JOHN HANCOCK - AUTOGRAPH LETTER UNSIGNED 10/31/1783 - HFSID: 273139

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. The Merrimack River, which begins in Franklin, New Hampshire, flows for 110 miles - southward to Massachusetts and then northeast to the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border -- before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.

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CLARA BARTON - MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENT SIGNED - HFSID: 350434

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: "...…"

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PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD - ANNOTATED PRES. METAL LOGO PLATE SIGNED - HFSID: 350487

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. Ford (1913-2006) attempted to bring a quick end to the Watergate Scandal by pardoning Nixon (September 8, 1974).

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GENERAL OMAR N. BRADLEY - INSCRIBED SPEECH SIGNED CIRCA 1948 - HFSID: 283823

A bound copy of his Memorial Day Address (1948), inscribed and signed to his longtime secretary, Mary Pitcairn, by America's last five-star general Speech inscribed and signed: "To Miss Mary Pitcairn/With appreciation for/your loyal and/untiring assistance/Omar N. Bradley", 5p, 6x9. Leather-bound, soft cover copy of his Memorial Day Address, titled "That We Might Learn to Live as Bravely as They Died", Longmeadow, Massachusetts, 1948. Inscribed and signed on third free end page. Omar N. Bradley (1893-1981), a corps commander in North Africa and Sicily (1943), commanded of the U.S. First Army, which landed at Utah and Omaha beaches, Normandy, on D-Day, June 6, 1944. In August 1944, he became the Commander of the 12th Army Group, the largest force ever commanded on the field. He headed the new Veterans Administration (1945-1948). On September 20, 1950, Bradley was promoted to Five-Star General of the Army, and would be the last surviving general of 5-star rank. From 1950 to 1953, he was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lacking the arrogance and ostentation of some other generals, Bradley became known as "the soldier's general." Mary Pitcairn, a Red Cross Nurse in World War II, followed the Twelfth Army Group across France and into Germany (1944-1945).

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FRANK JAMES - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/12/1884 - HFSID: 350450

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... I am waiting very impatiently for Mr. Cooper to come from the post office.…"

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PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON - THIRD PERSON AUTOGRAPH LETTER 03/16/1796 - HFSID: 350396

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. Not a brilliant tactician, Washington turned the ragtag volunteer Continental Army, inadequately supplied by Congress, into an effective fighting force, preserving morale and winning enough battles to persuade France to enter the conflict.

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PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER DOUBLE SIGNED 09/03/1829 - HFSID: 285943

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. Present me affectionately to your family & all my good neighbours & believe me, yr friend." Holograph postscript: "P.S. My health has much improved. A.J.…"

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GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON JR. - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 02/03/1916 - HFSID: 350556

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 his wife Beatrice and their two daughters, Patton found the post uninteresting and wished he and his family were on Santa Catalina Island where he and Nita often passed summer vacations along with Aunt Nannie. Patton's feeling that he would "not be here long" was prophetic.

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H. NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF COMBINATION!! - HFSID: 285751

TLS: "N Schwarzkopf" as General, U.S. Army, Retired. 1p, 7x8½. Tampa, Florida, 1998 April 16. To Ken. In full: "This is in response to your letter of 15 February in which you asked that I send you a piece of memorabilia. Enclosed is one set of the stars that I wore during the time I was a general officer. I hope it will find a place in your extensive collection." General Schwarzkopf has added the word "set" in his hand and the four silver stars (one set) is present. Each star is approximately one square inch in size. Almost immediately after receiving his first star in 1983, Brigadier General Schwarzkopf was leading troops into battle. A coup had taken place on the tiny Caribbean island of Grenada. Grenadian revolutionaries were building an airfield which U.S. intelligence suspected would be used to supply insurgents in Central America. General Schwarzkopf was placed in command of U.S. ground forces. The coup was thwarted. Schwarzkopf was promoted to Major General (second star) and given command of the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia. In 1986, he received his third star (Lieutenant General) and took command of the U.S. I Corps at Fort Lewis, Washington.

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WILLIAM BARCLAY "BAT" MASTERSON - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 02/04/1914 - HFSID: 350561

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. What is required to stimulate the sale of a book is advertising and unless that is done there is little demand for a book no matter how interesting it is.…"

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MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER - AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT UNSIGNED - HFSID: 314410

3-page text, unsigned but entirely in his hand, explaining the rules of croquet. While it is extremely unusual to find Custer writing on a sport not directly related to his military duties, Custer, his wife Libbie, and his soldiers did entertain themselves with croquet and similar sports in idle times at their military posts. Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, 3 pages, 7½x9½. No place, no date. In full: I. In commencing to play, each player, in their proper turn, places their ball at a distance from the starting post equal to twice the length of their mallet. II. The order of the wickets is as follows. Leaving the starting post players will take the 1st wicket, then the middle wicket from left to right, then the three wickets on the right of the table in their proper order. Then the middle wicket from right to left, then the wicket nearest to the turning post. Then the turning post, then the wicket nearest the turning post. Then the middle wicket from right to left. Then the three wickets in left side of table in their proper order. Then the middle wicket from left to right, then the wicket nearest starting post. III.

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MAJOR GENERAL ALFRED T. TORBERT - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID: 348932

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. Following the Civil War, Torbert served in several diplomatic posts before drowning off the coast of Florida when the S.S. Vera Cruz sunk on August 29, 1880. Surface loss from mounting residue at left edge of image side.

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WILLIAM F. "BUFFALO BILL" CODY - ANNOTATED ALBUM LEAF SIGNED 04/20/1899 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID: 350584

WILLIAM F. BUFFALO BILL CODY - ANNOTATED ALBUM LEAF SIGNED 04/20/1899 CO-SIGNED - HFSID 350584

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. Cody's theatrical career was launched that same year with his re-enactments of such Indian battles. By 1883, he formed his first Wild West spectacle, becoming a master showman who toured internationally until 1903.

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WILLIAM BARCLAY "BAT" MASTERSON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 12/31/1905 - HFSID: 348287

He pens a letter in correspondence to an individual stating they are relatives in which Masterson quickly replies with otherwise! Autograph Letter Signed: "W.B. Masterson". 2 pages, 8x10, loosely placed in 9½x11½ folio. Accompanied by original mailing envelope; heavily toned, soiled and worn. December 31, 1905, New York City, written to "Mr. Watson F. Masterson" of Ramsey, West Virginia. In full: "Dear Sir. Without going into details can assure you that we are not related; even remotely. My father was born in this state eighty years ago and moved to Illinois where I was born fifty one years ago. There are a great many families of Mastersons in Missouri and Iowa none of whom are related to mine. My father had but one brother and he was several years the eldest and has been dead about forty years and died without issue. Very respectfully." Masterson (1853-1921) was an American frontier gambler and buffalo hunter and a scout for the United States Army. Masterson was also a lawman, serving as a deputy in Dodge City, Kansas alongside Wyatt Earp and later sheriff for Ford County, Kansas (1877-1879), as well as town marshal of Trinidad (1881-1882) and later, during the administration of President Theodore Roosevelt, as a U. S.

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DR. MARY EDWARDS WALKER - AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED - HFSID: 350459

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. In 1977, her Medal of Honor was restored by President Carter. Lightly creased. Fine condition.

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GENERAL PHILIP H. SHERIDAN - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 12/12/1884 - HFSID: 350618

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.…"

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PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT - DOCUMENT SIGNED 04/27/1931 - HFSID: 348039

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. GIVEN by my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany, this twenty-seventh day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirty-one." Also signed by FDR's Secretary.

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Military | Scripts

CLAUDE AKINS - SCRIPT SIGNED CIRCA 1984 - HFSID 36446

The popular character actor pens his name on this script for Legmen: A Woman of Independent Means Script signed: "Claude/ Akins" in black felt tip, 57p, 8½x11, separate sheets.

Sale Price $180.00

$200.00
RENE ENRIQUEZ - SCRIPT COVER SIGNED - HFSID 40432

The respected actor pens his name on this script page in black felt tip Script Cover signed: “God/ Bless!/ René Enriquez”, in black felt tip, 8½x11. Original mailing envelope included.

Sale Price $162.00

$180.00
ESMOND KNIGHT - SCRIPT SIGNED 1926 - HFSID 39835

An extremely unique and rare piece from the actor: a script for a production of Henry V, the first temple copy of his from the Old Vic. He has drawn several illustrations of his fellow cast members on a number of the pages. A must have for any theatre buff!

Sale Price $1,360.00

$1,600.00
BEN KRONEN - SCRIPT SIGNED - HFSID 41040

The stage and screen actor signed this script from the film Mugsy's Girls Script Signed: "Best Wishes!/ Ben Kronen" in blue felt tip. 8½x11. 125 pages. Mugsy's Girls, also known as Delta Pi, originally aired in 1984. Kronen portrayed Dick Bushe in the film.

Sale Price $180.00

$200.00
BEN KRONEN - SCRIPT SIGNED CIRCA 1979 - HFSID 41035

The stage and screen actor signed this script from the television show Archie Bunker's Place Script Signed: “Ben Kronen” in blue felt tip. 8½x11. Thirty-six pages. His note in full: “I thought you'd like to have this!”.

Sale Price $180.00

$200.00
BOB NEWHART - SCRIPT SIGNED CIRCA 1983 - HFSID 38167

cript signed: "All the Best/Bob Newhart". 60p, 8½x11. Script from the TV show Newhart, "Kirk Goes for the Juggler", written by Emily Marshall. Revised First Draft, October 21, 1983. Originally a standup comic whose first record album sold 1.

Sale Price $198.00

$220.00
PAUL PICERNI - SCRIPT COVER SIGNED - HFSID 324012

Cover for a script of the 1953 film House of Wax (tentatively titled here as "The Wax Works"), signed boldly by actor Paul Picerni in blue felt tip Script cover signed: "Paul Picerni", in blue felt tip, 8½x11.

Sale Price $288.00

$320.00