JAMES A. GARFIELD Garfield, as President, signed the day before his 1881 assassination Right portion of a blank check signed: "J.A. Garfield", 4½x2¾. Washington, D.C., 188_. Riggs & Co. check most probably signed as President. Left edge ragged. Horizontal fold crease above signature. Otherwise, fine condition. Accompanied by: a handwritten note of provenance by S. W. Cowles, which reads, "This check was signed by Genl. Garfield at the White House in Washington, D.C. July 1st/81, the day before his assassination. It was present [sic] to me by Mrs. Lucretia R. Garfield at Mentor, Ohio, Oct. 1881." Lightly toned and soiled. Otherwise, fine condition. The fact that this check is neither filled out nor dated, coupled with the fact that we have had completed checks of the same type filled out by another and signed by Garfield, indicates that President Garfield signed blank checks that were later to be filled out. This check was probably torn in half after he died to protect it from being used by an unauthorized party or, more likely, to be given by Mrs. Garfield to admirers of her late husband requesting his autograph. Garfield (1831-1881) rose to the rank of Major General in the U.S. read more...

LYNDON B. JOHNSON and GEORGE W. BALL LBJ as President, and Ball as Acting Secretary of State, sign the official appointment of Arthur Goldberg, formerly Supreme Court Justice, as US ambassador to the United Nations. Historic Partly Printed DS: "Lyndon B. Johnson" as President and "George W. Ball" as Acting Secretary of State, 1 page, 21½x17½. Washington, 1965 September 15. Appointment of Arthur J. Goldberg to the General Assembly of the United Nations to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Adlai E. Stevenson. In full: "Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the Integrity and Ability of Arthur J. Goldberg, of Illinois, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do designate him as a Representative of the United States of America to the Twentieth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, and do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfill the duties of this commission, according to law, with all the powers and privileges thereunto of right appertaining during the pleasure of the President of the United States. read more...

PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. "BILL" CLINTON The 42nd U.S. President pens this kind note to his political consultant in replacement of his original autograph, which was lost when he visited a Manchester restaurant, signed in black ink Autograph Note Signed: "Bill Clinton" in black ink as 42nd U.S. President. 6½x4¼. Place: Washington, District of Columbia. Date (circa): May-June, 1993. Seal of the President, embossed in gold, at upper left. This card was introduced to the White House by George Bush. In full: "To Brandon Mallard. -with thanks for your interest in our government. -good luck in school and have a good summer." Lightly soiled, light tape remnants at top verso (no show through). Accompanied by Typed Letter Signed: "Wendy Smith", 1p, 8½x11. The White House, Washington, 1993 June 2. To Brandon Mallard. In full: "I sincerely apologize for failing to return your autograph when we visited Chez Vachon Restaurant. 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 Four years before he took command of American forces at Boston, the future President signs a receipt for the purchase of oyster shells Receipt signed in text: "George Washington", 1 page, 6½x2½. Matted and framed to an overall size of 13¼x20½. No place, 1771 July 10. In a business dealing with an illiterate man, Washington writes his own name and also the name of the oyster dealer, next to the latter's mark. In full: "Received from George Washington One pound seven shillings and three pence in full for the within shells. Chas his mark [showing] Lewis". Also docked by Washington at right margin: "No. 68 Ch Lewis/L1"7"0/10 July 1771/L". George Washington (1732-1799), who became known as the "Father of His Country", set precedents for future Presidents by limiting his service as first U.S. President to two terms, and - indeed - by refusing to seek a kingship. A delegate to the Continental Congress from Virginia (1774-1775) and member of the U.S. read more...

ANDREW JACKSON As President, he signs an 1829 autograph letter to a Tennessee neighbor, explaining that he has neither the desire nor the financial means to purchase an offered parcel of land adjacent to his own. Autograph Letter Signed: "Andrew Jackson" as President, 1 page, 8x10. Washington, 1829 September 3. To Captain Peter Mosely. In full: "Being absent from this city at the Rip Raps for the benefit of my health I did not receive your letter until my return on the first instant and I hasten to answer it the first leisure moment that has occurred. I regret to say to you, that my monied concerns are not in a situation to purchase your land, I am sorry to be compelled to say to you, that my expense is equal to all my means, & it is out of my power to loan you the sum wanted. The land you propose selling; that part where McCulla lived, would not suit me; If I had the means to buy, I would buy that north of my tract, say 150 acres at a fair price, but as yet, I have not the means. read more...

JFK and the JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, JANUARY 1961 This is the rarest signed photo of Kennedy that we've ever seen! The newly inaugurated President poses in the Oval Office with his top military advisers: Lyman Lemnitzer, David Shoup, Thomas White, Arleigh Burke and George Decker. Kennedy and all 5 military chiefs have signed this very rare 20x16, color photographic display! Very Rare Photograph Mount signed: "John F. Kennedy", "David M. Shoup", "Thomas D. White", "L. L Lemnitzer", "Arleigh Burke" and "George H. Decker". Color, 20x16 overall, image 13¼x10½ (two surfaces, with the signatures on the lower mat). Photo: Cecil W. Stoughton. Printed US government caption on verso dates this photograph on January 25, 1961. This is the  rarest signed photo of Kennedy that we've ever seen! JOHN F. KENNEDY, inaugurated 5 days earlier, himself a naval veteran of combat in the South Pacific in World War II, poses with the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). read more...

BILL CLINTON This rare and significant letter touches on two of the many scandals of the 42nd U.S. President administration. He handwrote, signed and dated this one-sentence letter in 1993 to Kathleen Willey, who accused him of sexual assault five years later. The letter itself mentions "Vince" - probably Vince Foster, Jr., a colleague of the First Lady. Foster had reportedly committed suicide less than two weeks before this letter was signed Autograph Letter Signed: "Bill". One page. 6½x8½. Written on official White House stationery letterhead. Place: Washington, D. C., Date: July 29, 1993. Addressed to: "Dear Kathleen", his friend (and later accuser), Kathleen Willey. In full: "Thanks for your note about Vince and for your friendship. Best". BILL CLINTON, born William Jefferson Blythe III in Hope, Arkansas in 1946, was Governor of Arkansas (1979-1981, 1983-1992) and the first Democrat reelected President since FDR. read more...

JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS 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. read more...