Autographs of Historical Figures
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John Jacob Astor and Albert Gallatin. Autograph Document Signed by Gallatin, New York [NY], 30 May 1816, with an Autograph Endorsement Signed by Astor, no place, no date. A fine document combining the autographs of two major figures in the history of American business and finance: a pay order from Gallatin to Astor that is endorsed by Astor on the verso. $2000.00 Full Description
(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 had been abolitionists and participants in the Underground Railroad, that is signed by several leading 19th century American reformers. $2500.00 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 epic History of the United States. $575.00 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 American abolitionists. $500.00 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 turning point in his campaign for the humane treatment of animials. $1000.00 Full Description
Joseph P. Bradley. Autograph Letter Signed to Amzi Dodd, Litchfield, CT, 20 June 1891. A substantive letter from this U.S. Supreme Court Justice, complaining about the inattention of the press to the recent establishment of the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals. $500.00 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 Court for many years before its own separate building was constructed in the 1930's. $1250.00 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. $375.00 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. $1275.00 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, and he comments on his hopes for the next Presidential election in 1828. $2500.00 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. $500.00 Full Description
Mark Clark. Typed Letter Signed, Charleston, SC, 3 September 1976. The American general best-known for his World War II service answers a question on the possible use of atomic weapons in the event of another world conflict. $250.00 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. A detailed letter from this American businessman, inventor, and philanthropist about technical problems with New York City’s water works. $2000.00 Full Description
Darius N. Couch. Autograph Letter Signed to Oliver Edwards, Camp Brightwood, DC, 12 September 1861. This Union general gives his aide-de-camp (and future general), Oliver Edwards, detailed instructions for a reconnaissance mission in the District of Columbia vicinity. $650.00 Full Description
John Dickinson. Letter Signed as Governor of Pennsylvania to Andrew Porter, Philadelphia [PA], 22 April 1784. Dickinson, a future Signer of the Constitution, informs Porter of his appointment to a special commission named to survey the final boundary line between Pennsylvania and Virginia. $1250.00 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. $550.00 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. $2000.00 Full Description
Felix Frankfurter. Typed Letter Signed to Judge Stanley H. Fuld, Washington, DC, 9 May 1956. The Supreme Court Justice explains how his early work for a U.S. Attorney has influenced his views on legal questions raised by police procedures. $2500.00 Full Description
Benjamin Franklin. Partly Printed Document Signed, Philadelphia [PA], 12 June 1786. A handsomely framed document, in superb condition, signed by the printer and statesman when he was governor of Pennsylvania. $14,500.00 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 gather information on British forces in Newport. $3000.00 Full Description
George V, King of Great Britain & Ireland. Document Signed as King, no place, 26 November 1916. His official statement to an Imperial Conference, meeting in London in the midst of World War I. $950.00 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. $1000.00 Full description
Alexander Hamilton. Partly Printed Letter Signed as Secretary of the Treasury to Samuel R. Gerry, "Treasury Department" [Philadelphia, PA], 31 December 1793, plus integral address leaf that has a free frank of Oliver Wolcott Jr. Hamilton, the first U.S. Treasury Secretary, acknowledges the receipt of documents from the collector at Marblehead, Massachusetts. His letter is free franked by his chief assistant, Oliver Wolcott Jr., who would become the second Secretary of the Treasury in 1795. $3500.00 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. $2500.00 Full Description
Theodore Herzl. Typed Letter Signed "Herzl", Vienna, 27 January 1902. The founder of the organized Zionist movement follows up on recommendations of a recent Zionist Congress. $2250.00 Full Description
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. Autograph Letter Signed, no place, 14 October 1898. The future U.S. Supreme Court Justice is forced to decline a dinner invitation. $750.00 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. $650.00 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. $750.00 Full Description
Robert F. Kennedy. To Seek A Newer World. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, 1967. First edition. 8vo. 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. $1750.00 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. $6500.00 Full Description
Rufus King. Autograph Letter Signed his son, John A. King, London, no date [1825-26]. A Signer of the Constitution, King writes while U.S. minister to Great Britain to his son about varied personal and business matters. $450.00 Full Description
Henry Knox. Autograph Letter Signed to his daughter Lucy, Philadelphia [PA], 10 June 1792. A warm and charming family letter from the Revolutionary War general and first U.S. Secretary of War, talking of social events in the nation’s capital and of his health. $1500.00 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. $8750.00 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 a debt owed by the estate of his father-in-law, George Washington Parke Custis, who was the grandson of George Washington. $8500.00 Full Description
Robert E. Lee and Mary Custis Lee. Photograph of Robert E. Lee, Signed by him on the front and Inscribed and Signed by his wife, Mary Custis Lee, on the verso, no place, no date. A fine, Civil War-date, carte-de-visite photo of Lee, a bust portrait in Confederate uniform, signed by him on the front and inscribed and signed by his wife on the verso to a young relative. $9500.00 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. $500.00 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. $3000.00 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. $750.00 Full Description
J. C. Penney. Two Typed Letters Signed to Norris C. Bakke, Hamilton, MO, 18 May 1945 and 21 May 1945. In these two letters, the American merchant discusses arrangements to promote some of his philanthropic and religious endeavors during an upcoming visit to Denver. $450.00 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. $1500.00 Full Description
John S. Pillsbury. Document Signed, St. Anthony, MN, 23 May 1871. A legal document signed by one of the founders of the Pillsbury Flour Mills who was also a popular governor and the “father” of the University of Minnesota. $750.00 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’s support for Fitz-John Porter in the controversy over Porter’s court-martial for his conduct at the second battle of Bull Run. $1500.00 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. $650.00 Full Description
Paul Revere. Document Signed, Boston [MA], 1 February 1810. The Revolutionary patriot famed for his “midnight ride” to Lexington later established the first copper-rolling mill in the U.S. He signs here a receipt for payment for Revere sheet copper used at lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard and in New Bedford. $15,000.00 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. $3000.00 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 the Union general forwards a request from a formerly-Confederate lady. $1500.00 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, this Connecticut businessman and politician writes about his accounts with the Bank of the U.S. $750.00 Full Description
George H. Thomas. Partly Printed Document Signed, no place, January 1863. A Civil War-date report approved by the Union general known as the "Rock of Chickamauga". $750.00 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. $650.00 Full Description
Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877). Document Signed, New York [NY], 19 April 1839. A performance bond signed by the “Commodore”, who made his fortune in steamships and railroads, relating to a lawsuit he has filed over some real estate. $3750.00 Full Description
Artemas Ward. Letter Signed as Major General in the Continental Army to Joseph Whipple, Boston [MA], 8 January 1777. This Continental Army general, who played an important role in the early fighting in Massachusetts, helps a French Canadian secure a pass in this Revolutionary War-date letter. $2500.00 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. $275.00 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. $1250.00 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. $1500.00 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. $1500.00 Full Description
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