JIMMY CARTER: 1976 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN 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. read more...

THE MONTH AFTER THE BRITISH BLOCKADED THE EASTERN SEABOARD SOUTH OF NARRAGANSETT DURING THE WAR OF 1812, SHIP'S PAPERS ARE ISSUED TO A VESSEL FROM GLOUSTER, MASSACHUSETTS   JAMES MADISON, JAMES MONROE and JOHN KITTREDGE Partly Printed DS: "James Madison" as fourth U.S. President and "Jas Monroe" as Secretary of State, 1p, 10x15, irregularly cut. Washington, D.C., 1813 December 8. Ship's passport on vellum signed in Washington but issued out of "State of Massachusetts, District of Glouster". Cosigned: "John Kittredge Coll." as Collector for that port. In part: "By the President of the United States of America SUFFER the Schoner (sic) Dolphin Samuel Grace master or commander of the burthen of Sixty nine tons or thereabouts mounted with No guns navigated with Six men TO PASS with her Company Passengers Goods and Merchandize without any hinderance seizure or molestation the said Schooner appearing by good testimoney to belong to one or more of the Citizens of the United States and to him or them only...." On vellum. read more...

JAMES EARL "JIMMY" CARTER Carter read this speech at the 1976 Democratic National Convention in New York, where he accepted the party's nomination for presidential candidate. He went on from here to become 39th President of the United States. Typed speech unsigned, with handwritten notes, under linings and corrections in blue ink and notations near left edge of page 1 in black ink in unknown hand, 5 pages, 8½x11. This is a speech that Carter gave at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, which met in Madison Square Garden from July 12 to July 15, 1976. Carter was named Democratic candidate for President at this convention, and Walter Mondale was named his Vice President. The nomination represented a dramatic reversal of fortune for Carter, a peanut farmer who had been elected Governor of Georgia in 1971 but who otherwise started the nomination process as an obscure candidate with little name recognition. However, favorable media coverage helped him win the New Hampshire primary, and Carter used his obscurity to his advantage, marketing himself as a fresh face and Washington outsider. read more...

HARRY S TRUMAN and his CABINET 16x11 photo of the historic Cabinet meeting of August 25, 1950, signed by the President, by Vice President Barkley, by 9 Cabinet Secretaries,  and by 3 important Presidential aides. At this meeting, Truman announced his decision to seize US railroads to prevent a wartime strike Photograph signed: "Harry S Truman" as President, "Alben W. Barkley" as Vice President, "Charles F. Brannan" as Secretary of Agriculture, "Louis Johnson" as Secretary of Defense, "Maurice J. Tobin" as Secretary of Labor, "Dean Acheson" as Secretary of State, "John W. Snyder" as Secretary of the Treasury, "Oscar L. Chapman" as Secretary of the Interior, "Charles Sawyer" as Secretary of Commerce, "J. read more...

BILL CLINTON 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. read more...

ZACHARY TAYLOR Three months before his Presidential nomination and one year before his inauguration, Taylor writes military aide and political supporter J. B. Butler that he cannot come to Cincinnati because he may soon be ordered back to "the seat of war." Autograph Letter signed: "Z. Taylor", 2 pages (front and verso), 8x9¾. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1848 March 1. To Major J. B. Butler, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In full: "Your kind favor of Feb. 9 came duly to hand and I am truly indebted to you for the wish you have expressed that I should visit Cincinnati etc., but I assure you such a journey is at present quite out of the question as Rumors have been rife of the intention to order me again to the seat of war and tho' all is uncertain, I must maintain myself for a time at least where I may be readily accessible to the communications of the Dept. Accept my sincere thanks for the many kind sentiments of regard you have once and heretofore expressed towards me both those of a political & personal nature." The popularity of war hero Zachary Taylor (1784-1850) led to his election as the 12th U.S. President (1849-1850). read more...

FOUR PRESIDENTS: GERALD FORD, JIMMY CARTER, RONALD REAGAN and GEORGE H. W. BUSH Four consecutive Presidents and their First Ladies sign White House engraving. White House engraving signed: "George Bush", "Gerald Ford", "Ronald Reagan", "Jimmy Carter", "Barbara Bush", "Betty Ford", "Nancy Reagan" and "Rosalyn Carter". B/w, 8x6 overall, oval image 4¼x1½ (one surface). Image of the White House on a white card engraved by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Four U.S. Presidents (#38, #39, #40, #41) and their First Ladies, consecutive residents of the White House from 1974-1993. There is room to add the Clintons and the G.W. Bushes and their successors. How can they refuse? Barbara Bush (1925-2018), with her sensible, down-to earth manner was an enormously popular First Lady. In addition to her many duties, she crusaded against illiteracy and supported programs to help the homeless and fight drug abuse. 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...

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) Framed under glass. 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). The Joint Chiefs of Staff, constituted in 1947 to advise the President and the Secretary of State, consists of a chairman and the highest ranking officers of the military branches. read more...