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...

JOHN F. KENNEDY The President thanks America's first woman Nobel Prize-winning novelist, Pearl Buck, for his 1961 Authors Guild membership card. Typed Letter Signed: "John Kennedy" as President, 1p, 7x9. The White House, 1961 February 23. A month after his inauguration, JFK writes to 1932 Pulitzer Prize-winning author and winner of the 1938 Nobel Prize in Literature, Pearl Buck. In full: "I wish to thank you and the Guild Staff for sending me the current membership card in the Authors Guild. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. With every good wish." The following year, he invited Mrs. Buck to the White House. The April 29, 1962 White House dinner honoring 49 Nobel Prize winners from the Western Hemisphere was the largest formal gathering hosted by President and Mrs. Kennedy and one of the largest ever given at the Executive Mansion. The stellar array of guests prompted President Kennedy's remark that it was "the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever gathered at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." At the reception following the dinner, JFK sat next to Pearl Buck (photocopy of photograph included). 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...

THOMAS JEFFERSON and JAMES MADISON In the year of the Louisiana Purchase, both the President and the Secretary of State sign this grant of land in the new State of Ohio Land Grant signed: "Th. Jefferson" as President, "James Madison" as Secretary of State, 1 page, 13¼x10½. Washington, D.C., November 3, 1803. Document bears a large blind-embossed seal in the lower left-hand corner. In accordance with the Act of Congress providing for the sale of lands in the territory northwest of the Ohio River and above the mouth of the Kentucky, and determining that Benjamin Stanton has made full payment for a specified section of land there, the land is granted to Stanton, his heirs and assigns forever. Stanton's payment was deposited at the land office in Steubenville, in the new State of Ohio. Ohio became the 17th State in 1803 on either February 19, when Congress approved Ohio's constitution, or March 1, the date celebrated by the state of Ohio as the day its legislature first met. THOMAS JEFFERSON (1743-1826) served as third U.S. 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...

GEORGE W. BUSH, RUDY GIULIANI, HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, GEORGE PATAKI and MICHAEL BLOOMBERG This white hard hat, used during the clean-up of Ground Zero at New York's destroyed Twin Towers, was signed by President George W. Bush, New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, New York Governor George Pataki, United States Senator from New York Hillary Rodham Clinton and Michael Bloomberg, who succeeded Giuliani as mayor. Except for Bloomberg, all the signers on this helmet were in office during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Helmet inscribed and signed: "to Michael/ Best/Wishes/ George W Bush", "Rudy Giuliani", "Hillary Rodham Clinton", "George Pataki" and "Michael Bloomberg". White helmet with logo of New York City DOT [Department of Transportation] on front. Green decal imprinted "Track Safety MTA NYC 2001" affixed on back, three pieces of yellow reflecting tape affixed at both sides and on back. On the ill-fated day of read more...

JOHN F. KENNEDY and THE SUPREME COURT Collection including a handwritten letter from Senator JFK to a former Harvard professor, framed in the Gallery of History style to 46x32, with nine individual items signed by Justices Warren, Black, Douglas, Clark, Harlan, White, Brennan, Stewart and Fortas. Chief Justice Earl Warren has signed a copy of the eulogy he delivered at Kennedy's funeral. Comprises: (1) JOHN F. KENNEDY. Autograph Letter unsigned as U.S. Senator, 2p, 6½x9½ (front and verso). Washington, D.C., no date. To (Arthur) Holcombe, his Professor of Government at Harvard. Numbered "IV" in upper left. In full: "'If the practical business of government consists largely in the adjustment of the conflicts of interest arising among the people & politicians who understand the nature of the peoples (sic) interests and are responsible for their treatment of them to powerful and durable parties, may well be the most serviceable rulers that the people can reasonably expect to obtain.'" On verso: "Politicians personal read more...

JOHN F. KENNEDY He signed this typed letter as President in August 1963, thanking Meet the Press moderator Lawrence Spivak for condolences on the death of his son Patrick. Typed Letter signed: "John Kennedy" as President, 1 page, 6¾x8¾. The White House, Washington, 1963 August 14. To Lawrence E. Spivak, Meet the Press, New York, N.Y. In full: "You were kind indeed to think us at this difficult time. Your message was a comfort to me and my family and we are very grateful to you. Sincerely". Accompanied by original typed envelope. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, pregnant with the Kennedy's third child, collapsed during a walk on the beach and was forced to deliver prematurely a son, Patrick, on August 7, 1963. He died less than 40 hours later. The loss is said to have brought Jack and Jackie closer together, while devastating the President. An even greater tragedy loomed ahead, one of so many endured by the Kennedy family, when JFK himself was gunned down during a Dallas motorcade on November 22, 1963. Magazine editor Lawrence Spivak (1900-1994) was a panelist and then moderator of NBC's Meet the Press from 1947 to 1975. read more...

JOHN F. KENNEDY 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 read more...