At his Burton Mine, Louisiana Territory, Austin co-signs the promissory note of Joseph Whittlesey. Promissory Note signed: "Moses Austin", Jos. Whittlesey", a page, 8x5¼. Mine au Burton [Louisiana Territory], 1806 October 24. Moses co-signs a $70 promissory note for Joseph T. Whittlesey, on a sum borrowed from John Baker: "On condition Mr. Whittlesey should not be capable to pay the above I will on the condition pay the sum of Seventy Dollars." MOSES AUSTIN (1761-1821), the father of Texas pioneer Stephen F. Austin, was known as "the Lead King" of southwestern Virginia, where he owned mines and production facilities to make buckshot and other lead products. His business failed, and in 1798 Austin and his family moved to what is now Missouri, then Spanish territory. (Austin had purchased the land from Spain, but when he signed this note it was actually in French territory under a secret Franco-Spanish treaty, soon to be acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803). Mine au Burton (named for Francis Burton, who had discovered the lode in1763) was the first of 10 mines Austin opened in what would become Missouri, near the town of St. Genevieve, on the Mississippi.…"

Typed letter in Hebrew, signed as President of Israel, thanking a retiring cabinet minister: "my friend and dear teacher" Yehuda Leib Fishman (Maimon). TLS: "Chaim Weizmann" in Hebrew as President of Israel, 1 page, 6½x8¾. No place, 1951 October 8. On letterhead of the State of Israel to the Honorable Rabbi Yehuda Leib Fishman (Maimon). In Hebrew, translated. In full: "It is not a parable to tell you your honor, my friend and dear teacher, that I have the privilege to work with you for more than 20 years, and I recognize and respect your actions for more than 40 years. Today, when you leave the table of government, I tell you what is in my heart. I don't know anyone from the senior office of the Zionist Movement that awakens in me more honor in his beliefs than you." A carbon copy of this letter was sent to Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. Russian-born chemist and Zionist CHAIM WEIZMANN (1874-1952) was President of the World Zionist Organization (1920-1930, 1935-1946) and the first President of Israel from 1949 until his death on November 9, 1952, just 13 months after he signed this letter.

His signature in red ink on a typed housing document 2 months before he invaded Kuwait Rare Typed DS: "Saddam Hussein" in Arabic in red ink as President of Iraq, 1 page, 8x11. Baghdad, Iraq, 1990 June 2. Not translated. A decree revising paragraphs in the real estate register for the city of Ebril. Saddam Hussein joined the Pan-Arab socialist Baath Party in 1957 and fled Iraq. He was wounded two years later, after attempting to assassinate Prime Minister Kassim.  Returning to Iraq after Kassim's overthrow in 1963, he rose rapidly in the Baath revolutionary apparatus and by 1968 was a Vice President with broad authority over the secret police.  Saddam seized full power in 1979 and conducted a ruthless purge of opponents inside and outside the Baath Party.  He dealt brutally with political, ethnic and religious opponents, real or imagined, throughout his reign.  In September 1980, Saddam Hussein began an eight-year war with Iran which began well but soon turned into a stalemate costly in lives and money.  It was partly to recover from the resulting financial crisis that Saddam invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990, just two months after signing this decree.

These incredibly rare documents are a handwritten, dated and signed account of Nazi Germany's forced labor and mass deportation operations by Germany's chief of slave labor recruitment. They were written by Sauckel for his lawyer during his trial before the International Military Tribunal in Nuremburg after World War II. They are important documentation of the 20th century's worst war and of some of the worst atrocities ever recorded in human history. They are also a typical example of the defense used by many defendants in the postwar Nuremberg trials: they were only following orders. This defense failed to sway Sauckel's tribunal; he was found guilty of war crimes and later hanged. Historically Important Autograph Manuscript signed twice (at top of first page and at bottom of last page): "Fritz Sauckel", in pencil, as war crimes defendant, 26 pages, 8x10½. IN GERMAN WITH 1945 ENGLISH TRANSLATION WITH FOOTNOTES AND COMMENTS. Nuremburg [Germany], 1945 July 15. This text was provided by Sauckel to his attorney as a means of fully describing the organization of the forced labor department, and Sauckel's duties and responsibilities.

His signature on a rare Cuban bond issued in May 1960. Rare Engraved Bond signed: "Che" as Fiduciary Agent of Banco Nacional de Cuba, 1p, 14x10¾. Havana, 1960 May 30. Countersigned by the Minister of the Treasury. Certificate No. M-152-V. Provisional Certificate of "Issuance of Bonds of Partial Funding/of the Public Debt 4% 1960-1971" for $1,500,000. Ornate brown border, 12 "L" shaped cut cancellation marks in the center from top to bottom; only four touch printed text. "CANCELADO" rubber stamped across center. Ernesto "Che" Guevara (1928-1967), an Argentine-born Communist revolutionary and guerrilla leader, helped organize Fidel Castro's coup in 1959. He became a prominent member of Castro's new government following the successful overthrow of Batista's 30,000-man army by Castro's band of 800 guerillas. In 1965, he left his government posts to engage again in guerrilla activities, going first to the Belgian Congo where he helped other Cuban revolutionaries organize the Patrice Lumumba Battalion. In 1966, he went to Bolivia to direct the guerrilla movement. He was captured by the Bolivian Army and executed in 1967. He was 39.

Signed, typed letter in German (1901) TLS: "Herzl" as Chairman, 1 page, 8x8. Vienna, 1901 February 21. Countersigned by the Secretary. In German, not translated. To Mr. Gesinnungsgenosse regarding financial matters discussed at a Zionist meeting held in London. In 1896, Theodor Herzl wrote Der Judenstaat (The Jewish State) advocating the founding of a Jewish State in Palestine. He organized the Zionist World Congress in Basel, Switzerland in 1897 and was President of the Zionist Organization from 1897 to his death in 1904. In Europe, Herzl kept in contact with many leaders. In 1901, England offered the Jewish people land in British East Africa. This divided many Zionists who wanted a home in Palestine. Extreme worry over the dispute injured Herzl's health and hastened his death in 1904 at the age of 44. Slight nick at left edge. Folds do not touch signature. Overall, fine condition.

As King he orders payment of £20 to Hugh Browne, countersigned by Lord Danby as Lord High Treasurer. Danby would soon land in the Tower of London, charged with corruption and abuse of office. Manuscript Document signed: "Charles R" as King of England and "Danby" as Lord High Treasurer, 1 page, 9x11¾. Wallingford House (London), 1876 March 22. The King orders payment of £20 to Hugh Bane, former Provost of Strabane in Ireland. CHARLES II (1632-1712) claimed the English throne after the execution of his father, Charles I in 1649.  The Scottish Parliament recognized his kingship, but that of England did not. Defeated by Oliver Cromwell on the battlefield, he fled to France in 1651. He was returned to the throne in 1660, although Charles dated his monarchy from 1649. Charles II's reign is known as The Restoration, and he was called the Merrie Monarch. He presided over a nation grateful for a return to normalcy after the conflict and puritanism of the Cromwell's Commonwealth. While executing some of those who had sanctioned the execution of his father, Charles II was careful not to make sweeping claims of absolute monarchy.