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. quoted the entire first stanza as he concluded his "I have a dream" speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. read more...

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. read more...

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. BRIGHAM YOUNG (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. read more...

LOUIS D. BRANDEIS Two typed 1916 letters, one signed by Brandeis, the other by his secretary, to the Provisional Zionist Executive Committee, which he had led since its founding. Within the month, he would decide that his appointment to the US Supreme Court obliged him to resign from formal leadership of American Zionism. Framed in the Gallery of History style to 43x21. Comprises: (1) ELIZABETH PEABODY. Typed Letter signed: "Elizabeth Peabody", 1p, 8x10¾. Boston, Massachusetts, 1916 June 6. On letterhead to Isaac. E. Feinstein, Esq., Begins: Dear Sir". In full: "Replying to your letter of the 4th: I regret that owing to Mr. Brandeis's absence in Washington he will be unable to attend the First Anniversary Celebration of the Louis D. Brandeis Zionist Club to be held on June 10th. Very truly yours,". Fold creases at "a" of Peabody. 2 ¼ inch tears at right blank margin. Otherwise, fine condition. (2) LOUIS D. BRANDEIS. Typed Letter signed: "Louis D. Brandeis", 1p, 8x10¾. Boston, Massachusetts, 1916 June 13. On letterhead to Isaac. E. Feinstein, Esq. Advisor. Begins: Dear Mr. Feinstein". read more...

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. read more...

LOUIS D. BRANDEIS The first Jewish Supreme Court Justice signs a scarce handwritten 1920 letter: "Palestine needs redoubled efforts from all loyal Jews." Scarce ALS: "Louis D. Brandeis" as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, 1 page, 5½x8½. On his Stoneleigh Court, Washington, D.C., stationery, 1920 April 7. To Mr. Isaac E. Feinstein, Supervisor. In full: "I am glad to learn from your letter of yesterday of the growth in Young Judea Center during the past five year (sic). Palestine needs redoubled efforts from all loyal Jews. I trust that before another five years - your sixteen clubs may have grown to One hundred and Sixty." Louis Dembitz Brandeis (1856-1941), who had been nicknamed the "people's lawyer", supported Woodrow Wilson's nomination for the Presidency in 1912. In 1916, he was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by Wilson, becoming the first Jewish Associate Justice. He worked behind the scenes to influence President Wilson to support the Zionist cause, and later brought Zionist matters to the attention of FDR. read more...