RICHARD E. BYRD and FLOYD BENNETTSepia publicity photograph of Richard E. Byrd and Floyd Bennett in front of their plane.Rare Photograph signed: "Floyd Bennett" and "R.E. Byrd Jr." Sepia, 10x8. Pathé News photograph "for theatre lobby display only" picturing the two polar explorers in front of their plane. Lieutenant Commander RICHARD E. BYRD, JR. (1888-1957) and Warrant Officer FLOYD BENNETT (1890-1928) were the first to fly over the North Pole in the Josephine Ford, a Fokker Trimotor equipped with skis. Shortly after midnight on May 9, 1926, navigator Byrd and pilot Bennett lifted off a snow-packed runway at Kings Bay, Spitsbergen. They headed across the Arctic wasteland and at 9:02 A.M. crossed the top of the world, eight hundred miles from their takeoff point. Special legislation resulted in the awarding of the Congressional Medal of Honor to Byrd and Bennett for their Arctic explorations. Following their North Pole exploits, Byrd and Bennett were planning a transatlantic flight.

ROGER MARIS.He signs on this contract for an appearance for Kraft Foods per NCB-TV Typed Contract signed: "Roger Maris", 11½p, 8½x11. No place, 1961 September 5.In letter form from Roncom Productions to Maris c/o Frank Scott, The Biltmore Hotel, New York. Only signed by Maris who agrees to and accept the terms "to appear in the rehearsal,recording and broadcast of the program in the 'Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall' program series initially sponsored by Kraft Foods scheduled to be videotaped on September 29, 1961, New York, New York for initial NBC-TV network telecast on October 4, 1961…." Maris would be paid $7,500 within 10 days of the recording of the program. Roncom Productions was owned by Como. The day after Maris signed this contract, he hit his 54th home run of the season. On September 26th, he hit #60 tying Babe Ruth. On September 29th, Maris, Mickey Mantle and Yankees announcer Mel Allen taped Perry Como's show. Two days later, on October 1, 1961, Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's record with his 61st home run of the season. Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall was televised three days later on October 4, 1961. Lightly creased, slightly worn edges. Overall, fine condition.

J. PAUL GETTY This last page of a legal document is signed by the oil magnate and two members of the Julian Oil Company Document fragment signed: "J. Paul Getty", 1 p, 8¼x12¾. No place, no date. Final page of an agreement between Getty and the Julian Petroleum Corporation stipulating discounts to be paid for delivery of oil of lower quality. Also signed by the President and Secretary of Julian Petroleum and initialed in an approval stamp from the legal department. In 1916, Jean Paul Getty (1892-1976) and his father, George, had incorporated the Getty Oil Company, an early precursor to the great conglomerate. His multistate operation went international in 1949, when he completed a deal to lease oil fields in Saudi Arabia. During the Depression Era, he had bought extensive quantities of stock and in 1956 he gained control of Pacific Western, which he renamed Getty Oil, ending a 19-year stock battle with Standard Oil. The significantly larger Getty Oil Company became the world's largest privately owned business and made the enterprising Getty a billionaire. Although he was one of the world's richest men, Getty had a legendary reputation for miserliness.

EDWARD Z.C. JUDSON (NED BUNTLINE). ALS: "EZC Judson", 2p, 5½x8½, front and verso. On letterhead of Headquarters, Eagles Nest, Stamford, Del. Co., N.Y., but written from New York City, 1881 December 27. To "Friend Gilbert". In full: "Yours recd. I do not want that double faced wretch Edgar Johnston to have that mortgage. When I gave it to you & got Anna to sign it, you pledged your honor it should not leave your hands! Never! It has gone far enough now. If Olmstead holds it, I will pay interest & take it up next summer. If you & Maynard cannot hold it, & it goes into other hands than Olmstead I will not pay interest, but will let it be foreclosed. Tho, I do not deserve that kind of treatment from you. You know that! If Judge [name illegible] belongs to the Maynard, Churchill & Co. instead of the people, whose Judge he should be, let him show his hand at once. Mrs. J & boy, gaining & [illegible]. If you come to the city come & see me. I will never pay that school tax.

JOSÉ MODESTO RODRIGUEZ The Cuban Major General writes a warm interesting letter to his friend Federico Bascuns announcing him that he is back and able to see him soon. Also, the Major General sends salutes and good wishes to friends in common. Autograph Letter Signed:"J.M. Rodriguez"in iron gall ink. 7x4½. Fully Translated in English: Marianao, December 2, 1898. Sir. Federico Bascuns. Very dear friend. I really hope you, Julanga and the kids are doing well.I am back here and at your disposal, I will have the pleasure to reiterate that to you very soon. Tell Julanga to send me with the carrier my new insignias that I gave it to take care of, because the ones I use are super ugly now. Always remember the Guayabal with so much happiness. Give my salutes to Sunsa and her husband, and also to Enrique and family. My affection goes to you and Julanga. Your friend, J.M. Rodriguez" Jose Modesto Rodrigues was a Major General in Cuba's War of Independence (1895-1898). Lightly toned. ½-inch tear at right margin touching one letter(legible) and ¼-inch tear at lower blank margin. Otherwise, fine condition.

PAUL NEWMANHandwritten letter to the President of his fan club, early in his career Autograph Letter signed: "Paul", 1 page, 6¼x9. No place, 1955 May 26. On personal letterhead to "Dear Barbara" [Rushmore, the President of his fan club], in full: "Sorry about the snap shot. Now I can't find it. I'm sending half of one that I found in my dressing room. Happy that the meetings are going well and also that you saw my point of view about the buttons, etc. Best luck on the exams. (I'm glad I'm through with that) and in everything. Sincerely". Nominated for eight Academy Awards for Best Actor, Paul Newman (1925-2008, born in Shaker Heights, Ohio) won the1987 Oscarfor portraying Fast EddieFelson in The Color of Money, the same character he played in The Hustler 25 years earlier (also Oscar nominated). His other nominated roles were Brick Pollitt in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Hud Bannon in Hud, Lucas "Cool Hand" (Luke) Jackson in Cool Hand Luke, Michael Colin Gallagher in Absence of Malice, Frank Galvin in The Verdict and Donald "Sully" Sullivan in Nobody's Fool.

EMILE ZOLA A note from Zola to a colleague written on the front of his engraved calling card Autograph Note on Calling Card signed: "Emile Zola", in black ink, 4x2½. Calling card engraved with Zola's name and address. In French, translated in full: “My dear colleague, I believe that it would be better to have a five minute chat together, and I'll wait for the day that it's convenient for you to come, except for Tuesday at 6./ Cordially.”. Novelist Emile Zola (1840-1902), the founder of Naturalism, defended French Army Officer Alfred Dreyfus, who had been convicted of treason (1894) and imprisoned on Devil's Island (1895). Zola had written a scathing letter beginning "J'accuse" that was published in the newspaper "L'Aurore" on January 13, 1898. Anti-Semitism had played a large part in the Dreyfus case, and after Zola's letter appeared, the author was forced to flee France. He went to England, where he lived from 1898-1899 before returning to France. Lightly shaded at blank left edge. Otherwise, fine condition.

WALMART: SAM WALTON [ AND OTHER BUSINESS SCIONS]The discount store magnate, future President and three other builders of billion dollar empires. Philatelic Envelope signed: "Best Wishes/Donald Trump", "Jack Kent Cooke", "WH Annenberg", "WR Hearst Jr" and "Sam M Walton", 6½x4. First Day Cover commemorating the opening of the world's first completely automated post office, 4-cent stamp affixed, postmarked Providence, Rhode Island, October 20, 1960, FIRST DAY OF ISSUE. SAMUEL WALTON (1918-1992) opened his first Wal-Mart store in 1962 and expanded his discount department store chain to over 1,500 outlets in his lifetime. The real estate empire of DONALD TRUMP includes Trump Tower and Trump Plaza in New York City and Trump's Castle and Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Sports magnate JACK KENT COOKE (1912-1997) owned the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings and The Forum in Inglewood, California.

EMPEROR HIROHITO, CO-SIGNED BY: EISAKU SATO and SHIINA ETSUSABUROIn this very rare and important 1965 document, Emperor Hirohito notified Bolivian President René Barrientos that he was recalling Japan's ambassador to Bolivia. Also signed by Prime Minister Eisaku Sato and Foreign Minister Shiina Etsusaburo Document signed "Hirohito", "Eisaku Sato" and "Shiina Etsusaburo", with red ink seals. 2 pages, 9¾x13¼, 1 sheet folded, front and verso, on cardstock, with embossed Imperial Seal of Japan at top edge of page 1. With two binder holes at left edge. Dec. 21, 1965. Addressed to René Barrientos, President of Bolivia. In Japanese, partially translated: "The important mission of Mr. Eiji Kawasaki is at an end, the Japanese government having recalled him, whom it had accredited Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary…" Lightly toned. Light impressions on letter (do not touch sigangures). Show-through from seals on page 2. Otherwise in fine condition. Accompanied by: Untranslated Japanese language letter of transmittal. Lightly toned and creased. Irregular right edge.