Autographs of Historical Figures
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(AUTOGRAPH ALBUM). LUCRETIA MOTT, WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON, and others. Autograph Quotations Signed and Signatures, "Longwood," Kennett Square, PA, 1873-1906. A remarkable autograph album, presented to a Quaker couple who were abolitionists and participants in the Underground Railroad, that is signed by several leading 19th century American reformers. Full Description
GEORGE BANCROFT. Autograph Letter Signed [to Henry Charles Carey], New York [NY], 2 December 1852. The noted historian and politician discusses the importation of slaves into colonial America, a topic covered in the just-published fourth volume of his History of the United States. This Bancroft letter was sold at Philadelphia's Great Central Sanitary Fair in June 1864 to raise funds for the aid of Union soldiers, and it is accompanied by its specially-printed Sanitary Fair folder. Full Description
ANTHONY BENEZET. Document Signed, no place, June 1778. A scarce receipt signed by this Quaker reformer who was one of the first and most influential abolitionists in America. Full Description
HENRY BERGH. Autograph Letter Signed to [Elbridge T.] Gerry, New York, NY, 24 June 1876. The founder of the ASPCA writes about a lawsuit that was a major turning point in his campaign for the humane treatment of animials. Full Description
LOUIS D. BRANDEIS. Autograph Letter Signed, Washington, DC, 4 November 1936. A cordial letter in which the Supreme Court Justice recalls his first year practicing law and fondly remembers the old courtroom in the U. S. Capitol that was used by the Supreme Court for most of his years on the bench. Full Description
SIMON CAMERON. Autograph Letter Signed to H. C. Carey, “Lochiel” [PA], 8 March 1859. A note detailing his travels, written by the Pennsylvania politician who served as Lincoln’s Secretary of War in 1861-62. This letter was sold at Philadelphia's Great Central Sanitary Fair in June 1864 to raise funds for the aid of Union soldiers, and it is tipped into its specially-printed Sanitary Fair folder. Full Description
BENJAMIN N. CARDOZO. Autograph Letter Signed to Honorable Bernard L. Shientag, Albany [NY], 20 February 1931. The eminent jurist, who would be named to the U. S. Supreme Court in 1932, writes to a judicial colleague about his new book, Law and Literature. Full Description
CHARLES CARROLL of CARROLLTON. Autograph Letter Signed to William M’Neir, Baltimore [MD], 25 May 1827. At this date, Carroll was the last survivor among the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. He offers here his hopes for the next Presidential election in 1828. Full Description
CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT. Typed Letter Signed to Mrs. Frank Vanderlip, New Rochelle, NY, 29 January 1933. The leader of the U. S. woman suffrage movement who won passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, Catt writes to a former colleague in that effort, praising her continued involvement in public affairs. Full Description
PETER COOPER. Autograph Letter Signed to Frederick Graff, New York [NY], [19?] January 1841, plus integral address leaf that contains an Autograph Draft Letter of reply by FREDERICK GRAFF. This American businessman, inventor, and philanthropist writes about problems with New York City’s water works in a letter that exemplifies both his technical expertise and his support for civic improvements. Full Description
BENJAMIN DISRAELI, Earl of Beaconsfield. Autograph Note Signed “Beaconsfield,” no place [probably London], 20 May 1880. A pass for admission “to the Gallery of the House” written out by this British statesman and author. Full Description
HENRY FORD. Typed Letter Signed to George M. Adams, Dearborn, MI, 10 January 1935. The famed auto manufacturer thanks a popular newspaper writer for sending the original drawing of a cartoon. Full Description
FELIX FRANKFURTER. Typed Letter Signed to Judge Stanley H. Fuld, Washington, DC, 9 May 1956. A significant letter in which this Supreme Court Justice explains how his early work for a U. S. Attorney has influenced his legal views on police conduct. Full Description
HORATIO GATES. Letter Signed as Major General in the Continental Army to Governor [William] Greene, Providence [RI], 20 May 1779. A Revolutionary War-date letter in which this Continental Army general urges Rhode Island's governor to take advantage of an opportunity to spy on British forces in Newport. Full Description
GEORGE III, King of Great Britain & Ireland. Document Signed as King, Court at St. James’s, 14 September 1761. An extremely scarce official command to attend the coronation of George and his Queen, to be held on 22 September 1761, at Westminster Abbey. Full Description
GEORGE V, King of Great Britain & Ireland. Document Signed as King, no place, 26 November 1916. A fine, official statement from the King to an Imperial Conference, meeting in London in the midst of World War I. Full Description
J. PAUL GETTY. Typed Letter Signed to W. J. Nichols, Tulsa, OK, 9 March 1942. One of the richest men in the world, this American oil magnate arranges to pay his federal and state taxes. Full description
JOHN HANCOCK. Partly Printed Document Signed as Governor of Massachusetts, Boston [MA], 28 January 1785. The famous Signer of the Declaration of Independence has penned his large, bold signature on this fine appointment of a justice of the peace. Full Description
PATRICK HENRY. Document Signed as Governor of Virginia, “Council Chamber” [Richmond, VA], 25 May 1785. The Revolutionary leader famed for his oratory (“Give me liberty or give me death”) certifies the land bounty due to a Virginia soldier for his military service during the American Revolution. Full Description
THEODORE HERZL. Typed Letter Signed "Herzl", Vienna, 27 January 1902. The founder of the organized Zionist movement follows up on the recommendations of a recent Zionist Congress. Full Description
JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON. Autograph Letter Signed to General James D. Fessenden, Richmond, VA, 8 February 1866. Less than a year after the end of the Civil War, this former Confederate general cooperates with some former Union generals in a business venture in the South. Full description
JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON. Autograph Letter Signed, Washington, DC, 16 December 1890. The controversial Confederate general explains the loss of some of his pre-Civil War papers and expresses his hope of revisiting Texas. Full Description
ROBERT F. KENNEDY. To Seek A Newer World. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, 1967. First edition. An inscribed copy of this collection of essays in which this U. S. Senator and former Attorney General presents his views on the major issues of the day. Full Description
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. Typed Document Initialed and Signed, no place, 10 January 1967. The civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize-winner signs a contract awarding the publication rights for the Italian language edition of his third book, Why We Can’t Wait. Full Description
RUFUS KING. Autograph Letter Signed his son, John A. King, London, no date [1825-26]. A Signer of the Constitution who was the U. S. minister to Great Britain at this date, King writes to his son about varied personal and business matters. Full Description
ROBERT E. LEE. Autograph Letter Signed to Major William D. Fraser, Baltimore [MD], 7 March 1851. The future Confederate general writes while a colonel in the U. S. Army about his work on the building of Fort Carroll in Baltimore. Full Description
ROBERT E. LEE. Autograph Draft Letter Signed to Messrs. Goddin & Apperson, Arlington, VA, 12 February 1858, with a letter of reply from the firm that bears an Autograph Docket by Lee. The future Confederate general writes as executor about the estate of his father-in-law, George Washington Parke Custis, who was the grandson of George Washington. Full Description
FRANCIS R. LUBBOCK. Autograph Document Signed, no place [Texas], 27 June 1838. This Texas businessman and politician, later to be the state’s Confederate governor, gives a power of attorney for a stock transfer. Full description
ROBERT MORRIS. Partly Printed Document Signed, Philadelphia, PA, 10 March 1795. One of the first certificates for the North American Land Company, given to one of the founding partners, and signed by Morris, the financier who was a Signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Full Description
SAMUEL H. PARSONS. Autograph Document Signed as Brigadier General in the Continental Army, no place, 24 October 1777. A Revolutionary War-date order penned by this Continental Army general. Full Description
J. C. PENNEY. Two Typed Letters Signed to Norris C. Bakke, Hamilton, MO, 18 May 1945 and 21 May 1945. The American department store merchant discusses plans to promote some of his philanthropic and religious endeavors during an upcoming visit to Denver. Full description
WILLIAM PEPPERRELL. Autograph Document Signed, Kittery [ME], 31 August 1736. A Massachusetts colonial official and soldier, best-remembered for leading the successful expedition against the French at Louisbourg, Pepperrell here issues a warrant for the arrest of a man charged with assault. Full Description
JOHN S. PILLSBURY. Document Signed, St. Anthony, MN, 23 May 1871. A legal document signed by a founder of Pillsbury Flour Mills who was also a popular Minnesota Governor and the “father” of the University of Minnesota. Full description
JOHN POPE. Autograph Letter Signed to General J. C. Smith, St. Louis [MO], 5 October 1887. An extraordinary letter from this Union general sharply critical of U. S. Grant for supporting Fitz-John Porter in the controversy over Porter’s conduct at the second battle of Bull Run. Full Description
FITZ-JOHN PORTER. Autograph Letter Signed to Major C. C. Sniffen, New York [NY], 22 September 1886. An intriguing letter from this Union general asking about President Andrew Johnson’s controversial order to execute Mary Surratt, following her conviction for conspiring to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Full Description
PAUL J. SEMMES. Autograph Letter Signed to his wife, no place [probably Virginia], 4 November [no year, probably 1861]. A Civil War-date letter from this Confederate general, who would be mortally wounded at Gettysburg, advising his wife to sell land and slaves to pay various taxes and debts. Full Description
PHILIP H. SHERIDAN. Autograph Letter Signed as Major General to Major General Christopher C. Augur, Winchester [VA], 28 January 186[5]. A Civil War-date letter in which this Union general forwards a request from a lady who had recently abandoned the Confederacy. Full Description
EDWIN M. STANTON. Autograph Letter Signed to B[enjamin]. A. Fahnestock, Washington [DC], 26 November 1857. The future Secretary of War in the Lincoln administration writes here seeking a place for his nephew in a Philadelphia drug store. Full Description
BENJAMIN TALLMADGE. Autograph Letter Signed to Lynde Catlin, Litchfield [CT], 23 May 1820. The head of George Washington’s intelligence service during the Revolution and later a Connecticut businessman and politician, Tallmadge writes about his accounts with the Bank of the U. S. Full Description
GEORGE H. THOMAS. Partly Printed Document Signed, no place, January 1863. A Civil War-date report approved by this important Union general known as the "Rock of Chickamauga". Full Description
DAVID E. TWIGGS. Autograph Letter Signed to Major W. V. Wheaton, East Pascagoula, MS, 28 August 1851. A scarce letter from this future Confederate general who would die early in the Civil War. Full Description
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT (1794-1877). Document Signed, New York [NY], 19 April 1839. The “Commodore”, who made his fortune in steamships and railroads, signs a performance bond resulting from a lawsuit he filed over some real estate. Full Description
ARTEMAS WARD. Letter Signed as Major General in the Continental Army to Joseph Whipple, Boston [MA], 8 January 1777. A Revolutionary War-date letter in which this Continental Army general, who played a leading role in the early battles in Massachusetts, helps a French Canadian secure a pass. Full Description
FRANCES E. WILLARD. Typed Letter Signed to Miss Weems, Evanston, IL, 11 April 1891. This American reformer, best-known for her work in the temperance movement, writes to a descendant of “Parson” Weems, expressing admiration for his biography of George Washington and encouraging her to bring out a new edition of the work. Full description
F. W. WOOLWORTH. Partly Printed Document Signed, no place [probably New York, NY], 1914. A scarce and attractive pass for admission to the observation gallery of the famed Woolworth Building in Manhattan, signed by the innovative American retailer. Full Description
(WORLD WAR II – Allied Victory in Italy). Sir William Duthie Morgan. Signed Photograph, no place, no date. A scarce signed photo of the official ceremony, on April 29, 1945, at which German forces in Italy unconditionally surrendered, signed by the British officer who presided at the surrender on behalf of the Allies. Full Description
(WORLD WAR II – Allied Victory in The Netherlands). Charles Foulkes. Signed Photograph, no place, no date. A scarce signed photo showing the official unconditional surrender of German troops in Holland on May 5, 1945, signed by the Canadian officer who accepted the surrender on behalf of the Allies. Full Description
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