ERNEST HEMINGWAY Handwritten 1936 manuscript intended for publication in Esquire magazine, vividly describing the horrors of war, with his third person signature in the text Autograph Manuscript signed in text: "Mr. Ernest Hemingway" in pencil, 1 page, 8½x11. No place, c. 1936. Headed by him: "Please Mr. Ernest Hemingway by Paul Harris, The American Criterion, Dec 1935, about 'letters' appearing monthly in Esquire...." Ernest Hemingway was a frequent contributor to "Esquire" magazine. He wrote a total 31 "letters" which were published in "Esquire" in the 1930s. In the September 1935 issue, he wrote: "Notes on the Next War: A Serious Topical Letter". This may be a rough draft of one of the 31 "letters". Hemingway has made an "X", crossing out the entire letter. In part: "Mr. Hemingway, you were at the front. You saw people die? I was ten and I saw people, I saw something in them die and they had to go on making believe they were alive still with their guts out of them. I saw people age. I saw the unseeable, the drawn faces, the haunted eyes...A child is sensitive to change in those he knows [he is referring to an aunt, a cousin, involved in changes resulting from life in wartime]. read more...

WOODROW WILSON As President he signed and dated this hardbound copy of his speech to a joint session of congress requesting a Declaration of War on Germany. Book signed: "Woodrow Wilson/1 August, 1920" as President on first flyleaf, 16 pages, 8x12¼, hardcover. Address of the President of the United States Delivered at a Joint Session of the Two Houses of Congress April 2, 1917, privately printed in 1918. The complete text of President Wilson's speech requesting that Congress declare war on Germany and her allies. On April 6, four days after Wilson delivered this "War Message", Congress overwhelmingly passed the War Resolution that brought the U.S. into WWI. In part: "The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them…. read more...

PIERRE CURIE A week after he and his wife Marie Curie were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work in radiation, he sets up a meeting with the Dean of the Science Department at the Sorbonne; he was only 47 when he was killed in a traffic accident three years later. ALS: "P. Curie", 1p, 4½x5½. Paris, Friday (1903 December 18). In French, fully translated. Paris Express Letter postmarked Paris, December 18, 1903 to Paul Appel. Addressed by Curie to: "Mr. Appel, Dean of the Faculty of the Sciences, Sorbonne". "Sorbonne" has been crossed out and "17 rue Bonaparte" is added in another hand. In full: "I have just seen Mr. Brusson and I have arranged a meeting for Monday morning at 11:00 at his house 29 rue Lauriston. If this time is convenient to you, I will come and pick you up by car Monday morning at 10:15 at the Sorbonne or at your house if you prefer." On verso, where the address, printed stamp and postmarks appear, Curie has penned his name and return address: "Curie/108 Rd Kellerman" read more...

ALBERT EINSTEIN He apologizes for his wives "Very Offensive" behavior: "You can't take things so seriously from a woman." Typed Letter Signed: "A. Einstein", 1½p, 8½x11. The Studio, Watch Hill, Rhode Island, 1934 June 14. To Lionel M. Ettlinger, Paris. In German, fully translated. In part: "Above all, I notice that my wife was very offensive to you in her tone. Nevertheless, don't be angry! You can't take things so seriously from a woman. Mine can become argumentative, as in this case; but soon, she is sorry for it and she is, at heart, of a good disposition and selfless...." Einstein then discusses a Mrs. Silber, to whom Ettlinger gave a sum of money. In part: "In any event, I would, under the current conditions, regret it if you gave Mrs. Silber more than 1500 francs...It would be a painful thought to me if you were materially damaged by an act of kindness. If the amount given to Mrs. Silber does not exceed what in my view is a reasonable amount, I definitely wish that you get it back. It would be best if you would send my wife or me the documents on the amounts already distributed so that we can clarify the matter materially. read more...

ALBERT EINSTEIN Handwritten statement in German [translated here] to the Pacifist Students of Southern California, supporting their cause: "I am rather convinced that the pacifistic activities of student youth are of great importance." He refers the students to a recent speech on the topic. Autograph Statement signed: "A.E." in pencil, 1p, 8½x11. No place, no date. "To the Pacifist Students of Southern California". In German, translated in full: "I had already written a short address for your meeting. It has now been pointed out to me that there would be significant problems as a result of my coming to your meeting because I have already turned down several similar invitations. Further, it is not in the sense of the Oberlaender Trust to whom I am indebted for my trip this year to California wishes that the effect of the speech held under its auspices be affected in its effective from more or less similar speeches by me of fairly similar content. I have therefore been forced to decide retroactively to stay away from your presentation. However, please do not think therefore that it is less near to my heart. read more...

JOHN STEINBECK Letter to an ex-wife as he toured the Deep South, the journey recalled in his book Travels with Charley. His son "Cat" and  boyhood friend Glenn Graves are mentioned in this very personal letter. Autograph Letter signed: "John", 3¼x5½ postcard. Postmarked Pelahatchie, Mississippi, December 3, 1960. Addressed in his own hand on verso to Gwyn Steinbeck (his ex-wife). In full: "Doing the deepest south now. I'm in Miss. Near the Alabama border. Saw the ladies perform in N. O. [New Orleans] (mother love). Going to Montgomery now and then Cracker country, then up the Smokeys. Should be home some time next week. This has been a long hard grind. Maybe I learned something. We'll see. Sorry to hear about Cat. He makes it so hard for himself. Can't think what next. Glenn Graves had a good record company. See you." Novelist JOHN STEINBECK (1902-1968), who was noted for his portrayals of hard-working people and social themes, won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962. read more...

ALBERT EINSTEIN Handwritten press release in German [translated here], praising the United States as "the foremost supporter of economic and technical advancement", and hoping "it will also find the methods ... to overcome the present economic crisis". Autograph Press Release signed: "A. Einstein" in pencil, 1p, 8¼x6¼. [No place, 1930 December]. In German with English translation. In full: "I am going to Pasadena at the invitation of the University there. The main reason for the trip is participation in and contact and discussion with colleagues in my disciplines and in the scientific life there. Perhaps I'll also have to give some lectures. The Americans support not only scientific research all over the world but also support the relationships and cooperation of all people engaged in science in all countries. I am very glad to see this country again, which is the foremost supporter of economic and technical advancement. It has given us the ultimate perfection in production methods and we might hope that it will find also the methods not only to overcome the present economic crises, but also find the balance between production and consumption. read more...

JOHN STEINBECK Remarkable Holiday letter to a friend, reporting that his dog was poisoned and that he himself had shot Santa Claus Autograph Letter signed: "John Steinbeck", 1 page, 5½x8½. No place, December 17, n.y. To "Dear Ballou", in full: "I had intended to acknowledge your good letter, and then didn't because we were subjected to a maddening tragedy. For it developed that Tillie had been given ground glass. It took her two weeks to die of it and we only knew what it was after she was dead. It made me very said and quite tired. I gave her salt injections every fifteen minutes for almost sixty hours. No chance of knowing who did it of course as I might get a little national publicity for an ax murder. I don't know whether you celebrate Christmas. If you do I hope it's a good one. We shot Santa Clause and are having him for dinner. His skin is pretty good too if the hair doesn't slip. By the way (not by the way at all of course) Mc & O in a letter of the middle of November, said a check would be forthcoming on the first of December. Can it be that this has been lost in the mail. Would you mind asking them whether or not they sent it? These are my Christmas cards. Have you heard of the one C. read more...

ERNEST HEMINGWAY Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway signed this document in 1938 to buy additional shares in a company. Document signed "Ernest Hemingway" as Trustee and by an unknown Donor, both in blue ink. Pencil notation at top edge in unknown hand. 1 page, 8½x11, carbon copy, thin paper. Aug. 11, 1938. Addressed to Ernest Hemingway, Trustee. Headed: "Delivery of Additional Securities/Under Trust dated November 2, 1936". Hemingway signed this document to buy an additional 22 shares, at $100 per share in William R. Warner & Company, Inc. This purchase was in accordance with a Trust Agreement that Hemingway had signed on Nov. 2, 1936. In May 1918, Hemingway (1899-1961) volunteered to serve in the Red Cross Ambulance Corps in World War I. On July 8, 1918, Austrian artillery hit the 19-year-old. The injuries were so severe that he had to be hospitalized in Milan. Hemingway would later condemn the savagery of war. His 1929 novel A Farewell to Arms was the study of an American ambulance officer's disillusionment in the war and his role as a deserter. read more...