Mar 31, 2001, The B. H. Manuscript/Collectible/Philatelic Sale, Sale 9

Autographs and Manuscripts - General

Statesmen and Political Leaders

Lot 480
Herzl, Theodor (1860-1904). Zionist leader and journalist who converted to Zionism after reporting on the Dryfus trial. Herzl later convened over the first Zionist Congress and became the first president of the World Zionist Organization.

Autograph Note. In German. A single duodecimo sheet, n.p., February, 21, 1900. Being Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Herzl's personalized calling card. In blue ink. Ink has smeared a bit affecting three words at lower left, with a very light liquid stain at the upper center that does not affect the inscription. In very good condition overall.

Written just after the turn of the century, here Herzl adds an invitation to his calling card, requesting, "the pleasure of Mr. and Mrs. York-Steiner tomorrow, Thursday evening at eight-thirty to be their guests at the Restaurant Kühner, first floor."

At this period, Herzl was in the midst of his struggle for the establishment of a Jewish state. He had recently founded the World Zionist Organization, and had met with both Kaiser Wilhelm II and the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire to discuss the matter. Unfortunately, the meetings proved fruitless. However, the World Zionist Organization had gained popularity, and over 400 delegates attended their conference in 1900.
Estimated Value $7,500-UP.

Lot 481
Herzog, Chaim (1918-1997) Sixth Israeli President.

Signed Photograph. Color, 7½ x 9", n.p., n.d. Portrait of Herzog and his wife in front of the Great Wall of China. Signed both in Hebrew and in English, in glistening gold ink, "Chaim Herzog." In fine condition overall.
Estimated Value $150-250.

Lot 482
Hindenburg, Paul Ludwig (1847-1934). German military hero who entered into politics as the second president of Weimar Republic, seeking German unity. Though he was re-elected to this position, the Nazi party forced Hindenburg to forfeit his power to Adolf Hitler.

1.Typed Document Signed ("von Hindenburg"). In German. One page, quarto, n.p., August 21, 1932. Being an honorary certificate for the Goethe medal on Der Reichspräsident stationery. In black ink. Embossed with a medallion featuring the German eagle at the lower left which also appears at the upper left. Lightly soiled, but signature is bold and clear. 2.Typed Letter Signed ("von Hindenburg"). In German. One page, quarto, Weener, Germany, April 7, 1918. On "Head of the General Staff" stationery. In black ink. One horizontal and one vertical fold, light foxing and soiling. Signature is bold. Overall the group is in good condition.

Here, von Hindenberg presents the Goethe medal for Technology and Art to one Gustav Oberlaender. In addition, the second letter is a gracious note thanking one Louis Victor Israels for a gift.
Estimated Value $200-300.

Lot 483
Hoover, J. Edgar (1895-1972). Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 48 years, he built the bureau into one of the most effective, if occasionally controversial, law enforcement organizations in the world.

Signature ("J. Edgar Hoover"). 8 x 11", n.p., [1968]. In blue ink. Signed on the inside front cover of The Story of the F.B.I. Accompanied by copy of letter from Hoover's secretary. Some adhesive residue at inside spine, signature not affected. Very good condition.

A 48 page "Spotlight Wonder Book," The Story of the F.B.I. explains the inner workings of the Bureau to children.
Estimated Value $125-150.

Lot 484
Huntington, Samuel, William Johnson and Oliver Wolcott. Document Signed ("Wm Johnson", "Oliver Wolcott", "Sam Huntington"). One page, quarto, n.p., December 1775. In black ink. Matted and framed to an overall size of 15 x 19½". With one horizontal and three vertical folds, some splitting along folds, time staining. Still, in good condition overall.

Written just months prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Huntington, William Johnson, and Oliver Wolcott sign this voucher acknowledging their individual debts. Entitled the "Assistants Debenture", this document reflects the debts of nine colonial gentlemen. Each signs next to his listed name.
Estimated Value $400-600.

Rare Robert Kennedy ALS.

Lot 485
Kennedy, Robert F. 1925-1968) U.S. attorney general and adviser during the administration of his brother President John F. Kennedy (1961-63). Later U.S. senator (1965-68), he was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the presidential nomination.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Robert Kennedy"). As Attorney General. One page, small octavo, Washington D.C., n.d. (circa 1960-1964). On "The Attorney General" letterhead. In black ink. To Admiral Morison. One mailing fold. Fine to very fine condition.

Writing to "Admiral Morison," the distinguished military historian, Robert Kennedy expresses his gratitude: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness in sending to me through the President the article you wrote on my brother Joe -- It is much appreciated so of course [I] had read it when it first appeared and am grateful to you for autographing it for me. / Sincerely / Robert Kennedy / I well remember our meeting at Tufts several years ago." Joseph Kennedy Jr., the oldest Kennedy brother and a Navy flier, was killed while on a secret bombing mission in 1944. Aside from the emotional impact Joe's death had on his family, it ultimately affected the whole nation as Joseph Kennedy, Sr., transferred the political hopes he had pinned on Joe Jr., to the next eldest son, John F. Kennedy. Robert Kennedy ALss are rare, and the additional cachet afforded to this piece by its content makes it particularly desirable.
Estimated Value $3,000-UP.

Lot 486
Kennedy, Robert F. Typed Letter Signed ("Bob"). One page, octavo, Washington D.C., September 2, 1964. On Attorney General stationery with integral blank. To Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg. Accompanied by carbon copy of Goldberg's September 28 reply. One mailing fold, small staple holes and minor wrinkling at upper left. Otherwise condition is fine to very fine.

This letter speaks to so many issues: the hold the Kennedys have on America's consciousness, the contributions of Robert and John Kennedy to the Civil Rights movement and the relationship between both Kennedys and the Supreme Court. The Senator writes: "On my last day as Attorney General, I want to thank you for all that you did for President Kennedy. When we look back four years and see how much was needed to be done, and now how much has been accomplished, you can take great satisfaction in having made an important contribution to the country in a time of maximum need. President Kennedy would have wished to thank you for that-- and for your loyalty. I am proud to have served with you--and I am grateful for your friendship. With kind regards, Sincerely, Bob."
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.

Lot 487
Kennedy, Robert F. Typed Letter Signed ("Bob"). One page, quarto, n.p., December 5, 1964. On personalized stationery. To Senator Jennings Randolph. Kennedy has autographed a personal note adding a second signature, "My best wishes and thanks to you. Bob" under closing. Docketed, with filing marks at top, initialed by Senator Randolph under date received stamp at upper right. Faint adhesive residue at top. In very good to fine condition.

Jennings Randolph was an staunch supporter of President Kennedy, whose programs likewise offered support to the Senator. Looking forward to his upcoming service in the Senate, Kennedy writes: "It was particularly thoughtful of you to write and send me your good wishes which I reciprocated in full measure. It will be a privilege to serve with you in the Senate and I look forward to it very much. With many thanks and kind regards. Sincerely, Bob."
Estimated Value $800-1,200.

Lot 488
Khrushchev, Nikita Sergeyevich (1894-1971) First Secretary of the Communist Party (1953-1964) and Premier of the Soviet Union (1958-1964).

Typed Document Signed ("N. Khrushchev"). One page, 6¾ x 11¼", Moscow, April 15, 1944. Signed in red pencil. Being a transcription of a phone conference with Stalin. Several penciled notations and corrections. Accompanied by certified translation. One horizontal and one vertical crease with some wrinkling at the intersection, ¾" tear at top right, and the right edge shows trimming. In very good to fine condition.

This document, relayed via telephone, concerns autopsy and funeral considerations for one Comrade Vatutin. The message begins with comments on a possible autopsy: "...The professors wanted to perform an autopsy on comrade Vatutin's body. His wife protested against it...as a result of prolonged observation of the patient, the cause of death is known precisely and an autopsy cannot reveal anything new. For those reasons it was agreed not to perform an autopsy...." The next section of the letter concerns arrangements being made for Vatutin's funeral -- several members from the upper levels of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic have formed a commission to plan the event. Khrushchev is likely referring to General Nikolai Vatutin, the liberator of Kiev, who was seriously wounded by Ukrainian partisans either February 29 or March 1, 1944, and later died. A War hero, Vatutin certainly would have warranted the level of funeral being considered here.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.

Lot 489
Lamar, Mirabeau Buonaparte (1798-1859) Second President of the Republic of Texas (1838-1841). Lamar sought to strengthen and expand the new republic through military conquest in New Mexico and diplomatic relationships with England and France.

Document Signed. ("MB Lamar") As President of the Republic of Texas. Three pages, quarto, Austin, May 7, 1841. Countersigned by B.T. Archer, Secretary of War. Being a pay voucher for beef supplied by Benjamin Bryant to the Texas Infantry stationed on Little River. Docketed on verso. Tape repairs at center and edges, some age toning, minor foxing and very minor soil. Good condition.

The gentleman here receiving payment by this voucher, one Benjamin Bryant, was a primary supplier of beef to the Texas infantry as Lamar's expansionist policies pushed the Republic's borders farther to the west.
Estimated Value $150-250.

Lot 490
Liverpool, Father and Son. Two important figures in British history, the First and Second Earls of Liverpool served their country in many capacities. Among the most notable accomplishments of the two, the son served as Prime Minister for 15 years and the father served as Secretary of War during the American Revolution -- influencing George III and Lord North.

1. Jenkinson, Charles [1st Earl of Liverpool]. Manuscript Letter Signed ("Liverpool"). Two pages, recto and verso, quarto, London, May 13, 1800. 4½ x 3½ area of minor darkening at lower half of letter, mailing folds, two penciled notations, slightly ragged edge at right. Very good to fine condition. 2. Jenkinson, Robert [2nd Earl of Liverpool]. Autograph Letter Signed ("Liverpool"). As Prime Minister. Two pages, recto and verso, octavo, London, March 5, 1825. On the first page, one water spot at top left, one partially erased pencil mark next to the date and another at bottom, integral blank shows some adhesive residue from a mounting or label and some ink transfer from the second page. In very good condition.

The First Earl deals with a financial matter and offers thanks for the gift of some excellent Ribble Salmon; his son, however, writes as Prime Minister and is more concerned with matters of state -- in particular, an ecclesiastical appointment and his very busy schedule.
Estimated Value $200-300.

Lot 491
Mifflin, Thomas (1744-1800). American revolutionary general and statesman. Mifflin was the first governor of Pennsylvania, serving from 1790-1799, and was also a member of the first Congress in 1774 and a signer of the Constitution.

Document Signed ("Tho Mifflin"). As Governor of Pennsylvania. One page, oblong folio, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1798. Being a land grant. On parchment. In black ink. With original wafer seal affixed at the upper left. Framed to an overall size of 33½ x 23½". One horizontal and two vertical folds, a small spot of paper loss at upper left edge, two water stains at intersections of folds at center, light toning. In good condition overall.

After a parcel of Pennsylvanian land had been paid for by one Richard Tittermary, the stately Mifflin signs this Land Deed granting one Thomas Shields a plot of roughly 400 acres.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 492
Mifflin, Thomas. Document Signed. ("Tho Mifflin"). As governor of Pennsylvania. Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. One page, oblong folio, Pennsylvania, May 26, 1794. Being a "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" land grant. On parchment. In brown ink. With original wafer seal intact. One horizontal and four vertical folds, toning and light stains. In fair to good condition overall.

Just months prior to the Whisky Rebellion, Governor Mifflin grants a parcel of land in Donnigal to one Richard Williams.
Estimated Value $200-300.

Lot 493
Pelham, Henry (1696-1754) Prime Minister of Great Britain 1746-1754. Pelham sought to limit English involvement in the War of Austrian Succession, finally signing the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. Domestically, he consolidated the national debt and enacted land tax reform.

Manuscript Document Signed ("Pelham"). As Prime Minister. One page, 9 x 8½", London, December 26, 1749. Being a Treasury warrant. Countersigned by poet/historian George Lyttleton, as a Lord of the Treasury. Four holes punched along the left edge, a printed description affixed to the top left corner and some strengthening at that corner on the verso, soil and toning with one small area of paper loss at the right edge. In very good condition.

A salary warrant, signed at Whitehall, orders Lord Robert, Earl of Orford, to pay Henry Fane, Esq. for service rendered the Exchequer.
Estimated Value $125-200.

Lot 494
Pitt, William (1759-1806) Twice British Prime Minister during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, Pitt considerably strengthened the office of Prime Minister.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Wm Pitt"). As Prime Minister. One page, quarto, Downing Street, July 19, 1784. Minor discoloration along the edges from an earlier mounting, some of which overlays the "tt" in Pitt, and minor foxing. Overall, in very good condition.

Pitt here refers to an earlier correspondence: "...many thanks for the favor of your obliging letter which I received yesterday. I need not make use of your permission to trouble you further on the subject of it, which is no longer in Question..." Pitt also returns a letter which apparently referred to the subject in Question.
Estimated Value $150-250.

Lot 495
Rabin, Yitzak. 1922-1995. Israeli soldier, statesman, and Prime Minister (1974-1977 and 1992-1995).

Signed Photograph. Color, 7 x 5", n.d. Group portrait of Rabin and his wife, with the Vice-President Gores in a dayroom of the White House. Rabin's signature is very slightly uneven in places, where the ink has been repelled by the photograph's glossy surface. With a Letter of Authenticity from the Institute of Documentation in Israel. In very fine condition.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 496
Rabin, Yitzak. Signed Photograph. Color, 4½ x 7", n.p., n.d. Attractive shot of Rabin in front of the Great Wall of China, taken during the Israeli prime minister's historic trip to China. Signed in black felt-tip ink, "Y. Rabin." In fine condition.
Estimated Value $200-300.

Lot 497
Rabin, Yitzak and King Hussein. Signed Photograph. Color, 7½ x 5", n.p., n.d. Warm snapshot of Rabin and Hussein shaking hands in front of a car at night, where one or both of them have evidently just arrived in an unidentified location. Signed by both at bottom right. Accompanied by a Letter of Authentication from the Institute of Documentation in Israel. In fine condition.
Estimated Value $350-450.

Lot 498
Rittenhouse, David (1732-1796). American astronomer and inventor. Rittenhouse was also the Pennsylvania state treasurer from 1777-1789.

Autograph Document Signed ("David Rittenhouse"). As Treasurer of Pennsylvania. One page, octavo, Lancaster County, January 7, 1783. Being a receipt. In brown ink. Docketed on verso. One horizontal and several vertical folds, time staining and a few small stains which do not affect the signature. Paper has been reinforced. In good condition.

Here, Rittenhouse receives payment of fourteen hundred dollars from one William Henry for a previous year's debt.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 499
Sergeant, John (1779-1852) Staunch Federalist, 1832 Republican candidate for Vice President, Congressman from Pennsylvania. A close friend of Nicholas Biddle, Sergeant was a chief legal and political advisor to the Second Bank of the United States.

Autograph Letter Signed ("John Sergeant"). Four pages with integral leaf, quarto, Schooley's Mountain, New Jersey, August 22, 1840. To Robert Winthrop, Stephen Phillips and "others." Mailing folds and a small amount of mounting residue on left edge of last page. Else fine condition.

Expressing regrets for his absence at the Convention of the Whigs of Massachusetts (to be held at Bunker Hill), Sergeant proceeds to discuss the American Revolution, the evils of the spoils system and the outstanding character of William Henry Harrison. The oratorical tone of the letter leads us to believe Sergeant meant this letter to be read aloud at the Convention and he pulls out all the stops as only a career politician can: "...The spot chose for the assemblage is worthy of the occasion and with becoming reverence for the deeds there done in the cause of independence and freedom., let me add, the occasion is worthy of the ground consecrated by the blood of patriots...The people will right themselves.They will have their own good, old, Republican constitution as it was expounded and administered, for the general welfare, before the 'spoils' system was established, and its kindred doctrine of 'rewarding friends and punishing enemies' avowed, as the means of supporting Executive usurpation. There is no doubt that these abuses have had an alarming measure of success...they carried the "Independent Treasury,' against the manifest sense of the Country, and seemed to have gained strength enough to carry any measure...they must be taught to understand, that government here, is a trust for the people, and not a thing for the ease, convenience and enjoyment of those to whom its powers are confided...in this struggle, we have a leader, of our own free choice, worthy of our cause...General Harrison...We know him by his deeds. He has a true heart for his country...our Country will be safe under his administration. I earnestly hope the Bay State will be with us, in all her strength..."
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.

Lot 500
Stalin, Joseph. Typed Document Signed ("J. Stalin"). As People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR. Two pages, large quarto, Moscow, September 22, 1941. Being military orders. Pencil corrections in Stalin's hand. Signed in pencil. Possibly unrelated list (untranslated) on verso of second sheet. Filing holes at left have been ripped on both sheets, diagonal crease with wrinkling at bottom right of second page. Very good condition.

Only months after Hitler's invasion destroyed the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, Stalin makes military changes. The Red Army, whose officer corps had been decimated by Stalin's purges, was unable to stop the German army's advance and Stalin and his loyalists struggled to undo the damage done in the 1930s. Our document illustrates one of the measures taken to rebuild the military leadership, while engaging in some revisionist history: "From the beginning of the war, due to incomprehensible reasons, positions of the mentioned deputies have been eliminated. Abolishment of positions of deputies undermined the cause of growing the commanding staff in the Army and led to such a situation, where at present we do not have sufficiently trained commanders of the middle and senior levels. For purpose of faster correcting this mistake, as well as for growing and practical training of the cadre and ensuring immediate replacement of commanders in case of their promotion to higher positions or departure -- I COMMAND..." Stalin then proceeds to list appropriate measures to be taken. Of course, the reasons "sufficiently trained commanders of the middle and senior levels" were not available lay squarely at Stalin's feet, so here we offer not only an interesting World War II item, but also a prime example of Stalin's continual campaign to rewrite history.
Estimated Value $4,000-4,500.

Lot 501
Szold, Henrietta (1860-1945). Founder of Hadassah, director of the Youth Aliyah and founder of the Lemaan ha-Yeled (later the Szold Foundation), Szold was a lifelong Zionist who worked tirelessly to help the women and children of then-Palestine.

Typed Letter Signed ("Henrietta Szold" - in Hebrew). In Hebrew. One page, octavo, Jerusalem, March 8, 1928. On Palestine Zionist Executive letterhead. To Dr. M. Eliash, Chairman of The Chamber of Jewish Attorneys. One filing hole, notation at top left corner, one horizontal fold and one vertical fold and very minor foxing. In very good condition.

Excellent content from one of the premier figures in Zionist history. Szold's election to the Palestine Zionist Executive in 1927 made her the first woman to hold such high office in a Zionist organization. Here she eloquently expresses gratitude: "We thank you for having invited us to take part in the country-wide conference of Jewish attorneys which will be opened this evening. The Zionist Executive highly approves of your goal of uniting the Jewish attorneys in this land, because in doing so you lay the essential groundwork for organizing our public life here in the land and for defending the rights of the Yishuv on the basis of law and order. The Zionist Executive wishes that your conference may successfully attain the lofty goal it has set for itself."
Estimated Value $400-650.

Lot 502
Tito, Josip Broz (1892-1980). Yugoslav revolutionary and statesman who dominated Yugoslav politics for over four decades.

Signature ("Tito"). Signed First Day Cover, 6¼ x 5", Yugoslavia, 1950. Featuring three stamps of Tito, one with Tito's bold signature across it, three postmarks recto and three verso. Top of envelope is slit with one of the back flaps being loosened. In very good condition.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 503
Trotsky, Leon (1879-1940). Russian communist and revolutionary leader. At odds with Stalin following Lenin's death, he was exiled and later assassinated.

Typed Letter Signed ("L. Trotsky"). One page, quarto, Buyukada, Turkey, May 30, 1933. To John Gunther. Mailing folds and some age toning at edges. Minor wrinkling at edges. In very good condition.

In this rare TLS written in English, Trotsky responds to author/journalist John Gunther: "Thank you for sending me a copy of Harper's Magazine containing your article, which shows your sympathetic interest in my personal work and in the activity of the International Left Opposition...if you should happen to have the recent issue of Current History with the review of my History of the Russian Revolution by Professor Bernadsky, I would appreciate it if you were to send it to me for a few days...What is your opinion about the situation in Austria? Will Dollfuss continue in power for any length of time?..." In spite of Trotksy's exile, he stayed active in the left wing political scene until his assassination.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.

Lot 504
Trumbull, Jonathan (1710-1785). American statesman. Trumbull was elected to the Connecticut Assembly in 1733, went on to serve as colonel during the French and Indian War and later functioned as the deputy Governor of Connecticut as well as Governor of Connecticut.

Autograph Note Signed ("Jonth Trumbull"). One page, oblong quarto, Lebanon, Connecticut, July 7, 1760. On the verso of a Land Transfer. In black ink. Matted and framed to an overall size of 21½ x 17½". Remnants of original wax seal at lower corner. Small losses of paper at lower corner, another small hole at lower center, light staining on recto. Trumbull's signature is clear and bold. In good condition overall.

On the verso of a lengthy Land Grant in which the named Nathan and Eunice Lee transfer their land in Connecticut for sixty pounds, Trumbull verifies their intentions as valid, stating: "Mr. Nathan Lee & Eunice Lee his wife the grantor of the within written instrument personally appearing acknowledged the same to be their due act & deed / before me". The document was also witnessed by American Patriot John Wadsworth, whose signature appears on the recto.
Estimated Value $450-650.