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...

JAMES K. POLK and JAMES BUCHANAN Polk as President, and Buchanan as Secretary of State, sign the "full and unconditional pardon" (10x17) of convicted burglar Robert Scott, June 1, 1848. Polk's signature is scarce! Presidential Pardon signed: "James K. Polk" as President, "James Buchanan" as Secretary of State, 10x17½. City of Washington, 1848 June 1. Robert Scott, convicted of burglary by the Criminal Court of the District of Columbia in its June session, 1844 and sentenced to a term of four years imprisonment, is granted a "full and unconditional pardon" on the recommendation of the Warden and Physician of the (un-named) penitentiary, and "considering that the ends of justice have probably been obtained in this case". Official seal affixed in lower left. Democrat JAMES K. POLK was Governor of Tennessee from 1839-1841. He lost reelection bids in 1841 and 1843. In 1844, after being nominated as a "dark horse" at the Democratic National Convention, Polk defeated Whig Henry Clay and was elected 11th U.S. President. read more...

KENNEDY FAMILY ARCHIVE Collection of nearly 80 personal items spanning almost a century, most of which were the personal mementoes of Mary Loretta Connelly, Joseph P. Kennedy's sister. Included are many signed letters from the family patriarch, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.; items signed by John, Robert and Ted Kennedy and spouses Jackie, Ethel and Joan; mementoes associated with the eldest Kennedy brother, Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr; items connected with Kennedy sisters Pat, Eunice, Jean and Kathleen; and souvenirs of the next generation of Kennedy's: JFK Jr., Caroline Kennedy, and their cousin Joseph Kennedy II and Ted Kennedy, Jr. Most of the items in this remarkable collection of Kennedy family history come from Kerry McCarthy, the granddaughter of Joseph P. Kennedy's sister Mary Loretta (Kennedy) Connelly, and herself a well-known and respected political activist. They have been in her family for many years. Additional well authenticated items offered here to round out the collection are JFK's clipped signature, the handwritten manuscript by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the photographs of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Joseph Kennedy II, and the invitation to a Kennedy Presidential Library event signed by Caroline Kennedy. read more...

THOMAS JEFFERSON Jefferson handwrote, signed and dated this letter from Monticello in 1812 to James Leitch, a merchant in Charlottesville, Virginia. He wrote that he wanted a bottle of olive oil for an upcoming trip: "The more of it he can spare in silver, the more convenient it will be for the road." Jefferson was fascinated by the olive plant and ate olive oil regularly; it's one of the reasons he lived to 83 in a time when the average lifespan was 40. Third-person autograph letter signed "Th. Jefferson", 1p, 7x4. Monticello, April 30, 1812. Addressed on verso by Jefferson to "Mr. Leitch". In full: "Th. Jefferson understanding that Mr Leitch has olive oil, will be glad of a bottle of it. Being to set out on a journey within 2 or 3 days he asks the favor of him to change the inclosed bill [not included]. The more of it he can spare in silver, the more convenient it will be for the road." JAMES LEITCH was a merchant in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Leitch Storehouse still stands at 230-218 Court Square in downtown Charlottesville. read more...

ZACHARY TAYLOR Manuscript Letter to a Cincinnati newspaper, with his scarce signature as President-elect! Manuscript Letter signed: "Z. Taylor", 1 page, 7¾x7.  Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1849 January 19. To the Editors and Publishers of the Cincinnati Gazette, in full: "I avail myself of an early occasion before leaving this place to journey north, to express to you my warm acknowledgements for your courtesy and kindness in forwarding to my address for some time past, the regular number of the 'Gazette'-I have always perused its columns with interest and pleasure.  With this acknowledgement please accept my heartfelt wishes for your health and happiness, and for continued success and usefulness to your paper. I am, Gentlemen, with Sentiments of high respect and regard your most obedient servant". The popularity of war hero Zachary Taylor (1784-1850) led to his election as the 12th U.S. President (1849-1850). A 40-year veteran of the Army, Taylor was a veteran of several campaigns against the Indians, including the Black Hawk War and the Seminole wars. read more...

GEORGE W. BUSH 11x14 color publicity photograph of New York City firefighters Dan McWilliams, George Johnson and Billy Eisengrein planting the American flag in 20 feet of rubble at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. Photograph signed: "George W Bush". Color, 8x10, matted to 11x14. Depicts New York City firefighters Dan McWilliams, George Johnson and Billy Eisengrein planting the American flag in 20 feet of rubble at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. ©2001, The Record (Bergen County, N.J.). Photograph by Thomas E. Franklin, Staff Photographer. This photograph, which has been compared to the 1945 image of the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima during World War II, was taken by Franklin at 5:01 p.m. on September 11th, and first appeared in "The Record" on September 12. The photograph won numerous awards and a Pulitzer Prize nomination for the photographer, who was later invited to the White House by President Bush to view a postage stamp featuring Franklin's photograph. Fine condition. Matted, not in Gallery of History style. Not reviewed by us for conservation integrity. "As is" matting purchase. read more...

JIMMY CARTER: 1976 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN 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. read more...

GEORGE WASHINGTON Just returned from presiding at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, he endorses receipt of materials to be used on a favorite project: construction of a canal linking Virginia (and what will become Washington) to the West. Also signed by company directors and personal friends George Gilpin and John Fitzgerald. Document signed: "G. Washington", "John Fitzgerald", "George Gilpin" and "Gerrard Green" (twice), 2 pages (front and verso), 7¾x5¼. [Mount Vernon], 1787 October 18. Signed by Washington, Fitzgerald and Gilpin as Directors of the Powtowmack Company on verso, and by Green on both sides. Recto reads, in full: "Alexandria [Virginia] June 2d, 1787 Recd. of Wm. Hartshorne Two Iron fifty Six weights, one quire paper, Ten quarter Casks Powder, Two Bundles Soal Leather, one Bundle upper Leather, and one Keg Nails - to be delivered to James Smith at the Great Falls of Potomac - for which I have received one Dollar & a Quarter for the carriage thereof [signed] Gerar Green." On verso, above signatures: " read more...

GEORGE WASHINGTON Washington handwrote and signed this document, showing that he paid £100 for his neighbor's wheat, only five months after being selected to be a delegate at the Continental Congress. This document has his full name of "George Washington" instead of his more common signature of "G. Washington", which makes it especially rare. Autograph document signed in text: "George Washington". 1 page, 7¼x4¼. [Fairfax County, Virginia, 1774 December 23]. In Full: "Then Received from George Washington the Currt Sum of One hundred pounds in part payment for Wheat sold him by" to which the seller has signed: "Thomas Triplett". Penned at top left (unknown hand, possibly Triplett's): "Receivd Decr 23d 1774". THOMAS TRIPLETT was a descendent of French Huguenots who came to America to escape religious persecution. Triplett grew wheat on his plantation in Fairfax County, not far from Washington's Mount Vernon plantation. read more...