Typed 1980 appointment letter signed by Saddam in red ink Rare Typed DS: "Saddam Hussein" in red ink, as Head of the Revolution's Supreme Council, in Arabic, 1 page, 8x11. Baghdad, Iraq, 1980 May 22. Not translated. "Decided" that Lieutenant Colonel Ali Omran Mosa be appointed to a civilian post at the Ministry of Transportation. Saddam Hussein (b. 1937) 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, four months after signing this order, 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 in 1990.

The United States President and newly appointed Secretary of War signed this document promoting Zerah W. Torrey Partly Printed DS: "Theodore Roosevelt" as President and "Luke E. Wright" as Secretary of War, 1p, 18x15. Washington, 1908 July 1. Appointment of Zerah W. Torrey as Lieutenant-Colonel of Infantry. After Secretary of War William H. Taft was nominated for President at the June 16-19, 1908 Republican National Convention, he left Roosevelt's cabinet and was succeeded by Luke E. Wright (1846-1922) who entered upon his duties on July 1, 1908, the day he signed this document! Before he was appointed Secretary of War, Wright was the Governor-General of the Philippines from 1904 to 1906. Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1858-1919) is one of America's most well-known and flamboyant presidents. Roosevelt's heroism in the Spanish-American War, where he earned the Medal of Honor for leading his volunteer "Rough Riders" in a charge up San Juan Hill (1898), helped him win the governorship of New York the next year. Elected Vice President in 1900, Roosevelt assumed the presidency upon President William McKinley's assassination (1901), becoming America's youngest president. He was re-elected in 1904.

The former Union officer is supported by Confederate officers as he fights to clear his name.  ALS: "F.J. Porter", 4p, 5x7¾. New York, 1882 January 24. To Colonel Charles Marshall, Baltimore, Maryland. Begins: "My dear Colonel". In full: "I Thank you warmly for your full reply to my letter - I knew or believed that no written messages had passed between Longstreet & Gen Lee to the effect I wrote you - but Longstreet had testified to that effect before the Board. had written it years before. and Col. W.M Owens of New Orleans. had without confering (sic) with Longstreet. stated he heard Gen Lee about 1. PM. tell Longstreet to advance. & Longstreets reply that he wanted to hear from Stuart of the force coming up on this right - and So I took it for granted it was so. I am glad to have the details you give. That Genl Lee had a contempt for Genl Pope and justly I never doubted. He knew Pope. I don't think that any grounds could have induced him to make the moves he did. unless he was vastly superior in numbers to Pope and knew Pope would not be reinforced in time to save him. and I think it was fortunate for him that he did not get around to his flank as early as you say he intended.…"

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. By 1883, he formed his first Wild West spectacle, becoming a master showman who toured internationally until 1903.

Seven weeks after surrendering Fort Sumter, Colonel Robert Anderson writes to General Lorenzo Thomas about a recent meeting with President Lincoln's lifelong friend Joshua Speed. Important ALS: "Robert Anderson/Col. USA", 1p, 7¾x9¾. Cincinnati, Ohio, 1861 June 4. To General Lorenzo Thomas, Adjutant General USA, Washington, D.C. In full: "I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Genl Orders (Adjt Genls Office) No 25.6&7 and G.O. No. 7 Hd Qrs of the Army, and also of a letter from the Hon. J.K. Moorehead to the Hon. Secy of War, with enclosures, referring to certain parties in Louisville Ky reported to be engaged in furnishing or forwarding, Revolvers, Tents, Knapsacks &c to the rebels, Mr. Joshua Speed, a firm Union Man and a man of sound judgement, to whom I showed these papers, advises that no steps be now taken in this matter-greater harm than benefit to the cause would result from it. A letter from Surgeon Wright USA. the Senior Medical Office in this Dept. is, herewith, forwarded. I am satisfied that the opinion he gives, confirming the views of the Physicians who advised with me before I left N.Y. is correct. Fortunately, my absence from Ky.…"

He signs a handwritten letter in 1871 responding to a bill for nautical equipment, complaining that some of it was faulty. ALS: "J L. Chamberlain", 2 pages, 5x8. Brunswick, Maine, 1871 September 23. To C.S. Donnelly, Esq. In part: "Your bill is received as requested, & is I believe correct. I don't know anything about the Notch Boom but suppose Capt. Stover got it. It never came to my yacht, but if it was got for me, I will be accountable for it…Also I may mention that I found the pump, when I came to set it, in two pieces, never having been properly soldered or brazed. & I had to pay $1.00 to have it done…But the pump was an imperfect one, & I would have returned it if I could have done so. Please inform me if I am at liberty to make deduction accordingly…." Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (1828-1914) commanded the 20th Maine in its famous defense of Little Round Top in the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Chamberlain was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this action. At Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865, Brevet Major General Chamberlain was chosen to accept the Confederate surrender. He then ordered Union troops to present arms to their former enemy as a mark of respect.

Jackson's bold signature on a 1836 patent for an improved machine to make ship's thimbles, also signed by Secretary of State Forsyth and Attorney General Butler. Accompanied by a 3-page handwritten description of the device by the inventor, Prentice White. Patent signed: "Andrew Jackson" as President, "John Forsyth" as Secretary of State, "B. F. Butler" as Attorney General, 1 page, 11½x15½. Washington, D.C., 1836 July 1. Patent issued to Prentice White for [in part] "a new and useful improvement in the Machine for making Ship's Thimbles which improvements he states has not been known or used before his application; [White] hath made oath that he does verily believe that he is the true inventor or discoverer of the said improvement; hath paid into the treasury of the United States the sum of thirty dollars."  Archivally double matted and framed with a seated portrait and a biographical plaque, to an overall size of 29.5 x 25.25. In fine condition, with light intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, and some scattered light toning and soiling. The white paper seal is lightly toned and worn, but intact, and retains its original green ribbon.

Historically fascinating collection of late 19th century U.S. military cadet uniform attire which includes a pressed felt hat with brass buttons made at famed New York City military supply store Ridabock & Co., a brass and steel sabre with the Great Seal of the United States on crossguard, and a 13¾x16¾ framed albumen photograph of a young military cadet in uniform posed with two other men dressed in Victorian clothing. An extremely rare compilation! Three items: 1) Saber unsigned. 35¼ inches long x 4½ inches wide x 2¼ inches deep with 30 inch long x ¾-inch wide blade and 31 inch long x 1 inch wide scabbard. Brass grip, crossguard, knuckle guard and pommel. Straight etched steel blade. Metal scabbard with brass belt loops and fittings. Grip is grooved and has brass wire wrapped in loops. Knuckleguard has "US" etched into it. Great Seal of the United States on crossguard. Brass parts and scabbard are tarnished. Blade is dull and rusted, but has sharp point. Otherwise in fine condition. 2) Cadet cap unsigned. 5 inches high x 6¼ inches wide x 9 inches deep. Pressed black felt cap with black leather brim and trimmings, brass buttons and brass starburst with "PM/A" at center. Paper label inside says: "From/Ridabock & Co./Successors to/J. H. McKenney & Co.…"

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.

As US Army Chief of Staff, he writes to his newly appointed French counterpart, General Gamelin, whose military career would prove rather less successful than MacArthur's. Accompanied by a manuscript translation of MacArthur's letter, and by a typed transcript of Gamelin's reply Typed Letter signed: "Douglas MacArthur" as US Army Chief of Staff, 1 page, 7x8¾. Washington, D.C., 1935 January 18. To "My dear General [Maurice]Gamelin, Chief of Staff, French Army, Paris. In full: "I deeply appreciate your splendid note of comradeship and felicitation, which has just reached me. I think you know without my saying how entirely the American Army and I, myself, personally reciprocate. It is a peculiar pleasure to me to be able at this time to extend my most cordial congratulations on your advancement to head of the French Army. Your friends of the American Army rejoice with you in this signal recognition of your outstanding professional attainments. With renewed expressions of greetings and friendship, very cordially". Accompanied by two items: 1) Manuscript, 2-page copy of MacArthur's letter, translated into French; 2) Typed copy, unsigned of Gamelin's reply, originally dated 1935 February 11.…"

From the President to the son of Buchanan's Postmaster General: He cannot attend a meeting of the Society of the Army of the Potomac. Manuscript LS: "Benj Harrison" as President, 1p, 7½x10. Executive Mansion, Washington, 1892 May 21. To Hon. Horatio C. King, Brooklyn, N.Y. In full: "I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of May 19th in which you extend to me a cordial invitation to attend the annual meeting of the Society of the Army of the Potomac to be held at Scranton June 15th and 16th. I fear that it will not be possible for me to accept this invitation, and assure you that I regret that it is so." KING, son of Buchanan's Postmaster General, was Judge Advocate General of New York. In the Civil War, he served with the Army of the Potomac and Shenandoah from 1862-1865. Harrison was Colonel in the 70th Indiana Regiment in the Civil War. Just 2½ weeks after this letter, President Harrison was renominated on the first ballot at the Republican National Convention held in Minneapolis June 7-10, 1892. Tanned, lined page. Lightly creased. Vertical fold touches the "a" in Harrison. Fine condition.

Giant 16½x21 portrait photo of a seated Sherman in uniform, taken in 1888 by famed photograph Napoleon Sarony of New York. An extremely rare oversized photo of the legendary general! Photograph signed: "W. T. Sherman/General/New York/March 21, 1888/born Feb. 8 1820". Sepia, 16½x21.  William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891), a West Point graduate and Mexican War veteran, served as a corps commander under General U. S. Grant in successful Union campaigns down the Mississippi and in Tennessee, then took command of the western armies when Grant was reassigned to the Virginia theatre of war. His capture of Atlanta and subsequent "march to the sea" through Georgia, followed by a swift campaign north through the Carolinas to force the surrender of the last major Confederate army, are praised for their military skill but condemned to this day for their "scorched earth" approach to occupied territory. After the war, Sherman applied similarly harsh but effective methods in campaigns against Amerindian tribes of the Great Plains. As commanding general of the U. S. Army (1869-1883), he established the Command School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Sherman, who personally shunned politics ("If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve.…"