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.

John Tyler and Daniel Webster sign four language ship papers. Four Ship papers signed: "J. Tyler" as 10th U.S. President and "Danl Webster" as Secretary of State, 1p, 20¼x16¼. Washington, but issued from New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1842 February 2. The text is in four columns, each in a different language; from left to right: French, Spanish, English and Dutch. In part: "Be it Known, That leave and permission are hereby given to William Flanders, master or commander of the Barque called Popmunett of the burden of 103 and 52/95 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 Barque on his said voyage, such Barque having been visited, and the said Flanders having made oath before the proper officer that the said Barque 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...." No American ships could sail the open seas without this properly authorized passport.

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.

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....…"

Color photo of the 41st and 43rd Presidents, with their First Ladies, walking under an honor guard. Signed by George W. Bush as President, and by both of his parents Photograph inscribed and signed: "George W. Bush", "George Bush", "Barbara Bush", and inscribed by an unknown hand: "To: Dan/Best Wishes -". Color, 10x8. GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH (b. 1924) was Ronald Reagan's Vice President (1981-1989) before serving as 41st U.S. President (1989-1993), the first incumbent Vice President to be elected President since 1836. Even before becoming Vice President, he had built an impressive resumé: decorated service in WWII, Congressman (1967-1971), U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (1971-1972), Chairman of the Republican National Committee (1973-1974), first Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in Beijing, China (1974-1975) and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (1976-1977). BARBARA (PIERCE) BUSH married George H. W. Bush in 1945 and was an invaluable support to him as they raised five children (including two future Governors, one of whom became President).

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.

As President, he mentions sending a miniature cameo bust of himself to a lady. Framed collection including: 1) Autograph Letter Signed in the Third Person. As President, 1 page, 6¼x4½. No place, 1796 March 16. Signed "the President" in text. To a Mrs. Stewart, in full: "Not for the representation or the value, but because it is the production of a fair lady, the President takes the liberty of presenting the enclosed, with his best regards, to Mrs. Stewart praying her acceptance." Toned and creased. Trimmed, irregularly cut edges. Fine condition.2) Framed reproduction of Madame de Brehan's miniature portrait of a Grecian style image of Washington. George Washington (1732-1799) a Virginia planter and surveyor who gained his military experience in the French and Indian War, was a delegate to the Continental Congress when he volunteered to take command of the American militia surrounding British-occupied Boston in 1775. Not a brilliant tactician, Washington turned the ragtag volunteer Continental Army, inadequately supplied by Congress, into an effective fighting force, preserving morale and winning enough battles to persuade France to enter the conflict.

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.

All five presidents from 1975 to 1992 - Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton - signed this engraving of the White House. White House Engraving signed: "Ronald Reagan", "Gerald R. Ford", "George Bush", "Bill Clinton" and "Jimmy Carter". B/w, 8x6 overall, oval image 4¼x1½ (one surface). White House engraving by "Bureau of Engraving and Printing." "Best wishes" also written by Jimmy Carter with spacing, perhaps initially intended to allow for Rosalynn Carter's signature. Signatures of the 38th-42nd U.S. Presidents. Republican GERALD R. FORD (1913-2006) served as the nation's 38th U.S. President from 1974-1977. Ford, who had assumed the Presidency upon the resignation of Richard M. Nixon, holds the distinction of being the only person not to be elected to either the Vice Presidency or the Presidency. Ford was denied election in his own right when he was defeated by Democrat JAMES EARL "JIMMY" CARTER (1924-2024), who was 39th U.S. President for one term (1977-1981). Republican RONALD REAGAN (1911-2004) served as 40th U.S. President from 1981-1989.

The 42nd U.S. President pens this encouraging note to Senator Daniel Moynihan referring to some social and economic aspects, signed in black ink. Autograph Note Signed: "Bill" in black ink as President. One page. 6¼x4¼ card. Embossed with gilt Presidential Seal and words "The President". Place: Washington, District of Columbia. Date: September 28, 1999. Addressed to: Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. In full: "Senator, If we persevere we'll get this done! - I will help in any way I can, in or out of office. Best."  A day earlier, after getting the news of a higher than expected $115 billion budget surplus, President Clinton said, in part: "This triple digit surplus is larger than projected, larger than last year's and, in fact, larger than any surplus in the history of the United States…We can give the American people an honest, credible budget that extends the life of Social Security and Medicare, meets our responsibility in education and other important areas and leaves us free to pay down that [national] debt and be on target to be debt-free in the next 15 years." This may be what President Clinton is referring to in this note.

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.

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.