Mar 31, 2001, The B. H. Manuscript/Collectible/Philatelic Sale, Sale 9
Lot 623
Roosevelt, Theodore.
1858-1919, 26th president of the U.S. (1901-1909). After graduating
(1880) from Harvard, he served (1882-84) as a Republican state legislator.
Bereaved by the deaths (1884) of his mother and his wife, Alice Hathaway
Lee, he retired to his ranch in the Dakota Territory. Returning to New York
in 1886, he married Edith Kermit Carow and served on the Civil Service
Commission, as head (1895-97) of the New York City police board, and as
assistant secretary (1897-98) of the navy. In 1898 he formed, with Leonard
Wood, the Rough Riders regiment that fought in Cuba during the
Spanish-American War; he came home a hero. He was elected (1900) vice
president under William McKinley, and upon McKinley's assassination in
Sept. 1901 became president at the age of 42. Although he had hand-picked
William Howard Taft to succeed him, he became angry at Taft's apparent lack
of progressive principles and split the Republican party in 1912 by running
for president as the third-party Progressive, or Bull Moose, candidate. He
outpolled Taft but lost the election.
Typed Letter Signed
("Theodore Roosevelt"). One page, quarto, New York, October 3, 1916.
On "Metropolitan magazine" letterhead. To George W. Perkins. Several hand
corrections. Accompanied by George W. Perkins' letter to James Byrne,
President of the Honest Ballot Association. Six small staple holes at top
left, small discoloration at right of text, minor creasing at bottom edge
and two horizontal mailing creases. In very good to fine
condition.
Roosevelt's dislike for Wilson personally, and Wilson's
policies of nonintervention in the War in Europe in particular, are evident
in this characteristically strong letter (Roosevelt was not a man to
prevaricate!): "...I am inclined to think that while all that Byrne's
says about the President's loose tongue and fingers and inability to think
anything through to the end is true enough, yet that fundamentally the
President is a most dangerous demagogue, because he realizes and plays upon
the capital American weakness of treating fine words as an offset to
selfish or unworthy action. Again what Mr. Byrne's says about the note
writing England; I think he has put it exactly right, and I shall hereafter
adopt his suggestion. I don't know what to say about this advice to not say
that we have incurred the derision of mankind. It is a fact! I am very much
pleased with his letter. Faithfully yours, Theodore Roosevelt."
Roosevelt was vocal in his support of the Allies and pushed early for
American involvement in World War I. After the United States entered the
war, his offer to raise and command a division for the fighting in France
was summarily rejected by Wilson. His four sons served in combat -- two
were wounded, and the youngest, Quentin, was killed when his airplane was
shot down.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,500.
Lot 624
Roosevelt, Theodore.
Signed Photo ("Theodore Roosevelt"). Black and white, 8 x
11¼", n.p., March 11, 1912. Inscribed in black ink, "With the good
wishes of / Mar 11th 1912". Embossed with the crest of Underwood &
Underwood at lower right. Silvering to photo, stains at lower left in
margin, a small abrasion at center left, and toning. Signature is quite
bold (though Roosevelt signs over the Underwood crest) and the piece is in
good to very good condition overall.
1912 proved to be quite a
tumultuous year for Roosevelt. Encouraged by the Republican party to run
for President for another term, Roosevelt was humiliated at the party's
National Convention when Taft was decided as the nominee -- despite Teddy's
overwhelming victories in earlier primaries and caucuses. Nonetheless, he
did participate in the year's election as the "Bull Moose" party candidate.
Here, prior to the maelstrom of the year's events, Roosevelt pens his bold
name.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 625
Roosevelt, Theodore.
Typed Letter Signed ("Theodore Roosevelt"). One page, small
quarto, New York City, May 10, 1912. On "The Outlook" letterhead. Signed in
black ink. To Reverend Bradley Gilman of Canton, Massachusetts. This piece
is handsomely framed and matted for an overall size of 14 x 13.25 inches.
There is some creasing at the top and bottom left corners and small tears
at each crease. One horizontal fold with minor edge separation and some
very light foxing at the right edge. Otherwise this piece is in very good
condition.
Here Roosevelt writes: "You touch me very deeply and
your help means a great deal to me in Massachusetts. As yet I do not have
to consider an independent candidacy..." Eventually, Roosevelt did
consider an independent candidacy and ran unsuccessfully on the Progressive
ticket in 1912.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Lot 626
Taft, William Howard.
1857-1930, 27th president of the U.S. (1909-13) and 10th chief justice
of the U.S. Supreme Court (1921-30). Running as Roosevelt's successor in
1908, he defeated William Jennings Bryan and continued Roosevelt's
policies, i.e., "trust busting" and, in Latin America, "dollar diplomacy,"
but he was more conservative than Roosevelt and antagonized the progressive
elements in his party. Taft was appointed (1921) chief justice by Pres.
Harding; his chief contribution to the court was his administrative
efficiency.
Typed Letter Signed ("Wm H Taft"). As President.
One page with integral blanks, quarto, Washington, D.C., May 10, 1910. On
"The White House Washington" stationery. In black ink. To Henry A. Cooper
of the House of Representatives. With one horizontal fold, and a soft fold
at lower right which does not affect signature. In very good to fine
condition overall.
Providing insight into the process of crafting
legislation, here Taft proposes modifications to the Mann-Elkins Act
which regulated communications and railroad sleeping car companies,
stating: "I find on further examinations as to the point that I asked
you to come to talk to me about, that I was told that section 12 of the act
could be passed if an amendment proposed by Mr. Good, of Iowa, were
adopted. The amendment, as I recollect it, submitted to the Interstate
Commerce tribunal the question whether the line in which the stock is
acquired is a competing line or not. The part of section 12 I should like
to retain is the part which denounces the acquisition of stock of one
railway in the competing line; in other words, the first 27 lines in the
section. While this may be covered by the Anti-trust law it is a specific
denunciation of a particular form of that law which makes prosecution , and
proof of it, much more easy than otherwise."
Estimated Value
$750-950.
Lot 627
Taft, William Howard.
Signed Photograph ("Wm. H. Taft"). Black and white, 3½ x
5½", n.p., date stamped March 4, 1912. Being a printed postcard
labeled "Copyright 1909." Signed in black ink. One crease with minor
chipping at bottom left corner. Condition is very good.
A very
nice, almost casual, portrait of the President and his wife, Helen. Mr. and
Mrs.Taft were very happy together: her wit, intelligence and determination
met every challenge his varied political career threw at her, even after
she suffered a severe stroke in 1912.
Estimated Value $350-450.
Lot 628
Truman, Harry S.
33rd President of the United States,1945-1953.
Typed Letter
Signed ("Harry"). As President. One page, 9 x 7", Washington D.C.,
July 16, 1948. On light green "The White House" stationery. To David
Morgan. One faint horizontal fold. In fine to very fine
condition.
An excellent political letter written in the midst
of the 1948 Presidential campaign, Truman writes: " ...you are exactly
right about the fellows on the street - none of them are happy over the
hypocritical Republican platform and the combination which they are trying
to foist on the country. When I get around to it everybody is going to know
exactly what is happening..." Truman did get around to it -- his
Whistle Stop campaign, dogged determination and faith in his message
created one of the biggest turnarounds in American politics as he defeated
Thomas Dewey in spite of the polls, the press and the Dixiecrats.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
Lot 629
Truman, Harry S.
Typed Letter Signed ("Harry Truman"). With autographed
postscript. One page, quarto, Independence, Missouri, May 12, 1958. On
Truman's personalized stationery. In black ink. Attractively matted and
framed to an overall size of 13¾ x 17". With two horizontal folds.
Otherwise in very fine condition.
Referring to his opposition of the
Twenty-second Amendment, Truman joked in his book Truman Speaks
about running again for President at age ninety. Here, he alludes to the
comment: "Sixteen more years, and I'll be ninety...and I'll have to wait
until 1976 before I can run for President again." He also adds a
handwritten personal note after his salutation: "That Cole Younger book
you sent to me is mostly lies!"
Estimated Value $500-750.
Lot 630
Truman, Harry S.
Typed Letter Signed ("Harry"). As Vice President. One page,
quarto, Washington, January 24, 1945. On "Office of the Vice President"
stationery. In black ink. To Mr. Tom Stapleton of Blanca, Colorado.
Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope. Framed to an overall size
of 14 x 17". Two horizontal folds, toning. Overall, in fine
condition.
Immediately after taking office as Vice President, Truman
writes a compassionate note to an obviously infirm citizen: "I
appreciate your note of the Second, and I wish there was some way so you
could get back to Kansas City, and if there is any way I can help you I
will be glad to do it. Of course it is a difficult thing for a man your age
and mine to make a change and get the right sort of treatment."
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 631
Truman, Harry S.
FDC Signed ("Harry Truman"). One sheet, 6½ x 3½",
Washington, D.C., August 1, 1964. On the first day cover for the 5 cent
"Register Vote" stamp. In blue ink. In very fine condition
overall.
Winston Churchill said of Truman, "You, more than any other
man, have saved Western civilization". Here, Truman pens his name on this
first day cover encouraging voters.
Estimated Value $250-350.
From the collection of George Fleharty, the former mayor of Redding,
California, and sports franchise ower.
Lot 632
Truman, Harry S.
Autograph Note Signed ("Harry Truman"). On a single, duodecimo
sheet, n.p., February 7, 1956. To one H.A. Brand. In black ink. Edges are
toned, one small fold at upper right. Still in fine condition.
Subsequent to his Presidency, Truman pens a short inscription on
this note: "To H.A. Brand, with kind regards ..."
Estimated
Value $150-200.
Lot 633
Truman, Harry S Truman
Awards the Legion of Merit. 1. Document Signed ("Harry Truman").
One page, folio, Washington, D.C., August 17, 1945. Being a certificate
awarding the Legion of Merit. In black ink. To Surgeon General Arthur
Guirrier of the French Army. Blind embossed with the seal of the U.S. War
Office, and embossed with an image of the medal. With one vertical fold,
edges are worn, with light soiling around edges. 2. Typed Document Signed
("Harry Truman"). One page, quarto, Washington, D.C., n.d. Being a
citation for the Legion of Merit on White House letterhead. In black ink. A
small water stain has affected only slightly the crossbar of Truman's
"T", light-staining. Overall, the group is in fine
condition.
Just three months after the surrender of Germany in World
War II, Truman awarded the Legion of Merit to an outstanding French Surgeon
General. The award itself states that the President: "has awarded the
Legion of Merit Degree of Officer to Surgeon General Arthur Guirrier, First
French Army for extraordinary fidelity and exceptionally meritorious
conduct in the performance of outstanding service..." Accompanying the
actual award, Truman also issued a citation expounding on Guirrier's
contributions, specifically : "his exceptional professional skill and
his wholehearted enthusiasm to the difficult problems attendant upon
organizing the medical services to treat the sick and wounded, and to carry
out evacuation during fast-moving and rigorous campaigns. Subsequently, he
played a splendid and humane role in caring for the victims of Nazi
oppression ..."
Estimated Value $1,700-2,200.
Lot 634
Tyler, John
(1790-1862) 10th President of the United States, 1841-1845. Stepping
into office following the death of William Harrison, Tyler functioned as a
political independent. Nonetheless, he managed to reorganize the Navy,
establish the Weather Bureau and end the Second Seminole War.
Autograph Document Signed ("John Tyler"). As Governor. One
and a half pages with integral address leaf, recto and verso, quarto,
Richmond, Virginia, June 20, 1826. In black ink. To Secretary of War James
Barbour. With remnants from original wax seal. Endorsed on address leaf by
Barbour with additional notations by C. VanderVeter. Two horizontal and
three vertical folds, a few minor chips and splits at folds, address leaf
has separated, toning and a few stains. Overall, in good
condition.
The right to retain state soldiers was an important
matter to Tyler, himself a state governor. In fact, Tyler led the
Senate in opposing then-President John Quincy Adams' ideas of a national
army. Here, he requests the return of two Virginia militiamen who were
illegally enlisted into the U.S. military: "The enclosed papers will
inform you that two soldiers belonging to the Public Guard at this place
and regularly enlisted therein, have deserted from the state service, and
have been enlisted in the service of the United States at the Bellona
Arsenal ... I am confident that it is only necessary to bring this matter
to your notice in order to effect the desired restitution -- The
consequences of a refusal to issue the necessary order (a refusal which I
do not anticipate) would prove not only destructive of the discipline of
this small preservation of the public property at this place ... but would
tend to its utter destruction. I must therefore ask you to issue the
necessary order to effect the desired purpose and must be permitted to
express the hope that since the example of these deserters may prove
contagious, that the order be issued without delay."
In
response, the Secretary of War orders that the soldiers be "delivered up to
the officer of the State of Virginia and that orders to that effect be
prepared and transmitted...today...".
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
Lot 635
Tyler, John.
Signature ("J. Tyler"). As President. Small duodecimo size
envelope, postmarked North Shore, New York, August 19, n.y. In black ink on
black bordered envelope. Franked by the President for First Lady Julia
Gardiner Tyler. Addressed to Mrs. Fannie G. Lane of Suffolk County, New
York. The envelope has a postmark stamp and a "FREE" stamp, both on the
recto. Wax seal with the First Lady's initials intact on verso. With some
wear on the back of the envelope and a tear on the back flap, none of which
affect the frank or signature. In very good condition.
Presumably
the black bordered envelope offered here is a sign of mourning for Mrs.
Tyler's father, a senator from New York, who died on board the U.S.S.
Princeton on February 28, 1844, when a gun exploded, killing seven.
Although she was still in mourning for her father, Julia Gardiner and Tyler
married in New York, June 26, 1844, making Tyler the first President to wed
while in office.
Estimated Value $400-600.
Lot 636
Van Buren, Martin.
8th President of the United States, 1837-1841. One of the founders of
the Democratic Party, he was known for his skill as a political dealmaker.
Autograph Letter Signed ("MV Buren"). As U.S. Senator. Two
pages, recto and verso, quarto, with integral address leaf, n.p., September
1, 1823. To a Judge Miller. There is a very slight area of abraded paper,
and a small tear on the right edge, neither affecting text, with some
separation at fold of address leaf, which has been expertly repaired. The
address leaf, which bears "-An - " , has two small pieces of tape, and a
minor area of paper loss at the extreme right verso corner.
In 1821
Van Buren, the new Senator from New York, was made a member of the
Congressional convention charged with revising the constitution of the
state of New York. Because his party was not strong enough at this time to
send him from his own district, he was sent to represent Otsego County.
Senator Van Buren took an active part, advocating a moderate course of
reform, the limited extension of suffrage, and legislative reforms that
would take power away from the assembly and transfer it to the governor,
giving that office the power of veto. This convention was instrumental in
making Van Buren's reputation, but his activity was largely directed by
party politics and alliances.
Written two years into Van Buren's
tenure as Senator from New York, this exceptional letter reveals the
behind-the-scenes maneuvering and patronage of the "spoils system" that
characterized the politics of New York that Van Buren came to control and
dominate as leader of the "Albany Regency," a cabal of practiced
politicians who combined their resources in office and jointly used their
power to control state politics.
Van Buren writes: "My dear
Judge/ I have been disappointed in not hearing from you or any one else
before on the subject of the Otsego suit. I infer however that Mr. H. will
be able to provide himself with other counsel and will be well pleased to
find my influence counts. Our young Price from N[ew] York is waiting here
to go out with me. I will thank you to drop me a line by return post that I
may either retain or send him off with certainty. I sincerely pray that
Mrs. Miller's health is restored or that she is at least out of danger. If
she is well enough to [?] of it, be so good as to express my most
affectionate regard for her. Your friend, MV Buren." Word from Judge
Miller will decide Van Buren's course of action with Price, and he is
clearly anxious about a lawsuit originating in Otsego County.
A
fascinating letter, full of political design, which seems to call forth the
observation on Van Buren made by his political rival, John Quincy Adams:
"There are many features in the character of Mr. Van Buren strongly
resembling that of Mr. Madison - his calmness, his gentleness of manner,
his discretion, his easy and conciliatory temper. But Madison had none of
his obsequiousness, his sycophancy, his profound dissimulation and
duplicity."
Estimated Value $2,000-3,000.
Lot 637
Van Buren, Martin.
Autograph Letter Signed ("M Van Buren "). As President. Two
pages, quarto, Philadelphia, June 8, 1840. To Benjamin Butler, Attorney
General from 1833-38 and subsequently a legal adviser to his former law
partner Van Buren. One repaired tear at bottom, one ink blot at right, with
mailing folds. In very good condition.
An interesting letter, both
presidentially and personally, here Van Buren writes: "I've made one
alteration in respect to a statement of the subsequent rule of the Court
which appears to be necessary & of the existence of which I was not
advised. It must have been passed I think long after my day. It is not true
you know that I objected to Mr. Grossman. He & Mr. Morelle quarreled & Mr.
Morelle refused to have further intercourse with him. I proposed that both
gentlemen should retire & select new friends to which both men refused to
agree. Upon this the matter was broken off." Van Buren, running for a
second term, closes his letter on an optimistic note: "Our accounts
from all parts of the State are truly splendid." Apparently not so
splendid, he was trounced by William Henry Harrison eight months later.
Estimated Value $2,000-3,000.
Lot 638
Wallace, Henry A
(1888-1965). 33rd Vice President of the United States, 1941-1945, under
Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Typed Letter Signed ("H A Wallace").
As Vice President. One page, quarto, Washington D.C. (erroneously dated
October) November 15, 1944. On Office Of The Vice President letterhead. To
Arthur H. Heller. Mailing folds and penciled correction. Accompanied by the
original transmittal envelope with printed frank from the Office of the
Vice President, and Mr. Heller's original request. In fine
condition.
Here Wallace addresses a request to speak at the Bronx
High School of Science commencement. Sadly, Arthur Heller's eloquent and
enthusiastic plea for the Vice President's time was unsuccessful. Wallace's
reply is friendly, yet firm: "That was a mighty fine letter you wrote me
on October 20, -- so fine, in fact, that you make it difficult for me to
regret. However, due to my very indefinite plans during the next few months
it will be impossible for me to be with you in January."
Estimated
Value $200-250.
Lot 639
[Washington, George].
Die sunk engraved essay of Houdon's bust of Washington, image
size 3½ x 4½", sheet size 7½ x 9½", n.p., n.d.
Mounted in folder to 8½ x 11". Mount shows foxing and toning, with
soil at top right corner. Sheet shows minor soil at right edge and ink spot
at left (both outside of image). Very good condition.
Houdon's bust
of Washington was sculpted from life in 1785 and has since provided one of
the most recognizable images of our first President, including the image
seen on the 1900 Lafayette Dollar.
Estimated Value $75-125.
Lot 640
Wilson, Woodrow.
28th president of the U.S. (1913-21). In 1910 he was elected governor
of New Jersey on a reformed Democratic ticket. As governor (1911-13) he
accomplished various important reforms. He was elected president when the
Republican vote was split between W.H. Taft and Theodore Roosevelt. He
successfully ran for re-election in 1916 on the boast of having "kept us
out of war," and narrowly defeated Charles Evans Hughes, the Republican
candidate.
Typed Letter Signed ("Woodrow Wilson"). As
Governor of New Jersey. Two pages, quarto, n.p., August 5, 1911. On State
of New Jersey Executive Department stationery. In black ink. To Colonel
William C. Liller of Indianapolis. With one horizontal and one vertical
fold, three pinholes at upper right of each page near embossed crest.
Overall, the signature is clear and the letter in very good
condition.
Addressing a long-time supporter who has brought to his
attention the plight of a slighted judge, Wilson responds as follows: "I
had no idea that he felt as he does and wish very much that he understood
better ... my real feeling, which has always been one of genuine cordiality
and friendship." It seems as though the slighted, one Judge Hudspeth,
had been consulted regarding an appointment of sorts. Wilson continues:
"He frankly said that he would like to be left out of the matter
entirely because ... his personal judgment was that Mr. Martine ought to be
returned to the Senate." Later, he responds to Liller's request that he
appear at a Democratic rally: " I must say frankly that that is out of
the question. I think it would be a great mistake..." It was at this
time, after having been elected Governor of New Jersey, that Wilson was
going against the wishes of the Democratic machine that was originally
responsible for his appointment, possibly explaining the why his appearance
would be inappropriate.
Estimated Value $400-475.
Lot 641
[A Collection of
Presidential Signed Documents]. Here we offer a group of seven
Presidential land grants, each secretarial signed, bearing the names
Benjamin Harrison, James Monroe, Grover Cleveland, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses
S. Grant. Each folio document is partially printed, accomplished in
manuscript. Most with original wafer seals intact. Accompanied by a 7 x 9"
black and white image of William McKinley. Also included is a photographic
print of the War Congress of the United States of America, depicting the
members of the House of Representatives honoring the U.S.S. Maine. Framed
in wood for an overall size of 29½ x 22½". The print is
yellowed, with stains and a split at center is in poor condition. Overall,
the group is in fair to good condition.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 642
Five Presidents.
Signed Photo ("George Bush", "Ronald Reagan", "J
Carter", "Jerry Ford", and "Richard Nixon"). Color, 10 x
7¼", n.p., n.d. Singed in black, blue, and silver inks. One small
fold at upper center affecting the last letter in Reagan's name. Otherwise,
in very good to fine condition.
Pictured before the Ronald Reagan
Library, Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush signed this photo
at the library's dedication ceremony on November 4, 1991. Housing over 50
million pages of government records and 1.5 million photographs, Reagan's
is the tenth Presidential library.
Among the speakers at the
ceremony, Gerald Ford offered these warm sentiments about the beloved
politician: "President Reagan, you will be remembered as a national leader
who was able to articulate the highest hopes and deepest beliefs of the
American people. You have a great gift for transforming the best instincts
into the firmest articles of faith, our misty memories of the past into
bright visions of a better tomorrow. People trust you and believe in you
because you feel, they feel that you trust and believe in them and more
important that you trust and believe as they do. Yes, you are rightly
called a great communicator. You mastered the art of the television tube as
F.D.R. did the radio microphone and Abe Lincoln the stump
speech."
Just a year earlier, four of the Presidents gathered for
the dedication of Nixon's library in Yorba Linda, California.
Estimated
Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 643
Presidential Bits &
Pieces. This interesting grouping of Presidential ephemera includes a
Typed Letter Signed by Herbert Hoover, mentioning a "Ham and Eggs"
scheme; three Typed Letters Signed by Harry Truman; a Typed Letter
Signed by Eleanor Roosevelt; a Calling Card Signed by Mamie Daud
Eisenhower; and, a Calling Card Signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Accompanying the group are four black and white pictures featuring Harry S
Truman while performing a variety of Presidential duties -- including
cutting a large cake on his 61st birthday which was, coincidentally, V-E
Day. Letters are folded. Conditions range from very good to fine.
This eclectic collection of Presidential material includes a
charming letter penned by Harry S Truman to a young man upon his "generous"
donation. The former President writes: "Thank you very much for the
twenty-five cents, which represents your allowance ... your contribution is
being forwarded to the Director of the Fund and you will receive a formal
acknowledgment from him." The letter is accompanied by its original
transmittal envelope.
Estimated Value $500-700.
Lot 644
Presidents and First
Ladies. Signed Photo ("Lady Bird Johnson", "Richard
Nixon", "Gerald R. Ford", "Betty Ford", "Jimmy
Carter", "Rosalynn Carter", "Ronald Reagan", "Nancy
Reagan", "George Bush" and "Barbara Bush"). Color, 10 x
8", n.p., n.d. Taken Opening Day at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library,
this photo features former Presidents and First Ladies in a re-created Oval
Office. Printed signatures appear in margin under the photo, with autograph
signatures at various spots below and on the portrait. Handsomely matted
and framed to an overall size of 18 x 16". Fine condition.
A
beautiful item for collectors of Presidential memorabilia, this photograph
marks one of the unique, non-funeral gatherings of former Presidents and
First Ladies.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.