THOMAS JEFFERSON and JAMES MADISON With Anglo-American tensions at a fever pitch due to British seizure of American merchant ships, Jefferson as President, and Madison as Secretary of State, sign ship's papers for a brig bound for Marseilles. This ship and its captain would be seized three years later - by the French! Four Language Ship's Papers signed: "Th: Jefferson", "James Madison", 1 page, 19¾x16¼, matted and framed to 25½x22. Washington, D.C., 1807 May 21. Papers issued to Henry Latham, "master and commander of the Brig called the Canton … lying at present at the port of New York bound for Marseilles and laden with Sugar - Wine - Coffee - Ginger - Pimento - Indigo - Beeswax - Nankins [a small breed of chicken] - Tobacco - and Logwood". These papers were signed at a critical moment in U.S. relations with Britain. In 1806, determined to weaken Napoleonic France, Britain had announced a blockade of French ports. Under this order, U.S. merchant ships were liable to seizure - 1,000 would be seized - and the crews subject to impressment in the Royal Navy. read more...

JAMES MADISON and JAMES MONROE President James Madison and future President James Monroe sign four language ship papers in 1811. Partly Printed DS: "James Madison" as fourth U.S. President and future fifth U.S. President "Jas Monroe" as Secretary of State, 1p, 21¼x16½. Four-language ship's papers signed in Washington, D.C. but issued from Newburyport, Massachusetts, 1811 November 29. The text is in four columns, each in a different language; from left to right: French, Spanish, English and Dutch. In part: "BE IT KNOWN, That leave and permission are hereby given to Timothy Pilsbury, master or commander of the Scho[oner] called the Abigail of the burthen of 87 tons, or thereabouts, lying at present in the port of Newburyport bound for Bordeaux and laden with Fish, Tongues & Gourds, to depart and proceed with his Vessel & Cargo on his said voyage, such Vessel having been visited, and the read more...

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...

JOHN F. KENNEDY During his first campaign for a seat in Congress (1946), he signed this handwritten letter to a former Harvard classmate, discussing measures to secure the Italian-American vote. Rare Political Autograph Letter Signed: "Jack", 2 pages, 6x9, front and verso. To Tony (former Harvard classmate Tony Galluccio). No place, no date but during his first race for Congress in 1946. In full: "Thanks very much for your letter. It sounds like you and Joe did a good deal. It is fine with me if you and Joe take the trip in August. Just give me your schedule before you go and I will pay expenses. Be sure & let Frank know when you are going & keep him informed in a general way. I agree with you that Peter Gay would be a good man. I think it would be a good idea if you would get to know the Italian members of the legislature as well as possible. Should I write Gay or Demarco or anyone else thanking them? I hope to talk with you this weekend. Will call your house." Joe was Cambridge Councilman JOSEPH A. deGUGLIELMO, Frank was JFK's father's aide 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...

ANDREW JOHNSON Signed 12½x15¼ photo mount dated by him October 5, 1867, and containing an albumen copy (10x11½) of a photograph of Johnson as President, seated at a writing desk Photograph Mount signed: "Andrew Johnson/Washington City/Oct. 5th 1867". Sepia, matted 12½ x 15¼ overall, 10 x 11½ image (two surfaces). Signed below photo, on the mount. Johnson represented Tennessee in the U.S. House (1843-1853) and Senate (1857-1862, 1875) and served twice as that State's Governor (1853-1857, 1862-1865). His second term was as a Military Governor appointed by President Lincoln. A pro-war Democrat fiercely opposed to secession but also opposed to imposition of a stringent Reconstruction regime on the defeated South, Johnson was nominated and elected in 1864 as Lincoln's second Vice President on a National Union ticket. Following Lincoln's assassination, Johnson succeeded to the highest office for a stormy term (1865-1869) in which he was increasingly at odds with the Republican majority in Congress. He was impeached by the House read more...

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT 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. read more...

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT This large 14½x18¼ sketch of the President who was elected to four terms in office is signed by him! Sketch Signed: “Franklin D. Roosevelt” in pencil. Also signed by the artist and dated circa 1941. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) is one of the best-known Presidents in United States history. Before his tenure in the Oval Office, he served as Governor of New York. This position gave him valuable experience working with progressive-minded individuals to improve the economy. He served in the position for just over 12 years, dying 11 weeks into his fourth term. Roosevelt oversaw the U.S. during the Great Depression and World War II. His progressive platform introduced Social Security and the first national minimum wage. During his first term as Commander-in-Chief, he ended Prohibition. This decision is largely credited with helping him to a landslide 1936 election victory. Frame slightly chipped at corners. Otherwise, fine condition. Framed in the Gallery of History style: 26¾x37. read more...

BILL CLINTON President Bill Clinton signed this typed letter to Senator Pat Moynihan in 1999 regarding live bombing exercises Vieques, Puerto Rico that had killed a native Puerto Rican earlier that year. He added an autograph postscript that "I will do all I can to bring this to a satisfactory conclusion"... and he did. Typed Letter Signed: "Bill" as President, 2p, 7x10½, separate sheets. The White House, Washington, 1999 October 20. On White House letterhead to The Honorable Daniel Patrick Moynihan, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. Begins: "Dear Pat". In part: "Thank you for your letter on the Navy's target practice at Vieques, Puerto Rico. I especially appreciate your thoughts because of your personal experience as well as the insight you provided on Puerto Rico matters in general. You helped me understand the Puerto Rico issue during the dinner you recalled in your letter and at other points early in my presidency...I also recognize the unprecedented unity and strong feelings Puerto Ricans have regarding Vieques... read more...