The President and Secretary of State sign papers for a whaling vessel, attesting that its owners are Americans, not subjects of the "present belligerent powers." Partly Printed DS: "U.S. Grant" as 18th U.S. President and "Hamilton Fish" as Secretary of State, 1 page, 22x17. Four-language Ship's papers signed in Washington but filled out and issued in New Bedford, 1871 August 3. Countersigned: "J.A.P. Allen Collector" as Collector of Customs of New Bedford, Massachusetts. In part: "Be it Known, That leave and permission are hereby given to Rodolphus D. Wicks, master or commander of the Bark called Sea Breeze of the burden of 323 and 41/100 tons, or thereabouts, lying at present in the port of New Bedford bound for Pacific Ocean, and laden with Provisions, Stores, and utensils for a whaling voyage to depart and proceed with the said Bark on his said voyage, such Bark having been visited, and the said Rodolphus D. Wicks having made oath before the proper officer that the said Bark belongs to one or more of the citizens of the United States of America, and to him or them only...which he at present navigates, is of the United States of America, and that no subjects of the present belligerent Powers have any part or portion therein, directly or indirectly, so may God Almighty help him....…"

John Tyler and Daniel Webster sign four language ship papers. Four Ship papers signed: "J. Tyler" as 10th U.S. President and "Danl Webster" as Secretary of State, 1p, 20¼x16¼. Washington, but issued from New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1842 February 2. 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 William Flanders, master or commander of the Barque called Popmunett of the burden of 103 and 52/95 tons, or thereabouts, lying at present in the port of New Bedford bound for Pacific Ocean, and laden with Provisions, Stores and utensils for a whaling voyage, to depart and proceed with the said Barque on his said voyage, such Barque having been visited, and the said Flanders having made oath before the proper officer that the said Barque belongs to one or more of the citizens of the United States of America, and to him or them only...which he at present navigates, is of the United States of America, and that no subjects of the present belligerent Powers have any part or portion therein, directly or indirectly, so may God Almighty help him...." No American ships could sail the open seas without this properly authorized passport.

LBJ as President, and Ball as Acting Secretary of State, sign the official appointment of Arthur Goldberg, formerly Supreme Court Justice, as US ambassador to the United Nations. Historic Partly Printed DS: "Lyndon B. Johnson" as President and "George W. Ball" as Acting Secretary of State, 1 page, 21½x17½. Washington, 1965 September 15. Appointment of Arthur J. Goldberg to the General Assembly of the United Nations to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Adlai E. Stevenson. In full: "Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the Integrity and Ability of Arthur J. Goldberg, of Illinois, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do designate him as a Representative of the United States of America to the Twentieth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, and do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfill the duties of this commission, according to law, with all the powers and privileges thereunto of right appertaining during the pleasure of the President of the United States." On July 14, 1965, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Adlai E. Stevenson died suddenly in London at the age of 65. ARTHUR J.

Large 14½x18¼ signed sketch of the President who was elected to four terms. 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 to an overall size of 26¾x37.

Both sign the partly printed appointment of a District of Columbia official (1895) Partly Printed DS: "Grover Cleveland" as President and "Judson Harmon" as Attorney General, 1p, 21x16. Washington, 1895 June 28. Appointment of Henry C. Stewart, Jr. as Notary Public for the District of Columbia. Harmon was Cleveland's Attorney General from 1895-1897. Secretary of State Walter Q. Gresham had died on May 28, 1895 and was succeeded by Attorney General Richard Olney on June 10th. On June 11th, 17 days before he signed this document, Judson Harmon entered upon his duties as Attorney General. In 1908, five months after Cleveland's death, Harmon was elected Governor of Ohio; in 1910, he was reelected, defeating 45-year-old Warren G. Harding. Folds, vertical folds touch "o" in Harmon. Lightly creased. Lightly worn top edge. Full, 3-inch red seal with vertical fold. Overall, fine condition.

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. "Sorry, wrong speech," Dole said.

Rare Hoover signature on a 1951 autograph letter, expressing the hope that he will live long enough to see a Republican President. (He did.) Rare Autograph Letter Signed: "Herbert Hoover", 1p, 5½x3½. No place, no date, but 1951. On a card embossed in gray with a "W" at top center, the former President writes to "Rupert". In full: "Your 80 years, except the first five have been a useful life. You are about three years my senior and I am grateful for the proof that one may live that long. We may see a Republican President." In 1951 Hoover was 77. His hope was fulfilled since Dwight D. Eisenhower, the first Republican President since Hoover himself, was elected in 1952. Hoover died in 1964. Hoover is rare in ALS and this is a fine example with political content. Lightly tanned at right blank edge, paper clip impression at upper blank area, else in fine condition. Encapsulated.

Original draft of Jimmy Carter's address accepting the 1976 democratic nomination for president. This draft bears 153 words written in Carter's hand, including this attack on Republicans: "use line about every mistake-- Vietnam, Chile, CIA excesses, etc. - happened because plotted in secrecy without U.S. people". Annotated Speech Unsigned, 8p. No date, but 1976. Eight pages from a draft of his July 15, 1976 speech accepting the Democratic nomination for President. Pages are numbered 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 14 (concluding page of speech). Not signed, but bearing 153 words in Carter's handwriting. Adviser STUART EIZENSTADT is mentioned frequently by Carter ("Stu") on these pages. In the Carter White House, Eizenstadt served as Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs and Policy. The following are quotes from the eight pages, Carter's handwritten edits and comments, and related excerpts from Carter's acceptance address delivered at the Democratic National Convention in Madison Square Garden on July 15, 1976.

Presidential appointment to the international atomic energy conference two days after U.S. ratifies the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Partly Printed DS: "John F. Kennedy" as 35th U.S. President and "George W. Ball" as Acting Secretary of State, 1p, 23x19. 3½-inch Presidential seal affixed to left of Ball's signature. Washington, 1963 September 24. In part: "Know ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the Integrity, Fidelity, and Ability of HENRY DeWOLF SMYTH, of New Jersey I have nominated, and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint him an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Seventh Session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfil the duties of that Office according to law...." Two days earlier, the U.S. Senate had ratified the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. HENRY DeWOLF SMYTH served as Representative to the International Atomic Energy Commission in Vienna, with the rank of Ambassador, from 1961-1970.

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." The patent was issued to Prentice White on July 1, 1836. Per patent examiner and historian, Jim Davie, a copy of the art and text for the patent can be found through a search for USX9855 on Google Patent. Archivally double matted and framed with a seated portrait and a biographical plaque, to an overall size of 29.5 x 25.25.

Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and George H. W. Bush, and First Ladies Kennedy, Johnson, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush, signed this color photograph of the White House, which has been framed with seven unsigned photos of the occupants and two explanatory plaques. Photograph signed: "Jacqueline Kennedy", "Lady Bird Johnson", "Richard Nixon", "Gerald R. Ford", "Betty Ford", "Jimmy Carter", "Rosalynn Carter", "Ronald Reagan", "Nancy Reagan", "George Bush", and "Barbara Bush". Color, 10x8. View of the south portico of the White House. President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams moved into the White House on November 1, 1800. It has served as the home of the President of the United States and his family ever since. Two light surface nicks at upper blank background, not touching signatures. Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 51½x31¾.

Signed illustration showing the President at his desk wearing his Masonic ring. Illustration signed: “Harry Truman” and inscribed at lower margin below image: "Best wishes to the council of personnel administration/Harry Truman". In brown ink, 16½ x 21¼. Facsimile signature at lower right margin. Harry S Truman (1884-1972) had been Vice President for only 82 days when he became the 33rd President of the U.S. (1945-1953) upon Franklin D. Roosevelt's death on April 12, 1945. Faced with the ordeal of ending WWII, Truman oversaw the surrender of Germany (May 7) and ordered the atomic bombings on Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9). He fought the Cold War with the Truman Doctrine, a policy granting Greece and Turkey $400 million in economic and military aid to help them fight Communist aggression. By the end of 1945, Truman had introduced economic measures that would become part of his Fair Deal program. As a result, the minimum wage was increased from 40 to 75 cents an hour through an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and Social Security benefits were extended to include approximately ten million more people. During his second term, Truman ordered U.S. forces into action when North Korean troops invaded American-supported South Korea.