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.

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.

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.

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....…"

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.…"

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.

During his first campaign for a seat in Congress (1946), he signed this handwritten letter to a former Harvard classmate, discussing measures to secure the Italian-American vote. Rare Political Autograph Letter Signed: "Jack", 2 pages, 6x9, front and verso. To Tony (former Harvard classmate Tony Galluccio). No place, no date but during his first race for Congress in 1946. In full: "Thanks very much for your letter. It sounds like you and Joe did a good deal. It is fine with me if you and Joe take the trip in August. Just give me your schedule before you go and I will pay expenses. Be sure & let Frank know when you are going & keep him informed in a general way. I agree with you that Peter Gay would be a good man. I think it would be a good idea if you would get to know the Italian members of the legislature as well as possible. Should I write Gay or Demarco or anyone else thanking them? I hope to talk with you this weekend. Will call your house." Joe was Cambridge Councilman JOSEPH A. deGUGLIELMO, Frank was JFK's father's aide FRANK MORRISSEY (Joseph Kennedy helped finance his son's campaign); and Demarco was WILLIAM DEMARCO, Italian-American leader in the North End.

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.

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.

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.

Striking 16x20 black and white photograph of William Howard Taft. Photograph Mount inscribed and signed: "For my faithful friend Millie Sullivan with best wishes./April 28, 1911---/Wm H Taft ", as President, in black ink. 16¼ x 20½ photograph mounted to a 22 ½ x 26½ white matte with a three-inch border. WILLIAM H. TAFT (1857-1930) was the only man to serve as both President (1909-1913) and Chief Justice (1921-1930). Hand-picked by Theodore Roosevelt to be his successor, Taft proved to be a better "trust buster" than his mentor. He empowered the Interstate Commerce Commission to end railroad abuses, started the process leading to a federal budget and sponsored a bill requiring candidates to reveal campaign expenses. Taft's conservative decisions led to a parting with the liberal Roosevelt and prevented him from securing a second term. Reaching the pinnacle of his career as the 10th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Taft supported the Judiciary Act of 1925, which gave the overburdened Court greater ability to determine the number and type of cases it would hear. Minor wearing at matte corners, otherwise fine condition. Frame exhibits minor wearing at corners. Framed to an overall size of 33x44.

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.