FRANK JAMES - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/12/1884 - HFSID 350450 - HFSID 350450
FRANK JAMES Extremely rare autograph letter written by Western outlaw Frank James to his wife and son from an Alabama jail (1884), discussing the hardships of imprisonment, his feelings of betrayal by "my pretended friends", and family attendance at his coming trial. Contained in a 9x14½ brown leather folio with a b/w photo of James. Autograph and signed material by James is extremely rare and highly desirable! Rare autograph letter signed "Frank James". 2 pages, 8½x14, 1 sheet, front and verso, ruled paper. Comes in a 9x14½ (27x28¼ unfolded) brown leather folio with a 5¼x6¼ b/w photo of James and a Charles Hamilton letter of authentication. Dated: Mar. 12, 1884. James wrote this letter to his wife and son after surrendering and awaiting trial for bank robbery. "My Dear Wife and Robert... I am truly in hope I may not be ill any more while in jail at least... the only money I spend is for stamps and tobacco... As I write it rains and the heavy peals of thunder and vivid flashes of lightning very nearly raises me out of my chair... I have scarcely any fire and think I will let it die...PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN - AUTOGRAPH ENDORSEMENT SIGNED 06/04/1862 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 354615
ABRAHAM LINCOLN Lincoln adds his endorsement to a letter from an applicant for Marshal of Arizona Territory had been sent to Salmon P. Chase, Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury at the time who would later become a Chief Justice. Autograph Endorsement signed: "A. Lincoln" as 16th U.S. President. In black ink “Respectfully submit/ted To the Attorney/General/A. Lincoln/ June 4, 1862” on verso of a letter to Salmon P. Chase from Amos Pettijohn. 1 page, front and verso, 11½ x 7½ unfolded. Framed to an overall size of 44x23. Frame exhibits minor surface chips. In full: “Demming Hamilton County Ind May 19/6 Hon. Salmon P Chase Secretary of the Treasury Washington City D.C. Dear Sir I crave your attention a moment. I am an applicant for the Marshallship of Arizonia Territory and desire you to Speak to the president on the Subject. Having been a member of of the any Slavry political Party for the past Twenty five years, having in that lenth of time Suffered prosecution & persecution.ROBERT MORRIS - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/01/1798 - HFSID 350490 - HFSID 350490
ROBERT MORRIS Morris writes about impending financial ruin; a month later, he was sent to Prune Street Debtor's Prison. Autograph Letter Signed: "Robert Morris", 3p, 7½x10. Philadelphia, 1798 January 1.To JohnNicholson, his partner in land speculation, Hills. Begins: "Dear Sir". In full: "I send herewith a Copy of Mr. Burds Official list of the Actions in which Geo. Eddy became Special Bail for me. I have marked those that are settled and amongst them those of Myers Musgrove & Ketland which you wrote me you had settled. Of these that remain I expect I can settle with Steinmetz and Newhold, but how the rest are to be managed I do not yet know, and shall be glad to receive your Sentiments with any information you can give thereon - How comes it to pass that I am in a more responsible situation in these cases than you are. If I had not entered Special Bail I must have been responsible to Jno Baker & he would have taken me instead of Geo Eddy CLARA BARTON - MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENT SIGNED - HFSID 350434 - HFSID 350434
CLARA BARTON Eloquently demands protection of the Red Cross symbol. Manuscript Signed: "Clara Barton" circa 1893, three typed pages, 8 x 10½. American Association of the Red Cross President Barton issues a call for a meeting of the Official Advisory Board to consider the protection of the Red Cross Insignia. Her fight had begun shortly after the First Geneva Convention attended by governments from around the world in 1864. Barton fought for the U.S. Congress to ratify the Convention but fearing foreign entanglements the government would not ratify and acknowledge the Convention until 18 years later. After the chartering of the society in 1882, the charitable and international neutral symbol was also used for everything from snake oils, cigars, alcoholic beverages and later, her fiercest adversary, the burgeoning conglomerate Johnson & Johnson Company. This overwhelming misuse and lack of congressional action led Barton to call the first meeting of the association's Board in 1893. Ultimately, the Red Cross would receive limited protection with the organization's official chartering in 1900. Barton's manuscript, in part: "...PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT - DOCUMENT SIGNED 04/27/1931 - HFSID 348039 - HFSID 348039
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT As Governor of New York, he used this red, silver-tipped pen to sign a railroad bill creating the Board of Transit Control in 1931 Document Signed: "Franklin D Roosevelt", 1 page, 9x14½. Albany, New York. April 27, 1931.Certificate authenticating that FDR used the attached pen to sign Senate Bill 12, the railroad unification bill. In full: "THIS IS TO CERTIFY that the pen hereunto affixed was used by me in signing Senate Bill Introductory Number 12, Printed Number 2455, entitled: 'AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to the plan of readjustment provided for in article seven thereof, to authorize the creation of the board of transit control and subsidiary corporations, to prescribe its and their duties and powers, to exempt its and their properties, income and securities from taxation and to make such securities legal investments, and to authorize the acquisition and operation of railroads and other transportation facilities, and otherwise.' and which became a law by my signature April 23, 1931, being Chapter 689 of the Laws of 1931.PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT - ANNOTATED ENGRAVING SIGNED 10/13/1905 - HFSID 350559 - HFSID 350559
THEODORE ROOSEVELT The President signs a rare and extraordinarily large engraving after his Nobel-Prize winning peace efforts. Annotated Engraving Signed, "Theodore Roosevelt" October 13, 1905. The entire engraving takes the view of Roosevelt in a large, overscale oval portraiture, presidential view, framed in an oval border, hanging on a wall over the mantle of a fireplace - the result leaves a magnificent impression. 19x25 visible. Roosevelt has signed at the bottom center for Charles Francis, his minister to Austria-Hungary: "To Hon. Charles S. Francis with the regards of Theodore Roosevelt Oct. 13th 1905." This engraving is Copy #25 of a very limited edition issue. Roosevelt signed and annotated this portrait just one month after successfully completing negotiations at the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the war between Russian and Japan. Those mediations earned him the Nobel Prize for Peace. In brown ink. Handsome, high-polished mahogany frame with charcoal etched frame attached, ecru silk mat, gold filets, engraved historical plate. Note this is a large presentation (28¼ x 42).JOHN HANCOCK - AUTOGRAPH LETTER UNSIGNED 10/31/1783 - HFSID 273139 - HFSID 273139
THE GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS URGES THE PRESIDENT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE TO TAKE THE SAME STEPS AS MASSACHUSETTS HAD TAKEN IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE FISHING INDUSTRY ON THE MERRIMACK RIVER JOHN HANCOCK. Autograph Letter, unsigned, 1p, 6¾x9. Boston, 1783 October 31.To "His Excellency Meshech Weare Esqr. President of the State of New Hampshire".Begins: "Sir". In full: "In compliance with the Request of the Two Branches of the General Court I inclose you Two Acts of this Government making provision to prevent the Destruction of Fish by Mill-Dams in Merrimack River & c - As the Design'd [illegible] of this Bill will much Depend upon the measures that shall be Adopted by the Legislature of your State, I am to Request that your Excellency will be pleas'd to lay those Acts before them, and cannot but flatter myself that they will Take such effectual Steps as will ensure the good Effects for which our Govt. Court had in View in passing the Bill - I am with Sentiments of [portion of word crossed out] Esteem, Sir, Your Excellency's Most Obedt & Humbl Servt." Hancock's retained copy of his letter to Weare. Docketed in unknown hand on verso.GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON JR. - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 02/03/1916 - HFSID 350556 - HFSID 350556
GEORGE S. PATTON Patton writes to his aunt from Fort Bliss Texas ALS: "Your devoted nephew/George", 1p, 7½x10½. Ft. Bliss, Tex, 1916 February 3. To Aunt Nanni. In full: "I am very sorry to hear that you have been sick and hope that you are much better by now. But don't try to get up too soon. I have had a little Gripe my self lately but am well now. This is a most uninteresting place and the feeling that I will not be here long keeps me from taking much interest in it. I think that every one here would rather be in the Islands. With lots of love." AUNT NANNIE(Anne Wilson, his mother's sister) helped raise Patton and his sister, Nita. In 1915, Patton was sent to Fort Bliss where the post commander was Brigadier General John J. Pershing. Mexico was then in turmoil as the consequence of revolution, and Army troops were guarding the border to prevent depredations against American life and property. Patton led routine cavalry patrols. Despite the arrival at Fort Bliss of MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER - MANUSCRIPT ENDORSMENT SIGNED 09/11/1863 - HFSID 350509 - HFSID 350509
GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER General Custer requests that attention be given to the case of Captain Peter Casey of Chicago's Irish Legion, the 90th Illinois volunteers, for absence without leave. Manuscript Endorsement Signed. War-dated. signed "G. A. Custer / Brig Gen Vols / President of Ex Board". 3 ¼ x 3. September 11, 1863. In part: “Respectfully forwarded by the Examining Board recommended attention requested to enclosed ? from ? of this Board in case of Capt Casey.” Signed by Custer as Brigadier General Volunteers and president of the Examining Board. He requests that attention be given to the case of Captain Peter Casey of Chicago's Irish Legion, the 90th Illinois volunteers, for absence without leave. Dublin-born Casey was a Chicago saloon owner who suffered a series of run-ins with Army authority. In this particular case, he had suffered from a severe case of fever and was given a legitimate furlough which he extended without leave.PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER DOUBLE SIGNED 09/03/1829 - HFSID 285943 - HFSID 285943
ANDREW JACKSON As President, he signs an 1829 autograph letter to a Tennessee neighbor, explaining that he has neither the desire nor the financial means to purchase an offered parcel of land adjacent to his own. Autograph Letter Signed: "Andrew Jackson" as President, 1 page, 8x10. Washington, 1829 September 3. To Captain Peter Mosely. In full: "Being absent from this city at the Rip Raps for the benefit of my health I did not receive your letter until my return on the first instant and I hasten to answer it the first leisure moment that has occurred. I regret to say to you, that my monied concerns are not in a situation to purchase your land, I am sorry to be compelled to say to you, that my expense is equal to all my means, & it is out of my power to loan you the sum wanted. The land you propose selling; that part where McCulla lived, would not suit me; If I had the means to buy, I would buy that north of my tract, say 150 acres at a fair price, but as yet, I have not the means.WILLIAM F. "BUFFALO BILL" CODY - ANNOTATED ALBUM LEAF SIGNED 04/20/1899 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 350584
WILLIAM F. CODY, JAMES LONGSTREET and others Signatures of Cody, Longstreet and other prominent Chicagoans of the era, collected on both sides of a 6x4 sheet in 1899. Signatures on both sides of a 6x4 sheet: "W.F. Cody / 'Buffalo Bill'", "Nate Salsbury", "John M. Burke /'Arizona John'", and "Allison Nailor, Jr.". Dated in unknown hand at left: "April 20, 1899." On verso: "Yours Truly/James Longstreet/July 15 '99" and "Ferdinand W. Peck". Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 40x20. William Frederick Cody earned the name "Buffalo Bill" for killing thousands of buffalo as a hired hunter in 1867 and 1868. Cody had begun his wild west career herding cattle at age nine. Five years later, he became the Pony Express' youngest rider. Throughout the Civil War, Cody worked as a government scout, extracting from life and the West all it had to offer. His western notoriety grew with his adventures, including those during the Sioux War, in which he purportedly fought a duel with Chief Yellow Hand.LT. GENERAL THOMAS J. "STONEWALL" JACKSON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 09/24/1862 - HFSID 350522 - HFSID 350522
THOMAS J. "STONEWALL" JACKSON In this rare, war-dated letter, Jackson handwrote and signed a recommendation that cavalry commander W. E. Jones be promoted to brigadier general during the American Civil War. Jackson wrote this letter less than eight months before his death at Chancellorsville and two years before Jones' death at the Battle of Piedmont. Neither man would live to see the end of the war. Autograph letter signed "T.J. Jackson" in pencil, 2 pages (front and verso), 7¾x9¾ ruled paper. Sept. 24, 1862. Addressed to General S. Cooper, "Adjt. & Insp. General CSA". In full: "Headquarters V. Dist./Sept 24th, 1862/General,/I respectfully recommend/that Colonel W. E. Jones of the 7th Va. Cavly./be promoted to a brigadier general/of cavalry and assigned to the brigade/lately commanded by Brig. Genl. B. H./ Robertson of which Col. Jones regt. formed/a part. Col. J. graduated at West Point/in 1848, was for several years in MAJOR GENERAL ALFRED T. TORBERT - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 348932 - HFSID 348932
ALFRED T. TORBERT Exceedingly rare carte-de-visite photo of Torbert in uniform by Mathew Brady! Autograph Signed Photograph: "Yours truly/A. T. A. Torbert, Brig. Genl: Vols." 2½x4 carte-de-viste with backstamp of Brady's National Photographic Portrait Galleries, New York & Washington. Alfred Thomas Archimedes Torbert (1833-1880), an 1855 graduate of West Point, was appointed a First Lieutenant in the Confederate States Army on March 16, 1861, just before the start of the American Civil War, but the Delaware native declined the appointment and remained a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. By August 1862, he was a Brigade Commander of the VI Corps of the Army of the Potomac, and Torbert was promoted to Brigadier General on November 29, 1862. On April 10, 1864, he was given command of the 1st Division of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac. During Major General Philip Sheridan's Valley Campaigns (1864), Torbert commanded the Cavalry Corps of the Army of Shenandoah. He later commanded the Army of the Shenandoah from April 22, 1865-June 27, 1865.PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON - THIRD PERSON AUTOGRAPH LETTER 03/16/1796 - HFSID 350396 - HFSID 350396
GEORGE WASHINGTON As President, he sends a miniature cameo bust of himself to a lady. The original gift is framed with the President's letter and a presentation plaque. Framed collection including: 1) Autograph Letter Signed in the Third Person. As President, 1 page, 6¼x4½. No place, 1796 March 16. Signed “the President” in text. To a Mrs. Stewart, in full: "Not for the representation or the value, but because it is the production of a fair lady, the President takes the liberty of presenting the enclosed, with his best regards, to Mrs. Stewart praying her acceptance." Toned and creased. Trimmed, irregularly cut edges. Fine condition.2) Ephemera, unsigned. Framed reproduction of Madame de Brehan's miniature portrait of a Grecian style image of Washington. George Washington (1732-1799) a Virginia planter and surveyor who gained his military experience in the French and Indian War, was a delegate to the Continental Congress when he volunteered to take command of the American militia surrounding British-occupied Boston in 1775.DR. MARY EDWARDS WALKER - AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED - HFSID 350459 - HFSID 350459
MARY WALKER The first female recipient of the United States Medal of Honor provides a collector her signature. Signature: "Mary E. Walker, M.D./A.A. Surgeon, U.S.A./in War of 1861-5./[three dashes]", 1p, 6¼x8½. Beneath the signature, the person who obtained the autograph has typed a description of Walker, who was "a spectator at the trial of Mrs. Melbar, who was being tried for the murder of her five year old son." The collector continues: "After I asked for the autograph, a photographer asked permission posing in front of the building for him. Under her name she put three little dashes and told me that the represented the red, white and blue." In 1865, President Andrew Johnson presented Dr. Mary Edwards Walker a Medal of Honor for her work with the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, Walker, an advocate of women's rights, temperance, and dress reform, became a controversial writer and lecturer. In 1917, at the height of the woman suffrage movement, a federal review board revoked the 85-year-old Walker's Medal of Honor, claiming she had never actually served in the Army. Walker refused to return the Medal, proudly wearing it until her death in 1919.GENERAL PHILIP H. SHERIDAN - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 12/12/1884 - HFSID 350618 - HFSID 350618
PHILIP SHERIDAN The former Civil War Union general accepts the invitation of Ohio Senator John Sherman to act as Marshal for the Ceremonies at the dedication of the Washington Monument. Manuscript LS: "P.H. Sheridan" as Lieutenant General, 1½p, 7½ x 9¾ lined sheet, front and verso (hinged to show both sides of letter). Washington, D.C., 1884 December 12. On letterhead of Headquarters, Army of the United States to Hon. John Sherman, U.S. Senate.Begins: "My dear Sir". In full: "I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of December 11th. communicating the resolution unanimously adopted by the Commission, inviting me to 'act as Marshal on the day of the ceremonies, to arrange the details of the procession and assign to the different organizations their places in the line.' Accepting with pleasure the duty thus assigned me, I beg that you will convey to the commission my high appreciation of the distinguished honor conferred upon me.WILLIAM BARCLAY "BAT" MASTERSON - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 02/04/1914 - HFSID 350561 - HFSID 350561
WILLIAM BARCLAY "BAT" MASTERSON Rare, 1914 typed letter signed by the Western lawman on New York Morning Telegraph letterhead signed by the Western lawman while he was a sports writer at the paper. It's addressed to Robert M. Wright, author of Dodge City, The Cowboy Capital and laments the sale of Wright's "meritorious volume". With three typed manuscript pages from Wright's book on the murder of Masterson's brother Ed. Typed letter signed "W. B. Masterson" in purple ink. 1 page, 8½x11, on letterhead of the New York Morning Telegraph. Feb. 4, 1914. Addressed to the Honorable R. N. Wright, Dodge City, Kansas. In full: "My dear Bob:- I got your letter yesterday and hasten to reply for fear I'll forget it as I find it is quite easy for me to forget things now. I am indeed sorry that the book doesn't sell more readily than it does for it really is a meritorious volume. I will call Mr. Price's attention to what you say regarding his writing from time to time stories from the book and believe as you do that will help its sale immensely.GENERAL THOMAS GAGE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/16/1768 - HFSID 284907 - HFSID 284907
GENERAL THOMAS GAGE Important, 3-page ALS (1768) from Britain's military commander in North America to his Indian Commissioner: Strike a deal at the expense of the settlers! Autograph Letter signed: "Thos. Gage", 3 pages, 7¾x12½, front and verso. New York, 1768 January 16. To Sir William Johnson, Baronet. In full: "I have received your letters of the 24th, 26th Dec. and 9th Jan. The opinion you give of the general causes of the discontent of the savages, which originate from our growing power and their jealousy of our designs against them, I know no remedy against, but by doing them all the justice we can. If we can remove the settlers from their encroachments it will be a manifestation of our earnest desire to do them justice. And they have seen a person executed in New Jersey for the murther of an Indian, which must in some measure shew them we do what we can to give them satisfaction for the murter of their peoples, which tho only one example, is more than they have given us for the many white people they have killed at different times.FRANK JAMES - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 07/1883 - HFSID 314406 - HFSID 314406
FRANK JAMES From Gallatin, Missouri, while awaiting trial for murder and armed robbery, James handwrote this remarkable and very affectionate 20-page letter to his wife, even quoting Shakespeare. This rich content letter includes references to some of James' friends and former partners Ebenezer Magoffin, and Bill and Frank Gregg. Curiously, James signs with the alias he used as an outlaw, "Ben". Autograph Letter signed: "Your true husband/Ben", 20 pages, 5x8. Castle St James [Gallatin, Missouri], July, circa 1883. A loving letter from Frank James to his wife, on his affection for her and recent happenings. In full: "My dear wife: Do you know your letter of last Sunday was the most interesting communication I have had from you since you left me. I think you are awakening to the fact that I love you much more than a "little bit" as you express it. Let me whisper to you right now that I feel a hundred times better since you have written as you have. How kind and good you can be when you want to. I have felt very much like spanking you several times of late, when you would say for instance "I sometimes believe you do love me a little bit".EMPEROR AND EMPRESS HIROHITO SIGNED PHOTOGRAPHS - HFSID 350392 - HFSID 350392
EMPEROR AND EMPRESS HIROHITO Spectacular pair of rare, signed photographs in original Imperial frames. These signed photographs measure 5¾ x 8½ inches and are housed in their original blue leather Imperial frames. Both feature formal, full-length images, individually signed in bold Japanese calligraphy with black sumi ink by Hirohito and Empress Kojun. Signed royal portraits presented in matching pairs are very scares as they were given only to guests of the emperor. Fine condition. Overall frames measure 8 x 10¾. Light surface scratches present on the frames. Easel damaged on the back of Emperor Hirohito's frame. Otherwise, fine condition. HIROHITO (1901-1989), born Michinomiya Hirohito, Japanese emperor during World War II, was originally designated as "Showa" or "Enlightened Peace". He became emperor in 1926 following the death of his father Taisho. Despite having supreme authority in Japan, he did little more than to ratify the policies of his ministers. Historians debate Hirohito's role in Japan's expansionist policies, which began in 1931 and one of the major causes of World War II.PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD - ANNOTATED PRES. METAL LOGO PLATE SIGNED - HFSID 350487 - HFSID 350487
GERALD R. FORD The Nation's bicentennial President signs a commemorative printer's plate. Commemorative Metal Printer's Plate inscribed and signed: "To Robert L. White, best wishes,/Gerald R. Ford" as 38th President, 14¾x 6½. Printer's plate for the production of commemorative matchbooks. A sheet of completed matchbooks (two rows of seven covers per row) are displayed beneath the plate. The covers for the matchbooks, which are made of blue silk, bear gold foil impressions reading "The President and Mrs. Ford", a facsimile signature of Gerald Ford and the image of the White House. The commemorative matches were presented to the President by the Maryland Match Corporation in Washington, D.C.As the President and First Lady during America's bicentennial celebration, Gerald and Betty Ford were deluged with "birthday presents", such as this printing plate. Nearly two years earlier, upon becoming the 38th U.S. President (1974-1977) upon the resignation of Richard Nixon, Gerald R.PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DAVIS (CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA) - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 01/17/1856 - HFSID 16525 - HFSID 16525
FUTURE CONFEDERATE PRESIDENT WRITES TO FUTURE CONFEDERATE OFFICER ABOUT THE STAFFING OF THE ARMORY AT HARPER'S FERRY, WHICH WAS RAIDED THREE YEARS LATER BY JOHN BROWN. JEFFERSON DAVIS. Manuscript LS: "Jeffn Davis" as Secretary of War, 2p, 7½x9¼ front and verso. War Department,(Washington), 1856 January 17.TO HON. C. J. FAULKNER.In full: "I find an unexpected delay has occurred in the completion of the new models; but have assurance that they will be finished this week, so as to be ready for inspection at the beginning of next week when those designed for Harper's Ferry will be sent thither after which we shall be able to resume full work at that Armory. That class of community who have been for a time suspended from employment will I hope then be relieved from this embarrassment to which you have called my attention. As to the number of clerks required atHarper's Ferry, I have made some Military | Hats
Sub Categories
Top Signers
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Theodore Roosevelt
- William Barclay Masterson
- Gerald R. Ford
- Rutherford B. Hayes
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
- William Mckinley
- Haym Salomon
- Benjamin Harrison
- Richard E. Byrd
- Ulysses S. Grant
- Clara Barton
- Jefferson Davis (Confederate States Of America)
- James A. Garfield
- Frank James
- David Ben-gurion (Israel)
- Andrew Jackson
- William F. Cody
- Andrew Johnson
- Douglas Macarthur
- John Hancock
- Abraham Lincoln
- Hyman G. Rickover
- George VI (Great Britain)
- Julia Ward Howe
- Of Wellington (Great Britian)
- Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
- Jack Dempsey
- Thomas J. Jackson
- George Armstrong Custer
- View More
