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Sale 99
The July 8-9, 2017 Manuscript, Space, Collectibles & Stamp Auction
| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 76 |
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Lincoln, Abraham - Autograph Endorsement Signed as President (1809-1865) 16th President of the United States (1861-65). Autograph endorsement signed "A. Lincoln" as President, on 3 1/8 x 3¼" paper, which was clipped from a letter or document, no place, Jan. 5, 1865. President Lincoln writes, "Let this man take the oath of Dec. 8, 1863 & be discharged." Fine condition; minor ink smudging and show-through from text on verso.
On December 8, 1863, looking ahead to postwar reunification, Lincoln announced to Congress during his annual message that he would offer a pardon to any man who would swear, without coercion, his allegiance to the Union, except for the highest Confederate officials and military leaders. The Oath reads in part: "I, [name], do solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the union of states thereunder; and that I will, in like manner, abide and faithfully support all acts of Congress passed during the existing rebellion with reference to slaves…So help me God." Estimate Value $5,000 - 6,000
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| Realized
$4,800 |
Lot 77 |
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Lincoln, Abraham - Civil War Date Military Commission Signed as President (1809-1865) 16th President of the United States (1861-65). Partly-printed document signed "Abraham Lincoln" as President, on vellum, 19¼ x 15¼", Washington, July 1, 1864. Appointing Michael J. Fitzgerald as First Lieutenant in the Ninth Regiment of Infantry. Countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton ("E M Stanton"). Very good condition; vellum has overall age toning; navy seal of the War Office is missing a few points and has an old tape repair across the center. Handsome vignettes at top and bottom are intact; normal folds, one vertical fold passing between the "t" and "a" in "Stanton" and a horizontal fold underlining "Abraham Lincoln," whose signature is of medium boldness.
Matted with a sterling silver commemorative plate (no longer issued) from the Franklin Mint featuring a bust of Lincoln and surrounded by "Abraham Lincoln / 16th President of the United States"; and with a 13 x 9¾" color engraving, featuring a waist-up portrait of Lincoln, with historical vignettes at each corner representing the American Revolution, the westward expansion by pioneers, fugitive slaves, and a triumphant portrait of Lady Liberty with an eagle holding holding in its beak a banner which says, "E pluribus unum; at the bottom are joined hands with "The Union Forever" below. Framed to an overall size of 31½ x 35".
A stunning display piece. Estimate Value $6,000 - 8,000
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| Unsold |
Lot 78 |
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Lincoln, Abraham - Rarely Seen Funeral Card With Embossed Tombstone Relief. White tombstone embossed on black background, 4 7/8 x 3 5/8". Printed: "In Memory of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States / Born February 12th, 1809. Departed this Life April 15th 1865./ 'Yet Speaketh.' / 'For thou are Freedom's now, and Fame's-One of the few-the immortal names-That were not born to die.'/ 'With malice toward none, with charity for all.'/ March 4th 1865 Second Inaugural/ Requiescat in Pace!" These blind-embossed cards were passed out at Lincoln's funeral in the East Room of the White House and were also given to dignitaries who boarded the funeral train along the route from Washington to Springfield, where Lincoln was laid to rest. A rare Lincoln relic (one only recently donated to The Smithsonian Institute) and in fine condition. Estimate Value $800 - 1,000
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| Realized
$750 |
Lot 79 |
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Madison, James - Military Appointment Signed as President (1751-1836) Fourth President of the United States (1809-17). Partly-printed document signed "James Madison" as President, on vellum, 10½ x 16", Washington, May 10, 1815. Countersigned by Acting Secretary of War Alexander J. Dallas ("A.J. Dallas") who was Madison's Secretary of the Treasury (Oct. 6, 1814 to Oct. 21, 1816), but from March 2, 1815 to August 1, 1815 also served as Acting Secretary of War, and for a time that year, was also Acting Secretary of State. Less than three months after the War of 1812 officially ended (Feb. 18, 1815), President Madison appoints Charles K. Gardner "Assistant adjutant general with the brevet rank of Major…." The manuscript writing on the vellum is faded, the date being barely legible, and there is overall age toning and light soiling; the seal has minor paper loss at right border but is otherwise intact. Madison's signature is of medium boldness. Estimate Value $800 - 1,000
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| Realized
$720 |
Lot 80 |
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Madison, James, James Monroe, & Henry Dearborn - Four Language Ship's Passport. Partly-printed document signed "James Madison" as President and "Jas Monroe" as Secretary of State, 16 x 20¾", Washington, Dec. 16, 1811. A ship's passport for the Brig named John, whose master is Simeon Beckford, "of the burthen of 42 tons or thereabouts, lying at present in the port of Boston bound for Tonningen and laden with Indigo, Logwood, Sugar…such Brig having been visited, and the said Master having made oath before the proper officer, that the said Brig belongs to one or more of the citizens of the United States of America, and to him or them only." Countersigned by Henry Dearborn ("H. Dearborn") as Collector of the Port of Boston. The passport is written in English, French, Spanish, and Dutch. White wafer seal has a few folded "teeth" but is intact; some browning at lower left over Notary Public's seal, which has tape repairs to verso. Normal folds, minor creasing, and a few edge chips. A clean, attractive document with bold signatures of President Madison and future President James Monroe, as well as of Henry Dearborn, who served in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 and was Secretary of War under President Thomas Jefferson from 1801 to 1809. Estimate Value $2,500 - 3,500
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| Unsold |
Lot 81 |
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McKinley, William - Document Signed as President (1843-1901) 25th President of the United States (1897-1901). Document signed "William McKinley" as President, one page plus integral leaf, 14 x 10¼", Washington, June 1, 1898. Countersigned by Secretary of State William R. Day. To the Emperor of Morocco, presenting the newly-appointed Consul-General for Morocco, Samuel R. Gummeré, and asking the Emperor "to protect him in the exercise of his functions for the patronage of the commerce between the two countries…and to treat him with kindness and confidence, placing entire reliance upon what he shall say to you in our behalf…." One small mark in lower right corner and one small hole at fold intersection, otherwise fine. Transmittal envelope bears a large, embossed seal. Estimate Value $400 - 600
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| Realized
$600 |
Lot 82 |
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McKinley, William - Military Commission Signed as President (1843-1901) 25th President of the United States (1897-1901). Partly-printed document signed "William McKinley" as President, on vellum, 19¾ x 15¾", Washington, Dec. 26, 1899. Appointing David J. Rumbough "Captain of Artillery." Countersigned by Secretary of War Elihu Root. Navy War Dept. seal is present, along with normal vignettes at top and bottom. David J. Rumbough served in the Army from his graduation from the U.S. Military Academy in 1880 until 1912. He was promoted to Colonel in 1911. This is an especially attractive document, in very fine condition. Estimate Value $400 - 600
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| Realized
$324 |
Lot 83 |
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Monroe, James - Document Signed as President (1758-1831) Fifth President of the United States (1817-25). Partly-printed document signed "James Monroe" as President, on vellum, 15½ x 12¼, Washington, Sept. 6, 1821. A land grant to the assignees of William Hudson, "Lieutenant for three years… in the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment" of 38 acres located between the Little Miami and Sciola Rivers, northwest of the Ohio River. Countersigned by Land Commissioner Josiah Meigs. Very good condition, with normal folds and light toning. An especially bright, clean document with a handsome eagle-vignette, blind-stamped wafer seal, affixed with red wax. Estimate Value $700 - 900
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| Unsold |
Lot 84 |
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Monroe, James - Document Signed as President (1758-1831) Fifth President of the United States (1817-25). Partly-printed document signed "James Monroe" as President, on vellum, 8½ x 13", Washington, Aug. 25, 1819. Countersigned by Land Commissioner Josiah Meigs. Granting Nicholas Trast of Wayne County, Ohio "the South East quarter of Section Eight in Township twenty three of Range Sixteen of the Lands directed to be sold at Wooster…." Overall age yellowing and creasing. Monroe's signature is exceptionally bold. Estimate Value $600 - 800
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| Realized
$525 |
Lot 85 |
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Monroe, James -- 1821 Land Grant to a Revolutionary War Soldier, Signed as President (1758-1831) Fifth President of the United States (1817-25). Partly-printed document signed "James Monroe" as President, on vellum, 10 x 13½", Washington, May 7, 1821. Granting 321 acres of land in the Territory of Arkansas to Silas Jones, Jun.r "late a Sergeant in Watson's company of the twenty fifth Regiment of Infantry." Countersigned by Land Commissioner Josiah Meigs. The document is heavily toned, with some areas of translucence. Cream and wax seal of the Land-Office is intact at lower left and at upper left is an attractive vignette of Lady Liberty holding a shield with one hand and holding out a land grant to a soldier and his son, who is holding a sword, with her other hand, while another female figure gestures to the soldier to go and enjoy his new acquisition. A banner overhead says "Militi Forti et Fideli." Estimate Value $250 - 350
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| Realized
$550 |
Lot 86 |
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Nixon, Richard - Signed Copy of His Memoirs (1913-94) 37th President of the United States (1969-74). Book signed, "Best wishes from Richard Nixon" in blue ink, on a bookplate specially make for The Memoirs of Richard Nixon and affixed to the first end page, large quarto, no place, no date. The ex-President's autobiography was published in New York by Grosset & Dunlap in 1978, 1120 pages. Light overall toning. Dust jacket is present, with a few edge chips. Estimate Value $200 - 300
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| Unsold |
Lot 87 |
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Nixon, Richard and Gerald R. Ford - Covers Signed. First Day Cover honoring the "Bicentennial First Civil Settlement in Alta, California by Spain in 1777" signed "Richard Nixon," and cancelled in San Jose, CA, Sept. 9, 1977. With Cover commemorating President Ford's trip to visit Tokyo, Korea, and Russia, signed "Gerald R. Ford" and cancelled Washington, Nov. 17, 1974. Both fine. Estimate Value $200 - 300
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| Realized
$125 |
Lot 88 |
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Obama, Barack - Signed 2008 Rolling Stone Poster (1961 -) 44th President of the United States (2009-2017). Rolling Stone poster of the front cover of their March 20, 2008 issue, featuring Barack Obama and signed by him in black marker, 34 x 22¼", no place, no date but very likely on the campaign trail. Obama had announced his entrance into the presidential race in February 2008. The lead story in Rolling Stone was "Barack Obama / A New Hope." A few small creases, else fine. Rolled. Estimate Value $400 - 600
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| Unsold |
Lot 89 |
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Pierce, Franklin - Document Signed as President, Granting a Pardon (1804-1869) 14th President of the United States (1853-57). Partly-printed document signed "Franklin Pierce" as President, one page, on pale blue paper, laid to a slightly larger page, 9½ x 7¾", Washington, Dec. 31, 1853. During his first year as President, Pierce authorizes and directs the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to a pardon for Leonard Sumennacker. Fine condition, with a beautiful, large signature. Pierce pardoned, commuted or rescinded the convictions of 142 people during his term. Estimate Value $800 - 1,000
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| Realized
$1,020 |
Lot 90 |
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Pierce, Franklin - Naval Appointment Signed as President (1804-1869) 14th President of the United States (1853-57). Partly-printed document signed "Franklin Pierce" as President, on vellum, 17¾ x 14¾", Washington, Oct. 13, 1855. Appointing John Van Ness Philip a Lieutenant in the Navy. Countersigned by Secretary of the Navy J.C. Dobbin, whose tireless work to increase naval efficiency included overseeing the building of six steam propeller frigates and five steam sloops and increasing Navy personnel by one third; other reforms under his leadership were promoting by merit instead of seniority and reintroducing a naval apprentice system. The docket, in the lower left corner, is signed by S.B. Hardin, who would enlist in the Arkansas First (Monroe's) Cavalry in 1863. John Van Ness Philip, who died in 1862, served in both the Mexican and Civil Wars. He was part of the Kossuth mission aboard the U.S.S. Mississippi in 1851 and the invasion of California in 1846 aboard the U.S.S. Cyane in the Mexican American War.
The document is in fine condition, with the normal beautiful naval vignettes. The orange Navy Dept. seal is intact, with some discoloration. Left vertical fold has a few small holes. The last few letters of Pierce's signature are a bit light but the entire signature is large and legible. Estimate Value $900 - 1,200
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| Unsold |
Lot 91 |
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Polk, James K. - Document Signed as President (1785-1849) Eleventh President of the United States (1845-49). Partly-printed document signed "James K. Polk" as President, one page, on pale blue paper, 9 x 7½", Washington, June 16, 1846. Polk authorizes and directs the Secretary of State to affix the seal of the United States to "remission??? granted to George Turner, master of the British Ship Kestrel of Liverpool." Polk's bold signature is underscored with a paraph. Matted with 1 7 x 5¼" engraving and framed to an overall size of 14¾ x 20". Estimate Value $1,500 - 2,000
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| Realized
$1,980 |
Lot 92 |
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Polk, James K. - Military Promotion For A Mexican War Hero, Signed As President (1795-1849) 11th President of the United States (1845-1849). Partly-printed document signed as President, vellum, 19¼ x 15¾". Washington, July 19, 1848. Conferring on "Second Lieutenant Abram B. Lincoln…the rank of First Lieutenant by Brevet…'for gallant and meritorious conduct in the Battle of Molino del Rey.'" The brevet dates from September 8, 1847, the day of the battle, which turned out to be one of the bloodiest fights of the Mexican War. Countersigned by Secretary of War W.L. Marcy. The War Office seal is intact and the docket is at upper left. Light age toning and normal light folds. Signatures are slightly faded. A very attractive document. Estimate Value $1,800 - 2,000
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| Unsold |
Lot 93 |
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(Presidents) Calvin & Grace Coolidge Signed White House Cards, Plus Harding and Wilson Signatures. Individual White House cards signed "Calvin Coolidge" as President and "Grace Coolidge" as First Lady. Some soiling and writing on verso of both cards. Accompanied by a "Woodrow Wilson" cut signature as President on a 1¼ x 3½" slip of paper; and a cut "Warren G. Harding" signature on a slip of paper 2¼ x 5". Overall very good. Estimate Value $300 - 500
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| Realized
$350 |
Lot 94 |
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(Presidents) George Washington and W.H. Harrison Prints (1) "Washington's Reception by the Ladies, on Passing the Bridge at Trenton, N.J. April 1789," by N. Currier, 13¼ x 9¼". Matted and attractively framed in gilt wood to an overall size of 20 x 15". (2) "Washington's Reception by the Ladies, at Trenton, N.J. April 1789," by Kelloggs & Comstock, 9½ x 12¾". Matted and attractively framed in gilt wood to an overall size of 15¾ x 18½". (3) "Death of Harrison, April 4 A.D. 1841," by N. Currier, 9¾ x 13¾". Matted and attractively framed in gilt wood to an overall size of 16¾ x 21". All three prints have some toning but are otherwise fine. Estimate Value $300 - 500
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| Unsold |
Lot 95 |
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[Presidents] Memorabilia, Inaugural and Other. A group of memorabilia for the following Presidents: Garfield, inaugural concert, 1881; Wilson: reception, 1916; F.D. Roosevelt: 1933 and 1937 inaugurations; Truman: inaugural invitation, 1949, and invitation to the presentation of the Distinguished Service Medal to General of the Army Henry H. Arnold; Eisenhower, inaugural invitation, 1953; Kennedy: inaugural ball, 1961; concert for 16th anniversary of the UN; Nixon, 1969 inauguration; Ford: invitation to WH staff party, 1976; seating ticket for his funeral; Carter: invitation, etc., for White House dinner for Israeli prime minister Begin, 1980; program for WH dinner for Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, 1980; Reagan: inaugural festivities at the Smithsonian; G.H.W. Bush, 1989 inauguration; Clinton: inaugural ball invitation, 1997; G.W. Bush, 2005 inauguration.
Accompanied by a group of approximately ten cards admitting the bearer to the White House during FDR's terms, some for events hosted by Eleanor Roosevelt. Also, a 6 x 9¾ card for James A. Garfield's Memorial Service, featuring a bust of Garfield. Estimate Value $400 - 600
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| Realized
$656 |
Lot 96 |
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Presidents: Herbert Hoover, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon Johnson. Herbert Hoover: Photo inscribed and signed "To Mr. Tim P. Wells With the Good Wishes of Herbert Hoover, 9½ x 8", no place, no date. A seated photo of an older Hoover holding a pipe. Signed in the lower border.
Dwight D. Eisenhower: Signature on printed card with an invitation to have cocktails with Lieutenant-General and Mrs. Schuyler on Friday, October second (no year), 2¾ x 4½".
Richard Nixon: Card with color image of La Casa Pacifica on the cover,signed "Richard Nixon," 6½ x 4½", Feb. 14, 1978. Sending congratulations from himself and Mrs. Nixon on the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. F.V. Peters, who were major Republican supporters. With transmittal envelope.
Lyndon Johnson: Large signature on an invitation to Saint Mary's College in California for the 1962 inauguration of the new college president, 8½ x 5¾", no place, no date. Invitation is unevenly toned. Estimate Value $400 - 600
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| Realized
$525 |
Lot 97 |
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Reagan Ronald, Amusing Page of Doodles on Paper; Initialed, Signed and Dated While Governor of California (1911-2004) 40th President of the U.S. (1981-89). Page of football doodles or scribbles signed and dated ("Ronald Reagan 2/24/72") at upper left and initialed ("R.R.") at upper right, as Governor, 1 page, cream-colored paper, 7 ¼ x 4 ½". A note at the bottom identifies when the doodles were made: "conference notes made by Governor Reagan at the second Plenary Session. NGC. 23 Feb 1972." Doodles include three figures running with a football, as well as a helmet with the number "33", a football shoe, and shoulder pads. Handsomely matted and framed to an overall size of 17 x 11 ¼". Football figures and cowboys were among Reagan's favorite doodles. Reagan played George Gipp in the 1940 film KNUTE ROCKNE-ALL AMERICAN, whence the "Win just one for the Gipper" line supposedly uttered by Gipp to Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne. Estimate Value $1,000 - 1,500
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| Realized
$719 |
Lot 98 |
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Reagan, Ronald - Signed, Autograph Draft of a Good-Content Letter (1911-2004) 40th President of the United States (1981-89). Draft of an autograph letter signed "Ron", one page, on yellow legal paper, 8¾ x 8½", no place (12/12/67 date in another hand). To Mrs. Benjamin D. Gilbert, Greenaway Island, Stamford, Conn. In part: "It was wonderful to see you again and to at least get to say hello to Ben. You'll never know how much I appreciate all of you coming up to Hartford to sit through my speech--which I fear was too lengthy. Your thoughts and mine run parallel in so many ways. I'm keeping your suggestions in my desk. I was very interested to see where McChesney Martin advocated an immediate balancing of the budget but felt we could delay in starting to reduce the debt. In fact his whole point was to the concern you expressed that we could return to fiscal sanity without violent ec. [sic] upheaval…." Fine condition; upper right edge is uneven, affecting nothing.
Ronald Reagan was Governor of California from 1967-1975. He often wrote letters by hand, putting his thoughts down on legal paper, and gave the draft to his secretary to type. The draft was often then thrown away, but occasionally they were saved, as in this instance. Governor Reagan's secretary at this time was Kathy Davis and it was probably she who typed the letter from this draft. The red, diagonal mark through the letter indicates that the letter has been typed. Estimate Value $600 - 800
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| Unsold |
Lot 99 |
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Roosevelt, Franklin D. - Attractive Internal Revenue Appointment as President (1882-1945) 32nd President of the United States (1933-45). Partly-printed document signed "Franklin D. Roosevelt" as President, 18 x 20", Washington, Jan. 24, 1935. Countersigned by Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr. Appointing Fred C. Martin "Collector of Internal Revenue for the District of Vermont." Fine condition. laid to heavy cardstock. A clean, eye-catching document with the gold foil seal intact at lower left and and bold signatures by the President and Morgenthau.
In 1935 President Roosevelt would sign into law the Social Security Act and create an enormous work relief program for the unemployed. Henry Morgenthau served as FDR's Secretary of the Treasury from 1934 to FDR's death. A friend and advisor to the President, he was instrumental in designing and implementing the New Deal and in financing the war effort. Fred C. Martin ran for governor of Vermont in 1920 and 1924 and for the U.S. Senate in 1928 and 1932. He was rewarded by FDR by being appointed as Collector of Internal Revenue for Vermont. Estimate Value $900 - 1,200
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| Unsold |
Lot 100 |
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Roosevelt, Franklin D. - Handsome Presidential Appointment (1882-1945) 32nd President of the United States (1933-45). Partly-printed document signed "Franklin D. Roosevelt" as President, 19 x 18", Washington, Dec. 23, 1936. Appointing Justin Miller of North Carolina "a Member of the Board of Tax Appeals for the unexpired term of twelve years from June 2, 1926." Countersigned by Acting Secretary of State R. Walton Moore. Fine condition; small paper remnants in corners. The document is clean and attractive; the beige paper seal is intact and Roosevelt's signature is quite bold. Estimate Value $1,200 - 1,500
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| Unsold |
Lot 101 |
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Roosevelt, Franklin D. - Typed Letter Signed on White House Letterhead (1882-1945) 32nd President of the United States (1933-45). Typed letter signed "Franklin D Roosevelt" as President, one page, on White House letterhead, 8¾ x 7", Washington, Dec. 18, 1933. Having completed almost one year as President, FDR writes to John Hermsted, President, Forestry Club and Editor-in-Chief, Empire Forester, New York College of Forestry, sending greetings and salutations. In part, "As Governor of the State of New York, and since, I have followed with interest the progress of the New York State College of Forestry. With best wishes for the success of the Empire Forester…." Light overall toning and minor creasing, else fine. With COA.
Roosevelt was born and raised in New York and served as its governor of from 1929-32. His affection for his home state is evident. Estimate Value $700 - 900
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| Unsold |
Lot 102 |
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Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, Nice Collection of Vintage Campaign Memorabilia (1882-1945) Franklin Roosevelt, the longest serving President in US History winning four Presidential elections. Offered here is a collection of campaign memorabilia from all four of those campaigns including window banners, national rally tickets, a fantastic pro-farmer counter card, two Roosevelt/Truman window posters, a Four Freedoms decal, a large ornate cigar wrapping, car window decals, a "No Third Term" door tag two lithos of the unfinished portrait of Roosevelt by Elizabeth Shoumatoff due to his death and a postal commemoration of Roosevelt with both one and two cent stamps from 1945. Also included is a letter from Eleanor Roosevelt on UN letterhead, and several pieces from James Roosevelt Franklin and Eleanor's son, signed letters and mayoral campaign flyers. All the pieces are in very good to fine condition, one decal shows some paper lift. Estimate Value $250 - 350
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| Realized
$200 |
Lot 103 |
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Roosevelt, Theodore & Wm. H. Taft - Military Commission Signed As President and Secretary of War. Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was the 26th President of the United States (1901-09); William H. Taft (1857-1930) was the 27th President of the United States (1909-13). Partly-printed document signed "Theodore Roosevelt" as President and "Wm H. Taft" as Secretary of War, on vellum, 19¼ x 15¼", Washington, Mar. 14, 1908. Appointing David J. Rumbough "Lieutenant Colonel of Field Artillery. Blue War Dept. seal is at lower left and normal vignettes at top and bottom. Light edge creasing and one small "thin" in blank lower margin. A very attractive document with two Presidents' signatures. Lt. Col. Rumbough graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1880 and served in the Army until 1912. He was promoted to Colonel in 1911. Estimate Value $1,000 - 1,500
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| Realized
$875 |
Lot 104 |
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Roosevelt, Theodore - Presidential Appointment for the "Porto Rico… Infantry," Also Signed by Secretary of War Wm. H. Taft (1858-1919) 26th President of the United States (1901-09). Partly-printed document signed "Theodore Roosevelt" as President, 16 x 21", Washington, June 22, 1904. Countersigned by future President William Howard Taft ("Wm H Taft") as Secretary of War. Appointing Aristides Moreno First Lieutenant "in the Porto Rico [sic] Provisional Regiment of Infantry." Fine condition; minor toning; the blue seal at lower left is missing a couple of points; some small creases along upper edge. Both Roosevelt and Taft's signatures are bold.
Aristedes Moreno (1878-1955) was an 1899 graduate of Virginia Military Institute. The Arlington National Cemetery website (Col. Moreno was buried in Arlington National Cemetery) notes the following, in part: "During World War I, while on the staff of General John J. Pershing, he organized and helped operate the counter-espionage system of the A.E.F. For his work in this field he received the Distinguished Service Medal. Before the war he had participated in the Cuban and Vera Cruz occupations. He also served on the War Department commission on border claims against Mexico. From 1943 to 1949 Colonel Moreno was with the International Telephone and Telegraph Company in New York as a staff assistant on international economic aid and world trade conditions. Colonel Moreno retired in June 1926, but was recalled after the start of World War II. From 1941 to 1943 he was director of Supply and Service Division Headquarters of the Second Service Command on Governors Inland. He received the Legion of Merit for his World War II duties. He was also the holder of the British Distinguished Service Order, the French Legion of Honor, the Belgian, Italian and Serbian decorations." An attractive document from the early military career of a distinguished American officer. Estimate Value $1,500 - 2,000
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| Unsold |
Lot 105 |
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Roosevelt, Theodore - Presidential Document Appointing a Major in the Medical Corps (1858-1919) 26th President of the United States (1901-09). Partly-printed document signed "Theodore Roosevelt" as President, on vellum, 19¼ x 14¾", Washington, May 1, 1908. Countersigned by Acting Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver. Appointing Charles F. Kieffer "Major in the Medical Corps". Fine condition; normal, attractive vignettes at top and bottom; blue War Office seal is intact at lower left. Matted with a wonderful, laughing 10½ x 8¼" image of Roosevelt and framed to an overall size of 27½ x 33½". A stunning display item.
In "Report of the Surgeon General of the Army" in 1904, Dr. Kieffer is mentioned as having written a report on "tick fever" and in 1905, Dr. Kieffer wrote a chapter on "Tropical Surgery" for the American Text-Book of Surgery. In 1908, he was relieved from duty with the Army of Cuban Pacification and ordered to appear in San Francisco before an Army retiring board. He subsequently retired and died December 30, 1908. Estimate Value $1,250 - 1,500
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| Realized
$1,800 |
Lot 106 |
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Roosevelt, Theodore - Sepia-toned, Inscribed, Signed Photograph (1858-1919) 26th President of the United States (1901-09). Inscribed, signed photograph, "with the best wishes of Theodore Roosevelt" in the lower border, 10¾ x 7½" photo on an 11¼ x 8½" mount, no place, no date. Signed and dated by the photographer: "Fitzgerald / Artist / 1913." A chest-up portrait of the former President.wearing his pince nez eyeglasses. There is cracking to the photo, mostly on the right side of Roosevelt's dark suit, encompassing an area of approximately 2¾ x 1 1/8", as well as small areas below his left eye and above his right eye and some background dings; the dark suit and dark background prevent these blemishes from being overly intrusive. The inscription and signature are untouched. Still a very attractive photo. Estimate Value $800 - 1,000
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| Unsold |
Lot 107 |
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Taft, William H. - Military Appointment Signed as President (1857-1930) 27th President of the United States and 10th Chief Justice of the United States, the only person to have held both offices. Partly-printed document signed as President, 16 x 21", Washington, Sept. 27, 1911. Countersigned by Acting Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver. Appointing Daniel A. Frederick as Colonel of Infantry. Fine; a few staple marks across the top and minor edge soiling. Blue War Office seal is intact at lower left. Taft's bold signature is in brown ink.
Frederick (1855-1926) was a career soldier whose awards included a Silver Star Citation "for gallantry in action against Spanish Forces at Santiago, Cuba, July 2, 1898." After being promoted to Colonel, Frederick was in Texas from 1912 to 1914, serving as commander of the 22nd Infantry. From 1914 until his retirement from the Army in 1917, Col. Frederick was at Chicago, Illinois, commanding Central Department and in charge of Militia Affairs. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Estimate Value $600 - 800
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| Unsold |
Lot 108 |
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Taft, William H. - Typed Letter Signed as President-elect (1857-1930) 27th President of the United States (1909-13); he was the only person to serve as both President and as Chief Justice of the United States (1921-30). Typed letter signed "Wm H Taft" as President-elect, one page, on personal letterhead, 7¾ x 5¼", Hot Springs, Va., Dec. 5, 1908. Just over five months after receiving the Republican nomination, and three months before his inauguration (Mar. 4, 1909), Taft writes to a supporter, Max L. McCollough, in California, acknowledging receipt of a letter and thanking McCollough "for your kind words of congratulation and good wishes." Overall toning, else fine. Matted and framed to an overall size of 14 x 11½". Estimate Value $200 - 300
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| Realized
$144 |
Lot 109 |
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Taft, William Howard - Distinguished Portrait Signed and Inscribed as President (1857-1930) 27th President of the United States and 10th Chief Justice of the United States, the only person to have held both offices. Photograph signed and inscribed, "For C.B. Hubbell with best wishes of Wm H Taft / Feby 9 1910," 10 x 8", double matted to 13¾ x 11¼". The chest-up portrait is by Harris & Ewing of Washington, D.C. Fine condition and ready for framing. Estimate Value $400 - 600
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| Realized
$400 |
Lot 110 |
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Taylor, Zachary - Manuscript Letter Signed as President (1784-1850) 12th President of the United States (1849-50). Manuscript letter signed "Z. Taylor" as President, one page, 9¼ x 8", Washington, July 27, 1849. The President thanks Robert Purviance of Baltimore for a book: "You will please accept my thanks for your kind attention in sending me the 'Narrative of Events which occurred in Baltimore town during the Revolutionary War.'" Fine; lightly affixed at upper and lower left corners to a larger sheet; tip of upper left corner is missing, affecting nothing. The signature is exceptionally bold.
Taylor was a career soldier, serving in the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War (1832) and the second of the Seminole Wars (1835-1842), but it was his victory at the Battle of Buena Vista (1847) during the Mexican-American War that made him a war hero and served as a springboard into the White House. Elected president in 1848, Taylor served from March 4, 1849 until July 9, 1850, when he fell ill and died of an undiagnosed digestive ailment. Because of his brief tenure as President, Taylor is the third rarest presidential signature, William Henry Harrison being the rarest and James A. Garfield the second rarest.
Robert Purviance, Jr. was a member of a prominent Baltimore merchant family of Huguenot origin, which had left France for Ireland when the Edict of Nantes was revoked by Louis XIV in 1685. They came to America in 1763 and were supporters of the American Revolution. The narrative of the book which Purviance sent to the President was created from some one hundred Revolutionary War period papers from the Baltimore Custom House, which Purviance's father had stored during his tenure as Collector of Customs for the Port of Baltimore from 1794 to 1806 and which had come to light in 1847. The original papers were presented in a bound manuscript volume to the Maryland Historical Society, where the Purviance Papers are kept. Estimate Value $5,000 - 6,000
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| Unsold |
Lot 111 |
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Truman, Harry - Typed Letter Signed as President, on White House Stationery (1884-1972) 33rd President of the United States (1945-53). Typed letter signed "Harry S Truman" as President, one page, 9½ x 7¾", on The White House stationery, Washington, May 3, 1947. To Miss Natalie W. Linderholm, president of the American Woman's Association, congratulating her for the achievements of the AWA during the past 25 years. In part: "In that time the position of women has been decisively consolidated in the nation's business, professional and political life. Your organization can be proud of the part it has played….Judging by the contributions your organization made when our country was in the midst of economic crisis and by the excellent war service record achieved more recently by your group, I am confident the American Woman's Association will make itself significantly felt in our efforts for world peace and prosperity." Fine condition with large signature. The letter is matted with a color image of Truman and framed to an overall size of 14¼ x 19".
Less than two months before writing this letter, on March 12, 1947, Truman appeared before a joint session of Congress and announced what came to be known as The Truman Doctrine. He took a tough stance against the Soviet Union, announcing "the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures." Specifically, Truman felt that Greece and Turkey, which were no longer being provided military and economic assistance by Great Britain, were being threatened by terrorist activities, led by communists and America needed to step up and help them. He asked for $400,00 in aid to the two governments, including civilian and military personnel and equipment .The Truman Doctrine represented a major change in U.S. foreign policy, from not getting involved in regional conflicts not directly involving the United States, to considering intervention in far away conflicts. Estimate Value $800 - 1,000
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| Unsold |
Lot 112 |
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Truman, Harry S. - Inscribed, Signed Photo & TLS (1884-1972) 33rd President of the United States (1945-53). Black-and-white photo inscribed and signed, "With best wishes to Tim P. Wells from Harry S. Truman 5-14-62," 10 x 8", no place. A chest-up portrait of the ex-President. Small crease in upper right corner and tape around edges of verso. With a typed letter signed "Harry S. Truman," one page, on personal letterhead, 10½ x 7¼, Aug. 6, 1963. To Reverend Wrigley in Philadelphia, enclosing a letter the reverend had requested (not present) and hoping "it meets the situation as you want it." With original envelope. Estimate Value $250 - 350
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| Realized
$216 |
Lot 113 |
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Truman, Harry S. - Inscribed, Signed Vintage Original News Photograph (1884-1972) 33rd President of the United States (1945-53). Photo inscribed and signed, "To Robert Glass / From Harry S. Truman," 10 x 8", no place, no date. A chest-up photo with The New York Times stamp on the verso. Some ink brushing, else fine. Boldly inscribed and signed by "Give'em Hell" Harry. Estimate Value $200 - 300
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| Realized
$138 |
Lot 114 |
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Truman, Harry S. - Signed Citation For the Legion of Merit for a Soviet Officer. 33rd President of the United States (1945-1953). Typed document signed "Harry S Truman" as President, being a Citation for the Legion of Merit / Degree of Legionnaire, one page, on "The White House" letterhead, 10½ x 8", Washington, no date. The Citation reads: "Major General Ivanovich Pauil Afonin, Commanding General, 5th Guard Airborne Division, Red Army, displayed exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and contributed materially to the success of combined operations in Europe." Signed by Truman in bold black ink.
Accompanied by a Certificate: "Legion of Merit / Degree of Legionnaire to Major General Ivanovich Pauil Afonin, Red Army," one page, 10 x 12", Washington, April 6, 1946. Signed at the conclusion by the Adjutant General and by Secretary of War. Robert P. Patterson. Fine. Blind embossed War Dept. seal is at bottom center. A lovely, colorful Legion of Merit badge is depicted at top. Docketed at top right in Russian. Light toning and ink brushing to Patterson's first name.
Documents like these are extremely scarce when relating to officers of the Red Army. Estimate Value $1,000 - 1,500
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| Realized
$720 |
Lot 115 |
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Truman, Harry S. - Signed Dollar Bill (1884-1972) 33rd President of the United States (1945-53). Series 1935G Silver Certificate AU $1 bill boldly signed "Harry S Truman" across George Washington's portrait. Truman very rarely signed currency. Very fine. Estimate Value $400 - 600
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| Realized
$475 |
Lot 116 |
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Truman, Harry S. - Signed Program, 3 Memorial Covers & 3 Photographs. Program signed "Harry S. Truman" on the cover, 9½ x 6", no place, no date. The dinner was given for Truman on Oct. 28, 1960 in Oakland shortly before the presidential election. A photo of JFK and LBJ is on the back cover. Also present are an invitation to the laying of the cornerstone and dedication of the Truman Library; three 8 x 10" B&W photos (one with some fading) of Truman on Nov. 1, 1960; and three Truman memorial covers (one proclaims a Day of Mourning by President Nixon); and an announcement of the memorial services in Washington, D.C. Estimate Value $150 - 200
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| Realized
$150 |
Lot 117 |
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Truman, Harry S. - Typed Letter Signed Re His Memoirs (1884-1972) 33rd President of the United States (1945-53). Typed letter signed "Harry S. Truman," one page, 9½ x 7¼", on personal letterhead, Independence, Missouri, Aug. 21, 1968. To Rick Hill of Topeka, Kansas, "If you will mail your two volumes of my Memoirs to this office, I will be glad to autograph them and return them to you. It will not be necessary to provide return postage." Very fine condition. Truman's Memoirs were published in 1955-56. Fine condition. With COA. Estimate Value $200 - 300
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| Realized
$125 |
Lot 118 |
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Tyler, John - Autograph Endorsement Signed as President (1790-1862) Tenth President of the United States (1841-45). He was the first vice president to become chief executive due to the death of his predecessor; his nickname was "His Accidency." Autograph document signed "John Tyler" as President, on 3½ x 2 5/8" paper cut from a letter or document, no place, March 2, 1843. The President writes: "The charges against Major Miller should be investigated." Fine condition except for a 1¼" piece of frame missing at right edge. Attractively matted and framed to an overall size of 8½ x 7". Any autograph writing of Tyler as President is rare. Estimate Value $1,500 - 2,000
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| Realized
$938 |
Lot 119 |
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Tyler, John - Autograph Letter Signed (1790-1862) Tenth President of the United States (1841-45) and the first President to have impeachment proceedings initiated against him. He was the first vice president to become chief executive due to the death of his predecessor; his nickname was "His Accidency." Autograph letter signed, "John Tyler," one page, 4¾ x 3¾", Sherwood Forest (Virginia), April 28, 1859. The former President writes a courtly response to a request for his autograph: "With much pleasure I comply with the wish of Florence Dinsmore, and ask her to accept this, not so much as emblematic of my character through my autograph, as of my sense of the honor confer.d by her polite application. I have the honor to subscribe myself. Resp.ly & Truly John Tyler." Fine condition. Matted with a small image of Tyler and framed to an overall size of 14 x 17". Tyler was the first President to have impeachment proceedings initiated against him. Estimate Value $800 - 1,000
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| Realized
$875 |
Lot 120 |
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Van Buren, Martin - A Presidential Pardon (1782-1862) Eighth President of the United States (1837-41). Partly-printed document signed "M. Van Buren" as President, one page, laid, watermarked paper, 9¾ x 7¼", Washington, July 11, 1839. Ordering the Secretary of State to "affix the seal of the United States to the order for the Pardon of Joseph Boardman." Fine condition; one small edge split, light overall toning, and minor ink brushing in the signature, which is of medium boldness.
Note of interest: Martin Van Buren was the only American President who spoke English as a second language. He grew up in the small village of Kinderhook, New York, where most people spoke Dutch at home. He was also the first President to be born after the colonies declared independence and became the United States of American. Estimate Value $800 - 1,000
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| Realized
$810 |
Lot 121 |
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Van Buren, Martin - Manuscript Letter Signed Two Months After Leaving the Presidency (1782-1862) 8th President of the United States (1837-1841). Manuscript letter signed "M. Van Buren" as President, one page, 9¾ x 8", New York, May 7, 1841. To Messrs. Eugene Lawrence, Geo. H. Houghton, and W.H.A. Butler, thanking them for their letter "notifying me of my election as an honorary member of the Philomathean Society of the University of New York and containing with other complementary expressions a assurance, in behalf of the Society, of their pleasure in welcoming me to my native state. I beg you to present to those whom you represent my thanks for the honour conferred by them with my cordial good wishes for the perpetuity and success of the Society and of the Institution with which it is connected, and to accept for yourselves assurances of the sincere respect and regard with which I am, gentlemen, Your friend & obdt. servt." Handsomely matted and framed to an overall size of 16½ x 14¾"; a couple of minor dings to frame are easily retouched. The Philomathean Society, of which Van Buren was made an honorary member, was a literary society founded at New York University in 1832. It existed until 1888. Estimate Value $500 - 800
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| Realized
$525 |
Lot 122 |
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Van Buren, Martin - Rare Check Signed (1782-1862) Eighth President of the United States (1837-41). Partly-printed check signed "M Van Buren," 2¾ x 6¼", Kinderhook, N.Y., Oct. 3, 1860. Written on The Bank of Kinderhook in the amount of five dollars and paid to "E.E." Decorative left margin; uneven lower edge. The 78-year-old Van Buren's handwriting is a little shaky. In the past 38 years, since 1979, ABPC lists only seven checks as having sold at auction. The check has been slabbed by PSA/DNA but can be removed if desired. Van Buren was the first President to be born after the United States declared independence from Great Britain. He was also the only President whose first language was not English. He was of Dutch ancestry and grew up in Kinderhook, New York, which was primarily Dutch-speaking. Estimate Value $3,000 - 5,000
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| Realized
$1,440 |
Lot 123 |
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Wilson, Woodrow - Document Signed as President, With a Tommy Gun Connection (1856-1921) 28th President of the United States (1913-21). Partly-printed document signed "Woodrow Wilson" as President, as President, on vellum, 19½ x 15¼", Washington, Aug. 10, 1916. Appointed Marcellus H. Thompson as Captain in the Coast Artillery Corps. Countersigned by Secretary of War Newton D. Baker. Fine condition, with minor age yellowing. The intact blue seal at lower left and handsome vignettes at top and bottom make this an exceptionally attractive document.
Marcellus Thompson (1883-1939) was the son of Brigadier General John T. Thompson, who invented the Thompson submachine gun, or "Tommy Gun." The gun was made by Auto Ordnance Company and was intended for use by U.S., soldiers in the trench warfare of World War I. The gun was not perfected, however, until 1918, and the war ended before guns could be shipped to Europe. At the end of 1919, Marcellus, who had fought in several World War I battles, resigned from the military to become vice president of Auto Ordnance Company and help his father with marketing and promotion. In 1922, Lt. Col. Marcellus Thompson was arrested and charged with conspiracy for shipping guns and ammunition to Ireland, in violation of the neutrality laws. To make matters worse, Marcellus' father-in-law, George Brinton McClellan Harvey, was U.S. ambassador to Great Britain. How embarrassing! Marcellus claimed that he had no knowledge of how the guns got aboard the ship bound for Ireland. He was quoted as saying, "I do not want to discuss the East Side matter [the guns were seized in Hoboken] except to say that we do not know how the guns got aboard that ship. We would not think of selling guns to persons we might even suspect of reselling them into the hands of enemies of constitutional governments," this in spite of the fact that he had been heard to say to his team back in December 1920, "See what the Irish crowd think of the gun."
Police records of the seizure showed 13 sacks containing 105 unpacked Thompson machine guns, 495 packed machine guns, 289 large boxes of magazines, one small case of cartridges and 175 small boxes thought to contain small arms. The Auto-Ordnance salesman, George Gordon Rorke, admitted during the trial that he sold the guns for cash, that he was sympathetic with the aspirations of the Irish people, had been active in several of the local Irish societies and that he had been President of the Protestant Friends of Irish Freedom, but he insisted that he knew nothing about the destination of the guns. He was exonerated and no further legal action was taken. Incidentally, a young FBI agent named J. Edgar Hoover investigated this case.
The Thompson submachine gun achieved notoriety for its use by Prohibition and Depression-era gangsters--two were used in the infamous St. Valentine Day's Massacre-- and by the lawmen who pursued them. In 1938, the gun was adopted by the U.S. military and was used in World War II and later. Estimate Value $600 - 800
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| Realized
$450 |
Lot 124 |
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Wilson, Woodrow - Typed Letter Signed as President, Marked "Condidential". 28th president of the U.S. (1913-21). Typed letter signed "Woodrow Wilson" as President, one page, on The White House stationery, 8½ x 6¾", Washington, Nov. 9, 1917. To Hon. James W. Wadsworth, Jr., who was U.S. senator from New York from 1915-27. Seven months after the U.S. entered World War I, Wilson wrote: "I went very thoroughly into the matter about which you spoke to me the other day and take pleasure in sending you the enclosed letter from the Secretary of War and the confidential report to which that letter refers. I would be very much obliged if you would have these returned to me at your convenience." Some slight fading to ink, a couple of later pencil marks, and minor marginal creasing. Matted with a color image of Wilson and framed to an overall size of 11½ x 15¾". Estimate Value $600 - 800
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| Realized
$525 |
Lot 125 |
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Zachary Taylor Endorsement Signed as President (1784-1850) 12th President of the United States (March 1849-July 1850); a career Army officer who served in the Mexican-America War and the War of 1812. Endorsement signed ("Z. Taylor") as President, on the bottom of a letter from Secretary of the Interior Thomas Ewing, one page, 10 x 8", Executive Office, May 25, 1849. With docketed integral address leaf. Ewing, writing from the Department of the Interior, Washington, May 24, 1849, recommends to the President "that the penalty of the bond required of the Receiver of Public Moneys for the district of lands subject to sale at Palmyra, Missouri, be fixed at Fifty thousand dollars, instead of one hundred thousand, as heretofore. The sales at that office of late years have not averaged more than $20.000 per annum, and $50.000 is therefore deemed sufficient as the penalty of the Receiver's Bond.
President Taylor responds, "Let the penalty of the bond above mentioned be fixed at Fifty thousand dollars." Zachary Taylor is the third rarest presidential signature; only William Henry Harrison and James A. Garfield are rarer. Estimate Value $4,000 - 6,000
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| Realized
$3,875 |
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