The June 24, 2000, Gerald Burg & Dr. Kardatzke Collections, Sale 6
Lot 651 
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918-1990) American
Composer. His compositions include "West Side Story" (1957). Later works
include a Mass commissioned for the opening of the JFK Center of the Performing
Arts.
Autograph Musical Quotation Signed. One page, Quarto, on
printed musical staff paper, n.p., n.d. The opening bar of
"Maria," arguably the most famous song from Bernstein's most
famous score. Written in bold black felt-tip ink, identified by the composer
who has written "Ma - ri - a ..." beneath his musical quotation, and
signed in full, "Leonard Bernstein." Accompanied by an Inscribed
Photograph Signed of the composer, being a 3½ x 5½" Black &
White profile inscribed "With best wishes Leonard Bernstein." Fine.
The classic Leonard Bernstein ensemble.
Estimated Value $250-350.
From the Gerald Burg collection.
Lot 652 
Bierce, Ambrose. (1842-1914) American
journalist and short-story writer known for his dark, cynical vision of human
nature, as evidenced by such works as Devils Dictionary (1906).
Disappeared into Mexico in 1913, never to be heard from again.
Autograph Note Signed. One page, 12mo, on heavy card stock, Los
Gatos, California, n.d., to the poet Edwin Markham. Brief, neatly penned letter
thanking Markham for an admiring response to a book of Bierce's verses. He
writes, in full :
"Dear Mr. Markham - I've just time to say that I'm
back - did I tell you I was going? - and to thank you for your good words of my
verses. Ambrose Bierce."
Bierce lived in California, working as a
journalist, at various times between the late 1860's and 1887, and apparently
returned for various visits in later years; Markham lived there for the last
three decades of the nineteenth century, during which time he enjoyed great
popular success.
Fine. Four traces of mounting paper appear at
each corner of the verso, where the letter has formerly been mounted. The text
and appearance of the letter is entirely unaffected by these mounting traces,
and the letter itself is Very Fine. An interesting communication from one
well-known writer to another.
Estimated Value $450-550.
Lot 653
Bonnat, Leon. (1833-1922) French Painter,
internationally famous as a portrait painter and a lifelong friend of Degas.
Two Autograph Telegrams Signed. Two Telegrams in French filled
out by hand. Each is One page, 16mo., on printed telegram stock, n.p., one
dated "Wednesday," both addressed to Monsieur Mayer. Both of the telegrams
concern the acquisition of paintings, in one specified by Bonnat as religious
paintings, a genre in which Bonnat himself would later excel. Both signed,
"Bonnat." Fine.
Estimated Value $100-150.
Lot 654 
Buchanan, James. (1791-1866) 15th President
of the United States, 1857-1861.
Partially Printed Document
Signed. Accomplished in manuscript, One page, Quarto, Washington, December
9, 1847. With a second document, being a land deed, Three pages, Folio, of the
same place and date. This State Department document deals with the authorizing
parties capacities as Justice of the Peace: "...That Robert White and Henry
Weaver ... are now, and were, at the time of subscribing the same, Justices of
the Peace, in and for the Country of Washington, in the District of Columbia,
to whose acts as such full faith and credit are due." Embossed wafer seal
of the Department of State at lower left, with Buchanan's signature opposite.
Moderate foxing, else fine.
Estimated Value $500-750.
Lot 655 
Buchanan, James.
Partially Printed
Document Signed. Four pages, Quarto, Washington DC, November 22, 1847.
Document certifies that "...the papers hereto attached are true copies of
original papers on file in this Department ...in virtue of the act entitled 'An
act to carry into effect the convention between the United States and the
Republic of Peru concluded at Lima the seventeenth day of March eighteen
hundred and forty one,' approved 5th August 1846... " In 1845, General
Ramon Castilla became President of Peru, developing the guano industry and
opening trade with Europe and the United States. This document hails from
Castilla's reign and concerns trade between the two countries. Moderate
age-toning, with a large water stain affecting nearly all the right side of the
document's first page. All writing is still quite legible, and the signature is
unaffected. White wafer seal of the State Department at lower left.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 656 
Buchanan, James.
Two Cut
Signatures. Approximately 4 x 1" each, n.p., n.d. Together with a bronze
Presidential medallion and inscribed brass plaque. Also included is a stately
steel engraving of President Buchanan standing in his study. The Cut Signatures
are Fine. Moderately age-toned, with one of the signatures being unevenly
trimmed, otherwise fine.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 657 
Buchanan, James.
Autograph Letter
Signed as Secretary of State. One page, Quarto, Washington, February 5,
1848. Being a letter of introduction for Colonel John J. McCahen, Buchanan
writes, in full: "I am intimately acquainted with Colonel John J. McCahen of
Philadelphia, the bearer hereof. He informs me that he is about to proceed to
Jackson, Mississippi, on business of importance to him. Col. McCahen is a
gentleman of high character & much intelligence & has numerous devoted friends
in the City of Philadelphia & throughout Pennsylvania. I cordially commend him
to the kindness & attention of all those who may consider my recommendation of
any value. James Buchanan." A small red stain has bled from the verso of
the integral blank, leaving a small spot on the recto, which does not affect
the text. Otherwise the letter is Fine.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Lot 658 
[Buffalo Soldiers].
Discharge Papers
for a Buffalo Soldier. Partially Printed Document Signed, accomplished in
manuscript, Four pages, recto/verso, on imprinted United States Army
letterhead, Quarto, May 15, 1875. Being the discharge documents for a Buffalo
Soldier named Abram Day. One of the documents is a "Voucher" in the amount of
$142.01, for pay, traveling expenses, rations, and clothing, signed by Day and
by J.W. Nichols, Paymaster of the U.S. Army. The second document, entitled
"Final Settlement," discharges the same soldier for "Expiration of time of
service," and reiterates the balance of the account listed in the accompanying
voucher.
After the Civil War, the US Army recruited four regiments of
African Americans to serve in the Western Frontier. The men of the 24th and
25th Infantry and the 9th and 10th Cavalry fought Indians, built forts, pursued
outlaws, and protected railroad workers. Because their tightly-curled hair was
similar to the hair of the buffalo, the Indians called them "Buffalo Soldiers."
These two documents discharge one of men of the 24th Infantry. Very Fine.
Estimated Value $250-300.
Lot 659
[Bush, George]. (1924- ) 41st President of
the United States, 1989-1993.
Large Format Christmas Card From
President Bush and the First Lady. Huge Printed Card, 1989, Hallmark.
Approximately 11½ x 16", depicting the White House decorated for
Christmas in a watercolor by the artist William Gemmell entitled,
"Celebrating Christmas at the President's House." The card is mounted
in a heavy textured matte which bears the printed inscription.
"With
best wishes for all the joy and peace of Christmas.
The President and
Mrs. Bush
1989."
Fine. Housed in an attractive dark blue
paper cover with a blind embossed Presidential seal.
Estimated Value
$150-200.
Lot 660
Business Leaders.
Eight Signed
Photographs of American Business Tycoons. Collection of mostly Black &
White photographs of American tycoons, including: a Sepia-tone, 8 x 10"
portrait of IBM's Thomas Watson, Jr. signed "T J Watson Jr."; a
Black & White, 8 x 10" portrait of publisher William Randolf Hearst, Jr.
signed in silver ink, "W R Hearst Jr."; a Black & White, 8 x 10"
dapper portrait of Insurance tycoon W. Clement Stone, signed in full; a
Black & White, 8 x 10" portrait of Hotel magnate Baron Hilton, inscribed
"Best Wishes, Baron Hilton."; a Color, 8 x 10" studio portrait of
General Motors executive Roger B. Smith, signed in full in delicate gold
ink, together with a one page TLS introducing the signed photograph; a Black &
White, 5 x 7" shot of Ford chairman Donald E. Petersen, signed in full
and dated 1990; a genial 5 x 7" Black & White headshot of banker David
Rockefeller, signed in full; and a Black & White, 5 x 7" portrait of
hotelier J. William Marriott, signed "Bill Marriott." Fine.
Estimated Value $150-250.
Lot 661 
Cagney, James. (1899-1968) American Actor,
whose smirkily defiant gangster persona in films such as The Public
Enemy (1831) made him an enduring star.
Inscribed Photograph
Signed. Black and White, 8 x 10", n.d., n.p. Being a production still from
Public Enemy (1942) of an intimate scene with Jean Harlow. Boldly signed
across her image. Double matted to overall 11 x 14". Fine.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 662 
Caruso, Enrico. (1873-1921) Opera tenor who
began life as an auto mechanic, and eventually enjoyed great success as a
tenor, singing first in Italy and later the United States. After appearing in a
production of Rigoletto with New York's Metropolitan Opera, Caruso was
established as its leading tenor. He had a large repertoire, comprising more
than forty operas.
Original Caricature Signed. One page, Folio,
8½ x 14", on manilla stock, n.p., 1907. A very large drawing in black
crayon, being a full-figure caricature of a dapper middle-age man identified at
upper right in Caruso's hand as "A. Nathan." Caruso has created the
image of a fussy, slightly jaded man-about-town: formal attire, stiff collar,
hands thrust in pockets, slicked-back hair, clipped mustache, and a long
cigarette holder which juts out from his tightly clenched jaw. Caruso has
signed his name and written the year "1907" at lower left. The famous tenor was
well-known for his love of caricature, and often drew upon his long list of
acquaintances, and his celebrity status, to produce sketches of the famous
people of his own day. Fine.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
Lot 663 
Chagall, Marc. (1887-1985) Russian-born
artist who spent most of his carreer in France, best known for his colorful
paintings of animals, objects, and people from his life, dreams, and Russian
folklore. The word surrealist is said to have been coined by Apollinaire
to describe the work of Chagall.
First Day Cover Lithograph
Signed. Color, 8 x 12½", "Nice Soleil Fleurs." Boldly signed in full
in lower right corner. Matted and framed to an overall size of 13 x 17".
Estimated Value $150-250.
From the Gerald Burg collection.
Lot 664
Chagall, Marc and Henry Moore.
Three
Postcards Signed by Marc Chagall and a Henry Moore Signed Catalog
Illustration.
A. Three Color Postcards Signed by Marc
Chagall. Two postcards, in Hebrew, both postmarked Jerusalem, March 23,
1973 commemorating "Chagall Windows," a series of stamps and covers he
designed, and One unmailed postcard printed for the New York Museum of Modern
Art depicting Chagall's Birthday (1915). Two of the cards are signed in
full, the other signed "Chagall."
B. Catalog Illustration Signed
Twice by Henry Moore. Two-Sided Color Plate, 9 x 12", being a leaf removed
from a catalog of Moore's works, depicting a large outdoor sculpture situated
outdoors on an expansive landscaped promontory on the recto page, and two
smaller mounted abstract works on the verso. Each page is signed by the artist
in full, "Henry Moore." .
Estimated Value $150-250.
From the
Gerald Burg collection.
Lot 665 
Chaplin, Charlie. (1889-1977). Film Actor
and Director. Chaplin is considered a master of film comedy, who helped make
silent film an art with such films as The Gold Rush (1925), City
Lights (1931), and Modern Times (1936).
Printed Sketch
Signed. Printed Sketch by "Batis" depicting the comedian with his hallmark
bowler hat and cropped mustache, fitted out in a dapper polka-dot bow tie.
Chaplin's face has an expression of supercilious offense: his eyebrows are
raised, his mouth pursed tight as he contemplates some spectacle of
unforgivable outrage. Inscribed "Hello! - Charlie Chaplin" in brown ink
at top right. Fine. Framed to an overall size of 12½ x
16½".
Estimated Value $450-550.
Lot 666 
[Chekhov, Anton]. 1860-1904. Russian
playwright and master of the short story.
Signed Photograph of
Chekhov's Wife Actress Olga Knipper. Black & White, 5½ x 4" Oval
portrait, set into a 6½ x 8" matte, showing the actress seated in an
armchair, holding her head meditatively in her hand. Fine. A few minor
scratches to periphery of image, otherwise fine.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 667
City Slickers.
Signed
Script. Original Script for the popular feature, City Slickers,
starring Billy Crystal. One hundred sixteen pages, Single-sided, Castle Rock
Entertainment, Beverly Hills, California, dated August 1, 1990. A
Pre-Production Draft for the film, written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel,
signed on the Cover Sheet by actor Billy Crystal, who has inscribed, "Best
Wishes, Billy Crystal." Fine.
Estimated Value $100-UP.
From the Gerald Burg collection.
Lot 668 
[Civil War].
Union Army Soldier's
Diary. Soldier's Diary recorded by an officer of the 178th Regiment, Ohio
Volunteers, in a pocket ledger approximately 4 x 6", without covers, beginning
August 31, 1864 and closing on January 17, 1865. Over Seventy pages of
handwritten entries, including personal notes, lists of names, a detailed
record of expenditures, some from the war years and probably related to
military service. There is also a handwritten "Roll of Company A., 178
Regiment, O.b.G.," being a neatly written Muster Roll of every remaining
soldier in the regiment. But the highlight of this diary is a full ten page
narrative of entries made during Hood's invasion of Tennessee, also called the
Franklin and Nashville Campaign, and Forrest's operations in Tennessee. The
diarist writes of traveling south by river boat and train, arriving at
Nashville in November of 1864. As early as November 25th he notes that General
Hood and Maj. General George H.Thomas were "...fighting at Columbia 25 miles
north of Shelbyville." On December 1st and 2nd the regiment marched on to
Murfreesboro. While Thomas delayed his attack, Hood sent Forrest with both
cavalry and infantry toward Murfreesboro to carry out raids against the Union
forces, with the intention of destroying the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad
and the disruption of the Union army supply depot at Murfreesboro. This
culminated in the action at Murfreesboro on the morning of December 7th, which
the diarist describes in some detail:
"Regiments of infantry and 4
hundred of cavalry under General Milroy went out to feel of the rebels and 7
pieces of artillery run the rebels into their hole and then the trouble begun.
Heavy cannonading for a few minutes after which the 174 O.V.I. opened fire on
the Johnnies followed by the 181 O they opened a very heavy fire and the 178
O.V.I. came in on a flank move...We run the rebels until dusk...loss of our
regiment light."
Several days of icy weather followed. On December
14th a foraging expedition attempting to augment dwindling rations unexpectedly
came face-to-face with the enemy:
"...cracker line cut off living on
quarter Rations the boys went out with a forage Train After Corn didn't go
more than a mile till they found Rebel Cavalry...They had a pretty hard fight
and would have been captured had it not been for reinforcements from the fort
...our Color Sergeant had his leg shot off close by the knee and the Color Corp
had his leg fractured laid in Murfeesboro til the 22 ... on quarter Ration and
that in Mush meal not sifted pretty tough ..."
General John Bell
Hood was soundly defeated on December 15th and 16th at Nashville and began to
retreat south. Beginning December 24th, the diary narrates marching: "...on
the Pike [Salem Pike] for Columbia to join our Coman after Hood. I suppose
distance 50 miles arrived ...28th Dec. Pretty hard marching for the
holidays..." He and his unit marched west to the Tennessee River at
Clifton, and on the 18th they boarded a steamboat traveling north.
The
diary is moderately field worn, and though its covers are not present, the
pages are still held together by the original twine binding. A fascinating
first-hand account of a Civil War campaign.
Estimated Value
$1,000-1,500.
Lot 669
[Civil War].
Lot of Four Civil War
Autograph Letters Signed by Military Leaders, and Additional Civil War
Ephemera. Interesting collection of nine items relating to the Civil War,
including:
A. Autograph Letter Signed by John Worden, Commander of
the Monitor. Two pages, Octavo, on "U.S.S. Franklin" letterhead,
Ville Franche, April 10, 1875. To James L. Graham, US Consul General to Italy.
Diplomatic, and curiously genteel letter from Worden, who at this time was in
command of the European Squadron, which visited many ports of Northern Europe
and was in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Russo-Turkish War, to the
Italian Consul, accepting an invitation to visit, and comparing notes on the
merits of the "Hotel Orsini," where the diplomat and his family have stayed.
Signed in full, "John Worden." Scarce in ALS.
B. Autograph Letter
Signed by George W. Blunt. One page, Octavo, on personal imprinted
letterhead, New York, March 2, 1861. Fascinating letter from an important
shipbuilder and nautical publisher, denouncing a group of confederate "spies."
Blunt was responsible for charting the New York harbor, and a number of other
important waterways which were of great strategic interest to the United States
Navy at this time. Written in the month of Lincoln's inauguration as President,
when fealty to the North and South was being tested in every State, the
Shipbuilder, believing he has discovered a cadre of Southern spies, writes
excitedly: "My Dear Sir I have good reason to believe that these one two or
three officers in the Navy Yard in Brooklyn who send word to the South as to
every movement if you wish to have their names - so that they may be sent
elsewhere at once I will send them. Yours Truly Geo W Blunt." The content
of this letter vividly demonstrates the culture of suspicion and sectionalism
taking root as the nation divides on the eve of Civil War.
C. Letter
Signed by Simon Cameron. One page, Quarto, on green-ruled paper, with the
manuscript heading "War Department, Washington, May 8, 1861. Manuscript letter
in a secretarial hand to Issac Lea. Esq., Philadelphia, acknowledging a letter
of request for a military commission on behalf of the addressee's son, whose
name the Secretary of War has forwarded to the Chief of Ordnance. Slight tear
along top fold at right, not affecting text, otherwise fine.
D.
Autograph Letter Signed by G. H. North. Two pages, recto/verso, with
integral blank, Quarto, on green-ruled paper, Hagerstown, Md, August 30, 1864.
To Brigadier General W.W. Avenel from his Ordnance officer, G.H. North. Richly
detailed military letter regarding the arming of the Generals troops, which
have been "dismounted," and are urgently in need of horse equipment and Rifles.
North briefs his general on the ordnance he can expect, and details its
movement and whereabouts. In fine condition, with very moderate staining to the
verso of the integral blank, not affecting the letter proper.
E.
Carte de Visite of Civil War Union Generals. Sepia-tone carte de visite, 3
x 4", of Union Army Generals Fremont and Doubleday, standing over a seated
Mrs.Fremont, reading a dispatch. Top corners have been rounded, and the card
mounted on a larger piece of cardstock. Somewhat soiled, with the names of the
Generals written in pencil in the bottom margin.
F. Two Printed
Booklets on Ordnance of the Civil War. Two printed studies, published by
The American Ordnance Association, Washington DC, 1960, each approximately 24
pages, Quarto, with paper covers, containing "comprehensive tables and
authentic drawings" describing the Ordnance of the American Civil War.
Published on the occasion of the centennial of the War Between the States. One
volume treats ordnance in the Navy, while the other studies arms and artillery
in the United States Army.
G. Ten Dollar Bill of Confederate
Currency. Original confederate currency, Richmond, Virginia, February 17,
1864, with printed engraving depicting a battlefield scene of horses pulling
cannon, with the bust of Secretary of State R.M.T. Hunter at right. Very Fine.
Fine. All material is fine unless otherwise indicated.
Estimated
Value $1,000-UP.
Lot 670 
[Civil War Era Newspapers]. A collection of
Ten pages, separated and individually mounted, each profusely illustrated, from
Harper's Weekly: A Journal of Civilization. Dates range from 1861, 1863,
to 1865. New York. Approximately 10 x 15." Two of the ten are front pages
featuring charming vignettes of art, music, and scholarly items. The other
eight feature wood block engravings of Civil War related scenes. Fine.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 671
[Civil War Era Newspapers]. Six Civil War
Newspapers. One issue of The Liberator, Boston, March 29, 1961. Four
pages, elephant Folio, printed by J.B. Yerrington & Son. Together with Four
issues of the New York Daily Tribune, New York, with dates ranging March
4, 1862 - October 24, 1863, each Folio, eight pages, and one issue of The
New York Times, New York, April 30, 1862, Folio, eight pages. The
Liberator contains numerous anti-slavery articles and extracts, and
includes a front cover story extolling the Emancipation of Russian Serfs, and a
speech lauding Crispus Atticus. The New York papers all feature dramatic
coverage of the Civil War, including late-breaking accounts of The Army of the
Potomac, a map of Rebel defenses at Port Hudson, and first-hand reports on The
Siege of Yorktown, and other important Civil War battles. Also included is an
interesting apology by General Frémont, entitled "General Freemont's
Defense. His Statement and Evidence, As Presented To The Joint Committee of the
Two Houses on the Conduct of the War." . Very Good. Condition ranges
from Very Good to Fine, with most of the newspapers being clean and attractive.
One of the papers, an issue of the New York Daily Tribune, March 4, 1862, is
incomplete, being the last eight pages (8-16) of this publication. The
remaining newspapers are all complete.
Estimated Value $75-UP.
Lot 672
Clark, General Mark. (1896-1984) US general.
Designated as Commander II Corps under Eisenhower for the invasion of North
Africa. He commanded the 5th Army at the Salerno landing and the capture of
Rome (1944). He commanded the US 6th Army in the Far East (1947-9). He
commanded the UN forces in Korea (1952-3).
Signed Check.
Approximately 8¼ x 3¼" light green personal check, with "General
Mark Clark" printed at upper left, Charleston, South Carolina, October 13,
1971. Drawn on the First National Bank, a $3.84 check made out to Coburg Dairy
Inc. Boldly signed by the famous General at bottom, "Mark W. Clark." .
Estimated Value $125-UP.
Lot 673 
Clem, John Lincoln. (1851-1937) American
Army Brigadier General in the Civil War at the age of twelve. Known widely as
the "Drummer Boy of Chickamauga".
Western Union Telegraph Form
Signed by Johnny Clem. Partially Printed Document Signed Accomplished in
Manuscript, One page, oblong Octavo, on imprinted Western Union letterhead,
Brounsville, February 8, 1874. A completed telegraph form addressed to Major W.
R. Gibson, Chief Paymaster, San Antonio, Texas, containing the following
message:
"The act [account] extra for Nov. of Surg[eon] Davis was
mileage
that of Lt. Donovan was Postage. Endorsement on your letter will
be mailed.
paid 35 cts a true copy J.W. Nicholls Paymaster
Johnny
Clem 2nd Lt. 24th Inf. "
Minor stain at center verso, with faint
bleed through, otherwise fine.
Estimated Value $225-300.
Lot 674 
Cleveland, Grover. (1837-1908) 22nd and
24th President of the United States.
Document Signed (as
Governor). One page, oblong octavo. Albany, NY, July 20th 1883. Piece is
signed boldly by Cleveland and is countersigned by Private Secretary Daniel
Lau. It features a robust gold seal. Slight creases not adversely affecting
document. Fine. Handsomely matted and framed with a photographic
reproduction of Cleveland. Measures 20½ x 11½".
Estimated
Value $400-600.
Lot 675 
Clinton, William J. (1946- ) 42nd President
of the United States.
Typed Letter Signed as President. One
page, Quarto, on pale green embossed White House letterhead, Washington, DC,
July 1, 1993. Interesting letter to congressman William Natcher, Chairman of
the Committee on Appropriations, promoting the Clinton Administrations foreign
policy measures in support of democratic Russia. He writes:
"Dear
Mr. Chairman: I wanted to thank you for your leadership on the foreign
operations appropriations bill. This bill funds key U.S. foreign assistance
programs and initiatives that are designed to promote economic growth, peace
and democratic ideals throughout the world. In particular, it also funds our
historic commitment to political and economic reform in Russia and the new
independent states. I was greatly encouraged by the overwhelming majority of
support for this measure, which will be a boost to President Yeltsin and the
other reformers. I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure that
our foreign policy programs are carefully balanced with our own domestic needs
in building a more secure future for all Americans. With best wishes,
Sincerely, Bill."
Fine.
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.