an embossed presidential seal. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
32. Richard Nixon (2) Typed Letters Signed. Two TLSs, both signed, “Dick Nixon,” each one page, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead. Both letters are to Helen Copley, the widow of newspaper publisher James S. Copley, with Nixon adding the greeting in his own hand, as well as a postscript to each letter. The letters are dated December 15, 1975 (“Only during difficult periods does one learn who his real friends are”), and January 6, 1976 (“Late in the evening on Christmas Day..we remarked that of all the Christmas observances we have enjoyed-at the White House, in California, in Florida, and at Camp David-this was without question one of the best”). In overall fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Nixon confirms his ‘secret’ aid pledge to Hanoi and comments on “extensive discussions with Chairman Mao and Premier Chou En-lai”
33. Richard Nixon Autograph Letter and (2) Typed
Letters. Important archive of correspondence from former President Richard Nixon to Congressman Lester L. Wolff, chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, confirming and defending his secret offer of aid to Hanoi during the 1972-1973 Vietnam peace conference and invoking executive privilege. Includes:
ALS signed “RN,” one page, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, May 14, 1977. Rare handwritten letter to “Lester,” introducing his typed letter and asking that it be made public, concluding: “I wish you & your colleagues well as you work in behalf of a bipartisan foreign policy which will serve the cause of peace & freedom in the years ahead.”
The important TLS is signed “Richard Nixon,” four pages, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead May 14, 1977. To “Congressman Wolff,” in part: “As I am sure you are aware, your request of February 22nd presents some fundamental and serious Constitutional questions. In 1953 a Committee of the House of Representatives sought to subpoena former President Truman to inquire about matters of which he had personal knowledge while he served as President. President Truman’s response states what I believe is the correct Constitutional guideline which a former President must follow. He said: ‘…In spite of my personal willingness to cooperate with your committee, I feel constrained by my duty to the people of the United States to decline to comply with the subpoena. In doing so, I am carrying out the provisions of the Constitution of the United States; and am following a long line of precedents, commencing with George Washington himself in 1796. Since his day, Presidents Jefferson, Monroe, Jackson, Tyler, Polk, Fillmore, Buchanan, Roosevelt, Coolidge, Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt have declined to respond to subpoenas or demands for information of various kinds by Congress…It must be obvious to you that if the doctrine of separation of powers and the independence of the Presidency is to have any value at all, it must be equally applicable to a President after his term of office has expired when he is sought to be examined with respect to any acts occurring while he is President. The doctrine would be shattered, and the President, contrary to our fundamental theory of our constitutional government, would become a mere arm of the Legislative Branch of the Government if he would feel during his term of office that his every act might be subject to official inquiry and possible distortion for political purposes.’ I, too, shall adhere to this precedent. However, because the issue of aid to the Hanoi Government is currently under consideration in the Congress, and without waiving the separation of powers principle, I want to be as helpful as I can in providing voluntarily my recollection of events surrounding the aid negotiation.”
He goes on to quote from his ‘Address to the Nation on Plan for Peace in Vietnam’ of January 25, 1972, from the Peace Agreement of January 23, 1973, and from his message to Pham van dong of February 1, 1973. He continues: “The aid proposal was not at any time presented to them as a part of the ‘price’ to obtain the Peace Agreement. Dr. Kissinger and I consistently and repeatedly rejected the idea that aid was to be provided as ‘reparations.’ Throughout we indicated that, just as we helped our enemies in World War II—Germany and Japan—rebuild their economies, we would apply the same principle to Hanoi. The Hanoi Government has violated the agreement in areas too numerous to mention. They refused to withdraw their forces from Cambodia and Laos, as required by the Peace Agreement. By far their most blatant violation of the Agreement was their crossing the DMZ and massively invading South Vietnam in early 1975. There is no commitment of any kind, moral or legal, to provide aid to the Hanoi Government. On the contrary, I can think of no action which would be less justified or more immoral than to provide any aid whatever to the Hanoi Government, in view of their flagrant violations of the peace accords.”
The significant second TLS, dated February 14, 1979, declines to testify before Wolff’s subcommittee and comments on the situation in China: “I see no useful purpose to be served by my trying to second-guess President Carter’s P.R.C. normalization decision. Any one of us might have handled the situation differently, but now that the decision has been made we should look to the future and not to the past. With regard to the questions you raised in your letter, Dr. Kissinger and I had extensive discussions with Chairman Mao and Premier Chou En-lai on the Taiwan issue in 1972. We could not reach an agreement and consequently stated our positions separately in the Shanghai Communique.” In overall fine condition. Accompanied by associated correspondence from Nixon’s assistant, John V. Brennan, and some other related photocopies and transcripts.Starting Bid $2500
34. Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen Signed Book. Signed book: Renegades: Born in the USA. Deluxe first edition. NY: Crown Publishing, 2021. Hardcover with slipcase, 9.5 x 11.5, 303 pages. Signed prominently on an opening page in black felt tip by Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen. In very fine condition. A sought-after and beautifully produced expansion of their groundbreaking Higher Ground podcast, featuring more than 350 photographs, exclusive bonus content, and never-before-seen archival material. Starting Bid $200
35. White House 1950 Renovation Wood
Gavel. Gavel constructed of wood removed from the White House during the Truman administration’s renovations in 1950, measuring 11˝ long with a cylindrical 3.5˝ x 2˝ head, with an inlaid metal plaque featuring a raised presidential seal in the center, reading: “Original White House Material Removed in 1950.” In fine condition. This is a particularly refined example of a White House relic gavel, featuring a more ornate handle than often seen. Accompanied by a hardcover copy of Report of the Commission of the Renovation of the Executive Mansion, published in 1952, which depicts the gavel as one of the renovation’s souvenirs on page 81. Starting Bid $200
