SAMUEL FRANCIS SMITH Signed sepia-toned cabinet card photo of Samuel Francis Smith, the man who wrote the hymn America Photograph Mount signed: "S. Fr. Smith." B/w sepia-toned, 4¼x6 overall, image 4x5¼ (two surfaces). After a visit to Germany in 1831, 23-year-old theological student Samuel Francis Smith (1808-1895), impressed that German children started their school day by singing a hymn, wrote a patriotic hymn using a simple German melody. Coincidentally, the melody was the same as that of the British national anthem, "God Save the King". Smith jotted down the complete hymn on a piece of scrap paper within half an hour, and the result, "America", was first sung at a children's celebration in Boston's Park Street Church on July 4, 1832. George Gershwin used Smith's phrase "Of Thee I Sing" as the title of his 1932 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. quoted the entire first stanza as he concluded his "I have a dream" speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. Stray ink smudge on mount above signature. Slightly soiled at upper left and right edges of mount. Otherwise, fine condition.

BRIGHAM YOUNG and JOHN H. STEELEThe Mormon leader signed this letter as part of a campaign pleading for assistance against anti-Mormon violence less than a year before their migration to Utah. It was written in desperation just after the murder of Mormon prophet Joseph SmithCollectionComprises: (1) Autograph Letter Signed: "Brigham Young" President, "Willard Richards" Clerk of the Quorum of Twelve and "N.K. Whitney" and "George Miller" as Trustees of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, all four being the "Committee, in behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Nauvoo, Ill.," 3p, 8x13, front and verso. Nauvoo, Illinois, 1845 April 24. Verso of third page addressed to: "His Excellency/John H. Steele/Concord/New Hampshire." The docketed address leaf bears a circular "new-york" postmark, explained by Young in the postscript: "P.S. As many of our communications postmarked 'Nauvoo' have failed of their destination-and the mails around us have been intercepted by our enemies, we shall send this to some distant office, by a special messenger”.

SAMUEL F. SMITH His extremely rare signed cabinet photograph (4x5) Cabinet Photograph signed: "S.F. Smith." Sepia, 4x6½ overall, image 4x5½, (two surfaces). Not mounted on customary cabinet photographic board. Glued to a 7x9½ sheet that has been affixed to a 9½x11½ page. Captioned: "The Notman Photographic Co. Limited/3 Park Street-2184 Boylston Street, Boston." Signed on image.After a visit to Germany in 1831, 23-year-old theological student Samuel Francis Smith (1808-1895), impressed that German children started their school day by singing a hymn, wrote a patriotic hymn using a simple German melody. Coincidentally, the melody was the same as that of the British national anthem, "God Save the King". Smith jotted down the complete hymn on a piece of scrap paper within half an hour, and the result, "America", was first sung at a children's celebration in Boston's Park Street Church on July 4, 1832. George Gershwin used Smith's phrase "Of Thee I Sing" as the title of his 1932 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

BRIGHAM YOUNG Young and his wife Mary Ann Young sign a document agreeing to sell land in Salt Lake City (1873). Partly Printed Document signed: "Brigham Young" [added in another hand: "Sen"], 4 pages, 8½x14. Salt Lake City, Utah, 1873 July 29. Also signed "Mary A Young"; witnessed "R.R. Anderson" and "Jas. A. Young". An indenture in which Young agrees to sell a 6,600 square foot tract of land in Salt Lake City to David McKenzie for $20,000. Signed on front. Notary's seal on inside cover. BRIGHAMYOUNG (1801-1877) succeeded the murdered Joseph Smith as head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1844. He guided the mass migration of the LDS faithful ("Mormons") to the Great Salt Lake Valley in Utah and served as the first Governor of the Territory of Utah (1849-1857). "Sen" distinguishes Young from Brigham Young, Jr. (1836-1903), a son by Mary who held important posts in the Church. MARY ANN YOUNG (1834-1882) was Young's second (and likely, favorite) wife, agreeable to his wedding additional wives. Lightly creased and soiled. Overall, fine condition.

MARY BAKER EDDY This document from the Massachusetts Metaphysical College features the religious leader's autograph! Document Signed: "Mary B.G. Eddy", 1p, 6x4. Boston, Massachusetts. Dated April 2, 1885. Certificate issued by the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, Mary B.G. Eddy, President. In full: "This Certifies That Mrs. G.P. Noyes C.S. has been my student, and is in good standing with the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, she being a member of the Christian Science Association." Emblem of Christian Science at left: "Heal the Sick, Raise the Dead, Cleanse the Lepers, Cast out Demons". While recovering from the effects of a severe fall, Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) sought many types of healing. She turned to the Bible in 1866 and discovered the spiritual and metaphysical system known as Christian Science. Eddy published Science and Health in 1875, explaining this system. The Church of Christ, Scientist was chartered in 1879 and in 1881, next to her home, the Massachusetts Metaphysical College was chartered. Followers multiplied and spread her teachings.