Mar. 8-9 & Apr. 5, 2003, The Collectibles Auction, Sale 18

(If you have a problem viewing enlarged photos, your browser may be blocking pop-up windows. Check with your IT consultant.)

Autographs

World War II German Military

Lot 1256      Bormann, Martin. Typed Letter Signed ("M Bormann"). One page, recto and verso, large quarto, Munich, February 15, 1944. On "Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei / Partei-Kanzlei" letterhead. To Heinrich Himmler (who has initialed in green pencil at recto center). Docketing stamps. File holes at left are somewhat ragged, one brushes against the upsweep of Bormann's signature, which is on the verso.
Apparently Mutschmann has incurred Himmler's displeasure. Bormann disagrees with Himmler and defends Mutschmann. "...Your information that Gauleiter Mutschmann does not know laws and commmands of the state I cannot accept without disagreement. I have to make it clear that Gauleiter Mutschmann always carries out all that I ask of him...I have no doubt that you will find a way to come to an understanding with him..."
Estimated Value $750-850.
From the Institute of Documentation, Israel.
 
Lot 1257      Bormann, Martin. Typed Letter Signed ("M. Bormann"), one page, quarto, Munich, April 21, 1938. On "Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei" letterhead, addressed to Hitler's personal staff in Berlin. Bormann notes that he has nothing against Gruppenführer Reinhard receiving a copy of the letter of Vg. Fabig, because a judicial discussion about the reprimands which were made would be the best. On the verso is a Letter Signed ("Brandt"), Berlin , April 29, 1938, to SS-Gruppenführer Schmitt, stating that he is enclosing a photocopy of a letter from Richard Fabig, and asking Schmitt to speak to SS-Gruppenführer Reinhard about it. Light toning and file holes in margins; official docket and file notations, else very good. From the Institute of Documentation in Israel. Fine.
Estimated Value $350-400.
From the Institute of Documentation, Israel.
 
Lot 1258      Bormann, Martin. Typed Letter Signed ("M. Bormann"), as Hitler's deputy, one page, large quarto, Berlin, October 31, 1940. On "Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei" letterhead, to Mr. Von Herrn Kreisleiter Zimmerman, "To Gauleitung [Governor] Franken NSDAP" in Nurenberg: "I have received your letter from October 28th concerning the problem with the house of Cramer-Klett. The answer is that the Deputy of the Fuhrer can't make a decision. I believe that OberBurgermeister Liebel [the Mayor] of Nurenberg, during one of his upcoming visits to Berlin should ask the Fuhrer for a decision." Docket stamp and notes; very good. Bormann's signature is huge. From the Institute of Documentation in Israel.
Estimated Value $300-400.
From the Institute of Documentation, Israel.
 
Lot 1259      Heydrich, Reinhard. Typed Letter Signed ("R Heydrich"), one page, large quarto, Berlin, February 11, 1941. On "Chief of the Secret Police and Gestapo" letterhead, to SS-Gruppenführer Schmitt. Heydrich writes: "Dear Comrade Schmitt! I have information from my office that people are being promoted without my knowledge by your office. This has happened repeatedly and to people I don't even want in my department. I will not cry over this but I ask that you and your office will be more organized and that this will not happen again. Maybe it will be better if my specialist and yours solve this." Lightly toned with file holes at left margin, else fine. From the Institute of Documentation in Israel. Fine.
Estimated Value $950-1,250.
From the Institution of Documentation, Israel.
 
Lot 1260      Heydrich, Reinhard. Typed Letter Signed ("R. Heydrich"), one page, large quarto, Berlin, February 21, 1941. On "Chief of the Secret Police and Gestapo" letterhead, to SS-Gruppenführer Schmidt. Heydrich informs Schmitt that he has received his letter and that it is impossible for SS-Brigadeführer Malsen-Ponickau to take a certain position because SS-Oberführer Scheel already holds it. He adds that he has his own men in the Secret Police whom he thinks would be better suited than Malsen-Ponickau and that if he wants a job, he should contact Heydrich himself, not go through Schmitt. If Heydrich does give him a position, Malsen-Ponickau will have to follow his orders. File holes and notations; faint stain at lower left and darkening in upper left corner, affecting nothing Good to very good. From the Institute of Documentation in Israel.
Estimated Value $950-1,250.
From the Institution of Documentation, Israel.
 
Lot 1261      Himmler, Heinrich. Typed Letter Signed ("H. Himmler,") one page, large quarto, Berlin, August 30, 1937. On "Der Reichsführer SS" letterhead, to "Daluege," informing him that SS-Gruppenfûhrer Prutzmann has informed him that Prutzmann has become a senator of the Interior, that is, a police-senator, but the inspector of the security of police does not want to have anything to do with him. Himmler tells him, "Be so kind and give an order to the inspector, because Hamburg would be the first practical example where we could recruit the Oberabschnittsführer as inspector for police matters." File holes and notations; stamped docket; about fine. Himmler signed boldly in black ink. From the Institute of Documentation in Israel.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.
 
Lot 1262      Himmler, Heinrich. Typed Letter Signed ("H. Himmler,") one page, large quarto, Berlin, October 15, 1934. To SS-Gruppenführer Wittje. In part: "During a chance visit of SS-Brigadeführer Rediess to me in Berlin, I asked him how the case of Prestien, about which he informed me on the occasion of my inspection in Torgau on the 23rd of June, had gone....(He) informed me that he received a letter from the SS office...which stated that he should not have to put into motion the whole apparatus, but that he should take care of the Prestien affair himself...." Light toning and uneven upper edge, with tip of left corner missing; penciled file notes at upper right, one erasure at lower left and file holes at left margin. None of this affects Himmler's very bold signature on a letter which sounds very ominous for "Prestien." From the Institute of Documentation in Israel.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.
From the Institute of Documentation, Israel.
 
Lot 1263      Himmler, Heinrich. Typed Letter Signed ("H. Himmler"), one page, large quarto, n.p., October 5, 1938. To SS-Gruppenführer Dr. Kaltanbrunner, regarding the state visit of Hungarian Ambassador Horthy. Himmler tells Kaltenbrunner that he is aware of his problems with General Daluege, "Chef der Ordnungspolizei." He asks Kaltenbrunner to please settle his differences with Daluege and notes that "a copy of this letter has been sent to Daluege." Light toning and soiling; file holes and staple marks, not affecting the bold signature. As head of the RSHA after the assassination of Heydrich, Kaltenbrunner had full responsibility for the deportation and extermination of Jews; as the Allies closed in, he ordered the extermination of all remaining camp prisoners. He was captured at Nurenburg and hanged for crimes against humanity. From the Institute of Documentation in Israel. Fine.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.
From the Institute of Documentation, Israel.
 
Lot 1264      Himmler, Heinrich. Typed Letter Signed ("H. Himmler"), one page, large quarto, Berlin, March 1940. Addressed to SS-Gruppenführer Schmitt. An angry Himmler writes: ""I am sending you a report from SS-Brigadeführer Breithaupt. How is this misconduct possible, that a man who is a regiment commander with us, could first be summoned by the Wermacht Regional Command for a medical examination, secondly submit himself to this examination, and subsequently report this nonsense to me!" Rust marks from paper clips in the corners and normal folds. Slight brushing of ink in final two letters of signature, which is boldly signed in blue ink. From the Institute of Documentation in Israel. Fine.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.
 
Lot 1265      Himmler, Heinrich. Typed Letter Signed ("H. Himmler"), one page, large quarto, Berlin, October 31, 1935. Written to the SS Personnel Office: "I, as Reichsführer, have had a talk with Hitler on October 18 and the Führer agreed that Reinhard vom Kyffhauserbund shall be transferred to SS. He will hold the same rank but will be quickly promoted." He adds, "Col. Reinhard will become SS-Oberführer on November 9, 'Party Day'." Some browning to file holes. Official docket stamp. Himmler's signature is large. About fine. Accompanied by a "Schutzstaffel der N.S.D.A.P." card for Fritz Katzmann as "SS-Brigadeführer und Führer des SS-Abschnittes VI" with a stamped Himmler signature. From the Institute of Documentation in Israel. Fine.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.
 
Lot 1266      Himmler, Heinrich. Typed Letter Signed ("H. Himmler,") one page, large quarto, Berlin, October 15, 1938. Himmler advises "Dear Kurt," that he has made SS-Gruppenführer Dr. Kaltenbrunner aware of Kurt's letter, and advises Kurt to have a friendly chat with Kaltenbrunner on the subject. Himmler adds a friendly closing, "Dein" (Your). Official docket stamp of "Der Chef der Ordnungspolizei," file notes and punch holes at left margin, else fine. Kaltenbrunner joined the Nazi Party in 1932 and became head of the Austrian SS. After the Anschlüss, Kaltenbrunner was elected to the Reichstag and became minister of state security and police chief for Vienna. As deputy head of the Gestapo, Kaltenbrunner impressed Himmler, who appointed him head of the RSHA after the assassination of Heydrich. From the Institute of Documentation in Israel. Fine.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.
 
Lot 1267      Kaltenbrunner, Ernst. Typed Document Signed ("Kaltenbrunner"). One page, large quarto, Berlin, August 31, 1943. On "Der Chef der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD" letterhead. To Personell Chief von Herff emphasizing the need for a quick official promotion of Ernst Ehrlinger to the command of Einsatzgruppe B and urging von Herff to take care of the matter as soon as possible. Ensatzgruppe B, which Ehrlinger commanded from August 28, 1943 until April 1, 1944, was responsible for the murder of almost 150,000 civilians in Russia. File holes at left are ragged, staple and water damage to top left corner, horizontal and vertical folds, toning, various pencil notations. Overall, very good condition.
Estimated Value $300-400.
From the Institute of Documentation, Israel.
 

World War II American Military

Lot 1268      Bradley, Omar and Rickover, H.G. A 5" x 7" photograph signed of five-star general Omar N. Bradley, pictured in the front row of a group of WAcs on board ship for Germany in August 1945. The WAcs have all signed as well. Some waviness to edges, but still very good. Accompanied by a media kit from The Admiral H.G. Rickover Foundation with a three-line inscription to an unnamed person and signature, January 14, 1984, at the top of a three-page biography of the "Father of the Nuclear Navy." Fine condition.
Estimated Value $250-350.
 
Lot 1269      Military Leaders. A huge collection of approximately 375 calling cards from American and European armed forces leaders and members, from the 19th and 20th centuries, approximately 250 being American and 125 being European. Many are signed, but the lot should be seen. There are many naval cards, some 75 cards belonging to various ranks of admirals alone. They include: David D. Porter, George Dewey, H.T. Mayo, J.B. Coghlan, Frederick Rodgers, W.S. Schley, Richard Byrd, Thomas C. Kinkaid, and many more. Army officers include Greg "Pappy" Boyington, James H. Doolittle, Mark W. Clark, and William Westmoreland. Among the 125 calling cards from European military leaders (primarily French) are Joffré (5), Foch (2), and Wellesley (a cut signature). This is a treasure trove for anyone interested in military history. Some general toning and soiling; some cards have glue remnants on the verso. Condition varies from fair to fine.
Estimated Value $600-800.
 
Lot 1270      Nimitz, Chester W (1885-1966) Five star fleet admiral who was commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific fleet during World War II. Large black-and-white Photograph Inscribed and Signed, "To Jesse L. Lasky Jr - with best wishes and warm regards - C.W. Nimitz, Fleet Admiral, US Navy," 11" x 14", n.d., n.p. This famous photograph shows Nimitz seated at a table on board the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay, September 2, 1945, accepting the Japanese surrender. Rows of officers witness the historic signing. Light toning, with some breakage and creasing at top edge, creasing in right border, and a few tiny edge chips, most of which can be covered by matting and framing. Nimitz signed in rust-colored ink in the lower border. Jesse Lasky Jr was a captain in the Arm Signal Corps during World War II; he was also the son of movie pioneer Jesse Lasky, and would become a successful screenwriter of films such as The Ten Commandants and Samson and Delilah. A wonderful display item.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
 

Israeli Leaders

Lot 1271      Dayan, Moshe (1915-81) Israeli general and politician. Signed sheet, "M. Dayan," with "The Festival Postage Stamps of Israel Issued In The Year 1965 (5726)," 9 x 12½ in. Each of the six stamps represents one day of the Creation, which, according to the Biblical story, took place over six days. Dayan signed in the white background. Matted and framed to 14 x 17½ in. The frame has some chips, but the sheet is like new.
Estimated Value $200-250.
 
Lot 1272      Dayan, Moshe (1915-1981) Israeli soldier and politician who masterminded three wars. Typed Letter Signed ("M. Dayan,") the year of his death, one page, octavo, Zahala, August 27, 1981. To Jesse Lasky and Pat Silver, the husband and wife screenwriting team (mistakenly addressing Jesse as "Ms.): "Thank you very much for sending me the book 'The Offer'. I am looking forward with pleasure to reading it...." Boldly signed in black ink and accompanied by transmittal envelope. Extremely fine.
Estimated Value $150-200.
 
Lot 1273      Rabin, Yithak (1922-96) Prime minister of Israel; winner of Nobel peace prize; assassinated in 1996. Color Photograph Signed ("Y. Rabin"), 7 x 4¾", no place, no date. The photo pictures Rabin, as prime minister of Israel, on a state visit with the Turkish prime minister. Leah Rabin stands with her husband. Extremely fine.
Estimated Value $200-250.
 
Lot 1274      Rabin, Yithak and King Hussein I. Color Photograph Signed by Israeli Prime Minister Rabin ("Y. Rabin") in English and by King Hussein I of Jordan in Arabic, 4½ x 7", The White House, October 1994. The two statesmen are pictured in the Oval Office with President Clinton. As a result of their meetings, they signed a peace treaty, the Washington Declaration, on October 26, 1994. Rabin would be assassinated in 1996 by a right-wing Jewish activist; Hussein would succumb to cancer in 1999. Extremely fine condition.
Estimated Value $300-400.
 

U.S. Presidential Autographs

Lot 1275      Eisenhower, Dwight D. Typed Letter Signed, as President, 1 page, small quarto, Washington, February 7, 1958. On mint-green, White House letterhead, to Mr. and Mrs. Milton Berg, thanking them for "the little sea shell that you found on the beach at Sarasota. It proved a wonderful conversation piece for my fellow travelers on the Columbine..." Boldly signed in black ink. Minor soiling in blank lower portion, else fine. Accompanied by transmittal envelope.
Estimated Value $200-250.
 
Lot 1276      Eisenhower, Dwight D. and Mamie (1890-1969) 34th President of the United States, 1953-1961. Typed Letter Signed, as President, 1 page, quarto, Washington, May 20, 1954. On personalized "D D E The White House" stationery, to Marty Snyder of New York, inviting him to "an informal stag dinner" at the White House, adding, "I shall probably wear a white dinner jacket, but business suit will be entirely appropriate." Overall toning and minor soiling in margins. With Typed Letter Signed ("Mamie Doud Eisenhower") as First Lady, 1 page, small quarto, Washington, September 22, 1956. On gilt-embossed "White House" stationery, to Mrs. Maud Daoud, expressing condolences for the death of Mrs. Daoud's husband. One small spot and light soiling. Both letters very good.
Estimated Value $300-500.
 
Lot 1277      Ford, Gerald R (1913- ) 38th President of the United States,1974-1977. Color Photograph Signed ("Gerald R. Ford"), 8 x 10", no place or date. A ¾ seated portrait of Ford in the Oval Office, signed in the upper left background. Also, a First Day Cover Signed on the front, with cachet of Ford and date of his inauguration, August 9, 1974, as well as August 9 Washington postmark. Both items are signed in black, felt-tip pen and are extremely fine.
Estimated Value $150-200.
 

A funny Harding letter--that's funny in itself, for Mark Twain could have written this one.
Lot 1278      Harding, Warren G (1865-1923) 29th President of the United States, 1921-1923. Rare Autograph Letter Signed "W G Harding" as a candidate for lieutenant governor of Ohio, 3 pp, Marion, Ohio, October 19, 1903. Written on the letterhead of The Marion Star, the newspaper Harding owned, to "My Dear Widenthall." Boldly penned and signed in dark brown ink, this letter bears witness to Harding's seldom-seen sense of humor. Fine except for minor soiling

"I see very clearly you are still for Herrick & Niles. I have just read your Hiawatha story in the Press, and I will lose the whole brass band vote of Ohio. It was bad enough to lose my wager, through your conspiracy with Dover, but it is adding to injury to put me bad with all the bands in Ohio, playing Hiawatha for a favorite. Worse still, my musical taste is libeled, for I love Hiawatha, love it at breakfast time, am cheered by it when lunching, have better digestion at dinner when I hear its strains, and I love to lapse into dreams with Hiawatha floating in the ethereal night. And still worse, you ill repay me for my considerate yielding to your orders. I have kept that Hebrew story in cold storage to date, but henceforth I shall flaunt it and defy you. I am enclosing 10 cents. When the moral atmosphere of the car admits, please inveigle Dover in a 'matching' game. He will yield if you are persistent. Send me the 10 cents back and $3.30 of your winnings, and keep the other $9.70 which you won. I merely suggest this to kill you with kindness....your punishment will come. 'Harding hates Hiawatha!' Was ever libel so marked? Was ever a campaign lie cloaked in such innocent garb? Yours in grief / W G Harding."

Harding did go on to win the election, but at the end of his term as lieutenant governor, he returned to his newspaper career until 1909, when he gained the Republican nomination for governor, but lost the election. In 1915, he won election as U.S. senator from Ohio and in 1920, he received the Republican nomination for President. His election was largely a repudiation of Wilson's international policies. The gambling mentioned in this letter foreshadows the poker games which took place at the White House, attended by many of Harding's dubious friends who would later be implicated in the scandals which rocked his administration, the most famous being the Teapot Dome scandal. Harding died in office in August 1923, perhaps mercifully so, because more corruption by his friends was uncovered, sending several of them to jail.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,500.
 
Lot 1279      Harding, Warren G (1865-1923) 29th President of the United States, 1921-1923. Two partly-printed Documents Signed ("W.G. Harding") twice, and accomplished in Harding's hand, two pages, 4 x 7¾", Marion County, Ohio, August 11, 1894 and January 14, 1896. Each document is a "Proof of Publication," which Harding was obliged to sign as the publisher of the Marion Star, a floundering weekly newspaper which he purchased for $300 in 1884 and turned into a successful daily paper, aided by the business acumen of his wife. The actual notices which Harding swears that he published are attached at upper left. One document is in fair condition, with some scattered stains and edge tears away from the signatures; the other is lightly toned, with minor soiling, else fine. All four Harding signatures are signed in brown ink.
Estimated Value $400-600.
 
Lot 1280      Hoover, Herbert. Typed Letter Signed, as a member of the "National Committee On Food For The Five Small Democracies," 1 page, quarto, New York, December 13, 1940. On official letterhead, to Bishop Herbert Welch of the Methodist Episcopal Church on Fifth Avenue in New York, thanking him for accepting membership on the committee. In part, "...I trust we may be of service in preventing a great tragedy...we must make every effort and we must express American concern with their plight...." Faint soiling, else fine. Hoover's heroic efforts during World War I, as head of the Commission for Relief in Belgium, succeeded in saving ten million people from starvation. As World War II engulfs Europe, Hoover reprises his efforts to save millions from starvation.
Estimated Value $200-300.
 
Lot 1281      Hoover, Herbert C., and Curtis, Charles. 31st President and his Vice President. Document Signed on the front cover, being an octavo, 13-page booklet with Hoover's address to the 1948 Republican convention, "This Crisis In American Life." A second document, entited "Separate Statement By The Chairman," 1page, quarto, n.p., n.d. is unsigned but has three holograph corrections in Hoover's hand; written as head of the "Hoover Commission," mandated by President Truman to investigate government waste and inefficiency and recommend changes; some edge tears. Also, a Letter Signed ("Chas Curtis") as U.S. senator, 1 page, small quarto, Topeka, Kansas, June 30, 1913, to Carl Loeffler, Assistant Doorkeeper of the U.S. Senate, asking for copies of the Child Labor Law. Curtis would serve as Hoover's vice president, 1929-33. All items are fine.
Estimated Value $200-300.
 

Lincoln Letter on Executive Mansion Letterhead
Lot 1282      Lincoln, Abraham. 16th President of the United States, 1861-1865.

Letter Signed As President. One page, Octavo, on Executive Mansion letterhead, Washington, DC, May 13, 1862. To General M(ontgomery) C(unningham) Meigs, U.S.A. In full:

"General: Allow me to introduce Mr. Charles D. Chase and to commend his request to your favorable consideration. Your Obt. Servt. A. Lincoln."

Fine. Meigs was a Union general from Georgia, who had graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1836 and served in various peace-time engineering assignments. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was promoted to colonel in the 11th U.S. Infantry. On May 15, 1861 he was appointed Brigadier General USA and Quartermaster General. He served efficiently in that difficult position throughout the war. A choice condition letter with light toning and minor soiling at the edges; mounted on a heavier 8 x 6" sheet.
Estimated Value $7,500-UP.
 
Lot 1283      (Lincoln, Abraham) John Hay (1838-1905) American diplomat and writer; Lincoln's private secretary. Autograph Letter Signed ("John Hay"), two pages, octavo, Washington, D.C., Nov. 18, n.y. On engraved stationery, to "Mrs. Price," regarding a Lincoln letter she has for sale. In part: "...I would like to have the letter and am willing to pay a good price for it...and yet the price you ask is greatly beyond its value. I have been buying all the letters of Mr. Lincoln I could find for sale for several years and have never paid more than Fifty Dollars...." A later penciled note at the top of the letter. Affixed to the inside of the integral leaf is a printed invitation from "The President & Mrs. Lincoln," requesting "the honor of Mr. Browning's company at dinner on Wednesday Dec 25th at 6 o'clock...." On the back of the integral is an engraved visiting card from Secretary of State Seward and his wife. Overall soiling and toning; staining down one margin. Although not pleasing to the eye, still quite legible. About fair.
Estimated Value $250-300.
 
Lot 1284      Nixon, Richard M (1913-1994) 37th President of the United States, 1969-1974. Typed Letter Signed ("Dick Nixon,") one page, quarto, New York, June 1, 1968. On personal, engraved letterhead and written to Philip E. Spalding, Jr. in Honolulu, congratulating him on his election as alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach. He adds, "As one who has served as a delegate, I know that in the weeks before the convention you will probably be inundated by the mass of material you will receive from the prospective candidates and their supporters...I would like to take the liberty of sending you...come of the statements I have made on the major issues during the campaigns...." In Miami, Nixon would receive the presidential nomination on the first ballot. Extremely fine. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $300-400.
 
Lot 1285      Presidents and Vice Presidents. A group of approximately 50 items, primarily calling cards, from Presidents, Vice Presidents, as well as a few others. Many cards are signed; others are not, or have printed signatures. These should be viewed in person. Included are: Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, Warren G. Harding, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Hannibal Hamlin, Schuyler Colfax (9- includes some cut signatures), Levi P. Morton (Mr. & Mrs.) Stephen A. Douglas, William A. Wheeler ,Thomas R. Marshall (2 ), James G. Blaine (2), Charles W. Fairbanks (3), Charles F. Dawes, A. E. Stevenson (2), Charles Curtis, J.S. Sherman (2), Henry A. Wallace, Hubert H. Humphrey, Barry Goldwater (3), Sprio Agnew, Dan Quayle, and others. Condition ranges from fair to fine.
Estimated Value $600-800.
 
Lot 1286      Reagan, Ronald (1911- ) 40th President of the United States, 1981-1989. Typed Letter Signed ("Ron") as Governor of California, on official letterhead, one page, small quarto, Sacramento, California, February 28, 1974. To Jesse Lasky, Jr., a screenwriter who lived in London: "Dear Jesse: I just received the enclosed reply [not present] from Major Bradley. Unfortunately, we didn't change the City's position...." File note at lower right. With envelope. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $100-150.
 

Signed As President
Lot 1287      Roosevelt, Theodore (1858-1919) 26th President of the United States, 1901-1909. Autograph Album Signed, "Theodore Roosevelt April 15th 1902," as President, on the first page, oblong octavo. The album also contains 99 other signatures, which include most of the members of the U.S. Senate. Pages are signed recto and verso, most with one signature per page, but a few with two. Signers include Charles W. Fairbanks, Henry Cabot Lodge, S.B. Elkins, Chauncey Depeu, S.M. Cocknell, W.A. Clark, George Sutherland, W.A. Harris, John T. Morgan, Edmund W. Peters, L. Hasker Ball, John P. Jones, William M. Stewart, J.H. Gallinger, J.C. Pritchard, H. C. Hansbrough, W.A. Hanna, M.S. Quay, Boris Penrose, A.C. Latimer, Thomas S. Martin, and S. R. Mallory (son of the Confederate Secretary of the Navy), as well as many others. Album is loosening at spine and covers show moderate wear, but pages, which are lightly toned, are intact. Overall Fine. Autographs of Theodore Roosevelt as President are rare.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
 

Fantastic Washington ALS As President
Lot 1288      Washington, George (1732-1799) 1st President of the United States, 1789-1797.

Autograph Letter Signed "Go: Washington" as President, 1-1/3 pages, recto and verso, small quarto, Mount Vernon, April 13, 1793. Addressed to James Keith, with over 350 words in Washington's hand, just over a month after his second inauguration. The President demonstrates his loyalty toward his troops as he seeks to collect French and Indian War claims for a deceased comrade more than three decades later. In full:

"Dr Sir, Your letter of the 8th has been duly received. You, better than I, can acct. for the small judgment being for two hundred and odd pounds more than is due. Justice to all parties, & a speedy settlement of the whole, is all I aim at. The letter, as I have often repeated, I am extremely desirous to have accomplished.

Was I to see Colo Hooe, which is not likely now to happen, as I am in the very act of setting off for Philadelphia, I should be at a loss to know what to say to him respecting the charge on acct. of Giles. By the papers alone I could be governed in any conversation held with him, and these you have. If my memory does not deceive me, however (but on it I never rely) there is a particular statement of this matter in the Will of Thomas Colvill. If it is justly due to the Tankervilles, it ought undoubtedly to be paid, if it is not, I as certainly ought not to allow it. I rely therefore on you to have the matter thoroughly investigated, either by yourself, or some other eminent in Law, that I may act safely; for I have had too much trouble in this business already, to lay the foundation for more, by allowing a claim if it requires authentication.

Messrs. Wilson and Dunlap, on Tuesday the 2d inst. required only ten days to consider whether they would pay the Judgment on the Bond with, or without interest. This time is elapsed; & delay only can be their object if they have not announced to you (- to me they have not - ) their determination thereupon. Of course no time should be lost in issuing the Execution. But who is it to be served upon? Cumberland Wilson they say, who has no interest at all in the business! -- As you are so much better acquainted with this business than I am & know my objects & wish, I shall, in one word as I shall be out of the State in a few hours - leave the accomplishment of them to you - being Sir Your most Obed. Humble Servant Go: Washington."

Minor infill, affecting a few words, and three closed tears at right edge; otherwise Fine. Boldly written in dark brown ink. Accompanying this letter is an ornate 30" x 26" gilt frame containing a superb color photocopy of the letter, with a biographical plaque. A fantastic, lengthy Washington letter.
Estimated Value $17,000-UP.
 
Lot 1289      Attractive Painted Portrait of George Washington. United States, c. early 1920's. The painting, in the manner of the popular 18th century English and Continental miniatures painted on ivory. Here painted in what looks like oil on ivory-textured celluloid, America's first president is shown in middle age, perhaps a bit older than theWashington depicted in the famous John Trumbull painting, and also somewhat fleshier. His hair is medium gray, with hints of brown, and he wears a high-collared jacket in burgandy. The background in a neutral green. Signed by "Renny" in the lower right. Mounted on old red velvet and gold-toned frame. Visible size of image: 3-1/4" x 2-1/2".
Estimated Value $500-UP.
 
Lot 1290      A large color print. 27" x 21" after Gilbert Stuart's "Athenaeum" portrait of George Washington. Stuart's portrait was never finished, which accounts for the white area at the bottom. Housed in an old wooden frame; the overall size is 30" x 24". Fine.
Estimated Value $150-200.
 

Political & Judicial Leaders

Lot 1291      Dawes, Charles G (1865-1951) Vice president under Calvin Coolidge; ambassador to Great Britain; winner of Nobel Peace Prize. Sepia-toned Photograph Inscribed and Signed "For my friend Jesse Lasky Jr from Charles G. Dawes Apr 17th 1928," as Vice President, in the lower border, 10" x 8". A dignified waist-up portrait by Eugene L Ray, Evanston, Ill. Mounted to board; some silvering at lower edges; otherwise, very fine. Also, a Photograph Signed in the narrow lower border, 8" x 10", n.p., n.d. The three-quarter portrait shows Dawes conversing with movie producer Adolph Zukor with Union leader Samuel Gompers and others in the background. Light soiling to borders; lower left tip is missing, else fine.
Estimated Value $300-400.
 

Secretary of War Stanton Attempts To Checkmate President Johnson's Soft Reconstruction Policy
Lot 1292      Stanton, Edwin (1814-69) Attorney General under Buchanan; Secretary of War under Lincoln and Johnson.

On February 21, 1868, President Johnson dismissed Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, who disagreed with Johnson's conciliatory policies toward the South. Stanton refused to accept the dismissal and eventually barricaded himself in the War Department, claiming job protection under the Tenure of Office Act, which had been voted into law in 1867 over Johnson's veto. The act stated that the President may not dismiss certain publicly elected officers without the consent of the Senate; Stanton had been appointed, not elected, but this was a moot point. Radical Republicans, led by Thaddeus Stevens, used Stanton's dismissal as the impetus for impeachment proceedings against Johnson, which began on March 30, 1868. Stanton remained barricaded until May 16, when the Senate voted against the President's removal. Stanton then resigned his office and returned to private practice.

Part of the struggle between Congress and the President swirled around General Ulysses S. Grant's stewardship of southern pacification in Georgia, Louisiana, and elsewhere. The President wanted no such military overseeing governing constellation, preferring to restrict the powers of the military commanders in favor of state personnel. Stanton and the Congress believed that the Legislature and not the President was legally empowered to control the military administration of the South. The issue was to be joined in the Supreme Court. Our letter catches Stanton in the process of engaging a lawyer to defend Grant's and the Congress' position before the Supreme Court.

Autograph Letter Signed as Secretary of War, three days after his dismissal by President Johnson, one page, quarto, Washington City, February 24, 1968. Written on War Department letterhead to Wayne McVeigh, Esq. In full: "Sir I desire to retain and employ your legal services for the United States in a threatened suit to be brought in the name of the state of Georgia very scarce. General Grant...in the Supreme Court of the United States, and a reasonable compensation for your retainer will be paid by this Department. Yours truly Edwin M. Stanton Secretary of War." There are a couple of contemporary ink smears in the text; otherwise, boldly penned and signed and in fine condition.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,850.
 
Lot 1293      Cabinet Officers. A huge collection of over 450 calling cards from U.S. Cabinet officers--too many to list the names. Many are signed, and there are numerous multiples. They include: approximately 40 cards from Secretaries of War or Defense, 60 from Secretaries of the Navy , 40 from Secretaries of State, 60 from Secretaries of the Treasury, 60 from the Department of the Interior, 50 from Postmasters General, 20 from Secretaries of Commerce or Labor, 24 from Agriculture, 30 from the Department of Justice; also, a group of 70 ambassadors, presidential advisors, assistants, under secretaries, etc. Most cards are toned with some soiling; some have glue remnants on verso. Condition varies from fair to fine. This lot absolutely should be seen in person.
Estimated Value $400-600.
 
Lot 1294      Claire Boothe Luce (1903-1987) Ambassador, Playwright, Congresswoman.

Two Cards Signed ("Claire"), one with an Autograph Note, the other with an Autograph Sentiment, small octavo, n.p., n.d. Both are addressed to "Phylliss." In the first, Luce thanks her friend for a key ring, and adds, "I have as many doors that need and use keys in this house as a medieval chatelaine..." and adds New Year's wishes. The second card contains Christmas wishes to Phyliss and her family. Both items very fine. Very Fine.
Estimated Value $250-300.
 
Lot 1295      The Burger Court. Black and white Photograph Signed by all nine members: ("Thurgood Marshall," "Wm J. Brennan Jr," "Warren E. Burger," "Byron White," "Sandra O'Connor," "John Paul Stevens," "Lewis F. Powell Jr.," "William H. Rehnquist," and "Harry A. Blackmun," c. 1981, 8" x 10". Chief Justice Burger sits in the center of the front row, surrounded by the other justices, all of whom are dressed in their judicial robes. The signatures are all in black or blue ink, boldly signed except for John Paul Jones, whose signature is a little sketchy. Extremely fine. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
 
Lot 1296      Holmes, Oliver Wendell (1841-1935) Associate justice, U.S. Supreme (1902-32), known for vigorous, lucid arguments, often in dissent; he promulgated the "clear and present danger" test for freedom of speech; author of The Common Law (1881).

Scarce Autograph Quotation Signed, on a 3 x 5¼ in. card, no place, June 12, 1901. Written as chief justice of the supreme court of Massachusetts, in recognition of American Revolutionary War patriots, and especially of the contributions of John Marshall, who was the principal founder of the American system of constitutional law and chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1801-35. The quotation undoubtedly rings with special resonance today, but when the words were uttered, they may have been in response to a contemporary story of questionable accuracy: It was said that some protesting strikers had wrapped a baby in an American flag and threatened to place it on railroad tracks in front of an approaching train.

"The flag is but a bit of bunting to one who insists on prose. Yet, thanks to Marshall and to the men of his generation - and for this above all we celebrate him and them - its red is our life-blood, its stars our world, its blue our heaven. It owns our land. At will it throws away our lives. Oliver Wendell Holmes / June 12, 1901." Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $2,000-3,000.
 
Lot 1297      Supreme Court Justices. A collection of approximately 130 calling cards from Supreme Court Justices, many signed and many in multiples: Included are: Potter Stewart (13), John Paul Stevens (34), Earl Warren (2), John M. Harlan (4), William J. Brennan, Jr. (12), Charles E. Hughes (5), Owen J. Roberts (2), Pierce Butler, Wiley Rutledge, Joseph P. Bradley, Abe Fortas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Byron R. White (4), Harry A. Blackmun (3), Thurgood Marshall (2), Sandra Day O'Connor, Hugo L. Black (3), Stanley Reed (5), Harold A. Burton (2), Lewis F. Powell (4), Stephen J. Field (3) Melville W. Fuller (9), George Sutherland (2), Joseph McKenna (5), Louis Nizer, William H. Rehnquist (3), Sherman Minton (2), Edward D. White (2), Noah H. Swayne, Charles E. Whittaker, and Benjamin Mendozo. Condition ranges from fair to fine. Should be seen.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
 
Lot 1298      Governors, Senators, Members of Congress. A huge collection of approximately 600 business cards, most of them signed, by U.S. governors, senators, members of Congress, American diplomats, and some prominent businessmen. Most are 20th century; several have multiples. Among the 385 governors, who often signed on cards embossed with their state seal, or Executive Mansion cards, are: William B. Sprague (also a Civil War general), Fiorello LaGuardia, Thomas Dewey, Afred Smith, Herbert Lehman, Averell Harriman, Mario Cuomo, John Sherman, Jimmie H. Davis, Adlai Stevenson, Bruce Babbit, Edmund Brown, Harry Byrd, and Spiro Agnew. Among the group of approximately 100 senators are J. William Fulbright, Margaret Chase Smith, Eugene McCarthy, Albert Gore (Sr.), Estes Kefauver, Dan Rostenkowski, Bob Dole, and Chauncey Depew. Members of Congress include Geraldine Ferraro, Clare Boothe Luce, John Bell, Tip O'Neill, and Wilbur Mills. A group of 15 mayors includes Fernando Wood (Civil War mayor of NY), Richard Daley, and James J. Walker. Other famous names are Nobel Prize winners Ralph J. Bunche and Frank B. Kellogg, and William Randolph Hearst. Some of the older cards are toned; a few have pasting remnants on verso. Condition ranges from fair to extremely fine. Should be seen.
Estimated Value $400-UP.
 
Lot 1299      Politicians. Nine photographs signed and inscribed to Gerry Burg, all 8" x 10" except one. They include Jesse Jackson (in earlier days, with an Afro), former Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley (2), former New York mayor John Lindsay, the late perpetual presidential candidate Pat Paulsen, two of former Georgia governor Lester Maddox (strange bedfellows!), and two Los Angeles local officials. All fine or better.
Estimated Value $100-UP.