FIVE PRESIDENTS (1969-1992): RICHARD NIXON, GERALD FORD, JIMMY CARTER, RONALD REAGAN and GEORGE BUSH This extremely rare color photo, taken at the dedication of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in 1991, contains the signatures of all five presidents to serve between 1969 and 1992: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George Bush. This event was the first time that five presidents of the United States, former or current, had ever gathered in one place for any reason. Photograph signed: "George Bush", "Ronald Reagan", "J Carter", "Gerald R. Ford" and "Richard Nixon". Color, 10x8 overall, image 8¾x5, one surface. The dedication of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on a hilltop overlooking Simi Valley, California was marked by the attendance of five Presidents: then-President George Bush and former Presidents Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon. The library, built at a cost of $57 million, was dedicated on November 4, 1991 at a ceremony that brought together five Presidents for the first time in history. read more...

JOHN F. KENNEDY 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. read more...

ANDREW JACKSON His Presidential signature (bold and 6 inches long) on an 1836 patent for an improved machine to make ship's thimbles, also signed by Secretary of State Forsyth and Attorney General Butler, 11½x15½, framed with a portrait and biographic plaque to 29x25. 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. 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...

WARREN G. HARDING Rare signed, 4-page autograph letter to his wife during a vacation with Senate colleagues in Augusta, Georgia, describing the good food and his golf and poker winnings and losses Rare ALS: "W.G.", 4 pages, 6x9½, separate sheets. On pictorial stationery of the Hotel Bon Air, Winter Resort, Augusta, Ga., picturing golfers and motorists. Friday eve, no date but circa 1917-1920. To his wife, Florence. In full: "Am tired tonight. Played 36 holes again today - a foursome over the hill course this morning and two threesomes in match play over the Lake course this p.m. Made a good score this morning and gathered in $17.50. Played like a dub this pm and lost $12.50. Only five to the good for the day. We had poker last night. I fared well. No complaint to make. My luck came back for one evening. We see very little of Mrs. Frelinghuysen - only at lunch. She breakfasts and dines in her room, and spends her time with the nurse. So far as I can observe, she sees little of Joe except when he sleeps. Really we are busy all the while. We go to golf after breakfast, return for lunch, start again at 5, and get in time for a bath, then dinner. After dinner & scribble you a line, then it is cards till bed time, and so it goes. read more...

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT This large 14½x18¼ sketch of the President who was elected to four terms in office is signed by him! 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 in the Gallery of History style: 26¾x37. read more...

JOHN F. KENNEDY Kennedy as President and J. Edward Day as Postmaster General sign the appointment of Robert J. Murphy as Assistant Postmaster, a very consequential appointment Civil Appointment signed: "John F. Kennedy", "J. Edward Day", 23x19. Washington, D.C., 1961 March 21. Appointment of Richard James Murphy of Maryland as Assistant Postmaster General. As the youngest elected President, JOHN FITZGERALD (1917-1963) displayed a youthful vitality that inspired Americans to actively participate in politics. While showing his resolve in the Cuban Missile Crisis, he also made strides toward peace with trade liberalization agreements, promotion of civil rights, the nuclear test ban treaty, the Peace Corps, and the Alliance for Progress. In addition to Kennedy's political offices, which included those of U.S. Representative (1947-1953) and U.S. Senator (1953-1960) from Massachusetts, he also received recognition for his World War II heroism (the Navy and Marine Corps Medal) and the 1957 Pulitzer Prize for Profiles in Courage read more...

THOMAS JEFFERSON and JAMES MADISON With Anglo-American tensions at a fever pitch due to British seizure of American merchant ships, Jefferson as President, and Madison as Secretary of State, sign ship's papers for a brig bound for Marseilles. This ship and its captain would be seized three years later - by the French! Four Language Ship's Papers signed: "Th: Jefferson", "James Madison", 1 page, 19¾x16¼, matted and framed to 25½x22. Washington, D.C., 1807 May 21. Papers issued to Henry Latham, "master and commander of the Brig called the Canton … lying at present at the port of New York bound for Marseilles and laden with Sugar - Wine - Coffee - Ginger - Pimento - Indigo - Beeswax - Nankins [a small breed of chicken] - Tobacco - and Logwood". These papers were signed at a critical moment in U.S. relations with Britain. In 1806, determined to weaken Napoleonic France, Britain had announced a blockade of French ports. Under this order, U.S. merchant ships were liable to seizure - 1,000 would be seized - and the crews subject to impressment in the Royal Navy. read more...

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER As President of Columbia University, he signs a typed letter to Robert Cutler concerning University projects to be funded by the Harriman brothers, framed with an unsigned photo in the Gallery of History style. TLS: "Ike" as President of Columbia, with ALS: "DE" on first page of 1½ pages (separate sheets) typed letter, 7¼x9½. Columbia University, New York, 1950 December 13. To Robert Cutler, Old Colony Trust Company, Boston, about planning and financing The American Assembly, an affiliate of Columbia University founded by Eisenhower in 1950 "to illuminate issues of public policy". The ALS on the first typed page, in full: "Dear Bobby-This formal dissertation was, as is obvious, prepared by a staff assistant. If you knew how pressed I am, almost to the point of panic, you'd forgive me for not re-writing it. So far as meaning goes, it expresses my sentiments very well indeed!" The typed letter, in part: "Since our delightful Boston visit, we have gone ahead rapidly with the plans for The American Assembly…Mr. W. read more...