38 minute read
Presidents and First Ladies
Washington approves a Society of Cincinnati membership for a Valley Forge surgeon
1. George Washington Document Signed. Partly-
printed vellum DS, signed “Go: Washington,” one page, 21 x 15, January 1, 1784. A Society of Cincinnati membership certificate issued to Peter Turner. In part: “Be it known that Peter Turner Esq; a Surgeon in the late Armies of the United States is a Member of the Society of the Cincinnati; instituted by the Officers of the American Army, at the Period of its Dissolution, as well to commemorate the great Event which gave Independence to North America, as for the laudable Purpose of inculcating the Duty of lying down in Peace Arms assumed for public Defence, and of uniting in Acts of brotherly Affection, and Bonds of perpetual Friendship…In Testimony whereof I, the President of the said Society, have hereunto set my Hand at Mount Vernon.” Signed at the conclusion by Washington as the Society’s president and countersigned by Henry Knox as secretary. Handsomely custom-bound in a large blue leather slipcased presentation volume, impressively gilt-stamped on the front with a Society of the Cincinnati insignia and ornate border. In very good to fine condition, with overall rippling, and Washington’s signature light but entirely legible. Starting Bid $1000
Overwhelmed by the “Splendid Gayety of a magnificent Court” in Paris, the humble Adams hopes it “will never be the case in America”
3. John Adams Autograph Letter Signed. Revolutionary War-dated ALS, one page both sides, 7.25 x 9.25, February 13, 1779. Letter to Richard Henry Lee, written while in Paris as commissioner to France, regarding life at court in Paris and his future plans. In part: “I am much obliged to you for your kind Congratulations on my arrival, and agreeable accommodation at Paris. I assure you, Sir, I have no objection to the ‘Splendid Gayety of a magnificent Court’ in a Country where Manners, Habits and the Constitution of the Government make it necessary, which I hope however will never be the case in America. He must be of a Strange Disposition, indeed, who cannot be happy at Paris, where he may have his Choice, of all the Pleasures, Amusements and Studies, which human Life affords.
You hint that I may be Soon desired to visit Holland...I hope, and I fancy I shall not be desired to make this Visit, because I think it is time for me to go home, if I can get there. The Character I sustain, at present, that of a private Citizen, best becomes me, and is most agreeable to me...Keppell is acquitted, amidst the great Rejoicings, ever known—The Mob have at last become violent and pulled to Pieces Sandwich’s and Palisser’s Houses—Edinborough also is in Tumult about the Roman Catholics—in short the English Government seems to be in a fair Way, instead of burning your Houses and massacring your Children to be obliged to call home her Troops to save their own from the Mob.
What shall I say to you, my Friend concerning a certain and illiberal Address to the virtuous and free? Is it possible it should have made an Impression? Is that vain Man capable of thinking himself a Match for his antagonist? And of weighing his Parts his Learning his services in the scale against the other? What Bounds can be set to the Presumption of the human Heart?” In fine condition, with some light staining, and slight splitting along folds.Starting Bid $2500
4. Thomas Jefferson Signature. Ink signature, “Th; Jef-
ferson,” on an off-white clipped slip. Impressively double cloth matted and framed with a portrait of Jefferson and a printed copy of the Declaration of Independence, to an overall size of 31.5 x 26.5. In very good condition, with the signature light, but still legible. Starting Bid $300
5. Dolley Madison Signed Free Frank. Desirable hand-
addressed and free franked mailing panel, 5 x 3, addressed by Madison to “James M. Todd, Esqr., Frankfort, Kentucky,” and franked in the upper right, “Free, D. P. Madison.” Frankfort has been struck through and corrected to “Shelbyville” in another hand. Postmarked “Free” at Washington, November 29, [no year]. Double-matted and framed with an engraved portrait (bearing a facsimile signature) to an overall size of 11 x 18. In very good to fine condition, with light soiling and toning. Starting Bid $200
6. James Madison Document Signed as President.
Partly-printed vellum DS as president, one page, 10.25 x 15, October 12, 1811. Scalloped-top ship’s pass issued to the “Ship George Watson, John Russell master or commander… 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. Corner-mounted, matted, and framed with a portrait and plaque to an overall size of 28.5 x 25.75. In very good to fine condition, with all of the handwriting on the document, including Madison’s signature, light but legible. Starting Bid $200
7. James Madison and James Monroe
Document Signed. Partly-printed DS, signed “James Madison” as president and “Jas. Monroe” as secretary of state, one page, 21.25 x 16.5, April 8, 1812. Four-language ship’s papers issued to William Ingraham, Jr., “master or commander of the Sloop called Laura…lying at present in the port of Middletown bound for Teneriffe and laden with Corn, Gin & Stores.” Boldly signed at center by President Madison and countersigned by Secretary of State Monroe. Two embossed paper seals remain intact to the lower left. Mounted and framed to an overall size of 27.25 x 22.75. In very good to fine condition, with light mottled toning, some creasing, and a small sliver of paper loss to the right edge. Starting Bid $200
8. James Monroe Autograph Letter Signed. ALS as secretary of
state, signed “Jas. Monroe,” one page both sides, 8 x 10, March 15, 1814. Handwritten letter to a friend in Albemarle, in part: “It will be impossible for me to see you…During the session of Congress I am tied to the spot… sailing for Gottenburg imposes on me many duties. I intend however visiting the country soon, tho’ perhaps not before the rising of Congress.” The lower half of the letter is affixed to a slightly larger card. In fine condition, with a split to one end of the central horizontal fold. Starting Bid $200
Adams aids in apprehending a man “charged with having committed Piracy and Murder on board a vessel fitted out at Baltimore”
9. John Quincy Adams Letter Signed. LS, one page both sides, 7.75 x 9.5, February 4, 1819. Letter to Jonathan Fisk, US Attorney for the District of New York, enclosing “the original Deposition of Joseph Almeda in the case of George Clark and Joseph Moon who are charged with having committed Piracy and Murder on board a vessel fitted out at Baltimore—You will see from the letter of Mr. Glenn, the Attorney, that a warrant was issued against these men upon the facts disclosed by this Deposition and that Clark evaded the service of it by his sudden departure from Baltimore for New York in the sloop Hiram, Captain Luther Evans, but that Moon was taken, and is now under arrest, and in prison in Baltimore. Under these circumstances, it is the President’s wish that you lose no time in setting on foot the necessary judicial prosecutions.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
10. John Quincy Adams Document Signed as President. Partly-printed
vellum DS as president, signed “J. Q. Adams,” one page, 14 x 9, August 24, 1827. President Adams grants to the heirs of Jacob Baker a parcel of land “containing One hundred and Sixty acres of the Lands directed to be sold at Wooster.” Signed at the conclusion by John Quincy Adams, and countersigned by Commissioner of the General Land Office George Graham. The white paper seal affixed to the lower left remains intact. Matted and framed to an overall size of 26 x 17. In very good to fine condition, with some creasing, and areas of light toning. Starting Bid $200
as President. Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 15.5 x 9.75, March 5, 1832. President Jackson appoints Charles R. Bell as a “Lieut. Colonel of Infy 2nd Reg’t 1st Brigade of the Militia of the District of Columbia.” Signed prominently at the conclusion by Andrew Jackson, and countersigned by Secretary of War Lewis Cass. Original white paper seal remains affixed to the lower portion. Impressively matted and framed with a plate, medallion, and image to an overall size of 30.5 x 18. In very good to fine condition, with staining to the side edges, and an edge tear impinging on, but not touching, the signature. Starting Bid $200
Shortly after his heroics at New Orleans, Jackson endorses a requisition document
12. Andrew Jackson Autograph Endorsement Signed.
Autograph endorsement signed, “Andrew Jackson, Major Genl. Comdg.,” one page, 7.75 x 12, penned below a requisition document dated at “Camp Coffee,” March 2, 1815. The document is for payment by “The United States to George Elliott, for 20 Bushels Corn @ $1 pr bush.—$20, furnished a detachment of five men of Gen. Coffee.” Signed by Brigade Quartermaster N. B. Rose and Brigadier General John Coffee. Below, Jackson writes: “Quarter Master Genl. will pay the above account of twenty dollars.” Doublematted and framed with a portrait to an overall size of 20 x 18.5. In fine condition, with silking across the central horizontal fold, and at the ends of the lower horizontal fold. Starting Bid $200
13. Andrew Jackson Document Signed as President.
Partly-printed vellum DS as president, one page, 15.5 x 9.5, April 17, 1829. President Jackson grants Henry Faulk Senior of Pike County a parcel from the “Lands offered for sale at Sparta, Alabama, containing Eighty Acres and Thirty eight hundredths of an acre.” Signed at the conclusion by Andrew Jackson and countersigned by Commissioner of the General Land Office George Graham. Lower left corner retains the original white seal. In very good condition, with overall rippling, scattered staining, and small areas of vellum loss. Starting Bid $200
15.Martin Van Buren Autograph Endorsement as President. Autograph en-
dorsement as president, signed by Van Buren with his initials, “M. V. B.,” on the reverse of a manuscript DS, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 10, December 12, 1838. Van Buren’s handwritten endorsement: “With the President’s best respects & a request that Mr. Fairfield will send the written to Chief Justice…after he has perused it himself.” The document consists of a list of facts sent to Secretary of War Joel R. Poinsett by John James Abert, the commander of the Corps of Topographical Engineers, who requests that several suspended nominations be reexamined. In very good to fine condition, with old tape along splitting to the folds and the hinge. Starting Bid $200
16. Martin Van Buren Autograph Letter Signed. ALS signed “M. Van Buren,”
three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 9.75, January 6, 1845. Handwritten letter to John Milton Niles, who served as postmaster general in Van Buren’s administration. In his difficult to decipher hand, Van Buren comments on politics and human nature. Addressed on the integral leaf in Van Buren’s hand, and franked in the lower left, “M. Van Buren.” In very good to fine condition, with seal-related paper loss to the integral address leaf, with two tears affecting the signature. Starting Bid $200
War-dated ALS signed “Willm. Henry Harrison,” one page, 7.75 x 12.5, March 22, 1813. Handwritten letter from Headquarters, Cincinnati, addressed to Colonel A. D. Orr, in part: “I have...arrived from Franklinton & Chillicothe & finding that Major Jenkinson was to set out for St. Mary’s I write this to apprise you that a detachment of about 80 militia set out from Franklinton a few days ago for St. Mary’s & out this day 100 men of the 19th U.S. Regt. will commence...from Chillicothe for the same destination.” Intersecting folds, scattered toning, a small area of professionally repaired paper loss to left edge, and thin mounting strips to edges of reverse, otherwise fine condition. Starting Bid $200
x 8.75, November 26, 1852. Handwritten letter to Clement C. Cline, in full: “On reply to your letter of the 12th Inst. I now furnish you with my autograph.” In very good to fine condition, with light creasing and a trimmed bottom edge; the integral address leaf has old mounting remnants, and the franking signature has been clipped off. Starting Bid $200
President Polk confers with his Treasury Secretary preceding the annexation of Texas
19.James K. Polk Autograph Letter Signed as President. ALS as president,
one page, 8 x 10, June 15, 1845. Handwritten letter to “Hon. R. J. Walker, Sec. of the Treasury,” in full: “I have an important letter from…Maj’r Donelson, of the 4th Inst.—Can you call on me at Coleman’s before 11 o’clock this morning?” In fine condition, with a short split to the end of one of the intersecting folds. Starting Bid $300
as president, one page, 8 x 10.5, March 5, 1855. President Pierce authorizes and directs the Secretary of State to affix “the Seal of the United States to the ratification of the Consular Convention between the United States and the Netherlands, of the 22’d of January last.” Signed nicely at the conclusion by Franklin Pierce. In fine condition, with light wrinkling, and a short tear to the top edge. The referenced convention, which regulated the rights, duties, and privileges of U.S. and Dutch consuls in the Netherlands and the United States respectively, was signed at The Hague on January 22, 1855. Starting Bid $200
printed vellum DS as president, one page, 14.25 x 17.75, October 22, 1855. President Pierce appoints Pendleton G. Watmough as “a Lieutenant in the Navy.” Neatly signed at the conclusion by President Pierce and countersigned by Secretary of the Navy James C. Dobbin. The orange seal affixed at the bottom remains intact. Mounted and framed to an overall size of 18.5 x 22. In fine condition, with a thin orange stain impinging on the lower vignette. During the Civil War, Watmough would go on to command the USS Memphis during the blockade off Charleston in 1863, and commanded USS Kansas off Fort Fisher in May 1864. Starting Bid $200
Handwritten letter by Buchanan with reference to his presidential aspirations: “Ever since my name was mentioned for the highest office, I have suffered events to take their natural course”
8.25 x 10.5, June 7, 1843. Handwritten letter to H. L. Harvey, in part: “I have received your kind letter & regret to inform you that it is not in my power to visit Erie consistently with my engagements. I need scarcely say that it would afford me great sincere pleasure to meet my friends there; and I can assure you that I am sorry to be obliged to deny myself this gratification…P.S. I have heard something of the ‘juggling’ to which you refer; but ever since my name was mentioned for the highest office, I have suffered events to take their natural course. I am sorry I have not time to write you at greater length. I rely with the most perfect confidence on your friendship.” Affixed by its top edge to a slightly larger mount. In fine condition, with toning from prior display. At this time, Buchanan was serving as a senator from Pennsylvania; he would then serve as secretary of state from 1845 to 1849, and took the nation’s highest office in 1857. Starting Bid $200
President Lincoln appoints the Union Army’s “Commissioner of Subsistence” in 1861
24. Abraham Lincoln Document Signed as President. Partly-printed vellum DS as president, one page, 13.5 x 17.5, August 12, 1861. President Lincoln appoints George Bell as “Commissioner of Subsistence, with the rank of Captain.” Neatly signed at the conclusion by President Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of War Simon Cameron. The blue seal affixed to the upper left remains intact. Nicely matted and framed to an overall size of 19.25 x 23.25. In fine condition, with the handwritten portions of the text light, but entirely legible.
An 1853 graduate of West Point, Bell was prominent as a subsistence and commissary officer in the Union Army during and after the Civil War. Bell’s positions from 1861 to 1865 included: Officer in Charge of the depot at Alexandria, Virginia and Instructor of Commissaries; Assistant Commissary, Army of the Potomac; Chief Commissary, Department of the Susquehanna; and Officer in Charge of the depot at Washington, DC. During the war Bell received brevet promotions to Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, and Brigadier General. Starting Bid $1000
President Lincoln grants a captured and dying Confederate prisoner of war to “go home with his relatives”
25. Abraham Lincoln Autograph Note Signed. Civil
War-dated ANS as president, signed “A. Lincoln,” penned on the reverse of a letter sent by Mary Alexander to Colonel William Hoffman, the Commissary-General of Prisoners, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 9.75, December 19, 1863. Lincoln’s handwritten note to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, in full: “Will the Sec. of War please allow Charles Alexander named within, to go home with his relatives.” The Alexander letter requests that her son, Charles Armistead Alexander, a captured and dying Confederate soldier, be allowed to return to his family. In very good condition, with creasing, paper loss to the hinge, and old tape stains impinging on Lincoln’s handwriting. This particular pardon is unusual, and all the more somber, in that it was elicited by the family of a soldier no longer capable of making the decision himself—Charles Armistead Alexander died at the age of 20 on March 27, 1864. Starting Bid $500
Early handwritten court document filed in Illinois by ‘prairie lawyer’ Abraham Lincoln
26. Abraham Lincoln Autograph Document Signed. Autograph document signed, “Logan & Lincoln,” one page, 7.5 x 6, docketed January 19, 1841 on the reverse. Accomplished entirely in Lincoln’s hand, the handwritten document reads: “Charles Thusman vs. William B. Taylor. Trespass on the Case, Damage $1000—The clerk of the Sangamon County Court will issue a summons in the above case, and also a subpoena on behalf of the plaintiff William Robinson and Lewis Wyble.” In very good to fine condition, with complete separation to the central horizontal fold repaired on the back with archival tape. Lincoln was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1836, and practiced law with Stephen T. Logan from 1841 to 1843. Starting Bid $500
DS as president, one page, 15.5 x 10, July 22, 1865. President Johnson appoints Richard H. Dana, Jr. as “Attorney of the United States for the District of Massachusetts.” Crisply signed at the conclusion by President Johnson and countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward. The white paper seal affixed to the lower left remains intact. In fine condition, with multiple vertical folds. Starting Bid $200
Image larger than actual size.
Scarce signed Brady portrait of Lt. Gen. Grant in uniform
28. U. S. Grant Signed Photograph. Exceptional Civil
War–era 2.25 x 3.5 carte-de-visite photo of Grant in uniform, published by E. & H. T. Anthony from a photographic negative by Brady’s National Portrait Gallery, neatly signed on the mount in ink, “U. S. Grant, Lt. Gen. U.S.A.” In fine condition, with a trimmed top edge. President Lincoln commissioned Grant as lieutenant general and commander of all Union armies on March 4, 1864; he served in that rank until his promotion to five-star general on July 25, 1866. A superb signed photograph of the Union’s skillful leader. Starting Bid $200
President Grant sends an official letter to Peru’s president
29. U. S. Grant Document Signed as
President. Unusual DS as president, one page both sides, 10.5 x 15.5, April 9, 1875. An official letter of state to the Constitutional President of the Government of Peru announcing the appointment of “Richard Gibbs, one of our distinguished citizens, to reside near the government of the Republic of Peru in the quality of as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America.” Signed at the conclusion by Grant, and countersigned by Secretary of State Hamilton Fish. In fine condition, with central horizontal and vertical fold and a bit of scattered light toning. A fine, bright example signed on the tenth anniversary of perhaps the most triumphant day of Grant’s career. Starting Bid $200
printed DS as president, one page, 8.5 x 11, April 27, 1872. President Grant directs the Secretary of State to “affix the Seal of the United States to a Warrant for the pardon of Henry S. Sickman.” Signed at the conclusion by President U. S. Grant. In very good to fine condition, with some light creasing, and a faint stain to the lower blank area. Starting Bid $200 31. James A. Garfield Free Frank. Free
franked “House of Representatives” mailing envelope, 5.5 x 3, addressed in another hand to “Pres. B. A. Hinsdale, Hiram, Ohio,” and franked in the upper right, “J. A. Garfield.” In fine condition, with light soiling. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder. Starting Bid $200
32. Chester A. Arthur Autograph Letter Signed. Civil War-dated ALS signed “C. A. Arthur, QM Gen’l,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8.5 x 11, Quartermaster General’s Department, State of New York letterhead, October 4, 1862. Handwritten letter to Brigadier General Thomas Hillhouse in Albany, in part: “I am informed by Lieut. E. J. Warner 5th Arty U.S.A. (Regulars) that Colonel Wainwright 1st N.Y. V. Art’y has made application for his (Warner’s) app’t as Lieut. Col. of the last named regiment...I desire to add what influence I may have towards obtaining it.” The letter is affixed to a slightly larger sheet. In fine condition, with a partial separation to fold. Starting Bid $200
President Harrison forwards congratulatory letters to Porfirio Diaz, Wilhelm II, Franz Joseph I, and Queen Victoria
33. Benjamin Harrison Document Signed. Partly-printed DS,
signed “Benj. Harrison,” one page, 8 x 10, February 28, 1893. President Harrison authorizes and directs “the Secretary of State to cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to four (4) envelopes containing my letters addressed as follow. 1. To Porfirio Diaz... 2. “ the Emperor of Germany...3. “ H. M. Victoria...4. “ the Emperor of Austria.” Signed at the conclusion by Harrison. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
The Bull Moose champion defends his nation’s ability “to defend its own rights with its own strong hand,” while looking forward to “the day when arbitration shall be substituted for war”
10.75, Progressive National Committee letterhead, September 21, 1914. Letter to Henry E. Coonley, regarding the Progressive Party and the “three-battle-ship policy,” in part: “I stand unalterably for the power and the duty of this nation under existing conditions to defend its own rights with its own strong hand, while at the same time I stand no less strongly for the principle that it is our duty to try to bring about the day when arbitration shall be substituted for war as the normal method of solving international disputes, and when real steps towards disarmament can be taken, as a consequence of putting the armed strength of civilization behind the sincere purpose of united civilization to work for international justice.” Roosevelt makes several handwritten corrections to the text. In very good condition, with creasing, toning, soiling, paper loss to the top edge, and tape repairs on the reverse. Starting Bid $200
In an early handwritten letter from his first year at Princeton, Prof. Wilson admits to “an un-Christian envy”
36. Woodrow Wilson Autograph Letter
Signed. ALS, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 7.5, June 30, 1891. At the end of his first year as a professor at Princeton, Wilson writes to a “dear friend,” presumably his former minister in Middletown, Connecticut, where Wilson had previously been a professor of history at Wesleyan University. In part: “If you miss me in church, how much more do I miss you, do you suppose? You can take selected texts (of the New Testament) and make them, each contributing its own note, speak a meaning whole and vital, as if they had been combined according to their nature.” He complains of his preacher in New Jersey, going so far as to admit that “it provokes in my heart an un-Christian envy, of the congregation of the First Church in Middletown.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
In selecting “a few ‘greatest’ figures in American history,” the Princeton President believes that he would “almost certainly, commit the error of picking out the most conspicuous”
37. Woodrow Wilson Typed Letter Signed. TLS, one page, 6 x 8.25, Princ-
eton University letterhead, February 13, 1907. Letter to Frank Munsey, the editor of The Scrap Book, in full: “I should very much like to oblige you by complying with the request of your circular letter of February 11th, but it has always seemed to me impossible to give a satisfactory answer to such questions. There are so many fields of greatness that in picking out a few ‘greatest’ figures in American history, one would probably, indeed almost certainly, commit the error of picking out the most conspicuous.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds. Starting Bid $200
38. Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover Signed Photographs. Desirable pairing of photographs inscribed to one of Hoover’s Secret Service agents: a vintage matte-finish 8.5 x 11.25 Bachrach portrait of Hoover, signed and inscribed in the lower border in fountain pen, “To Paul Hart, With Kind Regards of Herbert Hoover”; and a vintage matte-finish 7 x 10.5 Bachrach portrait of his wife, signed and inscribed in the lower border in fountain pen, “To Mr. Paul M. Hary, with cordial appreciation, Lou Henry Hoover.” Individually matted and framed to 11 x 14.5. In very good to fine condition, with light toning to the mats and silvering to the images, and the mat obscuring the beginning of Lou Henry’s signature. Starting Bid $200
Oversized, fully signed photograph of Hoover and his cabinet on the White House lawn
39. Herbert Hoover and Cabinet Signed Photograph. Rare and
magnificent vintage matte-finish 20 x 16 photo of President Herbert Hoover and his cabinet seated on the White House lawn, signed in the lower border in fountain pen Herbert Hoover, Henry Stimson, Ogden L. Mills, Patrick Hurley, William Mitchell, Walter F. Brown, Charles F. Adams, Ray Lyman Wilbur, Arthur M. Hyde, Roy D. Chapin, William N. Doak, and Charles Curtis. In very good to fine condition, with some light creasing in the top border, and heavy overall silvering to the image. A superb portrait of President Hoover and his 1932–1933 cabinet, exceedingly scarce in such a large format. Starting Bid $200
40. Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Signed Pho-
tographs. Desirable pairing of photographs inscribed to one of FDR’s Secret Service agents: a vintage matte-finish 7 x 10.5 Harris & Ewing portrait of FDR, signed and inscribed in the lower border in fountain pen as president, “For Paul N. Hart from his friend, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Nov. 3-1936”; and a vintage matte-finish 6 x 9 Underwood & Underwood portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Mr. Paul Hart, with good wishes, Eleanor Roosevelt.” Individually matted and framed to 11 x 15. In very good to fine condition, with light toning to the mats and silvering to the images. Starting Bid $200
printed DS as president, one page, 21 x 15, July 25, 1938. Colorful Shellback certificate issued to Secret Service agent Paul Hart, in part: “To all sailors wherever ye may be, and to all Mermaids, Whales, Sea Serpents, Porpoises, Sharks, Dolphins, Eels, Skates, Suckers, Crabs, Lobsters and all other Living Things of the Sea, Greetings. Know ye that on this 25th day of July 1938, in latitude 00000 and Longitude 91˚ W, there appeared within Our Royal Domain the United States Ship Houston bound South for the Equator and for Galapagos Islands with the President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Be it remembered…Albert Peck… having been found worthy to be numbered as one of our Trusty Shellbacks has been duly initiated into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of Deep.” Signed by “Davey Jones” and “Neptunus Rex” in type, and in fountain pen by Roosevelt just below the printed Navy Department seal on the left. Also signed “C. L. Mullane,” “G. M. Mitchell,” and “G. N. Barker” (beneath the seal). The foil seal and ribbon to the lower right remain intact. Tightly rolled and in very good to fine condition, with some staining in the borders.
In July of 1938, after conducting a Fleet Review off San Francisco on board the USS Houston, Roosevelt stayed aboard and headed out to sea for a fishing trip off the Galapagos. It was on this, his third trip aboard the Houston, that he got the opportunity to officiate an elaborate Shellback ceremony commemorating Hart’s first trip across the equator, when he went from being a ‘Pollywog’ to being a ‘Shellback.’ Having reached this milestone, he was presented with this certificate. Historically, a Shellback ceremony has been a rite of passage celebrating a sailor becoming a more experienced seaman and involves various methods of hazing. This certificate was signed by FDR when he was at the helm of the hijinks officiating not as president, but as ‘Senior Shellback.’ Starting Bid $200
Rare Secret Service agent badges from FDR’s 1936 South American cruise
43. Franklin D. Roosevelt Secret Service Badges. Rare pair of badges from the collection of Secret Service agent Paul M. Hart, who worked as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s detail during his 1936 cruise to South America; the voyage culminated in the Inter-American Conference for the Maintenance of Peace held at Buenos Aires, Argentina. Includes one badge with a golden Argentine ‘Sol de Mayo’ emblem backed by a light blue-and-white rosette ribbon, 2.25˝ in diameter; and one featuring Brazil’s coat of arms with red-and-white ribbon below, measuring 3˝ long, with a letter on “Policia Civil do Districto Federal” letterhead, in full (spelling retained): “Notice: The badge enclosed in this envelope serves to identify the bearer as a member of the Secret Service of the United States of Ameria, acting as a scort of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to whom is allowed admittance to all the places guarded by the police. The badge should be worn in the bottonhole or in any conspicuous place, so that all facilities may be rendered to the persons who carry the same.” Also includes two original glossy candid photographs of FDR on board the USS Indianapolis and five blank “Trip of the President” luggage tags. In overall fine condition. Starting Bid $200
45. Franklin D. Roosevelt Signed Photo-
graph. Exceptional vintage matte-finish 9.5 x 8.25 photo of President Roosevelt sitting in the executive office of the White House by HesslerHenderson photography, nicely signed in the lower border in fountain pen. Cloth-matted and framed to an overall size of 18.75 x 17.75. In fine condition, with three punch holes along the top edge which could be matted out. Accompanied by a typescript detailing the provenance of the photo, in part: “Presented to Mrs. James Wm. Somerville by President Roosevelt while Mrs. Somerville was a secretary in the White House.” Also includes a full letter of authenticity from PSA/ DNA. Starting Bid $200
Directly referencing “the Marshall Plan,” Truman writes to a religious leader of affirming “faith in the curative power of freedom and in the creative capacity of free men”
46. Harry S. Truman Typed Letter Signed as President. TLS as
president, one page, 7 x 8.75, White House letterhead, March 12, 1948. Letter to the Reverend Samuel McCrea Cavert of The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. In full: “May I acknowledge with gratitude your letter of March ninth with which was enclosed copy of the petition to Congress in support of the European Recovery Program which has been signed by more than seven hundred church leaders of many denominations. This action is encouraging, particularly since the petition endorses the forthright support which the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in American accorded the ERP. The preamble to the petition, by adopting the language of the Federal Council affirming ‘faith in the curative power of freedom and in the creative capacity of free men,’ states admirably the spirit in which we are trying to carry out the Marshall Plan. Such sympathetic understanding is most heartening.” In fine condition. The Marshall Plan was arguably the cornerstone of the Truman Administration’s foreign policy. Letters referencing it are both uncommon and highly desirable. Starting Bid $300
Large Truman portrait inscribed to a longtime Tennessee congressman
47. Harry S. Truman Signed Oversized Photograph. Impres-
sive vintage matte-finish 19 x 15 photo of Truman seated and reading at his desk, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “Best wishes & kindest regards to Hon. Clifford Davis, from Harry S. Truman.” Framed to a slightly larger size. In fine condition.
Clifford Davis was a Democratic Congressman from Tennessee (1897–1970), who served in said capacity for nearly 25 years. He was one of five Representatives shot on March 1, 1954, when four Puerto Rican nationalists opened fire from the visitors’ balcony into the chamber of the United States House of Representatives. Davis was shot in the leg, but was not seriously wounded. Starting Bid $200
Sought-after two-volume autobiography inscribed to an “old associate of his in the Mediterranean Theater of World War II”
48. Dwight D. Eisenhower (2) Signed Books. Desirable matching number two-volume set of Ike’s post-presidency autobiography: Mandate for Change: 1953-1956. First edition, limited issue, numbered 65/1500. NY: Doubleday, 1963. Hardcover, 6.5 x 9.75, 650 pages. Signed and inscribed on the colophon in fountain pen, “For General Perrin H. Long, with best wishes from an old associate of his in the Mediterranean Theater of World War II, Dwight Eisenhower 1963,” and on the facing page, “Dwight D. Eisenhower.” Waging Peace: 1956-1961. First edition, limited issue, numbered 65/1500. NY: Doubleday, 1965. Hardcover, 6.5 x 9.75, 741 pages. Boldly signed opposite the colophon in fountain pen, “Dwight D. Eisenhower.” Long was a lieutenant colonel who investigated and reported on General George S. Patton’s famed slapping of a soldier. Autographic condition: fine. Book condition: VG/None in G+ slipcases, with heavy staining to cases, and a partially separated bottom panel of Waging Peace. Accompanied by two letters addressed to Long and two newspaper clippings. Starting Bid $200
Gorgeous custom-made black wool coat from Jacqueline Kennedy’s wardrobe
50. Jacqueline Kennedy’s Black
Wool Jacket. Jacqueline Kennedy’s personally-owned black wool bouclé swing coat, lined in black silk satin. The well-crafted three-quarter-length swing jacket boasts a wide shawl collar and large jet buttons on each cuff. The hand-stitched seams and absence of tags suggest that the piece was professionally designed and custom-made to Jackie’s taste and specifications.
Provenance: Lot #117, Documents and Artifacts Relating to the Life and Career of John F. Kennedy, Guernsey’s, March 18–19, 1998. Accompanied by the original auction catalog.
As first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy became an icon of American fashion in the 20th century. Her simple—yet sophisticated— taste and inclination toward practical pieces endeared her to the public at large. She would have looked effortlessly chic in this timeless black coat. Epitomizing the grace and elegance of Jacqueline Kennedy’s iconic style, it is an ideal piece from the first lady’s personal wardrobe. Starting Bid $1000
Senator Kennedy and his plan on fighting organized crime and racketeering
51. John F. Kennedy Autograph Letter Signed. ALS signed “Jack,” one page both sides, 8 x 10.5, personal United States Senate letterhead, 1958/1959. Handwritten letter to Democratic senate majority leader John McCormack, referring to a bill they were working on with “Salty,” Massachusetts Governor Leverett Saltonstall, in full: “I am writing to Tom. I think his idea excellent and will be glad to form with Salty + others in introducing it and working for its passage. I want to thank you again for taking on an onerous task—It is a great great help—Best wishes for the New Year.” In fine condition, with punch holes to the left edge. Earlier provenance from its prior sale at Sotheby’s in 1986 (Lot 57), noted that ‘According to the manuscript’s owner, this letter was written during Kennedy’s work on the 1959 Labor and Racketeering Act.’ Starting Bid $300
52. John F. Kennedy Signed Program as President. Program for “Florida’s
Presidential Dinner,” held at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 10, 1962, signed and inscribed on the front cover in blue ballpoint as president, “…from, John Kennedy.” In very good condition, with toning, soiling, and staining to the cover. This program is from President Kennedy’s address at the Democratic Party’s fundraising dinner honoring Senator George Smathers. In his speech, Kennedy honored Smathers, predicted the Senator’s reelection, and discussed the importance of Florida to the nation’s space programs. Starting Bid $200
Scarce December 1963 White House letter from LBJ, written during the “difficult days” after Kennedy’s assassination
dent signed “Lyndon,” one page, 6.75 x 8.75, White House letterhead, December 9, 1963. Letter to Indiana Senator Vance Hartke and his wife, in full: “It would be impossible to ask more from two wonderful friends than what you have offered to me, your hearts and prayers. This knowledge has provided me with a source of strength, courage and comfort during these difficult days. It is with profound respect and deep appreciation that I extend to you my warmest personal regards.” In fine condition, with staple holes and associated rust stains to the upper left corner.
Johnson, who had suddenly, tragically become president just seventeen days earlier, had just spent his first night in the White House on December 7th. With the nation in mourning, Johnson here expresses his profound appreciation to a fellow Democrat for his support during the difficult transition. Starting Bid $300
The day Nixon decided to resign: “I would be less than candid if I did not say that this has been a difficult period”
dent signed “RN,” one page, 6.75 x 8.75, White House letterhead, August 1, 1974. Letter to Senator George Murphy of California, written on the day he decided to resign from the presidency following the Watergate scandal. In full: “As always, it is good to hear from you and I particularly appreciated knowing that you and Bill Stover gave my economic message such high marks. On the other matter, I would be less than candid if I did not say that this has been a difficult period. But through it all I have been sustained by old and dear friends like you, and I just want to say again how deeply grateful I am.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original White House mailing envelope. Within the context of the Watergate affair and Nixon’s resignation, this letter of August 1st is certainly remarkable—his brief comment to Murphy reveals a sense of relief and closure: “Through it all I have been sustained by old and dear friends like you, and I just want to say again how deeply grateful I am.” The day he initialed this letter, Nixon had already mentally resigned the presidency. Starting Bid $200
Three weeks after Nixon’s resignation: “We have come through a difficult and tragic period, and there is a lot of work in front of us”
as president signed “Jerry Ford,” one page, 6.75 x 9, White House letterhead, August 29, 1974. Letter to Newbold Noyes, editor of the Washington Star-News, sent just three weeks after Ford took office as president following Richard Nixon’s resignation. In full: “As a part of my avowed role as a communicator, I thought I would let you know that I had read with appreciation the Star-News’ assessment of my speech Monday night. As we both agree, we have come through a difficult and tragic period, and there is a lot of work in front of us. The American people have a deserved reputation of pitching in and putting matters to right when the going is hard. This will be no exception, I am confident.” In fine condition, with staple holes to the upper left corner. Starting Bid $200
58. Hillary Clinton Autograph Letter Signed. ALS as first lady, signed “Hill-
ary,” one page, 6.25 x 9.5, White House letterhead, September 24, 1993. Letter to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, in full: “I hope we will have a chance soon to talk about the health care proposal. If you and Liz will be here over the weekend, I’d love to drop by and visit. Will you please let me know if that is possible. As you said the other day, we are finally addressing health security, years behind Germany and others. This book is an impressive review of the German system that I thought you might enjoy.” In fine condition, with staple holes to the top. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope, addressed in Clinton’s hand. Starting Bid $200
