2007 April Books, Manuscripts & Autographs Grand Format Auction
| Sale Number: | 658 |
| Location: | |
| Auction Date: | April 16th at 1 PM CT through April 17th |
Featured Collections
The Bennett Collection
The Ventura Collection
Gary Grossman Collection
Session 1
Autographs
Theodoric Bland Historic Autograph Letter Signed, 1 p. 6.6" x 8.5", Philadelphia, April 11, 1783, to Brigadier General George Weedon in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Bland was then a member of the Continental Congress. Bland pens, in full: "Dr. Sir I have just time to tell you that an official information of the notification of the Prelimenaries between the French Spanish & English converts arrived here yesterday, and I believe a cessation of hostilities will be this day proclaimed by order of Congress - the Public Prints will soon give you the rest. Adieu God Bless you Theodrc. Bland"
The Battle of Yorktown - the final battle of the Revolutionary War - was won by the Continentals on October 19, 1781. However, the war was not officially over until Congress proclaimed an end to hostilities on April 11, 1783, the very day of the present letter from Bland. The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783 and ratified by Congress on January 14, 1784; after such a long and bloody struggle, the colonies were officially independent and sovereign. Overall condition is near fine and includes the integral address sheet filled in Bland's hand.
The lot includes a second ALS from Bland to Weedon, 1p., 7.5" x 9", "Prince Town", August, 1783, discussing the "settlement of accounts" for Weedon's troops. Bland also writes that "no definitive treaty [has] yet arrived" and that " we expect our great & good general [Washington] here in a few days". With very bold ink and light soiling at top.
The Battle of Yorktown - the final battle of the Revolutionary War - was won by the Continentals on October 19, 1781. However, the war was not officially over until Congress proclaimed an end to hostilities on April 11, 1783, the very day of the present letter from Bland. The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783 and ratified by Congress on January 14, 1784; after such a long and bloody struggle, the colonies were officially independent and sovereign. Overall condition is near fine and includes the integral address sheet filled in Bland's hand.
The lot includes a second ALS from Bland to Weedon, 1p., 7.5" x 9", "Prince Town", August, 1783, discussing the "settlement of accounts" for Weedon's troops. Bland also writes that "no definitive treaty [has] yet arrived" and that " we expect our great & good general [Washington] here in a few days". With very bold ink and light soiling at top.
Daniel Boone Autograph Letter Signed with Financial Content A.L.S. "Daniel Boone", 1 p., 8" x 4.5", n.p., February 3, 1786, reading in full: "Sir, as Capt Platt hath left his Store house and all other conserns [sic] in my hands in order to have the cash I will oblige my Self to pay the Cash at the time the Note specifies or before if [previous word is edited out] Witness my hand this 3d Day of february 1786 Daniel Boone". Boone had served as a militia officer during the Revolutionary War, primarily in Kentucky where the war was fought between the colonial settlers and American Indians allied with the British. After the close of the war, Boone remained in Kentucky and worked as a surveyor and merchant. His unsuccessful forays into land speculation resulted in ever growing debt, and likely this letter is an attempt to fend off his creditors. The letter has been professionally mended at folds, with light soiling and toning; however, ink remains quite bold and signature very attractive.
Scarce Letter Signed by Mohawk War Chief Joseph Brant LS "Jos. Brant", 1 p., 7.75" x 12.5", Grand River (a Mohawk reserve in Ontario), Jan. 19, 1805, regarding settlement of an estate. In part: "I have this day rec'd your favor by Mr. Durand, by the hand of Messr. Stuart [likely John Stuart with whom Brant translated the Gospel of Mark into the Mohawk language] & Cummings who are now here authorized by letters of administration to take charge of the affairs of the late Capt. Hochstader at whose hands you with no doubt have equal Justice done you with other creditors to the Estate, and as far as my influence will extend a preference which will I presume be more satisfactory than Lands in their quarters would be to you, the effects will if presently managed leave a surplus after paying all the debt if I may judge from present appearances..." A fine example of a rare holograph by one of the Mohawk's greatest leaders. The document has been professionally repaired on verso, affecting a few words; however, it remains in very good condition and highly desirable with bold signature. Ideal for display.
Aaron Burr Autograph Letter Signed Legal and personal content A.L.S. "Aaron Burr", 2pp., 7.75" x 9.75", Albany, Sep. 25, 1822, concerning various judgments and the prospect of a new Circuit Court in Delaware. In part: "Mr. Williams came to Albany, not on the first week of the Chancery Court as he has proposed, but on the Second - I spoke to him of the Bill; but the Draught of the Bill was not yet complete... very little business (except those incidental Matters which we call non [illegible] was done at the last Term of the S[upreme] C[ourt]. Much less, if any at all, will be done at the Oct. term & thenceforth none, until the organization under the new Constitution; under the benign operation of which you may have some sort of Circuit in Delaware sometime next summer...I have heretofore made very frequent inquiries concerning three young Ladies whom I greatly admire & in whose welfare I take the most lively interest; but having never in any one instance rec'd. a syllable in Reply, I do there forbear..." Very clean and in near fine condition.
Great Content Aaron Burr Autograph Letter Signed With a Postscript , one and one-half pages, 7.8" x 9.5", New York, December 8, 1796, to "Geo. Blake Esqr.". Burr writes, in part: "Dear Sir, On the 5th inst. I received your friendly and amusing letter of the 1st. If you had not before that time written to Lincoln, your letter could not have reached here untill after the election. It is to be apprehended that they have voted unanimously for [John] A[dams]. & [Thomas] P[inckney]. - Should this prove true, P. will probably be the president - a few days will disclose... Let me know as soon as you shall be informed of the result of the votes of Jersey, Penna. & the more Southern States - of the Northern you shall hear from me. Affecy. Yr Obt Svt Aaron Burr" Burr adds a postscript signed with his initials on page two: "Do me the favor to write to your brother, or to some one on whom you can rely in Boston to find me forthwith by post a copy of the Charter of your Union Bank. AB".
In the campaign of 1796, the two major candidates that emerged were Federalist John Adams of Massachusetts and Republican Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. Earlier, Federalist party leaders had met informally and decided on John Adams as their Presidential candidate, with Thomas Pinckney as their Vice President. In the meantime, Republican congressional leaders had picked Jefferson for President and New York lawyer Aaron Burr for Vice President. On December 7, 1796, the day before Burr's letter, the Presidential electors cast their ballots. When the 276 electoral votes were tabulated by Congress (February 8, 1797), Adams received 71 (from 16 states), just one more than the necessary majority. Jefferson became Vice President with 68 votes, while Pinckney received 59 and Burr 30. Interesting election year content, with Burr's incorrect prediction of Pinckney's victory. With negligible staining to attached integral address panel affecting just the edge of left margin and not touching any script, otherwise very clean and in near fine condition.
In the campaign of 1796, the two major candidates that emerged were Federalist John Adams of Massachusetts and Republican Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. Earlier, Federalist party leaders had met informally and decided on John Adams as their Presidential candidate, with Thomas Pinckney as their Vice President. In the meantime, Republican congressional leaders had picked Jefferson for President and New York lawyer Aaron Burr for Vice President. On December 7, 1796, the day before Burr's letter, the Presidential electors cast their ballots. When the 276 electoral votes were tabulated by Congress (February 8, 1797), Adams received 71 (from 16 states), just one more than the necessary majority. Jefferson became Vice President with 68 votes, while Pinckney received 59 and Burr 30. Interesting election year content, with Burr's incorrect prediction of Pinckney's victory. With negligible staining to attached integral address panel affecting just the edge of left margin and not touching any script, otherwise very clean and in near fine condition.
Declaration Signers Clark, Whipple, and Wolcott Together on a 3.25" x 1.25" sheet of paper. Top to bottom: "Abra. Clark", "Wm Whipple", and "Oliver Wolcott". Abraham Clark (1725-1794) was a delegate from New Jersey to the Continental Congress where he signed the Declaration and later served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1791-1794. William Whipple Jr. (1730-1785) was representing New Hampshire when he signed the Declaration and would later be made brigadier general of the New Hampshire Militia participating in the successful expedition against General Burgoyne at Stillwater and Saratoga. Oliver Wolcott (1726-1797) was a signer as a representative of Connecticut though, due to illness, he did not actually sign the engrossed version until some time later. He served in the Revolutionary War becoming brigadier general of the entire Connecticut force and would later be elected governor of his home state. Light toning, else fine.
Declaration Signer George Clymer Autograph Document Signed "Geo Clymer". One page, 8.25" x 5", Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1776. Bartlett writes, "The committee within by leave to report that the treasury borrow money on the terms contained in the form of a note herewith exhibited." The document is also signed by James Biddle who was part of the "Fort Island Committee" with Clymer. In full, the document reads: "Gentlemen, please pay to Messrs James Worral and Robert Alisson, one hundred pounds for the purchase of logs for the defences of Fort Island agreeable to directions of the Committee of Safety." Fort Island was sometimes called "Mud Island" and was an important point in the defenses of the Delaware. An earthworks hastily built in 1776, on Mud Island, and then surrounded by water with a deep channel is now firmly united with the mainland. It was called Mud Fort and had ramparts, timber abatis, stockades, block houses, and mounted 25 cannon. In 1776 and 1777, the Committee of Safety, in conjunction with Congress, hurriedly completed the work. On Sept. 26, 1777, the British army entered Philadelphia, but being dependant on their ships for military supplies, the troops became marooned in the city until the fleet under Admiral Howe could move up the river to the city front. It was Mud Fort's task to oppose the fleet's passage to the last ditch and nobly did the handful of Connecticut and Rhode Island troops composing its garrison respond to Washington's appeal.
Clymer, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Pennsylvania, made a fortune as a Philadelphia merchant. Because of British restrictions on his business, Clymer was one of the first to advocate complete independence. In 1775, he was one of the first Continental treasurers, and underwrote much of the war by exchanging his specie for currency. He attended both the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, and then served in the House of Representatives. Fine condition; two minor tape reinforcements on verso. In 25 years at major auction, only one other 1776 Clymer item has sold.
Clymer, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Pennsylvania, made a fortune as a Philadelphia merchant. Because of British restrictions on his business, Clymer was one of the first to advocate complete independence. In 1775, he was one of the first Continental treasurers, and underwrote much of the war by exchanging his specie for currency. He attended both the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, and then served in the House of Representatives. Fine condition; two minor tape reinforcements on verso. In 25 years at major auction, only one other 1776 Clymer item has sold.
Elbridge Gerry Autograph Letter Signed "E. Gerry". Two pages (one sheet), 6.5" x 8", Cambridge [Massachusetts], August 24, 1812, to His Excellency William Alexander. In part: "I regret exceedingly, that an accident, which I flatter myself you will excuse when informed of it, has prevented an answer to your letter of the 6th of April 1811. The number of letters which I received in that year is almost incredible...the secret journals of Congress to the year 1780 are in my possession & shall be delivered to your order; but I am under an obligation of form not to divulge the names of the secret agents you refer to, or of the woman, as she was the particular friend of Mr. Pinckney. Any information which I can give you, in your important pursuit, you will command freely..."
Gerry served in the Continental Congress and was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, yet he refused to sign the Constitution. He served in Congress and was one of the three United States representatives sent by John Adams in 1797 on a peace mission to France. When Minister Tallyrand demanded a bribe (the XYZ affair), the two countries entered into a quasi-war. He later served as Madison's vice president and as governor of Massachusetts, where he approved of a redistricting plan that ensured Republican domination of the state. The term "gerrymandering" came from him. A fine letter.
Gerry served in the Continental Congress and was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, yet he refused to sign the Constitution. He served in Congress and was one of the three United States representatives sent by John Adams in 1797 on a peace mission to France. When Minister Tallyrand demanded a bribe (the XYZ affair), the two countries entered into a quasi-war. He later served as Madison's vice president and as governor of Massachusetts, where he approved of a redistricting plan that ensured Republican domination of the state. The term "gerrymandering" came from him. A fine letter.
Alexander Hamilton Autograph Letter Signed in the Third Person A.L.S. "Mr. Hamilton" in the text, 1 p., 6.75" x 8", n.p., September 9, 1794, to Samuel Hodgson. He writes, in full: "Mr. Hamilton requests Mr. Hodgson to furnish him immediately with a return of whatever accouterments & arms for Cavalry may be in the public stores. Specifying also such as have been lately sent forward - Sep. 9, 1794."
The Whiskey Rebellion arose from the 1791 tax issued on distilled spirits, a measure supported by Hamilton in his role as Secretary of the Treasury to pay down the enormous debt incurred by the United States during the American Revolution. The tax levied a six-cent per-gallon tax on large volume distillers, while smaller operations were forced to pay nine-cents per-gallon. Most of the distillery operations in the Appalachian west were of the smaller variety and thus adversely impacted by the tax. Over the next several years, a nascent rebellion grew initially in the form of non-payment of the tax then escalated into harassment directed at tax collectors in western regions stretching from Georgia to Pennsylvania. After the tarring and feathering of a tax collector near Pittsburgh in the summer of 1794 (resulting in his death) and other mob actions, President Washington, remembering well the threat of Shay's Rebellion nearly ten years earlier, invoked the Militia Act of 1792. Hamilton, as Secretary of the Treasury, also assumed the supervisory post over the army as Inspector General. In that role, under Washington, he addressed a variety of logistical issues that made deploying the large military force possible through what was still a relatively untamed frontier; and this letter was likely written in this capacity. Also included is a trimmed address panel engrossed entirely in Hamilton's hand and including the directive: "To be carried immediately to Mr. Hodgson".
Both pieces bear uneven toning resulting from previous framing; however, area with holograph remains light and ink very bold. Letter is tipped at top margin, overall condition of both pieces is very good.
The Whiskey Rebellion arose from the 1791 tax issued on distilled spirits, a measure supported by Hamilton in his role as Secretary of the Treasury to pay down the enormous debt incurred by the United States during the American Revolution. The tax levied a six-cent per-gallon tax on large volume distillers, while smaller operations were forced to pay nine-cents per-gallon. Most of the distillery operations in the Appalachian west were of the smaller variety and thus adversely impacted by the tax. Over the next several years, a nascent rebellion grew initially in the form of non-payment of the tax then escalated into harassment directed at tax collectors in western regions stretching from Georgia to Pennsylvania. After the tarring and feathering of a tax collector near Pittsburgh in the summer of 1794 (resulting in his death) and other mob actions, President Washington, remembering well the threat of Shay's Rebellion nearly ten years earlier, invoked the Militia Act of 1792. Hamilton, as Secretary of the Treasury, also assumed the supervisory post over the army as Inspector General. In that role, under Washington, he addressed a variety of logistical issues that made deploying the large military force possible through what was still a relatively untamed frontier; and this letter was likely written in this capacity. Also included is a trimmed address panel engrossed entirely in Hamilton's hand and including the directive: "To be carried immediately to Mr. Hodgson".
Both pieces bear uneven toning resulting from previous framing; however, area with holograph remains light and ink very bold. Letter is tipped at top margin, overall condition of both pieces is very good.
John Hancock Clipped Signature, 3.25" x 1". Hancock's large, distinctive signature is found here under two inscribed words, only one of which is legible and appears to read "Congress". Professionally matted and framed with a 19th century engraved portrait to an overall size of 15" x 22". Fine condition.
Declaration Signers Abraham Clark and John Hart Document Signed Confirming Attendance to the Provincial Congress Manuscript D.S. "Abra: Clark" and "John Hart", 1 p., 7.5" x 5.5", March 2, 1776, addressed to the Treasurers of the Provincial Congress and certifying "that Caleb Camp hath attended as a Deputy in Provintial Congress in New jersey [sic], sixty three days in this and a siting [sic] at Trenton in October last for which he is intended to receive Nineteen pounds twelve shillings..." Dated in Clark's hand "Mar 2, 1776" directly above his signature. On the verso, the docket has been signed by Silas Condict, New Jersey member of the Continental Congress and by Jesse Hand. Beneath their docket is an ADS by Camp acknowledging the receipt of the money. The document has been professionally strengthened on verso at right margin affecting a single word, otherwise very clean with bold ink. A nice grouping of important signatures on a document giving evidence of the transition of government from colonial legislative assemblies to independent state legislatures and gives evidence of the dawning realization that the goal of the colonies was to seek complete independence from Britain. Ex: Sang Collection.
Patrick Henry Document Signed "P. Henry". One page, 8" x 8", Henry County, Virginia, September 17, 1782, a document signed by Patrick Henry as witness to a land transaction involving the trade of a Negro man. In part, as written: "...The said Bush sells to the said Hariston in fee simple with a general Warranty his Land on Marrowbone being one Hundred Acres for the Consideration of three hundred pounds to be paid in the floowing manner. Viz. for one Negro man Harry at the price of one hundred pounds, one waggon & [?] at fifty pounds, a stallion at fifty pounds, a gelding as valuable as the stallion to be adjudged by Jno. East & so discount fifty pounds with any creditor of Col. Panniell...& to pay the said Bushs Taxs this year..." Henry was a prominent figure in the American Revolution, known and remembered primarily for his "Give me liberty or give me death" speech. Along with Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine, he was one of the most influential (and radical) advocates of the American Revolution. Light age toning as expected, weak at folds, otherwise very good.
Patrick Henry Document Signed, "P. Henry, partially printed, one page, Richmond, Virginia, December 2, 1785. This land grant awards some 600 acres in Lincoln County to one Edward Spencer. Affixed with paper seal in lower left corner and having Henry's large, bold signature to its right. Attractive and quite legible. Archival repairs to the document's three vertical folds and one horizontal fold. Very good condition with expected aging. Spencer's lands were probably received for service during the American Revolution. Lincoln County was located in that part of Virginia destined to become Kentucky.
Patrick Henry Signed Land Grant as Governor of Virginia Partly-printed D.S. "P. Henry", 1p., 14" x 17.5", [Virginia], Feb. 19, 1785, assigning one hundred acres of land in the "County of Jefferson on the Ohio Waters" to "Jacob Myers assignee of David Griffith". The land is granted in accordance "by virtue and consideration of Part of a Military Warrant under the King of Great Britain's Proclamation of one Thousand Seven hundred and sixty three." Minor professional restoration to folds, with some paper loss affecting text; however document remains ideal for display with a clean and very visible signature by Henry.
Patrick Henry as Governor of Virginia Document Signed, "P Henry". Partially printed land grant, one page, 15" x 19", June 1, 1785, Richmond, Virginia. Two thousand acres of land along the Green River in Jefferson County are presented to one John McClanahan. Embossed paper seal in lower left margin, large and bold signature in lower right margin. Overall light browning with professional archival repairs along split folds. Very good condition.
Books
Book From the Library of Samuel Huntington, Signer of the Declaration of Independence. On offer is a second edition of A General Treatise of Naval Trade and Commerce, volume two, published in 1753. The book contains 473 pages, in full calf binding with morocco spine labels and gilt titles, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), in very good condition save for some shelf wear to the boards and moderate foxing to the pages, as is usual with books of this period. Samuel Huntington's name appears on the ffep along with the name of another Huntington descendent, likely his son.
Autographs
Marquis de La Fayette Autograph Letter Signed "Lafayette". One page with integral address leaf, 7.25" x 9" Lagrange, July 17, 1833. Lafayette writes on behalf of a young Italian refugee. In part: "My dear Sir...M. Modena is I am told ordered, in consequence of the unfortunate [?] to quit Marseilles where he is detained by the desperate state of his health so that they say his removal to another place and climate may endanger his life...He now is one of the warmer patriots of the Italian emigration. His friends think that if he was attached to a consular office, he might be spared the danger attending his departure from Marseilles...Could the British Consul be prevailed upon to employ him in his office?...I could not deny to his friend, and to him a letter of introduction to you, my dear sir...Yours sincerely, Lafayette." Separation at folds which affects the "L" in his signature and overall toning, else very good condition.
Henry Laurens Manuscript Document Signed "Henry Laurens", two pages, 8,.5 x 5.5 inches, Charleston, [1770] a portion of a deed for land "...being on Charles Town Neck." Toned, marginal losses and holes due to ink erosion, top margin reinforced, else very good with a clean, legible signature.
Gouvenor Morris Autograph Letter Signed "Gouv Morris", two pages, 8.5 x 9.5 inches, Morrisania, June 20 1805 to Peter S. Duponceau at Philadelphia. He writes concerning a deed of trust: "On the last Day of March I had the honor to inform you of my Application to Mr. Coxe respecting the Deed of Trust mentioned in yours of the thirteenth of that Month. Mr. Coxe in a letter of the eleventh of May says 'I am a little surprised that Mr. Doponceau has informed you that he knows nothing of the Deed of trust you mention. I passed my Trusteeship to him and Mr. Abraham Kintzing junr. as it was very difficult to cooperate with those gentlemen on Account of my distant Abode - The Deed of Trust must be in theHands of one of those gentlemen, probably with Mr. Kintzing - It may possibly be in the Clerke's [sic] Office at Wikesbarre Luzerne County'. I would have transmitted this information sooner by the necessity of being abroad joined to my urgent occupation sat Home have prevented..." Morris had been in Europe from 1792 to 1798 serving as the American Ambassador to France and then served in the U.S. Senate from 1800 to 1803. With integral address leaf addressed in his hand. Usual folds, else very clean and bright and in very fine condition.
Declaration Signer Thomas Nelson Jr. Document Signed "Thos Nelson Jr." One page, partly printed, with docketing and notations on verso, 7.5" x 9.75", September 7, 1768, relating to the financial matters of Warner Washington (1722-1790), a first cousin of George Washington. It reads, "Know all men by these presents that I Warner Washington of Gloucester County am held and firmly bound unto David Ker of Queen County in the just and full sum of two hundred fifty three pounds five shillings to be paid unto the said David Ker, his certain Attorney, his Heirs, Executors, Administrators, or Assigns: To which payment, well and truly to be made, I bind myself, my heirs, Executors and Administrators firmly by these presents. Sealed with my seal, and dated this seventh day of September Anno Dom. One thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Eight. The condition of the above obligation is such, that if the above bound Warner Washington so, and shall well and truly pay, or cause to be paid, unto the... David Ker his certain Attorney, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigned the just sum of one hundred twenty six pounds, twelve shillings & six pence. Then the above obligation to be void; or else to remain in full force and virtue." Signed by Warner Washington and signed and witnessed by William Graham, Thomas Nelson Jr., and one other. David Ker has signed on the verso. Thomas Nelson, Jr. signed the Declaration of Independence as a member of the Virginia delegation and is one of the scarcest of the Declaration signers. Document is age toned and weaknesses at folds have been repaired, else good.
Declaration Signer Robert Treat Paine Document Signed in full with his father when he was nine years old. Two pages, 7.5" x 12.25", Boston, June 11, 1740. Paine was a clergyman but stopped preaching to become involved in the revolutionary movement. He was chosen as one of the prosecuting attorneys in the Boston Massacre trial and became famous in the Colonies. A delegate to the Continental Congress from Massachusetts, he was elected as the state's first attorney general, a position he held until 1790. He helped draft the Massachusetts constitution, and Hancock appointed him a justice of the Superior Court. This is a legal document involving a business debt to father, Thomas, in the amount of two thousand pounds. The verso of the document is dated "Boston, October 15, 1744" and reads, "Rec'd of Mr. Pushworth Jordan by ye hand of Mr. Jacob Parker fifty pounds old tenor on...within bond...Thomas Paine." Thomas Paine was a pastor in a Weymouth church for several years before turning to mercantile pursuits in Boston. This document no doubt has something to do with his business. It is interesting that a clergyman would be involved in commercial transactions of this magnitude. Toning, weak folds, else very good.
Declaration Signer Robert Treat Paine Document Signed, partially printed, two pages, 8" x 8", Taunton, Massachusetts, August 23, 1770. A sheriff's subpoena to apprehend debtor Theophilus Clarke. Signed simply "Paine" on the verso. Toned paper with small red wax seal. A bit of soiling with one small split at the edge of a fold. Overall fine condition. Robert Paine (1731 - 1814) served Massachusetts in the Continental Congress and later became the Commonwealth's Attorney General.
Thomas Paine Autograph Letter Signed. One page, 8" x 13". [Philadelphia], addressed to Philadelphia merchant Thomas Willing with the attached integral address leaf. Willing, president of the first national bank, the Bank of North America, an institution passionately defended by Paine throughout the Pennsylvania bank controversy of 1785-6. Here Paine intercedes on behalf of the man he considered his closest friend, Colonel Joseph Kirkbride. He writes: "Dear Sir, A very intimate friend of mine Col. Kirkbride, has a Bond of Mr. Rich[ar]d Perm for about £1000 - he has a present occasion for 400, for 6 or 7 month - His landed Estate is in Pennsylvania - He called on me this morning and mentioned these with other circumstances to me, accompanied with a wish, that if it was convenient for me whether I could accommodate him with that sum for that time, I acquainted him with the manner in which what money I had would be desposed [sic] of, which puts it out of my power to oblige him. // My desire to serve him on any occasion induces me to mention this circumstance to you - I believe it is not regularly within the line of business done in the Bank - but as he can deposit real security to a great deal more amount, it would give me much pleasure to be the means of promoting his convenience -1 intended waiting on you this Evening on this occasion, but as I cannot I must defer it until the morning. I am Dear Sir your obedt. Humble Servant..."
The lives of the three men brought together in this letter by Thomas Paine intersected in remarkable ways against the tumult and struggle of America's revolutionary beginnings. With a British invasion threatening Philadelphia in 1777, Thomas Paine urged the terrified population to stand and fight, but in late September, with over a third of the city evacuated, he was also forced to flee, wandering for the next nine months, alternately serving as an aide-de-camp to General Greene, meeting with General Washington, and acting as an intelligence officer for beleaguered American forces. Finally, in November, he took refuge for two weeks at Bellevue Farm, the Bucks County home of his close friend Joseph Kirkbride. Here, Paine knew he would be "welcomed, well fed and generally pampered... Kirkbride greatly admired Paine, and their lifelong friendship (Paine considered him his closest friend) was cemented by remarkably similar experiences and ideas... Kirkbride had played an active role locally in the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence and was a member of the convention that had drawn up and agreed to Pennsylvania's new state constitution. At the time of Paine's visit, during the first half of November 1777, Kirkbride was an elected member of the Assembly, colonel of the First Battalion of Bucks County Associators, and in charge of recruiting soldiers and raising arms and general supplies in a county exposed to British invasion." Later, in 1783, poverty compelled Paine to "leave his Second Street lodgings [in Philadelphia] and move in with the Kirkbride family in Bordentown," where the family resided after the British burned down their Bucks County farm (Keane, 162-4, 243). Paine was able to accept an offer from Washington to visit him only after recovering from scarlet fever at the Kirkbrides, and returned to his friend's home in late December, where he bought a plot of land near the Colonel's farm, wintering there until he learned of an honorarium awarding him a farm outside New York City. In 1785, Paine again stayed with the Kirkbrides, enlisting help for a plan that expressed Paine's ongoing fascination with bridges-this time with hopes of building a wrought-iron bridge across Philadelphia's Schuylkill River. Throughout the summer of 1786, Colonel Kirkbride's farm served as the base for Paine's attempts to perfect his plan, one finally frustrated by a dubious Pennsylvania legislature. Paine continued to rely on Colonel Kirkbride throughout his life, knowing his oldest friend would support him, like a brother, in times of illness, poverty and controversy, and was devastated in the winter of 1803-4 when he "heard news from Bordentown that two of his dearest friends had died. The deaths of Samuel Adams and Colonel Kirkbride in October deeply upset him" (Fruchtman, 408). Testimony of their friendship is evident in this letter.
The recipient of Paine's letter, Thomas Willing, was an early and influential leader in Colonial Pennsylvania. During the early 1770s Willing spoke strongly in favor of colonial rights and in 1774 was named president of the first Provincial Congress of Pennsylvania. He served on the Second Continental Congress, where he notably voted against the resolution for independence on July 1, 1776. He didn't believe the Colonies were prepared for war; but supported the effort once war began. After the close of the war, he served as president of the Bank of North America, the first national bank. Foldlines for three panels, addressed in the center panel of the rear page, "Thomas Willing Esquire, Third Street near Walnut Street," with "Autograph Thomas Paine" written on the upper right of third panel. Trace of red wax seal, lightest toning of fold lines to rear page, signatures bold and fine. An impressive letter, ideal for display.
The lives of the three men brought together in this letter by Thomas Paine intersected in remarkable ways against the tumult and struggle of America's revolutionary beginnings. With a British invasion threatening Philadelphia in 1777, Thomas Paine urged the terrified population to stand and fight, but in late September, with over a third of the city evacuated, he was also forced to flee, wandering for the next nine months, alternately serving as an aide-de-camp to General Greene, meeting with General Washington, and acting as an intelligence officer for beleaguered American forces. Finally, in November, he took refuge for two weeks at Bellevue Farm, the Bucks County home of his close friend Joseph Kirkbride. Here, Paine knew he would be "welcomed, well fed and generally pampered... Kirkbride greatly admired Paine, and their lifelong friendship (Paine considered him his closest friend) was cemented by remarkably similar experiences and ideas... Kirkbride had played an active role locally in the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence and was a member of the convention that had drawn up and agreed to Pennsylvania's new state constitution. At the time of Paine's visit, during the first half of November 1777, Kirkbride was an elected member of the Assembly, colonel of the First Battalion of Bucks County Associators, and in charge of recruiting soldiers and raising arms and general supplies in a county exposed to British invasion." Later, in 1783, poverty compelled Paine to "leave his Second Street lodgings [in Philadelphia] and move in with the Kirkbride family in Bordentown," where the family resided after the British burned down their Bucks County farm (Keane, 162-4, 243). Paine was able to accept an offer from Washington to visit him only after recovering from scarlet fever at the Kirkbrides, and returned to his friend's home in late December, where he bought a plot of land near the Colonel's farm, wintering there until he learned of an honorarium awarding him a farm outside New York City. In 1785, Paine again stayed with the Kirkbrides, enlisting help for a plan that expressed Paine's ongoing fascination with bridges-this time with hopes of building a wrought-iron bridge across Philadelphia's Schuylkill River. Throughout the summer of 1786, Colonel Kirkbride's farm served as the base for Paine's attempts to perfect his plan, one finally frustrated by a dubious Pennsylvania legislature. Paine continued to rely on Colonel Kirkbride throughout his life, knowing his oldest friend would support him, like a brother, in times of illness, poverty and controversy, and was devastated in the winter of 1803-4 when he "heard news from Bordentown that two of his dearest friends had died. The deaths of Samuel Adams and Colonel Kirkbride in October deeply upset him" (Fruchtman, 408). Testimony of their friendship is evident in this letter.
The recipient of Paine's letter, Thomas Willing, was an early and influential leader in Colonial Pennsylvania. During the early 1770s Willing spoke strongly in favor of colonial rights and in 1774 was named president of the first Provincial Congress of Pennsylvania. He served on the Second Continental Congress, where he notably voted against the resolution for independence on July 1, 1776. He didn't believe the Colonies were prepared for war; but supported the effort once war began. After the close of the war, he served as president of the Bank of North America, the first national bank. Foldlines for three panels, addressed in the center panel of the rear page, "Thomas Willing Esquire, Third Street near Walnut Street," with "Autograph Thomas Paine" written on the upper right of third panel. Trace of red wax seal, lightest toning of fold lines to rear page, signatures bold and fine. An impressive letter, ideal for display.
Edmund Randolph Autograph Letter Signed "Edm. Randolph". One page, 7.25" x 9", December 23, 1786, a highly important letter regarding the pardoning of prisoners addressed to The Honorable Speaker of the House of Delegates, with the integral leaf docketed in another hand, neatly inlaid. In part: "the general assembly will collect his distress for money, and the dreadful consequence to his unfortunate prisoners, if that distress be not immediately removed. In the contingent fund, to which resort is regularly to be had on these occasions, not a shilling can be found: and the executive cannot approve the expedient of borrowing from other funds during the session of the legislature. I therefore beg leave to consign the wretched condition of the prisoners to your immediate attention, and to request, that some certain provisions be made for them in [the] future. The act authorizing the executive to grant conditional pardons being about to expire on the last day of this month; I am advised to inform the assembly that it is probable in the eye of the law, that in case of a motion to the general court to award execution de novo on a criminal already conditionally pardoned, who may have escaped and may be retaken after that day - the court could not proceed against him. It is therefore submitted, how far it may be fit, to declare that this law, notwithstanding its expiration shall justify anew award of execution for any breach of the condition committed, while it was in force. It will perhaps be proper too to remind the assembly that from the peculiar phraseology of that act it may be necessary to continue the power of outlawing, in order to give affect to the other parts of it..." A member of the Constitutional Convention, Randolph was the first Attorney General and then Washington's second Secretary of State, but resigned after being falsely charged with bribery. He later represented Aaron Burr in his treason trial. Fine.
Philip J. Schuyler Autograph Letter Signed "Ph: Schulyer", two pages, 6 x 7.5 inches, Albany, June 29, 1795 to his niece Catherine Schuyler in New York. He writes "My beloved Child, I am very anxious to receive a line from you, not having had one for some time past and I always receive so much pleasure from your letters that I am unhappy when you do not write. I am so much recovered that I walk and ride about and hope soon to be perfectly restored..." With integral address leaf addressed in his hand with an "ALBANY * June 29" postmark and stamped "PAID". Small loss to address leaf from seal tear, light soiling to letter, usual folds, else very good.
Jonathan Trumbull Jr. Autograph Letter Signed "J Trumbull". Two pages, legal size, Newburgh, March 18, 1783. Jonathan Trumbull, while secretary and first aide to George Washington, writes "...I wish Capt. Barney's account was more explicit respecting a general peace. I fear much least we shall be obliged to have another campaign. A vessel is arrived at Boston which left Amsterdam about January 25th. We have nothing particular from her but that the negotiations were going on when she left." Congress chose Trumbull Paymaster for the New York forces. In 1781, he was appointed Washington's secretary, and he remained a member of Washington's military family until the close of the war. He was elected to Congress as Senator from Connecticut but resigned to become deputy governor. He became governor following Wolcott's death and served until his own death. The ALS has excellent war content related to financial affairs. Some edge wear folds and staining. Dark and readable with a beautiful signature. Part of the Thomas MacDonald Revolutionary War collection.
Anthony Wayne Archive of Journals with Nine Signatures. Wonderful group of three journals totaling 58 pages with nine signatures of "Mad" Anthony Wayne. There are references to land owned by Wayne, Benjamin Franklin, and a multipage high content treatise on those "...who have thus gloriously died and that the liberty which our American and Euopean Brothers, do now struggle for and may remain invaluable to..."
Wayne was active in local activities during the early Revolutionary movement and represented his county in the provincial assembly of 1755. He was appointed a colonel in the Continental service, serving throughout the war and retired as a brevet major general in 1783. He favored ratification of the Constitution and served in Congress. Washington called him back into the army where he defeated the Indians at Fallen Timbers.
One of the items is a 21 page autographed document signed six times as "A. Y. Wayne." It measures 3.75" x 6" inches and appears to be Wayne's land survey book for the year 1770 written entirely in his hand. The booklet is bound together by string and contains several land surveys including the lands of Joseph Mitchell, Sarah Christie, David Howells, Jacob Bough, Thomas Williams, Josiah Hibberts, Moses Davis, and Joseph Pratts. One page reads "Persons names through which the new proposed road will pass. Beginning near the...by land lines of Mr. William George Smith and William Garret, Ray Gale, James Galbieth, Thos. Rees, Tho. Lewis, Joseph Garret, Thos. Jones, Lewis Williams, Jacob Lewis, Abraham Lewis, Thos. Naling...Thos. Ganet, James Sill, Levy Bowen, Abraham Lewis...Joseph Potts, John Boogs, Robert Jones, Isaac Wayne, Joshua Evans, Michael Wayne, Henry Good, William Ellis ..." Some edge chipping and wrinkling, but the surveys are boldly written and signed. From the Ridgway-Wayne estate. An additional 2½ pages are faintly written in pencil and read in part, "At a time when the invaluable of...sum at State and the very vital four excellent constitution, wounded in...hand by those when why rough to guard and supported gun as I am gent unto from our harty Regiment in your Noble and distinguished reputation of...to the non importation...untill the...are duties only imported...into the...Colonies be totally separate and as...the your...if not trafficking with the Body Island in a who contrary to...with the other colonies for non imports who have...for the view of a...landed gain given up non liberties which is the woods of the Intimated...ado from was handed down from ago to...The let it not die with as best priority...with it to fewer...that after age may...Name of one am...who have thus gloriously died and that the liberty which our American and Euopean Brothers, do now struggle for and may remain invaluable to the...of time. Mark Morris Bark No. 1 3.7 Wide 2- 4 high 10 feet long."
A 30 page Autograph Document measuring 3.75" x 6" and is Wayne's survey book for 1769 written entirely in his hand. On page one, his name is written in the text, "...through the land of...Anto. Wayne near the Lands of sd. Wayne..." Entries include: "Land late of John Taylor Situate in the Township of West Bradford in the County of Chester" "Land of John Griffith which he purchased of Andrew Steel..." "Courses and Distances of Mr. James Hunters Land Situate in the Township of Radnor." On the fourth page from the last, Wayne practiced writing his last name several times. A Quaker, Wayne often wrote the day and month in the Quaker fashion, e.g., "the 13th day of the 1st month," March being the first month to Quakers. The penmanship is bold and the pages are bound by string; some normal toning, but overall in very good condition.
The final booklet is a seven page booklet held together by a long nail, written entirely in his hand and signed twice including surveys of land made by Wayne in 1772. The book measures 4" x 6.25". One survey concludes, "Survey'd Octr 1772 By Anty Wayne"; on the next page, he signs in the text, "The land late of Arthur Moore was Survey'd the 2nd Nov 1772 by John Sellers & Anty Wayne." The pages are filled with notations and measurements in Wayne's hand, such as "Courses & Distances of a Road Beg.g at the Line Dividing the County of Berk & Chester and on the Land of David Dones's & opposite A. Smith's shop..." The writing is cramped on some pages and well-spaced on others; the ink is nice and dark. Some toning and foxing. Four of the pages are held together by an old straight pin; two other pages are separate. Although not an outstanding student, Wayne qualified as a surveyor and, in 1765, was sent to Nova Scotia for a year to survey land owned by Benjamin Franklin and others. When he returned to Waynesborough, he lived on his father's estate and took charge of the tannery, while continuing his surveying. This is a rare example of Wayne's early occupation. The archive also includes two engravings of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne from the Ridgway-Wayne estate.
Wayne was active in local activities during the early Revolutionary movement and represented his county in the provincial assembly of 1755. He was appointed a colonel in the Continental service, serving throughout the war and retired as a brevet major general in 1783. He favored ratification of the Constitution and served in Congress. Washington called him back into the army where he defeated the Indians at Fallen Timbers.
One of the items is a 21 page autographed document signed six times as "A. Y. Wayne." It measures 3.75" x 6" inches and appears to be Wayne's land survey book for the year 1770 written entirely in his hand. The booklet is bound together by string and contains several land surveys including the lands of Joseph Mitchell, Sarah Christie, David Howells, Jacob Bough, Thomas Williams, Josiah Hibberts, Moses Davis, and Joseph Pratts. One page reads "Persons names through which the new proposed road will pass. Beginning near the...by land lines of Mr. William George Smith and William Garret, Ray Gale, James Galbieth, Thos. Rees, Tho. Lewis, Joseph Garret, Thos. Jones, Lewis Williams, Jacob Lewis, Abraham Lewis, Thos. Naling...Thos. Ganet, James Sill, Levy Bowen, Abraham Lewis...Joseph Potts, John Boogs, Robert Jones, Isaac Wayne, Joshua Evans, Michael Wayne, Henry Good, William Ellis ..." Some edge chipping and wrinkling, but the surveys are boldly written and signed. From the Ridgway-Wayne estate. An additional 2½ pages are faintly written in pencil and read in part, "At a time when the invaluable of...sum at State and the very vital four excellent constitution, wounded in...hand by those when why rough to guard and supported gun as I am gent unto from our harty Regiment in your Noble and distinguished reputation of...to the non importation...untill the...are duties only imported...into the...Colonies be totally separate and as...the your...if not trafficking with the Body Island in a who contrary to...with the other colonies for non imports who have...for the view of a...landed gain given up non liberties which is the woods of the Intimated...ado from was handed down from ago to...The let it not die with as best priority...with it to fewer...that after age may...Name of one am...who have thus gloriously died and that the liberty which our American and Euopean Brothers, do now struggle for and may remain invaluable to the...of time. Mark Morris Bark No. 1 3.7 Wide 2- 4 high 10 feet long."
A 30 page Autograph Document measuring 3.75" x 6" and is Wayne's survey book for 1769 written entirely in his hand. On page one, his name is written in the text, "...through the land of...Anto. Wayne near the Lands of sd. Wayne..." Entries include: "Land late of John Taylor Situate in the Township of West Bradford in the County of Chester" "Land of John Griffith which he purchased of Andrew Steel..." "Courses and Distances of Mr. James Hunters Land Situate in the Township of Radnor." On the fourth page from the last, Wayne practiced writing his last name several times. A Quaker, Wayne often wrote the day and month in the Quaker fashion, e.g., "the 13th day of the 1st month," March being the first month to Quakers. The penmanship is bold and the pages are bound by string; some normal toning, but overall in very good condition.
The final booklet is a seven page booklet held together by a long nail, written entirely in his hand and signed twice including surveys of land made by Wayne in 1772. The book measures 4" x 6.25". One survey concludes, "Survey'd Octr 1772 By Anty Wayne"; on the next page, he signs in the text, "The land late of Arthur Moore was Survey'd the 2nd Nov 1772 by John Sellers & Anty Wayne." The pages are filled with notations and measurements in Wayne's hand, such as "Courses & Distances of a Road Beg.g at the Line Dividing the County of Berk & Chester and on the Land of David Dones's & opposite A. Smith's shop..." The writing is cramped on some pages and well-spaced on others; the ink is nice and dark. Some toning and foxing. Four of the pages are held together by an old straight pin; two other pages are separate. Although not an outstanding student, Wayne qualified as a surveyor and, in 1765, was sent to Nova Scotia for a year to survey land owned by Benjamin Franklin and others. When he returned to Waynesborough, he lived on his father's estate and took charge of the tannery, while continuing his surveying. This is a rare example of Wayne's early occupation. The archive also includes two engravings of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne from the Ridgway-Wayne estate.
Military & Patriotic
General "Mad Anthony" Wayne's Regimental Clothing Account for 1776, manuscript document, secretarial, one page with verso docketing, 8" x 10", Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after February 21, 1777. A magnificent itemized accounting of uniform expenses for officers serving under Anthony Wayne between January 2 and September 28, 1776. Eighteen individuals are named, ranging in rank from ensign to colonel, with the cost of "making sundry cloaths" for each being recorded. Some of the earliest entries also list materials purchased for the production of uniforms. Scattered spotting does not detract, evenly toned paper, smoothed folds. Fine condition and quite acceptable for a Revolutionary War document. Since Wayne is referred to here as a "general", this accounting must post-date his February, 1777 promotion to brigadier. Wayne entered Continental service as colonel of the 4th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line, which was raised in December of 1775. This document, given its entry dates, must reflect the initial outfitting of his officer corps. The men appearing here would, in the coming years, serve their country in most of the critical battles of the northern theater.
Autographs
James Wilkinson - Lot of Three 1796 Documents Signed as a Trustee of Jerusalem, Virginia- perhaps best known for hosting the trial and execution of participants in the Nat Turner slave rebellion. Wilkinson obtained a captain's commission in the Revolutionary Army and rose to rank of brevetted brigadier-general. He also became secretary of the board of war, but his Involvement with the Conway cabal against Washington forced him to resign his honors. His life thereafter was filled with intrigue and conspiracy, and though he maneuvered himself out of trouble he never was successful. Two of his more noted plots were his alliance with the Spanish Governor of New Orleans and his involvement with the Burr conspiracy. This lot consists of three substantial 12" x 14.5" manuscript documents, all deeds to Jerusalem property. Partial separations and minor imperfections, but otherwise very good display appearance.
Declaration Signer William Williams ADS "W. Williams" countersigned by Declaration signer Oliver Wolcott, one page with verso docketing, 8.25" x 4", Connecticut, October, 1780. "In the House of Representatives This House grants to the Rev'd Mr. Nathan Story the sum of six pounds for his service as chaplain to the House in this of Oct 1780 & Treasurer's ordered to pay the same accordingly." Uneven edges as made, lightly toned paper. The Wolcott endorsement is placed vertically over the Williams text. Fine condition. A great opportunity to acquire two signers on one Revolutionary War date document.
Declaration Signer James Wilson Endorsement. Partially printed document, one page with docketing, 9.75" x 7", Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1771. A financial judgement in the amount of "fifty one shillings & six pence" is levied against one Robert McGackey. James Wilson (1742-1798) was a lawyer before joining the Continental Congress and here simply writes "Wilson" on beneath the docketing. Some soiling, browning at folds. Very good condition.
Declaration Signer Oliver Wolcott ADS and Oliver Wolcott, Jr. DS. Lot consisting of two documents as follows: Oliver Wolcott Autograph Document Signed "O Wolcott", one page, 7.25" x 6", n.p., December 16, 1773. "The above was Exhibited by Nathan Garnsey Administrator on the Estate of Zachariah Bates, as an addition to the Inventory of said estate, which was was allowed, except the Debt from Ephraim Bates who being Insolvent, the administrator is discharged therefrom." This refers to an eight-pound judgement against Bates which heads the document and is written in another hand. Nice even toning, very fine condition. The second item is a partially printed Document Signed "Oliver Wolcott", one page with verso docketing, 6.5" x 5.25", Connecticut, March 15, 1782. A pay voucher for nine shillings due one Eleazar Wales. Light soiling, else very fine condition. Oliver Wolcott, Sr. (1726 - 1797) served as a Brigadier General of Connecticut Militia and also in the Continental Congress. He signed the Declaration of Independence sometime after July 4, 1776. His son, Oliver, Jr. (1760 - 1833) succeeded Alexander Hamilton as U.S. Treasurer in 1795 and was the last surviving member of Washington's cabinet.
[Revolutionary War] William Carmichael Autograph Letter Signed, endorsed by recipient Elbridge Gerry. Twelve pages, 4to, Madrid, March 1, 1781, giving extended views of the politics of the court, of Europe, and their disposition to America. Carmichael evokes John Jay, John Adams, Silas Deane, Arthur Lee, and others. The letter has a 12-line autograph endorsement by Gerry. In part: "Perhaps this long letter may fall into the hands of the Philistines. Let it tell them that I pity almost as much as I despise them. Their gallantry and firmness in a bad cause excites my compassion, while their abject subjection to a Junto of would-be great men moves my contempt, mingled with visibility and indignation. Gracious Heaven, to see the mischief that a single individual can do. If any thing could reconcile me to private assassination, this reflection would do it". Gerry's endorsement acknowledges the receipt and dates of the letter, as well as the date of Gerry's response. The writing is clear and dark. William Carmichael was a diplomat and a man of fortune who resided in London at the beginning of the Revolution. He was on his way to America in July of 1776, with dispatches from Arthur Lee, but was detained in Paris by illness, and assisted Silas Deane in his correspondence and business for over a year. He communicated with the King of Prussia, at Berlin, intelligence concerning American commerce, and assisted the commissioners at Paris. After his return to America in 1778, he was a delegate to congress from Maryland from 1778-1780. He was secretary of legation during John Jay's mission to Spain, and when the latter left Spain in June of 1782, he remained as charge d'affaires. In March of 1792, William Short join him in a commission to negotiate a treaty with Spain regarding the navigation of the Mississippi River, but they were unsuccessful. Carmichael returned to the United States in May of 1794. His letters were published in Sparks's Diplomatic Correspondence.
1777 Autograph Letter Signed to General Hand with a variety of war content, including raising additional troops for the frontier garrisons. Indians in Miami, Ohio would ironically, kill the writer. An additional very descriptive gun request signed by the doomed soldier is included. This 8" x 13" letter on plain paper dated June 27, 1777 reads, as written: "Honored General, Agreeable to your orders I sent orders to the third and forth betalion for the complyment of men you will please to order 26 men to reinforce the garrison at Kittanany and 30 to be stationed on the frontiers. But can't get any from them betalion but an ensign and five privats. I maid...for the complyment of men wanting from the first and second betalion and there I but attended at the place of rendesvous which I then sent to your Honnour to receive their enstructions from you under the command of capt. Hugh Mastain the remainder of the men I will have raised as soon as possible and have them sent out to stations on the front as agreeable to your orders. I have rec't the ditamry for the officers of the of this county from the executive council of this command welth and will fine every militia man that has been ordered out on these commands and has not attended as soon the majestreets can be qualifyd. I have suspended Capt. Hopkins from doing daughty and will have him inj'd by court martial for his bad conduct for denying his orders to go to Kittanany and dismissing his party. I am sire your most oblig'd most humble serv't A. Lochry". The gun request is written on a separate plain paper, measures 8" x 3" and reads: "Received of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania twenty seven Riffles and two smooth bore guns, with accoutrments for thirteen of them, for the use of the Militia of Westmoreland County and for which I promise to account to this State. Philadelphia 21st March 1777 A. Lochry".
[Revolutionary War] Timothy Bedel Autograph Letter Signed "Tim. Bedel". 1½ pages, 6" x 7.5", Haverhill, June 11, 1777. An interesting letter of Timothy Bedel, former Major General, written in 1777, about the Canadian Campaign and General Carlton's tactics. The letter reads "Gentlemen, I have constantly kept out scouts into Canada and have one arrived this day who bring in Intelligence that the Indians that the Indians have left their castles being threatened by the ministerial troops to burn up their villages if they would not take up arms we have several families come about here who are willing and wants to settle among us if they could be protected, you may be assured there is no danger from them as they are in any opinion more friendly than our own people. The scouts further inform that the regulars lie in small parties at St. Johns Isle - Aux...Chambalee and have two small vessels and a number of boats Cruising on the lake that the Canadians in general are our friends, that Genl. Carleton has confined about 300 Canadians in close confinement because they would not take up arms. I have never had any orders as yet to bring a prisoner from Canada if you thing it best that one or more would be of any advantage should be glad to have a line from you and it shall be done by the next party that goes out, any orders from you shall be punctually obeyed and executed with the utmost dispatch, the Indian families who are among us would willing by stay could they be supplies with provisions. The enemy are building a large vessel for the lake and several gondolas at Saint Johns. I am gentlemen with the utmost esteem. Your obedient humble servant." Bedel was with Montgomery at the taking of St. John's, on the Sorel, and was in command of the force at the Cedars, near Montreal, which was attacked by Brant's Indians and surrendered without resistance by order of Captain Butterfield, the subordinate officer in command during the absence of Colonel Bedel, who lay ill at Lachine. General Arnold threw the blame on Bedel, who was deprived of his command but was subsequently reinstated. He was afterward Major-General of New Hampshire militia. Pristine.
Military & Patriotic
Saratoga Convention Army - Manuscript Document Signed. Two pages, legal folio, [near Charlottesville, Va.], November 14, 1780. "A List of balances due the Convention Troops from Winslow & Hawkins" listing twenty-seven men and women (camp-followers) housed at Ablemarle Barracks. It appears as if this set of prisoners was employed in the manufacture of soap and were paid for their efforts. The first column heading reads "of whom purchased", the second "Soap", the third "Paid of Each" and finally "Amount in Virginia Currency." Each piece of soap was sold at 48 shillings a piece which clearly illustrates the impact of the inflation that ran rampant in the later years of the war. The total due was 8,257 pounds in Virginia currency. On the verso, the account is balanced against payments to suppliers, drivers, and other contractors. Usual folds, margins rough, otherwise very good.
Autographs
Battle of Bunker Hill- Revolutionary War Muster Roll. A muster Roll for Col. Luke Drury signed by 37 of America's first soldiers; 16 of these signatures are men who marched to the Lexington Concord alarm. Also listed are 11 men who went to Bunker Hill. One man was "slain in battle June 17th arms lost." Among the most important American military documents extant.
A partially printed document with the date of "1 August 1775" being the company Muster Roll of Luke Drury's company. The document measures 17.5" x 23" and was extended along the bottom margin to accommodate the additional names of the privates. The Muster Roll is for the period of April through July or August 1775. The verso of the document bears the signatures of 37 members of the unit acknowledging receipt of their pay at Dorchester, February 9th, 1776. Sixteen of the names signed on the back are men who fought under Drury at Lexington Concord. A list of Drury's men from a Muster Roll dated April 19, 1775, the day the first shot of the American Revolution was fired at Concord. At that time, Drury took his company of 46 men and marched to Cambridge, hounding the British on their retreat back to Boston.
Drury, a farmer and gristmill operator, was born in Grafton, Mass. The papers traced his military career from 1773, when he was first appointed militia captain for Grafton. His minuteman company was one of the first mustered out on the day of the Lexington alarm. Drury successfully raised his company as ordered by Joseph Warren, received his commission, and joined Patriot forces at Cambridge in the regiment of Colonel Jonathan Ward. His men fought at Bunker Hill and participated in the siege of Boston. He was subsequently commissioned a lieutenant colonel and served throughout the war. His papers indicate that toward the end of the war in 1781 his company was posted to West Point and was active in maintaining the Great Chain laid across the Hudson to hinder British traffic on the river. Perhaps because of his military career, Drury was later accused of participating in Shay's Rebellion, for which he was arrested and imprisoned. His name was cleared, but he resigned his commission. He later became a state Representative, constable, deputy sheriff, and selectman of Grafton. He died in 1811 and is buried in Grafton.
This rare Lexington Concord Alarm list dated April 19th holds 16 names of Drury's men who also signed the August 1775 Muster Roll. The names include: Ladock Putnam, William Walker, Mathias Rice, Moses Sherman, Ebenezer Phillips, Elizah Rice, Shelomilk Stow, Thomas Pratt, Isaac Brigham, Ebenzer Melendy, Ebenezer Leland, Jonah Goulding, Solomon Brook, Samuel Staraes, Peter Butler, and Ebenzer Leland.
There are 37 signatures on the verso of the August 1775 sheet. Of those 37 signatures, 6 belong to men who fought under Drury's company for Col. Artemas Ward at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The names of the men can be found on a list provided by the National Park Service of Boston of the Roster of New Hampshire soldiers in the Battle of Bunker's Hill. Those names include, Pvt. Joseph Plumley from Alstead, Pvt. Joseph Anthony of Alstead, Pvt. John Banks of Alstead, Pvt. Eleazer Leeland of Croydon, Cpl. Jonah Stowe of Alstead, Pvt. Ebenezer Wadsworth of Alstead.
The front of the document contains the names of five more soldiers who fought at Bunker Hill including, Samuel Adams of Walpole, William Martin of Walpole, James Martin of Walpole, Aaron Heath of Alstead and Abner Brigham of Croydon. The sheet is an extensive record of a regimental company during the early siege of Boston. The muster indicates that one private, Samuel Heard, who enlisted on May 7, was killed in battle June 17th "arms lost."
Major General Artemas Ward created an American army right under the nose of British General Gage, in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Poor sanitation and cooking habits during his participation in the French and Indian War left Ward chronically ill in the years that followed. Slow moving and slow to react, he lacked the more gallant qualities of leadership; nevertheless Ward was trusted and respected because good family name and Harvard education. A leader of the Patriotic movement from the beginning, he helped to purge the Massachusetts Militia of all Loyalist members, thus breaking the Royal Governor's means of using it.
The 37 signatures on the back of the document are: Thad Kempre, Edmund Dolbear, Thomas leland, William Walker, William Evans. Joseph Plumly, Joseph Anthony, Eliphet Smith, Matthias Rice, Elisha Stedwick, Moses Shuman, Aaron Willard, Ebenezer Phillips, Elizah Rice, Shelomilk Stow, Thomas Pratt, Essick Dexter, Edward Butrick, Isaac Brigham, Nathan Morse, Fortin Burnea, Ebenezer Melendy, Eb. Leland, Jonath Goulding, Solomon Brooke, George Smith, Sam'1 Stearns, Ebenezer Wadsworth, Peter Butler, Benjamin Grover, Thomas Leland, John Banks and Jona. Stowe.
A partially printed document with the date of "1 August 1775" being the company Muster Roll of Luke Drury's company. The document measures 17.5" x 23" and was extended along the bottom margin to accommodate the additional names of the privates. The Muster Roll is for the period of April through July or August 1775. The verso of the document bears the signatures of 37 members of the unit acknowledging receipt of their pay at Dorchester, February 9th, 1776. Sixteen of the names signed on the back are men who fought under Drury at Lexington Concord. A list of Drury's men from a Muster Roll dated April 19, 1775, the day the first shot of the American Revolution was fired at Concord. At that time, Drury took his company of 46 men and marched to Cambridge, hounding the British on their retreat back to Boston.
Drury, a farmer and gristmill operator, was born in Grafton, Mass. The papers traced his military career from 1773, when he was first appointed militia captain for Grafton. His minuteman company was one of the first mustered out on the day of the Lexington alarm. Drury successfully raised his company as ordered by Joseph Warren, received his commission, and joined Patriot forces at Cambridge in the regiment of Colonel Jonathan Ward. His men fought at Bunker Hill and participated in the siege of Boston. He was subsequently commissioned a lieutenant colonel and served throughout the war. His papers indicate that toward the end of the war in 1781 his company was posted to West Point and was active in maintaining the Great Chain laid across the Hudson to hinder British traffic on the river. Perhaps because of his military career, Drury was later accused of participating in Shay's Rebellion, for which he was arrested and imprisoned. His name was cleared, but he resigned his commission. He later became a state Representative, constable, deputy sheriff, and selectman of Grafton. He died in 1811 and is buried in Grafton.
This rare Lexington Concord Alarm list dated April 19th holds 16 names of Drury's men who also signed the August 1775 Muster Roll. The names include: Ladock Putnam, William Walker, Mathias Rice, Moses Sherman, Ebenezer Phillips, Elizah Rice, Shelomilk Stow, Thomas Pratt, Isaac Brigham, Ebenzer Melendy, Ebenezer Leland, Jonah Goulding, Solomon Brook, Samuel Staraes, Peter Butler, and Ebenzer Leland.
There are 37 signatures on the verso of the August 1775 sheet. Of those 37 signatures, 6 belong to men who fought under Drury's company for Col. Artemas Ward at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The names of the men can be found on a list provided by the National Park Service of Boston of the Roster of New Hampshire soldiers in the Battle of Bunker's Hill. Those names include, Pvt. Joseph Plumley from Alstead, Pvt. Joseph Anthony of Alstead, Pvt. John Banks of Alstead, Pvt. Eleazer Leeland of Croydon, Cpl. Jonah Stowe of Alstead, Pvt. Ebenezer Wadsworth of Alstead.
The front of the document contains the names of five more soldiers who fought at Bunker Hill including, Samuel Adams of Walpole, William Martin of Walpole, James Martin of Walpole, Aaron Heath of Alstead and Abner Brigham of Croydon. The sheet is an extensive record of a regimental company during the early siege of Boston. The muster indicates that one private, Samuel Heard, who enlisted on May 7, was killed in battle June 17th "arms lost."
Major General Artemas Ward created an American army right under the nose of British General Gage, in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Poor sanitation and cooking habits during his participation in the French and Indian War left Ward chronically ill in the years that followed. Slow moving and slow to react, he lacked the more gallant qualities of leadership; nevertheless Ward was trusted and respected because good family name and Harvard education. A leader of the Patriotic movement from the beginning, he helped to purge the Massachusetts Militia of all Loyalist members, thus breaking the Royal Governor's means of using it.
The 37 signatures on the back of the document are: Thad Kempre, Edmund Dolbear, Thomas leland, William Walker, William Evans. Joseph Plumly, Joseph Anthony, Eliphet Smith, Matthias Rice, Elisha Stedwick, Moses Shuman, Aaron Willard, Ebenezer Phillips, Elizah Rice, Shelomilk Stow, Thomas Pratt, Essick Dexter, Edward Butrick, Isaac Brigham, Nathan Morse, Fortin Burnea, Ebenezer Melendy, Eb. Leland, Jonath Goulding, Solomon Brooke, George Smith, Sam'1 Stearns, Ebenezer Wadsworth, Peter Butler, Benjamin Grover, Thomas Leland, John Banks and Jona. Stowe.
Valley Forge - 1777 Document Archive. Ten pages- blankets for Valley Forge. An amazing archive listing approximately 27 names of Connecticut soldiers who fought at Valley Forge and the provisions alloted to them. This archive contains seven items with regard to pay and provisions. The documents contain several names of Connecticut soldiers serving in the Continental Army at the time:
"New Haven January 12th, 1778 received of...1 blankett appraized at eighteen shillings for the use of Col. Meigs Reg't Capt. Jose. Mansfield & Company. Isaac Potter, Lt."
"Camp Old Orchard June 26, 1777 rec'd of Capt. Walbridge two pound limit - bean for one month...for...Josiah D. Fon..."
"Camp Old Orchard June 28, 1777 Rec'd of Capt. Walbridge two Mound shillings it being for one month pay for...done in the Continental Army Rec'd by me Samuel Jillard."
"Camp Old Orchard June 22, 1777 we the subscribers Continental Soldiers have received each of us a blanket by the Hand Capt' Walbridge." Signed names include, Joseph Green, Nathaniel Cushman, Nathan Kent, Sgt. Samuel Warner, Joshua Walbridge, Josiah Edson, Elijah Mussel, Isaac Pinney, Nathan Edson, Jephthah Whelor, and Corporal Isaac Cushman. All of these men were enlisted in the second Connecticut Regiment First Division. Nathaniel Kent is listed as having died on Feb. 4, 1778. Private Joseph Green is shown as being discharged on Jan. 9, 1778.
A purchasing agreement for 13 blankets dated at Preston, Nov. 27, 1777 signed by Ephriam Tucker, Elisha Tyler, and Samuel Tyler. The reverse of the invoice lists the names of Capt. Wm Belcher
"Boston, December 22, 1777 to the Committee of the pay table for the State of Connecticut. Gentlemen these are to inform you that six of the blankets which we sent you in the account dated ye 27th of last November are included in the Liut. Asa Story's Receipt who was Lieut in Capt. Wm Belcher's company in the Continental army. Also one blanket was delivered to Capt; Wm Belcher and sic to Ens'r Elisha Bordman which receipts we send you, Ephriam Tucker, Elisha Tyler and Samuel Tyler." William Belcher was the Captain of Connecticut's first Regiment. Elisha Bordman was part of Huntington's Brigade and was discharged in January 1778.
"Mansfield 26th of May 1777 Rec'd of the Select Men of the Town of Ashford Six blankets for the use of Robert Hale, James Hale, Amos Donset, William Southworth, James Eaton and Josiah Bickniel they being enlisted into my Company for the term of three years Rec'd John Shumways, Capt." Privates Robert and James Hale both enlisted in CT First regiment as were Dowset, Southworth, Bickniel, and Eaton. The document is also signed by Caleb Hender, a Private from the Third New Jersey Regiment, and a Massachusetts Private, Simeon Smith. The 2nd Connecticut was raised from Connecticut recruits in 1777 for the Army of the "Continental Line." The 2nd Connecticut was at Valley Forge, for the harsh winter of 1777-1778 and at the Battle of Monmouth, NJ in June 1778 to what would become "the most scorching summer day ever known in America." The 2nd Connecticut Regiment fought at the battle of Whitemarsh in December of 1777.
"New Haven January 12th, 1778 received of...1 blankett appraized at eighteen shillings for the use of Col. Meigs Reg't Capt. Jose. Mansfield & Company. Isaac Potter, Lt."
"Camp Old Orchard June 26, 1777 rec'd of Capt. Walbridge two pound limit - bean for one month...for...Josiah D. Fon..."
"Camp Old Orchard June 28, 1777 Rec'd of Capt. Walbridge two Mound shillings it being for one month pay for...done in the Continental Army Rec'd by me Samuel Jillard."
"Camp Old Orchard June 22, 1777 we the subscribers Continental Soldiers have received each of us a blanket by the Hand Capt' Walbridge." Signed names include, Joseph Green, Nathaniel Cushman, Nathan Kent, Sgt. Samuel Warner, Joshua Walbridge, Josiah Edson, Elijah Mussel, Isaac Pinney, Nathan Edson, Jephthah Whelor, and Corporal Isaac Cushman. All of these men were enlisted in the second Connecticut Regiment First Division. Nathaniel Kent is listed as having died on Feb. 4, 1778. Private Joseph Green is shown as being discharged on Jan. 9, 1778.
A purchasing agreement for 13 blankets dated at Preston, Nov. 27, 1777 signed by Ephriam Tucker, Elisha Tyler, and Samuel Tyler. The reverse of the invoice lists the names of Capt. Wm Belcher
"Boston, December 22, 1777 to the Committee of the pay table for the State of Connecticut. Gentlemen these are to inform you that six of the blankets which we sent you in the account dated ye 27th of last November are included in the Liut. Asa Story's Receipt who was Lieut in Capt. Wm Belcher's company in the Continental army. Also one blanket was delivered to Capt; Wm Belcher and sic to Ens'r Elisha Bordman which receipts we send you, Ephriam Tucker, Elisha Tyler and Samuel Tyler." William Belcher was the Captain of Connecticut's first Regiment. Elisha Bordman was part of Huntington's Brigade and was discharged in January 1778.
"Mansfield 26th of May 1777 Rec'd of the Select Men of the Town of Ashford Six blankets for the use of Robert Hale, James Hale, Amos Donset, William Southworth, James Eaton and Josiah Bickniel they being enlisted into my Company for the term of three years Rec'd John Shumways, Capt." Privates Robert and James Hale both enlisted in CT First regiment as were Dowset, Southworth, Bickniel, and Eaton. The document is also signed by Caleb Hender, a Private from the Third New Jersey Regiment, and a Massachusetts Private, Simeon Smith. The 2nd Connecticut was raised from Connecticut recruits in 1777 for the Army of the "Continental Line." The 2nd Connecticut was at Valley Forge, for the harsh winter of 1777-1778 and at the Battle of Monmouth, NJ in June 1778 to what would become "the most scorching summer day ever known in America." The 2nd Connecticut Regiment fought at the battle of Whitemarsh in December of 1777.
Miscellaneous
[Revolutionary War] Unaccomplished American Privateer's Commission. Partly printed document, one page, folio (12.25" x 10.25"), [no place, no date, c. 1780-1783]. An unusual survivor, an unaccomplished privateer's commission intended for use by the Continental Congress. Faced with the task of staving off the British Navy, the most powerful in the world, the Continental Congress quickly reverted to a time-honored custom: licensing private, armed vessels. As privateers were essentially state-sponsored pirates (and privateers ran a high risk of crossing over from legal to illegal), Congress gave specific instructions to privateers within the commissions. Both the states and the Continental Congress issued numerous commissions like this one. This example was a "Continental commission" and would have been signed by the President of Congress.
Issued commissions are difficult enough to obtain, an unaccomplished one is even scarcer. Very light chipping at left margin, a few light creases, negligible soiling, else fine.
Issued commissions are difficult enough to obtain, an unaccomplished one is even scarcer. Very light chipping at left margin, a few light creases, negligible soiling, else fine.
Books
[American Flag] 1817 Congressional Report regarding revising the American Flag. Three pages printed, 5" x 8", [Washington, D.C.], January 2, 1817. An important document concerning the United States flag ~ Issued shortly after Francis Scott Key's famous poem describing the bombardment of Ft. McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore which became known as "The Star Spangled Banner," later adopted as the American national anthem. "REPORT Of the Select Committee appointed on the 12th ult. to inquire into the expedience of altering the Flag of the United States." The report fixes the ultimate design and evolution of the American flag as we know it today. The report deals with the second revision made to the United States flag after its official adoption by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. The first revision, the report notes, was made on January 13, 1794 following the admission of Kentucky and Vermont in which Congress "...passed an act that the stripes and stars should, on the day fixed, be increased to fifteen each, to comport with the then number of independent states..." Looking into the future, the committee could easily discern the ultimate difficulties of this scheme. They remark, "The accession of new States since that alteration, and the certain prospect that at no distant period the number of States will be considerably multiplied, render it, in the opinion of the committee, highly inexpedient to increase the number of stripes, as every flag must, in some measure, be limited in its size, from the circumstance of convenience to the place on which it is to be displayed, while such an increase would necessarily decrease their magnitude, and render them proportionably less distinct to distant observation..." A few minor marginal chips and light soiling, else very good.
1781 New Jersey Gazette Newspaper. September 19, 1781, Trenton, New Jersey, four pages, 9" x 14.5", one of the earliest published accounts of the Battle of the Virginia Capes. The New Jersey Gazette was the state's first newspaper, established in December 1777 by Isaac Collins of Burlington to support the patriot cause in the American Revolution. This fine and news-heavy edition contains reports on a variety of engagements and troop movements including a vivid, first-hand description of a British raid commanded by notorious turncoat Benedict Arnold. A truly wonderful account, vividly evoking the excitement of the moment. Exactly a month after the publication of this paper, Cornwallis would surrender at Yorktown, dealing a final blow to British ambitions to subdue her rebellious colonies. Overall very clean with only a few lightly scattered foxed spots at top of first page. Margin at left slightly irregular, else very fine condition.
Autographs
Peter Force printing of The Declaration of Independence A Scarce Printed Broadside, a facsimile printing of the Declaration of Independence, one page, 25 x 30 inches on rice paper, folded and bound into a volume of Peter Force's American Archives: Fifth Series Containing a documentary History of The United States of America, from the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1775 to the Definitive Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, September 3, 1783, (Washington: M. St. Clair Clarke and Peter Force, 1848), Fifth Series, Vol. I, ciii, 1787 pp. folio with original half sheep and marbled boards with gilt titled spine. Some losses to spine with moderate rubbing and general wear, pages bear light foxing, with some marginal chipping to a few. Broadside bound in after page 1595 bears the usual folds, toned at extreme margins, one 5 inch partial fold tear, 2 inch marginal tear at center right margin, light foxing and minor ink transfer. In 1820, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams had commissioned William J. Stone of Washington to engrave an exact copy of the original Declaration of Independence onto a copperplate. Interest in reproductions of the Declaration had increased as the nation grew. It took three years to complete. Stone used a new Wet-Ink transfer process to create a copperplate from which facsimile copies could then be made. On June 4, 1823, the National Intelligencer reported that: "The 'City Gazette' informs us that Mr. Wm. J. Stone, a respectable and enterprising engraver of this City has, after a labor of three years, completed a facsimile of the Original of the Declaration of Independence, now in the archives of the government, that it is executed with the greatest exactness and fidelity; and that the Department of State has become the purchaser of the plate. We are very glad to hear this, for the original of that paper which ought to be immortal and imperishable, by being so much handled by copyists and curious visitors, might receive serious injury. The facility of multiplying copies of it now possessed by the Department of State will render further exposure of the original unnecessary." This would seem to indicate that there was some fear of the deterioration of the Declaration even prior to Stone's work. The 201 official parchment copies struck from the Stone plate carry the identification "Engraved by W. J. Stone for the Department of State, by order" in the upper left corner followed by "of J. Q. Adams, Sec. of State July 4th 1824." in the upper right corner. Stone kept one copy for himself (this copy now resides in the Smithsonian) and delivered 200 copies to the Department of State. On May 26, 1824, the Senate and House of Representatives, in Congress assembled, issued the following resolution: "Resolved, That the two hundred copies of the Declaration of Independence, now in the Department of State, be distributed in the manner following: two copies to each of the surviving signers of the Declaration of Independence; two copies to the President of the United States; two copies to the Vice President of the United States; two copies to the late President, Mr. Madison; two copies to the Marquis de Lafayette; twenty copies for the two houses of Congress; twelve copies for the different departments of the government; two copies for the President's House; two copies for the Supreme Court room; one copy to each of the governors of the states; and one to each branch of the legislatures of the states; one copy to each of the governors of the territories of the United States; and one copy to the legislative council of each territory; and the remaining copies to the different universities and colleges of the United States, as the President of the United States may direct. Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the distribution of the said copies of the Declaration of Independence to be made, agreeably to the foregoing resolution." Of the original 201 copies, only 31 examples are currently known to exist, 19 of which are permanently housed in museums. In 1833, historian and printer Peter Force, under contract with the Department of State authorized by an Act of Congress, planned to compile a vast work in at least 20 volumes, to be known as the American Archives, a Documentary History of the English Colonies in North America. The ambitious series was to include legislative records, documents, and historic private correspondence. Force published six volumes between 1837 and 1846 and three more before 1853. In all, the nine volumes only covered the years 1774-1776. Inserted in Volume 1 was a copy of the Declaration of Independence. The "Wet Ink" copperplate created by William J. Stone had been removed from storage and, from it, Force printed copies on rice paper. In the lower left of each copy, Force printed: "W.J. STONE SC. WASHN." These documents were then folded and inserted into Volume I of the American Archives collection. Congress authorized up to 1500 copies of the series to be printed, but subscriptions fell far short of that number. The actual number of copies printed is unknown, with estimates ranging from about 500 copies to upwards of 1,000 copies. Only a few hundred of Force's printing of the Declaration of Independence are known to exist today. On April 29, 1846, the U.S. Senate "Resolved, That the Committee on the Library be instructed to inquire into the expediency of distributing copies of the American Archives, now belonging to the government, among the historical societies, incorporated public libraries, colleges, and universities in the United States." There were still sets of the American Archives remaining so on February 21, 1849, the House issued "a Joint resolution authorizing the distribution of the 'American Archives,' under the direction of the Joint Committee on the Library, to literary institutions in the several States and Territories." In 1853, possibly because of the low demand for the nine volumes of American Archives already in print, Secretary of State William L. Marcy refused to approve Force's plans to continue his series. Sadly, the "Wet-Ink" transfer process used by Stone hastened the fading of the ink on the original Declaration which today is nearly illegible. The copies made from Stone's copperplate established the clear visual image today of the way the Declaration of Independence looked 230 years ago after it was signed by the 56 American patriots who, as they affixed their signatures, agreed to "mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." This is an unique opportunity to acquire a scarce printing in its original state of issue, as most of these broadsides were removed and framed for display.
Books
1740 Benjamin Franklin Pennsylvania Gazette, four pages, 7" x 9.5" visible, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1740, Number 592. Matted and ornately framed under glass on both sides to 20" x 15"; pages one and four are displayed on one side, two and three on the other. An original copy of the historic newspaper printed by Benjamin Franklin on his famous Philadelphia press. Printed at the bottom of the fourth page: "Philadelphia: Printed by B. Franklin. Post-Master,/at the New Printing-Office near the Market. Price 10 s. a Year./Where Advertisements are taken in, and Book-Binding is done reasonably, in the best Manner." The vignette atop page one has a lion above a coat of arms with the legend "Mercy" and "Justice." "The Pennsylvania" is to the left and "Gazette" is to the right. The line beneath the newspaper's title is: "Containing the freshest Advices Foreign and Domestick." Each page is divided into two columns. "A letter from the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, to the Inhabitants of Maryland, Virginia, North and South-Carolina," written from "Savannah, Jan. 23, 1739,40," takes up the entire first page and 1.5 columns on the second page. In part, "As I lately passed through your Provinces, in my Way hither, I was sensibly touched with a Fellow-feeling of the Miseries of the poor Negroes...I must inform you, in the Meekness and Gentleness of Christ, that I think God has a Quarrel with you for your Abuse of and Cruelty to the poor Negroes...Your Dogs are caress'd and fondled at your Tables --- But your Slaves, who are frequently stiled Dogs or Beasts, have not an equal Privilege. They are scarce permitted to pick up the Crumbs which fall from their Master's Tables: Nay, some, as I have been informed by an Eye-Witness, have been, upon the most trifling Provocation, cut with Knives, and had Forks throw into their Flesh --- Not to mention what Numbers have been given up to the inhuman Usage of cruel Task-Masters, who by their unrelenting Scourges have ploughed upon their Backs, and made long Furrows, and at length brought them even to Death itself...And perhaps it might be better for the poor Creatures themselves, to be hurried out of Life, than to be made miserable, as they generally are in it...I have great reason to believe, that most of you, on Purpose, keep your Negroes ignorant of Christianity; or otherwise, why are they permitted thro' your Provinces, openly to prophane the Lord's Day, by their Dancing, Piping and such like?..." George Whitefield (1714-1770), a minister in the Church of England, was one of the leaders of the Methodist movement. The most popular and influential preacher of his time, he visited America seven times and it is estimated that during his lifetime he preached over 18,000 sermons. He was only 24 when he made his first trip to America in 1738. There are also reports of Rev. Whitefield preaching in nearby New-Castle, Wilmington, and Germantown with plans to go to the Jerseys and New-York. On the second and third pages is a proclamation by George Thomas, Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of New-Castle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware, referring to England's declaration of war on Spain and an order by King George II to send troops from England to the West Indies. Troops are to be raised in America as well. A notice, dated April 16, 1740, listing names of officers to whom "all such as shall be willing to inlist in the important Expedition now on Foot, for attacking and plundering the most valuable Part of the Spanish West-Indies" is on the fourth page. The names of officers in Philadelphia, Chester, Lancaster, Bucks, Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex counties are listed. Because Franklin realized that almost a third of his fellow settlers in Pennsylvania only spoke German, right beneath it is the identical notice printed in German. The Pennsylvania Gazette is said to be the first newspaper in America to publish articles in two languages. Eight advertisements complete the page including one concerning the schedule of a"Stage-Waggon" from Trenton Ferry to Brunswick and, ironically, in light of Rev. Whitefield's letter, another about the "Run away the 8th Instant from George Smith in Arch-Street, Philadelphia, a Negroe Fellow of about 22 Years of Age, of middle Stature, born in Bermuda, and speaks good English, named Jo. Had on a woolen Jacket. It's suppos'd he will endeavour to get off in some Bermudas Vessel. Whoever secures or brings him to the said Smith shall be reasonably rewarded." The newspaper is in apparently in very fine condition. The fact that the first page presenting most of Whitefield's letter and the fourth page with the enlistment notice in English and German as well as "Printed by B. Franklin" are all visible at the same time on the front of the frame makes this display extremely desirable.
1775 Pennsylvania Ledger, four pages, 10" x 16", Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Saturday, July 15, 1775, Number XXV. An original copy of The Pennsylvania Ledger: Or the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey Weekly Advertiser, "Printed by James Humphreys, junr. in Front-Street, at the Corner of Black-horse Alley: - Where Essays, Articles of News, Advertisements. &c. are gratefully received and impartially inserted. And Where Supscriptions [sic] are taken in for this Paper, at Ten Shillings per Year." The vignette atop page one displays the royal coat of arms.
On April 19, 1775, British and American soldiers exchanged fire in the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord and the American Revolution had begun. The Second Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft "a Declaration to be published by General Washington, upon his arrival at the Camp before Boston" to explain to the world why it was necessary to take up arms against the British. A first draft was submitted on June 24, 1775, and was debated and recommitted. Thomas Jefferson and John Dickinson were then added to the committee to work on a second draft. Jefferson submitted a draft which was criticized by Dickinson for its harshness. In his autobiography, Jefferson wrote, "It was too strong for Mr. Dickinson. He still retained the hope of reconciliation with the mother country, and was unwilling it should be lessened by offensive statements. He was so honest a man, and so able a one, that he was greatly indulged even by those who could not feel his scruples. We therefore requested him to take the paper, and put it into a form he could approve. He did so, preparing an entire new statement, and preserving of the former only the last four paragraphs and the half of the preceding one. We approved and reported it to Congress."
This issue of The Pennsylvania Ledger, a Loyalist newspaper, reprints in full in 3.5 columns on pages one and four, "A Declaration by the Representatives of the United Colonies of North-America, now met in General Congress at Philadelphia, setting forth the Causes and Necessity of their taking up Arms" noting that it was issued "By Order of Congress,/John Hancock, President/Attested, Charles Thompson [sic, Thomson], Secretary,/Philadelphia, July 6th, 1775." This declaration was a prelude to the Declaration of Independence issued almost exactly one year later. There is much news from London and reports of British soldiers killed and wounded including Major Pitcairn, killed at Bunker Hill ("Bunker Hill" is not mentioned in the listing). James Humphreys began publishing The Pennsylvania Ledger on January 28, 1775; this was only his 25th issue. A Loyalist, he suspended publication on November 30 1776, presumably because of lack of advertising by Patriots. He resumed when the British occupied Philadelphia on October 10, 1777. On December 3rd, it became a semi-weekly issued on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On May 23, 1778, just prior to the British evacuation of Philadelphia, Humphreys left for New York, then to England. He returned to Philadelphia in 1797 when he resumed his printing business, but not his newspaper, until his death in 1810. According to the History and Bibliography of American Newspapers, 1690-1820 by Clarence Saunders Brigham, only five institutions, including the Library of Congress, have the July 15, 1775, issue of The Pennsylvania Ledger. This newspaper, of the utmost importance in American history, is in very fine condition. It is displayed in a 12" x 18" black leatherette presentation folder, one-eighth red at the spine, with "The/Pennsylvania/Ledger" and "July 15, 1775/Declaration of the Causes/for Taking up Arms" in gilt lettering on the cover.
On April 19, 1775, British and American soldiers exchanged fire in the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord and the American Revolution had begun. The Second Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft "a Declaration to be published by General Washington, upon his arrival at the Camp before Boston" to explain to the world why it was necessary to take up arms against the British. A first draft was submitted on June 24, 1775, and was debated and recommitted. Thomas Jefferson and John Dickinson were then added to the committee to work on a second draft. Jefferson submitted a draft which was criticized by Dickinson for its harshness. In his autobiography, Jefferson wrote, "It was too strong for Mr. Dickinson. He still retained the hope of reconciliation with the mother country, and was unwilling it should be lessened by offensive statements. He was so honest a man, and so able a one, that he was greatly indulged even by those who could not feel his scruples. We therefore requested him to take the paper, and put it into a form he could approve. He did so, preparing an entire new statement, and preserving of the former only the last four paragraphs and the half of the preceding one. We approved and reported it to Congress."
This issue of The Pennsylvania Ledger, a Loyalist newspaper, reprints in full in 3.5 columns on pages one and four, "A Declaration by the Representatives of the United Colonies of North-America, now met in General Congress at Philadelphia, setting forth the Causes and Necessity of their taking up Arms" noting that it was issued "By Order of Congress,/John Hancock, President/Attested, Charles Thompson [sic, Thomson], Secretary,/Philadelphia, July 6th, 1775." This declaration was a prelude to the Declaration of Independence issued almost exactly one year later. There is much news from London and reports of British soldiers killed and wounded including Major Pitcairn, killed at Bunker Hill ("Bunker Hill" is not mentioned in the listing). James Humphreys began publishing The Pennsylvania Ledger on January 28, 1775; this was only his 25th issue. A Loyalist, he suspended publication on November 30 1776, presumably because of lack of advertising by Patriots. He resumed when the British occupied Philadelphia on October 10, 1777. On December 3rd, it became a semi-weekly issued on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On May 23, 1778, just prior to the British evacuation of Philadelphia, Humphreys left for New York, then to England. He returned to Philadelphia in 1797 when he resumed his printing business, but not his newspaper, until his death in 1810. According to the History and Bibliography of American Newspapers, 1690-1820 by Clarence Saunders Brigham, only five institutions, including the Library of Congress, have the July 15, 1775, issue of The Pennsylvania Ledger. This newspaper, of the utmost importance in American history, is in very fine condition. It is displayed in a 12" x 18" black leatherette presentation folder, one-eighth red at the spine, with "The/Pennsylvania/Ledger" and "July 15, 1775/Declaration of the Causes/for Taking up Arms" in gilt lettering on the cover.
Lot of Revolutionary War Newspapers. Five 18th century newspapers consisting of The Connecticut Courant and Weekly Intelligencer dated February 6, 1781 plus four editions of The Connecticut Gazette; and the Universal Intelligencer, published by Timothy Green, printed during the last years of the war: October 11, 1782; May 31, 1782; December 12, 1783; June 20, 1783. In addition to "signed in print" George Washington columns, one noting "This day Nov. 25th 1783, General Washington with part of the American Army took possession of the city of New York..." there are other relevant war related articles, topics include articles on gambling, the new administration, new Post Offices established, codfishing, ships arriving, and interesting advertising including a runaway slave ad. Varying states of condition, overall very good.
When the war ended exactly is confusing. It kind of petered out after Yorktown into small raids. In November of 1782, the British agreed to American Independence and made a preliminary accord with America. In January of 1783, they signed the preliminary peace treaty with France and Spain. On April 14th, the Governor of New Jersey issued a Proclamation that ended formal hostilities. The British were still in New York City. Not until November 23rd, 1783 were they to leave the city. To many historians, Washington riding into New York City with the remainder of the army (most had been furloughed) is the real end of the war. The newspaper in this lot has the report of that momentous event.
When the war ended exactly is confusing. It kind of petered out after Yorktown into small raids. In November of 1782, the British agreed to American Independence and made a preliminary accord with America. In January of 1783, they signed the preliminary peace treaty with France and Spain. On April 14th, the Governor of New Jersey issued a Proclamation that ended formal hostilities. The British were still in New York City. Not until November 23rd, 1783 were they to leave the city. To many historians, Washington riding into New York City with the remainder of the army (most had been furloughed) is the real end of the war. The newspaper in this lot has the report of that momentous event.
Autographs
(Colonial New York) A collection of ten manuscript pieces, some signed by notables, relative to the history of colonial New York. Includes Abraham Livingston (1754-1782) A.D.S. New York, September 2, 1774 a receipt from Jellis Fonda (an ancestor of the noted acting family) for £62.18.8 "...which by his desire I am to Send to Jamaica in order for recovery..."; Jacob Garland D.S. Kingston, April, 22 1774 a receipt for a saddle and "1 Side Leather"; New York mayor Whitehead Hicks E.S. (signed twice), December 20, 1753 on the verso of a vellum deed in which Thomas Seymor ("Mariner") of New York sells Charles Doughty of Brooklyn for a lot and dwelling "...on the North East side of the Road that leads from the Ferry on Nassau Island in Kings County throught the town of Brucklyn..." for the sum of £260. Soiled and toned; Jacob C. Ten Eyck E.S., Albany, October 26, 1764. Weak folds reinforced on verso, marginal losses; Benjamin Reid A.D.S. New York, July 13, 1773, a receipt for £4.11 "Being in full of my Pay for Writing in the Deputy Adjutant General's Office..."; Philip Schuyler Jr. (b. 1666) A.L.S. February 18, 1723/4 in Dutch to Robert Livingston announcing the death of his father. Very clean and bright; New York Mayor Robert Walker D.S. New York, 1723; (New York City) D.S. by 13 member of an "Inquisition... taken at the House of Sarah Brock Innkeeper Situate in... Wall Street and near the City Hall...", April 12, [1773]. Fold separations and chipping; (Albany) D.S. Albany, April 7, 1743 being a suit by the city of Albany against Peter Binneway; (New York) D.S. November 14, 1713 a summons for Martha Pirod "...to answer Hester Bloom..." for a debt. Together ten pieces in good to fine condition overall. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
George Armstrong Custer Letter Signed on blue-lined stationery, two pages, 7.5" x 9.75", "Camp near Fort Hays Kansas", May 3, 1867. The letter, titled "Circular No 12", states (in full): "Attention having been frequently called of late to the prevalence of profanity among both Officers and men of this command. The Brevet Major General Commanding the Regiment [i.e., Custer] deems it his duty to adopt measures for its prevention. It has been considered of sufficient importance as to be made the subject of an Article of War. Aside from any questions of morality connected therewith, the unrestrained use of profane and vulgar language, either by inferiors or superiors, in each other's presence or hearing, is calculated and tends to undermine discipline, and to destroy that becoming and necessary respect which the subordinate should feel for a superior. Its use by a superior tends to weaken his authority; if unchecked in an inferior, its tendency is to establish undue familiarity and lack of respect for proper authority."
"It is urged therefore upon all Officers and men to cast their influence against this growing and unnecessary evil, and Officers are hereby directed on all occasions to rebuke and punish all men of this command who in future are guilty of the use of profane or vulgar language. It should be sufficient for all to know that both orders and the Articles of War prohibit the evil complained of, but infinitely more important is the fact that the Divine Law, before which all other authority bows in humble submission, proclaims and declares 'Thou shalt not swear.'"
"Company Commanders will cause this circular to be published to every man in their command. Officers of the Day in future will instruct all sentinels and camp guards to suppress every instance of this disorder occurring in the vicinity of their posts, and to cause the arrest of any men who they may hear making use of profane or vulgar language. G. A. Custer Lieut Col 7th Cavy. and Brev Maj Genl U.S.A. Commd'g Regiment"
Custer's directive is dated the day he arrived at Fort Hays, Kansas, reporting to General Winfield Scott Hancock. One month later, Custer, along with a column of 350 infantry, 20 wagons, and the 7th Cavalry, departed Fort Hays in search of renegade Indians. When Custer took command of the 7th U.S. Cavalry in early 1867, it was his desire to turn the 7th into a crack regiment, as Custer's wife Libbie put it: "...to bring that motley crowd into military subjection". Hence, Custer's directive against profanity in the ranks. It is interesting to note that, during the Civil War, Custer acquired a well-deserved reputation for his extravagant use of profanity, so much so that even his most hardened Wolverines (the nickname for his Michigan Cavalry Brigade) were shocked by his language. It was said that Custer reserved his choicest expletives not for his enemies, but for his colleagues. A wonderful directive, considering its source. In fine condition.
"It is urged therefore upon all Officers and men to cast their influence against this growing and unnecessary evil, and Officers are hereby directed on all occasions to rebuke and punish all men of this command who in future are guilty of the use of profane or vulgar language. It should be sufficient for all to know that both orders and the Articles of War prohibit the evil complained of, but infinitely more important is the fact that the Divine Law, before which all other authority bows in humble submission, proclaims and declares 'Thou shalt not swear.'"
"Company Commanders will cause this circular to be published to every man in their command. Officers of the Day in future will instruct all sentinels and camp guards to suppress every instance of this disorder occurring in the vicinity of their posts, and to cause the arrest of any men who they may hear making use of profane or vulgar language. G. A. Custer Lieut Col 7th Cavy. and Brev Maj Genl U.S.A. Commd'g Regiment"
Custer's directive is dated the day he arrived at Fort Hays, Kansas, reporting to General Winfield Scott Hancock. One month later, Custer, along with a column of 350 infantry, 20 wagons, and the 7th Cavalry, departed Fort Hays in search of renegade Indians. When Custer took command of the 7th U.S. Cavalry in early 1867, it was his desire to turn the 7th into a crack regiment, as Custer's wife Libbie put it: "...to bring that motley crowd into military subjection". Hence, Custer's directive against profanity in the ranks. It is interesting to note that, during the Civil War, Custer acquired a well-deserved reputation for his extravagant use of profanity, so much so that even his most hardened Wolverines (the nickname for his Michigan Cavalry Brigade) were shocked by his language. It was said that Custer reserved his choicest expletives not for his enemies, but for his colleagues. A wonderful directive, considering its source. In fine condition.
Outstanding Autograph Letter by George A. Custer Signed Once in Full and Initialed Twice A.L.S. "G.A. Custer" in pencil, 1 p., 7.75" x 9.75", Fort Lincoln, D[akota].T[erritory], Apl 12, 1876. Addressed to the Honorable A.H. Barnes: "A large number of parties in and near Bismarck have been arrested charged with committing petty thefts of government property from this post. They and their friends are making strong efforts to secure the removal of US Commander Jackman before whom all their cases have been taken. If he is removed I believe the public interests will suffer and that the guilty parties alone will gain by any change." There are two brief postscripts added beneath which he has initialed but which are largely illegible. With usual folds and lightly smudged due to use of soft lead pencil, paper is very clean and signature is quite clear.
Outstanding 1872 Signed Document by George A. Custer as Lt. Colonel of the 7th Cavalry Mentioning Indians and the Battle of Washita Superb D.S. "G.A. Custer" with rank, 1p., 7.75 x 12.5", date stamped June 26, 1872. Document reads, in large part: "I certify on honor that when I took command of the Indian Expedition of 1868 & 9, Capt Wm. Thompson under my immediate command was the owner of two (2) private horses, one a sorrel and the other a dark bay, said to have been obtained from Major Joel A. Elliott each of which was reasonably worth One hundred and Sixty five ($165) dollars. Capt Thompson had both of these horse with him at the battle of the Washita. I T. On the second expedition to the Washita I learned that one of his horses, the Elliott horse as he was called, had given out and was unfit for services. I afterwards learned from Creditable Official Sources, that the horse had to be and was abandoned when Capt. Thompson left under orders for Leavenworth on the 18th of February 1869. The stock of the entire Expedition were without land forage, excepting such dry goods as could be found on the prairies and cotton wood bronse occasionally. Short forage was occasionally scarce and the horses suffered wonderfully from this cause. More than half the horses of the command died and most of them probably from the want of proper forage which the Government could not supply. The Expedition finally left camp at what is now Fort Gile on the 2nd of March 1869 and afterwards arrived at Fort Hays. G.A. Custer Lt Col 7th Cavalry"
In the 1868 Battle of Washita, Custer had slaughtered all of Chief Black Kettle's Cheyennes along the Washita River. Custer mentions this horrifying battle most casually in this document in relation to horses belonging to one of his officers, Capt. William Thompson. The treaty of 1868, which guarantees the Sioux all the land comprising the western half of South Dakota, was clearly violated when shortly after the treaty was signed, General Sheridan sent Custer with a large complement of troops into the Black Hills to reconnoiter a site for a new fort. The Black Hills were sacred to the Sioux, and Custer's intrusion marked the beginning of the Indian Wars eventually leading to his demise at Little Big Horn and culminating in General Miles' Wounded Knee massacre of the Lakota, the last fighting between white soldiers and Native Americans. Documents signed by Custer as Colonel of the 7th Cavalry have become increasingly difficult to obtain.
In the 1868 Battle of Washita, Custer had slaughtered all of Chief Black Kettle's Cheyennes along the Washita River. Custer mentions this horrifying battle most casually in this document in relation to horses belonging to one of his officers, Capt. William Thompson. The treaty of 1868, which guarantees the Sioux all the land comprising the western half of South Dakota, was clearly violated when shortly after the treaty was signed, General Sheridan sent Custer with a large complement of troops into the Black Hills to reconnoiter a site for a new fort. The Black Hills were sacred to the Sioux, and Custer's intrusion marked the beginning of the Indian Wars eventually leading to his demise at Little Big Horn and culminating in General Miles' Wounded Knee massacre of the Lakota, the last fighting between white soldiers and Native Americans. Documents signed by Custer as Colonel of the 7th Cavalry have become increasingly difficult to obtain.
General George A. Custer Autograph Letter Signed in the Third Person 1p., 7.75" x 6.25", Fort Lincoln, D[akota]. T[erritory]., June 5, 1874. Custer pens the following to an unidentified correspondent (in full): "Gen Custers compliments, his regrets, likewise, in response to your kind invitation. His absence should never create surprise, except from his own habitation. This being written his duty might end. With no fear of being called Alfred Tennyson, He simply desires, however, to send you, the accompanying leg of venison. Fort Lincoln D.T., Jun 5th 1874."
This fine handwritten letter was penned just one month before Custer departed Fort Abraham Lincoln in command of the sixty-day Black Hills Expedition (July 2 - August 30, 1874). On June 8, 1874, just three days after Custer's letter, General Alfred H. Terry, Commander of the Department of Dakota, sent orders to Custer to prepare an expeditionary party for the purpose of reconnoitering the Black Hills region, an immense tract of 43,000 square miles which had been set aside as a reservation for the Sioux Indians (Treaty of 1868). This expedition was viewed as a direct violation of the treaty by supporters of the Indians, which barred whites from the Great Sioux Reservation. Although the official purpose was to find a suitable site for a military post, these expeditions were likely spurred by reports of abundant game, timber, water - and GOLD!!
Lieut. General Philip Sheridan, Commander of the Division of the Missouri, expected war with the Sioux and sought to gain positive information as to its resources and topography while he still could. With Custer were 10 companies of the 7th Cavalry, two companies of infantry, a "scientific corps" (engineers, topographers, and other specialists, as well as two miners), Indian scouts, three journalists and William H. Illingworth, stereoscopic photographer. The expedition, consisting of about 1,000 men in all, included 110 wagons and ambulances, three Gatling guns and a 3-inch rifle. On July 30, 1874, one of the miners, Horatio Nelson Ross, discovered gold in French Creek, near General Custer's Golden Valley camp (present day Custer City, South Dakota). The discovery set off gold fever, as settlers and would-be miners rushed to prospect - and eventually overrun - the virgin wilderness. The government was soon forced to "manufacture" a war against the Sioux in order to justify the abuses to come. Boldly written, with minor foxing along the folds, otherwise very good to near fine condition.
This fine handwritten letter was penned just one month before Custer departed Fort Abraham Lincoln in command of the sixty-day Black Hills Expedition (July 2 - August 30, 1874). On June 8, 1874, just three days after Custer's letter, General Alfred H. Terry, Commander of the Department of Dakota, sent orders to Custer to prepare an expeditionary party for the purpose of reconnoitering the Black Hills region, an immense tract of 43,000 square miles which had been set aside as a reservation for the Sioux Indians (Treaty of 1868). This expedition was viewed as a direct violation of the treaty by supporters of the Indians, which barred whites from the Great Sioux Reservation. Although the official purpose was to find a suitable site for a military post, these expeditions were likely spurred by reports of abundant game, timber, water - and GOLD!!
Lieut. General Philip Sheridan, Commander of the Division of the Missouri, expected war with the Sioux and sought to gain positive information as to its resources and topography while he still could. With Custer were 10 companies of the 7th Cavalry, two companies of infantry, a "scientific corps" (engineers, topographers, and other specialists, as well as two miners), Indian scouts, three journalists and William H. Illingworth, stereoscopic photographer. The expedition, consisting of about 1,000 men in all, included 110 wagons and ambulances, three Gatling guns and a 3-inch rifle. On July 30, 1874, one of the miners, Horatio Nelson Ross, discovered gold in French Creek, near General Custer's Golden Valley camp (present day Custer City, South Dakota). The discovery set off gold fever, as settlers and would-be miners rushed to prospect - and eventually overrun - the virgin wilderness. The government was soon forced to "manufacture" a war against the Sioux in order to justify the abuses to come. Boldly written, with minor foxing along the folds, otherwise very good to near fine condition.
General George Armstrong Custer Autograph Note Signed "G A Custer Bvt Maj Genl Comg 3 Div". One page (front and back) of a lined 8" x 4.5" sheet excised from a longer full page letter, no place, no date [1864], to the governor of the state of New York. In part, "I take great pleasure in recommending Major M. B. Birdseye for the Lieut Colonelcy of the 2nd New York Cavalry there being a vacancy in that grade in that regiment. Major Birdseye is an active, energetic, gallant, and experienced officer, and desires the promotion...believing the promotion to be merited by faithful and gallant services in the field as well as by the ability and qualification of Major Birdseye." A check of Mortimer B. Birdseye's Civil War service record shows that Custer's recommendation was acted upon with Birdseye's promotion to lieutenant colonel taking effect on December 1, 1864. Fine condition.
Jefferson Davis Manuscript Letter Signed "Jeffer. Davis." One page, 7.75" x 9.75", plain paper, Washington, October 22, 1855, to the Hon. John Randolph Clay. At the time of writing, Davis was secretary of war for President Franklin Pierce. Clay was a career diplomat who served in Europe and Latin America in the period between 1830 and 1860 and, in 1855, was stationed in Peru. This is a letter of introduction to Clay for a "...Mr. J. R Warren of New York who is about to visit Peru with the view of commencing business as a merchant..." Expected original folds, else very fine with a large signature.
Also included in this lot is a handsome carte de visite by E. & H.T. Anthony from a negative by Mathew Brady. Together, these two pieces would make an excellent display.
Also included in this lot is a handsome carte de visite by E. & H.T. Anthony from a negative by Mathew Brady. Together, these two pieces would make an excellent display.
Military & Patriotic
Abner Doubleday War-dated Autograph Letter Signed Lobbying to be Reassigned From his Post Defending Washington Good content A.L.S. "A. Doubleday", 2 pp., 5" x 7.75", Washington, D.C., March 2, 1862, to Colonel William H. Christian, Commander Ft. Lyon writing in hopes of transferring out of his appointment as Inspector of Washington's defenses. A despondent Doubleday writes: "I have been shelved for the present by being placed in command of the Forts on this side of the River. My friends are very indignant and as Sec. Stanton did not issue the order they think they can have it changed. You may rest assured I shall use every exertion to go into the Field and as Senators Wade and Chandler & others are disposed to use their influence in my behalf I am not without hopes they may be successful. If so, you may rely upon my obtaining your Regiment..." Included is the original transmittal cover addressed in Doubleday's hand and marked "Private".
Together with a manuscript copy of Special Orders number 54 as ordered by Major General McClellan. The orders reads, "Brig General Abner Doubleday Volunteer service is assigned to duty as Inspector of the defensive works about Washington, and to the immediate charge of those on the Maryland side." Secretarially signed by McClellan. A great pairing, both documents in near fine condition with soiling to transmittal envelope as commensurate with use.
Together with a manuscript copy of Special Orders number 54 as ordered by Major General McClellan. The orders reads, "Brig General Abner Doubleday Volunteer service is assigned to duty as Inspector of the defensive works about Washington, and to the immediate charge of those on the Maryland side." Secretarially signed by McClellan. A great pairing, both documents in near fine condition with soiling to transmittal envelope as commensurate with use.
Autographs
Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA General, Partial Document Signed "N. B. Forrest". A 8.25" x 3.75" removed from an 1870 Selma, Marion and Memphis Railroad Bond, dated September 1, 1870. Forrest served as president of this railroad before resigning due to the Panic of 1873, a national crisis impacting banks and businesses across the South. Printed in black ink and blindstamped with official company seal. Beautifully preserved and in fine condition.
Robert E. Lee Autograph Letter Signed on blue-lined stationery, one page, 7.75" x 9.75", Lexington, Virginia, March (?) 24, 1869. Written to "Genl A. C. Niven, Monticello, N.Y." (in full): "My dear Sir Col: Jeremiah Morion, a gentleman of high social standing & well known in Virginia, who has filled many public offices in his native State, was a member of Congress from Va: for some years before 1860, informs me that he is about to visit the North to call the attention of men of capital to the great value of the mineral, timber & agricultural resources of W. Virginia. He desires to have it in his power to refer to some gentleman of prominence at the North, for the information of those who may require it, as to his social position at the South, & I venture to trespass upon your kindness so far as to introduce him to your acquaintance, in the belief that you will find him as I have represented. With kindest regards to Mrs. Niven & your daughter, I am with great respect your Obt Servt R.E.Lee"
Late in his life, Robert E. Lee writes concerning a business trip to be made in the near future to the North by Jeremiah Morton (1799-1878) - who once served as a Whig Representative from Virginia in the Thirty-first Congress (March, 1849 - March, 1851) - for the purpose of bringing West Virginia's major mineral, timber and agricultural resources to the attention of wealthy businessmen. The state of West Virginia was created during the Civil War as a result of the sectional differences between the citizens who lived west of the Alleghenies (few of whom owned slaves) and the more powerful landed gentry who lived to the east. On April 3, 1862, a constitution for the state of West Virginia was ratified by voters who took the oath of allegiance to the Union. Though the Congress approved the bill admitting West Virginia, President Lincoln disapproved and considered vetoing it, though he reluctantly gave his consent on December 13, 1862. The new state formally entered the Union on June 20, 1863. During the war, the new state, like Missouri, suffered from its own civil strife during the bitter four years of struggle. The official dismemberment of Virginia took decades to heal - an effort that Lee here assists in this fine letter. In fine condition.
Late in his life, Robert E. Lee writes concerning a business trip to be made in the near future to the North by Jeremiah Morton (1799-1878) - who once served as a Whig Representative from Virginia in the Thirty-first Congress (March, 1849 - March, 1851) - for the purpose of bringing West Virginia's major mineral, timber and agricultural resources to the attention of wealthy businessmen. The state of West Virginia was created during the Civil War as a result of the sectional differences between the citizens who lived west of the Alleghenies (few of whom owned slaves) and the more powerful landed gentry who lived to the east. On April 3, 1862, a constitution for the state of West Virginia was ratified by voters who took the oath of allegiance to the Union. Though the Congress approved the bill admitting West Virginia, President Lincoln disapproved and considered vetoing it, though he reluctantly gave his consent on December 13, 1862. The new state formally entered the Union on June 20, 1863. During the war, the new state, like Missouri, suffered from its own civil strife during the bitter four years of struggle. The official dismemberment of Virginia took decades to heal - an effort that Lee here assists in this fine letter. In fine condition.
Robert E. Lee Carte de Visite Signed "R E Lee". A handsome bust portrait of Lee with a 2¢ Revenue stamp on the verso near a "Brady's Gallery" cancellation dated May 24, 1866. Lee, of course, was the most celebrated general of the Confederate forces during the Civil War. He spent his post-war life as president of Washington College (now Washington and Lee University).The CDV has a horizontal crease running across Lee's shoulders well away from the signature. A rare and desirable signed photo.
Robert E. Lee, CSA General, 1839 Document Signed "R E Lee / Capt Engrs". One page, partly printed partial document, 8" x 3", [n.p.], September 20, 1839. He signs beneath the printed words, "I Certify, That the articles within charged have been received, were necessary for, and have been or will be applied, for the objects within stated, to the Improvement of the Mississippi, above the Mouth of the Ohio." The verso of the document shows a $1.50 expenditure to Chas. Ryhiner "For repairing spirit levels of Theodolite" which is a surveying instrument consisting of a small telescope mounted on a tripod. Ryhiner was a Swiss-born emigrant who had set up a business on Chestnut street in St. Louis as a mathematical instrument maker. 1839 was a period in Lee's life when he was working on various Mississippi River projects as an officer in the Corps of Engineers. Original folds, else fine with a clear bold signature.
Books
George B. McClellan: Manual of Bayonet Exercise Prepared for Use of the Army of the United States. (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Company, 1862), 118 pages, 24 full-page line drawings, black cloth with blind stamped rules and eagle motif on front and rear boards, gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), moderate foxing throughout, wear to cloth at the corners and edges of boards, small holes in cloth on the spine slightly affecting titles, else very good. McClellan translated the manual from the original French, and it was published for the first time in the fall of 1852. George Brinton McClellan (1826-1885) is perhaps best known for his role as commander of the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War.
Autographs
Daniel Ruggles Draft Autograph Manuscript Report. Rare Autograph Manuscript (unsigned), 1.25 pages, 7.75" x 12.25", front and verso, [n.p], [n.d.], but likely written at his headquarters in Corinth, Mississippi, circa May 9-16, 1862.
In full: "I have the honor to report, for the information of the Commanding General of the Forces that in obedience to instructions I marched my Division on the morning of the 9th of May to Farmington along the lower Southern road near which we arrived about 11 o'clock A.M. after having encountered Small Scouts of the Enemy. In the vicinity of the Town we discovered a body of his cavalry and brought a Section of Captain Ducatel's Orleans Guards Battery to bear dispersing them. My Troops took possession of the village and the Enemys Telegraph and holding the Brigades in columns in readiness to deploy. I directed a Section of Captain Hodgson's, a Section of Captain Ducatel's and a Section of Captain Hoxton's Batteries into action against masses of the Enemy apparently accompanying a line Some distance in front, awaiting in the meantime the advance of General Van Dorn's Forces on my right. The Forces on the left, General Trapier, having already arrived on my left. Under instructions from the Comdg General I then deployed into line, holding the Fourth Brigade in reserve and advanced against the Enemy and encountered his fire near the road leading to the left of Farmington towards the crossing of Chamber Creek. The Enemy was Sheltered by the high bank along the roadside and a dense thicket bordering."
This draft, probably his first, include about one-third of Ruggles' final report to Major G. G. Garner, Assistant Adjutant General, from his Headquarters, Army of Mississippi, Corinth, Mississippi, on May 16, 1862. The final report was published in 1878 in a monthly issue of the Southern Historical Society Papers.
With numerous corrections and edits in his hand. The lower blank portion of the second page has been affixed to an 8.5" x 11" sheet, with light staining at blank margin, in near fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
In full: "I have the honor to report, for the information of the Commanding General of the Forces that in obedience to instructions I marched my Division on the morning of the 9th of May to Farmington along the lower Southern road near which we arrived about 11 o'clock A.M. after having encountered Small Scouts of the Enemy. In the vicinity of the Town we discovered a body of his cavalry and brought a Section of Captain Ducatel's Orleans Guards Battery to bear dispersing them. My Troops took possession of the village and the Enemys Telegraph and holding the Brigades in columns in readiness to deploy. I directed a Section of Captain Hodgson's, a Section of Captain Ducatel's and a Section of Captain Hoxton's Batteries into action against masses of the Enemy apparently accompanying a line Some distance in front, awaiting in the meantime the advance of General Van Dorn's Forces on my right. The Forces on the left, General Trapier, having already arrived on my left. Under instructions from the Comdg General I then deployed into line, holding the Fourth Brigade in reserve and advanced against the Enemy and encountered his fire near the road leading to the left of Farmington towards the crossing of Chamber Creek. The Enemy was Sheltered by the high bank along the roadside and a dense thicket bordering."
This draft, probably his first, include about one-third of Ruggles' final report to Major G. G. Garner, Assistant Adjutant General, from his Headquarters, Army of Mississippi, Corinth, Mississippi, on May 16, 1862. The final report was published in 1878 in a monthly issue of the Southern Historical Society Papers.
With numerous corrections and edits in his hand. The lower blank portion of the second page has been affixed to an 8.5" x 11" sheet, with light staining at blank margin, in near fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Historic Military Content Winfield Scott Letter Signed, 2pp., 5" x 8.25", Washington, January 19, 1861, to Maj. Gen. Charles W. Sandford (1796-1878). In this letter, Scott identifies the threat to the vulnerable capital, and asks specifically for the Seventh New York State Militia, one of the best-trained and outfitted peace-time regiments in the country. The letter reads in full: "I have written to his Excellency Governor Morgan, on the subject referred to in your letter, and took the liberty of advising him to confer with you upon the subject of organization. I quote, for your information, the first two paragraphs of that letter, as follows: 'I am very sure that the President [Buchanan], as yet, has not seriously thought of calling for volunteers of militia from any quarter beyond this district, & to maintain the peace here, the local militia, the constabulary & some 700 regulars - including three companies of horse or flying artillery are at present, deemed sufficient. Perhaps, no regiment or company can be brought here, from a distance, without producing hurtful jealousies in this vicinity. If there be an exception, it is the 7th Infantry, of the City of New York, which has become somewhat national, & is held, deservedly, in the highest respect from its escorting the remains of President Monroe from New York to Richmond & its presence at the inauguration of the statues of the Father of his country in Washington." In Scott's hand: "I remain, my dear General, Very truly yrs, Winfield Scott".
The famous 7th Infantry of New York city dates its origin from April, 1806, when Companies A, B, C and D, were organized at the time of the excitement created by the British firing on American vessels off Sandy Hook. At the beginning of 1861, it was known as one of the best appointed and drilled militia regiments then in existence. It was composed of excellent men and equipment, all its members being young men engaged in active business pursuits in NYC, and was the first New York regiment to leave for the front. Its departure for Washington, April 19, 1861 - the three months lapse after Scott's initial request in this letter, due most likely to indecision on behalf of President Buchanan - was attended by scenes of great excitement and enthusiasm, its line of march through the streets of New York met with cheers of encouragement from the citizens.
News of the riot in Baltimore, in which some of the soldiers of the 6th Massachusetts were killed, was received before the regiment left New York, and the members were each provided with 48 rounds of ball-cartridge. On reaching Philadelphia orders were received to deviate from the route through Baltimore, as it was highly important that the regiment should reach Washington as soon as possible.
A superb military letter from Winfield Scott of immense historical significance. In fine condition, and worthy of inclusion in the finest collections of Civil War manuscripts.
The famous 7th Infantry of New York city dates its origin from April, 1806, when Companies A, B, C and D, were organized at the time of the excitement created by the British firing on American vessels off Sandy Hook. At the beginning of 1861, it was known as one of the best appointed and drilled militia regiments then in existence. It was composed of excellent men and equipment, all its members being young men engaged in active business pursuits in NYC, and was the first New York regiment to leave for the front. Its departure for Washington, April 19, 1861 - the three months lapse after Scott's initial request in this letter, due most likely to indecision on behalf of President Buchanan - was attended by scenes of great excitement and enthusiasm, its line of march through the streets of New York met with cheers of encouragement from the citizens.
News of the riot in Baltimore, in which some of the soldiers of the 6th Massachusetts were killed, was received before the regiment left New York, and the members were each provided with 48 rounds of ball-cartridge. On reaching Philadelphia orders were received to deviate from the route through Baltimore, as it was highly important that the regiment should reach Washington as soon as possible.
A superb military letter from Winfield Scott of immense historical significance. In fine condition, and worthy of inclusion in the finest collections of Civil War manuscripts.
CSA General JEB Stuart Autograph Note Signed "Lieut J. E. B. Stuart." One page, 8" x 5", plain paper, Fort Riley, K.T. (Kansas Territory), no date. Stuart resigned his U.S. Army commission on May 14, 1861 to join the Confederate army following the secession of his home state of Virginia. Rapidly promoted to major general and placed in charge of the Cavalry Division of the army of Northern Virginia, he proved himself to be a premier intelligence officer and was considered the "eyes of the CSA." His death at Yellow Tavern was a blow to the Southern cause.
This note was written in the 1855-1858 period while Stuart was stationed in Kansas with the U.S. First Cavalry. Interestingly, Stuart was married to his beloved wife Flora, daughter of daughter of Col. Philip St. George Cooke, at Fort Riley on November 14, 1855- just one month before he was promoted first lieutenant. This note reads, in full: "Be sure to direct / Lieut J. E. B. Stuart / Fort Riley / K.T. / P.S. I enclose also $3 more for which please / send the Congressional Globe & appendix to / P. F. Taylor / Fort Riley / K.T." Folds and light toning, else fine with a beautiful bold signature. Also included in this lot is a representative three-dollar note from the Phoenix Bank, contemporary to the period.
This note was written in the 1855-1858 period while Stuart was stationed in Kansas with the U.S. First Cavalry. Interestingly, Stuart was married to his beloved wife Flora, daughter of daughter of Col. Philip St. George Cooke, at Fort Riley on November 14, 1855- just one month before he was promoted first lieutenant. This note reads, in full: "Be sure to direct / Lieut J. E. B. Stuart / Fort Riley / K.T. / P.S. I enclose also $3 more for which please / send the Congressional Globe & appendix to / P. F. Taylor / Fort Riley / K.T." Folds and light toning, else fine with a beautiful bold signature. Also included in this lot is a representative three-dollar note from the Phoenix Bank, contemporary to the period.
Autograph Letters Signed by Horace Greeley, Gideon Wells and Captain Samuel P. Lee, all addressed to George H. Beaman, various locations. George Beaman, a rising young journalist from Vermont, landed in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War and did not retire from uniform until 1899. Here are three letters addressed to Beaman by famous men of his day. The antebellum letter regards journalism whereas the subsequent letters are naval. The letters are as follows:
Horace Greeley ALS,, one page, 5" x 8", New York, August 2, 1858. It reads:"I have yours of Saturday. Personally, I do not interfere with the foreign correspondence of our paper, Mr. Dana having exclusive control of it. If, however, I can say any word that can help you, I shall gladly do so." A supportive letter from the most powerful newspaperman of the day.
Gideon Wells LS, one page, 8" x 10", Washington, D.C., May 7, 1862. Secretarially penned letter allowing Beaman to be examined for qualifications as Assistant Paymaster. Bold signature of Lincoln's Secretary of the Navy.
Samuel Phillips Lee Letter Signed, "S. P. Lee", two pages on Mississippi Squadron letterhead, Mound City, Illinois, August 12, 1865. Beaman is released from the Squadron at war's end. The signatory, Samuel Phillips Lee was an acting rear admiral and Commander of the Mississippi Squadron. Although, a Virginian and kinsman to Robert Lee, he stayed true to the Union during the war. All letters enjoy light, even toning. A few minor stains, expected folds Fine condition.
Horace Greeley ALS,, one page, 5" x 8", New York, August 2, 1858. It reads:"I have yours of Saturday. Personally, I do not interfere with the foreign correspondence of our paper, Mr. Dana having exclusive control of it. If, however, I can say any word that can help you, I shall gladly do so." A supportive letter from the most powerful newspaperman of the day.
Gideon Wells LS, one page, 8" x 10", Washington, D.C., May 7, 1862. Secretarially penned letter allowing Beaman to be examined for qualifications as Assistant Paymaster. Bold signature of Lincoln's Secretary of the Navy.
Samuel Phillips Lee Letter Signed, "S. P. Lee", two pages on Mississippi Squadron letterhead, Mound City, Illinois, August 12, 1865. Beaman is released from the Squadron at war's end. The signatory, Samuel Phillips Lee was an acting rear admiral and Commander of the Mississippi Squadron. Although, a Virginian and kinsman to Robert Lee, he stayed true to the Union during the war. All letters enjoy light, even toning. A few minor stains, expected folds Fine condition.
Civil War Era Politics. A large collection of 35 pieces in a variety of formats consisting of various Civil War era politicians. Includes Clement L. Vallandingham, a striking signed carte-de-visite photograph signed vertically at right of his image. Clement L. Vallandingham A.L.S., August 12, 1861 concerning a set of speeches. Dampstained. Kentucky governor Thomas E. Bramlette a lengthy and very fine content A.L.S., March 14, 1864 concerning the awkward position of Kentucky as a border state: "The position of our people is incomprehensible to Rebels and radicals. The rebel thinks strange that we should fight against the South - and calls us 'Abolitionists;' The Radical thinks it curious that we should fight to preserve the Union and uphold the Government, and not be in favor of making it a war of the liberation of the negro and callus us 'Copperhead'...Neither rebel nor radical can embrace within the feeble grasp of his intellect the idea that to maintain our Government as constituted and enforce its just demands, is the only hope of perpetuating free government..." Much more fine content, too lengthy to quote here; Connecticut Governor William W. Buckingham, A.L.S., August 2, 1863 concerning rail road matters; William W. Buckingham, A.L.S. February 2, 1864; William W. Buckingham, William W. Buckingham, A.L.S., December 19, 1873 to George Sherman; William W. Buckingham; William W. Buckingham A.L.S. January 3, 1874 to George Sherman regarding James A. Norton; William W. Buckingham A.L.S. October 8, 1863; William W. Buckingham A.L.S. January 11, 1865 concerning a prisoner exchange; Massachusetts governor John A. Andrew A.Q.S. September 2, 1864, "'The Sword! - a name of dread; yet when Upon the freeman's thigh 'tis bound, While for his alter & his health, While fro the land that gave him birth, The War-drums roll, the trumpets sound, How sacred it is then!'"; John A. Andrew E.S., June 4, 1863 concerning a recruit from Haverhill. Mounted; (John A. Andrew) mounted carte-de-visite photograph; Benjamin F. Wade L.S. March 26, 1862 to Charles Sumner making an introduction; Benjamin F. Wade Franking signature on an envelope addressed in his hand, Cleveland October 25, 1861; Aaron Walker A.L.S. February 21, 1863 concerning problems entering Congress in mid session and his speech "'The Immediate cause of the Rebellion'"; John E. Ward A.L.S., Paris, July 7, 1865 concerning "availing myself of the general proclamation of amnesty, The oath of allegiance to the government. I am certainly prepared to take with great cheerfulness..." Norman Ward A.L.S. August 12, 1863 to Mayor George Banks dunning the latter for "stores and services in fitting out your Expedition..."'; Philadelphia Mayor Daniel M. Fox A.L.S. July 5, 1869 thanking General J. Hoffman "...for the Documents and also your suggestion in relation to the suppression of Commotion..."; Charles Francis Adams Signature mounted to a larger sheet; Provisional Alabama governor Lewis E. Parsons A.L.S. August 26, 1865 to President Andrew Johnson endorsing the latter's choice for district attorney; Washington Barrow A.L.S. June 18, 1849; Lincoln conspirators judge Joseph Holt, A.L.S. September 26, 1887 concerning his tenure as Secretary of War; C. C. Egan A.L.S. November 18, 1862 to Horatio Seymour congratulating the latter on "...the glorious, conservative v victory, achieved by the Democrats, & Whigs, at the late election, in the overthrow of Republican misrule..." and then begging a favor for a political ally; S. Brush A.L.S. March 10, 1862 to S. S. Cox at Washington congratulating the latter on his "...success in your speech in reply to Mr Gurley... the most valuable services... in holding in check thee efforts of the Malignant Traiters [sic] to our Constitution, who desire to destroy all that is valuable and dear to us, in their insane effort to abolish Slavery and reduce Sovereign States to the Condition of dependent Provinces..." Matt H. Carpenter good content A.L.S. January 19, 1866 begging his correspondent that "If you publish any of my speeches... taking such liberty with the text as you please, so you do not make me a 'Copperhead'..."; Pennsylvania Congressman John D. Stiles A.N.S. February 6, 1863; Senator Lucien Baker T.L.S. March 17, 1897 concerning "the National Home for disables Volunteer Soldiers..."; Maine governor Abner Coburn, D.S. April 1, 1863; Ohio Congressman William R. Warnock T.L.S. September 8, 1902 requesting a copy of John Hay's eulogy for William McKinley; Amasa McCoy A.L.S. January 24, 1863 blaming William Seward for obstructing the war effort; Massachusetts congressman John Lynch A.L.S. September 5, 1864 reacting to the news of the fall of Atlanta and the effect on McClellan's bid for the presidency; John Lynch A.L.S. October 12, 1864; Philadelphia mayor Alexander Henry, A.L.S. April 24, 1865 requesting a pass for a man to visit City Point to recover the remains of a relative; John A. Beck A.L.S. July 6, 1861 concerning being a Democrat in an area that has been considerably "Abolitionised"; A. P. Edgarton et. al. L.S., Fort Wayne, Indiana April 7, 1863 a petition to the governor of Ohio inviting him to attend a Democratic mass meeting. Together 35 pieces in very good to fine condition. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
(Civil War Figures) A good group of 18 pieces in various formats written and/or signed by Civil War officers and other figures. Includes Confederate Pickett's Charge survivor Captain D. M. Burgess, signature on a 8 x 10 inch sheet adding "Capt. Massic company Wm. N. Nelson's Battalion Geo. E. Picketts Division Charge at Getters burg [sic] July 1, 2, & 3, 1863."; Surgeon Joseph A. Phillips L.S., August 17, 1864 appoitning Seth T. Hand "...commissioner to look after and are for all the sick and wounded soldiers of Penna. Regiments in the Department of West Virginia..." Countersigned by Governor Andrew Curtin; Captain Andrew Cowan lengthy T.L.S. Dec. 11, 1913 discussing his Civil War career with special attention to Pickett's charge and Gettybsburg; Maryland Lieutenant Governor Christoper Cox A.L.S. November 18, 1864 making an introduction; John Jay signature on a 4.5 x 2 inch slip dated February 10, 1862. Mounted to a larger sheet; (Gideon Welles) A.L.S. of Henry M. Rice, March 25, 1861 recommending a Mr. Murray as a purser in the navy; H. V. Boynton A.L.S. January 27, 1902 on Chickamauga and Chattanooga Park Commission letterhead concerning "...Gen. Smith's pamphlets... We have not thought any reply to it necessary, since he furnishes in it the findings against him..."; Theodore S. Cuyler A.L.S. April 2, 1864: "Accept my best wishes for the success of your noble movement in behalf of our wounded patriots & heroes..." Mounted to a larger sheet, the verso of which bears the signature and sentiment of the Reverand George B. Cheever, April, 1864; Philadelphia Naval Yard commandant C. K. Stribling A.N.S. December 28, 1863; Charles A. Boutelle A.L.S. January 4, 1883 to Chester A. Arthur concerning a political appointment; C. G. Sawtwlle A.L.S. September 18, 1863. Loss at left margin; Thurlow Weed A.L.S. March 2, 1865: "...My only Brother died in Tennessee, leaving a Small Family with a small Property which has been utterly swept away by the war. Can you get this Permit?" Mounting remnants on verso. With more good material. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Civil War: Union Generals and Officers Autograph Group A good collection of fifteen pieces including Philip Henry Sheridan Signature adding rank as major general, 4 x 1.5 inches, removed from a document mounted to a small slip of period paper; Winfield Scott Hancock, clipped signature on a 4 x 1 inch slip; Schuyler Hamilton A.L.S. one page, 5 x 8 inches, Jamaica, Queens, [N.Y.], Nov. 17, 1879; Quincy Adams Gillmore, A.L.S. one page, 5 x 8 inches, New York, November 27, 1867; O.O. Howard A.L.S. one page, 5 x 8 inches, Washington, April 16, 1866, Don Carlos Buell Signature on 4 x 1.5 inch slip adding rank as major general; Carl Schurz A.L.S. two pages, 5 x 6.5 inches, New York, March 15, 1884; William Wilson A.D.S. one page, 5 x 5 inches, Baltimore, August 15, 1863, a pass to visit "Col. Davis, Rebel prisoner, confined at Ft. Mc Henry"; A Schaff Endorsement Signature on a docket portion of a document adding rank, 3.5 x 8 inches, Fort Delaware a "Petition for release form imprisonment & restoration to the rights of citizenship"; H. F. Clarke A.L.S. two pages, 8 x 10 inches, West Point, January 30, 1856 requesting parts for an artillery piece. Offered together with letters from several Union officers including Maj. C. T. Christenson, A.L.S., March 6, 1863; W. H. Chesebrough, A.L.S., October 27, 1863; Thomas L. Kane, A.L.S., March 13, 1860; R. H. Hall, A.L.S. January, 26, 1863; Leslie Combs, A.N.S., January 11, 1855. Most pieces are in very good to fine condition. Together fifteen pieces. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Civil War: Union Generals: A good collection of 24 pieces in a variety of formats. Includes William T. Sherman signature with closing removed from a letter "Your friend W. T.". Mounted to a larger sheet; Joseph Hooker Signature adding "Maj Genl" on a 3 x 1 inch card; Joseph Hooker Signature adding rank as "Maj Genl" on a 3 x 1 inch card. Irregularly cut at top left grazing signature, toned; John E. Wool A.L.S. February 26, 1864 writing that "...it would be singular, as it appears to me, if the application to carry my case to the United Sates Court would be refused. Gudeman is a Georgian and a rebel. I have an invoice of goods purchased by Gudeman which sir I hold by the United States. They were intended for three rebels. I am a citizen of New York and an officer of the Army, acting at the time of Gudeman's arrest, officially under the orders of the President..."; William D. Whipple A.L.S. September 25, 1892 concerning his leaving Washington; Alexander S. Webb A.L.S. October 11, 1867 requesting information. Mounted; John Williams A.L.S. January 14, 1856 concerning the Congressional directory; Seth Williams A.L.S. February 15, 1866 sending autographs; Samuel B. Holabird mounted signature adding rank; Admiral Charles Wikes A.L.S. April 15, 1838, Mounted; Amos Eaton A.L.S. June 14, 1874 regarding a monument; James A. Hardie A.L.S. April 9, 1863 regarding a commission; John M. Thayer A.L.S. September 20, 1880 concerning a veterans reunion; Lorenzo Thomas L.S. June 2, 1840 assigning Capt. E. Schriver as Inspector General; Joseph Totten L.S. November 8, 1862, requesting "...a list of the Counties comprising each Congressional District..." to assist him in assigning cadets; Edward D. Townsend A.L.S. July 24, 1862; Edward D. Townsend printed L.S. April 9, 1869 announcing the death of William A. Nichols; Edward D. Townsend A.L.S. October 9, 1882 forwarding his autograph; Rear Admiral James R. Tryon T.L.S. December 3, 1894 concerning distilled water for the navy; Joseph R. Hawley A.N.S. September 25, 1888; Thomas J. Haines D.S. December 3, 1864; A 7 x 9 inch sheet bearing six mounted clipped signatures including Edmund Scheiver, Seth Williams, Alexander Dyer, (Lt. Col) Sitgrave, Gordon Granger, and Lorenzo Thomas; and others. Most of the pieces are in very good to fine condition. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Civil War Officers - A group of 23 pieces in a variety of formats including correspondence and documents signed by Civil War officers, soldiers, and others. Includes Rufus Ingalls, A.D.S. July 29, 1862, a permit to allow General Hooker's aide, Lieutenant William H. Laurence to "Have five contra bands for service at Hooker's Hd. Qrs..."; Confederate Colonel William T. Adams A.L.S. "Head Quarters Cosbys Cav. Brigade", Oct 8, 1863 to William T. Sherman at Vicksburg "Capt. W. F. Bullock A. A.A.G. visits your lines, to day, under flag of truce , as bearer of official dispatches from Brig. Genl. W. A. Jackson to your self... Requesting for him and his party the customary courtesies and privileges..."; John C. Blank A.L.S. December 29, 1887 to "Private Dalzell" thanking the latter for his note; Private John D. Ball A.N.S. January 19, 1863 concerning a payroll matter; Lieutenant Colonel C. C. Holmes A.L.S. June 30, 1862 concerning relieving the "Boston Cadets"; Maine adjutant general John L. Hodsdon A.L.S., September 4, 1861; Major Wagner Swayne A.L.S. November 23, 1861 concerning recruitment matters and equipping the 43rd Ohio Volunteers. Fold separations; Lieutenant Colonel David T. Jenkins A.L.S. "Camp on Potomac Creek Va." May 17, 1863 noting receipt of "the Army compass..."; Colonel Charles Albright A.L.S. July 22, 1869, to Ulysses S. Grant recommending a former subordinate in the 132nd. Pennsylvania Volunteers. Laid in; Colonel Adrian R. Root A.L.S. to General J. W. Hoffman informing the latter that the regiment has been filled to capacity; Captain John Roberts A.L.S. February 5, 1863 to a friend: "...We all conde to the opinion of imbecility at Washington, and yet we are powerless toward making a reform. The advance of the French into Mexico is sufficient cause for Serious alarm-- Especially was we cannot See the end of our civil war under the policy of the present administration..."; Major R. A. Parrish A.L.S. March 10, 1862 noting receipt of hospital stores; Captain O. W. Parker A.L.S. November 13, 1864; Colonel S. S. Huard A.L.S. April 15, 1862 explaining why "Cap. D. W. Self...did not appear on the field of battle at Shiloh until the morning of the 7th..."; Assistant Adjutant General, Hemp. W. Smith A.L.S. April 23, 1863; Captain R. T. Frantz A.L.S. August 15, 1864 concerning an enlistment; Lieutenant Colonel W. B. French A.L.S. August 31, 1863, "...General Neil is in Phila. pretending sick..."; Assistant Adjutant General Fred T. Locke A.L.S. December 20, 1863 concerning enlistments; Captain J. A. McMillian A.L.S. February 25, 1862 granting a leave of absence. More material, too voluminous to detail here. Most are in very good to fine condition. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Civil War Generals: A good collection of 15 signed pieces in a variety of formats. Includes Nathaniel Banks A.L.S. December 31, [n.y.] assuring a Mrs. Thayer that her "seat will be reserved..." With mounted carte-de-visite sized mounted albumen of Banks in Uniform. Mounted and toned at left margin; George Sykes A.L.S. Nov. 5, 1877 concerning real estate; Windsor B. French A.L.S. September 18, 1891; William B. Franklin A.N.S. June 18, 1859; Daniel G. Fowle signature as governor of North Carolina; John G. Foster A.L.S. May 29, 1865 concerning captured Confederate property to be turned over the federal government; Manning F. Force A.L.S. August 29, 1892; Francis Fessenden A.L.S. November 27, 1882 enclosing "an autograph [not present] of the late Wm Pitt Fessenden..."; C. W. Folsom A.L.S. Nov. 15, 1861 thanking a Mrs Rogers for "...The box of jellies you so kindly sent to your wounded men...Your jellies, dear Mrs. Rogers, have filled most desirable place in the comfort of our invalids. Our surgeons shake their heads at much use o them, & talk about plain diet as being the best &c, but I always felt the moral effect of jelly as being great. One says to themselves 'now I will get well, so that I may eat heaps of it.' It reminds one that there is something worth living & getting well for..."; James B. Fry A.L.S. May 31, 1886; Thomas A. Ruger A.L.S. December 11, [n.y.]; Milo S. Hascall A.L.S. Nov 21, 1863 concerning "...two pieces of Shields Battery with the 2 Howitzers you speak of and the management of the Howitzer is in the care of Shield's men...". Assistant secretary J. N. Huber A.L.S. Beaufort, S.C., February 5, 1864 discussing the disciplining of a soldier; Wagner Swayne T.L.S. Dec. 18, 1890 concerning a meeting of the Loyal Legion; Edwin J. Foster T.L.S. as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, April 19, 1930. Condition ranges from very good to fine. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Civil War Naval Autographs - A lot of 11 pieces, in a variety of formats, signed by officers in the Union navy. Includes John L. Worden Fine content A.Q.S. entitled "Extract from my report to the Navy Dept about the Monitor & her service" writing, in part: "When she was nearly ready for putting in Commission, I was authorised by the Dept to select a crew from the Reviewing Ship N Carolina or any other man of War in the Harbor of N.Y.... the probable dangers of the passage to H. Roads, and the certainty of having important service... had many more men to volunteer than was required... The statement that when she 'arrived in the [Hampton] Roads Volunteers were called for,' is utterly wrong. When I was ordered to the Monitor I was on temporary shore duty having only recently returned form Montgomery where I had been a prisoner there for seven months. the command of the Monitor was offered to me by the department & I as ordered to her whilst she was still on the sticks..."; John L. Worden A.L.S. June 22, 1884 to the editor of Century Magazine regretting that "...I cannot now comply with your complimentary request to prepare for your magazine reminisces of my experience in the 'Monitor'..."; John L. Worden A.L.S. April 8, 1885 to the president of the Sumter Club regretting that he will be unable to attend their meeting. Offered together with two signatures on small cards bearing his rank and dated 1874 and 1888; Henry A. Wise a fine Gettysburg association A.N.S. July 3, 1863 to Edward Everett noting that "The Salmon arrived in beautiful order." Everett would of course deliver the major oration at the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg just before Lincoln delivered his famous address there. Thornton A. Jenkins lengthy A.Ms.S. [no date] tipped to a page removed from a book, most likely J. Thomas Scharf's History of the Confederate States Navy from its organization to the surrender of its last vessel (1887). In part: "I purchased this vol[ume] from an ex Rebel Solder, who had lost a leg. I was actuated by motives of Charity & humanity, & not to assist in disseminating the venom illogical & false assertions of the author- There were not many, but a few of the officers of the U.S. Navy born South of the Potomac, who conscientiously believed it was their duty to give their professional knowledge & services to the Rebellion... According to this author, Farragut, & of course all who acted with him from the South, have & are, infamous- How about Buchanan a Pennsylvanian, & Semmes a Marylander..." Offered together with his signature on blank flyleaf from the same volume presenting it to Lieutenant Commander William A. Parker; Charles Wikes A.L.S. June 7, 1885 introducing his son; R. H. Wyman A.L.S. January 8, [18]82 expressing his concern over his correspondent's daughters sleigh accident. Overall, condition ranges from very good to fine. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Civil War Naval Autographs A fine collection of 11 pieces signed by members of the Navy during the Civil War. Includes: John A. Dahlgren S.P., a nice Brady carte-de-visite signed in the lower margin adding rank "J. A. Dahlgren R. Adml U.S.N. " with Brady imprint and tax stamp on verso. Together with his endorsement signature on a docket; J. M. Brooke A.L.S. Richmond, July 30, [no year] to General Beauregard: "...the Charleston is reported ready for her armament & the navy carriages for treble banded seven inch rifle will be finished tomorrow that gun will be mounted on board Comdr Ingraham has been instructed to loan you until required for navy purpose, one of the Double banded 7 inch rile, intended for Palmetto State or Chicora now in Charleston. It is to be regretted that in loaning this gun to the army we impair the efficiency of our vessels..."; Kearsarge commander John A. Winslow, signature "John A. Winslow Commodore"; David D. Porter Signature with rank on a gilt lined card; John W. Livingston A.L.S. New York, May 21, 1881. Tipped to a larger sheet; William B. Cushing signature with rank affixed to the top of a mounted A.L.S. of Isabel M. Cushing, 1865; Joseph Brown A.L.S. North Albany, Indiana, February 25, 1864 to David D. Porter; J. R. Ingersoll A.L.S. February, 23, 1841 together with an A.N.S. March 15, 1864; Francis J. Higginson, A.L.S. New York, [no date]. Together eleven pieces, in very good to fine condition. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Union Generals A good collection of 12 pieces consisting of letters, documents and clipped signatures of Civil War Union generals. Includes Cassius M. Clay A.L.S. White Hall, Kentucky, July 5, 1895 concerning "...my recall by Seward in 1862... Seward introduced the corrupt Albany politics into Washington... the notorious Lobbyists - Green Adams & Co. Swelled Perkins' Swindle from a few thousands to hundreds of thousands- but did not fine an ally in me... I am now universally seen to be the Annexor of Alaska!". Together with an A.L.S. [no place], July 23, 1855; Irwin McDowell, A.L.S. Washington, May 17, 1846 to his son to his son: "I enclose you herewith the General's Order to be ready to join hem and I think you will receive his orders the day after this comes to hand. The distant service, is, as you may suppose, Mexico. The details of the campaign have not been fully determined upon...The entire force is to be under the command of General Scott -- Genl. Wool is to have command of the right column or wing... and direct his march on Chihuahua a city of some size and importance... Col. Kearney of the 1st Dragoons to march on Santa Fe..."; G. A. DeRussey A.L.S. Fort Hamilton, January 3, 1780; F. T. Dent Signature on a card adding "Staff Genl. Grant"; Henry M. Devin A.L.S. St. Louis, January 24, 1864; Henry L. Abbot A.L.S. Broadway Landing, Virginia, November 21, 1864; Edward S. Bragg A.L.S. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, October 9, 1892. Together with a signature on a 3.5 x 2 inch card; L. E. Chittenden A.L.S. Washington, April 24, 1864 relating a touching incident involving an old woman from Ohio wandering Washington looking for her sick soldier son; Darius N. Couch A.N.S. signed twice sending his autograph. Together with an A.L.S. Pensacola, Florida, [circa 1847]. Together twelve pieces in very good to fine condition. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Union Generals A good collection of 16 pieces consisting of letters, documents and clipped signatures of Civil War Union generals. Includes Sameul P. Heintzelman A.N.S. being his return on a small slip removed from an envelope. Together with his signature on the bottom portion of a letter adding rank "Bvt Brig Genl U.S.A."; Winfield Scott Hancock mounted signature adding rank, 1866; Joseph H. Potter D.S. November 5, 1869; J.S. Rosengarten, A.L.S., [Philadelphia], March 27, [18]80 to General Hoffman: "...the Gettysburg papers are all at my house, and I'll bring them to you next time I go out that way...". Together with a second A.L.S. [Philadelphia], March 12, [18]80 to General Hoffman noting possession of reports "...of Reynold' command in the Peninsula, at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, which you may like to look over..."; "C. C. Augur signature adding rank. Mounted; Albert Ames mounted signature on a manuscript biography of Ames; Romeyn B. Ayres A.L.S., Winchester, November 15, 1865. Mounted to a larger sheet; J. W. Hoffman A.N.S. on the top of a pamphlet, 1872; John A. Dix A.L.S. Washington, July 29, 1848 to Erastus Corning; T. Drayton L.S. Washington, May 27, 1865; W. W. Duffield "In camp on Cumberland River, August 1, 1884; Drake De Kay his typically enormous signature on a D.S., Washington, July 3, 1861, the verso bears an endorsement by Cyrus W. Field; J. Watts de Peyster Jr. A.L.S. Albany, N.Y., February 6, 1885. Together sixteen pieces in very good to fine condition. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Union Generals A good collection of 15 pieces consisting of letters and documents signed by Civil War Union generals. Includes: Daniel Sickles A.L.S. New York, Janaury8, 1893 to Governor Boutwell, concerning the case of Admiral Franklin; Daniel Butterfield A.L.S. on mourning stationery, New York, [no date], recommending speakers for a reunion. Together with a signature adding rank and "Chancellorsville Gettysburgh", 1863; Rufus Ingalls A.L.S., New York, July 17, 1874 to Secretary of War William Belknap complaining of Hamilton Fish's blocking Montgomery Meigs' nomination as Minister of Russia: "...If Sickles could be made Minister to Spain before the Law of 1870, Genl. Meigs as a retired officer, certainly can now be appointed to Russia - Mr. Fish probably dislikes it because he did not suggest it, or wants a friend of his own sent there..."; Gordon Granger signature with sentiment, 1866; James B. Fry L.S. West Point, January 11, 1855 ordering the appointment of John G. Foster as an assistant professor in the Department of Engineering; Adam Badeu A.L.S. Tannersville, July 27, [1885]; John N. Brannan A.L.S. New London, January 25, 1867; John R. Brooke A.N.S. Fort Shaw, February 4, 1888; Henry B. Carrington A.N.S. Crawfordsville, June 12, 1880; John B. Carr A.L.S. Troy, April 26, 1876 accepting thre resignation of Colonel Joseph Egolf and honoring his service; Robert G. Harper A.L.S. March, 27, 1824; William S. Smith A.L.S. Cincinnati, May 17, 1862; John de Courcy A.L.S. Lexington, Kentucky, January 23, 1864, "...I believe you have been made acquainted with the harsh treatment I received from General Burnside on the 9th of Sept last when I entered Cumberland Gap, with my command from the Kentucky side, some hours before he did, with his troops from the Tennessee side... I made complaint three months ago, and again on the 3rd Inst.... but as yet no notice has been taken... And when I remember the pranks played by Brigadiers, and Major Generals, who to save their lives could not have told me in technical terms the difference between a Column 'left' or one 'right in front' - I now not - cannot understand why the enemy has not succeeded continuously..."; George Guiney A.L.S. New York, January 19, 1865. Together, fifteen pieces in very good to very fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Civil War Union Generals and Officers Autograph Collection consisting of the following items:
Stephen Van Remsaeller Cruger- 1880 ALS in Headquarters "Boys in Blue" letterhead.
Samuel Wylie Crawford- ALS, no date, written from th Colonnade Hotel.
Carl Schurz- 1875 ALS, New York.
Silas Casey and Drake De Kay- 1863 furlough request DS.
John Beaty- 1884 ALS, Columbus, Ohio (includes period engraving).
John Gross Barnard- Two ALsS, 1869 and 1874, on Board of Engineers, Army Building, New York letterheads.
William Farquhar Barry- July 1865 ALS, Buffalo, New York.
Stephen Vincent Benet- Two 1888 Signatures with rank.
Henry Harrison Bingham- Clipped Signature.
Louis Blenker- 1862 LS on "Blenker's Division Head-Quarters" letterhead.
Oliver Otis Howard- 1888 ALS on Office Commanding General, Fort Mason letterhead.
Also included are the following miscellaneous period items: Samuel Sullivan Cox (1865 ALS); Charles P. Daly (1865 ALS); August Belmont (1863 ALS); and William W. Hoppin (1866 ALS). Sixteen items total. Overall fine condition, most include typed transcripts. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Stephen Van Remsaeller Cruger- 1880 ALS in Headquarters "Boys in Blue" letterhead.
Samuel Wylie Crawford- ALS, no date, written from th Colonnade Hotel.
Carl Schurz- 1875 ALS, New York.
Silas Casey and Drake De Kay- 1863 furlough request DS.
John Beaty- 1884 ALS, Columbus, Ohio (includes period engraving).
John Gross Barnard- Two ALsS, 1869 and 1874, on Board of Engineers, Army Building, New York letterheads.
William Farquhar Barry- July 1865 ALS, Buffalo, New York.
Stephen Vincent Benet- Two 1888 Signatures with rank.
Henry Harrison Bingham- Clipped Signature.
Louis Blenker- 1862 LS on "Blenker's Division Head-Quarters" letterhead.
Oliver Otis Howard- 1888 ALS on Office Commanding General, Fort Mason letterhead.
Also included are the following miscellaneous period items: Samuel Sullivan Cox (1865 ALS); Charles P. Daly (1865 ALS); August Belmont (1863 ALS); and William W. Hoppin (1866 ALS). Sixteen items total. Overall fine condition, most include typed transcripts. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Battle of Bull Run - George Donnellan & Fletcher Webster. First: an Autograph Letter Signed of Confederate Spy George Donnellan. One page, plain lined paper, 7.75" x 9.75", at W. B. Matthews House, July 14, 1861 (one week before Bull Run). In full: "I shall endeavor to establish a line of communication between my destination and your Headquarters in Va. Should any sealed dispatch be handed into your possession without any superscription, and as coming from me, you will please address the same (after satisfying yourself of the contents) to Genl G.T.B. [General P.G.T. Beauregard] Manassa Junction, and have it carried through by the shortest & quickest time. With much respect Yrs G. Donnellan". Donnellan was in the same Washington-based spy ring as Rose O'Neal Greenhow that was managed by Beauregard aide Thomas Jordan. Donnellan was used to carry messages between Greenhow, Jordan, and Beauregard including information on troop movements that Jefferson Davis later credited as the reason for the Confederate victory at First Bull Run. Greenhow and other of her associates were arrested shortly after Bull Run by Allan Pinkerton but Donnellan, with the Confederate Army, escaped capture. Mailing folds with some weakness, a tiny bit of ink "burn-through", else fine. A rare letter with excellent content and a compelling date.
Also, an Autograph Letter Signed "Fletcher Webster", only son of the Honorable Daniel Webster. 1½ pages, 4.5" x 7" lettersheet, March 28, 1848, to [William] Schouler (editor of the Boston Atlas). In full: "Enclosed are the lines I spoke of. Knowing the authoress as well as the subject of them, I may be prejudiced but they seem to me very touching & pretty& if you have a place for them it will gratify a good many many good [sic] friends of all of us..." Fletcher Webster, though close to his father, never sought public office but instead served under Presidents Pierce and Buchanan in the Custom-house at Boston. He served faithfully in the Civil War as a colonel and was instrumental in raising and organizing the Twelfth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. He died August 30, 1862 in the Second Battle of Bull Run. Original folds, else very fine. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Also, an Autograph Letter Signed "Fletcher Webster", only son of the Honorable Daniel Webster. 1½ pages, 4.5" x 7" lettersheet, March 28, 1848, to [William] Schouler (editor of the Boston Atlas). In full: "Enclosed are the lines I spoke of. Knowing the authoress as well as the subject of them, I may be prejudiced but they seem to me very touching & pretty& if you have a place for them it will gratify a good many many good [sic] friends of all of us..." Fletcher Webster, though close to his father, never sought public office but instead served under Presidents Pierce and Buchanan in the Custom-house at Boston. He served faithfully in the Civil War as a colonel and was instrumental in raising and organizing the Twelfth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. He died August 30, 1862 in the Second Battle of Bull Run. Original folds, else very fine. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Military & Patriotic
Civil War Era Ephemera Collection. Approximately 40 printed items from the 1860s and 1870s, many with military association. Highlights from this diverse lot include:
Printed Muster Roll of Co. F, 8th Regiment, New York State National Guard, one page, 9.25" x 12", 1864.
Confederate Manuscript Document, "Genl Orders No 4", three pages, 8vo, Knoxville, Tennessee, September 4, 1862. Staff officers for Major General John P. McCown are named in this rare secretarially penned roster.
Magnus Song Sheet, "Marching Along No. 2", one page, 8vo. A crisp and attractive full color example.
Booklet, "The National Guard of the United States" (Philadelphia: A. W. Auner, 1871)14 pp., 8vo, gray paper wraps.
Other items include canceled checks, various business invoices, war-date American Express receipts (2), and an 1860 Delaware lottery broadside. Average fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Printed Muster Roll of Co. F, 8th Regiment, New York State National Guard, one page, 9.25" x 12", 1864.
Confederate Manuscript Document, "Genl Orders No 4", three pages, 8vo, Knoxville, Tennessee, September 4, 1862. Staff officers for Major General John P. McCown are named in this rare secretarially penned roster.
Magnus Song Sheet, "Marching Along No. 2", one page, 8vo. A crisp and attractive full color example.
Booklet, "The National Guard of the United States" (Philadelphia: A. W. Auner, 1871)14 pp., 8vo, gray paper wraps.
Other items include canceled checks, various business invoices, war-date American Express receipts (2), and an 1860 Delaware lottery broadside. Average fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Autographs
George Washington Superb Autograph Letter Signed: Thanking Hector St. John de Crevecoeur for his letter delivered by "Commodore Paul Jones," mentioning "my good and much esteemed friend, the Marqs. de la Fayette, whose services & zeal in the cause of his Country, merits as much applause from his fellow Citizens as it meets admiration from the rest of Mankind." (Published in Fitzpatrick, The Writings of George Washington...)
Signed: "G: Washington," one page, 7.25" x 9". Philadelphia, July 9, 1787. [To Hector St. John de Crevecoeur] In full: "Sir, The letter which you did me the honor of writing to me by Commodore Paul Jones, came safe, as did the 3 volumes of the Farmers letters. For both, particularly the compliment of the latter, I pray you to accept my best thanks. Let me express my gratitude to you at the same time, Sir, for the obliging offer of transmitting any communications I may have occasion to make to my good and much esteemed friend, the Marqs. de la Fayette, whose services & zeal in the cause of his Country, merits as much applause from his fellow Citizens as it meets admiration from the rest of Mankind. I congratulate you on your safe arrival in this Country - and with sentiments of esteem & regard I have the honor to be, sir, Yr most Obed Serv."
George Washington was in Philadelphia serving as President of the Constitutional Convention. On the day he wrote this letter, a committee issued a report to the Convention stating "the proper ratio of representatives in the first branch," which became the House of Representatives, to be one to every 40,000 inhabitants, or 56 members, with Virginia having the most (9) and Delaware and Rhode Island the least (1 each).
Just ten weeks later, Washington and 38 other delegates signed the document they had created: the U.S. Constitution. When the new Constitution was ratified, the Electoral College unanimously elected George Washington first President of the United States.
Hector St. John de Crevecoeur (1735-1813), known in America as J. Hector St. John, had fought in Canada under Montcalm during the French and Indian Wars, becoming a naturalized American citizen in 1765. He was named French Consul in New York in 1783, traveling between France and America in the 1780's. His three-volume work which accompanied his letter to Washington, Letters from an American Farmer, published in 1782, was republished in France in French (1784-1787). St. Johnsbury, Vermont, was named for him at the suggestion of his good friend, Ethan Allen.
John Paul Jones (1747-1792), in 1779, aboard the Bonhomme Richard during his raids on English shipping, uttered his immortal words to the captain of the British frigate Serapis: "I have not yet begun to fight." After the Revolutionary War, Commodore John Paul Jones was active in negotiating prize money claims in Paris. Not staying long in the United States after delivering Crevecouer's letter and books to Washington, Jones returned to France later in July, 1787. Three months later, on October 16, 1787, the Continental Congress voted unanimously to award John Paul Jones a gold medal. He was the only naval officer of the Continental Navy to be so honored. The medal was designed and struck at the Paris mint.
The Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) first met George Washington ten years earlier, on August 1, 1777, a day after Congress appointed the Frenchman a Major General in the U.S. Army. The two generals and their troops later spent the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge. In December, 1779, Lafayette named his newborn son, George Washington Lafayette. In 1781, Lafayette and Washington both fought at Yorktown where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington on October 19th. Washington and Lafayette had their last meetings at Mount Vernon in November and December, 1784. Lafayette returned to France in 1785, two years before Washington wrote this letter.
This remarkable letter linking three of America's greatest Revolutionary War heroes, George Washington, John Paul Jones, and the Marquis de Lafayette, is in extra fine condition with only a quarter inch by eighth inch portion missing at the left edge at the remnant of the wax seal. This letter would be the cornerstone of any major collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "G: Washington," one page, 7.25" x 9". Philadelphia, July 9, 1787. [To Hector St. John de Crevecoeur] In full: "Sir, The letter which you did me the honor of writing to me by Commodore Paul Jones, came safe, as did the 3 volumes of the Farmers letters. For both, particularly the compliment of the latter, I pray you to accept my best thanks. Let me express my gratitude to you at the same time, Sir, for the obliging offer of transmitting any communications I may have occasion to make to my good and much esteemed friend, the Marqs. de la Fayette, whose services & zeal in the cause of his Country, merits as much applause from his fellow Citizens as it meets admiration from the rest of Mankind. I congratulate you on your safe arrival in this Country - and with sentiments of esteem & regard I have the honor to be, sir, Yr most Obed Serv."
George Washington was in Philadelphia serving as President of the Constitutional Convention. On the day he wrote this letter, a committee issued a report to the Convention stating "the proper ratio of representatives in the first branch," which became the House of Representatives, to be one to every 40,000 inhabitants, or 56 members, with Virginia having the most (9) and Delaware and Rhode Island the least (1 each).
Just ten weeks later, Washington and 38 other delegates signed the document they had created: the U.S. Constitution. When the new Constitution was ratified, the Electoral College unanimously elected George Washington first President of the United States.
Hector St. John de Crevecoeur (1735-1813), known in America as J. Hector St. John, had fought in Canada under Montcalm during the French and Indian Wars, becoming a naturalized American citizen in 1765. He was named French Consul in New York in 1783, traveling between France and America in the 1780's. His three-volume work which accompanied his letter to Washington, Letters from an American Farmer, published in 1782, was republished in France in French (1784-1787). St. Johnsbury, Vermont, was named for him at the suggestion of his good friend, Ethan Allen.
John Paul Jones (1747-1792), in 1779, aboard the Bonhomme Richard during his raids on English shipping, uttered his immortal words to the captain of the British frigate Serapis: "I have not yet begun to fight." After the Revolutionary War, Commodore John Paul Jones was active in negotiating prize money claims in Paris. Not staying long in the United States after delivering Crevecouer's letter and books to Washington, Jones returned to France later in July, 1787. Three months later, on October 16, 1787, the Continental Congress voted unanimously to award John Paul Jones a gold medal. He was the only naval officer of the Continental Navy to be so honored. The medal was designed and struck at the Paris mint.
The Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) first met George Washington ten years earlier, on August 1, 1777, a day after Congress appointed the Frenchman a Major General in the U.S. Army. The two generals and their troops later spent the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge. In December, 1779, Lafayette named his newborn son, George Washington Lafayette. In 1781, Lafayette and Washington both fought at Yorktown where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington on October 19th. Washington and Lafayette had their last meetings at Mount Vernon in November and December, 1784. Lafayette returned to France in 1785, two years before Washington wrote this letter.
This remarkable letter linking three of America's greatest Revolutionary War heroes, George Washington, John Paul Jones, and the Marquis de Lafayette, is in extra fine condition with only a quarter inch by eighth inch portion missing at the left edge at the remnant of the wax seal. This letter would be the cornerstone of any major collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
John Adams Superb Autograph Letter Signed: The 81-year-old former President reflects upon his old literary acquaintances in London who "have departed to a World where I hope there are neither Politicks or Wars," yearns to visit London but realizes he "must soon commence an Eternity in other Worlds as I hope and believe," and speculates that Americans "have been very clever young Fellows to preserve a Peace of thirty Years when all your Europe was in flames."
Signed: "John Adams," one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Quincy, April 27, 1817. To Richard Sharp Esq, M.P. In full: "Dear Sir, Mr. Theodore Lyman, junr, a Gentleman of a studious, inquisitive and irreproachable Character, is ardently desirous of Seeing Gentle men of Letters in England. The few, that I had the pleasure to know, excepting one or two, have departed to a World where I hope there are neither Politicks or Wars. By the information I have received from my Son and grandson of your remembrance of me, I am encouraged to give Mr. Lyman this Simple introduction to you. His Father and other Connections are wealthy and very respectable, Quite friendly enough to Great Britain. What would I give? What would I not give? to spend a month in London. But I must soon commence an Eternity, in other Worlds as I hope and believe. Our Vanity has been tolerably well gratified by the last War. We are now in profound tranquility, More United and unanimous than ever. How long this calm will last; how soon the Winds may rise, I know not. I think, however, upon the whole We have been very clever young Fellows to preserve a Peace of thirty Years, when all your Europe was in flames, and all of you constantly Studying to Spread your fires into our very combustible Wilderness. I am, Sir, with very pleasing Recollections, your Friend." The integral leaf is addressed, not by Adams, to "Richard Sharp Esq./London." With two photographs of engraved portraits of Theodore Lyman, Jr.
John Adams was a Member of the Continental Congress (1774-1777), signed the Declaration of Independence, and proposed George Washington to be General of the American Army. In 1785, he was appointed the first U.S. Minister to Great Britain. Adams sailed for London, presented his credentials to King George III on June 1, 1785, and served until February 20, 1788. On February 4, 1789, George Washington was elected first President of the United States and John Adams was elected the first Vice President. They were reelected in 1792. In 1796, Washington declined a third term. John Adams was elected second President and served from 1797-1801. When his term ended, he retired to his home in Quincy, Massachusetts. Adams was 81 when he wrote this letter. Life expectancy at the time was well under 40 years so it is understandable that Adams would be thinking of his own mortality as he wrote this letter. Adams lived another nine years, dying at 90 on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence.
Richard Sharp (1759-1835) was one of the great talkers of British society and was commonly known as "Conversation" Sharp. He was very friendly with most of the poets of his day including William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Lord Byron (1788-1824), and Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834). Sharp was a Whig Member of Parliament from 1806-1812 and 1816-1819, and an original member of the Literary Society founded in 1806. At one time he contemplated writing a history of the establishment of American independence, an undertaking encouraged by his close friend, John Adams.
John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), the son Adams mentions in this letter, had been serving as U.S. Minister to Great Britain since 1815. After James Monroe was inaugurated President on March 4, 1817, eight weeks before this letter was written, John Quincy Adams was named as Secretary of State. Attorney General Richard Rush acted as Secretary of State until September when Adams returned from London, and then Rush sailed for England to succeed Adams as U.S. Minister. That is why John Adams sent this letter of introduction to Sharp and not to his son, the U.S. Minister to England.
John Adams Smith (1788-1854) is the grandson Adams refers to in this letter. The son of John Adams' eldest child, Abigail Adams Smith, John was in London from 1815-1817 as secretary to his mother's brother, his uncle, U.S. Minister John Quincy Adams.
Theodore Lyman, Jr. (1792-1849) was the son of Theodore Lyman, Sr., who, in 1788, moved from Kennebunk, Maine, where he was a shipbuilder, to Boston. Becoming a merchant, he made a fortune in West Indies trade. He was among the first to send ships to the Pacific coast for furs. Lyman, Jr., had visited Europe (1812-1814) after his 1810 Harvard graduation and was returning there with future American statesman Edward Everett, a classmate at Harvard. Returning to the United States in 1819, Lyman served as aide-de-camp to Governor John Brooks of Massachusetts from 1819-1822. In the presidential elections of 1824 and 1828, he opposed John Quincy Adams. A leader of the Federalist wing of the Jacksonian party, and, by then, one of Boston's wealthiest men, Lyman served as Mayor of Boston from 1833-1835. He devoted the rest of his life to philanthropy.
The phrase "Era of Good Feeling" was first used in the Boston newspaper, Columbian Centinel, on July 12, 1817, following a visit to Boston by President Monroe, to describe the mood of the American people, now free from the influence of European political and military events. In this letter, penned three months earlier, John Adams calls the mood "profound tranquility." The War of 1812 ("the last War") ended in 1815, ushering in the "Era of Good Feeling" which lasted until the end of Monroe's presidency in 1825. Adams, referring to the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, must have been smiling when he concluded this letter to a member of the British Parliament, opining that "upon the whole We have been very clever young Fellows to preserve a Peace of thirty Years, when all your Europe was in flames...."
This outstanding letter, in extra fine condition, provides an insight into the philosophic mind of the fiercely independent, opinionated American revolutionary and orator, whose life spanned nine decades of American history. Age did not dim his astuteness. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "John Adams," one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Quincy, April 27, 1817. To Richard Sharp Esq, M.P. In full: "Dear Sir, Mr. Theodore Lyman, junr, a Gentleman of a studious, inquisitive and irreproachable Character, is ardently desirous of Seeing Gentle men of Letters in England. The few, that I had the pleasure to know, excepting one or two, have departed to a World where I hope there are neither Politicks or Wars. By the information I have received from my Son and grandson of your remembrance of me, I am encouraged to give Mr. Lyman this Simple introduction to you. His Father and other Connections are wealthy and very respectable, Quite friendly enough to Great Britain. What would I give? What would I not give? to spend a month in London. But I must soon commence an Eternity, in other Worlds as I hope and believe. Our Vanity has been tolerably well gratified by the last War. We are now in profound tranquility, More United and unanimous than ever. How long this calm will last; how soon the Winds may rise, I know not. I think, however, upon the whole We have been very clever young Fellows to preserve a Peace of thirty Years, when all your Europe was in flames, and all of you constantly Studying to Spread your fires into our very combustible Wilderness. I am, Sir, with very pleasing Recollections, your Friend." The integral leaf is addressed, not by Adams, to "Richard Sharp Esq./London." With two photographs of engraved portraits of Theodore Lyman, Jr.
John Adams was a Member of the Continental Congress (1774-1777), signed the Declaration of Independence, and proposed George Washington to be General of the American Army. In 1785, he was appointed the first U.S. Minister to Great Britain. Adams sailed for London, presented his credentials to King George III on June 1, 1785, and served until February 20, 1788. On February 4, 1789, George Washington was elected first President of the United States and John Adams was elected the first Vice President. They were reelected in 1792. In 1796, Washington declined a third term. John Adams was elected second President and served from 1797-1801. When his term ended, he retired to his home in Quincy, Massachusetts. Adams was 81 when he wrote this letter. Life expectancy at the time was well under 40 years so it is understandable that Adams would be thinking of his own mortality as he wrote this letter. Adams lived another nine years, dying at 90 on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence.
Richard Sharp (1759-1835) was one of the great talkers of British society and was commonly known as "Conversation" Sharp. He was very friendly with most of the poets of his day including William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Lord Byron (1788-1824), and Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834). Sharp was a Whig Member of Parliament from 1806-1812 and 1816-1819, and an original member of the Literary Society founded in 1806. At one time he contemplated writing a history of the establishment of American independence, an undertaking encouraged by his close friend, John Adams.
John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), the son Adams mentions in this letter, had been serving as U.S. Minister to Great Britain since 1815. After James Monroe was inaugurated President on March 4, 1817, eight weeks before this letter was written, John Quincy Adams was named as Secretary of State. Attorney General Richard Rush acted as Secretary of State until September when Adams returned from London, and then Rush sailed for England to succeed Adams as U.S. Minister. That is why John Adams sent this letter of introduction to Sharp and not to his son, the U.S. Minister to England.
John Adams Smith (1788-1854) is the grandson Adams refers to in this letter. The son of John Adams' eldest child, Abigail Adams Smith, John was in London from 1815-1817 as secretary to his mother's brother, his uncle, U.S. Minister John Quincy Adams.
Theodore Lyman, Jr. (1792-1849) was the son of Theodore Lyman, Sr., who, in 1788, moved from Kennebunk, Maine, where he was a shipbuilder, to Boston. Becoming a merchant, he made a fortune in West Indies trade. He was among the first to send ships to the Pacific coast for furs. Lyman, Jr., had visited Europe (1812-1814) after his 1810 Harvard graduation and was returning there with future American statesman Edward Everett, a classmate at Harvard. Returning to the United States in 1819, Lyman served as aide-de-camp to Governor John Brooks of Massachusetts from 1819-1822. In the presidential elections of 1824 and 1828, he opposed John Quincy Adams. A leader of the Federalist wing of the Jacksonian party, and, by then, one of Boston's wealthiest men, Lyman served as Mayor of Boston from 1833-1835. He devoted the rest of his life to philanthropy.
The phrase "Era of Good Feeling" was first used in the Boston newspaper, Columbian Centinel, on July 12, 1817, following a visit to Boston by President Monroe, to describe the mood of the American people, now free from the influence of European political and military events. In this letter, penned three months earlier, John Adams calls the mood "profound tranquility." The War of 1812 ("the last War") ended in 1815, ushering in the "Era of Good Feeling" which lasted until the end of Monroe's presidency in 1825. Adams, referring to the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, must have been smiling when he concluded this letter to a member of the British Parliament, opining that "upon the whole We have been very clever young Fellows to preserve a Peace of thirty Years, when all your Europe was in flames...."
This outstanding letter, in extra fine condition, provides an insight into the philosophic mind of the fiercely independent, opinionated American revolutionary and orator, whose life spanned nine decades of American history. Age did not dim his astuteness. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Thomas Jefferson Historically Important Autograph Letter Signed: Just a month after George Washington's "Proclamation of Neutrality," the Secretary of State tells the Governor of Maryland that he has shown his letter to President Washington and that those citizens who aided French Charge d'Affaires Citizen Genet in the capture of the British ship now in a Maryland port would be prosecuted.
Signed: "Th.Jefferson" as Washington's Secretary of State, one page, 7.5" x 9.25". Philadelphia, May 25, 1793. To "H[is]. E[xcellency]. The Governor of Maryland" [Thomas Sim Lee]. In full: "Sir, I am honoured with your Excellency's letter of the 20th and have duly laid the same before the President. measures had been already taken for prosecuting such American citizens as had joined in the capture therein mentioned, a letter to that effect having been written to the Attorney of the U.S. in the state of Maryland. with respect to the prize, the government did not think itself authorized to do anything. your Excellency will have been informed by a letter from the Secretary at war, addressed to you as the head of the militia of your state, of the measures proposed for preventing the fitting out privateers in our ports in future, as well as for the preservation of peace within our limits. I have the honour to be with great respect & esteem, your Excellency's most obedt & most humble svnt." With a printed photograph of Citizen Genet.
Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, was Washington's first Secretary of State, entering his duties on March 22, 1790, after returning from France where he had been U.S. Minister since 1785. He served until December 31, 1793. In April, 1793, before Washington's "Proclamation of Neutrality," Jefferson urged that the United States maintain its alliance with France in the European wars, but his position changed after the "Genet Affair."
Citizen Edmond C. Genet (1763-1834) was named Charge d'Affaires to the United States in 1793 by the French government to gain support for France's war with England and Spain. He arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 8, 1793, and began commissioning privateers to capture British vessels of commerce and bring them into U.S. ports. There was much anti-British and pro-French sentiment by Americans Genet met in Charleston and as he rode to Philadelphia to take his post.
In April, 1793, news had reached the United States that King Louis XVI had been guillotined and that France had declared war on England and Spain. Reacting to these events, on April 22, 1793, President Washington issued what has become known as the "Proclamation of Neutrality" which stated that "Whereas it appears that a state of war exists between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the United Netherlands, of the one part, and France on the other; and the duty and interest of the United States require that they should with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerent Powers; I have therefore thought fit by these presents...to exhort and warn the citizens of the United States carefully to avoid all acts and proceedings whatsoever, which may in any manner tend to contravene such disposition. And I do hereby also make known, that whatsoever of the citizens of the United States shall render himself liable to punishment or forfeiture under the law of nations, by committing, aiding, or abetting hostilities against any of the said Powers...will not receive the protection of the United States, against such punishment or forfeiture; and further, that I have given instructions to those officers, to whom it belongs, to cause prosecutions to be instituted against all persons, who shall, within the cognizance of the courts of the United States, violate the law of nations, with respect to the Powers at war, or any of them."
Maryland Governor Thomas Sim Lee (1745-1819) wrote to Secretary of State Jefferson on May 20, 1793. Genet's privateers had captured a British vessel and had harbored it in Maryland. The British consul had sought Governor Lee's protection for the ship. Lee wrote Jefferson, in part, "We have acquainted the consul with our incompetency...to interfere, even supposing the capture to be illegal...and have advised him that it can only be obtained from the general government." Lee served twice as Governor of Maryland (1779-1783, 1792-1794) and was a Member of the Continental Congress in 1783.
This letter is Jefferson's reply, informing Lee that he has shown his letter to President Washington. Jefferson tells Lee that the U.S. Attorney in Maryland had been notified and that American citizens who were involved in the capture would be prosecuted. This action had been legalized by Washington's April 22nd "Proclamation of Neutrality." Jefferson informs Lee that the federal government wasn't authorized to do anything respecting the prize, the ship's cargo seized by the privateer. Jefferson also advises Lee that the Secretary of War (Henry Knox) will write him what he can do, as head of the state militia, to prevent privateers from being fitted for action in American ports in the future, inferring that it's the state's responsibility, not the federal government's. In August, 1793, after Genet's continued actions in defiance of the U.S. government, Washington asked France to recall Genet. Realizing that he faced the guillotine if he returned to France, Genet asked if he could remain in the United States and Washington granted his request for political asylum. Genet later became an American citizen.
The "Genet Affair" was the first test of America's national foreign policy and the execution of the "separation of powers" principles of the U.S. Constitution. In this letter, Thomas Jefferson writes of the federal prosecution of American citizens involved in the capture of a British ship, the acknowledgment that the federal government did not think itself authorized to confiscate the British cargo taken by the privateers, and that it was the state militia, not the federal government, who would have to institute measures for preventing privateers from fitting ships in U.S. ports in the future.
Letters referring to the Genet Affair are rarely encountered outside of government archives. This one, from Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson to Maryland Governor Thomas Sim Lee concerning Citizen Genet in what was the first test of President Washington's foreign policy is in extra fine condition; there is a minor mounting remnant on verso which does not show through. Washington's policy of keeping the nation out of foreign wars set a strong precedent which lasted until World War I. This magnificent historically important letter would be a significant addition to any major collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Th.Jefferson" as Washington's Secretary of State, one page, 7.5" x 9.25". Philadelphia, May 25, 1793. To "H[is]. E[xcellency]. The Governor of Maryland" [Thomas Sim Lee]. In full: "Sir, I am honoured with your Excellency's letter of the 20th and have duly laid the same before the President. measures had been already taken for prosecuting such American citizens as had joined in the capture therein mentioned, a letter to that effect having been written to the Attorney of the U.S. in the state of Maryland. with respect to the prize, the government did not think itself authorized to do anything. your Excellency will have been informed by a letter from the Secretary at war, addressed to you as the head of the militia of your state, of the measures proposed for preventing the fitting out privateers in our ports in future, as well as for the preservation of peace within our limits. I have the honour to be with great respect & esteem, your Excellency's most obedt & most humble svnt." With a printed photograph of Citizen Genet.
Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, was Washington's first Secretary of State, entering his duties on March 22, 1790, after returning from France where he had been U.S. Minister since 1785. He served until December 31, 1793. In April, 1793, before Washington's "Proclamation of Neutrality," Jefferson urged that the United States maintain its alliance with France in the European wars, but his position changed after the "Genet Affair."
Citizen Edmond C. Genet (1763-1834) was named Charge d'Affaires to the United States in 1793 by the French government to gain support for France's war with England and Spain. He arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 8, 1793, and began commissioning privateers to capture British vessels of commerce and bring them into U.S. ports. There was much anti-British and pro-French sentiment by Americans Genet met in Charleston and as he rode to Philadelphia to take his post.
In April, 1793, news had reached the United States that King Louis XVI had been guillotined and that France had declared war on England and Spain. Reacting to these events, on April 22, 1793, President Washington issued what has become known as the "Proclamation of Neutrality" which stated that "Whereas it appears that a state of war exists between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the United Netherlands, of the one part, and France on the other; and the duty and interest of the United States require that they should with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerent Powers; I have therefore thought fit by these presents...to exhort and warn the citizens of the United States carefully to avoid all acts and proceedings whatsoever, which may in any manner tend to contravene such disposition. And I do hereby also make known, that whatsoever of the citizens of the United States shall render himself liable to punishment or forfeiture under the law of nations, by committing, aiding, or abetting hostilities against any of the said Powers...will not receive the protection of the United States, against such punishment or forfeiture; and further, that I have given instructions to those officers, to whom it belongs, to cause prosecutions to be instituted against all persons, who shall, within the cognizance of the courts of the United States, violate the law of nations, with respect to the Powers at war, or any of them."
Maryland Governor Thomas Sim Lee (1745-1819) wrote to Secretary of State Jefferson on May 20, 1793. Genet's privateers had captured a British vessel and had harbored it in Maryland. The British consul had sought Governor Lee's protection for the ship. Lee wrote Jefferson, in part, "We have acquainted the consul with our incompetency...to interfere, even supposing the capture to be illegal...and have advised him that it can only be obtained from the general government." Lee served twice as Governor of Maryland (1779-1783, 1792-1794) and was a Member of the Continental Congress in 1783.
This letter is Jefferson's reply, informing Lee that he has shown his letter to President Washington. Jefferson tells Lee that the U.S. Attorney in Maryland had been notified and that American citizens who were involved in the capture would be prosecuted. This action had been legalized by Washington's April 22nd "Proclamation of Neutrality." Jefferson informs Lee that the federal government wasn't authorized to do anything respecting the prize, the ship's cargo seized by the privateer. Jefferson also advises Lee that the Secretary of War (Henry Knox) will write him what he can do, as head of the state militia, to prevent privateers from being fitted for action in American ports in the future, inferring that it's the state's responsibility, not the federal government's. In August, 1793, after Genet's continued actions in defiance of the U.S. government, Washington asked France to recall Genet. Realizing that he faced the guillotine if he returned to France, Genet asked if he could remain in the United States and Washington granted his request for political asylum. Genet later became an American citizen.
The "Genet Affair" was the first test of America's national foreign policy and the execution of the "separation of powers" principles of the U.S. Constitution. In this letter, Thomas Jefferson writes of the federal prosecution of American citizens involved in the capture of a British ship, the acknowledgment that the federal government did not think itself authorized to confiscate the British cargo taken by the privateers, and that it was the state militia, not the federal government, who would have to institute measures for preventing privateers from fitting ships in U.S. ports in the future.
Letters referring to the Genet Affair are rarely encountered outside of government archives. This one, from Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson to Maryland Governor Thomas Sim Lee concerning Citizen Genet in what was the first test of President Washington's foreign policy is in extra fine condition; there is a minor mounting remnant on verso which does not show through. Washington's policy of keeping the nation out of foreign wars set a strong precedent which lasted until World War I. This magnificent historically important letter would be a significant addition to any major collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
James Madison Excellent Autograph Letter Signed: A year before the 1824 Presidential election, Madison writes an old friend that he and Thomas Jefferson will not publicly support a candidate for President and that the public will be able to judge each of the nominee's ability by reading about them. He cannot find documents asked for and fears they may have perished when the British burned the White House in 1814.
Signed: "James Madison", one page, 8" x 9.5". Montpellier, February 21, 1823. To Tench Coxe. In full: "Dear Sir, Since I rec'd your two letters of [blank space] I have hitherto been prevented from acknowledging them first by some very urgent calls on my time, and afterwards by an indisposition which has just left me. I have forwarded the letters with the printed papers to Mr. Jefferson. I know well the respect he as well as myself attaches to your communications. But I have grounds to believe that with me also he has yielded to the considerations and counsels which dissuade us from taking part in measures relating to the ensuing Presidential Election. And certainly if we are to judge of the ability with which the comparative pretensions of the candidates will be discussed, by the examples sent us, the public will be sufficiently enabled to decide understandingly on the subject. I know you too well to doubt that you will take this explanation in its just import, and will remain assured that it proceeds from no diminution of confidence or regard towards you. I have made a search for the documents of which you wish the loan, but without success. I am not sure that some of them were preserved in my collection. If they were, it is probable they were among bundles which during my long exile from private life and alterations in my dwelling, were removed into damp situations, where they perished, or included in parcels carried to Washington in order to be assorted & bound, where they had the fate of many other articles in 1814. With a continuance of my esteem & my best wishes."
James Madison served in the Continental Congress (1780-1783, 1787-1788) and was a delegate from Virginia in the Federal Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. Madison took frequent and emphatic part in the debates and made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing, with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, the Federalist essays. The "Father of the Constitution," Madison served in the first four Congresses (1789-1797) and as Jefferson's Secretary of State (1801-1809). After his two terms as President (1809-1817), he retired to his Virginia estate, Montpelier (spelled "Montpellier" by Madison).
Tench Coxe (1755-1824) entered his father's mercantile business in 1776, then joined and resigned from the Pennsylvania Militia, becoming a Loyalist. He joined the British Army under Howe in 1777, was arrested, paroled, and then joined the patriot cause. Coxe served in the Continental Congress in 1789 and was appointed by President Washington Assistant Secretary of the Treasury on September 11, 1789, serving until the office was abolished on May 8, 1792. Appointed Revenue Commissioner on June 30, 1792, he served until removed by President Adams in 1797. Coxe was Purveyor of Public Supplies under Jefferson and Madison from 1803 to 1812. He retired from public service in 1818 after having served three years as clerk of the Quarter Sessions in Philadelphia. Tench Coxe spent his remaining years as a writer on political and economic subjects, continuing to correspond with his political friends.
Since 1796, a caucus of members of Congress would decide on who to nominate for President and Vice President from their political parties. James Monroe had succeeded Madison in 1817 and continued the precedent set by George Washington by not seeking a third term. In 1824, the Democratic Republican Congressional caucus, with less than a third of those eligible voting, nominated Secretary of the Treasury William H. Crawford of Georgia for President. Supporters of Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and Speaker of the House Henry Clay denounced the caucus decision; the Massachusetts legislature then nominated Adams for President and the Kentucky legislature nominated Clay. Senator Andrew Jackson of Tennessee, who had already been nominated for President by the Tennessee legislature in 1822, was then nominated by a convention of Democratic Republicans in Pennsylvania. The Federalist Party, in effect, no longer existed. All four candidates were Democratic-Republicans, each representing a different faction of the party. Crawford was strong among voters in the Southeast, Adams was strong in the Northeast, Clay in parts of the West, and Jackson in the West, South and mid-Atlantic.
Obviously, the support of former Presidents Jefferson and Madison would help a presidential candidate. Coxe publicly opposed John Quincy Adams, whose support of restrictive European laws regarding gun ownership for hunting, Coxe felt, undermined the entire right to keep and bear arms which was guaranteed in the United States by the Second Amendment, authored by Madison. Coxe had sent Madison "printed papers" relating to the "ensuing Presidential Election". In this letter, Madison tells Coxe that he will send the papers to Jefferson, but that friends have advised him and Jefferson not to publicly support a candidate. He believes that the public will be able to "judge of the ability" and "decide understandingly" who to vote for after reading printed papers on the candidates similar to those Coxe sent him. Madison also believes that Jefferson has taken the same course.
In the election of 1824, no candidate received the 131 electoral votes needed for election, a majority of the 261 electoral votes cast. Jackson had 99 electoral votes, Adams 84, Crawford 41, and Clay 37. Pursuant to the 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1804, the House of Representatives chose the President "from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President" with the votes "taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote." The supporters of Clay, who had received the fourth most votes, threw their support to Adams who, on February 9, 1825, was elected with 13 votes; Jackson had 7 votes and Crawford had 4 votes. When Henry Clay was named Secretary of State by President-elect Adams, Jackson supporters raised the cry of "corrupt bargain." No doubt a political deal was made for Clay's congressional supporters voting for Adams, but there was nothing to show that it was illegal or dishonest. Tench Coxe didn't live to see the outcome of the presidential election of 1824; he had died at age 69 in Philadelphia on July 17, 1824.
Coxe had also asked Madison if he could borrow some documents from Madison which dated from his pre-presidential years. Madison concludes this letter opining that they may have been "included in parcels carried to Washington...where they had the fate of many other articles in 1814." On August 24 and 25, 1814, during the War of 1812, the British entered Washington, D.C., and burned the White House, the Capitol, and numerous other buildings. Many important papers and documents were lost.
This marvelous letter is in very fine condition, with a faint toning at the edges from prior framing. Penned by the "Father of the Constitution" writing about the "Author of the Declaration of Independence" and their "taking part in measures relating to the ensuing Presidential Election" and concluding with the possibility that documents he cannot find may have perished when the British burned the White House in 1814, this letter would make an outstanding addition to any major collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "James Madison", one page, 8" x 9.5". Montpellier, February 21, 1823. To Tench Coxe. In full: "Dear Sir, Since I rec'd your two letters of [blank space] I have hitherto been prevented from acknowledging them first by some very urgent calls on my time, and afterwards by an indisposition which has just left me. I have forwarded the letters with the printed papers to Mr. Jefferson. I know well the respect he as well as myself attaches to your communications. But I have grounds to believe that with me also he has yielded to the considerations and counsels which dissuade us from taking part in measures relating to the ensuing Presidential Election. And certainly if we are to judge of the ability with which the comparative pretensions of the candidates will be discussed, by the examples sent us, the public will be sufficiently enabled to decide understandingly on the subject. I know you too well to doubt that you will take this explanation in its just import, and will remain assured that it proceeds from no diminution of confidence or regard towards you. I have made a search for the documents of which you wish the loan, but without success. I am not sure that some of them were preserved in my collection. If they were, it is probable they were among bundles which during my long exile from private life and alterations in my dwelling, were removed into damp situations, where they perished, or included in parcels carried to Washington in order to be assorted & bound, where they had the fate of many other articles in 1814. With a continuance of my esteem & my best wishes."
James Madison served in the Continental Congress (1780-1783, 1787-1788) and was a delegate from Virginia in the Federal Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. Madison took frequent and emphatic part in the debates and made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing, with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, the Federalist essays. The "Father of the Constitution," Madison served in the first four Congresses (1789-1797) and as Jefferson's Secretary of State (1801-1809). After his two terms as President (1809-1817), he retired to his Virginia estate, Montpelier (spelled "Montpellier" by Madison).
Tench Coxe (1755-1824) entered his father's mercantile business in 1776, then joined and resigned from the Pennsylvania Militia, becoming a Loyalist. He joined the British Army under Howe in 1777, was arrested, paroled, and then joined the patriot cause. Coxe served in the Continental Congress in 1789 and was appointed by President Washington Assistant Secretary of the Treasury on September 11, 1789, serving until the office was abolished on May 8, 1792. Appointed Revenue Commissioner on June 30, 1792, he served until removed by President Adams in 1797. Coxe was Purveyor of Public Supplies under Jefferson and Madison from 1803 to 1812. He retired from public service in 1818 after having served three years as clerk of the Quarter Sessions in Philadelphia. Tench Coxe spent his remaining years as a writer on political and economic subjects, continuing to correspond with his political friends.
Since 1796, a caucus of members of Congress would decide on who to nominate for President and Vice President from their political parties. James Monroe had succeeded Madison in 1817 and continued the precedent set by George Washington by not seeking a third term. In 1824, the Democratic Republican Congressional caucus, with less than a third of those eligible voting, nominated Secretary of the Treasury William H. Crawford of Georgia for President. Supporters of Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and Speaker of the House Henry Clay denounced the caucus decision; the Massachusetts legislature then nominated Adams for President and the Kentucky legislature nominated Clay. Senator Andrew Jackson of Tennessee, who had already been nominated for President by the Tennessee legislature in 1822, was then nominated by a convention of Democratic Republicans in Pennsylvania. The Federalist Party, in effect, no longer existed. All four candidates were Democratic-Republicans, each representing a different faction of the party. Crawford was strong among voters in the Southeast, Adams was strong in the Northeast, Clay in parts of the West, and Jackson in the West, South and mid-Atlantic.
Obviously, the support of former Presidents Jefferson and Madison would help a presidential candidate. Coxe publicly opposed John Quincy Adams, whose support of restrictive European laws regarding gun ownership for hunting, Coxe felt, undermined the entire right to keep and bear arms which was guaranteed in the United States by the Second Amendment, authored by Madison. Coxe had sent Madison "printed papers" relating to the "ensuing Presidential Election". In this letter, Madison tells Coxe that he will send the papers to Jefferson, but that friends have advised him and Jefferson not to publicly support a candidate. He believes that the public will be able to "judge of the ability" and "decide understandingly" who to vote for after reading printed papers on the candidates similar to those Coxe sent him. Madison also believes that Jefferson has taken the same course.
In the election of 1824, no candidate received the 131 electoral votes needed for election, a majority of the 261 electoral votes cast. Jackson had 99 electoral votes, Adams 84, Crawford 41, and Clay 37. Pursuant to the 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1804, the House of Representatives chose the President "from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President" with the votes "taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote." The supporters of Clay, who had received the fourth most votes, threw their support to Adams who, on February 9, 1825, was elected with 13 votes; Jackson had 7 votes and Crawford had 4 votes. When Henry Clay was named Secretary of State by President-elect Adams, Jackson supporters raised the cry of "corrupt bargain." No doubt a political deal was made for Clay's congressional supporters voting for Adams, but there was nothing to show that it was illegal or dishonest. Tench Coxe didn't live to see the outcome of the presidential election of 1824; he had died at age 69 in Philadelphia on July 17, 1824.
Coxe had also asked Madison if he could borrow some documents from Madison which dated from his pre-presidential years. Madison concludes this letter opining that they may have been "included in parcels carried to Washington...where they had the fate of many other articles in 1814." On August 24 and 25, 1814, during the War of 1812, the British entered Washington, D.C., and burned the White House, the Capitol, and numerous other buildings. Many important papers and documents were lost.
This marvelous letter is in very fine condition, with a faint toning at the edges from prior framing. Penned by the "Father of the Constitution" writing about the "Author of the Declaration of Independence" and their "taking part in measures relating to the ensuing Presidential Election" and concluding with the possibility that documents he cannot find may have perished when the British burned the White House in 1814, this letter would make an outstanding addition to any major collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
James Monroe Historic Autograph Letter Signed: Appointed by Federalist President George Washington to be U.S. Minister to France during the Reign of Terror, Anti-Federalist Republican James Monroe writes his friend St. George Tucker that "I hope my mission will not prove altogether useless to the republican cause." His pro-Republican speeches in France against Federalist policies led to his recall in 1796.
Signed: "Jas. Monroe", one page, 7.5" x 9". Chesapeake Bay, June 22, 1794. To St. George Tucker. In full: "Dear Sir I was so engaged in the arrangement of my private affrs, after I had dispatched those of a publick nature, that I had not a moment from the period of my appointment to that of my departure to devote to my friends. From the capes I look back to bid farewell to yoself and a few others. How long I shall be absent is incertain, but I hope my mission will not prove altogether useless to the republican cause. I sincerely wish you well & shall always be happy to hear from you. Your information of the state of our affrs extended to what passes within yr view, will be useful & highly grateful to me. I will give you what may be worth yr attention from the other hemisphere - with great sincerity, I am dear Sir yr friend & srvt. Remember me affecty. to Mr. Nelson & Mr. Prentis." Integral leaf addressed by Monroe to "The honble/St. George Tucker/Williamsburg/Virginia" and is docketed, possibly by Tucker, "Col. Monroe/June 22d 1794."
James Monroe had attended William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1776 and left to enter the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. Appointed a Lieutenant in the Third Virginia Regiment, he participated in numerous engagements. In 1780, he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel by Governor Thomas Jefferson. After the war, Monroe served in the Continental Congress (1783-1786) and ran unsuccessfully against James Madison for a seat in the First Congress. In 1790, he was elected to the U.S. Senate as an anti-administration advocate of Jeffersonian policies to fill a vacancy. In the Senate, Monroe opposed the foreign policy of Federalist President Washington and was in the minority when he voted against the appointment of Gouverneur Morris as U.S. Minister to France. While Senator, he worked with Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and Congressman James Madison in organizing the Republican Party which became the Democratic-Republican and then the Democratic Party. After the United States demanded the recall of the French Minister, Citizen Genet, on August 2, 1793, the French, in retaliation, demanded the recall of Morris on April 9, 1794. President Washington offered the post to James Madison and Robert R. Livingston. Each declined. In a message to the U.S. Senate dated May 27, 1794, President Washington wrote, "The Executive Provisory Council of the French Republic having requested me to recall Gouverneur Morris, our Minister Plenipotentiary in France; I have thought proper, in pursuance of that request, to recall him. I therefore nominate James Monroe, of Virginia, as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, to the said Republic." Monroe resigned from the Senate on May 27th and was succeeded by Stevens Mason who had served in the Revolutionary war as an aide to General Washington at Yorktown. The Senate consented to Monroe's appointment on May 28th and the new 36-year-old U.S. Minister, who favored friendly relations with the French, rode with his wife and their seven-year-old daughter, to Chesapeake Bay to sail to France. It was from Chesapeake Bay that Monroe wrote letters of farewell to his friends, including this one to St. George Tucker.
St. George Tucker (1752-1827), born in Bermuda, moved to Williamsburg to study law at the College of William and Mary in 1772. He was admitted to the bar in 1774. Tucker resumed his practice of law after the Revolutionary War in which he was a Colonel in the militia, later holding the Chair of Law at William and Mary. In 1803, Tucker published Blackstone's Commentaries: with Notes Of Reference, to the Constitution and Laws, of the Federal Government of the United States; and of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The following year he resigned his professorship to become presiding Judge of the Virginia Court of Appeals. In 1813, President Madison appointed Tucker Judge of the U.S. District Court of Virginia; he served until 1825. In an article about Tucker in the March, 2006, issue of The Journal of the Historical Society titled "The First Modern American Law Professor," Craig Evan Klafter writes that Tucker "set much of the standard by which American law professors have been judged for the past 200 years."
In his postscript, Monroe sends regards to Mr. Nelson and Mr. Prentis. Hugh Nelson (1768-1836), a 1780 graduate of William and Mary, had served in the Virginia State Senate from 1786-1791. He served in Congress from 1811 until his appointment as U.S. Minister to Spain by President Monroe in 1823. He served until 1824. Joseph Prentis (1754-1809) studied at William and Mary in 1777 and was a Judge of the General Court of Virginia from 1789 until his death in 1809.
Monroe arrived in France on July 31, 1794, three days after Robespierre and his followers were guillotined, putting an end to the Reign of Terror. He presented his credentials on August 15, 1794, succeeding Gouverneur Morris who was still at his post. While in Paris, Monroe constantly worked to tighten the Franco-American alliance, favored by Republicans, which angered the Federalists at home. When the French requested information about Jay's Treaty, Monroe assured them that it would not concern new trade obligations, not knowing that Federalist John Jay had been given power to negotiate commercial concerns. The treaty resulted in closer economic ties with Britain, encouraging trade between the two nations. It was ratified over Republican opposition led by Jefferson and Madison. France had been at war with England since 1793. Over the coming years, France rolled back many of the protections it had awarded U.S. merchants in retaliation for Jay's Treaty. Monroe faced growing criticism at home from Federalists as well as in France. Opponents felt he was acting more as a Republican party spokesman than as the representative of his government. On September 9, 1796, President Washington appointed Federalist Charles C. Pinckney of South Carolina to succeed Monroe who presented his recall on December 9, 1796. In the Spring of 1797, Monroe returned home to Virginia. Pinckney was not received by the French Directory and he immediately returned home. There was no U.S. Minister to France until 1801 when Robert R. Livingston presented his credentials. In 1803, President Jefferson sent Monroe back to Paris to join Livingston as Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to enter into a treaty with Napoleon "for the enlarging and more effectually securing our rights and interests in the river Mississippi." Monroe and Livingston's negotiations resulted in the Louisiana Purchase.
This historic letter is in extra fine condition and was written at a turning point in the life of the ambitious, energetic young Virginian as he was about to embark with his family on his first trip abroad to, as he put it in this letter, "the other hemisphere." From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Jas. Monroe", one page, 7.5" x 9". Chesapeake Bay, June 22, 1794. To St. George Tucker. In full: "Dear Sir I was so engaged in the arrangement of my private affrs, after I had dispatched those of a publick nature, that I had not a moment from the period of my appointment to that of my departure to devote to my friends. From the capes I look back to bid farewell to yoself and a few others. How long I shall be absent is incertain, but I hope my mission will not prove altogether useless to the republican cause. I sincerely wish you well & shall always be happy to hear from you. Your information of the state of our affrs extended to what passes within yr view, will be useful & highly grateful to me. I will give you what may be worth yr attention from the other hemisphere - with great sincerity, I am dear Sir yr friend & srvt. Remember me affecty. to Mr. Nelson & Mr. Prentis." Integral leaf addressed by Monroe to "The honble/St. George Tucker/Williamsburg/Virginia" and is docketed, possibly by Tucker, "Col. Monroe/June 22d 1794."
James Monroe had attended William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1776 and left to enter the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. Appointed a Lieutenant in the Third Virginia Regiment, he participated in numerous engagements. In 1780, he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel by Governor Thomas Jefferson. After the war, Monroe served in the Continental Congress (1783-1786) and ran unsuccessfully against James Madison for a seat in the First Congress. In 1790, he was elected to the U.S. Senate as an anti-administration advocate of Jeffersonian policies to fill a vacancy. In the Senate, Monroe opposed the foreign policy of Federalist President Washington and was in the minority when he voted against the appointment of Gouverneur Morris as U.S. Minister to France. While Senator, he worked with Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and Congressman James Madison in organizing the Republican Party which became the Democratic-Republican and then the Democratic Party. After the United States demanded the recall of the French Minister, Citizen Genet, on August 2, 1793, the French, in retaliation, demanded the recall of Morris on April 9, 1794. President Washington offered the post to James Madison and Robert R. Livingston. Each declined. In a message to the U.S. Senate dated May 27, 1794, President Washington wrote, "The Executive Provisory Council of the French Republic having requested me to recall Gouverneur Morris, our Minister Plenipotentiary in France; I have thought proper, in pursuance of that request, to recall him. I therefore nominate James Monroe, of Virginia, as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, to the said Republic." Monroe resigned from the Senate on May 27th and was succeeded by Stevens Mason who had served in the Revolutionary war as an aide to General Washington at Yorktown. The Senate consented to Monroe's appointment on May 28th and the new 36-year-old U.S. Minister, who favored friendly relations with the French, rode with his wife and their seven-year-old daughter, to Chesapeake Bay to sail to France. It was from Chesapeake Bay that Monroe wrote letters of farewell to his friends, including this one to St. George Tucker.
St. George Tucker (1752-1827), born in Bermuda, moved to Williamsburg to study law at the College of William and Mary in 1772. He was admitted to the bar in 1774. Tucker resumed his practice of law after the Revolutionary War in which he was a Colonel in the militia, later holding the Chair of Law at William and Mary. In 1803, Tucker published Blackstone's Commentaries: with Notes Of Reference, to the Constitution and Laws, of the Federal Government of the United States; and of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The following year he resigned his professorship to become presiding Judge of the Virginia Court of Appeals. In 1813, President Madison appointed Tucker Judge of the U.S. District Court of Virginia; he served until 1825. In an article about Tucker in the March, 2006, issue of The Journal of the Historical Society titled "The First Modern American Law Professor," Craig Evan Klafter writes that Tucker "set much of the standard by which American law professors have been judged for the past 200 years."
In his postscript, Monroe sends regards to Mr. Nelson and Mr. Prentis. Hugh Nelson (1768-1836), a 1780 graduate of William and Mary, had served in the Virginia State Senate from 1786-1791. He served in Congress from 1811 until his appointment as U.S. Minister to Spain by President Monroe in 1823. He served until 1824. Joseph Prentis (1754-1809) studied at William and Mary in 1777 and was a Judge of the General Court of Virginia from 1789 until his death in 1809.
Monroe arrived in France on July 31, 1794, three days after Robespierre and his followers were guillotined, putting an end to the Reign of Terror. He presented his credentials on August 15, 1794, succeeding Gouverneur Morris who was still at his post. While in Paris, Monroe constantly worked to tighten the Franco-American alliance, favored by Republicans, which angered the Federalists at home. When the French requested information about Jay's Treaty, Monroe assured them that it would not concern new trade obligations, not knowing that Federalist John Jay had been given power to negotiate commercial concerns. The treaty resulted in closer economic ties with Britain, encouraging trade between the two nations. It was ratified over Republican opposition led by Jefferson and Madison. France had been at war with England since 1793. Over the coming years, France rolled back many of the protections it had awarded U.S. merchants in retaliation for Jay's Treaty. Monroe faced growing criticism at home from Federalists as well as in France. Opponents felt he was acting more as a Republican party spokesman than as the representative of his government. On September 9, 1796, President Washington appointed Federalist Charles C. Pinckney of South Carolina to succeed Monroe who presented his recall on December 9, 1796. In the Spring of 1797, Monroe returned home to Virginia. Pinckney was not received by the French Directory and he immediately returned home. There was no U.S. Minister to France until 1801 when Robert R. Livingston presented his credentials. In 1803, President Jefferson sent Monroe back to Paris to join Livingston as Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to enter into a treaty with Napoleon "for the enlarging and more effectually securing our rights and interests in the river Mississippi." Monroe and Livingston's negotiations resulted in the Louisiana Purchase.
This historic letter is in extra fine condition and was written at a turning point in the life of the ambitious, energetic young Virginian as he was about to embark with his family on his first trip abroad to, as he put it in this letter, "the other hemisphere." From the Gary Grossman Collection.
John Quincy Adams Superb Political Autograph Letter Signed: Three weeks before he's elected to Congress, two years after losing to Andrew Jackson, the former President delivers a scathing attack on the Jackson administration, calling its policies a "national degradation" and a "disgrace," alluding to "the vices of this Administration."
Signed: "J. Q. Adams", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Quincy, October 14, 1830. To Peter B. Porter, Black Rock, N.Y. In full: "Dear Sir I am happy to perceive by your letter of the 11th ulto., which I sometime since received, that the question relating to your accounts and compensation, while a Commissioner under the 6th and 7th articles of the Treaty of Ghent, has been finally adjudicated to your satisfaction. The anxiety to find or make delinquents among the Officers of the last Administration has been one of the unfortunate propensities of the Successors: that the attempt to include you in the number has proved a failure is very gratifying. The principle of judge Conklins [sic, Conkling's] decision, I am persuaded is correct. There is nothing in the political system of the present Administration calculated to engage the affections of the People - nothing that posterity can look to with satisfaction - All its successes are identified with national degradation - The Triumph is already passing away - the disgrace remains - to be redeemed hereafter by wiser and more virtuous men. You are at Liberty to make such use of the observations in my Letter of last April, as you may deem advisable, without implicating my name. I see no cause for altering the opinion, that all the vices of this Administration are saddled irrevocably upon the Union till New York and Pennsylvania shall discover that they have been playing the Farce of Who's the Dupe for the benefit of others. I remain with great Respect and Attachment your friend and servt."
John Quincy Adams, eldest son of second President John Adams, was perhaps the most qualified of all U.S. Presidents. He had served as private secretary to U.S. Minister Francis Dana in Russia and to his father, the U.S. Minister to Great Britain, before he was 20. At 26, he was appointed by President Washington as U.S. Minister to the Netherlands, at 28 to Portugal, and at 29 to Prussia. Adams served in the U.S. Senate from 1803-1808 and then as U.S. Minister to Russia (1809-1814). Adams then served as U.S. Minister to England (1815-1817) and Monroe's Secretary of State (1817-1825) before becoming President.
The Treaty of Ghent ending the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain was signed in Ghent, Belgium, on December 24, 1814. John Quincy Adams was one of the commissioners who helped negotiate the terms of peace and signed the treaty for the United States. The Treaty of Paris had ended the Revolutionary War in 1783. Provisions of the 1783 treaty set part of the northern boundary of the United States and the "Dominions of His Britannic Majesty" (Canada) from Lake Ontario through Lake Erie and Lake Huron to Lake Superior. The 6th Article of the Treaty of Ghent concerned to whom the islands lying within rivers, lakes, and "water communications" belong, the United States or Great Britain. The 7th Article concerned the islands "between Lake Huron and Lake Superior to the most North Western point of the Lake of the Woods." Two commissioners would be appointed to make the final decision. Peter B. Porter and Anthony Barclay were appointed Commissioners. The "Declaration and Decision of the Commissioners of Great Britain and the United States, under the VIth Article of the Treaty of Ghent of 1814, respecting Boundaries" was signed by Porter and Barclay in Utica, New York, on June 18, 1822, but they disagreed on the boundary from Lake Huron to the Lake of the Woods (7th Article). That boundary was settled by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842.
Peter B. Porter (1773-1844) represented New York in Congress from 1809-1813 and 1815-1816. During the War of 1812, he was Major General of New York Volunteers (1812-1815) and was presented a gold medal under joint resolution of Congress dated November 3, 1814, "for gallantry and good conduct in the several conflicts of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie." After serving as commissioner under the Treaty of Ghent, Porter served as Secretary of War under President John Quincy Adams from June 21, 1828, to March 3, 1829, remaining in office until March 9, 1829, when President Andrew Jackson's appointee, John H. Eaton entered upon his duties. With two reproductions of photographs of Porter.
In the election of 1828, Andrew Jackson defeated the incumbent President, John Quincy Adams, 178-84 electoral votes. By 1828, presidential electors were chosen by popular vote in every state but Delaware and South Carolina where the stare legislatures chose the electors. Jackson was the nominee of the Democratic-Republicans who soon became known as Democrats. Adams' supporters joined remaining Federalists to form the National Republican Party which evolved into the Whigs. Adams won New England (except for one Maine elector), New Jersey, Delaware, 16 of New York's 36 electoral votes, and 6 of Maryland's 11 votes. Jackson won 20 of New York's electoral votes, one Maine and 5 Maryland votes, and the 14 other states, mostly in the south and the west.
In one of President Jackson's first actions, he fired nearly ten percent of Federal government employees, most of them holdovers from John Quincy Adams' administration, and gave their jobs to his loyal supporters. Senator William L. Marcy of New York later defended the policy of "rotation of office" by declaring on the Senate floor, "To the victors belong the spoils." Porter had been communicating with Adams about his services as commissioner. He and Barclay had held their final meeting trying to determine the boundary from Lake Huron to the Lake of the Woods on December 24, 1827. There was a question concerning his compensation for services rendered. On September 11, 1830, Porter wrote Adams that his question relating to his accounts and compensation had been finally adjudicated to his satisfaction. Evidently, others who had been employed by the Adams administration and been owed money by the government were having difficulty getting paid by the Jackson administration. A decision by Judge Conkling (misspelled "Conklin" by Adams), U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York, helped Porter receive compensation for his services. Porter lived in Black Rock, Cayuga County, N.Y., within the jurisdiction of the Northern District.
Alfred Conkling (1789-1874) represented New York in the House of Representatives from 1821-1823. A Democratic-Republican, he was appointed U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York and served from 1825-1852 when he was appointed U.S. Minister to Mexico by his friend, President Millard Fillmore, serving from 1852-1853. His son, Roscoe Conkling, represented New York in the U.S. Senate from 1867-1881.
Adams' reply to Porter is a scathing attack upon his successor in the White House: "There is nothing in the political system of the present Administration calculated to engage the affections of the People - nothing that posterity can look to with satisfaction - All its successes are identified with national degradation - The Triumph is already passing away - the disgrace remains - to be redeemed hereafter by wiser and more virtuous men."
Historian Edward Channing attributed Adams' 1828 defeat to Jackson's overwhelming support in the South "combined with the employment of most unjustifiable methods by his partisans in Pennsylvania and New York." Adams writes in this letter that "all the vices of this Administration are saddled irrevocably upon the Union till New York and Pennsylvania shall discover that they have been playing the Farce of Who's the Dupe for the benefit of others," others being the south and the west, areas swept by Jackson in 1828. The popular two-act farce "Who's the Dupe?" was written by English playwright Hannah Cowey (1743-1809) in 1779. It mocked pretentious uses of Classical learning.
Just a few weeks after writing this letter, John Quincy Adams was elected to Congress as a National Republican, becoming the only former President ever to serve in the House of Representatives. He served from 1831 until 1848 when he collapsed on the floor of the House from a stroke and was carried to the Speaker's Room where he died two days later. He was 80 years old.
While there have been instances of Presidents and their successors of another party not getting along, none approaches Adams' animosity toward Jackson. Rarely does one find a President attacking another President in writing. This remarkable letter, in extra fine condition, would be the cornerstone of a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "J. Q. Adams", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Quincy, October 14, 1830. To Peter B. Porter, Black Rock, N.Y. In full: "Dear Sir I am happy to perceive by your letter of the 11th ulto., which I sometime since received, that the question relating to your accounts and compensation, while a Commissioner under the 6th and 7th articles of the Treaty of Ghent, has been finally adjudicated to your satisfaction. The anxiety to find or make delinquents among the Officers of the last Administration has been one of the unfortunate propensities of the Successors: that the attempt to include you in the number has proved a failure is very gratifying. The principle of judge Conklins [sic, Conkling's] decision, I am persuaded is correct. There is nothing in the political system of the present Administration calculated to engage the affections of the People - nothing that posterity can look to with satisfaction - All its successes are identified with national degradation - The Triumph is already passing away - the disgrace remains - to be redeemed hereafter by wiser and more virtuous men. You are at Liberty to make such use of the observations in my Letter of last April, as you may deem advisable, without implicating my name. I see no cause for altering the opinion, that all the vices of this Administration are saddled irrevocably upon the Union till New York and Pennsylvania shall discover that they have been playing the Farce of Who's the Dupe for the benefit of others. I remain with great Respect and Attachment your friend and servt."
John Quincy Adams, eldest son of second President John Adams, was perhaps the most qualified of all U.S. Presidents. He had served as private secretary to U.S. Minister Francis Dana in Russia and to his father, the U.S. Minister to Great Britain, before he was 20. At 26, he was appointed by President Washington as U.S. Minister to the Netherlands, at 28 to Portugal, and at 29 to Prussia. Adams served in the U.S. Senate from 1803-1808 and then as U.S. Minister to Russia (1809-1814). Adams then served as U.S. Minister to England (1815-1817) and Monroe's Secretary of State (1817-1825) before becoming President.
The Treaty of Ghent ending the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain was signed in Ghent, Belgium, on December 24, 1814. John Quincy Adams was one of the commissioners who helped negotiate the terms of peace and signed the treaty for the United States. The Treaty of Paris had ended the Revolutionary War in 1783. Provisions of the 1783 treaty set part of the northern boundary of the United States and the "Dominions of His Britannic Majesty" (Canada) from Lake Ontario through Lake Erie and Lake Huron to Lake Superior. The 6th Article of the Treaty of Ghent concerned to whom the islands lying within rivers, lakes, and "water communications" belong, the United States or Great Britain. The 7th Article concerned the islands "between Lake Huron and Lake Superior to the most North Western point of the Lake of the Woods." Two commissioners would be appointed to make the final decision. Peter B. Porter and Anthony Barclay were appointed Commissioners. The "Declaration and Decision of the Commissioners of Great Britain and the United States, under the VIth Article of the Treaty of Ghent of 1814, respecting Boundaries" was signed by Porter and Barclay in Utica, New York, on June 18, 1822, but they disagreed on the boundary from Lake Huron to the Lake of the Woods (7th Article). That boundary was settled by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842.
Peter B. Porter (1773-1844) represented New York in Congress from 1809-1813 and 1815-1816. During the War of 1812, he was Major General of New York Volunteers (1812-1815) and was presented a gold medal under joint resolution of Congress dated November 3, 1814, "for gallantry and good conduct in the several conflicts of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie." After serving as commissioner under the Treaty of Ghent, Porter served as Secretary of War under President John Quincy Adams from June 21, 1828, to March 3, 1829, remaining in office until March 9, 1829, when President Andrew Jackson's appointee, John H. Eaton entered upon his duties. With two reproductions of photographs of Porter.
In the election of 1828, Andrew Jackson defeated the incumbent President, John Quincy Adams, 178-84 electoral votes. By 1828, presidential electors were chosen by popular vote in every state but Delaware and South Carolina where the stare legislatures chose the electors. Jackson was the nominee of the Democratic-Republicans who soon became known as Democrats. Adams' supporters joined remaining Federalists to form the National Republican Party which evolved into the Whigs. Adams won New England (except for one Maine elector), New Jersey, Delaware, 16 of New York's 36 electoral votes, and 6 of Maryland's 11 votes. Jackson won 20 of New York's electoral votes, one Maine and 5 Maryland votes, and the 14 other states, mostly in the south and the west.
In one of President Jackson's first actions, he fired nearly ten percent of Federal government employees, most of them holdovers from John Quincy Adams' administration, and gave their jobs to his loyal supporters. Senator William L. Marcy of New York later defended the policy of "rotation of office" by declaring on the Senate floor, "To the victors belong the spoils." Porter had been communicating with Adams about his services as commissioner. He and Barclay had held their final meeting trying to determine the boundary from Lake Huron to the Lake of the Woods on December 24, 1827. There was a question concerning his compensation for services rendered. On September 11, 1830, Porter wrote Adams that his question relating to his accounts and compensation had been finally adjudicated to his satisfaction. Evidently, others who had been employed by the Adams administration and been owed money by the government were having difficulty getting paid by the Jackson administration. A decision by Judge Conkling (misspelled "Conklin" by Adams), U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York, helped Porter receive compensation for his services. Porter lived in Black Rock, Cayuga County, N.Y., within the jurisdiction of the Northern District.
Alfred Conkling (1789-1874) represented New York in the House of Representatives from 1821-1823. A Democratic-Republican, he was appointed U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York and served from 1825-1852 when he was appointed U.S. Minister to Mexico by his friend, President Millard Fillmore, serving from 1852-1853. His son, Roscoe Conkling, represented New York in the U.S. Senate from 1867-1881.
Adams' reply to Porter is a scathing attack upon his successor in the White House: "There is nothing in the political system of the present Administration calculated to engage the affections of the People - nothing that posterity can look to with satisfaction - All its successes are identified with national degradation - The Triumph is already passing away - the disgrace remains - to be redeemed hereafter by wiser and more virtuous men."
Historian Edward Channing attributed Adams' 1828 defeat to Jackson's overwhelming support in the South "combined with the employment of most unjustifiable methods by his partisans in Pennsylvania and New York." Adams writes in this letter that "all the vices of this Administration are saddled irrevocably upon the Union till New York and Pennsylvania shall discover that they have been playing the Farce of Who's the Dupe for the benefit of others," others being the south and the west, areas swept by Jackson in 1828. The popular two-act farce "Who's the Dupe?" was written by English playwright Hannah Cowey (1743-1809) in 1779. It mocked pretentious uses of Classical learning.
Just a few weeks after writing this letter, John Quincy Adams was elected to Congress as a National Republican, becoming the only former President ever to serve in the House of Representatives. He served from 1831 until 1848 when he collapsed on the floor of the House from a stroke and was carried to the Speaker's Room where he died two days later. He was 80 years old.
While there have been instances of Presidents and their successors of another party not getting along, none approaches Adams' animosity toward Jackson. Rarely does one find a President attacking another President in writing. This remarkable letter, in extra fine condition, would be the cornerstone of a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Andrew Jackson Superb Autograph Letter Signed: Upon learning that his niece and White House hostess Emily Donelson was near death, the President agonizes that her husband, his personal secretary Major Andrew Jackson Donelson, may not get back to Tennessee in time and that it was his fault.
Signed: "Andrew Jackson" as President, one page, 8.75" x 10.75". Washington, December 13, 1836. To his nephew, William Donelson. In full: "Dear Sir, Your letter of the 1st instant came to hand this morning, giving the distressing intelligence that our dear Emily is worse and fast declining. From her own letter and one lately received from Mr. Benton dated as late as the 27th ultimo, I was encouraged that she was improving slowly, but still weak. I hope & trust that Major Donelson reached home last evening - he left Wheeling on the morning of the 7th instant. It was a source of great pain to us all, that he should be detained on my account one single day - he thought it was necessary, and therefore I felt, and feel, the greater gratitude for his aid, and particularly for the feeling that gave rise to it. I still hope, that the Major, having united with Emily, it will calm her mind and she will begin to recover her strength, for which my prayers are constantly offered to that providence who alone hold our destinies in his hand. My own health is still feeble - I move slowly & am scarce able to write. With my prayers for the restoration of our dear Emily to health & kind regards to all friends, I am yours very respectfully."
Andrew Jackson had successful political and military careers. He represented Tennessee in the House of Representatives (1796-1797) and U.S. Senate (1797-1798, 1823-1825) and served as Judge of the Supreme Court of Tennessee (1798-1804), Tennessee State Senator (1804), Governor of Florida (1821), and President of the United States. He was Major General of Militia for the western district of Tennessee (1801), Major General in the War of 1812 (1812-1815), and defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans (1815) and the Seminoles in Spanish Florida (1818).
Rachel Donelson (1767-1828) married Lewis Robards when she was 17. His irrational jealousy made it impossible for Rachel to live with him, and five years later, in 1790, they separated. In 1791, she learned that Robards had filed a petition and was granted the right to sue for divorce by the Virginia legislature. In August, Rachel and Andrew Jackson were married in Natchez, Mississippi. Never actually obtaining the divorce, Robards learned of the marriage and brought suit on grounds of bigamy and received a decree of divorce in September, 1793. The Jacksons were remarried in Nashville in January, 1794. Unfortunately, whispers of bigamy and adultery followed Rachel for the rest of her life. By 1828, 61-year-old Rachel Jackson's health was not good since she had struggled for several years with bronchial problems and a heart condition. It worsened when she heard and read of attacks on her by her husband's opponents during the presidential campaign. In December, she contracted pleurisy, aggravating her condition. Rachel Donelson Jackson died on December 22, 1828, between her husband's election and his inauguration. Her epitaph reflects Andrew Jackson's bitterness at the campaign slurs: "A being so gentle and so virtuous slander might wound, but could not dishonor."
Andrew Jackson Donelson (1799-1871) was the son of Rachel's brother, Samuel. After his father died in 1803 and his mother remarried, Donelson moved to the Hermitage to live with his Aunt and Uncle Jackson. They raised him as they would a son. Emily Donelson was the daughter of Rachel's brother, John. In 1824, A.J. Donelson married his first cousin, Emily. When Andrew Jackson was elected President in November, he planned to ask his nephew to be his private secretary and his wife to help Rachel with her new responsibilities as she had so ably done at the Hermitage. Instead, Emily became White House hostess.
Emily Tennessee Donelson (1807-1836) was 21 when she arrived in Washington. She cared for her uncle, her husband, four children (three born in the Executive Mansion), many visiting relatives, and official guests. She was known to have wonderful tact, but she also had the courage to differ with the President on issues of principle. Peggy Eaton (1799-1879) was the wife of Jackson's Secretary of War, John H. Eaton. Her father owned a popular Washington tavern and her first husband had committed suicide. There were rumors that he killed himself when he learned of his wife's affair with Eaton. Her reputation and morals came into question and the wives of the other cabinet members refused to socialize with her. Jackson tried to pressure his cabinet members to have their wives accept the couple. Emily supported the wives and at White House functions just extended basic courtesies to Mrs. Eaton. When Jackson learned that the Eatons did not attend a White House reception because Mrs. Eaton did not like Emily's cold treatment, the rift between him and his niece grew. In May, 1830, the President gave Emily an ultimatum: accept Mrs. Eaton or return to Tennessee. He expected her to accede to his request, but it was a matter of principle. Emily stood up to the President of the United States and she and her two young children returned to Tennessee. The love of his niece and his two godsons required Jackson to act. He missed waking up when he heard his nephews crying at night and consoling them. The President replaced several members of his cabinet and, at the request of Uncle Jackson, Emily returned to Washington with her sons on September 5, 1831. In the next three years, Emily gave birth at the Executive Mansion to two daughters, then became ill. In 1834, the President asked Sarah Yorke Jackson, wife of his adopted son, Andrew Jackson, Jr., to act as hostess with Emily. In 1836, the frail Emily was diagnosed with tuberculosis. She left in June for Tulip Grove, her new home adjacent to the Hermitage. This letter was written by President Jackson after he learned that Emily's health was "worse and fast declining" in a December 1st letter he received from one of her brothers, William Donelson. William Donelson (1795-1864) was Emily's brother. He had served under his Uncle Jackson for three months during the Creek campaign in late 1813 and was with him at New Orleans, though not as a member of the army. For most of his life he was a planter residing near the Hermitage.
In this letter to William, President Jackson worries that Emily's husband, Major Andrew Jackson Donelson, would be "detained on my account one single day" which Donelson felt was necessary before he headed for home. He has prayed that the return of her husband "will calm her mind and she will begin to recover her strength." Major Donelson had been in his office signing 40,000 land patents which had accumulated since the summer when he had left Washington to be with his wife. In 1833, Jackson had appointed his nephew "to be the secretary authorized under the act 'prescribing the mode by which patents for public lands shall be signed and executed.'" President Jackson told his nephew to return home to his wife as soon as his job was done. By the time he had finished, better news had been received "from her own letter and one...from Mr. Benton dated [November] 27th." Donelson then stayed on to help Jackson with his annual message. He felt the news about Emily was so encouraging that he left Washington on December 3rd for Philadelphia to buy furniture for the new home he had built adjacent to the Hermitage at Tulip Grove. Donelson left Philadelphia, crossing Pennsylvania, traveling directly west to Wheeling, Virginia. Jackson received word that Donelson had left Wheeling on December 7th. It would be about a five day journey and Jackson writes "I hope & trust that Major Donelson reached home last evening." What the President didn't know was that Donelson was rushing home by way of the Ohio River, which he thought would be faster than an all-land route. What Donelson didn't anticipate were many unexpected delays. Emily made a desperate effort to survive until her husband returned. She even asked that her bed be moved so that she could look from a window upon the road on which her husband would return. Surrounded by her sons 10 and 7, her daughters 4 and 2, and her mother, 29-year-old Emily Donelson died on December 19, 1836. Two days later, her husband returned home.
Family letters of Presidents rarely appear on the market. They are usually found in university libraries or government archives. This compassionate letter, in extra fine condition, written by Jackson as President to his nephew about the impending death of his young niece, a woman who courageously stood up to him, and his prayers for her recovery, is a rare glimpse into the personal life of a man said to be as tough as hickory. It would make an exceptional addition to any collection. With a book photograph of Emily Donelson. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Andrew Jackson" as President, one page, 8.75" x 10.75". Washington, December 13, 1836. To his nephew, William Donelson. In full: "Dear Sir, Your letter of the 1st instant came to hand this morning, giving the distressing intelligence that our dear Emily is worse and fast declining. From her own letter and one lately received from Mr. Benton dated as late as the 27th ultimo, I was encouraged that she was improving slowly, but still weak. I hope & trust that Major Donelson reached home last evening - he left Wheeling on the morning of the 7th instant. It was a source of great pain to us all, that he should be detained on my account one single day - he thought it was necessary, and therefore I felt, and feel, the greater gratitude for his aid, and particularly for the feeling that gave rise to it. I still hope, that the Major, having united with Emily, it will calm her mind and she will begin to recover her strength, for which my prayers are constantly offered to that providence who alone hold our destinies in his hand. My own health is still feeble - I move slowly & am scarce able to write. With my prayers for the restoration of our dear Emily to health & kind regards to all friends, I am yours very respectfully."
Andrew Jackson had successful political and military careers. He represented Tennessee in the House of Representatives (1796-1797) and U.S. Senate (1797-1798, 1823-1825) and served as Judge of the Supreme Court of Tennessee (1798-1804), Tennessee State Senator (1804), Governor of Florida (1821), and President of the United States. He was Major General of Militia for the western district of Tennessee (1801), Major General in the War of 1812 (1812-1815), and defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans (1815) and the Seminoles in Spanish Florida (1818).
Rachel Donelson (1767-1828) married Lewis Robards when she was 17. His irrational jealousy made it impossible for Rachel to live with him, and five years later, in 1790, they separated. In 1791, she learned that Robards had filed a petition and was granted the right to sue for divorce by the Virginia legislature. In August, Rachel and Andrew Jackson were married in Natchez, Mississippi. Never actually obtaining the divorce, Robards learned of the marriage and brought suit on grounds of bigamy and received a decree of divorce in September, 1793. The Jacksons were remarried in Nashville in January, 1794. Unfortunately, whispers of bigamy and adultery followed Rachel for the rest of her life. By 1828, 61-year-old Rachel Jackson's health was not good since she had struggled for several years with bronchial problems and a heart condition. It worsened when she heard and read of attacks on her by her husband's opponents during the presidential campaign. In December, she contracted pleurisy, aggravating her condition. Rachel Donelson Jackson died on December 22, 1828, between her husband's election and his inauguration. Her epitaph reflects Andrew Jackson's bitterness at the campaign slurs: "A being so gentle and so virtuous slander might wound, but could not dishonor."
Andrew Jackson Donelson (1799-1871) was the son of Rachel's brother, Samuel. After his father died in 1803 and his mother remarried, Donelson moved to the Hermitage to live with his Aunt and Uncle Jackson. They raised him as they would a son. Emily Donelson was the daughter of Rachel's brother, John. In 1824, A.J. Donelson married his first cousin, Emily. When Andrew Jackson was elected President in November, he planned to ask his nephew to be his private secretary and his wife to help Rachel with her new responsibilities as she had so ably done at the Hermitage. Instead, Emily became White House hostess.
Emily Tennessee Donelson (1807-1836) was 21 when she arrived in Washington. She cared for her uncle, her husband, four children (three born in the Executive Mansion), many visiting relatives, and official guests. She was known to have wonderful tact, but she also had the courage to differ with the President on issues of principle. Peggy Eaton (1799-1879) was the wife of Jackson's Secretary of War, John H. Eaton. Her father owned a popular Washington tavern and her first husband had committed suicide. There were rumors that he killed himself when he learned of his wife's affair with Eaton. Her reputation and morals came into question and the wives of the other cabinet members refused to socialize with her. Jackson tried to pressure his cabinet members to have their wives accept the couple. Emily supported the wives and at White House functions just extended basic courtesies to Mrs. Eaton. When Jackson learned that the Eatons did not attend a White House reception because Mrs. Eaton did not like Emily's cold treatment, the rift between him and his niece grew. In May, 1830, the President gave Emily an ultimatum: accept Mrs. Eaton or return to Tennessee. He expected her to accede to his request, but it was a matter of principle. Emily stood up to the President of the United States and she and her two young children returned to Tennessee. The love of his niece and his two godsons required Jackson to act. He missed waking up when he heard his nephews crying at night and consoling them. The President replaced several members of his cabinet and, at the request of Uncle Jackson, Emily returned to Washington with her sons on September 5, 1831. In the next three years, Emily gave birth at the Executive Mansion to two daughters, then became ill. In 1834, the President asked Sarah Yorke Jackson, wife of his adopted son, Andrew Jackson, Jr., to act as hostess with Emily. In 1836, the frail Emily was diagnosed with tuberculosis. She left in June for Tulip Grove, her new home adjacent to the Hermitage. This letter was written by President Jackson after he learned that Emily's health was "worse and fast declining" in a December 1st letter he received from one of her brothers, William Donelson. William Donelson (1795-1864) was Emily's brother. He had served under his Uncle Jackson for three months during the Creek campaign in late 1813 and was with him at New Orleans, though not as a member of the army. For most of his life he was a planter residing near the Hermitage.
In this letter to William, President Jackson worries that Emily's husband, Major Andrew Jackson Donelson, would be "detained on my account one single day" which Donelson felt was necessary before he headed for home. He has prayed that the return of her husband "will calm her mind and she will begin to recover her strength." Major Donelson had been in his office signing 40,000 land patents which had accumulated since the summer when he had left Washington to be with his wife. In 1833, Jackson had appointed his nephew "to be the secretary authorized under the act 'prescribing the mode by which patents for public lands shall be signed and executed.'" President Jackson told his nephew to return home to his wife as soon as his job was done. By the time he had finished, better news had been received "from her own letter and one...from Mr. Benton dated [November] 27th." Donelson then stayed on to help Jackson with his annual message. He felt the news about Emily was so encouraging that he left Washington on December 3rd for Philadelphia to buy furniture for the new home he had built adjacent to the Hermitage at Tulip Grove. Donelson left Philadelphia, crossing Pennsylvania, traveling directly west to Wheeling, Virginia. Jackson received word that Donelson had left Wheeling on December 7th. It would be about a five day journey and Jackson writes "I hope & trust that Major Donelson reached home last evening." What the President didn't know was that Donelson was rushing home by way of the Ohio River, which he thought would be faster than an all-land route. What Donelson didn't anticipate were many unexpected delays. Emily made a desperate effort to survive until her husband returned. She even asked that her bed be moved so that she could look from a window upon the road on which her husband would return. Surrounded by her sons 10 and 7, her daughters 4 and 2, and her mother, 29-year-old Emily Donelson died on December 19, 1836. Two days later, her husband returned home.
Family letters of Presidents rarely appear on the market. They are usually found in university libraries or government archives. This compassionate letter, in extra fine condition, written by Jackson as President to his nephew about the impending death of his young niece, a woman who courageously stood up to him, and his prayers for her recovery, is a rare glimpse into the personal life of a man said to be as tough as hickory. It would make an exceptional addition to any collection. With a book photograph of Emily Donelson. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Martin Van Buren Political Autograph Letter Signed: "The Little Magician" exhibits his political adroitness in this letter to a fellow Bucktail, opposing support of a powerful Clintonian who, he adds, "will cheat you."
Signed: "M V Buren", one page, 8" x 8". No place, no date. To Mr. Davidson. In full: "My dear Sir, I looked for you all over Town the evening I was to have seen you. I fear a portion of our friends will wish to take Taylor on our ticket in the hopes of securing support by it. It would expose us to derision abroad & confirm all that has been said about NYork politics. I hope it will be resisted. I have as much interest as any man in the success of the party, but we ought to preserve our honour. Besides, Taylor will cheat you. Write me. Yours truly."
Although this letter is not dated, it most probably was written in 1820 about Congressman John W. Taylor. After Martin Van Buren won reelection to the State Senate in 1816 at the age of 32, he was named New York's Attorney General. Fellow Democratic-Republican De Witt Clinton had served as U.S. Senator, Mayor of New York City, State Senator, and Lieutenant Governor of New York, and was the Federalist candidate for President in 1812. From his position as Attorney General, Van Buren and his supporters struggled unsuccessfully to replace DeWitt Clinton as party leader. Van Buren's followers, known as Bucktails because they wore buck tails on their hats when they attended political meetings, held numerous state offices. When Clinton became Governor of New York in 1817, succeeding Bucktail Daniel Tompkins, he began to dismiss all Bucktail appointees in the state government. Van Buren retained his post of Attorney General until 1819, then lost it to the Clinton forces.
Daniel D. Tompkins (1774-1825), had preceded Clinton as Governor of New York, serving from 1807-1817 when he was sworn in as Monroe's Vice President. In 1820, even though he was the Vice President, the Bucktails nominated Tompkins to run for Governor against Clinton, hoping their wing of the Democratic-Republican Party would regain control of state politics and patronage. Tompkins lost the race for Governor but was reelected Vice President.
John W. Taylor (1784-1854) had served in the House of Representatives since 1813 and was the senior member of the New York delegation, an influential member of Congress, and a Clintonian.
Van Buren had formed a formidable political organization while in Albany as State Senator and Attorney General. Through what has been said to be devious schemes, he was able to force the removal of key Clinton political appointees. His political skills and his height (5' 6") earned him the sobriquet "The Little Magician." By 1820, his enemies referred to his circle of politicians, New York's first political machine, as the "Albany Regency." Through alliances, its power spread throughout the state. Van Buren alludes to this when he says that if Taylor is put on the Bucktail ticket, it would "confirm all that has been said about NYork politics."
Henry Clay had resigned as Speaker of the House on October 28, 1820; he was unable to maintain his post because of financial problems. Taylor had support for Speaker but needed the votes of Bucktails in the New York congressional delegation to win, so he pledged to them his neutrality in New York politics. These may have been the "friends...who wish to take Taylor on our ticket" mentioned by Van Buren in this letter. On November 15, 1820, Taylor was elected Speaker by one vote after convincing five Bucktails who had voted for another candidate on the first day of balloting, to vote for him. Van Buren knew that Taylor was firmly in the Clinton camp and while he was interested in the success of his party, Van Buren felt that the Bucktails should resist the temptation and "preserve our honour." On February 6, 1821, Martin Van Buren was elected U.S. Senator over Nathan Sanford, the Clintonian candidate. Even though he was now a U.S. Senator, he still controlled the Albany Regency. His immediate goal was to have Taylor replaced as Speaker.
Van Buren's feelings towards the Speaker is evident in this letter ("Taylor will cheat you"). Even before Van Buren took his seat in the Senate, he began to help orchestrate Taylor's ouster. Van Buren believed the post of Speaker of the House would be important in the presidential election of 1824 since candidates for President were nominated by congressional caucuses. While it had its factions, there was, in effect, one political party in America, the Democratic-Republicans. In the election of 1820, President James Monroe won all 24 states and Van Buren was looking forward to 1824. The Little Magician worked his magic. When the new Congress convened, Virginia Congressman Philip P. Barbour was elected Speaker of the House on the 12th ballot, defeating Taylor 88-67, increasing Van Buren's influence in Washington. In 1824, Van Buren managed the congressional caucus that nominated Secretary of the Treasury William H. Crawford of Georgia for President. After John Quincy Adams was elected President, Van Buren became a Jacksonian. Governor De Witt Clinton died in 1828 and Van Buren was elected Governor of New York and took office on January 1, 1829. Two months later, President Jackson appointed him Secretary of State, then U.S. Minister to England. In 1832, Van Buren was elected Jackson's Vice President and, in 1836, President of the United States.
This excellent political letter, with a small nick at the left edge, is in very fine condition. Displaying Van Buren's acumen and acuteness in getting his point across, it was penned at a critical time in Van Buren's political life. It would make a fine addition to any political or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "M V Buren", one page, 8" x 8". No place, no date. To Mr. Davidson. In full: "My dear Sir, I looked for you all over Town the evening I was to have seen you. I fear a portion of our friends will wish to take Taylor on our ticket in the hopes of securing support by it. It would expose us to derision abroad & confirm all that has been said about NYork politics. I hope it will be resisted. I have as much interest as any man in the success of the party, but we ought to preserve our honour. Besides, Taylor will cheat you. Write me. Yours truly."
Although this letter is not dated, it most probably was written in 1820 about Congressman John W. Taylor. After Martin Van Buren won reelection to the State Senate in 1816 at the age of 32, he was named New York's Attorney General. Fellow Democratic-Republican De Witt Clinton had served as U.S. Senator, Mayor of New York City, State Senator, and Lieutenant Governor of New York, and was the Federalist candidate for President in 1812. From his position as Attorney General, Van Buren and his supporters struggled unsuccessfully to replace DeWitt Clinton as party leader. Van Buren's followers, known as Bucktails because they wore buck tails on their hats when they attended political meetings, held numerous state offices. When Clinton became Governor of New York in 1817, succeeding Bucktail Daniel Tompkins, he began to dismiss all Bucktail appointees in the state government. Van Buren retained his post of Attorney General until 1819, then lost it to the Clinton forces.
Daniel D. Tompkins (1774-1825), had preceded Clinton as Governor of New York, serving from 1807-1817 when he was sworn in as Monroe's Vice President. In 1820, even though he was the Vice President, the Bucktails nominated Tompkins to run for Governor against Clinton, hoping their wing of the Democratic-Republican Party would regain control of state politics and patronage. Tompkins lost the race for Governor but was reelected Vice President.
John W. Taylor (1784-1854) had served in the House of Representatives since 1813 and was the senior member of the New York delegation, an influential member of Congress, and a Clintonian.
Van Buren had formed a formidable political organization while in Albany as State Senator and Attorney General. Through what has been said to be devious schemes, he was able to force the removal of key Clinton political appointees. His political skills and his height (5' 6") earned him the sobriquet "The Little Magician." By 1820, his enemies referred to his circle of politicians, New York's first political machine, as the "Albany Regency." Through alliances, its power spread throughout the state. Van Buren alludes to this when he says that if Taylor is put on the Bucktail ticket, it would "confirm all that has been said about NYork politics."
Henry Clay had resigned as Speaker of the House on October 28, 1820; he was unable to maintain his post because of financial problems. Taylor had support for Speaker but needed the votes of Bucktails in the New York congressional delegation to win, so he pledged to them his neutrality in New York politics. These may have been the "friends...who wish to take Taylor on our ticket" mentioned by Van Buren in this letter. On November 15, 1820, Taylor was elected Speaker by one vote after convincing five Bucktails who had voted for another candidate on the first day of balloting, to vote for him. Van Buren knew that Taylor was firmly in the Clinton camp and while he was interested in the success of his party, Van Buren felt that the Bucktails should resist the temptation and "preserve our honour." On February 6, 1821, Martin Van Buren was elected U.S. Senator over Nathan Sanford, the Clintonian candidate. Even though he was now a U.S. Senator, he still controlled the Albany Regency. His immediate goal was to have Taylor replaced as Speaker.
Van Buren's feelings towards the Speaker is evident in this letter ("Taylor will cheat you"). Even before Van Buren took his seat in the Senate, he began to help orchestrate Taylor's ouster. Van Buren believed the post of Speaker of the House would be important in the presidential election of 1824 since candidates for President were nominated by congressional caucuses. While it had its factions, there was, in effect, one political party in America, the Democratic-Republicans. In the election of 1820, President James Monroe won all 24 states and Van Buren was looking forward to 1824. The Little Magician worked his magic. When the new Congress convened, Virginia Congressman Philip P. Barbour was elected Speaker of the House on the 12th ballot, defeating Taylor 88-67, increasing Van Buren's influence in Washington. In 1824, Van Buren managed the congressional caucus that nominated Secretary of the Treasury William H. Crawford of Georgia for President. After John Quincy Adams was elected President, Van Buren became a Jacksonian. Governor De Witt Clinton died in 1828 and Van Buren was elected Governor of New York and took office on January 1, 1829. Two months later, President Jackson appointed him Secretary of State, then U.S. Minister to England. In 1832, Van Buren was elected Jackson's Vice President and, in 1836, President of the United States.
This excellent political letter, with a small nick at the left edge, is in very fine condition. Displaying Van Buren's acumen and acuteness in getting his point across, it was penned at a critical time in Van Buren's political life. It would make a fine addition to any political or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
William Henry Harrison Excellent Autograph Letter Signed: The "Log Cabin and Hard Cider" candidate elected President in 1840 writes in 1834, "I would most cheerfully give one third of all the property I have in the world to put an entire Stop to the Manufacture & the sale of ardent Spirits in our Country."
Signed: "W. H. Harrison", one page, 7.75" x 6.25". North Bend, May 20, 1834. To Rufus Hodges. In full: "Dear Sir, Your friendly letter of the 17th was delivered to me last evening. The state of my business will not permit me to attend the Meeting of your Society on Friday next to perform the honourable part which has been assigned to me in the contemplated proceedings. I assure you however that you do me justice in supposing that I am an ardent friend to the cause of temperance. I would most cheerfully give one third of all the property I have in the world to put an entire Stop to the Manufacture & the sale of ardent Spirits in our Country. The Societies which have been established have done & will no doubt continue to do much good it is however to the Legislature we must look for measures that will be competent to eradicate the evil. I will most heartily unite in any attempt that may be made upon that body to induce them to act promptly and effectively in the matter. With great respect I am, Dr Sir, your Huml Servt"
During the Indian wars of 1794, 23-year-old Lieutenant William H. Harrison, aide-de-camp to General Anthony Wayne, observed, firsthand, numerous murders and other crimes committed by drunken Indians. As Territorial Governor of Indiana and Superintendent of Indian Affairs (1800-1813), Harrison persuaded his legislature to ban the sale or trade of liquor to Indians.
Rufus Hodges was the Recording Secretary of the Hamilton County Temperance Society which had been organized in 1833 as an auxiliary to the Ohio State Temperance Society formed in 1821. By 1835, over one million Americans belonged to temperance societies. After President Harrison's death, with the permission of the Harrison family, a committee of 11 men, including Rufus Hodges, arrived in Washington, D.C., and accompanied Harrison's body to its final resting place in North Bend, Ohio.
Harrison's belief that "it is to the Legislature we must look for measures that will be competent to eradicate the evil" was temporarily successful. From the late 1830s to the 1850s, Ohio and other state legislatures across the country passed prohibition laws but they were vetoed by the governors, found unconstitutional by the state supreme courts or repealed by future state legislatures.
On December 14, 1835, a year and a half after Harrison wrote this letter, at a state convention in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the Whigs nominated Harrison for President, and, in the next few months, other Whig state conventions followed suit. But New England Whigs nominated Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster and, in the south, Tennessee Senator Hugh L. White and North Carolina Senator Willie P. Mangum received nominations. In the election of 1836, President Jackson's Vice President, Democrat Martin Van Buren, easily defeated his three Whig opponents, winning 170 electoral votes and 15 states, to Harrison's 73 votes from seven states, White's 26 votes from Tennessee and Georgia, Webster's 14 votes from Massachusetts and Mangum's 11 votes from South Carolina.
Four years later, the Whigs met again in Harrisburg, and this time it was at its first national convention. William Henry Harrison was nominated for President. The Democrats renominated President Martin Van Buren. As the campaign began, Van Buren supporters mocked Harrison, calling the 67-year-old War of 1812 General "Old Granny," accusing him of senility and not having the energy to inspire the people. A pro-Van Buren newspaper in Baltimore editorialized about the Whig nominee: "Give him a barrel of hard cider, and settle a pension of $2,000 a year, and our word for it he will sit the remainder of his days contented in a log cabin by the side of a 'sea coal' fire." Whigs took advantage of this and, even though Harrison was a teetotaler and would never drink hard cider, an alcoholic drink, and his home looked nothing like a log cabin, they declared that Harrison was "the log cabin and hard cider candidate," a man of the common people. They depicted Van Buren as a wealthy snob who was out of touch with the people. The truth was, it was Harrison who came from a wealthy, prominent Virginia family (his father had been Governor of Virginia and signed the Declaration of Independence) while Van Buren was from a poor, upstate New York working family (his father was a farmer and innkeeper). Log cabins and, much to Harrison's displeasure, cider barrels adorned belt buckles, clothing buttons, drinking glasses, metal tokens, bandanas, ribbons, and spoons. Even in Van Buren's own state, the New York Daily Whig published a letter bemoaning that "Log-Cabin Candidate is the term of reproach given...to General Harrison...[by] pampered office holders...[who] sneer at the idea of making a poor man President of the United States." The Whigs' "Log Cabin and Hard Cider Campaign" was a resounding success. Harrison swept the northeast (except for N.H.) and most of the rest of the nation and was easily elected with 234 electoral votes from 19 states to Van Buren's 60 votes from seven states.
Harrison's has addressed his letter to "Rufus Hodges, Esq./Cincinnati" on the integral leaf attached at the top edge rather than the customary left edge, "Paid" is handwritten in the upper right, and the docket "Gen. W. H. Harrison/May 20, 1834" is penned vertically at the lower left, probably by Hodges.
Harrison's powerful condemnation, in this letter, of the manufacture and sale of alcohol as an evil which must be eradicated is in sharp contrast to the false image of an old man drinking hard cider by the fire in his log cabin presented six years later by his opponents in the presidential campaign which, unintentionally, was one of the primary reasons for his victory. This impressive letter is in very fine condition with light stains in the blank lower and upper right of the letter. Concerning one of the major domestic issues of the 19th and early 20th century, this letter would be an important addition to any political or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "W. H. Harrison", one page, 7.75" x 6.25". North Bend, May 20, 1834. To Rufus Hodges. In full: "Dear Sir, Your friendly letter of the 17th was delivered to me last evening. The state of my business will not permit me to attend the Meeting of your Society on Friday next to perform the honourable part which has been assigned to me in the contemplated proceedings. I assure you however that you do me justice in supposing that I am an ardent friend to the cause of temperance. I would most cheerfully give one third of all the property I have in the world to put an entire Stop to the Manufacture & the sale of ardent Spirits in our Country. The Societies which have been established have done & will no doubt continue to do much good it is however to the Legislature we must look for measures that will be competent to eradicate the evil. I will most heartily unite in any attempt that may be made upon that body to induce them to act promptly and effectively in the matter. With great respect I am, Dr Sir, your Huml Servt"
During the Indian wars of 1794, 23-year-old Lieutenant William H. Harrison, aide-de-camp to General Anthony Wayne, observed, firsthand, numerous murders and other crimes committed by drunken Indians. As Territorial Governor of Indiana and Superintendent of Indian Affairs (1800-1813), Harrison persuaded his legislature to ban the sale or trade of liquor to Indians.
Rufus Hodges was the Recording Secretary of the Hamilton County Temperance Society which had been organized in 1833 as an auxiliary to the Ohio State Temperance Society formed in 1821. By 1835, over one million Americans belonged to temperance societies. After President Harrison's death, with the permission of the Harrison family, a committee of 11 men, including Rufus Hodges, arrived in Washington, D.C., and accompanied Harrison's body to its final resting place in North Bend, Ohio.
Harrison's belief that "it is to the Legislature we must look for measures that will be competent to eradicate the evil" was temporarily successful. From the late 1830s to the 1850s, Ohio and other state legislatures across the country passed prohibition laws but they were vetoed by the governors, found unconstitutional by the state supreme courts or repealed by future state legislatures.
On December 14, 1835, a year and a half after Harrison wrote this letter, at a state convention in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the Whigs nominated Harrison for President, and, in the next few months, other Whig state conventions followed suit. But New England Whigs nominated Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster and, in the south, Tennessee Senator Hugh L. White and North Carolina Senator Willie P. Mangum received nominations. In the election of 1836, President Jackson's Vice President, Democrat Martin Van Buren, easily defeated his three Whig opponents, winning 170 electoral votes and 15 states, to Harrison's 73 votes from seven states, White's 26 votes from Tennessee and Georgia, Webster's 14 votes from Massachusetts and Mangum's 11 votes from South Carolina.
Four years later, the Whigs met again in Harrisburg, and this time it was at its first national convention. William Henry Harrison was nominated for President. The Democrats renominated President Martin Van Buren. As the campaign began, Van Buren supporters mocked Harrison, calling the 67-year-old War of 1812 General "Old Granny," accusing him of senility and not having the energy to inspire the people. A pro-Van Buren newspaper in Baltimore editorialized about the Whig nominee: "Give him a barrel of hard cider, and settle a pension of $2,000 a year, and our word for it he will sit the remainder of his days contented in a log cabin by the side of a 'sea coal' fire." Whigs took advantage of this and, even though Harrison was a teetotaler and would never drink hard cider, an alcoholic drink, and his home looked nothing like a log cabin, they declared that Harrison was "the log cabin and hard cider candidate," a man of the common people. They depicted Van Buren as a wealthy snob who was out of touch with the people. The truth was, it was Harrison who came from a wealthy, prominent Virginia family (his father had been Governor of Virginia and signed the Declaration of Independence) while Van Buren was from a poor, upstate New York working family (his father was a farmer and innkeeper). Log cabins and, much to Harrison's displeasure, cider barrels adorned belt buckles, clothing buttons, drinking glasses, metal tokens, bandanas, ribbons, and spoons. Even in Van Buren's own state, the New York Daily Whig published a letter bemoaning that "Log-Cabin Candidate is the term of reproach given...to General Harrison...[by] pampered office holders...[who] sneer at the idea of making a poor man President of the United States." The Whigs' "Log Cabin and Hard Cider Campaign" was a resounding success. Harrison swept the northeast (except for N.H.) and most of the rest of the nation and was easily elected with 234 electoral votes from 19 states to Van Buren's 60 votes from seven states.
Harrison's has addressed his letter to "Rufus Hodges, Esq./Cincinnati" on the integral leaf attached at the top edge rather than the customary left edge, "Paid" is handwritten in the upper right, and the docket "Gen. W. H. Harrison/May 20, 1834" is penned vertically at the lower left, probably by Hodges.
Harrison's powerful condemnation, in this letter, of the manufacture and sale of alcohol as an evil which must be eradicated is in sharp contrast to the false image of an old man drinking hard cider by the fire in his log cabin presented six years later by his opponents in the presidential campaign which, unintentionally, was one of the primary reasons for his victory. This impressive letter is in very fine condition with light stains in the blank lower and upper right of the letter. Concerning one of the major domestic issues of the 19th and early 20th century, this letter would be an important addition to any political or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
John Tyler Outstanding Autograph Letter Signed: A remarkable letter by the Vice Presidential candidate extolling the head of his ticket, "the distinguishd [sic] Citizen under whose command the battle of Tippecanoe was fought and won," whose "past life furnishes a sure augury, that his country as in all times past, will continue to be the only idol of his devotion."
Signed: "John Tyler", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Williamsburg, Va. May 4, 1840. To G.S. Orth. Integral leaf addressed by Tyler to: "Godlove S. Orth Esqr/Secretary Tip[pecanoe] Club/La Fayette/Indiana." In full: "Sir, The cane which you were so good as to forward me through the politeness of Doctor Williams has been safely deposited by him in the hands of my friend the Hon. Mr. Wise at Washington, who waits only a favorable opportunity of sending it to me - Be assured that I shall receive it with infinite satisfaction. The battle field on which it grew is justly to be regarded as consecrated by history - and the name of the distinguishd [sic] Citizen under whose command the battle of Tippecanoe was fought and won will be repeated by a distant posterity with grateful enthusiasm - Permit me to congratulate you on the recent demonstrations of public sentiment in his behalf, and the more especially that Virginia, where he first breathed the breath of life, has in its recent elections so decidedly manifested her attachment to his cause - Should that result transpire which every thing would seem now to indicate, and he be translated to the head of the Confederacy, his past life furnishes a sure augury, that his country as in all times past, will continue to be the only idol of his devotion. With assurances of great Respect, I have the honor to be Yrs." With two photographs of engraved portraits of Orth.
John Tyler was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1827 as a Jacksonian and was reelected in 1833 as an Anti-Jacksonian. In early 1836, the legislature of Virginia which had elected Tyler to the Senate, voted instructions to its two U.S. Senators to support a resolution expunging from the Journal of the Senate the resolution of a previous censure of President Jackson. Tyler, who had voted for the censure, could not conscientiously obey and, on February 29, 1836, resigned his seat. In the election of 1836, Tyler was nominated as a Whig candidate for Vice President by friends of Tennessee Senator Hugh L. White who was one of the Whigs running for President. Tyler came in third with 47 electoral votes, none of them from Virginia. At the first national convention held by the Whig Party in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, December 4-7, 1839, the Whigs nominated William Henry Harrison for President over Kentucky Senator Henry Clay and General Winfield Scott. Although born in Virginia, Harrison was identified with Indiana, Ohio, and the West. Satisfied with Tyler's anti-Jacksonian votes in the Senate and his public opposition to Van Buren's policies, the Whigs nominated Virginian John Tyler for Vice President.
William Henry Harrison (1773-1841), while serving as Territorial Governor of Indiana, led his forces to victory over the Shawnee Indians on November 7, 1811. The Shawnees were led by Tecumseh's younger brother, The Prophet, who had prophesized that the weapons of Harrison's men would not be able to hurt his warriors. The battle was fought near the Tippecanoe River and became known as the Battle of Tippecanoe. General Harrison was complimented by President Madison in his message of December 18, 1811, and was also thanked by the legislatures of Kentucky and Indiana. Word quickly spread about the hero of Tippecanoe.
John Tyler wrote this letter to Godlove S. Orth from his home in Williamsburg, Virginia, on May 4, 1840. On that day, about 170 miles north, at the Academy of Music in Baltimore, the Democrats gathered to renominate President Martin Van Buren and, across town, the National Convention of Whig Young Men assembled at the Canton Race Course to approve the nominations of Harrison and Tyler.
Godlove S. Orth (1817-1882) was a 23-year-old lawyer who practiced in Lafayette, Indiana, in Tippecanoe County, named after the Battle of Tippecanoe. He was a Whig member of the Indiana State Senate (1843-1848) and was a Whig elector in 1848. In February, 1861, Orth was a delegate to the Peace Convention held in Washington, D.C., presided over by John Tyler, in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending war. He later served in Congress as a Republican (1863-1871, 1873-1875, 1879-1882).
At the 1839 Whig convention in Harrisburg, Tyler had energetically campaigned to get Henry Clay the presidential nomination and was believed by some even to have shed tears at his defeat. After Harrison's nomination, the Whig leaders were looking for a suitable geographical and ideological balance to the ticket. It didn't seem to matter that Tyler disagreed with Harrison on the issues. Most probably for this reason, at Harrison's request, Tyler remained inactive, at least publicly, during most of the 1840 election campaign. This letter is evidence of Tyler's steadfast support and championing of General Harrison.
In this letter, the Whig nominee for Vice President thanks the young lawyer for a cane made from a tree grown on the battlefield of Tippecanoe. Tyler's friend, Congressman Henry A. Wise, now has the cane which he will soon forward to Tyler. Evidently Orth had recently organized a successful Harrison rally. A month after this letter, Tippecanoe himself attended a rally on the battlefield with an estimated 60,000 supporters in attendance.
Henry A. Wise (1806-1876) represented Virginia in Congress from 1833-1844 when he became U.S. Minister to Brazil (1844-1847). He later served as Governor of Virginia (1856-1860). First elected to Congress as a Jacksonian, he was a Whig at the time of this letter.
Tyler's reference to an election held in Virginia, "where he [Harrison] first breathd the breath of life," likely refers to the election earlier that year of two Whigs to the U.S. Senate. Tyler was also born in Virginia, but two native Virginians weren't enough for the Whigs and they lost the state's 23 electoral votes to Van Buren.
It is interesting to note that Tyler writes about demonstrations in "his behalf", election results favoring "his cause", and the likelihood that "he be translated to the head of the Confederacy," each referring only to presidential candidate William Henry Harrison, not to him. Even the Whig campaign slogan of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" seems to be adding John Tyler to the ticket as an afterthought.
Letters of a U.S. President glorifying another President are extremely desirable. This unique letter, written by a Vice Presidential candidate immortalizing the Presidential candidate whose "name...will be repeated by a distant posterity with grateful enthusiasm" is particularly poignant when one realizes that John Tyler succeeded to the presidency when Harrison died after serving just one month in office. This letter, in extra fine condition, would be a major addition to any historical or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "John Tyler", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Williamsburg, Va. May 4, 1840. To G.S. Orth. Integral leaf addressed by Tyler to: "Godlove S. Orth Esqr/Secretary Tip[pecanoe] Club/La Fayette/Indiana." In full: "Sir, The cane which you were so good as to forward me through the politeness of Doctor Williams has been safely deposited by him in the hands of my friend the Hon. Mr. Wise at Washington, who waits only a favorable opportunity of sending it to me - Be assured that I shall receive it with infinite satisfaction. The battle field on which it grew is justly to be regarded as consecrated by history - and the name of the distinguishd [sic] Citizen under whose command the battle of Tippecanoe was fought and won will be repeated by a distant posterity with grateful enthusiasm - Permit me to congratulate you on the recent demonstrations of public sentiment in his behalf, and the more especially that Virginia, where he first breathed the breath of life, has in its recent elections so decidedly manifested her attachment to his cause - Should that result transpire which every thing would seem now to indicate, and he be translated to the head of the Confederacy, his past life furnishes a sure augury, that his country as in all times past, will continue to be the only idol of his devotion. With assurances of great Respect, I have the honor to be Yrs." With two photographs of engraved portraits of Orth.
John Tyler was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1827 as a Jacksonian and was reelected in 1833 as an Anti-Jacksonian. In early 1836, the legislature of Virginia which had elected Tyler to the Senate, voted instructions to its two U.S. Senators to support a resolution expunging from the Journal of the Senate the resolution of a previous censure of President Jackson. Tyler, who had voted for the censure, could not conscientiously obey and, on February 29, 1836, resigned his seat. In the election of 1836, Tyler was nominated as a Whig candidate for Vice President by friends of Tennessee Senator Hugh L. White who was one of the Whigs running for President. Tyler came in third with 47 electoral votes, none of them from Virginia. At the first national convention held by the Whig Party in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, December 4-7, 1839, the Whigs nominated William Henry Harrison for President over Kentucky Senator Henry Clay and General Winfield Scott. Although born in Virginia, Harrison was identified with Indiana, Ohio, and the West. Satisfied with Tyler's anti-Jacksonian votes in the Senate and his public opposition to Van Buren's policies, the Whigs nominated Virginian John Tyler for Vice President.
William Henry Harrison (1773-1841), while serving as Territorial Governor of Indiana, led his forces to victory over the Shawnee Indians on November 7, 1811. The Shawnees were led by Tecumseh's younger brother, The Prophet, who had prophesized that the weapons of Harrison's men would not be able to hurt his warriors. The battle was fought near the Tippecanoe River and became known as the Battle of Tippecanoe. General Harrison was complimented by President Madison in his message of December 18, 1811, and was also thanked by the legislatures of Kentucky and Indiana. Word quickly spread about the hero of Tippecanoe.
John Tyler wrote this letter to Godlove S. Orth from his home in Williamsburg, Virginia, on May 4, 1840. On that day, about 170 miles north, at the Academy of Music in Baltimore, the Democrats gathered to renominate President Martin Van Buren and, across town, the National Convention of Whig Young Men assembled at the Canton Race Course to approve the nominations of Harrison and Tyler.
Godlove S. Orth (1817-1882) was a 23-year-old lawyer who practiced in Lafayette, Indiana, in Tippecanoe County, named after the Battle of Tippecanoe. He was a Whig member of the Indiana State Senate (1843-1848) and was a Whig elector in 1848. In February, 1861, Orth was a delegate to the Peace Convention held in Washington, D.C., presided over by John Tyler, in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending war. He later served in Congress as a Republican (1863-1871, 1873-1875, 1879-1882).
At the 1839 Whig convention in Harrisburg, Tyler had energetically campaigned to get Henry Clay the presidential nomination and was believed by some even to have shed tears at his defeat. After Harrison's nomination, the Whig leaders were looking for a suitable geographical and ideological balance to the ticket. It didn't seem to matter that Tyler disagreed with Harrison on the issues. Most probably for this reason, at Harrison's request, Tyler remained inactive, at least publicly, during most of the 1840 election campaign. This letter is evidence of Tyler's steadfast support and championing of General Harrison.
In this letter, the Whig nominee for Vice President thanks the young lawyer for a cane made from a tree grown on the battlefield of Tippecanoe. Tyler's friend, Congressman Henry A. Wise, now has the cane which he will soon forward to Tyler. Evidently Orth had recently organized a successful Harrison rally. A month after this letter, Tippecanoe himself attended a rally on the battlefield with an estimated 60,000 supporters in attendance.
Henry A. Wise (1806-1876) represented Virginia in Congress from 1833-1844 when he became U.S. Minister to Brazil (1844-1847). He later served as Governor of Virginia (1856-1860). First elected to Congress as a Jacksonian, he was a Whig at the time of this letter.
Tyler's reference to an election held in Virginia, "where he [Harrison] first breathd the breath of life," likely refers to the election earlier that year of two Whigs to the U.S. Senate. Tyler was also born in Virginia, but two native Virginians weren't enough for the Whigs and they lost the state's 23 electoral votes to Van Buren.
It is interesting to note that Tyler writes about demonstrations in "his behalf", election results favoring "his cause", and the likelihood that "he be translated to the head of the Confederacy," each referring only to presidential candidate William Henry Harrison, not to him. Even the Whig campaign slogan of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" seems to be adding John Tyler to the ticket as an afterthought.
Letters of a U.S. President glorifying another President are extremely desirable. This unique letter, written by a Vice Presidential candidate immortalizing the Presidential candidate whose "name...will be repeated by a distant posterity with grateful enthusiasm" is particularly poignant when one realizes that John Tyler succeeded to the presidency when Harrison died after serving just one month in office. This letter, in extra fine condition, would be a major addition to any historical or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
James K. Polk Superb Campaign Autograph Letter Signed: During his presidential campaign, the Democratic nominee directs the vindication of his grandfather against Whig charges that he was a Tory during the American Revolution.
Signed: "James K. Polk", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Columbia, August 24, 1844. Addressed on the postmarked integral leaf by Polk to: "Col. Saml. H. Laughlin/Nashville/Tennessee". The address leaf is docketed by Laughlin: "Hon. J.K. Polk/Aug. 24, 1844./Wrote to him Sept. 2, 1844/that I had waited ten/days for Com. from L.V./Henry-before publishing/papers left by E. Polk." The letter is headed by Polk: "(Private)." In full: "My Dear Sir: Dr. Ramsey writes to me expressing some concern for fear that he may be given as authority - for part of an article which appeared in the Union some time ago, upon the subject of Ezekiel Polk's Revolutionary services. You will of course make no reference to the Doctor as the author of the letter from which you quoted. If Edwin Polk left the additional proofs of Ezekiel Polk's services with you, publish them in the Union as soon as you can, and then let the matter rest. I see the National Intelligencer attempts to ward off the form of the charges now proved to be false, by insinuating that the charge of Toryism was started by my friends in order to draw off the public attention from other more important matters. This shows that they see it is recoiling on them. You will find the article in the Intelligencer of the 15th instant. A short notice of this may be proper, but without taking up much of your paper about it. Your friend."
The 1844 Democratic National Convention was held in Baltimore, May 27-30, 1844. There were 266 votes cast. A two-thirds majority, 177, was need for nomination. On the first ballot, former President Martin Van Buren had 146 votes, former Governor of Michigan Territory Lewis Cass had 83 votes, and former Vice President Richard M. Johnson had 24 votes. On each successive ballot, Van Buren's vote total lessened and Cass's votes rose until Cass passed Van Buren on the fifth ballot. On the eighth ballot, Cass had 114 to Van Buren's 104, still a long way from 177. But there was a new name on the ballot: former Governor of Tennessee James K. Polk with 44 votes. New Yorkers switched their support of Van Buren to Polk and, on the ninth ballot, James K. Polk received 233 votes and his nomination was made unanimous. He was the first "dark horse" candidate nominated for President. Earlier in May, the Whigs had nominated Henry Clay on the first ballot by acclamation. Their widely circulated slogan "Who is James K. Polk?" represented the Whig charge of Polk's personal obscurity and insignificance, particularly compared to the national prominence of Clay. Whigs spread a lie that Polk's grandfather Ezekiel was a Tory during the Revolutionary War. Polk took personal charge of this accusation. As is evident by this letter, Polk treated the charge against his grandfather very seriously. He devoted far more time and energy to these charges than to any other issue in the campaign. His old friend Dr. James G.M. Ramsey spent practically his whole time during the campaign gathering evidence and writing refutations. Under Polk's direction, Col. Laughlin published a pamphlet, "A Vindication of Colonel Ezekiel Polk" and ten thousand copies were distributed.
Ezekiel Polk (1747-1824) was, in fact, a surveyor in North Carolina and, in the Revolutionary War, was a Captain in the North Carolina Militia. After his property was occupied by the British, he joined the South Carolina Militia and became Lieutenant Colonel of the 12th Regiment.
Edwin Polk (1818-1854) was a member of the Tennessee State Legislature and was James K. Polk's cousin.
Col. Samuel H. Laughlin (1796-1850) was a lawyer, Tennessee State Senator (1838-1844), and editor of the Nashville Union (1840-1843). President Polk appointed him Recorder of the General Land Office (1845-1850).
Dr. James G. M. Ramsey (1797-1884) was a physician, banker, railroad advocate, scholar, and staunch secessionist. An historian of Tennessee's early settlement history, Dr. Ramsey published The Annals of Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century in 1853. In 1861, Ramsey was a staunch states' rights Democrat who publicly supported secession and served as a treasury agent and field surgeon for the Confederacy. After the war, he was granted amnesty by friend and fellow Tennessean, President Andrew Johnson.
Democrat James K. Polk defeated Whig Henry Clay in the election. Polk won 170 electoral votes (15 states) to Clay's 105 votes (11 states). It was disappointing to Polk that not only didn't he win Tennessee, but his hometown of Columbia went for Clay.
The integral leaf is addressed by Polk. There is a small nick at the left edge as a result of the letter being opened by Laughlin. This full page letter is in extra fine condition. ALsS of Polk have always been scarce because of his relatively short time on the national political scene and the fact that he died just three months after leaving the White House. Presidential campaign letters written by a candidate elected President, especially those with family content, are rarely encountered and this one concerning a personal attack on the nominee's grandfather is particularly desirable and would be an exceptional addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "James K. Polk", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Columbia, August 24, 1844. Addressed on the postmarked integral leaf by Polk to: "Col. Saml. H. Laughlin/Nashville/Tennessee". The address leaf is docketed by Laughlin: "Hon. J.K. Polk/Aug. 24, 1844./Wrote to him Sept. 2, 1844/that I had waited ten/days for Com. from L.V./Henry-before publishing/papers left by E. Polk." The letter is headed by Polk: "(Private)." In full: "My Dear Sir: Dr. Ramsey writes to me expressing some concern for fear that he may be given as authority - for part of an article which appeared in the Union some time ago, upon the subject of Ezekiel Polk's Revolutionary services. You will of course make no reference to the Doctor as the author of the letter from which you quoted. If Edwin Polk left the additional proofs of Ezekiel Polk's services with you, publish them in the Union as soon as you can, and then let the matter rest. I see the National Intelligencer attempts to ward off the form of the charges now proved to be false, by insinuating that the charge of Toryism was started by my friends in order to draw off the public attention from other more important matters. This shows that they see it is recoiling on them. You will find the article in the Intelligencer of the 15th instant. A short notice of this may be proper, but without taking up much of your paper about it. Your friend."
The 1844 Democratic National Convention was held in Baltimore, May 27-30, 1844. There were 266 votes cast. A two-thirds majority, 177, was need for nomination. On the first ballot, former President Martin Van Buren had 146 votes, former Governor of Michigan Territory Lewis Cass had 83 votes, and former Vice President Richard M. Johnson had 24 votes. On each successive ballot, Van Buren's vote total lessened and Cass's votes rose until Cass passed Van Buren on the fifth ballot. On the eighth ballot, Cass had 114 to Van Buren's 104, still a long way from 177. But there was a new name on the ballot: former Governor of Tennessee James K. Polk with 44 votes. New Yorkers switched their support of Van Buren to Polk and, on the ninth ballot, James K. Polk received 233 votes and his nomination was made unanimous. He was the first "dark horse" candidate nominated for President. Earlier in May, the Whigs had nominated Henry Clay on the first ballot by acclamation. Their widely circulated slogan "Who is James K. Polk?" represented the Whig charge of Polk's personal obscurity and insignificance, particularly compared to the national prominence of Clay. Whigs spread a lie that Polk's grandfather Ezekiel was a Tory during the Revolutionary War. Polk took personal charge of this accusation. As is evident by this letter, Polk treated the charge against his grandfather very seriously. He devoted far more time and energy to these charges than to any other issue in the campaign. His old friend Dr. James G.M. Ramsey spent practically his whole time during the campaign gathering evidence and writing refutations. Under Polk's direction, Col. Laughlin published a pamphlet, "A Vindication of Colonel Ezekiel Polk" and ten thousand copies were distributed.
Ezekiel Polk (1747-1824) was, in fact, a surveyor in North Carolina and, in the Revolutionary War, was a Captain in the North Carolina Militia. After his property was occupied by the British, he joined the South Carolina Militia and became Lieutenant Colonel of the 12th Regiment.
Edwin Polk (1818-1854) was a member of the Tennessee State Legislature and was James K. Polk's cousin.
Col. Samuel H. Laughlin (1796-1850) was a lawyer, Tennessee State Senator (1838-1844), and editor of the Nashville Union (1840-1843). President Polk appointed him Recorder of the General Land Office (1845-1850).
Dr. James G. M. Ramsey (1797-1884) was a physician, banker, railroad advocate, scholar, and staunch secessionist. An historian of Tennessee's early settlement history, Dr. Ramsey published The Annals of Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century in 1853. In 1861, Ramsey was a staunch states' rights Democrat who publicly supported secession and served as a treasury agent and field surgeon for the Confederacy. After the war, he was granted amnesty by friend and fellow Tennessean, President Andrew Johnson.
Democrat James K. Polk defeated Whig Henry Clay in the election. Polk won 170 electoral votes (15 states) to Clay's 105 votes (11 states). It was disappointing to Polk that not only didn't he win Tennessee, but his hometown of Columbia went for Clay.
The integral leaf is addressed by Polk. There is a small nick at the left edge as a result of the letter being opened by Laughlin. This full page letter is in extra fine condition. ALsS of Polk have always been scarce because of his relatively short time on the national political scene and the fact that he died just three months after leaving the White House. Presidential campaign letters written by a candidate elected President, especially those with family content, are rarely encountered and this one concerning a personal attack on the nominee's grandfather is particularly desirable and would be an exceptional addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Zachary Taylor Important Autograph Letter Signed: Less than five years before his election as President, General Taylor writes a letter in favor of the promotion of a captain to major; this letter was quoted by President John Tyler in his message to the Senate promoting the captain!
Signed: "Z Taylor", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Fort Smith, Arkansas, December 15, 1843. To General Robert Patterson. With integral leaf addressed by Taylor to: "Genl. R. Patterson/Philadelphia" In full: " Dear Sir, Understanding the friends of Capt J. J. Abercrombie of the first Reg't of U.S. Infy intended to lay his claims before the President of the U. States, for the brevet appointment of Major for gallant & meritorious services in Florida, I beg leave to offer my humble testimony in favor of the claims of that officer for such promotion. Capt A accompanied his regiment to Tampa Bay in the fall of 1837, & was for the most part constantly on duty with it, both in winter & summer in the swamps and hammocks of that country, in pursuit of the enemy. Besides being in the battle of Okechobe [sic] on the 25th Decr, 37 on which occasion he acted with the greatest gallantry & coolness, he was charged during the Campaign in Middle Florida during the winter of 1839-40 with the operations in small boats, along the margin of the gulf bounded by that portion of the Territory, during which time besides penetrating every river, bay, creek, & inlet between the mouth of the Suwanee [sic] & Apalachicola rivers, he examined all the Islands near the coast, in search of the enemy, which dangerous & arduous duty he performed with the greatest ability & circumspection. Under such circumstances should the chief magistrate of the nation be pleased to confer such additional rank on Capt. Abercrombie, I have no doubt it will be gratifying to many besides myself, as I am satisfied it could not be bestowed on a more deserving & meritorious officer, or a more worthy gentleman. With respect & esteem I remain General your friend and obt srvt."
Zachary Taylor's decisive victory at Okeechobee on December 25, 1837, marked the turning point in the Second Seminole War and paved the way for General Taylor's political career. On April 4, 1838, President Van Buren sent to the U.S. Senate his nomination of "Colonel Zachariah [sic] Taylor, of the 1st Regiment of Infantry, to be brigadier-general by brevet, to take rank the 25th of December, 1837, for distinguished services on that day in the battle of the Kissimme [sic], in Florida, with the Seminole Indians." Colonel Taylor's official report of the battle of Okeechobee to the Adjutant General in Washington was referred to by the War Department as "the battle with the Seminole Indians near the Kissimmee River." In May, 1838, Taylor was the commander of all forces in Florida; in April, 1840, at his own request, he was relieved of that post. After a year in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he became commander of the Second Department, Western Division, at Fort Smith, Arkansas, in May, 1841. This letter was written from Fort Smith two years later.
Robert Patterson (1792-1881) fought in the War of 1812, rising from Captain to Colonel in the 2nd Pennsylvania Militia before joining the U.S. Army. After the war, he became a businessman. A Jacksonian Democrat, he became influential in Pennsylvania politics and extended his business interests to the West and South. Patterson was commissioned Major General of Volunteers in the Mexican War and the Civil War. His daughter, Mary Engle Patterson (1818-1874) was married to John J. Abercrombie.
John J. Abercrombie (1798-1877) served as Adjutant in the 1st Infantry from 1825-1833 and was made Captain in 1836. After serving in the Second Seminole War, he was engaged in frontier duty in the West. At the time of this letter, he was stationed at Fort Atkinson, Iowa. From 1846-1847, in the Mexican War, Abercrombie served as aide-de-camp to his father-in-law, General Robert Patterson, and was promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel. In the Civil War, Brigadier General Abercrombie commanded troops under General Patterson in the Shenandoah Valley and at the Battle of Falling Waters.
Quoting from this very letter, on January 24, 1844, less than six weeks after this letter was written, President Tyler sent the following to the U.S. Senate: "I nominate to the Senate Captain J. J. Abercrombie, of the 1st Regiment U. S. Infantry, to be major by brevet, for gallant and meritorious services in Florida, to rank as such from the 25th December, 1837, the day on which was fought the battle of Okeechobee, on which occasion 'he acted,' in the language of his commander, Brevet Brigadier-General Taylor, 'with the greatest gallantry and coolness.'" This full page letter is in very fine condition with a minute tear in the blank upper left corner. Included are photographs of Patterson and Abercrombie. Rarely does a collector get the chance to buy a letter penned by a future U.S. President, with great military content, read by and quoted by another U.S. President in an official message to the U.S. Senate! It would be a wonderful addition to a military or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Z Taylor", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Fort Smith, Arkansas, December 15, 1843. To General Robert Patterson. With integral leaf addressed by Taylor to: "Genl. R. Patterson/Philadelphia" In full: " Dear Sir, Understanding the friends of Capt J. J. Abercrombie of the first Reg't of U.S. Infy intended to lay his claims before the President of the U. States, for the brevet appointment of Major for gallant & meritorious services in Florida, I beg leave to offer my humble testimony in favor of the claims of that officer for such promotion. Capt A accompanied his regiment to Tampa Bay in the fall of 1837, & was for the most part constantly on duty with it, both in winter & summer in the swamps and hammocks of that country, in pursuit of the enemy. Besides being in the battle of Okechobe [sic] on the 25th Decr, 37 on which occasion he acted with the greatest gallantry & coolness, he was charged during the Campaign in Middle Florida during the winter of 1839-40 with the operations in small boats, along the margin of the gulf bounded by that portion of the Territory, during which time besides penetrating every river, bay, creek, & inlet between the mouth of the Suwanee [sic] & Apalachicola rivers, he examined all the Islands near the coast, in search of the enemy, which dangerous & arduous duty he performed with the greatest ability & circumspection. Under such circumstances should the chief magistrate of the nation be pleased to confer such additional rank on Capt. Abercrombie, I have no doubt it will be gratifying to many besides myself, as I am satisfied it could not be bestowed on a more deserving & meritorious officer, or a more worthy gentleman. With respect & esteem I remain General your friend and obt srvt."
Zachary Taylor's decisive victory at Okeechobee on December 25, 1837, marked the turning point in the Second Seminole War and paved the way for General Taylor's political career. On April 4, 1838, President Van Buren sent to the U.S. Senate his nomination of "Colonel Zachariah [sic] Taylor, of the 1st Regiment of Infantry, to be brigadier-general by brevet, to take rank the 25th of December, 1837, for distinguished services on that day in the battle of the Kissimme [sic], in Florida, with the Seminole Indians." Colonel Taylor's official report of the battle of Okeechobee to the Adjutant General in Washington was referred to by the War Department as "the battle with the Seminole Indians near the Kissimmee River." In May, 1838, Taylor was the commander of all forces in Florida; in April, 1840, at his own request, he was relieved of that post. After a year in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he became commander of the Second Department, Western Division, at Fort Smith, Arkansas, in May, 1841. This letter was written from Fort Smith two years later.
Robert Patterson (1792-1881) fought in the War of 1812, rising from Captain to Colonel in the 2nd Pennsylvania Militia before joining the U.S. Army. After the war, he became a businessman. A Jacksonian Democrat, he became influential in Pennsylvania politics and extended his business interests to the West and South. Patterson was commissioned Major General of Volunteers in the Mexican War and the Civil War. His daughter, Mary Engle Patterson (1818-1874) was married to John J. Abercrombie.
John J. Abercrombie (1798-1877) served as Adjutant in the 1st Infantry from 1825-1833 and was made Captain in 1836. After serving in the Second Seminole War, he was engaged in frontier duty in the West. At the time of this letter, he was stationed at Fort Atkinson, Iowa. From 1846-1847, in the Mexican War, Abercrombie served as aide-de-camp to his father-in-law, General Robert Patterson, and was promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel. In the Civil War, Brigadier General Abercrombie commanded troops under General Patterson in the Shenandoah Valley and at the Battle of Falling Waters.
Quoting from this very letter, on January 24, 1844, less than six weeks after this letter was written, President Tyler sent the following to the U.S. Senate: "I nominate to the Senate Captain J. J. Abercrombie, of the 1st Regiment U. S. Infantry, to be major by brevet, for gallant and meritorious services in Florida, to rank as such from the 25th December, 1837, the day on which was fought the battle of Okeechobee, on which occasion 'he acted,' in the language of his commander, Brevet Brigadier-General Taylor, 'with the greatest gallantry and coolness.'" This full page letter is in very fine condition with a minute tear in the blank upper left corner. Included are photographs of Patterson and Abercrombie. Rarely does a collector get the chance to buy a letter penned by a future U.S. President, with great military content, read by and quoted by another U.S. President in an official message to the U.S. Senate! It would be a wonderful addition to a military or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Millard Fillmore Historically Important Autograph Letter Signed: The President explains to his friend, fellow New York Whig Hamilton Fish, that "it would be unsafe in the present critical state of the country" to amend the Fugitive Slave Act to appease the North and reiterates what he had said in his annual message to Congress two days earlier.
Signed: "Millard Fillmore" as President, one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Washington, December 4, 1850. To His Excellency Hamilton Fish. Marked "Private" by Fillmore. In full: "My dear sir, Your letter of the [blank space] ult. came duly to hand but did not arrive until my message was in the hands of the printer. I have consulted several of my senators, and we all concluded that it would be unsafe in the present critical state of the country, to attempt to specify amendments to the Fugitive Slave Bill. That it was not wise to select that from the other measures for unification, but leave all to stand until time and experience should show that by their abuse or evasion, a change was necessary. This course has not been adopted without the most careful and anxious consideration, and has the unanimous concurrence of my cabinet and I hope and trust that it will receive the united support of your Whig friends. I am in great haste, truly & sincerely your friend."
The issue of slavery was dividing the nation. The 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ending the Mexican War added territory to the United States: Texas, California, and land which eventually became parts of six states. Would slavery be allowed in these new territories? On the floor of the U.S. Senate, on January 29, 1850, Kentucky Senator Henry Clay had submitted eight resolutions for consideration, which comprised what has become known as the Compromise of 1850. He began, "It being desirable, for the peace, concord, and harmony of the Union of these States, to settle and adjust amicably all existing questions of controversy between them arising out of the institution of slavery upon a fair, equitable, and just basis."
As Zachary Taylor's Vice President, New Yorker Millard Fillmore presided over the Senate during the months of debates over the Compromise of 1850. He made no public comment on the merits of the proposals, but intimated to the President, a Southerner who opposed the Compromise, that if there should be a tie vote, he would vote in favor of it. A few days later, on July 9, 1850, President Taylor died and Vice President Millard Fillmore became President.
Three of the greatest Senators in U.S. history led the debate of the five bills that made up the compromise: Henry Clay of Kentucky, John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, and Daniel Webster of Massachusetts. With the help of Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, the bills passed the Congress and were signed into law by President Fillmore. Generally, Northern Democrats and Southern Whigs supported the Compromise of 1850. Of all the new laws of the Compromise, it was the Fugitive Slave Act signed on September 18, 1850, that was the most controversial. It mandated that citizens assist in the return of fugitive slaves apprehended anywhere in the nation.
As open defiance of the law in the North grew, so did the anger in the South. Escaped slaves were not being returned. President Fillmore had to send the army to quell some mobs and to aid in the return of former slaves caught in the North. Hamilton Fish and the President were good friends. They were both Whigs from New York. Fish had supported Fillmore in his unsuccessful campaign for Governor in 1844. He was Lieutenant Governor of New York when Fillmore was State Comptroller. Fish had written to the President about the opposition of northern Whigs to the Fugitive Slave Act with suggestions for Fillmore's first annual message to Congress. From Jefferson's first annual message in 1801 until Taft's final message in 1912, the State of the Union was a written report sent to Congress and when Fillmore received Fish's letter, his "message was in the hands of the printer."
In his annual message, dated December 2, 1850, Fillmore refers to those who oppose laws comprising the Compromise of 1850: "It may be presumed from the opposition which they all encountered, that none of those measures was free from imperfections, but...they formed a system of compromise the most conciliatory and best for the entire country that could be obtained from conflicting sectional interests and opinions. For this reason I recommend your adherence to the adjustment established by those measures until time and experience shall demonstrate the necessity of further legislation to guard against evasion or abuse." In this letter, President Fillmore asks that Fish and his Whig friends "leave all to stand until time and experience should show that by their abuse or evasion, a change was necessary."
Hamilton Fish (1808-1893), Whig Congressman from 1843-1845, served as Governor of New York from November 7, 1848, to November 5, 1850. In a message to the state legislature, Governor Fish declared, "If there be any one subject on which the people of the State of New York approach near to unanimity of sentiment, it is in their fixed determination to resist the extension of slavery over territory now free...[New York] regards slavery as a moral, a social and a political evil." Fish later served as President Grant's Secretary of State (1869-1877).
Fish replied to this letter agreeing with President Fillmore who wrote back on December 27, 1850, that he was "gratified to learn that you 'acquiesced in the wisdom and foresight which dictated my last message.' I felt at the time, that if I am acting only for the North, your policy was the true one; but the public mind was inflamed north and south. No attempted modification of the fugitive Slave law would be conceded at that moment by the south that would be satisfactory to the North. It was therefore not the proper time to attempt it."
The Compromise of 1850 split the President's party. Northern Whigs would not forgive Fillmore's signing of the Fugitive Slave Law and succeeded in denying the President his party's nomination in 1852. Henry Clay had died in June, 1852, and Daniel Webster, who had been appointed by Fillmore as Secretary of State, was 70 (he died in October), so Mexican War hero General Winfield Scott was selected as the Whig candidate for President. He was soundly defeated by Democrat Franklin Pierce. The Whig Party fell apart. Northern Whigs (like Fish and Lincoln) and Free Soilers (like Salmon P. Chase and Charles Sumner) helped form the Republican Party in the mid-1850s. Most Southern Whigs became Democrats. Within ten years, they were part of the Confederacy.
On March 13, 1862, the Senate and House, in Congress assembled, passed an act prohibiting "all officers or persons in the military or naval service of the United States" from returning fugitive slaves, effectively annulling the Fugitive Slave Law.
This extremely important letter is in extra fine condition. Its significance in American history cannot be underestimated. The North was outraged by the Fugitive Slave Act and demanded it be changed. This letter reveals that President Fillmore was considering amendments to the Compromise of 1850. He consulted "several of my senators" (there were 27 Whig Senators) before deciding to let all measures in the Compromise of 1850 "stand until time and experience should show that by their abuse or evasion, a change was necessary" and had "the unanimous concurrence of my cabinet."
History would have changed dramatically if the Fugitive Slave Law had been amended to appease the North. The Civil War would undoubtedly have started sooner and the name "Abraham Lincoln" would be lost to history. This magnificent letter, with historically significant content, would be the cornerstone in a collection of presidential, slavery, American historical, Black Americana, or Civil War-related documents. With two photographs of engraved portraits of Hamilton Fish. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Millard Fillmore" as President, one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Washington, December 4, 1850. To His Excellency Hamilton Fish. Marked "Private" by Fillmore. In full: "My dear sir, Your letter of the [blank space] ult. came duly to hand but did not arrive until my message was in the hands of the printer. I have consulted several of my senators, and we all concluded that it would be unsafe in the present critical state of the country, to attempt to specify amendments to the Fugitive Slave Bill. That it was not wise to select that from the other measures for unification, but leave all to stand until time and experience should show that by their abuse or evasion, a change was necessary. This course has not been adopted without the most careful and anxious consideration, and has the unanimous concurrence of my cabinet and I hope and trust that it will receive the united support of your Whig friends. I am in great haste, truly & sincerely your friend."
The issue of slavery was dividing the nation. The 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ending the Mexican War added territory to the United States: Texas, California, and land which eventually became parts of six states. Would slavery be allowed in these new territories? On the floor of the U.S. Senate, on January 29, 1850, Kentucky Senator Henry Clay had submitted eight resolutions for consideration, which comprised what has become known as the Compromise of 1850. He began, "It being desirable, for the peace, concord, and harmony of the Union of these States, to settle and adjust amicably all existing questions of controversy between them arising out of the institution of slavery upon a fair, equitable, and just basis."
As Zachary Taylor's Vice President, New Yorker Millard Fillmore presided over the Senate during the months of debates over the Compromise of 1850. He made no public comment on the merits of the proposals, but intimated to the President, a Southerner who opposed the Compromise, that if there should be a tie vote, he would vote in favor of it. A few days later, on July 9, 1850, President Taylor died and Vice President Millard Fillmore became President.
Three of the greatest Senators in U.S. history led the debate of the five bills that made up the compromise: Henry Clay of Kentucky, John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, and Daniel Webster of Massachusetts. With the help of Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, the bills passed the Congress and were signed into law by President Fillmore. Generally, Northern Democrats and Southern Whigs supported the Compromise of 1850. Of all the new laws of the Compromise, it was the Fugitive Slave Act signed on September 18, 1850, that was the most controversial. It mandated that citizens assist in the return of fugitive slaves apprehended anywhere in the nation.
As open defiance of the law in the North grew, so did the anger in the South. Escaped slaves were not being returned. President Fillmore had to send the army to quell some mobs and to aid in the return of former slaves caught in the North. Hamilton Fish and the President were good friends. They were both Whigs from New York. Fish had supported Fillmore in his unsuccessful campaign for Governor in 1844. He was Lieutenant Governor of New York when Fillmore was State Comptroller. Fish had written to the President about the opposition of northern Whigs to the Fugitive Slave Act with suggestions for Fillmore's first annual message to Congress. From Jefferson's first annual message in 1801 until Taft's final message in 1912, the State of the Union was a written report sent to Congress and when Fillmore received Fish's letter, his "message was in the hands of the printer."
In his annual message, dated December 2, 1850, Fillmore refers to those who oppose laws comprising the Compromise of 1850: "It may be presumed from the opposition which they all encountered, that none of those measures was free from imperfections, but...they formed a system of compromise the most conciliatory and best for the entire country that could be obtained from conflicting sectional interests and opinions. For this reason I recommend your adherence to the adjustment established by those measures until time and experience shall demonstrate the necessity of further legislation to guard against evasion or abuse." In this letter, President Fillmore asks that Fish and his Whig friends "leave all to stand until time and experience should show that by their abuse or evasion, a change was necessary."
Hamilton Fish (1808-1893), Whig Congressman from 1843-1845, served as Governor of New York from November 7, 1848, to November 5, 1850. In a message to the state legislature, Governor Fish declared, "If there be any one subject on which the people of the State of New York approach near to unanimity of sentiment, it is in their fixed determination to resist the extension of slavery over territory now free...[New York] regards slavery as a moral, a social and a political evil." Fish later served as President Grant's Secretary of State (1869-1877).
Fish replied to this letter agreeing with President Fillmore who wrote back on December 27, 1850, that he was "gratified to learn that you 'acquiesced in the wisdom and foresight which dictated my last message.' I felt at the time, that if I am acting only for the North, your policy was the true one; but the public mind was inflamed north and south. No attempted modification of the fugitive Slave law would be conceded at that moment by the south that would be satisfactory to the North. It was therefore not the proper time to attempt it."
The Compromise of 1850 split the President's party. Northern Whigs would not forgive Fillmore's signing of the Fugitive Slave Law and succeeded in denying the President his party's nomination in 1852. Henry Clay had died in June, 1852, and Daniel Webster, who had been appointed by Fillmore as Secretary of State, was 70 (he died in October), so Mexican War hero General Winfield Scott was selected as the Whig candidate for President. He was soundly defeated by Democrat Franklin Pierce. The Whig Party fell apart. Northern Whigs (like Fish and Lincoln) and Free Soilers (like Salmon P. Chase and Charles Sumner) helped form the Republican Party in the mid-1850s. Most Southern Whigs became Democrats. Within ten years, they were part of the Confederacy.
On March 13, 1862, the Senate and House, in Congress assembled, passed an act prohibiting "all officers or persons in the military or naval service of the United States" from returning fugitive slaves, effectively annulling the Fugitive Slave Law.
This extremely important letter is in extra fine condition. Its significance in American history cannot be underestimated. The North was outraged by the Fugitive Slave Act and demanded it be changed. This letter reveals that President Fillmore was considering amendments to the Compromise of 1850. He consulted "several of my senators" (there were 27 Whig Senators) before deciding to let all measures in the Compromise of 1850 "stand until time and experience should show that by their abuse or evasion, a change was necessary" and had "the unanimous concurrence of my cabinet."
History would have changed dramatically if the Fugitive Slave Law had been amended to appease the North. The Civil War would undoubtedly have started sooner and the name "Abraham Lincoln" would be lost to history. This magnificent letter, with historically significant content, would be the cornerstone in a collection of presidential, slavery, American historical, Black Americana, or Civil War-related documents. With two photographs of engraved portraits of Hamilton Fish. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Franklin Pierce Mildly Depressing Family Autograph Letter Signed: The future President tells his wife's sister that his older son's health is not getting worse, his other son has a fever, and his wife is better. His older son was to die of typhus at age 4 and his other son was later killed in a train crash at age 11. His firstborn had died three days after birth.
Signed: "Frank..Pierce", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Concord, Friday Noon, no date, but c. 1841-1843. To his wife's sister, Mary M. Aiken (Mrs. John Aiken). In full: "My dear Sister, Franky continues much as when you left. The Dr says nothing more unfavorable appears since that time, and I am more hopeful. Jane had a good nights rest and is better today than most of the time while you were with us. Little Ben was strongly threatened with a fever last night, but I hope by prompt and decided treatment it may be thrown off. Miss Bunker is an admirable nurse and I think a great comfort to Frank as well as Mrs. Pierce. I shall continue to write daily until there shall be some decided change & hope you will not be over anxious - Love to all - Yr aff Brother."
Mary M. Appleton (?-1883), Jane Pierce's youngest sister, married John Aiken (1797-1867), an attorney from Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1832.
Jane M. Appleton (1806-1863), Reverend and Mrs. Jesse Appleton's eldest daughter, married then-Congressman Franklin Pierce in 1834.
Jane and Franklin Pierce had three sons. Their eldest, Franklin, was born in Hillsborough, N.H., on February 2, 1836, and died three days later. Their second son, Frank, was born in Concord, N.H., on August 27, 1839. Their third son, Benjamin, was born in Concord on April 13, 1841. Democrat Franklin Pierce served in the House of Representatives from 1833-1837 and had served in the U.S. Senate since March 4, 1837. Ten months after Benjamin was born, Jane, who disliked Washington and the social duties of a Senator's wife, convinced her husband to resign and return to Concord. Franklin Pierce resigned on February 28, 1842, and returned to Concord to practice law. This undated letter may have been penned in 1841, the year "Little Ben" was born, while Pierce was still a U.S. Senator. Congress was not in session from September 14th through December 5th and Pierce may have returned home to Concord. Most likely it was written after Pierce returned to Concord in March, 1842.
Jane Pierce was a sickly child and throughout her life had recurrent attacks of tuberculosis. In this letter, Pierce tells her youngest sister that "Jane had a good nights rest and is better today than most of the time while you were with us." He writes that Franky's health remains the same; the doctor "says nothing more unfavorable appears since" she left Concord. Franky was four when he died of typhus on November 14, 1843. When U.S. Senator Levi Woodbury (D-N.H.) was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1845, the N.H. legislature wanted Pierce to fill the vacancy, but he declined. He also declined the post of Attorney General when it was offered by President Polk in 1846. He had promised his wife he would "never again...be voluntarily separated from my family for any considerable time except at the call of my country in time of war." After serving in the Mexican War as a Colonel and Brigadier General (1847-1848), he returned to Concord.
There was no leading candidate for President at the 1852 Democratic National Convention. Lewis Cass, led on the first ballot, James Buchanan led on the 25th ballot, Stephen A. Douglas led on the 30th ballot, and William L. Marcy took the lead on the 45th ballot. On the 35th ballot, Virginia cast its 15 votes for Franklin Pierce as a compromise candidate. By the 48th ballot, Pierce was third behind Marcy and Cass. After an impassioned plea by the North Carolina delegation on the 49th ballot, Pierce was nominated with 279 of the 288 votes cast and became the Democratic candidate for President. When Jane heard the news, she fainted. When Pierce took Jane on a short vacation, 11-year-old Bennie wrote to her: "I hope he won't be elected for I should not like to be at Washington and I know you would not either." Pierce defeated the Whig candidate, General Winfield Scott, in a landslide, 254 electoral votes (27 states) to 42 votes (4 states). He convinced Jane that his being President would be an asset for Bennie's success in life.
In this letter, in addition to Franky's health, Pierce writes that "Little Ben was strongly threatened with a fever last night." Little Ben was two-and-a-half when his four-year-old brother Franky died not long after this letter was written and he never knew his oldest brother who had died three days after birth, five years before he was born. Sadly, on January 6, 1853, he and his parents were on a train when it jumped the tracks near Andover, Massachusetts. Eleven-year-old Bennie was thrown and killed before his parents' eyes. He was the only fatality. Grief-stricken, Jane didn't attend Bennie's funeral or her husband's inauguration. There was no inaugural ball.
Jane Pierce believed that Bennie's death was God's way of punishing them for leaving home and going to Washington. She also felt that God did not want her husband to have his son in the White House to distract him from his official duties. While First Lady, she always dressed in black and spent most of her time in her bedroom writing letters to Bennie. She was known as the "Shadow in the White House."
A personal family letter of a President mentioning his wife and children is extremely desirable. It usually finds its way into presidential collections in colleges and libraries. In fact, the Library of Congress has a collection of 575 papers of Pierce-Aiken family correspondence including six letters written by Franklin Pierce to Mary M. Aiken. But not this one! This letter is in extra fine condition and would make a significant addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Frank..Pierce", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Concord, Friday Noon, no date, but c. 1841-1843. To his wife's sister, Mary M. Aiken (Mrs. John Aiken). In full: "My dear Sister, Franky continues much as when you left. The Dr says nothing more unfavorable appears since that time, and I am more hopeful. Jane had a good nights rest and is better today than most of the time while you were with us. Little Ben was strongly threatened with a fever last night, but I hope by prompt and decided treatment it may be thrown off. Miss Bunker is an admirable nurse and I think a great comfort to Frank as well as Mrs. Pierce. I shall continue to write daily until there shall be some decided change & hope you will not be over anxious - Love to all - Yr aff Brother."
Mary M. Appleton (?-1883), Jane Pierce's youngest sister, married John Aiken (1797-1867), an attorney from Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1832.
Jane M. Appleton (1806-1863), Reverend and Mrs. Jesse Appleton's eldest daughter, married then-Congressman Franklin Pierce in 1834.
Jane and Franklin Pierce had three sons. Their eldest, Franklin, was born in Hillsborough, N.H., on February 2, 1836, and died three days later. Their second son, Frank, was born in Concord, N.H., on August 27, 1839. Their third son, Benjamin, was born in Concord on April 13, 1841. Democrat Franklin Pierce served in the House of Representatives from 1833-1837 and had served in the U.S. Senate since March 4, 1837. Ten months after Benjamin was born, Jane, who disliked Washington and the social duties of a Senator's wife, convinced her husband to resign and return to Concord. Franklin Pierce resigned on February 28, 1842, and returned to Concord to practice law. This undated letter may have been penned in 1841, the year "Little Ben" was born, while Pierce was still a U.S. Senator. Congress was not in session from September 14th through December 5th and Pierce may have returned home to Concord. Most likely it was written after Pierce returned to Concord in March, 1842.
Jane Pierce was a sickly child and throughout her life had recurrent attacks of tuberculosis. In this letter, Pierce tells her youngest sister that "Jane had a good nights rest and is better today than most of the time while you were with us." He writes that Franky's health remains the same; the doctor "says nothing more unfavorable appears since" she left Concord. Franky was four when he died of typhus on November 14, 1843. When U.S. Senator Levi Woodbury (D-N.H.) was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1845, the N.H. legislature wanted Pierce to fill the vacancy, but he declined. He also declined the post of Attorney General when it was offered by President Polk in 1846. He had promised his wife he would "never again...be voluntarily separated from my family for any considerable time except at the call of my country in time of war." After serving in the Mexican War as a Colonel and Brigadier General (1847-1848), he returned to Concord.
There was no leading candidate for President at the 1852 Democratic National Convention. Lewis Cass, led on the first ballot, James Buchanan led on the 25th ballot, Stephen A. Douglas led on the 30th ballot, and William L. Marcy took the lead on the 45th ballot. On the 35th ballot, Virginia cast its 15 votes for Franklin Pierce as a compromise candidate. By the 48th ballot, Pierce was third behind Marcy and Cass. After an impassioned plea by the North Carolina delegation on the 49th ballot, Pierce was nominated with 279 of the 288 votes cast and became the Democratic candidate for President. When Jane heard the news, she fainted. When Pierce took Jane on a short vacation, 11-year-old Bennie wrote to her: "I hope he won't be elected for I should not like to be at Washington and I know you would not either." Pierce defeated the Whig candidate, General Winfield Scott, in a landslide, 254 electoral votes (27 states) to 42 votes (4 states). He convinced Jane that his being President would be an asset for Bennie's success in life.
In this letter, in addition to Franky's health, Pierce writes that "Little Ben was strongly threatened with a fever last night." Little Ben was two-and-a-half when his four-year-old brother Franky died not long after this letter was written and he never knew his oldest brother who had died three days after birth, five years before he was born. Sadly, on January 6, 1853, he and his parents were on a train when it jumped the tracks near Andover, Massachusetts. Eleven-year-old Bennie was thrown and killed before his parents' eyes. He was the only fatality. Grief-stricken, Jane didn't attend Bennie's funeral or her husband's inauguration. There was no inaugural ball.
Jane Pierce believed that Bennie's death was God's way of punishing them for leaving home and going to Washington. She also felt that God did not want her husband to have his son in the White House to distract him from his official duties. While First Lady, she always dressed in black and spent most of her time in her bedroom writing letters to Bennie. She was known as the "Shadow in the White House."
A personal family letter of a President mentioning his wife and children is extremely desirable. It usually finds its way into presidential collections in colleges and libraries. In fact, the Library of Congress has a collection of 575 papers of Pierce-Aiken family correspondence including six letters written by Franklin Pierce to Mary M. Aiken. But not this one! This letter is in extra fine condition and would make a significant addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
James Buchanan Superb Political Autograph Letter Signed: During the 1844 presidential campaign, Buchanan writes to a former Congressman in support of the Polk-Dallas ticket and the issue of Texas annexation, adding that "had Mr. Van Buren come out in favor of immediate annexation he would have been nominated without a struggle."
Signed: "James Buchanan", one page, 7.75" x 9,75". Lancaster, July 6, 1844. To Henry Horn. In full: "My dear sir, I have this moment received your kind letter of yesterday & cordially unite with you in opinion that Polk & Dallas are candidates entirely worthy of the support of the Democracy. I recollect well our conversation respecting Mr. Van Buren. After I had declined and the delegates from our state had been instructed to support him, I considered the question of his nomination settled, & I uniformly used what little influence I possessed to prevent any movement against him. All that I regret in the proceedings of the Baltimore Convention is that any of the Delegates from Pennsylvania, in opposition to my known will & express written instructions, should have cast their votes in my favor whilst Mr. Van Buren was in the field. But their conduct proceeded from friendly motives, and I have said nothing about it. Had Mr. Van Buren come out in favor of immediate annexation he would have been nominated without a struggle, and until the very last moment I was under the impression he would pursue this course. I regret most sincerely that our friends Wright & Benton have got rather into a false position on this question, as, in my opinion, there are not two more devoted patriots or faithful Democrats in the Union. I made the last speech on the Texas question which is now ready for publication, but whether or when I shall publish it I have not yet determined. From your friend very respectfully."
Henry Horn (1786-1862) was elected as a Jacksonian and represented Pennsylvania in Congress from 1831-1833. Appointed by President Polk, he served as Collector of Customs at Philadelphia from 1845-1846.
Silas Wright, Jr. (1795-1847) was a Jacksonian (later, Democrat) representing New York in the U.S. Senate from 1833-1844. He was a member of Van Buren's inner circle known as the Albany Regency.
Thomas Hart Benton (1782-1858) was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1821 upon the admission of Missouri as a State into the Union, serving as a Democratic Republican (later Jacksonian and Democrat) until 1851, chairing many important committees.
In 1836, Texas won its independence from Mexico and declared itself the Republic of Texas. In 1837, Texas officials sought annexation by the United States but northerners feared the extension of slavery and the tipping of the balance between the Northern and Southern states in Congress. To avoid a split in the Democratic party as well as a possible war with Mexico, President Van Buren rejected the request. In June, 1843, Texas President Sam Houston declared a truce with Mexico, later sending two commissioners to Mexico to represent Texas in British-sponsored negotiations. The British, favoring the return of Texas to Mexico and opposing the western expansion of the United States, were working to mediate a peace treaty between Texas and Mexico.
Early in 1844, the two leading presidential candidates, former President Martin Van Buren for the Democrats and former Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky for the Whigs, tried to take the expansionist issue out of the campaign by declaring themselves opposed to the annexation of Texas. But President Tyler, not wanting Texas to come under the influence of Great Britain and hoping he might be able to wrest the Democratic nomination from Van Buren, proposed annexation and on April 12, 1844, a Treaty of Annexation was signed in Washington, D.C., by representatives of the United States and the Republic of Texas. The treaty was sent to the Senate for ratification. On May 1, 1844, in Baltimore, the Whigs nominated Henry Clay for President on the first ballot by acclamation. Four weeks later, the Democrats also held their convention in Baltimore. Southern Democrats favored annexation; slavery already existed in Texas. Many of those who were chosen in 1843 repudiated their pledges to vote for Van Buren and were successful in reinstituting an old rule that required a two-thirds majority instead of a simple majority, hoping to make it impossible for the former President to be nominated.
In 1843, Pennsylvania had appointed 26 delegates pledged to support their senior Senator, James Buchanan, at the 1844 Democratic convention. On December 14, 1843, Buchanan formally withdrew from the race and instructed his 26 delegates to support Van Buren for the nomination. On the first ballot, Van Buren received 146 of the 266 votes cast, a majority, but 31 votes shy of the two-thirds now necessary for nomination. Former Governor of Michigan Territory Lewis Cass, a supporter of annexation, was second with 83 votes. The remaining 37 votes were split among five candidates. Against Buchanan's wishes, four of Pennsylvania's delegates voted for him. There was no support for President Tyler, a former Democrat who had been elected as the running mate of William H. Harrison on the Whig ticket in 1840 and succeeded to the presidency when Harrison died in 1841.
Former Tennessee Governor James K. Polk attended the convention as a supporter of Van Buren and was the likely choice for the vice presidential nomination on a Van Buren-Polk ticket. Former President Andrew Jackson had publicly supported annexation and urged the nomination of a candidate committed to the annexation of Texas. On each successive ballot, Van Buren's vote total lessened and Cass's votes rose until Cass passed Van Buren on the fifth ballot. On the eighth ballot, Cass had 114 to Van Buren's 104, still a long way from 177. Two Pennsylvania delegates continued to vote for Buchanan. But there was a new name on the ballot: former Governor of Tennessee James K. Polk with 44 votes. Polk had publicly supported annexation and had the full support of fellow Tennessean, Andrew Jackson. On the ninth ballot, Van Buren and Cass supporters voted for Polk as a compromise candidate. He now had 233 votes and his nomination was then made unanimous. Van Buren's close political friend, New York Senator Silas Wright, Jr., was nominated for Vice President. When he declined the nomination, former Pennsylvania Senator George M. Dallas was nominated.
On June 8, 1844, the Treaty of Annexation of Texas sent to the Senate for ratification was defeated 35-16. Senator James Buchanan of Pennsylvania was one of those voting for annexation. Senators Thomas H. Benton of Missouri and Silas Wright, Jr., both Democrats and mentioned in this letter, were among those voting "Nay." Though he was known as a supporter of both slavery and of westward expansion, Benton believed southern politicians were recklessly provoking sectional conflict in pushing for Texas annexation. Putting the Union first, Benton led the fight on the Senate floor against annexation.
In this letter, Buchanan writes that he "made the last speech on the Texas question" before the vote. It was published in the "Appendix to the Congressional Globe," pages 720-727. Copies of these pages are included with this letter.
In October, 1844, the British notified Mexico that it was ending its mediation efforts. With Texas the major issue of the campaign, Polk defeated Clay 170 electoral votes (15 states) to 105 votes (11 states). In January, 1845, a Texas annexation bill was introduced in the House of Representatives. It passed the House, 120-98, and the Senate, 27-25. This time, Senator Benton supported the resolution. Senator Wright had resigned on November 26, 1844, having been elected Governor of New York. President Tyler approved the resolution on March 1, 1845. On March 4th, James K. Polk was inaugurated President, and he named James Buchanan as his Secretary of State. The "Ordinance of Annexation" was approved by the Texas Convention on July 4, 1845, and on December 29, 1845, Texas was admitted the Union as the 28th state.
One of the best political letters of Buchanan still in private hands, this letter is in very fine condition, with a light smudge in a blank area and a notation in light brown ink at the top blank edge. It would be a magnificent addition to a presidential, political, or Texana collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "James Buchanan", one page, 7.75" x 9,75". Lancaster, July 6, 1844. To Henry Horn. In full: "My dear sir, I have this moment received your kind letter of yesterday & cordially unite with you in opinion that Polk & Dallas are candidates entirely worthy of the support of the Democracy. I recollect well our conversation respecting Mr. Van Buren. After I had declined and the delegates from our state had been instructed to support him, I considered the question of his nomination settled, & I uniformly used what little influence I possessed to prevent any movement against him. All that I regret in the proceedings of the Baltimore Convention is that any of the Delegates from Pennsylvania, in opposition to my known will & express written instructions, should have cast their votes in my favor whilst Mr. Van Buren was in the field. But their conduct proceeded from friendly motives, and I have said nothing about it. Had Mr. Van Buren come out in favor of immediate annexation he would have been nominated without a struggle, and until the very last moment I was under the impression he would pursue this course. I regret most sincerely that our friends Wright & Benton have got rather into a false position on this question, as, in my opinion, there are not two more devoted patriots or faithful Democrats in the Union. I made the last speech on the Texas question which is now ready for publication, but whether or when I shall publish it I have not yet determined. From your friend very respectfully."
Henry Horn (1786-1862) was elected as a Jacksonian and represented Pennsylvania in Congress from 1831-1833. Appointed by President Polk, he served as Collector of Customs at Philadelphia from 1845-1846.
Silas Wright, Jr. (1795-1847) was a Jacksonian (later, Democrat) representing New York in the U.S. Senate from 1833-1844. He was a member of Van Buren's inner circle known as the Albany Regency.
Thomas Hart Benton (1782-1858) was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1821 upon the admission of Missouri as a State into the Union, serving as a Democratic Republican (later Jacksonian and Democrat) until 1851, chairing many important committees.
In 1836, Texas won its independence from Mexico and declared itself the Republic of Texas. In 1837, Texas officials sought annexation by the United States but northerners feared the extension of slavery and the tipping of the balance between the Northern and Southern states in Congress. To avoid a split in the Democratic party as well as a possible war with Mexico, President Van Buren rejected the request. In June, 1843, Texas President Sam Houston declared a truce with Mexico, later sending two commissioners to Mexico to represent Texas in British-sponsored negotiations. The British, favoring the return of Texas to Mexico and opposing the western expansion of the United States, were working to mediate a peace treaty between Texas and Mexico.
Early in 1844, the two leading presidential candidates, former President Martin Van Buren for the Democrats and former Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky for the Whigs, tried to take the expansionist issue out of the campaign by declaring themselves opposed to the annexation of Texas. But President Tyler, not wanting Texas to come under the influence of Great Britain and hoping he might be able to wrest the Democratic nomination from Van Buren, proposed annexation and on April 12, 1844, a Treaty of Annexation was signed in Washington, D.C., by representatives of the United States and the Republic of Texas. The treaty was sent to the Senate for ratification. On May 1, 1844, in Baltimore, the Whigs nominated Henry Clay for President on the first ballot by acclamation. Four weeks later, the Democrats also held their convention in Baltimore. Southern Democrats favored annexation; slavery already existed in Texas. Many of those who were chosen in 1843 repudiated their pledges to vote for Van Buren and were successful in reinstituting an old rule that required a two-thirds majority instead of a simple majority, hoping to make it impossible for the former President to be nominated.
In 1843, Pennsylvania had appointed 26 delegates pledged to support their senior Senator, James Buchanan, at the 1844 Democratic convention. On December 14, 1843, Buchanan formally withdrew from the race and instructed his 26 delegates to support Van Buren for the nomination. On the first ballot, Van Buren received 146 of the 266 votes cast, a majority, but 31 votes shy of the two-thirds now necessary for nomination. Former Governor of Michigan Territory Lewis Cass, a supporter of annexation, was second with 83 votes. The remaining 37 votes were split among five candidates. Against Buchanan's wishes, four of Pennsylvania's delegates voted for him. There was no support for President Tyler, a former Democrat who had been elected as the running mate of William H. Harrison on the Whig ticket in 1840 and succeeded to the presidency when Harrison died in 1841.
Former Tennessee Governor James K. Polk attended the convention as a supporter of Van Buren and was the likely choice for the vice presidential nomination on a Van Buren-Polk ticket. Former President Andrew Jackson had publicly supported annexation and urged the nomination of a candidate committed to the annexation of Texas. On each successive ballot, Van Buren's vote total lessened and Cass's votes rose until Cass passed Van Buren on the fifth ballot. On the eighth ballot, Cass had 114 to Van Buren's 104, still a long way from 177. Two Pennsylvania delegates continued to vote for Buchanan. But there was a new name on the ballot: former Governor of Tennessee James K. Polk with 44 votes. Polk had publicly supported annexation and had the full support of fellow Tennessean, Andrew Jackson. On the ninth ballot, Van Buren and Cass supporters voted for Polk as a compromise candidate. He now had 233 votes and his nomination was then made unanimous. Van Buren's close political friend, New York Senator Silas Wright, Jr., was nominated for Vice President. When he declined the nomination, former Pennsylvania Senator George M. Dallas was nominated.
On June 8, 1844, the Treaty of Annexation of Texas sent to the Senate for ratification was defeated 35-16. Senator James Buchanan of Pennsylvania was one of those voting for annexation. Senators Thomas H. Benton of Missouri and Silas Wright, Jr., both Democrats and mentioned in this letter, were among those voting "Nay." Though he was known as a supporter of both slavery and of westward expansion, Benton believed southern politicians were recklessly provoking sectional conflict in pushing for Texas annexation. Putting the Union first, Benton led the fight on the Senate floor against annexation.
In this letter, Buchanan writes that he "made the last speech on the Texas question" before the vote. It was published in the "Appendix to the Congressional Globe," pages 720-727. Copies of these pages are included with this letter.
In October, 1844, the British notified Mexico that it was ending its mediation efforts. With Texas the major issue of the campaign, Polk defeated Clay 170 electoral votes (15 states) to 105 votes (11 states). In January, 1845, a Texas annexation bill was introduced in the House of Representatives. It passed the House, 120-98, and the Senate, 27-25. This time, Senator Benton supported the resolution. Senator Wright had resigned on November 26, 1844, having been elected Governor of New York. President Tyler approved the resolution on March 1, 1845. On March 4th, James K. Polk was inaugurated President, and he named James Buchanan as his Secretary of State. The "Ordinance of Annexation" was approved by the Texas Convention on July 4, 1845, and on December 29, 1845, Texas was admitted the Union as the 28th state.
One of the best political letters of Buchanan still in private hands, this letter is in very fine condition, with a light smudge in a blank area and a notation in light brown ink at the top blank edge. It would be a magnificent addition to a presidential, political, or Texana collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Abraham Lincoln Excellent Autograph Letter Signed: President Lincoln obliges an important railroad man who wishes his son appointed a Commissary, telling Secretary of War Stanton not only to "see" him, but to "see & hear" him.
Signed: "A Lincoln" as President, one page, 5" x 7.25". Executive Mansion, Washington, May 30, 1863. To Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. In full: " My dear Sir: I wish to oblige Mr. Jesse L. Williams, who will hand you this. He has two sons in the Army - one, Edward P. Williams - is now a Lieut. & Adjutant of the 100th Ia. Vols, at this time between Memphis & Grand Junction. The father wishes him appointed a Commissary, and I, as I have said, wish him obliged, if it can be consistently done. Please see & hear Mr. Williams. Yours truly."
On December 31, 1863, President Lincoln sent to the U.S. Senate a message nominating "the persons named in the accompanying communication for appointment in the Volunteer force now in the service of the United States, as proposed by the Secretary of War, being appointments made in vacation prior to the 5th of December, 1863, and now on duty." Among the persons Stanton had proposed to President Lincoln "to be commissaries of subsistence with the rank of captain" was "Edward P. Williams, of Indiana, June 1, 1863," dated two days after this letter asking Stanton to meet with Lieutenant Williams' father. A commissary of subsistence is an officer whose business is to provide food for a body of troops or a military post.
Jesse L. Williams (1807-1886) was Chief Engineer of the Wabash & Erie Canal (1832-1854) and the Ft. Wayne and Chicago Railroad (1854-1856). He was director of the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne, and Chicago Railroad, part of the Pennsylvania Railroad, from 1856-1864. During the Civil War, the railroads were critical in transporting war materials as well as troops. On October 7, 1864, President Lincoln appointed Williams one of five government directors of the Union Pacific Railroad. He was reappointed each succeeding year until the work was completed in 1869 as the first transcontinental railroad in North America.
Edward P. Williams (1838-1910), a lawyer, entered military service in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The 100th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organized at Fort Wayne and was mustered in September 10, 1862. The 100th took part in Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign with operations on the Mississippi Central Railroad from November 26, 1862, to January 10, 1863, later marching to Memphis, Tennessee, via Grand Junction, LaGrange and Holly Springs, from June 1st to July 21, 1863. Williams later served on the staffs of Brigadier General of Volunteers William Sooy Smith (1830-1916) and Brigadier General John B. Turchin (1822-1901).
Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869) was Buchanan's Attorney General (1860-1861) and Lincoln's Secretary of War (1862-1865), continuing to serve in Johnson's cabinet. His dismissal by Andrew Johnson in 1867 led to the President's impeachment for violation of the Tenure of Office Act. Appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by Grant, Stanton died four days after being confirmed by the Senate, before he was sworn in.
On verso there is a mounting stain at the top edge with no show-through. The letter has been expertly repaired on verso behind two blank areas and the printed letterhead. A light vertical fold passes through the beginning of the "A" of the signature.
In fine condition, this letter is an excellent example of President Lincoln wishing to oblige an important railroad man who wishes his son promoted. It is interesting to note that Lincoln tells Stanton to not only "see" him, but to "see & hear" him. This letter would make an outstanding addition to a presidential collection and is ideal for a collector wishing to own a one page ALS of Lincoln as President with military content. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "A Lincoln" as President, one page, 5" x 7.25". Executive Mansion, Washington, May 30, 1863. To Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. In full: " My dear Sir: I wish to oblige Mr. Jesse L. Williams, who will hand you this. He has two sons in the Army - one, Edward P. Williams - is now a Lieut. & Adjutant of the 100th Ia. Vols, at this time between Memphis & Grand Junction. The father wishes him appointed a Commissary, and I, as I have said, wish him obliged, if it can be consistently done. Please see & hear Mr. Williams. Yours truly."
On December 31, 1863, President Lincoln sent to the U.S. Senate a message nominating "the persons named in the accompanying communication for appointment in the Volunteer force now in the service of the United States, as proposed by the Secretary of War, being appointments made in vacation prior to the 5th of December, 1863, and now on duty." Among the persons Stanton had proposed to President Lincoln "to be commissaries of subsistence with the rank of captain" was "Edward P. Williams, of Indiana, June 1, 1863," dated two days after this letter asking Stanton to meet with Lieutenant Williams' father. A commissary of subsistence is an officer whose business is to provide food for a body of troops or a military post.
Jesse L. Williams (1807-1886) was Chief Engineer of the Wabash & Erie Canal (1832-1854) and the Ft. Wayne and Chicago Railroad (1854-1856). He was director of the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne, and Chicago Railroad, part of the Pennsylvania Railroad, from 1856-1864. During the Civil War, the railroads were critical in transporting war materials as well as troops. On October 7, 1864, President Lincoln appointed Williams one of five government directors of the Union Pacific Railroad. He was reappointed each succeeding year until the work was completed in 1869 as the first transcontinental railroad in North America.
Edward P. Williams (1838-1910), a lawyer, entered military service in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The 100th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organized at Fort Wayne and was mustered in September 10, 1862. The 100th took part in Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign with operations on the Mississippi Central Railroad from November 26, 1862, to January 10, 1863, later marching to Memphis, Tennessee, via Grand Junction, LaGrange and Holly Springs, from June 1st to July 21, 1863. Williams later served on the staffs of Brigadier General of Volunteers William Sooy Smith (1830-1916) and Brigadier General John B. Turchin (1822-1901).
Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869) was Buchanan's Attorney General (1860-1861) and Lincoln's Secretary of War (1862-1865), continuing to serve in Johnson's cabinet. His dismissal by Andrew Johnson in 1867 led to the President's impeachment for violation of the Tenure of Office Act. Appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by Grant, Stanton died four days after being confirmed by the Senate, before he was sworn in.
On verso there is a mounting stain at the top edge with no show-through. The letter has been expertly repaired on verso behind two blank areas and the printed letterhead. A light vertical fold passes through the beginning of the "A" of the signature.
In fine condition, this letter is an excellent example of President Lincoln wishing to oblige an important railroad man who wishes his son promoted. It is interesting to note that Lincoln tells Stanton to not only "see" him, but to "see & hear" him. This letter would make an outstanding addition to a presidential collection and is ideal for a collector wishing to own a one page ALS of Lincoln as President with military content. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Andrew Johnson Excellent Autograph Letter Signed: Never attending school himself, Congressman Johnson writes his friend, Nashville newspaper editor and future U.S. Senator Alfred O.P. Nicholson, about sending his eldest son away "to Chool [sic] him in that way which will be of most use to him in practible [sic] life." In 1861, Johnson voted "Nay" when Nicholson was expelled from the Senate for supporting the Confederacy.
Signed: "A. Johnson", one page, 8" x 10". Greenville, Tennessee, September 8, 1845. To Hon. Alfred O.P. Nicholson. In full: " Friend Nicholson, I write this letter for the purpose of asking your opinion of a manual labor school I see has been recently established five miles east of Nashville- In the Agricultural paper published in your city there is a long account given of it- most of those articles are written for the purpose of giving institutions of this sort popularity, frequently when they are deceptions upon the public- I want to know your opinion for my self, not to be made use of for any other purpose- If you are acquainted with the proprietor give your opinion of him and then how you think his plan will do &c &c-. My oldest son Charles is now Sixteen years of age and I would like to send him from home to Chool [sic] some wheare [sic]- my object is to Chool [sic] him in that way which will be of most use to him in practible [sic] life- and in sending him from home you know it is important for me to consult economy- Most of these manual labor SChool's [sic] have proved to be failures, so far as my information goes- Please give me your opinion of this experiment, whether it is succeeding upon correct principles, or so far upon the novelty of things. There is nothing new of interest in this section of the State. I must say, there is nobody spoken of in all this region for Senator but your own dear self. As usual."
Andrew Johnson, 18, married Eliza McCardle, 16, in 1827. Already a tailor, he never went to school but he knew his letters and could read a bit, so his wife, who had a basic education, taught him writing and arithmetic. He always had difficulty with his spelling and that is evident in this letter. In 1828, Johnson became an alderman of Greenville, Tennessee, and was Mayor of Greenville from 1830-1833. After serving in the Tennessee House and Senate, Johnson represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1843-1853 before becoming Governor of Tennessee (1853-1857) and U.S. Senator (1857-1862).
Alfred O.P. Nicholson (1808-1876) was admitted to the bar in 1831 and commenced practice in Columbia, Tennessee, where he also edited the Western Mercury. He later served in the U.S. Senate (1840-1842) and Tennessee State Senate (1843-1845). Moving to Nashville, he edited the Nashville Union (1844-1846) and became a director and then president of the Bank of Tennessee (1846-1847). Nicholson declined an appointment to President Pierce's cabinet in 1853, then edited the Washington Union (1853-1856). Returning to the U.S. Senate, he served from 1859 until March 3, 1861 (Andrew Johnson was the other Senator from Tennessee), when he withdrew, anticipating the secession of his state which seceded on May 7, 1861. On July 11, 1861, the Senate, by a vote of 32-10 (Andrew Johnson voted "Nay"), expelled Nicholson and nine other southern Senators who "have failed to appear in their seats in the Senate, and to aid the government in this important crisis, and it is apparent to the Senate that said senators are engaged in said conspiracy for the destruction of the Union and government, or with full knowledge of such conspiracy have failed to advise the government of its progress or aid in its suppression." Nicholson's Senate colleague, Andrew Johnson, was loyal to the Union. He served until March 4, 1862, when he resigned, having been appointed by President Lincoln as Military Governor of Tennessee with the rank of Brigadier General of Volunteers. He held this office until he was sworn in as Lincoln's Vice President in 1865. Nicholson later served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tennessee from 1870 until his death. Two photographs of engravings of Nicholson are included with this letter.
Charles Johnson (1830-1863) was the eldest son and second of five children born to Eliza and Andrew Johnson. In this letter, written while Congressman, Johnson states that "My oldest son Charles is now Sixteen," but , in fact, Charles would celebrate his 16th birthday five months later, on February 19, 1846; his daughter Martha was 16, turning 17 on October 25th. In 1849, four years after his father wrote this letter, Charles became the first co-editor of the Greenville Spy. While studying to become a pharmacist, he became an alcoholic. In the Civil War, Colonel Charles Johnson served with the Middle Tennessee Union Infantry as an assistant surgeon and recruited Tennesseans for the Union Army. It is suspected that alcohol caused his fatal fall from a horse in 1863.
This letter is in fine condition, with light wrinkles at the upper and lower edges. There is a minor tear in the upper right corner. Handwritten letters of Andrew Johnson have always been scarce. This full-page letter penned by an unschooled father stressing the importance of finding a good school for his son is especially desirable and would be a wonderful addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "A. Johnson", one page, 8" x 10". Greenville, Tennessee, September 8, 1845. To Hon. Alfred O.P. Nicholson. In full: " Friend Nicholson, I write this letter for the purpose of asking your opinion of a manual labor school I see has been recently established five miles east of Nashville- In the Agricultural paper published in your city there is a long account given of it- most of those articles are written for the purpose of giving institutions of this sort popularity, frequently when they are deceptions upon the public- I want to know your opinion for my self, not to be made use of for any other purpose- If you are acquainted with the proprietor give your opinion of him and then how you think his plan will do &c &c-. My oldest son Charles is now Sixteen years of age and I would like to send him from home to Chool [sic] some wheare [sic]- my object is to Chool [sic] him in that way which will be of most use to him in practible [sic] life- and in sending him from home you know it is important for me to consult economy- Most of these manual labor SChool's [sic] have proved to be failures, so far as my information goes- Please give me your opinion of this experiment, whether it is succeeding upon correct principles, or so far upon the novelty of things. There is nothing new of interest in this section of the State. I must say, there is nobody spoken of in all this region for Senator but your own dear self. As usual."
Andrew Johnson, 18, married Eliza McCardle, 16, in 1827. Already a tailor, he never went to school but he knew his letters and could read a bit, so his wife, who had a basic education, taught him writing and arithmetic. He always had difficulty with his spelling and that is evident in this letter. In 1828, Johnson became an alderman of Greenville, Tennessee, and was Mayor of Greenville from 1830-1833. After serving in the Tennessee House and Senate, Johnson represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1843-1853 before becoming Governor of Tennessee (1853-1857) and U.S. Senator (1857-1862).
Alfred O.P. Nicholson (1808-1876) was admitted to the bar in 1831 and commenced practice in Columbia, Tennessee, where he also edited the Western Mercury. He later served in the U.S. Senate (1840-1842) and Tennessee State Senate (1843-1845). Moving to Nashville, he edited the Nashville Union (1844-1846) and became a director and then president of the Bank of Tennessee (1846-1847). Nicholson declined an appointment to President Pierce's cabinet in 1853, then edited the Washington Union (1853-1856). Returning to the U.S. Senate, he served from 1859 until March 3, 1861 (Andrew Johnson was the other Senator from Tennessee), when he withdrew, anticipating the secession of his state which seceded on May 7, 1861. On July 11, 1861, the Senate, by a vote of 32-10 (Andrew Johnson voted "Nay"), expelled Nicholson and nine other southern Senators who "have failed to appear in their seats in the Senate, and to aid the government in this important crisis, and it is apparent to the Senate that said senators are engaged in said conspiracy for the destruction of the Union and government, or with full knowledge of such conspiracy have failed to advise the government of its progress or aid in its suppression." Nicholson's Senate colleague, Andrew Johnson, was loyal to the Union. He served until March 4, 1862, when he resigned, having been appointed by President Lincoln as Military Governor of Tennessee with the rank of Brigadier General of Volunteers. He held this office until he was sworn in as Lincoln's Vice President in 1865. Nicholson later served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tennessee from 1870 until his death. Two photographs of engravings of Nicholson are included with this letter.
Charles Johnson (1830-1863) was the eldest son and second of five children born to Eliza and Andrew Johnson. In this letter, written while Congressman, Johnson states that "My oldest son Charles is now Sixteen," but , in fact, Charles would celebrate his 16th birthday five months later, on February 19, 1846; his daughter Martha was 16, turning 17 on October 25th. In 1849, four years after his father wrote this letter, Charles became the first co-editor of the Greenville Spy. While studying to become a pharmacist, he became an alcoholic. In the Civil War, Colonel Charles Johnson served with the Middle Tennessee Union Infantry as an assistant surgeon and recruited Tennesseans for the Union Army. It is suspected that alcohol caused his fatal fall from a horse in 1863.
This letter is in fine condition, with light wrinkles at the upper and lower edges. There is a minor tear in the upper right corner. Handwritten letters of Andrew Johnson have always been scarce. This full-page letter penned by an unschooled father stressing the importance of finding a good school for his son is especially desirable and would be a wonderful addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Ulysses S. Grant Historically Important Military Autograph Letter Signed: General Grant tells General Meade he has instructed General Ord "to conceal his movements from the enemy if he can" and replace the 2nd Corps. The 2nd Corps then participated in the pursuit of General Lee to Appomattox Court House where Lee surrendered to General Grant just 13 days after this letter was written.
Signed: "U.S. Grant/Lt. Gen", one page, 7.75" x 10". City Point, Va. March 27, 1865. To Major General George G. Meade. On "Head Quarters Armies of the United States" stationery. In full: "Gen. Ord draws his troops out of the position they now occupy to-night. They can not march at night however the whole distance without losing a great number of men by stragling [sic] and as they will be in view of the enemy most of the time after they reach Broadway Landing I do not think it possible to cancel his movements. His instructions are to get up so as to pickets as early on Wednesday as possible. I will also instruct Ord to conceal his movements from the enemy if he can. It is only the place of the pickets of 2d Corps that Ord will replace and the command will be in compact marching order near to Hatcher's Run." Grant had sent this urgent message to General Meade as a telegram, noting at the top: "(Cipher)."
The text of this telegram can be found in the letter books maintained at Grant's headquarters by clerks, one copy of which is in the National Archives, and in the letter books which remained in Grant's possession and were eventually given by his family to the Library of Congress. The letter books tell us that this telegram was sent at 3 P.M. in reply to General Meade's 1 P.M. telegram to Grant: "General Ord telegraphs he is directed to take position occupied by the 2d Corps & his command will be at Broadway by noon tomorrow ready to move. This would indicate his crossing the bridge by daylight and making known his movement to the enemy; Do you intend this & do you design he should occupy Humphrey's line? I do not know of any objection to the latter except his troops will not be quite so well in hand as if moved near Hatchers Run. I think however his movements ought to be concealed from the enemy if practicable."
When General Grant answered Meade's telegram at 3 P.M., he also telegraphed General Ord: "It is only the pickets of the 2nd Corps I want you to replace. Your Command will be moving up in Compact marching order near to Hatchers Run on the left of our lines. This is the ground which you are to occupy tomorrow night without being observed by the enemy I would like you to do it."
On March 27, 1865, Union General Ulysses S. Grant was massing his troops, replacing those of General George G. Meade with those of General Edward O.C. Ord. The Army of the Potomac that Meade commanded was the main striking unit moving on Grant's left to encircle Confederate General Robert E. Lee and force him out of Petersburg and Richmond. The troops of Ord, replacing those of Meade, were in position to occupy Petersburg and Richmond. With his troops in place, General Grant began his final offensive against General Lee two days later.
From General Grant's July 22, 1865, report to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton: "On the night of the 27th [March 27th], Major-General Ord, with two divisions of the Twenty-fourth Corps, Major-General Gibbon commanding, and one division of the Twenty-fifth Corps, Brigadier-General Birney commanding, and Mackenzie's cavalry, took up his line of march in pursuance of the foregoing instructions, and reached the position assigned him near Hatcher's Run on the morning of the 29th...Early on the morning of the 8th [April 8th] , the pursuit was resumed. General Meade followed north of the Appomattox, and General Sheridan, with all the cavalry, pushed straight for Appomattox Station, followed by General Ord's command and the Fifth Corps. During the day General Meade's advance had considerable fighting with the enemy's rear guard, but was unable to bring on a general engagement. Late in the evening General Sheridan struck the railroad at Appomattox Station, drove the enemy from there, and captured twenty-five pieces of artillery, a hospital train, and four trains of cars loaded with supplies for Lee's army. During this day I accompanied General Meade's column...On the morning of the 9th, General Ord's command and the Fifth Corps reached Appomattox Station just as the enemy was making a desperate effort to break through our cavalry. The infantry was at once thrown in. Soon after a white flag was received, requesting a suspension of hostilities pending negotiations for a surrender."
With an engraving of Meade and a map of the area referred to in Grant's letter.
This remarkable letter, telegraphed by Grant to Meade with orders which ultimately led to Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox just 13 days later, is in very fine condition, with light wrinkles in the blank upper right corner. It would be the cornerstone of a Civil War collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "U.S. Grant/Lt. Gen", one page, 7.75" x 10". City Point, Va. March 27, 1865. To Major General George G. Meade. On "Head Quarters Armies of the United States" stationery. In full: "Gen. Ord draws his troops out of the position they now occupy to-night. They can not march at night however the whole distance without losing a great number of men by stragling [sic] and as they will be in view of the enemy most of the time after they reach Broadway Landing I do not think it possible to cancel his movements. His instructions are to get up so as to pickets as early on Wednesday as possible. I will also instruct Ord to conceal his movements from the enemy if he can. It is only the place of the pickets of 2d Corps that Ord will replace and the command will be in compact marching order near to Hatcher's Run." Grant had sent this urgent message to General Meade as a telegram, noting at the top: "(Cipher)."
The text of this telegram can be found in the letter books maintained at Grant's headquarters by clerks, one copy of which is in the National Archives, and in the letter books which remained in Grant's possession and were eventually given by his family to the Library of Congress. The letter books tell us that this telegram was sent at 3 P.M. in reply to General Meade's 1 P.M. telegram to Grant: "General Ord telegraphs he is directed to take position occupied by the 2d Corps & his command will be at Broadway by noon tomorrow ready to move. This would indicate his crossing the bridge by daylight and making known his movement to the enemy; Do you intend this & do you design he should occupy Humphrey's line? I do not know of any objection to the latter except his troops will not be quite so well in hand as if moved near Hatchers Run. I think however his movements ought to be concealed from the enemy if practicable."
When General Grant answered Meade's telegram at 3 P.M., he also telegraphed General Ord: "It is only the pickets of the 2nd Corps I want you to replace. Your Command will be moving up in Compact marching order near to Hatchers Run on the left of our lines. This is the ground which you are to occupy tomorrow night without being observed by the enemy I would like you to do it."
On March 27, 1865, Union General Ulysses S. Grant was massing his troops, replacing those of General George G. Meade with those of General Edward O.C. Ord. The Army of the Potomac that Meade commanded was the main striking unit moving on Grant's left to encircle Confederate General Robert E. Lee and force him out of Petersburg and Richmond. The troops of Ord, replacing those of Meade, were in position to occupy Petersburg and Richmond. With his troops in place, General Grant began his final offensive against General Lee two days later.
From General Grant's July 22, 1865, report to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton: "On the night of the 27th [March 27th], Major-General Ord, with two divisions of the Twenty-fourth Corps, Major-General Gibbon commanding, and one division of the Twenty-fifth Corps, Brigadier-General Birney commanding, and Mackenzie's cavalry, took up his line of march in pursuance of the foregoing instructions, and reached the position assigned him near Hatcher's Run on the morning of the 29th...Early on the morning of the 8th [April 8th] , the pursuit was resumed. General Meade followed north of the Appomattox, and General Sheridan, with all the cavalry, pushed straight for Appomattox Station, followed by General Ord's command and the Fifth Corps. During the day General Meade's advance had considerable fighting with the enemy's rear guard, but was unable to bring on a general engagement. Late in the evening General Sheridan struck the railroad at Appomattox Station, drove the enemy from there, and captured twenty-five pieces of artillery, a hospital train, and four trains of cars loaded with supplies for Lee's army. During this day I accompanied General Meade's column...On the morning of the 9th, General Ord's command and the Fifth Corps reached Appomattox Station just as the enemy was making a desperate effort to break through our cavalry. The infantry was at once thrown in. Soon after a white flag was received, requesting a suspension of hostilities pending negotiations for a surrender."
With an engraving of Meade and a map of the area referred to in Grant's letter.
This remarkable letter, telegraphed by Grant to Meade with orders which ultimately led to Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox just 13 days later, is in very fine condition, with light wrinkles in the blank upper right corner. It would be the cornerstone of a Civil War collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Rutherford B. Hayes Historic Autograph Letter Signed: Hayes recounts how "out of abundant caution," just four days after being declared the winner in the disputed election of 1876, he was inaugurated President in the White House two days before his public inauguration.
Signed: "Rutherford B. Hayes", one page, 5" x 8". Spiegel Grove, Fremont, Ohio, June 8, 1889. To Henry Phillips, Jr., Philadelphia. In full: "My Dear Sir, The inauguration of Gen Hayes in 1877, as President, took place Monday, Mch 5- On the Fourth of March, Sunday, no ceremony occurred. But out of abundant caution on Saturday, the 3d of March, the oath of office was administered at the Executive Mansion by Chief Justice Waite in the presence of President Grant, Secretary of State Fish, and a few other persons. Sincerely."
After the November 7, 1876, election results were tabulated, 20 electoral votes were disputed. Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina turned in two sets of electoral votes, one from the official election supervisory agency supporting Tilden and another from the carpetbag governments supporting Hayes. Northerners who went to the South after the Civil War and took part in Reconstruction governments (generally Republicans), when persons who had supported the Confederacy were still not allowed to hold public office, were called carpetbaggers. In addition, one Republican Oregon elector was a government employee. Technically, this made him ineligible to serve as an elector. Oregon had a Democratic governor who claimed the right to appoint a Democrat to replace the elected Republican.
After a month of hearings, on February 27, 1877, the Electoral Commission, comprising eight Republicans and seven Democrats, voted along party lines and gave all 20 disputed votes to the Republican Governor of Ohio, Rutherford B. Hayes, giving him 185 electoral votes to 184 for Democrat Samuel J. Tilden, Governor of New York. Hayes then resigned as Governor of Ohio. The U.S. Senate, after days of debate, confirmed the electoral vote count at 4:10 A.M. on Friday, March 2, 1877.
Included with Hayes's letter is an original admission ticket to "Counting the Vote for President and Vice-President" admitting the bearer "To Gallery of House of Representatives," 4.75" x 3", numbered 1426, dated March 1, 1877. Signed in facsimile by Thomas W. Ferry, President pro tempore of the Senate, and Samuel J. Randall, Speaker of the House.
Since Inauguration Day, March 4, 1877, fell on a Sunday, the public swearing-in of Grant's successor would take place on Monday, March 5th. Fearing that during the one-day gap between the end of Grant's term and the inauguration, dissidents might try to install Tilden as President (hinted at by Hayes in this letter: "out of abundant caution"), President Grant and Secretary of State Hamilton Fish suggested that Hayes be sworn in as President by Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite in a private ceremony in the White House on Saturday, March 3, 1877. The public ceremony on Monday, March 5, 1877, took place without incident at the east end of the Capitol. Chief Justice Waite once again administered the oath of office. Many historians believe that the Democrats accepted their defeat with a promise from the Republicans that they would remove all Federal troops remaining in former Confederate states, effectively ending Reconstruction.
Henry Phillips, Jr. (1838-1895) was treasurer (1862) and secretary (1868) of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia, and a secretary (from 1880) and the librarian (from 1885) of the American Philosophical Society. His works on the paper currency of the American colonies, "History of American Colonial Paper Currency" (1865), and on American Continental money, "History of American Continental Paper Money" (1866), were the first on those subjects. Phillips undoubtedly had written Hayes with questions about his inauguration.
This historic letter concerning the first disputed presidential inauguration in U.S. history is in extra fine condition. Signed by Hayes with his rare, full signature, it would be a significant addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Rutherford B. Hayes", one page, 5" x 8". Spiegel Grove, Fremont, Ohio, June 8, 1889. To Henry Phillips, Jr., Philadelphia. In full: "My Dear Sir, The inauguration of Gen Hayes in 1877, as President, took place Monday, Mch 5- On the Fourth of March, Sunday, no ceremony occurred. But out of abundant caution on Saturday, the 3d of March, the oath of office was administered at the Executive Mansion by Chief Justice Waite in the presence of President Grant, Secretary of State Fish, and a few other persons. Sincerely."
After the November 7, 1876, election results were tabulated, 20 electoral votes were disputed. Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina turned in two sets of electoral votes, one from the official election supervisory agency supporting Tilden and another from the carpetbag governments supporting Hayes. Northerners who went to the South after the Civil War and took part in Reconstruction governments (generally Republicans), when persons who had supported the Confederacy were still not allowed to hold public office, were called carpetbaggers. In addition, one Republican Oregon elector was a government employee. Technically, this made him ineligible to serve as an elector. Oregon had a Democratic governor who claimed the right to appoint a Democrat to replace the elected Republican.
After a month of hearings, on February 27, 1877, the Electoral Commission, comprising eight Republicans and seven Democrats, voted along party lines and gave all 20 disputed votes to the Republican Governor of Ohio, Rutherford B. Hayes, giving him 185 electoral votes to 184 for Democrat Samuel J. Tilden, Governor of New York. Hayes then resigned as Governor of Ohio. The U.S. Senate, after days of debate, confirmed the electoral vote count at 4:10 A.M. on Friday, March 2, 1877.
Included with Hayes's letter is an original admission ticket to "Counting the Vote for President and Vice-President" admitting the bearer "To Gallery of House of Representatives," 4.75" x 3", numbered 1426, dated March 1, 1877. Signed in facsimile by Thomas W. Ferry, President pro tempore of the Senate, and Samuel J. Randall, Speaker of the House.
Since Inauguration Day, March 4, 1877, fell on a Sunday, the public swearing-in of Grant's successor would take place on Monday, March 5th. Fearing that during the one-day gap between the end of Grant's term and the inauguration, dissidents might try to install Tilden as President (hinted at by Hayes in this letter: "out of abundant caution"), President Grant and Secretary of State Hamilton Fish suggested that Hayes be sworn in as President by Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite in a private ceremony in the White House on Saturday, March 3, 1877. The public ceremony on Monday, March 5, 1877, took place without incident at the east end of the Capitol. Chief Justice Waite once again administered the oath of office. Many historians believe that the Democrats accepted their defeat with a promise from the Republicans that they would remove all Federal troops remaining in former Confederate states, effectively ending Reconstruction.
Henry Phillips, Jr. (1838-1895) was treasurer (1862) and secretary (1868) of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia, and a secretary (from 1880) and the librarian (from 1885) of the American Philosophical Society. His works on the paper currency of the American colonies, "History of American Colonial Paper Currency" (1865), and on American Continental money, "History of American Continental Paper Money" (1866), were the first on those subjects. Phillips undoubtedly had written Hayes with questions about his inauguration.
This historic letter concerning the first disputed presidential inauguration in U.S. history is in extra fine condition. Signed by Hayes with his rare, full signature, it would be a significant addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
James A. Garfield Excellent Autograph Letter Signed: Invited by the Governor of Ohio to meet him at Gettysburg where he would hear President Lincoln's address, Brigadier General Garfield writes he "shall try to meet you on that occasion."
Signed: "J. A. Garfield/Maj Gen Vols.", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, November 13, 1863. To Governor David Tod of Ohio. In full: "Dear Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge your courteous invitation to meet you at Gettysburg, Pa. on the 19th inst to celebrate the dedication of the grounds to the memory our gallant dead. I shall try to meet you on that occasion - though I fear that the pressure of other duties may prevent me. Very Respecty Your Obt Servt."
On November 19, 1863, James A. Garfield's 32nd birthday, President Abraham Lincoln delivered perhaps the most famous speech in U.S. history at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Six sitting Governors were present including David Tod of Ohio. Others seated on the platform with Lincoln, the Governors, and other dignitaries were Ohio Governor-elect John Brough, former Ohio Governor William Dennison, and Ohio Lieutenant Governor Charles Anderson who succeeded Brough when he died in office in 1865. The letter is docketed on the verso of the integral leaf, possibly by Tod: "Declines on a/c of business" but there are no records that indicate whether or not Garfield, who had been elected an Ohio Congressman in 1862, was there. The verso of the integral leaf bears light mounting stains.
David Tod (1805-1868) ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Ohio in 1843 and 1845. A Democrat, he was appointed U.S. Minister to Brazil by President Polk, serving from 1847-1851. In 1860, he was instrumental in securing the Democratic nomination for President for Stephen A. Douglas. Following Lincoln's election, Tod wholeheartedly supported Lincoln's policies and the war, and, in 1861, was elected Governor of Ohio as the Union party candidate, soundly defeating the Democratic candidate. Tod served as Governor from 1862-1864, losing the Union party nomination to another War Democrat, John Brough, who succeeded him. President Lincoln then offered Tod the post of Secretary of the Treasury to succeed former Ohio Governor Salmon P. Chase who had resigned to become Chief Justice, but Tod declined for health reasons. Two photographs of Tod are included with this letter.
Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the 42nd Ohio Volunteers in 1861, James A. Garfield was promoted by President Lincoln to Brigadier General of Volunteers in 1862. On November 4, 1862, Garfield was elected to Congress but decided to remain in the Army. He served as Chief of Staff to General W.S. Rosecrans and saw action at Chickamauga in August and September 1863. He was promoted to Major General on September 19, 1863, but resigned his commission on December 5, 1863, three weeks after this letter, to take his seat in the House of Representatives in time for the first session of the 38th Congress which began on December 7th. During a visit to Washington earlier in 1863, President Lincoln had told Garfield that he "had more commanding Generals around" but what he needed was supportive Republicans. Garfield was reelected eight times and is the only incumbent member of the House of Representatives to be elected President.
Garfield had first met Lincoln in 1861. Before the Civil War, Garfield had taught at Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College). In a February 17, 1861, letter to his former pupil Burke A. Hinsdale, Garfield wrote of his first impression of Lincoln: "On the whole I am greatly pleased with the man. He clearly shows his want of culture - and the marks of western life. But there is no touch of affectation in him and he has a peculiar power of impressing you that he is frank, direct and thoroughly honest. His remarkable good sense, simple and condensed style of expression and evident marks of indomitable will, give me great hopes for the country."
On July 2, 1881, President Garfield was shot by a disappointed office seeker, dying of his wounds on September 19, 1881. He was the second U.S. President to be assassinated; Lincoln was the first.
A remarkable Lincoln-Garfield association letter in extra fine condition. There are mounting remnants on the verso of the integral leaf. This letter would make a magnificent addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "J. A. Garfield/Maj Gen Vols.", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, November 13, 1863. To Governor David Tod of Ohio. In full: "Dear Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge your courteous invitation to meet you at Gettysburg, Pa. on the 19th inst to celebrate the dedication of the grounds to the memory our gallant dead. I shall try to meet you on that occasion - though I fear that the pressure of other duties may prevent me. Very Respecty Your Obt Servt."
On November 19, 1863, James A. Garfield's 32nd birthday, President Abraham Lincoln delivered perhaps the most famous speech in U.S. history at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Six sitting Governors were present including David Tod of Ohio. Others seated on the platform with Lincoln, the Governors, and other dignitaries were Ohio Governor-elect John Brough, former Ohio Governor William Dennison, and Ohio Lieutenant Governor Charles Anderson who succeeded Brough when he died in office in 1865. The letter is docketed on the verso of the integral leaf, possibly by Tod: "Declines on a/c of business" but there are no records that indicate whether or not Garfield, who had been elected an Ohio Congressman in 1862, was there. The verso of the integral leaf bears light mounting stains.
David Tod (1805-1868) ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Ohio in 1843 and 1845. A Democrat, he was appointed U.S. Minister to Brazil by President Polk, serving from 1847-1851. In 1860, he was instrumental in securing the Democratic nomination for President for Stephen A. Douglas. Following Lincoln's election, Tod wholeheartedly supported Lincoln's policies and the war, and, in 1861, was elected Governor of Ohio as the Union party candidate, soundly defeating the Democratic candidate. Tod served as Governor from 1862-1864, losing the Union party nomination to another War Democrat, John Brough, who succeeded him. President Lincoln then offered Tod the post of Secretary of the Treasury to succeed former Ohio Governor Salmon P. Chase who had resigned to become Chief Justice, but Tod declined for health reasons. Two photographs of Tod are included with this letter.
Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the 42nd Ohio Volunteers in 1861, James A. Garfield was promoted by President Lincoln to Brigadier General of Volunteers in 1862. On November 4, 1862, Garfield was elected to Congress but decided to remain in the Army. He served as Chief of Staff to General W.S. Rosecrans and saw action at Chickamauga in August and September 1863. He was promoted to Major General on September 19, 1863, but resigned his commission on December 5, 1863, three weeks after this letter, to take his seat in the House of Representatives in time for the first session of the 38th Congress which began on December 7th. During a visit to Washington earlier in 1863, President Lincoln had told Garfield that he "had more commanding Generals around" but what he needed was supportive Republicans. Garfield was reelected eight times and is the only incumbent member of the House of Representatives to be elected President.
Garfield had first met Lincoln in 1861. Before the Civil War, Garfield had taught at Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College). In a February 17, 1861, letter to his former pupil Burke A. Hinsdale, Garfield wrote of his first impression of Lincoln: "On the whole I am greatly pleased with the man. He clearly shows his want of culture - and the marks of western life. But there is no touch of affectation in him and he has a peculiar power of impressing you that he is frank, direct and thoroughly honest. His remarkable good sense, simple and condensed style of expression and evident marks of indomitable will, give me great hopes for the country."
On July 2, 1881, President Garfield was shot by a disappointed office seeker, dying of his wounds on September 19, 1881. He was the second U.S. President to be assassinated; Lincoln was the first.
A remarkable Lincoln-Garfield association letter in extra fine condition. There are mounting remnants on the verso of the integral leaf. This letter would make a magnificent addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Chester A. Arthur Excellent Autograph Letter Signed: Letter of introduction of Cyrus W. Field to Richard Delafield.
Signed: "C. A. Arthur/Eng in Chief/S.N.Y.", one page, 5" x 8". New York, September 18, 1861. To Col. Richard Delafield, U.S.A. On "State of New York/Quartermaster General's Department" stationery. In full: "Colonel, This will introduce to you Mr. Cyrus W. Field of this city. He desires to bring to your notice the 'Williams Ball', which from his description deserves some attention. Mr. Field is known to you I presume as one of our most prominent citizens and I commend him to your favorable consideration. I am faithfully Yours."
In 1861, Chester A. Arthur was appointed Engineer-in-Chief of the State of New York, with the rank of Brigadier General in the New York State Militia, by Governor Edwin D. Morgan. From July 10th to December 31, 1862, he served as Quartermaster General. In 1871, Arthur was appointed Collector of the Port of New York by President Grant. In 1878, President Hayes, also a Republican, attempting to reform the Customs House, removed Arthur as Collector. Outraged New York Republicans were somewhat appeased when Arthur was nominated as Garfield's running mate in 1880. Shot on July 2, 1881, President Garfield died on September 19, 1881, and Vice President Arthur became President, 20 years and one day after he wrote this letter.
Richard Delafield (1798-1873) was Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from 1838-1845 and 1856-1861. Ranking first in the West Point Class of 1818, he was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. In 1839, Captain Delafield designed and built the first iron cast bridge in the United States in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He later supervised construction (1846-1855) and was in charge of New York Harbor defenses (1861-1864). On May 12, 1864, President Lincoln nominated "Colonel Richard Delafield, Corps of Engineers, to be Chief Engineer, United States Army, with the rank of brigadier-general, April 22, 1864." He retired in 1864.
Delafield's designs during the Civil War include the Delafield cannon, the Delafield Malleable Shell, and the Delafield banded iron rifles. It is probable that the "Williams Ball" mentioned by Cyrus W. Field in this letter relates to military use since balls were used as projectiles for cannons, rifles, pistols, etc.
Cyrus W. Field (1819-1892) amassed a fortune in the paper business and was chiefly responsible for the laying of the first submarine telegraph cable between the United States and Europe (1857-1866).
After the Civil War, Richard Delafield commented "that over the land and under the water, as armies advanced, the orders of the commanders were disseminated with lightening speed. It may be confidently asserted that electromagnetism thus introduced by Field...was a powerful auxiliary in hastening the success of our armies in overthrowing rebellion."
Handwritten letters of Arthur are scarce because of his relatively short time on the national political scene and the fact that he died the year after he left the White House. This attractive, full page, letter is in extra fine condition. Included are two photographs of Delafield. An excellent association piece linking the names of Cyrus W. Field and Richard Delafield, this letter would be a wonderful addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "C. A. Arthur/Eng in Chief/S.N.Y.", one page, 5" x 8". New York, September 18, 1861. To Col. Richard Delafield, U.S.A. On "State of New York/Quartermaster General's Department" stationery. In full: "Colonel, This will introduce to you Mr. Cyrus W. Field of this city. He desires to bring to your notice the 'Williams Ball', which from his description deserves some attention. Mr. Field is known to you I presume as one of our most prominent citizens and I commend him to your favorable consideration. I am faithfully Yours."
In 1861, Chester A. Arthur was appointed Engineer-in-Chief of the State of New York, with the rank of Brigadier General in the New York State Militia, by Governor Edwin D. Morgan. From July 10th to December 31, 1862, he served as Quartermaster General. In 1871, Arthur was appointed Collector of the Port of New York by President Grant. In 1878, President Hayes, also a Republican, attempting to reform the Customs House, removed Arthur as Collector. Outraged New York Republicans were somewhat appeased when Arthur was nominated as Garfield's running mate in 1880. Shot on July 2, 1881, President Garfield died on September 19, 1881, and Vice President Arthur became President, 20 years and one day after he wrote this letter.
Richard Delafield (1798-1873) was Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from 1838-1845 and 1856-1861. Ranking first in the West Point Class of 1818, he was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. In 1839, Captain Delafield designed and built the first iron cast bridge in the United States in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He later supervised construction (1846-1855) and was in charge of New York Harbor defenses (1861-1864). On May 12, 1864, President Lincoln nominated "Colonel Richard Delafield, Corps of Engineers, to be Chief Engineer, United States Army, with the rank of brigadier-general, April 22, 1864." He retired in 1864.
Delafield's designs during the Civil War include the Delafield cannon, the Delafield Malleable Shell, and the Delafield banded iron rifles. It is probable that the "Williams Ball" mentioned by Cyrus W. Field in this letter relates to military use since balls were used as projectiles for cannons, rifles, pistols, etc.
Cyrus W. Field (1819-1892) amassed a fortune in the paper business and was chiefly responsible for the laying of the first submarine telegraph cable between the United States and Europe (1857-1866).
After the Civil War, Richard Delafield commented "that over the land and under the water, as armies advanced, the orders of the commanders were disseminated with lightening speed. It may be confidently asserted that electromagnetism thus introduced by Field...was a powerful auxiliary in hastening the success of our armies in overthrowing rebellion."
Handwritten letters of Arthur are scarce because of his relatively short time on the national political scene and the fact that he died the year after he left the White House. This attractive, full page, letter is in extra fine condition. Included are two photographs of Delafield. An excellent association piece linking the names of Cyrus W. Field and Richard Delafield, this letter would be a wonderful addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Grover Cleveland Excellent Political Autograph Letter Signed: Writing a week after he is nominated for President at his third consecutive convention, the former President hopes this time he will win Indiana again. When he won Indiana in 1884, he won the presidency; in 1888, he lost both.
Signed: "Grover Cleveland" between his presidential terms, one page, 4.5" x 6.75". Gray Gables, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, July 1, 1892. To Hon. William H. English. In full: "My dear Sir, I desire to acknowledge with thanks the friendliness and devotion exhibited by both you and your Son during the canvass for the Presidential nomination. I feel exceedingly anxious that the State of Indiana shall be in his proper place next November. Yours truly."
In 1884, Democrat Grover Cleveland was elected President over Republican James Blaine, 219-182 electoral votes, winning 20 states to James Blaine's 18. Cleveland was Governor of New York and his running mate, Thomas A. Hendricks, was a former Governor of Indiana. Both New York and Indiana voted Democratic. If they had gone Republican as they had in 1880, Blaine would have won. In 1888, to strengthen their support in those two states, the Republicans nominated former Indiana Senator Benjamin Harrison for President and former New York Congressman Levi P. Morton for Vice President. President Cleveland, seeking reelection, won the same states he had won in 1884, except Indiana and New York which went Republican. Harrison was elected. If Cleveland had won those two states, he would have been reelected. It was now 1892. In June, President Harrison was renominated with a new Vice Presidential candidate, Whitelaw Reid, longtime editor of the New York Tribune. Two weeks later, the Democrats nominated Grover Cleveland for the third consecutive time, with former Illinois Congressman Adlai E. Stevenson as his running mate.
In this letter, a week after he was nominated at the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago, June 21-23, 1892, Grover Cleveland writes former Indiana Congressman William H. English, the 1880 Democratic candidate for Vice President, that he feels "exceedingly anxious that the State of Indiana shall be in his proper place next November." Whenever Cleveland won Indiana, he won the election. Cleveland thanks him and his son, former Indiana Congressman William E. English, a delegate to the 1892 convention, for campaigning for his nomination. In November, Cleveland defeated Harrison in Indiana, 262,740 to 255, 615 popular votes. He won Indiana and the election to become the only U.S. President to serve two non-consecutive terms.
William H. English (1822-1896) was a Democratic Congressman from Indiana from 1853-1861. He ran unsuccessfully for Vice President in 1880 on the Democratic ticket headed by General Winfield S. Hancock. With two photographs of English.
William E. English (1850-1926) was a Democratic Congressman from Indiana from 1884-1885. He was a delegate to the 1892 and 1896 Democratic National Conventions. He became a Republican in 1900 and later served in the Indiana State Senate (1917-1926).
This historically significant political letter, written by a former and future U.S. President, is in extra fine condition. It would make a superb addition to a political or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Grover Cleveland" between his presidential terms, one page, 4.5" x 6.75". Gray Gables, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, July 1, 1892. To Hon. William H. English. In full: "My dear Sir, I desire to acknowledge with thanks the friendliness and devotion exhibited by both you and your Son during the canvass for the Presidential nomination. I feel exceedingly anxious that the State of Indiana shall be in his proper place next November. Yours truly."
In 1884, Democrat Grover Cleveland was elected President over Republican James Blaine, 219-182 electoral votes, winning 20 states to James Blaine's 18. Cleveland was Governor of New York and his running mate, Thomas A. Hendricks, was a former Governor of Indiana. Both New York and Indiana voted Democratic. If they had gone Republican as they had in 1880, Blaine would have won. In 1888, to strengthen their support in those two states, the Republicans nominated former Indiana Senator Benjamin Harrison for President and former New York Congressman Levi P. Morton for Vice President. President Cleveland, seeking reelection, won the same states he had won in 1884, except Indiana and New York which went Republican. Harrison was elected. If Cleveland had won those two states, he would have been reelected. It was now 1892. In June, President Harrison was renominated with a new Vice Presidential candidate, Whitelaw Reid, longtime editor of the New York Tribune. Two weeks later, the Democrats nominated Grover Cleveland for the third consecutive time, with former Illinois Congressman Adlai E. Stevenson as his running mate.
In this letter, a week after he was nominated at the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago, June 21-23, 1892, Grover Cleveland writes former Indiana Congressman William H. English, the 1880 Democratic candidate for Vice President, that he feels "exceedingly anxious that the State of Indiana shall be in his proper place next November." Whenever Cleveland won Indiana, he won the election. Cleveland thanks him and his son, former Indiana Congressman William E. English, a delegate to the 1892 convention, for campaigning for his nomination. In November, Cleveland defeated Harrison in Indiana, 262,740 to 255, 615 popular votes. He won Indiana and the election to become the only U.S. President to serve two non-consecutive terms.
William H. English (1822-1896) was a Democratic Congressman from Indiana from 1853-1861. He ran unsuccessfully for Vice President in 1880 on the Democratic ticket headed by General Winfield S. Hancock. With two photographs of English.
William E. English (1850-1926) was a Democratic Congressman from Indiana from 1884-1885. He was a delegate to the 1892 and 1896 Democratic National Conventions. He became a Republican in 1900 and later served in the Indiana State Senate (1917-1926).
This historically significant political letter, written by a former and future U.S. President, is in extra fine condition. It would make a superb addition to a political or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Benjamin Harrison Poignant Black-Bordered Autograph Letter Signed: A week after his wife died in the White House, President Harrison thanks a friend for his message of sympathy.
Signed: "Benj Harrison" as President, one page, 4.5" x 7". Washington, November 2, 1892. To Chapin C. Foster, Indianapolis, Indiana. In full: "Dear Chapin, The debt I owe to my home friends for their tender sympathy & loving interest in my dear wife cannot be adequately acknowledged, but it is very fully felt by me & by my children. I want to tell you & those associated with you how deeply we were moved by their attentions & their sympathy. Most Sincerely Your Friend."
Chapin C. Foster was a prominent Indianapolis businessman and friend of Benjamin Harrison. C.C. Foster & Co., founded in 1872, was later reorganized as the Foster Lumber Company. His company supplied lumber as well as lumber products to businesses and homes in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. Foster was also an officer of two banks.
Benjamin Harrison, son of an Ohio Congressman and grandson of President William Henry Harrison, had practiced law in Indianapolis before representing Indiana in the U.S. Senate from 1881-1887. In 1853, at the age of 20, he had married 21-year-old Caroline Lavinia Scott.
Caroline Scott Harrison (1832-1892) was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed dancing and painting. She reinstituted formal dancing at the White House for the first time since it had been banned by Mrs. Polk. The Harrisons had two children, Russell (1854-1936) and Mary (1858-1930). Mrs. Harrison was noted for her elegant receptions and dinners and began the White House china collection. She became ill during the winter of 1891-1892 and had to curtail her social obligations. Her widowed niece, Mary Scott Lord Dimmick, moved into the White House and supervised social events for her aunt. On October 25, 1892, in the White House, First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison died of tuberculosis. She was 60. On April 6, 1896, 37-year-old Mary Lord Dimmick married her widowed 62-year-old uncle, former President Benjamin Harrison. Two photographs of Caroline Scott Harrison are included with this letter.
On November 2, 1892, eight days after his wife's death, President Harrison wrote this letter to his friend, Chapin C. Foster, thanking him for his "tender sympathy & loving interest in my dear wife... very fully felt by me & by my children." He had other things on his mind as well. The presidential election took place six days later. On November 8, 1892, President Harrison was defeated for reelection by the man he defeated in 1888, President Grover Cleveland.
This emotional, black-bordered letter, in extra fine condition, is accompanied by the original black-bordered Executive Mansion envelope, addressed by Harrison to "C.C. Foster Esq./Indianapolis/Ind." The two-cent George Washington stamp issued in 1890 is affixed and postmarked in Washington, November 2, 1892. The envelope is postmarked on verso: "Indianapolis, Ind./Nov 4/1 AM/92/Rec'd." Presidential ALsS of Benjamin Harrison are scarce and this is a particularly attractive example. It would make an important addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Benj Harrison" as President, one page, 4.5" x 7". Washington, November 2, 1892. To Chapin C. Foster, Indianapolis, Indiana. In full: "Dear Chapin, The debt I owe to my home friends for their tender sympathy & loving interest in my dear wife cannot be adequately acknowledged, but it is very fully felt by me & by my children. I want to tell you & those associated with you how deeply we were moved by their attentions & their sympathy. Most Sincerely Your Friend."
Chapin C. Foster was a prominent Indianapolis businessman and friend of Benjamin Harrison. C.C. Foster & Co., founded in 1872, was later reorganized as the Foster Lumber Company. His company supplied lumber as well as lumber products to businesses and homes in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. Foster was also an officer of two banks.
Benjamin Harrison, son of an Ohio Congressman and grandson of President William Henry Harrison, had practiced law in Indianapolis before representing Indiana in the U.S. Senate from 1881-1887. In 1853, at the age of 20, he had married 21-year-old Caroline Lavinia Scott.
Caroline Scott Harrison (1832-1892) was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed dancing and painting. She reinstituted formal dancing at the White House for the first time since it had been banned by Mrs. Polk. The Harrisons had two children, Russell (1854-1936) and Mary (1858-1930). Mrs. Harrison was noted for her elegant receptions and dinners and began the White House china collection. She became ill during the winter of 1891-1892 and had to curtail her social obligations. Her widowed niece, Mary Scott Lord Dimmick, moved into the White House and supervised social events for her aunt. On October 25, 1892, in the White House, First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison died of tuberculosis. She was 60. On April 6, 1896, 37-year-old Mary Lord Dimmick married her widowed 62-year-old uncle, former President Benjamin Harrison. Two photographs of Caroline Scott Harrison are included with this letter.
On November 2, 1892, eight days after his wife's death, President Harrison wrote this letter to his friend, Chapin C. Foster, thanking him for his "tender sympathy & loving interest in my dear wife... very fully felt by me & by my children." He had other things on his mind as well. The presidential election took place six days later. On November 8, 1892, President Harrison was defeated for reelection by the man he defeated in 1888, President Grover Cleveland.
This emotional, black-bordered letter, in extra fine condition, is accompanied by the original black-bordered Executive Mansion envelope, addressed by Harrison to "C.C. Foster Esq./Indianapolis/Ind." The two-cent George Washington stamp issued in 1890 is affixed and postmarked in Washington, November 2, 1892. The envelope is postmarked on verso: "Indianapolis, Ind./Nov 4/1 AM/92/Rec'd." Presidential ALsS of Benjamin Harrison are scarce and this is a particularly attractive example. It would make an important addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
William McKinley Superb Autograph Letter Signed: Wishing to listen to the 1896 convention that would nominate him for President, McKinley tells Mr. Vail of Bell Telephone to speak with the Sergeant at Arms of the Republican National Convention in St. Louis.
Signed: "W McKinley", one page, 5.5" x 8.5". Canton, Ohio, June 2, 1896. To Hon. C.E. Byrnes [sic, T.E. Byrnes], Sgt at Arms, Natl Rep Con. In full: "Dear Mr. Byrnes, This will be handed to you by Mr W A Vail. He represents the Bell Tel & Telegraph Company. He wants to confer with you about facilities at the Convention. I commend him to you. Sincerely."
Timothy E. Byrnes (1853-????), a lawyer and a member of the Executive Committee of the National Republican League from Minnesota, was appointed chief of the appointment division of the U.S. Treasury Department under fellow Minnesotan, Secretary of the Treasury William Windom, in 1889, serving until Windom's death in 1891. In 1896, the Republican National Committee appointed Byrnes Sergeant-at-Arms of the Republican National Convention.
William A. Vail (1849-1904) was the younger brother of Theodore N. Vail (1845-1920), President of the Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company from 1878 until retiring in 1889. T.N. Vail returned as President in 1907, heading the company, now called American Telephone and Telegraph, until 1919.
Bell Telephone & Telegraph installed a telephone system at the 1896 Republican National Convention which was held in a specially built auditorium in St. Louis, June 16-18, 1896. McKinley was nominated for President on the first ballot. As candidates for presidential nominations never appeared at nominating conventions (FDR was the first in 1932), McKinley remained at his Canton, Ohio, home and listened to the convention proceedings by telephone. Fellow Ohioans Rutherford B. Hayes and James A. Garfield had run their successful presidential campaigns from their homes and so did McKinley, greeting thousands of supporters who arrived by train. But he had an advantage. Through telegraph and telephone, including new long distance service, McKinley was in close touch with his campaign manager Mark Hanna, his managers in 38 states, and Republican headquarters in New York. He publicly praised the telephone numerous times: "It is bringing us all closer together." In the November 3, 1896, election, McKinley defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan, 271-176 electoral votes, 23-22 states. McKinley defeated Bryan again in 1900 and served as President from 1897 until his assassination in 1901.
This fascinating letter is in extra fine condition. It reveals McKinley's plans to be able to hear the cheers of the convention that would nominate him for President, something no other President before him had ever experienced. It would be a unique addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "W McKinley", one page, 5.5" x 8.5". Canton, Ohio, June 2, 1896. To Hon. C.E. Byrnes [sic, T.E. Byrnes], Sgt at Arms, Natl Rep Con. In full: "Dear Mr. Byrnes, This will be handed to you by Mr W A Vail. He represents the Bell Tel & Telegraph Company. He wants to confer with you about facilities at the Convention. I commend him to you. Sincerely."
Timothy E. Byrnes (1853-????), a lawyer and a member of the Executive Committee of the National Republican League from Minnesota, was appointed chief of the appointment division of the U.S. Treasury Department under fellow Minnesotan, Secretary of the Treasury William Windom, in 1889, serving until Windom's death in 1891. In 1896, the Republican National Committee appointed Byrnes Sergeant-at-Arms of the Republican National Convention.
William A. Vail (1849-1904) was the younger brother of Theodore N. Vail (1845-1920), President of the Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company from 1878 until retiring in 1889. T.N. Vail returned as President in 1907, heading the company, now called American Telephone and Telegraph, until 1919.
Bell Telephone & Telegraph installed a telephone system at the 1896 Republican National Convention which was held in a specially built auditorium in St. Louis, June 16-18, 1896. McKinley was nominated for President on the first ballot. As candidates for presidential nominations never appeared at nominating conventions (FDR was the first in 1932), McKinley remained at his Canton, Ohio, home and listened to the convention proceedings by telephone. Fellow Ohioans Rutherford B. Hayes and James A. Garfield had run their successful presidential campaigns from their homes and so did McKinley, greeting thousands of supporters who arrived by train. But he had an advantage. Through telegraph and telephone, including new long distance service, McKinley was in close touch with his campaign manager Mark Hanna, his managers in 38 states, and Republican headquarters in New York. He publicly praised the telephone numerous times: "It is bringing us all closer together." In the November 3, 1896, election, McKinley defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan, 271-176 electoral votes, 23-22 states. McKinley defeated Bryan again in 1900 and served as President from 1897 until his assassination in 1901.
This fascinating letter is in extra fine condition. It reveals McKinley's plans to be able to hear the cheers of the convention that would nominate him for President, something no other President before him had ever experienced. It would be a unique addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Theodore Roosevelt Superb Patriotic Autograph Letter Signed: Less than five months before the United States would enter World War I, TR urges approval of a law "making it obligatory upon every male American citizen between the ages of 18 and 21 to serve 6 months or a year in the field... no one should be allowed to vote who has not thus served."
Signed: "Theodore Roosevelt", one page, 5.25" x 6.5". On stationery of The Langdon hotel, 5th Avenue at 56th Street, New York City, but penned from Sagamore Hill, November 15, 1916. To Lt. Gen. Samuel B.M. Young, President, Am for National Service. In full: "My dear General Young, I most cordially and emphatically approve your efforts as President of the Association to secure the passage of a law making it obligatory upon every male American citizen between the ages of 18 and 21 to serve 6 months or a year - as the case may demand - in the field with its colors. I believe no one should be allowed to vote who has not thus served - poltroons and professional pacifists are out of place in a free Republic. There should be education towards military training along the lines followed in Australia, Argentina, Switzerland and Japan. No man is fit to be a freeman [sic] unless he has fitted himself to fight efficiently for his freedoms. With all good wishes, I am Your fellow-American"
Samuel B.M. Young (1840-1924) served with distinction in the Civil War, being brevetted Brigadier General of Volunteers for his services during the final campaign from Petersburg and Appomattox. In the Spanish-American War, he commanded a brigade in Cuba and was promoted Major General of Volunteers. In 1903, Young was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed the first Chief of Staff of the Army, holding this post until his retirement in 1904. In 1909-1910, he presided over a board of inquiry that investigated the alleged riot of Black soldiers in Brownsville, Texas, in 1906, and affirmed the subsequent discharge of 159 men by order of President Theodore Roosevelt. From 1910-1920, Young was governor of the Soldiers Home in Washington, D.C. Two photographs of Young accompany this letter.
"He kept us out of war" was the slogan the Democrats used in the 1916 presidential campaign, and President Wilson was narrowly reelected over Republican Charles Evans Hughes, 277-254 electoral votes. Eight days later, Theodore Roosevelt wrote this letter to Lieutenant General Young who was then serving as President of Americans for National Service. The law favored by Roosevelt and Young was never passed. On February 3, 1917, President Wilson announced that all diplomatic relations with Germany had been severed. On April 2, 1917, he told Congress that since German submarines have sunk American ships, "Congress declare the recent course of the Imperial German Government to be in fact nothing less than war against the Government and people of the United States" and that "it will involve the immediate addition to the armed forces of the United States already provided for by law in case of war at least 500,000 men, who should, in my opinion, be chosen upon the principle of universal liability to service." Congress declared war four days later and on May 18, 1917, the Selective Service Act was passed authorizing the President to increase temporarily the military establishment of the United States. The act provided for the registration of all men aged 21 through 30. A second conscription law was enacted in August 1918, extending registration to all men between the ages of 18 and 45.
Theodore Roosevelt had four sons and two daughters. All four sons served in World War I. The eldest, 29-year-old Theodore, Jr., was wounded and was later awarded the Medal of Honor as a General in World War II. 27-year-old Kermit was awarded the British Military Cross and served with distinction with the American Expeditionary Force in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. 23-year-old Archie was severely wounded in 1918 and awarded the Croix de Guerre. Roosevelt's youngest child, 20-year-old Quentin, was a pilot in the 95th Aero Squadron and was killed in action on July 14, 1918. In his eulogy for his son, Roosevelt wrote, "Only those are fit to live who do not fear to die."
In this remarkably patriotic letter, Theodore Roosevelt has concluded, "No man is fit to be a free man unless he has fitted himself to fight efficiently for his freedoms..." signing it "Your fellow-American." This letter is in extra fine condition with two tiny staple holes and a faint clip rust mark in the blank upper left. It would be a superb addition to an Americana or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Theodore Roosevelt", one page, 5.25" x 6.5". On stationery of The Langdon hotel, 5th Avenue at 56th Street, New York City, but penned from Sagamore Hill, November 15, 1916. To Lt. Gen. Samuel B.M. Young, President, Am for National Service. In full: "My dear General Young, I most cordially and emphatically approve your efforts as President of the Association to secure the passage of a law making it obligatory upon every male American citizen between the ages of 18 and 21 to serve 6 months or a year - as the case may demand - in the field with its colors. I believe no one should be allowed to vote who has not thus served - poltroons and professional pacifists are out of place in a free Republic. There should be education towards military training along the lines followed in Australia, Argentina, Switzerland and Japan. No man is fit to be a freeman [sic] unless he has fitted himself to fight efficiently for his freedoms. With all good wishes, I am Your fellow-American"
Samuel B.M. Young (1840-1924) served with distinction in the Civil War, being brevetted Brigadier General of Volunteers for his services during the final campaign from Petersburg and Appomattox. In the Spanish-American War, he commanded a brigade in Cuba and was promoted Major General of Volunteers. In 1903, Young was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed the first Chief of Staff of the Army, holding this post until his retirement in 1904. In 1909-1910, he presided over a board of inquiry that investigated the alleged riot of Black soldiers in Brownsville, Texas, in 1906, and affirmed the subsequent discharge of 159 men by order of President Theodore Roosevelt. From 1910-1920, Young was governor of the Soldiers Home in Washington, D.C. Two photographs of Young accompany this letter.
"He kept us out of war" was the slogan the Democrats used in the 1916 presidential campaign, and President Wilson was narrowly reelected over Republican Charles Evans Hughes, 277-254 electoral votes. Eight days later, Theodore Roosevelt wrote this letter to Lieutenant General Young who was then serving as President of Americans for National Service. The law favored by Roosevelt and Young was never passed. On February 3, 1917, President Wilson announced that all diplomatic relations with Germany had been severed. On April 2, 1917, he told Congress that since German submarines have sunk American ships, "Congress declare the recent course of the Imperial German Government to be in fact nothing less than war against the Government and people of the United States" and that "it will involve the immediate addition to the armed forces of the United States already provided for by law in case of war at least 500,000 men, who should, in my opinion, be chosen upon the principle of universal liability to service." Congress declared war four days later and on May 18, 1917, the Selective Service Act was passed authorizing the President to increase temporarily the military establishment of the United States. The act provided for the registration of all men aged 21 through 30. A second conscription law was enacted in August 1918, extending registration to all men between the ages of 18 and 45.
Theodore Roosevelt had four sons and two daughters. All four sons served in World War I. The eldest, 29-year-old Theodore, Jr., was wounded and was later awarded the Medal of Honor as a General in World War II. 27-year-old Kermit was awarded the British Military Cross and served with distinction with the American Expeditionary Force in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. 23-year-old Archie was severely wounded in 1918 and awarded the Croix de Guerre. Roosevelt's youngest child, 20-year-old Quentin, was a pilot in the 95th Aero Squadron and was killed in action on July 14, 1918. In his eulogy for his son, Roosevelt wrote, "Only those are fit to live who do not fear to die."
In this remarkably patriotic letter, Theodore Roosevelt has concluded, "No man is fit to be a free man unless he has fitted himself to fight efficiently for his freedoms..." signing it "Your fellow-American." This letter is in extra fine condition with two tiny staple holes and a faint clip rust mark in the blank upper left. It would be a superb addition to an Americana or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
William H. Taft Excellent Lengthy Autograph Quote Signed: A month after he eulogized his predecessor, Taft quotes from his memorial address delivered at Yale a day before what would have been Theodore Roosevelt's 61st birthday.
Signed: "Wm H Taft", one page, 5" x 7.75". New Haven, Connecticut, November 29, 1919. On his personal stationery, headed by Taft: "Excerpt from memorial address delivered Woolsey Hall, Yale University New Haven, Conn., Oct. 26th 1919". In full: "Theodore Roosevelt had the rare power of communicating his enthusiasm to the humblest of his followers. They liked to think as he did. They liked to act as he did. Therefore he lives. Therefore his spirit speaks. We must seize the standard that fell from his hand and carry it high before us to overcome the enemies of our beloved country and to preserve to our posterity that Americanism which he did so much to make dear. This is the precious legacy which he left to the American people. This is the good which lives after him." Vice President Theodore Roosevelt became President on September 14, 1901, after President McKinley was assassinated. McKinley had appointed Taft Governor General of the Philippines on July 4, 1901. President Roosevelt knew that Taft's ambition was to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, so, in 1903, when a vacancy occurred, Roosevelt offered to appoint Taft Associate Justice. When the Filipinos asked him to remain in Manila, Taft reluctantly acceded to their request. In 1904, Roosevelt appointed Taft Secretary of War. In 1906, there was another Court vacancy. This time, President Roosevelt, who was not going to seek another term in 1908, told Taft, in part, "You could do very much if you were on the bench; you could do very much if you were in active political life outside. I think you could do most as President...There are strong arguments against your taking this justiceship. In the first place, my belief is that of all the men who have appeared so far you are the man who is most likely to receive the Republican nomination, and who is, I think, the best man to receive it." With Roosevelt's full support, at the 1908 Republican National Convention, Taft was easily nominated for President on the first ballot, and easily defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan, 321-162 electoral votes. Three days later, Roosevelt wrote to a friend, "Taft will carry on the work substantially as I have carried it on. His policies, principles, purposes and ideals are the same as mine." But TR was wrong. In 1911, he wrote, "Taft is utterly hopeless...he has shown himself an entirely unfit President."
In 1912, Roosevelt sought to wrest the Republican presidential nomination from President Taft. For the first time, twelve states chose to have presidential primaries choose convention delegates. Roosevelt won nine primaries, eight by landslides. The remaining delegates were chosen in state and local conventions, mostly controlled by Taft supporters. At the Republican National Convention, Taft was nominated on the first ballot with 561 delegate votes to TR's 107. Most of Roosevelt's delegates walked out and held a meeting where it was decided to bolt the Republican Party and found a new party. Roosevelt agreed to lead a new party if nominated and, in August, the new Progressive Party chose Roosevelt by acclamation as their candidate for President. In the November 5, 1912, election, for the only time in U.S. history, a major party finished third. Democrat Woodrow Wilson, with 435 electoral votes, defeated Roosevelt (88 votes) and Taft (8 votes). In most states, Wilson received less than 50% of the popular vote, but more than Roosevelt or Taft. In 1916, Roosevelt spoke about his relationship with Taft: "The break in our relations was due to no one thing, but to the cumulative effect of many things - the abandonment of everything my Administration had stood for, and other things...he at once set about undoing all my Administration had done."
In 1916, as a symbol of Republican unity, Taft and Roosevelt appeared at rallies for Charles Evans Hughes who had resigned his seat on the Supreme Court to run against President Wilson. Taft later wrote how glad he was "that Theodore and I came together after that long painful interval. Had he died in a hostile state of mind toward me, I would have mourned the fact all my life. I loved him and cherish his memory."
Taft had become a Professor at Yale University in 1913, four weeks after leaving the White House. Theodore Roosevelt died at his Oyster Bay, Long Island, home at Sagamore Hill, on January 6, 1919. On October 26, 1919, a day before TR would have celebrated his 61st birthday, William H. Taft spoke at a memorial service held in Woolsey Hall at Yale University in honor of Theodore Roosevelt. On November 29, 1919, Taft wrote this excerpt for a collector. Two years later, Taft achieved his lifelong goal when he was appointed Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by President Harding.
Also included is a White House card signed: "Theodore Roosevelt," 4" x 2.75". It is dated in an unknown hand, "Mar 3 - '09," indicating it was signed on TR's last day in office, the day before Taft was inaugurated President. Included with Taft's tribute and the Roosevelt White House card are two photographs of Taft and Roosevelt together.
This moving tribute by a President to his predecessor and the signed White House card are each in extra fine condition. They would be a superb addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Wm H Taft", one page, 5" x 7.75". New Haven, Connecticut, November 29, 1919. On his personal stationery, headed by Taft: "Excerpt from memorial address delivered Woolsey Hall, Yale University New Haven, Conn., Oct. 26th 1919". In full: "Theodore Roosevelt had the rare power of communicating his enthusiasm to the humblest of his followers. They liked to think as he did. They liked to act as he did. Therefore he lives. Therefore his spirit speaks. We must seize the standard that fell from his hand and carry it high before us to overcome the enemies of our beloved country and to preserve to our posterity that Americanism which he did so much to make dear. This is the precious legacy which he left to the American people. This is the good which lives after him." Vice President Theodore Roosevelt became President on September 14, 1901, after President McKinley was assassinated. McKinley had appointed Taft Governor General of the Philippines on July 4, 1901. President Roosevelt knew that Taft's ambition was to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, so, in 1903, when a vacancy occurred, Roosevelt offered to appoint Taft Associate Justice. When the Filipinos asked him to remain in Manila, Taft reluctantly acceded to their request. In 1904, Roosevelt appointed Taft Secretary of War. In 1906, there was another Court vacancy. This time, President Roosevelt, who was not going to seek another term in 1908, told Taft, in part, "You could do very much if you were on the bench; you could do very much if you were in active political life outside. I think you could do most as President...There are strong arguments against your taking this justiceship. In the first place, my belief is that of all the men who have appeared so far you are the man who is most likely to receive the Republican nomination, and who is, I think, the best man to receive it." With Roosevelt's full support, at the 1908 Republican National Convention, Taft was easily nominated for President on the first ballot, and easily defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan, 321-162 electoral votes. Three days later, Roosevelt wrote to a friend, "Taft will carry on the work substantially as I have carried it on. His policies, principles, purposes and ideals are the same as mine." But TR was wrong. In 1911, he wrote, "Taft is utterly hopeless...he has shown himself an entirely unfit President."
In 1912, Roosevelt sought to wrest the Republican presidential nomination from President Taft. For the first time, twelve states chose to have presidential primaries choose convention delegates. Roosevelt won nine primaries, eight by landslides. The remaining delegates were chosen in state and local conventions, mostly controlled by Taft supporters. At the Republican National Convention, Taft was nominated on the first ballot with 561 delegate votes to TR's 107. Most of Roosevelt's delegates walked out and held a meeting where it was decided to bolt the Republican Party and found a new party. Roosevelt agreed to lead a new party if nominated and, in August, the new Progressive Party chose Roosevelt by acclamation as their candidate for President. In the November 5, 1912, election, for the only time in U.S. history, a major party finished third. Democrat Woodrow Wilson, with 435 electoral votes, defeated Roosevelt (88 votes) and Taft (8 votes). In most states, Wilson received less than 50% of the popular vote, but more than Roosevelt or Taft. In 1916, Roosevelt spoke about his relationship with Taft: "The break in our relations was due to no one thing, but to the cumulative effect of many things - the abandonment of everything my Administration had stood for, and other things...he at once set about undoing all my Administration had done."
In 1916, as a symbol of Republican unity, Taft and Roosevelt appeared at rallies for Charles Evans Hughes who had resigned his seat on the Supreme Court to run against President Wilson. Taft later wrote how glad he was "that Theodore and I came together after that long painful interval. Had he died in a hostile state of mind toward me, I would have mourned the fact all my life. I loved him and cherish his memory."
Taft had become a Professor at Yale University in 1913, four weeks after leaving the White House. Theodore Roosevelt died at his Oyster Bay, Long Island, home at Sagamore Hill, on January 6, 1919. On October 26, 1919, a day before TR would have celebrated his 61st birthday, William H. Taft spoke at a memorial service held in Woolsey Hall at Yale University in honor of Theodore Roosevelt. On November 29, 1919, Taft wrote this excerpt for a collector. Two years later, Taft achieved his lifelong goal when he was appointed Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by President Harding.
Also included is a White House card signed: "Theodore Roosevelt," 4" x 2.75". It is dated in an unknown hand, "Mar 3 - '09," indicating it was signed on TR's last day in office, the day before Taft was inaugurated President. Included with Taft's tribute and the Roosevelt White House card are two photographs of Taft and Roosevelt together.
This moving tribute by a President to his predecessor and the signed White House card are each in extra fine condition. They would be a superb addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Woodrow Wilson Superb Autograph Letter Signed: Two weeks before the Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American War, Princeton Professor Woodrow Wilson tells an anti-imperialist that it is too late to protest and that our duty now is to devote time to think about "the new and momentous responsibilities to which the President [McKinley] has committed us."
Signed: "Woodrow Wilson", one page, 5.25" x 7.75". Princeton, N.J., November 29, 1898. To James P. Munroe, Boston. In full: "My dear Sir, I am in receipt of your interesting letter of November 26th, accompanying a copy of the petition, or protest, of the Anti-Imperialist League. In reply, I am sorry to feel obliged to say that I think the time for such action as this as gone by. It seems to me our duty now to devote ourselves to careful thinking as to the best way of meeting the new and momentous responsibilities to which the President has committed us. With much respect, Very truly yours."
James P. Munroe, a prominent Massachusetts paper manufacturer, had written to Wilson on stationery of the Anti-Imperialist Committees of Correspondence.
Tensions between Spain and the United States rose out of the attempts by Cubans to liberate their island from the control of the Spanish. On February 15, 1898, the battleship U.S.S. Maine was blown up in Havana harbor killing 266 Americans. A U.S. Navy board of inquiry determined that a mine had detonated under the ship but did not place blame. The American public, fueled by sensational articles in Joseph Pulitzer's New York World and William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal, blamed Spain. Although he continued to press for a diplomatic settlement to the Cuban problem, on April 11th President McKinley asked Congress for permission to intervene. On April 21st, the President ordered the Navy to begin a blockade of Cuba and Spain followed with a declaration of war. Congress responded with a formal declaration of war on April 25, 1898. Key victories in Cuba and the Philippines led to a peace protocol on August 12th "embodying the terms of a basis for the establishment of peace" between Spain and the United States. On December 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris was signed ending the war. Spain freed Cuba and ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States. The United States was now a world power.
Anti-Imperialists disapproved of the United States acquiring an island empire. The Anti-Imperialist League was founded in Boston in November, 1898. Woodrow Wilson, 41-year-old professor of jurisprudence and political economy at Princeton University, most probably was asked to sign a petition or support a protest of the acquisition by the United States of the Caribbean and Pacific islands mentioned in the August 12th peace protocol. Wilson points out that it comes too late, that President McKinley had already committed the United States to the proposed treaty, and that it is "our duty now to devote ourselves to careful thinking as to the best way of meeting the new and momentous responsibilities." He was also expressing his support of the treaty in his lectures.
Despite America's previous policy of isolationism, President McKinley led the nation into the Spanish-American War. Almost 20 years later, President Wilson brought America into World War I and onto the international stage declaring "the world must be made safe for democracy."
This letter is in very fine condition with light toning in the right portion. Letters in which one President writes about another President are scarce and extremely desirable. This one, associating two war Presidents, would make an exceptional addition to a Spanish-American War or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Woodrow Wilson", one page, 5.25" x 7.75". Princeton, N.J., November 29, 1898. To James P. Munroe, Boston. In full: "My dear Sir, I am in receipt of your interesting letter of November 26th, accompanying a copy of the petition, or protest, of the Anti-Imperialist League. In reply, I am sorry to feel obliged to say that I think the time for such action as this as gone by. It seems to me our duty now to devote ourselves to careful thinking as to the best way of meeting the new and momentous responsibilities to which the President has committed us. With much respect, Very truly yours."
James P. Munroe, a prominent Massachusetts paper manufacturer, had written to Wilson on stationery of the Anti-Imperialist Committees of Correspondence.
Tensions between Spain and the United States rose out of the attempts by Cubans to liberate their island from the control of the Spanish. On February 15, 1898, the battleship U.S.S. Maine was blown up in Havana harbor killing 266 Americans. A U.S. Navy board of inquiry determined that a mine had detonated under the ship but did not place blame. The American public, fueled by sensational articles in Joseph Pulitzer's New York World and William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal, blamed Spain. Although he continued to press for a diplomatic settlement to the Cuban problem, on April 11th President McKinley asked Congress for permission to intervene. On April 21st, the President ordered the Navy to begin a blockade of Cuba and Spain followed with a declaration of war. Congress responded with a formal declaration of war on April 25, 1898. Key victories in Cuba and the Philippines led to a peace protocol on August 12th "embodying the terms of a basis for the establishment of peace" between Spain and the United States. On December 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris was signed ending the war. Spain freed Cuba and ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States. The United States was now a world power.
Anti-Imperialists disapproved of the United States acquiring an island empire. The Anti-Imperialist League was founded in Boston in November, 1898. Woodrow Wilson, 41-year-old professor of jurisprudence and political economy at Princeton University, most probably was asked to sign a petition or support a protest of the acquisition by the United States of the Caribbean and Pacific islands mentioned in the August 12th peace protocol. Wilson points out that it comes too late, that President McKinley had already committed the United States to the proposed treaty, and that it is "our duty now to devote ourselves to careful thinking as to the best way of meeting the new and momentous responsibilities." He was also expressing his support of the treaty in his lectures.
Despite America's previous policy of isolationism, President McKinley led the nation into the Spanish-American War. Almost 20 years later, President Wilson brought America into World War I and onto the international stage declaring "the world must be made safe for democracy."
This letter is in very fine condition with light toning in the right portion. Letters in which one President writes about another President are scarce and extremely desirable. This one, associating two war Presidents, would make an exceptional addition to a Spanish-American War or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Warren G. Harding Superb Rare Autograph Letter Signed: The President sends a gift for Christmas to his sister, one of his mistress's former school teachers.
Signed: "Warren G. Harding" as President, one page, 7" x 8.75". The White House, Washington, December 23, 1922. To his sister, Abigail. In full: "Dear Sister Abigail, Enclosed find a little Christmas gift, a token of a brother's loving regard. I shall think of you at Xmas time, and I shall have a real regret that I can not celebrate in the atmosphere of home and amid the surroundings of family and friends. My love and good wishes to you. Yours affectionately."
Abigail Victoria Harding (1875-1935) was the sixth of eight children born to George and Phoebe Harding. Warren was the eldest of three boys and five girls. Abigail, who married Ralph T, Lewis in 1924, had taught public school in Marion, Ohio. One of her students was Nan Britton.
Nan Britton (1896-1991) was Warren Harding's mistress while he was U.S. Senator and President. She claimed they had a daughter, Elizabeth (1919-2005).
In this letter, President Harding encloses a Christmas gift for his sister (not present), "a token of a brother's loving regard." He sent Nan Britton $250 for Christmas and she bought herself a diamond and sapphire bracelet. The President could not celebrate the holiday with his family and friends in Marion because his wife, Florence, had collapsed from kidney failure in September and was still confined to a wheelchair. The Hardings had no guests at the White House at Christmas time. It was to be Harding's last Christmas. On August 2, 1923, returning from a trip to Alaska, President Harding died suddenly in his hotel room in San Francisco.
Following Harding's death, Nan Britton visited her former teacher, told her about the affair she had had with her brother, and revealed the existence of their daughter. She asked Abigail for $50,000 for child support. Reportedly neither shocked nor surprised, and concerned about her brother's reputation, she began giving Nan small sums of money, until her younger brother George put a stop to it. Britton then wrote a book about her affair with Harding, "The President's Daughter" (1927). It became a best-seller. The contents of the book were never challenged in court by members of the Harding family.
ALsS of Harding as President are exceedingly rare. Family letters of U.S. Presidents are usually found in university libraries or government archives. Those signed in full are especially desirable. This letter was obtained by a collector from the family of Ralph T. Lewis's secretary who sold it to the consignor. It is in extra fine condition and includes the original postmarked White House envelope, addressed by typewriter to Miss Abigail V. Harding in Marion, Ohio. Also included are two photographs of Abigail Harding. This letter would be an outstanding addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Warren G. Harding" as President, one page, 7" x 8.75". The White House, Washington, December 23, 1922. To his sister, Abigail. In full: "Dear Sister Abigail, Enclosed find a little Christmas gift, a token of a brother's loving regard. I shall think of you at Xmas time, and I shall have a real regret that I can not celebrate in the atmosphere of home and amid the surroundings of family and friends. My love and good wishes to you. Yours affectionately."
Abigail Victoria Harding (1875-1935) was the sixth of eight children born to George and Phoebe Harding. Warren was the eldest of three boys and five girls. Abigail, who married Ralph T, Lewis in 1924, had taught public school in Marion, Ohio. One of her students was Nan Britton.
Nan Britton (1896-1991) was Warren Harding's mistress while he was U.S. Senator and President. She claimed they had a daughter, Elizabeth (1919-2005).
In this letter, President Harding encloses a Christmas gift for his sister (not present), "a token of a brother's loving regard." He sent Nan Britton $250 for Christmas and she bought herself a diamond and sapphire bracelet. The President could not celebrate the holiday with his family and friends in Marion because his wife, Florence, had collapsed from kidney failure in September and was still confined to a wheelchair. The Hardings had no guests at the White House at Christmas time. It was to be Harding's last Christmas. On August 2, 1923, returning from a trip to Alaska, President Harding died suddenly in his hotel room in San Francisco.
Following Harding's death, Nan Britton visited her former teacher, told her about the affair she had had with her brother, and revealed the existence of their daughter. She asked Abigail for $50,000 for child support. Reportedly neither shocked nor surprised, and concerned about her brother's reputation, she began giving Nan small sums of money, until her younger brother George put a stop to it. Britton then wrote a book about her affair with Harding, "The President's Daughter" (1927). It became a best-seller. The contents of the book were never challenged in court by members of the Harding family.
ALsS of Harding as President are exceedingly rare. Family letters of U.S. Presidents are usually found in university libraries or government archives. Those signed in full are especially desirable. This letter was obtained by a collector from the family of Ralph T. Lewis's secretary who sold it to the consignor. It is in extra fine condition and includes the original postmarked White House envelope, addressed by typewriter to Miss Abigail V. Harding in Marion, Ohio. Also included are two photographs of Abigail Harding. This letter would be an outstanding addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Calvin Coolidge Superb Autograph Manuscript Signed: As directed by the U.S. Congress, the President reminds the American people why we celebrate George Washington's birthday.
Signed: "Calvin Coolidge" as President, one page, 6" x 9". The White House, Washington, February 22, 1927. On gilt embossed stationery. In full: "Washington was the directing spirit without which there would have been no independence, no Union, no Constitution and no Republic. His ways were the ways of truth. His influence grows. In wisdom of action, in purity of character he stands alone. We cannot yet estimate him. We can only indicate our reverence for him and thank the Divine Providence which sent him to serve and inspire his fellow men."
President Calvin Coolidge said these words in the conclusion of his address in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives before a Joint Session of Congress on February 22, 1927. He began, "On the 22d day of February, 1932, America will celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Wherever there are those who love ordered liberty, they may well join in the observance of that event. Although he belongs to us, yet by being a great American he became a great world figure. It is but natural that here under the shadow of the stately monument using to his memory, in the Capital City bearing his name, the country made independent by his military genius, and the Republic established by his statesmanship, should already begin preparations to proclaim the immortal honor in which we hold the Father of our Country. In recognition of the importance of this coming anniversary, more than two years ago the Congress passed a joint resolution establishing a commission, which was directed to have this address made to the American people reminding them of the reason and purpose for holding the coming celebration."
In May and June, 1926, to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, half dollars were struck at the Philadelphia Mint featuring overlapping right-facing busts of George Washington, the nation's first President, and Calvin Coolidge, the President at the time of the sesquicentennial on July 4, 1926. It is the only time a living U.S. President has been depicted on U.S. currency. Included is a book photograph of the half dollar.
On January 12, 1792, "An act establishing a mint, and regulating the coins, of the United States" was introduced in the U.S. Senate providing that "Upon one side of each of the said coins there shall be an impression or representation of the head of the President of the United States." President Washington rejected the idea of having his image on U.S. coinage as "monarchical" and an amended coinage bill was passed on April 2, 1792. Future presidents followed Washington's direction until Calvin Coolidge. Legislation now prohibits living persons from being honored on U.S. coins (or postage stamps).
This tribute to Washington is in extra fine condition, with light toning at the lower edge; it has never been folded. Coolidge is extremely rare in handwritten letters, especially those penned as President. This would be a magnificent addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Calvin Coolidge" as President, one page, 6" x 9". The White House, Washington, February 22, 1927. On gilt embossed stationery. In full: "Washington was the directing spirit without which there would have been no independence, no Union, no Constitution and no Republic. His ways were the ways of truth. His influence grows. In wisdom of action, in purity of character he stands alone. We cannot yet estimate him. We can only indicate our reverence for him and thank the Divine Providence which sent him to serve and inspire his fellow men."
President Calvin Coolidge said these words in the conclusion of his address in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives before a Joint Session of Congress on February 22, 1927. He began, "On the 22d day of February, 1932, America will celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Wherever there are those who love ordered liberty, they may well join in the observance of that event. Although he belongs to us, yet by being a great American he became a great world figure. It is but natural that here under the shadow of the stately monument using to his memory, in the Capital City bearing his name, the country made independent by his military genius, and the Republic established by his statesmanship, should already begin preparations to proclaim the immortal honor in which we hold the Father of our Country. In recognition of the importance of this coming anniversary, more than two years ago the Congress passed a joint resolution establishing a commission, which was directed to have this address made to the American people reminding them of the reason and purpose for holding the coming celebration."
In May and June, 1926, to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, half dollars were struck at the Philadelphia Mint featuring overlapping right-facing busts of George Washington, the nation's first President, and Calvin Coolidge, the President at the time of the sesquicentennial on July 4, 1926. It is the only time a living U.S. President has been depicted on U.S. currency. Included is a book photograph of the half dollar.
On January 12, 1792, "An act establishing a mint, and regulating the coins, of the United States" was introduced in the U.S. Senate providing that "Upon one side of each of the said coins there shall be an impression or representation of the head of the President of the United States." President Washington rejected the idea of having his image on U.S. coinage as "monarchical" and an amended coinage bill was passed on April 2, 1792. Future presidents followed Washington's direction until Calvin Coolidge. Legislation now prohibits living persons from being honored on U.S. coins (or postage stamps).
This tribute to Washington is in extra fine condition, with light toning at the lower edge; it has never been folded. Coolidge is extremely rare in handwritten letters, especially those penned as President. This would be a magnificent addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Herbert Hoover Superb Autograph Letter Signed: In 1940, the former President handwrites a letter to be sold for the benefit of the Finnish people, explaining that "truly every cent helps to lighten their great burdens and their great distress." Finland had been invaded by Russia five months earlier.
Signed: "Herbert Hoover", one page, 7.25" x 10.25". New York, New York, May 1, 1940. To James Waldo Fawcett. In full: "Dear Mr. Fawcett, I sincerely hope that the celebration of the centenary of the first adhesive postage stamp which your friends have planned will be a great success. It is most generous of you to devote the proceeds to help the people of Finland. Truly every cent helps to lighten their great burdens and their great distress. With kind regards."
James Waldo Fawcett (1893-1968) was an editorial writer and stamp columnist for the Washington Star and was President of the Washington Philatelic Society (1937-1940). On April 29, 1940, he wrote to Hoover, in part, "May I enlist your help toward the success of an incident in the program for the Celebration of the Centenary of the First Adhesive Postage Stamp? It happens that we plan to sell a sheet of the charity stamps of Finland at our Centenary Banquet at the Hotel Mayflower, Saturday evening, May 4. These will be offered immediately following the address of the Finnish Minister. Bidding, we have reason to expect, should be high, but in order that it may reach a maximum I have been asked to appeal to you to send me a letter, written in your hand, to be auctioned with the sheet...The proceeds, of course, will go to the Finnish Relief Fund." The first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued by Great Britain on May 6, 1840. The "Celebration of the Centenary" was held in Washington, May 2-6, 1940. A photocopy of Fawcett's letter is present; the original is in the Hoover Library. Also included are two photographs of Fawcett.
After World War I ended, almost every European country was in debt to the United States for loans used to finance the war and reconstruction. In 1931, President Herbert Hoover granted the European debtor countries a yearlong moratorium in an effort to facilitate international economic relations during the Depression. It didn't mean the pardoning of debts, only their postponement, but every country with the sole exception of Finland took the moratorium to mean a pardon and left their debt unpaid. Only Finland continued to pay its debt on time until it was paid in full. Hoover never forgot this.
On November 30, 1939, Russia invaded Finland. Six days later, on December 6th, Herbert Hoover incorporated the Finnish Relief Fund and by January 5th, $400,000 had been transferred to Finland by what had quickly become known as Herbert Hoover's Finnish Relief Fund. Five months later, Fawcett asked Hoover for a handwritten letter and Hoover immediately wrote the requested letter to raise funds for the Finnish people.
"Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News" reported that at the banquet on May 4, 1940, the "sheet of stamps of Finland with a letter written by ex-President Herbert Hoover in his own handwriting were auctioned. Philip H. Ward was the highest bidder, securing them at $350.00." Noted stamp dealer and presidential frank collector Philip H. Ward, Jr. (1886-1963) was the director of the centenary stamp exhibition at the Library of Congress. The handwritten letter and Finnish stamps stayed in his collection until his death and were sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries on February 11, 1964, for $220. Herbert Hoover died eight months later at the age of 90.
Hoover rarely wrote handwritten letters. He once claimed that he had not written more than a dozen in his lifetime. This exceedingly rare handwritten letter with philatelic as well as humanitarian content is in extra fine condition; it has never been folded. It would make an extraordinary addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Herbert Hoover", one page, 7.25" x 10.25". New York, New York, May 1, 1940. To James Waldo Fawcett. In full: "Dear Mr. Fawcett, I sincerely hope that the celebration of the centenary of the first adhesive postage stamp which your friends have planned will be a great success. It is most generous of you to devote the proceeds to help the people of Finland. Truly every cent helps to lighten their great burdens and their great distress. With kind regards."
James Waldo Fawcett (1893-1968) was an editorial writer and stamp columnist for the Washington Star and was President of the Washington Philatelic Society (1937-1940). On April 29, 1940, he wrote to Hoover, in part, "May I enlist your help toward the success of an incident in the program for the Celebration of the Centenary of the First Adhesive Postage Stamp? It happens that we plan to sell a sheet of the charity stamps of Finland at our Centenary Banquet at the Hotel Mayflower, Saturday evening, May 4. These will be offered immediately following the address of the Finnish Minister. Bidding, we have reason to expect, should be high, but in order that it may reach a maximum I have been asked to appeal to you to send me a letter, written in your hand, to be auctioned with the sheet...The proceeds, of course, will go to the Finnish Relief Fund." The first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued by Great Britain on May 6, 1840. The "Celebration of the Centenary" was held in Washington, May 2-6, 1940. A photocopy of Fawcett's letter is present; the original is in the Hoover Library. Also included are two photographs of Fawcett.
After World War I ended, almost every European country was in debt to the United States for loans used to finance the war and reconstruction. In 1931, President Herbert Hoover granted the European debtor countries a yearlong moratorium in an effort to facilitate international economic relations during the Depression. It didn't mean the pardoning of debts, only their postponement, but every country with the sole exception of Finland took the moratorium to mean a pardon and left their debt unpaid. Only Finland continued to pay its debt on time until it was paid in full. Hoover never forgot this.
On November 30, 1939, Russia invaded Finland. Six days later, on December 6th, Herbert Hoover incorporated the Finnish Relief Fund and by January 5th, $400,000 had been transferred to Finland by what had quickly become known as Herbert Hoover's Finnish Relief Fund. Five months later, Fawcett asked Hoover for a handwritten letter and Hoover immediately wrote the requested letter to raise funds for the Finnish people.
"Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News" reported that at the banquet on May 4, 1940, the "sheet of stamps of Finland with a letter written by ex-President Herbert Hoover in his own handwriting were auctioned. Philip H. Ward was the highest bidder, securing them at $350.00." Noted stamp dealer and presidential frank collector Philip H. Ward, Jr. (1886-1963) was the director of the centenary stamp exhibition at the Library of Congress. The handwritten letter and Finnish stamps stayed in his collection until his death and were sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries on February 11, 1964, for $220. Herbert Hoover died eight months later at the age of 90.
Hoover rarely wrote handwritten letters. He once claimed that he had not written more than a dozen in his lifetime. This exceedingly rare handwritten letter with philatelic as well as humanitarian content is in extra fine condition; it has never been folded. It would make an extraordinary addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Superb Autograph Letter Signed: From his houseboat off the Florida coast, FDR writes an old friend that his "legs are greatly improved. I get around now with no brace on right knee & hope to get rid of the other this summer."
Signed: "Franklin D. Roosevelt", one page, 8.5" x 11". On his Hyde Park stationery but written on his houseboat, the Larooco, Off Florida Coast, March 19, 1926. To Albert V. DeRoode. In full: "Dear Albert, I never heard of your lady friend in my life! Don't send her any more $50 bills! I am down here on a small boat & the legs are greatly improved. I get around now with no brace on right knee & hope to get rid of the other this summer - When I get back about May 1 do come in & see me at 55 Liberty St. As ever yours."
Albert V. DeRoode (1880-1949) was a classmate of FDR's at Harvard, becoming a lawyer specializing in civil service cases. For a short time, DeRoode was a junior partner in Marvin, Hooker & Roosevelt, FDR's first law firm (1911). He later served as secretary of the Civil Service Reform Association. DeRoode died on April 12, 1949, four years to the day after FDR died.
In 1913, newly appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt told a reporter that while he was at Harvard in 1900, he had asked the school's venerable president, Charles W. Eliot, whom he was supporting in the presidential election, a subject Eliot had refused to discuss with anyone. On October 29, 1900, the Harvard Crimson scooped the nation by reporting Eliot's reply to FDR that he intended to vote for McKinley. It wasn't until 1931 that Roosevelt revealed to author Michael E. Hennessy who was writing "Four Decades of Massachusetts Politics, 1890-1935," that "the real man who got that scoop was Albert DeRoode, now a lawyer in New York City, and he should have the credit and not I." It is not known if DeRoode knew about the 1913 interview but if he did, he did not contradict his friend most probably because he felt that it would hurt FDR's political career. Roosevelt is rather emphatic in this letter when he says he "never heard of your lady friend in my life (exclamation point)" and that he should not "send her any more $50 bills (exclamation point)". Had she claimed an intimate friendship with FDR and demanded money from his friend on a regular basis to keep quiet? We do know that Roosevelt was having affairs with his wife's personal secretary, Lucy Mercer, and his own secretary, Marguerite (Missy) LeHand.
In August, 1921, Franklin D. Roosevelt was stricken with infantile paralysis while at his summer home at Campobello, New Brunswick, Canada. In October, 1924, FDR first visited Warm Springs, Georgia's naturally heated mineral springs, as treatment for his polio related paralysis. He believed that his six weeks in the waters of Warm Springs did more to improve his condition than any treatment he had received in the previous three years. Roosevelt spent several months a year at Warm Springs and felt that he would eventually walk without his braces. In this letter to his old friend he writes "I get around now with no brace on right knee & hope to get rid of the other this summer." FDR never got rid of his braces. In 1943, he began delivering speeches from the sitting position because of his polio-weakened legs, not needing his braces. A year later, when he tried to stand so he could speak at a podium, he found his braces gave him little or no support.
This letter was written aboard FDR's houseboat, the Larooco which he had purchased in 1924. In Elliott Roosevelt's 1973 book, An Untold Story: The Roosevelts of Hyde Park, he writes of seeing 27-year-old Marguerite (Missy) LeHand, his secretary since 1920, aboard the Larooco. In part, "I remember being only mildly stirred to see him with Missy on his lap as he sat in the main stateroom holding her in his sun-browned arms." Elliott says that everyone within the family, including Eleanor, knew of their affair, and accepted Missy's intimacy with the President. On February 2, 1926, Eleanor and Franklin went out on the houseboat, but stayed less than two weeks before returning to New York. He told her he had decided to purchase the facilities at Warm Springs which would cost about two-thirds of his personal fortune. She was concerned that if the investment failed, they would not have enough money to put their four boys, then aged 10-18, through college. The day before Eleanor left, FDR's Hyde Park neighbor Maunsell Cosby and Missy LeHand came aboard at Key Largo. On February 24, 1926, William Hart of Columbus, Georgia, owner of the cottage in which Roosevelt lived in his last stay at Warm Springs, and Charles S. Peabody representing financier George Foster Peabody, owner of the facilities at Warm Springs, arrived and, according to the Larooco log entry, "we began talking over the...purchase of Georgia Warm Springs." This last cruise on the Larooco ended on March 27th, eight days after this letter. The log's entry: "Completed all final arrangements and said farewell to the good old boat. Elliott and I left on the evening train for Warm Springs." In September, 1926, FDR added a postscript to the log, telling of a "violent hurricane" which "swept the East Coast of Florida." The Larooco, moored on the Fort Lauderdale River, was swept inland and destroyed. Two photographs of the Larooco are included with this letter.
Back at Warm Springs for his fourth visit in 17 months, on April 29, 1926, for $200,000, FDR purchased the springs themselves, the hotel and cottages used by previous guests, and approximately 1200 acres of surrounding countryside. Roosevelt concludes this letter by inviting DeRoode to visit him after he gets back"about May 1...at 55 Liberty St." He was Vice President of a bonding company, Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland, which had its offices in Manhattan at 55 Liberty Street. FDR left Warm Springs for New York on May 5th. In all, Roosevelt visited Warm Springs 42 times from 1924 until his death there on April 12, 1945.
Handwritten letters of FDR have always been scarce. Those mentioning his paralysis are exceedingly rare and virtually unobtainable. Few Americans were ever aware of Roosevelt's disability. From the time he reentered the political stage after contracting polio, he insisted that reporters not write about his affliction and photograph him from the waist up. Members of the press acceded to his request. In fact, only two photographs are known, published after his death, picturing FDR in his wheelchair. This letter is in extra fine condition and would make an outstanding addition to a presidential collection and the cornerstone of an FDR collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Franklin D. Roosevelt", one page, 8.5" x 11". On his Hyde Park stationery but written on his houseboat, the Larooco, Off Florida Coast, March 19, 1926. To Albert V. DeRoode. In full: "Dear Albert, I never heard of your lady friend in my life! Don't send her any more $50 bills! I am down here on a small boat & the legs are greatly improved. I get around now with no brace on right knee & hope to get rid of the other this summer - When I get back about May 1 do come in & see me at 55 Liberty St. As ever yours."
Albert V. DeRoode (1880-1949) was a classmate of FDR's at Harvard, becoming a lawyer specializing in civil service cases. For a short time, DeRoode was a junior partner in Marvin, Hooker & Roosevelt, FDR's first law firm (1911). He later served as secretary of the Civil Service Reform Association. DeRoode died on April 12, 1949, four years to the day after FDR died.
In 1913, newly appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt told a reporter that while he was at Harvard in 1900, he had asked the school's venerable president, Charles W. Eliot, whom he was supporting in the presidential election, a subject Eliot had refused to discuss with anyone. On October 29, 1900, the Harvard Crimson scooped the nation by reporting Eliot's reply to FDR that he intended to vote for McKinley. It wasn't until 1931 that Roosevelt revealed to author Michael E. Hennessy who was writing "Four Decades of Massachusetts Politics, 1890-1935," that "the real man who got that scoop was Albert DeRoode, now a lawyer in New York City, and he should have the credit and not I." It is not known if DeRoode knew about the 1913 interview but if he did, he did not contradict his friend most probably because he felt that it would hurt FDR's political career. Roosevelt is rather emphatic in this letter when he says he "never heard of your lady friend in my life (exclamation point)" and that he should not "send her any more $50 bills (exclamation point)". Had she claimed an intimate friendship with FDR and demanded money from his friend on a regular basis to keep quiet? We do know that Roosevelt was having affairs with his wife's personal secretary, Lucy Mercer, and his own secretary, Marguerite (Missy) LeHand.
In August, 1921, Franklin D. Roosevelt was stricken with infantile paralysis while at his summer home at Campobello, New Brunswick, Canada. In October, 1924, FDR first visited Warm Springs, Georgia's naturally heated mineral springs, as treatment for his polio related paralysis. He believed that his six weeks in the waters of Warm Springs did more to improve his condition than any treatment he had received in the previous three years. Roosevelt spent several months a year at Warm Springs and felt that he would eventually walk without his braces. In this letter to his old friend he writes "I get around now with no brace on right knee & hope to get rid of the other this summer." FDR never got rid of his braces. In 1943, he began delivering speeches from the sitting position because of his polio-weakened legs, not needing his braces. A year later, when he tried to stand so he could speak at a podium, he found his braces gave him little or no support.
This letter was written aboard FDR's houseboat, the Larooco which he had purchased in 1924. In Elliott Roosevelt's 1973 book, An Untold Story: The Roosevelts of Hyde Park, he writes of seeing 27-year-old Marguerite (Missy) LeHand, his secretary since 1920, aboard the Larooco. In part, "I remember being only mildly stirred to see him with Missy on his lap as he sat in the main stateroom holding her in his sun-browned arms." Elliott says that everyone within the family, including Eleanor, knew of their affair, and accepted Missy's intimacy with the President. On February 2, 1926, Eleanor and Franklin went out on the houseboat, but stayed less than two weeks before returning to New York. He told her he had decided to purchase the facilities at Warm Springs which would cost about two-thirds of his personal fortune. She was concerned that if the investment failed, they would not have enough money to put their four boys, then aged 10-18, through college. The day before Eleanor left, FDR's Hyde Park neighbor Maunsell Cosby and Missy LeHand came aboard at Key Largo. On February 24, 1926, William Hart of Columbus, Georgia, owner of the cottage in which Roosevelt lived in his last stay at Warm Springs, and Charles S. Peabody representing financier George Foster Peabody, owner of the facilities at Warm Springs, arrived and, according to the Larooco log entry, "we began talking over the...purchase of Georgia Warm Springs." This last cruise on the Larooco ended on March 27th, eight days after this letter. The log's entry: "Completed all final arrangements and said farewell to the good old boat. Elliott and I left on the evening train for Warm Springs." In September, 1926, FDR added a postscript to the log, telling of a "violent hurricane" which "swept the East Coast of Florida." The Larooco, moored on the Fort Lauderdale River, was swept inland and destroyed. Two photographs of the Larooco are included with this letter.
Back at Warm Springs for his fourth visit in 17 months, on April 29, 1926, for $200,000, FDR purchased the springs themselves, the hotel and cottages used by previous guests, and approximately 1200 acres of surrounding countryside. Roosevelt concludes this letter by inviting DeRoode to visit him after he gets back"about May 1...at 55 Liberty St." He was Vice President of a bonding company, Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland, which had its offices in Manhattan at 55 Liberty Street. FDR left Warm Springs for New York on May 5th. In all, Roosevelt visited Warm Springs 42 times from 1924 until his death there on April 12, 1945.
Handwritten letters of FDR have always been scarce. Those mentioning his paralysis are exceedingly rare and virtually unobtainable. Few Americans were ever aware of Roosevelt's disability. From the time he reentered the political stage after contracting polio, he insisted that reporters not write about his affliction and photograph him from the waist up. Members of the press acceded to his request. In fact, only two photographs are known, published after his death, picturing FDR in his wheelchair. This letter is in extra fine condition and would make an outstanding addition to a presidential collection and the cornerstone of an FDR collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Harry S. Truman Superb Autograph Letter Signed: On his last full day as President, Harry Truman takes his wife's name off his checking account at the Riggs National Bank but gives her power of attorney to sign checks.
Signed: "Harry S Truman" as President, one page, 5" x 8". The White House, Washington, January 19, 1953. To Robert V. Fleming, President and Chairman of the Board of The Riggs National Bank. In full: "Dear Mr. Fleming, I want to change our joint account to my name and give Mrs. Truman power of attorney to sign checks. It is a legal procedure that has become necessary now. Sincerely yours." President Truman adds: "Please give Miss Conway the necessary papers & cards." Photographs of Fleming and Conway are included.
Robert V. Fleming (1890-1967) was President (1925-1955) and Chairman of the Board (1935-1963) of The Riggs National Bank in Washington, D.C. He was also a member of the 1950 National? Capital Sesquicentennial Commission.
Rose A. Conway (c. 1900-1980) was Harry Truman's personal and confidential secretary from 1945 until his death in 1972, then worked at the Truman Library until 1975. She had served on Truman's staff since March 15, 1945, when he was FDR's Vice President. Truman had once said of her, "No man ever had a more loyal secretary."
The Act of Congress signed by President Washington on April 2, 1792, specified that the term of the President and Vice President shall "commence on the? fourth day of March." Legally, even though presidential inaugurations were held during the daytime, the term began as the clock struck 12 earlier that morning. The 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, effective with the 1937 inauguration, established that "the terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January." This letter was signed on President Truman's last full day in office.
According to the Truman Library, on January 19, 1953, President Truman wrote two letters, one to President-Elect Eisenhower at Washington's Statler Hotel, enclosing the report of the President's Committee on Government Contract Compliance, "Equal Economic Opportunity," and the other to James A. Campbell, President of the American Federation of Government Employees, on the "70th Anniversary of the Merit System." He also wrote a Special Message to the Congress on the Nation's Land and Water Resources.
Rarely does a handwritten letter of Truman appear on the market. An ALS on White House stationery is exceedingly rare. This one, in extra fine condition, would make an outstanding addition to a presidential collection From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Harry S Truman" as President, one page, 5" x 8". The White House, Washington, January 19, 1953. To Robert V. Fleming, President and Chairman of the Board of The Riggs National Bank. In full: "Dear Mr. Fleming, I want to change our joint account to my name and give Mrs. Truman power of attorney to sign checks. It is a legal procedure that has become necessary now. Sincerely yours." President Truman adds: "Please give Miss Conway the necessary papers & cards." Photographs of Fleming and Conway are included.
Robert V. Fleming (1890-1967) was President (1925-1955) and Chairman of the Board (1935-1963) of The Riggs National Bank in Washington, D.C. He was also a member of the 1950 National? Capital Sesquicentennial Commission.
Rose A. Conway (c. 1900-1980) was Harry Truman's personal and confidential secretary from 1945 until his death in 1972, then worked at the Truman Library until 1975. She had served on Truman's staff since March 15, 1945, when he was FDR's Vice President. Truman had once said of her, "No man ever had a more loyal secretary."
The Act of Congress signed by President Washington on April 2, 1792, specified that the term of the President and Vice President shall "commence on the? fourth day of March." Legally, even though presidential inaugurations were held during the daytime, the term began as the clock struck 12 earlier that morning. The 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, effective with the 1937 inauguration, established that "the terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January." This letter was signed on President Truman's last full day in office.
According to the Truman Library, on January 19, 1953, President Truman wrote two letters, one to President-Elect Eisenhower at Washington's Statler Hotel, enclosing the report of the President's Committee on Government Contract Compliance, "Equal Economic Opportunity," and the other to James A. Campbell, President of the American Federation of Government Employees, on the "70th Anniversary of the Merit System." He also wrote a Special Message to the Congress on the Nation's Land and Water Resources.
Rarely does a handwritten letter of Truman appear on the market. An ALS on White House stationery is exceedingly rare. This one, in extra fine condition, would make an outstanding addition to a presidential collection From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Superb Autograph Letter Signed: "The younger members of our golf foursome very kindly held back so as to avoid embarrassing comparisons with my feeble game."
Signed: "Dwight D. Eisenhower", one page, 7.25" x 10.5". [New York], September 30, [1950]. To Adelaide Whitney. In full: "Dear Mrs. Whitney: It was a pleasant surprise to find you my luncheon hostess yesterday when, for some reason, I was anticipating a stag affair. I cannot remember a similar occasion when I had so much sheer fun. Possibly Bob has already told you that the younger members of our golf foursome very kindly held back so as to avoid embarrassing comparisons with my feeble game. So the whole day - to say nothing of Bob's stimulating dinner - was more than enjoyable. Thank you for such charming hospitality, and for including me in such a company. Sincerely."
Adelaide Weld Whitney (1920-2004) was the wife of Robert Bacon Whitney (1916-1952), an officer at J.P. Morgan & Co. After his death she married James Knott (1910-1989), Chairman of Knott Hotels Corporation, and, after his death, William Braden (1919-2004), a Vice President of Morgan Guaranty Trust Co.
In 1948, General Eisenhower became President of Columbia University. In 1950, he founded the American Assembly, "a national, non-partisan public affairs forum illuminating issues of public policy," as an affiliate of Columbia. The organization brought together industrialists, financiers, publishers, government officials, and other prominent Americans. In Eisenhower: Portrait of the Hero, author Peter Lyon writes that "the aroma of politics hung over the whole enterprise...By 1951, financiers had rallied around the idea of Eisenhower for President in 1952." Adelaide's father-in-law, George Whitney, Chairman of the Board at J.P. Morgan, was sending Eisenhower a weekly newsletter on current affairs as seen by Wall Street.
On September 29, 1950, Bob Whitney, Adelaide's husband, hosted a luncheon reception and golf outing at Long Island's exclusive Links Club. Attending were General Eisenhower and a group of American Assembly supporters. In this letter written the next day, Eisenhower admits that he "was anticipating a stag affair." A career soldier, he enjoyed going to stag affairs where only men would be present, and while President, he would hold stag luncheons, stag dinners, and even stag poker nights in the White House.
Dwight D. Eisenhower was nominated for President on the first ballot at the 1952 Republican National Convention and easily defeated Democrat Adlai E. Stevenson in the November 4, 1952, election, 442-89 electoral votes. Just eight weeks later, on Christmas Eve, 1952, Bob Whitney was hit and killed by a car as he walked near his home. He was 36 years old.
Golf was Eisenhower's favorite pastime. When he became President in 1953, he continued his games of golf at the Augusta National Golf Club. His cottage in Augusta, Georgia, became known as the "Little White House." President Eisenhower found time during his eight years in office to play 800 rounds of golf, a habit endorsed by his personal doctor and explained by Eisenhower in terms consistent with a Five-Star General: "You have to let a little air into the war room now and then." When he left office in 1961, Eisenhower spent his winters playing golf at the Eldorado Country Club, near Palm Springs, California, where he had a home.
Eisenhower letters mentioning golf, especially those referring to his own game, are exceedingly rare and extremely desirable. His handwritten letters are among the rarest of all U.S. Presidents. This full page letter is in extra fine condition and would be a superb addition to a presidential collection and the cornerstone in a golf collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Dwight D. Eisenhower", one page, 7.25" x 10.5". [New York], September 30, [1950]. To Adelaide Whitney. In full: "Dear Mrs. Whitney: It was a pleasant surprise to find you my luncheon hostess yesterday when, for some reason, I was anticipating a stag affair. I cannot remember a similar occasion when I had so much sheer fun. Possibly Bob has already told you that the younger members of our golf foursome very kindly held back so as to avoid embarrassing comparisons with my feeble game. So the whole day - to say nothing of Bob's stimulating dinner - was more than enjoyable. Thank you for such charming hospitality, and for including me in such a company. Sincerely."
Adelaide Weld Whitney (1920-2004) was the wife of Robert Bacon Whitney (1916-1952), an officer at J.P. Morgan & Co. After his death she married James Knott (1910-1989), Chairman of Knott Hotels Corporation, and, after his death, William Braden (1919-2004), a Vice President of Morgan Guaranty Trust Co.
In 1948, General Eisenhower became President of Columbia University. In 1950, he founded the American Assembly, "a national, non-partisan public affairs forum illuminating issues of public policy," as an affiliate of Columbia. The organization brought together industrialists, financiers, publishers, government officials, and other prominent Americans. In Eisenhower: Portrait of the Hero, author Peter Lyon writes that "the aroma of politics hung over the whole enterprise...By 1951, financiers had rallied around the idea of Eisenhower for President in 1952." Adelaide's father-in-law, George Whitney, Chairman of the Board at J.P. Morgan, was sending Eisenhower a weekly newsletter on current affairs as seen by Wall Street.
On September 29, 1950, Bob Whitney, Adelaide's husband, hosted a luncheon reception and golf outing at Long Island's exclusive Links Club. Attending were General Eisenhower and a group of American Assembly supporters. In this letter written the next day, Eisenhower admits that he "was anticipating a stag affair." A career soldier, he enjoyed going to stag affairs where only men would be present, and while President, he would hold stag luncheons, stag dinners, and even stag poker nights in the White House.
Dwight D. Eisenhower was nominated for President on the first ballot at the 1952 Republican National Convention and easily defeated Democrat Adlai E. Stevenson in the November 4, 1952, election, 442-89 electoral votes. Just eight weeks later, on Christmas Eve, 1952, Bob Whitney was hit and killed by a car as he walked near his home. He was 36 years old.
Golf was Eisenhower's favorite pastime. When he became President in 1953, he continued his games of golf at the Augusta National Golf Club. His cottage in Augusta, Georgia, became known as the "Little White House." President Eisenhower found time during his eight years in office to play 800 rounds of golf, a habit endorsed by his personal doctor and explained by Eisenhower in terms consistent with a Five-Star General: "You have to let a little air into the war room now and then." When he left office in 1961, Eisenhower spent his winters playing golf at the Eldorado Country Club, near Palm Springs, California, where he had a home.
Eisenhower letters mentioning golf, especially those referring to his own game, are exceedingly rare and extremely desirable. His handwritten letters are among the rarest of all U.S. Presidents. This full page letter is in extra fine condition and would be a superb addition to a presidential collection and the cornerstone in a golf collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
John F. Kennedy Excellent Early Autograph Letter Signed: The 23-year-old Harvard graduate, in Rio de Janeiro on vacation, sends a copy of his book, Why England Slept, to the U.S. Military Attache.
Signed: "Jack Kennedy", one page, 7.75" x 9.5". Rio de Janeiro, [May, 1941]. To Colonel Edwin L. Sibert. In full: "Dear Colonel, I am sending this book over as I thought that certain parts might hold some interest for you. Again many thanks to you & Mrs. Sibert for your kindness. I hope to see you sometime soon again. Sincerely." Written on thin, lightweight stationery of the Copacabana Palace hotel, Avenida Atlantica, Rio de Janeiro. The Copacabana Palace, built in 1923, is still Rio de Janeiro's most luxurious hotel.
Col. Edwin L. Sibert (1897-1977) was U.S. Military Attache in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1941. During World War II, he served as chief of intelligence to General Omar Bradley and worked with the Office of Strategic Services. After the war, he became Assistant Director of the CIA. From 1953 until his retirement in 1954, Major General Sibert was Chief of Staff of the Far East Command in Japan. Two photographs of Sibert are included.
John F. (Jack) Kennedy entered Harvard University in 1936. An expansion of his senior thesis on Britain's lack of preparedness for World War II was published in 1940, the year he graduated, under the title "Why England Slept." This is the book mentioned in this letter. Jack Kennedy "thought that certain parts might hold some interest" for Sibert. He had done much of the research while living in England between semesters. His father, Joseph P. Kennedy, had served as U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain from 1937-1940.
In the Spring of 1941, Rose Kennedy and her 20-year-old daughter Eunice went on a cruise through the Caribbean and down to Rio de Janeiro. Jack Kennedy decided to fly to Rio, meet his mother and sister, and continue on to Buenos Aires where the Kennedys had friends. Rose and Eunice arrived in Rio on May 21st, later flying to Buenos Aires, where they met up with Jack again and helped him celebrate his 24th birthday on May 29th. Flying on to Santiago, Chile, alone, Jack returned to the United States on July 1st. In October 1941, five months after he wrote this letter, John F. Kennedy was appointed an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve and joined the staff of the Office of Naval Intelligence.
This letter is in very fine condition with mid-horizontal creases which would be expected on thin, lightweight hotel stationery manufactured for airmail letters. Handwritten letters of John F. Kennedy have always been scarce. This one is a handsome, early, legible example. It would make a superb addition to a presidential or Kennedy collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Jack Kennedy", one page, 7.75" x 9.5". Rio de Janeiro, [May, 1941]. To Colonel Edwin L. Sibert. In full: "Dear Colonel, I am sending this book over as I thought that certain parts might hold some interest for you. Again many thanks to you & Mrs. Sibert for your kindness. I hope to see you sometime soon again. Sincerely." Written on thin, lightweight stationery of the Copacabana Palace hotel, Avenida Atlantica, Rio de Janeiro. The Copacabana Palace, built in 1923, is still Rio de Janeiro's most luxurious hotel.
Col. Edwin L. Sibert (1897-1977) was U.S. Military Attache in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1941. During World War II, he served as chief of intelligence to General Omar Bradley and worked with the Office of Strategic Services. After the war, he became Assistant Director of the CIA. From 1953 until his retirement in 1954, Major General Sibert was Chief of Staff of the Far East Command in Japan. Two photographs of Sibert are included.
John F. (Jack) Kennedy entered Harvard University in 1936. An expansion of his senior thesis on Britain's lack of preparedness for World War II was published in 1940, the year he graduated, under the title "Why England Slept." This is the book mentioned in this letter. Jack Kennedy "thought that certain parts might hold some interest" for Sibert. He had done much of the research while living in England between semesters. His father, Joseph P. Kennedy, had served as U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain from 1937-1940.
In the Spring of 1941, Rose Kennedy and her 20-year-old daughter Eunice went on a cruise through the Caribbean and down to Rio de Janeiro. Jack Kennedy decided to fly to Rio, meet his mother and sister, and continue on to Buenos Aires where the Kennedys had friends. Rose and Eunice arrived in Rio on May 21st, later flying to Buenos Aires, where they met up with Jack again and helped him celebrate his 24th birthday on May 29th. Flying on to Santiago, Chile, alone, Jack returned to the United States on July 1st. In October 1941, five months after he wrote this letter, John F. Kennedy was appointed an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve and joined the staff of the Office of Naval Intelligence.
This letter is in very fine condition with mid-horizontal creases which would be expected on thin, lightweight hotel stationery manufactured for airmail letters. Handwritten letters of John F. Kennedy have always been scarce. This one is a handsome, early, legible example. It would make a superb addition to a presidential or Kennedy collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Lyndon B. Johnson Superb Early Autograph Letter Signed: The 20-year-old schoolteacher asks his college librarian for material he had promised to lend him relating to the subject of high school debating.
Signed: "Lyndon B. Johnson/Cotulla, Texas", one page, 7.25" x 10.5". On his personal Southwest Texas S.T.C. stationery, written from Cotulla, Texas, January 3, 1928 [sic, 1929]. To Ernest B. Jackson, San Marcos, Texas. In full: "Dear Mr. Jackson: You told me last summer that you would lend me some material on the H.S. debating subject. Should you be able to send me anything that you have I will be glad to pay any expenses you might incur. Thanking you in advance, I am, Your friend."
Ernest B. Jackson (1896-1965) was the librarian at Southwest Texas State College from 1925-1965. Two photographs of college president James McCrocklin and E.B. Jackson's widow at the dedication of Jackson's portrait at the library are included.
Lyndon B. Johnson graduated from Johnson City High School in 1924 and, at 16, headed out to California with friends where he performed odd jobs. Returning home, in 1927 he enrolled in Southwest Texas State Teachers College at San Marcos, Texas (now, Texas State University-San Marcos). He dropped out of college to teach elementary school in Cotulla, Texas, for the 1928-1929 academic year. In 1965, in his famous "We Shall Overcome" address to a Joint Session of Congress delivered a week after Selma to Montgomery marchers were beaten by state and local law officers as they approached Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge, President Johnson recalled his first-hand experience with prejudice. In part, "My first job after college was as a teacher in Cotulla, Texas, in a small Mexican-American school. Few of them could speak English, and I couldn't speak much Spanish. My students were poor and they often came to class without breakfast, hungry. They knew even in their youth the pain of prejudice. They never seemed to know why people disliked them. But they knew it was so, because I saw it in their eyes. I often walked home late in the afternoon, after the classes were finished, wishing there was more that I could do. But all I knew was to teach them the little that I knew, hoping that it might help them against the hardships that lay ahead. Somehow you never forget what poverty and hatred can do when you see its scars on the hopeful face of a young child. I never thought then, in 1928, that I would be standing here in 1965. It never even occurred to me in my fondest dreams that I might have the chance to help the sons and daughters of those students, and to help people like them all over this country. But now I do have that chance."
Returning to Welhausen Elementary School in Cotulla in 1966, President Johnson recalled that "thirty-eight years ago I came to Cotulla. I was still a student myself. I was working my way through the San Marcos Teachers College...I worked as a teacher for the fifth, sixth, and seventh grades. I worked as principal of five teachers. I worked as a playground supervisor. I coached the boys' baseball team. I was a debate coach." In this letter, Johnson asks the librarian at Southwest Texas State College for the "material on the H.S. debating subject" that he had promised to lend him. In 1930, Johnson graduated from Southwest Texas State Teachers College at San Marcos and taught public speaking at Sam Houston High School in Houston. In the spring of 1931, his debate team won the district championship. As Majority Leader in the U.S. Senate 25 years later, LBJ mastered the art of debate.
This letter is in extra fine condition except for two pin holes in the blank upper left corner. Autograph pioneer Charles Hamilton once said that an ALS of Lyndon B. Johnson is the rarest of all U.S. Presidents. This full page letter handwritten by 20-year-old schoolteacher Lyndon B. Johnson would be a magnificent addition to a presidential collection, envied by all who see it. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Lyndon B. Johnson/Cotulla, Texas", one page, 7.25" x 10.5". On his personal Southwest Texas S.T.C. stationery, written from Cotulla, Texas, January 3, 1928 [sic, 1929]. To Ernest B. Jackson, San Marcos, Texas. In full: "Dear Mr. Jackson: You told me last summer that you would lend me some material on the H.S. debating subject. Should you be able to send me anything that you have I will be glad to pay any expenses you might incur. Thanking you in advance, I am, Your friend."
Ernest B. Jackson (1896-1965) was the librarian at Southwest Texas State College from 1925-1965. Two photographs of college president James McCrocklin and E.B. Jackson's widow at the dedication of Jackson's portrait at the library are included.
Lyndon B. Johnson graduated from Johnson City High School in 1924 and, at 16, headed out to California with friends where he performed odd jobs. Returning home, in 1927 he enrolled in Southwest Texas State Teachers College at San Marcos, Texas (now, Texas State University-San Marcos). He dropped out of college to teach elementary school in Cotulla, Texas, for the 1928-1929 academic year. In 1965, in his famous "We Shall Overcome" address to a Joint Session of Congress delivered a week after Selma to Montgomery marchers were beaten by state and local law officers as they approached Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge, President Johnson recalled his first-hand experience with prejudice. In part, "My first job after college was as a teacher in Cotulla, Texas, in a small Mexican-American school. Few of them could speak English, and I couldn't speak much Spanish. My students were poor and they often came to class without breakfast, hungry. They knew even in their youth the pain of prejudice. They never seemed to know why people disliked them. But they knew it was so, because I saw it in their eyes. I often walked home late in the afternoon, after the classes were finished, wishing there was more that I could do. But all I knew was to teach them the little that I knew, hoping that it might help them against the hardships that lay ahead. Somehow you never forget what poverty and hatred can do when you see its scars on the hopeful face of a young child. I never thought then, in 1928, that I would be standing here in 1965. It never even occurred to me in my fondest dreams that I might have the chance to help the sons and daughters of those students, and to help people like them all over this country. But now I do have that chance."
Returning to Welhausen Elementary School in Cotulla in 1966, President Johnson recalled that "thirty-eight years ago I came to Cotulla. I was still a student myself. I was working my way through the San Marcos Teachers College...I worked as a teacher for the fifth, sixth, and seventh grades. I worked as principal of five teachers. I worked as a playground supervisor. I coached the boys' baseball team. I was a debate coach." In this letter, Johnson asks the librarian at Southwest Texas State College for the "material on the H.S. debating subject" that he had promised to lend him. In 1930, Johnson graduated from Southwest Texas State Teachers College at San Marcos and taught public speaking at Sam Houston High School in Houston. In the spring of 1931, his debate team won the district championship. As Majority Leader in the U.S. Senate 25 years later, LBJ mastered the art of debate.
This letter is in extra fine condition except for two pin holes in the blank upper left corner. Autograph pioneer Charles Hamilton once said that an ALS of Lyndon B. Johnson is the rarest of all U.S. Presidents. This full page letter handwritten by 20-year-old schoolteacher Lyndon B. Johnson would be a magnificent addition to a presidential collection, envied by all who see it. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Richard Nixon Superb Autograph Letter Signed: Less than five months after his resignation, the former President writes a letter to Jack Benny's widow on the day the beloved entertainer died.
Signed: "Richard Nixon", one page, 7.25" x 10.5". La Casa Pacifica, San Clemente, California, December 27, 1974. To Mary Benny. In full: "Dear Mary, I just learned on the news tonight that Jack had died with cancer. My great regret is that I did not even know he was ill - I would have never otherwise missed the chance to say a few words to him before the end. You can take comfort in the fact that he was a great star who made millions happy - and that he loved you very much - Sincerely."
Jack Benny (1894-1974) was one of the great comedians and most beloved entertainers of the 20th century who excelled on radio, television, stage, and screen. Renowned for his flawless timing, Jack Benny had the ability to get laughs with a stare or, simply, a pregnant pause. He began playing the violin when he was six and became a good violinist. In fact, in vaudeville, he played the violin in the orchestra pit (1909-1914). Nevertheless, his so-called inept violin playing became one of his trademarks as did his age (he was always 39) and his frugality (he wasn't really cheap). In 1927, Jack married Mary Livingston (1905-1983) who starred with her husband on radio and television.
On November 21, 1959, at a Washington black-tie ball, Vice President Richard Nixon (piano) and Jack Benny (violin) played a duet. On November 4, 1972, President Nixon ended his reelection campaign at a rally at Ontario International Airport, in the California district he had represented in Congress 25 years earlier. Jack Benny was one of the luminaries on the stage at the rally during which Nixon told the crowd, "This is the last time I will come to a rally as a candidate for my whole life. Thank you for making it the best rally of my whole life."
Two years later, Jack Benny was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He chose to spend his final days at home and was visited by his close friends. He died on December 27, 1974. As soon as Richard Nixon heard the news, he wrote this letter to Jack Benny's widow. It is interesting to note that Jack Benny's funeral was attended by scores of notables from the fields of entertainment and politics. Richard Nixon, who had resigned the presidency five months earlier, was not among them. Jack Benny's will arranged for flowers to be delivered to his wife every day for the rest of her life. Mary Livingston died nine years later and was interred in the same crypt beside her husband.
Included with this letter are three photographs of Richard Nixon at the piano and Jack Benny playing the violin at the 1959 Washington gala. ALsS of Richard Nixon are rare and this one, in extra fine condition, would make an exceptional addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Richard Nixon", one page, 7.25" x 10.5". La Casa Pacifica, San Clemente, California, December 27, 1974. To Mary Benny. In full: "Dear Mary, I just learned on the news tonight that Jack had died with cancer. My great regret is that I did not even know he was ill - I would have never otherwise missed the chance to say a few words to him before the end. You can take comfort in the fact that he was a great star who made millions happy - and that he loved you very much - Sincerely."
Jack Benny (1894-1974) was one of the great comedians and most beloved entertainers of the 20th century who excelled on radio, television, stage, and screen. Renowned for his flawless timing, Jack Benny had the ability to get laughs with a stare or, simply, a pregnant pause. He began playing the violin when he was six and became a good violinist. In fact, in vaudeville, he played the violin in the orchestra pit (1909-1914). Nevertheless, his so-called inept violin playing became one of his trademarks as did his age (he was always 39) and his frugality (he wasn't really cheap). In 1927, Jack married Mary Livingston (1905-1983) who starred with her husband on radio and television.
On November 21, 1959, at a Washington black-tie ball, Vice President Richard Nixon (piano) and Jack Benny (violin) played a duet. On November 4, 1972, President Nixon ended his reelection campaign at a rally at Ontario International Airport, in the California district he had represented in Congress 25 years earlier. Jack Benny was one of the luminaries on the stage at the rally during which Nixon told the crowd, "This is the last time I will come to a rally as a candidate for my whole life. Thank you for making it the best rally of my whole life."
Two years later, Jack Benny was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He chose to spend his final days at home and was visited by his close friends. He died on December 27, 1974. As soon as Richard Nixon heard the news, he wrote this letter to Jack Benny's widow. It is interesting to note that Jack Benny's funeral was attended by scores of notables from the fields of entertainment and politics. Richard Nixon, who had resigned the presidency five months earlier, was not among them. Jack Benny's will arranged for flowers to be delivered to his wife every day for the rest of her life. Mary Livingston died nine years later and was interred in the same crypt beside her husband.
Included with this letter are three photographs of Richard Nixon at the piano and Jack Benny playing the violin at the 1959 Washington gala. ALsS of Richard Nixon are rare and this one, in extra fine condition, would make an exceptional addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Gerald R. Ford Superb Autograph Letter Signed: "I believe we did a good job particularly when you measure it against the Carter Administration who have given us terrible inflation, high interest rates & a probable recession."
Signed: "Jerry Ford", one page, 6.25" x 8.5". Rancho Mirage, California, April 16th [1979]. To Fred Edgerton. In full: "Dear Fred: Your letter of Dec 5th reached my desk several weeks ago & I thank you for your continuing support. I believe we did a good job particularly when you measure it against the Carter Administration who have given us terrible inflation, high interest rates & a probable recession. I am not a candidate however, and do not plan to be one. I have not said 'never' as circumstances might require a review in the months ahead. It was wonderful to hear from you & please give my very best to my many friends. Sincerely.."
Frederick Edgerton (1916-1991) was a prominent Republican and County Treasurer of Allegan County, Michigan, just southwest of Grand Rapids, Gerald R. Ford's hometown.
On October 10, 1973, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned and, pursuant to the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, President Nixon nominated his successor, House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn in on December 6, 1973. When it became apparent that the President would be impeached as a result of the Watergate scandal, Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, and Vice President Ford became President. On September 8, 1974, President Ford pardoned Nixon "for all offenses against the United States which he...has committed or may have committed or taken part in" while President. At the time, public opinion was against the pardon, but as the years passed, it became clear to many that Ford did the right thing at the right time. In 2001, former President Ford received the Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library, singling out for praise his pardon decision. Ford later said he believed the pardon was a major factor in his failure to win the 1976 election which was won by Jimmy Carter, 297-240 electoral votes.
In this letter, Ford mentions issues which the Republicans brought up in the 1980 presidential campaign: "terrible inflation, high interest rates & a probable recession." Fred Edgerton had undoubtedly written to his friend about seeking the 1980 nomination for President. Ford mentions Edgerton's letter was dated December 5th. It couldn't have been 1977; Carter hadn't even been President for one year. Edgerton couldn't have written it on December 5, 1979, which would mean that Ford's reply (this letter) was penned on April 16, 1980. It couldn't have been written on April 16, 1980, because, by then, Republicans had already held presidential primaries or caucuses in Iowa, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Connecticut, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Louisiana. Reagan won all except Massachusetts and Connecticut which was won by George H.W. Bush. The other announced Republican candidates had already dropped out of the race; Bush dropped out in May. Ford writes that he is "not a candidate" but "circumstances might require a review in the months ahead." Ford couldn't have written this in 1980 because by April 16th, Ronald Reagan had the 1980 nomination practically sewn up. Therefore, Ford's letter must have been written on April 16, 1979.
The cover story of the July 28, 1980, issue of "Newsweek" reported that on the morning of the second day of the Republican National Convention, July 15, 1980, "the powerful elders of the Republican Party paid calls on nominee-to-be Ronald Reagan...they all mentioned making Gerald Ford the party's Vice Presidential candidate...'These guys all say there may be a chance Ford would accept,' [Reagan] told a group of aides. 'Maybe we're missing a bet if we don't ask him. What have we got to lose?' Thirty-one hours later, a weary Gerald Ford came to Reagan's suite. As the Republican convention blared from a color television in the living room, Ford clamped an arm around Reagan's shoulder and solemnly walked with him into an adjoining room. 'This isn't right for me and it isn't right for you,' Ford said at last. 'I can do more for you as a former President campaigning for the ticket than being on the ticket.'" That evening, Reagan was nominated for President on the first ballot. The next day, July 17, 1980, George H.W. Bush was nominated for Vice President.
Good content ALsS of Ford are scarce. This letter comparing his administration to his successors and not ruling out another bid for the presidency, is in extra fine condition. It is accompanied by the original Rancho Mirage envelope bearing Ford's printed frank, and would be an excellent addition to a political or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Jerry Ford", one page, 6.25" x 8.5". Rancho Mirage, California, April 16th [1979]. To Fred Edgerton. In full: "Dear Fred: Your letter of Dec 5th reached my desk several weeks ago & I thank you for your continuing support. I believe we did a good job particularly when you measure it against the Carter Administration who have given us terrible inflation, high interest rates & a probable recession. I am not a candidate however, and do not plan to be one. I have not said 'never' as circumstances might require a review in the months ahead. It was wonderful to hear from you & please give my very best to my many friends. Sincerely.."
Frederick Edgerton (1916-1991) was a prominent Republican and County Treasurer of Allegan County, Michigan, just southwest of Grand Rapids, Gerald R. Ford's hometown.
On October 10, 1973, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned and, pursuant to the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, President Nixon nominated his successor, House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn in on December 6, 1973. When it became apparent that the President would be impeached as a result of the Watergate scandal, Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, and Vice President Ford became President. On September 8, 1974, President Ford pardoned Nixon "for all offenses against the United States which he...has committed or may have committed or taken part in" while President. At the time, public opinion was against the pardon, but as the years passed, it became clear to many that Ford did the right thing at the right time. In 2001, former President Ford received the Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library, singling out for praise his pardon decision. Ford later said he believed the pardon was a major factor in his failure to win the 1976 election which was won by Jimmy Carter, 297-240 electoral votes.
In this letter, Ford mentions issues which the Republicans brought up in the 1980 presidential campaign: "terrible inflation, high interest rates & a probable recession." Fred Edgerton had undoubtedly written to his friend about seeking the 1980 nomination for President. Ford mentions Edgerton's letter was dated December 5th. It couldn't have been 1977; Carter hadn't even been President for one year. Edgerton couldn't have written it on December 5, 1979, which would mean that Ford's reply (this letter) was penned on April 16, 1980. It couldn't have been written on April 16, 1980, because, by then, Republicans had already held presidential primaries or caucuses in Iowa, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Connecticut, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Louisiana. Reagan won all except Massachusetts and Connecticut which was won by George H.W. Bush. The other announced Republican candidates had already dropped out of the race; Bush dropped out in May. Ford writes that he is "not a candidate" but "circumstances might require a review in the months ahead." Ford couldn't have written this in 1980 because by April 16th, Ronald Reagan had the 1980 nomination practically sewn up. Therefore, Ford's letter must have been written on April 16, 1979.
The cover story of the July 28, 1980, issue of "Newsweek" reported that on the morning of the second day of the Republican National Convention, July 15, 1980, "the powerful elders of the Republican Party paid calls on nominee-to-be Ronald Reagan...they all mentioned making Gerald Ford the party's Vice Presidential candidate...'These guys all say there may be a chance Ford would accept,' [Reagan] told a group of aides. 'Maybe we're missing a bet if we don't ask him. What have we got to lose?' Thirty-one hours later, a weary Gerald Ford came to Reagan's suite. As the Republican convention blared from a color television in the living room, Ford clamped an arm around Reagan's shoulder and solemnly walked with him into an adjoining room. 'This isn't right for me and it isn't right for you,' Ford said at last. 'I can do more for you as a former President campaigning for the ticket than being on the ticket.'" That evening, Reagan was nominated for President on the first ballot. The next day, July 17, 1980, George H.W. Bush was nominated for Vice President.
Good content ALsS of Ford are scarce. This letter comparing his administration to his successors and not ruling out another bid for the presidency, is in extra fine condition. It is accompanied by the original Rancho Mirage envelope bearing Ford's printed frank, and would be an excellent addition to a political or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Jimmy Carter Outstanding Autograph Letter Signed: Governor Carter commends Democratic Congresswoman Green on her efforts to improve education; five years later she co-chaired Citizens for Ford.
Signed: "Jimmy Carter", one page, 5.5" x 8.5". Office of the Governor, Atlanta, May 14, 1971. To Congresswoman Edith S. Green. In full: "Dear Mrs. Green, Your speech was great - intelligent, factual, informative and inspirational. It is reassuring to know that you are instrumental in leading our Congress in devising methods for improving the educational systems of our country. You make me proud to be a fellow public servant and a Democrat. Gratefully yours.."
Edith S. Green (1910-1987) represented Oregon as a Democrat in the House of Representatives from 1955-1974. During her 18 years on the Committee on Education and Labor, she played major roles in much of the educational legislation that took place in the House. Green played a central role in the enactment of the National Defense Education Act (1958) and authored the Higher Education Facilities Act (1963) and the Equal Pay Act (1963). She had seconded the presidential nominations of Stevenson in 1956 and Kennedy in 1960.
At the time of this letter, Representative Green chaired the House Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education. In 1970, she had drafted legislation prohibiting sex discrimination in education. In 1971, the hearings that Green held were the first ever devoted to this topic and are considered the first legislative step toward the enactment of Title IX. Most probably, the speech Carter is referring to concerned this legislation. On June 23, 1972, President Nixon signed the Education Amendments into law. Title IX, one of the ten sections of the law and sponsored in the House by Green, prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving any type of federal financial aid. This has greatly affected college sports teams. Many colleges across the country have dropped men's sports such as wrestling, tennis, and track to make room for women's sports such as basketball, softball, and gymnastics.
Jimmy Carter had become Governor of Georgia on January 12, 1971, just four months before writing this letter. On December 12, 1974, a month before his term ended, Carter announced he would seek the 1976 Democratic nomination for President. During the 1976 campaign, Edith Green, who did not seek reelection in 1974, was co-chairman of Citizens for Ford. Two photographs of Green are included.
The removal of a mounting remnant on verso has resulted in a slight loss of paper under "Atlanta" in the letterhead. Carter rarely begins his letters with "Dear" as in this one; he usually would write: "To Mrs. Green." ALsS of Jimmy Carter with good content are rare and this one, in very fine condition, would make an outstanding addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Jimmy Carter", one page, 5.5" x 8.5". Office of the Governor, Atlanta, May 14, 1971. To Congresswoman Edith S. Green. In full: "Dear Mrs. Green, Your speech was great - intelligent, factual, informative and inspirational. It is reassuring to know that you are instrumental in leading our Congress in devising methods for improving the educational systems of our country. You make me proud to be a fellow public servant and a Democrat. Gratefully yours.."
Edith S. Green (1910-1987) represented Oregon as a Democrat in the House of Representatives from 1955-1974. During her 18 years on the Committee on Education and Labor, she played major roles in much of the educational legislation that took place in the House. Green played a central role in the enactment of the National Defense Education Act (1958) and authored the Higher Education Facilities Act (1963) and the Equal Pay Act (1963). She had seconded the presidential nominations of Stevenson in 1956 and Kennedy in 1960.
At the time of this letter, Representative Green chaired the House Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education. In 1970, she had drafted legislation prohibiting sex discrimination in education. In 1971, the hearings that Green held were the first ever devoted to this topic and are considered the first legislative step toward the enactment of Title IX. Most probably, the speech Carter is referring to concerned this legislation. On June 23, 1972, President Nixon signed the Education Amendments into law. Title IX, one of the ten sections of the law and sponsored in the House by Green, prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving any type of federal financial aid. This has greatly affected college sports teams. Many colleges across the country have dropped men's sports such as wrestling, tennis, and track to make room for women's sports such as basketball, softball, and gymnastics.
Jimmy Carter had become Governor of Georgia on January 12, 1971, just four months before writing this letter. On December 12, 1974, a month before his term ended, Carter announced he would seek the 1976 Democratic nomination for President. During the 1976 campaign, Edith Green, who did not seek reelection in 1974, was co-chairman of Citizens for Ford. Two photographs of Green are included.
The removal of a mounting remnant on verso has resulted in a slight loss of paper under "Atlanta" in the letterhead. Carter rarely begins his letters with "Dear" as in this one; he usually would write: "To Mrs. Green." ALsS of Jimmy Carter with good content are rare and this one, in very fine condition, would make an outstanding addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Ronald Reagan Superb Political Autograph Letter Signed: "I've known for some time the day would come when the so-called liberals would 'smite me hip & thigh.'...Our days are truly numbered if we can be pressured into silence by those who want a free hand & voice for themselves."
Signed: "Ronald Reagan", one page, 7.25" x 10.5". [Pacific Palisades, California], July 14, [1961]. To Donald C. Bates, So. Windsor, Conn.. In full: "Dear Mr. Bates, I want you to know how grateful I am for your letter to Mr. Vanvoorhis and your kind note to me. I suppose I've known for some time the day would come when the so-called liberals would 'smite me hip & thigh.' Now it looks as if the assault is to be general - a Kentucky labor paper has me under editorial fire on it's [sic] front page. You are so right though when you point out that here is the greatest evidence of the danger threatening us. Our days are truly numbered if we can be pressured into silence by those who want a free hand & voice for themselves. Again my heart felt thanks. Sincerely."
Donald C. Bates of South Windsor, Connecticut, was a conservative Republican. A letter he wrote to the editor was published in the November 2, 1962, issue of "Time" magazine. It began "At last, with the Cuban blockade, we are standing up to Communism. And I shall let nothing spoil my satisfaction and relief."
Ronald Reagan's political beliefs growing up in Illinois were first influenced by his Democratic father and then by his early hero, President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the 1940s, Reagan's ideology began to change. He became more and more conservative. In 1947, he appeared before the House Committee on Un-American Activities and named groups that he believed were "following the tactics we associate with the Communist Party." Reagan was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in 1947, serving until 1952 and again from 1959-1960, when he led a long and successful strike against studios to win pay for actors when their movies were put on television.
From 1954-1962, Reagan hosted the television series "The General Electric Theater" on CBS. As spokesman for G.E., he traveled extensively around the country. Soon his Hollywood anecdotes were interspersed with the problems of big government and rising taxes.
In 1960, Reagan campaigned as a Democrat for Nixon against Kennedy. He was still a Democrat, a conservative Democrat, when he wrote this letter in 1961 to a supporter in Connecticut. Reagan writes that he knew "the day would come when the so-called liberals would 'smite me hip & thigh.'" This is a biblical reference to Judges 15:8 where Samson faced the Philistines "and he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter." In 1962, Ronald Reagan registered as a Republican and quickly emerged as a recognized conservative spokesman. Two years later he campaigned for Goldwater and in 1966, he was elected Governor of California.
Included with this letter is the original postmarked envelope, with printed return address on the flap, addressed by Reagan to "Mr. Donald C. Bates/So. Windsor Conn." and marked "Air mail."
This outstanding political letter, in extra fine condition, would be an important addition to a Reagan or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Ronald Reagan", one page, 7.25" x 10.5". [Pacific Palisades, California], July 14, [1961]. To Donald C. Bates, So. Windsor, Conn.. In full: "Dear Mr. Bates, I want you to know how grateful I am for your letter to Mr. Vanvoorhis and your kind note to me. I suppose I've known for some time the day would come when the so-called liberals would 'smite me hip & thigh.' Now it looks as if the assault is to be general - a Kentucky labor paper has me under editorial fire on it's [sic] front page. You are so right though when you point out that here is the greatest evidence of the danger threatening us. Our days are truly numbered if we can be pressured into silence by those who want a free hand & voice for themselves. Again my heart felt thanks. Sincerely."
Donald C. Bates of South Windsor, Connecticut, was a conservative Republican. A letter he wrote to the editor was published in the November 2, 1962, issue of "Time" magazine. It began "At last, with the Cuban blockade, we are standing up to Communism. And I shall let nothing spoil my satisfaction and relief."
Ronald Reagan's political beliefs growing up in Illinois were first influenced by his Democratic father and then by his early hero, President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the 1940s, Reagan's ideology began to change. He became more and more conservative. In 1947, he appeared before the House Committee on Un-American Activities and named groups that he believed were "following the tactics we associate with the Communist Party." Reagan was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in 1947, serving until 1952 and again from 1959-1960, when he led a long and successful strike against studios to win pay for actors when their movies were put on television.
From 1954-1962, Reagan hosted the television series "The General Electric Theater" on CBS. As spokesman for G.E., he traveled extensively around the country. Soon his Hollywood anecdotes were interspersed with the problems of big government and rising taxes.
In 1960, Reagan campaigned as a Democrat for Nixon against Kennedy. He was still a Democrat, a conservative Democrat, when he wrote this letter in 1961 to a supporter in Connecticut. Reagan writes that he knew "the day would come when the so-called liberals would 'smite me hip & thigh.'" This is a biblical reference to Judges 15:8 where Samson faced the Philistines "and he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter." In 1962, Ronald Reagan registered as a Republican and quickly emerged as a recognized conservative spokesman. Two years later he campaigned for Goldwater and in 1966, he was elected Governor of California.
Included with this letter is the original postmarked envelope, with printed return address on the flap, addressed by Reagan to "Mr. Donald C. Bates/So. Windsor Conn." and marked "Air mail."
This outstanding political letter, in extra fine condition, would be an important addition to a Reagan or presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
George H.W. Bush Religious Autograph Letter Signed: "There are so many 'favorite' quotations; but at the top of my list would be the 1st verse of the 23rd Psalm...That quotation says it all."
Signed: "George Bush" as Vice President, one page, 8" x 10.5". The Vice President, Washington, [1984-1989]. To Rev. Russell. In full: "Dear Rev. Russell, Pardon my delay in responding to your good letter of January 27th. I am happy to reply. There are so many 'favorite' quotations; but at the top of my list would be the 1st verse of the 23rd Psalm. 'The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.' That quotation says it all. My respectful best wishes.." Stationery is watermarked "1984."
In this letter, Vice President Bush tells the Reverend Russell that his most favorite quotation is the first verse of the 23rd Psalm. In his 1987 autobiography, "Looking Forward," Bush wrote that, as he grew up, "religious training was part of our home life. Each morning, as we gathered at the breakfast table, mother or dad read a Bible lesson to us." When Bush was a teenager, he memorized the Navy Hymn ("Eternal Father, Strong to Save"). In 1953, when George W. was seven, and eight months after Jeb was born, his daughter Robin died of leukemia, two months before her fourth birthday. She had been diagnosed with leukemia six months earlier. Bush later wrote, "Prayer had always been an important part of our lives, but never more so than during those six months. Barbara and I sustained each other, but in the end, it was our faith that truly sustained us." On March 3, 1992, President Bush told the National Association of Evangelicals in Chicago that "prayer always has been important in our lives. And without it, I really am convinced, more and more convinced, that no man or no woman who has the privilege of serving in the Presidency could carry out their duties without prayer."
Included with this letter are two photographs of President and Mrs. Bush in church at Camp David on January 13, 1991, three days before the beginning of the Persian Gulf War. This letter, in extra fine condition, has never been folded. It would be a superb addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "George Bush" as Vice President, one page, 8" x 10.5". The Vice President, Washington, [1984-1989]. To Rev. Russell. In full: "Dear Rev. Russell, Pardon my delay in responding to your good letter of January 27th. I am happy to reply. There are so many 'favorite' quotations; but at the top of my list would be the 1st verse of the 23rd Psalm. 'The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.' That quotation says it all. My respectful best wishes.." Stationery is watermarked "1984."
In this letter, Vice President Bush tells the Reverend Russell that his most favorite quotation is the first verse of the 23rd Psalm. In his 1987 autobiography, "Looking Forward," Bush wrote that, as he grew up, "religious training was part of our home life. Each morning, as we gathered at the breakfast table, mother or dad read a Bible lesson to us." When Bush was a teenager, he memorized the Navy Hymn ("Eternal Father, Strong to Save"). In 1953, when George W. was seven, and eight months after Jeb was born, his daughter Robin died of leukemia, two months before her fourth birthday. She had been diagnosed with leukemia six months earlier. Bush later wrote, "Prayer had always been an important part of our lives, but never more so than during those six months. Barbara and I sustained each other, but in the end, it was our faith that truly sustained us." On March 3, 1992, President Bush told the National Association of Evangelicals in Chicago that "prayer always has been important in our lives. And without it, I really am convinced, more and more convinced, that no man or no woman who has the privilege of serving in the Presidency could carry out their duties without prayer."
Included with this letter are two photographs of President and Mrs. Bush in church at Camp David on January 13, 1991, three days before the beginning of the Persian Gulf War. This letter, in extra fine condition, has never been folded. It would be a superb addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Bill Clinton Excellent Autograph Letter Signed: The President thanks the hospital staff for the excellent care Hillary's father received during his final illness.
Signed: "Bill Clinton" as President, one page, 6.75" x 9". The White House, Washington, April 26, [1993]. To Carolyn Lindsey. In full: "Dear Carolyn, I want to thank you and all the folks at St. Vincent's for your many kindnesses to Hillary's family during her father's illness as well as for the excellent care he received. All of us are very grateful. Sincerely.."
Carolyn Lindsey was the Director of Communications at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Hugh Rodham (1911-1993) and Dorothy Howell (1911- ) were married in 1942. They had three children: Hillary, Hugh, Jr., and Tony. Hugh Rodham died on April 7, 1993. He had suffered a stroke and had been hospitalized at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock since March 19th.
On April 9, 1993, President Clinton delivered the eulogy of Hugh Rodham at a memorial service at the First United Methodist Church in Little Rock. He described his father-in-law as a staunch "tough and gruff" conservative who "thought Democrats were one step short of Communism, but that I might be OK...I suppose it is enough to say that we got along." The President seemed to enjoy the fact that the members of the Rodham family frequently disagreed, observing, "Lord, they loved to argue...It was a wonderful preparation for politics." He was grateful that Rodham lived to see his daughter living in the White House, saying he was "passionately involved with his family...We thank God for his good last year for being able to see his daughter recognized by America." Present is a ten-page article on Hillary's psychological make-up focusing largely on her relationship with her father.
There is light toning at the perimeter of the letter from prior framing. Presidential ALsS of Clinton are rare and extremely desirable. This letter is in very fine condition and would be a magnificent addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "Bill Clinton" as President, one page, 6.75" x 9". The White House, Washington, April 26, [1993]. To Carolyn Lindsey. In full: "Dear Carolyn, I want to thank you and all the folks at St. Vincent's for your many kindnesses to Hillary's family during her father's illness as well as for the excellent care he received. All of us are very grateful. Sincerely.."
Carolyn Lindsey was the Director of Communications at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Hugh Rodham (1911-1993) and Dorothy Howell (1911- ) were married in 1942. They had three children: Hillary, Hugh, Jr., and Tony. Hugh Rodham died on April 7, 1993. He had suffered a stroke and had been hospitalized at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock since March 19th.
On April 9, 1993, President Clinton delivered the eulogy of Hugh Rodham at a memorial service at the First United Methodist Church in Little Rock. He described his father-in-law as a staunch "tough and gruff" conservative who "thought Democrats were one step short of Communism, but that I might be OK...I suppose it is enough to say that we got along." The President seemed to enjoy the fact that the members of the Rodham family frequently disagreed, observing, "Lord, they loved to argue...It was a wonderful preparation for politics." He was grateful that Rodham lived to see his daughter living in the White House, saying he was "passionately involved with his family...We thank God for his good last year for being able to see his daughter recognized by America." Present is a ten-page article on Hillary's psychological make-up focusing largely on her relationship with her father.
There is light toning at the perimeter of the letter from prior framing. Presidential ALsS of Clinton are rare and extremely desirable. This letter is in very fine condition and would be a magnificent addition to a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
George W. Bush Patriotic Autograph Letter Signed: On the Fourth of July, the President tells a friend in Texas, "I am proud to serve as the President of such a blessed land."
Signed: "George W. Bush" as President, one page, 6.75" x 8.75". The White House, Washington, July 4, 2001. To Ronald E. Wade, Longview, Texas. In full: "Dear Ron, Thanks for the letter. It was great to hear from my friends. Today is our nation's Birthday. I am proud to serve as the President of such a blessed land. All my best." The President adds, "P.S. No more green stationery." The postscript refers to the light green White House stationery used by Bush's predecessors.
Ronald E. Wade (1950- ) was George W. Bush's driver during George H.W. Bush's unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign in 1970. He was a Bush floor leader at the 1988 GOP Convention and regional director for Bush's races in 1980, 1988 and 1992. In 1988, Wade was a delegate to the Republican National Convention and was appointed by the President-Elect to his Presidential Inaugural Committee. Wade is currently a dealer in political campaign memorabilia. A photograph of Wade with President George W. Bush in included along with the original large brown White House envelope mailed to Wade.
George W. Bush was in his sixth month as President when he wrote this letter expressing his pride in serving "as the President of such a blessed land". The land and the world would change forever by the events of September 11th, just ten weeks later.
Presidential ALsS of George W. Bush are exceedingly rare. Penned by the President of the United States in the White House on the 225th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this magnificent letter, in extra fine condition, has never been folded. It would be the cornerstone of a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
Signed: "George W. Bush" as President, one page, 6.75" x 8.75". The White House, Washington, July 4, 2001. To Ronald E. Wade, Longview, Texas. In full: "Dear Ron, Thanks for the letter. It was great to hear from my friends. Today is our nation's Birthday. I am proud to serve as the President of such a blessed land. All my best." The President adds, "P.S. No more green stationery." The postscript refers to the light green White House stationery used by Bush's predecessors.
Ronald E. Wade (1950- ) was George W. Bush's driver during George H.W. Bush's unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign in 1970. He was a Bush floor leader at the 1988 GOP Convention and regional director for Bush's races in 1980, 1988 and 1992. In 1988, Wade was a delegate to the Republican National Convention and was appointed by the President-Elect to his Presidential Inaugural Committee. Wade is currently a dealer in political campaign memorabilia. A photograph of Wade with President George W. Bush in included along with the original large brown White House envelope mailed to Wade.
George W. Bush was in his sixth month as President when he wrote this letter expressing his pride in serving "as the President of such a blessed land". The land and the world would change forever by the events of September 11th, just ten weeks later.
Presidential ALsS of George W. Bush are exceedingly rare. Penned by the President of the United States in the White House on the 225th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this magnificent letter, in extra fine condition, has never been folded. It would be the cornerstone of a presidential collection. From the Gary Grossman Collection.
George Washington Autograph Letter Signed "Go:Washington," one page, 7.75" x 10.5". Camp at Cambridge, September 14, 1775. Addressed on verso by Washington to "Miss Anna Maria Clifton/Fourth Street/Philadelphia," noted by him in the lower left, "Favourd/by/Captn Willing." General Washington writes, in full, "Madam, I am sorry that the cruel necessity of the time should cause you to receive a Letter thro' my hands, open, - the only appology [sic] I can make for it is, that all Letters which pass the Lines In, or out, of Boston, do, in consequence of general orders to the officers Commanding at those Posts, undergo an Inspection; and that Captn. Ellis's Letter to you had met with this fate before it got to my hands. I have only to add, that with the greatest respect & esteem I have the honr. to be Yr. most Obedt. & Most Hble. Servt. Go:Washington." Captain James Willing, later captured by the British and exchanged, was from Philadelphia and hand-delivered this letter to Miss Clifton.
On April 19, 1775, British and American soldiers exchanged fire in the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord and the American Revolution had begun. Two months later, on June 17, 1775, the Continental Congress appointed George Washington "General and Commander in chief, of the army of the United Colonies." General Washington arrived at his headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on July 3, 1775 and assumed command. In addition to an inexperienced, undisciplined army, he struggled with numerous problems, writing to Congress about the "great Disadvantages for want of Tents" and his "dependence on a number of Persons for supplies" (July 10th), "Want of Vegetables and fresh meat" (July 20th), the "scarcity of ammunition" (August 31st), and his "request that more Money may be forwarded with all Expedition; the Military Chest being nearly exhausted" (September 7th). On September 30th, Congress appointed a delegation of three of its members, Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Harrison, and Thomas Lynch, Sr., to meet with Washington at his Camp at Cambridge "in order to consult with him, touching the most effectual method of continuing, supporting, and regulating a continental army." They arrived at Cambridge on October 15th.
From his arrival until he wrote this letter on September 14, 1775, General Washington had issued 61 General Orders to his troops. He also wrote another letter that same day, to Colonel Benedict Arnold, ordering him to lead an invasion of British-held Quebec, with a list of 14 specific instructions. Both were signed by Washington but not handwritten as was this letter to Miss Clifton. Why then would the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army handwrite a letter of apology to a lady for censoring her letter? Who was Miss Anna Maria Clifton? By her address, we know she lived on Fourth Street in Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin lived with his daughter Sarah ("Sally") and son-in-law Richard Bache off High (now Market) Street, between Third and Fourth Streets. A friend of the Franklin family and other prominent Philadelphians, Miss Clifton was a social acquaintance of Franklin and looked after the Franklin household and furniture when Franklin was in Europe and the Baches were out of town. No doubt when she received the letter from Captain Ellis and saw that it had been opened, she complained to her friend Benjamin Franklin who had been appointed the first "Postmaster General for the United Colonies" on July 26th. Franklin then got word to Washington about the problem and the General handwrote this letter of apology to Miss Clifton beginning with "I am sorry." In a letter Anna Maria Clifton (1740-1811) wrote to the widowed Franklin in Paris on March 4, 1777, she penned, "I wish I was with you in Europe." She never married.
This letter, in very good condition, is not published in Fitzpatrick. It has been tipped at the left edge to a 10.25" x 14" sheet. Four holes in the paper in blank areas, where the two vertical and two horizontal folds meet when the letter was folded by Washington and addressed, just nicking two letters, have been expertly repaired on verso. A tear from one of the holes, also repaired, passes through two letters of Washington's handwriting and the upper loop of the "G" in Washington's bold signature. Remarkably present on the verso of the letter is George Washington's 1" x 1.25" red wax seal depicting his coat of arms, minutely cracked but completely intact. George Washington inherited his arms from a long line of Washingtons stretching back into the Middle Ages in northern England. Records show that by 1346, the seal of Sir William IV de Wessyngton (later, Washington) had the design of two horizontal bars below three five-pointed stars, distinctly visible in this seal. Accompanied by a bust steel engraving of Washington, in uniform with epaulettes, 10.25" x 14", image 4.25" x 4" with facsimile signature. The image is noted to be from a "Private Plate" and was engraved "by H.B. Hall, Morrisania, N.Y. from the Original by Col.Trumbull." This letter of apology by General Washington, in the early months of the American Revolution before independence, would make a spectacular addition to a military or presidential collection.
On April 19, 1775, British and American soldiers exchanged fire in the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord and the American Revolution had begun. Two months later, on June 17, 1775, the Continental Congress appointed George Washington "General and Commander in chief, of the army of the United Colonies." General Washington arrived at his headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on July 3, 1775 and assumed command. In addition to an inexperienced, undisciplined army, he struggled with numerous problems, writing to Congress about the "great Disadvantages for want of Tents" and his "dependence on a number of Persons for supplies" (July 10th), "Want of Vegetables and fresh meat" (July 20th), the "scarcity of ammunition" (August 31st), and his "request that more Money may be forwarded with all Expedition; the Military Chest being nearly exhausted" (September 7th). On September 30th, Congress appointed a delegation of three of its members, Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Harrison, and Thomas Lynch, Sr., to meet with Washington at his Camp at Cambridge "in order to consult with him, touching the most effectual method of continuing, supporting, and regulating a continental army." They arrived at Cambridge on October 15th.
From his arrival until he wrote this letter on September 14, 1775, General Washington had issued 61 General Orders to his troops. He also wrote another letter that same day, to Colonel Benedict Arnold, ordering him to lead an invasion of British-held Quebec, with a list of 14 specific instructions. Both were signed by Washington but not handwritten as was this letter to Miss Clifton. Why then would the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army handwrite a letter of apology to a lady for censoring her letter? Who was Miss Anna Maria Clifton? By her address, we know she lived on Fourth Street in Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin lived with his daughter Sarah ("Sally") and son-in-law Richard Bache off High (now Market) Street, between Third and Fourth Streets. A friend of the Franklin family and other prominent Philadelphians, Miss Clifton was a social acquaintance of Franklin and looked after the Franklin household and furniture when Franklin was in Europe and the Baches were out of town. No doubt when she received the letter from Captain Ellis and saw that it had been opened, she complained to her friend Benjamin Franklin who had been appointed the first "Postmaster General for the United Colonies" on July 26th. Franklin then got word to Washington about the problem and the General handwrote this letter of apology to Miss Clifton beginning with "I am sorry." In a letter Anna Maria Clifton (1740-1811) wrote to the widowed Franklin in Paris on March 4, 1777, she penned, "I wish I was with you in Europe." She never married.
This letter, in very good condition, is not published in Fitzpatrick. It has been tipped at the left edge to a 10.25" x 14" sheet. Four holes in the paper in blank areas, where the two vertical and two horizontal folds meet when the letter was folded by Washington and addressed, just nicking two letters, have been expertly repaired on verso. A tear from one of the holes, also repaired, passes through two letters of Washington's handwriting and the upper loop of the "G" in Washington's bold signature. Remarkably present on the verso of the letter is George Washington's 1" x 1.25" red wax seal depicting his coat of arms, minutely cracked but completely intact. George Washington inherited his arms from a long line of Washingtons stretching back into the Middle Ages in northern England. Records show that by 1346, the seal of Sir William IV de Wessyngton (later, Washington) had the design of two horizontal bars below three five-pointed stars, distinctly visible in this seal. Accompanied by a bust steel engraving of Washington, in uniform with epaulettes, 10.25" x 14", image 4.25" x 4" with facsimile signature. The image is noted to be from a "Private Plate" and was engraved "by H.B. Hall, Morrisania, N.Y. from the Original by Col.Trumbull." This letter of apology by General Washington, in the early months of the American Revolution before independence, would make a spectacular addition to a military or presidential collection.
George Washington Autograph Letter Signed "Go: Washington" as President, one page, 7.75" x 9.5". Philadelphia, August 15, 1795. On verso, Washington has penned, "To/Doctr. Wm. Rowley/Member of the Univy./of Oxford &c &c/15th Augt. 1795." Light show-through in a mostly blank area on front. Washington writes to Dr. Rowley, in full, "I have been honored with four volumes of your 'Rational practice of Physic' which you had the goodness to send me, and for such ["I entreat" crossed out] mark of your polite attention, let me entreat you, Sir, to receive the best thanks of Your most Obedient and obliged Hble servt." The Rational Practice of Physic of William Rowley (1742-1806) was published by the author in London in 1793. The four volumes were described in advertisements as "New editions, with considerable improvements, of the principal works, which the author hath published or written during these last thirty years." From the table of contents: "Female, nervous, hysterical, hypochondriacal, and cancerous diseases. Letters on medical vanity, the abuse of hemlock, &c., &c.--II. Convulsions and spasms; lethargy, apoplexy, & palsy. The different species of gout. The bite of what has been called, a mad dog, &c.--III. One hundred & eighteen diseases of the eyes. The history and use of electricity in various disorders.--IV. The cure of ulcerated legs without rest, &c. The putrid, malignant sore throat. The cause of the deaths of children in scarlet and putrid fever, &c. Medical advice to the army and navy. Diet, containing the foods, &c. used in the whole world." George Washington had begun acquiring medical books and medicines from England in the mid-1760s and would treat the servants on his plantation. He favored the use of bloodletting as a treatment for illness and was known to practice it on himself during the American Revolution when a doctor was not available. On December 13, 1799, while supervising activities at Mount Vernon, Washington developed a sore throat. Perhaps he consulted Volume IV of Rowley's work. He became hoarse that evening and awoke at 2 A.M. with a sore neck, strained voice, and fever. Doctors were summoned and he was bled three times on the morning of December 14th. Washington was given a mixture of vinegar and sage tea to gargle for his sore throat. By evening, after other treatments, including more bleeding, Washington realized the end was near, thanked his doctors, and asked that no further medical care be given. The 67-year-old father of his country died after 10 P.M. that night while he was taking his pulse. Washington letters with medical content, even in passing, are rarely encountered and this is a fine example written as President. There is a sliver of tanning across the top from prior framing and the letter has been strengthened on verso at both horizontal folds. Lightly browned and boldly and darkly penned by Washington, the letter is in fine condition. It is not listed in Fitzpatrick. Accompanied by a 10.25" x 14.25" portrait of Washington (image,7.34" x 10.5") with facsimile signature.
George Washington 1782 Letter Signed "G. Washington". One page, on plain paper, 7.25" x 12", Headquarters, Newburgh, July 2, 1782, to Assistant Deputy Quartermaster Nicholas Quackenbush at Albany, relating to the defenses at Fort Plain, New York. Possibly in the hand of Hodijah Baylies, his aide at the time. In full: "Sir, Colonel Reid has informed me of the ill condition of Fort Plain and of the Magazine at that place. As it is of the greatest importance that they should be repaired, I must request you to make every possible caution to supply the necessary materials, I am sir, your very humble Servt, G Washington".
Fort Plain was built in 1776 as a refuge for citizens against British forces of Tories and Indians throughout the Mohawk Valley. It served as the headquarters of General Robert van Rensellaer (who tried unsuccessfully to give his name to the Fort) and later to General Marinus Willett, who would became mayor of New York. A story is told that after British forces attacked Fort Plain on August 2, 1780, a woman was responsible for raising the alarm and the villagers fled to the fort. They were mostly women as the men were away delivering supplies to the army and the fort was essentially undefended. The women of the town donned men's clothing and patrolled, displaying themselves prominently along the walls of the fort. This fooled the attackers into thinking the fort was fully manned and they fled. A fair is held in the town every year commemorating this event. General Washington inspected the Garrison on July 31, 1783 during his tour of the Mohawk Valley near the end of the war. This is one of the few Washington letters mentioning Fort Plain. Fine condition.
Fort Plain was built in 1776 as a refuge for citizens against British forces of Tories and Indians throughout the Mohawk Valley. It served as the headquarters of General Robert van Rensellaer (who tried unsuccessfully to give his name to the Fort) and later to General Marinus Willett, who would became mayor of New York. A story is told that after British forces attacked Fort Plain on August 2, 1780, a woman was responsible for raising the alarm and the villagers fled to the fort. They were mostly women as the men were away delivering supplies to the army and the fort was essentially undefended. The women of the town donned men's clothing and patrolled, displaying themselves prominently along the walls of the fort. This fooled the attackers into thinking the fort was fully manned and they fled. A fair is held in the town every year commemorating this event. General Washington inspected the Garrison on July 31, 1783 during his tour of the Mohawk Valley near the end of the war. This is one of the few Washington letters mentioning Fort Plain. Fine condition.
(George Washington) A wonderful manuscript Document Signed with the mark of midwife Dorcas Parker, "P" one page, 8" x 6.25", no place given, December 23, 1790. Parker, the wife of Washington's neighbor Lawson Parker, helped deliver children for slaves on Mount Vernon -- as well as Washington's surrounding plantations. The document reads in most part: "Recd. 23d Decr 1790 of George Washington eight pounds for the following Women the property of the President of the United States from the 22d Decr. 1789 to this date at which time a final settlement was made as p[e]r rec[eip]t. and statement on the Cornelia Agnus Alice at River plantation- Dollars [word missing] Lucy at the Torry Grace, Charity, Tillie & D. Run- Molly, Peg & Nancy at Muddy hole - Kitty[?] at the Mansion House - in all 16. at 10 S[hillings] each..." At the time of his death in 1799, there were 316 slaves living at Washington's Mount Vernon estate. Dorcas Parker appears several times in Washington's ledgers detailing her services as a midwife. (Washington's vast land holdings required a small army of people to help sustain them and were not limited to slaves.) Washington's papers reveal that he hired several different people to serve as midwives, both white and free black. Often they were the wives of men in his employment. Significant losses from exposure to fire resulting in the loss of a few words of text, entire document backed with archival tissue for stability, else still legible, paper bright and in overall Good condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
John Adams Autograph Letter Signed "John Adams" as Vice President, 1.25 pages, 7.25" x 9", front and verso. New York, May 18, 1790. To Oliver Whipple, Esqr., Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In full, "With much pleasure I received your favour of the 26 of April: it brought fresh to my Memory the many hours we spent together in the Chambers where I first saw the Light of the Sun. I believe there are few Persons who run through a public career, especially one that interests the Passions of the People; without finding Persons to recollect Prophesies that great things will one day be his lot. The political path in which I set out [in] life must lead either to destitution or to great success. As I know these were not wanting persons to predict that I should rise high, and among these were Men of Merit: so on the other, I believe there were many more who prophesied that I should miss myself Family and Country, and reach nothing but Infamy. I am not sorry as you may well imagine that the Prognostications of the latter sort are not fulfilled. The Reputation of your independent and respectable circumstances gives me much pleasure. The Sent of Congress seems to be so much against many missions abroad, that I apprehend you could find no chance from that branch in which so many have already been employed with reputation who are now out of office. I really think you will find no office much better than a Lawyers office. Mine I know while I held it, was the best office I ever enjoyed. As the Executive department by the Constitution is wholly in the President, I make no promises to any one and interfere as little as possible in appointments. I should however have much pleasure in concurring with the Friends you mention, in recommending you, as far as the public service may justify. With much esteem and regard I have the honor to be, for your most obedient servant." Lawyer Oliver Whipple (1743-1813) later served as an officer of the town of Hampton, New Hampshire, about ten miles south of Portsmouth, from 1794-1803 and was a representative in the General Court of New Hampshire from 1796-1800. Tears in the letter have been expertly repaired, the wax seal remnant covers one word ("in"), and there are folds and light stains in this exceptional, revealing letter written by Adams 13 months after his inauguration as Washington's Vice President. Overall, it is in fine condition. Accompanied by a 6" x 8" engraved portrait (image 3.5" x 4.25") of Adams with facsimile signature.
Thomas Jefferson Autograph Letter Signed "Th: Jefferson" as President, one page, 8" x 9.75". Washington, April 25, 1803. Integral leaf addressed by him to his daughter, "Mrs. Maria Eppes/Bermuda Hundred." In full, "My dear Maria, A promise made to a friend some years ago, but executed only lately, has placed my religious creed on paper. I have thought it just that my family, by possessing this, should be enabled to estimate the libels published against me on this, as on every other possible subject. I have written to Philadelphia for Dr Priestley's history of the corruptions of Christianity, which I will send you, & recommend to an attentive perusal, because it establishes the groundwork of my view of this subject. In a letter from mr Eppes dated the [Bermuda] Hundred Apr. 14. he informed me Francis had got well through his measles; but he does not say what your movements are to be - my chief anxiety is that you should be back to Monticello by the end of June. I shall advise Martha to get back from here by the middle of July, because the sickly season really commences here by that time, altho' the members of the government venture to remain till the last week of that month. - mr & mrs P. Carr staid with me 5. or 6. days on their way to Baltimore. I think they propose to return in June. Nelly Carr continues in ill health. I believe they expect about the same time to get back to Dunlora. I wrote to mr Eppes yesterday - be assured of my most affectionate and tender love to yourself, and kiss Francis for me. my cordial salutations to the family of Eppington when you see them. Adieu." Dunlora was land along the Rivianna River granted to Major Thomas Carr in 1730; Carr's grandson was married to Thomas Jefferson's sister, Martha. The "Martha" mentioned in this letter was Jefferson's eldest child. Martha and Maria where the only two of his six children who survived to adulthood. Francis Wayles Eppes (1801-1881), son of Maria and John Wayles Eppes ("mr. Eppes"), was born at Monticello on September 20, 1801, so Thomas Jefferson's grandson was 19 months old when this letter was written. John Wayles Eppes had just entered Congress on March 4, 1803. On April 17, 1804, Maria died during childbirth; she was 25. The baby, named Maria, died in 1807.
The "promise made to a friend" was to Dr. Benjamin Rush, a fellow signer of the Declaration of Independence. On April 21, 1803, four days before writing this letter to Maria, Jefferson wrote to Rush. In part, "In some of the delightful conversations with you, in the evenings of 1798-99, and which served as an anodyne to the afflictions of the crisis through which our country was then laboring, the Christian religion was sometimes our topic; and I then promised you, that one day or other, I would give you my views of it. They are the result of a life of inquiry & reflection, and very different from that anti-Christian system imputed to me by those who know nothing of my opinions. To the corruptions of Christianity I am indeed opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself. I am a Christian, in the only sense he wished any one to be; sincerely attached to his doctrines, in preference to all others; ascribing to himself every human excellence; & believing he never claimed any other...In the moment of my late departure from Monticello, I received from Doctr Priestley, his little treatise of 'Socrates & Jesus compared.' This being a section of the general view I had taken of the field, it became a subject of reflection while on the road, and unoccupied otherwise. The result was, to arrange in my mind a syllabus, or outline of such an estimate of the comparative merits of Christianity, as I wished to see executed by some one of more leisure and information for the task, than myself. This I now send you, as the only discharge of my promise I can probably ever execute..." He enclosed his "Syllabus of an Estimate of the Merit of the Doctrines of Jesus, Compared With Those of Others," beginning, "In a comparative view of the Ethics of the enlightened nations of antiquity, of the Jews and of Jesus, no notice should be taken of the corruptions of reason among the ancients, to wit, the idolatry & superstition of the vulgar, nor of the corruptions of Christianity by the learned among its professors." Jefferson divided his "Syllabus" into three parts: "Philosophers," "Jews," and "Jesus."
In a June 17, 1804, letter to Henry Fry of Madison County, Virginia, after sending him a copy of History of the Corruptions of Christianity by Joseph Priestley (London: 1793), Jefferson says, in part, "The work of D Priestly which I sent you has always been a favorite of mine. I consider the doctrines of Jesus as delivered by himself to contain the outlines of the sublimest system of morality that has ever been taught but I hold in the most profound detestation and execration the corruptions of it which have been invented by priestcraft and established by kingcraft constituting a conspiracy of church and state against the civil and religious liberties of mankind..." The letter has horizontal and vertical folds and a small circular browning from the imprint of the wax used to seal this letter. The right part of one horizontal fold, between lines, is lightly browned. Two vertical folds at the left are heavy folds but do not materially affect the letter's appearance. There is a tear in the integral address leaf where Maria opened this letter from her father. In fine condition, this is a truly magnificent letter about religion by the man who 27 years earlier had alluded to his religious beliefs when he wrote that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
The "promise made to a friend" was to Dr. Benjamin Rush, a fellow signer of the Declaration of Independence. On April 21, 1803, four days before writing this letter to Maria, Jefferson wrote to Rush. In part, "In some of the delightful conversations with you, in the evenings of 1798-99, and which served as an anodyne to the afflictions of the crisis through which our country was then laboring, the Christian religion was sometimes our topic; and I then promised you, that one day or other, I would give you my views of it. They are the result of a life of inquiry & reflection, and very different from that anti-Christian system imputed to me by those who know nothing of my opinions. To the corruptions of Christianity I am indeed opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself. I am a Christian, in the only sense he wished any one to be; sincerely attached to his doctrines, in preference to all others; ascribing to himself every human excellence; & believing he never claimed any other...In the moment of my late departure from Monticello, I received from Doctr Priestley, his little treatise of 'Socrates & Jesus compared.' This being a section of the general view I had taken of the field, it became a subject of reflection while on the road, and unoccupied otherwise. The result was, to arrange in my mind a syllabus, or outline of such an estimate of the comparative merits of Christianity, as I wished to see executed by some one of more leisure and information for the task, than myself. This I now send you, as the only discharge of my promise I can probably ever execute..." He enclosed his "Syllabus of an Estimate of the Merit of the Doctrines of Jesus, Compared With Those of Others," beginning, "In a comparative view of the Ethics of the enlightened nations of antiquity, of the Jews and of Jesus, no notice should be taken of the corruptions of reason among the ancients, to wit, the idolatry & superstition of the vulgar, nor of the corruptions of Christianity by the learned among its professors." Jefferson divided his "Syllabus" into three parts: "Philosophers," "Jews," and "Jesus."
In a June 17, 1804, letter to Henry Fry of Madison County, Virginia, after sending him a copy of History of the Corruptions of Christianity by Joseph Priestley (London: 1793), Jefferson says, in part, "The work of D Priestly which I sent you has always been a favorite of mine. I consider the doctrines of Jesus as delivered by himself to contain the outlines of the sublimest system of morality that has ever been taught but I hold in the most profound detestation and execration the corruptions of it which have been invented by priestcraft and established by kingcraft constituting a conspiracy of church and state against the civil and religious liberties of mankind..." The letter has horizontal and vertical folds and a small circular browning from the imprint of the wax used to seal this letter. The right part of one horizontal fold, between lines, is lightly browned. Two vertical folds at the left are heavy folds but do not materially affect the letter's appearance. There is a tear in the integral address leaf where Maria opened this letter from her father. In fine condition, this is a truly magnificent letter about religion by the man who 27 years earlier had alluded to his religious beliefs when he wrote that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
Thomas Jefferson Printed Act of Congress Signed "Th:Jefferson"as Secretary of State, and IN TYPE "Jonathan Trumbull" as Speaker of the House of Representatives, "John Adams" as Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate, and "Go: Washington" as President of the United States, three pages, 9.5" x 15", front and verso. [New York City], December 23, 1791. Boldly headed "SECOND CONGRESS," it is titled "An ACT making APPROPRIATIONS for the SUPPORT of GOVERNMENT for the Year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two." In the document, all numbers are in words; to save space, they are here listed numerically. The total amount allotted is $329,653.56. Some interesting appropriations: "For the compensations granted by law to the President of the United States, the Vice-President, Chief Justice, Associate Justices, and Attorney General, $53,000...For the like compensations to the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and the officers and attendants of the two Houses, estimated on a session of six months continuance, and including the traveling expenses of the members, $129,730...For the payment of the annual grant to Baron Steuben, pursuant to an act of Congress, $2500...For discharging a balance due on a liquidated claim of his most Christian Majesty against the United States, for supplies during the late war, $9,020.68...For payment of the principal and interest on a liquidated claim of Oliver Pollock, late commercial agent of the United States, at New-Orleans, for supplies of clothing, arms and military stores, during the late war, $108,605.02: Provided, That the said monies be not paid to the said Oliver Pollock, without the consent of the agents of the court of Spain...For the pay of the troops, $102,686...for defraying the expenses incurred in the defensive protection of the frontiers against the Indians, during the years 1790, and 1791...$37,339.48..."
The bill was passed by the House on December 8, 1791. On December 19th, the Senate amend the bill by (1) adding $1,000 to the appropriation for "defraying all other incidental and contingent expenses of the civil list establishment" making it $21,555.83, (2) inserting that "the compensation to the door-keepers of the two Houses... shall be discharged out of the money hereinbefore appropriated for the contingent expenses of the two Houses of Congress," and (3) adding the provision requiring "the consent of the agents of the court of Spain" to the clause relating to the payment to Oliver Pollock. The House passed the amended bill on December 20th and it was signed into law by President Washington on December 23, 1791.
The budget passed by Congress the following year was more specific in its appropriations, specifying exact amounts. While the President ($25,000), Vice President ($5,000), Chief Justice ($4,000), Associate Justices (five at $3,500 each) and cabinet members ($1,900 Attorney General; $3,500 State and Treasury; $3,000 War) received an annual salary, it is interesting to note that members of Congress received a daily salary ($6.00; $12.00 for the Speaker) and were only paid for the days Congress was in session, which was 119 days in the Second Session of the Second Congress ending March 3, 1793.
During the American Revolution, Prussian Baron Frederick William de Steuben instilled in the Continental Army soldiers the essentials of military drill and discipline. He had volunteered his services, only asking that his living expenses be paid. Pursuant to a request from Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, on May 10, 1790, the House considered the bill "for finally adjusting and satisfying the claims of Frederick William de Steuben," which said, in part, "That, in order to make full and adequate compensation to Frederick William de Steuben, as well for the sacrifices and eminent services, made and rendered to the United States during the late war...there be paid to the said Frederick William de Steuben, the sum of $7000...and also an annuity of ___ dollars during life..." In the House, annuities of $2700, $2500, and $2420, were each defeated 25-30; $2000 was agreed to by a vote of 31-24 and the bill was passed, 34-21. On May 27th, the Senate disallowed the $7,000 payment and added $500 to Steuben's annuity which, on May 28th was agreed to by the House, 32-25. On June 4, 1790, President Washington signed the bill into law. This act allotted $2,500 annually to Baron Steuben; he died in 1794.
It is ironic that the direct cause of the French Revolution was its financial crisis partially due to France's aid to the United States in the American Revolution. This increased its already large debt. After the Assembly of Notables (the privileged classes) refused to help by sharing in the financial burden, King Louis XVI was forced to give in to the demands of the Parliament of Paris and convene the Estates-General, an action that led directly to the outbreak of the Revolution. The $9,020.68 appropriated by this act was too little, too late. His Most Christian Majesty King Louis XVI of France reigned until August 10, 1792, just eight months after this act was signed. He was guillotined on January 21, 1793.
In 1777, Irish-born Oliver Pollock was appointed commercial agent of the United States at New Orleans, governed by Spain. In 1778, Pollock borrowed $70,000 from Spain's royal treasury and used the funds to aid General George Rogers Clarke in his Illinois campaign and help pay for the defense of the frontier. Appointed U.S. agent at Havana in 1783, Pollock was imprisoned by Spain the following year for the debt owed by the United States, amounting to $150,000. He was released on parole in 1785 and returned to the United States. While Congress provided for payment of the debt to Spain by this act, Pollock was never paid for his services.
Each page has three minor horizontal folds; one almost indiscernible fold passes through Jefferson's dark, bold signature. The document has a fresh appearance and is in very fine condition. Linking the names of our first three presidents, Washington, Adams, and Jefferson, with the American Revolution (Steuben, Louis XVI, Oliver Pollock), it would make an exceptional addition to any presidential, financial, or American Revolution collection.
The bill was passed by the House on December 8, 1791. On December 19th, the Senate amend the bill by (1) adding $1,000 to the appropriation for "defraying all other incidental and contingent expenses of the civil list establishment" making it $21,555.83, (2) inserting that "the compensation to the door-keepers of the two Houses... shall be discharged out of the money hereinbefore appropriated for the contingent expenses of the two Houses of Congress," and (3) adding the provision requiring "the consent of the agents of the court of Spain" to the clause relating to the payment to Oliver Pollock. The House passed the amended bill on December 20th and it was signed into law by President Washington on December 23, 1791.
The budget passed by Congress the following year was more specific in its appropriations, specifying exact amounts. While the President ($25,000), Vice President ($5,000), Chief Justice ($4,000), Associate Justices (five at $3,500 each) and cabinet members ($1,900 Attorney General; $3,500 State and Treasury; $3,000 War) received an annual salary, it is interesting to note that members of Congress received a daily salary ($6.00; $12.00 for the Speaker) and were only paid for the days Congress was in session, which was 119 days in the Second Session of the Second Congress ending March 3, 1793.
During the American Revolution, Prussian Baron Frederick William de Steuben instilled in the Continental Army soldiers the essentials of military drill and discipline. He had volunteered his services, only asking that his living expenses be paid. Pursuant to a request from Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, on May 10, 1790, the House considered the bill "for finally adjusting and satisfying the claims of Frederick William de Steuben," which said, in part, "That, in order to make full and adequate compensation to Frederick William de Steuben, as well for the sacrifices and eminent services, made and rendered to the United States during the late war...there be paid to the said Frederick William de Steuben, the sum of $7000...and also an annuity of ___ dollars during life..." In the House, annuities of $2700, $2500, and $2420, were each defeated 25-30; $2000 was agreed to by a vote of 31-24 and the bill was passed, 34-21. On May 27th, the Senate disallowed the $7,000 payment and added $500 to Steuben's annuity which, on May 28th was agreed to by the House, 32-25. On June 4, 1790, President Washington signed the bill into law. This act allotted $2,500 annually to Baron Steuben; he died in 1794.
It is ironic that the direct cause of the French Revolution was its financial crisis partially due to France's aid to the United States in the American Revolution. This increased its already large debt. After the Assembly of Notables (the privileged classes) refused to help by sharing in the financial burden, King Louis XVI was forced to give in to the demands of the Parliament of Paris and convene the Estates-General, an action that led directly to the outbreak of the Revolution. The $9,020.68 appropriated by this act was too little, too late. His Most Christian Majesty King Louis XVI of France reigned until August 10, 1792, just eight months after this act was signed. He was guillotined on January 21, 1793.
In 1777, Irish-born Oliver Pollock was appointed commercial agent of the United States at New Orleans, governed by Spain. In 1778, Pollock borrowed $70,000 from Spain's royal treasury and used the funds to aid General George Rogers Clarke in his Illinois campaign and help pay for the defense of the frontier. Appointed U.S. agent at Havana in 1783, Pollock was imprisoned by Spain the following year for the debt owed by the United States, amounting to $150,000. He was released on parole in 1785 and returned to the United States. While Congress provided for payment of the debt to Spain by this act, Pollock was never paid for his services.
Each page has three minor horizontal folds; one almost indiscernible fold passes through Jefferson's dark, bold signature. The document has a fresh appearance and is in very fine condition. Linking the names of our first three presidents, Washington, Adams, and Jefferson, with the American Revolution (Steuben, Louis XVI, Oliver Pollock), it would make an exceptional addition to any presidential, financial, or American Revolution collection.
Thomas Jefferson Autograph Letter Signed "Th: Jefferson," one page, 7.5" x 9.75". Monticello, April 20, 1821. In full, as written, "I am truly ashamed of being so troublesome to you as the intermediate of my correspondence with mr Coffee, and can only plead in excuse his desire that I should do so. on the 5th of March, not knowing whether he was in New York I took the liberty of putting under the protection of your cover a letter to him asking a supply of 4 casks of Roman cement and at the same time desired my correspondent in Richmond to remit him 40 D. under the same cover. recieving no answer from him, I conclude he is not in N. York, and being informed I can get the same cement in Richmond which is much more convenient to me, should the cement not have been already forwarded from New York I should prefer a return of my remittance & to employ it in Richmond. if you can be so good as to have this effected it will close this business, and add to my obligations to you and I pray you to accept the assurance of my great esteem and respect." William J. Coffee (1774-1846) was an oil painter and sculptor who worked in porcelain, plaster, and terra cotta. He emigrated from England to New York City in 1816. The following year, Coffee traveled to Monticello to sculpture the busts of Jefferson, his daughter, Martha, and granddaughter Ellen. In 1818, he went to Montpelier where was commissioned to model the busts of James Madison, his wife Dolley, and her son, John. In 1818, Jefferson wrote to Coffee that he was looking for a cement that would remain stable in the presence of water, a characteristic necessary for lining the cisterns on his Monticello estate. Coffee suggested Roman cement and said that it cost $9.00 per barrel of five bushels. Beneath his docket on Coffee's November 7, 1818, reply, Jefferson noted that "Roman cement is a native production of the Isle of Thanst. it is an earth impregnated with iron ore, the vitriolic acid & Manganese. and it is said may be found wherever there is an iron ore." Jefferson purchased a supply of Roman cement in 1819 to line the cisterns and more in 1821 as is evidenced by this letter. Monticello ("Little Mountain") was built more than 500 feet above the Rivanna River. It provided spectacular views in every direction, as well as cleaner and cooler air, but it lacked a readily available water supply. Jefferson had a well at Monticello, but it was unreliable, so he devised a rainwater collection system. The terraces at Monticello were gradually sloped from their centers to facilitate the collection of rainwater into gutters running the length of the terraces. The rainwater collected in the four cisterns, placed at the corners of each of the terraces, were emptied into buckets. There were also two cisterns and an indoor privy at the conjunctions of each dependency wing below the terraces. There were three more indoor privies upstairs including one connected to Jefferson's bedchamber. This letter, lightly rippled in blank areas, has been tipped to a 10.25" x 14.25" sheet. Darkly penned by Jefferson, the letter is in very fine condition and is accompanied by a 10.25" x 13.75" engraving of Jefferson (image, 6" x 8") with facsimile signature.
Thomas Jefferson 1780 Letter Signed "Th. Jefferson" as governor of Virginia, mentions "Genl Washington." One page, plain sheet, 6.25" x 8", Richmond, September 14, 1780, to an unknown correspondent concerning forage for the "Convention Troops". In full: "Sir. Mr. Tate informs me you are now in condition to pay up the arrearages of animal food due to the Convention Troops, but that he supposes they would not receive them. If you be really in such condition I should be glad to have the arrearages tendered, and if refused, a proper certificate of the fact, that I may transmit it to Genl Washington and prevent any disagreeable consequences from the representations already forwarded to him. I am with great respect Sir your most obedt. servt." The "Convention Troops" mentioned was an army of British and German troops captured at the Battle of Saratoga by American General Horatio Gates. The Convention of Saratoga specified that the troops would be paroled and sent back to Britain if they would not fight again in North America. The Continental Congress ordered British General John Burgoyne to provide a list of all officers to ensure they would not return. When he refused, Congress revoked the terns of the Convention. The Convention Army was marched 700 miles south to Charlottesville, Virginia where they were held at the Albemarle Barracks prisoner-of-war camp until 1781. Actually, some of the high-ranking officers were paroled and allowed to live in Richmond where they were sought as guests on the local social scene. As this letter illustrates, feeding and housing these men proved an enormous burden on Virginias already stretched resources. Jefferson letters written during the American Revolution are quite scarce relative to the extant correspondence during his presidency making this a particularly desirable piece. Light creases, one weak horizontal fold partly separated, else fine condition.
James Madison Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "James Madison", 1p., 7.75" x 10", Montpellier, August 4, 1828 to a Mr. R. Smith regarding payment on a house and lot he has purchased in Washington. He writes, in part: "The Bank having now received the final payment for the House and Lotts in Washington which I had purchased from it, I have to request that the proper deed of conveyance to me be executed & recorded in the manner comfortable to the Law of the place..." Tipped to a larger sheet along the right margin with light toning and very bold ink, in near fine condition. Accompanied by an oversized engraving of Madison.
James Monroe Autograph Letter Signed "James Monroe," 1.25 pages, 8" x 9.75", front and verso. Oak Hill, January 18, 1829. In full, "I ought long since to have answerd your kind letter and regret that I have not done it, but in truth I have so little desire, to assume any pretention, founded on my publick services, or to yield, to the indulged & generous feelings of those of my fellow citizens, who thinks favorably of them, that I shrink from every appeal of the kind, which reaches me. Having long served my country, with integrity & zeal, I cherish retirement, and derive much consolation from a review of the past, especially as our success, under all the difficulties to which we have been exposed, furnishes good ground on which to calculate on its continuance. I trust that we shall not only continue to be free and happy, but to present an example, which will be useful to other nations. My indisposition, proceeding from the accident with which you are acquainted, forced me to delay this acknowledgment, much longer than I otherwise should have done. From the injury thus received, I have now recovered. If you will be so kind, as to mention the names of the distinguished citizens whose signatures you wish to possess, and I should have examples of them with which I can part, I will certainly send them to you. Should you pass in this direction, it will afford me pleasure to see you. With great respect & esteem, I am dear sir your obt. Servant." James Monroe served his country "with integrity & zeal" as Member of the Continental Congress from Virginia (1783-1786), U.S. Senator (1790-1794), Minister to France (1794-1796, 1803), Governor of Virginia (1799-1802, 1811), Minister to Great Britain (1803-1807), Secretary of State (1811-1817), Secretary of War (1814-1815), and President of the United States (1817-1825). Although he writes he cherishes retirement, he agreed to serve as a delegate and President of the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1829. In a speech at the convention on November 2, 1829, less than ten months after penning this letter, Monroe reiterated his belief that slavery was wrong and proposed that, with the financial assistance of the federal government, Virginia emancipate and deport its slaves. It would be the issue of slavery that would prevent the continuance of the success and happiness hoped for by Monroe in this letter. James Monroe moved to New York City in 1831 and died there on July 4, 1831, five years to the day after the deaths of his fellow countrymen, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The letter has been tipped to a 10.25" x 14.25" sheet. It is lightly stained on both sides from the seal on the integral address leaf which is not present. Darkly penned and signed, the letter is in very fine condition. Accompanied by a 10.5" x 14" portrait of Monroe (image, 8" x 10") with facsimile signature.
John Quincy Adams, rare signed portrait "John Quincy Adams" in the bottom margin of a 3.25 x 4.5 inch bust engraving of Adams just below a printed example of his signature. On the verso the original recipient, David Lambert, writes "Washington, June 6, 1842 The lower signature on the other side was written my Mr. Adams on this day" Below his statement of provenance, he has penned an excerpt from Byron's epic poem, "The Siege off Corinth" alluding to Adams' staunch position opposing slavery: "There stood an old man --- his hairs were white, But his veteran arm was full of might x x x x x Though aged, he was so iron of limb, Few of our youth could cope with him, And the foes, whom he singly kept at bay, Outnumber'd his thin hairs of silver grey." American Book Prices Current references only five examples selling in the past 30 years. Housed in a tasteful frame and mat (8.5 x 10.5 in.) allowing viewing of both sides. Moderate soiling and surface abrasions, minor holes at edges, small tear below image but clear of signature, else very good. A rare portrait with excellent provenance.
John Quincy Adams Autograph Letter Signed as President A.L.S. "J. Q. Adams", 1p., 7.75" x 9.75", Quincy, September 8, 1826 to his Secretary of the Treasury Richard Rush regarding the appointment of a surveyor. In part: "I enclose herewith a letter from John Pitman, judge of the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island to you, and letters to me from N.R. Knight, Duke J. Pearce, Samuel Eddy, Richard U. Greens, and Burrington Anthony, all recommending William Reynolds of Bristol for the appointment of surveyor of that Port, said to be vacated by the decease of Samuel Bosworth..." A near fine example of Adams' holograph, tipped at the left margin to a larger page. Included is an oversized engraving of Adams by John C. Yorston, copyrighted 1896.
Andrew Jackson Autograph Letter Signed as President A.L.S. "Andrew Jackson", 1p., 7.75" x 9.75", Washington, May 3, 1834, a letter of introduction addressed to John P. Van Ness, Mayor of Washington. He writes, in part in his large and spidery script: "This will be presented to you by Mr. Grigsby & Col. Smith of Virginia who have been recommended to me from the most respectable sources as gentlemen oh high standing & worth, and who can give any security for any engagement they may wish to engage in... I beg leave to make them known to you. They wish to make some arrangements with you about money matters..." It is likely that the aforementioned Grigsby is related to Confederate General Andrew Jackson Grigsby (his namesake), suggesting a closer acquaintance than this letter infers; and much in keeping with Jackson's practice of promoting the interests of those in his circle. Tipped at the left border to a larger sheet, this letter is in near fine condition with a large bold signature. Accompanied by an H.W. Smith engraving of Jackson.
Document Signed by Andrew Jackson Listing the Fine Fabrics Used for His Family's Wardrobe A manuscript receipt made out to "Gen A. Jackson", 2 pp., 7.75" x 4.25", dated November 23, 1820 and listing fabrics and the garments they are intended to make as well as cost. The list includes: "To making cloth for A.J Hutchins --- 3.00 / velvet 3 -- cloth 1/6 - twist 9 - sleeve lining 9 --- 1.00 / cambric 9 --- 12 ½ / to making coat for Charles --- 4.50 / buttons 7/6 - silk 3/ - twist 1/6 --- 2.00 / To makin coat for Andrew J.D. --- 4.00..." Beneath listing Jackson pens: "Novbr 23rd 1820 Rec'd of Andrew Jackson a check on the B.bank of the State of Tennessee at Norwell in full of the above amount -". Jackson adds a second signature on verso and notes: "recpt to A. Jackson Novbr 23rd 1820 - in full for making clothes for children.." Sold with a manuscript receipt made out to Jackson acknowledging his payment of $15.00 for the first volume of National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans. This document is dated June 26, 1834, making it noteworthy showing the President of the United States as patron of the arts. Both documents are in near fine condition offering a personal glimpse into the familial life of President Jackson.
Martin Van Buren Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "M Van Buren", 2pp., 8" x 10", Lindenwald, Dec. 5, 1847, to Henry D. Gilpin, his former Attorney General (1840-1841). In part: "Why have you not sent me your proof copies on the life & character of Mr. Wright?... Did you receive a letter from me some three weeks since starting your new year Book ...I ask by way of reproach but not having answered it. I am too great a delinquent in such matters..." Written in Van Buren's hurried script, the letter is tipped to a larger sheet with two small holes at left margin, likely for filing purposes and not affecting any text. A nice association letter; after leaving government service, Gilpin focused on literary and historical work, most notably as editor of the papers of James Madison.
William Henry Harrison, a day after his inauguration, signs one of two Manuscript Letters as President known to exist! William Henry Harrison Manuscript Letter Signed "your Obt Servt/W.H. Harrison" as President, one page, 8" x 10". Washington, March 5, 1841. To B.F. Butler Esq., New York. In full, "Your Resignation of the Office of Attorney of the United States for the Southern District of New York is received. Permit me to thank you for the offer to continue in the discharge of the duties of the Office until I can appoint your successor and to request that you will do so. Very Respectfully." Attorney General in the Jackson and Van Buren cabinets from 1833-1838, Democrat Benjamin F. Butler also served as Secretary of War ad interim from October 1836 to March 7, 1837. On December 10, 1838, three months after Butler resigned from his cabinet, President Van Buren sent this message to the U.S. Senate: "I nominate to the Senate Benjamin F. Butler, of New York, to be attorney of the United States for the southern district of New York, in the place of William M. Price, removed." That same day, it was "Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of Benjamin F. Butler, agreeably to the nomination." Van Buren and Butler had been law partners 20 years earlier.
On March 12, 1841, a week after he wrote this letter, Whig President Harrison sent to the Senate four nominations of collectors of customs, four nominations of surveyors and inspectors of the revenue and the nomination of "Ogden Hoffman, of the city of New York, to be district attorney of the United States for the southern district of the State of New York," succeeding Benjamin F. Butler. Later that day, it was "Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of the said persons, agreeably to their nominations respectively." Four years later, to the day, on March 12, 1845, Democratic President James K. Polk sent to the Senate his nomination of "Benjamin F. Butler to be attorney of the United States for the southern district of New York, in the place of Ogden Hoffman, whose commission will expire this day." It was confirmed by the Senate and Butler returned to his old post, resigning in 1848.
William Henry Harrison was inaugurated as the ninth President of the United States on March 4, 1841, one day before he signed this letter. On March 5th, Connecticut Senator Jabez Huntington reported to the Senate that, as requested, he had notified the President that the Senate was assembled and ready to receive any communications he may be pleased to make and that the President replied that he would make a communication to the Senate immediately. On March 5, 1841, before or after he wrote this letter, President Harrison sent a message to the Senate with his cabinet nominations for confirmation. This letter was written in the White House on Harrison's first business day in office replying to perhaps the first letter he received as President. A day earlier, Harrison had delivered what is still the longest Inaugural Address in U.S. history, a 105 minute, 8,445 word speech. It was an estimated 48 degrees in an overcast Washington that day, with a cold, wintery wind. The 68-year-old former General did not wear an overcoat, hat, or gloves and caught a cold which developed into pneumonia.
On April 4, 1841, on his 32nd day in office, William Henry Harrison died. Twenty-four Harrison presidential documents (12 in private hands, 12 in institutions), three presidential Autograph Letters Signed, and two presidential Manuscript Letters Signed are known to exist. This letter, which was part of the Forbes Collection sold at Christie's in 2002, and one other, are the only Manuscript Letters Signed of William Henry Harrison as President known to exist! Clean and fresh in appearance, there is light soiling on one word near the right margin. With almost indiscernible, minor, expert strengthening on verso at the edges of the two horizontal folds and behind one tear at a blank edge, the condition of this letter is very fine, superior to any of the other 24 William Henry Harrison presidential documents, three presidential ALsS and one presidential Manuscript LS known to exist! This exceedingly rare letter would easily be the cornerstone of any presidential collection.
On March 12, 1841, a week after he wrote this letter, Whig President Harrison sent to the Senate four nominations of collectors of customs, four nominations of surveyors and inspectors of the revenue and the nomination of "Ogden Hoffman, of the city of New York, to be district attorney of the United States for the southern district of the State of New York," succeeding Benjamin F. Butler. Later that day, it was "Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of the said persons, agreeably to their nominations respectively." Four years later, to the day, on March 12, 1845, Democratic President James K. Polk sent to the Senate his nomination of "Benjamin F. Butler to be attorney of the United States for the southern district of New York, in the place of Ogden Hoffman, whose commission will expire this day." It was confirmed by the Senate and Butler returned to his old post, resigning in 1848.
William Henry Harrison was inaugurated as the ninth President of the United States on March 4, 1841, one day before he signed this letter. On March 5th, Connecticut Senator Jabez Huntington reported to the Senate that, as requested, he had notified the President that the Senate was assembled and ready to receive any communications he may be pleased to make and that the President replied that he would make a communication to the Senate immediately. On March 5, 1841, before or after he wrote this letter, President Harrison sent a message to the Senate with his cabinet nominations for confirmation. This letter was written in the White House on Harrison's first business day in office replying to perhaps the first letter he received as President. A day earlier, Harrison had delivered what is still the longest Inaugural Address in U.S. history, a 105 minute, 8,445 word speech. It was an estimated 48 degrees in an overcast Washington that day, with a cold, wintery wind. The 68-year-old former General did not wear an overcoat, hat, or gloves and caught a cold which developed into pneumonia.
On April 4, 1841, on his 32nd day in office, William Henry Harrison died. Twenty-four Harrison presidential documents (12 in private hands, 12 in institutions), three presidential Autograph Letters Signed, and two presidential Manuscript Letters Signed are known to exist. This letter, which was part of the Forbes Collection sold at Christie's in 2002, and one other, are the only Manuscript Letters Signed of William Henry Harrison as President known to exist! Clean and fresh in appearance, there is light soiling on one word near the right margin. With almost indiscernible, minor, expert strengthening on verso at the edges of the two horizontal folds and behind one tear at a blank edge, the condition of this letter is very fine, superior to any of the other 24 William Henry Harrison presidential documents, three presidential ALsS and one presidential Manuscript LS known to exist! This exceedingly rare letter would easily be the cornerstone of any presidential collection.
William Henry Harrison Autograph Letter Signed to the Secretary of War A.L.S. "W.H. Harrison" as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs , 1p., 7.75" x 9.75", "Senate Chamber", Dec. 22, 1825, to Secretary of War James Barbour regarding a resolution regarding unclaimed bounty lands. In full: "I have the honour to enclose you a Resolution of the Senate in relation to the unclaimed bounty lands due to the officers & soldiers of the Army of the Revolution & to request in behalf of the Committee on Military Affairs a Statement of the number & rank of the individuals who are still entitled to receive warranty for services in that army and any other facts which you may deem proper to communicate in relation to the subject together with your opinion as to the effects if the Publication contemplated by the Resolution. I have the Honor to be very respectfully sir yr Hum Svt W.H. Harrison". Excellent content and in near fine condition, tipped at left margin to a larger sheet. Accompanied by an engraving of Harrison.
John Tyler Autograph Letter Signed "Yr Father/J Tyler," two pages, 7.75" x 9.75", front and verso. Staten Island, October 11, 1853. With integral leaf addressed by Tyler to his son, "Robert Tyler Esq./No. 42 E. 6th Street/Philadelphia/Pa," franked "J. Tyler," postmarked "Free/New-York/Oct 12." The former president writes to his eldest son, in full, "When we left home, it was with the intention of passing through Philadelphia but before we reached Norfolk Julia became so ill as to inquire a physician and passed the night at the National. In the morning she was relieved from a severe headache under which she had labor'd the day and night preceeding and the Doctor advised us to take the Jamestown as best suited to her condition - We did so and reachd here at 11 O'Clock on Thursday. I immediately transferd her here (Mrs Gardiners) and calld in a physician who had been twice a day attending her ever since. She has been quite ill, but has so far recoverd as to enable me to visit New York where I may remain some two days - rooms will be provided for me at the Metropolitan - I have taken slight cold, which has brought on a return of my old complaint. I hope it will pass off in a day or two. I recd and read your first number on the Pacific Road. I think it is written with ability and establishes beyond all doubt the abstract question of expediency - undoubtedly the road, when completed, will accomplish a great and prominent revolution in trade. I confess however that I almost fear your second number on the constitutional question - an error there will adhere to you through life. Calhoun never was able to overcome his early errors on a similar subject - to the day of his death it was to him the shirt of Nessus - Profit by his example. In this State every thing is at odds and ends - and Guthrie's letter to Bronson has made confusion more confounded-so far the effort on all sides is to separate the President from the denunciations hurled at the head of his Secretary - but this will not long endure, and the P. will soon become an object of furious assault. Julia received yesterday Priscilla's letter which reached Sherwood Forest after our departure and was forwarded. She is too weak to sit up long enough to write. With love to all." In a postscript, Tyler adds, "Did you receive any check in L.W.'s affair. I sent it some 12 days ago." The docket in unknown hand identifies L.W. as Louisa Wickham. Mentioned in this letter: John Tyler's wife Letitia had died in the White House in 1842. In 1844, the 54-year-old widowed President married 23-year-old Julia Gardiner (1820-1889). She was four years younger than her stepson, Robert. Tyler had eight children with Letitia and seven with Julia who, at age 33, had given birth to her fifth child on August 24, 1853, just seven weeks before this letter was written. Tyler is writing this letter from Julia's mother's home in Staten Island, New York. John and Julia Tyler lived in their Sherwood Forest Plantation in Charles City, Virginia, since they left the White House in 1845. Earlier in 1853, a bill to provide for "the construction of a railroad and telegraphic line from the valley of the Mississippi to the Pacific ocean" was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The "Pacific Road" refers to this proposed railroad eventually completed in 1869. John C. Calhoun had died on March 30, 1850. The "constitutional question" may have been related to states' rights and slavery. In Greek mythology, the "shirt of Nessus" was the poisoned shirt that killed Hercules. Democrat James Guthrie was President Franklin Pierce's Secretary of the Treasury. Democrat Greene C. Bronson, Chief Judge of the N.Y. Court of Appeals (1850-1851), was a proslavery candidate for Governor of New York in 1853. Priscilla Cooper Tyler (1816-1889) married John Tyler's son, Robert Tyler (1816-1877), in 1839. She was White House hostess after Letitia Tyler died. The Tylers moved to Philadelphia in 1844 where Robert practiced law and was active in the Democratic Party. When the Civil War began in 1861, Robert and Priscilla declared loyalty to the Confederacy and moved to Richmond where Robert became register of the Confederate Treasury. John Tyler was elected to serve in the Confederate Congress but died in 1862 before he could take his seat. This magnificent letter is in very fine condition. It is tipped to a 10.5" x 14.25" sheet. The tear at the seal on the integral leaf has been expertly repaired. Accompanied by a 5.75" x 8.5" engraved portrait of Tyler with facsimile signature mounted on a 10" x 14.25" sheet.
John Tyler Fine Content Autograph Letter Signed "J. Tyler" as President, one page, 4 x 5 inches (sight), [no place, no date, c. June 1843] forwarding an application by the naval Hero Daniel Chester Reid to Secretary of the Navy Abel P. Upshur. He writes, in full: "Dr Sir this application is from the gallant defender of the General Armstrong yrs J. Tyler" The General Armstrong was an American privateer commanded by Reid during the War of 1812 and has the distinction of fighting the final naval engagement of the war. On September 26, 1814, the General Armstrong was attacked by a British squadron while she was taking on fresh water in the Azores. Despite being outnumbered, Reed managed to resist several attacks on his ship inflicting terrible casualties among the British before he was forced to scuttle his ship. As a show of respect for his heroic services, he was granted an appointment as a master in the United States Navy on July 3, 1843. Less than a month later Upshur would assume the post of Secretary of State. Upshur was tragically killed in 1844 on the U.S.S. Princeton when one of the ship's guns exploded during a cruise on the Potomac River. Very clean and bright with a bold signature, very fine condition. Simply matted (14 x 11 inches) with an engraving of Tyler and ready for framing.
James K. Polk Presidential Autograph Letter Signed to His Secretary of War A.L.S. "James K. Polk", 1p., 7.5" x 9.5", Washington, Aug. 29, 1845, a letter of introduction to Secretary of War William L. Macy. In part: "This note will be handed to you by Mr. Darcy of Maryland, whom I take great pleasure in introducing to you. Mr. Darcy... calls to see you on business connected to your Department..." Very clean save a light ink smudge affecting a single word at top, tipped at left margin to a larger sheet and in near fine condition.
Zachary Taylor Autograph Letter Signed with Rank as Lt. Colonel A.L.S. "Z. Taylor Lt. Col" with rank, 1p., 8" x 9.75", Louisville, Kentucky, September 7, 1825, a letter transmitting his monthly reports to Colonel R. Jones Adjutant General of Army. In part: "I have the honor to enclose herewith my monthly Return & account current for the month ending the 31st of July last. Also duplicate enlistments of a Toll of Recruits made by the several officers under my superintendence for the same time..." With a light ink smudge affecting one word, tipped at the left margin to a larger sheet. Very good to near fine and accompanied by an engraving of Taylor.
Millard Fillmore Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "Millard Fillmore", 1p., 8" x 9.25", "House of Rep.", May 19, 1840, to Secretary of the Navy James K. Paulding inquiring after an apprenticeship for a young constituent. He writes, in part: "Your letter in answer to the application of the Rev. Mr. Choules of Buffalo, to admit young Wilgres as an apprentice in one of the Navy yards to ship building was received by me... The friends of the boy seem to think that the application has been misunderstood by the department and R.W. Hastings, Esq. has written me on the subject..." Paulding made great advances as Secretary of the Navy in expanding the fleet as well as the Navy's apprenticeship program, and Fillmore sought to ensure his constituents received their fair share of positions. Tipped at left margin to a larger sheet, with light toning. Near fine condition and accompanied by an engraving of Fillmore.
Franklin Pierce Autograph Letter Signed as President A.L.S. "Franklin Pierce" as President, 1p., 7.75" x 9.5", Washington, Oct. 30, 1856, referring to his correspondent's speech at Faneuil Hall in Boston. He writes: "My dear Sir - Accept my thanks for your kind note of the 21st inst and for a copy of your admirable speech at Faneuil Hall. Your services in the great conflict not only on the occasion when this speech was pronounced but throughout the canvass will be remembered and appreciated and by no friend more fully than myself." Tipped at left margin to a larger sheet, very clean and in near fine condition. Accompanied by an engraving of Pierce.
James Buchanan Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "James Buchanan", 1p., 8" x 9.25", Washington, April 13, 1846, to historian George Bancroft then serving as Secretary of the Navy in President Polk's cabinet. He writes: "W. Solomon Kouples of Charleston, S.C. is now here. He is the blacksmith in whose appointment to Memphis so much interest has been felt by Messrs Holmes, Hugor, Pettigrew & others of South Carolina. I trust that you may now be able to make the appointment. Commodore Warrington is well acquainted with the merits of W. Pettigrew & I respectfully refer you to him for information..." Tipped to a larger sheet, very clean and in fine condition. Accompanied by an engraving of Buchanan.
Abraham Lincoln Autograph Letter Signed "A. Lincoln" as President, one page, 5" x 7.75". On Executive Mansion, Washington stationery, July 27, 1863. To Hon. Secretary of War [Edwin M. Stanton]. In full: "Col. Charles F. Havelock has been mustered out of our service, as I suppose, in strict accordance with law, and the routine of the Department. With an imperfect understanding of this, he is deeply mortified by us, whose cause, I think, he has made some sacrifices to try to serve. Considering who he is, how he came here, and the apparantly [sic] abrupt, and, to Europeans, unusual mode of his dismissal, I think the order of dismissal as to him, better be revoked - allowing him his pay. If a reason is asked, place it on the ground of my order." Charles Frederick Havelock (1803-1868) was commissioned in the British army in 1821 with the rank of Cornet, in the service of the 16th Lancers. He fought in the Siege of Bhurtpoor, India, in 1825 and in the capture of Ghuznee in the Afghan War in 1839. In the Sikh Wars (1845-1846), Havelock saw action in the battles of Ferozeshah (where he was seriously wounded), Sobraon, Goojerat, and Moodkee. In 1854, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in the service of the Ottoman Irregular Cavalry and, in 1856, to the rank of Major General. The 58-year-old Major General came to America and volunteered to serve in the Union Army. He spoke with President Lincoln on November 8, 1861, and on December 23, 1861, Lincoln nominated him to be aide-de-camp to Major General George B. McClellan, commanding Army of the Potomac, as of November 23, 1861, with the rank of Colonel. He was confirmed by the Senate the next day. Under the "act to increase the present military establishment of the United States," approved August 5, 1861, the President was given the authority "during the existing insurrection" to "appoint aides-de-camp at will, with the rank of captains, majors, lieutenant-colonels, or colonels."
In April 1863, Col. Havelock was mustered out of the service. He wrote to Lincoln about what had occurred, and the President, in this letter, requested that, "considering who he is," Secretary of War Stanton revoke his dismissal. It was done but, being a professional soldier, Havelock still had a problem. On August 9, 1863, he wrote to Lincoln from his home at 254 F Street in Washington. From the Lincoln Papers in the Library of Congress: "I beg leave to tender my grateful acknowledgements for your kind consideration in directing that I should be relieved from the order under which I was mustered out of the service in April last, and for your special order, restoring my date pay and emoluments. But on account of the stringency of the certificate which requires me to state that I have been regularly stationed on duty at Washington during the period charged for, I cannot sign it. I believe myself entitled to this allowance, and respectfully ask that the Quarter Master at this Station (Major Morris S Miller) may be authorized to pay me on a certificate in which this phrase may be omitted." The letter has a vertical crease passing through the "L" and between the "i" and "n" of "Lincoln." The left edge is creased and slightly nicked; there is a partial remnant of prior tipping on that edge on verso, behind a minute missing blank portion. Overall, the letter is in fine condition. It is an excellent example of why Lincoln is remembered as a compassionate President. Most probably contrary to Army regulations, feeling sorry for Havelock, Lincoln ordered Stanton to revoke his dismissal. If anyone asked why, it was because the President said so.
In April 1863, Col. Havelock was mustered out of the service. He wrote to Lincoln about what had occurred, and the President, in this letter, requested that, "considering who he is," Secretary of War Stanton revoke his dismissal. It was done but, being a professional soldier, Havelock still had a problem. On August 9, 1863, he wrote to Lincoln from his home at 254 F Street in Washington. From the Lincoln Papers in the Library of Congress: "I beg leave to tender my grateful acknowledgements for your kind consideration in directing that I should be relieved from the order under which I was mustered out of the service in April last, and for your special order, restoring my date pay and emoluments. But on account of the stringency of the certificate which requires me to state that I have been regularly stationed on duty at Washington during the period charged for, I cannot sign it. I believe myself entitled to this allowance, and respectfully ask that the Quarter Master at this Station (Major Morris S Miller) may be authorized to pay me on a certificate in which this phrase may be omitted." The letter has a vertical crease passing through the "L" and between the "i" and "n" of "Lincoln." The left edge is creased and slightly nicked; there is a partial remnant of prior tipping on that edge on verso, behind a minute missing blank portion. Overall, the letter is in fine condition. It is an excellent example of why Lincoln is remembered as a compassionate President. Most probably contrary to Army regulations, feeling sorry for Havelock, Lincoln ordered Stanton to revoke his dismissal. If anyone asked why, it was because the President said so.
Lincoln and Cameron Document Signed "Abraham Lincoln" and "Simon Cameron", one page, 13.5" x 17", Washington, D.C., August 5, 1861. A partially printed vellum military commission naming James K. Lawrence a captain in the 11th Regiment of Infantry. The document enjoys nice large signatures of the president and his secretary of war amid patriotic vignettes including an eagle, flags and cannon. Exceptionally clean with only light aging and normal folds. Very fine condition. A regular army regiment, the 11th spent most of the Civil War attached to the 5th Corps and saw much combat in the Virginia theatre. Captain Lawrence became a brevet major at Fredericksburg and did survive the war. Lawrence is the namesake and direct descendant of 1812 Naval hero James Lawrence (1781-1813), best remembered for his dying command "Don't give up the ship!" This commission was obtained directly from the family.
Abraham Lincoln Document Signed "Abraham Lincoln" as President and "Simon Cameron" as Secretary of War, one page, 13" x 16.5" visible. Washington, August 16, 1861. Registered in the upper left: "L. Thomas" as Adjutant General. Partly printed commission of 19-year-old Henry E. Smith of New York to be First Lieutenant in the Twelfth Regiment of Infantry as of May 14, 1861. Attractive military vignettes at top and bottom have faded a bit, with orange 2"-diameter paper seal intact. The signatures are clear. A horizontal fold passes through the lower portion of Lincoln's signature and the "S" of Cameron's signature. Vertical folds pass through the "C" of "Cameron" and the "h" of "Abraham." The handwriting has almost completely faded, and the identity of the soldier was determined by inspecting the records of the U.S. Senate Executive Journal using the faded but decipherable information extracted from this document. On July 31, 1861, Secretary of War Simon Cameron proposed Smith's appointment, with others, in a letter to President Lincoln: "Sir: I have the honor to propose for your approbation the following list of appointments in the eleven regiments added to the Regular Army of the United States by the act approved July 29, 1861... Henry E. Smith, of the Volunteers, to be first lieutenant, May 14, 1861; age 19; born in New York." The same day, President Lincoln sent Cameron's list to U.S. Senate for approval: "I nominate the persons named in the accompanying list for appointment in the Army of the United States, as proposed by the Secretary of War." On August 5, 1861, the Senate confirmed Smith's appointment as well as the others proposed by Lincoln on July 31, 1861, including William T. Sherman (to be Colonel) and First Lieutenant Philip H. Sheridan to be Captain. On February 23, 1863, President Lincoln nominated First Lieutenant Smith "to be captain by brevet, June 27, 1862, for distinguished services in the battles before Richmond" and on July 20, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Captain Smith "to be major by brevet, for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to date from July 2, 1863." On April 12, 1869, Captain Henry E. Smith of Company B, 21st Regiment of Infantry, left Richmond for Omaha and onto San Francisco over the then just completed Union and Central Pacific Railroads, being part of the first contingent of troops that made the transcontinental journey entirely by rail. Double matted and framed under glass to an overall size of 21" x 24.75".
Abraham Lincoln Document Signed, "Abraham Lincoln" and countersigned by William H. Seward as Secretary of State, two pages, 9.5" x 15", Washington, D. C., November 5, 1862. This manuscript presidential pardon is affixed with an embossed Presidential Seal and reads in full: "Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America, To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas at the March Term, A.D. 1862, of the Criminal Court of the District of Columbia, one John Woodcock was convicted of Larceny, and sentenced to imprisonment in the Penitentiary for the period of two years. And whereas, it is credibly shown that said John Woodcock was an industrious mechanic, sustaining a good general character prior to the commission of the aforesaid offence (sic), and that he is sincerely penitent for his crime and anxious to redeem his lost position; And whereas, the wife and children of the said John Woodcock are in need of his supporting care; And whereas, nine of the jurors who convicted the said John Woodcock, and also the merchants on whom the larceny was committed, have petitioned me on his behalf; Now therefore be it known, that I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America, in consideration of the premises, divers the other good and sufficient reasons me thereunto moving, have granted and do hereby grant unto him, the said John Woodcock, a full and unconditional pardon. In testimony thereof, I have hereunto signed my name and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this Fifth day of November, A.D. 1862, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-seventh". Folds and some minor discoloration from light to the lower half of the document. Toned paper with a large and desirable Lincoln signature, fine condition. Professionally matted and framed to an overall size of 40.5" x 34.5". The front page of the pardon has been copied and placed next to the signed verso of the original so that the entire document may be viewed. Although a torn nation was rapidly modernizing during the Civil War, antiquated practices from a more benign era still lingered. Here, during the depths of a grave national crisis, the president has taken the time to review a mere case of larceny.
Abraham Lincoln Autograph Letter Signed "A. Lincoln" as President, one page, 5" x 8". On Executive Mansion stationery, Washington, June 17, 1862. To "Hon. Sec of War" [Edwin M. Stanton]. In full, "Send me a nomination for Gustavus A. Scroggs, of New-York, as a Brigadier General of Volunteers." On June 18th, Secretary of War Stanton wrote to President Lincoln, in full: "I have the honor to propose for your approbation the following-named person for appointment in the Volunteer force now in the service of the United States: Gustavus A. Scroggs, of New York, to be brigadier-general." That same day, President Lincoln wrote to the U.S. Senate, "I nominate the person named in the accompanying list for appointment in the Volunteer force, as proposed by the Secretary of War" making it appear that the appointment was on Stanton's recommendation. Gustavus A. Scroggs had served as Erie County Sheriff before the war (1859-1861) and had organized the 100th Infantry Regiment in Buffalo between September 1861 and January 1862. Part of his regiment was called the Eagle Brigade. The 100th took part in the battles of Williamsburg, Fort Oaks, Malvern Hill, Morris Island, Petersburg, and Fort Gregg, among others. Scroggs later served as Provost-Marshal of the 30th district of New York. The letter has a light vertical fold to the left of Lincoln's signature; there is also an almost indiscernible vertical fold, nicking the "L", between the "i" and "n" of "Lincoln." The letter, in very fine condition, is tipped to a 10.5" x 14.25" sheet. Accompanied by a 7.25" x 9.5" engraved portrait of Lincoln affixed to a 10.5" x 14.25" sheet.
Abraham Lincoln Autograph Note Signed "A. Lincoln", one page, 3.25" x 7.75", n.p., October 23, 1862. Here President Lincoln endorses a memo from one George W. Browne in which an appointment is regarded. Lincoln writes, "If another Quarter Master is needed, let Judge Hays be appointed." Bold signature, four small perforations in corners from mounting, toning and light soiling. Fine condition.
Books
[Abraham Lincoln Assassination] Six 1865 Issues of the New York Tribune from the days immediately following Lincoln's assassination. The New York Tribune was established by Horace Greeley in 1841 and was long considered one of the leading newspapers in the United States. This lot consists of issues dated:
April 17, 1865, 8 pages, folded folio, reporting on the assassination of Lincoln (he was shot on April 14, 1865 and died the next day). The entire front page is filled with articles on the tragedy. "The Great Calamity"; "The President's Murderer Still at Large"; "General Grant's Arrival"; "Demonstrations of Mourning".
April 21, 1865, 8 pages, folded folio, front-page articles include "The President's Assassin" with information on a $50,000 reward for Booth's capture, as well as the effects of the assassination on various cities and regions.
April 27, 1865, 8 pages, folded folio, front-page news of Sherman's occupation at Raleigh, The Cortege On Its Way Westward the Treatment of Secessionists.
April 29, 1865, 8 pages, folded folio, front-page news of the surrender of General Johnston, news of Lee's surrender, Rebels giving up.
May 8, 1865, 8 pages, folded folio, front-page news of the arrest of a conspirator at St. Louis, whereabouts of the head Rebel, continuing news of the assassination.
May 9, 1865, 8 pages, folded folio, front-page news on Sherman "His Army Homeward Bound", enthusiasm of the colored people, "The Assassination: The Trial to Commence Today", news from Washington.
April 17, 1865, 8 pages, folded folio, reporting on the assassination of Lincoln (he was shot on April 14, 1865 and died the next day). The entire front page is filled with articles on the tragedy. "The Great Calamity"; "The President's Murderer Still at Large"; "General Grant's Arrival"; "Demonstrations of Mourning".
April 21, 1865, 8 pages, folded folio, front-page articles include "The President's Assassin" with information on a $50,000 reward for Booth's capture, as well as the effects of the assassination on various cities and regions.
April 27, 1865, 8 pages, folded folio, front-page news of Sherman's occupation at Raleigh, The Cortege On Its Way Westward the Treatment of Secessionists.
April 29, 1865, 8 pages, folded folio, front-page news of the surrender of General Johnston, news of Lee's surrender, Rebels giving up.
May 8, 1865, 8 pages, folded folio, front-page news of the arrest of a conspirator at St. Louis, whereabouts of the head Rebel, continuing news of the assassination.
May 9, 1865, 8 pages, folded folio, front-page news on Sherman "His Army Homeward Bound", enthusiasm of the colored people, "The Assassination: The Trial to Commence Today", news from Washington.
Photography
Six Lincoln's Home Souvenir CDVs. Each carte de visite carries an inscription on the verso indicating purchase at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Spingfield, Illinois by Henry A. Whitney on December 5, 1865. Whitney was mustered out of the 33rd Illinois Infantry as a sergeant at Vicksburg, Mississippi on November 24, 1865 and must have stopped in Springfield while heading home. The most important image here shows the interior of Lincoln's tomb and carries the backmark of Springfield photographer F. W. Ingmire. A second Ingmire product in the group shows the tomb's exterior being guarded by three Federal soldiers. The remaining four cards are reproductions of lithographs and include the following titles: "President Lincoln's First Home in Illinois", "Pres Lincoln and Family", "The Home of President Lincoln - Springfield, Ill." and "George Washington". These lightly toned CDVs have been carefully stored together for over 140 years and remain in very fine condition.
Autographs
[Abraham Lincoln] 1840 DeWitt County Illinois Poll Book. Twenty pages manuscript, 12" x 7.5", November, 1840. An extensive DeWitt County, Illinois poll book from the national election of 1840: "Poll Book for election held in the Clinton Precinct. . . Nov. 1840." Prior to his election as President in 1860, Lincoln was a determined party functionary, actively campaigning for Whig Presidential candidates in every general election from 1840 to 1856. Not only did he barnstorm the country giving speeches, but he was a candidate for Presidential Elector on numerous occasions- the very first being in 1840. In that campaign, he also had occasion to debate Stephen Douglas for the first time. Lincoln supported William Henry Harrison, Douglas was an advocate for the incumbent Martin Van Buren. Unlike other poll books with pre-printed pages listing the names of Whig and Democratic Presidential Electors, this has been carefully manuscript penned with listings of "Abraham Lincoln of Sangamon Co." - repeated on each page. The first eight pages have the names of each voter written in by the election clerk, along with their vote. A tally of the votes received is written on each page, on the bottom. Being a Democratic state, the Van Buren slate of electors received many more votes than the Whig slate. Accordingly, Lincoln failed in his attempt to be elected a Presidential Elector. (From this precinct, however, Lincoln garnered 78 votes- six more than his Democratic counterpart.)
The election of 1840 was the first campaign with slogans, songs, and modern campaign paraphernalia. The slogan that became best known was "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." (Tippecanoe was the 1811 Indian battle where Harrison proved victorious.) The Whigs "packaged" Harrison, who had been an uninspired military leader, into a great war hero. The major issue in the election was the economy, and Harrison promised to support domestic commerce. Martin Van Buren was re-nominated unenthusiastically by the Democrats in 1840. To many of his countrymen who had suffered through years of depression, he was "Martin Van Ruin." He was chided for wanting to turn the White House into a palace and living extravagantly while the people suffered. Van Buren was so unpopular by this time that he even lost his home state. Election results appeared to be a landslide in the Electoral College, but the popular vote was close. Despite numerous attempts, this is one "office" (an honorary, more than an actual one) that eluded Lincoln his entire career. Still, the experience gained in this and future national elections would prove invaluable in Lincoln's journey toward the White House and immortality. Single leaves from 1840 poll books occasionally surface, but a more complete specimen, such as this, is quite a special offering.
The election of 1840 was the first campaign with slogans, songs, and modern campaign paraphernalia. The slogan that became best known was "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." (Tippecanoe was the 1811 Indian battle where Harrison proved victorious.) The Whigs "packaged" Harrison, who had been an uninspired military leader, into a great war hero. The major issue in the election was the economy, and Harrison promised to support domestic commerce. Martin Van Buren was re-nominated unenthusiastically by the Democrats in 1840. To many of his countrymen who had suffered through years of depression, he was "Martin Van Ruin." He was chided for wanting to turn the White House into a palace and living extravagantly while the people suffered. Van Buren was so unpopular by this time that he even lost his home state. Election results appeared to be a landslide in the Electoral College, but the popular vote was close. Despite numerous attempts, this is one "office" (an honorary, more than an actual one) that eluded Lincoln his entire career. Still, the experience gained in this and future national elections would prove invaluable in Lincoln's journey toward the White House and immortality. Single leaves from 1840 poll books occasionally surface, but a more complete specimen, such as this, is quite a special offering.
Andrew Johnson Autograph Letter Signed Brief A.L.S. "Andrew Johnson", 1p., 5" x 3.5", "Washington City", Dec. 23, 1860, acknowledging receipt of a note. In full: "Dear Sir, Your not of the 22nd has been accepted and read. I have the honor to be & c Andrew Johnson". With some soiling, the sheet has been enlarged with additions of contemporary lined paper at top and bottom, then tipped at left margin. Very good.
Ulysses S. Grant Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "U.S. Grant", 2pp., New York City, Dec. 11, 1883, to a "Mrs. Camochan". He writes, in part: "Last evening I found your card at my home expressing a wish to see me concerning your brother, Major Morris... I have an office at 2 Wall Street where I go usually as soon as breakfast is over but am generally back by four..." Very clean and in near fine condition; tipped to a larger sheet and accompanied by an engraving of Grant.
Ulysses S. Grant's Handwritten Election Returns for Indiana During the 1868 Presidential Campaign A.D. "Grant" in the text, in pencil, 1 p., 7.75" x 9.75", n.p., Oct. 14, 1868, and identified at lower right in another hand as "Genl Grant's figuring in Indiana Election Returns, Oct. 14, 1868". Grant has listed the Indiana Counties in the first column and in columns headed "Dem" and "Rep", the number of votes cast in each county. The tally includes figures for the following counties: "Wayne 200 [Rep]", "Tippecanoe 94 [Rep]", "Derlawar[sic] 200[Dem] 90 [Rep]", "Lawrence 100 [Rep]", "Marion 150 [Rep]", "Putnam 366 [Dem]", "Champagne 22 [Rep]", "Warren 106 [Rep]", "Sulivan[sic] 193[Dem]", "Marshal 210 [Dem]", "Howard 8 [Rep]", "Porter 00 [Dem] 45[Rep]", "Huntington 132[Rep]", and "Grant 20 [Rep]". Grant lists the following total for each party: Democrats 3294 and Republicans 1002 (although the correct total is 1272).
The Republican ticket of Grant and his running mate Schuyler Colfax of Indiana easily defeated the Democratic ticket of former New York Governor Horatio Seymour and Missourian Francis P. Blair. Grant would go on to win Indian as well as 25 other states. Despite his obvious concern in tracking votes, Grant publicly took no part in the campaign and refrained from making any promises. The top right corner has been professionally restored, otherwise near fine.
The Republican ticket of Grant and his running mate Schuyler Colfax of Indiana easily defeated the Democratic ticket of former New York Governor Horatio Seymour and Missourian Francis P. Blair. Grant would go on to win Indian as well as 25 other states. Despite his obvious concern in tracking votes, Grant publicly took no part in the campaign and refrained from making any promises. The top right corner has been professionally restored, otherwise near fine.
Presidential Rutherford B. Hayes Autograph Letter Signed to Photographer James Landy A.L.S. "R.B. Hayes" on Executive Mansion letterhead marked "Private" at top, 1p., 4.5" x 7", [Washington], Oct. 21, 1879, thanking photographer James Landy for photographs received. In part: "I am in receipt of the photographs of Gen. [James M.] Comly and myself. They are capital. The full length is the best of that size which has ever been taken. This is the judgment of those competent to speak on the subject..." Nice association letter linking Hayes to Gen. Comly, who was instrumental in advancing Hayes' political career. Light soiling, otherwise very good. Tipped to a larger sheet and accompanied by an engraving of Hayes.
Rutherford B. Hayes Document Signed, one page, 24" x 19", Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1891. Ex-president Hayes signs this large certificate as Commander in Chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), a brotherhood of former Union officers. The recipient named in the document, Paymaster George William Beaman, is here being elevated to "Companion of the First Class". Beaman had served in the naval blockade of the Confederacy and also with the Mississippi River Flotilla. He retired a Rear Admiral in 1899. The MOLLUS certificate is attractively illustrated with an engraved vignette showing a Union soldier and sailor with flags. Folds with soiling to extremities, else fine condition. Included with the certificate are two membership medals indicating Beaman's association with MOLLUS and the United Spanish War Veterans. Both are approximately 2.5" total with their original hangers included. Very fine condition.
James A. Garfield Autograph Letter Signed "J A Garfield," two pages, 5" x 8", separate sheets. House of Representatives, February 20, 1877. To J.F. Scofield, Painesville, Ohio. Scofield was the editor of the Telegraph, a Republican newspaper. The Democrat was also published in Painesville. In full, "You have probably seen the infamous article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer of the 12th February charging the Senator and I visited an octaroon [sic] dance house of prostitution - The story is a lie from beginning to end so far as Sherman & I are concerned. I have determined to call the Editor to account by indictment in the courts if he does not retract his slander, and make ample apology- I have also determined to prosecute any Democratic Editor in the 19th Dist. who shall copy the libel. I know the little paper in Painesville is hardly worth notice; but I propose to teach all these people that there is a limit to their rascality. Will you please send me any copy of that paper which prints the article. With kindest regards."
During the Civil War, circa 1862-1863, Garfield had an extramarital affair with Lucia Calhoun, a New York Times reporter, which he later regretted and confessed to his wife. It's interesting to note that an article in the March 22, 1862 edition of The New York Times headed "The Affair at Pound Gap" was just about Garfield: "Col. Garfield is taking good care of Eastern Kentucky...Here it has been the business of Garfield to watch, and wearying of the task, the Union leader suddenly swooped down upon the rebel encampment, and by one of those stalwart strokes he is accustomed to inflict, scattered its occupants. The President has, doubtless, something in store for this vigilant and meritorious officer." On February 19, 1862, the U.S. Senate had confirmed President Lincoln's nomination of Col. "Garfield of the 42d Ohio Volunteers, to be brigadier-general, January 11, 1862, for gallant and meritorious conduct at the battle of Prestonburg, Kentucky." Garfield was elected to the 38th Congress in 1862 and remained in military service until he took his seat on December 7, 1863, the first day of the 38th Congress. Garfield was later involved in the Crédit Mobilier Scandal, in which he had received $329 from stock in the notorious company, a remuneration which Democrats, during the 1880 presidential campaign, characterized as a bribe and played up as a campaign issue by plastering walls, sidewalks, and placards with "329." He had also been accused of accepting fees from a company trying to obtain a paving contract in the city of Washington.
At the time the slanderous article was published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, today Ohio's largest newspaper, Garfield, who represented Ohio's 19th Congressional District, was a member of the 15-member Electoral Commission created by Congress "to provide for and regulate the counting of votes for President and Vice President" in the Hayes-Tilden electoral vote dispute. The Commission, voting 8-7 on party lines, decided that all 20 disputed electoral votes would go to Republican Hayes, giving him the presidency, 185 electoral votes to Tilden's 184. On March 8, 1877, Ohio Senator John Sherman was appointed Secretary of the Treasury by President Hayes. In the Cleveland Plain Dealer article referred to in this letter, both Congressman Garfield and Senator Sherman were accused of visiting "an octaroon dance house of prostitution." An octoroon denoted a person of one-eighth Black ancestry. William W. Armstrong, the newspaper editor, was a Democratic Party political leader in Ohio. Painesville, Ohio, mentioned by Garfield, is on Lake Erie, about 30 miles northeast of Cleveland, with a population in 1877 of about than 3,800. Notwithstanding the various scandals mentioned above, James A. Garfield was reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives eight times and was elected to the U.S. Senate on January 13, 1880 for the term beginning March 4, 1881. On November 4, 1880, Congressman and Senator-elect Garfield was elected 20th President of the United States. There is a small hole in the upper left blank margin, repaired on verso, and a minor smudge, probably by Garfield. Accompanied by the original 5.25" x 3" stamped envelope, postmarked Washington, D.C., addressed by Garfield to "J.F. Scofield Esq./Painesville/Ohio." The letter and envelope are in very fine condition.
During the Civil War, circa 1862-1863, Garfield had an extramarital affair with Lucia Calhoun, a New York Times reporter, which he later regretted and confessed to his wife. It's interesting to note that an article in the March 22, 1862 edition of The New York Times headed "The Affair at Pound Gap" was just about Garfield: "Col. Garfield is taking good care of Eastern Kentucky...Here it has been the business of Garfield to watch, and wearying of the task, the Union leader suddenly swooped down upon the rebel encampment, and by one of those stalwart strokes he is accustomed to inflict, scattered its occupants. The President has, doubtless, something in store for this vigilant and meritorious officer." On February 19, 1862, the U.S. Senate had confirmed President Lincoln's nomination of Col. "Garfield of the 42d Ohio Volunteers, to be brigadier-general, January 11, 1862, for gallant and meritorious conduct at the battle of Prestonburg, Kentucky." Garfield was elected to the 38th Congress in 1862 and remained in military service until he took his seat on December 7, 1863, the first day of the 38th Congress. Garfield was later involved in the Crédit Mobilier Scandal, in which he had received $329 from stock in the notorious company, a remuneration which Democrats, during the 1880 presidential campaign, characterized as a bribe and played up as a campaign issue by plastering walls, sidewalks, and placards with "329." He had also been accused of accepting fees from a company trying to obtain a paving contract in the city of Washington.
At the time the slanderous article was published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, today Ohio's largest newspaper, Garfield, who represented Ohio's 19th Congressional District, was a member of the 15-member Electoral Commission created by Congress "to provide for and regulate the counting of votes for President and Vice President" in the Hayes-Tilden electoral vote dispute. The Commission, voting 8-7 on party lines, decided that all 20 disputed electoral votes would go to Republican Hayes, giving him the presidency, 185 electoral votes to Tilden's 184. On March 8, 1877, Ohio Senator John Sherman was appointed Secretary of the Treasury by President Hayes. In the Cleveland Plain Dealer article referred to in this letter, both Congressman Garfield and Senator Sherman were accused of visiting "an octaroon dance house of prostitution." An octoroon denoted a person of one-eighth Black ancestry. William W. Armstrong, the newspaper editor, was a Democratic Party political leader in Ohio. Painesville, Ohio, mentioned by Garfield, is on Lake Erie, about 30 miles northeast of Cleveland, with a population in 1877 of about than 3,800. Notwithstanding the various scandals mentioned above, James A. Garfield was reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives eight times and was elected to the U.S. Senate on January 13, 1880 for the term beginning March 4, 1881. On November 4, 1880, Congressman and Senator-elect Garfield was elected 20th President of the United States. There is a small hole in the upper left blank margin, repaired on verso, and a minor smudge, probably by Garfield. Accompanied by the original 5.25" x 3" stamped envelope, postmarked Washington, D.C., addressed by Garfield to "J.F. Scofield Esq./Painesville/Ohio." The letter and envelope are in very fine condition.
James Garfield Autograph Letter Signed "J. A. Garfield". One page, lined paper, 7.5" x 9.5", House of Representatives, March 1, 1875, a letter of introduction to Senator John Sherman. While serving in the House of Representatives (R-OH), Garfield writes to his Senate colleague from Ohio, in full: "Permit me to introduce Major G. M. Bascom the son of our old friend W. T. Bascom of Ohio. Maj. Bascom deserves to become one of the Paymaster [?] provided for in the bill that passed today- Any thing you can do to aid him will be gratefully appreciated by him & his father- and also by me..." The father, W. T. Bascom had been an important Ohio state official in the Republican party. The son, Maj. Gustavus Murray Bascom served in the Civil War as assistant adjutant-general in the Department of the Ohio. Incidentally, the day this letter was written was the day Ulysses S. Grant signed the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1875 into law. Fine condition.
Chester Arthur Autograph Letter Signed as Quartermaster General A.L.S. "C.A. Arthur" on State of New York Quartermaster General's Department letterhead, 1p., 7.75" x 9.75", [New York], Oct. 20, 1869, recommending a Lt. Platt as Post Quartermaster. He writes to Brig. General Thomas Hillhouse: "I most respectfully recommend that an order be issued by you, assigning Lt. Platt to duty as Post Quartermaster at Plattsburgh." With usual folds, in near fine condition. Tipped to a larger sheet and accompanied by an engraving of Arthur.
Grover Cleveland Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "Grover Cleveland", 1p., 4.5" x 7", Princeton, March 28, 1904, informing the recipient, a Mr. J.B. Gilder, of his schedule. He writes: "I know nothing that will take me away from home during the next two weeks. I will be glad to see you on any day within that time if you will give me a day's notice of your coming." Near fine, tipped to a larger sheet.
Benjamin Harrison Autograph Letter Signed to Garfield's Attorney General A.L.S. "Benj Harrison" on United States Senate Chamber letterhead, 1p., 7.75" x 9.75", "Indianapolis" [he has crossed out the imprinted "Washington"], June 21, 1881, transmitting the resignation of a U.S. Marshall. He writes: "...I have the honor to enclose the resignation of Col. W[illiam]. W. Dudley of the office of United States Marshal for the District of Indiana. I recommend the appointment of Genl. Robert S. Foster of Indianapolis, as his successor. This recommendation is supported by the entire Republican Delegates of the state I believe." Nice association letter uniting three heroes of the Civil War. Foster served valiantly at Antietam with the 19th Indiana Volunteers and Foster served as a Captain in Lew Wallace's 11th Indiana Vounteer Infantry Regiment; and of course, Harrison served with the 70th Indiana Volunteers. Tipped to a larger page and in near fine condition. With a large engraving of Harrison.
William McKinley Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "W McKinley" of House of Representatives letterhead, 1p., 5.5" x 9", [Washington, D.C.], Mar. 10, 1884, to "R.P.Porter". In part: "Your connection with the Press ought to be highly useful to the paper, and make it standard on the question of protection. Your letters written abroad should go into every household and the valuable information you acquired, on the other side, touching the labor and kindred subjects which you will doubtless use in the Press should give that paper undue circulation and widen influence throughout the country..." Very bold ink on negligibly toned paper and tipped to a larger sheet; near fine condition. With an engraving of McKinley bearing a facsimile signature.
Theodore Roosevelt Typed Letter Signed "Theodore Roosevelt," 3.25 pages, 7.75" x 9.5", separate sheets. New York City, August 14, 1914. To Henry M. Wallace, Detroit, Michigan, who is a Progressive and objects to his party supporting Republicans or Democrats in New York or anywhere else as fusion candidates, a policy favored by the Progressive's 1912 presidential candidate, Theodore Roosevelt. Wallace wrote to Albert J. Beveridge who had chaired the 1912 Progressive National Convention. In this letter, Roosevelt mentions New York State party leaders William Barnes (Republican) and Charles F. Murphy (Democrat).
Roosevelt writes, in part, "I have just been shown your letter to Beveridge in which you say that you desire that the entire National Committee of the Progressive party meet and 'censor' the action taken in the State of New York and also everybody connected with the same. You of course understand that I was more connected with this action than anyone else. You are entirely at liberty to go ahead with your proposal and censure me and the others. I shall certainly not alter my position in the matter. There is no man in this country who would be so pleased and so benefited by the action you suggest as Barnes. He and Murphy have for years been fighting every proposal for a fusion of decent citizens to secure good government in either the State or the City of New York. The present primary law was framed by the two machines with this end in view. The men like myself have for years in New York been endeavoring to make decent citizens understand that they ought not to be misled by machine talk of regularity into keeping the machines continually in power. Your proposal is to reinforce Messrs. Barnes and Murphy by having the Progressive Party in New York adopt the same attitude that the old parties have adopted, and ensure the domination of one of the old machines - doubtless at this time the Republican machine - in the State. You would play the game of the machine Republican leaders. I fear you would convince the best men in the State that we had already grown so machine ridden ourselves as to put party above principle...I wish it understood that I regard the attempt to lay down universal rules to be followed by the party everywhere in local affairs as both absurd and mischievous; and I wish it distinctly understood that I now hold and shall continue to hold that the position we took in New York was the only right and proper position to take. It is precisely the position that a year ago we took in the City of New York when we supported Mitchel, the Democrat, for Mayor..." John Purroy Mitchell was elected Mayor in 1913.
Two weeks before he wrote this letter, on July 31, 1914, Roosevelt had said in an interview at his Sagamore Hill home, "I felt that in New York State our prime business was to fight against the two bosses and the two old machines, with their seesaw in the government of the State. I wanted to take the most effective method of doing it, and when a Republican like [Harvey D.] Hinman and a Democrat like [John A.] Hennessy would come out openly against these two machines I was glad to back them up, just as last year I backed the Democrat Mitchel for Mayor of New York...We appeal to the honest rank and file of the two parties, Republican and Democrat alike, and we will be delighted to fuse with them against the bosses, the machines, the Bourbons, and reactionaries of both politics and business." On September 28, 1914, Hinman lost the Republican primary for Governor to Charles Whitman and Hennessy lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Governor Martin H. Glynn who lost to Whitman in November.
Concluding this letter, Roosevelt writes, "Apparently you and the gentlemen who feel as you do have absolutely forgotten how things were done in the early days of the Republican party. There was no attempt made to insist upon uniformity of action in every state. During the war Massachusetts was an overwhelmingly Republican State and the Republicans were a unit against Slavery and for the Union. In that state Republicans were run for Governor every year on a platform straight against Slavery and straight in favor of the Union. Ohio was a very close state, very doubtful. It was lukewarm and possibly hostile as regards Slavery. In that State the Republicans ran in succession for Governor two War Democrats, two men who had voted against Lincoln but who were for the Union, and they ran on a Union ticket [TR has added in holograph: "not on an anti-slavery ticket."] It would have been folly to have made Ohio do as Massachusetts did or Massachusetts do what Ohio did. There were a very few extremists, Wendell Phillips, for instance, who took substantially the view that you now take and who frantically denounced Lincoln because he was not extreme enough and thorough-going enough for them. Of course, I am no more to be compared to Lincoln than the present crisis is to be compared to the Civil War; but the principles are the same in the two cases." A truly remarkable political letter in very fine condition with a superb, full signature of Roosevelt, Lincoln's neighbor on Mount Rushmore.
Roosevelt writes, in part, "I have just been shown your letter to Beveridge in which you say that you desire that the entire National Committee of the Progressive party meet and 'censor' the action taken in the State of New York and also everybody connected with the same. You of course understand that I was more connected with this action than anyone else. You are entirely at liberty to go ahead with your proposal and censure me and the others. I shall certainly not alter my position in the matter. There is no man in this country who would be so pleased and so benefited by the action you suggest as Barnes. He and Murphy have for years been fighting every proposal for a fusion of decent citizens to secure good government in either the State or the City of New York. The present primary law was framed by the two machines with this end in view. The men like myself have for years in New York been endeavoring to make decent citizens understand that they ought not to be misled by machine talk of regularity into keeping the machines continually in power. Your proposal is to reinforce Messrs. Barnes and Murphy by having the Progressive Party in New York adopt the same attitude that the old parties have adopted, and ensure the domination of one of the old machines - doubtless at this time the Republican machine - in the State. You would play the game of the machine Republican leaders. I fear you would convince the best men in the State that we had already grown so machine ridden ourselves as to put party above principle...I wish it understood that I regard the attempt to lay down universal rules to be followed by the party everywhere in local affairs as both absurd and mischievous; and I wish it distinctly understood that I now hold and shall continue to hold that the position we took in New York was the only right and proper position to take. It is precisely the position that a year ago we took in the City of New York when we supported Mitchel, the Democrat, for Mayor..." John Purroy Mitchell was elected Mayor in 1913.
Two weeks before he wrote this letter, on July 31, 1914, Roosevelt had said in an interview at his Sagamore Hill home, "I felt that in New York State our prime business was to fight against the two bosses and the two old machines, with their seesaw in the government of the State. I wanted to take the most effective method of doing it, and when a Republican like [Harvey D.] Hinman and a Democrat like [John A.] Hennessy would come out openly against these two machines I was glad to back them up, just as last year I backed the Democrat Mitchel for Mayor of New York...We appeal to the honest rank and file of the two parties, Republican and Democrat alike, and we will be delighted to fuse with them against the bosses, the machines, the Bourbons, and reactionaries of both politics and business." On September 28, 1914, Hinman lost the Republican primary for Governor to Charles Whitman and Hennessy lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Governor Martin H. Glynn who lost to Whitman in November.
Concluding this letter, Roosevelt writes, "Apparently you and the gentlemen who feel as you do have absolutely forgotten how things were done in the early days of the Republican party. There was no attempt made to insist upon uniformity of action in every state. During the war Massachusetts was an overwhelmingly Republican State and the Republicans were a unit against Slavery and for the Union. In that state Republicans were run for Governor every year on a platform straight against Slavery and straight in favor of the Union. Ohio was a very close state, very doubtful. It was lukewarm and possibly hostile as regards Slavery. In that State the Republicans ran in succession for Governor two War Democrats, two men who had voted against Lincoln but who were for the Union, and they ran on a Union ticket [TR has added in holograph: "not on an anti-slavery ticket."] It would have been folly to have made Ohio do as Massachusetts did or Massachusetts do what Ohio did. There were a very few extremists, Wendell Phillips, for instance, who took substantially the view that you now take and who frantically denounced Lincoln because he was not extreme enough and thorough-going enough for them. Of course, I am no more to be compared to Lincoln than the present crisis is to be compared to the Civil War; but the principles are the same in the two cases." A truly remarkable political letter in very fine condition with a superb, full signature of Roosevelt, Lincoln's neighbor on Mount Rushmore.
Theodore Roosevelt Autograph Letter Signed "Theodore Roosevelt," 1.5 pages, 4.5" x 7", separate conjoined leaves. Sagamore Hill embossed stationery, June 12, 1911. To Mr. Leslie. In full, "I am very sorry to learn about Mr. Bower's trouble; I hate to have to write about Archie in connection with it; but of course this is the last and most important week for him, and he ought not to forfeit any chances. He should, for this week, have one tutor all the time, for each subject; will you arrange this?" Roosevelt's son, 17-year-old Archibald Bulloch Roosevelt, was a student at Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, and the school year was coming to a close. Evidently, he was having some difficulty studying for his final exams. After leaving Andover, Archie entered Harvard and graduated in 1916. A distinguished U.S. Army officer and commander of U.S. forces in both World War I and II, he was wounded in both conflicts. Archibald Roosevelt was awarded the Croix de Guerre in WWI and Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster in WWII. Roosevelt family-related letters are usually found in libraries and archives. This letter mentioning one of his children, showing a father's interest in helping his son succeed in school, is extremely desirable. The letter has been expertly repaired, on verso, at the right edge of the mid-horizontal fold. It is lightly dampstained in the center of each page, slightly affecting the signature and three lines on the first page which show through on its blank verso. However, the letter is darkly penned and is in very good condition. It has been tipped to a 10.25" x 14.25" sheet. Accompanied by a 10.5" x 14" portrait (image, 8" x 12") with facsimile signature.
Theodore Roosevelt Signed Photograph, 5.75" x 9.5", marked "Rockwood N.Y. copyright 1900". Roosevelt is depicted here as the nation's proud and youthful vice-president. His large signature flows all the way across the lower portion of the image. The photographer named was most likely the celebrated George Gardner Rockwood (1832 - 1911). Nice sepia toning, minimal chipping to extremities mentioned for accuracy. Fine condition.
William H. Taft Typed Letter Signed "Affectionately Yours/Bill" as Secretary of War, 1.5 pages, 5.5" x 9", conjoined leaves. War Department, Washington, November 13, 1904. To Hon. Howard C. Hollister, Cincinnati. Hollister and Taft were fellow jurists. In 1893, Hollister became Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, Ohio. At the time, Taft was a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Just five days before Taft wrote this letter, Republican President Theodore Roosevelt trounced the Democratic nominee, Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals Alton B. Parker, winning 7.6 million to 5.1 million in popular votes and 336-140 in electoral votes. Roosevelt won every state except the eleven former Confederate states and the border states of Kentucky and Maryland. Taft writes, in full, "I have yours of November 10th. I agree with you that the victory is so great as to be almost alarming. We need to keep our heads and see that our house is put in order. This is no judgment in favor of a reckless government. It is only a vote of confidence which it is our duty to show that we deserve. The victory is so overwhelming that I cannot think that anything that was done in the way of speaking had any particular effect. The motions had to be gone through with, and we went through them, but the victory is a tribute to the personal popularity of the President. The question in the South makes one pause. There are many difficulties connected with it, and yet if some of the leaders would assume a heroic attitude and be willing to give up their representation, which they now unfairly hold, they could work out the problem themselves if they really hold toward the negro the earnest desire to better the race. Perhaps that is what will come out of this victory. Let us hope so."
During the 1904 campaign, Southerners and conservative Democrats attacked Roosevelt for inviting Booker T. Washington to dinner at the White House (1901) and for nominating a Black man, Dr. William D. Crum, to be Collector of the Port of Charleston, S.C. (1903). The New Orleans Daily States called the Washington dinner a "studied insult to the South." When asked if the opposition to Crum was limited to Democrats, South Carolina Senator Benjamin R. Tillman expressed the feeling of most white southerners when he said, "Why it is the Democrats who are kicking, of course. The color line is the party line in South Carolina. There are no white Republicans-not more than 500, I think, and I would be willing to wager not more than a thousand...The President has shown that he wants the negro vote and the Crum nomination is part of his stock in trade. We have no objection to that if he will only take his negroes to some part of the country where the people have no hesitancy in trusting their business to them." A month after the 1904 election, Roosevelt wrote to Henry Smith Pritchett, President of MIT, that "to say that the South's attitude is explained by these two acts [Dinner with Washington and appointment of Crum] is to say that the South is in a condition of violent chronic hysteria." After the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1870 ("The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."), Southern states mobilized a vast campaign of suffrage restrictions such as registration laws and literary tests, in an effort to bar Black Americans from voting, maintaining Democratic party dominance. One form of voting restriction was the "Grandfather" clause that allowed men to register to vote only if they could have voted in 1867 or descended from an 1867 voter. This was the "question" referred to by Taft in this letter, the "Negro question."
In his 1909 Inaugural Address, President Taft addressed the "question in the South." In part, "I look forward with hope to increasing the already good feeling between the South and the other sections of the country. My chief purpose is not to effect a change in the electoral vote of the Southern States...The consideration of this question can not, however, be complete and full without reference to the negro race, its progress and its present condition...While the 15th amendment has not been generally observed in the past, it ought to be observed." Not wishing to alienate the South, Taft adds that he supports "the right to have statutes of States specifying qualifications for electors subjected to the test of compliance with that amendment...it is not the disposition or within the province of the Federal Government to interfere with the regulation by southern states of their domestic affairs." The "Negro question" was not "answered" by the federal government until the 1960s with the ratification of the 24th Amendment barring the poll tax and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. With original 5.75" x 4.75" postmarked War Department envelope. This remarkable letter written by the future President and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is in very fine condition.
During the 1904 campaign, Southerners and conservative Democrats attacked Roosevelt for inviting Booker T. Washington to dinner at the White House (1901) and for nominating a Black man, Dr. William D. Crum, to be Collector of the Port of Charleston, S.C. (1903). The New Orleans Daily States called the Washington dinner a "studied insult to the South." When asked if the opposition to Crum was limited to Democrats, South Carolina Senator Benjamin R. Tillman expressed the feeling of most white southerners when he said, "Why it is the Democrats who are kicking, of course. The color line is the party line in South Carolina. There are no white Republicans-not more than 500, I think, and I would be willing to wager not more than a thousand...The President has shown that he wants the negro vote and the Crum nomination is part of his stock in trade. We have no objection to that if he will only take his negroes to some part of the country where the people have no hesitancy in trusting their business to them." A month after the 1904 election, Roosevelt wrote to Henry Smith Pritchett, President of MIT, that "to say that the South's attitude is explained by these two acts [Dinner with Washington and appointment of Crum] is to say that the South is in a condition of violent chronic hysteria." After the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1870 ("The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."), Southern states mobilized a vast campaign of suffrage restrictions such as registration laws and literary tests, in an effort to bar Black Americans from voting, maintaining Democratic party dominance. One form of voting restriction was the "Grandfather" clause that allowed men to register to vote only if they could have voted in 1867 or descended from an 1867 voter. This was the "question" referred to by Taft in this letter, the "Negro question."
In his 1909 Inaugural Address, President Taft addressed the "question in the South." In part, "I look forward with hope to increasing the already good feeling between the South and the other sections of the country. My chief purpose is not to effect a change in the electoral vote of the Southern States...The consideration of this question can not, however, be complete and full without reference to the negro race, its progress and its present condition...While the 15th amendment has not been generally observed in the past, it ought to be observed." Not wishing to alienate the South, Taft adds that he supports "the right to have statutes of States specifying qualifications for electors subjected to the test of compliance with that amendment...it is not the disposition or within the province of the Federal Government to interfere with the regulation by southern states of their domestic affairs." The "Negro question" was not "answered" by the federal government until the 1960s with the ratification of the 24th Amendment barring the poll tax and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. With original 5.75" x 4.75" postmarked War Department envelope. This remarkable letter written by the future President and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is in very fine condition.
William H. Taft Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "Wm H Taft" on Supreme Court letterhead, 1p., 5" x 8", [Washington], May 18, 1926. A brief letter sending his autograph to a James Leippert, Esq. Boldly penned and in near fine condition. Tipped to a larger sheet and accompanied by an engraving of Taft bearing a facsimile signature.
Woodrow Wilson Signed Cabinet Card, ca. 1880s, imprinted by Pach Bros., New York City on lower margin. Inscribed "With love from Cousin Woodrow" on the verso. Toned with light soiling not affecting image. Fine condition. This likeness of a crisp, young Wilson dates to a period of transition in the future president's life. In 1883, he left a fledgling law practice in Atlanta in order to pursue an academic career and had joined Princeton's faculty by 1890. Wilson's portrait sitting with the Pack Brothers would have occurred between 1885 and 1890 given the address on the imprint. The brothers - Augustus, Oscar, and Godfrey - operated a successful studio well into the 20th century and were experienced as celebrity portrait photographers. Wilson was a return customer as there exists a well-documented Pach portrait of him taken in 1912.
Warren G. Harding Typed Letter Signed "Warren G. Harding" as President, 1.5 pages, 7" x 8.75", conjoined leaves. The White House, Washington, November 14, 1921. To George Sylvester Viereck, New York City. In part, "It is not my custom to find fault with criticism, because I continue to freely recognize the freedom of thought and freedom of expression of opinion in this republic. Sometime those who criticize us are really our helpful friends. I would hardly expect unanimous agreement to all the political appointments which a new Executive is called upon to make. It is inevitable that we make some mistakes. On the whole I am very well satisfied with the selections thus far made." His selections included: Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall (later convicted of accepting bribes and illegal no-interest personal loans in exchange for the leasing of public oil fields at Teapot Dome, Wyoming to business associates - first cabinet member to go to prison), Charles Forbes (director of the Veterans Bureau - skimmed profits, received kickbacks, and ran secret alcohol and drug distribution business; convicted of fraud and bribery), and Thomas Miller (head of the Office of Alien Property - later convicted of accepting bribes). President Harding once mused, "I have no trouble with my enemies, but my damn friends...they're the ones that keep me walking the floor nights!"
Harding then reacts to Viereck's specific complaint: "I am very sure about one thing - there is no intended discrimination among citizens of German stock or origin. On the contrary there have been some very desirable appointments made of men who have pride in their German origin and their loyalty of American citizenship." Harding doubts that Mr. Heyn of New York will be named Minister to Austria because "very likely the nomination of an Ambassador to Germany will come from New York state...I have been more generous in allotting New York the lion's share already. Apart from this you will be interested to know there is some opposition to Mr. Heyn from those who are as proud as you or he to claim German origin." On February 10, 1922, Harding appointed Albert H. Washburn of Massachusetts as Minister to Austria and Alanson B. Houghton of New York as Ambassador to Germany. German-born poet and novelist George Sylvester Viereck was a pro-German propagandist during both World Wars; he was pro-Nazi in World War II. In 1941, Viereck was indicted for a violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and imprisoned from 1942-1947. Harding has penned "Personal" on the first page. There are light stains in the lower margin of the first page with stains on the second page, one in a blank area from plastic tape. The other touches the "g" of "Harding." There are also light ink stains above and below the signature. Rubber stamping on verso of first page (no show-through) indicates that this letter was part of the autograph collection of world-renowned Chicago surgeon, Dr. Max Thorek. The letter is, overall, in very good condition.
Harding then reacts to Viereck's specific complaint: "I am very sure about one thing - there is no intended discrimination among citizens of German stock or origin. On the contrary there have been some very desirable appointments made of men who have pride in their German origin and their loyalty of American citizenship." Harding doubts that Mr. Heyn of New York will be named Minister to Austria because "very likely the nomination of an Ambassador to Germany will come from New York state...I have been more generous in allotting New York the lion's share already. Apart from this you will be interested to know there is some opposition to Mr. Heyn from those who are as proud as you or he to claim German origin." On February 10, 1922, Harding appointed Albert H. Washburn of Massachusetts as Minister to Austria and Alanson B. Houghton of New York as Ambassador to Germany. German-born poet and novelist George Sylvester Viereck was a pro-German propagandist during both World Wars; he was pro-Nazi in World War II. In 1941, Viereck was indicted for a violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and imprisoned from 1942-1947. Harding has penned "Personal" on the first page. There are light stains in the lower margin of the first page with stains on the second page, one in a blank area from plastic tape. The other touches the "g" of "Harding." There are also light ink stains above and below the signature. Rubber stamping on verso of first page (no show-through) indicates that this letter was part of the autograph collection of world-renowned Chicago surgeon, Dr. Max Thorek. The letter is, overall, in very good condition.
Warren G. Harding Typed Letter Signed "Warren G. Harding" as President, 1.5 pages, 7" x 8.75", conjoined leaves. The White House, Washington, June 24, 1922. To Rollo Ogden, The New York Times, New York City. Harding had recently played a round of golf with Ogden, Speaker of the House Gillett and Senator Kellogg. In part, "Golfing is really a most delightful passtime [sic], and does perform the service of bringing devotees more closely together. I have sometimes thought it had a tendency to enable a man to subdue any tendency to irritability. One thing I like about it better than all else is that it always leaves one with a hope that he will do better on the morrow. Frankly, I was considerably disappointed over the game to which I induced you. I really can play a little bit better myself than my exhibition suggested, on the day of your visit, and our opponents are vastly better than they showed that day. I always held that Gillett and Kellogg are the two outstanding players in Congress, with the exception of a much younger member from Massachusetts. You must come again and let us heal our shattered reputations." At the time of this letter, Harding was 56, Ogden was 66, Speaker of the House Frederick H. Gillett was 70, and Senator Frank B. Kellogg was 65. Ogden was then associate editor of The New York Times; he succeeded to the post of editor upon the death of Charles Ransom Miller one month later on July 18, 1922. Harding then tells Ogden, who had been a staunch supporter of Woodrow Wilson and still supported U.S. entry into the League of Nations (opposed by Harding) that he "was quite sincere in saying that I would be glad to give you or your intimate associates a slant on important things at any time it is desired" but that he does "not entertain any expectation that the Times is going to commit itself to this administration..." He concludes, "In any event you must come again and let us see that some improvement is made in the ridiculous scores recorded on the occasion of your last visit." While in the Senate, Harding played golf regularly at the Chevy Chase Golf Club in "senatorial foursomes." As president, he played golf once or twice a week and was an honorary member of the United States Golf Association's executive committee. There is light tanning in the blank margins of each page and a stain in a blank area under the letterhead. The right side of the second page has light type offset from another letter. Light smudging of the first stroke of the "H" in "Harding." Overall, the letter is in very good condition.
Warren G. Harding Autograph Letter Signed Recommending a Civil War Veteran A.L.S. "W.G. Harding" on The Marion Star letterhead, 1p., 8.5" x 11", Marion, July, 26, 1907, to Andrew Harris, then Governor of Ohio. He writes, in part: "One need hardly write you concerning soldiers, but I know Mr. Williams to be a fine man, a soldier of the Civil War and a past commander..." With light traces of ink transfer and uneven toning, very good to near fine and tipped to a larger sheet.
Calvin Coolidge Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "Calvin Coolidge" on The Vinoy Park Hotel letterhead, 1p., 6" x 9.5", [St. Petersburg, Florida], Jan. 9, 1930, to a Dr. Hamilton Holt setting up a lunch date. In part: "It is our intention to call on you Monday or Tuesday and stay for lunch with you or Mr. Batchelder..." Tipped to larger page, in near fine condition.
Scarce Herbert Hoover Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "Herbert Hoover" on his gray imprinted letterhead bearing his 2300 S Street address, 1p. , 6.5" x 8.25", [Washington], n.d., addressed to "My dear Wallace", sending New Year's greetings. He writes: "This is not only to wish you a good new year but to indicate my belief that you are launching the New Year with a great service in the place it is most sorely needed." Although quite plentiful in typed letters signed, letters entirely in Hoover's hand are quite scarce. On a single sheet, this example is ideal for display. In fine condition, tipped to a larger sheet.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Photograph Signed "To W.W. Howes from his friend Franklin D. Roosevelt," 15.5" x 19.5", image 13.5" x 17". W.W. Howes (1887-1962) was FDR's First Assistant Postmaster General. He was also a delegate to the 1940 Democratic National Convention. When FDR was nominated for a third term, Howes resigned as First Assistant Postmaster General in protest. His immediate boss, Postmaster General James A. Farley, was also opposed to a third term and also resigned, mounting an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination easily won by Roosevelt on the first ballot, 946 to 72 for Farley, and 75 for three others. This photograph by Hessler Henderson, Washington, D.C., was obviously inscribed by Roosevelt as President before the 1940 convention, most probably in the early 1930s. The photograph is in very fine condition. It is displayed in a blue leatherette presentation folder simulating a book, 16" x 21" x 1.25", with an ornate gilt-decorated spine imprinted I"Franklin/D./Roosevelt" in gilt lettering.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, a scarce and unusual Document Signed "Franklin D. Roosevelt", as President, one page on White House letterhead, 8 x 10.5 inches, Washington, [no date, circa 1944-5], a "CITATION FOR LEGION OF MERIT Degree of Officer" awarded to "Colonel Nikolai Karpovich Rogozin, Red Army, U.S.S.R. For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. I n the offensive southwest of Leningrad, Colonel Rogozin, operating on a decisive sector of the Leningrad front organized and let a break through of the enemy defenses, inflicted considerable losses on the enemy and dove him back several dozen kilometers. His achievements contributed to the freeing of Leningrad from the enemy's barbarous artillery fire and from the blockade." The Legion of Merit was crated by an Act of Congress on July 20, 1842, and made retroactive to September 8, 1939, the day on which Roosevelt proclaimed a state of emergency after the German invasion of Poland. This was the first award to be issued by the United States to foreign citizens. The siege of Leningrad lasted from December 1941 to January 1944 resulting in the deaths of over 700,000 people. Extremely bright and clean and in extremely fine condition. Housed in a custom blue leather slip case with ribbed gilt titled spine and blue cloth interior featuring a fine sepia portrait of Roosevelt.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Legion of Merit Document Signed as president. One page, 12" x 10", partly printed, with war office blindstamp, Washington, D.C., June 26, 1944, also signed by Henry L. Stimson as secretary of war. The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the U.S. armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. It is issued both to United States military personnel and to military and political figures of foreign governments as is the case here. Also, it is the only U.S. decoration that is issued in degrees, this one being the "Degree of Officer". This present award was issued to "Lieutenant Colonel Prokofi Mefodievich Sidorchuk, Red Army, U.S.S.R." Very fine condition.
Harry S. Truman Typed Letter Signed "Harry S. Truman" as President, one page, 7" x 9". The White House, Washington, May 14, 1952. To General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. In full: "Among the first birthday letters I received was your thoughtful note of greetings from the United States Air Force and I am writing to tell you how sincerely I appreciate this remembrance on my sixty-eighth anniversary. You know, of course, that you have my sincerest good wishes for a complete and speedy recovery from your operation." In a handwritten postscript, the President adds "Hurry up and get well. We need you and your advice badly." General Vandenberg was only 55 when he died of prostate cancer at Walter Reed Army Medical Center less than two years later. President Truman celebrated his 68th birthday on May 8th. Truman had appointed Vandenberg Director of Central Intelligence (1946), Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force with a 4th Star (1947), and Chief of Staff (1948). Vandenberg was renominated as Chief of Staff by President Truman on March 6, 1952, and served until June 30, 1953. This letter, bearing 12 words in the President's holograph, is in very fine condition.
Books
Bryon H. Rollins Archive consisting of three remarkable and historic items:
Chicago Daily Tribune with the famous "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN" headline, one of the most endearing and avidly collected mementoes of the politics of the mid 20th century. The pro-Republican Chicago Tribune, combining excessive optimism with the desire to get a jump on the competition, rushed into print their November 3rd 1948 edition proclaiming Dewey to be the victor in the presidential election. Late returns from California tipped the balance to Truman, and the rest is history. Truman was photographed beaming and holding up a copy of the Tribune, probably the most iconic political photograph of the 20th century. This particular issue contains two complete sections and is evenly and lightly aged. One tiny tear above the masthead could easily be repaired. Overall fine condition.
Famous Truman Photograph Signed by the Photographer. An uncropped 10" x 8" B&W glossy of the above-mentioned photo signed in the lower margin "To Jon- All the Best -Bryon H. Rollins." Signed in his old age, the signature is shaky and apparently he had trouble with the ballpoint pen on the glossy surface as he went over parts of the writing with a second pen. This photo is almost always seen tightly cropped on Truman and the newspaper. This is the original full photo showing another unidentified gentleman standing to Truman's right. Excellent condition with "World Wide Photos" stamp on verso.
Byron H. Rollins Manuscript Letter. Three pages, plain 7.25" x 10.5" paper, Washington, D.C., no date. This letter offers a fascinating personal insight into the 1948 campaign and how this well-known photo came to be. In part: "...At that time- practically all campaigning was done by train. The press secretary would hand out copies of the lists of stops for the current day. Possibly starting at 6AM & ending at Midnite- and a couple of extra unskedded [sic] stops should a large crowd appear on the scene. Campaigning by train was no picnic. You can well imagine the stench from 56-60 unbathed bodies after a week of travel- 'Air Wick' was in the vogue...I believe the man with HST is either the Mayor or Governor of Missouri (I don't honestly know)...when we saw Truman holding a paper we rushed to the scene really not knowing what we had until days later as I left my film in St. Louis with an AP reporter...Other than hard work and the satisfaction of doing a job to the best of my ability; there was not time to have any special feelings esthetic or otherwise. The top reward was to see ones picture in the newspaper...You no doubt know Col. McCormack & the Trib were backing Dewey to the hilt. Somehow Truman got a copy of the Trib and decided to rub a little salt into the wound..." Fine condition.
Chicago Daily Tribune with the famous "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN" headline, one of the most endearing and avidly collected mementoes of the politics of the mid 20th century. The pro-Republican Chicago Tribune, combining excessive optimism with the desire to get a jump on the competition, rushed into print their November 3rd 1948 edition proclaiming Dewey to be the victor in the presidential election. Late returns from California tipped the balance to Truman, and the rest is history. Truman was photographed beaming and holding up a copy of the Tribune, probably the most iconic political photograph of the 20th century. This particular issue contains two complete sections and is evenly and lightly aged. One tiny tear above the masthead could easily be repaired. Overall fine condition.
Famous Truman Photograph Signed by the Photographer. An uncropped 10" x 8" B&W glossy of the above-mentioned photo signed in the lower margin "To Jon- All the Best -Bryon H. Rollins." Signed in his old age, the signature is shaky and apparently he had trouble with the ballpoint pen on the glossy surface as he went over parts of the writing with a second pen. This photo is almost always seen tightly cropped on Truman and the newspaper. This is the original full photo showing another unidentified gentleman standing to Truman's right. Excellent condition with "World Wide Photos" stamp on verso.
Byron H. Rollins Manuscript Letter. Three pages, plain 7.25" x 10.5" paper, Washington, D.C., no date. This letter offers a fascinating personal insight into the 1948 campaign and how this well-known photo came to be. In part: "...At that time- practically all campaigning was done by train. The press secretary would hand out copies of the lists of stops for the current day. Possibly starting at 6AM & ending at Midnite- and a couple of extra unskedded [sic] stops should a large crowd appear on the scene. Campaigning by train was no picnic. You can well imagine the stench from 56-60 unbathed bodies after a week of travel- 'Air Wick' was in the vogue...I believe the man with HST is either the Mayor or Governor of Missouri (I don't honestly know)...when we saw Truman holding a paper we rushed to the scene really not knowing what we had until days later as I left my film in St. Louis with an AP reporter...Other than hard work and the satisfaction of doing a job to the best of my ability; there was not time to have any special feelings esthetic or otherwise. The top reward was to see ones picture in the newspaper...You no doubt know Col. McCormack & the Trib were backing Dewey to the hilt. Somehow Truman got a copy of the Trib and decided to rub a little salt into the wound..." Fine condition.
Autographs
Harry S. Truman Proclamation Signed "Harry S Truman" as President, one page, 11" x 16.75". Washington, D.C., May 8, 1945. A multicolored lithograph of President Truman's proclamation of May 13, 1945, as a day of prayer following the end of the war in Europe, in very fine condition signed by Truman in brown ink; "ru" of "Truman" a little light. In full: "The Allied armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God's help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender. The western world has been freed of the evil forces which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men. They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, corrupted their children, and murdered their loved ones. Our Armies of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples, whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave. Much remains to be done. The victory won in the West must now be won in the East. The whole world must be cleansed of the evil from which half the world has been freed. United, the peace-loving nations have demonstrated in the West that their arms are stronger by far than the might of dictators or the tyranny of military cliques that once called us soft and weak. The power of our peoples to defend themselves against all enemies will be proved in the Pacific was as it has been proved in Europe. For the triumph of spirit and of arms which we have won, and of its promise to peoples everywhere who join us in the love of freedom, it is fitting that we, as a nation, give thanks to Almighty God, Who has strengthened us and given us the victory. Now, therefore, I, Harry S. Truman, President of the United States of America, do hereby appoint Sunday, May 13, 1945 to be a day of prayer. I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory we have won and to pray that He will support us to the end of our present struggle and guide us into the ways of peace. I also call upon my countrymen to dedicate this day of prayer to the memory of those who have given their lives to make possible our victory. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed." President Truman read this proclamation at a news conference held in his office at the White House at 8:35 A.M. on Tuesday, May 8, 1945. His wife and daughter, members of his Cabinet, high ranking United States and British Army and Navy officials, and Congressional leaders were grouped in chairs around the President's desk. Before reading the proclamation, President Truman said, "This is a solemn but glorious hour. General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of freedom fly all over Europe. It's celebrating my birthday, too -- today, too." Reporters responded with shouts of "Happy Birthday, Mr. President." As he was reading the proclamation, he stopped after certain passages to comment. After "The victory won in the West must now be won in the East," he said, "I want that emphasized time after time, that we are only half through." After "the tyranny of military cliques that once called us soft and weak," Truman commented, "I would like to know what the Germans think about that now." After proclaiming the day of prayer, he added, "And it's exceedingly fitting that it is Mother's Day, too." This impressive proclamation is double-matted and framed under glass. Overall size, 19.5" x 25.5". 2
Harry S. Truman Document Signed "Harry Truman", one page, 8" x 10.25", Washington, D.C., circa 1946. Typed on White House letterhead, this official statement outlines the exemplary WW II service of Red Army Major Nicolas Kiesntzoff as justification for his receiving the "Legion of Merit" award from the United States. Superb Truman signature on a pristine sheet having Cyrillic pencil notation in upper right margin. Lot includes Kiesntzoff's actual 11.75" x 9.75" "Legion of Merit" certificate dated April 9, 1946 and signed by Secretary of War Robert Patterson and Army's Adjutant General. Penciled Cyrillic notation in margin, else excellent condition.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Typed Letter Signed "Dwight D. Eisenhower" as Supreme Commander, July 13, 1945, one page, 7.5" x 9.75". Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Office of the Supreme Commander, [Frankfurt, Germany], July 13, 1945. To Lt. General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Commanding General, Ninth U.S. Air Force. In part, "Dear Van: Combined Command terminates at midnight tonight, 13 July 1945, and brings to a close one of the greatest and most successful campaigns ever fought. History alone will judge the Allied Expeditionary Force in its true perspective, but we, who have worked and struggled together, can feel nothing but pride in the achievements of the men we have been honored to command, and sadness at having to be parted now. Whatever history may relate about the exploits of this Allied Force, and the memory of man is short and fickle, it is only we, at this time, who can fully appreciate the merit and due worth of the accomplishments of this great Allied team. These accomplishments are not limited to the defeat of the Nazi hordes in battle -- a continent has been liberated from all that is an antipathy to the ideal of democracy which is our common heritage. Above all, we have proven to the whole world that the British and American peoples can forever be united in purpose, in deed and in death for the cause of liberty...Your own brilliant performance is already a matter of history. My gratitude to you is a small token for the magnificent service which you have rendered, and my simple expression of thanks sounds totally inadequate...I can do nothing more than assure you of my lasting appreciation, which I would ask you to convey to all those under your command for their exemplary devotion to duty and for the most magnificent loyalty which has ever been shown to a commander." On July 13, 1945, the SHAEF staff assembled in the casino of the I.G. Farbenindustrie Building in Frankfurt, Germany. General Eisenhower made his farewell address, expressing his appreciation for their work, concluding, "It is my fervent hope and prayer that the unparalleled unity which has been achieved among the Allied nations in war will be a source of inspiration for, and point the way to, a permanent and lasting peace." In April 1944, Hoyt S. Vandenberg (1899-1954) was designated deputy air commander in chief of the Allied Expeditionary Forces and commander of its American Air Component. He later received an oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal for his part in planning the Normandy invasion. Vandenberg's contribution to the Allied victory cannot be overstated and is perhaps best illustrated by Patton's gesture in presenting the German battle flag to Vandenberg upon touring the wreckage after the fall of Bastogne. Vandenberg later served as Director of Central Intelligence (1946-1947) and Chief of Staff of the Air Force (1948-1953). On October 4, 1958 the missile and aerospace base at Cooke AFB in Lompoc, California, was renamed Vandenberg Air Force Base. This letter, in very fine condition, has been attractively double-matted and framed under glass to an overall size of 18" x 22.5". A truly historic tribute by General Eisenhower not only to General Vandenberg, but to all the soldiers who liberated Europe.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Typed Letter Signed "Eisenhower," one page, 7" x 10.25". On 5-Star stationery, January 24, 1948. To General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. In full: "Dear Van: This note brings my congratulations and good wishes on your birthday. May the ascendance of your star continue unchecked. With warm regard." General Hoyt S. Vandenberg celebrated his 49th birthday the day this letter was written. He had received an oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal for his part in planning the Normandy invasion and, in August 1944, became Commanding General of the Ninth Air Force, a tactical air force in England and in France. When Lieutenant General Vandenberg was designated Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force on October 1, 1947, he was promoted to the rank of 4-Star General. On April 30, 1948, General Vandenberg became Chief of Staff of the Air Force and served until June 30, 1953. He was only 55 when he died of prostate cancer at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 1954. This letter, bearing Ike's rare military signature "Eisenhower," is in very fine condition.
Four Typewritten Drafts of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1953.The Chance for Peace Address. Regarded as one of the finest speeches of Eisenhower's presidency, on April 16, 1953, in his third month as president, Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered an address before the American Society of Newspaper Editors at the Statler Hotel in Washington, D.C. In a panel discussion at the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis Energy Conference in 2003, Susan Eisenhower, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Eisenhower Institute, said that her grandfather "had originally intended the Atoms for Peace speech to be the first major foreign policy address of his administration. But Stalin's death at the outset in March of 1953 prompted the Eisenhower administration to think about articulating some opening to the people of the Soviet Union, which resulted in the 'Chance for Peace' speech." In this speech, broadcast over radio and television, President Eisenhower compared peaceful expenditures with the expenditures both the United States and the Soviet Union were making for armaments in the Cold War. Each of the four drafts, pages stapled together in the upper left corner, is stamped in red at the top of the first page "Top Secret". Comprises:
"3/31/53 (6th Draft)". Nine pages, 8" x 12.5". Over 350 words handwritten in pencil by President Eisenhower. Just beneath the title, he's penciled: "First paras must establish identity with audience of Editors. Their functions, opportunities etc." Other handwritten edits include:
On page 3, after the typed "It is humanity hanging from a cross of iron," he's added "and always in the background there is the threat of war." In his address, it became: "Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron."
On the page 4, after referring to the recent death of Stalin and the new Soviet leadership, after the typed "But the Soviet Union confronts this above all: a moment - a precious chance - to awaken, with the rest of the world, to the point of peril reached, and to help turn the tide of history," Eisenhower has added "Recent statements of its leaders give some evidence that they may recognize this opportunity. The rest of the world values nothing else at this moment but evidence of their sincerity. Certainly for either or both of us [Eisenhower continues on the verso of this page] either through the processes already established by the U.N. or in exploratory discussions outside that organization this nation stands ready to meet half way every honest offer it will do everything that honesty and self-respect permit. We know there is a different and better way for mankind than it is now compelled to follow. It is a way as fully protective of the rights of the U.S.S.R. as of ourselves."
On page 5, in the left margin, "We are impatient of propaganda; we want no rhetoric, no glittering generalities or spacious promises. We are not particular as to procedures and protocol; we want only sincerity on the part of all participants."
On page 6, in the left margin, referring to the Korean War, "The immediate exchange of all sick and wounded; pressed by many months by the U.N. the immediate cessation of hostilities, coincidentally with the voluntary exchange of prisoners the disposal of others as recently proposed by India."
On page 7, in the left margin, after proposing giving "a percentage of the savings achieved by disarmament to a Fund for World Aid and Relief to help the needy and undeveloped areas of the world," Eisenhower adds, "Indeed, over and above a United Nations effort in this field, in recognition of the strength and power of both the U.S.S.R. and the United States, our government would be glad to propose to its people the forming with that country of a...partnership...to be jointly administered in work of this kind."
At the conclusion of page 9, he writes, in parentheses, "(I rather feel a good ending would be an appeal to editors to help.)"
"(8th Draft)". 11 pages, 8" x 12.5". Over 200 words handwritten in pencil by President Eisenhower. On page 3, he's penciled in the left and upper margins: "Regardless of our desire now, and always, for peaceful decent and friendly relations with all peoples I assert again, for all to know, that America will never again be so unprepared for the possibility of war that any can hope to conquer her unbreakable determination...No cost, no sacrifice...spared the worth of our freedom so long as we are...to that freedom our guard will never for an instant be lowered."
On page 6, after the typed "Recent statements and gestures of its leaders give some evidence of recognizing the critical moment before us," Eisenhower inserts, "We welcome and applaud every act that fits into programs toward peace, but" [typed] "we are impatient of mere rhetoric." Eisenhower has crossed out "are impatient of," replacing it with "want no more".
On page 9, "We believe it to be in our own enlightened self-interest to see all nations steadily advance in material, cultural...standards. We believe that...towards this end are formed the true road to peace."
On page 11, after the typed "The purpose of the United States, in stating these proposals, is simple and clear," Eisenhower has added "It conforms to their indestructible faith that the Almighty created men to enjoy, not destroy, the fruits of the earth and of their own toil." Towards the closing of his actual speech, he said, "They conform to our firm faith that God created men to enjoy, not destroy, the fruits of the earth and of their own toil."
Two carbon copies of the "8th Draft" are also present. Speechwriters Emmet John Hughes and Charles D. Jackson helped President Eisenhower write "The Chance for Peace" speech. Hughes had written Eisenhower's famous "I shall go to Korea" speech in the 1952 campaign. According to files in the Eisenhower Library, Jackson's "main function was the coordination of activities aimed at interpreting world situations to the best advantage of the United States and her allies and exploiting incidents which reflected negatively on the Soviet Union, Communist China and other enemies in the Cold War." Most likely, Hughes and Jackson were each given a carbon of the "8th Draft" to edit and these carbons are the ones in this collection. All four drafts are in fine condition.
"3/31/53 (6th Draft)". Nine pages, 8" x 12.5". Over 350 words handwritten in pencil by President Eisenhower. Just beneath the title, he's penciled: "First paras must establish identity with audience of Editors. Their functions, opportunities etc." Other handwritten edits include:
On page 3, after the typed "It is humanity hanging from a cross of iron," he's added "and always in the background there is the threat of war." In his address, it became: "Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron."
On the page 4, after referring to the recent death of Stalin and the new Soviet leadership, after the typed "But the Soviet Union confronts this above all: a moment - a precious chance - to awaken, with the rest of the world, to the point of peril reached, and to help turn the tide of history," Eisenhower has added "Recent statements of its leaders give some evidence that they may recognize this opportunity. The rest of the world values nothing else at this moment but evidence of their sincerity. Certainly for either or both of us [Eisenhower continues on the verso of this page] either through the processes already established by the U.N. or in exploratory discussions outside that organization this nation stands ready to meet half way every honest offer it will do everything that honesty and self-respect permit. We know there is a different and better way for mankind than it is now compelled to follow. It is a way as fully protective of the rights of the U.S.S.R. as of ourselves."
On page 5, in the left margin, "We are impatient of propaganda; we want no rhetoric, no glittering generalities or spacious promises. We are not particular as to procedures and protocol; we want only sincerity on the part of all participants."
On page 6, in the left margin, referring to the Korean War, "The immediate exchange of all sick and wounded; pressed by many months by the U.N. the immediate cessation of hostilities, coincidentally with the voluntary exchange of prisoners the disposal of others as recently proposed by India."
On page 7, in the left margin, after proposing giving "a percentage of the savings achieved by disarmament to a Fund for World Aid and Relief to help the needy and undeveloped areas of the world," Eisenhower adds, "Indeed, over and above a United Nations effort in this field, in recognition of the strength and power of both the U.S.S.R. and the United States, our government would be glad to propose to its people the forming with that country of a...partnership...to be jointly administered in work of this kind."
At the conclusion of page 9, he writes, in parentheses, "(I rather feel a good ending would be an appeal to editors to help.)"
"(8th Draft)". 11 pages, 8" x 12.5". Over 200 words handwritten in pencil by President Eisenhower. On page 3, he's penciled in the left and upper margins: "Regardless of our desire now, and always, for peaceful decent and friendly relations with all peoples I assert again, for all to know, that America will never again be so unprepared for the possibility of war that any can hope to conquer her unbreakable determination...No cost, no sacrifice...spared the worth of our freedom so long as we are...to that freedom our guard will never for an instant be lowered."
On page 6, after the typed "Recent statements and gestures of its leaders give some evidence of recognizing the critical moment before us," Eisenhower inserts, "We welcome and applaud every act that fits into programs toward peace, but" [typed] "we are impatient of mere rhetoric." Eisenhower has crossed out "are impatient of," replacing it with "want no more".
On page 9, "We believe it to be in our own enlightened self-interest to see all nations steadily advance in material, cultural...standards. We believe that...towards this end are formed the true road to peace."
On page 11, after the typed "The purpose of the United States, in stating these proposals, is simple and clear," Eisenhower has added "It conforms to their indestructible faith that the Almighty created men to enjoy, not destroy, the fruits of the earth and of their own toil." Towards the closing of his actual speech, he said, "They conform to our firm faith that God created men to enjoy, not destroy, the fruits of the earth and of their own toil."
Two carbon copies of the "8th Draft" are also present. Speechwriters Emmet John Hughes and Charles D. Jackson helped President Eisenhower write "The Chance for Peace" speech. Hughes had written Eisenhower's famous "I shall go to Korea" speech in the 1952 campaign. According to files in the Eisenhower Library, Jackson's "main function was the coordination of activities aimed at interpreting world situations to the best advantage of the United States and her allies and exploiting incidents which reflected negatively on the Soviet Union, Communist China and other enemies in the Cold War." Most likely, Hughes and Jackson were each given a carbon of the "8th Draft" to edit and these carbons are the ones in this collection. All four drafts are in fine condition.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Signed First Edition: Crusade in Europe (Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Co. Inc., 1948), 559 pages, sienna cloth boards, octavo (6" x 8.75"), inscribed and signed "For/General Hoyt S. Vandenberg./Outstanding Air Force/Commander of World War II -/with best wishes and/warm regard from his/devoted friend/Ike Eisenhower" on the half-title. On front endpaper, map of "Festung Europa/June 6, 1944"; on back endpaper, map of "The Mediterranean/under Axis domination." Illustrated. In April 1944, Hoyt S. Vandenberg (1899-1954) was designated deputy air commander in chief of the Allied Expeditionary Forces and commander of its American Air Component. He later received an oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal for his part in planning and providing Allied air support for the Normandy invasion. In August he became Commanding General of the Ninth Air Force, whose success paved the way for the Allied advance through Europe. Vandenberg was Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 1948-1953. Black-stamp on spine worn (where you would grasp the book when taking it off a bookshelf), lower corners gently bumped. No dust jacket. Overall, in very good condition.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Signed D-Day Address in First Edition: Crusade in Europe (Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Co. Inc., 1948). "This edition is limited to one thousand four hundred and twenty-six numbered and signed copies, of which one thousand four hundred and one are for sale. This is number 847," 559 pages, gilt-edged on top, sienna cloth boards, octavo (6" x 8.75"), signed "Dwight D. Eisenhower" in ink beneath a facsimile of the D-Day Orders of the Day: "Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Forces: You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory! I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory! Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." From the Eisenhower Presidential Library: "The D-Day operation of June 6, 1944 brought together the land, air and sea forces of the allied armies in what became known as the largest invasion force in human history...The invasion force included 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel from eight allied countries..." On front endpaper, map of "Festung Europa/June 6, 1944"; on back endpaper, map of "The Mediterranean/under Axis domination." Illustrated. Fine condition. In original presentation box, worn at edges.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower Typed Letter Signed "D.E." as President, one page, 7 x 9 inches on White House letterhead, Thomasville, Georgia, February 23, 1956 to George. O. Strecker written only five days before he would announce his intention to seek a second term in office commenting on a cartoon sent by Strecker concerning the prognosis of Eisenhower's personal physician following his 1955 heart attack. Eisenhower opens thanking Strecker for "...[Joseph] Parrish's cartoon. It was forwarded to me down here -- and caused many a chuckle among the inhabitants of Milestone..." and adding a short postscript: "Would you see that Mr. Parrish receives the attached note? [no longer present]" The letter is accompanied by an original clipping of the Chicago Tribune cartoon. In the same letter Eisenhower congratulates Strecker on his new "'career'" hoping he will be able to "...get as much fun as I do from dabbling with paints, and that you are far more skillful in avoiding some of the frustrations that I encounter..." With original transmittal envelope. Moderate toning, usual folds, else very good. Offered together with a Autograph Document Signed "Dwight D. Eisenhower", one page in violet pencil, 5 x 8 inches, [no place, no date, but very possibly accomplished as President in light of the letter above], a list of "Winsor-Newton Paints" noting nine shades including "Zinc white", "Yellow Ochre - light", "Cadmium Red", "Burnt Sienna", and "Blue - Ultramarine", together with "Half a dozen flat soft brushes, sable or camel's hair..." Eisenhower adds his signature vertically in the left margin. Eisenhower's Autograph Letters Signed while in office are prohibitively rare. Mounting remnants on verso show through to recto, signature light, else fine. Also together with First Lady Mamie Dowd Eisenhower Typed Letter Signed "Mamie Eisenhower", one page, 4.5 x 7 inches on White House letterhead, Denver, September 13, 1955 to Frances Strecker thanking her for "...sending the clippings about Percy Thompson. No, we had not seen either the story or the picture and were interested in both. It was good to see you and George; I hope that he fulfills his 'yen' to paint..." With original transmittal envelope. Fine condition. Provenance: the papers of George Strecker. George Strecker was an advertising executive at the Chicago Tribune and became close to the Eisenhower's through his wife, whom was a long-time friend with Mamie Dowd Eisenhower. Together, three pieces.
Eisenhower Archive. In 1965, after the Republican Party suffered its worst presidential defeat since 1936, Ray C. Bliss was chosen Chairman of the Republican National Committee. This collection consists of letters to Bliss from Dwight D. Eisenhower (3), Mamie Eisenhower, and Eisenhower's executive assistant, Brig. Gen. Robert L. Schulz:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Typed Letter Signed "D.E.". Two separate pages, 7" x 10.25", Gettysburg, Pa., November 25, 1966. The only living former Republican President has been urged, in part, "to persuade Republican leaders to avoid any divisive efforts, certainly during the year 1967" and it was "suggested that I hold a luncheon to which I should invite Nixon, Romney, Percy, Reagan, Rockefeller, Hatfield, and of course, yourself. It would be the purpose of you and me to urge upon prospective aspirants the need for speaking of all the others only in favorable terms. (If this were impossible, the next best thing would be to keep silent.) During 1967, all these prospectives, when questioned by the press, would reply merely in the equivalent of 'no comment.'" In a handwritten postscript, Eisenhower adds: "P.S. Before signing this I talked to you on phone. But I am sending it along merely as an 'aide memoire.' D." Very fine.
Two Dwight D. Eisenhower TLsS "D.D.E." Each one page, 7" x 10.25", Gettysburg letterhead but written from Walter Reed Hospital, June 3, 1968 (thanks for "the beautiful bouquet of Mamie carnations...The doctors seem to be pleased with my progress..." ) and October 28, 1968 (thanks "all of my friends at the [Republican National] Committee for their good wishes and handsome plaque..."). The Mamie carnation is a white flower with red speckles; it had been developed and presented to the then-First Lady by horticulturist Edward C. Geiger. Very fine.
Mamie Doud Eisenhower Autograph Letter Signed in full. One page, 6.25" x 9", Gettysburg, Pa., April 12, 1969. Ten days after her husband's funeral, Mrs. Eisenhower writes, in full: "Thank you for your telegram of sympathy in my great loss. The burden of grief has been lessened by the kind thoughts of so many of our friends and the knowledge that the entire country is sharing my sadness." In a handwritten postscript, she refers to Nixon's victory five months earlier: "P.S. How happy I am that 'Ike' lived to see victory for the 'grand old party.' MDE" Fine.
Brig. Gen. Robert L. Schulz TLS "Bob". One page, 6.25" x 9.25", Gettysburg, July 11, 1968. Eisenhower's Executive Assistant conveys the General's appreciation for "The beautiful floral arrangement you had delivered to his room at Walter Reed..." Paper clip rust stain at top. Fine. Eisenhower machine or rubber-stamped franked envelope accompanies each letter.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Typed Letter Signed "D.E.". Two separate pages, 7" x 10.25", Gettysburg, Pa., November 25, 1966. The only living former Republican President has been urged, in part, "to persuade Republican leaders to avoid any divisive efforts, certainly during the year 1967" and it was "suggested that I hold a luncheon to which I should invite Nixon, Romney, Percy, Reagan, Rockefeller, Hatfield, and of course, yourself. It would be the purpose of you and me to urge upon prospective aspirants the need for speaking of all the others only in favorable terms. (If this were impossible, the next best thing would be to keep silent.) During 1967, all these prospectives, when questioned by the press, would reply merely in the equivalent of 'no comment.'" In a handwritten postscript, Eisenhower adds: "P.S. Before signing this I talked to you on phone. But I am sending it along merely as an 'aide memoire.' D." Very fine.
Two Dwight D. Eisenhower TLsS "D.D.E." Each one page, 7" x 10.25", Gettysburg letterhead but written from Walter Reed Hospital, June 3, 1968 (thanks for "the beautiful bouquet of Mamie carnations...The doctors seem to be pleased with my progress..." ) and October 28, 1968 (thanks "all of my friends at the [Republican National] Committee for their good wishes and handsome plaque..."). The Mamie carnation is a white flower with red speckles; it had been developed and presented to the then-First Lady by horticulturist Edward C. Geiger. Very fine.
Mamie Doud Eisenhower Autograph Letter Signed in full. One page, 6.25" x 9", Gettysburg, Pa., April 12, 1969. Ten days after her husband's funeral, Mrs. Eisenhower writes, in full: "Thank you for your telegram of sympathy in my great loss. The burden of grief has been lessened by the kind thoughts of so many of our friends and the knowledge that the entire country is sharing my sadness." In a handwritten postscript, she refers to Nixon's victory five months earlier: "P.S. How happy I am that 'Ike' lived to see victory for the 'grand old party.' MDE" Fine.
Brig. Gen. Robert L. Schulz TLS "Bob". One page, 6.25" x 9.25", Gettysburg, July 11, 1968. Eisenhower's Executive Assistant conveys the General's appreciation for "The beautiful floral arrangement you had delivered to his room at Walter Reed..." Paper clip rust stain at top. Fine. Eisenhower machine or rubber-stamped franked envelope accompanies each letter.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower. An Excellent Collection of Ten Pieces Including Seven Typed Letters Signed "D.E." together with three telegrams, all written to George. O. Strecker of the Chicago Tribune from 1950 to 1959. Of the typed letters, three are signed as President, one as President-elect and two as president of Columbia University. Most bear familiar, polite content concerning social visits (or the lack thereof due to the demands of his public career). The letters read in very small part: "...[Denver, August 8, 1952 two weeks before he would fight Robert A. Taft for the Republican nomination]...We got a real lift from your wire, and it is certainly encouraging to know that warm friends are with us in the campaign ahead... [Washington, August 5, 1955]... Mamie and I are looking forward eagerly to our Denver sojourn. I have long since stopped deluding myself that it is a 'vacation,'..." Also of interest is one of the telegrams, Washington, November 15, 1956 written in the midst of the Suez Crisis thanking Strecker for his message adding, "...IN THESE DIFFICULT DAYS MAMIE AND I PARTICULARLY APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHT AND YOUR GOOD WISHES..." Provenance: The papers of George O. Strecker. George Strecker was an advertising executive at the Chicago Tribune and became close to the Eisenhower's through his wife, whom was a long-time friend with Mamie Dowd Eisenhower. Letters unevenly toned due to glue remnants on verso, one letter trimmed, else very good condition. Together, ten pieces.
John F. Kennedy, a very fine content Autograph Manuscript (unsigned) as Senator, three pages on lined U.S. Senate stationery, 8 x 10.5 inches, Washington, [no date, circa 1953 to 1960], being part of a draft speech relating the story of Medal of Honor recipient Benjamin Franklin Falls who was cited for his bravery at the Battle of Gettysburg only to die the following year in the Wilderness Campaign. The draft, not complete, relates the story of Benjamin Falls, who, after three years of service (including his meritorious service at Gettysburg), volunteered for an additional three years in the 19th Massachusetts infantry in when new recruits were not coming forward to serve. The draft, most likely prepared for a Memorial Day address, reads in full: "[Page 1] asked to reenlist for another 2 years. When they went, only 13 men & one wounded officer was left. they considered the matter and one man finally said 'They use a man here just the same as they do a turkey of a shooting match, fire at it all day, and if they don't kill it, raffle it off in the evening. So with us, if they can't kill you in 3 years, they want you for 3 more -- but I will stay' [Page 2] of the war for 3 years -- we're asked to reenlist for another 3 years [Page 3] And a comrade spoke up 'Well if new men won't finish the job, old men must and as long as Uncle Sam wants a man, here is Ben Falls.' the regiment had won & regarding his remark, pointed out that Ben Falls was killed on the front line two months later in battle at Spotsylvania. That is the spirit and the kind of man we honor on this days ceremony." Benjamin Franklin Falls (1824-1864) enlisted in Company A of the 19th Massachusetts on August 28, 1861 seeing action in the Peninsular Campaign, Antietam, Chancellosrville, and Fredericksburg before being engaged at Gettysburg. On the third day, the regiment was heavily engaged in Hancock's counterattack against Pickett's brigade. Fall, carrying the flag of the regiment, managed to wrestle the flag of a Confederate regiment away from its own color bearer, and carried both flags in his hands through the balance of the action. Fall's regiment suffered 50% casualties in the action and captured four enemy flags. It was for this action that Falls was given a Medal of Honor Citation. In December of 1863, his term of enlistment about to expire, he and his comrades were approached by Captain Jack Adams who related the need for additional volunteers. Adams wrote that "...he asked for a response from them; for a moment all were silent, then Ben Falls said, 'Well, if new men wont' finish this job, old men must, and as long as Uncle Sam wants a man, here is Ben Falls.' Then spoke Mike Scannell: 'It is three years, as you know, since I have seen my wife and children. I had expected to go home when my time was out and stay there, but we must never give up this fight until we win, and I am with you to the end.' Others expressed themselves in the same way, and when I said, 'All who will re-enlist step one pace to the front,' very man in line advanced." It was a fatal decision for Falls. During the Wilderness Campaign the following spring, he was wounded twice. The second wound proved fatal, and he died at the age of 39 leaving a wife and two children behind. He is buried in Lynn, Massachusetts at Pine Grove cemetery. A most stirring account related by Kennedy. This is a fine example of Kennedy's speech-making style, using personal stories of others to inspire, instruct and illustrate themes. His first political speeches delivered during his 1946 campaign for Congress used the story of Patrick McMahon who suffered severe burns in the PT-109 incident to similar effect. A fine example of Kennedy speechwriting. Pages bear a light horizontal crease, else extremely clean and in very fine condition.
JFK and RFK Commute a 50-year Marijuana Sentence. Partly printed DS: "John F. Kennedy" as President and "Robert F. Kennedy" as Attorney General, 2p, 9" x 13.5". Washington, D.C., July 16, 1963. In full: "Whereas Peter Young was convicted in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California on an indictment (No. 25738-CD), charging violations of Section 176(a), Title 21, United States Code, and on May twenty-seventh, 1957, a sentence of fifty years' imprisonment was imposed; and Whereas the aforesaid conviction was appealed and affirmed on January ninth, 1961, by the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; and Whereas the said Peter Young was committed to the United States Penitentiary, McNeil Island, Washington, July twenty-first, 1957, and will be eligible to be released therefrom with credit for statutory good time December twenty-first, 1990; and Whereas it has been made to appear that the ends of justice do not require that the aforesaid sentence be served in its entirety: Now, therefore, be it known, that I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States of America, in consideration of the premises, divers other good and sufficient reasons me thereunto moving, do hereby commute the sentence of the aforesaid Peter Young to a term of ten years' imprisonment."
Section 176(a), Title 21 of the U.S. Code was enacted in 1909. It covered illegal importation of marijuana and set the penalties for such illegal importation. It was repealed in 1971 and was replaced by Public Law 91-513. Three heavy horizontal folds with indentations at the edges, one going through the line commuting the sentence, another through the gold paper seal of the Department of Justice. Anything signed by both John and Robert Kennedy are scarce. Although this document does have minor defects, the content (commutation of a marijuana importation conviction) and the fine signatures of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy make it a rare and extremely desirable presidential document. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
Section 176(a), Title 21 of the U.S. Code was enacted in 1909. It covered illegal importation of marijuana and set the penalties for such illegal importation. It was repealed in 1971 and was replaced by Public Law 91-513. Three heavy horizontal folds with indentations at the edges, one going through the line commuting the sentence, another through the gold paper seal of the Department of Justice. Anything signed by both John and Robert Kennedy are scarce. Although this document does have minor defects, the content (commutation of a marijuana importation conviction) and the fine signatures of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy make it a rare and extremely desirable presidential document. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
John F. Kennedy Signed: Profiles in Courage (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1956) first edition, xix, 266 pages, photographic plates, quarter black over blue cloth boards, spine in gilt, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), dust jacket, signed on the front end page "To Bill Kerrigan with very warmest regards John Kennedy March 17th, 1957". Book is in very good condition with light shelf wear, the dust jacket is slightly soiled with a few edge tears and creasing. Clear and bold signature, making this a desirable example of his most famous book.
John F. Kennedy Hand-Notated Typed Speech on Oil with 80+ words in his hand. Seven pages, 8.5" x 14", Washington D.C., dated for immediate release on Monday, Feb 18, 1952. Congressman Kennedy introduced in the House of Representatives legislation that provided that the proceeds of oil from the so-called Tidelands would be earmarked by the federal Government for Health purposes. This was an address in support of that bill. On the verso of the last page, JFK writes in blue pen: "I think you all agree that this country soon faces a shortage of hospital beds. Half of the beds we have reserved for critical patients - doctors, nurses or dentists,...beds...hospitals...of...see...for Ten...have use of many...that you...to...completely...no more as necessary -I do not argue, I state the case made...I believe great attention should be paid to providing necessary help ..." Fine.
Early Jacqueline Kennedy Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "Jackie" on imprinted "Hammerstein Farm" letterhead, 2pp., 6.25" x 9.25", written on a train from Rhode Island, undated but likely the end of summer in 1943. The handwriting is a bit shaky from the movement of the train, and the content is very girlish in nature. She writes, in part: "This is the BUMPIEST train! It was so sad to leave this morning and go away from all the wonderful times I've had this summer + all the wonderful people and wonderful places that I love - I am about to sprinkle tears all over that little speech - It was a little better going on a bad day because if it had been a beautiful I probably would have sobbed or escaped & hot-footed it to the beach. This has been the most wonderful summer I've ever had - and you certainly helped to make it that way...Golly - Woodley - It makes me be sick to think how dreary this summer would have been without you. When I came here I was petrified of everything and pretty shy & not liking a bit the idea of going around with a lot of girls who were shallow + nothing but flirts - and talking about nothing but boys. It was so nice to find you... this sounds like a love letter - I've never seen anything so mushy in my life..." She adds a drawing of a two figures toasting each other with captions reading "Ah Ken my love of orange juice did bringeth us together" and "Ah yes Woodley my little orange pit - and it will keepeth us together." There are additional drawings of two babies and two tombstones, both presumably testifying to the longevity of Ken and Woodley's love.
Jackie had always summered with her grandmother in East Hampton until her mother's marriage to Standard Oil heir Hugh D. Auchincloss, Jr. Thereafter, she would summer at the Auchincloss's Hammerstein Farm in Rhode Island. The reference in her letter suggests the summer stay was a new experience with unwelcome prospects; which would likely date the letter to 1943, making this holograph by Jackie at age 13 one of the earliest examples we have handled. With the usual folds, in near fine condition.
Jackie had always summered with her grandmother in East Hampton until her mother's marriage to Standard Oil heir Hugh D. Auchincloss, Jr. Thereafter, she would summer at the Auchincloss's Hammerstein Farm in Rhode Island. The reference in her letter suggests the summer stay was a new experience with unwelcome prospects; which would likely date the letter to 1943, making this holograph by Jackie at age 13 one of the earliest examples we have handled. With the usual folds, in near fine condition.
Richard Nixon Document Signed Twice "Richard M. Nixon". Two pages (both sides), 2.5" x 3.25", partly printed, no place, no date. A motor vehicles automobile registration document signed twice, once on each side. The registration is for a black 1966 four door Imperial. The verso signature is slightly affected by a small hole in the document. One other hole does not affect either signature.
Richard M. Nixon fine content Typed Letter Signed "RN" as President, one page on White House letterhead, 7 x 9 inches, Washington, October 7, 1970 to Senator Jennings Randolph of West Virginia concerning his October 7 peace proposal to end the Vietnam War. He writes: "Dear Jennings: Tonight I delivered a fair and full proposal to cease the hostilities in Indochina. It is my belief that this initiative, which will be laid on the bargaining table in Paris, represents a forthright and comprehensive effort by the United States to bring peace to a troubled area of our world. I want to take this opportunity to share with you the full text of the address. It is my hope that I may rely on your continued support in our quest for peace. With my best wishes..." Nixon's October 7 proposal for a cease fire in Vietnam, "an Indochina Peace Conference" that would include also Laos and Cambodia, a withdrawal of U.S. troops, and an appeal for a final political settlement was met with a curt rebuff by the Communist delegation in Paris the following Day. The delegation responded in the negative, characterizing the proposal as "a maneuver to deceive world opinion." Two miniscule staple holes at top, else extremely clean and in very fine condition. Housed in a handsome blue leather slipcase with gilt titled ribbed spine and gilt eagle on cover with blue cloth interior. A wonderful presentation of a fine content letter.
Ronald Reagan, an important Autograph Letter Signed "Ron", one page on his personal letterhead, [Los Angeles], July 1, 1991 to long-time friend and correspondent Delores Ballachino reacting to the claims of Kitty Kelly in her recent unauthorized biography of Nancy Reagan and a possible reconciliation with his daughter Patty. Reagan opens inquiring about Dolores' health and sends his regards to her family. He then relates that "...Nancy appreciates your words and your decision about Kitty Kelly and her book. She was pretty low when papers like the N.Y. times put K. K.s lines (& lies) on the front page. Talk abou tlies -- we've gotten scores & scores of letters and calls from the people K.K. claims were her sources of information. These people tell Nancy they've never met or spoken to KK in their lives. Thank you for not buying her scandalous lies. As for Patti we're possible on the verge of a reconciliation. Our daughter had come under the influence of a person who is in fact a communist. I think that relationship has been broken off and we hope we can move back in but it will take some time and doing. Anyway we've made a start." Regan then closes his letter mentioning the opening of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: "Our Library opening is lated for the first few days in November. Yes you are invited and I'll see that you get information qabout the time & place when we get nearer the time..." Kitty Kelly's 1991 book included a bevy of salacious claims including the story that Nancy Regan had trysts with Frank Sinatra and often consulted astrologists. Patty Reagan, known as the black sheep of the family for her negative portrayal of her family in her autobiography The Way I see It and for her 1994 nude appearance in Playboy. She indeed reconciled with her family, especially as the family coped with Regan's Alzheimer's disease. A extremely fine content letter written later in Regan's life, but before the ravages of Alzheimer's would end his communication with the outside world. Offered together with the original transmittal envelope addressed in Reagan's hand. One horizontal fold, else extremely fine condition. Housed in a custom blue leather slip case with ribbed gilt titled spine and blue cloth interior featuring a portrait of Reagan.
Ronald Reagan Typed Letter Signed "Ronnie," three pages, 8.5" x 11". [Los Angeles], November 6, 1945. To journalist Walter Winchell, New York Daily Mirror, reporting on an event in Los Angeles involving Gerald L.K. Smith, an anti-Semitic, anti-Black, anti-Communist preacher-politician. On the first page, in pencil, Winchell has handwritten a reply for his secretary to send to Reagan: "Dear Ronald/T[hanks] very much/Regards/May [see] all/you/soon." Reagan, back in Hollywood after three years in the Army, but not yet discharged, writes, in part, "Operator 44 reporting.....I am afraid you are in the wrong town. The re-birth of Naziism is apparently to take place in Los Angeles. Our old friend, Gerald L.K. Smith, has been holding out here for several weeks...I am pretty hopped up about the romance between Mr. Smith and the Los Angeles City administration. His particular buddy is Meade McClanahan, of the City Council, who has appeared with him at several meetings and whose only attempt at fame occurred last week when he tried to tear a portrait of F.D.R. from the wall of the City Council chamber. [McClanahan was recalled in 1946.] Smith secured permission to speak in the local high school auditorium here. Naturally many of us protested and the Los Angeles School Board answered that they could only refuse him the privilege if it could be proven that he was subversive. This didn't sound like too much of a job so several prominent individuals such as Eddie Cantor, Harpo Marx, and representatives of 500 civic and religious organizations appeared before the School Board to prove Gerald was subversive. I might add our own outfit, the American Veterans Committee, was also represented by a group of men still in service. Smith appeared also and answered all questions by charging the delegations with being Communists. Our petitions were denied and Smith spoke last Saturday night in a local high school. Previous to this, however, some 500 high school students walked out of school and picketed the Board of Education. One statement in the press the following day hinted that these students were egged on by a sound truck representing a Jewish organization. This must have been something of a hot potato because the subsequent stories switched to a Communist influence. The police bravely assaulted the high school kids and managed to arrest about 20. Here is the statement for the press of Lawrence L. Larrabee, president of the School Board: 'It is obvious that these youngsters did not map this thing out by themselves. There were quite a few adults on the sidelines egging them on. The adults were of the same type that made all the noise during the two pressure meetings incited here on the Smith permit and in my opinion most of those people were Communists. This thing today is the most contemptible I have ever seen.' Keep in mind, Walter, that the two 'pressure meetings' were those I have described, 500 civic and religious organizations, war veterans, and so forth...Well, the great night dawned -- if a night can dawn -- last Saturday. We of A.V.C. had decided that pickets outside Smith's meeting were fine but wouldn't it be funny if he talked to the wrong audience! So, when Mr. Smith started his speech, the acoustics must have been pretty bad. All anyone could hear were the 'boo's' of a very disrespectful audience. We had five rows of servicemen right down in front reading newspapers. Mr. Smith lost his tie and his temper, never did make his speech, - just kept screaming that everyone in the joint was a Communist. In a city which is conducting as campaign for more police because of an unusual crime wave which city officials laid to lack of officers for adequate patrol, it seems strange that 400 policemen were assigned to this meeting. The excuse was to prevent a riot...When it became apparent that Gerald's needle had stuck and all he could say was 'Communist!', our hand-picked audience rose cheerfully, 'Heiled' him and adjourned to the Olympic Auditorium where a meeting was held under the auspices of the Mobilization for Democracy -- but the police weren't through. They followed us over, waited outside and when some of the high school students who were present at this meeting also left to go home, they were arrested for violating the curfew law. This is the first instance I have ever known of this law being enforced...J. Paul Elliott has charged the Mobilization for Democracy and Attorney-General Robert W. Kenney with inciting mass demonstrations bordering on riots...The only other alarming thing with all of this is the absolute refusal of the local papers to print a true story...." Folds, light tanning on first page, staple holes in upper margin of first and third pages, and a minute 3.25" long sliver cut away at the top edge of the third page. A truly magnificent letter in fine condition giving an insight into the political thinking of the 34-year-old actor who, just 16 months later, was elected President of the Screen Actors Guild.
Ronald Reagan Autograph Letter Signed, "Ron", two pages on personalized card, 6.25" x 4.25", Los Angeles, California, March 3, 1989, to Mrs. Dolores Ballachino, Boulder City, Nevada. It reads in full:"Dear Dolores & Paul Just received your birthday card for which I thank you. As for the rest of your message regarding your ill health, Nancy & I want you to know you'll be in our thoughts & prayers. Take care of yourself Dolores & do what the Dr's. tell you to do. We're still settling in and I've had my fill of cardboard shipping crates. Every few days I get a few more emptied & then have to (over) find a place to put whatever was in them. I'm afraid we accumulated a few things those last 8 years. Again our deepest sympathy to you Dolores and get well soon our prayers are with you. Sincerely,". With original printed free-franked mailing envelope addressed in Reagan's hand. Excellent condition. A highly personal letter penned shortly after Ronald Reagan left the White House. Indeed, the former president complains of still unpacking!
William J. Clinton, early, scarce and most extraordinary Autograph Letter Signed twice, "Wm. J. Clinton" and "Bill", one page, 5.5 x 3.5 inches, Washington, [February 2, 1966] to his grandmother on the verso of a color postcard bearing a racist image of a black youth eagerly polishing a watermelon bearing the title "HOPE, ARKANSAS / HOME OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST WATERMELON". Clinton, then a graduate student at Georgetown, writes to his mother, "Dear Mammaw, Thought I would send you one of your cards just to prove I'm using them! My tests are over and I'm just startin ght second term. Hope you are well and happy. Say hello to Budlye Ollie - See you later - Love, Bill" At the top center, he writes his return address, hence adding the second signature "Wm. J. Clinton Box 289 GT, DC 20007" Addressed in his hand to "Mrs Edith Cassidy / Hope Nursing Home / Main Street / Hope, Arkansas" Below the address, Mrs. Cassidy has noted the date of receipt "Feb 3 1966" Stamped with a Washington, D. C., February 2, 1966 postmark at top center. A superbly ironic association piece revealing Clinton's roots and his sense of humor. In very fine condition. Housed in a lovely custom green-cloth slipcase bearing two black and white portraits of Clinton on flaps with green leather binding on the exterior with gilt titling on a ribbed spine.
Texian Loan Signed by Stephen F. Austin, Branch Tanner Archer, and William H. Wharton "S. F. Austin", "B. T. Archer", and "Wm. H. Wharton". Document printed by Benjamin Levy at New Orleans, 8.5" x 10.5", ornate borders, completed in manuscript. In part: "Texian Loan... Received of Thomas D. Corneal Thirty-Two Dollars the First Instalment [sic] on a Loan of Three Hundred and Twenty Dollars, made by him this day to the Government of Texas..." The Provisional Government issued these certificates to raise funds for the Revolution. They were redeemable for land at fifty cents per acre. First printing, printed date of January 11, 1836, which is the earliest date for any of the known Texian Loan Certificates. This is Certificate No. 330, made out to Thomas D. Carneal of Cincinnati, who subscribed a total of $40,000 in this first loan for the Texian cause. Signing as Commissioners on the Part of Texas are Austin, Archer, and Wharton. These three men had been appointed to lobby the United States for financial assistance, collect supplies, and recruit men for the Texas cause. They arrived in New Orleans in January 1836 and negotiated a series of loans totaling $250,000. They then proceeded up the Mississippi River, making numerous speeches before traveling to Washington, D.C. During their trip, Texas declared its independence on March 2, 1836. The three commissioners were unable to persuade Congress to support their cause and returned home. Light folds, rough edges, some moderate damp staining affecting all three signatures, the triangular cancel has been replaced in facsimile. Overall about very good.
Ornate Republic of Texas Bond Signed by David G. Burnet as President D.S. "David G. Burnet" as President, 1p., 10" x 7.75", [Austin], January 1, 1841, being a government bond in the amount of $500 at 8 percent payable to Charles De Morse. Document bears vignette of an Indian warrior at center and man plowing at left, five point star at bottom, and all ten coupons attached. Cancellations resulting in paper loss at center and at right margin as is typical with this type of document; closely trimmed, but very bold and suitable for display.
Mirabeau Lamar Signed Republic of Texas Government Bond D.S. "Mirabeau B. Lamar", 1p., 9.75" x 7.5" (sight), [Austin, Texas], Oct. 1, 1846, being a one hundred dollar bond issued to Charles de Morse. Bond is decorated with usual steel engravings including two vignettes of cattle, a steamboat bearing the Lone Star flag, and an allegorical figure of industry. With cancellation cuts including marks on all ten coupons, none affecting Lamar's signature. Matted beneath an engraving of Lamar and framed to an overall size of 17.5" x 21.25".
Historic Autograph Letter Signed by Luther P. Bradley, 5pp., 5" x 7.75", dated September 8, 1877 - just three days after Crazy Horse's death - and is without question the finest and most historically accurate account of the controversial events surrounding his tragic death. An eloquent writer, Bradley pens in full: "My dear sweet Mother, I have had it in mind ever so long to write to you, but have been pretty busy all along with the care and troubles of my Indians. The last week has been a little bit like old times with the collecting of troops and preparation for fighting: but fortunately we were spared the fighting and only two have come to grief, two poor Indians, the famous warrior and Chief Crazy Horse and one of his men. Today is the first one in this month that hasn't been loaded with care and apprehensions and I feel now a good deal as I used to after one of our big battles, very much fatigued and very much relieved too. When Crazy Horse came in last spring he surrendered. Said he had got through fighting and even kneeled at Gen. Crook's feet in token of submission. He had not been here long though before he manifested ill humour and discontent and as the summer progressed he has shown hostile feelings though he had been treated fairly and justly and with uniform kindness. After the rumor was published that Sitting Bull had returned to our territory Crazy Horse became more uneasy than ever and told us he did not intend to stay with us, that he had never agreed to stay at any Agency and that he intended to take his band away. This led to the movements of troops and friendly Indians that caused the breaking up of his village and it led to his own death. After he was captured at Spotted-Tail and brought here I told him and his friends that no harm would be done to him, but that he was a prisoner and would be confined and it was in resisting confinement that he got his wound. As soon as it was reported to me that he was badly hurt, I ordered him placed in the Adjutant's Office and the surgeons took care of him till he died. So ended the life of a noted Indian. He was not a great man in any sense, he was a distinguished warrior, but he was a blood-thirsty wily savage. His Father said to the Doctor after his death that he had killed thirty seven men and women besides what he had killed in battle and this is Indian glory. Crazy Horse's death will be regretted by many of his people of course, but the Chiefs are glad of it for they say he was a fire-brand. Personally I am sorry that he should have come to his death in this way, for it would have been more fitting for a warrior and a man of war to meet his death in battle. He was sure to die a violent death though, at sometime for I don't believe he could have lived without the excitement of war. Singularly enough, he always told his people that he should never die while the sun shown, meaning that he should not be killed in battle and he was right for he died at mid-night. Everything is quiet here now, indeed, more quiet that it was last week. Don't let Jane be anxious. I don't' think we shall have any more trouble. Kiss my dear Wife for me and give love to Charlie. Your loving Son, General."
Celebrated for his ferocity in battle, Crazy Horse was recognized among his own people as a visionary leader committed to preserving the traditions and values of the Lakota way of life. When the War Department ordered all Lakota bands onto their reservations in 1876, Crazy Horse became the most visible leader of the resistance. Closely allied to the Cheyenne through his first marriage to a Cheyenne woman, he gathered a force of 1,200 Oglala and Cheyenne at his village and turned back General George Crook on June 17, 1876, as Crook tried to advance up Rosebud Creek toward Sitting Bull's encampment on the Little Bighorn. After this victory, Crazy Horse joined forces with Sitting Bull and on June 25 led his band in the counterattack that destroyed Custer's Seventh Cavalry, flanking the Americans from the north and west as Hunkpapa warriors led by chief Gall charged from the south and east.
Following the Lakota victory at the Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull and Gall retreated to Canada, but Crazy Horse remained to battle General Nelson Miles as he pursued the Lakota and their allies relentlessly throughout the winter of 1876-77. This constant military harassment and the decline of the buffalo population eventually forced Crazy Horse to surrender on May 6, 1877; except for Gall and Sitting Bull, he was the last important chief to yield.
Even in defeat, Crazy Horse remained an independent spirit, and in September 1877, when he left the reservation without authorization to take his sick wife to her parents, General George Crook ordered Bradley to have him arrested, fearing that he was plotting a return to battle. Crazy Horse did not resist arrest at first, but when he realized that he was being led to a guardhouse, he began to struggle, and while his arms were held by another Lakota (reportedly Little Big Man), a soldier ran Crazy Horse through with a bayonet. He died later that evening, as Bradley states in this important, contemporary account of his capture and death.
Despite Bradley's biased view of Crazy Horse's stature, his own words suggest the conspiracy among his own people that led to his death at the hands of a lowly U.S. army private, who bayoneted him in the kidneys.
In this letter, Bradley relates that Worm [Crazy Horse's father] had stated to the post doctor that his son killed "thirty-seven men and women besides what he had killed in battle", to which Bradley remarks with a tinge of sarcasm, "and this is Indian glory." Yet the assistant post surgeon, Dr. V.T. McGillycuddy, said of the ill-fated Sioux leader "In him everything was made a second to patriotism and love of his people. Modest, fearless, a mystic, a believer in destiny, and much of a recluse, he was held in veneration and admiration by the younger warriors who would follow him anywhere... I could not but regard him as the greatest leader of his people in modern times."
Also included with this piece is a companion A.L.S. by Bradley, written to his mother and dated December 7, 1874, regarding his meeting with a number of Sioux and Cheyenne leaders on the plains in 1874. "Dear Mother Your letter came just before I got back from my trip to the Agencies, and has been resting on my desk 'till I got over a little _____. I judge from your letters that your winter house is not very gay, but I hope it will be comfortable, and reasonably pleasant... I returned from the agencies on the 19 of Nov., was away about a fortnight. Prof. Marsh went over with me as far as Red Cloud, where he left for the fossil beds in the Red Sands, and I went on to Spotted-Tail. We had a pleasant time, altogether, but it was very cold, just before reaching home, between White-River and the Platte, it was so cold that I froze my toes slightly. Capt. Mix froze his face, and Lieut. Hay his ears, though we were all well clad. Travelling over these high divides with the necessary belonging, and one of our western winds blowing in your face is about as trying word as I want to do. I saw lots of the Sioux and Cheyennes at the Agencies, and had long and interesting talks with the Chiefs. Among the men of note who came to see me were 'Spotted-Tail' - 'Red-Cloud' - 'Man-Afraid-of-his-Horses' - 'Red-Leaf' - 'Pretty-Bird' - 'Sitting-Bull' - 'Horse-Rears' - 'Red-Dog' - 'Yellow-Leg' - 'Two-Strike' - 'Little-Wound' - 'Smoke' - and 'Boy-Chief'... Red-Cloud remembered me and spoke of the time we were righting each other on the Big-Horse in /67 & 8. Spotted-Tail is the smartest of any of these Sioux Chiefs, and a man of undoubted ability, he equals any of Coopers Indians in appearance and character. I have great respect for him, for he maintains his self respect and authority like a Chief. When I was returning from Camp Sheridan, Spotted-Tail sent work to me from his village and asked that I would meet him with some of his principal men on the Bordeaux. We had a smoke and an hours talk about Indian matters, the old Chief said he was the friend of the whites and wanted to live in peace with him, and that if we would help his people they would like to settle down and live like the whites, he asked my advice about a good many things, and said he would do as I told him. We parted very good friends, and he said he was glad to see me, for I didn't threaten to fight him, but talked like a friend..."
An excellent pairing of letters dating from the Plains Indian wars in the late 1870s, with an important contemporary account of the death of the great Sioux leader, Crazy Horse. Both in fine condition.
Celebrated for his ferocity in battle, Crazy Horse was recognized among his own people as a visionary leader committed to preserving the traditions and values of the Lakota way of life. When the War Department ordered all Lakota bands onto their reservations in 1876, Crazy Horse became the most visible leader of the resistance. Closely allied to the Cheyenne through his first marriage to a Cheyenne woman, he gathered a force of 1,200 Oglala and Cheyenne at his village and turned back General George Crook on June 17, 1876, as Crook tried to advance up Rosebud Creek toward Sitting Bull's encampment on the Little Bighorn. After this victory, Crazy Horse joined forces with Sitting Bull and on June 25 led his band in the counterattack that destroyed Custer's Seventh Cavalry, flanking the Americans from the north and west as Hunkpapa warriors led by chief Gall charged from the south and east.
Following the Lakota victory at the Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull and Gall retreated to Canada, but Crazy Horse remained to battle General Nelson Miles as he pursued the Lakota and their allies relentlessly throughout the winter of 1876-77. This constant military harassment and the decline of the buffalo population eventually forced Crazy Horse to surrender on May 6, 1877; except for Gall and Sitting Bull, he was the last important chief to yield.
Even in defeat, Crazy Horse remained an independent spirit, and in September 1877, when he left the reservation without authorization to take his sick wife to her parents, General George Crook ordered Bradley to have him arrested, fearing that he was plotting a return to battle. Crazy Horse did not resist arrest at first, but when he realized that he was being led to a guardhouse, he began to struggle, and while his arms were held by another Lakota (reportedly Little Big Man), a soldier ran Crazy Horse through with a bayonet. He died later that evening, as Bradley states in this important, contemporary account of his capture and death.
Despite Bradley's biased view of Crazy Horse's stature, his own words suggest the conspiracy among his own people that led to his death at the hands of a lowly U.S. army private, who bayoneted him in the kidneys.
In this letter, Bradley relates that Worm [Crazy Horse's father] had stated to the post doctor that his son killed "thirty-seven men and women besides what he had killed in battle", to which Bradley remarks with a tinge of sarcasm, "and this is Indian glory." Yet the assistant post surgeon, Dr. V.T. McGillycuddy, said of the ill-fated Sioux leader "In him everything was made a second to patriotism and love of his people. Modest, fearless, a mystic, a believer in destiny, and much of a recluse, he was held in veneration and admiration by the younger warriors who would follow him anywhere... I could not but regard him as the greatest leader of his people in modern times."
Also included with this piece is a companion A.L.S. by Bradley, written to his mother and dated December 7, 1874, regarding his meeting with a number of Sioux and Cheyenne leaders on the plains in 1874. "Dear Mother Your letter came just before I got back from my trip to the Agencies, and has been resting on my desk 'till I got over a little _____. I judge from your letters that your winter house is not very gay, but I hope it will be comfortable, and reasonably pleasant... I returned from the agencies on the 19 of Nov., was away about a fortnight. Prof. Marsh went over with me as far as Red Cloud, where he left for the fossil beds in the Red Sands, and I went on to Spotted-Tail. We had a pleasant time, altogether, but it was very cold, just before reaching home, between White-River and the Platte, it was so cold that I froze my toes slightly. Capt. Mix froze his face, and Lieut. Hay his ears, though we were all well clad. Travelling over these high divides with the necessary belonging, and one of our western winds blowing in your face is about as trying word as I want to do. I saw lots of the Sioux and Cheyennes at the Agencies, and had long and interesting talks with the Chiefs. Among the men of note who came to see me were 'Spotted-Tail' - 'Red-Cloud' - 'Man-Afraid-of-his-Horses' - 'Red-Leaf' - 'Pretty-Bird' - 'Sitting-Bull' - 'Horse-Rears' - 'Red-Dog' - 'Yellow-Leg' - 'Two-Strike' - 'Little-Wound' - 'Smoke' - and 'Boy-Chief'... Red-Cloud remembered me and spoke of the time we were righting each other on the Big-Horse in /67 & 8. Spotted-Tail is the smartest of any of these Sioux Chiefs, and a man of undoubted ability, he equals any of Coopers Indians in appearance and character. I have great respect for him, for he maintains his self respect and authority like a Chief. When I was returning from Camp Sheridan, Spotted-Tail sent work to me from his village and asked that I would meet him with some of his principal men on the Bordeaux. We had a smoke and an hours talk about Indian matters, the old Chief said he was the friend of the whites and wanted to live in peace with him, and that if we would help his people they would like to settle down and live like the whites, he asked my advice about a good many things, and said he would do as I told him. We parted very good friends, and he said he was glad to see me, for I didn't threaten to fight him, but talked like a friend..."
An excellent pairing of letters dating from the Plains Indian wars in the late 1870s, with an important contemporary account of the death of the great Sioux leader, Crazy Horse. Both in fine condition.
Mathew Brady 1862 Document Signed "M Brady" on the verso of a receipt from the Photographic Galleries of M. B. Brady, 7.5" x 5", December 5, 1862, to a Mr. W. H. Jessup (possibly William H. Jessup of Montrose, Pennsylvania- a delegate to the Republic National Convention in 1860 and 1868). The amount of $3.00 was collected for 12 Cartes de Visite duplicates. The front of the document is signed "M. B. Brady / Jas. S. Dixon" by an associate; the docketing on the verso contains the authentic Brady signature. The document has had cellophane tape repairs that affect the "M" in the dark, bold Brady autograph, else good condition. An important and desirable signature for the Civil War or photography collector.
Buffalo Bill Dual Autographs on 5.25" x 4" card as follows: "True to friend & foe and Sincerely Yours W. T. Cody 'Buffalo Bill' May 28th 1904". Professionally matted and framed with photo and facsimile of show poster to overall size of 16.5" x 14.5". Very fine condition. An exceptional autograph pair in that it contains both Cody's given and stage names.
William Walker Autograph Letter Signed "Wm. Walker", one page, 5" x 8.25", Granada, Nicaragua, March 14, 1856, to Domingo Goicouria, location unknown. It reads: "Enclosed is a letter for Mr. Soule which you can read and send with your letter if you please. I should be glad to see you to day in regard to the propellers." Minimal stains, light even aging and smoothed folds. Choice very fine condition. Pro-slavery American adventurer William Walker (1824-1860) was one of the more colorful characters produced by nineteenth century America. His vision focused on creating a Central American capitalist empire in which Anglo-Saxon white men were dominant. Given Nicaragua's importance to pre-canal trade, Walker seized the small country and was its self-declared president between 1856 and 1857. His questionable regime was even recognized by Washington for a short while! Here he writes to ally Domingo Goicouri, an early Cuban separatist, and mentions Louisiana politician Pierre Soule. Walker's schemes extended to Nicaragua's neighbors as well and he met an untimely end before a Honduran firing squad.
Miscellaneous
Bernard Family Slavery Archive. A large and important group of approximately 550 manuscripts, documents, and letters, together with a 160-page account book as well as a 170-page letter book and ancillary manuscript and printed material chronicling the business and personal lives of the Bernard family from Marseilles, New Orleans and Bayou Teche, Louisiana. Encompassing an entire century of history, from 1780 through 1880, the archive, written in both French and English, covers at least two generations of the Bernard family beginning with the family patriarch in this country, Hiacinthe Bernard. Hiacinthe first arrived in New Orleans in 1783 to engage in the slave trade. For several years, he pursued a variety contacts in Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and the Lesser Antilles developing channels for importing slaves into New Orleans, then under Spanish control. Soon before Louisiana came under American control in 1804, Hiacinthe purchased several large tracts of land from the Chitimacha Indians on Bayou Teche. Here, he established a successful lumber mill and plantation that later passed to his children Raymond, Matilde Adelaide, and Honori François Xavier. The next generation continued business operations through the mid-century. It appears from the tremendous records in this holding that the Bernard family used slave labor to operate their lumber mill as well as serve domestic duties in the family home.
Hiacinthe Bernard, a native of Marseilles, first arrived in North America in March of 1780 landing in Philadelphia. According to his passport signed by French Minister to the United States, Chevalier De La Luzerne that same month, he was to traveling to "St. Eustace dans le Vaisseau [vessel] La Ninerve..." The war over, Bernard removed to New Orleans to establish a slave importation business. It is the slave operation that comprises the first major component of this archive: the 170-page (8 x 12 inch) letter book of Hiacinthe Bernard, kept from 1783 to 1786. The retained letters are written to a variety of correspondents throughout the Caribbean together with letters to his mother and other family in Marseilles. The business correspondence (in both English or French depending upon the correspondent) concerns his forming the slave trading concern in New Orleans, revealing much on the mechanics of the slave trade in the years immediately following the American Revolution. Much of the first year of correspondence details energy to solidify business networks. While on a extended trip to Haiti in the autumn of 1783 he writes to John Perkins: "...be kind enough to lett [sic] me know of you as soon as possible on you're arrival in this place because if you intend always to send or bring me negroes in new Orleans very soon I'll speak to great many planters about it to facilitate the Sale..." On the same day he writes to Messrs. Tyler & Mumford in Kingston, Jamaica: "...let me hope by that to be by the future much connected with your house. I'll do every thing prudence may suggest for the best and safety of the interest of my friends; I intend as soon my safe arrival in new Orleans to establish a house upon such style as to not leave nothing to be desired by my friends. I intend to advise you by all the possible opportunities of the business in New Orleans [e]specially for negroes which is the only article that may be imported from your place, if you would be kind enough to do the same with me I'll be very obliged to you and by some time I could perhaps be connected in the negroes you might send to me..." During this period, Bernard composed similar letters to his francophone correspondents. Upon his return to New Orleans, he quickly made good on his assurances. To John Perkins, then at Kingston, he reports: "I am arrived here 3 days ago I spoke already to several planters about negroes what is, I think the best article that by be imported here they will sell I hope at least at the price I told you, but paper money has fallen very much..." Later in the month he advises the same correspondent of the planter's taste in slaves: "...negroes may sell here from 300: to 360: dollars the best, but new negroes and no west India negroes; I mean negroes that have been some time in west India or other part of America. They don't like them here, and won't give good price for they would be more over prohibited if known I beg you to take that in serious consideration as well as to do any thing under my name, and be very cautious because they are very severe here. negroes do not pay nothing to come in it is only the trouble of making formalities. The capt. of vessels or others must not know that the Vessel is for your account but always for mine. I have permission to receive vessels from west India granted to me by government. I must not flatter you to sell a quantity of negroes at the price mention'd for cash unless by lowering little the price, and if negroes would be very few imported. but without that I think they would sell very easy 1/3 or 1/2 for cash, and remaining part at about one your credit the planters in gen[er]al in this country are not bat debtors and there is not such law as it is in French islands in their favour, they may be compell'd to sell their plantations effects &c for payment especially for negroes..." The journal continues on similar subjects in great detail. Though we have not been able to fully translate the French text, it appears that Bernard had more success with his linguistic compatriots: the 1785 and 1786 portions of the letter book are almost entirely in French.
The other major component of the archive is the 160-page account ledger together with the approximately 550 letters and documents (mostly in French) of the Bernard family. This body covers the period of 1803 to 1881. The sizable number of loose documents include copies of land transactions between the Bernard's and the Chitimacha Indians on Bayou Teche; a copy in French of Article VI of the Anglo-French treaty of 1803 confirming the Louisiana Purchase with a copy of an official reassurance form the Americans that they would protect their "propriété et liberté"; together with letters to and from Hiacinthe Bernard, Ramond Bernard, Xavier Bernard, Pierre Bernard, and other members of the family, both in Louisiana and in France. The documents primarily deal with the running of the Bernard lumber mill, financial matters, lawsuits, and papers regarding the purchase and maintenance of slaves including bills for clothing and medical care. One such doctor's invoice for services from October 11, 1836 to May 5, 1837 includes a $1.00 charge "Pour l'extraction d'une dent á Nelson 1.00" Nelson had been purchased at age 24 by the Bernard family in 1831 from a Tennessee man together with eleven other according to documentation in the archive. Nelson and others sold for $600 a person, save for "Sophia, yellow girl fifteen years" who was discounted at $450. When the Bernard's had too many slaves for the work at hand, they would lease them out to others. An 1839 document bills the recipient $20 for "Loyer [rent] de la négress Nancy 2 mois...".The numerous letters include family and business correspondence, often quite intermingled in subjects of concern. For example an early 1830s missive from Raymond Bernard to his brother Xavier discusses at length how to motivate slaves to work in the lumber mill.
The account book/ledger covers the period of 1837 to 1859. It relates to the activities of the lumber mill and its slave work force. There are numerous entries "pour planches" (boards) occasionally " voliges" (battens), "Poteaux" (posts), " Lattes" (slats) " Chevron " (rafters), and occasionally "Pieds Planches " (foot boards) and "Madriers " (beams). The family also appears to have been a major supplier of groceries to the area. Jacques Forciar sold 964 logs of cypress for $1,205 in food and supplies including pork, potatoes, sugar, and coffee. The Bernard's purchased finished goods in exchange for cut lumber they traded to New Orleans merchants. They kept accounts with a wide variety of merchants including Gabriel Zaclair, J Depart, Madame Ferri, Chalres Grevemberg, Demasilere Dusieu, Gregurie Bodin, Charles Oliver, Ignace Rodrigues, Rosemond Buurgeous, Robert Ditch, Simon Baudin, Theodore Fay, Cloi Broussard, Charles Grevemberg, August Lafontaine, and Henry Foot. They also maintained accounts with free blacks including "Chalre negre libre ". Toward the end of the book, we encounter a snapshot of the labor force at the Bernard saw mill in 1845 with a listing of "noms des negres" -- the names of 58 slaves detailed in various categories including their sex, age and position. A distinction was made for "negresses - occupies a la masion " (3) and "Vieux [old] negres". All except the three elderly slaves were valued in pencil at the right. Top value was $1200, for men in their prime, 19-35, the lowest was for the children at $50 each for infants and toddlers. Of the " vieux negres" the oldest "Sam faron[?]", age 75 is listed as "independent".
As with any archive of this magnitude encompassing such a long time period, it is truly multi-dimensional in scope. The body of papers give us not only a glimpse of the daily life of slaves on a bayou plantation and an unprecedented view into the nature of the slave trade in the Caribbean at the close of the eighteenth century, but it underscores the strength of French Cajun culture Louisiana delta and in particular, the persistence of the French language there. English does appear, mostly in the form of legal notices, suits and the like from the parish, state and federal governments. (One of the English documents is even witnessed by future Confederate statesman, Judah P. Benjamin). Occasionally one encounters a dual language document as in the case of a four page invoice from the early 1840s: two lines beneath "un Chapeau" we find an entry for "1 Gallon Whiskey" But overall, through the end of this collection in the early 1880s, French was still the dominant tongue among the local population.
Overall the documents are in very good condition evidencing the usual wear including minor tears and chips, light toning and some dampstaining. For a collection from the deep South, it is in remarkable condition. Collections of this size and depth seldom appear in the market, especially from Louisiana. Though documentary material concerning slavery is available on the market, an archive of this nature, covering two or more generations of slaveholders documenting all aspects of their lives, is not often encountered outside institutional holdings. This archive was discovered by our consignor in a remote part of an attic in a newly purchased home in Fayette, Louisiana. This is the first time these papers have been outside of their region of origin. Such research potential is prized by both collectors and scholars alike. A most impressive collection of manuscript Americana providing a significant contribution to our understating of the history of slavery and the French Cajun community in Louisiana. Please note, only a small portion of this extensive archive is pictured. There are an additional 4 binders containing well over 500 individual documents and correspondence. Viewing is strongly recommended.
Hiacinthe Bernard, a native of Marseilles, first arrived in North America in March of 1780 landing in Philadelphia. According to his passport signed by French Minister to the United States, Chevalier De La Luzerne that same month, he was to traveling to "St. Eustace dans le Vaisseau [vessel] La Ninerve..." The war over, Bernard removed to New Orleans to establish a slave importation business. It is the slave operation that comprises the first major component of this archive: the 170-page (8 x 12 inch) letter book of Hiacinthe Bernard, kept from 1783 to 1786. The retained letters are written to a variety of correspondents throughout the Caribbean together with letters to his mother and other family in Marseilles. The business correspondence (in both English or French depending upon the correspondent) concerns his forming the slave trading concern in New Orleans, revealing much on the mechanics of the slave trade in the years immediately following the American Revolution. Much of the first year of correspondence details energy to solidify business networks. While on a extended trip to Haiti in the autumn of 1783 he writes to John Perkins: "...be kind enough to lett [sic] me know of you as soon as possible on you're arrival in this place because if you intend always to send or bring me negroes in new Orleans very soon I'll speak to great many planters about it to facilitate the Sale..." On the same day he writes to Messrs. Tyler & Mumford in Kingston, Jamaica: "...let me hope by that to be by the future much connected with your house. I'll do every thing prudence may suggest for the best and safety of the interest of my friends; I intend as soon my safe arrival in new Orleans to establish a house upon such style as to not leave nothing to be desired by my friends. I intend to advise you by all the possible opportunities of the business in New Orleans [e]specially for negroes which is the only article that may be imported from your place, if you would be kind enough to do the same with me I'll be very obliged to you and by some time I could perhaps be connected in the negroes you might send to me..." During this period, Bernard composed similar letters to his francophone correspondents. Upon his return to New Orleans, he quickly made good on his assurances. To John Perkins, then at Kingston, he reports: "I am arrived here 3 days ago I spoke already to several planters about negroes what is, I think the best article that by be imported here they will sell I hope at least at the price I told you, but paper money has fallen very much..." Later in the month he advises the same correspondent of the planter's taste in slaves: "...negroes may sell here from 300: to 360: dollars the best, but new negroes and no west India negroes; I mean negroes that have been some time in west India or other part of America. They don't like them here, and won't give good price for they would be more over prohibited if known I beg you to take that in serious consideration as well as to do any thing under my name, and be very cautious because they are very severe here. negroes do not pay nothing to come in it is only the trouble of making formalities. The capt. of vessels or others must not know that the Vessel is for your account but always for mine. I have permission to receive vessels from west India granted to me by government. I must not flatter you to sell a quantity of negroes at the price mention'd for cash unless by lowering little the price, and if negroes would be very few imported. but without that I think they would sell very easy 1/3 or 1/2 for cash, and remaining part at about one your credit the planters in gen[er]al in this country are not bat debtors and there is not such law as it is in French islands in their favour, they may be compell'd to sell their plantations effects &c for payment especially for negroes..." The journal continues on similar subjects in great detail. Though we have not been able to fully translate the French text, it appears that Bernard had more success with his linguistic compatriots: the 1785 and 1786 portions of the letter book are almost entirely in French.
The other major component of the archive is the 160-page account ledger together with the approximately 550 letters and documents (mostly in French) of the Bernard family. This body covers the period of 1803 to 1881. The sizable number of loose documents include copies of land transactions between the Bernard's and the Chitimacha Indians on Bayou Teche; a copy in French of Article VI of the Anglo-French treaty of 1803 confirming the Louisiana Purchase with a copy of an official reassurance form the Americans that they would protect their "propriété et liberté"; together with letters to and from Hiacinthe Bernard, Ramond Bernard, Xavier Bernard, Pierre Bernard, and other members of the family, both in Louisiana and in France. The documents primarily deal with the running of the Bernard lumber mill, financial matters, lawsuits, and papers regarding the purchase and maintenance of slaves including bills for clothing and medical care. One such doctor's invoice for services from October 11, 1836 to May 5, 1837 includes a $1.00 charge "Pour l'extraction d'une dent á Nelson 1.00" Nelson had been purchased at age 24 by the Bernard family in 1831 from a Tennessee man together with eleven other according to documentation in the archive. Nelson and others sold for $600 a person, save for "Sophia, yellow girl fifteen years" who was discounted at $450. When the Bernard's had too many slaves for the work at hand, they would lease them out to others. An 1839 document bills the recipient $20 for "Loyer [rent] de la négress Nancy 2 mois...".The numerous letters include family and business correspondence, often quite intermingled in subjects of concern. For example an early 1830s missive from Raymond Bernard to his brother Xavier discusses at length how to motivate slaves to work in the lumber mill.
The account book/ledger covers the period of 1837 to 1859. It relates to the activities of the lumber mill and its slave work force. There are numerous entries "pour planches" (boards) occasionally " voliges" (battens), "Poteaux" (posts), " Lattes" (slats) " Chevron " (rafters), and occasionally "Pieds Planches " (foot boards) and "Madriers " (beams). The family also appears to have been a major supplier of groceries to the area. Jacques Forciar sold 964 logs of cypress for $1,205 in food and supplies including pork, potatoes, sugar, and coffee. The Bernard's purchased finished goods in exchange for cut lumber they traded to New Orleans merchants. They kept accounts with a wide variety of merchants including Gabriel Zaclair, J Depart, Madame Ferri, Chalres Grevemberg, Demasilere Dusieu, Gregurie Bodin, Charles Oliver, Ignace Rodrigues, Rosemond Buurgeous, Robert Ditch, Simon Baudin, Theodore Fay, Cloi Broussard, Charles Grevemberg, August Lafontaine, and Henry Foot. They also maintained accounts with free blacks including "Chalre negre libre ". Toward the end of the book, we encounter a snapshot of the labor force at the Bernard saw mill in 1845 with a listing of "noms des negres" -- the names of 58 slaves detailed in various categories including their sex, age and position. A distinction was made for "negresses - occupies a la masion " (3) and "Vieux [old] negres". All except the three elderly slaves were valued in pencil at the right. Top value was $1200, for men in their prime, 19-35, the lowest was for the children at $50 each for infants and toddlers. Of the " vieux negres" the oldest "Sam faron[?]", age 75 is listed as "independent".
As with any archive of this magnitude encompassing such a long time period, it is truly multi-dimensional in scope. The body of papers give us not only a glimpse of the daily life of slaves on a bayou plantation and an unprecedented view into the nature of the slave trade in the Caribbean at the close of the eighteenth century, but it underscores the strength of French Cajun culture Louisiana delta and in particular, the persistence of the French language there. English does appear, mostly in the form of legal notices, suits and the like from the parish, state and federal governments. (One of the English documents is even witnessed by future Confederate statesman, Judah P. Benjamin). Occasionally one encounters a dual language document as in the case of a four page invoice from the early 1840s: two lines beneath "un Chapeau" we find an entry for "1 Gallon Whiskey" But overall, through the end of this collection in the early 1880s, French was still the dominant tongue among the local population.
Overall the documents are in very good condition evidencing the usual wear including minor tears and chips, light toning and some dampstaining. For a collection from the deep South, it is in remarkable condition. Collections of this size and depth seldom appear in the market, especially from Louisiana. Though documentary material concerning slavery is available on the market, an archive of this nature, covering two or more generations of slaveholders documenting all aspects of their lives, is not often encountered outside institutional holdings. This archive was discovered by our consignor in a remote part of an attic in a newly purchased home in Fayette, Louisiana. This is the first time these papers have been outside of their region of origin. Such research potential is prized by both collectors and scholars alike. A most impressive collection of manuscript Americana providing a significant contribution to our understating of the history of slavery and the French Cajun community in Louisiana. Please note, only a small portion of this extensive archive is pictured. There are an additional 4 binders containing well over 500 individual documents and correspondence. Viewing is strongly recommended.
Antiques
Slavery - 1784-86 Ship's Log for Slave Vessels out of Newport, Rhode Island during the Triangle Trade. The document is a 68-page log for voyages in December 1784, July 1786, June 1787, and February to April 1789. The voyages were complete, although the logs themselves are not. A record for the ships Louis, Louisa Ware, Betsey Ware, and Calsey, all under different masters. These ships sailed from Newport, Rhode Island to Africa to the West Indies. The ships were part of the Triangle Trade. Ships from Europe brought manufactured goods to Africa and the goods were traded for slaves. The slaves were brought back to the Americas and traded for raw materials: molasses, timber, and later, tobacco and cotton. The raw materials were then shipped to Europe where they would be processed into manufactured goods. It was called a Triangle Trade because it followed a triangular route between Africa, the Caribbean and North America, and Europe. Eventually the trading route also distributed Virginia tobacco, New England rum, and indigo and rice crops from South Carolina and Georgia.
A majority of the journal details weather, latitude, and speed. There are minimal references to slaves, but a more thorough reading may reveal more. The entries also place the boats in the areas of trade. "...on bord [sic] of the good ship called the Louisa Ware of is Master Robert Champling...Dep. From the Latt of 14:27 and Long of 17:20 bound round the shores of Grandey for Cape mount so God send the good ships in safely... A jurnel or a log by Gods permishon on bord of good ship called the Louisa. Robert Champling master bound from the coast of Afraica towards the West Indes begun Dec. the 28, 1786... A jurnel or a log by Gods permishon on bord of the good ship called the Louisa. Rob't Champling master bound from the island of St. Tomas towards the West Indes Monday, January the 25th 1789 at 8 of pm track my dep't from the island of St Thomas baring SSE Drift... Thursday, February 8, 1787...New Obj for this day one man slave died belonging to cargo being therein."
The Middle Passage was the most famous route of the triangular trade. This voyage carried Africans across the Atlantic Ocean. Captains of slave ships were known as either "loose packers" or "tight packers," depending on how many slaves they housed in the space they had. However, most ships were "tight packers" (especially those in the 18th century), and life for the slaves on these ships was extremely uncomfortable. Slaves were taken from the holding forts, shackled together with leg-irons, and carried to the ships in the dugout canoes. Once they were aboard, they were branded to show who owned them and their clothes removed. Slaves were housed in the ships as if they were cargo. Men were kept in chains while women and children were allowed to go free. It was common for about a third of the number on a ship to die before they reached the Americas.
A majority of the journal details weather, latitude, and speed. There are minimal references to slaves, but a more thorough reading may reveal more. The entries also place the boats in the areas of trade. "...on bord [sic] of the good ship called the Louisa Ware of is Master Robert Champling...Dep. From the Latt of 14:27 and Long of 17:20 bound round the shores of Grandey for Cape mount so God send the good ships in safely... A jurnel or a log by Gods permishon on bord of good ship called the Louisa. Robert Champling master bound from the coast of Afraica towards the West Indes begun Dec. the 28, 1786... A jurnel or a log by Gods permishon on bord of the good ship called the Louisa. Rob't Champling master bound from the island of St. Tomas towards the West Indes Monday, January the 25th 1789 at 8 of pm track my dep't from the island of St Thomas baring SSE Drift... Thursday, February 8, 1787...New Obj for this day one man slave died belonging to cargo being therein."
The Middle Passage was the most famous route of the triangular trade. This voyage carried Africans across the Atlantic Ocean. Captains of slave ships were known as either "loose packers" or "tight packers," depending on how many slaves they housed in the space they had. However, most ships were "tight packers" (especially those in the 18th century), and life for the slaves on these ships was extremely uncomfortable. Slaves were taken from the holding forts, shackled together with leg-irons, and carried to the ships in the dugout canoes. Once they were aboard, they were branded to show who owned them and their clothes removed. Slaves were housed in the ships as if they were cargo. Men were kept in chains while women and children were allowed to go free. It was common for about a third of the number on a ship to die before they reached the Americas.
Three Connecticut Slavery Documents. Each one page manuscript with various signatures: 6.5" x 7.5" (no date), 7.5" x 8.5" (1774), 7.5" x 12.5" (1752). Excerpts: "...one hundred pounds current money...James Masters of Woodbury and in Litchfield County for a certain Negro man...". "...1774...in compensation of the sum of forty-seven pounds in hand reward to me in full by the hands of Mr. James Masters of Woodbury to make over and convey & confirm unot the sd Masters my Negro woman...with Negro child...as is above written & that sd Negro woman is well and in good health...". "...1752...James Masters of Woodbury...a certain Negro man...sd Negro man being about Seventeen years of age...his sd Master service by night or by day...and he shall do his master no harm nor see it done without giving notice of it to his sd Master...and if sd Negro should die before sd expiration of it...". Very good condition overall.
General Anthony Wayne's Son Isaac Indenture and Associated Slave Manumission. This lot consists of a handwritten slave manumission, one and a quarter pages, 8" x 13", dated December 10, 1811, Newcastle County, Delaware, in very good condition. It reads in part "Isaac Stridham Junior & Ann Shields of Newcastle...for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred & fifty Dollars...paid by Isaac Wayne of Chester County...Pennsylvania have this day Manumitted, liberated & set free our Negro girl named Hetty, aged Fifteen years this day, on condition that she...shall become bound by Indenture to serve the said Isaac Wayne...for the Term of thirteen years..." The document bears the seal of the county of Newcastle and the signatures of Stridham, Shields, and a witness. Accompanying the manumission is the associated indenture document, two pages, 8" x 13", dated December 10, 1811, Newcastle County, Delaware, 3.5" tear in the fold which doesn't affect text, else very good. Interestingly, the word "servant" has been marked out in two instances in the indenture and the word "apprentice" substituted. The phrase "learn the Trade and mastery of housewifery" was also inserted after the fact. Pennsylvania had emancipated slaves in 1780, so Hetty was legally considered to be an Indentured Servant to Wayne. The document is signed by all the principle parties, and Hetty has made her "x". Isaac Wayne was the only son of "Mad" Anthony Wayne.
Slave Life Insurance Policy From Virginia. Partially printed document, one page with docketing panel on verso, 8" x 12.5", Richmond, March 4, 1853. Issued by the Richmond Fire Association, this fascinating policy was sold to one Thomas H. Seay and insures "Brutus, a slave on the Virginia and Tennessee Rail Road" for four hundred dollars. The premium for this coverage was $15.28 per annum. Printed on light gray stock. Some paper loss to right margin, else very good condition.
Miscellaneous
(Nineteenth Century Medicine) Autograph Document Signed "F. J. Bailey", two pages, 8 x 13 inches, [no place, no date, circa 1830?], a deposition concerning the conduct of two doctors attending the removal of an inflamed ovary from "a negro woman". Bailey writes: "...when I was a student of Doc McDowell & Smith that I as present when doc Smith operated on a negro woman for an enlarged ovarie [sic]. I also certify that the operation was undertaken and performed by Doc smith alone and that Doc McDowell took no part it whatever except that when Doc smith had exposed the tumor & evacuated the contents Doc McDowell was requested by Doc smith to run his finger into the tumor and pull while he Doc Smith would press upon the [illeg.] which was assistance that any Bystander could have given. I also certify that he Doc McD gave no assistance by advice or any other way and that he never saw the woman afterwards until she got well and it was understood both before and after the operation that the case as Doc Smith's exclusively... " Usual folds, irregular margins, else very good.
Political
(Slavery) A fantastic manuscript Document Signed "S. Bissell, one page, 15.75" x 38", [Alexandria, Virginia], January 1833, a lengthy manifest for a schooner transporting 83 named slaves from Alexandria, Virginia to Natchez, Mississippi. The document bears the heading: "Report and Maifest [sic] of the Cargo of Slaves on board the Schooner La Fayette of Norfolk Whereof Benj. Bissell is Master, burthen, 130/95 tons bound from the Port of Alexandria in the D.C. for the port of Natches [sic] State of Missippi [sic] via New Orleans" Below, it lists 83 slaves, and includes: their names, height, age, complexion, the name and residence of the shipper, and consignees. The ages range from 3 months to 30 years with the average age around 20. Both men and women are represented on the list. Under "Complexion" they are noted as simply "Black " or "Yellow". Shipments like this were not uncommon in the early nineteenth century as Virginia planters moved away from labor-intensive crops like tobacco to corn and wheat. While this transition was taking place, the Deep South was becoming the center of cotton production that was highly labor intensive and fueled a ready market for slaves. The abolition of the slave importation in 1808 further increased demand. This is an amazing record of this important demographic shift that would have enormous cultural and social implications for decades to come. According to the document, the shipper of record was Franklin & Armsfield of Alexandria and the consignees were John Heyward & Company and Isaac Franklin. At the bottom, Armsfield has certified that the slaves listed "...are legally held to service or bondage an [sic] that none of the same have been imported in the United States... subsequent to the first day of January Eighteen hundred and Eight..." Partial separation at folds, some repair on verso, light dampstains, else good condition, and certainly worthy of professional restoration. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
Miscellaneous
Mid-Nineteenth Century Whaling Journal Kept by Albert M. Keith of Middleboro, Mass. A terrific whaling journal, 116pp., 8.5" x 13.5", aboard the ship Brunswick, with entries dating from Sept. 18, 1846 through April 23, 1848. A remarkable narrative detailing a highly productive voyage; the journal contains 17 whole whale stamps, 29 tails and 4 heads, also several drawings of ships, porpoises and dolphins, figures, and scenes of men in boats killing whales. Keith identifies himself on the verso of the front flyleaf: "Albert M. Keith about going to sea in the Old Rotten and unseaworthy Ship Brunswick of New Bedford Enters on Wednesday, September the 17th '46 and finds his hut in the after part of the ship near the Cabin in a little dirty hole not fit for the pigs in order to walk at all..." Keith's introduction sets the tone for the entire narrative, making this journal an engrossing read. His entries read, in very small part: "Sunday October 3rd First part hazy with a light breeze from the West the Ship steering ESE under all sails... 2 miles distance at 1/2 past 9 AM made them out sperm whales at lowered the boats in pursuit at 10 1/4 past the starboard [a full whale stamp is placed here with added drawing of a damaged boat beneath] starboard and the waist boat fastened the waist boat second boat fast at meridian the whales turned up at 1 began to get them alongside at 3 the whales alongside we have got them fast for the night so ends [he adds the current longitude and latitude of the ship]...Saturday October the 9th ...first part of these 24 hours pleasant weather... got through boiling the 4 whales making barrels middle part at 12 midnight took in the light sails...Sunday October th 10th...saw a large school of [a tail stamp is present] blackfish middle part much the same latter part...Thursday Dec 23rd [written in block letters above this entry: SB KILLED WB DRAWED, this last word is crossed out. CUT and a whale tail stamp] all of these 24 hours fresh breezes from ESE and at 1 PM lowered all boats for whale at 2 PM the starboard boat struck and killed a 100 barrel right whale at the same time the waist boat struck a large whale and he began to run the larboard boat having a chance to fasten did so when the whale struck her under the stern sheets and knocked her int a cocked hat though luckily not hurting anyone the mate cut his line and told us to keep on after the whale we did cut and went for him came on board and landed the crew and went for the whale again without success at 6 PM too the other whale along side and lad all dear so ends... [there is an elaborate ink drawing depicting two ships in pursuit of a whale here] Feb 18 [1847] Dudley Palmer a boatsteerer refused to obey necessary orders and declared he would do no more duty on board the ship put him in irons and sent him below...Sunday 21st [1847] first part light airs and calms at 1 PM lowered for whales without success in company with the ship St. Peters at 6 lowered boat without success at 7 took in sail at 5 AM saw a whale lowered but no good at 10 George Smith refused duty put him in irons and sent him below...Sunday June 27th [1847] commences with fine weather caught something new a fish a dolphin [includes a small drawing of a dolphin] and ship jack employed in making rope and strapping buckets...August the 1st [1847] Commences with light airs saw nothing of note at day light heard a man from the shore sing and ship a boy sent the bow low boat on shore and bought of the man one of the beach company they have had a drunken spree and broke up the company and give the men their discharge and would not pay them they got one right whale that caused scraps this day made a sail at the waist boat..." Much more great content, with the final entry dated April 23rd 1848 reading: "...first part of these 24 hours fine breeze from the WSW heading N by E at 12 knots wore ship to the S H and finished boiling employed in stowing down at 7 1/2 past saw whales steered for them and lost the run of them..." There follow several blank pages and remnants from where pages have been torn. The final page is filled with an elaborate table with moths in the columns, beneath which is an ink drawing of men in a row boat killing a whale with a second whale stamp, beneath which reads the caption "whale fight". There is record of an Albert Morton Keith being born on Feb, 28, 1828, age and parents named matching the details supplied by Keith in his introduction identify him as the person who kept this journal. With some toning and light foxing to pages, the spine is gently worn but sound, quarter leather wrapped boards, in very good condition.
Books
Phenomenal Eighteenth Century Hand-Illustrated Schoolbook. A 126 page hand-bound arithmetic schoolbook, 1779-1780, folio (8" x 14"), held in a leather folder having once belonged to two students at the Union School (possibly New York or Connecticut). This fascinating copybook is filled with stunning calligraphy and folk art drawings of birds, flowers, intertwining vines, animals, serpents, people, dragons, and various other designs. The primary content of the book is arithmetic topics such as compound interest, troy weight, avoirdupois weight, decimals, wine measure, beer measure and, of course, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The end of the book features a few pages of writing practice, including three pages of a prayer written in a beautiful, flowing style with stunning scrolling letters. The two student's names appear on the inside front cover "A David Brills Book, B Peter Lossing" with the inscription "Evil corrupts good Communications and manners". It is possible the schoolbook came from a Union School in Connecticut as several Union Schools were in New London, West Haven, and Farmington during this time period. However, Brill and Lossing were popular names in Dutchess County, New York at the time. The manuscript is in very good condition with the typical age toning and foxing to the interior pages.
Miscellaneous
Society of Friends Manuscript Book of Minutes An important piece of Quaker history, a leather-bound manuscript book of minutes of the women's monthly meeting of Sandwich, 73 leaves (with most leaves filled in recto and verso), 8 x 12.5 inches, Sandwich (and occasionally Falmouth and Rochester), Massachusetts, February 1, 1722 to May 1, 1772. The log chronicles fifty years of the first and oldest monthly meeting of the Society of Friends in North America, first established in 1656 despite the threat of execution imposed by their strict Calvinist neighbors. One of the more salient characteristics of the Society of Friends, much to the consternation of the Puritans, was their belief in women's equality, which enabled women to preach. The first monthly women's meetings began in 1677. In this book, the minutes for each meeting vary in length from a simple sentence to several paragraphs. The meetings included monthly meetings (often referred to simply as "Women's meetings" as well as quarterly meetings. Overall the entries become more detail later in time as the community grows in size and complexity. The book opens noting that "Att our women's meeting held att Sandwich this first Day of ye 12th month 1722 there was an Epistle Read Amongst us Written from London and we were in Unity with it--" The meetings adjudicated social infractions, approved marriages, and occasionally (but only rarely) punished offenders. At a meeting held in Falmouth in 1722 "...Experience Claghorn Desired to be in Unity with Friends and she Sayeth y[e]t she is sorry she hath [illeg.] friends in marrying out of ye order of Truth and this meeting Excepts of it..." Often certain members of the meeting would be chosen to perform various tasks including representing the meeting at the yearly meeting at Newport, Rhode Island, writing letters to outlying meetings and visiting with families in the community. The latter activity was often for the purpose of convincing those who had strayed away from attending meetings to return. In late 1724, "...Mary Wing and Sary Lander were Chosen To Speake to Anna Holoway concerning her keeping company with Jno. Annable one yt Doth not come to Friends Meeting..." At the next meeting the two women reported "...They had Spoken with Anna Holoway and are Not Satisfyed..." and two others were appointed "...to Go and Speake with her once more..." Every so often the meeting was asked to take notice of a marriage which were either approved or disapproved of by the meeting. Sometimes couples would have their unions approved the same day, other times they would have to wait for the following monthly meeting. The meeting frowned upon those marrying outside of the faith: at a 1725 meeting in which "...Seth Alton and Elizabeth Bulter appeared and Declaired yr Intentions of marriage..." two members were appointed "...to talk with Rebeckah Wing concerning her Intending marriage with one of another way..." In the opposite vein, in 1731, two members were appointed to "...talke with Benjamin Swift and his wife Conferring yr Daughter's proceeding in Marriage with her Cousin..." If a person deviated from social norms, the meeting would always attempt to talk reasonably with the individual first and attempt to reform their ways. The last resort was expulsion. The case of Eunice Done provides an excellent example: In 1770 the meeting noted that although Eunice had "...her Education among us the people Called Quakers in a Sober manner & hath been Looked upon as one under the Care of our Soceity -- that for want of takeing heed to her Education & that manifestation of Devine light and grace in her own heart... fallen in to the Sin of fornication & we the afores'd people for the Clearing the testimony of truth & the Discharge of our Duties have Laboured with her... to make her Sensible if possible of sd Crime that she might publicly condemn the same and be found in a sincere & hearty Repentance but after Long waiting not being Satisfyed of her Repentance nor hath she offered in a Suitable and acceptable manner to us the aforesaid people Clearing the testimony of truth and the Discharge of our duties Disown her... until she be found in a Sincere & hearty Repentance..." We do not know whether she did return to the fold. The book is a superb piece of social history documenting the day to day lives of the earliest and longest continual Quaker meeting in North America. Boards warped with some ink doodling on cover, pages fairly clean and binding mostly intact. Very good condition.
Voyage of a Letter in a Bottle Lot of three documents including: a note placed adrift in a bottle from a location 1062 miles east of Boston on December 22, 1926 from the S.S. Eastern Star by K. Baarslag of Brooklyn, New York; a signed letter from Joseph Smart, The Goodrest Farm, Haleswen, England, dated September 5, 1927 to Baarslag informing him that the bottle and note were found on August 23, 1927 at 10:30 A.M., over 2,000 miles from where they were launched; and, a newspaper clipping recounting the story of the letter in the bottle, n.d., n.p.. Baarslag, the author of several books about ships and sea voyages, had taken a leave of absence from his job at the Post Offfice to go to sea to work on his book about the Volturno disaster, a liner which burned en route to North America in 1913. All in very good condition.
1905-1912 Ellis Island Harbor Mission "Einwanders-Freund" Archive Including a Ledger of German Immigrants and Their Destinations. Ledger format, circa 1905-12, 200 pages, 9" x 14", marbled boards, half leather, missing leather spine, with wear to corners and edges of boards, else in good condition. This historically important journal lists names of German immigrants and their destination states. The entries are hand entered and include name and address. Most U.S. states and Canada are represented in this book. This would be a valuable tool for genealogical research.
Early Burk Family of Vermont Notebook, 42 pp., 8vo (6.25" x 8"), Woodstock, Vermont, ca. 1810s, heavy board covers with leather-bound spine. It appears as if this book passed through several hands during the early 19th century as it contains quite a variety of entry types, the most important of which is a listing of children born to one Ebid M. Burk during the course of two marriages. His first wife, Prudence, gave birth to eight children between 1789 and 1802, the year of her death. Burk's second marriage to a Polly Hammons resulted in two more children in 1804 and 1806 respectively. These records are neatly penned in the hand of ninth child Albert Burk who, according to a line on the same page, died in 1836. Acrostics, conventional poems, recipes, arithmetic problems and financial entries are among the book's other contents. Some pages are missing and the cover has considerable wear. The binding, however, remains tight. Stains and soiling throughout. Good condition.
Over 60 Miscellaneous Victorian Era Family Letters, 8vo and 4to, approximately 200 pp. total, many covers with stamps, various locations, mostly New England and New York, ca. 1860 - 1900. Average condition is fine with expected soiling. Several of the letters have complete typed transcriptions. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Autographs
Kamehameha IV and Kaahumanu IV Partly Printed Document Signed "Kamehameha" as King of Hawaii and "Kaahumanu" as Kuhina Nui , two pages, 8" x 13". Honolulu, February 25, 1856. Headed: "Helu 2430/Palapala Sila Nui" (Royal Patent Number 2430), this document, entirely in the Hawaiian language, concerns land identified as "Apana 1," "Apana 2," "Apana 3," "Apana 4," and "Apana 5." An "apana" is a land parcel. The survey describes the boundaries of five land parcels belonging to a person called Kawaihae situated at Palolo, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii, and contains a surveyor's sketch of each of the five apana. In 1850, the enactment of the Kuleana Act empowered the Board of Land Commissioners to award title to native tenants for their plots of land or "kuleana" which may consist of several apana. When the Land Commission confirmed an individual's land claim, it issued an award of that land to the claimant. Generally, upon payment of a commutation tax to the government, the Minister of the Interior conveyed complete title in the form of a royal patent. Alexander Liholiho (1834-1863) reigned as Kamehameha IV from 1855-1863. He was a grandson of Hawaii's first king, Kamehameha I, and the nephew and successor of Kamehameha III. King Kamehameha IV's sister, Princess Victoria Kamamalu (1838-1866), had served as Kuhina Nui (equivalent of Premier) since 1855. She had taken the name Kaahumanu IV. On November 30, 1863, when Kamehameha IV died at the age of 29 of chronic asthma, she assumed the Hawaiian throne and, on the same day, named her brother Lot Kapuaiwa to succeeded Alexander as King Kamehameha V. A bachelor, he appointed his sister as Heiress-Apparent and crown princess of Hawaii. She was only 27 when she died in 1866. With no direct heirs, Kamehameha V was the last monarch of the House of Kamehameha. The document has three vertical folds and light foxing. The King has boldly signed to the left of a 1.25" diameter red wax seal. His sister has signed beneath the seal. Matted and framed under glass on both sides to an overall size of 22.25" x 18.5", displaying both sides, the document is in fine condition. A remarkable combination of signatures on one document: 22-year-old King Kamehameha IV (died at 29) and his 17-year-old sister and successor as Regent, Kaahumanu IV (died at 27).
Kamehameha IV Document Signed "Kamehameha" as King of Hawaii, two pages, 8.5 x 14 inches, Honolulu, April 1, 1856, in Hawaiian, a land document deeding a large parcel of land on Oahu. With intact red wax royal seal beside his signature. Usual folds, very light foxing, else fine condition. Scarce. A fine piece of Hawaiiana.
Kalakaua Manuscript Letter Signed "Kalakaua" as King of Hawaii, 2.5 pages, 5" x 8", separate sheets. [Hawaii], c. 1874-1883. On his royal stationery, in English, to Major Charles T. Gulick. King Kalakaua has decided to sell Pulehuniu, an estate on Maui. In part, "The land of Pulehuniu was given by Aikauaka my grandfather to Keaweamahi as Konohiki [land agent], and during the Division of lands in 1848, he was permitted by my mother to enter the land in his own name. I would also like to have the Loko at Kalihi, with the land or Kula land adjoining it below the Government Road going to Waialua together with Pulehu. Col. Judd will hand you a list of articles belonging individually to me, and some to the Queen. I would also ask as a favor of the widow to give me my mothers picture. Keelikolani would like to have it." Aikanaka (c.1790-c.1868) was King Kalakaua's grandfather. His daughter, Keohokalole (1816-1869), was mother of David Kalakaua. When King Kamehameha V died in 1872 without naming a successor to the throne, under the Kingdom's constitution, a new king would be appointed by the legislature. William C. Lunalilo was elected and reigned as King Lunalilo until his death in 1874. David Kalakaua (1836-1891) was elected King of Hawaii on February 12, 1874. His wife, Queen Kapiolani, was a granddaughter of King Kaumualii. Princess Keelikolani (1826-1883) was a great-granddaughter of King Kamehameha I. In1887, King Kalakaua granted to the U.S. government "the exclusive right to enter the harbor of Pearl River, in the Island of Oahu, and to establish and maintain there a coaling and repair station for the use of vessels of the U.S. and to that end the U.S may improve the entrance to said harbor and do all things useful to the purpose aforesaid." A U.S. naval station was established at Pearl Harbor in 1899. Kalakaua's "Hymn to Kamehameha I" set to music by Henry Berger, is known today as "Hawaii Ponoi." The Hawaiian national anthem, it is today the state song of Hawaii. When King Kalakaua I died in 1891 without heirs, he was succeeded by his sister, Liliuokalani. Major Charles T. Gulick, the recipient of this letter, later served as King Kalakaua's Minister of the Interior (1883-1886) and Finance (1885-1886). In 1894, he was involved in an ill-fated plan, in support of Queen Liliuokalani, to effect a counter-revolution against the newly created Republic of Hawaii. Colonel Charles H. Judd was Royal Chamberlain of King Kalakaua I and brother of Albert Francis Judd, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was also one of the King's schoolmates at the Royal School in 1849. The letter has some light staining and a vertical fold passes through part of the first "K" in "Kalakaua." Boldly penned and signed, in apparent very good condition, it has been matted and framed under glass to an overall size of 23.5" x 15.75".
Miscellaneous
Hawaii Territory Document Collection consisting of approximately 17 documents or groups of documents ranging in date from the 1870s to 1962. Various deeds, legal documents, and receipts, the earlier of which are in the Hawaiian language. There are (likely) secretarial signatures of Kamehameha III and Kamehameha V. One group of documents includes an interesting "Certificate of Enrollment" of James Joseph Lincoln as a sergeant in the "Hawaii Rifles, 2nd regiment, 1st battalion, company 3" dated November 15, 1942. The Hawaii Rifles were a cavalry militia on the Big Island composed primarily of plantation workers. In this same grouping is his 1944 U.S. Draft Card giving him a classification of 4A. Another of the documents is a stock certificate for 20 shares in the Kilauea Volcano House dated 1891. This would be a great research lot for the student of Hawaiian history.
Antiques
John Binns: Declaration of Independence, Framed Broadside. (Philadelphia: James Porter, 1819). An engraved broadside facsimile of the Declaration of Independence with medallions of seals of the thirteen original colonies forming a decorative oval surrounding the text. At the top are medallion portraits of founding fathers John Hancock, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson, above which is an eagle with shield, olive branch, and arrows holding a streamer reading "E Pluribus Unum." At the bottom, it bears an engraved endorsement of Secretary of State John Quincy Adams (son of signed John Adams) attesting to its accuracy, "Department of State, 19th, April 1819. I certify, that this is a Correct copy of the original Declaration of Independence, deposited at this Department; and that I have compared all the signatures of the original, and found them Exact Imitations."
In the aftermath of the War of 1812, there had arisen in America a resurgence of patriotism and national pride. People had begun to revere the famous document that declared the nation's independence nearly forty years earlier as many of its original signers were aging and dying. The original Declaration of Independence was still available for viewing but only to the privileged. An Irish-born Philadelphia journalist and publisher of The Democratic Press named John Binns was one of the first to realize, in June of 1816, the potential market for a "splendid and correct copy of the Declaration of Independence, with fac-similes of all the signatures, the whole to be encircled with the arms of the thirteen States and of the United States" (as described in his solicitation for subscribers). He promised delivery in one year, but the enormity of the undertaking delayed publication until 1819 (by which time a competitor, Benjamin Owen Tyler, had rushed a less elaborate facsimile into production). Binns can certainly be given credit for doing quality work; he used as many as five artists at a time to work on the design. He borrowed portraits to copy, gathered models for the thirteen state seals, and even painted the American eagle from life. In a prospectus accompanying an incomplete state of the print submitted for copyright in November 4, 1818, Binns describes his work: "The Design in imitation of Bas Relief, will encircle the Declaration as a cordon of honor, surmounted by the Arms of the United States. Immediately underneath the arms, will be a large medallion portrait of General George Washington, supported by cornucopiae, and embellished with spears, flags, and other Military trophies and emblems. On the one side of this medallion portrait, will be a similar portrait of John Hancock,...and on the other, a portrait of Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence. The arms of 'The Thirteen United States' in medallion, united by wreaths of olive leaves, will form the remainder of the cordon, which will be further enriched by some of the characteristic productions of the United States; such as the Tobacco and Indigo plants, the Cotton Shrub, Rice &c. The facsimiles will be engraved by Mr. Vallance, who will execute the important part of the publication at the City of Washington, where, by permission of the Secretary of State, he will have the original signatures constantly under his eye."
This present engraving is 24.25" x 35" (sight size) and is wonderfully framed in gilt and florally-carved burl wood to an overall size of 43" x 54". There are approximately four tiny paper scuffs affecting no text or portrait, the paper is uniformly toned, else fine condition (not examined out of frame). This is a great example of an important broadside, the inspiration for many inferior imitations, in a condition and presentation unlikely to be surpassed. The Port Folio magazine (Philadelphia) for January 1819 reported, "We have at length been gratified with the sight of a proof-sheet of the splendid copy of the 'Declaration of Independence'; and we declare that it deserves the most liberal support..." We at Heritage declare that this lot deserves your most liberal bid.
In the aftermath of the War of 1812, there had arisen in America a resurgence of patriotism and national pride. People had begun to revere the famous document that declared the nation's independence nearly forty years earlier as many of its original signers were aging and dying. The original Declaration of Independence was still available for viewing but only to the privileged. An Irish-born Philadelphia journalist and publisher of The Democratic Press named John Binns was one of the first to realize, in June of 1816, the potential market for a "splendid and correct copy of the Declaration of Independence, with fac-similes of all the signatures, the whole to be encircled with the arms of the thirteen States and of the United States" (as described in his solicitation for subscribers). He promised delivery in one year, but the enormity of the undertaking delayed publication until 1819 (by which time a competitor, Benjamin Owen Tyler, had rushed a less elaborate facsimile into production). Binns can certainly be given credit for doing quality work; he used as many as five artists at a time to work on the design. He borrowed portraits to copy, gathered models for the thirteen state seals, and even painted the American eagle from life. In a prospectus accompanying an incomplete state of the print submitted for copyright in November 4, 1818, Binns describes his work: "The Design in imitation of Bas Relief, will encircle the Declaration as a cordon of honor, surmounted by the Arms of the United States. Immediately underneath the arms, will be a large medallion portrait of General George Washington, supported by cornucopiae, and embellished with spears, flags, and other Military trophies and emblems. On the one side of this medallion portrait, will be a similar portrait of John Hancock,...and on the other, a portrait of Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence. The arms of 'The Thirteen United States' in medallion, united by wreaths of olive leaves, will form the remainder of the cordon, which will be further enriched by some of the characteristic productions of the United States; such as the Tobacco and Indigo plants, the Cotton Shrub, Rice &c. The facsimiles will be engraved by Mr. Vallance, who will execute the important part of the publication at the City of Washington, where, by permission of the Secretary of State, he will have the original signatures constantly under his eye."
This present engraving is 24.25" x 35" (sight size) and is wonderfully framed in gilt and florally-carved burl wood to an overall size of 43" x 54". There are approximately four tiny paper scuffs affecting no text or portrait, the paper is uniformly toned, else fine condition (not examined out of frame). This is a great example of an important broadside, the inspiration for many inferior imitations, in a condition and presentation unlikely to be surpassed. The Port Folio magazine (Philadelphia) for January 1819 reported, "We have at length been gratified with the sight of a proof-sheet of the splendid copy of the 'Declaration of Independence'; and we declare that it deserves the most liberal support..." We at Heritage declare that this lot deserves your most liberal bid.
Peter Force: Declaration of Independence (Washington: M. St. Clair Clarke and Peter Force, 1848) on rice paper from the original Stone "wet ink" copper plate. As a young child, Peter Force would listen to stories of the American Revolution told by his veteran father, William Force. He was apprenticed at age 16 to a printer where one of his early jobs was an edition of Irving's Knickerbocker's History of New York. He moved to Washington in 1815 to work for W. A. Davis, a printer with a government contract. In 1823, he became editor of the National Journal and began to dabble in Whig politics. It's no wonder that he developed a strong fascination for collecting books and papers concerning our country's history.
In 1833, he was authorized by Congress to publish his amazing accumulation as the American Archives, a Documentary History of the English Colonies in North America. Although the entire work was never completed, the first volume contained a printing of the Declaration of Independence. It is extremely important and desirable because Force was authorized to use the original "wet ink" copper plate created by William Stone for this printing, a plate that had been in storage for some 24 years. The wet-ink transfer process that Stone employed called for the surface of the Declaration to be moistened, thus transferring some of the original ink to a clean copper plate. Stone struck only 201 copies on parchment from his plate in 1824 of which about 30 are known extant. Peter Force printed between 900 and 1200 on rice paper in 1848, folded and inserted into the book American Archives: Fifth Series Containing a documentary History of The United States of America, from the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1775 to the Definitive Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, September 3, 1783. At best, only a few hundred of these have survived; this is a particularly fine one. Removed from the volume, it is approximately 25" x 29" in size with only a few minor areas of foxing and a bit of ink transfer that is almost always seen on Force Declarations that have remained folded through the years. The right edge is trimmed a bit close, but overall the condition is fine and would certainly frame up beautifully for future generations to appreciate.
In 1833, he was authorized by Congress to publish his amazing accumulation as the American Archives, a Documentary History of the English Colonies in North America. Although the entire work was never completed, the first volume contained a printing of the Declaration of Independence. It is extremely important and desirable because Force was authorized to use the original "wet ink" copper plate created by William Stone for this printing, a plate that had been in storage for some 24 years. The wet-ink transfer process that Stone employed called for the surface of the Declaration to be moistened, thus transferring some of the original ink to a clean copper plate. Stone struck only 201 copies on parchment from his plate in 1824 of which about 30 are known extant. Peter Force printed between 900 and 1200 on rice paper in 1848, folded and inserted into the book American Archives: Fifth Series Containing a documentary History of The United States of America, from the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1775 to the Definitive Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, September 3, 1783. At best, only a few hundred of these have survived; this is a particularly fine one. Removed from the volume, it is approximately 25" x 29" in size with only a few minor areas of foxing and a bit of ink transfer that is almost always seen on Force Declarations that have remained folded through the years. The right edge is trimmed a bit close, but overall the condition is fine and would certainly frame up beautifully for future generations to appreciate.
Miscellaneous
Colonial Philadelphia Document Collection consisting of the following items:
John Penn- Deed with huge wafer seal dated August 2, 1768.
John Biddle- Deed dated September 24, 1760 (fair condition).
Charles Norris- Receipt for contribution to Pennsylvania Hospital dated May 4, 1752.
Vellum Indenture- dated October 11, 1763, wax seals intact.
Vellum Indenture- dated April 15, 1751, wax seals intact.
Vellum Indenture- dated April 19, 1748.
Six items total, overall very good except as noted. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
John Penn- Deed with huge wafer seal dated August 2, 1768.
John Biddle- Deed dated September 24, 1760 (fair condition).
Charles Norris- Receipt for contribution to Pennsylvania Hospital dated May 4, 1752.
Vellum Indenture- dated October 11, 1763, wax seals intact.
Vellum Indenture- dated April 15, 1751, wax seals intact.
Vellum Indenture- dated April 19, 1748.
Six items total, overall very good except as noted. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Autographs
Cadwallader D. Colden Autograph Letter Signed in full. Four pages, 8" x 9.75", Harlem Near New York, October 28, 1822. It reads in part, "The question is then, did the state of New York do an injurious act towards, Rhode Island or towards any of her sister states when she made exclusive grant to Fulton under which we claim? It seems to me that this question will be best answered by supposing that when Fulton applied to the state of New York, he had addressed himself to the state of Rhode Iland. (sic) Had by anticipation, represented all the advantages of steam navigation as they are now enjoyed; had represented that he could not make the experiments and expend the money necessary to make effectual experiments without he could be assured of an exclusive right to the use of his inventions for a limited time, without such exclusive right he would reap no advantage tho he should be ever so successful in the execution of his plans."
The letter is no doubt making reference to Robert Fulton and his steamboat plans. Fulton had died in 1815, and his intellectual property is what is being discussed in this letter between Colden and Caddington Billings. After the steamboat was introduced, there were years of rivalry and disputes as to the originality of the idea and the actual father of the design. Regardless of Fulton's place in the pantheon of inventors who lay claim to the steamboat's inception, Fulton deserves credit for giving the steamboat the precedence as a passenger carrying conveyance as well as for transportation of freight. All attempts at this before Fulton proved fruitless and inefficient. Colden, the son of the colonial leader of the same name, himself was a statesman and politician who devoted much of his later life to the completion and technology of the Morris Canal in New Jersey. His connection to waterways and freight conveyances are what ties him so closely to Fulton and his inventions. Colden even wrote a biography of Robert Fulton's life and inventions. The content of this letter is fascinating, and it would be extremely desirable for any inventor or transportation enthusiast! The paper is slightly age toned, but the ink is crisp and dark, fine overall. The letter comes with a complete typed transcription of the text.
The letter is no doubt making reference to Robert Fulton and his steamboat plans. Fulton had died in 1815, and his intellectual property is what is being discussed in this letter between Colden and Caddington Billings. After the steamboat was introduced, there were years of rivalry and disputes as to the originality of the idea and the actual father of the design. Regardless of Fulton's place in the pantheon of inventors who lay claim to the steamboat's inception, Fulton deserves credit for giving the steamboat the precedence as a passenger carrying conveyance as well as for transportation of freight. All attempts at this before Fulton proved fruitless and inefficient. Colden, the son of the colonial leader of the same name, himself was a statesman and politician who devoted much of his later life to the completion and technology of the Morris Canal in New Jersey. His connection to waterways and freight conveyances are what ties him so closely to Fulton and his inventions. Colden even wrote a biography of Robert Fulton's life and inventions. The content of this letter is fascinating, and it would be extremely desirable for any inventor or transportation enthusiast! The paper is slightly age toned, but the ink is crisp and dark, fine overall. The letter comes with a complete typed transcription of the text.
Henry Clay Fragmentary Document Signed, "H Clay", one page, 7.5" x 4", Washington, D.C., May 30, 1828. This lower right corner from a large original document has Clay signing a United States Secretary of State and is affixed with the State Department's seal. Light foxing with some soiling around edges. Very good condition.
Photography
Schuyler Colfax Signed Carte de Visite. 17th Vice President of the United States under Ulysses S. Grant. He was Speaker of the House during the Civil War years. Colfax was an important fixture in American politics even after he left office under a cloud of scandal. This handsome CDV features a bust of Colfax wearing a dark suit and small bowtie. Bears a Whitehurst Gallery imprint on the verso. In very fine condition; small break in the lower left corner, but still intact; light soiling on the emulsion; small area of foxing to the left of Colfax; double lined gilt border; square corners.
Autographs
Scarce Document Signed by Peter Zenger's Attorney, Andrew Hamilton
Andrew Hamilton (1676-1741) jurist, manuscript Document Signed, "A: Hamilton", one page on vellum, 29" x 12", Philadelphia, Aug. 5 1720 in which Hamilton signs as a witness to a deed between Daniel Pegg and William Chancellor for a land in the Northern Liberties. Signed on the verso by Benjamin Chew who attests that "...the Name A. Hamilton Subscribed to the Execution of the within written Indentur to be the proper Hand Writing of Andrew Hamilton Esqr. late of the City of Philadelphia, deceased; And gives as a Reason for such his Belief, that he this deponent is well acquainted with the hand Writing of the Said Andrew, having often seen him Write his Name..." Hamilton is of course best known for his vehement defense of printer John Peter Zenger (1697-1746) who was accused of sedition and libel for criticizing Governor William Crosby of New York. In a 1732 trial, Hamilton managed to convince a jury (hand-picked by the governor) to acquit Zenger. The trial was an important step in the development of freedom of the press in America. Usual folds, pinholes at margins, else Fine. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
Andrew Hamilton (1676-1741) jurist, manuscript Document Signed, "A: Hamilton", one page on vellum, 29" x 12", Philadelphia, Aug. 5 1720 in which Hamilton signs as a witness to a deed between Daniel Pegg and William Chancellor for a land in the Northern Liberties. Signed on the verso by Benjamin Chew who attests that "...the Name A. Hamilton Subscribed to the Execution of the within written Indentur to be the proper Hand Writing of Andrew Hamilton Esqr. late of the City of Philadelphia, deceased; And gives as a Reason for such his Belief, that he this deponent is well acquainted with the hand Writing of the Said Andrew, having often seen him Write his Name..." Hamilton is of course best known for his vehement defense of printer John Peter Zenger (1697-1746) who was accused of sedition and libel for criticizing Governor William Crosby of New York. In a 1732 trial, Hamilton managed to convince a jury (hand-picked by the governor) to acquit Zenger. The trial was an important step in the development of freedom of the press in America. Usual folds, pinholes at margins, else Fine. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
Original Red-Line Printing of House Resolution 25, the "Fulbright Resolution" Which Led to the Formation of the United Nations. One page, 10" x 15", 78th Congress, 1st Session, dated September 21, 1943 and signed by House Clerk, "South Trimble", with gilt embossed seal affixed to the lower left margin. The document reads in part: "Resolved by the House of Representatives...That the Congress hereby expresses itself as favoring the creation of appropriate international machinery with power adequate to establish and to maintain a just and lasting peace, among other nations of the world...". There are only some minor stains present that don't detract from the overall presentation of this historic document. This may well have been William Fulbright's (1905-1995) copy of the resolution.
Included with the document is a one page typed letter on letterhead, dated January 11, 1945 from Vice President Henry A. Wallace to Fulbright signed "H. A. Wallace" that obviously accompanied a copy of William A. "Billy" Bishop's book Winged Peace. The letter reads in part: "I am sending you WINGED PEACE because "the rush of rocket and thrust of jet", combined with certain extraordinary types of explosives not yet fully developed, will make necessary a complete re-examination of our air thinking." The letter is in itself historic in that the "extraordinary types of explosives not yet fully developed" must surely be an early and potentially careless reference to the atomic bomb used eight months later. A carbon copy of Fulbright's thank you to Vice President Wallace, dated January 15, 1945 is included. Both letters are in fine condition.
Included with the document is a one page typed letter on letterhead, dated January 11, 1945 from Vice President Henry A. Wallace to Fulbright signed "H. A. Wallace" that obviously accompanied a copy of William A. "Billy" Bishop's book Winged Peace. The letter reads in part: "I am sending you WINGED PEACE because "the rush of rocket and thrust of jet", combined with certain extraordinary types of explosives not yet fully developed, will make necessary a complete re-examination of our air thinking." The letter is in itself historic in that the "extraordinary types of explosives not yet fully developed" must surely be an early and potentially careless reference to the atomic bomb used eight months later. A carbon copy of Fulbright's thank you to Vice President Wallace, dated January 15, 1945 is included. Both letters are in fine condition.
Oversized Color Photograph Signed by All Members of the Rehnquist Supreme Court. A 14" x 10.5" (sight) color portrait of the Rehnquist Court, casually posed around a table, signed below on the mat: "John Paul Stroud", "Wm J. Brennan Jr.", "Sandra Day O'Connor", "Thurgood Marshall", "Byron R. White", "Harry A. Blackmun", "Anthony M. Kennedy", "William H. Rehnquist", and "Antonin Scalia". Matted to an overall size of 19.75" x 16", in fine condition and ideal for display.
Grouping of Eight Documents Pertaining to Early New York Governors. A diverse selection as follows:
George Clinton DS, partially printed militia appointment, one page, 12.25" x 7.75", March 14, 1785
George Clinton, one page manuscript legal document, 8" x 4", n.d.
Daniel D. Tompkins DS, partially printed legal receipt, one page, 6.75" x 8", December 17, 1799
Daniel D. Tompkins DS, partially printed militia commission, 15.5" x 9.5", April 27, 1810
Joseph C. Yates ALS, one page with integral address panel, 6.5" x 8", Schenectady, November 4, 1805 to G. W. Van Schaick, Albany
Dewitt Clinton ALS, one page with integral address panel, 7.75" x 9.5", New York, October 31, 1814 to Commodore Porter, n.p.
JohnTaylor DS, one page militia commission, 16" x 10", April 24, 1817
Dewitt Clinton DS, one page partially printed political appointment, April 5, 1819
Pierre Van Cortlandt DS, one page manuscript receipt, 8.25" x 4", August 21, 1777. The signatory here was actually New York's first Lieutenant Governor. All items range from fine to very fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
George Clinton DS, partially printed militia appointment, one page, 12.25" x 7.75", March 14, 1785
George Clinton, one page manuscript legal document, 8" x 4", n.d.
Daniel D. Tompkins DS, partially printed legal receipt, one page, 6.75" x 8", December 17, 1799
Daniel D. Tompkins DS, partially printed militia commission, 15.5" x 9.5", April 27, 1810
Joseph C. Yates ALS, one page with integral address panel, 6.5" x 8", Schenectady, November 4, 1805 to G. W. Van Schaick, Albany
Dewitt Clinton ALS, one page with integral address panel, 7.75" x 9.5", New York, October 31, 1814 to Commodore Porter, n.p.
JohnTaylor DS, one page militia commission, 16" x 10", April 24, 1817
Dewitt Clinton DS, one page partially printed political appointment, April 5, 1819
Pierre Van Cortlandt DS, one page manuscript receipt, 8.25" x 4", August 21, 1777. The signatory here was actually New York's first Lieutenant Governor. All items range from fine to very fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Governors of New York A large collection of approximately 75 to 100 pieces consisting primarily of letters and documents of Governors of New York together with some other important New York personalities. Some examples include DeWitt Clinton 2 ALsS 1827, ADS 1792; Alfred E. Smith 3 TLsS 1928, 1929, 1932 together with a DS 1924; Edwin D. Morgan, DS 1862; Benjamin B. Odell 2 TLsS 1900, 1902 together with a signature; Horatio Seymour A.L.S. 1864; Thomas E. Dewey ALS [1944], 3 T.L.S.'s 1937, 1947, 1951, DS, 1954, 3 signatures; John A. Dix, 3 signatures; Hamilton Fish signature, 1874; Bernard Baruch TLS, 1934; Charles Evans Hughes TLS 1910; William L. Marcy DS 1833; Samuel J. Tilden ALS., 1881. Also includes a variety of signed pieces (many in multiples) by E.T. Throop, William C. Brouk, Myron H. Clarke, John Young, H. D. Wilkinson, Charles H. Whitman, Silas Wright, Jr, William Sulzer, Nathaniel Pitcher, Herbert H. Lehman, Nathan Miller, Gideon Reynolds, Frank S. Black, John A. King, Washington Hunt, John T. Hoffman, Isaac N. Arnold, Alanzo Cornell, Martin H. Glynn, Rosewell P. Flower, F. W. Higgens, R. W. Fenton, and David B. Hall. Condition is mostly very good to very fine condition. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Session 2
Exceptional Brigham Young Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "Brigham Young", 2 pp., 5" x 7.75", Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, August 10, 1869, written to Mr. James Emerson of Lowell, Massachusetts. Brigham Young neatly pens (in full): "Dear Sir: Yours of the 28. ult. has been received. We have been & are still much interested in the Turbine Water Wheel, & shall be much pleased to learn as soon as published the results of the test. With regard to the Book of Mormon, what it is, & how to procure a copy of it, I will briefly say, that it is not what many suppose it to be - the Bible of the Latter-day-Saints. The Bible of Christianity is the Bible of the Latter-day Saints. The Book of Mormon is a history of the aborigines of the American continent, - much as the Old testament is a history of the Jews; it was translated by the gift & power of God, & is really the most extraordinary work extant. The Latter-day-Saints believe in it, because it is truth & they very generally bear witness of their knowledge of this fact. There is another work called 'Book of Doctrine & Covenants' containing revelations of God to the Prophet Joseph Smith, which is also published & circulated to the world. Besides these, there are other publications explanatory of our doctrines, among which are 'The Voice of Warning,' 'Key to Theology,' 'Orson Spencer's Letters' & Orson Pratt's 'Divine Authority' 'Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon' 'Kingdom of God' & 'New Jerusalem.' These works can be had at the 'Deseret Book Store.' Book of Mormon $1.25 Doctrine & Covenant $1.00 Voice of Warning 75c O. Pratt's Pamphlets about 25c each; the others mentioned are not now in Stock. The postage on each volume would not exceed 40c. Yours with respect, Brigham Young"
Just three months before the date of this letter, on May 10, 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed at Promontory Summit, just north of the Great Salt Lake. Not only an important milestone in U.S. history, it further accelerated the settlement of the West, and Utah in particular. The water turbine, in which Brigham Young here expresses such a keen interest, played a crucial role in the transformation of Utah from arid desert to thriving oasis - an amazing achievement in the 19th century, and one for which Young and his Mormon followers are justly admired.
The recipient of this letter, James Emerson, was a former sea captain who had made several important advances in the development of the water turbine. He had recently filed a patent with the U.S. Patent Office for an improved dynamometer that would provide constant measurements of the efficiency of water-powered turbines. Somewhat of a maverick, Emerson believed that the independent American mechanic or craftsman was the best possible technologist, and that college training for engineers was worthless. It is perhaps his fiercely independent personality that aroused his curiosity in Mormonism, which was then viewed by most Americans as an outlaw religious cult.
A fantastic letter in which Brigham Young explains the articles of his faith to an outsider, coupled with an important association with the development of the Great Salt Lake Valley. With light soiling and various barely visible pencil markings throughout including underlined points of emphasis, the letter remains in very good condition. The provenance of this letter is Joe Maddalena of Profiles in History and his Certificate of Authenticity will accompany the lot.
Just three months before the date of this letter, on May 10, 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed at Promontory Summit, just north of the Great Salt Lake. Not only an important milestone in U.S. history, it further accelerated the settlement of the West, and Utah in particular. The water turbine, in which Brigham Young here expresses such a keen interest, played a crucial role in the transformation of Utah from arid desert to thriving oasis - an amazing achievement in the 19th century, and one for which Young and his Mormon followers are justly admired.
The recipient of this letter, James Emerson, was a former sea captain who had made several important advances in the development of the water turbine. He had recently filed a patent with the U.S. Patent Office for an improved dynamometer that would provide constant measurements of the efficiency of water-powered turbines. Somewhat of a maverick, Emerson believed that the independent American mechanic or craftsman was the best possible technologist, and that college training for engineers was worthless. It is perhaps his fiercely independent personality that aroused his curiosity in Mormonism, which was then viewed by most Americans as an outlaw religious cult.
A fantastic letter in which Brigham Young explains the articles of his faith to an outsider, coupled with an important association with the development of the Great Salt Lake Valley. With light soiling and various barely visible pencil markings throughout including underlined points of emphasis, the letter remains in very good condition. The provenance of this letter is Joe Maddalena of Profiles in History and his Certificate of Authenticity will accompany the lot.
Martin Luther King Jr. Photo Signed, circa 1965. 10" x 8" B&W photo of a determined King on the move with various associates signed "Best Wishes / Martin Luther King Jr." in lower right corner in blue ink. Lot also includes three unpublished photos of various Civil Rights leaders including King and U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Signature clear. Some buckling to photo and a .25" tear along top margin, not affecting image. Defects could be matted out when framed. Overall in very good condition. An excellent Civil Rights artifact and tribute to the slain activist.
Dr. Martin Luther King Signed Church Bulletin, dated October 22, 1961, from the White Rock Baptist Church at 53rd and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. Bold and large blue ballpoint pen signature scrawled across sky blue field of cover illustration of church. Inside the program, the legendary Civil Rights activist receives credit for delivering a sermon titled "Invitation to Christian Discipleship." Program measures approximately 5.5" x 8.5" and runs four pages. Chips along edges, center crease, overall very good condition.
John L. Sullivan Autograph Letter Signed "John L. Sullivan." Four pages, 6" x 9", Rochester, New York, January 24, 1908. This letter, by the famous boxer Sullivan, was written to John Wilson. Sullivan was undefeated until he faced "Gentleman" Jim Corbett, where he fell in 21 rounds. Sullivan is considered by many to be the first modern World Heavyweight Champion, although no formal titles existed during the time he was boxing. The letter reads in part, "...My Dear John your letter received and glad to hear from my pal and sorry to learn you are not working but hope it will not be for long. I think you would be out of the world if you were not doing manual labor of some kind...You are no quitter. I know enough of you to think you will meet with any and all requirements..."
The letter is in fine condition; usual folds are present; stain on the upper right portion of page 1; some separations on the folds lines are present; small stain on the upper right portion of page 3. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
The letter is in fine condition; usual folds are present; stain on the upper right portion of page 1; some separations on the folds lines are present; small stain on the upper right portion of page 3. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
Phineas T. Barnum Autograph Letter Signed to His Partner James Bailey A.L.S. "P.T. Barnum", 1 p., 6" x 9.5", [Franklin County, NY], Aug. 27, 1889, docketted by Bailey on the verso in pencil. Barnum writes: "The London papers don't seem so ready to notice us as Provincial papers, probably fearing to give us too much free advertising. But that meeting of the Metropolitan Railway in London gets us noticed by London Times. Telegraph and all leading London papers, and they evidently generally think we shall draw crowds, which I do not doubt. When do you expect to sail, & what date do you think it best for me to go? I hope you have bargained with Courier Company for prices of my books of 2 qualities if you want them though. I don't think we can sell many there - especially of high price binding & paper. As I wrote you yesterday - I shall leave here for home next week Wednesday 4th Sept & arriving there 5th if no accident prevents. Truly Yours P T Barnum". James Bailey, Barnum's former competitor and now business partner, adds his holograph on the verso docketting: "Notify Barnum when sail/ Show sails Oct. 18 / 2 kind Barnums Life / Can't show Phila too late / bills boxed for London / agents gone." Barnum and Bailey, who had originally partnered in 1881 and split ways in 1885, had reunited in 1888 to form "Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show On Earth", which toured around the world. This letter is no doubt making plans for the London leg of that tour.
Accompanied by a double-sided yellow flyer, likely circa 1881, announcing "P.T. Barnum's Greatest show on Earth, and the Great London Circus, Sanger's Royal British Menagerie" in New York. This would be the premier of the use and presentation of a three-ring circus.
The letter has a light waterstain at bottom margin, ink remains clear, legible, and ideal for display. Flyer has archival tape at top, with a few tiny tears at margins. Engravings are quite clean and very attractive. Overall condition of both items is very good.
Accompanied by a double-sided yellow flyer, likely circa 1881, announcing "P.T. Barnum's Greatest show on Earth, and the Great London Circus, Sanger's Royal British Menagerie" in New York. This would be the premier of the use and presentation of a three-ring circus.
The letter has a light waterstain at bottom margin, ink remains clear, legible, and ideal for display. Flyer has archival tape at top, with a few tiny tears at margins. Engravings are quite clean and very attractive. Overall condition of both items is very good.
Phineas T. Barnum Autograph Letter Signed Written From His Sick Bed A.L.S. "P.T. Barnum" on imprinted letterhead, 1p., 5.5" x 6.75", to Russell Whiting thanking him for a fruit basket. In part: "I thank you sincerely for remembering me in my 81st year on what is probably my last sick bed by sending me that pretty basket of delicious fruit..." Barnum would die less than three months later in April 7, 1891. With toning and a few traces of foxing. Otherwise very good and with bold ink. Matted alongside a picture of Barnum to an overall size of 14.75" x 12.25".
Phineas T. Barnum Autograph Document Signed Reviewing his Recent National Tour Great content A.Ms.S. "P.T. Barnum" with a postscript signed with his initials, on Barnum & London Ten United Monster Shows letterhead, 1p., 6" x 9.5", announcing the end of his season and relating basic financial statistics. He writes, in full: "P. L. The Greatest Show on Earth closes its season at Lynchburg, Va. This week Saturday... and ... immediately to its Thirteen Quarters at Bridgeport, Conn. Its receipts grew larger and larger every year but the show itself and expenses grew larger in proportion, so that its net profits are annually less. We open in New York City with new and enormously expensive varieties in the American Institute Building 5 avenue & 65th St next Spring. P.T.Barnum / Our receipts In Memphis Tenn Nashville, Chattanooga Knoxville Atlanta, Ga. Macon Augusta & Savannah were larger than in any other varieties of the Union. This is the first season that Barnum's show ever visited those Southern States. PTB" Faint waterstaining at bottom, however not affecting the legibility of this great content letter. Matted alongside a picture of Barnum to an overall size of 16" x 15".
Transportation
Charles Crocker Signed Pacific Railroad Co. Deed DS "Cha. Crocker.", 4pp, 8.5" x 14", August 13, 1884, being a deed for 160 acres of land bought by A.B. Driesbach for the amount of $480.00. Crocker signs as second vice president of the Railroad. Crocker was largely responsible for heading the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad, spending exorbitant amounts of money doing so. An important signature in the history of transcontinental railroad history, in near fine condition.
Autographs
Walt Disney Typed Letter Signed. One page, personal letterhead, 7.25" x 10.5", December 29, 1964, to Mr. John Hunt of Curtis Publishing Company of New York. Disney writes, in full: "I'm flattered to be asked to contribute to Speaking Out - - but I am going to beg off. Frankly, I don't feel I should take part in this. I am really not a writer and I'm afraid I would be dull reading at best. However, I want to thank you for thinking of me and to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy New Year." Great 3" long signature. Very light mailing folds, staples in upper left and lower right corners, and mounting remnants on verso, else fine.
R. J. Gatling Autograph Letter Signed, on "Office of Gatling Gun Company" letterhead (which includes an engraving of a Gatling Gun!), 1p., 8.5" x 11", Hartford, Connecticut, February 4, 1879. Written to "My Dear Mr. Welles" (in part): "My Dear Mr. Welles I see from the Scientific American that the Sub-Treasury, N.Y. is to be fortified with a Gatling Gun, &c. I desire that you see Secretary [of the Treasury John] Sherman about supplying Gatling guns not only in the Sub-Treasury N.Y., but also one or more should be kept in the Treasury Building in Washington. The improved Gatling gun would furnish the best possible means of protecting the immense amount of treasure kept on hand belonging to the govt and especially would this be the case when the multiball cartridges are used. Possible Secty Sherman will purchase 3 or 4 guns for above purpose. None but the best improved Gatlings should be used...Yours truly R J Gatling."
With the outbreak of the Civil War, Gatling built and patented a crank-driven rapid-fire gun consisting of 10 barrels clustered around a revolving shaft, with an automatic feed and ejection mechanism. The rapid-firing Gatling gun, which could fire 350 rounds per minute (later 1,200 rounds per minute), was tested with great success by the War Department and was officially adopted in 1866 for the U.S. Army. Here, Gatling suggests his new and improved rapid-firing gun to guard one of the most important buildings in the nation's capital. Minor separation repaired with tape at the horizontal fold; otherwise, near fine condition.
With the outbreak of the Civil War, Gatling built and patented a crank-driven rapid-fire gun consisting of 10 barrels clustered around a revolving shaft, with an automatic feed and ejection mechanism. The rapid-firing Gatling gun, which could fire 350 rounds per minute (later 1,200 rounds per minute), was tested with great success by the War Department and was officially adopted in 1866 for the U.S. Army. Here, Gatling suggests his new and improved rapid-firing gun to guard one of the most important buildings in the nation's capital. Minor separation repaired with tape at the horizontal fold; otherwise, near fine condition.
Samuel Remington Autograph Letter Signed "S. Remington". Three pages, 8" x 5.25", January 25, 1858, discussing $100,000 in capital stock. The Connecticut gun maker writes, "My Dear Sir, But for the absence of Mr. Johnson who has been absent in New York since the 1st for the purpose of securing funds in part to meet the amt. due you I have delayed ansring [sic] in order that I might be able to inform you of remittance either from New York of from here. Not having heard from Mr. Johnson for the past week I can no longer delay on account of the inclosed
Leland Stanford Letter Signed. One page, personal letterhead, 8.25" x 10.75", San Francisco, California, August 26, 1891, to the Hon. Thos. Flint Jr. In full, "Enclosed please find a letter to Public Printer Palmer recommending the appointment of Mr. R. P. Stephenson in accordance with the request you made in your letter. I hope that Mr. Stephenson will be successful in obtaining the place he seeks..." The recipient of this letter was a member of a pioneering San Benito County family and one of the leading Republicans in the state of California. Leland Stanford, a business tycoon who founded Stanford University, was a Republican U.S. senator representing California at the time of this writing. Mailing folds and some crinkles, else fine.
Cornelius Vanderbilt Document Signed. Seven pages, June 12, 1865, concerning the Hudson River Railroad. A declaration of trust between Vanderbilt and John M. Tobin, of one part, and The Hudson River Rail Road Co., of the other part. Much of the lengthy text describes the boundaries of several tracts of land, adjacent to Harlem River Rail Road property between Albany and Poughkeepsie purchased by Vanderbilt and Tobin from several different parties. The tracts are part of a farm in the vicinity of Stuyvesant and Coxsackie Ferry, and lands in the towns of Stuyvesant and East Greenbush. The final section of the text explains that Vanderbilt and Tobin were paid one dollar each by the HRR and the lands were conveyed to them to be held in trust for the use of the railroad. Signed on page seven by Vanderbilt, Tobin, and Edwin Quackenbush. After being primarily involved in shipping for years, later in his life, Vanderbilt became involved in railroads. Gaining control of The Hudson River Rail Road was his second project in this industry, after he took over its competitor, The New York and Harlem. The transactions documented here must have been part of Vanderbilt's master plan to control the Hudson Valley railroads and consolidate three inefficient operations into a single well-run system. Vanderbilt took control of the third line, the New York Central in 1867; by the early 1870s he had accomplished his goal.
Known as Commodore Vanderbilt, by age 40, he had become owner of steamers running from Boston and up the Hudson River. In 1849, during the Gold Rush, he established a route by Nicaragua to California and during the Crimean War a line of steamships to Havre. In 1862, he sold his ships and entered a great career of railroad financing, gradually obtaining a controlling interest in a large number of railways. He had built Grand Central Station in New York City. Good condition, with considerable fold repair. The paper and writing are otherwise fine.
Known as Commodore Vanderbilt, by age 40, he had become owner of steamers running from Boston and up the Hudson River. In 1849, during the Gold Rush, he established a route by Nicaragua to California and during the Crimean War a line of steamships to Havre. In 1862, he sold his ships and entered a great career of railroad financing, gradually obtaining a controlling interest in a large number of railways. He had built Grand Central Station in New York City. Good condition, with considerable fold repair. The paper and writing are otherwise fine.
Donald W. Douglas, Sr. Document Signed, approximately 40 pp., 7" x 10", Santa Monica, California, August 14, 1940. A purchase agreement "between Douglas Aircraft Company, Inc. and Swiflite Aircraft Corporation, for one (1) DC3-363 Airplane". The legal contract for this $143,900 craft is followed by a highly detailed outline of its mechanical specifications. Bound by blue ribbon between two card covers. Stains to cover, front cover and first sheet dis-bound. Overall fine condition. An important piece of aviation history being signed by the founder of Douglas Aircraft.
Miscellaneous
North Carolina Gold Company Stock Certificate. Partially printed document, two pages, 10.5" x 6.25", New York, May 2, 1854. This certificate is made out to a Chauncey Bush for one hundred shares. The document's central vignette is of a classical figure holding a caduceus, fasces and scales amid a commercial landscape. A secondary image below shows a medieval alchemist working in his laboratory. The verso is imprinted with transfer docketing. Light browning, fine condition. A scarce item relating to the Southern gold fields from a time when California was the metal's undisputed Mecca.
Autographs
(Business Leaders) A large collection of autographed material, consisting of mostly letters and documents from prominent industrialists and business leaders from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The group of approximately 50 pieces includes August Belmont, Jr. fine content T.L.S. New York, November 11, 1904 (soon after the official opening of the I.R.T. subway) enclosing a "...copy of our Subway Souvenir Publication...; Solomon de Rothschild A.L.S. Paris, 1863; Marshall Field T.L.S. Chicago, 1946; Sir Thomas Lipton Signature; John D. Rockefeller, Jr. T.L.S. New York, 1911, together with another T.L.S. New York, 1919; W.J. Cameron T.L.S., Dearborn, Mich., 1928; John W. Weeks A.L.S., Boston, 1897; Russell Sage D.S., New York, 1879; August Belmont L.S., New York, 1879; Francis Burdett A.N.S. 1810; L. F. S. Burgess D.S., Cleveland, 1868; John A. Welles A.L.S. Detroit, 1841; George Baker T.L.S. New York, 1925; John Dowd T.L.S. New York, 1926; Joseph A. Choate Signature, 1899; Arthur C. Croft T.L.S., New York, 1951; Stephen Baker T.L.S. New York, 1931; John Wanamaker, A.L.S., Philadelphia, 1880; W. Warren Barbour, 3 T.Ls.S. New York, 1928; R. H. Aishton T.L.S. 1919; George J. Gould TN.S. New York, 1893; Cyrus H. K. Curtis T.N.S. Philadelphia, 1928; John W. Garrett, T.L.S. Baltimore, 1929; M. Friesdam T.L.S. New York, 1926; Chauncey M. Depew T.L.S. New York, 1912 together with a signed pass for the New York Central & Hudson River R.R., 1898; Jacob M., Dickinson T.L.S. Chicago, 1915; Charles Donnelly T.L.S. St. Paul, Minn., 1927; Pierre S. du Pont T.L.S. Wilminton, Del., 1929; Conrad Hilton T.L.S., Beverly Hills, 1952 together with a second T.LS. Beverly Hills, 1954; Harvey Firestone, Jr. 2 T.L.S.s, Akron, 1953 & 1955; William H. Vanderbilt 2 A.L.S.s New York, 1865 & 1879; Alanson B. Houghton T.L.S. New York, 1924. Many more, far too numerous to detail here. Condition overall ranges from very good to very fine. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
William Barclay "Bat" Masterson Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, 7.75" x 10.25", December 31, 1905, New York City, written to "Mr. Watson F. Masterson" of Ramsey, West Virginia. Includes the original transmittal envelope. Masterson, the legendary gambler, lawman, saloon keeper, and journalist, pens, in full: "Dear Sir. Without going into details can assure you that we are not related; even remotely. My father was born in this state eighty years ago and moved to Illinois where I was born fifty one years ago. There are a great many families of Mastersons in Missouri and Iowa none of whom are related to mine. My father had but one brother and he was several years the eldest and has been dead about forty years and died without issue. Very respectfully. W.B. Masterson". Originally acquired from a Charleston, West Virginia man whose father personally received the letter from Masterson. Comes with a photocopy of a newspaper article discussing this provenance. A rare opportunity. Fine.
Extremely Rare Clyde Barrow Autograph Letter Signed, 1 p., 6.5" x 8.25" in pencil on blue-lined paper, to his mother, Cumie Barrow, from his prison cell at the Eastham Prison Farm near Huntsville, Texas. Barrow writes (in full): "Dear Mother. got your Sweet letter glad to know that every one is fine. When are you going to Auston. Be sure you talk [?] yourself sure hope I can get out of hear. Tell [?] to write to me. Make S.C. bring you down real soon to see me. I sure do want to see you. You asked me if I needed anything. Nothing but to come home. Give every one my love Come soon Your son Clyde Barrow"
At this time, Clyde was serving a 14-year sentence for a string of robberies committed between Texas and Ohio. Unbeknownst to Clyde, his mother Cumie had nearly secured an amazing act of leniency from District Judge R.I. Monroe in Waco, reduce Clyde's sentence from 14 to just 2 years.
But Clyde grew impatient. Between the date of this letter and February of 1932, Clyde became despondent over a number of things: the state's delay in reducing his sentence, his rocky relationship with Bonnie (she had started to see another man while Clyde was in prison), and his inability in keeping up with the workload in the fields of the prison farm. Turning to an inmate friend, he conspired to get off the farm and into regular prison by persuading a fellow convict to chop off two of his toes with an axe. As expected, prison officials moved him to the Huntsville Prison Hospital for treatment. With Judge Munroe's recommendation and his mother's pleadings, Governor Ross Sterling agreed to the parole. It was a fateful decision.
Clyde was released on February 8, 1932, and shortly thereafter he and Bonnie, reunited, embarked upon their infamous crime spree across the South. The two first began traveling with Raymond Hamilton, a young gunman. Hamilton left them several months later, and was replaced by William Daniel Jones in November 1932.
Clyde's brother, Ivan M. "Buck" Barrow, was released from the Texas State Prison on March 23, 1933, having also been granted a full pardon by the Governor. He quickly joined Clyde, bringing his wife, Blanche, so the group now numbered five persons. The gang embarked upon a series of bold robberies that made headlines across the country, and their activities made law enforcement efforts to apprehend them even more intense. During a shootout with police in Iowa on July 29, 1933, Buck Barrow was fatally wounded and Blanche was captured. Jones, who was frequently mistaken for "Pretty Boy" Floyd, was captured in November 1933, at Houston, Texas, by the sheriff's office. Bonnie and Clyde continued on together.
After a number of highly-publicized robberies and homicides an FBI Agent, through investigation in the vicinity of Ruston, Louisiana, obtained information which definitely placed Bonnie and Clyde in a remote section southwest of that community in April, 1934. A safe house (the home of Henry Methvin) was not far away and the Agent learned of visits there by Bonnie and Clyde, and that the two were currently en route to that location.
Before dawn on May 23, 1934, a posse composed of police officers from Louisiana and Texas, including Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, concealed themselves in bushes along the highway near Sailes, Louisiana. In the early daylight, Bonnie and Clyde appeared in an automobile and when they attempted to drive away, the officers opened fire. Bonnie and Clyde were killed instantly in a maelstrom of gunfire.
A timely letter from Clyde Barrow, written just before his release from prison and the resumption of his life of crime. This is the only genuine ALS of Clyde, written in letter format, known to exist! Some age toning; otherwise, in fine condition. Accompanied by a handwritten letter of provenance from Barrow's sister, Marie, who states that Clyde wrote the above ALS to their mother while in prison.
At this time, Clyde was serving a 14-year sentence for a string of robberies committed between Texas and Ohio. Unbeknownst to Clyde, his mother Cumie had nearly secured an amazing act of leniency from District Judge R.I. Monroe in Waco, reduce Clyde's sentence from 14 to just 2 years.
But Clyde grew impatient. Between the date of this letter and February of 1932, Clyde became despondent over a number of things: the state's delay in reducing his sentence, his rocky relationship with Bonnie (she had started to see another man while Clyde was in prison), and his inability in keeping up with the workload in the fields of the prison farm. Turning to an inmate friend, he conspired to get off the farm and into regular prison by persuading a fellow convict to chop off two of his toes with an axe. As expected, prison officials moved him to the Huntsville Prison Hospital for treatment. With Judge Munroe's recommendation and his mother's pleadings, Governor Ross Sterling agreed to the parole. It was a fateful decision.
Clyde was released on February 8, 1932, and shortly thereafter he and Bonnie, reunited, embarked upon their infamous crime spree across the South. The two first began traveling with Raymond Hamilton, a young gunman. Hamilton left them several months later, and was replaced by William Daniel Jones in November 1932.
Clyde's brother, Ivan M. "Buck" Barrow, was released from the Texas State Prison on March 23, 1933, having also been granted a full pardon by the Governor. He quickly joined Clyde, bringing his wife, Blanche, so the group now numbered five persons. The gang embarked upon a series of bold robberies that made headlines across the country, and their activities made law enforcement efforts to apprehend them even more intense. During a shootout with police in Iowa on July 29, 1933, Buck Barrow was fatally wounded and Blanche was captured. Jones, who was frequently mistaken for "Pretty Boy" Floyd, was captured in November 1933, at Houston, Texas, by the sheriff's office. Bonnie and Clyde continued on together.
After a number of highly-publicized robberies and homicides an FBI Agent, through investigation in the vicinity of Ruston, Louisiana, obtained information which definitely placed Bonnie and Clyde in a remote section southwest of that community in April, 1934. A safe house (the home of Henry Methvin) was not far away and the Agent learned of visits there by Bonnie and Clyde, and that the two were currently en route to that location.
Before dawn on May 23, 1934, a posse composed of police officers from Louisiana and Texas, including Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, concealed themselves in bushes along the highway near Sailes, Louisiana. In the early daylight, Bonnie and Clyde appeared in an automobile and when they attempted to drive away, the officers opened fire. Bonnie and Clyde were killed instantly in a maelstrom of gunfire.
A timely letter from Clyde Barrow, written just before his release from prison and the resumption of his life of crime. This is the only genuine ALS of Clyde, written in letter format, known to exist! Some age toning; otherwise, in fine condition. Accompanied by a handwritten letter of provenance from Barrow's sister, Marie, who states that Clyde wrote the above ALS to their mother while in prison.
Frank James Autograph Letter Signed to His Wife Annie ALS "Ben" (his alias, B.J. Woodson), 4pp., 5" x 8", Gallatin, Missouri, dated October 25, 1883; including the original handwritten transmittal envelope. He writes, in full: "My Dear Wife For fear you may not get off to-morrow I will write you so if you send to the Office to morrow you will not be disappointed. We have been having real winter. Snowed all day nearly yesterday. I thought if you were having the same kind of weather Rob would say now Mamma I want my boots, I don't want you to be disappointed when you come for I am satisfied you will have to board at Mr. Bradleys Hotel. I am rather of the opinion you will like it better than a private house. The only thing it will come higher but the attention you will have will make up for that, I am bound to see you if it should cost 128 per week which we have payed I can stand it a few weeks any way. If you now here this morning, I would love you to death so hope you will git here to morrow night.
Mamma bring all your good clothes if you have any I don't see any use in keeping them for I don't know when I will git out. I want to see you with that satin on Sundays at least, I hope you will get such things as you may need. I would hate to see you spend a nickle in this detestable town. I want you to remember me to all our friends tell them I would love to hear from them and hope they will write me. Tell Aunt Mollie and Mrs. Holland if I am here Christmas.
I hope they will not forget me, I hope Ma has got well. Why in the thunder don't Mage write. I do wonder if she has gone back on me? My room is real comfortable I promise not to let you freeze Hope to goodness you will get here to morrow night. Tell my little man if he comes he may just make up his mind to stay in jail for the weather will be so bad that he cannot go out doors. I will now close asking you to come at once I will tell you right now you may expect to be eat up when you come so you can git some of your friends to prepare your epitaph I know no one on earth was never half so dear to any one as you were to me, Lord but I love you from head to foot. I have been studying of having you board with me in jail. How would you like that? I was in earnest no foolishness about it. Why not I could git us a little bed stand, damned if I don't do it if I am to stay here all the winter run. I can not be seperated [sic] from you any long so you may prepare yourself to accept the situation again I will say come good bye Love to all. Your loving Hubby Ben"
Just a few months after the death of his notorious brother, Jesse (April 3, 1882), Frank surrendered to Missouri Governor Thomas J. Crittenden (October 4, 1882), laying his gun on the governor's desk with the epitaph, "no living man except myself has been permitted to touch [these] since 1861." His trial began on August 21, 1883, but by February, 1885, all cases against him had collapsed or were dismissed, or were no longer pressed. By now a celebrity in the pro-Confederate west, Frank won acquittal following his sensational trial, based on the argument that many of the crimes of which he was accused had been committed by others who had found it expedient to blame him in absentia. In the interim, however, James was confined to prison while fighting his legal battles. In fine condition.
Mamma bring all your good clothes if you have any I don't see any use in keeping them for I don't know when I will git out. I want to see you with that satin on Sundays at least, I hope you will get such things as you may need. I would hate to see you spend a nickle in this detestable town. I want you to remember me to all our friends tell them I would love to hear from them and hope they will write me. Tell Aunt Mollie and Mrs. Holland if I am here Christmas.
I hope they will not forget me, I hope Ma has got well. Why in the thunder don't Mage write. I do wonder if she has gone back on me? My room is real comfortable I promise not to let you freeze Hope to goodness you will get here to morrow night. Tell my little man if he comes he may just make up his mind to stay in jail for the weather will be so bad that he cannot go out doors. I will now close asking you to come at once I will tell you right now you may expect to be eat up when you come so you can git some of your friends to prepare your epitaph I know no one on earth was never half so dear to any one as you were to me, Lord but I love you from head to foot. I have been studying of having you board with me in jail. How would you like that? I was in earnest no foolishness about it. Why not I could git us a little bed stand, damned if I don't do it if I am to stay here all the winter run. I can not be seperated [sic] from you any long so you may prepare yourself to accept the situation again I will say come good bye Love to all. Your loving Hubby Ben"
Just a few months after the death of his notorious brother, Jesse (April 3, 1882), Frank surrendered to Missouri Governor Thomas J. Crittenden (October 4, 1882), laying his gun on the governor's desk with the epitaph, "no living man except myself has been permitted to touch [these] since 1861." His trial began on August 21, 1883, but by February, 1885, all cases against him had collapsed or were dismissed, or were no longer pressed. By now a celebrity in the pro-Confederate west, Frank won acquittal following his sensational trial, based on the argument that many of the crimes of which he was accused had been committed by others who had found it expedient to blame him in absentia. In the interim, however, James was confined to prison while fighting his legal battles. In fine condition.
Cole Younger, Large Bold Signature written in pencil on a 4.25" x 3.25" leaf [tipped to a card], "Cole Younger St. Paul, Minn." Cole and his two younger brothers (Robert and James) were active off and on with Frank and Jesse James for several years, until the disastrous attempt to rob a bank at Northfield, Minnesota (September 7, 1876), following which the Youngers, all wounded, were captured, pleaded guilty, and were sentenced to life terms at Stillwater Penitentiary. This signature was most certainly written while he was serving out his life sentence. One of the most infamous and rare signatures of the Wild West era. In very fine condition.
Jack Ruby Autograph Note. A note written by Jack Ruby in pencil, 3 pages single side, small 8vo. The first page is missing its upper left corner, so it is unclear to whom the note is written, or how it begins. However, the content is intriguing! In part: "I hurriedly closed the door of the car and dashed across the streeto [sic] the club and as I had always done had the pistol on my right hand pocket. One of the fellows drinking beer on the sidewalk who was with another companion made a remark, such as, Jack do you have your pistol with you, and I didn't answer him and dashed into the club." The sheets are in good condition aside from the missing piece on the first page. An interesting and intriguing lot, sure to spark many conversations about 'ol "Sparky!"
Jack Ruby Signed Check, 3" x 8", from the account of the Ervay Theatre and made out to Adrian B Upchurch for $10, Mercantile National Bank, Dallas, Texas, October 13, 1953. Very fine condition. This check dates to a brief period when Jack Ruby managed a movie theater rather than the nightclubs for which he is generally known. Matted with the check to an overall 30" x 27" is the 1964 LIFE magazine having Lee Harvey Oswald on the cover and a January 30, 1964 issue of the Detroit News in which Ruby gives his version of shooting Oswald.
Robert Baden-Powell Boy Scouts Association Medal of Merit Certificate Signed in full as Chief Scout. One page, 9.75" x 7.5", September 12, 1928, awarded to Francis Tompkin of the Kimberworth Scout Group. Some noticeable foxing across certificate does not affect readability, light folds, else very good condition.
Irish Patriot Daniel O'Connell Letter Signed L.S. "Daniel O'Connell", 2pp., 7.25" x 9", Darrymore Abbey, Cahirciveen, Oct. 11, 1846, marked "confidential" at top and addressed to Torrens McCullogh, Esq., regarding O'Connell's son-in-law. In part: "I wish you to make a note for me that the person for whom I applied to Lord Fortescue is my son-in-law Charles O'Connell, as I stated in my letter to the Lord Lieutenant. I want to take care that whatever is done there should be no mistake. My son-in-law is Charles O'Connell of Ballanablow, a restored Magistrate for the County of Kerry. I say this because there is another Charles O'Connell of the County of Clare for whom I am anxious - but, I am not so anxious for him as I am for my son-in-Law. All I want is, that you should prevent there being any mistake, whatever may be done." Light stain to integral sheet likely caused by original seal, usual folds, otherwise near fine condition.
Henry Stanley Autograph Letter Signed "Henry M. Stanley". Two pages, 7" x 4.5", London, August 15, 1885, discussing his book Through the Dark Continent. Wonderful autographed letter signed from noted African explorer Henry Stanley. It is a chatty letter to an interviewer. The letter reads, "My Dear Anderson, I registered to you the interview yesterday. Will you be good enough to send me such clippings of same as may be published with such comments as you see made on it in a few of the respectable papers. In reading over your letters again I find you ask me for a copy of my book. You must understand that I have long ago exhausted my share of books of here. But I send you an order on Harper which may be honored for an American copy. Yours very sincerely..." Born into poverty, John Rowlands left Wales and, in 1858, arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he took the name Henry Stanley. He fought as a Confederate in the U.S. Civil War, was captured, then fought on the Union side. As a journalist, he was dispatched from New York to Asia Minor and to the American West, and then assigned to Africa to find the missing explorer David Livingstone. Stanley found Livingstone, and is famous for having said, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" upon meeting him. Stanley's subsequent explorations of Africa and his many books and articles made him an international celebrity. Although he is considered by many to be one of the 19th century's greatest explorers, Stanley has also been accused of being complicit in King Leopold II's murderous pillage of the Congo. Very fine condition.
Pearl Harbor 1941 Log Entry of the USS Antares signed by six officers of the stores issue ship, two pages, 10" x 15', front and verso. Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, Sunday, December 7, 1941. This is the retained carbon. Noted at the bottom: "Original (ribbon) copy of this page to be sent to Bureau of Navigation monthly." The retained carbon copies were filed onboard until ordered disposed of or destroyed. This was saved by a crewman of the Antares. On December 7th, the USS Antares arrived in Hawaii from Canton, China, and the Palmyra Islands with a 500 ton steel barge in tow, expecting to transfer the tow to a tug at and then enter Pearl Harbor. On this unique document, four officers reported what they saw on the date which will live in infamy. Each has signed beneath his hours on duty. "0 to 4" signed "R.C. Dollar," Lieutenant (jg), USNR. In part: "Steaming singly enroute Palmyra Island to Pearl Harbor, T.H., with H.D.S.2 lighter in tow on 240 fathom wire cable...0130 [1:30 AM] Sighted Diamond Head, bearing 031º True..." "4 to 8" signed "R.S. Trower III," Lieutenant (jg), USN. In part: "0545 Passed Barber's Point Light abeam to port, distance about 10 miles...0630 Sighted suspicious object bearing 227º true, distance about 1500 yards on starboard quarter. Informed U.S.S. WARD, inshore patrol, and U.S.S. WARD investigated. 0645 U.S.S. WARD opened fire on object. 0647 U.S.S. WARD ceased firing. Fighter plane dropped bombs or U.S.S. WARD dropped 3 depth charges. Japanese type Sampan was within 500 yards of submarine when sighted. 0653 Stopped. 0715 U.S.S. KEOSANQUA went alongside H.D.S.2 lighter. 0758 Explosions in Pearl Harbor." "8 to 12" signed "H.W. Pribnow, Jr.," Ensign, USNR. In part: "Lying to off entrance Honolulu Harbor in process of giving H.D.S.2 lighter to U.S.S. KEOSANQUA...0800 Enemy (Japanese) plane opened machine gun fire on ship. 0805 U.S.S. KEOSANQUA opened fire with Machine guns on enemy planes. 0806 Fires sighted in Pearl Harbor. 0811 U.S.S. WARD dropped depth charges. 0820 Submarines sighted off port beam. 0835 U.S.S. KEOSANQUA took H.D.S.2 lighter in tow...0848 Gunfire in Pearl Harbor ceased...0910 Second wave of enemy bombers attacked Pearl Harbor. 0925 Three coastal mine sweepers and two destroyers stood out...0930 Firing ceased in Pearl Harbor...1015 Maneuvering on various courses and speeds awaiting permission to enter Honolulu Harbor...1054 Permission granted to enter Honolulu Harbor. 1055 Pearl Harbor Anti-Aircraft batteries opened fire. 1109 Ceased firing. 1125 Enemy planes attacking, shore batteries opened fire. 1130 Entering Honolulu Harbor. 1133 Honolulu Gas tank afire..." "12 to 16" signed "J.L. Chisholm," Ensign, USNR. In part: "Moored as before to Pier 5-A, Honolulu, T.H., with six manila lines doubled up to dock port side to. 1500 Following named passengers left the ship with baggage..." Ten names are listed. The bottom of the page is approved, signed: "L.C. Grannis," Commander, USN, Commanding, and examined, signed: "Marion J. Duncan," Lieutenant Commander, U.S.N. Navigator. The verso, dated December 8, 1941, lists the day's weather: wind, barometer, temperature, and clouds, hour by hour, and the fuel and water levels. From the official report of the USS Antares Commander Lawrence C. Grannis to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, dated December 10, 1941: "At 0800 this vessel was under machine gun fire from a Japanese plane, the topside being hit in a few places by approximately thirty calibre bullets. Several bomb and numerous shell fragments continually fell in close proximity and the ship was severely shaken by either bomb bursts or depth charges. As this vessel is not armed, no effective offensive or defensive tactics appeared possible...No casualties to personnel or material were received. Personnel reacted to the emergency in an exemplary manner. Men disconnecting the tow and others on exposed stations were calm and steady." The USS Antares earned two Battle Stars on the Asiatic-Pacific Area Service Ribbon for participation in the engagement at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, May 9 - June 18, 1945. There are six torn file holes in the black left margin with one mid-horizontal fold. The document is in fine condition. It is accompanied by three printed pages from the Navy Department titled "History of USS Antares," and two articles about the USS Ward which had fired the first shots at Pearl Harbor, sinking a Japanese submarine more than two hours before the Japanese attack. And it was the USS Antares that first sighted the sub and informed the USS Ward of its location!
Military & Patriotic
General Jacob "Jake" Devers' Insignia and Ribbons. American army general and commander of army forces in North Africa, also led the landings in southern France. A most important grouping on twelve various insignia and patches owned and worn by General Devers during his distinguished career as commanding general of the Sixth Army. Included is a pair of his silver four-star general's shoulder stars, his chest battle ribbon set which is, of course, unique to Devers, two brass "U.S." collar pins, five Sixth Army patches and pins, and two of Devers' uniform buttons. The insignia are sold with a letter of provenance reading in part: "...This insignia was obtained from General Devers' estate by a close friend and long-time collector by the name of Steve Henry from Warrenton, Virginia in 1987. At that time, he obtained numerous other military items that belonged to General Devers..." This outstanding collection is in near fine condition, and most suited for display.
Books
Douglas MacArthur Signed Limited: Reminiscences. (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1964), special limited edition, number 336 of 1750 autographed copies, signed by the author on a special limitation page bound in front, 438 pages, color photograph of MacArthur as frontis, illustrated, beige cloth with embossed general's stars on the front cover, gilt titles, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), fine in the issue slipcase. The slipcase has a few small abrasions at the edge, else fine. This copy comes with a printed appreciation card, 5.25" x 4.25", reading "The family of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur acknowledges with grateful appreciation your kind expression of sympathy" and signed "Jean MacArthur". Douglas MacArthur died in 1964.
Military & Patriotic
General Anthony C. McAuliffe Signed Photo "Nuts!". This 8" x 10" B&W photo is signed "A.C. McAuliffe Lt. Gen. U.S. Army". The reverse of the photo bears official U.S. Army photograph markings and a date of August, 1951. The photograph is in fine condition and provides an excellent view of McAuliffe in his post-WWII finery. General Anthony McAuliffe (1898-1975) will forever be remembered for his single-word rejoinder of "nuts" to the Germans request for his surrender during the Battle of the Bulge. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Autographs
Dwight D. Eisenhower and Montgomery of Alamein Photograph Signed "Dwight D. Eisenhower" and "Montgomery of Alamein/Field-Marshal." 8.25" x 6.5" visible, double-matted and framed under glass to an overall size of 13.25" x 12". In this informal photograph, Eisenhower, a chain smoker, has a cigarette in his left hand. The first time Eisenhower met Montgomery in 1942, the British commander outranked the American and made no secret of his feelings on the matter. Required to give Eisenhower a briefing, he arrived very late and said, "I'm sorry I'm late, but I really shouldn't have come at all." With his back to Eisenhower, as he approached a wall map with his pointer, Montgomery smelled smoke and, without turning around, stopped his briefing and demanded, "Who's smoking?" "I am, sir," said Eisenhower. "Stop it," demanded Montgomery, still not turning around. "I don't permit it here." Eisenhower said nothing as he snuffed out his cigarette. Later in the war, when Eisenhower outranked Montgomery, he smoked in his presence. In this photograph, Field Marshal Montgomery and 5-Star General Eisenhower each held the highest rank in their respective armies. On the Eisenhower National Historic Site, National Park Service website, Field Marshal Montgomery is number three on the list of "Ike's Top 5 Most Disliked Contemporaries." In part, "[Montgomery] resented that Eisenhower was his superior, openly expressing disdain and privately belittling his generalship. Eisenhower displayed heroic patience in his dealings with Monty, but still came close to sacking him." From Eisenhower's diary, January 14, 1959, to Pug Ismay, Churchill's personal chief of staff during World War II: "I cannot forget [Montgomery's] readiness to belittle associates in those critical moments when the cooperation of all of us was needed." In this photograph, it does not look like Monty and Ike are having a friendly conversation. The ink did not adhere too well to the surface of the photograph when Montgomery signed it and while all the letters of his signature are present, some are light. The photo is uniformly creased and there is a chip on Ike's pocket. Overall, it's in good condition.
George S. Patton, Jr. Photograph Signed "G S Patton Jr.," 7.5" x 9.5". Presented in a 9" x 11" sterling silver standing frame embellished with three stars along the bottom and two sprigs of laurel at the top. The left and right sides each bear five grooves symbolizing stripes. The photograph, by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, depicts Lieutenant General Patton, his binoculars hanging from his neck, his ivory handled revolver at his waist on his right side, with his helmet and shirt collar emblazoned with three stars. Patton was promoted to Lieutenant General (three stars) and placed in command of II Corps on March 6, 1943. He was promoted to temporary four-star general in April 1945. General Patton personally presented this photograph, with the sterling silver frame created especially for him, to friends and admirers. The silver frame is slightly tarnished. There are creases and minute dents on the photograph, most evident at the lower left corner; the signature is superb! An impressive rare photograph, obviously admired by Patton himself, depicting an imposing view of the brilliant and colorful World War II General.
George S. Patton, Jr. Typed Report Signed "G. S. Patton, Jr." as Lieutenant General, U.S.A., Commanding, two pages, 8" x 10.5", separate sheets. Headquarters Seventh Army, September 12, 1943. To the Adjutant General, War Department, Washington, D.C. "Subject: Efficiency Report." The first page is a photocopy; the second, signature page, is the original. In full, "1. Name and Grade of General Officer reported on: Omar N. Bradley, 03807, Lieutenant General Inf. 2. Period covered by report: 1 July 1943 to 8 September 1943 - 2 Months, 8 days. 3. a. Duties performed during period: Commanding General, II Corps, 1 July 1943 to 8 September 1943. b. Manner of performance: Superior. 4. Physical activity: Superior. 5. Physical endurance: Superior. 6. Knowledge of his profession: Superior. 7. For what command or duty would you specially recommend him? An Army. 8. What opportunities have you had for observing him during period covered? Intimate daily contact. [on second page] 9. Does he render willing and generous support to plans of superiors regardless of personal views in the matter? Yes. 10. Of all general officers of his grade personally known to you, what number would you give him on this list and how many comprise your list? Number 2. I know 12. 11. Further remarks deemed necessary: I consider him not only a great soldier, but an utterly loyal friend." Serving under General Patton in North Africa, Major General Omar N. Bradley became head of II Corps in April 1943 and directed them in the final battles in April and May. On June 9, 1943, he was promoted to Lieutenant General. On July 9-10, 1943, Lieutenant General Patton led the U.S. 7th Army, and Bradley and his II Corps, in the invasion of Sicily. By July 22nd, the Americans had captured Palermo and reached Messina on August 17th after the Germans had evacuated the island. On September 8, 1943, Italy surrendered. The period covered in Patton's report on Bradley covers Bradley military efficiency during this period.
George S. Patton, Jr. died in Germany on December 21, 1945, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. In 1947, Patton's family gathered his diary and other notes and published them as War As I Knew It. No doubt, Patton never expected his diary would be seen by eyes other than his own. Privately, what did he think about his colleague, Lieutenant General Omar N. Bradley? From his diary: "His success is due to his lack of backbone and subservience to those above him. I will manage without him. In fact, I always have; even in Sicily he had to be carried." What did Bradley later write about Patton in his 1983 autobiography? From A General's Life: "It may be a harsh thing to say, but I believe it was better for George Patton and his professional reputation that he died when he did...In time he would have become a boring parody of himself - a decrepit, bitter, pitiful figure, unwittingly debasing the legend."
In this report, when asked "For what command or duty would you specially recommend him?", Patton simply replied, "An Army." Shortly thereafter, Bradley was selected to command the 1st U.S. Army in the Normandy invasion and was designated Commanding General, 1st U.S. Army Group. He later took command of the 12th U.S. Army Group, the largest single command ever held by an American general officer. Patton was also asked to rank "all general officers of his grade," Lieutenant General. Patton ranks Bradley "2" out of "12." This answer is worthy of further research. Patton's close friend since 1920, Dwight D. Eisenhower, had received his fourth star in February, so he was no longer a Lieutenant General. Who was Patton's #1?
On September 24, 1943, Major General E.S. Hughes signed on the second page attesting that "This report has been read by the Theater Commander who concurs." The second original page has two file holes near the upper edge and is in fine condition. Both pages, the copy of page one and the original of page two, have been attractively double matted with a 7" x 9" full-length photograph of Generals Bradley and Patton, and exquisitely framed under glass to an overall size of 51" x 29". Rarely does a collector get to read, much less own, a General's opinion, during wartime, of the military ability and competence of a fellow General, each of whom greatly contributed to the military history of the United States.
George S. Patton, Jr. died in Germany on December 21, 1945, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. In 1947, Patton's family gathered his diary and other notes and published them as War As I Knew It. No doubt, Patton never expected his diary would be seen by eyes other than his own. Privately, what did he think about his colleague, Lieutenant General Omar N. Bradley? From his diary: "His success is due to his lack of backbone and subservience to those above him. I will manage without him. In fact, I always have; even in Sicily he had to be carried." What did Bradley later write about Patton in his 1983 autobiography? From A General's Life: "It may be a harsh thing to say, but I believe it was better for George Patton and his professional reputation that he died when he did...In time he would have become a boring parody of himself - a decrepit, bitter, pitiful figure, unwittingly debasing the legend."
In this report, when asked "For what command or duty would you specially recommend him?", Patton simply replied, "An Army." Shortly thereafter, Bradley was selected to command the 1st U.S. Army in the Normandy invasion and was designated Commanding General, 1st U.S. Army Group. He later took command of the 12th U.S. Army Group, the largest single command ever held by an American general officer. Patton was also asked to rank "all general officers of his grade," Lieutenant General. Patton ranks Bradley "2" out of "12." This answer is worthy of further research. Patton's close friend since 1920, Dwight D. Eisenhower, had received his fourth star in February, so he was no longer a Lieutenant General. Who was Patton's #1?
On September 24, 1943, Major General E.S. Hughes signed on the second page attesting that "This report has been read by the Theater Commander who concurs." The second original page has two file holes near the upper edge and is in fine condition. Both pages, the copy of page one and the original of page two, have been attractively double matted with a 7" x 9" full-length photograph of Generals Bradley and Patton, and exquisitely framed under glass to an overall size of 51" x 29". Rarely does a collector get to read, much less own, a General's opinion, during wartime, of the military ability and competence of a fellow General, each of whom greatly contributed to the military history of the United States.
George S. Patton, Jr. Autograph Letter Signed "George S. Patton, Jr.", three pages, 5" x 6.75", front and verso. On imprinted stationery of the Hotel Continental, Paris, June 20, 1917. To his father whom he addresses as "Papa." In part, "We are getting well settled now and going to fewer dinners hence doing more work. Today I called on Gen. Gerard who is in charge of all the autos in France he sent me to the big depot at Paris where I investigated the methods of accounting for cars. They use a very simple card index system I got copies of it and will try to adapt it to our needs in the morning. I talked Auto French for two hours with an expert...I can do quite well with it and can talk on any subject with ease and considerable fluency so that I feel at home. Even yet I can't believe that we are actually at war it all seems unreal and distant. There are a good many cripples but few of them when you think what a war it really is. We have adapted the Sam Brown [sic] or english belt which you admired in Washington. It is very comfortable and good looking. Gen. Pershing is making a wonderful impression he is such a splendid looking soldier and so much on the job. I hope you get something at Washington and also sell some land soon. The talk of food shortage is all talk we have fine food and plenty of it and in fact it costs less than in Washington. The weather has been terribly hot but is now better as it rained today. I suppose my horses have arrived from El Paso. have any colts come. if they do the mares should be bred in seven days...I am very well and doing fine Give my love to all. Your devoted son."
General John J. Pershing, Lieutenant George S. Patton, Jr., and 175 soldiers of the American Expeditionary Force arrived in France at Boulogne-sur-Mer on June 13, 1917. They went directly to Paris where they met with French Minister of War Paul Painlevé, Marshal Joffre, and General Foch. Thousands of French citizens mobbed the streets of their capital to cheer the soldiers as they marched to the Place de la Concorde. The Americans were honored at numerous receptions and dinners alluded to by Patton in this letter which he wrote just a week after his arrival. The Sam Browne belt mentioned by Patton is a combination of a pistol belt and shoulder strap which was intended to help carry the weight of a heavy pistol or sword. It was named after General Sir Sam Browne (1849-1898) of the British Army in India, so it was referred to by some as the English belt. On June 28th, a week after Patton wrote this letter, 14,000 American soldiers arrived at the port of Saint-Nazaire. They later formed a liaison with the French at a point a few miles west of Toul and extended to the east of Luneville (called "Looneyville" by the U.S. troops), where they joined the Eighth French Army under General Gerard. Patton's father, George S. Patton, Sr. (1856-1927), was a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and taught there for a year before studying law and becoming a prominent attorney in Los Angeles. He served as District Attorney of Los Angeles County (1886-1887) and was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Congress from California in 1894 and for the U.S. Senate against Hiram W. Johnson in 1916. The letter is double-matted with a 6.25" x 4" photograph of Patton in front of one of his tanks (he was one of the first men detailed to the newly established U.S. Tank Corps in 1917) and framed under glass on both sides, revealing the third page penned horizontally on the verso of the second page. Overall size, 18" x 20.75". With the usual horizontal folds, the letter is apparently in very fine condition.
General John J. Pershing, Lieutenant George S. Patton, Jr., and 175 soldiers of the American Expeditionary Force arrived in France at Boulogne-sur-Mer on June 13, 1917. They went directly to Paris where they met with French Minister of War Paul Painlevé, Marshal Joffre, and General Foch. Thousands of French citizens mobbed the streets of their capital to cheer the soldiers as they marched to the Place de la Concorde. The Americans were honored at numerous receptions and dinners alluded to by Patton in this letter which he wrote just a week after his arrival. The Sam Browne belt mentioned by Patton is a combination of a pistol belt and shoulder strap which was intended to help carry the weight of a heavy pistol or sword. It was named after General Sir Sam Browne (1849-1898) of the British Army in India, so it was referred to by some as the English belt. On June 28th, a week after Patton wrote this letter, 14,000 American soldiers arrived at the port of Saint-Nazaire. They later formed a liaison with the French at a point a few miles west of Toul and extended to the east of Luneville (called "Looneyville" by the U.S. troops), where they joined the Eighth French Army under General Gerard. Patton's father, George S. Patton, Sr. (1856-1927), was a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and taught there for a year before studying law and becoming a prominent attorney in Los Angeles. He served as District Attorney of Los Angeles County (1886-1887) and was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Congress from California in 1894 and for the U.S. Senate against Hiram W. Johnson in 1916. The letter is double-matted with a 6.25" x 4" photograph of Patton in front of one of his tanks (he was one of the first men detailed to the newly established U.S. Tank Corps in 1917) and framed under glass on both sides, revealing the third page penned horizontally on the verso of the second page. Overall size, 18" x 20.75". With the usual horizontal folds, the letter is apparently in very fine condition.
George S. Patton Autograph Letter Signed "George S. Patton, Jr" in pencil. One page, both sides, 5.5" x 9", May 21, 1916, written to his mother while in Mexico. In part, "I see by the papers that we are all being poisoned by the Mexicans, don't worry about it we are not and don't drink out of the river anyway. Things certainly are stupid here and I wish we would either get out or get in and I don't think we will get in under Wilson. The weather here is still cool enough for a coat at night...but the dust and wind are terrible. If you are reading you have to keep blowing the dust off the paper to see the print. Still it might be worse." In 1916, Patton rode with Pershing during the United States Punitive Expedition to Mexico in pursuit of Pancho Villa. It was during that expedition that Patton first rose to national prominence by killing General Julio Cardenas, commander of Villa's personal bodyguard. The campaign was famous as it marked the first time that motor vehicles (Dodge touring car) were ever used in actual combat by the U. S. Army. When referring to his wife driving a "machine" Patton may be referring to one of those cars. In fine condition, with one horizontal mailing fold bisecting signature.
George S. Patton, Jr. Typed Letter Signed "G S Patton Jr.," one page, 7.25" x 10" visible. Headquarters Seventh Army, September 30, 1943. To Brig. Gen. Albert Kenner, War Department, SOS, Office of the Surgeon General, Washington, D.C. In full, "Thanks for your letter of the 21st which just reached me. There is here, and probably in Washington, a great deal of conversation who will eventually command the big parade. I sometimes think it is disadvantageous to do too well, and my present lack of occupation may be traceable to this cause. On the other hand, I may have been extremely lucky. This is the fourth time when I seem to have worked myself out of a job and in every case, without any activity on my part, I got a better one. You know perfectly well that any time I am in a position to use you, all you have to do is to let me know. I did collect some bets on Messina, but my betting average for Palermo was so good that I had few takers. There is nothing in the way of news that I can send you from here that you have not already received quicker and more accurately in the States, so I will not clutter up the letter with stuff that you read in the papers three weeks ago. I am very sorry to hear that General Craig is not too well. Please give him my best and also Raymonde my best. With warm personal regards and hoping to hear from you again soon." Patton's "present lack of occupation" was as a result of two "slapping" incidents which occurred in Sicily the previous month. While visiting a medical tent on August 3rd, Patton slapped a private who had been diagnosed with exhaustion and anxiety. On August 10th, he slapped a private who was shell-shocked. In both cases, the General accused the privates of cowardice. On August 16th, Patton received a letter from General Eisenhower which said, in part, "In the two cases cited in the attached report, it is not my present intention to institute any formal investigation...I assure you that conduct such as described in the accompanying report will not be tolerated in this theater no matter who the offender may be." Patton was relieved of his command of the Seventh Army and General Alexander M. Patch took over for the remainder of the war. In one of Patton's wagers, in mid-July 1943, he bet British Vice-Admiral Horace E.P. Wigglesworth a bottle of whiskey against a bottle of in that he would be in Palermo by midnight, July 23rd. He rode into Palermo at 10:30 P.M., July 22nd. Patton's referring to "the big parade" in the first paragraph alluded to the great 1925 silent war film, The Big Parade, the first realistic war drama and "who will eventually command the big parade", wondering which General will be considered the best after World War II is over. Brigadier General Albert Kenner probably first met General Patton when they were both members of General Pershing's Mexican expedition in 1916. He was later assigned to the 1st Infantry Division and went to France in 1917 as part of the American Expeditionary Force. At the beginning of World War II, Kenner was Chief Surgeon of the Armored Service at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and deployed with General Patton to North Africa in November 1942 as Chief Surgeon of the Western Task Force. A month later, he was assigned as Chief Surgeon, North African Forces under General Eisenhower. In February 1943, Kenner was recommended by Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall to be named Surgeon General, noting that future problems of the new Surgeon General would result largely from military operations in "many foreign theaters under diverse and severe conditions of combat service." With this consideration in mind, he deemed Brig. Gen. Albert W. Kenner, then Theater Surgeon in North Africa, the best qualified candidate. In a memo to Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, Marshall pointed particularly to Kenner's record as surgeon of the Western Task Force with General Patton in the North African invasion and to his promotion, with General Eisenhower's concurrence, to Brigadier General on the basis of that service. Regarding Kenner's appointment, on April 8, 1943, President Roosevelt wrote Stimson, in part, "My best advice is that he is a good Doctor but that he would not be regarded as an outstanding choice by the medical profession." Kenner was appointed Assistant Surgeon General. He next assignment was as Chief Surgeon for Army Service Forces (formerly SOS, Services of Supply) in the European Theatre, and was in Frankfurt on December 9, 1945, when he heard that General Patton was injured in an automobile accident near Mannheim, Germany. He was there within hours to take charge. General Patton had broken his neck and was paralyzed from the neck down. He slowly showed signs of improvement and on December 19th was said to be making "very satisfactory progress" but on the 20th, he suffered a pulmonary embolism that virtually destroyed one of his lungs. General Patton died in his sleep on December 21, 1945, of acute heart failure when another embolism struck his remaining lung. After Patton's death, Kenner wrote to a fellow Army surgeon, "The service lost its best field commander and I lost a damn good friend." The letter has numerous creases that do not materially affect its appearance and it is in apparent fine condition. It has been double matted with a 4.25" x 6.25" bust photograph of Patton and framed under glass to an overall size of 14.5" x 25.5".
Military & Patriotic
General Matthew B. Ridgeway, WWII Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Typed Manuscript Signed " M.B. Ridgeway". Eight typed pages, 8.5" x 11", August 7, 1975. A wonderful content letter in which Ridgeway gives his personal account of events surrounding the ill-conceived airborne drop known as Operation Giant II. The original plan called for Ridgeway's 82nd Airborne to be dropped near Rome and rely upon Italian troops to switch sides and fight with American forces against the Germans. Ridgeway describes his travails in convincing higher-ups to abort the plan. The operation was stopped at the very last minute- even as the aircraft were loaded with Ridgeway's men and preparing for take off. Ridgeway writes in part: "...I truly believed the plan would result in the sacrifice of my division..." and describes his part in convincing his superiors to abort the mission thusly: "...the source of most humble pride to me will not be accomplishments in battle, but the fact that I was guided to make the decision to oppose this thing..." Matthew Ridgeway, (1895-1993) in addition to being commander of the 82nd Airborne Division in WWII, had a distinguished post-war career culminating as President Eisenhower's Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. This is an important historical document for students of World War II history. The document is in fine condition with a staple in the upper left corner.
Autographs
1943 Quebec Conference Photograph Signed "H.H. Arnold," "H.S. Vandenberg," "Emmett O'Donnell," "Muir S. Fairchild," and "H.S. Hansell," 10" x 8". The Quebec Conference was held in Quebec City, August 17-24, 1943. The chief representatives were U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. One of the decisions made at the conference was to invade northwestern Europe which was accomplished on D-Day in 1944. The world leaders drafted "The Air Plan for the Defeat of Japan" based on the assumption that Germany would be defeated by the fall of 1944. Churchill and Roosevelt also signed the Quebec Agreement to share nuclear technology in order to build nuclear weapons. The five officers signing this photograph comprised the U.S. Army Air Force advisory group: General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold (Commanding General, U.S. Army Air Force), General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (Deputy Chief of Air Staff), General Emmett O'Donnell (Chief of General Arnold's Advisory Council), General Muir S. Fairchild (member of the Joint Strategic Survey Committee in the Office of the Combined Chiefs of Staff), and General Haywood S. Hansell (Deputy Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force). General Henry H. Arnold is the only person to achieve five-star rank in two American armed services: General of the Army and General of the Air Force. There are minor surface creases. The "an" of "Vandenberg" is smudged and there is an inkblot at the beginning of Hansell's signature. Overall, the photograph is in fine condition.
Poster Signed By Members of the 509th Composite Group - Enola Gay and Bockscar. A poster, one of 500, by Bob Robbins titled "Dawn of the Nuclear Age", measuring 16" x 20", with a central theme of the "Enola Gay" and "Bockscar", the aircraft that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The aircraft are surround by images of the offshoot of atomic research - medicine, plant breeding and genetics, nuclear energy and space exploration. Several crewmembers from the "Enola Gay" have signed the poster including pilot Paul Tibbets, radio operator Richard Nelson, navigator Dutch Van Kirk, and electronics officer Morris. R. Jeppson. "Bockscar" crewmember signatories include pilot Charles W. Sweeney, co-pilot Fred Olivi, flight engineer John D. Kuharek, and a U.S. Navy weaponeer attached to the crew, Frederick L. Ashworth. Additionally, several crewmembers from the "The Great Artiste" have signed, including the pilot Hugh C. Ferguson and navigator Leonard A. Godfrey. "The Great Artiste" was an instrument aircraft that had the distinction of being present at both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The poster is in fine condition.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki Photo, Letter, and Signature Archive. Eight autograph letters signed by participants in World War II's atomic bomb drops headline this historic group. The letters, written between 1987 and the early 2000s, are variously addressed to "Mr. Warren" or "Ralph". Included are letters by flight commanders Paul Tibbets of the Enola Gay and Chuck Sweeney of Bockscar. There are also two autographed photocopies of 1940s documents signed by Dutch Van Kirk and Frederick Ashworth. Signed photos include one of the Manhattan Project's Edward Teller and a Project Alberta group shot signed by Lawrence Johnston, Frederick Ashworth, Harold Agnew, and Norman Ramsey. The items in the lot are in fine to very fine condition.
Miscellaneous
Printed Booklet Commemorating the Signing of the North Atlantic Treaty From the Estate of Clark Clifford. Printed booklet, four pages, 8" x 10", April 4, 1949, Washington, D.C. The North Atlantic Treaty gave birth to NATO. The key portion of the treaty committed each member state to consider an armed attack against one state to be an armed attack against all states. This particular booklet is purported to be Clark Clifford's personal copy. Clark Clifford (1906-1998) was the consummate Washington insider: advisor, friend to statesmen, respected lawyer, and mentor to many national leaders. The booklet is in very good condition with some minor soiling to the cover and remnants of old cellophane tape on the inside back cover.
Books
Winston Churchill: The Great War. London: George Newnes Ltd., 1933-34), first publication in 26 fortnightly parts, complete, profusely illustrated with photographs, drawings, maps, original magazine wrappers, titles on spine in black, 4to (7" x 10"), a few spines lightly chipped, else near fine condition housed in two beautiful half leather and blue cloth clam shell cases with raised spine bands and gilt titles.
Winston Churchill: Lord Randolph Churchill. (London: Macmillan & Company, Ltd., 1906), first edition, two volumes, vI 564 pages, vII 531 pages, rebound in half polished calf, ornate tooling in four spine compartments, four raised spine bands with gilt decoration, gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), all gilt intact, minor rubbing to the leather, else fine.
Winston Churchill: Marlborough: His Life and Times. (London: George G. Harrap & Company, Ltd., 1947), first edition in two volumes, vI 1050 pages, vII 1078 pages, profusely illustrated, fold-out maps, full red morocco binding, six spine compartments between raised bands, gilt ruled borders on front and rear boards, gilt titles, all page edges gilt, marbled endpapers, with small binder's stamp on inside front board reading: "Harrods, Ltd", 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), in superb condition.
Autographs
Montgomery of Alamein Autograph Letter Signed "B.L. Montgomery," one page, 6.5" x 8". Headquarters, 21 Army Group, April 16, 1944. With original 5.25" x 4.25" worn envelope addressed by Montgomery to "Major-Gen P.H. Mitchiner/C.M.G., D.S.O./D.D.M.S./H.Q. Northern Command/York." In full, "Thank you for your letter; I was delighted to hear from you again, and it was kind of you to send me your good wishes. I hope I may see you some time." Surgeon Philip H. Mitchiner (1888-1952) was Deputy Director of Medical Services in the Northern Command. He was a recipient of the Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George as well as the Distinguished Service Order. Mitchiner was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1938 and Companion of the Bath in 1944. Just nine days before he wrote this letter, General Bernard Law Montgomery had briefed all the senior commanders who would be involved in the invasion of Normandy less than two months later. The letter, in fine condition, has one vertical and one horizontal fold and two creases incurred when the envelope was folded.
Montgomery of Alamein Manuscript Letter Signed "B.L. Montgomery/General/Eighth Army," one page, 5.25" x 7". Eighth Army, Italy, September 15, 1943. With original 5.5" x 3.75" envelope, worn and torn open at top, addressed to K.W. Nichols, Romford, Essex, passed by censor. In full, "Thank you for your Airgraph. The Eighth Army has now firmly established itself on The Fortress of Europe - There will be no stopping us now. Good luck." On September 3, 1943, after crossing the Straits of Messina from Sicily to mainland Italy, General Bernard Law Montgomery and his British 8th Army, landed in Reggio di Calabria in southern Italy and then proceeded northward. In an interview broadcast on the BBC he said, "We have a good plan and air support on a greater scale than we have ever had before. There can only be one end to this next battle, and that is another success. Forward to victory! Let us knock Italy out of the war!" On September 8th, five days later, the surrender of Italy was announced. In 1942, Hitler had ordered the construction of fixed fortifications along the Western Front so that an Allied invasion would be stopped there or immediately after landing. He called it Festung Europa (Fortress of Europe). That is what Montgomery is referring to in this letter which is in fine condition.
Montgomery of Alamein Autograph Letter Signed "B.L. Montgomery," two pages, 5.75" x 9", front and verso. Italy, September 29, 1943. On stationery of the "Partito Nazionale Fascista/Federazione Dei Fasci di Combattimento/Reggio Calabria." To [Richard G.] Casey. In full, "I shall be delighted to see you here on 7 October, for a visit. I suggest you bring Freyberg with you. Fly to BARI; or by that time FOGGIA will probably be the best airfield; I will let you know. You may like to have the enclosed pamphlet. It contains the methods I use when making war against the Germans. My kind regards to your wife." On September 3, 1943, General Bernard Law Montgomery, as commander of the British 8th Army, landed in Reggio di Calabria in southern Italy and then proceeded northward. He evidently took some stationery when he left. On September 27th, two days before Montgomery wrote this letter, his 8th Army occupied Foggia and Melfi. As Minister of State representing the War Cabinet in the Middle East, Australian Richard G. Casey had aided General Montgomery in his North African campaign which including the Battle of El Alamein for which Montgomery was knighted, promoted, and, in 1946, created 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. New Zealander Lieutenant General Bernard Freyberg commanded the N.Z. 2nd Division through the North African and Italian campaigns of the Montgomery's 8th Army. The letter is browned, especially at the mid-horizontal fold where it has slightly separated at both edges. There are tiny staple holes at the top and three small tears at the left, right, and lower edges. Overall, the letter is in very good condition. See lot 25288 for Montgomery's pamphlet and further information about Casey and Montgomery.
Montgomery of Alamein Autograph Letter Signed "Monty," one page, 4.25" x 7". TAC Headquarters, 21 Army Group, December 23, 1944. To "Ike" (General Dwight D. Eisenhower). In full, "My dear Ike, This is my third, and last, pamphlet. I enclose you six copies. Yrs ever, Monty." At the time this letter was written, in the Battle of the Bulge, German divisions in the Ardennes Offensive had surrounded and attempted to capture the Belgian town of Bastogne, which was held by the American 101st Airborne Division and Combat Command B of the U.S. 10th Armored Division. "Visualize the hole in a doughnut," the 101st radioed SHAEF Headquarters in Paris, "That's us." English Army Major Jack Watson of the Paratrooper 13th battalion (Lancashire) is quoted in The Battle of Bure by Christian Louis: "The 13th battalion moved on December 23, 1944, from Larkhill Barracks in the plain of Salisbury, to the Ardennes. The Germans had drilled our lines, and Montgomery had an urgent need of reinforcements. We should go on the spot very quickly to help to fill the hole, to stop the German advance and to help the Americans." At noon on December 22nd, four Germans under a white flag entered the lines of the 2nd Battalion, 327th, in Bastogne. Their message requested "the honorable surrender of the encircled town" in two hours with the threat of "annihilation" by the German artillery. General Anthony McAuliffe's response was "Nuts!" The official U.S. report said the Commanding General's "answer was, with a sarcastic air of humorous tolerance, emphatically negative." Two days earlier, on December 20, 1944, General Eisenhower had removed the 1st and 9th American Armies from General Omar Bradley's 12th Army Group and placed them under British Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery's 21st Army Group command. Bradley threatened to resign but didn't. With the two American armies in addition to his own, Montgomery proceeded to close the gap, counterattacking on January 3, 1945. By the end of January, the Ardennes Offensive had ended in defeat for Germany. Albert Speer, Reichminister for Armaments and War Production, wrote, "The failure of the Ardennes Offensive meant that the war was over." Montgomery took full credit for saving the American armies during the battle, and insinuated that he had "handled" the battle, infuriating, among others, General Eisenhower. Montgomery had previously issued two "Some Notes on High Command in War" pamphlets for officers in his 8th Army, in January 1943 and September 1943. This letter, sending six copies of his third pamphlet (not present), has been placed in a simple frame, headed in type on the matte: "An association of two distinguished military leaders of World War II - General Montgomery and General Eisenhower - 'Monty' and 'Ike'." Printed notation on the bottom of the matte: "Nathaniel E. Stein Collection." Affixed on verso of the frame is a 6" x 4" typed note signed "Nat/1-20-61" inscribed "to Milton, a holograph page from an era in American history for an ardent student and participant in that great endeavor. From a fellow historian." Nat Stein was an original member and president of the National Society of Autograph Collectors, founded in 1948, known today as The Manuscript Society. The simple wooden frame measures 9.25" x 13.5" and is chipped at the edges. The brown paper backing on the frame's verso is torn at its edges. Montgomery's letter, affixed to the matte, is in apparent fine condition. It would make a magnificent addition to a military collection!
Montgomery of Alamein Signed Limited Edition Book: Poems from the Desert Verses by Members of the Eighth Army. Foreword by General Sir Bernard Montgomery, K.C.B. D.S.O. (London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., 1944), 46 pages, brown and black leather boards with the Eighth Army insignia in gold and white, octavo (6" x 9"), signed "B.L. Montgomery/General" on verso of the half-title. Painted endpapers. Frontispiece military engraving signed "Stephen Gordon 1944" in pencil. On numbered limitation page: "This Edition is limited to One Hundred and Ten Copies, of which One Hundred Copies are for sale." This copy is identified as "No. 4." Gilt lettering on black spine: "Poems from the Desert." From Montgomery's Foreword: "Twenty-six of the twenty-seven poems which go to the making of this little collection are those which were considered to be the best entries received in a poetry competition organized by Eighth Army's Education Officer. Under the title of 'Piastres for Poets,' the competition was announced in the Christmas 1942 number of the 'Crusader,' Eighth Army's own weekly paper. It was open to all members of the Eighth Army, but only poems actually written in the Western Desert were to be submitted...The twenty-seventh poem has unique history. Written on a scrap of paper, it fluttered into the hands of a soldier sheltering in a slit trench, during the battle of El Agheila..." The poem, nine stanzas of four lines each, author anonymous, begins, "Stay with me, God. The night is dark,/The night is cold: My little spark/Of courage dies. The night is long;/Be with me, God, and make me strong..." General Bernard Law Montgomery took command of the British Eighth Army in the North African campaign on August 13, 1942. The Battle of El Alamein began on October 23, 1942, and ended 12 days later with the first large-scale, decisive allied land victory of the war. Troops under his command were largely responsible for the expulsion of Axis forces from North Africa. Montgomery was then knighted and promoted to full General, and, in 1946, was created 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. The upper and lower edges of the spine and the top edge of the boards show minor abrasions. A light brown spot is on the glassine sheet separating Gordon's frontispiece engraving from the title page. There was no dust jacket; a small portion of the original glassine wrap is present. One of the rarest editions of all military books in very good condition.
Montgomery of Alamein Printed Pamphlet Signed "To/R.G. Casey/Minister of State/Middle East/a great friend of the/Eighth Army./B.L. Montgomery/General/Eighth Army/Italy/22-9-43" inside front cover of "Eighth Army/Some Notes on High Command in War," 21 pages, 4.75" x 7". Italy, September, 1943. Headed "Second Edition" since General Bernard Law Montgomery had issued his first pamphlet with the same title in January 1943 as "First Edition." Two notices on the cover warn that it is "Not to be Published. The information given in this document is not to be communicated either directly or indirectly, to the Press or to any person not holding an official position in His Majesty's Service" and "This pamphlet must NOT fall into enemy hands. Officers in possession of a copy will be responsible for its safe custody." The "Introduction" is signed in facsimile "B.L. Montgomery." Sections of the pamphlet are headed: "Use of Air Power," "Administration," "Morale," "The Commander," "The Staff," "Method of Exercising Command," "The Stage Management of Battle," "Overseas Campaigns," "Co-operation," "Command and Control," "Artillery," "Risks in Battle," and "Final Advice." Montgomery, as commander of the 8th Army, participated in the Allied landing in Sicily in July 1943 and led the troops invading the Italian mainland on September 3, 1943. He landed in Reggio di Calabria in southern Italy and then proceeded northward. On September 21st, Montgomery's 8th and U.S. General Mark Clark's 5th Armies realigned their boundaries and began the long drive north in pursuit of German forces. On September 27th, divisions of the 8th Army occupied Foggia and Melfi. The Allies used Foggia's airbase to stage raids throughout the Balkans and southern Germany and Poland. On March 19, 1942, the Australian Minister to the United States, Richard Gardiner Casey, was appointed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill as a Minister of State to represent the War Cabinet in the Middle East, with headquarters in Cairo. He played an important role as liaison between the British and Allied governments, local leaders, and the Allied commanders in the field including General Montgomery. In August 1942, Montgomery was appointed commander of the British 8th Army in the Middle East to lead the North African campaign. The Battle of El Alamein began on October 23, 1942, and ended 12 days later with the first large-scale, decisive allied land victory of the war for which Montgomery was knighted, promoted, and, in 1946, created 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. Casey served as Minister of State until December 1943 when he was appointed Governor of Bengal by King George VI. Montgomery's inscription to Casey as "a great friend of the Eighth Army" no doubt refers his victory at the Battle of El Alamein. There are two tiny staple holes in the blank upper portion of the cover (and inscription page) and minor creases. The pamphlet is in very fine condition. See lot 25285 for Montgomery's letter to Casey accompanying this pamphlet.
Benito Mussolini Autograph Telegram Signed "Mussolini" in Italian, one page, 8.25" x 12". On "Il Duce del Fascismo/Capo del Governo" ("Leader of Fascism/Head of the Government") stationery, 194_ (c. 1943-1945). To "Führer" (Adolf Hitler), Headquarters. In full, "The ambassador Rahn will communicate my proposal in case that we would have to choose another zone for the government of the Republic after profound examination of the whole aspect of the situation it seems to me the best one. Stop. I beg you to let me know your agreement. Stop. Please do have, Führer, altogether with my kind regards comrade." On July 19, 1943, the same day that 500 U.S. bombers carried out an air raid on Rome, Hitler met with Mussolini in the town of Feltre in northern Italy. Mussolini had requested more military assistance and Hitler said he would do so, but only if Germany occupied Italy and took control of the government. Mussolini agreed. On July 25, 1943, Mussolini was deposed by the Fascist Grand Council. He was arrested but was rescued by the Germans on September 12, 1943, met with Hitler in Munich, and arrived at Saló in northern Italy on September 15th. The Italian National Republican State (Stato Nazionale Repubblicano d'Italia) was formed in German occupied northern Italy and Mussolini was named Provisional Head of State and Prime Minister. Two "Operation Zones" were formed (Adriatic Littoral and Alpine Foothills) and Hitler named Rudolf Rahn, his Ambassador to Italy, to head the government at Saló. Rahn was responsible for general political issues and for relations with Mussolini. In this telegram, Mussolini tells Hitler that Rahn "will communicate my proposal in case that we would have to choose another zone for the government of the Republic." The formal capital of Italy was still Rome, but Saló, in northern Italy, was the seat of government and location of ministries including Foreign Affairs and Interior. Rahn governed until April 28, 1945, when German forces in Italy surrendered and the government of Saló collapsed, the same day that Mussolini was captured and killed by Italian partisans. The telegram has one mid-vertical and three horizontal folds. There is a minor tear at the top edge of the vertical fold (down to the perforations across the top) and one at the lower right edge. There are also almost indiscernible surface creases. Overall, it's in fine condition. It is evident that when Mussolini wrote this telegram to Hitler, he was no longer in control of his government, contrary to what is printed on the letterhead, because he is proposing to Hitler a new location for the seat of the government of Italy, his own country, hoping Hitler would agree. A remarkable correspondence between Il Duce and Der Führer which would be the cornerstone of a World War II collection.
Benito Mussolini Typed Speech in Italian with corrections in Mussolini's hand, 24.5 pages, 8.25" x 11.75", separate sheets. [Milan, December 16, 1944.] Not signed. On May 7, 1939, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini announced a military and political alliance which became known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. In March 1940, Mussolini agreed to join Hitler in his war against France and Great Britain. As the war progressed, the two leaders had numerous meetings. On July 25, 1943, two weeks after Allied forces landed in Sicily and three days after General Patton entered Palermo, Mussolini was deposed by the Fascist Grand Council and arrested. During the next seven weeks he was moved around Italy to hide him from the Germans. On September 12, 1943, Mussolini was rescued by the Germans in Italy's Gran Sasso, high in the Apennine Mountains, and was brought to Munich where he met with Hitler. In July, while he was still in power, Mussolini had agreed to let Germany occupy Italy in exchange for more military assistance. The former Italian leader was sent to Saló in now-German occupied northern Italy and was named Provisional Head of State and Prime Minister of the Italian National Republican State. King Victor Emmanuel III and the Allies controlled southern Italy and on October 13, 1943, the King declared war on Germany. The new Italian government in the north, controlled by Hitler, was forced to take revenge on any supporters of the King and all Fascists, but for the next year, Mussolini tried to convince the Italian people to give him another chance. On December 13, 1944, Mussolini told Serafino Mazzolini, deputy-secretary for Foreign Affairs in the Saló government, that he had decided to make an important speech in Milan on Saturday, December 16th. It would be his first public appearance since his return to "power" in Saló. The speech was delivered at Milan's Lyric Theatre and only Republican Fascists were allowed entrance. The theatre was packed with people overflowing into the street. Mussolini seemed to be in good voice as he spoke for 55 minutes.
In large type, with cross-outs and over 100 words in his hand, this was Mussolini's reading copy of his December 16, 1944, speech at the Lyric Theatre. He begins by acknowledging that he has been away for 16 months, then attacks the "criminal formula of Casablanca, the appraisal of the events places to us, once again, these questions: Who has betrayed? Who has endured and endures the consequences of the traitor?" At the 1943 Casablanca, Roosevelt and Churchill announced that the Allies were now fighting for the "unconditional surrender" of Germany, Italy and Japan. Mussolini recalls "Mazzini, the master of the republic" who sent a "commissioner to Ancona in order to teach to the Jacobins that it was lawful to fight the papalists, but not to steal or to capture - as it would be said today - the silverware from their houses." Mussolini asserts that any attack by the Allies on German-controlled soil is as if the Allies were attacking Rome. He alludes to the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion of Normandy in France by stating, "Indeed, the Anglo-Americans enter in Rome June 5th to the next day 6th, the first Allied units disembark to you on the coast of Normandie, between the rivers Vire and Orne. The succeeding months have been truly hard, on all the fronts where the soldiers of the Reich were and are engaged to you." Mussolini devotes part of his speech to "Il Manifesto di Verona" of November 14, 1943, which established the structure and socialization of the new republic in Saló. He also tells of "new German crews" working "secretly" and that "many believe that thanks to the employment of such crews, surely - pressing a button - the war would be ended in a blow." This no doubt refers to the development of the V-1 and V-2 rockets. Mussolini also says that "Roosevelt promised American mothers that no soldier would go to fight to the death overseas. He lied as is the custom in all the democracies." In this speech, Mussolini also refers to Churchill, Stalin, and DeGaulle by name. He concludes by declaring that "it is Milan which must give the men, the arms, the will and the signal for insurrection." Mussolini was cheered as he left the theatre and rode back to the Prefecture with Rudolf Rahn, Hitler's Ambassador to Italy who was responsible for general political issues and for relations with Mussolini. This was to be Mussolini's last public appearance. Two days later, on Monday, December 18, 1944, over Rahn's objections, Mussolini moved his office to Milan. On April 20, 1945, as Allied troops approached Milan, Mussolini disbanded his government offices. He was caught by Italian partisans as he tried to take refuge in Switzerland and on April 28, 1945, Benito Mussolini was executed. This speech, once part of the Forbes Collection, is in very fine condition, and would be a magnificent addition to a World War II collection.
In large type, with cross-outs and over 100 words in his hand, this was Mussolini's reading copy of his December 16, 1944, speech at the Lyric Theatre. He begins by acknowledging that he has been away for 16 months, then attacks the "criminal formula of Casablanca, the appraisal of the events places to us, once again, these questions: Who has betrayed? Who has endured and endures the consequences of the traitor?" At the 1943 Casablanca, Roosevelt and Churchill announced that the Allies were now fighting for the "unconditional surrender" of Germany, Italy and Japan. Mussolini recalls "Mazzini, the master of the republic" who sent a "commissioner to Ancona in order to teach to the Jacobins that it was lawful to fight the papalists, but not to steal or to capture - as it would be said today - the silverware from their houses." Mussolini asserts that any attack by the Allies on German-controlled soil is as if the Allies were attacking Rome. He alludes to the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion of Normandy in France by stating, "Indeed, the Anglo-Americans enter in Rome June 5th to the next day 6th, the first Allied units disembark to you on the coast of Normandie, between the rivers Vire and Orne. The succeeding months have been truly hard, on all the fronts where the soldiers of the Reich were and are engaged to you." Mussolini devotes part of his speech to "Il Manifesto di Verona" of November 14, 1943, which established the structure and socialization of the new republic in Saló. He also tells of "new German crews" working "secretly" and that "many believe that thanks to the employment of such crews, surely - pressing a button - the war would be ended in a blow." This no doubt refers to the development of the V-1 and V-2 rockets. Mussolini also says that "Roosevelt promised American mothers that no soldier would go to fight to the death overseas. He lied as is the custom in all the democracies." In this speech, Mussolini also refers to Churchill, Stalin, and DeGaulle by name. He concludes by declaring that "it is Milan which must give the men, the arms, the will and the signal for insurrection." Mussolini was cheered as he left the theatre and rode back to the Prefecture with Rudolf Rahn, Hitler's Ambassador to Italy who was responsible for general political issues and for relations with Mussolini. This was to be Mussolini's last public appearance. Two days later, on Monday, December 18, 1944, over Rahn's objections, Mussolini moved his office to Milan. On April 20, 1945, as Allied troops approached Milan, Mussolini disbanded his government offices. He was caught by Italian partisans as he tried to take refuge in Switzerland and on April 28, 1945, Benito Mussolini was executed. This speech, once part of the Forbes Collection, is in very fine condition, and would be a magnificent addition to a World War II collection.
Historic Benito Mussolini Autograph Speech Draft, four pages, 9" x 11", separate sheets. Dated in pencil in unknown hand in upper right of first page, "2 ottobre 1935 - XIII." Pages 2, 3, and 4 are numbered at the top by Mussolini. Italy's attempt to establish a protectorate over Ethiopia culminated in a war between Italy and Ethiopia in 1895-1896, won by Ethiopia. With colonies in neighboring Eritrea and Italian Somaliland, Mussolini signed the Italo-Ethiopian Treaty of Friendship in 1928, declaring a 20-year friendship between the two nations. There were numerous border clashes in the ensuing years between Ethiopia and its Italian colonial neighbors. In 1935, the League of Nations and England and France tried unsuccessfully to achieve a diplomatic solution. They failed because Mussolini wanted war. He sent Italian troops to Eritrea and Italian Somaliland in preparation for an invasion. On October 2, 1935, Mussolini spoke to the Italian people, justifying an invasion of Ethiopia. The following day, Mussolini's army in Eritrea invaded Ethiopia. This is a draft of his speech in his own hand. It is not translated from the Italian.
Following is a translation of his speech as delivered on October 2, 1935: "Black Shirts of the revolution! Men and women of all Italy! Italians spread throughout the world, beyond the mountains and beyond the seas! Hear me! A solemn hour is about to sound in the history of the fatherland. At this moment twenty million men occupy the public squares of all Italy. Never in the history of mankind has there been seen a more gigantic spectacle. Twenty million men, but one heart, one will, one decision. Their demonstration must and does show the world that Italy and Fascism constitute a perfect, absolute, and unalterable identity. For many months the wheels of destiny have been moving toward their goal under the impulse of our calm determination. In the latter hours their rhythm has become more swift and by now cannot be stopped. It is not only an army that strives toward its objectives but a whole people of 44 million souls against whom an attempt is being made to consummate the blackest of injustices that of depriving us of some small place in the sun.When in 1915 Italy exposed itself to the risks of war and joined its destiny with that of the Allies, how much praise there was for our courage and how many promises were made! But after the common victory to which Italy had made the supreme contribution of 670,000 dead, 400,000 mutilated, and a million wounded, around the hateful peace table Italy received but a few crumbs from the rich colonial booty gathered by others. We have been patient for thirteen years, during which the circle of selfishness that strangles our vitality has become ever tighter. With Ethiopia we have been patient for forty years! It is time to say enough! In the League of Nations there is talk of sanctions instead of recognition of our rights. Until there is proof to the contrary, I shall refuse to believe that the real and generous people of France can support sanctions against Italy. Similarly, I refuse to believe that the real people of Great Britain, who have never had discords with Italy, are prepared to run the risk of hurling Europe along the road to catastrophe for the sake of defending an African country universally branded as a country without the slightest shadow of civilization.We shall face economic sanctions with our discipline, our sobriety, and our spirit of sacrifice. Against military sanctions we shall reply with military measures.To acts of war we shall reply with acts of war. Let no one think that he can make us yield without a hard struggle. A people jealous of its honor can use no other language nor can it adopt a different attitude. But let it be said once more and in the most categorical manner - and at this moment I make before you a sacred pledge - that we shall do all that is possible to prevent this conflict of a colonial character from assuming the nature and scope of a European conflict. That might be desired by those who seek in a new war to avenge their fallen temples, but not by us. Never before as in this historical epoch has the Italian people revealed the quality of its spirit and the power of its character. And it is against this people to whom humanity owes some of its greatest conquests and it is against this people of poets, of artists, of heroes, of saints, of navigators, of emigrants, it is against this people that one dares speak of sanctions. Italy, proletarian and fascist, Italy of Vittorio Veneto and of the Revolution, arise! Let the cry of your decision fill the heavens; let it be a comfort the soldiers who wait in Africa, a spur to friends, and a warning to enemies in every part of the world: a cry of justice, a cry of victory."
Mussolini begins this draft with: "Black Shirts of all Italy! Italians beyond the Alps and beyond the seas!" In his speech, it became: "Black Shirts of the revolution! Men and women of all Italy! Italians spread throughout the world, beyond the mountains and beyond the seas!" Phrases in this draft found its way into Mussolini's speech, not always in the exact words. Among others, the draft refers to these portions of the following passages in the speech: "a whole people of 44 million souls against whom an attempt is being made to consummate the blackest of injustices...When in 1915 Italy exposed itself to the risks of war and joined its destiny with that of the Allies, how much praise there was for our courage and how many promises were made!... We have been patient for 13 years, during which the circle of selfishness that strangles our vitality has become ever tighter. With Ethiopia we have been patient for 40 years!...I shall refuse to believe that the real and generous people of France can support sanctions." Italian troops captured the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa the following spring and on May 9, 1936, King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy was proclaimed Emperor of Ethiopia.
Approximately a 2.25" x 2.5" portion of the upper left corner of each page has been cut off. On three of the pages, part of what may have been a letterhead is visible, so, most probably, very little, if any of Mussolini's handwriting is missing. The edges of each page are chipped and there are creases. Overall, the draft is in very good condition. The importance of this document in world history cannot be disputed. Rarely does a draft of an historical speech come on the market, much less one given by a country's leader justifying an invasion which would take place the next day!.
Following is a translation of his speech as delivered on October 2, 1935: "Black Shirts of the revolution! Men and women of all Italy! Italians spread throughout the world, beyond the mountains and beyond the seas! Hear me! A solemn hour is about to sound in the history of the fatherland. At this moment twenty million men occupy the public squares of all Italy. Never in the history of mankind has there been seen a more gigantic spectacle. Twenty million men, but one heart, one will, one decision. Their demonstration must and does show the world that Italy and Fascism constitute a perfect, absolute, and unalterable identity. For many months the wheels of destiny have been moving toward their goal under the impulse of our calm determination. In the latter hours their rhythm has become more swift and by now cannot be stopped. It is not only an army that strives toward its objectives but a whole people of 44 million souls against whom an attempt is being made to consummate the blackest of injustices that of depriving us of some small place in the sun.When in 1915 Italy exposed itself to the risks of war and joined its destiny with that of the Allies, how much praise there was for our courage and how many promises were made! But after the common victory to which Italy had made the supreme contribution of 670,000 dead, 400,000 mutilated, and a million wounded, around the hateful peace table Italy received but a few crumbs from the rich colonial booty gathered by others. We have been patient for thirteen years, during which the circle of selfishness that strangles our vitality has become ever tighter. With Ethiopia we have been patient for forty years! It is time to say enough! In the League of Nations there is talk of sanctions instead of recognition of our rights. Until there is proof to the contrary, I shall refuse to believe that the real and generous people of France can support sanctions against Italy. Similarly, I refuse to believe that the real people of Great Britain, who have never had discords with Italy, are prepared to run the risk of hurling Europe along the road to catastrophe for the sake of defending an African country universally branded as a country without the slightest shadow of civilization.We shall face economic sanctions with our discipline, our sobriety, and our spirit of sacrifice. Against military sanctions we shall reply with military measures.To acts of war we shall reply with acts of war. Let no one think that he can make us yield without a hard struggle. A people jealous of its honor can use no other language nor can it adopt a different attitude. But let it be said once more and in the most categorical manner - and at this moment I make before you a sacred pledge - that we shall do all that is possible to prevent this conflict of a colonial character from assuming the nature and scope of a European conflict. That might be desired by those who seek in a new war to avenge their fallen temples, but not by us. Never before as in this historical epoch has the Italian people revealed the quality of its spirit and the power of its character. And it is against this people to whom humanity owes some of its greatest conquests and it is against this people of poets, of artists, of heroes, of saints, of navigators, of emigrants, it is against this people that one dares speak of sanctions. Italy, proletarian and fascist, Italy of Vittorio Veneto and of the Revolution, arise! Let the cry of your decision fill the heavens; let it be a comfort the soldiers who wait in Africa, a spur to friends, and a warning to enemies in every part of the world: a cry of justice, a cry of victory."
Mussolini begins this draft with: "Black Shirts of all Italy! Italians beyond the Alps and beyond the seas!" In his speech, it became: "Black Shirts of the revolution! Men and women of all Italy! Italians spread throughout the world, beyond the mountains and beyond the seas!" Phrases in this draft found its way into Mussolini's speech, not always in the exact words. Among others, the draft refers to these portions of the following passages in the speech: "a whole people of 44 million souls against whom an attempt is being made to consummate the blackest of injustices...When in 1915 Italy exposed itself to the risks of war and joined its destiny with that of the Allies, how much praise there was for our courage and how many promises were made!... We have been patient for 13 years, during which the circle of selfishness that strangles our vitality has become ever tighter. With Ethiopia we have been patient for 40 years!...I shall refuse to believe that the real and generous people of France can support sanctions." Italian troops captured the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa the following spring and on May 9, 1936, King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy was proclaimed Emperor of Ethiopia.
Approximately a 2.25" x 2.5" portion of the upper left corner of each page has been cut off. On three of the pages, part of what may have been a letterhead is visible, so, most probably, very little, if any of Mussolini's handwriting is missing. The edges of each page are chipped and there are creases. Overall, the draft is in very good condition. The importance of this document in world history cannot be disputed. Rarely does a draft of an historical speech come on the market, much less one given by a country's leader justifying an invasion which would take place the next day!.
One of the Last Documents Signed by Benito Mussolini Registered Just Three Days Before his Death D.S. "Mussolini" in Italian on Minister of Foreign Affairs letterhead, 1p., 8.25" x 11", [April 1, 1945], appointing Zimolo Michelangelo as Minister to Switzerland. The document would be date stamped for registration on April 25, 1945, just three days prior to Mussolini's capture and execution. The Document reads, in part: "By the Law of June 2, 1927 n[umber] 862 in the service of diplomatic advisor; Be it Known: Zimolo Michelangelo is appointed as minister extraordinary and plenipotentiary, first class to Berne [Switzerland]..."
After spending his last seven days in power in Milan, Mussolini would ironically flee to attempt to escape to Switzerland, only to be captured and executed near the lake of Como by Communist Resistance units. Usual folds and toning, with light feathering to the otherwise bold signature.
After spending his last seven days in power in Milan, Mussolini would ironically flee to attempt to escape to Switzerland, only to be captured and executed near the lake of Como by Communist Resistance units. Usual folds and toning, with light feathering to the otherwise bold signature.
Lot of Three Documents Signed by Benito Mussolini and Vittorio Emmanuelle III All three documents are circa 1920s and regarding various military appointments and decrees. With signatures on verso, uneven margins at left due to disbounding and all in very good to near fine condition.
Tokyo Trials Two 14" x 11" Japanese flags, each signed by 12 defendants at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, held in Tokyo, May 3, 1946, to November 12, 1948, a total of 24 different defendants. Each defendant has clearly signed in black ink in both English and Japanese for a total of 48 signatures. General Hideki Tojo (Prime Minister) has signed on one flag above the red sun. Others signing this flag to the left of the red sun are: Marquis Koichi Kido (Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal), General Heitaro Kimura (Burma Expeditionary Force), Naoki Hoshino (Chief Cabinet Secretary), General Teiichi Suzuki (President, Cabinet Planning Board), General Akira Muto (Philippines Expeditionary Force), and Foreign Minister Shigenori Togo. Signing to the right are: General Sadao Araki (War Minister), Okinori Kaya (sold opium to the Chinese), Admiral Shigetaro Shimada (Naval Minister), General Yoshojiro Umezu (War Minister), and General Kuniaki Koiso (Governor-General of Korea, Prime Minister). Signing on the other flag, to the left of the red sun are: Admiral Takazumi Oka (Naval Minister), General Jiro Minami (Kwantung Army), General Kenryo Sato (Chief, Military Affairs Bureau), Field Marshal Shunroku Hata (War Minister), Foreign Minister, and Baron Kiichiro Hiranuma (Prime Minister). Signing to the right are: General Seishiro Itagaki (War Minister), General Hiroshi Oshima (Ambassador to Germany), Baron Koki Hirota (Foreign Minister), Colonel Kingoro Hashimoto (radical politician), General Kenji Doihara (spy), and General Iwane Matsui (Shanghai Expeditionary Force and Central China Area Army). There were a total of 28 defendants. They were charged with war crimes, crimes against peace and/or crimes against humanity. Not signing the flags were: Foreign Minister Matsuoka Yosuke and Fleet Admiral Nagano Osami, each dying of natural causes during the trial, writer Okawa Shumei who was declared mentally ill - charges were dropped, and Shiratori Toshio, Ambassador to Italy, sentenced to life, died in 1949.
Doihara, Hirota, Itagaki, Kimura, Matsui, Muto, and Tojo, convicted of all three charges, were sentenced to death and were executed at Sugamo Prison in Ikebukuro on December 23, 1948. Araki, Hashimoto, Hata, Hiranuma, Hoshino, Kaya, Kido, Koiso, Minami, Oka, Oshima, Sato, Shimada, Suzuki, and Umezu were sentenced to life in prison. Two died in prison: Umezu (1949) and Koiso (1950). The other 12 were paroled in 1955. Shigenori Togo was sentenced to 20 years; he died in 1949. Mamoru Shigemitsu was sentenced to seven years; he was paroled in 1950. He later served as Foreign Minister (1954-1956) under Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama who, in 1955, paroled the prisoners named above, all convicted of crimes against peace. The vast majority of the 48 signatures (24 in each language) are dark and clear. There is one smudge on Seishiro Itagaki's signature. The flags are in fine condition with folds but no tears. Accompanied by three original 17" x 12" captioned Associated Press Wirephotos, one picturing the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East on May 3, 1946, and the other two each depicting eight different 3.5" x 5.75" defendants' photographs. Each photograph bears a May 1946 receipt stamping on verso. While autograph collections of the Nuremberg defendants appear on the market from time to time, those of the defendants at the Tokyo Trials are scarce. This collection, appropriately signed mostly by military officers on the flag they fought for in World War II, would be a desirable and indispensable addition to a military collection.
Doihara, Hirota, Itagaki, Kimura, Matsui, Muto, and Tojo, convicted of all three charges, were sentenced to death and were executed at Sugamo Prison in Ikebukuro on December 23, 1948. Araki, Hashimoto, Hata, Hiranuma, Hoshino, Kaya, Kido, Koiso, Minami, Oka, Oshima, Sato, Shimada, Suzuki, and Umezu were sentenced to life in prison. Two died in prison: Umezu (1949) and Koiso (1950). The other 12 were paroled in 1955. Shigenori Togo was sentenced to 20 years; he died in 1949. Mamoru Shigemitsu was sentenced to seven years; he was paroled in 1950. He later served as Foreign Minister (1954-1956) under Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama who, in 1955, paroled the prisoners named above, all convicted of crimes against peace. The vast majority of the 48 signatures (24 in each language) are dark and clear. There is one smudge on Seishiro Itagaki's signature. The flags are in fine condition with folds but no tears. Accompanied by three original 17" x 12" captioned Associated Press Wirephotos, one picturing the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East on May 3, 1946, and the other two each depicting eight different 3.5" x 5.75" defendants' photographs. Each photograph bears a May 1946 receipt stamping on verso. While autograph collections of the Nuremberg defendants appear on the market from time to time, those of the defendants at the Tokyo Trials are scarce. This collection, appropriately signed mostly by military officers on the flag they fought for in World War II, would be a desirable and indispensable addition to a military collection.
Five Signed Photos of World War II Japanese War Criminals along with 12 additional photos obtained at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East by a U.S. Army M.P. on duty at the Tribunal. Photos that are signed as follows:
Hideki Tojo- a general in the Imperial Japanese Army and the 40th Prime Minister of Japan, serving as prime minister during much of World War II. He was sentenced to death and executed by hanging after accepting full responsibility for his actions in World War II.
Iwane Matsui- a general of the Japanese Imperial Army and the commander of the expeditionary forces sent to China. He was sentenced to death by hanging for being responsible for the Nanking Massacre.
Teiichi Suzuki- general, president of the Cabinet Planning Board. He was sentenced to life in prison and was paroled in 1955.
Shigetaro Shimada- a Japanese admiral and, as Naval Minister of the Imperial Japanese Navy, was one of the leading members of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. He was sentenced to life in prison and was paroled in 1955.
Koichi Kido- served as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal from 1940 to 1945, and was the closest advisor to Hirohito (Emperor Showa) throughout World War II. He was sentenced to life in prison and was paroled in 1955.
Most of the other photos in this archive show various scenes from the Tribunal which was convened on May 3, 1946, and adjourned on November 12, 1948. One of these pictures most all of the Japanese defendants with their names and seating positions notated on the back. All photos are black and white, 4.25" x 6" in size, and condition is generally fine. Included is a photo of the M.P. in uniform who originally acquired the photos, as well as a copy of his U.S. Army Separation Qualification Record. An important and historical grouping.
Hideki Tojo- a general in the Imperial Japanese Army and the 40th Prime Minister of Japan, serving as prime minister during much of World War II. He was sentenced to death and executed by hanging after accepting full responsibility for his actions in World War II.
Iwane Matsui- a general of the Japanese Imperial Army and the commander of the expeditionary forces sent to China. He was sentenced to death by hanging for being responsible for the Nanking Massacre.
Teiichi Suzuki- general, president of the Cabinet Planning Board. He was sentenced to life in prison and was paroled in 1955.
Shigetaro Shimada- a Japanese admiral and, as Naval Minister of the Imperial Japanese Navy, was one of the leading members of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. He was sentenced to life in prison and was paroled in 1955.
Koichi Kido- served as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal from 1940 to 1945, and was the closest advisor to Hirohito (Emperor Showa) throughout World War II. He was sentenced to life in prison and was paroled in 1955.
Most of the other photos in this archive show various scenes from the Tribunal which was convened on May 3, 1946, and adjourned on November 12, 1948. One of these pictures most all of the Japanese defendants with their names and seating positions notated on the back. All photos are black and white, 4.25" x 6" in size, and condition is generally fine. Included is a photo of the M.P. in uniform who originally acquired the photos, as well as a copy of his U.S. Army Separation Qualification Record. An important and historical grouping.
(World War I and II) A large collection of autographs of mostly American generals and admirals from the First and Second World Wars (mostly the second) consisting of approximately 100 pieces including letters, signatures and signed photographs. Of note is a good content T.L.S. of General John J. Pershing, one page, 7 x 10 inches, Washington, November 29, 1921 to Myron T. Herrick, the American Ambassador to France noting "I have been the busiest man in North America since I returned home... I could not express to you what a great please it was to me to meet you personally... I trust that you have entirely recovered from the shock of the explosion and that the danger of a further attempt has passed. We are deep in the throes of the [Washington Naval] Conference here and are struggling to work something practical and satisfactory out of this meeting...". Offered together with two additional typed letters dated 1921 and 1924. Other examples include Chester Nimitz T.L.S. 1943, Carl Spaatz 3 T.L.S.'s 1945, 1950, and 1954 together with a signature; Hoyt Vandenberg S.P. and T.L.S., 1946; Robert C. Ricahrdson, A.N.S. and Signature; Roscoe Turner I.S.P.; E.M. Powers, 3 T.L.S.'s; A.C. Wedemeyer T.L.S., 1945; Bryant E. Moore T.L.S. 1947; A. E. Montgomery; Albert C. Read A.N.S. 1946; J. B. Oldendorf A.L.S. 1946; John Twiggs Meyers T.L.S. 1946; William H. H. Morris A.L.S. 1947; Verne D. Mudge A.L.S. 1946; W. R. Schmidt A.L.S. 1947; William H. Simpson 5 T.L.S.'s 1946; Harold R. Stark T.L.S. 1946; A. A. Vandergrift T.L.S. 1945; Richard Turner 3 A.N.S.'s 1947 together with 2 signatures; Lord Tedders 3 signatures; Henry B. Taylor A.L.S. Together with many more, far too numerous to note here. Condition ranges from very good to very fine condition. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
(World War II) A fine collection of 12 signatures, mostly on 3 x 5 inch cards consisting of leaders and personalities from the Second World War. Includes Alvin C. York. Henry 'Hap' Arnold, George C. Marshall, Alexander of Tunis, Jonathan M. Wainwright, Mark Clark, Omar Bradely, William F. Halsey, Mountbatten of Burma, James Doolittle, Anthony Eden, and Carl Spaatz. Overall very fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Military & Patriotic
Grouping of 16 Korean War Anti-Communist UN Propaganda Leaflets From 1952. Each approximately 5" x 8" and stapled to an original translation sheet titled "Headquarters Far East Command Psychological Warfare Section". These leaflets, in Chinese and Korean, offered food and warmth to potential defectors from north of the 38th Parallel. The text is augmented by photographs and line drawings. An impressive array of official file specimens. The translation sheets are evenly toned with the material being in overall excellent condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Autographs
West Point Diploma. A magnificent partly printed Document Signed, one page on vellum, 16.5 x 21.5 inches, West Point, June 18, 1842 granted to Jenks Beaman of the State of Vermont signed by nine professors (including engineering, mathematics, ethics, drawing, artillery & cavalry, philosophy, chemistry, French, and tactics) together with the Superintendent Rene DeRussy and countersigned at the top left by Irwin McDowell as Adjutant. Jenks himself was commissioned a second lieutenant in December 1842 in the 4th Infantry, which whom he served during the Mexican War. During his service in the field he was promoted to First Lieutenant. The 4th Infantry first served under Zachary Taylor's army of observation and saw action at Monterrey. The 4th then sailed to Vera Cruz where it besieged the city and then advanced on Mexico City. Beaman died on May 6, 1848 only a month before his regiment was due to return to the United States. Some of his fellow graduates went on to serve in the Civil War (on both sides) including Abner Doubleday, William Rosecrans, John Pope, Lafayette McLaws and James Longstreet. The document is adorned by fine engravings symbolizing the military arts including images of ordnance, charts, maps, telescopes globes, chemistry equipment together with armor, drums, muskets and swords and the all framed in flags and drapes and crowned with an eagle. Light foxing and toning, usual folds, else very good condition. A very nice example.
Antiques
Isaac Cruickshank 18th Century Risqué Engravings. A fine set of hand-colored engravings entitled "FEMALE OPINIONS on MILITARY TACTICS." ([London]: S. W. Fores, September 30, 1790), a set of two 18" x 6.5" panels, the second bearing Cruickshank's initials "I.C." at bottom right. With separate trimmed titling, 10" x 1". One partial split at center vertical fold, the other cleanly split at center vertical fold. A few small marginal tear losses that could be easily matted out. Marginally trimmed loosing original border. Title strip bears one tear. Mounting remnants on verso. Very light toning, else fine condition.
Military & Patriotic
Rare Identified Mexican War Daguerreotype and Archive, pertaining to First Lieutenant Jenks Beaman of Rutland, Vermont. Beaman, a West Point graduate, served in the Mexican War with the famed 4th U.S. Infantry under Zachary Taylor. Having survived the fighting at Monterrey, Cherubusco, and Molino del Rey, Beaman died on May 6, 1848 just one month before the regiment's return to the United States. The items associated with this officer are as follows:
Cased 1/6th Plate Daguerreotype. Lieutenant Beaman is shown in his uniform frock coat with its shoulder straps clearly visible. He stands with arms folded before a painted landscape dominated by a castle. A paper label dated 1848 identifies the subject and is affixed to the exterior of the glass protecting the image. Beaman's likeness is framed by an unusual paper matt that hides nearly half of the daguerreotype. Image, matt, and glass are sealed together along the edges with original glued paper. The underside of the glass is somewhat crystallized, a condition that seems magnified on account of the underlying image's mirror-like surfaces. Despite a few areas of spotting, the daguerreotype appears clean under magnification. "Restoration" might simply require cleaning both sides of the image's protective glass cover. The hinged lid has separated as often happens. Overall very good condition. Identified Mexican War officer daguerreotypes are quite rare in and of themselves, and this one comes with an archive.
Two Documents Signed "J. R. Poinsett", both partially printed, one page, 8" x 9.75", Washington, D.C, February 7 and June 30, 1838. These papers accept Beaman as a West Point applicant and cadet respectively. Fine condition. The signatory, Joel Roberts Poinsett, was serving Secretary of War. For the record, in retirement Poinsett developed a decorative seasonal plant which still bears his name.
Manuscript Document, "List of the Members of the 4th Class of Cadets 1838", West Point, New York. 40 cadets with A - H surnames are listed on this roster. Beaman is included as is future Union general and possible baseball inventor Abner Doubleday. Fine condition.
Two Copies of U.S. Army Broadside, "Cartel General", one page, 8.5" X 11", Puebla, Mexico, May 22, 1847. Signed in print by General Worth, this announcement in Spanish nullifies Mexican law and places all local authority with the U.S. military. Significant paper loss to upper left corners and lower margin, however the text remains intact. Fair condition, however highly significant.
Approximately Forty Letters and Documents, from Beaman's military years before and during the Mexican War. This archive primarily consists of orders and returns; however, there are also several postal covers following Beaman from Louisiana and Texas into Mexico. Overall fine condition.
Cased 1/6th Plate Daguerreotype. Lieutenant Beaman is shown in his uniform frock coat with its shoulder straps clearly visible. He stands with arms folded before a painted landscape dominated by a castle. A paper label dated 1848 identifies the subject and is affixed to the exterior of the glass protecting the image. Beaman's likeness is framed by an unusual paper matt that hides nearly half of the daguerreotype. Image, matt, and glass are sealed together along the edges with original glued paper. The underside of the glass is somewhat crystallized, a condition that seems magnified on account of the underlying image's mirror-like surfaces. Despite a few areas of spotting, the daguerreotype appears clean under magnification. "Restoration" might simply require cleaning both sides of the image's protective glass cover. The hinged lid has separated as often happens. Overall very good condition. Identified Mexican War officer daguerreotypes are quite rare in and of themselves, and this one comes with an archive.
Two Documents Signed "J. R. Poinsett", both partially printed, one page, 8" x 9.75", Washington, D.C, February 7 and June 30, 1838. These papers accept Beaman as a West Point applicant and cadet respectively. Fine condition. The signatory, Joel Roberts Poinsett, was serving Secretary of War. For the record, in retirement Poinsett developed a decorative seasonal plant which still bears his name.
Manuscript Document, "List of the Members of the 4th Class of Cadets 1838", West Point, New York. 40 cadets with A - H surnames are listed on this roster. Beaman is included as is future Union general and possible baseball inventor Abner Doubleday. Fine condition.
Two Copies of U.S. Army Broadside, "Cartel General", one page, 8.5" X 11", Puebla, Mexico, May 22, 1847. Signed in print by General Worth, this announcement in Spanish nullifies Mexican law and places all local authority with the U.S. military. Significant paper loss to upper left corners and lower margin, however the text remains intact. Fair condition, however highly significant.
Approximately Forty Letters and Documents, from Beaman's military years before and during the Mexican War. This archive primarily consists of orders and returns; however, there are also several postal covers following Beaman from Louisiana and Texas into Mexico. Overall fine condition.
Autographs
Amazing Autograph Collection from the Spanish-American War Period, including two presidents and most of the important officers who fought in the war. Or, as hand-titled by the original collector on the front pastedown of this 8" x 10" bound autograph album: "Autographs of Government Officials and Officers of the U.S. Army. Spanish-American War...". This collection contains approximately 137 different autographs including the following: George Dewey, Fitzhugh Lee, Wesley Merritt, Elwell S. Otis, William Shafter, Joseph Wheeler, Nelson A. Miles, Frederick Dent Grant, Garrett A. Hobart, John Hay, Lyman Gage, John Sherman, Grover Cleveland, Levi P. Morton, William Jennings Bryan, Harrison Gray Otis, Elihu Root, and Theodore Roosevelt. These signatures are on various-size cards that are held into place by their corners being placed into slits in the pages.
It's hard to imagine that a more comprehensive and uniform collection of this type could be assembled without years of hard work. The book itself is only in fair condition with a tight binding but a missing spine. The signature cards are generally in fine or better condition. Please note that many of the notables wrote their rank or title along with their signatures.
It's hard to imagine that a more comprehensive and uniform collection of this type could be assembled without years of hard work. The book itself is only in fair condition with a tight binding but a missing spine. The signature cards are generally in fine or better condition. Please note that many of the notables wrote their rank or title along with their signatures.
Military & Patriotic
U.S.S. Maine Sinking Eye-Witness Account With Scrapbook. Autograph Document Signed, "Chas. P. Howell Chief Engineer,U.S. Navy. Address and native place Goshen. N.Y.", one page, 8.25" x 10", New York, April 4, 1898. It reads: "The Battle ship Maine had been swinging to a buoy in Havana Harbor for three weeks when the sudden destruction of the ship came without any warning. At 9:40 p.m. on Feb. 15th 1898 I was reading in the officers mess room in company with Lt's Holman, Jungen and Jenkins, when was startled by the shock which gave the impression that the ship had been torpedoed. The first shock transmitted to the after part of the vessel, was immediately followed by sounds of explosions and disruption of the interior of the ship with a final tremendous crash overhead. Then water was heard rushing aft; an unsteady equilibrium underfoot indicated the ship was sinking rapidly. Feeling my way in the darkness I soon reached the poop deck expecting all the time to be received by the shots of the Spanish. The cries of the wounded and drowning, with the smoking ruins dimly lighted by the flickering fires, kindling here and there, formed a tragic scene never to be forgotten. The uppermost deck where the survivors assembled sank to the surface of the water and in a few minutes boats came from the ships in the harbor to our rescue." Even toning, some soiling. The verso carries unrelated inscriptions from 1900 in which five clergymen express thanks for hospitality. Fine condition. Charles P. Howell's manuscript account of the U.S.S Maine sinking must be considered rare since there were only 95 survivors of the incident. 260 Americans were killed as a result of the February 15, 1898 blast that provoked the Spanish-American War. Accompanying Howell's account is a period scrapbook titled "Our Defenders", approximately 100 pp., 9.5" x 12", being inscribed "Picture and newspaper clippings of the Spanish American War. Margurite Goubert July 3, 1898 - 1900." Numerous newspaper and magazine illustrations of the war are pasted onto originally blank pages, some of which are embellished with original patriotic art. Images range from candid combat photographs to formal portraits. Also included are several full-page color lithographs featuring ships of the "Great White Fleet". Although somewhat out of place, there is also a small, hand-decorated envelope housing a "A piece of drapery from Grant's Tomb". Soiling to cover, some chipping to contents. Overall very good condition.
Late 19th Century U.S. Naval Grouping, associated with Lt. Commander Walter S. Burke (1866 - 1931), an 1887 graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. After being commissioned an ensign in 1889, Burke taught Physics and Chemistry at the Academy until being assigned to the Bureau of Steam Engineering in 1892. Sea duty followed aboard the U.S.S. Cincinnati during which time an injury forced early retirement from the service. Fortunately, Burke was able to find employment with Harvard University in 1895 as an Instructor of Mechanical Engineering. He eventually rose to become a building and grounds inspector for the institution. Artifacts and archival material pertaining to Burke's career are being offered as follows:
Fore and aft hat in original custom tin case, with Horstman & Sons imprint on liner and "Burke" neatly scratched into side of tin. Wear to extremities of hat, expected wear and scuffs to tine. Fine condition.
Pair of ensign's epaulettes in original custom box, heavy gold bullion. Very fine condition.
Pair of lt. commander's epaulettes, heavy gold bullion with oak leaves insignia. Fine condition.
Ensign's dress tunic, with two rows of nine gilt U.S. Navy officer's buttons, one sleeve strip with red piping. Moderate mothing resulting in some fabric loss between shoulder blades. Good condition.
Naval officer's belt rig, with false gilt two-piece naval belt plate and sword hangers. Wear to belt, else fine condition.
Three cabinet cards, ca. late 1880s, showing Burke variously as a civilian, a midshipman and a young officer. Bend to most recent image, else fine condition.
Albumen photograph, 14" x 11", by James H. Hare, Brooklyn, New York, showing the U.S.S. Cincinnati. Marginal damp stains, some soiling. Very good condition.
U. S. Naval Academy appointment, one page, partially printed, 9.25" x 15", Washington D.C., signed by Secretary of the Navy William E. Chandler. Folds, else fine condition.
U. S. Naval Academy course completion certificate, one page, partially printed on vellum, 17.5" x 21.5", Annapolis, Maryland, June 10, 1887. Signed by Academy administration and faculty. Uneven edges, likely as made. Very fine condition.
U. S. Naval Academy diploma, one page, partially printed on vellum, 15.75" x 22", Annapolis, Maryland, June 1,1889. Attractive with large naval engraving and a smaller inset vignette of a midshipman with a sextant. Uneven edges, very fine condition.
Navy Department certificate of appreciation, one page, partially printed, 9.5" x 13.5", signed by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, Washington, D.C., November 11, 1920. Stains, else fine condition. This document reflects Burke's recall to the Navy during World War I when he supervised the Mechanical Division of the Boston Navy Yard.
Over 20 pieces of printed ephemera, including two passports, orders and official letters. Average fine condition.
Fore and aft hat in original custom tin case, with Horstman & Sons imprint on liner and "Burke" neatly scratched into side of tin. Wear to extremities of hat, expected wear and scuffs to tine. Fine condition.
Pair of ensign's epaulettes in original custom box, heavy gold bullion. Very fine condition.
Pair of lt. commander's epaulettes, heavy gold bullion with oak leaves insignia. Fine condition.
Ensign's dress tunic, with two rows of nine gilt U.S. Navy officer's buttons, one sleeve strip with red piping. Moderate mothing resulting in some fabric loss between shoulder blades. Good condition.
Naval officer's belt rig, with false gilt two-piece naval belt plate and sword hangers. Wear to belt, else fine condition.
Three cabinet cards, ca. late 1880s, showing Burke variously as a civilian, a midshipman and a young officer. Bend to most recent image, else fine condition.
Albumen photograph, 14" x 11", by James H. Hare, Brooklyn, New York, showing the U.S.S. Cincinnati. Marginal damp stains, some soiling. Very good condition.
U. S. Naval Academy appointment, one page, partially printed, 9.25" x 15", Washington D.C., signed by Secretary of the Navy William E. Chandler. Folds, else fine condition.
U. S. Naval Academy course completion certificate, one page, partially printed on vellum, 17.5" x 21.5", Annapolis, Maryland, June 10, 1887. Signed by Academy administration and faculty. Uneven edges, likely as made. Very fine condition.
U. S. Naval Academy diploma, one page, partially printed on vellum, 15.75" x 22", Annapolis, Maryland, June 1,1889. Attractive with large naval engraving and a smaller inset vignette of a midshipman with a sextant. Uneven edges, very fine condition.
Navy Department certificate of appreciation, one page, partially printed, 9.5" x 13.5", signed by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, Washington, D.C., November 11, 1920. Stains, else fine condition. This document reflects Burke's recall to the Navy during World War I when he supervised the Mechanical Division of the Boston Navy Yard.
Over 20 pieces of printed ephemera, including two passports, orders and official letters. Average fine condition.
Explorers
Ballooning Archive. An amazing archive of early flight related to Paulo (Paolo) Andreani, who is documented as making the first self feed balloon ascent. Included in the archive is a detailed letter in which Andreani discusses a flight. The letter is written on plain paper, in Italian, and likely dates from 1784. The translation reads: "D. B. [Dear Brother] I come to Milan very quickly for two hours only, and at this moment I am coming back to your country of Moncucco. Today we have decided to make another temptative of flight, before beginning to make some modification to the machine since it is absolutely certain that what happened yesterday evening was due to the irregular combustion and not to the necessary maneuvers. Please keep this news for you since there is not a secure probability of a good result. I wanted only to inform you just to don't give you a surprise in case of success. My compliments to my sister in law and many thanks to her and to M. Castelli for their fruitless deplacement. I embrace you. From the house of Cavalchina the morning of Tuesday at 18 hours. Paolo". On the verso reads: "Moncucco Tuesday 24th Feb. 1774" [sic] in another hand. There is an announcement of a poem in honor of the "Courageous Don Paolo Andreani on the occasion of the celebrated cantate dedicated in his honor on the evening of Sunday March 1784 by the members of the Pius Association of Music", along with two booklets, which were extremely rare in those days. There are a diploma dated 1808 from the Arcadia Academy, and some passports from Italy, France, and Britain, issued to Andreani. Also included are two letters from friends of Andreani regarding life in Milan under Napoleon's rule. An incredible collection!
Autographs
Amelia Earhart Signed Harris & Ewing Photo. A stunning 8" x 10" photograph signed "Amelia Earhart" at the lower left corner in dark ink. A very fine example of her signature on a studio portrait. A particularly desirable bust portrait of the world's most famous female aviator dressed in her fur-lined flight jacket. With copyright licensing stamp on verso. A pilot, Earhart in 1928, was the first woman to cross the Atlantic in an airplane. In 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, and in 1935, she duplicated that feat with the Pacific Ocean. In 1937, she attempted an around-the-world flight with her navigator Fred Noonan, but disappeared near Rowland Island in the South Pacific. Several relatively minor creases, two paperclip marks at upper left margin, and one small marginal tear do not detract from this arresting image. An excellent portrait worthy of restoration but is very displayable as it is.
Transportation
Amelia Earhart Typed Letter Signed "A.E." One page, 8" x 10.25" typed letter on Air Force, Headquarters First Wing letterhead. Earhart's reply on August 5, 1936 consists of a few lines thanking a George Becker for some publicity photos. She also asks that he not use the name Mrs. Putnam in any of the captions, but instead to use Amelia Earhart. The letter is in fine condition with only a few areas of light soiling, and some deep fold lines.
Books
Amelia Earhart Signed Book: The Fun Of It. (New York: Brewer, Warren & Putnam, 1932), first edition, 218 pages, 31 illustrations, brown cloth, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), signed "Amelia Earhart" on the free front endpaper. The greatest aviatrix of all time tells her readers very simply why she loves to fly. The book comes with a mini-record of Amelia's broadcast that she made when she landed in London which is affixed to the back cover in a small protective sleeve. The book is in fair condition, with damage to the cover, title print, cracked interior hinges, bumped corners and wear on the edges; several pages are separating from the spine; the spine has come loose from the binding, and the front endpaper with the signature has been taped into the book. It appears to be part of the original book. The mini-record appears to be in fine condition.
Autographs
Amazing Charles Lindbergh Signed Poster. On May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh stunned the world when he flew from New York to Paris in the "Spirit of St. Louis". Literally overnight, he became the most famous man in the world. Just about two months later, Lindbergh and his plane began a sweeping national tour sponsored by multimillionaire Harry Guggenheim. With its designated purpose being the generation of increased public interest in, and support of, aviation, Lindbergh and "The Spirit of St. Louis" visited 48 states and landed in 92 cities from July 20 through October 23, 1927. Interestingly, it is a city in which he did not land that provides our offering. On August 20, 1927, while traveling from Moline, Illinois to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lindbergh flew over the city of Rockford, Illinois. Reading from the old typed note attached to the reverse of the poster, it states: 'This document was dropped from the "Spirit of St. Louis", piloted by Charles A. Lindbergh over the city of Rockford on August 20, 1927". It goes on to describe how he flew at 600 feet over a crowd of about 15,000 fans. It continues: "The document was dropped in a canvass [sic] tube at approximately 12:45 p.m. and retrieved by patrolman William Ferns...." Incredible as it may seem, the most famous man in the world, in the most famous plane in the world, flew over a then-small city, signed and personally loaded the poster in a canvas tube, then threw it to the crowd below. The poster itself is in very good condition overall, with some toning and spotting, but no rips or tears. With its great image of the legendary plane, along with its salutation and indirect apology - "Because of the limited time.....it is impossible for the 'Spirit of St. Louis' to land in your city". The poster is enhanced by a spectacular siganture, almost two inches long and over one-half inch high: "Charles A. Lindbergh". 1927, the year of his flight, is a particularly desirable date for a Lindbergh collectible.
Bruno Hauptmann, Convicted Charles Lindbergh Jr. Murderer, Document Signed "R Hauptmann. One page, partly printed, 8.5" x 1.5", December 12, 1935. An Inmate Correspondence Slip, Form SBF 7, filled out and signed in Hauptmann's holograph as he was awaiting his execution. This form was needed to send correspondence to a "Mrs. Katherine Schüffler" of "Markgröningen, Germany". Hauptmann also wrote his prisoner number, cell number, and prison wing, ("17400", "9", and "DH" respectively) in the appropriate blanks. Text beneath reads "One blank slip must be filled in before letter, card or telegram will be accepted". Document has slight toning and vertical fold in the center but overall very good condition. Copious handwriting by one of the most infamous criminals of the twentieth century. Included in this lot is a period booklet titled Resumé Book of the Flemington Trial by Gabriel Heath, a radio commentator who had covered the trial. This 5.5" x 8.5" 24 page publication has numerous photos of the evidence and the trial venue.
Ticket to the Lindbergh Trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, 4.5" x 3.5", Flemington, New Jersey, January 25, 1935. Printed on heavy card stock and signed in print by John H. Custiss, Sheriff of Hunterdon County, this card is inscribed "Admit Two". Moderate wear with creases slanting diagonally along lower corners. Very good condition. The ticket is enhanced by a letter (with cover) to its recipient, a Mr. N. Botwin of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, from one Norman Anderson of Flemington. It reads in part: "...The tickets are very limited and the best I could do on the price is $10.00 each. Will you let me know as soon as possible either one way or another what you wish to do on the matter...". Bruno Haputmann's kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh's son was perhaps the single most notorious crime of a violent decade marked by gangsters and the rise of fascism. That Hauptmann's trial was a media event of the highest order can be seen in the ticket prices quoted in the letter offered here. Ten bucks could buy a lot of groceries during the Great Depression.
Books
Wiley Post and Harold Gatty Signed: Around the World in 8 Days: The Flight of the Winnie Mae. (New York: Rand McNally & Company, 1931), first edition, 304 pages, facsimile of log book in back, signed by Post and Gatty on the title page, tan cloth with black titles, 8vo (6.25" x 8.75"), fine.
Transportation
A Portion of Original Wing Fabric From the Wright Vin Fiz Flyer. A 2" x 2" portion of the original fabric from the Vin Fiz Flyer which on September 17, 1911, piloted by Calbraith Perry Rodgers became the first plane to successfully make a transcontinental flight, completed in 82 hours with an average speed of 62 mph with seventy landings en route. Mounted with a sepia reproduction image of the aircraft, the entire tableau has an overall size of 15" x 20". This wonderful relic of early aviation history comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.
Autographs
Mercury Seven Astronauts NASA Photo Signed by All! A B&W 10" x 8" official NASA photo of the seven original men chosen in April of 1959 to become astronauts in the American space program. They are posed in their flight suits in front of an Air Force F-106 and all have signed above their respective images in various black and blue inks as follows (from left): "M. Scott Carpenter", "Leroy G. Cooper, Jr" (1927-2004), "J. H. Glenn Jr", "Virgil I. Grissom" (1926-1967), "Walter M. Schirra Jr", "Alan b. Shepard Jr" (1923-1998), and "Donald K. Slayton" (1924-1993). Note the rare early forms of some of the signatures. The photograph is worn at the edges and visibly creased but the image remains bright and the signatures are all clear. This is a seldom offered space collector's "dream piece." Don't let it pass you by.
Very Early Astronaut Document Signed by Grissom, Schirra, and Slayton. "Aircraft Flight Report and Maintenance Record", two pages, 8" x 5", Langley AFB, Virginia, ca. 1959. Signed in pencil twice on front by each astronaut as follows: "Virgil Grissom", "Walter Schirra", and "D K Slayton Maj". Evenly toned, very fine condition. This rare historic document from the earliest days of the Mercury Program is also signed by technicians and records data from a training flight.
Huge 1960s - 1970s Autograph Collection With an Emphasis on Astronauts. This 3" thick binder contains hundreds of autographs as assembled by Mrs. Loraine Runion of St. Louis. Her primary collecting method consisted of sending a white matchbook cover to a celebrity and requesting it be autographed. Those covers returned with signatures were harmlessly slid into diagonal cuts on blank pages. The autographs were occasionally supplemented with relevant newspaper clippings, photographs, and illustrations. "People in the news" from all walks of life grace these pages, however America's astronauts are the dominant and most comprehensive group here. Over 80 NASA signatures are present with Charles Conrad's being the only evident autopenned autograph. Highlights include the following: Scott Carpenter, Roger Chaffee, Gordon Cooper, Virgil Grissom, Sally K. Ride, Walter M. Schirra, Elliot See, Alan B. Shepard, Donald K. Slayton, Edward White, Clifton C. Williams, and John Young. There is also a full color "bubble gum" card signed "Virgil Grissom" which shows the doomed astronaut suiting up. Other prominent signatories in the Runion Collection are such diverse luminaries as Mikhail Baryshnikov, General Omar Bradly, George Bush, Sr., Bob and Elizabeth Dole, General James H. Doolittle, Mamie Eisenhower, John Nance Garner, J. Edgar Hoover, Hubert Humphrey, Ladybird Johnson, Gene Kelly, Thurgood Marshall, the Nixon daughters, and Adlai Stevenson. A collection worthy of further study and certainly evocative of its day. Overall fine condition.
Alexander Graham Bell Autograph Letter Signed Announcing the Birth of His Daughter and His Intent to Perfect His Invention: The Telephone! A.L.S. "Alexander Graham Bell", 2 pp., 4.5" x 7", 57 West Cromwell Rd. [Boston, Mass.], May, 1878 to a "Miss True". He writes, in part: "You will be glad to hear of the safe arrival yesterday evening at 6:45 of a little girl. Mabel and her daughter are both doing well. I wish I could say as much for Gertrude who is really ill..." He adds as an afterthought on the following page: "I have not forgotten about Sir Willoughby's Telephones. I am very much dissatisfied with the instruments -- and intend replacing them by more perfect instruments. AGB". Bell and his deaf-mute wife of one year, Mabel Hubbard, had welcomed the birth of their daughter Elsie May Bell just a day prior to the writing of this letter. Bell's original purpose in inventing the telephone was to create a device to aid in communication with the deaf. Bell's association with Sir Willoughby Jones was similarly motivated. The inventor had a strong interest in Jones' deaf daughter Maud; no doubt hoping to improve the "instrument" to better aid her hearing.
There are two small spots of thinning at top and bottom of page, barely affecting the text in one instance. Otherwise in very good condition with bold ink. Letters by Bell, including mention of his most notable invention, are the ideal; the announcement of a personal event such as the birth of his first-born daughter adds significantly to the desirability of this letter.
There are two small spots of thinning at top and bottom of page, barely affecting the text in one instance. Otherwise in very good condition with bold ink. Letters by Bell, including mention of his most notable invention, are the ideal; the announcement of a personal event such as the birth of his first-born daughter adds significantly to the desirability of this letter.
Thomas Edison Photograph Inscribed and Signed "To George C. Osborn / Thos A Edison". A handsome 8" x 10" sepia portrait with wide borders, signed below the image with his famous "umbrella" signature. The photo has 1.25" tears on either side that encroach into the image area slightly. There is also some light staining along the top edge, creasing, a tiny stain near the signature, and one pin-sized hole beneath the inscription. Still, a signed portrait of this legendary inventor well-suited for display.
Thomas A. Edison Autograph Letter Signed "Edison", three pages, 5" x 8", n.p., n.d. Addressed to "Fagan" and "Blair", it reads in part: "...You will remember when you told me that the Amer Railway Express man stated to you that he got a life of 3 yrs that I said was a lie. You have in your office a 3 yr record of the Amer Express Co...the records show curves of hundreds of batteries. Assuming 25 cycles equals one month this government battery had to be washed & new separators put in at end of 14 months & at the end of 20 months the battery was down & out 50% capacity = This battery was not in a truck if it had been the knocks etc would have made its life less. Don't accept any such statements from a purchaser - or we will be doing business without profit." Written in pencil, deeply toned with staple perforations along top margin and a small notation in a different hand on the first page. Fine condition. Included is a period advertising booklet, "The Edison Storage Battery for Electric Commercial Vehicles", 32 pp., 8vo, ca. 1916. It contains numerous photographs and even a testimonial by the renowned engineer Charles P. Steinmetz. Light soiling to cover, Very fine condition.
Thomas A. Edison Autograph Note Signed, "Edison", one page, 5" x 8", n. p., November, 1923. It reads: "Buchanan Note these chips. There is no reason these should be made except lack of observing your brush or other means of removing them once they are stuck on by the weight of many blanks on top of them. See me." Toned paper, very fine condition. Jaffrey P. Buchanan was manager of Edison Records Disc Division.
Thomas A. Edison Autograph Note Signed, "Edison", two pages, 5" x 8", n. p. , October 23, 1923. It reads:Stop reprinting and put reprint presses on regular work. I have decided that it is just as cheap to print regular blanks when we get 85% ok as it is to reprint & only get 60% ok. I am getting returns all some where 2nd coat has been cut through & cut reprint...if understood." Toned paper inscribed with pencil, some minor loss to extremities. Very good condition.
Thomas A. Edison Autograph Note Signed, "E", five pages, 5" x 8", n. p., December, 1923. It reads in full: "Buchanan Bradshaw You know it was agreed that of the standing orders of jobbers, 1/2 was to be shipped & the other 1/2 shipped when received after these hear their samples In other words instead of waiting to hear what their orders are as is present method after they get their samples - you know that their order will never be less than 1/2 of the standard order & we take this occasion to beat our competition several days by getting them or 1/2 of them on what steps have been taken". In pencil which remains dark and clear. A lengthy office communication that demonstrates Edison's ability tho think and act like a businessman.
Superb Thomas Edison Signature on Autograph Note Signed, "Thos A Edison", one page, 5.5" x 3.25, ca. 1920s. The note reads: "Dear Madam: In accordance with the request contained in your letter of August 24, I am giving you my signature, which you may wish to study from a graphological standpoint. Yours very truly,". The lower left corner has an interesting sidebar reading "Ediphoned WHM/L". This indicates that Edison dictated the text of this message on an Ediphone, his answer to Columbia's popular Dictaphone. Smoothed folds,top margin clipped; old, barely legible notation dating the piece to 1926 - 1927. fine condition. The signature on this item is the classic Edison autograph as used on his products.
Thomas Edison Signed Menu, "Reception and Dinner Tendered by Old Time Telegraphers' and Historical Association", four pages, 6" x 9", New York City, September 17, 1925. The large blank center of the menu's cover carries in pencil the classic "Thos A Edison" autograph that was used for the Edison logo. The top of the menu cover carries an additional signature being that of Richard E. Enright, president of the association holding the dinner and NYC Police Commissioner. Lightly soiled, else very fine condition. Being published during the height of Prohibition, this menu boasts after-dinner cigars and...ginger ale.
Gustave Eiffel Autograph Letter Signed Transmitting His Designs and Blueprints for the Eiffel Tower. ALS "G Eiffel" in French on his personalized Grand Prix a l'Exposition Universelle de 1878 letterhead, 2pp., 8.5" x 10.5", Paris, Dec. 22, 1887 to an editor of the New York publication The Engineering & Building Record submitting various documents regarding construction of the Eiffel Tower. He writes, in part: "I am sending you the designs and blueprints and other details concerning the tower of 300 m[eters] that I am constructing at this time at the Champ-de-Mars Paris. 1) Four phototypes 2) a notice of the project 3) a communication of the project to the Civil Engineers Society of Paris 4) Various thoughts of the journal of 'La Nature' containing pictures and details concerning the work already executed. I hope that you will find in these designs all the requirements that may be necessary to you for the editing of the article which you intend to publish on this subject."
Ironically, the publication had just published an article on the use of elevators in the Eiffel Tower the previous month, in November. One wonders if there was a delay in correspondence such that the materials requested were not sent until after the originally intended article, or if there was such an overwhelming response that they considered doing a follow-up. The Eiffel Tower would become the world's tallest structure upon its completion for the 1889 International Exhibition in Paris, and the use of elevators would revolutionize the possibility of building taller structures. The Eiffel Tower replaced the Washington Monument as the world's tallest man-made structure; a title it would retain until 1930 when the Chrysler Building was completed.
The letter is accompanied by a contemporary translation written in pencil on a sheet of The Engineering & Building Record letterhead. Both items are housed in a green full Moroccan leather case. The Eiffel letter has the usual folds with two tiny tears that have been archivally repaired on verso and well away from Eiffel's script.
Ironically, the publication had just published an article on the use of elevators in the Eiffel Tower the previous month, in November. One wonders if there was a delay in correspondence such that the materials requested were not sent until after the originally intended article, or if there was such an overwhelming response that they considered doing a follow-up. The Eiffel Tower would become the world's tallest structure upon its completion for the 1889 International Exhibition in Paris, and the use of elevators would revolutionize the possibility of building taller structures. The Eiffel Tower replaced the Washington Monument as the world's tallest man-made structure; a title it would retain until 1930 when the Chrysler Building was completed.
The letter is accompanied by a contemporary translation written in pencil on a sheet of The Engineering & Building Record letterhead. Both items are housed in a green full Moroccan leather case. The Eiffel letter has the usual folds with two tiny tears that have been archivally repaired on verso and well away from Eiffel's script.
Albert Einstein Highly Important Pair of Typed Letters Signed to Jean Becquerel. "A. Einstein", August 16, 1951, 4pp., 8.5" x 11" with holographic emendations and formulas in ink, and August 29, 1951, 2pp. (rectos only), 8.5" x 11" with similar notations in ink and pencil translations in the recipient's hand. On the imprinted stationary of the School of Mathematics, The Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey, to the physicist Jean Becquerel (1878-1953), in German with translation. The letters are published in French, in Albert Einstein Correspondances Francaises (Edition du Seuil, 1989).
Certain that, "there no longer are any contradictors where the theory of special relativity is concerned," Becquerel writes to Einstein (this and the other Becquerel letters quoted are present in copies) on August 9, 1951 about the, "physicists who do not wish to accept, without reservations even the theory of gravity. I have undertaken to point out their errors and to respond to there objections." As one of Becquerel's colleagues remains unconvinced, he has, "prepared a new paper," and, "...would be grateful...if you would give me your opinion. I shall not publish it until I have received your approval."
Becquerel's second letter to Einstein, on August 13th stating that, "Our report is based only on special relativity, and on incontestable facts," evokes a cordial, yet very detailed response from Einstein: "...If possible, I would answer you in French but my meager knowledge of that language has been hopelessly supplanted by the daily struggle with English and therefore only the German stepmother language remains for communication, much to my regret. ...Regarding your problem, I am not quite sure whether I understand it correctly...You mention only that your correspondent finds the special theory of relativity correct but not the general theory of relativity. In that case I cannot comprehend how the man could profess to be convinced by your interpretation...I, too, cannot understand these statements, but instead of explaining these particulars I would rather tell you what, in my opinion, is of importance." That, Einstein does, in great detail. All items are very fine and housed in a brown full Moroccan leather case.
Certain that, "there no longer are any contradictors where the theory of special relativity is concerned," Becquerel writes to Einstein (this and the other Becquerel letters quoted are present in copies) on August 9, 1951 about the, "physicists who do not wish to accept, without reservations even the theory of gravity. I have undertaken to point out their errors and to respond to there objections." As one of Becquerel's colleagues remains unconvinced, he has, "prepared a new paper," and, "...would be grateful...if you would give me your opinion. I shall not publish it until I have received your approval."
Becquerel's second letter to Einstein, on August 13th stating that, "Our report is based only on special relativity, and on incontestable facts," evokes a cordial, yet very detailed response from Einstein: "...If possible, I would answer you in French but my meager knowledge of that language has been hopelessly supplanted by the daily struggle with English and therefore only the German stepmother language remains for communication, much to my regret. ...Regarding your problem, I am not quite sure whether I understand it correctly...You mention only that your correspondent finds the special theory of relativity correct but not the general theory of relativity. In that case I cannot comprehend how the man could profess to be convinced by your interpretation...I, too, cannot understand these statements, but instead of explaining these particulars I would rather tell you what, in my opinion, is of importance." That, Einstein does, in great detail. All items are very fine and housed in a brown full Moroccan leather case.
Albert Einstein Typed Letter Signed "A. Einstein". One page, 8.5" x 10.5", plain paper, Nassau Point, Peconic L. I., N.Y., August 28, 1938, in German, to Herrn Fr. Navara at the New York Listy (a Czech language publisher in New York). It reads "Dear Mr. Navara. Enclosed you will find a reference to a letter from Mr. Morgenthau to the Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Swanson. It might be advisable to kindly thank the old gentleman. With high regards..." It is thought that Einstein's correspondent had developed the concept of a new type of acoustical directional guidance system that he believed could be adapted to torpedoes. The online Einstein archives show that Einstein exchanged several letters in the summer of 1938 with F. Navara and that Einstein had written to Morganthau just eight days before the date of this letter. Certainly worthy of further research. Light even toning and original folds, else fine.
Albert Einstein Typed Letter Signed "A. Einstein," one page, 8.5" x 11". On stationery of the Institute for Advanced Study, School of Mathematics, Princeton, New Jersey, October 13, 1942. To Captain Frank E. Phillips, Jr., U.S. Marine Corps, Unit 440, Postmaster San Francisco, Cal. In full, "I am glad you are interested in the theory of relativity. I have requested my publishers, Simon & Schuster in New York City, to send you a copy of a popular book I have written on the subject and on other questions of physics. There is not much practical application of my theories which try only to give a better understanding of some natural phenomena. I am glad for this because most inventions of 'practical value' are primarily used to kill and destroy. With my best wishes." The letter is in very fine condition with one horizontal and two vertical folds. The upper left sixth of the letter has been affixed to the front flyleaf beneath Phillips' signature. Present is the book Einstein refers to: The Evolution of Physics, subtitled "The Growth of Ideas from Early Concepts to Relativity and Quanta" by Einstein and Leopold Infeld, 319 pages, 5.5" x 8". New York: Simon and Schuster, 1938; Seventh Printing, January 29, 1940. The book is in very good condition, blue cloth with gilt lettering on spine, with the original worn dust jacket. Phillips has signed the book on the first blank flyleaf, "Captain Frank E. Phillips, Jr./United States Marine Corps/26 Nov 42."
The book is divided into four sections. Capt. Phillips read at least the preface and the first section, "The Rise of the Mechanical View." There are portions underlined by Phillips on 50 of the 65 pages, emphasizing some paragraphs. He has also written comments on two pages. On page 30, he comments on Newton's law of gravity: "The decrease in force of attraction = the relative proportion of the increase in distance raised to a power numerically = this relative proportion - pr, the relative proportion multiplied by itself a number of times = to its numerical designation. If distance becomes x times as great, force = 1/(x) x of original force." On page 55, next to his underlining of "Philosophical generalizations must be founded on scientific results," Phillips has penned, "Hedonistic only with universal application." This extraordinary young soldier was killed in action on Saipan in the Mariannas, on July 9, 1944, the day Saipan was officially secured by U.S. forces after a three week battle. Out of 71,000 Americans who had landed on Saipan Island, 14,111 were killed. Born on December 17, 1917, Capt. Phillips was 26-years-old. Phillips Square, at Salisbury and Flagg Streets in Worcester, Massachusetts, is named in his memory. A 5.5" x 3.5" unused color postcard of the S.S. Lurline was in this book, between sections I and II. It was most probably used as a bookmark by Capt. Phillips. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Lurline was bound for San Francisco from Honolulu on its regular run. Upon receiving news of Pearl Harbor, the Lurline was immediately secured for water-tightness and blacked out and arrived in San Francisco on December 10th. The Lurline was transformed into a troop transport and most probably transported Capt. Phillips and his fellow Marines to the Pacific theatre.
Letters of Einstein referring to his theory of relativity are rare and extremely desirable. One can only imagine the letter the learned Capt. Phillips wrote to elicit such a response. In 1939, Einstein had written to President Franklin D. Roosevelt that through "a nuclear chain reaction...extremely powerful bombs of a new type may thus be constructed." When Einstein wrote this letter to Capt. Phillips, he did not know that scientists were working to develop an atomic bomb and that on September 23, 1942, Col. Leslie R. Groves was promoted to Brigadier General and put in charge of the Manhattan Project. On October 15, 1942, just two days after Einstein wrote this letter, Groves asked physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to head a new planned central laboratory for physics research and design which, in November, was established at Los Alamos, New Mexico. It is ironic that Einstein ended this letter by telling Capt. Phillips that "most inventions of 'practical value' are primarily used to kill and destroy." Three years later, a year after Capt. Phillips was killed in the Pacific, the results of the Manhattan Project, atomic bombs, were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, eventuating the end of World War II, killing, according to U.S. estimates, 60,000 to 70,000 people, and destroying two cities and countless lives. A remarkable and unique letter and book, linking a 63-year-old scientist with a 24-year-old Marine, fighting a war thousands of miles away.
The book is divided into four sections. Capt. Phillips read at least the preface and the first section, "The Rise of the Mechanical View." There are portions underlined by Phillips on 50 of the 65 pages, emphasizing some paragraphs. He has also written comments on two pages. On page 30, he comments on Newton's law of gravity: "The decrease in force of attraction = the relative proportion of the increase in distance raised to a power numerically = this relative proportion - pr, the relative proportion multiplied by itself a number of times = to its numerical designation. If distance becomes x times as great, force = 1/(x) x of original force." On page 55, next to his underlining of "Philosophical generalizations must be founded on scientific results," Phillips has penned, "Hedonistic only with universal application." This extraordinary young soldier was killed in action on Saipan in the Mariannas, on July 9, 1944, the day Saipan was officially secured by U.S. forces after a three week battle. Out of 71,000 Americans who had landed on Saipan Island, 14,111 were killed. Born on December 17, 1917, Capt. Phillips was 26-years-old. Phillips Square, at Salisbury and Flagg Streets in Worcester, Massachusetts, is named in his memory. A 5.5" x 3.5" unused color postcard of the S.S. Lurline was in this book, between sections I and II. It was most probably used as a bookmark by Capt. Phillips. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Lurline was bound for San Francisco from Honolulu on its regular run. Upon receiving news of Pearl Harbor, the Lurline was immediately secured for water-tightness and blacked out and arrived in San Francisco on December 10th. The Lurline was transformed into a troop transport and most probably transported Capt. Phillips and his fellow Marines to the Pacific theatre.
Letters of Einstein referring to his theory of relativity are rare and extremely desirable. One can only imagine the letter the learned Capt. Phillips wrote to elicit such a response. In 1939, Einstein had written to President Franklin D. Roosevelt that through "a nuclear chain reaction...extremely powerful bombs of a new type may thus be constructed." When Einstein wrote this letter to Capt. Phillips, he did not know that scientists were working to develop an atomic bomb and that on September 23, 1942, Col. Leslie R. Groves was promoted to Brigadier General and put in charge of the Manhattan Project. On October 15, 1942, just two days after Einstein wrote this letter, Groves asked physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to head a new planned central laboratory for physics research and design which, in November, was established at Los Alamos, New Mexico. It is ironic that Einstein ended this letter by telling Capt. Phillips that "most inventions of 'practical value' are primarily used to kill and destroy." Three years later, a year after Capt. Phillips was killed in the Pacific, the results of the Manhattan Project, atomic bombs, were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, eventuating the end of World War II, killing, according to U.S. estimates, 60,000 to 70,000 people, and destroying two cities and countless lives. A remarkable and unique letter and book, linking a 63-year-old scientist with a 24-year-old Marine, fighting a war thousands of miles away.
Signed and Dated Albert Einstein Photograph Taken by Noted Fashion Photographer Herman Landshoff S.P. "A. Einstein. 1946", a 5" x 7" black and white image signed in the lower white margin with a sentiment in German. The image has been identified by the Albert Einstein Archives as being taken by Herman Landshoff in 1945 during a session held at Einstein's home at 112 Mercer Street in Princeton, New Jersey. Although known primarily for his fashion photography, Landshoff's impressive portfolio includes memorable portraits of powerful intellectual and creative icons from his time, including Robert Oppenheimer, Alfred Stieglitz, and Ansel Adams. Although Landshoff's aesthetic relied on the use of motion in his shots, he has taken a very different approach in this instance. Einstein is posed and captured in a moment of reflection, all movement relies solely on the pattern of texture and light across the image. The image has a small areas of silvering at top, and few light creases primarily in the margins; however it remains striking and very displayable.
Albert Einstein Typed Letter Signed "A. Einstein", one page on embossed letterhead, 8.5" x 11", Princeton, New Jersey, November 5, 1953 to Mr. Lester Murphy, Brooklyn, New York. It reads: "Dear Sir: Thank you for sending me your manuscript and the book ba [sic] Lecomte de Nouy. I find the man interesting in what he tells about our knowledge in paleontology and his doubts about the opinion of natural selection has given a satisfactory explanation of the trend toward increasing organization and differentiation in the organic world. But I must confess that his arguments in favor of traditional religion with a planning God appear to me rather childishly antropomorhic [sic]." A precisely penned and legible signature on gently toned paper with smoothed folds. Very fine condition. Excellent content shedding light on Einstein's opinions regarding Darwinism and its detractors.
Albert Einstein Photo Signed "A. Einstein". A B&W 8" x 5.75" photo taken when Einstein appeared on an NBC program called "Today With Mrs. Roosevelt." It was on this show that Einstein discussed the U.S. Government's plan to build hydrogen bombs far more powerful than the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. His speech included comments as follows: "The idea of achieving security through national armament is, at the present state of military technique, a disastrous illusion...The armament race between the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R., originally supposed to be a preventive measure, assumes hysterical character...The hydrogen bomb appears on the public horizon as a probably attainable goal. Its accelerated development has been solemnly proclaimed by the President. If it is successful, radioactive poisoning of the atmosphere and hence annihilation of any life on earth has been brought within the range of technical possibilities..." This photo has some creasing but is generally fine. A fine memento of an historic and passionate speech by one of the twentieth century's greatest scientists.
Albert Einstein Signature, "A. Einstein.", on card, 5.5" x 2" overall. A perfectly legible autograph of the beloved Nobel Prize laureate. A small smear on the period following Einstein's name and card pasted to a biographical sheet, else very fine condition.
Albert Einstein Silver Print by Lotte Jacobi, 6.5" x 9". Glossy high contrast photograph of Einstein wearing a leather jacket and a bemused expression. A penciled credit on the verso attributes this work to Lotte Jacobi (1896-1990), a refugee from Hitler's Germany who became one of the mid-twentieth century's most notable portrait photographers. The back of the photo also is stamped by Black Star of New York and carries numerous publication insertion stamps. Marginal creases, else fine condition.
Sigmund Freud, rare signed book from his personal library. His signature "Freud" on the front blank flyleaf of Ernst Stromer's Neue Forshungen über Fossile Lungenatmende Meeresbewoner (Berlin: Urban & Schwarzenberg, 1910) octavo, 84-114 pp. with 3 plates. Stromer was an important German paleontologist and this work dealt with this work on the Tylosaurus. With gold-stamped leather label on buckram spine over marbled paper boards. The rear blank flyleaf features a penciled drawing possibly in the hand of Freud. Some very light toning to title page, minor rubbing at top and bottom of spine, else fine condition. Books from Freud's library seldom appear on the market as most extant examples are in intuitional collections.A fine example of Freud's signature.
Robert Fulton Autograph Letter Signed, 1 p., 8.25" x 9.75", New York, November 18, 1813 to "Dr. Wilson". Fulton pens, in full: "Dear Sir, The estate of the Chancellor [Robert Livingston] is to be charged with the Iron credit having been given by me to him in Settling our accounts you will please lessen the [?] to Mr. Edward. Yours Respectfully Robt Fulton". Wilson has penned on the overleaf: "Mr. Livingston will look to the enclosed letters and inform me if anything is necessary for me to do. W.W."
Before turning his full attention to the development of steamboats, Fulton worked on improving torpedoes and submarines. His experiments often failed due to his chronic lack of capital. It was in Paris, in 1802, that he first met the newly-appointed American Minister to France, Robert Livingston, who was there to negotiate the purchase of the Louisiana territories from Napoleon. An extremely able man and an inventor himself, Livingston also possessed a monopoly to the rights to steam navigation in New York State. The two formed a partnership and with Livingston's technical and financial assistance, Fulton was soon conducting experiments on the Seine. They launched their famous Hudson River ferry, the Clermont (named after Livingston's family estate), in August 1807.
A wonderful association between Fulton and his business partner, Robert Livingston. Some staining at creases, and small piece missing near original wax seal; overall in near fine condition.
Before turning his full attention to the development of steamboats, Fulton worked on improving torpedoes and submarines. His experiments often failed due to his chronic lack of capital. It was in Paris, in 1802, that he first met the newly-appointed American Minister to France, Robert Livingston, who was there to negotiate the purchase of the Louisiana territories from Napoleon. An extremely able man and an inventor himself, Livingston also possessed a monopoly to the rights to steam navigation in New York State. The two formed a partnership and with Livingston's technical and financial assistance, Fulton was soon conducting experiments on the Seine. They launched their famous Hudson River ferry, the Clermont (named after Livingston's family estate), in August 1807.
A wonderful association between Fulton and his business partner, Robert Livingston. Some staining at creases, and small piece missing near original wax seal; overall in near fine condition.
Gugliemo Marconi Autograph, "G Marconi 1931", on 4" x 2" card affixed to larger biographical sheet. Some soiling, fine condition. Marconi's contributions to wireless transmissions make this a must for any collection of inventors' autographs.
Samuel F.B. Morse Autograph Letter Signed "Saml F.B. Morse," one page, 5" x 8". [New York, 1871]. An ALS "J.D. Reid" to Cyrus H. McCormick, the inventor of the reaper, is on the top half of this page; in full, "Dear Sir. The Academy is crowded to excess and I cannot conscientiously issue more tickets. Am very sorry it is so." When McCormick received this letter from Reid, he sent it to Morse who penned a letter to Reid beneath it. In full, "I know you must be exceedingly pressed at the moment, but if it be possible to furnish 3 tickets for Mr McCormicks family which by some unfortunate miscarriage he did not receive, I should be greatly pleased. Mr. McCormick will of course be on the platform as one of the Vice Presidents, and his wife & nieces ought to have been provided for. See if you cannot contrive to get them seats." James D. Reid was chairman of the Morse Testimonial Fund. In 1870, a statue of Samuel F.B. Morse was proposed by the telegraph operators of the United States and Canada. Reid had arranged for it to be erected in Central Park in New York City. On the afternoon of June 10, 1871, with 80-year-old Samuel F.B. Morse as the honored guest, the inaugural ceremonies were held in Central Park for the unveiling of the seven-foot high bronze statue designed by Byron M. Pickett. That evening, a reception was held at the Academy of Music. McCormick was one of the Vice Presidents of the inaugural committee. One of the addresses was delivered by Reid who spoke on behalf of the "Ladies of the Telegraph." The June 11, 1871, issue of The New York Times reported that "The Academy of Music was filled to overflowing," most assuredly including the McCormick ladies. Years earlier, James D. Reid (1819-1901) had been Superintendent of the Atlantic and Ohio Telegraph Company. In 1856, when Western Union began to absorb the individual lines, Reid was made Superintendent of the New York, Albany, and Buffalo Telegraph Company and when it was eventually absorbed by Western Union, he became the first railway telegraph superintendent in the United States and Europe. Morse died at his home in New York City on April 2, 1872, just ten months after he wrote this letter. Morse's statue stands majestically at the Fifth Avenue and 72nd street entrance to Central Park. He stands next to his most renowned invention, the electric telegraph. One hand is on his invention and the other holds a strip of his Morse Code. There are minor smudges on two words of Morse's letter and in blank areas. This letter, associating the names of two great American inventors, is in fine condition.
Souvenir Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Document signed by seven of the Bock's Car/Enola Gay crew as well as Los Alamos scientist Edward Creutz and includes the rare signature of the chief of the Manhattan Engineer District, Leslie Groves. One page, 4to, 1963. The document is printed "Nuclear Test Ban Treaty" and shows a title, preamble, and five articles; it is between the United States, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It shows the printed signatures of Dean Rusk and John F. Kennedy. The original signatures appear as follows: "Thomas W. Ferebee", "Theodore J. Van Kirk", "Paul W. Tibbets", "Morris R. Jeppson", "Charles W. Sweeney", "Richard Neal", "Jacob Beser", "E. Creutz", and "Leslie R. Groves".
Katharine Lee Bates Autograph Letter Signed. One page, 4.75" x 6.5", Wellesley College letterhead, Wellesley, Massachusetts, February 14, 1901. In full: "My dear Mr. Ward: Please find enclosed three dollars, if nobody has taken it out! Very Truly Yours Katharine Lee Bates" Bates, of course, wrote the words to what has become the most popular American patriotic song of the current day, "America the Beautiful," a song that has taken on a whole new meaning since the September 11, 2001 attacks. She wrote the song originally in 1893 while on a trip from Wellesley to Colorado Springs, inspired by the sights she saw on the way. Fine condition, one mailing fold not affecting the signature.
Jeremy Bentham Writes, Philosophically, on Friendship- Autograph Letter Signed. One page, on black-bordered mourning stationery, 4.5" x 7", place illegible, but most likely his home in Westminster, July 4, 1830. To "Dear Sir" Tipped to a folio sheet, opposite a steel engraving of Bentham (London, 1837). Here the philosopher, jurist, and social reformer who believed that the nature of the man could be adequately described without mention of social relationships, lovingly beseeches a friend for visit. "I want words, my Dear Sir, but still more time, for telling you how I long to see you. Sight, though it will not save words but expend them, will save time. Yours very truly..." A lengthy postscript dispenses with an enclosed, but no longer present, publication. Light toning, else fine condition. Scarce.
William Jennings Bryan Signed Photograph, "yours truly W. J. Bryan", 6.5" x 11", by Daines & Nickels, Ann Arbor, Michigan. A splendid early 20th century sepia portrait the great Democratic statesman and perennial presidential candidate. Old repair to upper right corner does not detract. Fine condition.
William Jennings Bryan Autograph Group, as follows:
Autograph card, 4.25" x 2.75, reading "W. J. Bryan". Excellent large signature suitable for framing. Glue residue on verso from old album mounting, else bold and very fine condition.
Autograph Letter Signed, "W. J. Bryan", two pages on business letterhead, 5.75" x 9.5", Jacksonville, Illinois, May 6, 1886, to John C. Black, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C. Folds, small area of loss to corner on first page, fine condition. This routine letter concerning a veteran's pension claim was written during the earliest phase of Bryan's professional life when he was but a green 25 year-old country lawyer.
Autograph Note Signed, "W.J. Bryan", one page on U.S. House of Representatives memo sheet, 4" x 8.5", Washington, D. C., January 11, 1892. Bryan, as a young congressman from Nebraska, writes to the Secretary of the Interior on behalf of a constituent wanting a copy of the "Legislative Blue Bk". Excellent condition.
Typed Letter Signed, "W. J. Bryan", one page on personal letterhead, 5.5" x 8.5", Miami, Florida, February 17, 1922 to Prof. William Craig, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This rather cryptic letter reads: "I shall not be in Philadelphia on the sixth but shall be pleased to see you on the fifth and we can then talk about further arrangements." Folds, small smear to signature. Very fine condition. This small group nearly spans the entirety of Bryan's career.
Autograph card, 4.25" x 2.75, reading "W. J. Bryan". Excellent large signature suitable for framing. Glue residue on verso from old album mounting, else bold and very fine condition.
Autograph Letter Signed, "W. J. Bryan", two pages on business letterhead, 5.75" x 9.5", Jacksonville, Illinois, May 6, 1886, to John C. Black, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C. Folds, small area of loss to corner on first page, fine condition. This routine letter concerning a veteran's pension claim was written during the earliest phase of Bryan's professional life when he was but a green 25 year-old country lawyer.
Autograph Note Signed, "W.J. Bryan", one page on U.S. House of Representatives memo sheet, 4" x 8.5", Washington, D. C., January 11, 1892. Bryan, as a young congressman from Nebraska, writes to the Secretary of the Interior on behalf of a constituent wanting a copy of the "Legislative Blue Bk". Excellent condition.
Typed Letter Signed, "W. J. Bryan", one page on personal letterhead, 5.5" x 8.5", Miami, Florida, February 17, 1922 to Prof. William Craig, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This rather cryptic letter reads: "I shall not be in Philadelphia on the sixth but shall be pleased to see you on the fifth and we can then talk about further arrangements." Folds, small smear to signature. Very fine condition. This small group nearly spans the entirety of Bryan's career.
Charles Dickens Autograph Letter Signed "Charles Dickens," one page, 4.5" x 7". Devonshire Terrace, Saturday March 2, 1844. With postmarked 4" x 2.25" envelope front panel signed "Charles Dickens" in the lower left, addressed by Dickens to "G. Herbert Rodwell/21 Brompton Row." Dickens writes, in full, "I have been out of town, or I would have answered your letter before - Mr D'almaine is at perfect liberty to use the Lithograph for the purpose proposed. And pray thank that gentleman in my name for the handsome book he has so kindly sent me by your hands." A Christmas Carol; or, Past, Present, and Future by Edward Stirling had opened at London's Adelphi Theatre on February 5, 1844, less than two months after Dickens' book was published. According to the advertisements, it was "the only dramatic version sanctioned by C. Dickens, Esq." In this production, The Ghost of Christmas Present sang "The Song of Christmas" with words by Edward Fitzball and music by G. Herbert Rodwell (1800-1852). According to Michael Patrick Hearn in his introduction to The Annotated Christmas Carol (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2003), "Dickens gave Rodwell permission to reproduce Leech's picture "Scrooge's Third Visitor" on the sheet music, published by D'Almaine and Company." This letter was written just 25 days after Stirling's production opened and is, undoubtedly, Dickens' permission to D'Almaine to reproduce John Leech's lithograph on the sheet music of Rodwell's song. Dickens had financed the publishing of A Christmas Carol himself and had commissioned John Leech (1817-1864) to create four woodcuts and four hand colored etchings. One of his colored etchings was "Scrooge's third Visitor," depicting The Ghost of Christmas Present, the character who sang Rodwell's song in the play. The letter, in apparent very fine condition, and the signed envelope panel (light foxing, fine condition) have been affixed to a sheet and double-matted with engravings of a Dickens bust portrait (and facsimile signature) and the author's Devonshire home from whence he wrote this letter. Ornately framed under glass, it measures 27.5" x 19.5". Dickens letters referring to A Christmas Carol, even in passing, are extremely desirable. This letter, boldly signed by Dickens with six paraphs, would make an exceptional addition to a literary collection.
Arthur Conan Doyle: An Extraordinary Manuscript on Spiritualism & an Autograph Letter! This lot is comprised of three pieces: a Typewritten Manuscript, bearing copious Autograph corrections and interpolations, an Autograph Letter Signed, and a Typed Letter Signed of Conan Doyle's widow, Jean Conan Doyle. They are, then, as follows: 1) Typed Manuscript, with numerous Autograph additions, deletions and corrections in dark ink, entitled "The Religion of Conan Doyle" and being in the form of an interview, 11 pages, 8.5" by 11", no place, no date. Some wear at being handled, else fine. 2) Autograph Letter Signed ("A. Conan Doyle"), 1 page, 4/5" by 6.75", 23 Oakley Street, Monday, no month or year; to Marillier. In very fine condition. 3) [Arthur Conan Doyle] Jean Conan Doyle, Typed Letter Signed, 1 page, 7" by 8", Windlesham, Crowborough, Sussex, August 19, 1930. To editor and writer George Sylvester Viereck. Here the least shall go first: the letter of Lady Conan Doyle to Viereck refers to the above-described manuscript ("the excellent interview which you published") and the recent death of her husband some weeks before. The Conan Doyle A.L.S. concerns his schedule of engagements for the week, and refers to his wife and his sister. Best and last is the manuscript...
Spiritualism became Conan Doyle's religion - and driving force - from World War I on. In this remarkable manuscript, he discusses his personal experience with spirits, Henry Ford, Oscar Wilde and Einstein; of course, such Spiritualist concepts as the soul, reincarnation, telepathy, even the (notoriously fraudulent) Cottingley Fairies come up too. In part, in brief:I [the interviewer] Do you believe in reincarnation like Henry Ford? Doyle: I believe the soul is born and reborn many times. I am not sure that it is dons the human form after it has discarded that garment, but my thoughts incline that way... I: Do you consider Ford a great man? Doyle: He is a great personality. I: Why? Doyle: Because he is uncorrupted by his millions. No man can tell if he is incorruptible until such wealth is thrust upon him... I: Did you have any personal contact with the spiritual world? Doyle: When Geley, the French savant and spiritualist, died I was sitting with a medium in England. Suddenly I heard a whispered word, 'Geley.' I asked, in French, "When you had your accident were the moulds you carried broken?' The answer was 'Oui, Oui, ils etaient casses.' Though the medium did not know a word of French, the spirit communicated through him in that language."... [The interviewer asks about a posthumous book of Oscar Wilde's psychic utterances, Oscar Wilde from Purgatory by Hester Travers-Smith] Doyle: I knew Oscar Wilde when he was living. In that book I recognize poetic and epigrammatic passages which are as characteristic of Wilde as anything that bears his imprint... I: Einstein told me modern mathematicians include in their calculations an infinite number of dimensions. Doyle: Einstein merely expressed what every Spiritualist knows..." Covered too are Conan Doyle's thoughts on fairies, marriage, death, the Buddha, Moses, Christ, Mohammed and heaven. A fascinating, heavily marked manuscript! From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
Spiritualism became Conan Doyle's religion - and driving force - from World War I on. In this remarkable manuscript, he discusses his personal experience with spirits, Henry Ford, Oscar Wilde and Einstein; of course, such Spiritualist concepts as the soul, reincarnation, telepathy, even the (notoriously fraudulent) Cottingley Fairies come up too. In part, in brief:I [the interviewer] Do you believe in reincarnation like Henry Ford? Doyle: I believe the soul is born and reborn many times. I am not sure that it is dons the human form after it has discarded that garment, but my thoughts incline that way... I: Do you consider Ford a great man? Doyle: He is a great personality. I: Why? Doyle: Because he is uncorrupted by his millions. No man can tell if he is incorruptible until such wealth is thrust upon him... I: Did you have any personal contact with the spiritual world? Doyle: When Geley, the French savant and spiritualist, died I was sitting with a medium in England. Suddenly I heard a whispered word, 'Geley.' I asked, in French, "When you had your accident were the moulds you carried broken?' The answer was 'Oui, Oui, ils etaient casses.' Though the medium did not know a word of French, the spirit communicated through him in that language."... [The interviewer asks about a posthumous book of Oscar Wilde's psychic utterances, Oscar Wilde from Purgatory by Hester Travers-Smith] Doyle: I knew Oscar Wilde when he was living. In that book I recognize poetic and epigrammatic passages which are as characteristic of Wilde as anything that bears his imprint... I: Einstein told me modern mathematicians include in their calculations an infinite number of dimensions. Doyle: Einstein merely expressed what every Spiritualist knows..." Covered too are Conan Doyle's thoughts on fairies, marriage, death, the Buddha, Moses, Christ, Mohammed and heaven. A fascinating, heavily marked manuscript! From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
Alexandre Dumas, père, Autograph Note Signed, "Alex Dumas", one page, 8" x 5.25", n.p., n.d. Dumas writes to a certain Laquis requesting a favor. Folds, else fine condition. Alexandre Dumas (1802 - 1870) remains one of literature's most popular novelists with enduring classics such as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers to his credit.
Edward M. Forster Autograph Letter Signed "E M Forster". One page, 4.5" x 7", July 26, 1950, King's College, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Written on King's College stationery, the letter reads in full: "Dear M: Winster, I am now back in Cambridge and I have looked at H. Loves Dickinson papers. As I anticipated, they contain no more information about Henry Salt...which I included in my biography of S.L.D. So I am afraid I can be of no further help. Yours sincerely" The letter is attached to a board with a photo of the author. It could quite possibly be removed.
Books
Dr. Seuss Signed Association Copy: The Cat in the Hat With Typed Letter Signed. Includes a first edition, later state copy of the classic The Cat in the Hat (New York: Random House, 1957), 61 pages, signed by Seuss on the verso of the ffep "With very best wishes...Dr. Seuss", illustrated by the author, uncoated pictorial boards, 8vo (7" x 9.25"), very good in a slightly chipped jacket with no price printed on the front flap. This is the personal copy of Georgia Sealoff who was associated with Ted "Dr. Seuss" Geisel through the Japan Library School at Keio University, Tokyo. Sealoff has pasted a black and white photo of Geisel's 1953 visit to the school on the copyright page and annotated it with the names of the individuals in the group shot including Geisel and his wife. Accompanying the book is a one page typed letter on Dr. Seuss letterhead, dated March 16, 1981 signed "Ted Geisel" in which he thanks Ms. Sealoff for her thoughtful letter marking his birthday. He also fondly reminisces about his visit to Keio University nearly thirty years before. The letter has a thumbtack hole in the upper left corner and has been folded, else fine with the accompanying envelope.
Dr. Seuss Signed: And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street. (New York: Vanguard Press, 1937), 13th printing, unpaginated, illustrated by the author, signed by author "Best Wishes...Dr. Seuss", on the recto of the ffep, pictorial boards, 4to (8.25" x 11"), yellowed remnants of cellophane tape on front and rear boards, also on dust jacket flaps, else very good in a very good jacket. This was Seuss' first children's book.
Autographs
Nathaniel Hawthorne Document Signed "Nathl Hawthorne". One page, 9" x 14.5", Liverpool, May 26, 1855. A departure record signed for the ship Jane Parker. The document lists the dozen sailors aboard the ship, as well as their ages, heights, and wages. The document has an impressed seal and Hawthorne's signature is large and dark. Attached to Hawthorne's signed document is another document detailing the crew and ship. There is a third document from the American Consulate in Antwerp for the Jane Parker. In 1855, Hawthorne was the American Consul at Liverpool. He left the United States in 1853 to travel to Europe. He spent seven years there before returning to Concord to resume his writing. One of the most celebrated American authors, Hawthorne wrote short stories and novels which dealt with the interior workings of the heart, the nature of sin, and New England's Puritan past. The archive has the usual folds associated with any papers carried on a ship but is in fine condition overall.
Ernest Hemingway Handwritten Partial Letter about Hunting , the concluding two pages signed "Papa". Two pages in pencil, 8.25" x 11", front and verso. No place, no date. On tan paper. To "Mr. T". Numbered at top "3" and "4" by Hemingway.
In part: ""I wish to hell you were here for the grizzlies. There is much more game than before. I want to get you a good grizzly for your trophy house. So far the hides are beautiful, long thick hair as pretty as your black bear but even much longer and like a silver fox in color almost...I wrote Georgie Barber about working for me because Jose said he had offer as quartermaster...Jose works hard to keep boat clean but he is so dirty himself that he dirties everything he cleans - He is like an animal too and slightly (sometimes more than) goofy. But he is a good sailor in a storm or anything like that. But will be glad not to have the dirt and goofyhood. He is a good painter but no mechanic. Geo is supposed to be a moderate mechanic. If he keeps boat up properly and is reliable will be O.K. I know enough now about keeping boat up so I can check. I told him to get from you what he needed for the boat...I will try to buy some pheasants - that man Leahy we met in Havana and fished (caught him a marlin) asked us to shoot with them in S. Dakota. Tommy was good in the hills - Shoots badly but walks well and is a good kid. He shot at the grizzlies shoulder at 50 yards and hit it in base of jaw - would have missed at 100 - but he got it. P.O. Mama is crazy about grizzly hunting says they make more impressive...than lion - they are handsome and big as hell. But believe you me there is no comparison in danger...they (1) havent the speed - (2) Knock down easy (3) I don't think have such bad ideas on acct of killed more chipmunks than wildebeastes. So long, Mr T. thanks for sending the rod to Aksel. Love, again, to Mrs. T." Tattered at left and right edges.
Hunting and fishing were important activities in the life of Ernest Hemingway, and they figured prominently into some of his most famous works. Although only the last two pages of the four page letter are present, the thoughts expressed, especially those about hunting, are complete in itself.
In part: ""I wish to hell you were here for the grizzlies. There is much more game than before. I want to get you a good grizzly for your trophy house. So far the hides are beautiful, long thick hair as pretty as your black bear but even much longer and like a silver fox in color almost...I wrote Georgie Barber about working for me because Jose said he had offer as quartermaster...Jose works hard to keep boat clean but he is so dirty himself that he dirties everything he cleans - He is like an animal too and slightly (sometimes more than) goofy. But he is a good sailor in a storm or anything like that. But will be glad not to have the dirt and goofyhood. He is a good painter but no mechanic. Geo is supposed to be a moderate mechanic. If he keeps boat up properly and is reliable will be O.K. I know enough now about keeping boat up so I can check. I told him to get from you what he needed for the boat...I will try to buy some pheasants - that man Leahy we met in Havana and fished (caught him a marlin) asked us to shoot with them in S. Dakota. Tommy was good in the hills - Shoots badly but walks well and is a good kid. He shot at the grizzlies shoulder at 50 yards and hit it in base of jaw - would have missed at 100 - but he got it. P.O. Mama is crazy about grizzly hunting says they make more impressive...than lion - they are handsome and big as hell. But believe you me there is no comparison in danger...they (1) havent the speed - (2) Knock down easy (3) I don't think have such bad ideas on acct of killed more chipmunks than wildebeastes. So long, Mr T. thanks for sending the rod to Aksel. Love, again, to Mrs. T." Tattered at left and right edges.
Hunting and fishing were important activities in the life of Ernest Hemingway, and they figured prominently into some of his most famous works. Although only the last two pages of the four page letter are present, the thoughts expressed, especially those about hunting, are complete in itself.
Ernest Hemingway Approves Dramatization of A Farewell to Arms. Partly Printed Draft Contract Signed: "E.H." at top of first page beneath "The terms of the following contract are hereby approved." 15 pages, 8" x 13", front and verso. New York, December 13, 1929. Agreement between A. H. Woods (referred to as "Manager") and Lawrence (sic, Laurence) Stallings (referred to as "Author"). In part: "Whereas, the Author is dramatizing and will be the Author and/or Proprietor of a certain play or dramatic composition provisionally entitled 'A Farewell to Arms,' founded on a novel written and controlled by Ernest Hemingway entitled 'A Farwell [sic] to Arms'...The Author hereby leases to the Manager the sole and exclusive right of presentation on the regular speaking stage in the United States of America and Dominion of Canada of the play now entitled 'A Farewell to Arms'...The Manager agrees to announce the name of both Laurence Stallings and Ernest Hemingway in all advertising matter in which the name of the Manager appears, in the following manner: 'A Farewell to Arms'/by/Laurence Stallings/Based on a Novel written by/Ernest Hemingway'...The Dramatist Laurence Stallings and the Author Ernest Hemingway do hereby designate the American Play Company, Inc. and Paul Reynolds as their agents...." Royalties based on box-office receipts are listed as are payments from rights including radio and motion picture rights "silent and/or sound". The last 11 pages of the contract is the standard agreement between the Dramatists' Guild and the Manager.
Laurence Stallings' adaptation of "A Farewell to Arms," produced by A.H. Woods, opened at the National Theatre in New York on September 22, 1930, starring Elissa Landi and Glenn Anders. It closed after 24 performances. The film version of "A Farewell to Arms" opened on December 8, 1932. Starring Helen Hayes and GaryCooper, it was nominated for the 1934 Academy Award for Best Picture, winning two Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Sound. Hemingway was, of course, credited with writing the novel but Stallings was not credited for writing the play; Benjamin Glazer and Oliver H.P. Garrett received credit for the screenplay. Since this contract was not signed by Woods or Stallings, it was most probably a draft contract for Hemingway's approval before the actual contract was agreed to. Included is a four page, 6.75" x 9", program for the Sunday, October 22, 1950, radio broadcast of "The Theatre Guild on the Air" on NBC, sponsored by U.S. Steel, presenting "'A Farewell to Arms' by Ernest Hemingway," starring Joan Fontaine and Humphrey Bogart. Again, Stallings name is not listed, even though the 1929 draft contract offered here, approved by Hemingway, specifically mentions motion picture and radio rights. Two items. Fine condition.
Laurence Stallings' adaptation of "A Farewell to Arms," produced by A.H. Woods, opened at the National Theatre in New York on September 22, 1930, starring Elissa Landi and Glenn Anders. It closed after 24 performances. The film version of "A Farewell to Arms" opened on December 8, 1932. Starring Helen Hayes and GaryCooper, it was nominated for the 1934 Academy Award for Best Picture, winning two Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Sound. Hemingway was, of course, credited with writing the novel but Stallings was not credited for writing the play; Benjamin Glazer and Oliver H.P. Garrett received credit for the screenplay. Since this contract was not signed by Woods or Stallings, it was most probably a draft contract for Hemingway's approval before the actual contract was agreed to. Included is a four page, 6.75" x 9", program for the Sunday, October 22, 1950, radio broadcast of "The Theatre Guild on the Air" on NBC, sponsored by U.S. Steel, presenting "'A Farewell to Arms' by Ernest Hemingway," starring Joan Fontaine and Humphrey Bogart. Again, Stallings name is not listed, even though the 1929 draft contract offered here, approved by Hemingway, specifically mentions motion picture and radio rights. Two items. Fine condition.
Books
Ernest Hemingway Signed March, 1930 Edition of Fortune Magazine. (New York: Time, Inc., 1930), 152 pages, folio (11.25" x 14"). Hemingway began his career as a reporter for the Kansas City Star, and continued to write nonfiction articles for periodicals and newspapers for the balance of his life. In this edition of Fortune, Hemingway published an article on one of his favorite subjects: bullfighting. The article, called "Bullfighting, Sport and Industry", begins on page 83 of the magazine and is signed "Ernest Hemingway" at the right of the title. Just two years later, Hemingway would publish his famous collection on bullfighting, Death in the Afternoon. The magazine is in very good condition, with some rubbing to the covers, and very minimal foxing to the beginning and end of the text. This is a truly rare opportunity to get a Hemingway signature on a bullfighting piece from very early in his writing career.
Autographs
Original Signed Sketch of Ernest Hemingway for the Dust Jacket of the First Edition of The Sun Also Rises. This is the original pencil sketch that appeared on the back panel of the dust jacket of Hemingway's wildly successful first novel. The pencil sketch is signed by the artist just underneath the portrait, "John Blomshield Paris 1925".
Below the artist's signature is what appears to be Hemingway's full signature, though we are unable to offer a consensus authentication. In a letter from the great niece of John Blomshield that accompanies this lot, she states that "We know that John left his native Michigan in his early twenties, to seek fortune in the 'City of Light' and that he spent several years in Paris, but can find no written record of how his path crossed that of Ernest Hemingway. How did this rising young author become the object of a sketch by this struggling young artist? Perhaps it was in one of those smoky Paris cafés where Hemingway liked to eat, drink and write. We have no way of knowing. It does seem probable, however, that John was acquainted with Hemingway in Paris, at least on a casual basis. They had several things in common. They were both about the same age, both were born and raised in the same part of Michigan (it's even been said that the two might have known each other there), both had ventured abroad, and both had been drawn to Paris in pursuit of their art. They probably traveled in the same circles with other expatriate writers and artists dwelling in Paris at the time, including ones that later became famous, such as Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Picasso...Family oral history has it that, after sitting for the sketch, Hemingway was so impressed with it that he insisted it was going to be on the cover [of] his upcoming novel and that he then autographed it at John's request."
Whether or not Hemingway actually signed this beautiful sketch does not detract from its allure. The fact remains that it is an important piece of Hemingway memorabilia signed by the artist. It is the original sketch of a young Hemingway in the thick of The Lost Generation, when some of the most important art and literature of the twentieth century was being created in Paris. The sketch visible through the mat measures 9" x 11.25" and is framed to an overall size of 14.5" x 19.5". The sketch itself is in near mint condition, though there is a small tear to the mat inside the frame, not affecting the sketch, and only mentioned for complete accuracy. A slipcased reprint of the first edition of The Sun Also Rises accompanies this lot, showing how the sketch was represented on the book that made Hemingway a household name.
Below the artist's signature is what appears to be Hemingway's full signature, though we are unable to offer a consensus authentication. In a letter from the great niece of John Blomshield that accompanies this lot, she states that "We know that John left his native Michigan in his early twenties, to seek fortune in the 'City of Light' and that he spent several years in Paris, but can find no written record of how his path crossed that of Ernest Hemingway. How did this rising young author become the object of a sketch by this struggling young artist? Perhaps it was in one of those smoky Paris cafés where Hemingway liked to eat, drink and write. We have no way of knowing. It does seem probable, however, that John was acquainted with Hemingway in Paris, at least on a casual basis. They had several things in common. They were both about the same age, both were born and raised in the same part of Michigan (it's even been said that the two might have known each other there), both had ventured abroad, and both had been drawn to Paris in pursuit of their art. They probably traveled in the same circles with other expatriate writers and artists dwelling in Paris at the time, including ones that later became famous, such as Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Picasso...Family oral history has it that, after sitting for the sketch, Hemingway was so impressed with it that he insisted it was going to be on the cover [of] his upcoming novel and that he then autographed it at John's request."
Whether or not Hemingway actually signed this beautiful sketch does not detract from its allure. The fact remains that it is an important piece of Hemingway memorabilia signed by the artist. It is the original sketch of a young Hemingway in the thick of The Lost Generation, when some of the most important art and literature of the twentieth century was being created in Paris. The sketch visible through the mat measures 9" x 11.25" and is framed to an overall size of 14.5" x 19.5". The sketch itself is in near mint condition, though there is a small tear to the mat inside the frame, not affecting the sketch, and only mentioned for complete accuracy. A slipcased reprint of the first edition of The Sun Also Rises accompanies this lot, showing how the sketch was represented on the book that made Hemingway a household name.
Julia Ward Howe Autograph Manuscript Signed in full. Two pages, 8" x 10", no place, no date. An author best remembered for "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", she was also a suffragette, dramatist, poet, and biographer. Offered here is an autograph poem signed at the conclusion. The poem, entitled "In Cologne Cathedral" reads in full: "I felt the glories of the ancient shrine / Wrap me about with harmonies divine / The childlike faith, the earnest sacrifice, / The inspiration of the truly wise. / Here missing souls for centuries have prayed, / Here hath man's bleeding heart...made, / What throngs devout, what aspirations vast / People the dreamy regions of the Past! / But now, the splendors of the later thought / Break on my dream, deliverance dearly bought / By martyr spirits that could waste and burn / With pangs enforced, our liberties to earn. / Above the mass-bell the clear sentence rings, / Above the incense soar the angel's wings / And for the mystic sentence hid in light, /I see uprise the prophet's brow of might / Chiding us human children from our toys, / Meeting our tasks out with unflinching voice / Oh! Holy Past - oh Future, dear to me; /I stand between in God's eternity." There are corrections over several words, indicating this was a draft of the final poem and not a commemorative copy. The paper has minor stains that affects nothing, and it is in fine condition overall with dark ink and a bold signature.
Julia Ward Howe Autograph Letter Signed "Julia W. Howe". 2.5 pages, 4" x 6", foldover lettersheet, np, nd, to "My dear Fields". This was almost certainly James Fields, co-publisher of Atlantic Monthly, the magazine that first published Howe's "Battle Hymn of the Republic." It reads, in part: "I have kept this, not liking the 2nd line of the first verse. Is this better? 'An amber, gathering straws?' Please look at this seriously..." She is speaking of one of her poems, titled "The Fine Lady," that was originally published in the January, 1863 issue of Atlantic. Very fine save for a couple of light, minor stains on the front page. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Amazing Jack Kerouac Autograph Letter Signed, "Jean", three pages, 6" x 9" on note paper, Orlando, Florida, March 27, 1962 to Jacques Beckwith, New York City. It reads in full: "Dear Jacques - I didn't leave 'unceremoniously', I was in Hicksville L.I. near Idlewild Airport (at my lawyer's house) & took the first plane I could get because also I was coughing & choking on my coughing like a T.B. - And sure enough, in a week, the Florida sunshine & sleep got rid of the cough - Didn't you hear me cough in N.Y.? (mostly from sleeplessness for 7 days & nights, thus more smoking & nerves) (& bronchitis had set in) - I was really afraid of winding up in a N.Y. hospital -
And to come back to Manhattan from L.I. & & start drinking with Lucien or Gregory again would have done it - & with poor Hugo -
of course I'm not mad at you, Jacques my buddy - Mad at Lois, yes, but for no good reason because she's always had other guys anyway - But she's gotten mean for the first time, mean to me I mean, since that idiot psychoanalytical warlock's got hold of her - But I'm not even mad at Lois because every time I had a chance to make love to her I deliberately got drunker anyway because I really don't believe in Sangsara anymore just like I was when she first met me & she begged me to make love to her & I would not for months - Sangsara is the work of Maratha Tempster and I'm not going to be tempted so easily any more - I'm a priest at heart even tho such a wiseguy loudmouth 'wit' when I feel 'good' on booze - I'm not 'tough', just a soft hearted Imbecile - over - And Lois & Janet & all those other girls actually scare me down deep (Dodie didn't scare me half as much!) - They scare me because of their slinky beauty like snake-beauty...what do they want? Out of me? If they won't give me a piece of ass because I'm a rowdy inattentive monk drunk, then why do they want to see me? They scare me like the Devil - Their intentions are not honorable. - They also realize I don't like women & never did - I only like their bodies for sex - I think women are evil the way they coolly manage men with big ungovernable hurting hard-ons - Let the devil take his Eve back - I am Adam and I'm alone again with all my ribs intact
as for N.Y., you saw what happened - If I cant even keep a cheap hotel room to read in & sleep in& meditate in....what can I do in N.Y. but be a drunken mess? It's a shame you've never known me when I'm sober, in the woods, & don't say much - you will someday -
I'm back at my writing work again now, on this cool halfmoon night - I sit by my new little cumquat tree & wait for my mind to organize another drama for the necessary exercise of my poetic narrative - like Handel I sometimes fall on my knees and pray for work -
Page Two Right now I'm just waiting - typing up old poems & haikus & prose pieces & putting them together in different bound volumes - and pretty soon I'm going to study the history of Europe in detail - I meanwhile dabble at the New Testament, Thoreau's 'Week on concord & Merrimack', Psalms of David, George Herbert's holy poetry, Haiku of Japan: Spring rain/ Conveyed under the trees/ in drops - Basho Harusame no / Koshita ni tsutau / shizuku kana etc.
by the way Jacques, why don't you throw those 3 books in an envelope (Morley & Singer) & send 'em to me - ordinary mail, 25-cents or so -
I'm paying $52 a month for the girl they say is my daughter - I still know she's no Kerouac but the law insists & besides I can afford it now - But I will have nothing to do with her or her mother or her mother's lovers - (The Judge told me the N.Y. Supreme court allows no illegitimacy, and the blood test doctor works for the Supreme Court, is appointed by the Supreme Court, so there are no bastards in N.Y. State period.) -
I wanted to see Lucien & Cesssa again but tell them how sick I was - Enclosed is a letter for Dear Hugo (Give it to him or mail it on) A plus tar copain Jean". Entirely in pencil. Staple in upper left corner of second page and staple perforation in upper corner of first page resulting in minimal loss. With original stamped mailing envelope addressed in Kerouac's hand. The letter is clean and in very fine condition; the envelope is somewhat soiled with an old tape repair to one side and is in fine condition. Jack Kerouac is revered as America's foremost writer of the "Beat" generation, having published such landmark works as "On the Road", "The Dharma Bums" and "Visions of Cody". Born Jean-Louis to French-Canadian parents in 1922, Kerouac gravitated to the creative, free-thinkers of mid-1940s New York and became friends with the likes of Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs, Neal Cassady and Gregory Corso. Kerouac's rambling, drunken lifestyle led to physical ailments, depressions and strained relationships. His second wife, Joan Haverty, in fact, sent Kerouac packing in 1952 while she was pregnant with their daughter, Janet. In 1957 Kerouac settled in a modest Orlando, Florida bungalow, which is probably where the letter offered here was written. This letter not only reflects Keouac's mental state in the spring on 1962, it mentions important people in his life such as editor - and convicted killer - Lucien Carr, Beat poet Gregory Corso, painter Hugo Weber, girlfriend Lois Sorrell and his estranged daughter Janet. Interestingly, Kerouac signs off with his given French name rather than the Anglicized "Jack", implying that Beckwith must have been a very old acquaintance.
And to come back to Manhattan from L.I. & & start drinking with Lucien or Gregory again would have done it - & with poor Hugo -
of course I'm not mad at you, Jacques my buddy - Mad at Lois, yes, but for no good reason because she's always had other guys anyway - But she's gotten mean for the first time, mean to me I mean, since that idiot psychoanalytical warlock's got hold of her - But I'm not even mad at Lois because every time I had a chance to make love to her I deliberately got drunker anyway because I really don't believe in Sangsara anymore just like I was when she first met me & she begged me to make love to her & I would not for months - Sangsara is the work of Maratha Tempster and I'm not going to be tempted so easily any more - I'm a priest at heart even tho such a wiseguy loudmouth 'wit' when I feel 'good' on booze - I'm not 'tough', just a soft hearted Imbecile - over - And Lois & Janet & all those other girls actually scare me down deep (Dodie didn't scare me half as much!) - They scare me because of their slinky beauty like snake-beauty...what do they want? Out of me? If they won't give me a piece of ass because I'm a rowdy inattentive monk drunk, then why do they want to see me? They scare me like the Devil - Their intentions are not honorable. - They also realize I don't like women & never did - I only like their bodies for sex - I think women are evil the way they coolly manage men with big ungovernable hurting hard-ons - Let the devil take his Eve back - I am Adam and I'm alone again with all my ribs intact
as for N.Y., you saw what happened - If I cant even keep a cheap hotel room to read in & sleep in& meditate in....what can I do in N.Y. but be a drunken mess? It's a shame you've never known me when I'm sober, in the woods, & don't say much - you will someday -
I'm back at my writing work again now, on this cool halfmoon night - I sit by my new little cumquat tree & wait for my mind to organize another drama for the necessary exercise of my poetic narrative - like Handel I sometimes fall on my knees and pray for work -
Page Two Right now I'm just waiting - typing up old poems & haikus & prose pieces & putting them together in different bound volumes - and pretty soon I'm going to study the history of Europe in detail - I meanwhile dabble at the New Testament, Thoreau's 'Week on concord & Merrimack', Psalms of David, George Herbert's holy poetry, Haiku of Japan: Spring rain/ Conveyed under the trees/ in drops - Basho Harusame no / Koshita ni tsutau / shizuku kana etc.
by the way Jacques, why don't you throw those 3 books in an envelope (Morley & Singer) & send 'em to me - ordinary mail, 25-cents or so -
I'm paying $52 a month for the girl they say is my daughter - I still know she's no Kerouac but the law insists & besides I can afford it now - But I will have nothing to do with her or her mother or her mother's lovers - (The Judge told me the N.Y. Supreme court allows no illegitimacy, and the blood test doctor works for the Supreme Court, is appointed by the Supreme Court, so there are no bastards in N.Y. State period.) -
I wanted to see Lucien & Cesssa again but tell them how sick I was - Enclosed is a letter for Dear Hugo (Give it to him or mail it on) A plus tar copain Jean". Entirely in pencil. Staple in upper left corner of second page and staple perforation in upper corner of first page resulting in minimal loss. With original stamped mailing envelope addressed in Kerouac's hand. The letter is clean and in very fine condition; the envelope is somewhat soiled with an old tape repair to one side and is in fine condition. Jack Kerouac is revered as America's foremost writer of the "Beat" generation, having published such landmark works as "On the Road", "The Dharma Bums" and "Visions of Cody". Born Jean-Louis to French-Canadian parents in 1922, Kerouac gravitated to the creative, free-thinkers of mid-1940s New York and became friends with the likes of Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs, Neal Cassady and Gregory Corso. Kerouac's rambling, drunken lifestyle led to physical ailments, depressions and strained relationships. His second wife, Joan Haverty, in fact, sent Kerouac packing in 1952 while she was pregnant with their daughter, Janet. In 1957 Kerouac settled in a modest Orlando, Florida bungalow, which is probably where the letter offered here was written. This letter not only reflects Keouac's mental state in the spring on 1962, it mentions important people in his life such as editor - and convicted killer - Lucien Carr, Beat poet Gregory Corso, painter Hugo Weber, girlfriend Lois Sorrell and his estranged daughter Janet. Interestingly, Kerouac signs off with his given French name rather than the Anglicized "Jack", implying that Beckwith must have been a very old acquaintance.
Jack Kerouac Autograph Note Signed. One page, 8.5' x 11", Hyannis, Massachusetts, after June 7, 1968. A struggling writer, Denis Brian, was about to publish his first novel and writes to ask Kerouac to read it and comment on it before publication. Kerouac responds with an "O.K. Jack Kerouac" at the bottom of the original letter. Kerouac, a novelist representative of the Fifties Beat generation, is best remembered for his works On The Road and The Big Sur. Brian's book The Love Minded was published by Prentice-Hall in 1968.
Francis Scott Key Autograph Document Signed, "F S Key", one pages, 8 x 3.5 inches, [no place] May 9, [18]08 a check drawn on the Bank of Columbia for $52.73 1/2. Mounted to a larger sheet, minor hole not affecting text, lightly toned at edges, usual folds, else very good condition.
Herman Melville Signature in full in ink on heavy stock, 8" x 5", adding "Arrowhead, 1872" beneath his name. Melville was an American writer who worked as a cabin boy on frigates and whalers, and went on to write Moby Dick and Billy Budd. While considered a literary masterpiece now, Moby Dick was not popular with his contemporaries, receiving poor reviews and never even selling out its first edition in Melville's lifetime.
Laid down beneath Melville's signature is the signature of Mary A. Lathbury, a famous author associated with the Chautauqua Movement, WCTU activist, and writer of several still-popular Christian hymns. On the verso are the signatures and handwritten quotes of Isabel (Lady Henry) Somerset and Frances Willard on verso. These two women were close friends and national leaders in the Temperance movement both in the U.S. and Great Britain. An excellent group of signatures. Eroded paper surface and glue remnants not touching signature itself. Very good condition.
Laid down beneath Melville's signature is the signature of Mary A. Lathbury, a famous author associated with the Chautauqua Movement, WCTU activist, and writer of several still-popular Christian hymns. On the verso are the signatures and handwritten quotes of Isabel (Lady Henry) Somerset and Frances Willard on verso. These two women were close friends and national leaders in the Temperance movement both in the U.S. and Great Britain. An excellent group of signatures. Eroded paper surface and glue remnants not touching signature itself. Very good condition.
James Randall Autograph Letter Signed "James R. Randall". Two pages, 8vo, Augusta, Georgia, October 21, 1895, concerning his famous song "Maryland, My Maryland". Early in the Civil War, Randall read about a Baltimore riot that started when provoked federal troops fired on a crowd. Deeply stirred, he wrote "Maryland, My Maryland", which became one of the immortal songs of the Confederacy and the state song of Maryland. The letter reads in part: "..I have so many calls to write "My Maryland' autographically that I am not able very conveniently, to oblige kind folks in this particular. I beg that you will be content for one verse..." He adds a postscript, "See the Century Magazine for August 1887, for an account of "My Maryland' etc." On a second sheet, mounted to the bottom of the letter, he pens the words to his wonderful song. In part: "Hark to an exiled son's appeal, Maryland! My Mother-State, to thee I kneel, Maryland!...Maryland! My Maryland!" Light soiling, but very clear legible writing. A wonderful piece!
Miscellaneous
Autograph Unpublished Manuscript "The Voyage of the Trevessa's Boats" signed twice by the author "Owen Rutter", 17 pages, 8" x 12.75", unbound, March 12, 1938. It is the story of the survivors of the shipwreck of the S.S. Trevessa. On June 3, 1923, the Trevessa sank in the middle of the southern Indian Ocean, having left Fremantle, Australia for Britain and Europe. Two boats were launched leaving the crew of forty-four hoping for assistance. They eventually set a course for Rodriguez Island. One boat made it after twenty-six days. The other boat however experienced a tragic passage. Water ran short and despite repeated warnings, four Indian members of the crew drank seawater and died. The second engineer fell overboard during rough weather and another crewman died two hours before land was sighted. This boat missed Rodriguez Island and sighted Mauritius on 28 June. The survivors were so exhausted by this time they had to be carried ashore, and the chief cook died soon after arrival. An interesting tale!
Autographs
George Bernard Shaw Photograph Signed "G. Bernard Shaw". A B&W real photo postcard, 3.5" x 5.5", with a three quarter length pose of Shaw seated, glasses in hand, at a desk covered with papers, signed on the wide bottom border in black ink. Note on verso reads, "Given to the Rev. J.R. Barnforth by G. Bernard Shaw 1932." Verso also contains additional pencil notes and two horizontal remnants of tape. Overall fine condition. A rare photo of this Irish dramatist and literary critic.
Signed and Inscribed John Steinbeck Unpublished (and "Unpublishable") Short Story A 4pp. typed manuscript of a short story written by Steinbeck and given as a gift to the father of his friend, New York based musician Murray Louis. Steinbeck has signed and inscribed the manuscript, entitled "Bettencourt, a Christmas Story", on the first page. The manuscript is accompanied by the original transmittal letter, dated "New York 25 Jan 57", written by Louis explaining how and why Steinbeck is gifting the story to Louis's father. He writes: "Dear Folks: Well, the party last night at Steinbeck's was a complete success. Alcohol, the social lubricant, ran like the ocean and everyone was engulfed, including our host. We had a splendid time, arguing about what part of the country represents the most sterile form of smug, sententious and vicious mediocrity. I took the part of northeastern Ohio. John S. tried to outstrip me with ghastly examples of social paralysis in California. To shorten the story, I painted our family in its native environment and tried to vivify for my listeners the sort of 'quiet desperation' that exists there. Dad, you were the main example of how anyone with some degree of sensitivity is constantly frustrated by the general lack of vigor and enthusiasm in his community. I might say that John S. respects you without knowing you. Anyhow, Steinbeck decided that he must send you something. He told me that anyone can scribble in front of a book and that he had done so many times in bookstores. He wanted you to have something unique. Something that suitably symbolized the idea of honesty, humor and realness in the face of a purblind society. The story enclosed and inscribed 'Harold Louis from John Steinbeck, read it in good health,' is an unpublishable story; one which no book house will accept and for obvious reasons. In his own way, S. is showing that he can't accomplish all his literary desires wither. Without an audience, writing is as hollow and pointless as unheard music. So, you come into possession of a peculiar little story about children doing things children do, but an unpublishable story, because we won't admit that children do this sort of thing. But enough. The story is its own spokesman. Besides that, I think it's a marvelous thing to own. I add my own, 'read it in good health.'"
In order to preserve the integrity of its unpublished state, we cannot disclose a transcript, but can say that the story tells of a peculiar incident occuring in an elementary school, what is peculiar is not the incident but that Steinbeck would choose to focus on such a moment. However, it is true to Steinbeck's style of capturing with simplicity and economy of word, the fascination children have with their bodily functions. Although today, the story would not be deemed "unpublishable", in the context of the 50's it is completely understandable why even such a literary giant as Steinbeck could not find a publisher for it.
This manuscript is dedicated and signed by Steinbeck and includes a rich explanation of the significance of the story as well as the motives for it being gifted. A unique opportunity to add a 'one of a kind' piece of literary history capturing not just Steinbeck's gift as a writer but the his insight into human nature.
In order to preserve the integrity of its unpublished state, we cannot disclose a transcript, but can say that the story tells of a peculiar incident occuring in an elementary school, what is peculiar is not the incident but that Steinbeck would choose to focus on such a moment. However, it is true to Steinbeck's style of capturing with simplicity and economy of word, the fascination children have with their bodily functions. Although today, the story would not be deemed "unpublishable", in the context of the 50's it is completely understandable why even such a literary giant as Steinbeck could not find a publisher for it.
This manuscript is dedicated and signed by Steinbeck and includes a rich explanation of the significance of the story as well as the motives for it being gifted. A unique opportunity to add a 'one of a kind' piece of literary history capturing not just Steinbeck's gift as a writer but the his insight into human nature.
John Steinbeck Autograph Letter Signed Sending Misanthropic Christmas Greetings Fantastic content A.L.S. "John", 3pp., 8.5" x 12.5" yellow legal pad, New York, Dec 4, [1957], to Murray Louis regarding the upcoming holiday season and making mention of current projects. In part: "your pitiful cry for intellectual fat-back catches me at high tide. For So! It is Christmas tide and bad-kid tide , and yellow pad tide and if I could only get to the country eel fishing tide and go to bed at 7:30 pm tide. Just be thankful you don't have our intellectual and aesthetic advantages which comprise fighting Bloomingdales, going to openings for no other reason than that I or some I know wrote them, of damp and dreary and what the hell shall we send Aunt Sally. She never wears ou a handkerchief. Mail full of private charitable 'interests' of the rich. Mrs. Spiros Skauros, Dorothy Rodgers, Helen Hayes - fifty dollars a crack and deductible if you've got anything to deduct from, which I haven't... I'm trying to get on with a little book [likely Once There Was a War]. That's almost funny. The time it takes is resented by those who are spending the money it might make if it ever got finished and ever made any money. I've put the long book aside. [likely Winter of our Discontent which would be published in 1961] In the early spring I'm grabbing Elain by the hair and going into hiding in some sullen country where joy and friendship are a sin and relatives have detonators pre set for Christmas tide. These are the Christmas mollygrubs of mal le grub. It's the saddest of all to me, the tinselled, rulumped up funeral of peace. I remember if with horror year by year. Once I invented a holiday for myself called Jack and the Wild Day. It came whe you felt like a holiday and failed on the calendar. I guess I hate most being told to be merry. I'm gay enough if left alone like a gila monster, a jouyous beast, ecstatic saurian until some one says good morning to him. There must be some sullen, hateful hole in Wales where I could prosper. Uncle Criss is easy. He like anything. And that's what he gets - usually the present some spiteful friend gave us last Christmas. Poor Uncle Criss. He's snowed under in slop for the simple error of liking anything..." Much more great content including a rather 'colorful' toast learned, he writes, while serving as an "ordinary seaman" : "When all your friends have left you / And Life seems but a wreck, / May you tumble through your a** hole / And break your f***ing neck." [edited for language] Great content regarding his internal struggles with his own literary success. By this time Steinbeck had worked on numerous film adaptations of his novels, including East of Eden, starring James Dean, whom he thought poorly of. The social obligations and literary restrictions placed on him as a public figure were difficult to navigate and this letter clearly illustrated his discontent. With mailing folds and a single small separation, paper remains very bright and clean. Near fine condition exemplar by a literary giant.
Rose Hartwick Thorpe Archive including an Autograph Manuscript Signed, a fair copy, of "Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight." Thorpe (1850-1939) was born in Mishawaka, Indiana. Growing up, she read and adored the poetry and fiction of the day, especially Longfellow. In the late 1860s, she wrote a long romantic, narrative poem that became a popular success and has been read and studied by students and reprinted hundreds of times in the years since. "Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight" tells the story of a young lady who saves the life of her lover from execution by winning a pardon by her personal plea to Sir Oliver Cromwell. Unfortunately for her, she did not obtain copyright and therefore received little financial return from its huge success. Thorpe worked as a writer and editor for many years and after the death of her husband in 1916, was active in the suffrage movement near her California home. This lot includes the following:
"Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight" AMsS, a fair copy. Six pages, 8.5" x 10.75", San Diego, California, October 1930.
"Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight" AQS, the last stanza of the poem. One page, 5.25" x 5.5", Pacific Beach, California, September 14, 1889.
Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight (Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1882), a heavily illustrated book containing the poem, lacking spine.
Rose Hartwick Thorpe ALS. 1½ pages, 5" x 6.5", San Diego, May 29, 1911, original envelope included.
Rose Hartwick Thorpe Signature on a 3.75" x 2.25" card.
Five items total, very fine condition except as noted.
"Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight" AMsS, a fair copy. Six pages, 8.5" x 10.75", San Diego, California, October 1930.
"Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight" AQS, the last stanza of the poem. One page, 5.25" x 5.5", Pacific Beach, California, September 14, 1889.
Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight (Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1882), a heavily illustrated book containing the poem, lacking spine.
Rose Hartwick Thorpe ALS. 1½ pages, 5" x 6.5", San Diego, May 29, 1911, original envelope included.
Rose Hartwick Thorpe Signature on a 3.75" x 2.25" card.
Five items total, very fine condition except as noted.
Alexis de Tocqueville Autograph Letter Signed "A. Tocqueville", one page, 5.25" x 8", n.p., n.d. Archival tape along left margin, a few stains. Overall fine condition. De Tocqueville (1805-1859) was a French social historian who toured the United States in 1831 and recorded his impressions of the fledgling nation in his landmark Democracy in America. De Tocqueville's work is still regarded as one of the best objective examinations of antebellum America.
Group of Seven Notable Literary Autographs. An excellent array of signatures from some of the mightiest pens of the 20th century. Authors included are:
T. S. Eliot with his name neatly penned on a card, 3.25" x 2", affixed with a Swedish stamp bearing Alfred Nobel's profile.
Elmore Leonard on a 5" x 3" card affixed with a 15-cent John Steinbeck stamp.
Thomas Mann on a joined pair of Swedish stamps having Nobel's profile.
George Bernard Shaw inscribing a 3.5" x 2.5" card with "G Bernard Shaw Ayot Saint Lawrence 23th August 1948" placed over three swedish Nobel stamps.
Upton Sinclair on 3.5" x 2" card affixed with 3-cent U.S. Pulitzer commemorative stamp.
Booth Tarkington on 5" x 3" card also inscribed "Indianapolis, March 5, 1939".
Thornton Wilder on 3.5" x 2" card affixed with 3-cent U.S. Pulitzer commemorative stamp and also inscribed "New Haven June 27. 1947".
The Tarkington card is moderately toned whereas the remaining cards are nearly pristine as made.
T. S. Eliot with his name neatly penned on a card, 3.25" x 2", affixed with a Swedish stamp bearing Alfred Nobel's profile.
Elmore Leonard on a 5" x 3" card affixed with a 15-cent John Steinbeck stamp.
Thomas Mann on a joined pair of Swedish stamps having Nobel's profile.
George Bernard Shaw inscribing a 3.5" x 2.5" card with "G Bernard Shaw Ayot Saint Lawrence 23th August 1948" placed over three swedish Nobel stamps.
Upton Sinclair on 3.5" x 2" card affixed with 3-cent U.S. Pulitzer commemorative stamp.
Booth Tarkington on 5" x 3" card also inscribed "Indianapolis, March 5, 1939".
Thornton Wilder on 3.5" x 2" card affixed with 3-cent U.S. Pulitzer commemorative stamp and also inscribed "New Haven June 27. 1947".
The Tarkington card is moderately toned whereas the remaining cards are nearly pristine as made.
Frederic Auguste Bartholdi Autograph Letter Signed Trying to Raise Funds to Build the Statue of Liberty Great content ALS "Bartholdi" in French, 3pp., 5" x 8", New York, August 26, 1876, to an unknown recipient regarding efforts to raise subscriptions to build the Statue of Liberty. He writes in part: "I am sending you the prospectus of the Franco-American Union Committee and some letters of subscription in case you find a place for them. I regret I can no longer send the discourse brochures, I had to give away the last two, for the New York Herald and to M. Perkins... If you can obtain for us any endorsements, even the most minimal of subscriptions, accompanied by a letter of encouragement to the committee, you would produce an excellent effect. A contrivance of a few dollars wrapped up in a slightly warm letter will be worth a hundred of them in Paris and would drive subscriptions. I have been promised and I hope that before long the expressions of sympathy made by the Americans will be discussed; it is absolutely necessary that we have them exonerated of the accusations of silent indifference... I am leaving for Philadelphia, where I have things to do while I am awaiting the unveiling of the statue of Lafayette..."
Although the Franco-American Union committee began its efforts to raise funds to build the pedestal on which would rest the Statue of Liberty, very little advances would be made until about the time this letter was written. People were reluctant to contribute money as they were unsure of the commitment being made by the French to actually build the Statue. Also, that the Statue would be in New York Harbor made it easy to dismiss as a New York project, not a national one.
Bartholdi threw himself headlong into fundraising, and the trip he refers to in this letter is to campaign for funds at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. He had arranged to place the recently completed the statue's hand and torch on display at the Exposition. His gamble paid off, as it likely contributed heavily to the success of the formation of a Committee in Philadelphia in September of 1876. A similar committee would form in New York, chaired by John Jay; and likely inspired by Bartholdi's statue of the Marquis de Lafayette which celebrated its unveiling in Union Square Park as referred to in this letter in September of 1876.
Also included in this lot is a 5.75" x 3.25" postcard of the Statue of Liberty boldly signed by Bartholdi in the upper right corner. Both postcard and letter have mounting remnants on verso. Letter and postcard are handsomely housed in a full green Moroccan leather case with raised spine and gilt design and lettering.
Although the Franco-American Union committee began its efforts to raise funds to build the pedestal on which would rest the Statue of Liberty, very little advances would be made until about the time this letter was written. People were reluctant to contribute money as they were unsure of the commitment being made by the French to actually build the Statue. Also, that the Statue would be in New York Harbor made it easy to dismiss as a New York project, not a national one.
Bartholdi threw himself headlong into fundraising, and the trip he refers to in this letter is to campaign for funds at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. He had arranged to place the recently completed the statue's hand and torch on display at the Exposition. His gamble paid off, as it likely contributed heavily to the success of the formation of a Committee in Philadelphia in September of 1876. A similar committee would form in New York, chaired by John Jay; and likely inspired by Bartholdi's statue of the Marquis de Lafayette which celebrated its unveiling in Union Square Park as referred to in this letter in September of 1876.
Also included in this lot is a 5.75" x 3.25" postcard of the Statue of Liberty boldly signed by Bartholdi in the upper right corner. Both postcard and letter have mounting remnants on verso. Letter and postcard are handsomely housed in a full green Moroccan leather case with raised spine and gilt design and lettering.
[Benjamin West] William Carey Autograph Letter Signed. Ten pages, 4to, Picadilly London, March 26, 1818. Carey writes Joseph Hopkinson, President of the Pennsylvania of the Fine Arts, a ten-page letter extolling one of Benjamin West's paintings and comparing him to Jonathan Trumbull. He mentions Trumbull's painting depicting the death of Joseph Warren at Bunker Hill. A beautifully written lengthy letter, in part: "...Long esteemed the Father of Historical Painting in the British school, the painter whose performance I have ventured, has not obtained his reputation without a conflict - Homer had...Michael Angelo found enemies in Torigiano and Bandinelli and from the appearance of West's Death of General Wolfe and Regular to this grand composition each of his works in succession has roused the attacks of envy and Ignorance...I can boldly reply to the cold...of Anti-contemporariness and the anonymous publications of malevolent jealousy that I am not the creator of a new fame, nor the Promulgator of a similar opinion - the meanings which is wounded by the success of the painter may asperse my impartiality but believe me Gentlemen although I could be the friend and admirer of a Raphael or Leonardo ad Vinci, I could not be the slave or parasite of either...Even now we learn that the people of America crowd your public Hospital in Philadelphia to behold his painting of Christ healing the sick..." The letter is passionately written as Carey seems to be a staunch advocate not only for art, but also for West's keen eye for painting an exemplary depiction of war. There are repaired tears throughout the entire letter.
Six Israeli First Day Covers Signed by Marc Chagall, each 6.75" x 4", Jerusalem, March 26, 1973. Boldly signed by Chagall in pencil. Excellent condition. The covers each bear two Israeli one pound stamps reproducing stained glass windows created by Chagall for the Hadassah Synagogue at the Hebrew University Medical Center. The twelve windows, dedicated in 1962, represent Jacob's twelve sons and the twelve tribes of ancient Israel.
Books
David Hockney Inscribed Book With Original Sketch: David Hockney: A Retrospective. (Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1988), first edition, museum exhibition catalog, 288 pages, [24], Hockney illustrated wraps, 4to (10.25" x 11"), very good. Hockney has cleverly incorporated the half title page into his whimsical sketch of an easel and inscribed it "for Stephanie/ love/ David H".
Samuel Butler, Illustrated and Signed by Rockwell Kent: Erewhon. (New York: Limited Editions Club, 1934), printed especially for members of the Limited Editions Club, number 1088/1500 copies, 229 pages, introduction by Aldous Huxley, signed by the illustrator, Rockwell Kent on a special limitation page bound in back, stripe-design cloth, 8vo (7.25" x 9.75"), covers and spine moderately faded, stain on front board, corners frayed, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, else good. Comes with a certificate of authenticity from R & R Enterprise Autograph Auctions.
Autographs
Henri Matisse Autograph Letter Signed "H Matisse". One page, 5" x 8", no place, March 22, 1946, in French, to a friend stating that he is arriving in Paris in early June and will establish contact at that time. This was written during the time period when Matisse was designing and illustrating books for authors such as Baudelaire and Reverdy. Matisse's own book Jazz was published one year later in 1947. Slight overall toning, otherwise fine.
Georgia O'Keefe Autograph Letter Signed to Long-Time Friend Anita Pollitzer five pages, 8.5" x 11", Abiquiu, New Mexico, January 30, 1961 to Anita Pollitzer with a variety of excellent content. O'Keefe has obviously just learned of a recent operation undergone by Pollard and writes "Your little note startles me. You do not say what kind of an operation you had or what was the matter with you." O'Keefe writes about the success of a recent showing in Worcester, Massachusetts "...thought it looked very well and different from other retrospective shows...I was quite pleased." She then comments on her recent trip to Japan, Formosa, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Bangkok, Cambodia, Australia, Fiji and Tahiti - "...it was a lovely trip". O'Keefe then describes Christmas in the quaint New Mexico village of Abiquiu - "The whole village is decorated with candles and bonfires...I put out about 380 candles in paper sacks looking like lanterns along all the roofs and walks...lots of people come in the evenings...others always come for posole - a dish made with fresh pork, onions and chilie [sic]...it is a specialty on Xmas". She laments that "Life in cowboy country is a bit difficult but I like it". She ends the letter "I enclose [a] check that I will send you the first of each month for 6 months" and signs off "Georgia".
Included is the original envelope with return address as "G. O Keefe/ Abiquiu/ New Mexico" in O'Keefe's hand. The address has been deliberately obliterated but "Anita" remains clearly legible. This is a wonderful content letter that gives the reader an intimate insight into Georgia O'Keefe's life in her beloved New Mexico and her work there as an artist. Anita Pollitzer and Georgia O'Keefe became friends while attending Columbia University. It was Pollitzer that first brought a young O'Keefe to the attention of New York art dealer Afred Stieglitz. Pollitzer is best known for her work in the suffrage movement and her affiliation with the National Woman's Party.
Included is the original envelope with return address as "G. O Keefe/ Abiquiu/ New Mexico" in O'Keefe's hand. The address has been deliberately obliterated but "Anita" remains clearly legible. This is a wonderful content letter that gives the reader an intimate insight into Georgia O'Keefe's life in her beloved New Mexico and her work there as an artist. Anita Pollitzer and Georgia O'Keefe became friends while attending Columbia University. It was Pollitzer that first brought a young O'Keefe to the attention of New York art dealer Afred Stieglitz. Pollitzer is best known for her work in the suffrage movement and her affiliation with the National Woman's Party.
Camille Pissaro, the Father of Impressionism, Autograph Letter Signed "C. Pissaro". Two pages, 4" x 6.25", October 6, 1896. In untranslated French, he writes to his wife Julie stating that either he or she should go to London. He encourages her to go, adding "But if you decide to go, don't delay. I will wait for news from London and I'll see in Eragny how things are going." In fine condition, with three small ink notations in another hand on the border, and some trivial ink feathering on a few words.
Norman Rockwell Signed Self-Portrait, on 6" x 3" card affixed to larger biographical sheet. The artist,using dark green ink, depicts himself smoking his ever-present pipe and inscribes the card "Best wishes to H. M. Brehm sincerely Norman Rockwell." Excellent condition. An affordable original Rockwell illustration.
Books
Inscribed Frank Lloyd Wright An American Architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright. Edited by Edgar Kaufmann, (New York: Horizon Press, 1955), first edition, 268 pages, inscribed by Wright on the ffep "To Ned [last name illegible] Frank Lloyd Wright", illustrated with photographs and plans of Wright's work, brown cloth boards, folio (9.25" x 12.25"), binding shaken, corners frayed, some soiling to boards, else good.
Autographs
Frank Lloyd Wright Signed Check, one page, Spring Green, Wisconsin, August 14, 1947. This check, designed by Wright for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation's Taliesan school, is made out payable to Charles Montooth for $31.29. Montooth, an established architect, apprenticed to Wright. Perforated cancel with some old tape along top edge. Fine condition with a large, bold sig.
Frank Lloyd Wright Signed Check, one page, 8" x 3.25, Spring Green, Wisconsin, November 19, 1947. The check, designed by Wright for The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation's Taliesan school, is payable to Sheriq Bau for $50. Perforated cancel, tape along top edge. Fine condition.
(Artists) A fine collection of 20 signed pieces by various American and Englsih arists. Includes William Sartain A.L.S. December 2, 1888 to "Ritchie": "...I am commencing a mezzo, for Fishel Adler & Schwartz I would prefer you to do the printing - but have an idea that Adler thinks Dunbar the best printer in town. ... If you have not delivered prints of the Young Musician-- can I ask you to retain five good proofs for me..."; Maxfield Parrish T.N.S. January 30, 1911 to Mr. Crowningshield: "No, I did not copyright the Meeting House picture." Partially reinforced on verso; Thomas Uwins A.L.S. April 5, 1853: "...I have enclosed the list for the Catalogue, and though not accustomed to put forward my Titles I shold like in this instance to have them printed, both on account of the Queen who ill doubtless visit the exhibition, and as a reply to the many injurious reports which have been circulated to injure me..." Together with another A.L.S. April 2, 1853 inviting one T. Hogarth to view a recently completed picture; Horatio Stone A.L.S. May 19, 1859: "The President ahs this day appointed the art commission consisting of H. K. Brown, J. R. Lambdin & J. F. Kensett... National Art has gained a great triumph-- at such a time faithless prophesies seem out of place -- all artists & friends of art, it is to be hoped, will now cooperate with one sentiment in respect to the Commissioners & by sympathy & confidence cheer them in their arduous & responsible labors..."; Emma Jack Wellman Two A.L.S.'s and a mounted signature; Daniel McKee A.L.S. July 12, 1861; George F. Watts A.L.S. March 27, 1901: "...What I want in public men is a wider & more cosmic view & for ever 7 for ever regret & feel the loss of the Great Poet Thinker & Patriot..."; Daniel Thompson T.N.S. January 30. 1891. Other pieces (too numerous to detail here) include Brother Adrian Lewis, Adolphe Menjou, H.W. Pickersgill, Bernhard Wall (5 pieces), and Perry C. Schales. Overall condition very good to fine. Should be viewed. From the collection of Henry E. Luhrs.
(Artists) A good collection of 32 signed pieces, consisting primarily of artists of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Includes James McNeil Whistler A.L.S. with his famous "butterfly" signature, [no date] concerning a set of letters. Mounted; John Sartain A.Q.S. from Plato [no date]: "'In art, and all its products Form in the full significance of the terms, is everything and mere subject matter nothing= says Plato (not Dogenes)...". Together with a signature on a 3.5 x 2.5 inch card; Daniel Chester French T.L.S. 1924, concerning a photo of a pastel of "...of our friend William Brewster..."; Arthur Syzk a set of six Liberian stamp sheets featuring his artwork, each signed in the bottom margin. Together with a 6 x 9 inch sheet bearing six postage stamps signed by Syzk at bottom and a small cad bearing a small card bearing one stamp signed in the lower margin; Irwin P. Mensch two original drawings on 6.5 x 3.5 inch cards; Katherine Rogers A.L.S. 1950; G. H. Bougthton A.L.S. 1902; Alice Breen A.L.S., [1894]; John Burnett A.L.S. "Friday Morning"; George Clausen A.L.S., [18]83; George G. Cooke A.L.S. [18]55, with a drawing of a Prussian soldier hanging from a gallows titled "A Prussian looking rather Blue!!!". Toned; John Cranch A.L.S. 1861. Mounted; Ashley Dukes A.L.S., 1932; J. W. Edmonds; A.L.S. 1862. Mounted; A. B. Frost A.L.S. 1905; Will Kay Hagerman Signed etching of a German shepherd; George P. Healey clipped Signature; Henry Howard A.L.S. 1844; W. Holman Hunt Third person A.L.S., [no date]; Hubert Herkomer A.L.S., 1901; Merle Keith 3 signed Christmas cards; Clarence Buddington Kelland A.L.S., 1919; John Landseer A.L.S. [no date]; Charles Robert Leslie A.L.S. in pencil, 1818. Mounted; Elfridge Abbe A.L.S 1952; John Drew Two T.Ls.S., 1924. Condition ranges from very good to very fine. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Four Postage Stamps Signed by Artists. This small, yet diverse, group includes the following:
Thomas Hart Benton signature on 8-cent Missouri Sesquicentennial stamp mounted to 3.25" x 2.5" card. Benton, one of America's great regional muralists, was noted for capturing the essence of rural midwesterners.
R. C. Gorman signature on 22-cent Navajo Art stamp mounted to 5" x 3" card. Gorman, of Taos, New Mexico, enjoys quite a following as a premiere Native American painter and sculptor.
Jasper Johns signature dated October 27, 1990 on 5-cent Fine Arts stamp. Cutting edge American artist best known for his renditions of the United States flag.
Miro,signature on 200-franc stamp. Large, bold autograph of the spanish surrealist.
Excellent condition overall.
Thomas Hart Benton signature on 8-cent Missouri Sesquicentennial stamp mounted to 3.25" x 2.5" card. Benton, one of America's great regional muralists, was noted for capturing the essence of rural midwesterners.
R. C. Gorman signature on 22-cent Navajo Art stamp mounted to 5" x 3" card. Gorman, of Taos, New Mexico, enjoys quite a following as a premiere Native American painter and sculptor.
Jasper Johns signature dated October 27, 1990 on 5-cent Fine Arts stamp. Cutting edge American artist best known for his renditions of the United States flag.
Miro,signature on 200-franc stamp. Large, bold autograph of the spanish surrealist.
Excellent condition overall.
Woody Guthrie Signed Typed Essay about Leadbelly on seven sides of four sheets of 8" x 10.5" off-white lined sheets of loose leaf. Signed at the top in black ink, "Leadbelly by Woody Guthrie" and also signed at the conclusion in pencil, "not finished W. G." In part, the essay reads: "Leadbelly is a hard name and the hard name of a harder man, the name that his mama spoke over him down in the swamps of Louisiana when he was born was Huddie Ledbettor, for her husband, Ledbettor, and because she liked the sound and the roll of Huddie I came to his and Martha's apartment over on East Tenth Street and I carried my own guitar, and they begged me to stay, to eat, sleep, sing and dance there in their apartment of Three little rooms painted a sooty sky blue and then smoked over with the stains from cigarets, cigars, of the rich and of the poor It was not possible for me to count the numbers of folks that came in through Lead's door there / He never did bother to count you, and Martha tried several times, but always got lost early in the morning. The people waking up in the building dropped around earliest. The lady poisoned for twelve years, raving and yelling up and down the stairs and halls, poisoned for Twelve years off bad King Corn Lye Hurry Up Home Made Whiskey. They had found a dead man down in the basement with a stirring stick and Twenty Five barrels of sugar, water, bread, potatoes, cornmeal, cans of lye to pour in to make the batch warm off quicker at Twenty Five Cents a half pint." To accompany the essay, York Cunningham created an 11" x 13" pen, ink, and watercolor portrait of Leadbelly that accompanied this essay. Cunningham provided illustrations for Guthrie's American Folksong, published by Asch in 1947. In very good condition, with scattered pencil mark and notations, light overall toning and a few minor edge tears.
Clark Gable Document Signed "Clark Gable." One page, 8.5" x 14", Lucky Strike Cigarettes Contract, np, July 2, 1937. This document is an agreement between Clark Gable and Lucky Strike Cigarettes; Gable gives them the rights to quote him from a brief six-paragraph summary of his day that includes several references to smoking "Luckies." It reads in part, "...Saratoga is one of the biggest pictures Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has made...No lunch until 3 o'clock, and then only a quick bite before getting back into the grind. Having smoked between every 'take', I'm on my second pack of Luckies. Even though my throat is about ready to go on strike, it still welcomes a Lucky. I've won a lot of bets that I can tell a Lucky from any other cigarette. But I ought to know after smoking them for 10 years..." Gable was one of the biggest stars of the early sound film era, best-known for his role as Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind."
The document is in fine condition; several folds are present; document is mounted onto a cardboard stock backing covered with brown velvet; stable and holes for binding present on the upper edge; lower edge torn and missing small pieces near the corners. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
The document is in fine condition; several folds are present; document is mounted onto a cardboard stock backing covered with brown velvet; stable and holes for binding present on the upper edge; lower edge torn and missing small pieces near the corners. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
Rare Collection of Love Letters by Howard Hughes to Billie Dove This dark-eyed, wavy-haired beauty was born Lillian Bohny at New York City in 1901 and entered show business at age 15 after being an artist's model. Flo Ziegfeld discovered her and by age 16, Billie was a featured "Ziegfeld Girl" making the incredible sum of $50 a week. In 1920, she made her first movie; it was well received and she made 43 additional movies in the next decade. One of the most beautiful girls on the screen, she was known as the "American Beauty," the title of one of her starring films in 1927. In her heyday, she was ranked with Clara Bow and Colleen Moore in popularity and often surpassed Mary Pickford, Gloria Swanson and even Greta Garbo as a box-office draw. During this same period, Howard Hughes was a young film producer, a millionaire from his family's business. Fate intervened one night in early 1929 when Howard and Billie met on the Starlight dance floor of the Biltmore Hotel in Hollywood. It was love at first sight and for the next few years they were one of the most talked-about couples in America. Dove's marriage was already coming to a close when they met, as was Hughes'. He arranged to pay off both spouses in exchange for uncontested divorces, freeing Hughes and Dove to marry. Why did they never marry? Theories point toward Hughes' philandering and his extreme jealousy that would eventually doom the relationship. Miss Dove kept all these letters for more than six decades. She obviously treasured them and her memories. Hughes spoke regularly and lovingly of Miss Dove for many years, often to the consternation of other lovers. Hughes truly loved the "American Beauty" and considered her his soul mate. Many of Hughes' friends have said that Billie Dove was the love of his life.
This beautiful collection documents that Billie Dove was the "one that got away." There are dozens of items included in this presentation. Autograph collectors know how rare early Howard Hughes handwritten letters are. There are ten included here, of one to five pages each. Four are signed "Howard" and the remainder with some pet name initials. Also in this lot are eleven autograph notes, a typed letter, an unpublished original typed love poem, eleven envelopes (nine addressed in Hughes' hand), five telegrams, a Christmas card, several original photographs sized 4" x 5" up to 8" x 10", as well as several pages of notes written in Billie Dove's hand regarding her first meeting with Hughes and other precious memories. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to own such an intimate group of items from one the century's most powerful men, absolutely smitten by a beautiful and talented lady. A book could be (and should be) written about this love affair that took place more than seventy years ago but can still touch hearts today.
This beautiful collection documents that Billie Dove was the "one that got away." There are dozens of items included in this presentation. Autograph collectors know how rare early Howard Hughes handwritten letters are. There are ten included here, of one to five pages each. Four are signed "Howard" and the remainder with some pet name initials. Also in this lot are eleven autograph notes, a typed letter, an unpublished original typed love poem, eleven envelopes (nine addressed in Hughes' hand), five telegrams, a Christmas card, several original photographs sized 4" x 5" up to 8" x 10", as well as several pages of notes written in Billie Dove's hand regarding her first meeting with Hughes and other precious memories. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to own such an intimate group of items from one the century's most powerful men, absolutely smitten by a beautiful and talented lady. A book could be (and should be) written about this love affair that took place more than seventy years ago but can still touch hearts today.
Howard Hughes and Katharine Hepburn Collection of 24 Telegrams. Consists of 22 telegrams sent from Howard Hughes to Katharine Hepburn between 1937 and 1939 and includes two 1939 handwritten drafts in Miss Hepburn's hand of telegrams to Hughes. One of the great Hollywood romances of the 1930s started innocently enough. In June 1935, while filming Sylvia Scarlet, Cary Grant invited Howard Hughes to lunch in Malibu. Hughes made a spectacular entrance by landing his Sikorsky Amphibian on the golf course where director George Cukor and co-star Katharine Hepburn were playing. Miss Hepburn mentioned it in her autobiography Me, thinking it "...rather nervy and romantic, in a bravado sort of way." Obviously, something about Hughes impressed her as, a year later, they began an affair that lasted more than two years and garnered much media attention.
The first of the telegrams from Hughes to Miss Hepburn is dated January 19, 1937 and addressed to the Ambassador Hotel in Chicago where she was starring in a theater production of Jane Eyre, in part: "...supposed to arrive six something in the afternoon probably not in time to see you before the theatre so will try to contain myself until eleven thirty, love Dan." Dan was short for Dynamite, one of their nicknames for each other. That very day, Hughes had flown from Burbank to Newark breaking his own transcontinental speed record. Hughes spent a few days in Chicago on this trip, leading to speculation that he and Miss Hepburn were married.
Most of the telegrams to Miss Hepburn were sent to Emily Perkins, Miss Hepburn's assistant, to avoid unwanted attention. All of the 1938 telegrams are addressed to Hepburn at 211 South Muirfield Road, which was the Hughes' home that she had moved into a year earlier, living there when she wasn't on the road or in her family's Connecticut home. One of these telegrams says simply "Here I am Boss, hope to see you tomorrow, Love Bobb, Boss Bobb." While their relationship is often thought to have ended in 1938, there are 1939 dated telegrams here that might dispel that notion. One message from Hughes reads (in part): "Conkshell, you are terrific, but you might say something nice amid cleverness and reminders which make me lonesome..." One of the two handwritten drafts from Miss Hepburn appears to be from this same period and reads: "Arrived one item, missing one boss, lonely one mouse, empty one conkshell." An absolutely incredible lot of telegrams. Overall fine condition, worthy of the finest collections.
The first of the telegrams from Hughes to Miss Hepburn is dated January 19, 1937 and addressed to the Ambassador Hotel in Chicago where she was starring in a theater production of Jane Eyre, in part: "...supposed to arrive six something in the afternoon probably not in time to see you before the theatre so will try to contain myself until eleven thirty, love Dan." Dan was short for Dynamite, one of their nicknames for each other. That very day, Hughes had flown from Burbank to Newark breaking his own transcontinental speed record. Hughes spent a few days in Chicago on this trip, leading to speculation that he and Miss Hepburn were married.
Most of the telegrams to Miss Hepburn were sent to Emily Perkins, Miss Hepburn's assistant, to avoid unwanted attention. All of the 1938 telegrams are addressed to Hepburn at 211 South Muirfield Road, which was the Hughes' home that she had moved into a year earlier, living there when she wasn't on the road or in her family's Connecticut home. One of these telegrams says simply "Here I am Boss, hope to see you tomorrow, Love Bobb, Boss Bobb." While their relationship is often thought to have ended in 1938, there are 1939 dated telegrams here that might dispel that notion. One message from Hughes reads (in part): "Conkshell, you are terrific, but you might say something nice amid cleverness and reminders which make me lonesome..." One of the two handwritten drafts from Miss Hepburn appears to be from this same period and reads: "Arrived one item, missing one boss, lonely one mouse, empty one conkshell." An absolutely incredible lot of telegrams. Overall fine condition, worthy of the finest collections.
Howard Hughes Autograph Letter Signed "Howard" to wife Jean Peters. They lived in separate rooms during their 14 years of marriage, communicating mostly through handwritten memos such as the one offered here. On a sheet from a yellow legal pad, undated (but likely mid-1960s), Hughes writes, "Dearest Sweetheart, Please forgive my hors de combat condition of the past week. I was truly sick in my lower innards. I promise to do some of the things I have permitted to fall behind schedule - and to do it at once. I love you an awful lot, and I'll not be too late tonight. I'll send you a message, Howard. Please write me." The French phrase he uses, hors de combat, means "out of action" or disabled. Jean responds with: "Dearest Love - I understand and I'm sorry - I am going to watch #9 - "The Gentle Art of Murder" Maybe you would like to see it? - Anyway I'll be up till 12:00 - 1:00 - I love you - J." The Hughes writing on the verso of this page doesn't seem to follow the preceding exchange. In it he talks about a movie he's seen "100 times" with Walter Brennan, Dana Andrews and Anne Baxter. Though not mentioned by title, he is referring to Swamp Water (1941). A fascinating look into the thoughts and actions of one the world's richest men. Fine condition, transcript included.
Howard Hughes Autograph Letter Signed "Howard" to wife Jean Peters with reply. On January 12, 1957, and under assumed names, Howard Hughes secretly married actress Jean Peters at the L & L Motel in Tonopah, Nevada, shortly after her divorce from Stuart Cramer III. Peters had won a trip to Hollywood in 1946 as a prize for taking the title of Miss Ohio State and made her screen debut with Tyrone Power in Captain from Castile in 1947. She retired from films when she married Hughes. From 1957 until 1966, they lived in California, and then moved to Las Vegas. Their relationship was a strange one; they lived in separate bedrooms where they communicated through phone calls and notes such as the one offered in this lot. Written sloppily on a legal size yellow lined sheet, no date, no place, Hughes writes: "Dearest Sweetheart, I adore you so much. I just wanted to be sure you are aware of this. My baby we will see each other early tonight so we can permit you to go to bed at 12:00 if you feel sleepy then. I will send you S.S. from T.F. before 11:00 so if you feel well I will be standing by and loving my little "Tinkle-Brook." I have decided that is your name, Howard." Jean replies "Dearest Love I'm studying German. - this week - Will be most happy to see you early tonight. I missed my favorite show - "Trials of O'Brien" I love you very much & send for me before the stream runs dry. Love again J." The mention of this Peter Falk-starring TV show dates the letter to 1965 or 1966. Hughes writes several additional comments. In 1970, Hughes moved to the Bahamas and Peters was granted a divorce in 1971 after having lived separately during most of their marriage. Hughes agreed to pay her a yearly income for twenty years and deeded a Beverly Hills home to her. Fine condition, transcript included.
Howard Hughes Hell's Angels Souvenir Book (Los Angeles: Western Lithograph Co., 1930). Quoting from the first page of the book, "'Hell's Angels' is unquestionably the most unusual and sensational picture in the history of the film industry. It was produced and directed by a boy who was only 23 years old when he started shooting the picture and who had only one thought in mind -- to make the greatest picture of all time." Of course, this "boy" was the young millionaire filmmaker Howard Hughes. His uncle, Rupert Hughes, had been a screenwriter for Samuel Goldwyn and Howard went to Hollywood in 1926 with a desire to make movies. He hired top-notch talent and signed a distribution deal with United Artists. Hell's Angels started out to be a silent film but, after Hughes put a young Jean Harlow under contract, he re-worked many of the scenes and turned it into a talkie. One of the most famous movie quotes ever is from Jean Harlow, as Helen, saying "Would you be shocked if I put on something more comfortable?" Although the film was well-accepted and very successful, Hughes lost money on it; having spent over $3.8 million to make it! Offered here is an original souvenir book from the film with full cast and crew lists, photographs, plot summary, and production information. It is approximately 5.5" x 6.5" in size and in fine condition save for mounting traces on the back board and some loose pages inside. An excellent item from this early epic film.
Jerome Kern Letter Signed to Wanamaker Organist Mary E. Vogt. Nice association TLS "Jerome Kern" on Beverly Wilshire Hotel letterhead, 1p., 4.5" x 7.75" (sight), Dec. 7, 1935, reading in part: "I never saw more errors compressed in six lines. In the first place, why the 'Mr. Kern?' In the second place, you presuppose I received your note concerning a matter close to your heart. This is error number two. As you see by the above, I am not in New York. And, finally, what can be reasonably expected to develop in a matter of which I know less than nothing?"
Ironically Kern started his career as a song plugger at the famed and innovative John Wanamaker's department store. Vogt was an employed as the main organ player of the famed Wanamaker organ during the time she received this letter; making the organ the likely topic close to her heart.
Wanamaker's had acquired the organ in 1909, aiming to add character to the ambiance of their Philadelphia location. The organ had originally been built for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and took thirteen freight cars to transport.
The letter is double-matted and framed to an overall size of 8.5" x 17.25".
Ironically Kern started his career as a song plugger at the famed and innovative John Wanamaker's department store. Vogt was an employed as the main organ player of the famed Wanamaker organ during the time she received this letter; making the organ the likely topic close to her heart.
Wanamaker's had acquired the organ in 1909, aiming to add character to the ambiance of their Philadelphia location. The organ had originally been built for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and took thirteen freight cars to transport.
The letter is double-matted and framed to an overall size of 8.5" x 17.25".
Stan Laurel Typed Letter Signed, one page, 7.25 x 10.5, Santa Monica, California, March 20, 1959, to a Mrs. Campbell. It reads: "Thanks for yours I7th.inst. with enclosure of news article. Pleased to know that Saturday afternoon (28th) is convenient for you, it wo'nt (sic) be necessary for you to call, we shall expect you around 2PM. I enjoyed seeing the picture of your Daughter, she's very attractive & certainly looks very much like you - I didn't realise you had a daughter that age, you evidently married quite young. The weather back there sounds awful, do'nt (sic) think I could take much of that. Well, all news when we see you." Very fine with nice, bold signature. Matted with photo of Laurel to an overall 20.75" x 16".
Louis B. Mayer Letter Archive. A collection of nine movie related documents on Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer letterhead, signed by Louis B. Mayer. The documents are signed with clear signatures, relating to movie legends such as choreographer Busby Berkeley, and character actor Lewis Stone, who played Mickey Rooney's father, Judge Hardy, in the Andy Hardy movie series.
Mayer was a film mogul, born in Minsk, Belarus. In 1907, he purchased a house in Haverhill, Massachusetts, refurbished it as a nickelodeon, and opened one of the earliest custom-designed cinemas. He later acquired a chain of theatres in New England, moving into film production with the formation of Metro Films (1915) and Louis B. Mayer Productions (1917), which later joined with Sam Goldwyn to form Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1924. The first vice-president in charge of production, he was instrumental in the creation of Hollywood as a dream factory and the establishment of the star system, with such successes as Ben Hur (1926), Grand Hotel (1932), the Andy Hardy series, Ninotchka (1939), and countless others. He received an honorary Academy Award in 1950.
Mayer was a film mogul, born in Minsk, Belarus. In 1907, he purchased a house in Haverhill, Massachusetts, refurbished it as a nickelodeon, and opened one of the earliest custom-designed cinemas. He later acquired a chain of theatres in New England, moving into film production with the formation of Metro Films (1915) and Louis B. Mayer Productions (1917), which later joined with Sam Goldwyn to form Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1924. The first vice-president in charge of production, he was instrumental in the creation of Hollywood as a dream factory and the establishment of the star system, with such successes as Ben Hur (1926), Grand Hotel (1932), the Andy Hardy series, Ninotchka (1939), and countless others. He received an honorary Academy Award in 1950.
Anna Pavlova Signed Postcard dated "1922" below signature. The toast of St. Petersburg's ballet enthusiasts, Pavlova (1881-1931) went on to become one of the world's great dancers in the early twentieth century. She is best remembered for her interpretation of "the Dying Swan". Large, bold signature. Crease to upper right corner. Very fine condition.
Take Me Out To The Ball Game Sheet Music Twice Inscribed, "To The Lincoln Library Jack Norworth", Six-page song, 10.5" x 13.75" (New York: The York Music Co., 1908). Framed and matted copy of baseball's anthem signed twice by the author of its lyrics. One inscription is on the cover and the second one is on the song's opening page. Oddly enough, neither Norworth nor the song's music composer, Albert von Tilzer, had ever been to a baseball game. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Hank Williams Document Signed in black ink. One page, legal size, March 1, 1949. The contract is between Hank Williams and Acuff-Rose Publications of Nashville, Tennessee, and is a royalty agreement for sheet music, broadcasting, and any foreign royalties. Hank Williams, Sr. was regarded as the greatest country artist ever. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961. The Top Ten song "My Son Calls Another Man Daddy" was recorded by Williams as "Luke The Drifter," a pseudonym he used during a time when many of his recordings were recitations.
Entertainment Collectibles
(Vintage Stage Stars) A fine collection of material consisting of 25 signed pieces by some of the theatrical greats of the first half of the twentieth century. Includes: Lionel Barrymore S.P., 5 x 7 inches, c. 1948 together with his signature on a 5 x 3 inch card; David Belasco his signature on an engraved New Year's card, 1918 together with his signature on a 2.5 x 4 inch card, 1928; Marie Dressler A.Q.S.: "The he took three fingers more and went to bed"; Harry Lauder S.P. 5 x 7 inches, showing Lauder and his wife also signed by Annie Lauder, John C. Lauder, and several others. Together with an A.Ms.S., 1916, a three stanza poem inscribed to Walter Scott entitled "Winter approaches" Also together with a signature on a 3 x 5 inch card; Theda Bara signature on a 3 x 2 inch card; Ed Wynn S.P., 1931 a 4 x 6 inch postcard adding "Glad you liked my first 'TALKIE' 'Follow the Leader'". Together with a A.Q.S., 1925: "Whenever you hear a daffy-dill Just think of the fellow who writes up the hill"; Victor Moore S.P. 5 x 7 inches; Effie Jerome A.N.S. "Jan. 24"; Chistoper Stone T.L.S., 1931; Laurette Taylor S.P. 5 x 7 inches; Marilyn Miller signed photogravure by Nickolas Muray , 8 x 10 inches. Mounted; Eva Le Gallienne A.Q.S. in French: "One must laugh before being happy, for fear of dying without having laughed."; Dennis King S.P. 8 x 10 inches in The Three Musketeers; Sonja Heine Signature with sentiment on a 3 x 5 inch card; Fanny Janauschek A.L.S., 1887; Frank Gillmore; T.L.S. 1930 on Actor's Equity letterhead; Lilian Baylis T.L.S., 1932 on Old Vic letterhead; George Arliss signature on a 3 x 5 inch card; Otis Skinner A.N.S., "June 24"; (Monty Woolley) a pair of typed letters, 1949 bearing his stamped signature promoting Old Crow whiskey. Many tipped to larger sheets for presentation and/or storage purposes. Overall condition very good to fine. Should be viewed. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Autographs
Queen Victoria Document Signed "Victoria R" as queen, eight pages (front and verso), 9.5" x 14.75", December 16, 1837, St. James Palace, London. Victoria (1819 - 1901) was queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from June 20, 1837, and the first Empress of India from May 1, 1876, until her death on January 22, 1901. Her reign lasted sixty-three years and seven months, longer than that of any other British monarch. It was a period of significant social, economic, and technological change in the United Kingdom. Victoria's reign was marked by a great expansion of the British Empire and during the period it reached its zenith, becoming the formidable global power of the time. Very good condition.
Eugénie of France Autograph Letter Signed "Eugénie" as queen to Queen Sophia of the Netherlands, eight pages (front and verso) in French, 5.25" x 8.25" on stationary with the Imperial Crown of France and Eugénie's cypher, October 26, 1861, Compiègne. Sold with an incomplete note (5" x 4") bearing the signature of Eugénie. Doña María Eugenia Ignacia Agustina de Palafox y Kirkpatrick, Countess de Teba, (1826 - 1920) was empress consort of France (1853-1871), the wife of Napoléon III, emperor of the French. Eugénie de Montijo, as she was known in France, was educated in Paris, at the fashionable convent of the Sacré Cœur. When Prince Louis Napoléon became president of the Second Republic she appeared with her mother at the several balls given by the "prince-president" at the Elysée Palace, and it was there that she met the future emperor, whom she wed on January 30, 1853. This letter is to one of the empress' royal confidants, Queen Sophia of the Netherlands (1818 - 1877). Sophia married the Prince of Orange (later King William III) on in 1839. In intellectual respects, Sophie was by far the superior of her husband. Moreover, William III had several extramarital relations. She let it be publicly known that she found him inferior and not suitable and the marriage were thus not a success. For this reason Sophie tried to separate from him. With an importance placed on the country and royal duty, this was refused. From 1855, the couple lived separately. In fine condition.
Louis-Philippe, Comte de Paris. Autograph Letter Signed: "L P D'Orleans/Comte de Paris", two pages, 4" x 5.25", front and verso. Paris, March 7, 1875. In English, to General Daniel E. Sickles. In full: "The Countess de Paris wishes me to propose to you and to Mrs. Sickles to go in her box to the new Opera House on Friday next. She hopes to be able to go herself for the first time since her confinement and would be very glad to afford to you that opportunity to see the new House from one of its best boxes. I hereby send you my card as an admission ticket. Believe me yours truly." Two strips of glassine paper have been affixed on two tears. Accompanied by the card, 3" x 1.5", engraved "Comte de Paris" in the center, torn at left with glassine paper affixed on verso. Upon the card, Philippe has penned, in French: "Good for two persons/four the Representation/of Friday 12 March/to the New Opera/L P O."
Louis-Philippe Albert d'Orleans, Comte de Paris, was the grandson of Louis Philippe I, King of France from 1830-1848, and became Prince Royal, heir to the throne, when his father died in 1842. He volunteered to serve in the American Civil War in the Union Army and, as Captain Philippe d'Orleans, he served on General George McClellan's staff from 1861-1862. In 1864, he married his cousin, Marie Isabelle d'Orleans of Spain, whose father was the youngest son of King Louis-Philippe I. Civil War General Daniel E. Sickles had served as U.S. Minister to Spain from 1869-1873. His first wife had died in 1867 and, in 1871, he married Carmina Creagh, daughter of a Spanish Councillor of State. Two items. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Louis-Philippe Albert d'Orleans, Comte de Paris, was the grandson of Louis Philippe I, King of France from 1830-1848, and became Prince Royal, heir to the throne, when his father died in 1842. He volunteered to serve in the American Civil War in the Union Army and, as Captain Philippe d'Orleans, he served on General George McClellan's staff from 1861-1862. In 1864, he married his cousin, Marie Isabelle d'Orleans of Spain, whose father was the youngest son of King Louis-Philippe I. Civil War General Daniel E. Sickles had served as U.S. Minister to Spain from 1869-1873. His first wife had died in 1867 and, in 1871, he married Carmina Creagh, daughter of a Spanish Councillor of State. Two items. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Autograph Letter Signed by Pauline Bonaparte, Favorite Sister of Napoleon. A.L.S. "Pauline" in French, 1p., 7" x 9" (sight), Villeneuve, Oct. 14,1807, written beneath a letter by an unidentified person stating that Pauline has arrived quite exhausted in a borrowed coach and has moved into the recipient's house. Pauline's holograph beneath is largely illegible, as is characteristic, although begins by stating that she has a headache. The letter is in near fine condition and is double matted beneath a photo of a statue of the Princess Pauline as "Venus Victorious", with a gilt frame to an overall size of 10.75" x 19".
Eugene de Beauharnais Note Signed,"Eugene Napoleon", one page, 7" x 9", Paris, France, May 2, 1811. An official French language secretarial manuscript. Matted and framed with a portrait of Eugene to an overall 24.5" x 18". One original fold, very fine condition with a bold signature. Eugene de Beauharnais (1781 - 1824) was the Empress Josephine's son by her first marriage. He campaigned with and on behalf of Napoleon from 1796 until the emperor's abdication in 1814. Eugene was officially adopted by Napoleon in 1806 and married into the royal Bavarian house.
Empress Josephine Bonaparte Handwritten Letter of Recommendation. A.L.S. "Lapagerie Bonaparte" in French, 1p., 7.5" x 9", likely written while residing at Chateau de Malmaison, Oct. 8, 1800, written on behalf of Citizen Duchelar "who would like to be employed in forestry..." an endorsement in another hand is written in the left margin alongside Josephine's scripted lines. Handsomely matted alongside an engraving of Josephine in a gilt frame to an overall size of 22" x 16".
Framed Autograph Quotation Signed by Empress Marie Louise, Second Wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Superb AQS "Marie Louise", 1p., 4.4" x 3.5", [n.p., n.d.] reading in part: "The exercise of virtue is good at all times, but above all when the soul is afflicted with sadness. Always help the most unfortunate among us, and this will assuage our own pains." Paper is very clean with clear ink and bold signature ending in a decorative paraph. Attractively mounted and double matted alongside a color reproduction of the empress with brass biographical plaque. In a simple gilt frame to an overall size of 21" x 14".
Group of 26 Letters Pertaining to the Bonaparte Family. From an old collection as follows:
Anna Murat, ALS, two pages, on letterhead, 4" x 6.25", with envelope, n.d.;
Nicholas, Prince of Nassau, ALS, one page, 4" x 6.5", on letterhead, n.d.;
Charles, Prince of Hohenzollern, ALS, two pages, 4" x 5.75", on letterhead, 1863;
Girolemo Bonaparte, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead with envelope, 1844;
Sebastian, ALS, one page, 5" x 7", n.d.;
Jacob Luis D'Alba, ALS, one page, 5.25 x 8", n.d.;
Countess Montejo, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.;
Giovacchini Pepoli, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.;
Charles of Bourbon, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1858;
Charles, Prince of Monaco, ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8", 1852;
Hamilton, ALS, two pages, 4.25" x 7", n.d.;
Maria Hamilton, ALS, four pages, 4.5" x 7",on letterhead, 1861;
Stephanie Beauhrnais, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", n.d.;
Giovacchio Murat, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1855;
Lucian Murat, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", 1859(?);
Duchess of Alba, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", n.d.;
Frederick, Prince of Hesse, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1852;
Leopold of Bourbon, ALS, one page, 7" x 8.5", n.d.;
Maley Murat, ALS, one page, 4' x 6", on letterhead, n.d.;
Eberhand of Wurtenburg, ALS, two pages, 5.5" x 8.5", 1863;
Sophia, Daughter of William of Wurtenburg, ALS, one page, 5.5" x 8.5", with envelope, 1861;
Ismail, ALS, one page, 8.5" x 12.5", 1863;
Carolina Murat, ALS, one page, 8" x 10.5", 1855;
Napoleon Baciocchi, ALS, two pages, 8" x 10.5", 1852;
William, Duke of Brunswick, ALS, two pages, 7.25" x 8.5", on engraved English stationery, 1850;
Mehmet Ali, ALS, one page, 7" x 9", 1856.
Manuscript 19th c. catalog numbers in upper right corner of all letters. Toned, very fine condition.
Anna Murat, ALS, two pages, on letterhead, 4" x 6.25", with envelope, n.d.;
Nicholas, Prince of Nassau, ALS, one page, 4" x 6.5", on letterhead, n.d.;
Charles, Prince of Hohenzollern, ALS, two pages, 4" x 5.75", on letterhead, 1863;
Girolemo Bonaparte, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead with envelope, 1844;
Sebastian, ALS, one page, 5" x 7", n.d.;
Jacob Luis D'Alba, ALS, one page, 5.25 x 8", n.d.;
Countess Montejo, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.;
Giovacchini Pepoli, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.;
Charles of Bourbon, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1858;
Charles, Prince of Monaco, ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8", 1852;
Hamilton, ALS, two pages, 4.25" x 7", n.d.;
Maria Hamilton, ALS, four pages, 4.5" x 7",on letterhead, 1861;
Stephanie Beauhrnais, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", n.d.;
Giovacchio Murat, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1855;
Lucian Murat, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", 1859(?);
Duchess of Alba, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", n.d.;
Frederick, Prince of Hesse, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1852;
Leopold of Bourbon, ALS, one page, 7" x 8.5", n.d.;
Maley Murat, ALS, one page, 4' x 6", on letterhead, n.d.;
Eberhand of Wurtenburg, ALS, two pages, 5.5" x 8.5", 1863;
Sophia, Daughter of William of Wurtenburg, ALS, one page, 5.5" x 8.5", with envelope, 1861;
Ismail, ALS, one page, 8.5" x 12.5", 1863;
Carolina Murat, ALS, one page, 8" x 10.5", 1855;
Napoleon Baciocchi, ALS, two pages, 8" x 10.5", 1852;
William, Duke of Brunswick, ALS, two pages, 7.25" x 8.5", on engraved English stationery, 1850;
Mehmet Ali, ALS, one page, 7" x 9", 1856.
Manuscript 19th c. catalog numbers in upper right corner of all letters. Toned, very fine condition.
Group of 29 Letters by Imperial French Personalities. From an old collection as follows:
Grammont, ALS, one page, 5.5" x 8", on letterhead, 1853;
Chasseloup, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1862;
Polignac, ALS, one page, 7" x 9", on letterhead, 1829;
Forcade, ALS, one page, 5.5" x 8.5", 1867;
Barrot, ALS, two pages, 1855, 5.5" x 8.5", 1855;
Benedetti, ALS, four pages, 5" x 8", n.d.;
Sartiges, ALS, three pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1862;
Meague, ALS, one page, 4.75" x 7.25", 1864;
Bineau, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8.5", on letterhead, 1862;
Delangle, ALS, two pages, on letterhead, 1864;
Turgot, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", 1856;
Fould, ALS, four pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1862;
Morny, ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8.25", on letterhead, 1856;
Walesky, ALS, two pages, 4.75" x 7.25", on letterhead, n.d.;
Thouvenel, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1856;
Rouland, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1860;
Rayneval, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", illegible date;
Mole, ALS, one pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1846;
Abbattucci, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.;
Duruy, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1869;
Baroche, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8.25", on letterhead, n.d.;
Persigny, ALS, one page, on letterhead, 1862;
Lavalette, ALS, one page, 5" x 7.75", on letterhead, 1866;
Arrighi, ALS, two pages, 5" x 7.75", 1853;
Drouyn de Lhuys, ALS, one page, 5" x 7.75", on letterhead, 1864;
de Barthelemy, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1862;
Roucher, ALS, one page, 8" x 10", on letterhead, 1857;
Chevreau, ALS, one page, 7.5" x 10", on letterhead, 1861.
Toned and light stains on some letters as expected. Overall fine condition.
Grammont, ALS, one page, 5.5" x 8", on letterhead, 1853;
Chasseloup, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1862;
Polignac, ALS, one page, 7" x 9", on letterhead, 1829;
Forcade, ALS, one page, 5.5" x 8.5", 1867;
Barrot, ALS, two pages, 1855, 5.5" x 8.5", 1855;
Benedetti, ALS, four pages, 5" x 8", n.d.;
Sartiges, ALS, three pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1862;
Meague, ALS, one page, 4.75" x 7.25", 1864;
Bineau, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8.5", on letterhead, 1862;
Delangle, ALS, two pages, on letterhead, 1864;
Turgot, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", 1856;
Fould, ALS, four pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1862;
Morny, ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8.25", on letterhead, 1856;
Walesky, ALS, two pages, 4.75" x 7.25", on letterhead, n.d.;
Thouvenel, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1856;
Rouland, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1860;
Rayneval, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", illegible date;
Mole, ALS, one pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1846;
Abbattucci, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.;
Duruy, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1869;
Baroche, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8.25", on letterhead, n.d.;
Persigny, ALS, one page, on letterhead, 1862;
Lavalette, ALS, one page, 5" x 7.75", on letterhead, 1866;
Arrighi, ALS, two pages, 5" x 7.75", 1853;
Drouyn de Lhuys, ALS, one page, 5" x 7.75", on letterhead, 1864;
de Barthelemy, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1862;
Roucher, ALS, one page, 8" x 10", on letterhead, 1857;
Chevreau, ALS, one page, 7.5" x 10", on letterhead, 1861.
Toned and light stains on some letters as expected. Overall fine condition.
Group of Nine Letters by Bonaparte Family Members. From an old collection as follows:
Girolamo Bonaprate, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", 1861 with mailing envelope having large red wax Napoleonic seal on the flap;
Matilde Bonaparte, ALS, two pages, 4.25" x 6.5";
Carlotta Bonaparte, ALS, one page with address panel, 5" x 7.5", 1839;
Anatolio Denidoff, ALS, two pages, 4.5" x 7", 1847;
Girolamo Bonaparte, ALS, 2 pages with address panel, 7" x 8.5", 1840;
Pietro Bonaparte, ALS, 5.25" x 8.25", 1859;
Antonio Bonaparte, ALS, 2 pages, 8.5" x 10.5", 1856;
Luigi Bonaparte, ALS, two pages, 8.5" x 9.5", 1830;
Paolina Bonaparte, ALS, one page, 8" x 10", 1825.
Each letter has a discreet 19th century catalog number in the upper right corner and archival tape on the spine. Overall fine condition.
Girolamo Bonaprate, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", 1861 with mailing envelope having large red wax Napoleonic seal on the flap;
Matilde Bonaparte, ALS, two pages, 4.25" x 6.5";
Carlotta Bonaparte, ALS, one page with address panel, 5" x 7.5", 1839;
Anatolio Denidoff, ALS, two pages, 4.5" x 7", 1847;
Girolamo Bonaparte, ALS, 2 pages with address panel, 7" x 8.5", 1840;
Pietro Bonaparte, ALS, 5.25" x 8.25", 1859;
Antonio Bonaparte, ALS, 2 pages, 8.5" x 10.5", 1856;
Luigi Bonaparte, ALS, two pages, 8.5" x 9.5", 1830;
Paolina Bonaparte, ALS, one page, 8" x 10", 1825.
Each letter has a discreet 19th century catalog number in the upper right corner and archival tape on the spine. Overall fine condition.
Group of 12 Letters Pertaining to French Marshals. From an old collection, includes:
Magnan, two pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1862;
Bazaine, ALS, one page, 7.25" x 8.75", 1854;
Canrobert, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1866;
Randon, ALS, one page, 5' x 8", on letterhead, 1863;
Pelisfier, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1859;
Peter Bosquet, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.;
Saint Armand, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1853;
Excelman, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.;
Regnault de Ste. Jean d' Angely, ALS, four pages, on letterhead, 1863;
Baraquey d' Hilliers, ALS, one page, 8.5" x 10.5", on letterhead, n.d.;
Count Vaillan, ALS, one page, on letterhead, illegible date;
Count Castellane, ALS, two pages, 7" x 9", 1859.
Toned, averaging fine condition.
Magnan, two pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1862;
Bazaine, ALS, one page, 7.25" x 8.75", 1854;
Canrobert, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1866;
Randon, ALS, one page, 5' x 8", on letterhead, 1863;
Pelisfier, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1859;
Peter Bosquet, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.;
Saint Armand, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1853;
Excelman, ALS, two pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.;
Regnault de Ste. Jean d' Angely, ALS, four pages, on letterhead, 1863;
Baraquey d' Hilliers, ALS, one page, 8.5" x 10.5", on letterhead, n.d.;
Count Vaillan, ALS, one page, on letterhead, illegible date;
Count Castellane, ALS, two pages, 7" x 9", 1859.
Toned, averaging fine condition.
Group of Seven Letters and Documents by French Admirals. Mixed material from an old collection as follows:
Mackau, ALS, three pages, 5.25" x 8", 1851;
Espinasse, ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8.25", 1857;
Ronciere le Nourrit Clemente, ALS, three pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1863;
Ferdinand Alfonzo Hammeline, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.
Rigault, ALS, three pages, 5.5" x 8", on letterhead, 1854;
Edgardo Ney, ALS, 3 pages, 5.5" x 8", n.d.;
Changarnier, DS, one page, 8.25" x 12.5", 1849.
All items are lightly toned with expected folds. Fine condition.
Mackau, ALS, three pages, 5.25" x 8", 1851;
Espinasse, ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8.25", 1857;
Ronciere le Nourrit Clemente, ALS, three pages, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1863;
Ferdinand Alfonzo Hammeline, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.
Rigault, ALS, three pages, 5.5" x 8", on letterhead, 1854;
Edgardo Ney, ALS, 3 pages, 5.5" x 8", n.d.;
Changarnier, DS, one page, 8.25" x 12.5", 1849.
All items are lightly toned with expected folds. Fine condition.
Group of 13 Imperial French Military Letters. From an old collection as follows:
Gustave Montebello, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1858;
Charles Montauban, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1866;
Mollard, ALS, one page, 5"x 8", on letterhead, 1864;
Bourbaki, ALS, two pages, with stamped envelope, 1848;
Hautpoul, ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1864;
Emile Felix Fleury, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.;
Mellinet, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1864;
Ornano, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", 1855;
Charles Frossard, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1864;
Goyon, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", 1864;
Vinoy, ALS, one page, 8.25" x 10.5", on letterhead, 1864;
Coffiniers, ALS, one page, 8" x 10", on letterhead, 1864;
Gallifet, ALS, three pages, 4.5" x 7", 1869.
Lightly toned with archival tape on left edge for mounting, overall very fine condition.
Gustave Montebello, ALS, two pages, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1858;
Charles Montauban, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1866;
Mollard, ALS, one page, 5"x 8", on letterhead, 1864;
Bourbaki, ALS, two pages, with stamped envelope, 1848;
Hautpoul, ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8", on letterhead, 1864;
Emile Felix Fleury, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, n.d.;
Mellinet, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1864;
Ornano, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", 1855;
Charles Frossard, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", on letterhead, 1864;
Goyon, ALS, one page, 5" x 8", 1864;
Vinoy, ALS, one page, 8.25" x 10.5", on letterhead, 1864;
Coffiniers, ALS, one page, 8" x 10", on letterhead, 1864;
Gallifet, ALS, three pages, 4.5" x 7", 1869.
Lightly toned with archival tape on left edge for mounting, overall very fine condition.
Queen Isabella of Spain Document Signed "Yo La Reina", one page, 8.5" x 10.25", Granada, May, 1502, in Spanish ordering her steward, Sanco de Paredes to pay the sum of 5,000 maravedis to Lorenco de Padilla for an unspecified reason. Countersigned by Gaspar de Trizio and signed in receipt by Lorenco de Padilla. Despite very light toning along the vertical and horizontal crease, this document is in near pristine condition. Of note is a watermark of an open hand topped by what appears to be the sun and two cut cancellation marks in the body of the document.
Philip II of Spain Document Signed "Yo El Rey" as king, one page in Spanish to a prince, 8.25" x 11.75", May 21, 1578. Philip II (1527-1598) was the first official King of Spain from 1556 until 1598, King of Naples and Sicily from 1554 until 1598, King of England (as King-consort of Mary I) from 1554 to 1558, King of Portugal and the Algarves (as Philip I) from 1580 until 1598 and King of Chile from 1554 until 1556. He was born at Valladolid and was the only legitimate son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Philip sought an alliance with the Kingdom of England, marrying the Catholic Queen Mary I of England in 1554. On occasion of the marriage, he was created King of Chile by his father and received the Kingdom of Naples and the title of King of Jerusalem which came with it, from him. Under the terms of the marriage, Philip became king consort during the lifetime of his spouse. The marriage was unpopular with her subjects, and was a purely political alliance as far as Philip was concerned. After Mary died childless in 1558, Philip showed an interest in marrying her Protestant younger half-sister, Queen Elizabeth I of England, but this plan fell through, for a number of reasons. In 1555, Pope Paul IV issued a papal bull granting the title King of Ireland to Philip of Spain. This followed the Pope's excommunication of English King Henry VIII, after his break with Rome's papal authority. In very good condition.
Charles V of Spain Document Signed "Yo El Rey" as king, two pages (front and verso) in Spanish, 8.25" x 11.25", n.d., n.p.. Charles (1500-1558) was ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily (1516-1554), Archduke of Austria (1519-1521), King of the Romans (or German King), (1519-1558) and Holy Roman Emperor(1530-1556 but did not formally abdicate until 1558). In Spain, though he is often referred to as Carlos V, he ruled officially as Carlos I of Spain. He was the son of Philip the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile. His maternal grandparents were Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, whose marriage had first united their territories into what is now modern Spain. With the death of his grand-father Ferdinand II, in 1516 Charles became the first king of a united Spain. Charles inherited his grandfather's realm, which included Aragon, Navarre, Naples, Sicily and Sardinia, and also became joint-king of Castile and guardian of his insane mother Joanna. With the Castilian crown he also gained Granada and the Spanish possessions in the New World. For the first time the crowns of Castile and Aragon were united in one person. Ferdinand and Isabella had each been sovereign in one kingdom, but only consort in the other. Charles V's reign introduced the first documented use of the style of "His Imperial Majesty." Because of his far-reaching territories he was described as ruling an Empire "in which the sun does not set". In very good condition.
Philip V of Spain Document Signed "Yo El Rey" as king, four pages (front and verso) in Spanish, 8" x 12", August 2, 1723. Philip V of Spain (1683-1746), or Philippe of Anjou, was king of Spain from 1700 to 1746, the first of the Bourbon dynasty in Spain. Philip was born in Versailles. He was made the Duc d'Anjou upon his birth. He was the second son of Louis, le Grand Dauphin of France. In the year 1700, the King of Spain, Charles II, died. Charles' will named the 17-year old Philip, the grandson of Charles' sister Maria Theresa, as his successor. After the Royal Council decided to accept Charles' will naming Philip King of Spain, the Spanish ambassador was called in and introduced to his new king. The ambassador, along with his son, kneeled before Philip and made a long speech in Spanish which Philip did not understand. Ironically he had never been taught Spanish and had only begun taking lessons that day. In fine condition.
Ferdinand II Document Signed as Holy Roman Emperor, two pages (front and verso) in German, 8" x 12.25", April 26, 1633, n.p., with full paper seal. Ferdinand II (1578 - 1637), of the House of Hapsburg, reigned as Holy Roman Emperor from 1619-1637. He was also the Archduke of Styria (Inner Austria) from 1590-1637, King of Bohemia from 1617-1619 and again from 1620-1637, as well as King of Hungary from 1618-1625. A devout Catholic, his recognition as King of Bohemia and suppression of Protestantism precipitated the early events of the Thirty Years' War. The duration of his reign was occupied by confessional and military concerns. In very fine condition.
Philip IV of Spain Document Signed "Yo El Rey" as king, one page in Spanish, 8.25" x 12", October 1739, Madrid. Philip IV (1605 - 1665) was King of Spain from 1621 to 1665 and also King of Portugal (as Philip III) until 1640. His reign, after a few years of inconclusive successes, was characterized by political and military decay and adversity. He has been held responsible for the decline of Spain, which was mostly due, however, to causes largely beyond the control of any one ruler. Philip certainly possessed more energy, both mental and physical, than his diffident father. His handwritten translation of Francesco Guicciardini's texts on political history still exists, and he was a fine horseman and keen hunter. His artistic taste is shown by his patronage of his court painter Diego Velázquez; his love of letters by his favoring Lope de Vega, Pedro Calderón de la Barca, and other dramatists. He is credited, on fairly probable testimony, with a share in the composition of several comedies. He also commenced the building of the Buen Retiro palace in Madrid. In fine condition.
Philip III of Spain Document Signed "Yo El Rey" as king, one page in Spanish, 8.5" x 11.75", May 5, 1610, n.p., with seal attached Philip III ( 1578 -1621) was the king of Spain and Portugal and Algarves (as Philip II), from 1598 until his death. He inherited the beliefs of his father, Phillip II, but no share of his industry. The old king had sorrowfully confessed that God had not given him a son capable of governing his vast dominions, and had foreseen that Philip III would be led by his servants. This calculation was exactly fulfilled. The new king put the direction of his government entirely into the hands of his favorites. The king's own life was passed amid court festivities, on which enormous sums of money were wasted, or in the practice of piety. It was said that he was so virtuous as hardly to have committed a venial sin. He cannot be justly blamed for having been born to rule a despotic monarchy, without even the capacity which would have qualified him to manage a small estate. In fine condition.
Anna of Russia Document Signed "Anna" as empress, one page in Russian, 8" x 12.5", (April?) 14, 1731, n.p. Anna Ivanovna ( 1693 - 1740) was the daughter of Ivan V of Russia, as well as the niece of Peter the Great. Her uncle encouraged her marriage to Frederick William, Duke of Courland in November 1710, but on the return trip from Saint Petersburg in January 1711 her husband died. Anna ruled the semi-independent Baltic duchy as Duchess of Courland from 1711 to 1730. She never remarried after the death of her husband. Upon the death of Peter II, Emperor of Russia, the Russian Supreme Privy Council made Anna empress in 1730. They had hoped that she would feel indebted to the nobles for her unexpected fortune and remain a figurehead at best, and malleable at worst. In the hope of establishing a constitutional monarchy in Russia, they convinced her to sign articles that limited her power. However, these proved a minor inconvenience to her, and soon she established herself as an autocratic ruler, using her popularity with the imperial guards and lesser nobility. In fine condition.
Elizabeth of Russia Document Signed "Elizabeth", one page in Russian, 8" x 12.25", September 20, 1737, n.p. Elizabeth (1709 -1762), also known as Yelizaveta Petrovna, was Empress of Russia (1741 - 1762) who involved her country in the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. She encouraged the establishment of the University of Moscow and the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. She also spent exorbitant sums of money on the grandiose baroque projects of her favorite architect, Bartolomeo Rastrelli, particularly in Peterhof and Tsarskoye Selo. The Winter Palace and the Smolny Cathedral remain the chief monuments of her reign in St Petersburg. She was admired because she didn't allow Germans in the government and not one person was executed during her reign. In very fine condition.
Lot of Two Imperial Russian Documents Signed Paul I of Russia, "Paul I" as tsar, one page in French 7.5" x 9", September 29, 1797, Gatchina; and, Maria Feodorovna of Russia, "Maria" as dowager empress, one page in Russian, 8.5" x 10", September 12, 1825, n.p.. Paul I of Russia (1754 - 1801) was the emperor of Russia between 1796 and 1801. He was the son of the grand duchess, later empress, Catherine. In her memoirs, she strongly implies that his father was not her husband, the Grand Duke Peter, later emperor, but one of her lovers. Although the story was much aired by Paul's enemies, it is fairly likely that this was simply an attempt to cast doubt on Paul's right to the throne, in order to prop up Catherine's own somewhat shaky claim. He physically resembled the grand duke so one might doubt the illegitimate claims. Catherine's dissolute court provided a bad home for a boy destined to become the sovereign, but took she great trouble to arrange his marriage and allowed him to attend the council in order that he might be trained for his work as emperor. Although his tutor complained of him that he was "always in a hurry", acting and speaking without reflection. Once he became emperor in 1796, Paul viewed the Russian nobility as decadent and corrupt, and was determined to transform them into a disciplined, principled, loyal caste resembling a medieval chivalric order. His attempts to force the nobility to adopt a code of chivalry alienated many of his trusted advisors. The emperor also discovered outrageous machinations and corruption in the Russian treasury. Although he repealed Catherine's law which allowed the corporal punishment of the free classes and directed reforms which resulted in greater rights for the peasantry, and better treatment for serfs on agricultural estates, most of his policies were viewed as a great annoyance to the noble class and induced his enemies to work out a plan of action. On the night of the March 11, 1801, Paul was murdered in his bedroom by a band of dismissed officers. The other document is signed by Paul's second wife, Sophie Marie Dorothea Auguste Louise of Württemberg or Maria Feodorovna (1759 - 1828). Both documents are in fine condition.
Catherine II, Czarina of Russia ("The Great"), good content Letter Signed "Caterine" as Czarina, one page, 7.25 x 9.25 inches, St. Petersberg, January 10, 1766 in French to her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess of Courland, congratulating her upon her recent marriage. She writes: "It is with fond regard that I receive the first assurances of your devotion to my person. My affection for the House you have recently entered will remain steadfast. Your marriage to the Prince, who will someday become its ruler, guarantees that you will partake in that affection but your won merits give you special claims upon it, claims that I will grant you with great pleasure. You must be assured to always find me willing to show the special interest I take in your happiness. Thereupon, I pray that your Royal Highness will always be under God's blessed and worthy protection." Though the letter may seem at best polite on the surface, Catherine coveted the duchy of Courland and Semigallia which occupied the western portion of modern-day Latvia which would allow Russia wider access to the Baltic Sea. Catherine had already been meddling in the affairs of had great influence in the duchy through her support of the reigning Prince Ernst Johann von Biron. This letter likely concerns her correspondent's marriage to the Prince's son, Peter von Biron who assumed power in 1769. It was not until the final year of her life that Russia would finally possess the duchy, gained in the final partition of Poland between Russia, Prussia and Austria in 1795. Both Courland and Poland ceased to exist in that year. Light creases, else very clean and in fine condition with a bold signature. Housed in a red leather slipcase with ribbed spine with gilt tilting and red cloth interior bearing a portrait of Catherine.
Catherine II of Russia Document Signed "Catherine" as empress, one page in Russian, 7.5" x 9", May[?] 17, 1768, Tsarskoye selo. Catherine II of Russia (1729 - 1796), called Catherine the Great, is often referred to as an epitome of the "enlightened despot". She reigned as empress of Russia from June 28, 1762 until her death. Catherine married the Grand Duke Peter of Russia in 1745. The marriage proved unsuccessful - due to the grand duke's impotence and mental immaturity. Catherine read widely and kept up-to-date on current events in Russia and in the rest of Europe. She corresponded with many of the prominent minds of her era, including Voltaire and Diderot. In July 1762, the Leib Guard revolted, deposed Peter, now emperor, and proclaimed Catherine the ruler of Russia. Six months after his accession to the throne and three days after his deposition, Peter III died at the hands of a court favorite in a supposed accident. In excellent condition.
Russian Czar Nicholas II document Signed, "Nikolai", partially printed, three pages on four pages, 8.5" x 14", Tsarskoe Selo, March 31, 1905. A translation accompanying this Cyrillic document indicates that it itemizes various medals awarded to civil servants. Even light toning, small perforations on crease for binding. A clear lacquer appears to have been painted over the signature. Overall quite sound and in very fine condition.
Nicholas II of Russia Typed Document Signed. "Nikolai", 2pp (front and verso), partially printed bestowal document, 8.25" x 14", October 16, 1914, Tsarskoe Selo. Edict to the Capitulum of Russian Imperial and Royal Orders granting the Order of Holy Prince Vladimir and the Order St. Anne to various priests and archpriests. Boldly signed by the tsar. Very fine condition. The document is housed in a red full Moroccan leather case. In addition to the document there is a photograph of Nicholas II in the uniform of a British admiral.
Russian Czar Alexander II Document Signed, "Alexander", one page, 8.5: x 13.25", ca. 1867. Partially printed document entirely in Cyrillic with clear signature of Alexander II. Even light toning with smoothed central horizontal fold. Very fine condition. Alexander II (1818 - 1881) devoted his considerable energies to ridding his empire of cumbersome medieval trappings. He is best remembered as a social reformer for empancipating Russia's serfs.
Alexander III of Russia Document Signed "Alexander" as emperor, two pages (front and verso) in Russian, 8.75" x 14", November 1, 1893, n.p.. Alexander III (1845 - 1894) reigned as Emperor of Russia from March 14, 1881 until his death in 1894. Alexander was the second son of Tsar Alexander II. In disposition, he bore little resemblance to his soft-hearted, liberal father, and still less to his refined, philosophic, sentimental, chivalrous, yet cunning great-uncle Alexander I, who coveted the title of "the first gentleman of Europe." Although an enthusiastic amateur musician and patron of the ballet, he was seen as lacking refinement and elegance. Indeed, he rather relished the idea of being of the same rough texture as the great majority of his subjects. His straightforward, abrupt manner savored sometimes of gruffness, while his direct, unadorned method of expressing himself harmonized well with his rough-hewn, immobile features and somewhat sluggish movements. His education was not such as to soften these peculiarities. He was also noted for his immense physical strength. In very good condition.
Rasputin Letter Signed, "Grigori", in pencil, one page, on 5.5" x 3.5" postcard, Tiumen, Siberia, June 19, 1907, to his wife, Praskovia Fyodorovna Dubrovina. Rasputin, dictating to another writer, here advises his wife not to dwell on her own troubles since self-pity leads to sin. Also, he reminds her that suffering brings salvation. Rasputin's signature is followed by a small cross. Evenly toned, one smoothed fold. With later storage envelope. Grigory Yefimovich Rasputin (1869 - 1916) was perhaps the most colorful character associated with the death throes of Imperial Russia. A self-styled monk reputed to have mysterious healing powers, Rasputin became an intimate of the Czarina Alexandra and exercised considerable influence at court until his assassination.
Lot of Five Russian Royalty Documents Signed including: autograph letter signed "Marie" as Empress of Russia (1855-1880), one page in Russian, 4.75" x 7.75", 17 July, 1841, Peterhof; autograph letter signed "Alexandra" as Empress of Russia (1825-1855), four pages (front and verso) in Russian, 4.75" x 7.25", June 6, 1839; autograph letter signed "Michael" as grand duke of Russia, one page in Russian, embossed with the crowned cipher of Nicholas I, 8" x 10", October, 5, 1841, n.p.; document signed "Michael" as grand duke of Russia, one page partially printed in French, 8.25" x 10.25", February 1, 1838, St. Petersbourg; typed letter signed "Alexander" as grand duke of Russia, two pages on Ritz-Carlton Hotel stationary, 5.5" x 7", January 17, 1930, New York. All in fine condition.
Nikita Khrushchev Typed Document Signed as Chairman of the Council of the People's commissars of the Ukrainian SSR, one page, 8 x 11.5 in., [Kiev], July 20, 1944 in Russian presenting Lieutenant-General German Kapitonovich Malandin with a citation for his efforts in liberating the Ukraine from German occupation. He writes, in part: "...During these unforgettable victorious days the Ukrainian people send their heartfelt gratitude to the heroic and valorous Red Army, its glorious commanders of the Stalinist temper, to its warriors... for liberating them form the German-Fascist barbarians. The Red Army's brilliant victories on the immense battlefields, destructive blows to the armor clad enemy, unknown in History... have glorified the heroic soldiers and commanders of the REd Army, who, under the leadership of Marshal STALIN, have achieved worldwide historical fame. The infinitely grateful Ukrainian people with their tireless work will exert every effort tot give the utmost support to the victorious offensive of the Red Army. Please accept our modest gift and heartfelt wishes of success in your great effort for liberating our socialist Fatherland from the German invaders and complete defeat of the fascist beast in its own den..." Ironically, Khrushchev, a steadfast Stalinist at the time, earned the nickname "the Butcher of the Ukraine" for his efforts in suppressing the Ukrainian nationalists. Of course the nationalists hadn't done themselves any favors when they chose to ally themselves with the Germans during their occupation. Moderate creases, else very clean and bright with a dark, bold signature, fine condition. Housed in a red leather slipcase with ribbed spine with gilt tilting and red cloth interior bearing a sepia toned portrait of Khrushchev.
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin Autograph Note Signed and Archive Regarding the Case of a Peasant Named Chekunov. "Lenin" on an envelope 8.75" x 7" in Russian asking "... should we admit our mistake about Chekunov, or rather collect more information, and how?" Chekunov visited Moscow where he met with Lenin, Kalinin, and Osinskiy and received an invitation to work in the People's Commissariat of Agriculture. An investigation concluded that Chekunov had once been accused of being friendly with Stolypin and Kerensky. He was publicly accused of false allegiance to Lenin in an article in the newspaper Bednota (The Poor). The archive includes an article written in defense of Chekunov. It also includes letters from Kalinin and Osinskiy written in support of him. Most importantly, there are documents entailing Lenin's inquiry into the matter and the response from the editor of the Bednota who agreed to form a high level committee to investigate the matter and vindicate Chekunov in the newspaper. The archive consists of fifteen pages of documents with translations. All items are housed in a red full Moroccan leather case. In addition to the documents, there is a sepia photograph of Lenin.
Leon Trotsky Typed Document Signed. "Trotsky", typed orders issued by the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic, 8.25" x 9", September 27, 1919, Moscow, in Russian, naming members of the Revolutionary Military Tribunal of the Turkestan Front. The document is fine and housed in a red full Moroccan leather case. In addition to the document there is a photograph of Trotsky.
Joseph Stalin Typed Note Signed "Stalin", 1pp, marked "Secret", 8.25" x 5.75", June 1, 1944. Addressed to Comrades Zhukov, Vasilevsky, Yakovlev, Voronov, Antonov, Fedorenko, and Shtemenko, the note states, "Being distributed to you for your familiarization is a note received from Comrade Khrushchev sent to him by the commander of the First Ukrainian Front Artillery, Colonel-General of the Artillery Varentsov." Included is the seven-page memorandum from Khrushchev, typed in Russian. The documents are housed in a red full Moroccan leather case. In addition to the document there is a photograph of Stalin. Very fine condition.
Books
1936 Book Signed By Joseph Stalin. A copy of Henri Barbusse's book Stalin: A New World Seen Through One Man in Russian and signed by Stalin on the title page. The book was printed in Moscow in 1936 and is bound in gray cloth with red titles (of course), 278 pages, 12mo (4.75" x 7"), with toned pages (as a result of the poor paper quality), else in very good condition.
Autographs
Charles XI of Sweden Document Signed "Carolus" as king, two pages (front and verso), 8" x 11.25", April 2, 1676., n.p., with full paper seal. Charles XI (1655-1697) was King of Sweden from 1660 until his death. He is often described in Sweden as the greatest of all the Swedish kings. In nationalistic lore, he is often depicted as a modest, homespun figure, and a master-builder who found Sweden in ruins and devoted his whole life to laying a solid foundations of a new nation. In very good condition.
Charles XII of Sweden Document Signed "Carolus" as king, page, 8" x 12.75", August 11, 1716., n.p., with full wax seal. Carl XII (1682-1718), known as the "Alexander of the North" also the 'Madman of the North," was a King of Sweden from 1697 until his death in 1718. As a child, many people thought he was going to be sickly but Charles strengthened his body for war by riding horses bareback and hunting wolves in Sweden's fir forests. When his father died, Charles assumed the crown at fifteen. His youth gave other nations a pretext to invade Sweden. Saxony, Denmark-Norway, Poland and Russia joined in a coalition to attack Sweden, beginning the Great Northern War. He left the country three years later to embark on a series of battles overseas. Many of these battles were fought against Peter the Great, Emperor of Russia. After some stunning victories, Charles was eventually defeated by the Russians at the Battle of Poltava. Charles was wounded, one-third of his infantry was dead, and his vulnerable supply train destroyed. The battle was a disaster and Charles fled south to the Ottoman Empire. The Turks initially welcomed the Swedish king who managed to incite a war between the Ottomans and the Russians. However, Sultan Ahmed III eventually tired of Charles' endless scheming. He was put under house-arrest in Istanbul. Charles succeeded in escaping his imprisonment and raced on a horse across Europe to return to Sweden. His efforts to reestablish his lost empire failed. He was shot through the head and killed during a siege of the fortress of Fredriksten in Norway. In fine condition.
Augustus II of Poland Document Signed "Augustus Rex" as king and elector, four pages in German, 8" x 13", May 30, 1712, n.p.. Augustus II 1670 - 1733), King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, was as Frederick Augustus I the Elector of Saxony 1694-1733, and later also King of Poland 1697-1704 and again 1709-1733. August's great physical strength earned him the nicknames "the Strong"(August II der Starke), "Saxon Hercules" and "iron hand". He liked to show that he lived up to his name by breaking horse shoes with his bare hands. As Elector of Saxony, he is perhaps best remembered as a patron of the arts and architecture. He established the Saxon capital of Dresden as a major cultural center, attracting artists from across Europe to his court. August also amassed an impressive art collection and built fantastic baroque palaces at Dresden and at Warsaw. In fine condition.
Augustus III of Poland Document Signed "Augustus Rex" as king and elector, two pages in German, 8" x 13.75", April 29, 1753, n.p., with a full paper seal. Augustus III (1696-1763), King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, was, as Frederick Augustus II, the Elector of Saxony 1733-1763, and also King of Poland 1734 - 1764. Also known as Augstus the Saxon or the Corpulent, he was the son of August II the Strong. He was groomed to succeed his father as King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and thus converted to Catholicism. After his father's death, he inherited Saxony and was elected King of Poland with the support of Russian and Austrian military forces in the War of the Polish Succession (1733-1738). As King, August III was uninterested in the affairs of his Polish-Lithuanian dominion, focusing on interests like hunting, opera, and collecting paintings. During his 30-year reign, he spent less than a total of three years in Poland fostering internal political anarchy and further weakening the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In fine condition.
Charles VI Document Signed "Charles" in gold ink as Holy Roman Emperor, four pages in German, 8" x 12", March 29, 1712, n.p., with paper seal. Charles VI, (1685 -1740) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1711 to 1740. He first assumed the royal title Charles III of Aragon and Castile, but changed his name shortly after, on acceding the Austrian throne. He was the contracted heir of the Spanish Hapsburgs. When Charles II of Spain made Philip V his heir, Louis XIV violated the contract. The dispute for the crown of Spain led to the War of the Spanish Succession. After his older brother Joseph I died suddenly, he had to return to Austria to take over the Emperor's throne. In 1711, he was made Holy Roman Emperor in Frankfurt. Although Charles seems to have been clumsy in political affairs, the Austrian monarchy reached its widest expansion during his reign. In fine condition.
Leopold I Document Signed "Leopold" in gold ink as Holy Roman Emperor, four pages in German, 8.25" x 12.75", n.d., n.p., with full paper seal. Leopold I Hapsburg (1640 - 1705), Holy Roman Emperor, was the second son of the emperor Ferdinand III. Intended for the Church, he received a good education but his prospects were changed by the death of his elder brother Ferdinand IV, in 1654 of smallpox, when he became his father's heir. The last thing Leopold wanted was to rule. He was hideous and under-sized, his bones stunted, his teeth broken by scurvy. He was painfully shortsighted. In him the Hapsburg lip and chin were exaggerated to the point of caricature. He was pathologically shy. He would have liked to have gone into a monastery, and, indeed, from early childhood he had been intended for the Church. Instead of this he was called upon not merely to wear the crown but to carry Austria into the new course determined by the outcome of the Thirty Years' War and to defend his personal Empire against the two most formidable adversaries in the world: France, arrogant and triumphant under Louis XIV, and the Ottoman Turks in their last and most terrible bid to break into Europe. In fine condition.
Maria Theresa of Austria Document Signed "Maria Theresa" as empress, two pages in German, 9" x 13.5", January 12, 1755, n.p. Maria Theresa ( 1717 - 1780) reigned as Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia. She was the eldest daughter of Emperor Charles VI, who promulgated the Pragmatic Sanction to allow her to succeed to the Hapsburg monarchy. Opposition to her acceding to the throne led to the War of the Austrian Succession in 1740. After Emperor Charles VII, who claimed the throne, died in 1745, Maria Theresa obtained the imperial crown for her husband, Francis I. Though she was technically empress consort, Maria Theresa was the de facto ruler of the nation, and she began styling herself Holy Roman Empress in 1745. In very fine condition.
Christina of Sweden Document Signed "Christina Alexandra" two pages (front and verso) in Spanish, 1656, Rome. Christina (1626 - 1689), later known as Maria Christina Alexandra and sometimes Count Dohna, was queen regent of Sweden from 1632 to 1654. She was the only surviving legitimate child of King Gustav II Adolf. As the heiress presumptive, at the age of 6, she succeeded her father to the throne of Sweden upon his death at the Battle of Lützen during the Thirty Years' War. After having converted to Catholicism and abdicated her throne, she spent her latter years in France and Rome, where she was buried in St. Peter's Basilica. Some water damage, else good condition.
Joseph I of Germany Document Signed "Joseph" as king, one page in German, 7.75" x 11.5", October 17, 1699, n.p. Joseph I (1678 - 1711), Holy Roman Emperor, King of Hungary and Bohemia, Archduke of Austria, was the elder son of the emperor Leopold I and his third wife, Eleanora, Countess Palatine. In 1687 Joseph received the crown of Hungary the king of the Romans in 1690 and succeeded his father as emperor in 1705. In fine condition.
Great Content Autograph Letter Signed by Mohandas Gandhi Written Shortly After Arriving in London to Study Law at the Age of 18 A.L.S. "Mohandas Karamchand Gandi" in the text of the first paragraph, 4 pp., on the recto and verso of a 10" x 8" conjugate leaf, London, <"Friday 5", [October 1888], written in Gujarati to his brother Lakshmidas. He writes, in part: "I happily arrived here on the evening of Saturday, the 29th, with great pleasure...I have written to you about Suez. I have no words to describe Suez. It was worth seeing. The canal is 30 feet wide. There was land on both sides, and the steamer proceeded through the canal very slowly. From there we reached Port Said one day later... It started getting cold after Suez and even more so after Gibraltar; thanks to the grace of God, up to today, I have not needed meat or liquor. Here it is extremely cold, but I do not see any need for hard liquor or meat. Everyone seems to think that during winter...one cannot do without liquor or meat. And for me there is no need for liquor. With full faith in God and strong will, I feel that the cold weather will not affect me... There is a problem about caste distinction, it is true [missing word]. Cooking is problematic. However, if someone does employ a cook, caste differences can be observed with great difficulty. It is very difficult to observe caste differences here just as we do in India. When we leave our country to go abroad, we have to let go of certain differences. And in the same way, if we do have to let go of it here, there is nothing to replace it... How can I praise the city of London... There were gas and electric lights. There were machines to go up and down floors so people did not have to climb steps. How can I express the grandeur..."
After much familial discussion and sacrifice, it was decided that Gandhi would do better to study for a Barrister's title in London. His brother sold off parts of the family land as well as jewels to fund the expenses. At the risk of becoming an outcast after a public decree stating that anyone crossing the seas, and after promising his mother never to touch meat, women, or wine while abroad, the young Gandhi set off for London. This is likely his first letter home upon arrival and captures the wonderment and culture shock he must have experienced. With some toning and paper loss at corners affecting a few words of text; however this letter remains highly desirable providing insight at a critical moment in Gandhi's formative years.
After much familial discussion and sacrifice, it was decided that Gandhi would do better to study for a Barrister's title in London. His brother sold off parts of the family land as well as jewels to fund the expenses. At the risk of becoming an outcast after a public decree stating that anyone crossing the seas, and after promising his mother never to touch meat, women, or wine while abroad, the young Gandhi set off for London. This is likely his first letter home upon arrival and captures the wonderment and culture shock he must have experienced. With some toning and paper loss at corners affecting a few words of text; however this letter remains highly desirable providing insight at a critical moment in Gandhi's formative years.
Five Sadaam Hussein Documents Signed. All one page, partially printed on heavy blue stock, 8.5" x 12". These Arabic language papers appear to be letter copies from 1993 and are signed in dark blue ink by Iraq's infamous dictator in the lower left corner. Each document has been examined and certified by PSA/DNA. Two small perforations in right margin for binding. Excellent condition.
David Ben-Gurion, First Israeli Prime Minister, Photo Signed "D. Ben-Gurion". A B&W 8" x 10" photo, capturing Ben-Gurion in a lighter moment, signed in blue ink in the wide lower border. Very fine condition.
Che Guevara 1959 Typed Letter Signed "Che". One page, 8.25" x 10.5", on Republic of Cuba Minister of National Defense stationery, Havana, May 9, 1959, in Spanish. Loosely translated, the Argentine-born Marxist revolutionary writes, "...I personally know the young Leonard Medina Kings...[he] deserves all respect for his conduct and moral behavior and whose brother...fell during battle...his economic situation is already difficult enough..." There is an official stamp next to his signature. Toned and stained with weak and separating folds, overall fair condition.
Eva Peron- Large Color Portrait Inscribed and Signed, 8.75" x 13". Argentina's most notable first lady smiles broadly here like a Hollywood movie star. Below the idealized image is an inscription to a Mrs. Gonzalez followed by a bold signature. Very fine condition. Eva Peron (1919-1952) raised herself from poverty to become an enduring symbol of feminine spunk in a male-dominated world. As the politically proactive wife of President Juan Person, Eva was one of the most powerful women of her day.
(United Nations) A good collection of eight pieces including signed photos, letters and signatures accomplished by delegates to and leaders of the United Nations. Includes Carlos Romulo 2 I.S.P.'s dated Lake Success, 1950 together with a T.L.S, 1948; Trygive Lie S.P. 5 x 7 inches; Warren R. Austin signature; V. K. Wellington Koo signature; Virginia C. Gildersleve mounted signature; and Chester Nimitz T.L.S. Lake Success, February 21, 1950 noting that he is still stuck "...at the United Nations, where I have bee waiting for eleven months to be of service in the dispute between India and Pakistan over the future of the State of Kashmir...". Overall fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Photography
19th Century Carte de Visite Collection believed to be the personal collection of Queen Emma of Hawaii (1836-1885) and consisting of approximately 99 CDV-sized images ranging in date from the 1860s to the 1880s. Emma was queen to King Kamehameha IV from 1856 to his death in 1863. This is a collector's and researcher's delight. Several of the photos have handwritten notations from the queen herself as to subject matter. Subjects include both images of people and also landmarks, several from England, mostly Chalfont St. Giles. Also included are images of the following: William Gladstone (early) and his wife and children; Graf Bismarck and several German generals of the period including Bittenfield, Blumenthal, von François, von Bonin, von Bose, Kirchbach, and von Fransecky; several U.S. naval officers; various members of the clergy; and several Hawaiian dignitaries, servants, and relatives. An amazing, unique, and untouched grouping likely to be full of pleasant surprises. Overall fine condition.
Autographs
Lot of Two British Royalty Autograph Letters Signed King George V, "George" and "George P" as Prince of Wales, one page, 4" x 6.25", on Sandringham stationary, January 1, 1908; and, Queen Mary, "Mary R" as queen, two pages (front and verso), 4.5" x 7", on York Cottage, Sandringham stationary, October 26, 1924. In the Prince of Wales' letter he is asking a secretary, Mr. Holzmann, to send a letter in response to a request "& sign it George P." Nice content and in excellent condition.
British Royalty Document Signed "Mary R", "Albert", and "Stanley Baldwin", four pages (front and verso), 8.5" x 13.5", January 18, 1929, St. James Palace, London. Permission to wear the Latvian Order of Three Stars signed on behalf of King George V by his wife, Queen Mary; his second son, Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI); and, British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin. In 1929 George V suffered from an acute bronchial ailment that nearly took his life. Edward, Prince of Wales, on a tour of Africa, rushed back to London. Until the prince returned to the capital documents requiring the signature of the monarch were signed by the queen, the Duke of York, and the prime minister. In very fine condition
George VI Document Signed "George RI" as king-emperor, four pages (front and verso), 8.5" x 13.5", January 6, 1939, Sandringham. In very fine condition. Permission to wear the Latvian Order of Three Stars. George VI (1895 - 1952) was the king of the United Kingdom, and each of the British Dominions from December 11, 1936 until his death. He was the last Emperor of India (until 1947) and the last King of Ireland (until 1949). As the second son of his father, King George V he was not expected to inherit the throne, and spent his early life in the shadow of his elder brother, Edward. He served in the navy during the First World War, and after the war took on the usual round of public engagements. He married Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, and they had two daughters, Elizabeth (currently Queen Elizabeth II) and Margaret Rose. After the death of his father in 1936, his brother ascended the throne as Edward VIII. Less than a year later Edward VIII unexpectedly abdicated in order to marry the twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson. George VI ascended the throne as the third monarch of the House of Windsor. He gained the admiration of his people by staying in Britain during the Second World War. In very fine condition.
Lot of Five British Royalty Documents Signed including: "Edward, Duke of Windsor" and "Wallis, Duchess of Windsor" signed on a sheet bearing the cipher of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor under the coronet of a royal duke, 5.5" x 3.5", with an unsigned cover letter December 1956, Paris; an autograph letter signed "Elizabeth R", the queen mother, two pages (front and verso) on note paper bearing her crowned cipher, 5" x 8", December 29, 1963, Sandringham, with envelope; a page from a guest book signed "Elizabeth R, July 1, 1979", the queen mother, 10.5" x 8"; a sheet signed "Elizabeth Bowes Lyon", the queen mother prior to her marriage to the Duke of York (King George VI), 7" x 6"; autograph Sandringham note card signed "Albert Edward" as Prince of Wales, two pages (front and verso), 4.75" x 3.25", December 5, [1895], with envelope bearing a red wax stamp with the Order of the Garter. All in very fine condition.
King Edward VII of England Autograph Letter Signed "Albert Edward". Three pages, 4.5" x 7", Easthampstead Park letterhead, Wokingham, June 18, 1885. An interesting letter, written as Prince of Wales (a title he held longer than anyone else, 1841-1901), in part: "Private. My dear henry, As I know Abergaruing [?] so well as he 'pulls the strings' just now. I thought I would not do better than send your letter on to him & beg him to bring your name before Salisbury...you must not lose a moment when the new admiralty comes into office- as this govt is bound to be of short duration you will all have 'To make hay whilst the sun shines'..." The future king was right in his prediction; the Marquess of Salisbury of the Conservative Party became prime minister the month after this letter was written but remained in office only seven months! Very good condition; some weakness and minor separation at the folds.
Edward VII Document Signed "Edward R" as king, two pages (front and verso), 8.25" x 12.75", September 17, 1901, St. James Palace, London. Bestowal document for the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, trimmed in black for morning. Countersigned on the verso by George, Duke of York (later King George V) as grand master of the order. Edward VII (1841 - 1910) was king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Emperor of India from January 22, 1901 until his death on May 6, 1910. Before his accession to the throne, Edward held the title of Prince of Wales, and has the distinction of having been heir apparent to the throne longer than anyone in English or British history. Edward's reign, now called the Edwardian period, saw the fostering of good relations between Great Britain and other European countries, especially France, for which he was popularly called "Edward the Peacemaker". In fine condition.
Edward VIII Autograph Letter Signed "Edward" as Prince of Wales, three pages (front and verso), 4.5" x 7.25", on York Cottage, Sandringham stationary, January 13, 1913. The Prince of Wales is corresponding with a Mr. Peacock about his personal finances. Very nice content. The document is in fine condition.
Books
Winston Churchill Signed The Second World War "To- Frederick: from Winston Churchill" to his chauffeur on the title page of Volume II. This elegant two-volume set was abridged by LIFE magazine's editors from Churchill's six-volume magnum opus of the same name, which had been excerpted in LIFE between the years 1948 and 1953. Each coffee-table book in the pair is beautifully gold-embossed on the front cover and spine, with colorful interior illustrations, detailed maps, and black-and-white photos. Published in 1959, the books measure 10.5" x 14", grade in very fine condition, and come with the original black slipcase that has dutifully protected them for nearly a half-century.
Autographs
Sir Winston Churchill Photograph Signed "W Churchill". A B&W photograph of 3" x 3.75" on a cardboard mount of 4.5" x 6.5", signed on the lower border just below the image. A handsome portrait of a seated, serious Churchill with right arm resting on desk. Back of card mount shows signs of tape residue and minor damage to bottom edge. Faint, unobtrusive soft crease to board. Very fine condition. Excellent image of the British Prime Minister and winner of the 1953 Nobel Prize for Literature.
Winston Churchill Signature. One page, 5.75" x 4", album page, signed boldly "Winston S. Churchill 1952" below a 2" x 2.5" laid-down image of the cigar smoking British Prime Minister. Torn from an autograph album so uneven at left edge, else very fine condition.
Sarah Churchill Limited Edition Art Print Signed "Sarah Churchill" in pencil, numbered "263/300" in pencil, 35" x 23". In the 1970s, a series of intaglio drawings by Curtis Hooper entitled, "A Visual Philosophy of Sir Winston Churchill" was published by Graphic House. Except for one based on a sketch of her father by Sarah Churchill, each was composed from famous photographs, selected by Sarah to portray the different aspects of her father's life. Each print was assigned a particular Churchill quotation. This print portrays Sir Winston giving the "V" for Victory gesture with his quotation: "We shall never forget your endeavors." The Churchill coat of arms (Marlborough crest), the London skyline, the quotation, and "Sarah" have been debossed beneath the image. There are three small indentations, one beneath the microphone and a light stain at the right edge, and a mounting strip at the upper edge on verso. Very fine.
Sir Anthony Eden Two Typed Letters Signed About Nasser. In 1952, Anthony Eden married Winston Churchill's niece, Clarissa. He served as British Prime Minister from April 6, 1955 until January 10, 1957 when he resigned due to ill health, but, in reality, it was chiefly because of his failure in the Suez Canal crisis. Gamal Abdel Nasser was President of Egypt from 1954-1970. These letters were written to William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, and begin, in Eden's holograph, "My dear Max":
TLS: "Clarissa joins me in affectionate greetings. Yours ever, Anthony". Two pages, separate sheets, 5.25" x 7", Morval, Looe, Cornwall, December 6, 1957. After discussing his health, he writes about Indonesian President Sukarno's demand that the Netherlands give up Dutch New Guinea. In part: "This Dutch business in the East Indies is tragic; and not only for them. I am told that the Indonesian president is a great admirer of Nasser's. When Nasser seized the canal which is international property, the U.N's reaction was pretty feeble, as a result the practice of robbery will be encouraged all over the world...I trace a direct relationship between U.N's failure to stop Nasser's international robbery at Suez and the seizure of Dutch national property in the East Indies..."
TLS: "Clarissa sends her love, and my affectionate regards. Yours ever, Anthony". One page, 8" x 10", Fyfield Manor, Pewsey, Wiltshire, July 11, 1961. Eden was created 1st Earl of Avon the next day. After thanking Lord Beaverbrook for, "the many kind things you have written about my migration to the House of Lords," he continues, in part: "Meanwhile, the world scene darkens remorselessly. We shall no doubt see a line up of Nasser with Kassem against Kuwait, the Saudis and any other still weaker Arab allies the Sheikh of Kuwait may be able to muster. Nasser has an unerring nose for the cash and is out for a share of Kuwait by some smooth trickery..." Abdul Karim Kassem was Prime Minister of Iraq from 1958-1963. Each letter is in fine condition.
TLS: "Clarissa joins me in affectionate greetings. Yours ever, Anthony". Two pages, separate sheets, 5.25" x 7", Morval, Looe, Cornwall, December 6, 1957. After discussing his health, he writes about Indonesian President Sukarno's demand that the Netherlands give up Dutch New Guinea. In part: "This Dutch business in the East Indies is tragic; and not only for them. I am told that the Indonesian president is a great admirer of Nasser's. When Nasser seized the canal which is international property, the U.N's reaction was pretty feeble, as a result the practice of robbery will be encouraged all over the world...I trace a direct relationship between U.N's failure to stop Nasser's international robbery at Suez and the seizure of Dutch national property in the East Indies..."
TLS: "Clarissa sends her love, and my affectionate regards. Yours ever, Anthony". One page, 8" x 10", Fyfield Manor, Pewsey, Wiltshire, July 11, 1961. Eden was created 1st Earl of Avon the next day. After thanking Lord Beaverbrook for, "the many kind things you have written about my migration to the House of Lords," he continues, in part: "Meanwhile, the world scene darkens remorselessly. We shall no doubt see a line up of Nasser with Kassem against Kuwait, the Saudis and any other still weaker Arab allies the Sheikh of Kuwait may be able to muster. Nasser has an unerring nose for the cash and is out for a share of Kuwait by some smooth trickery..." Abdul Karim Kassem was Prime Minister of Iraq from 1958-1963. Each letter is in fine condition.
Henry IV of France Document Signed "Henri" as king, two pages (front and verso) in French, 12.5" x 6.75", on vellum, April 4, 1596, n.p. Henry IV (1553 - 1610), also known as Henri le Grand, ruled as king of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon dynasty in France. As a Huguenot, Henry was involved in the Wars of Religion before ascending to the throne in 1589. In 1598 he enacted the Edict of Nantes which guaranteed religious liberties to the Protestants and thereby effectively ended the civil war. One of the most popular French kings, both during and after his reign, Henry showed great care for the welfare of his subjects and displayed an unusual religious tolerance for the time. He was murdered by a fanatical Catholic, François Ravaillac. In fine condition.
Louis XIII of France Document Signed "Louis " as king, one page in French, 14" x 8.75", on vellum, July 1621, n.p.. Louis (1601 - 1643), called le Juste, ruled as King of France and Navarre from 1610 to 1643. Born at the Château de Fontainebleau, Louis was the eldest child of Henry IV of France and Marie de' Medici. Louis XIII ascended to the throne of France in 1610, at the age of eight and a half, upon the assassination of his father. His mother acted as regent until Louis XIII came of age at thirteen, but she clung to power unofficially until in frustration he took the reins of government into his own hands at the age of fifteen and exiled his mother to Blois. Louis then came into his own as ruler of France. He filled his court with loyal friends and sidelined those who remained loyal to his mother. The brilliant and energetic Cardinal Richelieu played a major role in Louis XIII's administration from 1624, decisively shaping the destiny of France for the next eighteen years and dying only months before the king himself. As a result of Richelieu's work, Louis XIII became one of the first exemplars of an absolute monarch. In fine condition
Francis I of France Document Signed "Francoys" as king, one page in French, on vellum 20.25" x 8.25", October 11, 1543, Fontainebleau. Francis I ( 1494 - 1547), called the Father and Restorer of Letters (le Père et Restaurateur des Lettres), was crowned King of France in 1515 in the cathedral at Reims and reigned until 1547. Francis I is considered to be France's first Renaissance monarch. His reign saw France make immense cultural advances. He was a contemporary of King Henry VIII of England and of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, his great rivals, and Suleiman the Magnificent, his ally. Francis' legacy is a mixed one. He achieved great cultural feats, but they came at the expense of France's economic well being. The persecution of the Protestants was to lead France into decades of civil war, which did not end until 1598 with the Edict of Nantes. In good condition.
Henry II of France Document Signed "Henry" as king, one page in French on vellum, 16" x 10.75", April 1541, n.p.. Henry II (1519 - 1559), a member of the Valois Dynasty, was King of France from March 31, 1547, until his death. Henry was the son of Francis I. With his brother, he spent three years in Spain as a hostage to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, as surety for his father, who had been captured at the Battle of Pavia. Henry married Catherine de Medici in 1533, when both were fourteen years old.The following year he became involved with the thirty-five-year-old, recently widowed, Diane de Poitiers, who became his most trusted confidante and for the next twenty-five years wielded considerable influence behind the scenes, even signing royal documents. Extremely confident, mature and intelligent, she left Catherine powerless to intervene. When his older brother Francis died in 1536 after a game of tennis, Henry became heir to the throne; he succeeded his father in 1547. Henry's reign was marked by wars with Austria, and the persecution of the Protestant Huguenots. In good condition.
Henry III of France Document Signed "Henri", one page in French, 11" x 11", on vellum, 1580, n.p.. Henry III (1551 - 1589), a member of the Valois Dynasty, was king of France from May 30, 1574 until his death. He was also briefly King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (1573-1574) and is known to Polish historians as Henryk Walezy. In 1570, discussions commenced to arrange for Henry to court Elizabeth I of England. Elizabeth, almost 37, was in need of a husband and needed to produce an heir. However, nothing came of these discussions because of Henry's Catholicism. He was outspoken in his opinion of Elizabeth, whom he tactlessly referred to as a putain, 'whore'. Prior to ascending the throne, he was a leader of the royal army in the French Wars of Religion against the Huguenots. While still duke, he aided his mother in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, in which thousands of Huguenots were killed. His reign as king saw France in constant turmoil over religion. In very good condition with close trimming at the right margin affecting the text but not the fine large signature.
Charles IX of France Document Signed "Charles", four pages in French, 8.25" x 12.5", February 11, 1567 n.p. Charles IX (1550 - 1574), a member of the Valois Dynasty, king of France from 1560 until his death. He was the third son of King Henry II of France and Catherine de Medici, and brother of Francis II and Henry III. After the death of his elder brother, Francis II, he inherited the throne. The politics of that era was greatly influenced by the power of his mother, the ambitious Catherine de Medici. In 1572, Charles IX witnessed the massacre of thousands of Huguenots. in and around Paris in what became known as the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.Charles IX did not long survive the Massacre. He had always been fragile, both emotionally and physically. Emotionally, his moods now swung from coarse boasting about the extremity of the Massacre, to claims that the screams of the murdered Huguenots kept ringing in his ears. Frantically he blamed his mother, "Who but you is the cause of all of this? God's blood, you are the cause of it all!" The queen-mother responded by declaring she had a lunatic for a son. Boldly signed and in fine condition.
Louis XI of France Document Signed "Louis" as king, one page in French on vellum, 13" x 5.25", February 11, 1471, n.p.. Louis XI (1423-1483) was known as Louis the Prudent. He was also informally nicknamed l'universelle aragne (old French for "universal spider"), or the "Spider King." He was King of France (1461 - 1483). He was a member of the Valois Dynasty and one of the most successful kings of France in terms of uniting the country. His 22-year reign was marked by political machinations, spinning a spider's web of plot and intrigue which earned him his nickname. His scheming and love for intrigue made him many enemies, including his own father, his brother, and Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, who was to be his greatest foe. Louis is known to have been shrewd and often vicious. But, in curbing the power of the dukes, he re-established the power of the monarchy, and ensured the survival of the French nation itself. For all his diabolical qualities, he used them to create tremendous good for his country. In fine condition.
Louis XIV of France, Document Signed "Louis" as king, two pages in French (front and verso) 9.75" x 14.75", October 9, 1698, Fontainebleau. France's Sun King, Louis XIV (1638- 1715), had the longest reign in European history (1643-1715). He brought the absolute monarchy to its height, established a glittering court at Versailles, and fought most of the other European countries in four wars. The early part of his reign was dominated by his chief minister Cardinal Mazarin. In the middle period (1661-85) Louis reigned personally and innovatively, but the last years of his personal rule were beset by problems. Voltaire, the apostle of the Enlightenment, called Louis XIV's reign "Le Grand Siècle" (the Great Century). Fine condition.
Marie Antoinette Document Signed in full as queen, one page in French, 9.5" x 13.25", March 1, 1785, n.p. Some tears and repairs on the verso, but a strong signature. Maria Antonia Josefa Johanna von Habsburg-Lothringen (1755 - 1793), known to history as Marie Antoinette was the daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Maria Theresa of Austria. She was married to Louis XVI of France at age 14, and was the mother of "the lost dauphin" Louis XVII. Marie Antoinette is perhaps best remembered for her legendary (and, some modern historians say, exaggerated) excesses, and for her death: she was executed by guillotine at the height of the French Revolution in 1793, for the crime of treason. Good condition.
Louis XVI of France Document Signed "Louis" as king, two pages (front and verso) in French, 9.5" x 14.25", August 28, 1783, Fontainebleau. Louis XVI (1754 - 1793) ruled as King of France and Navarre from 1774 until 1791, and then as King of the French from 1791 to 1792. Suspended and arrested following an abortive attempt to flee from the radical agitation of revolutionary Paris in 1791, he was tried by the National Convention, found guilty of treason, and executed on 21 January 1793. His execution signaled the end of absolute monarchy in France and would eventually bring about the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Although beloved at first, his indecisiveness and conservatism led the people of France to eventually hate him as a symbol of the perceived tyranny of the Ancien Régime. After the abolition of the monarchy in 1792, the new republican government gave him the surname Capet (a reference to Hugh Capet, the founder of the House of Bourbon), and forced him to be called Louis Capet in an attempt to discredit his status as King. He was also called Louis le Dernier (Louis the Last), a derisive use of the traditional nicknaming of French kings. In fine condition.
Napoleon Bonaparte Manuscript Letter Signed, "NP", one page, 7.25" x 9", Paris, March 27, 1813. In French and addressed to his "son" (actually his stepson/adopted son, Eugene de Beauharnais). Smoothed folds and light toning, fine condition. In a modern gilt wood frame with an engraving and nameplate matted to an overall size of 22" x 16".
Rare Napoleon Bonaparte Letter Signed "Napoleon", one page, St. Cloud, October 29, 1804 (7 Brumaire XIII) to Monsieur Duroc, Marshall General of the Palace. Secretarially penned, this letter translates in part, "...I send this letter to you that I accept the resignation given by Madame de Vaudey who was in charge of the women of the Palace of the Empress; this woman in henceforth to be considered a stranger at the Palace. I pray that God may watch over you with his Holy Protection...". Bold, legible signature, even toning, smoothed folds. Fine condition. This seemingly routine letter was anything but. Napoleon had been having an affair with Madame de Vaudey and was caught with her at least on one occasion by the Empress Josephine. The ensuing row was happily reconciled with the forced resignation and eviction of Madame de Vaudey. This splendid manuscript pertains to the most personal side of Napoleon's life and, as such, is much more desirable than the usual bureaucratic documents bearing his signature which surface regularly on the market.
Napoléon Military Organizational Chart Signed: "ap/Np," one page, 18.5" x 9.5". March 21, 1808. Countersigned: "Clarke" as Minister of War. In French, translated. Matted and ornately framed to 23.5" by 14.5". Framed under glass on verso as well, displaying the title of the organizational chart. Hinged at the right to a larger ornate frame, 42" x 34", matted with a color portrait of Napoléon and three metal plaques, one with Napoléon's name, years of birth and death, and title, another relating to his conquest of Spain, and a third, under the hinged frame, transcribing the chart and title in English.
The chart is titled on verso: "Division/of the Pyrenées Orientales/Chart of the Organization/of the 7th Regiment of Line Infantry/of which the 2 First Battalions/are Part of this Division." The first column, headed "Perpignan," lists three battalions. The second column, with another three battalions, was originally headed "Perpignan" but Napoléon has crossed it out and replaced it with "Barcelone." Perpignan is a town in the Pyrenées-Orientales (Eastern Pyrenées), a department of southern France, a few miles west of the Mediterranean Sea. Barcelona, Spain, is about 120 miles south of Perpignan, along the Mediterranean coastline. Barcelona was the first Spanish city to be occupied by French troops. While attempting to close the ports in Portugal, the last of the European ports still open to the British, Napoléon got permission from Spain to march French troops across Spain to Portugal. With 100,000 French troops in Spain, Napoléon seized frontier forts in the Pyrenées and, by February 29, 1808, had taken Barcelona. King Charles IV of Spain abdicated on March 19, 1808, just two days before Napoléon approved ("ap") this organizational chart. On March 23, 1808, French troops entered Madrid. Charles' son Ferdinand had ascended the throne but, with pressure from Napoléon, was forced to abdicate on May 6, 1808. On June 6, 1808, Napoléon proclaimed his brother Joseph as King of Spain. Henri Clarke, who also signed this document, was Napoléon's Minister of War from 1807-1814. Napoleon created him Duc de Feltre in 1809. A remarkable document of Napoléon's Peninsular Campaign revealing his personal involvement in the assigning of his troops preparing for battle, it would be an exceptional addition to a military collection.
The chart is titled on verso: "Division/of the Pyrenées Orientales/Chart of the Organization/of the 7th Regiment of Line Infantry/of which the 2 First Battalions/are Part of this Division." The first column, headed "Perpignan," lists three battalions. The second column, with another three battalions, was originally headed "Perpignan" but Napoléon has crossed it out and replaced it with "Barcelone." Perpignan is a town in the Pyrenées-Orientales (Eastern Pyrenées), a department of southern France, a few miles west of the Mediterranean Sea. Barcelona, Spain, is about 120 miles south of Perpignan, along the Mediterranean coastline. Barcelona was the first Spanish city to be occupied by French troops. While attempting to close the ports in Portugal, the last of the European ports still open to the British, Napoléon got permission from Spain to march French troops across Spain to Portugal. With 100,000 French troops in Spain, Napoléon seized frontier forts in the Pyrenées and, by February 29, 1808, had taken Barcelona. King Charles IV of Spain abdicated on March 19, 1808, just two days before Napoléon approved ("ap") this organizational chart. On March 23, 1808, French troops entered Madrid. Charles' son Ferdinand had ascended the throne but, with pressure from Napoléon, was forced to abdicate on May 6, 1808. On June 6, 1808, Napoléon proclaimed his brother Joseph as King of Spain. Henri Clarke, who also signed this document, was Napoléon's Minister of War from 1807-1814. Napoleon created him Duc de Feltre in 1809. A remarkable document of Napoléon's Peninsular Campaign revealing his personal involvement in the assigning of his troops preparing for battle, it would be an exceptional addition to a military collection.
Napoleon's Secretary Emmanuel de las Cases Document Signed, "Le Cte. de las Cases", one page, 4.25" x 6.5", Paris, November 9, 1812. A French language manuscript on official government stationery imprinted "Conseil d'Etat" on the masthead. Uneven top border as made, some loss to corners from mounting. Overall toning as expected. Very good condition. The Comte de las Cases (1766 - 1841) was born into the French nobility, however he came to repudiate the Royalist cause and followed Napoleon's fortunes. During the first year of the emperor's exile to St. Helena, de las Cases served as Napoleon's secretary. During this period he compiled an immense body of information and published his writings in 1821 as Memorial de Ste. Helene.
A Lock of Napoleon's Hair With 1868 Documentation. A substantial lock of Napoleon's hair is affixed to this fascinating 19th century vellum document detailing the hair's provenance. One page, manuscript, 14" x 17.75", reading in full: "A Copy of a certificate accompanying a small lock of Hair form the head of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte-- The undersigned certifies to the identity of the accompanying hair, it being true and verifiable hair of the late Emperor Napoleon. At the commencement of the Exile of the emperor at St. Helena in 1816; the undersigned, who was then stationed with his regiment at the cape of God Hope, received orders to proceed with his 'company' to St. Helena, and during his three months sojurn (sic) there, he became acquainted with a Mr. George Balcomb, Purveyor, to the Emperor and the other French exiles, at that time on the island. This Mr. Geo. Balcomb was on terms of great intimacy with the Emperor and with the gentlemen who were his companions in exile. To the daughter of Mr. Balcomb (a Mrs. Abel) the Emperor was very partial, and to this lady M. Marchand (the first valet of Napoleon) gave some locks of hair which he cut from the Emperors head; and she presented them to her father. The 'Governor of the Island' reported to the home government, the intimacy between Mr. Balcomb and the French exiles; and it was deemed expedient to remove him from St. Helena. He was sent to Australia. The undersigned, some years after retiring from the service, went to Australia where he met with Mr. Balcomb and the acquaintance formed at St. Helena ripened into a strong friendship. On the death of Mr. Balcomb, the undersigned (who had been his constant companion during his illness) received from Mr. Balcombs own hand, just before he died, these locks of hair, The Hair of Napoleon Bonaparte. F. Lahrbush L. Capt H. B. M. Service
The above certificate I obtained from from Captain Lahrbush, who gave me the few locks of hair of Napoleon which I possess and now divide with my brother Col. S. W. Benjamin of the U. S. Army. Mr. Fred De Peyster of N. Y. has a few locks obtained from the same source - William H. Benjamin.
I received the portion of Napoleons hair from my brother the Rev. William H. Benjamin on the 30th day of October 1867. It having been promised me for some time before, while I was away from New York and on the same day gave a portion of it to Mrs. Edwards Pierpont, for whom I had the above certificate copied. Captain Lahrbush is well known to the members of the 'Church of the Ascension' New York City, and its present Rector the Reverend John Cotton Smith D.D. Mr. Fred De Peyster, Mr. Frederick Foster, and many others can vouch for the integrity of Captain Lahrbush - Samuel W. Benjamin Bvt Lt Col U. S. A. Capt. 2nd Art - y. West Point N. Y. September 15th 1868." Slight fading, else very fine condition. Heritage recently sold three strands of Napoleon's hair for over $2,000. This lot contains several times that many hairs and a some wonderful antique documentation.
The above certificate I obtained from from Captain Lahrbush, who gave me the few locks of hair of Napoleon which I possess and now divide with my brother Col. S. W. Benjamin of the U. S. Army. Mr. Fred De Peyster of N. Y. has a few locks obtained from the same source - William H. Benjamin.
I received the portion of Napoleons hair from my brother the Rev. William H. Benjamin on the 30th day of October 1867. It having been promised me for some time before, while I was away from New York and on the same day gave a portion of it to Mrs. Edwards Pierpont, for whom I had the above certificate copied. Captain Lahrbush is well known to the members of the 'Church of the Ascension' New York City, and its present Rector the Reverend John Cotton Smith D.D. Mr. Fred De Peyster, Mr. Frederick Foster, and many others can vouch for the integrity of Captain Lahrbush - Samuel W. Benjamin Bvt Lt Col U. S. A. Capt. 2nd Art - y. West Point N. Y. September 15th 1868." Slight fading, else very fine condition. Heritage recently sold three strands of Napoleon's hair for over $2,000. This lot contains several times that many hairs and a some wonderful antique documentation.
Manuscript Archive Regarding Napoleon's Arrival at Elba An Autograph Letter Signed by Alexis Boyer, French anatomist and Napoleon's surgeon, 7pp., 4.75" x 7.25", in French, May 4-8, 1814, written to a Mr. Grassier. A remarkable first-hand and day-by-day account of Napoleon's arrival at the island of Elba to take charge of his new Kingdom, reading in part: "A very extraordinary event, which was most unexpected, has drawn the attention of all Europe to the Country where I live... you will certainly be interested to learn what I can tell you about the man who has ruled over us to this day. On April 28th an aide-de-camp of the Minister of War arrived here on an English frigate. He was under orders to receive His Majesty the Emperor, to install him, to hoist the white flag (of the House of Bourbon), and to proclaim our adherence to the new government. Despite the astonishment caused by such an extraordinary and so swift a change the Governor submitted to the orders of Louis XVIII. Since that time we were in the expectation of seeing the arrival of the man who had renounced the French crown...Last night towards six o'clock coming to this town, there was an English frigate dispatching a skiff that landed at the port. The boat had on board an Austrian General, and Englishman (Colonel), a Russian (aide-de-camp), the French General Drouot, a Polish Colonel, and several officers of the British Navy. That boat announced that the frigate just arriving had on board the Emperor Napoleon. Preparations for his reception were immediately undertaken, and a part of the Army staff went aboard the ship; I was in the reception committee. He received us in the council room of the frigate. He talked to each of us and declared his desire to sleep on board and not to come ashore until 2 p.m. today. He ordered the Sub-Prefect to convoke the mayors of the different communities of the island, and the vicary to assemble all the parish priests, and finally all the senior clerks to assemble their subordinates. The morning was spent in formal preparation of a gorgeous display and in drawing up the minutes of the transfer of the island of which General Drouot took possession in the name of the Emperor. It was then taken care to procure the lodgings for the different people who accompanied him...At three o'clock the cannons of the forts and man-of-war, anchored at the roadstead, announced the landing of His Majesty. A new flag particular to the island was hoisted on all the forts... At the Emperor's landing the Mayor presented him with the keys to the city, which he received and immediately gave back... he was accompanied to the Town Hall while the bells were ringing, and the guns and cries of 'Long live the Emperor' sounded...The 5th His Majesty left his palace at 5 o'clock and inspected the fortification, the barracks, the magazines, and all the military establishments...At 2 o'clock he set free the prisoners who had rioted when the enemy was approaching...The 6th His Majesty inspected the iron mine of Rio, two miles from here. He was still accompanied by the same persons. The English frigate saluted him with cannon-shots. The 7th ...His Majesty went out to pay a visit to the barracks, the officers' mess, the mess of the artillery pioneers, and the military hospital. He asked me about everything having to do with my service. He was apparently very satisfied with the management of the hospital and of the care the sick receive. I was afraid that he would ask me from what country I came, a question he asked everyone; in view of the fact that he had been very badly treated by the people of Provence and that he had many reasons for complaining about the behavior the Provenceaux had shown him. His Majesty moved around all day, he is always on his feet, and we have had the pleasure for three days of seeing him on our crossroads. At five o'clock His Majesty sailed to meet an English frigate which arrived from Genoa at six o'clock. [In Provence, Napoleon had been mobbed, stoned, hung in effigy, and roundly terrified.] The 8th His Majesty left for Longone this morning; it is two miles from here. A great celebration is being prepared there. There will be a ball. We are assured that he will not be back until tomorrow... He arrived at Frejus on the 26th. He was accompanied by an English Colonel, and Austrian General, and a Russian aide-de-camp. The two former ones are still here, the latter one left immediately for Paris. The French men in his entourage are the Lord High Steward Count Bertrand, the Artillery Division General Drouot, a Polish Colonel, Mr. Fouteau, his physician; and his treasurer. His mameluke has left him. Not a single surgeon wanted to follow him (the emperor). He has met with much ingratitude. His heart mush have suffered from the estrangement of persons whom he had honored by his friendship and his favors. We are positively told that six or eight hundred men of his Old Guard will come here. His Majesty offers great benefits to those of the garrison who want to stay. It was suggested to me to stay here as his First Surgeon. That is not astonishing. He has no surgeon, and I am here the First one on the island. The salaries are ten thousand francs per year; 20 thousand francs for the full livery, the table and lodgings. It does not tempt me because, though on one side it offers great advantages, it has many inconveniences, which I foresee vaguely, on the other side..." A rich narrative, and valuable primary source for the historical record. Comes with the original transmittal envelope. Letter and envelope are stamped with the name a previous owner; on the whole, in very fine condition.
Also included is an Autograph Manuscript Signed in French, 2pp, 6" x 8", May 4, 1814, being a transcription of the proclamation addressed to the inhabitants of the Isle of Elba by the Commanding General. In Boyer's hand, in part: "People of the Isle of Elba: The vicissitudes of human life have brought the Emperor Napoleon into your midst, and by his choice he becomes your sovereign. Before making his home among you your august and new sovereign addressed to me the following words which I am eager to let you know because they are the pledge of your future happiness. 'General, I have sacrificed my rights in the interest of the country, and I have reserved for myself the sovereignty and ownership of the Isle of Elba. This has been consented to by all the powers. Will you, please, inform the inhabitants of the new state of things and of the choice I have made in adopting their island as my dwelling place because of their manners and customs and their climate. Tell them that they will be the constant object of my most intense concern.' People of Elba! Those words need no comment. They determine your destiny. The Emperor judged you justly. I owe you this acknowledgement, and I render it to you. Inhabitants of the Isle of Elba! Soon I shall leave you. That separation will be a painful one for me because I love you sincerely. But the knowledge that you will be happy sweetens the bitterness of my departure, and whatever good luck I shall still have, it will always bring this island close to me by the reminiscence of the virtues of its people and the good wishes I have for them. Porto Ferrajo, May 4, 1814. The Brigadier General [signed] Identical copy: The Chief of Staff of the Island Boyer" The manuscript is stamped with the name of the former owner; and is on the whole, in very fine condition.
This archive of Napoleonic material lastly includes a partly-printed medical certificate signed by Boyer for a wounded army officer, in French, 1p., 7" x 9.75", Parma, November 25, 1807. This document further supports Boyer's acknowledged service to the French Empire as a surgeon. Stamped with the name of the former owner; on the whole, in very fine condition.
Also included is an Autograph Manuscript Signed in French, 2pp, 6" x 8", May 4, 1814, being a transcription of the proclamation addressed to the inhabitants of the Isle of Elba by the Commanding General. In Boyer's hand, in part: "People of the Isle of Elba: The vicissitudes of human life have brought the Emperor Napoleon into your midst, and by his choice he becomes your sovereign. Before making his home among you your august and new sovereign addressed to me the following words which I am eager to let you know because they are the pledge of your future happiness. 'General, I have sacrificed my rights in the interest of the country, and I have reserved for myself the sovereignty and ownership of the Isle of Elba. This has been consented to by all the powers. Will you, please, inform the inhabitants of the new state of things and of the choice I have made in adopting their island as my dwelling place because of their manners and customs and their climate. Tell them that they will be the constant object of my most intense concern.' People of Elba! Those words need no comment. They determine your destiny. The Emperor judged you justly. I owe you this acknowledgement, and I render it to you. Inhabitants of the Isle of Elba! Soon I shall leave you. That separation will be a painful one for me because I love you sincerely. But the knowledge that you will be happy sweetens the bitterness of my departure, and whatever good luck I shall still have, it will always bring this island close to me by the reminiscence of the virtues of its people and the good wishes I have for them. Porto Ferrajo, May 4, 1814. The Brigadier General [signed] Identical copy: The Chief of Staff of the Island Boyer" The manuscript is stamped with the name of the former owner; and is on the whole, in very fine condition.
This archive of Napoleonic material lastly includes a partly-printed medical certificate signed by Boyer for a wounded army officer, in French, 1p., 7" x 9.75", Parma, November 25, 1807. This document further supports Boyer's acknowledged service to the French Empire as a surgeon. Stamped with the name of the former owner; on the whole, in very fine condition.
Jerome Bonaparte Autograph Letter Signed, "Jerome", two pages in French with integral address panel, 5.25" x 8", Stuttgart, Germany, October 28, 1847 to Felix Davidski (?), Marseilles. On personal stationery carrying an embossed and colored family crest. Light stains, very fine condition. Jerome Bonaparte was Napoleon's youngest brother and reigned as King of Westphalia, 1807-1813. An interesting aside relevant to Jerome Bonaparte's legacy is that his grandson, Charles Joseph Bonaparte, first organized the Force of Special Agents of the Department of Justice in 1908, essentially founding the American F.B.I.
Stephanie de Beauharnais Autograph Letter Signed "Stephanie", two pages, 5.75" x 7.25", n.p., nd. A pencil notation dates this letter to April 10, 1824, and it is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the French Ministry of Culture. Very fine condition. Stephanie de Beaharnais (1789-1860) was Napoleon's adopted niece. In 1806, she became the Grand Duchess of Baden by virtue of an arranged political marriage and remained in Germany for the rest of her life.
(Napoleon Bonaparte) Marie Louise, Autograph Letter Signed "Marie Louise", one page, 4.25 x 3.5 inches (sight), [no place, no date] in French to an unknown correspondent congratulating her on the birth of her child. Lovingly matted with a wide gilt border in an antique brass frame (possibly contemporary) with hand colored engraving of a woman holding her son flying on the back of an eagle. Very light creases, else very bright and clean and in fine condition. Not examined out of frame. A wonderful presentation piece.
[Christopher Columbus] Circa 1500 Italian Family Journal. Manuscript, 62 pages, 6.5" x 9.25", Siena-Grosseto. A stunning aristocratic vellum journal covering one family's history of dowry contracts, marriages, wills, family relationships, rules, and the transfer of land and property in the town of Siena-Grosseto in Tuscany in the years 1493-1521. There is possible association to Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci. The journal has been written in the late 15th and early 16th c. calligraphy with some top style writings and decorated letters on 100% genuine vellum sheets with signatures of notaries. The writing is in Latin. The wooden board binding was added later, most likely in the 19th century. The area of Siena and Grosseto is located in Tuscany in the Chianti area of Italy. This area was well known by Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci. It was around the time when the journal was kept, in Tuscany,where Columbus met with Amerigo Vespucci, America's namesake, who lived in Montefioralle where he was also buried.
It is possible that with some translation and research, references to Columbus or Vespucci could be found. The most interesting family tid-bit from the journal is that it was probably handed down in Giovanni Di Peitro's family due to the writing on the back ("Di Pietro Di Coro") and various other nuggets found inside. Giovanni Di Pietro, who died in 1318, was an official titled employee of the church of Rieti, its bishop's notary. Ancestors include Italian painter Giovanni Di Pietro b circa 1403; fl 1439-68; d before May 1479. Giovanni di Pietro is first documented in 1452 collaborating with the much younger Matteo Di Giovanni in gilding a statue by Jacopo della Quercia for Siena Cathedral.
This journal is an amazing untapped resource of Italian heritage and a notable family. We are happy to provide a much more detailed description of this lot upon request.
It is possible that with some translation and research, references to Columbus or Vespucci could be found. The most interesting family tid-bit from the journal is that it was probably handed down in Giovanni Di Peitro's family due to the writing on the back ("Di Pietro Di Coro") and various other nuggets found inside. Giovanni Di Pietro, who died in 1318, was an official titled employee of the church of Rieti, its bishop's notary. Ancestors include Italian painter Giovanni Di Pietro b circa 1403; fl 1439-68; d before May 1479. Giovanni di Pietro is first documented in 1452 collaborating with the much younger Matteo Di Giovanni in gilding a statue by Jacopo della Quercia for Siena Cathedral.
This journal is an amazing untapped resource of Italian heritage and a notable family. We are happy to provide a much more detailed description of this lot upon request.
Manuscript in the Name of Leonardo Loredano, Doge of Venice, 1501-1521, vellum, one page, 9.5" x 7", Venice, October 22, 1519. Penned in Latin and giving Loredano's name as "Leonardus Loredanus", this loosely reads in part: "...We notify you that Daniel Iordanus, notary public, imperial scribe who today wrote and published a document of annulment through which Hieronymus Marinonus of Milan....and annuls an instrument of exchange of pastors and pertinent goods according to the same celebrated Hieronymus and Hieronymus of Brebia requested by the hand of Ioannis Ambrosii of Casoraris of Milan a notary according as is read more extensively in the above mentioned instrument...". A few scattered stains, expected aging and minor marginal loss from seal breakage. Also, two modern pencil notations of dates. Fine condition. Loredan (1436 - 1521) was among the Venetian Dukes who maintained a commercial empire unrivaled until Spain's ascendancy in the 16th century. Here is a splendid opportunity to acquire a document that bridges the medieval and modern worlds.
George Washington Presidential Autograph Letter Signed in the Third Person Autograph letter signed "the President" in the text, 1 p., 6.25" x 4.5" trimmed, n.p., "Wednesday 16th Mar 1796", he writes to a Mrs. Stewart, sending a portrait of himself. In full: 'Not for the representation or the value, but because it is the production of a fair lady, the President takes the liberty of presenting the enclosed, with his best regards, to Mrs. Stewart praying her acceptance. Wednesday 16th Mar 1796". With uneven toning and dark ink, piece is attractively framed with a reproduction of Madame De Brehan's miniature portrait of a Grecian-styled image of Washington and a biographical plaque in a gilt frame to an overall size of 23" x 18.5".
George Washington Franked Cover in "Public Service" A cover leaf with a large dark "Go Washington" measuring 3.75" in length, [circa 1782], likely addressed in the hand of his then aide, Hodijah Baylies, adding "Public Service" at top right. Addressed to "Mr. - Quackenbush" as Assistant Quartermaster at Albany. Light soiling and loss at top occurring at opening of seal, which remains intact. Near fine condition.
Antiques
Chromolithograph of George Washington Entering New York, Circa 1850. This chromo is attributed to Sarony & Major by an old note from the previous owner on the back of the frame, but it is signed "Herline and Hensel, Philad." in the print. Both were major lithographers in the mid-18th century and known for the quality of their work. This fabulous picture shows George Washington's triumphal entry into the city of New York after his victory in the Siege of Yorktown, a combined assault of French Forces led by General Comte de Rochambeau and American Forces led by Washington over a British Army commanded by General Lord Cornwallis. The surrender of Cornwallis's army caused the British government to negotiate an end to the American Revolutionary War. The future president is met in the city with a crowd of men, women, and children- all celebrating the hard-fought victory. A wonderful example of the lithographer's art with vibrant colors and stunning detail. Sight size is 41.5" x 27.5" in an early 20th-century frame with overall dimensions of 46.5" x 32.5". There is one 6" tear at the left edge and a couple of smaller edge tears at the lower left, but overall, the condition is fine (not examined out of frame). Great display presence.
Autographs
Three Strands of Hair of John Adams mounted beneath a facsimile copy of the provenance documenting the hair reading: "hair of the late John Adam's taken 4th of July - 1826 aged 91". With Certificate of Authenticity from University Archives and other documentation of provenance.
Thomas Jefferson Autograph Note Signed, "Th:Jefferson", as President, one page, 4.5 x 1 inch, [no place], April 10, 1802 concerning paying a bookseller. He writes: "will mr Barnes be pleased to order payment [sic] of the above (25.75) to Mr Dufries, bookseller Philad[elphi]a Th:Jefferson Apr. 10. 1802" Jefferson was of course a copious purchaser of books, and ran himself into enormous debt for his efforts. His personal library was the largest in the United States. Following the burning of Washington by the British in 1814, Jefferson offered to sell his library to Congress to form the new core of the Library of Congress. The U.S. purchased the collection, consisting of 6,487 volumes, for $23,950 in 1815, but sadly two-thirds of the collection was destroyed by fire in 1851. Removed from a larger document and mounted to a larger sheet. Light foxing, else fine condition.
James Madison as President Document Signed Five Days Before Washington Burned, one page, matted to a sight size of 13.25" x 6.25", Washington, D.C., August 19, 1814. A military commission naming William McRee a Lt. Colonel and also signed by Secretary of War John Armstrong. Affixed with War Department seal. Overall browning with evidence of earlier archival tape and small splits to folds. Very good condition. McRee, a North Carolinian, was with the U.S. Engineer Corps and was highly praised for his intelligence and bravery by Winfield Scott during the War of 1812. McRee died from cholera in 1833 and had a Florida fort named in his memory. Not only is this commission made out to a well regarded officer, it was executed just before the British under General Cockburn burned Washington's public buildings.
James Madison Signature and Dolley Madison Free Frank- A Beautiful Pair! Two pieces in excellent condition, as follows:
James Madison. Signature on a slip of paper measuring 3" x 1", dark and legible.
Dolley Madison, his wife. A Free Frank signed "Free D.P. Madison" and stamped, in red ink, "FREE" as well, 3.5" x 1.75". It is laid down to a slightly larger slip measuring 4.5" x 2.5". Although Mrs. Madison possessed the franking privilege for 13 years, her franks are quite scarce.
James Madison. Signature on a slip of paper measuring 3" x 1", dark and legible.
Dolley Madison, his wife. A Free Frank signed "Free D.P. Madison" and stamped, in red ink, "FREE" as well, 3.5" x 1.75". It is laid down to a slightly larger slip measuring 4.5" x 2.5". Although Mrs. Madison possessed the franking privilege for 13 years, her franks are quite scarce.
James Monroe as President Document Signed, one page, vellum, 11.5" x 14.5", Washington, D.C., March 7, 1818. A Revolutionary War service land grant for 666 2/3 acres along the Scioto River awarded to Lucas Sullivant, assignee of Uriah Springer, late Captain of the Virginia Continental Line. Also signed by Josiah Meigs (1757 - 1822) as Commissioner of the General Land Office and affixed with the office's paper seal. Slight yellowing, original folds. Overall fine condition.
James Monroe Signed Land Grant D.S. "James Monroe", 1p., 9.75" x 15", City of Washington, Feb. 10, 1824, being a land grant made out to Abner Knapp of New York. Document bears some soiling and light buckling; although engrossed ink has faded, Monroe's signature remains quite visible. Just good condition and simply framed in wood.
John Quincy Adams as President Document Signed, "J. Q. Adams", one page, vellum, 11.25" x 12.75", Washington, D.C., November 3, 1825. A land grant earned by the Revolutionary War service of Lt. Harod Gibbs, Virginia Line. One hundred acres "between the Little Miami and Scotia rivers" is given to Sarah Robinson and other heirs. The document is also signed by Commissioner of the General Land Office, George Graham (1772 - 1830). Folds and some fading, fine condition.
President Andrew Jackson Land Grant Document Signed, one page, on parchment, 15.5" x 9.25", November 1, 1830. President Jackson grants over 79 acres of land in Steubenville, Ohio, to a Hugh Thompson of Columbiana County, Ohio. Nicely signed at the bottom in black ink by Jackson and countersigned by the Commissioner of the General Land Office, Elijah Hayward. The document has four vertical storage folds of which two pass through Jackson's signature without detracting from the appearance. In good condition displaying overall light wrinkling and soiling, some foxing around the edges and a portion of the attached seal missing.
Andrew Jackson Signature, 5.25" x 1", likely clipped from a larger document. Huge and impressive. Professionally matted beneath an engraving of General Jackson. Excellent condition.
Martin Van Buren Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "M Van Buren", 1p. Lindenwald, Dec. 15, 1845, to "My dear Commodore". In part: "What in the world has become of you. I wrote you a month or two ago & since that have not had reason to know whether you are in the land of the living or not..." In Van Buren's characteristic quick script on blue stationery. Very good condition.
William Henry Harrison- Early Indiana Territorial Document Signed "Willm Henry Harrison", one page, 11" x 7.75", Vincennes, Indiana, December 13, 1810. This partially printed document appoints David Hoover as Justice of the Peace for Wayne County with Harrison signing off as Governor. Affixed with an embossed paper seal in lower left corner. Even toning, two smoothed folds and minor splits. Fine condition. Harrison, Indiana's first governor, gained national attention by defeating Tecumseh at Tippecanoe in 1811 and would, in time, become our ninth president.
William H. Harrison partly printed Document Signed "Willm Henry Harrison" as Governor and Commander in Chief of the Indiana Territory, one page, 12" x 7.5". Vincennes, September 11, 1809. Appointment of "David Hoover to be a Justice of the Peace, in the county of Dearborn." Embossed 2" diameter paper seal affixed with red wax at lower left. On verso is an Autograph Document Signed "Willm Henry Harrison." In full, "Indiana> Be it known that I William Henry Harrison Governor of said Territory do hereby authorise & appoint Richard Rue Esqr to administer the oaths of office to the within named David Hoover. Given under my hand & seal the eleventh day of Septr 1809." Beneath Harrision's ADS is a faded ADS: "Richard Rue JP," dated September 26, 1809, attesting to his administration of the oaths of office to David Hoover. Richard Rue was the first Justice of the Peace in the Indian Territory. David Hoover (1781-1866) is credited with being the first white man to come to the territory's Whitewater Valley. In 1810, Hoover was appointed Justice of the Peace in newly organized Wayne County. He suggested changing the name of the town of Smithville to Richmond, Indiana, laid out the city and wrote the deeds for the property. In 1815, Hoover was appointed associate judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court. Harrison served as Governor and Commander in Chief of the Indiana Territory from 1801-1813. The document has one mid-horizontal and two vertical folds, none of which touch Harrison's signatures. The left third of the document has separated at the fold with minimal loss of a few letters and there are partial separations at the other two folds with a minor transparent tape repair on verso not near Harrison's writing. The edges are chipped and the document is lightly stained. Harrison's signature on the "Hoover" side is in a clear, unstained area. His handwriting and signature on the "Rue" side is dark with excellent contrast to the light staining. Overall, the document, bearing three full signatures of the 35-year-old future President (including one in the text) is in fair condition worthy of expert restoration.
John Tyler Document Signed as President, one page, 15 x 18 inches on vellum, Washington, March 6, 1843 appointing Jenks Beaman as a "Second Lieutenant in the Fourth Regiment of Infantry..." Countersigned by John C. Spinner as Secretary of War. Jenks was a 1842 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served during the Mexican War in the Fourth Infantry. During his service in the field he was promoted to First Lieutenant. The 4th Infantry first served under Zachary Taylor's army of observation and saw action at Monterrey. The 4th then sailed to Vera Cruz where it besieged the city and then advanced on Mexico City. Beaman died on May 6, 1848 only a month before his regiment was due to return to the United States. Usual folds, light soiling, some minor contemporary touch-ups to Tyler's signature where pen ran low on ink, else fine condition.
James K. Polk partly printed Document Signed James K. Polk" as President, one page, 15 x 18 inches on vellum, Washington, December 4, 1846 appointing Jenks Beaman as a "First Lieutenant in the Fourth Regiment of Infantry..." Countersigned by William L. Marcy as Secretary of War. Jenks was a 1842 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served during the Mexican War in the Fourth Infantry. During his service in the field he was promoted to First Lieutenant. The 4th Infantry first served under Zachary Taylor's army of observation and saw action at Monterrey. The 4th then sailed to Vera Cruz where it besieged the city and then advanced on Mexico City. Beaman died on May 6, 1848 only a month before his regiment was due to return to the United States. Usual folds, light soiling and toning, else very good condition with crisp engravings and a good dark signature.
Zachary Taylor Clipped Signature, "Z. Taylor Bt Br Genl", 3.5" x 2", probably Texas, ca. 1846. Bold on evenly toned paper, very fine condition. Although taken from a larger original document, this clipping retains interesting clues as to its historical significance. First, the printed line "Commanding the Department" appears just under Taylor's name. Additionally, above the signature are two small lines in a secretarial hand which respectively read "Issued Feb 2nd" and "...of 25th Decr 1845." It would appear that Taylor likely signed this document sometime in early 1846 after he had been sent to a recently annexed Texas by President Polk. Taylor, destined to become the nation's 12th president, commanded American forces along the Rio Grande and won the first battle of the Mexican War at Palo Alto, Texas on May 8, 1846.
Union Army Commission Signed by President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, partially printed, one page, 13.5" x 17", Washington, D.C., March 10, 1863. One William J. Ellis is here appointed "Commissary of Subsistence of Volunteers, with the rank of Captain". Affixed with blue War Department seal and having the standard engraved vignettes of American eagle, flags and martial arms. Folds as expected, Stanton's signature slightly faded. Overall very fine condition.
Rare Lincoln and Wells Signed U. S. Marine Corps Commission . Partially printed vellum Document Signed, "Abraham Lincoln" as President and "Gideon Wells' as Secretary of the Navy, one page, 15.5" x 19.25", Washington, D.C., April 1, 1862. Robert O'Neill Ford is here appointed a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Vignettes showing an American eagle, martial arms, flags,and a maritime tableaux frame the text of this highly desirable officer's commission. An embossed paper Navy Department seal is affixed to the document's lower portion. Overall toning with some soiling on folds and margins. The signatures are somewhat faded; however, they remain perfectly legible. Overall very good condition. The U.S. Marine Corps played a surprisingly small role in the Civil War considering the numerous amphibious assaults undertaken by Union forces. Whereas millions of men took up arms for the Federal government, less than 4,000 Marines were authorized by President Lincoln in 1861. Consequently, only 148 Marines were killed in action during a war that otherwise consumed hundreds of thousands of American lives.
Abraham Lincoln Letter Signed as President L.S. "A. Lincoln" on Executive Mansion letterhead, 1p., trimmed to 5" x 4.5", [Washington], Oct. 13, 1862. A brief signed letter granting a request for his autograph: "Dear Sir Herewith I send you my autograph..." Very clean, save a few mounting remnants on verso; and excellent example of his Presidential signature.
Abraham Lincoln Document Signed, partially printed, one page, sight size 14.75" x 9.75", Washington, D.C., May 4, 1861. Here Edgar H. Bates is appointed a Justice of the Peace for "the County of Washington in the District of Columbia". He was one of 14 judges nominated by Lincoln for Senate review and was confirmed. This commission is also signed by William H. Seward as Secretary of State. Affixed with embossed Presidential Seal in lower left corner. Very good condition with small splits on folds. Also, the paper around the signature is discolored from an earlier mat in which only Lincoln's name was exposed to light.
Abraham Lincoln 1863 Autograph Endorsement Signed "A. Lincoln". One page, 4.25" x 6", excised from a larger document, no place [Washington], October 16, 1863. Lincoln places his endorsement on a request to promote Col Jno. W. Foster of the 65th Indiana Volunteers to the rank of brigadier general. Lincoln writes: "Submitted to the Sec. of War and General-in-Chief A. Lincoln Oct. 16, 1863". Interestingly, this particular officer achieved some amount of fame in his own right. John Watson Foster was born in Petersburg, Indiana and became a lawyer before his service in the Civil War. After a distinguished career in the service attaining the rank of brigadier general, he went back to his home in Indiana and became editor of the Evansville Daily Journal. He gained prominence in the Republican Party and, from 1873 to 1885, served in several diplomatic posts. He is considered by some to be America's first professional diplomat. In 1892, he was named secretary of state during Benjamin Harrison's administration. Two of his grandchildren were also involved in public service, John Foster Dulles who served as secretary of state under Eisenhower, and Allen W. Dulles who served as C.I.A Director. One fold through the middle of the document affects nothing, overall fine condition.
Abraham Lincoln Unsigned Autograph Document. Piatt Co., Ill., 12 October 1852, one page, folio, on blue paper. An affidavit signed by James H. Hollingsworth, who is under indictment "for a supposed assault with intent to commit a bodily injury upon Jacob Ater". Hollingsworth seeks to delay action in his case, claiming that he "can not safely go to trial" because of the absence of two material witnesses, by whom he expects to prove that "Ater threatened to kill the affiant, and threw a heavy bottle at the head of this affiant, with great violence, and was rushing upon said affiant apparently to execute his threats of killing him, at the time this affiant snapped the pistol at him..." (aside from this alleged assault, records show that Hollingsworth was simultaneously up on three charges of illegally selling liquor). Some fold wear, but good; unusual, since Lincoln was not involved in a great many criminal assault cases.
Abraham Lincoln Autograph Legal Document Signed "Lincoln & Herndon for defts". Two pages (front and verso of single blue sheet), 7.5" x 11.5", "In the Circuit Court of Sangamon County in the State of Illinois", August 1, 1855. He writes, for the defendant, a notice to take depositions in Willard Tinney vs. Frederick Ingwesson, et al. Lincoln was at a point in his "circuit-riding" career when his political prominence was starting to rise. He had recently become the head of the newly formed Republican Party and would soon be a serious contender for the vice presidential nomination in 1856. Even though he had many large clients, Lincoln (and partner Herndon) still argued small, ordinary cases for the common people as represented in this document. Stephen Trigg Logan, the plaintiff's attorney and Lincoln's former law partner, received the deposition. He has signed at the end,"S. T. Logan atto. for plff."
This document is in very fine condition and is elaborately and beautifully matted and framed. The Lincoln DS is matted in light green suede with gilt fillets into a double sided frame of 12.5" x 17" which is hinged to a matching suede mat containing an engraved presentation plate and Lincoln's image. The entire text of the document is engraved onto another large plate that is located underneath the hinged document frame. Overall size is 39" x 26". This would be at home on the wall of any office, residence, or institution.
This document is in very fine condition and is elaborately and beautifully matted and framed. The Lincoln DS is matted in light green suede with gilt fillets into a double sided frame of 12.5" x 17" which is hinged to a matching suede mat containing an engraved presentation plate and Lincoln's image. The entire text of the document is engraved onto another large plate that is located underneath the hinged document frame. Overall size is 39" x 26". This would be at home on the wall of any office, residence, or institution.
19th Century Autograph Book Belonging to Robert C. Scanland and Containing the Signatures of Lincoln, Grant, Garfield and Many Others. A leather-bound autograph book circa 1860s and containing over 100 pages measuring 4.5" x 7" filled with various signatures, sentiments, and other bits of ephemera as compiled by Robert Scanland of Illinois. The book is accompanied by an article clipped from The Peoria Journal, Feb. 18, 1896 detailing both Scanland's intentions with regards to compiling the signatures therein, as well as recounting how some of the more noted signatures were acquired. The first page of the book contains a CDV size albumen of Scanland, identified by his signature and dating the origin of his venture of autograph collecting to May 1863. The first signature of note is that of Abraham Lincoln and it appears in the first few pages along with that of his private secretary John G. Nicolay who signs beneath. According to the article, Scanland was an acquaintance of Lincoln's during his early law practice, and the signature was obtained during a visit to the White House. Another highlight is the signature of Ulysses S. Grant who adds "IMaj. Gen. U.S.A. / Cairo, 1863". Beneath, in another hand, likely Scanland's, the provenance of where and when the signature was obtained: "on board Steamer 'City of Alton' enroute for Vicksburg". Other signers include: James A. Garfield, Napoleon Buford, Schuyler Colfax, and many more dignitaries and military officers from the 19th Century. Bits of ephemera include a poem in tribute of Lincoln and a ribbon from the re-union of the 21st Illinois Volunteers. The book remains in excellent condition, with a sturdy spine and only negligible toning. A fine relic.
Abraham Lincoln: The Most Documented Lock of Lincoln's Hair Extant. Three strands of hair removed by surgeons to access the fatal wound. It was given by Mrs. Lincoln to Dr. Charles Taft, who attended the president on his deathbed. Taft willed his collection of mementos to his son, Charles C. Taft, who sold the hair lock with full documentation in 1908. Its provenance has been continuously documented since. These hairs come with a certificate of authenticity from University Archives, Westport, Connecticut who now own the complete Taft lock of Lincoln's hair. A full account of the history of this lock (on CD) also accompanies the lot.
Grace Bedell Autographed Typed Copy of Her Letter to Lincoln, signed "Grace Bedell Billings", one page, 6" x 8", ca. 1934, with its original envelope addressed to collector Henry Luhrs of Pennsylvania. The lot also includes a 5" x 3" card bearing the same signature. All items very fine condition. During the closing days of the 1860 presidential race Abraham Lincoln received a letter from a Westfield, New York girl suggesting he grow a beard. The young lady was Grace Bedell, age 11, and she wrote in part: "...I have got 4 brothers and part of them will vote for you any way and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you; you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin...". Lincoln, of course, followed her advice, grew his signature set of whiskers and...won the election. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Lincoln Collection. Comprises: (1) Lincoln's Inauguration. James M. Kennedy. ALS: "Jas M. Kennedy," four pages, 4.75" x 8", front and verso. Sunny Side, March 24, no year but 1861 by content; someone has written "1860" at top right in modern blue ink. To "Friend John." In part: "The 22d I spent at home as unpatriotic as need be...I liked 'old Abe's' inaugural very well. Some of the Republicans are down hard on him now on account of this Fort Sumter affair...." Lincoln was inaugurated on March 4, 1861. Folds, else fine. (2) 1862 White House Pass. Autograph Pass. In full: "Fort Monroe Jun 27 '62 / Pass to White House / one trip," not signed. Stamped: "Lieut Wm E. Blake/Aide de Camp and/Provost Marshall," on 5" x 2.25" slip of paper affixed to 9.25" x 3" sheet. (3) John M. Broomall. ALS: "J. M. Broomall/M.C. 7th Cong. Dist. Penn," one page, 4.75" x 5". Washington, February 8, 1864. The Republican Congressman writes, in full: "I look upon the re-election of Abraham Lincoln as at once certain, and necessary to the good of the country." Mounted on another sheet. (4) George H. Yeaman. ALS: "Geo. H. Yeaman", 1.5 pages, 7.75" x 10.25", front and verso. Thirty Eighth Congress pictorial stationery, Washington, February 27, 1865. To President Lincoln recommending nine Confederate prisoners "for release, under the amnesty oath." After originally listing two names, the Unionist Congressman from Kentucky adds three at the bottom and four more on verso on February 28th, signing his name again. Mounting remnant in blank area on verso. (5) John A. Bingham. Autograph Quotation Signed: "Liberty and Justice/Very truly yours/Jno A. Bingham/Ohio", 3" x 2" card. Mounting remnants and penciled notes on verso. John A. Bingham was a special judge advocate in the trial of the Lincoln conspirators. (6) Joseph H. Barrett. ALS: "Jos. H. Barrett", three pages, 5.25" x 8". Washington, January 20, 1862. About the reelection campaign of Senator Benjamin F. Wade of Ohio. Barrett of Ohio was Commissioner of Pensions for the District of Columbia during Lincoln's presidency. In 1865, he published Life of Abraham Lincoln. (7) Henry Bacon. ALS: "Henry Bacon", two pages, 4.5" x 7", separate conjoined pages. 14 Ave de l'Alma [Paris], April 16, 1893. To Mr. Niles. In part: "Is there any chance of that book of sketches of mine coming out this summer?...The Transcript published last winter The Story of 'A Charming fellow' for which I sent illustrations...." Architect Henry Bacon designed the Lincoln Memorial. (8) Mrs. Lincoln: Charles S. Sweet. ALS: "Chas. S. Sweet/Private Secretary", two pages, 8", front and verso. War Department, Washington, March 21, 1881. To Mrs. Rosa Wallach, Washington, informing her that "Mrs. Lincoln directs me to say to you that your letter was handed to her just as she was getting ready to leave the city. She handed the letter to the secretary [her son, Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln] and spoke to him in regard to the matter referred to by you. But the Secretary said that the application must be made directly to the Secretary of the Navy...." Slightly toned. With damaged carte de visite photograph identified as one of Mary Lincoln. (9) Thomas Bull. ALS: "Thomas Ball", one page, 5.25" x 8". Florence, Italy, February 15 1895. The sculptor acknowledges receipt of a draft of funds due to him. Ball's Freedmen's Monument in Washington, D.C., was funded mostly by Black Americans, many of whom had served during the Civil War. The statue depicts Lincoln, his left arm outstretched over a slave rising from a kneeling position. In his other hand Lincoln holds the Emancipation Proclamation. Partial separation in blank area at the mid-fold. Penciled notations on most items in the collection. Ten items. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Lincoln Law Partner Stephen T. Logan Autograph Document Signed "Logan & Lincoln p.q." Christian Co., Ill., November 1842, one page, folio. Frederick Myer complains that the previous April he was possessed "of fifteen hundred rails" valued at $30 but "casually lost the same", and that they were subsequently found by Benjamin L. Yates, who, although knowing their rightful owner, "converted and disposed of the same to his own use." An endorsement by Logan on the verso, also signed in the name of Logan and Lincoln, asks issuance of a summons. A nice association of the world's most famous "Rail Splitter" with a suit actually involving rails - and dated in the month that he married Mary Todd!
Lincoln Cabinet and Others. Interesting collection of letters, signatures, and checks. Comprises: (1) Hannibal Hamlin. ALS: "H. Hamlin", 1.5 pages, 4.75" x 8", front and verso. Boston, February 6, 1866. To Gov. George S. Boutwell re: the American Cotton Planting and Loan Co. (2) Montgomery Blair. Rare ALS: "M. Blair", one page, 5" x 8". No place, no date, but as Lincoln's Postmaster General, writing that the President wishes furniture seized from a man to be released to his daughter, Miss Waring. (3) Montgomery Blair. Signature: "M. Blair" as Postmaster General, 3.5" x 1.5", mounted on sheet. (4) Edward Bates. Signature: "Edwd Bates", 2.5" x 1", light stains, mounted on sheet. (5) Edwin M. Stanton. Manuscript LS: "Edwin M Stanton" as Secretary of War, one page, 7.75" x 9.75". To Richard Lathers who has invited the Stantons to visit him in New York. Wrinkled and stained but with dark signature. (6) William H. Seward. Front panel of tan letter franked in upper right: "William H Seward", 5.5" x 3.5". Addressed by him to Jas Pollock, Esq., Cincinnati, Ohio. No postal markings. Stained. (7) William H. Seward. ALS: "William H. Seward", one page, 7.5" x 5.75", Auburn, December 28, 1847. To Horace Greeley, thanking him for an article he sent. Mounted on sheet. (8) Gideon Welles and Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding. Manuscript LS: "Gideon Welles" as Secretary of the Navy, one page, 7.5" x 10". Navy Department, May 16, 1863. To Major Henry O. Brigham, giving him permission to take passage in a U.S. supply steamer from New York to New Orleans. Also signed: "H. Paulding" and "Wm B Eaton/Cmd". Closely cut at right edge not affecting signatures. (9) Gideon Welles. Signature: "Gideon Welles" as Secretary of the Navy, 3.5" x 1.25". Minor smudge. (10) Simon Cameron. ALS: "Simon Cameron/Secy of War", one page, 5.25" x 7.75". War Dept., June 20, 1861. Asking Col. Ramsey to "give P. Jordan for use of this Dept a pair of small pistols." Light stains from folding. Tipped to a larger sheet. (11) Simon Cameron. ALS: "Simon Cameron", two pages, 4.75" x 7.5", front and verso. Middletown, May 1, 1847. To Secretary of State James Buchanan, asking him to introduce the bearer, Dr Chas Bouer, to the President (Polk); Bouer hopes to obtain "some rank in the Medical Dept of the Army". (12) Simon Cameron. ANS: Simon Cameron", one page, 4.75" x 7". No place, April 22, 1846. Requesting a letter advertised for Charles B. Penrose. (13) Simon Cameron. ALS: "Simon Cameron", one page, 4.75" x 4". Washington, January 14, 1858, re: volumes of the Pacific Rail Road for New York. With photostat of an order from Cameron relating to movement of troops through Baltimore. (14) Simon Cameron. ALS: "Simon Cameron", two pages, 8" x 10", front and verso. Tipped to another page. Washington, March 1, 1897. To the President (Grover Cleveland), asking him to commission four named officers in Capt. John Butler's company of Dragoons. (15) Hugh McCulloch. Signature: "Hugh McCulloch/April 8th 1885", 5"x2". (16) John Hay. Autograph Poem Signed: "John Hay", 3.25 pages, 5" x 8", front and verso. Haverhill, Mass., no date. An original poem by Hay, seven stanzas of eight lines each, titled: "Little Breeches." "Little Breeches" was published in John Hay's Pike County Ballads." (1871). With articles about Hay. (17) Charles Sumner. Partly Printed Check filled out and signed: "Charles Sumner", 8.25" x 2.75". First National Bank of Washington, D.C., April 3, 1871. Payable to Messrs Beckwith & Hunter for $140.38. Reinforced on verso. (18) Francis E. Spinner. ALS: "F. E. Spinner" as Treasurer of the United States, one page, 5" x 8". Washington, December 11, 1871. Complying with a request. (19) Samuel F. Vinton. Autograph Check Signed: "Saml. F. Vinton", one page, 6.75" x 4". Washington, May 7, 1824. Order to pay David Trimble $355. Endorsed on verso by Trimble. Worn, stained. In 1862, Vinton was appointed by President Lincoln to appraise the slaves emancipated in the District of Columbia. (20) Richard M. Blatchford. ALS: "R. M. Blatchford", one page, 5" x 7.75". New York, April 8, 1848. To an unnamed recipient asking him for financial information for Macalister. Marked "(Confidential)" and "please burn this". Blatchford, a lawyer and banker, was a friend of Seward's. Stained mid-vertical fold. (21) Charles A. Dana. ALS: "C. A. Dana", three pages, 5" x 8", front and verso. As editor of The Sun, New York, February 28, 1882. To Mr. Bonner, mentioning "Mr. Blaine's speech" and the monument "over Mr. Bryant's grave at Roslyn". (22) Charles A. Dana. Autograph Quotation Signed: "C. A. Dana", one page, 4.5" x 7". Boston, April 28, 1893. In full: "The difference between One and Nothing is infinite". (23) Charles A. Dana. ALS: "C. A. Dana", four pages, 5" x 8", front and verso. War Department, Washington City, December 12, 1864. Letter to a friend. Mounting strip on left edge of first page. Penciled notes on most of the items in this collection. 28 items. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.
Andrew Johnson partly printed Document Signed "Andrew Johnson" as President, one page on vellum, 14 x 17 inches, Washington, May 29, 1866. A scarce naval appointment comissioing Geroge W. Beaman as a "Paymaster in the Navy". Countersigned by Gideon Welles as Secretary of the Navy. Cockled with moderate soiling and light dampstains, marginal chipping with some loss not affecting text or signature, affixed by tacks to the top of a frame, signature a bit light, else good to very good condition.
Ulysses S. Grant as President Document Signed, "U. S. Grant", partially printed, one page, 7.5" x 7.5", Washington, D.C., May 5, 1871. It reads in part: "I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to a warrant for the pardon of Samuel Howell...". A few minor blemishes, toned paper with a bold signature. Fine condition. Professionally matted and framed with an engraving of Grant before Vicksburg to an overall size of 24" x 16.5".
Ulysses S. Grant unusual partly printed Document Signed "U.S. Grant" as President in violet ink, one page, 18 x 11 inches, Washington, November 13, 1872 appointing "Middleton Goldsmith a Commissioner on the Commission authorized to be constituted under and by virtue of the act of Congress 'to provide for celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of American independence, by holding an international exhibition of arts, manufactures, and products of the soil and mine, in the City of Philadelphia... in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-six..." Countersigned by Hamilton Fish as Secretary of State. The international exhibition was erected on a 450 section of Fairmount Park in Philadelphia and opened on May 10, 1876, running until the beginning of November. The Centennial Commission charged with planning the exhibition was comprised of nominees of the governors of the several states, Goldsmith being the nominee from Vermont. Exhibits included Peter Rothermels' enormous cyclorama of the Battle of Gettysburg together with exhibits on art, technology and agriculture. A fine association piece and a relatively scarce document. Marginal losses and two small holes do not affect signature or text, usual folds, else very bright and clean and in very good condition.
Spendid Ulysses S. Grant Autograph Card, 3.25" x 2", signed "U.S. Grant General". A large, bold signature with a minimal smear mentioned for accuracy. Very fine condition.This autograph was likely made between Grant's 1866 promotion to the rank of full general and his 1868 election to the presidency. Displayed with late 19th century engraving of Grant in uniform.
Rutherford B. Hayes Document Signed, "R B Hayes", one page, partially printed, 12" x 16", Columbus, Ohio, April 11, 1871. Ohio commission appointing William Haskins "a Commissioner of Deeds for the State of Ohio, in the State of California". The document boasts a fancy engraving of the Ohio Seal flanked by a farmer, a mechanic, flags and martial arms. Evenly toned with one horizontal fold. Very fine condition. Matted and ready to frame. Future president Hayes signs here during his first term as Governor of Ohio.
Rutherford B. Hays Document Signed as President "R. B. Hays". One page, partly printed, 7.75" x 9.75", plain lettersheet, Washington, November 22, 1877. An authorization for the Secretary of State "...to affix the seal of the United States to a warrant authorizing Frank Wright to receive into custody John Lynch alias William Watson, a fugitive from the justice of the United States..." Signature is slightly smudged, yet dark and bold. Overall fine condition.
James A. Garfield Telegram Signed "J. A. Garfield", one page, 8.5" x 5.5", Washington, D.C., February 7, 1876, to John Cadwalder, Department of State. It reads: "Thanks for Documents received. It now appears that I will speak this p.m. - If not will send you the papers." Written in dark pencil - possibly entirely by Garfield - on a Departmental Telegraph Lines form while the future president was serving as a U.S. Representative from Ohio. Overall light toning. Minor loss to two corners. Fine condition.
Grover Cleveland partly printed Document Signed "Grover Cleveland" as President, one page on vellum, 15 x 19 inches, Washington, February 8, 1897, a naval commission appointing Walter S. Burke as "a Passed Assistant Engineer in the Navy with the relative rank of Lieutenant, Junior Grade". Countersigned by Hilary A. Herbert as Secretary of the Navy. Usual folds, extremely minor cockling and light dampstain at top margin, tiny chip at left, else fine condition.
Grover Cleveland partly printed Document Signed "Grover Cleveland" as President, one page on vellum, 15 x 19 inches, Washington, October 13, 1896, a naval commission appointing Walter S. Burke as "a Passed Assistant Engineer in the Navy with the relative rank of Lieutenant, Junior Grade". Countersigned by Hilary A. Herbert as Secretary of the Navy. Usual folds, extremely minor cockling and light dampstain at top margin, tiny chip at left, else fine condition.
Benjamin Harrison partly printed Document Signed "Benj. Harrison" as President, one page on vellum, 15 x 19 inches, Washington, July 9, 1889, a naval appointment of Walter S. Burke as "an Ensign in the Navy". Countersigned by Benjamin F. Tracy as Secretary of the Navy. With crisp engravings and a bold, dark signature. usual folds, else very clean and in very fine condition.
Benjamin Harrison Document Signed as President, one page on vellum, 17 x 19 inches, Washington, January 13, 1890. An ornately engraved naval appointment commissioning Walter S. Burk as "an Ensign in the Navy" Countersigned by Benjamin F. Tracy as Secretary of the Navy. usual folds, intact blue seal of the United States at center, else fine condition with a dark, bold signature.
William McKinley partly printed Document Signed "William McKinley" as President, one page on vellum, 15 x 19 inches, Washington, January 22, 1900, a naval appointment commissioning Geroge. W. Beaman as "Pay Director in the Navy". Countersigned by John Hay as Secretary of the Navy. With dark, crisp engravings and a dark and bold signature. Minor cockling, a few minor toned spots, else fine condition.
William McKinley Signed Naval Commission, one page, partially printed, on vellum, 15.5" x 19.5", Washington, D.C., April 13, 1899, also signed by John D. Long, Secretary of the Navy. This appointment names George H. Beaman a "Pay Director" and carries the usual patriotic and maritime vignettes. Uneven edges, probably as made. A few light stains, else fine condition. This was the last active duty posting for Beaman, who had joined the Navy during the Civil War.
Theodore Roosevelt Signature, sight size 6" x 1.5" matted and framed with a portrait to an overall 10.75" x 16.5". A large autograph that is legible from across the room. Very fine condition. The accompanying image of Roosevelt carries an integral printed autograph and is captioned in print with an amusing quote by William Howard Taft, which reads: "He loves a life akin to that of the pioneer. He loves roughing it, and I don't".
William Howard Taft Document Signed, "Wm H Taft", one page, partially printed, vellum, 15.5" x 19.5", Washington, D.C., April 13, 1911. George Beaman is named a Rear Admiral on the Retired List. Appropriate eagle, patriotic and maritime vignettes with a blue seal affixed. Very fine condition. This U.S. Navy commission was a formality since it merely acknowledges Beaman's position already held for a dozen years. George Beaman was a Civil War veteran and carer officer. His last active posting was as Paymaster for the Boston Navy Yard.
Woodrow Wilson Autograph Letter Signed A.L.S. "Woodrow Wilson", 1p., 5" x 7.75", Princeton, July 14, 1895, to a "Mr. Williams". He writes: "...I will be very glad to accept your invitation for Wednesday evening, and I thank you heartily for it. I did not decline your other invitation because I doubted the suitableness of your delightful home for work, but only because I must be near my books.". Tipped to a larger sheet, in near fine condition. Lot includes an engraving of Wilson bearing a facsimile signature.
Woodrow Wilson Signed Military Commission, one page on vellum, 15" x 19", Washington, D.C., December 16, 1916. Here, on the cusp of America's entry into World War I, Stephen T. Bandy is appointed an infantry captain. The text of the commission is placed between two finely engraved vignettes of patriotic and martial subjects. Also signed by Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War. Expected folds, lightly aged. Fine condition with a splendid presidential signature.
Woodrow Wilson Grouping, includes the following items:
Typed Letter Signed, one page on White House stationery, 7" x 9", Washington, D. C., May 8, 1918, to Mr. Grosvenor Clarkson, Secretary, Council of National Defense. The letter reads: "Thank you very much for your letter of May sixth with its enclosures. I have read the enclosures with real interest and shall be glad to take counsel concerning the suggestions they contain." Light soiling from dampness with minor ink bleed from the signature, Very good condition.
Edith Bolling Wilson Autograph Card, 3.25" x 2". A splendid, deep black signature of Woodrow Wilson's second wife. Mrs. Wilson is considered by many historians to have been the de facto President of the United States during her husband's lengthy illness. Very fine condition.
Printed Invitation to Woodrow Wilson's Second Inauguration, one page, 6.25" x 10", Washington, D. C., March 5, 1917. This card carries an engraved vignette of the Presidential Seal topped by "Columbia" and flanked by American flags. Minor soiling, fine condition.
Thomas R. Marshall Engraving, 6" x 9.75. Very fine condition. Marshall served as Wilson's vice-president for two terms.
Typed Letter Signed, one page on White House stationery, 7" x 9", Washington, D. C., May 8, 1918, to Mr. Grosvenor Clarkson, Secretary, Council of National Defense. The letter reads: "Thank you very much for your letter of May sixth with its enclosures. I have read the enclosures with real interest and shall be glad to take counsel concerning the suggestions they contain." Light soiling from dampness with minor ink bleed from the signature, Very good condition.
Edith Bolling Wilson Autograph Card, 3.25" x 2". A splendid, deep black signature of Woodrow Wilson's second wife. Mrs. Wilson is considered by many historians to have been the de facto President of the United States during her husband's lengthy illness. Very fine condition.
Printed Invitation to Woodrow Wilson's Second Inauguration, one page, 6.25" x 10", Washington, D. C., March 5, 1917. This card carries an engraved vignette of the Presidential Seal topped by "Columbia" and flanked by American flags. Minor soiling, fine condition.
Thomas R. Marshall Engraving, 6" x 9.75. Very fine condition. Marshall served as Wilson's vice-president for two terms.
Woodrow Wilson Typed Letter Signed as President of Princeton T.L.S. "Woodrow Wilson" on his President's Room Princeton University letterhead, 1p., 5.75" 8.25" (sight), [Princeton, NJ] May 29, 1909, to a Rev. Samuel McChord Crothers regarding an impending visit during an upcoming commencement ceremony. In part: "...I am writing... to ask if you will not give us the pleasure of hearing a few words from you after lunch on Commencement Day, Tuesday, the 15th of June..." Matted alongside a photo of Wilson to an overall size of 16" x 11", with a few trace stains and bold signature.
Woodrow Wilson Document Signed as Governor of New Jersey D.S. "Woodrow Wilson", 1p., 8.5" x 13", New Jersey, September 21, 1911; appointing Captain Samuel E. Perry as a "Delegate at the Atlantic Deeper Waterways Convention. With a bright blue embossed state seal, an attractive document suitable for display. Very good to near fine with usual folds.
Woodrow Wilson Typed Letter Signed, one page on personal stationery, 8" x 9.75", Trenton, New Jersey, October 15, 1912, to Mr. George S. Johns, St. Louis, Missouri. It reads: "I want to thank you sincerely for the two very interesting letters that arrived at Trenton in my absence. What you say with reference to the necessity for more publicity is very timely, and I will take the matter up at once with New York headquarters. It is fine to have the support of such loyal friends as yourself." Expected folds, light toning. Fine condition. This letter was written during the closing weeks of Wilson's successful presidential race against incumbent William H. Taft.
Woodrow Wilson: A superlative White House letter: "We will indeed now pull ail together for the ratification of the Peace Treaty and the League of Nations...". Typed Letter Signed, one page, measuring 7" x 8.75". Fine condition, on White House letterhead, and dated July 12, 1919, during the battle for ratification of the League charter.
Twenty-eighth President (1913-1921). Wilson was President of Princeton University and Governor of New Jersey prior to his 1912 Presidential election, in which he defeated Taft and Roosevelt. A Progressive, he decided to enter World War I because of Germany's continued aggression. He proposed the Fourteen Points peace plan, but his League of Nations was defeated. A stroke left him incapacitated the last two years of his term.
The letter reads: "My dear Mr. Ansel:-- It was very gratifying to get your friendly letter of July 9th, and I thank you for it with all my heart. We will indeed now pull all together for the ratification of the Peace Treaty and the League of Nations, and I think the pull will be irresistible. Cordially and sincerely yours, (signed) Woodrow Wilson." Obviously Wilson's political crystal ball had developed a crack! Tremendous content regarding what became the dominant passion of Wilson's life. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
Twenty-eighth President (1913-1921). Wilson was President of Princeton University and Governor of New Jersey prior to his 1912 Presidential election, in which he defeated Taft and Roosevelt. A Progressive, he decided to enter World War I because of Germany's continued aggression. He proposed the Fourteen Points peace plan, but his League of Nations was defeated. A stroke left him incapacitated the last two years of his term.
The letter reads: "My dear Mr. Ansel:-- It was very gratifying to get your friendly letter of July 9th, and I thank you for it with all my heart. We will indeed now pull all together for the ratification of the Peace Treaty and the League of Nations, and I think the pull will be irresistible. Cordially and sincerely yours, (signed) Woodrow Wilson." Obviously Wilson's political crystal ball had developed a crack! Tremendous content regarding what became the dominant passion of Wilson's life. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.
Warren G. Harding Document Signed, partially printed, one page, 14.5" x 12", Washington, D.C., December 1, 1921. Here Louis A. Thievon is named Postmaster Stirling, New Jersey. The certificate is also embossed with the Post Office Department Seal and is signed by Postmaster General Will H. Hays. Marginal foxing and overall light toning. Very good condition. The appointment is professionally matted with a wonderful 5" x 7" photograph of Harding that is studio-signed "Pack Bros.".
Warren G. Harding Typed Letter Signed, one page on White House stationery, 7" x 9", Washington, D.C., April 14, 1921, to Mr. G. S. Robertson, Secretary, the George washington Society, Baltimore, Maryland. It reads: "I beg to thank you for your kind letter informing me of the commendatory expressions adopted by your organization, and say that I shall sincerely hope to be worthy of the kindly opinion you have so generously expressed." The letter comes with its original mailing envelope which, curiously, is stamped "Delivery Delayed On Account of Insufficient Address". Even toning with light soiling throughout. Overall fine condition.
Calvin Coolidge Signed Photograph by Garo, 9.5" x 12.5" overall with an image size of 7.5" x 9.25". Signed, inscribed, and dated 1923 by Coolidge in the lower area in ink and also signed in pencil "Garo" by the photographer John Garo, the Armenian-born, Boston-based studio-portrait photographer who played a part in the early training of Josef Karsh. Of some small irony, the man who presided over America during its most flamboyant era, "The Roaring Twenties," was known as "Silent Cal." While the newspapers were filled on a daily basis with the exploits of Lindbergh, Ruth, Dempsey, Earhart, and Capone, Calvin Coolidge quietly went about the business of running the country. Unfortunately, his relatively passive approach let the excesses build to the point where his successor Herbert Hoover would inherit an economy approaching meltdown. Fine condition save for a bit of silvering and a couple of edge creases.
Books
Calvin Coolidge Signed Limited: The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge. (New York: Cosmopolitan Book Corporation, 1929), signed limited edition, number 366/1000, 247 pages, signed by Coolidge on a special limitation page bound in front, slightly marbled boards and blue cloth shelf back with gilt titles, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), fine in a fine slipcase as issued.
Autographs
Herbert Hoover and Cabinet Autograph Collection. A comprehensive grouping put together by Ewing C. Sadler of Sulphur, Oklahoma. Headliners are three signed photographs, averaging 11" x 14", showing President Herbert Hoover, Vice-President Charles Curtis, and Secretary of War Patrick Hurley respectively. The images are lightly toned with marginal staining and ribbed transference from being stored against corrugated chipboard for decades. Very good condition. Also included are 15 cabinet members' autograph cards for Secretary of State Henry Stimson, Secretary of War James Good, Secretary of War Patrick Hurley, Secretary of the Navy Charles Adams (2), Secretary of the Treasury Ogden Mills, Attorney General William Mitchell (2), Postmaster General Walter Brown, Secretary of the Interior Ray Wilbur (2), Secretary of Agriculture Arthur Hyde, Secretary of Labor William Doak (2), and Secretary of Commerce Robert Lamont. Average very fine condition. Complimenting the above are two official letters with envelopes regarding Mr. Sadler's collecting activities. Fine condition
Charming Autograph Letter Signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt A.L.S. "Franklin D. Roosevelt" on Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland letterhead, 1p., 7.25" x 10.5", "Westport Point, Mass.", Aug. 20, n.y., addressed to "My dear Clarkson". He writes, in large part: "Many thanks for your nice thought of me in the matter of the Mayoralty campaign. However I am ever grateful that I have always been an upstate farmer & therefore can't take part in N.Y. City politics!" Although undated, the letter clearly gives insight to FDR's already public position against the Tammany Hall rule that dominated the New York Democratic. A coy and witty response particularly ironic in reference to being an upstate farmer. The Roosevelt name was synonymous with wealth and prestige in all New York social circles. With a two small foxing spots, otherwise very clean and near fine. Tipped to a larger sheet.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Partly Printed Pardon Signed "Franklin D. Roosevelt" as President and "Francis Biddle" as Acting Attorney General, two pages, 9" x 13.5", front and verso. Washington, August 28, 1941. J.W. Horning had pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia to violation of the National Prohibition Act and, on October 29, 1929, and was sentenced to pay a fine of $250.00. Because of his inability to pay the fine, he was committed to the Chatham County Jail in Savannah and was released on November 27, 1929 "having complied with the conditions as prescribed by Section 1042, Revised Statutes of the United States; and Whereas it has been made to appear to me that the said J.W. Horning, since his discharge from imprisonment, has been conducting himself in a law-abiding manner. Now, therefore, be it known, that I, Franklin D. Roosevelt...do hereby grant unto the said J.W. Horning a full and unconditional pardon for the purpose of restoring his civil rights..." The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution (ratified 1919, effective 1920) prohibited the manufacture, sale, transport, import, or export of alcoholic beverages. The National Prohibition Act, commonly called the Volstead Act for Rep. Andrew Volstead who introduced it, was passed in 1919 to enforce the 18th Amendment. Among its provisions were penalties for violation of the amendment. In 1932, presidential candidate Roosevelt had promise to work for the repeal of prohibition and on December 5, 1933, nine months after his inauguration, the 21st Amendment, repealing the 18th Amendment, became part of the U.S. Constitution. Even though the word "Acting" is stamped before his title, Francis Biddle had become Attorney General on August 26, 1941, just two days before signing this pardon, succeeding Robert Jackson who had been appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Biddle later served as the primary U.S. judge at the Nuremberg Trials after World War II. Minor soiling with surface creases and three horizontal folds. Excellent 2" embossed red Department of Justice seal affixed to the left of Roosevelt's bold signature. Overall, in very good condition. This pardon of a violator of the Volstead Act is especially desirable for collectors of Prohibition-era items as well as presidential documents.
Franklin Roosevelt as President Typed Letter Signed, "Franklin D Roosevelt", one page on White House stationery, 8" x 10.5", Washington, D.C., April 5, 1941, to H. P. Fulmer, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. It reads: "In view of the interest which you demonstrated in S. 2635 (76th Congress, 3d Session), a bill which would have extended to cotton the system of Federal crop insurance now applied to wheat, and your disappointment that I found it necessary to return this bill to Congress without my approval, I am now enclosing a copy of a letter which I have today sent to the Secretary of Agriculture outlining my present views on the subject." The letter copy is stapled to the signed letter. Expected folds and the rusted outline of a paper clip. Fine condition with excellent signature.
President-Elect Franklin D. Roosevelt Typed Letter Signed, one page, 8.5" x 11", on New York Governor's stationery, Albany, New York, December 28, 1932 to Mr. William J. French, Newburgh, New York. It reads: "I remember your father very well, of course, and you yourself when you were a small boy. I wish I could suggest something definite in regard to employment. May I suggest that you go over to Middletown and see Dr. Robert Woodman, Superintendent of Middletown State Hospital, and show him this letter. It is possible that they may have some work there. As you know, most State positions are under the civil service, but there is sometimes work for chauffeurs or messengers." Expected folds, else very fine condition. A splendid personal letter evocative of the America's economic crisis before the New Deal.
FDR Typed Letter Signed, "Franklin D Roosevelt", one page on New York Governor's letterhead, 7.25" x 9", Albany, New York, February 24, 1930, to Mr. H. M. Brehm, Appleton, Wisconsin. Responding to a request, the future president genially writes: "I wish much that I could find for you an autograph of Theodore Roosevelt when he was Governor but I fear there are none here in Albany except those all affixed to official letters and documents. As you probably know, the personal correspondence of Governors is taken with them when they leave office. I am returning this extremely interesting cover. You must have a fine collection." Typically nice, large FDR signature. Very fine condition.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Etching Signed Portrait etching measuring 10" x 11.75" signed "Franklin D. Roosevelt" at bottom. Although undated, likely as president. A small flat tear at FDR's lapel and mat burn from previous framing, overall good condition.
Books
Richard Harrity and Ralph C. Martin: Eleanor Roosevelt: Her Life in Pictures Signed by Eleanor Roosevelt. (New York: Duell, Sloan and Pearce, 1958), first edition, unpaginated, signed by Eleanor Roosevelt on the ffep, gray cloth with blue titles, 4to (7.75"x 10"), personal library inkstamp on the ffep along with a Eleanor Roosevelt Cottage ownership blind stamp, textblock slightly cocked, else very good in a very good unclipped jacket.
Eleanor Roosevelt Signed Presentation: On My Own. (New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1958), first edition, 241 pages, signed by Eleanor Roosevelt on a special limitation page bound in front, illustrated, blue cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.75" x 9.5"), minor toning to top edges of boards, else fine.
Autographs
Harry S. Truman Typed Letter With Autograph Note Signed "Harry Truman". One page, 7.25" x 10.5", on Truman's personal letterhead, Independence, Missouri, April 30, 1962, to Irving Schactman, Newark, New Jersey. The typed letter is a thank you for a novelty map of the United States showing how New Yorkers and Bostonians would redraw the map as they think it ought to be. Truman adds a handwritten note below his closing signature that reads in full: "Those Bostonians know there is no USA west of their western boundary. But 'show them' is what historians will do!". The letter displays the usual folds, else fine condition.
Books
Harry S. Truman Twice Inscribed Book Mr. President. (New York: Farrar, Straus and Young, 1952), 8vo (8.25" x 11.25"), blue imitation leather boards with gilt titles, special limited edition of 250 specially bound and slipcased copies with a special limitation page bound in front on which President Truman has written, in lieu of the copy's limitation number, "D. S. D./ To: Hon. Donald S. Dawson,/ From: The President./ White House,/ August 10, 1952.". On the facing page, which has a color photograph of Truman sitting at his desk, the President has written: "To a real personnel officer, efficient, able, loyal!". Donald S. Dawson, friend and fellow Missourian was Truman's appointment secretary, largely responsible for his marshalling of the whistle-stop tour in the 1948 presidential election campaign. The spine is lightly sunned and soiled, else very good in a sunned and moderately worn slipcase as issued.
Autographs
Harry Truman Signed Photograph and Typed Letter Signed. The photograph, 9.5" x 13.5", is marked by the noted Washington, D.C. photography firm Harris & Ewing and is an exceptionally well executed portrait. Truman's inscription is along the lower margin. Small marginal split to right with two small bends. Very fine condition.The portrait is accompanied by a one page, 7" x 9" letter to the original recipients: Mr. & Mrs. William Appel of Bedford, Indiana. It reads: "It is always good to hear from real old-fashioned Missourians and I was delighted to read your letter to Mrs. Truman. It shows that although you are transplanted Hoosiers your hearts are still in the old home state. With a signed photograph I send hearty congratulations for a happy Golden Wedding Day and best wishes for many more years of peace and contentment and plenty of the good things of life." Excellent condition.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower Very fine content Typed Letter Signed "D.E." as President, one page, 7 x 10.25 inches on White House letterhead, Washington, August 19, 1958 to George O. Strecker discussing his recent address to the United Nations and the recent deployment of United States Marines in Lebanon. He opens thanking Strecker "...for your comments regarding my recent talk before the United Nations General Assembly. I profoundly hope that the proposals I made can expeditiously be translated into projects that will bring about greater material progress and political stability in the Mid East, as well as a world atmosphere in which negotiations for a just peace can go forward..." He adds in a postscript: "I checked up on the telegram you sent about dispatching the American forces to Lebanon, since I had no memory of seeing it. Unfortunately, the signature came through in garbled from and was not recognized as being from you." On August 13, 1958 Eisenhower addressed an emergency session of the United Nations General assembly called in response to the assassination of King Faisal II of Iraq by Arab nationalists on July 14, 1958, beginning a process that would ultimately see the rise of the Baathists personified in the form of the late Saddam Hussein. King Hussein of Jordan, threatened by his volatile neighbor, requested British paratroopers to protect against a threatened Iraqi incursion to destabilize his government. At the same time the United States landed 5,000 marines in Beirut to shore up the pro-western government there. Eisenhower, mindful of the failures of the Suez crisis, proposed an integrated program of economic and military aid to the region including "...(1 ) United Nations concern for Lebanon. ( 2 ) United Nations measures to preserve peace in Jordan. ( 3 ) An end to the fomenting from without of civil strife. ( 4 ) A United Nations Peace force. ( 5 ) A regional economic development plan to assist and accelerate improvement in the living standards of the people in these Arab nations. ( 6 ) Steps to avoid a new arms race spiral in the area..." He stressed to the General Assembly that "...To have solidity, the different elements of this plan for peace and progress should be considered and acted on together, as integral elements of a single concerted effort. Therefore, I hope that this Assembly will seek simultaneously to set in motion measures that would create a climate of security in the Near East consonant with the principles of the United Nations Charter..." A superb Eisenhower letter discussing one of the most critical issues of his presidency. With original White House transmittal envelope. Provenance: The papers of George O. Strecker. George Strecker was an advertising executive at the Chicago Tribune and became close to the Eisenhower's through his wife, whom was a long-time friend with Mamie Dowd Eisenhower. Usual light horizontal creases, extreme light toning at margins and top crease, else fine condition.
Dwight D. Eisenhower. Very Fine Content Typed Letter Signed "D.E." as President, one page, 7 x 8.75 inches on White House letterhead, Washington, July 30, 1953 to George O. Strecker at the Chicago Tribune commenting on the armistice signed ending hostilities in Korea signed only three days earlier. He writes in part: "...Quite naturally, I am deeply grateful to see an end to the bloodshed in Korea, although there is no real assurance that a political meeting will bring about a satisfactory solution for the long term. My immediate apprehension, however, is that our own people may be inclined to relax in the security effort which, as you know, is the indispensable element in any further progress toward a stable peace..." Eisenhower's apprehension was not unwarranted. Technically, the Korean War has not yet ended, only the open hostilities were suspended by the Armistice signed on July 27, 1953. Provenance: The papers of George O. Strecker. George Strecker was an advertising executive at the Chicago Tribune and became close to the Eisenhower's through his wife, whom was a long-time friend with Mamie Dowd Eisenhower. With original transmittal envelope. Neatly trimmed at top and bottom margin, light foxing, light toning from mounting remnants on verso, else very good condition. An excellent letter as President.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Typed Letter Signed "Ike". One page, 4to, gold-embossed "DDE" stationery, Indio, California., April 13, 1968, to The Honorable Lewis L. Strauss. The letter reads: "Dear Lewis: I think that our two most recent letters must have crossed in the mail. I share your hope that we can- soon have a meeting to discuss political and, indeed, world affairs. You may have heard a man named Metropolitan Philip Saliba. He is an Archbishop of the Syrian Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of New York and North America. He and an assistant came to see me. They are both Arabs and vastly interested in the peaceful development of the Mid East. The Archbishop himself was born in Lebanon and seems earnest in his effort to bring Jew and Arab together in some kind of better relationship. I told him of your first memorandum about the plan for converting sea water to fresh in Israel and Egypt- possibly using the major part of the Jordan River flow for the benefit of Jordan- and for the distribution of power and pure water so produced, throughout the area. I told him that if he could help disseminate information throughout the Mid East that would flow from such a plan, he might be doing a great service to his people and, indeed, to the entire world. He has a plan for devising a political entity in the Palestine area which he wants to call the Holy Land. He is of the conviction that if these two plans could move forward together it would completely transform attitudes in the region. Having read his documents, I am enclosing them herewith. Please give my love to Alice and, of course, as always, all the best to yourself. As ever." Eisenhower's signature is written in bold, black ink. Very fine condition.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Good content Typed Letter Signed "D.E." as President, one page, 7 x 10.25 inches on White House letterhead, Washington, May 2, 1960 to George O. Strecker forwarding his "Belated... congratulations" on his retirement and adding "I haven't felt it wise to send Perc Thompson more than an indirect word, but I too hope, with you, that he may be successful in his effort to become (I think I am right) the first Republican Secretary of State of Florida. It is good news that he feels Florida will support Dick Nixon in the November election..." Nixon was of course, Eisenhower's Vice President and by this time the virtual Republican nominee as he encountered little opposition in advance of the convention. George Strecker was an advertising executive at the Chicago Tribune and became close to the Eisenhower's through his wife, whom was a long-time friend with Mamie Dowd Eisenhower. With original White House transmittal envelope. Provenance: The papers of George O. Strecker. Usual light horizontal creases, extreme light toning at margins, else very fine condition.
(Gene Sarazen) A fine group of three pieces relative to the career of professional golfer Gene Sarazen, including letters from Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Gerald R. Ford and a telegram from Ben Hogan -- all fellow golfers. Includes Dwight D. Eisenhower Very fine content Typed Letter Signed "Dwight D. Eisenhower" as President, one page, 7 x 9 inches on White House letterhead, October 10, 1957 thanking Sarazen for a gift of prize-winning apples and thanking him "...too, for your comments about the decision I had to make in the Little Rock situation; actually, there was no alternative to the plain duty I had in the matter..." Because of official resistance by the State of Arkansas against integrating Little Rock Central High School , Eisenhower called in the 101st Airborne Division to protect the nine black students enrolled there for the first time. A great content letter by Eisenhower offering a simple justification for his historic action. With original transmittal envelope. One horizontal crease, else extremely fine condition. Offered together with:
Gerald R. Ford, a fine golf-content Typed Letter Signed "Jerry Ford" as President with additional Autograph postscript signed "J", one page, 7 x 9 inches on White House letterhead, Washington, September, 30, 1974: "It was good to meet you and have a chance to play gold with you when I came to Pinehurst on September 11 for the opening of the World Golf Hall of Fame..." In a short postscript, Ford adds "IYou are one of my 'all time favorites' J." With original transmittal envelope. Two light horizontal creases, else extremely fine condition.
Also together with a framed Western Union telegram, one page, 10 x 8 inch (sight), 15 x 13 inches overall, from fellow Grand Slammer Ben Hogan who writes: "'ATTA BOY, GENE - YOU'RE MY KIND OF GUY,' SERIOUSLY, CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR BEING HONORED BY THE PGA IN BEING THE RECIPIENT OF THEIR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD. IT IS MUCH DESERVED AND IT COULDN'T HAPPEN TO A NICER FELLOW..." Sarazen (1902-99) was one of only five golfers ever to earn a grand slam. An excellent collection of golf-related material with suburb association and content. Together three pieces.
Gerald R. Ford, a fine golf-content Typed Letter Signed "Jerry Ford" as President with additional Autograph postscript signed "J", one page, 7 x 9 inches on White House letterhead, Washington, September, 30, 1974: "It was good to meet you and have a chance to play gold with you when I came to Pinehurst on September 11 for the opening of the World Golf Hall of Fame..." In a short postscript, Ford adds "IYou are one of my 'all time favorites' J." With original transmittal envelope. Two light horizontal creases, else extremely fine condition.
Also together with a framed Western Union telegram, one page, 10 x 8 inch (sight), 15 x 13 inches overall, from fellow Grand Slammer Ben Hogan who writes: "'ATTA BOY, GENE - YOU'RE MY KIND OF GUY,' SERIOUSLY, CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR BEING HONORED BY THE PGA IN BEING THE RECIPIENT OF THEIR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD. IT IS MUCH DESERVED AND IT COULDN'T HAPPEN TO A NICER FELLOW..." Sarazen (1902-99) was one of only five golfers ever to earn a grand slam. An excellent collection of golf-related material with suburb association and content. Together three pieces.
Mamie Dowd Eisenhower Archive. A large and fine collection of material including 3 Autograph Letters Signed, 14 Typed Letters Signed, together with ancillary correspondence from her aides and Dwight Eisenhower's aides consisting of approximately 22 letters dating between 1949 and 1979 to George O. and Frances Brown Strecker. The Streckers and the Eisenhowers were acquainted for many years as Francis and Mamie had been friends since their teenage years. Content is largely routine in nature including thanks for birthday wishes, remarking on recent get-togethers, commenting on travel plans and general family matters. Of particular interest is a T.L.S. one page, 6.5 x 9 inches, Gettysburg, February 27, 1969, one month before the death of Dwight Eisenhower, remarking "...It was wonderful to have Barbara and John with me during the anxious hours... I do now know how long I will be here at the hospital but will stay close-by until the General is better. I had been home in Gettysburg for about a month and the change of scenery was good for me. I visited the hospital frequently and returned as soon as they called me about this latest set-back..." Eisenhower died on March 28, 1969 of congestive heart failure at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Similarly, she writes to the couple on September 28, 1955 in a T.L.S. four days following Eisenhower's heart attack thanking them for their "...thoughts and prayers. To be remembered by our friends in these days of anxiety means a great deal to the President and myself" Other letters are not nearly as melancholy. She writes in a T.L.S. on October 22, 1953 "...It was so nice to hear from you, especially on the St. Anthony letterhead! This is the hotel where Father and Mother stayed for years -- and also the place where Ike and I used to dance when we were engaged..." More good content. The ancillary correspondence includes a variety of aides and secretaries both to the First Lady and the President confirming social arrangements including sending the Streckers tickets to Eisenhower's first inaugural in 1953, expressions of thanks for various gifts and the requisite apologies on behalf of the first couple for not being able to communicate personally. Most letters include the original transmittal envelopes. Most letters bear the usual folds, some with moderate toning, overall very good condition. A fine collection of Eisenhower material.
Dwight D. Eisenhower 1952 Campaign Scrapbook A voluminous scrapbook of letters, articles, and various ephemera as compiled by Florence Beasley, while serving on the campaign committee for the Eisenhower-Nixon Republican ticket during the 1952 presidential campaign. The scrapbook contains a total of three TLSs by Eisenhower, one from Mamie, two Henry Cabot Lodge TLS, and an Earl Warren. Of note, is included a TLS "Dwight D Eisenhower" on his imprinted letterhead, dated Oct. 17, 1952, to Mrs. Beasley, thanking her for her efforts on the campaign. An 8.25" x 11.25" picture cut from a magazine and signed by Eisenhower in the lower margin appear a few pages later. The scrapbook also contains an inaugural program, various 8" x 10" b/w glossies taken on the campaign trail, and a TIME magazine dated No. 10, 1952 featuring a cover story on the newly elected Eisenhower. The scrapbook is completely disbound, but the items mounted remain in good condition. Should be viewed.
John and Jackie Kennedy Autograph Pair. John F. Kennedy Typed Letter Signed "John Kennedy", one page, on U. S. Senate letterhead, 5.25" x 6.25", Washington, D.C., June 21, 1954, to Mr. Lou Walters, New York City. The body of this letter reads "Thank you very much for your recent letter enclosing an article relative to increasing tax burdens on establishments such as yours. The general tax revision bill has been just reported out by the Senate Finance Committee and will probably come before the Senate for consideration either this week or next. I appreciate having your views on this matter and you may be sure that i will give them every consideration when this legislation comes before me for action." Light, even toning. Very fine condition. Walters, the recipient of this letter, ran an exclusive Manhattan nightclub called the Latin Quarter and numbered Joseph Kennedy among his famous patrons. Walters's tax problems - hinted at in the JFK letter - led to serious financial difficulties that ended up being inherited by his daughter, Barbara Walters of television fame. The other autograph in this lot is a large and elegant "Jaqueline Kennedy" on a White House 3.75" x 2" card. Mint condition. Both items are in a gilt wooden frame matted with a photo of the couple to an overall size of 26" x 14".
Early John F. Kennedy Typed Note Signed "John Kennedy", one page, 3.75" x 5.25", Washington, D.C., July 3, 1953. It reads: "The attached letter is sent for your information." On pre-printed U.S. Senate notepaper. Two smoothed folds and a retained staple. Excellent condition. With PSA/DNA certification.
John F. Kennedy Signed Program Cover A signature "John F. Kennedy" beneath his image on the cover of a program for a 1960 Nebraska Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner held in Omaha on Saturday, May 7, 1960. Also signed by Senator Stuart A. Symington, who signs beneath his image. Near fine, with just two negligible chips at left margin where cover was removed.
John F. Kennedy 1960 Luncheon Invitation Signed. A printed card, 5" x 4.25", for a "Tribute Luncheon tendered to Senator John F. Kennedy by the Citizens' Committee of the Women's Apparel Industry" held at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Astor on Thursday, October 27, 1960. It is nicely signed at the top left on blue ink. Note that this was signed only five days before Kennedy would be elected president. Very fine, attractively matted in suede and framed to an overall 11.75" x 10.75". With PSA/DNA certification.
John F. Kennedy Signed Campaign Brochure. The front cover to a 3.5" x 7.5" "U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy for President" pamphlet with a photo of Kennedy superimposed over a photo of the White House. The blue ink signature is on the photo portion. The signature, likely obtained in-person, is a bit light, there are tape stains around three borders, and there are several light folds, yet a great signed piece of campaign memorabilia. With PSA/DNA certification.
Small Archive of Letters Written to Daniel P. Moynihan From Lyndon B. Johnson and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis The archive includes six TLS "Jackie", an ALS "Jackie", and a TLS "Lyndon B. Johnson" on White House Letterhead, including one addressed to Moynihan's wife Liz, total 10 pp., dated 1968-1988 all regarding redesign and progress of work on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C.
In a letter dated Dec. 4, 1968, LBJ writes: "I will keep your suggestion in mind when I get down to work on my message to Congress. As you know, we were able to get the authorization bill for the Commission through the Senate. The House Committee, however, would not be budged. The only plan for which we might have secured their approval was not acceptable. So the next Administration will have to try to gain sufficient support for the kind of Avenue we want." At this time Moynihan was serving as Vice Chairman on the President's Temporary Commission on Pennsylvania Avenue. An ALS, 2 pp., dated June 18, 1970, on her imprinted Vassileos Georgiou 37 letterhead, Jackie writes: "I often wondered what had happened to all the hopes for Pennsylvania Avenue - I decided they had just fizzled away - It makes me so happy to know they are in your domain - If anyone can make them materialize - it will be you. Your book on Pennsylvania Avenue also just came..." The letter is accompanied by the original transmittal envelope addressed entirely in Jackie's hand and including "Onassis" holograph in the return address. In a typed letter dated February 22,1971, Jackie writes: "I am so grateful to you for sending me a copy of the President's special message to the 92nd Congress. You know how much I care about the Pennsylvania project and I will do anything I possibly can to encourage the passing of the bill. I really must rely on you to advise me as to whom to approach at this time. As you know, I talked to Teddy [Kennedy] last year and I am more than willing to call him again, if you think that is a good idea..." With a holographic greeting and closing adding her signature: "Affectionately Jackie". Jackie writes again the following year, May 5, 1972 on her 1050 Fifth Avenue imprinted letterhead: "I am so pleased you sent me a copy of your testimony... What can I say to you about all you have done? You are the one who realized with all your heart how much President Kennedy's vision of Pennsylvania Avenue meant to him. And, all these years you have given your devotion and energy to his dream. I hope you know that his children and I will always be grateful for what you have accomplished..." With an additional four TLSs by Jackie, this archive gives testimony to Moynihan's dedication to a project born during John F. Kennedy's administration. Moynihan began to push for the redesign of Pennsylvania Avenue shortly after Kennedy's inauguration while serving as Chairman of Public Works. Overall condition is near fine.
In a letter dated Dec. 4, 1968, LBJ writes: "I will keep your suggestion in mind when I get down to work on my message to Congress. As you know, we were able to get the authorization bill for the Commission through the Senate. The House Committee, however, would not be budged. The only plan for which we might have secured their approval was not acceptable. So the next Administration will have to try to gain sufficient support for the kind of Avenue we want." At this time Moynihan was serving as Vice Chairman on the President's Temporary Commission on Pennsylvania Avenue. An ALS, 2 pp., dated June 18, 1970, on her imprinted Vassileos Georgiou 37 letterhead, Jackie writes: "I often wondered what had happened to all the hopes for Pennsylvania Avenue - I decided they had just fizzled away - It makes me so happy to know they are in your domain - If anyone can make them materialize - it will be you. Your book on Pennsylvania Avenue also just came..." The letter is accompanied by the original transmittal envelope addressed entirely in Jackie's hand and including "Onassis" holograph in the return address. In a typed letter dated February 22,1971, Jackie writes: "I am so grateful to you for sending me a copy of the President's special message to the 92nd Congress. You know how much I care about the Pennsylvania project and I will do anything I possibly can to encourage the passing of the bill. I really must rely on you to advise me as to whom to approach at this time. As you know, I talked to Teddy [Kennedy] last year and I am more than willing to call him again, if you think that is a good idea..." With a holographic greeting and closing adding her signature: "Affectionately Jackie". Jackie writes again the following year, May 5, 1972 on her 1050 Fifth Avenue imprinted letterhead: "I am so pleased you sent me a copy of your testimony... What can I say to you about all you have done? You are the one who realized with all your heart how much President Kennedy's vision of Pennsylvania Avenue meant to him. And, all these years you have given your devotion and energy to his dream. I hope you know that his children and I will always be grateful for what you have accomplished..." With an additional four TLSs by Jackie, this archive gives testimony to Moynihan's dedication to a project born during John F. Kennedy's administration. Moynihan began to push for the redesign of Pennsylvania Avenue shortly after Kennedy's inauguration while serving as Chairman of Public Works. Overall condition is near fine.
Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Autograph Letter Signed "Joe Kennedy." Two pages, 7" x 10.5", U.S. Naval Air Station Letterhead, Jacksonville, Florida, August 22, 1941. This letter was written to Mr. John Bratton Davis, who Joe affectionately refers to as "Brat." It reads, in part: "Thanks very much for the picture. I am stationed down here at the present, but I may be sent on to Corpus Christi any day. I am hoping however to be stationed here to finish my course." Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. was, of course, the oldest brother of John F. Kennedy. He was tragically killed in a naval mission over the English Channel and his body never recovered. He was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously. Intelligent, handsome and articulate, it is commonly believed that Joe Kennedy, Jr. would have been groomed as the first Kennedy to make a run at the presidency. The letter is in very fine condition; usual folds are present. The letter comes complete with the original envelope, postmarked August 25, 1941. A rare and desirable Kennedy signature.
[John F. Kennedy] Assassination Archive A smoking gun? A JFK assassination archive containing reports and notes from Presidential Doctor, Janet Travell, in an attempt to prove/disprove the pristine bullet theory. Also, a letter from the Select Committee of Assassinations requesting the "... pre-assassination x-rays of the late President John F. Kennedy..."
Dr. Janet Travell was President John F. Kennedy's personal physician who treated his chronic back problems. Dr. Travell became widely known in 1961 when she became the first woman to be personal physician to a President. The appointment caused a minor stir, especially in the military, which had been providing medical care to Presidents, their spouses, and their children since the 1920s. The President had been relying on her since 1955 when she saw the Senator from Massachusetts after the second operation on his back. Kennedy had been injured in World War II when the PT boat he commanded was sunk, and his back caused him pain for the rest of his life.
The assassination of JFK has always been the subject of several conspiracy theories with Government findings often conflicting. The 1964 findings of the Warren Commission, the members of which were handpicked by Lyndon B. Johnson, a week after Kennedy had been killed and LBJ had succeeded to the office, were that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone and had fired the fatal shots from the Texas School Book Depository. The Commission also stated that it found no evidence to link either Oswald or Jack Ruby (the nightclub owner charged with shooting Oswald two days after JFK's death) to any conspiracy, foreign or domestic. This is the "lone gunman" theory. In 1976, the U.S. House of Representatives established the House Select Committee on Assassinations, and its report, issued in 1979, came to numerous conclusions that were strikingly different from those of the Warren Commission, the most important of which was that Kennedy's assassination was likely the result of a conspiracy and that shots were fired from more than one location. The HSCA concluded that one shot was fired from the now-legendary "grassy knoll," which missed Kennedy and his limo altogether, but which supports a multiple-gunmen theory. The HSCA findings hinted at the involvement of organized crime. The theories included the CIA, Castro, and organized crime families. The Assassination Records Review Board, established by Congress in 1992, was given "the mandate and the authority to identify, secure, and make available all records related to the assassination of President Kennedy." Thousands of pieces of information and evidence have since been made available through the ARRB, and the Act empowering it "requires that all assassination records must be opened by 2017," although the following provision is made: "with the exception of records certified for continued postponement by the President."
This controversial archive includes:
A letter from Andy Purdy dated August 2, 1977 requesting the President's pre-assassination x-rays. The letter written on Select Committee of Assassinations letterhead reads in full, "Dear Dr. Travell: The Select Committee on Assassinations would appreciate any assistance you could give us in locating pre-assassination x-rays of the late President John F. Kennedy. Your consideration of this matter would be appreciated." Could the request for such records be used to support the idea that it was Kennedy's back brace that killed him? Kennedy often wore a back brace and on the day he was shot, he was wearing a brace that consisted of a canvas brace with metal stays, together with an Ace bandage with extra padding. The brace kept Kennedy's posture erect even after Oswald's first bullet went through his neck. Had he been able to fall forward after this first bullet hit, the second, fatal bullet may have missed him.
A memo from Travell, entered into the file, written just weeks after the assassination is signed by Travell and reads, "December 6, 1963, MEMORANDUM FOR THE FILE The Attorney General was in my office, and said that he had not received my confidential medical file on the late President Kennedy which was sent by messenger to Mr. Kenneth O'Donnell's home on November 29. I am mailing the Attorney General today the list of these envelopes."
One page scribbled notes by Travell indicating a log to contact Tim Wray, Chief Analyst for Military Records of the Assassination Records Review Board. Travell writes, "April 4, 1996 4:20 p.m. I called. Mr. Jim Wray - Secy said: "he's out of the office until Monday. I left a message on his answering machine letter received today. I have no records on assassination -I was not there. No, I can't give an interview.'" An envelope from the Assassination Records Review Board postmarked April 3, 1996. Travell wrote the number for Executive Director, David G. Marwell on the front.
More notes dated Aug. 4, 1977 with regard to [Donald] Andy Purdy, who served as Special Counsel to the House Ethics Committee and as Senior Staff Counsel to the House Select Committee on Assassinations in their investigation of the assassination of President Kennedy. Travell writes, "Dr. Wade's X-rays given to me. All were left there in hands of Secret Service." Also notes to call Dr. Anne M. Belcher and another note dated Aug. 8, 1977 regarding another call to Purdy. "I called back - no answer 2:30 p.m."
An original draft of a poem written by Dr. Travell with handwritten edits titled, "He Had a Rendezvous" dated Nov. 22, 1963. Reads, "He had a rendezvous with greatness here. A flaming meteor, he came to light. The deep abysses of this mortal sphere, illuminate men's minds and souls to fight. Life's vices: bigotry, greed, malice, fear. In his noontime of the year. He had a rendezvous with life to steer. The ship of earth to wondrous ports of brave. New beauty, music, hope that children dear. May live with love immortal past the grave. Safe in harbors archedly rainbows tier on tier. In his noontime of the year. He had a rendezvous with duty clear, Courage instilled by mother, father proud. To see his star ascend, now on his bier. Hs flag becomes a shroud. Their heads are bowed, their knees are bent on ground grown hard and sere. In the fulltime of their year. He had a rendezvous with death to hear. The bells of heaven chime, 'peace, rest in peace.' Again a star in space far yet so near. Eternal light, he guides mankind's release From self: the trust with death men will revere. In the noontime of this sphere."
Dr. Janet Travell was President John F. Kennedy's personal physician who treated his chronic back problems. Dr. Travell became widely known in 1961 when she became the first woman to be personal physician to a President. The appointment caused a minor stir, especially in the military, which had been providing medical care to Presidents, their spouses, and their children since the 1920s. The President had been relying on her since 1955 when she saw the Senator from Massachusetts after the second operation on his back. Kennedy had been injured in World War II when the PT boat he commanded was sunk, and his back caused him pain for the rest of his life.
The assassination of JFK has always been the subject of several conspiracy theories with Government findings often conflicting. The 1964 findings of the Warren Commission, the members of which were handpicked by Lyndon B. Johnson, a week after Kennedy had been killed and LBJ had succeeded to the office, were that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone and had fired the fatal shots from the Texas School Book Depository. The Commission also stated that it found no evidence to link either Oswald or Jack Ruby (the nightclub owner charged with shooting Oswald two days after JFK's death) to any conspiracy, foreign or domestic. This is the "lone gunman" theory. In 1976, the U.S. House of Representatives established the House Select Committee on Assassinations, and its report, issued in 1979, came to numerous conclusions that were strikingly different from those of the Warren Commission, the most important of which was that Kennedy's assassination was likely the result of a conspiracy and that shots were fired from more than one location. The HSCA concluded that one shot was fired from the now-legendary "grassy knoll," which missed Kennedy and his limo altogether, but which supports a multiple-gunmen theory. The HSCA findings hinted at the involvement of organized crime. The theories included the CIA, Castro, and organized crime families. The Assassination Records Review Board, established by Congress in 1992, was given "the mandate and the authority to identify, secure, and make available all records related to the assassination of President Kennedy." Thousands of pieces of information and evidence have since been made available through the ARRB, and the Act empowering it "requires that all assassination records must be opened by 2017," although the following provision is made: "with the exception of records certified for continued postponement by the President."
This controversial archive includes:
A letter from Andy Purdy dated August 2, 1977 requesting the President's pre-assassination x-rays. The letter written on Select Committee of Assassinations letterhead reads in full, "Dear Dr. Travell: The Select Committee on Assassinations would appreciate any assistance you could give us in locating pre-assassination x-rays of the late President John F. Kennedy. Your consideration of this matter would be appreciated." Could the request for such records be used to support the idea that it was Kennedy's back brace that killed him? Kennedy often wore a back brace and on the day he was shot, he was wearing a brace that consisted of a canvas brace with metal stays, together with an Ace bandage with extra padding. The brace kept Kennedy's posture erect even after Oswald's first bullet went through his neck. Had he been able to fall forward after this first bullet hit, the second, fatal bullet may have missed him.
A memo from Travell, entered into the file, written just weeks after the assassination is signed by Travell and reads, "December 6, 1963, MEMORANDUM FOR THE FILE The Attorney General was in my office, and said that he had not received my confidential medical file on the late President Kennedy which was sent by messenger to Mr. Kenneth O'Donnell's home on November 29. I am mailing the Attorney General today the list of these envelopes."
One page scribbled notes by Travell indicating a log to contact Tim Wray, Chief Analyst for Military Records of the Assassination Records Review Board. Travell writes, "April 4, 1996 4:20 p.m. I called. Mr. Jim Wray - Secy said: "he's out of the office until Monday. I left a message on his answering machine letter received today. I have no records on assassination -I was not there. No, I can't give an interview.'" An envelope from the Assassination Records Review Board postmarked April 3, 1996. Travell wrote the number for Executive Director, David G. Marwell on the front.
More notes dated Aug. 4, 1977 with regard to [Donald] Andy Purdy, who served as Special Counsel to the House Ethics Committee and as Senior Staff Counsel to the House Select Committee on Assassinations in their investigation of the assassination of President Kennedy. Travell writes, "Dr. Wade's X-rays given to me. All were left there in hands of Secret Service." Also notes to call Dr. Anne M. Belcher and another note dated Aug. 8, 1977 regarding another call to Purdy. "I called back - no answer 2:30 p.m."
An original draft of a poem written by Dr. Travell with handwritten edits titled, "He Had a Rendezvous" dated Nov. 22, 1963. Reads, "He had a rendezvous with greatness here. A flaming meteor, he came to light. The deep abysses of this mortal sphere, illuminate men's minds and souls to fight. Life's vices: bigotry, greed, malice, fear. In his noontime of the year. He had a rendezvous with life to steer. The ship of earth to wondrous ports of brave. New beauty, music, hope that children dear. May live with love immortal past the grave. Safe in harbors archedly rainbows tier on tier. In his noontime of the year. He had a rendezvous with duty clear, Courage instilled by mother, father proud. To see his star ascend, now on his bier. Hs flag becomes a shroud. Their heads are bowed, their knees are bent on ground grown hard and sere. In the fulltime of their year. He had a rendezvous with death to hear. The bells of heaven chime, 'peace, rest in peace.' Again a star in space far yet so near. Eternal light, he guides mankind's release From self: the trust with death men will revere. In the noontime of this sphere."
Gerald R. Ford Typed Letter Signed As President, one page on White House letterhead with matching stamped envelope, 7" x 10.5", Washington, D.C., November 28, 1975, to Mr. Joseph Harnell, Encino, California. It reads: "This note is to tell you how grateful Mrs. Ford and I are for your fine contribution to the musical entertainment following the dinner for President Sadat on October 27. We know you accepted this engagement on short notice, and we appreciate your wonderful cooperation and assistance. Your musical talents added a great deal to everyone's enjoyment of Pearl Bailey's program that evening, and we want to express our thanks and warmest best wishes to you." Clean, very fine condition. Anwar Sadat's 1975 meeting with Gerald Ford was the first time an Egyptian president visited the United States. Ford was actively trying to bring Egypt and Israel to the negotiating table and his efforts laid a foundation for Jimmy Carter to build upon.
Ronald Reagan Typed Letter Signed as President, one page, 6.75" x 9", on embossed White House letterhead, Washington, D.C., June 23, 1983, to Mr. Jack Brickhouse, Chicago, Illinois. The letter reads in part: "...Take it from an old Cubs announcer, the way you've broadcast the doings of the team has brought happiness to their fans everywhere - and to everyone who loves our National Pastime and has been fortunate enough to hear you on the air. No wonder you're a Hall of Famer!" Excellent condition. Brickhouse (1916-1998) enjoyed a broadcasting career spanning some 50 years. He is best remembered for his televised coverage of the Cubs in the late 1940s and 1950s.
Ronald Reagan as Governor Typed Letter Signed, "Ron", two pages on California Governor's stationery, 8.5" x 11, Sacramento, California, July 28, 1970, to Mrs. Dolores Ballachino, Boston, New York. It reads in part: "...it's getting increasingly difficult to handle both campaign duties and this job particularly at this time when the legislature is playing games with some of our most important legislation...Now let me get down to the questions about labor. As you know, I was president of my union six times and on the board of directors a total of twenty-five years. I am still a lifetime member of that union; the only union member, incidentally, to ever serve as governor of this state. Obviously, I am not anti-labor...Here is my position with regard to Chavez. My desk is covered with petitions signed by thousands of workers who do not want him to represent them in collective bargaining. By use of the boycott Chavez is trying to organize the workers without their permission. He attempts to force the employer into a contract with him and then orders the workers to join his union. I believe organized labor begins with the workers themselves deciding what union they want to represent them and deciding this preferably by secret ballot. To that end I have offered a plan which has been accepted by everyone but Chavez whereby the farm workers will vote secretly on unionizing. The state conciliation service will be offered to insure that no employer can intimidate workers or prevent them from voting for a union if they want it. Chavez has flatly refused, preferring to go his way of forcing the workers into his union with them having no vote at all. His weapon, of course, is the continuation of the boycott...". Following the typed body of the letter is a postscript in Reagan's hand. It reads in full: "Perhaps Paul also should know that as Pres. of my union I led it in the 1st strike in its history - and we won." Original folds, staple perforations in upper left corner. Very fine condition.
Ronald Reagan Signed Limited Edition Photograph, "The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, California" by Tom Lamb, #210 of 250, 14" x 6" matted to an overall 20" x 11.5", 1992. A splendid color photo with bold marginal signatures of both President Reagan and the photographer. Excellent condition.
Ronald Reagan and George Bush original oil painting signed on the mat: "To Mort Sillman - With Best Wishes./Ronald Reagan" and "To Mort Sillman-/Most Sincerely,/George Bush." The painting by artist Michael P. Hagel ("Hagel") of President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George Bush, against a backdrop of a large American flag waving in the sky, is 19.5" x 19". It is double matted and framed under glass to an overall size of 28.5" x 28.25". The 1981 Inaugural Committee had commissioned Hagel to create a portrait of Reagan and Bush for the 1981 Inaugural festivities. In extra fine condition.
Session 3
Mary W. Shelley Autograph Letter Signed, nd, declining a request to make an engraving from an unfinished portrait of "Mr. Shelley". The letter is matted and framed, displaying pages two and three to the right of a black and white photo of a portrait of Mary Shelley. The photo measures 3.75" x 4.75". To the left of the photo is a photocopy of page one of the letter. The mat exposes 4.625" x 6.75" of the copy of page one. The original page one is on the verso of page two. The visible portion of pages two and three measure 6.875" x 8.875". The letter has not been inspected outside of the frame. The gold frame measures 17.5" x 29.5".
Transcription follows:
33 Somerset N, Portsmouth (?)
Sunday
Dear Sir,
I am sorry to have it only in my power to reply that the portrait of Mr. Shelley to which you allude is by no means a good one: -- It is the size of life, in oils-but unfortunately very unfinished-there are however several very striking points of resemblance, and I indulge in hope that when I can afford it a first rate engraver might succeed in making a good print. [end of page]
from it-I do not know anything so disagreeable or unjust as the too frequent custom of prefixing prints unworthy of the person meant to be represented-an in this case, there would be great danger, [words crossed out] that even Mr. Keath [?] could not succeed. I should be averse therefore to having it done unless by him, & unless it were in my power to cancel it altogether if I did not approve of it- [end of page]
If it had been otherwise, if the picture had been one ["from" crossed out] which would only have needed fidelity and care, I should have been very happy to have furnished you with the opportunity of making an engraving. Be assured that it is not necessary to apologize to me for an application on this subject-still less from a friend of Mr. _____ (?) -I believe also that Mr. T. (?) Hunt (?) is a common acquaintance.
I am ________ ________
Mary Shelley.
From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Transcription follows:
33 Somerset N, Portsmouth (?)
Sunday
Dear Sir,
I am sorry to have it only in my power to reply that the portrait of Mr. Shelley to which you allude is by no means a good one: -- It is the size of life, in oils-but unfortunately very unfinished-there are however several very striking points of resemblance, and I indulge in hope that when I can afford it a first rate engraver might succeed in making a good print. [end of page]
from it-I do not know anything so disagreeable or unjust as the too frequent custom of prefixing prints unworthy of the person meant to be represented-an in this case, there would be great danger, [words crossed out] that even Mr. Keath [?] could not succeed. I should be averse therefore to having it done unless by him, & unless it were in my power to cancel it altogether if I did not approve of it- [end of page]
If it had been otherwise, if the picture had been one ["from" crossed out] which would only have needed fidelity and care, I should have been very happy to have furnished you with the opportunity of making an engraving. Be assured that it is not necessary to apologize to me for an application on this subject-still less from a friend of Mr. _____ (?) -I believe also that Mr. T. (?) Hunt (?) is a common acquaintance.
I am ________ ________
Mary Shelley.
From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley Autograph Letter Signed, no place, no date. From Mary Shelley to Lady Sutton, the portion of this letter visible through the mat measures 4.25" x 6.625", and is framed to an overall size of 9" x 11.5". The letter reads in full, "Tuesday, Dear Lady Sutton, I am come to town for a day or two and hope to do my self the pleasure of calling on you before I got to Mourow (?)-Meanwhile can you favor me by obtaining admission for myself and another lady to the Ventilator on Thursday or Friday and sending it to me to 2 Melbury Terrace-Dorset. I hope you are all well. Ever Afft. Yours, MW Shelley".
As this letter is not dated, the Lady Sutton to whom Mary Shelley is writing could be Anne Manners (1750-1822), daughter of John Manners, Marquess of Granby; or this Lady Sutton might be the second wife of Thomas Manners-Sutton, Jane Butler (1779-1846), daughter of James Butler, 9th Lord Caher and Sarah Nichols.
In any event, Lady Sutton's family is of considerable antiquity. Her ancestors were the Lords Lexington, who took their title from a village of that name in the north of England, and one of whom served as ambassador to the Court of Turkey. Henry de Lexington, the fourth baron, died in 1257, when the title became extinct. William de Sutton came in for a considerable share of the property of this noble, and his descendant, Robert Sutton, was in 1646 created Baron Lexington of Averham. At the death of his successor in 1723, the title again became extinct, and has not since been revived. From the year 1792 until his death in 1805, Charles Manners-Sutton was Archbishop of Canterbury, and his son, who bore the same name, was for many years Speaker of the House of Commons.
A previous owner of the letter has written lightly in pencil above the salutation, "Lady Manners Sutton", there is a horizontal and two vertical folds, a small 1" x 1.25" light stain perhaps from stamp, and about three-quarters of the letter displays age toning. The bottom right of the document was professionally repaired some time ago, after the letter had been torn. As a result, part of the "e" and the "y" in the "Shelley" signature are missing. Still, this is a rare opportunity to obtain an entire page of legible Mary Shelley handwriting in a handsome display. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
As this letter is not dated, the Lady Sutton to whom Mary Shelley is writing could be Anne Manners (1750-1822), daughter of John Manners, Marquess of Granby; or this Lady Sutton might be the second wife of Thomas Manners-Sutton, Jane Butler (1779-1846), daughter of James Butler, 9th Lord Caher and Sarah Nichols.
In any event, Lady Sutton's family is of considerable antiquity. Her ancestors were the Lords Lexington, who took their title from a village of that name in the north of England, and one of whom served as ambassador to the Court of Turkey. Henry de Lexington, the fourth baron, died in 1257, when the title became extinct. William de Sutton came in for a considerable share of the property of this noble, and his descendant, Robert Sutton, was in 1646 created Baron Lexington of Averham. At the death of his successor in 1723, the title again became extinct, and has not since been revived. From the year 1792 until his death in 1805, Charles Manners-Sutton was Archbishop of Canterbury, and his son, who bore the same name, was for many years Speaker of the House of Commons.
A previous owner of the letter has written lightly in pencil above the salutation, "Lady Manners Sutton", there is a horizontal and two vertical folds, a small 1" x 1.25" light stain perhaps from stamp, and about three-quarters of the letter displays age toning. The bottom right of the document was professionally repaired some time ago, after the letter had been torn. As a result, part of the "e" and the "y" in the "Shelley" signature are missing. Still, this is a rare opportunity to obtain an entire page of legible Mary Shelley handwriting in a handsome display. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Percy Florence Shelley Autograph Letter Signed, no place, February 7, 1851. From Percy Shelley to Mr. Stedman, this ALS on black-bordered stationery measures 5.25" x 8, and is framed to an overall size of 10.5" x 13.25".
Transcription reads, "Boscombe Lodge Christchurch, Hauts/ 24 Chester Square, Feb. 7, 1851, My dear Mr. Stedman, You will have heard before this of the grievous calamity that has befallen me. I should have written before-but you will readily make allowances for me. Lady Shelley has been away at Bournemouth where I join her tomorrow and where the funeral will take place. If you have anything to communicate will you direct as above. Believe me Yours faithfully Percy Shelley". "7.0." written in lower left corner.
Percy Florence Shelley was the fourth and only surviving child of Percy Bysshe and Mary Shelley. Like his father, he attended Eton and Oxford, although he lacked the same intellectual passion of his parents. Upon the death of his grandfather, he acceded the baronetcy in 1844. His wife, Lady Jane St. John, came to oversee the establishment of the Victorian reputations of Percy and Mary Shelley. Percy and Jane had no children, but adopted Jane's niece Bessie Florence Gibson. Bessie married Leopold James Yorke Campbell Scarlett - Lord Abinger, making the Scarletts/Abingers heirs to the Shelleys.
The document has one vertical fold and three horizontal folds, and has not been examined out of the frame, but appears to have another leaf beneath.
Percy Florence Shelley's three-volume Shelley and Mary, inscribed by Lord Abinger to Betty Bennett is also included in this auction.
From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Transcription reads, "Boscombe Lodge Christchurch, Hauts/ 24 Chester Square, Feb. 7, 1851, My dear Mr. Stedman, You will have heard before this of the grievous calamity that has befallen me. I should have written before-but you will readily make allowances for me. Lady Shelley has been away at Bournemouth where I join her tomorrow and where the funeral will take place. If you have anything to communicate will you direct as above. Believe me Yours faithfully Percy Shelley". "7.0." written in lower left corner.
Percy Florence Shelley was the fourth and only surviving child of Percy Bysshe and Mary Shelley. Like his father, he attended Eton and Oxford, although he lacked the same intellectual passion of his parents. Upon the death of his grandfather, he acceded the baronetcy in 1844. His wife, Lady Jane St. John, came to oversee the establishment of the Victorian reputations of Percy and Mary Shelley. Percy and Jane had no children, but adopted Jane's niece Bessie Florence Gibson. Bessie married Leopold James Yorke Campbell Scarlett - Lord Abinger, making the Scarletts/Abingers heirs to the Shelleys.
The document has one vertical fold and three horizontal folds, and has not been examined out of the frame, but appears to have another leaf beneath.
Percy Florence Shelley's three-volume Shelley and Mary, inscribed by Lord Abinger to Betty Bennett is also included in this auction.
From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley Signed & Dated Letter Closing. Clipped inscription reads, "Yours Ever & Obliged M.W. Shelley, April 12", no year, measuring 3.5" x 2", laid in with a reproduction picture of Mary Shelley, and framed to an overall size of 6.625" x 8.625". The clipped letter closing is generally very good, with mild paper loss to two corners, and slight discoloration to the lower left corner, none of which affects the inscription. A delightful piece of literary history for any Shelley fan. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
William Godwin Autograph Note Signed. Framed, clipped inscription of William Godwin in dark brown ink, reads "Tracts. Gift of Geo. III Large Quarto No. 60______small 4to No. 596 W. Godwin", measuring 3.75" x 1.875", framed to an overall size of 6" x 4". Note is very good, with a small pinhole at center of bottom edge and at top right. Two faint pencil "X"marks and one brown ink "X" mark are visible on the note, affecting the text and signature to a minimal degree. Accompanying this lot is a fine framed copy of an engraving of William Godwin, Esq., measuring 4" x 5.75", visible through mat, and framed to an overall size of 9" x 11".
The father of philosophical anarchism as well as of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, William Godwin, 1756-1836, was an English journalist, political philosopher and novelist. The son of a Calvinist minister, Godwin's religious beliefs evolved progressively from Calvinism to what might be called a "vague theism." By 1783, Godwin had abandoned the country and the ministry for London and a literary career of service to his fellow man. In 1793, he published his most important political treatise, An Enquiry Concerning the Principle of Political Justice, a sweeping explanation of the general principles that underlay society. And within a year, Godwin also published Things as They Are, or the Adventures of Caleb Williams, which attacked aristocratic privilege, but also is virtually the first mystery novel. Based on the success of both, Godwin featured prominently in the radical circles of London in the 1790s.
Following the death of his wife, the pioneering feminist writer, Mary Wollstonecraft (just days after the birth of Mary Godwin), the remainder of Godwin's career was an anticlimax to the turbulent decade of the 1790s when he produced his most thoughtful and original contributions. His second marriage, to Mary Jane Clairmont in 1801, only served to compound his family obligations, forcing him to write for money. Together, they produced children's primers on biblical and classical history, which he published along with such works as Charles and Mary Lamb's Tales From Shakespeare, (which is also included in this auction). The books for children, written using several pseudonyms and printed in the shop he operated from 1805 to 1824, were modestly successful, but the business venture failed due to his mismanagement of financial affairs. His circle of friends narrowed, but included Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Wordsworth, and Charles Lamb. Percy Shelley became his son-in-law as well as benefactor. Despite his many detractors during his later years, Godwin is recognized as a thinker of the first magnitude in politics, educational theory and social thought and exacted considerable influence on British literature and literary culture. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
The father of philosophical anarchism as well as of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, William Godwin, 1756-1836, was an English journalist, political philosopher and novelist. The son of a Calvinist minister, Godwin's religious beliefs evolved progressively from Calvinism to what might be called a "vague theism." By 1783, Godwin had abandoned the country and the ministry for London and a literary career of service to his fellow man. In 1793, he published his most important political treatise, An Enquiry Concerning the Principle of Political Justice, a sweeping explanation of the general principles that underlay society. And within a year, Godwin also published Things as They Are, or the Adventures of Caleb Williams, which attacked aristocratic privilege, but also is virtually the first mystery novel. Based on the success of both, Godwin featured prominently in the radical circles of London in the 1790s.
Following the death of his wife, the pioneering feminist writer, Mary Wollstonecraft (just days after the birth of Mary Godwin), the remainder of Godwin's career was an anticlimax to the turbulent decade of the 1790s when he produced his most thoughtful and original contributions. His second marriage, to Mary Jane Clairmont in 1801, only served to compound his family obligations, forcing him to write for money. Together, they produced children's primers on biblical and classical history, which he published along with such works as Charles and Mary Lamb's Tales From Shakespeare, (which is also included in this auction). The books for children, written using several pseudonyms and printed in the shop he operated from 1805 to 1824, were modestly successful, but the business venture failed due to his mismanagement of financial affairs. His circle of friends narrowed, but included Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Wordsworth, and Charles Lamb. Percy Shelley became his son-in-law as well as benefactor. Despite his many detractors during his later years, Godwin is recognized as a thinker of the first magnitude in politics, educational theory and social thought and exacted considerable influence on British literature and literary culture. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
David Lyndsay Autograph Letter Signed. June 26, 1825, 7.375" x 9", mounted on mat board between two pieces of glass revealing both sides of the letter, two vertical folds and two horizontal folds, ink stains and moderate soiling to addressed side of paper. The red seal, .625" in diameter obscures two words at the right edge. Paper loss measuring .625" x .8125" from the seal has removed portions of two words. The area of paper loss has light staining to its right measuring .25" x .5". The letter has not been inspected outside of the gold frame, which measures 12.25" x 14.125".
Transcription of the letter follows:
Wm. Spooner, Esq.
Messrs. Hurst & Robinson
Booksellers
90 Cheapside
Stamped "T.P. 3g... St. Wert mr" "x8 Mo...R 8x 28 JU 1825"
Verso:
My dear Sir-
I notic'd the printers quan. When I first received the sheet, but I made no alteration in the passage because it has been much the usage since our communication with the continent has been so open to use adjectives substantively like the French and Italians. I have done so frequently in the stories themselves. I have however changed the passage and restored the adjective to its ancient position. The two following lines are a quotation from Genesis, but as I usually quote from memory. I had made a trifling mistake, which when rectified and (words crossed out) the passage supplied with inverted commas, will (word obscured by seal) present the probable misconstruction which you mention (word obscured by seal) and which was very likely to occur-- I have amended the passage thus-"Many who were most deserving etc. and -"Shelley is not-Lord Byron is not-etc
I am my dear Sir
Very truly yours
D. Lyndsay
David Lyndsay and Walter Sholto Douglas were two pseudonyms used by Mary Diana Dods, a close friend of Mary Shelley's. Mary Diana and her sister Georgiana were the illegitimate daughters of the 15th earl of Morton. The dates of their births are unknown. When the earl, at the age of 54, married a contemporary of his daughters, the young ladies left home with small stipends.
Unlike her sister, Georgiana, who gained social and financial security through marriage, Mary Diana had few marital prospects due to a deficit of good looks and an overabundance of intelligence and education, considered unfeminine in early 19th-century England.
Mary Diana, accustomed to wealth, found it difficult to maintain her standard of living on her annual allowance of a hundred pounds and fell into debt. Her failed attempt at operating a girl's school added to her indebtedness and her sense of failure as a woman. During this time though, she was enjoying success as a writer under the pseudonym of David Lyndsay with two books published in three years, poems and articles in popular journals, a play (perhaps produced), and anonymous book reviews. This success, under the guise of a man, inspired Mary Diana, in 1826, to fashion an entire life as a man, complete with a wife, Isabella, and a daughter named Adeline. With her new identity as Walter Sholto Douglas, Mary Diana and Mrs. Douglas, with Mary Shelley's help, became successfully ensconced in Paris' elite Anglo-French society. Together, they fooled the likes of General Lafayette and other intellectuals such as Merimee, Stendhal, and Fauriel, who all believed Mary Diana to be a man with a highly flirtatious wife. Mary Shelley's roll in this intercontinental trans-gender charade posed enormous risks of scandal and the loss of custody of her son, Percy. Isabella, on the other hand, could only benefit from the ruse as she was able to present her secretly illegitimate daughter, Adeline, as the child of a sanctioned marriage, while continuing to indulge her coquettish nature.
This letter was written to Lyndsay's publishers Hurst & Robinson, most likely regarding a piece entitled "Firouz-Abdel: A Tale of the Upas Tree", which, in 1825, appeared in Alaric Watts' The Literary Souvenir, a periodical touted as being from "the pens of the most popular writers of the day". The following first edition of the Watts book is included with the letter.
Alaric A. Watts, The Literary Souvenir; or, Cabinet of Poetry and Romance (London: Hurst, Robinson and Co., 1825), small 8vo, half leather with marbled boards, Seven of 13 engravings present, 394 pages, includes "Firouz-Abdel; a Tale of the Upas Tree" by David Lyndsay (Mary Diana Dods), in overall very good condition.
Mary Diana succumbed to a lingering illness and died in 1828. She took the secret of her multiple identities with her to her pauper's unmarked grave. The mystery was unraveled more than a century and a half later by Shelley scholar Betty T. Bennett, whose book Mary Diana Dods, A Gentleman and a Scholar, (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991) is the source of this biography and is included with the David Lyndsay letter being auctioned. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Transcription of the letter follows:
Wm. Spooner, Esq.
Messrs. Hurst & Robinson
Booksellers
90 Cheapside
Stamped "T.P. 3g... St. Wert mr" "x8 Mo...R 8x 28 JU 1825"
Verso:
My dear Sir-
I notic'd the printers quan. When I first received the sheet, but I made no alteration in the passage because it has been much the usage since our communication with the continent has been so open to use adjectives substantively like the French and Italians. I have done so frequently in the stories themselves. I have however changed the passage and restored the adjective to its ancient position. The two following lines are a quotation from Genesis, but as I usually quote from memory. I had made a trifling mistake, which when rectified and (words crossed out) the passage supplied with inverted commas, will (word obscured by seal) present the probable misconstruction which you mention (word obscured by seal) and which was very likely to occur-- I have amended the passage thus-"Many who were most deserving etc. and -"Shelley is not-Lord Byron is not-etc
I am my dear Sir
Very truly yours
D. Lyndsay
David Lyndsay and Walter Sholto Douglas were two pseudonyms used by Mary Diana Dods, a close friend of Mary Shelley's. Mary Diana and her sister Georgiana were the illegitimate daughters of the 15th earl of Morton. The dates of their births are unknown. When the earl, at the age of 54, married a contemporary of his daughters, the young ladies left home with small stipends.
Unlike her sister, Georgiana, who gained social and financial security through marriage, Mary Diana had few marital prospects due to a deficit of good looks and an overabundance of intelligence and education, considered unfeminine in early 19th-century England.
Mary Diana, accustomed to wealth, found it difficult to maintain her standard of living on her annual allowance of a hundred pounds and fell into debt. Her failed attempt at operating a girl's school added to her indebtedness and her sense of failure as a woman. During this time though, she was enjoying success as a writer under the pseudonym of David Lyndsay with two books published in three years, poems and articles in popular journals, a play (perhaps produced), and anonymous book reviews. This success, under the guise of a man, inspired Mary Diana, in 1826, to fashion an entire life as a man, complete with a wife, Isabella, and a daughter named Adeline. With her new identity as Walter Sholto Douglas, Mary Diana and Mrs. Douglas, with Mary Shelley's help, became successfully ensconced in Paris' elite Anglo-French society. Together, they fooled the likes of General Lafayette and other intellectuals such as Merimee, Stendhal, and Fauriel, who all believed Mary Diana to be a man with a highly flirtatious wife. Mary Shelley's roll in this intercontinental trans-gender charade posed enormous risks of scandal and the loss of custody of her son, Percy. Isabella, on the other hand, could only benefit from the ruse as she was able to present her secretly illegitimate daughter, Adeline, as the child of a sanctioned marriage, while continuing to indulge her coquettish nature.
This letter was written to Lyndsay's publishers Hurst & Robinson, most likely regarding a piece entitled "Firouz-Abdel: A Tale of the Upas Tree", which, in 1825, appeared in Alaric Watts' The Literary Souvenir, a periodical touted as being from "the pens of the most popular writers of the day". The following first edition of the Watts book is included with the letter.
Alaric A. Watts, The Literary Souvenir; or, Cabinet of Poetry and Romance (London: Hurst, Robinson and Co., 1825), small 8vo, half leather with marbled boards, Seven of 13 engravings present, 394 pages, includes "Firouz-Abdel; a Tale of the Upas Tree" by David Lyndsay (Mary Diana Dods), in overall very good condition.
Mary Diana succumbed to a lingering illness and died in 1828. She took the secret of her multiple identities with her to her pauper's unmarked grave. The mystery was unraveled more than a century and a half later by Shelley scholar Betty T. Bennett, whose book Mary Diana Dods, A Gentleman and a Scholar, (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991) is the source of this biography and is included with the David Lyndsay letter being auctioned. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Books
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus 1818 First Edition. (London: for Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones, 1818), first edition, three volumes, 12mo (4.25" x 7"), bound in twentieth century brown morocco with five raised bands, floral gilt decoration on the spines and front and back covers; front and back pastedown in gold bordered green leather, facing front free endpaper and back free endpaper in blue moire taffeta, small green leather book plate on verso of front free endpaper with gold design and monogram, introduction written by Percy Bysshe Shelley.
A brief synopsis of the story:
A young Swiss medical student discovers the secret of animating lifeless matter by assembling body parts, and creates a monster which vows revenge on its creator after being rejected by society.
Mary Shelley modeled her life and works on her parents', William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, belief in the power and responsibility of the individual to effect change. Frankenstein was written in response to a literary contest agreed upon by Mary and Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and his physician, John Polidori, that each would write a terrifying tale. With Percy's encouragement, Mary's tale became a novel and her greatest treatise on this philosophy of enlightenment. The following discussion of the novel was informed by Betty Bennett's Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: An Introduction.
Frankenstein, a wealthy, indulged young man whose acceptance of his society's norms leads him to want, like a monarch or a god, absolute power. To achieve this goal, Frankenstein pieces together a very unheroic-appearing Creature, who devolves from a state of natural goodness to one of crime and transgression.
For Mary Shelley, scientific experimentation served as a model for political experimentation, both offering the means to create a better world. Paving the way for future science fiction novels, Mary Shelley incorporates some of the most recent technological findings of her time, replacing the heavenly fire of the Prometheus myth with the spark of newly discovered electricity. The animation of the Creature was inspired and informed by the experiments in electricity and reanimation of Luigi Galvani (1737-98) and Alessandro Volta (1745-1827).
In the Greek myth, Prometheus' actions, like Christ's, result in redemptive suffering for humanity. Frankenstein's quest, conversely, is for the attainment of personal, godlike power rather than for society's advancement. Frankenstein's failure, which destroys the larger community, is a parable for the failure of the 19th-century socio-political structure to take responsibility-material and spiritual-for the greater populace. His transgression is not that he enters sacred realms, but that he fails to take responsibility for his own actions.
This modern, failed Prometheus reduces the "heroic" act to a mocking parody of enlightenment personified by the Creature. The Creature is the only character that fully understands and assumes responsibility for the horrors of his deeds, though he is incapable of restraining himself. This Rousseauian natural savage regresses from a condition of instinctual goodness to learned evil, mirroring a society based on power and fear. When the Creature educates himself, he embodies Shelley's revered values of reason, love and individual dignity. When he breaks from this model and emulates the power system prevalent in the early 19th century, he, like his creator, becomes both victim and perpetuator of that system.
The novel advances Mary Shelley's reformist ideology that power and unjust social conditions are more the work of man than of God and therefore can be changed. With her dark gothic tale, Mary Shelley holds up an unflattering mirror to an England driven by the emerging industrial age to convey a humanistic message of hope, reason and universal love.
The three volumes are very good, with a light .5" scratch on back cover of Volume III, front cover of Volume II has thin .5" light line following the natural crackling pattern of the leather, edges of spines lightly rubbed and crackled, but integrity of leather still strong, Volume I lacking advertising leaf, top edge of textblock is gilt, each volume has small stain at top edge of front of textblock and bottom of textblock at spine, 2" crease at right corner of title page of Volume II, Volume I is lightly foxed, while Volumes II and III have minimal foxing. The pages are trimmed and there has been some expert restoration done to one volume. Box lined with flannel, brown cloth outside with leather trim around opening, leather trim missing along bottom edge of box. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
A brief synopsis of the story:
A young Swiss medical student discovers the secret of animating lifeless matter by assembling body parts, and creates a monster which vows revenge on its creator after being rejected by society.
Mary Shelley modeled her life and works on her parents', William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, belief in the power and responsibility of the individual to effect change. Frankenstein was written in response to a literary contest agreed upon by Mary and Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and his physician, John Polidori, that each would write a terrifying tale. With Percy's encouragement, Mary's tale became a novel and her greatest treatise on this philosophy of enlightenment. The following discussion of the novel was informed by Betty Bennett's Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: An Introduction.
Frankenstein, a wealthy, indulged young man whose acceptance of his society's norms leads him to want, like a monarch or a god, absolute power. To achieve this goal, Frankenstein pieces together a very unheroic-appearing Creature, who devolves from a state of natural goodness to one of crime and transgression.
For Mary Shelley, scientific experimentation served as a model for political experimentation, both offering the means to create a better world. Paving the way for future science fiction novels, Mary Shelley incorporates some of the most recent technological findings of her time, replacing the heavenly fire of the Prometheus myth with the spark of newly discovered electricity. The animation of the Creature was inspired and informed by the experiments in electricity and reanimation of Luigi Galvani (1737-98) and Alessandro Volta (1745-1827).
In the Greek myth, Prometheus' actions, like Christ's, result in redemptive suffering for humanity. Frankenstein's quest, conversely, is for the attainment of personal, godlike power rather than for society's advancement. Frankenstein's failure, which destroys the larger community, is a parable for the failure of the 19th-century socio-political structure to take responsibility-material and spiritual-for the greater populace. His transgression is not that he enters sacred realms, but that he fails to take responsibility for his own actions.
This modern, failed Prometheus reduces the "heroic" act to a mocking parody of enlightenment personified by the Creature. The Creature is the only character that fully understands and assumes responsibility for the horrors of his deeds, though he is incapable of restraining himself. This Rousseauian natural savage regresses from a condition of instinctual goodness to learned evil, mirroring a society based on power and fear. When the Creature educates himself, he embodies Shelley's revered values of reason, love and individual dignity. When he breaks from this model and emulates the power system prevalent in the early 19th century, he, like his creator, becomes both victim and perpetuator of that system.
The novel advances Mary Shelley's reformist ideology that power and unjust social conditions are more the work of man than of God and therefore can be changed. With her dark gothic tale, Mary Shelley holds up an unflattering mirror to an England driven by the emerging industrial age to convey a humanistic message of hope, reason and universal love.
The three volumes are very good, with a light .5" scratch on back cover of Volume III, front cover of Volume II has thin .5" light line following the natural crackling pattern of the leather, edges of spines lightly rubbed and crackled, but integrity of leather still strong, Volume I lacking advertising leaf, top edge of textblock is gilt, each volume has small stain at top edge of front of textblock and bottom of textblock at spine, 2" crease at right corner of title page of Volume II, Volume I is lightly foxed, while Volumes II and III have minimal foxing. The pages are trimmed and there has been some expert restoration done to one volume. Box lined with flannel, brown cloth outside with leather trim around opening, leather trim missing along bottom edge of box. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus 1831 Revised Edition. (London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1831), third edition, first illustrated edition, 258 pages, 16mo (4.375" x 6.625"), quarter leather binding with marbled boards, three raised bands with gold lines on spine, with "Frankenstein" in gilt lettering as the only title on the spine, engraving on half title and frontispiece. Includes eight page introduction by the author explaining how she came to write the story and a preface by Percy Shelley. Frankenstein ends on page 202, followed by Edgar Huntly; or, The Sleep Walker, by Charles Brockden Brown, an American novelist. Textblock lightly foxed and stained, boards and spine rubbed, edges showing cardboard in places, .375" x .5" piece out of marbled paper on front board, corners bumped. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus bound with Volume I of Friedrich Schiller's The Ghost-Seer (London: Richard Bentley (Successor to Henry Colburn), 1836), third edition revised, 365 pages (Frankenstein: 202 pages, The Ghost-Seer: 163 pages), 8vo, orange-brown cloth binding with brown laminate over boards, deckled fore-edge. Frankenstein has 1831 frontispiece and title page bound in and includes the 1831 introduction by Mary Shelley.
The poet, dramatist, philosopher, and historian Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805) stands with his close friend and literary collaborator, Goethe, at the forefront of German literature. His writings, particularly his tragedies, represent the full flowering of the classic tradition in 18th-century Germany. The overriding theme in Schiller's work is liberty and dignity for all, and the skill of his rhetoric-its vigor and power to inspire an audience with these lofty ideals-has rarely been surpassed in dramatic literature. Among his masterpieces are William Tell, his last completed play, about the national liberation of Switzerland from Austrian tyranny, and the Ode to Joy, 1785, later immortalized by Beethoven in his Ninth Symphony.
This copy of the double-bound edition of Frankenstein and The Ghost Seer has a library stamp and bookplate affixed to the front pastedown. The book is good, with some bumping to the top and bottom edge of the back board and corners, with general soiling and sunning at the edges of the boards. Spine labels are chipped, and the volume displays light foxing throughout. Otherwise, the text is clean and tight. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
The poet, dramatist, philosopher, and historian Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805) stands with his close friend and literary collaborator, Goethe, at the forefront of German literature. His writings, particularly his tragedies, represent the full flowering of the classic tradition in 18th-century Germany. The overriding theme in Schiller's work is liberty and dignity for all, and the skill of his rhetoric-its vigor and power to inspire an audience with these lofty ideals-has rarely been surpassed in dramatic literature. Among his masterpieces are William Tell, his last completed play, about the national liberation of Switzerland from Austrian tyranny, and the Ode to Joy, 1785, later immortalized by Beethoven in his Ninth Symphony.
This copy of the double-bound edition of Frankenstein and The Ghost Seer has a library stamp and bookplate affixed to the front pastedown. The book is good, with some bumping to the top and bottom edge of the back board and corners, with general soiling and sunning at the edges of the boards. Spine labels are chipped, and the volume displays light foxing throughout. Otherwise, the text is clean and tight. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: Valperga: or, The Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca. (London: Printed for G. and W.B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria-Lane, by Richard Taylor, 1823), first edition, three volumes, Volume I: 293 pages, Volume II: 287 pages, Volume III: 269 pages followed by a leaf of publisher's advertising, brown half-leather and marbled boards with crimson and gilt title plate on spine, and gilt and blind stamping on spine as well, 12mo (4.25" x 7.25"). Edited by William Godwin. The set is in good condition, with general edge, corner and spine wear to each volume. Each volume has rubbed boards, light foxing, and previous owner's bookplate affixed to the front pastedown. Volume I shows bumping to the top corner of the boards. Volume II has front edge bumped. Both Volume II and Volume II have a vertical strip of matching marbled paper applied down the center of the back board. All three volumes have a tight textblock.
Valperga is an intelligent study in sexual politics. It also contains some of Mary Shelley's most beautiful and impassioned writing. It was praised on publication for its convincing recreation of the period (Mary Shelley emulated Scott and foreshadowed George Eliot in the proficiency of her research and the portraits of its two female protagonists, though the heretic Beatrice shocked the Blackwood's reviewer). Yet, according to Mary Shelley, "it never had fair play" and, except for a facsimile, has never been republished.
Frederick L. Jones in The Letters of Mary W. Shelley writes, "Her creation of Frankenstein at the age of eighteen is a marvel known to many; but few if any are aware that Valperga, her second novel, excels the first almost as much as Alastor surpasses Queen Mab. It is, indeed, her best novel, having a richness of imaginative style and a creative force in combination with a thoroughness of scholarship that are exhibited in none of her other works. Shelley and Godwin enthusiastically recognized its advance beyond Frankenstein, and rightly expected great things of her in the future."
According to Betty Bennett in Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: An Introduction, Valperga along with her other historical novel, Perkin Warbeck, voice in fiction Mary Shelley's opposition to monarchical government, disapproval of class distinction, abhorrence of slavery and war. During the era in which Mary Shelley wrote Valperga, the United States was the only operative federal democracy. Throughout Europe, monarchy was again in control. In the concept of historical cycles, both Shelleys saw the possibility of reform that could lead the way to enlightened sociopolitical systems. The different, yet related, characters of the women, resonating with Mary Wollstonecraft's arguments for equal rights for women, are the key to that reform. One reason Valperga never achieved the popularity that she, P. B. Shelley, and Godwin expected was that though the reviews were largely positive, they omitted discussion of Valperga's central political focus. Reviewers admired the female protagonist as the epitome of feminine virtue rather than as an unconventional political woman. We may only grasp Valperga's significance if it is recognized to be about the politics of power contrasted with the power of love.
Valperga was published February 19, 1823, just less than a month after P. B. Shelley's ashes were interred in the Protestant Cemetery in Rome. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Valperga is an intelligent study in sexual politics. It also contains some of Mary Shelley's most beautiful and impassioned writing. It was praised on publication for its convincing recreation of the period (Mary Shelley emulated Scott and foreshadowed George Eliot in the proficiency of her research and the portraits of its two female protagonists, though the heretic Beatrice shocked the Blackwood's reviewer). Yet, according to Mary Shelley, "it never had fair play" and, except for a facsimile, has never been republished.
Frederick L. Jones in The Letters of Mary W. Shelley writes, "Her creation of Frankenstein at the age of eighteen is a marvel known to many; but few if any are aware that Valperga, her second novel, excels the first almost as much as Alastor surpasses Queen Mab. It is, indeed, her best novel, having a richness of imaginative style and a creative force in combination with a thoroughness of scholarship that are exhibited in none of her other works. Shelley and Godwin enthusiastically recognized its advance beyond Frankenstein, and rightly expected great things of her in the future."
According to Betty Bennett in Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: An Introduction, Valperga along with her other historical novel, Perkin Warbeck, voice in fiction Mary Shelley's opposition to monarchical government, disapproval of class distinction, abhorrence of slavery and war. During the era in which Mary Shelley wrote Valperga, the United States was the only operative federal democracy. Throughout Europe, monarchy was again in control. In the concept of historical cycles, both Shelleys saw the possibility of reform that could lead the way to enlightened sociopolitical systems. The different, yet related, characters of the women, resonating with Mary Wollstonecraft's arguments for equal rights for women, are the key to that reform. One reason Valperga never achieved the popularity that she, P. B. Shelley, and Godwin expected was that though the reviews were largely positive, they omitted discussion of Valperga's central political focus. Reviewers admired the female protagonist as the epitome of feminine virtue rather than as an unconventional political woman. We may only grasp Valperga's significance if it is recognized to be about the politics of power contrasted with the power of love.
Valperga was published February 19, 1823, just less than a month after P. B. Shelley's ashes were interred in the Protestant Cemetery in Rome. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: History of a Six Weeks' Tour through a Part of France, Switzerland, Germany, and Holland: with Letters Descriptive of a Sail Round the Lake of Geneva, and of the Glaciers of Chamouni. (London: T. Hookham, Jun. and C. and J. Ollier, 1817), first edition, 183 pages, dark green cloth with moiré pattern, 16mo (4" x 6.5"). Preface by Percy Bysshe Shelley. History of a Six Weeks' Tour is a reworking of the Shelleys' journal of their elopement with Mary's step-sister Claire Clairemont, through war-torn Europe. Like the journal, History of a Six Weeks' Tour begins on July 28, 1814 and ends on September 13, when, lacking money, they returned to Gravesend. To this 1814 memoir are added four 1816 letters from Switzerland, two from each of the Shelleys, and P. B. Shelley's poem "Mont Blanc". Their objective was "to journey towards the lake of Uri, and seek in that romantic and interesting country some cottage where we might dwell in peace and solitude". But History and the letters are more than just a compilation of selections from the journal and their correspondence. To an important degree, History established a philosophic perspective and a technique that would resonate in Mary Shelley's novels, in her last book, Rambles, and in many of her essays, as well as in the prefaces and notes to P. B. Shelley's works. These include her belief that social and personal reform be based on love and individual dignity; use of a familiar genre and format into which she introduces metaphors to transform the reader's perspectives; a narrative told through the psychology of the individual while interacting on an emotional level with the external world; travel and education as the means to enlarge ones perspective and achieve her socio-political reforms. (From Betty Bennett's Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: An Introduction). This copy is very good. The corners of the book are lightly bumped, with some foxing on the front free endpapers and back free endpapers. Otherwise, there is very minimal foxing and bubbling to front and back pastedowns. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: The Last Man. (London: Henry Colburn, 1826), first edition, three volumes, Volume I: 358 pages, with two page advertisement for "Interesting Works printed for Henry Colburn, S. New Burlington Street", and 12 pages of ads for "Valuable Standard Works printed for Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, London", Volume II: 328 pages, Volume III: 353 pages, rebound in banded half-leather with marbled boards, pages irregularly trimmed, 8vo (5" x 8.25"). Set in the 21st century, The Last Man tells the story of six characters who belong to the supposedly final generation of humans on earth. In certain aspects, the characters bear more than a passing resemblance to members of the Shelley circle-Mary Shelley, P. B. Shelley, Claire Clairemont, and Byron. Mary Shelley herself noted that two characters in The Last Man, Lord Raymond, adventurer, hero, nobleman, and eventually head of state, and Count Adrian, earl of Windsor, son of the last king of England represented "faint portraits...of B.[Byron] and S-but this is a secret". In 1826, reviewers of The Last Man generally condemned the novel as beyond the pale for its effective depictions of death and disease. A central philosophy in all of Mary Shelley's works, and particularly in The Last Man, is that through imagination one can re-see the world. This set of The Last Man is in very good condition. Each has mild edge, corner, and spine wear. Spines sunned on each volume. Volume II has foxing on title page, contemporary ink letters in top margin of page 25, stain from a pressed plant on facing pages 80-81. Volume III shows foxing on title page, single dot of foxing on pages 2-7, spot at bottom edge of pages 349-352, binder's notes in pencil on back pastedown, and lightly foxed endpapers. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: The Last Man (Philadelphia: Carey, Lea and Blanchard, 1833), two volumes, first American edition, 432 total pages (Volume I, 208 pages followed by 24 pages of advertising; Volume II, 200 pages), original publisher's blue boards and light brown cloth, spine with paper label, 8vo (5.125" x 8.3125").
The Last Man follows Frankenstein as one of the earliest examples of science fiction in English. It also presents characters who can be seen, in some of their aspects, to resemble certain members of the Shelley circle-Mary Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Claire Clairemont, and Lord Byron. Mary Shelley herself noted that two characters in The Last Man, Lord Raymond, adventurer, hero, nobleman and eventually head of state, and Count Adrian, earl of Windsor, son of the last king of England represented "faint portraits...of B.[Byron] and S-but this is a secret".
The narrative begins in the late twenty-first century in an England that has become a republic, focusing at first on the conflicting worlds of the domestic and political. But as the plague takes hold and spreads relentlessly, the novel's view expands to encompass Europe and the world scene. Dark, even existential in its mood, The Last Man shows the demise of the human race highlighted against its greatest achievement as the ever decreasing band of survivors make their way across the Alps to the warm cities of the South.
In 1826, reviewers of The Last Man generally condemned the novel as beyond the pale for its effective depictions of death and disease. A central philosophy in all of Mary Shelley's works, and particularly in The Last Man, is that through imagination one can re-see the world.
This two-volume set is generally very good, with slight soiling to the blue paper on the boards, some chipping at the edges, soiled spines, and some bumping to the head and tail of the spines. Volume II spine label missing top quarter portion. Overall, the text is clean and bright.
The 1826 three-volume first edition set of The Last Man is also included in this auction.
From the Betty Bennett Collection.
The Last Man follows Frankenstein as one of the earliest examples of science fiction in English. It also presents characters who can be seen, in some of their aspects, to resemble certain members of the Shelley circle-Mary Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Claire Clairemont, and Lord Byron. Mary Shelley herself noted that two characters in The Last Man, Lord Raymond, adventurer, hero, nobleman and eventually head of state, and Count Adrian, earl of Windsor, son of the last king of England represented "faint portraits...of B.[Byron] and S-but this is a secret".
The narrative begins in the late twenty-first century in an England that has become a republic, focusing at first on the conflicting worlds of the domestic and political. But as the plague takes hold and spreads relentlessly, the novel's view expands to encompass Europe and the world scene. Dark, even existential in its mood, The Last Man shows the demise of the human race highlighted against its greatest achievement as the ever decreasing band of survivors make their way across the Alps to the warm cities of the South.
In 1826, reviewers of The Last Man generally condemned the novel as beyond the pale for its effective depictions of death and disease. A central philosophy in all of Mary Shelley's works, and particularly in The Last Man, is that through imagination one can re-see the world.
This two-volume set is generally very good, with slight soiling to the blue paper on the boards, some chipping at the edges, soiled spines, and some bumping to the head and tail of the spines. Volume II spine label missing top quarter portion. Overall, the text is clean and bright.
The 1826 three-volume first edition set of The Last Man is also included in this auction.
From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: Lodore First Edition. (London: Richard Bentley, 1835), first edition, three volumes, Volume I: 300 pages, Volume II: 297 pages, Volume III: 311 pages, rebound banded black half-leather with marbled boards, 12mo (4.75" x 7.25"). This set is about fine, with only very minor shelf wear to the corners, edges, and spines.
Lodore dissects aristocratic values to demonstrate that ultimately they are detrimental to both the individual and society. In their stead, the novel proposes egalitarian educational paradigms for women and men, which would bring social justice as well as the spiritual and intellectual means by which to meet the life's many challenges. Although it was lost on reviewers, in the contemporary setting of the novel, the home becomes a paradigm for the state. The lives of its inhabitants are conditioned by familial and social education that conduct the individual either to a world of benevolence and mutual care or to one of conflict and mutual destruction. As with her other novels, reviewers of Lodore, by and large, ignored Mary Shelley's exploration of power and politics and confined her subject to the "secrets of the human heart." (From Betty Bennett's Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: An Introduction).
Richard Garnett described Lodore as "remarkable for being...a veiled autobiography. The whole story of the hero and heroine's privations in London is a reminiscence of the winter of 1813. Harriet Shelley appears much idealized as Cornelia, and her sister's baneful influence over her is impersonated in the figure of a mother-in-law, Lady Santerre. By it Lodore is driven to America as Shelley to the continent. Emilia Viviani is also portrayed, probably with accuracy." From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Lodore dissects aristocratic values to demonstrate that ultimately they are detrimental to both the individual and society. In their stead, the novel proposes egalitarian educational paradigms for women and men, which would bring social justice as well as the spiritual and intellectual means by which to meet the life's many challenges. Although it was lost on reviewers, in the contemporary setting of the novel, the home becomes a paradigm for the state. The lives of its inhabitants are conditioned by familial and social education that conduct the individual either to a world of benevolence and mutual care or to one of conflict and mutual destruction. As with her other novels, reviewers of Lodore, by and large, ignored Mary Shelley's exploration of power and politics and confined her subject to the "secrets of the human heart." (From Betty Bennett's Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: An Introduction).
Richard Garnett described Lodore as "remarkable for being...a veiled autobiography. The whole story of the hero and heroine's privations in London is a reminiscence of the winter of 1813. Harriet Shelley appears much idealized as Cornelia, and her sister's baneful influence over her is impersonated in the figure of a mother-in-law, Lady Santerre. By it Lodore is driven to America as Shelley to the continent. Emilia Viviani is also portrayed, probably with accuracy." From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: Lodore First American Edition. (New York: Wallis & Newell, 1835), first American edition, 228 pages, original brown cloth binding with gilt lettering on spine and decorative blind stamping on boards, 12mo (4.75" x 7.75"). The book is in good condition, with a .5" piece missing from tail of spine, light staining to boards, corners lightly bumped, and back board starting. The textblock shows some water staining at top and bottom of pages. Right half of front free endpaper and title page lightly stained. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: Lodore Brussels Edition. (Brussels: AD. Wahlen, Printer to the Court, 1835), 396 pages, half-leather with yellow boards with gilt decoration on spine, and black and gilt title plate on spine, 8vo (5.25" x 8"). This copy is in good condition, with some staining from leather to front and back pastedowns and endpapers. Number written on front pastedown in brown ink and two letters in graphite. Verso of title page has a library stamp with crown in center from the "Neustrelitz Grosherzogliche Bibliothek". Title page and front free endpaper stained from stamp. The boards show some edge, corner and spine wear, with minor cracking to the leather on the spine. Leather at corners has largely rubbed away. Boards rubbed and soiled. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: Rambles in Germany and Italy, in 1840, 1842, and 1843. (London: Edward Moxon, 1844), first edition, two volumes, Volume I: 280 pages, Volume II: 280 pages, brown cloth with title plates affixed to spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8"). Rambles is Mary Shelley's last full-length work. It is based on letters written during two extensive journeys she made with Percy Florence and several of his friends. In it, she blends Romantic values, female emancipation, and political advocacy. As a worldly and seasoned traveler, her narrative comments on war, national manners, historical perspectives, and political observations. Previous owner's signature on title page of each volume. Previous bookseller's price and notes on front pastedown of Volume I. Both volumes' front and back hinges cracked, head and tail of spine and label chipped, general soiling to brown cloth, and corners bumped. Textblock for each volume is clean. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, [1930s]), 240 pages, red cloth with black lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Illustrated with scenes from the Universal Photoplay. The book is in good condition, with an ownership stamp on bottom and fore edges of textblock, front pastedown and front free endpaper. A .75" x 2.25" piece out at lower corner of page 49. The dust jacket is in poor condition. It is soiled, and mostly separated at hinge folds. The inside flaps are both glued to the pastedowns. Additionally, the bottom edge of front and back covers trimmed and chipped, color loss along front fore edge, top edge of front cover bumped, micro tears, .25" x .5" piece out at top front edge of spine, .75" x 1.5" piece of wrinkling on spine, 3" closed tear along back fore edge, and a vertical crease near spine. Front cover lightly rubbed. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: Collection of Six Frankenstein Reprints and Later Releases. Includes the following:
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1984), 253 pages, black cloth with red lettering on spine and front board, folio (8.75" x 12.25"), price-clipped dust jacket. Illustrated by Barry Moser, and signed by him on the title page. Afterword by Joyce Carol Oates. This copy is about fine, with very minor edge and corner wear present. The dust jacket shows some edge and spine wear.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. (New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1983), 192 pages, maroon quarter-cloth with blue paper boards and gilt lettering on spine and front board, 4to (8.5" x 11"), dust jacket. Illustrated by Berni Wrightson. This copy is very good, with minor edge and corner wear to the book and dust jacket, and mild foxing to the edges of the textblock and the interior of the back panel of the dust jacket.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (Avon, Connecticut: Heritage Press, Avon, 1962), 257 pages, purple cloth with deep blue lettering on spine and decoration on front board, 4to (7" x 10.25"). Comes housed in blue cloth slipcase. Heritage Club newsletter laid in. The copy is about fine, with only the most minor corner wear, and a sunned spine. Slipcase has two very small tears at the top of the spine.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (New York: Portland House Illustrated Classics, 1988), 259 pages, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine and front board, and decorative stamping on front board. Color illustration of Frankenstein's Monster pasted down on center of front board, 8vo (7.75" x 9.5"). Illustrated with wood engravings by Lynd Ward and Color Illustrations by Aristides Ruiz. Very good, with minor corner wear, and sink marks along bottom edge of textblock. Front cover slightly bowed.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. (New York: Illustrated Editions Co., 1932), 239 pages, orange-beige cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"). Deckled fore-edge. Illustrated by Nino Carbe. Very good condition, with some fading to the gilt lettering on spine, and minor corner and spine wear. Textblock clean and bright.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, circa 1930s), 240 pages, red cloth with black lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"). Illustrated with stills from the Universal Studios film of the 1930s. Good condition, with front pastedown cracked at hinge, right half of front free endpaper stained, left half of back free endpaper stained, back pastedown cracked along hinge, textblock lightly age toned, two light stains at bottom of front board, and head and tail of spine bumped. Spine lightly sunned. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1984), 253 pages, black cloth with red lettering on spine and front board, folio (8.75" x 12.25"), price-clipped dust jacket. Illustrated by Barry Moser, and signed by him on the title page. Afterword by Joyce Carol Oates. This copy is about fine, with very minor edge and corner wear present. The dust jacket shows some edge and spine wear.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. (New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1983), 192 pages, maroon quarter-cloth with blue paper boards and gilt lettering on spine and front board, 4to (8.5" x 11"), dust jacket. Illustrated by Berni Wrightson. This copy is very good, with minor edge and corner wear to the book and dust jacket, and mild foxing to the edges of the textblock and the interior of the back panel of the dust jacket.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (Avon, Connecticut: Heritage Press, Avon, 1962), 257 pages, purple cloth with deep blue lettering on spine and decoration on front board, 4to (7" x 10.25"). Comes housed in blue cloth slipcase. Heritage Club newsletter laid in. The copy is about fine, with only the most minor corner wear, and a sunned spine. Slipcase has two very small tears at the top of the spine.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (New York: Portland House Illustrated Classics, 1988), 259 pages, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine and front board, and decorative stamping on front board. Color illustration of Frankenstein's Monster pasted down on center of front board, 8vo (7.75" x 9.5"). Illustrated with wood engravings by Lynd Ward and Color Illustrations by Aristides Ruiz. Very good, with minor corner wear, and sink marks along bottom edge of textblock. Front cover slightly bowed.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. (New York: Illustrated Editions Co., 1932), 239 pages, orange-beige cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"). Deckled fore-edge. Illustrated by Nino Carbe. Very good condition, with some fading to the gilt lettering on spine, and minor corner and spine wear. Textblock clean and bright.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, circa 1930s), 240 pages, red cloth with black lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"). Illustrated with stills from the Universal Studios film of the 1930s. Good condition, with front pastedown cracked at hinge, right half of front free endpaper stained, left half of back free endpaper stained, back pastedown cracked along hinge, textblock lightly age toned, two light stains at bottom of front board, and head and tail of spine bumped. Spine lightly sunned. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: Ten Editions of Frankenstein From Boston to Japan. Includes the following:
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. (London: J. M. Dent & Sons, 1949), 242 pages, red cloth binding with gilt lettering on spine, 16mo (4.25" x 6.75"). The copy presented here is very good. Minor edge wear and corner wear is present, with the spine lightly sunned.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus (text in Japanese), 329 pages, paperback, dust jacket, 16mo (4.25" x 6"). This copy is very good, with minimal edge wear to the jacket.
May [Mary] Shelley: Frankenstein. (Bruxelles: Le Scribe, 1946), 132 pages, red illustrated wrappers, 12mo (5" x 7.25"). Author incorrectly written on title page as May W. Shelley and on cover as Ann Mary Shelley. Wrappers show minor wear, especially to spine. Textblock slightly age-toned.
Frankenstein ovvero Il Prometeo moderno. (Milan: Biblioteca Universale Rizzoli, 1952), 209 pages, illustrated wrappers, 12mo (4.25" x 7"). This copy is in good condition. The spine is slightly cocked. Textblock is clean and bright.
Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus. (London: George Routledge and Sons, 1888), 317 pages, brown cloth spine with marbled boards, 24mo (4.25" x 5.75"). Previous owner's signature on front free endpaper. This copy is good, with the edges and corners rubbed, spine soiled, and light rubbing to boards. Textblock is clean.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. (Boston: Sever, Francis, & Co., 1869), 177 pages, green cloth binding with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5.25" x 7.25"). The copy presented here is in good condition, with the head and tail of spine and corners bumped, and minor edge wear. The textblock is clean.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. (Boston: Sever, Francis & Co., 1869), 177 pages, brown cloth with gilt lettering on spine and front board, 12mo (5.25" x 7.25"). Waterville Library Assoc. stamped on title page. The book is good, with the front and back pastedowns cracked along hinge, 1" x 1.5" missing from top corner and 1" closed tear along fore edge of front free endpaper. The textblock is lightly age-toned. Head and tail of spine bumped, spine cocked, general wear to boards.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. (London: Gibbings and Company, 1897), 268 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering on spine and decorative stamping on spine and front board, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"). Deckled fore-edge. Previous owner's signature and stamp on front free endpaper and back pastedown. This copy is good, with the head and tail of spine bumped, tips of corners rubbed. Spine slightly cocked.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. (London: George Routledge and Sons, [1887]), 156 pages with six pages of advertising, black cloth with marbled boards, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"). Bound together with Thackeray's A Shabby-Genteel Story and Confessions of George Fitz-Boodle. The copy is about good, with noticeable ink stains from pages 124-131 and pages 75-102, nominal light staining elsewhere. Spine lightly rubbed, and previous owner's signature on front free endpaper.
Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus. (London: George Routledge and Sons, 1888), 317 pages, red cloth spine with marbled boards, 24mo (3.75" x 5.25"). Previous owner's writing on front free endpaper. The copy is good, with edges and corners rubbed and chipped, spine soiled, and light rubbing to boards. Textblock clean. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. (London: J. M. Dent & Sons, 1949), 242 pages, red cloth binding with gilt lettering on spine, 16mo (4.25" x 6.75"). The copy presented here is very good. Minor edge wear and corner wear is present, with the spine lightly sunned.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus (text in Japanese), 329 pages, paperback, dust jacket, 16mo (4.25" x 6"). This copy is very good, with minimal edge wear to the jacket.
May [Mary] Shelley: Frankenstein. (Bruxelles: Le Scribe, 1946), 132 pages, red illustrated wrappers, 12mo (5" x 7.25"). Author incorrectly written on title page as May W. Shelley and on cover as Ann Mary Shelley. Wrappers show minor wear, especially to spine. Textblock slightly age-toned.
Frankenstein ovvero Il Prometeo moderno. (Milan: Biblioteca Universale Rizzoli, 1952), 209 pages, illustrated wrappers, 12mo (4.25" x 7"). This copy is in good condition. The spine is slightly cocked. Textblock is clean and bright.
Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus. (London: George Routledge and Sons, 1888), 317 pages, brown cloth spine with marbled boards, 24mo (4.25" x 5.75"). Previous owner's signature on front free endpaper. This copy is good, with the edges and corners rubbed, spine soiled, and light rubbing to boards. Textblock is clean.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. (Boston: Sever, Francis, & Co., 1869), 177 pages, green cloth binding with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5.25" x 7.25"). The copy presented here is in good condition, with the head and tail of spine and corners bumped, and minor edge wear. The textblock is clean.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. (Boston: Sever, Francis & Co., 1869), 177 pages, brown cloth with gilt lettering on spine and front board, 12mo (5.25" x 7.25"). Waterville Library Assoc. stamped on title page. The book is good, with the front and back pastedowns cracked along hinge, 1" x 1.5" missing from top corner and 1" closed tear along fore edge of front free endpaper. The textblock is lightly age-toned. Head and tail of spine bumped, spine cocked, general wear to boards.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. (London: Gibbings and Company, 1897), 268 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering on spine and decorative stamping on spine and front board, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"). Deckled fore-edge. Previous owner's signature and stamp on front free endpaper and back pastedown. This copy is good, with the head and tail of spine bumped, tips of corners rubbed. Spine slightly cocked.
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. (London: George Routledge and Sons, [1887]), 156 pages with six pages of advertising, black cloth with marbled boards, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"). Bound together with Thackeray's A Shabby-Genteel Story and Confessions of George Fitz-Boodle. The copy is about good, with noticeable ink stains from pages 124-131 and pages 75-102, nominal light staining elsewhere. Spine lightly rubbed, and previous owner's signature on front free endpaper.
Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus. (London: George Routledge and Sons, 1888), 317 pages, red cloth spine with marbled boards, 24mo (3.75" x 5.25"). Previous owner's writing on front free endpaper. The copy is good, with edges and corners rubbed and chipped, spine soiled, and light rubbing to boards. Textblock clean. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Eight Book Collection of Mary Shelley Fiction and Reference Works. Includes the following:
Mary Shelley: Mathilda. (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1959), 104 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6" x 9.25"). Includes Mary Shelley's story "The Swiss Peasant", along with Washington Irving's "The Contented Man". This copy is good, with some minor corner wear, and one small wrinkle at the head of the spine. Front hinge starting.
E.V. Lucas, editor: Mary Wollstonecraft's Original Stories (London: Henry Frowde, 1906), 88 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering on spine and decoration on front board, 16mo (4.75" x 6.75"). Illustrated by William Blake. This copy is good, with bumped corners, and minor wear to the spine. A few white paint spots visible on front cover and spine, which ever so slightly cocked.
Richard Garnett, editor: Tales and Stories by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. (London: William Paterson & Co., 1891), 386 pages, maroon half-cloth with decorative cloth boards, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"). Good condition, with minor edge, corner and spine wear. Textblock tight and clean.
[Various Authors]: The Tale Book. (Paris: Baudry's European Library, 1834), 438 pages, brown banded half-leather with marbled boards, 8vo (5.25" x 8.5"). Good, with some edge, corner, and spine wear, wear at the hinges, and some foxing to the textblock.
Mary Shelley: Proserpine & Midas. (London: Humphrey Milford, 1922), 89 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering and decoration on spine and decorative blind stamping on boards, 16mo (4.75" x 6.75"). Edited by A. Koszul. Two unpublished Mythological Dramas. Two ownership names in pen. Pencil inscription to Betty Bennett on front free endpaper. This copy is good, with some edge, corner, and spine wear. Textblock is clean.
Mary Shelley: The Beautiful Widow (Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson & Brothers, nd), 244 pages, brown cloth with gilt lettering on spine and decorative blind stamping on boards, 12mo (5.5" x 7.5"), clear glassine cover. This copy is good, with some edge, corner, and spine wear. Textblock shows some foxing throughout.
Charles E. Robinson and Betty T. Bennett, editors: The Bodleian Shelley Manuscripts, Volume X. (New York: Garland Publishing, 1992), 272 pages, blue cloth with gilt lettering on spine, Folio (9.25" x 12.25"). Includes facsimile editions with full transcriptions and notes. Fine condition, with light soiling on the covers. Textblock as new.
Roger Ingpen: Shelley. (London: Herbert & Daniel, nd), 570 pages plus 12 pages of advertising, beige cloth with gilt lettering and decoration on spine and boards, 12mo (5" x 7"). Good condition, with moderately soiled boards, some edge, corner and spine wear, and corners lightly bumped. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley: Mathilda. (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1959), 104 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6" x 9.25"). Includes Mary Shelley's story "The Swiss Peasant", along with Washington Irving's "The Contented Man". This copy is good, with some minor corner wear, and one small wrinkle at the head of the spine. Front hinge starting.
E.V. Lucas, editor: Mary Wollstonecraft's Original Stories (London: Henry Frowde, 1906), 88 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering on spine and decoration on front board, 16mo (4.75" x 6.75"). Illustrated by William Blake. This copy is good, with bumped corners, and minor wear to the spine. A few white paint spots visible on front cover and spine, which ever so slightly cocked.
Richard Garnett, editor: Tales and Stories by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. (London: William Paterson & Co., 1891), 386 pages, maroon half-cloth with decorative cloth boards, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"). Good condition, with minor edge, corner and spine wear. Textblock tight and clean.
[Various Authors]: The Tale Book. (Paris: Baudry's European Library, 1834), 438 pages, brown banded half-leather with marbled boards, 8vo (5.25" x 8.5"). Good, with some edge, corner, and spine wear, wear at the hinges, and some foxing to the textblock.
Mary Shelley: Proserpine & Midas. (London: Humphrey Milford, 1922), 89 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering and decoration on spine and decorative blind stamping on boards, 16mo (4.75" x 6.75"). Edited by A. Koszul. Two unpublished Mythological Dramas. Two ownership names in pen. Pencil inscription to Betty Bennett on front free endpaper. This copy is good, with some edge, corner, and spine wear. Textblock is clean.
Mary Shelley: The Beautiful Widow (Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson & Brothers, nd), 244 pages, brown cloth with gilt lettering on spine and decorative blind stamping on boards, 12mo (5.5" x 7.5"), clear glassine cover. This copy is good, with some edge, corner, and spine wear. Textblock shows some foxing throughout.
Charles E. Robinson and Betty T. Bennett, editors: The Bodleian Shelley Manuscripts, Volume X. (New York: Garland Publishing, 1992), 272 pages, blue cloth with gilt lettering on spine, Folio (9.25" x 12.25"). Includes facsimile editions with full transcriptions and notes. Fine condition, with light soiling on the covers. Textblock as new.
Roger Ingpen: Shelley. (London: Herbert & Daniel, nd), 570 pages plus 12 pages of advertising, beige cloth with gilt lettering and decoration on spine and boards, 12mo (5" x 7"). Good condition, with moderately soiled boards, some edge, corner and spine wear, and corners lightly bumped. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley (Editor): Posthumous Poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley. (London: Printed for John and Henry L. Hunt by C. H. Reynell, 1824), first edition, 413 pages, dark blue banded calf with gilt lettering on spine and gilt decoration on spine, boards, and edges of front and back pastedowns, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"). In the preface, Mary explains her decision to include incomplete poems, translations and poems out of print, in many instances deciphering drafts and putting together "fragments of paper which in the hands of an indifferent person would never have been deciphered." To cultivate a new readership for P. B. Shelley, Mary decided that this first of her editions of his works would be "a specimen of how he could write without shocking any one-and afterwards an edition of the whole might be got up inserting any thing too shocking for this Vol." In other words, Posthumous Poems was a conscious initial act of public persuasion, much as a number of the prefaces to both Percy's and Mary's works ambiguously veil the radicalism of the work itself to draw in a resistant audience.
500 copies of the first edition were printed and more than 300 copies were sold in two months time. Posthumous Poems has been credited with "the steady rise of interest in Shelley's poetry during the following years." Percy's father, Sir Timothy Shelley, however, demanded the suppression of the unsold copies and Mary's promise not to publish any more of his son's works during Sir Timothy's lifetime as requisite for the repayable allowance for Percy Florence's support. She resumed publishing P. B. Shelley's works 15 years later when Sir Timothy died. This copy is very good, with a .5" x .25" scuff at top center of front board, rubbing at the front and back of head of spine, and bottom edge of boards. Pencil notations on front flyleaf. Textblock is clean and tight. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
500 copies of the first edition were printed and more than 300 copies were sold in two months time. Posthumous Poems has been credited with "the steady rise of interest in Shelley's poetry during the following years." Percy's father, Sir Timothy Shelley, however, demanded the suppression of the unsold copies and Mary's promise not to publish any more of his son's works during Sir Timothy's lifetime as requisite for the repayable allowance for Percy Florence's support. She resumed publishing P. B. Shelley's works 15 years later when Sir Timothy died. This copy is very good, with a .5" x .25" scuff at top center of front board, rubbing at the front and back of head of spine, and bottom edge of boards. Pencil notations on front flyleaf. Textblock is clean and tight. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Mary Shelley (Editor): The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley. (London: Edward Moxon, 1839), first collected edition, four volumes, Volume I: 380 pages, Volume II: 361 pages, Volume III: 314 pages, Volume IV: 347 pages, full midnight blue calf banded leather with gilt lettering on spine and marbled boards and textblock edges, 16mo (4.25" x 6.5"). Previous owner's bookplate on front free endpaper of each volume. Each volume displays bumped corners, light rubbing to edges and spines, and some scratching to the boards. This is a lovely set of Percy Shelley poetry, edited by Mary Shelley. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Four Books By or About Mary Shelley. Includes the following:
Maud Rollston: Talks with Lady Shelley. (London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, 1925), 138 pages, brown leather with gilt lettering on spine and decorative stamping on the spine and front boards, 24mo (4" x 5.5"). The book is in very good condition, with a slight bow to the front board. The textblock is clean and bright.
Mrs. Julian Marshall: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. (London: Richard Bentley & Son, 1889), first edition, two volumes, Volume I: 369 pages, Volume II: 235 pages, 8vo (6" x 9"). Photogravure frontispiece by Annan Swan, beige cloth with brown and beige embossed design affixed to boards. The books are in good condition, with slight rubbing to the boards, and bumping to the head and tail of spine. Each hinge just starting.
Original Compositions in Prose and Verse, Illustrated with Lithographic Drawings to Which is Added Some Vocal and Instrumental Music. (London: Edmund Lloyd, Harley St., 1833), 143 pages, I-xxviii, green cloth with blue and gilt title plate affixed to the front board, oblong 4to (11.25" x 9.25"). Includes a 27-page story by Mary Shelley titled "The Smuggler and His Family". All works in this volume were donated by the authors and composers as this book's publication was to benefit a family in "reduced circumstances". This book is good, with general wear to the boards. The textblock shows mild foxing throughout. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Maud Rollston: Talks with Lady Shelley. (London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, 1925), 138 pages, brown leather with gilt lettering on spine and decorative stamping on the spine and front boards, 24mo (4" x 5.5"). The book is in very good condition, with a slight bow to the front board. The textblock is clean and bright.
Mrs. Julian Marshall: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. (London: Richard Bentley & Son, 1889), first edition, two volumes, Volume I: 369 pages, Volume II: 235 pages, 8vo (6" x 9"). Photogravure frontispiece by Annan Swan, beige cloth with brown and beige embossed design affixed to boards. The books are in good condition, with slight rubbing to the boards, and bumping to the head and tail of spine. Each hinge just starting.
Original Compositions in Prose and Verse, Illustrated with Lithographic Drawings to Which is Added Some Vocal and Instrumental Music. (London: Edmund Lloyd, Harley St., 1833), 143 pages, I-xxviii, green cloth with blue and gilt title plate affixed to the front board, oblong 4to (11.25" x 9.25"). Includes a 27-page story by Mary Shelley titled "The Smuggler and His Family". All works in this volume were donated by the authors and composers as this book's publication was to benefit a family in "reduced circumstances". This book is good, with general wear to the boards. The textblock shows mild foxing throughout. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Percy Bysshe Shelley: The Cenci: A Tragedy in Five Acts. (London: C and J Ollier, 1821), printed by C.H. Reynell, second edition, 103 pages, paper wrappers, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), clear glassine cover. Housed in a black cloth solandar box with a black and gilt leather title plate on the spine. The book is good, with some wrinkling to the edges, mild age-toning, and light foxing. The slipcase shows mild finger print soiling. The following background is from Betty T. Bennett's Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley An Introduction: The Cenci, a story of the 16th-century Cenci family depicts the vicious cruelty of Count Francesco Cenci, whose wealth protected him from punishment for murdering his own sons and raping Beatrice, his daughter. After the rape, Beatrice conspired with other family members to murder him. Victims first of Cenci's unlimited power, then of the Church's, Beatrice and her co-conspirators were caught and executed. The Shelleys collaborated on this project in several ways. Mary Shelley translated into English "Relazione della morte della famiglia Cenci sequita in Roma il di II Maggio 1599," the original Italian manuscript from which P. B. Shelley worked, for intended publication with P. B. Shelley's tragedy.
Percy began to dramatize The Cenci following the death of their one-year-old daughter Clara to dysentery in September 1818. In June of the following year, their three-year-old son William died of malaria. Both Shelleys deeply mourned their loss, but the intensity of Mary's feelings caused her to distance herself from Percy. During this period of estrangement, the Shelleys' most harmonious communication appears to have been through their writing. This is the only work that Percy discussed with Mary part by part as he wrote it. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Percy began to dramatize The Cenci following the death of their one-year-old daughter Clara to dysentery in September 1818. In June of the following year, their three-year-old son William died of malaria. Both Shelleys deeply mourned their loss, but the intensity of Mary's feelings caused her to distance herself from Percy. During this period of estrangement, the Shelleys' most harmonious communication appears to have been through their writing. This is the only work that Percy discussed with Mary part by part as he wrote it. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Percy Florence Shelley: Shelley and Mary., (no publication information, likely 1882), three volumes, 1243 pages, brown paper wrappers with red and black lettering on front panel, uncut pages, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"). Marked on front cover of each volume "For Private Circulation Only".
Percy Florence Shelley was the fourth and only surviving child of Percy Bysshe and Mary Shelley. Like his father, he attended Eton and Oxford, although he lacked the same intellectual passion of his parents. Upon the death of his grandfather, he acceded the baronetcy in 1844. His wife, Lady Jane St. John, came to oversee the establishment of the Victorian reputations of Percy and Mary Shelley. Percy and Jane had no children, but adopted Jane's niece Bessie Florence Gibson. Bessie married Leopold James Yorke Campbell Scarlett - Lord Abinger, making the Scarletts/Abingers heirs to the Shelleys.
Here, Percy Shelley writes from Shelley House, Chelsea Embankment, January 1st, 1882, at the beginning of Volume I: "These volumes, containing 1243 pages, have been prepared for the press by Lady Shelley, with the object of preserving from destruction the precious records in her possession. They comprise all the letters and other documents of a biographical character at present in the hands of Shelley's representatives. This book cannot be regarded as final or exhaustive, for the correspondence of Shelley and Mary Shelley was varied and copious, and it is probable that even the present extensive collection may receive additions which will ultimately render it complete." These three volumes contain letters written by Mary and Percy as well as by others concerning the Shelley's affairs. Included are daily journals and lists of books read by each. The books are in good condition, with creased spines. Spines and edges of front and back covers are sunned, and the entire front cover of Volume I is sunned. Each volume has the same pencil marks in the top corners of the front cover. Minor chipping on spine of each volume. Edges of pages irregularly cut. Textblocks tight. Each volume is inscribed on front free endpaper "9th August 2004 To Betty, with sincere thanks for all the help you have given to my family, Jamie (Lord Abinger)". A wonderful set of rare Shelley-related books. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Percy Florence Shelley was the fourth and only surviving child of Percy Bysshe and Mary Shelley. Like his father, he attended Eton and Oxford, although he lacked the same intellectual passion of his parents. Upon the death of his grandfather, he acceded the baronetcy in 1844. His wife, Lady Jane St. John, came to oversee the establishment of the Victorian reputations of Percy and Mary Shelley. Percy and Jane had no children, but adopted Jane's niece Bessie Florence Gibson. Bessie married Leopold James Yorke Campbell Scarlett - Lord Abinger, making the Scarletts/Abingers heirs to the Shelleys.
Here, Percy Shelley writes from Shelley House, Chelsea Embankment, January 1st, 1882, at the beginning of Volume I: "These volumes, containing 1243 pages, have been prepared for the press by Lady Shelley, with the object of preserving from destruction the precious records in her possession. They comprise all the letters and other documents of a biographical character at present in the hands of Shelley's representatives. This book cannot be regarded as final or exhaustive, for the correspondence of Shelley and Mary Shelley was varied and copious, and it is probable that even the present extensive collection may receive additions which will ultimately render it complete." These three volumes contain letters written by Mary and Percy as well as by others concerning the Shelley's affairs. Included are daily journals and lists of books read by each. The books are in good condition, with creased spines. Spines and edges of front and back covers are sunned, and the entire front cover of Volume I is sunned. Each volume has the same pencil marks in the top corners of the front cover. Minor chipping on spine of each volume. Edges of pages irregularly cut. Textblocks tight. Each volume is inscribed on front free endpaper "9th August 2004 To Betty, with sincere thanks for all the help you have given to my family, Jamie (Lord Abinger)". A wonderful set of rare Shelley-related books. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Percy Bysshe Shelley: Poems by Percy Bysshe Shelley. (Edinburgh: Otto Shulze & Co., 1903), 289 pages with index, full banded kid suede wraps with marbled boards and endpapers, 8vo (7" x 8.5"). Limited edition 355/500. Comes housed in felt-lined quarter-leather slipcase with blue boards and gilt lettering on spine. The book is good, with front cover stained around top, bottom and fore edges, sunned near spine, small stains to back cover, small closed tears at tail of spine, and top edges tattered. Small pieces of suede missing near spine and at spine. Minimal rubbing to edges of slipcase. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
H. Buxton Forman (Editor): Shelley's Poetical Works (London: George Bell & Sons, 1892), limited edition (74 of 150 copies), green cloth with beige paper boards, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"). Five volumes: Volume I: xi-lxvi, 203 pages. Stain along top edge of plate of Shelley, not affecting image. Volume II: 294 pages. Volume III: 380 pages. Volume V: 366 pages. Volume VI: 345 pages. In all volumes, foxing is limited to the endpapers. There is light wear, moderate soiling to boards of each volume, and each volume has two extra spine labels bound inside back board. Comes with an engraving of Percy Bysshe Shelley with a copy of inscription by Shelley. Measures 5.25" x 7.325", framed to an overall size of 10" x 12.5". There are a few light spots of foxing near extremities. Engraved by R.G. Tietze from a chalk drawing at Biscombe, after the original portrait by Miss Curran, by permission of Lady Shelley. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Percy Bysshe and Mary Shelley- Related Pair of Books. Stopford A. Brooke, editor: Poems of Shelley. (London: Macmillan and Co., 1922), 340 pages with index, full banded leather with gilt lettering on spine and decorative gilt stamping on spine and boards, all edges gilt, 16mo (4" x 6"). This copy is about fine, with foxing to endpapers and the most minor shelf wear as the only flaws. A beautiful work.
[No author]: Traits of Character; being Twenty-Five Years' Literary and Personal Recollections, by a Contemporary. (London: Hurst and Blackett, Successors to Henry Colburn, 1860), two volumes, Volume I: 346 pages, Volume II: 342 pages, half-leather with marbled boards and textblock edges and gilt lettering and decoration on the spine and edges. There is a biographical piece on "Mrs. Percy Bysshe Shelley" in Volume 1. This set is in very good condition, with some light foxing to the endpapers, minor edge, corner, and spine wear. The binding is tight, and the textblock is clean. A handsome pair of works on the famous Shelleys. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
[No author]: Traits of Character; being Twenty-Five Years' Literary and Personal Recollections, by a Contemporary. (London: Hurst and Blackett, Successors to Henry Colburn, 1860), two volumes, Volume I: 346 pages, Volume II: 342 pages, half-leather with marbled boards and textblock edges and gilt lettering and decoration on the spine and edges. There is a biographical piece on "Mrs. Percy Bysshe Shelley" in Volume 1. This set is in very good condition, with some light foxing to the endpapers, minor edge, corner, and spine wear. The binding is tight, and the textblock is clean. A handsome pair of works on the famous Shelleys. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Six Books Pertaining to Percy Shelley & Lord Byron. Consisting of:
H. Buxton Forman (Editor): The Poetical Works of Percy B. Shelley. (London: Reeves & Turner, 1882), two volumes, Volume I: 572 pages, followed by four pages of advertising, Volume II: 552 pages plus index, followed by four pages of advertising, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine and decorative stamping on the front board, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"). Volume I has light age toning to top of pages, .5" tear at top of spine, corners of boards and head and tail of spine bumped, .375" chip at head of spine. Volume II shows light age toning to top of pages, .75" tear at top front gutter, corners bumped.
Lord George Gordon Byron: Conversations with Lord Byron with the Countess of Blessington. (Philadelphia: E.L. Carey & A. Hart, 1836), 180 pages, green quarter-cloth with paper boards, 8vo (5" x 8"). This book is in fair condition. It displays heavy foxing, worn and stained boards, front hinge starting, cloth split along back gutter.
Lady Jane Shelley (Editor): Shelley Memorials: from Authentic Sources to which is added an essay on Christianity by Percy Bysshe Shelley. (London: Elder & Co., 1859), 290 pages followed by 24 pages of advertising, blue cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine and decorative blind stamping on the boards, 8vo (5.25" x 8"). The book is in good condition, with minimal foxing present, rubbed boards, bumped corners, head and tail of spine bumped.
Lord George Gordon Byron: English Bards and Scotch Reviewers: A Satire. (London: James Cawthorn, 1810), 85 pages followed by three pages of advertising, original gray boards with beige paper spine, 8vo (5" x 8.5"). Internally excellent, though the spine is cracked along front edge and missing .5" piece at top. Small stains present.
Mary Shelley (Editor): The Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley. (London: Edward Moxon, London: 1847), 164 pages, red half-leather with red boards and gilt lettering on spine, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, 8vo (6.75" x 9.75"). Dedicated to Percy Florence Shelley. The book is very good, with red front board sunned at front edge, head and tail of spine rubbed, a few pencil annotations, and corners rubbed and bumped. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
H. Buxton Forman (Editor): The Poetical Works of Percy B. Shelley. (London: Reeves & Turner, 1882), two volumes, Volume I: 572 pages, followed by four pages of advertising, Volume II: 552 pages plus index, followed by four pages of advertising, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine and decorative stamping on the front board, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"). Volume I has light age toning to top of pages, .5" tear at top of spine, corners of boards and head and tail of spine bumped, .375" chip at head of spine. Volume II shows light age toning to top of pages, .75" tear at top front gutter, corners bumped.
Lord George Gordon Byron: Conversations with Lord Byron with the Countess of Blessington. (Philadelphia: E.L. Carey & A. Hart, 1836), 180 pages, green quarter-cloth with paper boards, 8vo (5" x 8"). This book is in fair condition. It displays heavy foxing, worn and stained boards, front hinge starting, cloth split along back gutter.
Lady Jane Shelley (Editor): Shelley Memorials: from Authentic Sources to which is added an essay on Christianity by Percy Bysshe Shelley. (London: Elder & Co., 1859), 290 pages followed by 24 pages of advertising, blue cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine and decorative blind stamping on the boards, 8vo (5.25" x 8"). The book is in good condition, with minimal foxing present, rubbed boards, bumped corners, head and tail of spine bumped.
Lord George Gordon Byron: English Bards and Scotch Reviewers: A Satire. (London: James Cawthorn, 1810), 85 pages followed by three pages of advertising, original gray boards with beige paper spine, 8vo (5" x 8.5"). Internally excellent, though the spine is cracked along front edge and missing .5" piece at top. Small stains present.
Mary Shelley (Editor): The Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley. (London: Edward Moxon, London: 1847), 164 pages, red half-leather with red boards and gilt lettering on spine, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, 8vo (6.75" x 9.75"). Dedicated to Percy Florence Shelley. The book is very good, with red front board sunned at front edge, head and tail of spine rubbed, a few pencil annotations, and corners rubbed and bumped. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Richard Bentley: Bentley's Miscellany. (London: Richard Bentley, 1837, 1838, 1839), six volumes, Quarter-leather with marbled boards and gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.75" x 9"). Volume I: 363 pages with index, nine pages of Bentley's Miscellany January-June 1837 and notes to correspondents. Front board and spine detached together from textblock. Volume II: 636 pages with index, 10 pages of Bentley's Miscellany July-December 1837 and notes/notices to correspondents. Good with 3.5" crack along front edge of spine. Volume III: 628 pages with index, 12 pages of Bentley's Miscellany January-June 1838, and notes/notices to correspondents, vii-page 2 is loose, 1.5" crack along bottom front edge of spine. Volume IV: 632 pages with index, 12 pages of Bentley's Miscellany June-December 1838. Front hinge starting, and page 1 loose. Volume V: 673 pages with index, 10 pages of Bentley's Miscellany January-June 1839, and notes/notices to correspondents. Includes "The Cremation of Shelley, on the coast of Tuscan, Under the Directions of Lord Byron". Missing table of contents, marbled paper chipped near spine. Volume VI: 658 pages with index, 12 pages of Bentley's Miscellany, July-December 1839, and notes/notices to correspondents, plate and page 17-18 leaf loose. Each volume with bookplate on front pastedown and boards lightly rubbed and top surface of leather missing in places. Includes installments of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens pseudonym Boz, illustrated by George Cruikshank, as are many of the stories in this set. Foxing largely limited to plates and adjacent pages. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
The Lucubrations of Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.. (London: Printed for H. Lintot, D. Midwinter, J. and P. Knapton, W. Innys, T. Longman, J. Ward, S. Birt, D. Browne, J. Shuckburgh, J. Oswald, E. Wicksteed, J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper, and J. Hinton, 1749), three volumes, Volume I: 299 pages (followed by "A Faithful Index of the Dull as well as Ingenious Passages in the Tatlers"), Volume II: 336 pages plus index, Volume III: 316 pages plus index, quarter-leather with original spine and boards, Volumes I & III: 12mo (4.25" x 7.25"), Volume II: 16mo (4.25" x 6.75"). Jonathan Swift, 1667-1745, Irish author and the foremost prose satirist in English, was a student at Dublin's Trinity College during England's anti-Catholic Revolution of 1688. Irish Catholic reaction in Dublin led Swift, a Protestant, to seek security in England, where he spent various intervals before 1714. He was ordained an Anglican priest in 1695. His first major work, A Tale of a Tub (1704), comprises three satiric sketches on religion and learning; he also became known for religious and political essays and impish pamphlets written under the name "Isaac Bickerstaff." This set of books is in good condition. Each volume shows some shelf wear, bumped corners and rubbed boards and spines. Previous owner's bookplate (1962) on front pastedown of Volume II, as well as an ownership date of [17]54 on back free endpaper, and annotations in brown ink on page 140. Textblock is very good. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Reverend Henry Francis Cary: The Vision; or Hell, Purgatory and Paradise of Dante Alighieri, (London: John Taylor, 1813), third edition, small 8vo, three volumes: Volume I, 3ff., half title, title, i-li, 280 pages; Volume II, 3ff., half title, title, v-xi, 286 pages; Volume III, half title, title, 271 pages, 24-page index of proper names, full polished calf binding by Sotheran's with gilt decorative stamping, banded leather spines, marbled endpapers. Translated by The Reverend Henry Francis Cary, A.M., with the Life of Dante, Notes and an Index.
Cary's avoidance of the corrupt poetical tastes of the day and his refusal to imitate Milton's style consigned his translations to oblivion. However, a chance meeting with Samuel Taylor Coleridge on the beach at Littlehampton led rapidly to celebrity. This edition comes with copious notes and a very useful index.
The volumes are in very good condition, with minimal wear to the boards and edges, and light foxing to the endpapers of each volume. Five out of six leather spine labels are missing from the spine. Previous owner's gift inscription of "Cynthia from Dad Xmas/18" on verso of front free endpaper of each volume. This is a lovely set of Reverend Cary's classic study of Dante. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Cary's avoidance of the corrupt poetical tastes of the day and his refusal to imitate Milton's style consigned his translations to oblivion. However, a chance meeting with Samuel Taylor Coleridge on the beach at Littlehampton led rapidly to celebrity. This edition comes with copious notes and a very useful index.
The volumes are in very good condition, with minimal wear to the boards and edges, and light foxing to the endpapers of each volume. Five out of six leather spine labels are missing from the spine. Previous owner's gift inscription of "Cynthia from Dad Xmas/18" on verso of front free endpaper of each volume. This is a lovely set of Reverend Cary's classic study of Dante. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Two Wonderful Elizabeth Gaskell Novels. An English novelist and short story writer, Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, 1810-1865, is today ranked among the most highly regarded British novelists of the Victorian era. Much of her childhood was spent in Cheshire, where she lived with an aunt in Knutsford, a town she would later immortalise as Cranford. Gaskell's first novel, Mary Barton, was published anonymously in 1848. The best-known of her remaining novels are Cranford (1853), North and South (1854), and Wives and Daughters (1865). She became a popular writer, especially for her Gothic ghost stories, aided by her friend Charles Dickens, who published her work in Household Words. Even though her writing largely conforms to Victorian conventions, including signing her name "Mrs. Gaskell", she usually frames her stories as critiques of Victorian era attitudes, particularly those toward women, with complex narratives and dynamic female characters, often incorporating colorful local dialect. In addition to her fiction, Gaskell also wrote the first biography of contemporary author Charlotte Bronte, which played a significant role in developing Ms. Bronte's literary reputation. Two of Elizabeth Gaskell's more famous titles are offered here.
North and South, (London: Chapman and Hall, 1855), two-volumes, 8vo, brown cloth binding, Volume I has 320 pages, followed by 4 pages of advertising; Volume II contains 361 pages. The set is generally very good, with Volume I showing some wear to the boards, while the head and tail of the spine show slight bumping and chipping. There is a half-inch tear at the top front edge of the spine on Volume II, with some bumping to the corners.
Cranford, (London: Chapman & Hall, nd), with 24 color illustrations by Evelyn Paul, 247 pages, brown cloth binding with gilt floral decorations. This copy of Cranford is very good, with only minor bumping of the spine head and tail. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
North and South, (London: Chapman and Hall, 1855), two-volumes, 8vo, brown cloth binding, Volume I has 320 pages, followed by 4 pages of advertising; Volume II contains 361 pages. The set is generally very good, with Volume I showing some wear to the boards, while the head and tail of the spine show slight bumping and chipping. There is a half-inch tear at the top front edge of the spine on Volume II, with some bumping to the corners.
Cranford, (London: Chapman & Hall, nd), with 24 color illustrations by Evelyn Paul, 247 pages, brown cloth binding with gilt floral decorations. This copy of Cranford is very good, with only minor bumping of the spine head and tail. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
William Godwin: Mandeville: A Tale of the Seventeenth Century in England. (Edinburgh: Printed for Archibald Constable and Co. and Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, London, 1817), 367 pages, banded half-leather with gray-green boards and gilt lettering and accenting on spine, 12mo (4.25" x 7.25"). The revolutionary period of English history fascinated Godwin throughout his writing. Mandeville takes place during the English Civil War. Despite its status as a well researched and detailed historical novel, it is also a chilling tale of madness, an intense study of the power of the subconscious, the psychology of a jealous, sometimes psychotic character and the destructive forces of sectarian bigotry. In the preface, Godwin acknowledges inspiration from American author Charles Brockden Brown's Wieland and also from Joanna Baillie's De Monfort, both of which deal with fraternal jealousy. The book is in good condition, with front and back edges of spine rubbed, edges near corners and corners rubbed, and some general edge wear. The front board has 1.5" raised line and three very light scratches each 1.5". Front and back boards have glue stains along edges of leather. Textblock very tight, with light to moderate foxing, otherwise bright and clean. Without inserted ads, half titles present. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
William Godwin: Lives of the Necromancers, or an Account of the Most Eminent Persons in Successive Ages, Who have Claimed for Themselves, or to Whom has been Imputed by Others the Exercise of Magical Power. (London: Frederick J. Mason, 1834), first edition, 465 pages, rebound in half-leather with marbled boards and textblock edges, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"). An exhaustive study of the history and lore of witchcraft, from the ancient world to the modern. William Godwin (1756-1836), Mary Shelley's father, states in his preface: "The main purpose of this book is to exhibit a fair delineation of the credulity of the human mind." Elsewhere in the book, Godwin wrote, "The strong in intellect were eager to avail themselves of their superiority, by means that escaped the penetration of the multitude, and had recourse to various artifices to effect their ends. Beside this, they became the dupes of their own practices." Errata listed on verso of page 465, "D. L. Thomas" written on front flyleaf and on top of title page along with another name. The book is very good, with two front endpapers with mild foxing, and some chipping, light foxing on title page, last four leaves' top corner edges charred. Otherwise textblock is bright, tight and clean. Light rubbing to bottom edge of boards and spine. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Herman Hesse: Der Steppenwolf Signed Edition. (Zurich: Fretz & Wasmuth Verlag Ag., 1930), 287 pages, blue cloth with gilt lettering on the spine and front board, 12mo (4.5" x 7.5"), dust jacket. Inscribed and signed in German by Hesse on verso of title page. A translation reads, "Pablo waits for me. Mozart waits for me. H. Hesse". Text in German. The book is very good, with minor edge wear and rubbing at the corners. The dust jacket is lightly soiled, with one very small chip at the top edge near the spine. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Leigh Hunt's The Months, Descriptive of the Successive Beauties of the Year Inscribed by Mary Shelley. (London: C & J Ollier Vere Street Bond Street, 1821), small 8vo, vellum, with inscription by Mary Shelley on half title and annotations in an unknown hand throughout the text. Included is a postcard dated March 1, 1920 from Thomas J. Wise expressing his opinion that the handwriting in the inscription on the half title is that of Mary Shelley's.
The card is addressed to "Percy Dobell, Esq., 77, Charing Cross Rd., London, W.C." Printed on the message side of the card is "'Kirkstead,' 25, Heath Drive, Hampstead, N.W." Wise writes, "Dear Dobell, I have looked up some document's written by Mary Shelley in August 1822, and am satisfied that the inscription in your copy of Leigh Hunt's 'Months' is in her hand writing. Truly yours, Thos. J. Wise".
The inscription on half title reads, "Pisa 20th August 1822, Given her by the author". On page 8, it is stated that Wednesday is named for the gothic deity Woden, which in the House of Commons' Journal translates into Dies Mercurii. In the bottom margin is written "Just as if Woden the Scandinavian god was preferable in any respect to Mercury." In Hunt's praise of April on pages 43-45 appears an ode to the lark from Prometheus Unbound, with other Poems, by Percy Bysshe Shelley. On page 59, in the chapter on May, is printed, "The amorous, genteel, applauded rose." The word "genteel" is underlined and two exclamation marks are hand written after this line. In the discussion of June, on page 67 are words, in Greek, from the poet Moschus along with the following translation, "Now tell your story, hyacinth; and show Ai Ai the more amidst your sanguine woe." Handwritten in the lower margin is, "Now, Hyacynth! [sic] Thy tale in writing tell, and say Ai Ai in many a hill (?) or dell (bell?)". On page 74, still within June, is a passage, in Greek, from the poet Theocritus' Idyll, an exchange between Comatas, a goatherd, and Lacon, a shepherd, followed by translations. A word in Comatas' Greek passage and "sly" in the translation are underlined and an "x" marked to the left of each of the two translations. In the lower margin, is written, "Not the least like-especially Lacon's". On page 109, the last page of September, is an excerpt from Percy Shelley's Revolt of Islam, singing the praises of Mother Earth and harvest time. In October, page 113, the word "anemone" is underlined and further down the page in the right margin, next to a list of berries one is apt to encounter on a stroll in the countryside, is written, "astors". On page 114, in the left margin, next to a reference to a dandy in the "beau-monde" is written "Brummel" [sic]. On page 125 of Hunt's homage to November is printed another excerpt from P. B. Shelley's Revolt of Islam. In the top margin is written, "The last pale leaf, the last of its clan, Dancing as long as dance it can, Hanging so light and hanging so high on the topmost twig that looks up at the sky. Coleridge".
James Henry Leigh Hunt was born in England of American parents, forced to leave America due to their loyalist leanings. Leigh was a poet, newspaper editor, and close friend of the Shelleys'. Hunt is best known for his poem "The Story of Rimini." He left for Italy in November 1821 at the invitation of P.B. Shelley and Byron to start a liberal quarterly magazine. Storm, sickness, and misadventure retarded his arrival until July 1, 1822, a rate of progress Thomas Love Peacock compared to the navigation of Ulysses. Shelley and another closed friend Edward Williams sailed across the Bay of Spezia to welcome the Hunt family to Italy. After a week-long visit, on July 8, 1822, both men drowned during their return voyage. Mary Shelley's inscription in The Months was written four days after her husband's body was cremated at Viareggio. On September 11, Mary and her son Percy moved to Genoa and lived with the Hunts near Byron.
Leigh Hunt's life was fraught with mismanaged affairs, both legal and financial. In 1844, when Hunt found himself most wanting, Mary Shelley and her son Percy, having come into their inheritance, bestowed Leigh with an annuity of 120 pounds. In spite of his faults, Leigh Hunt was a consummate man of letters and Charles Dickens described him as "the very soul of truth and honour."
Thomas James Wise, 1859-1937, was an English bibliographer, book collector, and well-known forger. He published a bibliography of P.B. Shelley among other English literary figures. The most heavily researched and thoroughly documented case of literary forgery in history centers around the series of pamphlets forged by Thomas J. Wise and his collaborator, Harry Buxton Forman. The Wise forgeries have been the focus of numerous books, countless articles and papers, entire symposia, and dozens of exhibitions.
Bookplate of Lloyd B. Halverson on front pastedown, .125" x .375" pink stain below inscription on half title, .125" chip at top edge of page 125 above annotation, light stain in top margin of page 126, foxing on front free endpaper, verso of half title and on back free endpaper, the top of which is stuck to the back pastedown, .0625" chip at top front of spine, .375" hairline crack at front base of spine, top edge of front and back boards darkened, tip of top corner of front board darkened and slightly bent. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
The card is addressed to "Percy Dobell, Esq., 77, Charing Cross Rd., London, W.C." Printed on the message side of the card is "'Kirkstead,' 25, Heath Drive, Hampstead, N.W." Wise writes, "Dear Dobell, I have looked up some document's written by Mary Shelley in August 1822, and am satisfied that the inscription in your copy of Leigh Hunt's 'Months' is in her hand writing. Truly yours, Thos. J. Wise".
The inscription on half title reads, "Pisa 20th August 1822, Given her by the author". On page 8, it is stated that Wednesday is named for the gothic deity Woden, which in the House of Commons' Journal translates into Dies Mercurii. In the bottom margin is written "Just as if Woden the Scandinavian god was preferable in any respect to Mercury." In Hunt's praise of April on pages 43-45 appears an ode to the lark from Prometheus Unbound, with other Poems, by Percy Bysshe Shelley. On page 59, in the chapter on May, is printed, "The amorous, genteel, applauded rose." The word "genteel" is underlined and two exclamation marks are hand written after this line. In the discussion of June, on page 67 are words, in Greek, from the poet Moschus along with the following translation, "Now tell your story, hyacinth; and show Ai Ai the more amidst your sanguine woe." Handwritten in the lower margin is, "Now, Hyacynth! [sic] Thy tale in writing tell, and say Ai Ai in many a hill (?) or dell (bell?)". On page 74, still within June, is a passage, in Greek, from the poet Theocritus' Idyll, an exchange between Comatas, a goatherd, and Lacon, a shepherd, followed by translations. A word in Comatas' Greek passage and "sly" in the translation are underlined and an "x" marked to the left of each of the two translations. In the lower margin, is written, "Not the least like-especially Lacon's". On page 109, the last page of September, is an excerpt from Percy Shelley's Revolt of Islam, singing the praises of Mother Earth and harvest time. In October, page 113, the word "anemone" is underlined and further down the page in the right margin, next to a list of berries one is apt to encounter on a stroll in the countryside, is written, "astors". On page 114, in the left margin, next to a reference to a dandy in the "beau-monde" is written "Brummel" [sic]. On page 125 of Hunt's homage to November is printed another excerpt from P. B. Shelley's Revolt of Islam. In the top margin is written, "The last pale leaf, the last of its clan, Dancing as long as dance it can, Hanging so light and hanging so high on the topmost twig that looks up at the sky. Coleridge".
James Henry Leigh Hunt was born in England of American parents, forced to leave America due to their loyalist leanings. Leigh was a poet, newspaper editor, and close friend of the Shelleys'. Hunt is best known for his poem "The Story of Rimini." He left for Italy in November 1821 at the invitation of P.B. Shelley and Byron to start a liberal quarterly magazine. Storm, sickness, and misadventure retarded his arrival until July 1, 1822, a rate of progress Thomas Love Peacock compared to the navigation of Ulysses. Shelley and another closed friend Edward Williams sailed across the Bay of Spezia to welcome the Hunt family to Italy. After a week-long visit, on July 8, 1822, both men drowned during their return voyage. Mary Shelley's inscription in The Months was written four days after her husband's body was cremated at Viareggio. On September 11, Mary and her son Percy moved to Genoa and lived with the Hunts near Byron.
Leigh Hunt's life was fraught with mismanaged affairs, both legal and financial. In 1844, when Hunt found himself most wanting, Mary Shelley and her son Percy, having come into their inheritance, bestowed Leigh with an annuity of 120 pounds. In spite of his faults, Leigh Hunt was a consummate man of letters and Charles Dickens described him as "the very soul of truth and honour."
Thomas James Wise, 1859-1937, was an English bibliographer, book collector, and well-known forger. He published a bibliography of P.B. Shelley among other English literary figures. The most heavily researched and thoroughly documented case of literary forgery in history centers around the series of pamphlets forged by Thomas J. Wise and his collaborator, Harry Buxton Forman. The Wise forgeries have been the focus of numerous books, countless articles and papers, entire symposia, and dozens of exhibitions.
Bookplate of Lloyd B. Halverson on front pastedown, .125" x .375" pink stain below inscription on half title, .125" chip at top edge of page 125 above annotation, light stain in top margin of page 126, foxing on front free endpaper, verso of half title and on back free endpaper, the top of which is stuck to the back pastedown, .0625" chip at top front of spine, .375" hairline crack at front base of spine, top edge of front and back boards darkened, tip of top corner of front board darkened and slightly bent. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Three Outstanding Leigh Hunt Collections. James Henry Leigh Hunt was born in England of American parents, forced to leave America due to their loyalist leanings. Leigh was a poet, newspaper editor and close friend of the Shelleys'. Hunt is best known for his poem "The Story of Rimini". He left for Italy in November 1821 at the invitation of Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron, in order to start a liberal quarterly magazine. Storm, sickness, and misadventure retarded his arrival until July 1, 1822, a rate of progress Thomas Love Peacock compared to the navigation of Ulysses. Shelley and another closed friend, Edward Williams sailed across the Bay of Spezia to welcome the Hunt family to Italy. After a week-long visit, on July 8, 1822, both men drowned during their return voyage. Mary Shelley's inscription in the copy of The Months offered in this auction was written four days after her husband's body was cremated at Viareggio. On September 11, Mary and her son Percy moved to Genoa and lived with the Hunts near Byron.
Leigh Hunt's life was fraught with mismanaged affairs, both legal and financial. In 1844, when Hunt found himself most wanting, Mary Shelley and her son Percy, having come into their inheritance, bestowed Leigh with an annuity of 120 pounds. In spite of his faults, Leigh Hunt was a consummate man of letters, and this lot offers three collections of Hunt's literary output.
Correspondence of Leigh Hunt, (London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1862), two volumes, Volume I: 333 pages, followed by 18 pages of advertisements; Volume II: 331 pages, reddish brown cloth binding with blind stamping on the boards and gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), clear protective dust jacket on both volumes. Volume I is good, with general shelf wear, some rubbing to the gilt spine lettering, and the textblock has separated at page 224, with several loose leaves resulting. Volume II is also good, with textblock separated at page 80, with general shelf wear, including bumped edges. All leaves present for both volumes.
Four volume-set of The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt with Reminiscences of Friends and Contemporaries, and with Thornton Hunt's Introduction and Postscript, edited by Roger Ingpen (Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co., 1903), two parts with two volumes each, Volume I, Parts I & II: 260 pages; Volume II, Parts I & II: 315 pages, including appendices, bibliography and index, red cloth boards, deckled edges, top edge gilt, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), Illustrated with numerous engraved plates & facsimiles of correspondence. The four-volume set is generally very good, with minor shelf wear to the edges, boards, and spine. Gilt lettering is clear on the spines, and the binding is tight on all volumes. Very mild foxing present. The index in Volume II, Part II has been annotated in pencil by a previous owner. Ex-Libris bookplate present in both parts of Volume I. A very attractive set.
The Liberal, Verse and Prose from the South with Betty Bennett's Handwritten Notes, (London: John Hunt, October 1822, and July 1823), second edition, two volumes, Volume I: 399 pages; Volume II: 377 pages, half-leather binding with marbled boards and endpapers, includes the preface to "The Vision of Judgment". The Liberal was founded by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Leigh Hunt and Lord Byron, who, with William Hazlitt, were the major contributors. This set is good, though the front board of each volume is detached and taped to the spine. The rear board of Volume II is also detached and taped. The boards of both volumes are rubbed, corners are bumped, with worn edges. Mild foxing present to the endpapers of both volumes. Dr. Bennett's pencil annotations identifying authors present in the table of contents of both volumes, making this a true treasure for any Shelley scholar or Shelley collector. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Leigh Hunt's life was fraught with mismanaged affairs, both legal and financial. In 1844, when Hunt found himself most wanting, Mary Shelley and her son Percy, having come into their inheritance, bestowed Leigh with an annuity of 120 pounds. In spite of his faults, Leigh Hunt was a consummate man of letters, and this lot offers three collections of Hunt's literary output.
Correspondence of Leigh Hunt, (London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1862), two volumes, Volume I: 333 pages, followed by 18 pages of advertisements; Volume II: 331 pages, reddish brown cloth binding with blind stamping on the boards and gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), clear protective dust jacket on both volumes. Volume I is good, with general shelf wear, some rubbing to the gilt spine lettering, and the textblock has separated at page 224, with several loose leaves resulting. Volume II is also good, with textblock separated at page 80, with general shelf wear, including bumped edges. All leaves present for both volumes.
Four volume-set of The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt with Reminiscences of Friends and Contemporaries, and with Thornton Hunt's Introduction and Postscript, edited by Roger Ingpen (Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co., 1903), two parts with two volumes each, Volume I, Parts I & II: 260 pages; Volume II, Parts I & II: 315 pages, including appendices, bibliography and index, red cloth boards, deckled edges, top edge gilt, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), Illustrated with numerous engraved plates & facsimiles of correspondence. The four-volume set is generally very good, with minor shelf wear to the edges, boards, and spine. Gilt lettering is clear on the spines, and the binding is tight on all volumes. Very mild foxing present. The index in Volume II, Part II has been annotated in pencil by a previous owner. Ex-Libris bookplate present in both parts of Volume I. A very attractive set.
The Liberal, Verse and Prose from the South with Betty Bennett's Handwritten Notes, (London: John Hunt, October 1822, and July 1823), second edition, two volumes, Volume I: 399 pages; Volume II: 377 pages, half-leather binding with marbled boards and endpapers, includes the preface to "The Vision of Judgment". The Liberal was founded by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Leigh Hunt and Lord Byron, who, with William Hazlitt, were the major contributors. This set is good, though the front board of each volume is detached and taped to the spine. The rear board of Volume II is also detached and taped. The boards of both volumes are rubbed, corners are bumped, with worn edges. Mild foxing present to the endpapers of both volumes. Dr. Bennett's pencil annotations identifying authors present in the table of contents of both volumes, making this a true treasure for any Shelley scholar or Shelley collector. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Three Attractive Titles by Shelley's Personal Friend, Leigh Hunt. This lot offers three titles by the man Charles Dickens once described as "the very soul of truth and honour".
Lord Byron and Some of his Contemporaries with Recollections of the Author's Life, and of his Visit to Italy (London: Henry Colburn, 1828), second edition, two volumes, 8vo (5.25" x 8.125"), half-leather binding with green cloth boards, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Volume I contains 450 pages, and a foldout of a "Fac-simile of Lord Byron's Poetry, from an Altered Copy of English Bards & Scotch Reviewers, Never Published" after the preface to the second edition. Volume II has 449 pages plus an errata page. Both volumes are in good condition, with minimal shelf wear to the edges, corners, and spine, and noticeable foxing to the edges and text.
The Poetical Works of Leigh Hunt. A New Edition, Containing Many Pieces Now First Collected (London: Edward Moxon, 1849), 288 pages, 12mo (3.5" x 5.5"), full calf binding with a banded leather spine, marbled endpapers and edges of textblock, gilt lettering and decoration on the spine. This little volume is very good. The top corners are bumped, there is wear to the edges, hinges and spine, with some of the gilt lettering rubbed away. Otherwise, the binding is tight, and the text is clean and bright.
The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt. A New Edition, Revised by the Author; With Further Revision, And an Introduction, By His Eldest Son., (London: Smith, Elder, and Co., 1861), 412 pages, followed by four pages of advertising, with endpapers also comprised of ads, beige cloth boards, 12mo (4.5" x 7"). This book is fair, with heavy soiling to the cloth boards, spine, and edges. Cover shows small red stains to the front board, and the hinges are loose. The text is mostly clean, with very mild foxing to some pages. Overall, this is a fascinating lot from one of Mary Shelley's dearest friends. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Lord Byron and Some of his Contemporaries with Recollections of the Author's Life, and of his Visit to Italy (London: Henry Colburn, 1828), second edition, two volumes, 8vo (5.25" x 8.125"), half-leather binding with green cloth boards, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Volume I contains 450 pages, and a foldout of a "Fac-simile of Lord Byron's Poetry, from an Altered Copy of English Bards & Scotch Reviewers, Never Published" after the preface to the second edition. Volume II has 449 pages plus an errata page. Both volumes are in good condition, with minimal shelf wear to the edges, corners, and spine, and noticeable foxing to the edges and text.
The Poetical Works of Leigh Hunt. A New Edition, Containing Many Pieces Now First Collected (London: Edward Moxon, 1849), 288 pages, 12mo (3.5" x 5.5"), full calf binding with a banded leather spine, marbled endpapers and edges of textblock, gilt lettering and decoration on the spine. This little volume is very good. The top corners are bumped, there is wear to the edges, hinges and spine, with some of the gilt lettering rubbed away. Otherwise, the binding is tight, and the text is clean and bright.
The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt. A New Edition, Revised by the Author; With Further Revision, And an Introduction, By His Eldest Son., (London: Smith, Elder, and Co., 1861), 412 pages, followed by four pages of advertising, with endpapers also comprised of ads, beige cloth boards, 12mo (4.5" x 7"). This book is fair, with heavy soiling to the cloth boards, spine, and edges. Cover shows small red stains to the front board, and the hinges are loose. The text is mostly clean, with very mild foxing to some pages. Overall, this is a fascinating lot from one of Mary Shelley's dearest friends. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Henry Mayhew: London, Labour and the London Poor: the Condition and Earnings of Those that Will Work, Cannot Work, and Will Not Work (London: Charles Griffin & Co., nd), three volumes, full calf with crimson and black bands on spine, and marbled endpapers. Gilt lettering on spine, and around borders of boards, all edges gilt, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"). Volume I: London Street-Folk, 545 pages, boards rubbed on edges, hinges, and corners. Volume II: London Street-Folk, 576 pages, edges rubbed. Volume III: 452 pages. Textblock is tight and clean on all volumes. Binding repaired on all three volumes. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Two Thomas Medwin Poet Biographies. Thomas Medwin was a cousin as well as a close friend of Percy Bysshe Shelley. He corresponded frequently with Shelley and his father, Medwin's uncle, Sir Timothy Shelley. Thomas Medwin: The Life of Percy Bysshe Shelley (London: Thomas Cautley Newby, 1847), two volumes, Volume I: 384 pages, Volume II: 368 pages, banded half-leather with marbled boards and endpapers, top edge gilt, 8vo (5" x 8"), rebound. Volume I has facsimile letter bound in front of the title page. Very good condition, with light rubbing to the bottom edge and upper corners. Binding is tight, and the textblock is clean on both volumes.
Thomas Medwin: Conversations of Lord Byron: Noted During a Residence with His Lordship at Pisa in the Years 1821 and 1822 (London: Henry Colburn, 1824), second edition, 542 pages followed by 2 pages of advertising, half-leather with marbled boards, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"). Facsimile of a letter by Byron bound in front of title page. Interestingly, almost every page has an annotated Post-it attached to it by Dr. Bennett. The exterior binding is in poor condition, with much of the marbled paper and corner leather missing, upper half of leather on the spine pulled away, and light foxing. Textblock in very good condition. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Thomas Medwin: Conversations of Lord Byron: Noted During a Residence with His Lordship at Pisa in the Years 1821 and 1822 (London: Henry Colburn, 1824), second edition, 542 pages followed by 2 pages of advertising, half-leather with marbled boards, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"). Facsimile of a letter by Byron bound in front of title page. Interestingly, almost every page has an annotated Post-it attached to it by Dr. Bennett. The exterior binding is in poor condition, with much of the marbled paper and corner leather missing, upper half of leather on the spine pulled away, and light foxing. Textblock in very good condition. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Frederic Mansel Reynolds (Editor): The Keepsake Ten Volume Set (London: Hurst, Chance, and Co., 1829-1935). The Keepsake (1829), 360 pages, banded half-leather with brown boards, 12mo (5" x 7.25"). Includes Percy B. Shelley's discussion "On Love", his poem "Fragments", Mary Shelley's stories "The Sisters of Albano", "Ferdinando Eboli", and Theodore Hook's story "The Old Gentleman". The copy is good, with spine, edges, and corners rubbed.
The Keepsake (1831), 320 pages, red moiré taffeta boards, all edges gilt, 8vo (6" x 9.5"). Includes Mary Shelley's stories "Transformation, a Tale", "The Swiss Peasant, a Tale", "Dirge", and her poem "Absence". Spine detached , boards soiled and stained, edges rubbed, front free endpaper heavily foxed. Textblock lightly foxed, otherwise in very good condition.
The Keepsake, six matching volumes, red moiré taffeta covered boards with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5" x 7.5"). 1830: two copies, 352 pages each, including Mary Shelley's story "An Evil Eye, a Tale". Each volume displays rubbed edges and spine, and lightly soiled boards. 1831: 320 pages, includes Mary Shelley's story "The Swiss Peasant, a Tale". Spine heavily soiled and rubbed. 1833: 308 pages, including Mary Shelley's story "The Brother and Sister, an Italian Story". Rubbed edges and spine, and lightly soiled boards. 1834: 312 pages, including the first publication of Mary Shelley's story "The Mortal Immortal, a Tale". Rubbed edges and spine, and lightly soiled boards. 1835: 296 pages, including Mary Shelley's story "The Trial of Love". Rubbed edges and spine, and lightly soiled boards.
The Keepsake (1832), 320 pages, half-leather with marbled boards, including Mary Shelley's story "The Dream". Missing title page and table of contents, spine and boards badly chipped, and the textblock is heavily soiled.
The Keepsake (1834), 312 pages, banded half-leather with brown boards, 12mo (5" x 7.5"). Includes the first publication of Mary Shelley's story "The Mortal Immortal, a Tale". Very good condition. The edges of the spine are rubbed, with foxing largely confined to the plates. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
The Keepsake (1831), 320 pages, red moiré taffeta boards, all edges gilt, 8vo (6" x 9.5"). Includes Mary Shelley's stories "Transformation, a Tale", "The Swiss Peasant, a Tale", "Dirge", and her poem "Absence". Spine detached , boards soiled and stained, edges rubbed, front free endpaper heavily foxed. Textblock lightly foxed, otherwise in very good condition.
The Keepsake, six matching volumes, red moiré taffeta covered boards with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5" x 7.5"). 1830: two copies, 352 pages each, including Mary Shelley's story "An Evil Eye, a Tale". Each volume displays rubbed edges and spine, and lightly soiled boards. 1831: 320 pages, includes Mary Shelley's story "The Swiss Peasant, a Tale". Spine heavily soiled and rubbed. 1833: 308 pages, including Mary Shelley's story "The Brother and Sister, an Italian Story". Rubbed edges and spine, and lightly soiled boards. 1834: 312 pages, including the first publication of Mary Shelley's story "The Mortal Immortal, a Tale". Rubbed edges and spine, and lightly soiled boards. 1835: 296 pages, including Mary Shelley's story "The Trial of Love". Rubbed edges and spine, and lightly soiled boards.
The Keepsake (1832), 320 pages, half-leather with marbled boards, including Mary Shelley's story "The Dream". Missing title page and table of contents, spine and boards badly chipped, and the textblock is heavily soiled.
The Keepsake (1834), 312 pages, banded half-leather with brown boards, 12mo (5" x 7.5"). Includes the first publication of Mary Shelley's story "The Mortal Immortal, a Tale". Very good condition. The edges of the spine are rubbed, with foxing largely confined to the plates. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
The Liberal, Verse and Prose from the South (London: John Hunt, 1822, 1823), second edition, two volumes, Volume I: 399 pages, Volume II: 377 pages, full red calf banded leather with gilt lettering on spine, marbled endpapers, and gilt decoration on inside edge, top edge gilt, 5.5" x 8.5"). Leigh Hunt moved to Italy to collaborate with Byron and Shelley on the publication of The Liberal. Byron's poem "Vision of Judgment", appeared by mistake in its uncorrected state and without the preface in the opening issue of The Liberal. It appears again in this second edition with the author's corrections and preface. The "Vision" was deemed to have libelous content and John Hunt, the publisher, was imprisoned. In addition to the contributions by Byron, there are many first appearances in print of Shelley's separate poems as well as several pieces by Hazlitt. Many of the remaining articles in prose and verse were by Leigh Hunt. The set here is in very good condition, with some sunning of the spines, rubbing to the head and tail of each spine, and minor rubbing to the corners and edges. A poem from a newspaper has been glued to the back flyleaf of Volume II. A truly beautiful set of prose, poetry and essays from the Shelley circle. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Collection of Three Works Relating to Percy Bysshe Shelley. Consists of the following:
T. Medwin: Memoir of Percy Bysshe Shelley & Percy Bysshe Shelley: Original Poems and Papers bound together. (London: Whittaker, Treacher, & Co., 1833), 180 pages (followed by 3 pages of advertising), rebound banded quarter-leather with marbled boards, 24mo (4" x 5.5"). This copy is very good, with very minimal foxing to some pages and light soiling to the top edge. Handsome volume.
Mary Shelley (Editor): Essays, Letters from Abroad, Translations and Fragments by Percy Bysshe Shelley. (London: Edward Moxon, 1840), two volumes, Volume I: 319 pages, Volume II: 360 pages, rebound green banded half-leather with marbled boards and endpapers, 12mo (5" x 7.75"). This two-volume set is in very good condition, with only light foxing on the endpapers of both volumes and edges of textblock on Volume II. Spines show noticeable sunning.
Mary Shelley (Editor): Shelley Memorials: from Authentic Sources by Percy Bysshe Shelley. (Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1859), 308 pages (followed by 16 pages of advertising), blue cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine and decorative blind stamping on boards, 12mo (4.75" x 7.25"), clear plastic Mylar cover. The book is in very good condition, with minor edge wear, and light rubbing at head and tail of spine, bottom edge and tips of corners. The textblock is age-toned, and a few pages have light foxing along the top edge. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
T. Medwin: Memoir of Percy Bysshe Shelley & Percy Bysshe Shelley: Original Poems and Papers bound together. (London: Whittaker, Treacher, & Co., 1833), 180 pages (followed by 3 pages of advertising), rebound banded quarter-leather with marbled boards, 24mo (4" x 5.5"). This copy is very good, with very minimal foxing to some pages and light soiling to the top edge. Handsome volume.
Mary Shelley (Editor): Essays, Letters from Abroad, Translations and Fragments by Percy Bysshe Shelley. (London: Edward Moxon, 1840), two volumes, Volume I: 319 pages, Volume II: 360 pages, rebound green banded half-leather with marbled boards and endpapers, 12mo (5" x 7.75"). This two-volume set is in very good condition, with only light foxing on the endpapers of both volumes and edges of textblock on Volume II. Spines show noticeable sunning.
Mary Shelley (Editor): Shelley Memorials: from Authentic Sources by Percy Bysshe Shelley. (Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1859), 308 pages (followed by 16 pages of advertising), blue cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine and decorative blind stamping on boards, 12mo (4.75" x 7.25"), clear plastic Mylar cover. The book is in very good condition, with minor edge wear, and light rubbing at head and tail of spine, bottom edge and tips of corners. The textblock is age-toned, and a few pages have light foxing along the top edge. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Two Collections of Books Relating to Percy Bysshe Shelley. Mary Shelley (Editor): The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley (London: Edward Moxon, 1847), three volumes, Volume I: 376 pages, Volume II: 432 pages, Volume III: 486 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (4.5" x 7"). 1880 gift inscription on half title page. The set is in good condition, with some sunning to the spines, some wear to the head and tail of each spine, and bumped corners. There is a 2 ½" tear along front edge of spine on Volume III.
Edward Dowden: The Life of Percy Bysshe Shelley. (London: Kegan Paul, Trench & Co., 1886), first edition, two volumes, Volume I: 554 pages, Volume II: 586 pages with index, half-leather and brown decorative boards with marbled endpapers and textblock edges, 8vo (6" x 8.75"). The set is in good condition, with scratched leather on the spines, some edge wear, and bumped corners. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Edward Dowden: The Life of Percy Bysshe Shelley. (London: Kegan Paul, Trench & Co., 1886), first edition, two volumes, Volume I: 554 pages, Volume II: 586 pages with index, half-leather and brown decorative boards with marbled endpapers and textblock edges, 8vo (6" x 8.75"). The set is in good condition, with scratched leather on the spines, some edge wear, and bumped corners. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Large Collection of Nineteenth Century Popular Literature. Thirteen books, consisting of:
A.L. Barbauld: Hymns in Prose, for Children. (Derby: Henry Mozley and Sons, nd), 72 pages, paper wrappers, 24mo (3.5" x 5.5"). Good condition. Wrappers are soiled, with only 2.5" of the spine present.
Mrs. Ratcliffe The Romance of the Forest. (New York: Published for the Booksellers, 1827), two volumes, Volume I only, 224 pages, full leather with gilt lettering on spine, title plate missing, 12mo (3.5" x 5.75"). The book is in fair condition, with the textblock stained and foxed, boards and spine scuffed, and corners bumped.
Mary Diana Dods: Tales of the Wild and the Wonderful, (Philadelphia: E. Littell, 1826), first American edition, originally published in London in 1825, 252 pages, half-leather with marbled boards and endpapers, 12mo (4.25" x 7"). Described in the preface as "tales of diablerie", this is a volume of five short stories: "The Prediction", "The Yellow Dwarf", "Der Freischütz", "The Fortunes of De la Pole", and "The Lord of the Maelstrom". Previous owner's signature on title page, textblock foxed, boards rubbed, .25" and .75" cracks along front edge of spine.
Charles and Mary Lamb: Tales from Shakespeare. (London: Baldwin and Cradock, 1838), sixth edition, 375 pages, green cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine and decorative blind stamping on the boards, 12mo (4.5" x 7"). Spine is lightly sunned, small stain on front board, and large stain on back board. Boards have faded, corners are bumped, and there is a .25" x .5" hole in the back free endpaper.
Caroline Barnard: The Prize: or, The Lace-Makers of Messenden. (London: M.J. Godwin and Co., 1817), 167 pages, marbled paper spines with green paper boards, 12mo (4.5" x 7.75"). The boards are heavily stained and rubbed, with 1.25" missing from the tail of the tattered spine. The head of the spine is chipped as well. The textblock is lightly soiled and minimally foxed. 1818 gift inscription on front pastedown.
E. Lytton Bulwer: Eugene Aram (London: Richard Bentley, 1833), 453 pages, maroon banded half-leather with marbled boards and textblock edges, 16mo (4.25" x 6.5"). This copy is good, with minor edge wear, and spine wear at the head and tails of the spine, and bumped corners. Previous owner's bookplate affixed to front pastedown. Textblock extremely bright and clean.
T. Love Peacock: Melin-Court. (London: J.M. Dent & Co., 1891), Volume I: 199 pages, beige cloth with black and red lettering and decoration, 12mo (4.75" x 7.25"). Richard Garnett, editor. This copy is good, with some edge, spine and corner wear. Lightly age-toned. Sunned spine.
T. Love Peacock: Calidore & Miscellanea. (London: J.M. Dent & Co., 1841), 157 pages, beige cloth with black and red lettering and decoration, 12mo (4.75" x 7.25"). Richard Garnett, editor. This copy is good, with some edge, spine and corner wear. Lightly age-toned. Sunned spine.
T. Love Peacock: Maid Marian. (London: J.M. Dent & Co., 1891), 8vo., 172 pages, beige cloth with black and red lettering and decoration, 12mo (4.75" x 7.25"). Richard Garnett, editor. This copy is fair, with ownership writing on front pastedown, some edge, spine and corner wear, and light age-toning. It is heavily soiled, with wrinkling to the spine and boards.
Thomas Moore: The Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Little, Esq. (London: J. Carpenter, 1804), fourth edition, first published 1801, 175 pages, white paper spine and pink paper boards, 12mo (4.5" x 7"). This copy is fair, with a 2.75" closed tear on page 67, noticeable foxing to the textblock. The boards and spine are heavily soiled, with a 1" portion of spine tail detached.
Anne Gilchrist: Mary Lamb (London: W. H. Allen & Co., 1883), first edition, 255 pages, Part of Eminent Women series. The book is in good condition, with minor wear to the head and tail of spine, bumped corners, discolored endpapers, and a book plate affixed to the front pastedown.
Edward J. Trelawny: Adventures of a Younger Son (Paris: Baudry's European Library, 1833), 493 pages, half-leather with marbled boards, 8vo (5.25" x 8.25"). This copy is good, with both hinges starting, heavily rubbed boards and spine, and a .5" tear at front and back edges of head of spine.
Charles Lamb: The Adventures of Ulysses to which is added, Mrs. Leicester's School. (London: Edward Moxon, 1840), 71 pages, brown cloth binding with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6" x 9.25"). The copy is good, with warped and wrinkled boards, chipped and cracked spine with a .75" piece mostly detached. Previous owner's bookplate on front and back pastedowns. Textblock clean. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
A.L. Barbauld: Hymns in Prose, for Children. (Derby: Henry Mozley and Sons, nd), 72 pages, paper wrappers, 24mo (3.5" x 5.5"). Good condition. Wrappers are soiled, with only 2.5" of the spine present.
Mrs. Ratcliffe The Romance of the Forest. (New York: Published for the Booksellers, 1827), two volumes, Volume I only, 224 pages, full leather with gilt lettering on spine, title plate missing, 12mo (3.5" x 5.75"). The book is in fair condition, with the textblock stained and foxed, boards and spine scuffed, and corners bumped.
Mary Diana Dods: Tales of the Wild and the Wonderful, (Philadelphia: E. Littell, 1826), first American edition, originally published in London in 1825, 252 pages, half-leather with marbled boards and endpapers, 12mo (4.25" x 7"). Described in the preface as "tales of diablerie", this is a volume of five short stories: "The Prediction", "The Yellow Dwarf", "Der Freischütz", "The Fortunes of De la Pole", and "The Lord of the Maelstrom". Previous owner's signature on title page, textblock foxed, boards rubbed, .25" and .75" cracks along front edge of spine.
Charles and Mary Lamb: Tales from Shakespeare. (London: Baldwin and Cradock, 1838), sixth edition, 375 pages, green cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine and decorative blind stamping on the boards, 12mo (4.5" x 7"). Spine is lightly sunned, small stain on front board, and large stain on back board. Boards have faded, corners are bumped, and there is a .25" x .5" hole in the back free endpaper.
Caroline Barnard: The Prize: or, The Lace-Makers of Messenden. (London: M.J. Godwin and Co., 1817), 167 pages, marbled paper spines with green paper boards, 12mo (4.5" x 7.75"). The boards are heavily stained and rubbed, with 1.25" missing from the tail of the tattered spine. The head of the spine is chipped as well. The textblock is lightly soiled and minimally foxed. 1818 gift inscription on front pastedown.
E. Lytton Bulwer: Eugene Aram (London: Richard Bentley, 1833), 453 pages, maroon banded half-leather with marbled boards and textblock edges, 16mo (4.25" x 6.5"). This copy is good, with minor edge wear, and spine wear at the head and tails of the spine, and bumped corners. Previous owner's bookplate affixed to front pastedown. Textblock extremely bright and clean.
T. Love Peacock: Melin-Court. (London: J.M. Dent & Co., 1891), Volume I: 199 pages, beige cloth with black and red lettering and decoration, 12mo (4.75" x 7.25"). Richard Garnett, editor. This copy is good, with some edge, spine and corner wear. Lightly age-toned. Sunned spine.
T. Love Peacock: Calidore & Miscellanea. (London: J.M. Dent & Co., 1841), 157 pages, beige cloth with black and red lettering and decoration, 12mo (4.75" x 7.25"). Richard Garnett, editor. This copy is good, with some edge, spine and corner wear. Lightly age-toned. Sunned spine.
T. Love Peacock: Maid Marian. (London: J.M. Dent & Co., 1891), 8vo., 172 pages, beige cloth with black and red lettering and decoration, 12mo (4.75" x 7.25"). Richard Garnett, editor. This copy is fair, with ownership writing on front pastedown, some edge, spine and corner wear, and light age-toning. It is heavily soiled, with wrinkling to the spine and boards.
Thomas Moore: The Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Little, Esq. (London: J. Carpenter, 1804), fourth edition, first published 1801, 175 pages, white paper spine and pink paper boards, 12mo (4.5" x 7"). This copy is fair, with a 2.75" closed tear on page 67, noticeable foxing to the textblock. The boards and spine are heavily soiled, with a 1" portion of spine tail detached.
Anne Gilchrist: Mary Lamb (London: W. H. Allen & Co., 1883), first edition, 255 pages, Part of Eminent Women series. The book is in good condition, with minor wear to the head and tail of spine, bumped corners, discolored endpapers, and a book plate affixed to the front pastedown.
Edward J. Trelawny: Adventures of a Younger Son (Paris: Baudry's European Library, 1833), 493 pages, half-leather with marbled boards, 8vo (5.25" x 8.25"). This copy is good, with both hinges starting, heavily rubbed boards and spine, and a .5" tear at front and back edges of head of spine.
Charles Lamb: The Adventures of Ulysses to which is added, Mrs. Leicester's School. (London: Edward Moxon, 1840), 71 pages, brown cloth binding with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6" x 9.25"). The copy is good, with warped and wrinkled boards, chipped and cracked spine with a .75" piece mostly detached. Previous owner's bookplate on front and back pastedowns. Textblock clean. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Collection of Nineteenth Century Literature Including William Godwin's Caleb Williams. M. Wiss: The Swiss Family Robinson; or Adventures of a Father and Mother and Four Sons in a Desert Island.... (London: M.J. Godwin and Co., 1820), two volumes, Volume I: 380 pages, Volume II: 343 pages, black half-leather with marbled boards and gilt lettering on spine, 16mo (4.25" x 6.5"). Translated from the German of M. Wiss. In Volume I, the majority of the foldout map is missing, and the textblock shows some foxing. Also, the spine is cocked. Volume II is missing about 1/3 of the back free endpaper, shows some foxing to the textblock, with the heavily rubbed boards starting.
William Godwin: Essays by the Late William Godwin. (London: Henry S. King & Col., 1873), 293 pages, black banded half-leather with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5" x 7"). The book is good, with noticeable rubbing to the corners, and the head and tail of the spine. A 1.25" scratch can be seen on the spine.
C. Kegan Paul: William Godwin: His Friends and Contemporaries. (London: Henry S. King & Co., 1876), two volumes, Volume I: 387 pages, Volume II: 340 pages with index and 32 pages of advertising, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6" x 8"). Binding is lightly sunned and rubbed on both volumes. Each shows edge and corner wear, but are overall in good condition.
The following three books are later editions:
William Godwin: Caleb Williams or, Things as They Are. (London: George Newnes Limited, nd), 395 pages, full green leather with gilt lettering on spine and front board, 16mo (4" x 6.25"). In generally good condition, with a sunned spine, small chipping to the head and tail of spine, and a 1.75" crack along back edge of spine. Corners rubbed.
William Godwin: Caleb Williams. (London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1831), 452 pages, banded half-leather with gray cloth boards, 16mo (4.25" x 6.75"). Frontispiece and title page foxed, .375" tear at top front edge of spine, spine and corners rubbed.
William Godwin: Caleb Williams. (London: Colburn and Bentley, 1831), 452 pages, beige quarter-cloth with green paper boards and a handwritten title on the spine title plate, 12mo (4.25" x 7"). Front hinge starting (dried glue can be seen along hinge at the frontispiece). Otherwise, the book is in good condition, with some bumped corners, and soiling on the boards, spine, frontispiece and two title pages. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
William Godwin: Essays by the Late William Godwin. (London: Henry S. King & Col., 1873), 293 pages, black banded half-leather with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5" x 7"). The book is good, with noticeable rubbing to the corners, and the head and tail of the spine. A 1.25" scratch can be seen on the spine.
C. Kegan Paul: William Godwin: His Friends and Contemporaries. (London: Henry S. King & Co., 1876), two volumes, Volume I: 387 pages, Volume II: 340 pages with index and 32 pages of advertising, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6" x 8"). Binding is lightly sunned and rubbed on both volumes. Each shows edge and corner wear, but are overall in good condition.
The following three books are later editions:
William Godwin: Caleb Williams or, Things as They Are. (London: George Newnes Limited, nd), 395 pages, full green leather with gilt lettering on spine and front board, 16mo (4" x 6.25"). In generally good condition, with a sunned spine, small chipping to the head and tail of spine, and a 1.75" crack along back edge of spine. Corners rubbed.
William Godwin: Caleb Williams. (London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1831), 452 pages, banded half-leather with gray cloth boards, 16mo (4.25" x 6.75"). Frontispiece and title page foxed, .375" tear at top front edge of spine, spine and corners rubbed.
William Godwin: Caleb Williams. (London: Colburn and Bentley, 1831), 452 pages, beige quarter-cloth with green paper boards and a handwritten title on the spine title plate, 12mo (4.25" x 7"). Front hinge starting (dried glue can be seen along hinge at the frontispiece). Otherwise, the book is in good condition, with some bumped corners, and soiling on the boards, spine, frontispiece and two title pages. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Collection of Nineteenth Century Literature Including Shelley and Browning. Percy Bysshe Shelley: Poems Selected from Percy Bysshe Shelley. (London: Kegan Paul, Trench & Co., 1889), 393 pages with index, imitation vellum with black and red lettering, 16mo (4" x 6.25"). Preface by Richard Garnett. Deckled fore-edge. The book is in very good condition, with just three very tiny worm holes on back board, and a curled front board. The textblock is clean and bright.
Thomas Moore: The Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Little, Esq.. (London: J. Carpenter, 1804), fourth edition, first published in 1801, 175 pages, full red leather with gilt lettering on spine, all edges gilt, 16mo (4" x 6.5"). The textblock shows some staining and significant foxing. The front and back boards are also stained.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Aurora Leigh. (Leipzig: Bernhard Tauchnitz, 1872), 334 pages, vellum with marbled endpapers and beautiful color calligraphy on the front cover, painted in the style of an illuminated manuscript, 16mo (5" x 6.75"). Possibly goatskin ties woven into covers. The pages are lightly age toned, with very minimal foxing on the edges. A truly beautiful copy of Browning's epic poem.
Charles and Mary Lamb: Tales from Shakespeare. (London: T.C. and E.C. Jack, 1905), first edition thus, 324 pages, dark brown cloth with beautiful and elaborate gilt decoration designed by Turbayne, repeated in blind on back board, 8vo (6.75" x 9.5"), dust jacket. Contains black and white frontis portraits & 20 color plates. Title page designed by A. A. Turbayne. Illustrated by Norman M. Price. The book is good. Textblock is lightly foxed, ownership name on front flyleaf, 1" bump to fore edge of back board and dust jacket. Head and tail of spine lightly bumped, minimal rubbing to bottom edges, head and tail spine of dust jacket tattered. Dust jacket bent .25" over top edge of boards, .325" closed tear along front edge, back of dust jacket sunned. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Thomas Moore: The Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Little, Esq.. (London: J. Carpenter, 1804), fourth edition, first published in 1801, 175 pages, full red leather with gilt lettering on spine, all edges gilt, 16mo (4" x 6.5"). The textblock shows some staining and significant foxing. The front and back boards are also stained.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Aurora Leigh. (Leipzig: Bernhard Tauchnitz, 1872), 334 pages, vellum with marbled endpapers and beautiful color calligraphy on the front cover, painted in the style of an illuminated manuscript, 16mo (5" x 6.75"). Possibly goatskin ties woven into covers. The pages are lightly age toned, with very minimal foxing on the edges. A truly beautiful copy of Browning's epic poem.
Charles and Mary Lamb: Tales from Shakespeare. (London: T.C. and E.C. Jack, 1905), first edition thus, 324 pages, dark brown cloth with beautiful and elaborate gilt decoration designed by Turbayne, repeated in blind on back board, 8vo (6.75" x 9.5"), dust jacket. Contains black and white frontis portraits & 20 color plates. Title page designed by A. A. Turbayne. Illustrated by Norman M. Price. The book is good. Textblock is lightly foxed, ownership name on front flyleaf, 1" bump to fore edge of back board and dust jacket. Head and tail of spine lightly bumped, minimal rubbing to bottom edges, head and tail spine of dust jacket tattered. Dust jacket bent .25" over top edge of boards, .325" closed tear along front edge, back of dust jacket sunned. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Two Nineteenth Century British Peerage Books. [No Author]: The Royal Kalendar: or, Complete and Correct Annual Register for England, Scotland, Ireland, and America for the year 1805... (London: J. Stockdale, G. and J. Robinson, G. Wilkie, H.D. Symonds, and R. Hinckesman, etc., nd), 363 pages, full leather with marbled endpapers and gilt lettering on spine and boards, all edges gilt, 16mo (3.75" x 6.5"). Pages are age toned, lightly foxed, with some offsetting. Ownership writing on front flyleaf. Overall good condition.
[No Author]: Debrett's New Peerage of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (London: Woodfall, 1828, 1829), 17th edition, two volumes, 888 total pages (Volume I: pages 1-443 pages, Volume II: pages 444-888), original quarter-cloth binding with brown paper boards, 8vo (4.75" x 8"). Both volumes are in good condition, though the boards are all but detached from the textblock. The textblock itself is clean and bright. Minimal foxing present. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
[No Author]: Debrett's New Peerage of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (London: Woodfall, 1828, 1829), 17th edition, two volumes, 888 total pages (Volume I: pages 1-443 pages, Volume II: pages 444-888), original quarter-cloth binding with brown paper boards, 8vo (4.75" x 8"). Both volumes are in good condition, though the boards are all but detached from the textblock. The textblock itself is clean and bright. Minimal foxing present. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
One Mary Shelley Tale as Thomas Hood and One Thomas Dibdin Reference Work. Thomas Hood [Mary Shelley]: Monsieur Nongtongpaw. (London: Alfred Miller, 1830), each story separately paginated, half-leather and gray cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine and decoration on the boards, 24mo (3.75" x 5.75"). Illustrated by Robert Cruikshank. Sometimes described as Mary Shelley's first published work, this was first issued at her father and step-mother's M. J. Godwin's press in 1808 as Mounseer Nongtongpaw: a New Version. It is a satirical poem about an Englishman in France and the linguistic misunderstandings that ensue. It is bound with other stories by other authors also published in 1830 as well as The Diverting History of John Gilpin (1832) The book is about good, with a 3" separation along back edge of spine, which along with back board is detached from textblock Back free endpaper and back end paper loose. Foxing present at the endpapers, as well as most plates. Head and tail and edges of spine rubbed,corners of boards bumped.
Thomas Frognall Dibdin: An Introduction to the Knowledge of Rare and Valuable Editions of the Greek and Latin Classics (London: W. Dwyer, 1804), 571 pages, rebound half-leather with marbled boards and gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.25" x 8.5"). The copy presented here is very good, with handwritten notes in brown ink on front flyleaf and page 75. The textblock is lightly foxed, edges of pages lightly age-toned, offsetting on title page. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Thomas Frognall Dibdin: An Introduction to the Knowledge of Rare and Valuable Editions of the Greek and Latin Classics (London: W. Dwyer, 1804), 571 pages, rebound half-leather with marbled boards and gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.25" x 8.5"). The copy presented here is very good, with handwritten notes in brown ink on front flyleaf and page 75. The textblock is lightly foxed, edges of pages lightly age-toned, offsetting on title page. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Lot of Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron Works. Mary Shelley, editor: The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley. (New York: Merrill and Baker, nd), three volumes, Volume I: 432 pages, Volume II: 365 pages, Volume III: 388 pages, banded half-leather with marbled boards and endpapers, and gilt lettering and decoration on spine, 16mo (4.25" x 6.75"). This set is in very good condition. Previous owner's bookplate on front pastedown of each volume, and minimal rubbing to edges of spine and corners. Volume I has a .75" bump along right edge of front board, Volume II has a .5" x 1" scratch along top edge of front board, and the bottom of spine rubbed.
Lord Byron: Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, a Romaunt: and Other Poems. (London: John Murray, 1815), two volumes, Volume I: 79 pages, Volume II: 302 pages with appendix, half-leather with marbled boards and green title plates with gilt lettering on spine. Fold-out facsimile letter in ancient Greek bound in back. In good condition, with sunned spines sunned, rubbed boards, and noticeable loss to the leather at the corners.
Lord Byron: Don Juan. Cantos XII.-XIII.-and XIV (London: John Hunt, 1823), 170 pages, gray paper spines with beige paper boards, 12mo (4.25" x 7.25"). This copy is in fair condition. A 1.75" closed tear (sliced) along right edge of page 85, 5.25" closed tear (sliced) along page 87. Water staining to right margin front pastedown to page 60, most noticeable front pastedown to page 11. The front board is water stained along right edge, back board has light stains in top corner and near spine. Spine tattered, label missing. Small label from Liverpool bookshop on front pastedown. Previous owner's signature on front free endpaper. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Lord Byron: Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, a Romaunt: and Other Poems. (London: John Murray, 1815), two volumes, Volume I: 79 pages, Volume II: 302 pages with appendix, half-leather with marbled boards and green title plates with gilt lettering on spine. Fold-out facsimile letter in ancient Greek bound in back. In good condition, with sunned spines sunned, rubbed boards, and noticeable loss to the leather at the corners.
Lord Byron: Don Juan. Cantos XII.-XIII.-and XIV (London: John Hunt, 1823), 170 pages, gray paper spines with beige paper boards, 12mo (4.25" x 7.25"). This copy is in fair condition. A 1.75" closed tear (sliced) along right edge of page 85, 5.25" closed tear (sliced) along page 87. Water staining to right margin front pastedown to page 60, most noticeable front pastedown to page 11. The front board is water stained along right edge, back board has light stains in top corner and near spine. Spine tattered, label missing. Small label from Liverpool bookshop on front pastedown. Previous owner's signature on front free endpaper. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Collection of Eight Nineteenth Century Books. Reynell Coates, editor: Leaflets of Memory; An Annual for 1846 (Philadelphia: E. H. Butler & Co., 1846), first edition, 306 pages, full calf with gilt lettering and decoration, gilt edges, 8vo (6.75" x 9.5"), no dust jacket. Boards soiled, and foxing mostly around plates. The binding is tight.
Alaric A. Watts: The Literary Souvenir; or, Cabinet of Poetry and Romance (London: Hurst, Robinson and Co., 1825), 393 pages, half-leather with marbled boards and edges, 8vo (4.75" x 7.5"), includes 3 pages of facsimiles of "Autographs of the Living Poets" plus 10 engravings, and also includes "Firouz-Abdel; a Tale of the Upas Tree" by David Lyndsay (Mary Diana Dods). This copy is good, with foxing on and near plates, general edge wear, and rubbed boards. Previous owner's bookplate on front pastedown.
[No Author]: Young Lady's Book (London: Vizetelly, Branston, & Co., nd), 505 pages, half-leather with gilt lettering on spine and marbled endpapers and edges, 16mo (4.25" x 6.5"). This copy is very good, with the lower front corner rubbed, some staining to the leather, and foxing, which is largely limited to full-page plates. Missing title page. An attractive volume
[No Editor]: The Snow Flake: a Christmas, New Year, and Birthday Gift (New York: Leavitt and Allen, 1855), 263 pages, original leather boards with gilt decorative stamping and taped spine, all edges gilt, 12mo (5" x 7.25"). Includes Mary Shelley's "The Sisters of Albano". The book is good, with noticeable rubbing to the edges, and the textblock is tight but foxed and stained. Front hinge separated.
Dorothy Wellesley, editor: The Annual: Being a Selection from the Forget-Me-Nots Keepsakes and other Annuals of the Nineteenth Century (London: Cobden-Sanderson, nd), 296 pages, aqua paper boards with black lettering and decoration, 16mo (4.25" x 6.5"). There is a .5" tear at front and back edges of spine head, and the spine itself appears a bit sunned. Still, the textblock and boards are bright and clean.
S.C. Hall, editor: The Book of Gems: The Modern Poets and Artists of Great Britain (London: Henry G. Bohn, 1845), 304 pages (followed by 4 pages of facsimile signatures, including Percy B Shelley, Byron and Leigh Hunt), full green leather with gilt lettering and decorative stamping, all edges gilt, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"). This copy is very good, with the spine and boards sunned, light rubbing to the head of the spine, and some foxing to the textblock. 1846 ownership writing on front pastedown.
[No Editor]: Friendship's Offering: a Christmas, New Year, and Birthday Gift (Boston: Phillips and Sampson, 1847), 316 pages, red leather with gilt lettering on spine and decorative blind stamping on the boards, all edges gilt, 12mo (5" x 7.5"). Includes Mary Shelley's poem "Stanzas". The boards and edges are noticeably rubbed . Hinges starting. Most of red covering on spine loose, with a .75" piece missing from the tail of the spine, and smaller piece from the head of the spine. Textblock is tight, but mostly foxed.
[No Editor]: The English Annual (London: Edward Churton, 1836), 376 pages, full leather with gilt lettering and decoration on spine and boards, all edges gilt, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"). Includes Mary Shelley's "The Pole". The book is about very good, with the edges of spine and boards rubbed, foxing from the front free endpaper to the title page and some plates. Plate in back lightly stained, otherwise the textblock is tight, bright and clean. A fascinating collection for ant Shelley collector. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Alaric A. Watts: The Literary Souvenir; or, Cabinet of Poetry and Romance (London: Hurst, Robinson and Co., 1825), 393 pages, half-leather with marbled boards and edges, 8vo (4.75" x 7.5"), includes 3 pages of facsimiles of "Autographs of the Living Poets" plus 10 engravings, and also includes "Firouz-Abdel; a Tale of the Upas Tree" by David Lyndsay (Mary Diana Dods). This copy is good, with foxing on and near plates, general edge wear, and rubbed boards. Previous owner's bookplate on front pastedown.
[No Author]: Young Lady's Book (London: Vizetelly, Branston, & Co., nd), 505 pages, half-leather with gilt lettering on spine and marbled endpapers and edges, 16mo (4.25" x 6.5"). This copy is very good, with the lower front corner rubbed, some staining to the leather, and foxing, which is largely limited to full-page plates. Missing title page. An attractive volume
[No Editor]: The Snow Flake: a Christmas, New Year, and Birthday Gift (New York: Leavitt and Allen, 1855), 263 pages, original leather boards with gilt decorative stamping and taped spine, all edges gilt, 12mo (5" x 7.25"). Includes Mary Shelley's "The Sisters of Albano". The book is good, with noticeable rubbing to the edges, and the textblock is tight but foxed and stained. Front hinge separated.
Dorothy Wellesley, editor: The Annual: Being a Selection from the Forget-Me-Nots Keepsakes and other Annuals of the Nineteenth Century (London: Cobden-Sanderson, nd), 296 pages, aqua paper boards with black lettering and decoration, 16mo (4.25" x 6.5"). There is a .5" tear at front and back edges of spine head, and the spine itself appears a bit sunned. Still, the textblock and boards are bright and clean.
S.C. Hall, editor: The Book of Gems: The Modern Poets and Artists of Great Britain (London: Henry G. Bohn, 1845), 304 pages (followed by 4 pages of facsimile signatures, including Percy B Shelley, Byron and Leigh Hunt), full green leather with gilt lettering and decorative stamping, all edges gilt, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"). This copy is very good, with the spine and boards sunned, light rubbing to the head of the spine, and some foxing to the textblock. 1846 ownership writing on front pastedown.
[No Editor]: Friendship's Offering: a Christmas, New Year, and Birthday Gift (Boston: Phillips and Sampson, 1847), 316 pages, red leather with gilt lettering on spine and decorative blind stamping on the boards, all edges gilt, 12mo (5" x 7.5"). Includes Mary Shelley's poem "Stanzas". The boards and edges are noticeably rubbed . Hinges starting. Most of red covering on spine loose, with a .75" piece missing from the tail of the spine, and smaller piece from the head of the spine. Textblock is tight, but mostly foxed.
[No Editor]: The English Annual (London: Edward Churton, 1836), 376 pages, full leather with gilt lettering and decoration on spine and boards, all edges gilt, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"). Includes Mary Shelley's "The Pole". The book is about very good, with the edges of spine and boards rubbed, foxing from the front free endpaper to the title page and some plates. Plate in back lightly stained, otherwise the textblock is tight, bright and clean. A fascinating collection for ant Shelley collector. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Great Collection of Shelley-Related Books, Most Edited by Mary Shelley and Published by Edward Moxon. Edward Moxon, 1801-1858, was a British poet and publisher. In 1826, he published a volume of his own work, The Prospect, and other Poems. In 1830, Moxon started as a London publisher on New Bond Street. The first volume he produced was Charles Lamb's Album Verses. Moving to Dover Street, Piccadilly, Moxon published an illustrated edition of Rogers's Italy, for which £10,000 was spent upon the illustrations. Wordsworth entrusted him with the publication of his works from 1835 onwards, and in 1839 he issued the first complete edition of Shelley's poems and continued to publish many of both Percy and Mary Shelley's works.
Some passages in Shelley's Queen Mab resulted in a charge of blasphemy being made against Moxon in 1841. The case was tried, the jury returned a guilty verdict and the offensive passages were expunged. Moxon continued to publish Robert Browning, Richard Monckton Milnes, Tom Hood, Barry Cornwall, Lord Lytton, Browning and Alfred Tennyson. This lot offers three titles published by Moxon's publishing firm, in addition to a wonderful book of Shelley memorials.
The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley Edited by Mrs. Shelley, (London: Edward Moxon, 1857), three volumes, 12mo (4.5" x 7"), green cloth binding with decorative blind-stamping on the boards, and gilt lettering on the spine. Mary Shelley dedicated this collection to Percy Florence Shelley, progeny of herself and Percy Bysshe Shelley. All volumes display shelf wear to the head and tail of the spine and edges, with bumped corners. Volume I: 376 pages, boards and spine all but detached, foxing present on front flyleaves to the title page and on the back few pages. Otherwise, the textblock is fairly free of foxing and tight; Volume II: 432 pages, textblock clean, with mild foxing on a few pages. Binding is tight; Volume III: 386 pages, followed by a one-page advertisement, front hinge starting to separate, with previous owner's pencil notations on front endpapers. Textblock is tight, and fairly free of foxing.
Richard Garnett: Relics of Shelley, (London: Edward Moxon & Co., 1862), 191 pages, followed by two pages of advertisements, with eight pages of advertisements in front, 12mo (4.5" x 7"), blue cloth, with gilt lettering on the spine edges of boards and spine sunned, corners bumped, head and tail of spine bumped, textblock clean, previous owner's handwriting on half title page, dated 1862.
Percy Bysshe Shelley: Essays, Letters, from Abroad, Translations and Fragments, Edited by Mrs. Shelley, (London: Edward Moxon, 1852), two volumes, 16mo (4.5" x 6..875), blue cloth binding with decorative blind-stamped bordering on boards, gilt lettering on the spine. Both volumes display shelf wear to the head and tail of the spine and edges, with rubbed corners and boards. Back hinge on both volumes starting. Textblock on both volumes very clean. Volume I: 259 pages; Volume II: 293 pages.
Shelley Memorials: from Authentic Sources Edited by Lady Shelley,, (London: Henry S. King & Co., 1875), 290 pages, third edition, followed by 35 pages of advertising, indigo cloth binding, with black and gilt decorative stamping, and gilt lettering on spine. The head and tail of spine lightly bumped, corners bumped and rubbed, both hinges starting. The textblock is clean and bright. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Some passages in Shelley's Queen Mab resulted in a charge of blasphemy being made against Moxon in 1841. The case was tried, the jury returned a guilty verdict and the offensive passages were expunged. Moxon continued to publish Robert Browning, Richard Monckton Milnes, Tom Hood, Barry Cornwall, Lord Lytton, Browning and Alfred Tennyson. This lot offers three titles published by Moxon's publishing firm, in addition to a wonderful book of Shelley memorials.
The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley Edited by Mrs. Shelley, (London: Edward Moxon, 1857), three volumes, 12mo (4.5" x 7"), green cloth binding with decorative blind-stamping on the boards, and gilt lettering on the spine. Mary Shelley dedicated this collection to Percy Florence Shelley, progeny of herself and Percy Bysshe Shelley. All volumes display shelf wear to the head and tail of the spine and edges, with bumped corners. Volume I: 376 pages, boards and spine all but detached, foxing present on front flyleaves to the title page and on the back few pages. Otherwise, the textblock is fairly free of foxing and tight; Volume II: 432 pages, textblock clean, with mild foxing on a few pages. Binding is tight; Volume III: 386 pages, followed by a one-page advertisement, front hinge starting to separate, with previous owner's pencil notations on front endpapers. Textblock is tight, and fairly free of foxing.
Richard Garnett: Relics of Shelley, (London: Edward Moxon & Co., 1862), 191 pages, followed by two pages of advertisements, with eight pages of advertisements in front, 12mo (4.5" x 7"), blue cloth, with gilt lettering on the spine edges of boards and spine sunned, corners bumped, head and tail of spine bumped, textblock clean, previous owner's handwriting on half title page, dated 1862.
Percy Bysshe Shelley: Essays, Letters, from Abroad, Translations and Fragments, Edited by Mrs. Shelley, (London: Edward Moxon, 1852), two volumes, 16mo (4.5" x 6..875), blue cloth binding with decorative blind-stamped bordering on boards, gilt lettering on the spine. Both volumes display shelf wear to the head and tail of the spine and edges, with rubbed corners and boards. Back hinge on both volumes starting. Textblock on both volumes very clean. Volume I: 259 pages; Volume II: 293 pages.
Shelley Memorials: from Authentic Sources Edited by Lady Shelley,, (London: Henry S. King & Co., 1875), 290 pages, third edition, followed by 35 pages of advertising, indigo cloth binding, with black and gilt decorative stamping, and gilt lettering on spine. The head and tail of spine lightly bumped, corners bumped and rubbed, both hinges starting. The textblock is clean and bright. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Four Percy Shelley-Related Works. Percy Bysshe Shelley: Review of Hogg's Memoirs of Prince Alexy Haimatoff, Together with an Extract from Some Early Writings of Shelley by Prof. E. Dowden. (London: Reeves and Turner, 1886), Revised Edition, 54 pages, blue paper boards with yellow tape on spine and black lettering on front board, 8vo (5.25" x 8.25"). Edited with an Introductory Note by Thomas J. Wise. Published for the Shelley Society, Second Series No. 2. On the verso of the half title is printed, "Of the Second Edition of this Book Two Hundred and Fifty Copies have been printed". The copy is good, with staining on the front free endpaper, back free endpaper, and both pastedowns. Original blue boards soiled and rubbed and spine taped. Textblock is bright and clean.
Percy Bysshe Shelley: Hellas, a Lyrical Drama, a Reprint of the Original Edition Published in 1822, with the Author's Prologue and Notes by Various Hands. (London: Reeves and Turner, 1886), limited edition (one of 300 copies printed), 60 pages plus six pages of advertising (paginated to page 7), white paper spine with blue paper boards and black lettering on front board, 8vo (6" x 9.5"). Edited by Thomas J. Wise. Published for the Shelley Society, Second Series No. 5. This copy is good, with page 6 of ads stained from paper inserted, the front free endpaper stained from paper inserted, soiled boards, front board bowed inward, edges and corners rubbed, spine soiled and chipped. The textblock is clean and bright. Bound in after page lviii is "Hellas" in original wrappers, published by Charles and James Ollier of London in 1822.
Sir Rennell Rodd & H. Nelson Gay, editors: Bulletin of the Keats-Shelley Memorial, Rome. (London: Macmillan & Co., 1913), two numbered volumes, Number 1: 187 pages, Number 2: 199 pages, red wrappers, 4to (8.75" x 11.5"). These are the only two issues before suspension (1914-1919) by World War I. Number 1 is split in two places on the spine, the wraps are sunned and tattered, and age toning can be seen on the textblock. Number 2 shows a crease along the spine, sunned wraps, and general shelf wear to the edges.
The Roe-Byron Collection. (Newstead Abbey: Corporation of Nottingham, 1937), 188 pages, beige wraps, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"). Catalog of the Herbert Roe Collection of documents, books, pictures, prints and other items housed in the ancestral Byron home. Very good condition, with lightly soiled covers and an ownership signature on front free endpaper. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Percy Bysshe Shelley: Hellas, a Lyrical Drama, a Reprint of the Original Edition Published in 1822, with the Author's Prologue and Notes by Various Hands. (London: Reeves and Turner, 1886), limited edition (one of 300 copies printed), 60 pages plus six pages of advertising (paginated to page 7), white paper spine with blue paper boards and black lettering on front board, 8vo (6" x 9.5"). Edited by Thomas J. Wise. Published for the Shelley Society, Second Series No. 5. This copy is good, with page 6 of ads stained from paper inserted, the front free endpaper stained from paper inserted, soiled boards, front board bowed inward, edges and corners rubbed, spine soiled and chipped. The textblock is clean and bright. Bound in after page lviii is "Hellas" in original wrappers, published by Charles and James Ollier of London in 1822.
Sir Rennell Rodd & H. Nelson Gay, editors: Bulletin of the Keats-Shelley Memorial, Rome. (London: Macmillan & Co., 1913), two numbered volumes, Number 1: 187 pages, Number 2: 199 pages, red wrappers, 4to (8.75" x 11.5"). These are the only two issues before suspension (1914-1919) by World War I. Number 1 is split in two places on the spine, the wraps are sunned and tattered, and age toning can be seen on the textblock. Number 2 shows a crease along the spine, sunned wraps, and general shelf wear to the edges.
The Roe-Byron Collection. (Newstead Abbey: Corporation of Nottingham, 1937), 188 pages, beige wraps, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"). Catalog of the Herbert Roe Collection of documents, books, pictures, prints and other items housed in the ancestral Byron home. Very good condition, with lightly soiled covers and an ownership signature on front free endpaper. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Nine Betty Bennett Books Relating to Mary Shelley. Betty T. Bennett, editor, The Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1980), baby blue cloth with gilt lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), dust jackets. Three volumes, Volume I: 591 page with index, Volume II: 360 pages with index, Volume III: 473 pages with index. The books are in very good condition, with minor edge and corner wear, also to the dust jacket. Minor wrinkling to the head and tail of the spines.
Betty T. Bennett: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: An Introduction (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996), 177 pages with index, black half-cloth with silver lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"). Fine condition.
Betty T. Bennett, Donald H. Reiman, Michael C. Jaye, editors: The Evidence of the Imagination. (New York: New York University Press, 1978), 409 pages with index, red cloth with gilt lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), dust jacket. Minor edge wear does not detract from this gorgeous book.
Betty T. Bennett, editor: Lives of the Great Romantics Volume 3 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 1999), 206 pages with index, black cloth binding with gilt lettering on the spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), Fine.
Betty T. Bennett, editor: Selected Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1995), 391 pages with index, pink half-cloth with brown cloth boards and gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), dust jacket. Fine, with only minor edge wear to the edges of the dust jacket.
Betty T. Bennett, Bennett, editor: British War Poetry in the Age of Romanticism: 1793-1815. (New York: Garland, 1976), 528 pages with index, purple cloth with white lettering on spine, 8vo (5" x 8.25"). The tail of spine is bumped, and minor corner wear, else fine.
Betty T. Bennett, Stuart Curran, editors: Shelley: Poet and Legislator of the World (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996), 310 pages with notes, orange cloth with purple lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (6" x 9.25"). Very minor soiling on back board, else fine.
Betty T. Bennett: The Letters of Mary Shelley: Volume I "A Part of the Elect" (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1980), 591 pages, full dark blue banded leather with gilt lettering on spine and marbled endpapers, tipped-in facsimile of letter on back free endpaper. Comes housed in slipcase, which is covered in marbled paper matching the endpapers in the book, and an oval picture of Mary Shelley. Fine condition, with no noticeable wear present. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Betty T. Bennett: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: An Introduction (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996), 177 pages with index, black half-cloth with silver lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"). Fine condition.
Betty T. Bennett, Donald H. Reiman, Michael C. Jaye, editors: The Evidence of the Imagination. (New York: New York University Press, 1978), 409 pages with index, red cloth with gilt lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), dust jacket. Minor edge wear does not detract from this gorgeous book.
Betty T. Bennett, editor: Lives of the Great Romantics Volume 3 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 1999), 206 pages with index, black cloth binding with gilt lettering on the spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), Fine.
Betty T. Bennett, editor: Selected Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1995), 391 pages with index, pink half-cloth with brown cloth boards and gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), dust jacket. Fine, with only minor edge wear to the edges of the dust jacket.
Betty T. Bennett, Bennett, editor: British War Poetry in the Age of Romanticism: 1793-1815. (New York: Garland, 1976), 528 pages with index, purple cloth with white lettering on spine, 8vo (5" x 8.25"). The tail of spine is bumped, and minor corner wear, else fine.
Betty T. Bennett, Stuart Curran, editors: Shelley: Poet and Legislator of the World (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996), 310 pages with notes, orange cloth with purple lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (6" x 9.25"). Very minor soiling on back board, else fine.
Betty T. Bennett: The Letters of Mary Shelley: Volume I "A Part of the Elect" (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1980), 591 pages, full dark blue banded leather with gilt lettering on spine and marbled endpapers, tipped-in facsimile of letter on back free endpaper. Comes housed in slipcase, which is covered in marbled paper matching the endpapers in the book, and an oval picture of Mary Shelley. Fine condition, with no noticeable wear present. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
A Collection of Eighteenth & Nineteenth Century Literary Reference Works. Reverend Dionysius Larener: The Cabinet Cyclopaedia, Biography. Eminent Literary and Scientific Men, a two-volume set and a three-volume set, totaling 5 volumes, covering literary and scientific notables from different European countries. Two-volume set is Literary and Scientific Men of France (London: Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longmans and John Taylor, 1838-1839), two volumes, Volume I: 373 pages, Volume II: 353 pages, with small bound in note at title page stating "The Analytical and Chronological Tables and Index to the Series of Lives of Eminent Literary and Scientific Men of Italy, Spain, and Portugal, are given at the end of this volume." Three-volume set is Literary and Scientific Men of Italy, Spain, and Portugal (London: Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longmans and John Taylor, 1835-1937), three volumes, Volume I: 312 pages, Volume II: 393 pages, Volume III: 333 pages plus 8 pages of advertising in the front. All volumes in plum-colored cloth boards with title plates affixed to the spines, 12mo (4.5" x 7"). All volumes in good to very good condition, with heads and tails of spines bumped, moderate general wear, and some chipping to the title plates on spine. All textblocks bright and clean, some uncut pages.
William Thomas Lowndes: The Bibliographer's Manual of English Literature (London: George Bell & Sons, 1859), four volumes, numbered as one: 3,027 pages followed by 336 pages of appendix and index, quarter-leather brown cloth boards, 12mo (5" x 7.5"). The set is generally good, with general wear to boards, and some chipping to the heads and tails of the spines. The textblock of Volume III is split in half, and the front board and spine of Volume IV detached.
Mr. Rollin: The History of the Arts and Sciences of the Antients. (London: John and Paul Knapton, 1737), three volumes (Volume IV missing), Volume I: 296 pages with 11 foldout illustrations, Volume II: 304 pages with 40 foldout illustrations, Volume III: 467 pages, brown banded leather with gilt and black title plates on spine, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"). Translated from the French. The set is generally good, with the top half of the leather spine of Volume II attached only along back edge. Front board mostly detached. Textblock of Volumes I and II age toned and foxed, but Volume III's textblock is remarkably bright and only lightly foxed. 1884 deacquisition stamp on title page of each volume. Boards and spines noticeably rubbed.
J. Lempriere Universal Biography, Containing a Copious Account, Critical and Historical, of the Life and Character, Labors and Actions of Eminent Persons, in All Ages and Countries, Conditions and Professions, Arranged in Alphabetical Order. (London: T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1808), no pagination, full leather with crimson and gilt title plate affixed to the spine, 8vo (5.25" x 8.5"). This copy is generally good, with some foxing to the endpapers, but the textblock only minimally foxed. Dark stains on back board along spine, edges and corners rubbed, head and tail of spine chipped, cloth showing through leather along front and back edges of spine, spine rubbed and crackled, general wear to boards.
J. Lempriere: A Classical Dictionary; Containing a Copious Account of All the Proper Names Mentioned in Ancient Authors; with the Value of Coins, Weights, and Measures, used among the Greeks and Romans; and a Chronological Table. (New York: A.T. Goodrich, and William E. Gilley, 1816), second American edition from the eighth London edition, no pagination, full calf with crimson and gilt title plate affixed to the spine, 8vo (5.5" x 9"). This book is generally good, with some foxing to the endpapers; textblock with offset stains, virtually free of foxing. Leather boards and spine rubbed, and vermin tracks on front board.
John Walker: A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary. (Edinburgh: Thomas Nelson and Peter Brown, 1830), 587 pages plus appendix, black banded half-leather with gray cloth boards and gilt lettering on spine. The book is good, with lightly foxing, .25" piece out along front edge of spine, corners bumped and worn, and .125" of tail of spine missing. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
William Thomas Lowndes: The Bibliographer's Manual of English Literature (London: George Bell & Sons, 1859), four volumes, numbered as one: 3,027 pages followed by 336 pages of appendix and index, quarter-leather brown cloth boards, 12mo (5" x 7.5"). The set is generally good, with general wear to boards, and some chipping to the heads and tails of the spines. The textblock of Volume III is split in half, and the front board and spine of Volume IV detached.
Mr. Rollin: The History of the Arts and Sciences of the Antients. (London: John and Paul Knapton, 1737), three volumes (Volume IV missing), Volume I: 296 pages with 11 foldout illustrations, Volume II: 304 pages with 40 foldout illustrations, Volume III: 467 pages, brown banded leather with gilt and black title plates on spine, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"). Translated from the French. The set is generally good, with the top half of the leather spine of Volume II attached only along back edge. Front board mostly detached. Textblock of Volumes I and II age toned and foxed, but Volume III's textblock is remarkably bright and only lightly foxed. 1884 deacquisition stamp on title page of each volume. Boards and spines noticeably rubbed.
J. Lempriere Universal Biography, Containing a Copious Account, Critical and Historical, of the Life and Character, Labors and Actions of Eminent Persons, in All Ages and Countries, Conditions and Professions, Arranged in Alphabetical Order. (London: T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1808), no pagination, full leather with crimson and gilt title plate affixed to the spine, 8vo (5.25" x 8.5"). This copy is generally good, with some foxing to the endpapers, but the textblock only minimally foxed. Dark stains on back board along spine, edges and corners rubbed, head and tail of spine chipped, cloth showing through leather along front and back edges of spine, spine rubbed and crackled, general wear to boards.
J. Lempriere: A Classical Dictionary; Containing a Copious Account of All the Proper Names Mentioned in Ancient Authors; with the Value of Coins, Weights, and Measures, used among the Greeks and Romans; and a Chronological Table. (New York: A.T. Goodrich, and William E. Gilley, 1816), second American edition from the eighth London edition, no pagination, full calf with crimson and gilt title plate affixed to the spine, 8vo (5.5" x 9"). This book is generally good, with some foxing to the endpapers; textblock with offset stains, virtually free of foxing. Leather boards and spine rubbed, and vermin tracks on front board.
John Walker: A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary. (Edinburgh: Thomas Nelson and Peter Brown, 1830), 587 pages plus appendix, black banded half-leather with gray cloth boards and gilt lettering on spine. The book is good, with lightly foxing, .25" piece out along front edge of spine, corners bumped and worn, and .125" of tail of spine missing. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Two Nineteenth Century Literary Works & Two Reference Works. Samuel Rogers: Italy, a Poem. (London: T. Cadell and Jennings and Chaplin, 1830), 284 pages, full banded leather with marbled endpapers and gilt lettering on spine and decoration on spine and front board, all edges gilt, 8vo (5.5" x 8"). This copy is good, though the front board together with spine are detached from textblock. Textblock foxed throughout. Previous owner's bookplate affixed to front pastedown. Spine sunned and rubbed, and the surface of green leather torn along fore-edge of front board and edges of back board.
Elizabeth Gaskell: The Moorland Cottage (London: Chapman and Hall, 1850), 182 pages, rebound in full banded leather with marbled endpapers and gilt lettering and decoration on spine and boards, original wrappers bound in, all textblock edges gilt, 16mo (4" x 6.5"). The copy is very good, with corners lightly rubbed, spine sunned and rubbed, back edge of spine cracked, back board sunned with .25" scratch, front board lightly sunned with 1" scratch. Textblock fairly free of foxing, and small residue from removed bookplate on front pastedown.
Reverend Alexander Dyce: Specimens of British Poetesses. (London: T. Rodd, 1827), 446 pages, full leather with marbled endpapers and textblock edges, 12mo (5" x 7.5"). Copy is good, with some edges rubbed, especially top edge of backboard near which a .25" x .625" piece of surface layer is chipped out. Surface also chipped along fore edge of front board. Textblock is extremely bright and clean.
Finden: Gallery of the Graces: a Series of Portrait Illustrations of British Poets. (London: Charles Tilt, 1834), full banded leather with gilt lettering and decoration on spine and boards, all edges gilt, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"). This copy is good, with spine and edges rubbed, boards stained and soiled. Textblock shows foxing limited to plates and facing leaves, and endpapers. Gift inscription on front free endpaper. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Elizabeth Gaskell: The Moorland Cottage (London: Chapman and Hall, 1850), 182 pages, rebound in full banded leather with marbled endpapers and gilt lettering and decoration on spine and boards, original wrappers bound in, all textblock edges gilt, 16mo (4" x 6.5"). The copy is very good, with corners lightly rubbed, spine sunned and rubbed, back edge of spine cracked, back board sunned with .25" scratch, front board lightly sunned with 1" scratch. Textblock fairly free of foxing, and small residue from removed bookplate on front pastedown.
Reverend Alexander Dyce: Specimens of British Poetesses. (London: T. Rodd, 1827), 446 pages, full leather with marbled endpapers and textblock edges, 12mo (5" x 7.5"). Copy is good, with some edges rubbed, especially top edge of backboard near which a .25" x .625" piece of surface layer is chipped out. Surface also chipped along fore edge of front board. Textblock is extremely bright and clean.
Finden: Gallery of the Graces: a Series of Portrait Illustrations of British Poets. (London: Charles Tilt, 1834), full banded leather with gilt lettering and decoration on spine and boards, all edges gilt, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"). This copy is good, with spine and edges rubbed, boards stained and soiled. Textblock shows foxing limited to plates and facing leaves, and endpapers. Gift inscription on front free endpaper. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments, Newly Translated out of the Original Tongues and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised by His Majesty's Special Command. (Edinburgh: Printed by James Watson, 1716), no pagination, full banded leather with gilt decoration on spine and boards and marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, 24mo (2.75" x 5"). This neat little book is in good condition, with two .125" x .25" pieces missing from the tail of the spine, and a same size piece out and a .25" portion rubbed on back board. There is general wear on the edges, corners and spine. Small ownership signatures along top edge of frontispiece and front flyleaves. Foxing contained to endpapers and flyleaves. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Three Shelley-Related Anthologies. George Borrow: Tales of the Wild and Wonderful (London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., 1825), first edition, 356 pages, rebound half-leather with brown cloth and marbled endpapers, 12mo (4.75" x 7.5"). The copy presented here is very good, though the half title is missing, previous owner's bookplate on front pastedown, top 1.5" of front board sunned, .125" x .25" tear at lower back corner, easily glued.
Margaret Jane Moore, Countess of Mountcashell: The Stories of Old Daniel (London: M[ary].J[ane]. Godwin and Co., 1825), ninth edition, 308 pages, red half-leather with marbled boards, 12mo (4.25" x 7"). This was first issued in 1808. It was originally attributed to Charles Lamb, but was actually by M. J. Moore, who first met William Godwin in 1800 during his trip to Ireland. In 1805, she left her husband and children to live under the assumed name of "Mrs. Mason", taken from one of Mary Wollstonecraft fictional characters. With the death of Mary Wollstonecraft, William Godwin found himself not only bereaved, but also the widower father of two children: Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (later Shelley) and Fanny Imlay. His marriage to Mary Jane Godwin added three more. The Godwins started the M. J. Godwin publishing company to support their large family. Stories of Old Daniel were part of Godwin's Juvenile Library and were very successful. All of the early editions are rare. Respined. Boards rubbed and soiled, corners rubbed, heavy foxing from front free endpaper to the title page. Elsewhere, textblock is lightly foxed. 1827 gift inscription on front free endpaper.
Adelaide Anne Proctor: Legends and Lyrics. A Book of Verses (New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1860), 264 pages. Textblock lightly foxed, general wear to brown cloth boards, tips of corners rubbed, head and tail of spine tattered. Overall, this is a handsome collection of nineteenth century anthologies. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Margaret Jane Moore, Countess of Mountcashell: The Stories of Old Daniel (London: M[ary].J[ane]. Godwin and Co., 1825), ninth edition, 308 pages, red half-leather with marbled boards, 12mo (4.25" x 7"). This was first issued in 1808. It was originally attributed to Charles Lamb, but was actually by M. J. Moore, who first met William Godwin in 1800 during his trip to Ireland. In 1805, she left her husband and children to live under the assumed name of "Mrs. Mason", taken from one of Mary Wollstonecraft fictional characters. With the death of Mary Wollstonecraft, William Godwin found himself not only bereaved, but also the widower father of two children: Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (later Shelley) and Fanny Imlay. His marriage to Mary Jane Godwin added three more. The Godwins started the M. J. Godwin publishing company to support their large family. Stories of Old Daniel were part of Godwin's Juvenile Library and were very successful. All of the early editions are rare. Respined. Boards rubbed and soiled, corners rubbed, heavy foxing from front free endpaper to the title page. Elsewhere, textblock is lightly foxed. 1827 gift inscription on front free endpaper.
Adelaide Anne Proctor: Legends and Lyrics. A Book of Verses (New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1860), 264 pages. Textblock lightly foxed, general wear to brown cloth boards, tips of corners rubbed, head and tail of spine tattered. Overall, this is a handsome collection of nineteenth century anthologies. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Two Percy Bysshe Shelley Collections. Mary Shelley, editor: The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley (London: Edward Moxon, 1857), three volumes, Volume I: 376 pages with 8 pages of advertising in the front, Volume II: 432 pages, Volume III: 386 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering on spine and blind decorative stamping on boards, 12mo (4.5" x 7"). All volumes have sunned spines, edge and spine wear, and bumped corners. Hinge starting on Volumes 1 & III.
Thomas Jefferson Hogg The Life of Percy Bysshe Shelley (London: Edward Moxon, 1858), four volumes in one, 557 pages, half-leather with marbled boards and textblock edges, pencil annotations on back free endpaper. This copy is generally good, with a 2.75" portion of the leather at the head of the spine pulled away and 1" at the tail. The spine is lightly sunned, edges and corners rubbed, boards lightly rubbed and scratched. A lovely set of books for the Shelley collector. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Thomas Jefferson Hogg The Life of Percy Bysshe Shelley (London: Edward Moxon, 1858), four volumes in one, 557 pages, half-leather with marbled boards and textblock edges, pencil annotations on back free endpaper. This copy is generally good, with a 2.75" portion of the leather at the head of the spine pulled away and 1" at the tail. The spine is lightly sunned, edges and corners rubbed, boards lightly rubbed and scratched. A lovely set of books for the Shelley collector. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Two Shelley-Related Travel Book Sets. Mary Shelley: Rambles in Germany and Italy in 1840, 1842, and 1843. (London: Edward Moxon, 1844), two volumes, Volume I: 280 pages, Volume II: 296 pages, banded half-leather binding with marbled boards, 8vo (4.75" x 8"), no dust jacket (as issued). Rambles in Germany and Italy was Mary Shelley's last full-length work. It is based on letters written during two journeys she made with Percy Florence and several of his friends in 1840 and 1842-1843. Like her first book, History of a Six Weeks' Tour, Rambles is more than a simple travel memoir. It blends Romantic values, female emancipation and political advocacy, and includes Mary's narrative comments on war, national manners, historical perspectives, and political observations. The volumes are generally good, with a .375" piece missing from tail of spine, a .625" x 1.25" piece missing from the back upper corner, and rubbed boards. This set has been repaired.
Reverend John Chetwode Eustace: A Classical Tour through Italy. (Paris: Baudry's European Library, 1837), sixth edition, two volumes, Volume I: 284 pages, Volume II: 469 pages w/index, banded half-leather binding with marbled boards, endpapers, and edges, 8vo (5.25" x 8.5"), no dust jacket (as issued). The books are very good, with general shelf wear, including rubbed boards and corners. A most attractive set of Shelley-related travel books. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Reverend John Chetwode Eustace: A Classical Tour through Italy. (Paris: Baudry's European Library, 1837), sixth edition, two volumes, Volume I: 284 pages, Volume II: 469 pages w/index, banded half-leather binding with marbled boards, endpapers, and edges, 8vo (5.25" x 8.5"), no dust jacket (as issued). The books are very good, with general shelf wear, including rubbed boards and corners. A most attractive set of Shelley-related travel books. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Three Shelley-Related Biographies & a Book of Shelley Letters. Muriel Spark: Child of Light: a Reassessment of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (Essex: Tower Bridge Publications, 1951), first edition, 235 pages with index, orange cloth with red lettering on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Very good, with very minimal edge wear and bumped corners.
Walter Peck, editor: A Philosophical View of Reform by Percy Bysshe Shelley (Privately printed for Carl Pforzheimer, 1930), limited edition, 67 pages, beige cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.75" x 9.75"), glassine cover. One of 50 copies printed. The book is about fine, with no major flaws. The glassine cover shows considerable wear on the edges and spine.
William Godwin: The Elopement of Percy Bysshe Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (Privately printed for William K. Bixby by The Bibliophile Society, 1911), limited edition, 24 pages, beige cloth with gilt lettering on front board, 8vo (6.75" x 9.25"), no dust jacket. Deckled fore-edge. 79 of 200 copies. Inscription on front free endpaper reads, "F.O. Sylvester/With regards of/W.K. Bixby/St. [?] 3/14/12". Soiled light brown cloth on boards, else fine.
Letters of Mary W. Shelley (Mostly Unpublished) (Norwood, Massachusetts: The Plimpton Press, 1918), first edition (printed only for members of The Bibliophile Society), 189 pages, beige boards with brown paper affixed to panels and gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), no dust jacket. Introduction and notes by Henry Harper. This copy is good, with a chip at the head of the spine, moderate edge wear, and a tear of the brown paper on the edge of the back board. A wonderful collection of Shelley material. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Walter Peck, editor: A Philosophical View of Reform by Percy Bysshe Shelley (Privately printed for Carl Pforzheimer, 1930), limited edition, 67 pages, beige cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.75" x 9.75"), glassine cover. One of 50 copies printed. The book is about fine, with no major flaws. The glassine cover shows considerable wear on the edges and spine.
William Godwin: The Elopement of Percy Bysshe Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (Privately printed for William K. Bixby by The Bibliophile Society, 1911), limited edition, 24 pages, beige cloth with gilt lettering on front board, 8vo (6.75" x 9.25"), no dust jacket. Deckled fore-edge. 79 of 200 copies. Inscription on front free endpaper reads, "F.O. Sylvester/With regards of/W.K. Bixby/St. [?] 3/14/12". Soiled light brown cloth on boards, else fine.
Letters of Mary W. Shelley (Mostly Unpublished) (Norwood, Massachusetts: The Plimpton Press, 1918), first edition (printed only for members of The Bibliophile Society), 189 pages, beige boards with brown paper affixed to panels and gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), no dust jacket. Introduction and notes by Henry Harper. This copy is good, with a chip at the head of the spine, moderate edge wear, and a tear of the brown paper on the edge of the back board. A wonderful collection of Shelley material. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
The Complete Works of Shakspere; Revised from the Original Editions: with a Memoir, and Essay on His Genius by Barry Cornwall. Illustrated With Engravings on Wood, From Designs by Kenny Meadows; and Numerous Steel Plates, Portraits of Eminent Actors, Etc., Etc. (London: The London and New York Printing and Publishing Company, Limited, nd), three volumes, 4to (7.5" x 10.75"), green leather binding with gilt decorations and gilt edges, with gilt lettering on banded leather spine, marbled endpapers. Volume I: The Comedies is 573 pages, and has the Bard's name spelled "Shakspere" on the title page, "Shakespere" on the spine, then "Shakespeare" in the body of the text. This volume displays rubbing to the bottom edges and back board, mild shelf wear to the spine, and mild foxing to the first three-quarters of the text. Volume II: Tragedies is 554 pages. This volume is good, with some general edge wear, especially to the bottom edge, bumped corners, mild foxing to the beginning and ending of the text, and the spine and front board have come detached at the front hinge. Volume III: Historical Plays, Poems, and Sonnets is 590 pages, followed by a 16-page glossary. The book is good, with rubbed and nicked edges, scratched boards, bumped corners, and mild spine wear. Very mild foxing to the beginning of the text. Though this set is mildly shelf-worn, the text is bright and clean, and the illustrations alone make this an attractive addition to any Shakespearean's library. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Three Nineteenth-Century Classics in One Volume: David Lyndsay's Dramas of the Ancient World, Mrs. Henry Rolls' Legends of the North, or, The Feudal Christmas; A Poem, and Thomas Moore's The Loves of the Angels Signed by Theodore Hook. Published in 1822, 1825, and 1823 respectively, bound together at a later date in half-leather binding with marbled boards, with gilt lettering and decoration on the banded leather spine, 698 total pages, 8vo (5.5" x 8.625).
David Lyndsay: Dramas of the Ancient World (Edinburgh: Printed for William Blackwood: and T. Cadell, Strand, London, 1822), 278 pages with one-page advertisement following the title page, "Lott 166 Hooksvale" written in ink along the top edge of the title page.
Mrs. Henry Rolls: Legends of the North, or, The Feudal Christmas; A Poem (London: Printed for W. Simpkin and R. Marshall, 1825), 272 pages plus preface and dedication.
Thomas Moore's The Loves of the Angels (London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1823), 148 pages, signed "Theodore Hook January 8, 1823" on the half-title of The Loves of the Angels.
David Lyndsay and Walter Sholto Douglas were two pseudonyms used by Mary Diana Dods, a close friend of Mary Shelley's. With Mary Shelley's help, Dods successfully masqueraded for years as a man with a wife and child.
Theodore Hook, the son of James Hook, the musical composer, was born in London in 1788. Hook edited the John Bull newspaper for 21 years. He also wrote several novels including Maxwell (1830), The Parson's Daughter (1832), Love and Pride (1832), Gilbert Gurney (1836), Gurney Married (1838) and Births, Marriages and Deaths (1839). His story entitled "The Old Gentleman" appears in an 1829 edition of The Keepsake alongside works by Percy and Mary Shelley, which is part of another lot in this auction.
This volume is in very good condition, with some rubbing to the leather at the edges, hinges, and corners. Slight spine wear. Previous owner's handwritten pencil notes on front pastedown, front free endpaper, and rear pastedown. Otherwise, the binding is tight and the text is clean in this handsome volume.
For more information about Dods, see the description of the David Lyndsay ALS highlighted in this auction.
From the Betty Bennett Collection.
David Lyndsay: Dramas of the Ancient World (Edinburgh: Printed for William Blackwood: and T. Cadell, Strand, London, 1822), 278 pages with one-page advertisement following the title page, "Lott 166 Hooksvale" written in ink along the top edge of the title page.
Mrs. Henry Rolls: Legends of the North, or, The Feudal Christmas; A Poem (London: Printed for W. Simpkin and R. Marshall, 1825), 272 pages plus preface and dedication.
Thomas Moore's The Loves of the Angels (London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1823), 148 pages, signed "Theodore Hook January 8, 1823" on the half-title of The Loves of the Angels.
David Lyndsay and Walter Sholto Douglas were two pseudonyms used by Mary Diana Dods, a close friend of Mary Shelley's. With Mary Shelley's help, Dods successfully masqueraded for years as a man with a wife and child.
Theodore Hook, the son of James Hook, the musical composer, was born in London in 1788. Hook edited the John Bull newspaper for 21 years. He also wrote several novels including Maxwell (1830), The Parson's Daughter (1832), Love and Pride (1832), Gilbert Gurney (1836), Gurney Married (1838) and Births, Marriages and Deaths (1839). His story entitled "The Old Gentleman" appears in an 1829 edition of The Keepsake alongside works by Percy and Mary Shelley, which is part of another lot in this auction.
This volume is in very good condition, with some rubbing to the leather at the edges, hinges, and corners. Slight spine wear. Previous owner's handwritten pencil notes on front pastedown, front free endpaper, and rear pastedown. Otherwise, the binding is tight and the text is clean in this handsome volume.
For more information about Dods, see the description of the David Lyndsay ALS highlighted in this auction.
From the Betty Bennett Collection.
1983 Bernie Wrightson Illustrated Edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1983), special limited edition, numbered 34 of 500, illustrated by Bernie Wrightson, introduction by Stephen King, signed by Bernie Wrightson and Stephen King on limitation page, in slipcase as issued, 43 large full-page illustrations with one double-page spread. This beautifully illustrated book is in mint condition, with no noticeable wear, though the slipcase shows minimal shelf wear. A scarce chance to own this limited edition release of Shelley's classic, beautifully illustrated by one of the finest genre illustrators of modern times. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
The Port Folio, for September, 1818, Containing a Scathing Review of Frankenstein. (Philadelphia: Harrison Hall, September 1818), 240 pages, disbound, 8vo (5.25" x 8.25"). Pages 200-207 of this periodical contain a scathing seven-page review of Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus reprinted from the April issue of The British Critic.
Eight published reviews, fairly evenly divided between favorable and unfavorable, were available to choose from for the September issue of The Port Folio. Here is an excerpt of the review the Hall brothers chose to reprint, "these volumes have neither principle, object, nor morals, the horror which abounds in them is too grotesque and bizarre ever to approach the sublime." However, "There are occasional symptoms of no common powers of mind, struggling through a mess of absurdity."
John Elihu Hall was a Princeton educated lawyer, author, college professor, and active Federalist. He edited first The American Law Journal, 1808-1817, before editing The Port Folio,1817-1827. His brother Harrison, a science writer, published The Port Folio.
The textblock is largely free of foxing, and there are remnants of the soft leather cover on the spine. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Eight published reviews, fairly evenly divided between favorable and unfavorable, were available to choose from for the September issue of The Port Folio. Here is an excerpt of the review the Hall brothers chose to reprint, "these volumes have neither principle, object, nor morals, the horror which abounds in them is too grotesque and bizarre ever to approach the sublime." However, "There are occasional symptoms of no common powers of mind, struggling through a mess of absurdity."
John Elihu Hall was a Princeton educated lawyer, author, college professor, and active Federalist. He edited first The American Law Journal, 1808-1817, before editing The Port Folio,1817-1827. His brother Harrison, a science writer, published The Port Folio.
The textblock is largely free of foxing, and there are remnants of the soft leather cover on the spine. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Entertainment Collectibles
Lovely Framed 1838 Frankenstein Theater Broadside. From the Theatre Royal, March 6, 1838, advertising "Presumption, Or The Fate of Frankenstein", and reading in part, "Performed for the Third Time this Season, the popular Romantic Legendary Drama, in Three Acts". Starring Mr. T.P. Cooke as The Monster, and reading, "Last night but five of Mr. T. P. Cooke performing here this season". Songs listed are "My Beautiful Maid", "Away to the Mountain's Brow" and "I've Wandered in Dreams". The broadside states further that "In Act I. The awful animation and appearance of the Monster. In Act II. The destruction of De Lacey's cottage by fire. And the Romance will conclude with the tempest on the Lake of Geneva, and the real Galley, The Machinery of which excited so much admiration and applause during Mr. T.P. Cooke's former Engagement." Upper left corner has "W. 17." Upper right corner has "N. 96". The broadside is in very good condition, with a .25" x 8.5" of light wrinkling along left edge, minimal age-toning. Ready to hang. Measures 8.25" x 11", and framed to an overall size of 9.375" x 12.125". A wonderful display piece of Frankenstein history. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
Books
1828 Broadside Advertising "A Romance of a peculiar interest, entitled 'Presumption; or, The Fate of Frankenstein'", October 1, 1828, 8.25" x 14.125". The music was composed by Mr. Watson, previous to which, Von Weber's popular Overture to Der Freischutz, performed at the Theatre Royal, English Opera House, Strand. Also on the same bill are "The Quartette!" and "Amateurs and Actors".
This "opera" by Richard Brinksley Peake first opened on July 28, 1823 in the English Opera House and had an initial run of 37 performances. It continued in the repertoire until at least 1850. Mary Shelley saw and enjoyed Peake's production and the celebrity it brought her as it greatly expanded her audience. She wrote about it in a letter to Leigh Hunt on September 9, 1823. The broadside of the first 1823 version advertised the title as "Presumption, a New Romance" with no mention of Frankenstein. It soon became clear, though, that the name itself was a magic word and a vital part of the story's appeal. The following story line for the stage show was adapted from Donald F. Glut's The Frankenstein Catalog, (North Carolina: McFarland & Co., 1984).
Spurned by his betrothed, Agatha De Lacey, Frankenstein creates a human being. Frankenstein's servant, Fritz, leaks this information to Clerval, the fiancé of Frankenstein's sister, Elizabeth. The Demon comes to life, and Frankenstein is unable to stop him with a sword. Alone, the Demon finds himself sensitive to light. He shows kindness toward Agatha's blind father. After Agatha's brother, Felix, and Frankenstein try to kill the Demon, it vengefully burns down the De Laceys' cottage, kills Frankenstein's brother, William, then murders Agatha during the wedding of Clerval and Elizabeth. In the first stage production, Frankenstein pursues his creation across a lake, fires a musket, causing an avalanche, which buries both him and the Demon. In 1826, a new ending was fashioned. The broadside for the October 1st, 1828 performance, on the same stage as that of the first production, touts "an entirely new scene, a schooner in a violent storm! In which Frankenstein and the Monster are destroyed."
The broadside is in overall very good condition, with a .875" closed tear at bottom edge near right corner, and a .1875" x .3125" edge piece out at the lower right corner, with the lower left corner creased, light foxing throughout, and minimal color loss from the three lines in largest type. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
This "opera" by Richard Brinksley Peake first opened on July 28, 1823 in the English Opera House and had an initial run of 37 performances. It continued in the repertoire until at least 1850. Mary Shelley saw and enjoyed Peake's production and the celebrity it brought her as it greatly expanded her audience. She wrote about it in a letter to Leigh Hunt on September 9, 1823. The broadside of the first 1823 version advertised the title as "Presumption, a New Romance" with no mention of Frankenstein. It soon became clear, though, that the name itself was a magic word and a vital part of the story's appeal. The following story line for the stage show was adapted from Donald F. Glut's The Frankenstein Catalog, (North Carolina: McFarland & Co., 1984).
Spurned by his betrothed, Agatha De Lacey, Frankenstein creates a human being. Frankenstein's servant, Fritz, leaks this information to Clerval, the fiancé of Frankenstein's sister, Elizabeth. The Demon comes to life, and Frankenstein is unable to stop him with a sword. Alone, the Demon finds himself sensitive to light. He shows kindness toward Agatha's blind father. After Agatha's brother, Felix, and Frankenstein try to kill the Demon, it vengefully burns down the De Laceys' cottage, kills Frankenstein's brother, William, then murders Agatha during the wedding of Clerval and Elizabeth. In the first stage production, Frankenstein pursues his creation across a lake, fires a musket, causing an avalanche, which buries both him and the Demon. In 1826, a new ending was fashioned. The broadside for the October 1st, 1828 performance, on the same stage as that of the first production, touts "an entirely new scene, a schooner in a violent storm! In which Frankenstein and the Monster are destroyed."
The broadside is in overall very good condition, with a .875" closed tear at bottom edge near right corner, and a .1875" x .3125" edge piece out at the lower right corner, with the lower left corner creased, light foxing throughout, and minimal color loss from the three lines in largest type. From the Betty Bennett Collection.
A. A. Milne Limited Signed: The Christopher Robin Story Book. (New York: E. P. Dutton & Company, 1929), number 14 of 350 large paper copies, signed by the author and illustrator on a limitation page bound in front, 168 pages, illustrated by E. H. Sheppard, original green half silk over orange paper boards, paper spine label with black titles, untrimmed edges, original acetate protector present, 8vo (7.25" x 9"), a beautiful copy in the publisher's original matching pictorial box that is toned about the edges and has suffered some separation and damage at the edges.
A.A. Milne Limited Signed: A Gallery of Children with illustrations by H. Willebeek Le Mair. (London: Stanley Paul and Company, 1925). Limited edition, number 243 of 500, large 4to, (10.25" x 12.75"), 105pp., gilt-pictorial cream cloth; top edges gilt, others uncut. Of the 12 full color plates, one has a small tear at top ("Miss Waterlow in bed"), and a missing plate ("Castles by the sea") has been replaced with a color facsimile. Signed by Milne on the limitation page. With foxing to endpages, otherwise clean and very good condition.
Kay Thompson: Eloise. (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1955), first printing, first state, 65 pages, "Lily Daché" on page 50, with fold-up plate between pages 12 and 16, drawings by Hilary Knight, cream cloth red and black titles, 4to (8" x 11.25"), a few stains to endpapers, erasure mark on ffep, boards significantly toned as commonly found, large 2.5" x 2" portion missing from back panel of the jacket, jacket toned and soiled, else very good in a good unclipped jacket.
Kay Thompson: Eloise in Paris. (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1957), first printing, unpaginated, drawings by Hilary Knight, red cloth with silver titles, 4to (8" x 11.25"), water stains along the bottom of the boards, musty smell, dust jacket lightly foxed, else very good condition in a very good unclipped jacket.
E. B. White: Charlotte's Web. (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1952), first edition (1-B), 184 pages, pictures by Garth Williams, tan cloth with blue titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8"), very small remnant of tape on half title page, else fine in a fine unclipped bright jacket. A superb copy of this enduring children's classic and 1953 Newbery Award winner.
Original Roy Gerrard Watercolor Illustration from Croco 'Nile An original watercolor measuring 20" x 11.75" (sight) by Gerrard depicting a fantastical scene in the Egyptian Royal court from his children's book, Croco 'Nile. Signed "Gerrard" in lower right area, lot includes a library copy of the book. Double matted and ready for display.
Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell [pseudo. Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte]: Poems. (London: Smith, Elder and Company, 1846 [1848]), first edition, second state, 165 pages, old rebind in half calf binding with marbled boards by Anker Kyster, gilt titles and decoration, floral patterned endpapers, segments of original green cloth binding including spine bound in back, 16mo (4.5" x 6.75"), lacking tipped-in errata slip at front and 16-page publisher's catalog at rear, minor wear and light scuffing, text lightly tones, two small bookplates on the inside front cover, else very good condition. The initial print run was for 1,000 copies, initially with the title page imprint of Aylott and Jones. Virtually no copies sold and the remaining copies were sold to Smith, Elder and Company who reissued them a few years later with new covers and title page.
Emily Dickinson: Poems (Second Series). (Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1891), first edition of the second series, 230 pages, green cloth shelf back and white boards with gilt lettering and decoration on spine and front board, all edges gilt, 12mo (approximately 4.5" x 7"), no dust jacket (as issued). This book represents just the second ever release of the reclusive Amherst poet's work, and was edited by "two of her friends", T.W. Higginson and Mabel Loomis Todd. This second series of Poems delivered to the world some of Dickinson's most well-regarded poems, such as "I'm nobody! Who are you?", which displays her sadly underappreciated sense of humor. It also includes a facsimile of Dickinson's handwritten manuscript for "Renunciation" as the frontispiece. The book is in good condition, with soiling to the boards, edge wear present, bumped corners, and mild foxing (mainly at the endpapers).
Walt Whitman: Leaves of Grass. (Boston: Thayer and Eldridge, 1860), first edition of this printing, "Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by WALT WHITMAN, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. Electrotyped at the Boston Stereotype Foundry. Printed by George C. Rand & Avery" on the copyright page, 456 pages, engraved frontis of Whitman, marbled endpapers, half leather binding with marbled boards, gilt titles and spine decoration, marbled page edges, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), Charles E. Perkins ex-libris on the inside front cover, moderate wear to leather surfaces, portion of spine label torn off affecting titles, inside front hinge broken but easily repaired, frontis and title page moderately foxed, else an early copy of this beloved work in good condition.
Rare Double-Signed 25 Volume Author's Edition The Writings of Mark Twain. (London: Chatto and Windus, 1899-1907), first English limited edition numbered 6 of 600, signed in dark ink "SL Clemens (Mark Twain)" on a special limitation page bound in front of volume one, original green cloth with paper spine labels and black titles, gilt top edge, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), generally very good condition with toning to the boards, especially at the spines, some general soiling, and mild foxing throughout. Includes Twain's greatest literary works - The Innocents Abroad, Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer, The Prince and the Pauper, Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and a host of lesser known works.
Set of Books Presented by Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) to His Wife. This lot includes a 16 volume set of the works of George Meredith published in New York by Charles Scribner's Sons issued consecutively from 1899 until 1902. On the front free endpaper of the volume tilted Diana of the Crossways Clemens has written to his wife: "This is Diana who so greatly entertained Theodore & me years ago. (by help of a game.) S. L. C." under which is written in Clemens' hand "Olivia L. Clemens/ 1903". The inscription ends "From S. L. C./ February". In the remaining 15 volumes Clemens has written "Olivia L. Clemens" on each free front endpaper with his flourish underneath the signature. The Theodore mentioned in the inscription may refer to Theodore Crane, Sam Clemens' brother-in-law. Olivia Langdon Clemens was Sam's wife of 34 years. Olivia died in 1904 so this set was given to her in the last days of their marriage. All books are in very good condition, exhibiting only moderate shelf wear. All signatures are neatly written and consistent throughout. This is an excellent opportunity to own a set of books intimately associated with one of our country's most beloved writers.
The Lanthorn Book With Contributions by Stephen Crane, Irving Bacheller, Post Wheeler, John Langdon Heaton and others, (New York, 1898), 4to. (8.25" x 11.25"), original 1/4 suede, paper cover label, uncut. Number 30 of 125 copies. Signed by Crane and five others. With Syracuse Library bookplate, light foxing to endpages, small tear to cover label, otherwise very good to near fine with a sturdy spine.
Charles Dickens: Bleak House. (London: Bradbury and Evans, 1853), first edition, bound from the original parts in two volumes with original advertisements bound in at the back of each volume, 624 pages collectively, illustrations by H. K. Browne, engraved frontis in volume one, full red morocco binding, six spine compartments between raised bands, gilt-tooled ornamentation in four compartments, gilt-ruled borders on both boards, gilt titles, top edge gilt, gilt dentelle, marbled endpapers, with small binder's stamp on verso of ffep reading: "C. J. Sawyer Ltd. 12 Grafton St. W.I.", 8vo (6" x 8.75"), negligible mark of front cover of volume one, else a superb copy in beautiful condition.
Charles Dickens: David Copperfield. (London: Bradbury & Evans, 1850), first edition corresponding to all first state points listed by Smith with the exception of page 132, with the corrected reading "screwed" rather than "screamed", 624 pages, 39 engraved plates by H. K. Browne, full polished calf by Riviere and Son, raised bands, olive and crimson applied leather spine labels with gilt titles, elaborate gilt designs in four spine compartments, thin triple rule gilt borders on front and rear boards, gilt dentelle, marbled endpapers, full gilt edges, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), covers firm and clean, spine slightly rubbed and darkened with gilt still strong and labels complete, text quite tight and very clean with minor toning, plates good with heavier aging and some foxing, several slightly cropped when rebound, else a beautiful copy. This copy is the definitely the first book edition and not bound from parts. There are no extraneous holes at the inner margins which occurred in the parts due to the original thin thread stitching.
Charles Dickens: Little Dorrit. (London: Bradbury and Evans, 1857), first edition, with all first state points including: "William" for "Frederick" on page 317 line 27, B2 instead of BB2 on pp. 371, and "Rigaud" for "Blandois" on pp. 469, 470, 472, and 473, three line errata on page xiv, lacking errata on page 467, 625 pages, 39 plates by H. K. Browne, 19th century blue half calf binding and blue cloth, gilt rules on boards, six spine compartments between raised bands, gilt titles, gilt decorations in four compartments, marbled boards, gilt edges, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), leather rubbed at corners and spine, inside front hinge cracked, pages slightly toned, else very good condition.
Charles Dickens: The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. (London: Chapman and Hall, 1839), first edition, mixed state with half title and list of plates, "visiter" corrected to "sister" on page 123 but "latter" for "letter" still present on page 160, 624 pages, 39 engraved plates by "Phiz.", engraved frontis, full red morocco binding, six spine compartments between raised bands, gilt-tooled ornamentation in four compartments, gilt-ruled borders on both boards, with gilt Charles Dickens portrait in gilt frame on the front board and "Charles Dickens" gilt-tooled in script on the back board, all page edges gilt, gilt dentelle, marbled endpapers, with small binder's stamp on inside front board reading: "Bayntun, Binder, Bath, Eng.", 8vo (5.25" x 8.25"), in superb condition.
Charles Dickens: Our Mutual Friend. (London: Chapman and Hall, 1865), first edition, bound from the original parts in two volumes with original advertisements bound in at the back of each volume, vI 320 pages, vII 309 pages, illustrations by Marcus Stone, engraved frontis in each volume, full red morocco binding, six spine compartments between raised bands, gilt-tooled ornamentation in four compartments, gilt-ruled borders on both boards, gilt titles, top edge gilt, gilt dentelle, marbled endpapers, with small binder's stamp on verso of ffep reading: "Bayntun, Binder, Bath, Eng.", 8vo (6" x 9"), in superb condition.
Charles Dickens: The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club. (London: Chapman and Hall, 1837), first edition, mixed state with various points and two Chapter IIIs, 609 pages, illustrations by R. Seymour and Phiz., full polished calf, six compartments between five raised spine bands, gilt decoration in five compartments, morocco spine label with gilt titles, gilt rules on front and rear boards with floral motif in each corner, gilt dentelle, marbled endpapers, marbled edges, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), external hinges have been repaired, shelf wear to the edges of the boards, corners worn with some loss to leather, light scuffing to boards, moderate foxing throughout especially at the prelims and plates, Sir Thomas Molyneux bookplate on inside front cover, else very good. The name Francis Marion is handwritten on the ffep. This copy could well have been from the library of Francis Marion (1888-1973), an American journalist, author, and screenwriter. She wrote, directed and occasionally appeared in several of Mary Pickford's early movies.
Charles Dickens: A Tale of Two Cities. (London: Chapman and Hall, 1859), first edition, mixed state, with uncorrected "affetcionately" on line, page 134, corrected pagination on page 213, 254 pages, 16 etchings by H. K. Browne, half red calf binding with marbled boards, six spine compartments between raised bands, gilt-tooled ornamentation in five compartments, gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), wear to external hinges, inside front hinge cracked, facsimile Dickens centenary stamp on inside front cover, minor wear to marbled boards, else fine.
Joel Chandler Harris: Uncle Remus: His Songs and Sayings The Folk-Lore of the Old Plantation. (New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1881), first edition, first state with "presumptive" instead of "presumptuous" on page 9, correct ads on page [233], 231 pages, [8] pages of ads, illustrated by Frederick Church and James Moser, green cloth with gilt titles and decoration, butterfly endpapers, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), corners bumped, tiny split at head of spine, contemporary owner's name written in ink on the ffep, else a superb copy with bright, clean boards. This is a beautiful copy with no loss to the gilting and clean internal contents. Laid in the book is a 4" x 6.75" leaf with "Faithfully yours:/Joel Chandler Harris" written at the lower portion. The signature appears to be correct.
Washington Irving: Works of Washington Irving Author's Autograph Edition. (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1895-1897), author's autograph edition limited to 500 copies of which this set is numbered 160 on a special limitation page bound in front, VI of The Alhambra has an original Irving manuscript page bound in after the limitation page, half brown morocco with marbled endpapers, two spine compartments between three raised bands, gilt titles, marble endpapers, gilt top edge, gilt rules on front and back boards, ribbon markers in each volume, untrimmed pages, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), set is in near fine condition with some scuffing to the leather at the head and tail of the spine and minimal shelf wear. A beautiful set containing Irving's works including Life of George Washington, Astoria, Tales of a Traveller, Knickerbocker's History of New York, The Adventures of Captain Bonneville and several others.
Bram Stoker Dracula (Westminster: Archibald Constable and Company, 1897), first edition, 3rd issue (with the Shoulder of Shasta advertisement following the text on page 392), 390 pages, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), original mustard cloth boards with red lettering and design. Inscribed on the front free endpaper "To J. J. Thomson With Best Wishes Bram Stoker 18. Nov 1899". The J. J. Thomson in question may be the renowned English physicist who was the Honorary Professor of Physics, Cambridge and Royal Institution, London. In 1906, he won the Nobel Prize for physics. Accompanying the book is a beautiful and unique hand-made leather slipcase and box by the legendary bookbinders of Sangorski & Sutcliffe with their anthemion located on the bottom of the back cover. This distinguished binding firm, established in 1901 and famed for their elaborate and original bindings worked with gilt fittings and precious stones, is perhaps best known as the creator of a magnificent, jewel-encrusted binding of Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyait which, having taken two years to complete, was lost in 1912 with the sinking of the Titanic. The slipcase is supple black leather with applied white leather to form the stark image of Count Dracula about to feast on the neck of Mina Harker. The slipcase is fully enclosed in a custom box of similar black leather with impressed title lettering on the spine. The case and slipcase are, themselves, a work of art. Though early editions of this book are rarely found, they are typically in rather poor condition. This copy, however, is in very good condition with the typical darkening to the spine, some discoloration to the cover from handling, small areas of the cloth have come loose from the boards near the title area of the front cover, the front and rear hinges are broken but not separated, there is toning to the inside front cover and free front end paper as a result of contact with high-acid content paper (likely newspaper), and the book slightly canted. This is a unique opportunity to own a classic of the horror genre.
Charles Bukowski: The Captain is Out to Lunch and the Sailors Have Taken Over the Ship Illustrated by Robert Crumb. (Santa Rosa: Black Sparrow Press, 1998) First trade edition handbound in boards by Earle Gray, 144pp., 8vo. (6.25" x 9"), number 370 of 426, with an original signed color serigraph portrait of Charles Bukowski by Robert Crumb. With mylar cover, in fine condition.
Michael Crichton Signed Limited Jurassic Park. (Franklin Center: The Franklin Library, 1990), limited first edition exclusively for the members of the Signed 1st Edition Society, 400 pages, bound in black leather with gilt titles and decoration, gilt edges, marbled endpapers, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), signed "Michael Crichton" on the second free endpaper, in fine condition.
Michael Crichton Signed Limited The Lost World. (Franklin Center: The Franklin Library, 1995), limited first edition exclusively for the members of the Signed 1st Edition Society, 393 pages, bound in maroon leather with gilt titles and decoration, gilt edges, marbled endpapers, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), signed "Michael Crichton" on the third free endpaper, in fine condition.
Countee Cullen Signed Limited: The Ballad of the Brown Girl An Old Ballad Retold. (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1927), special edition of 500 copies issued by Opportunity Journal of Negro Life, this copy number 199, signed by the author on the ffep, unpaginated, illustrated by Charles Cullen, tan boards and black cloth shelf back and corners, paper spine label with black titles, printed on French velum, 8vo (6.5" x 9.75"), minimal soiling to covers, pages slightly toned, else near fine.
F. Scott Fitzgerald Inscribed: All the Sad Young Men. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1926), first edition with publisher's seal on copyright page, type flaw on the page number 90, 267 pages, inscribed in verse by Fitzgerald on the ffep "For Lefty and Nora/ The horse and the cart/ The eye and the eyeball/ The spleen and the heart/ The tooth and the dentist/ The wind and the weather/ ---Well that's quite enough/ to say you're together/ F. Scott Fitzgerald", Fitzgerald has also checked six of the nine stories on the contents page and noted by hand "Read the ones marked/ F.S.F.", original green cloth with titles stamped in blind on the cover and spine, ex-lib copy with remnants of card pocket on inside rear board, library markings on the spine have been inked out to blend with the original color of the cloth, pages lightly toned, front hinge starting, ffep with verse tattered on the edge, corners bumped, general soiling to boards, else good condition.
The Lefty and Nora referred to by Fitzgerald in his poetic inscription are certainly Nora and Maurice Flynn of Tryon, North Carolina. Fitzgerald first came to Tryon with his daughter, Scottie, in 1935. The mountain area of western North Carolina was known at that time for the treatment of tuberculosis, and Fitzgerald was worried about his lungs. The Flynn's were acquaintances of Fitzgerald and residents of Tryon. Maurice had been a football star at Yale and a minor movie actor. Nora was the youngest of the celebrated Langhorne sisters, one of whom became Lady Astor, and the other married Charles Dana Gibson and became the model for his Gibson Girl. Fitzgerald's daughter stayed with the Flynn's while he was in Tryon. During his brief stay Fitzgerald wrote a short play, some poetry, and story called "The Intimate Strangers" based on the Flynn's and their marital histories.
The Lefty and Nora referred to by Fitzgerald in his poetic inscription are certainly Nora and Maurice Flynn of Tryon, North Carolina. Fitzgerald first came to Tryon with his daughter, Scottie, in 1935. The mountain area of western North Carolina was known at that time for the treatment of tuberculosis, and Fitzgerald was worried about his lungs. The Flynn's were acquaintances of Fitzgerald and residents of Tryon. Maurice had been a football star at Yale and a minor movie actor. Nora was the youngest of the celebrated Langhorne sisters, one of whom became Lady Astor, and the other married Charles Dana Gibson and became the model for his Gibson Girl. Fitzgerald's daughter stayed with the Flynn's while he was in Tryon. During his brief stay Fitzgerald wrote a short play, some poetry, and story called "The Intimate Strangers" based on the Flynn's and their marital histories.
F. Scott Fitzgerald Association Copy: The Great Gatsby. (New York: Scribner's Sons, 1925), first edition with all correct first issue points, 218 pages, original dark cloth with titles in blind on the front cover and gilt titles on the spine, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), uniform toning to pages throughout, ghosting at the front and rear endpapers, light shelf wear to boards, else very good.
The copy on offer is inscribed on the ffep by Fitzgerald's mother, Mary (Mollie) McQuillan. She has written in large hand "For Mrs. Harlow/ From the mother of the author/ Washington/ July 1925". Included is a personal letter, dated April 7, 2006 from the granddaughter of Mrs. Harlow that details the relationship her grandmother's family had with the Fitzgeralds. There are two original photos, one of Fitzgerald's daughter Scotty, the other of Scotty with Faith Harlow, daughter of Mrs. Harlow at the Harlow's residence, "Journey's End". There are several newspaper clippings with stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald's death on the front and back endpapers. A highly collectible association copy of a rare book.
The copy on offer is inscribed on the ffep by Fitzgerald's mother, Mary (Mollie) McQuillan. She has written in large hand "For Mrs. Harlow/ From the mother of the author/ Washington/ July 1925". Included is a personal letter, dated April 7, 2006 from the granddaughter of Mrs. Harlow that details the relationship her grandmother's family had with the Fitzgeralds. There are two original photos, one of Fitzgerald's daughter Scotty, the other of Scotty with Faith Harlow, daughter of Mrs. Harlow at the Harlow's residence, "Journey's End". There are several newspaper clippings with stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald's death on the front and back endpapers. A highly collectible association copy of a rare book.
John Fowles: The Collector. (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1963), first American edition, 305 pages, jacket design by Tom Adams, light red cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), erasure abrasion on ffep, else fine in a fine price clipped jacket.
Kahlil Gibran Signed Limited: Twenty Drawings by Kahlil Gibran. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1919), first edition 75/100 limited signed copies, unpaginated, introductory essay by Alice Raphael, signed by Gibran on a special limitation page bound in front, color frontis, drawings in black and white, decorative boards, gilt top, folio (9.5" x 12.5"), corners bumped, covers moderately rubbed, else very good.
Ernest Hemingway: For Whom the Bell Tolls. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1940), first edition, "A" on copyright page, second issue with photographer's credit on the jacket photo, 471 pages, beige cloth with black titles, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), spine sunned, some spotting to boards, toned at the pastedowns, ffep creased and straightened, pages toned, else very good in a rubbed and shelf worn unclipped jacket.
Ernest Hemingway: Green Hills of Africa. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1935), first edition, 294 pages, light green cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), text block slightly cocked and shaken, spine sunned, boards toned at the edges, else very good in a chipped, soiled and price clipped jacket. This is a scarce and important first edition.
Ernest Hemingway Inscribed: The Sun Also Rises. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1926), first edition, first state with "stoppped" on page 181, 259 pages, inscribed by Hemingway on the third ffep "To the Johnson's with sincere best wishes, Ernest Hemingway", original black cloth with paper title labels on the front board and spine, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), contemporary gift inscription on the ffep, binding shaken, broken rear interior hinge, cloth boards well worn especially at the corners and edges, spine sunned, spine title label with some loss affecting text, else good condition.
Christopher Isherwood Signed: The Berlin Stories. (New York: New Directions Books, 1954), second printing, 207 pages, signed on the title page "Christopher Isherwood", light gray cloth with maroon titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), only the slightest toning at the edges of the boards, edges lightly toned, else near fine in an unclipped jacket with slight toning on the spine and a few chips at the head and tail of the spine. Contains two short stories about life in 1930s Berlin - The Last of Mr. Norris and Goodbye to Berlin that became the basis for the film Cabaret.
Louis L'Amour: Signed First Edition of Smoke From This Altar. (Oklahoma City: Lusk Publishing Company, 1939), first edition, 62 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering on the front board, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), dust jacket. This regionally published book of poetry by the great master of the Western was L'Amour's first published work. The copy presented here is inscribed and signed on the front free endpaper, "For Miss Erskine Hogue - with best wishes, Louis L'Amour". The book is in very good condition, with minimal edge wear present, and a surprisingly clean textblock. The dust jacket shows some foxing and rubbing to the boards, and minor tears and wrinkling along the edges. Still, this book with the dust jacket is rare in any condition, and the book that introduced the world to a major force in twentieth century fiction.
Harper Lee: Beautiful Inscribed First Edition of To Kill a Mockingbird. (New York: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1960), first edition (Truman Capote photo credit on reverse and Jonathan Daniels quote on back flap), 296 pages, inscribed by the author on the ffep, jacket design by Shirley Smith, brown boards and light green cloth shelf back with brown titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), slightly bumped corners, else about fine in a very good price-clipped jacket with light scuffing to front panel, and light wear at the edges. The book is housed in a gorgeous full leather clamshell case with five raised spine bands and gilt titles and decoration.
First editions of Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel are rare but inscribed editions are rarer still. Nelle Harper Lee grew up in Monroeville, Alabama, next-door to writer Truman Capote, who was raised by his mother's Monroeville cousins, Sook, Callie, Bud and Jennie Faulk. Presumably a presentation copy to Jennie Faulk, perhaps through another former Monroeville neighbor, with "From - /Ellen Hoskins/July 2 -1960" and Lee's inscription "To Jennie/with my best wishes/Nelle Lee". It is notable that Lee has used her first name "Nelle" instead of the usual "Harper", another indication that Lee was inscribing the book to a more intimate or long-term acquaintance. It is also interesting to note that the inscription date is July 2, 1960 and the official publication date of the novel was July 11, 1960. This also lends weight to the theory that the copy on offer was an advance copy available only to intimates of Lee or well-connected individuals.
To Kill a Mockingbird is at one and the same time a coming of age novel and a statement on 1930s-era race relations in the fictional southern town of Maycomb, Alabama. Though Lee has denied that the novel is autobiographical, the character of Atticus Finch closely parallels her own father, childhood friend Truman Capote is said to be the model for the character Dill Harris, and the narrator of the story, the tomboy Scout Finch, is certainly based upon Lee herself. In 1962 the movie version of the novel starring Gregory Peck was released. The movie version, with a screenplay by Horton Foote, won three Academy Awards.
This is a remarkable opportunity to own a unique copy of a work that many consider the greatest American novel and voted "Best Novel of the Century" in a 1999 poll conducted by the Library Journal. From the Ventura Collection.
First editions of Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel are rare but inscribed editions are rarer still. Nelle Harper Lee grew up in Monroeville, Alabama, next-door to writer Truman Capote, who was raised by his mother's Monroeville cousins, Sook, Callie, Bud and Jennie Faulk. Presumably a presentation copy to Jennie Faulk, perhaps through another former Monroeville neighbor, with "From - /Ellen Hoskins/July 2 -1960" and Lee's inscription "To Jennie/with my best wishes/Nelle Lee". It is notable that Lee has used her first name "Nelle" instead of the usual "Harper", another indication that Lee was inscribing the book to a more intimate or long-term acquaintance. It is also interesting to note that the inscription date is July 2, 1960 and the official publication date of the novel was July 11, 1960. This also lends weight to the theory that the copy on offer was an advance copy available only to intimates of Lee or well-connected individuals.
To Kill a Mockingbird is at one and the same time a coming of age novel and a statement on 1930s-era race relations in the fictional southern town of Maycomb, Alabama. Though Lee has denied that the novel is autobiographical, the character of Atticus Finch closely parallels her own father, childhood friend Truman Capote is said to be the model for the character Dill Harris, and the narrator of the story, the tomboy Scout Finch, is certainly based upon Lee herself. In 1962 the movie version of the novel starring Gregory Peck was released. The movie version, with a screenplay by Horton Foote, won three Academy Awards.
This is a remarkable opportunity to own a unique copy of a work that many consider the greatest American novel and voted "Best Novel of the Century" in a 1999 poll conducted by the Library Journal. From the Ventura Collection.
Rare To Kill A Mockingbird Advance Reading Copy With Harper Lee Autograph Note Signed. An extremely rare advance reading copy of Harper Lee's beloved novel To Kill A Mockingbird published by J. B. Lippincott, New York, 1960. This advance copy is complete and unabridged, identical in size with the original first edition, the only difference being the addition of paper covers. It comes housed in a beautiful full leather case with gilt titles. The copy on offer is interesting in that a previous curious owner has removed a pasted down top cover revealing a second, and different cover underneath. It looks as though this procedure was done professionally as there is only some staining left by the glue but no remnants of the glue. The covers vary in virtually every way, but both do contain Truman Capote's endorsement of the book "...so funny, so likeable". This particular copy is in very good condition though the text block is slightly cocked and the pages are toned at the edges. The top cover has been professionally restored with small areas of loss repaired, and some of the affected printing enhanced by hand. Accompanying the book is an undated typed letter from a previous owner to Harper Lee requesting that she sign the copy on offer. Lee responds by adding a handwritten note at the bottom of the original typed letter which says, in part "My eyesight is so poor now that I've stopped signing books....Would you accept a signed book label to put in your book? H. L.". The label signed "Harper Lee" along with the return envelope dated January 17, 2007 is included with the lot. First edition copies of this work are quite scarce, but advance reading copies are virtually nonexistent.
Arthur Miller Signed: Death of a Salesman. (New York: The Viking Press, 1949), first edition, 139 pages, orange cloth with brown lettering on spine and brown stamped binding of the stage set on front board, 8vo (5.75" x 8"), dust jacket (in protective mylar). Signed on the title page. Miller's play was the first to sweep the three major drama awards upon its opening in 1949, namely the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Tony, and the Pulitzer Prize, and continues to inform American culture to this very day. Willy Loman has, does, and will always represent the danger inherent in taking a too-narrow view of the American Dream, as well as revealing the disastrous affects a father's mishandling of his own life can have on his family. The dust jacket of this copy shows some wear to the spines, very slight edge wear, with a 2.5" tear on the front flap (barely noticeable in the mylar). Otherwise, this copy of the first edition is very clean and in about fine condition.
Margaret Mitchell: Gone With the Wind. (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1936), first edition, first issue with "Published May, 1936" on copyright page and Gone with the Wind listed in the second column of the list of publisher's books on the rear of the jacket, 1037 pages, gray cloth with blue titles, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), a beautiful copy with only the slightest shelf wear and in a slightly spine-faded but bright unclipped jacket. The jacket has some wear to the edges and a few small chips, else very good. Included is an original page from the New York Times Book Review dated December 20, 1936 with a story about Margaret Mitchell's phenomenal success with Gone With the Wind.
Vladimir Nabokov: Lolita. (Paris: Olympia Press, 1955), first issue in two volumes, 900 franc price on rear cover of each, vI 188 pages, vII 223 pages, bound in stiff wraps, 12mo (4.5" x 7"), volume one has some spotting on front cover in white border area and fore-edge, volume two is missing the upper corner of the rear cover about 1/2" deep, spines on both volumes are slightly toned, else both volumes tight, contents bright, and in very good condition, housed in a custom clam shell box with matching slipcovers for each volume. An exceptional copy of this extremely rare (and scandalous) novel.
Dorothy Parker Signed Limited: After Such Pleasures. (New York: The Viking Press, 1933), first edition, limited to 250 autographed copies of which this copy is number 29, signed by Parker on a special limitation page bound in front, 232 pages, beige cloth with red decoration and titles, gilt top edge, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), spine significantly foxed, else internal contents bright and tight, very good condition.
Dorothy Parker Signed Limited: Death and Taxes. (New York: The Viking Press, 1931), first edition of an autographed edition limited to 250 copies of which this copy is number 203, signed by Parker on a special limitation page bound in front, 62 pages (some uncut), patterned cloth and red morocco spine label with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.75"), insect damage has resulted in significant loss to cloth on spine, and small portions on the front and rear boards, some foxing at the pastedowns, else good condition in a slipcase as issued. The top edge of the slipcase detached but can be easily repaired.
Dorothy Parker Inscribed: Here Lies: The Collected Stories of Dorothy Parker. (New York: The Literary Guild of America, 1939), first edition, 362 pages, inscribed by Parker on the ffep: "With best wishes to Rosemary Alexander - Dorothy Parker", blue-green cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), light toning to pages, small stains on bottom edge, else very good in a price clipped jacket that has minimal chipping at the edges and a 1" x 3" abrasion on the spine which has affected the author's name.
Ayn Rand Signed Presentation Copy: Atlas Shrugged (New York: Random House, 1957), first edition, first printing, publisher's green cloth, author's initials gilt on front cover, black and gilt label printed on spine, tan endpapers; very gently worn, with dust jacket . Important presentation copy signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint by the author on the front free endpaper: "To Toby and Shirley Holtzman -- / -Cordially-- /Ayn Rand / August 22, 1960." Dust jacket in near fine condition with just a tiny tear and chips at spine, a pristine copy.
Michael Shaara The Killer Angels. (New York: David McKay Company, Inc., 1974), first edition, 374 pages, blue-gray boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Jim Thompson's Rare First Novel: Now and On Earth. (New York: Modern Age Books, 1942), first edition, 306 pages, light brown cloth with light red titles, 8vo (6" x 8"), text block slightly cocked, light shelf wear mainly at the corners, edges slightly dirty, pages slightly toned, binding cracked between pages 124-125, a tear with no loss on page 305, dust jacket tattered at the head and tail of spine and corners, else very good. Original copies of this book are rare in any condition, especially with the dust jacket.
Evelyn Waugh: Officers and Gentlemen. (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1955), first American edition, 339 pages, light blue cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), fine in a near fine unclipped jacket.
Eando Binder: Signed First Edition of The Cancer Machine. (Millheim, Pennsylvania: The Bizarre Series, nd [1940]), first edition, 30 pages, green wrappers with black lettering on front cover, 16mo (4.5" x 6"). Signed "Eando Binder" on the half-title page. Designated the third volume in the Bizarre series along with A. Merritt's Three Lines of Old French and David Keller's The Thing in the Cellar (offered elsewhere in this catalog). The book is in very good condition, especially the internal text. The covers show one small tear at the top right of the front cover, presumably from a past price sticker.
Pierre Boulle: First American Edition of Planet of the Apes. (New York: The Vanguard Press, Inc., 1963), first edition, 246 pages, black cloth shelf back and gray paper boards with orange, white, and gray lettering and decoration on the spine and boards, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), price-clipped dust jacket (in protective Mylar). This copy is near very good, with light soiling to the textblock edges, a tear to the rear flap of the dust jacket, and general edge wear and rubbing of the boards. Previous owner's gift inscription on the front free endpaper. Spine is slightly shelf-cocked and shows some sunning.
William Gibson Uncorrected Proof: Neuromancer. (New York: Ace Science Fiction Books, 1984), uncorrected proof of the true first edition, 271 pages, wraps, 8vo (5.25" x 8.25"), fine. Hailed as the pioneering "cyberpunk" novel, it won the Hugo, the Nebula, and the Philip K. Dick Award- a never before accomplished feat at that time. It slips in at number 100 on David Pringle's list of 100 best science fiction novels.
Maxwell Grant: Author's Personal Copy of The Living Shadow. (New York: Street and Smith Publications, Inc., 1931), first edition, 245 pages, pictorial boards, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), no dust jacket (as issued). This is the first appearance of The Shadow in book form; the story was published earlier in 1931 in The Shadow Magazine. Here we present a true rarity: like The Shadow Laughs offered elsewhere in this catalog, this is an author's copy of The Living Shadow, which belonged to Walter Gibson, the real man behind the pseudonym Maxwell Grant. This very book was auctioned in 1995 at a prominent New York auction house, and is available again for the first time since then. It is in very good condition, with light edge wear present, and mild age-toning to the textblock edges.
Maxwell Grant: Author's Personal Copy of The Shadow Laughs. (New York: Street and Smith Publications, Inc., 1931), first edition, 252 pages, pictorial boards, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), no dust jacket (as issued). This is the first hardcover edition of a story previously published in The Shadow Magazine. Here we present a true rarity: like The Living Shadow offered elsewhere in this catalog, this is an author's copy of The Shadow Laughs, which belonged to Walter Gibson, the real man behind the pseudonym Maxwell Grant. This very book was auctioned in 1995 at a prominent New York auction house, and is available again for the first time since then.The book is in near very good condition, with minor edge wear present, lightly rubbed boards, and some age-toning to the textblock.
David H Keller: Signed First Edition of The Thing in the Cellar. (Millheim, Pennsylvania: The Bizarre Series, nd [1940]), first edition, 32 pages, embossed wrappers with blue lettering on front cover, 16mo (4.5" x 6"). Signed "David H. Keller M.D." on the half-title page. Designated the third volume in the Bizarre series along with A. Merritt's Three Lines of Old French and Eando Binder's The Cancer Machine (offered elsewhere in this catalog). Contains the Keller story "The Thing in the Cellar", two poems, an interview, and a short piece by Keller concerning the psychology behind the titular story. The book is in very good condition, especially the internal text. The covers show mild soiling, and one small tear at the top right of the front cover, presumably from a past price sticker.
Kenneth Robeson [Lester Dent]: The Land of Terror. (New York: Street & Smith Publications, Inc., 1933), first edition, 252 pages, first and last leaves used as front and rear pastedowns, original pictorial boards, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), small 1" tear on title page, pages browned as usual, corners lightly bumped, spine slightly faded, else a beautiful copy of a fragile book. From the Walter Gibson collection previously auctioned in 1995 at a prominent New York auction house.
Two Versions of Frankenstein Illustrated With Lynd Ward Wood Engravings. Two handsome volumes of a special edition of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus published by Harrison Smith and Robert Haas, New York, 1934. Each volume is 8vo (6.5" x 9.75") and illustrated throughout the text with Lynd Ward's wonderful wood engravings. While the contents of each volume are identical, the issue of binding differs significantly. One copy is bound in white cloth with a narrow black and blue Ward illustration of Frankenstein on the cover. This copy is housed in a light blue slipcase with a Ward wraparound illustration. The book is about fine but the slipcase is toned on the spine and has moderate shelf wear. The other copy is bound in blue cloth with a black and white Ward illustration on the cover. This copy was issued with a matching dust jacket. The internal contents are slightly toned, a former owner's name is written in ink on the ffep, else the book is near fine in a jacket that is chipped at the edges, especially the head and tail of spine, and is soiled in one or two places. Lynd Kendall Ward (1905-85) was an American artist and storyteller, and son of Methodist minister and prominent political organizer Harry F. Ward. He illustrated some 200 juvenile and adult books. In addition to wood engraving Ward also worked in watercolor, oil, brush, and ink, lithography and mezzotint.
Hanns Heinz Ewers: Alraune. (New York: The John Day Company, 1929), first edition of 3000 copies, 342 pages, translated from the German by S. Guy Endore, slightly erotic illustrations by Mahlon Blaine, original black cloth with red art nouveau illustration on front board, pictorial endpapers, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"). Alraune was inspired by an old German legend, and is widely considered to be a different take on Frankenstein. The difference in this version is that the "monster" is created when a doctor curious about heredity artificial inseminates a prostitute with the seed of a hanged murderer. The baby girl, title character Alraune, grows up with no emotional attachment to the world around her, and avenges herself on the doctor who created her when she finds out her origins. This copy is good, with corners frayed, head and tail of spine frayed, binding shaken, inside rear hinge cracked, binding broken in many places, gilt worn from spine, general shelf wear, toning to edges, pencil marks on the half title page.
H. G. Wells: In the Days of the Comet. (Leipzig: Bernhard Tauchnitz, 1906), so-called Tauchnitz edition, volume 3927 in the collection of British and American authors, 319 pages, marbled paper wraps with black titles, 16mo (4.5" x 6.25"), covers still remain precariously attached, pages and page edges toned, else very good.
H.G. Wells: First American Edition of The War of the Worlds. (New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1898), first American edition, 291 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering on spine and front board along with black and light green decoration on front board, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), no dust jacket (as issued). The copy presented here is in good condition, with noticeable edge wear present, especially at the spine ends. Cloth shows light soiling, and there is mild age-toning to the textblock edges. Rear hinge starting, and previous library stamp on both endpapers. Spine is slightly shelf-cocked and sunned. Still, the textblock is largely free of flaws on this handsome first U.S. edition of Wells' masterwork.
Limited Edition Set of the Works of H. G. Wells Atlantic Edition, Signed by the Author. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1924), 28 volumes, published for the American market, limited to 1,050 numbered sets of which this set is number 434, signed by Wells on a special limitation page bound in volume one, green boards and cloth shelf back with paper spine labels, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), cloth shelf backs toned, paper spine labels toned and worn with some loss to titles, general shelf wear, else very good. Includes Wells' more well-known stories such as War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, and a host of lesser known works.
Novelization of King Kong by Delos W. Lovelace. Conceived by Edgar Wallace and Merian C. Cooper. (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1932), first edition, 249 pages, green cloth with dark brown lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), no dust jacket. This novelization, based on the screenplay by James Creelman and Ruth Rose, actually appeared before the movie was released in 1933, and is a much sought-after book for collectors. The endpapers are illustrated by stills from the original film. This copy is in good condition, with some soiling to the boards and textblock edges, bumped corners, a sunned spine, and edge and spine wear present. One bump visible to the top edge of the front board. Previous owner's stamp on front pastedown. Hinges shaken, but not loose. Still, the text pages are very clean in this first novelization of the groundbreaking 1933 King Kong, a book that is scarce in any condition.
Lt. Dick Calkins and Phil Nowlan Pop-up Book: Buck Rogers in The Dangerous Mission. (New York: Blue Ribbon Press, 1934), first edition, 59 pages, illustrated, beautiful color pop-up at center, pictorial boards, 32mo (4" x 5"), minimal toning to contents, only insignificant scuffing and soiling to boards, else fine.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Very Rare Photo-Offset Numbered First Edition of The Girl from Farris's in Black Leatherette. (Tacoma, Washington: The Wilma Company, 1959), first edition, title page plus 47 text pages, black leatherette binding, approximately 3.75" x 4.25". This is a very exciting Burroughs collectible. In 1959, having discovered that the copyright had lapsed on this particular story, a group of Burroughs fans in Tacoma photo-offset the text from All-Story Weekly, reduced it to a sixth of its size, and bound 250 copies. This is one of the even-rarer copies bound in black leatherette, and like both the 1927 Volland Company copy and the 1935 Whitman Publishing Company copy of Tarzan Twins offered elsewhere in this catalog, it is from the Sam Moskowitz collection, sold in 1999 at a prominent New York auction house. It is numbered "24" in blue ink on the limitation page at the rear of the book. The book is in very good condition, though the rear endpaper is starting to separate. This is a truly amazing Burroughs first edition from the collection of one of science fiction's greatest fans.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Tales of Three Planets. (New York: Canaveral Press, 1964), first edition, 282 pages, blue cloth with black lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Illustrated by Roy G. Krenkel. The book presented here collects a few stories discovered years after Burroughs' death. This copy is in good condition, with some edge wear present, light soiling to the dust jacket, and a shelf-cocked spine. The text itself is very clean.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Tarzan and the Foreign Legion. (Tarzana, California: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, 1947), first edition, 314 pages, blue embossed cloth with red lettering on spine and front board, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), dust jacket. Dust jacket and interior illustrations by Burroughs' son John Coleman Burroughs. Tarzan and the Foreign Legion was the last Tarzan story completed by Burroughs and published in his lifetime. At the time Burroughs wrote the story, he was living in Hawaii and working as a war correspondent for United Press. In fact, Burroughs was the oldest correspondent in the Pacific theater. Tarzan and the Foreign Legion resulted from his experiences there, especially the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (which Burroughs witnessed), and Burroughs time in Java. The book is in very good condition, with minimal edge wear and corner rubbing to the book. The dust jacket shows edge wear and mild chipping at the spine ends and bottom edge. The textblock is clean and tight on this essential Burroughs first edition.
First Edgar Rice Burroughs Paperback: Tarzan in the Forbidden City. (Los Angeles: Bantam Books, 1940), first paperback edition, 100 pages, wrappers, 16mo (4.25" x 6"). This book is an abridged edition of story first published in 1938. It was part of a series of paperbacks printed by Bantam and sold in vending machines at airports. The copy presented here is one of the early green cover printings with a blue title plate, the red rooster in a blue circle, and a green spine with black lettering. The book is in good condition, with some paper loss around the edges, especially at the spine ends. There is also light soiling, but this is overall a very attractive copy of the rare first-ever Burroughs paperback.
Edgar Rice Burroughs Signed: Tarzan the Magnificent. (Tarzana, CA: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., 1939), later edition, 318 pages, signed by Burroughs on the free front end paper, illustrated by John Coleman Burroughs, tan cloth with blue titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), light scorch mark at the top of the fore edge, else near fine. Laid in the book is a small typed note from the publisher which reads in part "This book is one of the few survivors of a near-disastrous fire that occurred in our storeroom on Saturday, May 3, 1958. The fire started as a result of the spontaneous combustion of old Tarzan motion pictures printed on nitrate film."
Edgar Rice Burroughs: The Big Big Book Edition of Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins with Jad-Bal-Ja the Golden Lion. (Racine, Wisconsin: Whitman Publishing Company, 1936), first binding with "TARZAN", a small circular picture of Tarzan, and "EDGAR/RICE/BURROUGHS/4056" printed on the spine, 314 pages, pictorial boards, 8vo (approximately 7.5" x 9.5"), no dust jacket (as issued). The copy presented here is in very good condition, with light rubbing to the boards and spine, a small nick on the cover at the "A" in "TARZAN", and general age-toning to the textblock. Still, this wonderful book is scarce in this condition, and a nice addition to any Burroughs library.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: The Tarzan Twins. (Joliet, IL: The P. F. Volland Company, 1927), third edition, 126 pages, illustrated by Douglas Grant, pictorial boards with blue cloth shelf back, pictorial endpapers, 8vo (6.5" x 8.5"). Like the leatherette-bound copy of The Girl from Farris's and the 1935 Whitman Publishing Company copy of Tarzan Twins offered elsewhere in this catalog, this very book is from the Sam Moskowitz collection, sold in 1999 at a prominent New York auction house. This is a beautiful, bright copy with minimal wear to the boards at the edges, light toning to page edges, light spotting to spine, and a former owner's small personal library ink stamp on inside front cover.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Paperback Premium Big Little Book Edition of Tarzan Twins. (Racine, Wisconsin: Whitman Publishing Company, 1935), 47 pages, staplebound with pictorial card stock covers, approximately 5.5" x 3.5". This is a Big Little Book reprint of the Burroughs story originally published in 1927, and like the leatherette-bound copy of The Girl from Farris's and the 1927 Volland Company copy of Tarzan Twins offered elsewhere in this catalog, it is from the Sam Moskowitz collection, sold in 1999 at a prominent New York auction house. A rare opportunity to find this Burroughs collectible in very good to near mint condition from the collection of one of science fiction's pioneering fans.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Blue Book Magazine Premium Tarzan at the Earth's Core. Reprinted from the September, 1929 Blue Book Magazine, 16 pages, pictorial paper wraps, 16mo (5" x 6.5"), light wear to covers, else very good. Extracted from the September Blue Book Magazine and offered at no cost to entice readers to buy the magazine and read the remaining installments. Premiums of this sort rarely survive in this or any condition.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: 1924 German Language First Edition of Tarzan bei den Affen [Tarzan of the Apes]. (Stuttgart: Dieck & Co., 1924), first edition, 272 pages, green cloth spine and illustrated paper boards, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), no dust jacket. The copy presented here is in good condition, with moderately loose boards, noticeable edge wear, and light foxing and soiling present on the book and textblock edges.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Czech-Language Omnibus Edition with Son of Tarzan, Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar , and Jungle Tales of Tarzan. (Prague, 1921), 815 total pages, red cloth library binding with an illustrated title plate pasted down to each board, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), no dust jacket (as issued). Illustrated throughout with full-page engravings. The book is in good condition, with noticeable rubbing to the boards and the illustrated title plates, some edge wear and bumped corners. The textblock shows some age-toning as well, and the hinges are somewhat loose. Still, this is a rare item for the Burroughs completist.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: The Illustrated Tarzan Book No. 1 Picturized From the Novel Tarzan of the Apes. (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1929), first edition, first state, 79 pages, illustrated by Harold Foster, pictorial boards and green cloth shelf back, 8vo (7" x 8.75"), corners bumped and frayed, especially the bottom corners, internal contents lightly toned but sound, else very good in a jacket that has suffered loss at the corners and at the head and tail of spine, some splits at folds, uniformly toned, old price stamp on front cover, else good.
Kaufman-Straus Co., Inc. Circa 1918 Bookstore Catalog with Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar on the Cover. This delightful piece of ephemera was sold by Kaufman-Straus of Louisville, Kentucky, and informed its customers of upcoming book releases. Measuring approximately 3.5" x 6.25", this catalog has a reproduction of the front cover of Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar on its cover, and lists four other Burroughs titles in the body of the catalog, all previously published. Since the first book edition of Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar was published in April, 1918, we can assume that this catalog was printed later that same year. The catalog itself is in near very good condition, with very mild soiling and wear to the covers, and two small tears to the right side of the front cover, which have been repaired on the inside with clear tape. This is a truly fascinating piece of Burroughs ephemera fit for the collection of any Tarzan completist.
Circa 1927 Grosset & Dunlap Tarzan Bookmark. Measuring 2" x 6.75", this is a unique and nostalgic piece of Burroughs ephemera. The front of the book mark is red and shows a Grosset & Dunlap advertisement for their 75 cent editions of Burroughs books over a black and white illustration of Tarzan. The reverse side lists the 29 Burroughs books published up until the time of the release of this bookmark, the last of which chronologically, in Burroughs publishing career, was Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, released in 1927. As a result, we date this bookmark around 1927, as no later releases are mentioned. This handsome bookmark is near mint, with only a couple of surface flaws visible if one really looks for them.
Richard A. Lupoff: Edgar Rice Burroughs: Master of Adventure. (New York: Canaveral Press, 1965), first edition, 295 pages, illustrated with artwork from Burroughs' books, multi-colored striped boards and green cloth shelf back with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), light toning to edges, else fine in a very good unclipped jacket.
Virtually Unfolded Original Dust Jacket for Edgar Rice Burroughs's Back to the Stone Age. Burroughs' son, John Coleman Burroughs illustrated the wrap-around dust jacket presented here, originally intended to protect the first edition of Back to the Stone Age, published in 1937. Earlier that year, the story had been published in Argosy Weekly. The rear flap of this dust jacket contains an advertisement for another Burroughs novel, The Oakdale Affair, and the spine shows a red hieroglyph, which only appeared on the first edition dust jacket. The jacket measures approximately 19.5" x 7.75", and is in mint condition but for a single fold of the spine-rear panel line, probably done for storage purposes.
Virtually Unfolded Original Dust Jacket for Edgar Rice Burroughs' Carson of Venus. The dust jacket presented here was illustrated by Burroughs' son John Coleman Burroughs. The rear panel and flap show an advertisement for Tarzan and the Forbidden City, published by Burroughs the previous year. The jacket measures 19.75" x 7.75". The jacket was originally meant to accompany the 1939 first edition of Carson of Venus, the third installment of Burroughs' Venus series, and first serialized in Argosy Weekly between January and February of 1938. The jacket is mint and unfolded but for a single left spine fold, probably by a previous owner for storage purposes.
Virtually Unfolded Original Dust Jacket for Edgar Rice Burroughs' Pirates of Venus. This dust jacket was illustrated by legendary science fiction and fantasy artist J. Allen St. John. The rear panel and flap show an advertisement for two previously released Burroughs titles. The jacket measures approximately 18" x 7.5", and was originally meant to accompany the 1934 first edition of Pirates of Venus, the first entry in Burroughs' Venus (or Amtor) series. It was originally serialized between September and October in Argosy Weekly. The jacket is mint and unfolded but for a single left spine fold, probably folded for storage by a previous owner.
Unfolded Original Dust Jacket for Edgar Rice Burroughs' Synthetic Men of Mars. Both the jacket and spine illustrations were the work of ERB's son, John Coleman Burroughs. The rear panel lists "The Novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs" published up to 1940. The rear flap is an advertisement for another Burroughs novel to be released in 1940, Tarzan the Magnificent. The unfolded jacket measures approximately 19.5" x 7.75", and is for the 1940 first edition of Synthetic Men of Mars, a John Carter of Mars story serialized the year before in Argosy Weekly. The dust jacket offered here is in mint condition, rare for any Burroughs release, whether book or dust jacket.
Virtually Unfolded Original Dust Jacket for Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan and the Forbidden City. The dust jacket presented here was illustrated by Burroughs' son John Coleman Burroughs. Interestingly, the model for the damsel in distress on the front panel was John Coleman Burroughs' wife, Jane Ralston. The jacket measures approximately 19.5" x 7.75", and was meant to accompany the 1938 first edition of Tarzan and the Forbidden City. The story had been serialized earlier that same year in Argosy Weekly as The Red Star of Tarzan. The jacket is mint and unfolded but for a single left spine fold, probably folded for storage by a previous owner.
Original Unfolded Dust Jacket and Virtually Unfolded Two-Color Test Print Dust Jacket for Robert Heinlein's The Green Hills of Earth. These dust jackets represent the second collaboration between Heinlein and Shasta Publishers, and the unfolded finished dust jacket was intended to protect the first edition of The Green Hills of Earth, published in 1951. Each measures approximately 20.75" x 8.25". As with both of the other Heinlein-Shasta publications, this dust jacket was illustrated by Hubert Rogers. The finished dust jacket is unfolded and in near mint condition, with minute staining on the rear panel. The two-color test print is in very good condition, with folds at the rear panel-spine fold, minimal bottom edge wear, and a diagonal crease to the front panel. Still, an incomplete state of a Heinlein jacket is rare in any condition. This is a truly remarkable pair of dust jackets.
Unfolded Original Dust Jacket for Robert Heinlein's The Man Who Sold the Moon. Heinlein only published three titles with Shasta, all were part of his Future History series, and the dust jacket presented here is for the first of those three collections, The Man Who Sold the Moon. The jacket measures approximately 20.25" x 8.25", and was originally intended to protect the 1950 first edition of the book. The jacket illustration, which encompasses the spine as well was illustrated by Hubert Rogers, one of the most lauded and important science fiction artists of the mid-twentieth century. The jacket is near fine, with very minimal wear to the top edge.
Unfolded Original Dust Jacket for Robert Heinlein's Revolt in 2100. This is an unfolded dust jacket for the third and final Heinlein-Shasta collaboration, and was also illustrated by prolific science fiction artist Hubert Rogers. This jacket was intended to be released with the first edition of Revolt in 2100, published by Shasta in 1953. It measures approximately 20.5" x 8.25". The jacket is mint, with one very small .25" tear along the front flap.
Unfolded Original Two-Color Proof Dust Jacket for Murray Leinster's Sidewise in Time. The dust jacket presented here for Shasta Publishers was beautifully illustrated and designed by legendary and prolific fantasy and science fiction illustrator Hannes Bok (a pseudonym for Wayne Woodard). In fact, one can find Bok's signature style on the covers of a great percentage of Shasta's more famous and lasting titles. Interestingly, he also illustrated Shasta's logo. This dust jacket measures 19.75" x 8", and displays the first two colors of the three-color process, but is missing the yellow application. The unfolded dust jacket offered here is in mint condition.
Two Bound Volumes of All-Story Weekly Pulps From 1916 With Complete Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar Serialization. Includes Volume LXIV, numbers 1 through 4 (October 28-November 18, 1916), and Volume LXV, numbers 1 through 4 (November 25-December 16, 1916), as published by the Frank A. Munsey Company in New York. The volumes have been professionally bound with marbled boards and a black cloth shelf back. An original issue cover has been pasted to the front of each volume. Additional covers are bound in front of each volume. The internal contents are toned, the cover of one volume has separated at the front hinge but is still attached to the spine (easily repaired), yet the contents are sound. The bindings have shelf wear and some discoloration on the cloth at the spine, else they are in very good condition. Many consider All-Story Weekly to be the first American pulp magazine.
Two Bound Volumes of The Cosmopolitan Magazine With the Complete Serialization of H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds. The November, 1896 through December, 1897 issues of The Cosmopolitan with all 22 chapters of Wells' classic work with illustrations by Warwick Goble. The issues are bound in a black half leather binding and black boards with gilt titles. Each of the two volumes is 8vo (7" x 9.5") and only have the slightest shelf wear. In addition to the Wells fiction there are many interesting stories and illustrations covering the spectrum of fashion, history and current events.
Large Group of The Cosmopolitan Magazine 1897-1906 With H. G. Wells Serializations. In its infancy, The Cosmopolitan bore little resemblance to the iconic women's magazine it has become. Started in 1886 as a "first class" family magazine, it featured articles on fashion, management of children, and under the editorship of John Brisben Walker, it became a leading market for fiction. Included in the 13 issues of this lot are serializations by H.G. Wells, including the October, 1897 issue with chapters 17 through 19 of the serialization of War of the Worlds and several installments of The Food of the Gods. All issues are in very good condition with the usual toning to the covers and chipping at the spine. However, the internal contents are bright and sound.
Two 1897 Pearson's Magazine Bound Volumes with Complete Serialization of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds. (London: C. Arthur Pearson Ltd., 1897), two volumes, Volume III: 708 pages plus Index, Volume IV: 752 pages plus Index, tan half-leather with darker embossed leather boards and gilt lettering on the spines, 8vo (approximately 7" x 9.5"). Contains the entire 1897 run of Pearson's, most notable for the complete serialization of Wells' early science fiction classic, The War of the Worlds. The volumes are in generally good condition, with some edge and corner wear noticeable, and minimal foxing and age toning, mostly to the endpapers. Both bindings are mildly shaken, and the leather along the spines is somewhat loose, especially on Volume IV. Both textblocks are largely free of any flaw, making this a truly rare chance to acquire, all at once, Wells' immortal story as it was originally published.
Two Bound Volumes of 1898-1899 Pearson's Magazine with Flaxman Low Real Ghost Stories. (London: C. Arthur Pearson Ltd., 1898-1899), two volumes, Volume V: 680 pages, Volume VII: 680 pages plus Index, blue-green embossed cloth with gilt lettering on the spines, 8vo (7" x 9.5"). Contains several installments of Flaxman Low's ghost tales. The volumes are in generally very good condition, with some edge wear present, and minimal foxing and age toning, mostly to the endpapers. Both bindings are mildly shaken.
Bound Set of Pearson's Magazine From 1899 including the January to June, 1899 issues as published by G. Arthur Pearson, Limited, London. Each issue contains works of serial fiction, tales of science, history, art, and current affairs. Among many of the interesting stories is an early account of submarines entitled "Under Water in a Diving Torpedo-Boat"; a story on Germany's use of dogs in war, an interesting account of what the famous authors of the day did for fun (Arthur Conan Doyle cycled), and many examples of series fiction including "The Adventures of Captain Kettle". Perhaps most importantly, the June 1899 issue includes the very last original Flaxman Low story, famous for being the first occult detective in English literature. The volumes are bound in a half leather binding with gilt titles. The exterior front hinge is broken and the leather is rubbed, especially at the corners. The inside front hinge has just started to crack but the internal contents are sound and bright.
Five Science and Invention Magazines Published by Hugo Gernsback. (New York: Experimenter Publishing Company, Inc., 1923-1928), all measure approximately 8.75" x 11.75". Includes the following issues: August 1923, February 1924, May 1925, November 1925, and July 1928. Before he ensured himself immortality in the science fiction community with Amazing Stories, Hugo Gernsback published magazines devoted almost exclusively to practical scientific matters. Over the years, more and more "scientific fiction" seeped into Gernsback's publications, beginning with the August, 1923 issue (one of the issues offered here). Such pioneers of science fiction as Gernsback himself, Ray Cummings, and A. Merritt can be found in the issues in this lot. And in a certain sense, Science and Invention was the predecessor to Amazing Stories, even though Gernsback continued to publish both simultaneously, leaving the focus on "real" science in Science and Invention. In addition, most of the cover illustrations in these magazines were fantasy or science fiction in nature, often depicting scenes later made famous on the covers of countless fantasy and science fiction pulp titles. The magazines in this lot are in very good to near mint condition, with only minimal edge wear present, understandable for periodicals from the 1920s. This is a truly gorgeous collection of rare early science fiction.
Ten Bound Volumes of The Strand Magazine from Selected Years Between 1892-1909. (London: George Newnes, Ltd., 1892-1909), all volumes around 800 pages each, light blue cloth with gilt and black lettering and decoration on spine and front board, some edges gilt, 8vo (7" x 9.5"). In a way, The Strand Magazine was the periodical that Sherlock Holmes built (and to a certain degree, vice versa). With hindsight, at least, the first publication of a great percentage of the Sherlock Holmes stories has become The Strand's legacy. The 1904 volume offered here includes four Holmes stories later among those collected in The Return of Sherlock Holmes: "The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez", "The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter", "The Adventure of the Abbey Grange", and "The Adventure of the Second Stain". Other volumes in this lot contain some of Arthur Conan Doyle's Round the Fire stories, as well as tales by W.W. Jacobs, E. Nesbit, and Arthur Quiller-Couch, among numerous others. Overall, the volumes are good to very good. Most show some shelf wear and light foxing, mostly to the endpapers. Both the 1892 and 1908 volumes have detached spines, and a couple of volumes have loose hinges. Still, this assortment of bound original Strand magazines is an attractive addition to any collection of Sherlock Holmes or late-nineteenth century British literature.
Assortment of 16 Bound Volumes of The Strand Magazine from Between 1891-1903, Including the First Ever Strand Appearance of Sherlock Holmes! (London: George Newnes Ltd., 1891-1903), various paginations, most in dark green half-leather with embossed decorative boards and red leather title plates on spine, last two volumes in unmatched half-leather binding, 8vo (6.75" x 9.75"). The first volume of this wonderful assortment contains Arthur Conan Doyle's "A Scandal in Bohemia", the very first appearance of Sherlock Holmes in the magazine that became synonymous with the great detective's name. Also included in this great volume of The Strand are five more wondrous Sherlock Holmes stories, all eventually collected in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. In fact, the first four volumes (all from The Adventures) and the last volume (from The Return of Sherlock Holmes) have Holmes stories in them. The last volume here includes the 1903 story "The Adventure of the Empty House", in which Doyle revealed to a Holmes-mad public that the wizard of Baker Street did not die at the Reichenbach Falls. In truth, Doyle had hoped to kill off his most successful literary creation, but the public would not stand for it. Doyle relented, and "The Adventure of the Empty House" is the first story of the second half of Sherlock Holmes' career. Accompanying the Holmes-Strand stories, as always, are Sidney Paget's amazing and seminal Holmes illustrations. In general, these bound volumes are in good condition. A number of them display some foxing, mainly at the beginning and end of the textblocks, and edge, corner, and spine wear. The spines on five of the volumes have varying degrees of separation at the hinges, with a couple completely separated. Still, this assortment of bound volumes offers a unique opportunity for the Holmes collector to acquire many of the original Strand stories as they were first presented to the public.
Early John Quincy Adams Speech, "An Address to the Members of the Massachusetts Fire Society, at Their Annual Meeting, May 28, 1802.", (Boston: Russell & Cutler, 1802), 26 pp., 8vo ( 5" x 9"), sewn paper covers. Adams was a 35 year-old Boston lawyer with considerable diplomatic experience when he delivered this speech warning that "...a wooden city is a vast tinder-box, kindling at every transient spark an immense mass of phial'd phosphorus blazing out by mere communication with the air." Switching from the subject of fire control to that of patriotism, Adams continued, "....To preserve, to strengthen, to perpetuate this union, is the first political duty, as it ought to be the highest glory of every American." Moisture stains on cover, even browning. Overall quite sound and in fine condition.
Marquis de Lafayette Memorial Booklet, "Oration on the Life and Character of Gilbert Motier De Lafayette. Delivered at the request of Both Houses of the Congress of the United States, Before Them, in the House of Representatives at Washington, on the 31st of December, 1834. By John Quincy Adams, a Member of the House." (Washington: Gales & Seaton, 1835), 94 pp., 4to (5.5." x 10"), paper covers. Moderate browning and chipping to cover, some light internal foxing. Overall very good condition. Lafayette had been elevated to the status of an American Revolutionary icon given his services as a major general during the war and by virtue of his close, lifelong friendship with George Washington. His May, 1834 death plunged the young American nation into mourning and prompted this eulogy delivered by ex-President John Q. Adams.
George Washington's "Spurious Letters" Pamphlet, 44 pp., 5" x 9", "Letters From General Washington to Several of His Friends in June and July, 1776. In Which is Set Forth, an Interesting View of American Politics, at That All-Important Period (Philadelphia: The "Federal Press", 1795). The preface to this tidy piece of anti-Federalist propaganda states that: "The following letters are, at this time, republished from a Boston Edition, now out of print, as furnishing an interesting appendix to the Official Letters of General Washington, which have lately made their appearance." Several "letters" appearing here, primarily those addressed to Lund (a distant relation) and Martha Washington, profess serious doubts as to the Patriot cause and the American political machine. Distrust of Virginia's northern allies is also a recurring theme. At face value, the letters detract from Washington's status and, in doing so, make the American experiment itself questionable. Interestingly, these letters were cataloged as forgeries by John C. Fitzpatrick and do appear along with genuine letters in his monumental "Writings of George Washington". The first edition of this pamphlet was printed in London in 1776 and was subsequently issued in British-held portions of North America. Reprints, such as this specimen, appeared during Washington's presidency as a means to discredit him. Overall browning as expected, light foxing and chipped paper wraps. Very good condition.
The Life of George Washington. Maps and Subscriber's Names. 18 pp. text with ten double-page fold-out black and white maps, 9" x 11", (Philadelphia: C. P. Wayne, 1807), marbled covers, leather spine. Library plate inside cover claims ownership by William Gookin of Rutledge (Vermont). Front cover worn and separated, moderate foxing throughout, binding somewhat loose. Internally very good and in overall good condition. This important map collection supplements Chief Justice John Marshall's 1807 biography of Washington by giving the reader visual points of reference to Washington's Revolutionary War battles. The subscriber list is, in and of itself, a fascinating parade of period luminaries.
1812 Presidential Election Booklet, "Hamilton to the Federalists of the United States on the Choice of a President."(New York: Self-published, 1812), 27 pp., 8vo (5.75" x 9"), paper covers. The author of this anti-DeWitt Clinton tirade was either a Hamilton or, more likely, used the great Federalist's surname to hide behind. A pro-war supporter of James Madison, this "Hamilton" writes in small part: "A deep shade of deception is palpable in the whole course of Mr. Clinton's life...He polluted the pure fountain of public honours with 'filth and offal'...Let this monster of Clintonian birth be strangled in its infancy, before strength and vigour enable it to destroy you." Originally bound with string; however it's now loose. Light foxing and minor stains, uneven edges as made. Very good condition.
Journals of Congress Containing their Proceedings From January 1, 1777 to January 1, 1778, Vol. III (Philadelphia, Folwell's Press, 1800), Bound in leather, with red Morocco and gilt spine label, 8vo. (5.25" x 8.5"), 486pp. Originally from the library of Francis Asbury Dickins (1804-1901), and bearing Dickins's signature both on leather cover and title page. Dickins worked in various positions in service to the government within his capacity as a lawyer, most notably acting as agent for the U.S. War and Treasury departments. As a planter in Fairfax County, Virginia, Dickins remained a Southern sympathizer throughout the Civil War. He was imprisoned three times on suspicion of aiding the South and ultimately left home to spend the final days of the war behind Confederate lines.
Additional book plates and labels identify this book as having been gifted to the Framingham Historical Society by George H. Davis. The Society's library acquisition label remains on the spine: "328.739". Light crack at spine, some foxing and toning, otherwise attractive and in good condition.
Additional book plates and labels identify this book as having been gifted to the Framingham Historical Society by George H. Davis. The Society's library acquisition label remains on the spine: "328.739". Light crack at spine, some foxing and toning, otherwise attractive and in good condition.
Journals of Congress Containing their Proceedings From January 1, 1778 to January 1, 1779, Vol. IV (Philadelphia, Folwell's Press, 1800), Bound in leather, with red Morocco and gilt spine label, 8vo. (5.25" x 8.5"), 537pp. Originally from the library of Francis Asbury Dickins (1804-1901), with Dickins's signature both on leather cover and title page.
Additional book plates and labels identify this book as having been gifted to the Framingham Historical Society by George H. Davis. Worn, but fully intact spine, some foxing and toning, otherwise attractive and in good condition.
Additional book plates and labels identify this book as having been gifted to the Framingham Historical Society by George H. Davis. Worn, but fully intact spine, some foxing and toning, otherwise attractive and in good condition.
Journals of Congress Containing their Proceedings From January 1, 1779 to January 1, 1780, Vol. V (Philadelphia, Folwell's Press, 1800), Bound in leather, with red Morocco and gilt spine label, 8vo. (5.25" x 8.5"), 350pp. Originally from the library of Francis Asbury Dickins (1804-1901), with Dickins's signature both on leather cover and title page.
Additional book plates and labels on front pastedown identify this book as having been gifted to the Framingham Historical Society by George H. Davis. Cracked spine with some loss to leather, foxing and toning, overall in good condition.
Additional book plates and labels on front pastedown identify this book as having been gifted to the Framingham Historical Society by George H. Davis. Cracked spine with some loss to leather, foxing and toning, overall in good condition.
Journals of Congress Containing their Proceedings From January 1, 1780 to January 1, 1781, Vol. VI (Philadelphia, Folwell's Press, 1800), Bound in leather, with red Morocco and gilt spine label, 8vo. (5.25" x 8.5"), 176pp. Originally from the library of Francis Asbury Dickins (1804-1901), with Dickins's signature both on leather cover and title page.
Additional book plates and labels on front pastedown identify this book as having been gifted to the Framingham Historical Society by George H. Davis. Library tag on spine. Worn leather cover with cracks and loss to leather at top of spine, foxing and toning, overall in good condition.
Additional book plates and labels on front pastedown identify this book as having been gifted to the Framingham Historical Society by George H. Davis. Library tag on spine. Worn leather cover with cracks and loss to leather at top of spine, foxing and toning, overall in good condition.
Journals of Congress Containing their Proceedings From January 1, 1781 to November 1782, 1780, Vol. VII (Philadelphia, Folwell's Press, 1800), Bound in leather, with red Morocco and gilt spine label, 8vo. (5.25" x 8.5"), 397pp. Originally from the library of Francis Asbury Dickins (1804-1901), with Dickins's signature both on leather cover and title page.
Additional book plates and labels on front pastedown identify this book as having been gifted to the Framingham Historical Society by George H. Davis. Library tag on spine. Worn leather cover with some peeling, foxing and toning, overall in good condition.
Additional book plates and labels on front pastedown identify this book as having been gifted to the Framingham Historical Society by George H. Davis. Library tag on spine. Worn leather cover with some peeling, foxing and toning, overall in good condition.
Albert Gallatin: A Sketch of the Finances of the United States. (New York: William A. Davis, 1796), first edition, 205 pages, Howes G-29, four folding tables, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), original covers missing, pages tatty along edges, moderate foxing, else complete and in good condition. This is a refreshing look at the state of the American economy when debt was measured in only millions and not trillions by who later became Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of State. Though the condition is wanting, few copies of this report in its original form have survived.
William Penn: A Collection of the Works of William Penn. To Which is Prefixed a Journal of His Life. With Many Original Letters and Papers Not Before Published. (London: J. Sowle, 1726), first edition, two volumes, vI 911 pages, [4] ads, vII 916 pages, bookplate of William Dickinson, Esq. on the inside front cover of each volume, tooled full calf, morocco spine labels with gilt titles, six raised spine bands, folio (9" x 13"), worn corners, ffep missing in volume one, external hinges starting to crack, light spotting to page edges, internal contents sound and remarkably without significant foxing, very good condition.
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark: History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark, to the Sources of the Missouri, Thence Across the Rocky Mountains and Down the River Columbia to the Pacific Coast Performed During the Years 1804-5-6, Volume II. (Philadelphia: Bradford and Innskeep, 1814), first edition, 522 pages, plates facing pages 31, 52, and 70, full calf, marbled endpapers (over old printing - early recycling), gilt dentelle, gilt spine titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), boards well worn along with most of the gilt decoration, missing a small portion of the leather spine label and most of the gilt on the spine, pages uniformly foxed, exterior hinges worn and on the verge of cracking, good condition.
Though the lot consists of only the second volume of the set, original copies are becoming harder to find in any condition. Of interest is the appendix that includes the "Observation and Reflections on the Present and Future State of Upper Louisiana". It is likely this present copy is from a Religious Society of Friends library as indicated by a notation on the free front end paper: "Friends Library Book". An early, and certainly, important work dealing with the exploration of the United States.
Though the lot consists of only the second volume of the set, original copies are becoming harder to find in any condition. Of interest is the appendix that includes the "Observation and Reflections on the Present and Future State of Upper Louisiana". It is likely this present copy is from a Religious Society of Friends library as indicated by a notation on the free front end paper: "Friends Library Book". An early, and certainly, important work dealing with the exploration of the United States.
Ross Cox: Adventures on the Columbia River, Including the Narrative of a Residence of Six Years on the Western Side of the Rocky Mountains Among Various Tribes of Indians Hitherto Unknown: Together With A Journey Across the American Continent. (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1832), first American edition, [2] pages of ads, 335 pages, later full calf binding and morocco spine labels with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 9"), uniform foxing throughout, some staining to pages, toning at the pastedowns, wear to external hinges, light chipping to edges of boards, else internal contents tight and in very good condition in a slipcase. This work is usually considered as one of the prime source of information on Oregon in the early period.
J. G. Jacob: The Life and Times of Patrick Gass now sole Survivor of the Overland Expedition to the Pacific under Lewis and Clark in 1804--5--6. Etc. (Wellsburg, Va.: Jacob & Smith, 1859) , 280pp., 8vo. (5" x 7.25"), original embossed cloth, with a frontispiece engraving made after an ambrotype of Gass with a facsimile signature. Very good, with a solid spine and gently bumped corners. Interior pages evenly tanned.
Thomas L. McKenney & James Hall (Folio): History of the Indian Tribes of North America with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs Embellished with One Hundred and Twenty Portraits from the Indian Gallery in the Department of War, at Washington. Three volumes: Volume I (Philadelphia: Frederick W. Greenough, 1838), 206 pages; Volume II (Philadelphia: Daniel Rice and James G. Clark, 1842), 231 pages: Volume III (Philadelphia: Daniel Rice and James G. Clark, 1844), 196 pages + The Genuineness of the Portrait of Pocahontas (two pages), Indian Tribe Map (one page), facsimiles of original subscriber signatures (17 pages). All matching, elephant folio (14.5" x 20"), all edges gilt, half morocco with gilt stamped "Indian Gallery 120 Illustrations" on the fronts and gilt titles on banded spines. Overall condition is very good with only minor shelf wear to boards, bindings tight, pages bright, and plates, pages, and tissue guards present. Only scattered occurrences of very light foxing and one noted minor edge repair to page 48 of Volume III.
In Thomas McKenney's position as Superintendent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington D.C. between 1816 and 1830, he was frequently brought into contact with representatives of the many Indian tribes as they traveled to the Capital to negotiate treaties or voice grievances. McKenney became near obsessed with learning more about their cultures and histories. He collected relics and artifacts, and then commissioned local artist Charles Bird King to paint a series of portraits from life of the various tribal representatives during their visits to Washington. Many of these portraits were hung in the "Indian Gallery" at the Department of War. His interviews with these Native Americans supplied much of the material for collaborator James Hall's biographical texts found in these volumes. When dismissed from his post by Andrew Jackson, McKenney put his full effort into publishing a portfolio of these majestic images, thus preserving the history of the first Americans for all time. He endured many trials including near poverty over the next fourteen years before his project came to complete fruition with the publication of the last volume in 1844. Luckily for us, McKenney did persevere to realize his dream; most of the original paintings from which these lithographs were drawn were destroyed in a fire at the Smithsonian in 1865. This present masterwork is the only record we have of the life and likeness of many of the pre Civil War period Indians. Photographers insured that the portraits of later generations of Native Americans would live on, but it took a visionary like McKenney to give us such a detailed look at their lives and lore before it would be changed (lost) forever.
This is one of the most important works ever produced on the American Indians and certainly one of the most elaborate and beautiful plate books from the period. The striking hand-colored images have caused many of these sets and volumes to be broken for its plates that can sell for thousands of dollars each. This makes finding a clean set such as this a remarkable feat. We can only hope that it remains in its present state for another 160+ years allowing future generations to enjoy this monumental work.
In Thomas McKenney's position as Superintendent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington D.C. between 1816 and 1830, he was frequently brought into contact with representatives of the many Indian tribes as they traveled to the Capital to negotiate treaties or voice grievances. McKenney became near obsessed with learning more about their cultures and histories. He collected relics and artifacts, and then commissioned local artist Charles Bird King to paint a series of portraits from life of the various tribal representatives during their visits to Washington. Many of these portraits were hung in the "Indian Gallery" at the Department of War. His interviews with these Native Americans supplied much of the material for collaborator James Hall's biographical texts found in these volumes. When dismissed from his post by Andrew Jackson, McKenney put his full effort into publishing a portfolio of these majestic images, thus preserving the history of the first Americans for all time. He endured many trials including near poverty over the next fourteen years before his project came to complete fruition with the publication of the last volume in 1844. Luckily for us, McKenney did persevere to realize his dream; most of the original paintings from which these lithographs were drawn were destroyed in a fire at the Smithsonian in 1865. This present masterwork is the only record we have of the life and likeness of many of the pre Civil War period Indians. Photographers insured that the portraits of later generations of Native Americans would live on, but it took a visionary like McKenney to give us such a detailed look at their lives and lore before it would be changed (lost) forever.
This is one of the most important works ever produced on the American Indians and certainly one of the most elaborate and beautiful plate books from the period. The striking hand-colored images have caused many of these sets and volumes to be broken for its plates that can sell for thousands of dollars each. This makes finding a clean set such as this a remarkable feat. We can only hope that it remains in its present state for another 160+ years allowing future generations to enjoy this monumental work.
Thomas L. McKenney & James Hall: History of the Indian Tribes of North America with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs Embellished with One Hundred and Twenty Portraits from the Indian Gallery in the Department of War, at Washington. (Philadelphia: D. Rice & A. N. Hart, 1854), three volumes, second octavo edition, 333, 290, 392 pages, 120 hand-colored portrait plates with tissue guards, full blindstamped leather with gilt titles on banded spines, all edges gilt, 4to (7.5" x 10.25"). The overall condition of this present set is very good. Volumes One and Two have minor scuffs and shelf wear with some various weaknesses to the hinges. The text blocks are tight and the pages unusually bright and generally free from foxing. Volume Three has the front board totally separated and a nearly separated back board although with no loss, otherwise it is also free from major internal defects.
From the preface: "The folio edition...has been pronounced by the learned and polished both of Europe and America, to be one of the most valuable and interesting productions of the present age...This universal appeal of the folio edition of the work, has induced the publishers of the present edition to alter the size to royal octavo, and thus place it within reach of the thousands, who, with taste and learning equal to the patrons of the large edition, have no less capacity to appreciate its worth and beauties." The "worth and beauty" of this masterwork cannot be overstated. The History of the Indian Tribes of North America has long been known for the faithful and accurate portrayal of these dignified and majestic early Native American leaders. McKenney, as the U.S. Superintendent of Indian Trade, laid the foundation for this ambitious and historic project in 1821 by commissioning artist Charles Bird King to paint portraits of various Indian delegates as they visited Washington, D.C. including Sequoyah, Red Jacket, Major Ridge, Cornplanter, and Osceola. These portraits formed the basis of the War Department's Indian Gallery. McKenney spent most of the 1820s as Superintendent of Indian Affairs and was a strong advocate of the Indian, concerned that the world of the Native Americans would vanish without being documented. After Andrew Jackson dismissed him from his government post in 1830, McKenney began work on this extensive chronicle of the people who had originally occupied this land. His ambition was to publish beautifully hand-colored lithographs based upon the paintings by King, James Otto Lewis, and others along with biographies of the subject, and an essay on the history of Native Americans. Between 1836 and 1844, the three volumes were issued in a folio format that were, by necessity, expensive and beyond the means of most people, leading to the first "royal octavo" edition in 1848-1850. This present second octavo edition was published in 1854, and our research shows that it may be the rarest of all the octavos based on auction records.
Most of the original paintings reproduced in these volumes were placed in the Smithsonian and subsequently destroyed in a tragic 1865 fire. Their appearances in these volumes are the only record we have of the likenesses of many of the prominent Indian leaders of the nineteenth century, especially those who did not live into the age of photography. The authors certainly succeeded in their goal of preserving an accurate visual record of a rapidly disappearing culture. Our nation is fortunate that the project was completed, and Heritage is proud to offer not only this fine octavo edition but also a fabulous original folio set as Lot 25759. Either edition would be at home in the finest personal or institutional collection, giving many generations to come the privilege of viewing and reading this important tome.
From the preface: "The folio edition...has been pronounced by the learned and polished both of Europe and America, to be one of the most valuable and interesting productions of the present age...This universal appeal of the folio edition of the work, has induced the publishers of the present edition to alter the size to royal octavo, and thus place it within reach of the thousands, who, with taste and learning equal to the patrons of the large edition, have no less capacity to appreciate its worth and beauties." The "worth and beauty" of this masterwork cannot be overstated. The History of the Indian Tribes of North America has long been known for the faithful and accurate portrayal of these dignified and majestic early Native American leaders. McKenney, as the U.S. Superintendent of Indian Trade, laid the foundation for this ambitious and historic project in 1821 by commissioning artist Charles Bird King to paint portraits of various Indian delegates as they visited Washington, D.C. including Sequoyah, Red Jacket, Major Ridge, Cornplanter, and Osceola. These portraits formed the basis of the War Department's Indian Gallery. McKenney spent most of the 1820s as Superintendent of Indian Affairs and was a strong advocate of the Indian, concerned that the world of the Native Americans would vanish without being documented. After Andrew Jackson dismissed him from his government post in 1830, McKenney began work on this extensive chronicle of the people who had originally occupied this land. His ambition was to publish beautifully hand-colored lithographs based upon the paintings by King, James Otto Lewis, and others along with biographies of the subject, and an essay on the history of Native Americans. Between 1836 and 1844, the three volumes were issued in a folio format that were, by necessity, expensive and beyond the means of most people, leading to the first "royal octavo" edition in 1848-1850. This present second octavo edition was published in 1854, and our research shows that it may be the rarest of all the octavos based on auction records.
Most of the original paintings reproduced in these volumes were placed in the Smithsonian and subsequently destroyed in a tragic 1865 fire. Their appearances in these volumes are the only record we have of the likenesses of many of the prominent Indian leaders of the nineteenth century, especially those who did not live into the age of photography. The authors certainly succeeded in their goal of preserving an accurate visual record of a rapidly disappearing culture. Our nation is fortunate that the project was completed, and Heritage is proud to offer not only this fine octavo edition but also a fabulous original folio set as Lot 25759. Either edition would be at home in the finest personal or institutional collection, giving many generations to come the privilege of viewing and reading this important tome.
Two Mid-19th Century Accounts of Western Religion Among the Indian Tribes in America. This lot includes:
Pierre-Jean De Smet Letters and Sketches With a Narrative of a Year's Residence Among the Indian Tribes of The Rocky Mountains. (Philadelphia: M. Fithian, 1843), first edition, 252 pages, brown cloth boards with blind-stamped decoration, 11 full page engravings including frontis, folding allegorical, 12mo (4.75" x 7.75"), inscribed by author on inside front cover "P.J. De Smet", missing large portion of cloth from the spine (titles still present), both boards detached, bumped corners, moderate foxing to pages, especially prelims, internal contents sound, good condition. This is a rather scarce book worthy of professional restoration.
John Gilmary Shea History of the Catholic Missions Among the Indian Tribes of the United States, 1529-1854. (New York: Edward Dunigan & Brother, 1855), first edition (according to Howes, the 1st is 1855 even though the copyright date on verso is 1854), 514 pages, light brown cloth boards with blind-stamped decoration, blind-stamped decoration on spine, 5 engraved portraits, four pages of facsimile signatures of "celebrated" missionaries, appendix with lists of missionaries, index, advertising pages at rear, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), small loss to head of spine, wear to foot of spine, lightly bumped corners, book block tight, internal contents sound, moderate foxing to pages, very good condition. Sections treat "Norwegian Missions in New England", "Spanish Missions in New Mexico, Florida, Texas, and California", "The French Missions", & "The English Missions". A wide-ranging study covering the Great Lakes, part of the East and Southeast, and portions of the Southwest, including Oregon.
Pierre-Jean De Smet Letters and Sketches With a Narrative of a Year's Residence Among the Indian Tribes of The Rocky Mountains. (Philadelphia: M. Fithian, 1843), first edition, 252 pages, brown cloth boards with blind-stamped decoration, 11 full page engravings including frontis, folding allegorical, 12mo (4.75" x 7.75"), inscribed by author on inside front cover "P.J. De Smet", missing large portion of cloth from the spine (titles still present), both boards detached, bumped corners, moderate foxing to pages, especially prelims, internal contents sound, good condition. This is a rather scarce book worthy of professional restoration.
John Gilmary Shea History of the Catholic Missions Among the Indian Tribes of the United States, 1529-1854. (New York: Edward Dunigan & Brother, 1855), first edition (according to Howes, the 1st is 1855 even though the copyright date on verso is 1854), 514 pages, light brown cloth boards with blind-stamped decoration, blind-stamped decoration on spine, 5 engraved portraits, four pages of facsimile signatures of "celebrated" missionaries, appendix with lists of missionaries, index, advertising pages at rear, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), small loss to head of spine, wear to foot of spine, lightly bumped corners, book block tight, internal contents sound, moderate foxing to pages, very good condition. Sections treat "Norwegian Missions in New England", "Spanish Missions in New Mexico, Florida, Texas, and California", "The French Missions", & "The English Missions". A wide-ranging study covering the Great Lakes, part of the East and Southeast, and portions of the Southwest, including Oregon.
Appleton's Picturesque America Or, The Land We Live In. A Delineation By Pen And Pencil of the Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, Forests, Waterfalls, Shores, Cañons, Valleys, Cities, and Other Picturesque Features Of Our Country. With Illustrations on Steel and Wood by Eminent American Artists. Original text by Oliver B. Bunce and others, edited by William Cullen Bryant (New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1872-4); in Two Volumes; first edition in book form; viii, 568 pages, vi, 576 pages; illustrated with hundreds of woodcuts and 49 full-page steel engravings; full brown morocco with decorative blind tooling and gilt title, banded spine with gilt titles; marbled endpapers; all edges gilt; thick folio (10.5" x 13"). This ambitious work, edited by the talented poet, lawyer, and journalist William Cullen Bryant, was originally issued by subscription with semi-monthly parts being sent to paid subscribers for later binding into volumes. It is said that it cost Appleton the huge sum (for the day) of $250,000 to produce such a magnificent illustrated work. These stately volumes are divided into chapters with each describing both in word and image the beauty of a different area of our great country. Forty nine full page steel engravings are interspersed throughout the book with cities, towns, and natural wonders as subjects including Niagara Falls, Cleveland (a very early image), the Smoky Mountains, Louisville, Detroit, Buffalo, St. Louis, Philadelphia, New Orleans, West Point, etc. The engravings from this book are often removed and sold separately (fetching $75-100 each from antique print dealers) so it's getting harder to find these books complete. The bindings show some wear to the leather but are still tight and intact. There is scattered light foxing inside and one engraving has been cut out but is still present. Overall very good with some scuffing to leather at the perimeter of the boards and shelf wear to the spines.
R. Gordon Wasson Signed Limited: The Wondrous Mushroom, Mycolatry in Mesoamerica. (New York: Mc Graw-Hill Book Company, 1980), first edition, copy "o" of twenty-six lettered signed editions, number 7 in the Ethnomycological Studies series, 248 pages, black and white and color illustrations, signed by the author on a special limitation page bound in back, quarter green morocco and tan linen with gilt titles, cover design in black and green, folio (9" x 12.25"), spine sunned to brown, rear inside hinge starting to crack, interior clean, fine condition in matching slipcase as issued.
Valentina Pavlovna Wasson and R. Gordon Wasson Limited Edition: Mushrooms Russia and History. (New York: Pantheon Books, 1957), first edition, number 109 of a limited edition of 510, 433 pages total, untrimmed handmade paper by Fratelli Magnani, set designed by Hans Mardertsteig, 82 collotype plates, lettered tissue guards, original green cloth with gilt titles, gilt top edge, folio (10" x 13"), light spots of foxing on spine of volume II, contents clean and tight, very good in a lightly worn and foxed slipcase as issued.
Violet Oakley: The Holy Experiment A Message to the World from Pennsylvania. A series of mural paintings at the state capitol. (Privately printed in Philadelphia in 1922). Signed and numbered limited edition (#134 of 500), 22 mounted color plates (some fold-out) printed in four colors upon San Marrro paper imported from Italy by the Japan Paper Co., full gilt decorated leather with two brass mounted clasps, elephant folio (16" x 23"). Spine one inch tear on top, some wear on bottom, tips worn through, some rubbing. Few pages brown on edges. Issued loose in portfolio.
Violet Oakley (1874-1920) was the pre-eminent mural painter of her time. In 1893, she was commissioned to decorate the walls of the Governor's Reception Room in the capitol of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After the death of fellow muralist Edwin Austin Abbey, she was offered the job of creating murals for the Senate and Supreme Court Chambers as well. An art critic of the time said that "...her grasp of the subject in union with great technical skill has placed Miss Oakley in the foremost rank of American artists. She was chosen to complete the important mural decorations in the capitol that Edwin A. Abbey had been commissioned to do prior to her death." This present book is a wonderful printed record of these impressive murals.
Violet Oakley (1874-1920) was the pre-eminent mural painter of her time. In 1893, she was commissioned to decorate the walls of the Governor's Reception Room in the capitol of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After the death of fellow muralist Edwin Austin Abbey, she was offered the job of creating murals for the Senate and Supreme Court Chambers as well. An art critic of the time said that "...her grasp of the subject in union with great technical skill has placed Miss Oakley in the foremost rank of American artists. She was chosen to complete the important mural decorations in the capitol that Edwin A. Abbey had been commissioned to do prior to her death." This present book is a wonderful printed record of these impressive murals.
Margaret Sanger: What Every Girl Should Know (New York: Max N. Naisel, 1917) worn clothbound cover with gilt title, "Trades Council Union Label" printing, 91pp., 8vo. (5" x 7.25"), with advertising page for Sanger's book What Every Mother Should Know, 1917 at end. With very loose spine and a few disbound pages (all present), this book is a rare and desirable example testifying to Sanger's work in disseminating information about Birth Control.
A Monumental Collection of Books About Books. This is a unique opportunity for an institution, bookseller, or collector to own an important and diverse collection of approximately 450 books on printing, illustration, typography, and author bibliographies from virtually every genre of literature. It would be difficult to describe the specifics of this impressive lot in a single catalog entry; therefore, we will cite but a few examples to give a hint of the scope of this vast collection.
Notable among the many books on illustration would surely be Arthur M. Hind's three volume work Engraving in England in the Sixteenth & Seventeenth Centuries, a descriptive catalog of English engraving from the Tudor period through the reign of Charles I. There are several works on specific illustrators such as Arthur Rackham and W. Heath Robinson, and more general works on children's book illustrations, woodblock illustrations, and early illuminated manuscripts, notably A Catalogue of Illuminated and Other Manuscripts, a nicely bound 1931 Bernard Quaritch catalog from the "Golden Age" of bookselling.
The history of early printing is well-represented by H. P. Kraus's The Cradle of Printing, a two volume work with wonderful tipped-in examples of early manuscripts and typography. Many more general works and bound catalogs represent the history of early printing in both England (A. W. Pollard & G. R. Redgrave's A Short-Titled Catalogue of Books Printed in England, Scotland, & Ireland, 1475-1640) and America (Joseph Blumenthal's The Printed Book in America). Several books on bookbinding, for example, Frederick E. Maser's Bookbinding in America, 1680-1910 and Ellic Howe's A List of London Bookbinders, 1648-1815 provide excellent references for the collector of early bindings. In times gone by, books were considered a status symbol and owners proudly identified their books through the use of personalized bookplates. Many wonderful examples of these early "book brands" can by found in Walter Hamilton's Dated Book-Plates, 1516-1895.
Also included in the collection are several indispensable sets which should be considered as the basics to any serious reference library: The Dictionary of National Biography, a 22 volume set that provides a "who's who" of everybody from the earliest times until 1900, The New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (missing volume two), Dictionary of Anonymous and Pseudonymous English Literature, Bibliography of American Literature (missing volumes two and nine), and the ultimate bibliography, A World Bibliography of Bibliographies.
Several sets pertaining to magic, alchemy, science, and medicine are present, including: Lynn Thorndike's eight volume A History of Magic and Experimental Science, George Sarton's five volume Introduction to the History of Science, and several bound volumes of rare book catalogues issued by L'Art Ancien circa 1925-1950 specifically dedicated to early books on science and medicine.
Finally, there are numerous bibliographies dedicated to specific genres and the authors within those genres. The science fiction genre is well-represented by L. W. Currey's Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors, three works by Everett Bleiler - The Checklist of Fantastic Literature, Science Fiction Writers, and The Checklist of Science-Fiction & Supernatural Fiction, Neil Barron's Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, and many specific bibliographies for authors, e.g., Clark Ashton Smith, Roger Zelazny, et. al. In fact, there are bibliographies for writers from virtually every era and category of writing: Victorian writers, Beat Generation scribblers, mystery writers, classic modern fiction writers, ad infinitum.
Given the scope and size of the collection on offer, it is recommended that potential bidders arrange to inspect the collection at our location in Dallas. Below is a complete list of all titles on offer in this lot:
August Derleth: 100 Books by August Derleth (Sauk City, WI: Arkham House Publishers, 1962)
J. M. Edelstein [Compiler]: A Bibliographical Checklist of the Writings of Thornton Wilder (New Haven, CT: Yale University Library, 1959)
David A. Jasen: A Bibliography and Reader's Guide to the First Editions of P. G. Wodehouse (London: Greenhill Books, 1986) Second edition
Francis A. Johns: A Bibliography of Arthur Waley (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1968)
Dorothy Ritter Russo & Thelma L. Sullivan: A Bibliography of Booth Tarkington, 1869-1946 (Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Historical Society, 1949)
Warren Roberts: A Bibliography of D. H. Lawrence (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982) Second Printing
B. J. Kirkpatrick: A Bibliography of E. M. Forster (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1985) Second edition
Harold Billings: A Bibliography of Edward Dahlberg (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1971)
Walter Barnes [Compiler]: A Bibliography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Austin, TX: Humanities Research Center, 1967)
Robert Murray Davis, et al: A Bibliography of Evelyn Waugh (Troy, NY: The Whitston Publishing Company, 1986)
Edward and Judith Meyers: A Bibliography of First Printings of the Writings of Jules Verne in the English Language Together with Information on Numerous Reprints, and a Key to Title Interpretation (New Hartford, CT: Country Lane Books, 1989)
Cecil Woolf: A Bibliography of Frederick Rolfe Baron Corvo (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1972)
Dorothy Ritter Russo: A Bibliography of George Ade 1866-1944 (Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Historical Society, 1947)
Leon Edel & Dan H. Laurence: A Bibliography of Henry James (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1982)
A. T. Hazen: A Bibliography of Horace Walpole (New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1973)
John J. Slocum & Herbert Cahoon: A Bibliography of James Joyce 1882-1941 (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1953)
Anthony J. Russo and Dorothy R. Russo: A Bibliography of James Whitcomb Riley (Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Historical Society, 1944)
Jack Potter: A Bibliography of John Dos Passos (Chicago: Normandie House, 1950) Signed by the author and John Dos Passos
Thomas Franklin Currier: A Bibliography of John Greenleaf Whittier (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1937)
Charles H. Simmons [Compiler]: A Bibliography of John Masefield (New York: Columbia University Press, 1930)
George P. Lilley: A Bibliography of John Middleton Murry 1889-1957 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1974)
Celia Zukofsky: A Bibliography of Louis Zukofsky (Los Angeles: Black Sparrow Press, 1969)
Cecil Woolf: A Bibliography of Norman Douglas (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1954)
Thomas Wendell Currier: A Bibliography of Oliver Wendell Holmes (New York: New York University Press, 1953)
E. C. Bigmore & C. W. H. Wyman [Compilers]: A Bibliography of Printing With Notes and Illustrations, Volumes I and II (New York: Philip C. Duschnes, 1945)
George L. McKay: A Bibliography of Robert Bridges (New York: Columbia University Press, 1933) Limited edition
Miriam J. Benkovitz: A Bibliography of Ronald Firbank (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1982) Second edition
Geoffrey Keynes [Compiler]: A Bibliography of Rupert Brooke (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1959)
John Louis Haney: A Bibliography of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Philadelphia: Privately Printed, 1903)
Geoffrey Keynes: A Bibliography of Siegfried Sassoon (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1962)
Peter Riley: A Bibliography of T. F. Powys (Hastings: R. A. Brimmell, 1967)
George Robert Minkoff: A Bibliography of the Black Sun Press (Great Neck, NY: George Robert Minkoff, 1970) Limited, Inscribed, Personally annotated by author
Geoffrey H. Wells: A Bibliography of the Books and Pamphlets of George Bernard Shaw (New York: The Bookman's Journal, 1928)
Jacob Chester Chamberlain [Compiler]: A Bibliography of the First Editions in Book Form of the Writings of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (New York: Privately Printed, 1908) Limited, slipcase
Stephen Brook: A Bibliography of the Gehenna Press 1942-1975 (Northhampton, MA: J. P. Dwyer, 1976)
John F. Fulton: A Bibliography of the Honourable Robert Boyle (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1961)
William S. Peterson: A Bibliography of the Kelmscott Press (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1985)
A. T. Hazen: A Bibliography of the Strawberry Hill Press (New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1973) In slipcase
Alastair Johnston: A Bibliography of the White Rabbit Press (Berkeley, CA: Poltroon Books/Anacapa Books, 1985)
Colleen B. Gilbert: A Bibliography of the Works of Dorothy L. Sayers (Hamden, CT: Archon Books, 1978)
Karl Yost: A Bibliography of the Works of Edna St. Vincent Millay (New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1937)
Ralph Sanborn & Barrett H. Clark: A Bibliography of the Works of Eugene O'Neill (New York: Random House, Inc., 1931)
H. L. R. Swire: A Bibliography of the Works of Joseph Hergesheimer (Philadelphia: The Centaur Book Shop, 1922) Limited, signed by Hergesheimer
Louise Waldrip & Shirley Ann Bauer: A Bibliography of the Works of Katherine Anne Porter and A Bibliography of the Criticism of the Works of Katherine Anne Porter (Metuchen, NJ: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1969)
W. F. Prideaux: A Bibliography of the Works of Robert Louis Stevenson (London: Frank Hollings, 1918)
S. S. Alberts: A Bibliography of the Works of Robinson Jeffers (New York: Cultural History Research, Inc., 1961)
Thomas James Wise: A Bibliography of the Writings in Prose and Verse of Algernon Charles Swinburne (London: William Heinemann, Ltd., 1927)
Maurice Buxton Forman: A Bibliography of the Writings in Prose and Verse of George Meredith (Edinburgh: The Bibliographical Society, 1922)
Scott Cunningham: A Bibliography of the Writings of Carl Van Vechten (Philadelphia: The Centaur Book Shop, 1924)
Carroll Frey: A Bibliography of the Writings of H. L. Mencken (Philadelphia: The Centaur Book Shop, 1924)
I. R. Brussel: A Bibliography of the Writings of James Branch Cabell, A Revised Bibliography (Philadelphia: The Centaur Book Shop, 1932)
Dante Thomas: A Bibliography of the Writings of John Cowper Powys: 1872-1963 (Mamaroneck, NY: Paul P. Appel, Publisher, 1975)
Sidney Herbert Williams: A Bibliography of the Writings of Lewis Carroll (London: The Bookman's Journal, 1924)
Allen Wade: A Bibliography of the Writings of W. B. Yeats (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1968) Third edition
G. F. Wilson: A Bibliography of the Writings of W. H. Hudson (London: The Bookman's Journal, 1922)
Samuel Wright: A Bibliography of the Writings of Walter H. Pater (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1975)
Bradford Morrow & Bernard Lafourcade: A Bibliography of the Writings of Wyndham Lewis (Santa Barbara, CA: Black Sparrow Press, 1978)
Emily Mitchell Wallace: A Bibliography of William Carlos Williams (Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 1968) Signed by the author
William M. Gibson & George Arms: A Bibliography of William Dean Howells (New York: Arno Press, Inc., 1971) Revised edition
Paul S. Clarkson: A Bibliography of William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) (Caldwell, ID: The Caxton Printers, Ltd., 1938)
Ann Charters [Compiler]: A Bibliography of Works by Jack Kerouac (New York: The Phoenix Bookshop, 1975)
Mark Owings & Irving Binkin [Compilers]: A Catalog of Lovecraftiana, The Grill/Binkin Collection (Baltimore: The Mirage Press, Ltd., 1975) Limited edition
Bernard Quaritch, Ltd.: A Catalogue of Greek and Latin Classics (London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd., 1933)
Bernard Quaritch: A Catalogue of Illuminated and Other Manuscripts Together With Some Works on Paleography (London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd., 1931)
Ellis [J. J. Holdsworth & G. Smith]: A Catalogue of One Hundred and Fifty Choice and Valuable Books and Manuscripts (London: Chiswick Press, 1913)
Richard J. Durling [Compiler]: A Catalogue of Sixteenth Century Printed Books in the National Library of Medicine (Bethesda, MD: National Library of Medicine, 1967)
Laurence G. Avery [Compiler]: A Catalogue of the Maxwell Anderson Collection at the University of Texas (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1968)
Virgil B. Heltzel [Compiler]: A Check List of Courtesy Books in the Newberry Library (Chicago: The Newberry Library, 1942)
J. Howard Woolmer: A Checklist of the Hogarth Press 1917-1946 (Revere, PA: Woolmer/Brotherson, Ltd., 1986)
William C. Van Antwerp: A Collector's Comment on His First Editions of the Works of Sir Walter Scott (San Francisco: Gelber, Lilienthal, Inc., 1932)
Ruth S. Granniss: A Descriptive Catalogue of the First Editions in Book Form of the Writings of Percy Bysshe Shelley (New York: The Grolier Club, 1923)
Paul McKenna: A History and Bibliography of the Roycroft Printing Shop (North Tonawanda, NY: Tona Graphics, 1986)
David Bland: A History of Book Illustration (London: Faber and Faber Ltd., 1958)
Lynn Thorndike: A History of Magic and Experimental Science During the First Thirteen Centuries of Our Era (New York: Columbia University Press, 1947-1958) Eight Volumes
Dorothy A. Harrop: A History of the Gregynog Press (Middlesex: Private Libraries Association, 1980)
Ellic Howe: A List of London Bookbinders 1648-1815 (London: The Bibliographical Society, 1950)
William Harris Arnold: A Record of Books & Letters (Jamaica Queensborough, NY: Marion Press, 1901)
G. S. Tomkinson: A Select Bibliography of the Principal Modern Presses Public and Private in Great Britain and Ireland (New York: Alan Wofsy Fine Arts, 1975)
Maggs Brothers, Ltd.: A Selection of Books, Manuscripts and Autograph Letters of Special Interest and Rarity (London: Maggs Brothers, Ltd., 1953)
W. A. Jackson, F. S. Ferguson & Katherine Pantzer [Compilers]: A Short-Title Catalogue of Books Printed in England, Scotland, & Ireland and of English Books Printed Abroad, 1475-1640 (London: The Bibliographical Society, 1976-86) Two Volumes
James T. Bratcher & Lyle H. Kendall, Jr.: A Suppressed Critique of Wise's Swinburne Transactions (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1970)
Henry Sayre Van Duzer [Compiler]: A Thackeray Library (New York: Burt Franklin, 1971)
Tony Appleton [Compiler]: A Typographical Tally (Brighton: Tony Appleton, 1973)
Theodore Besterman: A World Bibliography of Bibliographies (Totowa, NJ: Rowman and Littlefield, 1971) Five volumes
R. A. Gilbert: A. E. Waite, A Bibliography (Wellingborough: The Aquarian Press, 1983)
Alan Pritchard: Alchemy, A Bibliography of English-language Writings (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1980)
Claire John Eschelbach & Joyce Lee Shober: Aldous Huxley, A Bibliography 1916-1959 (Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1961)
Danile J. H. Levack [Compiler]: Amber Dreams: A Roger Zelazny Bibliography (San Francisco: Underwood/Miller, 1983)
Vincent Starrett: Ambrose Bierce, A Bibliography (Philadelphia: The Centaur Book Shop, 1929)
Carl L. Cannon: American Book Collectors and Collecting From Colonial Times to the Present (New York: The H. W. Wilson Company, 1941)
Lyle H. Wright: American Fiction 1876-1900, A Contribution Toward a Bibliography (San Marino, CA: The Huntington Library, 1972)
Francisco Guerra: American Medical Bibliography 1639-1783 (New York: Lathrop C. Harper, Inc., 1962)
Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc.: Americana Rara English & American First Editions Collected by William d. Breaker (New York: Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., 1937)
Norman M. Penzer: An Annotated Bibliography of Sir Richard Francis Burton (London: A. M. Philpot, Ltd., 1923)
Frank C. Baxter: An Annotated Check-List of A Collection of Writings By and About T. E. Lawrence (Los Angeles: Frank C. Baxter, 1968) Limited edition
Geoffrey Ashall Glaister: An Encyclopedia of the Book (Cleveland, OH: The World Publishing Company, 1960)
Benjamin Franklin V: Anais Ninn, A Bibliography (Kent, OH: Kent State Press, 1973)
John Lewis: Anatomy of Printing, The Influence of Art and History on Its Design (New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 1970)
Neil Barron: Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1976)
I. R. Brussel: Anglo-American First Editions 1826-1900 East To West (London: Constable & Company, Ltd., 1935)
Fred Gettings: Arthur Rackham (New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, Inc., 1975)
Margaret P. Hannay [Editor]: As Her Whimsey Took Her (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1979)
Basilisk Press & Bookshop: Basilisk Press & Bookshop Catalogue, Number Three 1981/82 (London: Basilisk Press & Bookshop, 1981)
Rita Nathalie Kosofsky: Bernard Malamud, an Annotated Checklist (Kent, OH: Kent State University Press, 1969)
Peter E. Hanff & Douglas G. Greene: Bibliographia Oziana (Demorest, GA: The International Wizard of Oz Club, 1976)
John Ferguson: Bibliographical Notes on Histories of Inventions and Books of Secrets (London: The Holland Press, 1959) Limited edition, two volumes, slipcase
B. A. Sokoloff [Editor]: Bibliographies in Contemporary American Fiction (Folcroft, PA: Folcroft Press, 1971) Limited edition
Henry Danielson: Bibliographies of Modern Authors (London: The Bookman's Journal, 1921)
Jacob Blanck [Compiler]: Bibliography of American Literature Volumes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (New Haven, CT: Yale University Library, 1955-90) Missing volumes 2 and 9
Clarissa P. Farrar & Austin P. Evans: Bibliography of English Translations From Medieval Sources (New York: Columbia University Press, 1948)
William Targ [Editor]: Bibliophile in the Nursery (Cleveland, OH: The World Publishing Company, 1957)
[Denis I. Duveen]: Bibliotheca Alchemica Et Chemica - An Annotated Catalogue of Printed Books on Alchemy, Chemistry, and Cognate Subjects in the Library of Denis I. Duveen (London: E. Weil, 1949) Limited edition
John Ferguson: Bibliotheca Chemica (London: Derek Verschoyle Academic and Bibliographical Publications, Ltd., 1954)
Archer Taylor: Book Catalogues: Their Varieties and Uses (Chicago: The Newberry Library, 1957)
Hanns Hammelmann: Book Illustrators in Eighteenth-Century England (New Haven, CT: Yale University Library, 1975)
[Frederick E. Maser]: Bookbinding in America 1680-1910 (Bryn Mawr, PA: Bryn Mawr College Library, 1983)
Winslow L Webber: Books About Books (Boston: Hale, Cushman & Flint, 1937)
Brian Lake: British Newspapers (London: Sheppard Press, 1984)
Geoffrey Handley-Taylor & Timothy d'Arch Smith [Compilers]: C. Day-Lewis, The Poet Laureate - A Bibliography (Chicago: St. James Press, 1968)
M. H. Black: Cambridge University Press 1584-1984 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984)
The Bibliographical Society of America: Carroll Atwood Wilson (New York: The Bibliographical Society of America, 1948)
The Grolier Club: Catalogue of an Exhibition Commemorating the Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of William Makepeace Thackeray, 1811-1911 (New York: The Grolier Club, 1912)
[Maggs Brothers]: Catalogue of Old Books on Medicine, Catalogue Number 485 (London: Maggs Brothers, Ltd., 1926)
The Grolier Club: Catalogue of Original and Early Editions of Some of the Poetical and Prose Works of English Writers From Wither to the Present (New York: The Grolier Club, 1905) In 3 volumes
The Grolier Club: Catalogue of Original and Early Editions of Some of the Poetical and Prose Works of English Writers From Wither to the Present (New York: The Grolier Club, 1893) A single volume from an earlier set, both boards detached
Walter Barnes [Compiler]: Catalogue of the Browning Collection at the University of Texas (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1966)
[Brayton Ives]: Catalogue of the Collection of Books and Manuscripts Belonging to Mr. Brayton Ives of New York (New York: De Vinne Press, 1891) Limited edition
The Southworth-Anthoensen Press: Catalogue of the Collection of Samuel Butler in the Chapin Library Williams College (Portland, ME: The Southworth-Anthoensen Press, 1945)
Sotheby & Company: Catalogue of Valuable Printed Books and Fine Bindings From the Celebrated Collection of Major J. R. Abbey (London: Sotheby & Company, 1965)
Bernard Quaritch, Ltd.: Catalogues of Books on Botany, Agriculture, Forestry, Fruit-Culture, Gardens, Early and Modern Medicine and Surgery and Books on Tobacco (London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd., 1928-29)
Various Booksellers: Catalogues of Books on Natural History (London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd., 1924-53)
[Various Booksellers]: Catalogues of Rare & Important Books on Medicine, Botany, Chemistry and Alchemy, Mainly before 1800 (: Various Booksellers, 1938-50)
[Leo S. Olschki]: Catalogues of Rare Books on Medicine Part I Incunabula Medicine, Part II XVI-XIX Century (Florence: Imprimerie Gluntina, 1923)
Various Booksellers: Catalogues of Rare Books on Science and Medicine (Chiefly Before 1900) (New York: Various Booksellers, 1948-53)
Lois Glen: Charles W. S. Williams, A Checklist (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1975)
[University of Connecticut]: Children's Literature, Volumes 1 - 6 (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1975-77) Fourth printing
John Michael Walsh: Cleanth Brooks, An Annotated Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1990)
Myron J. Smith: Cloak and Dagger Fiction, An Annotated Guide to Spy Thrillers (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-Clio, Inc., 1982) 2nd edition
F. W. and F. C. Bonnell: Conrad Aiken, A Bibliography 1902-1978 (San Marino, CA: The Huntington Library, 1982)
R. Reginald [Compiler]: Contemporary Science Fiction Authors (New York: Arno Press, Inc., 1975)
Bernard Quaritch [Editor]: Contributions Towards a Dictionary of English Book-Collectors (London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd., 1892-1921)
Linda Herman & Beth Stiel: Corpus Delicti of Mystery Fiction: A Guide to the Body of the Case (Metuchen, NJ: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1974)
Allen J. Hubin: Crime Fiction 1749-1980, A Comprehensive Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1984)
Allen J. Hubin: Crime Fiction 1749-1980, A Comprehensive Bibliography 1981 - 1985 Supplement (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1988)
Richard Layman: Dashiell Hammett, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1979)
Walter Hamilton: Dated Book-Plates With a Treatise on Their Origin and Development (London: A. & C. Black, 1895)
Rosamond B. Loring: Decorated Book Papers Being An Account of Their Designs and Fashions (Cambridge: Harvard College Library, 1973)
William H. Lyles: Dell Paperbacks, 1942 to Mid-1962, A Catalogue Index (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1983)
M. Mandar: Details de Construcion D'une Maison Donnes Pour L'Instruction, etc. (Paris: Unknown, 1818)
Walter Albert: Detective and Mystery Fiction, An International Bibliography of Secondary Sources (Madison, IN: Brownstone Books, 1985)
Dr. James Kennedy, W. A. Smith & A. F. Johnson: Dictionary of Anonymous and Pseudonymous English Literature (London: Oliver and Boyd, 1926-1962) Nine volumes
Joseph T. Shipley: Dictionary of Early English (New York: Philosophy Library, 1955)
Douglas Messerli: Djuna Barnes: A Bibliography (NP: David Lewis, 1975)
Ralph E. Hone: Dorothy L. Sayers, A Literary Biography (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1979)
Katherine Romans Hall [Compiler]: E. B. White, A Bibliographic Catalogue of Printed Materials in the Department of Rare Books, Cornell University Library (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1979)
Carl Petersen: Each in Its Ordered Place: A Faulkner Collector's Notebook (Ann Arbor, MI: Ardis Publishers, 1975)
[Michael Papantonio]: Early American Bookbindings From the Collection of Michael Papantonio (New York: The Pierpont Morgan Library, 1972)
L'Art Ancien S. A.: Early Books on Medicine Natural Sciences and Alchemy in Four Parts (Lugano: L'Art Ancien S. A., 1925-26)
Percival Hinton: Eden Phillpotts, A Bibliography of First Editions (Birmingham: Greville Worthington, 1931)
Candace W. MacMahon: Elizabeth Bishop, A Bibliography 1927-1979 (Charlottesville, VA: University Press of Virginia, 1980)
William Kelly: Ellen Glasgow, A Bibliography (Charlottesville, VA: The Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia, 1964)
Joel Myerson: Emily Dickinson, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1984)
Donald Sidney-Fryer [Compiler]: Emperor of Dreams, A Clark Ashton Smith Bibliography (West Kingston, RI: Donald M. Grant, Publisher, 1978)
Bernard Capp: English Almanacs 1500-1800 Astrology and the Popular Press (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1979)
Charles S. Boesen [Publisher]: English and American Literature XVIth-XX Century First Editions-Manuscripts, Autograph Letters Part I and II (New York: Charles S. Boesen, ND)
H. S. Bennett: English Books & Readers 1475-1640 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1952-1970) Three Volumes
Percy Muir: English Children's Books 1600-1900 (London: B. T. Batsford Ltd., 1954)
The Rosenbach Company: English Plays to 1700 Including An Unique Shakespeare Collection (Philadelphia: The Rosenbach Company, 1940)
Charles C. Mish [Compiler]: English Prose Fiction, 1600-1700, A Chronological Checklist (Charlottesville, VA: Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia, 1967)
Arthur M. Hind: Engraving in England in the Sixteenth & Seventeenth Centuries (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1952-64) Three Volumes
E. H. Mundell: Erle Stanley Gardner, A Checklist (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1968)
Audre Hanneman: Ernest Hemingway: A Comprehensive Bibliography (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1967)
Jennifer McCabe Atkinson: Eugene O'Neill, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1974)
Michael Sadleir: Excursions in Victorian Bibliography (London: Chaundy & Cox, 1922)
Donald Gallup: Ezra Pound, A Bibliography (Charlottesville, VA: University Press of Virginia, 1983)
Matthew J. Bruccoli: F. Scott Fitzgerald, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1972)
Tim Underwood & Chuck Miller [Editors]: Fear Itself: The Horror Fiction of Stephen King (San Francisco: Underwood/Miller, 1982)
William Harris ArnoldFirst Editions of Bryant, Emerson, Hawthorne, Holmes, Longfellow, Lowell, Thoreau and Whittier (Jamaica Queensborough, NY: The Marion Press, 1901) Bangs & Company Auction Catalog
The Grolier Club: First Editions of the Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne (New York: The Grolier Club, 1905) Limited, slipcase
The Grolier Club: First Editions of the Works of Robert Louis Stevenson 1850-1894 and Other Stevensonia (New York: The Grolier Club, 1915) Limited edition
Edward N. Zempel & Linda A. Verkler [Editors]: First Editions: A Guide to Identification (Peoria, IL: The Spoon River Press, 1985) Second Printing
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1969 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1969)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1970 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1970)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1971 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1971)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1972 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1973)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1974 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1975)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1975 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1975)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1976 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1978)
Margaret M. Duggan & Richard Layman [Editors]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1977 (Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1977)
Edward Hodnett: Five Centuries of English Book Illustration (Aldershot: Scolar Press, 1988)
Alexander Smith, Jr.: Frank O'Hara, A Comprehensive Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1979)
Leslie T. Morton: Garrison and Morton's Medical Bibliography (New York: Argosy Book Stores, 1961)
Katherine McNeil [Compiler]: Gary Snyder, A Bibliography (New York: The Phoenix Bookshop, 1983)
Michael Collie & Angus Fraser: George Barrow, A Bibliographical Study (Winchester: St. Paul's Bibliographies, 1984)
Albert M. Cohn: George Cruikshank, A Catalogue Raisonne (New York: Collectors Editions, 1971)
Michael Collie: George Gissing, A Bibliography (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1975)
Mary Nance Jordan: George MacDonald: A Bibliographical Catalog and Record (Fairfax, VA: Privately Published for the Marion E. Wade Collection, 1984)
Michael Collie: George Meredith, A Bibliography (Toronto: University of Toronto, 1974)
Robert A. Wilson [Compiler]: Gertrude Stein, A Bibliography (New York: The Phoenix Bookshop, 1974) Limited, Signed
Robert H. Miller: Graham Greene, A Descriptive Catalog (Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Press, 1979)
R. A. Wobbe: Graham Greene: A Bibliography and Guide to Research (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1979)
Ira Moskowitz [Editor]: Great Drawings of All Time. Volume I, II, III and IV (New York: Shorewood Publishers, 1962) Slipcase
Joseph Schwartz & Robert C. Schweik: Hart Crane, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1972)
C. E. Frazier Clark, Jr. [Editor]: Hawthorne At Auction 1894-1971 (Detroit: Bruccoli-Clark, 1972)
Matthew J. Bruccoli and C. E. Frazer Clark, Jr. [Compilers]: Hemingway At Auction 1930-1973 (Detroit: Bruccoli-Clark, 1973)
Raymond R. Borst: Henry David Thoreau, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1982)
J. R. Hammond: Herbert George Wells, An Annotated Bibliography of His Works (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1977)
Wilmarth Sheldon Lewis: Horace Walpole (New York: Pantheon Books, 1961)
Marshall B. Tymn [Editor]: Horror Literature, A Core Collection and Reference Guide (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1981)
Bertha E. Mahony et al [Compiler]: Illustrators of Children's Books 1744-1945 (Boston: The Horn Book, Inc., 1947)
Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc.: Important Incunabula and Early Printed Books Sale 831 (New York: Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., 1947)
David Sandler Berkowitz: In Remembrance of Creation, Evolution of Art and Scholarship in the Medieval and Renaissance Bible (Waltham, MA: The Brandeis University Press, 1968)
George Sarton: Introduction to the History of Science Volumes I, II (Parts I and II), III (Parts I and II) (Baltimore: Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1953)
Eileen Glancy: James Dickey The Critic As Poet, An Annotated Bibliography (Troy, NY: The Whitston Publishing Company, 1971)
Stuart Wright: James Dickey, A Bibliography of His Books, Pamphlets, and Broadsides (Dallas, TX: Pressworks, 1982) Limited Edition
James B. Meriwether: James Gould Cozzens, A Checklist (Detroit: Bruccoli-Clark, 1972)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Compiler]: James Gould Cozzens, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1981)
John R. Hopkins [Compiler]: James Jones, A Checklist (Detroit: Bruccoli-Clark, 1974)
Edwin T. Bowden: James Thurber, A Bibliography (Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, 1968)
Geoffrey Keynes: Jane Austen: A Bibliography (London: Nonesuch Press, 1929)
David K. Kermani: John Ashbery: A Comprehensive Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1976)
Joseph Weixmann: John Barth: A Descriptive Primary and Annotated Secondary Bibliography, Including a Descriptive Catalog of Manuscript Holdings in United States Libraries (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1976)
Ernest C. Stefanik, Jr.: John Berryman, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1974)
Michael Pearce: John Drinkwater, A Comprehensive Bibliography of His Works (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1977)
Bruce Morton: John Gould Fletcher, A Bibliography (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1979)
William B. Osgood Field: John Leech On My Shelves (New York: Collectors Editions, 1970)
Geoffrey Handley-Taylor [Compiler]: John Masefield, O.M. The Queen's Poet Laureate (London: The Cranbrook Tower Press, 1960)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Compiler]: John O'Hara: A Checklist (New York: Random House, 1972)
Lewis Gannett: John Steinbeck: Personal and Bibliographical Notes (New York: The Viking Press, 1939) 3rd issue
Lewis Gannett: John Steinbeck: Personal and Bibliographical Notes (New York: The Viking Press, 1939) 1st issue
Bruce Teets: Joseph Conrad, An Annotated Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1990)
Merja Makinen: Joyce Cary, A Descriptive Bibliography (London: Mansell Publishing, 1989)
Richard G. Morgan: Kenneth Patchen, An Annotated, Descriptive Bibliography With Cross-Referenced Index (Mamaroneck, NY: Paul P. Appel, Publisher, 1978)
Jack Benoit Gohn: Kingsley Amis, A Checklist (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1976)
Betty Lenhardt Hudgens [Compiler]: Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., A Checklist (Detroit: Bruccoli-Clark, 1972)
Asa B. Pieratt, Jr, & Jerome Klinkowitz: Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., A Descriptive Bibliography and Annotated Secondary Checklist (Hamden, CT: Archon Books, 1974)
Edward Milward-Oliver: Len Deighton, An Annotated Bibliography 1954-1985 (Maidstone: The Sammler Press, 1985)
J. Howard Woolmer: Malcolm Lowry, A Bibliography (Revere, PA: Woolmer/Brotherson, Ltd., 1983)
J. Howard Woolmer: Malcolm Lowry, A Bibliography (Revere, PA: Woolmer/Brotherson, Ltd., 1983)
Maggs Brothers, Ltd.: Manuscripts and Books on Medicine, Alchemy, Astrology & Natural Sciences (London: Maggs Brothers, Ltd., 1929)
Craig S. Abbott: Marianne Moore, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1977)
Sherli Evens Goldman: Mary McCarthy, A Bibliography (New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., 1968)
Louis W. Bondy: Miniature Books, Their History From the Beginnings to the Present Day (London: Sheppard Press, 1981)
[Edgar Mansfield]: Modern Design in Bookbinding, The Works of Edgar Mansfield (Boston: Boston Book and Art Shop, 1966)
H. P. Kraus: Monumenta Xylographica et Typographica (New York: H. P. Kraus, 1971)
Seth Thompson: Motif-Index of Folk-Literature Volumes 1, 2 and 6 Only (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1989)
Stephen L. Smoke [Editor]: Mystery - The Magazine Dedicated to Readers of Mystery, Suspense, Thrillers and Adventure (Los Angeles: Stephen L. Smoke, 1979-81) Volume I, number 1-3, volume II, number 1-3 and volume III, number 1-3 in a custom slipcase
Andrew Field: Nabokov, A Bibliography (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1973)
C. E. Frazier Clark, Jr.: Nathaniel Hawthorne, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1978)
William White: Nathaniel West: A Comprehensive Bibliography (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1975)
Kenneth G. McCollum [Compiler]: Nelson Algren, A Checklist (Detroit: Bruccoli-Clark, 1973)
Carlton Lake [Compiler]: No Symbols Where None Intended - A Catalogue of Books, Manuscripts, and Other Material Relating to Samuel Beckett in the Collections of the Humanities Research Center (Austin, TX: Humanities Research Center, 1984)
Laura Adams [Compiler]: Norman Mailer: A Comprehensive Bibliography (Metuchen, NJ: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1974)
Pisanus Fraxi: Notes on Curious and Uncommon Books (London: Privately Printed, 1877-85) Three Volumes
Daniel Berkeley Updike: Notes on the Merrymount Press & Its Work 1893-1949 (San Francisco: Alan Wofsy Fine Arts, 1975)
Falconer Madan: Oxford Books, A Bibliography of Printed Works Related to the University and City of Oxford or Printed or Published There, Volume 1, The Early Oxford Press 1468-1680 (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1895-1931) Three Volumes
Jon Tuska: Philo Vance, The Life and Times of S. S. Van Dine (Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green University Popular Press, 1971)
Percy H. Muir: Points Second Series 1866-1934 (London: Constable & Company, Ltd., 1934)
Alan Denson [Compiler]: Printed Writings by George W. Russell, A Bibliography (Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press, 1961)
B. E. Bellamy: Private Presses & Publishing in England Since 1945 (New York: K. G. Saur & Clive Bungley, 1980)
Will Ransom: Private Presses and Their Books (New York: Philip C. Duschnes, 1963)
Harry Price [Compiler]: Proceedings of the National Laboratory of Psychical Research Short Title Catalogue of Works on Magic, Witchcraft, etc. (London: National Laboratory of Psychical Research, 1929)
Hugh Ford: Published in Paris, American and British Writers, Printers, and Publishers in Paris, 1920-1939 (New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, Inc., 1975)
William H. Lyles: Putting Dell on the Map, A History of Dell Paperbacks (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1983)
Joel Myerson: Ralph Waldo Emerson, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1982)
William H. Robinson, Ltd.: Rare Books and Manuscripts (London: William H. Robinson, Ltd., 1953)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Compiler]: Raymond Chandler, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1979)
William H. Bond [Editor]: Records of a Bibliographer: Selected Papers of William Alexander Jackson (Cambridge: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1967)
Guy M. Townsend [Editor]: Rex Stout, An Annotated Primary and Secondary Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1980)
Matthew J. Bruccoli & Richard Layman: Ring W. Lardner, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1976)
Mark Owings: Robert A. Heinlein: A Bibliography (Baltimore: Croatan House, 1973)
Princeton University Library: Robert Louis Stevenson: A Catalogue of the Henry E. Gerstley Stevenson Collection, etc. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Library, 1971)
Mary Nance Huff [Compiler]: Robert Penn Warren, A Bibliography (New York: David Lewis, 1968)
Lawrence Clark Powell: Robinson Jeffers, The Man and His Work (Pasadena, CA: San Pasqual Press, 1940)
Matthew J. Bruccoli: Ross Macdonald/Kenneth Millar, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1983)
L. W. Currey: Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors (Boston: G. K. Hall & Company, 1979)
E. F. Bleiler [Editor]: Science Fiction Writers (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1982)
E. Ashworth Underwood [Editor]: Science Medicine and History, Volumes I and II (London: Oxford University Press, 1953)
Ronald Ayling & Michael J. Durkan: Sean O'Casey, A Bibliography (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1978)
Will Ransom: Selective Check Lists of Press Books (New York: Philip C. Duschnes, 1963)
Robert Lee Wolff: Sensational Victorian: The Life & Fiction of Mary Elizabeth Braddon (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1979)
Edgar W. Smith [Compiler]: Sherlock Holmes: The Writings of John H. Watson, M.D. (Morristown, NJ: The Baker Street Irregulars, Inc., 1962)
Donald Wing [Compiler]: Short-Title Catalogue of Books Printed in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and British America and of English Books Printed in Other Countries 1641-1700 in Three Volumes with Index Volume (New York: Columbia University Press, 1945-55)
B. D. Cutler: Sir James M. Barrie, A Bibliography (New York: Burt Franklin, 1968)
J. G. Riewald: Sir Max Beerbohm: Man and Writer. A Critical Analysis with a Brief Life and a Bibliography (The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff, 1953)
James A. Casada: Sir Richard F. Burton, A Bibliographical Study (London: Mansell Publishing, 1990)
Bernard Quaritch, Ltd.: Six Catalogues of Books Relating to Bibliography, Paleography, Typography and Reproductions of Manuscripts (London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd., 1945-55)
H. B. Kulkarni: Stephen Spender Works and Criticism, An Annotated Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1976)
Audre Hanneman: Supplement to Ernest Hemingway (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1975)
Matthew J. Bruccoli: Supplement to F. Scott Fitzgerald, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1980)
William B. Todd: Suppressed Commentaries on the Wiseian Forgeries (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1969)
Elizabeth W. Duval: T. E. Lawrence, A Bibliography (New York: Arrow Editions, 1938)
Donald Gallup: T. S. Eliot, A Bibliography (New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., 1969)
Bradford M. Day [Editor]: Talbot Mundy Biblio - Materials Toward a Bibliography of the Works of Talbot Munday (New York: Science-Fiction & Fantasy Publications, 1955)
Howard Haycraft [Editor]: The Art of the Mystery Story (New York: Biblo and Tannen, 1976)
Howard Haycraft [Editor]: The Art of the Mystery Story (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1946)
Maggs Brothers, Ltd.: The Art of Writing 2800 B.C. to 1930 A.D. (London: Maggs Brothers, Ltd., 1930)
William Thomas Lowndes: The Bibliographer's Manual of English Literature (London: Bell & Daldy, 1869) Six volumes, limited edition
W.O.G. Lofts & Derek Adley: The British Bibliography of Edgar Wallace (London: Howard Baker, 1969)
Nicolas Barker: The Butterfly Books, An Enquiry into the Nature of Certain Twentieth Century Pamphlets (London: Bertram Rota, 1987)
John Wardroper: The Caricatures of George Cruikshank (Boston: David R. Godine, 1978)
Wendy Clauson Schlereth: The Chap-Book, A Journal of American Intellectual Life in the 1890s (Ann Arbor, MI: UMI Research Press, 1982)
Lucy Eugenia Osborne [Compiler]: The Chapin Library Williams College, A Short-Title List (Portland, ME: The Southworth-Anthoensen Press, 1939)
E. F. Bleiler: The Checklist of Fantastic Literature (Naperville, IL: FAX Collector's Editions, 1972)
E. F. Bleiler: The Checklist of Science-Fiction and Supernatural Fiction (Glen Rock, NJ: Firebell Books, 1978)
Ralph T. Cook: The City Lights Pocket Poets Series, A Descriptive Bibliography (La Jolla, CA: Laurence McGilvery/Atticus Books, 1982)
Margery Corbett & Ronald Lightbrown: The Comely Frontispiece, The Emblematic Title-Page in England 1550-1660 (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1979)
Robert E. Scholes [Compiler]: The Cornell Joyce Collection, A Catalogue (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1961)
H. P. Kraus: The Cradle of Printing From Mainz to Bamberg to Westminster and St. Albans (New York: H. P. Kraus, 1971)
E. H. Mundell, Jr. & G. Ray Rausch: The Detective Short Story, A Bibliography and Index (Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University Library, 1974)
George Smith [Founder]: The Dictionary of National Biography 1901-1960 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1958-1971) Six volumes
George Smith [Founder]: The Dictionary of National Biography From Earliest Times to 1900 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1968) Twenty-two volumes including supplement
H. P. Kraus: The Duveen Collection of Alchemy & Chemistry Catalog 62 (New York: H. P. Kraus, 1953)
Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc.: The Edward Hubert Litchfield Collection of First Editions of English and American Authors (New York: Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., 1951)
Aurelius Pompen: The English Versions of The Ship of Fools, A Contribution to the History of the Early French Renaissance in England (London: Longmans, Green and Company, 1925)
L. G. Pine: The Genealogist's Encyclopedia (Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 1969)
Philip Young & Charles W. Mann: The Hemingway Manuscripts, An Inventory (Lincoln Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1969) Limited edition, slipcase
Doris Welsh: The History of Miniature Books (Albany, NY: Fort Orange Press, Inc., 1987)
Diana Klemin: The Illustrated Book: Its Art and Craft (New York: Bramhall House, 1970)
Geoffrey C. Beare: The Illustrations of W. Heath Robinson (London: Werner Shaw Ltd., 1983)
B. G. MacCarthy: The Later Women Novelists 1744-1818 (Oxford: Cork University Press, 1947)
James B. Meriwether: The Literary Career of William Faulkner, A Bibliographical Study (Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina, 1971)
Frank Wadleigh Chandler: The Literature of Roguery (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1907) Two Volumes
George Watson [Editor]: The New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature Volumes 1, 3, 4, and 5 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1974-77) Missing volume 2
Phyllis Dain: The New York Public Library, A History of Its Founding and Early Years (New York: New York Public Library, 1972)
The Nonesuch Press: The Nonesuch Dickens (London: The Nonesuch Press, 1937)
James Tregaskis & Son: The One Thousandth Caxton Head Catalogue (London: Jame Tregaskis & Son, Ltd., 1931)
Judith St. John [Prepared by]: The Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books 1566-1910 (Toronto: Toronto Public Library, 1958)
Nicolas Barker: The Oxford University Press and the Spread of Learning 1478-1978 (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1978)
J. Howard Woolmer: The Poetry Bookshop 1912-1935, A Bibliography (Revere, PA: Woolmer/Brotherson, Ltd., 1988)
Joseph Blumenthal: The Printed Book in America (Boston: David Godine Publisher, 1977)
Roderick Cave: The Private Press (New York: R R. Bowker Company, 1983) Revised and enlarged edition
Vladimir Nabokov: The Real Life of Sebastian Knight (Norfolk, CT: New Directions, 1941)
J. Howard Woolmer: The Samurai Press 1906-1909, a Bibliography (Revere, PA: Woolmer/Brotherson, Ltd., 1986)
David Farrell [Compiler]: The Stinehour Press, A Bibliographical Checklist of the First Thirty Years (Lunenburg, VT: Meriden-Stinehour Press, 1988) Limited, Signed
John Lewis: The Twentieth Century Book, Its Illustration and Design (New York: Reinhold Publishing Corp., 1967)
Eric de Mare: The Victorian Woodblock Illustrators (New York: The Sandstone Press, 1981)
No Author: the Work of Bruce Rogers (New York: Oxford University Press, 1939)
A. Reynolds Morse: The Works of M. P. Shiel (Los Angeles: Fantasy Publishing Company, Inc., 1948)
Raymond Toole Stott: The Writings of William Somerset Maugham, A Bibliography (London: Bertram Rota, 1956)
Frank Broomhead: The Zaehndorfs (1842-1947), Craft Bookbinders (Middlesex: Private Libraries Association, 1986)
James Richard McLeod: Theodore Roethke, A Manuscript Checklist (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1971) First edition
James Richard McLeod: Theodore Roethke, A Manuscript Checklist (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1973)
August Derleth: Thirty Years of Arkham House 1939-69 (Sauk City, WI: Arkham House Publishers, 1970)
Jack W. C. Hagstrom & George Bixby [Compilers]: Thom Gunn, A Bibliography 1940-1978 (London: Bertram Rota, 1979)
Robert A. Collins: Thomas Burnett Swann: A Brief Critical Biography and Annotated Bibliography (Boca Raton, FL: The Thomas Burnett Swann Fund, 1979)
Frank Dell'Isola: Thomas Merton, A Bibliography (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1975)
Frank Dell'Isola: Thomas Merton, A Bibliography (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1975)
George R. Preston: Thomas Wolfe, A Bibliography (New York: Charles S. Boesen, 1943)
Elmer D. Johnson: Thomas Wolfe, A Checklist (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1970)
David L. Middleton: Toni Morrison: An Annotated Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1987)
John R. Kaiser [Compiler]: Tony Harrison, A Bibliography 1957-1987 (London: Mansell Publishing, 1989)
Michael Sadleir: Trollope: A Bibliography (London: Constable & Company, Ltd., 1928)
David Magee [Compiler]: Victoria R. I. (San Francisco: David Magee Antiquarian Books, 1969-70)
Douglas Ball: Victorian Publishers' Bindings (London: The Library Association, 1985)
B. C. Bloomfield & Edward Mendelson: W. H. Auden, A Bibliography 1924-1969 (Charlottesville, VA: University Press of Virginia, 1972)
Reginald Allen: W. S. Gilbert, An Anniversary Survey and Exhibition Checklist with Thirty-five Illustrations (Charlottesville, VA: The Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia, 1963)
Linda Whitney Hobson: Walker Percy: A Comprehensive Descriptive Bibliography (New Orleans: Faust Publishing Company, 1988)
J. M. Edelstein: Wallace Stevens, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1973)
William R. Langfeld [Compiler]: Washington Irving, A Bibliography (New York: New York Public Library, 1933)
[University of North Carolina]: Who's Whodunit (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina, 1969)
[University of North Carolina]: Who's Whodunit (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina, 1968)
William White: Wilfred Owen 1893-1918: A Bibliography (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1967)
M. L. Parrish: Wilkie Collins and Charles Read First Editions Described With Notes (New York: Burt Franklin, 1968)
Joan Crane: Willa Cather, A Bibliography (Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 1982)
John J. Walsdorf: William Morris in Private Press and Limited Editions: A Descriptive Bibliography of Books by and About William Morris 1891-1981 (Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1983) Slipcase
Joe Maynard & Barry Miles [Compilers]: William S. Burroughs, A Bibliography, 1953-73 (Charlottesville, VA: University Press of Virginia, 1978)
Michael B. Goodman & Lemuel B. Coley: William S. Burroughs, A Reference Guide (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1990)
Notable among the many books on illustration would surely be Arthur M. Hind's three volume work Engraving in England in the Sixteenth & Seventeenth Centuries, a descriptive catalog of English engraving from the Tudor period through the reign of Charles I. There are several works on specific illustrators such as Arthur Rackham and W. Heath Robinson, and more general works on children's book illustrations, woodblock illustrations, and early illuminated manuscripts, notably A Catalogue of Illuminated and Other Manuscripts, a nicely bound 1931 Bernard Quaritch catalog from the "Golden Age" of bookselling.
The history of early printing is well-represented by H. P. Kraus's The Cradle of Printing, a two volume work with wonderful tipped-in examples of early manuscripts and typography. Many more general works and bound catalogs represent the history of early printing in both England (A. W. Pollard & G. R. Redgrave's A Short-Titled Catalogue of Books Printed in England, Scotland, & Ireland, 1475-1640) and America (Joseph Blumenthal's The Printed Book in America). Several books on bookbinding, for example, Frederick E. Maser's Bookbinding in America, 1680-1910 and Ellic Howe's A List of London Bookbinders, 1648-1815 provide excellent references for the collector of early bindings. In times gone by, books were considered a status symbol and owners proudly identified their books through the use of personalized bookplates. Many wonderful examples of these early "book brands" can by found in Walter Hamilton's Dated Book-Plates, 1516-1895.
Also included in the collection are several indispensable sets which should be considered as the basics to any serious reference library: The Dictionary of National Biography, a 22 volume set that provides a "who's who" of everybody from the earliest times until 1900, The New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (missing volume two), Dictionary of Anonymous and Pseudonymous English Literature, Bibliography of American Literature (missing volumes two and nine), and the ultimate bibliography, A World Bibliography of Bibliographies.
Several sets pertaining to magic, alchemy, science, and medicine are present, including: Lynn Thorndike's eight volume A History of Magic and Experimental Science, George Sarton's five volume Introduction to the History of Science, and several bound volumes of rare book catalogues issued by L'Art Ancien circa 1925-1950 specifically dedicated to early books on science and medicine.
Finally, there are numerous bibliographies dedicated to specific genres and the authors within those genres. The science fiction genre is well-represented by L. W. Currey's Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors, three works by Everett Bleiler - The Checklist of Fantastic Literature, Science Fiction Writers, and The Checklist of Science-Fiction & Supernatural Fiction, Neil Barron's Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, and many specific bibliographies for authors, e.g., Clark Ashton Smith, Roger Zelazny, et. al. In fact, there are bibliographies for writers from virtually every era and category of writing: Victorian writers, Beat Generation scribblers, mystery writers, classic modern fiction writers, ad infinitum.
Given the scope and size of the collection on offer, it is recommended that potential bidders arrange to inspect the collection at our location in Dallas. Below is a complete list of all titles on offer in this lot:
August Derleth: 100 Books by August Derleth (Sauk City, WI: Arkham House Publishers, 1962)
J. M. Edelstein [Compiler]: A Bibliographical Checklist of the Writings of Thornton Wilder (New Haven, CT: Yale University Library, 1959)
David A. Jasen: A Bibliography and Reader's Guide to the First Editions of P. G. Wodehouse (London: Greenhill Books, 1986) Second edition
Francis A. Johns: A Bibliography of Arthur Waley (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1968)
Dorothy Ritter Russo & Thelma L. Sullivan: A Bibliography of Booth Tarkington, 1869-1946 (Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Historical Society, 1949)
Warren Roberts: A Bibliography of D. H. Lawrence (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982) Second Printing
B. J. Kirkpatrick: A Bibliography of E. M. Forster (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1985) Second edition
Harold Billings: A Bibliography of Edward Dahlberg (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1971)
Walter Barnes [Compiler]: A Bibliography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Austin, TX: Humanities Research Center, 1967)
Robert Murray Davis, et al: A Bibliography of Evelyn Waugh (Troy, NY: The Whitston Publishing Company, 1986)
Edward and Judith Meyers: A Bibliography of First Printings of the Writings of Jules Verne in the English Language Together with Information on Numerous Reprints, and a Key to Title Interpretation (New Hartford, CT: Country Lane Books, 1989)
Cecil Woolf: A Bibliography of Frederick Rolfe Baron Corvo (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1972)
Dorothy Ritter Russo: A Bibliography of George Ade 1866-1944 (Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Historical Society, 1947)
Leon Edel & Dan H. Laurence: A Bibliography of Henry James (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1982)
A. T. Hazen: A Bibliography of Horace Walpole (New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1973)
John J. Slocum & Herbert Cahoon: A Bibliography of James Joyce 1882-1941 (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1953)
Anthony J. Russo and Dorothy R. Russo: A Bibliography of James Whitcomb Riley (Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Historical Society, 1944)
Jack Potter: A Bibliography of John Dos Passos (Chicago: Normandie House, 1950) Signed by the author and John Dos Passos
Thomas Franklin Currier: A Bibliography of John Greenleaf Whittier (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1937)
Charles H. Simmons [Compiler]: A Bibliography of John Masefield (New York: Columbia University Press, 1930)
George P. Lilley: A Bibliography of John Middleton Murry 1889-1957 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1974)
Celia Zukofsky: A Bibliography of Louis Zukofsky (Los Angeles: Black Sparrow Press, 1969)
Cecil Woolf: A Bibliography of Norman Douglas (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1954)
Thomas Wendell Currier: A Bibliography of Oliver Wendell Holmes (New York: New York University Press, 1953)
E. C. Bigmore & C. W. H. Wyman [Compilers]: A Bibliography of Printing With Notes and Illustrations, Volumes I and II (New York: Philip C. Duschnes, 1945)
George L. McKay: A Bibliography of Robert Bridges (New York: Columbia University Press, 1933) Limited edition
Miriam J. Benkovitz: A Bibliography of Ronald Firbank (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1982) Second edition
Geoffrey Keynes [Compiler]: A Bibliography of Rupert Brooke (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1959)
John Louis Haney: A Bibliography of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Philadelphia: Privately Printed, 1903)
Geoffrey Keynes: A Bibliography of Siegfried Sassoon (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1962)
Peter Riley: A Bibliography of T. F. Powys (Hastings: R. A. Brimmell, 1967)
George Robert Minkoff: A Bibliography of the Black Sun Press (Great Neck, NY: George Robert Minkoff, 1970) Limited, Inscribed, Personally annotated by author
Geoffrey H. Wells: A Bibliography of the Books and Pamphlets of George Bernard Shaw (New York: The Bookman's Journal, 1928)
Jacob Chester Chamberlain [Compiler]: A Bibliography of the First Editions in Book Form of the Writings of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (New York: Privately Printed, 1908) Limited, slipcase
Stephen Brook: A Bibliography of the Gehenna Press 1942-1975 (Northhampton, MA: J. P. Dwyer, 1976)
John F. Fulton: A Bibliography of the Honourable Robert Boyle (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1961)
William S. Peterson: A Bibliography of the Kelmscott Press (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1985)
A. T. Hazen: A Bibliography of the Strawberry Hill Press (New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1973) In slipcase
Alastair Johnston: A Bibliography of the White Rabbit Press (Berkeley, CA: Poltroon Books/Anacapa Books, 1985)
Colleen B. Gilbert: A Bibliography of the Works of Dorothy L. Sayers (Hamden, CT: Archon Books, 1978)
Karl Yost: A Bibliography of the Works of Edna St. Vincent Millay (New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1937)
Ralph Sanborn & Barrett H. Clark: A Bibliography of the Works of Eugene O'Neill (New York: Random House, Inc., 1931)
H. L. R. Swire: A Bibliography of the Works of Joseph Hergesheimer (Philadelphia: The Centaur Book Shop, 1922) Limited, signed by Hergesheimer
Louise Waldrip & Shirley Ann Bauer: A Bibliography of the Works of Katherine Anne Porter and A Bibliography of the Criticism of the Works of Katherine Anne Porter (Metuchen, NJ: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1969)
W. F. Prideaux: A Bibliography of the Works of Robert Louis Stevenson (London: Frank Hollings, 1918)
S. S. Alberts: A Bibliography of the Works of Robinson Jeffers (New York: Cultural History Research, Inc., 1961)
Thomas James Wise: A Bibliography of the Writings in Prose and Verse of Algernon Charles Swinburne (London: William Heinemann, Ltd., 1927)
Maurice Buxton Forman: A Bibliography of the Writings in Prose and Verse of George Meredith (Edinburgh: The Bibliographical Society, 1922)
Scott Cunningham: A Bibliography of the Writings of Carl Van Vechten (Philadelphia: The Centaur Book Shop, 1924)
Carroll Frey: A Bibliography of the Writings of H. L. Mencken (Philadelphia: The Centaur Book Shop, 1924)
I. R. Brussel: A Bibliography of the Writings of James Branch Cabell, A Revised Bibliography (Philadelphia: The Centaur Book Shop, 1932)
Dante Thomas: A Bibliography of the Writings of John Cowper Powys: 1872-1963 (Mamaroneck, NY: Paul P. Appel, Publisher, 1975)
Sidney Herbert Williams: A Bibliography of the Writings of Lewis Carroll (London: The Bookman's Journal, 1924)
Allen Wade: A Bibliography of the Writings of W. B. Yeats (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1968) Third edition
G. F. Wilson: A Bibliography of the Writings of W. H. Hudson (London: The Bookman's Journal, 1922)
Samuel Wright: A Bibliography of the Writings of Walter H. Pater (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1975)
Bradford Morrow & Bernard Lafourcade: A Bibliography of the Writings of Wyndham Lewis (Santa Barbara, CA: Black Sparrow Press, 1978)
Emily Mitchell Wallace: A Bibliography of William Carlos Williams (Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 1968) Signed by the author
William M. Gibson & George Arms: A Bibliography of William Dean Howells (New York: Arno Press, Inc., 1971) Revised edition
Paul S. Clarkson: A Bibliography of William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) (Caldwell, ID: The Caxton Printers, Ltd., 1938)
Ann Charters [Compiler]: A Bibliography of Works by Jack Kerouac (New York: The Phoenix Bookshop, 1975)
Mark Owings & Irving Binkin [Compilers]: A Catalog of Lovecraftiana, The Grill/Binkin Collection (Baltimore: The Mirage Press, Ltd., 1975) Limited edition
Bernard Quaritch, Ltd.: A Catalogue of Greek and Latin Classics (London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd., 1933)
Bernard Quaritch: A Catalogue of Illuminated and Other Manuscripts Together With Some Works on Paleography (London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd., 1931)
Ellis [J. J. Holdsworth & G. Smith]: A Catalogue of One Hundred and Fifty Choice and Valuable Books and Manuscripts (London: Chiswick Press, 1913)
Richard J. Durling [Compiler]: A Catalogue of Sixteenth Century Printed Books in the National Library of Medicine (Bethesda, MD: National Library of Medicine, 1967)
Laurence G. Avery [Compiler]: A Catalogue of the Maxwell Anderson Collection at the University of Texas (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1968)
Virgil B. Heltzel [Compiler]: A Check List of Courtesy Books in the Newberry Library (Chicago: The Newberry Library, 1942)
J. Howard Woolmer: A Checklist of the Hogarth Press 1917-1946 (Revere, PA: Woolmer/Brotherson, Ltd., 1986)
William C. Van Antwerp: A Collector's Comment on His First Editions of the Works of Sir Walter Scott (San Francisco: Gelber, Lilienthal, Inc., 1932)
Ruth S. Granniss: A Descriptive Catalogue of the First Editions in Book Form of the Writings of Percy Bysshe Shelley (New York: The Grolier Club, 1923)
Paul McKenna: A History and Bibliography of the Roycroft Printing Shop (North Tonawanda, NY: Tona Graphics, 1986)
David Bland: A History of Book Illustration (London: Faber and Faber Ltd., 1958)
Lynn Thorndike: A History of Magic and Experimental Science During the First Thirteen Centuries of Our Era (New York: Columbia University Press, 1947-1958) Eight Volumes
Dorothy A. Harrop: A History of the Gregynog Press (Middlesex: Private Libraries Association, 1980)
Ellic Howe: A List of London Bookbinders 1648-1815 (London: The Bibliographical Society, 1950)
William Harris Arnold: A Record of Books & Letters (Jamaica Queensborough, NY: Marion Press, 1901)
G. S. Tomkinson: A Select Bibliography of the Principal Modern Presses Public and Private in Great Britain and Ireland (New York: Alan Wofsy Fine Arts, 1975)
Maggs Brothers, Ltd.: A Selection of Books, Manuscripts and Autograph Letters of Special Interest and Rarity (London: Maggs Brothers, Ltd., 1953)
W. A. Jackson, F. S. Ferguson & Katherine Pantzer [Compilers]: A Short-Title Catalogue of Books Printed in England, Scotland, & Ireland and of English Books Printed Abroad, 1475-1640 (London: The Bibliographical Society, 1976-86) Two Volumes
James T. Bratcher & Lyle H. Kendall, Jr.: A Suppressed Critique of Wise's Swinburne Transactions (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1970)
Henry Sayre Van Duzer [Compiler]: A Thackeray Library (New York: Burt Franklin, 1971)
Tony Appleton [Compiler]: A Typographical Tally (Brighton: Tony Appleton, 1973)
Theodore Besterman: A World Bibliography of Bibliographies (Totowa, NJ: Rowman and Littlefield, 1971) Five volumes
R. A. Gilbert: A. E. Waite, A Bibliography (Wellingborough: The Aquarian Press, 1983)
Alan Pritchard: Alchemy, A Bibliography of English-language Writings (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1980)
Claire John Eschelbach & Joyce Lee Shober: Aldous Huxley, A Bibliography 1916-1959 (Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1961)
Danile J. H. Levack [Compiler]: Amber Dreams: A Roger Zelazny Bibliography (San Francisco: Underwood/Miller, 1983)
Vincent Starrett: Ambrose Bierce, A Bibliography (Philadelphia: The Centaur Book Shop, 1929)
Carl L. Cannon: American Book Collectors and Collecting From Colonial Times to the Present (New York: The H. W. Wilson Company, 1941)
Lyle H. Wright: American Fiction 1876-1900, A Contribution Toward a Bibliography (San Marino, CA: The Huntington Library, 1972)
Francisco Guerra: American Medical Bibliography 1639-1783 (New York: Lathrop C. Harper, Inc., 1962)
Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc.: Americana Rara English & American First Editions Collected by William d. Breaker (New York: Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., 1937)
Norman M. Penzer: An Annotated Bibliography of Sir Richard Francis Burton (London: A. M. Philpot, Ltd., 1923)
Frank C. Baxter: An Annotated Check-List of A Collection of Writings By and About T. E. Lawrence (Los Angeles: Frank C. Baxter, 1968) Limited edition
Geoffrey Ashall Glaister: An Encyclopedia of the Book (Cleveland, OH: The World Publishing Company, 1960)
Benjamin Franklin V: Anais Ninn, A Bibliography (Kent, OH: Kent State Press, 1973)
John Lewis: Anatomy of Printing, The Influence of Art and History on Its Design (New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 1970)
Neil Barron: Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1976)
I. R. Brussel: Anglo-American First Editions 1826-1900 East To West (London: Constable & Company, Ltd., 1935)
Fred Gettings: Arthur Rackham (New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, Inc., 1975)
Margaret P. Hannay [Editor]: As Her Whimsey Took Her (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1979)
Basilisk Press & Bookshop: Basilisk Press & Bookshop Catalogue, Number Three 1981/82 (London: Basilisk Press & Bookshop, 1981)
Rita Nathalie Kosofsky: Bernard Malamud, an Annotated Checklist (Kent, OH: Kent State University Press, 1969)
Peter E. Hanff & Douglas G. Greene: Bibliographia Oziana (Demorest, GA: The International Wizard of Oz Club, 1976)
John Ferguson: Bibliographical Notes on Histories of Inventions and Books of Secrets (London: The Holland Press, 1959) Limited edition, two volumes, slipcase
B. A. Sokoloff [Editor]: Bibliographies in Contemporary American Fiction (Folcroft, PA: Folcroft Press, 1971) Limited edition
Henry Danielson: Bibliographies of Modern Authors (London: The Bookman's Journal, 1921)
Jacob Blanck [Compiler]: Bibliography of American Literature Volumes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (New Haven, CT: Yale University Library, 1955-90) Missing volumes 2 and 9
Clarissa P. Farrar & Austin P. Evans: Bibliography of English Translations From Medieval Sources (New York: Columbia University Press, 1948)
William Targ [Editor]: Bibliophile in the Nursery (Cleveland, OH: The World Publishing Company, 1957)
[Denis I. Duveen]: Bibliotheca Alchemica Et Chemica - An Annotated Catalogue of Printed Books on Alchemy, Chemistry, and Cognate Subjects in the Library of Denis I. Duveen (London: E. Weil, 1949) Limited edition
John Ferguson: Bibliotheca Chemica (London: Derek Verschoyle Academic and Bibliographical Publications, Ltd., 1954)
Archer Taylor: Book Catalogues: Their Varieties and Uses (Chicago: The Newberry Library, 1957)
Hanns Hammelmann: Book Illustrators in Eighteenth-Century England (New Haven, CT: Yale University Library, 1975)
[Frederick E. Maser]: Bookbinding in America 1680-1910 (Bryn Mawr, PA: Bryn Mawr College Library, 1983)
Winslow L Webber: Books About Books (Boston: Hale, Cushman & Flint, 1937)
Brian Lake: British Newspapers (London: Sheppard Press, 1984)
Geoffrey Handley-Taylor & Timothy d'Arch Smith [Compilers]: C. Day-Lewis, The Poet Laureate - A Bibliography (Chicago: St. James Press, 1968)
M. H. Black: Cambridge University Press 1584-1984 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984)
The Bibliographical Society of America: Carroll Atwood Wilson (New York: The Bibliographical Society of America, 1948)
The Grolier Club: Catalogue of an Exhibition Commemorating the Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of William Makepeace Thackeray, 1811-1911 (New York: The Grolier Club, 1912)
[Maggs Brothers]: Catalogue of Old Books on Medicine, Catalogue Number 485 (London: Maggs Brothers, Ltd., 1926)
The Grolier Club: Catalogue of Original and Early Editions of Some of the Poetical and Prose Works of English Writers From Wither to the Present (New York: The Grolier Club, 1905) In 3 volumes
The Grolier Club: Catalogue of Original and Early Editions of Some of the Poetical and Prose Works of English Writers From Wither to the Present (New York: The Grolier Club, 1893) A single volume from an earlier set, both boards detached
Walter Barnes [Compiler]: Catalogue of the Browning Collection at the University of Texas (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1966)
[Brayton Ives]: Catalogue of the Collection of Books and Manuscripts Belonging to Mr. Brayton Ives of New York (New York: De Vinne Press, 1891) Limited edition
The Southworth-Anthoensen Press: Catalogue of the Collection of Samuel Butler in the Chapin Library Williams College (Portland, ME: The Southworth-Anthoensen Press, 1945)
Sotheby & Company: Catalogue of Valuable Printed Books and Fine Bindings From the Celebrated Collection of Major J. R. Abbey (London: Sotheby & Company, 1965)
Bernard Quaritch, Ltd.: Catalogues of Books on Botany, Agriculture, Forestry, Fruit-Culture, Gardens, Early and Modern Medicine and Surgery and Books on Tobacco (London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd., 1928-29)
Various Booksellers: Catalogues of Books on Natural History (London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd., 1924-53)
[Various Booksellers]: Catalogues of Rare & Important Books on Medicine, Botany, Chemistry and Alchemy, Mainly before 1800 (: Various Booksellers, 1938-50)
[Leo S. Olschki]: Catalogues of Rare Books on Medicine Part I Incunabula Medicine, Part II XVI-XIX Century (Florence: Imprimerie Gluntina, 1923)
Various Booksellers: Catalogues of Rare Books on Science and Medicine (Chiefly Before 1900) (New York: Various Booksellers, 1948-53)
Lois Glen: Charles W. S. Williams, A Checklist (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1975)
[University of Connecticut]: Children's Literature, Volumes 1 - 6 (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1975-77) Fourth printing
John Michael Walsh: Cleanth Brooks, An Annotated Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1990)
Myron J. Smith: Cloak and Dagger Fiction, An Annotated Guide to Spy Thrillers (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-Clio, Inc., 1982) 2nd edition
F. W. and F. C. Bonnell: Conrad Aiken, A Bibliography 1902-1978 (San Marino, CA: The Huntington Library, 1982)
R. Reginald [Compiler]: Contemporary Science Fiction Authors (New York: Arno Press, Inc., 1975)
Bernard Quaritch [Editor]: Contributions Towards a Dictionary of English Book-Collectors (London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd., 1892-1921)
Linda Herman & Beth Stiel: Corpus Delicti of Mystery Fiction: A Guide to the Body of the Case (Metuchen, NJ: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1974)
Allen J. Hubin: Crime Fiction 1749-1980, A Comprehensive Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1984)
Allen J. Hubin: Crime Fiction 1749-1980, A Comprehensive Bibliography 1981 - 1985 Supplement (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1988)
Richard Layman: Dashiell Hammett, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1979)
Walter Hamilton: Dated Book-Plates With a Treatise on Their Origin and Development (London: A. & C. Black, 1895)
Rosamond B. Loring: Decorated Book Papers Being An Account of Their Designs and Fashions (Cambridge: Harvard College Library, 1973)
William H. Lyles: Dell Paperbacks, 1942 to Mid-1962, A Catalogue Index (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1983)
M. Mandar: Details de Construcion D'une Maison Donnes Pour L'Instruction, etc. (Paris: Unknown, 1818)
Walter Albert: Detective and Mystery Fiction, An International Bibliography of Secondary Sources (Madison, IN: Brownstone Books, 1985)
Dr. James Kennedy, W. A. Smith & A. F. Johnson: Dictionary of Anonymous and Pseudonymous English Literature (London: Oliver and Boyd, 1926-1962) Nine volumes
Joseph T. Shipley: Dictionary of Early English (New York: Philosophy Library, 1955)
Douglas Messerli: Djuna Barnes: A Bibliography (NP: David Lewis, 1975)
Ralph E. Hone: Dorothy L. Sayers, A Literary Biography (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1979)
Katherine Romans Hall [Compiler]: E. B. White, A Bibliographic Catalogue of Printed Materials in the Department of Rare Books, Cornell University Library (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1979)
Carl Petersen: Each in Its Ordered Place: A Faulkner Collector's Notebook (Ann Arbor, MI: Ardis Publishers, 1975)
[Michael Papantonio]: Early American Bookbindings From the Collection of Michael Papantonio (New York: The Pierpont Morgan Library, 1972)
L'Art Ancien S. A.: Early Books on Medicine Natural Sciences and Alchemy in Four Parts (Lugano: L'Art Ancien S. A., 1925-26)
Percival Hinton: Eden Phillpotts, A Bibliography of First Editions (Birmingham: Greville Worthington, 1931)
Candace W. MacMahon: Elizabeth Bishop, A Bibliography 1927-1979 (Charlottesville, VA: University Press of Virginia, 1980)
William Kelly: Ellen Glasgow, A Bibliography (Charlottesville, VA: The Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia, 1964)
Joel Myerson: Emily Dickinson, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1984)
Donald Sidney-Fryer [Compiler]: Emperor of Dreams, A Clark Ashton Smith Bibliography (West Kingston, RI: Donald M. Grant, Publisher, 1978)
Bernard Capp: English Almanacs 1500-1800 Astrology and the Popular Press (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1979)
Charles S. Boesen [Publisher]: English and American Literature XVIth-XX Century First Editions-Manuscripts, Autograph Letters Part I and II (New York: Charles S. Boesen, ND)
H. S. Bennett: English Books & Readers 1475-1640 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1952-1970) Three Volumes
Percy Muir: English Children's Books 1600-1900 (London: B. T. Batsford Ltd., 1954)
The Rosenbach Company: English Plays to 1700 Including An Unique Shakespeare Collection (Philadelphia: The Rosenbach Company, 1940)
Charles C. Mish [Compiler]: English Prose Fiction, 1600-1700, A Chronological Checklist (Charlottesville, VA: Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia, 1967)
Arthur M. Hind: Engraving in England in the Sixteenth & Seventeenth Centuries (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1952-64) Three Volumes
E. H. Mundell: Erle Stanley Gardner, A Checklist (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1968)
Audre Hanneman: Ernest Hemingway: A Comprehensive Bibliography (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1967)
Jennifer McCabe Atkinson: Eugene O'Neill, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1974)
Michael Sadleir: Excursions in Victorian Bibliography (London: Chaundy & Cox, 1922)
Donald Gallup: Ezra Pound, A Bibliography (Charlottesville, VA: University Press of Virginia, 1983)
Matthew J. Bruccoli: F. Scott Fitzgerald, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1972)
Tim Underwood & Chuck Miller [Editors]: Fear Itself: The Horror Fiction of Stephen King (San Francisco: Underwood/Miller, 1982)
William Harris Arnold
The Grolier Club: First Editions of the Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne (New York: The Grolier Club, 1905) Limited, slipcase
The Grolier Club: First Editions of the Works of Robert Louis Stevenson 1850-1894 and Other Stevensonia (New York: The Grolier Club, 1915) Limited edition
Edward N. Zempel & Linda A. Verkler [Editors]: First Editions: A Guide to Identification (Peoria, IL: The Spoon River Press, 1985) Second Printing
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1969 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1969)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1970 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1970)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1971 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1971)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1972 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1973)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1974 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1975)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1975 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1975)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Editor]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1976 (Washington, D.C.: Microcard Editions, 1978)
Margaret M. Duggan & Richard Layman [Editors]: Fitzgerald/Hemingway Annual 1977 (Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1977)
Edward Hodnett: Five Centuries of English Book Illustration (Aldershot: Scolar Press, 1988)
Alexander Smith, Jr.: Frank O'Hara, A Comprehensive Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1979)
Leslie T. Morton: Garrison and Morton's Medical Bibliography (New York: Argosy Book Stores, 1961)
Katherine McNeil [Compiler]: Gary Snyder, A Bibliography (New York: The Phoenix Bookshop, 1983)
Michael Collie & Angus Fraser: George Barrow, A Bibliographical Study (Winchester: St. Paul's Bibliographies, 1984)
Albert M. Cohn: George Cruikshank, A Catalogue Raisonne (New York: Collectors Editions, 1971)
Michael Collie: George Gissing, A Bibliography (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1975)
Mary Nance Jordan: George MacDonald: A Bibliographical Catalog and Record (Fairfax, VA: Privately Published for the Marion E. Wade Collection, 1984)
Michael Collie: George Meredith, A Bibliography (Toronto: University of Toronto, 1974)
Robert A. Wilson [Compiler]: Gertrude Stein, A Bibliography (New York: The Phoenix Bookshop, 1974) Limited, Signed
Robert H. Miller: Graham Greene, A Descriptive Catalog (Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Press, 1979)
R. A. Wobbe: Graham Greene: A Bibliography and Guide to Research (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1979)
Ira Moskowitz [Editor]: Great Drawings of All Time. Volume I, II, III and IV (New York: Shorewood Publishers, 1962) Slipcase
Joseph Schwartz & Robert C. Schweik: Hart Crane, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1972)
C. E. Frazier Clark, Jr. [Editor]: Hawthorne At Auction 1894-1971 (Detroit: Bruccoli-Clark, 1972)
Matthew J. Bruccoli and C. E. Frazer Clark, Jr. [Compilers]: Hemingway At Auction 1930-1973 (Detroit: Bruccoli-Clark, 1973)
Raymond R. Borst: Henry David Thoreau, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1982)
J. R. Hammond: Herbert George Wells, An Annotated Bibliography of His Works (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1977)
Wilmarth Sheldon Lewis: Horace Walpole (New York: Pantheon Books, 1961)
Marshall B. Tymn [Editor]: Horror Literature, A Core Collection and Reference Guide (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1981)
Bertha E. Mahony et al [Compiler]: Illustrators of Children's Books 1744-1945 (Boston: The Horn Book, Inc., 1947)
Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc.: Important Incunabula and Early Printed Books Sale 831 (New York: Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., 1947)
David Sandler Berkowitz: In Remembrance of Creation, Evolution of Art and Scholarship in the Medieval and Renaissance Bible (Waltham, MA: The Brandeis University Press, 1968)
George Sarton: Introduction to the History of Science Volumes I, II (Parts I and II), III (Parts I and II) (Baltimore: Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1953)
Eileen Glancy: James Dickey The Critic As Poet, An Annotated Bibliography (Troy, NY: The Whitston Publishing Company, 1971)
Stuart Wright: James Dickey, A Bibliography of His Books, Pamphlets, and Broadsides (Dallas, TX: Pressworks, 1982) Limited Edition
James B. Meriwether: James Gould Cozzens, A Checklist (Detroit: Bruccoli-Clark, 1972)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Compiler]: James Gould Cozzens, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1981)
John R. Hopkins [Compiler]: James Jones, A Checklist (Detroit: Bruccoli-Clark, 1974)
Edwin T. Bowden: James Thurber, A Bibliography (Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, 1968)
Geoffrey Keynes: Jane Austen: A Bibliography (London: Nonesuch Press, 1929)
David K. Kermani: John Ashbery: A Comprehensive Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1976)
Joseph Weixmann: John Barth: A Descriptive Primary and Annotated Secondary Bibliography, Including a Descriptive Catalog of Manuscript Holdings in United States Libraries (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1976)
Ernest C. Stefanik, Jr.: John Berryman, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1974)
Michael Pearce: John Drinkwater, A Comprehensive Bibliography of His Works (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1977)
Bruce Morton: John Gould Fletcher, A Bibliography (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1979)
William B. Osgood Field: John Leech On My Shelves (New York: Collectors Editions, 1970)
Geoffrey Handley-Taylor [Compiler]: John Masefield, O.M. The Queen's Poet Laureate (London: The Cranbrook Tower Press, 1960)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Compiler]: John O'Hara: A Checklist (New York: Random House, 1972)
Lewis Gannett: John Steinbeck: Personal and Bibliographical Notes (New York: The Viking Press, 1939) 3rd issue
Lewis Gannett: John Steinbeck: Personal and Bibliographical Notes (New York: The Viking Press, 1939) 1st issue
Bruce Teets: Joseph Conrad, An Annotated Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1990)
Merja Makinen: Joyce Cary, A Descriptive Bibliography (London: Mansell Publishing, 1989)
Richard G. Morgan: Kenneth Patchen, An Annotated, Descriptive Bibliography With Cross-Referenced Index (Mamaroneck, NY: Paul P. Appel, Publisher, 1978)
Jack Benoit Gohn: Kingsley Amis, A Checklist (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1976)
Betty Lenhardt Hudgens [Compiler]: Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., A Checklist (Detroit: Bruccoli-Clark, 1972)
Asa B. Pieratt, Jr, & Jerome Klinkowitz: Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., A Descriptive Bibliography and Annotated Secondary Checklist (Hamden, CT: Archon Books, 1974)
Edward Milward-Oliver: Len Deighton, An Annotated Bibliography 1954-1985 (Maidstone: The Sammler Press, 1985)
J. Howard Woolmer: Malcolm Lowry, A Bibliography (Revere, PA: Woolmer/Brotherson, Ltd., 1983)
J. Howard Woolmer: Malcolm Lowry, A Bibliography (Revere, PA: Woolmer/Brotherson, Ltd., 1983)
Maggs Brothers, Ltd.: Manuscripts and Books on Medicine, Alchemy, Astrology & Natural Sciences (London: Maggs Brothers, Ltd., 1929)
Craig S. Abbott: Marianne Moore, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1977)
Sherli Evens Goldman: Mary McCarthy, A Bibliography (New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., 1968)
Louis W. Bondy: Miniature Books, Their History From the Beginnings to the Present Day (London: Sheppard Press, 1981)
[Edgar Mansfield]: Modern Design in Bookbinding, The Works of Edgar Mansfield (Boston: Boston Book and Art Shop, 1966)
H. P. Kraus: Monumenta Xylographica et Typographica (New York: H. P. Kraus, 1971)
Seth Thompson: Motif-Index of Folk-Literature Volumes 1, 2 and 6 Only (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1989)
Stephen L. Smoke [Editor]: Mystery - The Magazine Dedicated to Readers of Mystery, Suspense, Thrillers and Adventure (Los Angeles: Stephen L. Smoke, 1979-81) Volume I, number 1-3, volume II, number 1-3 and volume III, number 1-3 in a custom slipcase
Andrew Field: Nabokov, A Bibliography (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1973)
C. E. Frazier Clark, Jr.: Nathaniel Hawthorne, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1978)
William White: Nathaniel West: A Comprehensive Bibliography (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1975)
Kenneth G. McCollum [Compiler]: Nelson Algren, A Checklist (Detroit: Bruccoli-Clark, 1973)
Carlton Lake [Compiler]: No Symbols Where None Intended - A Catalogue of Books, Manuscripts, and Other Material Relating to Samuel Beckett in the Collections of the Humanities Research Center (Austin, TX: Humanities Research Center, 1984)
Laura Adams [Compiler]: Norman Mailer: A Comprehensive Bibliography (Metuchen, NJ: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1974)
Pisanus Fraxi: Notes on Curious and Uncommon Books (London: Privately Printed, 1877-85) Three Volumes
Daniel Berkeley Updike: Notes on the Merrymount Press & Its Work 1893-1949 (San Francisco: Alan Wofsy Fine Arts, 1975)
Falconer Madan: Oxford Books, A Bibliography of Printed Works Related to the University and City of Oxford or Printed or Published There, Volume 1, The Early Oxford Press 1468-1680 (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1895-1931) Three Volumes
Jon Tuska: Philo Vance, The Life and Times of S. S. Van Dine (Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green University Popular Press, 1971)
Percy H. Muir: Points Second Series 1866-1934 (London: Constable & Company, Ltd., 1934)
Alan Denson [Compiler]: Printed Writings by George W. Russell, A Bibliography (Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press, 1961)
B. E. Bellamy: Private Presses & Publishing in England Since 1945 (New York: K. G. Saur & Clive Bungley, 1980)
Will Ransom: Private Presses and Their Books (New York: Philip C. Duschnes, 1963)
Harry Price [Compiler]: Proceedings of the National Laboratory of Psychical Research Short Title Catalogue of Works on Magic, Witchcraft, etc. (London: National Laboratory of Psychical Research, 1929)
Hugh Ford: Published in Paris, American and British Writers, Printers, and Publishers in Paris, 1920-1939 (New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, Inc., 1975)
William H. Lyles: Putting Dell on the Map, A History of Dell Paperbacks (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1983)
Joel Myerson: Ralph Waldo Emerson, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1982)
William H. Robinson, Ltd.: Rare Books and Manuscripts (London: William H. Robinson, Ltd., 1953)
Matthew J. Bruccoli [Compiler]: Raymond Chandler, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1979)
William H. Bond [Editor]: Records of a Bibliographer: Selected Papers of William Alexander Jackson (Cambridge: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1967)
Guy M. Townsend [Editor]: Rex Stout, An Annotated Primary and Secondary Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1980)
Matthew J. Bruccoli & Richard Layman: Ring W. Lardner, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1976)
Mark Owings: Robert A. Heinlein: A Bibliography (Baltimore: Croatan House, 1973)
Princeton University Library: Robert Louis Stevenson: A Catalogue of the Henry E. Gerstley Stevenson Collection, etc. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Library, 1971)
Mary Nance Huff [Compiler]: Robert Penn Warren, A Bibliography (New York: David Lewis, 1968)
Lawrence Clark Powell: Robinson Jeffers, The Man and His Work (Pasadena, CA: San Pasqual Press, 1940)
Matthew J. Bruccoli: Ross Macdonald/Kenneth Millar, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1983)
L. W. Currey: Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors (Boston: G. K. Hall & Company, 1979)
E. F. Bleiler [Editor]: Science Fiction Writers (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1982)
E. Ashworth Underwood [Editor]: Science Medicine and History, Volumes I and II (London: Oxford University Press, 1953)
Ronald Ayling & Michael J. Durkan: Sean O'Casey, A Bibliography (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1978)
Will Ransom: Selective Check Lists of Press Books (New York: Philip C. Duschnes, 1963)
Robert Lee Wolff: Sensational Victorian: The Life & Fiction of Mary Elizabeth Braddon (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1979)
Edgar W. Smith [Compiler]: Sherlock Holmes: The Writings of John H. Watson, M.D. (Morristown, NJ: The Baker Street Irregulars, Inc., 1962)
Donald Wing [Compiler]: Short-Title Catalogue of Books Printed in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and British America and of English Books Printed in Other Countries 1641-1700 in Three Volumes with Index Volume (New York: Columbia University Press, 1945-55)
B. D. Cutler: Sir James M. Barrie, A Bibliography (New York: Burt Franklin, 1968)
J. G. Riewald: Sir Max Beerbohm: Man and Writer. A Critical Analysis with a Brief Life and a Bibliography (The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff, 1953)
James A. Casada: Sir Richard F. Burton, A Bibliographical Study (London: Mansell Publishing, 1990)
Bernard Quaritch, Ltd.: Six Catalogues of Books Relating to Bibliography, Paleography, Typography and Reproductions of Manuscripts (London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd., 1945-55)
H. B. Kulkarni: Stephen Spender Works and Criticism, An Annotated Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1976)
Audre Hanneman: Supplement to Ernest Hemingway (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1975)
Matthew J. Bruccoli: Supplement to F. Scott Fitzgerald, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1980)
William B. Todd: Suppressed Commentaries on the Wiseian Forgeries (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1969)
Elizabeth W. Duval: T. E. Lawrence, A Bibliography (New York: Arrow Editions, 1938)
Donald Gallup: T. S. Eliot, A Bibliography (New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., 1969)
Bradford M. Day [Editor]: Talbot Mundy Biblio - Materials Toward a Bibliography of the Works of Talbot Munday (New York: Science-Fiction & Fantasy Publications, 1955)
Howard Haycraft [Editor]: The Art of the Mystery Story (New York: Biblo and Tannen, 1976)
Howard Haycraft [Editor]: The Art of the Mystery Story (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1946)
Maggs Brothers, Ltd.: The Art of Writing 2800 B.C. to 1930 A.D. (London: Maggs Brothers, Ltd., 1930)
William Thomas Lowndes: The Bibliographer's Manual of English Literature (London: Bell & Daldy, 1869) Six volumes, limited edition
W.O.G. Lofts & Derek Adley: The British Bibliography of Edgar Wallace (London: Howard Baker, 1969)
Nicolas Barker: The Butterfly Books, An Enquiry into the Nature of Certain Twentieth Century Pamphlets (London: Bertram Rota, 1987)
John Wardroper: The Caricatures of George Cruikshank (Boston: David R. Godine, 1978)
Wendy Clauson Schlereth: The Chap-Book, A Journal of American Intellectual Life in the 1890s (Ann Arbor, MI: UMI Research Press, 1982)
Lucy Eugenia Osborne [Compiler]: The Chapin Library Williams College, A Short-Title List (Portland, ME: The Southworth-Anthoensen Press, 1939)
E. F. Bleiler: The Checklist of Fantastic Literature (Naperville, IL: FAX Collector's Editions, 1972)
E. F. Bleiler: The Checklist of Science-Fiction and Supernatural Fiction (Glen Rock, NJ: Firebell Books, 1978)
Ralph T. Cook: The City Lights Pocket Poets Series, A Descriptive Bibliography (La Jolla, CA: Laurence McGilvery/Atticus Books, 1982)
Margery Corbett & Ronald Lightbrown: The Comely Frontispiece, The Emblematic Title-Page in England 1550-1660 (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1979)
Robert E. Scholes [Compiler]: The Cornell Joyce Collection, A Catalogue (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1961)
H. P. Kraus: The Cradle of Printing From Mainz to Bamberg to Westminster and St. Albans (New York: H. P. Kraus, 1971)
E. H. Mundell, Jr. & G. Ray Rausch: The Detective Short Story, A Bibliography and Index (Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University Library, 1974)
George Smith [Founder]: The Dictionary of National Biography 1901-1960 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1958-1971) Six volumes
George Smith [Founder]: The Dictionary of National Biography From Earliest Times to 1900 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1968) Twenty-two volumes including supplement
H. P. Kraus: The Duveen Collection of Alchemy & Chemistry Catalog 62 (New York: H. P. Kraus, 1953)
Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc.: The Edward Hubert Litchfield Collection of First Editions of English and American Authors (New York: Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., 1951)
Aurelius Pompen: The English Versions of The Ship of Fools, A Contribution to the History of the Early French Renaissance in England (London: Longmans, Green and Company, 1925)
L. G. Pine: The Genealogist's Encyclopedia (Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 1969)
Philip Young & Charles W. Mann: The Hemingway Manuscripts, An Inventory (Lincoln Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1969) Limited edition, slipcase
Doris Welsh: The History of Miniature Books (Albany, NY: Fort Orange Press, Inc., 1987)
Diana Klemin: The Illustrated Book: Its Art and Craft (New York: Bramhall House, 1970)
Geoffrey C. Beare: The Illustrations of W. Heath Robinson (London: Werner Shaw Ltd., 1983)
B. G. MacCarthy: The Later Women Novelists 1744-1818 (Oxford: Cork University Press, 1947)
James B. Meriwether: The Literary Career of William Faulkner, A Bibliographical Study (Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina, 1971)
Frank Wadleigh Chandler: The Literature of Roguery (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1907) Two Volumes
George Watson [Editor]: The New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature Volumes 1, 3, 4, and 5 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1974-77) Missing volume 2
Phyllis Dain: The New York Public Library, A History of Its Founding and Early Years (New York: New York Public Library, 1972)
The Nonesuch Press: The Nonesuch Dickens (London: The Nonesuch Press, 1937)
James Tregaskis & Son: The One Thousandth Caxton Head Catalogue (London: Jame Tregaskis & Son, Ltd., 1931)
Judith St. John [Prepared by]: The Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books 1566-1910 (Toronto: Toronto Public Library, 1958)
Nicolas Barker: The Oxford University Press and the Spread of Learning 1478-1978 (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1978)
J. Howard Woolmer: The Poetry Bookshop 1912-1935, A Bibliography (Revere, PA: Woolmer/Brotherson, Ltd., 1988)
Joseph Blumenthal: The Printed Book in America (Boston: David Godine Publisher, 1977)
Roderick Cave: The Private Press (New York: R R. Bowker Company, 1983) Revised and enlarged edition
Vladimir Nabokov: The Real Life of Sebastian Knight (Norfolk, CT: New Directions, 1941)
J. Howard Woolmer: The Samurai Press 1906-1909, a Bibliography (Revere, PA: Woolmer/Brotherson, Ltd., 1986)
David Farrell [Compiler]: The Stinehour Press, A Bibliographical Checklist of the First Thirty Years (Lunenburg, VT: Meriden-Stinehour Press, 1988) Limited, Signed
John Lewis: The Twentieth Century Book, Its Illustration and Design (New York: Reinhold Publishing Corp., 1967)
Eric de Mare: The Victorian Woodblock Illustrators (New York: The Sandstone Press, 1981)
No Author: the Work of Bruce Rogers (New York: Oxford University Press, 1939)
A. Reynolds Morse: The Works of M. P. Shiel (Los Angeles: Fantasy Publishing Company, Inc., 1948)
Raymond Toole Stott: The Writings of William Somerset Maugham, A Bibliography (London: Bertram Rota, 1956)
Frank Broomhead: The Zaehndorfs (1842-1947), Craft Bookbinders (Middlesex: Private Libraries Association, 1986)
James Richard McLeod: Theodore Roethke, A Manuscript Checklist (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1971) First edition
James Richard McLeod: Theodore Roethke, A Manuscript Checklist (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1973)
August Derleth: Thirty Years of Arkham House 1939-69 (Sauk City, WI: Arkham House Publishers, 1970)
Jack W. C. Hagstrom & George Bixby [Compilers]: Thom Gunn, A Bibliography 1940-1978 (London: Bertram Rota, 1979)
Robert A. Collins: Thomas Burnett Swann: A Brief Critical Biography and Annotated Bibliography (Boca Raton, FL: The Thomas Burnett Swann Fund, 1979)
Frank Dell'Isola: Thomas Merton, A Bibliography (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1975)
Frank Dell'Isola: Thomas Merton, A Bibliography (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1975)
George R. Preston: Thomas Wolfe, A Bibliography (New York: Charles S. Boesen, 1943)
Elmer D. Johnson: Thomas Wolfe, A Checklist (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1970)
David L. Middleton: Toni Morrison: An Annotated Bibliography (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1987)
John R. Kaiser [Compiler]: Tony Harrison, A Bibliography 1957-1987 (London: Mansell Publishing, 1989)
Michael Sadleir: Trollope: A Bibliography (London: Constable & Company, Ltd., 1928)
David Magee [Compiler]: Victoria R. I. (San Francisco: David Magee Antiquarian Books, 1969-70)
Douglas Ball: Victorian Publishers' Bindings (London: The Library Association, 1985)
B. C. Bloomfield & Edward Mendelson: W. H. Auden, A Bibliography 1924-1969 (Charlottesville, VA: University Press of Virginia, 1972)
Reginald Allen: W. S. Gilbert, An Anniversary Survey and Exhibition Checklist with Thirty-five Illustrations (Charlottesville, VA: The Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia, 1963)
Linda Whitney Hobson: Walker Percy: A Comprehensive Descriptive Bibliography (New Orleans: Faust Publishing Company, 1988)
J. M. Edelstein: Wallace Stevens, A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1973)
William R. Langfeld [Compiler]: Washington Irving, A Bibliography (New York: New York Public Library, 1933)
[University of North Carolina]: Who's Whodunit (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina, 1969)
[University of North Carolina]: Who's Whodunit (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina, 1968)
William White: Wilfred Owen 1893-1918: A Bibliography (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1967)
M. L. Parrish: Wilkie Collins and Charles Read First Editions Described With Notes (New York: Burt Franklin, 1968)
Joan Crane: Willa Cather, A Bibliography (Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 1982)
John J. Walsdorf: William Morris in Private Press and Limited Editions: A Descriptive Bibliography of Books by and About William Morris 1891-1981 (Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1983) Slipcase
Joe Maynard & Barry Miles [Compilers]: William S. Burroughs, A Bibliography, 1953-73 (Charlottesville, VA: University Press of Virginia, 1978)
Michael B. Goodman & Lemuel B. Coley: William S. Burroughs, A Reference Guide (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1990)
[William Melmoth, translator and editor] The Letters of Pliny the Consul: With Occasional Remarks, Volume 1. (Dublin: Thomas Ewing, 1765), fifth edition (corrected), [v], 298 pages, bound in full calf, morocco spine labels with gilt titles and decoration, 12mo (4.25" x 7"), exterior hinges cracked, spine and extremities of the boards rubbed, corners well worn, moderate foxing throughout especially the preliminary pages, however the contents are sound and tight, very good condition. Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus (63-ca 113), better known as Pliny the Younger, was a lawyer, an author, and a philosopher of ancient Rome. His Letters (Epistulae), a series of personal missives directed to his friends and associates, are a unique testimony of Roman administrative history and everyday life in the 1st century.
James Harrington: The Oceana of James Herrington, and His Other Works; Som Wherof are Now First Publish'd From His Own Manuscripts. The Whole Collected, Methodiz'd, and Review'd, With An Exact Account of His Life. (London: Booksellers of London, 1700), first thus, 546 pages, [1] page ads, preface by John Toland, title page in black and red ink, Lely and Gucht engraving of Harrington opposite page xiii, folding plate opposite page 113, full calf with floral decoration, gilt titles, six raised spine bands, folio (8.5" x 12.5"), boards well-worn at the corners, general soiling to boards, exterior hinges cracked, front inside hinge cracked, pages toned but clean, ffep loose but still attached, else a very sound copy, internally strong and tight. James Harrington (1611-1677) was a controversial English political theorist best known for his work The Commonwealth of Oceana. Originally published in 1656, Oceana was seized at the presses by order of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. The book on offer was edited by John Toland and was part biography and part compilation of Harrington's works, including the addition of the important work A System of Politics.
Adam Smith: An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. (Edinburgh: Silvester Doig, Andrew Stirling, et al., 1817), in three volumes, vI 360 pages, vII 514 pages, vIII 448 pages and index, quarter leather and marbled boards, red and black applied leather spine labels with gilt titles, four raised spine bands with gilt decoration, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), previous owner's OLD book plate has ghosted on the prelims, minimal foxing, light wear to covers, else near fine.
Elkanah Settle: The Hannover Succession to the Imperial Crown of England, An Heroick Poem. (London: Printed for John Nutt: 1702), 51 pages, first edition, tall slim 8vo (7" x 10.75"), parallel Latin and English text. Contemporary morocco binding by the author with blind detail to edges of boards some very minor discoloration and slight rubbing. Elkanah Settle, (1648-1724) was an English dramatist and poet. With the patronage of the Earl of Rochester, Settle's heroic dramas for a time rivaled those of Dryden.
Beautiful Leather Bound Six Volume Set of the Poetical Works of Chaucer. (London: William Pickering, 1845), third edition, vI 326 pages, vII 330 pages, vIII 363 pages, vIV 321 pages, vV 321 pages, vVI 288 pages, polished calf, double gilt rules on front and back covers, gilt dentelle, six compartments between five raised bands, gilt decoration in four compartments, gilt titles on morocco spine labels, gilt edges, marbled end papers, engraved frontis in volume one, 16mo (4.25" x 6.5"), light wear at hinges, else simply beautiful.
Francis Bacon: The Essayes or, Councels, Civil and Moral: Of Francis Lo. Verulam, Viscount St. Alban. With A Table of the Colours, or Apparances of Good and Evill, and Their Degrees, as places of Perswasion, and Disswasion, and Their severall Fallaxes, and the Elenches of them. (London: John Beale, 1639) A3 + 340 pages, "Newly enlarged" edition (i.e. the 4th), 12mo (5.25" x 7.25"), full calf. Simple ornaments frame the title page; woodcut initials and headpieces. Text is printed within rules, leaving space for the reader to add her own marginalia. Wear to pages, but firm binding. Very good condition.
Benjamin Jonson: The Workes of Benjamin Jonson. (London: Printed by William Stansby, 1616), first collected edition, 840 pages, from the library of Henry James Coolidge, decorative woodcut head-pieces and initials, bound in half morocco leather with marbled boards, marbled endpapers, five raised spine bands, gilt titles and rules, gilt top edge, 4to (7.75" x 11.5"), the frontis portrait, general title and leaf bearing the catalog and first page of dedicatory verses are missing as are the four books following The Forrest, some wear to the edges of the boards and corners, light scuffing to boards, internal contents remarkably sound with little toning, lower right corner of prelims tattered, a few small scattered stains, tears and repairs not affecting text, interesting contemporary marginalia, else very good condition.
The book includes the following works: "Every Man in His Humour", "Every Man Out of His Humour", "Cynthias Revels", or "The Fountayne of Selfe-Love", "Poetaster, or His Arraignement", "Seianus, His Fall", "Volpone, or the Foxe", "Epicoene, or the Silent Woman", "The Alchemist", "Catiline, His Conspiracy", and "Epigrammes - The Forrest". The second volume of Jonson's Works was not published until 1640.
Noted bibliophile Carl Pforzheimer remarked that "...the bibliographical variations of this book are bewildering and all attempts to simplify them into categories have not materially reduced the confusion". The book on offer may be of mixed printing states. Pages 6, 7, 34 and 713 are mis-numbered as 4, 5, 43 and 317. In this copy, the section titles to "Every Man out of His Humour" (p. [73]) and "Cynthias Revels" (p. [177]) are without a woodcut border. The section title to "Poëtaster" (p. [271]) is with the woodcut border and has the imprint: "Printed by William Stansby for M. Lownes". In addition, the dedication on G2 recto is signed "By your true Honorer, BEN. IONSON'; line 6 on G2 verso reads "PUNTERVOLO"; the catchword on G5 recto is "Naked,"; on G5 verso "Where"; G6 recto begins "Where I want arte,"; and the eighth line from the bottom on G6 verso reads: "But why enforce I this? as fainting? no."
Benjamin Jonson (1572-1637) was an English Renaissance actor and writer best known for his plays "Volpone", "The Alchemist" and his lyric poems. A contemporary (and friend) of Shakespeare, Jonson was a major influence on the poets and writers of his day. 072
The book includes the following works: "Every Man in His Humour", "Every Man Out of His Humour", "Cynthias Revels", or "The Fountayne of Selfe-Love", "Poetaster, or His Arraignement", "Seianus, His Fall", "Volpone, or the Foxe", "Epicoene, or the Silent Woman", "The Alchemist", "Catiline, His Conspiracy", and "Epigrammes - The Forrest". The second volume of Jonson's Works was not published until 1640.
Noted bibliophile Carl Pforzheimer remarked that "...the bibliographical variations of this book are bewildering and all attempts to simplify them into categories have not materially reduced the confusion". The book on offer may be of mixed printing states. Pages 6, 7, 34 and 713 are mis-numbered as 4, 5, 43 and 317. In this copy, the section titles to "Every Man out of His Humour" (p. [73]) and "Cynthias Revels" (p. [177]) are without a woodcut border. The section title to "Poëtaster" (p. [271]) is with the woodcut border and has the imprint: "Printed by William Stansby for M. Lownes". In addition, the dedication on G2 recto is signed "By your true Honorer, BEN. IONSON'; line 6 on G2 verso reads "PUNTERVOLO"; the catchword on G5 recto is "Naked,"; on G5 verso "Where"; G6 recto begins "Where I want arte,"; and the eighth line from the bottom on G6 verso reads: "But why enforce I this? as fainting? no."
Benjamin Jonson (1572-1637) was an English Renaissance actor and writer best known for his plays "Volpone", "The Alchemist" and his lyric poems. A contemporary (and friend) of Shakespeare, Jonson was a major influence on the poets and writers of his day. 072
Ezekiel Baker: Remarks on Rifle Guns; Being the Result of Upwards of Fifty Years' Practice and Observation: with Specific Remarks on Fowling Pieces, The Percussion Lock, and Fire Arms in General... (London: Joseph Mallett, 1829), tenth edition, 251 pages plus color plates and charts, black half-cloth with marbled boards and a brown title plate with gilt lettering affixed to the front board, 8vo (approximately 5.5" x 8.5"), no dust jacket (as issued). The copy presented here is near very good. The boards show noticeable wear to the edges, corners and spine, and there is significant rubbing. However, the textblock is largely free of flaws despite mild ghosting at the beginning and end of the text. Previous owner's bookplate affixed to rear pastedown. A fascinating early manual on rifle management fit for any gun collector or fan of eclectic books.
Thomas Bewick and Ralph Beilby: History of British Birds. (Newcastle: Sol. Hodgson and Edward Walker, 1797-1804), two volumes, first edition, second issue with the words "Wycliffe, 1791" in the block of the figure of the Sea-Eagle in vol. 1, p.11, a misprint on p. 145 "Sahæniclus" for "Schæniclus", vignette (vol. 1, p. 285) censored, vI 335 pages, vII 400 pages, with 233 woodcuts of birds in text, about 170 vignettes in woodcut showing scenes of British rural life, beautifully bound in full leather, with double gilt rules on the front and rear boards, gilt bird motifs on spine, brown and red morocco spine labels with gilt titles, gilt dentelle, marbled edges, 8vo (6" x 9.25"), light shelf wear to edges of boards and corners, inside front hinge vI just starting to crack, ffep missing from vI, large section of ffep clipped from vII, light toning to pages, else textblocks tight, pages clean, very good condition.
Volume I contains a history and description of land birds, volume II concerns water birds. It is assumed that Beilby wrote the text for volume I to accompany Bewick's wonderful woodcut illustrations. Volume II appears to be entirely the work of Bewick.
Volume I contains a history and description of land birds, volume II concerns water birds. It is assumed that Beilby wrote the text for volume I to accompany Bewick's wonderful woodcut illustrations. Volume II appears to be entirely the work of Bewick.
Facts Connected with the Life of James Carey whose eccentrick [sic] habits caused a postmortem examination by Gentlemen of the Faculty; to determine whether he was Hermaphroditic: with Lithographed Drawings made at their request. (Philadelphia: James Akin, 1839), eight numbered pages, color frontispiece with two additional color plates showing anatomical details, and one plate reproducing the certificate signed by doctors attesting to the accuracy of the report, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), quarter leather over marbled boards, inscribed by the author to (and the personal copy of) James M. Porter who was secretary of war under President John Tyler. This book details the reclusive life, work habits, grooming, and personality of James Carey, an Irish-born immigrant living in Philadelphia as a man. His autopsy is the focal point and is introduced with the following poem:
"Facts reveal'd by Goddard's knife,
Sheds light upon the M.D. strife,
(For centuries contended.)
That Nature constant in her plan,
Immutable in forming man,
The sexes pure intended.
But Carey's form, outré and strange!
Discloses a most awful change;
Where virile organs dwell.
Defect of ducts, of glands, and muscle
Brains of Physiologists puzzle,
To solve the mystic spell!"
Akin goes on to say in this present volume: "...may, perhaps, be useful to elucidate if not confirm the hypothesis, that hermaphroditic characters exist." James Akin, the author and artist, was a well-known copperplate and wood engraver, caricaturist, and designer. He was born in Charleston, South Carolina but spent most of his life in Philadelphia where he exhibited at the Philadelphia Academy. This interesting and important medical treatise exhibits only light effects of its age in the form of toning and foxing; the binding is tight. Our research has failed to disclose a copy ever sold at auction.
"Facts reveal'd by Goddard's knife,
Sheds light upon the M.D. strife,
(For centuries contended.)
That Nature constant in her plan,
Immutable in forming man,
The sexes pure intended.
But Carey's form, outré and strange!
Discloses a most awful change;
Where virile organs dwell.
Defect of ducts, of glands, and muscle
Brains of Physiologists puzzle,
To solve the mystic spell!"
Akin goes on to say in this present volume: "...may, perhaps, be useful to elucidate if not confirm the hypothesis, that hermaphroditic characters exist." James Akin, the author and artist, was a well-known copperplate and wood engraver, caricaturist, and designer. He was born in Charleston, South Carolina but spent most of his life in Philadelphia where he exhibited at the Philadelphia Academy. This interesting and important medical treatise exhibits only light effects of its age in the form of toning and foxing; the binding is tight. Our research has failed to disclose a copy ever sold at auction.
Phillip Miller: The Gardeners Dictionary: Containing the Methods of Cultivating and Improving the Kitchen, Fruit and Flower Garden. As Also the Physick Garden, Wilderness, Conservatory, and Vineyard, According to the Practice of the Most Experience'd Gardeners of the Present Age, etc. (London: Printed for the author and sold by C. Rivington, 1731-1740), first edition, two volumes, illustrated with copper plates throughout (some fold-out), quarter leather with morocco spine labels and gilt titles, large folio (9" x 14.5"), marked with the library stamp of R. R. Thorson, leather spine backing on volume one has detached, some scuffing to boards of both volumes, especially at the corners, external and internal hinges just starting to crack, else internal contents remarkably tight and sound with minimal foxing.
Rare 1662 Version of Reineke Fuchs (Reynard the Fox). (Rostock: Joachum Wilden, 1662), 421 pages, [17] pages index, title page with woodcut printed in black and red, 40 woodcuts in text, woodcut head-pieces and initials, vellum with red morocco label with gilt titles, 16mo (4" x 16.5"), title page detached but present, contents moderately foxed but remarkably sound, some contemporary notes on the inside front cover and ffep, else a truly wonderful copy of this rare edition.
This edition, in an entirely different style from the High-German edition of 1544, is written in verse with a new meter (an index of which is given at the end of the book). This Low-German version of the conflict between Isengrim the wolf and Reynard the fox represents the last of the medieval beast epics.
This edition, in an entirely different style from the High-German edition of 1544, is written in verse with a new meter (an index of which is given at the end of the book). This Low-German version of the conflict between Isengrim the wolf and Reynard the fox represents the last of the medieval beast epics.
Victorian Leather Album with Hand Colored Illuminations - 6 pages, 4to (9.75" x 12"). The fully illuminated pages feature letters and decoration, detailed drawings surrounding calligraphy text, in watercolor or tempera, highlighted in gold. Binding is full brown leather with spine stamped with gilt stamping in a geometric motif, cover has a gilt shield with intricate entwined engraved initials "T M W", edges rubbed, spine rubbed head, tail and portions in between. Album end boards and free end papers are cream silk brocade pattern, gilt stamping on all board edges. Fine condition.
Raffaele Maffei [Raphaelis Volterranus] Association Copy: Commentariorum Urbanorum Lieber Primus. (Rome: Johannes Besicken, [XIII.CAL.Martii (March 13)] 1506), first edition, well over 1000 pages, woodcut capitals, carved thick wooden boards with "1525" embossed on the front, brass catches, and tooled vellum spine with four raised spine bands, morocco spine label with gilt titles, folio (9.5" x 13.5"), small portion of the corner of the front board missing, one brass closure piece and corresponding leather strap missing, external hinges have small tears at the head and tail of spine, a few non-intrusive worm holes in the first few pages not affecting text, unknown old inked ownership markings on page edges, various OLD (and interesting) book plates on the inside cover and ffep, split at first gathering, internal contents remarkably tight and sound, without foxing typical of books of this age, a very good copy of an early and important work.
Raffaelo Maffei (1451-1522) was a humanist, historian and theologian from Volterra, Italy (hence Raphael Volaterranus). His Commentaria Urbana were well known to many Renaissance scholars, including Erasmus. The Commentaria was essentially an encyclopedia of all subjects known at that time and consisted of three parts: "Geography" in which he writes extensively of Spanish and Portuguese expeditions, "Anthropology" is an assessment of ancient history and the third part is devoted to "Philology" which outlines scientific knowledge. One particularly interesting passage concerns Christopher Columbus and reads in part "...emulous of his praise the Spanish sailors with the favor of King Ferdinand, set sail under Christopher Columbus from Cadiz in 1496 and at 800 miles between south and west found Canaria...".
This copy is especially noteworthy because it is presumed to be Philipp Melanchthon's personal copy. Melanchthon (1497-1560) was a German professor and theologian, a key leader of the Lutheran Reformation, and a friend and associate of Martin Luther. The inside front cover bears Melanchthon's book plate. The plate measures 5" x 6.5" and bears Melanchthon's hand-colored coat of arms. The caption below the plate appears to be excised from an old antiquarian book catalog with the book citation and "Melancthon's [sic] Copy, with marginal notes." A rare and important book with an equally important association in uncommonly good condition.
Raffaelo Maffei (1451-1522) was a humanist, historian and theologian from Volterra, Italy (hence Raphael Volaterranus). His Commentaria Urbana were well known to many Renaissance scholars, including Erasmus. The Commentaria was essentially an encyclopedia of all subjects known at that time and consisted of three parts: "Geography" in which he writes extensively of Spanish and Portuguese expeditions, "Anthropology" is an assessment of ancient history and the third part is devoted to "Philology" which outlines scientific knowledge. One particularly interesting passage concerns Christopher Columbus and reads in part "...emulous of his praise the Spanish sailors with the favor of King Ferdinand, set sail under Christopher Columbus from Cadiz in 1496 and at 800 miles between south and west found Canaria...".
This copy is especially noteworthy because it is presumed to be Philipp Melanchthon's personal copy. Melanchthon (1497-1560) was a German professor and theologian, a key leader of the Lutheran Reformation, and a friend and associate of Martin Luther. The inside front cover bears Melanchthon's book plate. The plate measures 5" x 6.5" and bears Melanchthon's hand-colored coat of arms. The caption below the plate appears to be excised from an old antiquarian book catalog with the book citation and "Melancthon's [sic] Copy, with marginal notes." A rare and important book with an equally important association in uncommonly good condition.
Gennadius of Massilia Liber de Ecclesiasticis Dogmatibus. (Hamburg, 1614), 250 pages, contemporary full-calf binding with gilt devices on front and rear boards, woodcut capitals and chapter heads, 8vo (6.25" x 8.75"), corners worn to boards, missing leather on spine, boards worn, internal pages tight, contents sound with uniform foxing throughout, good condition. Gennadius of Massilia (Marseille) was a 5th century Christian priest and historian. Their treatise was originally attributed to Agustine of Hippo but is now universally attributed to Gennadius. The work was long included among those of St. Augustine and some scholars think that it is probably a fragment of Gennadius's eight books "against all heresies".
Three Bound 18th Century Imprints including Michael Lilienthal's De Machiavellismo Literario published in 1713, 184 pages, index; Daniel Friedrich Jahn's De Doctoribus Umbraticis, published in 1720, 139 pages, index; and Johannes Walthers Certaminibus Ingenii Maxime Inter Gentes, 1720, 134 pages. The imprints have been bound in a 19th Century binding with marbled boards, leather spine label with gilt titles, 4" x 6.5", with some shelf wear at the edges, spine and corners of the boards, else the contents are sound with some modest foxing throughout.
Giovanni Battista Bodoni [Johannes Baptista Bodonius]: Epithalamia Exoticis Linguis Reddita. (Parma: Ex Regio Typographeo, 1775), first edition, state "b" with the poem by Conte Della Torre di Rezzonico, 124ff, engraved title page vignette, engraved head and tail pieces by Ferrari, full polished calf with thin triple rule gilt borders on front and rear boards, seven spine compartments between raised bands, gilt-tooled ornamentation in six compartments, red morocco spine label with gilt titles, marbled endpapers, elephant folio (13.25" x 19"), a splendid example of this beautiful work with indications of a previous spine repair, else a wonderfully clean, bright interior and in near fine condition.
A simply beautiful book and a classic example of the art of typography. Certainly one of the finest specimen books containing examples of twenty-five exotic languages including Coptic, Phoenician, Hebrew, Tibetan, et al. Giovanni Bodoni (1740-1813) was an Italian publisher, printer, engraver, and typographer. He is the designer of the "Bodoni" typeface and was responsible for many technical refinements in printing that allowed him to faithfully reproduce letterforms with very thin lines, in sharp contrast to the thicker lines constituting the main stems of the characters. Bodoni was appointed printer to the court of Parma in 1768. The present work on offer must surely be regarded as one of his better efforts.
A simply beautiful book and a classic example of the art of typography. Certainly one of the finest specimen books containing examples of twenty-five exotic languages including Coptic, Phoenician, Hebrew, Tibetan, et al. Giovanni Bodoni (1740-1813) was an Italian publisher, printer, engraver, and typographer. He is the designer of the "Bodoni" typeface and was responsible for many technical refinements in printing that allowed him to faithfully reproduce letterforms with very thin lines, in sharp contrast to the thicker lines constituting the main stems of the characters. Bodoni was appointed printer to the court of Parma in 1768. The present work on offer must surely be regarded as one of his better efforts.
[Corvinus van Belderen, editor] Institutiones D. Justiniani SS. Princ. Typis Variae; Rubris Nucleum Exhibentibus. Accesserunt ex Digestis Tituli de Verborum, Significatione, & Regul. Juris. (Amsterdam: Apud Danielem Elzevierium, 1676), second Elzevier edition, the first published in 1646 [viii], 391 pages, [102], woodcut of Minerva on the title page, first half of text printed in red and black, bound in later full-calf binding, marble endpapers, four raised bands on the spine, gilt titles and spine decoration, 32mo (2.5" x 5"), exterior hinges cracked, loss to head and foot of spine, small hole in title on spine, boards rubbed, corners well-worn, foxing to preliminary pages, book block tight and sound, a very good copy of this scarce work. Originally commissioned by the Emperor Justinian in 530 CE, the body of writings known collectively as the Corpus Juris Civilis preserved and restated all existing Roman law. Intended for students, the Institutes is a synopsis of the reformed legal system. It supplanted the earlier Institutes of Gaius.
Giovanni Boccaccio Il Decamerone. (Venice: Augustus Zani de Porta, 1518), tabula [aaii], 114 leaves (last 10 leaves missing), two columns, 62 lines, headlines and woodcut initial directors, 87 woodcuts in text, bound in full vellum, 4to (8.25" x 11.75"). This is a beguiling copy of Boccaccio's Il Decamerone in that it bears some old trickery vis-á-vis the addition of a spurious hand-drawn colophon and a counterfeit 1492 publication date on the last leaf present. This copy is also interesting in the fact that it includes numerous typographical errors, e.g., leaf XXI is mis-numbered XXII, leaf LXX is mis-numbered LXXI, leaf LXXI is mis-numbered LXXII, leaf LXIX is mis-numbered LXXIX, leaf LXX is mis-numbered LXXI, leaf LXXI is mis-numbered LXXII, leaf LXXXIV is mis-numbered LXXXIX and several other similar such occurrences. This is proof positive that the system of Roman numerals was as confusing in the 16th century as it remains today. Though these printing mistakes exist, the pagination is consistent with the flow of text. As mentioned, this edition lacks the last 10 leaves. The overall condition of the volume is very good with the internal contents tight and virtually no age toning to the pages. The covers are shelf worn and there is loss to the vellum at the extremities of the boards. There is some minor underlining in red pencil. The entire volume comes in a beautiful custom-made slipcase of red morocco with five raised bands on the spine and gilt titles and decoration.
The Decameron is a collection of 100 novellas by Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio, probably begun in 1350 and finished in 1353. It is a medieval allegorical work best known for its bawdy tales of love, appearing in all its possibilities from the erotic to the tragic. In fact, the woodcuts contained in this volume depict not only these "racy" scenes but also depictions of unspeakable brutality. Other topics such as wit and witticism, practical jokes and worldly initiation also form part of the mosaic. Beyond its entertainment and literary popularity, it remains an important historical document of life in the fourteenth century. This volume represents an early edition of this important work.
The Decameron is a collection of 100 novellas by Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio, probably begun in 1350 and finished in 1353. It is a medieval allegorical work best known for its bawdy tales of love, appearing in all its possibilities from the erotic to the tragic. In fact, the woodcuts contained in this volume depict not only these "racy" scenes but also depictions of unspeakable brutality. Other topics such as wit and witticism, practical jokes and worldly initiation also form part of the mosaic. Beyond its entertainment and literary popularity, it remains an important historical document of life in the fourteenth century. This volume represents an early edition of this important work.
St. Robert Francis Romulus Bellarmine De Septem Verbis a Christo in Cruce Prolatis Libri Duo. (Coloniae Agrippina (Cologne): Cornel.ab Egmont, 1634), an early edition of the 1618 first printing, [A2-A5], preface [5 pages], 215 pages, 3 page index, engraved title page and portrait of Bellarmine, bound in the original vellum, 32mo (2.5" x 4.5"), chipped ffep, old signature on title page, slight age toning to pages, else very good. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) distinguished Jesuit theologian, writer, cardinal, and ultimately saint. This particular work, one of several catechetical and spiritual works written by Bellarmine, is in remarkable condition.
Titus Livius [Livy]: Historiarum Libri ab Urbe Condita. (Leiden (Holland): Lugd. Batavorum: ex Officina Elseviriana, 1634), first Elzevier edition, three volumes, vI 726 pages [16] index, vII 848 pages [15] index, vIII 796 pages [13] index, dedication by Daniel Heinsius, engraved title page (showing the goddess Roma with the Tiber personified swimming at her feet, and Romulus and Remus suckled by the wolf) in first volume by C. C. Duysendt, engraved vignettes on title pages of volume II and III, engraved head-pieces and initials, vellum, 24mo (3" x 5.25"), very old book plate on the inside front cover of each volume, light toning to pages, else remarkably sound condition.
Throughout the Renaissance, Titus Livy (first century B.C.) was considered the premier source for Roman history, and his account of the rise of Rome from its beginnings to its triumphs in the Punic Wars was central to historical and political thought. The Elzevier family of printers began work about 1581 in Leiden, and ultimately became "de facto" printers to the city's newly founded university. The text was edited by Daniel Heinsius (1580-1655), one of the most distinguished scholars of the period. An important set in uncommonly good condition.
Throughout the Renaissance, Titus Livy (first century B.C.) was considered the premier source for Roman history, and his account of the rise of Rome from its beginnings to its triumphs in the Punic Wars was central to historical and political thought. The Elzevier family of printers began work about 1581 in Leiden, and ultimately became "de facto" printers to the city's newly founded university. The text was edited by Daniel Heinsius (1580-1655), one of the most distinguished scholars of the period. An important set in uncommonly good condition.
Albertus de Eyb (Editor): Margarita Poetica. (Strassburg or Cologne: types of the printers Vitae Patrum or Heinrich Quentell, ca. 1480), early printed edition (incunabula), 273 leaves (of 303, wanting CCLXIII to CCXCII), 44-line double column text with large color initials by hand in red or blue, brief red highlights to initials within paragraphs throughout, 19th century half leather binding with marbled boards, six compartments between raised bands on spine, four compartments ornately tooled, gilt titles on spine in two compartments, marbled endpapers, page edges stained red, 4to (8" x 11.25"), light wear and rubbing to all leather edges and corners, marbled boards lightly worn, a few instances of contemporary marginalia, evidence of a book plate having been removed from the inside front cover, else contents remarkably sound and tight.
First published in 1459 in Nuremberg, the Margarita Poetica has three elements: a manual for letter writing, a gathering of orations suitable for practicing, and a collection of excerpts from the writing of others, commonly called a florilegia. The text includes a very early example of an actual title page and table of contents, rare in 15th century imprints.
First published in 1459 in Nuremberg, the Margarita Poetica has three elements: a manual for letter writing, a gathering of orations suitable for practicing, and a collection of excerpts from the writing of others, commonly called a florilegia. The text includes a very early example of an actual title page and table of contents, rare in 15th century imprints.
Scarce 1775 Louis XVI Coronation Commemorative Book Sacre et Couronnement de Louis XVI Roi de France et de Navarre, A Rheims, le 11 Juin 1775; Précédé de Recherches sur le Sacre des Rois de France, depuis CLOVIS jusqu'a LOUIS XV; et suivi d'un Journal Historique de ce qui s'est passé a cette auguste Cérémonie. (Paris: Ballard, 1775), presumed first edition, xii, 147, [39], 92, 39 engraved costume plates showing officers and dignitaries of church and state, 9 double-page engravings, several engravings within the text, large folding plan of Rheims, contemporary full green morocco with gilt titles, decoration, gilt crown device on front and rear boards, five raised bands on spine, dentelle, marbled boards, gilt edges, 4to (8" x 10"), interior contents beautiful with virtually no toning to pages, book block tight, minor scuffing to boards, evidence of a small stamp or bookplate removed from inside front board, 3.5" exterior hinge crack on front board, else near fine. A beautiful copy in remarkable condition.
La Pompe Funebre, ou Les Eloges de Iule Mazarini, Cardinal Duc, et Premier Ministre. A Monseigneur Le Duc Mazarini, Pair, & Grand Maistre de l'Artillerie de France. Poeme Heroique. (Paris: Sebastien Martin, 1664), presumed first edition, 77 pages, full morocco with gilt titles and decorations, marbled endpapers, gilt edges, two full-page engravings, folio (10.25" x 14.25"), contents sound, some loss to leather at the foot of the spine, corners bumped, one 3" tear to leather of front board, overall shelf wear, else very good.
Cardinal De Retz Memoirs of the Cardinal De Retz Containing the Particulars of His Own Life, With the Most Secret Transactions of the French Court and the Civil Wars. (London: printed for T. Becket, T. Cadell, and T. Evans, 1774), first edition, four volumes, 338 pages, 317 pages, 282 pages, and 228 pages respectively, advertisements in back of volumes one through three, table of contents for the set in the back of volume four, bound in full morocco with gilt titles and decoration, marbled endpapers, engraved frontis by A. Bannerman, 12mo (4.5" x 7.25"), sun fading to spines, some fading to boards, lightly bumped corners, moderate foxing to pages, contents sound and tight, very good condition.
Osvald Sirén Limited Edition: The Walls and Gates of Peking Researches and Impressions. (New York: Orientalia, no date), first edition limited to 800 copies of which this is number 158, unpaginated, illustrated with 109 photogravures after photographs by the author and 50 architectural drawings made by Chinese artists, marbled boards with cloth shelf back, leather spine label with gilt titles, deckled edges, folio (11" x 13"), shelf wear mainly along the bottom edge of the boards, else very good.
Lot of Four Books on Peking and the Empress Dowager of China. The group includes:
Philip W. Sergeant The Great Empress Dowager of China. (London: Hutchinson & Company, 1910), first edition, 344 pages, original red cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, 16 photographic illustrations, 8vo (6" x 9"), age darkening to spine, moderate wear to boards, lightly bumped corners, former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover, very good condition.
Princess Der Ling Two Years in the Forbidden City. (London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1912), first English edition, 383 pages, original orange cloth boards with gilt titles, 22 photographic illustrations, 8vo (5.75" x 8"), spine faded, 1" tear at the top of the front hinge, inside hinges starting to crack, bumped corners, former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover, contents sound, else good condition.
Reginald F. Johnson Twilight in the Forbidden City (London: Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1934), first edition, 486 pages, original green cloth boards with gilt titles, 43 photographic illustrations, spine and periphery of boards faded, corners lightly bumped, inside hinges cracked, former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover, else very good.
J.O.P. Bland and E. Backhouse China Under the Empress Dowager The History of the Life and Times of Tz'u His. (Peking: Henri Vetch, 1939), revised Peking edition, 470 pages, original yellow cloth boards, endpaper maps, 31 photographic illustrations, two fold-out maps, 4to (6.5" x 10"), moderate shelf wear to boards, soiling to spine, inside hinges cracked, former owner's bookplate on recto of frontis, internal contents sound and tight, very good condition.
Philip W. Sergeant The Great Empress Dowager of China. (London: Hutchinson & Company, 1910), first edition, 344 pages, original red cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, 16 photographic illustrations, 8vo (6" x 9"), age darkening to spine, moderate wear to boards, lightly bumped corners, former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover, very good condition.
Princess Der Ling Two Years in the Forbidden City. (London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1912), first English edition, 383 pages, original orange cloth boards with gilt titles, 22 photographic illustrations, 8vo (5.75" x 8"), spine faded, 1" tear at the top of the front hinge, inside hinges starting to crack, bumped corners, former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover, contents sound, else good condition.
Reginald F. Johnson Twilight in the Forbidden City (London: Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1934), first edition, 486 pages, original green cloth boards with gilt titles, 43 photographic illustrations, spine and periphery of boards faded, corners lightly bumped, inside hinges cracked, former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover, else very good.
J.O.P. Bland and E. Backhouse China Under the Empress Dowager The History of the Life and Times of Tz'u His. (Peking: Henri Vetch, 1939), revised Peking edition, 470 pages, original yellow cloth boards, endpaper maps, 31 photographic illustrations, two fold-out maps, 4to (6.5" x 10"), moderate shelf wear to boards, soiling to spine, inside hinges cracked, former owner's bookplate on recto of frontis, internal contents sound and tight, very good condition.
Charles Gutzlaff: Journal of Three Voyages Along the Coast of China, in 1831, 1832, 1833, With Notices of Siam, Corea, and the Loo-Choo Islands to which is prefixed an introductory essay on the policy, religion, etc. of China by the Rev. W. Ellis. (London: Frederick Westley and A.H. Davis, 1834), first edition, 450 pages, brown cloth with gilt titles, engraved frontis, folding map, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), light shelf wear to boards, former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover, light foxing, internal contents sound and tight, slightly cocked, else very good condition.
John White: A Voyage to Cochin China. (London: printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, 1824), first edition, 372 pages, blue cloth boards, with a custom made modern slip case, 8vo (5.75" x 8.75"), edge wear to perimeter of the boards, corners bumped, former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover, internal contents sound and tight, very good condition.
Group Lot of 19th Century Books on Travel in China, Mongolia, Tibet, Manchuria including:
James Gilmour Among the Mongols. (London: The Religious Tract Society, n.d.), first edition, 382 pages, illustrated, one fold-out map, original cloth pictorial boards with gilt titles and decorations, 12mo (5.5" x 7.25"), previous owner's book plate on inside front cover, boards lightly scuffed, corners bumped, inside front hinge starting to crack, internal contents sound and tight, good condition.
W. H. Medhurst The Foreigner in Far Cathay. (London: Edward Stanford, n.d. [circa 1872]), first edition, 192 pages, color fold-out map, maroon pictorial cloth with gilt titles and decoration, 12mo (5.5" x 7.25"), previous owner's book plate on inside front cover, inside front hinge just beginning to crack, one small indention to front board, internal contents sound and tight, and boards bright, a very good copy.
E. H. Parker A Thousand Years of the Tartars. (Shanghai: Kelly & Walsh, Ltd., 1895), first edition, 371 pages, original green cloth boards, gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), previous owner's book plate on the ffep, small piece of cloth missing from spine, spine sunned, covers lightly soiled, internal contents sound and bright, near very good condition.
Francis Younghusband Among the Celestials A Narrative of Travels in Manchuria, Across the Gobi Desert, Through the Himalayas to India. (London: John Murray, 1898), first edition, 261 pages, 15 photographic illustrations, fold-out map, original tan cloth boards with gilt titles and red dragon cover device, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), previous owner's book plate on front free end paper, corners bumped, spine faded, covers lightly soiled, internal contents sound and tight, very good condition.
E. Huc Souvenirs of a Journey Through Tartary, Tibet and China During the Years 1844, 1845, and 1846. (Peking: Lazarist Press, 1931), new edition, two volumes, 361 pages and 439 pages respectively, illustrations by J.M. Planchet, bound in paper wraps, 8vo (7" x 9.5"), light toning to wraps, previous owner's book plate on inside front cover of each volume, pages uncut, internal contents sound, very good condition.
James Gilmour Among the Mongols. (London: The Religious Tract Society, n.d.), first edition, 382 pages, illustrated, one fold-out map, original cloth pictorial boards with gilt titles and decorations, 12mo (5.5" x 7.25"), previous owner's book plate on inside front cover, boards lightly scuffed, corners bumped, inside front hinge starting to crack, internal contents sound and tight, good condition.
W. H. Medhurst The Foreigner in Far Cathay. (London: Edward Stanford, n.d. [circa 1872]), first edition, 192 pages, color fold-out map, maroon pictorial cloth with gilt titles and decoration, 12mo (5.5" x 7.25"), previous owner's book plate on inside front cover, inside front hinge just beginning to crack, one small indention to front board, internal contents sound and tight, and boards bright, a very good copy.
E. H. Parker A Thousand Years of the Tartars. (Shanghai: Kelly & Walsh, Ltd., 1895), first edition, 371 pages, original green cloth boards, gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), previous owner's book plate on the ffep, small piece of cloth missing from spine, spine sunned, covers lightly soiled, internal contents sound and bright, near very good condition.
Francis Younghusband Among the Celestials A Narrative of Travels in Manchuria, Across the Gobi Desert, Through the Himalayas to India. (London: John Murray, 1898), first edition, 261 pages, 15 photographic illustrations, fold-out map, original tan cloth boards with gilt titles and red dragon cover device, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), previous owner's book plate on front free end paper, corners bumped, spine faded, covers lightly soiled, internal contents sound and tight, very good condition.
E. Huc Souvenirs of a Journey Through Tartary, Tibet and China During the Years 1844, 1845, and 1846. (Peking: Lazarist Press, 1931), new edition, two volumes, 361 pages and 439 pages respectively, illustrations by J.M. Planchet, bound in paper wraps, 8vo (7" x 9.5"), light toning to wraps, previous owner's book plate on inside front cover of each volume, pages uncut, internal contents sound, very good condition.
Percy W. Church: Chinese Turkestan With Caravan and Rifle. (London: Rivingtons, 1901), first edition, 207 pages, brown decorative cloth boards with frontispiece replicating the cover design, gilt titles, 24 photographic plates on 15 leaves, folding map of western China, 8vo (6" x 9"), small holes in the inside front hinge, spine darkened, some discoloration to boards, inside hinges slightly cracked, corners bumped, former owner's bookplate on the ffep, contents sound and tight, good condition.
W. R. Carles: Life in Corea. (London: Macmillan and Company, 1888), first edition, 317 pages, original maroon cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, illustrations, color fold-out sketch map of Corea, some discoloration and wear to boards and spine, bumped corners, fraying to head of spine, inside hinges lightly cracked, former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover, near very good condition.
Sir Alexander Hosie: On the Trail of the Opium Poppy A Narrative of Travel in the Chief Opium-Producing Provinces of China. (London: George Philip & Son, Ltd., 1914), first edition, two volumes, 300 pages and 308 pages respectively, photographic illustrations, two fold-out maps, original green cloth boards with gilt decorations and titles, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), previous owner's bookplate on the inside front cover of each volume, slight discoloration to spines, bumped corners, endpapers browned, contents sound, very good condition.
Henry Evan Murchison James: The Long White Mountain or a Journey in Manchuria With Some Account of the History, People, Administration and Religion of That Country. (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1888), first edition, 502 pages, period review notification from the The Guardian laid in, color frontis, ten full-page illustrations, several illustrations in text, fold-out map, original yellow cloth boards with black cover decoration and gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover, publisher's small circular blind stamp on the title page and dedication page, inside hinges cracked, boards moderately soiled, spine darkened, small loss at top of spine, corners bumped, internal contents sound and tight, good condition.
W. N. Fergusson: Adventure Sport and Travel on the Tibetan Steppes. (London: Constable and Company Limited, 1911), first edition, 343 pages, profusely illustrated with photographs, maps missing, original green pictorial cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (7" x 9.75"), former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, frontis missing, ffep excised, numerous contemporary stamps from a Shanghai library, inside front hinge cracked, corners bumped and frayed, some spotting to pictorial boards, light water staining to bottom of pages, a few page corners cut off (probably to remove library stamps), round hole cut on title page (again to remove a stamp), old repair on spine, else good. An uncommon title and quite desirable despite the book's defects.
W. H. Medhurst: China: Its State and Prospects With Special Reference to the Spread of the Gospel: Containing Allusions to the Antiquity, Extent, Population, Civilization, Literature, and Religion of the Chinese. (London: John Snow, 1838), "third thousand", 592 pages, color frontis by G. Baxter with 12 wood engraved illustrations by Baxter, folding map, in original decorative blue cloth covers with gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 9"), former owner's book plate on ffep, foxing to title page and endpapers, light foxing throughout, shelf wear, old repair and fading to spine, bumped corners, else very good.
Robert Fortune: Two Visits to the Tea Countries of China and the British Tea Plantations in the Himalaya; With a Narrative of Adventures, and a Full Description of the Culture of the Tea Plant, the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Botany of China. (London: John Murray, 1853), third edition, two volumes, 315 pages and 298 pages respectively [32 page John Murray book catalog dated January, 1854 bound into the back of volume one], illustrated with 29 engravings, one fold-out map, in original brown speckled cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (5.25" x 8.25"), former owner's book plate on inside cover of each book, very small owner's blind stamp on the full title page of each volume, wear to exterior hinges of both volumes, minor loss to head and foot of spine, bumped corners, else very good. Robert Fortune (1812-1880) was a Scottish botanist who first visited China in 1842, as a collector for the Royal Horticultural Society, where he collected numerous plants, several of which were named after him. In 1848, he returned to China, this time on behalf of the East India Company, to collect plants and seeds of the tea-shrub. He provides excellent descriptions of Hong Kong and China, of Chinese customs, industry, language and flora, missionary activity, opium consumption, and the cultivation and processing of tea. In 1851, Fortune successfully introduced two thousand tea plants and seventeen thousand sprouting seeds into the north-west provinces of India.
John Crawfurd: Journal of an Embassy From the Governor-General of India to the Courts of Siam and Cochin China; Exhibiting a View of the Actual State of Those Kingdoms. (London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1830), second edition, two volumes, 475 and 459 pages respectfully, panoramic folding engraved frontispiece of Singapore, 13 engraved illustrations, 11 wood-engravings in text, folding vocabulary chart at the end of volume two, modern half calf with marbled boards, five raised bands on spine, gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 9"), endpapers replaced, missing map of Siam and Cochin China, light chipping to edge of boards, bumped corners, fold-out illustrations lightly foxed, internal contents clean and sound, very good condition. John Crawfurd, 1783-1868, was envoy to the courts of Siam and Cochin China. This mission he carried through with complete success, and on the retirement of Sir Stamford Raffles from the government of Singapore in 1823, he was appointed to administer that settlement. His subsequent account is one of the most important books on the region.
The Reverend James Summers [editor]: The Chinese and Japanese Repository of Facts and Events in Science, History, and Art, Relating to Eastern Asia. (London: W.H.Allen and Company, 1864 and 1865), first edition, two volumes, 524 and 592 respectfully, decorative cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (6" x 9.5"), replaced endpapers in each volume, former owner's name written in ink on the title page of volume one, spines faded and rubbed, corners bumped, age toning to title pages, contents sound and clean, very good condition. The journal documents events in China and Japan as viewed by Westerners. Volume one covers the period July, 1863 to June, 1864. The second volume, comprising volume two and three of the compendium, covers the period August, 1864 to December, 1865. Many topics are discussed, often in great depth in a serial format. Representative subjects covered include the Israelites in China, Chinese literature, drama, fables and poetry, Chinese mathematics, earthquakes in both China and Japan, the aboriginal tribes in China, religious practices in China and Japan, the British reprisal destruction at Kagoshima in Japan, the Lay-Osborn Expedition to China, Mongolian language and literature, British commerce with Japan, the conquest of the Island Taiwan (Formosa) by the Chinese in 1662, the railways in China, and missionary medical practice in Peking in 1861-2. The primary writer and editor was Rev. James Summers.
[George Henry Mason]: The Punishments of China. (London: Printed for William Miller by W. Bulmer and Company, 1801), later issue, [54] pages, including separate English and French title pages, 22 hand-colored stipple engravings by J. Dadley, each with a page of descriptive text in both English and French, full green morocco with gilt decorations and titles, six raised bands on spine, folio (10.5" x 14.5"), former owner's bookplate on endpaper, professional repairs to spine, replaced endpapers, some rubbing to leather on front cover, significantly bumped corners, image ghosting on page opposite each illustration, four inch tear to bottom of page 53 which doesn't affect text, otherwise a sound and clean copy in very good condition. The true first edition has the text leaves watermarked 1796 and the tissues watermarked 1800, with the plates bearing no dated watermarks. The text of this book is attributed to George Henry Mason, who wrote the text for Costumes of the Chinese (1800), also printed by William Miller.
Lot of Three 19th Century Books About China and the Chinese including:
John Francis Davis: The Chinese: A General Description of the Empire of China and It's Inhabitants. (London: Charles Knight, 1836), first edition, two volumes, vI 420 pages, vII 480 pages, 54 illustrations in text, green patterned cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), bumped corners, covers soiled, some loss at head and tail of spine, former owner's book plate on the free front end paper of each volume, else contents sound and bright, and in good condition.
William B. Langdon: Ten Thousand Things Relating to China and the Chinese: An Epitome of the Genius, Government, History, Literature, Agriculture, Arts, Trade, Manners, Customs, and Social Life of the People of the Celestial Empire. (London: To Be Had Only at the Collection, Hyde Park Corner, 1843), second edition, 265 pages, illustrated with numerous engravings, original green cloth with gilt titles and decoration, gilt fore edge, 8vo (6.5" x 9.75"), bumped corners, soiled covers, replaced pastedowns and endpapers, some foxing mainly at the plates, else very good condition.
Henry Charles Sirr: China and the Chinese: Their Religion, Character, Customs, and Manufactures: The Evils Arising From the Opium Trade: With a Glance at Our Religious, Moral, Political, and Commericial Intercourse With the Country. (London: William S. Orr and Company, 1849), first edition, two volumes, vI 447 and vII 443 pages, original black cloth with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (6" x 9.25"), spines repaired on both volumes, extremities worn especially at the corners and head and tail of spine, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover of each volume, light foxing throughout, else good condition.
John Francis Davis: The Chinese: A General Description of the Empire of China and It's Inhabitants. (London: Charles Knight, 1836), first edition, two volumes, vI 420 pages, vII 480 pages, 54 illustrations in text, green patterned cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), bumped corners, covers soiled, some loss at head and tail of spine, former owner's book plate on the free front end paper of each volume, else contents sound and bright, and in good condition.
William B. Langdon: Ten Thousand Things Relating to China and the Chinese: An Epitome of the Genius, Government, History, Literature, Agriculture, Arts, Trade, Manners, Customs, and Social Life of the People of the Celestial Empire. (London: To Be Had Only at the Collection, Hyde Park Corner, 1843), second edition, 265 pages, illustrated with numerous engravings, original green cloth with gilt titles and decoration, gilt fore edge, 8vo (6.5" x 9.75"), bumped corners, soiled covers, replaced pastedowns and endpapers, some foxing mainly at the plates, else very good condition.
Henry Charles Sirr: China and the Chinese: Their Religion, Character, Customs, and Manufactures: The Evils Arising From the Opium Trade: With a Glance at Our Religious, Moral, Political, and Commericial Intercourse With the Country. (London: William S. Orr and Company, 1849), first edition, two volumes, vI 447 and vII 443 pages, original black cloth with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (6" x 9.25"), spines repaired on both volumes, extremities worn especially at the corners and head and tail of spine, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover of each volume, light foxing throughout, else good condition.
Henry H. Howorth Original Four Volume Set of the History of the Mongols From the 9th to the 19th Century. A beautiful set in an early rebind, quarter morocco, marbled boards, marbled endpapers, gilt titles, four raised bands on spine, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), all in very good condition with moderate wear to the corners, except Volume III which has a crack on the rear board. The set includes:
The Mongols Proper and the Kalmuks. (London: Longmans, Green and Company, 1876), first edition, 743 pages, illustrated, map of Mongolia in pocket at end of the volume.
The So-Called Tartars of Russia and Central Asia. (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1880), first edition, 1,087 pages, map of the Mongols in pocket at end of the volume.
The Mongols of Persia. (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1888), first edition, 776 pages, (cracked rear board).
Supplement and Indices. (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1927), first edition, 378 pages.
The Mongols Proper and the Kalmuks. (London: Longmans, Green and Company, 1876), first edition, 743 pages, illustrated, map of Mongolia in pocket at end of the volume.
The So-Called Tartars of Russia and Central Asia. (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1880), first edition, 1,087 pages, map of the Mongols in pocket at end of the volume.
The Mongols of Persia. (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1888), first edition, 776 pages, (cracked rear board).
Supplement and Indices. (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1927), first edition, 378 pages.
C.A. Montalto De Jesus: Historic Macao, International Traits in China Old and New. (Macao: Salesian Printing Press and Tipografia Mercantil, 1926), second revised and enlarged edition, 515 pages, 19 illustrations, a copy of the original in stiff wraps nicely bound in attractive half leather with marbled boards, four raised bands on spine, gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 9.25"), light red pencil underlining on a very few pages, former owner's book plate on the ffep, internal contents tight and sound, near fine condition.
Jean-Baptiste Du Halde: A Description of the Empire of China and Chinese-Tartary, Together with the Kingdoms of Korea, and Tibet: Containing the Geography and History (Natural as Well as Civil) of Those Countries. (London: T. Gardner for Edward Cave, 1738 and 1741), first edition, two volumes, 678 pages and 388 pages respectively, in total 13 wood cut plates, 9 wood cut plans, 42 wood cut maps, general map of China hand-colored in outline, half leather (morocco) with marbled boards, edges and endpapers, gilt titles and decoration, five raised bands on spine of each volume, elephant folio (10.5" x 16.5"), light rubbing to boards, corners worn, exterior hinges just starting to crack, very light age toning to extreme edges of pages, small water stain starting at page 385 of volume two through index, former owner's bookplate on the second ffep of each volume, complete and escaping the usual pilfering of maps and plates, in very good condition. The internal contents of this set are near fine. This is a superb set.
Assorted Books on China including:
Archibald Colquhoun The 'Overland' to China. (London: Harper & Brothers, 1900), second edition, 465 pages, illustrated, two of four fold-out maps present, black cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), former owner's book plate on the ffep, yellowing and slight mildewing to preliminary pages, worn corners, else very good.
R.F. Johnston Lion and Dragon in Northern China. (London: John Murray, 1910), first edition, 461 pages, illustrated, fold-out map, original burnt orange cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), former owner's book plate on the ffep, spine darkened, corners bumped, shelf wear, light age toning to interior pages, contents sound and in very good condition.
Albert H. Stone and J. Hammond Reed, editors Historic Lushan - The Kuling Mountains. (Hankow: Religious Tract Society, 1921), first edition, 106 pages, profusely illustrated with photographic plates, fold-out map, original blue cloth boards with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"), in maroon cloth slipcase with gilt spine titles, former owner's book plates on the glassine leaf between the frontis and title page and on the verso of the title page, ffep glued to inside front cover, else very good condition.
Albert vo Le Coq Buried Treasures of Chinese Turkestan An Account of the Activities and Adventures of the Second and Third German Turfan Expeditions. (London: George Allen & Unwin, Ltd., 1928), first English edition, 180 pages, 52 plates, original blue cloth boards with gilt titles, former owner's book plate on the ffep, minor shelf wear to boards, very good condition.
Archibald Colquhoun The 'Overland' to China. (London: Harper & Brothers, 1900), second edition, 465 pages, illustrated, two of four fold-out maps present, black cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), former owner's book plate on the ffep, yellowing and slight mildewing to preliminary pages, worn corners, else very good.
R.F. Johnston Lion and Dragon in Northern China. (London: John Murray, 1910), first edition, 461 pages, illustrated, fold-out map, original burnt orange cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), former owner's book plate on the ffep, spine darkened, corners bumped, shelf wear, light age toning to interior pages, contents sound and in very good condition.
Albert H. Stone and J. Hammond Reed, editors Historic Lushan - The Kuling Mountains. (Hankow: Religious Tract Society, 1921), first edition, 106 pages, profusely illustrated with photographic plates, fold-out map, original blue cloth boards with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"), in maroon cloth slipcase with gilt spine titles, former owner's book plates on the glassine leaf between the frontis and title page and on the verso of the title page, ffep glued to inside front cover, else very good condition.
Albert vo Le Coq Buried Treasures of Chinese Turkestan An Account of the Activities and Adventures of the Second and Third German Turfan Expeditions. (London: George Allen & Unwin, Ltd., 1928), first English edition, 180 pages, 52 plates, original blue cloth boards with gilt titles, former owner's book plate on the ffep, minor shelf wear to boards, very good condition.
Lot of Two Books on Chinese Gardens and Dogs including:
V.W.F. Collier Dogs of China & Japan in Nature and Art. (London: William Heinemann, 1921), first edition, 207 pages, 10 illustrations in color, many illustrations in text, original green cloth with gilt titles and decorations, 4to (9" x 11.5"), foxing to preliminary pages, front hinge just starting to crack, small tears to cloth at the head and foot of spine, light spotting to front boards, significant spotting to rear boards, bumped corners, else very good.
Osvald Sirén Gardens of China. (New York: The Ronald Press Company, 1949), first edition, 141 pages, 11 color plates, 208 black-and-white plates, original green cloth boards with gilt titles, in a purpose made slipcase, folio (9.5" x 12.25"), former owner's book plate on the ffep, book near fine, slip case separated in spots and shelf worn.
V.W.F. Collier Dogs of China & Japan in Nature and Art. (London: William Heinemann, 1921), first edition, 207 pages, 10 illustrations in color, many illustrations in text, original green cloth with gilt titles and decorations, 4to (9" x 11.5"), foxing to preliminary pages, front hinge just starting to crack, small tears to cloth at the head and foot of spine, light spotting to front boards, significant spotting to rear boards, bumped corners, else very good.
Osvald Sirén Gardens of China. (New York: The Ronald Press Company, 1949), first edition, 141 pages, 11 color plates, 208 black-and-white plates, original green cloth boards with gilt titles, in a purpose made slipcase, folio (9.5" x 12.25"), former owner's book plate on the ffep, book near fine, slip case separated in spots and shelf worn.
Henry Doré: Researches into Chinese Superstitions. Translated with notes and historical explanation by M. Kennelly, (Shanghai: Tusewei Printing Press, 1914 through 1938), first editions, First Part: Superstitious Practices Volumes I through V, Second Part: The Chinese Pantheon Volumes VI through X, Third Part: Popularization of Confucianism Volume XIII, profusely illustrated (many color), bound in half red cloth and paper covered boards with multicolored string (notebook style), 8vo (7" x 9.5"), previous owner's book plate on ffep of each volume, generally all volumes are in very good condition with a few volumes displaying minor loss of paper to spines, a few volumes slightly warped and minimal sunning to boards. A difficult set to find in this complete state.
Lot of Two Books on China, Siam, Burma and Tibet Including:
Captain William Gill The River of Golden Sand: Being the Narrative of a Journey Through China and Eastern Tibet to Burmah. (London: John Murray, 1883), condensed edition of the 1880 two volume first edition, 332 pages, plates, two fold-out maps, 29 woodcuts in text, original blue cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), crease to corner of front board, shelf wear, bumped corners, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, internal contents tight and sound, good condition.
Salvatore Besso Siam and China. (London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent and Company, circa 1914), first edition, 287 pages, profusely illustrated, original decorative brown cloth with gilt titles, 4to (9" x 11.5"), two of the former owner's identical book plate on the ffep, light age toning to the preliminary pages, lightly bumped and bare corners, minor loss to the top of spine, else very good condition.
Captain William Gill The River of Golden Sand: Being the Narrative of a Journey Through China and Eastern Tibet to Burmah. (London: John Murray, 1883), condensed edition of the 1880 two volume first edition, 332 pages, plates, two fold-out maps, 29 woodcuts in text, original blue cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), crease to corner of front board, shelf wear, bumped corners, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, internal contents tight and sound, good condition.
Salvatore Besso Siam and China. (London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent and Company, circa 1914), first edition, 287 pages, profusely illustrated, original decorative brown cloth with gilt titles, 4to (9" x 11.5"), two of the former owner's identical book plate on the ffep, light age toning to the preliminary pages, lightly bumped and bare corners, minor loss to the top of spine, else very good condition.
Selection of Early Twentieth Century Books on Mongolia including:
John Hedley Tramps in Dark Mongolia. (London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1910), first edition, 371 pages, illustrations, fold-out map, catalog of T. Fisher Unwin publications bound in black, original green cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, previous owner's book plate on the half title page, inside front hinge starting to crack, light pencil marks in the margins, pages uniformly age toned, wear to boards, else very good condition.
Douglas Carruthers Unknown Mongolia A Record of Travel and Exploration in North-West Mongolia and Dzungaria. (London: Hutchinson & Company, 1914), second edition, two volumes, 318 pages and 341 pages respectively, illustrated with photographs, many fold-out, 6 fold-out maps, original blue cloth boards with gilt titles, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, inside front hinges cracked, foxing to edges, corners lightly bumped, shelf wear to boards, else very good.
John Hedley Tramps in Dark Mongolia. (London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1910), first edition, 371 pages, illustrations, fold-out map, catalog of T. Fisher Unwin publications bound in black, original green cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, previous owner's book plate on the half title page, inside front hinge starting to crack, light pencil marks in the margins, pages uniformly age toned, wear to boards, else very good condition.
Douglas Carruthers Unknown Mongolia A Record of Travel and Exploration in North-West Mongolia and Dzungaria. (London: Hutchinson & Company, 1914), second edition, two volumes, 318 pages and 341 pages respectively, illustrated with photographs, many fold-out, 6 fold-out maps, original blue cloth boards with gilt titles, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, inside front hinges cracked, foxing to edges, corners lightly bumped, shelf wear to boards, else very good.
Lot of Early Books on Travel Through Asia including:
Thomas W. Knox Overland Through Asia. Pictures of Siberian, Chinese, and Tartar Life. Travels and Adventures in Kamchatka, Siberia, China, Mongolia, Chinese Tartary, and European Russia, with Full Accounts of the Siberian Exiles, Their Treatment, Condition, and Mode of Life, A Description of the Amoor River, and the Siberian Shores of the Frozen Ocean. (Hartford: American Publishing Company, 1871), first edition, 608 pages, illustrated, map, inscribed by the author on the ffep, original brown decorative cloth boards, gilt titles and decorations, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), previous owner's book plate on the inside front cover, inside front hinge cracked, corners worn, spine faded, portion of cloth on spine torn, internal pages toned, internal contents sound, good condition.
M. Huc Travels in Tartary, Thibet and China During the Years 1844-5-6. (Chicago: The Open Court Publishing Company, 1900), second reprint edition, two volume, 326 pages and 342 pages respectively, 50 woodcut engravings, fold-out map, original decorative cloth boards with silver titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), previous owner's book plate on the ffep, minor shelf wear, very good condition.
C.P. Skrine Chinese Central Asia. (London: Methuen & Company, Ltd., 1926), first edition, 306 pages, color frontis, five panoramas, two maps, 51 other illustrations, original red cloth boards with gilt titles and device on front cover, 8vo (5.75" x 9"), previous owner's book plate on the ffep, front hinge starting to crack, spine faded, light shelf wear, else very good condition.
Thomas W. Knox Overland Through Asia. Pictures of Siberian, Chinese, and Tartar Life. Travels and Adventures in Kamchatka, Siberia, China, Mongolia, Chinese Tartary, and European Russia, with Full Accounts of the Siberian Exiles, Their Treatment, Condition, and Mode of Life, A Description of the Amoor River, and the Siberian Shores of the Frozen Ocean. (Hartford: American Publishing Company, 1871), first edition, 608 pages, illustrated, map, inscribed by the author on the ffep, original brown decorative cloth boards, gilt titles and decorations, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), previous owner's book plate on the inside front cover, inside front hinge cracked, corners worn, spine faded, portion of cloth on spine torn, internal pages toned, internal contents sound, good condition.
M. Huc Travels in Tartary, Thibet and China During the Years 1844-5-6. (Chicago: The Open Court Publishing Company, 1900), second reprint edition, two volume, 326 pages and 342 pages respectively, 50 woodcut engravings, fold-out map, original decorative cloth boards with silver titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), previous owner's book plate on the ffep, minor shelf wear, very good condition.
C.P. Skrine Chinese Central Asia. (London: Methuen & Company, Ltd., 1926), first edition, 306 pages, color frontis, five panoramas, two maps, 51 other illustrations, original red cloth boards with gilt titles and device on front cover, 8vo (5.75" x 9"), previous owner's book plate on the ffep, front hinge starting to crack, spine faded, light shelf wear, else very good condition.
Samuel Victor Constant: Calls, Sounds and Merchandise of the Peking Street Peddlers. (Peking: The Camel Bell, n.d.), first edition, 185 pages, illustrated with tipped-in black and white photos and color illustrations, bound in decorative fabric covered boards in the Japanese style, with paper title label, oblong 12mo (10.5" x 7.75"), former owner's bookplate on the ffep, lightly bumped corners, a beautiful and unique book. The book comes in a purpose-made slipcase. A limited edition of this work was printed in 1993, but this is the original and therefore quite scarce.
George Lanning and S. Couling: The History of Shanghai. (Shanghai: for the Shanghai Municipal Council by Kelly & Walsh, Limited, 1921), first edition, 504 pages, illustrated, several fold-out plans and sketches, original brown cloth boards with gilt titles, 4to (7" x 10"), previous owner's book plate on the ffep, cloth starting to split on the front hinge, corners bumped, light discoloration along the edges of the boards, internal contents sound, very good condition. A comprehensive and rare work on Shanghai.
Lot of Three Books on South China and Formosa including:
Rev. J. Macgowan Pictures of Southern China. (London: The Religious Tract Society, 1897), first edition, 320 pages, photographic illustrations, in original green pictorial boards with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), former owner's book plate on inside front cover, some foxing to internal pages, sun fading to spine, internal contents sound and tight, very good condition.
Yosaburo Takekoshi Japanese Rule in Formosa. (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1907), first edition, 342 pages, illustrated, fold-out map, original orange cloth boards with gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 9"), former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, corners bumped, covers soiled, moderate age toning to pages, internal contents sound and tight, very good.
George Psalmanaazaar An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa, An Island Subject to the Emperor of Japan, etc. (London: Robert Holden & Co., Ltd., 1926), limited to 750 copies of which this copy is numbered 177, 288 pages, 16 pages of photogravures, light blue cloth boards with gilt titles, deckled pages, 4to (6.75" x 10"), former owner's book plate on the ffep, major sunning to spine and boards, bumped corners, else very good condition.
Rev. J. Macgowan Pictures of Southern China. (London: The Religious Tract Society, 1897), first edition, 320 pages, photographic illustrations, in original green pictorial boards with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), former owner's book plate on inside front cover, some foxing to internal pages, sun fading to spine, internal contents sound and tight, very good condition.
Yosaburo Takekoshi Japanese Rule in Formosa. (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1907), first edition, 342 pages, illustrated, fold-out map, original orange cloth boards with gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 9"), former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, corners bumped, covers soiled, moderate age toning to pages, internal contents sound and tight, very good.
George Psalmanaazaar An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa, An Island Subject to the Emperor of Japan, etc. (London: Robert Holden & Co., Ltd., 1926), limited to 750 copies of which this copy is numbered 177, 288 pages, 16 pages of photogravures, light blue cloth boards with gilt titles, deckled pages, 4to (6.75" x 10"), former owner's book plate on the ffep, major sunning to spine and boards, bumped corners, else very good condition.
Lot of Two Important Books on Religion in China including:
J.J.M. De Groot Sectarianism and Religious Persecution in China: A Page in the History of Religions. No publication data listed, 1940 reprint of the original published in 1903-1904, two volumes bound into one, totaling 595 pages, three plates, bound in maroon cloth with gilt titles, 4to (7.5" x 10.75"), former owner's bookplate on the ffep, light shelf wear to the boards else very good condition.
J.J.M. De Groot The Religious System of China, It's Ancient Forms, Evolution, History, and Present Aspect Manners, Customs and Social Institutions Connected Therewith. No publication data listed, no date but circa 1940, a reprint of the original done in 1892-1910, six volumes bound into three, totaling 2,807 pages, bound in maroon cloth with gilt titles, 4to (7.5" x 10.75"), former owner's bookplate on the ffep of each volume, light shelf wear to the boards else very good condition.
J.J.M. De Groot Sectarianism and Religious Persecution in China: A Page in the History of Religions. No publication data listed, 1940 reprint of the original published in 1903-1904, two volumes bound into one, totaling 595 pages, three plates, bound in maroon cloth with gilt titles, 4to (7.5" x 10.75"), former owner's bookplate on the ffep, light shelf wear to the boards else very good condition.
J.J.M. De Groot The Religious System of China, It's Ancient Forms, Evolution, History, and Present Aspect Manners, Customs and Social Institutions Connected Therewith. No publication data listed, no date but circa 1940, a reprint of the original done in 1892-1910, six volumes bound into three, totaling 2,807 pages, bound in maroon cloth with gilt titles, 4to (7.5" x 10.75"), former owner's bookplate on the ffep of each volume, light shelf wear to the boards else very good condition.
Group Lot of Books on English Men and Women in China consisting of:
Alexander Michie The Englishman in China During the Victorian Era, As Illustrated in the Career of Sir Rutherford Alcock, K.C.B., D.C.L. (London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1900), first edition, two volumes, 442 pages and 510 pages, illustrated, maps, original red cloth with gilt decoration, 8vo (6" x 9"), former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover of each volume, corners bumped, spines sun faded, one small 1" rip on spine of volume one, light foxing to fore edges, else good.
James Bromley Eames The English in China: Being an Account of the Intercourse of Relations Between England and China From the Year 1600 to the year 1843 and a Summary of Later Developments. (London: Pitman and Sons, Ltd., 1909), first edition, 622 pages, 23 page catalog bound in back, 7 full page illustrations, two folding maps, original maroon cloth with gilt decorations, gilt top fore edge, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), former owner's bookplate, light fading to spine, bumped corners, else very good.
William E. Soothill Timothy Richard of China: Seer, Statesman, Missionary & the Most Disinterested Adviser the Chinese Ever Had. (London: Seeley, Service & Company Ltd., 1926), first edition, 330 pages, illustrated, original grey cloth with black decoration and titles, 8vo (6" x 8.25"), former owner's bookplate, lightly bumped corners, light foxing to fore edge, age toning to endpapers, else very good condition.
Lady Macartney An English Lady in Chinese Turkestan. (London: Ernest Benn Ltd., 1931), first edition, 236 pages, illustrated, original green cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5" x 8.5"), former owner's bookplate, some rubbing to boards, corners bumped, small splits to cloth on spine, else very good.
Alexander Michie The Englishman in China During the Victorian Era, As Illustrated in the Career of Sir Rutherford Alcock, K.C.B., D.C.L. (London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1900), first edition, two volumes, 442 pages and 510 pages, illustrated, maps, original red cloth with gilt decoration, 8vo (6" x 9"), former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover of each volume, corners bumped, spines sun faded, one small 1" rip on spine of volume one, light foxing to fore edges, else good.
James Bromley Eames The English in China: Being an Account of the Intercourse of Relations Between England and China From the Year 1600 to the year 1843 and a Summary of Later Developments. (London: Pitman and Sons, Ltd., 1909), first edition, 622 pages, 23 page catalog bound in back, 7 full page illustrations, two folding maps, original maroon cloth with gilt decorations, gilt top fore edge, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), former owner's bookplate, light fading to spine, bumped corners, else very good.
William E. Soothill Timothy Richard of China: Seer, Statesman, Missionary & the Most Disinterested Adviser the Chinese Ever Had. (London: Seeley, Service & Company Ltd., 1926), first edition, 330 pages, illustrated, original grey cloth with black decoration and titles, 8vo (6" x 8.25"), former owner's bookplate, lightly bumped corners, light foxing to fore edge, age toning to endpapers, else very good condition.
Lady Macartney An English Lady in Chinese Turkestan. (London: Ernest Benn Ltd., 1931), first edition, 236 pages, illustrated, original green cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5" x 8.5"), former owner's bookplate, some rubbing to boards, corners bumped, small splits to cloth on spine, else very good.
Lot of Three Early Books on China consisting of:
Hugh Murray An Historical and Descriptive Account of China; Its Ancient and Modern History, Languages, Literature, Religion, Government, Industry, Manners, and Social State; Intercourse With Europe From the Earliest Ages; Missions and Embassies to the Imperial Court; British and Foreign Commerce; Directions to Navigators; State of Mathematics and Astronomy; Survey of Its Geography, Geology, Botany, and Zoology. (Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd, 1843), first edition, three volumes, 368 pages, 498 pages and 462 pages respectively, illustrated, maps, original red cloth with gilt decorations and titles, 12mo (4.25" x 7"), former owner's bookplate in each volume, fading to spine, minor loss to head and foot of spine, bumped corners, some pages uncut, minor staining to boards, else very good. Original editions of this work are uncommon.
S. Wells Williams The Middle Kingdom; A Survey of the Geography, Government, Education, Social Life, Arts, Religion, Etc. of the Chinese Empire and Its Inhabitants. (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1879), later printing of the 1847 first edition, two volumes, 590 pages and 614 pages respectively, rebound in cloth using portions of the original covers, gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover of each volume, some light pencil margin notes, missing fold-out map of China, else very good.
C.F. Gordon Cumming Wanderings in China. (London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1886), new edition, two volumes, 382 pages and 370 pages respectively, illustrated, large fold-out map bound in the back of volume two, decorative cloth covers with dragon motif, brown titles on spine, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover of each volume, minor shelf wear, else very good.
Hugh Murray An Historical and Descriptive Account of China; Its Ancient and Modern History, Languages, Literature, Religion, Government, Industry, Manners, and Social State; Intercourse With Europe From the Earliest Ages; Missions and Embassies to the Imperial Court; British and Foreign Commerce; Directions to Navigators; State of Mathematics and Astronomy; Survey of Its Geography, Geology, Botany, and Zoology. (Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd, 1843), first edition, three volumes, 368 pages, 498 pages and 462 pages respectively, illustrated, maps, original red cloth with gilt decorations and titles, 12mo (4.25" x 7"), former owner's bookplate in each volume, fading to spine, minor loss to head and foot of spine, bumped corners, some pages uncut, minor staining to boards, else very good. Original editions of this work are uncommon.
S. Wells Williams The Middle Kingdom; A Survey of the Geography, Government, Education, Social Life, Arts, Religion, Etc. of the Chinese Empire and Its Inhabitants. (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1879), later printing of the 1847 first edition, two volumes, 590 pages and 614 pages respectively, rebound in cloth using portions of the original covers, gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover of each volume, some light pencil margin notes, missing fold-out map of China, else very good.
C.F. Gordon Cumming Wanderings in China. (London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1886), new edition, two volumes, 382 pages and 370 pages respectively, illustrated, large fold-out map bound in the back of volume two, decorative cloth covers with dragon motif, brown titles on spine, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover of each volume, minor shelf wear, else very good.
Group of Books on Trade and Commerce in China including:
Hosea Ballou Morse The Trade and Administration of the Chinese Empire (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1908), first edition, 451 pages, illustrated, fold-out map, original blue cloth boards with gilt decoration and titles, 8v0 (6" x 9"), minor shelf wear to boards, bumped corners, spine lightly sunned, former owner's bookplate on inside front cover, contents sound and tight, very good.
Friedrich Hirth and W. W. Rockhill Chau Ju-Kua: His Work on the Chinese and Arab Trade in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries, Entitled Chu-Fan-Chi. (St. Petersburg: Printing Office of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, 1911), first edition, 288 pages, fold-out map, bound in maroon cloth with gilt titles, 4to (8" x 11.25"), previous owner's bookplate on inside front cover, some toning to preliminary pages, very good condition.
Hosea Ballou Morse The Chronicles of the East India Company Trading to China 1635-1834. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1926), first edition, five volumes, 305 pages, 435 pages, 388 pages, 427 pages, 212 pages respectively, illustrated, maps, blue cloth with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (6" x 9"), moderate rubbing to boards, all volumes slightly warped, typical shelf wear, previous owner's bookplate on ffep, internal contents sound and tight, very good condition.
Hosea Ballou Morse The Trade and Administration of the Chinese Empire (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1908), first edition, 451 pages, illustrated, fold-out map, original blue cloth boards with gilt decoration and titles, 8v0 (6" x 9"), minor shelf wear to boards, bumped corners, spine lightly sunned, former owner's bookplate on inside front cover, contents sound and tight, very good.
Friedrich Hirth and W. W. Rockhill Chau Ju-Kua: His Work on the Chinese and Arab Trade in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries, Entitled Chu-Fan-Chi. (St. Petersburg: Printing Office of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, 1911), first edition, 288 pages, fold-out map, bound in maroon cloth with gilt titles, 4to (8" x 11.25"), previous owner's bookplate on inside front cover, some toning to preliminary pages, very good condition.
Hosea Ballou Morse The Chronicles of the East India Company Trading to China 1635-1834. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1926), first edition, five volumes, 305 pages, 435 pages, 388 pages, 427 pages, 212 pages respectively, illustrated, maps, blue cloth with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (6" x 9"), moderate rubbing to boards, all volumes slightly warped, typical shelf wear, previous owner's bookplate on ffep, internal contents sound and tight, very good condition.
Sir George Staunton: An Authentic Account of an Embassy From the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China... (London: B. Bulmer and Company, 1797), first edition, two volumes with an elephant folio companion volume of plates, 518 pages and 626 pages respectively, 28 fine copper text engravings, folio volume contains 44 engraved plates including one large fold-out map, extra folio engraving of Earl of Macartney laid in, full leather binding, with gilt titles, decorative devices and gilt dentelle to outside front and rear boards, gilt edges, four raised spine bands, marbled endpapers, 4to (9.5" x 12"), spines faded and cracked on volumes one and two, exterior hinges cracked and exhibit evidence of old repairs, water ring on the front of volume one, former owner's book plates on the free front end paper and inside front cover of both volumes, corners bumped and worn, interior contents in superb condition with virtually no foxing, very good condition. The folio volume, measuring 17" x 23", is bound in full leather with an unusual painted finish, with worn corners. The folio volume has been rebound, and during the process, many of the plates were rebound out of sequence, but the volume is complete and the contents in very good condition. This is an important set seldom seen in its complete state.
Robert Lockhart Hobson: The George Eumorfopoulos Collection Catalogue of the Chinese, Corean and Persian Pottery and Porcelain. A stunning six volume limited edition set illustrating the objet d' art of one of the premier collectors of Oriental antiquities. George Eumorfopoulos (1863-1939) was a businessman whose interests in the East enabled him to build a stunning collection of Oriental art, much of which ultimately found a home in the British Museum. R. L. Hobson, keeper of the department of ceramics and ethnography at the British Museum, was able to capture the beauty and magnitude of the collection by producing a set of books equal to the collection. Each of the six elephant folio (12.25" x 18.25") volumes was limited to 725 copies, of which each volume in this set is hand-numbered 411, printed for the prestigious London publishing house of Ernest Benn, Ltd. on Van Gelder mould-made paper, and bound in a unique style using black cloth for the spine, yellow silk fabric on the boards with gilt titles on leather labels. Each volume is contained in an equally impressive full box covered in fine silk with dragon devices woven in the cloth. The boxes are in very good condition with occasional splitting at box seams and some light staining. All volumes are in very good to fine condition with the only flaw, if it may be referred to as such, a light scent of fireplace that evokes thoughts of a wing backed leather chair and shelves of books in a wood-paneled library. Each has the book plate of a previous owner on the inside front cover. The particulars of each volume are as follows:
Volume One From the Chou to the End of the T'ang Dynasty. [1925], 65 pages of text, 75 plates (some tipped-in color).
Volume Two From T'ang to Ming: Ju, Kuan, Ko, Lung-Ch-üan & Chien Wares. [1926], 54 pages of text, 75 plates (some tipped-in color).
Volume Three From T'ang to Ming: Chün, Ting and Tz'u Chou Wares. [1926], 66 pages of text, 75 plates (some tipped-in color).
Volume Four The Ming Dynasty. [1927], 62 pages of text, 75 plates (some tipped-in color).
Volume Five The Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain: K'ang Hsi, Yung Chêng, Ch'iên Lung, & Later Periods. [1927], 66 pages of text, 75 plates (some tipped-in color).
Volume Six Chinese Pottery, Corean and Persian Wares, and Recent Additions. [1928], 60 pages of text, 75 plates (some tipped-in color).
Volume One From the Chou to the End of the T'ang Dynasty. [1925], 65 pages of text, 75 plates (some tipped-in color).
Volume Two From T'ang to Ming: Ju, Kuan, Ko, Lung-Ch-üan & Chien Wares. [1926], 54 pages of text, 75 plates (some tipped-in color).
Volume Three From T'ang to Ming: Chün, Ting and Tz'u Chou Wares. [1926], 66 pages of text, 75 plates (some tipped-in color).
Volume Four The Ming Dynasty. [1927], 62 pages of text, 75 plates (some tipped-in color).
Volume Five The Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain: K'ang Hsi, Yung Chêng, Ch'iên Lung, & Later Periods. [1927], 66 pages of text, 75 plates (some tipped-in color).
Volume Six Chinese Pottery, Corean and Persian Wares, and Recent Additions. [1928], 60 pages of text, 75 plates (some tipped-in color).
Complete 1856 Official History of Commodore Perry's Expedition to the China Seas and Japan: in three volumes:
Francis L. Hawks Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan, Performed in the Years 1852, 1853, and 1854, Under the Command of Commodore M.C. Perry, United States Navy, by Order of the Government of the United States, Volume 1. (Washington: A.O.P. Nicholson, 1856), first edition, 537 pages, 89 lithographs (some tinted) collated to list of illustrations (without nude bathing plate or plate showing expedition's photographer at work), 78 woodcuts in text, maps (one folding), original brown patterned cloth boards, 4to (9.75" x 11.75"), in modern purpose made maroon cloth slipcase with gilt titles, exterior back hinge cracked, significant wear to extremities of boards, moderate to light damp stain to bottom third of book block, spine and gilt titles faded, former owner's book plate on the free front end paper, interior contents sound and tight, near very good condition.
[Various Authors] Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan, Performed in the Years 1852, 1853, and 1854, Under the Command of Commodore M.C. Perry, United States Navy, by Order of the Government of the United States, Volume 2. (Washington: A.O.P. Nicholson, 1856), first edition, 414 pages, 17 charts, numerous tinted lithographs, and many illustrations in text, original patterned brown cloth boards, 4to (9.75" x 11.75"), in modern purpose made maroon cloth slipcase with gilt titles, moderate foxing throughout, extremities of boards shelf worn, corners frayed and bumped, spine and gilt titles faded, former owner's book plate on the free front end paper, internal contents sound, near very good condition.
Reverend George Jones United States Japan Expedition. Observations of the Zodiacal Light From April 2, 1853, to April 22, 1853, Made Chiefly on Board the United States Steam-Frigate Mississippi, During Her Late Cruise in Eastern Seas, and Her Voyage Homeward: With Conclusions From the Data Thus Obtained, Volume 3. (Washington: A.O.P. Nicholson, 1856), first edition, 705 pages, 353 star charts, original brown cloth boards, 4to (9.75" x 11.75"), in modern purpose made maroon cloth slipcase with gilt titles, overall shelf wear to boards especially at the extremities, damp moderate foxing throughout, spine and gilt titles faded, former owner's book plate on the free front end paper, internal contents sound and tight, near very good condition.
Francis L. Hawks Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan, Performed in the Years 1852, 1853, and 1854, Under the Command of Commodore M.C. Perry, United States Navy, by Order of the Government of the United States, Volume 1. (Washington: A.O.P. Nicholson, 1856), first edition, 537 pages, 89 lithographs (some tinted) collated to list of illustrations (without nude bathing plate or plate showing expedition's photographer at work), 78 woodcuts in text, maps (one folding), original brown patterned cloth boards, 4to (9.75" x 11.75"), in modern purpose made maroon cloth slipcase with gilt titles, exterior back hinge cracked, significant wear to extremities of boards, moderate to light damp stain to bottom third of book block, spine and gilt titles faded, former owner's book plate on the free front end paper, interior contents sound and tight, near very good condition.
[Various Authors] Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan, Performed in the Years 1852, 1853, and 1854, Under the Command of Commodore M.C. Perry, United States Navy, by Order of the Government of the United States, Volume 2. (Washington: A.O.P. Nicholson, 1856), first edition, 414 pages, 17 charts, numerous tinted lithographs, and many illustrations in text, original patterned brown cloth boards, 4to (9.75" x 11.75"), in modern purpose made maroon cloth slipcase with gilt titles, moderate foxing throughout, extremities of boards shelf worn, corners frayed and bumped, spine and gilt titles faded, former owner's book plate on the free front end paper, internal contents sound, near very good condition.
Reverend George Jones United States Japan Expedition. Observations of the Zodiacal Light From April 2, 1853, to April 22, 1853, Made Chiefly on Board the United States Steam-Frigate Mississippi, During Her Late Cruise in Eastern Seas, and Her Voyage Homeward: With Conclusions From the Data Thus Obtained, Volume 3. (Washington: A.O.P. Nicholson, 1856), first edition, 705 pages, 353 star charts, original brown cloth boards, 4to (9.75" x 11.75"), in modern purpose made maroon cloth slipcase with gilt titles, overall shelf wear to boards especially at the extremities, damp moderate foxing throughout, spine and gilt titles faded, former owner's book plate on the free front end paper, internal contents sound and tight, near very good condition.
George Newenham Wright: China, In a Series of Views, Displaying the Scenery, Architecture, and Social Habits, of That Ancient Empire. (London: Fisher, Son, & Company, 1843), first edition, four volumes bound into two, 96, 72, 68, and 72 pages respectively, 4 engraved title-pages, 124 finely engraved steel-plates illustrated by Thomas Allom, bound by David Condie, Worcester in half calf, four raised bands with gilt titles and decoration, gilt edges, 4to (8.75" x 11"), former owner's bookplate on inside front cover of each volume, foxing to endpapers and title pages, minor foxing throughout, minor rubbing to leather on spines, bumped corners, sun fading to the back board of volume one and sun fading to front board of volume two, else both volumes very good. Included in the second bound volume is a 72-page history of the "Life of Kang-He, Emperor of China". This set is well known to collectors for its wonderful steel engravings, representative of some of the best 19th century illustrations.
Laurence Oliphant: Narrative of the Earl of Elgin's Mission to China and Japan in the Years 1857, '58, '59. (London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1859), first edition, two volumes, 492 and 496 pages respectively, 19 of 20 colored lithographs present and 50 wood engravings in text, 5 folding maps, bound in contemporary full calf with gilt titles and decoration, five raised bands, marbled endpapers and edges, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), former owner's bookplate on free front end paper of each volume, contents extremely clean with only the slightest foxing, boards lightly scuffed, wear to exterior hinges, some wear to head and foot of spine, corners bumped, else very good. The author was secretary to Lord Elgin and was present for many of the events described in the book, including the British incursion into China and the hostilities at Canton. This is an important and primary resource chronicling early British activities in China.
Sven Hedin: Through Asia. (London: Methuen & Company, 1898), first edition, two volumes, 663 and 611 pages respectively, 122 plates (four colored), 132 text photographs and drawings, four sketch maps, two fold-out maps, original green cloth boards with gilt titles and decorations, deckle edges, 8vo (6.75" x 9.5"), former owner's bookplate on inside cover of each volume; volume one: cocked, corners bumped; volume two: inside hinges cracked, multiple small ink stamps on endpapers, else very good. These two volumes comprise a record of Hedin's journeys from 1893 to 1897.
Perceval Landon: Lhasa: An Account of the Country and People of Central Tibet and of the Progress of the Mission Sent There by the English Government in the Year 1903-4. (London: Hurst and Blackett, Ltd., 1905), second edition, two volumes, 412 and 426 pages respectfully, 124 plates (13 color, 23 photogravure), 132 text photographs, eight maps (two folding), original maroon cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (7" x 9.75"), former owner's bookplate on the free front end paper, significant wear to boards, head and foot of spine worn and faded, corners bumped, light foxing, business sized envelope cellophane taped to inside front cover of volume one, else good condition. This is a very important work concerning Central Asia and Tibet, and British operations in that region. The author was the Times correspondent with the mission, and he gives detailed reports of the march, the sieges of both the British force and the Tibetans at Gyantse, and the protracted negotiations at Lhasa. Description is made of the expedition, the life and conditions in Tibet, their religion, history, etc. Introduction by Colonel F. E. Younghusband who was the leader of the expedition.
Collection of Early Works on Tibet including:
A.E. Pratt To the Snows of Tibet Through China. (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1892), first edition, 268 pages, illustrations, fold-out map, original blue cloth boards with gilt titles and decorations, 8vo (6.75" x 9.5"), light shelf wear to boards, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, spine darkened, a very nice copy in very good condition.
Shramana Ekai Kawaguchi Three Years in Tibet. (London: The Theosophist Publishing Society, 1909), first edition, 719 pages, with the original Japanese illustrations, 11 photogravures, fold-out map, map of Tibet laid in, brown cloth boards with gilt titles, gilt top edge, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), light shelf wear to boards, a few light pencil notations in the margins, spine slightly darkened, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover and half title page, else very good.
Sir Charles Bell The Religion of Tibet. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1931), first edition, 235 pages, illustrated, two fold-out maps, original blue cloth boards with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), corners bumped, light shelf wear to boards, former owner's book plate on the ffep, internal contents sound, very good condition.
A.E. Pratt To the Snows of Tibet Through China. (London: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1892), first edition, 268 pages, illustrations, fold-out map, original blue cloth boards with gilt titles and decorations, 8vo (6.75" x 9.5"), light shelf wear to boards, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, spine darkened, a very nice copy in very good condition.
Shramana Ekai Kawaguchi Three Years in Tibet. (London: The Theosophist Publishing Society, 1909), first edition, 719 pages, with the original Japanese illustrations, 11 photogravures, fold-out map, map of Tibet laid in, brown cloth boards with gilt titles, gilt top edge, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), light shelf wear to boards, a few light pencil notations in the margins, spine slightly darkened, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover and half title page, else very good.
Sir Charles Bell The Religion of Tibet. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1931), first edition, 235 pages, illustrated, two fold-out maps, original blue cloth boards with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), corners bumped, light shelf wear to boards, former owner's book plate on the ffep, internal contents sound, very good condition.
Archibald R. Colquhoun: Across Chryse, Being the Narrative of Exploration Through the South China Border Lands From Canton to Mandalay. (London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington, 1883), first edition, two volumes, 420 pages and 408 pages respectively, profusely illustrated, hand-colored maps, missing fold-out map bound in the back of volume one, old rebind in green cloth patterned boards with gilt titles (author's name misspelled on spine of both volumes), 8vo (6" x 9"), former owner's book plate on the ffep on each volume, uniform foxing to interior pages, especially the fold-out illustrations, preliminary pages wrinkled in volume one, spines darkened, a few spots on boards of volume one, general shelf wear, else very good condition.
Rev. Alexander Williamson: Journeys in North China, Manchuria, and Eastern Mongolia; With Some Account of Corea. (London: Smith, Elder & Company, 1870), first edition, two volumes, 444 pages and 442 pages, illustrated, two large fold-out maps, original green cloth with gilt titles and gilt image of Confucius on the front covers, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), former owner's bookplate on inside front cover of each volume, top of each ffep in each volume has small portion excised, moderate shelf wear, very small hole in the spine of volume 2, bottom corners of each volume worn bare, else in very good condition. Original editions of this title are seldom encountered.
Collection of Reference Works on Chinese Coins and Paper Money including:
Terrien De Lacouperie Catalogue of Chinese Coins From the VIIth Century B.C., to A.D. 621 Including the Series in the British Museum. (London: Printed by Order of Trustees of the British Museum, 1892), first edition, 443 pages, profusely illustrated, original maroon cloth boards with gilt titles, in a purpose made slipcase with gilt titles, deckled pages, 4to (7.5" x 11.5"), moderate staining to boards, exterior front hinge has 1.5" split, binding shaken, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, good condition.
J.H. Stewart Lockhart A Guide to the Inscriptions on the Coins of the Farther East, With Special Reference to the Glover Collection and a Chronology of the Dynasties and Emperors of China, Annam, and Japan, Volume III. (Hong Kong: Noronha & Company, 1898), first edition, 77 pages, LIX pages of tables, stiff paper covers, in purpose made slipcase with gilt titles, 4to (7.75" x 10.25), light pencil notations, covers darkened and chipped around the edges, internal pages age toned, former owner's book plate on the ffep, else good condition.
H.A. Ramsden Series of Bound Manuals on Chinese Coins and Paper Money including "Modern Chinese Copper Coins" (Worcester: Numismatist Press, 1911), 27 pages, illustrated, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good; "Model-Insect Money of Ancient China" (Yokohama: Numismatic & Philatelic Printers and Publishers, 1914), 22 pages, illustrated, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good; "Chinese Paper Money" (Yokohama: Numismatic & Philatelic Publishers, 1911), 37 pages, illustrated, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good; "Chinese Openwork Amulet Coins" (Yokohama: Numismatic & Philatelic Publishers, 1911), 60 pages, illustrated, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good; "Corean [sic] Coin Charms and Amulets" (Yokohama: Numismatic & Philatelic Publishers, 1910), 40 pages, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good; "Siamese Porcelain and Other Tokens" (Yokohama: Numismatic & Philatelic Publishers, 1911), 37 pages, color plates, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good; and "Annam and its Minor Currency" by Edward Toda, (No place or publisher, 1881), numbered pages 41 through 220, illustrated, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good.
Andrew McFarland Davis Monograph on Ancient Chinese Paper Money as Described in a Chinese Work on Numismatics. (No place of publication: American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1918), numbered 467 through 647, numerous illustrations, institutionally bound in maroon cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), former owner's book plate on the ffep, very good condition.
Kalgan Shih Modern Coins of China. (Shanghai: Sin-Hwa, circa 1949), first edition thus, 198 pages, profusely illustrated, Chinese text, in purpose made slipcase with gilt titles, blue cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, in jacket, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), with two copies of the English translation, 96 pages, stiff wraps, all in fine condition.
Terrien De Lacouperie Catalogue of Chinese Coins From the VIIth Century B.C., to A.D. 621 Including the Series in the British Museum. (London: Printed by Order of Trustees of the British Museum, 1892), first edition, 443 pages, profusely illustrated, original maroon cloth boards with gilt titles, in a purpose made slipcase with gilt titles, deckled pages, 4to (7.5" x 11.5"), moderate staining to boards, exterior front hinge has 1.5" split, binding shaken, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, good condition.
J.H. Stewart Lockhart A Guide to the Inscriptions on the Coins of the Farther East, With Special Reference to the Glover Collection and a Chronology of the Dynasties and Emperors of China, Annam, and Japan, Volume III. (Hong Kong: Noronha & Company, 1898), first edition, 77 pages, LIX pages of tables, stiff paper covers, in purpose made slipcase with gilt titles, 4to (7.75" x 10.25), light pencil notations, covers darkened and chipped around the edges, internal pages age toned, former owner's book plate on the ffep, else good condition.
H.A. Ramsden Series of Bound Manuals on Chinese Coins and Paper Money including "Modern Chinese Copper Coins" (Worcester: Numismatist Press, 1911), 27 pages, illustrated, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good; "Model-Insect Money of Ancient China" (Yokohama: Numismatic & Philatelic Printers and Publishers, 1914), 22 pages, illustrated, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good; "Chinese Paper Money" (Yokohama: Numismatic & Philatelic Publishers, 1911), 37 pages, illustrated, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good; "Chinese Openwork Amulet Coins" (Yokohama: Numismatic & Philatelic Publishers, 1911), 60 pages, illustrated, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good; "Corean [sic] Coin Charms and Amulets" (Yokohama: Numismatic & Philatelic Publishers, 1910), 40 pages, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good; "Siamese Porcelain and Other Tokens" (Yokohama: Numismatic & Philatelic Publishers, 1911), 37 pages, color plates, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good; and "Annam and its Minor Currency" by Edward Toda, (No place or publisher, 1881), numbered pages 41 through 220, illustrated, 8vo (6" x 9"), very good.
Andrew McFarland Davis Monograph on Ancient Chinese Paper Money as Described in a Chinese Work on Numismatics. (No place of publication: American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1918), numbered 467 through 647, numerous illustrations, institutionally bound in maroon cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), former owner's book plate on the ffep, very good condition.
Kalgan Shih Modern Coins of China. (Shanghai: Sin-Hwa, circa 1949), first edition thus, 198 pages, profusely illustrated, Chinese text, in purpose made slipcase with gilt titles, blue cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, in jacket, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), with two copies of the English translation, 96 pages, stiff wraps, all in fine condition.
Lot of 19th Century Books on China and the Chinese People including:
John Francis Davis The Chinese: A General Description of the Empire of China and Its Inhabitants. (London: Charles Knight & Company, 1836), first edition thus, two volumes, 395 pages and 459 pages respectively, 54 wood cuts in text, half leather with blue cloth, gilt titles, marbled edges and end papers, 16mo (4.25" x 6.5"), former owner's book plate on the inside front cover of each volume, leather moderately rubbed on the spines and corners, else very good condition.
Reverend Justice Doolittle Social Life of the Chinese: With Some Accounts of Their Religious, Governmental, Educational, and Business Customs and Opinions. With Special But Not Exclusive Reference to Fuhchau. (New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1865), first edition, two volumes, 459 pages and 490 pages respectively, over 150 engraved illustrations in text, original blue cloth with gilt titles and decoration, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), Gamma Epsilon library plate on the inside front cover of each volume, shelf wear to boards, frayed corners, internal contents sound and tight, very good condition.
John Henry Gray China, A History of the Laws, Manners and Customs of the People. (London: Macmillan and Company, 1878), first edition, two volumes, 397 pages and 374 pages respectively, 140 illustrations, original pictorial cloth boards, gilt titles, gilt top edge, 8vo (6" x 9"), shelf wear to boards, former owner's book plate on the ffep of each volume, pages 129 through 145 loose in volume II, small holes in spine of volume II, else good condition.
J. Hudson Taylor, editor China's Millions. (London: Morgan and Scott, 1879), first edition, 158 pages, engravings in text, fold-out map bound in front, attractive original blue pictorial boards with gilt titles and decoration, gilt edges, 4to (8" x 10.5"), former owner's book plate on the ffep, light shelf wear to boards, corners lightly bumped, very good condition.
John Francis Davis The Chinese: A General Description of the Empire of China and Its Inhabitants. (London: Charles Knight & Company, 1836), first edition thus, two volumes, 395 pages and 459 pages respectively, 54 wood cuts in text, half leather with blue cloth, gilt titles, marbled edges and end papers, 16mo (4.25" x 6.5"), former owner's book plate on the inside front cover of each volume, leather moderately rubbed on the spines and corners, else very good condition.
Reverend Justice Doolittle Social Life of the Chinese: With Some Accounts of Their Religious, Governmental, Educational, and Business Customs and Opinions. With Special But Not Exclusive Reference to Fuhchau. (New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1865), first edition, two volumes, 459 pages and 490 pages respectively, over 150 engraved illustrations in text, original blue cloth with gilt titles and decoration, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), Gamma Epsilon library plate on the inside front cover of each volume, shelf wear to boards, frayed corners, internal contents sound and tight, very good condition.
John Henry Gray China, A History of the Laws, Manners and Customs of the People. (London: Macmillan and Company, 1878), first edition, two volumes, 397 pages and 374 pages respectively, 140 illustrations, original pictorial cloth boards, gilt titles, gilt top edge, 8vo (6" x 9"), shelf wear to boards, former owner's book plate on the ffep of each volume, pages 129 through 145 loose in volume II, small holes in spine of volume II, else good condition.
J. Hudson Taylor, editor China's Millions. (London: Morgan and Scott, 1879), first edition, 158 pages, engravings in text, fold-out map bound in front, attractive original blue pictorial boards with gilt titles and decoration, gilt edges, 4to (8" x 10.5"), former owner's book plate on the ffep, light shelf wear to boards, corners lightly bumped, very good condition.
1847-1902 Parliamentary Reports on China Including Reports on Piracy, Flogging and Slavery. Nine Parliamentary reports, folio (8.5" x 12.75"), bound, red cloth boards with gilt titles, in very good condition, including:
Papers Relating to the Murder of Six Englishmen in the Neighbourhood of Canton in the Month of December, 1847. (London: T.R. Harrison, 1848), 79 pages.
Correspondence Respecting the Opening of the Yang-Tze-Kiang River to Foreign Trade. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1861), 33 pages.
Correspondence Respecting the Fitting Out, Dispatching to China, and Ultimate Withdrawal of the Anglo-Chinese Fleet Under the Command of Captain Sherard Osborn; and the Dismissal of Mr. Lay From the Chief Inspectorate of Customs. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1864), 40 pages.
Further Papers Respecting the Seizure of the Cincha Islands by a Spanish Squadron. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1864), 27 pages.
Correspondence Respecting the Suppression of Piracy in the River Han. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1869), 6 pages.
Correspondence Respecting the Relations Between Great Britain and China. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1869), 6 pages.
Correspondence Respecting the Evacuation of Shanghae. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1902), 16 pages.
Papers Relating to the Flogging of Prisoners in Hong Kong. (London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1879), 49 pages.
Correspondence Respecting the Alleged Existence of Chinese Slavery in Hong Kong. (London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1882), 124 pages.
Papers Relating to the Murder of Six Englishmen in the Neighbourhood of Canton in the Month of December, 1847. (London: T.R. Harrison, 1848), 79 pages.
Correspondence Respecting the Opening of the Yang-Tze-Kiang River to Foreign Trade. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1861), 33 pages.
Correspondence Respecting the Fitting Out, Dispatching to China, and Ultimate Withdrawal of the Anglo-Chinese Fleet Under the Command of Captain Sherard Osborn; and the Dismissal of Mr. Lay From the Chief Inspectorate of Customs. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1864), 40 pages.
Further Papers Respecting the Seizure of the Cincha Islands by a Spanish Squadron. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1864), 27 pages.
Correspondence Respecting the Suppression of Piracy in the River Han. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1869), 6 pages.
Correspondence Respecting the Relations Between Great Britain and China. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1869), 6 pages.
Correspondence Respecting the Evacuation of Shanghae. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1902), 16 pages.
Papers Relating to the Flogging of Prisoners in Hong Kong. (London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1879), 49 pages.
Correspondence Respecting the Alleged Existence of Chinese Slavery in Hong Kong. (London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1882), 124 pages.
Lot of Chinese Art Books including:
E. A. Strehlneek Chinese Pictorial Art. (Shanghai: Commercial Press, Ltd., 1914), first edition, 324 pages and 74 page Bronze, Ceramic and Jade supplement, profusely illustrated with colored and collotyped illustrations, bound in decorative silk over boards with string bows after the Japanese fashion, gilt titles and decoration, with purpose made slipcase, 4to (8.5" x 11"), moderate shelf wear, former owner's book plate on the ffep, front exterior hinge just starting to crack, minor fraying to silk covers at the edges, internal contents bright and sound, very good condition.
Louise Crane China in Sign and Symbol. (Shanghai: Kelly & Walsh, Ltd., 1926), 227 pages, profusely illustrated with color decorations by Kent Crane, original tan cloth with gilt titles and decoration, deckled edges, 4to ((' x 11.5"), covers lightly soiled, previous owner's book plate on the ffep, internal contents bright and sound, very good condition.
William H. Edmunds Pointers and Clues to the Subjects of Chinese and Japanese Art As Shewn in Drawings, Prints, Carvings, and the Decoration of Porcelain and lacquer With Brief Notices of the Related Subjects. (London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., 1934), first edition, 725 pages, original yellow cloth with gilt titles, 4to (7.5" x 10"), shelf wear to boards, light foxing to title page, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, else very good.
Langdon Warner Buddhist Wall-Paintings: A Study of a Ninth-Century Grotto at Wan Fo Hsia. (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1938), 33 pages of text, 46 plates of black and white illustrations, original orange cloth boards with paste-on title and spine titles, some sun fading to boards, bumped corners, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, very good condition.
Barry Eastman Chinese Art Ivory. (Tientsin: John E. Paradissis, 1940), first edition, 86 pages of text, 32 photographic plates, original green cloth boards with gilt titles on spine, former owner's book plate on the ffep, very good condition.
E. A. Strehlneek Chinese Pictorial Art. (Shanghai: Commercial Press, Ltd., 1914), first edition, 324 pages and 74 page Bronze, Ceramic and Jade supplement, profusely illustrated with colored and collotyped illustrations, bound in decorative silk over boards with string bows after the Japanese fashion, gilt titles and decoration, with purpose made slipcase, 4to (8.5" x 11"), moderate shelf wear, former owner's book plate on the ffep, front exterior hinge just starting to crack, minor fraying to silk covers at the edges, internal contents bright and sound, very good condition.
Louise Crane China in Sign and Symbol. (Shanghai: Kelly & Walsh, Ltd., 1926), 227 pages, profusely illustrated with color decorations by Kent Crane, original tan cloth with gilt titles and decoration, deckled edges, 4to ((' x 11.5"), covers lightly soiled, previous owner's book plate on the ffep, internal contents bright and sound, very good condition.
William H. Edmunds Pointers and Clues to the Subjects of Chinese and Japanese Art As Shewn in Drawings, Prints, Carvings, and the Decoration of Porcelain and lacquer With Brief Notices of the Related Subjects. (London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., 1934), first edition, 725 pages, original yellow cloth with gilt titles, 4to (7.5" x 10"), shelf wear to boards, light foxing to title page, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, else very good.
Langdon Warner Buddhist Wall-Paintings: A Study of a Ninth-Century Grotto at Wan Fo Hsia. (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1938), 33 pages of text, 46 plates of black and white illustrations, original orange cloth boards with paste-on title and spine titles, some sun fading to boards, bumped corners, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, very good condition.
Barry Eastman Chinese Art Ivory. (Tientsin: John E. Paradissis, 1940), first edition, 86 pages of text, 32 photographic plates, original green cloth boards with gilt titles on spine, former owner's book plate on the ffep, very good condition.
Reverend Father Sangermano: A Description of the Burmese Empire, Compiled Chiefly From Native Documents. (Rome: Oriental Translation Fund, 1833), first edition, 224 pages, translated by William Tandy, modern rebind in quarter leather with marbled boards, five raised spine bands, red morocco spine label with gilt titles, gilt edges, folio (9.5" x 12.5"), Board of Foreign Missions stamp in blind on the title page, date stamp of "Oct. 1959" on verso of title page, small "2609" stamp on page iv of preface, else contents bright and tight and in fine condition.
Alexander Kinloch: Large Game Shooting in Thibet and the North West. (London: Harrison & Sons, 1876), first edition, 64 pages, illustrated with 11 full-page photo-tint plates, original green cloth with gilt decoration of a Yak on the cover, and gilt titles on the spine, 4to (8.5" x 11"), presentation inscription from Otho Shaw to artist Albert Bierstadt on the free front end paper. This volume is the second series, a companion volume to Kinloch's earlier work that included game from central and northern India. The inside front hinge has become detached from the book block, the corners are bumped and are worn down to the boards, there is moderate wear to the covers, damage to the head and foot of the spine, a former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover, chipping to the edges of the frontis, and a small (1.5" x 1") New York Public Library inventory stamp on the copyright page, else good.
Captain Samuel Turner: An Account of an Embassy to the Court of the Teshoo Lama in Tibet Containing a Narrative of a Journey Through Bootan, and Part of Tibet. (London: Bulmer and Company, 1806), second edition, four parts in one volume, 473 pages, 13 engraved plates of which one is a folding map, half leather with green cloth boards, marbled endpapers, gilt titles, 4to (10" x 11.75"), minimal light foxing, fold-out map chipped at one edge, corners moderately worn, spine lightly sunned, former owner's bookplate on the inside front cover, internal contents sound, very good copy of this remarkable book. The author, Samuel Turner (1749?-1802), was a captain in the army of the English East India Company. This book may well be the first publication in English on Tibet.
Robert Shaw: Visits to High Tartary, Yârkand, and Kâshghar and Return Journey Over the Karakoram Pass. (London: John Murray, 1871), first edition, 486 pages, engraved illustrations, two fold-out maps, color frontis, original green cloth with gilt titles and decorations, 8vo (6" x 9"), previous owner's book plate on the inside front cover, inside front hinge cracked, head and foot of spine chipped, small 1.5" split in front hinge, spine darkened, corners bumped, internal contents tight and sound, covers bright, very good condition.
Filippo De Filippi: Karakoram and the Western Himalaya 1909: An Account of the Expedition of H.R.H. Prince Luigi Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of the Abbruzzi. (New York: E. P. Dutton and Company, 1912), first American edition, 469 pages, over two dozen inserted toned photogravures by Vittorio Sella with over a hundred black and white photographs in text including several double-page panoramas, two color geology specimen plates bound in rear, original green cloth with gilt spine lettering, front cover ruled in blind, 4to (9" x 10.75"), small rubbed spot on front board, light shelf wear, binding slightly shaken, else in very good condition.
E. D. Clarke: Travels in Various Countries of Europe, Asia and Africa. (London: T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1816), volumes I-VIII fourth edition, volumes IX-XI first edition, eleven volumes, 34 foldout maps, charts, plans, and illustrations all present, quarter leather with marbled boards, five spine compartments between raised bands, gilt titles, marbled edges, 8vo (5.75" x 8.75"), light foxing throughout the entire set, remnants of bookplates on the front pastedown of each volume, but all have been removed, previous owner's signature in each volume, a library stamp for the "Richland County Public Library" appears in a few of the volumes along with an old catalog number "445039", moderate wear to all the boards, corners bumped and worn, edges rubbed and worn, leather is worn along the joints, a couple of which are starting to crack, front board of volume one is almost detached, else interiors are clean and text blocks tight, overall a handsome set.
Mrs. J. F. Bishop: The Yangtze Valley and Beyond: An Account of Journeys in China, Chiefly in the Province of Sze Chuan and Among the Man-tze of the Somo Territory. (London: John Murray, 1899), first edition, 557 pages, illustrated with black and white photographs, fold-out map bound in back, original green cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (7" x 9.25"), bumped corners, replaced endpapers, wear to boards especially at the edges with some abrasion to cloth, else contents sound and in good condition.
Antiques
Three Vintage Chinese Railway Maps. An important group of maps showing the great railroads that influenced the course of Far Eastern economic, military, and social history for most of the 20th century. Included are the following:
Railway Map of China, 16.5" x 19", by Paul P. Whitham, for U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Foreign & Domestic Commerce, New York, 1918. Existing and proposed roads are drawn for a vast territory stretching from Russian Siberia to Burma and Vietnam.
Railway Map of North China, 20.25" x 17", "compiled by J.V.A MacMurray from the Russian Government map of the ways of communication of Asiatic Russia (1911) and other sources, and drawn by Mr. Y.Y. Wu under the supervision of Mr. Murray Sullivan of the Chuchow-Chinchow Railway Administration", New York, 1918. The title of this map is deceptive in that it also shows the rail lines of Korea and Japan.
Peking-Mukden Railway and Connections, 33.25" x 22.75",n.p., October, 1922. A huge bi-lingual English-Chinese production showing each stop along this important railway.
All maps have original folds and are lightly toned. One map has a small push that could be repaired easily.
Railway Map of China, 16.5" x 19", by Paul P. Whitham, for U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Foreign & Domestic Commerce, New York, 1918. Existing and proposed roads are drawn for a vast territory stretching from Russian Siberia to Burma and Vietnam.
Railway Map of North China, 20.25" x 17", "compiled by J.V.A MacMurray from the Russian Government map of the ways of communication of Asiatic Russia (1911) and other sources, and drawn by Mr. Y.Y. Wu under the supervision of Mr. Murray Sullivan of the Chuchow-Chinchow Railway Administration", New York, 1918. The title of this map is deceptive in that it also shows the rail lines of Korea and Japan.
Peking-Mukden Railway and Connections, 33.25" x 22.75",n.p., October, 1922. A huge bi-lingual English-Chinese production showing each stop along this important railway.
All maps have original folds and are lightly toned. One map has a small push that could be repaired easily.
Four Maps Engraved by Amos Doolittle, Circa 1790s, and all published by Thomas & Andrews of Boston, Massachusetts as follows:"Chart of the World on Mercators Projection", 10" x 8.5". Type transfer from folding, light stains. Fine condition.
"A General Map of North America from the beft Authorities", 9.5" x 8.5", foxing, one vertical fold. Fine condition.
"Map of Europe", 9.75" x 8.5", marginal browning, small split on one vertical fold. Fine condition.
"Asia from the beft Authorities", 10" x 8.5", even toning, fine condition. Doolittle, sometimes called "The Revere of Connecticut," was an expert, early self-taught, American engraver and silversmith who specialized in scenes of the Revolutionary War.
"A General Map of North America from the beft Authorities", 9.5" x 8.5", foxing, one vertical fold. Fine condition.
"Map of Europe", 9.75" x 8.5", marginal browning, small split on one vertical fold. Fine condition.
"Asia from the beft Authorities", 10" x 8.5", even toning, fine condition. Doolittle, sometimes called "The Revere of Connecticut," was an expert, early self-taught, American engraver and silversmith who specialized in scenes of the Revolutionary War.
Five Maps Engraved by Amos Doolittle, Circa 1790s, as follows:
"Map of the World From the Best Authorities", 14" x 8.25", with eastern and western hemispheres. Edge chipping, two vertical folds. Good condition.
"A General Map of North America From the Best Authorities", 9.25" x 8.5", Thomas & Andrews, Boston. Foxing, stains, uneven right margin. Very good condition.
"Europe from the beft Authorities", 9.5" x 8.5", Thomas & Andrews, Boston. Light foxing, smoothed folds, fine condition.
"Asia from the beft Authorities", 9.5" x 8.5", Thomas & Andrews, Boston. Light foxing, smoothed folds, fine condition.
"Africa from the beft Authorities", 8.75" x 8.5", Thomas & Andrews, Boston. Light foxing, even toning. Fine condition.
"Map of the World From the Best Authorities", 14" x 8.25", with eastern and western hemispheres. Edge chipping, two vertical folds. Good condition.
"A General Map of North America From the Best Authorities", 9.25" x 8.5", Thomas & Andrews, Boston. Foxing, stains, uneven right margin. Very good condition.
"Europe from the beft Authorities", 9.5" x 8.5", Thomas & Andrews, Boston. Light foxing, smoothed folds, fine condition.
"Asia from the beft Authorities", 9.5" x 8.5", Thomas & Andrews, Boston. Light foxing, smoothed folds, fine condition.
"Africa from the beft Authorities", 8.75" x 8.5", Thomas & Andrews, Boston. Light foxing, even toning. Fine condition.
Four Maps Engraved by Amos Doolittle, Circa 1790s, as follows:
"A New Map of North America Shewing all the New Discoveries", 9.25" x 8.25", "Engraved for Morse's Gazeteer of America". Heavily folded at margin with moderate aging and splits. Good condition.
"Europe from the beft Authorities", 9.5" x 8.5", Thomas & Andrews, Boston. Overall light foxing, toned stock, one smoothed fold. Very good condition.
"Map of Asia" by A. Doolittle, 9.5" x 8.5". Two smoothed folds with minute splits along lower margin. Fine condition.
"Africa from the beft Authorities", 9.75" x 8", Thomas & Andrews, Boston. Overall light foxing, fine condition.
"A New Map of North America Shewing all the New Discoveries", 9.25" x 8.25", "Engraved for Morse's Gazeteer of America". Heavily folded at margin with moderate aging and splits. Good condition.
"Europe from the beft Authorities", 9.5" x 8.5", Thomas & Andrews, Boston. Overall light foxing, toned stock, one smoothed fold. Very good condition.
"Map of Asia" by A. Doolittle, 9.5" x 8.5". Two smoothed folds with minute splits along lower margin. Fine condition.
"Africa from the beft Authorities", 9.75" x 8", Thomas & Andrews, Boston. Overall light foxing, fine condition.
Miscellaneous
(Henri Seile) (d. 1661) Engraved map of the Americas, Americae Descriptio Nova Imprensis / Henrici Seile; Will. Tevethen, sculp ([London], 1652) hand-colored engraving removed from Peter Heylin's Cosmographie in Four Books. (1652), 35 x 45 cm. A good mid seventeenth century rendering of the Americas notable for its representation of California as an Island, a cartographic myth that persisted from the 1590s well into the eighteenth century. Indeed it took a Jesuit missionary to walk from New Mexico to California in 1705 to prove that California was attached to the North American mainland. Tape marks from pervious mounting, marginal chipping resulting in some loss, light soiling, else very good condition.
Antiques
Petrus Bertius and Pierre Mariette, "Carte de L' Amerique", copperplate engraving, 22.5" x 16.5", Paris, France, 1646. This early depiction of the Western Hemisphere drew upon more than a century of European exploration, and thus reveals a somewhat realistic American interior. California is no longer shown as an island, and rivers such as the Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi are drawn in the proper relation to one another. Hundreds of place names dot a rapidly filling landscape. Vignettes are liberally sprinkled throughout the map with these including ships, sea monsters, and Indians. Two insets, blending fact with fancy, show the Earth's poles. Original fold with small split at lower extremity, even toning with some soiling, and minor marginal stains. Very good condition.
Enoch Gridley- Late 18th Century Chart of the Solar System, 15.5" x 8.25", likely English, no publisher's information. An attractive, well composed engraving with an astrological chart on the left and a view of the sun in relation to the planets on the right. Light browning to the extremities, smoothed vertical folds, and old type transfer. Gridley was a noted Americana engraver working first in New York and later in Philadelphia. Fine condition.
Session 4
Books
Robert Bloch: The Opener of the Way. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1945), first edition, 309 pages, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Ronald Clyne. This is one of approximately 2,000 copies published of Bloch's first appearance in book form. The Opener of the Way is mostly comprised of Bloch's Weird Tales stories published between 1935 and 1945, and includes "Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper", a classic take on Saucy Jack's romp through Victorian London. The copy presented here is in fine condition, with some minor rubbing to the corners and the head of the spine. An essential volume for any collector of macabre fiction. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: Dark Carnival. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1947), first edition of 3,112 copies printed, 313 pages, jacket design by George Barrows, black boards with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), light toning to pages, bottom corners of first few pages slightly bent, page edges a bit dirty, else near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. The author's first book. From the Ventura Collection.
Joseph Payne Brennan: Nightmare Need. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1964), first edition of 500 copies, 69 pages, jacket design by Frank Utpatel, rose pink cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
L. Sprague de Camp: Demons and Dinosaurs. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1970), first edition of 500 copies printed, 72 pages, jacket design by Frank Utpatel, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), fine in a fine price-clipped jacket. Arkham House underestimated L. Sprague de Camp's following, thus the low number of copies printed. The book sold out almost upon publication. From the Ventura Collection.
August Derleth: Twenty Years of Writing, 1926-1946. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1946), 20 pages, prefatory notes by Derleth, tan wraps with blue titles, 24mo (4" x 5.75"), former owner's name on ffep, else fine condition. From the Ventura Collection.
August Derleth: Twenty-Five Years of Writing 1926-1951. (Sauk City: Arkham House, no date), first edition, 24 pages, staplebound in wrappers, 24mo (4" x 5.75"). An updated version of Derleth's Twenty Years of Writing, and the second of three pamphlets on the prolific writing career of one of Arkham House's co-founders. Each volume includes bibliographical and biographical information on Derleth, as well as an "Order Blank" for Derleth's available Arkham House listings, such as The Memoirs of Solar Pons. Arkham never offered these three pamphlets for sale; they were issued only to subscribers. This copy is near fine, with a small paint stain, a short pen mark, and very light staining to the front cover. None of these issues detract from this very scarce Arkham pamphlet. From the Ventura Collection.
August Derleth: Thirty Years of Writing 1926-1956. (Sauk City: Arkham House, no date), first edition, 30 pages, staple-bound in wrappers, 24mo (4" x 5.75"). The third and final pamphlet concluding the trilogy of Derleth's Twenty Years of Writing 1926-1946 and Twenty-Five Years of Writing 1926-1951. As in the first two pamphlets, there is a plethora of information on Derleth's vast career in publication. This copy is in fine condition, with tight binding, and no noticeable flaws. From the Ventura Collection.
August Derleth: Signed First Edition of 100 Books by August Derleth: (Sauk City: Arkham House Publishers, 1962), first edition of 200 hardbound copies, 121 pages, signed by Derleth on the ffep, boards, 12mo (4.75" x 7"), boards and extremities lightly rubbed, else near fine. From the Ventura Collection.
August Derleth: The Adventure of the Unique Dickensians. (Sauk City: Mycroft & Moran, 1968), first edition, number 19 of 35 copies bound by Gerry de la Ree of Saddle River, N.J., paper label affixed to inside front cover notes limitation and copy number, 38 pages, illustrated by Frank Utpatel, black cloth with gilt titles, 8vo 5" x 8"), fine, no jacket as issued. From the Ventura Collection.
August Derleth: Arkham House: the First 20 Years 1939-1959, History and Bibliography. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1959), first edition of 80 hardbound copies, 44 pages, white boards with red and black stripe design, 12mo (4.75" x 7"), a beautiful copy in fine condition. Chalker indicates that the hardcover version of this title went mainly to libraries and a few veteran Arkham customers and was never offered for sale, ergo a rare book from the start. From the Ventura Collection.
August Derleth, editor: Dark of the Moon, Poems of Fantasy and the Macabre. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1947), first edition, 418 pages, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), slightly toned pages mainly at the prelims, former owner's name in ink on the ffep, else fine with the original Frank Utpatel lettered unclipped jacket in very good condition AND the later Gary Gore lettered unclipped jacket in fine condition. From the Ventura Collection.
August Derleth: Inscribed First Edition of Someone In the Dark. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1941), first edition, 335 pages, inscribed by the author on the ffep, jacket by Frank Utpatel, black cloth with gilt titles, no headband, 12mo (4.75" x 7"), slightly bumped corners, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
August Derleth: Photo-offset Edition of Someone In the Dark. (Sauk City: Arkham House, [1967]), one of 300 photo-offset copies, 335 pages, black cloth with yellow titles, headband, 12mo (4.75" x 7.25"), light foxing to edges, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A mystery to all Arkham House collectors: is it one of 300 British counterfeit editions sent back to Arkham House, bound and advertised in the 1967 catalog as a "recently discovered" quantity of the original or is it an authorized reprint ordered by Derleth himself? From the Ventura Collection.
Leah Bodine Drake: A Hornbook for Witches. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1950), first edition of 533 copies printed, 70 pages, jacket design by Frank Utpatel, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.75"), pristine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
William Hope Hodgson: Carnacki, the Ghost-Finder. (Sauk City: Mycroft and Moran, 1947), first enlarged edition, 241 pages, jacket by Frank Utpatel, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
William Hope Hodgson: The House on the Borderland. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1946), first edition thus, 639 pages, black cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Hannes Bok. After his death in World War I in 1918, Hodgson slipped into obscurity until Arkham House published this book in 1946. One of three thousand copies printed by Arkham House, this edition of The House on the Borderland holds the distinction for being the first Arkham House title with a four color dust jacket, with stunning design by prolific illustrator Hannes Bok. Besides the titular story, this book contains the Hodgson tales, "The Boats of the 'Glen Carrig'", "The Ghost Pirates", and "The Night Land", along with an essay about and bibliography of Hodgson. The copy presented here is in fine condition, with very minimal edge wear to the book. The jacket is very good, with minor rubbing to the corners, and tape repair to a small portion at the head of the spine. A truly fabulous addition to any library of the macabre. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert E. Howard [Compiled by Glen Lord]: Always Comes Evening. (Sauk City: Arkham House Publishers, 1957), first edition of 636 copies printed, 86 pages, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.75"), small stain to the front edge of first five pages, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert E. Howard: Skull-Face and Others. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1946), first edition, 475 pages, black cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), price-clipped dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Hannes Bok. This first Arkham House collection by the creator of Conan contains 24 Howard stories, plus a foreword by August Derleth and memorial pieces by both H.P. Lovecraft and E. Hoffmann Price. The lion's share of the Howard stories contained herein were first published in Weird Tales, where Howard initially made his lasting reputation. The textblock of this copy is tight and clean, but for one small ink stain to the bottom of the front endpapers. Very minimal edge wear to the book and dust jacket do not detract from this fine copy of Howard's early adventures. From the Ventura Collection.
J. Sheridan Le Fanu: Two Book Lot, including:
Green Tea And Other Ghost Stories. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1945), first edition, 357 pages, jacket design by Ronald Clyne, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), toning to prelims and edges, shelf wear to bottom edges of boards, else fine in a near fine unclipped jacket with light wear to the head and tail of the spine and general toning.
The Purcell Papers. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1975), first edition, 241 pages, jacket by Frank Utpatel, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.5"), virtually unread copy in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Green Tea And Other Ghost Stories. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1945), first edition, 357 pages, jacket design by Ronald Clyne, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), toning to prelims and edges, shelf wear to bottom edges of boards, else fine in a near fine unclipped jacket with light wear to the head and tail of the spine and general toning.
The Purcell Papers. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1975), first edition, 241 pages, jacket by Frank Utpatel, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.5"), virtually unread copy in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Fritz Lieber, Jr.: Night's Black Agents. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1947), first edition, 237 pages, jacket design by Ronald Clyne, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo 5.25" x 7.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket with light toning to the back panel. From the Ventura Collection.
Frank Belknap Long: The Hounds of Tindalos. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1946), first edition, 316 pages, jacket by Hannes Bok, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), slight toning at prelims and gutters, else fine in a toned and soiled unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
H. P. Lovecraft: At the Mountains of Madness and Other Novels. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1964), first edition, first printing (no headband, "Three thousand copies of this book have been printed..." on page [433]), 432 pages, jacket design by Lee Brown Coye, black cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine in a near fine slightly toned unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
H. P. Lovecraft: Beyond the Wall of Sleep. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1943), first edition, 458 pages, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket designed by August Derleth from photographs by E. Burt Trimpey of Clark Ashton Smith sculptures. Stories collected by August Derleth and Donald Wandrei. One of 1,200 copies printed. After The Outsider and Others, this is the second Arkham House collection of Lovecraft stories. The copy presented here is very good, with some general shelf wear and minor wear to the edges. The dust jacket is also very good, with some edge wear, especially to the corners and spine, where one small chip can be seen at the head. One 1.5" tear can be seen at the bottom of the rear panel. A handsome copy of a rare Arkham House title. From the Ventura Collection.
H. P. Lovecraft: Dagon & Other Macabre Tales. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1965), first edition ("Thirty-five hundred copies..." on page 414), 414 pages, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Lee Brown Coye. This is the third Arkham reissue of previously published Lovecraft tales, following The Dunwich Horror and At the Mountains of Madness. The copy presented here is near fine, with only minor edge wear to the book and jacket, noticeable on the jacket spine. Rare in this condition. From the Ventura Collection.
H. P. Lovecraft: The Dunwich Horror and Others. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1963), first edition, third printing (10 alternating white & black stripes on the headband and dust jacket priced $6.50), 431 pages, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). One of the most popular Arkham House titles, The Dunwich Horror and Others was reprinted several times over the first twenty years after its initial publication. Like At the Mountains of Madness and Dagon after it, this is one of three collections that helped reintroduce Lovecraft's unique fiction to the reading public. This copy is in fine condition, with very minimal corner wear present to the book and dust jacket. The textblock is virtually unread. A must for any Lovecraft collection. From the Ventura Collection.
H. P. Lovecraft: Marginalia. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1944), first edition, 377 pages, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Virgil Finlay, reproduced from his earlier illustration for The Shunned House in the October, 1937 edition of Weird Tales. This volume represents the first volume of several editions of essays, criticism, and other shorter pieces by Lovecraft. Arkham House filled out this volume with Lovecraft-related memorials, tributes, and artwork that really give a full account of Lovecraft's influence at the time this book was published. This copy is in fine condition, with only the most minor wear to the edges of the book and jacket, and a faint .25" tear to the front of the dust jacket above the "A" in "MARGINALIA". Still, this book is a real treat for any Lovecraft collector at any stage of his or her collecting experience. From the Ventura Collection.
H. P. Lovecraft: The Outsider and Others. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1939), first edition of 1,268 copies, 553 pages, jacket design by Virgil Finlay, black cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), inside boards and fly pages tanned, former owner's book plate on inside front cover, else fine in both an original jacket (very good with chipping to head and tail of spine) and the 1974 facsimile jacket in fine condition. From the Ventura Collection.
H. P. Lovecraft: Something About Cats and Other Pieces. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1949), first edition, 305 pages, jacket design by Ronald Clyne, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), light scuffing to boards, else near fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Clark Ashton Smith: The Dark Chateau and Other Poems. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1951), first edition of 563 copies printed, 63 pages, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.75"), former owner's book plate on the inside front cover, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A scarce book, indeed. From the Ventura Collection.
Clark Ashton Smith: Genius Loci and Other Tales. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1948), first edition, 228 pages, jacket design by Frank Wakefield, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Clark Ashton Smith: Lost Worlds. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1944), first edition of 2,042 copies, 419 pages, jacket designed from a photograph by E. Burt Trimpey of sculptures by Clark Ashton Smith, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), a stunning fine copy in a fine bright, unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Clark Ashton Smith: Association Copy of Out of Space and Time. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1942), first edition of 1,054 copies, 370 pages, jacket illustration by Hannes Bok, small 2" x 1.75" pre-printed card with "From the library of/Donald Wandrei/St. Paul, Minnesota/Author & Co-Founder/of/Arkham House Publishers" laid in front, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. An exceptional copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Clark Ashton Smith: Spells and Philtres. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1958), first edition of 519 copies printed, 54 pages, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.75"), former owner's inked name on the ffep, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A beautiful copy of this scarce work of poetry. From the Ventura Collection.
Clark Ashton Smith: Lot of Two Poetry Books, including:
Poems in Prose. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1965), first edition of 1,016 copies printed, illustrated by Frank Utpatel, black boards with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket.
Selected Poems. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1971), first edition of 2,118 copies printed, 403 pages, black boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), as new in an as new unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Poems in Prose. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1965), first edition of 1,016 copies printed, illustrated by Frank Utpatel, black boards with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket.
Selected Poems. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1971), first edition of 2,118 copies printed, 403 pages, black boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), as new in an as new unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
A.E. van Vogt: Slan First Edition. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1946), first edition, 216 pages, black cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Robert E. Hubbell. Slan was originally serialized throughout 1940 in Astounding Science Fiction magazine. This book, published by Arkham House six years later represents two firsts: Arkham House's first foray into the growing genre of science fiction, and van Vogt's very first publication in book form. As such, this is an essential part of any science fiction collection. The copy presented here is in fine condition, with only the most minor edge wear to the book and jacket. A great chance to begin or add to a great science fiction collection. From the Ventura Collection.
Donald Wandrei: The Eye and the Finger. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1944), first edition, 344 pages, jacket design by Howard Wandrei, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.5"), slight toning to pages, else fine in a slightly foxed unclipped jacket. Wandrei along with August Derleth started Arkham House publishing. From the Ventura Collection.
Donald Wandrei: Poems for Midnight. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1964), first edition, 68 pages, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Frank Utpatel. Four black and white plates illustrated by Howard Wandrei. Only 742 copies printed. This book is a reprinting of some of Wandrei's earlier poetry. He was one of the co-founders of Arkham House Publishers, along with August Derleth. This copy is in fine condition, with only minimal corner wear present. Dust jacket has tiny crimp at the spine head. A handsome edition of Wandrei's poetry. From the Ventura Collection.
Donald Wandrei: The Web of Easter Island. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1948), first edition, 191 pages, jacket by Audrey Johnson, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.5"), remnants of erased pencil notes on ffep, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. Wandrei was the co-founder with August Derleth of the Arkham House press. From the Ventura Collection.
1964 Arkham House Pamphlet: AH 1939-1964: 25th Anniversary. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1964), first edition, 12 pages, staple-bound in wrappers, 24mo (4" x 5.5"). Arkham House gifted this small pamphlet exclusively to their subscribers as a celebration of their 25th year in publishing, probably eons longer than most publishers thought Arkham would last. It contains a short history of Arkham House, as well as a chronological listing of all their published works up to 1964, followed by a listing of upcoming Arkham House releases. Also included is a listing of past and future releases from Arkham's two imprints, Mycroft & Moran and Stanton & Lee. The back cover has a quote from Algernon Blackwood, a legend of macabre fiction, to Arkham House, in which he says, "I congratulate you heartily on the achievement of Arkham House". This pamphlet is in fine condition, with no noticeable flaws present. A beautiful copy of this rare item. From the Ventura Collection.
August Derleth [editor]: The Arkham Collector Volume I. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1972), first edition of 646 bound copies, 348 pages, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), fine, no jacket as issued. Includes 10 bound issues of The Arkham Collector volumes one (Summer, 1967) through ten (Summer, 1971). All issues contained original material, mainly poems, and musings from August Derleth. There was never a volume two as the magazine was discontinued after Derleth's death in 1971. One of the least common and most desired of the later Arkham publications. From the Ventura Collection.
Complete Run of Arkham Samplers 1948-49. Volume I (Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4), Volume II (Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4), (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1948-49), first edition, all issues 100 pages (except Autumn 1949, 128 pages), jacket design by Ronald Clyne, digest format, stiff wraps, 8vo (6" x 9"), all issues are in very good or better condition with the usual rusting staples and chipping to the spines. August Derleth published these magazines over a two-year period to introduce readers to the wealth of Arkham House literature. Contained within their pages are notable appearances by H. P. Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury, Clark Ashton Smith, Lord Dunsany, and many other writers of fantasy and science fiction. This is a unique opportunity to own the complete run of The Arkham Sampler in collectible condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Great Collection of Arkham House Catalogs from 1944-1949. All catalogs published by Arkham House Publishers, Sauk City, Wisconsin, 24mo (4" x 5.5"), ranging from 16 to 38 pages, stapled paper covers, in near fine condition, and including 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947-48, and 1949 editions. As mentioned all catalogs are in near fine condition with the exception of the 1944 edition that has a few ink check marks beside a previous owners wish list. These Arkham House associated items are scarce and highly collectible. From the Ventura Collection.
L. Ron Hubbard and Ed Earl Repp: Science Fantasy Quintette. (Los Angeles: Fantasy Publishing Company, Inc., 1949), first edition, 360 pages, jacket by Crozetti, bound in maroon cloth with light blue titles, 8vo (6" x 9"), unclipped ($3.50). Condition: Light wear to jacket, else fine. From the Ventura Collection.
Eugene George Key: Mars Mountain. (Everett: Fantasy Pubs., nd [1935]), first edition, 142 pages, illustrated by Irving E. G. Bjorkman, dedicated to Harry Stephen Keeler, white boards with black titles, 16mo (4.25" x 6.75"), pages toned, else fine in a slightly soiled unclipped jacket with a small chip missing at the base of the front panel. It is believed that no more than 100 hardbound examples of this book were constructed out of a total of 400 copies printed. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov Foundation First Edition. (New York: Gnome Press, 1951), first edition, 255 pages, blue cloth with red lettering on spine and cover, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), second-state dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Four of the five short stories published in this edition saw print originally in Astounding Science Fiction magazine between 1942 and 1944. It was the publication of this very book, however, that served as the catalyst to the enormous popularity the Foundation series would enjoy. Foundation introduced readers to Asimov's fictional science of psychohistory, the study of predicting the actions of exceptionally large groups of people, i.e. empires. In sum, the Foundation series includes ten volumes numbering around 1 million words, but this is the book that laid the cornerstone for what would become the most influential science fiction series ever written. This copy is fine, with minimal wear to the corners and edges of the book and jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: Foundation and Empire. (New York: Gnome Press, 1952), first edition, first state, 247 pages, jacket design by Edd Cartier, red boards with black titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), former owner's name on ffep, else a beautiful fine copy in a fine first state unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: Second Foundation. (New York: Gnome Press, 1953), first edition, second state, 210 pages, jacket design by Ric Binkley, green boards with black titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"). The book is fine, in a near fine unclipped jacket, which displays a small tear at the tail of the spine. A previous owner has colored the inside of the Mylar to blend with the jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Nelson Bond: Signed Numbered Limited First Edition of The Thirty-First of February. (New York: Gnome Press, 1949), first edition, 272 pages, black cloth on spine and red cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Housed in a shelf-worn black slipcase. Inscribed and signed "Most especially for Russell Chauvenet / Nelson Bond" on limitation page. Numbered 56 of 112 limited edition copies. Condition: Fine, with minimal edge wear From the Ventura Collection.
L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt: The Castle of Iron. (New York: Gnome Press, 1950), first edition, 224 pages, orange cloth with brown lettering on spine and decoration on the front board, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Hannes Bok. This fantastical novel is the sequel to The Incomplete Enchanter, and was first published as a novella in Unknown magazine in 1941. The copy presented here is very good, with some edge, corner, and spine wear to both the book and the dust jacket. Spine mildly sunned. The textblock is tight and clean, though the edges show some toning. An essential volume in de Camp and Pratt's Harold Shea series. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: The Menace From Earth. (New York: Gnome Press, Inc., 1959), first edition, 255 pages, black cloth with yellow and silver titles, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), pages toned as usual, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Methuselah's Children. (New York: Gnome Press, 1958), first edition, first state, 188 pages, jacket design by Lionel Dillon, black boards with red titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), pages toned as usual, else fine in a fine unclipped first state jacket. A beautiful copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Sixth Column. (New York: Gnome Press, 1949), first edition, 256 pages, black cloth with red lettering on the spine and red decorative stamp on the cover, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Originally serialized in Astounding Science Fiction, the novel centers around a PanAsian invasion of America, where the invaders are the chosen people destined to enslave the American citizenry. It was first published the same year as Pearl Harbor. The copy presented here is about fine, with light thumb marks on the edges, and the letter "A" written in blue pen on the half-title page. The dust jacket is as new, and shows brilliant colors. A handsome edition of a Heinlein classic. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag. (New York: The Gnome Press, Inc., 1959), first edition, 256 pages, jacket design by W. I. Van der Poel, gray cloth with yellow-red-brown titles, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), toned pages (as usual), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert E. Howard: The Coming of Conan. (New York: Gnome Press, 1953), first edition, 224 pages, red cloth with black lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Frank Kelly Freas. Most of the stories in this collection first saw publication in Weird Tales in the 1930s; they were published together for the first time here. This copy is in very good condition, with some wear to the edges and corners. The dust jacket shows some chipping along the top edge, especially at the head of the spine, but retains its brilliant pink and yellow colors. A handsome volume of Conan and Kull. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert E. Howard: Conan the Barbarian. (New York: Gnome Press, 1954), first edition, 224 pages, red cloth with black lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Not to be confused with the film version of Howard's most famous creation. One of 5,000 copies printed from Gnome, a short-lived publishing house famous for bringing Howard's Conan to book form. This copy is fine, with slight age-toning to the textblock edges, and minimal wear to the edges, corners, and spine. A treat for any science fiction collector. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert E. Howard: Conan the Conqueror. (New York: Gnome Press, 1950), first edition, 255 pages, maroon cloth with blue lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by John Forte. Jacket design and illustrated endpapers by David Kyle. This is the only novel-length treatment of Conan by Howard, originally serialized in Weird Tales from 1935 to 1936. The copy presented here is near fine, with light edge and corner wear. Previous owner's signature on front free endpaper. The dust jacket is also near fine, with minimal wear at the spine and a very small stain above the "e" in "Robert" on the front panel. A gorgeous edition of Conan, essential to any Howard collection. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert E. Howard: King Conan. (New York: Gnome Press, 1953), first edition, 255 pages, red cloth with black lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket design by David Kyle. Most of the stories in this collection first saw publication in Weird Tales in the 1930s. The copy presented here is near fine, with minor wear to the edges and corners of both the book and the dust jacket. The textblock is tight and clean on this scarce collection of Conan stories. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert E. Howard: The Sword of Conan. (New York: Gnome Press, 1952), first edition, 251 pages, crimson boards with black lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25", dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket and endpapers illustrated by David Kyle. All four of the stories in this collection were first published in Weird Tales pulp magazine. The copy presented here is near fine, but for one bumped corner and general edge wear. The dust jacket shows very minimal spine and corner wear. The textblock is clean and tight. A fine collection of Conan adventures. From the Ventura Collection.
L. Ron Hubbard: Typewriter in the Sky and Fear. (New York: Gnome Press, 1951), first edition, 256 pages, jacket design by David Kyle, light orange cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), two small ink-stamped stars on the ffep and on the inside back cover, light scuffing to head and tail of spine, else near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Andrew North [Andre Norton]: Plague Ship. (New York: Gnome Press, 1956), first edition, 192 pages, decorative bookplate signed "Andre Norton" affixed to back of jacket, jacket design by Ed Emsh, tan cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), page edges toned as usual, else fine in an unclipped fine jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Andrew North [Andre Norton]: Sargasso of Space. (New York: Gnome Press, 1955), first edition (second state), 185 pages, tan boards with black titles, cover illustrated by Ed Emsh, 8vo (5.75" x 8.75"), ultra light spotting to boards, pages are toned due to cheap paper stock (as was common with Gnome books), dust jacket unclipped and bright except light fading to spine, else near fine. Andrew North is the pseudonym of Andre Norton. From the Ventura Collection.
Clifford Simak: City. (New York: Gnome Press, 1952), first edition, 224 pages, blue-green cloth with dark blue lettering on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Frank Kelly Freas. One of 5,000 copies printed of this wonderful first edition in which dogs pass down a series of oral legends of the mythological creature Man. The copy presented here is near fine, with very minimal edge wear to the edges, corners, and spine. The textblock is clean and tight, though the edges are slightly age-toned. The dust jacket shows some minor wear at the corners, spine, and along the rear panel, but it is vibrant. This book is scarce in this condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Two Special Hannes Bok Illustrated Items, including:
The Gnome Press' Fantasy Calendar for 1949. (New York: Gnome Press, 1948), Thirteen 7.5" x 10" black & white wall-mountable calendar pages on heavy card stock, unbound in blue-green paper cover. Each month is illustrated by Hannes Bok, Edd Cartier, or Frank Paul. Each page shows some very minimal edge wear, but in mostly fine condition.
Hannes Bok Illustration Proof Set for The Blind Spot and The Spot of Life. (Philadelphia: The Prime Press, nd), Ten 5.75" x 9.5" black & white Bok illustrations, unbound in tattered brown paper envelope. One of 150 proof sets produced, of which only 125 were for sale. The Blind Spot was published in 1951 with these Bok illustrations, but The Spot of Life was never published. The first illustration in this set is signed by Bok, though we believe it is a printed signature. The illustrations themselves are in fine condition, with only a couple of them showing the most minimal corner wear. A truly rare opportunity to attain two rare Bok items with one bid. From the Ventura Collection.
The Gnome Press' Fantasy Calendar for 1949. (New York: Gnome Press, 1948), Thirteen 7.5" x 10" black & white wall-mountable calendar pages on heavy card stock, unbound in blue-green paper cover. Each month is illustrated by Hannes Bok, Edd Cartier, or Frank Paul. Each page shows some very minimal edge wear, but in mostly fine condition.
Hannes Bok Illustration Proof Set for The Blind Spot and The Spot of Life. (Philadelphia: The Prime Press, nd), Ten 5.75" x 9.5" black & white Bok illustrations, unbound in tattered brown paper envelope. One of 150 proof sets produced, of which only 125 were for sale. The Blind Spot was published in 1951 with these Bok illustrations, but The Spot of Life was never published. The first illustration in this set is signed by Bok, though we believe it is a printed signature. The illustrations themselves are in fine condition, with only a couple of them showing the most minimal corner wear. A truly rare opportunity to attain two rare Bok items with one bid. From the Ventura Collection.
L. Sprague de Camp: Inscribed Review Copy of Lest Darkness Fall. (Philadelphia: Prime Press, 1949), second edition, 233 pages, inscribed by the author on the ffep "For Schuyler - L. Sprague de Camp", Prime Press review card laid in, illustration by Hannes Bok on the title page, black cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), ever-so-slightly cocked, small indention on front board, else near fine in BOTH the original Robert Tschirky illustrated jacket (near fine unclipped) and the later Hannes Bok illustrated jacket (minimal chipping at head and tail, unclipped). The later jacket is actually the scarcer of the two. From the Ventura Collection.
George O. Smith: Venus Equilateral Signed First Edition. (Philadelphia: The Prime Press, 1947), first edition, 455 pages, red cloth with black lettering on spine, 12mo (5.75" x 7.75"), three dust jackets: two of first state (one stamped $3.00 on front flap), one of second state (all in same protective Mylar). Book illustrated by Sol Levin. First state dust jacket illustrated by George O. Smith; second state dust jacket illustrated by Robert Tschirky. Two different designs for the dust jacket exist because booksellers found the first state jacket design confusing to their customers. The author's signature, "George O. Smith", is on the front free endpaper. The copy presented here is in fine condition, with no noticeable flaws to the book. One of the first state dust jackets is worn; the other two dust jackets are fine. A scarce opportunity to obtain Venus Equilateral with both of its dust jacket designs, and possibly one state of dust jacket never seen before. From the Ventura Collection.
Theodore Sturgeon: This is "It". (Philadelphia: Prime Press, [1948]), 29 leaves on proof paper, printed on rectos only, self wrappers, stapled, 12mo (6" x 7.5"), small piece of lower right corner missing from front cover, else in near fine condition. Issued in advance of Without Sorcery as a promotion and distributed at the 1948 World Science Fiction Convention (TORCON). It is thought that only 50 copies were printed. From the Ventura Collection.
Alfred Bester: Signed First Edition of The Demolished Man. (Chicago: Shasta Publishers, 1953), first edition, signed by the author on the ffep, jacket design by Martin Herbstman, 250 pages, blue cloth spine, red boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), fine in fine unclipped jacket. This is one of a few "subscriber's copies" that were signed by the author upon publication. Bester's book, his first novel, was winner of the 1953 Hugo award (the first book to receive this prestigious award) and runner-up for the 1954 International Fantasy Award. A beautiful copy. Number 7 on David Pringle's list of 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Frederic Brown: Signed First Edition of Space On My Hands. (Chicago: Shasta Publishers, 1951), first edition, subscriber's copy, 224 pages, signed by the author on the ffep, jacket design by Malcolm Smith, brown cloth with black titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
John W. Campbell, Jr.: Who Goes There? Signed Subscriber's Copy. (Chicago: Shasta Publishers, 1948), first edition, 230 page, blue cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Cover illustration by Hannes Bok. Shasta printed 3,000 copies, but this is one of 200 copies signed by Campbell and sent to direct mail customers. It is signed "John Campbell, Jr." on the front free endpaper. Campbell originally wrote the seven stories contained in Who Goes There? under the pseudonym Don Stuart. The copy presented here is fine, with very minimal age-toning on the spine and small yellow staining to the back board as the only flaws. The dust jacket shows only the most minimal edge wear. Previous owner's bookplate on front pastedown. An essential volume in any serious science fiction collection. From the Ventura Collection.
John W. Campbell, Jr.: Who Goes There? 1951 Movie Edition. (Chicago: Shasta Publishers, 1951), second edition, 230 pages, brown cloth with green lettering on spine, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket design by Malcolm Smith, based on the 1951 Howard Hawks' film The Thing from Another World. The film was based loosely on the title story of this collection. It appears that Shasta utilized the same textblock as the first edition published in 1948. The copy presented here is in fine condition, with very minimal wear to the edges of the book and dust jacket. Previous owner's bookplate affixed to front pastedown. A great companion piece to Campbell's original release of this book, and a rare book in its own right, especially in this condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Signed Subscriber's Copy of The Green Hills of Earth. (Chicago: Shasta Publishers, 1951), 288 pages, subscriber's copy, signed by the author on the half title page, jacket design by Hubert Rogers, light green boards with black cloth shelf back and gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. Pristine copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Signed Suscriber's Copy of The Man Who Sold the Moon. (Chicago: Shasta Publishers, 1950), 288 pages, subscriber's copy, signed by the author on the ffep, jacket design by Hubert Rogers, tan boards with black cloth shelf back and gilt titles, with the publisher's printed label "Future History, 1951-2600 A.D." on the bottom of the front and rear free endpapers, as issued, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), fine in a fine unclipped second state jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Signed Subscriber's Copy of Revolt in 2100. (Chicago: Shasta Printers, 1953), first edition, 317 pages, signed by the author on the second ffep, jacket design by Hubert Rogers, red boards and black cloth spine back with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), near fine in a very good plus clipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
L. Ron Hubbard: Signed First Edition of Slaves of Sleep. (Chicago: Shasta Publishers, 1948), first edition of which the first 250 were signed by Hubbard for direct mail customers, 207 pages, signed by Hubbard on the ffep, jacket design by Hannes Bok, gray cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), light toning and spotting to page edges, head and tail of spine with minor fraying, else near fine in a bright fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Murray Leinster: Sidewise in Time Signed Subscriber's Copy. (Chicago: Shasta Publishers, 1950), first edition, 211 pages, maroon cloth with silver lettering on spine, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Hannes Bok. The author signed both his name and his nom de plume on the front free endpaper: "Will F. Jenkins/ 'Murray Leinster'". Murray Leinster was the pseudonym for Will F. Jenkins, an American author and inventor who served in some capacity in both world wars of the twentieth century. First published in Astounding Stories in June, 1934, Sidewise in Time is generally considered the first story to employ the idea of parallel universes. This idea was hugely influential on subsequent science fiction authors, especially Isaac Asimov. In fact, the World Science Fiction Convention bestows an annual award on the best short- and long-form alternate history stories called the Sidewise Award. The copy presented here is fine, with only minimal wear present on the edges of the dust jacket. Sidewise in Time is rare in this condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Ben Bova: The Star Conquerors. (Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 1959), first edition, 215 pages, jacket by Mel Hunter, green cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), old adhesive tape professionally removed but light stains remain on the boards and inside covers, else very good in a unclipped jacket with old tape stains in two small spots on the rear panel and rear flap. From the Ventura Collection.
Jack Vance: Vandals of the Void. (Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 1953), first edition so stated on copyright page, 213 pages, jacket design by Alex Shomburg, red cloth with black titles, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), fine in a fine price-clipped jacket. A beautiful bright copy of this title. From the Ventura Collection.
Brian Aldiss: Inscribed First Edition of Hothouse. (London: Faber and Faber, 1962), first edition, 253 pages, jacket design by Oscar Mellor, light red cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), clever inscription by Aldiss on the ffep, which reads, "Dear old Thom - How can I fill all this lovely page [large question mark running almost the length of the page] All regards Brian / Pelham 20.iv.63". Fore-edge lightly foxed, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket with light foxing to rear panel. Number 34 on David Pringle's list of the 100 Best Science Fiction novels. Offered with:
Richard Matthews Aldiss Unbound: The Science Fiction of Brian W. Aldiss. (San Bernardino: The Borgo Press, 1977), first edition (volume nine of the Milford Series of Popular Writers of Today), 64 pages, institutionally bound in brown patterned boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), about fine condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Richard Matthews Aldiss Unbound: The Science Fiction of Brian W. Aldiss. (San Bernardino: The Borgo Press, 1977), first edition (volume nine of the Milford Series of Popular Writers of Today), 64 pages, institutionally bound in brown patterned boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), about fine condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Brian W. Aldiss: Non-Stop. (London: Faber and Faber, 1958), first edition, first state with Space, Time and Nathaniel and The Brightfount Diaries listed on [A2], 252 pages, jacket design by Peter Curl, red cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), fine with dusty top edge and minor coffee or tea stain to small area of tail, in a fine unclipped jacket with minor toning. From the Ventura Collection.
Poul Anderson: Tau Zero. (New York: Doubleday & Company, 1970), first edition, 208 pages, jacket design by Anita Siegel, maroon cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. Number 63 on David Pringle's list of 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: The Caves of Steel. (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1954), first edition, 224 pages, blue cloth with red lettering on spine, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Deckled fore-edge. Jacket illustration by Ruth Ray. First serialized in Galaxy magazine in 1953, The Caves of Steel is the first novel in Asimov's Robot series, which contextualized the robot in modern science fiction. The copy presented here is in very good condition, with some age-toning to the edges and endpapers. The jacket shows minor edge wear, and some sunning to the spine. Still, this novel is an essential piece of Asimov's milieu, and a fine addition to any science fiction library. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: The Currents of Space. (New York: Doubleday & Company, 1952), first edition, 217 pages, jacket design by George Guisti, blue-gray cloth with silver titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), former owner's name in ink on the inside front board (hidden by jacket flap), else near fine in a slightly rubbed near fine jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: The End of Eternity. (New York: Doubleday & Company, 1955), first edition, 191 pages, jacket design by Mel Hunter, black boards with red titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), former owner's small stamped name on ffep, else fine in fine price clipped jacket. Number 17 on David Pringle's list of 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: Publisher's Personal Signed "A" Copy of Foundation's Edge. (Binghamton: Whispers Press, 1982), the first (A) of twenty-six lettered copies, 366 pages, signed by the author and publisher, Stuart David Schiff, on special limitation page bound in back, inscribed by the publisher to himself "Publisher's copy A of Foundation's Edge for the publisher, me, Stuart David Schiff" on the ffep, quarter leather binding with tan buckram boards, gilt titles and page edges, 8vo (5.75" x 8.75"), fine, as new copy. Originally issued with a special slipcase which is not present on this copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: I, Robot. (New York: Gnome Press, 1950), first edition, 253 pages, jacket design by Edd Cartier, red boards with black titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine in a fine price-clipped jacket with just the slightest chafing from shelf wear. Asimov's second book and the first appearance of the "Three Laws of Robotics". Included with Asimov's classic is:
Marjorie Miller Isaac Asimov: A Checklist of Works Published in the United States, March 1939-May 1972. (Kent: Kent State University Press, 1972), first edition, 98 pages, green cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), fine. From the Ventura Collection.
Marjorie Miller Isaac Asimov: A Checklist of Works Published in the United States, March 1939-May 1972. (Kent: Kent State University Press, 1972), first edition, 98 pages, green cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), fine. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: I, Robot Armed Services Edition. (New York: Gnome Press, Inc., 1950), Armed Services edition with "First Edition" slug still present, 253 pages, paperback format, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), .5" piece of cover missing taking a portion of the "T" in the word robot, covers shelf worn, pages toned as usual, else very good. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: The Martian Way and Other Stories. (New York: Doubleday & Company, 1955), first edition, 222 pages, jacket design by Richard Shelton, blue boards with black titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), about fine in a very good unclipped jacket. The jacket has slight shelf wear and minor soiling with a crease along the left edge of the front cover. This copy, as all examined copies, has "Azimov" for "Asimov" on the spine. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: The Naked Sun. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1957), first edition, 187 pages, jacket design by Ruth Ray, yellow cloth with red titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), light soiling to boards, minor toning of pages as usual, else very good in a very good unclipped jacket with two small areas of loss from the upper portion at the spine and some light foxing. By far, his rarest title. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: Review Copy of Nine Tomorrows. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1959), first edition, 236 pages, jacket design by Richard Powers, gray cloth with black and white titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. Publisher's review slip dated February 19, 1959 laid in. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: Pebble In the Sky. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1950), first edition, 223 pages, tan cloth with orange titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. The author's first science fiction novel. From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: Signed Limited Edition of The Robots of Dawn. (Huntington Woods: Phantasia Press, 1983), first edition, copy "Y" of 35 specially bound copies, 336 pages, signed by Asimov in silver ink on a special limitation page bound in front, full black morocco goat with metal and plastic design elements inset on front board, silver titles and decoration, silver endpapers, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), fine (this state was issued without jacket or slipcase). From the Ventura Collection.
Isaac Asimov: The Stars Like Dust. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1951), first edition, 218 pages, jacket design by Whitney Bender, blue boards with white titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), light toning to pages, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Paul French [Isaac Asimov]: David Starr Space Ranger. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1952), first edition, 186 pages, jacket design by Richard Powers, green boards with black titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), previous owner's book plate on the inside front cover, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Paul French [Isaac Asimov]: Lucky Starr and the Big Sun of Mercury. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1956), first edition, 191 pages, jacket design by Albert Orbaan, black boards with turquoise titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), pristine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Paul French [Isaac Asimov]: Lucky Starr and the Moons of Jupiter. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1957), first edition, 192 pages, jacket design by Albert Orbaan, black boards with brown titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), a virtually unread, fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Paul French [Isaac Asimov]: Lucky Starr and the Oceans of Venus. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1954), first edition, 186 pages, jacket design by Richard Powers, olive boards with black titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), appears unread, fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Paul French [Isaac Asimov]: Lucky Starr and the Pirates of the Asteroids. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1953), first edition, 188 pages, jacket design by Richard Powers, light blue boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Paul French [Isaac Asimov]: Lucky Starr and the Rings of Saturn. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1958), first edition, 179 pages, jacket design by Albert Orbaan, dark blue boards with silver titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), appears unread, fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
J. G. Ballard: The Crystal World. (London: Jonathan Cape, 1966), first edition, 221 pages, Max Ernst painting as the cover illustration, off-white boards with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), slightly cocked, small stain on fore-edge, else near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. Number 49 on David Pringle's list of the 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
J.G. Ballard: The Drowned World. (London: Victor Gollancz, 1962), first hardcover edition, 175 pages, red cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
J.G. Ballard: Lot of Two First Edition Books, including:
Crash. (London: Jonathan Cape, 1973), first edition, 224 pages, light blue cloth with gilt titles, fine in fine unclipped jacket. Number 69 on David Pringle's list of 100 Best Science Fiction novels.
Memories of the Space Age. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1988), first edition, 216 pages, black cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), very fine in a very fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Crash. (London: Jonathan Cape, 1973), first edition, 224 pages, light blue cloth with gilt titles, fine in fine unclipped jacket. Number 69 on David Pringle's list of 100 Best Science Fiction novels.
Memories of the Space Age. (Sauk City: Arkham House, 1988), first edition, 216 pages, black cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), very fine in a very fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Edwin Balmer and Philip Wylie After Worlds Collide. (New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1934), first edition, 341 pages, blue boards with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), former owner's book plate on inside front cover, else fine in a very good jacket slightly rubbed and chipped at the extremities. From the Ventura Collection.
Edwin Balmer and Philip Wylie When Worlds Collide. (New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1933), first edition, 344 pages, red boards with light blue titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), paperclip mark on prelim pages, else fine in a very good bright jacket that has old tape reinforcement along back edges, top 1" of each flap neatly excised, and a small repaired fold at top right front corner. From the Ventura Collection.
Clive Barker Signed Limited: Books of Blood Volumes I-VI. (London: Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1985), six volumes in two slipcases, first hardcover editions of volumes IV, V & VI and first separate hardcover editions of volumes I & II. Originally published in 1984 as six paperbacks from Sphere, with a small book-club hardcover omnibus edition of the first two volumes following., limited edition of 200 numbered sets, all six books signed and numbered by the author, hardcover in jackets, 8vo (5.5" x 9"), in original shrink-wrap, fine. Shrink-wrap has split on the slipcase containing volumes I-III. From the Ventura Collection.
J.M. Barrie: Peter and Wendy. (London: Hodder & Stoughton, [1911]), first edition, 207 pages, thirteen illustrations by F.D. Bedford, original olive green cloth with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (5.75" x 8"), light foxing to prelims, light shelf wear to edges of boards, small area of slight discoloration to bottom of front board, else very good with tight contents and bright covers. A prime example of this rare first edition. From the Ventura Collection.
J. D. Beresford: The Hampdenshire Wonder. (London: Sidgwick & Jackson, Ltd., 1911), first edition, 295 pages, green cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), ultra-light foxing to page edges, else about fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Alfred Bester: Tiger! Tiger! (London: Sidgwick and Jackson, 1956), first edition, 232 pages, light blue cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), paper toned as a result of cheap quality of the period, else fine in fine bright unclipped jacket. The author's second novel, which precluded the U.S. edition (in paperback), entitled The Stars My Destination (1958). From the Ventura Collection.
James Blish: A Case of Conscience. (London: Faber and Faber Limited, 1958), first edition, 208 pages, jacket design by Peter Curl, light blue boards with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.75"), moderate foxing to prelims and edges of pages, else very good in a near fine price-clipped jacket. Number 26 on David Pringle's 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert Bloch: Psycho. (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1959), first printing (part of the Inner Sanctum Mystery series), 185 pages, jacket design by Tony Palladino, black boards with white cloth spine back and red titles, 8vo (5" x 8"), typical age toning to pages, else near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. Book on offer comes with the first edition (which in this case was the trade paperback) of the Bret Easton Ellis book, American Psycho. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert Bloch: The Selected Stories of Robert Bloch Three-Volume Set. Comprised of Final Reckonings (371 pages), Bitter Ends (368 pages), and Last Rites (398 pages). (Columbia, Pennsylvania: Underwood-Miller, 1987), first edition, halfbound in red and black leather with gilt lettering on spine and marbled endpapers, each volume 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"), no dust jackets, issued in black cloth angular slipcase. Chalker indicates that the set halfbound in red and black leather was published in a run of 8, stamped "Presentation Copy" and "NFS", and signed. The set presented here is numbered 9 of 11 copies halfbound in red and black leather, and is not stamped "Presentation Copy" or "NFS", but is signed "Robert Bloch" on the limitation page in Volume One. No information can be found to explain the difference in the releases, if there indeed is a difference. This collection draws together dozens of Bloch's lesser-known stories, compiled by the author himself. The set offered here is in fine condition, with no noticeable wear to the books, and only a few small paint drips on the top of the slipcase. A rare set of Bloch stories in a handsome display. From the Ventura Collection.
Pierre Boulle: Monkey Planet. (London: Secker & Warburg, 1964), first English edition, 223 pages, jacket design by Margaret Eastoe, green boards with silver titles, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A beautiful copy of the book that later became the basis for the film Planet of the Apes. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: Signed First Edition of The Anthem Sprinters and Other Antics. (New York: Dial Press, 1963), first edition, 159 pages, dust jacket by Joan Berg, bound in brown cloth, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket present, unclipped ($4.50), signed on half-title page. Condition: Slight tear on spine of dust jacket, else very good. Book near fine. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: Dandelion Wine. (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1957), first edition, 281 pages, yellow cloth with blue and gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Deckled fore-edge. Jacket design by Robert Vickrey. Dandelion Wine is the first of many semi-autobiographical works produced by Bradbury throughout his career, and structured much like some of his other longer works: largely composed of previously published short stories woven together and linked by transitional vignettes. In this novel, Bradbury revisits his Waukegan childhood through the eyes and adventures of 12-year-old Douglas Spaulding (Bradbury's middle name is Douglas) over the course of one glorious summer in Green Town, Illinois. With the publication last year of Farewell Summer, Dandelion Wine can now be seen as the first entry in Bradbury's Green Town trilogy. The middle entry is Something Wicked This Way Comes. The copy of Dandelion Wine presented here is near fine, with very minor wear to the edges, corners, and spine of both the book and the dust jacket. One small surface abrasion to the dust jacket present at spine head. Spine sunned. The textblock shows minor foxing to the fore-edge, which does not affect the text in any way. A beautiful copy of a nostalgic Bradbury classic. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: Signed Limited Edition of Dark Carnival. (Springfield: Gauntlet Publications, 2001), copy "V" of a limited edition of 52 signed lettered editions, 512 pages, signed by Bradbury and Clive Barker (who wrote the Afterword) on a special limitation page bound in front, jacket illustration featuring original artwork by Ray Bradbury, end papers reproducing the original artwork for each story as it appeared in Weird Tales, full leather binding with silver titles, 8vo (6" x 8.25"), complete with full-leather beveled traycase with facsimiles of the original U.S. and U.K. covers inset on the front and back. Both book and elaborate traycase are in fine condition (the traycase is missing its drawer handle and there are a couple of light dents at the corners). A wonderful set that expounds on the Arkham House original. Contains four extra stories from Weird Tales not included in the original 1947 Arkham House edition and (included only in the special 52 lettered edition) a 32-page proposal/vignette Bradbury wrote for his agent Don Congdon, which eventually became the basis for SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES (reproduced as Bradbury typed them, complete with his famous doodles, notes to himself, and typos). Comes with an audio version of Bradbury talking about the stories on CD. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: The Day It Rained Forever. (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1959), first edition, 254 pages, jacket design by Joe Mugnaini, medium blue boards with silver titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), moderate foxing to prelims, page edges foxed, else near fine in a lightly foxed unclipped near fine jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: Extremely Rare Signed First Edition of Fahrenheit 451 with Asbestos Boards. (New York: Ballantine Books, 1953), first edition, 199 pages plus author biography, white asbestos boards with red lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), no dust jacket (as issued), clear glassine cover. Housed in a banded quarter leather solander box with marbled boards, red cloth, and gilt lettering on spine. Illustrated by Joe Mugnaini. Also includes the stories "The Playground" and "And the Rock Cried Out." This is one of the rare 200 copies of Bradbury's seminal novel to be bound in Johns-Manville Quinterra, a chrysolite asbestos material, and signed by Bradbury on the limitation page. It is number 63 of 200. The irony of this particular book being bound in asbestos is delicious: a book concerned with burning books (and the free exchange of knowledge and information they represent) that is itself resistant to destruction by fire. Bradbury must feel a great sense of pride in such an irony. For a long time, Fahrenheit 451 was the only genre book ever to be bound in asbestos, and it's still one of two to hold that disctinction. In 1980, Stephen King ordered a limited number of copies of his novel Firestarter bound in asbestos as a tribute to this particular release of Fahrenheit 451.
Bradbury's masterpiece of censorship and a world informed almost entirely through television seems as relevant now as when it was published. The New York Times said of Fahrenheit 451 that it is: "Frightening in its implications... Mr. Bradbury's account of this insane world, which bears many alarming resemblances to our own, is fascinating." More fascinating still is this copy of Fahrenheit 451, one of the most sought-after books in science fiction publishing history, and an absolute must for any serious collection of books in that genre. In addition to the rarity of this release of Fahrenheit 451, the condition of this copy only increases its desirability. The book is near fine, with only minor edge wear and very light soiling to the boards. Some age-toning to the endpapers, but overall, the textblock is clean and tight. The solander box is fine. To say that this book is the cornerstone of any science fiction or Ray Bradbury collection is a wonderful exercise in understatement. From the Ventura Collection.
Bradbury's masterpiece of censorship and a world informed almost entirely through television seems as relevant now as when it was published. The New York Times said of Fahrenheit 451 that it is: "Frightening in its implications... Mr. Bradbury's account of this insane world, which bears many alarming resemblances to our own, is fascinating." More fascinating still is this copy of Fahrenheit 451, one of the most sought-after books in science fiction publishing history, and an absolute must for any serious collection of books in that genre. In addition to the rarity of this release of Fahrenheit 451, the condition of this copy only increases its desirability. The book is near fine, with only minor edge wear and very light soiling to the boards. Some age-toning to the endpapers, but overall, the textblock is clean and tight. The solander box is fine. To say that this book is the cornerstone of any science fiction or Ray Bradbury collection is a wonderful exercise in understatement. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: Fahrenheit 451 First Edition. (New York: Ballantine Books, 1953), first edition, 199 pages, red cloth with yellow lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Dust jacket and illustrations by Joe Mugnaini. Includes the stories "The Playground" and "And the Rock Cried Out". This novel, written on a rented typewriter in the basement of the Los Angeles Public Library remains one of the most influential and widely read science fiction tales ever published, and taught us all at what temperature paper burns. This copy is in fine condition, with only a couple of very small chips to the edges of the dust jacket, and comes housed in a lovely red banded quarter leather slipcase with gilt lettering and marbled boards. The binding is tight, and the text block is very clean in this beautiful copy of Bradbury's finest work. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury The Golden Apples of the Sun. (New York: Doubleday and Company, Inc., 1953), first edition, 250 pages, jacket design by Joe Mugnaini, gray boards with yellow titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), bottom edge of spine slightly rubbed, pages slightly toned as usual, else near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury The Illustrated Man. (New York: Doubleday & Company, 1951), first edition, 252 pages, jacket design by Sydney Butchkes, tan cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. Offered in a beautiful custom made clamshell case in quarter leather with marbled boards, raised spine bands and gilt titles. An exceptional copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: The Machineries of Joy. (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1964), first edition, 255 pages, yellow quarter cloth and orange paper boards with black lettering and decoration on spine and front board, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Isadore Seltzer. Most of the stories in this collection were first published in Playboy or the Saturday Evening Post, which is in itself an interesting dichotomy. The stories were collected for the first time in this book. The copy presented here is about fine, with minor edge wear, including one bump to the top edge. The dust jacket shows some rubbing and general wear, especially to the spine head and tail and the top of the front panel. Still, the colors remain vibrant. The textblock is immaculate. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: The Martian Chronicles. (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1950), first edition, 222 pages, green cloth with crimson lettering on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), first state $2.50-priced dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Housed in a banded quarter leather solander box with marbled boards and gilt lettering on the spine. The Martian Chronicles cannot be labeled a novel, per se. Perhaps a better description is an inter-dependent short story collection; Bradbury himself called The Martian Chronicles a "half-cousin to a novel." The stories in this book were previously published in various science fiction periodicals of the 1940s. When it came time to publish them in book form, Bradbury wrote short vignettes between the stories, linking them together in a sort of narrative conga line: each story with its hands on the waist of the one in front of it, but a wholly separate entity, yet all dancing to the same rhythm. The book became a bestseller, and cemented Bradbury's reputation as a force in the science fiction community. A review by the Kansas City Star newspaper said that The Martian Chronicles "put the romance in space flight...", echoing the sentiments of many astronauts who were first turned on to space, and especially Mars, by this Bradbury classic. The copy presented here is fine, with very minimal wear present, though the spine shows some sunning. The dust jacket is near fine, with minor wear to the top edge, and some sunning present as well. The first edition of The Martian Chronicles is extremely rare in this condition. A must-have for any science fiction book collector. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: The October Country. (New York: Ballantine, 1955), first edition, first state ("BB" monogram on spine of book is upside down), 306 pages, red cloth with black lettering on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Housed in a red banded quarter leather solander box with marbled boards, cloth edges, and gilt lettering on spine. Illustrated by Joe Mugnaini. For this wonderful collection of macabre and fantastic tales, Bradbury selected and rewrote fourteen stories from his previous Arkham House collection, Dark Carnival and added five stories never before published in book form. Some of Bradbury's most famous tales come from this collection, including "The Lake", "The Wind", and "The Small Assassin". At the time this book was published, Bradbury's fan base had grown significantly from the time Dark Carnival was published (not to mention it was long out of print), so this book was for most Bradbury fans the introduction to his darker side. Interestingly, Bradbury dedicated this book "For who else but August Derleth", co-founder of Arkham House and publisher of Dark Carnival. The copy presented here is fine, but for minor edge and corner wear and some sunning to the book and jacket. A great collection of Bradbury's more macabre fiction. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: R is for Rocket. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1962), first edition, 233 pages, jacket by Joe Mugnaini, blue boards with silver titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in a bright, fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: S is for Space. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc.,, 1966), first edition, 238 pages, jacket painting by Joe Mugnaini, light blue cloth with red and white titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A beautiful copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: The Silver Locusts. (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1951), first edition, 232 pages, light gray cloth with silver lettering on spine, 8vo (5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Roy Sanford. This British edition of Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles was published a year after Bradbury's groundbreaking collection was published in the United States. The story "Usher II" was taken out of this release and replaced with "The Fire Balloons." This copy is in fine condition, with light foxing to the text edges, a few pages at the front and back, and the dust jacket as the only flaw. The binding is tight. An essential volume for the Bradbury completist. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: Something Wicked This Way Comes. (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1962), first edition, 317 pages, light orange cloth with black lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Gray Foy. The genesis of this novel makes a very interesting story in its own right. In 1955, Bradbury suggested to his friend & Hollywood legend Gene Kelly that they should do a movie together. Bradbury would write it; Kelly would direct. Afterwards, Bradbury turned his short story "The Black Ferris" into an 80-page treatment. Unable to raise the necessary funding, the film died on the vine. However, Bradbury kept at the story, turning his treatment into Something Wicked This Way Comes, the novel presented here. It is generally considered the middle volume in Bradbury's Green Town trilogy. This copy is fine, with light wear to the edges and corners of the book and dust jacket. The textblock fore-edge shows mild age-toning, and there is a small thumb stain on the bottom edges. This is a truly magnificent copy of a great Bradbury novel. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: Signed Limited Presentation Copy of The Stories of Ray Bradbury. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1980), first edition of 60 specially bound copies, 884 pages, signed and dated by the author on a special limitation page bound in front, black cloth with blind stamped titles and decoration, top edge gilt, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: Switch on the Night. (New York: Pantheon Books, 1955), first edition with earliest printing statement on the title page, unpaginated, illustrations by Madeleine Gekiere, gray paper covered boards with yellow and white titles, 8vo (7" x 8.75"), former owner has written "read January 1977" in ink on the top corner of the ffep, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A beautiful copy of Bradbury's elusive children's book. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Bradbury: Twice Signed The Vintage Bradbury. (New York: Vintage Books, 1965), first edition, 329 pages, rare buckram hardcover with gilt titles and decoration, signed by the author "Ray Bradbury" on both the half-title and title pages, 12mo (4.75" x 7.5"), extremely fine condition. From the Ventura Collection.
David Brin: Signed Limited First Hardcover Edition of Startide Rising. (West Bloomfield: Phantasia Press, 1985), first hardcover edition, number 250 of 375 specially bound copies, 392 pages, signed and numbered by the author in silver ink on a special limitation page bound in back, frontis and cover art by David Cherry, blue cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), as new in a fine unclipped jacket all housed in the original matching blue cloth slipcase. Winner of the 1983 Nebula and 1984 Hugo awards for best novel. From the Ventura Collection.
David Brin: Signed Limited First Edition of The Uplift War. (West Bloomfield: Phantasia Press, 1987), first edition, copy "N" of 26 lettered copies which were not for sale to the public, 506 pages, signed by the author on a special limitation page bound in back, bound in full red leather with a hologram by Richard Ulrich inset on the front cover in what appears to be a sterling frame, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), fine in a fine cloth slipcase as issued. From the Ventura Collection.
Fredric Brown: Angels and Spaceships. (New York: E. P. Dutton & Company, Inc., 1854), first edition, 224 pages, bound in blue boards with yellow spaceman image on front and title on spine, 12mo (5.25" 7.75"), dust jacket present, unclipped ($2.75). Condition: Minor wear on dj, else fine. Book has light shelf wear, else fine. From the Ventura Collection.
Fredric William Brown: What Mad Universe. (New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, Inc., 1949), first edition, 255 pages, blue cloth with silver titles and decoration, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), top front corners of each board bumped, former owner's book plate on inside front cover, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Anthony Burgess: A Clockwork Orange. (London: Heinemann, 1962), first edition, 196 pages, black cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), fine in a fine first state jacket with 16s price and slightly wider flaps. The condition of this book is remarkable and the jacket, while usually found faded, is bright and free from defect. The book is housed in a custom quarter leather clam shell case with gilt titles and marble boards. Certainly there can be few copies extant to rival the condition of the example on offer. From the Ventura Collection.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Limited Edition of The Girl From Farris's. (Kansas City: House of Greystoke, 1965), one of 50 copies bound in blue denim as stated by the special hand-written limitation bound in back, 70 pages, [2] pages publisher's catalog, profusely inscribed on the inside and back covers by Vernell Coriell, founder of the Burroughs Bibliophiles and House of Greystoke, frontis by Frank Frazetta, blue denin with gilt titles, 4to (7" x 10"), fine, no jacket as issue. In the inscription Coriell thanks the recipient for helping "...keep the spirit of Edgar Rice Burroughs alive during the dark years following the birth of the atomic age...". From the Ventura Collection.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Jungle Tales of Tarzan Inscribed to His Son. (Chicago: A.C. McClurg, 1919), first edition, first binding with spine imprint in three lines, 319 pages, illustrated by J. Allen St. John, orange cloth with black titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), fine in a fine jacket. The dust jacket does show a certain amount of restoration, especially to the top edge and spine. A wonderful copy of this title with a very special inscription to his son which reads in full "To Hulbert with great love, Papa...Edgar Rice Burroughs (100 years hence this may increase the value of this volume .25¢. I say "may")...Los Angeles/April 23, 1925...Quotation April 23, 2025 $2.15". Simply a beautiful bright copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Tarzan and the Lost Empire. (New York: Metropolitan Books, 1929), first edition, 313 pages, jacket and frontispiece by A.W. Sperry, orange cloth with black titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), foxing to page edges, pages lightly toned as usual, else near fine in a lightly foxed, near fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Tarzan of the Apes. (Chicago: A.C. McClurg, 1914), first edition, first state with "A.C. McClurg/& Co" and no acorn device, 401 pages, red cloth with gilt titles, in custom slipcase, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), small repair to cloth at base of spine, spine lightly faded, else very good in a fine facsimile jacket. An above average copy of this classic. From the Ventura Collection.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Beyond Thirty and The Man-Eater Unauthorized Eshbach Publications. (Np, nd), staplebound in wrappers (red & blue respectively), Beyond Thirty: 57 pages, The Man-Eater: 50 pages, each approximately 8.5" x 11". These two stories were published anonymously by Lloyd Eshbach at Fantasy Press, and supposedly given free of charge to Burroughs collectors. Eshbach, in fact, sold some of the 300 hectographed copies, but did not put the Fantasy Press imprint or his name on them because he was not sure of the copyright situation of either story. He simply wanted the stories read, as they were two of his favorite Burroughs tales, and long out of print. Almost simultaneously, having discovered that the two stories were public domain, Bradford Day at Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishers issued them in hardcover. The two copies here are in fine condition. One corner on each cover is slightly bent, the only flaw in these two rare pieces of science fiction publishing history. From the Ventura Collection.
Henry Hardy Heins: A Golden Anniversary Bibliography of Edgar Rice Burroughs Inscribed to Mrs. J. Allen St. Johns. (West Kingston: Donald M. Grant, 1964), revised edition of the 1962 first edition, 418 pages, illustrated with a selection of artwork from Burroughs' books and stories, maroon cloth with gilt titles, 4to (7" x 10.5"), near fine in a fine jacket. The inscription, on the ffep, reads in full "To Mrs. J. Allen St. John/ in memory of J. Allen/ who must have been a/ wonderful man./ All good wishes-/ Henry Hardy Heins". J. Allen St. John was the primary illustrator for Burroughs' books and magazine stories. His work is immediately recognizable and has become inextricably associated with Burroughs' work. Accompanying the book is a two-page letter on the author's church letterhead (the author was a Lutheran pastor in Albany, New York) to Mrs. St. John requesting, among other things, to use St. John's classic "Tarzan and the Golden Lion" illustration for the cover of this book. From the Ventura Collection.
Fifty Issues of the Burroughs Bulletin New Series. (Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., 1990-2002), staplebound in white wrappers with illustrated covers. Quarterly publication for the Burroughs Bibliophiles, an amateur literary society dedicated to the legacy of Burroughs' fiction. All issues edited by George T. McWhorter. Presented here are New Series issues #1-51, missing issue #45. The new series picked up seven years after the original Burroughs Bulletin ceased publication. The issues presented here are largely in fine condition, with a few issues showing some wear to the cover or spine. A unique chance to attain a vast collection of serious Burroughs scholarship. From the Ventura Collection.
William S. Burroughs: Nova Express. (New York: Grove Press, Inc., 1964), first printing, 187 pages, cover design by Roy Kuhlman, orange cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), former owner's initials in ink on inside front cover, else near fine in a slightly rubbed, slightly faded spine, price-clipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
John W. Campbell, Jr.: The Mightiest Machine. (Providence: Hadley Publishing Company, 1947), first edition of 1200 copies printed, author's first science fiction book, 228 pages, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), fine with both the original Hadley unclipped jacket and the later F.F.F. Publishers unclipped jacket both in near fine condition. There is thought to be only about 300 F.F.F. dust jacket versions produced. Amazing to have both dust jacket versions with this book! From the Ventura Collection.
Karel Capek: Krakatit. (London: Geoffey Bles, 1925), first edition, 416 pages, gray cloth with red titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), old pencil notes on the ffep, light foxing to page edges, else fine in a fine colorful art deco themed cover. Capek is the originator of the word robot, first used in his 1920 play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots). From the Ventura Collection.
Orson Scott Card: Ender's Game. (New York: Tor, 1985), first edition, 357 pages, cover art by John Harris, blue boards and blue cloth shelf back with silver titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. Winner of the 1985 Nebula and 1986 Hugo awards. From the Ventura Collection.
Arthur C. Clarke: Inscribed 2001 A Space Odyssey. (New York: The New American Library, 1968), first edition, 221 pages, inscribed by author on the half title page "To Pip's father/from a great admirer of his daughter-best wishes/Arthur C Clarke/25 Jul, '68", light blue boards black spine with silver titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), boards lightly sunned at top and bottom, page edges slightly toned, else very good. Jacket is unclipped but is slightly age toned but would still easily rate very good. From the Ventura Collection.
Arthur C. Clarke: Signed Limited First Edition of 2010: Odyssey Two. (West Bloomfield: Phantasia Press, 1982), first edition, copy "T" of 26 lettered copies which were not for sale to the public, 303 pages, signed by the author on a special limitation page bound in back, color frontis by Paul Lehr, bound in full blue leather with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), fine. From the Ventura Collection.
Arthur C. Clarke: Childhood's End. (New York: Ballantine Books, 1953), first edition, 214 pages, red cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), very fine in a very fine unclipped jacket, housed in a handsome quarter leather clamshell case with marble boards. A simply stunning copy of this classic Clarke title. From the Ventura Collection.
Arthur C. Clarke: The City and the Stars. (New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1956), first edition, 310 pages, blue marbled cloth with silver lettering on spine and color decoration on the front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by George Salter. The City and the Stars is a revised and expanded version of Clarke's first novel, Against the Fall of Night. Clarke intended to showcase his improved writing skills by rewriting his first book; some readers preferred this version, some the original novel. Both remained in print long after the "revision" was published. The copy presented here is fine, with very minimal wear to the corners and spine. The dust jacket shows wear at two corners, the spine extremities, and one small tear at the bottom of the rear panel. A fine copy of Clarke's second chance at a first impression. From the Ventura Collection.
Arthur C. Clarke: Earthlight. (New York: Ballantine Books, 1955), first edition, 186 pages, red cloth with blue titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), light ghosting between ffep and inside front cover, three very small stain spots on bottom edge, else fine in fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Arthur C. Clarke: Signed A Fall of Moondust. (New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., 1961), first edition, 248 pages, signed by Clarke on the title page, light blue cloth with dark blue titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine in fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Arthur C. Clarke: Inscribed Reach for Tomorrow. (New York: Ballantine Books, 1956), first edition, 165 pages, inscribed by Clarke on the ffep, light green cloth with blue titles, 12mo (4.75" x 7.5"), cheap paper pages have browned with age, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Arthur C. Clarke: Signed First Edition of Rendezvous With Rama. (London: Gollancz, 1973), first edition, 256 pages, signed by Clarke on the title page, jacket design by Bruce Pennington, teal boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), a few foxing spots on the fore edge, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. 1973 Nebula and 1974 Hugo award winner. From the Ventura Collection.
Hal Clement [Harry Clement Stubbs]: Cycle of Fire. (New York: Ballantine Books, 1957), first edition, 185 pages, red cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.25" x 8.25"), very small stains on a couple of pages, light toning to fore edges, else near fine in an unclipped jacket that has moderate sun fading. Also, the inside of the dj has been repaired with archival tape at the spine head and tail and at the flap folds. This book is extremely rare and is seldom seen in any condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Hal Clement [Harry Clement Stubbs]: Signed Mission of Gravity. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1954), first edition, 224 pages, signed by the author on the title page ""Hal Clement"/(Harry C. Stubbs)", jacket design by Joe Mugnaini, yellow boards with blue titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. Number 15 on David Pringle's list of the 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Michael Crichton: Review Copy of The Andromeda Strain. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1969), first edition, 295 pages, publisher's review slip laid in, jacket design by Paul Bacon, black boards and off-white cloth shelf back with black titles, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), about fine in a slightly toned unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Cummings: Brigands of the Moon. (Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Company, 1931), first edition, 386 pages, orange cloth with black titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), fine in a very good unclipped jacket that has minor loss at the head and foot of the spine and wear at the extremities. There is a former owner's book plate on the inside front cover. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Cummings: The Girl in the Golden Atom. (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1923), first American edition (code "I-X" on copyright page), 341 pages, light brown cloth with black titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), corners lightly bumped, lightly foxed, previous owner's name and address on inside front cover, else very good in a very good unclipped jacket with one small portion of the jacket missing at the bottom of the spine. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Cummings: Inscribed First Edition of The Girl in the Golden Atom. (London: Methuen, 1922), first edition, 241 pages, 1924-dated inscriptions on the ffep "To Dr. Vandervoort/the minister whom I most respect/With kindest regards and best wishes/Ray Cummings", original light green cloth with silver titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), external hinges starting to tear, corners lightly bumped, head and foot of spine frayed, else good. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Cummings: Signed The Sea Girl. (Chicago: A.C. McClurg, 1930), first edition, 302 pages, signed by the author on the ffep, cover art by Robert Graef, light orange cloth with brown titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), former owner's inscription on ffep, else very good in a very good jacket. A beautiful copy without the typical ultra-toned pages so often associated with McClurg published books. From the Ventura Collection.
Ray Cummings: Tarrano the Conqueror. (Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1930), first edition, 345 pages, orange cloth with black titles, 12mo (5" x 7.75"), slight scuffing to head and tail of spine, else near fine in a good unclipped jacket with chipping along the entire bottom edge, some general soiling and a small portion missing from the head of the spine. From the Ventura Collection.
L. Sprague de Camp: Lest Darkness Fall Signed First Edition. (New York: Henry Holt and Co., 1941), first edition, 379 pages, black cloth with white lettering and decoration on spine and front board, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Inscribed and signed on front free endpaper, "To the Nathans/good friends and exemplars/L. Sprague de Camp". Originally published in Unknown in 1938, Lest Darkness Fall was an extremely influential alternate history story set in 6th century Rome. Prolific alternate history author Harry Turtledove credits this very book with sparking his interest in the genre. The copy presented here is about very good, with previous seller's price in pencil on rear free endpaper, minimal edge wear, slight soiling at bottom edge, very minimal foxing on bottom edge, and minor shelf-cocking. The dust jacket is good, with noticeable edge, corner, and spine wear. Two vertical creases evident near spine on front panel, which also shows a small tear at the top and fold at upper right corner. Small amount of chipping at the head of the spine. A handsome copy of de Camp's influential classic. From the Ventura Collection.
Samuel Delany: Babel-17. (London: Victor Gollancz, 1967), first hardcover edition, 192 pages, red cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. Co-winner of the 1966 Nebula award for best novel. From the Ventura Collection.
Samuel R. Delany: Signed First Hardcover Edition of Dhalgren. (Boston: Gregg Press, 1977), first hardcover edition, 879 pages, signed by the author on the half title page, green cloth with gilt titles, issued without a jacket, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), slightly bumped corners, else fine. This edition corrects numerous textual mistakes for the first time. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: Clans of the Alphane Moon. A new introduction by Robert Silverberg. (Boston: Gregg Press, 1979), first hardcover edition, 192 pages, bound in green cloth with gilt facsimile signature on front and gilt title on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), no dust jacket as issued. Condition: As new. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: Signed Deluxe Limited Edition of The Collected Stories of Philip K. Dick (Los Angeles: Underwood Miller, 1987), first edition offered in the limited deluxe edition, numbered 14 of 100 copies and signed "Philip K. Dick" on a special limitation page bound in Volume I. All volumes are bound in red cloth with gilt spine titles and black cover titles, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5") and are in as new condition. The five volume set includes: Beyond Lies the Wub: 404 pages, Second Variety: 395 pages, The Father-Thing: 376 pages, The Days of Perky Pat: 380 pages, and The Little Black Box: 395 pages. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: Confessions of a Crap Artist Signed & Numbered Limited Edition. (New York: Entwhistle Books, 1975), first edition, 171 pages, maroon cloth with gilt lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), no dust jacket (as issued). Numbered 70, this is one of 90 copies of the hardcover edition signed "Philip K. Dick" on limitation page. This copy is fine, with only light bumping to the corners as the only flaw. A rare chance to acquire a signed copy of one of Philip K. Dick's works. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Review Copy. (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1968), first edition, 210 pages, gray cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). A small 4" x 6" Doubleday review slip laid in, dated March 22, 1968. Housed in a black banded quarter-leather solander box with marbled boards, cloth edges, and gilt lettering on spine. Jacket design by Harry Sehring. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is one of the seminal science fiction novels, especially in the pantheon of modern science fiction. Strangely, the novel is almost less famous now than the 1982 film adaptation, Blade Runner. Like most film adaptations, however, the quality of the film does not approach that of the book. Dick's multi-textured post-apocalyptic tale of off-world humans and their interactions with human-like androids has been popular since its publication in 1968. The novel has been translated into dozens of languages and referenced in a diverse array of other media, including video games and popular music. This copy is near fine, with very minimal corner wear to the book, which also displays mild foxing to the top textblock edge and minimal fading on the front board edge. Some discoloration to the hinges present at the endpapers. The dust jacket has very mild wear to the edges, and the head and tail of the spine, but is otherwise free of flaws and remarkably clean. A handsome first edition of Dick's most famous and influential book. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: Dr. Bloodmoney or, How We Got Along After the Bomb. (Boston: Gregg Press, 1977), first hardcover printing, no jacket as issued, 222 pages, institutional green cloth boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), lightly bumped corners, light shelf wear, foxing to top page edge, else near fine. Text photographically reproduced from the 1965 ACE edition. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1974), first edition, 231 pages, brown cloth with silver titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: The Game-Players of Titan. (London: White Lion Publishers, Ltd., 1974), first hardcover edition, 188 pages, blue paper boards with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Originally published as an Ace paperback, this is the first publication of The Game-Players of Titan in hardcover. The copy presented here is near fine, with minimal wear to the edges. The dust jacket shows minor edge, corner, and spine wear, and some rubbing to the rear panel. The textblock is tight and clean. Overall, a beautiful copy of one of Dick's earlier novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: A Handful of Darkness. (London: Rich and Cowan, 1955), first edition, first binding state, 224 pages, jacket art by Rudland, blue boards with silver titles and spaceship motif on spine, 12mo (5" x 12.5"), pages slightly toned, ghosting to half title page and last page due to reaction with high-acid content paper previously laid in, else near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick The Man in the High Castle. (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1962), first edition (with code D36 at the base of page 239), 239 pages, jacket design by Robert Galster, black cloth with red titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), price sticker removal abrasion on ffep, else near fine in a fine unclipped jacket. Rated number 37 on David Pringle's list of 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: A Maze of Death. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1970), first edition, 216 pages, jacket by Michelle Moschella, blue cloth with silver titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), stamped "Property of Science Fiction Writers of America" on endpapers and author's forward page, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: The Penultimate Truth. (London: Jonathan Cape, 1967), first hardcover edition, 254 pages, jacket design by Bill Botten, purple boards with silver titles, 12mo (5" x 7.75"), foxed at the page edges, else very good in a foxed and price clipped jacket. Jacket has a small hole in the spine that affects the "E" of Penultimate and the "R" of Truth. An extremely scarce book in the first hardcover edition. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: A Philip K. Dick Omnibus. (London: Sidgwick & Jackson, 1970), first edition, 138 pages, blue boards with silver titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), book block slightly cocked, foxing to prelims, else near fine in a lightly foxed and shelf worn unclipped jacket. Marks the first hardcover publication for all the titles contained. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: A Scanner Darkly. (Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1977), first edition, 217 pages, dust jacket by the Quays, bound in tan boards with black title on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), dust jacket present, unclipped ($6.95). Condition: As new. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: Solar Lottery Signed Ace Double Paperback. (New York: Ace Books, 1955), first edition, 188 pages, illustrated wrappers, pocket paperback (4.5" x 6.5"). Bound with Leigh Brackett's The Big Jump. Ace Double Novel Books D-103. This is the first-ever appearance of Solar Lottery in any form, which was, in fact, Dick's first published novel. This copy is signed "Philip K. Dick" on the title page, and is in very good condition despite some wear to the spine edges. The text is clean and tight. A truly rare chance to get a signed copy of the first appearance of Dick in book form. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1965), first edition, 278 pages, jacket design by Paul Chibbaro, gray cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), pages slightly toned, else near fine in a slightly toned, near fine unclipped jacket. The printed price on the front flap of the jacket is $4.50, however the book was published at $4.95 and most jackets have a small sticker pasted over with the correct price. This copy shows no evidence of ever having the corrective sticker. Number 44 on David Pringle's list of 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: Time Out of Joint. (New York: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1959), first edition, 221 pages, jacket design by Arthur Hawkins, orange boards with black titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), small scuffed section at the top edge of boards near the spine, tiny dent to bottom edge of front board, else fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. Number 28 on David Pringle's list of 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: Ubik. (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1969), first edition, 202 pages, gray cloth with silver lettering on spine, 5.75" x 8.5"), two dust jackets (both in protective Mylar). In 2005, Time Magazine named Ubik one of the 100 Best English Language Novels since 1923. It is one of the rarest Dick first editions, especially in this condition. The copy presented here is in fine condition, with light toning at the hinges and very minor corner wear as the only flaws. A clipped book club edition dust jacket is included, and it is in good condition, with just a little toning. The original $4.50 dust jacket is in fine condition. The cornerstone of any serious Dick collection. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: The World Jones Made. (London: Sidgwick & Jackson, 1968), first hardcover edition, 192 pages, maroon boards with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), English ex-library with usual stamps on ffep and inside rear cover, HOWEVER, the English apparently don't feel the need to destroy a book by overly stamping, taping, or affixing pockets to the book. This is a fine, tight copy of this rare title with negligible library markings. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip K. Dick: World of Chance. (London: Rich and Cowan, 1956), first edition, 160 pages, blue cloth with silver lettering on spine, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), trimmed dust jacket (in protective Mylar). This book was issued a year earlier in the United States as half of an Ace Double paperback under the title Solar Lottery, Dick's preferred title. In fact, besides the title change, World of Chance was issued with textual changes and edits unauthorized by the author, making this a rare and much sought-after edition of Dick's work. The copy presented here is in very good condition, with light soiling to the boards and edges, and a shelf-cocked spine, which also displays wear at the head and tail. The dust jacket has been horizontally cut at the top edge, so it no longer completely covers the boards. Otherwise, the dust jacket is very good. From the Ventura Collection.
Three Books by Philip K. Dick From the Gregg Press Science Fiction Series, including:
Eye In the Sky. (Boston: Gregg Press, 1979), first hardcover edition, 255 pages, institutional binding, green boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine, no jacket as issued.
Vulcan's Hammer. (Boston: Gregg Press, 1979), first hardcover edition, 139 pages, institutional binding, green boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine, no jacket as issued.
Counter-Clock World. (Boston: Gregg Press, 1979), first hardcover edition, 160 pages, institutional binding, green boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine, no jacket as issued. From the Ventura Collection.
Eye In the Sky. (Boston: Gregg Press, 1979), first hardcover edition, 255 pages, institutional binding, green boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine, no jacket as issued.
Vulcan's Hammer. (Boston: Gregg Press, 1979), first hardcover edition, 139 pages, institutional binding, green boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine, no jacket as issued.
Counter-Clock World. (Boston: Gregg Press, 1979), first hardcover edition, 160 pages, institutional binding, green boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine, no jacket as issued. From the Ventura Collection.
Arthur Conan Doyle: The Lost World. (London, New York, Toronto: Hodder and Stoughton, n.d. [1912]), first edition, 319 pages, 13 illustrations on light brown mats tipped in, pictorial endpapers, gilt top edge, original pictorial light blue cloth over beveled boards with dinosaur tracks stamped in blind on boards, with gilt titles, large 8vo (7" x 9.25"), light soiling to boards, corners slightly bumped and frayed, slightly cocked, front inside hinge just starting to crack, else very good condition. The book is housed in a custom blue cloth slipcase. This, the first Professor Challenger story, was published in serial form in March of 1912. The book followed in October of that year. 1000 copies of this Presentation edition were prepared, but the first issue comprised only 190 copies, of which this is one. The remainder were bound later, most issued in 1914, in brown cloth, others distributed sometime later. A very uncommon issue of this book which has appeared only twice at public auction during the past thirty years. From the Ventura Collection.
Arthur Conan Doyle: The Poison Belt. (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1913), first edition, 199 pages, 16 illustrations by Harry Rountree, blue cloth with gilt titles and black decoration, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), slight spotting to upper front board, spine slightly faded, moderate foxing to page edges, light foxing to prelims, else very good bright copy. The second Professor Challenger story. From the Ventura Collection.
Harlan Ellison: Review Copy of Love Ain't Nothing But Sex Misspelled. (New York: Trident Press, 1968), first edition, 382 pages, with review card and accompanying publisher's letter laid in, tan and blue boards with gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 9"), fine in fine unclipped jacket. This is the author's first work in hardcover form. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip José Farmer: The Fabulous Riverboat. (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1971), first edition, 253 pages, jacket illustrations by Richard Powers, bound in orange cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), dust jacket present, unclipped ($5.95). Condition: Very good. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip José Farmer: The Green Odyssey. (New York: Ballantine Books, 1957), first edition, 152 pages, tan cloth with green titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), has been expertly restored from a library configuration by replacing the front and back endpapers and eradicating any evidence of the usual markings. The edges of the boards bear traces of old tape, else very good in a very good jacket. This book was sent almost exclusively to libraries and was never offered for public sale. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip José Farmer: To Your Scattered Bodies Go. (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1971), first edition, 221 pages, black cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. 1972 Hugo award winner for best novel. From the Ventura Collection.
C. S. Forester: The Peacemaker. (London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1934), first edition, 341 pages, bound in green boards with gilt title on spine, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), dust jacket present, unclipped (7/6). A great science fiction novel from a prolific British author best known for his forays into action-adventure with books such as The African Queen and the Horatio Hornblower series. Condition: Wear and toning to dj, else good. Foxing on edges of book, else very good. From the Ventura Collection.
Pat Frank: Signed First Edition of Alas, Babylon. (New York: J. B. Lippincott, 1959), first edition, 254 pages, signed by the author on the ffep, jacket design by Arthur Hawkins, black boards with silver titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), former owner's small ink stamped name and address on the ffep, else fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. Number 29 on David Pringle's list of the 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Hugo Gernsback: Ralph 124C 41+ A Romance of the Year 2660. (Boston: The Stratford Company, 1925), first edition (Currey priority B - publisher's name on spine 2cm), 203 pages, jacket illustration and 11 inserted plates by Frank R. Paul, light blue cloth with gilt titles, small 8vo (5.5" x 8"), fine in a bright unclipped jacket with minimal loss at the head and tail of the spine. The book is housed in a beautiful blue quarter leather full clamshell case with five raised spine bands, gilt titles and decoration and marbled boards. This is an extraordinarily beautiful copy of this work that is considered the true beginning of 20th century science fiction. Gernsback originally serialized this work in his Modern Electrics magazine. Gernsback was also founder of Amazing Stories one of the most successful of all pulp magazines. Gernsback is remembered today for the annual awards that bear his name - the Hugo Award. From the Ventura Collection.
William Gibson: Signed First Edition of Neuromancer. (London: Victor Gollancz Limited, 1984), first edition, 251 pages, signed by the author on the title page, light blue boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), pristine in a like jacket. Nebula award winner 1984, Hugo award winner 1985, Philip K. Dick award 1985. The pioneering "cyberpunk" novel. Ranks number 100 on David Pringle's list of the 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
William Golding: The Inheritors. (London: Faber and Faber Limited, 1955), first edition, 233 pages, jacket illustration by Anthony Gross, light blue boards with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), ultra-light foxing to prelims, else fine in a fine slightly foxed and unclipped jacket. Golding's second book and number 19 on David Pringle's list of the 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
William Golding: Signed First Edition of Pincher Martin. (London: Faber and Faber, 1956), first edition, 208 pages, signed by Golding on the ffep, jacket design by Anthony Gross, red cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.25"), corners bumped, miniscule stains on ffep, else near fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
H. Rider Haggard: When the World Shook Being an Account of the Great Adventure of Bastin, Bickley and Arbuthnot. (New York: Longman's, Green & Company, 1919), first edition, 407 pages, frontis and cover art by Enos B. Comstock, red cloth with gilt titles and embossed decoration on the front cover, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), light soiling to boards, shelf wear to bottom edges, else very good in a beautiful bright jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Joe Haldeman: Signed Review Copy of The Forever War. (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1974), first edition, 236 pages, signed by the author on the title page, publisher's review slip laid in, black cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. This is a beautiful crisp copy of this multi-award winning book. From the Ventura Collection.
Edmond Hamilton: Horror on the Asteroid. (London: Philip Allan, 1936), first edition, 256 pages, green cloth with black titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), 1" area of sun fading at the head of the spine corresponding with a missing piece of the dust jacket, light toning to pages, else very good in a lightly soiled jacket with small areas missing, mainly at the edges, and some repairs to the front panel, else near very good condition. The author's first book. From the Ventura Collection.
Milo Hastings: City of Endless Night. (New York: Dodd, Mead and Co., 1920), first edition, 346 pages, black cloth with white lettering on spine and front board, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Milo Hastings was an interesting American character. He was health-conscious at a time when American men were not health conscious, inventing Weeniwinks, a health-food snack; yet he was addicted to cigarettes. He invented the forced-draft chicken incubator, but never reaped the rewards for his invention, as the patent was awarded for a similar invention. First serialized in True Story Magazine as the "Children of Kultur" in 1919, City of Endless Night remains the work for which Milo Hastings is known. Sam Moskowitz, lifelong super fan of science fiction, once wrote that City of Endless Night was an "unusual work, filled with uncanny prescience about impending events...born out of the experience of World War I and the impact on Americans of imperial Germany's statist creed, which believed in the subjugation of the individual for the sake of the nation. On all counts of inventiveness, social significance, narrative flow and intrinsic worth, it ranks with When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells, Messiah of the Cylinder by Victor Rousseau and We by Eugene Zimiatin, all written and published about the same period." The copy presented here is in very good condition, with light age-toning to the edges, minor edge, corner, and spine wear, and slight shelf-cocking to the spine. The dust jacket is good, with some rubbing, and chipping around the edges, especially at the head and tail of the spine. Still, this is a rare work from a truly American character. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Between Planets. (New York: Scribner's Sons, 1951), first edition, first printing (the letter "A" and the Scribner's seal appear on the copyright page), 222 pages, dark blue cloth with baby blue lettering on the spine and decorative stamping on the front cover, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), first issue $2.50 dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Illustrated by Clifford Geary. The fifth installment in Heinlein's juvenile series published at Scribner's between 1947 and 1958. This copy is fine, with very minimal wear to the edges of the dust jacket. "Mary Kathryn Keating" bookplate affixed to the front pastedown. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: The Cat Who Walks Through Walls Signed Numbered Edition. (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1985), first edition, 382 pages, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), no dust jacket (as issued). Signed "Robert A. Heinlein" on limitation page and numbered 106 of 350 copies. Frontispiece used on subsequent paperback releases of this book painted by Michael Whelan. This is Heinlein's penultimate novel. The copy presented here is fine, with just one small vertical rub on the spine. Comes housed in a matching black cloth slipcase, which shows only minor shelf wear to the edges. A scarce book, especially in this condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Citizen of the Galaxy. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1957), first edition, with "A" and "7.57v" code on copyright page, 302 pages, jacket design by Leonard Everett Fisher, tan cloth with red titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8,.25"). The eleventh installment in Heinlein's juvenile series published at Scribner's between 1947 and 1958. Fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A beautiful copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: The Door Into Summer. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1957), first edition, 188 pages, jacket design by Mel Hunter, red cloth with yellow titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), slightly toned pages, negligible rubs at the head and tail of spine, else fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Farmer in the Sky. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1950), first edition (with "A" and Scribner seal on the copyright page), 216 pages, illustrated by Clifford Geary, blue cloth with yellow titles and decoration, 8vo (5.25" x 8.25"). The fourth installment in Heinlein's juvenile series published at Scribner's between 1947 and 1958. Pages slightly toned at the edges, else about fine in a fine unclipped jacket ($2.50 price). From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Farnham's Freehold. (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1964), first edition, 315 pages, jacket design by Irv Docktor, black boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Double Star. (New York: Doubleday & Company, 1956), first edition, 186 pages, jacket design by Mel Hunter, black cloth with silver titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A virtually unread copy of this 1956 Hugo Award winning book. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Signed Limited First Edition of Friday. (New York: Holt Rinehart and Winston, 1982), first edition, number 302 of 500 copies hand numbered and signed by the author on a special limitation page bound in front, 368 pages, maroon cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), fine in slipcase as issued. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Glory Road. (New York, G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1963), first edition, 288 pages, black cloth with aqua lettering on the spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), first issue $3.95 dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Deckled fore-edge. Jacket illustrated by Irv Doktor. Heinlein often took years to finish his most well-known novels. He wrote Glory Road in a matter of weeks, and claimed that he had a great time doing so. The story was originally serialized in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1963. The copy presented here is fine, with no noticeable flaws present. The dust jacket shows very minimal edge wear, with some small areas of dark ink applied to the spine, presumably to blend very minimal wrinkles present there. A superb copy of one of Heinlein's few forays into straight fantasy. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Have Space Suit Will Travel. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1958), first edition (A.9-58[mj]), 276 pages, jacket design by Ed Emshwiller, orange cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"). The twelfth installment in Heinlein's juvenile series published at Scribner's between 1947 and 1958. Light foxing to page edges, else fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. Number 27 on David Pringle's list of 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1966), first edition, 383 pages, original orange cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), in un-price clipped dust jacket, in fine condition. A spectacular copy of Heinlein's Hugo award winning book in a custom quarter leather clam shell box with raised spine bands, gilt titles and decoration, and marble boards. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Orphans of the Sky. (London: Victor Gollancz Limited, 1963), first edition, 160 pages, red boards with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: The Past Through Tomorrow Future History Stories. (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1967), first edition, 667 pages, blue cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), first issue $5.95 dust jacket (in protective Mylar). According to the inner flap of the dust jacket, this omnibus edition collects "in chronological order for the first time - twenty-one stories, novellas and novels" concerning Heinlein's future history world, spanning over twenty years of the Grand Master's career. The copy presented here is in fine condition, with very minimal wear to the edges. Text block is tight and clean. The dust jacket shows some edge wear, with a small chip out of the spine head, else fine. A one-stop shop for anyone interested in Heinlein's future history stories. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert Heinlein: Podkayne of Mars. (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1963), first edition, 191 pages, jacket design by Irv Doktor, charcoal cloth with green titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A beautiful copy without defect. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: The Puppet Masters. (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1951), first edition, 219 pages, beige cloth with maroon lettering on spine, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Originally serialized in Galaxy Science Fiction in 1951, this book by Heinlein is rated #4 on Pringle's list of the 100 Best Science Fiction Novels. Heinlein wrote this alien invasion tale, thematically similar to Jack Finney's The Body Snatchers, three years BEFORE Finney's famous story of the pod people. This copy is in fine condition; the text block is clean and tight. The dust jacket shows very minimal wear to the edges, and has one .25" tear at the back of the bottom cover. Previous owner's bookplate affixed to the front pastedown. This is a truly marvelous copy of Heinlein's seminal science fiction story of parasitic alien attackers. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Red Planet, A Colonial Boy on Mars. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1949), first edition ("A" and Scribner seal on the copyright page), 211 pages, illustrated by Clifford Geary, black cloth with red titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"). The third installment in Heinlein's juvenile series published at Scribner's between 1947 and 1958. Light rubbing to front board, former owner's name in ink on the verso of the ffep, previous owner's stamp on the second ffep, else fine in a fine unclipped ($2.50) jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein Signed First Edition of Rocket Ship Galileo. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1947), first edition with "A" and Scribner seal on copyright page, 212 pages, signed by the author on the ffep, illustrated by Thomas Voter, black cloth with green titles and decoration, 8vo (6" x 8.25"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. The first installment in Heinlein's juvenile series published at Scribner's between 1947 and 1958. Housed in a beautiful quarter leather clam shell case with marbled boards, raised spine bands, and gilt titles. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: The Rolling Stones. (New York: Scribner's Sons, 1952), first edition, first printing (the letter "A" and the Scribner's seal appear on the copyright page), 276 pages, green cloth with blue lettering on spine and decorative stamping on the front cover, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), first issue $2.50 dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Illustrated by Clifford Geary. The sixth installment in Heinlein's juvenile series published at Scribner's between 1947 and 1958. A shorter version of this story appeared in Boy's Life magazine under the title "Tramp Space Ship" in 1952. This copy is fine, with very minimal wear to the edges of the dust jacket. Textblock is in virtually unread condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Space Cadet with Andre Norton's Bookplate. (New York: Scribner's Sons, 1948), first edition, first printing ("A" on title page), 242 pages, dark blue cloth with baby blue lettering on spine and decorative stamping on front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), first issue $2.50 dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket and title page illustrated by Clifford Geary. The second installment in Heinlein's juvenile series published at Scribner's between 1947 and 1958. This most desirable association copy has acclaimed science fiction author Andre Norton's bookplate affixed to the front free endpaper. The book presented here is in very good condition, with some age toning to the endpapers and minor corner wear. The dust jacket is very good, with mild sunning to the spine, and some minor chipping on the edges. A one-of-a-kind Heinlein association copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: The Star Beast. (New York: Scribner's Sons, 1954), first edition, first printing (the letter "A" and the Scribner's seal appear on the copyright page), 282 pages, black cloth with blue lettering on the spine and front cover, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), first issue $2.50 dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Illustrated by Clifford Geary. Originally serialized as "Star Lummox" in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1954. The eighth installment in Heinlein's juvenile series published at Scribner's between 1947 and 1958. The book is near fine, with only minor wear to the edges, corners, and spine. Previous owner's signature on front free endpaper. The dust jacket is very good, with very light soiling, rubbed hinges, and general edge wear, especially to the bottom of the rear panel. An essential Heinlein juvenile fit for any collector. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Starman Jones. (New York: Scribner's Sons, 1953), first edition, first printing (the letter "A" and the Scribner's seal appear on the copyright page), 305 pages, light green cloth with dark green lettering on spine and decoration on front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), first issue $2.50 dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Illustrated by Clifford Geary. The seventh installment in Heinlein's juvenile series published at Scribner's between 1947 and 1958. This copy is fine, with only the most minor shelf wear. Previous owner's signature on front pastedown. The dust jacket shows only minor edge and corner wear, most noticeable at the bottom of the back panel, and at the head and tail of the spine. A beautiful copy of one of Heinlein's juveniles. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Starship Troopers. (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1959), first edition, 309 pages, blue cloth with silver lettering on spine and front cover, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), first issue $3.95 dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Jerry Robinson. Originally serialized in October and November, 1959 as "Starship Soldier", Starship Troopers won the 1960 Hugo Award for Best Novel. Since its publication, Heinlein has been criticized for this novel, which some readers have found too militaristic and pro-fascist. Whatever your point of view, this is a rare chance to acquire Starship Troopers in such pristine condition. This copy is in virtually new condition, with no noticeable flaws present. The book comes housed in a beautiful custom quarter leather slipcase with marbled boards. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Stranger in a Strange Land. (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1961), first edition, first printing ("C22" on page 408, top edge stained light green, and verso of half-title page lists 28 Heinlein books), 408 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), original $4.50 dust jacket with Starship Troopers advertisement on back panel (in protective Mylar). The controversy over Stranger in a Strange Land centers around Heinlein's experience with his publishers. Originally, this book was over 220,000 words in length; the publishers forced Heinlein to cut 60,000 words from this longer work, removing scenes that they considered too shocking for the time. This book was the result, and it won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1962. The uncut version was eventually published in 1991, and critics and readers still argue over which version is more successful. One thing is sure: this copy of Stranger in a Strange Land is among the finest around. A few small rubs of the dust jacket are the only noticeable flaws in this pristine copy of one of Heinlein's best. It comes housed in an attractive custom quarter leather slipcase with marbled boards. An essential item for any Heinlein collector. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Time for the Stars. (New York: Scribner's Sons, 1956), first edition, first printing ("A-8.56 [v]" appears on the copyright page), 244 pages, blue cloth with black lettering on spine and decorative stamping on the front cover, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), first issue $2.75 dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket and title page illustrated by Clifford Geary. The tenth installment in Heinlein's juvenile series published at Scribner's between 1947 and 1958. The copy presented here is fine, with very minimal wear to the edges of the dust jacket. Textblock is in virtually unread condition. An essential volume in Heinlein's juvenile series in excellent condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein, editor: Tomorrow, the Stars. (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1952), first edition, 249 pages, gray cloth with red lettering on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration and design by Richard Powers. This collection gathers together previously unpublished stories by some of the all-time giants of science fiction: Asimov, del Rey, Finney, Leiber, and Vonnegut. In order to capitalize on Heinlein's stature within the science fiction community, Doubleday credited him with editing this amazing collection of speculative fiction. In fact, Frederik Pohl and Judith Merril assembled the stories; Heinlein's contributions were the introduction and his name on the cover. This copy is in fine condition, with the faintest age-toning to the textblock edges and a previous owner's bookplate affixed to the front pastedown. The dust jacket is about very good, with a small .75" tear at the top of the front panel, and worn slightly at the spine head. A nice collection of classic stories from some of science fiction's best. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Tunnel in the Sky. (New York: Scribner's Sons, 1955), first edition, first printing ("A" on title page), 273 pages, light brown cloth with brown lettering on spine and decorative stamping on front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), first issue $2.50 dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket and title page illustrated by P.A. Hutchison. The ninth installment in Heinlein's juvenile series published at Scribner's between 1947 and 1958. The copy presented here is fine, with very minimal wear to the edges of the dust jacket. Textblock is in virtually unread condition. A real treat for any Heinlein collector. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert A. Heinlein: Waldo and Magic, Inc.. (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1950), first edition, 219 pages, blue cloth with black lettering on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Beecher. This book contains two novellas previously published in science fiction pulp magazines under the pseudonym Anson MacDonald: "Waldo" was published in the August, 1942 edition of Astounding Science Fiction and "Magic, Inc." (as "The Devil Makes the Law") in the September, 1940 issue of Unknown. The copy presented here is in fine condition, with only minimal edge wear present, and slight wear to the head and tail of the dust jacket spine. A beautiful two-for-one of early Heinlein stories. From the Ventura Collection.
Frank Herbert: Dune First Edition. (Philadelphia: Chilton Books, 1965), first edition, first printing, 412 pages, baby blue boards with white lettering on spine, 8vo (6" x 9.25"), first edition dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Herbert's ecology-conscious interstellar opus has sold over ten million copies since 1965, establishing it as the best-selling science fiction novel ever published, and spawning a vast number of sequels. The story of Paul Atreides and his family's political struggles on planet Arrakis was the joint winner of the 1966 Hugo Award and the winner of the first Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1965. A 1975 poll of Locus magazine readers chose Dune as the "all-time best science-fiction novel". And Dune's influence on popular culture can be seen in a number of subsequent works, such as Star Trek, Star Wars, The Matrix films, and Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series, among many others. This copy of the first printing of the first edition of Dune comes housed in a gorgeous Heritage Bindery banded quarter leather slipcase with blue marbled boards. The book itself is in fine condition, with only minimal wear to the edges of the dust jacket. The binding is tight; the text block is very clean, and does not appear to have ever been read! A rare opportunity to obtain a pristine copy of Herbert's masterpiece in its very first published form. From the Ventura Collection.
William Hope Hodgson: Presentation Copy of The House on the Borderland. (London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1908), first edition, 300 pages, [4] pages publisher's ads at rear, "Presentation Copy" blind stamped on the title page, maroon cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), Adrian Homer Goldstone's book plate on the inside front cover, lightly bumped corners, light rubbing to head and tail of spine, toning to edges, else very good. This copy is from the library of Adrian Homer Goldstone, noted book collector and bibliographer. Rare in the true first edition. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert E. Howard: Complete Conan of Cimmeria: Volume One (1932-1933) Artist's Signed Limited Edition. (London: Wandering Star, 2002), first edition, 425 pages plus Appendices, red cloth with gilt lettering on spine and gilt and black lettering and decoration on the front board, top edge gilt, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Illustrated by Mark Schultz. Also signed by him in two places: signed "74/100 A Mark Schultz" on the limitation page and also the dedication page, where he has illustrated Conan in black pen and personally dedicated this copy "For Chris-/Best Hyborian Wishes/Mark Schultz". This is the first of three volumes of Conan stories and miscellany published by Wandering Star between 2002 and 2005. Comes housed in a matching red cloth slipcase with title and illustration affixed to one panel. The copy presented here is as new, in virtually unread condition. This is a beautifully packaged celebration of Howard's immortal Cimmerian. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert E. Howard: Deluxe Limited Edition of The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane. (London: Wandering Star, 1998), number 588 of a limited edition of 1,050, 389 pages, [A1-A22], signed on the title page by the artist, Gary Gianni, light blue cloth with beautiful gilt tiles and decorations, gilt top edge, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), in new condition, complete with wrap around jacket and in the original blue cloth slipcase with color Gianni illustration inset on front. Included with the original issue is a CD of Howard's poems set to music, a sketchbook of Solomon Kane drawings by Gary Gianni, Gianni book mark, and a packet of loose 8vo color Gianni drawings from the book. From the Ventura Collection.
Robert E. Howard: Leatherbound Limited Edition of The Ultimate Triumph: The Heroic Fantasy of Robert E. Howard. (London: Wandering Star, 1999), first edition, number 38 of a limited edition of 100, 259 pages, appendix [A1-A56], illustrations by Frank Frazetta (many previously unpublished), sumptuous tan leather with gilt titles and Frazetta cover decoration in a matching leather slipcase with Frazetta watercolor on front, 8vo (6.75" x 9.5"), in as new condition. Almost too beautiful to read. Still retains the accompanying numbered bookmark with highlights of the contents. From the Ventura Collection.
L. Ron Hubbard: Buckskin Brigade. (New York: The Macaulay Company, 1937), first edition, 316 pages, brown boards with yellow titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), minor shelf wear, else very good in a very good jacket chipped at the edges and slightly soiled on the rear panel. This is Hubbard's first book. From the Ventura Collection.
L. Ron Hubbard: Final Blackout. (Providence: Hadley Publishing Company, 1948), first edition of 1,000 copies printed, 154 pages, jacket art by Betty Halladay, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
L. Ron Hubbard: From Death to the Stars. (Los Angeles: Fantasy Publishing Company, Inc., 1953), first edition thus, 375 pages, black cloth with gilt titles, jacket art by Crozetti, 12mo (5" x 7"), fine in a fine price-clipped jacket. First edition sheets of Death's Deputy and The Kingslayer were combined and issued in this present edition. It is thought that only 300 copies were so bound. From the Ventura Collection.
William Henry Hudson: A Crystal Age. (London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1887), first edition (published anonymously), 287 pages followed by a 32 page publisher's catalog, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine and red lettering and decoration on spine and boards, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"). This is Hudson's first work of fiction in a career where he wrote mostly naturalist non-fiction books. A Crystal Age may be categorized as a utopian novel, and is very much influenced by Hudson's love of the pastoral life. He was primarily an ornithologist. This is the first edition of A Crystal Age, published anonymously in 1887. Unwin reprinted the novel under Hudson's name in 1906, but this novel is the true rarity. The copy presented here is very good. The boards show some edge, corner, and spine wear, and the spine itself is slightly shelf-cocked. Top edge is slightly soiled. The binding is somewhat loose, but the textblock is very clean. A true rarity, and scarce in this condition. Comes housed in a custom black cloth solander box with gilt lettering on the spine. From the Ventura Collection.
Aldous Huxley: Brave New World. (London: Chatto & Windus, 1932), first edition, 306 pages, light blue cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), edges moderately foxed, prelims lightly foxed, several pages cut short when bound, else near fine in a very good jacket with three 1" splits along the top of the jacket, a few chips along the lower portion, and a bit of foxing to the front and rear panels. From the Ventura Collection.
Shirley Jackson: The Haunting of Hill House. (New York: Viking, 1959), first edition, 246 pages, jacket design by Paul Bacon, teal boards with yellow cloth spine back, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), very good in a very good unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Daniel Keyes: Flowers for Algernon. (New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1966), first edition, author's clipped signature laid in, 274 pages, gray cloth with blue titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), near fine in a fine bright unclipped jacket. This was the author's first novel, first appearing as a short story and winning the 1960 Hugo Award. It later won a Nebula Award in 1969 and was the basis for the film Charly. Number 51 on David Pringle's list of 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King & Peter Straub: Black House Signed Limited Edition. (Hampton Falls: Donald M. Grant, 2002), first edition, 638 pages, black leather with gilt lettering and decoration, no dust jacket (as issued), but housed in black leather traycase with gilt lettering on spine and front, traycase measures 8.25" x 11.25". Illustrated by Rick Berry. 1335 of 1520 numbered copies signed by King, Straub, and Berry. This is the long-awaited sequel to The Talisman. This copy is as new, as the book is still in publisher's original shrink wrap. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Carrie. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1974), first edition, 199 pages, jacket by Alex Gotfryd, maroon cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A virtually unread copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Christine Signed Limited Edition. (West Kingston, Rhode Island: Donald M. Grant, 1983), first edition, first state, 544 pages, red cloth with silver lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Illustrated by Stephen Gervais. This copy is #713 of 1,000 copies printed, and is signed, "Stephen King" and "Stephen Gervais" on the limitation page, which is the verso of the half-title page. It is in practically unread condition, with no flaws present anywhere. Comes housed in a red cloth slipcase. Another fine example of Grant's handiwork, and a rare edition of King's killer car chronicle. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Signed First Edition of Cujo. (New York: Mysterious Press, 1981), special limited first edition (#139 of 750 signed by King), 319 pages, bound in burgundy cloth with gilt on front, back, and spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"), no dust jacket as issued, burgundy slipcase. Condition: As new. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Signed Limited Collector's Edition of Cycle of the Werewolf. (Westland: Land of Enchantment, 1983), number 94 of a 100 limited collector's edition, with an original drawing by Wrightson tipped in at the front (only in the first 100 copies), signed by King and Bernie Wrightson on a special limitation page bound in back, brown boards with gilt titles, 4to (8.75" x 11.25"), fine in a fine jacket and with a matching slipcase as issued. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Danse Macabre Deluxe Signed Edition. (New York: Everest House, 1981), first edition, 400 pages, black cloth with gilt lettering on front board and red decoration and gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), glassine dust jacket and a red cloth slipcase. Signed "Stephen King" and numbered 188 of 250 on the limitation page on the recto of the copyright page. This finely bound first edition contains a wealth of information on horror in literature, television, and film from the 1950s to the 1980s, and is one of King's few book-length non-fiction efforts. Danse Macabre is the source of one of the more famous quotes by King: "I recognize terror as the finest emotion and so I will try to terrorize the reader. But if I find that I cannot terrify, I will try to horrify, and if I find that I cannot horrify, I'll go for the gross-out. I'm not proud." The book presented here is in fine condition, with no noticeable flaws present. The glassine dust jacket is torn along the spine and around the back of the book. A rare opportunity to acquire the small press first edition of Stephen King's thesis on the macabre. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three Signed Deluxe Edition. (West Kingston, Rhode Island: Donald M. Grant, 1987), first edition, 399 pages plus Afterword, white cloth with crimson lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Illustrated by Phil Hale. King approached Donald Grant in the early 1980s about publishing The Dark Tower in book form. King did not believe that the epic tale would resonate with his populist audience, so he and Grant agreed to publish all past, present, and future Dark Tower stories in limited press runs. This is the second volume of Grant's efforts, beautifully illustrated, solidly bound, and housed in a gray cloth slipcase. It is copy #685 of the 850 deluxe copies, and is signed, "Stephen King" and "Phil Hale" on the limitation page, which is the verso of the half-title page. This copy is in virtually new condition, with no noticeable flaws present. A breathtaking example of the fine work of Grant's publishing house, and an essential addition to any Stephen King library. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Signed First Edition of The Dark Tower III: The Wastelands. (Hampton Falls, NH: Donald M. Grant Publisher, Inc., 1991), first trade edition (894 of 1250 signed by King and Dameron), 509 pages, illustrated by Ned Dameron, bound in tan cloth with bronze gilt on front and spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), dust jacket present, blue slipcase. Condition: As new. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Signed Limited Edition of The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass. (Hampton Falls: Donald M. Grant, 1997), number 798 of a 1,250 limited edition, in two volumes, 407 pages and 384 pages respectively, signed by King and illustrator Dave McKean on a special limitation page, white cloth, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), as new in issue slipcase and still in the original shrink wrapping which is split at front. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Limited Signed Edition of The Dark Tower V: Wolves of Calla. (Hampton Falls: Donald M. Grant, 2003), two volume set, number 1,192 of a 1,350 limited edition, 411 pages and 331 pages respectively, signed by King and artist Bernie Wrightson on a special limitation page bound in front of volume one, white boards with copper titles and decoration, pictorial end papers, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), as new in as new unclipped jackets, offered in slipcase as issued. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Limited Signed Edition of The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah. (Hampton Falls: Donald M. Grant, 2004), first limited edition 1292/1400, illustrated by Darrel Anderson, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), as new in issue slipcase and still in the original shrink-wrap. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Limited Signed The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower Volume One and Volume Two. (Hampton Falls: Donald M. Grant Publishers Inc., 2004), first limited edition of which this set is number 1292 of 1500, 432 pages and 443 pages respectively, in slipcase, signed by King and artist Michael Whelan on the limitation/signature leaf, illustrated, some color plates, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), new, still in original shrink wrap. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Signed Limited Dolan's Cadillac. (Northridge: Lord John Press, 1989), number 131 of 250 copies, 164 pages, signed by King on a special signature page, binding by Marianna Blau, quarter bound in black leather with marbled boards, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), a beautiful copy in as new condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Signed Limited Edition of The Eyes of the Dragon. (Bangor: Philtrum Press, 1984), number 447 of a 1,000 limited edition, 314 pages, signed by King on a special limitation page bound in back, designed by Michael Alpert, decorative boards and cloth spine back with gilt titles, folio (8.25" x 13"), as new in a matching slipcase as issued. Apparently the demand for the limited copies was such that a lottery system was devised and names drawn at random. Of note is a letter from the publisher laid in notifying the original owner that they had been selected for a copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Firestarter Signed Limited Edition. (Huntington Woods, Michigan: Phantasia Press, 1980), first edition thus, 428 pages plus limitation page, blue cloth with silver lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustration by Michael Whelan. Numbered 465 of 725 copies, and signed "Stephen King / July 7, 1980" on limitation page. Comes housed in a blue cloth slipcase. The book and jacket presented here are in virtually new condition, with no noticeable flaws present. The jacket illustration is striking, retaining vibrant colors. A really beautiful book and jacket, and an essential volume in any Stephen King collection. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Signed Limited Edition of From a Buick 8. (Baltimore: Cemetery Dance Publications, 2002), first edition, number 88 of a 750 limited numbered edition, 408 pages, signed by King and Bernie Wrightson, the illustrator, on a special limitation page bound in front, blue boards with silver and red titles, pictorial end papers, 4to (7.5" x 10.25"), in a beautiful matching blue tray case, all in as new condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: ABA Presentation Copy of Gerald's Game. (New York: Viking, 1992), presentation copy preceding the first trade edition, 332 pages, special printed message from King to ABA booksellers on ffep, jacket illustration by Rob Wood, black cloth with red titles, 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), slightly faded spine, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket (not issued with this state), in the issue cardboard slipcase with Kirkus review printed on front. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: "The New Lieutenant's Rap" Limited Edition Chapbook. (Bangor: Philtrum Press, 1999), first edition, no pagination, dark gray wrappers with a silver peace sign on the cover, stitched spine, thick stock paper, 8vo (5.75" x 8.75"). One of 500 copies, this short story was given away to guests of King's 1999 party for his 25 years in publishing. It is a facsimile of King's handwritten manuscript for "The New Lieutenant's Rap", featured in King's Hearts in Atlantis. Interestingly, a silver necklace with the peace sign illustrated on the cover was given away along with this chapbook, but is not included here. Also, this copy is not signed by King, though it is still very rare. It is in fine condition, with no flaws present. This is a truly rare piece fit for any King collector. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Inscribed First Edition of Night Shift. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1978), first edition, 336 pages, inscription by King on the ffep reads, "For Larry - Best, Stephen King 6/9/80." Jacket by Fred Marcellino, red boards and black cloth shelf back with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Richard Bachman [Stephen King]: Limited Edition of The Regulators. (New York: Dutton, 1996), number 69 of a 500 limited edition, 466 pages, a dummy check, signed by "Richard Bachman" is tipped-in on a special limitation page bound in front with the check number serving to denote the number of the volume, red cloth with black titles and inset leather square decorative device on front, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"), enclosed in a specially made "toy" box featuring the MotoKops 2200 Power Wagon on the box top. A beautiful book, cleverly presented and in as new condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: 'Salem's Lot. (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1975), first edition, 439 pages, black half-cloth and red boards with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), second state dust jacket: clipped on front flap with $7.95 price underneath the clip and misnamed "Father Cody" (in protective Mylar). King's second novel owes a large debt to Bram Stoker's Dracula, to which the author freely admits. Still, the story of vampires in small town Maine has had a marked effect on horror fiction itself, and introduced the reading public to many of the themes that King would hallmark during his career: a writer in trouble, life in small town Maine, the people who live there, and the secrets they keep. This copy is near fine, as the dust jacket shows very minimal foxing to the front flap and small areas of dark ink applied to the spine, presumably to blend very minimal wrinkles present there. Scarce in this condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: The Shining. (Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1977), first edition ("R49" on last page), 447 pages, dust jacket by Dave Christensen, bound in quarter black cloth over tan boards, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), dust jacket present, unclipped ($8.95). Condition: Fine dust jacket and book. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Signed Limited Edition of Six Stories. (Bangor: Philtrum Press, 1997), copy number 80 of a 1,100 limited edition, 197 pages, signed by King on a special limitation page bound in back, trade paperback format, 8vo (6" x 9"), fine in a fine tray case as issued. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Signed Limited Edition of Skeleton Crew. (Santa Cruz: Scream/Press, 1985), 845 of a 1,000 limited numbered edition, 545 pages, signed in silver ink by King and the artist, J. K. Potter on a special limitation page bound in back, black boards with silver titles, decorative end papers, 4to (7.25" x 11.5"), as new in a matching cloth slipcase with J.K. Potter color illustration on front. Original publisher's invoice and J.K. Potter 22" x 11" tri-fold color illustration laid in. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: The Stand. (New York: Doubleday, 1978), first edition, 823 pages, black half cloth and tan boards with gilt lettering on the spine, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Deckled fore-edge. The Stand was King's fourth novel and fifth book to earn publication. It is an epic post-apocalyptic road movie of a story, set in a world decimated by the superflu, Captain Trips. The few remaining human beings must band together to stop the devilish villain Randall Flagg, a recurring character in many King stories. An uncut edition of The Stand was published in 1990, but this remains the very first publication of one of King's personal favorites among his works. The copy presented here is fine, save for the gift inscription on the front free endpaper, and very minimal wear to the dust jacket edges. Essential for any King collector. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King: Deluxe Signed Limited Edition of The Stand. (New York: Doubleday, 1990), number 288 of 1,250 limited edition, 1,237 pages, signed by King and the illustrator, Bernie Wrightson on a special limitation page bound in front, full black calf binding with red titles and gilt decoration, raised spine bands, gilt edges, 8vo (7.5" x 9.5"), as new in original glassine wrapping and housed in a red satin lined black wooden case as issued. From the Ventura Collection.
Stephen King and Peter Straub: Signed Limited Edition of The Talisman. (West Kingston: Donald M. Grant, 1984), copy 672 of a limited edition of 1200 numbered signed editions, signed by the authors on a special limitation page bound in front, two volumes, 463 pages and 334 pages respectively, illustrations by Richard Berry, Thomas Canty, Ned Dameron, Stephen Gervais, Jeffery Jones, R. J. Krupowicz, Don Maitz, Rowena Morrill, Berni Wrightson and Phil Hale, cream buckram stamped in blind and gold with pictorial paper inlays on front covers, 8vo (8.25" x 9.25"), a fine set in cloth slipcase without dust jackets as issued. Publisher's 1983 Christmas catalog laid in. From the Ventura Collection.
Richard Bachman [Stephen King]: Complete Set of Original Bachman Paperbacks, including:
Rage. (New York: New American Library, 1977), first edition, 211 pages, mass market paperback, 12mo (4.25" x 7"), spine slightly canted, light shelf wear, else near fine.
The Long Walk. (New York: New American Library, 1979), first edition, 245 pages, mass market paperback, 12mo (4.25" x 7"), light shelf wear, else fine.
Roadwork. (New York: New American Library, 1981), first edition, 247 pages, mass market paperback, 12mo (4.25" x 7"), small abrasion at top edge of front cover, light shelf wear, else fine.
The Running Man. (New York: New American Library, 1982), first edition, 219 pages, mass market paperback, 12mo (4.5" x 7"), fine. From the Ventura Collection.
Rage. (New York: New American Library, 1977), first edition, 211 pages, mass market paperback, 12mo (4.25" x 7"), spine slightly canted, light shelf wear, else near fine.
The Long Walk. (New York: New American Library, 1979), first edition, 245 pages, mass market paperback, 12mo (4.25" x 7"), light shelf wear, else fine.
Roadwork. (New York: New American Library, 1981), first edition, 247 pages, mass market paperback, 12mo (4.25" x 7"), small abrasion at top edge of front cover, light shelf wear, else fine.
The Running Man. (New York: New American Library, 1982), first edition, 219 pages, mass market paperback, 12mo (4.5" x 7"), fine. From the Ventura Collection.
Otis Adelbert Kline: Maza of the Moon. (Chicago: McClurg & Company, 1930), first edition, 341 pages, orange boards with black titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), pages toned with age, very good in a good plus jacket missing small portions, stained and shelf worn. From the Ventura Collection.
Otis Adelbert Kline: Association Copy of The Planet of Peril. (Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Company, 1929), first edition, 358 pages, long inscription on the ffep to Edwin Baird, first editor of Weird Tales, cover art by Robert Graef, green cloth with black titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"). The book is near fine. The dust jacket spine is slightly sun-faded, the rear panel is slightly soiled, and there has been significant repair to the dust jacket rear panel and flap fold. Otherwise, the jacket is bright, unclipped and in very good condition. The inscription reads in full "To/Edwin Baird,/good friend, fellow/writer, and literary/mentor, this book/is inscribed with the/best wishes of the/author-/Otis Adelbert Kline/10-25-29". From the Ventura Collection.
Otis Adelbert Kline: The Prince of Peril. (Chicago: McClurg, 1930), first edition, 322 pages, cover design by Robert Graef, light green cloth with brown titles, 12mo (5" x 7.75"), a beautiful internally bright copy, fine in all respects in a near fine jacket with the slightest edge wear. The second of the three Grandon of Venus novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Ursula Le Guin: The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia. (New York: Harper and Row Publishers, 1974), first edition (stated on copyright with proper code on page [342]), 341 pages, jacket design by Fred Winkowski, light green boards and matching cloth shelf back with gilt and black titles, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. Winner of both the 1974 Nebula and 1975 Hugo awards for Best Novel. From the Ventura Collection.
Ursula K. Le Guin: The Lathe of Heaven. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1971), first edition, code A-10.71 (C) on copyright page, jacket design by Carl Berkowitz, green boards and black cloth shelf back with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A beautiful copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Ursula K. LeGuin The Left Hand of Darkness Signed First Hardcover Edition. (New York: Walker and Company, 1969), first hardcover edition, 286 pages, gray boards with black lettering on spine, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Signed "Ursula K. Leguin on the title page. "Winner of the 1969 Nebula and 1970 Hugo awards for Best Novel (over Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five), The Left Hand of Darkness is an early work of feminist science fiction. Pringle rates it #60 on his list of 100 Best Science Fiction Novels. The copy presented here is very good, and perhaps ex-library. Each board is stained at top and bottom from tape residue, which has also slightly discolored the dust jacket in the same points. It is also lightly shelf-cocked, and diplays minor corner and spine wear. The dust jacket has minor edge wear present, and a small tear of the rear flap. Altogether, these flaws do not detract from this excellent copy of one of LeGuin's certifiable masterpieces. From the Ventura Collection.
Ursula Le Guin: A Wizard of Earthsea. (Berkeley: Parnassus Press, 1968), first edition, Currey first state, 205 pages, drawings by Ruth Robbins, trade binding, blue-green cloth with embossed illustration of front cover, embossed titles on spine, rear cover blank, 8vo (6.25" x 8.75"), fine in a fine jacket with trade price remaining ("11 up $3.95"), library price at bottom right clipped as appropriate. From the Ventura Collection.
Fritz Leiber: Inscribed First Edition of The Big Time. (Boston: Gregg Press, 1976), first hardcover edition, 129 pages, inscribed by author on ffep "To Mike, Best wishes. Fritz Leiber 7-24-77", original green cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.25" x 8.25"), fine, no jacket as issued. From the Ventura Collection.
Fritz Leiber: Gather, Darkness Signed First Edition. (New York: Pellegrini & Cudahy, 1950), first edition, 240 pages, red cloth with self cloth lettering surrounded in black on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket design and typography by Joseph Trautwein. Leiber has inscribed and signed the front free endpaper, "For Dirce Archer and the book (of mine) she likes best, Fritz". This story was originally serialized in Astounding Science-Fiction in 1943. The book is fine, with very minimal wear to the spine and corners. Each free endpaper shows two tape stains which do not affect any other part of the book. The textblock is clean and tight. The dust jacket displays some edge, corner, and spine wear, but is overall beautiful. From the Ventura Collection.
C.S. Lewis Ransom Trilogy. The books comprising the space trilogy that Lewis referred to as an adult's fairy tale are rare enough to find individually but to find all three together in exceptional condition and in their issued dust jackets must be considered a singular opportunity. Though perhaps not as well known to the reading public as The Chronicles of Narnia,27 none-the-less Lewis uses similar theological and philosophical beliefs to create an allegorical statement of good vs. evil. This remarkable set of books is offered in a beautiful custom quarter leather clam shell case with gilt titles and decoration, marble boards, and includes:
Out of the Silent Planet. (London: John Lane the Bodley Head, 1938), first edition, 264 pages, jacket art by Harold Jones, maroon cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.5"), light foxing throughout, slightest cock to spine, dust jacket nicked at the corners, else very good.
Perelandra. (London: John Lane the Bodley Head, 1943), first edition, 256 pages, blue cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), light foxing to page edges, upper corners lightly bumped, light shelf wear to edges of cloth, internal contents sound and tight, dust jacket worn at edges, repaired fold on front jacket but with no loss, very good condition.
That Hideous Strength. (London: John Lane the Bodley Head, 1945), first edition, 476 pages, navy cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), lightly bumped and worn corners, the lightest shelf wear to the edge of the boards, spine ever-so-slightly cocked, dust jacket worn at the corners, very good condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Out of the Silent Planet. (London: John Lane the Bodley Head, 1938), first edition, 264 pages, jacket art by Harold Jones, maroon cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.5"), light foxing throughout, slightest cock to spine, dust jacket nicked at the corners, else very good.
Perelandra. (London: John Lane the Bodley Head, 1943), first edition, 256 pages, blue cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), light foxing to page edges, upper corners lightly bumped, light shelf wear to edges of cloth, internal contents sound and tight, dust jacket worn at edges, repaired fold on front jacket but with no loss, very good condition.
That Hideous Strength. (London: John Lane the Bodley Head, 1945), first edition, 476 pages, navy cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), lightly bumped and worn corners, the lightest shelf wear to the edge of the boards, spine ever-so-slightly cocked, dust jacket worn at the corners, very good condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Jack London: The Jacket (The Star Rover). (London: Mills & Boon, Limited, 1915), first English edition, 333 pages, color frontis, light green cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.25"), moderate internal foxing, scuffing to extremities, ownership blind stamp on ffep, previous owner's small ink-stamped name on inside front cover, else internally sound and in very good condition. The English edition preceded the American edition by about two months. From the Ventura Collection.
Frank Belknap Long, Jr.: A Man From Genoa and Other Poems. (Athol: W. Paul Cook, The Recluse Press, 1926), first edition, 31 pages, original blue cloth, front and rear panels ruled in blind, printed paper label affixed to front panel, fore and bottom edges untrimmed, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), small ownership ink stamp at top of inside front cover, former owner's name in ink at top of ffep, tiny date stamp at bottom of back cover, head and tail of spine a bit scuffed, else near fine. This is Long's first book and the first book printed at The Recluse Press. From the Ventura Collection.
H. P. Lovecraft: Shadow Over Innsmouth. (Everett: Visionary Publishing Company, 1936), first edition, 158 pages, four illustrations by Frank A. Utpatel, original black cloth with silver titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.25"), with rare dust jacket variant on white paper with silver lettering on the front panel and spine matching that from the cloth binding, with no illustration. The second variant dust jacket with illustration is also included. The copy at hand has the lettering on the cover in upper and lower case letters, one of two known bindings with no priority established. According to publisher William H. Crawford, of the approximately 400 copies printed, about 200 copies were bound with the rest destroyed at a later date. Also according to the publisher, the printed dust jacket and errata slip were prepared after publication both of which are present with this copy. A few small areas of cloth slightly soiled, else a fine, bright copy with two crisp, bright dust jackets. This copy comes housed in an attractive black leather slipcase with gilt lettering on the banded-leather spine. A key title to any collection of fantasy, horror, and supernatural fiction. From the Ventura Collection.
H.P. Lovecraft: The Shunned House Extremely Rare Arkham House Bound Edition. (Athol, Massachusetts: The Recluse Press, 1928; bound by Arkham House in 1961), first edition, first Arkham House state (copyright cancel on verso of title page has titles of magazines and books in bold face), 59 pages, black cloth with faint blind-stamping on the spine reading "Lovecraft The Shunned House Arkham House", 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), no dust jacket as issued, "Canterbury Laid" watermark present in paper, consistent with the original 1928 printing. Preface by Frank Belknap Long. This small volume constitutes the rarest book in the Arkham House canon, though one can argue that this is not a true Arkham House title at all. In 1928, W. Paul Cook printed approximately 300 unbound sets of The Shunned House for The Recluse Press. At the time, Lovecraft's reputation as a writer of weird fiction did not translate into book sales; he barely stamped out a living publishing in the pulp magazines of the time period. The unbound copies of this very book sat largely unsold until Arkham House began moving them in the early 1950s. Arkham bound the final 100 sets in black cloth in 1961. This present copy is one of those lonely 100, and the jewel in the crown for Arkham House collectors. It is believed that there are only a handful of this binding of this printing of The Shunned House left in existence. For serious Arkham House collectors, this may be your only chance to acquire this magnificent book, which is in fine condition. Besides trivial edge and corner wear and mild foxing to a few pages, this copy is as good as it gets. From the Ventura Collection.
Joseph Payne Brennan: Signed Limited Edition of H. P. Lovecraft, An Evaluation. (New Haven: Macabre House, 1955), number 59 of 75 copies, 8 pages, signed by the author on the copyright page (inside front cover), printed stiff wraps, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), fine condition. From the Ventura Collection.
George Lowther: The Adventures of Superman. (New York: Random House, 1942), first edition, 215 pages, red cloth with blue lettering on spine and decorative stamping on the front board, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Illustrated by Joe Shuster, one of the co-creators of the Man of Steel. This is the first appearance of Superman in book form, published four years after the comic book debuted in June of 1938. The author, George Lowther (not to be confused with the 18th century Caribbean pirate of the same name) was a script writer and narrator on the Mutual Network's Adventures of Superman radio show. The copy presented here is in very good condition, with the slightest bit of soiling on the edges, and minor edge wear. The dust jacket shows some edge wear, some minor wear along the folds, one small scar on the front panel, and a .75" tear at the top of the rear panel. Further inspection reveals that the dust jacket has been restored, especially to the spine and rear panel edges. Still, the cover retains its vibrant color. This is an essential entry into the evolution of Superman in American popular culture. From the Ventura Collection.
George Lowther: The Adventures of Superman Armed Services Edition. (New York: Random House, 1942), first thus, Armed Services Edition number 656, 127 pages, wraps, oblong 3.25" x 5.5" , trivial wear to covers, minimal toning to pages, near fine. Held to be the rarest of the Armed Services editions. From the Ventura Collection.
Richard Matheson: Born of Man and Woman. (Philadelphia: The Chamberlain Press, Inc., 1954), first edition, author's first book, 252 pages, red cloth with black titles, dust jacket design by Mel Hunter, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. It is believed that only about 650 copies of this book were issued before a flood, and later a fire destroyed the remaining unbound sheets. From the Ventura Collection.
Richard Matheson: Bid Time Return. (New York: Viking, 1975), first edition, 278 pages, cloth with titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in an unclipped fine jacket. This book was the basis for the film Somewhere in Time. From the Ventura Collection.
Richard Matheson: Signed Deluxe Limited Edition of Collected Stories. (Los Angeles: Dream/Press, 1989 [1990]), first edition, copy number 12 of 400 signed numbered copies, 899 pages, signed and numbered on a special limitation title page bound in front, full brown publisher's leather with silver and gilt titles, 4to (7.25" x 10"), small area of waviness on rear board (a minor flaw from the original binding process), one small scuff on the rear board, else fine in the issue red publisher's leather slipcase. From the Ventura Collection.
Richard Matheson: Hell House. (New York: Viking Press, 1971), first edition, 279 pages, jacket design by Paula Silver, gray boards and purple cloth shelf back with silver titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), former owner's name written in ink on title page, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Richard Matheson: I Am Legend. (New York: Walker and Co., 1970), first hardcover edition, 122 pages, white boards with black lettering on spine, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Deckled fore-edge. Jacket design by Lena Fong Hor. Jacket illustration by Jack Gaughan. This novel was very influential on subsequent generations of horror novelists. The story centers around a character named Robert Neville, who is one of the last survivors of a bacterial pandemic that turns its victims into vampire-like nocturnal baddies. Neville spends his days venturing from his fortified house to kill the infected survivors. Interestingly, this novel has been adapted into two films thus far, with a third on the way. The copy presented here is very good, with some minor wear to the edges, and some age-toning around the edges of the book and dust jacket, which is itself in very good condition. I Am Legend is scarce in this condition, and an absolute must-have for any collector of horror fiction. From the Ventura Collection.
Richard Matheson: The Shrinking Man. (London: David Bruce & Watson, 1973), first hardcover edition, 188 pages, brown cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. Like all books from this collection this is a beautiful copy with only the slightest soiling to the jacket from shelf wear. From the Ventura Collection.
Richard Matheson: A Stir of Echoes Review Copy. (Philadelphia and New York: Lippincott, 1958), first edition, 220 pages, black cloth with yellow lettering on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). A review slip is laid in at the front, reading in part, "We are happy to announce the publication of A STIR OF ECHOES - the latest novel by an immensely talented and versatile author who has the uncanny knack of taking the reader into a very special world - a world of horror...Tension and nerve-screaming suspense hover on every page." The review slip is signed by Frances Vollmer, sales and promotion manager of Lippincott publishing. This copy is in fine condition, with only minor shelf wear at the spine. The textblock is virtually unread. The dust jacket is fine, but for very minimal wear to the bottom edge. A scarce edition of a Matheson classic. From the Ventura Collection.
Abraham Merritt: Dwellers in the Mirage. (New York: Liveright, Inc., 1932), first edition, 295 pages, black cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), fine in an un-price clipped jacket with light chipping to the extremities and slight shelf wear. A beautiful copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Abraham Merritt: The Face in the Abyss. (New York: Horace Liveright, Inc., 1931), first edition, 343 pages, yellow cloth with black titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), slightly soiled boards, else near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket with minor chipping at the head and tail of the spine. From the Ventura Collection.
Abraham Merritt: The Ship of Ishtar. (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1926), first edition, red-brown cloth with orange titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"). The book has one hairline crack at the inside front hinge, else about fine. The dust jacket is good to very good, with minor edge wear present, especially at the spine tail, corners, and folds. A small 2" tear is visible on the dust jacket front panel fold. There is also a small tape residue stain at the top edge, affecting a very small portion of the each panel and the spine head. From the Ventura Collection.
Walter M. Miller, Jr.: A Canticle for Leibowitz. (New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1960), first edition, 320 pages, jacket designed by Milton Glaser, boards with cloth shelf back, 8vo (5.25" x 8.25"), fine in a fine unclipped first state jacket with the extremely rare original orange advertising band with quotes from Ray Bradbury and Carlos Baker. A 1961 Hugo Award winner. A superior copy of this important book. Number 30 on David Pringle's list of 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
J. Leslie Mitchell: Gay Hunter. (London: William Heinemann, Limited, 1934), first edition, 286 pages, light green cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), near fine in an unclipped jacket with a few small pieces missing at the corners, light chipping at the edges and some toning to spine, else very good. From the Ventura Collection.
Larry Niven: Neutron Star Signed First Hardcover Edition. (London: Macdonald & Co., 1969), first hardcover edition, 285 pages, green cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Inscribed and signed on title page, "for Georgia/Best wishes,/Larry Niven". First published in paperback form in the United States in 1968, this is the first hardcover edition of Niven's first collection of stories. Seven of the eight stories in this collection were first published by the Galaxy Publishing Corporation in either Worlds of If or Galaxy magazine. The title story of this collection won the 1967 Hugo Award for Best Short Story. The copy presented here is in fine condition, with no noticeable flaws to the textblock. There is only the most minor wear to the edges, corners, and spine. The dust jacket shows some sunning to the spine and mild foxing on the rear panel. A must for any Niven collector or science fiction enthusiast. From the Ventura Collection.
Larry Niven: Inscribed Ringworld. (London: Victor Gollancz, 1972), first English edition, 288 pages, inscribed by the author on the title page, dated 1984, maroon cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. This edition was preceded in 1970 by the Ballantine Books paperback original. Winner of the 1971 Hugo Award for best novel. From the Ventura Collection.
Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle: Signed Limited Edition of Oath of Fealty. (Huntington Woods: Phantasia Press, 1981), first edition, copy "H" of fifteen lettered and signed copies probably issued as presentation copies, 328 pages, jacket painting by Paul Lehr, hand-bound in blue full morocco goat with gilt titles and decoration, marbled endpapers, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket and housed in slipcase as issued. From the Ventura Collection.
Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle: Lot of Two Signed Books, including:
The Monte in God's Eye. (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1974), first edition, 537 pages, signed by Niven on the title page, blue boards with silver titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket.
Burning Tower. (New York: Pocket Books, 2005), first edition, 430 pages, inscribed by Niven on the half title page, black boards with gilt titles, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
The Monte in God's Eye. (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1974), first edition, 537 pages, signed by Niven on the title page, blue boards with silver titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket.
Burning Tower. (New York: Pocket Books, 2005), first edition, 430 pages, inscribed by Niven on the half title page, black boards with gilt titles, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Andre Norton: Star Man's Son 2250 A.D. (New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1952), first edition ("A" copy in Currey), 248 pages, red cloth on shelf back with black cloth boards and black lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), price-clipped dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Illustrated by Nicolas Mordvinoff. Norton's first science fiction novel. This copy is in fine condition, with minor wear to the dust jacket spine head and rear panel. From the Ventura Collection.
George Orwell: Animal Farm A Fairy Story First UK Edition. (London: Secker & Warburg, 1945), first edition, 92 pages, green cloth with white lettering on the spine, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). This is the true first edition of Orwell's classic satire, released nine days before the American first edition. It was scheduled for publication in "May 1945," according to the copyright page, but was not actually published until August because of a paper shortage during World War II. This copy is very good, showing some wear to the edges and corners, and along the folds of the dust jacket. Only 4,500 copies of this scarce first edition were published, and it is seldom seen in this condition. From the Ventura Collection.
George Orwell: Nineteen Eighty-Four [1984]. (London: Secker & Warburg, 1949), first edition, 312 pages, green cloth with red lettering on spine, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). This seminal dystopian novel from Orwell introduced the world to Big Brother, and remains a powerful and influential statement against totalitarianism. The copy presented here is in very good condition, with minor edge wear to the boards. The dust jacket shows some minimal edge and spine wear and some sunning to the spine. Comes housed in a green banded half leather custom slipcase with gilt lettering on the spine and marbled boards. A first edition of 1984 is rare in this condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Mervyn Peake Complete Gormenghast Trilogy in Fine First Editions. A beautiful collected set including:
Titus Groan. (London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1946), first edition, first state jacket with no reviews printed on front flap and "15s/Net" printed right and below last line of copy, 438 pages, signed "With Best Wishes From Mervyn Peake" on the ffep, jacket designed by the author, red cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket.
Titus Alone, (London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1959), first edition, 223 pages, jacket designed by the author, red cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket.
Gormenghast. (London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1950), first edition, 453 pages, jacket designed by the author, red cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Titus Groan. (London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1946), first edition, first state jacket with no reviews printed on front flap and "15s/Net" printed right and below last line of copy, 438 pages, signed "With Best Wishes From Mervyn Peake" on the ffep, jacket designed by the author, red cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket.
Titus Alone, (London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1959), first edition, 223 pages, jacket designed by the author, red cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket.
Gormenghast. (London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1950), first edition, 453 pages, jacket designed by the author, red cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6" x 8.75"), near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Frederik Pohl: Gateway. (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1977), first edition, 313 pages, jacket design by Boris Vallejo, blue boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), fine in fine unclipped jacket. A beautiful copy of this 1977 Nebula and 1978 Hugo award winning book. From the Ventura Collection.
Fletcher Pratt & L. Sprague de Camp: The Incomplete Enchanter. (New York: Henry Holt & Co., 1941), first edition, 326 pages, gray cloth with purple lettering and decoration on the spine and front board, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Deckled fore-edge. Jacket illustration by Boris Artzybasheff. The first volume in the Harold Shea series, and originally published in Unknown Worlds, this book collects the first two stories, "The Roaring Trumpet" and "The Mathematics of Magic." Later authors would continue the Shea series, which now numbers 15 stories of myths and legends in parallel worlds. The copy presented here is in very good condition, with minor edge wear. The textblock is clean, and the binding is tight. The dust jacket is clipped, but the $2.50 price is still present on the front flap. There is minor rubbing on the spine, but overall, this is a really attractive copy of Pratt & de Camp's first collection of Shea stories. From the Ventura Collection.
Fletcher Pratt and L. Sprague de Camp: Land of Unreason. (New York: Henry Holt and Co., 1942), first edition, 260 pages plus 18-page excerpt from The Incomplete Enchanter, brown cloth binding with black lettering on the spine and cover, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), dust jacket. Deckled fore-edge. Illustrated by Boris Artzybasheff. Originally published in the October, 1941 edition of Unknown Worlds. The copy presented here is about fine, with only the most minor age-toning to the edges, and slight sunning of the spine. The dust jacket shows minimal edge and corner wear. A very handsome edition of this Pratt & de Camp classic. From the Ventura Collection.
Peter Reynolds [Amelia Reynolds Long and William Crawford]: Behind the Evidence. (Everett: Visionary Publishing Company, 1936), first edition, 238 pages, jacket by Clay Ferguson, black cloth with silver titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.25"), fine (by Visionary Publishing standards) in an ultra-rare unclipped jacket. The finish on both the book and jacket are rather crude as was usual with Visionary. The page edges are roughly cut and there is some ink bleed to the rear panel of the dust jacket. It is thought that only 100 copies were ever printed (only 37 correctly) and of these only about half were ever hardbound. Chalker indicates that only 15 were sold with the remaining copies taken by the author. Only nine original dust jackets are known. Color copies of this jacket are known to exist but the copy at hand appears to have an original jacket. Of note is the fact that this book and H.P. Lovecraft's book The Shadow Over Innsmouth were bound at the same time using the same typography and binding types. From the Ventura Collection.
Anne Rice: Interview with the Vampire Review Copy. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1976), first edition, 372 pages, black half-cloth and black boards with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), gilt-lustre dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Interview with the Vampire is the first entry in Rice's Vampire Chronicles, a series that numbers ten books and counting. The books center around Lestat de Lioncourt, a French nobleman who was turned into a vampire in the 18th century. This copy has a review slip from Knopf laid-in touting some of the book's early achievements: Book-of-the-Month Club alternate selection, the novel's sale to Paramount Pictures, and a sizeable sale to paperback. It also lists the quantity of the first print run (25,000 copies), the number of pages (372), the retail cost ($8.95), and the publication date (May 5, 1976). The copy presented here is about fine, with minor wrinkling at the head and tail of the spine of the dust jacket, which also shows very minimal shelf-wear. This is a unique opportunity to acquire a review copy of the book that gave birth to a pop culture phenomenon. From the Ventura Collection.
Kim Stanley Robinson: Blue Mars. (London: Harper Collins, 1996), first UK edition, 616 pages, blue cloth with silver lettering on spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Condition: Fine From the Ventura Collection.
Kim Stanley Robinson: Signed First UK Edition of Green Mars. (London: Harper Collins, 1993), first UK edition, 571 pages, black cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Inscribed and signed on title page "K S Robinson / For Cecilia / best / from / Stan / Melbourne 1995". Condition: Fine From the Ventura Collection.
Kim Stanley Robinson: Signed First UK Edition of Red Mars. (London: Harper Collins, 1992), first UK edition, 501 pages, red cloth with silver lettering on spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Inscribed and signed "for Warren, best wishes from Stan Melbourne 1995 KS Robinson' on the title page. Condition: Fine, with light thumb-soiling to the textblock edges From the Ventura Collection.
Carey Rockwell: Complete Set of Eight Tom Corbett: Space Cadet Novels. (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1952-1956), first editions, all blue-gray cloth with dark blue lettering on spine and front board, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"). This is a complete set of the dust-jacketed editions of the Tom Corbett novels published in the early 1950s. Carey Rockwell is a pseudonym created by Joseph Lawrence Greene of Grosset, who first brought the series to television in 1950. He based the character and stories of Tom Corbett on Robert Heinlein's novel Space Cadet. The eight novels offered here are:
Stand By For Mars (1952)
Danger in Deep Space (1953)
On the Trail of the Space Pirates (1953)
The Space Pioneers (1953)
The Revolt on Venus (1954)
Treachery in Outer Space (1954)
Sabotage in Space (1955)
The Robot Rocket (1956)
The book series is rare in this condition, especially with a complete set of dust jackets. A unique opportunity to acquire the whole collection with one bid. From the Ventura Collection.
Stand By For Mars (1952)
Danger in Deep Space (1953)
On the Trail of the Space Pirates (1953)
The Space Pioneers (1953)
The Revolt on Venus (1954)
Treachery in Outer Space (1954)
Sabotage in Space (1955)
The Robot Rocket (1956)
The book series is rare in this condition, especially with a complete set of dust jackets. A unique opportunity to acquire the whole collection with one bid. From the Ventura Collection.
J. K. Rowling: Signed Deluxe Edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. (London: Bloomsbury, 2000), first edition, 636 pages, boldly signed by Rowling on the title page, blue cloth with a color illustration by Giles Greenfield laid down to upper board, gilt titles and page edges, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"), fine condition, no jacket as issued. From the Ventura Collection.
Perley Poore Sheehan: Special Limited Edition of The Abyss of Wonders. (Reading: Polaris Press, 1953), number 5 of a special limited edition of 10, 190 pages, illustrations by John T. Brooks, quarter leather binding (publisher refers to it as half leather), cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), fine in original sun-faded issue slipcase. Accompanying this beautiful volume are two variant dust jackets, one tan, one brown, in fine condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: 1831 Revised Edition of Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus. [Together with:] Frederick Schiller The Ghost-seer! (London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1831), first illustrated edition (third overall), (No. IX in Bentley's Standard Novels series), xii (including series title), Frankenstein ends page 202, The Ghost-seer!, 163 pages, [3] pages publisher's ads at rear, two engraved frontis and title page illustration by T. Holst and W. Chevalier, plum cloth with two black paper gilt lettering labels, small 12mo (4.5" x 7"), title labels slightly chipped, spine sun faded, boards moderately soiled, foxing to the prelims, internal pages still bright, near very good condition. Offered in a beautiful full morocco clamshell case with five raised spine bands, gilt titles and decorations. From the Ventura Collection.
R.C. Sherriff: The Hopkins Manuscript Special Presentation Copy. (London: Victor Gollancz, Ltd., 1939), first edition, 352 pages, light blue cloth with dark blue lettering on spine, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). One of 200 copies of the Special Presentation Edition. Laid-in is a folded TLS from the publisher addressed to Hector McQuarry of Angus & Robertson, an Australia-based book store chain and publishing firm. It reads in part, "As in the case of Rebecca, we have had a little special presentation edition of two hundred copies only prepared of R.C. Sherriff's novel The Hopkins Manuscript, which we are publishing on March 27th, and we ask you to accept this copy." Best known for his World War I play Journey's End, Sherriff later tried his hand as a novelist, and in 1939 produced The Hopkins Manuscript. The novel concerns what would happen to humanity, represented in the main character Edgar Hopkins, if the Moon was on a collision course with Earth. The copy presented here is very good, with minor edge wear, and some foxing to the edges, affecting approximately the first 40 pages and the last few. The dust jacket shows some edge wear, light soiling, and very mild foxing, which does not detract from the appeal of this rare edition of a book Fay Weldon once described as "spectacular, skilled and moving and supremely and alarmingly relevant to our life today." From the Ventura Collection.
Clifford D. Simak: Way Station. (New York: Doubleday & Company, 1963), first edition, 210 pages, jacket design by Ronald Fratell, tan cloth with black titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), library stamps present on the edges of pages but they are extremely faint, some spotting to edges of boards, else very good in a fine unclipped jacket with faint evidence of glue from library sticker at base of spine. Number 39 on David Pringle's list of 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
Curt Siodmak: Donovan's Brain. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1943), first edition, 234 pages, jacket design by D. Deffaa, tan boards with blue titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A beautiful copy. From the Ventura Collection.
William Sloane: The Edge of Running Water. (New York: Farrar & Rinehart, 1939), first edition, 295 pages, green cloth with blue titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8"), ghosting on title page from reaction to something that was laid in, else very good in a slightly edge worn unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Clark Ashton Smith: The Hills of Dionysus: A Selection. (Pacific Grove: Squires & Beck, 1962), first edition, 48 pages, black cloth spine with beige paper boards, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), no dust jacket (as issued). One of 175 hardbound copies. There is one very small stain on the top right of the front board, else fine. From the Ventura Collection.
Clark Ashton Smith: Signed The Star-Treader and Other Poems. (San Francisco: A. M. Robertson, 1912), first edition, 100 pages, signed by the author and dated the year of publication on the ffep, tan boards with gilt titles and decoration, fore and bottom edges untrimmed, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), light foxing to endpapers, else near fine in a toned near fine jacket. The author's first book and scarce in jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Edward E. Smith: Signed Limited First Edition of First Lensman and Original Suppressed Cover Art. (Reading: Fantasy Press, 1950), first edition, 306 pages, signed special limitation page bound in front with cut of nebula but no number, light blue cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), light foxing to inside of covers, light fading to head and tail of spine, else fine with THREE variant jackets. All three jackets were designed by A.J. Donnell. Two of the jackets are the variety with the space ship on the cover, with the back panel of one (good condition with small portions missing at the edges) listing four titles by Smith and the other (fine condition) listing five titles as consistent with Currey's A and B priority. The third jacket, in fine condition, differs completely from the other two in design and color. This jacket was the first one produced for the book but was rejected by the publisher. Only a handful (four or five) were ever produced.
Speaking of the rejected dust jacket design, this book is accompanied by the original rejected cover art by A.J. Donnell. Painted on thick cardboard stock, the piece measures 13.75" x 14.75". The art is also accompanied by a letter of provenance from Lloyd Arthur Eshbach, publisher of First Lensman. This TLS, dated July 23, 1992 and signed "Lloyd Arthur Eshbach" at the bottom, seems to tell the whole story as to why this particular art was not used in the actual release of the novel. Eshbach writes: "This original cover art for First Lensman by Edward E. Smith, Ph.D. was drawn by A.J. Donnell in 1949 for the book which was published in January, 1950 by Fantasy Press. When the first 1000 copies, encased in the bright yellow jackets, were delivered by the bindery, I was most unhappy with its appearance. The yellow background was my fault, but I decided against using the cover. I had the printer produce another jacket in a hurry, using an enlargement of an initial illustration by Donnell appearing in an earlier Smith book. Almost all of the original jackets were destroyed." According to Eshbach, only a handful of these original jackets survived. They are often referred to as the "suppressed" First Lensman jacket, and are very rare. Rarer still is this piece, the original art to the unused dust jacket. The piece is in very good condition, with minor corner wear, and a couple of the corners bumped. Age-toning can be seen around the edges. A very small black smudge line is present at the lower left of the piece as well. The letter of provenance, a collectible in its own right, has two large tears on the left side, and some age toning. This is a wonderful, one-of-a-kind offering: the first edition of First Lensman, the original art for the unused dust jacket, and a letter signed by the publisher explaining why the original cover was unused. From the Ventura Collection.
Speaking of the rejected dust jacket design, this book is accompanied by the original rejected cover art by A.J. Donnell. Painted on thick cardboard stock, the piece measures 13.75" x 14.75". The art is also accompanied by a letter of provenance from Lloyd Arthur Eshbach, publisher of First Lensman. This TLS, dated July 23, 1992 and signed "Lloyd Arthur Eshbach" at the bottom, seems to tell the whole story as to why this particular art was not used in the actual release of the novel. Eshbach writes: "This original cover art for First Lensman by Edward E. Smith, Ph.D. was drawn by A.J. Donnell in 1949 for the book which was published in January, 1950 by Fantasy Press. When the first 1000 copies, encased in the bright yellow jackets, were delivered by the bindery, I was most unhappy with its appearance. The yellow background was my fault, but I decided against using the cover. I had the printer produce another jacket in a hurry, using an enlargement of an initial illustration by Donnell appearing in an earlier Smith book. Almost all of the original jackets were destroyed." According to Eshbach, only a handful of these original jackets survived. They are often referred to as the "suppressed" First Lensman jacket, and are very rare. Rarer still is this piece, the original art to the unused dust jacket. The piece is in very good condition, with minor corner wear, and a couple of the corners bumped. Age-toning can be seen around the edges. A very small black smudge line is present at the lower left of the piece as well. The letter of provenance, a collectible in its own right, has two large tears on the left side, and some age toning. This is a wonderful, one-of-a-kind offering: the first edition of First Lensman, the original art for the unused dust jacket, and a letter signed by the publisher explaining why the original cover was unused. From the Ventura Collection.
Edward E. Smith: The Skylark of Space. (Providence: The Buffalo Book Company, 1946), first edition, 303 pages, in collaboration with Mrs. Lee Hawkins Garby, cover design by Allan Halladay, frontis by Schneeman, light blue cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. Laid in is a two-sided 12mo leaf with illustrations by O.G. Estes, Jr. From the Ventura Collection.
Edward E. Smith: The Skylark of Space. (Providence: Hadley Publishing Company, 1947), second printing (after the Buffalo Book Company edition), 303 pages, illustrated by O.G. Estes, Jr., brown cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), slightly bumped corners, else about fine in an about fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
William Olaf Stapledon: Inscribed Last and First Men: A Story of the Near and Far Future. (London: Methuen, 1930), first edition, first issue with 8-page publisher's catalog dated 630 at base of page 8 inserted at rear, 355 pages, blue cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), lightly bumped corners, tight book block, near fine in a near fine jacket (minor loss at the top of spine). Note that jacket is also correct for true first edition in that it has no excerpts from reviews printed on the front panel. From the Ventura Collection.
W. Olaf Stapledon: Last Men in London. (London: Methuen & Company, 1932), first edition (8-page publisher's catalogue dated "932" at bottom of page 8 inserted at rear, original blue cloth, front panel ruled in blind, spine panel stamped in gold, fore and bottom edges untrimmed), with first (yellow-orange printed in black) AND second state (sea green, printed in purple with trident design 4'6/Net) jackets, 312 pages, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), light foxing, else very good with both jackets rating very good as well. Stapledon's elusive second novel written as a companion to Last and First Men. From the Ventura Collection.
Olaf Stapledon Sirius: A Fantasy of Love and Discord. (London: Secker & Warburg, 1944), first edition, 200 pages, tan boards with black titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), light foxing to top edge, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A beautiful copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Olaf Stapledon: Star Maker. (London: Methuen & Co., 1937), first edition, first state [2513 copies issued], 339 pages, cover design by Bip Pares, blue cloth with purple titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8"), light spotting to spine, minimal foxing to fore edge, ghosting on ffep, else clean and bright copy in a very good unclipped first issue jacket. This is the author's fourth novel and is regarded by many as his greatest work. From the Ventura Collection.
Neal Stephenson: Snow Crash. (New York: Bantam Books, 1992), first edition, 440 pages, brown boards, blue cloth spine back with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Francis Stevens [Gertrude Bennett]: Special Limited Edition of The Heads of Cerberus. (Reading: Polaris Press, 1952), number five of a special presentation edition of ten, 190 pages, illustrated by Ric Binkley, errata page laid in, half leather with gray cloth boards and gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), beautiful copy with a beautiful jacket, probably added at a later date. Offered with a sunned slipcase as issued. One of only two titles printed by this publisher. From the Ventura Collection.
J. Allen St. John: The Face in the Pool, A Faerie Tale. (Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Company, 1905), first edition, 156 pages, four color plates and 14 drawings in black and white, beautiful pictorial boards with gilt highlights, 4to (8" x 10.5"), former owner's name and date in ink on the ffep, foxing on top of title page and frontis, else very good. This rare book marks the beginning of the relationship between a young, untested, St. John and the publisher McClurg. St. John was still trying to find his own style at this early stage as evidenced by his stylistic wanderings. His black and white drawings look very similar to those of Howard Pyle's. St. John is most remembered for his role as illustrator for Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan series. From the Ventura Collection.
George R. Stewart: Earth Abides. (New York: Random House, 1949, first edition, 373 pages, blue cloth with silver titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"), very good in a price-clipped jacket with a small piece missing from the cover and slight wear to the head of the spine. Pencil notation on the ffep dated November 7, 1949 and marked as a review copy. Number 2 on David Pringle's 100 Best Science Fiction novels. From the Ventura Collection.
W. J. Stuart: Forbidden Planet. (New York: Farrar, Straus and Cudahy, 1956), first printing, 184 pages, yellow boards with black titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), fine in fine lightly foxed unclipped jacket. Extremely scarce in this beautiful condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Theodore Sturgeon: Venus Plus X Association Copy. (London: Victor Gollancz, Ltd., 1969), first hardcover edition, 191 pages, red cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). A nominee for the 1961 Hugo Award for Best Novel, Venus Plus X concerns a future society where technology has triumphed over many of the social problems of the present world, and the differences between men and women no longer matter. Laid-in is a folded receipt from the publisher in which Sturgeon had three copies of this book sent to "E.J. Carnell" of "Plumstead, London", and ordered the cost of the books charged to his Gollancz account. This copy is in fine condition, with only minimal shelf wear. The dust jacket is very good, with wear to the top edge, and scattered rubbing on the panels. One small brown stain at the top of the spine does not detract from the overall appeal of this wonderful book. From the Ventura Collection.
Theodore Sturgeon: Signed Limited Edition of Without Sorcery. (Philadelphia: Prime Press, 1948), first edition, copy 22 of 80 copies, 355 pages, publisher's hand written limitation on the inside front cover "The publisher certifies that/this is one of a special edition/of eighty copies only. This/is #twenty-two./The Prime Press.", signed by Sturgeon and the illustrator, L Robert Tschirky on the ffep, red buckram with gilt titles, laid paper, untrimmed edges, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), spine slightly faded, else fine in a very good, slightly faded and worn at the edges of the issue slipcase. From the Ventura Collection.
Felice Swados: Reform School Girl. (Chicago: Diversey Publishing Corporation, 1948), reprint of the 1941 Doubleday original House of Fury, 128 pages, paperback digest format, 12 (5.25" x 7.5"), in fine condition. A beautiful copy of this controversial pulp novel. Canadian model and ice skating star Marty Collins posed for the cover shot. Her father sued the publisher for defamation and won, causing the publisher to excise the first page of text from this and all volumes. Rare in this condition. From the Ventura Collection.
John Taine: Signed The Gold Tooth. (New York: E.P. Dutton and Company, 1927), first edition, 436 pages, signed by the author on the ffep, purple cloth with orange titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), fine in a slightly faded unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
William Timlin: The Ship that Sailed to Mars Exquisitely Illustrated Quarto First Edition. (London: George G. Harrap and Company , Ltd., 1923), 96 pages (48 three-color calligraphed text lithographs and 48 color illustrations), white quarter-vellum binding with gray paper boards: gilt lettering and decorative stamping on spine, boards stamped in dark gray lettering, 4to (9" x 12"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Illustrated throughout by the author. William M. Timlin was an English artist and architect most known for his watercolor illustrations in the realm of fantasy. After attending art school in Newcastle, Timlin emigrated to South Africa, where he remained for the rest of his days. An architect by profession, Timlin wrote music and stories in his free time, and the story presented here remains his legacy. Like Winnie the Pooh before it, The Ship that Sailed to Mars was conceived as a diversion for the author's child, in this case Timlin's son, in 1921. The project began simply, but quickly grew, resulting in the work presented here: a substantial work composed of 48 intricate three-color calligraphed text lithographs, alternating with 48 dazzling color illustrations, all mounted on gray art paper. Timlin completed The Ship that Sailed to Mars only after two years of intense effort, which can be seen on every page. Each page of calligraphic text is an artfully rendered chapter of the ship's voyage to Mars, followed by an illustration pertaining specifically to that chapter. For example, the chapter on page 20, "The Eden Serpent" tells of the ship's encounter with a giant space serpent who tries to gobble the ship whole. The next page shows Timlin's illustration of the serpent trying to do just that, illustrations that many in the fantasy field find reminiscent of Arthur Rackham and W. Heath Robinson.
After sending the book to Harrap in 1923, the publisher was so delighted by Timlin's work that they agreed to publish it without typesetting. Timlin's original plates were simply reproduced, mounted on gray paper, and bound. The only print run from Harrap yielded 2,000 copies of The Ship that Sailed to Mars, 250 of which were distributed in America. This work remains one of the rarest and most valuable science fiction and children's books of the twentieth century, described by Richard Dalby in The Golden Age of Children's Book Illustration as "the most original and beautiful children's book of the 1920s." This copy of Timlin's masterpiece is in fine condition, with only minor wear to the edges, and one corner bumped. The dust jacket shows minimal shelf wear to the edges. Previous owner's bookplate affixed to the front pastedown. The book comes housed in a handsome custom quarter leather slipcase with marbled boards. In our opinion, a better copy of this exceedingly rare and beautiful masterwork cannot be found. From the Ventura Collection.
After sending the book to Harrap in 1923, the publisher was so delighted by Timlin's work that they agreed to publish it without typesetting. Timlin's original plates were simply reproduced, mounted on gray paper, and bound. The only print run from Harrap yielded 2,000 copies of The Ship that Sailed to Mars, 250 of which were distributed in America. This work remains one of the rarest and most valuable science fiction and children's books of the twentieth century, described by Richard Dalby in The Golden Age of Children's Book Illustration as "the most original and beautiful children's book of the 1920s." This copy of Timlin's masterpiece is in fine condition, with only minor wear to the edges, and one corner bumped. The dust jacket shows minimal shelf wear to the edges. Previous owner's bookplate affixed to the front pastedown. The book comes housed in a handsome custom quarter leather slipcase with marbled boards. In our opinion, a better copy of this exceedingly rare and beautiful masterwork cannot be found. From the Ventura Collection.
Arthur Train: The Man Who Rocked Earth. (New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1915), first edition, 228 pages, color frontis and cover illustrated by Walter Greene, pictorial endpapers, blue pictorial boards with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), about fine in an unclipped jacket that has moderate toning on the spine, else near fine. From the Ventura Collection.
A. E. van Vogt: Author's Personal Gift Copy of The Book of Ptath. (Reading, Pennsylvania: Fantasy Press, 1947), first edition, 227 pages, illustrated, red leather with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Dust jacket design and illustrations by A.J. Donnell. One of the four initial inductees into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, A.E. van Vogt is an original master of the golden age of science fiction. This is a fascinating special copy of one of van Vogt's best books. It is, in fact, van Vogt's personal copy, given to him by Fantasy Press founder and publisher, Lloyd Arthur Eshbach. The limitation page, bound in between the copyright page and the contents page, states that "This Special Edition is limited to two copies, numbered, autographed and bound in leather." It also has a personalized handwritten note by Eshbach, reading in full: "For A.E. van Vogt - as an expression of our appreciation for his fine work as a writer, and our thanks for his cooperation with Fantasy Press." It is signed by four members of the managing staff of Fantasy Press underneath the note: "L. A. Eshbach A. J. Donnell G. H. MacGregor L. H. Houck". This copy is near fine, with minor edge wear present to the book and jacket, and mild age-toning to the textblock edges. The jacket also shows minimal chipping at the spine ends. Still, this is a rare chance to own van Vogt's personal copy of one of his finest works. From the Ventura Collection.
A.E. van Vogt: Author's Personal Gift Copy of Masters of Time. (Reading, Pennsylvania: Fantasy Press, 1950), first edition, 227 pages, illustrated, red leather with gilt lettering on spine, 12mo (5.5" x 7.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Also contains the story "The Changeling". Dust jacket design and illustrations by Edd Cartier. One of the four initial inductees into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, A.E. van Vogt is an original master of the golden age of science fiction. This is another fascinating special copy of one of van Vogt's most esteemed books. It is, in fact, van Vogt's personal copy, given to him by Fantasy Press founder and publisher, Lloyd Arthur Eshbach. The limitation page, bound in between the copyright page and the contents page, states that this book is "No. 1" and that "This Special Edition is limited to two copies, numbered, autographed and bound in leather." It also has a fabulous handwritten note from Eshbach, reading in full: "For A.E. van Vogt - Master of the tale of Time and Space - one of the top ten Science Fiction writers. With sincere thanks and good wishes. L.A. Eshbach". This copy is in fine condition, with only the faintest wear to a few tiny spots on the edges. The dust jacket is as new, with minute wear to the top edge of the front cover, mentioned only for absolute accuracy. An amazing addition for any science fiction collector or van Vogt enthusiast. From the Ventura Collection.
A. E. van Vogt: The Weapon Makers. (Providence: The Hadley Publishing Company, 1947), first edition of 1,000 copies printed, 224 pages, jacket and frontis by Allan Halladay, maroon cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
A. E. van Vogt: Signed The World of A. (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1948), first edition, 246 pages, signed by the author on the ffep, jacket design by Leo Manso, blue boards with off-white titles, 12mo (5" x 7.75"), ultra-light foxing to fore edge, else fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Jules Verne: From Earth to Moon Direct in Ninety-seven Hours and Twenty Minutes: And A Trip Round It. (New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Company, 1874), first American edition, 323 pages (no ads in back), 80 full-page illustrations, original pictorial bevel-edged red cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black and gold, rear panel stamped in blind, brown coated endpapers, 8vo (5.75" x 8"), ffep wrinkled, corners lightly bumped, head and tail of spine slightly frayed, light toning to pages, small stain on page 323, else a bright copy in very good condition. From the Ventura Collection.
Jules Verne: Hector Servadac. (New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Company, 1878), first American edition in complete form, 370 pages, [2] publisher's ads, illustrated, pictorial red cloth beveled boards with gilt decoration, 8vo (6" x 8.25"), book block slightly canted, corners bumped and rubbed, small portion of head of spine missing, tail of spine frayed, boards soiled, else very good. From the Ventura Collection.
Jules Verne: The Mysterious Island, The Modern Robinson Crusoe. (New York: Scribner, Armstrong, & Company, 1876), first omnibus edition, 299 pages, 145 illustrations, blue pictorial cloth with gilt decoration, 8vo (6" x 8.25"), beautiful bright covers, internal contents sound and bright, corners lightly bumped, an attractive copy of this enduring work. Originally published in three parts, this is the first collected edition. This copy is offered in a custom-made slipcase. From the Ventura Collection.
Jules Verne: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. (Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1873), first American edition, variant A, 303 pages, illustrated, original blue pictorial cloth with gilt decoration, 8vo (6" x 8.25"). This is the true American first edition. This Osgood edition, although dated 1873, was actually published in November 1872, the same month as Sampson Low's British edition. An edition was then produced by George M. Smith, also of Boston, in a very similar binding (Smith's has Captain Nemo using a sextant and reads "Under the Seas"), and it is this edition that is more frequently seen. The Osgood edition has decidedly sharper images. Although the reason for the scarcity is unknown, it is speculated that most of the Osgood copies were destroyed in the Great Boston Fire. The book has not been restored in any way. The binding is lightly shaken, covers shelf worn, small spot of cloth lifting from board, head and tail of spine frayed, corners frayed, light foxing to the preliminary pages, despite defects still in very good condition. Book is offered in a custom blue cloth covered slipcase. This is the finest specimen we have seen of this truly rare book. From the Ventura Collection.
Jules Verne: Works of Jules Verne 15 Volume Set Once Owned by Shasta Publishers' Melvin Korshak. (New York: Vincent Parke and Company, 1911), edited by Charles F. Horne, Edition d' Amiens limited to 600 numbered copies of which this set is number 86, limitation page bound in front with hand-colored flower motif, signed "R.G. Lancaster" registrar, brown cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), fine condition. A compendium of Verne's works including the well-known stories such as Mysterious Island, Round the World in Eighty Days, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and lesser known stories like Robur the Conqueror, Tribulations of a Chinaman and many others. This was the set of Shasta Press publisher Melvin Korshak and was rebound by his binder, matching the style of his own imprint. From the Ventura Collection.
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.: Cat's Cradle. (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1963), first edition, 233 pages, three-quarter lime green cloth and baby blue boards with blue and gilt lettering on the spine and front board, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). In 1963, Graham Greene called Cat's Cradle "one of the three best novels of the year by one of the most able living writers." Interestingly, this novel earned Vonnegut a Master's degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago upon its release, a degree he was not able to earn while a student there just after returning from World War II. The copy presented here is in fine condition, with very minimal wear to the edges of the book and jacket. A real find for the Vonnegut enthusiast. From the Ventura Collection.
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.: The Sirens of Titan. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1961), first hardcover edition, first printing, 319 pages, dark blue cloth with white lettering on spine and front board, 8vo (5" x 8.25"), original issue dust jacket with "Previously published as an original paperback book by Dell Publishing Co., Inc." at top of front flap (in protective Mylar). The Sirens of Titan, Vonnegut's second book, was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1960, his first of three nominations for the Hugo thus far. Interestingly, Vonnegut sold the film rights to Jerry Garcia of the rock band The Grateful Dead, who attempted to adapt the story for years. After Garcia's death, Vonnegut exercised his option to buy back the film rights. This copy is very good, with a horizontal brown stain on the front free endpaper that can be seen faintly around the dust jacket as well at the same level. On the back of the jacket, there is an additional faint horizontal browning at the top. A great addition to any Vonnegut library. From the Ventura Collection.
Stanley Weinbaum: Dawn of Flame and Other Stories. (Jamaica: Rupert Printing Service (Milwaukee Fictioneers), 1936), first edition of 250 bound copies, black fabrikoid covers with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8"), fine condition. This is the edition with the Lawrence Keating introduction. From the Ventura Collection.
H. G. Wells: The First Men in the Moon. (Indianapolis: The Bowen-Merrill Company Publishers, 1901), first edition, 312 pages, illustrated, blue cloth stamped in gold and blind, titles and author in gold on front cover, Bowen/Merrill in gold within a gold box on spine, title also stamped in blind on rear cover, 12mo (5" x 7.5"), pages 122 through 130 torn across horizontally (repairable), head and tail of spine lightly rubbed, else near fine condition. From the Ventura Collection.
H.G. Wells: Presentation Copy of The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth. (London: Macmillan and Company, Ltd., 1904), first edition with gilt top edge, 16 page publisher's catalog bound in back with 20.9.04 date, integral title page with blank verso, 317 pages, green cloth with front cover in gold with blind stamps, publisher's blind stamp "Presentation Copy" on title page, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), small morocco leather "Blairhame" bookplate on inside front cover, else near fine with foxing to prelims and slightly bumped corners. A solid copy in beautiful condition housed in a custom cloth double slipcase. From the Ventura Collection.
H. G. Wells: The Invisible Man A Grotesque Romance. (London: C. Arthur Pearson Limited, 1897), first edition, no statement of printing on the copyright page, title page printed in orange and black, pages [247-248] comprise publisher's advertisements, 245 pages, pictorial red cloth with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), spine slightly faded, pages uniformly toned, else near fine. Wells' only book for this publisher and fortunately so as the quality was not of a high standard. Given that, the copy offered is in remarkable condition. From the Ventura Collection.
H. G. Wells: The Island of Dr. Moreau. (London: William Heinemann, 1896), first edition, 32 page publisher's catalog bound in back, The Manxman at head of page A of the catalog, Out of Due Season at the head of the last page of the catalog, publisher's blind stamp on rear board, 219 pages, tan cloth with red and black titles and decoration, 12mo (5.25" x 7.75"), uniform shelf wear to the boards, corners bumped, head and tail of spine frayed, light soiling to boards, else near very good condition. From the Ventura Collection.
H.G. Wells: The Shape of Things to Come. (London: Hutchinson & Company, 1933), first edition, 432 pages, light blue cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.5" x 8.75"), boards have a sun-fading shadow, spine also faded, original jacket looks to be "married" to book and has fold crease running down center and wear to extremities, else all in very good condition. From the Ventura Collection.
H. G. Wells: The Time Machine: An Invention. (London: William Heinemann, 1895), first edition, later issue, no statement of printing on the copyright page, [32] page publisher's catalog bound in back with The Lane That Had No Turning at the head, page edges rough cut or untrimmed, catalog probably produced in 1900, 152 pages, tan cloth with purple titles, 12mo (4.75" x 7.25"), prelims foxed, previous owner's small ink stamped initials on ffep, boards toned, light shelf wear to bottom edge of boards, else near fine. Currey indicates that 10,000 copies of Wells' book were originally printed and bound in small numbers in both wraps and hardcover editions. Apparently other copies were bound as and when needed. This probably accounts for later variant publisher's catalog present in the volume offered. From the Ventura Collection.
H. G. Wells: The War of the Worlds. (London: William Heinemann, 1898), first edition, no statement of printing on the copyright page, Currey third form publisher's 32 page catalog bound in back, 303 pages, gray cloth with black titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), foxing to page edges, nicely inked gift inscription on the inside front cover, covers lightly soiled, else near fine. A classic of the genre, inspiring infamous radio plays and bad movies. From the Ventura Collection.
H. G. Wells: The Works of H. G. Wells (London: T. Fisher Unwin, Ltd. [New York: Charles Scribner's Sons], 1924-27), Atlantic Edition, number 573 of 1,050 limited numbered sets, 28 volumes, signed by the author on a special limitation page bound in front of volume one, beveled red cloth boards with gilt titles and decoration, gilt top edge, rough cut pages, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), all spines faded, some shelf wear to boards, former owner's book plate on the inside front cover of each volume, else very good condition. The complete works of Wells in an attractive binding. From the Ventura Collection.
Kate Wilhelm: Signed First Edition of Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang. (New York: Harper and Row Publishers, 1976), first edition, 251 pages, signed by author on an autograph card laid in, black boards and black cloth shelf back with silver titles, 8vo (6" x 8.5"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. A beautiful copy. From the Ventura Collection.
Jack Williamson: Signed Limited Edition of The Collected Stories of Jack Williamson Volumes One-Three. (Royal Oak: Haffner Press, 1999-2000), limited first edition of 100 copies, in matching green cloth slipcase as issued. Includes:
The Metal Man and Others. 79/100, signed and numbered on a special limitation page bound in front, 541 pages, color pictorial end papers, green cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), as new in a fine unclipped jacket.
Wolves of Darkness. 99/100, signed and numbered on a special limitation page bound in front, 529 pages, color pictorial end papers, green cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), as new in a fine unclipped jacket.
Wizard's Isle. 78/100, signed and numbered on a special limitation page bound in front, 540 pages, color pictorial end papers, green cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), as new in a fine unclipped jacket.' From the Ventura Collection.
The Metal Man and Others. 79/100, signed and numbered on a special limitation page bound in front, 541 pages, color pictorial end papers, green cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), as new in a fine unclipped jacket.
Wolves of Darkness. 99/100, signed and numbered on a special limitation page bound in front, 529 pages, color pictorial end papers, green cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), as new in a fine unclipped jacket.
Wizard's Isle. 78/100, signed and numbered on a special limitation page bound in front, 540 pages, color pictorial end papers, green cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (6.25" x 9"), as new in a fine unclipped jacket.' From the Ventura Collection.
Connie Willis: Signed Doomsday Book. (New York: Bantam Books, 1992), first edition, 442 pages, cover illustration by Tim Jacobus, signed by the author on the title page, gray boards with tan cloth spine back, 8vo (6.25" x 9.25"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
S. Fowler Wright: Deluge. (London: Fowler Wright, Ltd., 1927), first edition (self published), 320 pages, green cloth with black titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.5"), significant foxing to page edges, pastedowns toned, else very good in a slightly soiled and lightly chipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip Wylie: Gladiator. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930), first edition, 332 pages, yellow cloth with black titles and red decoration, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), very good in a price-clipped jacket with a small piece missing at the back upper corner and a separated but present piece at the head of the spine which affects the title, else the striking (and rare) cover is still bright. The book is housed in a beautiful custom quarter leather clamshell case with five raised spine bands, gilt titles and decoration, and marbled boards. The author's third novel and considered by many science fiction critics to be the prototype of the comic book hero Superman. From the Ventura Collection.
Philip Wylie: The Murderer Invisible. (New York: Farrar & Rinehart, Inc., 1931), first edition, 314 pages, orange cloth with blue titles, 12mo (5.5" x 7.75"), light toning to pages as usual, else fine in a near fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
John Wyndham: The Day of the Triffids. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1951), first edition, 222 pages, jacket design by Whitney Bender, gray cloth with yellow titles, 8vo (5.5" x 8.25"), fine in a fine unclipped jacket with light wear at the head of the spine. From the Ventura Collection.
John Wyndham: The Midwich Cuckoos. (London: Michael Joseph, 1957), first edition, 239 pages, jacket design by Dick Hart, black boards with gilt titles, 12mo (5.25" x 7.5"), 1" split at front hinge, light foxing to ffep, else fine in a moderately soiled unclipped near fine jacket. Number 24 on David Pringle's list of the 100 Best Science Fiction novels and basis for the film Village of the Damned. From the Ventura Collection.
Roger Zelazny: The Dream Master. (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1968), first hardcover edition, 157 pages, orange cloth with gilt lettering on spine, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Jacket illustrated by Ken Reilly. Previously published as an Ace paperback in 1966, this is the first hardcover edition of The Dream Master. The novel is an expansion of a previously published Zelazny novella called "He Who Shapes," which won the Nebula Award for Best Novella in 1965 (in a tie with Brian Aldiss' "The Saliva Tree"). The copy presented here is near fine, with minor corner and edge wear. Some foxing can be seen along the top edge of the textblock. Mild discoloration to the dust jacket appears along the top as well, and there is minor edge, corner, and spine wear to the dust jacket. The textblock is clean and tight on this Zelazny classic. From the Ventura Collection.
Roger Zelazny: Jack of Shadows. (New York: Walker and Company, 1971), 207 pages, jacket design by Judith Loeser, white boards with black titles, slight toning to pages, front board uniformly bent at front edge, else near fine in a slightly toned unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Roger Zelazny: Lord of Light Signed First Edition. (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1967), first edition, 257 pages, blue cloth with silver lettering on spine, 8vo (5.5" x 8.5"), dust jacket (in protective Mylar). Inscribed and signed on the half-title page, "To Terry-Best Wishes-Roger Zelazny." This epic novel by Zelazny earned him the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1968 and a Nebula Award nomination as well. The copy presented here is very good, with some minor rubbing to the bottom edge of the book, the corners, and the head and tail of the spine. The dust jacket is very good as well, with minor wear in the same spots. A handsome Zelazny signed first edition of his second Hugo Award winner. From the Ventura Collection.
Roger Zelazny: Signed Nine Princes In Amber. (New York: Doubleday & Company, 1970), first edition, 188 pages, signed by the author on the title page, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"), pristine condition. Jacket has minor smudge on inside front flap, else fine unclipped jacket. The first in the Amber series. From the Ventura Collection.
Roger Zelazny: The Immortal. (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1967), first hardcover edition, 187 pages, jacket design by Ken Reilly, brown boards with gilt titles, 8vo (5.25" x 8"), slight cant to spine, else fine in a very good jacket with a small repaired fold on the upper left front cover. Author's first book and a 1966 Nebula nominee. From the Ventura Collection.
[Various Authors]: Cosmos. (New York: Fantasy Magazine, 1935), first edition thus, 287 pages collectively, cover and title page design by Hannes Bok, paper covered stiff boards, 12mo (5.5" x 7.5"), pulp paper slightly toned and the inside hinges have been reinforced, else near fine. One of the mythical bound copies of the famous "story robin" written a chapter at a time by eighteen science fiction authors and published in installments in Fantasy Magazine from 1934 to 1935. Fantasy Magazine co-editor J. Aubrey MacDermott commissioned writers ranging from E.E. Smith and John W. Campbell to E. Hoffman Price, A. Merritt, and Lloyd Eshbach to collectively write a science fiction novel which proved to be a big success for the magazine. Extra copies were run off and it is estimated that no more than 25 were bound as a book with its own table of contents. The title page and hand colored and lettered cover were Hannes Bok's first professional sale. Since tear sheets from the magazine were used for the story itself, the pagination isn't consecutively numbered. It is thought the 25 copies were distributed to each of the 18 authors, one to Bok, and one to each of the six Fantasy Magazine editors, and the printer. The copy on offer may well be MacDermott's personal copy as it bears his signature and the notation "when published '34-35" at the bottom of the title page. The book is housed in a beautiful custom-made clamshell quarter leather case with marbled boards. This is certainly a unique opportunity to own this legendary book. From the Ventura Collection.
[Various Authors]: Limited Deluxe Signed Edition of Prime Evil. (Hampton Falls: Donald M. Grant, 1988), number 649 of a 1,000 limited edition, 352 pages, signed by the authors including Stephen King, Clive Barker, David Morrell, and the illustrator Thomas Canty on a special limitation page bound in front, bound in black buckram with gilt titles, pictorial end papers, 4to (7" x 10"), as new in the original matching clam shell case with blind stamped titles. Included is the order confirmation from the publisher, laid in. A beautiful illustrated first edition. From the Ventura Collection.
Complete Nine-Volume Set of Limited Edition Signed Night Visions Volumes. (Niles: Dark Harvest, 1984-1991), first editions limited to 300 numbered copies and bound with a special limitation page with all contributing author's signatures, cloth, 8vo (6.5" x 9.25"), as new in dust jackets and in slipcases as issued. The series is an anthology of the genre's best writing talent including Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, Dan Simmons, George R.R. Martin, and Stephen King. From the Ventura Collection.
Everett F. Bleiler [editor]: The Checklist of Fantastic Literature: A Bibliography of Fantasy, Weird, and Science Fiction Books Published in the English Language. (Chicago: Shasta Publishers, 1948), first edition, 452 pages, wrap around jacket design by Hannes Bok, red boards with gilt titles, 12mo (4.75" x 7.5"), inside front hinge cracked, else very good with two original jackets. One jacket is black and tan and moderately toned; the other is light blue and black and in new condition. The "collector's bible" for the genre. From the Ventura Collection.
January, 1930 Debut Issue of Astounding Stories Pulp Magazine. (New York: Publishers' Fiscal Corporation, 1930). Measures 7" x 9.75". This is the issue that started it all for Astounding Stories, the longest-running science fiction magazine in history (76 years and counting). This magazine can still be found on the stands under Analog Science Fiction and Fact, having changed its name several times over the decades. This debut issue features stories by Ray Cummings and Murray Leinster among others and a striking cover painting by H.W. Wessolowski. The issue is in good condition, with some edge and spine wear visible. Age-toning to the paper is present due to the lack of quality of the original paper stock. This copy of the debut issue appears complete, and is scarce in this condition. From the Ventura Collection.
February & March, 1930 Issues of Astounding Stories Pulp Magazines. (New York: Publishers' Fiscal Corporation, 1930), each measures 7" x 9.75". Presented here are the February & March, 1930 issues of Astounding Stories, the long-running pulp magazine started in 1930, and still running today under its new name, Analog. John Clute, in the Science Fiction Encyclopedia said that "[i]t was with the appearance of Astounding Stories that SF truly embraced pulp style." Both issues appear complete and retain their brilliant color covers. The spines show some wear, especially the tail of the February issue, but otherwise these issues are very good. Age-toning to the paper is present due to the lack of quality of the original paper stock. From the Ventura Collection.
Nine 1930 Issues of Astounding Stories Pulp Magazines. (New York: Publishers' Fiscal Corporation, 1930), each measures 7" x 9.75". Presented here are the April, 1930 through December, 1930 issues of Astounding Stories, the long-running pulp magazine started in 1930, and still running today under its new name, Analog. John Clute, in the Science Fiction Encyclopedia said that "[i]t was with the appearance of Astounding Stories that SF truly embraced pulp style." All issues appear complete, and retain brilliant colors on the covers. No tape or other repairs, including trimming have been applied to this run. Some spines creased and bumped, otherwise very good. Age-toning to the paper is present due to the lack of quality of the original paper stock. From the Ventura Collection.
Complete Run of 1931 Astounding Stories Pulps. This lot includes all twelve issues, January through December, 1931, as published by Street and Smith. All issues are 4to (7" x 10"), complete and in very good or better condition with slight chipping to the extremities, an occurrence common with the grade of paper used. The covers are still bright, enhancing the fanciful artwork. No tape or other repairs, including trimming have been applied to this run. Astounding Stories was one of the seminal science fiction magazines which lives on today as Analog Science Fact & Fiction. From the Ventura Collection.
Selection of Astounding Stories Pulps 1932-33. A selection of 13 issues including the January through June, September, and November issues from 1932 and January, March, October, November and December issues from 1933. Published by Street and Smith, all issues are complete, 4to (7" x 10"), and in very good or better condition with slight chipping to the extremities, an occurrence common with the grade of paper used. No tape or other repairs, including trimming have been applied to this run. The covers are still bright, enhancing the fantastic artwork. Astounding Stories was one of the seminal science fiction magazines which lives on today as Analog Science Fact & Fiction. From the Ventura Collection.
Complete Run of 1934 Astounding Stories Pulps. This lot includes all twelve issues, January through December, 1934, as published by Street and Smith. All issues are 4to (7" x 10"), complete and in very good or better condition with slight chipping to the extremities, an occurrence common with the grade of paper used. No tape or other repairs, including trimming have been applied to this run. The covers are still bright, enhancing the wonderful (and sometimes garish) artwork. Astounding Stories was one of the seminal science fiction magazines which lives on today as Analog Science Fact & Fiction. From the Ventura Collection.
Complete Run of 1935 Astounding Stories Pulps. This lot includes all twelve issues, January through December, 1935, as published by Street and Smith. All issues are 4to (7" x 10"), complete and in very good or better condition with slight chipping to the extremities, an occurrence common with the grade of paper used. The covers are still bright, enhancing the wonderful (and sometimes garish) artwork. No tape or other repairs, including trimming have been applied to this run. Included with the lot is an extra copy of the November issue. Astounding Stories was one of the seminal science fiction magazines which lives on today as Analog Science Fact & Fiction. From the Ventura Collection.
Complete Run of 1936-37 Astounding Stories Pulps. This lot includes the entire January through December, 1936, and January through December, 1937 run of pulps as published by Street and Smith. All issues are 8vo (7" x 9.5"), complete and in very good or better condition with slight chipping to the extremities, an occurrence common with the grade of paper used. No tape or other repairs, including trimming have been applied to this run. The covers are still bright, enhancing the fantastic artwork. Astounding Stories was one of the seminal science fiction magazines which lives on today as Analog Science Fact & Fiction. From the Ventura Collection.
Complete Run of 1938-41 Astounding Science Fiction Pulps. This lot includes the entire January through December issues for the years 1938-41, as published by Street and Smith. All issues are 8vo (6.5" x 9.5"), complete and in very good or better condition with slight chipping to the extremities, an occurrence common with the grade of paper used. No tape or other repairs, including trimming have been applied to this run. The covers are still bright, enhancing the fantastic artwork. Astounding Stories was one of the seminal science fiction magazines which lives on today as Analog Science Fact & Fiction. In March of 1938 under the editorship of John W. Campbell Astounding Stories underwent a name change to Astounding Science Fiction. Included with this lot is a hardcover copy facsimile of the July, 1939 issue of Astounding Science Fiction, published by Southern Illinois Press. From the Ventura Collection.
Bound Complete 1942-1945 Astounding Science-Fiction Pulp Magazines. (New York: Street & Smith Publications, Inc., 1942-45), includes Volume XXVIII, numbers 5-6, Volume XXIX, numbers 1-6, Volume XXX, numbers 1-6, Volume XXXI, numbers 1-6, Volume XXXII, numbers 1-6, Volume XXXIII, numbers 1-6, Volume XXXIV, numbers 1-6, Volume XXXV, numbers 1-6, Volume XXXVI, numbers 1-5, January, 1942 through April, 1945 issues 4to (8.75" x 11.75"), all others 8vo (6.75" x 9.25"), all in fine condition. These magazines are representative of the "Golden Age" of the publication while under the editorship of John W. Campbell. This selection is in extraordinary condition with only nominal toning to the pages. The May through October 1943 issues are not bound. From the Ventura Collection.
Complete Bound Set of Astounding Science Fiction 1946-1959. (New York: Street & Smith Publications, 1946-59), 29 volumes, black cloth with gilt titles, 8vo (5.75" x 8"), in fine condition. Of particular note is writer L. Ron Hubbard's first published article on his Dianetics concepts, which would soon expand into Scientology, in the May 1950 issue. An excellent opportunity to acquire issues from both the "Golden" and transitional years of this long-running science fiction favorite. From the Ventura Collection.
First Four Issues of Amazing Stories Bound. (New York: Experimenter Publishing Company, 1926), volume I, numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4, edited by Hugo Gernsback, 4to (7.5" x 10.5"), institutional binding with gilt titles, typical toned paper as a result of high acid content, else very good condition. Includes the April, 1926 first issue of the magazine that was the first of its kind to exclusively feature science fiction. Started by Hugo Gernsback, namesake of the Hugo Awards, the magazines featured stories from classic writers like Jules Verne, H. G. Wells and Edgar Allen Poe. The magazine covers feature the fantastic artwork of Frank R. Paul. An important set in uncommonly nice condition of an historic and groundbreaking magazine. From the Ventura Collection.
August 1928 Amazing Stories Pulp Magazine. (New York: Experimenter Publishing Co., 1928), 95 pages, illustrated wrappers, 8.5" x 11.75". Cover illustration by Frank Paul. Amazing Stories was the pioneering pulp magazine of the science fiction genre. The founding editor and early guiding force for the magazine was Hugo Gernsback, an author and editor who helped popularize science fiction in the United States by starting Amazing Stories in 1926. It was the very first magazine devoted exclusively to the publication of science fiction. Gernsback is honored anew each year when the World Science Fiction Society hands out their Hugo Awards, named for him. The issue presented here contains material from some science fiction legends, namely H.G. Wells and E.E. "Doc" Smith, who serialized his novel The Skylark in Space (actually co-written with a neighbor) beginning in this very issue of Amazing. Most notable about this issue of Amazing Stories is that it contains the VERY FIRST appearance of Buck Rogers in any medium. Philip Francis Nowlan introduced Buck Rogers to the world in his story "Armageddon-2419 A.D.", first published here. The issue is in very good condition, especially as compared to the usual condition of pulp magazines of this period. The cover shows some rubbing, a previous owner's initials in pencil, a miniscule chip at top right, and a few minor folds at the bottom right. The back few pages, including the back cover, have a very small tear about halfway up the page on the left. Spine shows a small crack on back cover. The interior text is faintly age-toned around the edges, but in remarkably clean condition otherwise. This is a rare find for issues of Amazing Stories of this vintage. From the Ventura Collection.
Bound Complete Run of Unknown Pulp Fantasy Magazines March, 1939 Through October, 1943. (New York: Street & Smith Publications, 1939-1943), includes Volume I, numbers 1-6, Volume II, numbers 1-6, Volume III, numbers 1-6, Volume IV, numbers 1-6, Volume V, numbers 1-6, Volume VI, numbers 1-6, Volume VII, numbers 1-3, 8vo (6.75" x 9") except October, 1941 through April, 1943 4to (8.5" x 11.25"). The lot is comprised of 11 volumes, institutionally bound in maroon cloth with gilt titles. The condition is, on the whole, very good. However, as with all pulps, the paper quality is conducive to toning and chipping. Unfortunately the cover is missing from the first issue, Volume I, Number 1, a small section of the lower right cover is missing from Volume I, Number 6, there is a 2" piece missing from the upper edge of the cover of Volume II, Number 3, and the cover is missing from Volume II, Number 4. There were many notable contributions to Unknown by numerous authors - A. E. van Vogt's "Book of Ptath", L. Ron Hubbard's "Typewriter in the Sky", "Slaves of Sleep" and "Fear", and Robert Heinlein's "Magic, Inc.". This is a unique opportunity to own a complete run of this great pulp magazine. From the Ventura Collection.
Fall 1936 Fanciful Tales of Time and Space Magazine with Lovecraft's "The Nameless City". (Oakman, Alabama: Sheperd & Wollheim, 1936), 45 pages plus three pages of advertising, staplebound in paper wrappers, 8vo (5.75" x 8.5"). This interesting magazine also contains stories from Robert E. Howard, August Derleth, and Donald Wollheim, co-publisher of Fanciful Tales and future publisher at Ace and DAW. "The Nameless City" is widely considered to be Lovecraft's first Cthulhu Mythos story, and here it appears for only the second time in print. It had been published previously in the amateur journal Wolverine in 1921. This very magazine was reprinted with Wollheim's permission in 1977, but this is the original. This wonderful vintage magazine is in very good condition. The cover shows some mild foxing, light edge wear, and a small tear along the back fore-edge, but the text is bright and clean, if a little toned around the edges. There is a small 1" diagonal tear on the table of contents page. A must for any Lovecraft collector. From the Ventura Collection.
Alex Raymond: Illustrated Pop-up Edition of Flash Gordon The Tournament of Death. (Chicago: Pleasure Books, 1935), first edition, not paginated [16 pages], three color pop-up illustrations, color pictorial boards, 8vo (8" x 9.25"), about fine with just the slightest soiling to the boards. From the Ventura Collection.
Lt. Dick Calkins and Phil Nowlan: Illustrated Pop-up Edition of Buck Rogers 25th Century Featuring Buddy and Allura in "Strange Adventures in the Spider Ship". (Chicago: Pleasure Books, 1935), first edition, not paginated [16 pages], three color pop-up illustrations, color pictorial boards, 8vo (8" x 9.25"), fine with just the slightest wear to the boards. From the Ventura Collection.
Harold Foster [text by Max Trell] Set of 7 Prince Valiant Books. (New York: Hastings House Publishers, 1951-60), all books 4to (7" x 10.25"), pictorial boards (except the last in the series), including:
Prince Valiant in the Days of King Arthur, 1951, first edition, 128 pages, near fine in slightly toned unclipped jacket.
Prince Valiant Fights Attila the Hun. 1952, first edition, 128 pages, roughly bumped corner, else very good in a near fine toned unclipped jacket.
Prince Valiant On the Inland Sea. 1953, first edition, 128 pages, near fine in a near fine toned unclipped jacket.
Prince Valiant's Perilous Voyage. 1954, first edition, 128 pages, near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket.
Prince Valiant and the Golden Princess. 1955, first edition, 128 pages, near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket.
Prince Valiant in the New World. 1956, first edition, 95 pages, near fine in a near fine toned unclipped jacket.
Prince Valiant and the Three Challenges. 1960, first edition, 96 pages, fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Prince Valiant in the Days of King Arthur, 1951, first edition, 128 pages, near fine in slightly toned unclipped jacket.
Prince Valiant Fights Attila the Hun. 1952, first edition, 128 pages, roughly bumped corner, else very good in a near fine toned unclipped jacket.
Prince Valiant On the Inland Sea. 1953, first edition, 128 pages, near fine in a near fine toned unclipped jacket.
Prince Valiant's Perilous Voyage. 1954, first edition, 128 pages, near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket.
Prince Valiant and the Golden Princess. 1955, first edition, 128 pages, near fine in a near fine unclipped jacket.
Prince Valiant in the New World. 1956, first edition, 95 pages, near fine in a near fine toned unclipped jacket.
Prince Valiant and the Three Challenges. 1960, first edition, 96 pages, fine in a fine unclipped jacket. From the Ventura Collection.
Alex Niño: Deluxe Limited Signed Edition of Satan's Tears: The Art of Alex Niño. (Detroit: Land of Enchantment, 1977), number 46 of the first 100 copies with numbered and signed Niño watercolor laid in, 301 pages, full leather binding with gilt titles, folio (10.5" x 13.5"), fine condition. A beautiful edition with many color and fold-out illustrations. From the Ventura Collection.
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Street Address:
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Dallas, Texas 75261-4127
(Northwest corner of W. Airport Freeway & Valley View Lane)
All Rights Reserved
1-800-872-6467 / (214) 528-3500 / Fax: (214) 443-842