Four-language Ship's Papers for a whaling voyage in the Pacific. Four language ship's papers signed: "M. Van Buren" as eighth U.S. President and "John Forsyth" as Secretary of State, 1p, 21x16½. Issued at New Bedford, (Mass.), 1840 August 15. Four language ship's papers (French, Spanish, English, Dutch). In part: Authorization for William Whitten, Jr.,"master or commander of the ship called the Rodman" ... bound for Pacific Ocean and laden with Provisions, Stores and Utensils for a whaling voyage...." The American sperm whaling industry had its greatest prosperity from 1820-1850. About 10,000 whales were killed annually. Much whaling took place in the Pacific Ocean, with many voyages lasting as long as four to five years; whaling ships sent their whale oil home by cargo ship from time to time and continued whaling. MARTIN VAN BUREN (1782-1862), a shrewd politician known as "The Little Magician" and "Old Kinderhook", served as eighth U.S. President from 1837-1841. While Democrats usually credit Jefferson and Jackson's as the founders of their Party, Van Buren was the real architect of its national and grass roots organization. The Panic of 1837 was blamed on Van Buren (called "Van Ruin" by his foes), dooming his re-election prospects.…"

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.

Signed memo as President to General Maxwell Taylor (July 10, 1961), concerning the search to replace CIA Director Allen Dulles in the wake of the Bay of Pigs fiasco Memorandum signed: "JFK" as President, 1 page, 6¾x8¾. (Washington), 1961 July 10. Memorandum for General [Maxwell] Taylor, in full: "Would you talk to Allen Dulles about Fowler Hamilton and if he feels he is good would you ask Gilpatric, who comes from New York to check on him. If all of the reports come up good arrange for me to see him towards the end of the week." Pencil note in upper right, possibly in Taylor's hand: "Done. Reported orally 12 July". During the 1960 Presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy had attacked the Eisenhower administration and his opponent, Vice President Richard Nixon, for allowing the emergence of a communist regime in Cuba. Upon becoming President, JFK learned that plans for an invasion of Cuba by CIA-trained Cuban exiles were already underway. That operation, known as the Bay of Pigs invasion (April 17, 1961) was a dismal failure. Many Cuban exiles and CIA officers blamed Kennedy for the failure, because he had refused to sanction air support by US Air Force planes.

Rare handwritten letter signed as President, wishing a speedy recovery to a former member of his gubernatorial staff Rare Autograph Letter Signed: "Ronald Reagan" as President, 1 page, 6¾ x10½. Mounted to a slightly larger board. The White House, Washington, 1983 October 11. To Susie. In full: "Nancy & I have just learned of your illness. You are very much on our minds and we were very sorry to hear of your ill health. Please know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers until you are well. Then we'll be saying prayers of thanks for your recovery. It's been a long time since we've seen each other but after all the years in Sacramento we're all still family. We care for you so take care of yourself and get well soon. God Bless You." Reagan considered all who worked in the Governor's Office in Sacramento while he was Governor of California (1967-1975) as his family. 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).

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.

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.

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.

From the President to the son of Buchanan's Postmaster General: He cannot attend a meeting of the Society of the Army of the Potomac. Manuscript LS: "Benj Harrison" as President, 1p, 7½x10. Executive Mansion, Washington, 1892 May 21. To Hon. Horatio C. King, Brooklyn, N.Y. In full: "I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of May 19th in which you extend to me a cordial invitation to attend the annual meeting of the Society of the Army of the Potomac to be held at Scranton June 15th and 16th. I fear that it will not be possible for me to accept this invitation, and assure you that I regret that it is so." KING, son of Buchanan's Postmaster General, was Judge Advocate General of New York. In the Civil War, he served with the Army of the Potomac and Shenandoah from 1862-1865. Harrison was Colonel in the 70th Indiana Regiment in the Civil War. Just 2½ weeks after this letter, President Harrison was renominated on the first ballot at the Republican National Convention held in Minneapolis June 7-10, 1892. Tanned, lined page. Lightly creased. Vertical fold touches the "a" in Harrison. Fine condition.

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."  Archivally double matted and framed with a seated portrait and a biographical plaque, to an overall size of 29.5 x 25.25. In fine condition, with light intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, and some scattered light toning and soiling. The white paper seal is lightly toned and worn, but intact, and retains its original green ribbon.

and Five presidents - Ford, Carter, Clinton, George H. W. Bush and his son George W. Bush - signed this 10x8 color photo of the White House. George W. Bush signed this photo while still residing there and serving as President of the United States. Photograph signed: "Gerald R. Ford", "J Carter", "George Bush", "Bill Clinton" and "George W. Bush" as President. Color, 10x8. A view of the North Portico of the White House, view pictured on the new $20 bill, signed by the 38th, 39th, 41st, 42nd and 43rd U.S. Presidents. Fine condition.

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.

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 people an honest, credible budget that extends the life of Social Security and Medicare, meets our responsibility in education and other important areas and leaves us free to pay down that [national] debt and be on target to be debt-free in the next 15 years." This may be what President Clinton is referring to in this note.