WARREN HARDING Archive of letters written by and to the President, his aides and sister, including a letter offering evidence to refute Nan Britton's claim that Harding was father of her child. Accompanying memorabilia includes vintage photos of Harding, and passes signed by two prominent US Senators. Collection includes: 1) Autograph Letter signed: "W.G.H.", 1 page, 5½x6¾ with blank integral leaf. No place, May 22, n. d., but with original mailing envelope postmarked Washington, D.C., May 22, 1917. To Mrs. Charles Williamson, in full: "Thank you for your note and clipping. Am glad to have both. Funny thing - I have a letter from California signed Ruth Williamson, who writes as though she knows me. Isn't that your daughter's name? But surely your daughter is not that far away. I am to be in New York either on Thursday, 24th, or Tuesday, 29th. One or the other is sure, possibly both. I'll be delighted to look you up. With assurances of high esteem, I am sincerely yours". Multiple mailing folds. Toned at folds. Multiple minor ink smudges. Otherwise, fine condition. 2) Autograph Letter signed: "Your Friend" [Harding], 2 pages (integral leaf), 4¾x6½. read more...

ON HIS LAST DAY IN THE WHITE HOUSE, A REFLECTIVE TRUMAN THANKS A TRUSTED AIDE WHO PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN HIS FAMOUS UPSET VICTORY OF 1948. HARRY TRUMAN Typed Letter signed: "Harry Truman", 1p, 7x8¾ with blank integral leaf. Washington, D.C., 1953 January 19. On White House letterhead to Donald S. Dawson, Administrative Assistant to the President, The White House. In full: "I want you to know, before I leave the White House, how grateful I am for your extremely loyal assistance. I remember very well how, in my search for a topnotch personnel advisor in the Government, I found a fellow Missourian in you. You have demonstrated consistently your knowledge and ability in the Government personnel field and deserve the thanks of all of us for your efforts to promote the merit system in the United States Government. You are entitled to pride for your assistance to me in the selection of individuals for Presidential appointments, your efforts to modernize the federal compensation system, especially the Classification Act of 1949 and the Executive Pay Bill, your read more...

HARRY TRUMAN and CABINET Official 14x10½ Cabinet Photo, taken two weeks after the Inauguration for his (unexpected) full term, signed by the President himself, by Vice President Barkley, and by all nine members of the Cabinet. Attorney General Clark would soon become a Supreme Court Justice. This is one of the last photos of Defense Secretary Forrestal, sacked by Truman 6 weeks later and dead under suspicious circumstances within 3 months. Photograph signed: "Harry Truman" as President, "Alben W. Barkley" as Vice President, "Dean Acheson" as Secretary of State, "James Forrestal" as Secretary of Defense, "Tom C. Clark" as Attorney General, "John W. Snyder" as Secretary of the Treasury, "Charles F. Brannan" as Secretary of Agriculture, "J. M. Donaldson" as Postmaster General, "Charles Sawyer" as Secretary of Commerce, "Maurice J. Tobin" as Secretary of Labor, and "J. A. Krug" as Secretary of the Interior. In all eleven signatures, a complete roster of the Cabinet. read more...

JAMES GARFIELD The President signs a warrant authorizing the Secretary of State to place the US seal on a congratulatory message to the new Kingdom of Romania. Signatures by Garfield as President are extremely rare, this one penned less than two months before he was shot. Presidential Warrant signed: "James A. Garfield" as President, 8x10, matted with a photograph of Garfield (with facsimile signature) to an overall size of 18½x15. Washington, D.C., 1881 May 5. In full: "I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to an envelope containing my reply to the letter of King Charles of Romania, announcing the erection of Romania into a Kingdom &c, &c. dated this day, and signed by me; and for so doing this shall be his warrant." James Abram Garfield (1831-1881) rose to the rank of Major General in the U.S. Army during the Civil War, participating in the battles of Shiloh and Chickamauga, before resigning his commission to take a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives (1863-1880). read more...

THOMAS JEFFERSON and JAMES MADISON In the year of the Louisiana Purchase, both the President and the Secretary of State sign this grant of land in the new State of Ohio Land Grant signed: "Th. Jefferson" as President, "James Madison" as Secretary of State, 1 page, 13¼x10½. Washington, D.C., November 3, 1803. Document bears a large blind-embossed seal in the lower left-hand corner. In accordance with the Act of Congress providing for the sale of lands in the territory northwest of the Ohio River and above the mouth of the Kentucky, and determining that Benjamin Stanton has made full payment for a specified section of land there, the land is granted to Stanton, his heirs and assigns forever. Stanton's payment was deposited at the land office in Steubenville, in the new State of Ohio. Ohio became the 17th State in 1803 on either February 19, when Congress approved Ohio's constitution, or March 1, the date celebrated by the state of Ohio as the day its legislature first met. THOMAS JEFFERSON (1743-1826) served as third U.S. 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...

PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. "BILL" CLINTON The 42nd U.S. President pens this encouraging note to Senator Daniel Moynihan referring to some social and economic aspects, signed in black ink Autograph Note Signed: "Bill" in black ink as President. One page. 6¼x4¼ card. Embossed with gilt Presidential Seal and words "The President". Place: Washington, District of Columbia. Date: September 28, 1999. Addressed to: Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. In full: "Senator, If we persevere we'll get this done! - I will help in any way I can, in or out of office. Best."  A day earlier, after getting the news of a higher than expected $115 billion budget surplus, President Clinton said, in part: "This triple digit surplus is larger than projected, larger than last year's and, in fact, larger than any surplus in the history of the United States…We can give the American 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...

BILL CLINTON Bill Clinton sends a typed letter of thanks. Typed Letter Signed: "Bill" as President, 1p, 6¾x8¾. The White House, Washington, 1997 February 20. To Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Washington, D.C. In full: "Thank you for writing to describe how the Medal of Freedom was revitalized during the Kennedy Administration - it's a fascinating story. I am proud to bestow this high honor on several exemplary citizens each year. It was altogether fitting to have you in attendance at Senator Dole's ceremony and I enjoyed our brief chat. I will keep in mind your thoughts about the original intent of announcing 'the list' once each year on July 4th." On January 17, 1997, a month earlier, President CLINTON presented BOB DOLE with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for Dole's service in World War II and Congress. Clinton had defeated Dole in the 1996 presidential election and would be inaugurated for his second term three days after the ceremony. Dole was clearly touched by the award, but nevertheless he began his remarks with: "I, Robert J. Dole, do solemnly swear..." as laughter erupted in the room. read more...