THOMAS JEFFERSON Jefferson handwrote, signed and dated this letter from Monticello in 1812 to James Leitch, a merchant in Charlottesville, Virginia. He wrote that he wanted a bottle of olive oil for an upcoming trip: "The more of it he can spare in silver, the more convenient it will be for the road." Jefferson was fascinated by the olive plant and ate olive oil regularly; it's one of the reasons he lived to 83 in a time when the average lifespan was 40. Third-person autograph letter signed "Th. Jefferson", 1p, 7x4. Monticello, April 30, 1812. Addressed on verso by Jefferson to "Mr. Leitch". In full: "Th. Jefferson understanding that Mr Leitch has olive oil, will be glad of a bottle of it. Being to set out on a journey within 2 or 3 days he asks the favor of him to change the inclosed bill [not included]. The more of it he can spare in silver, the more convenient it will be for the road." JAMES LEITCH was a merchant in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Leitch Storehouse still stands at 230-218 Court Square in downtown Charlottesville. read more...

CLARENCE DARROW Lawyer Clarence Darrow wrote about his socialist views - "I am of course a radical as I have always been" - and about his autobiography in this 1933 letter, written on his personalized letterhead. Autograph letter signed "Clarence Darrow.". Black ink notations in bottom left corner in unknown hand. 1 page, 7¼x10½, on Darrow's personal letterhead. Jan. 15, 1933. In full: "My dear Gerson - I am returning the $1.- Of course I am always only sorry that I can't send my best friends books, without their spending money to buy them But really the book is expensive and I have a good many friends (luckily) and I just can't do it. Of course I am glad you liked the book. I am sure that most of it concerns your own ideas. I am of course a radical as I have always been and hoping that our industrial system will be changed. No permanent good can come from the old. If there is any recovery it will last but a short time. I am working some on Technocracy and am glad to see how it is being taken up. If we were not Barbarians no one in the world would be poor. We open talk of you and wish we could see you and [illegible]. You will ever be close to us. read more...

JOHN F. KENNEDY Appointing a liberal Republican New York Congressman as part of the U.S. delegation to a unification celebration in Italy. Typed Letter Signed: "John F. Kennedy" as 35th U.S. President, 1p, 6¾x8¾. The White House, Washington, 1961 September 14. To Honorable Seymour Halpern, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. In full: "I am delighted to know that you will be able to serve as a Member of the delegation to attend the ceremonies incident to the Centennial Celebration of the Unification of Italy which is being held at Turin. My best wishes for a successful mission." The United Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed at Turin, its capital, on March 17, 1861. SEYMOUR HALPERN was a liberal Republican Congressman from New York City (1959-1973). His Queens district was about 10% Italian, but that was the largest among the many ethnic groups residing there. President KENNEDY knew that Congressman Halpern had been an autograph collector since he was a teenager. Out of consideration to Halpern, the President made a special effort to clearly sign his first name and middle initial. Kennedy usually wrote them in an illegible scrawl. read more...

ROGER B. TANEY The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court signs the verso of a 2½x4 Carte de Visite in which he is shown, an extremely rare piece! Photograph signed: "R.B. Taney" on verso, B/w 2½x4 Carte de Visite. Printed back mark on verso indicates the card is from a negative found in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. President Jackson named Roger B. Taney (1777-1864) Secretary of the Treasury on September 24, 1833, but his nomination was rejected by the Senate on June 24, 1834. Taney was the first Cabinet nominee to be rejected by the Senate. He was nominated for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1835; but the Senate rejected that appointment too. In 1836, Jackson named Taney Chief Justice to succeed John Marshall. A change in the makeup of the Senate resulted in Taney's confirmation; he served until his death. Taney is chiefly remembered for his decision in the Dred Scott case, 1857, which stated that slaves were not citizens and that Congress had no power to prohibit slavery in territories. (Ironically, Taney disliked slavery and had freed his own slaves. read more...

JOHN ENDECOTT This exceedingly rare document is from the very earliest history of the American colonies and Massachusetts! It's a five-line complaint signed by John Endecott, colonial governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, in Marblehead, Massachusetts in1649. Documents from this early in American history are rarely seen outside of private collections and are highly desirable! Framed to 10x6½ in a gold-colored frame with cream-colored matte. Document signed "Jo: Endecott Gov.". Brown ink and lead pencil notations in top left corner and at left edge. 1 page, 5½x1¼. Framed to 10x6½ in a gold-colored frame with cream-colored matte. Marblehead, Massachusetts, April 24, 1649. Five-line complaint. Endecott (c. 1588-1665), also spelled "Endicott", was a colonial governor (1629-1630, 1644-1645, 1649-1650, 1651-1654 and 1655-1664) and deputy governor (1641-1644, 1650-1651 and 1654-1655) of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the New World. Endecott arrived with 60 other settlers in the Naumkeag, future site of Salem, Massachusetts and already settled by seceders from the Plymouth colony, led by Roger Conant. read more...

JOHN F. KENNEDY and THE SUPREME COURT Collection including a handwritten letter from Senator JFK to a former Harvard professor, framed in the Gallery of History style to 46x32, with nine individual items signed by Justices Warren, Black, Douglas, Clark, Harlan, White, Brennan, Stewart and Fortas. Chief Justice Earl Warren has signed a copy of the eulogy he delivered at Kennedy's funeral. Comprises: (1) JOHN F. KENNEDY. Autograph Letter unsigned as U.S. Senator, 2p, 6½x9½ (front and verso). Washington, D.C., no date. To (Arthur) Holcombe, his Professor of Government at Harvard. Numbered "IV" in upper left. In full: "'If the practical business of government consists largely in the adjustment of the conflicts of interest arising among the people & politicians who understand the nature of the peoples (sic) interests and are responsible for their treatment of them to powerful and durable parties, may well be the most serviceable rulers that the people can reasonably expect to obtain.'" On verso: "Politicians personal read more...

FRANCIS SCOTT KEY The author of the "Star-Spangled Banner" signed this framed document 14 times in its text! Autograph Document Multi-Signed: "Francis/ Scott Key", "Francis S. Key", "F S Key" (ten times!) and "Key" (twice), all in text, 4p, 7½x12. District of Columbia. Dated January 19, 1824. Indenture between "John W. Baker of George Town District of Columbia…and Francis Scott Key of the same place." In part: "Witnesseth that whereas Walter Smith hath this day by the order and sanction of the said F S Key conveyed to the said John W. Baker by deed bearing the same date with these presents, a certain piece or portion of land lying in Washington County in the said District…and whereas the said John W. Baker stands indebted to the said F S Key in the full and just sum of three thousand five hundred dollars, a part of the purchase money for said land read more...

BRIGHAM YOUNG Young and his wife Mary Ann Young sign a document agreeing to sell land in Salt Lake City (1873). Partly Printed Document signed: "Brigham Young" [added in another hand: "Sen"], 4 pages, 8½x14. Salt Lake City, Utah, 1873 July 29. Also signed "Mary A Young"; witnessed "R.R. Anderson" and "Jas. A. Young". An indenture in which Young agrees to sell a 6,600 square foot tract of land in Salt Lake City to David McKenzie for $20,000. Signed on front. Notary's seal on inside cover. BRIGHAM YOUNG (1801-1877) succeeded the murdered Joseph Smith as head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1844. He guided the mass migration of the LDS faithful ("Mormons") to the Great Salt Lake Valley in Utah and served as the first Governor of the Territory of Utah (1849-1857). "Sen" distinguishes Young from Brigham Young, Jr. (1836-1903), a son by Mary who held important posts in the Church. MARY ANN YOUNG (1834-1882) was Young's second (and likely, favorite) wife, agreeable to his wedding additional wives. Lightly creased and soiled. Overall, fine condition. read more...

JOHN HANCOCK Notes relating to payment. ANS: "Jo Hancock" at lower left of ADS: "Wm Winthrop", 1p, 7¼x3¾. Boston, 1772 June 7. Winthrop pens, in full: "Reced of Mr Joseph Ashley. Six pounds. Eight Shillings &4d by the Hand of Mr William Billings, to be indors'd on his Note or Bond, due to John Hancock Esq. for him." Hancock has crossed out the amount and written in full: "This Rec(eip)t not/yet Settled". Docketed on verso (unknown hand). John Hancock served as a member of the Massachusetts provincial legislature from 1766-1772. He was President of the Provincial Congress in 1774. A member of the Continental Congress (1775-1778), Hancock was President of Congress from 1775-1777 and was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. Light show through at right margin from docket on verso. ½-inch separation at blank mid-horizontal fold, pinhead-size hole at cross folds touches 1 letter. Irregular bottom edge, nicked at top and right edges. Folds do not touch signature. Overall, fine condition. read more...