Description:

American Presidents & Other Notables
various, various
Superb Dealer's Lot of 30 Signed Items: Presidential, Military, Political, Literature & More!
Archive

A diverse collection of autograph and typed letters, cards, documents, and photographs, signed by notable figures within the categories of American Presidents, Literature, Military, Politics, Religion, Science & Technology, and World Leaders. Twenty-six signers, over thirty pieces in all. Dated material ranges from April 7, 1777 to July 14, 1980. From various places including New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington, and London, England. The largest item measures 8.5" x 11". Expected wear may include toning, foxing, flattened transmittal folds, tears, chips, soiling, and staining. Many items exhibit scattered pencil notations from former collectors. Overall, the collection is in very good condition.

Comprises, in order by category, then alphabetically by surname:

AMERICAN PRESIDENTS

1.) George H. W. Bush (1924-2018). 41st U.S. President. Signature in blue felt-tip on a 6.5" x 3.5" envelope of the Detroit 1980 GOP Convention Center Station. July 14, 1980. Ex-Lynn Pruett, 1982.

2.) Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969). 34th U.S. President. A signed 5" x 7" black and white photo of Eisenhower in his five-star general uniform. Blank verso. With a typed letter presenting the photo to a Mr. Bershon in 1949.

3.) Andrew Jackson (1767-1845). 7th U.S. President. A 9.75" x 8" address leaf with Jackson's name neatly clipped, leaving the following words in his hand: "Philadelphia / Mr. Sam'l Paulson." Docketing in an unknown hand reads: "The President / Washington Nov 3rd."

4.) Ronald Reagan (1911-2004). 40th U.S. President. A signed and inscribed 8" x 10" black and white photo of Reagan in a movie scene ca. 1940. Blank verso. Lengthy inscription to "Kayo" across Reagan's checkered shirt.

5.) Ronald Reagan (1911-2004). 40th U.S. President. Signature in blue felt-tip on a 6.5" x 3.5" envelope of the Detroit 1980 GOP Convention Center Station. Dated July 14, 1980, the week Reagan was nominated for President. Ex-Lynn Pruett, 1982.

EARLY AMERICA

6.) Colonial Currency. A 4" x 2.5" twelve shillings note signed, "J Davison," Pennsylvania, April 7, 1777. Ex-Coin Shop, Santa Anita, 1981.

LITERATURE

7.) William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878). American poet and journalist. A 1p autograph letter signed, 4.5" x 7", no place, no date, but ca. 1864 per docketing at verso. To J.M. Forbes. Ex-Shorey's Bookstore, 1963.

8.) Erskine Preston Caldwell (1903-1987). American novelist. A 5pp typescript entitled, "The Day the Presidential Candidate Came to Ciudad Tamaulipas," boldly signed in black felt-tip at the conclusion, with a few hand-emendations, 8.5" x 11", no place, no date. Ex-Conway Barker, 1972.

9.) Eugene Field (1850-1895). American writer best known for his children's poetry. A 3.875" x 3" envelope addressed in his elegant hand to Leigh Lynch, Esq. of Jackson, Michigan. Postmarked Chicago, Illinois, August 31, 1894. Ex-Conway Barker, 1966.

10.) Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909). American author, historian, and Unitarian minister. A 1p autograph letter signed, on "Lend A Hand" letterhead, 5" x 8", Boston, Massachusetts, October 9, 1885. Ex-Mary Benjamin, 1964.

11.) Richard Halliburton (1900-1939). American explorer and travel writer. A 4pp autograph letter signed, on the rectos of four leaves of Hotel Victoria stationery measuring 6" x 8", London, England, September 30, [1927]. With matching transmittal envelope addressed in his hand to Harold D. Carew in Pasadena, California. Ex-William Burger, 1968.

12.) James Russell Lowell (1819-1891). American poet and diplomat. A 1p autograph letter signed, on his bifold personal stationery measuring 4" x 6", London, England, May 1, 1883. Inner pages and verso blank. To Octavian Blewitt. Ex-William Burger, 1965.

13.) Edwin Markham (1852-1940). American poet. A 1p autograph letter signed, 8" x 10.5", Landing, New Jersey, June 23, 1908. To Miss Elizabeth Harbert. Ex-William Burger.

14.) Edwin Markham (1852-1940). American poet. A 4.25" x 6.25" portrait photograph of Markham on a mat measuring 7.5" x 9.5", to which he has inscribed on the verso, in pencil: "Please return to Edwin Markham, West New Brighton, NY. Only copy I have. E.M." Ex-William Burger, 1978.

15.) Carl Sandburg (1878-1967). American poet and biographer. 4pp of notes in his hand, in both pencil and ink, various sizes. No place, no date. Ex-Paul Richards, 1965.

16.) Carl Sandburg (1878-1967). American poet and biographer. A 4.5" x 2.5" slip signed in pencil, "Carl Sandburg / Harbert / Michigan." Dated February 12, 1929. Ex-Marshall Bennett, 1965.

17.) John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892). American Quaker poet. A 1p autograph letter signed, 4.25" x 7", Denver, Colorado, November 13, 1880. Ex-William Burger, 1962.

MILITARY

18.) John Moses Browning (1855-1926). American firearm designer. A 1p typed letter signed, 8.5" x 11", Ogden, Utah, April 17, 1923. With original transmittal envelope, postmarked same. Ex-Conway Barker, 1969.

19.) Samuel Cooper (1798-1876). Highest ranking general officer in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. A 1p printed document, signed as Adjutant General, General Orders No. 22, War Department, Washington, D.C., August 23, 1853. Blank verso. Ex-Conway Barker, 1975.

20.) George Dewey (1837-1917). Admiral of the Navy. A 1p typed letter signed, on bifold stationery measuring 5.25" x 6.75", Washington, D.C., December 29, 1910. To Rear Admiral Charles D. Sigsbee. Inner pages and verso blank. Ex-Conway Barker.

21.) John H. Glenn, Jr. (1921-2016). American military officer and NASA astronaut. A signed first day cover, "Honoring Project Mercury," 6.5" x 3.5", Cape Canaveral, Florida, February 20, 1962. Ex-Conway Barker, 1976.

POLITICS

22.) William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925). 41st U.S. Secretary of State. A 1p autograph letter signed, on "The Commoner" letterhead, Lincoln, Nebraska, July 22, 1901. Blank verso. Ex-Lynn Pruett, 1978.

23.) Schuyler Colfax (1823-1885). American journalist, 17th U.S. Vice President. A 1p autograph letter signed, on ruled stationery measuring 5" x 8", South Bend, Indiana, September 12, 1873. Ex-Kingston Galleries, 1966.

24.) Richard Henry Dana, Jr. (1815-1882). American lawyer, politician, and author. A 1p autograph letter signed, on bifold stationery measuring 4.5" x 7.25", Boston, Massachusetts, October 9, 1878. To Otto Wherruitt. Inner pages and verso blank. Ex-Conway Barker, 1966.

25.) Charles Evans Hughes (1862-1948). 11th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. A 3.625" x 2.5" autograph card signed "Sincerely Yours, Charles E. Hughes / Feb. 4, 1922." Ex-Mary Benjamin, 1962.

RELIGION

26.) Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887). American clergyman. A 1p autograph letter signed, on his personal monogrammed stationery measuring 4.25" x 6.75", no place, April 5, 1860. Inner pages and verso blank. Ex-William Burger, 1963.

27.) Edward Everett (1794-1865). Unitarian pastor. A 1p autograph letter signed, on bifold stationery measuring 4.5" x 7", Boston, Massachusetts, October 10, 1864. Inner pages and verso blank. From his "Summer Street" home regarding a business matter.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

28.) John Burroughs (1837-1921). American naturalist. A 1p autograph letter signed, 4.875" x 8", West Park, New York, March 18, [1903]. With original transmittal envelope, postmarked same. Ex-Robert Black, 1968.

29.) Lee de Forest (1873-1961). American inventor and electrical engineer. A 1p typed letter signed, on Lee De Forest Laboratories letterhead, 8.5" x 11", Los Angeles, California, February 21, 1946. To Ed Ainsworth. Blank verso. Ex-Doris Harris, 1984.

WORLD LEADERS

30.) Napoleon II (1811-1832). Son of Napoleon Bonaparte and Marie Louise. King of Rome. Two lines, equaling eight words, in his hand, on a slip measuring 8.25" x 3", no place, no date. An autograph note at lower right by Baron de Stassart certifies that the two lines are in the handwriting of the Duke of Reichstadt at the age of eight. Adhered to a sheet of cardstock measuring 8.5" x 11". Accompanied by a 6.5" x 10" engraving of "Le Roi de Rome." Ex-Doris Harris, 1984.

Although we've done our best, please note that there could be secretarial signatures found within the collection. To see the full extent of this archive, we recommend that interested parties view the lot in person at our Wilton, Connecticut offices.

Please review our terms and conditions of sale for large lots of five or more items, as this collection is not subject to return.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: binder: 10.5" x 11.5" x 1.5"
  • Medium: Archive

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000