ANNIE OAKLEY Check signed with her married name, Annie Butler, filled out by her to her grand-daughter (by adoption), with an additional note in Annie's hand on verso. Check signed: "Annie Butler", 6½x2¾. Newark, New Jersey, 1923 June 15. Check #135, drawn on the Newark & Essex Banking Co. payable to Elizabeth Hall for $50. Endorsed ""Elizabeth Hall". Handwritten note in Oakley's hand on verso: "Board to F. E. Butlers Grand Daughter. 22 Weikel Ave. Merchantville, N. J. Known as Niece". Annie Oakley (1860-1926, born Phoebe Anne Moses in Darke County, Ohio), was born to a Quaker family and began to shoot rabbits and quail at age nine. Within five years, she was a breadwinner for her family as a markswoman, and, at age 15, she saved her family's farm with income she had earned from shooting game. On August 23, 1876, at age 16, Annie married Frank Butler, a vaudeville performer who became her partner. Annie's self-effacing personality (on and off stage) made her a popular performer. In 1885, the Butlers joined Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, where Annie was a star for 17 years. read more...

GRANDMA MOSES In the book Grandma Moses: American Primitive, Moses has drawn a country scene on the flyleaf, and signed the book opposite the title page, inscribing it to columnist Leonard Lyons. Original Art in an inscribed and signed book: "April 27, 1948./To Mr. Leonard Lyons./with best regards./Grandma Moses." beneath printed photograph facing the title page, 146 pages, 8½x11¼, hardcover. Grandma Moses American Primitive, Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, New York: 1947. From the title page: "Forty Paintings with Comments/By Grandma Moses - Together with/Her Life's History/Introduction by Louis Bromfield/Edited by Otto Kallir". 87-YEARS-OLD AT THE TIME, GRANDMA MOSES HAS DRAWN A COUNTRY SCENE IN INK ON THE FIRST BLANK FLYLEAF. Self-taught, ANNA MARY ROBERTSON "GRANDMA" MOSES (1860-1961) and her paintings first came to public attention in 1940, when she was 80 years old, with a one-woman show, "What A Farm Wife Painted", in OTTO KALLIR's Galerie St. Etienne in New York City. The Galerie St. Etienne officially represented Grandma Moses and has represented her estate since her death. read more...

MARY BAKER EDDY This document from the Massachusetts Metaphysical College features the religious leader's autograph! Document Signed: "Mary B.G. Eddy", 1p, 6x4. Boston, Massachusetts. Dated April 2, 1885. Certificate issued by the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, Mary B.G. Eddy, President. In full: "This Certifies That Mrs. G.P. Noyes C.S. has been my student, and is in good standing with the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, she being a member of the Christian Science Association." Emblem of Christian Science at left: "Heal the Sick, Raise the Dead, Cleanse the Lepers, Cast out Demons". While recovering from the effects of a severe fall, Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) sought many types of healing. She turned to the Bible in 1866 and discovered the spiritual and metaphysical system known as Christian Science. Eddy published Science and Health in 1875, explaining this system. The Church of Christ, Scientist was chartered in 1879 and in 1881, next to her home, the Massachusetts Metaphysical College was chartered. Followers multiplied and spread her teachings. read more...

MARY CASSATT In a handwritten letter to a friend in Paris, Cassatt explains that her art keeps her too busy to reply to most letters, but that she would welcome a visit in the Spring. ALS: "Mary Cassatt", 6 pages, 5¼x7, front and verso. Mesnil-Beaufresne, Mesnil-Theribus (Oise), France, no date. On imprinted stationery to Miss Mary Gardner Swift. Begins: "My Dear Mary". In full: "Of course I had your letter but I never thought of answering it. If you knew what my life was you would [five words illegible] than in the [illegible] If you would love to write to me anything that you think I would I shall always be glad to know [two words illegible] I am a very busy woman. Most of my correspondence is done in French through my [illegible] Is French, she has been with us 43 years Ever since my Mothers (sic) death thirty years ago I have been alone, carrying on this place & working here. Ah my art. Of course I have been better known as an artist in France [illegible] is a member of the family In the meantime I send you my kindest regards & hope that next Spring if I am well enough you will come out and see me I had my three nephews and one niece here this last summer. read more...

CHRISTA McAULIFFE Very distinctive color photo inscribed to NASA food specialist Dr. Charles Bourland, who is shown giving her an orientation to "space food." Photograph inscribed and signed: "Dr. Bourland -/Thanks! /S. Christa/McAuliffe". Color, 8x10. SHARON CHRISTA McAULIFFE (1948-1986) taught junior high school in Maryland (1970-1978) and Concord, New Hampshire (1978-1979) and high school in Concord (1980-1985) before being selected as the primary candidate for the NASA Teacher in Space Project on July 19, 1985. She was a payload specialist on Challenger STS-51L which was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 11:38 AM on January 28, 1986. McAuliffe and her six colleagues were killed when Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch. DR. CHARLES T. BOURLAND, shown in this photo inscribed to him, researched and designed food for astronauts from the Mercury program to the International Space Station. Here is a shown giving McAuliffe an edible orientation. After retiring from NASA in 2000, Bourland wrote The Astronaut's Cookbook and taught a read more...

ANNIE OAKLEY Recovering slowly from an auto accident late in her life, she writes a 4-page letter to a female journalist, enthusiastically describing her move to North Carolina. Autograph Letter signed: "Annie Oakley Butler", 4 pages (integral leaf), 5½x6¾. Greensboro, North Carolina, October 10 (Pencil note in unknown hand dates it 1923.) Oakley has struck through the original letterhead of the O'Henry and written her new address in Greensboro. To "Dear Miss Tildesley", in full: "I was pleased to see the sweet letter. We left Cambridge just two weeks ago. And stopped off in Balto. to see Dr. Baer. He said there was an improvement in my foot though it had been very slow. But for me to fight on and he was sure I would win out in time. So we both feel incouraged. I can walk much better than when you seen me. We have just left the Hotel and taken A suite here. We have A pretty living room, furnished in wicker with pretty colors. A wicker table with plate glass top so we can make coffee. Tea. Toast. and even boil eggs if we like. A french door opens on A private varanda with pretty flowers. It faces the East. read more...

JULIA WARD HOWE She signs a mount bearing a 3¾x5½ photo of herself. Photo Mount signed: "Julia Ward Howe". B/w, 4¼x6½ overall, image 3¾x5½ (two surfaces). Photo by Hardy Studios of Boston. An ardent abolitionist, suffragette and advocate of world peace, Julia Ward Howe is best known for writing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" (set to the tune of "John Brown's Body"), which was penned in 1861 after her visit to Civil War battlefields. Mount lightly creased at upper left corner. Signed photographs of Julia Ward Howe are scarce and desirable. Lightly creased at upper left corner of mount. Fine condition. read more...

ANNIE OAKLEY Before leaving on a ship, probably on tour, "Little Sure Shot" writes to friends. EXTREMELY RARE ALS: "Annie Oakley", 2p, 5¼x8½, separate sheets. On stationery of Eastern Steamship Lines, Brocton, Mass., no year, September 24. Begins: "Dear Friends". In full, with grammatical errors and misspellings: "I realy am ashamed to think that I neglected to write you. and send our sincere regrets to dear Allice. But when I think it all over, I feel that God does things for our own good and the poorer Boy is better off and happier than he was away from his little Wife and Baby. The dear little photo is so cute. I would love to see you all again. Fern is feeling better and is in an office 35oo per week & percentage. And we hope that her Mother will strike oil on her farm. 5 wells on 2 next farms all paying. I havent been well. 5 weeks in N.Y.C. and only got one dress made. We sail in 5 minutes so must see & mail this. Bushels of love to all from both." Annie Oakley (1860-1926) was born Phoebe Anne Oakley Mozee in Ohio. She was the sixth of eight children. read more...

ANNIE OAKLEY This wonderful note from the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst, North Carolina was signed "Congratulations" by Oakley and includes a 1919 penny shot by her during one of performances - proof that Oakley really was that good. Items signed by Oakley are extremely rare, and the targets that she used in her performances are even more so, making this combination an extraordinary find by any measure. Autograph sentiment signed "Congratulations/Annie Oakley". 5x6¼, on stationery from the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst, North Carolina with colored cachet near top edge, 1 sheet folded. This note has a 1919 Lincoln head penny tied to it with twine. What makes this penny extraordinary is that it's been bent by a small-caliber bullet impact on its left edge. The crater still has a trace of lead and is consistent with that caused by a .22 bullet, the caliber that Oakley used in her performances. The note itself is also significant, as Oakley was hired by the Carolina Hotel (now the Pinehurst Resort, in Pinehurst, North Carolina) to teach and demonstrate shooting in the mid-1910s. read more...