All five presidents from 1975 to 1992 - Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton - signed this engraving of the White House. White House Engraving signed: "Ronald Reagan", "Gerald R. Ford", "George Bush", "Bill Clinton" and "Jimmy Carter". B/w, 8x6 overall, oval image 4¼x1½ (one surface). White House engraving by "Bureau of Engraving and Printing." "Best wishes" also written by Jimmy Carter with spacing, perhaps initially intended to allow for Rosalynn Carter's signature. Signatures of the 38th-42nd U.S. Presidents. Republican GERALD R. FORD (1913-2006) served as the nation's 38th U.S. President from 1974-1977. Ford, who had assumed the Presidency upon the resignation of Richard M. Nixon, holds the distinction of being the only person not to be elected to either the Vice Presidency or the Presidency. Ford was denied election in his own right when he was defeated by Democrat JAMES EARL "JIMMY" CARTER (1924-2024), who was 39th U.S. President for one term (1977-1981). Republican RONALD REAGAN (1911-2004) served as 40th U.S. President from 1981-1989.

President Wilson issues a Thanksgiving Proclamation less than a year before the start of World War I. Proclamation signed: "Woodrow Wilson" as President, 1p, 7½ x 12. Washington, D.C., 1913 October 23. In part: "The season is at hand in which it has been our long respected custom as a people to turn in praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God for his manifold mercies and blessings to us as a nation. The year that has just passed has been marked in a peculiar degree by manifestations of His gracious and beneficent providence." President Woodrow Wilson issued this ceremonial Thanksgiving proclamation on October 23, 1913, during his first year in office. Wilson referred to the blessing of peace in the nation and the world, yet in less than a year, World War I had begun. For nearly two years of his first term, President Wilson worked to maintain America's neutrality and to mediate between the warring European nations. That war would occupy most of his attention following the United States' entrance into the war in April 1917. Two vertical and two horizontal creases. Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 30 x 21½.

Rutherford B. Hayes sends an autograph letter of regret that Mrs. Hayes will not be able to visit. Autograph Letter Signed: "R.B. Hayes" as President, 1p, 5x7¾. Executive Mansion, Washington, 1877 May 6. To Edward T. Steel. In full: "I received from Mr. Justice your note of the 4th and am exceedingly obliged for your kindness in this matter. Our stay will be so short and the presence with us here of a number of friends, will prevent Mrs. Hayes from being one of our party." Written just two months after Hayes took office. The election of Rutherford B. Hayes brought a new image to the White House. Rutherford and Lucy Hayes represented wholesomeness and decency. Mrs. Hayes was a popular hostess, but by the time of this letter both she and the President decided not to continue to have alcohol at White House functions. Interestingly, just one month before this letter, at the first state function at the White House, six wines were served at a dinner held in honor of the son of the Czar of Russia. Thereafter, no spirits were served and Mrs. Hayes became the champion of suffragists and was called "Lemonade Lucy". Light ink transference at blank areas. Fine condition.

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. GIVEN by my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany, this twenty-seventh day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirty-one." Also signed by FDR's Secretary.

She has penned (but not signed) this very moving reminiscence of "happy summer evenings at the Cape … eating Mathilda's fish chowder" with JFK and his father, when "touched by destiny" was thought to mean "only happy things." Autograph Manuscript unsigned but with "Kennedy" twice in text, 1 page, 8x12½. No place, no date but written in the 1960s. In full: "4. Now Mr Kennedy is sick and Jack is gone. Mr Kennedy had seen Jack nearly die so many times. He used to say that Jack was touched by destiny. But those were happy summer evenings at the Cape when he came there, when we were all eating Mathilda's fish chowder - and you thought that meant only happy things - to be touched by destiny. Dear Grandpa - you brought all the joy to my life - more than one should dare to hope to have - and because of that - all the pain. I will remember you - and I will love you until I die." Born Jacqueline Bouvier in 1929, Jackie married John F. Kennedy in 1953. The third-youngest first lady, she left behind no policy initiatives but set a high standard for style and grace in her person and in the White House, and with her tragic dignity after her husband's assassination.

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 origination of the 'cadre' system of supplying specially skilled employees as the nucleus for emergency agencies, your efforts to promote Civil Service employees to higher ranks and to extend Civil Service to more areas than ever before in Federal history, and your energetic participation in many other programs to improve Civil Service.…"

Partly Printed DS: "Andrew Johnson" as President and "William H. Seward" as Secretary of State, 1p, 13¾x10. Washington, 1866 May 4. Appointment of William T. Coggeshall of Ohio as "Minister Resident of the United States of America to the Republic of Ecuador". COGGESHALL (1824-1867) presented his credentials on September 20, 1866, serving until his death in Guapolo, Ecuador on August 3, 1867. Congress had passed the Tenure of Office Act on March 2, 1867, over JOHNSON's veto. It required Senate approval for a president to remove any federal official previously confirmed by the Senate. On August 12, 1867, just nine days after Coggeshall's death, Johnson dismissed Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, a Radical Republican, in defiance of the act. This action led to Johnson's impeachment in 1868. The Radical Republicans controlling the Senate then refused to confirm most of Johnson's appointments, including three successive Ministers to Ecuador. It was not until Grant became President in 1869 that the Senate confirmed the appointment of Coggeshall's successor. SEWARD, who had been appointed by President Lincoln on March 5, 1861, served as Secretary of State through Johnson's administration. Lightly creased. Folds, vertical fold touches the second "l" in William.

Kennedy as President and J. Edward Day as Postmaster General sign the appointment of Robert J. Murphy as Assistant Postmaster, a very consequential appointment Civil Appointment signed: "John F. Kennedy", "J. Edward Day", 23x19. Washington, D.C., 1961 March 21. Appointment of Richard James Murphy of Maryland as Assistant Postmaster General. As the youngest elected President, JOHN FITZGERALD (1917-1963) displayed a youthful vitality that inspired Americans to actively participate in politics. While showing his resolve in the Cuban Missile Crisis, he also made strides toward peace with trade liberalization agreements, promotion of civil rights, the nuclear test ban treaty, the Peace Corps, and the Alliance for Progress. In addition to Kennedy's political offices, which included those of U.S. Representative (1947-1953) and U.S. Senator (1953-1960) from Massachusetts, he also received recognition for his World War II heroism (the Navy and Marine Corps Medal) and the 1957 Pulitzer Prize for Profiles in Courage. Though Kennedy experienced failures, too, like the abortive Bay of Pigs invasion, the memory of "Camelot," the Kennedy White House, still shines brightly in American memory, and his assassination ranks with Pearl Harbor and the fall of the twin towers among the nation's darkest hours.

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.

Handwritten letter to Lydia "Hup" MacArthur, the widow of Peter MacArthur, who gave Reagan his first job as a 21 year old Sports Announcer in Davenport, Iowa, signed "Dutch". Autograph Letter signed: "Dutch", 1 page, 6½x4¼. No place, 1991 April 2. To "Dear Hup" [Lydia MacArthur] on card printed with his name and Presidential seal. In full: "Thank you for sending the news story. Nancy & I both enjoyed it very much. Yes we would like to have been there but our travels and chores had us elsewhere. By the way if you are writing again sometime how about sending me Myrtles address? I've somehow lost it. Again thanks and out love to you." Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) had two careers: actor and politician. His first movie was Love is on the Air (1937) and his 53rd and last film was The Killers (1964). In 1965, he wrote his autobiography, Where's the Rest of Me?, a line from his role as Drake McHugh in King's Row (1942). Reagan left his job hosting television's Death Valley Days during the 1965-1966 season, when he entered politics. Elected Governor of California in 1966, he was reelected in 1970.

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.

The United States President and newly appointed Secretary of War signed this document promoting Zerah W. Torrey Partly Printed DS: "Theodore Roosevelt" as President and "Luke E. Wright" as Secretary of War, 1p, 18x15. Washington, 1908 July 1. Appointment of Zerah W. Torrey as Lieutenant-Colonel of Infantry. After Secretary of War William H. Taft was nominated for President at the June 16-19, 1908 Republican National Convention, he left Roosevelt's cabinet and was succeeded by Luke E. Wright (1846-1922) who entered upon his duties on July 1, 1908, the day he signed this document! Before he was appointed Secretary of War, Wright was the Governor-General of the Philippines from 1904 to 1906. Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1858-1919) is one of America's most well-known and flamboyant presidents. Roosevelt's heroism in the Spanish-American War, where he earned the Medal of Honor for leading his volunteer "Rough Riders" in a charge up San Juan Hill (1898), helped him win the governorship of New York the next year. Elected Vice President in 1900, Roosevelt assumed the presidency upon President William McKinley's assassination (1901), becoming America's youngest president. He was re-elected in 1904.