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Session 1 |
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Autographs |
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| 56001 | Rare Abraham Baldwin Autograph Letter Signed "Abr Baldwin," two pages, 8" x 12.5", front and verso. New Haven, October 14, 1788. Integral leaf addressed by Baldwin to "The Honble General Irvine/in Congress/New York," torn at seal in blank area. Rare single line "New Haven Oct:15" and "Free" postal markings. From the Journals of the Continental Congress, September 4, 1788: "Whereas by an Ordinance entitled 'An Ordinance for Settling the Accounts between the U. S. and individual States,' passed the Seventh day of May 1787, it is ordained that a board consisting of three commissioners be appointed by the U.S. in Congress Assembled, whose duty it shall be to receive from the comptroller of the treasury, and from the Commissioner of Army Accounts all the Accounts and claims of the several States deposited in their respective offices, and to examine such of the said Accounts as shall have been passed by the Commissioners of the several districts, in order that the same may be finally adjusted on uniform and equitable principles." On September 9, 1788, the Congress elected William Irvine of Pennsylvania and John Taylor Gilman of New Hampshire as board members; on September 13th, Abraham Baldwin of Georgia was elected. Congress resolved on October 10th that the deliberations of the board required the presence of all three commissioners. On October 12th, Irvine, writing from New York City, sent the resolution to Baldwin in New Haven, Connecticut, telling him that the "inclosed Act will inform you how the business now stands...I think if you were here we might fix matters with the Board in such a manner as you need not wait in Georgia for a formal notification. Mr. Gilman & myself can get notice & be on the spot in two weeks, but months may be spent at your distance [Baldwin, staying at a relative's home in Connecticut, lived in Georgia] & uncertain transportation in the winter season. I think there will not be a Congress this year and I have no longer any business here but to make some arrangement in this affair; under these circumstances I need scarcely tell you that it will be with a degree of impatience I shall wait your arrival." On October 14, 1788, Baldwin replied to Irvine in the letter here offered. In full, "I have just received your favour of the 12th with the inclosed resolution of the 10th. Whatever may have been the intention. I think it is in our power to prevent any interruption of the ordnance. Be assured nothing shall be wanting on my part. I have been confined for several days with a turn of the quinzy in consequence of a journey in an open stage in one of the late cold rains. It is getting better, but should I venture out now my Doctor tells me I should be in much danger of occasioning a relapse. If it should appear so necessary for us to see each other, that you cannot leave New York till I arrive, let me know by the next post, and I think I shall be able to be there in a few days. However if you can bring the board of treasury to fix upon any time for me to be at New York, I will comply with it without waiting for a formal notification. They will surely be able, before I set out, to tell me pretty near the time when matters will be in readiness for our attendance. All the information they have, I doubt not, they will give you as readily as if we were together, and will do all in their power to reduce the time of our attendance to a certainty and I will consider it as equally binding upon myself as though I were present. I do not expect my stay in Georgia will be long, and should suppose they might let me know so nearly the time before I set out that it would not be necessary for me to wait till they had formally notified the day by letter. I am sorry it is not in my power to go down in this stage. I shall expect a line by return of the post." On watermarked laid paper. Three months later, on January 19, 1789, Baldwin, Gilman, and Irvine took their oaths of office and allegiance, preliminary to beginning their duties. On April 30, 1789, the day of the inauguration of George Washington as first President of the United States, Abraham Baldwin, having been elected a member of the 1st Congress, wrote to the new President: "An appointment from the State of Georgia as one of their representatives in congress lays me under the necessity of resigning my seat at the general board of commissioners for finally adjusting all accounts between the United States and the individual States. With the greatest possible respect I have the honour to be your most devoted humble Servant." Born in Connecticut, Abraham Baldwin was 18 when he was graduated from Yale in 1772. He moved to Georgia in 1784 and represented his new state in the Continental Congress in 1785, 1787 (signed the Constitution), and 1788 and in the House of Representatives (1789-1799) and U.S. Senate (1799-1807). He was only 53 when he died on March 4, 1807, his first day as a member of the 10th Congress. Abraham Baldwin is extremely scarce in any form and is one of the rarest of the signers of the Constitution. This letter, with exceptionally fine content and significance, is in fine condition.Not Sold. |
| 56002 | Aaron Burr Rare Revolutionary War-date Autograph Letter Signed One page, 8.75" x 13", Princeton, New Jersey, March 18, 1777, written to "Colonel J. Nielson" - John Nielson, commander of the New Jersey Militia Regiment. At the time this letter was written, the twenty-one year old Aaron Burr was serving as a lieutenant colonel in Malcolm's Regiment, subordinate to General Israel Putnam. Burr writes: "In answer to yours of yesterday, the General requires me to acquaint you that a Sergt. and one Man will be a sufficient Convoy for Steeles Family and Effects, exclusive a Driver for the Waggon. It will be proper that the Sergt should have orders from you any thing similar to the enclosed, to signify to the officer who meets him his Character and Business & he will also be careful that no improper conversation passes between any of his attendants and the enemy he may make his own observations of their Situation as should be a Person not easily dashed and who can generally give pert. answers to artful Questions. The General is exceedingly pleased with the Behavior of your Light Horse yesterday and is determined their Merit shall in no Instance be passed unnoticed." It is unclear whether Steele and his family were civilians, although it is likely that he may have been a captured British soldier, judging by the content. However, Aaron Burr makes proper arrangements for their safe passage with a military escort, as instructed by Gen. Putnam. Later this year, Aaron Burr's regiment would repair to Valley Forge along with George Washington and the tattered Continental Army for the miserable winter of 1777-78. The text is somewhat faint, but still quite legible. Light stains; otherwise, in fine condition. Revolutionary War-date letters from Aaron Burr, who would later become the third Vice President of the U.S. after narrowly losing the election of 1800 to Thomas Jefferson, are very scarce.Sold for: $3,585.00. |
| 56003 | Daniel Carroll Document Signed "Danl. Carroll," one page, 7.5"x 12". Maryland, July 2, 1787. Witnessed by "Robert Hollingsworth." Partly printed, completed in manuscript. In part, "Know all Men by these Presents, that I Daniel Carroll of Montgomery County in the State of Maryland am held and firmly bound unto Thomas & Samuel Hollingsworth of Baltimore Town Merch[an]ts in the full and just Sum of Two Hundred & Ninety Six Pounds Sixteen Shillings Specie Maryland Currency..." If Carroll pays "the full and just Sum of One Hundred and Forty Eight Pounds Eight Shillings Species aforesaid with Legal Interest without any Fraud or Delay; then this Obligation to be void and of none Effect, or else to remain in full Force and Virtue in Law." Small paper seal affixed with red wax to the right of the signatures. Fine condition. On May 27, 1787, Daniel Carroll was appointed a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Deliberations had begun in Philadelphia's Independence Hall on May 25th when there were enough delegates from the requisite number of States to form a quorum. Virginia's Edmund Randolph delivered the opening speech, pointing out the serious defects in the Articles of Confederation which, as a member of the Continental Congress, Carroll had signed in 1781. So this document, by which Daniel Carroll was offered the chance to settle his debt by immediately paying 50% of the money he owed two Baltimore merchants, was signed at a time he should have been in Philadelphia at the Constitutional Convention. He did not arrive in Philadelphia until July 9th, leaving shortly after he signed this agreement. Once there, Carroll attended regularly, speaking nearly twenty times during the debates and serving on the Committee on Postponed Matters. On September 17, 1787, Daniel Carroll and 38 other delegates signed the U.S. Constitution which, when ratified, replaced the Articles of Confederation. He was one of only two Catholics (Thomas Fitzsimmons was the other) to sign. Carroll served in the First Congress, 1789-1791. On January 22, 1791, President George Washington, who had presided over the Constitutional Convention, named his friend Daniel Carroll as one of three commissioners to survey and define the Federal City in the District of Columbia.Not Sold. |
| 56004 | Daniel Carroll Signed Printed Lottery Ticket, 3" x 2", circa early 1790s, completed in manuscript. An early American lottery ticket issued to help fund the Washington City Canal "for cutting the Canal through the City of Washington to the Eastern-Branch Harbour." Numbered in manuscript and signed by Daniel Carroll. Carroll was Commissioner of the District of Columbia after serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress and signing the Articles of Confederation in 1781. George Washington, a friend of Carroll, appointed him one of three Commissioners to survey and limit a part of Washington, D.C. Carroll served as Commissioner until 1795, when his age and poor health caused him to resign. Thus, the ticket can be dated no later than 1795. Irregularly trimmed, some wear, but generally very good. Not Sold. |
| 56005 | Continental Army Request for Provisions. LS, "JW Chanloner ", one, 8.25" x 13.5", front and verso, "Camp Whissahichon", Nov. 6, 1777. Letter of request for provisions from the Continental Army encampment at Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania where Washington and 15,000 troops encamped from Nov. 2 to Dec. 11, 1777, just prior to Valley Forge. In part: "Our necessity for flour and Whiskey is such that I have dispatched the bearer in hopes that he will meet with them on their way to camp... I expect momentarily to be called upon by his Excellency [George Washington] to answer for the wants of flour and Whisky..." Overall toning and rough margins as expected with field written manuscripts. Addressed on integral cover to Col. John Patton at Reading with an intact red wax seal. Good content illustrative of the already strained resources of the Continental Army.Sold for: $1,434.00. |
| 56006 | Charles Cornwallis Autograph Letter Signed. ALS "Cornwallis", one page, 7.5" x 9.5", Calcutta, March 8, 1789. A letter to J. Michie commending the recipient's nephew for his excellent character. In part: "...it was the consideration of the public good alone that induced me to appoint him President at Besares [?]. That district was declining rapidly. He has saved it & is gaining the greatest honor to himself and to his country... I am most flattered with the approbation which my conduct has met with from the Court of Directors..." Written during the first year of his appointment as governor-general and commander in chief in India. His service in India did much to restore his reputation and he was awarded the title of Marquis in 1792. Toned, with usual mail folds and minor separations thereat. Sold for: $478.00. |
| 56007 | William Ellery Autograph Manuscript Signed "William Ellery", one page, 6.25" x 4", City of Newport, May 25, 1786. An oath attesting that a Revolutionary War bond has transferred ownership: "Henry Stevenson of Said City & State made oath that a Certificate issued by Edward Chinn Comms No. 785 for 141 ---30 goths. dollars and payable from the fifth day of April 1781 to William Engs is his property". Lightly toned, otherwise fine condition.Sold for: $537.75. |
| 56008 | Oliver Ellsworth Revolutionary War-date Manuscript Document Signed "Oliv. Ellsworth". One page, 8.5" x 5.5", Hartford, Connecticut, July 25, 1775, addressed to John Lawrence, the Treasurer of the Connecticut Paytable Committee. At the outbreak of the Revolution, Oliver Ellsworth represented Windsor in the General Assembly, and was one of the committee of four ("The Paytable") that managed all the military finances of the Connecticut colony. This document authorizes payment for a contingent of Chatham (now East Hampton), Connecticut militiamen, who had just taken part in the historic Battle of Bunker Hill. The document reads: "Pay to the Select Men of Chatham or order the Sum of Twenty Eight pound ten Shilling & Eight pence mony in Bills-it being the amt. of what is allowd. Capt. Silas Dunham & Company for Time & Expence in the Late Boston Alarm as per acct. & charge the same to Acct. of the Colony of Connect." The document is countersigned by committee member Thomas Seymour and docketed by Silas Dunham on the verso. The Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775) occurred outside British-occupied Boston early in the Revolutionary War. The British sent several of their best generals to put down the burgeoning American rebellion. The generals concluded that an attack on Cambridge must be mounted as soon as possible. Before the plan could be put into effect, rebel spies in Boston learned of it. On the starlit night of June 16, 1,200 American militiamen, armed with picks and shovels, advanced to fortify Bunker's Hill. Neither a British artillery bombardment nor a frontal assault by 2,400 British soldiers under the command of General William Howe could dislodge the Americans. The main American position of 1,600 men turned back two more advances by British troops who were in tight formation and burdened by heavy packs. General Howe then ordered his soldiers to drop their packs and rush forward in a bayonet charge. By the time they reached the American redoubt, the rebels' supply of powder had given out. The resulting American retreat became a near rout. Howe, though, decided against pressing on toward Cambridge and stopped the pursuit. The British won at a horrible cost. The battle had destroyed the British myth that Americans could not stand against the regulars. This signed document with an association with the Battle of Bunker Hill is exceedingly rare and in fine condition. Sold for: $2,390.00. |
| 56010 | American Revolution - François Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse manuscript Document Signed "Le Compte De Grasse". Two pages, 8" x 12.5", Brest, [France], [no date] in French being an agreement to pay the Widow Bernard for supplies for the French Navy signed by De Grasse together with twelve other French Naval officers including Admiral Charles Henri Hector, Compte d'Estaing "Estaing", Compte de Guichen, Clement de Taffauel, Marquis de la Jonquiére and Comte d'Hector. The verso details the purchase of salted beef, peas, lentils and other provisions for use by the French Navy. De Grasse was the French Admiral responsible for commanding the fleet that blocked the British squadron sent to relieve Cornwallis at Yorktown, sealing the latter's fate in 1781. D'Estaing commanded a French squadron during the war involved in the attempt on Newport, Rhode Island, in 1778 and an attempt on Savannah the following year. Light foxing, margins just a tad rough, usual folds, else fine condition with dark, bold signatures. Provenance: Goodspeed's, Boston, 1964; Collection of R. O. McNiel. Not Sold. |
| 56011 | [Nathaniel Greene] Lewis Morris, Jr. Fine Content Autograph Letter (unsigned). 4 pages, 8.25" x 13", [n.p., n.d., but likely North Carolina, March to April, 1781] to future congressman John Rutherfurd concerning the improving condition of the Continental Army in the South. Lewis Morris, Jr. (1754 -1824) son of Signer Lewis Morris, was aide-de-camp to Nathaniel Greene during the Southern campaign of 1780-82. He writes, in part: "...It has been the constant principle object and attention of General Greene since he took the command of this department to arrange and organize it upon a respectable footing. His resources and alacrity were equal to momentous task - and I have the pleasure to assure you that his efforts have not been without effect. the public to the great injury for the service, was flattered with success beyond the ability [of] its forces -- under this false idea it was necessary to paint the true situation of officers - as well as to excite comprehension for the wretchedness and distress of the troops as to call forth the exertion and powers of the people - An established army was to be equipped for service and the several legislatures had yet to determine upon the measure from a predilection in favor of militia. The powers of argument were necessary to remove the prejudice and convince them how essential a regular Army was to their own preservation and that of the Union, and how destructive the plan of employing the militia was to the country. Experience could have pleaded its fatal effects, but ignorance and obstinacy were more adamant. North Carolina has at length determined to complete the four battalions and Virginia is making exertions on its part. The Commander in chief, sensible to how critically we were circumstanced has directed a fleet, and a detachment from his army to our assistance. Tho this armament will cooperate immediately against [Benedict] Arnold at Portsmouth, its success will have an extensive influence in the Southern War. And Congress, disposed to the utmost of their abilities to alleviate the sufferings and distresses of the soldiers, and sending forward clothing and other supplies... These are all [illeg.] and if Lord Cornwallis could be can be first fortune would favour our Arms against the Enemy in this state I could flatter myself with the pleasing reflection of soon returning to the peaceful habitation and company of my friends. We have numbers sufficient to Justify the belief but those could be depended upon their minds are unprepared for action -- and they cannot stand the charge of disciplined soldiers. If it should please God to spare my life. I propose to return to the Northward the next fall..." The "detachment" Morris mentions was a force of regulars under Lafayette who were to counter Benedict Arnold's movements in Virginia. On April 11 Washington instructed Lafayette to open communications with Greene as soon as practicable. Following the Battle of Guilford Court House, Cornwallis, his forces heavily depleted, elected to move into Virginia to await reinforcement. Greene meanwhile began an offensive which would regain control of the entire South save British enclaves at Charleston and Savannah. Lafayette in the meantime harassed Cornwallis forcing him to move to Yorktown. John Rutherfurd and Lewis Morris III were classmates at the College of New Jersey (present-day Princeton University). Rutherfurd later married Morris' sister Helena in 1782. Weak at folds with some archivally repaired, otherwise very good condition.Sold for: $956.00. |
| 56012 | John Hancock Manuscript Document Signed "John Hancock" as Governor of Massachusetts, one page, 7" x 11.75". [Boston], February 23, 1788. Certifying "that Christopher Gore Esquire of Boston is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Suffolk in this Commonwealth, duly constituted and Sworn, & that to his Acts & Attestations as in the annexed paper, full Faith & Credit is & ought to be given both in Court & without..." Countersigned "John Avery jun" as Secretary. Embossed paper seal affixed with red wax, tied to pink ribbon, at upper left. Light stains from portions of the ribbon cut off are to the right of Hancock's classic bold signature. Minor creases. The 1.5" x 1.25" lower blank right corner, at a horizontal fold, is torn and loose. It is easily reparable or may be matted over, or cut away with the lower blank 7" x 1.25" portion, not affecting either the text or its appeal . Attached behind this document by the pink ribbon from the seal is a Partly Printed Document Signed "John Codman, jun" and, as witnesses, "Fisher Ames" and "C. Gore"; 8" x 11.75", Boston, February 23, 1788. Codman appoints Robert Townshend Hooe of Alexandria, Virginia, his "true, sufficient and lawful Attorney, for me and in my Name and Stead..." On verso is a Manuscript Document Signed "C. Gore justice of peace" certifying that "John Codman jun personally appeared before me..." John Hancock, first Signer of the Declaration of Independence, served as Governor of Massachusetts from 1780-1785 and 1787-1793. John Avery, Jr. was Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1780-1806. Christopher Gore later served as Governor of Massachusetts (1809-1810) and U.S. Senator (1813-1816). Fisher Ames, a noted Federalist orator, represented Massachusetts in the first three Congresses (1789-1797); he was elected as one of the first Directors of the Bank of the United States in 1792, but declined to serve having been reelected to Congress. When the Boston branch of the Bank of the United States was established, John Codman, Jr., a Boston merchant, was elected one of the first Directors as was Christopher Gore. Sold for: $4,481.25. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56013 | [John Hancock] Revolutionary War Broadside, one page, 9" x 13", October 8, 1779, being a resolve of the Massachusetts House of Representatives: "State of Massachusetts Bay. In the House of Representatives . . . RESOLVED, That the Selectmen or Committee of each own and plantation in this State, be, and they hereby are required to render under oath, a full account of all supplies furnished before the 15th of October . . . of all bounties and gratuities given . . . to every soldier and family of a soldier, raised as part of this State's proportion of the Continental army for three years or during the war; the account of supplies to be in form agreeable to a schedule directed by this Court. . ." [Boston: printed by Thomas & John Fleet, 1779] Signed in type by Hancock as Speaker and John Avery as Deputy Secretary, this resolve demanded strict obedience, fining any town that was neglectful of it duties. Obtaining the necessary supplies and personnel to support the Continental Army was a source of constant concern for Congress, thus making this 1779 resolve more necessary. This copy, according to a manuscript note on the docket on verso, was directed to the Selectmen of Topsfield, whose residents included the direct lineal ancestors of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith's great grandfather was Samuel Smith, a Selectman of Topsfield who represented the town at the First Provincial Congress of 1774. Chipped at bottom and right margins with no loss to text, else fine. Not Sold. |
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Autographs |
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| 56014 | Robert Hanson Harrison Autograph Manuscript Signed "Rob H Harrison" twice, 1.25 pages, 7.75" x 12.25", front and verso. On November 6, 1775, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison became General George Washington's secretary. One of his responsibilities was to keep the military informed of events in Philadelphia, especially if it related directly to the army. General Artemas Ward was second in command to General Washington. The document was folded in four with "Resolves of Congress/for/Genl Ward" penned by Harrison on verso. On the front, Harrison wrote excerpts from the proceedings of the Second Continental Congress. Headed: "In Congress July 4th 1776," other dates not noted. In full, "Resolved, That copies of the Declaration be sent to the several Assemblies, Conventions & Councils of Safety and to the Several Commanding Officers of the Continental Troops, That It be proclaimed in each of the United States, and at the head of the army." From the July 5th proceedings: "That General Washington be empowered, If he shall Judge It advisable, to order three of the fullest Regiments stationed in Massachusetts Bay to be immediately marched to Ticonderoga, and that an equal number of the Militia of that state be taken into pay & embodied for Its defence, If the Government of Massachusetts bay Judge It necessary. That a chaplain be appointed to each Regiment in the Continental Army & their allowance be increased to Thirty three and one third Dollars pr month." From the July 6th proceedings: "That an order issue to the Agents in the Massachusetts bay & Rhode Island to send the arms taken out of the Scotch Transports to Genl Washington, at New York." On verso, Harrison has penned and signed the following, headed "In Congress June 5. 1776." In full "That the pay of the Regimental Surgeons be augmented to thirty three dollars & one third of a Dollar a month." Light discoloration on verso, with faint show-through, from mounting remnants. Partial separation of the folds at edges. Overall, in fine condition. In 1789, Robert Hanson Harrison was one of President Washington's original six appointments to the Supreme Court. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate, but was forced to decline because of ill health. He continued as Chief Justice of the General Court of Maryland until his death less than seven months later. The document is handsomely displayed in a 8.5" x 13.25" presentation folder with inside flaps, titled in gilt lettering on a red leatherette portion of the cover "Resolution of/the Continental Congress/ordering the/Declaration of Independence/proclaimed/throughout the United States/and at/the Head of the Army/July 4, 1776." Sold for: $5,078.75. |
| 56015 | Patrick Henry Document Signed as Governor. DS "P. Henry", quarto, 15" x 13", Richmond, Virginia, July 15, 1786. Partially printed, a vellum document issued on December 24, 1783 and signed in 1786, granting Doctor Thomas Bond "a certain Tract or Parcel of Land, containing Two Thousand acres..." With vertical and horizontal folds, toning and small stains left and right, printed text bold and clean, penned script strong and clear, fine condition. Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 56016 | William Hooper Autograph Letter Signed "Wm Hooper," one page, 7.5" x 12.25". Head of Elk [Maryland], Friday Evening. Undated, but March 1776. Integral leaf addressed by Hooper to "The Honorable Joseph Hewes esquire/one of the Delegates for the/Province of North Carolina/at/Philadelphia." Docketed on the address leaf "Wm. Hooper" by Hewes. In full, "My dear friend, With my usual care (you'll say) I left my Watch at Mrs. Withy's in Chester, where it still remains. Whether I hung it on a Chair at my Bedside, or omitted to bring it from the Privy, I am not very certain. Be so kind as to write her & desire her to send it to you. I wish I may be equal to the long Journey I have undertaken, I find no disa[gree]able change yet, I have some appetite & Mr. [Pen ]n with his usual flow of Conversation will assist to keep up my spirits. Remember me kindly to my Congress friends & assure them that purely from Indisposition I failed to bid them a formal Adieu. My best Wishes attend them - Let me earnestly recommend to you to pay great Attention to your Health than you at present do & to use more exercise. My warmest wishes are for your perfect Recovery. I am most affectionately Yours." Seal tear at the mid-left edge deletes part of one word and most of the name of Hooper's companion on the trip, John Penn, who with Hooper and Hewes comprised North Carolina's delegation to Congress; all three signed the Declaration of Independence. Mrs. Withy's Inn, a boardinghouse about 15 miles south of Independence Hall in Chester, Pennsylvania, owned by widow Mary Withy, is probably where Hooper stayed while attending Congress. William Hooper and John Penn left Philadelphia for North Carolina in March 1776 to attend its Fourth Provincial Congress which met in Halifax, N.C., from April 4th through May 14, 1776. In a letter written by Joseph Hewes on Wednesday, March 27, 1776, to Robert Smith, his shipping business partner in North Carolina, he writes, in part, "Unless Hooper or Penn should return I cannot leave the Congress. I dare not leave our Province unrepresented, or perhaps you might get some trusty person to come express in the service of the Province in case they should think such a thing Necessary to bring any particular information." In this letter, penned on "Friday Evening," Hooper writes from Head of Elk (today, Elkton), Maryland, about 30 miles south of Chester, Pa., so it was written on his way to North Carolina, most likely on Friday, March 15th or 22nd. On April 12, 1776, the 83 delegates present at the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, including Hooper and Penn, unanimously adopted the following resolution: "Resolved that the delegates for this Colony in the Continental Congress be empowered to concur with the delegates of the other Colonies in declaring Independency," thereby becoming the first colony to authorized its delegates to the Continental Congress to vote for independence. The date "April 12, 1776" appears on both the flag and the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina. Hooper letters written in 1776 are exceedingly rare. Only a handful have ever been sold at auction. This one, in fine condition, penned on laid paper with significant content, is extremely desirable. Written by William Hooper to Joseph Hewes, mentioning John Penn and their "long Journey" to Halifax, North Carolina, where Hooper, Penn, and Hewes would be authorized to vote for independence, the first delegates so authorized by any colony, this letter would be an extraordinary addition to a Signers collection.Sold for: $8,000.53. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56017 | Military Brevet Certificate Signed by General Lafayette. One page, oblong folio, on parchment, Paris, September 1790. Richly engraved military document noting the brevet of Simon Versigny, a volunteer grenadier with the Parisian National Guard. Lafayette's unassuming signature at upper left is offset by an official embossed seal affixed at lower right. Matted and framed to an overall size of approximately 17" x 15". Chip missing from lower left corner of frame. Document is lightly age toned overall, and is in fine condition. Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 56018 | Letter Signed by Major General Charles Lee. One page, oblong octavo, "Head Quarters, New York, 15 Febry 1776." Here, Lee issues an order to Peter Curtinuis of the Army's Commissary, instructing him to outfit the troops of certain of his divisions. In full: "Sir, You are hereby desire'd to supply the detachment of Continental Troops under the Command of Capt. Lunt with the allowance of Provisions agreeable to the regulations of the Continental Congress." Signed by Lee in a very shaky hand and docketed on verso. Light age toning and a few inconsequential chips. Near fine Generally considered eccentric, slovenly in appearance, and coarse in language, Lee nevertheless became a major general with all the responsibilities that such a position entails. Unfortunately, his ability to lead and fight on the battlefield was less than stellar. Perhaps his worst blunder came during the Battle of Monmouth. General Washington needed a secondary commander to lead the assault and unwillingly gave the job to Lee. Washington ordered him to attack the retreating enemy, but instead, Lee ordered a retreat. He retreated directly into Washington and his troops, who were advancing, and Washington dressed him down publicly. Lee responded with "inappropriate language," was arrested, and quickly court-martialed. Lee was found guilty, and was relieved of command for a period of one year. .Sold for: $1,912.00. |
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Autographs |
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| 56019 | Benjamin Lincoln Autograph Letter Signed "Benj Lincoln" as Warden (member of the council), one page, 7.25" x 4.75". Boston, June 12, 1776. To Mr. Henry Jackson. In full, "You are desired by the committee for fortifying the harbour of Boston to take ye Over sight & instruction of all ye move[me]nts on ye Water this night in the harbor aforesaid. You will endeavour to procure so many men as a guard on ye Several Wharves, & Shores as to prevent any Boat from leaving the town on any pretense whatever." On March 17, 1776, the British evacuated Boston. In June, General Benjamin Lincoln commanded the expedition that cleared Boston harbor of British vessels. It was at this time that this order was issued. Three weeks later, the American Colonies declared their independence. In 1780, Major General Lincoln was captured in Charleston, S.C., and was later exchanged. When Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in 1781, General Washington sent Major General Lincoln to accept his sword. In 1789, Benjamin Lincoln was appointed the first Collector of the Port of Boston, serving until 1809. Narrow mounting strip at left edge. Lightly soiled. Fine condition.Not Sold. |
| 56020 | Thomas McKean Autograph Letter Signed "Tho. M:Kean" as Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, two pages, legal folio, 7.5" x 12.5", Philadelphia, December 20, 1790. Addressing Thomas Mifflin, President of the state's Executive Council, he writes: "The Justices of the Supreme court propose to be at Chester this Forenoon, in order to hold courts there for the county of Delaware, which will conclude their Circuit... For several years past public wrongs or crimes have been gradually decreasing...In half of the counties there has not been a single conviction for any capital or other offence commonly prosecuted in [our co] urts...nor a single indictment for any such presented to us...We have also the pleasure to inform you, that the controversies and disputes of Individuals have been without exception accommodated by themselves or their neighbours, or admitted to the courts of Justice, where the decisions have...given very general satisfaction..." He adds that the state is growing in population and productivity, "...From these observations it may safely be concluded, that the people are actuated by a just regard for industry, frugality, order, morality and religion..." Two matters require attention: a provision for sentencing those convicted under a recent statute, and the problem that "...Some doubts have arisen respecting the existence of the High court of errors and appeals under the new Constitution..." Also signed by Justices "Geo. Bryant" and "Jacob Rush." Blank integral page detached. Age-toned, with one hole affecting two words, weak folds with separations thereat including one fold split repaired with transparent paper, otherwise in very good condition. Pennsylvania had just ratified its new Constitution, which McKean had helped draft, earlier in 1790. Interestingly, Thomas Mifflin was not President of Pennsylvania; three days before the present letter, the new Constitution went into effect, and he was now Governor. When he retired in 1799, McKean would succeed him. Docketed by Mifflin on separated integral sheet. This is among the finest letters of this particular signer extant. Although routine McKean documents are common, only 7 ALS's have sold at major auctions in the last 25 years. Of those, only two compare in content: In 2006 at Christies, an 1814 letter to Adams recollecting the vote for independence, with signature removed and replaced with a substitute sold for $72,000; and in 1995, at Sotheby's, a 1791 letter defending Caesar Rodney against political attacks sold for approximately $6000. Sold for: $7,767.50. |
| 56021 | Robert Morris Signed Delaware and Schuylkill Canal Navigation Company Stock Certificate. Partially printed DS "Robt Morris" as President and "Tench Francis" as Treasurer of the Delaware and Schuylkill Canal Navigation Company, completed in unknown clerical hand. One page with docketing on verso, 9.5" x 8.25" laid paper, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dated August 4, 1792. The certificate, signed by Patriots Morris and Francis reads: "Be it hereby certified, by the President, Managers, and Company of the Delaware and Schuylkill Canal Navigation, That Naddon of [blank] is entitled to one share of Stock, in the said Company, numbered Twelve hundred and ninety-three transferrable [sic] in the presence of the treasurer, by the said Naddan or his attorney: subject nevertheless to the payments due, or to grow due thereupon, according to the terms prescribed in an Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, passed the Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-Two, and the Charter of said Company. Sealed with the common seal of the said Company. / Robt Morris, President. / Tench Francis Treasurer." In thirty years at major public auctions only three such certificates have been sold. The last was in poor condition and fetched over $2,100 almost a decade ago. Gently toned with few spots of foxing, near fine condition. An important association piece linking two major financiers of the American Revolution and the early history of this nation's financial history. Robert Morris was an American merchant and a signer to the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. Morris was known as the Financier of the Revolution because of his role in securing financial assistance for the American side in the Revolutionary War. Tench Francis is said to have contributed huge sums of his personal fortune to support the war effort as well, and was Aide to George Washington during the war. In a unanimous vote, Congress appointed Morris to be Superintendent of Finance of the United States from 1781 to 1784. Three days later, Morris proposed the establishment of a national bank which led to the creation of the first financial institution chartered by the United States, the Bank of North America. Tench Francis would become first Cashier of the Bank. Not Sold. |
| 56022 | Robert Morris Autograph Letter Signed "Robt Morris," as the Superintendent of Finance, 1.5 pages, 7.5" x 9.25". Philadelphia, September 11, 1781. To His Excellency John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts. In full, "This will be delivered you by Tench Francis Esqr a Gentleman of a most active, indefatigueable turn of Mind & Body; a Gentleman of strict Honor and Integrity whom I have employed to go for the money lately arrived at your Port in His Most Christian Majestys Frigate Resolue. I don't know whether you may remember Mr Francis as he is of a peculiar temper & turn of mind that prevents his keeping as much Company as he is by Fortune, Education and Strength of Judgement entitled to, and some little violences of expression, which casses and disappointments drew from him early in our dispute, cast at that tense, insinuations of Forgism on him, which his conduct since has entirely done away. I mention this least any recollection of circumstances of that kind shou'd lead you to think him improperly employed and therefore induce you not to be so forward in assisting him as otherwise you might, but you may rely, he is a zealous Friend to the United States, descended from one of our first Families, a man of great resources and a most punctilious observer of the principles of Honour and integrity. You will therefore oblige me much by affording him every assistance he may stand in need of for the accomplishment of his business." In a postscript, Morris adds "P.S. Mr Francis knows nothing of the Contents of this letter nor would I choose that he should." Docket on verso of integral leaf "Robt. Morris/Sept 1781" possibly in Hancock's hand. The French ship Resolue which brought Francis to the Port of Boston was a 32-gun frigate that had captured a British fort in Senegal, Africa, in 1779. Research has not revealed if Governor Hancock obtained employment for Tench Francis. Superintendent of Finance since February 20, 1781, Robert Morris had drawn up the plan for a national bank which was approved by Congress in May. On November 1, 1781, less than two months after Morris wrote this letter, the Bank of North America was organized and a few days later, Tench Francis was elected Cashier, no doubt with Morris's assistance. Francis held this office until his death in 1800. His father, Tench Francis, Sr., was a prominent Philadelphia lawyer and jurist, hence Morris's statement that he is "descended from one of our first Families." Tench, Jr. later headed the commission which laid out the City of Pittsburgh and, in 1795, was appointed by President Washington as the nation's first Purveyor of Public Supplies. On laid paper in fine condition. Sold for: $11,352.50. |
| 56023 | John Morton and John Penn Document Signed "John Morton Speaker" and "John Penn" as Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, 17 pages, 8" x 12.75", separate sheets. [Philadelphia, Pa.], April 6, 1776. From the "Votes of Assembly 1776" in the Pennsylvania Archives: "Message by Mr. Secretary" notifying the assembly that "The Governor is at the Council-Chamber, and requires the Attendance of the Speaker and the House to enact into Laws the several Bills that have received his Assent." Continuing, "Mr. Speaker then with the whole House waited on the Governor, and being returned from the Council-Chamber, the Speaker resumed the Chair, and reported they had waited on his Honour, and presented several Bills respectively entituled..." One of the Bills listed was "An Act for the Relief of William Judd, John Onions, Michael Jordan and William Sanders, Prisoners for Debt in the Gaol of Philadelphia County, with respect to the Imprisonment of their Persons..." The Governor was John Penn; the Speaker was John Morton. Written on top of the first page is "Be it carried to the Governor." Penn has boldly signed in the otherwise blank left margin of the first page. On the last page, Morton has "Signed by Order of the House." Noted by the Secretary and signed by him on the last page: "Passed by The Governor the sixth/day of April in the sixteenth Year of His/Majesty's Reign Annoque Domini 1776./By his Honour's Command/Joseph Shippen Jr/Secretary." This document states that the four named men petitioned the Assembly, stating "that altho' they are willing to assign over all their respective effects to the use of their respective Creditors for the Payment of their respective Debts, and to discharge such as shall thereafter remain unpaid, as soon as, by their Industry, they can find Means of satisfying such Creditors, yet, by their Imprisonment, they are disabled from putting in Execution their just Intentions, and are reduced to great Distress." The Governor orders the Justices of the County Court of Common Pleas to appoint a day at which Judd, Onions, Jordan, and Sanders and their creditors would meet at which time the four men would present an accounting of their assets, "except the wearing Apparel and Bedding for himself and Family not exceeding Ten pounds in Value in the whole." After their assets have been assigned to the creditors, each will "be discharged from his Imprisonment aforesaid." The discharge would not release any other creditors. The four men would still be "liable to be sued, prosecuted or imprisoned for any Debt due to the Crown." The document is on laid, watermarked paper. The first page is lightly soiled with minor soiling throughout. Some nicks at the blank edges of a few pages, particularly the first page. The signature page has been expertly repaired. Overall, in near fine condition. As twelve other colonies had voted for independence, and the Pennsylvania congressional delegation was evenly split, Morton, who had arrived late, cast the deciding vote in favor of independence. Nine months later, a year after signing this document, he succumbed to an inflammatory fever. John Morton was the first Signer to die, a month before Button Gwinnett was killed in a duel. Documents bearing a 1776 signature of any Signer of the Declaration of Independence are exceptionally desirable; those signed by Morton in the year of independence are extremely rare. The last 1776 Morton signature to appear at public auction was at Sotheby's 28 years ago. Sold for: $5,377.50. |
| 56024 | Horatio Nelson Manuscript Letter Signed "Nelson & Bronte," two pages, 7.75" x 12.5", front and verso. Victory at Sea, December 9, 1804. To Richard Thomas, Commander of His Majesty's Bomb Vessel Atna. Marked "Duplicate" in the upper left. In wartime, when letters were sent aboard ships, it was common practice to send more than one in case the vessel carrying the letter was captured or sunk. In full, "As I am about to proceed with the Squadron to Pula and Palma on the southend of Sardinia to complete the Water of the different ships. I am to desire that you will remain on Rendezvous Number 97 for the purpose of acquainting any of His Majesty's Ships or Vessels in search of the Squadron where it is gone to, and that I shall remain at either of the above places until the 20th Instant and afterwards return to Rendezvous Number 97 with all dispatch. I herewith transmit you a Letter directed to the Captain of either His Majesty's Ship Active or Seahorse which you will deliver to the first of these Vessels that joins, and also a Letter addressed to the Captain or Commander of any of His Majesty's Ships arriving from the Westward in search from which you will also be so good as deliver - it will be necessary to keep the Atna constantly on your Station that you may immediately fall in with any thing arriving upon it." On watermarked laid paper. Fine condition. The Aetna, an eight-gun bomb vessel, was first commissioned by Richard Thomas in 1803. In 1814, it was one of the ships involved in the attack on Fort McHenry during which "The Star-Spangled Banner" was written. On January 16, 1805, the Active (Capt. Richard Moubray) received information that 7,000 troops were embarked on board the French fleet. Two days, later the Active and the Seahorse (Capt. Courtenay Boyle) were being chased by the whole enemy fleet. Although they were sometimes within gunshot, the two frigates escaped to warn Lord Nelson who was anchored in the Maddalena Islands, north of Sardinia. The Maddalena Islands between Corsica and Sardinia provided Nelson with a secure harbor, fresh water and supplies of food all within a safe distance of Toulon, France. Nelson had been assigned to HMS Victory in May 1803 and had joined the blockade of Toulon. Rendezvous No. 97 was off Cape San Sebastian between the Balearic islands and the Spanish coast and was also a constant base for the fleet and played a part in the Trafalgar campaign. In 1799, King Ferdinand of the Two Sicilies created Bronte as a Duchy, and made Horatio Nelson Duke of Bronte to thank him for a naval victory against the French which prevented France from gaining supremacy in the Mediterranean. Proud of his new title, he began signing his name "Nelson & Bronte." On October 21, 1805, Lord Nelson was killed aboard the HMS Victory in the Battle of Trafalgar, his last victory. Not published in Dispatches and Letters of Vice Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson with notes by Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas (London: Henry Colburn, Publishers, 1846). Sold for: $3,107.00. |
| 56025 | Printed Oath of Allegiance to King George II, Signed by William Pepperrell and 13 Others. Two pages, 8" x 12.5", n.p. [Boston], n.d. [circa 1727-1731]. A merchant and soldier in Colonial Massachusetts, Pepperrell is most remembered for organizing, financing, and leading the expedition that captured the French establishment at Fortress Louisbourg during King George's War. Pepperrell served in the Massachusetts General Court (1726-1727), and in the Governor's Council (1727-1759), 18 years of that time acting as council president. Interesting two-page document with four printed oaths; one swearing fealty to King George II, one swearing allegiance to Great Britain, the third condemning the concept of "transubstantiation of the elements" (i.e. turning bread into wine, consuming the body and blood of Christ), and the last a declaration that "Our Sovereign Lord KING GEORGE the Second, is Lawful and Rightful KING of this Realm," renouncing "the Person pretended to be Prince of Wales during the Life of the late King James," swearing to report "all Treasons and Traiterous [sic] Conspiracies which I shall know to be against Him," and vowing to "Support, Maintain and Defend the Succession of the Crown." Each page has been signed by 14 individuals, a list including the following names: Justice William Pepperrell, Chief Justice Sir William Pepperrell Jr., Associate Justices Tim Gerrish, Samuel Came, Joseph Moody, John Wheelwright, Elihu Gunnison, Roger Doaning, John Hill, Joseph Sayer, Jeremiah Moulton, Charles Frost, Samuel Moody, and Joseph Banks. Although the document is undated, at least 11 of the 14 signers had close ties to the court, which dates it to roughly 1727-1731. Very good. Chips along edges; minor separations at folds (one bearing old tape marks); glue stains along one edge of each page. Sold for: $1,792.50. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56026 | Autograph Document Signed by Declaration Signer George Ross. Two pages including integral blank, folio, "County of Philadelphia," 1779. George Ross was a member of the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Offered here is his handwritten will, started by him in 1779 and finished by the executor of his estate after his death later that year. Interesting content regarding the disposition of Ross's sizable estate Pennsylvania. Lightly age toned; in fine condition. Great Declaration association piece!Sold for: $776.75. |
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Autographs |
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| 56027 | Benjamin Rush Autograph Letter Signed "Benj. Rush". One page, 6" x 7.5", Philadelphia, February 3, 1807, written to Mr. Enoch Walker of Moore Hill. Dr. Rush pens: "I am sorry to inform you that your wife is not much better. As yet the Remedies I have proscribed in her case, have not had time to produce the effects intended from them. I am far from despairing of her recovery. Her disease-her sex-and above all the high character you have given of her talents and worth, all concur to induce in me the utmost exertions for her relief." Benjamin Rush, a political activist, patriot, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was also one of the most respected medical doctors and theorists in America. Though the quality of his medicine was quite primitive by today's standards (he advocated bleeding for almost any illness), his system of theory and practice, his specific contributions to medical science, and his influence as a teacher made him one of the most sought-after physicians of his time. He became Professor of medical theory and clinical practice at the University of Pennsylvania in 1791, and during his lengthy career, he educated over 3,000 medical students. He wrote a descriptive account of the yellow fever epidemic that struck Philadelphia in 1793, during which he treated up to 100 patients per day, further enhancing his reputation. Rush was also far ahead of his time in the treatment of mental illness and is considered by some to be the "father of American Psychiatry". He published the first textbook on the subject in the United States, Medical Inquiries and Observations upon the Diseases of the Mind, in 1812; the emblem of the American Psychiatric Association also bears his portrait. In fine condition with conjoined address panel written in his hand. Sold for: $3,585.00. |
| 56028 | Richard Stockton, Jr. Autograph Letter Signed "Rd Stockton", three pages, 8" x 9.5", Princeton, Nov. 27, 1803. This letter by the son of Declaration of Independence signer, Richard Stockton, could be about the Twelfth Amendment which was passed in December of 1803 while Thomas Jefferson was president. The letter reads in part: "Dear Sir . . . From the first moment this amendment was proposed, I was directly against it . . . But the day of reasoning on the true principles of the constitution is over . . . In truth I give up this constitution as gone - its death will be lingering - but its sentence has passed . . . it will be dissected limb by limb with as much indifference as it felt by a surgeon in cutting up a dead body . . ." Stockton, a lawyer and Federalist, served as a senator from New Jersey until 1799 and later as one of its representatives to the House. The third page is inlaid onto a larger piece of paper measuring 9.75" x 13.5". In fine condition. Not Sold. |
| 56029 | William Strahan Autograph Letter Signed "Will: Strahan," three pages, 7.25" x 9", front and verso. Watermarked, laid paper. London, December 13, 1766. Separate leaf, 8.75" x 8", addressed by Strahan "To/Mr David Hall/Merchant/in/Philadelphia," signed "Strahan/Decr./ 13, 1766" above addressee's name. Postal markings and red wax seal, with seal tear at upper edge. Both sheets and the address leaf have been strengthened at the folds. The left vertical fold on the third page slightly separated before repair. Overall, in fine condition. William Strahan is regarded as, perhaps, the most influential printer in England during the second half of the 18th century. He became the King's Printer and was a Member of Parliament. In 1743, he had recommended fellow Scotsman David Hall to Benjamin Franklin as a printer. Hall eventually became Franklin's partner. In 1759, Strahan became Franklin's primary publisher in Britain. Franklin advised Strahan on American trade; Strahan was Franklin's London purchasing agent. By 1766, Hall had completely switched his allegiance from Britain, arguing the American cause in his letters to Strahan who kept him informed on the state of politics in Britain. In part, "The Debates about the Indemnity Bill have now into great Length, through the Obstinacy of Lords Chatham, Northington, and Camden. The whole matter might easily have been discussed in a few hours; for tho' it was confessed on all Hands, that the Proclamation to prevent the Exportation of Corn was highly expedient and necessary, yet the issuing it, however urgent, was plainly contrary to Law;, and therefore it was undoubtedly right to pass an Act of Indemnity for all Persons concerned or affected by it...That it would be only a Tyranny of Forty Days at the utmost will not be soon forgot or easily forgiven... " On July 30, 1766, William Pitt became British Prime Minister and Lord Camden succeeded Lord Northington as Lord Chancellor. In August, Pitt became Lord Chatham. Chatham, supported by Camden, had called the Privy Council to issue a Proclamation on September 26th to prohibit corn exports until Parliament met; the corn harvest of 1766 was one of the worst in memory. Lord Chatham delivered his first speech in the House of Lords in support of the embargo. It was contrary to the 1689 Bill of Rights and both houses of Parliament ultimately accused Pitt and Camden of tyranny. Camden called it "forty days tyranny." The entire letter is clearly penned in small script, all with important political content. Strahan concludes, in part, "My best and kindest Respects to Mrs Hall...Remember me also to Mrs. and Miss Franklin, and to the Governor when you next write to him. Don't forget to send me a few Copies of the Examiners...Dr Franklin is in good Health; and is, I hear, very busy just now in endeavouring to get the Restraints taken off your Paper Currency. He never can be idle, even for a Day." Franklin had testified before Parliament earlier in the year against the Stamp Act of 1765; it was repealed. The Currency Act of 1764 prohibited the American Colonies from issuing paper currency, requiring that all American money had to be based on gold and silver to protect British creditors from being repaid in inflated colonial currency.Sold for: $1,075.50. |
| 56030 | Jonathan Trumbull and Oliver Wolcott Manuscript Document Signed "Jon Trumbull" as governor of Connecticut and endorsed by "Oliver Wolcott". One page, 7½" x 3", July 1, 1776, Lebanon [Connecticut], being a receipt for funds issued to raise a company of ship's carpenters. In part: "Received of Mr. Caleb Abel, Constable of Lebanon the Sum Twenty six pounds Eight Shillings... [to] be used for raising a Company of Ship Carpenters." On June 27, 1775, Congress established the Northern Army under the command of Major General Philip Schuyler. In 1776, Congress ordered Gen. Schuyler to construct a fleet of ships intended to impede British advance southward on Lake Champlain. This first U.S. Naval fleet of 13 ships was constructed at Skenesborough, N.Y., at the southern end of Lake Champlain, during the summer of 1776. Led by Gen. Benedict Arnold, the action of the fleet at the Battle of Valcour Island in Lake Champlain, October 11-13, 1776, delayed British plans for a land invasion from Canada. The Americans used the time to equip and train the Army. The next British invasion attempted was at Saratoga, N.Y., in 1777. The U.S. victory at Saratoga was a major factor in influencing France to send the French Navy across the Atlantic to help the new republic. Very fine condition, with gentle toning and some showthrough from docketing on verso. Not Sold. |
| 56031 | Collection of four letters, each dated July 1776. Comprises: (1) William Williams Manuscript Letter Signed "Wm Williams Clerk," one page, 7.5" x 6". Lebanon, July 16, 1776. To the Pay Table at Hartford. In full, "Please to draw on the Treasurer for Three Hundred pounds, One Hundred and Fifty pounds to be paid to his Honour the Governor, and the remaining One Hundred and Fifty pounds to be paid to Titus Hosmer Esq. to be improved in purchasing One Thousand felling Axes for the use of the Northern Army on the request of the honorable Major General Schuyler & to be replaced by him." Williams was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Endorsed on verso by Governor Jonathan Trumbull: "Please to Send The Contents per Capt John Deshon. Jon:th Trumbull" with unsigned docket by Oliver Ellsworth: "Gov. Trumbull & Titus Hosmer Sec. Recd £150 each to supply Axes to ye Northern Army to be replacd by Gn Schuyler July 17 - 76." "Charge Gen. Schuyler" has been crossed out. John Deshon Manuscript Receipt Signed: "July 17th 1776 - Recd on Order on Treasurer in full the Contents. £300. John Deshon." (2) Oliver Ellsworth Autograph Letter Signed "O. Ellsworth," one page, 8.25" x 8.5". Hartford, July 17, 1776. To John Lawrence, Treasurer. In full, "Pay into the Hands of Capt. John Deshon One Hundred & Fifty pounds for his Honour Governor Trumbull & also one hundred & fifty pounds for Titus Hosmer Esqr - all to be by them improvd for the Purchase of One Thousand felling Axes for the Use of the Northern Army - pursuant to Orders the Governor & Council of Safety & charge the Colony." Out of habit, Ellsworth wrote "Colony" instead of "State." Ellsworth later served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1796-1800). On verso, John Deshon Manuscript Receipt Signed: "Recd July 17th 1776 of Treasurer Lawrence One hundred and fifty pounds for Govr Trumbull. John Deshon." On May 6, 1777, John Deshon was appointed a Commissioner of the newly created Navy Board of the Eastern department. Unsigned note: "paid Mr Chauncy Whittelsey One Hundred & fifty pounds for Titus Hosmer Esq as pr Enclosed. July 20 - 1776." John Treadwell Autograph Endorsement Signed "Audited Sepr 2, 1777/J Treadll." Treadwell, later served as Governor of Connecticut (1809-1811). (3) Titus Hosmer Autograph Letter Signed "Titus Hosmer," one page, 8" x 4.5". Middletown, July 20, 1776. To John Lawrence, Treasurer at Hartford. Hosmer, member of the Continental Congress in 1778 and judge of the United States Maritime Court of Appeals in 1780, presents the order "for one Hundred and Fifty pounds in my favour to be employed in purchasing Axes, which was left by Capt John Deshon please to pay the amount to the bearer Mr Chauncey Whittelsey who is appointed to purchase the Axes..." Chauncey Whittelsey Manuscript Receipt Signed "Chauncey Whittelsey" on verso. Chauncey Whittelsey (1746-1812) ran a clothing business in Middleton and was a supplier of the Continental Army. (4) Jonathan Trumbull Autograph Letter Signed "Jon:th Trumbull," one page, 7.5" x 5". Lebanon, July 30, 1776. To Committee of Pay Table at Hartford. In full, "Please to draw an Order on The Treasurer for the Sum of Ten pounds lawfull Money in favour of Mr. Eliphalet Hyde, to be used to bear Expenses to Skeenesborough to Carry Axes for the Use of the Army..." Eliphalet Hyde Manuscript Receipt Signed "Eliphalet Hyde" on verso. On June 27, 1775, Congress established the Northern Army under the command of Major General Philip Schuyler. In 1776, Congress ordered Gen. Schuyler to construct a fleet of ships intended to impede British advance southward on Lake Champlain. This first U.S. Naval fleet of 13 ships was constructed at Skenesborough, N.Y., at the southern end of Lake Champlain, during the summer of 1776. The "felling Axes" purchased by Connecticut were used to cut the trees needed to help build this fleet. Led by Gen. Benedict Arnold, the action of the fleet at the Battle of Valcour Island in Lake Champlain, October 11-13, 1776, delayed British plans for a land invasion from Canada. The Americans used the time to equip and train the Army. The next British invasion attempted was at Saratoga, N.Y., in 1777. The U.S. victory at Saratoga was a major factor in influencing France to send the French Navy across the Atlantic to help the new republic. The naval fleet built at Skenesborough was the only one to see active service in the Revolutionary War. All four documents are on laid paper, with usual folds, and are in fine condition.Not Sold. |
| 56032 | John Witherspoon Rare Document Signed "Joannes Witherspoon". One page vellum, 9.75" x 8", dated 1773. The document is a partly-printed diploma awarded to Aaron Ogden by the College of New Jersey, now known as Princeton University. The diploma is printed in Latin and contains the signatures of six other college officials and professors. Aaron Ogden (1756-1839) served in the Revolutionary War as Captain of Light Infantry under the Marquis de Lafayette. He was chosen by George Washington to approach Sir Henry Clinton with a proposal to exchange Major André for Benedict Arnold. General soiling, and two holes in the vellum; otherwise, in good condition. The signature is dark. John Witherspoon is one of the rarest of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence; this document, with such an outstanding Revolutionary War association, is especially desirable. Sold for: $2,390.00. |
| 56033 | Historically Important British Maj. Gen. William Phillips Manuscript Letter to Gen. George Washington, 3.5 pages, 7" x 9", conjoined pages, front and verso. Cambridge, December 8, 1778. The retained, unsigned copy of a letter sent to Gen. Washington, marked "/Copy/" in the upper margin. Narrow paper hinge at right edge of fourth page. Two minor fold splits expertly repaired, slight wrinkling in upper corner. Fine condition. This letter is in the hand of an aide to British Major General William Phillips. The text of a Manuscript Letter Signed from Phillips to Washington, dated Cambridge, November 24, 1778 (two weeks before this one), in the George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, is in the same hand as this one. On December 25, 1778, General Washington replied (see below) to Phillips' December 8, 1778 letter. This December 8, 1778, letter, in full: "The unsuccessful attempts which have been made to ratify the Treaty of Convention of Saratoga and the asperity which seems to have crept into the Correspondence between Sir Henry Clinton and the American Congress leaves it to be conjectured that the humane purpose of a General Cartel of Exchange of Prisoners of War and Troops of the Convention will not have force so soon as good men like yourself could wish. - You may naturally suppose, Sir, that I have been and am greatly interested in the fate of the Troops with whom I have served, and in the vanity of my ideas upon the subject of Exchanges I have been led to imagine that the interposition of intermediate Persons might operate in favor of a Cartel and I have been of opinion that my Rank and Situation gives me opportunity of offering my Interpretation in Favour of the Troops of Convention and for their being acceded. Major General Gates having made the Treaty of Convention seemed to me to be a person proper to apply to on this subject. I conveyed to him my sentiments upon the matter [see below] but not having any authority for writing or acting publicly upon the occasion, I could only make a Private Opinion of my own, if possible, that some negotiation might be opened from which all Parties might be benefited, and the Prisoners of War on both sides, as well as the Troops of Convention, might be exchanged and Ransomed. Major General Gates was willing to report to you and the American Congress whatever I pleased to propose upon this subject, this I have not ventured to allow through fear of having my letters made public or published, but I am still of the opinion that by my having a conversation with you, Sir, if you will permit it, or with an officer you should appoint for the purpose, a plan might be formed for the mutual advantage of the British and American Armies, and it might be done so that neither you, Sir, or the American Congress on the one part, or Sir Henry Clinton on the other, need be committed in any manner on the subject unless upon a General approbation so far as it might be necessary to ratify such propositions as might be made by myself and the Officers with whom I should confer-. I leave this, Sir, to your consideration, and if you will permit me I shall with great satisfaction pay a Visit at your Head Quarters in my way to Virginia, and I dare say it will give you equal pleasure with myself to be of use in the human purposes I have in view, and it would afford me particular satisfaction to be able to transact such an affair with a Gentleman who, altho' the misfortunes of the times has made an enemy to Great Britain, calls upon my Respect for his private virtue. I should feel myself much obliged to you for an answer whether I may pass your Great Quarters - I set out next Thursday by the Route of Hartford and Fishkill." General Horatio Gates, commander of the U.S. troops at the Battle of Saratoga, October 17, 1777, had signed the Treaty of Convention of Saratoga with British General John Burgoyne stipulating that the captured troops would be released unarmed and returned to England, with the promise that they would not be sent back to America during the Revolutionary War. Gen. Washington objected, arguing that the arrival of these men in Britain would simply free up a like number of troops for service in America. Congress agreed with Washington and refused to ratify the Treaty of Convention of Saratoga. While some British and German officers were eventually exchanged for captured American officers, most of the 5,800 men, in what became known as the "Convention Army," were held captive in camps in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Pennsylvania until the formal end of the war in 1783. In this letter, Phillips tells Washington, "You may naturally suppose, Sir, that I have been and am greatly interested in the fate of the Troops with whom I have served." Phillips was part of Burgoyne's army and was captured at Saratoga, becoming part of the Convention Army sequestered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After Burgoyne was allowed to return to England in early 1778, Phillips was the senior British officer in captivity. He is pictured in John Trumbull's painting Surrender of General Burgoyne which has been hanging in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol since 1826. Phillips writes that he could "pay a Visit at your Head Quarters in my way to Virginia." It was in November and December 1778 that the Convention Army marched approximately 700 miles from the Boston area to Charlottesville, Virginia, removing the possibility of the prisoners being freed by a British naval raid in Massachusetts. In 1780, Major General Phillips was exchanged for U.S. General Benjamin Lincoln and he returned to command British troops. In 1781, when British forces became active in Virginia, the Convention Army was relocated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania until their release after the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Referred to in this letter, on December 1, 1778, Major General Phillips had written to Major General Horatio Gates, in part, "From what has passed between Sir Henry Clinton and the American Congress upon the subject of the Troops of Convention having proved so unsuccessful I am naturally and unluckily led to image that punctillo endeavors at accomplishing a complication of the Treaty of Convention, altho' I very believe both sides are inclined towards it...I am of the opinion that you, Sir, and I may possibly contrive a method for a general exchange of the Troops of Convention..." On December 25, 1778, General Washington, writing from Philadelphia, replied to Phillips' December 8th proposal in the letter here offered, addressed to "Major Genl. Phillips of the Convention Troops." In part, "On Monday last, just as I was setting out from my Quarters at Middle Brook, I received the favor of your two Letters of the 8th. Instant...With respect to an exchange of prisoners, I assure you, Sir, there is nothing that would give me greater pleasure than such an event, founded on principles of quality and mutual advantage; but at present, I see but little if any prospect of its taking place. Since the date of your Letters there has been a meeting of Commissioners from the two Armies upon the subject, when nothing was effected; and when the views of Congress and of Sir Henry Clinton were explicitly declared. This and every other circumstance convinces me that the interview you have been pleased to propose could answer no valuable purpose; nor should I think myself at liberty to take up a business of this nature without proper authority on both sides, to give efficacy to what might be proposed or done...."Not Sold. |
| 56034 | [George Washington] Manuscript Order of Battle, one page, 12.5" x 8". Titled and dated on verso in unidentified hand "Disposition of/the Army - 1781." Neatly ruled in ink. There are minor tears and holes at the folds and two oval discolorations not affecting any text or the attractiveness of this military chart. In early 1781, the French had sent forces to the United States under the command of Count Rochambeau. On May 21-22, 1781, a conference was held between Rochambeau, his staff, and Generals Washington, Knox and Duportail at Wethersfield, Connecticut. The discussion centered around the possibilities of an attack against the British in New York. The plan to undertake the siege of New York was later abandoned because of the arrival of British reinforcements in New York and the fact that the French navy was smaller than the English fleet. On this Order of Battle, charted two months after the conference in preparation for the attack against the British in New York, General Washington's main army in the Hudson Highlands is divided into two wings with Gen. Lord Stirling commanding the wing listed on the left and Gen. William Heath on the right. Commanding officers Gen. John Glover, Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, and Gen. John Patterson are listed directly beneath Stirling; Col. Herman Swift, Gen. Samuel H. Parsons, and Gen. Jedidiah Huntington are listed directly beneath Heath. Washington's Second Line is diagramed in the lower portion of the chart. The left wing is headed by Col. John Greaton, the right by Col. Benjamin Tupper . Beneath Greaton are Gen. Robert Howe and Gen. Louis Duportail; beneath Tupper are Gen. Howe and Gen. Henry Knox. There are neatly ruled, cross-hatched rectangles in brown ink beneath the names of Stirling (six rectangles), Heath (six), Greaton (four), and Tupper (four). Visible beneath each brown rectangle is a faded rectangle, probably originally red, with symbols representing companies of soldiers. Clearly penned in the lower portion of the chart are the names of the regiments to be involved in the attack against the British in New York: 1st through 5th Connecticut, 1st through 10th Massachusetts, the Rhode Island Regiment, 1st and 2nd New Hampshire, Artillery (under Knox), and "Sappers and Miners" (under Duportail). When Duportail had arrived from France and took command of the engineers, he renewed the pressure begun by his predecessor, Col. Rufus Putnam, to establish a separate engineering branch of the Army. His proposal included a provision for companies of engineer troops to be known as Sappers and Miners and to be officered by Americans. From their ranks would come the engineer officers to replace the French when they returned home. On May 27, 1778, Congress authorized three companies of Sappers and Miners. There is correction, possibly in Washington's hand. At the end of the line of the "1st Massachusetts," the word "exch" has been added with an "X" next to the name "Rice" (1st Mass.) and an "X" next to the name "Pettingel" (4th Mass.) indicating these two names be exchanged. The records of the Continental Army reveal that Major Joseph Pettingill was an officer of the 1st Massachusetts from January 1, 1781 to November 3, 1783 and that Major Nathan Rice was an officer in the 4th Massachusetts from January 1, 1781 to June 12, 1783. We are not able to conclusively determine whether the aforementioned holograph is indeed in Washington's hand as the writing sample is small; however it seems likely that this is the type of error the commanding General would have caught and corrected. Very few hand-drawn Orders of Battle from the Revolutionary War exist. An Order of Battle for the Philadelphia campaign (December 4, 1777) and one for the 1781 campaign are in the Washington Papers in the Library of Congress. One in Washington's hand sold at auction in 2006 for $132,000. This Order of Battle is represented on page 149 of Encyclopedia of Continental Army Units by Fred Anderson Berg (Harrisburg, Pa.: Stackpole Books, 1972) with the date "July 1781." Not Sold. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56035 | British Manuscript Orderly Book. 52 pages, 7.5" x 6.25", disbound, [Various places, South Carolina], May 2, 1779 to June 15, 1779. A previously unknown and unpublished manuscript, kept in a variety of hands while in the field, that chronicles the movements of British and loyalists in South Carolina during Provost's failed attempt to capture Charleston. After years of inconclusive campaigning and outright failures in the north, most notably Burgoyne's' surrender at Saratoga, the British decided to focus on the south. There it was assumed more loyalists would rally to the King's standard. Savannah fell to the Crown on December 29, 1778 and soon the British had re-installed a royal governor in Georgia. In March 1779 Augustine Prevost marched first northward towards Augusta, and then doubled-back to move northeast toward Charleston. His force was composed of British regulars together with German mercenaries and loyalist volunteers from New York, all of whom are regularly mentioned in the orders. The books chronicle the daily orders of the army, recording the difficult logistical issues in operating an army in the swamps of tidewater South Carolina in the heat of midsummer. The earliest date noted is April 28, 1779, while Prevost's Army was still marching toward Charleston: "...Lt Colonel Provost and Lt. Colonel Maitland are appointed to the Rank of Colonels in the armey [sic] under the Command of Brigadier Genl Provost..." It is reccomended [sic] to the officer to have at hand exclusive of tomorrow, two Days provisions Cooked and Leiquor [sic] in proportion -- In case the Battn. should be ordered to march the women to remain at this post whence the Qur: Mr or Some Com[m]issioned officer employed by him will rec[e]ive provision for them all officers Servants to be under arms and fall in with there [sic] respective Companys [sic] when the Battn. is ordered to march..." Arriving near the Ashley River, the British occupied the plantation of Signer of The Declaration of Independence, Arthur Middleton: "...General O[rder]s H[ea]d Q[ua]r[ters] [Arthur] Middleton's plantation South Carolina, 2d. May 1779...all Cattle Drove in for the use of the armie [sic] to be paid for on Dollar per heade [sic] to those who Drove them..." Supply was always a concern, but the opportunities for soldiers to plunder the countryside were even a greater concern. On May 7, Prevost minded his army to make a "proper Distinction between them & those who Continue obsinsly [sic] in arms against his Majesty and expects that all officer will aid him in making it, and be always Vigilant & attentive for their own honours to being all marauters [sic] plunderers to justice, and he is Determine to make very severe one example..." On May 9, Prevost's army prepared to cross the Ashley. Originally intending to simply make a diversionary feint against Charleston in order to prevent Benjamin Lincoln from moving into Georgia, the army met so little resistance they decided to attempt to force the town's surrender. On May 10th, all soldiers were "to receive two days rice immediately, a troop of Dragoons & all the Light Horse, the Light Infantry, New York Volunteers under the command of Colonel Maitland to cross the [Ashley] river at 5 O'clock, the rest of the army to cross this evening at 6..." In response, American General Pulaski attempted to move against Prevost, but was badly beaten and withdrew back to Charleston. Prevost remained in the same place for several days. Then, learning of the approach of Benjamin Lincoln's army from Georgia, the British withdrew first to James Island then to Johns Island. One of the more effective tactics the British used in the southern campaign was the standing offer to slaves: freedom and wages if they fled their rebel masters. As British forces marched through the south, they found both a cheap source of labor as well as an increasing burden for the army... being depleted of critical food and supplies. Officers took advantage of the situation, taking on personal servants. At "Pinkenys house" on "22d May 1779" the general advised that " ... As the Number of Negroes & horses greatly increases & very soon will absorb all our provisions & forage, it is once more strictly Recommended to the Commanding officers of Corps & Departments not to suffer any more than has been ordered to abide about their Camp, But effectually to get Clear of them, not suffering Soldiers Wifes [sic] or any other who his [sic] not intittled [sic] to keep any, not even the Artillery men or Assistant followers of the Army, all the rest to be sent to the Engineer for the purpose of work..." Expecting an attack by Lincoln, Prevost tightened security "Head Qrs Rutledges house 16th May 1779... A piquet from the 71st Regt. N. Y. Volunteers and wellworth[?] Regt...to move at one O clock this Day...The advanced Sentries not to suffer any persons whites or Blackes [sic] to pass out of the Camp without a pass from the commanding officer or Major of Brigade...the N. York Volunteers to form on there [sic] left and the Hissian [sic] Regt. Weellworth to form the left of the whole on the plain with there two field pieces in there front the Grenadiers being supposed to quite [sic] Rutledge house to make the reserve and to retreat in the rear by the road form the house, the Carolinians & volunteers to harass and Skirmish with the enemy while they are advanced and then to fall on there flank and Covering those of the army the Carolinians to occupy the right, the volunteers to take the left..." In this case, an attack did not materialize. Despite orders to the contrary, British and loyalist militia could not resist the urge to plunder, a recurring and vexing problem for British commanders throughout the struggle, that continually handicapped their attempts to win over colonial 'hearts and minds.' To make matters worse, marauders would rarely distinguish between rebel and loyalist, serving to alienate those who risked their reputations and lives upholding the authority of George III and Parliament. On May 28, on St. John's Island, Prevost warned that "persons Detached in floundering are to be Brought to an Immediate Trial...The Brigadier general Expects that the Commanding officers of Corps Will give him every assistance an order to Bring them to punishment, and to put an end to the Irrigularitys [sic] Dayly [sic] Committed by the troops, any person found to have in possession, any one thing Belonging to the Inhabitants who are at home peaceably shall on being Detected be Brought to Immediate trial, all the Negroes in Camp officers Waiting Servants, & the Comy's of pioneers Excepted, are to be forthwith Sent to the north Side of Stoney ferry, The provost Martial to Go the Rounds with a part of horsemen & to take up every negroes seeing straggling Without having a Regular pass...to Give him 200 Lashes, or 400 if Detected in Stealing..." Despite these threats, Prevost observed at Stono Ferry on the 29th of May...The Batlln is now become so notorious for marauding & plundering White & Negro women of all denominations, the men absenting themselves from Cap day & night without leave ask'd for or Given to the great disgrace of the Battn. & the Off:rs who commands it. The Commanding Offr. therefor[e] calls upon the commanding Officers of Comy's & others, to exert their Authority in support of their own Character & that of the Regt in brining villains so offending to Condign punishment & at last to preserve some part of that character given to Scotsmen on the field -- The Commanding Off:r Promises upon his honour that the men found guilty of such Malpractices shall be try'd at the Drum head immediately Punished in front of the Battn..." In June, Prevost moved the majority of his force by boat back to Savannah, leaving a rear guard under Colonel Maitland. On June 20, 1778, Benjamin Lincoln with 1,200 troops attempted to attack Mainland's 900. Lincoln's poorly planned attack failed; the assault only served to accelerate the full British evacuation to Savannah. The following year, a much larger British force would successfully besiege and capture Charleston, setting the stage for the climatic southern campaign of 1780-81 that culminated at Yorktown. Manuscript orderly books, both American and British, seldom appear on the market. And, considerably most of the extant volumes are from the northern campaigns. Of the recent British examples, most originate from the British headquarters in New York; none are known to have been examples kept in the field. Orderly books and records from the southern campaigns of 1778-81 are extremely rare. Disbound, marginal chips and tears with some losses, light toning and soiling, else very good. With a Manuscript Document. One page, 12.5 x 7.5", docketed on verso "Abstract The late Capt. Macintosh's Compy From 25 June 5o 24 Aug 1779 Settled with Leiut. B. Campbell commanding the Company--" Recto of account titled: "Dr. The Vacant Comy (lately Captn Angus McIntoshs) from 25 June to 26 Augt 1779" an account for £176.18.0 for provisions. Dampstains, marginal chips and losses, weak at folds, else good. Sold for: $16,132.50. |
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Autographs |
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| 56036 | American Loyalists - Richard Lechmere (d. 1814) Autograph Letter Signed "Rd Lechmere." 12 pages, 7" x 9", Bos[ton], [date lost, but May 22, 1775] to [Henry Seymour Conway?]. An extremely early war-date Loyalist letter from besieged Boston, written only a month following Lexington and Concord and a month before Bunker Hill. In one of the most richly-detailed letters we have encountered, the prominent Boston Tory, Richard Lechmere, transmits news of the opening salvos of the American Revolution in superb prose. He chronicles momentous events that changed history: Lexington and Concord and the subsequent the Siege of Boston. He relates details of some early rebel raids in the opening month of the nearly year-long siege, and notes the inability of Gage to act offensively until the arrival (only 3 days later) of a large reinforcement led by generals Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne. Lechmere opens his letter quite prophetically, after covering a few routine matters, concluding that, "...Blood must be shed, before the Colonies can be brought [to s]ubmission is sufficiently prov'd by the Event of 19 April, [it is] my opinion that large quantities must be spilt before the Continent can be reduc'd and indeed I think it a doubtfull [sic] matter, whether it can be ever be effected[.] the Corsicans without resources gave the french [sic] a great deal of trouble by retiring into the Interior Country if they were able to do there under those disadvantages, I fear Great Brittain [sic] will find it difficult to subdue an extensive Continent, full of people United in the same cause and abounding with every necessary to defend themselves, if they pursue the same method, as the Corsicans, which I believe to be their plan, and especially while Government move[s] so slow, as to give them time, from discipline, to become good soldiers, we still remain Blockaded and the Rebels are fortifying every pass and Defile in the neighbourhood [sic] of the Town, they have strong and extensive lines at Cambridge and Batteries upon the Hills about Charelstown that command the Roads there[.] you will have doubtless have an account of their surprizing [sic] Ticonderoga in which Fort, there was upwards of One hundred pieces of Cannon, and some Mortars, these they are bringing down, and a Considerable train are expected to arrive from Providence to Morrow..." Lechmere then itemizes the captured booty and then notes that the same expedition that captured Ticonderoga (led by Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen) also marched to Crown Point and then "...Skenesborough, took Major Skean and his family and march'd them Prisoners, to Hartford tis said there was plenty of shall & ammunition in the Fort, which in all probability we shall have the pleasure of seeing and having soon if we believe their threats and common Report." Gage's small force of 4,500 was unable to contend with a besieging rebel force that numbered 15,000 by June 1775. Complicating matters, Gage did not want to act in a provocative manner that would further alienate the population toward imperial authority: "The fine friends of Government that are hear [sic] impatiently long, for the Arrival of the Troops from Ireland, The Marines and recruits are arriv'd about 1100 in all, when the others arrive we hope, the Rebels may be drove to some distance from the town, tho' we have our fears that the General has not and will not have Sufficient power from the Minister to act offensively, we form this Opinion form what has (or rather has not) been done, 'tis a pity he had not discretionary powers, the want of this, has, and I fear will again produce some bad Consequences. The Troops have been unsuccessful in a very late Attempt they have made (except removing the powder at Charlestown) by some means or other, the Rebels got intelligence of their intentions, as soon as the scheme is laid, and with their usual industry find means to prevent their Executing it, 250 Troops were sent to [illeg.] to secure some Cannon, they got intellig[ence]...Revmo'd the Cannon, and pulled up the Drawbridge...Yesterday they went to Hingham with and Arm'd s[ch]ooner several Sloops and a number of Boats with thirty... Soldiers) to fetch away about 90 Tons of Hay, from and Island [Grape Island] about 500 yards form the shore, the Rebels came down to the shore, fired upon them, wounded one or two men, and oblig'd them to return without the Hay..." Lechmere adds that "in the Hay Expedition 'tis said both the Troops and Schooners had orders not to Fire, this seems very strange, indeed there has been several instances of their firing upon Boats and their not returning it, these little attempts and not succeeding in them, give the Rebels great sprit, and I wish it may not have the opposite Effect upon the Troops, the General is one of the most humane good men that lives, and I wish his tenderness may not in the end hurt him, and the Cause, he feels and Pitys [sic] the distresses of the Country..." He continues describing a fire that broke out in the barracks of the 65th Regiment that destroyed 57 warehouses extending to "the End of the wharfe [sic]..." If it wasn't for efforts of British soldiers, Lechmere concluded that much of the town would have been consumed. The fire added yet another to the already dark atmosphere: "...we seem to be surrounded with all kinds of distress, fire, swords, Pestilence, and famine, and where or when these things will end, tis hard to Guage...since tis my unhappy Lot to be ne[cess]arily oblig'd to Stay here, I determine to do my duty...I flattered myself that I had Arrang'd my Affairs in so good a way as to Afford me a handsome maintenance, and had, I thought laid a foundation to introduce my only son into the World, but this pleasing phantom has soon vanish'd, and a gloomy prospect succeeds in its stead, My Monies in the Country peoples hands lost I suppose; my farm, where we were to have Drank Tea, in the hands of, and Improv'd by the Rebels..." His farm was situated at Lechmere's Point, now a rebel stronghold. During the war, his home would be used as the genteel prison of Hessian commander Baron Von Riesdel and his wife. Lechmere criticizes the actions of Thomas Gage for allowing the Whig residents of Boston to leave the besieged town and not consulting with the council, of which he was a member: "...As to the Council we have not been call'd together since I wrote you, nor it is it I believe the wish of any one member so to be, but I can't help saying, the Gov[erno]r [Thomas Gage] miss'd the best Opportunity of having them recogniz'd by the People the day after the 19 April, town Meeting was call'd with a design to choose a Committee to wait upon the Gov.r to Ask his Leave that the Inhabitants might remove out of town with their Effects, this Committee was [illeg.] of the Select Men with the Addition of Mr [James] Bowdin is their Chairman, they went to the Governor towards Evening, and after being with him some time, he Consented that they might remove with their Effects, whenever they pleas'd, it woul'd have been a lucky circumstance if he had said, he should as it was a matter of a civil nature consult his council, and in the Next day give his answer but unluckily he was in my poor opinion a little to precipitate, in giving his Answer immediately, and they have been constantly moving out every day since I really believe he has done this from good principles, because he could not render us more obnoxious than we were before but in this once instance, I think he was wrong. you justly observe that he has a difficult card to play, but when he is invested with powers, I hope he will convince the Rebels that he does not want [illeg.?] to execute them..." The papers reported that an agreement was struck on the 27th of May, that after Bowdin's committee delivered up a cache of arms hidden in the town, Gage gave "...liberty to the inhabitants to remove out of town with their effects..." (Newport Mercury, July 3, 1775, p. 2) Assessing the prospects for the future, Lechmere concluded that "...a thousand Leagues is a great way to send backwards and forward in the mean time much mischief has and more will be done, if we are to wait from time to time for orders, before what may be necessary to be done, is carried into execution." Lechmere also makes note of Benjamin Franklin's arrival in Philadelphia, following his failed efforts to broker compromise in London: "...Mr. Franklyn [sic] & General [Charles] Lee are Arriv'd at Philadelphia the former chosen a Delegate to the Congress & most probably the Latter may be appointed Generalissimo of the Rebel Army. Birds of a feather flock together, By the time I get to the End of this Epistle I believe you will be pretty well tired..." Charles Lee, who resigned his Lt. Colonel's commission in the British Army to volunteer for the Continental Army, would have been an obvious choice to many in America. The balance of the letter updates his correspondent with news of family and friends, offering a variety of clues as to the mood in the early weeks of the American Revolution. Richard Lechmere was a prominent landowner in Cambridge. His home, at Lechmere's Point was not only the place of incarceration for a British general later in the war, but also the landing point for British troops on the night of April 18, 1775 en-route to seize munitions at Concord. When the British evacuated Boston in March 1776, Lechmere and his family left with them; sailing first to Halifax, Nova Scotia and then to England settling in Bristol in 1780. True to his predictions, his property was confiscated in 1778. The letter is most likely written to prominent opposition politician Henry Seymour Conway as it was discovered among other related correspondence to him offered in this auction. Conway (1721-95), began his career as a British officer serving in the War of Austrian Secession and the Seven Years' War. Conway sat in the House of Commons form 1741 to 1774 and again from 1775 to 1784. A leading Whig, he opposed the King's actions to suppress John Wilkes in 1763. He was appointed Secretary of State for the Southern Department 1763-5, and for the Northern Department through 1768 where he promoted a policy of moderation toward the colonies supporting the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. For his efforts, several towns in America were named in his honor. Throughout the war, Conway opposed efforts to suppress the revolution and was partly responsible for the fall of North's government in 1782, paving the way for a peace settlement. One of the least understood aspects of the American Revolution is the large portion of the American colonial population choosing to remain loyal to the British Empire. They came from all walks of life, and likely comprised 35 to 40% of the total population. Understanding the American Revolution from their perspective has become the subject of increasing interest among scholars and collectors alike. Correspondence of this scope and detail do much to further our understanding of this important dimension of the struggle over American rights and ultimately independence. Significant loss at top right from dampstain along vertical creases affecting words in text, else very good with only the usual folds, and other minor marginal wear. Sold for: $8,962.50. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56037 | Siege and Capture of Charleston - Hildebrand Oakes (1754-1822) British officer, Governor of Malta. A Collection of Five Autograph Letters Signed. 16 pages total, 7.5" x 9", various places including Jamaica, New York and Charleston, South Carolina, [1778] - May 21, 1780 to prominent British opposition figure Henry Seymour Conway. Oakes, a future general officer in the British Army, was serving as a captain with the British Army and participated in the operations against Charleston, South Carolina. Remarkable correspondence detailing life in the British garrison at New York as well as the successful capture of Charleston, South Carolina. Oakes' letters offer a window into the life in the British Army in America, offering insights into how the British viewed the American Revolution. Oakes' first letter was written from Jamaica, Long Island, likely in late 1778 following the British retreat from Philadelphia and the Battle of Monmouth: "...Most of the Army are Hutted... which I think far more comfortable than if they were in Houses - Some of the Officers are in the Town but most of us in the Farms contiguous to it: upon the whole our Quarters would be very good, if it was not for the very great scarcity and Dearness of every kind of Provisions...from the Publications of the Revles, their [sic] seems to be a great Dissensions among them, and Party runs very high to which it is thought General [Charles] Lee has contributed a great deal, as he has been very much disgusted at the treatment he met with from General Washington...Every body here is [words lost] to know what will become of us in the Spring, as it is impossible for us to take the Field with the small Number of Troops we have at President. The two prevailing opinion are, that we shall abandoned this Part of the Country for Canada, or carry on the War by Excursions against their Sea Port Towns, and put the Threats of the Commissioners in Execution..." The following year, Oakes again wrote to Conway, still quartered in Jamaica, on the "30th No[vember 1779]." Although the northern campaign of 1779 was indecisive, prospects were looking sunny in the south with the successful capture of Savannah and the restoration of royal government in Georgia. Oakes sends congratulations "...upon our great Success in Georgia; which has been celebrated here by the Whole army firing a Few de Jose! a Mode of rejoicing, which has never been practiced by us before since the Commencement of the War: and it is now put upon the Footing of having gained a Victory over the French; assisted by the rebellious Colonys [sic]. We have also an Account from the West Indies, of Admiral Parker having taken and destroyed the whole of the Reinforcement consisting of twelve Sail of the Line, that was coming to D'Estaing, which joined to our Success in Georgia, seems to have totally changed the face of Affairs in this Part the World; which before wore a very gloomy Aspect. It is said that the Congress have taken great Offence at the Garrison of Savannah being summon'd [several words lost]...The Army have been in their Winter Quarters a fortnight, which are much the same as last Year; only more crowded on Account of the Rhode Island Garrison..." In 1780, Oakes accompanied a large expedition against South Carolina. The mission, designed to capitalize on the successes of 1779, was to capture Charleston, South Carolina, and set the stage Cornwallis' southern campaigns of 1780-81. Writing the day following the disastrous American surrender of Charleston, "Camp at [Charles] Town South Carolina", May 13, 1780, he describes the expedition beginning from its departure from New York in the late winter: "...The Fleet with eight thousand Troops on board destined for the taking of this Place, sailed from Sandy Hook on the twenty sixth of December, and after the most tempestuous and disagre[e]able Voyage I ever remember, which almost totally dispersed the fleet; the main Body got into Tybee Harbour on the first and second of February a good deal shattered...we [moved] for North Edisto River and arrived there...in the Evening...in four Days the whole of John's Island was in our Possession without a Shot being fired. On the twenty fifth we made a landing on James Island, and in three Days the greatest Part of the Army were got over; from this Place we got our first View of the Town, which from the Number and force of their Vessels of different kinds, and the Strength of their Batterys appeared very formidable... Unavoidable Delays now began to ensue, owing to the difficulty of the Navigation through the Creeks, by which we got up our Provisions, and the want of Horses to get up our heavy Artillery..." Oakes then describes the effort to secure "Charles Town Neck to lay Siege to the Place..." On April 1, the army was in place to begin the first trench 800 yards from the American positions. "Nine Days afterwards our Ships of War passed their invincible Fort and battery, on Sullivans Island with the small Loss of eight Men killed and fourteen wounded, and came to Anchor just out of Gun Shot of the Town; this Event alarmed and surprized them a good deal, or they thought it was next to an impossibility; they were soon after summoned to surrender but refused; On the eleventh of this Month finding they were compleately [sic]Blockaded, and that at we were proceeding by sure and regular Methods to take the Place...they sent out a Flag saying they would accept the Terms offered them two Days before, and yesterday they marched out Prisoners of War by the best Accounts I can get to the Amount of five Thousand..." Describing the scene during the siege, he writes, "...we had a constant fire of Canon and small Arms upon us..." Looking to the future campaign, he reports "We expect to march into the County immediately, and I am credibly informed that when we make our Appearance in North Carolina, there will be five Thousand Men in Arms who will join us; so that I hope I shall soon be able to tell your Lordship that the Southern Colonys [sic]are all ours. If our Fleet at Home are Successful I make no Doubt but the War will soon be brought to a Conclusion..." Writing a week later, on May 21, 1780, Oakes looks ahead to the pacification of the Carolinas and a swift end to the war: "...Every thing in this Part of the Country wears the most promising Appearances: Since the Surrender of Charles Town the Militia have come in great Numbers, and laying down their Arms; they all express their earnest Desires to accept of any Terms, or do anything towards the establishing Peace and good order in these Provinces that shall be proposed; and which I make not Doubt will be soon effected, as the only remaining Force they have to the Southward is at Camden, a Hundred Miles up the Country; which it is reported consisted of eleven Hundred Militia. Lord Cornwallis is marched that Way with a Corps of four Thousand Men to dislodge them, and to take their publick Stores...I believe these provinces will soon be completely ours. the spring of this Place, which was their principal trading Port, has certainly bear a very severe blow against them...a vast number of Deserters have come in from Washington's Army to New York, who all agree that the Reduction of Charles Town is the ultimatum of the War..." The fall of Charleston appeared to be a disaster for the American cause. Before getting the official news on it's fall, the continuing siege worried Washington. His army was in a precarious state in the spring of 1780: "...I confess I am infinitely anxious myself about the issue of the operations against Charles Town, and wish most cordially that we had it in our power to pursue means which would certainly relieve it. The unhappy state of our finance is opposed to this and lays us under every embarrassment that can be conceived. If we could once get this in a more favourable train, our affairs would look up and we might do a Thousand things which are now utterly impracticable..." (Washington to Anthony Wayne, May 18, 1780, quoted in Fitzpatrick.) These magnificent letters were written to prominent opposition politician Henry Seymour Conway as it was discovered among other related correspondence to him offered in this auction. Conway (1721-95), began his career as a British officer serving in the War of Austrian Secession and the Seven Years' War. Conway sat in the House of Commons from 1741 to 1774 and again from 1775 to 1784. A leading Whig, he opposed the King's actions to suppress John Wilkes in 1763. He was appointed Secretary of State for the Southern Department 1763-5, and for the Northern Department through 1768 where he promoted a policy of moderation toward the colonies supporting the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. For his efforts, several towns in America were named in his honor. Throughout the war, Conway opposed efforts to suppress the revolution and was partly responsible for the fall of North's government in 1782, paving the way for a peace settlement. All the letters bear some losses at top margin and along one part of vertical creases which affect text, otherwise good condition and still quite bright with dark distinct handwriting. Sold for: $14,340.00. |
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Autographs |
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| 56038 | Bunker Hill - Autograph Letter Signed by Edward Montagu (d. 1798) Master in Chancery, agent for the Virginia House of Burgesses, 1759-1773. Three pages with two page enclosure, 7.25" x 9.25", Frognal Green, [England], July 25, 1775. An important letter written the day news arrived in London of the bloody battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775) to prominent opposition figure Henry Seymour Conway: "I wish I could give your Lordship much more satisfaction than I am capable of doing on the Arrival of Capt. Shads in the Cerberus. He got to Town [London] this Morning & brings an Acct. for more than a Skirmish [ie. Lexington & Concord] -- On my having heard an Intimation of his being in London. I found him out & have [illeg.] from him the following Particulars. That Charles Town, not very distant form Boston, had been considered as a neutral Place neither Party had posses'd it but the Rebels imagining it to be of Importance, had sent a large Body of their best Men & began Entrenchments. Genl. Gage saw the Inconvenience of such a [illeg.] resolved to prevent it. -- A Detachm't of 2000 Men under the Command of Clinton and How[e], was engaged in this Business, they were put in Boats & on approaching the Shore, they found the Rebels had made such a Progress & were so superior in Nos. that they sent to Boston for more Strength, they were reinforced by two Regiments. The Attack was made with true British Bravery & equally resisted; the Conflict was long & violent but the Design was executed & the Rebels discharg'd in great Confusion with much Slaughter. Our Loss is not inconsiderable at last 300 kill'd & 700 wounded in a manner that renders them unfit for future Action. -- We have lost three of our best Field officers, I only recollect the names of Pictarn & Abercromby. I call'd at Lord Dartmouth's Office Mr Pownall tells me the story in much the same Stile [sic] but it will be in to night's Gazette & I order'd my Clerk to send it to yr Lordship without fail... I shall As soon expecting the Adm[iral]s [John Montagu?] private Correspondence on this important subject...I wish the Article from [illeg.] may be true the Contin[ental] Congress was broken up in the utmost Confusion & Discord. It would be worth a hundred successful skirmishes. They know nothing of it at Whitehall but I do not think it unlikely -- from the knowledge I have of some of the People that compose it..." Montagu includes his copy of the account given to him early that day. The summary of events noted that "[Israel] Putnam who commanded is wounded Doctor [Joseph] Warren is among the slain the No of which is said to be greater than of the Troops. Genl. How[e] is now entrenched on one of the Hills of the late Charles Town, where not a house remains..." The Battle of Bunker Hill clearly demonstrated to London that the Rebellion was deadly serious. It effectively silenced any Parliamentary opposition to the military conquest of the revolting colonies. Anticipating a difficult campaign, Lord North's government promised an additional 2,000 reinforcements to sail for America immediately and resolved to field an additional 20,000 there by the spring of 1776. (see Gruber, The Howe Brothers and the American Revolution, p. 26-27). A superb letter from an individual with access to high officials in the British government. Montagu's report offers an interesting perspective: that of a former advocate of the colony of Virginia corresponding with an important opposition figure. Henry Seymour Conway, (1721-95), began his career as a British officer serving in the War of Austrian Secession and the Seven Years' War. Conway sat in the House of Commons from 1741 to 1774 and again from 1775 to 1784. A leading Whig, he opposed the King's actions to suppress John Wilkes in 1763. He was appointed Secretary of State for the Southern Department 1763-5, and for the Northern Department through 1768 where he promoted a policy of moderation toward the colonies supporting the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. For his efforts, several towns in America were named in his honor. Throughout the war, Conway opposed efforts to suppress the revolution and was partly responsible for the fall of North's government in 1782, paving the way for a peace settlement. Losses at top margin affect several words of text, usual folds with partial separations, lightly toned at folds, else very good. Sold for: $7,767.50. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56039 | Boston Loyalists - T[homas] Bruce Autograph Letter Signed. Three pages, 7" x 9", Boston, November 30, 1775, to [Henry Seymour Conway] concerning the ongoing siege of Boston. Written by either a Massachusetts Loyalist or a British officer, the letter embodies some of the more prominent views of the rebellion as the work of a handful of rabble rousers. Though dismissive of the popular passions, the writer still regrets to observe that "...Spirit of opposition appears rather to encrease [sic] than abate, this whole Continent, with perhaps some few exceptions, seems inclin'd to an absolute independance [sic] on England, I don't believe it is entirely from choice, but many, having been unwarily drawn into Rebellion, with a view only of having what they suppos'd their grievances redress'd, are now deter'd thro' a fear of punishment from returning to their duty, and their Leaders, who know that their only security is their unanimity, artfully encourage this notion. They have fitted out some Privateers, and have taken some small craft, our Ships of War not being able to follow them into shallow Water. A Body of the rebels march'd some time ago against Canada, and we are infrome'd (by themselves indeed) that they have taken two forts, Chamby and St. Johns, this news, if true, is a proof that the Canadians have a[d]ded[?] a treacherous part, for without their concurrence that expedition durst [read dared] not have been undertaken..." The Canadian expedition would end badly for the Americans: General Richard Montgomery would be killed in the failed attempt on Quebec and Benedict Arnold was forced to retreat south allowing the British an effective base to launch operations against New York and New England. The letter is written to prominent opposition politician Henry Seymour Conway as it was discovered among other related correspondence to him offered in this auction. Conway (1721-95), began his career as a British officer serving in the War of Austrian Secession and the Seven Years' War. Conway sat in the House of Commons from 1741 to 1774 and again from 1775 to 1784. A leading Whig, he opposed the King's actions to suppress John Wilkes in 1763. He was appointed Secretary of State for the Southern Department 1763-5, and for the Northern Department through 1768 where he promoted a policy of moderation toward the colonies supporting the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. For his efforts, several towns in America were named in his honor. Throughout the war, Conway opposed efforts to suppress the revolution and was partly responsible for the fall of North's government in 1782, paving the way for a peace settlement. Toned at usual folds, small chips at top margin, else fine condition. Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 56040 | Battle of Brandywine - Manuscript Copy Letter. Four pages [incomplete], 7.25" x 9", [n.p., n.d.] "A Copy of Lieutn Dnkes[?] Letter Dated German Town Cap Octr 13, 1777". Written a week following the inconclusive action at Germantown, this British officer relates a superb description of the pivotal battle at Brandywine Creek on September 11, 1777. The manuscript reads, in small part: "...we came in sight of the Ground, was formed in a quarter of an Hour, and the Action began in five minutes after, Never a Line I suppose was form'd so quick, we marched in line two Columns on the 11 of Sept. one Commanded by Lord Cornwallis...The Second column by his Excellency Genl. Knyphausen...We had orders the Night before to be ready to March at Day Brake [sic] and to have our Baggage Loaded an Hour before, we Marched in the 2 Columns I have already mentioned, Knyphuasen's Column took the shortest Road where the Rebels had thrown a Work up to hinder our Crossing the Brandy Wine Creek, and for to amuse them there, till Ld Cornwallis with is Column had got Sufficiently round them as so as to make them give us Battle; without stealing off, as they have over done since we landed, for we have been nearer them several times, then we were that Day, they all say he certainly meant to have made a Stand, but never thought we should have attak'd them w[h]ere we did, to be sure he made a Stand, but not long Marching above Sixteen Miles, which We was form Day break to three o Clock in the Afternoon a doing owing greatly to the badness of the Roads which did not allow the Cannon to get on faster, by that time you must imagine our men were pretty much fatigued, having had nothing to Eat or drink, since the Day before, but when they formed at 3 o'Clock the enemy so close, the March and fatigue was all forgot, its impossible for Men ever to go into the field, with more spirit and determined resolution then [sic] they did, to drive them out of the Field, w[h]ere the Rebels were posted on the most advantageous ground, that they could wish, its impossible we could have drove them from the Heights had they behaved like Soldiers, but they show'd themselves just What they are, nothing but a Rebel Banditti, had we been so fortunate as to have had two more hours daylight, we should have drone four times s much as we did...in all probability it would have put an end to the Rebellion..." Washington's loss at Brandywine Creek forced Congress to flee Philadelphia. Washington attempted to dislodge Howe's Army at Germantown on October 4, but was unsuccessful and was obliged to wait out the winter at Valley Forge. Light toning, small loss at top margin, else very good condition. Offered together with two slips of paper bearing manuscript notes, likely in the hand of William Seymour Conway, one reading "American Letters &c 1776, 76, 77, 78, 79" (3" x 4.5"); the other, 4.5" x 3", bears 14 lines of notes which appear to be summary notes, and read, in small part: "13 weeks since battle of Concord - not account form England...Ill Harmony between officers of Army & Navy...Conquest of Canada Boasted plan...Quebec..." Also together with several other small papers including an Autograph Document Signed by New York patriot, "John Alsop". Two pages, 7" x 3", New York, June 30, 1773, a receipt for £40 from Aspinwall & Smith. With similar receipt on verso signed by one Samuel Pearce, New York, July 17, 1773, for the amount of £27.15.0. Also together with another manuscript receipt signed "Ann Bauman," 6 x 1.5", New York, Sept. 5, 1774. Andrew Dunscomb (1757-1802) Autograph Document Signed. One page, 6" x 6.5", Philadelphia, January 9, 1792, a receipt of the service accounts of Colonel B. Henderson. Significant losses, weak at folds, else fair. Sold for: $2,270.50. |
| 56041 | Revolutionary War - Lexington and Concord Manuscript. Two pages [incomplete] in an unknown hand, 7.5" x 12.5", [n.p., n.d., April 29, 1775]. A contemporary manuscript copy of General Thomas Gage's version on the action at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, that ignited the American Revolutionary War. The text of this report, titled: "A Circumstantial Account of an Attack that happened on the 19th April 1775 On his Majestys [sic] Troops by a Number of People of the Province of Massachusetts Bay" was forwarded to colonial governors and others and formed the 'official' British version of events. This important account, likely the only such manuscript in private hands, presents quite a different history -- distinct from the American version of events as published at the time in newspapers: an alternative view on who fired "the shot heard round the world." Gage's, report, based on the reports by his subordinates reads, in part: "On Thursday [sic Tuesday] the 18th April, about half past Ten at Night Lieutenant Colonel Smyth of the 10th Regmt. embarked from the Common at Boston with the Grenadiers & Light Infantry of the Troops there, and landed on the opposite side; from whence he began his march toward Concord, where he was ordered to destroy A Magazine of Military Stores, deposited there for the use of an Army, to be Assembled in Order to Act against his Majesty and his Government...after Marching a few Miles detached six Companies of Light Infantry under the Command of Major Pictarn, to take Possession of two Bridges on the other side of Concord; soon after they heard many Signal Guns, and the Ringing of alarm Bells repeatedly, which convinced them that the Country was rising to oppose them, and that is as a preconcerted scheme to oppose the King's troops when ever there should be a favourable opportunity for it; about 3 Oclock the next Morning The troops being advanced within two Miles of Lexington, Intelligence was received that about 500 Men in Arms were Assembled, and determined to oppose the Kings troops; And on Major Pictarns galloping up to the head of the advanced Companies, two Officers informed him that a Man (advanced from those that were Assembled) had presented his Musquet And attempted to shoot them, but the piece flashed in the Pan. On this the Major Pictarn gave directions to the Troops to move forward, but on no Account to Fire, nor even to attempt it without Orders: when they arrived at the end of the Village they observed about 200 Armed Men drawn up on a Green; and when the Troops came within two yards of them, they began to file off towards some Stone Walls on their Right Flank; the Light infantry observing this, Ran after them; The Major instantly called to the Soldiers not to Fire, but to surround and disarm them; some of them who had Jumped over a Wall, then fired 4 or 5 Shots at the Troops, wounded a Man of the 10th Regmt. and the Majors horse in two places, and at the same time several shots were fired from a Meeting house on the left; upon this without any order or regularity, to Light Infantry began a Scatter'd Fire, and kill'd several of the Country People, but were silenced as soon as the Authority of their officers could make them. After this colonel Smith marched up with the remainder of the Detachment and the whole Body proceeded to Concord when they Arrive about 9 o'clock, without any thing further happening, but vast Numbers of Arm'd Men were seen Assembling on all the heights - while Colonel Smith with the Grenadiers, and part of the light Infantry remained at Concord to search for Cannon &ca; there, he detached Captain Parsons with Six Light Infantry Companies to secure a bridge at some distance from Concord, and to proceed from thence to certain houses where it was supposed there was Cannon and Ammunition, Captain Parsons in pursuance of these orders posted three Companies at the Bridge, and on some heights near it..." The account, in which American colonists fired first, obviously suited British interests and was instantly dismissed as self-serving propaganda intended to counter the rebel version of events. The question of who fired the first shot has long vexed historians. Contemporary efforts to mold the 'truth' (on both sides) following the battle made the task of clarifying the question likely beyond reach. According to Mark S. Boatner, following the battle, "...the Massachusetts Provincial Congress appointed a committee to take depositions from all participants and spectators...The whole purpose of the Lexington depositions was to establish only two things: that Parker's men were dispersing; that the British fired first..." (Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, p. 625.) For the next century, this version of events became part of the cannon, reinforced by historians as distinguished as George Bancroft. It was not until corroborating accounts by other British officers personally present at the battle began surfassing in the late 19th century that historians began viewing Gage's report in a different light and giving it far more credence than it had earlier enjoyed. The manuscript comes from a collection of correspondence to prominent British opposition figure Henry Seymour Conway that is also offered in this auction. Conway (1721-95), began his career as a British officer serving in the War of Austrian Secession and the Seven Years' War. Conway sat in the House of Commons from 1741 to 1774 and again from 1775 to 1784. A leading Whig, he opposed the King's actions to suppress John Wilkes in 1763. He was appointed Secretary of State for the Southern Department 1763-5, and for the Northern Department through 1768 where he promoted a policy of moderation toward the colonies supporting the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. For his efforts, several towns in America were named in his honor. Throughout the war, Conway opposed efforts to suppress the revolution and was partly responsible for the fall of North's government in 1782, paving the way for a peace settlement. Clean 3" tear at upper right margin which could be easily repaired, a few other minor marginal tears and chips, usual folds, else very good. Sold for: $3,883.75. |
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Autographs |
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| 56042 | British Major General William Phillips Signed Document. DS, "W Phillips Major General", 15" x 7", Cambridge, June 19th, 1770. Written in ink, the document reads in part, "Major Genl. Heath in acco. [account] with the British Gov. for a sum of money deposited in his hands for security for a deficiency of provisions to be delivered to Major Morrison - per agreement. By the amt. of deficiency in provisions per discount... ball. [balance] due to be delivered to the order of Major Genl. Phillips..." William Phillips served with distinction in the British Army as an artilleryman and a general officer, attaining the rank of colonel by the start of the American Revolutionary War. As Deputy Commander to General John Burgoyne in 1777, he took part in the recapture of Fort Ticonderoga, surmounting the obstacles of terrain to bring his artillery to bear on the fort's defenses by hauling his canon to the top of nearby Mount Defiance, urging his men forward with, "Where a goat can go, a man can go; and where a man can go, he can drag a gun." Captured with Bourgoyne's army at Saratoga in 1777, Phillips served a short prison term in Virginia gained his freedom in exchange for American General Benjamin Lincoln in 1781 and assumed command of the British Campaign in Virginia during the Battle of Petersburg. He was stricken with typhus on his way to join General Cornwallis at Yorktown and died on May 13, 1781 at Petersburg. Light to moderate toning, signature is bold and clear, near fine condition.Not Sold. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56043 | Two Revolutionary War Letters Written after the Battle of Bunker Hill: George Noarth ALS, "G. Noarth", two pages, 7.5" x 9.5", Sunbury, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1775. To Lieutenant Edward Burd, Esq. In part,"... last Evening returned from the Woods when a Gentleman put into my hands your martial Epistle of the 18th of this month. I should have complained of the Brevity of it, had not the conclusion conveyed a Hint that Leiutenants [sic] must attend the Beat of Drums and the mustering of Soldiers. Indeed the duties of such an Important Office must ill agree with the pleasures of Friendship and I beleive [sic] you have added to the old legal Maxim and now have it 'inter Arma Silet Amici tia'.... We have this day received news from Fishing Creek that our old friends the Yankeys to the amount of 200 have taken possession of the Lands in that Quarter - I am afraid before the week ends some powder (which might be saved for better purpose) will be expended upon them as the people in General thro' the County are determined to force them to abandon their Settlements, or make them as Hamlet phrases it 'Spirits of Health or Goblin's damn'd'." Revolutionary War Sergeant with the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion, George Noarth rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in 1777. Edward Burd, son of James Burd, joined the colonial army in 1776 and was captured at the Battle of Long Island. After the War he became a justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The reference in the letter to 200 "Yankeys" taking possession of lands at Fishing Creek indicates how the colonists began to seize powder and munitions from the British outposts following the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, one day before this letter was written. Uniform toning, darker along edges and folds with minor separations thereat, small tear at wax seal, else very good condition. Together with a James Burd ALS, "James Burd ", two pages, 6" x 7.5", Tinian, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1775. To Edward Shippen, Esq., Burd's father-in-law. In part, "... I thank you for giving me the perusal of my Mr. G.S.'s letter & I herewith return you the same. I think they will have Reason by & by, for England, to alter their opinion of the Americans, But all the while this Experience will be dearly bought by the Nation - we are constantly longing for news from our Noble army before Boston. We all Join in Duty to you & Mammy & Love to Miss Patty Mr. Yates's Family & Doct Hands & I am Dear Sir, Your affectionate & dutifull Son James Burd". Col. James Burd of the Pennsylvania Militia immigrated to Philadelphia from Scotland in 1747, later marrying Sarah Shippen, daughter of former mayor Edward Shippen. In the years before the Revolutionary War, Burd was instrumental in the construction of roads and fortifications in Pennsylvania and gained the support for the colonial congress in opposing the Crown. After the war he served as a county judge. Uniformly toned, light show-through of ink, hole in center along fold due to sealing wax (slightly affects script), several penciled notations front and verso, penned script strong and clear, fine condition. Sold for: $1,912.00. |
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Autographs |
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| 56045 | Colonial Slave Trade & the Boston Massacre - Autograph Letter Signed "Hayley & Hopkins," 2 pages, 7.5" x 9". London, April 26, 1770. Integral leaf addressed to "Messrs Saml & Will. Vernon/Merchts./Newport," noted "Via Boston" with a circular "20/IV" postal marking. On watermarked, laid paper. A nine line transcription of the November 18, 1769 letter previously written begins this letter with the notation "The above is Copy of our last respects. The bill therein mentioned was paid..." In part, "Capn. Duckett at Bristol wch Vessel we understand sailed from thence a few days ago but our Agent has neglected sending up the Invoice to us...We have just now recd your favours of 10th and 11th March by Capn. Gilbert..." The Boston Massacre had taken place on March 5, 1770. Continuing, "We are much obliged to you for the contents of that of the 11th respecting the horrid Massacre at Boston. The Insurances you desire on the Othello & the Royal Charlotte shall be taken care of & executed immediately...We have the 6 bills of Exche you enclose us to £900, five of which are accepted & will be placed to your credit the other being that for £90 on Alexr. Spiero of Glascow is gone thither for acceptance...The Tea & other goods wch you desire may be shippd provided the Revenue Acts are repealed & not otherwise...the Tea duty is not repealed & as far as we can understand is not likely to be so..." The duty on tea eventually led to the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Hayley & Hopkins was a major insurance firm in London. In addition to insuring goods sent to Newport and other ports in the American colonies, they also insured slave ships from Newport to Africa and then to the port of unlading in America. Brothers Samuel and William Vernon of Newport were merchants who traded goods with all the maritime nations of Europe, the West Indies, and Africa. They made much of their wealth trafficking in slaves. Between 1725 and 1808, Newport ships took approximately 100,000 Africans into slavery. At the height of their slave trade, the Vernon brothers had as many as eight slave ships at sea. Letters specifically mentioning ships involved the colonial slave trade are rare and desirable. This one concerns insurance on the lives of slaves, not as life insurance but as merchandise insurance. Glassine repairs on verso of integral address leaf. Fine condition.Sold for: $3,107.00. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56046 | Revolutionary War Loyalty Oath Printed by John Dunlap. Partly printed DS, 1 page, 6" x 4", ([Philadelphia]: John Dunlap, 1777), accomplished on June 28, 1777. The text reads in full "I DO hereby Certify, That Frederick Shenkle of Philad[phi]a Leather dresser Hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the AFFIRMATION of Allegiance and Fidelity, as directed by an ACT of General Assembly of Pennsylvania: passed the 13th day of June, A.D. 1777. Witness may hand and seal, the 25th day of June A.D. 1777." The document was designed to be all-inclusive, mindful of the Quaker prohibition against swearing oaths, instead asking the person to 'affirm' rather than 'swear.' An extremely rare copy (we believe, in fact, unique) of Evans 15519 -- certainly the first we have encountered. An examination of OCLC reveals no extant physical copies in any institution. Light vertical folds, margins slightly irregular, else fine condition. John Dunlap (1747-1812) emigrated to America from Northern Ireland. He published the first daily newspaper in this country beginning in 1784, the Pennsylvania Packet. Appointed printer to Congress, his first printings of the Declaration of Independence (forever known as the "Dunlap" issues) were ordered by John Hancock; a total of 200 broadsides were printed the evening of July 4, 1776. This Oath was issued at a time that had the British occupying New York with colonial fears as to where Howe would next land his forces with Burgoyne marching Southward with a sizable army from Montreal. Those in Pennsylvania feared the battle would soon be in their backyards with Philadelphia under direct threat. And, interestingly, this Oath was printed the day before the Continental Congress approved the new flag designed by Betsy Ross. A remarkable piece of history to say the least! Sold for: $1,912.00. |
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Autographs |
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| 56047 | Pamphlet Two Papers on the Subject of Taxing the British Colonies in America, The First entitled, "Some Remarks on the most rational and effectual Means that can be used in the present Conjecture for the future Security and Preservation of the Trade of Great-Britain by protecting and advancing her Settlements on the North Continent of America." The Other, "A Proposal for establishing by Act of Parliament the Duties upon Stampt Paper and Parchment in all the British American Colonies," 22 pages, 4.25" x 7.25". London: Printed for J. Almon, opposite Burlington-House, in Piccadilly, 1767. Smudges on pages 18 and 19. Back paper wrapper and preceding publisher's advertisement loose. Lower blank right corners of pages 17 on are missing. Light soiling. Overall, very good. Adams 67-15; Sabin 97575. On March 22, 1765, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act. Every piece of printed paper used by American colonists was now taxed, be it newspapers, legal documents, or even playing cards. The colonists complained that the act was an attempt by the Crown to raise money without the approval of colonial legislatures. The notice "To the Reader" states that this pamphlet reprints papers drawn up in 1739 by "a Club of American Merchants" including Sir William Keith, Governor of Pennsylvania, and Joshua Gee "and are now re-printed and re-published entire that the World may see what were the Sentiments and Doctrines, at that Time..." The writers advocated resort to the stamp tax in order to support a "Body of Regular Troops" under the control of the Crown and independent of the colonial governors, referring to the "loose, disorderly, and insignificant Militia." One purpose of the standing army would be conquest against the Indians for purposes of economic expansion. Not Sold. |
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Books |
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| 56048 | The Boston Massacre - Newspaper: The Essex Gazette, four pages, 10" x 15.75". Salem, Massachusetts, "from Tuesday, March 13, to Tuesday, March 20, 1770." Printed by Samuel Hall. On March 5, 1770, as the 29th Regiment led by Col. Thomas Preston went on duty at the Customs House on King Street in Boston, relieving the 8th Regiment, they were met by a large crowd of civilians who taunted them, chanting "Fire and be damned," in effect daring the British soldiers to shoot. Capt. Preston, unable to disperse the crowd, ordered his troops "Don't fire!" but they opened fire, perhaps not hearing him, killing five men, three of whom died instantly. Seven months later, Preston was tried for murder, as were the soldiers in a separate trial shortly thereafter. Defended by patriots John Adams and Josiah Quincy, Jr., all were acquitted. This issue includes six articles and letters mentioning the Boston Massacre. (1) First page. Reporting a petition of the Town of Roxbury to Thomas Hutchinson, Lieut. Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, dated March 8, 1770, acknowledging "the very great inconveniencies and sufferings of our fellow-subjects and countrymen, the inhabitants of the Town of Boston, occasioned by several regiments of the King's troops being quartered in the body of that town for several months past; in a peculiar manner we desire to express our astonishment, grief and indignation, at the horrid and barbarous action committed last Monday Evening, by a party of those troops, by firing with small arms, in the most wanton, cruel and cowardly manner, upon a number of unarmed inhabitants of said town, whereby four of his Majesty's liege subjects have lost their lives, two others are supposed to be mortally wounded, & several besides badly wounded and suffering great pain and distress...We therefore truly sympathize with our distressed brethren the inhabitants of said town of Boston, heartily unite with them, in praying your honor would exert your authority to remove all the troops out of that town immediately..." Hutchinson's immediate reply, also dated March 8th: "I have no Authority to order the King's Troops from any Place where they are posted by his Majesty's Order..." (2) First page. A resolution passed at the March 12, 1770 annual meeting of the Town of Cambridge supporting the "Non-importation Agreements" of the Boston merchants, referring to the "unconstitutional Acts of Parliament for raising a revenue from the Colonies without their Consent: For the inforcing the Collection of which a large Body of Troops has been quartered upon the town of Boston; by some of whom many of the Inhabitants of this Province, from Time to Time, have been grossly assaulted, insulted and abused; and now at last some have been most barbarously and inhumanely murdered..." (3) Second page. Dated Boston, March 12, 1770, from "the Committee of the Town" of Boston, a lengthy letter "to divers Gentlemen of the first Distinction in London," including Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond, who supported the colonists and, in 1778, initiated the debate in Parliament calling for the removal of the troops from America. Printer Samuel Hall does not list the names of the letter's recipients or of the committee members, most probably to protect them from reprisals. The Committee members signing the letter were John Hancock, William Phillips, Samuel Adams, Joseph Warren, William Molineux, Samuel Pemberton, and Joshua Henshaw. In part, "On Friday the Second Inst. a Quarrel arose between some of the Soldiers of the XXIXth, and the Ropemakers Journeymen and Apprentices...This contentious Disposition continued until the Monday Evening following, when a Party of seven or eight Soldiers, detached from the Main Guard under the Command of Capt. Preston, and by his Orders fired upon the Inhabitants promiscuously in King street, without the least warning of their Intention, and killed three on the spot, another has since died of his wounds, and others are dangerously not to say mortally wounded; Capt. Preston and his Party now are in Goal. An Enquiry is now making into this bloody Affair; and by some of the Evidence there is Reason to apprehend that the Soldiers have been made use of by others as Instruments in executing a settled Plot to Massacre the inhabitants..." (4) Third page. Boston, March 15. "The following Votes passed at the last Town Meeting: Voted, That the Thanks of this Town be given to the Town of Roxbury for their kind interposition and Assistance in our Distress; particularly by their Petition to the Lieutenant-Governor on our Behalf, Also, Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given to the Towns of Cambridge, Charlestown, Watertown, and to all our Brethren in the Towns through the Province for the kind Concern they manifested for us in the late horrid Massacre by the Soldiery...A Committee was appointed to obtain a particular Account of all the Proceedings relative to the late Massacre in King-Street..." (5) Third page. Boston, March 19. "A Committee of the Town are proceeding in a legal Way to take the Testimonies of great Numbers respecting what preceeded, as also what is relative to the late horrid Massacre---Plenty of Evidence will prove the Soldiery to have been wholly the Aggressors, and that the Inhabitants have been treated by them with an unexampled Barbarity----A Number of Evidences are taken to prove a Firing from the Custom-House at the Time of the Massacre..." (6) Third page. "Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in Boston, to his Friend in the Country..." In part, "To trace the massacre of the 5th instant no further back than the preceeding week...wou'd be stopping far short of the real source of the matter. Abundant evidence appears to warrant a very opposite conclusion!...To be serious in the enquiry, whether the outrages perpetuated by an ignorant and misinstructed soldiery originated from the provocation of a vulgar expression or stroke of a snow ball, would be solemn trifling indeed!...The accounts in this Paper and the Boston Gazette are as authentic as could be collected; the inquiry is still continuing, and new matter turns up every day, of which, when completed, a digest will be published...The honourable John Robinson, Esq; sailed the 16th for London (it is said) with a number of depositions, to manifest that the cause of the massacre was the defence of the treasure of the custom-house, from the inhabitants, whose design the deponents verily believe was to break in and plunder it..." The name "Mr. Edward Lang" has been boldly penned at the top left edge of the first page. This may be silversmith Edward Lang (1742-1830) who had a shop in Salem from 1768-1793 when he became a schoolmaster. Printer Samuel Hall (1740-1807) later published the New England Gazette, the Salem Gazette, and the Massachusetts Gazette. The newspaper is age-toned with light spotting and foxing. Although 238-years-old, it was printed on rag content, laid paper and is in near fine condition. Not Sold. |
| 56049 | The Bill of Rights and the U. S. Constitution - The Pennsylvania Packet, and Daily Advertiser, four pages, 11" x 18.25". Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Friday, July 31, 1789. Printed and Sold by John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole. On June 8, 1789, Virginia Congressman James Madison introduced his proposed amendments to the Constitution. On July 21, 1789, Congressman John Vining of Delaware was appointed to chair a select committee of 11 to review and make a report on the subject of amendments to the Constitution. Each committeeman represented one of the 11 states (Rhode Island and North Carolina had not ratified the Constitution at that time), with James Madison representing Virginia. Seven days later, Vining issued the committee's report. The report included 20 words to be added before the introductory phrase "We the people" which was not approved by Congress. On August 24, 1789, the House of Representatives passed 17 proposed amendments which were reduced to 12 before it was passed by the Senate and House and sent to the states on September 25, 1789 for ratification. On December 15, 1791, ten of these proposals became the First through Tenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution when they were ratified by the Virginia legislature. Vining's report, in part, as published on the third page of this newspaper, with eventual action taken by Congress in brackets: "In the introductory paragraph before the words, 'We the people' add, 'Government being intended for the benefit of the people, and the rightful establishment thereof being derived from their authority alone.'" [Not proposed by Congress] "Art. 1, Sec. 2, Par. 3 - Strike out all between the words, 'direct' and 'and until such,' and instead thereof insert, 'After the first enumeration there shall be one representative for every thirty thousand until the number shall amount to one hundred; after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress that the number of Representatives shall never be less than one Philadelphia newspaper, printed by John Dunlap, publishing the initial report of the committee considering Madison's proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution which became the Bill of Rights, including the right of conscientious objectors not to bear arms which was expunged from the amendment before it was sent to the states for ratification. hundred, nor more than one hundred and seventy-five, but each State shall always have at least one Representative." [Proposed. Rejected] "Art. 1, Sec. 6 - Between the words 'United States,' and 'shall in all cases,' strike out 'they,' and insert, 'But no law varying the compensation shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened. The members.'" [Proposed. Rejected. Eventually ratified by the required number of states in 1992 as the 27th Amendment: "No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened."] "Art. 1, Sec. 9 - Between Par. 2 and 3 insert, 'No religion shall be established by law, nor shall the equal rights of conscience be infringed.'" "The freedom of speech, and of the press, and the right of the people peaceably to assemble and consult for their common good, and to apply to the government for redress of grievances, shall not be infringed." [Ratified as 1st Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."] "A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, being the best security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, but no person religiously scrupulous shall be compelled to bear arms." [Ratified as 2nd Amendment: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."] "No soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed by law." [Ratified as 3rd Amendment: "No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law."] "No person shall be subject, except in case of impeachment, to more than one trial or one punishment for the same offence, nor shall be compelled to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation." [Combined with proposed 10th Article - see below - Ratified as 5th Amendment: "No person shall be held to answer for any capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."] "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." [Ratified as 8th Amendment: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."] "The right of the people to be secure in their person, houses, papers and effects, shall not be violated by warrants issuing, without probable cause supported by oath or affirmation, and not particularly describing the places to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." [Ratified as 4th Amendment: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."] "The enumeration in this Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." [Ratified as 9th Amendment: "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."] It is interesting to note that when Congress sent the Bill of Rights to the states for ratification, among the amendments proposed by James Madison, two relating to conscience were omitted. Originally concluding "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, but no person religiously scrupulous shall be compelled to bear arms," the 2nd Amendment concludes "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Also proposed by Madison and included in the Committee's July 28th report was "'No religion shall be established by law, nor shall the equal rights of conscience be infringed." The 1st Amendment begins: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." In both instances, the infringement upon the rights of the "religiously scrupulous" (conscientious objectors) and the "equal rights of conscience," although proposed by Madison and the Committee, were not included in the Bill of Rights. John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole were the publishers of the Pennsylvania Packet, and Daily Advertiser. On the evening of July 4, 1776, John Hancock ordered Dunlap to print broadside copies of the agreed-upon declaration that was signed by him as President and Charles Thomson as Secretary. Dunlap is thought to have printed 200 broadsides that evening which were distributed to the members of Congress. There are 24 known surviving copies; the last one to be offered at public auction in 2000 sold for $8.14 million. This newspaper was printed on rag content, laid paper. The two sheets are chipped at the edges and separated so it is possible to display together the first page, revealing the title and issue date, and the third page publishing the text of the proposed Bill of Rights. Good condition. Not Sold. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56050 | 1780 Philadelphia Revolutionary War Promissory Note for the use "one Bay Mare...". One page, 7.5" x 5.5", Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 18, 1780. A Revolutionary War bond for the use of a horse by the Army of the United States. Engraving printed on period laid paper. Signed by John Moore and docketed on the verso. In near fine condition, with a few small areas of foxing and gentle toning throughout. Sold for: $358.50. |
| 56051 | Massachusetts Commodity Bond January 1, 1780. One page, 11" x 5.5", "State of Massachusetts Bay", with printed date "First Day of January, A.D. 1780." Intricately engraved border and reading in part: "...I the subscriber do hereby promise and oblige myself and successors in the Office of Treasure of the said State to pay unto my Capt. Thomas Bolter or to his order, the sum of two hundred and seventy five pounds on or before the first day of March, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Four with interest at six per Cent. per Anum: Both Principal and Interest to be paid in the then current Money of said State, in a greater or less sum according as five bushels of Corn, sixty-eight pounds and four-seventh parts of a pound of beef, ten pounds of sheeps wool, and sixteen pounds of sole leather..." These Commodity Bonds are perhaps the most interesting of all the Massachusetts fiscal paper, because both their principal and interest were tied to the current price of various commodities (corn, beef, sheep's wool, sole leather) at the date the bond was due. The bonds were authorized to cover the depreciation of pay received by Continental soldiers and sailors. Signed by Henry Gardner as Treasurer. Near fine condition but for minor edge paper loss. Sold for: $286.80. |
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Autographs |
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| 56052 | Autograph Album Containing Signatures of the 29th US Congress. Unusual 8" x 10" calf autograph album with stamped gilt decoration and lettering, containing printed pages featuring the "Arms of Each State and other Appropriate Engravings, Containing the Autograph of the President and Congress." These engraved leaves with facsimile signatures are followed by blank pages upon which other autographs can be written. This amazing book contains the autographs of the following individuals: David Atchison, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Johnson, Howell Cobb, Alexander H. Stephens, Stephen A. Douglas, Hannibal Hamlin, Simon Cameron, John C. Calhoun, John A. Dix, Thomas Rusk, James A. Seddon, and many others including the entire 29th US Congress (which approved the annexation of Texas into the Union). Corners and edges of boards are well worn; upper cover is sunned and bears occasional stains. Textblock shows occasional foxing, but is generally fine. Not Sold. |
| 56053 | Louis Brandeis Autograph Letter Signed "Louis Brandeis ", one page, 6" x 7", Washington, D.C., November 15, 1939, to Elisha Friedman. In full: "I was sorry not to be able to see you on the 13th and to thank you orally for your thoughtful greeting. We should gain much if all members of the Publication Society could be made to read the poems collected under 'The Journey to Zion', and could understand why Jehuda Halevi wanted it. " Friedman was an active member of the Zionist movement and secretary of the University Zionist Society of New York. Yehuda Halevi was a Spanish Jewish philosopher and a poet born in 1075 in Tudela, Navarre, Spain. Halevi's works find joy in the thought of the "return"of his people to the Promised Land. He believed that perfect Jewish life was possible only in the Land of Israel. Fine. Not Sold. |
| 56054 | Louis Brandeis Autograph Letter Signed "Louis D. Brandeis" on Supreme Court letterhead, one page, 5" x 7", Washington, D.C., November 30, 1932; to Elisha Friedman, an economic consultant formerly employed by the Treasury Department and fellow Zionist. Brandeis writes: "My thanks to you for the kind birthday greeting and for 'Russia in Transition' an alluring volume to the study of which I am looking forward..." Very fine. Not Sold. |
| 56055 | Henry Clay Third Person Autograph Letter Signed "Mr. Clay" (twice) as Speaker of the House, one page, 8" x 4.5". Lexington [Kentucky]. July 20, 1818. In full, "Mr. Clay's Compliments to Mr. Cutts and he will be much obliged to him to deliver the inclosed packet to Mr Gales or Mr Seaton. What do you mean at Washington to do with Pensacola? The event of the occupation must be most embarrassing. Mrs Clay unites with Mr Clay in respectful compliments to Mrs. Cutts." To Richard Cutts, Massachusetts Congressman (1801-1813) and husband of Dolley Madison's sister, and Second Comptroller of the United States Treasury (1817-1829). The letter has folds and is toned at the perimeter, with mounting remnants at the edges. There is slight separation at two vertical folds in the lower blank area. Matting will eliminate these flaws. Darkly penned, the letter is, overall, in fine condition. On April 20, 1818, Speaker of the House Henry Clay adjourned the House of Representatives, the First Session of the 15th Congress, until November 16th, the opening of the Second Session, and returned to his home in Lexington, Kentucky, to spend the summer. Spanish Florida was inhabited by Seminole Indians, runaway slaves, and outlaws who would cross the border and raid southern U.S. towns. General Andrew Jackson was sent by President Monroe to drive the Seminole back into Florida. In late May 1818, not only did he achieve the President's goal, but he continued into Spanish territory and captured Pensacola, Florida's capital. He also captured, court-martialed, and hanged two Englishmen, Alexander Arbuthnot and Robert Ambrister, for providing weapons to the Seminoles and provoking them to war. Spain and Great Britain protested to Washington. Niles' Weekly Register of June 6, 1818, published in Baltimore, reported the execution as "an awful military act has been performed by general Jackson..." No doubt Henry Clay read about it in the newspapers which elicited this letter opining that U.S. occupation of Spanish Florida "must be most embarrassing" to the administration. It wasn't. Pres. Monroe's State of the Union Address was delivered to the House and the Senate on November 17, 1818, the second day of the Second Session of the 15th Congress. He wrote, in part, "In authorizing major general Jackson to enter Florida, in pursuit of the Seminoles, care was taken, not to encroach on the rights of Spain... In entering Florida...no idea was entertained of hostility to Spain... Copies of the instructions to the commanding general; of his correspondence with the Secretary of War, explaining his motives, and justifying his conduct, with a copy of the proceedings of the courts martial, in the trial of Arbuthnot and Ambrister; and of the correspondence between the Secretary of State and the minister plenipotentiary of Spain, near this government: and of the minister plenipotentiary of the United States, at Madrid, with the government of Spain, will be laid before Congress." Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1821 and, as vindication of his actions, Andrew Jackson was appointed Military Governor by Pres. Monroe who had been reelected in 1820 without opposition. At the next election, in 1824, Clay ran for President against Jackson and two Monroe cabinet members, Adams and Crawford.Not Sold. |
| 56056 | Henry Clay Autograph Letter Signed "H. Clay", two pages, 8" x 10", Ashland [Kentucky], April 22, 1841, addressed to "John C. Largent, Esq.". Known as the "Great Compromiser", Clay was Secretary of State under John Q. Adams. He later ran for the presidency, but lost to Andrew Jackson and later James K. Polk. In this letter full of comments on the politics of the day, he writes, "Prior to the receipt of your favor, I had seen in the newspapers that Morris was elected Mayor of N. York. I was glad that his majority was not greater. I am sorry to observe without being able to account for, the falling off in the Whig vote at Albany . . . You are aware that some seventeen or eighteen years ago there was a publication of my speeches. Since then I have spoken a great deal - perhaps entirely too much . . . Several friends have addressed me orally & by letter, from time to time, urging . . . a comprehensive publication . . . From all that I know and hear of Tyler, he will not disappoint us. He wants Harrison's popularity, and so far we shall suffer. His administration too is in the nature of a Regency, and Regencies' are often factious, weak . . ." Slight separation at folds, otherwise fine.Not Sold. |
| 56057 | Henry Clay Autograph Letter Signed "H. Clay," as U.S. Senator from Kentucky, one page, 8" x 10". Washington, June 28, 1838. To ten named Whig leaders of Philadelphia. In full, "I am greatly obliged by the invitation to unite with the Whigs of the City and County of Philadelphia, in the celebration of the approaching anniversary of American Independence, which, as a Committee in their behalf, you did me the honor to transmit, and by the friendly expressions with which you have accompanied it. The day, the recent rejection of the Government Bank, after the most persevering exertions of the Federal Administration to pass it, against the manifest opinion of the people, and the encouraging prospect before me of better and brighter times, would have added greatly to the pleasure which I should have derived from meeting you on an occasion so agreeable; but my public duties detain me here, and will not allow me the gratification of joining you. Under these circumstances, I request permission to transmit a sentiment, which I hope may be acceptable to our friends: The rejection of the Government Bank - a triumph of the People, achieved by their love of Liberty, unheralded from their ancestors, who immortalized this glorious day." On February 19, 1838, Senator Henry Clay passionately spoke for 4½ hours on the Senate floor against the passage of the Sub-Treasury bill which would establish a Government bank managed by the Treasury Department, controlled by the Democratic administration of Martin Van Buren. Calvin Colton in The Life and Times of Henry Clay (New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1846) writes that this speech "stands like the tallest pyramid in the Egyptian sands, when regarded as an enduring structure, and like Atlas for its firmness and imposing aspects...History never before demanded precisely such an argument, and will probably never again furnish an exactly similar occasion." Notwithstanding Clay's oratory, on March 26th, the Senate approved the bill 27-25. But, on June 25, 1838, after long debate, by a vote of 125 to 111, the House defeated it. Three days later, a jubilant Henry Clay wrote this letter. He extols the "triumph of the People." It should be remembered that before 1914, the people only elected members of the House; state legislators elected U.S. Senators. On watermarked paper with circular wax seal remnants on verso showing through in blank areas. Fine condition. Not Sold. |
| 56058 | Jefferson Davis Autograph Quotation Signed. Penned on a 4.25" x 3.5" piece of cardboard, Beauvoir, Mississippi, March 22, 1882. Following the Civil War and several years spent in prison, Jefferson Davis traveled widely and dedicated himself to writing his memoirs, including two histories of the Confederate States of America. Shortly after completing The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government, Davis penned this brief note. In full: "'God is love' Jefferson Davis Beauvoir, Mipi. 22nd March 1882." Glue/paper remnants on verso. Moderate soiling to lower right corner, else fine. Sold for: $836.50. |
| 56059 | John Hay Three Typed Letters Signed "John Hay," as McKinley's Secretary of State, each one page, one measures 5" x 8", two measure 7.75" x 9.75". Department of State, Washington, December 5, 1899. Folds, else in mint condition. (1) To Charles Pitts Robinson, Esquire, The Hamilton. In full, "I enclose the letters if introduction of which I spoke to you this morning, and remain, Very sincerely yours." (2) To U.S. Ambassador William F. Draper, Rome. In full, "I take pleasure in introducing Mr. Charles Pitts Robinson of Rhode Island, an eminent lawyer of that State, who is visiting Italy for pleasure and recreation. He is very much interested in the history of Cavour, and I should be glad if you could find it in your power to put any facilities in his way for the prosecution of this study." (3) To the Diplomatic and Consular Officers of the United States "introducing Mr. Charles Pitts Robinson, an eminent lawyer of Rhode Island, who is visiting Europe for pleasure and recreation..." (4) The original diplomatic pouch, 8.25" x 3.5", containing the previous letter, soiled, with tear at upper left. John Hay (1838-1905), secretary to President Abraham Lincoln from 1861-1865, was Secretary of State under Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt (1898-1905). The day these letters were written, President McKinley delivered his State of the Union Address to Congress. After a tribute to Vice President Hobart who died on November 21, 1899, President McKinley began his address, "The Fifty-sixth Congress convenes in its first regular session with the country in a condition of unusual prosperity, of universal good will among the people at home, and in relations of peace and friendship with every government of the world." With Vice President Hobart's death, John Hay, as Secretary of State, became next in line to the presidency.Sold for: $298.75. |
| 56060 | Excessively Rare Holograph Letter Signed by Supreme Court Justice, James Iredell. LS, "Ja. Iredell ", one page, 8" x 11", front and verso, [n.p., n.d.], in ink. In full, "I inclose you an application of Joseph F. Anthony of Newbern soliciting the appointment of Midshipman for his son Francis, together with the accompanying papers & ask for them your favorable consideration. I knew Capt. Anthony for several years when we were both young & have seen him occasionally since. He has been for some years a respectable Shipmaster out of the Port of Newbern - during the last war he was first or second officer on board of the Snap-Dragon in (I believe) all her cruises and was highly esteemed by the commander of that Vessel, Capt. Burns - I am very respectfully Your obedient servant. The Hon: Ja. Iredell ". An extremely rare autographed letter from Supreme Court Justice James Iredell, possibly to the first Secretary of the Navy, Ben Stoddert in 1798. Iredell served as Attorney General of North Carolina, as a member of the Council of State in 1787, supported the adoption of the Constitution in the constitutional ratification convention in 1788, and served as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1790 until his death in 1799. Uniform toning, vertical and horizontal folds. Very fine condition.Sold for: $2,629.00. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56061 | William Paterson Rare Partly-Printed Document Signed "Wm. Paterson" as Governor of New Jersey, four pages, 13.25" x 8.5", Burlington, New Jersey, February 2, 1792. This document approved the authenticity of ". . . the last Will and Testament of John Wilkins late of the city of Burlington. . . ." Attached to the certification is a fair copy of Wilkins' will dated Burlington, February 20, 1786. When the War for Independence broke out, Paterson joined the vanguard of the patriots and served in the Provincial Congress (1775-1776), Constitutional Convention (1776), and Council of Safety (1777). He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and co-authored the Paterson Plan which asserted the rights of the small states. He signed the Constitution and supported its ratification. He was Senator (1789-1790) and Governor (1790-1793) of New Jersey, and was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (1793-1806). William Paterson is one of the rarest signers of the United States Constitution and this is a fine example of his autograph. Some marginal tears and chips, one corner folded over by embossed seal, lightly toned, else in very fine condition with a bold, dark signature.Sold for: $3,107.00. |
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Autographs |
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| 56062 | Joseph Reed Autograph Letter Signed "Jos. Reed," 2 pages, 7.75" x 13.75", front and verso, Philadelphia, December 9, 1784. Affixed to the left of Reed's signature is a 4.75" x 1.75" portion of the address leaf with "9 DE" and "Free" postmarks, addressed by Reed to "The Hon. Elbridge Gerry Esqr." Gerry, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, later served as Madison's Vice President. In part: "...Your Acceptance of a deal in Congress was an unexpected Pleasure as I was informed you had utterly declined it. Indeed your long Service might have intitled you to claim some Indulgence, but it is the more generous in you to waive it - & your Experience now enables you to render more important service. I was appointed without my Concurrence & with express Leave to consult my private Affairs which I must do to a considerable Degree if Congress remains at Trenton. But the Gentlemen in the Delegation conform so generally in Sentiment with each other & with those Interests which I particularly respect that I have the less Concern on that Head. You will find them Men of Principle & possessing Such Ideas of Government as I think you approve - I had heard of the Candidate for the Treasury & think with you a better may be found. Mr. Pettit's Talents lay in that Line & he is a Man of Principle. Take him in Temper, Skill in Acc[oun]ts & real Integrity... I do not know the Value of the Appointment but I believe he will accept it if the Scale is not so parsimonious. He is not a man of Expense, Dissipation or Intrigue so that less will be necessary. Since I began this Letter I find he will accept but is far from solliciting & then I have it..." Reed had recently returned from England where he had gone for his health. On November 29, 1784, Congress had been notified that on November 16, the General Assembly of Pennsylvania had elected Joseph Reed and four others "to represent this State in the Congress of the United States for ensuing year." He then expresses his pleasure upon learning that Gerry had accepted his reelection to Congress which had also been announced on November 29th. From November 1 to December 24, 1784, the Continental Congress met in French Arms Tavern in Trenton, New Jersey, and Reed notes that he must take care of his private affairs if he is to go to Trenton. He no doubt hoped that the Congress would move back to Philadelphia where he resided. In January, the Continental Congress moved to New York City. Reed, who had served in the Continental Congress in 1778, declined his election to Congress for health reasons. He died in Philadelphia on March 5, 1785 at the age of 43, just three months after writing this letter. Mr. Pettit, mentioned by Reed, was his brother-in-law, Charles Pettit, then a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. On January 25, 1785, Congress elected John Lewis Gervais, Samuel Osgood and Walter Livingston as "three Commissioners to constitute a board of Treasury." Not chosen for the Treasury, the Pennsylvania state legislature elected Pettit to Congress, ostensibly to replace Joseph Reed. The letter has glue stains, mostly visible at the right edge of the second page, light foxing and toning, with slight separation at the edges of folds. Darkly penned; overall in very good condition. Not Sold. |
| 56063 | Baseball - Alfred Emanuel Smith Typed Letter Signed, three pages on State of New York Executive Chamber stationary with gold-embossed seal, 8" x 10.5", April 29, 1925, to The Sheriff of Albany County (a position Smith previously held). A detailed letter concerning the "Albany baseball pool" and the need to prosecute offenders. "I am of the opinion that it is operating in violation of the law and the State of New York cannot be the headquarters for the operation of pools of any kind..." Smith (1873-1944) was the Democratic candidate for President against Herbert Hoover in 1928 and was the first Catholic nominated. With light soiling and paperclip stain at top, otherwise near fine. Excellent!Not Sold. |
| 56064 | Joseph Story Autograph Letter Signed, "Joseph Story", dated August 13, 1816, Salem [Massachusetts], one page, 7.75" x 9.75". To Henry A. S. Dearborn, the son of the former United States Secretary of War, who had worked in Story's Salem law office before being admitted to the Massachusetts bar. At the time of this letter, Dearborn was collector of customs in Boston, after having served as Brigadier General commanding the Volunteers in the defense of Boston Harbor in the War of 1812. Story's letter reads in part: "I received your translation of the French Treatise on Pastel... I have felt it my duty to acknowledge in a more permanent manner my obligation to you for your kind and valuable present...warm thanks of all who feel interested in the agricultural and manufacturing establishments of our country. Real independence is to be acquired only by endeavouring to cultivate within ourselves as far as we can the arts of peace and the arts of war." Docketed by Dearborn on verso. Clear, dark script. Paper professionally strengthened and repaired to fine condition with the usual folds. In November 1811, at the age of thirty-two, Joseph Story became, by President Madison's appointment, the youngest appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, a record he continues to hold today. Not Sold. |
| 56065 | Charles Sumner Autograph Letter Signed, "Charles Sumner", 3pp., 10" x 8" folded to 5" x 8", "Senate Chamber", Washington, D. C., April 11, 1872. Letter is written on only one page of the four and reads in large part: "Private... I have labored constantly to assure the triumph of Liberty & Equality. My nature must change before I can be otherwise than devoted to this cause... I agree with Mr. Stanton in his dying legacy to me that Gen'l Grant is 'unfit' to be Presdt. On this point my conviction is profound, & I wish to save my country, & the cause of good govt. & the African race from the prolonged rule of such a man with whom the Presidency is nothing but a plaything or a perquisite [sic]. What I think it may be my duty to do should the Republican Convention commit the suicidal folly of proposing him for another lease of power, is still undetermined. Not without anxiety do I look to that contingency & you may be sure that I shall do what in my judgt. seems my duty, never forgetting the colored race. Why does Grant insist upon dividing the party? His name divides when it ought to unite. A true patriotism would make him withdraw & give us peace. Any other person nominated by the Republican Convention would be elected almost without opposition. But the playthings & perquisite are too tempting to the Presdt." Statesman, lawyer and leader of the antislavery forces in Massachusetts, Senator Charles Sumner's uncompromising nature and powers of persuasion were instrumental in the struggle to end slavery and gaining civil and voting rights for freedmen. His bitter conflict with President Grant contributed to his eventual loss of power and position beginning in 1871, when Sumner blocked Grant's plan to annex Santo Domingo and Grant countered by having his Senate supporters remove Sumner from the chairmanship of the Committee on Foreign Relations, a position he had occupied since 1861. Subsequently, Sumner broke from the Republican Party and campaigned for the Liberal Republican Horace Greeley in 1872. He died in 1874, having never regained his influential position. Uniform toning, some wear along folds, rough margins, signature bold and clear, very good condition.Sold for: $567.63. |
| 56066 | Vinson Court Photograph Signed "Felix Frankfurter," "Hugo L. Black," "Fred M. Vinson," "Stanley Reed," "Wm O Douglas," "Tom C. Clark," "Robert H. Jackson," "Harold H Burton," and "Sherman Minton." Black and white image by Fabian Bachrach, 13.25" x 10.5", taken in October 1949 shortly after Truman's Attorney General Tom C. Clark was sworn as Associate Justice, signed on the mat. "October Term 1949" has been penned at the bottom center by Justice Burton. This photograph is not the usual, staid portrait of the nine members Supreme Court of the United States one expects to see. In the August 19, 1961 issue of The Saturday Evening Post, the article "The Flattering Camera - inside the Bachrach photographic-portrait studios" published this image for the first time, telling the following story: "When Tom C. Clark was appointed an associate justice, Bachrach went to Washington to photograph the new court. Fabian was behind the camera, and William V. Pennington, a man's photographer from New York, was acting as his assistant. Wanting the subjects more compactly grouped, Pennington said, 'Justice Clark, will you move to the left?' At this request Chief Justice Frederick M. Vinson threw up his hands in mock horror, rolled his eyes and intoned, 'Oh, God forbid!' The court burst into laughter, and Fabian caught their gleeful moment with high-speed flash." Ideologically, Chief Justice Vinson usually voted with conservative justices Frankfurter, Reed, Jackson, and Burton, against liberals Black, Douglas, Frank Murphy, and Wiley Rutledge. When Murphy and Rutledge died in 1949, they were replaced by conservatives Clark and Minton; that is why Pennington's request that Clark "move to the left" elicited a reaction of mock horror from the Chief Justice. Only ten prints were made of the resulting picture. Each justice received one, and the tenth hangs in Pennington's camera room in the Bachrach studio for men in New York City. It is not known if any of the other nine prints were signed. On the verso, Burton has penned: "1950/Supreme Court of the United States/(snapped between formal pictures of the Court)/(The plate, I understand, has been destroyed but/this 'candid shot' has been distributed by/the photographer to members of the Court)." Justice Burton has then listed the Court members depicted. A portion of the Post article has been stapled on verso, beneath Burton's notes. Double-framed under glass on both sides to 17.5" x 15". Overall in apparent fine condition.Sold for: $6,572.50. |
| 56067 | Daniel Webster Inscribed Copy of A Discourse in Commemoration of the Lives and Services of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, 62 pages, 5.5" x 9". Boston: Cummings, Hilliard and Company, 1826. Inscribed on the cover, "Judge Davis with the best regards of the author". Webster, a prominent statesman and renowned orator, delivered this discourse on August 2, 1826, in Faneuil Hall, Boston, commemorating the lives of Adams and Jefferson who died on the same day, July 4, 1826. This booklet is in very fine condition; usual wear on the edges from age and storage; some small tears on the outer pages near the edges; slight soiling on the covers; otherwise in very good condition.Sold for: $896.25. |
| 56068 | Daniel Webster Manuscript Letter Signed "Danl Webster" as Secretary of State, six pages, 8" x 13", front and verso. Department of State, Washington, April 13, 1842. To "Hon. Millard Fillmore,/Ch[airma]n. Comm[itt]ee. of Ways and Means/House of Representatives." In part, "I have the honor to receive your note of the 16th February, enclosing a copy of a resolution of the House of Representatives, and requesting information thereon. In reply I have the honor to state that there are no officers employed by this Department who are not clearly provided for by law, independent of the appropriation acts, except the Superintendent and watchmen of the Northeast Executive Building..." Webster explains the exceptions adding that "it may perhaps be considered necessary to include in the bill to be reported, a clause providing for the salary paid to the Drogoman [interpreter] to the Legation to Turkey [and] the salary of the Consul at London." On February 15, 1842, Tennessee Congressman Meredith Gentry had made a motion "that the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, to which said [appropriations] bill [No. 74] is committed, be instructed to strike out every clause or item of appropriation which is not authorized by existing laws." Fillmore then wrote to Webster. According to the "Journal of the House of Representatives," on April 14, 1842 (after Congressman Fillmore received Secretary of State Webster's reply to his February 16th letter), "Mr. Fillmore moved the following resolution, viz: Resolved, That all debate upon the bill of this House (No. 74) making appropriations for the civil and diplomatic expenses of Government which was taken up in Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union on the 8th day of February last, shall cease in said committee on Saturday next, at 12 o'clock meridian, and the committee shall proceed to vote on all amendments pending, or that may be offered to said bill, and then report the said bill and all amendments which may have been agreed to the House, unless the same shall be sooner reported to the House." The resolution passed 100-73. On Saturday, April 16, 1842, the appropriations bill passed the House and, on May 16th, the Senate; on May 18, 1842, President Tyler signed it into law. Accompanied by an engraved portrait of Webster. The edges of each sheet of Webster's letter are folded and curled; the original string tying the pages together is present. There is minor feathering of ink affecting the "eb" of the signature. Webster would also serve as Fillmore's Secretary of State when Fillmore succeeded to the presidency upon President Zachary Taylor's death. Fine condition. Sold for: $597.50. |
| 56069 | Daniel Webster Autograph Letter Signed "Danl Webster", 2pp., 8" x 10", Washington, Jan. 30, 1833. To Hampden Cutts regarding the proper legal form and presentation for the presentation of memorials. In part: "...Perhaps it will answer the purpose, if you drew up a short memorial for Mr. Balch - stating that since joining in the former memorial, by atty, he has learned that it may be better to apply, in his own name...In all other respects the memorial seems right, except perhaps that after saying that the Barques sailed, & having on board a cargo of rum & molasses, it might have been well to add & the specie herein after mentioned..." With attached integral cover addressed in Webster's hand and docketed by Cutts. With two additional autograph letters signed by Cutts to Webster regarding other maritime matters. In a letter from Wethersfield, VT, dated Sept. 16, 1833, Cutts informs Webster of evidence "to support the claims for the robbery of the Barque Mary by French privateers... The Capt & Mate are both dead... We have no evidence to show that the property taken went to the use of the French government other than what is contained in the original protest..." A second later, dated March 27, 1834 asks Webster for an update on the same case: "...I wish to know the situation of two French claims of which you have the charge before the commissioners. The case is that of the Barque Mary, Capt. Balch, robbed in 1805 and the claims of Edward Cutt late of Portsmouth N.H. as chief owner & that of the estate of George W. Balch as part owner and Master of said vessel." Although the initial claims originated during the war with Tripoli and the Barbary Coast thirty years prior, they were still being adjudicated. Three items, all in very good to near fine condition.Sold for: $358.50. |
| 56070 | Collection of 19th American Statesmen and Author Signatures. A lot of fourteen signatures in various formats including: William H. Seward clipped signature, 4" x 1", with an engraving portrait of the politician 4.5" x 7.75", excised from a book; Secretary of War John H. Eaton, ALS, October 27, 1852; Secretary of the Treasury George W. Campbell DS, 7.75" x 10.25", February 28, 1814, with the usual fold creases, very good; Secretary of the Treasury Robert Walker DS, 7.75" x 10", June 19, 1848, in fine condition; Secretary of the Treasury A. J. Dallas DS and a clipped signature; author Alvina Lincoln Phelps ALS, 7" x 8.25", June 30, 1851, mounted to a backing sheet, paper cockled with areas of loss at the top third not affecting text, very good; Treasury Secretary Louis McLane DS, 7.75" x 10", May 4, 1833, with old fold creases, else very good; Attorney General John J. Crittenden ALS, 7.75" x 9.75", Washington, April 4, 1846, with the usual folds, else very good; Secretary of State John M. Clayton LS, 8" x 8", Washington, May 7, 1849, with the usual fold creases, else very good; Secretary of War Jacob Crowninshield DS, 7.25" x 3", Boston, December 12, 1794, toned else a very good example; Secretary of War William Eustis DS, 6.5" x 3.25", May 20, 1790, fine; Secretary of the Treasury Thomas Corwin ADS, 5.75" x 9.25", December 17, 1854, with the usual fold creases, else very good; and Massachusetts Congressman William B. Calhoun clipped signature. "W. B. Calhoun", 5.5" x 2", fine. Overall condition is very good to near fine. Sold for: $388.38. |
| 56071 | John Geddes Constitutional Amendment Letter Signed "John Geddes" as Governor of South Carolina, one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Charleston, September 13, 1819. With integral leaf addressed in another hand to "His Excellency/The Governor/of Pennsylvania" (William Findlay). Postmarked "Chalsn. SC Sep 23." A printed letter signed in ink by the South Carolina Governor. In full, "I have the honor to forward you herewith the Resolution of the House of Representatives of this State, on the recommendation of the State of North-Carolina, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, to establish a uniform mode of Electing Electors of President and Vice-President, which has been rejected by that body." Beneath which is the printed proceedings taken from the Journals of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, Columbia, December 2nd and 3rd, 1818. In part:"The Committee of the whole to whom was referred the Report of the Judiciary Committee, recommending the adoption of the amendment of the Constitution of the United States, proposed by the State of North-Carolina, report, That they have had the same under consideration; and report that it is inexpedient to request our Senators and Representatives in Congress to endeavor to obtain the said amendment to the Constitution of the United States. And on the question to agree to the said Report, the Yeas and Nays were required, and are as follows, Yeas 82 - Nays 29. The question being decided in the affirmative, consequently the Report of the Committee of the whole was agreed to." Lengthy docket on address leaf in unknown hand: "From/His Excellency/The Governor of/the State of South Carolina/enclosg. a resolution of the/House of Representatives/of that State Proposing/an amendment to the/Constitution of the United/States./2 copies made out for the Legislature." John Geddes (1777-1828) was Governor of South Carolina from 1818-1820. Creased at left edge. Lightly soiled, tears at edge of address leaf. Overall, in fine condition.Not Sold. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56072 | Rare Hartford Convention Proceedings pamphlet and newspaper extra. Each has identical content. (1) Pamphlet The/Proceedings/of a/Convention of Delegates,/from the States of/Massachusetts, Connecticut,/and Rhode-Island;/the Counties of Cheshire and/Grafton,/in the State of New Hampshire;/and the/County of Windham,/in the State of Vermont;-/Convened at/Hartford,/in the/State of Connecticut,/December 15th, 1814, Hartford: Printed for Andrus and Starr, 1815, 40 pages, 5.5" x 9". The last 12 pages, titled "Statements," lists expenses of the War of 1812, Treasury receipts, yearly revenue and expenditures since the adoption of the Constitution, number of soldiers and enlistments, internal duties collected by the U.S. in the first two quarters of 1814 by state, and annual exports per state. Fine condition. (2) Newspaper Extra Connecticut Courant, Extra, January 6, 1815. The Proceedings of a Convention of Delegates...(same title as the pamphlet above), three pages on two conjoined sheets, 12" x 18.75". Printed on three pages; verso of third page blank. Four columns of text on first two pages, three columns of figures on the third page. Fine condition. On June 18, 1812, President Madison signed a declaration of war against Great Britain. In the presidential election of 1812, every New England state except Vermont voted Federalist, against Madison, the Democratic-Republican nominee. The Federalists were opposed to Madison's mercantile policies and the War of 1812. The British blockaded the New England ports which depended on trade with Europe. The war had a crippling effect on their fishing industry and foreign commerce. On October 18, 1814, the Massachusetts legislature issued a call to the other New England states for a conference in Hartford, Connecticut. Representatives were sent by the state legislatures of Connecticut (7), Massachusetts (12), and Rhode Island (4). One delegates from a county in Vermont and one delegate each from two New Hampshire counties were elected by Federalists. The meetings of the 26 representatives were held in secret from December 15, 1814 to January 5, 1815. There were delegates who contemplated secession and a separate peace with Britain. The convention adopted a strong states' rights position and proposed seven constitutional amendments that would redress what the New Englanders considered the unfair advantage given the South under the U.S. Constitution. The news of the Treaty of Ghent ending the war and of Gen. Andrew Jackson's victory at New Orleans arrived at about the same time as the ending of the Hartford Convention. Because the meetings were secret, there were rumors that it was a secessionist convention which irreparably damaged the reputation of the Federalist Party. Many called it treason. In the presidential election of 1816, the Federalists only won Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Delaware, losing the other 34 states to the Democratic-Republicans and James Monroe. It was their last presidential campaign. Shortly thereafter, the Federalist Party dissolved. Sold for: $1,792.50. |
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Autographs |
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| 56073 | Brigham Young Letter Signed "Brigham Young", two pages, 8" x 9.75", "G.S.L. City", July 7, 1862, to a "Mr. J. William Anderson". Explaining the reasons for minting gold coins, Young writes: "I have to inform you that in an early day of our settlement here, when coin was scarce and Cal. gold dust tolerably plenty but unhandy in that shape, for convenience sake dies for twenty, ten, five, and two and a half dollar gold pieces were made, and the gold dust in the market was coined. Small amounts have been coined since the aforesaid date, at times when gold dust has accumulated here sufficient to make it pay to do so, but such amounts are scarcely worth mentioning since the Government began coining in California. There are two dies for the five dollar piece, the one made recently being quite different from the old one. / Should you wish any specimens of the coins made here, they will be remitted, if to be found in the market, upon receipt of your selection accompanied by the corresponding amount either in gold or Government currency, by mail at your risk, unless you prefer waiting an opportunity for their being forwarded by hands of some trusty person going from here to your region of country. / Respectfully / Brigham Young". Stain on verso creates shadow along left side, but legibility is clear. Light edge wear and the usual folds. Brigham Young signature is bold and dark. Beginning in the late 1820s, an extended period of growth and prosperity began in the United States. Although based largely on land speculation, this expansion was intensified by a series of gold strikes that brought new wealth to parts of northern Georgia and the Carolinas, California, Oregon, and finally Colorado. All of these areas shared a common problem: it was hazardous and costly to transport gold dust to Philadelphia for assay and coining. This led to local economies based largely on barter or the use of "pinches" of gold dust, a notoriously inaccurate method for simple commercial transactions. As in the nation at large, there was a shortage of circulating coinage before the gold strikes, which became acute with the sudden influx of thousands of miners. These wealthy regions were ignored by the federal government, whose prerogative it was to strike coinage and establish mints. While the U.S. Constitution expressly prohibited the states from issuing their own money, there was no law against individuals doing so. Private individuals and companies quickly stepped in to fill the void left by the federal government, producing coins and ingots referred to by numismatists as pioneer or territorial issues. While no gold was discovered in Utah, Mormon prospectors brought large quantities of California gold back to the Salt Lake City area. Brigham Young conceived the idea of a distinctive Mormon coinage, and four denominations of two-and-one-half, five, ten, and twenty-dollar coins were struck in 1849-50. While the ten dollar pieces featured the legend PURE GOLD, the other denominations (which were struck later) displayed the initials G.S.L.C.P.G. These stood for "Great Salt Lake City Pure Gold," an obvious misnomer as all the gold came from California. A second issue was produced in 1860 from bullion brought from strikes in Colorado. Mormon coins were the first of the Western territorials to be publicly vilified as lightweight and of low fineness. An assay performed on a group of more than $500 face value in Mormon coins in 1851 found the average ten-dollar piece contained only $8.52 in gold. When these figures became public knowledge, the coins were discounted 20-25% by bankers and merchants. Widespread melting followed, and as a result Mormon gold pieces are very rare today. Sold for: $21,510.00. |
| 56074 | Mark Hopkins Manuscript Letter Signed "Mark Hopkins," "C.P. Huntington," "Theo J. Millikin," "Geo Rowland," "L.H. Foote," "B.C. Whiting," "Jos. W. Winans," "C. Cole," "A.K.P. Harmon," "E.B. Crocker," and one unidentified signature ("Jno. G. ---"). To R.J. Stevens, Esq. In full, "Mrs. Henry J. Crabb is desirous of obtaining employment at the Branch U.S. Mint at San Francisco. Her husband as you are probably aware was formerly a prominent politician in this State and was massacred at Cavorca some years since. His wife who is a member of one of the oldest and most respectable Spanish families of California has by means of his death and disasters that have followed her family which at the time of her marriage was wealthy, been reduced to penury. She moreover has at present two children depending upon her for support. We cheerfully recommend her to you as a fit recipient of your patronage being assured that her appointment would in fact be a true charity." On light blue watermarked laid stationery. Folds, else in fine condition. Whig Henry A. Crabb was an active politician. He served in the California legislature in 1852 and 1853. A Mississippian who followed the Gold Rush to California in 1849, he introduced the bill that became the state's 1852 Fugitive Slave Law making it illegal for slaves to run away from their owners in California. Later that year, he introduced a resolution which asked Congress to protect California's redwoods. It failed. In 1856, Crabb unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate. Crabb was married to a member of the prominent Ainsa family of Sonora. Mexico. In 1857, there was political unrest in Sonora and Crabb was asked to help opposition leader Ignacio Pesqueira gain control of the Mexican state of Sonora, just south of Arizona. Crabb formed an army of almost 100 ex-miners and, in January 1857, sailed from San Francisco to Los Angeles, and marched into Sonora. By then, Pesqueira had gained control of Sonora, denied inviting Crabb, and called on his people to arm themselves against the invaders. Regarded as a filibuster, a military adventurer, Crabb felt it was his "right" to colonize Sonora; he called his group of men the Gadsen or Arizona Colonization Company. From April 1-6, 1857, a fierce battle ensued in the town of Caborca, culminating by the capture and execution of Crabb and his army except for a 15-year-old boy who managed to get back to Los Angeles and report what happened. Crabb was beheaded; his head was preserved in alcohol and put on display as a symbol of victory. Today, the city is called Heroica Caborca to commemorate the heroic men who defeated the invading Americans on April 6th, now an annual holiday in the city. It is not known if Mrs. Crabb obtained employment in the U.S. Mint. In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Robert J. Stevens as Superintendent of the branch of the Mint of the United States at San Francisco. Stevens was the son-in-law of his long-time friend, Edward D. Baker. Investigations into Stevens' professional conduct caused the President to dismiss him, reluctantly, in April 1863. Although undated, this letter must have been written between 1861 and 1863. Charles Crocker, Collis P. Huntington, Mark Hopkins, and Leland Stanford were instrumental in building the Central Pacific Railroad, the western portion of the First Transcontinental Railroad and developing California's railroad system. Known as the "Big Four," they supported Lincoln for President in 1860. The Central Pacific Railroad Co. was organized in April 1861. Crocker supervised construction; his brother Edwin B. Crocker was the railroad's attorney and succeeded him on the board when he resigned. Collis P. Huntington was Vice President of the Central Pacific and was later involved in establishing the Southern Pacific and other railroads. Mark Hopkins, Treasurer of the Central Pacific, had formed Huntington Hopkins and Company in 1855 to operate a hardware and iron business in Sacramento. Every project of the "Big Four" would not proceed without Hopkins' approval. Prominent lawyer Joseph W. Winans became president of the Board of Trustees of the California State Library in 1861. Cornelius Cole, Sacramento District Attorney (1859-1862), later represented California in the House and Senate. Oakland financier A.K.P. Harmon was a lumber and shipping magnate. George Rowland was a stockholder in the Central Pacific and later served as a director of the Rio Grande, Sierra Madre and Pacific Railroad Company of Mexico. General Lucius H. Foote later served as the first U.S. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Korea (1883-1885). In 1862, Pres. Lincoln appointed Billington C. Whiting as Attorney of the United States for the Southern District of California. He was later appointed by Pres. Johnson, and reappointed by Pres. Grant, as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the District of California. In the first Annual report of the Central Pacific Railroad issued in 1863, Milliken & Bros., Sacramento, is listed as a stockholder. The autograph of Mark Hopkins is rare in any form. Combined with the signatures of Collis P. Huntington and other prominent Californians trying to get employment for the Mexican-American widow of the leader of California's most notorious filibustering expedition into Mexico, this letter is especially significant.Not Sold. |
| 56075 | [Benjamin Franklin and David Hall] Manuscript Receipt An ADS by William Hall, 6" x 3", Dec. 5, 1772. A receipt made out to "Mr. Thomas Penrose the Sum of Four Pounds, Fifteen Shillings & sixpence in full for the Pennsylvania Gazette and Sundry Advertisements...to Franklin & Hall and Hall & Sellers for Franklin & Hall and Hall and Sellers." David Hall (1714-1772) came to America in 1743 and worked as a Journeyman in Franklin's shop. He and Franklin formed a partnership which lasted from 1748 until 1766. Hall maintained the business as Hall & Sellers, after Franklin sold his interest in 1766. Sellers continued the firm after Hall's death in 1774 in partnership with Hall's sons. The firm notably published the Pennsylvania Gazette (founded by Franklin) until 1804 and Continental Currency during the Revolution. An important association piece in near fine condition. With a second ADS on verso likely accomplished by an employee of the firm. Sold for: $358.50. |
| 56076 | William Clark Autograph Receipt Signed "Wm Clark ", one page, 7.75" x 6.5", front and verso, 29 April 1814, St. Louis, MO, in ink. In full, "Provision Return for forty three men under the command of Lt Sullivan for one day commanding and sending the 29th April no men 43 no days 1 no rations 164 ½ The Contractor will issue sixty four days of complete rations agreeable to the above return St Louis 29th April 1814 ", cosigned by " M Sullivan Lt". On verso is penned, "No 24th " and"29th ..." , and in pencil, "48 lb Pork 77 lb Flour 12 qts (m...) ", and math notations. A receipt for Lt. Sullivan to provide men and supplies for one day to William Clark. William Clark, along with Meriwether Lewis, is best known as one of the principal American explorers in the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the first American overland expedition to the Pacific Coast and back, leaving from Pittsburg on August 31, 1803, and returning to St. Louis on September 23, 1806. Following this, Clark was appointed brigadier general of the militia and superintendent of Indian Affairs in the Louisiana territory in 1809, governor of the Missouri Territory in 1813, and during the War of 1812 he led military campaigns and established the first post in what is now Wisconsin, returning to his position as superintendent of Indian Affairs until his death in 1838. This signed receipt for provisions, dated 1814, is from the period of his service in the War of 1812, when he was leading and outfitting military campaigns. Evenly toned with a few stray stains on verso, very heavily inked resulting in a few smears, else fine condition.Sold for: $2,390.00. |
| 56077 | William Clark Autograph Receipt Signed "Wm Clark ", one page, 7.75" x 7.75", front and verso, 1814, in ink. In full, "Provision return for eighty eight men of Capt Giesen command now in service of the united states for one day commencing the 27th and ending same day No men 88 No days 1- Rations/day 1½ Total 132 The Contractor will issue one hundred and thirty two complete rations agreeable to the above return the 27th 1814", cosigned by " L. Giesen Capt". On verso is penned, "No 20th " and "29th ...". A receipt for Capt. L. Giesen to provide to William Clark with men and supplies for one day. William Clark is best known as one of the leaders of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Serving with Meriwether Lewis, they led the first American overland expedition to the Pacific Coast and back, leaving from Pittsburg on August 31, 1803, and returning to St. Louis on September 23, 1806. In 1809 Clark was appointed brigadier general of the militia, superintendent of Indian Affairs in the Louisiana territory, and governor of the Missouri Territory in 1813. During the War of 1812 he led military campaigns and established the first post in what is now Wisconsin. After the war he returned to his position as superintendent of Indian Affairs until his death in 1838. This signed receipt for provisions, dated 1814, is from the period of his service in the War of 1812, when he was leading and outfitting military campaigns. Light toning over all, rough edges right and bottom with minor chipping al margins, usual folds with some wear, else fine condition with bold ink.Sold for: $2,390.00. |
| 56078 | William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody Autograph Letter Signed. ALS, "W.F. Cody" on Miller & Arlington Wild West Show Co. letterhead advertising "Buffalo Bill", 8.5" x 11", Hartford, Connecticut, July 13, 1916, to his attorney Henry Hersey. Cody writes that he is sending funds as requested and relates "A storm today came near putting us out of business. And electric - lightning [sic] and wind storm following several days of intense heat. It killed our afternoon house, and this is the best house in New England." Small paper loss at top corner, just touching on the elaborate illustration, small area of dampstaining at bottom. Usual mail folds and light creasing, otherwise very good condition. Sold for: $1,673.00. |
| 56079 | William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody Autograph Quote Signed, "W. F. Cody Buffalo Bill ", 4" x 2" card (sight), matted and framed to overall size of 11.5" x 9.5", St. Louis, Missouri, June 9, 1908. In full, "Do it first and don't miss." Framed beside possible transmittal cover and image of Cody. Signature is bold and clean, very fine condition. Sold for: $1,673.00. |
| 56080 | Frederick Douglass Autograph Quotation Signed. One page, 5" x 8", Washington, D.C., October 20, 1883. American abolitionist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer, Frederick Douglass knew John Brown through abolitionist circles but did not approve of Brown's intent to start a slave revolt, thinking that Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry would negatively influence public opinion against the abolition of slavery. However, years later, Douglass would recognize Brown's contribution to ending America's "peculiar institution." In full: "John Brown saw slavery through no mist or cloud but in a light of infinite brightness, which left no one of its ten thousand horrors concealed. Fred.k Douglass." Newspaper clipping affixed to interior page announcing Douglass' second marriage: "The Colored Septuagenarian Weds a Young White Woman." Fine. Moderate age toning; small tears at lower left/fold; slight separation at fold. Sold for: $8,365.00. |
| 56081 | Handwritten Receipt for Payment to an Auctioneer for "Crying" a Slave Auction. Manuscript document signed "J.L.F. Campbell / cryer", one page, 8" x 2.5", n.p., August 3, 1855. Receipt acknowledges payment of "two dollars for crying sale of Negroes on 25, Dec. 1854". Very clean paper and bold ink, near fine condition. Although slave bills of sale are quite plentiful, this is the first receipt we have seen referencing payment made to a slave auctioneer.Sold for: $448.13. |
| 56082 | Seneca Indian Archive - Autograph Letter Signed Completely in Seneca and a Document Signed by 24 Indians Including the Famous Seneca White Two pages, 8" x 10". The first item in this group is a very attractive full-page autograph letter signed of Seneca White (Indian name: Nis-Ha-Nea-Nent) completely in his native language and untranslated. He was an important Seneca Indian Chief who represented his tribe in various negotiations throughout the 1830s and 1840s. He was a contemporary of Red Jacket, yet exerted even more influence within his tribe during the period of Red Jacket's decline in favor. The next item also bears his closely matching signature and was done some seven years after the letter. The document reads, "It is hereby certified that a counsel of the Seneca Nation held on the Cattaraugus Reservation on the 22nd Day of February, 1847 Mans B. Pierce and Joseph Silverheels were duly appointed a delegation to proceed to Albany, and Washington City, DC, for the purpose of carrying out the views and intentions of the said counsel by presenting a memorial of the Chiefs and Warriors of the Seneca Tribe of Indians to the Legislature of New York..." It is signed by 24 of these chiefs and warriors. Some of the Anglicized names and those that are more recognizable include Seneca White, George Silverheels, John Tall Chief, and John Jacket Big Fire. Most, being not literate, have signed with an "X", however, Seneca White has fully and legibly signed his name. It can be assumed that the two items are related, since they were at one time attached as is evidenced by the residual blue on the verso of each. A phenomenal pair!Sold for: $1,792.50. |
| 56083 | Goldsbrow Banyar Manuscript Document Signed "G W Banyar D Secy" as Deputy Secretary of the Province of New York, eight pages, 8" x 12.75", front and verso. New York, June 16, 1769. A "true Copy of the Original in this Office" which had been signed (three by pictographs) at Johnson Hall on February 9, 1769, by four representatives of the Aughquageys, one of the Mohawk tribes. Johnson Hall in Johnstown, N.Y., was the residence of Sir William Johnson from 1763 until his death in 1774. In 1755, Johnson had been appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs with full powers to treat with the Six Nations (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, Tuscarora) in the British interest. In part, "We Jacob Petrus Peter and Adam being and effectually representing the whole Tribe of the Aughquageys send Greeting Whereas Colonel John Bradstreet and his Associates did Petition his Excellency Sir Henry Moore Baronet Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Province of New York...a tract of Land Beginning at the Mouth of a Creek called Canniskutty where it emptys into the Mohawk Branch of Delaware and at the Corner of Harpers purchase, and runing Northerly along the Line of said Purchase to the Mouth of a Creek called Onerihonit where it empty's into the Susquehana...containing by Estimation three hundred thousand Acres...And accordingly by these Presents at the said Publick meeting and Assembly held for the purpose with the Assistance of John Butler Esquire an Indian Interpreter to us well known Do for and in Consideration of the sum of Fourteen hundred Dollars lawful Money of the Province of New York to us in hand...for all the said Tract of Land herein before mentioned..." Goldsbrow Banyar (1724-1815) was appointed Deputy Auditor-General of the Province of New York in 1746 and then Deputy Secretary and Deputy Clerk of the Council and the Provincial Supreme Court. In 1764, Col. John Bradstreet (1711-1774) had led an expedition against the western Indians and negotiated a treaty with them at Detroit. Settling in Albany, he began to acquire land in the colony of New York. The property acquired here, located in New York between the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers, was more than a hundred miles west of Albany. Sir Henry Moore served as Royal Governor of New York from 1765-1769. "Harpers purchase" refers to the purchase by John Harper and his son, Col. John Harper, of 100,000 acres near the headwaters of the Delaware. The Colonel's son, John, was the first white male child born in Delaware County. John Butler (1728-1796) became leader of Butler's Rangers during the American Revolution and 1780 he led the bloody British raid of the Mohawk Valley. This document had been in the collection of the Chicago Historical Society (now called the Chicago History Museum). "Charles F. Gunther/Memorial/Chicago Historical Society" is embossed on each of the four sheets, stamped "Released CHS" in small lettering. On November 11, 1926, American Art Galleries in New York City sold "Autograph letters and documents" from "the Collection of the Late Charles F. Gunther...by order of the Chicago Historical Society." A copy of the ad in the November 7, 1926 edition of the New York Times is present. Clearly and darkly penned on both sides of four sheets of laid paper. Partially separated at the mid-horizontal folds. The first two sheets, pages 1-4, have the ornate 18th century "Maid of Dort" Pro Patria watermark, measuring 4" x 5". The Maid of Dort is a national symbol for Holland. Dort refers to Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland. Depicted are a seated maid holding a hat on the point of spear and a rampant lion brandishing a sword and holding a bundle of arrows, both located within a palisade. They represent Holland, surrounded by her fortified frontiers, maintaining liberty by the force of arms. Ironically, in 1664, a century before this land was sold, four English ships sailed into New Amsterdam's harbor and demanded and received New Netherland's surrender. The Dutch town of New Amsterdam and the colony of New Netherland were then renamed "New York."Not Sold. |
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Western Expansion |
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| 56084 | American Indian - A Fine Content Period Copy of a Letter from Colonel W. H. Wood, four pages, 8" x 10", "Cheyenne Agency, D[akota] T[erritory]", June 16, 1877, reporting to the post adjutant on a band of missing Sioux families from the reservation. The battles that raged the previous summer (including Little Big Horn), and Sitting Bull and his followers still at large, had left the agent in an anxious state as is evidenced by the tone of this report. In part: "...since my report of the 10th inst, the following named Indians with their families were found absent on ration day, the 13th inst. and are reported to have left this Agency, immediately after they had drawn their rations on the 6th inst. for Standing Rock Agency. D.T. So much time having elapsed, it was thought useless to pursue them." The colonel then proceeds to name the heads of the missing families which included: "'Swift cloud'...'Strikes in the breast.'...'Jumps the bush'... 'Hink'...'The Gasser'... 'White Thunder...' Good Thunder'... 'One flies with the cloud'...'Slow Bull'...[and] 'One stays with the whites'..." and their families totaling 64 people. The colonel further stated that on June 14, "the day after rations were issued, it was reported to me that another party of Indians had left the evening before for Standing Rock Agency, D.T. Scouts were at once sent in pursuit by direction of the Post Commander with orders to arrest and bring them back to this Agency. The Scouts returned last evening the 15th inst. bringing back nineteen Indians, four men, five women and ten children..." As a means of keeping these nomads in place, the colonel ordered that all their horses be taken away from them. Colonel Wood was mindful of the events of the previous summer; the prelude to Sitting Bull's rebellion was the mass exodus of Sioux families from the reservations in the Dakota Territory. Below Wood's statement, the copy includes an endorsement by General Alfred H. Terry who ordered the commander at the Standing Rock Agency "to send all such Indians back to their proper Agency..." File holes at margin, moderate dampstaining and soiling, else very good condition. Sold for: $717.00. |
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Miscellaneous |
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| 56085 | Three Treatises on Civilization and the Early Inhabitants of America. Lot includes: a 21-page handwritten report titled The Aborigines of America, a 24-page typed treatise titled Something of the Aboriginal Inhabitants of Columbia County, and a 10-page handwritten thesis titled Civilization not Barbarism: The Original and Natural State of Man. Compiled and written by C.O. Johnson of Allegheny College, circa 1860, these reports cover every aspect of the "aboriginal culture" of America, from its probable arrival in North America via the Siberian land bridge to the languages, customs, and social structures of native populations. The two handwritten essays are in generally fine condition (one page is heavily soiled, others are chipped and torn at edges); the typed treatise is heavily age toned and fragile.Sold for: $478.00. |
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Autographs |
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| 56086 | Native American Land Deed, a True Copy Dated April 29, 1749. Two pages, 8.75" x 12.25", n.p. The document begins, "Upon the 30th day of July 1685 these following highland Indians appeared before Mr. Johannes Wendell and Mr. Gerrit Bankor Justices of the Peace of Albany Colony . . ." The deed discusses land on the bank of the Hudson River and was certified by the "Secretary's Office New York the 29 April 1749". This "true copy" records the names of original signers as well as the marks of Indian signers. It is interesting to note that both male and female Indians were signers of the deed. This document, worthy of further historical research, has three horizontal folds, but remains in very good condition. Sold for: $1,434.00. |
| 56087 | Boston Newspaper Archive of Five Complete Issues, 1779-1793, two issues of the Independent Chronicle (9.5" x 15.5", May 13 and July 1, 1779, printed by "Nathaniel Willis, Opposite the Court-House"); one issue of the Massachusetts Sentinel (9" x 14", Nov. 15, 1786, printed by "Benjamin Russell, near the State-House, Boston"); and two issues of the Boston Gazette (11.5" x 17.75", Nov. 25 and Dec. 30, 1793, printed by "Benjamin Edes & Son, Kilby Street, Boston"). The top of the Sentinel masthead has been removed, but no text has been lost. The archive includes interesting articles covering American Indians ("The infamy of the Indian character is completed by the low rank to which they degrade their women . . . "); the freeing of slaves to fight the British ("We hear a proposal is talked of among the southern gentlemen, in case the enemy should not soon evacuate Georgia of manumitting a number of the blacks . . . "); the capture of General G. S. Silliman ("Saturday night last, Brigadier-General Stillman [sic] and his son . . . were taken from the General's house, in Fairfield, by a party of about ten tories . . . "); John Hancock's health (". . . we with satisfaction announce, that Mr. Hancock's health is much better than for years past . . ."); and more. Some issues have chipping, stains, and tears at the center fold, but all are in at least fair condition. Not Sold. |
| 56088 | King Kalakaua I of Hawaii, Autograph Letter Signed, four pages, 4.25" x 7", on stationary with the embossed royal cipher in silver, August 9, 1882, Honolulu. The letter is an acknowledgement of a received letter and a circular requesting that the Kingdom of Hawaii send a representative. King Kalakaua accepts the invitation on behalf of his government and further tells his unnamed correspondent of his intention to send six young Hawaiian men to the United Kingdom. Four young men will serve an apprenticeship in civil engineering to a civil engineering firm in Glasgow. The king proposes that the other two men be sent to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, to learn military engineering. Kalakaua sent some young men to Italy for training, but "turned my mind to have these young men sent to England, and preferring Woolwich, having visited during my visit in England." The year before, in 1881, King Kalakaua became the first king to travel around the world when he traveled to the United States, Japan, China, Siam, Burma, British India, Egypt, Italy, Belgium, the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, France, Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. During his travels, Kalakaua met many crowned heads of state, including Queen Victoria. The letter is tipped into a copy of Unwritten Literature of Hawaii: The Sacred Songs of the Hula by Nathaniel B. Emerson, (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1909). The book is inscribed "S. Percy Smith from W. D. Alexander, 1910". All three men, Emerson, Smith, and Alexander, were actively involved in the debate over the morality of the hula dance. Under the reign of King Kalakaua , hula was revived, which had been banned by the missionaries in the 1820s after being deemed immoral. The king's love of joyful elements of life earned the nickname "the Merrie Monarch". The book spine is weak, but the letter is near fine. A very interesting lot. Sold for: $3,107.00. |
| 56089 | Early Hawaii Autograph Letter Signed, four pages, 7.5" x 9.5", Sandwich Islands, March 1, 1853, written to Edward Masters from his cousin, Samuel L. Masters. The letter reads in part: "Cousin Edward, I have this day transmitted to my Brother Augustus a draft sufficient to cover any doubt that I am in the world. I have directed him after taking up my . . . with John T. to enclose you a check . . . The balance you will pay over to my friend Wm Newcomb - he let me have a pair of new boots when I was barefooted and I wish to pay him . . . for them he is poor & sick but . . . hearted & wish he was worth one hundred thousand dollars he would do so much good with . . . I read a letter from Wm. Newcomb dated 1st February he said nothing in relation to the Schaqhtioch people - I felt anxious to hear - and I sometimes feel sad . . . I think that I shall never see a good many of them again and perhaps none . . . My courtroom is in the same building where the Supreme Court is held which is a much more costly & larger courtroom than the . . . it was originally built for the King's palace . . . and I preside with all the dignity imaginable listening to the arguments . . . and I have got so now that I understand all the ropes - and technical phrases and get along first rate, I generally get through with my court business by eleven or twelve o'clock and the remaining part of the day nothing to do . . . and the missionaries all look to me to punish all immigrants and . . . I have to carry my leniency straight strictly to talk & etc. etc. . . ." Sandwich Islands was founded in 1778 by Captain James Cook and named after his friend, John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich. In 1810, the Hawaiian Islands were united for the first time under the rule of King Kamehameha the Great. He established the House of Kamehameha, a dynasty that ruled over the kingdom until 1872. Missionaries cared for the sick and dying in Hawaii during outbreaks of measles and whooping cough in 1848 and smallpox in 1853. At the same time, others of the Mission fought the spread of disease by working to establish healthy practices. The work of the Mission was not limited to the Hawaiian Islands. At the request of the Mission Board in Massachusetts, a small contingent of missionaries stationed at the Honolulu Mission Station was called to the distant islands of the Marquesas. This letter is in very good condition. Sold for: $388.38. |
| 56090 | Louisiana Territory. A very fine content letter written by U.S. Army Captain R. Bird to Major John Mills reporting on Spanish encroachments into United States territory during Anglo-Spanish negotiations on the subject. ALS, 2 pages, 6" x 7.5", "Fort Knox" [Vincennes], August 23, 1795, to Mills, stationed at Greenville in present-day Ohio. Bird reports that "...Bardon arrived yesterday from Lanslagrass he brings accounts of the Spaniards advancing their posts into our Territory they have lately built one of Cannon proof at the Chickasaw Bluff and Garrisoned it with 700 men and are immediately to build another higher up the river within fifteen miles of the Ohio where Genl.. Clark once built a fort -- it is hard to conjecture what will be the consequences whether our Government will tamely put up with it and endeavour to Remove it by negotiation or whether it will be business for our Army after the pending Treaty-- I should be more full but as this is the subject of the express you will no doubt receive the particulars from the Genl..." At the time of writing, the United States and Spain were involved in negotiations over a treaty of amity and commerce, which was concluded on October 27, 1795, at San Lorenzo el Real. The treaty, ratified by Congress the following year, fixed the western boundary of the United States at the Mississippi River, and specifically "...in the middle of the channel or bed of the River Mississipi [sic]..." which allowed both nations to navigate this most important trade route. The treaty also guaranteed "right of deposit" for American traders in New Orleans, which was controlled entirely by Spain. In other news, Bird reports on the great New Orleans fire of 1795: "They have had a tremendous fire lately in New Orleans which blew up their Magazin[e] Killed 300 people and burned half the town." This was the second major fire in New Orleans in the space of a decade, the first in 1788, destroyed 856 buildings. It was after the second fire that Spanish authorities banned wooden housing construction in the city. A very fine content letter illustrating the American view of Spain as a rival in exploiting the Mississippi Valley and the uncertainty felt by those charged with guarding America's western frontier. Usual folds, several minor marginal tears, very lightly toned, else fine condition.Sold for: $448.13. |
| 56091 | New York Fire of 1835 - New York Mayor Cornelius Van Wyck Lawrence Autograph Letter Signed. 1 page, 7" x 8.75", "Mayor's Office" [New York], January 18, 1836. A very scarce relic from what is considered America's first major disaster, the great New York fire of 1835 addressed to the "Gentlemen of the Common Council" enclosing for them "...a letter [no longer present] from George Auldjo Esquire, and a copy of the proceedings of a meeting of the Citizens of Montreal, at which he was Chairman, and my answer. You will notice by the fifth resolution that the Sum of two-thousand dollars was appropriated for the relief of certain sufferers by the late fire. I have received a draft on Prime Ward & King for that amount, and now hold their check. I propose that you authorize me to hand the same to the Committee for the relief of the Suffers by the late fire..." The great New York Fire of 1835 began on Wednesday, December 16, a snowy subzero night, raging for 24 hours, destroying 674 buildings over 17 blocks (50 acres) in the heart of the city. The fire destroyed most of the banks, the New York Stock Exchange, the post office, two churches and other important public buildings. The damage was estimated at $20 million. All but three of the city's twenty-six fire insurance companies went bankrupt. The local papers spoke about the fire's effect on the country as a whole, viewing it as a national tragedy, not one limited to the devastation of New York City. The pressure on the financial sector was such that the fire helped precipitate the Panic of 1836, the first major financial crisis in the United States. New York City Mayor Cornelius Lawrence and the city's political leaders met at City Hall on December 19, 1835 to request help from the federal government in Washington, D.C. and the state government. "Other cities, such as Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore and Albany, approved of New York's appeal to the federal government and promised assistance themselves. Even Montreal sent $2,000 to Mayor Lawrence to help rebuild the city," according to one source. Cornelius Van Wyck Lawrence (1791-1861) a Representative from New York; elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-third Congress; mayor of New York City 1834-1837 making him the first person chosen by popular suffrage in the city. An excellent piece of New York history, material concerning the Fire of 1835 is very scarce on the market. Light creases, a few foxed spots, otherwise fine condition. Sold for: $286.80. |
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Miscellaneous |
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| 56092 | Salvation Army Archive - An interesting grouping of material related to the Salvation Army's response to the enormous problem of homelessness during the Great Depression. The grouping, consisting of approximately 65 pages of material including letters, booklets and multi-page reports dating between 1931 and 1933, illustrates the sheer magnitude of the problem facing private organizations like the Salvation Army who found themselves ill-equipped to handle such a massive problem without much help from the federal government. One report notes: "...We have suffered from depression before but during the last fifteen or twenty years we have geared up our industries to where we had a greater proportion of our population working in industries so that when the depression hit us a larger number of workers were thrown out of employment. Previously agriculture has been able to absorb a large number of the men which seemingly is not being done in this depression. The unemployed man and boy has become a difficult if not a serious problem in every community..." Much of the material deals with a national census of homeless men and boys of which they estimated that "...1,250,000 people are without homes or are wandering up and down the country..." including 191,000 women and girls and 135,000 boys under the age of twenty one. Also included is correspondence relative to the Salvation Army's shelters in New York including a hand written list of supplies available and in use at one their major homeless shelters. Other documents note the typical menus served at soup kitchens, reports on juvenile transients, shelter operations, guidelines for workers and much more. A fascinating glimpse into the workings of one of the most significant private social service agencies in the United States. Many pages toned and chipped at edges, overall good to very good. Sold for: $298.75. |
| 56093 | Early 1754 Map of The American Plantations Commissioned By King George titled A Map of the British American Plantations extending from Boston in New England to Georgia; Including all the back settlements in the respective Providences as far as the Mississippi. By Eman: Bowen Geogr: to His Majesty. One page, 11" x 9", 1754. A beautiful and detailed map outlining the 13 original colonies as well as the French territory and forts including The Great Lake Region, St. Louis, Illinois, the Ohio Valley and its western reaches. French boundaries and trade routes are colored in red and the eastern seaport of America is tinted in pale green. An outstanding piece of Colonial Americana. Minor tape mounts on verso. Fine. Sold for: $1,673.00. |
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Autographs |
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| 56094 | George Washington Document Signed "Go Washington" as President, one page, 12.5" x 8". New York, August 4, 1789. Appointment of Jedediah Huntington as Collector of the Port of New-London, Connecticut. On August 3, 1789, in his fourth month as President, Washington submitted to the Senate his first nominations for Collector in 59 ports in the 13 states. On August 5th, the Senate, for the first time, rejected a nomination and established what has come to be known as "senatorial courtesy." Washington had submitted a total of 102 appointments as collectors, naval officers, and surveyors to seaports. The Senate agreed to all except Benjamin Fishbourn of Georgia who, years earlier, had offended James Gunn who was now one of Georgia's two senators. The President submitted a replacement, and a tactful letter of protest, urging members who might question future nominations "to communicate that circumstance to me, and thereby avail yourselves of the information which led me to make them and which I would with pleasure lay before you." In later years, as the tradition of senatorial courtesy evolved, presidents would survey Senators of their party before submitting candidates from their states to fill executive and judicial positions. General Jedediah Huntington (1743-1818), one of the organizers of the Society of the Cincinnati, was a member of the court martial of Gen. Charles Lee (1778) and of the board that sentenced Major André (1780) to death. He served as Collector until his death. The document is on laid paper with a clear watermark of, ironically, a crown with "GR" below it representing King George III (George Rex). Small mounting remnants on verso, no show-through. Light discoloration at perimeter. Excellent signature of Washington. Fine condition.Sold for: $19,120.00. |
| 56095 | Lock of George Washington's Hair. Several strands of George Washington's hair, nicely framed in a 3.5" x 2.75" brass mat under glass, together with a color portrait of Washington in his general's uniform and a typed and signed letter of provenance from William Lanier Washington dated February 11, 1921. The letter notes that the lock was first cut "...soon after his inauguration to the Presidency of the United States, and was given to his niece, Jane Washington, who married her half first cousin, Colonel William Augustine Washington. It was incased in a gold brooch and worn by Jane Washington until her death, when it was inherited by her son, Colonel George Corbin Washington, my great grandfather. He gave it to his niece, Frances Washington. Frances Washington was the youngest child of Bushrod Washington, a brother of George Corbin Washington, who, upon the death of her father in 1830, when she was two years old, was taken into the home of her uncle, George Corbin Washington, and reared as one of his own children, and where she remained a member of his household until his death in 1854. George Corbin Washington having but one living child at the time of his death, namely, Colonel Lewis William Washington, divided the relics of General Washington, that he had inherited, between him and Frances Washington, the latter received the above described brooch containing General Washington's hair and other relics. Frances Washington died childless and without direct issue in 1900, and, a few years prior thereto, she gave the relics she had received from George Corbin Washington, including this brooch and hair, to his grandson, major James Barrell Washington, my father. As this lock of hair was of extensive proportions, my father removed some of it from the brooch and divided it into several smaller lots, some of which I inherited, and of which the above is one." A wonderful presentation with excellent provenance. Sold for: $2,390.00. |
| 56096 | [George Washington] 1796 Farewell Address: Thomas's Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode-island, Newhampshire & Vermont Almanack 1797, 48 pages, 4.25" x 7". Printed at Worcester, Massachusetts, for Isaiah Thomas. Uneven edges, soiling, bound with string. Good condition. Washington's farewell presidential address of September 17, 1796, is printed on ten pages. As Washington was approaching the end of his second term as President, he delivered this address in Philadelphia to his "Friends and Fellow Citizens," in which he set the precedent, now part of the Constitution, not to seek a third term. In part, "The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made." Hand sewn binding, heavy toning and wear; very good.Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 56097 | [George Washington] First Biography: First Biography: The New-England Almanack 1782, 24 pages, 4" x 6.5". By Edmund Freebetter. New London: Printed and Sold by T. Green. Uneven edges, repaired on the first leaf, both sides, with plastic tape. Soiled covers. Good condition. Page 17 is headed "The following Sketch of General Washington's Life and Character, has been printed in a Pamphlet in England, for the Benefit of the American Prisoners confined there; with a poetical Epistle prefixed thereto. Wrote by an Inhabitant of the State of Maryland." The Sketch is dated "Maryland, May 3d 1779," and is on pages 17-21. In Annapolis, Maryland, in 1779, was printed "A poetical epistle to His excellency George Washington, Esq. commander in chief of the armies of the United States of America, from an inhabitant of the state of Maryland. By Charles Henry Wharton. To which is annexed, a short sketch of General Washington's life and character. By John Bell of Md." This Annapolis printing was reprinted in London in 1780 and is what is printed in this "Almanack." John Bell's Sketch is the first biography of George Washington ever published. In it he writes "I think I may venture to pronounce that General Washington will be regarded by mankind as one of the greatest military Ornaments of the present Age, and that his Name will command the Veneration of the latest Posterity." And this was written before Yorktown and, of course, before Washington became the first President of the United States.Sold for: $179.25. |
| 56098 | John Adams Signed Land Grant. Document Signed, one page, oblong folio, 14" x 13.25", Philadelphia, February 13, 1798. Adams signs a vellum land grant for a plot of 640 acres "in the territory northwest of the River Ohio and above the mouth of Kentucky River," for which the new owner paid "two dollars and thirty-one cents per acre." Countersigned by Timothy Pickering as Secretary of State. The paper and wax seal of the United States is affixed to the lower left portion of the document and bears a single vertical crack. Vellum is gently worn with moderate toning throughout; Adams signature is quite large and visible, with a single spot at top of "s". Sold for: $5,377.50. |
| 56099 | Clipped John Adams Signature with Handsome Steel Engraving. Clipped signature measuring 2.5 x .75", reads "J. Adams" and appears to have been penned later in life. It has been handsomely matted to an overall size of 11" x 14", together with a beautiful steel engraving of Adams seated at a desk with books and papers at hand. This is a very attractive piece ready for immediate framing and display. Very fine.Sold for: $2,629.00. |
| 56100 | Abigail Adams: Memorial Sermon delivered in Quincy, 22 pages, 5.5" x 9". Boston: Printed by Hews & Goss, 1819. Bound with string. Brown paper wrappers. Titled "A Sermon delivered on the Lord's Day succeeding the Interment of Madam Abigail Adams, Consort of the Hon. John Adams, Late President of the United States. November 1, 1818. By The Rev. Peter Whitney, Pastor of the Church in Quincy, with an Appendix, containing an extract of a letter, from President Jefferson, to President Adams, and four obituary notices." Soiled on the cover with less soiling on the pages within. Chipped corners and two partial separations on the cover). John and Abigail Adams held the record of 54 years 3 days for a presidential marriage, broken in 1999 by George and Barbara Bush. Not Sold. |
| 56101 | Thomas Jefferson Signed Land Grant. Partially printed Document Signed "Th. Jefferson", one page, folio, 11" x 13", Washington, October 23, 1805. Thomas Jefferson signs a vellum land grant, in which he approves the transfer of land "sold at Chilicothe by the Act of Congress." Countersigned by James Madison as Secretary of State. The paper and wax seal of the United States is affixed to the lower left portion of the document, and boasting a large and bold signature by Jefferson. Near fine. Sold for: $5,228.13. |
| 56102 | Rare 1804 Anti-Jefferson Federalist Election Broadside 11" x 18". Litchfield [Connecticut], [Tuesday], September 11, 1804. Newspaper-size sheet with banner headline: "Fellow Citizens!" Three columns of text beginning "On Monday next you will be called upon to exercise the sacred right of Election. Some have supposed that the exercise of this right is not enforced by moral duty, but may be dispensed with at pleasure..." In part, "Babcock's Mercury and other prints were filled with sneers upon us for our steady habits. They attempted to excite discontent among the minor religious sectaries, and were loud upon the subject of religious tyranny, & the dangerous connection of Church and State, arising from the circumstance of a number of the Clergymen dining with the Governor on Election Day...And altho' the qualification of a small portion of property for a voter, has been thought proper by every well regulated republic on earth, and was not confined to the policy of Connecticut, but adopted in common with most of her sister States; yet these poor people were called slaves,---and to be sure of exciting discontent among them, they were compared to Virginia Negroes...Unfortunately for the cause of humanity and genuine liberty in the world, but most peculiarly so for the people of Connecticut, the Executive of the United States, has thought fit to select some of the most profligate of the Leaders of this Faction for offices of great trust and emolument among us; and to make room for them, has turned out the most worthy and virtuous men...we hear from the polluted lips of Abraham Bishop in May last, a new subject of mischief and disorganization developed. He boldly declares that 'we have no Constitution, and our government is entirely usurpation and tyranny, and all the people are slaves!' This was undoubtedly the result of concert among the Leaders of the faction..." The broadside concludes with a list of 20 names, headed by Oliver Ellsworth, "supported by the Federal Freemen in this State to stand in Nomination for the year 1805" and a list of 18 "Gentlemen...chosen by the Freemen of this State to stands in Nomination for Election in October next, as Representatives in Congress...The names of the present members of Congress are printed in capitals...I" Referred to in this broadside: The American Mercury, an anti-Federal newspaper, was published in Hartford by Elisha Babcock. On November 18, 1803, Abraham Bishop, a Republican living in Federalist Connecticut, was appointed by Pres. Jefferson Collector for the District of New Haven, succeeding his late father. Bishop spoke at the National Festival in Hartford on May 11, 1804, and the quote on this broadside was part of his "Oration in Honor of the Election of President Jefferson and the peaceful acquisition of Louisiana." The blank left edge of the lightly foxed broadside is soiled and the right blank edge is uneven and has a few holes. These defects can be easily matted over. There is a light water stain in the lower right touching the right endings of the text. Jefferson's Democratic-Republican Party was usually referred to as simply the Republicans. Jefferson was reelected in 1804 with 162 electoral votes. Federalist Charles C. Pinckney's won Connecticut's 9, Delaware's 3, and 2 of Maryland's 11 electoral votes for a total of 14. Connecticut voted Federalist in every presidential election up to 1816, after which the Federalist Party dissolved. Not Sold. |
| 56103 | James Madison and James Monroe Four Language Ship's Papers Signed "James Madison" as President and "Jas Monroe" as Secretary of State, one page, 21.5" x 16.5", April 7, 1812. The document authorizes passage for John Shepperd Eveleth, master or commander of the ship Desmona, then in port at Norfolk, bound for Leith and laden with "Tobacco and Slaves". Minor soiling with archival tape repair to the vertical fold bisecting the "J" in Madison's signature; otherwise, in fine condition. The white paper and wax seal are intact at the left. Sold for: $1,673.00. |
| 56104 | James Madison Signed Ship's Passport. Partially-printed document signed, "James Madison" as President, 10.5" x 15.5" on vellum, Rhode Island, March 27, 1815. A scallop top, Mediterranean Ship's Passport issued to Benjamin Shearman, master of the schooner Hiram, "... the burthen of One hundred thirty-three 9/90 tons or there abouts mounted with no guns navigated with Seven men ...", with two vignettes of a sailing ship and lighthouse. Light to moderate toning, vertical and horizontal folds, President Madison's signature is clear and clean, very good condition.Sold for: $1,553.50. |
| 56105 | James Madison Signed Land Grant. Partially printed Document Signed, one page, oblong folio, 14.5" x 8.5", Washington, October 20, 1812. Madison signs a land grant in which he confirms the sale of land "lying between the Great Miami river and the Virginia reservation, sold...by virtue of the right of pre-emption granted by law to certain persons who have contracted with John Cleves Symmes." Countersigned by Edward Tiffin. The paper and wax seal of the United States General Land Office is affixed to the lower left portion of the document. Two vertical folds, gently toned; otherwise near fine condition. Sold for: $717.00. |
| 56106 | James Monroe Autograph Letter Signed "Jas. Monroe" as U.S. Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain and Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France and Spain, one page, 7.5" x 9.5", Bordeaux, December 18, 1804. Although the recipient is not named, this historic letter is to John Armstrong who had presented his credentials in Paris as U.S. Minister Plenipotentiary to France on November 18, 1804, succeeding Robert R. Livingston. In full: "I arrived here on friday last, & set out today for Madrid, at which place I expect to arrive in abt. 10 days, as I have had a relay of mules established thither from Bayonne. I shall not delay a moment on the route that I can avoid. I hope that the French gov't will not hesitate to give us all the aid in this business wh. we have hither to expected of it. I enclose you the papers wh. you were so good as to give me to be copied before my departure. Not being able to do it in Paris I brot. them here for the purpose. Shod. you receive any answer from Mr. Talleyrand, you will be so good as communicate to me the substance as soon as you can in cypher, as also to our government." In a postscript, Monroe adds: "Make my best respects to yr. Lady & family as also to Mrs. Livingston, to whom you will be so good as make the affr. of business my apology for not calling to bid her farewell before my departure." On January 12, 1803, the U.S. Senate approved President Jefferson's nominations of "Robert Livingston to be Minister Plenipotentiary, and James Monroe to be Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, to enter into a treaty or convention with the First Consul of France (Napoleon), for the purpose of enlarging, and more effectually securing, our rights and interests in the river Mississippi, and in the territories eastward thereof." Monroe's assignment was to obtain land east of the Mississippi. His instructions allocated up to $10 million for the purchase of New Orleans and all or part of the Floridas. If this bid failed, Monroe was instructed to try to purchase just New Orleans, or, at the very least, secure U.S. access to the Mississippi and the port. When Monroe reached Paris on April 12, 1803, he learned from Livingston that a day earlier, French Foreign Minister C. M. Talleyrand had told him that France was willing to sell all of Louisiana. On April 30, 1803, they reached an agreement that exceeded their authority - the purchase of the Louisiana territory, including New Orleans, for $15 million. The acquisition of approximately 827,000 square miles would double the size of the United States. On November 8, 1804, President Thomas Jefferson presented his Fourth Annual Message to Congress, which mentioned disagreements with Spain. On that same day, James Monroe wrote to French Foreign Minister Talleyrand informing him that he was on his way to Madrid, reminding him of the assurance which the Government of the United States had received, that Napoleon would use his good offices for the attainment of the objects desired in their negotiation with Spain, calling attention to the subjects in controversy: the boundaries of Louisiana, indemnity for spoliations, and the cession of Florida. Relating to Florida, Monroe hinted of war with Spain if negotiations weren't successful. In part: "To Spain, it is presumed that the territory is of but little importance. In itself, it is of none, as it is a barren tract. If she retains it, it must be as a port for troops, to be placed there in opposition to us; a measure which tends to provoke hostility and lead to war." Monroe concluded by requesting the fulfillment of Napoleon's previous promise "to support with his good offices any negotiation which the President might commence with the court of Spain for the acquisition of Florida; as also on the firm belief that the attainment of that object, with the amicable adjustment of all subsisting differences between the United States and Spain, must be advantageous to France, that his good offices have been, and are now, requested in support of that negotiation." In the November 18, 1804, letter offered here, Monroe tells Armstrong that should he "receive any answer from Mr. Talleyrand, you will be so good as communicate to me the substance as soon as you can in cypher, as also to our government". The use of cypher, or secret code, was frequently used in diplomatic correspondence. On December 21, 1804, in a letter to John Armstrong, Talleyrand replied to Monroe's letter, that Louisiana, as ceded by France to the United States, did not include any part of West Florida and, instead of the good offices promised the United States in their pending negotiation with Spain, he expressed, very strongly, the decision of Napoleon against the general objects, as well as the specific measures, of the United States. Talleyrand wrote, in part, "His Imperial Majesty (Napoleon) has, moreover, authorized me to declare to you, that, at the beginning of the year 11 (September 1802), General Bournonville was charged to open a new negotiation with Spain for the acquisition of the Floridas. This project, which has not been followed by any treaty, is an evident proof that France had not acquired, by the treaty retroceding Louisiana, the country east of the Mississippi." Napoleon felt that the United States, in their actions to obtain Florida, seems "to avail themselves of their treaty with France as an authority for their proceedings." Napoleon would not help the United States in negotiations with Spain. James Monroe's mission failed. During the next 15 years, fugitive slaves from southern states took refuge in Florida as did outlaws pursued by the law. Florida's Seminole Indians made frequent attacks in Georgia. In 1818, General Andrew Jackson led an army in pursuit of Seminole Indians into Florida and the United States took possession of part of the territory. Finally, in 1819, Spain ceded Florida to the United States by treaty. The U.S. President at the time was James Monroe!Sold for: $14,340.00. |
| 56107 | James Monroe Document Signed as President. DS, "James Monroe", one page, vellum, 15.5" x 10", Washington, D. C., September 15, 1823, with docketing on verso. Partially printed land grant for the purchase of public land in Columbiana County Ohio by Frederick Lloyd, of Washington County Pennsylvania. General Land Office Seal in lower left corner, signed by President Monroe and countersigned by "Geo. Graham", Commissioner of the General Land Office. Toning, with light stains and foxing front and verso, vertical and horizontal folds, uneven margins, small paper loss at right side, penned script faded yet legible, President Monroe's signature is strong and clear, good condition.Sold for: $567.63. |
| 56108 | James Monroe Signed Land Grant. Partially printed Document Signed, one page, oblong folio, 14" x 9.75", Washington, September 1, 1823. Monroe signs a land grant in which he approves the sale of 160 acres in Vincennes, Indiana. Countersigned by George Graham as Commissioner of the General Land Office. The paper and wax seal of the United States General Land Office is affixed to the lower left portion of the document. Very clean and boasting a dark signature by Monroe; near fine condition. Sold for: $836.50. |
| 56109 | James Monroe Document Signed as Secretary of State. DS, "Jas Monroe", one page, 7.25" x 9" (sight), Washington City, August 28, 1812. Printed, in full: "No. 825 Additional Instructions to the public and private armed vessel of the United States. The public and private armed vessels of the United States are not to interrupt any vessels belonging to citizens of the United States coming from British ports to the United States laden with British merchandize, in consequence of the alleged repeal of the British Orders in Council, but are on the contrary to give aid and assistance to the same; in order that such vessels and their cargoes may be dealt with on their arrival as may be decided by the competent authorities. By command of the President of the United States of America". Matted beside a black and white photographic reproduction of Monroe's portrait and framed to overall size of 22.5" x 15.5". Sold for: $1,015.75. |
| 56110 | James Monroe Naval Appointment Signed as President. DS "James Monroe", one page, 12.5" x 8.5" (sight), Washington, D. C., January 1, 1817. Partially printed commission naming William W. Page as Midshipman, countersigned by B. W. Crowninshield, Secretary of the Navy, affixed with Navy Department Seal. Light toning, darker along bottom, professional repairs to top left corner tear, missing top right corner and small hole in body of letter; printed text strong and clean, penned signatures clear and clean, very good condition. Matted below a color portrait print and framed to overall size of 20" x 28". Sold for: $1,314.50. |
| 56111 | John Quincy Adams Eulogy of James Monroe Signed and inscribed to "Deacon Samuel Savil/From J.Q. Adams," 100 pages, 6" x 9.5". Boston: J.H. Eastburn, City Printer, 1831. Bound with string. Paper wrappers. Signed on the cover. Adams and Savil were members of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Church in Braintree, Massachusetts. Titled "An Eulogy: on the Life and Character of James Monroe, Fifth President of the United States, Delivered at the Request of the Corporation of the City of Boston, on the 25th of August, 1831. By John Quincy Adams." The lightly foxed cover page is loose and the upper right corner is missing. There are several creased page corners with some paper loss. Otherwise, very good. John Quincy Adams served as James Monroe's only Secretary of State from 1817-1825, then succeeded him as the sixth President of the United States (1825-1829). Sold for: $3,346.00. |
| 56112 | John Quincy Adams Autograph Letter Signed as President "J. Q. Adams", one page, Washington, July 27, 1827, written to Robert Walsh, the founder and editor of the Philadelphia National Gazette. In this letter, Adams apologizes for failing "to furnish by the time that I had contemplated the paper which I was preparing at your request." He blames the failure on a lack of time and his health "which has been and yet is not good, the debilitating effect of the season. . . " Hoping to find relief, he plans a trip the next week "to seek more breathable air in my native atmosphere, where if I can find leisure, I may yet get through in time for your publication, or if I can see you Wednesday Evening 1 August when I hope to be in Philadelphia, I will put my manuscript as it is, in your hands, and it may be used as material for an article by yourself or someone else." Adams, though, wants to keep his upcoming trip to Philadelphia a secret: "I pray you not to mention to anyone my intention of passing the night Wednesday at Philadelphia, for I might proceed the next morning to New York." Some dark spots exist, but this letter remains attractive and in fine condition. Sold for: $1,314.50. |
| 56113 | John Quincy Adams Autograph Document Signed Twice as Congressman. One page, 8.25" x 6.75", Quincy, Massachusetts, September 1831. Following his term in the Oval Office, Adams went on to win election as a National Republican and Whig to the House of Representatives, serving from 1831 until his death 17 years later. During that time, he penned this document regarding the maintenance of his real estate property lines. In full: "We the Subscribers, do hereby agree to divide our line of fence upon the Salt-marsh land called the Cherry Tree Meadow in manner following. John Quincy Adams will make and maintain a piece of fence, beginning at a stake, at the Southewesterly corner of said marsh, and Northwesterly corner of David's Island so-called. Thence running Easterly by said Island, thirty-four rods to a ditch. Thence Northerly on said ditch, seven Rods to a stake. And we the subscribers, heirs and legal Representatives of the late Jesse Fenno, the deceased will make and maintain the remainder of said fence, beginning at a stake on said marsh running northerly thereon seventeen Rods to the upland and thence Westerly on said upland twenty four Rods. Witness our hands, J.Q. Adams." Heavy age toning and mat burn. Affixed to a slightly larger piece of cardboard. Near fine. Sold for: $896.25. |
| 56114 | John Quincy Adams Signed Land Grant. Partially printed Document Signed "J. Q. Adams", one page, oblong folio, 15.5" x 9.75", Washington, April 20, 1825. Adams signs a document granting 80 acres of land in the district of Brookville, Indiana to "Abraham Baker". The paper and wax seal of the United States General Land Office is affixed to the lower left portion of the document. Sold for: $388.38. |
| 56115 | Partly Printed Document Signed by John Quincy Adams as Secretary of State. Two pages including integral blank, 4to, Washington DC, November 17, 1823. Official document noting that William C. Woodbridge, author and educator, had "deposited in the Office of the Department of State a certain Book & Atlas... entitled Rudiments of Geography." Woodbridge's book would be widely used to educate school children of the time. Bold signature by Adams offset by embossed paper seal of the State Department. Light age toning and a few small stains. Small areas of separation at folds. Very good. Sold for: $567.63. |
| 56116 | John Quincy Adams Land Grant Signed "J. Q. Adams", one page vellum, 15.75" x 9.5", City of Washington, April 1, 1828. A land grant to Jonathan Crawson of Callaway County, Missouri for "the Lot number one in the South West Quarter of Thirtyone in Township fortyeight north of range nine west, in the District of Lands offered for Sale at St. Louis, Missouri, containing Eighty Acres." With blind embossed seal and a bold signature. Some hand-written print has faded, but Adams' signature is bold. Very good condition. Sold for: $448.13. |
| 56118 | Andrew Jackson Signed Land Grant. Partially printed Document Signed, one page, oblong folio, 15.25" x 9.5", Washington, November 10, 1830. Jackson signs a land grant in which he approves the sale of 80 acres in Monroe, Michigan Territory "according to the provisions of the Act of Congress...entitled 'An act making further provision for the sale of Public Lands." Countersigned by Elijah Hayward. The paper and wax seal of the United States General Land Office is affixed to the lower left portion of the document. Document boasts a large Jackson signature measuring six inches; in near fine condition. Sold for: $836.50. |
| 56119 | [Andrew Jackson] Rare 1828 Anti-Jackson "Coffin Handbill," 10" x 15". Headed "A Brief Account of the/Execution/[six coffins pictured]/Of the Six Militia Men." Uniformly foxed, uneven edges, creases, folds, soiled, small holes. Show-through from "How shamed of/the General/Whys end of this" contemporaneously penned on verso. Clear printing and completely legible, the broadside is in good condition, ideal for framing and display. In February 1815, six militia men under Major General Andrew Jackson's command were court-martialed and convicted of disobeying orders. They were later executed. Because Jackson did not prevent their execution, 13 years later when he ran for President, supporters of incumbent President John Quincy Adams accused him of murder. Broadsides were printed across the nation, first as an "extra" to the Democratic Press, a Philadelphia newspaper. The six coffins represented the six executed soldiers. The articles include stories about three of the militia men, a purported eyewitness report, an 1815 account from the Democratic Press, and information as to how Congress treated the matter. Other anti-Jackson broadsides included charges against the General relating to duels and brawls. They are now also referred to as "Coffin Handbills," generally regarded as the first large-scale smear campaign during a presidential election, which, by the way, Jackson won. The Historic New Orleans Collection museum in the French Quarter has located 27 "Coffin Handbills" nationally of which 17 are in its museum.Sold for: $1,912.00. |
| 56120 | Martin Van Buren Check Signed "M. Van Buren". A check, 6.75" x 2.75", drawn on the Bank of Kinderhook [New York], June 7, 1856, made out to "R. Graves" in the amount of forty-four dollars and ninety-six cents. The check is endorsed by "Richard Graves" on verso. Van Buren was born in the village of Kinderhook and was nicknamed "Old Kinderhook". He later bought an estate there, Lindenwald, where he eventually retired and died in 1862. The cancellation cut is near the center-right of the check, away from the signature. Very good condition.Sold for: $1,314.50. |
| 56121 | Martin Van Buren Whaling Document Signed "M Van Buren" as President and "John Forsyth" as Secretary of State, one page, 21" x 16.5", June 3, 1839. The document, a Four Language Ships' Papers, grants permission and leave to Arlington Wilcox, master or commander of the ship Selma bound for the Pacific Ocean, laden with Provisions, stores and utensils for a whaling voyage. The document is printed in four languages: English, Dutch, French, and Spanish. Ship's papers were required of all ships leaving American ports, and contained information on the cargoes of America's schooners, four-masters, and other sailing vessels. Intact white wafer Presidential seal affixed to center. Some soiling and paper loss at the folds; otherwise, in fine condition. Sold for: $956.00. |
| 56122 | Martin Van Buren Partly Printed Document Signed "M. Van Buren", one page, 16" x 11.5", Washington, D.C., July 6, 1840. The document appoints Benjamin B. French to be a Justice of the Peace in Washington, D.C. French was a Washington insider and was highly visible, mainly because of the various federal offices he held between 1828 and 1870. These positions allowed him access to powerful officeholders. He is best remembered for his journal which he used to record his observations of twelve presidential administrations, with special attention to the Lincoln administration. The paper and wax seal of the United States is affixed in the lower left portion of the document. Sold for: $657.25. |
| 56123 | William Henry Harrison Signature as President, "W. H. Harrison", from a vellum document, with the printed legend "By the President" appearing beneath his name. The sheet of paper measures 3 inches wide by 1.25 inches high. William Henry Harrison was only in office for one month in 1841, and is therefore one of the rarest of all signatures to obtain as President. A fine example suitable to complete any Presidential collection. We sold a similar signature for $26,000 in our October 2007 auction. Mounted to an 8.5" x 10" sheet. Sold for: $14,340.00. |
| 56124 | William Henry Harrison Historically Important Autograph Letter Signed "W. H. Harrison", 3.5 pages, 7.5" x 12", front and verso. Cincinnati, November 25, 1835. To William Ayres, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Ayres, a lawyer, served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives at Harrisburg from 1833-1835. An Anti-Mason, he worked closely with colleague Thaddeus Stevens and was a supporter of Joseph Ritner, the Anti-Masonic party candidate elected Governor of Pennsylvania earlier in November. In part: "I received yesterday a letter from Mr. [Thaddeus] Stevens...He declines publishing my letter because, as he says, it will create an insurmountable barrier between the Anti-Masons & myself. His object seems to be to procure from me a declaration that I will, if elected, appoint no adhering Mason to office in anti-Mason states. This appears to me to be new ground taken by the Anti-Masons and which cannot but result in injury to their cause - could any President make the declaration that he would be governed by that principle & decline to act upon the converse proposition in states where the anti-Masons were in a majority? Indeed it would be very questionable whether Pennsyl[vani]a could be called in strict propriety an anti-Masonic state. Our friend [Joseph] Ritner did not obtain a majority of the whole number of of [sic] votes taken at the last election. I am decidedly of opinion that an irreperable [sic] blow would be given to the Anti-Masonic cause by the adoption of the course recommended by Mr. Stevens. No person who would avow such principles can possibly be elected to the Presidency. He would not get an Electoral vote in one of the Western States. And I think it extremely probable that the avowal of such sentiments would be the means of concentrating an opposition in the Senate of the United States against the anti Masonic interest sufficiently strong to prevent the passage of an anti-Masonic nomination." While in 1835 no U.S. Senator was serving as a member of the Anti-Masonic party, 14 Congressman were: eight from Pennsylvania, one from Ohio, and five from New England. Harrison continues, "Mr. Stevens forgets that the President whom the anti-Masons might elect could do them little or no good if the Senate were opposed to them...I do not mean to express any opinion which should govern the appointments to office in Pennsyl[vani]a - I confine myself exclusively in my remarks to the Govt of the U States...If I understand Mr Stevens aright the only fault he now finds in my course is that of my being unwilling to pledge myself to appoint no adhering Mason to office in an anti-Masonic state. Now even if I were determined to do so I would not pledge myself to do it - for I set out with a determination to make no pledges - If the Anti Masons rely upon my openly avowed opinions against Masonry one would suppose that they ought to be satisfied with the certainty of their having a full proportion of my confidences...Can it be possible that the anti-Masons will nominate a candidate who will not get a single electoral vote in any of the Western states or South of the Potomac? I refer to Mr [John Quincy] Adams not to Mr [Daniel] Webster. Mr. Stevens' course here is attributed to his Federalism & that he had determined to support Mr. Webster under any circumstances or any other person but any old Jeffersonian Democrat like myself. I however think that he is really sincere in saying that he would have preferred me if I could have come up to his standards of anti-Masonry. But will Mr. Webster or any of the other persons who have been thought of for the Presidency go further than I go? Perhaps Mr. Adams might - but what earthly chance could he stand to succeed." Harrison had been elected to the U.S. Senate in 1824 as a Pro-Adams candidate, serving from 1825-1828 when Pres. J.Q. Adams appointed him U.S. Minister to Colombia. Harrison surmises, "It appears to me that Mr Stevens does not consider all the consequences which would result from a candidate for the Presidency pledging himself in the manner he required...no other anti Mason believes more sincerely in the truth of their principles & the necessity of supporting them by all fair honourable & constitutional means than do the advocates of nullification in theirs - In South Carolina they outnumber their opponents two to one - Would he think it right to give a pledge to them similar to the one he requires for Pennsy[lvani]a - Then comes the adjoining State of Georgia - the majority of them is at this moment opposed to the advocates of nullification but it is so small as to leave no certainty that in another year it may not be found on the other side. To which of these parties then is a pledge to be given? If to the party which at present governs, when the period of fulfilment [sic] arrives it might be necessary to change it. Now is it not apparent from these facts that a President of the U States cannot act upon the same principles as the Gov[ernor] of a state? The one the Agent of 24 sovereign authorities [there were 24 states in 1835] - the other of one only - The difficulty of forming a single rule for a President is further increased from the circumstance of the immense differences in the size of the States & their perfect quality as to rights and from that too of the mode of his election (whether by the electors or by the representatives of the States) clearly pointing him out as the peculiar guardian of the interest of the weaker members of the great political family...But example is better than precept - & practice than theory - I refer to my conduct during the 13 years of my government of Indiana & the North Western Territory as furnishing some grounds by which to ascertain what it might be in the discharge of a somewhat analogous trust." After resigning from the Army in 1798, Harrison had became Secretary of the Northwest Territory, was its first delegate to Congress, and helped obtain legislation dividing the Territory into the Northwest and Indiana Territories. He then served as Territorial Governor of Indiana from 1801-1813. Thaddeus Stevens had been a delegate to the first national convention of Anti-Masons which met at Philadelphia, September 11, 1830. In 1833, he was elected to the state legislature on the Anti-Masonic ticket. He immediately displayed his abilities in debate, using his gift of wit to his advantage. He also showed his ability to maneuver behind the scenes and soon became the most powerful man in the Pennsylvania state legislature, the reason why Harrison had contacted him. Late in 1835, Stevens realized that, working with the Whigs, the Anti-Masons could control the state legislature. On December 7, 1835, he reported a bill designed to suppress secret societies (such as the Masons), and, two weeks later, was made chairman of a committee of five to investigate the "evils of Free Masonry." Both the Whigs and the Anti-Masons held state conventions in Harrisburg in December and, after the Whigs nominated Harrison on the 17th, the Anti-Masons followed suit. Stevens refused to accept Harrison's nomination solely for the reason Harrison expresses in this letter: Harrison would not pledge to be Anti-Mason. Stevens called for a National Anti-Masonic Convention to be held in May 1836, but had no popular support and it was not held. Reluctantly, Stevens endorsed Harrison's nomination. Van Buren won the election, but the Whigs showed wide national support. In late 1838, the Anti-Masons endorsed Harrison for President, in effect, merging with the Whigs. Stevens campaigned vigorously for Harrison because he had been promised a cabinet post which, after the Whig victory, he did not receive. Not able to seek political revenge on the new President (Harrison died a month after his inauguration), Stevens dropped out of politics for a while, returning to his law practice. This long and darkly penned letter contains over 1,000 words in Harrison's hand and is incomparable in terms and content to any other we have ever handled. It has to our knowledge never before been on the market. It is in fine condition, penned on heavy stock paper with light soiling at the left edges of each sheet. This letter would truly be the cornerstone of any political presidential collection.Not Sold. |
| 56125 | William Henry Harrison Manuscript Letter Signed "Willm Henry Harrison" in full, one page, 7.5" x 9.75". Head Quarters, Buffalo, October 25, 1813. To Major General [John S.] Gano [Ohio Militia]. In full, "I arrived here yesterday with a detachment of the army and will proceed immediately to Fort George. Nothing of consequence had taken place, when the last accounts came from Genl Wilkinsons army. He has certainly however before this entered Canada at the head of a very large force which he had assembled at and in the neighborhood of Sacketts Harbour. There was a man by the name of Crandell in custody at Lower Sandusky on suspicion of being a spy - there is no positive proof against him, be pleased therefore to release him. I will thank you also to deliver the three Mingo or Delaware Indians which you have in your possession to the Delaware Chief Anderson, who has promised to be responsible for their good behavior - Indeed I believe that they never intended any harm - if Anderson has returned home, you can send them to him or to Mr Johnson at Piqua." Penciled biographical information at lower blank edge. Blank lower right corner missing. On laid paper. Numerous horizontal folds and tiny holes in blank areas do not materially detract from its appearance. Overall, in fine condition, bearing the rare, full signature of the future President. On October 5, 1813, General William H. Harrison's force of about 3,500 infantry and cavalry decisively defeated a force of about 800 British soldiers and 500 American Indians led by Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames which took place near Chatham, Ontario. Shawnee Chief Tecumseh was killed. Continuing east along Lake Erie, Gen. Harrison arrived at Buffalo on October 24, 1813. By order of Secretary of War John Armstrong, Harrison then began an expedition against the British at Burlington Heights, at the west end of Lake Ontario. Armstrong had told Harrison that the "capture or destruction" of Burlington Heights "would be a glorious finale" to his campaign. Harrison then received another letter from Armstrong instructing him to send Col. Duncan McArthur's brigade to Sackett's Harbor, because Montreal, not Kingston, would be the point of attack on the enemy by Wilkinson's army. General Wilkinson had left Fort George on October 2nd and arrived at Fort Prescott, Canada, on the St. Lawrence River, on November 6th. Mentioned in this letter, William Anderson had become Chief of the Delaware Indians in 1808. In 1813, General Harrison had moved the Delaware from Indiana to Piqua, Ohio.Sold for: $1,553.50. |
| 56126 | John Tyler Partly Printed Document Signed "John Tyler" in a dark signature, one page, 13.75" x. 17.25", Washington, D.C., September 16, 1841. This document offers a fine and rare example of a presidential naval appointment: "H.M. Heiskell I have nominated and by and with the advice & consent of the Senate, do appoint him a Purser in the navy". The document bears two elaborately engraved vignettes: at the top is an American eagle, wings outspread, carrying an olive branch and lightening bolts in his talons; at the bottom appears an interesting vignette showing naval military equipment, including a cannon, barrels of powder, oars, anchors, a trident, shields and a flag. The paper and wax seal of the United States Navy Department is affixed in the lower center portion of the document. In very fine condition. Sold for: $1,553.50. |
| 56127 | John Tyler Signed Ship's Passport. Partially printed vellum DS "John Tyler", one page, 11.75" x 15", July 6, 1841. Ship's passport for "the Barque Barclay of Westport... mounted with no guns navigated with 22 men..." Countersigned by Daniel Webster as Secretary of State. Holograph engrossment is gently faded, but remains legible, with both signatures remaining pronounced. Mounted to a slightly larger board, the document is very clean with paper seal affixed with red wax at lower left. Document is near fine and would benefit from being removed from mount. Sold for: $1,434.00. |
| 56128 | John Tyler and Daniel Webster Whaling Document Signed "John Tyler" as President and "Danl Webster" as Secretary of State, one page, 20.5" x 16.5", May 18, 1841. In this document, permission is granted to B. A. Hudson, master or commander of the ship John & Edward "lying at present in the port of New Bedford [Massachusetts] bound for Indian Ocean and laden with Provisions, Stores and utensils for a whaling voyage", to "depart and proceed". New Bedford was one of the most important American whaling ports at this time. The white paper and wax seal are intact at the left. Small amount of paper loss at the folds, but otherwise in fine condition. Sold for: $956.00. |
| 56129 | James K. Polk Signed Military Appointment. Partly printed DS, one page, large folio, 14" x 17.25", Washington, December 18, 1846. Polk signs a vellum military appointment for William B. Washington to the post of "Surgeon (under the act of June 18, 1846)." Document bears the two elaborate vignettes of the American eagle and the flags, cannons, trumpets and pikes; with paper and wax seal of the United States War Office affixed in the upper left portion of the document. Co-signed by William L. Marcy as Secretary of War. Uncommonly dark signatures, with folds and gentle toning. Near fine condition. Sold for: $1,912.00. |
| 56130 | Zachary Taylor Free Franking Signature. A very early Zachary Taylor free frank "On Service Z. Taylor Majr. 3d July.", 5" x 3" (folded), on an address panel to "Majr. Genl. Alex Macomb Commanding 5th Military Dept. Detroit." An endorsement in an unknown hand on the inside reads in full, "Maj. Z. Taylor Gs. Bay July 29th, 1817. Touching the difference between Col. McNeil and Mjr. Taylor. Maj. Taylor Press his former application for a . . . Frivolous complaints relative to the order for Christian to report in person at Hqrs and other groundless Supp. A vague statement relative to the Accts. contracted by Lt. Col. Chambers for the U.S." Separations at folds have been archivally repaired. A clean and bold signature, with light soiling to cover. Not Sold. |
| 56131 | Zachary Taylor Partly Printed Document Signed as President with Large Steel Engraving. One page, 16.25" x 13.75", on vellum, Washington, July 12, 1849. With this certificate, President Taylor appointed "Louis Baker of New York ... Consul ... for the port of Laguayra, Venezuela." The manuscript also served as a Presidential request to the Venezuelan government "to permit the said Louis Baker fully and peaceably to enjoy and exercise the said office, without giving or suffering to be given unto him any molestation or trouble; but, on the contrary, to afford him all proper countenance and assistance." Also signed by John M. Clayton as Secretary of State; both signatures are offset by an embossed paper Great Seal of the United States at lower left. Less than a year after signing this handsome document, President Taylor would die of gastroenteritis. Document is bright, white, and very fine. Accompanied by an exceptional 7.75" x 10.75" steel engraving of President Taylor, featuring an intricate geometric border and a small vignette depicting Taylor's victory over the Seminole Indians at Lake Okeechobee. Sold for: $3,585.00. |
| 56132 | Zachary Taylor Signed Document. DS, "Z. Taylor Col.", one page, 8" x 10", [n.p.], April 28, 1836. Penned in part, "Requisition for stationery paper for the use of a Regimental Court Martial.... The Apt. Quarter Master will give agreeably to the above requisition." Signed "Z. Taylor Col." Written during Taylor's service as a Colonel in the U. S. Army (1835-1842) during the Seminole War. Usual folds, toning, with a very dark signature; fine condition. Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 56133 | Millard Fillmore Partly Printed Document Signed as President with Large Steel Engraving. One page, 16.25 x 11.5", Washington, January 15, 1851, docketed on verso. With his signature on this certificate, President Fillmore nominated Benjamin B. French "to be a Justice of the Peace in the county of Washington in the District of Columbia... This Commission to continue in force, for the term of three years." Co-signed by Daniel Webster as Secretary of State. At the lower left, an embossed paper Great Seal of the United States. Upper edge of document has been professionally reinforced; two faint areas of glue residue. Document is bright and clean; very fine. Document is accompanied by a pristine Johnson Fry & Co. steel engraving of President Fillmore, measuring 8 x 10.75". It features a border decoration of corn and cotton plants and a small vignette depicting Fillmore's invitation to Pacific/Asian nations to trade (ultimately resulting in the Treaty of Kanagawa). Sold for: $836.50. |
| 56134 | Franklin Pierce Partly Printed Document Signed as President with Large Steel Engraving. One page, 16.25" x 11.75", Washington, January 19, 1854. Being a judicial appointment naming "Benjamin B. French to be a Justice of the Peace, in the county of Washington in the District of Columbia... for the term of three years." This fresh, bright document bears Pierce's large signature at lower right, offset by the signature of William L. Marcy as Secretary of State. At lower left, an embossed Great Seal of the United States, with docketing beneath. This appointment has been slightly trimmed at the upper edge, and has been professionally reinforced along that edge. Large pale stain at upper left corner; faint glue marks at upper right corner. In fine condition. Document is accompanied by a handsome full-length steel engraving of President Pierce by the Johnson Fry & Co. of New York, measuring 7" x 10.25". A wonderful pair of Presidential collectibles!Sold for: $717.00. |
| 56135 | James Buchanan Administration Autograph Album Signed by 44 U.S. government leaders, Washington, D.C., 1857-1859, on 22 sheets, 8" x 6.5", bound in limp red roan covers, rubbed edges, floral endpapers. There are 36 blank sheets. Signatures include President "James Buchanan" and his complete Cabinet, each on a separate sheet titled in ornate script with his office, "Lew Cass," "Howell Cobb," "J. Thompson/of/Mississippi," "John B. Floyd," "Isaac Toucey," "Aaron V. Brown," and "J.S. Black"; also "Sam Houston/Texas," "S.A. Douglas/Chicago/Ills," "R Toombs/Geo.," "Jno: Bell/of Tennessee," "John P. Hale/Dover NH," "Hamilton Fish/New York," "Henry Wilson/Mass," "William H. Seward/Auburn," "B.F. Wade/Ohio," and 27 others. Every sheet in the album, save one, is signed on only one side, mostly two or three to a page. None of those listed are on pages back-to-back. The "Toombs" page is soiled with a vertical crease passing through the "o" in "Geo." A vertical crease passes between the "s" and "t" of "Houston." There is a light spot on the "W" of "Wilson," a vertical crease passes through the "w" in "Seward" and the "b" in "Auburn," and there are nicks at two edges of the Wilson/Seward page. A vertical crease passes through the "h" in "Ohio" and there are nicks and creases at the right edge of the Wade page. Overall, very good condition.Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 56136 | James Buchanan Partly Printed Document Signed as President. One page, 22" x 17", Washington, D.C., October 3, 1859. Impressive ship's passport, stating that "leave and permission are hereby given to William D. Van Wyke, master or commander of the Barque called James Allen... bound for Pacific Ocean and laden with Provisions, Stores, and utensils for a whaling voyage." Printed in four languages - French, Spanish, English, and Dutch - the document bears an embossed stamp of the Great Seal of the United States, as well as a large embossed paper seal of the Great Seal affixed with wax. Buchanan's signature is large and bold at center right; signature of Lewis Cass, Secretary of State beneath. Light age toning overall; one small closed area of separation at fold. In fine condition. Accompanied by a handsome bust steel engraving of President Buchanan by Johnson Fry & Co. measuring 7.5" x 10.5". Engraving features a decorative border with vignettes depicting Buchanan as a military leader, a statesman, and as President. Affixed to a 15.5" x 12" backing board, ready for framing. Clean, sharp, and very fine.Sold for: $1,434.00. |
| 56137 | James Buchanan conclusion of Autograph Letter Signed "James Buchanan" as Secretary of State, one page, 8" x 3.5". [Washington, 1845-1846] To "Hon George Bancroft/Secretary of the Navy." Bancroft was Polk's Secretary of the Navy from March 11, 1845 until September 9, 1846. The last paragraph of an ALS from Polk's Secretary of State (1845-1849) to his colleague in the cabinet. In full, "Mr. Baker's letter now on file had, I supposed, fully established this fact. I mentioned it to you repeatedly in conversation. If you desire further proof, I will have Mr. Baker's respectable neighbours examined on oath. I regret that both you & myself have had so much trouble concerning the appointment of a grand-son of Commodore Truxton as a midshipman in the Navy." At least two of Commodore Thomas Truxton's grandsons were at one time Navy midshipmen, Edward Fitzgerald Beale and William T. Truxton. A French collector has penciled Buchanan's name in the lower left corner and, in the lower center, Buchanan's birth and death years "né 1791 + 1868." Light soiling at left and lower portion. Partial separation of mid-vertical fold at lower bank edge. Overall, very good.Not Sold. |
| 56138 | Abraham Lincoln Autograph Letter Signed "A. Lincoln" as President, one page, 5" x 8". [Washington, D.C.], [Monday] July 4, 1864, to U.S. Senator Lazarus W. Powell of Kentucky. In full: "The Sec. of War [Edwin M. Stanton] informs me that Col. Woolford [sic] will be put on trial this week & just as early in the week as the case can be prepared. Very Respectfully." On February 29, 1864, Gen. James B. Fry, Provost Marshal General of the U.S. Army, ordered "the enrollment without delay, of all colored males of military age." On March 10, 1864, at a ceremony in Lexington, Kentucky, honoring him for his heroic actions against the Rebels, Union Col. Frank L. Wolford of the First Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry denounced President Lincoln as a tyrant and a traitor and urged Kentuckians to resist the enrollment of Negroes. His remarks were telegraphed to General John M. Schofield in Knoxville and, on March 12th, Gen. Stephen G. Burbridge ordered Col. Wolford's arrest for disloyal sentiments. On March 24th, by direction of President Lincoln, by order of Secretary of War Stanton, Col. Wolford was "dishonorably dismissed from the service of the United States for violation of the Fifth of the Rules and Articles of War, in using disrespectful words against the President of the United States, for disloyalty, and for conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman." On March 28, 1864, the Chicago Tribune, in a scathing editorial, opined that "Colonel Wolford, of the Federal army in Kentucky, had got some credit for services as a cavalry leader, but he foolishly threw away everything in a fit of rabies, that will at times come upon pro-slavery zealots. When the order came from the President to enroll the blacks, Col. Wolford's Anglo-Saxon blood all rushed to his head, overcame his organ of reverence, congested his love of country and he raved loud and long that he would at no one's bidding serve in the ranks with niggers. The President has taken the rampant negrophobist at his word and cast him into that outer darkness where rebels and secesh gnash their teeth against loyalty. Let Mr. Wolford, and all his kith and kin in politics, remember that the God-fearing black, who, with musket in hand steps forward at the call of the country, is tenfold more the brother and fellow citizen of the true patriot, than the wretches who to spite the negro would ruin the country." Four days later, the April 1, 1864 edition of the New York Times reported that "at the request of Gen. Grant the above Order has been revoked, and Col. Wolford reinstated in command." Col. Wolford was chosen a presidential elector of Kentucky's pro-McClellan Conservative Union Party and, as he had done previously, spoke throughout the state against Lincoln's policies. On June 27, 1864, Wolford was arrested again at Lebanon, Kentucky, and sent to Washington in shackles per Gen. Burbridge's orders, though still no formal charges had been filed. Burbridge became known as the "Butcher of Kentucky" for the imprisonment and execution of numerous Kentuckians, including public figures, on charges of treason and other crimes, many of which were baseless. When Wolford was brought to Secretary of War Stanton, the shackles were ordered to be removed and Wolford to be taken to a room at the Willard Hotel just a few blocks from the White House. At the hotel, Wolford received a message that Pres. Lincoln wanted to see him. The bearer of the message, Van Buren, who had served under Wolford as an engineer, and was a friend, was told by Wolford that he was a prisoner, he had seen the President's picture, and did not care to see him, but if the President wished to see him, he could "call around." Van Buren at first refused to carry such a message, but finally consented. Col. Wolford met with Lincoln, Stanton, Kentucky Senator Lazarus Powell, and others at the Willard. On July 7, 1864, three days after writing this letter to Sen. Powell, Lincoln met again with Col. Wolford at the White House and handwrote a statement for Wolford to sign on Executive Mansion stationery: "I hereby give my parol of honor, that if allowed, I will forthwith proceed to Louisville Kentucky, and then remain, until the court for my trial shall arrive, when I will report myself to their charge, and that in the mean time I will abstain from public speaking, and every thing intended or calculated to produce excitement." Wolford signed it, beneath which the President penned, "Col. Wolford is allowed to go on the above conditions. A. Lincoln." On July 17, 1864, Pres. Lincoln wrote to Wolford that he had that day sent to Attorney General James Speed "a blank parole in duplicate, which, if you chose, you can sign, and be discharged. He will call upon you. I inclose a printed copy of the letter I read to you the last day you were with me, and which I shall be pleased for you to look over." The parole, handwritten by Lincoln for Wolford's signature: "I hereby pledge my honor that I will neither do or say anything which will directly or indirectly tend to hinder, delay, or embarrass the employment and use of colored persons, as soldiers, seamen, or otherwise, in the suppression of the rebellion, so long as the U.S. government chooses to so employ and use them." On July 30th, Wolford replied to Lincoln in a lengthy letter. In part, "In answer to this proposal I have frankly to say that I can not bargain for my liberty and the exercise of rights as a freeman on any such terms. I have committed no crime. I have broken no law of my country or of my state. I have not violated any military order or any usages of war, no act or word of mine has ever given encouragement to the enemy. I have no sympathy for the rebellion; all my sympathies are with and all my hopes are for my country. The triumph of the national arms, the preservation of the Union, the maintenance of the Constitution, the restoration of the supremacy of the law over all the States, and the perpetuation of civil and religious liberty are the objects most dear to my heart. I may say without presumption that I have done more to enlist white men in the army of the Union than any other man in the State of Kentucky. I have done nothing to hinder the enlistment even of negroes, because I do not associate with them and have no influence over them. You, Mr. President, if you will excuse the bluntness of a soldier, by an exercise of arbitrary power, have caused me to be arrested and held in confinement contrary to law, not for the good of our common country, but to increase the chances of your re-election to the Presidency and otherwise to serve the purposes of the political party whose candidate you are, and now you ask me to stultify myself by signing a pledge whereby I shall virtually support you in deterring other men from criticising the policy of your Administration. No, sir; much as I love liberty I will fester in a prison or die on a gibbet before I will agree to any terms that do not abandon all charges against me and fully acknowledge my innocence...If, Mr. President, you can not face your case, so stated, it is only because you can not face the truth. If you by persisting in your policy of forcibly abolishing slavery, should cause this war to continue two years longer...It will bring over a million freemen to a bloody end. It will cause cripples and widows and orphans to become so numerous, and crime and violence and bloodshed and misery will increase to such an extent, and your tyranny will have become so great in carrying out the policy you have adopted in order to keep down the discontented and wounded spirits, that your course will come to rise up to defy you, that impartial history, in attesting the goodness and severity of God, will write you down as the greatest tyrant that ever lived..." Four days later, on August 3rd, Wolford telegraphed Lincoln. The Judge Advocate had ordered him to immediately report to Washington to be tried before a military commission. Wolford told the President that he had "scrupulously kept" the terms of his July 7th parole and that Lincoln had promised he would be tried in Louisville. On August 4th, Lincoln telegraphed: "Yours of yesterday received. Before interfering with the Judge Advocate General's order, I should know his reasons for making it. Meanwhile, if you have not already started, wait till you hear from me again. Did you receive letter and inclosures from me?" Wolford's August 5th reply indicates that he had not as yet mailed the lengthy July 30th response to Lincoln's July 17th offer of parole and discharge: "I duly recd letter and was on the point of mailing my answer when the order of the Judge Advocate came. My answer is now on the way to you." Lincoln never replied to Wolford's lengthy, critical letter. With his fate undecided, Wolford went back on the campaign trail. On September 19, 1864, Col. Wolford spoke in Richmond, Kentucky, at a McClellan rally, beginning, "I have been asked to point out a single clause in the Constitution of the United States that Mr. Lincoln has violated. This is an easy task; for there is scarcely a clause in that sacred instrument that he has not violated." In the November 8, 1864, presidential election, Lincoln won in a landslide, 212-21 electoral votes. Lincoln won 22 states to McClellan's 3, including Kentucky, Pres. Lincoln's birthplace. On July 5, 1864, a day after Lincoln wrote this letter about Col. Wolford to Senator Powell, the President issued a the following proclamation. In part, "Whereas many citizens of the State of Kentucky have joined the forces of the insurgents and...that combinations have been formed in the said State of Kentucky with a purpose of inciting revel forces to renew the said operations of civil war within the said State...I, Abraham Lincoln...do hereby declare that in my judgment the public safety especially required that the suspension of the privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus be effectually suspended within the said State...and that martial law be established therein..." Habeas Corpus was protection against illegal imprisonment. With its suspension, Col. Wolford and other Kentuckians could be imprisoned indefinitely without going to trial. Arrested frequently, Wolford never went to trial. Col. Frank Lane Wolford had served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1847 until 1849. From 1849 until the outbreak of the Civil War, he had earned a reputation as one of the best criminal lawyers in the state . On March 4, 1865, Wolford returned to the Kentucky House, serving until 1867 when he was appointed Adjutant General of Kentucky by Gov. John W. Stevenson. In 1869, Wolford returned to his law practice and, in 1882, was elected to Congress, serving from 1883-1887. The letter has been professionally restored, the folds have been reinforced on verso. Toning and a few spots of foxing as well as some soiling. Not Sold. |
| 56139 | Abraham Lincoln Document Signed "Abraham Lincoln" as President, one page, 18.5" x 14.5". Washington, January 29, 1862. Countersigned "Caleb B. Smith" as Secretary of the Interior. Appointment of Benjamin B. French as "Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds in the City of Washington." French had served in this position under Pierce from 1853-1855. According to The White House Historical Association, in the Lincoln administration, French "was charged with taking care of the Capitol, the President's House, and Washington's avenues, public squares, reservations, and bridges; administering the Capitol police and watchmen; and disbursing the money appropriated for the public works and property. Additionally he would soon be appointed the disbursing agent for the Capitol extension and the new dome." French served until 1867. Benjamin B. French was known not only for his political and Masonic posts (Grand Master of the District of Columbia, 1846-1853), but also as a poet. On July 4, 1861, he composed and sent to Mrs. Lincoln about 30 lines of poetry, which closed with the stanza: "So Washington's and/Lincoln's names/Twined in a wreath shall be,/One gave a Nation to the World,/The Other keeps it free." Heavy folds, one passing through "B" of Smith's signature. Embossed 1.75"-diameter seal of the Department of the Interior at the left. Dark full signature of Abraham Lincoln. Fine condition.Sold for: $9,560.00. |
| 56140 | Abraham Lincoln Manuscript Letter Signed "A. Lincoln" as President-elect, one page, 5" x 8". Springfield, Ill., November 13, 1860. To Hon. Will Cumback. In full, "Your letter of the 8th inst is duly received. Permit me to return my sincere thanks for your kind congratulations." The text of the letter is in the hand of his secretary, John G. Nicolay. On stationery clearly embossed in the upper left "Johnson/&/Bradford/Springfield, Ill.," booksellers and stationers. Not in Basler. The blank integral leaf has been neatly affixed to cardstock. Fine condition. On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President. Among the congratulatory letters he received was one from former Indiana Congressman Will Cumback who was one of Indiana's 13 Republican electors. On December 5, 1860, three weeks after Lincoln wrote this letter, as prescribed by law, the Electoral College met in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Cumback cast his vote for Lincoln. On February 13, 1861, in the Senate Chamber in Washington, the President of the Senate, Vice President John C. Breckinridge, who came in second with 72 electoral votes to Lincoln's 180, "declared that Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, having received a majority of the whole number of electoral votes, is duly elected President of the United States for four years, commencing on the 4th day of March, 1861." On April 23, 1861, Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton wrote to Pres. Lincoln, recommending the appointment of Cumback as Paymaster in the War Department. Morton highly recommended Cumback, telling the President he had represented Indiana's 11th District in the 34th Congress and that he had a high reputation for intelligence, a devotion to business, and a moral courage. On April 30th, Lincoln penned an endorsement on the verso of Morton's letter: "Let Mr. Cumback be appointed a Paymaster, when it can be done without violation of previous committals" and sent it to Secretary of War Simon Cameron. On July 30, 1861, President Lincoln nominated Cumback to be Additional Paymaster, as recommended by Cameron in a letter to him, as was protocol. On August 3rd, the Senate confirmed Cumback's appointment "to rank from June 1, 1861." On January 12, 1866, President Andrew Johnson, as recommended by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, nominated Will Cumback of the United States Volunteers to be Lieutenant-Colonel by brevet "for faithful and meritorious serviced during the war, to date from March 13, 1865." In 1870, Cumback was appointed by Pres. Grant to be U.S. Minister to Portugal, but he declined. Sold for: $8,663.75. |
| 56141 | Abraham Lincoln Manuscript Letter Signed as President. One page, 4.75" x 7.75", on Executive Mansion letterhead, Washington, D.C., November 23, 1864. Just two weeks after winning the 1864 presidential election, Lincoln penned this brief letter to Mrs. Wright Parker, thanking her for the gift she sent. In full: "Dear Madam, I report to learn, by a note from Mr. Cutler that you have never received my acknowledgement of your kindness in sending me, a great while ago, a very pretty and ingenious Card Basket. I beg that you will pardon the seeming neglect and accept the assurances of my grateful appreciation of your courtesy. Yours very truly, A. Lincoln." Of course the President was extremely busy during this time, so any delay in responding would have been understandable. Not only had Lincoln been running a bid for reelection, he was also called upon to invest great amounts of time, energy, and attention during this crucial time in the Civil War timeline. One week prior to writing this letter - November 15th - Union General William Tecumseh Sherman burned the city of Atlanta and began his famous March to the Sea. Very fine. Overall creamy age toning. Sold for: $10,755.00. |
| 56142 | Abraham Lincoln Military Commission Signed "Abraham Lincoln" as President, one page, partially printed vellum, 13.5" x 16.75" (sight), Washington, D.C., August 6, 1861, appoints Jerome K. Bauduy "Second Lieutenant in the Fourth Regiment of Artillery". The commission is countersigned by Simon Cameron as Secretary of War. Cameron, appointed by Lincoln in March 1861, served as Secretary of War for only one year, resigning on January 14, 1862 amidst allegations of corruption. The document is affixed with green War Department seal and embellished with martial engravings. Some of the handwritten portions are a bit faded, but the Lincoln signature is dark and legible. This framed document is in fine condition. Sold for: $6,572.50. |
| 56143 | Abraham Lincoln 1862 Autograph Endorsement Signed "A. Lincoln" as president on docketing portion of an 8" x 10" sheet, [Washington], January 11, 1862. He writes in full: "I shall be glad for the within request to be granted, if it can be consistent[?] with the public service." Very light toning at folds, otherwise very clean and bright with a dark signature. This note was written the very day that Secretary of War Simon Cameron resigned his office to be replaced by Edwin Stanton. A nice specimen. Sold for: $4,780.00. |
| 56144 | Abraham Lincoln 1861 Autograph Endorsement Signed "A. Lincoln" as president on the docket of a two page manuscript letter measuring 8" x 12" from E. R. Jewitt to Secretary of War Simon Cameron, Washington, July 10, 1861. In the letter Jewitt recommends, "...Mr. George W. Hoffman of Michigan as Paymaster in the regular Army..." Lincoln did not have an opinion on the matter and penned on the verso, "Respectfully referred to the Secretary of War. A. Lincoln July 15, 1861." Hand-written docket number affects several words in Lincoln's endorsement but is well clear of his signature. Slightly weak at folds, very light toning at extreme margins, otherwise in excellent condition.Sold for: $4,481.25. |
| 56145 | Abraham Lincoln Clipped Signature "A. Lincoln" on a tiny slip, 1.6" x .5", tightly trimmed and mounted to a card, 3" x 1.75". Sold for: $2,629.00. |
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| 56146 | [Abraham Lincoln] Emancipation Proclamation newspaper. The Fort Dodge Republican, two pages, 16" x 22.5", front and verso. Fort Dodge, Iowa, October 4, 1862. Seven columns. Column three and half of column four publishes "The President's Emancipation/Proclamation" issued in Washington, D.C., September 22, 1862. The Emancipation Proclamation issued by Pres. Lincoln on January 1, 1863, quoted from this 1862 proclamation, beginning: "Whereas, on the twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to wit: 'That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom. That the Executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof, respectively, shall then be in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day be, in good faith, represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State, and the people thereof, are not then in rebellion against the United States.'" One horizontal and one vertical fold. Tears at upper and lower margins. Overall, very good.Not Sold. |
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Autographs |
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| 56147 | Andrew Johnson Military Appointment Signed as President. DS, "Andrew Johnson ", one page, vellum, 15" x 19", Washington, D. C., April 17, 1865. The document awards the rank of brevet major to Peleg E. Beckham of Company "B", 7th Rhode Island Infantry, for "gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Spottsylvania Court House and the operations before Petersburg, Virginia". This brevet was conferred posthumously, as Beckham was killed in action just two weeks prior on April 2, 1865, when Union troops finally broke through the Confederate lines to pursue Lee's army to Appomattox. Signed by President Johnson and countersigned by Secretary of State Edwin M. Stanton. Actual hand-signed documents by Johnson as President are rare, as most of his signed documents were stamped with a steel-engraved facsimile signature, necessary after an injury to his right arm in 1857. This document was signed just two days after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and is likely one of the earliest documents to be signed by the newly inaugurated Johnson. Light uniform toning darker on verso top edge and along folds, one light erasure mark with a corrected date, signatures of Secretary Stanton and President Johnson are strong and clear, very good condition.Sold for: $1,434.00. |
| 56148 | Andrew Johnson Partly Printed Document Signed as President. One page, 20.5" x 15.25", Washington DC, August 19, 1865. Impressive certificate naming "Lawrence Leahy, of New York... to be Marshal of the Consular Court of the United States at Chin Kiang, China... until the end of the next session of the Senate of the United States." Embossed paper Great Seal of the United States affixed with wax at lower left, offset by the signatures of President Johnson and William H. Seward as Secretary of State. Two areas of reinforcement at weakened folds. Creamy overall age toning; very fine. With an engraving, 7.25" x 10.5" of Johnson seated next to a table. Published by Johnson Fry & Co. and affixed to a 15.5 x 12" backing board. Light overall age toning; in very fine condition.Sold for: $896.25. |
| 56149 | Andrew Johnson Signature "Andrew Johnson" as U.S. Senator, 4.75" x 1" (visible). Cut from paper wrapper noted to have enclosed a "Public Document." Lightly toned with minor creases. Democrat Andrew Johnson represented Tennessee in the U.S. Senate from October 8, 1857, to March 4, 1862, when he resigned, having been appointed by Pres. Abraham Lincoln as Brigadier General in the Volunteer force and Military Governor of Tennessee. Johnson was elected Vice President with Lincoln on the National Union (Republican) Party ticket in 1864 and became President when Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. In 1868, President Johnson was impeached but was found not guilty by one vote short of the two-thirds necessary for removal. He returned to the U.S. Senate in 1875, the only former U.S. President to serve in the upper house, from March 4, 1875, until his death on July 31, 1875. Matted with a color bust portrait of Johnson and a 6.75" x 8.5" (visible) printed presidential proclamation of June 24, 1865, in which Pres. Johnson removed "restrictions on trade west of the Mississippi River." Framed under glass to 15.25" x 12.25". In apparent fine condition.Sold for: $478.00. |
| 56150 | Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Note Authorizing a Congratulatory Letter to Queen Victoria Signed "U. S. Grant", one page, partially printed, 7.75" x 10", Washington, December 30, 1875, "I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to a congratulatory letter addressed to Queen Victoria dated this day, and signed by me: and for so doing this shall be his warrant." Smoothed folds and in very fine condition.Sold for: $1,673.00. |
| 56151 | Ulysses S. Grant Partly Printed Document Signed as President. One page, 4to, Washington, July 20, 1875. President Grant authorizes "a Warrant for the pardon of James Brown." Large signature. In very fine condition. With a beautiful three-quarter length Johnson Fry & Co. steel engraving of the President, seated and holding an envelope in one hand. Engraving measures 7.75" x 10.5" and has been affixed to a 15.5" x 12" backing board. Faint age toning; two small foxed areas at extreme edges. Very fine. Sold for: $776.75. |
| 56152 | Ulysses S. Grant Pardon Signed As President. DS, "U.S. Grant ", one page, 7.75" x 10", Washington, July 15, 1876. Partially printed document reading in part: "I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to a Warrant for the pardon of J. W. Bentley..." Light toning, two mailing folds with a tiny separation thereat; near fine condition. Sold for: $896.25. |
| 56153 | Rutherford B. Hayes Signed Cabinet Card photograph of the couple posed side-by-side, 4" x 6.25" (sight). In Hayes' hand at bottom: "Rutherford B. & Lucy W Hayes 1852". With a Grob, Fremont, Ohio photographic stamp. The couple was recently married, and the formal portrait was likely one of their first as man and wife. Lucy sits demurely on his left side, his arm carefully placed behind her. The cabinet card is matted beneath a reproduction of a portrait of Lucy Hayes and framed to an overall size of 7" x 16.25". Together with a small spoon engraved "PH", obtained by our consignor at the same time as the photograph. The spoon is said to have belonged to Lucy Hayes, although we are not able to present any provenance to corroborate. Not Sold. |
| 56154 | Rutherford B. Hayes Autograph Letter Signed "R. B. Hayes", one page, 5" x 8", Spiegel Grove, August 17, 1884. Hayes was a Civil War hero and later was elected Congressman and Governor of Ohio. As president, he ended Reconstruction, reformed the civil service, and supported hard money policies. After his first term, he renounced a second. This letter is to General Manning F. Force, a fellow Civil War soldier from Ohio regarding some personal news: "We miss you and yours. We shall share your sorrow. We counted on a great deal of happiness during your visit. Our place was never in so good condition. But alas! The change in your Father's family is appalling [sic]. If anything occurs to change plans we shall be at home all of this month, and in September after the 10th. The first ten days of Sept. we go to the reunion of the Army of West Va. at Cumberland. Our friendliest regards to Mrs. Force. Sincerely, R. B. Hayes." The letter is written on the back of a very interesting printed pamphlet by the Trustees of the John F. Slater Fund, whose purpose was to uplift "the lately emancipated population of the Southern States and their posterity, by conferring on them the blessings of Christian education". Hayes was the president of this fund, and other trustees included Supreme Court Justice Morrison Waite, noted Boston minister Phillips Brooks, and Daniel Gilman, the first president of Johns Hopkins. Original envelope included. Not Sold. |
| 56155 | Rutherford B. Hayes Partly Printed Document Signed as President Two pages including integral blank, 4to, Washington, October 24, 1879. Partly printed document using cursive font on pale blue paper. President Hayes directs "the Secretary of State to cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to a warrant for the pardon of Julius Fatton." Faint age toning at upper third of document, else very fine. With an impressive bust steel engraving of the President. Measures 7.75" x 10.25" and affixed to a 15.5" x 12" backing board. Faint overall age toning. Both the document and engraving are very fine, and worthy of any Presidential collection.Sold for: $388.38. |
| 56156 | James A. Garfield Executive Mansion Card Autograph Letter Signed "J A Garfield" as President, in pencil, 4" x 2.75". Executive Mansion, Washington, [1881]. On verso, "To John Sherman" in pencil and "Garfield J.A." in ink, and on front upper left corner "1881" in ink, each in unknown hand. In full, "My Dear Senator - Yours is recd - I hope to have an early opportunity to drive with you, but I have an Engagement..." At the 1880 Republican National Convention, Ohio Congressman and Senator-elect James A. Garfield opposed the renomination of U.S. Grant as President, supporting Ohio Sen. John Sherman's candidacy. Eventually, on the 36th ballot, Garfield was unanimously nominated and was elected President in November. A note written by Garfield to Sherman on May 8, 1881 exists in which the President confirms that he will be glad to ride with him, which would date this card before May 8th. Less than four months after his inauguration, on July 2, 1881, Garfield was assassinated. He lingered for 10 weeks before dying on September 19th. Light soiling at left and lower edges. Mounting remnants on verso, no show-through. Handwritten presidential letters signed by Garfield are extremely rare as are signed Executive Mansion cards. This ALS on an Executive Mansion card is exceedingly rare. Fine condition.Sold for: $9,560.00. |
| 56157 | James A. Garfield Autograph Letter Signed "J.A. Garfield," one page, 5" x 8". Washington, February 23, 1877. To G.M. Ingalsbe Esq., Sandy Hill, N.Y. In full, "Your favor of the 20th instant came duly to hand. Though I was opposed to the law which created the Electoral Commission, yet I recognized the value of the measure as a help to tide over a present difficulty, and have done what I could to make its provisions effective. I send you a copy of my speech on the bill, which you may care to read." Speech not present. On laid paper, in fine condition. On November 7, 1876, more Americans voted for Governor Samuel J. Tilden of New York, Democrat, than for Governor Rutherford B. Hayes of Ohio, Republican. 185 electoral votes were needed to win the presidency and Tilden led 184-165 with with both sides claiming the remaining 20 (4 from Florida, 8 from Louisiana, 7 from South Carolina, and 1 from Oregon). On January 25, 1877, the Senate passed the 47-17 followed by the House, opposed by Garfield, the next day, 191-86. On January 29th, President Grant signed the Electoral Commission bill into law. Fifteen members were appointed, five by the House and five by the Senate; four Supreme Court Justices named in the law would select the fifth Justice. There were supposed to be seven Democrats, seven Republicans, and one independent, Supreme Court Justice David Davis, but Davis resigned from the Court to become U.S. Senator and a Republican was named to replace him. Congressman James A. Garfield was one of the five selected by the House. The commission began hearing arguments on February 1, 1877. On February 23, 1877, the day Garfield wrote this letter, commission member Allen G. Thurman, Democratic Senator of Ohio, was too ill to attend the morning meeting in the Capitol. For the afternoon session, and the vote, the 14 other members proceeded in carriages to Thurman's residence on 14th Street between K and L. With Sen. Thurman in his bed, the commission voted on Oregon's disputed vote with Republican Garfield voting with the majority, 8-7, giving the vote to Republican Hayes. If this one electoral vote had gone to Tilden, he would have been elected President! The votes of Florida and Louisiana had been decided in favor of Hayes on February 9th and 16th respectively. On February 27th, South Carolina's votes went to Hayes. In the early morning hours of March 2, 1877, two days before the scheduled inauguration, it was officially announced at a joint session of Congress that Hayes had defeated Tilden, 185 electoral votes to 184. All 20 disputed votes went to Hayes, strictly on party lines, by votes of 8-7. Letters written by members of the Electoral Commission during their deliberations are exceedingly rare, especially those mentioning the commission. Sold for: $956.00. |
| 56158 | Chester Arthur Signed Naval Appointment. Partially printed DS "Chester A. Arthur", one page, large folio, 15.5" x 19", Washington, January 23, 1884. Arthur signs a vellum naval appointment awarded to "George M. Stoney... a Lieutenant (Junior grade)..." Countersigned by William E. Chandler as Secretary of the Navy. With American eagle vignette at the top; at the bottom is a splendid vignette showing Poseidon driving his chariot as it emerges from the waves, with ships at full sail and allegorical figures in the background. The blue paper and wax seal of the United States Navy Department appears at bottom with slight paper loss to seal. A fine example and ideal for display.Sold for: $657.25. |
| 56159 | Grover Cleveland Partially Printed Document Signed, one page, quarto, 8" x 10", Washington, June 11, 1887. Cleveland orders the Secretary of State to affix the U.S. seal to an "envelope containing my letter addressed to His Majesty Luis I, King of Portugal, on the birth of a Prince, son of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess Royal." A pristine document in very fine condition. Sold for: $388.38. |
| 56160 | Benjamin Harrison Partially Printed Document Signed "Benj Harrison", one page, quarto, 8" x 10.5", Washington, June 5, 1889. On imprinted stationery of the Executive Mansion. Harrison removes Charles B. Howry from the office of "Attorney of the United States for the Northern District of Mississippi." Light feathering of ink to some areas, otherwise a near fine document. With an attractive S. Appleton & Co. engraving of Harrison.Sold for: $597.50. |
| 56161 | William McKinley Postal Appointment. Partially printed DS "William McKinley", one page, large oblong folio, 22" x 17", Washington, July 8, 1898. McKinley appoints Charles A. Parker to the position of Postmaster in West Rutland in Vermont. The document bears the Presidential seal and the gold paper seal with red ribbon of the Post Office Department of the United States. Light foxing and soiling at margins, near fine. Together with a B.E.P. engraving of McKinley. Sold for: $478.00. |
| 56162 | Theodore Roosevelt Photograph Signed "Theodore Roosevelt/May 1902", 9" x 6.5", matted to 14" x 11.75". This photograph was taken on May 3, 1902, by the renowned Washington, D.C. photographer Barnett McFee Clinedinst at the Chevy Chase Club in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Roosevelt had left the White House on Bleistein and rode the six miles to Chevy Chase. In Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter (Scribner's Sons, 1906), Roosevelt writes, "Among the various horses I have owned in recent years Bleistein was the one I like best, because of his good nature and courage. He was fair, although in no way a remarkable jumper. One day, May 3, 1902, I took him out to Chevy Chase and had him photographed while jumping various fences and brush hurdles." There are four creases in the photograph with no damage to the President's signature or his image. The creases are mostly in blank areas. There is a nick under the "9" of the date. Overall, in very good condition.Not Sold. |
| 56163 | Theodore Roosevelt Typewritten Letter Signed with a Holographic Postscript, one page, small quarto, 7.25" x 9", Oyster Bay, New York, July 15, 1903. On White House stationery, to Mr. Eugene Philbin in New York. Marked "Personal" at the top, Roosevelt writes: "I am delighted at what you tell me as to the education of the young Filipinos in this country for service in the Philippines..." While Governor of New York, Roosevelt had appointed Philbin to replace the controversial Asa Gardiner as New York district attorney in 1900. At the time this letter was written, Philbin was greatly involved in Roosevelt's efforts to reform immigration. In his 1903 State of the Union Address, Roosevelt would commend Philbin for his work: "At present some districts which need immigrants have none; and in others, where the population is already congested, immigrants come in such numbers as to depress the conditions of life for those already there. During the last two years the immigration service at New York has been greatly improved, and the corruption and inefficiency which formerly obtained there have been eradicated. This service has just been investigated by a committee of New York citizens of high standing, Messrs. Arthur V. Briesen, Lee K. Frankel, Eugene A. Philbin, Thomas W. Hynes, and Ralph Trautman. Their report deals with the whole situation at length, and concludes with certain recommendations for administrative and legislative action." At the end of the letter, he adds in his own hand that "Bonaparte will write you at once on the Indian matters". Charles J. Bonaparte had been appointed by Roosevelt to the Board of Indian Commissioners the previous year with aims to investigate conditions in the Indian Territories. Roosevelt would later nominate Bonaparte to his cabinet in 1905 as Secretary of the Navy. Most notably, Bonaparte can be credited with establishing the Federal Bureau of Investigation; a task completed during his tenure as U.S. Attorney General. Letter has slight discoloration along folds and margin and evidence of feathering to ink; otherwise a near fine letter with important associative value. Together with a handsome chest,up engraving of Roosevelt.Sold for: $1,015.75. |
| 56164 | Theodore Roosevelt Signed Military Appointment. DS "Theodore Roosevelt", one page, 15" x 19", City of Washington, Dec. 25, 1907, appointing "George A. Taylor... [a] First Lieutenant in the Artillery Corps..." Slight shrinkage to lower left corner, otherwise near fine with sharply detailed engravings. Sold for: $657.25. |
| 56165 | Theodore Roosevelt Signed and Inscribed Photograph, 7.5" x 9.5" Harris & Ewing print, chest-up portrait. Signed beneath the albumen on the mount: "With all good wishes for the success of the movement for Pan-American Peace and Friendship. Theodore Roosevelt April 27th 1908." An important inscription as President. Albumen has considerable fading as well as a dark spot and cracking at lower left. Mount has chipping at right margin, with a bold and prominent description. In a period frame to an overall size of 15.5" x 18".Sold for: $657.25. |
| 56166 | Woodrow Wilson Check Signed as President. 8.5" x 3.25", Washington, September 6, 1919, drawn on the Treasury for $1.00 payable to Clarence Dillon, for his service as vice chairman of the War Industries Board. The check is countersigned by Bernard Baruch, Chairman of the War Industries Board, and Dillon has added his endorsement signature on the verso. The check bears a printed memo, "Object for which drawn: In acknowledgment of patriotic and valuable services given voluntarily to the United States in time of war." The Texas-born Dillon (1882-1979) attended the Groton School, then Harvard where his connections enabled him to join the brokerage of William A. Read and Company. Following Read's death in 1916, Dillon purchased a majority stake in the firm that was renamed Dillon, Read & Co. in 1920. By 1957, Fortune magazine listed him as one of the wealthiest individuals in the United States with a fortune estimated $200 million. Dillon was asked to join the War Industries Board (W.I.B.) by Bernard Baruch, whom Woodrow Wilson had appointed as chairman in 1918. Baruch (1870-1965) was already a highly successful stock trader and financier when Wilson asked him to reorganize the board, which had been established in July 1917 to help manage the efficient production of war material after the U.S. entered the First World War. The W.I.B. set production quotas and allocated raw materials as well as dealing with labor-management disputes. The W.I.B., like many of the emergency agencies established as the United States mobilized for war, were run by prominent business executives who became known as "dollar-a-year men", as they only took token salaries for their services - a requirement of all federal employees. (This term became a bit of a pop culture phenomenon resulting in songs and even a 1921 film of the same name starring Fatty Arbuckle!) Baruch and Wilson were longtime friends. Following the latter's stroke in 1919, Baruch purchased a townhouse for Wilson and his wife to live in, purchasing the all surrounding properties in order to protect the privacy of the ailing President. This check is the first issuance of a $1 check and represents the initiation of an expression synonymous with public service! A remarkable piece of history. Sold for: $1,792.50. |
| 56167 | Woodrow Wilson Signed Appointment, one page, large oblong folio, 23" x 18.75", Washington, June 26, 1919. In this very large document, Wilson signs the appointment of "Harold L. Williamson... Secretary of Embassy or Legation." The United States seal is attached in the lower left portion of the document. With folds, otherwise fine; accompanied by a B.E.P. engraving of Wilson.Sold for: $657.25. |
| 56168 | Woodrow Wilson Naval Appointment Signed As President. DS "Woodrow Wilson ", one page vellum, 15" x 18.5", Washington, D.C., January 25, 1916. Partially printed commission naming Lyman B. Hoops "an Ensign " in the United States Navy, affixed with Navy Department seal, embellished with engraved maritime vignettes. Signatures faded, one horizontal fold center, good condition.Sold for: $262.90. |
| 56169 | Warren G. Harding Document Signed, one page, large oblong folio, 23" x 18.75", Washington, March 7, 1921. Harding signs a document for Harold Williamson, a career diplomat, "reposing special trust and confidence" and promoting him to the position of "Secretary of Embassy". Also signed by Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes. The United States seal is attached in the lower left portion of the document. Folded, otherwise fine condition. Sold for: $836.50. |
| 56170 | Herbert Hoover Signed & Numbered Limited First Edition of A Remedy for Disappearing Game Fishes. (New York: Huntington Press, 1930), first edition, numbered 533 of 990 copies, 41 pages plus limitation page, gorgeous marbled paper boards shelf-backed in green cloth with gilt lettering on the spine, 8vo (6.25" x 9.5"), original slipcase. Transmittal letter signed by Lawrence Richey, secretary to the president mounted to the inside cover with some showthrough. Signed on the first front end leaf, "Good wishes of Herbert Hoover." Some toning and stray foxing to endpapers, otherwise a very fine copy. We have previously sold another volume of this book for $1315.Sold for: $597.50. |
| 56171 | Herbert Hoover Typewritten Letter Signed, one page, small quarto, 7" x 9", November 11, 1930. On White House stationery, to Mr. Paul Wooton at the National Press Building in Washington, D.C. Hoover thanks Mr. Wooton for his letter and notes. "It is encouraging to know one has such good friends." Written during the Great Depression, at a time when the Hoover administration was an easy target for attack and in need of friends. Gentle toning and in near fine condition. Sold for: $179.25. |
| 56172 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Typewritten Letter Signed, one page, small quarto, 7" x 9", October 19, 1936. On White House stationery, to Mrs. Muriel Howland in Detroit, Michigan. Roosevelt sends thanks for "that nice message of congratulations at Detroit. I am deeply grateful for all the good wishes and the friendly interest which you express." Written during Roosevelt's campaign for reelection. Roosevelt has already successfully enacted several New Deal policies such as Social Security and unemployment benefits and had won the approval of most Americans. Although a close race was predicted, Roosevelt would go on to win with a landslide victory carrying all but two states. Folded in four, otherwise fine condition. Sold for: $388.38. |
| 56173 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Signed Appointment. DS "Franklin D. Roosevelt", one page, 19.5" x 15.5", City of Washington, June 14, 1933, appointing "John R. Viley... Collector of Internal Revenue for the District of Idaho". Minor buckling and light soiling, otherwise near fine and framed to an overall size of 22.5" x 18.5" Sold for: $448.13. |
| 56174 | Harry S. Truman Typed Letter Signed "Harry S Truman" as President, one page, 8" x 10.25". The White House, Washington, July 16, 1951. To Hon. Charles H. Silver, New York. In part, "I have been given much thought to the future of the Commission on Internal Security and Individual Rights. I had hoped that the Congress would soon enact the legislation to exempt the members of the Commission and its staff from the conflict-of-interest statutes. I feel that in fairness to the members of the Commission, I can no longer delay action on the resignations they have submitted to me. Information that has come to me in recent weeks has made it clearer than ever that there is a great need to do the job for which the Commission was established. The job must be done...I understand that you are one of the members for whom the conflict-of-interest statutes do create a problem. Consequently, it is my purpose to accept your resignation as soon as I am able to obtain new members...Until then, I think it is best for no announcement to be made on the matter. I am taking this step reluctantly, because I have had such great confidence in you...As I shall indicate when I actually accept your resignation, I am very grateful for what you have done." Wrinkles and creases in the lower left portion of the letter, not near bold signature. The letter and the original envelope present are each noted to be "Confidential." On January 23, 1951, President Truman created the Commission on Internal Security and Individual Rights directing it to investigate, in a non-partisan way, the controversy over loyalty and the related problems of treason, espionage, and sabotage in the conflict between freedom and Communism. Truman said that one of the commission's tasks was to study how "a free people protect their society from subversive attack without at the same time destroying their own liberties." Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz was appointed Chairman of the nine member commission. Conflict-of-interest statutes thwarted the operation of what became known as the Nimitz Commission and in May, all nine commission members resigned. Among the restrictions were laws that barred a military officer receiving military pay from taking a federal job (affecting Nimitz) and laws not permitting law firms of lawyers employed by the government to file cases against the United States (affecting commission members who were lawyers). The House of Representatives passed the "conflict-of-interest" exemption measure but the Senate Judiciary Committee, headed by Nevada Sen. Pat McCarran, turned it down by a vote of 6-3. The McCarran Internal Security Act of 1950 had been passed over Truman's veto. The McCarran Act required the registration of Communist organizations, established a board to investigate persons suspected of engaging in subversive activities, and allowed the detention of dangerous, disloyal, or subversive persons in times of war or "internal security emergency." On October 27, 1951, President Truman reluctantly accepted the resignation of Charles H. Silver, Admiral Nimitz, and the seven other members of his commission on Internal Security and Individual Rights and the commission ceased to exist. A victorious McCarran then established the Internal Security Subcommittee of his Judiciary Committee and chaired both.Sold for: $657.25. |
| 56175 | Harry S Truman Typed Quotation Inscribed and Signed "To John M. Taylor from Harry S Truman Apr. 22, 1960" on 5.75" x 3.25" sheet affixed to 7" x 4.5" card. In full, "I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth, and the Republicans thought it was hell. April 13, 1960." Former President and Mrs. Truman were visiting their daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Clifton Daniel, and their two grandsons in New York City and were staying at the Carlyle Hotel. At 7:30 A.M., April 13, 1960, Truman began his usual pre-breakfast stroll from his hotel on 76th Street, up Park Avenue along 82nd Street, and down Fifth Avenue. "The New York Times" reported that during his 28-minute walk, "in reply to an assertion that he had waged a 'give 'em hell' campaign in 1948, Mr. Truman declared: 'I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth, and the Republicans thought it was hell.'" It was the newspaper's "Quotation of the Day." Fine condition. Not Sold. |
| 56176 | Harry S. Truman Autograph Manuscript and Typed Manuscript with Holograph Corrections in Truman's Hand from an address given on Oct. 21, 1948 on a radio program sponsored by the International Ladies Garment Workers Union Campaign Committee. The opening statements from the address written entirely in Truman's hand: "I certainly appreciate the cordial introduction and support of Miss Bankhead. Miss Bankhead's father, the great Speaker of the House, the Hon. William Bankhead, was a very good friend of mine. Miss Bankhead's uncle, the Hon. John Bankhead, with whom I served for years in the Senate, was a fine gentleman and a great Senator. I also appreciate most highly the support of Miss Barrymore, the first lady of the stag[e], whom I've seen in all her great roles." Written on lined tablet paper, 8" x 10.25" (sight). Matted and framed alongside a typed draft, 7.5" x 12", of the same speech, with numerous corrections in his hand. Although unexamined out of the frame, it is apparent that there is a second page behind the displayed with additional edits. In part: "...The New Deal represents not merely our pride in what we have done but he pattern for what we want to do. It is a program for going forward. True liberalism looks to the future, and not merely to the past. [Truman has crossed the phrase.] True liberalism is more than a matter of words. It cannot hide behind the catch phrases of the Republican candidate for President - catch phrases like 'unity' and 'efficiency'. Unity for what? What kind of efficiency? You remember that Mr. Hoover was an 'efficiency expert' too. Also as the Republicans presented him he was the 'Great Engineer'. We have been hearing about engineers again recently from the Governor of New York. [Truman has crossed out and written in:] Republican candidate. He objects to having engineers back up. He doesn't mention, however, that under..." An important manuscript reflecting Truman's strategy to align himself with the Roosevelt tradition; a strategy which would prove successful in his dramatic come from behind victory over Dewey in the 1948 election just a month later. Both items are matted and framed to an overall size of 21.75" x 16.75". Sold for: $478.00. |
| 56177 | Harry S. Truman 1949 Inauguration White House Guests, one page, 8" x 9.75" (visible). Vice President Harry S. Truman succeeded to the presidency when President Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945. He was elected to a full four year term in 1948 and was inaugurated on January 20, 1949. This is a list of the people who would be Truman's guests at the White House during the Inaugural festivities, with ten names added by President Truman. He's also corrected his brother-in-law's name, changing "Frederick" to "Fred." Typed on the page in one column, 12 names, Headed "House Guests." The list: "Mr. J. Vivian Truman/Miss Martha Ann Truman/Miss Mary Truman/Mr. & Mrs. Frank G. Wallace/Mr. & Mrs. George Wallace/Miss Ethel Noland/Mr. & Mrs. John C. Truman/Mr. & Mrs. Fred Wallace/Mrs. Roy Davis Hornbuckle/Mrs. Talbot Romine/Marian Wallace/David Wallace." President Truman was Mr. J. Vivian Truman and Miss Mary Truman's brother. Miss Martha Anne Truman was the President's niece. Mr. & Mrs. Frank G. Wallace, Mr. & Mrs. George Wallace, and Mr. & Mrs. Fred Wallace were Mrs. Bess Wallace Truman's brothers and sisters-in-law. Miss Ethel Noland, Mrs. Roy Davis Hornbuckle, and Mrs. Talbot Romine were President Truman's cousins. John C. Truman was his nephew. Mrs. Bess Wallace Truman was the aunt of David Wallace and Marian Wallace. President Truman has personally added 10 names to the list, never signing his name, but penning "Harry" once and "Truman" four times: "Mrs. Truman" (wife), "Margaret Truman" (daughter), "Maj. Gen. & Mrs. Ralph E. Truman " (cousin), "Col. & Mrs. Louis Truman" (second cousin), "Maj. Gen. Harry H. Vaughan Army" (friend since 1917), "Brig. Gen Wallace H. Graham Surgeon" (personal White House physician), "R. Adm. Robert L. Dennison Navy" (Truman's Naval Aide), and "Brig Gen. Robert Landry Air" (Truman's Air Force Aide). It's interesting to note that President Truman added the names of his wife and daughter as "House Guests," but not his own. "1949 Inaugural" penciled at lower edge in unknown hand. Truman's handwriting, over 30 words, is dark and bold. The page has numerous creases and soiling, the lower two corners have been cut off, and there is plastic tape at the edges. In apparent good condition. Matted and framed to 13.5" x 15".Sold for: $507.88. |
| 56178 | Harry Truman: Signed Specially Bound Copy of Address of the President at the Opening of the Conference on the Japanese Peace Treaty September 4, 1951. The White House, Washington. 1893. Christmas 1951. 12pp., 6.5" x 9.5". Number 33 of a limited edition series of sixty printed especially for the President. Inscribed on the front endpage: "To Hon. Stuart Symington, with best wishes for a Merry Christmas. Harry Truman / Dec. 25, 1951." W. Stuart Symington was chosen by Truman to be the First Secretary of the Air Force. Book is bound in quarter Morocco with the Presidential seal on the cover, and the title in gilt along the spine. Some staining to cover, and light soiling to end pages; otherwise a very good copy. Accompanied by a printed card sending a photograph (not included) bearing a printed Harry Truman signature. Sold for: $3,107.00. |
| 56179 | Harry S. Truman Document Signed, one page, oblong quarto, 11" x 8.5", March 1, 1947. Truman signs a citation from the White House Correspondents' Association honoring one of its members for his assistance "on the occasion of its annual dinner in honor of the President." The award bears an elegant engraved vignette of the facade of the White House in the upper center portion. Mounting remnants to verso, and a few stray foxing spots; otherwise very good. Sold for: $233.03. |
| 56180 | [Harry S. Truman] "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN" Edition of the Chicago Daily Tribune. 54 pages, 17" x 24", Chicago, Illinois, November 3, 1948. An original first edition with the famous and incorrect banner headline on the front page of the Chicago Tribune, declaring Thomas E. Dewey the winner in the 1948 presidential race against Harry S. Truman. The lead story by reporter Arthur Sears Henning stated in part, "Dewey and Warren won a sweeping victory in the presidential election yesterday. The early returns showed the Republican ticket leading Truman and Barkley pretty consistently in the western and southern states .... Complete returns would disclose that Dewey won the presidency by an overwhelming majority of the electoral vote." Truman was expecting to lose the election, but finally won with a majority of the electoral vote. Only a hundred copies of the paper were published before a second edition was issued by the Tribune. Newsprint is lightly toned with age, with some foxing along outer edges, one horizontal fold center, slight tear at corner of fold on front page, type is strong and clear, headline bold and clean, very fine condition. Sold for: $1,493.75. |
| 56181 | Dwight D. Eisenhower Autographed Letter Signed "Ike", 3pp., quarto, 8" x 10.5", [London], March 4, [1944], to his wife Mamie. "My Darling -- I'm waiting now to decorate an officer -- a ceremony that will only take a minute or two. Then I have two more appointments and hope that I'm through for the day... They are moving my office to the country and if I can stay out of the way I know Lee will appreciate it. Tomorrow (Sunday) the machine should be running again. Thanks very much for sending me the picture of my one sec. Another one is broadcasting to the U.S. this week -- Lord knows what about! Newsmen and photographers are everywhere -- and they take everything and write everything the believe they can get printed... I'm really tired today. I've had several long nights this week... Next week is already full of appointments & I'm trying hard to get out to see some troops... I owe P.A. a letter, but I don't know when I will get around to writing it. I know he'll understand -- although it sometimes seems to me that people far removed from war expect a soldier, no matter where he is or what he is doing, to give the same attention to manners and all the small niceties that are normal to peacetime existence. When I get letters from heartbroken mothers seeking news of someone 'missing in action' -- and begging mu help -- but with the utmost concern for the burdens already on me -- then I begin to think that the more people suffer, the more truly considerate they become. Well, maybe I don't know exactly what I do mean!... I love you very much -- I'd like nothing better that to be back with you... The particular generation to which we belong has really had to take it on the chin with 2 great wars during its adult life. Please god our children will be spared another..." Eisenhower returned to London after a furlough in Washington, D.C., where he set up his headquarters at 20 Grosvenor Square. Life in London was filled with constant interruptions, he felt himself at the mercy of Churchill and other VIPs who would arrive without announcement at any hour. London provided too many distraction for the staff. Stephen Ambrose notes in his biography, Eisenhower: Soldier and President, that in March of 1944, Ike moved his headquarters outside of London to Bushey Park. All three pages are in near fine condition.Sold for: $6,572.50. |
| 56182 | Dwight D. Eisenhower Typed Letter Signed to Mamie Signed Twice, "Ike", at the conclusion of the letter, and "D" after the holographic postscript. Three pages, quarto, 8" x 10.25", [Algiers], Dec. 9, 1942, on imprinted stationery of the Allied Forces Headquarters; with the salutation , closing lines and postscript in Eisenhower's hand. A lengthy letter describing his daily life, in part: "Lee has just told me that an officer is leaving here today or tomorrow to return to the States. I am just too weary to pick up a pen to write a full letter so I hope you will forgive me if I dictate part of it. I have handed Lee a check which he is sending to you... We are still living on a rather 'camping out' basis, although we have a house that we will eventually put on quite a nice basis. It is a sprawly affair and gloomy, but it has one nice living room and my bedroom is quite comfortable. Lighting, heating, and all other facilities are typically French and you know what that means... For the moment, we have an army cook who does as well as he can out of the type of rations we get. I haven't had any fresh fowl or beef since coming to this country. All of us live mostly on mutton and canned 'willie' so far as the meat ration is concerned. Fruits, such as tangerines, oranges, dates and figs, seem to be plentiful at this season... Butch and Lee are both in fine fettle... it is pretty hard to run a household here... and at the end of a long day I get rather impatient with little things that go wrong...This has been a wearing tour of duty. As long as the first of August I knew that I was not to be in England long - at least that I was to take a good healthy trip away from the place. Since the whole thing was highly secret, it was of course difficult for me to write to you often and avoid telling you things that I couldn't put in a letter... Through friends in the War Department, you would be the first to know if I should take seriously ill or have any accident befall me, so I trust that you don't worry about my general welfare... Yesterday a copy of a telegram was shown me which indicates that Milton is soon to come to this theater. What a joy it will be to see him, and you may as well tell Helen that he is going to have a good long stay. She might as well understand that I am the boss here and no one leaves the place until I give the word!..." Much more excellent content. In his hand, Eisenhower closes, "Well - not so much more to say except that I'd like to see you this very minute. Send my best to all the family members - and remember, I love you - always Ike." In a postscript, he adds, "The written part of this letter is not nearly what it might be - but as usual I'm a slave to 'time' - loads of love - D." On November 13, General Eisenhower flew briefly to Algiers to sign a formal accord with Admiral Jean François Darlan, commander-in-chief of the Vichy French Armed Forces. It was agreed that the French would not resist an American-British offensive in North Africa in exchange for making Darlan governor general of French North Africa. Upon returning to Gibraltar, Eisenhower resolved to move to Algiers by Nov. 23. Eisenhower soon realized the troubles that would arise out of the Darlan Deal. In his book Letters to Mamie, John Eisenhower notes of these events: "Actually the Deal was recognized as necessary because of the urgency of an advance toward Tunisia, which had not yet been occupied by the Nazis and Italians. The cooperation of the French allowed [the British] to begin the push to Tunisia. From mid-November to late December, despite the fact that the Tunisian fighting was foremost in his mind, General Eisenhower was able to visit the front only twice, as weather forced him to travel this long distance by automobile over muddy roads. "General Eisenhower's one relief during this period was the visit of his brother Milton, who had been sent by President Roosevelt to inquire, among other things, about the continuing bad publicity still coming out of North Africa regarding the Darlan Deal. Milton was able to discover some difficulties and correct them, but he could only stay a short time. The Darlan problem was not completely solved until his assassination on Christmas Eve." Very fine condition.Sold for: $2,390.00. |
| 56183 | Dwight D. Eisenhower Oversized Portrait Signed and Inscribed. A formal chest, up portrait, 15.5" x 19.5" (sight) signed "For Mac and Lucille McCool with Best Wishes Dwight D. Eisenhower". A small plaque affixed to the frame reads: "Presented to Mr. & Mrs. M.G. McCool on September 13, 1962, by their fellow citizens of Oklahoma in recognition of their great contribution to better government." Framed to an overall size of 20.25" x 24.25". Sold for: $358.50. |
| 56184 | Dwight D. Eisenhower Typewritten Letter Signed on White House letterhead, one page, small quarto, 7" x 9", October 14, 1953. To a White House aide and his wife, thanking them for a birthday cake: "Mrs. Whitman tells me its baking took your combined efforts, and that it was made from a favorite Virginia recipe..." A postscript continues: "Thank you... [for] giving me a chance to see some of my associates that I don't get to see very often." Unevenly toned, otherwise near fine. Sold for: $537.75. |
| 56185 | John F. Kennedy Document Signed "John F. Kennedy" as President, one page, 15.25" x 11.75". Washington, September 20, 1962. Countersigned "Dean Rusk" as Secretary of State. Appointment of physicist Henry DeWolf Smyth as "an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sixth Session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency..." Fine 3.5" diameter embossed paper presidential seal affixed at left. Dr. Henry DeWolf Smyth (1898-1986) was the author of the federal government's official report on the development of the atomic bomb, "Atomic Energy for Military Purposes" (known as the Smyth Report) made public shortly after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He had served as a special consultant to the Manhattan Engineer District (Manhattan Project). Smyth was a member of the Atomic Energy Commission (1949-1954) and U.S. representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (1961-1970). The Sixth Session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency was held in Vienna September 18-26, 1962. Mint condition!Sold for: $4,780.00. |
| 56186 | John F. Kennedy Letter Signed as President. TLS, "John F. Kennedy ", one page, 6.25" x 9.25", White House stationery, Washington, D.C., February 14, 1961, to Robert McNeil. A brief letter acknowledging a small contribution to his collection from President Kennedy. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope, postmarked February 15, 1961. Two mailing folds, light toning on verso along folds. Very fine condition.Sold for: $3,107.00. |
| 56187 | John F. Kennedy Letter Signed as Senator. TLS, "John F. Kennedy ", one page, 8" x 10.5", United States Senate stationery, Washington, D.C., May 28, 1956, to Robert McNeil. A brief letter of thanks for a request of a signed card. Accompanied by autographed United States Senate card, signed "John F. Kennedy US Sen. Mass.". Letter has two mailing folds, light toning overall, slight fold along left side, toning from paper clip on letter and card. Very fine condition.Sold for: $1,912.00. |
| 56188 | Autograph Letter Signed by Jackie Kennedy as First Lady. One page, small 8vo, on her personal Hyannis Port, Massachusetts letterhead, August 26, 1961. Brief note addressed to "Mrs. Taylor," wife of General Maxwell Taylor, thanking her for "the great satin jewelry case you gave me... I shall treasure it always because you gave it to me." Signed, "With much love, Jackie." As always, items from the Kennedy years are highly collectible, and this one should prove no different. Very fine.Sold for: $896.25. |
| 56189 | 1953 Bouvier-Kennedy Wedding. Comprises: (1) Invitation, 6" x 4.25". "Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Dudley Auchincloss/request the honour of your presence/at the marriage of Mrs. Auchincloss' Daughter/Jacqueline Lee Bouvier/to/The Honorable John Fitzgerald Kennedy/United States Senate/on Saturday, the twelfth of September/at eleven o'clock/Saint Mary's Church/Spring Street/Newport, Rhode Island." (2) Original envelope postmarked New York, August 14, 1953, with "Hammersmith Farm/Newport, Rhode Island" embossed on back flap, addressed to "Miss Grace Comans/Miss Porter's School/Farmington/Connecticut". (3) Saint Mary's Church admission card, 3.75" x 2.5", engraved "Please present this card at/Saint Mary's Church/on Saturday, the twelfth of September." (4) Hammersmith Farm reception card engraved "Reception/following the ceremony/Hammersmith Farm/Newport, Rhode Island/the Favour of a reply is requested." Fine condition. Miss Porter's School, a preparatory school for girls, was founded by education reformer Sarah Porter in 1843. Jacqueline Lee Bouvier attended the Farmington, Connecticut, school from 1944-1947.Sold for: $2,151.00. |
| 56190 | (1) Lee Harvey Oswald Guidebook for Marines Signed "PVT. LEE H. OSWALD/NO. 1653230" in light pencil in block letters on title page, 476 pages, 6.5" x 8.25". Published by the Leatherneck Association, Inc. Washington, D.C. Fifth Revised Edition, First Printing, January 1, 1956. From the Preface: "This fifth revision of the original Guidebook For Marines is the result of a combined effort by Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Corps Schools and Leatherneck Magazine..." Stamped in the upper margin on the title page, lightly on page 80, and on page 91, is "L H. OSWALD." Worn, heavily creased fabrikoid covers, copiously illustrated with photographs and diagrams. Torn spine with front cover and spine partially separated from the text. The first 90 pages, including the title page, are dog-eared in the lower right, decreasing in degree, page by page. The last 120 pages, 353-476, are dog-eared in the upper right, increasing in degree, page by page. Some other pages have tears at the corners or are dog-eared to a lesser extent. The "53" of Oswald's Service Serial Number has been effaced. Of special interest is Chapter15, "The M1 Rifle." Oswald has made notes and edits in pencil in "The M1 Rifle" chapter, the only handwritten notes in the book. On page 171, the first page of the chapter, the listing of "Average rate of aimed fire per minute" is "30 rounds." Oswald has crossed out "30" and written "16-24." [The Warren Report concluded that "the three shots were fired in a time period ranging from approximately 4.8 to in excess of 7 seconds"]. On page 180, he's crossed out the word "Movement" in "Movement of the operating rod" replacing it with "action." On page 181, Oswald replaced "Action of the follower" with "(feeding)" and underlined the first word in "Termination of rearward movement." On page 189, the last page of the chapter, in the subchapter headed "Sight Setting," he has underlined the 15 words (here in quotes) explaining the elevating and windage knob clicks on the rifle, with each click representing "1 minute of angle or approximately 1 inch on the target for each 100 yards" of range. [The Warren Report stated "The President was 265.3 feet from the rifle in the sixth-floor window and at that position the approximate angle of declination was 15°21'.331."] The Warren Report, officially the Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, "concluded that a rifleman of Lee Harvey Oswald's capabilities could have fired the shots from the rifle used in the assassination within the elapsed time of the shooting. The Commission has concluded further that Oswald possessed the capability with a rifle which enabled him to commit the assassination." The Dallas police found a "bolt-action rifle with a telescopic sight" stuffed between two rows of boxes on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository. The Commission also concluded that the "rifle from which the shots were fired was owned by and in the possession of Oswald...Oswald carried this rifle into the Depository Building on the morning of November 22, 1963...Oswald, at the time of the assassination, was present at the window from which the shots were fired." From The Warren Report: "On August 5, he [Oswald] visited a store managed by Carlos Bringuier, a Cuban refugee and avid opponent of Castro and the New Orleans delegate of the Cuban student directorate. Oswald indicated an interest in joining the struggle against Castro. He told Bringuier that he had been a marine and was trained in guerrilla warfare, and that he was willing not only to train Cubans to fight Castro but also to join the fight himself. The next day Oswald returned to the store and left his 'Guidebook for Marines' for Bringuier." On November 25, 1963, the day after Oswald was killed by Jack Ruby, Bringuier gave the guidebook to a Secret Service agent. Dr. Bringuier's testimony before the Warren Commission's legal staff is on page 32 of Vol. X of The Warren Report. (2) Adrian G. Vial Autograph Document Signed "A.G. Vial/Special Agent/U.S. Secret Service," one page, 8" x 10.5", dated November 25, 1963. In full, "Received from Carlos Bringuier, one Guidebook for Marines, to be returned when it has served its purpose." Fine condition. On August 9, 1963, Celso Hernandez, one of Bringuier's friends, came into the store to ask for help in stopping a young American from distributing pro-Castro literature on the street. Another friend, Miguel Cruz, joined them; all three were Cuban exiles. They found the man a few blocks away. It was Lee Harvey Oswald. From The Warren Report: "On August 9, Bringuier saw Oswald passing out Fair Play for Cuba leaflets. Bringuier and his companions became angry and a dispute resulted. Oswald and the three Cuban exiles were arrested for disturbing the peace. Oswald spent the night in jail and was interviewed the next day by a lieutenant of the New Orleans Police Department. At Oswald's request, an FBI agent also interviewed him. Oswald maintained that he was a member of the New Orleans branch of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee which, he claimed, had 35 members. He stated also that he had been in touch with the president of that organization, A. J. Hidell. Oswald was in fact the only member of the 'New Orleans branch,' which had never been chartered by the National Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Later that day Oswald was released on bail, and 2 days later he pleaded guilty to the charges against him and paid a $10 fine. The charges against the Cuban exiles were dismissed." (3) Printed Document , carbon filled out by typewriter, one page, 8.5" x 11". Affidavit, State of Louisiana, City of New Orleans, Parish of Orleans, Second Municipal Court, August 9, 1963. Lieutenant William Gaillot, Patrolman F. Wilson, and Patrolman F. Hayward "having been duly sworn, doth depose and say: That on Friday the 9th day of August 1963, at about 4:15 o'clock PM., on 700 Blk. Canal St...within the jurisdiction of this Court, one Lee H. Oswald, Carlos J. Bringuier, Celso M. Hernandez and Miguel M. Cruz did then and there willfully violate Ordinance No, B828 XCS Section 42-22 relative to Disturbing the peace by Creating a Scene..." Carlos J. Bringuier's name is circled in ink; this was his copy. Oswald's copy was a Warren Commission exhibit. A camera crew from WDSU-TV was outside the courtroom on August 12th. Charges against Bringuier, Hernandez, and Cruz were dismissed; Oswald was fined $10.00 and released. On August 21, 1963, on the New Orleans' WDSU radio program, "Conversation Carte Blanche," Dr. Bringuier and Lee Harvey Oswald debated their anti-Castro and pro-Castro views, respectively. This debate is mentioned in the Warren Report and depicted in Oliver Stone's film, JFK. (4) First Printing of Red Friday Nov. 22nd. 1963 Signed by the author, Carlos Bringuier, 174 pages, 5" x 8.25". Chicago: Chas. Hallberg & Company, 1969. Dr. Bringuier's book supporting his belief that Lee Harvey Oswald, a pro-Castro, Communist revolutionary, assassinated President Kennedy. There are 36 illustrations including Warren Commission exhibits, the signed title page of Oswald's copy of Guidebook for Marines, Oswald's copy of the August 9, 1963 court affidavit, and a May 19, 1964 letter to Bringuier from Warren Commission General Counsel J. Lee Rankin regarding the return of the "GUIDEBOOK FOR MARINES which Lee Harvey Oswald gave you in August of 1963." In his book, Dr. Bringuier relates something Oswald said to him before the radio debate began. He had brought Oswald's guidebook to the radio station. "When he saw his Guidebook for Marines he laughed and told me not to organize any expedition against Cuba based on it because it would be a failure and I would get killed since the book was so obsolete...When the debate was over, I put out a press release explaining what happened [during the debate] and asking the people of New Orleans to write their Congressmen to ask for a full investigation of Lee Harvey Oswald." In its chapter on "Possible Motives," The Warren Report concludes, "Oswald's activities with regard to Cuba raise serious questions as to how much he might have been motivated in the assassination by a desire to aid the Castro regime, which President Kennedy so out-spokenly criticized. For example, the Dallas Times Herald of November 19, 1963, prominently reported President Kennedy as having 'all but invited the Cuban people today to overthrow Fidel Castro's Communist regime and promised prompt U.S. aid if they do'...While some of Castro's more severe criticisms of President Kennedy might have led Oswald to believe that he would be well received in Cuba after he had assassinated the American President, it does not appear that he had any plans to go there. Oswald was carrying only $13.87 at the time of his arrest...it is unlikely that a reasoning person would plan to attempt to travel from Dallas, Tex., to Cuba with $13.87." It should be remembered that The Warren Report also concluded that "there was no conspiracy" so there would be no one to finance his trip to Cuba. An historically significant collection of books and documents, consigned by Dr. Carlos Bringuier, relating to Lee Harvey Oswald's rifle capability, his support of Castro's regime, considered a possible motive, and his arrest just three months before Kennedy's assassination. Not Sold. |
| 56191 | Lyndon B. Johnson Typed Letter Signed "Lyndon B. Johnson" as President, one page, 7" x 10.25". The White House, Washington, September 1, 1965. To General Maxwell D. Taylor, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1962-1964) and Ambassador to South Vietnam until July 30, 1965. In full "Upon the termination of your assignment to the Department of State about September 14, 1965, I would like you to serve me as a part-time consultant with an office in the Executive Office Building. In this capacity I expect to assign you from time to time specific tasks in fields of activity related to your past experience. Although the requirements of this position in terms of time must be developed by experience, I understand that you are prepared to give up to half of your time to this assignment. From the outset, I should like you to keep abreast of the situation in South Vietnam and be prepared to participate in this field as I may direct. As a second immediate task, I would like you to review all governmental activities in the field of counterinsurgency (i.e., the resistance to 'wars of liberation') and make appropriate recommendations to assure our readiness to cope with future situations similar to that in South Vietnam. In the discharge of this and similar tasks, you are authorized to call on any governmental department or agency for the temporary assignment of personnel to assist you and for such information as may be necessary to execute your responsibilities." General Taylor served as a special consultant to President Johnson from 1965 until 1969. Fine condition. From the family of General Maxwell D. Taylor. Sold for: $3,346.00. |
| 56192 | Lyndon B. Johnson Signed Photograph "The Galveston Handshake". A black and white 9.75" x 7.75" photo of Lyndon B. Johnson shaking hands with Franklin D. Roosevelt on May 11, 1937. Johnson had recently been elected as Congressman for the state of Texas running on a pro-New Deal, pro-Court Reform platform. Roosevelt's policies were under strong fire at the time, and in effort to reinforce his support and encourage an identification with FDR, Johnson had his people telegram the White House with news of his campaign and election. Roosevelt's people took immediate notice and arranged a meeting between the Congressman-elect and the President. Fortuitously, FDR had a trip planned to Mexico, and a stop at Galveston to meet Johnson was arranged. The meeting was an ideal photo opportunity for both and the resulting snapshot, offered here, captured a brilliant moment. Signed and inscribed by Johnson to George Stimpson. Mounted with a printed dinner invitation held in honor of President Roosevelt and a ticket to the Inauguration Ceremonies of 1925. Sold for: $836.50. |
| 56193 | Lyndon B. Johnson Autograph Note Signed as President, a brief note scribbled beneath a TLS from a White House staffer. One page, 6.25" x 9.25", June 9, 1965. Dick Goodwin sends the following message to President Johnson, " Mr. President: Now that my prophecy is about to be realized, I thought you would like to see this memo which I sent you many months ago." Johnson's reply in full reads, "Dick - What is your point? I don't get it - L." The note is accompanied by a copy of the April 29, 1965 memo Goodwin is referring to. The memo is regarding the United State's policy toward DeGaulle and France. On the cover note, Goodwin states, "Mr. President: I sent you this memorandum last summer. I believe everything in it is still true, and just as urgent. Dick Goodwin, April 29, 1965." President Johnson's note in reply reads, "I agree - send this to Thom Manee [?] an let's get busy. - L." Johnson is one of the scarcest of 20th Century presidents to obtain a holograph of as President. A near fine example, suitable to complete a Presidential collection. Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 56194 | Richard Nixon Typed Letter Signed "RN", one page, 6.75" x 8.75", Washington, D.C., May 11, 1972, to Roger H. Zion, an Indiana Republican who served in the House of Representatives. During the 1968 election campaign Nixon had promised to end the war in Vietnam. When this did not happen, he faced criticism. In this letter typed on White House embossed stationary, Nixon expresses his thanks for Zion's support: "It was most encouraging to learn of your forceful expression of support for the peace proposals I presented to the Nation this past Monday evening. Acceptance of these proposals, I believe, will bring an end to the killing, a return of our prisoners of war, a withdrawal of all forces with honor, and continued progress toward peace for all countries that have suffered for so long in this conflict . . ." Nixon greatly reduced the number of soldiers in Vietnam. He was reelected after promising peace. Very fine.Sold for: $1,792.50. |
| 56195 | Richard Nixon Typed Letter Signed "RN" on White House letterhead, one page, 6.75" x 9", "Western White House", July 12, 1971, to Roger Zion, a Republican Congressman from Indiana. Regarding the Vietnam War, he writes: "I want to express my appreciation for the efforts you made during your European trip on behalf of our men who are Missing in Action and Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia. I am joined by countless other Americans in the hope that the representations made by European Parliamentarians will improve the treatment of our men." This letter was likely mailed from Nixon's California home ("Western White House"). Congressman Zion is most noted for bringing international attention to the Vietnamese's failure to comply with the provisions of the Geneva Convention in the treatment of POWs He organized a letter writing campaign of protest resulting in millions letters arriving in Vietnam headquarters in Paris. Vietnamese leaders immediately sent for Zion; and This meeting resulted in Zion getting a film which showed many prisoners of war who at were listed as missing in action. In 1971, Nixon reduced the number of Americans fighting in Southeast Asia to 184,000 in December, down from 340,000 the previous year. Some toning, otherwise near fine. Not Sold. |
| 56196 | Typed Letter Signed by Richard Nixon as President. One page, small 4to, on White House letterhead, Washington DC, May 16, 1972. In response to the ongoing NVA Eastertide Offensive, on May 8, 1972, President Nixon announced Operation Linebacker I, which called for the mining of North Vietnam's harbors, along with intensified bombing of roads, bridges, and oil facilities. The announcement brought international condemnation of the U.S. and ignited more anti-war protests in America. General Taylor was of crucial importance in the first weeks and months of the Vietnam War, recommending that 8000 American combat troops be sent to the region at once, despite President Nixon's grave concerns and vocal protestations. Here, Nixon writes to General Maxwell Taylor, thanking him for his favorable comments about Nixon's plans in Vietnam. Bold black signature. Very fine condition.Sold for: $2,151.00. |
| 56197 | Gerald Ford Typed Letter Signed "Jerry Ford", as President, one page on White House letterhead, 6.75" x 9", Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 1976, addressed to Robert Rasmussen. In part: "Long after the hard work and hurried pace of the campaign are forgotten, I will remember the generous encouragement and goodwill which were extended to me and my entire family by our fellow Americans. It has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of our great country, and I will never forget this wonderful privilege... " Accompanied by the original White House transmittal envelope; in very fine condition. Sold for: $1,015.75. |
| 56198 | Gerald Ford Scarce Autograph Letter Signed "Jerry Ford", one page, 6" x 9", December 24, 1983, on his personal gilt-embossed stationary, addressed to Carmine Porcelli, director of licensing for Oscar De La Renta. He writes: "Because Betty is doing a lot of last minute shopping for the Family she asked me to write with our appreciation for your Christmastime thoughtfulness. The beautiful Republican tree trimmings are already displayed. We thank you so much. Betty and I hope you have a very Happy Holiday Season". In gold ink, writing is a touch light in areas, otherwise fine. Together with a second TLS "Gerald R. Ford", one page, 6" x 9", October 14, 1994, also to Carmine Porcelli, thanking him for having sent a tie from his new collection. Very fine. Not Sold. |
| 56199 | Jimmy Carter Typed Speech with handwritten notes, two pages, 8.5" x 11" separate sheets, May 14 [1976]. This campaign speech is not signed, but has corrections and sixteen words in Carter's hand. Corrections in the document in blue ink are by Carter; corrections in black ink are by a speechwriter. In part: "In recent weeks we have seen increasing signs that our nation's foreign policy has become hostage to Republican Party politics. One recent example concerned a Soviet-American treaty to put limits on the size of underground nuclear explosions. The treaty ["had" changed to "has"] been initialed by Soviet and U.S. officials and was to have been signed yesterday at both the White House and the Kremlin. Unexpectedly, ["however" crossed out] the signing was postponed, apparently until after the Michigan primary. The meaning is clear: Mr. Ford and his political advisers ["are afraid" changed to "feared"] that public knowledge of this relatively minor arms agreement would be used by Mr. Ford's opponent to Mr. Ford's detriment in the Michigan primary. There is not one good reason in the world that Governor Reagan should hold a veto over United States foreign policy . . . I made a talk to the United Nations in which I put forth specific proposals to halt the spread of nuclear weapons. I called for self-restraint among the nuclear powers, a self-restraint based on the most basic of self-interests - survival. I believe the people of this country are crying out for leadership that puts world peace above politics as usual. I believe it is time for the Democratic party to united behind one candidate. It is time for the Democratic party to speak with one voice. By so doing, we can show this nation - and the world - that we Democrats offer united, positive, imaginative, courageous leadership, in bold contrast to the fear and indecision that now grips the Ford Administration . . ." A photocopy of articles from the May 14, 1976 edition of the New York Times about former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter's May 13th speech on nuclear policy is present. Fine condition. Not Sold. |
| 56200 | Ronald Reagan 1928 Senior Year in High School Yearbook Signed "Ronald Reagan - '28'" on page 143 on one of the "Autograph" pages with 11 others. The Dixonian/1928, 144 pages, 7.75" x 10.5". Dixon, Illinois. Navy morocco-grained soft covers. First blank flyleaf, mouse-eaten at the upper right edge and lower right corner, is signed by its owner at the upper left, "Rexine Hudson - '30." The book is, overall, in very good condition. On page 138, one of the local advertising pages, the 17-year-old future President has penned the following: "Dear Roxie If you dont quit taking in carnivals, poor Delbert will have a merry-go-round complex. But no kidding without me here next year, how can you study. Why if it wasn't for my guiding hand, ah woe unto Roxie! So Delbert gives away medals, well stick to him he'll take a lot next year. There goes the bell so I'll proceed to sign off. But remember me Roxie, when I'm far away. To be in your memory is paradise. Dutch." Reagan was given the nickname "Dutch" soon after his birth by his father who said he looked like "as fat little Dutchman" and the "Dutch boy" haircut his mother gave him when he was a toddler strengthened the use of the nickname. Rexine Hudson is listed as a Sophomore on page 39. Delbert Blackburn is listed as a Junior on age 35 and is identified, and pictured, on page 78 as "Captain-elect, Halfback" of the Dixon football team; Reagan is identified and pictured on page 79 as one of two tackles on the team. There are many other autographs and inscriptions. Reagan is listed on pages 8-9 (+ individual photo, listed as one of the Producers of this yearbook "Ronald Reagan Art"), 18 (as a class leader), 29 (+ individual Senior photo, lengthy caption), 46 (+ Student Council photo), 47 (+ Dramatic Club photo - "President"), 49 (+ the Boy's Hi-Y Club photo - "Vice-President"), 61 ("Heap Big Chief" at Junior-Senior Banquet), 64-65 (+ photo in the Junior Class play You and I, Reagan as "Roderick White, the son), 66-67 (+ photo in the Senior Class play Captain Applejack, Reagan as "Ivan Borolsky"), 76 (Football team photo, no caption), 79 (+ individual Football photo, lengthy caption), and 86 (+ Track photo). Reagan is wearing glasses in many of the group pictures. Reagan's writings as "R.R., '28" is published on pages 91-92 (essay, "Gethsemane"), 95 (poem, "Life"), and 103 (essay, "Meditations of a Lifeguard"). On page 107, under "Our Magazine Review", "True Romances...Dutch and Margaret." On page 111, the "Calendar" of the 1927-1928 Senior year lists, on October 13 "Ronald Reagan elected President of N.S. Student Body" (North Side), December 13 "Report on Older Boys Conference by Hoover and Reagan," December 19 "Ronald Reagan enters with corduroys and high-cuts," February 22 "McNicol and Reagan give a little idea of annual work," February 23 "Mendota game broadcasted by Reagan and Marks," and April 5 "Austin and Selander pay a dime for Coe Glee Club entertainment. Reagan and Cleaver, Finefield and Murphy receive honorable mention." Sold for: $4,254.20. |
| 56201 | Ronald Reagan 1925 Freshman Year in High School Yearbook Signed "Ronald Reagan (Kayo ¶ '28'" on page 143 on the "Autograph" page with 22 others. The Dixonian/1925, 144 pages, 7.25" x 10.5". Dixon, Illinois. Blue morocco-grained paper covers which are soiled and slightly tattered at edges. Overall, internally, the book is in very good condition. On page 46, "Mrs. Reagan" is listed as President of the Parent-Teachers' Association for 1924-1925. A smiling, bespectacled Ronald Reagan, wearing a cap, is pictured standing on the left in a photograph of the Freshman class on page 42 with his name listed on page 43. Older brother Neil Reagan, a Junior, is individually pictured as an end on the football team on page 74, listing his nickname "Moon." In 1923, the Sunday and daily comic strip "Moon Mullins" was created by Frank Willard. Neil Reagan, with his slicked back hair, looked like the comic strip character Moon Mullins, so, while in high school, he was given the nickname "Moon." In the comic strip, Kayo was the name of Moon's little brother, so 14-year-old Ronald Reagan, 16-year-old Moon Reagan's little brother, signed this yearbook adding "Kayo" to his signature. This may be the only "Ronald Reagan Kayo" signature extant! Neil's little brother may have given himself the nickname or he may have been called "Kayo" by Neil's friends. He was still "Dutch" to his friends and family. The "28" Reagan added to his signature stood for "Class of 1928." Perhaps the most unique Reagan autograph in existence.Sold for: $657.25. |
| 56202 | Ronald Reagan Speech Signed, "This is for you/ Ronald Reagan" at the top of the first page, 9 pages, 8.5" x 14", separate sheets stapled together in upper left corner, "The White House/Office of the Press Secretary/(Strasbourg, France)/For Immediate Release May 8, 1985/Remarks of the President/to a Special Session/of the European Parliament." President Reagan was in Europe to commemorate the 40th anniversary of V-E Day and the defeat of Nazi Germany. Speech as delivered, in part, "We mark today the anniversary of the liberation of Europe from tyrants who had seized this continent and plunged it into a terrible war.... I'm here to tell you that America remains, as she was 40 years ago, dedicated to the unity of Europe.... The leaders and people of postwar Europe had learned the lessons of their history from the failures of their predecessors.... We, for our part, can learn from the success of our predecessors.... If we're to succeed in reducing East-West tensions, we must find means to ensure against the arbitrary use of lethal force in the future.... It is for that reason that I would like to outline for you today what I believe would be a useful way to proceed.... I can't help but remind all of us that some who take advantage of that right of democracy seem unaware that if the government that they would advocate became reality, no one would have that freedom to speak up again...." Fine condition.Sold for: $2,629.00. |
| 56203 | Ronald Reagan Screen Actors Guild Contract Signed as President. Typed document signed "Ronald Reagan", as President of the Screen Actors Guild, two pages, 4to, 8.5" x 11", [n.p.], June 1, 1948. Reagan signs as witness to a Supplement to Basic Contract between the Screen Actors Guild and the Artists' Managers Guild. Age toned. Fine.Not Sold. |
| 56204 | (Ronald Reagan) - Junior Year in High School Yearbook for the 1927 Class of Dixon High School in Dixon, Illinois. "The Dixonian", 144pp., 7.75" x 10", staple bound and lacking covers. Reagan is listed as a Junior on page 39 as well as Sergeant-at-Arms of the dramatic club on page 55. He is pictured individually as a member of the football team on page 84, and as a member of the Lightweight basketball team on p. 90. Also, a letter addressed "Dearest, most darling Brother Moon" describing the battles of final exams, on page 111 is credited to him. Gently toned with wear to wrappers, small paper loss at top corner of front page. Very good to near fine.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 56205 | Jean Baptiste Charles Henri Hector, Comte d'Estaing Autograph Letter Signed "Estaing" as Lieutenant-general in the French navy, one page, 6.25" x 8", "Au Morne du Cap 29 May 1764", to Comte de Thorant thanking him for his good wishes and giving instructions of command. In large part: "My illness is worthwhile as it brings with it these proofs of friendship... One sergeant and 15 men should make up the detachment intended for Brigantine la Guepe, commanded by Mr. Chambon, or rather by me... Please will you give them their sailing orders; it is my intention to turn young men who are not afraid of the sea into sailors..." Two tiny tears at bottom margin, with just a bit of paper loss, mounting remnants to verso; otherwise warmly toned and in near fine condition. A lifelong French naval officer, d'Estaing came to the assistance of the American colonies against the British in 1777 as a vice admiral leading 12 ships and 14 frigates. He would return to France in 1780, only to fall in disfavor with the French court. Although a supporter of the ideas proposed by the French Revolution, d'Estaing would be sent to the guillotine in 1794 after testifying on behalf of Marie Antoinette.Not Sold. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56206 | French and Indian War Autograph Letter Signed, "Richard Blake", one page, 8.5" x 7.25", Wrentham, Massachusetts, April 24, 1745, written to "Capt. Baruch Pond". In full: "By virtue of a warrant from his Excellency the Governor to me of the twenty third instant you are hereby ordered forthwith to impress for his majesty's service in the Eastern Frontiers five able bodied affective men out of the Military Company in Wrentham under your command to be well armed and appointed, and deliver the said men into the hands of Captain Jonathan Bane or such person as he shall direct to receive them at the house of Lieut. Pelatiah Mans in Wrentham on Saturday next at one of the clock in the afternoon: or some other time as he can attend. For which this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand and seal at Wrentham April ye twenty fourth 1745 in the eighteenth year of his Majesties Reign". The largest and most significant of the "Colonial Wars", the French and Indian War was started by fur traders and land speculators wanting to expand beyond the Appalachian Mountains. Although British soldiers bore the brunt of the fighting and Britain had paid most of the cost of this war, the contentious relationship between British and American soldiers sowed the seeds for the beginning of the American Revolution a decade later. This document is mounted to a larger board, still very good.Not Sold. |
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Autographs |
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| 56207 | Jean-Joseph Tarayre Autograph Letter Signed "Tarayre," one page, 7.5" x 9". Kovno, July 13, 1812. To the Director. In French, fully translated. In part, "The intention of the Emperor that all the cavalry, artillery and supply detachments receive a distribution of grain from Kovno as far as Vilna, you will have distributed to each of these detachments four rations of grain per horse to go as far as Vilna...The horses who will remain in the place, from the cavalry from the artillery train...will not share in the distribution of the grain as far as that which the stores are satisfactorily provided. The courier horses for the service of the Emperor will receive a distribution of grain each day..." On the night of June 24-25, 1812, the French Grande Armée of 422,000 crossed the Niemen River to begin Napoleon's invasion of Russia by capturing Kovno. On June 28th, Napoleon entered Vilna where he remained until July 16th, three days after this letter was written. Jean-Joseph Tarayre (1770-1855) had been promoted to Lieutenant General in 1808 and General-de-Brigade on January 23, 1812. He was created Baron of the Empire in 1812 and Commander of the Legion d'Honneur on August 10, 1813. Small stain near lower margin, else in fine condition.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 56208 | Stephen Decatur Manuscript Letter Signed "Stephen Decatur", one page, 7.75" x 9.75". Navy Commissioners Office, November 12, 1819. With integral leaf addressed to "Gouvr. Kemble Esqr/West point foundry/New York." In full, "The Board of Navy Commissioners transmit herewith, a sectional view of the breach of a carronade. The red line designating an alteration they wish made in the vent field of the same - it is made with a view to the more perfectly adapting the lock to them, & doing away the necessity of chiseling away the Gun for that purpose. - They have to request that the carronades, to be cast thereafter, shall conform to the alteration pointed out." Partially strengthened at folds on verso; hole, not touching text, repaired. Chipped at right edge. Penned on brown paper, light soiling. Overall, in fine condition. In 1815, sailing in the Mediterranean, Commodore Stephen Decatur's ships captured the Algerian pirate frigates Mashouda and Estedio and he swiftly compelled the Dey of Algiers to make peace. In 1816, he was appointed a commissioner on the Navy Board. In April 1816, in Norfolk, Virginia, at a banquet given to celebrate his victory over Algerian Barbary pirates, Decatur proposed a toast "Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong!" Gouverneur Kemble was appointed United States Consul at Cádiz, Spain, in 1816, and, fascinated with the Spanish government's process of casting cannon, studied the procedure. On his return to the United States in 1817, he established a cannon foundry at Cold Spring, N.Y., the West Point Foundry, across the Hudson River from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Kemble later served in Congress (1837-1841). In 1808, Decatur had sat on the court-martial board that suspended Commodore James Barron for five years without pay after the Chesapeake-Leopard affair. Barron spent the next ten years abroad, returning in December 1818. He unsuccessfully sought a naval command and blamed Decatur for preventing him from obtaining one. On November 30, 1819, just 18 days after Decatur wrote this letter, Commodore James Barron wrote a letter to Decatur. Since June, initiated by Barron, each had written three contentious letters to each other, each answering the other. On November 30th, Barron wrote, in part, "Your last voluminous letters is alone sufficient proof, if none other existed, of the rancorous disposition you entertain towards me, and the extent to which you have carried it...If my life will give it you, you shall have an opportunity of obtaining it...I have only to add, that if you will make known your determination, and the name of your friend, I will give that of mine, in order to complete the necessary arrangements to a final close of this affair." On January 24, 1820, Decatur wrote Barron, "If you intend it as a challenge, I accept it, and refer you to my friend Commodore Bainbridge, who is fully authorized by me to make any arrangements he pleases, as regards weapons, mode, or distance." On March 22, 1820, Decatur met Barron in Bladensburg, Maryland, where dueling was not outlawed; dueling was illegal in the District of Columbia. They paced off eight steps, turned, and fired. Each had been struck in the hip, but the bullet that struck Decatur bounced up into his abdomen, slashing several blood vessels. Decatur died that night. He was 41.Sold for: $1,075.50. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56209 | [Oliver Hazard Perry] Unique circular, 8" x 6.5" overall, detailing the return of the mortal remains of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry (1785-1819) to Newport, December 1, 1826, from Trinidad where he died seven years earlier. Perry served as commander of U.S. Naval forces on Lake Erie in the War of 1812 against Britain and earned the nickname "Hero of Lake Erie" for leading American forces in a decisive naval victory. He is best remembered for his oft quoted battle report after victory: "We have met the enemy and they are ours; two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop". In 1819, during an expedition to the Orinoco River in Venezuela, he died of yellow fever. His body was originally buried in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Over the next seven years, leading Americans demanded the return of Perry's body to his native soil, where numerous monuments had been erected to his memory. This imprint documents his body being brought to Newport, Rhode Island aboard the U.S.S. Lexington and the procession that followed. After briefly resting in the Old Common Burial Ground his remains were interred in Newport's Island Cemetery where his brother Matthew Perry is also buried. Signed in type by John Mann. With folds with tiny separations thereat and a single pinhole at center and gentle wear; a wonderful relic in very good condition. Sold for: $507.88. |
| 56210 | Early Marine Corps Autograph Letter Signed by Commander Archibald Henderson, Endorsed by Secretary of the Navy James C. Dobbin and Commodore F.H. Gregory. Two pages including integral blank, 4to, "Head Quarters of the Marine Corps, Washington," November 12, 1853. Originally organized as the Continental Marines in November 1775 to act as naval infantry, the Marine Corps has served in every American armed conflict since that time. Colonel Archibald Henderson is known affectionately as "The Grand Old Man" of the Marine Corps, based on his many contributions during his 39 years as Commandant. In this letter, Henderson directs 1st Lieutenant Augustus S. Nicholson (later acting Commandant and Adjutant and Inspector of the Marine Corps) to report to Boston to take command of the Marine guard onboard the sloop of war, Germantown. Henderson's bold signature is accompanied by the endorsement of James C. Dobbin, Secretary of the Navy, and by two endorsements by Commodore F.H. Gregory, Civil War Captain and Commandant of the Boston Navy Yard. In fine condition.Not Sold. |
| 56211 | John Drake Sloat Partly Printed Document Signed. One-page receipt, oblong 8vo, New York, March 1, 1858. Sloat was an accomplished and dedicated Navy man, although he is perhaps best remembered for having claimed California for the United States in 1846. This partly printed document from the US Navy Yard in New York, records the receipt of $205.27 from Charles Murray, Purser of the United States Navy. Although he temporarily retired in 1855, Sloat continued to be affiliated with the Navy Yard until his promotion to Commodore in 1862, and Rear Admiral (1866) on the retired list. Boldly signed by Sloat at lower right. In very fine condition. Not Sold. |
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Autographs |
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| 56212 | General John C. Breckinridge War-Dated Letter Signed Regarding Troop Movements. One page, 8" x 10", "Jenkin's Depot, May 4, 1864." In response to a dispatch from Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Breckinridge sends information about his forces to General Robert E. Lee. Grant's Overland Campaign began the day this letter was written, and the request for information was presumably made in response to rumors heard in Richmond about Grant's impending campaign. In part: "I have ...in Monroe Co. 1600 men. Wharton at narrows of New River 900 men. McCausland at Princeton 1500 men, all infantry. Scarcely any mounted men yet east of New River. Enemy threatening ... and reported 8000 men which is probably exaggerated. It is 36 miles from Echols to Jackson's River Depot and 60 miles from Narrows. You thus see the situation. I was starting to the front but will wait to hear from you, and act upon your views of the emergency." Receiving word that the Union Army had entered the Valley, Breckinridge pulled together all available forces to repulse the latest threat, culminating eleven days later in Breckinridge's win at the Battle of New Market. Very good. Light age toning; numerous tears and chips along edges. Sold for: $2,031.50. |
| 56213 | George Armstrong Custer Rare Autograph Manuscript Signed "Gen. Custer" in text, legal folio, seven pages, 8" x 12.5" each page, September 1867, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in pencil. Accompanied by a full color postcard with a portrait reproduction. The manuscript reads in full, "The court having decided that Bvt. Maj. Gen. Davidson is eligible as a member of the court as thus far objected to; the accused further objects to Bvt. Maj. Gen. Davidson as a member of this court on the ground that he has expressed an opinion prejudicial to the accused as follows. That in a conversation with a witness or witnesses the said Bvt. Maj. Gen. Davidson as is witnessed used language of the effect that he did not see how Gen. Custer expected to get out of these charges - he is a young man - a new comer in the service - he only graduated in /61 [1861] never commanded a company & he must be taught that he cannot come out here & do as he pleases, in words to that effect & further language prejudicial to the accused. And further that after having been detailed as a member of this court who said Bvt. Maj. Gen. Davidson did make enquiry in regard to the merits of the said accused as is believed & did ask how he the said accused stood in his Regiment in words to that effect all of which the accused feels is to his prejudice for a fair & impartial trial. The accused states that the order which he here presents is the order referred to in the point conceded by the Judge advocate during the course of the Prosecution, as not having been received by the accused in time to reach Gen. Hancock as herein ordered at Fort Wallace the failure to receive being due to the capture & killing of Lieut. Kidder who bore this order. All of which has been admitted by the Judge advocate for the Prosecution. The accused asks that his counsel be allowed to question witnesses either upon direct, or cross examination without reducing the questions to writing) (that he be allowed to request the Judge Advocate to interrupt any statement being made by a witness or other person present when the accused objects to such statement proceeding any further on legal grounds) (& that the counsel for the accused be allowed to state directly to the court & without reducing to writing any objection made & to grounds thereof, & in such cases to address the court subject to such rules as the court may provide-) (Brief objections to be written when long) And the accused makes these requests because a phonographic reporter is employed to facilitate the transaction of miscues upon this court & the accused believes that when phonographic reporters have been so employed the accused himself, or by his counsel, has been allowed to address the court, as above requested & that in such way the accused is allowed the same privileges upon the part of the Defense as are allowed to the Judge Advocate for the prosecution. And the Accused represents that if these requests be denied the Prosecution will be allowed a greater benefit than the Defense in that it will be permitted to cross-examine witnesses directly & to make its own statements directly & that moreover the objections of the accused will not at times be regarded unless he can directly state such objections to the court. And the Accused believes that hereby the business of the court will be expedited & that the dignity of the court will not be impaired. The Accused desires the Judge Advocate in presenting this Deposition to state the circumstances under which it was taken & to make that statement a part of the record. Last night, the Bvt. Maj. Gen. Cmd. the Department asked the accused, through his counsel, to permit Major Elliott to return to Fort Harker, Kas, as he was required at that post on urgent public business. The accused objected to this as he apprehended that the Court would prefer to have Maj. Elliott examined upon these points in open court but subsequently yielded to the request of the Bvt. Maj. Gen. upon further consultation with his counsel and the Judge Advocate. But he still desires it to be understood that he wished Maj. Elliott to be placed upon the stand in order that he could be subject to the fullest examination upon these points that might be thought necessary. The Accused states that he would now be able to close the testimony for the Defense but for the absence of these witnesses that the Judge Advocate was notified to produce these witnesses from the beginning of the trial & especially so last Saturday, that it is believed he has used diligence in procuring their attendance that the witnesses have been here & were allowed to go away & are expected tonight or tomorrow morning." Following his victories in the Civil War, George Armstrong Custer eventually accepted a command as Lieutenant Colonel in the newly created U.S. 7th Cavalry, headquartered at Fort Riley, Kansas. He then received the rank of a brevet major general and join in General Winfield Scott Hancock's expedition against the Cheyenne in 1867. While he was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas later that year, he was court-martialed for being AWOL - when he abandoned his post to visit his wife - and for having deserters shot. Found guilty on all charges, he was suspended from duty for one year, but upon the request of the newly appointed commander of Fort Leavenworth, General Philip Sheridan, Custer returned to duty before his term of suspension expired. Several editing notations, light blue ruled paper, uniform light toning, minor foxing and stains, toning along top edge, small holes inn top margins, rough top edge, small tears and chipping along some edges, slight diagonal bend in top left corner first three pages, horizontal folds each page, penciled script is bold and clean, very fine condition.Sold for: $26,290.00. |
| 56214 | Joseph E. Johnston Letter Signed "J.E. Johnston", one page, 7.5" x 9.5", "QM Genl Office Washington", Jan. 19, 1861, to John Munroe regarding a disallowed expense. In part: "Your letter of the 12 Ult relative to a disallowance of the transportation of your servant, $61, paid in V 12 B 3rd qr 1860 of Lt. S[tephen] D[ill] Lee's accounts has been received..." A nice association linking future Confederate Generals written just months prior to the outbreak of the war. Framed to an overall size of 11" x 14". Letter appears to be tipped to a larger sheet, very clean and in near fine condition.Sold for: $657.25. |
| 56215 | Robert E. Lee CDV and Signature from the Original Draft of his Famous Report of the Second Battle of Manassas. Signature, one page, 11.25" x 8". Matted carte de visite and Robert E. Lee signature from the original draft of his report of the second Battle of Manassas, cut from the report itself. In order to draw General John Pope's army into battle, Thomas Jackson ordered an attack on a Federal column that was passing across his front on the Warrenton Turnpike on August 28. The fighting at Brawner Farm lasted several hours and resulted in a stalemate. Pope became convinced that he had trapped Jackson and concentrated the bulk of his army against him. On August 29, Pope launched a series of assaults against Jackson's position along an unfinished railroad grade. The attacks were repulsed with heavy casualties on both sides. At noon, Longstreet arrived on the field from Thoroughfare Gap and took position on Jackson's right flank. On August 30, Pope renewed his attacks, seemingly unaware that Longstreet was on the field. When massed Confederate artillery devastated a Union assault by Fitz John Porter's command, Longstreet's wing of 28,000 men counterattacked in the largest, simultaneous mass assault of the war. The Union left flank was crushed and the army was driven back to Bull Run. Only an effective Union rearguard action prevented a replay of the first Manassas disaster. Pope's retreat to Centreville was precipitous, nonetheless. The next day, Lee ordered his army in pursuit. This was the decisive battle of the Northern Virginia Campaign. It was a Confederate victory with over 22,000 casualties. This is a fascinating piece of history.Sold for: $3,883.75. |
| 56216 | Robert E. Lee Signature "R E Lee", 2" x 1" (sight), matted beneath a chest,up engraving of Lee in uniform. Handsomely framed to an overall size of 8" x 12". Sold for: $1,553.50. |
| 56217 | General John B. Magruder Letter Signed to Missouri Governor Thomas C. Reynolds. One page, 8" x 10.5", written on Head Quarters, District of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona letterhead, Houston, April 9, 1865. Docketed on verso. Reynolds was a lawyer and politician who, upon the death of the sitting governor, became the second Confederate Governor of Missouri. Following the Union occupation of Missouri, Reynolds was a governor without a state, and he was eventually forced to move his state government to Marshall, Texas. In hopes of resecuring his governance, Reynolds accompanied General Price in his raid back into Missouri. Unfortunately, disagreements between Price and Reynolds led the politician to make outrageous accusations against Price, going so far as to publish newspaper articles about Price's failures and lack of character, and demanding that Price resign his military commission. Here, General Magruder responds to a request for information which Reynolds hopes will be useful in his case against Price. Unfortunately, Magruder offers little. In part: "In sending an order to Gen. Price as he was coming thro' the Indian Territory, I addressed a private note in a kind spirit to Gen. Price welcoming him back... and telling him that his expedition had been in some respects successful... I made no allusion to you whatever and said nothing of Gen. Price's conduct, of which I knew nothing, and which was not in question, but spoke of what I believed to be the beneficial effects in general." A court of inquiry was held a few weeks after this letter was written, but was never concluded due to the end of the war. Fine. Overall age toning. Two small verso repairs to weak spots due to ink burn are unnoticeable. Housed in a custom gray buckram book with gilt lettering on cover and spine. Sold for: $1,792.50. |
| 56218 | John Singleton Mosby Typed Letter Signed "Jno. S. Mosby," five pages, 8" x 10.5" (first page 8" x 9.75"). November 18, 1909. To Eppa Hunton, an alumnus of the University of Virginia and member of the college's Board of Visitors. In part, "I have read with indignation mingled with great sorrow the account of the murder of young Christian, a student of the University of Virginia, in a foot-ball game with Georgetown. I use the word murder advisedly -- the killing was not an accident - the law presumes that a man intends the natural and probable consequences of his acts...Some years ago I expressed to Doctor [Edwin A.] Alderman [President, University of Virginia] my objection to foot-ball because it was not a recreation for students but that they were making it a profession; that it developed the brutal instincts of our nature and that it should be no part of the curriculum of the University; which it now is...If he is correctly reported by the morning paper Doctor Alderman has come to my way of thinking for he admits that Christian's death was not accidental. Therefore it was murder; and the Faculty of the Virginia University who authorized and encouraged the deed to give publicity to their school are accessories before the fact...But if the danger is eliminated nothing will be left of the game; the danger is not only the chief but the only attraction to the mob that gathers to witness it; without it there ill be no rooters to cheer the combatants and no heroes with broken limbs and bloody noses to hail Doctor Alderman -- O ! Caesar ! ! morituri salutamus - 'We who are about to die Salute you'..." On lightweight paper, minor stains and nicks at edges of the first page, ten handwritten corrections by Mosby. Overall, fine condition. An early report of the tragedy was published in the November 14, 1909 edition of The New York Times. In part: "After playing the star game for his side, Archie Christian, Jr., of Roanoke, Va., left half back on the University of Virginia eleven, was seriously, it is feared fatally, injured in a gamer of football here this afternoon with Georgetown University. Christian was carrying the ball for his victorious team, two of his men running with him, when he was thrown to the earth and buried beneath a pile of kicking players. When doctors made an examination he was found to have suffered concussion of the brain. He was operated on, and late tonight it is a question whether he can recover. Christian did not recover consciousness after the operation..." The 18-year-old died the next morning. One of the doctors who tried to save his life was neurosurgeon Dr. Harvey Cushing, a pioneer in brain surgery. After Christian's death, both teams cancelled the remaining games on their schedule. In December 1909, Dr. Alderman addressed a meeting of the relatively new Intercollegiate Athletic Association, urging the adoption of laws to eliminate football's dangers including his athletic director's suggestion that the game be divided into quarters with a long rest between halves. The one reform that might have saved Archie Christian Jr.'s life - helmets - was not mandated until 1939. Sold for: $2,031.50. |
| 56219 | Confederate General George E. Pickett Autograph Letter Signed "George ", one page, 4.5" x 6", front and verso, [n.p., n.d.], in ink, to his wife, Sallie. In full, "Please my darling wife (let) Bob have the birds, so that he can make George pick and dress them properly. The Dr will be up with me about 2 P.M. today - I am very busy my precious, or I would come sooner - my heart, my bleeding heart is with you - keep up your spirits my dearest. The Dr says he has no apprehensions and I gave him the worst features of your case. Tis a local disorder, and he says you have no cause for being low spirited, that I ought to be (what I am) a happy man - Bye Bye for a little while - your own true husband George - (Shall) I send you some coffee? G ". American Civil War General George Edward Pickett often found time during his campaigns to compose lengthy letters to his adoring wife, LaSalle Corbell Pickett, whom he called "Sallie". Always passionate about his new bride since their marriage two months after the Battle of Gettysburg, General Pickett expressed his love and devotion for her with a sense of romantic Southern charm, in keeping with his flamboyant character as a member of the Virginia elite. With his family living in Richmond and Sallie in Petersburg, General Pickett's war campaigns kept him close enough to attend to their needs. "Bob " is most likely a reference to his personal body-servant who took various gifts and supplies to them. Pickett's references to himself as "a happy man " and "your own true husband ..." indicate that this letter was written after their marriage in September, 1863, and possibly before the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign began in 1864. His letters to Sallie range in length from brief, penciled notes hurriedly scribbled and delivered, to thoughtful compositions written in ink. This brief letter is well composed and legible, the ink is slightly faded, written on thin light-colored paper, lightly lined. Being part of a larger sheet, the top portion has been removed, leaving a rough edge, top right corner torn and missing, left lower corner folded and nicked, slightly worn horizontal and vertical folds, very good condition.Sold for: $1,792.50. |
| 56220 | Battle of the Little Big Horn Historic Typed Manuscript Signed "W. S. Edgerly ", 13 pages, 8.5" x 11", each page, [n.p., n.d.]. [Can be dated after 1909, considering Edgerly signed document as a retired officer]. Titled, "Some Facts in Regard to the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Custer's Last Fight, June 25, 1876." In small part: "During the winter and spring of 1876 many Indian agents in the northwest reported that their Indians were uneasy, and that some of them were leaving their agencies without permission, and going to the hostile camp. This camp was made up of Indians who had never been agency Indians, of whom Sitting Bull was the recognized chief, and of many renegades and criminals who had fled to it to escape punishment. General Sheridan was instructed to take steps to have the Indians brought to the agencies. To carry out these instructions he organized two expeditions, one under Brig. Gen'l Terry and the other under Brig. Gen'l Crook. General Terry's command consisted of the 7th Cavalry commanded by Lt. Col. Custer, two companies of the 17th Infty., [sic] one company of the 6th Infty., one Platoon of Gatling Guns, forty Ree Scouts from Fort Abraham Lincoln, Gen'l Gibbon's column of four troops of the 2nd Cavalry, six companies of the 7th Infty., and one hundred and fifty Crow Scouts. On the tenth of June, Major Reno with six troops of the 7th Cavalry and the Gatling Guns, was ordered to scout up the Powder River; then to cross to Mispah Creek, follow it down to near its junction with the Powder River; then cross over to Pumpkin Creek, follow it down to Tongue River, scout up that river and rejoin the Regiment at the mouth of the Tongue. By that time his twelve day's supplies would be exhausted...On the evening of the twenty-first we learned that Reno had found a large trail that led up the Rosebud river. When we arrived at the mouth of the Rosebud on June twenty-first, Gen'ls Terry, Gibbon, and Custer had a conference on board the steamer 'Far West', and it was decided that Gen'l Custer with the 7th Cavalry should follow the trail discovered by Reno... During the twenty-first Major Brisbin, 2nd Cavalry told me that Lt. Bradley with Gibbon's scouts had discovered an Indian village, had counted the tepees, and estimated their strength at from six hundred to eight hundred bucks. This was the village we hoped to strike. At noon on the twenty-second of June the 7th Cavalry with Ree scouts started up the Rosebud River under the following order: - 'Camp at the Mouth of Rosebud River, Montana Territory, June 22nd, 1876. Lieut.-Col. Custer, 7th Cavalry. Colonel: 'The Brigadier-General Commanding directs that as soon as your regiment can be made ready for the march, you will proceed up the Rosebud in pursuit of the Indians whose trail was discovered by Major Reno a few days since.... The column of Colonel Gibbon is now in motion for the mouth of the Big Horn. As soon as it reaches that point it will cross the Yellowstone and move up at least as far as the forks of the Big and Little Horns. Of course, its future movements must be controlled by circumstances as they arise, but it is hoped that the Indians, if upon the Little Horn, may be so nearly inclosed [sic] by the two columns that their escape will be impossible. The Department Commander desires that on your way up the Rosebud you should thoroughly examine the upper part of Tulloch's Creek, and that you should endeavor to send a scout through to Colonel Gibbon's column, with information of the result of your examination. The lower part of this creek will be examined by a detachment from Colonel Gibbon's command. The supply steamer will be pushed up the Big Horn as far as the forks, if the river is found to be navigable for that distance, and the Department Commander, who will accompany the column of Colonel Gibbon, desires you to report to him there not later than the expiration of the time for which your troops are rationed; unless in the meantime you receive further orders. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, E. W. Smith, 18th Infantry, Actg. Asst. Adjt.-Gen'l.'... We struck the first Indian camp on the 23rd, and several of them on the 24th. The location of these camps showed that the march led directly toward the Little Big Horn... Gen'l. Terry was a very superior man, a brave and able soldier, and I believe if he had been in Gen'l. Custer's place on the morning of the 24th, with the same orders, he would have followed the Indians as Custer did, and would not have wandered over the prairie in some other direction with twelve day's rations, hunting Indians whom he knew were on the trail in front of him... We had halted, and Gen'l. Custer with some scouts had gone up a hill from which the village could be seen. While he was up there, Capt. Tom Custer reported to him that an Indian had been seen on our trail, opening a box of hard bread, and when discovered had fled toward the village... the officers gathered together to talk and smoke, and as far as I could judge, all seemed cheerful, and eager to advance... all hopes of a surprise were gone, and the only way to catch the Indians was by marching at once. The Regiment was then divided into squadrons. Major Reno's squadron composed of troops [Company] M. Capt. French; [Co.] A. Capt'. Moylan and Lt. DeRudio; and [Co.] G. Lts. McIntosh and Wallace. Lt. Hodgson was Reno's Adjt.; Drs. Porter and DeWolf his medical officers. Lts. Varnum and Hare with the scouts, and Mr. Girard the interpreter [for the Arikara and Sioux Indian scouts] also went with Reno. Capt. Benteen's squadron consisted of Troops [Company] H. Capt. Benteen and Lt. Gibson; [Co.] D. Capt. Weir and Lt. Edgerly; and [Co.] K., Lt. Godfrey. Gen'l. Custer's immediate command consisted of troops [Co.] I, Capt. Keough and Lt. Porter; [Co.] F. Capt. Yates and Lt. Reily; [Co.] C. Capt. Custer and Lt. Harrington; [Co.] E, Lts. Smith and Sturges; [Co.] L. Lts. Calhoon [Calhoun] and Crittenden. Lt. Cook was Adjt., and Capt. Lord, Medical Officer. Lt. Mathey was in charge of the pack train which was escorted by troop [Co.] B., Capt. MacDougal. Major Reno was ordered to 'march straight to the village, attack any Indians you may meet, and you will be supported. Capt. Benteen was ordered to move to the left at an angle of about forty-five degrees from Reno's direction, attack any Indians he might meet, and he would be supported. The start was made at once, Gen'l Custer's five troops moving to the right of Reno's trail. This division was made in the belief that the Indians would run away, and Gen'l. Custer wanted to catch them in whatever direction they might flee. This was a good plan under ordinary conditions, and would undoubtedly have been successful if we had had only the Indians in front of us whose trail we had followed, but on the 17th of June some of these Indians had stopped Gen'l Crook on the Rosebud, and Sitting Bull had been joined by thousands. Probably no Indian in the camp had ever seen as many people together before. They could not count them. As one Indian said in describing the battle, 'The Indians were like the leaves in the forest'..." Much more excellent content describing the ensuing battle and pursuit of the Indians after the massacre. As news of the defeat and deaths of General Custer and General Cooke made its way back to the U. S., a controversy quickly developed between those who were in support of Custer and those who were out to discredit him. Edgerly, a survivor of the battle and the author of this first-hand account, seeks not to lay blame on any one officer in particular, but instead states that the overwhelming number of Indians overpowered Custer's forces, bringing about his inevitable defeat. Typed, loose pages bound in portfolio with half maroon leather over marbled paper boards, spine ruled and lettered in gilt, slight worn edges, small chip top right corner, dark red fold-over covers, black and white reproduction of Custer's battle matted on verso of front cover. Pages are uniformly toned, front and verso, darker toning top edge, rough edges, minor folding line upper left corner each page, paper clip stains upper left corner first and last page, horizontal fold line last page, small light stains several pages, some penciled editing in margins, slight show-through from typewriter; text and signature are strong and clear, very fine condition.Sold for: $11,950.00. |
| 56221 | Charles G. "Chinese" Gordon Autograph Letter Signed "C. G. Gordon", two pages, 4.5" x 7", Southampton, n.d., to Harry Smith, Esquire. Gordon, a British army officer involved in the taking of Peking and suppressing the Taiping rebellion, resisted the siege of Khartoum when killed by forces of the Mahdi. The letter reads in part: "I write a line to enclose two letters one from Wilson which I found here on my arrival & one from his cousin Inglow whom I spoke to you about. When read burn them all & let the subject be buried . . . I am sorry to say that owning to a mishap I was prevented in saying goodbye to Sir. W. Gordon. You know there was Mr. Hozier & his wife & Sir. W. wanted me to go with them which I could not do as I had a second class ticket, so I kept away from them thinking Sir W. would come & look for me he never did, and you may imagine what I felt when I was whisked off without bidding him adieu. It was indeed a painful matter of reflection to me, as you may conceive. These things are no accidents however, & they are our trials. I will write again . . . The violent exercise has shaken me a good deal. Do not say this to Sir W. Kind regards to Mrs. Smith. Believe me yours sincerely. C. G. Gordon". The Mr. Hozier mentioned could be Capt. Henry M. Hozier who took an expedition to Abyssinia in 1867-1868 prior to Gordon becoming Governor in the Egyptian region. This letter is in fine condition.Not Sold. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56222 | Special Orders Archive Covering the Period of the Spanish American War. Approximately 300 printed Special Orders dated from August 15, 1898 to July 13, 1899, 5" x 7.75", issued from the Adjutant General's Office. Orders cover leaves of absence, promotions, appointments, and pay allowances; in effect all day-to-day activities of the army. All are signed in type by Adjutant General H.C. Corbin. All in near fine condition.Not Sold. |
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Autographs |
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| 56223 | World War I and Paris Peace Conference Archive. A good archive of more than 200 pieces, many placed in a scrap-book, including letters, documents, and ephemera related to the service of Captain John T. Nightingale of the 71st. Coastal Artillery Reserve Corps; that unit that was sent to France in the summer of 1918. Following the November, 1918 armistice, Captain Nightingale, a fluent French speaker, requested to stay in France upon the return of his regiment. His request, granted, have him join the "renting, requisitioning and claim service" at Tours looking after lost luggage. He then received a new order on December 4, directing him "to proceed at once to Paris reporting to the CG district of Paris for Temporary Duty in connection with the Peace conference..." According to a recommendation by his superior in March 1919, Nightingale was "in charge of the baggage and train departments of the Military Section of the Peace Commission...He has also been in charge of compiling a report of the expenses to the Army of the Peace commission..." During his tenure, he traveled with the Presidential Party to London, Brussels, as well as Rome dealing with all manner of logistics. Much of the ephemera and letters (most are retained carbon copies) concern his escort of the President including detailed itineraries for official trips, notes and orders concerning protocols for various functions including official reviews, passes to conferences as well as the House of Commons, rail tickets, small portions of an official diary kept by Nightingale, and an official invitation to visit with Edith Wilson among other material. The archive also includes some detailed memorandums on the official trips, copies of which are in this collection providing a vivid picture of his experiences. Of particular note is a lengthy memorandum on Wilson's official visit to Belgium from June 17 to 20, 1919, written by one of Nightingale's colleagues. While touring the trenches at Ypres, the writer remarked that he "happened to be walking with the Comtesse d'Ultremont, the Lady in Waiting - 'It is terrible,' she said, 'I can hardly bear to see these things. It was so beautiful, so lovely and peaceful, when I knew it five years ago.' She is rather a lovely looking, and very simple women; [but] when she spoke of this, there was a hardness [that] came into her eyes which was noticeably unpleasant to see...I realized those stark walls, those endless stretches of destruction, who see them only as a terrible desert, and what those people saw, who had known them in their beauty, been brought up with them as traditions of their country, enjoyed happy days in them..." Though Nightingale was responsible for the baggage, his artillery experience came in handy at times. The archive includes his account of a preliminary trip to the French battlefields with the Secret Service in order to assess the suitability for President Wilson to make an official visit. Nightingale concluded after much researching that an automobile journey would be nearly impossible due to destroyed roads and the lack of accommodations recommending instead a journey by train and adding a stern warning: "Everywhere we went we found unexploded hand and rifle grenades, duds and everywhere over the battle fields are quantities of abandoned artillery ammunition. Every member of the President's party should be cautioned before hand to lave things of this sort alone. Before he was warned of the danger Mr. Jervis, Mr. Moran's assistant had attempted to break open a German rifle grenade...This is some thing that any inexperienced civilian might attempt with very serious consequences to him and those about him..." The collection also includes a wide variety of ephemera including tickets, calling cards, newspapers printed aboard ship, as well as Nightingale's dog tags and his French World War I service medal together with a tiny mounted photo of the young officer in field uniform. A wonderful collection certainly worthy of further research. The collection also contains some excellent ephemera including postcards, passes and the like and should most certainly be viewed. Condition is overall good to very good with the expected wear including folds and the occasional marginal tear.Sold for: $956.00. |
| 56224 | [Franklin D. Roosevelt] Book of World War II Photographs, 16.5" x 15.5", October 21, 1944, containing approximately 200 large photographs presented to Franklin Roosevelt by Lieutenant General Brehon Somervell. The photographs chronicle the Army's activities at the New York Port of Embarkation. Included is Lt. Gen. Somervell's letter (6.5" x 9") presenting the album to President Roosevelt which reads in full: "Dear Mr. President: I felt that you would be sure to be interested in this pictorial story of the Army's activities at the New York Port of Embarkation. At no other point are so many of the Army's activities concentrated. The pictures, I believe, will tell you the story without any further words from me. Sincerely, Brehon Somervell, Lieutenant General Commanding." When WWII began, Somervell oversaw the construction of housing for the large numbers of draftees and storage facilities for materiel. Known for his strict discipline, Somervell was soon responsible for the U. S. Army's logistics. He also headed the division constructing the Pentagon, which was completed in early 1943. This interesting pictorial narrative of the movement of men and materiel at the height of the war is in very fine condition. Sold for: $776.75. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 56225 | Douglas MacArthur Freemasons Document Signed. One-page partly printed document, on parchment, oblong folio, Boston, December 3, 1936. Rarely seen Freemasons certificate naming Leslie Jonathan Cartwright of Indianapolis, Indiana, a "Prince of the Royal Secret 32°." Signed by MacArthur along the top margin, "Douglas MacArthur - 33°." Mac was made a "Mason at Sight" on January 14, 1936, by Samuel R. Hawthorne, the Grand Master of Masons in the Philippines, and in March 1936, MacArthur received the Fourth through the Thirty-second Degrees. Although relatively new to the Masonic fraternity, MacArthur was clearly considered an important member of the secret organization. Beautiful engravings and decorative lettering make this document a perfect candidate for framing and prominent display. Accompanied by the original black folding case with Masonic emblem, created specifically for storing these documents. Very fine.Sold for: $507.88. |
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Autographs |
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| 56226 | King James V of Scotland Signed Document, as king, one page with later docketing on the verso, 8" x 4.75", inlaid on a larger sheet (9" x 6" overall), September 16, 1538, Dunbar Castle. There are some stains to the original document, else very good. Sold with a nineteenth century verbatim transcription and an eighteenth century engraving of James. The document is an order on the exchequer to pay Sir James Haldane for his service as Governor of the "Castell of Dunber". Sir James was the keeper of the king's castle of Dunbar, the greatest fortresses in Scotland, situated over the harbor of the town of Dunbar, in East Lothian. James V (1512-1542) was King of Scots from September 9,1513 until his death. He was the father of Mary Queen of Scots. According to legend James would sometimes travel around his kingdom disguised as a common man, describing himself as the Goodman of Ballengeich, and sometimes even seducing women. However it has been suggested that, if he did do this, many people may have recognized him because of his red hair. In an experiment to determine if language was learned or innate, James sent two children to be raised by a mute woman in a specially-constructed cabin, to. Since neither child ever spoke, he determined that language must be learned.Sold for: $896.25. |
| 56227 | King George IV Manuscript Document Signed "George R" at head of first page, two pages, 7.75" x 12.5", front and verso. Our Court at Carlton House, February 24, 1820. Paper seal affixed at the left margin. Countersigned "Sidmouth" as Home Secretary. Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, was Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1801-1804. He was created Viscount in 1805. George had become Prince Regent in 1811 under the Regency Act which permitted him to rule while his father was incapacitated. When George III died on January 29, 1820, just 26 days before this document was issued, his son became King George IV. Frances Clark had been "tried and convicted of the wilful Murder of George Lakeman Clark and Judgment of the same was respited for the Opinion of Our Judges: We in consideration of a Report made to Us therefore, are graciously pleased to Extend Our Grace and Mercy unto her, and to Grant her Our Free Pardon for her said Crime...to be forthwith discharged out of custody..." This document is addressed "To Our Trusty and Welbeloved Our Justices of Gaol Delivery for the Western Circuit; - The High Sheriff of the County of Devon and all others whom it may concern." From A Complete Practical Treatise on Criminal Procedure, Pleading and Evidence, In Indictable Cases by Thomas W. Waterman (New York: Banks, Gould & Co., 1853): "On the indictment of Frances Clark, for the murder of 'George Lakeman Clark, a base-born infant male child,' it appeared in evidence that the deceased child was a bastard son of the prisoner, and that she murdered it, as charged in the indictment, but that the child was christened George Lakeman, being the name of its reputed father, and that it was called George Lakeman, and not by any other name known to the witnesses, and that the prisoner called it George Lakeman; the judges held that as the child had not obtained his mother's name by reputation, he was improperly called Clark in the indictment, and as there was nothing but the name to identify him in the indictment, the conviction could not be supported." Except for a half-inch by 2" blank portion torn out at the bottom edge, the document is in fine condition.Sold for: $221.08. |
| 56228 | Queen Adelaide of England, Autograph Letter Signed, four integral pages written on pages one through three, 3.5" x 4.25", on notepaper embossed with the royal crown, addressed to Lady Jane Peel, Pavilion [Brighton], Monday [n.d.]. Mounted on stiff cardstock. One original fold and even browning, else near fine. Adelaide writes to Lady Jane (daughter-in-law of Sir Robert Peel, William IV's prime minister), thanking her for "...the kindness to work for me & ... the kind feelings towards me". Born a princess of the German state of Saxe-Meiningen, Adelaide (1792-1849) married William, the Duke of Clarence, second son of King George III. William, was twenty years her senior and had already ten illegitimate children by the actress Mrs. Jordan, needed to a royal wife to produce a legitimate heir for the British throne. Adelaide was a good choice. She was amiable, home-loving, and willing to accept William's illegitimate children as part of the family. The arrangement settled, William wrote, "She is doomed, poor dear innocent young creature, to be my wife." Adelaide had several unsuccessful pregnancies and her two daughters died shortly after birth. She was greatly admired by the British people for her piety, modesty, charity, and her tragic childbirth history. Adelaide's niece, Queen Victoria, never forgot her aunt's kindness to her, christening of her firstborn child, Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise.Not Sold. |
| 56229 | Scotch Patent with Large Seal of Queen Victoria. Four two-sided pages, folio, on parchment, Edinburgh, Scotland, July 3, 1850. Impressive partly printed parchment patent, written in Latin, for "an improved mode of manufacturing soap," awarded to civil engineer Thomas Dickason Rotch. Document is bound with silk cord, attached to which is a massive, 6" diameter, 1" thick wax seal. Orange-red seal features Queen Victoria on horseback on one side and Victoria's intricate coat of arms on the other. Significant areas of damage to corners/edges of round seal, but it is nevertheless quite impressive and collectible. Document is heavily age toned, and permanently curled at corners. Generally very good.Sold for: $358.50. |
| 56230 | Queen Victoria of England, Autograph Letter Signed, as princess, one page written on front and docketed on verso, 5" x 8", on embossed notepaper, addressed to Lady Jane Peel, Friday Morning [docketed as being received January 23, 1833]. Residue of mounting on the verso. Three original folds, with some browning to the right edge and brittleness. Princess Victoria writes to Lady Jane Peel thanking her for "...all your kind attention about our purchases yesterday at the Bazaar, which was one of the prettiest we have seen". Lady Jane was the daughter-in-law of Sir Robert Peel who would become Victoria's second prime minister. In 1839, the young Queen commissioned Sir Robert Peel, a Tory, to form a new ministry, but was faced with a debacle known as the Bedchamber Crisis. At the time, it was customary for appointments to the Royal Household to be based on the patronage system (that is, for the Prime Minister to appoint members of the Royal Household on the basis of their party loyalties). Many of the Queen's Ladies of the Bedchamber were wives of Whigs, but Sir Robert Peel expected to replace them with wives of Tories. Victoria strongly objected to the removal of these ladies, whom she regarded as close friends rather than as members of a ceremonial institution. Sir Robert Peel felt that he could not govern under the restrictions imposed by the Queen, and consequently resigned his commission allowing Lord Melbourne to return to as prime minister.Sold for: $310.70. |
| 56231 | Queen Victoria of Great Britain and Princess Victoria of Prussia Autograph Letter Jointly Signed , a two-part letter written and signed by both the queen and the princess, her grand daughter. The first part of the letter is written by the princess, on all four integral pages, 4.5" x 7", pages bordered in black for morning and topped by the princess's crowned cypher, April 8, 1884, Berlin. Princess Victoria is writing to thank Jilla (?) for her letter of condolence at the death of her uncle, Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany (April 7, 1853 - March 28, 1884) the youngest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Leopold was diagnosed with hemophilia as a baby, which later led to his death as an adult. Princess Victoria signs her portion of the letter in the middle of page four as "Victoria (Junior)". Queen Victoria picks up the letter below Princess Victoria's signature, writing, "Let me add two words darling Jilla to my child's letter." Victoria continues for another three pages telling of her grief at losing her youngest son, "...it's [sic] too terrible to think of!" Princess Victoria of Prussia (1866 - 1929) was the second daughter of Frederick III of Germany and his wife, the former Princess Victoria, Princess Royal, daughter of Queen Victoria. To the public she was always Princess Victoria, and in the family she was called Moretta or Young Vicky. Intimate content expressing royal grief.Not Sold. |
| 56232 | King Edward of Great Britain, Three Autograph Letters Signed, "Albert Edward", all as Prince of Wales. Various dates and sizes with transmittal envelopes addressed by the prince. There are three different notecards/stationery from Marlborough House, London residence of the Prince of Wales. All three letters were written to the Dowager Countess of of Rosslyn, Blanche Adeliza St. Clair-Erskine (1839-1933), widow of Robert Francis St. Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn (1833-1890). The envelopes show wear and staining, but the letters are fine. Edward VII (Albert Edward) (1841 - 1910) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 1901 until his death. He was the first British monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, which was renamed the House of Windsor by his son, George V. Before his accession to the throne, Edward held the title of Prince of Wales, and until recently, had the distinction of being heir apparent to the throne longer than anyone in English or British history. That record is now held by the current Prince of Wales, Charles. During the long widowhood of Queen Victoria, Albert Edward's mother, he was largely excluded from political power and came to personify the fashionable, leisured elite. Not Sold. |
| 56233 | King Karl of Wurttemberg, Grant of Arms, Signed, "Karl", June 17, 1879, Stuttgart, 18 integral pages (8 vellum pages), 9" x 13.75", partially printed, with the original painting of the arms granted to Captain Friedrich Adolf Neidhardt, Second Field Artillery Regiment, Army of the Kingdom of Wurttemberg. The grant of arms is in the original burgundy velvet portfolio with the Royal Arms of Wurttemberg stamped in gold on the front cover. The inside cover and endpapers are silk moiré. The original silk cord is still attached with the red wax seal of Wurttemberg in a large (4.5") gilt bronze skippet. Document, portfolio, seal and skippet are all in excellent condition.Sold for: $1,434.00. |
| 56234 | Isabella I, Queen of Castile Signed Document. DS, "yo la Reyna", 3pp., 17" x 12.5", folded to 8.5" x 12.5", Seville, May 11, 1500. The Queen orders her notaries to credit her Chamberlain, Sancho de Paredes, with sums of money as detailed in the document for expenses incurred by the Chamberlain on behalf of the Queen. Items include funds given directly to the Queen herself, money given to the Infantas for alms during the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, accounts for linen supplied for the Queen's use, and sums paid to painters. Other sums are also included, with the total amount expended by the Chamberlain being 53,280 maravediz. Lightly toned over all, tape repairs to some of the cross-cut cancellations marks; very good condition. Sold for: $2,151.00. |
| 56235 | Henry IV of France Document Signed. One page with integral blank, 8.25" x 13.5", written in French, untranslated, 1606. Henry IV (1553 - 1610), also known as Henri le Grand, ruled as king of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610, and was the first monarch of the Bourbon dynasty in France. In 1598 he enacted the Edict of Nantes guaranteeing religious liberties to Protestants, effectively ending the civil war. One of the most popular French kings, both during and after his reign, Henry showed great care for the welfare of his subjects and displayed an unusual religious tolerance for the time. He was murdered by a fanatical Catholic, François Ravaillac. Document is written in florid script and is boldly signed "Henri," with the signatures and rubrics of two other unknown individuals. An embossed stamp of the House of Bourbon coat of arms appears at lower left. Very good. Document is heavily waterstained at lower third; approximately 3.5" x 1.25" section of paper missing from lower edge of both leaves. Docketed on verso. Sold for: $657.25. |
| 56236 | Francisco Franco Photograph Signed "F. Franco ", below black and white photo portrait, 6.5" x 9", attached and centered on light tan mat backing, 8.5" x 12.25" (sight), housed in elaborate and intricately carved presentation frame to overall 11.75" x 18.5", behind heavy beveled glass, coat of arms on frame above portrait and embossed below to right of signature. Heavy frame is backed with hinged stand. Light toning on mat and photo with slight bowing, light patina on frame and back. Penned inscription to the President of Liberia J.L. William Tubman and signature are faded slightly, clear and legible. Very good condition.Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 56237 | Pope Pius XII Portrait Signed "Pius pp. XII " below painted portrait on vellum, 7" x 9.25", housed in European silver presentation frame to overall 9" x 11.25". Pope Pius XII reigned as Pope and as sovereign of Vatican City from March 2, 1939, until his death on October 9, 1958. Portrait centered on paper is sharp and clear, signature and date, "23 '58" below painting faded but legible, embossed papal seal lower left, light buckling from moisture. Light patina on frame surface and coat of arms, surface scratches at right side, wood stand secured in metal brace. Very good condition.Sold for: $956.00. |
| 56238 | Toussaint Louverture Manuscript Letter Signed "Toussaint Louverture" as General in Chief of the Army of Santo Domingo, one page, 7.25" x 8.5". With integral address leaf. Saint-Domingue, "29 floréal year 9 of the one and indivisible French Republic " (April 18, 1801). In French. "Liberty" and "Equality" printed in the top corners. To Headquarters at Cape Français. In full, "Your letter of yesterday's date has reached me. You will forward to me the documents relative to the turning over to Commander Dempuré, so that they may reach him more promptly." On laid paper. Mounting remnants, pictorial stampings, and remnant of red sealing wax on the integral leaf. Fine condition. Santo Domingo was a colony of France. Nevertheless, on February 4, 1801, Toussaint Louverture called for a Central Assembly to write a Constitution for his country. The date he chose was significant. France ended slavery in its colonies on February 4, 1794. In March 1801, there were elections throughout the colony to elect representatives. It is possible that the documents requested refer to the writing of the Constitution of Santo Domingo which was being written at the time of this letter and completed in May. On July 2, 1801, Toussaint Louverture signed the Constitution at Cape Français and, on July 16th, sent it to Emperor Napoleon for his "approval and the sanction of my government." Napoleon never personally answered any of his letters; replies would come from his Minister of the Marine. This irritated the Dominican leader who fancied himself "Bonaparte of the Antilles." On October 23, 1801, Napoleon entrusted the command of an expedition to, as he wrote his Foreign Minister Talleyrand, "annihilate the black government at St. Domingo," destroy the power of Toussaint Louverture, and re-establish slavery in the Island of Santo Domingo.Not Sold. |
| 56239 | Two 1825 Letters About the Cuban Slave Revolt. Two letters (two pages and three pages respectively, each with integral address leaf), folio and 4to, Sumedero, Cuba, June 1825 and January 1826. Written by E.S. Fales to his sister Lydia S. French. Fales offers an interesting commentary on events surrounding a slave rebellion in Cuba. In part: "... you will no doubt have heard of the insurrection of the Negroes in our part of the country, which as to numbers was inconsiderable, but the result was horrid. No less than sixteen whites was most barbarously butchered..." Both letters are lightly age toned and in fine condition.Not Sold. |
| 56240 | Domingo Faustino Sarmiento Lot of Three Autograph Letters Signed. Three autograph letters in Spanish, signed "Sarmiento" and "D.F. Sarmiento", total 10pp., New York, all written to Juana Manso. All with good content regarding his goals for educational development in Argentina and his political future. In small part: " [undated letter]... I am going to promote music in all of the schools, and for that these chants and these books of verse and chants will serve as a model; but it is precise that the verses be in Spanish... [New York, May 25, 1866]... I suspect that my good and impassioned friend is writing a biography of me, or so I have deduced from that letter, and the many that she writes to me asking for explanations of my deeds that they have recognized... Minister Costa has written to me that he enters fully into the idea of Normal Schools based on the North American model and the rest; or at least he has implied it in his letters... the least indiscretion shall be exploited by the Saints Olalla [?] of politics, like they did when I was in San Juan, portraying me as though as I was taking a leisurely trip through these worlds thinking they would annihilate me. Poor people! I have many years remaining, patience, and love for my country, and the aptitude to serve it... [New York, Sept. 20, 1867]... I am anxiously awaiting the hear the rumblings that the successes of war take and the opinions that will be tendered in the next election. The news and particular details that reach me from various parts of the Republic are in the same vein as what you relay... I do little to advance here. My mission has been accomplished, if it was to learn in depth the American institutions, especially the educational institutions..." A schoolteacher in rural Argentina, Sarmiento entered public life as a provincial legislator. His activism against the oppressive government of Juan Manuel de Rosas resulted in his exile to Chile in 1840. While in Chile, he was appointed founding director of the first pedagogical academy in Latin America, traveling abroad to study educational systems. Sarmiento served as Minister Plenipotentiary for Chile in the United States between 1864-1867. His study of the American public school system convinced him that it was the best model to be followed by Latin America. Sarmiento was elected president of Argentina in 1868, and his administration was dedicated to the application of sound democratic principles to the development of Argentina's educational and cultural institutions. These three letters written during his time in the U.S. provide insight into his ideas as well as his political inclinations. Letters are in overall near fine with light toning and foxing, and minor edge tears to one.Not Sold. |
| 56241 | Victoriano Huerta Military Appointment Signed as President of Mexico. DS "V. Huerta ", two pages, 11" x 16.5" each page, front and verso, Mexico City, Mexico, August 17, 1913, appointing "C. Adolfo D. Medina " to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Toning and light foxing over all, rough edges, two heavy vertical and horizontal folds both pages on verso with tape repairs, tears along folds, pages separated at center fold, holes in center. Fair condition.Sold for: $179.25. |
| 56242 | David Ben-Gurion Autograph Letter Signed, "David Ben-Gurion, Minister of Defense", one page, 6" x 8", The Government Center letterhead, March 29, 1955, to Yosef Efrati, Deputy Minister of Agriculture. Penned in Hebrew, in full, "Greetings, Prior to coming to Israel I read about the citrus plantations of Montefiore, and of Mikve-Yisrael and Petach-Tekva of Tempfer and Soloman; I envied them that they were privileged for something that no other Jew will merit - to be the first. When I arrived in Israel I realized that the first chapter did not end: au contraire, it almost did not begin - empty and desolate parcels of land are waiting to be redeemed by the new immigrants that are arriving. It is our obligation to increase the settlements in the Negev in order to strengthen our security." Brief letter written eight months prior to his return to government as Prime Minister of Israel. From 1948 to 1963 Ben-Gurion was instrumental in developing national institutions and projects, including Jewish settlements in Negev. In 1955 he initiated raids into Gaza in response to Palestinian guerrilla attacks, escalating tensions between Israel and Egypt that ultimately led to the 1956 Sinai War. When France and Britain joined with Israel against the Arabs, hostilities were eventually brought to a close with the intervention by the United States and the United Nations. Tape repair along quarter fold on verso, two punch holes right margin, fine condition.Not Sold. |
| 56243 | David Ben-Gurion Typed Letter Signed "D. Ben-Gurion" as Minister of Defense on State of Israel letterhead, in Hebrew, one page, 6" x 8", August 26, 1955. "I have no doubt that the problem of security disturbs your rest. True, the problem of security, at this time, is the principal problem of the State. Any person - just like an entire nation - can feel the danger waiting at his door. We are a small nation, and any boasting we do will only make a laughingstock out of us. But we are not powerless, not in the military sense, and certainly not in the moral and political sense. I, however, am calm and certain that, when it comes to the test, the Israel Defense Forces will be able to defend our peace and our sovereignty - the Israel Defense Forces is the army of the people, and of all its circles and factions..." File holes along right margin, otherwise fine condition. Sold for: $1,792.50. |
| 56244 | David Ben-Gurion Typed Letter Signed, co-signed by Eliezer Kaplan. One page, 9.5" x 11.5", Tel Aviv, December 30, 1929, written to "Dr. A[rthur] Ruppin", a sociologist, Zionist thinker, and one of the founders of Tel Aviv. Translation of the Hebrew text: "Dear Friend! In these serious times for our endeavors, we are carrying out the unification of the forces of the Hebrew labor movement in Aretz [Eretz, Israel]. We are sure that the day of unification-will also be a great day for you, dear Dr. Ruppin, as the best of your efforts and hopes have been tied these many years with those of the Hebrew worker, who is conquering and building and creating the working Nation in Eretz Israel, and its new society and its culture. Your being with us and among us during the convention will bring joy to all our members. With many blessings, the Joint Secretariat, D. Ben Gurion, E. Kaplan". In 1930, the United Labor Party and Young Workers Party consolidated and formed Mapai, which became the strongest political party in Israeli politics until the 1960s and was led by David Ben-Gurion. Ben-Gurion became the first Prime Minister of Israel in 1948 while Eliezer Kaplan was appointed Minister of Finance. Usual mail folds, otherwise near fine condition. Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 56245 | Golda Meir Autograph Note (unsigned), two pages, 6.25" x 4", [n.p.], May 2, 1972. Late Prime Minister Golda Meir writes "I read on Newsweek that B.G. [Ben Gurion] said that he's willing to return everything [all the occupied territories] except Jerusalem. I know that he said it here. It is very severe if he's also saying that towards outside [of Israel] and he's now going abroad. He's also quoted there saying that there's a danger that a horrible war will breakout and it is needed to hurry and do something and that at the same time that the four (the US, France, England and the U.N.) are meeting." This historically important document relates to Ben-Gurion's position regarding the occupied territories and his prediction of war if there was no political overture toward the United States, France, England and the United Nations. Meir's belief that support was possible mainly from the United States in the event of hostilities is reflected in this note, and her lack of foresight is evident. On October 6, 1973 Egypt and Syria attacked Israel, six hours after Golda Meir, Moshe Dayan and Israeli general, David Elazar had met to argue their views for and against the possibility of war. Dayan did not believe that war was imminent, Elazar was in favor of a pre-emptive attack against Syrian forces, and Meir decided against a pre-emptive attack. The name "Golda" was written by the letter's recipient at top. Very fine condition with exception of rust stain from a paperclip.Not Sold. |
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Photography |
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| 56246 | Russian Tsar Alexander II and Family Cabinet Card Collection. A wonderful collection of 40 cabinet cards of Tsar Alexander and Empress Marie and their family. Images include individual poses of Alexander II, Empress Marie, Alexander III, Empress Dagmar, Marie Paulovna (Grand Duchess Vladimir), Grand Duke Vladimir (brother of Alexander III), Marie (Duchess of Edinburgh and daughter of Alexander II), Grand Duke Constantin (brother of Alexander II), Alexandra Josephovna (Grand Duchess Constantin), Alexandra Petrovna (Grand Duchess Nicholas), Grand Duke Nicholas (brother of Alexander II), Grand Duke Alexis (brother of Alexander III), Olga (Queen of Greece, daughter of Grand Duke Constantin), Grand Duke Michael (brother of Alexander II), Olga Federovna (Grand duchess Michael), Grand Duke Paul (brother of Alexander III), individual portraits of the sons of the Grand Duke Nicholas, the Empress Dagmar in he wedding dress and many others. Family portraits include: Alexander III and the Empress Dagmar with their children (1879), the sons of Alexander III, Alexander III with the Empress Dagmar, and the Empress Dagmar with her children. All images are described on the mount in a period hand by a previous collector. The images are stored in a period album, leather bound with a lacquered painted scene of an open sleigh pulled by horses. Album spine is cracked, pages are brittle; but the cabinet cards remain remarkably fine, with only a couple of instances of minor foxing. Many of the images bear Russian photographic stamp on verso.Sold for: $4,481.25. |
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Autographs |
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| 56247 | Mikhail Gorbachev Signed Photos. Lot of two oversized color photographs, each 14" x 11", boldly signed in blue sharpie. Gorbachev is pictured embracing Ronald Reagan, and the second photo is a chest, up pose. Both images in very fine condition.Not Sold. |
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Entertainment Collectibles |
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| 56248 | Sanford F. Bennett Autograph Quotations Signed - Sweet Bye and Bye. Author, poet, and Civil War officer, Sanford Bennett's poetry gained popularity in the 1850s and '60s. After serving with distinction with the 40th WI Volunteers during the Civil War, Bennett studied medicine and became a respected physician, but continued to write poetry, setting much of it to music. Perhaps his most popular composition was Sweet Bye and Bye, written in 1867. Offered here is a handwritten, signed copy of the first verse of this well-loved hymn, signed at Richmond Hill, March 13, 1893. Included is a second, shorter Autograph Quotation Signed of the same hymn, accomplished at Richmond, IL, September 11, 1886. Both items are very fine. Sold for: $239.00. |
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Autographs |
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| 56249 | Robert Browning Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 4.5" x 7", Warwick, England, April 14, 1872, written to "Miss Bethel", the wife of Richard Bethell, 1st Baron of Westbury. In full: "19 Warwick Crescent, W., April 14, '72, Dear Miss Bethel, I beg to thank you, as well as Lord Westbury, for the honor of your invitation, which I accept with great pleasure. Pray believe me, Dear Miss Bethel, Yours very faithfully, Robert Browning". Browning, who died in 1889, was a great Victorian English playwright, poet, and husband of another well respected Victorian English poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Lord Westbury served as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain during the early 1860s. This fine document is clean with slight browning and crisp bold ink. Sold for: $1,075.50. |
| 56250 | Samuel Clemens Autograph Letter Signed. Great associative content ALS "Mark" on Chatto and Windus letterhead, one page, 5" x 8", London, June 2, 1899. Penned in full, "Dear MacAllister - Yes, I'm for the Savage supper. Let us make it Friday the 9th. Can Chatto and Spalding come - or is that inadvisable? Let me know. Mrs. Clemens & our obstructions will be glad to see you & your wife any time you will come. Yours ever Mark ". Accompanied by the original envelope addressed in his hand. Clemens is making reference, no doubt, to dining at the noted Savage Club in London. Clemens was introduced to the club by the recipient of this letter, J.Y.M. MacAllister, and was elected a life member in 1897. English publisher Andrew Chatto, began a long personal and professional relationship with the author when he approached him about revising the contents of the unauthorized Choice Humorous Works of Mark Twain, which had been published by James Camden Hotten, whose publishing house Chatto had purchased. Unlike Hotten, Chatto proposed formal publishing arrangements, with rights and royalties. Clemens was so impressed with Chatto that in 1876 he broke ties with English publishers, George Routledge and Sons, to publish Tom Sawyer with Chatto and Windus. Chatto went on to publish the English editions of nearly all of Clemens' books. Light soiling, otherwise near fine condition. Sold for: $3,107.00. |
| 56251 | Samuel Clemens Autograph Letter Signed in the third person. One page, 4.5" x 7", Hartford, Connecticut, October 17, 1887. In full, "Mr. S.L. Clemens thanks the Berkshire Press Club for their kind invitation, & greatly regrets that his occupations & engagements are such as to debar its acceptance. Hartford, Oct. 17, 1887" Paper is lightly toned, with two mailing folds, script is clear and clean; fine condition.Not Sold. |
| 56252 | Samuel Clemens Autograph Note Signed Twice "Saml L. Clemens" and "Mark Twain" on his personal monogrammed letterhead, 4.25" x 6.75" (sight), Hartford, Sept. 18, 1875. Brief excusatory note, boldly penned. Handsomely matted alongside a printed quote by Clemens ("Be careless in your dress if you must, but keep a tidy soul") and a medallion bearing his profile. Framed to an overall size of 12.5" x 11.5".Sold for: $2,390.00. |
| 56253 | Emily Dickinson Autograph Letter Signed "Emily" in bold pencil, three pages, separate sheets (third page with signature is framed), 5" x 8". Amherst , [November 1880]. To her Uncle William, her father's brother, a successful industrialist in Worcester, Massachusetts. In full, "Thank you, dear Uncle for Helen's Cards - You were very thoughtful to send them - though not knowing her personally, we have a vicarious acquaintance through Aunt Libbie and Clara. I hope she may have a charming Home, and that Aunt Mary and you may not be too lonely. Please enclose our Congratulations when you write my Cousin, she will perhaps prize for her Uncle's sake, who was always so gallant to his young Kinsmen - and who thought of your Home as of his own, and of you - with so great tenderness - Please say to Aunt Mary that we do not forget her. I hope you are both most happy and well - Mother and Vinnie give their love - That we warmly remember Papa's Brother, he will please be sure. Will he guess that the Note is from Emily." This letter is not published in The Letters of Emily Dickinson, edited by Thomas Johnson and Theodora Ward (Cambridge, Mass.: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1958), which states "With the exception of letters presumably destroyed, all those which at the present time Emily Dickinson is known to have written are here assembled." The event which prompted the letter here offered was the marriage of Emily's cousin, Helen Whittier Dickinson, the daughter of Uncle William and his second wife, Mary Whittier Dickinson. Helen married Thomas L. Shields in Worcester on October 26, 1880. Since Emily is thanking her Uncle William for Helen's cards after her cousin's marriage ("I hope... that Aunt Mary and you may not be too lonely ") this letter must have been written in November 1880, enough time for Emily to have received Helen's cards from Uncle William. Aunt Libbie was Uncle William's and her father Edward's youngest sister Elizabeth Dickinson Currier who had kept house for her brother William in Worcester after his first wife died in 1851. Clara was her cousin Clara Newman, whose mother Mary was also a sister of William and Edward. Emily's father Edward had died in 1874. In 1875, her mother, Emily Norcross Dickinson, suffered a temporarily paralyzing stroke; three years later, she fell and broke her hip. Emily and her sister, Lavinia ("Vinnie") cared for their invalid mother until her death on November 14, 1882. The first two pages of Emily Dickinson's letter are written on the first and third sheets of a 10" x 8" sheet of stationery, watermarked "1876," folded in half. The third page has been matted with a portrait of the poet and framed under glass to 13" x 24". The letter is in mint condition. Not Sold. |
| 56254 | Arthur Conan Doyle Autograph Letter Signed "A Conan Doyle" on The Hôtel Métropole letterhead, one page, 5" x 7", London, [February 1911], to [O.P. Heggie]. In full, "I thought your performance very good indeed. Many thanks for it. I wonder whether it would be possible as you exit at the end of Scene I Act III to remove your disguise with a sweep of your hand on the 'Now then, Billy!' The disguise is so admirable that I fear many hardly realise [sic] that it is not a double." Lightly soiled. Fine condition. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from a member of the Heggie family from whom this letter was purchased. Oliver Peters Heggie (1877-1936) is best remembered for his later role as the blind hermit who befriends the Monster (Boris Karloff) with wine and tobacco in "The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935). "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" is one of 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. First published in Strand Magazine in February 1892, Conan Doyle, who later revealed that he thought this was his best Holmes story, wrote and produced a play based on it. O.P. Heggie appeared as Sherlock Holmes in the February 6-25, 1911 production of "The Speckled Band: An Adventure of Sherlock Holmes" at London's Strand Theatre. Conan Doyle had playfully listed in all programs since "opening night" that "C. Later" played the part of "Peters -- a Butler." In the play, Holmes disguised himself as the butler and his pageboy, Billy, was disguised as Peters' young daughter, Amelia. In fact, the actor who portrayed Holmes was also Peters, but Conan Doyle wanted the audience to think that another actor was Peters. Hegge's disguise as the butler was so good that Conan Doyle wished he had given Hegge the credit he deserved so he asked Heggie if it were possible for him as he and Billy, the only actors on stage at the time, could quickly remove his disguise as he exited, revealing to the audience that he, not the fictitious "C. Later," was Peters, the butler. For whatever reason, Heggie didn't. The name "C. Later" continued to appear in the programs of future productions of "The Speckled Band." Letters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle referring to Sherlock Holmes are rare and desirable. One signed "A.C.D." referred to "the Cardboard Box story" and "S.H." and sold for just over $12,000 at Sotheby's London in 1999. A second, signed "A Conan Doyle," sold for $16,838.50 at auction last year. Not Sold. |
| 56256 | Ernest Hemingway Autograph Note Signed "Ernie". One page, 6" x 8", postmarked from Havana, Cuba, December 31, 1940, written to his mother, Grace Hall Hemingway. This short note, written after Christmas, reads: "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Ernie". The original envelope is also included on which Hemingway wrote his name twice within the text. Earlier in June 1940, Hemingway finished For Whom the Bell Tolls from Cuba. He left Cuba after the start of World War II and became a war correspondent for Collier's magazine. Both note and envelope are in very fine condition. Not Sold. |
| 56257 | Julia Ward Howe Hand-Written Verse From "Battle Hymn of the Republic". Scarce Autograph Quotation Signed, "Julia Ward Howe," 7.5" x 3.25", April 26, 1902, the last verse of her poem "Battle Hymn of the Republic." She writes in full, "In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me: As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on!" In near pristine condition, bright as the day it was written. Beautifully matted with gold trim and a color portrait of Howe. Sold for: $2,151.00. |
| 56258 | Julia Ward Howe Autograph Quote Signed From the "Battle Hymn of the Republic". AQS "Julia Ward Howe", 5" x 3", on heavy card stock, May 1896. Howe quotes her most recognizable line from Battle Hymn of the Republic: "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord". "Battle Hymn of the Republic", set to William Steffe's already-existing music, was first published in the Atlantic Monthly in 1862 and quickly became one of the most popular songs of the Union during the American Civil War. Fine. Not Sold. |
| 56259 | John Keats Autograph Letter Signed: A Monumentally Important Love Letter by the Illustrious Romantic Poet. John Keats, English poet (1795-1821). Autograph letter signed with his initials to Fanny Brawne. Single sheet, overall 8.75" x 7.25"; traces of sealing wax. No place, no date, but Hampstead, presumably February 1820. Signed, "J. K.," typical of such highly personal correspondence, which was hand-delivered and not sent through the mail. It was during the fall of 1818 while John Keats was nursing his brother Tom, who was suffering from tuberculosis, that John met Fanny Brawne. She was a close neighbor in Hampstead and she soon fell hopelessly and tragically in love with her. His relationship with Fanny had a decisive effect on Keats' development. Fannie seems to have been an unexceptional young woman, of firm and generous character, and kindly disposed toward Keats. But Keats expected more, and perhaps more than anyone could give, as is evident from his overwrought letters. Both his uncertain material situation and his failing health made it almost impossible for their relationship to run a normal course. After Tom's death, Keats moved into Wentworth Place with his friend Charles Armitage Brown; and in April 1819 Fanny and her mother became his next-door neighbors. In about October 1819 John Keats and Fanny Brawne became engaged. The letter was written about a year before Keats' death, in the same month that he was seized with the first overt symptoms of tuberculosis. His first attack of blood-coughing came after a cold night ride outside the coach from London to Hampstead, England, leaving him physically and emotionally prostrate. For six or seven weeks following the attack, Keats remained house-bound, affectionately nursed by his friend Charles Brown, but forbidden at first to see anyone else. As the Brawne family were neighbors, he was able to keep up a constant interchange of notes with Fanny throughout his illness. By the end of March 1820, he was able to get up again and, in July, see through the press his last volume of poems, Lamia, Isabella, the Eve of St. Agnes, and other Poems. John Keats' life was rapidly drawing to a close. He sailed for Italy in September, "as a soldier marches against a battery," to try the effect of a winter there, but a short period of hope was followed by a relapse. At the age of twenty-five, John Keats died in Rome on February 23, 1821. The letter reads: "My dearest Fanny, The power of your benediction is of not so weak a nature as to pass from the ring in four and twenty hours - it is like a sacred Chalice once consecrated and ever consecrate. I shall kiss your name and mine where your Lips have been - Lips! why should a poor prisoner as I am talk about such things. Thank God, though I hold them the dearest pleasures in the universe, I have a consolation independent of them in the certainty of your affection. I could write a song in the style of Tom Moore's Pathetic about Memory if that would be any relief to me. No 'twould not. I will be as obdurate as a Robin. I will not sing in a cage. Health is my expected heaven and you are my Houri - this word I believe is both singular and plural - if only plural, never mind - you are a thousand of them. Ever yours affectionately my dearest - J. K. You had better not come to-day." This letter was written to thank Fanny for the gift of a ring engraved with her name, hence the opening two sentences. Keats' language here is absolutely remarkable, worthy of publication as poetry in itself! Although he wrote various love letters in the course of his short life, those to Fanny Brawne are considered the most romantic and lyrical. On the side where it is addressed, he has added the poignant postscript, "You had better not come to-day." Doubtless he did not want his lover to see the severity of his illness. The enigmatic relationship between John Keats and Fanny Brawne is perhaps the most fascinating in all of English Romanticism. For many years her existence was not known to the public, and when her letters were finally published, an impression was given of a woman who cared little for Keats and was unworthy of this love. This impression has been corrected, and few informed persons now agree that, as R. H. Stoddard once phrased it, she was a "cold, hard, haughty young woman," who made her lover ridiculous in life and after death. Instead they are likely to agree with Edgcumbe that she was "a young woman of remarkable perception and imagination, keen in the observance of character and events, possessing an unusual critical faculty, and intellectually fitted to become the wife of Keats." The poet harps upon his "swooning admiration" for her and his love and admiration have made her immortal (Letters of John Keats, vol. 1, ed. Hyder Edward Rollins, Cambridge UP, 1958). The prime authority for Keats' life and his poetical development can be found in his letters. The correspondence with his brothers and sister (Fanny), with his close friends, and with Fanny Brawne gives the most intimate picture of the admirable integrity of Keats' character and enables the reader to closely follow the development of his thought about poetry - his own poetry and that of others. His letters evince a profound thoughtfulness combined with a quick, sensitive, undidactic critical response. Spontaneous, informal, deeply thought, and deeply felt, they are the best letters written by any English poet. Apart from their interest as a commentary of his work, they have the right to independent literary status. The letter has, additionally, been published in Robert Gittings, Letters of John Keats, 1970, pages 364-365, collection Mr. Roger Barrett, Chicago, and in H. B. Forman, The Letters of John Keats, 1935, page 473, Letter 194, collection Oliver R. Barrett, Chicago. It is believed to be the last Keats letter to Fanny Brawne held privately, the others being in institutional collections. Not Sold. |
| 56260 | Rare Herman Melville Autograph Quotation Signed in full "Herman Melville," one page, 3.75" x 2.25" card. "--Honey is sweet, but the Bee stings.-/Herman Melville/New York, March 8, 1882." This proverb has been variously attributed to the Dutch, English, and French. Herman Melville's epic novel, Moby Dick, was published in 1851, but it brought neither acclaim nor financial reward. In 1863, Melville and his wife moved into the home of his brother, Allan, at 104 East 26th Street in Manhattan. Seeking employment to support his family, he unsuccessfully sought a consular appointment in 1861. In 1866, Melville was hired as Deputy Inspector of Customs at the Port of New York. He held this job for 19 years. Just 12 days before writing this quotation for, no doubt, an admirer, on February 24, 1882, Melville's daughter Frances gave birth to his first grandchild, Eleanor Melville Thomas, in Orange, New Jersey. At the time of his death in 1891, Herman Melville was a forgotten man. The September 29, 1891 edition of The New York Times had a small notice on page eight headed "Obituary Notes." Melville's was the eighth of eleven listed: "Herman Melville died yesterday at his residence, 104 East Twenty-sixth Street, this city, of heart failure, aged seventy-two. He was the author of 'Typee,' 'Omoo,' 'Mobie Dick,' and other seafaring tales, written in earlier years. He leaves a wife and two daughters, Mrs. M.B. Thomas and Miss Melville." Three days later, the Times began a lengthy editorial thusly, "There has died and been buried in this city, during the current week, at an advanced age, a man who is so little known, even by name, to the generation now in the vigor of life that only one newspaper contained an obituary account of him, and this was but of three or four lines..." It continued with a glowing tribute to Melville, this time correctly spelling Omov and Moby Dick. The editorial recalled that "when a visiting British writer a few years ago inquired at a gathering in New-York of distinctly literary Americans what had become of Herman Melville, not only was there not one among them who was able to tell him, but there was scarcely one among them who had ever heard of the man..." Because he was not remembered by many, his letters were not retained by those with whom he corresponded, except family. His autograph, especially signed in full, is of the utmost rarity in any form. The card signed here with one of his favorite proverbs has been double-matted with a bust image of Melville and ornately framed under glass to 15" x 21". It would be an exceptional addition to a literary collection.Not Sold. |
| 56261 | J.K. Rowling Two Books Signed "J.K. Rowling" on the title page. (1) Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp, 56 pages, 4.5" x 7". Softcover. First Edition. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc in association with Whizz Hard Books, 2001. (2) Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander, 42 pages, 4.5" x 7". Softcover. First Edition. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc in association with Obscurus Books, 2001. Fine condition. Not Sold. |
| 56262 | J.D. Salinger Typed Letter Signed. TLS, "JDS- ", one page, 8.5" x 11", Hanover, N.H., December 17, 1975, to Marie Bouman. Salinger writes to Miss Bouman in response to her request for copies of the author's earlier unpublished works. In full: "Yes, there are a number of uncollected magazine stories of mine, most of them written twenty-five or thirty years ago. As far as I knew, the more sizable libraries, university and other, still keep them on file somewhere. That's about all I can tell you, really. I don't recommend those old stories to anyone." Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope and Miss Bouman's letter to Salinger, also a newspaper article about a pirated book, "The Complete Uncollected Short Stories of J.D. Salinger". American author, J.D. Salinger is best known for his first and most controversial novel The Catcher in the Rye. Written in 1951, the controversial novel became an immediate success and remains widely read today. With the usual mailing folds, paper is very clean save a few stray light stains well away from text and signature; otherwise near fine condition. Sold for: $1,135.25. |
| 56263 | Alice Toklas Autograph Letter Signed "Alice Toklas", one page, 5.25" x 8.25", Paris, May 10, 1950. To Mrs. Mitchell: "The beauty of the white lilacs and the mauve tulips - your kindness in sending them quite overwhelms me - our brief meeting was a great pleasure to me - The glorious flowers are completely unmerited but they are giving me so much pleasure that I can only say thanks and thank you again..." Very fine condition. Noted companion of writer Gertrude Stein, she wrote about their life together in What Is Remembered. Stein, in turn, entitled her autobiography The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, and wrote about herself as seen through Toklas's eyes. Not Sold. |
| 56264 | Artists Archive of Letters. Group lot of 70 autograph letters signed and signatures by 19th Century artists, various sizes and dates. Includes as follows: Claude Monet ALS, on Giverny par Vernon Eure letterhead, one page, 5.25" x 8.25", undated and signed in full. Affixed at corners to a scrapbook sheet alongside an image of the artist. Also, a second undated ANS by the artist, 7" x 4.5". Neither letter is translated, but both appear to be complying for a request for an autograph. Both in very good to near fine condition. Joseph M. W. Turner ALS "JMW Turner", one page, 4.5" x 7.25", Oct. 26, 1834, to an unknown recipient requesting something be returned to him. Lightly soiled with a few foxing spots and small marginal tear at left. Mounting remnant on verso. Very good. James McNeill Whistler ANS signed twice on black bordered stationery, one page, 4" x 6", June 11, 1901, declining an invitation. Signs in the third person in the text, "Mr. Whistler", with a second "butterfly" signature at closing. Hinged along left margin, near fine. Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8", Dec. 19 [n.y.]. Untranslated, in French. Half-inch by two inch chip at top left corner, and affixed to a scrapbook page. Light soiling, with bold ink and very good. Charles-François Daubigny ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8.25", n.p., n.d. In French, untranslated. Affixed to a larger sheet beneath an image of the artist. A few wrinkles at corners, and a tiny marginal tear at bottom. Otherwise very good. Elizabeth Vigee LeBrun LS, one page, 7.5" x 9", Paris, March 8, 1821. A lengthy letter in French. A few foxing spots at margins, else near fine. George Cruikshank ALS, 6.5" x 8", Dec. 31, 1871, sending his autograph. Also a signature, 4.25" x 2.5", dated Jan. 13, 1844. Affixed to a larger sheet. Winslow Homer ADS, one page, 8.25" x 5.25", New York, Aug. 23, 1875. A receipt for a payment of $130.00 received "In payment of picture 'Kept In'". Professional restoration to two tears are visible is evident resulting in a half inch-stain traversing the middle of the note, affecting 5 words, including "Winsl" in the signature. Holograph remains legible, and overall condition is good to very good. Charles Dana Gibson two autograph letters signed, New York, circa 1901. Both letters are addressed to Mrs. E. Nevins of New Haven, CT. The first apologizes for missing her visit and the second promises to send a picture and mention his wife Irene is ill. Very good to near fine. Thomas Moran ALS, one page, 5" x 8", New York, "April / Monday". To a Mr. E. Taylor Snow thanking him for selling one of his paintings. Near fine. Carolus Duran ANS front and verso on his personal note card, 5.75" x 3.75", June 20, 1916. In part: "Value is in order, color, disorder. Vary values, simplify colors..." Near fine. With a second ALS, 2pp., 4.5" x 7", Paris, March 3, 1889; and a CDV of the artist. J. Hopkinson Smith ALS on his embossed letterhead, one page, 4.5" x 7.25", n.p., n.d. Brief thank you note mentioning he has seen the Pan-American Expo a "few days ago". Near fine. Thornton Oakley ALS on his personal letterhead, 2pp., 8.5" x 11", Philadelphia, Nov. 20, 1923. Content regarding making arrangements for a women's exhibition. Lightly toned, otherwise very good. Francois Gerard ALS, one page with attached integral sheet, 6.25" x 8", June 4 [n.y.]. In French. Toned, otherwise near fine, with a biography of the artist affixed to the integral sheet. Wilhelm von Kaulbach ALS, 2pp., 5.5" x 8.5", circa 1850. Untranslated, likely in German. Affixed at the blank adjoined sheet. Toned, otherwise near fine. Franz von Defregger ALS, one page, 4.5" x 7", circa 1880. In German, untranslated. With attached integral sheet and attached to a larger page. Near fine. Josef Israel signature executed in paint on lined paper, 6.5" x 3.5", dated July 28, 1867. Affixed at corners. Walter Crane signed drawing of a crane, Boston, Dec. 3. 1891. On heavy watercolor stock paper, 4.25" x 3.5", affixed at corners. Near fine. Jean Gustave Jacquet illustrated ALS with three original drawings, in French, 4.5" x 7". Lightly soiled and mounted to a larger sheet. George du Maurier ALS, 4" x 6.25", March 14 [n.y.], written directly beneath a letter inviting him to dinner; which he politely declines. Affixed to a larger sheet. Very good to near fine. Randolph Caldecott ANS signed twice in the third person, one page, 4.5" x 7", Kensington, March 14, 1884. Accepting an invitation and telling of his travel plans to the country. Affixed at one corner of the adjoined sheet. Mat burn affects lower half of the letter. Max Beerbohm signature on a small slip, 2.5" x 1.25". Mounted. Friedrich Augustus von Kaulbach SP, cabinet card reproduction of his painting of a mother and child; boldly signed on the mount. Affixed to a disbound scrapbook page. Hablot Knight Brown ALS, two pages, 7.5" x 9", Croydon, June 11, 1851. The Dickens illustrator writes regarding a loan. Three small mounting remnants along left margin. Slight toning, otherwise very good to near fine. Paul Delaroche ALS, one page, 5.25" x 7.5" on blue stationery, n.p., n.d. Untranslated. Hinged to a larger sheet. Edouard Detaille ANS accompanied by the original transmittal envelope, Dec. 23, 1887. In French , responding to a request for an autograph. Affixed to a larger sheet. Near fine. Jules Lefebure ANS complying with a request for an autograph, 4.5" x 3.5", April 8, 1892. Cardstock, affixed to a larger sheet. Frank Brangwyn ALS, 2pp., 8" x 10.5", August 1, 1915. Good content regarding artistic development. With original transmittal envelope, affixed to a larger sheet. Jean Paul Laurens ANS on the front and verso of his calling card, 4" x 2.25". Very good to near fine. Jean-Louis Hamon ALS, 2pp, 5.25" x 8.25", Rome, April 6, 1866. Lengthy letter in French. Affixed to a larger sheet at integral sheet. Emanuel Leutze brief ANS on a small sheet, 3.25" x 2.5", mounted to a larger sheet. Alphonse De Neuville ANS, 3.5" x 4.5". Mounted. Constant Mayer ALS complying with a request for an autograph, New York, July 31, 1866. Mounted. Charles Chaplin ALS, front and back of a small note card, 4.5" x 3.5", Paris, January 25, 1888. Hinged at left margin. Fine. Georges Clairin ALS, 2pp. (pages 1 and 3 of conjoined sheets), 5.25" x 8.25". Untranslated. Mounted at corners to a larger sheet. Eugene Carriere ALS in French, one page, 4.5" x 6.75", July 1898. Affixed to a larger sheet. Edward W. Redfuield ALS, one page, 8.5" x 11", March 24, 1901. Thanking the recipient for selling one of his paintings and giving news of how his painting titled "The Birches", is being received at the New York Show. Light soiling and creasing. J.L. Dyckmans ALS, two pages, front and verso, 5" x 8", July 16, 1863. Hinged at left margin. P.A. Cot ALS, one page, 4.5" x 7", March 13, [1882]. Hinged at left margin. C. Cattermole signature and closing from a letter, 3" x 1", mounted. Antoine Coypel DS, partially printed on vellum, 7.5" x 5.5", September 6, 1704. Affixed at left margin. Antonio de la Gandara ANS, with paper loss to text. Affixed to a larger sheet. Fair condition. Eduard Grutzner ALS, two pages, untranslated, in German. Mounted at conjoined sheet. Henriquel Dupont ALS, one page, 4" x 5". Affixed at conjoined sheet. Wilhelm Camphausen ALS, 2 pages, 5.5" x 8.5", Dusseldorf, Oct. 2, 1870. In German, untranslated. Affixed at conjoined sheet, otherwise near fine. Thomas Couture ALS with a lengthy postscript signed with his initials, 5.25" x 8.25", Paris, Nov. 22, 1866. Jules Dupre ALS, one page, with attached address cover postmarked Paris, Oct. 15, 1842. 5.25" x 8". Light soiling, hinged at left margin. J.J. Henner ANS on a small notecard, 4.5" x 3.5". Mounted. Paul Helleu ALS, one page, 8.25" x 12.5", mounted. Narcisse Diaz ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8", mounted. Charles Emile Jacque ALS in French, 3pp. with a postscript, 5" x 8". Hinged at left margin. Maurice Boutet de Monvel signature and sentiment on a card, 4.5" x 3.5". Mounted. Edward Burne-Jones ALS, 4.5" x 7", July 24, 1861, sending an agreement to rent rooms. Mounted, with light soiling. Jean-Charles Cazin ALS, three pages, 4" x 6", April 25, 1882. In French. Mounted to a larger sheet. Julien Dupre ALS, one page, 5" x 5.5", April 6, 1898. Mounted at conjoined sheet. Eugene Fromentin ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8.25". Mounted. Paul Chenavard ALS, two pages with conjoined sheet, 5.25" x 8.25". In French. Fernand Cormon ALS, one page, 4.5" x 7", in French. Mounted. Jules Guerin signature on a card, 3.5" x 1.75". Mounted. Ernest Hebert partially printed form listing his biographical data, 6.5" x 7.5". Information listed includes his year of birth, birthplace, honors received and current address. Mounted to a larger sheet. Very good. Laurence Alma Tadema ALS, one page in purple ink, 5" x 6.5", Pittsburgh, Feb. 27, 1907, complying to a request for an autograph. Very good. Matted to an overall size of 13.5" x 11". Alexandre Cabanel ALS, one page, 4" x 5.25", Paris, Feb. 1, 1861. Mounted at integral sheet. Eugene Verboeckhoven ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8", Bruxelles, October 18, 1847. Untranslated, in French. Mounted. Hippolyte Flandrin ALS, one page, 5.25" x 8", Paris, January 9, 1858. On black bordered stationery, and mounted. Jean Joseph Benjamin Constant signature and sentiment on a card, 4.5" x 3.5". Paris, Dec. 4, 1884. Mounted. Pascal Adolphe Jean Dagnan-Bouveret ALS, 2 pages, 4.5" x 7", August 28, 1885. In French. Affixed to a larger sheet. Maurice Leloir ALS, one page, 4" x 6.5", with address panel on verso bearing Paris postmark. Hinged at left margin. M. Chartran signature on a small card, 3.5" x 1.75", Washington, March 1902. Hinged at left margin. With a printed menu for a dinner given in honor of William T. Smedley containing over thirty artists' signatures including: Childe Hassam, Henry Loomis Nelson, Charles Dana Gibson, Augustus St. Gaudens, Robert Reid, E.W. Humphreys, Robert Howard Russell, and many others. Menu is 4pp., 6" x 9", Nov. 22, 1892 and is designed by Charles S. Reinhart, who is also a signer. This lot includes many supplementary items including reproductions of many of the artists' works, photos of the artists, and clipped bios. Should be reviewed for content and condition. Not Sold. |
| 56265 | Salvador Dali Signed Reproduction. Reproduction of "Persistence of Memory", 16" x 12", 1972, one of Salvador Dali's most famous surrealistic paintings from 1931, signed "Dali", by the artist. Negligible creasing at top margin, signature is quite large and measures 5.25", very good condition.Sold for: $896.25. |
| 56266 | James Montgomery Flagg Signed Pencil Drawing of Uncle Sam, 11" x 7" and signed in print "James Montgomery Flagg". Uncle Sam is in profile, wearing Stars 'n Stripes shirt collar and tie. Light pencil smudging throughout, otherwise very good, some toning at margins, otherwise near fine.Sold for: $466.05. |
| 56267 | Winslow Homer 1907 Autograph Letter Signed "Winslow Homer," four pages, 5" x 7.75". Scarboro, Maine, January 22, 1907. To Mr. William Clausen. In full: "Please send me the bill for the frame 24 x 28. I shall send the picture for it soon. I will leave it with you for a month. As I am in love with it and have been for thirty years I put a price on it so that it will not be sold at present. I know all the faults in it, but they are useful to the whole thing & I leave them untouched. If you will place some article of furniture in front of this in your Gallery or hang it up high to keep people from smelling of it - and at their proper distance. Three times its width. I should say that would be a good hint to them & something they should know. [drawing -- see note below] This must net me $2400.00 as I now can afford to have it hanging in my own house. You see I care how old I am - the amount of money I have in my pocket & the limits of old age. The years & money are all right but pictures are scarce." At the lower margin of the third page, Homer has drawn a sketch of a gallery wall with rails in front of it to illustrate how his painting should be displayed. The painting was likely Shall I Tell Your Fortune, picturing an early love, which corresponds to the date and size mentioned. Homer is best known for his paintings of American landscapes and seascapes, that show considerable originality and reflect the American pioneering spirit. Clausen was the owner of an art gallery. Letters by the artist discussing his work are rarely encountered. Dampstained at margins of edges, bordering the once mid-vertical fold, which has separated. Twenty-six words of text (most at the ends of lines) are affected. Shaded upper edge. Tip of left corner of page three is missing. Paper clip rust stain at upper left edge touches all pages.Not Sold. |
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Entertainment Collectibles |
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| 56268 | Bob Kane Batman and Robin Sketch, Inscription, and Signature. One page, 8vo, penned on letterhead from the Charles Hotel in Miami Beach, FL, n.d. In early 1939, DC Comics' success with the seminal superhero Superman in Action Comics prompted editors to scramble for more such heroes. In response, Bob Kane conceived "the Bat-Man." Here, Kane has sketched head-and-shoulders portraits of Batman and Robin for friends: "To my pals Stanley & Elliott, From Bob Kane." Faint occasional soiling; chip at upper left corner; wear at folds with one small area of separation.Sold for: $776.75. |
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Autographs |
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| 56269 | Rembrandt Peale Autograph Letter Signed twice, "R.P." and "Rembrandt Peale", 1 page, 4.5" x 7", Boston, December 17, 1859, addressed to W. T. Barker. In full, "Dear Sir / In regard to the autograph of Washington, I have but one - One was recently sold for $100 as I have heard. / Your &c / R.P. / W. T. Barker" Cover page with large dated full signature, "Rembrandt Peale / Boston. Dec:17, 1859." A souvenir presentation image of Peale's famous 'porthole' portrait of George Washington was added later below his signature. Fading and speckling to the portrait image along the vertical fold and light soiling, none of which affects the text or bold dark signatures. Near fine. One of 17 children of the most prominent painter of the Federalist period, Charles Wilson Peale, Rembrandt Peale was taught to paint by his father. In 1795 when Rembrandt was only seventeen years old, he painted a life portrait of George Washington, the first of many he would do of the first president. Almost thirty years later, Rembrandt reworked his life portrait into what he called his "Standard National Likeness" of George Washington, Patriae Pater [Father of His Country], which showcased Washington in a stonework oval or porthole. Within the porthole, Peale placed the portrait of Washington with a background of clouds and shadows, not just sky, which had the effect of placing Washington in eternity, or in Jefferson's words, "everlasting remembrance". In the 1850's, Rembrandt stated that his true calling in life was "to multiply the Countenance of Washington". By the time of his death in 1860, he had executed at least 75 replicas and several prints of Washington. Today, the version in the Senate is considered the masterpiece. Sold for: $2,390.00. |
| 56270 | Frederic Remington Signed Book: Citizeness Bonaparte, by Imbert de Saint-Amand, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1893, 306 pages, 5.5" x 7.5". This volume is inscribed by Frederic Remington to his friend, Augustus Thomas and represents the first volume in a three-book collection called Empress Josephine. It is inscribed, "From Frederic Remington Oct. 15, 1894 to Augustus Thomas in exchange for new copy". Thomas was a playwright who wrote The Harvest Moon and As a Man Thinks. After coming to New York, he lived most of his life in New Rochelle near Remington. This book has navy blue fabric covered boards with gold gilding on the front cover and spine. Very good.Sold for: $776.75. |
| 56271 | Stanford White Typed Letter Signed "White". One page on McKim, Mead & White letterhead, 8" x 10.5", New York, November 15, 1895. In his hand, "Dear Mac", likely his business partner Charles Follen McKim. In part, "Both Squiers and myself have had a devil of a time with the Indianapolis Commission. They came and sat for hours with Squiers, begging and imploring him to let you come over, and he finally got wild and sent them to me. I explained to them that you were in the heat of your work... they were very strenuous and stated that in addition to the commission already given you there was still some $200,000 of work to be given out..." Signed, "White". American architect and partner in the architectural firm, McKim, Mead & White, White's principles embodied the "American Renaissance". White was at the peak of his career at the time this letter was written. During the 1890's he was involved with more than 70 projects including the Washington Square Arch in New York City cited in this letter. He would die tragically in 1906 at the hands of millionaire Harry K. Thaw, husband of actress Evelyn Nesbit. Usual mail folds and negligible toning, with a small spindle hole at bottom; otherwise near fine condition. Sold for: $215.10. |
| 56272 | Johannes Brahms Autograph Letter Signed on a postcard, 5.5" x 3.5", Vienna, Austria, January 4, 1895. Penned in German, in full: "Dear Fr. Would you obtain another copy of Klinger's Fantasie for me? I already have the 300 Marks for it; so they are available should my credit have been shattered by the great bankruptcy. The corrected viola part is being returned today. Warm regards from your J.B." Brahms is likely ordering a copy of German artist Max Klinger's "Series upon the Theme of Christ and Fantasies upon the Finding of a Glove", which tells the parable of a young man's obsessive involvement with a woman's elbow-length glove. Addressed in his hand with a light vertical fold at center of card, ink has been smeared affecting a single word in the text of the letter as well as most of the address. Bold ink and in very good to near fine condition. Sold for: $896.25. |
| 56273 | Giacomo Puccini Autograph Letter Signed. One page (including integral address leaf), 8vo, Torre del Lago, Tuscany, November 17, 1911. Brief letter to Carlo, urging him to "think about the supporting principals for the San Carlo [the December 5, 1911 performance of La fanciulla del West at the San Carlo Opera House in Naples]. Choose them carefully, and don't let them be pawns as they were at Turin." Very boldly penned. Occasional smudges and soiling, else fine.Sold for: $448.13. |
| 56274 | Richard Strauss Typed Letter Signed. A one-page typed letter signed "Yours most Sincerely Richard Strauss." 1924. Letter on Staatsoper stationary dated Vienna, 5 May 1924. Translation of the German text: "Dear Frau Strauss, Warmest thanks for kindly finding us a cook. Admittedly she is rather expensive but if she should fulfill all our requirements she will be welcome. She will though have no court dinners to cook in Garmisch, but instead all kinds of cakes and snack baking. The main question will be how she gets on with our plain Bavarian cooking. As she will work in Garmisch only till the autumn a passport certificate will probably be unnecessary. Many thanks and a good cure in Marienbad. A prity that you cannot be here for the Strauss week. With best regards from all or family to yours, Yours most sincerely Richard Strauss." Letter has been folded for mailing, but clean and crisp. Near fine condition.Not Sold. |
| 56275 | John Philip Sousa Autograph Music Quote Signed on a small card, 3.25" x 2.25" (sight). Two bars of unidentified music in Sousa's hand, signed "John Philip Sousa 1901". Attractively matted with a First Day Cover honoring Sousa and a photograph to an overall size of 17.75" x 12.25". Near fine.Sold for: $310.70. |
| 56276 | Louis Chevrolet Signed Postcard. Black and white picture postcard, 5.5 x 3.5", n.p. [French], n.d., circa 1900-1910. Great photo postcard of Chevrolet and a co-pilot seated in one of his racing automobiles. Signed in black ink at lower right. Faint overall age toning, but overall very fine.Not Sold. |
| 56277 | Thomas A. Edison Inscription and Signature. One page, 4to, n.p. [Menlo Park], October 1916. Walter E. Kipp of the Kipp Phonograph Company writes to Edison, reporting his success in selling Edison products. Penciled at the top of the letter, Edison responds: "Kipp - You certainly are a good merchant and you are bound to succeed. Edison." An important association item, typescript on letter is significantly faded, but remains legible. Edison's inscription and signature are bold and easily discernible. Fine condition.Sold for: $836.50. |
| 56278 | Thomas Edison Signed Check. An Edison Botonic Research Corporation check, 8.5" x 3", drawn on Savings Investment & Trust Company bank, West Orange, N.J., April 10, 1928. Paid to Simmons Pipe Bending Works, $69.74, signed "Thos A Edison ", cosigned "J. Miller ". Bank stamps on verso, light vertical fold center, with cancellation stamp affecting signature, otherwise near fine condition. Sold for: $388.38. |
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Photography |
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| 56279 | [Thomas Alva Edison] Recently Discovered Edison Tintype, 3" x 1.75" image, overall 4" x 2.5". Edison is pictured sitting next to the patent model of his Dynamo-Electro Machine. Photographer's imprint on verso: "McMillan Bros./Gallery,173 West Madison Street,/Chicago, Ill." Circa 1880-1882. Unpublished. Included is extensive research. Minor dings and surface marks. Very good condition. This tintype was discovered on February 26, 2006. "The dynamo ranks with the telegraph and telephone as one of the three striking applications of electrical and magnetic science to which the material progress that marked the second half of the 19th century was in no small measure due." From The Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition, 1911. Not Sold. |
| 56280 | [Thomas Edison] Photograph Archive of Thomas Edison Factory Fire. Total of six black and white photos, four photos, 10" x 8", each, one photo, 14.5" x 11.5", one photo, 9.5" x 7.75" (sight), matted to overall size, 13.25" x 11.5", Orange, New Jersey, December 9, 1914. Six black and white photographs document several stages of the devastating fire in Thomas Edison's manufacturing and experimental plant in Orange, New Jersey, which included the film finishing building. Although Edison suffered a great loss, he quickly began reconstruction of the factory. One large photojournalistic photo, shot at street level during the blaze, documents the intensity of the fire, penciled on verso, "Edison Fire Dec 9, 1914". Four professional photos taken after the fire that record the reconstruction process over one year are faded and uniformly toned, with rough and chipped edges, fair condition. In another large photograph the firemen of the West Orange Engine Company in formal pose, one of the many fire departments who responded to and fought the fire, penciled on verso of backing, "W. Orange Engine Co. about 1909 to 1915". Overall condition is fair to good. Not Sold. |
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Autographs |
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| 56281 | Enrico Fermi Signed Printed Manuscript. Two pages, quarto, 7.5" x 11" each page, October 1922, Rome, Italy. From Fermi's fifth published work and his first in book form, containing the essay, "Mass in the Theory of Relativity" (1923). Verso of page two is also noted in Fermi's hand, (in Italian) "Revativita - giudizio". In part, "The tremendous conceptual importance of the theory of relativity as a contribution to a more profound understanding of the relationship between space and time ... has diverted the attention from another of its conclusions.... The conclusion to which we allude above is the discovery of the relationship between the mass of a body and its energy. The mass of a body according to the theory of relativity is equal to the total energy divided by the square of the velocity of light. Even a superficial examination reveals to us ... the importance of the relationship between mass and energy. The relationship between mass and energy brings us, without any doubt, to staggering figures. For example, if one could succeed in setting free all the energy contained in one gram of matter, one would obtain an energy greater than that produced during three years of uninterrupted functioning of a 1,000 horsepower motor .... It will be said, with reason, that for the foreseeable future, it does not seem possible that a way will be found to set free this frightening quantity of energy. Of course, this is something we should not wish for, because the explosion of such an overwhelming total of energy would have the immediate effect of shattering to smithereens whatever physicist was unlucky enough to produce it. But even if such a complete explosion of matter does not seem possible for the time being, for the past few years there have been in progress some direct experiments to obtain the transformation of chemical elements, one into the other. Such a transformation which exists naturally in radioactive bodies has been artificially produced by Rutherford, who, by bombarding with little particles, alpha, of the atoms, has succeeded in obtaining its decomposition ... Now, to these transformations of elements, one into the other, there is tied the exchange of energy which the relationship between mass and energy allows to be studied in a very clear manner.... This explains to us why, in order to solve the problem of the transformation of matter, the dream of the alchemist, the efforts of so many scientists have been put forth for so many centuries...." Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity was first published in 1916. In 1922 he published "The Meaning of Relativity". In response, Enrico Fermi wrote this essay, his first to be published in book form. Fermi is perhaps best remembered for his work in the development of the atomic bomb, which was used by the U.S. Military against Japan in 1945. An important and rare Fermi document, considering that many of his early notes and papers were lost aboard the "Andrea Doria", which collided with the MV Stockholm and sank in the North Atlantic on July 25, 1956. Portfolio has half olive green leather over marbled paper boards, spine ruled and lettered in gilt, some wearing on spine and corners, with small indentation on back board lower right, dark gray fold-over covers. Thin paper pages, uniform light toning, some small minor stains, uneven left edge, vertical and horizontal folds, editing notations in margins, printed text clear and strong, signature is clean and clear, extra fine condition.Not Sold. |
| 56282 | Albert Einstein Historically Important Handwritten Speech (Unsigned). One page, folio, 8" x 7.5", August 26, 1932. Penned in German on the verso of a telegram requesting that Einstein attend an anti-war convention in Amsterdam, the telegram reads: "Your presence Anti War Convention Amsterdam 26 of August of major importance - Absence will be interpreted as vote of no confidence towards the event - Implore you to come to Amsterdam - Romain Rolland Paul Signac Maxim Gorki are telegraphing." On the verso Einstein has hastily, and somewhat excitedly, penned a draft speech or essay, perhaps to deliver at the forthcoming convention mentioned on the recto of this document. The speech reads: "When Japan attacked Manchuria the conscience of the civilized world was not strong enough to prevent this injustice. The business interests of the war industries have proven to be stronger than the urge for justice among the nations. Now it becomes clear to everybody that behind this attack lies the intention to weaken Russia as well through a military attack and to prevent its economic development. Everyone who believes in a healthy development of international law-regardless of their political and economic conditions-must make use of their influence so that finally order and a just and planned decision making will replace raw violence and never-ending greed. Everyone who watches passively becomes guilty of participating in this crime which is impending heavily on our culture. As soon as the will for justice is strengthened within the major countries of this world the path towards justice will be discovered. May this convention contribute to those who govern the super powers, through public opinion, to prevent future disasters." Between World War I and World War II, Manchuria became a political and military battleground. Japanese influence extended into Outer Manchuria in the wake of the Russian Revolution of 1917, but Outer Manchuria had reverted to Soviet Russian control by 1925. Japan took advantage of the disorder following the Russian Revolution to occupy Outer Manchuria, but Soviet successes and American economic pressure forced Japanese withdrawal. During the period of the warlords in China, Chang Tso-Lin established himself in Inner Manchuria but, being too dependent on the increasing Japanese influence, was murdered; the last Manchu emperor, Pu Yi, was then placed on the throne to lead a Japanese puppet government. Inner Manchuria was proclaimed as an independent state, Manchukuo, which was in reality controlled by the Japanese. Inner Manchuria was thus formally detached from China by Japan in the 1930s to create a buffer zone to defend Japan from Russian's Southing Strategy and, with Japanese investment and rich natural resources, became an industrial powerhouse. Prior to World War II, Manchuria was colonized by the Japanese, and Manchukuo was used as a base to invade China, an expensive action (in terms of the damage to men, materiel, and political integrity) that was as costly to Japan as the invasion of Russia was to Nazi Germany, and for the same reasons. Exceptional political content from Einstein at this crucial juncture in world history. As the 1930s unfolded, Germany would succumb to the Nazis, and military imperialism would coerce the nations of the world into yet another global conflict. In fine condition. Sold for: $9,560.00. |
| 56283 | Albert Einstein Typed Letter Signed. TLS "A. Einstein" in German on his embossed letterhead, one page, 8.5" x 11", Princeton, New Jersey, February 16, 1943. to a Mrs. Helen Lorz. In full, "In my opinion you have a knack for expressing your opinions in good form. I myself have in these psycho-anthropological matters only the powers of judgment of an ordinary layman and don't know anyone to whom you could entrust your ideas without qualms to obtain his opinion. Under these circumstances I consider the publication in a journal to be possible and advisable, particularly if you bring out clearly what is problematical and uncertain about it. With kind regards, A. Einstein." With the usual mail folds and in very fine condition. Accompanied by the original envelope. Sold for: $2,270.50. |
| 56284 | Typed Letter Signed by Albert Einstein. One page, 4to, written in German on Einstein's embossed Princeton, NJ letterhead, April 3, 1945. Brief letter to Erich Cohn, a successful New York businessman and patron of the arts who emigrated from Germany in 1912. Cohn apparently sent Einstein some matzo for Passover, and Einstein sent this brief thank you note in response. In part: "Dear Mr. Cohn. I thank you cordially fur the transmission of your splendid Mazzoth." Faint stain below signature, else fine.Sold for: $2,868.00. |
| 56285 | Robert Fulton Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 7.75" x 7.25" (sight, verso), New York, April 21, 1812. Nice association ALS to his close friend and biographer, Jonathan Russel: "Sir, By sending the enclosed with your dispatches to Mr. Barlow you will much oblige your most obedient and very humble servant Robert Fulton ." Matted above an original lantern slide of Fulton. Framed to an overall size of 14.5" x 17.75", with an opening to verso to display address written in Fulton's hand.Sold for: $2,270.50. |
| 56286 | Samuel F. B. Morse Check Signed "Sam. F. B. Morse". A check 7.75" x 3.25", drawn on the National Broadway Bank of New York, February 1, 1869. Morse, the developer of the single wire telegraph concept, is best known for the telegraph communication system named for him, Morse code. This check is made out to "Sidney E. Morse", the brother of Samuel, in the amount of $1,000 and is very clean. Sold for: $1,015.75. |
| 56287 | Renee A.F. de Reamur Autograph Note Signed in the third person "Mr. de Reamur" on a 3" x 1" slip, [n.p.], August 8, 1746. In French and untranslated. In near fine condition. de Reamur (1683-1757), a French naturalist and scientist, is most noted for his invention of a temperature scale and Reamur porcelain; his many other contributions include work in the microscopic structure of metals such as the making and tinning of steel. A very scarce and desirable signature.Not Sold. |
| 56288 | Josephine Earp. Wife of legendary Western gunfighter Wyatt Earp. Rare Autograph Letter Signed "Sincerely your friend, Josephine Earp". Two pages, 7" x 11.75", March 3, 1929, written to John flood of Los Angeles. Mrs. Earp pens: "Just these few lines to tell you I got here all O.K. but I left my coat in the ladies dressing room in Los Angeles. I told the conductor and he phoned back from Glendale and they said the coat was there. I thought it but not to write to Mr. Lake until I can see Mr. H. as he is South now. And as soon as I can get in touch with him will tell you then just what to say to him. After you read the letter which I left with Mr. Snow, please return it to me. I will know more about it and just what they have done. Don't forget the letter for Mr. D. Hoping soon to hear from you. Best of wishes, in which all join in sending. Herbert [my best] too." An aspiring actress, Josephine Sarah "Sadie" Marcus left home (San Francisco) at age seventeen to follow a theatre company. In 1880, she wound up in Tombstone, Arizona, as the companion of a bankrupt politician who had managed to charm her. Soon afterwards, she fell in love with Deputy Sheriff Wyatt Earp, and the two were married in San Francisco in 1882. The couple wandered throughout the West together until Wyatt Earp died in 1929. Until her death, Earp defended her husband's reputation against unfavorable biographer's portrayals and, with some assistance, wrote her own work entitled I Married Wyatt Earp. In fine condition with a nice, dark signature. Also includes original transmittal envelope filled out entirely in Josephine's hand. Sold for: $3,585.00. |
| 56289 | Henry Ford Signed Book: The Complete Sayings of Jesus, a Glowing Short Story, by Arthur Hinds, Williamsburg: D. H. Pierpont & Co., 1927, 280 pages, 3.25" x 5.5", leather bound with "Wilbur Donaldson" stamped in gilt to front cover. As founder and president of Ford Motor Company, Ford revolutionized production by using standardization and mass production techniques. As a teenager, Will Donaldson began driving Ford around Detroit to inspect factories. He was Ford's chauffeur during the Great Depression. Henry Ford's inked signature is dark and unblemished on the reverse of the front free end paper. Edge wear and rubbing along spine with small chips at spine caps, otherwise near fine. Not Sold. |
| 56290 | Fred Pabst Signed Stock Certificate. One page, 10.75, X 8.75", front and verso, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 20, 1884. Stock certificate issued to Frederick Pabst for 50 shares in the Phillip Best Brewing Company. Original certificate number 532 was canceled and number 760 issued to Pabst. Signed on verso, "Frederick Pabst ". Light toning on front and verso along left margin, signatures are lightly faded, clear and legible. Very fine condition.Sold for: $179.25. |
| 56291 | John D. Rockefeller Typed Letter Signed "John D. Rockefeller" on his personal letterhead, one page, 5.5" x 7.5" (sight), New York, July 4, 1922, to Dr. L. Emmett Holt. In part, "I am deeply touched by and very appreciative of your kind message of congratulation on my birthday, and your reference to the invaluable services of my dear and only son. I am indeed profoundly grateful for him, and for the results of our united efforts, coupled with those of yourself ... to relieve suffering and advance knowledge." Penciled in lower left corner, "83rd birthday". Letter is uniformly toned, with one horizontal mailing fold, typed text is clear and strong, light fading to signature, otherwise fine condition. Framed beside a black and white photo reproduction of Rockefeller and a plaque inscribed with a biographical sketch to an overall size, 23.5" x 20.5". Sold for: $507.88. |
| 56292 | Archive of A.E. Patton, Esq. Including more than 300 items from the offices of attorney A.E. Patton of Curwensville, PA. A.E. Patton was the son of John Patton, Sr. of Philadelphia, who moved to Curwensville in 1828 and served as associate judge of the county for five years, later acting as justice of the peace for several years more. From all indications, A.E. Patton followed closely in his father's footsteps, apparently taking over John Sr.'s legal practice upon the elder's death in 1848. This huge archive contains letters, documents, bank deposit slips, and legal instruments from Patton's files covering the years 1850 - 1890. Because of the sheer number of items offered here, prospective buyers are advised to view the lot personally prior to bidding. Sold for: $239.00. |
| 56293 | Meyer Lansky Signed Check Made Out Entirely in His Hand, 6.5" x 2.75", Manufacturers Trust Company, New York, February 11, 1936. Made payable to "New York Telephone Company" for $11.85. With the usual cancellations, all well away from the signature. A near fine example with a single vertical fold. Sold for: $507.88. |
| 56294 | Vince Lombardi Signed Green Bay Packers Check. A check, 8.25" x 3", drawn on the the Green Bay Packers, Inc. account at the Kellogg-Citizens National Bank, dated Dec. 18, 1959. Check is made in the amount of $85.18 and made payable to "Schneider Transport & Storage, Inc." Slight showthrough from cancellation stamps on verso, otherwise near fine with a full "Vincent Lombardi" signature.Sold for: $388.38. |
| 56295 | Jackie Robinson Signed Check 6" x 2.75", drawn on the Freedom National Bank, New York, March 22, 1966. Made out to "Firestone Stores" for $11.78. Signed "Jack R. Robinson". Best known to the public as the first African-American major league baseball player in 1947, as a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame since 1962, and for playing on six World Series teams. Robinson was also a leader in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s, and was involved in establishing and developing the Freedom National Bank (on which this check is drawn), an African-American owned and controlled bank. Great association and in near fine condition. Sold for: $836.50. |
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Entertainment Collectibles |
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| 56296 | Autograph Book with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson Inscription, Signature and Pencil Sketch. Undated entry in a young lady's autograph book, written by dancing great Bill Robinson. A period postcard featuring Robinson, "The Dark Cloud of Joy," has been affixed to an 8vo page in an autograph book, around which Robinson has drawn unusual sketches/designs. Beneath this, he has written, "To Miss Randolph, A Grat Artists. Good Luck. Good By from Little Bill Robinson." Leaf with Robinson's signature is near fine; leather-bound autograph book is significantly worn and damaged.Not Sold. |
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Autographs |
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| 56297 | Lillian Russell Oversized Sepia Photograph Signed and Inscribed "To Mr. Marks Truly Yours Lillian Russell". A gorgeous studio portrait of Russell in profile, 8.5" x 12.25" (sight); matted and framed to an overall size of 16.75 x 20". Some evidence of restoration to lower left corner is barely discernible and mentioned only for the sake of accuracy. Sold for: $298.75. |
| 56298 | Brock Pemberton and "Harvey" Archive. A terrific archive of material related to the Broadway production of Harvey including a fine collection of 17 letters from the show's producer, Brock Pemberton (1885-1950) to his lover, actress and director Edith Meiser (1898-1993). Together with eighteen 8" x 10" black and white press photographs from the Broadway production as well as the London and touring productions. The photos include images of the various actors who have played Elwood P. Dowd over the years including Frank Fay (who originated the role), Joe E. Brown and of course Jimmy Stewart. Most of the letters in this archive are written to Edith Meiser and though undated, appear to be written between 1946 and 1948 (according to the postmarks) and are mostly signed "B." and occasionally "Brock" and "Brock Pemberton". Together they paint a portrait of an intense relationship as well as reveal the trials and concerns of a seasoned Broadway producer during what proved to be his most successful endeavor of his career. The letters include some fine caustic references to Frank Fay as well as Joe E. Brown, James Stewart and others. The correspondence reads in very small part: ALS, 1p. 4to. on Martha Washington Inn letterhead, Abingdon, Va., [n.d., c. Sept. 5, 1947]: "...The company is good. McCowan[?] excellent. She'll do for the part later. He brought down a few extra and all are all right. My stage manager, Foley, joined the plane at Pittsburgh. He knows the business and positions[?] upside down. (I'm speaking professionally now)... Diana Hunt of the Shubert office just wired offering me the lead in 'The Student Prince.' So there's a part in it for you. We might be a team and have unborn children hanging around the rest of our lives..."; ALS, 3pp. 12mo. on Hotel Book Cadillac letterhead, Detroit, "Monday", [n.d.]: "Here I am in your town thinking of you. Soon you will know whether words are necessary or not. I hope you have enough of them not to be uncomfortable. I got in about 2 a.m. DST but slept six hours, which is about my quotient..." On Joe E. Brown he remarks: "He is such a grand guy [illeg] of the theatre. Why can't they all be like you. However my stage manager says they like Joe E. better than Fay. All we have to do is to keep them split into camps! It was 107 in K[ansas] C[ity] Saturday and they sold out all three performances for 16,887. Fays take was over 4000! Wait till I tell his agent. I not sure about next season . The advance here is good, the weather has turned coolish and the house is practically clean for tonight. I'll fly back in the morning as I have things to do. 'What is it you do, Mr. Dowd?' Harvey and I sit in a booth and please[?] a lovely woman in Boston..."; TLS, 1p. 8vo., on his personal letterhead, New York, "Thursday", [n.d.] "...I made a beeline for the theatre and found your sweet letter. The one to the office I intercepted, at the theatre they neither know nor care about anything but ice. So your record as Harvey is 1000 at the moment. Keep writing and no one will be the wiser and I will be happier. Jimmy [Stewart] is beginning to act as if he would be interested in a return engagement after he gets rid of his next picture. He could sell out for a year or more and I could send F[rank] F[ay] on the road. The more remote his is, the more it will please me. His latest was to demand payment in advance for the entire cast before he would appear in the special matinee yesterday. Also he has quarreled with the new nurse who is slated to return here. I have to get the truth behind both events before I can do anything about it. Once a heel, always a heel..."; ALS, 2pp., on his personal letterhead, New York, "Tuesday" [n.d.] "...This has been a day of crises, but I don't care Freedmen phoned from Maine either because he had been told to or had got word of my letter. I rather think the former. I didn't want him to take her take her tack and then have to break[?] them down[illeg.] as I didn't let him talk for a while -- my wind is wandering - that is from Elwood's part - I didn't let him say anything but gave it to him full in the tush. I told him I'd play the part or no one would. I don't think I'll have any more trouble there..."; TLS, 1p. 8vo., on Jupiter Island Club letterhead, Hobe Sound, Fla., "Sunday" [n.d.] "I just tried to phone form the club and there was a delay of an hour or two. I suppose the Miami bookies are using the wires..."; ALS, 1p. 8vo., on Jupiter Island Club letterhead, Hobe Sound, Fla., "Tuesday" [n.d.]. "...The place is growing social with the arrival of new cohorts. It is fun watching them come and to. 'Harvey' is my password and once they learn I'm a rabbit fancier they want to hear all about it. I think they look on me as Mr. Broadway having being the father of such a nice play. It is really amusing. Everyone has seen in one city or the other, some both companies, and all adore it..."; ALS, 1p. 4to.,on 48th Street Theatre letterhead, New York, "Saturday", [n.d.]. "...I drove down alone this evening for Jimmy [Stewart]'s farewell. It's a long drive alone. Gong back after the show I'll have a retiring and an evening chauffer as company, the latter a protégé of the former. I wish you had a smashing play with a beautiful part. You deserve it because you know your stuff so well...". Much more fine content. Overall very good condition. Not Sold. |
| 56299 | Theatre Guild Archive of Signed Contracts. Contracts between writers Elmer Rice, Robert E. Sherwood, Maxwell Anderson, S.N. Behrman, Terence Rattigan, and performer John Garfield, and the Theatre Guild, Inc., New York, N.Y., from 1926 to 1951. 10 pages of letters of agreement, 8.5" x 11" each page, each document signed by the writers and their representatives, cosigned by the producers of the Theatre Guild, Inc., including Armina Marshall, Warren P. Munsell, and Gilbert Miller. Included are four contracts with covers, 20 pages total, 8.5" x 14", each page and cover, New York, N.Y., dated between 1926 and 1934, signed by Maxwell Anderson and S.N. Behrman, cosigned by Warren P. Munsell. All document papers have mailing folds, some wear on edges, some toning, and staples. Signatures and text of each document are clear and legible. All are in fine condition. Not Sold. |
| 56300 | Dore Schary Signed Production Contracts. 20 pages, 8.5" x 11" each page, New York, N.Y., between 1958 and 1960. Letters of agreement signed by representatives of the Theatre Guild, Inc., including Laurence Languer and Dore Schary, and various companies involved in the production of original plays and musicals, including "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" and "Majority of One". All papers have rough edges with some tears and chipping, some toning, mailing folds, typed text is bold and clear, signatures are clear and clean, very good condition. Included is a "Booking Agreement", seven pages, 8.5" x 11.5" each page front and verso, and three pages attached, 8.5" x 11", each page, New York, N.Y., January 26, 1960. A contract between the Guild and representatives of the Winter Garden Theatre for the production of "The Unsinkable Molly Brown", signed by Laurence Languer and Dore Schary for the Guild, cosigned by Jack Small. Accompanied by contract signed by Meredith Willson, 20 pages with cover, 8.5" x 14" each page, 8.75" x 14.25" cover, New York, N.Y., January 1, 1960. Contract between the Theatre Guild, Inc., Rinimer Corporation and Willson for his play, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown". Cosigned by Leon Kellman, Laurence Languer and Dore Schary. Papers are lightly worn with rough edges, light toning, signatures are bold and clear, fine condition.Not Sold. |
| 56301 | Charles A. Lindbergh Dinner Menu/Program Signed "C.A. Lindbergh" on the cover beneath a photo of him. Four pages, 6" x 9.25", City of Pittsburgh, August 3, 1927." On the afternoon of July 20, 1927, funded by the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for Promotion of Aeronautics, Lindbergh and the "Spirit of St. Louis" began a tour of the United States, leaving Mitchel Field, Long Island, for Hartford, Connecticut. When he arrived in Bettis Field, Pittsburgh over 10,000 people greeted Lindbergh on August 3rd. With over 250,000 cheering men, women, and children lining the streets, he made the 15 mile ride from to Pitt Stadium seated in an automobile beside Pittsburgh Mayor Charles H. Kline. Another 50,000 filled the stadium to hear Lindbergh speak. That evening at the William Penn Hotel, a banquet was given in his honor. The menu/program is lightly soiled inside and on the back cover. Accompanied by the rare 4" x 6" printed card distributed at the dinner, "Compliments of / William Penn Hotel / Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania," reproducing the May 21, 1927 editorial from the New York Sun entitled "Lindbergh Flies Alone." Both items in fine condition. Not Sold. |
| 56302 | Charles A. Lindbergh Photograph Signed "To Staff Sgt. Chas. Freeman/Sincerely/Charles A. Lindbergh." Black and white, 7.25" x 9" (visible). Lindbergh is wearing his leather flying helmet with goggles on top and his fur-collared belted coat. Matted with engraved metal plaque and framed under glass to 11.5" x 19.75." Surface cracks in signature area and elsewhere do not materially affect the signed photograph's appearance or desirability. Overall, the photograph is in apparent good condition. Sold for: $2,031.50. |
| 56303 | Orville Wright Signed Check. A check, 8.5" x 3", drawn on The Winters National Bank, Dayton, Ohio, August 1, 1917. Payable to the order of "The [Iowa] Hall Electric, Co." in the amount of $38.00. Cancellation stamps on verso, two vertical folds, staple holes at top left corner, cancellation holes affect the very top of the "O" in the signature, still in near fine condition. Sold for: $478.00. |
| 56304 | Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin Autograph Letter Signed. ALS "G v Zeppelin", one page, 5.5" x 8.25", Friederichshafen, Jan. 8, 1908. Untranslated, but written the same year Zeppelin would successfully establish the first commercial air service for passengers. Gently toned with a tiny tear at right margin, otherwise near fine. Zeppelin completed his first dirigible in 1900. The airship balloon would first be used commercially, and later in World War I to launch air raids over France and England. Although the balloons were a relatively safe form of passenger transport, they were not as effective in war. They were highly vulnerable to antiaircraft fire and highly volatile and would be discontinued in 1917.Sold for: $448.13. |
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Session 2 |
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Books |
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| 57001 | [GUTENBERG, Johann]. [BALBUS, Johannes]. [Catholicon]. [Mainz: Peter Schoeffer (?) for Konrad Humery (?), ca. 1469]. A single leaf, containing the dictionary entries for "cedula" to "cenomia," from the first edition, second impression of the Catholicon. Folio (14.4375 x 11.3125 inches; 367 x 288 mm.). Text in double columns of sixty-six lines. Rubricated in red with one-line Lombard initials (twenty-six on the recto and twenty-six on the verso) and paragraph marks (five on the recto and eight on the verso). Printed on Galliziani paper, with the watermark present. Two-and-one-quarter-inch tear to the lower gutter margin, repaired on the verso with archival tape. Two slivers of tape residue at the top edge where the leaf was affixed to the mat. Slight mat burn visible on the recto. Slight edge browning. Small stain in the lower blank corner on the recto. Slight marginal soiling on the verso. This leaf was matted, glazed, and framed, and has now been removed from the frame. The brown paper affixed to the back of the frame is inscribed twice, with the second inscription reading: "Original leaf from The Catholicon / of Johannes Balbus. Printed in / Mainz, 1460, by John Gutenberg." This leaf is almost certainly from those acquired by E. Byrne Hacket and broken up by him for the Brick Row Book Shop in 1936, and sold with an essay on the book by Margaret Stillwell (not present here). Affixed to the back of the mat is a Brick Row Book Shop card (36 Mount Vernon St., Houston, Texas 77006) containing a Typed Note: "Sent at request of unknown, unnamed, anonymous & altogether furtive admirer...No fingerprints on cheque or envelope..." A single leaf from the first edition, second impression of the Catholicon, printed from two-line slugs on Galliziani paper in 1468 or 1469. "As early as 1905 Gottfried Zedler recognized that the Catholicon edition dated Mainz 1460 exists in three impressions printed from a single setting of type but associated with three presses (with different pinhole patterns) and printed on three distinct paper stocks. In 1982 Paul Needham presented evidence that the three issues were printed at three different times, according to the datable use of their paper stocks: copies on Bull's Head paper (with which are classed the vellum copies) in 1460, copies on Galliziani paper ca. 1469, and copies on Crown and Tower papers ca. 1472. Moreover, Needham argued that the three impressions were produced, not from standing type, but from two-line 'slugs' cast from the type and capable of being reassembled for subsequent impressions. According to this theory, the first impression of the Catholicon was produced by Gutenberg himself in 1460; the 'slugs' then passed into the possession of Konrad Humery with Gutenberg's other typographic material after the latter's death in 1468 and were re-used by Humery, probably with the help of Peter Schoeffer, ca. 1469. In this view, which has aroused prolonged controversy among incunabulists, the 1460 Catholicon represents not only Gutenberg's last production but also his final achievement, the invention of an early form of stereotyping" (The Nakles Collection of Incunabula, Christie's New York, 17 April 2000, Lot 2). Goff B-20.Sold for: $2,629.00. |
| 57002 | [Bible]. Early Printed Bible Leaf. A rare Bible leaf from the first edition of Coverdale's Diglot Testament. Printed in Southwarke by James Nicolson, 1538. Herbert 37. This contains Scripture text from the New Testament in both Latin and English each corresponding to the other after the Vulgare text, commonly called S. Jeroms. The Latin text is in Roman Letter and the English text is in Black Letter. This leaf contains Scripture verses 16:17(partial) to 17:6 (partial) from the Gospel of John. In the last part of Chapter 16, Jesus tells us "be of good cheer for I have overcome the world"! In the first part of Chapter 17 Jesus says it is time for Him to be glorified! With two woodcut capitals. Miles Coverdale(spelled Myles then), 1487-1569, is not as well known today among Evangelical Christians as some of the Spiritual Giants of time past, but he was responsible for successfully spreading Gods Truth throughout Europe in his day. Friends with Tyndale, he realized that the Bible must first be put into the language of the day in order for a great work of revival to begin. He was the first to produce an English translation of the complete Bible from the original languages.Not Sold. |
| 57003 | Two Hand-Colored Leaves From the Luther Bible of 1545. Leaf CLIII: Prophet Malachi, Old Testament. Hand-colored initial "D" (measuring approximately 1.25 x 1.25 inches) on recto; an elaborate hand-colored narrative woodcut (4.25 x 6 inches) and a larger "D" (2 x 2 inches) on verso. Leaf CCXXXII: Book of Chronicles, Old Testament, Paralipomenon. Hand-colored initial "A" (2 x 2 inches) on recto; a "D" (1.25 x 1.25 inches) on verso. Both leaves are from Biblia, Dat ys: De gantze Hillige Schrifft, Vordüdeschet dorch. D. Mart. Luth. Vth der lesten Correctur mercklick vorbëtert, vnde mit grotem vlyte corrigeret; Magdeburg: H. Walther, 1545. This Bible, published in 1545, is in Low German and is Luther's final revision of his German Bible first published in 1534. Double-columned text and hand-colored woodcuts. Some dampstains and discoloration to both leaves. Colors still vibrant.Sold for: $448.13. |
| 57004 | [Bible]. Early Printed Bible Leaf. This is a Black Letter Bible leaf from Tyndale's Version printed by R. Jugge in 1552. the first of three illustrated Editions by Jugge. This is from a Quarto edition with the leaf measuring about 5.5 x 7 inches. This contains Scripture verses from the Book of Matthew chapter 19:9 (p) to 30 and contains the well known verse of 19:26. With a large woodcut, headline partially cropped. Though Coverdale was credited with being the first to print a complete Bible in the English language, his friend William Tyndale was the first to translate the New Testament into English. It was his desire to cause the "plough boys"(laymen) to know the Scriptures and so his translation began. Though there were quite a few editions printed, few overall still are in existence as they were read to pieces and perhaps destroyed during the reign of Queen Mary. One could actually be martyred during that time for having one of his Bibles in their possession. Tyndale was martyred for his faith.Sold for: $448.13. |
| 57005 | Erizzo Sebastiano. Discorso Di M. Sebastiano Erizzo, Sopra Le Medaglie Antiche, Con la Particolar Dichiaratione di Molti Riuerfi, Nuouamente Mandato in Luce. Venice: Nella Bottega Valgrifiana, 1559. First edition. Sixteenmo. 469 pages. Vellum binding. Five raised spine bands. Titles stamped in black on the spine. Boards solidly attached but both joints cracked. Soiling to boards with slightly abraded corners. Spine toned with a small area of loss not affecting titles. Contents toned, as is common with books of this period. A small water stain on the upper right corner of the text block runs throughout text, but hardly affects any text and has not cockled the paper. A sound copy of this early work on antique medals. Sebastian Erizzo was a Venetian writer that was instrumental in developing methods for studying ancient coins and medals. Illustrated with drawings of ancient medals with corresponding text in Italian.Sold for: $418.25. |
| 57006 | [Bible]. Group of Early Printed Bible Leaves. Set of 28 folio size Black Letter leaves from the Foxes Acts and Monuments, now called Foxes Book of Martyrs, printed in 1570 by John Daye (second edition, first edition is extremely rare). It is called "The First Volume of the Ecclesiastical History". This set of leaves contains the history of the martyrdom of John Lambert. Measures about 9 x 13 inches. With a large Woodcut with John stating "none but Christ, none but Christ". This is from a very well known work of the Christian Persecution that took place up until the end of the 16th Century.Not Sold. |
| 57007 | Herodotus. Herodoti Halicarnassei Historiae Libri IX: Et de Vita Homeri libellus. Frankfurt: Apud Andreae Wecheli heredes, Claudium Marnium & Ioan. Aubrium, 1595. Octavo (6.75 x 4.25 inches; 173 x 108 mm.). 630, [2, blank], [74, index], [1, errata], [1, blank] pages. With woodcut device on title, and several woodcut head-pieces and initials. Contemporary vellum, double-fillet borders rolled in blind, spine lettered in contemporary manuscript, three raised bands, semi-Yapp edges, all edges dyed blue. Contemporary ownership inscription on front pastedown. Some wear to extremities, exposing one inch of pasteboard at lower outer corner and a half an inch of pasteboard along lower edge of rear board. Overall a very good copy. A notably clean copy, in a lovely contemporary binding, of Herodotus' Historiae, translated into Latin by Lorenzo Valla (1405-1457), arguably one of the most important and certainly one of the best-known of the Italian humanists. This edition also includes a Latin translation of the Life of Homer by German humanist Konrad Heresbach (1496-1576), as well as Henri Estienne's celebrated Apologia pro Herodoto, first published in 1566, and really the first substantial work to counter longstanding charges of unreliability on the part of the ancient historian. Adams H-409.Sold for: $2,270.50. |
| 57008 | Nicolo` Machiavelli. Disputationum de Republica, quas Discursus Nuncupavit, Libri III. Quo modo in rebusp. ad antiquorum Romanorum imitationem actiones omnes bene` maleve instituantur. Frankfurt: Lazari Zetzneri, 1608. Twelvemo (5.375 x 3.125 inches; 138 x 80 mm.). [6], 546, [18] pages. With woodcut device on title, several woodcut initials (some historiated), and woodcut and typographic head- and tail-pieces. Contemporary vellum, manuscript title on smooth spine, semi-Yapp edges, edges sprinkled red. A very few instances of light spotting. Quire M standing slightly proud. Overall a very good copy. A relatively early Latin translation (from the original Italian) of Machiavelli's Discorsi sopra laprima deca di Tito Livio ("Discourses on the First Ten Books of Titus Livy"), written in the early sixteenth century and published posthumously in 1531. In contradistinction to his more famous work Il Principe ("The Prince"), in the Discourses Machiavelli sought to explain the organization and benefits of a republican state. A landmark of political science, the work is widely regarded as one of the first and most important Renaissance treatments of republican government. Graesse IV, 326.Sold for: $388.38. |
| 57009 | William Shakespeare. Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. A Leaf from each of The Four Folios. The First Folio 1623, The Second Folio 1632, The Third Folio 1664, The Fourth Folio 1685. [N.p.]: JSW, 1979. Cover title (printed in red and black). Four folio leaves, comprising: pages 225/226 of "The Life of King Henry the Eight" in the First Folio of 1623 (measuring 12.875 x 8.4375 inches; 328 x 214 mm.); pages 41/42 of "The Life and Death of Richard the second" in the Second Folio of 1632 (measuring 12.9375 x 8.5625 inches; 329 x 217 mm.); pages 843/844 of "Anthony and Cleopatra" in the Third Folio of 1664 (measuring 12.25 x 8.375 inches; 312 x 211 mm.); and pages 109/110 of "Much ado about Nothing" in the Fourth Folio of 1685 (measuring 13.5 x 8.875 inches; 342 x 225 mm.). Watermarks visible on the leaf from the First Folio and the leaf from the Third Folio. There is evidence along the gutter margin of the leaves having once been bound. The First Folio leaf from "The Life of King Henry the Eight" has a small piece torn from the upper margin, affecting the rule border and a few letters in the headline, slight browning to the upper edge, and some marginal soiling. The Second Folio leaf from "The Life and Death of Richard the second" has slight browning and a small stain to the upper edge and a few tiny rust spots. The Third Folio leaf from "Anthony and Cleopatra" has a tiny tear to the lower blank margin and some slight staining, especially to the lower corner. The Fourth Folio leaf from "Much ado about Nothing" has a few tiny marginal tears and a few small stains. The leaves are loosely laid into a white card folder printed in red and black on the front.Not Sold. |
| 57010 | Minucius Felix. His dialogue called Octavius. Containing a defence of Christian religion. Translated by Richard James of C.C.C. Oxon. Oxford: Printed by Leonard Hichfield for Thomas Huggins, 1636. First English edition. Twelvemo (4.9375 x 2.625 inches; 125 x 68 mm.). [8], 165, [1, blank], [12, hymns] pages. With typographic head- and tail-pieces and two woodcut initials. Eighteenth century full dark brown morocco, triple-fillet borders rolled in gilt, spine lettered and tooled in gilt in compartments, five raised bands, gilt board edges and turn ins, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Near-contemporary ownership inscription to recto of final leaf. Rear free endpaper is of a different marbled pattern than others. A few instances of light foxing, primarily to margins and preliminaries. Subtle moisture stains to top edge of leaves *1 through B12 and to fore-edge of leaves G3 to G5. Slight rubbing to boards and wear to board extremities and spine, with a bit of loss at the head and the third compartment from the foot. Overall a very good copy. A handsome copy of the first English edition of Minucius' Octavius, one of the earliest apologies for Christianity, and long celebrated for its eloquence and style : "Perhaps no late work, either Pagan or Christian, reminds us of the golden days of Latin prose so much as the Octavius of Minucius Felix" (Milman, History of Christianity). STC 17953.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57011 | Diego de Saavedra Fajardo. Corona Gothica, Castellana Y Avstriaca. Politicamente illustrada. Madrid: Por Andres Garcia de la Iglesia, 1658. First edition. Quarto (7.625 x 5.75 inches; 193 x 143 mm.). [20], 556, [36] pages. With engraved device on title and woodcut initials and tail-pieces. [and:] [Diego de Saavedra Fajardo]. Alonso Nuñez de Castro. Corona Gothica Castellana Y Austriaca, Segvnda Parte ... Madrid: Por Andres Garcia de la Iglesia, 1671. First edition. Quarto (7.625 x 5.75 inches; 193 x 143 mm.). [36], 394, [38] pages. With an engraved plate opposite the dedication that starts on leaf ¶2r. Title printed in red and black. Uniformly bound in eighteenth century tree sheep, smooth spines tooled in gilt and stained dark brown (tooling and staining probably done later), gilt morocco lettering pieces, marbled endpapers, edges sprinkled blue. Uniform toning. Light foxing throughout. Light dampstain to top edge of the text block in both books. Rubbing to joints, spines, and board extremities, with some loss to corners, just starting to expose inner pasteboards. Pinhole sized wormholes to both spines. A few leaves trimmed close, just touching the top of the first line of the first book's title page and also affecting the text at the fore-edge of its leaf *5. Worming to prelims of the first volume, affecting some text, and to the inner margins through leaf C6; worming to lower outer corner of the second volume, mostly marginal, but affecting one word in the penultimate line of the title and the lower corner of the engraved plate. Overall, good copies. Spanish diplomat, man of letters, and anti-Machiavellian Don Diego de Saavedra Fajardo (1584-1648) is probably best known for his Idea de un Príncipe Político Cristiano ("Idea of a Christian Political Prince"), an emblem book intended to refute the doctrines expounded in Machiavelli's most famous work. In the present work of historical biography, first published ten years after his death, Saavedra Fajardo treats the reigns of thirty-five kings, from Alaric to Rodrigo, evaluating each ruler according to his ideas of political morality in his earlier work. In 1671 Alonso Nuñez de Castro continued the unfinished book in the aptly named segunda parte of Corona Gothica Castellana Y Austriaca, taking up the reigns of the kings of Castille and León through Fernando IV. Cf. Palau.Sold for: $448.13. |
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| 57012 | [Bible]. Engraved Illustration. This is a large engraving ruled in red from an elephant folio King James version of the Holy Bible printed by John Field in 1660 marking the restoration of King Charles II, May 29th 1660. It depicts Solomons Temple. After the completion of the Temple it was dedicated by King Solomon in 953 BC. Measuring about 17.5 x 21.5 inches. Excellent antiquarian condition. A facsimile of the Title page is included.Not Sold. |
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| 57013 | Memoires of the Lives, Actions, Sufferings & Deaths of those Noble, Reverend, and Excellent Personages, That Suffered by Death, Sequestration, Decimation, or otherwise, for the Protestant Religion, and the Great Principle thereof, Allegiance to their Soveraigne, in our late Intestine Wars, from the Year 1637, to the Year 1660. And from Thence continued to 1666. With the Life and Martyrdom of King Charles I. By Da[vid]: Lloyd, A. M. sometime of Oriel-Colledge in Oxon. London: Printed for Samuel Speed and sold by him at the Rainbow between the two Temple-gates; by John Wright, at the Globe in Little-Britain; John Symmes, at Gresham-Colledge-gate in Bishops-gate-street; and James Collins, in Westminster-Hall. MDCLXVIII. [1668]. First edition. Quarto. 708 pages. [1, publisher's advertisement at the rear]. Frontispiece, headpieces, and decorative initial capitals. Calf covers double ruled in gilt with small decorative pieces anchoring the four corners. The spine is in six sections ruled in gilt with a red morocco gilt label. Previous owner's engraved bookplate affixed to the front pastedown endpaper. Some rubbing to the covers, slightly bumped corners and edges, some discoloration to the edges. Altogether a very good copy. David Lloyd (1635 - 1692), English author of other political works, republished this book in 1677. The frontispiece features Charles I, the Martyr, surrounded by portraits of eighteen loyal subjects featured in the book.Sold for: $388.38. |
| 57014 | [Bible]. Early Printed Bible Leaf. A rare Bible leaf from the first edition of Coverdale's Diglot Testament. Printed in Southwarke by James Nicolson, 1538. Herbert 37. This contains Scripture text from the New Testament in both Latin and English each corresponding to the other after the Vulgare text, commonly called S. Jeroms. The Latin text is in Roman Letter and the English text is in Black Letter. This leaf contains verses from the Gospel of St Mark chapter 2 (p) with two Woodcut Capitals.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57015 | Original Leaf from an Illuminated Manuscript of a Latin Bible, on Vellum. Hand-lettered and decorated in Bologna, Italy in the thirteenth century. Vellum leaf, printed on recto and verso, contains chapters from the Book of Ezekiel. Page measures approximately 6.25 x 4.25 inches. Red and blue decorations at beginning of chapters and at left margins of double-columned (almost microscopic) text. Accompanying the leaf is a six page pamphlet on the history of the Latin Bible, with specific commentary on the bible from which this leaf was taken. Pamphlet and leaf issued in a limited edition of 1000, this copy unnumbered. Leaf has shallow crease and mild puckering. Tiny notch where page was once sewn in, and two almost invisible tiny pin-sized holes in text block. Faint foxing. A very nice item with red and blue decorations still vibrant. Sold for: $1,135.25. |
| 57016 | [Bible. Early Printed Bible Leaf. London: Jugge, 1552]. From the first of three illustrated Tyndale Bibles by Jugge. Quarto leaf (5.5 x 7 inches; 140 x 178 mm.). Text (Matthew 22:1-17 on recto, 22:18-31 on verso) printed in black letter. With an historiated woodcut initial on recto and a cut (2.625 x 4.25 inches; 67 x 108 mm.) on verso. Sixteenth century laid paper. Leaf trimmed close, affecting headlines and marginal notes, but unaffecting cut. Cut with later hand-coloring. Overall a good copy.Not Sold. |
| 57017 | [Bible]. Group of Early Printed Bible Leaves, as follows: Black Letter Bible leaf from Tyndale's Version printed by R. Jugge in 1552. the first of three illustrated Editions by Jugge. This is from a quarto edition with the leaf measuring about 5.5 x 7 inches. Headline cropped, contains Hebrews 3:12-5:2 (p) with a well known verse Hebrews 4:12 and two large Woodcut Capitals. [and]: Scottish Psalter Leaf printed by Andro Hart in 1615. These Psalters are prized among the English. Measures about 6 x 8 inches with musical staves. Contains Psalms set to Metre 116:5 to 119:2. [and]: 1612 King James Roman Letter from the first quarto edition printed by Robert Barker. This leaf measures about 6 x 8 inches with verses from 1st Kings where King Solomon is dedicating the 1st temple built by offering prayer to God. [and]: Leaf from the 1st King James Psalter located at the back of the 1st King James quarto printed by Robert Barker in 1612. The 1st "he" pulpit edition did not contain a Psalter. This Psalms 48:7-50:19 with the musical staves. These Psalters were placed in the backs of Bibles and used to sing from in that day instead of a separate songbook. [and]: Black letter folio size leaf from the first edition reprint (and only reprint) edition of the "Great" Byble measuring about 8 x 12 inches. Prynted by Thomas Petyt and Robert Redman for Thomas Berthelet; Prynter unto the Kynges grace 1540. This leaf contains Scripture verses from the Book of Matthew chapters 16:2-18:22 (p) and includes among others, the events where Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ and Jesus founding the Church upon Himself as well as the Transfiguration of Christ. The "Great" Bible was a revision of the Matthews Bible by Coverdale. Known for the pointing hands. [and]: A first edition King James "he" version black letter Bible leaf from the first printing by Robert Barker in 1611. Known as the editio princeps of King James' Bible. Leaf size is about 10 x 15 inches with one woodcut capital. This contains Ezekiel 40:20 (p) to 41:16 with verses concerning the temple to be built during the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth. With a facsimile of the general title. [and]: A King James black letter folio printed by Robert Barker in 1613. This is known as the "True Line Folio" printed in 72 lines of black letter text. Exceptional quality leaf with wide margins and quite clean and white measuring approximately 11 x 16 inches. This is a selection from the Psalms with 68:25 (p) to 72:20 with four woodcut capitals. [and]: Another leaf from the 1613 KJV folio. This contains the entire Book of Malachi, last Book of the Old Testament. Among other things, we are told about Old Testament tithing and the coming of Elijah the Prophet.Sold for: $1,553.50. |
| 57018 | [Bible]. Group of Early Printed Bible Leaves, as follows: A pair of folio Geneva Roman Letter Bible leaves imprinted by Christopher Barker, dwelling in Povvles Churchyard at the signe of the Tygers head in 1576. These contain Hebrews 11:35 to James 4:4 (p) with the popular verse of Hebrews 13:5 and also the popular Title to James. These come from the first year a folio was printed in England. They measure about 7 x 10 inches each. [and]: Another example from the 1576 Geneva. This set of three leaves has Psalms 95:16-126:4 with all of Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible. [and]: A Bible title leaf from the folio edition of the Matthews Byble, imprinted at London by Wyllyam Bonham, dwellynge in Paule Churche yarde, at the sygne of the rede Lyon in 1551. This contains thezephaniah 1:12 (p) to the beginning of Haggai title. With two large Woodcut Capitals. This translation is commonly believed by many to be the work of John Rodgers who supposedly used the pseudonym Thomas Matthew for reasons of persecution. This edition which brings together the work of both Tyndale and Coverdale, is considered to be the real primary version of our English Bible (quoted from Herberts Catalogue of English Bibles), though they think that the work is primarily Tyndales and Coverdales and John Rodgers only contributed a small part in the translation. Measures about 7.5 x 12 inches. [and]: Also from the 1551 Matthews. This contains 1st Chronicles 28 to 2nd Chronicles 3 (p) with the Title to 2nd Chronicles. With three large and one small Woodcut Capitals. Measures about 12 x 14.5 inches. [and]: Another from the 1551 Matthews. This leaf contains verses from the Book of Psalms chapters 11-16 (p) with five small Woodcut Capitals. [and]: A folio leaf of the New Testament of Biblia Sacra Graece, Latine, Germanice edition printed in Hamburg by Jacobus Lucius Juni in 1596. Known as the Hamburg triglot, it has parallel columns of two versions of Latin, one Greek and one German. This is the title to the very popular Book of James with a nice woodcut headpiece and four woodcut capitals. Measures about 9 x 13 inches with minor browning. [and]: Also from the Hamburg Triglot, with a few tiny worm holes, has the verse in which Jesus called himself the light of the world, John 9:5. [and]: This Bi-Folio set of Black Letter leaves (as originally printed) comes from the 1568 first edition Bishops Bible. They contain the very well known events of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. With one large woodcut and four large woodcut capitals. This set measures about 10.5 x 31 inches with minor browning. This was a revision of the "Great" Bible version undertaken by Matthew Parker, Archbishop of Cantebury with the assistance of many bishops and well known Biblical scholars. "In April 1571 the Convocation of the Province of Cantebury ordered that copies of this edition should be placed in every cathedral, and as far as possible in every Church; and enjoined every ecclestastical dignitary to exhibit a copy in a prominent place in his house for the use of his servants and guests. In typography and illustration the Bishops is considerd the most sumptous in the long series of English Folio Bibles"(Herberts Catalogue).[and]: Also from the 1568 first edition Bishops, this leaf contains the extraordinary momentous events of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus from the book of St Matthew. Measures about 10.5 x 15.5 inches. With one large woodcut capital. Minor browning. [and]: Another from the 1568 Bishops, this contains a rare Map of the Journeys of St Paul the Apostle. Also here is "The Order of Times". Measures about 10.5 x 15.5 inches with minor browning and a little creasing.Sold for: $1,553.50. |
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| 57019 | [Bible]. Group of Early Printed Bible Leaves, as follows: Folio Bible Leaf printed by Robert Barker in 1601(Fulkes work). This contains the text of the New Testament translated from the vulgar Latin by the Paptists at Rhemes and the translation out of the Greek used by the Church of England in parallel columns (commentary included). Measures about 8 x 12 inches. Contains Colossians 4:3 to 1st Thessalonnians 1:9 with the Title and Argument. Numerous Woodcuts. [and]: Another example from the previous publication. This contains Mark 1:1-38(p) with the Title to Mark. [and]: Another from the previous. Contains Galatians 2:11-21 with the popular verses of 19-10 Crucified with Christ. [and]: A Black Letter Bible leaf from the Bishops Bible printed by the assignment of Christopher Barker, her majesties prynter, 1578. Printed during the reign of the loved Queen Elizabeth. Measures about 9 x 13 inches and in good condition with a little browning. It contains Scripture verses 14:4 (partial) to 16:2 (partial) of the book of Luke and include the well known and popular story of the Prodigal son. [and]: Another example from the 1578 Bishops. Contains Ezekiel 36:13-37:28 (p) and has the well known Prophetic verses of God telling Ezekiel to prophesy about the Resurrection of the House of Israel. [and]: Another 1578 Bishops, containing Judges 1:1 to 2:1 with a very large Woodcut depicting different events in the Book of Judges. [and]: Another 1578 Bishops, of Has Jeremiah 52:30 (p) to Lamentations 2:13 with the Title to Lamentations. [and]: A pair of incunabla Latin bifolio leaves from the Biblia Latina printed in Venice by Bonetus Locatellus for Octavianus Scotus, August 8 1489. They are still attached as originally printed. They contain Jeremiah chapters 8-10 complete. This is from the first illustrated bible printed in Italy and is a rare find! The text itself is printed in the center with commentary on the outer portions by Nicolaus de Lyra, Paulus Burgensis and others. Measures about 9 x 13 inches and is profusely rubricated (red and blue inks) on both sides of the leaf, slight browning. [and]: A large folio Roman Letter Bible leaf from the Authentique Corrected Cambridge Bible, revised Mandato Regio printed by Thomas Buck and Roger Daniel in 1638 at the University of Cambridge. This was the standard text used from 1638 until 1762. These leaves measure about 10 x 16 inches and are ruled in red. This leaf contains Deuteronomy 4:40 to 7:4 with the Ten Commandments and also what is know to the Jews as the Shema contained in 6:4-9. Although it included the previous verses as well as Deuteronomy 11:13-21 and Numbers 15:37-41, it often had an abbreviated version using only Deuteronomy 6:4. [and]: Another example from the 1638 KJV, Bi-Folio leaves with the Title to Jeremiah through 5:21 with a Woodcut Capital. [and]: Another example from the 1638 KJV, Bi-Folio leaves containing Acts 8:6 (p) to 12:5 with the well known event of Jesus meeting Saul on the road to Damascus causing him to convert and become a Christian, now known as Paul. [and]: Another example from the 1638 KJV, single leaf containing Habakkuk 3:16 (p) and the entire Book of Zephaniah with a Woodcut capital and Woodcut endpiece. [and]: From the 1660 Roman Letter Edition, Bi-Folio Leaves measuring 17.5 Xx 22 inches, containing 2nd Samuel 18:9 (p) to 1st Kings 1:8 (p) with the Title to 1st Kings. [and]: Another example from the 1660 Edition, Bi-Folio leaves containing Genesis 4:4 (p) to 7:23 with the events of the Flood. [and]: Another example of the 1660 Edition, single leaf containing Exodus 2:21 (p) to 3:14 (p) with God appearing to Moses in the burning bush.Sold for: $1,553.50. |
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| 57020 | Caius Julius Caesar. De Bellis Gallico et Civili Pompejano, nec non A. Hirtii, Aliorumque de Bellis Alexandrino, Africano, et Hispaniensi Commentarii, Ad MSStorum fidem expressi, cum integris notis Dionysii Vossii, Joannis Davisii, et Samuelis Clarkii. Cura et Studio Francisci Oudendorpii, Qui suas animadversions, ac varias Lectiones adjecit. Leyden: Samuel Luchtmans; and Rotterdam: John Daniel Beman, 1737. First Oudendorp edition. Two tall quarto volumes bound in one (10.25 x 7.625 inches; 266 x 93 mm.). [2, "pars altera" title], [2, title], [24], 1035, [33] pp. Complete with engraved frontispiece, three engraved maps, and eleven engraved plates, many of which are folding. Title pages printed in red and black, with a woodcut device. Contemporary mottled calf, gilt borders of a floral roll pattern, smooth spine elaborately tooled in gilt, gilt red morocco lettering piece, edges sprinkled red, marbled endpapers. Some instances of light offsetting from plates. Light abrading to boards and wear to board extremities, and a few instances of pinhole sized worming to foot of spine. Small bits of loss to slightly bumped corners, exposing inner pasteboards. Overall a very good copy. A notably clean and bright copy of Oudendorp's excellent edition of Caesar's Commentaries, celebrated for the rigor of its scholarship and faithfulness of translation. As Dibdin writes, it is "An admirable and truly critical edition, comprehending the labours of Davis, Clarke and Vossius. 'The preceding commentaries on Caesar,' says Harles, 'have all been eclipsed by the skill and researches of Oudendorp; who, by a careful examination of numerous MSS. and editions, has often successfully restored the true ancient reading of his author'" (Dibdin). Dibdin, p. 66. Sold for: $478.00. |
| 57022 | Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. London: William Allason, 1819. Third edition. Three octavo volumes. ix, 360; vi, 514; v, 499 pages. Contemporary full calf with double ruled borders stamped in gilt on the boards, additional floral borders stamped in blind on the boards, and decoration and titles stamped in gilt on the spine. All edges marbled. Boards of each volume worn at the edges and corners. Joints starting to crack on each volume. A small area of loss at the head of the spine of volume three. Leather is in need of professional attention. Contents tight but moderately toned and foxed. Old book plate on the front pastedown of each volume. A handsome set in very good condition.Sold for: $388.38. |
| 57023 | Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. In Three Volumes. The Fifth Edition. London: Printed for A. Strahan; and T. Cadell, 1789. Fifth edition (first published in 1776) and the last edition published during the author's lifetime. Three octavo volumes (8.3125 x 4.9375 inches; 212 x 251 mm.). x, 499, [1, blank]; vi, 518, [5, Appendix], [1, blank]; v, [1, blank], 465, [1, blank], [49, index], [1, publisher's advertisements] pages. Contemporary tree calf, newly rebacked to style, with smooth spines decoratively panelled in gilt with two burgundy leather gilt lettering labels. Endpapers renewed. Covers with gilt single fillet border. Some occasional foxing and browning. Front flyleaf in Volume III with the early ink ownership inscription of "Scott Ship / Lexington / Virginia / Bought in Paris / 3 Aug 1867" (with the first four words crossed out), and the additional early ink signature of Binda. A very good copy. Adam Smith (1723-1790) spent ten years in the writing and perfecting of The Wealth of Nations. "The book succeeded at once, and the first edition was exhausted in six months...Whether it be true or not, as Buckle said, that the 'Wealth of Nations' was, 'in its ultimate results, probably the most important that had ever been written'...it is probable that no book can be mentioned which so rapidly became an authority both with statesmen and philosophers" (D.N.B.). ESTC T96680. Goldsmiths' 13794. Printing and the Mind of Man 221 (describing the 1776 first edition).Sold for: $2,390.00. |
| 57024 | Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. In Three Volumes. The Sixth Edition. London: Printed for A. Strahan; and T. Cadell, 1791. Sixth edition (first published in 1776). Three octavo volumes (8.25 x 5.1875 inches; 210 x 131 mm.). x, 499, [1, blank]; vi, 518, [5, Appendix], [1, blank]; v, [1, blank], 465, [1, blank], [49, index], [1, publisher's advertisements] pages. Recently bound in full burgundy morocco. Spines ruled in gilt in compartments with five raised bands, with gilt center tool in two compartments, black calf gilt lettering labels in two compartments. Edges stained yellow. Volume I with marginal soiling to pp. 30 and 31 and a small hole (paper flaw) in the upper corner of Cc1 (pp. 385/386), affecting the page numbers. Volume II with a slight crease in the gutter margin, a few pencil markings, and a few small ink marks. Volume III with a small piece torn from the outer blank margin of Z6 (pp. 347/348). An excellent copy. Adam Smith (1723-1790) spent ten years in the writing and perfecting of The Wealth of Nations. "The book succeeded at once, and the first edition was exhausted in six months...Whether it be true or not, as Buckle said, that the 'Wealth of Nations' was, 'in its ultimate results, probably the most important that had ever been written'...it is probable that no book can be mentioned which so rapidly became an authority both with statesmen and philosophers" (D.N.B.). ESTC T95383. Goldsmiths' 14612. Printing and the Mind of Man 221 (describing the 1776 first edition)Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 57025 | Philip Dormer Stanhope. Letters Written by the Late Right Honourable Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to His Son ... London: J. Dodsley, 1774. First octavo edition. Four octavo volumes (8 x 5 inches; 203 x 127 mm.). Complete with half titles and an engraved frontispiece by J. Valtalba. Contemporary speckled calf, rebacked. Spines lettered in gilt, five raised bands, new endpapers. Scattered light foxing and soiling, primarily marginal. Acid toning to edges of initial and terminal leaves. Edges of frontispiece and volume 1 title slightly soiled; fore-edge of frontispiece built up. Some wear to board edges, with rounded corners, exposing interior pasteboard. Overall a good copy. A pleasing copy of this celebrated work. The letters in the compilation are to the urbane and witty Chesterfield's illegitimate son, spanning a thirty year period, and ending only with young Stanhope's premature death of dropsy in 1768. The letters represent an attempt to inculcate both knowledge and manners, and thus present an unmatched picture of proper British breeding and social graces in the eighteenth century. Gulick 5.Sold for: $358.50. |
| 57026 | [Protestant Reformation]. Prince George of Denmark. Glorious Revolution Broadside. November 1688. One page. Octavo. Measures 9 x 8.25 inches. This fascinating letter transcribes the text of Prince George of Denmark to his father-in-law James II of England, informing him that he has deserted him for Prince William of Orange who was soon to become King William I. Titled "Prince George's Letter to the KING," the broadside reads in part: "With a Heart full of Grief am I forced to write, that Prudence will not permit me to say to your Face. And may I e'er find Credit with your Majesty, and Protection from Heaven, as what I now do is free from Passion, Vanity or Design...I am not ignorant of the frequent Mischiefs wrought in the World by factious Pretences of Religion; but were not Religion the most justifiable Cause, I would not be made for the most specious Pretence. And your Majesty has always shewn too uninterested a Science of Religion, to doubt the just Effects of it in one whose Practices have, I hope, never given the World cause to censure his real Conviction of it; or his backwardness to perform what his Honour and Conscience prompt him to; how then can I longer disguise my just concern for that Religion, in which I have been so happily educated, which my Judgment thoroughly convinces me to be the best; and for the Support of which I am so highly interested in my Native Country; and is not England now, by the most endearing Tye become so. Whist restless Spirits of the Enemies of the REFORMED RELIGION, back'd by the Cruel Zeal, and Prevailing Power of France...unite all the Protestant Princes of Christendom, and engage them in so vast an Expence for the Support of it, can I act so degenerous and mean a part, as to deny my Concurrence to such worthy Endeavors for disabusing of your majesty by the Reinforcement of those Laws, and Establishment of that Government, on which alone depends the Well being of your Majesty, and of the PROTESTANT RELIGION in Europe..." Dampstaining. Two folds. Moderate toning and wear around the edges. Very good condition. A wonderful broadside from a crucial point in English history.Sold for: $298.75. |
| 57027 | [King George III]. The Form of the Proceeding to the Royal Coronation of Their Most Excellent Majesties King George III and Queen Charlotte. From Westminster-Hall, to the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, at Westminster. On Tuesday the 22nd Day of September 1761. Together with a List of the Peers, Peeresses, and Privy-Counsellors. London: Printed by William Bowyer, 1761. Folio. 18 pages. Stab-sewn in original printed wrappers. Three horizontal fold lines. Moderate toning and foxing to the pages. Overall, very good condition. Contains "A Scheme of the Procession to the Coronation of their Majesties," a "List of the Peers and Peeresses of Great-Britain," and a "List of the Lords, and Others, of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy-Council."Not Sold. |
| 57028 | [John Somers]. The Judgment of Whole Kingdoms and Nations Concerning the Rights, Power and Prerogative of Kings, and the Rights, Privileges and Properties of the People...". Boston: Printed by I. Thomas, for J. Langdon, [1773]. Twelfth edition, corrected (second American printing). Octavo. 144 pages. Contemporary sheep, neatly rebacked with five raised bands and titles stamped in gilt on a red leather label. Wear to the boards along the edges. Contents toned, as usual. Old catalog citation pasted to front pastedown. Very good. One of four American editions published on the eve of the American Revolution, these being the first American appearances of this classic Whig manifesto originally published in 1710. Its authorship is attributed to Lord Somers, the architect of the English Bill of Rights during the Glorious Revolution. These editions are among the earliest appearance in America of the English Bill of Rights. This edition is also among the earliest works issued by Isaiah Thomas from his first independently owned shop established in 1770. Evans 13632. Sold for: $310.70. |
| 57029 | [Paul Derapin-Thoyras]. A Dissertation on the Rise, Progress, Views, Strength, Interests and Characters of the two Parties of the Whigs and Tories. Boston: Printed for Joseph Greenleaf, 1773. First American edition. Twelvemo. 71 pages. Lacking the half-title page. Bound in later marbled boards with red backstrip. Boards worn and scuffed. Contents toned with scattered foxing. Joints cracked. Sections missing from the spine. Old library book plate on the front pastedown. Several minor ink markings on the top margin of the title page. A few preliminary pages with short tears at the gutter. Good. The author came to England at the time of the Glorious Revolution and wrote what is considered the standard history of England preceding that of Hume. This Whig republican tract gives a shrewd and realistic account of the nature of the mixed system of English government. Into this the author introduces the institution of political parties and discusses their potential danger as well as their advantages. The Tories are deemed to be especially dangerous, but parties in general are viewed as destabilizing forces, a position echoed by the authors of The Federalist.Sold for: $478.00. |
| 57030 | [Charles Lee]. Strictures on a Pamphlet, Entitled, A "Friendly Address to All Reasonable Americans, on the Subject of Our Political Confusions." Addressed to the People of America. Philadelphia: William and Thomas Bradford, 1774. First edition. Octavo. 15 pages. Disbound from a larger volume. Toned around the edges. Very good. A response to Thomas Chandler, the author of the "Friendly Address". Howes L193. Evans 13372. American Independence 125a. Sold for: $956.00. |
| 57031 | [Samuel Seabury]. Free Thoughts on the Proceedings of the Continental Congress, Held at Philadelphia Sept. 5, 1774: Wherein Their Errors are Exhibited, Their Reasonings Confuted, and the Fatal Tendency of Their Non-importation, No Ex-portation, and Non-consumption Measures, Are Laid Open to the Public Understandings; and the Only Means Pointed Out for Preserving and Securing Our Present Happy Constitution: in a Letter to the Farmers and Other Inhabitants of North America in General and to Those of the Province of New York in Particular. [New York, 1774]. Octavo. 24 pages. Removed. Pages toned, last page loose. Some chipping at the edges of the pages. Good. Howes S253. Evans 13602. American Independence 136c. Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 57032 | Samuel Williams. A Discourse on the Love of Our Country; Delivered on a Day of Thanksgiving, December 15, 1774. Salem, New England: Samuel and Ebenezer Hall, 1775. Sewn, as issued. Half title loose. Former owner's name or inscription from author at the top of the half-title. Toned. Williams writes: "We seem to be on the eve of some great and unusual events: Events which it is not improbable, may form a new era, and give a new turn to human affairs." Howes W477. Evans 14627. American Independence 203. Sold for: $1,434.00. |
| 57033 | William Stearns. A View of the Controversy Subsisting Between Great Britain and the American Colonies. A Sermon Preached at a Fast in Marborough in Massachusetts-Bay, on Thursday, May 11, 1775. Agreeable to a Recommendation of the Provincial Congress. Watertown: Printed by Benjamin Edes, 1775. Twelvemo. 33 pages. Removed. Trimmed but fine copy with good margins, half-title and end leaf. Pages toned with some soiling to front cover. Former owner's name in ink on the front cover. Fine. Defense of American military action, dedicated to the American forces encamped at Roxbury "in defense of the property and rights, sacred and civil, of Americans, against the insults and depredations of ministerial peculators, and enemies of the British constitution." Howes S913(aa). Evans 14474. American Independence 198. Sold for: $776.75. |
| 57034 | [Samuel Seabury]. Alarm to the Legislature of the Province of New York, Occasioned by the Present Political Disturbances, in North America: Addressed to the Honourable Representatives in General Assembly Convened. New York: James Rivington, 1775. Octavo. 13, [2] pages. Duplicate from the New York Historical Society with an early inscription to the Society on the title page. Final leaf loose. Toned. Slightly ragged. Very good. Includes a two page catalog in which Rivington lists other pamphlets related to relations between the Colonies and Great Britain issued under his imprint. Evans 14453. American Independence 194.Sold for: $657.25. |
| 57035 | [Alexander Hamilton]. The Farmer Refuted: or a More Impartial and Comprehensive View of the Dispute Between Great-Britain and the Colonies, Intended as a Further Vindication of the Congress: In Answer to a Letter From A. W. Farmer, Intitled a View of the Controversy Between Great-Britain and Her Colonies: Including a Mode of Determining the Present Dispute Finally and Effectually, &c. New York: James Rivington, 1775. Octavo. iv, 78 pages. Cover title. Title page creased with some staining, last leaf loose. Toned. New York Historical Society stamps on title page and two additional leaves. Text clean and crisp. Very good. This is Hamilton's second work, a rejoinder to Samuel Seabury's answer to his first publication. Howes H113. Evans 14096. American Independence 173. Sold for: $1,912.00. |
| 57036 | [Joseph Galloway]. A Candid Examination of the Mutual Claims of Great Britain and the Colonies: With a Plan of Accommodation, on Constitutional Principles. New York: James Rivington, 1775. Octavo. [2], 62 pages. Cover title. First few leaves loose with chips and tears along the fore-edge of the title page. Toned. Duplicate from the New York Historical Society with early inscription to the Society on the title page. Very good. Evans 14059. American Independence 164. Sold for: $657.25. |
| 57037 | William Gordon. A Discourse Preached December 15, 1774. Being the Day Recommended by the Provincial Congress; and Afterwards at the Boston Lecture. Boston: Printed for, and sold by Thomas Leverett, 1775. Recent three-quarters leather and marbled boards with titles in stamped in gilt on the spine. Internally sound with light toning to pages. William L. Clement's personal copy. Near fine. Spirited pro-American address, not to be confused with the Discourse delivered by Gordon the morning of the same day with almost the same title (Evans 14070) which dealt solely with theological matters. Evans 14071. American Independence 167a. Sold for: $537.75. |
| 57038 | Ezra Sampson. A Sermon Preached at Roxbury Camp, Before Col. Colton's Regiment, on the 20th of July, P.M., 1775, Being a Day Set Apart for Fasting and Prayer, Throughout All the United Colonies of America. Watertown: Printed and sold by Benjamin Edes, 1775. Twelvemo. 25 pages. Modern three-quarters calf with cloth boards. Modern endpapers. Titles stamped in gilt on the spine. Light shelf wear to boards. Contents toned with half-title and last page supplied in facsimile. Very good. Evans 14450. American Independence 193. Sold for: $507.88. |
| 57039 | William Gordon. A Sermon Preached Before the Honorable House of Representatives, on the Day Intended for the Choice of Counsellors, Agreeable to the Advice of the Continental Congress. Watertown: Printed and sold by Benjamin Edes, 1775. Octavo. 29 pages. Bound into relatively recent green buckram binding with titles stamped in gilt on a leather spine label. Light shelf wear to boards. Contents toned. Untrimmed. Very good. Personal copy of William L. Clements. Evans 14073. American Independence 168.Sold for: $548.51. |
| 57040 | [James Chalmers]. Plain Truth: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America Containing Remarks on a Late Pamphlet, Intitled Common Sense...Written by Candidus. Philadelphia, Printed: London, Reprinted for J. Almon, 1776. Octavo. 48 pages. Disbound. Bound with a work by "Rationalis" and "Extract from the Second Letter to the People of Pennsylvania" by "Cato" (Provost William Smith), opposing independence. Fine. Howes S696. Sold for: $310.70. |
| 57041 | [Daniel Leonard]. Massachusettensis: or a Series of Letters, Containing a Faithful State of Many Important and Striking Facts, Which Laid the Foundation of the Present Troubles in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay; Interspersed with Animadversions and Reflections, Originally Addressed to the People of the Province, and Worthy the Consideration of True Patriots of this Country. By a Person Honor Upon the Spot. Boston printed: London reprinted for J. Matthews, 1776. Second edition. Octavo. viii, 118 pages. Later three-quarter leather with marbled paper boards. Titles and decoration stamped in gilt. Marbled endpapers. Light shelf wear mainly at the spine and corners. Contents ever-so-slightly toned, otherwise tight. Second front free endpaper with a 3" tear along the gutter. Former owner's leather ownership stamp on the front pastedown. Fine. A classic statement of the Loyalist position, to which John Adams responded in his "Novanglus" essays. Howes L258. American Independence 180c. Sold for: $286.80. |
| 57042 | James Wilson: A Signed Volume from the Library of the Declaration of Independence Signer. Abbe Raynal (translated by J. Justamond): A Philosophical and Political History of the Settlements and Trade of the Europeans of the West Indies, Volume Two (of five). London: T. Cadell, 1777. Third edition. Octavo. 596 pages. Fold out map. Full calf with titles stamped in gilt on a morocco spine label. Boards scuffed with significant wear at the corners. Loss at the head and foot of the spine. Joints cracked with front board detached. Contents toned but tight. A sound copy, worthy of restoration, in good condition. The book is housed in an attractive custom half leather box and slipcase. The box has five raised spine bands with titles stamped in gilt in three of the compartments. Quite a stunning presentation for this volume. A book from the personal library of James Wilson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Wilson has signed the volume in ink near the top of the title page "James Wilson". In 1789, he became one of the original nine justices appointed by Washington to the Supreme Court. Sold for: $657.25. |
| 57043 | [Edmund Burke]. An Impartial History of the War in America Between Great Britain and Her Colonies, From Its Commencement to the End of the Year 1779. London: R. Faulder, 1780. First edition. Octavo. [12], 608, [44] pages. Thirteen portrait plates. Lacking map. Rebound in modern half calf and marbled paper over boards. Titles and decoration stamped in gilt on the spine. Light shelf wear to boards. Contents slightly toned with scattered foxing. Ghosting from plates to facing pages. Text block tight. Very good. Howes B975. Sold for: $776.75. |
| 57044 | Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, as Agreed upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787. In Two Volumes. New-York: Printed and Sold by J. and A. M'Lean, 1788. First edition of "the most famous and influential American political work" (Howes). Two twelvemo volumes (6.8125 x 4.5 inches; 173 x 115 mm. and 7.5 x 4.5 inches; 193 x 113 mm., respectively). [2, blank], vi, 227, [1, blank]; [2, blank], vi, 384 pages. Uncut, in the original drab boards, professionally rebacked to style. Corners and board edges lightly rubbed, some light foxing and very slight dampstaining to the boards. Volume II with a small ink stain on the front board and a few ink marks on the rear board. Occasional light foxing and slight browning to the text. Volume I with the title leaf expertly and almost invisibly mounted on a stub, a few small stains on D6-E2 (pp. 47-52), short split in the inner margin of K6 (pp. 119/120) at the edge of the type, short tear to the outer blank margin of O1 (pp. 157/158), short tear to the outer blank margin of Q1 (pp. 181/182) and Q3 (pp. 185/186), not affecting any text. Volume II with a small portion of the outer blank margin of D4 (pp. 43/44) torn away (paper flaw), short tear to the lower margin of H6 (pp. 95/96), a tiny hole in O6 (pp. 167/168), just touching a couple of letters, a printing flaw on Bb1 (pp. 289/290), with the lower corner folded up and the last six lines printed on the folded up verso, the final leaf Ii6 (pp. 383/384) with a small portion of the upper blank margin torn away and a short tear, neatly repaired, to the outer margin, affecting a few letters on the recto, and a small piece torn from the blank outer margin. Despite these minor flaws, this is an amazing copy, remarkably well-preserved, and extremely scarce in the original boards. Only five copies in the original boards have sold at auction in the last thirty-three years. Each volume is protected in an olive cloth slipcase. This remarkable copy is all the more desirable because of its provenance. It was owned by Major Roger Alden (1754-1836), not only a descendant of Mayflower Pilgrim John Alden, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, Deputy Secretary of the Continental Congress, Chief Clerk to the Domestic Arm of the State Department, but also the person to whom the Constitution was entrusted as soon as it was signed. Each volume has the contemporary ink inscription, "R. Alden's / 1788," on the front board and at the head of the title, and the bookplate of Roger Alden's grandson, R. Percy Alden, on the front pastedown. Roger Alden was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, February 11, 1754, and graduated from Yale College in 1773. Among his classmates were a number of men who afterwards took prominent parts in the Revolutionary War, including his close friend and correspondent Nathan Hale. In a letter to Hale, dated New Haven, November 28, 1775, Alden wrote: "I almost envy you your Circumstances, I want to be in the Army very much, I feel myself fit to relish the Noise of Guns, Drums, Trumpets, Blunderbuss, & Thunder; & was I qualified for a Birth, & of Influence sufficient to procure one I would accept it with all my Heart; I would accept of a Lieutenancy but should prefer an Adjutancy-but other more fortunate Young Persons are provided for, & poor I, must make myself contented where I am-think of my Condition, & then Imagine how high I estimate Yours-Give my best Love & Compliments to Keyes & Woodbridge, tell them I shall be very careful to answer all their Letters as well as your own-After you have thought over all this, tell yourself that no one loves you more than-Roger Alden" (George Dudley Seymour, Documentary Life of Nathan Hale, pp. 52-53). Less than a year later, on September 22, 1776, when Hale was just twenty-three years old and just three years out of college, he was executed as a spy at the hands of the British. When he was captured he had his Yale diploma with him, and his Latin notes of the layout of the enemy's fortifications. After graduation from Yale, Alden taught school for a time in New Haven, until he enlisted as a private soldier in General Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec, in September. During this campaign he made the acquaintance of Aaron Burr, with whom he became close friends. On January 1, 1777, Alden was commissioned as Lieutenant and Adjutant in Colonel Philip B. Bradley's Fifth Connecticut Line. He fought at Germantown in October of that year, and spent the winter at Valley Forge. He was promoted to Captain-Lieutenant in Colonel Zebulon Butler's Second Connecticut Regiment on June 1, 1778, and to Captain on September 1, 1779. After that he served most of the time as Aide-de Camp, with the brevet rank of Major, to Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, being formally appointed to the position on April 1, 1780. Alden resigned from the army on February 10, 1781, and took up the study of law in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, in the office of William Samuel Johnson (1727-1819), whose third daughter, Gloriana Ann (familiarly called Nancy), he married on September 7, 1783 (she died on March 4, 1785, at the age of twenty-eight). William Samuel Johnson was an early American statesman who was delegate to the Continental Congress from Connecticut (1784-1787), member of the Constitutional Convention, and signer of the Constitution. In a letter to Aaron Burr, dated February 28, 1781, Alden referred to his four years of service, and added: "I bid adieu to camp, having completed my business, with my thanks to our worthy Commander-in Chief for his attention to my character. The discharge he gave equaled my wishes and exceeded my expectations" (Henry Phelps Johnston, Yale and Her Honor-roll in the American Revolution, 1775-1783, pp. 282-283). Two years after the war, on June 23, 1785, Alden was elected Deputy Secretary of the Continental Congress, under Charles Thomson, who had served as Secretary of the Congress from its first meeting in 1774. In a letter, dated April 11, 1785, Governor Jonathan Trumbull recommended Alden for the position in the following complimentary terms: "Born in my neighborhood, and educated in a manner under my eye, I have had an opportunity of knowing him from his youth to the present time, and can therefore say that I look upon him as a young gentleman possessed of natural good abilities, enlarged by a liberal education, and improved by several years' knowledge of mankind in the public service of his country, in which he acquitted himself with honor and reputation." Alden served as Deputy Secretary of the Continental Congress until 1789, when he became Chief Clerk to the domestic section of the State Department, a position he held until July 1790. "On September 18, 1787, the morning after it had been signed, the [Constitution] was placed on the 11:00 a.m. stagecoach for delivery to the Congress in New York City. There all the papers of the Convention were entrusted to Roger Alden, deputy secretary of the Congress. On September 26, 1789, almost five months after George Washington took office, the Constitution was casually passed along to Thomas Jefferson with the understanding that the Secretary of State should serve as permanent custodian of such documents" (Michael G. Kammen, A Machine That Would Go of Itself: The Constitution in American Culture, p. 72). "Few issues in American history have engrossed public attention like the debate about whether to adopt the Constitution. For more than nine months, from the middle of September 1787 until at least the following July, the public was 'wholly employed in considering and animadverting upon the form of Government proposed by the late convention; and 'attentive to little else.' Roger Alden joked to brother-in-law Samuel William Johnson [in a letter dated December 31, 1787] that 'the report of the Convention affords a fruitful subject for wits, politicians and Law-makers-the presses, which conceived by the incubation of the Convention are delivered from the pangs of travail, & have become prolific indeed-the offspring is so numerous, that the public ear has become deaf to the cries of the distressed, and grow impatient for the christening of the first born'" (Larry D. Kramer, "Putting the Politics Back into the Political Safeguards of Federalism," in Columbia Law Review, Vol. 100, No. 1, Centennial Issue (Jan. 2000), p. 251). In July 1789, Charles Thomson retired as Secretary of the Congress and, at the request of President George Washington, surrendered the books, records, and papers of the Continental Congress, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, to Roger Alden. In his letter of resignation, dated July 23, 1789, Thomson wrote to Washington: "Having had the honor of serving in quality of Secretary of Congress from the first meeting of Congress in 1774 to the present time, a period of almost fifteen years, and having seen in that eventful period, by the interposition of divine Providence the rights of our country asserted and vindicated, its independence declared, acknowledged and fixed, peace & tranquility restored & in consequence thereof a rapid advance in arts, manufactures and population, and lastly a government established which gives well grounded hopes of promoting its lasting welfare & securing its freedom and happiness. I now wish to return to private life. With this intent I present my self before you to surrender up the charge of the books, records and papers of the late Congress which are in my custody & deposited in rooms of the house where the legislature assemble, and to deliver into your hands the Great Seal of the federal Union, the keeping of which was one of the duties of my Office, and the seal of the Admiralty which was committed to my care when that board was dissolved. Before I retire I beg leave to recommend to your favour Mr Roger Alden who was appointed, by the late Congress, deputy Secretary & whom I have found an able & faithful assistant." Washington, in his letter to Thomson, New York, July 24, 1789, acknowledging his "wish to retire to private life," requested: "You will be pleased, Sir, to deliver the books, records, and papers of the late Congress, the great seal of the federal Union, and the seal of the admiralty, to Mr. Roger Alden, the late deputy secretary of Congress, who is requested to take charge of them until farther directions shall be given." On July 25, 1789, Thomson replied to Washington: "Agreeably to your desire I have delivered to Mr Roger Alden the books, records and papers of the late Congress and enclose here with his receipt. He will wait upon you to receive the Great Seal of the federal Union and the Seal of the Admiralty which I had the honor of delivering into your hands, to thank you for this mark of your favour and to execute any orders you shall please to give him." Enclosed with Thomson's letter was an acknowledgement from Roger Alden of same date stating that he has received the books, records, and papers of the Congress from Charles Thomson. In July 1789, the First Congress under the new Constitution created the Department of Foreign Affairs and directed that its Secretary should have "the custody and charge of all records, books, and papers" kept by the department of the same name under the old government. When Washington wrote to Thomas Jefferson on October 13, 1789, offering him the post of Secretary of State, he suggested Roger Alden as his assistant: "Unwilling, as I am, to interfere in the direction of your choice of assistants, I shall only take the liberty of observing to you, that, from warm recommendations which I have received in behalf of Roger Alden, Esq., assistant Secretary to the late Congress, I have placed all the papers thereunto belonging, under his care. Those papers, which more properly appertain to the office of Foreign Affairs, are under the superintendence of Mr. Jay, who has been so obliging as to continue his good offices, and they are in the immediate charge of Mr. Remsen." On January 1, 1790, Alden was appointed Chief Clerk for the domestic section of the new Department of State, heading what Jefferson called the "home office." Alden resigned his Chief Clerk position on July 25, 1790, "to enter into more lucrative employment." His position was filled by the promotion of Henry Remsen. In 1795, Alden became the first agent of the Holland Land Company in Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1825. On January 20, 1825, he was appointed Ordnance Storekeeper at West Point, and on December 30, 1826, he was also appointed Postmaster at West Point. Alden retained these positions until his death, November 5, 1836, at the age of eighty-three. See Franklin Bowditch Dexter, Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College, Vol. III, pp. 469-470; Henry Phelps Johnston, Yale and Her Honor-roll in the American Revolution, 1775-1783, pp. 282-283. "These eighty-five essays on the Constitution, almost entirely written by Hamilton and Madison (probably only five were by Jay) and published in the New York newspapers under the name of 'Publius,' were a step in Hamilton's campaign to win over a hostile majority in New York for a ratification of the Constitution. To the people of the time the collected essays were little more than a huge Federalist pamphlet. A generation passed before it was recognized that these essays by the principal author of the Constitution and its brilliant advocate were the most authoritative interpretation of the Constitution as drafted by the Convention of 1787. As a commentary and exposition on the Constitution the influence of the Federalist has been profound" (Grolier, 100 American). "When Alexander Hamilton invited his fellow New Yorker John Jay and James Madison, a Virginian, to join him in writing the series of essays published as The Federalist, it was to meet the immediate need of convincing the reluctant New York State electorate of the necessity of ratifying the newly proposed Constitution of the United States. The eighty-five essays, under the pseudonym 'Publius', were designed as political propaganda, not as a treatise of political philosophy. In spite of this The Federalist survives as one of the new nation's most important contributions to the theory of government...The first number of The Federalist appeared on 27 October 1787 in The Independent Journal, or The General Advertiser and newspaper publication continued in this and three other papers, The New York Packet, The Daily Advertiser, and The New York Journal and Daily Patriotic Register, through number 77, 2 April 1788. The first thirty-six essays were published in book form on 22 March 1788 by J. and A. McLean of New York and a second volume containing essays 37-85 followed on 28 May. Thus numbers 78-85 were published in book form before they appeared in the popular press" (Printing and the Mind of Man). Also printed here is the complete text of the Constitution, headed "Articles of the New Constitution; as agreed upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787," and the resolutions of the Constitutional Convention (Volume II, pp. 368-384). Church 1230. Evans 21127. Ford 33. Grolier, 100 American, 19. Grolier, 100 English, 55. Howes H114. Printing and the Mind of Man 234. Sabin 23979. Streeter 1049.Sold for: $262,900.00. |
| 57045 | Jeremy Bentham. Defence of Usury; Showing the Impolicy of the Present Legal Restraints on the Terms of Pecuniary Bargains in a Series of Letters to a Friend. To Which is Added, a Letter to Adam Smith. London: T. Payne, and Son, 1790. Second edition. Sixteenmo. 206 pages. Modern brown leather half binding with decorative paper over boards and titles in stamped in gilt on the spine. Contents toned with some foxing on the preliminary pages and a small area of loss at the upper corner of the front free endpaper. A sound copy in very good condition. Not Sold. |
| 57046 | 1791 Publication of the Acts Passed at the First Session of Congress. Acts Passed at a Congress of the United States of America. Hartford: Hudson and Goodwin, 1791. Octavo. 327 pages with 50 blank at the end for notes. Full leather with titles stamped in gilt on a morocco spine label. Boards well-worn, especially at the edges. Joints cracked but still attached. Contents tight but toned with foxing throughout. Worthy of professional restoration. Good condition. This book is a collection of official Acts passed at the "First Session of the First Congress of the United States", March 4, 1789. The first act passed was "The Constitution of the United States" in its full version, with side notes for quick reference. This early printing of the Acts of the First Congress includes all those passed through March 3, 1791. The appendix to this edition includes printings of the Declaration and the Articles of Confederation along with other extracts from the Journals of the Continental Congress. Sold for: $1,912.00. |
| 57047 | [Sir Henry Clinton]. Memorandums, &c. &c. Respecting the Unprecedented Treatment Which the Army Have Met With Respecting the Plunder Taken After a Siege, and of Which Plunder the Navy Serving With the Army Divided Their More Than Ample Share, Now Fourteen Years Since. London: [No publisher stated], 1794. First edition. Octavo. 106 pages and catalog of books printed for J. Debrett. Rebound in three-quarter leather and marbled boards. Titles and other decoration stamped in gilt. Marbled endpapers. Edges untrimmed. Light shelf wear. Spine discolored and gilt titles thin. Contents sound with a small stain at the edge of the last few pages not affecting text. Very good. Concerns a dispute between the British Navy and the British Army over American property taken at Charleston, told in correspondence between Sir Henry Clinton and British military officers. Howes C495(aa). Sold for: $310.70. |
| 57048 | Bushrod Washington. Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Court of Appeals of Virginia. Richmond: Thomas Nicholson, 1798-99. First edition. Two octavo volumes. vii, 392, xxxii; vii, 302, 19 pages. Contemporary calf with spine titles in gilt on a crimson leather label. Moderate shelf wear, worn corners and tender joints. Contents toned, with some foxing and chipping at the edges, else sound. Later ink signatures on the front pastedown, front free endpaper and upper right margin of the title page. Very good. Bushrod Washington was the nephew of George Washington. At the end of 1798 he was appointed to the Supreme Court, taking the place vacated by the death of his law teacher and mentor, James Wilson. He served on the Court until his death in 1829. Because of his preeminence in the Virginia bar, Washington's case reports were highly regarded and were considered particularly thorough and authoritative. Cases decided by the Virginia court in the first years of the Republic were precedent setting and continue to be of interest. In 1802, following the death of Martha Washington, he inherited Mount Vernon and resided there for the rest of his life. Evans 34958, 36670. Sold for: $1,075.50. |
| 57049 | Acts Passed at the Second Session of the Seventh Congress of the United States. [No printer/publisher stated]. [Washington, 1803]. Octavo. [195]-316, iv, lxxxv, xxvi Index. Original gray wrappers. Edges untrimmed. Contents and covers foxed and toned but sound. Damp staining on several bottom corners. Contemporary owner's signature on the front cover. Torn portion of back strip at the foot of the spine. All things considered, a very good copy. The Second Session was attended by President Thomas Jefferson, Nathaniel Macon, Speaker of the House, Aaron Burr, Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, and Stephen R. Bradley, President of the Senate pro tempore. One Act was passed to prevent the importation of certain persons into certain states, where, by laws thereof, their admission is prohibited, while another Act provided for the due execution of the laws of the United States within the State of Ohio; another made provisions for persons disabled by battle wounds during military service in the Revolutionary War. The book also includes text describing the English and French Convention between the French Republic and the United States Government and the Chickasaw nation of Indians, and the Treaty between the United States Government and Choctaw nation of Indians are included as well, among other documents describing government relations with other Indian tribes. Sold for: $262.90. |
| 57050 | Douglas Southall Freeman. George Washington, A Biography. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1948-54. First edition. Six octavo volumes. 549, 464, 600, 736, 570, 529 pages. Illustrated. Original black cloth with titles stamped in gilt on the spine and Washington's family coat-of-arms stamped in blind on the front board of each volume. A beautiful set in remarkable condition. All volumes are fine with volumes three and four having minor soiling to the boards. All offered in the original slipcases, as issued. Freeman's classic biography was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1958 and is widely recognized as the definitive work on our first president. Sold for: $717.00. |
| 57051 | [Antoine Louis Claude Destutt, Comte de Tracy]. A Commentary and Review of Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws. Philadelphia: Printed by William Duane, 1811. Contemporary boards. Spine worn and chipped. Joints fragile. Edge wear to boards with some soiling. Moderate toning and foxing to contents with an old dampstain to lower margin. Else a very good uncut copy in original condition. In the summer of 1809, Thomas Jefferson received Tracy's manuscript with a letter from the author requesting the former president to have the work translated and published anonymously in the United States. A liberal French nobleman, Tracy feared retaliation from Napoleon if the fact of his authorship was made known. Over a year later Jefferson offered the manuscript to William Duane for publication. In Jefferson's opinion it was "the most valuable political work of the present age." To protect the identity of the author, Jefferson penned an introduction to the book in which he claimed that the author was a native of France and former supporter of its revolution, now living in the United States, which, of course, was untrue. A scarce book of political theory with a fascinating publication history. Sold for: $507.88. |
| 57052 | [Virginia Constitutional Convention]. Proceedings and Debates of the Virginia State Convention, of 1829-30. To Which are Subjoined the New Constitution of Virginia and the Votes of the People. Richmond: Printed by Samuel Shepherd for Ritchie and Cook, 1830. First edition. Octavo. iv, 919, 91 pages. Contemporary calf with titles on a leather spine label. Top of spine chipped. Scuffing to boards and wear along the joints. Foxing throughout, quite heavy on some pages. Front free endpaper with a section missing at the lower corner. Lacking rear free endpaper. Period owner's signature at the top of the title page. Very good. The complete record of the first Virginia constitutional convention since 1776, as reported by "Mr. Stansbury of Washington." Among the delegates were the sitting Chief Justice of the United States (John Marshall), two former Presidents of the United States (James Madison and James Monroe) as well as a future one (John Tyler), and an eminent constitutional scholar who later served as Secretary of State (Abel P. Upshur). At the heart of the debate in the convention was the question of representation, the delegates from the western counties being determined to break the strangle-hold which the slave-holding Tidewater had on the Legislature. The divergent interests of the two regions reflected in the debates at the convention later manifested themselves when the western counties seceded from Confederate Virginia to form the new state of West Virginia.Sold for: $418.25. |
| 57053 | [John Marshall]. Opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States, at January Term, 1832, Delivered by Mr. Chief Justice Marshall, Together With the Opinion of Mr. Justice McLean, in the Case of Samuel A. Worcester, Plaintiff in Error, Versus the State of Georgia. Washington: Gales and Seaton, 1832. First separate edition. Octavo. 39 pages. Bound in red buckram. A solid copy with the usual light toning to the pages. Fine. Worcester and ten other missionaries were convicted by a Georgia court of violating a state law prohibiting white men from residing in Cherokee territory without first taking an oath of allegiance to the state and securing a permit. Chief Justice Marshall, speaking for the court, held that the Cherokees were a nation under the protection of the United States and that Georgia had no jurisdiction to try the defendants. The defendants were ordered released, but Georgia authorities ignored the decision and President Jackson refused to enforce the court's order. It was this case that Jackson allegedly declared, "Marshall has made his decision. Now let him enforce it." Sold for: $358.50. |
| 57054 | William Mitford. The History of Greece. London: Chiswick Press, printed by C. Whittingham, 1835. Eight twelvemo volumes, each with a different engraved image on the title page; index in Volume VIII. Blindstamped decoration on brown cloth covers, gilt lettering on spines. All volumes show moderate wear along edges and spine ends; bumping to corners. Spines are uniformly sunned. Interior leaves are generally very good, with occasional smudges and creased pages. Although Mitford's history was quite popular for many years, it is reported that he never visited Greece.Sold for: $310.70. |
| 57055 | Leitch Ritchie. Versailles (Heath's Picturesque Annual for 1839). London: Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1839. First edition. Octavo. 256 pages. Twenty engraved plates. Rebound by Westley, Son and Jarvis of London in green calf with decoration stamped in gilt on the front and rear boards and board edges and turn downs ruled in gilt; five raised bands with gilt decoration; and titles in gilt on the spine. All edges gilt. Front hinge cracked; rear hinge starting. Corners slightly bumped and worn. Boards with minor scuffing. Former owner's book plate on the front free endpaper. With holograph additions in red pencil on the second front free endpaper. Internally sound. Very good.Sold for: $19.00. |
| 57056 | John Quincy Adams. Argument of John Quincy Adams, Before the Supreme Court of the United States, in the Case of the United States, Appellants, vs. Cinque, and Others, Africans, Captured in the Schooner Amistad, by Lieut. Gedney, Delivered on the 24th of February and 1st of March, 1841. With a Review of the Case of the Antelope... New York: S. W. Benedict, 1841. Octavo. 135 pages. Removed. Light foxing to title page. Contents sound. A very good copy. Adams regarded his appearance in the Amistad case as his "final duty" before the Supreme Court and had been, he noted in his diary, "deeply distressed and agitated" till the moment he rose to address the court: "and then my spirit did not sink within me. With grateful heart for aid from above, though in humiliation for the weakness incident to the limits of my powers, I spoke for four hours and a half...til half-past three o'clock, when the Chief Justice said the court would hear me further tomorrow." Adam's argument carried the day and the court set the Amistad captives free. Sold for: $1,553.50. |
| 57057 | [James Hiatt]. An Authentic Exposition of the "K.G.C." "Knights of the Golden Circle;" or, A History of Secession From 1834 to 1861. Indianapolis: C. O. Perrine, Publisher, 1861. First edition. Twelvemo. 80 pages. Illustrated. Tan printed wrappers. Lacking back cover. Front cover slightly soiled and chipped around the edges. Very good. Contains all the alleged rituals, chants and other insider secrets required to lend authenticity to a major work of over-wrought mumbo-jumbo designed to appeal to Northern political paranoia. Howes A410. Sold for: $597.50. |
| 57058 | David Flavel Jamison. The Life and Times of Bertrand du Guesclin: A History of the Fourteenth Century. Charleston: John Russell, 1864. First edition. Two octavo volumes. 314, [2] advertisements; 287 pages. Original blind stamped blue cloth over beveled boards with titles stamped in gilt on the spine and coat-of-arms device stamped in gilt on the front board. Brown endpapers. Boards soiled and shelf worn. Gilt titles on the spine significantly worn and spine faded. Contents mostly bright with occasional foxing mostly at the preliminary and terminal pages. Very good. [and:] The simultaneously published two volume English edition published by Trübner & Company, London with the Russell imprint. Richard Harwell, in his Cornerstones of Confederate Collecting, remarks that this "is a surprising book to come from the turmoil of a war-torn country, a very surprising book to come from the pen of a gentleman best known for his position as President of the South Carolina Secession Convention." Afforded the opportunity to send his manuscript to press in London, Jamison was reluctant to risk the text "to the chances of capture by an ever-vigilant enemy now blockading our harbour, and infesting the seas between this port and the place of its destination, as well as the proofs of its publication to any other eye" than his own. Nonetheless, the manuscript was dispatched by blockade runner and in the fullness of time morphed into two handsome volumes printed in England but bearing the imprint of John Russell of Charleston. The two volumes are uniform in size and other particulars with the Russell edition and differ only in the binding: brown grained cloth over beveled boards with titles stamped in gilt on the spine and coat-of-arms stamped in gilt on the front board and the addition of a frontispiece in volume one. Both volumes are shelf worn at the extremities and suffer chipping at the head and foot of the spines. Volume one has a large section of cloth at the top of the spine loose. The contents of both volumes are sound. Very good. An important addition to any Confederate imprint collection, particularly with the bonus of the companion London edition. Parrish 5519. Crandall 2587.Not Sold. |
| 57059 | [Confederate Imprint]. Report of the Secretary of War. Richmond: War Department, Confederate States of America, 1864. First edition. Octavo. 36 pages. Sewn. Signatures separated. Slight toning. Near fine. With "Rebel Archive" ink stamp on the front page. The report dated November 3, 1864 and approved by the Confederate Secretary of War, James A. Seddon, gives an account of the 1864 military campaign season, which by all indications was dismal. Seddon discusses the manpower problems he faces, even suggesting "enlisting our Negro slaves as soldiers" and the burden of dealing with shortages of military supplies. The report concludes with detailed estimates of appropriations required to keep the armies in the field. Parrish 2403. Sold for: $203.15. |
| 57060 | Three Civil War-Era Reports on Subversive Groups, including: Joseph Holt. Report of the Judge Advocate General on the "Order of American Knights," or "Sons of Liberty." A Western Conspiracy in Aid of the Southern Rebellion. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1864. First edition. Octavo. 16 pages. Printed wraps. Some toning to covers and some tears on the back cover, else very good. [and] [S. A. Craig]. Read, Freeman, Read!! Seizure of Arms and Ammunition, Copperheadism Exposed; Letters From Capt. S. A. Craig, 17th Reg't V.R.C. Addressing the Supreme Grand Commander of the Order of the Sons of Liberty, &c. Pittsburgh: A. A. Anderson & Sons, 1864. Octavo. 26 pages. Disbound. Very good. Craig was post commandant at Indianapolis at the time of the "exposure" of the ploy by Indiana Democrats to launch an insurrection. He discloses all the secret codes, etc. by which the Hoosiers allegedly went about their nefarious work. [and] Before a Military Commission, Cincinnati, O., April 11, 1865. The United States vs. Buckner S. Morris, and others. Argument of T. W. Bartley, Touching the Question of Jurisdiction, and Other Legal Questions. [No publisher or place], 1865. Octavo. 61 pages. Disbound. Very good. Morris, a former mayor of Chicago and Treasurer of the Sons of Liberty, was accused of conspiracy in connection with a plot to seize Camp Douglas and free Confederate prisoners of war as well as "to lay waste and destroy the city of Chicago". The arguments challenging the jurisdiction of the military commission made here by Bartley were ultimately accepted by the Supreme Court in the Milligan decision. Not Sold. |
| 57061 | Benn Pitman, editor. The Trials for Treason at Indianapolis, Disclosing the Plans for Establishing a North-Western Confederacy. Cincinnati: Moore, Wilstach & Baldwin, 1865. First edition. Octavo. 340; [10] advertisements pages. Frontispiece. Printed wrappers. Wrappers soiled and toned with a small area of scuffing at the top edge of the front cover. Former owner's name in ink on the front cover. The same signature appears on page 21. Contents sound. A collection of court reports from the trials of prominent mid-western Confederate sympathizers. Among those arraigned in Indianapolis for treason were William A. Bowles, L.P. Milligan, Andrew Humphreys, H. Heffren and Stephen Horsey, whose portraits appear on the frontispiece. Benn Pitman was the recorder to the military commission. Howes P394 Not Sold. |
| 57062 | Gideon Welles. Lincoln and Seward. Remarks Upon the Memorial Address of Chas. Francis Adams, on the Late Wm. H. Seward, With Incidents and Comments Illustrative of the Measures and Policy of the Administration of Abraham Lincoln. And Views as to the Relative Positions of the Late President and Secretary of State. New York: Sheldon & Company, 1874. First edition. Twelvemo. viii, [7], 215 pages. Inscribed presentation copy to William Dennison, former Governor of Ohio and Lincoln's Postmaster General. Inscribed on the front free endpaper: "Honorable / William Dennison / with regards of / his friend / Gideon Welles". Original rust colored cloth with titles and decoration stamped in gilt on the spine and front board. Wear at the spine ends with some minor loss. Corners bumped. Contents tight. A very good copy. Gideon Welles served as Lincoln's Secretary of the Navy. Sold for: $896.25. |
| 57063 | Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. The Common Law. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1881. First edition, first issue. Octavo. xvi, 422 pages. Original green pebbled cloth with rules stamped in blind on the boards and titles stamped in gilt on the spine. Light wear at the spine ends. Contents slightly toned. Front hinge cracked. Large personal book plate of Theodore Woodman Gore with his early ownership inscription on the front free endpaper dated April 6, 1881. Otherwise, an exceptional copy in near fine condition and housed in an attractive clam shell box with morocco spine label. The only known earlier inscription is that in Holmes' personal copy at the Harvard Law School, which is dated March 3, 1881, the date of publication. Establishing priority of printings of this title has always been a challenge with a number of different printings in 1881 with varying bindings and different printers. Holmes' personal copy, for example, is bound in russet cloth, while this equally early copy is bound in green cloth, demonstrating that the binding variants are not a reliable means of prioritizing the early issues or printings of this book. The printer's slug "University Press, John Wilson and Son, Cambridge" still remains the true test of the first printings. In selecting The Common Law for inclusion in his exclusive list, Grolier argued that "this brilliant exposition, as effective on English scholarship and legal thinking as on American, of the true nature of law both as a development from the past and organism of the present, blew fresh air into lawyers' minds encrusted with Blackstone and Kent." Felix Frankfurter added this encomium: "Only an eccentric or uninformed judgment would deny that through [this work] the United States has made the single most original contribution to legal scholarship." Holdsworth, writing in 1927, noted that "it is remarkable how well most of Holmes's opinions on points of legal history have stood the test of time during the ensuing period of active historical research." Howes R452. Grolier, American One Hundred 84.Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 57064 | Karl Marx. Capital: A Critical Analysis of Capitalist Production. New York: Appleton & Co., 1889. Later edition published three years after the first American edition. Octavo. 816 pages. Introduction by Frederick Engels. Professionally restored and rebound. Sheets have been trimmed and rebound in a modern half binding with marbled paper over boards. Contents are slightly toned, with two archival tape repairs on the half-title page, else it is a fine restored copy. Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57065 | [Sir Walter Scott]. The Journal of Sir Walter Scott From the Original Manuscript at Abbotsford. Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1891. First edition in this form. Two octavo volumes. 416 pages; 517 pages. Vignette titles in each volume. Map bound at the back of volume one. Vellum wallet-style binding with floral decoration around the borders of each volume. All edges gilt. Former owner's book plates on the front pastedown and front free endpaper of each volume. Both volumes in fine condition and housed in a matching vellum slipcase lined in red velvet. The vellum covering the top and right side of the slipcase has come unglued from the wood and there is some light soiling, else the slipcase is in good condition. Sold for: $262.90. |
| 57066 | Edmund G. Ross. History of the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, by the House of Representatives, and His Trial by the Senate for High Crimes and Misdemeanors in Office, 1868. Santa Fe: New Mexican Printing Company, 1896. First edition. Octavo. 180 pages. Grey cloth with titles stamped in blue on the front board. Light shelf wear. A beautiful copy in fine condition. Ross was a Kansas Senator who declined to follow the wishes of his constituents to convict Johnson. As a consequence, he was ostracized socially, ruined financially and driven from public life. At the close of his Senate term he joined the Democrats and in 1882 moved to Albuquerque. In 1885, President Grover Cleveland appointed him Governor of New Mexico Territory. This book was printed by a small territorial press in small quantities, ergo it is a rare work. Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57067 | Gen. Marcus J. Wright Ably Assisted by Col. Benjamin La Bree and James P. Boyd, A. M. Official and Illustrated War Record. Embracing Nearly One Thousand Pictorial Sketches by the Most Distinguished American Artists of Battles by Land and Sea. Camp and Field Scenes, Insignia of Rank and Leading Characters in the Civil War. Comprehensive and Impartial Histories of Military and Naval Operations, Compiled from the Official Data Furnished by Union and Confederate Departments, Commands, Corps, Divisions and Brigades. Portraits and Biographies of Northern and Southern Leaders. Elaborate Maps, Army and Navy Rosters, Battle-Lists, and Descriptions, Alphabetically and Chronologically Arranged; Numerous Tabular Statements of Cemeteries, Prisoners, Casualties, Expenditures, and Martial Matters Not Hitherto Accessible. Authentic Articles by Eminent Officials on the Uses of a Navy, Closing Days of Conflict, Origin and Meaning of Corps Badges, Object and Status of The Grand Army of the Republic and Confederate Veterans' Association. Washington: [Edward J. Stanley], 1898. First edition. Elephant folio. 585 pages. Numerous fold-out maps and scenes. Publisher's green cloth with gilt titles. Floral endpapers. Noticeable wear, bumping, and rubbing to the boards. Both hinges cracked, but holding. Previous owner's signature on the front pastedown. Front free endpaper disbound. Both front flyleaves torn and wrinkled. Interior text lightly toned, and some fold-out pages frayed at the edges. Good condition.Sold for: $358.50. |
| 57068 | Arthur L. Warner and J.D. Jerrold Kelley. Our Country's Defensive Forces in War and Peace. The United States Army and Navy. Their Histories, from the Era of the Revolution to the Close of the Spanish-American War; with Accounts of their Organization, Administration, and Duties. Akron [Ohio]: The Werner Company, 1899. First edition. Oblong folio (13.5 x 17.5 inches; 343 x 445 mm.). 241 pages. With forty-three full page chromolithographs. Accompanying tissue guards with captions printed in red. Title page and sectional headings printed in red and black. Publisher's full navy morocco, stylized side title stamped in gilt over a pictorial vignette stamped in gilt and six colors of ink, boards with beveled edges, top edge gilt, chocolate endpapers. Contemporary gift inscription on recto of second front flyleaf. Boards slightly rubbed, with small bits of loss to corners, exposing inner pasteboard. A .25 inch (12 mm.) long horizontal tear to the middle of the spine, also exposing the interior. Old tape repair to a vertical tear down the entire length of the front free endpaper, and to a tear to the lower edge of the first front flyleaf. Front free endpaper detached completely. Overall a very good copy. An attractive copy of this chronological account of the United States army and navy, with full-page chromolithographs depicting uniforms as well as scenes of battle from from the Revolution through the Spanish American War.Not Sold. |
| 57069 | [Abraham Lincoln]. John G. Nicolay and John Hay, editors. The Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln. With an Introduction by John Wesley Hill, and Special Articles by Other Eminent Persons. Lincoln Memorial University, [1905]. New and Enlarged Edition. Number 690 of the Sponsors Edition signed by John Wesley Hill on the second limitation page and presented in print to William E. Nickerson of Greenwich, Connecticut, a wealthy philanthropist and MIT-trained engineer who supported the Lincoln Memorial University. Twelve octavo volumes. Publisher's full red leather with gilt titles and decorations on the boards. Top edges gilt. Minimal shelf wear to the boards, with minor abrading to the front board of Volume I. A near fine presentation set of Lincoln writings.Sold for: $1,792.50. |
| 57070 | A.W. Ward, et al, editors. The Cambridge Modern History, Planned by the Late Lord Acton. Cambridge: University Press, 1907. Fifth edition. Fourteen octavo volumes including an Atlas, which contains approximately 140 colored maps. Bound in dark blue buckram with gilt lettering on spine. Top edge gilt. Mild to moderate wear to boards and spines; spines exhibit moderate and consistent sunning. Textblocks are uniformly clean and sharp; hinges sound. Very good condition. At the turn of the century, Acton devoted himself to coordinating the Cambridge Modern History project, securing, directing and overseeing the work of contributors. Physically exhausted just two years into the project, he suffered a stroke and died shortly thereafter. This monumental work is the result of his early efforts and would make an excellent addition to any history collection.Sold for: $14.00. |
| 57071 | Calvin Coolidge. Have Faith in Massachusetts. A Collection of Speeches and Messages by Calvin Coolidge. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1919. Second edition enlarged. Octavo. x. 275 pages. Inscribed by Coolidge on the front free endpaper: "To Bridgman School / for Boys / With best wishes / Calvin Coolidge". Original navy cloth with titles stamped in gilt on the spine and front board. A bit of wear on the spine ends, bumped corners and general shelf wear. Contents toned. Binding slightly shaken. Dust jacket toned with a few closed tears and loss at the spine ends. Very good. Sold for: $478.00. |
| 57072 | W.S. Holdsworth. Holdworth's History of English Law. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1922. Third edition. Nine octavo volumes, each with an Appendix. Blue buckram covers with gilt lettering on spine, all showing minor to moderate wear along board edges with a few bumped corners. Spines are very faintly faded, most with wear and bumping to spine ends. In very good to fine condition. Beginning with Anglo-Saxon times, the work is a comprehensive account of legal procedure and court organization through the 18th century.Sold for: $39.00. |
| 57073 | John J. Pershing. My Experiences in the World War. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1931. Author's autograph edition limited to 2100 numbered copies signed by the author on a page inserted in front. Two octavo volumes (complete). 400; 436 pages. With sixty-nine reproductions from photographs and numerous maps. Original khaki buckram. Stamped gilt title labels on the front board and spine with titles in black. Top edges gilt. Edges untrimmed. A beautiful set, virtually without flaw retaining their original dust jackets and in the original gold foil covered slipcase. The jackets are slightly chipped at the extremities and likewise the slipcase. In total, a handsome set of "Black Jack" Pershing's memoirs of the great war in fine condition. Sold for: $310.70. |
| 57074 | [Franklin Roosevelt]. The Democratic Book 1936. Philadelphia: C. Brill, 1936. First edition. Number 343 of 2,500 limited edition copies signed by Roosevelt on the limitation page. Folio. 384 pages. Publisher's brown padded leather with gilt lettering on front. Top edge gilt. Moderate shelf wear. Mildly rubbed and bumped corners. A few nicks to the boards. Light toning to various pages. Very good condition.Sold for: $1,673.00. |
| 57075 | Stefan Lorant. The Presidency [typescript]. [1951]. Typescript for what would become the first edition, published by Macmillan in 1951. Tall quarto (11 x 8.5 inches; 280 x 210 mm.). 603 leaves. With copious manuscript emendations in ink and pencil. Contemporary tan buckram, reddish brown morocco backstrip lettered and ruled in gilt, blue-grey laid paper endpapers. Spine faded by the sun to orange, and some staining at head of spine. Overall, in very good condition. The blueprint for this well-regarded political history and a highly interesting window into the author's compositional and editorial practice. Lorant's popular The Presidency: A Pictorial History of Presidential Elections from Washington to Truman was a National Education Association "Notable Book" for 1951.Not Sold. |
| 57076 | Lady Bird Johnson. A White House Diary. New York Chicago San Francisco: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, [1970]. Second printing. Bookplate signed by the author tipped-in at the front free endpaper. Octavo. 806 pages. Publisher's cream cloth over green cloth boards with gilt spine titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Minor edge wear to the price-clipped dust jacket, including a tiny closed tear to the top edge of the front panel, else a bright, near fine copy.Not Sold. |
| 57077 | [Springfield, MA]. Three Histories of Springfield, Massachusetts, including: Clara Skeele Palmer, editor. Annals of Chicopee Street, Records and Reminiscences of an Old New England Parish for a Period of Two Hundred Years. Chicopee, Massachusetts: [Springfield Printing and Binding Company], 1898. First edition. Small octavo. 91 pages. Photographs. Green cloth with gilt titles to front cover. Covers and edges rubbed; corners bumped. Inscribed by the author on front free endpaper. Laid in is photo card of the author, dated 1897. Also laid in is a personal handwritten letter to the author. Also laid in is a photograph of inscribee. Book is in good condition. [and:] Charles Wells Chapin. Sketches of the Old Inhabitants and Other Citizens of Old Springfield of the Present Century, and Its Historic Mansions of 'Ye Olden Tyme,' with One Hundred and Twenty-Four Illustrations and Sixty Autographs. Springfield: Press of Springfield Printing and Binding Company, 1893. First edition. Octavo. xi, 420 pages. Illustrated with photographs and portraits. Green cloth with gilt spine. Gilt and black stamped pictorial front cover. Some rubbing and minor wear to edges. Very good. [and:] Mason A. Green. Springfield, 1636-1886: History of Town and City, Including an Account of the Quarter-Millennial Celebration at Springfield, Mass., May 25 and 26, 1886. Springfield: C. A. Nichols & Co., 1888. Large octavo. 645 pages. Illustrated with engravings and maps (one folding). Frontispiece. Index. Rebound in cream cloth with gilt titles and decorations. Top edge gilt. Boards rubbed and soiled; bottom edge fraying. Corners bumped. Frontispiece heavily foxed. Two pages repaired with binder's tape along bottom edge. Contents are sound. Good.Not Sold. |
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Military & Patriotic |
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| 57078 | World War One Post Card Album containing 70 cards, including: 40 cards picturing German royalty and military scenes and 26 early German propaganda post cards. The royal cards show Kaiser Wilhelm II, Grand Duke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria, Prince Albrecht of Wurttemberg, and others. The military cards include groups of prewar German officers and flag bearers, most wearing various spiked helmets. The propaganda cards are generally in color and lampoon British, Russian, Belgian, Italian, French, and Japanese soldiers, monarchs, and politicians. All the cards are in excellent condition. A fine collection! Sold for: $239.00. |
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Books |
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| 57079 | Aaron Arrowsmith and Samuel Lewis. A New and Elegant Atlas. Comprising all the New Discoveries to the Present Time. Containing Sixty Three Maps, ... Boston: Published by Thomas & Andrews, 1812. Second edition. Quarto (10.5 x 8.75 inches; 267 x 222 mm.). [4] pages. With sixty-three copper-engraved maps of the world, two of which are folding. Contemporary limp calf, covers tooled in blind, somewhat in imitation of a stereographic polar projection, with single-fillet rays emanating to the single-fillet border from a center point around which three concentric circles and an octagon have also been blind tooled. The initials "I" and "W" rendered in a blind repeating dot pattern at the middle top edge of the front cover. Contemporary manuscript numbers to upper outer corner of each map. Scattered light foxing and toning. Offsetting from plates to blank versos of preceding maps. Lower edge of map 25 ("Chart of the East-India Islands, Etc.") torn away, unaffecting the map, but the leaf is trimmed close at top, just touching the latitude designations. Map 1 ("The World, Planisphere"), and map 30 ("The United States of America") with inexpert hand-coloring, and some maps highlighted in watercolor. Rubbing and wear to binding extremities. Fore-edge of front flyleaf tattered. Overall a very good copy. A handsome copy of this important American atlas, in a rustic but completely charming contemporary binding. The atlas, including a map that became "the primary map of the newly purchased territory of Louisiana and its surroundings" (Cohen), represented the sometimes limited geographical knowledge of the country at the time: Notably, the map of the United States extends just west of the Mississippi, which is completely blank except for a rough approximation of the Missouri River up to the 42nd parallel north, approximately. Originally printed in 1804, this second edition of Arrowsmith and Lewis' New and Elegant Atlas included the fifty-six maps that comprised the first edition, plus seven new ones: "Australasia" (with incomplete coastline), "Polynesia", "New-Granada", "Caraccas", "Peru", "Chili", and "La Plata". Cohen, p. 80. Phillips A-718.Sold for: $657.25. |
| 57080 | Earl of Dunraven, The Great Divide: Travels in the Upper Yellowstone in the Summer of 1874. London: Chatto and Windus, 1876. First edition. Octavo. 377 pages. Illustrated, with fold-out maps. Publisher's red cloth with gilt lettering and artwork. Attached inside the front cover are a small bookplate and a newspaper clipping from the Daily Express, dated (handwritten in pencil) June 15, 1926, reporting the death of Lord Dunraven, focusing, not on his writing, but on his reputation as a yachtsman and breeder of horses. The book is in good condition: the cloth binding is beginning to become loose from the spine, and there is some acidification on the title page and front endpaper (from the newspaper clipping).Sold for: $448.13. |
| 57081 | Patrick Gass. A Journal of the Voyages and Travels of a Corps of Discovery, under the Command of Capt. Lewis and Capt. Clarke of the Army of the United States, from the Mouth of the River Missouri through the Interior Parts of North America to the Pacific Ocean, during the Years 1804, 1805 & 1806. Containing an Authentic Relation of the Most Interesting Transactions during the Expedition, a Description of the Country, and an Account of Its Inhabitants, Soil, Climate, Curiosities and Vegetable and Animal Productions. By Patrick Gass, One of the Persons Employed in the Expedition. With Geographical and Explanatory Notes by the Publisher. Pittsburgh: Printed by Zadok Cramer, for David M'Keehan, Publisher and Proprietor, 1807. Rare first edition of the earliest published first-hand account of the Lewis and Clark expedition, preceding the official report by seven years. Twelvemo (6.3125 x 4.0625 inches; 161 x 103 mm.). viii, [1, fly-title], [1, blank], [11]-262 pp. Bound without the final blank leaf. Modern brown cloth with brown leather spine label ruled and lettered in gilt. Corners and spine extremities lightly rubbed. Paper slightly browned, with the usual foxing, a few upper corners creased, a few leaves closely trimmed at the outer edge, not affecting text. Two-inch closed tear to the gutter margin of the title, not affecting any text, early ink signature at head of title (with last name inked out), red ink stamp erased from title, resulting in two tiny holes, affecting a couple of letters in the copyright notice on the recto and a couple of letters on the verso. Additional red ink stamp at foot of p. 95, covered with a strip of paper. Leaves G1, G2, and G3 (pp. 73-78) creased (paper flaw), with a short tear to the outer blank margin of G2 (pp. 75/76), not affecting text. Short tear (paper flaw) to the upper blank margin of O4 (pp. 163/164). Several leaves creased after printing, sometimes partially concealing a line or two of text (most noticeable on P2 (pp. 171/172), P5 (pp. 177/178), T2 (pp. 219/220), and T5 (pp. 225/226)). Slight dampstaining to the first few leaves and to gathering P (pp. 169-180). Overall, a very good copy. "Born in Pennsylvania in 1771, Patrick Gass early demonstrated a determination to travel and explore the little-known portions of the West. A soldier in Illinois when Lewis and Clark arrived there, Gass circumvented his commanding officer's objections by applying personally to Lewis for a place in the Corps of Discovery. He signed on as a private but was subsequently elected sergeant by the enlisted men of the group, replacing Sergeant Floyd after his death. Although he had not learned to read and write until an adult, Gass nonetheless complied with Lewis's orders that each sergeant keep a daily journal. The Gass journal thus resulted from Jefferson's insistence on multiple and copious record-keeping by the expedition members. The original manuscript of the journal disappeared, but M'Keehan's edition based on Gass's notes presumably preserved the factual content if not the tone of the original. The published account was faulted with a 'provoking dryness' and a disappointing lack of commentary, but it has proven a useful check as to places and dates. Paul Cutright points out, in his History of the Lewis and Clark Journal, that the competent carpenter who helped build Forts Mandan and Clatsop also provided valuable details about these projects as well as the only description of the method by which certain tribes constructed their lodges. As Cutright observes, Gass became one of the best-known members of the expedition for several reasons: his key role as sergeant brought his name up frequently in the journals of Lewis and Clark; his account was the first to be published; he was the first to have a biography written about him; and finally, he outlived the other members of the Corps of Discovery by decades, dying at the age of ninety-nine in 1870" (Wagner-Camp). Graff 1516. Howes G77. Sabin 26741. Streeter 3120 ("one of the essential books for an Americana collection"). Wagner-Camp 6:1.Sold for: $7,170.00. |
| 57082 | William Klein. Rome: The City and Its People. New York: A Studio Book, The Viking Press, [1959]. First edition. Quarto. 189 pages. Elaborately illustrated with black and white photographs taken by William Klein. Publisher's black cloth covers with the spine lettered in white. Colorfully illustrated dust jacket. Black and white illustrated endpapers. Slight tears to the head and foot of the spine and edges of the jacket. Altogether a clean and near fine copy. Artistically avant-garde photographer and painter William Klein (April 19, 1928) captures the essence of Rome in this stunning work, juxtaposing holy and evil, living and dying, love and misery, rich and poor. Although he was originally from New York, Klein focused much of his life in Europe, especially in France and Italy. Slightly prior to the publication of this work, he received the Prix Nadar for his first book, New York, which was published in France in 1957. Reminiscent of "street photographer" Robert Frank in their intensity of personal vision, and crime photographer Arthur "Weegee" Fellig in their grittiness, but with touches of humor and less shock value, William Klein's photographs are as compelling today as when they first appeared. This is the sought-after second book of William Klein's four "city books," published four years after his first book, "New York," and preceding the "Moscow" and "Tokyo" books.Sold for: $310.70. |
| 57083 | Two Maps by Capt. R. B. Marcy, 5th U. S. Infantry, including: Map of the Country Between the Frontiers of Arkansas and New Mexico embracing the sections explored in 1849. 50. 51. & 52. by Capt. R. B. Marcy 5th U. S. Infy. Under orders from the War Department. Also a continuation of the emigrant road from Fort Smith and Fulton down the Valley of the Gila. Printed at Ackerman Litho, New York. Shows the Native American territories within significant portions of New Mexico, Texas, Missouri, the Oklahoma territory, Louisiana, Arkansas, and northern Mexico. Measures approximately 59" x 28.5". Disbound. Whole map present in three pieces, as two 9" x 6" sections (one of which is the portion of the map attached to the rear pastedown) of the upper left corner have separated. Usual folds. A few areas of separation and one vertical tear along the bottom left edge [and:] Map of the Country Upon Upper Rio-River Explored in 1852. by Capt. R. B. Marcy 5th U. S. Infy. Assisted by Bvt. Capt. G. B. McClellan U. S. Engs. Under Orders from the Headquarters of the U. S. Army. Printed at Ackerman Litho, New York. Shows the Native American territories within the Red River region of northern Texas and the southern Oklahoma territory west to the Llano Estacado. Disbound. Whole map present in two pieces (one of which is the 9" x 6" portion of the map attached to the front pastedown, separated at the top right of the map). Usual folds. A few areas of separation and one horizontal tear along the left edge. Measures approximately 33.5" x 18". Both maps are folded to a size of 5.5" x 9.25" and housed between tooled brown cloth boards, once bound-in but now disbound. Two great maps for the collector interested in Indian territories of the mid-19th century around the mid-Southern American states and northern Mexico.Sold for: $448.13. |
| 57084 | J[ohn] N. Macomb. Report of the Exploring Expedition from Santa Fé, New Mexico, to the Junction of the Grand and Green Rivers of the Great Colorado of the West, in 1859, under the Command of Capt. J. N. Macomb, Corps of Topographical Engineers (Now Colonel of Engineers); with Geological Report by Prof. J. S. Newberry, Geologist of the Expedition. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1876. First edition. Large quarto (11 9/16 x 9 3/16 inches; 294 x 233 mm.). vii, [1, blank], 152 pages. Eleven numbered chromolithographed plates by J. J. Young from sketches by Dr. J. S. Newberry, with tissue guards, three lithographed plates, and eight numbered lithographed plates of fossils, each with a leaf of descriptive text. Plates lithographed by T. Sinclair & Son of Philadelphia. Complete with the large folding "Map of Explorations and Surveys in New Mexico and Utah Made under the Direction of the Secretary of War by Capt. J. N. Macomb Topl. Engrs. Assisted by C. H. Dimmock, C. Engr. 1860") (often lacking, described by Wheat (Mapping the Transmississippi West) as "one of the most beautiful maps ever published by the Army." At head of title: Engineer Department, U. S. Army. "General Report": pp. [3]-8; "Geological Report. By J. S. Newberry, M. D., LL. D., Geologist to the Expedition": pp. [9]-118; "Descriptions of the Cretaceous Fossils Collected on the San Juan Exploring Expedition under Capt. J. N. Macomb, U. S. Engineers. By F. B. Meek": pp. [119]-133; "Descriptions of the Carboniferous and Triassic Fossils Collected on the San Juan Exploring Expedition under Capt. J. N. Macomb, U. S. Engineers. By J. S. Newberry, Geologist of the Expedition:" pp. [135]-148. Publisher's dark brown sand-grain cloth with covers ruled in blind and spine ruled and lettered in gilt with gilt device at foot of spine. Corners and spine extremities, with cloth fraying, a few splits to cloth on joints, upper corners bumped, affecting the upper corner of the text block front hinge starting, small dark stain to cloth on spine, and a few small areas of discoloration to cloth on covers. Paper very slightly browned, but except for some occasional minor soiling, this copy is very clean internally. Two short marginal tears to the large folding map (not affecting image), a few short splits at folds. Ink stamp of the Appalachian Mountain Club, Boston, on title. An excellent copy. "[The San Juan expedition] showed conclusively that no feasible supply route existed leading into the Great Basin from that direction. However, in the realm of geography and geology its implications were considerable. The whole drainage of the San Juan had been traced and the relationship of that river with the Colorado clearly established. More important, they had also established that the Green River united with the Grand to form the Colorado. The entire maze of intricate canyon country had been threaded, and its geography revealed for the first time. In addition, Newberry was able to establish numerous stratigraphic columns, and to trace the Triassic, Jurassic, and Carboniferous strata far out across the Colorado River...Newberry...introduced a new level of sophistication into the study of western geology...Of Newberry it might be said that more than any other scientist since Frémont he had opened up new and unknown country to the civilized world" (Goetzmann, Army Exploration in the American West, 1803-1863). Graff 2647. Howes M179 ("Publication of this report was intended for 1861, but the Civil War compelled a delay of fifteen years").Sold for: $1,792.50. |
| 57085 | Henry H. Pierce. Report of an Expedition From Fort Colville to Puget Sound, Washington Territory, by Way of Lake Chelan and Skagit River, During the Months of August and September, 1882, Made by First Lieut. Henry H. Pierce, Adjutant 21st Infantry, Under the Orders of Brig. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, Commanding the Department of the Columbia. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1883. First edition. Octavo. 25 pages. Folding map. Original blue printed wrappers. A handsome copy with the slightest separation along the lower one inch of the spine and some very light toning to covers. Howes P354. Sold for: $956.00. |
| 57086 | J[ohn] W[esley] Powell. Canyons of the Colorado. With Many Illustrations. Meadville, PA: Flood & Vincent, The Chautauqua-Century Press, 1895. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front flyleaf: "Yours Cordially / J. W. Powell." Additionally inscribed on the front flyleaf: "Mary C. Clark." Large quarto (11.375 x 8.5625 inches; 289 x 217 mm.). [2, half-title], xiv, [15]-400, [1, advertisement for the Santa Fé Railroad], [1, blank] pages. Title printed in red and black. Frontispiece portrait, numerous plates, including ten double-page views of the Grand Canyon, and text illustrations. Contemporary half burgundy roan or hard-grain morocco, ruled in gilt, over maroon fine diagonally-ribbed cloth. Front cover ruled and lettered in gilt, spine decoratively panelled in blind and lettered in gilt in compartments with five raised bands, marbled endpapers. Rebacked at an early date, with original spine laid down, and with some corners renewed. Boards detached. Short tear to the upper blank margin of pp. 55/56, short tear to the lower blank margin of pp. 119/120 and 281/282. Small stain to the outer edge of the last few leaves. An excellent copy, despite the failing binding, of this scarce work, which was privately printed in a small edition. One of American's great explorers, John Wesley Powell (1834-1902) "planned and led the first boat expedition through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. The exploration party consisted of ten men, and their means of transport was four small rowing boats. The boats were launched in the Green River, a tributary of the Colorado, in south-west Wyoming on 24 May 1869, and the expedition emerged from the mouth of the Grand Canyon three months later, on 29 August. On this trip, Powell made the first important geological observations of the geology of the canyon, and demonstrated that it originated by river erosion into rocks that had been slowly elevated. As a result of his several geological expeditions to the Rocky Mountains, Powell became interested in, and made a special study of, the native peoples of the area and their languages. In order to curate his work with the native peoples, he founded and directed the Bureau of Ethnology within the Smithsonian Institution. Between 1874 and 1879, Powell directed the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories, jointly carrying out both geological and enthnological field studies in Utah, Nevada, California, New Mexico, and Arizona. During this period, realizing that access to water imposed a limit on development of the western states, he made the first extensive studies of the water supplies available in the arid south-west of the United States. In 1879, the United States Geographical and Geological Survey was incorporated into the United States Geological Survey under the directorship of Clarence King. When King resigned his directorship in 1881, Powell was appointed his successor, carrying out the tasks associated with the directorships of both the Ethnological Bureau and the Geological Survey. He administered both offices until 1894, when he resigned the office of Director of the U.S. Geological Survey in order to devote more time to ethnological studies" (The Oxford Companion to the Earth). "This book differs in so many respects from the report of 1875 [Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries; Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, under the Direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution] that it is here given the status of a separate title. Not only has the narrative been revised and augmented, but there are several new chapters and a great many new illustrations. Included in the latter are adaptations from the superb sketches of William H. Holmes which are featured in the Dutton atlas [Tertiary History of the Grand Cañon District, with Atlas (Washington: 1882)]...Altogether, it is a handsome book; also a scarce one" (Farquhar). Farquhar, Colorado River, 43. Graff 3335. Howes P527 ("aa") ("First complete narrative; his earlier reports were largely devoted to scientific data").Sold for: $7,170.00. |
| 57087 | James H. Simpson. Journal of a Military Reconnaissance, From Santa Fé, New Mexico, to the Navajo Country, Made With the Troops Under Command of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel John M. Washington, Chief of Ninth Military Department, and Governor of New Mexico, in 1849. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo and Co., 1852. First edition. Octavo. 140 pages, 16 page publisher's catalog. Seventy-five plates as called for (numbers 2, 21, and 39 not issued), many of which are colored or tinted. Large fold out by Edward M. Kern. Original brown cloth with rules and decoration stamped in blind on the boards and titles stamped in gilt on the spine. Front and back endpapers and pastedown used as publisher's catalog. Boards worn at the edges, head and foot of the spine and corners. A 3.5" crack in the front joint and a 1" crack in the joint at the top of the rear board. Contents sound and reasonably bright. Light foxing and staining to the preliminary pages. Light foxing throughout. An admirable copy in very good condition. Though the object of the original expedition was "the chastisement of the Navajo Indians", Simpson thoroughly documented the scenery and indigenous people that he encountered. The expedition also discovered the ruins in Chaco and Chelly canyons. Howes S498. Wagner-Camp 218, Graff 3789, Wheat 641. Sold for: $896.25. |
| 57088 | Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves. Report of an Expedition Down the Zuni and Colorado Rivers. (Thirty-second Congress. Second Session. Senate.) Washington: Robert Armstrong, 1853. First edition. Octavo. 198 pages. Folding map. Twenty-three views, etc. [no plate no. 14 was ever issued]. Six animal plates. Five bird plates [no plate no. 2 issued]. Twenty-one reptile plates [no plate no. 12 issued, and plates no. 10 and 13 are repeated]. Three fish plates. Twenty-one botany plates [one not listed]. Half leather binding with marbled boards, four compartments between four raised bands on the spine. Rules and titles stamped in gilt on the spine. Marbled endpapers. Joints cracked (the rear board the more so), with significant wear to the extremities. Contents toned with a few areas of light foxing. Collation notes in pencil on the verso of the front free endpaper. Sound copy, worthy of professional conservation, in very good condition. This copy is from the library of bird fancier and antiquarian book collector Ruthven Deane. Deane's book plate is affixed to the front pastedown and he has signed the second front free endpaper "Ruthvan Deane / 1.Mch.1879". Also attached to the second front free endpaper is a contemporary obituary of Dr. Samuel W. Woodhouse. Woodhouse was in charge of the ornithological part of the 1853 expedition and authored the chapter on birds. A two-page autograph letter from Samuel W. Woodhouse to Deane is inserted at the chapter on birds. The letter is dated May 28, 1900 and is addressed to "Mr. Ruthven Deane / President of the Illinois Audubon Society". The letter reads in part: "I have received from / the Photographer copies of myself / taken three weeks ago. I send / you a copy by mail...If you are at any / time in this city I shall be / pleased to see you." An important book with a remarkable association. Howes S521.Sold for: $717.00. |
| 57089 | [Willem and Joan Blaeu, cartographers]. Parte Alpestre dello Stato di Milano con il Lago Maggiro di Luganno, e di Como. [Amsterdam: Blaeu, 1645]. Folio sheet (19.5 x 23 .75 inches; 495 x 603 mm.). Engraved copperplate map of 15.125 x 20 inches (384 x 508 mm.) on recto; letterpress text on verso. Map with contemporary hand coloring. Some light foxing to margins, and some short tears to edges, wholly unaffecting image. Overall a very good copy. A lovely copy of a copper engraved map from Blaeu's celebrated Atlas Major of 1645, depicting the "Alpine Part of the State of Milan", and featuring that capital city, Lake Como, and Lake Lugano. With contemporary hand coloring, and an historiated cartouche with a fisherman and huntsman. Van der Krogt 2.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57090 | James Anderson. Essays Relating to Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Edinburgh: Printed for William Creech and T. Cadell, London., 1777. Second edition. Two octavo volumes (8.25 x 5 inches; 210 x 127 mm.). [4], xxii, 500; [2], xxxii, 413, [1] pages. With three engraved folding plates relating to draning and enclosures, and eighteen engraved plates of grasses. Half red-brown calf over marbled boards, spines tooled in gilt in compartments, gilt black morocco lettering piece, edges sprinkled blue, marbled endpapers. Lower outer corner of leaf N2 in volume 1 torn, and lower outer corner of N2 in volume 2 clipped, in both instances unaffecting text. Toning along edges of volume 1 half title. Plates 2, 3, 7, and [15] in volume 2 each with a small hole, and each recently backed. Overall a very good set. Anderson (1739-1808) -- farmer, economist, chemist, and inventor of the Scotch plough -- is best remembered as the author of two tracts from 1777 (the Observations and Inquiry) which delineate his differential theory of rent based on the extensive margin. The present work, a second, expanded edition published in the same year as Anderson's famous tracts, is of a far more practical nature; indeed, as George Edwin Fussell writes, "Anderson was in the most precise sense a miscellaneous writer ... much of his contribution was severely practical as might be expected from a man of his experience ... He turned to the farmer and saw him isolated and ill informed, so he decided to publish 'a concise view of all those subjects that ought to demand the farmer's attention'" (More Old English Farming Books, pp. 104-106). Goldsmith I, 11233.Sold for: $262.90. |
| 57091 | John James Audubon. "Mephitis Mesoleuca, Licht. Texan Skunk. Natural Size" [Plate LIII from The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America]. Philadelphia: T. Bowen, 1845. Hand-colored lithograph on a Columbier folio sheet (27.375 x 21.5 inches; 695 x 546 mm.). Nineteenth century wove paper. Light toning. Uneven, darker toning marks the edges of an old matte (matte removed). Top edge with old adhesive remnants. Short tears around edges repaired with tape on verso. A bit of loss to top right corner, and a smaller chip to lower edge. Overall, a very good copy that will display nicely behind glass in a new mat and frame.Not Sold. |
| 57092 | John James Audubon. "Canis Lupus, Linn Var Rufus. Red Texan Wolf. Male" [Plate LXXXII from The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America]. Philadelphia: T. Bowen, 1845. Hand-colored lithograph on a Columbier folio sheet (27.375 x 21.5 inches; 695 x 546 mm.). Nineteenth century wove paper. Light toning. Uneven, darker toning marks the edges of an old matte (matte removed). Top edge with old adhesive remnants. Short tears around edges repaired with tape on verso. Small bits of loss to two corners. Overall, a very good copy that will display nicely behind glass in a new matte and frame. Nissen ZBI 162; Reese, American Color Plate Books 36; Sabin 2367.Not Sold. |
| 57093 | John James Audubon. The Birds of America from Drawings Made in the United States and Their Territories. No. [63]. New York: J.J. Audubon; Philadephia: J.B. Chevalier, [1843]. Part 63 from the first octavo edition. Octavo (10.75 x 7 inches; 273 x 177 mm.). 173-200 pages. With five hand-colored lithograph plates, complete with original tissue guards. Also with two loose plates from earlier parts, Pl. 8 from No. 2 ("Harlan's Buzzard") and Pl. 16 from No. 4 ("Black-shouldered Elanus"). Original printed beige paper wrappers. Manuscript number "63" inscribed after printed "No." on front wrapper. Scattered light foxing, most especially to tissue guards. A subtle short tear to fore-edge of rear wrapper with a very early tape repair. Overall a very good copy. A handsome copy of a scarce item. Audubon sold his first octavo edition of the Birds of America by subscription, issued in 100 parts from 1841-1844. Nearly all subscribers bound up the parts in seven volumes upon the work's completion, discarding the wrappers. Thus individual parts with the wrappers intact, like the present lot, are extremely rare. Ayer/Zimmer, p. 22. Nissen, IVB, 51. Sabin 2364.Sold for: $1,912.00. |
| 57094 | John James Audubon. "Florida Cormorant" [Plate CCLII from The Birds of America]. London: R.Havell, 1835. Hand-colored aquatint engraving on an elephant folio sheet. Overall sheet size: 25.25 x 36.75 inches (640 x 934 mm.); plate mark: 19.75 x 26.375 inches (502 x 670 mm.) Nineteenth century wove paper. Slightly wrinkled and light toning. Because it was matted at an early date, the margins of the image are more darkly and unevenly toned than the image and caption. Edges with old adhesive remnants. Top edge with short tear, unevenly trimmed. A small brown spot just below the bird's tail feathers. Overall, a very good copy that will display nicely behind glass in a new matte and frame. Nissen 49. Anker 17. Sitwell, Buchanan and Fisher p. 57.Not Sold. |
| 57095 | John James Audubon. The Birds of America, from Drawings Made in the United States and Their Territories. New York: Published by J. J. Audubon; Philadelphia: J. B. Chevalier, 1840-1844. First octavo edition. Seven large octavo volumes (10.375 x 6.6875 inches; 264 x 170 mm.). [iii]-viii, [249]-256 ("List of Subscribers"), [2, Introduction], [11]-246; [iii]-vii, [1, blank], [201]-205 ("List of Subscribers Since the Publication of the First Volume"), [1, blank], [2, blank], [11]-199, [1, blank]; [iii]-viii, [9]-233, [1, blank], [1, "Names of Subscribers Obtained Since the Last Volume"], [1, blank]; [iii]-viii, [9]-321, [1, blank], [1, "Names of Subscribers Obtained Since the Last Volume"], [1, blank]; [iii]-viii, [9]-346, [1, "Names of Subscribers Since the Last Volume"], [1, blank]; [iii]-viii, [9]-457, [1, blank], [1, "Names of New Subscribers"], [1, blank]; [iii]-ix, [1, blank], [9]-371, [1, blank], [1, "Names of New Subscribers"], [1, blank] pages. Bound without the half-titles, but with the lists of subscribers. With 500 hand-colored lithographed plates by W. E. Hitchcock, R. Trembley, and others after Audubon, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen of Philadelphia (Plates 1-135 and 151-500) and George Endicott of New York (Plates 136-150). This set appears to have been bound without Plate 17 ("Mississippi Kite"), which should face p. 73 in Volume I, and it has been supplied from another copy. Plate 196 (facing p. 170 in Volume III) misnumbered 160. Woodcuts in the text. A few stab marks visible. Contemporary half dark brown leather, ruled in gilt, over marbled boards. Spines decoratively panelled and lettered in gilt in compartments. Edges sprinkled reddish brown. Unfortunately, the binding on this set has seen better days-the spines have all but perished, several boards are detached, the hinges of Volume I have been reinforced with cloth tape, and Volume V has been rebacked with cloth tape. Volume I has a small paper repair (measuring approximately one and a half inches by one and three-quarter inches) to the lower gutter margin of the title, not affecting text. There is some light to moderate foxing, as usual, heavier to the text leaves and tissue guards, and minor thumbsoiling to a few of the plates. Despite these flaws, this is an excellent set and wouild be a good candidate for rebinding, with the plates generally fine and fresh. Bookplate of E. A. Wadsworth, Geneseo, N. Y., on the front pastedown of each volume. "The octavo edition of Audubon's Birds was probably the greatest commercial success of any color plate book issued in 19th-century America. While Audubon had become internationally famous in the course of producing the double elephant folio edition of the Birds in London between 1826 and 1839, it was this octavo version, issued at $100, which achieved widespread circulation and brought the work into the homes of many well-to-do Americans. Originally issued in one hundred parts, the set was published over a five-year period and was complete in seven volumes" (William S. Reese, Stamped with a National Character: Nineteenth-Century American Color Plate Books, 34). "The purely ornithological text of Audubon's 'Ornithological Biography,' 1831-39, revised and rearranged by the author according to his 'A Synopsis of the Birds of North America,' 1839, with much additional matter but with the 'Delineation of American Scenery and Manner' omitted. The plates are modified copies of those of the original folio, 'The Birds of America,' 1827-38, reduced by camera lucida and lithographed. Some of the backgrounds are entirely changed, others greatly modified, and the original composition is altered so that but one species is represented on a plate. In the case of four species, each occupies two plates, and in one case (pl. 88), the figures of two originals (pll. XXXV and XCV) have been combined on one plate. There are 7 species of the 'Ornithological Biography' and 'Synopsis' which are figured here for the first time and 17 new forms are added in an appendix. The plates are rearranged in accordance with the text and renumbered in sequence to correspond. In Vol. III the names on pll. 187 and 188 are transposed, and curiously enough, this error is perpetuated throughout all the subsequent 8vo editions of the work. This edition, which is the only 8vo published by the author himself, was issued in 100 parts, 14 of which are found in each of Vols. I-VI, and 16 in Vol. VII" (Ayer/Zimmer). Ayer/Zimmer, p. 22. Bennett, p. 5. Grolier, 100 American, 45. McGill/Wood, p. 208. Nissen, IVB, 51. Sabin 2364. Sold for: $65,725.00. |
| 57096 | Geo[rge] Catlin. Illustrations of the Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North American Indians with Letters and Notes Written during Eight Years of Travel and Adventure among the Wildest and Most Remarkable Tribes Now Existing. With Three Hundred and Sixty Engravings, from the Author's Original Paintings. In Two Volumes. Tenth Edition. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1866. Deluxe issue of the tenth edition (first published in 1841 with title: Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North American Indians), one of a small number of copies issued by the publisher with the etchings colored by hand. Two octavo volumes (9.5625 x 6 inches; 244 x 153 mm.). With 180 numbered plates, including hand-colored etched frontispiece and 308 hand-colored etchings (on 176 leaves), some heightened with gum arabic, and three hand-colored engraved maps (one folding), all after Catlin. With guard leaves. Contemporary (publisher's) half red hard-grain morocco, ruled in blind, over marbled boards. Spines ruled in blind in six compartments with five raised bands, ruled and lettered in gilt in two compartments, the remaining four compartments tooled in gilt alternately with an Indian portrait and a crossed tomahawk and peace pipe, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers. Binding lightly rubbed, front hinge of Volume I and both hinges of Volume II cracked, but sound. Some occasional light to moderate foxing, mostly to the text and guard leaves. Volume I with some scattered marginal pencil point markings. A very attractive copy, with the plates generally clean and fresh, and handsomely colored. "These plates, or rather etchings, although merely outlines, are well executed, and appear to be very faithful representation of the objects and scenes described in the book...A considerable part of these letters were published in the New York papers, as early as the years 1832 and 1833. His paintings, from which the plates were taken, and a collection of Indian manufactures, were exhibited for many years in Piccadilly, London" (Rich, quoted in Sabin). "A young lawyer turned portraitist, George Catlin [1796-1872] traveled west from his home in Pennsylvania in 1830 to fulfill his dream of recording on canvas the North American Indians and their way of life. It was his desire, he said, to paint 'faithful portraits of their principal personages, both men and women, from each tribe, views of their villages, games, etc., and [to keep] full notes on their character and history. I designed, also, to procure their costumes, and a complete collection of their manufactures and weapons, and to perpetuate them in a Gallery Unique, for the use and instruction of future ages'...By the end of the decade, the project had reached its conclusion. The result was Catlin's 'Indian Gallery,' consisting of an enormous collection of artifacts, of tools, implements, ceremonial equipment, weapons, and costumes, as well as more than four hundred paintings-scenes of tribal life in addition to the portraits. Shortly after taking his whole 'Gallery' to England for an extended period, Catlin published the first of his many editions of Letters and Notes, which had begun as a series of articles that ran in the New York Commercial Advertiser, July 24, 1832-September 30, 1787. Catlin illustrated his book with line-cut reductions of his original paintings, and in the text described his adventurous years among the Indians. He recorded his observations of ceremonies, dances, hunting methods, forms of warfare, and the ways of daily living among the major tribes of the high plains and the Rocky Mountains" (Wagner-Camp, pp. 198-199). Field 260. Howes C241. McCracken 8K. Sabin 11537. Streeter 4277.Sold for: $22,705.00. |
| 57097 | John Clark. Observations on Fevers, Especially those of the Continued Type; and on the Scarlet Fever attended with Ulcerated Sore-Throat, As it appeared at Newcastle upon Tyne in the year 1778; Together with A comparative View of that Epidemic with the Scarlet Fever as described by Authors, and the Angina Maligna. By John Clark, M.D.. One of the Physicians to the Newcastle Dispensary. London: Printed for T. Cadell, in the Strand, 1780. First edition. Octavo. xviii, 398, [1, errata; 1, ad for: " John Clark, M.D. Observations on the Diseases in Long Voyages to Hot Countries, and particularly on those which prevail in the East Indies... Published by order of the Court of the Directors of the Honourable East India Company..."] pages. Contemporary calf, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Light soiling and staining, a bit of foxing and browning, but altogether a very good, handsome copy. Clark's first book, Observations on the Diseases in Long Voyages to Hot Countries, and particularly on those which prevail in the East Indies... first appeared in 1773, and was re-issued in 1775, then also appeared in two later editions. His studies were indispensable to the understanding of scurvy and fever, work which he continued to explore in the present book, published in 1780. John Clark (died 1805), physician, had some early medical training in Edinburgh and London, before taking up an appointment as surgeon's mate in the East India Company in 1768. Observations was his first book, and relates chiefly to his experiences on board the East Indiaman Talbot. Wide-ranging in scope, the work is best known for Clark's use of therapeutic trials to study scurvy and 'fevers'. Clark compared the below-average death rate among the crew of the Talbot with that of seven other crews stationed at Bengal, arguing that the success of his method was due to his early and liberal use of Peruvian bark (quinine). The work also provides a good survey of antiscorbutic measures in the years just before Cook's medal-winning work on scurvy. "While a surgeon with the Honourable East India Company, John Clark had kept meteorological and case registers, observing that this had "served to beguile the tediousness of many a vacant hour at sea, to collect and arrange them" (Clark 1792, p v). The Army's Surgeon-in-Chief, Sir John Pringle, recommended copious bleeding for fevers, and it was after three of Clark's fever patients became unconscious after such treatment that he resolved no longer to rely upon any system based on theory and authority, but upon his own observations. As a consequence, he soon changed to Peruvian (cinchona) bark, and was able to report twenty illustrative cases from a variety of climates and countries. He was aware of the danger of reporting bias: he included fatal cases because he did not consider the citation of successful cases alone to be a sound basis for evaluating a therapy. "Clark presented a succinct numerical statement based on all cases of fever and dysentery over a certain period, together with the events and characteristics associated with them. Whilst in India, he compared the overall mortality in the crews of seven ships in which no bark had been used, with that in the crew of his own ship, the "Talbot Indiaman". Mortality was generally slightly lower on the Talbot (11 patients dead out of 108), especially when compared with another ship sailing at the same time and by the same route (40 patients dead out of 117). Admittedly, some seamen on both ships had died from other ailments and accidents, but fever and dysentery had been the most prevalent disorders (Clark 1773, p 150-1, 261-3). "In all his later publications, Clark drew attention to the indispensability of numerical returns for the improvement of medical science, drawing attention to the use of statistics to evaluate the effects of inoculation as an example of how to evaluate results of therapy. His publications readily acknowledged his indebtedness to others - to Lind and Blane, to his "ingenious and accurate" friend Haygarth of Chester, and to the "penetrating genius of Dr Millar". Furthermore, he set an example himself, firstly in his determination to assess the usefulness of his dispensary at Newcastle in response to his opponents on the staff of the Infirmary, and secondly to analyse the success of his private practice. He deemed this especially necessary given that he was prescribing a "revolutionary" treatment for continuous fevers, namely, replacing bleeding by cinchona bark. "Clark's first report from Newcastle was included in his Observations on Fevers (1780), which was dedicated to John Gregory (an unaltered 3rd edition appeared in 1809). It had evolved from his work in the East Indies: not only were there 48 detailed cases illustrating his therapy, but Clark felt that "in order to determine the success from the result of general practice, it will be proper to give an account of the proportional number of patients who recovered, to those who died" (Clark 1780). During the two years from October 1777 to 1779 he had 203 cases of continual fever, 196 of whom recovered. The six patients who died were analysed in detail (one of the 203 patients was discharged "for irregularity"). Similarly Clark gave the results of all the cases of scarlet fever with ulcerated sore throats whom he had attended, both in the dispensary and in his private practice. "A rare feature of Clark's compilation was a breakdown by age and sex of all the cases in the general table. These tables show the overlap of the Hippocratic and Galenic pathogenic concepts of disease with the new ontogenic approach. This was an attempt to fulfil the requirements of Hippocratic medicine on the one hand - regarding each case separately - as well as those of the arithmetic analysis of mass observation - an issue still relevant to the clinical researcher today. In Clark's opinion, accurate returns of the sick "properly executed, in a tabular method", would produce great advantages for the understanding of diseases and thence of their cures (Clark 1780, p 370). Hitherto, results had been generally indicated "so exceedingly vague[ly], that it is impossible to judge of the success of the practice" (Clark 1780, p 369). "When Clark was preparing a second edition of his earlier book on Diseases in Long Voyages (1792), he used his connections with the East India Company to access to the day-books in which the Company's surgeons had recorded their work, a practice that had started in 1770. Clark's motivation for doing this was to verify the success of the treatment he had recommended for fevers in 1773. A young physician went through the returns for 1770 to 1775 for fever only. Every journal had to be looked at, because Clark made clear that he would have no confidence in partial extracts. In total he could report on 189 cases in which treatment and "event" could be precisely traced: 105 had recovered, 84 had died. Given the circumstances of the latter, he judged early administration of the bark to have been a successful therapy. "As a result of this research, Clark suggested ways in which the Company's day-books could be improved. They had consisted only of a chronological recording of cases, and he recommended monthly analyses, grouped according to diagnoses, and a similar but longer summary at the end of each voyage. This would give the ship-surgeon and his superiors insights into morbidity and the success of treatment, and would yield standard data so that a central report could be prepared containing material from all the Company's ships. The periodical publication of such a report would encourage medical officers, and "treatment would attain the highest possible perfection, enabling an immense number of lives to be saved for the community". This was reflected the methods used since the 1770s by Robertson in the Navy and by Lettsom and Millar in dispensaries." (-- Tröhler U (1978). Quantification in British medicine and Surgery 1750-1830, with special reference to its introduction into therapeutics. PhD Thesis, University of London: 346-396. & Tröhler U (2000). "To improve the evidence of medicine": The 18th century British origins of a critical approach." Edinburgh: Royal College of Physicians, 2000:59-68.).Sold for: $776.75. |
| 57098 | Marcus Vulson de La Colombière. La Science Heroiqve. Paris: Chez Sebastien Cramoisy, Imprimeur ordinaire du Roy, et Gabriel Cramoisy, 1644. First edition. Folio (16 x 11 inches; 408 x 280 mm.). [16],494, 38 [Genealogie Svccinte de la Maison de Rosmadec], [2, blank], [3, alphabetic table], [1, blank], [18, index for La Science Heroiqve], [2, blank] pages. With engraved general and separate (i.e. Rosmadec) titles, engraved device on general letterpress title, a different engraved device on separate letterpress title, eleven small intertextual engravings, and 138 full-page engravings. Woodcut and engraved head- and tail-pieces and initials, some of which are historiated, throughout. General title printed in red and black. Nineteenth century quarter brown morocco over marbled boards, pictorial centerpiece stamped in gilt, spine lettered and ruled in gilt in compartments, five raised bands, marbled endpapers. Small, marginal rust hole on leaves V1 and 4A1. Repaired tears to lower edge of 2L2 and 2Q2, unaffecting text or images. Marginal repairs to upper fore-edge of prelims, the eight plates in section two, and eight leaves in the alphabetic table and general index. Rubbing to board extremities, with interior pasteboard exposed at several points along board edges and corners. Upper front and lower rear joints split but boards still attached and holding tight. A good copy. A notably complete copy of one of Vulson de La Colombière's most celebrated and successful works, a comprehensive encyclopedia of chivalry and heraldic devices, with copperplate engravings that include literally thousands of illustrations. Though little is known about his life, Colombière is widely recognized as having invented the hatching system used to designate heraldic tinctures. Brunet V, 1390.Sold for: $896.25. |
| 57099 | The North American Indian, Being a Series of Volumes Picturing and Describing the Indians of the United States and Alaska. Written, illustrated and published by Edward S. Curtis. Edited by Frederick Webb Hodge. Foreword by President Theodore Roosevelt. Field research conducted under the patronage of J. Pierpont Morgan. In twenty volumes. First and second volumes published in the year Nineteen Hundred and Seven. Slim wraps (sixteen pages of content) measuring 12.5 x 9.5 inches. Three photogravure plates. Sewn wraps with tan paper covers and cream rough-trimmed pages. Simple black type title to front cover. Covers show moderate wear and some smudges; shallow creases at two corners. Plates have discolored facing pages. Small stains to bottom of two pages. Overall, a very good copy. Curtis' prospectus for the planned twenty-volume history of the North American Indian, the landmark publication funded by J. P. Morgan. This prospectus includes: Curtis' outline of the prospective set; President Theodore Roosevelt's Foreword; Curtis' Introduction; one page of the chapter titled "Apache History"; an Open Letter From Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Francis E. Leupp; and blurbs touting Curtis' artistry by Scribner's George Bird Grinnell, President Theodore Roosevelt, the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (C. Purdon Clarke), and an extract of a letter from the chief of the Bureau of American Ethnology (William Holmes). Also included are three photogravure plates: "The Fool - Apache"; "Navaho Medicine Man"; and "Tonenili, Tobadzischini, Nayenezgani - Navaho."Sold for: $896.25. |
| 57100 | Sherman F. Denton. Moths and Butterflies of the United States East of the Rocky Mountains. Boston: J. B. Millet Company, [1900]. Ex-library. One of a limited edition of 500 copies with butterfly wings transferred to the plates. Two octavo volumes. 361 pages plus numerous color plates. Publisher's crimson cloth with gilt spine titles. Perforated library stamps, stickers, ink stamping, library bookplates, and handwritten ink notations present. Amateur tape repair to the beginning of the textblock of Volume I. A number of loose pages in both volumes. Overall, the books are in good condition, fit for either rebinding or sale by individual color plate. Denton describes his process as follows: "The colored plates, or Nature Prints, used in the work, are direct transfers from the insects themselves; that is to say, the scales of the wings of the insects are transferred to the paper while the bodies are printed from engraving and afterward colored by hand." Most mountings are of upper and lower sides of the insect mounted on the same side of the page. Tissue paper was used as the mounting vehicle, then mounted on the boards. Each specimen could be used only once, so the author had to acquire 500 perfect specimens of each species to prepare this limited edition (over 50,000 specimens by the author's count).Sold for: $657.25. |
| 57101 | Albert Einstein, PhD. Relativity. The Special and General Theory. Translated by Robert W. Lawson, M.Sc. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1920. First American edition. Octavo. 168 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with gilt titles. Ex-library copy with light wear to the edges and corners. Very good condition. Includes sections on the Special Theory of Relativity, the General Theory of Relativity, and Considerations on the Universe as a Whole (also includes three appendices, a bibliography, and an index). A monumental modern work in the world of science.Sold for: $776.75. |
| 57102 | Th[omas]. Ewell, M. D. American Family Physician; Detailing Important Means of Preserving Heath, from Infancy to Old Age: The Offices Women Should Perform to Each Other at Births, and the Diseases Peculiar to the Sex: With Those of Children and Adults. With an Appendix, Containing Hints Respecting the Treatment of Domestic Animals and the Best Means of Preserving Fish and Meat. By Th. Ewell, M. D., of Virginia. Georgetown, D. C.: James Thomas, 1824. First edition. Octavo. xix, 480 pages. Leather board covers with a maroon morocco gilt label on the sine. Covers and spine rubbed and slightly discolored, some cracking to the spine, corners bumped, hinges beginning to crack, multiple notations on the front pastedown endpaper, some pages prior to the title page are missing, rear free endpaper is torn, foxing and minor moisture damage throughout. Altogether a good copy. Much of this work by physician Thomas Ewell (1785 - 1826) was published in his earlier book Letters to Ladies Concerning Themselves and Children and his 1806 discourse on Chemistry. He also took much inspiration and information from the highly technical work of Dr. Robert Thomas, Practice of Physic. Ewell received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1805, and was a naval surgeon until 1813. He is known for his simplified works on medicine and chemistry targeted towards a general public market.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57103 | Paul Lacroix. Science and Literature in the Middle Ages and at the Period of the Renaissance. London: Bickers & Son, 1878. First edition thus. Quarto. 552 pages. Illustrated with thirteen chromolithographic prints and upwards of four hundred engravings on wood. A volume from Lacroix's epic five volume set on the Middle Ages. Half red morocco and matching buckram over boards with titles and decoration stamped in gilt in six compartment between five raised bands on the spine. Top edge gilt. Scuffing to the high spots of spine and leather corners. Joints worn. Boards slightly soiled. Marbled endpapers. Contents lightly toned with some sporadic foxing mainly adjacent to the color plates. School library book plate on the front pastedown. Very good. Sold for: $179.25. |
| 57104 | Paul Lacroix. Moeurs, Usages et Costumes au Moyen Age et a L'Époque de La Renaissance (Manners, Customs and Dress during the Middle Ages and During the Renaissance Period). Paris: Librairie de Firmin Didot Freres, 1873. Third edition. French text. Quarto. 603 pages. Illustrated with fifteen chromolithographic plates and gravures within text. Original red cloth with titles and ornate decoration stamped in gilt on the boards and spine. Ornate gold and green endpapers. All edges gilt. Significant wear to the edges of the boards, joints cracked and repaired, and spine darkened. Front hinge broken and in need of professional repair. Contents bright and sound. Former owner's book plate on the front pastedown. Very good. Not Sold. |
| 57105 | Paul Lacroix. Military and Religious Life in the Middle Ages and at the Period of the Renaissance. London: Bickers & Son, [no date]. First edition thus. Quarto. 504 pages. Illustrated with fourteen chromolithographic prints and upwards of four hundred engravings on wood. A volume from Lacroix's epic five volume set on the Middle Ages. Half red morocco and matching buckram over boards with titles and decoration stamped in gilt in six compartment between five raised bands on the spine. Top edge gilt. Scuffing to the high spots of spine and leather corners. Hinges worn. Boards slightly soiled. Marbled endpapers. Contents lightly toned with some sporadic foxing mainly at the preliminary and terminal pages. Front hinge cracked. School library book plate on the front pastedown. Very good. Sold for: $233.03. |
| 57106 | Paul Lacroix. The XVIIIth Century. Its Institutions, Customs, and Costumes. France 1700-1789. London: Chapman and Hall, 1876. First edition thus. Quarto. 489 pages. Illustrated with twenty-one chromolithographic prints and 351 wood engravings. Half red morocco and matching buckram over boards with titles and decoration stamped in gilt in six compartment between five raised bands on the spine. Top edge gilt. Scuffing to the high spots of spine and leather corners. Joints worn. Boards slightly soiled. Marbled endpapers. Contents lightly toned with some sporadic foxing mainly at the preliminary and terminal pages. Front hinge detached but still firmly attached. School library book plate on the front pastedown. Very good. Sold for: $179.25. |
| 57107 | Symon Latham. Lathams Falconry: or, The faulcons Lure, and Cure: In Two Books. The first, concerning the ordering and training vp of all Hawkes in generall; especially the Haggard Faulcon Gentle. The second, teaching approued medicines for the cure of all Diseases in them. Gathered by long practice and experience, and published for the delight of noble mindes, and instruction of young Faulconers in things pertaining to this Princely Art. London: Printed by Thomas Harper, for Iohn Harison, 1633. Third edition of part one, second edition of part two. Two quarto parts in one (7 x 5.5 inches; 175 x 140 mm.). [24], 148,[4]; [24], 147, [1] pages. Part two with separate title-page (though bound before part one in this copy). Both parts with woodcut device on title, sectional vignettes, and initials, several of which are historiated. Part two with thirty-two intertextual woodcuts. Contemporary sprinkled calf, borders rolled in blind, floral tools stamped in blind at corners, spine elaborately tooled in gilt in compartments, four raised bands, gilt red morocco lettering piece, gilt board edges, edges sprinkled red. Twentieth century gilt morocco bookplate of David Wagstaff and seventeenth century engraved armorial bookplate of Francis Fulford affixed to inside of front board. A few instances of light spotting, and offsetting from cuts. Several leaves trimmed close, affecting a few top rules in the headlines of part two, and the catchword on leaf I4r in part one. Headcap perished. Joints splitting but boards holding tight. Overall a very good copy. A lovely copy of a work that "ranks among the principal books on hawking in the English language" (Schwerdt). Written by Simon Latham, falconer to Henry Sadler (and likely brother of Lewis Latham, falconer to King Charles I), the first part of the work concerns methods of hunting with hawks and the treatment of avian diseases while the second part takes up the training of younger birds. Harting writes that this 1633 edition of Latham's Falconry is "quite as good as the first [edition], of which it is a reprint without alteration" Harting (English) 20. Lowndes II, 1315. Scherdt I, 302. STC 15267.7 and 15628.7.Sold for: $4,780.00. |
| 57108 | McKenney and Hall. Lot of Four Hand-Colored Lithographs from McKenney and Hall's Landmark Publication History of the Indian Tribes of North America. Four folio plates include portraits of 'Peah-Mas-Ka,' a Musquawkee Chief (Biddle, 1837); 'Hayne Hudjihini, Eagle of Delight' (Key & Biddle, 1833); 'Wat-Che-Mon-Ni,' an Ioway Chief (Greenough, 1838); 'Shin-Ga-Ba-W'Ossin' (Key & Biddle, 1833). All plates are generally bright and clean, with some minor foxing and some occasional thumb smudges; edges browning slightly. 'Hayne Hudjihini' portrait has a half-inch closed tear and and then a two and a half inch crease extending beyond that from bottom of the page; another three-inch crease extends from top of page. Also, this portrait also has dampstain to top left corner, extending three inches from corner.Not Sold. |
| 57109 | McKenney and Hall. Lot of Four Hand-Colored Lithographs from McKenney and Hall's Landmark Publication History of the Indian Tribes of North America. Four folio plates include portraits of 'Tshusick,' an Ojibway Woman (Biddle, 1837); 'Me-Te-A,' a Pottawatomie Chief (Greenough, 1838); 'A-Na-Cam-E-Gish-Ca,' a Chippeway Chief (Key & Biddle, 1836); 'Tah-Col-O-Quoit' (Daniel Rice & James Clark, 1842). All plates are generally bright and clean, with some minor foxing and some occasional thumb smudges; edges browning slightly. 'A-Na-Cam-E-Gish-Ca' portrait has dampstain to top left corner, extending three and a half inches from corner.Not Sold. |
| 57110 | McKenney and Hall. Lot of Four Hand-Colored Lithographs from McKenney and Hall's Landmark Publication History of the Indian Tribes of North America. Four folio plates include portraits of 'Moa Na Hon Ga,' an Ioway Chief (Biddle, 1837); 'Sha-Ha-Ka,' a Mandan Chief (Biddle, 1837) 'A-Mis-Quam,' a Winnebago Brave (Greenough, 1838); and 'Ledagie,' a Creek Chief (Daniel Rice & James Clark, 1843). All plates are generally bright and clean, with some minor foxing and some occasional thumb smudges; edges browning slightly. Not Sold. |
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| 57111 | "Young Mahaskah", Fine Indian Portrait Printed and Colored With 2 Pages of Description, 14.25" x 20.25", from a folio edition of The History of the Indian Tribes of North America. The lithograph has rich, bright color. Foxing at the edges, minor water staining to the description page, else fine condition. The History of the Indian Tribes of North America by Thomas L. McKenney and James L. Hall has been long renowned for its faithful portraits of Native Americans. These dramatic, hand-colored lithographs are based upon original portrait paintings by the artist, Charles Bird King, who was employed by the United States Government to record the appearance of these natives as they came to Washington, D.C. to sign peace treaties. The paintings formed the basis for the War Department's Indian Gallery. Most of King's original paintings were subsequently destroyed in a fire at the Smithsonian. Therefore, the appearance of these portraits in McKenney & Hall's magnificent work serves as our only remaining records of many of the most prominent Indian leaders of the 19th century. Not Sold. |
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| 57112 | McKenney and Hall. Lot of Two Framed Hand-Colored Lithographs from McKenney and Hall's Landmark Publication History of the Indian Tribes of North America. Two McKenney and Hall folio plates, separately matted, framed and glazed: 'Pah-She-Pah-How,' (Biddle, 1835) [and:] 'Wa Bish-Kee-Pe-Nas, The White Pigeon,' A Chippewa (Greenough, 1838). The 'Pah-She-Pah-How' plate is generally bright and clean; the 'Wa Bish-Kee-Pe-Nas' plate has light offsetting from adjacent page.Not Sold. |
| 57113 | John H[err]. Musser, M. D. A Practical Treatise on Medical Diagnosis For Students and Physicians. By John H. Musser, M. D. Illustrated with 162 Woodcuts and 2 Colored Plates. Philadelphia: Lea Brothers & Co., 1894. First edition. Octavo. viii, 881. Thirty-two page publisher's catalog at the rear dated June, 1895. 162 woodcuts, two colored plates. Index. Leather board covers with a black morocco gilt label on the spine. Minor rubbing to the covers and spine, slightly bumped corners and edges, previous owner's inscription on the front free endpaper, previous owner's letter inserted stating that "...This book was in the library of Fr. J. Parrsons Schaeffer's father-in-law, Eugene H. Bobb, M. D. (Penn.)..." Altogether a clean and very good copy. In this work, John H. Musser elaborates upon the knowledge, procedures, instruments, and observations necessary for accurate diagnosis, including "the objective phenomena or signs of disease, the subjective phenomena or symptoms, and the methods employed for their determination" (Musser, v).Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57114 | William Osler, M. D. The Principles and Practice of Medicine. Designed for the Use of Practitioners and Students of Medicine. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1892. First edition, second issue. Octavo. xvi, 1079 pages. [3, publisher's ads at the rear]. Eight page publisher's catalog at the rear dated June, 1892. Twenty-four charts and illustrations. Index. Publisher's green cloth covers, triple ruled in blind-stamp. Spine lettered and ruled in gilt. Covers and spine slightly rubbed, minor bumping to corners, some fraying to foot and joints of spine, some missing preliminary pages prior to the title page. Altogether a very good copy. Famed Canadian-born physician Sir William Osler, 1st Baronet (July 12, 1849 - December 29, 1919) has been called the Father of Modern Medicine. Osler published this work while a Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. The textbook was the most considerable medical publication during that period, and the significance of Osler's work is continually appreciated and built upon today.Sold for: $956.00. |
| 57115 | Rev. Thomas Smith. The Naturalist's Cabinet: Containing Interesting Sketches of Animal History; Illustrative of the Natures, Dispositions, Manners, and Habits of All the Most Remarkable Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, Amphibia, Reptiles, &c. in the Known World. London: Albion Press Printed: Published by James Cundee, 1806-07. First edition. Six octavo volumes. Illustrated with numerous engravings throughout. Contemporary full leather with gilt rules and titles on black title spine plates. Marbled edges and endpapers. Moderate shelf wear, and noticeable foxing throughout, but overall a very good set for anyone interested in natural history.Sold for: $358.50. |
| 57116 | Charles Greeley Abbot, editor. The Smithsonian Scientific Series. New York: Smithsonian Institution Series, 1929-32. First edition, the "James Smithson Memorial Edition", No. 718 of 875 copies signed by series editor Abbot. Twelve octavo volumes. Each volume individually authored, treating a variety of scientific, anthropological, and natural historical subjects. Copiously illustrated with photo-engraved plates. Title pages printed in red and black; limitation statement printed in red and black with stylized borders printed in gold. Publisher's deluxe full red morocco, gilt borders of fillets and a roll pattern of five-pointed stars, green morocco medallion onlay to center of front boards, spines lettered and tooled in gilt in compartments, five raised bands, gilt inner turn-ins (mirroring the border pattern), watered green silk doublures and free endpapers, top edges gilt, fore-edges deckled. Lacking slipcases and minimal wear to some board extremities, else a near-fine set. A handsome set registered to Dr. A[aaron] S[amuel] Blumgarten, author of Materia Medica for Nurses (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1914), and signed on the limitation page by series editor Charles G. Abbott.Sold for: $597.50. |
| 57117 | W. B. Tegetmeier. Pigeons: Their Structure, Varieties, Habits, and Management. London: George Routledge and Sons, 1868. First edition. Quarto. 190 pages. Sixteen chromolithograph plates by Harrison Weir and numerous wood engravings in text. Original blue cloth over beveled boards with beautiful pigeon illustration stamped in gilt on the front board, rules stamped in blind, and titles against gilt labels on the spine. All edges gilt. Light soiling to the boards, corners slightly bumped and frayed, and light wear to head and foot of spine. Endpapers faded and foxing to the preliminary pages, else a very good copy. Accompanying the book is a three page autograph letter by the author, 4.5" x 7", dated February 12, 1907 to Mr. Seymour Haden which reads in part: "Pardon my / troubling you, but I am / trying to wind up my / affairs, and fine it / very difficult, for I am / so blind that I cannot / read print, books and / newspapers being closed / to me...My blindness is / a great source of / trouble to me, otherwise / I am very well for a / man in his 91st year." Sold for: $191.20. |
| 57118 | Archibald Thorburn. British Birds. Written and Illustrated by A. Thorburn, F.Z.S. With Eighty Plates in Colour, Showing Over Four Hundred Species ... London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1915-1916. First edition. Four folio volumes (12.25 x 10.25 inches; 310 x 260 mm.). viii, 144; vi, 72; vi, 82; vii, [1, blank], 107, [1, blank] pages. With eighty full-page color plates and tissue guards. Titles printed in red and black. Beautifully bound in contemporary gilt-ruled half crimson morocco over marbled boards by Bayntun of Bath (stamp signed in ink on upper outer corner of free endpapers, verso), spines lettered in gilt in compartments with gilt ornithological stamps, five raised bands, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt. Even toning throughout. Scattered light foxing and spotting. Corners slightly bumped, and a few corners with small bits of loss. Overall a fine set. A lovely copy in an exceptionally stunning binding by Bayntun, Thorburn's British Birds is surely one of the finest color plate bird books printed in the twentieth century. Indeed, in Fine Books, 1700-1900, Sachervell Sitwell concludes his account of the history of great illustrated books by stating that this work, while outside the scope of his study, nevertheless "brings the long succession of Fine Bird Books to an end"; and Peter Tate, in A Century of Bird Books, says of the eighty color plates, "They are probably the best work Thorburn did, and although they show several birds on one page they are amongst they are among the best illustrations of their kind in a British bird book." Acker 508. Nissen, ZBI, 938. Sitwell, p. 61.Sold for: $1,493.75. |
| 57119 | [Chesington Press]. D.R. Wakefield. The Sporting Fishes of the British Isles: An Anthology Compiled and Illustrated by D.R. Wakefield. Tiverton: The Chesington Press, 1985. First edition. Number 34 of 100 copies signed and numbered by Wakefield. Large folio (22 x 15 inches; 560 x 380 mm.). [33] leaves. With etched title vignette and twenty etchings with aquatint and stenciled color, eleven of which are full-page. Letterpress descriptions printed in black, with headings printed in red, green, blue, and brown. Hand-made paper leaves loose as issued. Housed in the original green and oatmeal cloth clamshell with spine panel lettered in green. A near-fine copy. An accomplished book arts production by Wakefield, a student of American artist Leonard Baskin.Sold for: $537.75. |
| 57120 | John Wright. The Fruit Grower's Guide. With Illustrations by Miss May Rivers and numerous illustrative diagrams by Worthington G. Smith and George Shayler. London: Virtue and Co., [n.d., c. 1892]. Early edition. Three quarto volumes bound in six. Beautifully illustrated with forty chromolithographic plates of fruit, including vignettes and frontispieces, as called for in the plate list. Copiously illustrated in the text by line drawings by Miss Rivers. Publisher's dark green cloth, embossed and stamped in black on the front covers with a lovely pattern of foliage and fruit, and lettered in gilt on the spine. All edges gilt. A couple of very minor bumps and bruises, but altogether a fine, attractive set.Sold for: $1,314.50. |
| 57121 | Ansel Adams. Taos Pueblo. Photographed by Ansel Easton Adams and Described by Mary Austin. Boston: New York Graphic Society, 1977. Facsimile edition. Number 449 of 950 limited edition numbered copies authentically signed by Ansel Adams on the limitation page. Elephant folio. Beautifully illustrated with 12 photographic plates. Publisher's quarter tan leather over orange cloth boards. Housed in a matching orange cloth slipcase and stored in the original publisher's mailing box. Fine condition. Also contains a facsimile of the original limitation page number 1 signed in facsimile by both Adams and Austin. A truly beautiful reprint edition, rare in its own right.Sold for: $1,314.50. |
| 57122 | [Gustave Baumann]. Frijoles Canyon Pictographs Recorded in Woodcuts and Hand Printed by Gustave Baumann. Santa Fe: Writers' Editions, Inc., 1939. First edition limited to 500 copies as stated on a limitation page bound in back. Signed by Baumann in pencil on a double page folded plate. Octavo. Unpaginated. With twenty-five hand-printed woodcuts and additional decorative elements. Forward by Alfred Vincent Kidder. Hand-made cloth with pictograph illustrations over boards with titles on paper labels affixed to the front board and spine. Yellow and cream pictorial endpapers. Front and back hinges have been reinforced with archival tape. Light shelf wear mainly at the extremities, former owner's name in ink on the verso of the front free endpaper, bookplate on the back pastedown. A near fine copy. Baumann created this beautiful book using imagery transcribed from the walls of cliff and cave dwellings in the canyon located in the Jemez Mountains, west of Santa Fe. Baumann usually did his carving in basswood, though the blocks for this book were carved from common pine. The American Institute of Graphic Arts named the book one of the Fifty Books of the Year when it appeared in 1939. Sold for: $1,314.50. |
| 57123 | Max Von Boehn. Miniatures and Silhouettes. London and Toronto: J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd., 1928. First edition. Octavo. 214 pages. Forty colored plates and over two hundred additional black and white illustrations in text. In an extraordinary full leather "novelty" binding by Jim McWhirter. Binding features dark blue and olive leather with an ivory miniature inset and leather on-lay silhouette. Head bands are hand-sewn silk; endpapers handmade paper. Titles and decoration are stamped in gilt on the spine between two raised bands. Gilt dentelle. The original covers and endpapers are bound in. In a custom slipcase. Fine. Sold for: $597.50. |
| 57124 | [Alvin Langdon Coburn]. A Portfolio of Sixteen Photographs by Alvin Langdon Coburn. Introduction by Nancy Newhall. With Introductory Booklet. Rochester, New York: The George Eastman House, [1962]. First edition. One of 2,000 copies published for Members of The George Eastman House. Folio. 21-page booklet plus sixteen photographs. Booklet staplebound in copper wrappers. Photographs tipped-in to thick archival loose leaves. All housed in a chemise made of tan cloth over dark gray paper boards. Tiny bump to rear cover of chemise. Top of inner hinge of chemise lightly shaken. Small bit of light rubbing to boards. Booklet in excellent condition. Very minimal corner and edge wear and discoloration to the photographs. All in all, a near fine set of amazing photographic material. Booklet contains the introduction and vignettes of Coburn's life and observations relating to the photographs in the portfolio, and comprehensive descriptions of the different processes of the fin-de-siècle photography, such as Autochrome, Gum Print, Gum Platinum Print, and Photogravure. The photographs themselves are 6 3/8" x 7 ¾" plates tipped to 11" 14" archival paper, with printed titles. The photographs depict, in part: London Bridge, William Butler Yeats, The Great Temple of the Grand Canyon, G. K. Chesterton, New York's House of a Thousand Windows, London's Portland Place, and Mark Twain.Not Sold. |
| 57125 | Salvador Dali. Les Diners de Gala. (The Dali Cookbook). Translated by Captain J. Peter Moore. New York: Felicie, 1973. First edition. Signed by Salvador Dali. Large quarto. 322 pages. Profusely and elegantly illustrated by "The divine Salvador Domenech Philippe Hyacinthe Dali" (colophon). Illustrated cloth covered boards. Typical light shelf wear, embossed stamp to the title page, else fine in an about fine illustrated foil dust jacket. This copy signed in pen on the verso of the front free endpaper by the artist Salvador Dali. An excellent example of this beautiful Salvador Dali designed and illustrated book. Uncommon in such nice condition, and rare when signed. Commonly known as "The Dali Cookbook".Sold for: $1,912.00. |
| 57126 | George Gershwin. George Gershwin's Song-Book. New York: Random House, 1932. First edition. Number 78 of 300 copies signed by Gershwin and the illustrator, Alajalov on the limitation page. Folio. 167 pages plus limitation. Publisher's full blue morocco with gilt titles on the spine and boards. Fine blue endpapers. Housed in an original issue blue paper slipcase. An additional separate piece inserted in the end pocket. Moderate shelf wear and dust-soiling to the dust jacket. Spine ends and corners noticeably rubbed. Spine folds worn. Minor toning to the textblock, with mild foxing on the edges and toward the rear endpapers, not affecting the signatures on the limitation page. The slipcase shows a great deal of wear, with the spine separating, but it is still intact. Overall, a good copy of a truly rare Gershwin book signed by the master himself.Sold for: $2,390.00. |
| 57127 | Andy Warhol. The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again). New York and London: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, [1975]. First edition. Signed by Andy Warhol. Octavo. 241 pages. Publisher's quarter orange cloth over yellow boards, front cover with Warhol's signature stamped in black. Spine lettered in black and white. Dust jacked designed by Herb Lubalin with a photograph by Philippe Halsman. Black endpapers. Signed by Andy Warhol on the page prior to the title page. Slight rubbing to the jacket, otherwise a near fine copy. Pop artist Andrew Warhola, popularly known as Andy Warhol (August 6, 1928 - February 22, 1987), published this work which touches upon the subjects of love, beauty, fame, work, time, death, economics, success, and art. The work was ghostwritten by Pat Hackett, his secretary, and Bob Colacello, his Interview editor, a magazine Warhol and Gerard Malanga founded in 1969.Sold for: $334.60. |
| 57128 | Alfred Whitman. The Masters of Mezzotint. The Men and Their Work. London: George Bell & Sons, 1898. First edition, one of 500 copies. Large octavo (11.25 x 8 inches; 285 x 203 mm.). With sixty full-page photo-engraved reproductions of mezzotint engravings. Tissue guards with letterpress captions. Title page printed in red and black. Sumptuously bound in full red morocco by Riviere & Son (stamp signed in gilt on lower front turn-in), triple-fillet borders rolled in gilt, spine lettered and elaborately tooled in gilt in compartments, five raised bands, gilt board edges and turn-ins, green watered silk free endpapers, original mezzotints laid down on pastedowns, top edge gilt. Except for two small, shallow dents to the front board, a near-fine copy. A charming copy of this venerable title by Alfred Whitman of the Department of Prints and Drawings British Museum, notable especially for its sumptuous binding by Riviere & Son, into which two eighteenth century mezzotints (after Thomas Lawrence and T. Murrey) have been incorporated. Borden 826Sold for: $215.10. |
| 57129 | C. W. Woolnough. The Whole Art of Marbling as Applied to Paper Book-Edges Etc. Containing a Full Description of the Nature and Properties of the Materials Used, the Method of Preparing Them, and of Executing Every Kind of Marbling in Use at the Present Time, with Numerous Illustrations and Examples. [Oxford: The Plough Press, 1985]. Reprint edition after the 1881 edition published by George Bell and Sons. Octavo. 79 pages plus Index. Profusely illustrated with marbled samples by Payhembury Marbled Papers. Publisher's green cloth with gilt titles. Slight bowing to the boards, else a fine copy.Sold for: $310.70. |
| 57130 | Frank Lloyd Wright. An Autobiography Frank Lloyd Wright. London, New York, Toronto: Longmans, Green and Company: 1932. First edition, inscribed by the author. Large Octavo. 371 pages. Twelve plates at the rear with many black and white photographic illustrations. Publisher's black cloth covers with the front cover and spine lettered and geometrically illustrated in gilt and red. Inscribed by the author on the half-title page. Very minor rubbing to the covers, slightly bumped corners, some chipping and fraying to the head and spine, cracking hinges but still sound previous owner's stamp on the title page. Altogether a very good copy. The significantly influential architect, interior designer, educator, and philosopher, Frank Lloyd Wright (June 8, 1867 - April 9, 1959), authored and inscribed this intriguing autobiography. The work consists of three sections: book one covers family and fellowship, book two focuses upon his works, and book three explores freedom. It is in this work that one can sense the artistry of Wright's words and the genius behind his physical structures.Sold for: $4,302.00. |
| 57131 | Four Large Miniature Books Custom Storage Boxes. Measuring 7.25" x 9.75", these attractive custom boxes are made of green leather and sport gilt spine titles and gilt around the edges. Two boxes have two internal shelves for miniature books; two have three internal shelves for miniature books, and all are lined with suede on the inside. Each spine reads "Miniature Books / By Various and Sundry / Authors and Presses." All display some moderate shelf wear and rubbing, but are overall in very good condition. A marvelous set of storage boxes for the miniature book collector.Sold for: $268.88. |
| 57132 | William Macpherson Hornor, Jr. Blue Book Philadelphia Furniture. William Penn to George Washington. With Special Reference to the Philadelphia-Chippendale School. Philadelphia: [Privately Printed], 1935. First edition, limited to 400 copies. Quarto. xv. [2], 340 pages. Illustrated. Original blue cloth with titles stamped in gilt on the spine and front board. Edges untrimmed. Boards slightly soiled with only minimal shelf wear. Contents beautiful and tight. A beautiful copy of this, the definitive work on Philadelphia craftsmen of the 18th century, in fine condition. Sold for: $179.25. |
| 57133 | Maurice Boutet de Monvel. Jeanne d'Arc. Paris: E. Ploun Nourrit et Cie, [1896]. First edition, deluxe issue, No. XVII of thirty copies on "papier pelure du Japon". Oblong folio (19.5 x 14.125 inches; 495 x 358 mm.). [1, edition statement], 48 leaves. With letterpress text and forty-eight chromolithographs, all but four of which are full-page illustrations. Half navy morocco over marbled boards by Canape (stamp signed on upper corner of first flyleaf verso), spine lettered and tooled in gilt in compartments, five raised bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Each page matted in card stock with an opening of 10.5 x 8 inches (267 x 203 mm.). Scattered light foxing to mattes (wholly unaffecting images), lower outer corner of blank front flyleaf torn, and middle lower edge of front board bumped, else an excellent copy. A landmark of children's literature and a masterpiece of illustration in its most limited form. Originally issued in loose parts, shortly after its publication the owner of this scarce deluxe copy of Boutet de Monvel's "Joan of Arc" had the Canape Bindery matte the "peeled Japan paper" leaves in card stock, and gather them together in a beautiful early twentieth century binding. The stunning illustrations -- intricately detailed with historically accurate renditions of the costume and architecture of fifteenth century France, all expressed in vibrant colors -- have led some to compare this remarkable achievement to late Medieval illuminated manuscripts. Ray, French, 365.Not Sold. |
| 57134 | Robert Browning. The Pied Piper of Hamelin, A Child's Story. Set Forth in a Series of Designs and Decorative Orders by Harry Quilter Barrister at Law and Written in Ornamental Text by Mary his Wife. London: Harry Quilter, 1898. Number 67 of the 100 English Vellum Edition de Luxe copies. Large folio. [56 pages] on vellum. Elaborately integrated text and illustrations in black and white throughout the copy. Two illustrations in color printed by Lemercier, with one on silk following the title page and one as the frontispiece on vellum. Elegantly bound in the original olive green calf with elaborate gilt tooling and lettering on the front cover. Also on the front cover are two embossed inset metal panels. The spine is lettered and ruled in gilt. Top edge gilt. Light blue endpapers with an allover design with themes from the story in dark blue. Protective tissue paper between each page. Some minor repair work to the covers and hinges. Altogether a gorgeous and very good copy. British poet and playwright, Robert Browning (1812 - 1889), authored this sumptuous version of the familiar German tale, The Pied Piper of Hamelin. As in all of Browning's works, this tale seems to skip along playfully through his rhythmic and humorous rhymes.Not Sold. |
| 57135 | Charles Perrault. The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault. Illustrated by Harry Clarke. New York: Dodge Publishing Co. [n.d.]. First American edition. Quarto. 160 pages. Twenty-four color plates, and numerous black-and-white illustrations in the text. Blue cloth with white titles and gold decorations on spine and front cover. Minor wear on binding and toning in the paper. Some cracking on endleaves along hinges. Overall very good. French author Charles Perrault (1628-1703) is considered the Father of the Fairy Tale. This volume includes English translations of some of his most familiar tales: "Little Red Riding Hood," "Blue Beard," "The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood," and "Cinderilla; or, The Little Glass Slipper."Not Sold. |
| 57136 | [Walter Crane, illustrator]. [Edmund] Spenser. Spenser's Faerie Queene. A Poem in Six Books, with the Fragment Mutabilitie. Edited by Thomas J. Wise. Pictured by Walter Crane. London: Published by George Allen, 1897. One of 1,000 copies printed on handmade paper, out of a total edition of 1,028 copies. Originally issued in nineteen parts, with wrappers also designed by Crane. Six large quarto volumes (10.6875 x 8.625 inches; 271 x 219 mm.). Woodcut double-page general title in Volume I, seven woodcut title-pages (Volume I dated 1894, Volumes II and III dated 1895, and Volumes IV-XI dated 1896), and eighty-eight full-page woodcut illustrations (frontispieces), including one double-page. With 132 woodcut head- and tail-pieces, numerous decorative initials, and printer's and publisher's colophons. Printed by the Chiswick Press. Original ivory cloth pictorially stamped in gilt and lettered in red on front cover and lettered in gilt on spine. Top edge gilt, others uncut. With all nineteen of the original pink paper front wrappers and six of the back wrappers bound in. Some light soiling to cloth, light spotting to front covers of Volumes V and VI. Front hinge of Volume I cracked, but sound, short split to front hinge of Volume VI. Volumes I and V are each over-opened in one place. Some occasional very faint foxing and very occasional minor marginal soiling. Small paper flaw to the outer blank margin of leaf 8L4 (pp. 1507/1508) in Volume VI. The frontispiece (and its conjugate blank leaf) at p. 1217 in Volume V has come loose. A very fine set. "The most important work in the whole long list of books illustrated by Walter Crane...If Crane's claim to greatness were based entirely on this work, he would still retain his position in the front rank of nineteenth-century artists. The wealth of ideas and forms, real and fantastic, which are embodied in the actual illustrations, and even more in the marvellous decorative border designs, is almost incredible! Besides the numberless presentments of the human figure in all its manly vigour and womanly grace, the whole range of nature's forms, of animal and plant life, of fabulous, mythological inventions, of allegorical personifications, are worked into decorative designs of exquisite beauty. It would be petty, nay foolish, to try to find fault with certain very obvious shortcomings as regards anatomical drawing in a work which does not only stand unique as pure decoration, but speaks of an amount of knowledge and a wealth of imagination that command unrestricted admiration and respect" (Konody, p. 71). Ashley V, p. 196. Carpenter, p. 116. Engen, Crane, p. 102. Massé, pp. 47-48.Not Sold. |
| 57137 | [Walter Crane, illustrator]. Nathaniel Hawthorne. A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys. With Sixty Designs by Walter Crane. [Boston: Houghton Mifflin & Company] Cambridge: Printed at the Riverside Press, 1893. Edition de Luxe (the first trade edition was published in 1892). Limited to 250 numbered copies on large paper (this copy being Number 44). Quarto (9.5625 x 6.6875 inches; 242 x 170 mm.). [2, blank], x, 210, [2, blank] pp. Sixty designs by Walter Crane, including decorative head- and tail-pieces printed in colors, an added color-printed title, and nineteen color-printed plates mounted on leaves of Japanese vellum ruled and captioned in gold, with tissue guards. Title printed in red and black. With a printed slip tipped in following the front free endpaper: "The tissue papers are left in the books only as a temporary protection to the colored plates, and may be removed at pleasure." Original publisher's embossed parchment over boards. Front cover and spine decoratively lettered in gilt. Top edge gilt, others uncut. Decorative endpapers in gold and white. Minor rubbing to spine extremities, three-quarter-inch split to front joint and three-inch split to rear joint. Occasional minor soiling. Otherwise a near fine copy. In the original publisher's green linen dust wrapper decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt on front cover and spine (dust wrapper with light wear to corners and spines extremities, some minor soiling, and short split to rear joint at top edge). Housed in a dark blue cloth clamshell case lettered in gilt on spine. "In October, 1891, Walter Crane left with his family for a tour through the United States, which proved productive of many works, in painting as well as in book-illustration. Thus a 'Wonderbook for Boys and Girls' was published first by Messrs. Houghton and Mifflin, the Riverside Press, and afterwards reissued in London by Messrs. Osgood and McIlvaine. The drawings for this book, which are done in bright colours and reproduced by lithography, were executed during a stay in Florida, 'in a little timber house in the woods; the oleander in bloom, and the beautiful red bird of those regions flitting about, but-as a counterpoise to these attractions-a temperature of over eighty degrees!' It is on occasions like this that the practice of drawing everything from memory is turned to good account-when the artist has to rely on his knowledge of form and of archæological detail, when he is far away from reference libraries and from the paraphernalia of his studio, when it is next to impossible to procure historical costumes or models. It is almost impossible to believe that such drawings as 'Bellerphon slays the Chimæra,' or 'The Stranger (Hermes) appearing to Midas,' or 'Hercules and the Old Man of the Sea,' were done under these adverse circumstances" (Konody, pp. 65-68). Browne, p. 93. Clark A18.10.b. Massé, p. 44. Ray, The Illustrator and the Book in England, 248 (1892 first trade edition only).Sold for: $1,135.25. |
| 57138 | Walter Crane (1845-1915). "Dryads & Naiads." Watercolor. 9.25 x 6.5 inches. Not dated, but strongly reminiscent of his work for Hawthorne's Tanglewood Tales (1892). A Pre-Raphaelite-inspired bathing scene depicting five nymphs in various stages of undress in the foreground, and a watchful bearded water god in the background. Crane's ornamental signature in bottom left corner. Matted, framed, and glazed.Not Sold. |
| 57139 | [Edmund Dulac, illustrator]. [Arabian Nights]. Sindbad the Sailor & Other Stories from the Arabian Nights. Illustrated by Edmund Dulac. [London]: Hodder & Stoughton, [n.d., 1914]. Edition de Luxe. Limited to 500 numbered copies (this copy being No. 90), signed by Edmund Dulac. Large quarto (11.1875 x 9 inches; 285 x 228 mm.). [2, limitation leaf], [2, half-title], vi, 7-221, [2], [1, printer's imprint] pp. Title with mock Arabic lettering and a design in yellow-tan of a gondola sailing past a castle with minarets. Title and text surrounded by a black border within a yellow-tan flowered border with extending spikes. Twenty-three color plates mounted on Japanese vellum printed with the same border design. Descriptive tissue guards. Publisher's full vellum over boards pictorially stamped and lettered in gilt on front cover and spine. Top edge gilt, others uncut. Silk ties renewed. Boards a bit bowed, some slight soiling and discoloration to vellum. Paper slightly browned at the edges with a few small chips, occasional minor marginal soiling, tiny tear to outer margin of T1 and T2 (pp. 145/146 and 147/148) and to rear free endpaper, tiny abrasion to outer edge of mounted plate facing p. 168. An excellent copy. Hughey 35.Sold for: $2,987.50. |
| 57140 | Edmund Dulac [illustrator.] Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch. The Sleeping Beauty and Other Fairy Tales from the Old French. London: Hodder & Stoughton, [1910]. Edition de Luxe, No. 246 of 1,000 signed by the artist. Large quarto. [20], 128, [4] pages. Thirty tipped-in color plates, with tissue guards. Mounts printed in black with descriptive letterpress within decorative border. Cover, title, five head-pieces, and one tail-piece designed by Dulac. Publisher's full brown morocco, professionally rebacked to style. Double fillet borders rolled in gilt, decorative floral stamps with four different cupid designs in gilt at corners, spine tooled and lettered in gilt, in compartments, five raised bands, top edge gilt, others uncut. Corners and board extremities abraded. Overall a good copy. A charming copy of these classic fairy tales, including "Blue Beard," "Cinderella," and "Beauty and the Beast." After their initial publication in 1910, Dulac's celebrated illustrations, inspired by the dress and surroundings of eighteenth century France, were reissued in countless editions and subsequent translations of the work. Hughey 23.Sold for: $507.88. |
| 57141 | Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). The Death of the Virgin. Woodcut. 12.5 x 9 inches. Dated 1510. Sixteenth century print from the original block. A powerful deathbed image from Dürer's acclaimed series "Life of the Virgin" (ca. 1502-1510). Some discoloration and light foxing to border, not affecting image.Not Sold. |
| 57142 | William Russell Flint. The Lisping Goddess [typescript and manuscript]. [Worcester: Privately Printed ... at the Stanbrook Abbey Press, 1968]. The Stanbrook copy (i.e. the printer's dummy) of what would become the first edition, limited to 275 copies, 240 of which were offered for sale. Folio (13.75 x 8.75 inches; 350 x 222 mm.). [128] pages upon which typescripts, manuscripts, letterpress proofs, a large initial by Margaret Adams, several photographs that would become color plates, and experimental lithograph proofs have been mounted with tape. Sumptuously bound in full blue morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe (stamp signed in gilt on lower inner turn-in), two single-fillet borders rolled in black, five-pointed stars stamped in gilt at corners, pictorial centerpiece over key device both stamped in gilt on front board, spine lettered in gilt, five raised bands, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers. Some wear to head of spine and spine faded by the sun to a uniform blue-green, else a very good copy housed in a blue cloth slipcase stamped with gilt key device. The printer's dummy of what would become William Russell Flint's charming tribute to the ship figureheads in the Sidney Cumber Collection on the clipper ship Cutty Sark at Greenwich, England. With "STANBROOK COPY" written in blue crayon on the first leaf recto, the book comprises Flint's manuscript and typescript descriptions, and is replete with his manuscript notes, corrections, and emendations.Not Sold. |
| 57143 | [Kate Greenaway]. M. H. Spielmann, and G. S. Layard. Kate Greenaway. London: Adam and Charles Black, 1905. Edition de Luxe. Limited to 500 numbered copies, signed by the artist's brother, John Greenaway. This copy is No. 114 and contains an original pencil sketch by Kate Greenaway, authenticated and signed by John Greenaway on the mount. The original drawing in this copy depicts two young girls wearing hats, coats, and muffs. Large quarto (10.5 x 8.0625 inches; 267 x 205 mm.). xix, [1], 300, [1], [3, blank] pp. Fifty-three color plates (including frontispiece and color pictorial endpapers) after Greenaway, with descriptive tissue guards, and numerous black and white illustrations, including facsimiles and twenty-four half-tone plates. Original white cloth over bevelled boards with front cover and spine decoratively stamped in blind and decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt. Top edge gilt. Color pictorial endpapers ("Miniature fac-simile of the Nursery Wall Paper reproduced with Kate Greenaway's special and exclusive permission by David Walker, Esq., Manchester, who owns the Original Drawings"). Minor rubbing to extremities, top edge of front and rear boards lightly bumped, some soiling to cloth, gilt on spine faded. Front hinge starting, small split to rear pastedown near hinge. Slight soiling and foxing to fore-edge and lower edge of text block, frontispiece soiled and creased at fore-edge and lower edge, minor foxing to some tissue guards. A very attractive copy. "Containing upwards of 80 full page illustrations, 53 of which are reproduced in facsimile from original water-colour drawings by Kate Greenaway. There are also numerous thumb nail sketches with pen and pencil throughout the text, many of them from letters to Ruskin. Few of the illustrations have ever been published before. The Edition de Luxe is limited to 500 copies...each copy being signed by Mr. John Greenaway and numbered. It contains the earliest impressions of the illustrations, and the letterpress is printed on hand-made paper. Bound in white vellum cloth, gilt top...Each of these copies contains an original pencil sketch by Kate Greenaway" (Publisher's Prospectus). Schuster & Engen 226 (1a). Thomson 400.Not Sold. |
| 57144 | Kate Greenaway, illustrator. Almanacks for 1883-1895; & Diary for 1897; 1924-1926; 1929. London: George Routledge and Sons; J.M Dent & Co.; Frederic Warne &Co., 1883-1929. First editions. Together eighteen volumes, twentyfourmo and twelvemo. No Almanack for 1896 was published. Numerous wood-engraved text illustrations after Greenaway printed in color by Edmund Evans. Original bindings of glazed pictorial boards with cloth spines, glazed pictorial wrappers, imitation morocco boards, imitation morocco wrappers, or cloth boards. Seven Almanacks with the original printed mailing wrappers. One with a previous owner's gift inscription, another with a small bookplate. Overall, an excellent set of these charming little books. Housed together in a custom chemise and morocco book-back slipcase, lettered in gilt on the spine. "The beginning of 1883 had seen the publication of Kate Greenaway's first Almanack. Published at one shilling by George Routledge & Sons, and of course engraved and printed in colours by Mr. Edmund Evans, it achieved an enormous success, some 90,000 copies being sold in England, America, France, and Germany. It was succeeded by an Almanack every year (with but one exception, 1896) until 1897, the last being published by Mr. Dent. The illustrations were printed on sheets with blank spaces for the letterpress, in which English, French, or German was inserted as the market demanded. There are various little conceits about these charming productions which are calculated to appeal to the Œlicquorish chapman of such wares'; so that complete sets of them already fetch respectable sums from the collectors of beautiful books, especially when they have not been divested of the paper envelopes or wrappers in which they were originally issued." (Spielmann and Layard (1905), page 122). Schuster & Engen 3-16. Thomson 47-61. cf. Meacham collection 7-54.Not Sold. |
| 57145 | Kate Greenaway [artist] (1846-1901). "The Fair One with Golden Locks". Original Pencil and watercolor drawing. 8.5 x 6 inches. This is from Madame D'Aulnoy's Fairy Tales, published in 1871. The book is extremely scarce, and these are among her earliest book illustrations. A fine image from this rare work. Matted, framed, and glazed.Not Sold. |
| 57146 | William Hogarth. The Complete Works of William Hogarth: In a Series of One Hundred and Fifty Steel Engravings, From the Original Pictures. With an Introductory Essay, By James Hannay; and Descriptive Letterpress, By the Rev. J. Trusler, and E. F. Roberts. [London]: The London Printing and Publishing Company, Limited, [nd, circa 1850s]. Quarto. 201 pages. Illustrated with numerous steel engravings. Contemporary brown half leather with light brown boards and gilt titles. Six blind-stamped and ruled compartments within five raised bands on the spine. All edges gilt. Noticeable rubbing to the boards, including moderate loss of the leather in spots. Corners and edges rubbed. Endpapers foxed. Previous owner's gift inscription on the front flyleaf. Minor offsetting of the engravings, but not affecting text, as the plates face blanks. Overall, a somewhat worn but very good copy.Not Sold. |
| 57147 | [Rockwell Kent, illustrator]. [Frederick Squires]. Architec-tonics. The Tales of Tom Thumtack Architect. Volume One. New York: The William J. Comstock Company, 1945. First edition. Warmly inscribed and signed by Kent on the front free endpaper. Twelvemo. 174 pages. Profusely illustrated with Kent drawings. Publisher's blue cloth with gilt and red decorative titles. Original light blue dust jacket. Minimal shelf wear. Textblock mildly toned. Dust jacket lightly sunned along the spine, fold lines and top edge. Small amount of paper loss at the bottom of the front panel. Considerable tape repair to the verso of the dust jacket at the front flap folds, spine ends, middle of spine, and bottom rear flap fold. Overall, a very good copy. Persuaded by his comrade, Squires, Kent produced eighty-five drawings, decorative initials, and the cover design for this wonderful book. A very early effort by him for which he received $100.00, and the first appearance of Kent's illustrations in book form. First published as a series of articles in "Architecture and Building." The inscription reads, in part: "Incidentally, only...what is termed 'art work' is by me. The text is by a Columbia class-mate of mine, Frederic [sic] Squires...)" Johnson 31.Sold for: $926.13. |
| 57148 | [Rene Kieffer, binder]. Charles Nodier. Inès de las Sierras. Compositions Dessinées et Gravées a L'Eau Forte, En Coleurs, par Paul Avril. Paris: A. Ferroud, 1897. First illustrated edition, limited edition, No. 56 of 200 copies signed by the publisher. Tall quarto (11 x 7.5 inches; 280 x 190 mm.). XXIX, 108 pages; [60] leaves. With an etched vignette printed in color on title, and fifteen etched intertextual illustrations, all printed in color. Also with an extra suite ( the Achevé D'Imprimer") of sixty leaves comprising a separate letterpress title, all of the etchings in intermediate states (fifty seven total), and an etching of Avril's tools on the final leaf. Title page printed in red and black. Beautifully bound in sumptuous full brown morocco by René Kiefer (stamp signed in gilt on lower front turn-in), front board with elaborate gilt pictorial onlay of a group of four roses in brown and tan morocco (rear board onlay is a single rose), spine lettered in gilt in compartments with floral tools stamped in black, five raised bands, turn-ins tooled in black and gilt, inner doublures of watered silk featuring a leaf pattern, front free endpaper recto and rear free endpaper verso of watered silk, marbled front free endpaper verso and rear free endpaper recto, marbled front and rear flyleaf, all edges gilt. Original printed wrappers bound-in. Printed paper bookplate affixed to second front flyleaf recto. Boards slightly sunned, and a few instances of offsetting and marginal foxing, else a very good copy.Not Sold. |
| 57149 | Evelyn Paul [illuminator], Main R. Bocher [illustrator], Horace Mansion [composer], Michael West [translator]. Aucassin and Nicolete. Done from the Old French by Michael West ... London: George G. Harrap & Co., 1917. Limited edition, No. 115 of 125 numbered copies, signed by Evelyn Paul. Small quarto. 120, [4] pp. With thirteen mounted color plates (included in pagination), and twenty-three pages of printed music. Copiously decorated with intertextual illustrations, initials, and borders throughout. These elements and the text printed in red and black. Original vellum, front board decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt, orange, and gray, decorative endpapers, top edge gilt, others uncut. Fore-edge of front free endpaper slightly wrinkled. Vellum slightly soiled, and boards beginning to yawn, but overall a very good copy.Sold for: $478.00. |
| 57150 | Howard Pyle. Men of Iron. Illustrated. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1892. First edition. Octavo. vi, 328 pages. Red cloth decoratively stamped in black and silver. Spine sunned with light rubbing at the edges. Front hinge cracked, rear hinge crack to lower half. Altogether a very good, attractive copy. Housed in a red cloth chemise and slipcase, morocco lettering label stamped in gilt.Not Sold. |
| 57151 | [Arthur Rackham, illustrator]. Algernon Charles Swinburne. The Springtide of Life. Poems of Childhood. With a Preface by Edmund Gosse. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham. London: William Heinemann, [1918]. Limited to 765 numbered copies, "of which 100 are reserved for United States of America and 15 for presentation." This copy is No. 485, signed by Arthur Rackham. Large quarto (11.1875 x 9.0625 inches; 285 x 231 mm.). ix, [1], 132, [1], [1, printer's imprint] pages. Nine color plates mounted on brown paper, with descriptive tissue guards, and fifty-two drawings in black and white. Title printed in black and green. Publisher's quarter vellum over ivory boards with front cover and spine pictorially stamped and lettered in gilt. Publisher's device stamped in blind on rear cover. Top edge gilt, others uncut. Pictorial endpapers printed in green. Corners and board edges lightly bumped, spine extremities rubbed, slight browning to board edges, slight browning to rear free endpaper. Paper lightly browned and/or foxed at the edges, with a few tiny tears. Frontispiece tissue guard expertly renewed. Previous owner's faint ink presentation inscription, dated Christmas 1918, on front free endpaper. An excellent copy. "As the close of his life approached, Swinburne frequently expressed his intention to extract from his various volumes those poems which were addressed to children, or were descriptive of child-life, and to publish them in a separate edition...One reason why Swinburne never brought out such a collection was his failure to find an artist who could interpret to his satisfaction the simplicity and freshness of his verses. We are fortunate in having secured, in Mr. Arthur Rackham, one whose delicate and romantic fancy is in sensitive harmony with Swinburne's, and who understands, no less than he did, how 'Heaven lies about us in our infancy'" (Preface). This edition has an extra color plate not in the trade edition. Latimore and Haskell, pp. 48-49. Riall, p. 133.Sold for: $1,075.50. |
| 57152 | Arthur Rackham. L'Oeuvre De Arthur Rackham. Ouvrage Illustré de 44 Planches en Coleurs. Paris: Hatchette and Cie., [ca. 1913] Limited edition, No. 163 of 460 copies signed by Rackham. Quarto. 38, [2] pages; [45] leaves. With forty-four color plates mounted on brown paper, and numerous intertextual vignettes. Tissue guards with letterpress captions printed in brown. Title-page printed in green and black. Original vellum, side title over a pictorial tool (a pelican) stamped in gilt, smooth spine lettered and tooled in gilt, top edge gilt, others uncut, brown endpapers. Engraved armorial bookplate affixed to front pastedown. Remnants of the original yellow ribbon tie attached to middle outer edge of front and rear boards. Some minor cockling to tissue guards, else a very good copy.Sold for: $896.25. |
| 57153 | [Arthur Rackham, illustrator]. [Friedrich, Baron] de La Motte Fouqué]. Undine. By de la Motte Fouqué. Adapted from the German by W. L. Courtney and Illustrated by Arthur Rackham. London: William Heinemann [and] New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1909. Edition de Luxe. One of 1,000 numbered copies for Great Britain, Ireland and Colonies (this copy being No. 359), signed by Arthur Rackham. Large quarto (11.5 x 9.125 inches; 291 x 232 mm.). viii, 136 pp. Fifteen color plates (including frontispiece) mounted on brown paper, with descriptive tissue guards, and thirty drawings in black and white. Title printed in green and black. Publisher's vellum over boards pictorially stamped and lettered in gilt on front cover and spine. Gold silk ties. Brown endpapers. Top edge gilt, others uncut. Light rubbing to corners and spine extremities, upper corners a little bumped, some slight discoloration and a few small stains to vellum on spine, small indention to outer edge of rear board. Some typical slight browning to the pages adjacent to the brown paper plate mounts. An excellent copy. "There is a limited edition for America, bound in brown boards with the same pictorial stamping and lettering. 250 numbered copies, signed by the artist" (Latimore and Haskell). Latimore and Haskell, pp. 34-35. Riall, pp. 93-94. Sold for: $896.25. |
| 57154 | Arthur Rackham [illustrator]. Christopher Morley. Where the Blue Begins. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., [1925]. First edition, Edition de Luxe, No. 161 of 175 copies signed and numbered by Rackham. Quarto. X, [2], 227, [1, blank] pages. Partially unopened. With sixteen intertextual line drawings and four full-page color plates. Three quarter red morocco over red cloth by Putnam (stamp signed in gilt on lower front pastedown), spine lettered and tooled in gilt in compartments, five raised bands, red cloth endpapers, top edge gilt. Gilt morocco bookplate of "WAM Burden" affixed to front pastedown. A few pages opened inexpertly. Some rubbing to board extremities, and lower joints starting but boards still holding tight. Overall a very good copy.Sold for: $448.13. |
| 57155 | Thomas Rowlandson. "The Three Cups". Original ink and wash drawing.. 11.5 by 9.5 inches. Signed lower right. Matted, framed and glazed.Sold for: $262.90. |
| 57156 | William M. Timlin. The Ship That Sailed to Mars. A Fantasy. Told and Pictured by William M. Timlin. London: George G. Harrap & Company Limited, [n.d., 1923]. First edition of "the most original and beautiful children's book of the 1920s" (Dalby). Large quarto. Forty-eight pages of calligraphic text lithographed in blue, black, and gray and forty-eight color plates mounted on gray mat paper. Publisher's quarter vellum over gray boards with front cover decoratively lettered in dark gray and spine pictorially stamped and lettered in gilt. Corners noticeably rubbed, some rubbing to board edges and spine extremities, vellum spine dust-soiled, browning to boards and endpapers, minor thumb-soiling or light staining to the textblock top and fore-edge, and a few tiny marginal tears. Gilt spine titles remain vibrant. In the scarce original gray paper dust jacket with front panel pictorially stamped and lettered in gray and spine pictorially stamped in brown. Dust jacket chipped and worn at edges, spine ends, and corners. Fold lines and edges noticeably abraded with slight creasing throughout. The folds, spine ends, and corners have been professionally restored at several spots, maintaining a very appealing overall look. A very good copy of a book difficult to find in a dust jacket of any quality. William M. Timlin (1892-1943) was born in Northumberland and "educated in England but emigrated to South Africa before 1915 and studied art there. He did illustrations in pen and ink and watercolour, and exhibited regularly in South Africa, where he practised as an architect. He wrote stories, composed music, illustrated periodicals, produced watercolour fantasies, painted in oil, and produced etchings...It has been asserted that the illustrations to this book put him in the top ten of fantasy illustrators with Rackham, Dulac, Goble and Nielsen. He died in Kimberley, South Africa [before his later series of paintings, intended as plates for a book to be entitled The Building of a Fairy City, was published]" (Horne, The Dictionary of 20th Century British Book Illustrators, p. 413). "Excelling the production values previously lavished on Willy Pogany and Harry Clarke, George Harrap published this huge and magnificent volume in November 1923, finely bound in quarter vellum richly decorated in gilt. 'Told and Pictured by William M. Timlin', the book contained 48 superb colour plates by the artist, alternated throughout with 48 leaves adorned with his fine calligraphic and poetic text...Timlin's fantasy is a magical combination of science fiction and fairyland. His watercolours equal the best work of Arthur Rackham and W. Heath Robinson...A total of only 2,000 copies of the book were produced in Britain, of which 250 were distributed in America by Stokes of New York (in 1924)" (Dalby, The Golden Age of Children's Book Illustration, p. 102). The story follows the adventures of an Old Man who "had taken his leave of men, and mens ways," and with the help of Fairies, builds a Ship to sail to Mars. The book is divided into three parts: Part One describes the planning, building, launching, and departure of the Ship; Part Two describes its journey to Mars, including its encounters with the Monsters, the Seven Sisters, the Meteor, the Eden Serpent, the Air sprite, the Star of the Classic Myths, and the Pirate Planet; Part Three describes the arrival and landing at the City of Mars and follows the Old Man as he explores the wonders of the City, including the Temple, the Zoo, the Palace Garden, Thunder City, and the Finished Palace of the Princess.Not Sold. |
| 57157 | Tasha Tudor. Campanula. Original watercolor on paper. 5.25 by 7.5 inches. Signed, lower left. Published on page 7 of The Private World of Tasha Tudor, Boston, Little, Brown, 1992. Matted, framed and glazed.Not Sold. |
| 57158 | Horace Walpole. Horace Walpole and His World. Select Passages from His Letters. Edited by L. B. Seeley. With Eight Illustrations after Sir Joshua Reynolds and Sir Thomas Lawrence. London: Seeley, Jackson, and Halliday, 1884. Large paper copy. Octavo (8.4375 x 6.25 inches; 215 x 160 mm.). Eight photogravure plates. Finely extra-illustrated with ninety-one engraved portraits and views, most inlaid to size. The extra illustrations are generally bound in opposite the text they illustrate. Bound by Alfred Matthews (stamp-signed in gilt on the front turn-in) in full dark blue crushed levant morocco. Covers with gilt triple fillet border enclosing gilt floral corner ornaments, spine elaborately tooled and lettered in gilt in compartments with five raised bands, board edges ruled in gilt, turn-ins elaborately tooled in gilt, top edge gilt, others uncut. Minimal rubbing to corners and spine extremities. Some occasional very slight offsetting from the additional engravings. Bookseller's description tipped to front flyleaf. A fine copy. The extra illustrations include portraits of Walpole, Arthur Onslow, Robert, Earl of Orford, Mrs. Damer, the Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Chesterfield, Mrs. Woffington, George III, Catherine Hyde, "Mademoiselle de Beaumont, or the Chevalier D'Eon," the Duchess of Kingston, the Duchess of Richmond, the Duchess of Bedford, Thomas Hearne (with his clipped signature, dated "Aug. 10. 1707"), Lord Cobham, Lord North (from the London Magazine, October 1779), Paul Jones (by Longacre), Lady Berkeley, Admiral Kempenfelt, Mrs. Siddons, William Pitt, Mrs. Fitzherbert ("Engraved for the Carlton House Magazine"), Lord Anson, and a colored view of "Caen Wood, The Seat of Earl Mansfield" (from "No. 30 of R. Ackermann's Repository of Arts &c. Pub. June 1, 1825"). With an Autograph Manuscript index to the extra illustrations mounted on the recto of the frontispiece.Sold for: $448.13. |
| 57159 | Lynd Ward. Mad Man's Drum: A Novel in Woodcuts. New York: Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith [1930]. Limited first edition. Number 50 of 309 copies. Signed by the author on the limitation page. Octavo. Unpaginated. Full-page woodcuts. Black cloth with title label on spine and illustrated label on front cover. Gilt top edges. Illustrated endpapers. Minor wear on the binding and toning in the paper. Overall near fine. No dust jacket. While in first grade, Illinois-born Lynd Ward (1905-1985) decided to become an artist after discovering that his name, written backwards, spelled "draw." In 1929, he used the visual concept of telling an entire story using only woodcut illustrations. This graphic novel, God's Man-the first of its kind published in the U.S.-was followed by Mad Man's Drum (1930) and four subsequent woodcuts-only tales. Ward often combined his artistic innovations with political themes addressing labor, class, and racial issues. He also illustrated more than 100 children's books. This signed, special-edition volume is a stunning example of his 1930s engravings.Sold for: $597.50. |
| 57160 | J. M. Barrie. Peter and Wendy. Illustrated by F. D. Bedford. London: Hodder & Stoughton, [1911]. First edition. Octavo (7.75 x 5.4375 inches; 197 x 137 mm.). vii, [1, blank], 267, [1, blank] pp. Thirteen black and white plates (including frontispiece and pictorial title) printed on glossy paper from drawings by F.D. Bedford. Publisher's olive green cloth pictorially stamped and lettered in gilt on front cover and spine. Minor rubbing to extremities, front hinge starting. Slight crease in the upper margin of C3 and C4 (pp. 37/38 and 39/40), small piece torn from the upper blank corner of K2 (pp. 147/148), tiny tear to the outer blank margin of the plate facing p. 256. Some very slight browning to the plates. Previous owner's ink presentation inscription on the front free endpaper: "Mary Tynell / with love from / Auntie Ellie / February 25th 1912." An excellent copy. In the original dark green dust jacket printed in gold in the same design as the cloth covers. The jacket has a few small chips and tears and the jacket spine is faded, with a small piece (measuring approximately .75 x 1.875 inches) missing at the head of the spine and a larger piece (measuring approximately 1.5 x 1.875 inches) missing at the foot of the spine. This exceptionally rare jacket is totally untouched, and is as good as you could ever hope for. Peter and Wendy is "a retelling of the story of Peter Pan [or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, the play by J.M. Barrie, which was first performed in London in 1904] in book form, originally published with illustrations by F.D. Bedford. It contains much that is not in the play, including an opening chapter which relates how Wendy and her brothers knew of Peter Pan and the 'Neverland' (sic) before Peter ever came to their nursery; the last chapter, 'When Wendy Grew Up', describes how Wendy's daughter Jane takes Wendy's place in the Never Never Land in later years. The book is long, and Barrie permitted reductions of the text, the first being Peter Pan and Wendy (1915), described as an 'authorized school edition' and published jointly by the Oxford University Press and Hodder and Stoughton, with the Bedford illustrations. The full text was used for Peter Pan and Wendy (1921), with illustrations by Mabel Lucie Attwell" (The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature).Not Sold. |
| 57161 | J.M. Barrie. Peter and Wendy. Illustrated by F.D. Bedford. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, [1911]. First American edition ("Published October, 1911"). Square octavo (7.9375 x 5.625 inches; 202 x 143 mm.). vii, [1, blank], [1, list of illustrations], [1, blank], 267, [1, blank] pages. Thirteen black and white plates (including frontispiece and pictorial title) from drawings by F.D. Bedford, printed on glossy paper. Publisher's olive green cloth pictorially stamped and lettered in gilt on front cover and spine. Top edge trimmed, others uncut. Minimal rubbing to corners and spine extremities, upper corners very slightly bumped, endpapers a little browned. The gilt on the spine is very slightly dulled, but the gilt on the front cover is exceptionally bright. Light foxing to the plates and to the facing text pages, slightly over-opened between pp. 124 and 125, tiny (rust?) spot on the plate facing p. 186, offsetting onto p. 186, and a couple of tiny ink spots in the lower blank margin of pp. 252 and 253. Otherwise a very fine copy. In the publisher's white dust jacket printed in green. The jacket is slightly soiled, with a small piece (measuring approximately one-half by two-and-a-quarter inches) missing from the lower edge rear panel, a little frayed at the upper edge of the rear panel and across the spine, with the head of the spine reinforced on the verso with tape, a few additional small chips and short tears (one reinforced on the verso with tape), and a small sliver of tape affixed to the lower edge of the front panel. "The Never Never Land," which is the frontispiece in the English edition, faces p. 66 in the American edition (see Cutler). Peter and Wendy is "a retelling of the story of Peter Pan [or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, the play by J.M. Barrie, which was first performed in London in 1904] in book form, originally published with illustrations by F. D. Bedford. It contains much that is not in the play, including an opening chapter which relates how Wendy and her brothers knew of Peter Pan and the 'Neverland' (sic) before Peter ever came to their nursery; the last chapter, 'When Wendy Grew Up', describes how Wendy's daughter Jane takes Wendy's place in the Never Never Land in later years. The book is long, and Barrie permitted reductions of the text, the first being Peter Pan and Wendy (1915), described as an 'authorized school edition' and published jointly by the Oxford University Press and Hodder and Stoughton, with the Bedford illustrations. The full text was used for Peter Pan and Wendy (1921), with illustrations by Mabel Lucie Attwell" (The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature). Cutler 64. Garland 37.Not Sold. |
| 57162 | L. Frank Baum. Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz. Illustrated by John R. Neill. Chicago: The Reilly & Britton Co. Publishers, [circa 1911]. First edition, second state. Octavo. 256 pages. Publisher's light blue cloth with black spine titles and an illustrated color pictorial paper label over the front board. Illustrated endpapers. Moderate edge wear, with minimal rubbing to the boards. Mildly rubbed edges. Bumped corners and spine ends. Small bit of paper loss around the edges of the pictorial paper label. Light dust-soiling to the boards and textblock edges. Binding somewhat tender. Previous owner's signature to the ownership page. All in all, a very good copy.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57163 | L. Frank Baum. The Emerald City of Oz. Illustrated by John R. Neill. Chicago: The Reilly & Britton Co. Publishers, [circa 1917]. First edition, third state. Octavo. 296 pages. Publisher's green cloth with black spine titles and an illustrated color pictorial paper label over the front board. Illustrated endpapers. Moderate edge wear, with minimal rubbing to the boards. Mildly bumped edges, corners, and spine ends. Small bit of paper loss at the bottom right corner of the pictorial paper label. Light dust-soiling to the boards and textblock edges. All in all, a good copy.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57164 | L. Frank Baum. The Emerald City of Oz. Illustrated by John R. Neill. Chicago: The Reilly & Britton Co. Publishers, [circa 1918]. First edition, fourth state. Octavo. 296 pages. Publisher's green cloth with black spine titles and an illustrated color pictorial paper label over the front board. Illustrated black and white endpapers. Mild edge wear, with minimal rubbing to the spine head. Minimally bumped corners and spine ends. Small bit of rubbing to the pictorial paper label. Light dust-soiling to the boards and textblock edges. A very good copy.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57165 | L. Frank Baum. Father Goose. His Book. Pictures by Wm. W. Denslow. Chicago: Geo. M. Hill Co., [1899]. First edition. Large quarto. Unpaginated. Original pictorial boards printed in yellow, orange, black, and white. Boards rubbed, browned and with some spotting. Very good. A nice copy of one of the rarest Baum titles, especially scarce in collectible condition. The first edition of Father Goose was published on September 25, 1899. To the astonishment of Hill and the delight of Baum and Denslow, it was so quickly sold out that a second edition of ten thousand copies was printed on October 16. By Christmas, 75,700 copies had been run off to meet the demand. On a single day, December 18, 1899, there were sold 3,934 copies. Nor did interest in the book die with the holiday season. During 1900 this best seller required the printing of an additional thirty thousand copies, and the Tribune reported in June, 1900, that "Father Goose, His Book last year achieved the record of having the largest sales of any juvenile in America." Father Goose with his old-fashioned skirted coat and twinkling eyes, like a comic Ben Franklin, was popular alike with the public and the book reviewers. "Father Goose is the new philosopher of the cradle and the fireplace," wrote the Times Herald. "As he comes in fancy masquerade, with clever yarns, bright ditties and assurances that the will take off from Mother's shoulders a good deal of work, give him double welcome." Father Goose set the pattern in some ways for the format of the Oz books that were to come. The "first significant American color-plate children's book." Schiller 21.Sold for: $2,091.25. |
| 57166 | L. Frank Baum. The Land of Oz. A Sequel to The Wizard of Oz. Illustrated by John R. Neill. Chicago: The Reilly & Britton Co., [circa 1912]. First edition, fourth state. Octavo. 287 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black, silver, and green titles. Illustrated endpapers. Moderate edge wear. Bumped corners and spine ends. Light dust-soiling to the boards and textblock edges. Spine slightly skewed and sunned. Bottom of both hinges cracked. Previous owner's stamp on the title page. Overall, a good copy.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57167 | L. Frank Baum. The Land of Oz. A Sequel to The Wizard of Oz. Illustrated by John R. Neill. Chicago: The Reilly & Britton Co., [circa 1914]. First edition, fifth state. Octavo. 287 pages. Publisher's cream cloth with black, silver, and green titles. Illustrated endpapers. Moderate edge wear, with minimal staining to the boards. Bumped corners and spine ends. Light dust-soiling to the boards and textblock edges. Overall, a very good copy.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57168 | L. Frank Baum. The Lost Princess of Oz. Illustrated by John R. Neill. Chicago: The Reilly & Lee Co., [circa 1918]. First edition, fourth state. Octavo. 296 pages. Publisher's light blue cloth with black spine titles and an illustrated color pictorial paper label over the front board. Illustrated black and white endpapers. Mild edge wear. Noticeably bumped corners and spine ends. Small white stain at spine head. Pictorial paper labels with one tiny abrasion and a one and a half inch repaired closed tear at the bottom edge. Small bit of rubbing to the boards. Light dust-soiling to the boards and textblock edges. Spine slightly skewed. Sill, a very good copy.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57169 | L. Frank Baum. The Magic of Oz. Illustrated by John R. Neill. Chicago: The Reilly & Lee Co., [circa 1920]. First edition, third state. Octavo. 266 pages. Publisher's light green cloth with black spine titles and an illustrated color pictorial paper label over the front board. Original color pictorial dust jacket. Illustrated endpapers. Moderate edge wear, with minimal rubbing to the boards. Bumped corners and spine ends. Light dust-soiling to the textblock edges. Noticeable edge wear to the dust jacket, with some paper loss and a few closed tears. Considerable brown tape repair to the verso of the jacket. All in all, a very good copy in a rarely seen dust jacket.Not Sold. |
| 57170 | L. Frank Baum. The Road to Oz. Illustrated by John R. Neill. Chicago: The Reilly & Britton Co. Publishers, [1909]. First edition, first state. Octavo. 261 pages. Publisher's light green cloth with black, red, and green spine titles. Illustrated endpapers. Mild edge wear, with lightly bumped corners and spine ends. Light dust-soiling to the boards and textblock edges. Spine somewhat darkened. Previous owner's signature to the ownership page. A bright, very good copy.Sold for: $448.13. |
| 57171 | L. Frank Baum. Tik-Tok of Oz. Illustrated by John R. Neill. Chicago: The Reilly & Britton Co., [1914]. First edition, first state. Octavo. 272 pages. Publisher's light blue cloth with black spine titles and an illustrated color pictorial paper label over the front board. Illustrated endpapers. Moderate edge wear, with minimal rubbing to the boards. Bumped corners and spine ends. Small bit of paper loss inside and around the edges of the pictorial paper label. Light dust-soiling to the boards and textblock edges. Spine lightly sunned and skewed. Bottom of the front hinge cracked. Previous owner's signature to the ownership page. All in all, a very good copy.Sold for: $262.90. |
| 57172 | L. Frank Baum. The Tin Woodman of Oz. Illustrated by John R. Neill. Chicago: The Reilly & Britton Co., [1918]. First edition. Octavo. 296 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black spine titles and an illustrated color pictorial paper label over the front board. Illustrated black and white endpapers. Mild edge wear, with a chalky stain to the spine head. Minimally bumped corners and spine ends. Small bit of rubbing to the pictorial paper label. Light dust-soiling to the boards and textblock edges. Two inch closed tear to the bottom edge of the front free endpaper. A square, tight, bright copy in very good condition.Sold for: $286.80. |
| 57173 | L. Frank Baum. The Wizard of Oz. With Pictures by W. W. Denslow. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, [1903]. Second edition, second state. Octavo. 261 pages. Publisher's green cloth with black and orange titles. Illustrated color endpapers. Moderate edge wear. Noticeably bumped and rubbed corners and spine ends. Small bit of rubbing to the boards. Light dust-soiling to the boards and textblock edges. Bottom of both hinges cracked. Small closed tear to the bottom edge of several pages. Spine broken at pages 145 and 159. Leaf 145-146 and 159-160 disbound but both still present. Previous owner's stamp on the front flyleaf. Fair condition.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57174 | L. Frank Baum. The Woggle-Bug Book. Pictures by Ike Morgan. Chicago: The Reilly & Britton Co., 1905. First edition, second state, with yellow background on the front cover. Folio (15 x 11 inches; 380 x 280 mm.). 48 pages. With intertextual illustrations printed in color. Yellow pictorial wrappers, rebacked with green cloth backstrip. Scattered light soiling to text block. Some soiling and moisture staining to wrappers, with tired edges, a few closed tears, and some loss at corners. Rebacked without the rear board; a black piece of heavy card stock used in its place. Overall, a good copy of a very fragile item, housed in a yellow cloth clamshell case with green paper side label and spine label stamped in gilt.Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 57175 | Ludwig Bemelmans. Fifi. New York: Simon and Schuster, [1940]. First edition. Presentation copy, inscribed by Bemelmans in dark blue ink on the verso of the front free endpaper: "for / Lucille / from / Ludwig." With a fine large original pen-and-ink drawing by Bemelmans depicting Fifi lying down with her paws on a sheet of paper bearing the inscription. Large folio (12 x 8.875 inches; 304 x 226 mm.). [46] pp. Color illustrations. Publisher's color pictorial boards. Color pictorial endpapers. Spine extremities and corners with expert professional restoration. Occasional minor marginal soiling. Otherwise a near fine copy. In the scarce original color pictorial dust jacket (jacket with some slight browning, a few small chips and tears at the edges, and a couple of short scratch marks and ink spots on the rear panel). Housed in a custom red cloth clamshell case. "In any house where children are / This book's the best to get by far / (Not that the child will get a look / After the grown-ups spot the book.) / It's all about a little pooch / Who knew she hadn't ought to mooch / Around without her doting mistress, / But did-and so got plunged in Distress / Midst cannibals and crocodiles / And piles and piles of other trials / Until she ends her travelogue / A sadder and a wiser dog" (front flap of dust jacket).Not Sold. |
| 57176 | Margaret Wise Brown. Garth Williams, [illustrator]. Little Fur Family. Pictures by Garth Williams. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1946. First Edition. Small octavo. Unpaginated. Charmingly illustrated in color. Original fur covered binding as issued, with the original pictorial box with a hole to the lid to allow the fur of the book to come through. Very minimal rubbing to the box, Light browning to the title and end leaf, else a fine copy.Not Sold. |
| 57177 | Jean de Brunhoff. Five Babar Titles in French, including: Histoire de Babar. Paris: Editions du Tardin des Modes [1931]. Folio. 48 pages. Illustrated. Blue-cloth spine with illustrated paper on boards. Considerable wear on covers. Minor staining on paper. Overall, good. [and:] Le Voyage de Babar. Paris: Editions du Tardin des Modes [1932]. Folio. 48 pages. Illustrated. Red-cloth spine with illustrated paper on boards. Considerable wear on covers. Minor staining on paper. Overall, good. [and:] Le Roi Babar. Paris: Editions du Tardin des Modes [1932]. Folio. 43 pages. Illustrated. Black-cloth spine with illustrated paper on boards. Considerable wear on covers. Minor staining on paper. Overall, very good. [and:] Les Vacancies de Zephir. Paris: Librairie Hachette [1936]. Folio. 40 pages. Illustrated. Beige-cloth spine with illustrated paper on boards. Some wear on covers. Minor foxing and stains on paper. Overall, very good. [and:] Babar en Famille. Paris: Librairie Hachette [1938]. Folio. Unpaginated. Illustrated. Gray-cloth spine with illustrated paper on boards. Some wear on covers. Minor foxing and stains on paper. Overall, very good.Sold for: $746.88. |
| 57178 | Frances Hodgson Burnett. The Secret Garden. Illustrated by Charles Robinson. London: William Heinemann, 1911. First British edition. Octavo. 306 pages plus six page publisher's catalog. Eight full-color plates by Robinson. Publisher's green cloth with gilt titles and decorative flourish. Clear glassine protective dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear, including minor bumping to the spine ends and corners. Lightly bumped corners. Gilt titles at the spine ends lightly rubbed. Mild dust-soiling to the textblock edges. Minor scattered foxing to the textblock. Front free endpaper with two vertical fold lines. Overall, a very good copy of a true children's classic. "When Mary Lennox was sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle everybody said she was the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen." (Chapter 1)Sold for: $507.88. |
| 57179 | Lewis Carroll. Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. With Fifty Illustrations by John Tenniel. London: Macmillan and Co., 1872 [i.e., December 1871]. First edition, first issue, with the misprint "wade" for "wabe" in the second line of "Jabberwocky" on p. 21. Small octavo (6.9375 x 4.8125 inches; 177 x 122 mm.). [12], 224, [1, signature mark], [1, publisher's advertisements], [1, publisher's device], [1, blank] pp. Wood-engraved text illustrations. Handsomely bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe (stamp-signed in gilt on the front turn-in) in full burgundy crushed levant morocco. Covers with an outer gilt double fillet border enclosing gilt floral corner ornaments, gilt-dotted rules, and an inner gilt single fillet. Front cover with an elaborate central panel consisting of gilt intertwining leaves and flowers with green morocco inlays and gilt dots, enclosing, against a background of inlaid green morocco, a central chess motif consisting of a chess board in inlaid burgundy and black morocco gilt surmounted by an inlaid brown morocco gilt crown, with an onlaid brown morocco pawn in the center of the chess board. Spine decoratively panelled and lettered in gilt in compartments with five gilt-dotted raised bands, the bands ruled in blind on either side, the blind rules extending onto the covers and ending in three blind dots. Board edges ruled in gilt, turn-ins decoratively tooled in gilt, all edges gilt. Original red cloth covers and spine bound in at end. Minimal rubbing to corners and spine extremities, joints a little tender. Free endpapers slightly browned at the edges from the turn-ins. Some light foxing and occasional soiling to the text. A wonderful example. Lovett and Lovett 13. Williams, Madan and Green 84.Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 57180 | Lewis Carroll. [Limited Editions Club]. Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There. Illustrated by John Tenniel. New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1935. Limited to 1,500 numbered copies, this copy signed by Alice Hargreaves. Octavo. xii, 211 pages. With the original text illustrations by John Tenniel re-engraved (in metal) by Frederic Warde. Printed for the members of The Limited Editions Club by the Printing House of William Edwin Rudge, Mount Verson, N.Y. Introduction by Carl Van Doren. Publisher's full blue morocco (by George McKibbin & Son, New York). Covers decoratively bordered in gilt, smooth spine decoratively tooled and lettered in gilt in compartments, all edges gilt. A fine copy, housed in the original red cloth slipcase. "Alice Hargreaves was the married name of Alice Liddell, for whom Lewis Carroll originally wrote the book. In 1932, during the celebrations of the centenary of Carroll's birth, Alice, who had lived a peaceful life in the south of England for many years, suddenly became a public figure. Her most notable and watched action was a trip to New York to receive an honorary degree from Columbia University" (Lovett and Lovett). George Macy, the proprietor of the Limited Editions Club, on learning of Mrs. Hargreaves visit, asked if she would be willing to sign the editions of Alice and Through the Looking Glass that he was planning at the time. It took an inducement of $1.50 per signature, a cost which Mr. Macy passed along to his subscribers who chose to have their copies signed by Alice. It is believed, based on copies that come on the market, that somewhere between half and three-quarters of the copies were signed. LEC Bibliography 36 and 65. Lovett and Lovett 90a and 94a. Quarto-Millenary 65. Newman & Wiche 65a.Sold for: $1,344.38. |
| 57181 | Roald Dahl. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Illustrated by Joseph Schindelman. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, [1964]. The true first edition (preceding the English edition by three years). First issue, with six lines of printing information (instead of five) in the colophon on the final page. Octavo (9.1875 x 6.125 inches; 233 x 155 mm.). [12], 161, [1], [1, blank], [1, "About the Author" and colophon] pp. Black and white text illustrations. Original red cloth with front cover decoratively in blind, back cover stamped in blind with the publisher's device, and spine decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt. Top edge stained chocolate. Minimal rubbing to extremities. A bit of tape residue on the outer corners of the pastedowns, slight crease to rear pastedown. A near fine copy. In the original first issue color pictorial dust jacket, with no ISBN number on the rear panel and with the price $3.95 on the front flap. The jacket is slightly browned, with faint dampstaining to the front panel, a short tear to the rear flap fold reinforced with tape on the verso, a few additional small chips and short tears, one at the upper edge of the front flap reinforced with tape on the verso. "Concerning the adventures of four nasty children and Our Hero with Mr. Willy Wonka and his famous candy plant" (front panel of dust jacket). Tim Burton's 2005 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka and Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket, is the second film adaptation of this children's book, the first being Mel Stuart's 1971 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka and Peter Ostrum as Charlie Bucket.Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 57182 | Roald Dahl. The Gremlins. From the Walt Disney Production. A Royal Air Force Story by Flight Lieutenant Roald Dahl. New York: Random House, [1943]. First edition of the author¹s first book (preceding the British edition, which was published in 1944). Large quarto (11 x 8.75 inches; 280 x 220 mm.). [52] pp. One double-page and twelve full-page color illustrations and numerous black and white illustrations in the text. Original red pictorial boards with red cloth backstrip lettered in black. Pictorial endpapers in yellow, red, and brown. Corners and board edges lightly rubbed. Expertly recased and with hinges renewed with cloth tape. An excellent copy. In the original matching color pictorial dust jacket. Jacket chipped at extremities, with a few small creases and tears, and a small piece missing at the head of the spine onto the front panel and another piece missing at the foot of the spine onto the rear panel. British author Roald Dahl (1916-1990) "was born in Llandaff, South Wales, of Norwegian parents. He went to Repton School, and then worked for the Shell Oil Company in London and Africa before serving in the RAF in the Second World War as a fighter-pilot. His wartime experiences led him to write The Gremlins, a fantasy about a race of tiny people who live in Air Force planes and cause all the technical troubles that pilots experience; the story was serialized in Cosmopolitan Magazine in 1942 and the film rights were bought by Disney, though filming never took place" (The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature).Not Sold. |
| 57183 | Roald Dahl. James and the Giant Peach. A Children's Story. Illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, [1961]. First edition of the author's first book for children (preceding the first English edition by six years). First issue, with "Bound by H. Wolff, New York" on the colophon page. Small quarto (10.0625 x 7.0625 inches; 256 x 180 mm.). [8], 118, [1], [1, colophon] pages. Four color plates and numerous black and white and color text illustrations. Publisher's red cloth with front cover pictorially stamped in blind with a portrait of James surrounded by wreath, back cover stamped in blind with the publisher's device, and spine decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt. Top edge stained peach. Green endpapers. Bookplate on front free endpaper, two signatures on front pastedown, one in blue ballpoint, one in red felt-tip pen. Small bookseller's ticket on rear pastedown. A near fine copy. In the original color pictorial dust jacket (jacket with minimal edgewear and very slight browning). "In 1953 [Dahl] married the actress Patricia Neal; they had three children, to whom he began to tell bedtime stories. James and the Giant Peach (1961), the first of these to reach print, is a comic fantasy about a small boy who travels the world inside a huge peach, in company with several giant insects. Like most of Dahl's children's books, it first appeared in print in the USA" (The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature).Sold for: $1,195.00. |
| 57184 | Dr. Seuss. And To Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street. New York: The Vanguard Press, [1937]. Second printing of Seuss's first book, Inscribed on the verso of the front free endpaper and additionally signed and dated by Dr. Seuss. Original white paper spine and illustrated boards. Illustrated dust jacket. Faint soiling and light wear to boards and endpapers, internally very clean. Original dust jacket slightly browned and foxed, with a circular damp stain on the front panel and a two-inch chip on the front affecting a few letters. Altogether, a very good copy. Humorously inscribed by Dr. Seuss, who made a false start and scribbled out the error, then added "Mistake" in a box with an arrow. His successful inscription reads: "For Bradley Kelly, with best wishes, Dr. Seuss." Dr Seuss additionally signed and dated the same page in 1986.Sold for: $2,390.00. |
| 57185 | Dr. Seuss [Theodor Geisel]. The Cat in the Hat. [New York]: Random House, [1957]. First Edition, first Issue. Octavo. 62 pages. Pictorial paper boards have occasional staining and moderate wear to board edges and corners. Spine shows moderate wear, particularly at head and tail. Some separation at interior hinges. Dust jacket is soiled with creases, small tears, and small sections of paper loss at spine head and tail; moderate rubbing and wear to edges. Textblock is clean and in fine condition; former owner's name penned on both sides of initial flyleaf. An overall very good copy of this classic children's tale. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $2,987.50. |
| 57186 | Dr. Seuss [Theodor Geisel]. The Cat in the Hat Comes Back. [New York]: Random House, [1958]. First edition, first printing. Octavo. 63 pages. Original glazed pictorial boards, pictorial endpapers, and original dust jacket. Spine and boards are in fine condition, with very minimal rubbing at edges and corners. Dust jacket is moderately creased at head and foot, with minimal soiling and rubbing. Textblock is very good with occasional soiling of interior pages and endpapers. The second title from the "For Beginning Readers" series, Geisel's own imprint at Random House. Very good overall condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57187 | Dr. Seuss [Theodor Geisel]. Horton Hears a Who! [New York]: Random House, [1954]. First edition, first printing. Octavo. 60 unnumbered pages. Original glazed pictorial boards, pictorial endpapers, and original dust jacket. Spine, boards, and corners show moderate to significant wear, rubbing, and bumping overall. Inked inscription on initial pastedown. Dust jacket is creased at edges and worn at spine head and foot, with minimal soiling and rubbing overall. Textblock is very good. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $358.50. |
| 57188 | Dr. Seuss [Theodor Geisel]. How the Grinch Stole Christmas. By. Dr. Seuss. New York: Random House, [1957]. First edition, first issue. Quarto. Not paginated. Delightfully illustrated throughout the text in black and red. Publisher's illustrated glossy paper over boards, with a red front cover and a green back cover and spine. Front cover lettered in white and green. Spine lettered in white. Illustrated dust jacket identical to the covers. Price is clipped from the lower right corner of the front inner flap. Illustrated red endpapers. Minor rubbing to covers and jacket, lightly bumped corners of the cover and jacket, some tiny closed tears and tiny chips to the top edges of jacket. Altogether a very good copy. Theodor Seuss Geisel (March 2, 1904 - September 24, 1991), popularly known as Dr. Seuss, is beloved for his charming and imaginative children's books. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is one of his most recognized works, showcasing the author's creativity in rhyme and illustration. This work is a first edition due to listing of fourteen books located on the back inner flap of the dust jacket, and the listing of thirteen books on the final printed page.Sold for: $597.50. |
| 57189 | Dr. Seuss [Theodor Geisel]. The Seven Lady Godivas. New York: Random House, [1939]. First edition, first printing. Octavo. 69 unnumbered pages. Original tan cloth boards, pictorial endpapers, and original dust jacket. Spine, boards, and corners are all near very fine, showing only the faintest wear. Dust jacket is significantly damaged, with wear, chips, small tears and sections of paper loss at edges, corners, and at spine ends. Former owner's signature, stamped address, and embossed notary seal on half-title. Accompanied by the scarce "Godiva Book Mark." Touted as Dr. Seuss's first book for adults, The Seven Lady Godivas was reissued in 1987, and tells the story of not one, but seven 11th Century Lady Godivas. They are sisters sworn not to marry their beaus (the seven Peeping brothers) until each of them discover a scientific truth about horses. They were driven to this oath by the death of their father during an experiment using a horse as a means of transportation. An entertaining adult fairy tale from the master of children's tales. Quite rare and desirable! From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57190 | Juliana Horatia Ewing. Seven One Shilling Books, including: The Story of a Short Life. Illustrated by Gordon Browne. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, [nd, circa 1885]. Octavo. 82 pages. Publisher's illustrated paper boards. Boards rubbed. Spine defective. Binding cracked at the title page, but holding. Endpapers foxed. Previous owner's signature in pencil on the front free endpaper. Fair condition. [and:] Lob Lie-By-The-Fire. Or the Luck of Lingborough. With Illustrations by Randolph Caldecott. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, [nd, circa 1885]. Octavo. 72 pages. Publisher's illustrated paper boards. Boards rubbed. Corners bumped. Spine worn and slightly skewed. Binding broken at the front free endpaper, but holding at the rear. Previous owner's signature in pencil on the front free endpaper. Fair condition. [and:] Mary's Meadow. Illustrated by Gordon Browne. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, [nd, 1886]. Octavo. 96 pages. Publisher's illustrated paper boards. Boards rubbed and edge-worn. Spine noticeably rubbed. Binding cracked, but holding. Endpapers foxed. Previous owner's ink signature on the front free endpaper. Fair condition. [and:] Daddy Darwin's Dovecot. A Country Tale. Illustrated by Randolph Caldecott. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, [nd, circa 1886]. Octavo. 52 pages. Publisher's illustrated paper boards. Boards rubbed and edge-worn. Spine chipped. Binding cracked at page 16, but holding. Endpapers foxed. Previous owner's ink signature on the front free endpaper. Fair condition. [and:] The Peace Egg. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, [nd, circa 1887]. Octavo. 58 pages. Publisher's illustrated paper boards. Boards rubbed and edges worn. Spine worn considerably. Binding broken at the endpapers, holding literally by a thread. Endpapers lightly foxed. Textblock toned. Poor condition. [and:] Jackanapes. With Illustrations by Randolph Caldecott. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, [nd, circa 1884]. Octavo. 47 pages. Publisher's illustrated paper boards with a blue cloth spine. Boards lightly rubbed and corners worn. Previous owner's signature in pencil on the front free endpaper. Good condition. [and:] Horatia K. F. Gatty. Julia Horatia Ewing and Her Books. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, [1885]. Octavo. 88 pages. Publisher's illustrated paper boards. Boards rubbed and edge-worn. Bumped corners. Spine worn. Binding cracked at the rear hinge, but holding. Endpapers and some internal text foxed. Previous owner's ink signature on the front free endpaper. Fair condition.Not Sold. |
| 57191 | Joel Chandler Harris. Uncle Remus. His Songs and Sayings. The Folk-Lore of the Old Plantation. With Illustrations by Frederick S. Church and James H. Moser. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1881. First edition, BAL first state, of the author's first book (with "presumptive" in the last line on p. 9, and the advertisements on p. [233] beginning "New Books. A Treatise on the Practice of Medicine"). Twelvemo (7.4375 x 5 inches; 189 x 126 mm.). 231, [1, blank], [8, advertisements] pages. Eight wood-engraved plates (including frontispiece) and sixteen wood-engraved text illustrations (including title vignette). Original green cloth with front cover pictorially stamped in gilt and black and spine decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt. Back cover ruled in blind. White endpapers printed in gray with a butterfly pattern. Corners lightly rubbed, a few tiny chips to cloth at spine extremities, some very minor blistering to cloth on covers, short crease and a few small areas of slight discoloration to cloth on rear cover, upper edge of front board very slightly bumped. Small stain to outer blank margin of p. 24, short tear to outer blank margin of pp. 51/52. Previous owner's pencilled signature, dated "Dec 10. 1880," on front flyleaf. An excellent and very bright copy. Chemised in a quarter morocco slipcase lettered in gilt on spine. "With respect to the Folk-Lore series, my purpose has been to preserve the legends themselves in their original simplicity, and to wed them permanently to the quaint dialect-if, indeed, it can be called a dialect-through the medium of which they have become a part of the domestic history of every Southern family; and I have endeavored to give to the whole a genuine flavor of the old plantation" (Introduction). "The instant success of this first Uncle Remus book caused the greatest flood of dialect literature the country had known" (Grolier, 100 American). BAL 7100. Blanck, Peter Parley to Penrod, pp. 56-57. Grolier, 100 American, 83.Sold for: $1,792.50. |
| 57192 | Joel Chandler Harris. Uncle Remus. His Songs and Sayings. The Folk-Lore of the Old Plantation. With Illustrations by Frederick S. Church and James H. Moser. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1881. First edition, BAL first state, of the author's first book (with "presumptive" in the last line on p. 9, and the advertisements on p. [233] beginning "New Books. A Treatise on the Practice of Medicine"). Twelvemo (7.4375 x 5 inches; 189 x 126 mm.). 231, [1, blank], [8, advertisements] pages. Eight wood-engraved plates (including frontispiece) and sixteen wood-engraved text illustrations (including title vignette). Original green diagonally -ribbed cloth with front cover pictorially stamped in gilt and black and spine decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt. Back cover ruled in blind. White endpapers printed in gray with a butterfly pattern. Just slightly skewed, light rubbing to extremities, a few small areas of slight discoloration to cloth on rear cover. Short tear to upper blank margin of pp. 7/8, slight crease and soiling to lower blank margin of plate facing p. 183, some very occasional minor marginal soiling or staining. A very bright copy in excellent condition. Previous owner's ink presentation inscription on front flyleaf: "A Merry Xmas / To my Dear Garner / 1880 / D Alex Milne / [flourish] / That in years to come / I may see in you / talents improved unto / a noble manhood is / the wish of your true friend." "With respect to the Folk-Lore series, my purpose has been to preserve the legends themselves in their original simplicity, and to wed them permanently to the quaint dialect-if, indeed, it can be called a dialect-through the medium of which they have become a part of the domestic history of every Southern family; and I have endeavored to give to the whole a genuine flavor of the old plantation" (Introduction). "The instant success of this first Uncle Remus book caused the greatest flood of dialect literature the country had known" (Grolier, 100 American). BAL 7100. Blanck, Peter Parley to Penrod, pp. 56-57. Grolier, 100 American, 83.Sold for: $2,091.25. |
| 57193 | W[illiam] D[ean] Howells. The Flight of Pony Baker. A Boy's Town Story. Illustrated. New York and London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1902. First edition. Octavo (7.3125 x 4.9375 inches; 186 x 125 mm.). [2, blank], v, [1, blank], 222, [1], [1, blank] pages. Frontispiece (with tissue guard) and seven plates by Florence Scovel Shinn. Title printed in red and black. Publisher's red cloth with front cover pictorially stamped in black and lettered in silver and spine ruled in black and lettered in silver. Spine very slightly faded, minor rubbing to corners and spine extremities. Slightly over-opened in a few places, a few corners gently creased, tiny tear to outer edge of plate facing p. 4, short tear to lower blank margin of pp. 173/174, short tear to upper margin of pp. 177/178, entering the text. Otherwise a near fine copy. Chemised in a quarter black morocco over red cloth slipcase with spine lettered in gilt (stamp-signed on the chemise liner: "Bound by J. Desmonts / J. Mac Donald Co. / Norwalk, Conn."). Laid in is an Autograph Letter Signed by W. D. Howells to a young female admirer, on 40 West Fifty-Ninth Street letterhead: "March 10, 1896. / Dear Florence Davis: / It was very / kind of you to think / of writing to me, and / I thank you for your / sweet little letter. / I wish I could / write some more / children's stories, and / I will promise to do so / if you will stay a / little girl long enough / to read them. / Yours sincerely / W. D. Howells." One small octavo page (6.9375 x 4.4375 inches; 176 x 112 mm.) on the recto of half of a folded leaf. BAL 9748. Blanck, Peter Parley to Penrod, p. 117.Not Sold. |
| 57194 | Andrew Lang. The Orange Fairy Book. Edited by Andrew Lang. With eight coloured plates and numerous illustrations by H. J. Ford. London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1906. First edition. Octavo. xiii, 358 pages. Eight full-page illustrations, including frontispiece. Publisher's original orange cloth over boards. Front cover and spine pictorially decorated in gilt. All edges gilt. Spine slightly sunned, very minor wear to extremities. Light browning and foxing to endpapers, else an about fine copy.Not Sold. |
| 57195 | A[lan] A[lexander] Milne. The Christopher Robin Story Book from When We Were Very Young, Now We Are Six, Winnie-the-Pooh, The House at Pooh Corner. Selected and Introduced by the Author. With Decorations by Ernest H. Shepard. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc. Publishers, [1926]. First American edition on large paper. Limited to 350 numbered copies (this copy being No. 235), signed by both A. A. Milne and Ernest H. Shepard. Small quarto (8.875 x 7.0625 inches; 222 x 180 mm.). [2], [2, limitation leaf], [iii]-xiii, [1, blank], [1, fly-title], [1, blank], 171, [1, blank] pp. Text illustrations. Printed on Japanese vellum. Publisher's half lime green fine diagonally-ribbed cloth over salmon-colored laid paper boards. Front cover pictorially printed and lettered in black. Salmon-colored laid paper spine label printed in black. Lime green laid paper endpapers. Top edge trimmed, others uncut. Lower corners very slightly bumped. Tiny abrasion to the outer edge of the first leaf and the half-title, a few short tears and abrasions to pp. 9/10 and 11/12, with a small piece torn from the outer blank margin of pp. 11/12. Otherwise a fine copy. In the publisher's unprinted acetate dust wrapper. Housed in the publisher's matching salmon-colored laid paper cardboard box pictorially printed and lettered in black on the lid (box very slightly soiled, expert restoration to corners of box lid, short split to one side of box lid, short split to one side of bottom of box).Not Sold. |
| 57196 | A[lan] A[lexander] Milne. The House at Pooh Corner. With Decorations by Ernest H. Shepard. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., [1928]. First edition. One of twenty numbered copies printed on Japanese vellum, signed by both A. A. Milne and Ernest H. Shepard. This copy is out-of-series, with "of which this is" and "No." inked out, and is inscribed (by the publisher?) to Milne's literary agent, Curtis Brown: "This is a presentation copy for Curtis Brown, Esq." Small quarto (8.8125 x 6.9375 inches; 224 x 176 mm.). xi, [1, blank], 178, [1], [1, printer's imprint] pages. Text illustrations. Publisher's vellum over boards with yapp edges. Front cover lettered in gilt. Boards a bit bowed, small blemish to lower portion of front cover, endpapers very slightly browned. Tiny adhesion to lower gutter margin of title from front free endpaper. Otherwise a fine copy. Unopened. Housed in a red cloth slipcase. Not Sold. |
| 57197 | A[lan] A[lexander] Milne. The House at Pooh Corner ... With Decorations by Ernest Shepard. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., [1928]. First trade edition. "Crown" octavo. xi, [1, blank], 178, [2] pages. With intertextual illustrations by Shepard. Publisher's deluxe binding of full limp red morocco, in the scarce original publisher's box of gray card stock with paper labels printed in blue. (A short tear to box's top cover side flap and some rubbing to extremities, but overall a remarkable survival, almost never found with the book.) Double-fillet borders rolled in gilt, gilt floral stamps at corners, pictorial centerpiece on front board (Christopher Robbin and Eeyore) stamped in gilt, smooth spine elaborately lettered and tooled in gilt, pictorial salmon endpapers, all edges gilt. Some very subtle rubbing to binding, else a very good copy.Not Sold. |
| 57198 | A[lan] A[lexander] Milne. Now We Are Six. With Decorations by Ernest H. Shepard. New York: E. P. Dutton & Company, [1927]. First American edition on large paper of the third "Pooh" book. Limited to 200 numbered copies (this copy being No. 115), signed by both A. A. Milne and Ernest H. Shepard. Small quarto (8.8125 x 7 inches; 224 x 178 mm.). [2, half-title], [2, frontispiece], [iii]-iv, [2, limitation leaf], v-ix, [1, blank], [2, fly-title], 103, [3, blank] pp. Printed on Japanese vellum. Text illustrations. Publisher's half pink linen over light blue laid paper boards pictorially printed and lettered in black. Light blue laid paper spine label printed in black. Light blue laid paper endpapers. Top edge trimmed, others uncut. Spine ends and lower corner of front cover very slightly bumped. Very slight crease to the lower margin of a few leaves at the end. A superb copy, largely unopened. In the original matching light blue laid paper dust jacket pictorially printed and lettered in black (very slight browning to jacket spine and edges). Housed in the publisher's matching light blue laid paper cardboard box pictorially printed and lettered in black on the lid (lower right corner of box very slightly bumped, slight browning to box sides and to upper portion of box lid, short tear to bottom side of box lid).Sold for: $3,585.00. |
| 57199 | A[lan] A[lexander] Milne. Now We Are Six. With Decorations by Ernest H. Shepard. London: Methuen & Co., [1927]. First edition. Signed by A. A. Milne on the title-page. Small octavo (7.5625 x 4.9375 inches; 189 x 125 mm.). x, [2], 103, [1, printer's imprint] pp. Text illustrations. Original dark red cloth ruled in gilt on front cover, pictorially stamped in gilt on front and back covers, and ruled and lettered in gilt on spine. Top edge gilt. Original pink pictorial endpapers printed in dark blue. Light rubbing to extremities, spine slightly faded with the cloth chipped at head and foot, a few small areas of slight discoloration to cloth on covers. Paper very slightly browned, occasional minor soiling, small abrasion to p. 24, affecting a small portion of one of the illustrations, with a corresponding adhesion on p. 25, just affecting a couple of letters. Over-opened between pp. 4 and 5, pp. 20 and 21, pp. 52 and 53, pp. 68 and 69. Previous owner's ink signature at head of front free endpaper. A very good copy. In the original pale green pictorial dust jacket printed in dark blue (jacket with some slight soiling and areas of discoloration to front and rear panels, jacket spine and edges slightly browned, a few small chips and tears, including a one-inch tear at foot of spine, just affecting two letters in the publisher's name).Sold for: $896.25. |
| 57200 | A[lan] A[lexander] Milne. Now We Are Six. With Decorations by Ernest H. Shepard. London: Methuen & Co., [1927]. First edition. Small octavo (7.5625 x 4.9375 inches; 189 x 125 mm.). x, [2], 103, [1, printer's imprint] pp. Text illustrations. Original dark red cloth ruled in gilt on front cover, pictorially stamped in gilt on front and back covers, and ruled and lettered in gilt on spine. Top edge gilt. Original pink pictorial endpapers printed in dark blue. Very slightly skewed, minimal rubbing to corners and spine extremities, lower corners lightly bumped. Small abrasion to the recto of the rear free endpaper where it was once adhered to the final page (the small piece of pink paper is still affixed to the final page), tiny abrasion to the outer edge of the last few leaves, where they were once adhered to one another. Slight browning to the half-title and the final page from pastedown glue. A near fine copy. In the original pale green pictorial dust jacket printed in dark blue (jacket with minor edgewear, some slight soiling and areas of discoloration to front and rear panels, jacket spine and edges very slightly browned).Sold for: $478.00. |
| 57201 | A[lan] A[lexander] Milne. Winnie-the-Pooh. With Decorations by Ernest H. Shepard. [New York]: E.P. Dutton & Company, [1926]. First American edition on large paper. Limited to 200 numbered copies (this copy being No. 158), signed by both A. A. Milne and Ernest H. Shepard. Small quarto (8.875 x 7 inches; 224 x 178 mm.). [2, limitation leaf], ix, [1, blank], [4], 158, [1], [3, blank] pp. Text illustrations. Printed on Japanese vellum. Publisher's quarter lavender fine diagonally-ribbed cloth over salmon-colored laid paper boards. Front cover pictorially printed and lettered in black and back cover pictorially printed in black. Salmon-colored laid paper spine label pictorially printed and lettered in black. Top and fore-edge trimmed, bottom edge uncut. Minimal rubbing to spine ends. A remarkably fine copy. In the original matching salmon-colored laid paper dust jacket pictorially printed and lettered in black (tiny crease to upper edge of rear panel of dust jacket). Housed in the publisher's matching salmon-colored laid paper cardboard box pictorially printed and lettered in black on the lid (box very slightly soiled, a couple of small faint stains on the box lid, expert restoration to two corners of the box lid, one corner split).Not Sold. |
| 57202 | Christopher Paolini. Eragon. Livingston, MT: Paolini International, LLC, 2002. Privately printed first edition, first issue. Inscribed and signed "To Kevin 1/22/03 Christopher Paolini" on the title page. Octavo. 468 pages. Publisher's stiff wrappers. Two minor fold lines on the back cover, and one corner lightly curled, else a near fine copy. A true rarity that preceded the first hardcover edition.Sold for: $657.25. |
| 57203 | Beatrix Potter. The Tale of Little Pig Robinson. Philadelphia: David McKay Company, [n.d., after 1930]. Later issue of the first American edition, containing twenty-five black and white illustrations not found in the English edition. Small quarto (8.25 x 6.3125 inches; 209 x 161 mm.). [6], 141, [5, blank] pp. Color frontispiece and five color plates, black and white vignette on the title-page and thirteen black and white vignettes in the text (chapter head- and tail-pieces), and thirty-four full-page illustrations in black and white. Publisher's bright blue fine dotted-line-ribbed cloth with large color pictorial label on front cover. Spine decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt. Pictorial endpapers printed in green. Minimal rubbing to extremities, corners lightly bumped, endpapers slightly foxed and browned. Four-inch tear to pp. 77/78, repaired on the verso with cellotape, the tape offsetting onto the facing page. Otherwise a near fine, very bright copy. In the original color pictorial dust jacket (the jacket has a few small chips and tears; the spine and front panel are slightly darkened; and there is some offsetting and a few scratch marks on the rear panel). The later issue of the McKay American edition "differs from the earlier issue by having a blue cloth binding instead of green; the contents are printed on a lighter weight stock bulking to 1 cm. in thickness as opposed to 1.5 cm. in the first edition; and the dust jacket flaps are plain without any printed text" (Beatrix Potter: The Doris Frohnsdorff Collection, Christie's East, 16 April 1997, Lot 142). This copy is bound in blue cloth instead of green, and the dust jacket flaps are plain, but the text bulks to 1.7 cm. "In her letter of July 8th 1930, Beatrix Potter told Mr. McKay that Frederick Warne & Co's scheme 'is going to leave out a number of illustrations which I consider the best,' adding, 'but I hope you may care to include them in the U.S.A. edition...It is a good book to illustrate, I should quite enjoy doing a few more! If you want any to fill up--just tell me the number of the (type written) page, as I have kept the duplicates.' Mr. McKay was willing to produce a book with more black and white drawings than Warnes, and the American edition contains twelve more drawings, plus thirteen 'heads and tails' to the chapters. Referring to these latter as 'chapter ends', Beatrix Potter told Mr. McKay, 'I think myself that some of the 'chapter ends' are the best drawing of any.' She sent him sixteen for the eight chapters, but owing to lack of space, only thirteen were used. Of the other drawings she said, 'I think Pig Robinson looking into a shop window is the best black-and-white.' The color plates were the same in both English and American editions [except for the color illustration on the front cover which in the English edition appears only as a line drawing]" (Linder, pp. 257-258). Linder, p. 432; Quinby 30A; V & A 1678-1679 (describing the first American edition; this issue not in Linder, Quinby, or V & A).Sold for: $448.13. |
| 57206 | Philip Pullman. His Dark Materials Trilogy, including: The Golden Compass. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, [1995]. First American edition. Comes with signed bookplate laid-in. Octavo. 399 pages. Publisher's blue cloth over blue boards with gilt spine titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Minimal shelf wear. Spine minimally skewed. Textblock tight, white, and square. Overall, fine condition. [and:] The Subtle Knife. His Dark Materials Book Two. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, [1997]. First American edition. Comes with signed bookplate laid-in. Octavo. 326 pages. Publisher's blue cloth over blue boards with gilt spine titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Minor shelf wear to the book and jacket. Internal contents flawless. A near fine copy. [and:] The Amber Spyglass. His Dark Materials Book Three. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, [2000]. First American edition. Signed by the author on the title page. Octavo. 518 pages. Publisher's pictorial cloth boards illustrated by Eric Rohmann. Original pictorial dust jacket. Minimal shelf wear, else a fine copy. The Amber Spyglass is the first children's book to be awarded the Whitbread Prize and the first children's book to be nominated for the Booker Prize. A wonderful collection of Pullman's epic trilogy.Sold for: $597.50. |
| 57207 | [N. C. Wyeth, illustrator]. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. The Yearling. With Illustrations by N. C. Wyeth. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1939. First illustrated edition (first published in 1938). Limited to 770 copies, of which 750 are for sale, signed by both Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and N. C. Wyeth. Quarto (9.25 x 7.0625 inches; 234 x 179 mm.). [2, blank], viii, [2], 400 pages. Fourteen color plates, as well as three additional "Special Illustrations for the Limited Edition": facsimile of a letter from N. C. Wyeth (two leaves), and two charcoal and wash plates. Title printed in black and greenish blue. Publisher's greenish blue cloth with front cover pictorially stamped in gilt and spine ruled in gilt and decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt. Top edge gilt, others uncut. Color pictorial endpapers. Very faint scuff mark to the cloth on the front cover and a few small areas of very slight discoloration to the cloth on the rear cover. Paper very slightly browned at the edges. Otherwise a fine copy. Housed in the publisher's green stiff paper chemise with black paper label printed in gilt and green cardboard slipcase. The chemise and slipcase show some wear, with a tiny sliver chipped from the edge of the spine label and a couple of short splits to the edges of the slipcase. The Yearling, by American novelist Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (1896-1953), "is set in the Florida scrub country during the 1870s. Twelve-year-old Jody Baxter tames a fawn, Flag, which becomes his companion, but it eats the family's crops and must be killed, thereby provoking a crisis in Jody's relationship with his father. The book won a Pulitzer Prize for its author. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings wrote one other children's book, the posthumous The Secret River (1955), the story of a magic fish-filled stream" (The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature). Allen and Allen, pp. 215-216.Sold for: $1,553.50. |
| 57208 | J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the: Sorcerer's Stone; Chamber of Secrets; Prisoner of Azkaban; Goblet of Fire; Order of the Phoenix; Half Blood Prince; Deathly Hallows. [New York]: Arthur A. Levine / Scholastic Press, 1998-2007. First American editions, first printings. Seven large octavo volumes. Illustrated. Publisher's original cloth backs over paper boards embossed with a diamond pattern, lettering stamped on the spines. Original pictorial dust jackets. All books and jackets in fine condition. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Copyright page: 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 8 9/9 0/0 01 02 and states "First American Edition, October 1998." The first state dust jacket has "The Guardian" blurb on the back with $16.95 price on the flap and no volume number on the spine. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Copyright page: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 9/9 0/0 1 2 3 4 and states "First American Edition, June 1999." No volume number on the book. Dust jacket with $17.95 on the front flap and no number on the spine. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Copyright page: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 9/9 0/0 1 2 3 4 with "First American Edition, October 1999." With "Year 3" on the spine of the book and the dust jacket. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Copyright: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0/0 01 02 03 04 and states "First American Edition, July 2000." "Year 4" on the book and dust jacket spine and with issue price of $25.95 on front flap. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Copyright page: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 03 04 05 06 07 and "First American Edition, July 2003." "Year 5" on the book and dust jacket spines with an issue price of $29.99. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: Copyright page: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 05 06 07 08 09 and "First American Edition, July 2005" and "Printed in the USA." With "Year 6" on the book and dust jacket spines and issue price of $29.99. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: "First Edition, July 2007." With "Year 7" on the book and dust jacket spines and issue price of $34.99Sold for: $2,987.50. |
| 57209 | J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. [London]: Bloomsbury, [1997]. First edition, uncorrected proof copy preceding publication. Octavo. 223, [1, blank] pp. In original Bloomsbury binding of white wrappers with a yellow band around the middle, and lettered in black. With the cardstock mockup of what became the pictorial boards for the first edition, complete with the early rendition of Dumbledore which made it to the first edition printing but was subsequently changed (The first UK edition of the first Harry Potter book was issued without a dust jacket). Wrappers lettered: "Uncorrected Proof Copy" at the top of the front panel. Publishing specifics and details are printed on the rear wrapper. The title page bears the error: "J. A Rowling"; while the copyright page states: "Joanne Rowling" and has the complete number row descending from 10 to 1. Wrappers soiled, creases to front and rear wrappers, general light wear and rubbing to corners, some dog-eared, paper just beginning to split a bit at the bottom of the spine, small ink mark to the front wrapper. Binding skewed, but still an attractive and rare original proof which preceded the true first edition of the first Harry Potter book, complete with the stiff paper mockup of the illustrated boards. With the creation of Harry Potter, Hermione, Hagrid, Dumbledore, and the Dursleys, J.K. Rowling has won the hearts of children and adults around the world. This is the first book in her enormously popular seven-volume tale, chronicling the orphaned Harry's adventures as he fulfills his destiny, does his homework, plays Quidditch for Hogwarts, and defends the world against the evil wizard Voldemort.Sold for: $4,780.00. |
| 57210 | J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. London: Bloomsbury, [1998]. First edition, first state, with the following first state issue points: Copyright page number line descending from 10 on the left to 1 on the right; On the front flap of the dust jacket, paragraph 5, lines 1 and 2 does not have "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" in italics; Paragraph 5, line 7 "Tom El-Shawk Age 11" has no comma after the name and age has a capital "A"; Paragraph 6, line 1, "Harry Potter" is not italicized; Paragraph 6, line 5, "Harry" is not italicized; Paragraph 6, line 7, "Katrina Farrant Age 10" has no comma after the name and age has a capital "A". Small octavo. [256] pages. Original pictorial boards, dust jacket. Book is very slightly skewed, jacket with a small closed tear to the bottom of the front panel fold at the fore-edge, and some general light creasing and soiling. Altogether, a very good, collectible copy. J.K. Rowling has captured the hearts and minds of children (and adults) around the world with her incredibly successful Harry Potter series. Each title dominated the best-seller lists for months, and the movies from the books have all been blockbusters thus far. This second book covers Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, when the mysterious Chamber of Secrets is opened, and Harry and friends must battle to safeguard their lives and the world.Sold for: $1,344.38. |
| 57211 | J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. London: Bloomsbury, [2000]. First edition. Inscribed by J.K. Rowling on the title page: "To Nick, / Thank you! J.K. Rowling." Small thick octavo. 636 pages. Original pictorial boards, illustrated dust jacket. Faint soft crease to the bottom of the jacket spine, else a fine copy.Not Sold. |
| 57212 | Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Le Petit Prince. Avec dessins par l'auteur. New York: Reynal & Hitchcock, [1943]. Signed limited first edition in the original French of The Little Prince. Limited to 260 numbered copies, of which 250 are for sale. This copy is No. 36, signed by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Small quarto (8.75 x 7.0625 inches; 222 x 180 mm.). [2, limitation leaf], 91, [1], [1, colophon], [1, blank] pages. Text illustrations in black and white and color. Original salmon-colored cloth pictorially stamped and lettered in dark red on front cover and lettered in dark red on spine. Light rubbing to corners and spine extremities, spine very slightly darkened, a few tiny areas of slight discoloration to cloth on covers, endpapers a little browned. An excellent copy. In an original color pictorial dust jacket for the first trade edition, without the matching limitation number in ink on the spine and with the $2.00 price intact on the front flap (the publisher did not print a separate jacket for the signed limited edition, so the $2.00 price was clipped and the limitation number written in ink above the publisher's name on the spine). The jacket is slightly browned and a little rubbed, with a few small chips and tears, some repaired with tissue, those at the foot of the spine affecting a couple of letters in the publisher's name. The signed limited first edition in French is even scarcer than the simultaneously published signed limited first edition in English, of which 525 copies were printed. "An aviator, stranded in the Sahara Desert and trying to repair his plane, encounters the Little Prince, a child who has descended to earth from the asteroid where he is ruler and sole inhabitant. He tells the aviator of his journey to other asteroids, his encounters with the men who live there, and his other strange experiences. At the end of the story he dies, bitten by a snake, though the aviator believes he has in fact returned to his home in the skies...Marie-Antoine-Roger de Saint-Exupéry (1900-44), born in Lyons, was a commercial pilot during the 1930s and wrote several books based on his experiences. During the Second World War he served with Free French forces in Morocco, and disappeared on a reconnaissance flight over the Mediterranean [on July 31, 1944]" (The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature). "Whether Saint-Exupéry wrote [The Little Prince] really for children or slyly for adults is not entirely clear. Figuratively speaking, the tale has something of Hans Christian Andersen in it, something of Lewis Carroll, and even, it may perhaps be said, a bit of John Bunyan. It is often lyrical, too often coy, sometimes profound...However it is classified, The Little Prince has entered children's literature, in the manner of quite a few other such hard-to-define works in the preceding centuries" (Pierpont Morgan 224).Sold for: $8,962.50. |
| 57213 | Maurice Sendak. In der Nachtkuche. Deutsch von Hans Manz. [Zurich]: Diogenes, [1971]. First edition in German of In The Night Kitchen. Signed and with an original drawing by Sendak. Large quarto. [40] pp. Color text illustrations. Original pale-yellow boards, front cover lettered and pictorially stamped in dark brown, spine lettered in dark brown, in the original pictorial dust jacket (very slightly scratched, with a little minor wear to extremities). Front free endpaper signed by Sendak at the time of publication, below an original ink sketch of main character Mickey. A fine and very desirable example of a signed item by Sendak, who no longer accompanies his signature with original drawings.Sold for: $896.25. |
| 57214 | Maurice Sendak. Where the Wild Things Are. [New York]: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1963. First edition in first issue dust jacket with $3.50 price and three-paragraph blurb on front flap, three paragraphs on rear flap, and no Caldecott medal, nor mention of one on the dust jacket. Oblong quarto. Unpaginated. Publisher's dark green cloth over pictorial boards. Original first issue dust jacket. Light toning, rubbing, and shelf wear to the dust jacket. Spine slightly darkened. Bottom of front dust jacket flap clipped (not top where the price is). One very small damp-stain at the top of the rear flap fold. Overall, a very good copy of Sendak's children's classic.Sold for: $3,346.00. |
| 57215 | P. L. Travers. Mary Poppins. Illustrated by Mary Shepard. New York: Reynal & Hitchcock, [1934]. First American edition of the author's first book (published the same year as the first English edition). Octavo (7.375 x 4.875 inches; 188 x 123 mm.). [6], ix-xii, 206 pages. Text illustrations. Original light blue cloth pictorially stamped and lettered in dark blue on front cover and lettered in dark blue on spine. Top edge stained red. Pictorial endpapers. Light rubbing to corners and spine extremities, spine and board edges very slightly faded, a few areas of slight discoloration to cloth. Some very occasional minor marginal soiling or staining. Short tear to the upper blank margin of pp. 59/60. A very good copy. In the original reddish brown pictorial dust jacket. The jacket has a few small chips and tears and the spine is slightly faded, but is totally untouched. Housed in a red cloth chemise and quarter red morocco slipcase lettered in gilt on spine (stamp-signed on the chemise liner: "Bound by J. Desmonts / J. Mac Donald Co. / Norwalk, Conn."). "First published in 1934 with illustrations by Mary Shepard, daughter of E. H. Shepard. The Banks family acquire as nursemaid Mary Poppins, who refuses to give references, dictates her own terms for the job, and possesses certain surprising talents: she can slide up the banisters, walk into a picture drawn by her friend Bert, understand the speech of dogs, and, with the aid of a compass, travel round the world in a matter of seconds. Jane and Michael, the two elder Banks children, have the time of their life with her, and are desolate when one day the wind blows her away again as abruptly as it brought her into their lives. The first book was followed by Mary Poppins Comes Back (1935), Mary Poppins Opens the Door (1943), and Mary Poppins in the Park (1952)...After a 30-year gap, Miss Travers resumed the Poppins saga in 1982 with Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane. The continuing fame of Mary Poppins is largely the result of the 1964 Disney film of the stories, with Julie Andrews in the title role, which has continued to be remembered largely because of its songs" (The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature).Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57216 | E. B. White. Charlotte's Web. Pictures by Garth Williams. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, [1952]. First edition, with "I-B" on the copyright page. Octavo. 184 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with decorative blue and black titles. First issue dust jacket with $2.50 price and four blurbs for Stuart Little on the rear panel. Minimal wear to the boards, with light rubbing at the corners. Minor toning to the dust jacket, with slightly rubbed corners and spine ends, a half-inch closed tear at the spine head, and a somewhat darkened spine. A solid, very good copy of this children's classic.Not Sold. |
| 57217 | E. B. White. Stuart Little. New York: Harper & Brothers, [1945]. First edition. Octavo. 131 pages. Illustrations by Garth Williams. Beige pictorial cloth. Pictorial endpapers. Dust jacket. Binding very slightly cocked. Minor wear to bottom edge of binding. Bookstore label neatly affixed to a blank rear page. Light dampstain to corner of front and back panel of dust jacket. Small chips to jacket. A very good copy of White's first children's book.Not Sold. |
| 57218 | [Walt Disney Studios]. The Adventures of Mickey Mouse. Story and Illustrations by Staff of Walt Disney Studio. Book I. Philadelphia: David McKay Company, [1931]. First edition. Octavo. [32] pp., including title-page and dedication. Profusely illustrated with color drawings. Original red cloth boards, with color pictorial label on the front cover, and color pictorial endpapers. There is no label on the rear cover. Extremities rubbed, light wear to the top and bottom of spine. Slight scrape to the front cover label. Overall, a very good, clean and sound copy of the first major Disney story book. Scarce. Every page is illustrated in color with Mickey and the gang in this early and significant presentation of their antics and personality development. In fact, this book includes the first reference to Donald Duck, who didn't become a real Disney character until 1934. These characters have dominated the imagery and ideas of generations of children and here is one of the early appearances.Sold for: $717.00. |
| 57219 | Rare Mock-Up for the 1950 Simon and Schuster Edition of Walt Disney's Cinderella. For the Disney collector who has everything: a mock-up for the book version of Walt Disney's Cinderella, published by Simon and Schuster in 1950. Rather crude in form, this folio size mock up consists of twenty-nine pages sewn into boards, featuring pasted-up text, color lithographs, and black-and-white photographs. Of particular interest is the text on the title page that has been done entirely by hand. Sadly, the illustrations on pages twenty and twenty-one are missing but the pasted up text remains. An unidentified layout artist has made a few pencil notes on the front pastedown noting the status of each page: "2 & 3 Dorothy has", "30, 31, 4, 5, I have", "3 color proofs on hand", etc. Often these mock-ups are discarded after publication of a book and that this example from the classic Disney movie is still extant is extraordinary. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57220 | Two Sandpiper Books, including: Roy Rogers on the Double-R Ranch. New York: Simon and Schuster, [1951]. First edition. Twelvemo. 78 pages. Publisher's light blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock somewhat toned. Previous owner's signature on the front pastedown. A very good copy. [and:] Fran Striker. The Lone Ranger's New Deputy. New York: Simon and Schuster, [1951]. First edition. Twelvemo. 78 pages. Publisher's light blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and closed tears to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock somewhat toned. A very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $101.58. |
| 57221 | Victor Appleton. Tom Swift and His Motor Boat. Lancaster, Lord & Co., Inc, 1932. First edition. Released as a promotional giveaway by the U.S. Rubber Company/Keds Shoes. Octavo. 92 pages. Published in a light yellow paper binding with the quad cover design. Pulp pages toned as usual. One small tear at the center near at the spine of the cover with one or two very small tears at the edges. Covers toned with age with some very light soiling. A rare promotional variation in remarkably sound and very good condition. This title and Tom Swift and His Motor Cycle were apparently the only two titles issued with the promotional. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $478.00. |
| 57222 | Victor Appleton. Tom Swift and His Motor Boat. Lancaster, Lord & Co., Inc, 1932. First edition. Released as a promotional giveaway by the U.S. Rubber Company/Keds Shoes. Octavo. 92 pages. Keds and U.S. Rubber advertisements and promotions at the end of the story. Published in a light yellow paper binding with the quad cover design. Pulp pages moderately toned as usual. Several small tears and chips at the edges of the covers and the top layer of finish is abraded at the spine on the front cover. Covers toned with age with two child's doodles in ink on the back covers. "Leopold's Shoe Shop" ink stamp on the cover under the titles. A rare Tom Swift variation in good condition. This title and Tom Swift and His Motor Cycle were apparently the only two titles issued with the promotional. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57223 | Victor Appleton. Tom Swift and His Motor Cycle. Lancaster, Lord & Co., Inc, 1932. First edition. Released as a promotional giveaway by the U.S. Rubber Company/Keds Shoes. Octavo. 86 pages. Keds and U.S. Rubber advertisements and promotions at the end of the story. Published in a light yellow paper binding with the quad cover design. Pulp pages extremely toned and brittle. Several pages have come loose. A few small tears and creases along the edges of the cover. Covers toned with age with some soiling and a small inked number on the cover. Covers have started to separate from the page block. An extremely rare promotional item in fair condition. This title and Tom Swift and His Motor Boat were the only two titles issued with the promotional. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57224 | Victor Appleton. Tom Swift and His Planet Stone or Discovering the Secret of Another World. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers [1935]. First edition and the last of the Grosset & Dunlap series. Octavo. 230 pages, with frontispiece. Orange cloth covers show minor wear at corners; spine head and tail are slightly bumped. Some separation of hinge between frontispiece and title page. Dust jacket is moderately worn at edges, corners and spine, although the cover image is bright and sharp. Former owner inscriptions on initial pastedown and flyeaf. Overall a very nice copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $2,629.00. |
| 57225 | Victor Appleton. Four Tom Swift First Editions including Tom Swift Circling the Globe. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1927. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Illustrated. Tan pictorial cloth with titles and decoration in black and red on the spine and front board. Corners slightly bumped, else sound internally and externally. Dust jacket slightly toned with moderate shelf wear and some uniform toning. A handsome copy in very good condition. [and] Tom Swift and His Talking Pictures. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1928. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Illustrated. Tan pictorial cloth with titles and decoration in black and red on the spine and front board. Minor spotting to the boards, with fraying to the corners and head and foot of spine. Former owner's name in pencil on the front free endpaper. Dust jacket with some chipping, a few small closed tears and wrinkles along the edges. Back panel with some soiling. Spine slightly faded. Very good. [and] Tom Swift and His House on Wheels. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1929. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Illustrated. Tan pictorial cloth with titles and decoration in black and red on the spine and front board. A beautiful copy internally and externally with an old gift inscription on the front free endpaper. Bright dust jacket with slight shelf wear, slightly toned on the back panel and a small closed hole on the back panel. A near fine copy. [and] Tom Swift and His Big Dirigible. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1930. First edition. Twelvemo. 214 pages. Illustrated. Tan pictorial cloth with titles and decoration in black and red on the spine and front board. Light shelf wear. Contents sound. Former owner's name in ink on the front free endpaper. Bright dust jacket, spine slightly faded, light shelf wear. A very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $2,031.50. |
| 57226 | Victor Appleton. Four Tom Swift First Editions including Tom Swift and His Sky Train. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1931. First edition. Twelvemo. 218 pages. Illustrated. Tan pictorial cloth with titles and decoration in black and red on the spine and front board. Slight shelf wear to boards. Contents sound. Former owner's name in pencil on the front free endpaper. Dust jacket slightly faded with moderate shelf wear at the corners and edges. Spine slightly faded, else a handsome copy in very good condition. [and] Tom Swift and His Giant Magnet. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1932. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Illustrated. Tan pictorial cloth with titles and decoration in black and red on the spine and front board. Minor spotting to the boards, internal contents bright. Dust jacket with small areas of loss on the front edges, a few small closed tears, back panel slightly toned. Spine slightly faded. Very good. [and] Tom Swift and His Television Detector. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1933. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Illustrated by Nat Falk. Orange boards with titles in black on the spine and front board. Pictorial endpapers. Top edge red. A beautiful copy internally and externally with an old gift inscription Corners slightly bumped else a nice copy internally and externally. Former owner's name on the front free endpaper. Bright dust jacket with slight shelf wear, slightly toned on the back panel and spine slightly faded. A very good copy. [and] Tom Swift and His Ocean Airport. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1934. First edition. Twelvemo. 214 pages. Illustrated by Nat Falk. Orange boards with titles in black on the spine and front board. Pictorial endpapers. Shelf wear to light soiling to boards, spine slightly faded, and corners bumped. Contents slightly toned, else sound. Dust jacket front panel slightly faded, spine more so, else light shelf wear and toning. A very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $2,031.50. |
| 57227 | Victor Appleton II. The Last Three Tom Swift, Jr. Adventures, including: Tom Swift and His Dyna-4 Capsule. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1969]. First edition. Twelvemo. 175 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the boards. Lightly rubbed corners. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Cosmotron Express. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1970]. First edition. Twelvemo. 180 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the book, especially the bottom edge. Lightly rubbed corners. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and the Galaxy of Ghosts. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1971]. First edition. Twelvemo. 180 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the book. Lightly rubbed corners. Overall, a very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57228 | Victor Appleton. Three Tom Swift Adventures, including: Tom Swift and His Airline Express. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1926]. First edition. Twelvemo. 218 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with black and red decorative titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Previous owner's signature on the front free endpaper. Previous owner's bookplate affixed to the front pastedown. Good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Flying Boat. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1923]. First edition. Twelvemo. 212 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with black and red decorative titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Verso of dust jacket shows significant amateur tape repair. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. All in all, good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Great Oil Gusher. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1924]. First edition. Twelvemo. 210 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with black and red decorative titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Light staining to the bottom of the boards. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $1,912.00. |
| 57229 | Victor Appleton. Four Early Tom Swift Adventures, including: Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1917]. First edition. Twelvemo. 218 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with black and red decorative titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book. Significant wear to the jacket, with noticeable paper loss, rubbing, and tape repair to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Overall, a good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Electric Locomotive. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1922]. First edition. Twelvemo. 212 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with black and red decorative titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Spine slightly skewed. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Air Scout. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1919]. First edition. Twelvemo. 218 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with black and red decorative titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Spine slightly skewed. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Undersea Search. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1920]. First edition. Twelvemo. 218 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with black and red decorative titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Spine slightly skewed. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Previous owner's signature on the front free endpaper. Very good. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $149.38. |
| 57230 | Victor Appleton II. First Four Tom Swift Jr. Adventures, including: Tom Swift and His Flying Lab. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 208 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Previous owner's signature on the front free endpaper and flyleaf. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Jetmarine. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 208 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Rocket Ship. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 208 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Tape repairs to verso of jacket. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Giant Robot. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 211 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57231 | Victor Appleton II. First Four Tom Swift Jr. Adventures, including: Tom Swift and His Flying Lab. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 208 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Jetmarine. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 208 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Rocket Ship. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 208 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with noticeable paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Giant Robot. London: Samson Low, [1954]. First UK edition. Twelvemo. 191 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges toned. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57232 | Victor Appleton II. Nine Tom Swift Jr. Adventures, Numbers 9-17, including: Tom Swift on the Phantom Satellite. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1956]. First edition. Twelvemo. 214 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Page 91 torn at bottom. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Ultrasonic Cycloplane. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1957]. First edition. Twelvemo. 182 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book. Noticeable wear to the jacket, with minor paper loss, rubbing, and toning. Lightly rubbed corners. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Deep-Sea Hydrodome. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1958]. First edition. Twelvemo. 184 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Previous owner's gift inscription on the half-title page. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift in the Race to the Moon. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1958]. First edition. Twelvemo. 180 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minimal paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock lightly toned. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Space Solartron. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1958]. First edition. Twelvemo. 183 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minimal paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Tight, square, very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Electronic Retroscope. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1959]. First edition. Twelvemo. 184 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minimal paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock lightly toned. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Spectromarine Selector. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1960]. First edition. Twelvemo. 184 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minimal paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock lightly toned. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and the Cosmic Astronauts. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1960]. First edition. Twelvemo. 184 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minimal paper loss, rubbing, and tape repair to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and the Visitor from Planet X. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1961]. First edition. Twelvemo. 184 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Previous owner's signature on the front flyleaf. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57233 | Victor Appleton II. Ten Tom Swift Jr. Adventures, Select Editions Between Numbers 18-29, including: Tom Swift and the Electronic Hydrolung. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1961]. First edition. Twelvemo. 188 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the boards. Lightly rubbed corners. Previous owner's signature on the front free endpaper. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Triphibian Atomicar. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1962]. First edition. Twelvemo. 188 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the boards. Lightly rubbed corners. Light toning to the textblock edges. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Repelatron Skyway. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1963]. First edition. Twelvemo. 179 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the boards. Lightly rubbed corners. Light toning to the textblock edges. Very good. [and:] Tom Swift and His Aquatomic Tracker. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1964]. First edition. Twelvemo. 178 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Minor shelf wear to the boards. One small bump to the top of the boards. Lightly rubbed corners. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His 3-D Telejector. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1964]. First edition. Twelvemo. 177 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the boards. Lightly rubbed corners. Spine slightly skewed. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Polar-Ray Dynasphere. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1965]. First edition. Twelvemo. 177 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the boards. Lightly rubbed corners. Spine slightly skewed. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Sonic Boom Trap. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1965]. First edition. Twelvemo. 178 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the boards. Lightly rubbed corners. Spine slightly skewed. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Subocean Geotron. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1966]. First edition. Twelvemo. 178 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the boards. Lightly rubbed corners. Spine slightly skewed. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and the Mystery Comet. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1966]. First edition. Twelvemo. 178 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the boards. Lightly rubbed corners. Light thumb-soiling to the textblock edges. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and the Captive Planetoid. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1967]. First edition. Twelvemo. 174 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the boards, with noticeable rubbing throughout. Lightly rubbed corners. Spine slightly skewed. Minimal toning to the textblock edges. Overall, a very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57234 | Victor Appleton II. Nine British Tom Swift Adventures, including: Tom Swift and His Rocket Ship. The New Tom Swift Jr. Adventures. London: Sampson Low, [1954]. First UK edition. Octavo. Twelvemo. 192 pages. Publisher's blue buckram with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the boards. Noticeable wear to the dust jacket, including some paper loss along the edges. A good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and the Cosmic Astronauts. London & Glasgow: Collins, [1971]. Twelvemo. 160 pages. Pictorial boards. Noticeable edge wear. Some rubbing to the spine. Textblock somewhat toned, else a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Cosmotron Express. London & Glasgow: Collins, [1971]. Twelvemo. 160 pages. Pictorial boards. Minor edge wear. Textblock somewhat toned. Lightly rubbed corners, else a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Polar-Ray Dynasphere. London & Glasgow: Collins, [1970]. Twelvemo. 160 pages. Pictorial boards. Minor edge wear. Textblock somewhat toned. Lightly rubbed corners, else a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Subocean Geotron. London & Glasgow: Collins, [1969]. Twelvemo. 160 pages. Pictorial boards. Minor edge wear. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock edges lightly foxed, else a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Outpost in Space. London & Glasgow: Collins, [1969]. Twelvemo. 191 pages. Pictorial boards. Minor edge wear. Textblock somewhat toned. Lightly rubbed corners, else a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Triphibian Atomicar. London & Glasgow: Collins, [1970]. Twelvemo. 160 pages. Pictorial boards. Minor edge wear. Textblock somewhat toned. Lightly rubbed corners, else a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Repelatron Skyway. London & Glasgow: Collins, [1970]. Twelvemo. 160 pages. Pictorial boards. Minor edge wear. Textblock somewhat toned. Small gouge on spine. Lightly rubbed corners, with a small bump to the rear board, else a very good copy. [and:] Tom Swift and His Captive Planetoid. London & Glasgow: Collins, [1969]. Twelvemo. 159 pages. Pictorial boards. Minor edge wear. Textblock somewhat toned. Lightly rubbed corners, with one noticeable at the top edge of the front board, else a very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57235 | Victor Appleton II. First Three Tom Swift Jr. Adventures, including: Tom Swift and His Flying Lab. London: Sampson Low, [1954]. First UK edition. Twelvemo. 192 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock edges mildly toned. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Jetmarine. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 208 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Small bump to the bottom edge. Textblock edges mildly toned. Very good condition. [and:] Tom Swift and His Rocket Ship. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 208 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $19.00. |
| 57236 | Clair Bee. Five Chip Hilton Sports Stories, including: Dugout Jinx. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1952]. First edition. Twelvemo. 210 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. A very good copy. [and:] Triple-Threat Trouble. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1960]. First edition. Twelvemo. 182 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket, else a very good copy. [and:] No-Hitter. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1959]. First edition. Twelvemo. 182 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Minor toning to the textblock edge. A very good copy. [and:] Hardcourt Upset. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1957]. First edition. Twelvemo. 181 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Minor toning to the textblock edge. A very good copy. [and:] Fence Busters. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1953]. First edition. Twelvemo. 208 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minimal paper loss to the jacket. A very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $179.25. |
| 57237 | John Blaine. Three Rick Brant Science Adventure First Editions, including: Rocket Jumper (#21). Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1966. First edition. Twelvemo. 177 pages. Illustrated. Pictorial boards. Pictorial endpapers. Top edge red. Light shelf wear especially at the head and foot of spine. Contents bright. Fine. [and] The Deadly Dutchman (#22). Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1967. First edition. Twelvemo. 176 pages. Illustrated. Pictorial boards. Pictorial endpapers. Top edge red. Light shelf wear most noticeable at the corners, small stain at the bottom of the fore edge, book slightly skewed, and back panel slightly soiled. Contents bright. Very good. [and] Danger Below! (#23) Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1968. First edition. Twelvemo. 178 pages. Illustrated. Pictorial boards. Pictorial endpapers. Top edge red. Light shelf wear. Contents bright with former owner's name in pencil on the front pastedown. Fine. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $388.38. |
| 57238 | John Blaine. Six Early Rick Brant Science Adventure Stories, including: The Lost City. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1947]. First edition. Twelvemo. 209 pages. Publisher's orange cloth with brown titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock somewhat toned. A very good copy. [and:] Sea Gold. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1947]. First edition. Twelvemo. 214 pages. Publisher's red cloth with brown titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the spine head of the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock somewhat toned. Price-clipped dust jacket. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] 100 Fathoms Under. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1947]. First edition. Twelvemo. 209 pages. Publisher's orange cloth with brown titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock noticeably toned. Still, a very good copy. [and:] Stairway to Danger. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1952]. First edition. Twelvemo. 210 pages. Publisher's orange cloth with brown titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. A very good copy. [and:] The Golden Skull. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 214 pages. Publisher's orange cloth with brown titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock somewhat toned. Textblock edges lightly foxed. A very good copy. [and:] The Pirates of Shan. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1958]. First edition. Twelvemo. 181 pages. Publisher's orange cloth with brown titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. A very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $262.90. |
| 57239 | John Blaine. Five Later Rick Brant Science Adventure Stories, including: The Lost City. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1947]. First edition. Twelvemo. 209 pages. Publisher's orange cloth with brown titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock somewhat toned. A very good copy. [and:] The Wailing Octopus. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1956]. First edition. Twelvemo. 209 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with dark brown titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock fore-edge somewhat toned. A very good copy. [and:] The Electronic Mind Reader. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1957]. First edition. Twelvemo. 214 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with dark brown titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Jacket also wrinkled noticeably on the front cover. Lightly rubbed corners. Very good condition. [and:] The Blue Ghost Mystery. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1960]. First edition. Twelvemo. 209 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with dark brown titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock edges somewhat toned. A very good copy. [and:] The Egyptian Cat Mystery. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1961]. First edition. Twelvemo. 182 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with dark brown titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Spine slightly skewed. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57240 | Clair Blank. Beverly Gray at the World's Fair. New York and Chicago: A. L. Burt Company, Publishers [1935]. First edition. Twelvemo. 250 pages. Gray-cloth-bound. Blue lettering on spine and front cover. Tight binding. Illustrated endpapers and endleaves. There is a small bookseller sticker at the foot of the front endpaper. Overall near fine condition. The dust jacket has minor wear, tiny edge tears, some rubbing, and a clipped upper corner on the front flap. This sixth novel in Clair Blank's "Beverly Gray College Mystery Series" wasn't reprinted for nearly 70 years. This first edition is the rarest of all Beverly Gray novels, particularly in this condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $1,135.25. |
| 57241 | Clair Blank. Beverly Gray at the World's Fair. New York: Blue Ribbon Books, Inc. [1935]. First edition. Twelvemo. 250 pages. Gray-cloth-bound. Blue lettering on spine and front cover. Tight binding. Illustrated endpapers and endleaves. Some wear along the spine on back cover. Overall near fine condition. The dust jacket has some wear at the head and foot of the spine. This sixth novel in Clair Blank's "Beverly Gray College Mystery Series" wasn't reprinted for nearly 70 years. This first edition is the rarest of all Beverly Gray novels, particularly in this condition. The title page of this New York printing includes the notation "A Burt Book" and features the same copyright information as the simultaneously published New York and Chicago "A. L. Burt and Company" first edition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $478.00. |
| 57242 | Clair Blank. Seven Beverly Gray Books, including: Beverly Gray's Assignment. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1947]. First edition. Twelvemo. 212 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Beverly Gray's Secret. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1951]. First edition. Twelvemo. 212 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minimal paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Very good condition. [and:] Beverly Gray's Vacation. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1949]. First edition. Twelvemo. 212 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minimal paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Beverly Gray's Mystery. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1948]. First edition. Twelvemo. 207 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear and soiling to the book and jacket, with minor rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Beverly Gray's Surprise. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1955]. First edition. Twelvemo. 182 pages. Publisher's decorative boards cloth with white and yellow titles. Moderate shelf wear to the boards. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock mildly toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Beverly Gray Senior. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1934]. First edition. Twelvemo. 253 pages. Publisher's gray cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Spine slightly skewed. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Beverly Gray's Scoop. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 184 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Overall, a very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $507.88. |
| 57243 | Clair Blank. Six Early Beverly Gray Books, including: Beverly Gray Reporter. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1940]. First edition. Twelvemo. 239 pages. Publisher's green cloth with dark green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock edges mildly foxed. Previous owner's bookplate on front free endpaper. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Beverly Gray's Journey. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1946]. First edition. Twelvemo. 209 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock toned. Previous owner's signature on half-title page. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Beverly Gray's Challenge. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1945]. First edition. Twelvemo. 207 pages. Publisher's green cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with moderate paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock toned. Very good. [and:] Beverly Gray's Adventure. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1944]. First edition. Twelvemo. 213 pages. Publisher's green cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock toned. Previous owner's bookplate on front pastedown. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Beverly Gray's Quest. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1942]. First edition. Twelvemo. 220 pages. Publisher's green cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and edges toned. Previous owner's signature on the front free endpaper. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Beverly Gray's Romance. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1941]. First edition. Twelvemo. 250 pages. Publisher's light green cloth with dark green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Spine lightly sunned. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock toned. Previous owner's bookplate on front free endpaper. Overall, a very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $119.50. |
| 57244 | Bruce Campbell. Seven Ken Holt Mysteries, including: The Clue of the Phantom Car. London Manchester: World Distributors Limited, [1957]. First edition. Twelvemo. 208 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Boards lightly bowed. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Mystery of the Green Flame. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1955]. First edition. Twelvemo. 212 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Spine slightly skewed. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock mildly toned. Previous owner's signature on half-title page. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Mystery of the Iron Box. London Manchester: World Distributors Limited, [1957]. First edition. Twelvemo. 208 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Boards lightly bowed. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Mystery of the Plumed Serpent. London Manchester: World Distributors Limited, [1962]. First edition. Twelvemo. 175 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Boards lightly bowed. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock and textblock edges toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Mystery of the Sultan's Scimitar. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1963]. First edition. Twelvemo. 177 pages. Publisher's illustrated boards. Moderate shelf wear and rubbing to the boards. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. A square copy in very good condition. [and:] The Mystery of the Invisible Enemy. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1959]. First edition. Twelvemo. 182 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor rubbing to the jacket. Spine slightly skewed. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Boards slightly bowed. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Mystery of the Grinning Tiger. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1956]. First edition. Twelvemo. 209 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Textblock mildly toned. Overall, a very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57245 | Three Stories for Little Girls from 7 to 12, including: Alice Turner Curtis. A Little Maid of New Orleans. Philadelphia: The Penn Publishing Company, [1930]. First edition. Twelvemo. 224 pages. Publisher's green cloth with black titles and a color illustration inset into the front cover. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, including minor paper loss to the jacket. Minor abrasions to the rear panel of the dust jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock lightly toned. A very good copy. [and:] Alice Turner Curtis. A Yankee Girl at Vicksburg. Philadelphia: The Penn Publishing Company, 1926. First edition. Twelvemo. 224 pages. Publisher's brown cloth spine with pictorial boards. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, including minor paper loss to the jacket. Minor rubbing to the panels of the dust jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock lightly toned and thumb-soiled. Price-clipped dust jacket shows significant tape repairs to the verso. Still, a very good copy. [and:] Pemberton Ginther. Hilda of Landis and Company. Philadelphia: The Penn Publishing Company, 1924. First edition. Twelvemo. 302 pages. Pictorial boards. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, including noticeable paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. One small abrasion to the rear panel of the dust jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock lightly toned. A very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57246 | Franklin W. Dixon. The House on the Cliff. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1927. First edition, first issue. Twelvemo. iv, 212, 8 [publisher's catalog] pages. Engraved frontispiece by Walter S. Rogers. Publisher's red cloth boards lettered in black and gilt on the front cover, with black shield design, and lettered in black on the spine. All first issue points listed in Carpentieri present: red cloth boards, plain endpapers, "Bpt" at the bottom of page 137, and the first issue publisher's catalog. Minor wear to the edges and corners of the boards. Mild toning and thumb-soiling on the text edges. The dust jacket shows some toning, dust-soiling, and mild abrading along the spine, affecting the "F." in "F. W. DIXON". Some separation at the folds, but still sound and in one piece. Minimal chipping along the edges of the jacket. A very good copy of a book rarely seen with the dust jacket. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $1,912.00. |
| 57247 | Franklin W. Dixon. The Hardy Boys #19: The Disappearing Floor. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1940. First edition. Illustrated by Paul Laune. Duodecimo. 218 pages. Publisher's tan cloth with brown titles on the spine and front board. Pictorial endpapers. Former owner's name in ink on the front free endpaper. Minor shelf wear. Contents slightly toned as usual. Rare color pictorial dust jacket shows only minor shelf wear, with the white portions of the back panel exhibiting minor soiling. A fine copy in a fine jacket. The inside front flap of the dust jacket lists 18 previous titles, the last being The Twisted Claw. The catalog of titles on the copyright page lists The Disappearing Floor as the last published title. The inside back flap of the dust jacket has an advertisement for James Cody Ferris's western stories for boys. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57248 | Franklin W. Dixon. Four Hardy Boys First Editions, including: The Mark on the Door. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1934. Twelvemo. 219 pages. Illustrated by J. Clemens Gretta. Light brown cloth dark brown titles on the spine and front board. Pictorial endpapers. Moderate wear to boards. Frontispiece cockled, else contents sound. Dust jacket worn at the extremities and soiled on the back panel. Very good. [and] The Secret Warning. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1938. Twelvemo. 220 pages. Illustrated by Paul Laune. Light brown cloth with dark brown titles on the spine and front board. Pictorial endpapers. Moderate shelf wear with some spotting to rear board. Former owner's affixed to the recto of the frontispiece. Contents sound. Dust jacket worn at the extremities with a small 1" x 1" section missing from the foot of the spine. Good. [and] The Twisted Claw. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1939. Twelvemo. 217 pages. Illustrated by Paul Laune. Light brown cloth with dark brown titles on the spine and front board. Pictorial endpapers. Light shelf wear with one spot on the rear board. Contents slightly toned as usual. In a slightly shelf worn jacket with some soiling to the rear panel. Very good. [and] The Clue of the Broken Blade. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1942. Twelvemo. 218 pages. Illustrated by Paul Laune. Light brown cloth with dark brown titles on the spine and front board. Pictorial endpapers. Light shelf wear with one spot on the rear board. Contents sound. In a shelf worn jacket with some soiling to the rear panel. Very good. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $597.50. |
| 57249 | Franklin W. Dixon. Four Hardy Boys First Editions, including: two copies of The Flickering Torch Mystery. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1943. Twelvemo. 212 pages. Illustrated by Paul Laune. Light brown cloth dark brown titles on the spine and front board. Pictorial endpapers. Light shelf wear to boards, contents browned as usual. One dust jacket bright and fine; the other with shelf wear and stained on the back panel. Both copies very good. [and] The Short-Wave Mystery. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1943. Twelvemo. 212 pages. Illustrated by Paul Laune. Light brown cloth with dark brown titles on the spine and front board. Pictorial endpapers. Light shelf wear. Former owner's name on the front free endpaper. Contents toned as usual. Dust jacket bright. Very good. [and] The Melted Coins. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1944. Twelvemo. 215 pages. Illustrated by Paul Laune. Light brown cloth with dark brown titles on the spine and front board. Pictorial endpapers. Light shelf wear. Contents toned as usual. In a slightly shelf worn jacket missing a 1" x 1" piece at the head of the spine panel. Very good. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57250 | Franklin W. Dixon. Six Ted Scott Flying Stories, including: Flying Against Time. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1929]. First edition. Twelvemo. 214 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Spine slightly skewed. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Danger Trails of the Sky. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1931]. First edition. Twelvemo. 218 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Through the Air to Alaska. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1930]. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Pursuit Patrol. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1943]. First edition. Twelvemo. 214 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket, especially at the fold lines. Lightly rubbed corners. One small bump to the bottom edge. Textblock and textblock edges noticeably toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Hunting the Sky Spies. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1941]. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. One small bump to the bottom edge. Textblock and textblock edges noticeably toned. Significant amateur tape repair to the verso of the dust jacket, showing through to the front. Overall, a good copy. [and:] Following the Sun Shadow. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1932]. First edition. Twelvemo. 215 pages. Publisher's brown cloth with blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Spine slightly skewed. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Overall, a very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $836.50. |
| 57251 | Laura Lee Hope. Nine Bobbsey Twins Books, including: The Bobbsey Twins at Snow Lodge. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1913]. First edition. Twelvemo. 215 pages. Publisher's light green pictorial cloth with green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with noticeable paper loss and rubbing to the jacket, especially the rear panel. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Bobbsey Twins Camping Out. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1923]. First edition. Twelvemo. 242 pages. Publisher's light green pictorial cloth with green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with noticeable paper loss and rubbing to the jacket, especially the rear panel. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Previous owner's signature on the front free endpaper. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Bobbsey Twins at the County Fair. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1922]. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Publisher's light green pictorial cloth with green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. One small closed tear to the rear panel. Lightly rubbed corners. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Bobbsey Twins in Washington. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1919]. First edition. Twelvemo. 244 pages. Publisher's light green pictorial cloth with green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Spine slightly skewed. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Bobbsey Twins on Blueberry Island. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1917]. First edition. Twelvemo. 244 pages. Publisher's light green pictorial cloth with green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book. Dust jacket has noticeable paper loss and rubbing to the jacket, with noticeable damage to the front panel, held together well with the mylar. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Overall, a good copy. [and:] The Bobbsey Twins at Home. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1916]. First edition. Twelvemo. 245 pages. Publisher's light green pictorial cloth with green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Bobbsey Twins' Toy Shop. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1948]. First edition. Twelvemo. 214 pages. Publisher's green cloth with black titles and decorations. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minimal paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Bobbsey Twins in Eskimo Island. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1936]. First edition. Twelvemo. 218 pages. Publisher's light green pictorial cloth with green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock and textblock edges mildly toned. Previous owner's signature scratched out on the front free endpaper. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Bobbsey Twins Treasure Hunting. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1929]. First edition. Twelvemo. 244 pages. Publisher's green pictorial cloth with dark green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss and rubbing to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Dust jacket mildly toned. Spine slightly skewed. Overall, a very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $179.25. |
| 57252 | Carolyn Keene. Nancy's Mysterious Letter. Illustrated by Russell H. Tandy. New York: Grosset and Dunlap, Publishers [1932]. First edition. Twelvemo. 209 pages. Frontispiece illustration by Russell H. Tandy. Publisher's blue cloth with orange lettering on spine. Orange lettering and illustration on front cover. Minor wear at head and foot of spine, and at foot of back cover. Some acidification on illustrated endpapers. The front endpaper includes a gift inscription written at Christmas 1932. Overall very good condition. The dust jacket has some wear, small tears and creases, and minor paper loss. Beginning in 1930, Edward Stratemeyer paid authors a paltry $125 per book to write the Nancy Drew Mysteries under the pseudonym "Carolyn Keene," then retained all rights to the tales. The first twenty-two books, including Nancy's Mysterious Letter (1932), were written by Mildred A. Wirt Benson and edited by Stratemeyer's daughter, Harriet Stratemeyer Adams. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $1,314.50. |
| 57253 | Carolyn Keene. The Clue of the Broken Locket. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1934]. First edition. Twelvemo. 219 pages with frontispiece and one page of advertisements. Signed and inscribed by the author, Mildred Wirt Benson, in black ink on the title page. Signed "Mildred Wirt Benson, also known as Carolyn Keene. June 2000," when Ms. Benson was 95 years old. Blue buckram with orange lettering; orange silhouette on front board; orange silhouette endpapers. Minor wear to board corners and head and tail of spine; spine moderately faded. Textblock shows light age toning but is in overall near fine condition. Dust jacket bears a 1.5" tear at lower spine (inexpertly taped) and small sections of paper loss at both head and tail of spine. A few chips elsewhere along dust jacket edges. Very good condition. Twenty-three of the 25 Nancy Drew books were written by Mildred Wirt Benson, under the pseudonym "Carolyn Keene," all of which were extremely popular with young girls over the course of the last 70 years. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $507.88. |
| 57254 | Carolyn Keene. The Whispering Statue. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1937]. First edition. Twelvemo. Signed by the author, Mildred Wirt Benson, in blue ink on the title page. 217 pages with frontispiece and three pages of advertisements. Blue buckram with orange lettering; orange silhouette on front board; orange silhouette endpapers. Minor wear to board corners and head and tail of spine; textblock shows faint age toning but is in overall fine condition. Dust jacket bears a 1.5" tear at lower spine and another .5" tear on verso lower edge. A few chips, creases, and moderate wear to dust jacket spine and edges. Very good condition. Nancy Drew books have been popular with young readers for more than 70 years. Twenty-three of the 25 Nancy Drew books were written by Mildred Wirt Benson, under the pseudonym "Carolyn Keene." From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $896.25. |
| 57255 | Carolyn Keene. The Quest of the Missing Map. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1942. First edition. Twelvemo. Signed by the author, Mildred Wirt Benson, on the title page. Illustrations by Russell H. Tandy. 213 pages. Publisher's light blue cloth with orange titles. Orange and white endpapers. Internal contents tight and untoned. Corners slightly worn with a small stain on the front board near the foot of the spine. Light shelf wear. Slightly skewed. First state dust jacket with only light shelf wear and minor chipping, mainly at the extremities. White areas of the spine and back panel slightly soiled. A very good copy of this scarce title. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $507.88. |
| 57256 | Carolyn Keene. Five Early Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, including: The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, [1940]. First edition, first state. Twelvemo. 220 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with orange titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Illustrated endpapers. Moderate edge wear to both the book and jacket. Textblock noticeably toned. Previous gift inscription on the front free endpapers, else very good. [and:] The Sign of the Twisted Candles. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, [1933]. First edition. Twelvemo. 217 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with orange titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Illustrated endpapers. Minor wear to the book and dust jacket, including some minor paper loss at the fold ends of the jacket. Textblock edges thumb-soiled. Overall very good condition. [and:] The Secret of Red Gate Farm. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, [1931]. First edition. Twelvemo. 208 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with black and peach titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Illustrated endpapers. Minor wear to the book and dust jacket, including some minor paper loss at the fold ends of the jacket. Overall very good condition. [and:] The Haunted Bridge. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, [1937]. First edition. Twelvemo. 220 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with orange titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Illustrated endpapers. Significant soiling to the boards. Minor wear to the book and dust jacket, including some minor paper loss at the fold ends of the jacket. Spine slightly cocked. Textblock edges thumb-soiled. Overall good condition. [and:] The Clue in the Diary. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, [1932]. First edition. Twelvemo. 202 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with black and peach titles. No dust jacket. Spine sunned. Moderate wear to the spine, edges, and corners. Light soiling to the cloth. Hinges tender, but holding. Previous owner's bookplate on the front pastedown. Good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $2,031.50. |
| 57257 | Carolyn Keene. Five Dana Girls Mystery Stories from 1942-1956, including: The Clue of the Rusty Key. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1942]. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Publisher's lavender cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Textblock somewhat toned. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Clue of the Black Flower. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1956]. First edition. Twelvemo. 210 pages. Publisher's green cloth with dark green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Textblock fore-edge somewhat foxed. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Portrait in the Sand. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1943]. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Publisher's lavender cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Textblock somewhat toned. Very good condition. [and:] The Ghost in the Gallery. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1955]. First edition. Twelvemo. 209 pages. Publisher's green cloth with dark green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Textblock fore-edge somewhat foxed. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] The Secret in the Old Well. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1944]. First edition. Twelvemo. 215 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minimal paper loss to the jacket. Textblock somewhat toned. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $179.25. |
| 57258 | Carolyn Keene. Five Dana Girls Mystery Stories First Editions from the 1930s and 1940s, including: By the Light of the Study Lamp. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1934]. First edition. Twelvemo. 215 pages. Publisher's lavender cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Mild shelf wear to the book and jacket, including mild paper loss to the spine tail of the dust jacket, else very good. [and:] The Secret at Lone Tree Cottage. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1934]. First edition. Twelvemo. 215 pages. Publisher's lavender cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Mild shelf wear to the book and jacket, else very good. [and:] The Mystery of the Locked Room. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1938]. First edition. Twelvemo. 218 pages. Publisher's lavender cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear to the book and jacket, including noticeable bottom edge wear and spine tail paper loss to the dust jacket. Overall very good condition. [and:] The Clue in the Cobweb. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1939]. First edition. Twelvemo. 213 pages. Publisher's lavender cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Mild shelf wear to the book and jacket, including minor paper loss at the spine and fold ends, else very good. [and:] The Mysterious Fireplace. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1941]. First edition. Twelvemo. 217 pages. Publisher's lavender cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Mild shelf wear to the book and jacket. Minor toning to the textblock edges. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57259 | Carolyn Keene. Four Dana Girls Mystery Stories from 1960-1964, including: The Mystery of the Bamboo Bird. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1960]. First edition. Twelvemo. 182 pages. Publisher's green cloth with dark green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket, especially at the spine head and top of the front cover. Lightly rubbed corners. Very good. [and:] The Secret of Lost Lake. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1963]. First edition. Twelvemo. 174 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with lightly rubbed corners. Spine slightly skewed. Very good condition. [and:] The Mystery of the Stone Tiger. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1963]. First edition. Twelvemo. 175 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with lightly rubbed corners. Spine slightly skewed. A very good copy. [and:] The Riddle of the Frozen Fountain. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1964]. First edition. Twelvemo. 173 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $179.25. |
| 57260 | Carolyn Keene. Four Dana Girls Mystery Stories from 1965-1968, including: The Secret of the Silver Dolphin. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1965]. First edition. Twelvemo. 175 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate wear to the book, with lightly rubbed corners. Very good condition. [and:] The Phantom Surfer. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1968]. First edition. Twelvemo. 175 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate wear to the book, with lightly rubbed corners. Previous owner's signature on the front flyleaf. Very good condition. [and:] The Secret of the Minstrel's Guitar. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1967]. First edition. Twelvemo. 174 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate wear to the book, with lightly bumped spine ends, and rubbed and bumped corners. A very good copy. [and:] The Mystery of the Wax Queen. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1966]. First edition. Twelvemo. 176 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate wear to the book, with lightly rubbed corners. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection. Sold for: $179.25. |
| 57261 | Margaret Sutton. Three 1930s Judy Bolton First Editions, including: Seven Strange Clues. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1932]. First edition. Twelvemo. 210 pages. Publisher's light green cloth with purple titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Mild shelf wear to the book and jacket, else very good. [and:] The Yellow Phantom. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1933]. First edition. Twelvemo. 210 pages. Publisher's light green cloth with purple titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Mild shelf wear to the book and jacket, else very good. [and:] The Voice in the Suitcase. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1935]. First edition. Twelvemo. 215 pages. Publisher's light green cloth with purple titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Mild shelf wear to the book and jacket, else near fine. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $358.50. |
| 57262 | Helen Wells. Five Early Vicki Barr Air Stewardess Series Books, including: The Mystery of the Vanishing Lady. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 214 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Spine over-opened at the front flyleaf. Very good condition. [and:] The Search for the Missing Twin. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1954]. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock slightly toned. Very good condition. [and:] The Ghost at the Waterfall. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1956]. First edition. Twelvemo. 214 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Minimal wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket spine ends. Lightly rubbed corners. A bright copy in near fine condition. [and:] The Clue of the Gold Coin. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1958]. First edition. Twelvemo. 183 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Mild damp-staining to the endpapers. Tape repairs at page 162. Textblock loose at page 175. Good condition. [and:] The Silver Ring Mystery. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1960]. First edition. Twelvemo. 180 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Spine slightly skewed. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $149.38. |
| 57263 | Helen Wells. Three Later Vicki Barr Air Stewardess Series Books, including: The Clue of the Carved Ruby. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1961]. First edition. Twelvemo. 179 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket, especially at the spine ends. Lightly rubbed corners. A very good copy. [and:] The Brass Idol Mystery. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1964]. First edition. Twelvemo. 173 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards. Moderate shelf wear to the book, with lightly rubbed corners. Small red remainder mark to bottom edge. Very good condition. [and:] The Mystery of Flight 908. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1962]. First edition. Twelvemo. 179 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with dark blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed and bumped corners. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57264 | Helen Wells. Five Early Cherry Ames Books, including: Cherry Ames. Private Duty Nurse. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1946]. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Small bump to the top edge. Textblock edge somewhat toned. A very good copy. [and:] Cherry Ames. Cruise Nurse. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1948]. First edition. Twelvemo. 216 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock lightly toned. Textblock edge somewhat foxed. A very good copy. [and:] Cherry Ames at Spencer. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1949]. First edition. Twelvemo. 213 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear and toning to the book and jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock edge somewhat toned. A very good copy. [and:] Cherry Ames. Mountaineer Nurse. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1951]. First edition. Twelvemo. 212 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Small bump to the top edge. Textblock edge somewhat toned. Price-clipped dust jacket. Still, a very good copy. [and:] Cherry Ames. Camp Nurse. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1957]. First edition. Twelvemo. 182 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket. A bright, near fine copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $119.50. |
| 57265 | Helen Wells. Two Cherry Ames Nurse Stories, including: The Mystery in the Doctor's Office. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1966]. First edition. Twelvemo. 176 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards with black and white titles. Moderate edge wear and rubbing to the boards, especially along the spine. Spine slightly skewed. A very good copy. [and:] Ski Nurse Mystery. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1968]. First edition. Twelvemo. 176 pages. Publisher's pictorial boards with red and green titles. Minimal edge wear and rubbing to the boards, especially along the spine. A tight, square copy in very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $119.50. |
| 57266 | Helen Wells. Four Later Cherry Ames Books, including: Cherry Ames at Hilton Hospital. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1959]. First edition. Twelvemo. 180 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock somewhat toned. A very good copy. [and:] The Mystery in the Doctor's Office. London Manchester: World Distributors Ltd, [1966]. First edition. Twelvemo. 196 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket at the spine ends. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock toned. A very good copy. [and:] Cherry Ames. Rural Nurse. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1961]. First edition. Twelvemo. 181 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Front hinge tender. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Overall, a very good copy. [and:] Cherry Ames. Island Nurse. New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1960]. First edition. Twelvemo. 184 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate wear to the book and jacket, with minor paper loss to the jacket. Lightly rubbed corners. Textblock edges somewhat toned. A very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $14.00. |
| 57267 | Two Young Adult Titles, including: Jerry West. The Happy Hollisters and the Cuckoo Clock Mystery. Illustrated by Helen S. Hamilton. Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., [nd]. Twelvemo. 176 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear. Very good condition. [and:] Wilfred McCormick. One Bounce Too Many. A Bronc Burnett Story. Indianapolis Kansas City New York: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc., [1967]. First edition. Twelvemo. 181 pages. Publisher's tan cloth over brown boards with black spine titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear. Price-clipped dust jacket. Ex-library copy with stamps on the endpapers and edges. Tape stains at pastedowns. Light thumb-soiling to the text edges. Overall, a very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $10.00. |
| 57268 | Clifton Bingham. The Fairies Playtime: With Verses by Clifton Bingham. Pen-and-Ink Illustrations by E. Stuart Hardy. London and New York: Ernest Nister & E. P. Dutton & Co., n.d., [ca. 1890s]. Oblong Quarto. 17 pages. Six mechanical images and numerous line drawings throughout. Pictorial boards with blue cloth binding. Minor wear and rubbing to board edges; corners bumped, spine faded with moderate wear to edges. Cover image is shiny and sharp, with very little wear. Floral endpapers with bookseller's embossed blindstamp in one corner. Interior pages are age toned and somewhat brittle, with chipped edges and occasional foxing. Mechanical pictures operate well; one pull ribbon has been replaced. Children's verses and stories written by noted British children's author, Clifton Bingham. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57269 | Clifton Bingham. Happy Families and Their Tales: A Volume of Pictures & Stories of Domestic Pets. London and New York: Ernest Nister & E. P. Dutton, n.d., circa 1890. Oblong Quarto. 25 pages, with five mechanical images and numerous line drawings throughout. Another in Nister's popular line of mechanical children's books, this one focusing on farm animals. Glossy pictorial boards with red cloth binding. Moderate soiling to boards; moderate rubbing and bumping to edges and corners. Five charming chromolithographed pop-up images; some gutters and pop-up hinges reinforced. Some pop-ups bear creases and minor damage; generally very good to fine. Moderate age-toning and occasional foxing throughout. With accompanying stories and verses by L.L. Weedon, Ruth Deane, and Clifton Bingham, popular British children's author. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57270 | Clifton Bingham. Playtime Surprises. London: Ernest Nister, and New York: C.P. Dutton & Co., [n.d., circa 1890s]. Quarto. 15 pages with six full-color "dissolving" illustrations and numerous black and white line drawings by an unidentified artist. This unusual children's book features several remarkable mechanical pictures that reveal hidden images beneath. Brown buckram spine with a fully illustrated paper recto cover and blank verso cover. Moderate damage to board corners, with worn spine head and tail. Construction of the mechanical images has caused the covers to bow slightly; interior leaves show moderate soiling and chips along edges. Contemporary tape has been affixed to interior hinges at each page. A rare and unique mechanical book, sure to delight children of any age! From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57271 | Clifton Bingham. Revolving Pictures: A Novel Picture book of Dioramic Scenes. London and New York: Ernest Nister & E. P. Dutton & Co., n.d., [1892]. Oblong Quarto. 20 pages with eight mechanical images and numerous line drawings throughout. Pictorial boards with red cloth binding. Although there is minor wear and rubbing along board edges and corners, the boards themselves are in fine condition - shiny with sharp, clean images. Flyleaf and title page have separated; interior pages are lightly age toned with occasional foxing; chips to page edges. Eight beautiful chromolithographed revolving pictures, all in working condition and fine. Several of the accompanying stories and poems were written by Clifton Bingham, popular British children's author. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $418.25. |
| 57272 | Maud Carlton. All the Way Round Pictures and Rhymes Mechanical Children's Book. London: Ernest Nister, and New York: C.P. Dutton & Co., [1899]. Quarto. 15 pages with six full-color illustrations and numerous black and white line drawings throughout, all drawn by artist Florence Hardy. An enchanting children's book containing many poems illustrated with unusual revolving pictures that reveal hidden images beneath. Buckram spine with a fully illustrated paper cover; minor water damage to blank verso cover with moderate bumping to board corners. Construction of the interior revolving images has caused the covers to bow slightly; interior leaves show moderate soiling and chips along edges. Unusual and delightful. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $358.50. |
| 57273 | The "Pop-Up" Pinocchio: Being the Life and Adventures of a Wooden Puppet Who Finally Became a Real Boy. With "Pop-Up" Illustrations in Color by Harold Lentz. New York: Blue Ribbon Books, Inc. [1933]. First edition. Octavo. 95 pages. Color "pop-up" and black-and-white illustrations. Lavishly illustrated endpapers and endleaves. Illustrated-case-bound. Color illustrations and black, blue, and green lettering on spine and covers. The four pop-ups are all intact, in fine condition. Overall fine. The dust jacket (in mylar cover) is fine with minor wear. This edition of the Pinocchio tale was the first book to include three-dimensional pop-ups, and these Harold Lentz illustrations are quite stunning. A scarce children's book which made history as the first of its kind, rarely found in the dust jacket at all. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $537.75. |
| 57274 | Lothar Meggendorfer. Bilder aus dem Tierleben (Pictures from the Animal World). Ein verwandlungsbilderbuch mit verversen von Julius Beck. Esslingen, Germany: J. F. Schreiber, n.d. [ca. 1895]. Seventh through ninth edition. Quarto. 13 pages with six full-color slat-transformation images and numerous line drawings throughout. Glossy full-color pictorial boards with minor edge rubbing but much nicer than usual; some minor wear and small tears repaired within but overall quite nice. A slightly different mechanism for Meggendorfer, who generally produced circular transformation images, but marvelous all the same. One of the nicest mechanical children's books we've seen. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $1,015.75. |
| 57275 | Lothar Meggendorfer. Tiny Tim. Prince of Liliput. A Movable Toy-Book. London: H. Grevel & Co., 1900. Large Folio. 26 pages with chromolithographed illustration of Tiny Tim on title page and many illustrations throughout; full-page chromolithographed plate and six full-page tab-operated plates. Meggendorfer was the inventor of some of the most complex mechanisms ever created for movable pictures and toy-books. All Meggendorfers are high quality and were quite expensive at the time. Despite their expense, they became very popular throughout Europe, Russia, and the United States. Mechanical images are operated by pulling a tab at the lower edge of the page to activate multiple hidden levers which animate various features in the illustration; all mechanical illustrations function properly. Glossy pictorial boards bound with red cloth. Moderate soiling to boards; heavy wear to board edges and corners; interior pages moderately age toned with occasional foxing throughout. A very good example of a highly collectible children's book! From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $717.00. |
| 57276 | Hope Myrroun. Round About Pictures for all Little Folk, With Verses by Hope Myrroun and Pen and Ink Illustrations by T. Cromwell Lawrence. London: Ernest Nister, [n.d., circa 1899]. Quarto. 15 pages with six full-color mechanical images and numerous black and white illustrations throughout. Unusual children's book with pictures on revolving discs; by turning a tab another illustration beneath is revealed. These "dissolving" picture books were quite popular at the turn of the Century, although more so for the mechanical images than for the poems that fill each page. Buckram spine with fully illustrated paper front cover showing moderate wear and soiling; verso cover is blank and also shows wear and soiling. Interior pages are soiled and several of the revolving images have small tears and do not turn easily. A wonderful antique children's book! From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57277 | Ernst Nister. The Airship Panorama Book. London: Ernst Nister and New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., [n.d., ca. 1910]. First edition. Illustrated by Ernst Nister. Oblong duodecimo. Twelve un-numbered pages. Color pictorial boards with red cloth backstrip. Four pop-up color scenes featuring airships in various situations and accompanying text in verse. Pop-ups include an airship over the battlefield; an airship flying over polar bears and the icy ocean; airship flying over a gala outdoor celebration; and an airship flying over the Statue of Liberty. Book is slightly warped. Corners rubbed. A small hole is punched in the front board near the "i" in "Airship". Internal pages slightly toned. Gift inscription on the front free endpaper. All pop-ups are complete and in working order. Ernest Nister's company was centered in Nuremberg, a center for toy making in the late nineteenth century. Between 1891 and 1900, his company produced many children's books of superior quality in both illustration and printing. Nister productions included a number of innovative movables. In addition to being marketed in Germany, the books were also produced especially for an English audience from Nister's London headquarters, and also for an American audience through the publisher Dutton. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $597.50. |
| 57278 | Ernst Nister. In and Out and Round About. London: Ernst Nister and New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., [n.d., ca. 1885]. First edition. Illustrated by Ernst Nister. Printed and assembled in Bavaria. Octavo. Unpaginated. Original color illustrated paper over boards and green cloth backstrip. With 6 slat full-page chromolithograph transformations with bottom pull-tabs with text in verse including 3 dogs dressed in red soldier uniforms changed into a different breed in white-and-blue sailor uniforms; a boy holding 2 puppies into a girl with 2 kittens; a girl on a rocking horse into Miss Muffet frightened by a spider; a Punch about to put a muzzle on an angry Toby into a Punch being bitten on his large nose by the dog; a girl sitting reading with 2 cats reading over her shoulders into a standing girl watching a bad kitten destroy a house of cards; a happy baby with a cat by his side into a crying baby with a big insect just under his chin. The transformations are all in working order, and are complete, but the final one needs to be adjusted slightly to get the full effect. Boards with light shelf wear and color illustration bright. Internal contents toned and soiled from use. With the original dust jacket, soiled with loss from the bottom and top edges of the front panel. Amazing to have retained the original dust jacket. Very good condition. Ernest Nister's company was centered in Nuremburg, a center for toy making in the late nineteenth century. Between 1891 and 1900, his company produced many children's books of superior quality in both illustration and printing. Nister productions included a number of innovative movables. In addition to being marketed in Germany, the books were also produced especially for an English audience from Nister's London headquarters, and also for an American audience through the publisher Dutton. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $310.70. |
| 57279 | Ernst Nister. The Picture Show. A Novel Picture Book for Children. London: Ernst Nister and New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., [n.d., ca. 1896]. First edition. Illustrated by Ernst Nister. Printed and assembled in Bavaria. Octavo. Unpaginated. Original color illustrated paper over boards and green cloth backstrip. Front board illustration still bright. Light shelf wear at the corners. Small split in the cloth at the foot of the spine. Front and rear hinges cracked. Internal contents bright and all pop-ups in working order. Gift inscription on the front free endpaper. A very good example of a pop-up from the accepted master of the art. Includes 4 detailed chromolithograph pop-up scenes with text in verse. Scenes mainly depict children at play. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57280 | [F.E. Weatherly.] Peeps into Fairly Land; A Panorama Picture Book of Fairy Stories with an Introduction by F.E. Weatherly. London: Ernest Nister, [n.d., circa 1895]. First edition. Oblong Quarto. 26 pages with six pop-up illustrations. Delicate full-color chromolithographed pop-ups are complete and in perfect working order, although interior pages show minor to moderate soiling with occasional chips at edges. Original pictorial glazed boards with cloth spine; minor to moderate rubbing and wear to board edges and corner tips. A classic in the history of children's pop-up literature! From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $597.50. |
| 57281 | L.L. Weedon. The Land of Long Ago: A Visit to Fairyland with Humpty Dumpty. London: Ernest Nister Publisher, [n.d., circa 1890s]. First edition. Oblong Quarto. 25 pages with six full-page Victorian chromolithographic pop-ups. Pop-up illustrations include Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Puss in Boots, There Was an Old Woman Who Lived In a Shoe and Beauty and the Beast. In addition, there are sepia line illustrations on all 21 pages of text. Original illustrated glazed boards show heavy wear along all edges and corners, as does the buckram spine, although the cover artwork is in unusually good condition, with bright sharp colors. Inexpert reinforcement of interior pages at hinge. Leaves show moderate soiling and wear around edges, although all pop-ups are immaculate and undamaged. Rare and enchanting! From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57282 | [L.L. Weedon, Evelyn Fletcher, et al] The Model Menagerie, A Novel Picture Book of Wild Animals. London: Ernest Nister, [n.d., circa 1895]. First edition. Oblong Quarto. 24 pages with six full-color chromolithographed pop-up illustrations. Pop-up images of animals in cages, all in perfect working order although the first two have damage to the bars of the pop-up cages, and the monkey outside the cage of the last pop-up is missing an arm. Original pictorial glazed boards with red cloth spine; minor to moderate rubbing and wear to board edges and corner tips. Moderate to significant wear to board edges and corners, and hinge area of spine. Interior pages moderately soiled with occasional creases and a few tiny tears along edges. A rare example of Victorian chromolithography in a mechanical children's book. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57283 | Louis Westhausser, editor. Au Jardin d'Acclimatation. Paris: Nouvelle Librairie de la Jeunesse, n.d. [circa 1890]. Quarto. Accordion-like construction with six hinged interior leaves, each with a chromolithographic image and fold-down scene of the Paris zoological gardens. Heavy cardboard leaves with mechanical illustrations show moderate to heavy wear at all edges; rubbing, bumping to corners. Age toning and minor soiling throughout do not detract from the intricate and delicate pop-up scenes in this book. All mechanics function well, although a few of the images show minor creases, some bear small tape repairs; overall very good to fine condition. Although this volume is worn and well-used, it is in surprisingly good condition and extremely scarce in this intact state. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57284 | [Walt Disney Studios]. Mickey Mouse Presents his Silly Symphonies; Babes in the Woods, King Neptune. New York: Blue Ribbon Books, Inc., [1933]. First edition. Quarto. 48 pages with four impressive pop-up illustrations. Full-color pictorial endpapers and illustrated covers. Minor wear/bumps to edges and corners of boards; slight fading and wear to spine. Textblock joint shows several splits where the book has been over-opened to enable full display of the pop-up pages, which are fine, sharp, and complete. Heavy cardboard pages are surprisingly clean and sharp. The rare dust jacket shows minor to moderate soiling and age toning at edges and along spine; small tear at lower recto border near spine. Extremely desirable and rare! From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57285 | [Walt Disney Studios]. Mickey Mouse in King Arthur's Court. New York: Blue Ribbon Books, Inc., [1933]. First edition. Quarto. 48 pages with four full-color pop-up scenes, all in excellent condition, as well as numerous black and white illustrations throughout. Glazed pictorial boards and endpapers in brilliant full color. Moderate shelfwear at edges and corners of boards, with significant wear and small tears at the head and tail of spine. Bookplate on front pastedown reads: "This book belongs to Wildes'." Several cracks at textblock hinge where book has been laid flat to view pop-up images. Occasional stains on interior pages. Accompanied by the scarce dust jacket, which shows significant wear along edges and corners with a few small sections of paper loss at corners and spine. Clearly a well-loved and often-read children's book. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57286 | [Walt Disney Studios]. Mickey Mouse in King Arthur's Court. New York: Blue Ribbon Books, Inc., [1933]. First edition. Quarto. 48 pages with four amazing pop-up scenes, all in excellent condition, as well as full-page and partial-page black and white illustrations throughout. Glazed pictorial boards and endpapers in brilliant full color. Minor shelfwear at edges and corners of boards, slightly more wear at head and tail of spine. Presentation sticker on first interior page reads: "Birthday Greetings. This Book was Presented to Master Harold H. Elliott on his 6th Birthday by the Waldorf-Astoria, New York." Several instances of cracks at textblock hinge where book has been laid flat to view pop-up images. Occasional faint soiling on interior pages. Accompanied by the scarce dust jacket, which shows light to moderate wear along edges and corners; some fading of spine with small creases/wear at head and tail. This sharp copy of an early Disney work is highly desirable and rarely seen in such great condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $597.50. |
| 57287 | Two Mickey Mouse Pop-Up Books, including: The Pop-Up Mickey Mouse. New York: Blue Ribbon Books, Inc., [1933]. Illustrated boards. Unpaginated. Three main three-dimensional displays, all in full working order. Middle pop-up has very minor scribbling on Mickey's right hand. The rear pop-up has a tape repair to the right of Mickey as he is waving. Front hinge tender due to abrasion along the outside of the spine. Very good condition. [and:] The Pop-Up Minnie Mouse. New York: Blue Ribbon Books, Inc., [1933]. Illustrated boards. Unpaginated. Three main three-dimensional displays, all in full working order. Scattered crayon coloring to the book illustrations, but the pop-ups are largely free of marks. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57288 | Six Early Volumes of Bookano Stories, including: Bookano Stories. Number 1. London: Strand Publications, [1930s]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Five pop-ups, all in working order, though the fourth pop-up does need one stem re-attached to the page. Spine cracked in the middle of the textblock. Moderate shelf wear, including minor paper loss at the spine ends. Very good condition. [and:] Bookano Stories. Number 3. London: Strand Publications, [1930s]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Five pop-ups, all in full working order. Spine cracked in the middle of the textblock and on the outer spine. Moderate shelf wear, including minor paper loss at the spine ends. Very good condition. [and:] Bookano Stories. Number 4. London: Strand Publications, [1930s]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Five pop-ups, all in working order. Moderate shelf wear. Crisp copy, in very good condition. [and:] Bookano Stories. Number 5. London: Strand Publications, [1930s]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Five pop-ups, all in working order, though the fourth pop-up does need one stem re-attached to the page. Spine cracked in the middle of the textblock. Moderate shelf wear, including minimal paper loss at the spine ends. Very good condition. [and:] Bookano Stories. Number 6. London: Strand Publications, [1930s]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Five pop-ups, all in working order, though the fifth pop-up has a small tear where the stem meets the lighthouse. Spine cracked in the middle of the textblock. Moderate shelf wear, including minor paper loss at the spine ends, and noticeably bumped corners and one bump to the spine. Very good condition. [and:] Bookano Stories. Number 7. London: Strand Publications, [1930s]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Five pop-ups, all in working order. Spine cracked in the middle of the textblock. Light foxing to some pages. Moderate shelf wear, including moderate paper loss along the spine. A crisp, very good copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57289 | Six Volumes of Bookano Stories, including: Bookano Stories. Pot-Pourri Edition. London: Strand Publications, [1930s]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Five pop-ups, all in working order. The last one has been re-glued in one place, but is still functional. Very good condition. [and:] Bookano Stories. Number 10. London: Strand Publications, [1930s]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Five pop-ups, all in working order. Spine cracked towards the front of the book. Moderate shelf wear. Very good condition. [and:] Bookano Stories. Number 11. London: Strand Publications, [1930s]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Five pop-ups, all in working order. Serving girl on last pop-up reapplied. Two pages with crayon coloring. Moderate shelf wear. Boards slightly bowed. Very good condition. [and:] Bookano Stories. Number 14. London: Strand Publications, [1930s]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Five pop-ups, most in working order. The drawbridge action on the first pop-up is torn, and the last pop-up is not functional. Spine cracked towards the front of the book. Moderate shelf wear. Good condition. [and:] Bookano Stories. Number 15. London: Strand Publications, [1930s]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Five pop-ups, most in working order. Small tear to the first and fourth pop-up, not affecting the action. Second pop-up not functional. Good condition. [and:] Bookano Stories. Number 16. London: Strand Publications, [1930s]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Five pop-ups, all in working order. Spine cracked towards the front of the book. Moderate shelf wear. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57290 | Five Vintage Pleasure Books Pop-Up Books, including: Edgar Rice Burroughs. The New Adventures of Tarzan "Pop-Up" Chicago: Pleasure Books, Inc., [1935]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Three pop-ups, all in perfect working order. Minor shelf wear and previous owner's gift inscription on the title page, else very good. [and:] Milton Caniff. Terry and the Pirates in Shipwrecked. Chicago: Pleasure Books, Inc., [1935]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Minor shelf wear and previous owner's minor scribbling on the front cover, else very good. [and:] E. C. Segar. Popeye with The Hag of the Seven Seas. Chicago: Pleasure Books, Inc., [1935]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Three pop-ups, all in perfect working order. Minor shelf wear and previous owner's gift inscription on the title page. Rear hinge cracked, else very good. [and:] Chester Gold. Dick Tracy. The Capture of Boris Arson. Chicago: Pleasure Books, Inc., [1935]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Three pop-ups, all in perfect working order. Minor shelf wear and previous owner's gift inscription on the title page, else very good. [and:] Lt. Dick Calkins and Phil Nowlan. Buck Rogers 25th Century featuring Buddy and Allura in "Strange Adventures in the Spider Ship." Chicago: Pleasure Books, Inc., [1935]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Three pop-ups, all in perfect working order. One small tape repair to the third pop-up, where the right side of the reptile meets the page. Minor shelf wear and previous owner's gift inscription on the title page, else very good. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $896.25. |
| 57291 | Alex Raymond. Flash Gordon. The Tournament of Death Pop-Up Book. Chicago: Pleasure Books, Inc., [1935]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Three pop-ups, all in perfect working order. Minor shelf wear. Square, clean near fine copy. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $627.38. |
| 57292 | Six Vintage Blue Ribbon Press Pop-Up Books, including: Goldilocks and the Three Bears. New York: Blue Ribbon Press, [1934]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Three pop-ups, all in perfect working order. Minor shelf wear. Very good condition. [and:] The "Pop-Up" Mother Goose. With "Pop-Up" Illustrations in Full Color by Harold Lentz. New York: Blue Ribbon Press, [1934]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Three pop-ups, all in perfect working order. Minor shelf wear. Mild thumb-soiling to the pages. Very good condition. [and:] Puss in Boots. Illustrations by C. Carey Cloud and Harold B. Lentz. New York: Blue Ribbon Press, [1934]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Three pop-ups, all in perfect working order. Minor shelf wear. Previous owner's gift inscription on the title page. Very good condition. [and:] Little Red Ridinghood. Illustrations by C. Carey Cloud and Harold B. Lentz. New York: Blue Ribbon Press, [1934]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Three pop-ups, all in perfect working order. Minor shelf wear. Previous owner's gift inscription on the title page. Very good condition. [and:] Harold Gray. Little Orphan Annie and Jumbo, the Circus Elephant. Chicago: Pleasure Books, Inc., [1935]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Three pop-ups, all in perfect working order. Minor shelf wear. Very good condition. [and:] Lyman Young. Tim Tyler in the Jungle. Chicago: Pleasure Books, Inc., [1935]. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated. Pictorial boards. Three pop-ups, all in perfect working order. Minor shelf wear. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $657.25. |
| 57293 | Two Tip + Top Pop-Up Books, including: Tip + Top Go Flying. London: Bancroft & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1964. Six oversize pop-ups, all in working order. Stem to small aircraft in the fifth pop-up bent the opposite direction, but still functional. Very good condition. [and:] Tip + Top and the Moon Rocket. London: Bancroft & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1964. Six oversize pop-ups, all in working order. Some small tape repairs. Small pencil notations to front cover and rear pastedown. Overall, in very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57294 | Four Jolly Jump-Ups Pop-Up Books, including: The Jolly Jump-Ups See the Circus. Springfield, Mass.: McLoughlin Bros., Inc., 1944. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated on thick card stock.. Blue cloth over pictorial boards. Six pop-ups, all in perfect working order. Light wrinkling to the second pop-up. Minor shelf wear. Very good condition. [and:] The Jolly Jump-Ups and Their New House. Springfield, Mass.: McLoughlin Bros., Inc., 1939. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated on thick card stock.. Blue cloth over pictorial boards. Six pop-ups, all in perfect working order. Light wear to the first pop-up. Previous owner's signature on the front cover. Very good condition. [and:] The Jolly Jump-Ups Favorite Nursery Stories. Springfield, Mass.: McLoughlin Bros., Inc., 1942. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated on thick card stock.. Blue cloth over pictorial boards. Six pop-ups, all in perfect working order. The third pop-up has some damp-staining or wrinkling damage, but is otherwise functional. Covers loose at spine head, else very good. [and:] The Jolly Jump-Ups on the Farm. Springfield, Mass.: McLoughlin Bros., Inc., 1940. First edition. Octavo. Unpaginated on thick card stock.. Blue cloth over pictorial boards. Six pop-ups, five in perfect working order. Part of the sixth pop-up detached at two places. Very good condition. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57295 | Rare 1840s Beehive / Cobweb Children's Novelty. [London]: Published by G. Smith, 8 Wellington St., Stones End. The surface of this beehive item reads "This House you may Buy / If it pleases your eye, / As you see it is now to be sold / Just pull up the latch / You'll see 'neath the Thatch / And its tenant you soon will Behold." This completely hand-colored novelty lifts from the center in an accordion-style pattern, revealing the "tenant," a small black mouse, within. A very attractive and amusing children's item. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $717.00. |
| 57296 | Optique No. 4. Peepshow of the Promenade de Longchamp. Probably by Barthellemot: Paris, circa 1830. Beautiful telescopic view of the famous promenade, with carriages, figures, coaches, riders, and more. Five hand-colored cut-out scenes string out like an accordion and then collapse between original pictorial covers. Housed in the original marbled paper slipcase. Minor toning. Light wear to the slipcase. Near fine condition. A marvelous example of early 19th-century paper arts. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Sold for: $1,493.75. |
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Session 3 |
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| 57297 | Isaac Asimov. The Foundation Trilogy, including: Foundation. New York: Gnome Press Publishers, [1951]. First edition. Currey priority A binding. Octavo. 255 pages. Publisher's deep blue cloth with red titles. In first issue pictorial dust jacket with the rear panel advertising Foundation, The Fairy Chessmen and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, and The Sword of Conan, and the rear flap advertising Journey to Infinity and Typewriter in the Sky and Fear. Mild soiling on the spine, mildly bumped corners, dust-soiling to the top edge of the textblock. Dust jacket with mild edge wear, minor soiling to the rear panel, and a lightly sunned spine. Overall, a near fine first edition. [and:] Foundation and Empire. New York: Gnome Press Publishers, [1952]. First issue of the first edition. Currey priority A binding. Octavo. 247 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. In first issue four-color dust jacket with 26 titles advertised on the rear panel. Minimal edge wear and rubbing at the corners. Textblock mildly toned at the endpapers and along the edges. Dust jacket with minor soiling and rubbing, a small abrasion on the front panel in the red field, light corner wear, and a sunned spine. A very good copy. [and:] Second Foundation. [New York]: Gnome Press, Inc., [1953]. First edition. Currey priority A binding. Octavo. 210 pages. Jacket design by Ric Binkley. Publisher's blue cloth with brown spine titles. In original pictorial dust jacket. Mild shelf wear to book and jacket, gently rubbed corners, light foxing to the endpapers and textblock edges. Dust jacket shows minor rubbing and dust soiling throughout, with a small, faint circular oil stain on the rear panel, and a moderately sunned spine. Overall, a very good copy. This trilogy would be a welcome addition to any science fiction reader's library.Sold for: $3,107.00. |
| 57298 | Isaac Asimov. I, Robot. New York: Gnome Press, Inc., [1950]. First edition. Octavo. 253 pages. Red buckram with black cover art and black lettering on spine. Faint wear at spine ends and corners. Mild foxing to the textblock edges and endpapers. A nice dust jacket showing minor wear at the edges, with the spine sunned to a gray color (foxed on verso). Very good condition. Asimov's second book, a collection of nine short stories, is considered a science fiction all-time classic. The first of the author's robot books, and the basis for a major motion picture starring Will Smith. Sold for: $3,107.00. |
| 57299 | Isaac Asimov. Pebble in the Sky. Garden City: Doubleday and Company, Inc., 1950. First edition. Octavo. 223 pages. Original tan cloth with titles stamped in red on spine. Minor shelf wear to boards. Contents slightly toned. Price-clipped dust jacket with light soiling and shelf wear especially at the extremities. Very good. When Pebble in the Sky was published in 1950, Dr. Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) was a biochemist conducting cancer research at the Boston University School of Medicine. His first novel, Pebble, which deals with nuclear power and time travel, predated the publication of his famous Foundation in book form by one year. At the time of his death, the Russian-born Asimov had become one of the most prolific writers in history, having written or edited over 550 books. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.Not Sold. |
| 57300 | Isaac Asimov. Pebble in the Sky. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, 1950. First edition. Octavo. 223 pages. Tan cloth with orange lettering on spine. A near-perfect copy of this important Asimov title, bearing only minimal bumping to spine tail; else very fine. Dust jacket is also in excellent condition with the just slightest of shelfwear at spine ends. This is possibly the finest copy of Asimov's first novel we've seen and it is sure to elicit great interest among collectors.Sold for: $1,075.50. |
| 57301 | Alfred Bester. The Demolished Man. Chicago: Shasta Publishers, 1953. First edition. Octavo. 250 pages. Blue cloth binding over red wrappers; sharp and clean, with perfect board edges and corners. Black top edge. Pictorial dust jacket bears minor creases and wear along edges; a few chips at spine ends. An engrossing tale of cold-blooded murder in the 24th century, The Demolished Man won the prestigious 1953 Hugo Award (the very first Hugo ever awarded) and was runner-up for the 1954 International Fantasy Award. An exceptional copy of Bester's first novel!Sold for: $286.80. |
| 57302 | Ray Bradbury. Dark Carnival. Sauk City, WI; Arkham House, 1947. First edition. Octavo. 313 pages, one of 3,112 copies published. Black cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine. Minor wear at the spine ends and corners. Some toning to the textblock edges, and noticeable toning at the endpapers. Dust jacket shows a mild abrasion and closed tear at the spine head, light wear at the spine tail and corners, noticeable rubbing and some soiling to the rear panel and rear flap, and light sunning to the spine. A very good copy. Dark Carnival was Bradbury's first published book and was extremely well accepted. Years later, Bradbury would reissue Dark Carnival as The October Country, with updated versions of most of the stories. Sold for: $1,314.50. |
| 57303 | Ray Bradbury. The Golden Apples of the Sun. Garden City, New York: Doubleday & company, Inc., 1953. First edition. Octavo. 250 pages. Jacket design and drawings by Joe Mugnaini. Publisher's dark brown textured cloth with yellow spine titles. In original pictorial dust jacket. Moderate shelf wear, with lightly rubbed corners. Textblock very clean, with minimal toning. Dust jacket also mildly toned, with minor edge wear, one small closed tear at the bottom of the front panel near the spine, light rubbing, and a sun-faded spine. "Twenty-two SF and fantasy stories, including 'The Fog Horn,' about a sea monster that loves a fog horn; 'The Pedestrian,' the classic tale of a walker who is lonely because everyone is watching television; 'A Sound of Thunder,' where a time-safari to hunt tyrannosaurus rex alters the present because a hunter accidentally kills a butterfly; and the title story, about a spaceship that flies into the Sun's atmosphere to capture part of its substance. Emphasis on message and characters, rather than science." (Barron: Anatomy of Wonder [1976] 150)Sold for: $239.00. |
| 57304 | Ray Bradbury. The Illustrated Man. Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1951. First edition. Octavo. 252 pages. Jacket design by Sydney Butchkes. Publisher's tan cloth with black titles. In original pictorial dust jacket. Soiled boards, dust-soiling to the top edge, and mild discoloration at the endpapers. The dust jacket has light edge wear, minor rubbing on the rear panel, slightly rubbed corners, one tiny closed tear to the top of the rear panel, and a noticeably sunned spine. All in all, this is a near fine copy of a classic Bradbury collection. "Eighteen SF and fantasy stories from 1947 to 1951 plus prologue and epilogue. Structured by the device of a man's body tattooed with pictures, each of which comes alive with a story...Some social criticism, but emphasis on sentimentality in highly crafted, emotion-generating stories." (Barron: Anatomy of Wonder [1976] 150)Sold for: $657.25. |
| 57305 | Ray Bradbury. The Martian Chronicles. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1950. First edition. Octavo. 222 pages. Bound in pale green cloth with red lettering on spine. Minimal edge wear to the spine tail. Minor fading to the spine and some staining to the rear board. Toning to the textblock edges, especially the top edge. Mild toning of the endpapers. Moderate toning and edge wear to the dust jacket, with a small area of rubbing at the spine tail. Spine noticeably sunned. A very good copy. The Martian Chronicles is a collection of loosely connected tales about the exploration and colonization of Mars. Bradbury's second book, it is considered a landmark of science fiction writing and this is a particularly desirable copy. Sold for: $1,912.00. |
| 57306 | Ray Bradbury. The October Country. New York: Ballantine Books, [1955]. First edition, first state. Octavo. 306 pages. Illustrated by Joe Mugnaini. Multiple illustrations within the text. Publisher's red cloth covers with the spine lettered in black. Upside down monogram on the spine signifies first state. Illustrated dust jacket. Minor shelf wear, dust jacket slightly soiled with faded spine and a small tear on the back. Altogether a very good copy. The October Country features fourteen stories which first appeared in Bradbury's Dark Carnival published by Arkham House in 1947, and also four new stories appearing in book form for the first time: "The Dwarf," "The Watchful Poker Chip of H. Matisse," "Touched With Fire," and "The Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone." Ray Bradbury (August 22, 1920) was recently awarded the National Medal of Arts.Not Sold. |
| 57307 | Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Deputy Sheriff of Comanche County. Tarzana: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., 1940. First edition. Twelvemo. 312 pages. Illustrated by John Coleman Burroughs. Original gray cloth with titles in red on the front board and spine. Top edge red. Untrimmed edges. A beautiful copy, with a former owner's name on the front free endpaper, else virtually flawless internally and externally, in a similar bright laminated dust jacket.Sold for: $448.13. |
| 57308 | Edgar Rice Burroughs. Vast Single-Owner Collection of Rare First Editions, including: Apache Devil. Tarzana: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1933]. First edition. Twelvemo. 310 pages. Publisher's blue pebbled cloth with red titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by Studley Burroughs. Top textblock edge stained red. Boards lightly rubbed and some wear at the corners and spine folds. Spine slightly cocked. Minimal toning to the textblock, with a previous owner's embossed stamp on the front free endpaper. Overall very good condition in a bright dust jacket. At the Earth's Core. Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1922. First edition, with "Published July, 1922" and "M. A. DONOHUE & CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS, CHICAGO" on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 277 pages. Publisher's olive green cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by J. Allen St. John. Minor shelf wear to the book, with scattered thumbsoiling to the text edges. Textblock lightly toned at the endpapers and around the edges. Previous owner's signature on the front free endpaper. Previous owner's stamped address and significant tape restoration present on the verso of the dust jacket, which also shows some paper loss at the edges and folds, and a 1.75" closed tear along the front panel. A very good book in a good dust jacket. Back to the Stone Age. Tarzana: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1937]. First edition, so stated on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 318 pages. Publisher's blue pebbled cloth with red titles. Original laminated state pictorial dust jacket by John Coleman Burroughs. Top textblock edge stained red. Minor wear at the spine ends, spine folds, and corners. Textblock lightly toned overall. Previous owner's name and address on the front free endpaper. A near fine copy in a beautiful dust jacket. The Bandit of Hell's Bend. Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1925. First edition, with "Published June, 1925" and "M. A. DONOHUE & CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS, CHICAGO" on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 316 pages. Publisher's light blue cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by Modest Stein. Moderate shelf wear to the book, with mild toning of the textblock at the endpapers and edges. Some sunning to the spine, typical of this title. The dust jacket shows some paper loss, affecting some text at the spine ends, significant amateur tape restoration to the verso, especially visible along the flap folds, and scattered tears. Overall, a very good book in a good dust jacket. The Beasts of Tarzan. Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1916. First edition, with "Published March, 1916" and "W. F. HALL PRINTING COMPANY, CHICAGO" on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 337 pages. Publisher's forest green cloth with gilt titles. Early pictorial dust jacket by J. Allen St. John, with no advertisements on the flaps. Minor shelf wear to the book, with the slightest rubbing to the corners. Cloth bubbled along the rear spine fold, but only a minor aesthetic consideration. Binding is tight. Very small dark stains to the endpapers, but overall the text is clean and bright. Dust jacket rubbed along the edges and folds, and small creases can be seen throughout due to the fact that the jacket was linen-backed at some earlier time. Overall, a very good copy of a book rarely found in the gorgeous jacket. Beyond Thirty and The Man-Eater. South Ozone Park 20, New York: Science-Fiction & Fantasy Publications, 1957. First edition thus, limited to 3,000 copies. Octavo. 229 pages. Publisher's red cloth with gilt spine titles. Original pictorial dust jacket. Minimal shelf wear to the book and jacket, else a fine copy. Carson of Venus. Tarzana: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1939]. First edition, so stated on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 312 pages. Publisher's blue pebbled cloth with red titles. Original laminated state pictorial dust jacket by John Coleman Burroughs. Minimal shelf wear to the spine ends and corners. Textblock lightly toned. A beautiful, near fine copy. The Cave Girl. Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1925. First edition (Currey binding A), with "A. C. McClurg/& Co" on the spine and "Published March, 1925" and "M. A. DONOHUE & CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS, CHICAGO" on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 323 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by J. Allen St. John. Moderate rubbing to the cloth at the edges, spine ends, and corners. Textblock lightly toned. Minor paper loss and closed tears along the edges of the dust jacket, with minimal rubbing to the panels and flaps, else a very good copy. The Chessmen of Mars. Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1922. First edition, with "Published November, 1922" and "M. A. DONOHUE & CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS, CHICAGO" on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 375 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by J. Allen St. John. A bright copy, with minor rubbing to the spine ends and corners. Light foxing to the textblock edges and endpapers, with overall minimal toning to the textblock. Small amount of paper loss at the spine tail of the dust jacket. A few minuscule closed tears along the edges, a small wrinkle at the top edge of the rear panel, and light soiling also present. Overall, a very good copy. The Deputy Sheriff of Comanche County. Tarzana: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1940]. First edition, so stated on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 312 pages. Publisher's gray cloth with red titles. Original laminated state pictorial dust jacket by John Coleman Burroughs. A small amount of dark staining along the top edge of the book and dust jacket, and minimal toning to the textblock. Overall, a near fine copy of a Burroughs classic. The Efficiency Expert. Kansas City, Missouri: House of Greystoke, 1966. Authorized first edition. Octavo. 84 pages. Staplebound in publisher's yellow pictorial wrappers. Published for the Burroughs Bibliophiles. Small crease at the top right of the front cover, one small abrasion on the rear cover, and a small stain on the rear cover. Textblock very clean. Overall, a near fine copy. Escape on Venus. Tarzana: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1946]. First edition, so stated on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 347 pages. Publisher's blue pebbled cloth with red titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by John Coleman Burroughs. Top textblock edge stained red. Minimal shelf wear to the boards, with trivial wear at the corners. Minor rubbing and edge wear to the dust jacket, which is otherwise in great condition. All in all, a near fine copy. The Eternal Lover. Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1925. First edition, with "Published October, 1925" and "M. A. DONOHUE & CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS, CHICAGO" on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 316 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by J. Allen St. John. Boards worn at the spine ends, edges, and corners. Minor soiling to the boards, with a sunned spine. Textblock slightly toned, but tight and clean. Previous owner's bookplate and previous book store label affixed to the front pastedown. Previous owner's stamped address on the front free endpaper. Dust jacket has some paper loss along the edges, especially at the top edge of the front panel, but luckily it does not affect the title text. Previous owner's stamp and significant tape repairs on the verso of the jacket. Dust jacket spine darkened, some light toning, and a few scattered closed tears also present. Overall, a very good copy in a solid dust jacket. A Fighting Man of Mars. New York: Metropolitan Books, Inc. Publishers, [1931]. First edition (Currey priority A), with "METROPOLITAN" at the base of the spine. Twelvemo. 319 pages. Publisher's deep red cloth with drab green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by Hugh Hutton. Top textblock edge stained green. Minimal wear to the edges and spine ends. Textblock clean and bright. Dust jacket worn lightly along most of the edges, with a few tiny closed tears and one noticeable abrasion at the spine head. Overall in very good condition. Forgotten Tales of Love and Murder. Guidry & Adkins, 2001. Twelvemo. 283 pages. Light blue cloth with red titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by Danny Frolich. According to the Burroughs Bibliophiles, this book "collects in a single volume all of Edgar Rice Burroughs' non-Tarzan short stories and mystery puzzles, most of which have never before appeared in print." As new in the publisher's shrink wrap. The Girl from Farris's. Kansas City, Missouri: House of Greystoke, 1965. Authorized first edition, one of fifty copies specially bound in blue denim. Octavo. 70 pages plus a Pictorial Bibliography. Publisher's blue denim with silver titles. Published for the Burroughs Bibliophiles. Frontispiece illustration by Frank Frazetta. Minor shelf wear, else a fine copy. A note on the rear flyleaf from Burroughs Bibliophiles founder Vern Coriell reads, in part: "This edition of 'The Girl from Farris's is one of fifty bound in blue denim cloth to be presented to a special breed of Burroughs collectors." The Girl from Farris's. Kansas City, Missouri: House of Greystoke, 1965. Authorized first edition. Octavo. 70 pages plus a Pictorial Bibliography. Publisher's. Frontispiece illustration by Frank Frazetta. Staplebound in publisher's yellow pictorial wrappers. Published for the Burroughs Bibliophiles. Cover and frontispiece illustration by Frank Frazetta. Minimal wear around the edges, and a bump to the top corner, else a near fine copy. The Girl from Farris's. [Tacoma, Washington: The Wilma Company, 1959.] First edition (Currey priority A). Thirty-twomo. 47 pages. Rust marbled boards with a blue cloth tape spine. Numbered 65 of 250 copies on the limitation page bound in back. Moderate rubbing to the boards. Internal contents sound. A very good copy of this Burroughs rarity. The Girl from Hollywood. New York: The Macaulay Company, [1923]. First edition (Currey binding A, printing B), with frontispiece caption reading "The Director's eyes snapped...'Only a camera man/and myself are here'", and the first line of the caption measuring 9.3 cm. Twelvemo. 320 pages. Publisher's coarse mesh weave red cloth with yellow-green titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by P. J. Monahan. Mild shelf wear to the book and dust jacket. Minor crease runs the length of the book spine, and some rubbing seen on the boards. Textblock mildly foxed around the edges and somewhat at the endpapers, but the internal contents are clean and bright. Moderate edge wear to the dust jacket, with a few closed tears along the edges and tiny abrasions and some rubbing on the panels, and along the dust jacket folds. Overall, a very good copy of this Burroughs title. The Gods of Mars. Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1918. First edition, with "Published September, 1918" and "W. F. HALL PRINTING COMPANY, CHICAGO" on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 348 pages. Publisher's red cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by Frank E. Schoonover. Moderate shelf wear, two tiny spots of soiling, and lightly bumped corners to the boards. Textblock edges and endpapers minimally foxed, not affecting the internal textblock. Noticeable minor paper loss along the edges of the dust jacket, only affecting the text in a couple of places, most noticeably at the "THE" at the head of the spine. Scattered closed tears, some rubbing, and light toning also present. Significant clear tape repairs to the verso of the dust jacket. All in all, still a very good copy of a rare Burroughs title. I Am a Barbarian. Tarzana: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publisher, [1967]. First edition. Octavo. 287 pages. Crimson cloth with gilt titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by Jeff Jones. Book is in excellent condition. Minimal edge wear to the dust jacket, otherwise in fine condition. John Carter of Mars. New York: Canaveral Press, 1964. First edition (Currey binding A, variant 1), with binding title incorrectly reading John Carter and the Giant of Mars. Octavo. 208 pages. Publisher's light blue-gray cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by Reed Crandall. Minimal shelf wear to the book and dust jacket, else a near fine copy. John Carter of Mars. New York: Canaveral Press, 1964. First edition (Currey binding B, variant 2), with binding title correctly reading John Carter of Mars. Octavo. 208 pages. Publisher's dark blue cloth with gilt titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by Reed Crandall. Minor shelf wear to the book and dust jacket, with a previous dealer's $4.50 price stamp at the top of the front dust jacket flap. Overall, a very good copy. Jungle Girl. Tarzana: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1932]. First edition. Twelvemo. 318 pages. Publisher's deep blue cloth with red titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by Studley Burroughs. A 2-inch stain at the top of the front board, and a smaller stain at the top of the rear board. Minor wear to the spine ends, edges, and corners of the book. Light toning to the textblock, mostly confined to the endpapers and edges. Overall, the text is clean and tight. Minor toning, paper loss, closed tears, and rubbing along the dust jacket edges. Dust jacket spine shows both a faint and a more pronounced vertical crease running the length of the jacket, but jacket not separated at either crease. Clear tape repairs to the verso of the dust jacket along the front flap fold. Despite the flaws, an about very good, sound copy of Jungle Girl. Jungle Tales of Tarzan. Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1919. First edition (Currey priority A), bound in orange cloth with the spine imprint in three lines: "A. C./McCLURG/& CO" and "W. F. HALL PRINTING COMPANY, CHICAGO" on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 319 pages. Publisher's orange cloth with black titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by J. Allen St. John. Minimal edge wear, with some mild staining along the spine folds. Textblock ever so slightly toned, but clean and tightly bound. Minor paper loss and edge wear to the dust jacket, which also shows light foxing on the panels, but is overall in very good shape. A solid, very good copy of a much sought-after Burroughs title. The Lad and the Lion. Tarzana: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1938]. First edition, so stated on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 317 pages. Publisher's deep blue pebbled cloth with red titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by John Coleman Burroughs. Moderate shelf wear to the book, with a small white stain to the bottom of the front board, and lightly bumped corners. Textblock mildly toned, but overall clean and bright. Minimal edge wear around the dust jacket edges, with one small closed tear at the head of the spine. Overall, a very good copy. Land of Terror. Tarzana: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1944]. First edition, so stated on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 319 pages. Publisher's blue cloth with red titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by John Coleman Burroughs. Moderate shelf wear to the edges, and very light soiling to the boards. Foxing at the endpapers, but the internal textblock is clean. Binding tight. Minor edge wear and some rubbing to the dust jacket. Spine of dust jacket lightly sunned. A very good copy. The Land that Time Forgot. Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1924. First edition, with "Published June, 1924" and " M. A. DONOHUE & CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS, CHICAGO" on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 422 pages. Publisher's green cloth with blue titles. Original pictorial dust jacket by J. Allen St. John. Minor shelf wear to the boards at the spine ends and bottom edge, which shows one small bump, mildly rubbed corners. Frontispiece mildly offset on the title page, and textblock just slightly toned. Minimal toning to the dust jacket, with a small spot of paper loss at the bottom of the front flap fold, two tiny closed tears at the bottom of the rear panel, and trivial edge wear at the spine ends. A solid, very good copy. Llana of Gathol. Tarzana: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1948]. First edition, so stated on the copyright page. Twelvemo. 317 pages. Publisher's blue p |