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Sale 24
Manuscript and Collectibles Auction
| Autographs-U.S. Presidents |
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| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 299 |
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Roosevelt, Franklin D (1882-1945) 1882-1945, 32d president of the U.S. (1933-45). Typed Letter Signed as President, on White House letterhead, Washington, March 16, 1933, 1 pg., 9 x 6 in. Matted and framed to 12¾ x 9¾ in. Addressed to Dr. Adrian V.S. Lambert in New York City, just four days after FDR delivered his first Fireside Chat regarding the national banking crisis. In full: "Your letter reached Albany on the very last day of our stay there, and so I am sure you can understand why it was mislaid in our hurried final packing. I just wanted to tell you that it came to my attention, and that I read it with a great deal of interest. / Thank you for your offer of service during the difficult days tocome - I shall not forget your promise and generous suggestion." Lambert was possibly a minister who had offered spiritual support. Normal folds and light toing; the "F" in the signature is smudged, else Very Fine.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000.
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| Realized
$863 |
Lot 300 |
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Roosevelt, Franklin D (1882-1945) 32nd President of the United States, 1933-1945. Document Signed as Acting Secretary of the Navy, on "Navy Department" letterhead, Washington, December 24, 1917, one page, quarto. Temporarily appointing William D. Thomas a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Thomas is addressed as the Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Nevada. The appointment is stamped in the upper left corner as being received in the Captain's Office of the U.S.S. Salem on January 18, 1918 and delivered to Thomas. Light toning and soiling; file holes at top.
Estimated Value $600 - 800.
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| Realized
$345 |
Lot 301 |
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Truman, Harry S. Extraordinary content Typed Letter Signed on personal, engraved stationery, Independence, Missouri, October 5, 1960, 1½ pp, quarto. Written to Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy (who would try and fail to win the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968), at the height of the 1960 presidential campaign.
In part: "This is an urgent plea that you do everything you possibly can to help the Democratic ticket and the Honorable John F. Kennedy and the Honorable Lyndon B. Johnson….Now, as never before, it seems to me, there is a need for us to submerge whatever differences may exist among us within our own Party and fight for a Democratic victory, National, State and Local. / I simply do not believe that the United States can stand four more years of another Republican President in the White House. We have lost much ground in the last eight years under a Republican President - in foreign relations, in domestic affairs, in the national financial situation, in the agricultural situation and in general welfare….With Nixon in the White House, there will be a complete breakdown in the domestic and foreign affairs of our Government. I wonder if you want another 1929? / As you know, Jack Kennedy was not my first choice for the Presidential nomination. However, he is a very able young man, and, in my opinion, a man of integrity and honor. These qualities I regard as essential in a President of the United States. Also, it is very important to remember that in choosing a President we not only select the man who occupies that office, but we also determine the Party in control of the Executive Branch of the Government. History proves it is better for the Nation and the people of the United States when the Democrats are in control of the White House and the Congress…We know how important it is to have State and Congressional candidates who will support the national ticket….I will be campaigning, just as I have in times passed, not because I want anything for myself, but because the country needs a leader in the White House and leaders in the Congress. I ask you to join in all-out support of the Democratic ticket." Very Fine except for file notations at upper right and staple mark at upper left of both pages. Boldly signed by Truman and accompanied by the transmittal envelope, with Truman's printed free-frank signature. An exceptional letter.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500.
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| Realized
$2,875 |
Lot 302 |
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Truman, Harry S. Black and white 16 x 11 inch Photograph Signed by President Harry Truman and the members of his Cabinet, at the White House, August 25, 1950. The photograph by Harris & Ewing shows the men seated around a long conference table. Each man signed in the lower border, above his title. As signed, from left to right, they are: Stuart Symington, Chairman, National Security Resources Board; Alben W. Barkley, Vice President; Charles F. Brannan, Secretary of Agriculture; Louis Johnson, Secretary of Defense; Harry S Truman, President; J. Howard McGrath, Attorney General; Maurice J. Tobin, Secretary of Labor; W. A. Harriman, Special Assistant to the President; J.M. Donaldson, Postmaster General; Dean Acheson, Secretary of State; John W. Snyder, Secretary of the Treasury; Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary of the Interior; John R. Steelman, The Assistant to the President; and Charles Sawyer, Secretary of Commerce. There is a vertical crease and two other small creases, all against the dark background of the photo and would not be obvious when matted and framed. An impressive photograph of Truman and his Cabinet.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
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| Realized
$1,380 |
Lot 303 |
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Truman, Harry S. Typed Letter Signed on engraved personal stationery, Kansas City, Missouri, July 31, 1953, 1 pg., quarto. To Floyd Clymer of Los Angeles, in part: "…Nothing in the world would please me more than to attend the Annual Threshermen's Reunion…But I can't go - I am tied up tighter than I ever was in my life trying to get a job done which I agreed to do on the history writing chore….I hope you will write me all about it.…" Truman was writing his memoirs, which would be published in 1955 and '56. Very Fine.
Estimated Value $400 - 600.
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| Unsold |
Lot 304 |
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Truman, Harry S (1884-1972) 33rd President of the U.S. Autograph Letter Signed on engraved personal letterhead, Kansas City, Missouri, February 5, 1955, 1 pg., 10½ x 7¼ in. To Dean Acheson, Truman's former Secretary of State, who formulated the Truman Doctrine and helped shape the Marshall Plan. In part: "Margaret saw Mrs. Acheson at the reception and told us that both of you were comming [sic]. I'm glad you'd rather stay at our small town residence than at the Presidential Suite….I'm so anxious for your comments on what I say about Korea, MacArthur and the Employee Security Program that I'd do most anything to get them. Let me know your time of arrival on the 16th so I can meet you. I have no Secret Service, no Intelligence Service so you'll have to tell me." Truman was working on his memoirs, which were published in 1955 and '56 and was eager to hear Acheson's opinion on his portrayal of certain historic events that occurred during his administration.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
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| Realized
$2,530 |
Lot 305 |
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Truman, Harry S (1884-1972) 33rd President of the United States, 1945-53. Original pencil Sketch Signed as President, in pencil, 12 x 9 inches. Also signed by the artist ("Berger / Washington D.C."). Czech artist Oscar Berger, who drew caricatures of hundreds of world figures, drew this waist-up "made from life" portrait of the President seated at his desk. Lightly soiled sketch paper is tipped at top to another sheet, which is tipped to cardstock. Accompanied by a 5¾ x 7½ inch photograph of Berger sketching the President. (2 pieces).
Estimated Value $600 - 900.
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| Realized
$437 |
Lot 306 |
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Truman, Harry S (1884-1972) 33rd President of the United States,1945-1953.
Black and white 8½ x 6½ in. Photograph affixed to a 10 x 7¼ inch (visible) mount, Signed and Inscribed in the lower border of the mount, "Best wishes to Harry A. Scow / Harry S Truman / USS Mo." No date, but likely toward the end of Truman's tenure in the Senate (1935-45). Photographed by Chase-Statler, Washington DC. A distinguished waist-up portrait of Truman wearing the same suit he would wear on April 19, 1945, when Chase-Statler took the presidential photograph that is in the Library of Congress. Truman succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt died unexpectedly at Warm Springs, Georgia. Truman was the first President to take office during a war.
There is some faint silvering in the upper background of the photo and even toning to the mount. Matted and framed to an overall size of 17 x 13½ inches. Boldly signed by Truman in black ink.
Estimated Value $600 - 800.
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| Realized
$863 |
Lot 307 |
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Tyler, John (1790-1862) 10th President of the U.S, 1841-45; governor (1825-27) of Virginia and U.S. senator (1827-36). When William Henry Harrison died on Apr. 4, 1841, after only one month as president, Tyler became the first vice president to succeed to the presidency.
Autograph Letter Signed as Senator, Senate Chamber (Washington), June 15, 1832, 1 pg, quarto, with integral address leaf. Addressed to Secretary of War Lewis Cass, with a recommendation for an acquaintance. In part, "Doctor Myers is the son of one of our most respectable citizens and has recieved [sic] the benefits of a liberal professional education. Under these circumstances I can not withhold this testimonial of my confidence in him, and therefore I recommend him to your notice and patronage." Normal folds and light toning; otherwise, Very Fine.
Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,600.
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| Realized
$805 |
Lot 308 |
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Van Buren, Martin (1782-1862) 8th President of the U.S. (1837-41). Partly-printed Document Signed ("M. Van Buren") as President, Washington, August 21, 1837, 1 pg, quarto. The President directs the Secretary of State to "affix the seal of the United States to an Exequatur granted to Henry Schultze, as Consul of His Majesty the King of Hanover for the Port of New Orleans…." (An "exequatur" is an official recognition of a consul or commercial agent by the government of the country to which he or she is accredited.) Light toning, else Very Fine.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,200.
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| Realized
$489 |
Lot 309 |
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Washington, George. Autograph Document Signed five times, four times in the body as "George Washington" and once at the end as "G:o Washington," no place, August 3, 1770, 1 pg., folio. Washington writes, in part: "Articles of agreement made and concluded…between George Muse of the County of Caroline & Colony of Virginia Gentn. of the one part & George Washington of the County of Fairfax Colony aforesaid of the one part, witnesseth that the said George Muse hath this day agreed, and doth for himself his Heirs Exrs. Admrs. and assigns firmly engage to let the said George Washington his Heirs or Assigns have one full third part of all the land which he the said Muse now is, or hereafter shall be entitled to under Govr. Dinwiddie'e proclamation of the 19th of Feby. in the year 1754.…"
In 1754, Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia issued a proclamation granting land on the Ohio River to Virginia's soldiers and officers. The claims of the men to these lands met with innumerable obstacles, first from England, and then from the authorities in Virginia. George Muse, who was an officer under Washington in 1754, was found guilty of cowardice at Fort Necessity and discharged in disgrace. Knowing that he had a questionable claim for land, Muse asked Washington to use his influence with the government to obtain the land grant. History books infer that Washington acted on Muse's behalf with no thought of remuneration, but this original document in Washington's hand indicates otherwise. Charles Washington signed as one of three witnesses. The red wax seals of both Washington and Muse are present.
The document has been archivally backed with japan paper. Overall light toning; small areas of paper loss at edges affect a few words, including the "g-e" at the end of "George" and part of the "W" in "Washington" in one of the signatures in the text. A few words in the text are a little light, but legible, and a few words along the lower horizontal fold are difficult to read, none of these near any of the signatures. Very good. An unusual and desirable Washington document.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 30,000.
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| Unsold |
Lot 310 |
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Washington, George (1732-1799) 1st President of the U.S., commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolution, called the "Father of his Country". Manuscript Letter Signed "G:o Washington" as Commander-in-Chief, Morristown (N.J.), May 19, 1777, 1 pg., folio. Written on laid paper watermarked "GR" with a crown, to Col. Edward Antill, who is unnamed in the letter. The letter is in fine condition, except for overall toning and some small edge splits and chips.
The letter says, in full: "Morristown May 19th : 1777 / Sir This will be delivered you by Monsieur Colerus, who is to fill a Majority in Colo. Hazen's Regiment, at present under your immediate command. This gentleman's conduct, I trust, will promote the service and do honor to himself. Monsieur Colerus' rank is to be governed by the date of his Commission and the Rules for adjusting Rank in the American Army. I am Sir Your Most Obed. Servt G:o Washington." Washington's signature is an inch high and three inches across.
Washington wrote a letter to Chrétien de Colerus, a Frenchman, on May 19th, enclosing this letter to Col. Antill, who was at Princeton. That letter to Colerus (not present) offers Washington's assistance, as well as a mild rebuke, and places our letter in context. In part: "…It has always been my wish and design, that you should be provided for, so soon as you acquired a competent knowledge of our language, to make you fit for Command, and Circumstances would admit. When you were here last, I told you, I should try to place you in some Corps, as you seemed uneasy at your situation, and expressed a desire of being immediately in Service. This was all I meant or promised, nor could you infer more from what I said. There is now a vacant Majority in Colo. Hazen's Regiment at Princeton under the command of Lieut. Colo. Antill, which you may have immediately by repairing to it, and which you will do. Should this appointment, be not equal to your views, I have no other in my power….I might add, without any disparagement to your merit, that there are many good Officers in the Service and who have been in it, from the commencement of the War, who have not received such Honorable marks of favor and distinction. If there are Foreigners, who came to America, when you did, or since, who have been promoted to higher rank, without having better pretensions, it has not been thro' my interest. Tho' I wish to see every man rewarded according to his deserts, and esteem Emulation in Officers a laudable qualaity, Yet I cannot but condemn the over sanguine, unjust, ambitious expectations of those, who think every thing should be made to yield, to gratify their views. The inclosed Letter for Colo. Antill you will be pleased to seal, after you have read it, and deliver it to him on your arrival at Princeton…." (Text from the Varick Transcripts in the Library of Congress).
Estimated Value $18,000 - 20,000.
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| Unsold |
Lot 311 |
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Washington, George. Letter Signed ("G:o Washington"), Mt. Vernon, December 8, 1799, 2 pp small quarto. Washington's retained draft of a letter to the President and Directors of the Potomac Company, responding to a letter signed by James Keith, asking Washington to attend a stockholders' meeting. In this letter, Washington discusses matters relating to the purchase of stock in the Potomac Company by the State of Maryland, and also expresses his pleasure that the means for completing navigation of the river can be obtained.
In full: " I have received your letter of this date, inform. me of the Resolutions of the Legislature of Maryland to take 130 shares in the Augmented Capital of the Potomac company, and enclosing a calculation Shewing the advantages to be derived from drawing the five per cent stock from the Treasury of Maryland before the 5 of January. - I am very much pleased to learn that the means for completing the important work of the Navigation of the River may be obtained; - and I should, with pleasure, attend the meeting of Tuesday, did not an expectation of Company at that time, and other circumstances, make it inconvenient for me to leave home; -and did I not also believe that my proxy to vote on the occasion (which will be given to Mr. Keith, the President) would answer every purpose that could be affected by my personal attendance, as I am persuaded thate can be but one object in veiw with the Stockholders, which is to take such measures as will ensure the completion of the work with certainty and expedition equally to the sense of the Stock holders as (of) this meeting in Augt. last. I have the honor to be with great respect Gentls. Yr. Mo. ob. st. Go. Washington."
Washington founded the Potomac Company after the Revolution to improve the navigability of the Potomac, with the idea of creating a water route to the West through Virginia by connecting the Potomac with the Ohio River. His interests as the owner of an estate on the Potomac were involved, but Washington also had a more encompassing interest in the improvement of inland water routes as an aid to the development of the young nation. Washington, unfortunately, died before another week had ended, on December 14. Fine to very fine. Washington's signature is moderately dark. One of his last letters, dealing with one of Washington's favorite projects with which he was involved over many years.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000.
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| Realized
$5,750 |
Lot 312 |
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Wilson, Woodrow (1856-1924) 28th President of the U.S. (1913-21). Autograph Letter Signed as professor of jurisprudence and political economy at Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, May 26, 1898, 2 pp, 5 x 3½ in. A beautifully penned and signed letter to Mrs. George C. Edwards of Bridgeport, Connecticut. In part, "I arrived home 'safely and without incident," as we are told Admiral Cervera telegraphed of his alleged arrival at Santiago de Cuba. I have brought away, for a second time, from Bridgeport most delightful impressions of kindness, hospitality, and genuine cultivation….Allow me to thank you for your thoughtful kindness in sending my portfolio….So forgetful a man hardly deserves to be so benevolently treated…." With transmittal envelope.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000.
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| Realized
$546 |
Lot 313 |
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Wilson, Woodrow. With its allusion to the financing of the "League of Nations," this letter has much better content than usual. Framed with two elegiac biographical statements signed by Theodore E Burton and George Wharton Pepper, incidental photographs of President Wilson and the crucial events of his administration, biographical information, and a steel engraving of the President, along with two plaques, one identifying a photograph of the Treaty of Versailles ending WWI, and another which reads: "Woodrow Wilson, 26th U.S. President, 1913-1921." Overall size 37 x 28." (1856-1924) 28th President of the United States, 1913-1921.
Typed Letter Signed. One page, Quarto, n.p., September 5, 1912. To the Hon. Wm. C. Liller. Interesting letter, written two months after being nominated to the presidency, and two months before winning the presidential election, regarding a number of speeches on the subject of the tariff. Wilson writes:
"Dear Mr. Liller: I read your letter of August 27th with a great deal of pleasure and regret that other matters of pressing importance prevented me from acknowledging it until this late date. I have directed Mr. Vick to send an ample supply of my speeches on the tariff. With reference to the financing of the league, I would be obliged if you would take up this matter with Mr. Mc Adoo direct. With warmest regards I am, Cordially yours, Woodrow Wilson."
Estimated Value $500 - 700.
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| Unsold |
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