ERWIN ROMMEL. TLS: "Rommel" as Major, in pencil, 1p, 8¼x7½. Dresden, 1933 April 3. In German with full English translation. To publishers Mittler & Sons, Berlin. In full: "Due to overwhelming work and my absence from the city, I am finally able to answer your letter from April 16 today. I thank you for forwarding the pre-war correspondences. For the final selection of Zug & Company correspondences, I have looked at your choices and will come to a final decision on which to use. I would be happy to receive a new copy of F.u.G. Even though I had worked with this in the beginning, the final version is not that familiar to me. The new F.u.G. brings many new things especially names, terms or possibly drawings. With our pre-discussed business contract, I am still in agreement. I doubt I can get to it before mid-June with my work set to begin. When would you like the final draft?" In World War I, Rommel distinguished himself as a great front-line leader. By the time of this letter, he was considered a fine teacher. Four years later, he published his respected work on training and military tactics, Infanterie Greiftan read more...

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER As President of Columbia University, he signs a typed letter to Robert Cutler concerning University projects to be funded by the Harriman brothers, framed with an unsigned photo in the Gallery of History style. TLS: "Ike" as President of Columbia, with ALS: "DE" on first page of 1½ pages (separate sheets) typed letter, 7¼x9½. Columbia University, New York, 1950 December 13. To Robert Cutler, Old Colony Trust Company, Boston, about planning and financing The American Assembly, an affiliate of Columbia University founded by Eisenhower in 1950 "to illuminate issues of public policy". The ALS on the first typed page, in full: "Dear Bobby-This formal dissertation was, as is obvious, prepared by a staff assistant. If you knew how pressed I am, almost to the point of panic, you'd forgive me for not re-writing it. So far as meaning goes, it expresses my sentiments very well indeed!" The typed letter, in part: "Since our delightful Boston visit, we have gone ahead rapidly with the plans for The American Assembly…Mr. W. read more...

JAMES GARFIELD The President signs a warrant authorizing the Secretary of State to place the US seal on a congratulatory message to the new Kingdom of Romania. Signatures by Garfield as President are extremely rare, this one penned less than two months before he was shot. Presidential Warrant signed: "James A. Garfield" as President, 8x10, matted with a photograph of Garfield (with facsimile signature) to an overall size of 18½x15. Washington, D.C., 1881 May 5. In full: "I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to an envelope containing my reply to the letter of King Charles of Romania, announcing the erection of Romania into a Kingdom &c, &c. dated this day, and signed by me; and for so doing this shall be his warrant." James Abram Garfield (1831-1881) rose to the rank of Major General in the U.S. Army during the Civil War, participating in the battles of Shiloh and Chickamauga, before resigning his commission to take a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives (1863-1880). read more...

ON HIS FIRST FULL DAY AS PRIME MINISTER, CASTRO SIGNS A LAW SUSPENDING PAYMENT OF EXPENSES TO HIMSELF AND OTHER GOVERNMENT MINISTERS UNTIL THE GOALS OF THE REVOLUTION HAVE BEEN REACHED   FIDEL CASTRO and MANUEL URRUTIA. Important Typed DS: "Fidel Castro Ruz" as Prime Minister and "M Urrutia" as President, 1p, 10¾x14. El Palacio de la Presidencia, Havana, 1959 February 17. Countersigned by the Minister of the Treasury. In Spanish, not fully translated. Plus a cover page, on "Republic de Cuba/Presidencia" stationery, titled: "LAW No. 85/1959/that suspends the allocations for expenses of representation/and reimbursement for the Prime Minister and the Ministers of the/Government". Prime Minister Castro and President Urrutia sign this law which suspends expenses and reimbursements to government officials from March, 1959, "inasmuch as the Revolution was fought to eradicate unemployment and elevate the standard of one's life,...until those goals have been reached.... read more...

JOSÉ MARTÍ One day before he announced the creation of the Cuban Revolutionary Party, Martí signed this historic, Spanish-language autograph letter arranging tuition payments for the daughters of a friend and ideological rival, Miguel Figueroa. Historic ALS: "José Martí", 1 page, 7½x10¼. [New York], 1892 February 13. In Spanish, translated. In full: "Señora [Mother] Zulueta. My Dear Madam: I had wanted to go myself to put in the hands of Madam Treasurer the tuition payments for the Figueroa girls, and to discharge in person the errand with which their father entrusted me. But I have not been able to recover yet from my illness, so I am mailing the checks to Madam Treasurer, and if I am on my feet by Monday - and my health is not compromised by my attendance at a public meeting tomorrow - I hope to have the pleasure of personally greeting you and the Figueroa girls, to whom I beg you to give the enclosed letter." On the eve of his announcing the organization of the Cuban Revolutionary Party, formed to gain Cuba's independence from Spain, Martí helps his friend and sometime ideological opponent, MIGUEL FIGUEROA (1851-1892). read more...

WILLIAM F. "BUFFALO BILL" CODY 6¾x9 black and white photograph mount with an exceptional quality image of the western icon, signed "W.F Cody, 'Buffalo Bill'" Inscribed Photograph Mount signed: "W.F Cody,/"Buffalo Bill"/To- W.S. Metz", B/w 6½x8 image, 6¾x9 overall. Photographer imprint at lower mount reading: "Prince/Parisian Panel/31 Union Square. New York/Penna Ave. & 11th St. Washington D.C." William Frederick Cody (1846-1917) 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. Cody's theatrical career was launched that same year with his re-enactments of such Indian battles. read more...

JULES MASSENET On the date of the premier of his comic opera masterpiece Manon, he penned and signed these four double bars from Act II. Autograph Musical Quotation signed: "J. Massenet”, in /Paris/1 er presentation op: comique/samedi 19 Janvier 1884 [1st presentation opera: comic/Saturday 19 January 1884]", in black ink, 9½x2½. The composer has drawn four double bars of music, and written in French: "Prelude de l'act II (Manon) [Prelude to Act II (Manon)]". This historical musical quote was written on the first performance of his comic opera, Manon, considered his operatic masterpiece. The opera, which premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, is a staple in the repertoire of many operatic companies and has been featured on numerous recordings, beginning with the historic first recording in 1923. Jules Massenet (1842-1912), who was extremely popular in his day, wrote numerous operas, but Manon established his reputation as a composer. Lightly creased with folds, vertical fold at 1 word of writing. read more...

THE NOTED WESTERN ARTIST WRITES OF HONG KONG AND DRAWS TWO CARTOONS ILLUSTRATING WHERE THE BEST SCOTCH IN CHINA CAN BE FOUND FREDERIC REMINGTON The noted western artist pens os Hong Kong and draws two cartoons illustrating where the best scotch in China can be found Autograph Note on Original Art Signed: "Frederic Remington", 2p, 8x6½, front and verso. Matted, not in the Gallery of History style, to 13x11½ (both sides visible). New Rochelle, New York, no date, Monday. On imprinted "Endion" letterhead to "My dear Julian", journalist Julian Ralph. In full, as written: "Much obliged for the photo. - The[y] move like the patients in a chiropodists ante-room. But its a good photo. - I see there are the G-darndest plagues going in in Hong Kong - Foo-Chin - Ko-so - Fol-hi and other Chinese settlements on the coast that it aint safe this side of the Big Correl fence - I think any man who will go to China would go to Hell for a Pastime. read more...

GEORGE WASHINGTON Washington handwrote and signed this document, showing that he paid £100 for his neighbor's wheat, only five months after being selected to be a delegate at the Continental Congress. This document has his full name of "George Washington" instead of his more common signature of "G. Washington", which makes it especially rare. Autograph document signed in text: "George Washington". 1 page, 7¼x4¼. [Fairfax County, Virginia, 1774 December 23]. In Full: "Then Received from George Washington the Currt Sum of One hundred pounds in part payment for Wheat sold him by" to which the seller has signed: "Thomas Triplett". Penned at top left (unknown hand, possibly Triplett's): "Receivd Decr 23d 1774". THOMAS TRIPLETT was a descendent of French Huguenots who came to America to escape religious persecution. Triplett grew wheat on his plantation in Fairfax County, not far from Washington's Mount Vernon plantation. read more...