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...

JAMES GARFIELD The 20th President of the United States signed this 5¾x2¾ piece of paper less than two months before being assassinated in office. Signature: "James A. Garfield/May 21 1881" 5¾x2¾ piece of paper. 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). A political moderate, Garfield was the compromise choice of a deadlocked Republican Convention in 1880, nominated on the 36th ballot and elected President by a narrow margin. Garfield's assassination by a disappointed office seeker helped advance the cause of civil service reform which he had advocated. Shot on July 2 1881, Garfield died on September 19, only 200 days into his term. Signatures of Garfield as President, are thus extremely rare. Fine condition.  read more...

AIR FORCE ONE: RICHARD NIXON, GERALD FORD, JIMMY CARTER, RONALD REAGAN, GEORGE H. W. BUSH AND BILL CLINTON This 20x16 color photo of Air Force One has been signed by three decades of presidents: Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton. These are all six men to hold the office of President of the United States between 1969 to 2000. Large Photograph signed: "Bill Clinton/4-4-94" as President, "George Bush", "Ronald Reagan", "Jimmy Carter", "Gerald Ford" and "Richard Nixon". Color, 20x16. The six U.S. Presidents who served from 1969-2000 have signed this photograph of Air Force One, a Boeing 707 aircraft that was extensively modified to meet presidential requirements. This photograph was taken sometime in 1977 or early 1978. The logo above the tail number was the logo for the U.S. Air Force's 30th Anniversary in 1977. It was in use until 1989 when it was replaced by a Boeing 747. The original paint scheme of Air Force One was designed at the request of President John F. Kennedy, who wanted the airplane to reflect the nation's spirit. read more...

HARRY S TRUMAN and his CABINET 16x11 photo of the historic Cabinet meeting of August 25, 1950, signed by the President, by Vice President Barkley, by 9 Cabinet Secretaries,  and by 3 important Presidential aides. At this meeting, Truman announced his decision to seize US railroads to prevent a wartime strike Photograph signed: "Harry S Truman" as President, "Alben W. Barkley" as Vice President, "Charles F. Brannan" as Secretary of Agriculture, "Louis Johnson" as Secretary of Defense, "Maurice J. Tobin" as Secretary of Labor, "Dean Acheson" as Secretary of State, "John W. Snyder" as Secretary of the Treasury, "Oscar L. Chapman" as Secretary of the Interior, "Charles Sawyer" as Secretary of Commerce, "J. 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 MADISON, CO-SIGNED BY: JAMES MONROE, JOHN GILL, JAMES H. MCCULLOCH 21x16½ ship's papers for the brig Julia, bound from Baltimore to Lisbon in 1812, signed by Madison as U.S. president and Monroe as Secretary of State Four language ships papers signed "James Madison" as U.S. President, "James Monroe" as Secretary of State, "James M McCulloch" and "John Gill Not. Pub".1 page, 21x16½, with paper 2 ¾-inch Great Seal of the United States and Gill's paper 1¾-inch notary seal affixed on left. Issued at Baltimore, Maryland, Oct. 15, 1812. Four language ship's papers (French, Spanish, English, Dutch) issued to: "Tristram Luce master or commander of the Brig called Julia... lying at present in the port of Baltimore bound for Lisbon and laden with Flour, Indian Corn and Bread for Lisbon..." Brigs were sailing ships with two masts and square sails. The rear sail is the mainsail and has a small fore-and-aft sail to improve maneuverability. Brigs were developed during the 17th century but saw their heyday in the 19th century. read more...

GEORGE WASHINGTON This extremely rare undated note, handwritten to his wife Martha, was sent in response to a suggestion by her nephew John Dandridge Autograph Note Signed in Text: with "General" and "Washington" in text. Penned and signed on verso: "Washington's hand-writing./ Jared Sparks". 1 page, 5x4. No place, no date. George Washington transcribes a letter his wife Martha wrote, then adds a comment. In full: "I have communicated [crossed-out words] the contents of your letter to the General, who readily consents to comply with your request and will, accordingly send the Bonds to Mr. B. Bassett, to bring such thereon. N.B. The above was given in answer by Mrs. Washington to the proposition of Mr. Jno Dandridge". General Washington had started to write "Dandridge" after "Mrs." but then changed the "D" to a "W" and penned his wife's name. BURWELL BASSETT (1734-1793) was married to Martha Washington's sister, Anna Maria. In addition, their daughter read more...

FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT'S THIRD INAUGURATION Oversize black and white photograph showing FDR being inaugurated for his third term, signed by the President, his Vice President and Secretary of State, Chief Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Hughes and Supreme Court Clerk Charles Elmore Cropley, who held the President's family bible while the oath was administered. Handsomely framed to 17½x15. Photograph signed: "Franklin D Roosevelt", "Charles E. Hughes, Jan. 20, 1941", "Charles Elmore Cropley/January 20, 1941.", "Cordell Hull" and "H.A. Wallace", B/w 13¼x10¼, framed to 17½x15. On Monday, January 20, 1941, Franklin Delano Roosevelt became the nation's first and only president to be inaugurated to a third term in office. FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT (1882-1945, born in Hyde Park, New York) is an American politician who served as president during two of the most difficult times in world history, the Great Depression and World War II. He also served as president for four terms (1933-1945), longer than any other president in history. read more...

JOHN F. KENNEDY Presidential appointment to international atomic energy conference two days after U.S. ratifies 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. read more...