The HFS Exclusive Historical Autographs & Memorabilia Collection

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...

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...

THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS: JOHN PHILLIPS, MICHELLE PHILLIPS, DENNIS DOHERTY and CASS ELLIOT The Mamas and the Papas sign a document amending their agreement with Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. Rare Typed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Phillips", "Cass Elliot" and "Dennis Doherty", 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1967 August 17. To the Grammy Award-winning duo in letter form from Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. Amendment to their Agreement of October 4, 1965 (updated on April 28, 1966). In part: "Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. shall have the right to assign to Wingate Music Corp., all rights acquired by it pursuant to the terms of the Agreement including, without limitation the songwriting services of any or all of you and any copyrights acquired thereunder...." Also signed: "Larry Newton" as President of Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. The Mamas and the Papas, who were formed in New York in 1964 and disbanded in 1972, had already had a Grammy Award-winning hit, "Monday, Monday" (1966), by the time they signed this document. read more...

CLINT EASTWOOD Contract signed the year he reprised his "Dirty Harry" role and first directed a Western. Document signed: "Clint Eastwood", 2p (front and verso), 8½X13. Beverly Hills, California, 1973 January 11. Signed on verso. Eastwood retains the William Morris Agency as his exclusive film agent for a period of 3 years. Originally specialized in Westerns, beginning with the Rawhide, Eastwood became a major star in the "Spaghetti Westerns" of Sergio Leone, beginning with A Fistful of Dollars (1964). While continuing to make Westerns, Eastwood proved a popular, hard-boiled detective as well, beginning with Dirty Harry (1971). He can play sensitive roles as well, as opposite Meryl Streep in The Bridges of Madison County, which he also directed (1995). Eastwood has continued to succeed as an older actor in films like In the Line of Fire (1995) and Space Cowboys (2000). He has also proven to be an outstanding director, winning Oscars for Unforgiven (1991) and Million Dollar Baby (2004) and getting another nomination for Mystic River (2003). read more...

COLE YOUNGER Writing from prison in Stillwater, Minnesota, the outlaw thanks a state senator for a speech advocating his release. Autograph Letter signed twice: "Cole Younger", 2 pages, 7½x12¼. Stillwater, Minnesota, 1899 March 26. Signed on both pages. To "Hon. M. G. Daly, Senate Chambers, St Paul, Minnesota". In full (spelling errors in original): "Mrs. McNeil, Mrs. Greene and Hon. G. H. Schurmer was here to day. Wish I could repeat all they said in regard to the speech you made in the Senate in favor of the Wilson Bill. I had read what little the papers give and felt very grateful. But if posable I would feel still more after hearing them speak so highly. They were wishing I could have herd you. I told them I would feel very happy as it was if you could only here them praising you. They said everone said it was one of the best speeches made in the Senate during the session. Let me assure you there will never be any act of ours in or out of prison that will caus you to regret having extended a helping hand to us in this our hour of distress and our heart felt gratitude is yours in read more...

MARGARET MITCHELL Mitchell, always shy about the spotlight on her following Gone With the Wind, confides to friend and fellow author Edwin Granberry that "it is tempting fate to ever write a book or a play. If you do, everything except a plague of grasshoppers arrives." Typed Letter signed: "Margaret", 2 pages (front and verso), 7¼x10½. Atlanta, Georgia, 1941 November 11. On personal letterhead to "Dear Mabel and Edwin" [Granberry], in full: "We were very distressed to learn of your illness, Mabel, and I was glad to see Fred Hanna at a party Sunday night and learn that you really were up and about. Don't you think you Granberrys have managed all the plagues of Egypt now? I never knew any family, except us, to have as much trouble. (And, as Michael Arlen remarked in 'The Green Hat,' 'the Marches are never let off of anything.') Things are well with us now but I remember, with no pleasure, the first five years we were married when everyone in our family seemed to have something happen to them. Perhaps it is something all couples must go through with, but I hope the Granberrys are really through now. Edwin, you know it is tempting fate to ever try to write a book or a play. read more...

ADOLF HITLER Not yet the Führer, Chancellor Hitler thanks a Lutheran minister and his family for birthday greetings. Rare Typed Letter Signed: "Af Hitler" as Chancellor, 1p, 7¾x9¾. Berlin, 1933 May 10. On his personal stationery to Minister Sauerteig, Ansbach, Germany. In German with full English translation. In full: "I thank you and your family for you congratulations which you sent me on my birthday. With German greetings!" Hitler has added a word in his handwriting: "Heartfelt" above his closing. ¼-inch separation at blank right horizontal fold. Fine condition. With original postmarked envelope with German stamp picturing President Paul von Hindenburg, addressed to "Minister Sauerteig and Family". Torn at top flap, else fine. Ansbach is 25 miles southwest of Nuremberg. Hitler had celebrated his 44th birthday on April 20th. Born in Braunau, Austria, he was an intense nationalist, closing his letter "with heartfelt German greetings" in Suetterlin "Old German". In January 1933, Hindenburg had named Hitler Chancellor. read more...

J. D. SALINGER The author of The Catcher in the Rye signed this typed and framed letter with just his first name Typed Letter Signed: “Jerry”. One page. 8x9½ of letter visible. Dated June 20, 1962. Sent to “Ned”. Message in part: “Many thanks for sending those sales figures. I haven't quite broken the code yet, but it makes absorbing reading anyway. I'm very glad and thankful that sales have been that good. Also, I go on taking a deep and possibly unwholesome pleasure in the physical appearance of the book, the simple comeliness of the jacket, binding, print, margins, size, etc. Not less so, certainly, since the British hard-cover cheap edition arrived here”. Includes a plaque and black and white image of the author. J. D. Salinger (1919-2010), born Jerome David Salinger in New York City, wrote his first novel The Catcher in the Rye in 1951. It immediately became a Book-of-the-Month Club selection and won huge international acclaim. It still sells about 250,000 copies annually. read more...

SOUVENIR TYPESCRIPT OF KING EDWARD VIII's ABDICATION SIGNED WITH HIS RARE SIGNATURE: "EDWARD R I" KING EDWARD VIII. Exceedingly Rare Typescript signed: "Edward R I", 1p, 8¼x10¾. Headed: "Instrument of Abdication". In full: "I, Edward the Eighth, of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Emperor of India, do hereby declare my irrevocable determination to renounce the Throne for Myself and for My descendants, and My desire that effect should be given to this Instrument of Abdication immediately. In token whereof I have hereunto set My hand this tenth day of December, nineteen hundred and thirty six, in the presence of the witnesses whose signatures are subscribed." At the lower left: "Signed at/Fort Belvedere/in the presence/of/Albert/Henry/George". In addition to the King, the original Instrument of Abdication was signed by King Edward's three brothers: Albert (Duke of York, who became King George VI), Henry (Duke of Gloucester) and George (Duke of Kent). read more...

DAVID COPPERFIELD MOVIE CAST: LIONEL BARRYMORE, W.C. FIELDS, BASIL RATHBONE, MAUREEN O'HARA and others Barrymore's personal copy of the complete original movie script, signed by himself and 33 other members of the cast and crew Original Movie Script signed. This script belonged to Academy Award winning actor Lionel Barrymore. Typed on the cover at the upper left corner: "FOR USE OF LIONEL/BARRYMORE", to which he signed to its right "Lionel Barrymore" (Dan Peggotty). Also signed: "George Cukor" (Director), "W.C. Fields" (Micawber), "Freddie Bartholomew/('David')" (David Copperfield as a boy), "Frank Lawton" (David Copperfield as a man), "Basil Rathbone" (Mr. Murdstone), "Maureen O'Sullivan/(Dora)", "Edna May Oliver" (Aunt Betsey), read more...

JIMMY CARTER A revealing collection of documents from his 1976 presidential campaign - including a nine-page draft speech on Israel on Carter's presidential campaign stationery with 67 words of revisions and notes in Carter's hand - showing how a speech on Israel was drafted and revised. Photocopied annotated speech unsigned, with blue ink revision, some in Carter's own hand. 9 pages, 8½x11, loose-leaf sheets, typed on Jimmy Carter Presidential Campaign stationery. Titled: "Speech on Middle East Policy". The photocopy already included revisions, to which someone, presumably Henry Owen of the Brookings Institution, has appended additional comment and crossed out some sentences and paragraphs in the interest of brevity. On page 7, Owen has penned additional suggestions from foreign policy expert Zbigniew Brzezinski, who would become President Carter's national security advisor. Carter has added margin notes of his own: On page 1, Carter has replaced the typed text, "stopping in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and Haifa, visiting the Holy Places" with "visiting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Golan Heights and the West Bank" read more...