Autographs

U.S. Presidents & First Ladies

Lot 244
Adams, John (1735-1826) 1735-1826, 2d president of the U.S. (1797-1801) As a moderate but forceful leader of the group who opposed British measures leading to the American Revolution, he served in both Continental Congresses and argued eloquently for the Declaration of Independence, which he signed. He became Pres. Washington's vice president (1789-97) and in 1797 succeeded him as president. Adams's administration revealed his honest and stubborn integrity. Although allied with Alexander Hamilton and the conservative, property-respecting Federalists, he was not dominated by them in their struggle with the Jeffersonians. By conciliation he prevented war with France. He did not wholly support the Alien and Sedition Acts. After 1801 he lived in retirement in Quincy. His wife, Abigail (Smith) Adams, 1744-1818, born Weymouth, Mass., was the chief figure in the social life of her husband's administration. Lively and intelligent, she was one of the most distinguished and influential of American first ladies.

Letter Signed ("John Adams"). One page, quarto, Quincy, August 24, 1817. To Commodore William Bainbridge. Also signed by Thomas Boylston Adams (John Adams' son) and four Quincy neighbors. Transmittal folds, minor foxing, strengthening tape to verso right edge. Very good condition.

Adams and his neighbors write to the Commodore on behalf Rufus Davis, "...a labouring man, and one of our neighbors. He get his living chiefly by the aid of his boat. He is poor. And his boat is the principal part of his property..." Davis' small boat had been rammed by one of the Independence's (Bainbridge's ship) boats which "staved her to pieces." Davis asked his noteworthy neighbors to write to the Commodore for an investigation and compensation. ".We have complied, under the assurance from our knowledge of your character, that you will make an inquiry into the circumstances of the case and cause such justice to be done him as in your opinion they demand..." Retired to Quincy, Adams remained active in many aspects of local and national life, and it would be logical for a neighbor to turn to the grand old man of the neighborhood for help.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.

Lot 245
Adams, John. Free Franked quarto address leaf ("J Adams"). Addressed to "His Excellency William Plumer / Epping New Hampshire" in another hand. "Quincy MS, June 16th Free" in yet another hand at top edge. Transmittal folds, strengthening tape to right and bottom edges. Fine. The hand reveals Adams was quite elderly when he franked this page.
Estimated Value $1,700-1,900.

Lot 246
Arthur, Chester A (1830-1886) 21st president of the U.S. (1881-85). Succeeding to the presidency after Garfield's assassination, Arthur had an honest, efficient, and dignified administration. He supported the civil service reform act of 1883 and vetoed a Chinese exclusion bill that violated a treaty with China.

Document Signed ("Chester A Arthur"). As President. Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. One page, 15¾ x 19¼", Washington D.C., January 13, 1884. Countersigned by Secretary of War Robert Lincoln. Being an Army appointment to John J. Coppinger. On vellum. Wafer seal intact and affixed at upper left. Recorder's signature at upper left corner. One vertical and five horizontal folds. In fine to very fine condition.

Captain, Colonel, Major, and now, with Chester Arthur's bold signature, our soldier, John Coppinger is named Lieutenant Colonel of the Eighteenth Regiment of the Infantry.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 247
Buchanan, James (1791-1868) 15th president of the U.S. (1857-61); A congressman (1821-31) and senator (1834-45) from Pennsylvania. At first a Federalist, he became a conservative Democrat and was Pres. Polk's Secretary of State (1845-49) during the Mexican War. Under Pres. Pierce, he was (1853-56) minister to Great Britain and helped draft the Ostend Manifesto. In 1856 he was elected president. Believing slavery was morally wrong but not unconstitutional, he tried to keep the "sacred balance" between proslavery and antislavery factions, but his views alienated radicals in both North and South.

Document Signed ("James Buchanan"). As Secretary of State. Three pages, quarto, Washington DC, December 9, 1847. Being a certification of the official capacity of two justices of the peace named in the included pages. Appropriate seals and stamps, bound with faded blue ribbon, docketed on verso. Foxing and minor toning, two horizontal folds. Good to very good condition.

Buchanan was a very active civil servant, with over 40 years in public service as a state assemblyman, congressman, ambassador and Secretary of State.
Estimated Value $600-700.

Lot 248
Bush, George. Signed Photo ("George Bush"). Color, 11 x 8", n.p., n.d. Bush sits with Nixon in the White House. Bush signs in a light field above his head. Fine.

A very nice piece for the Republican in your life.
Estimated Value $200-300.

CIA Chief Bush

Lot 249
Bush, George (b. 1924) 41st president of the U.S. (1989-93). In 1966 he was elected to the first of two terms as a Republican representative from Texas. He was ambassador to the UN (1971-73), chairman of the Republican National Committee (1973-74), chief of the U.S. liaison office in China (1974-75), and director of the CIA (1976-77). After losing the 1980 Republican presidential nomination to Ronald Reagan, Bush served as his vice president (1981-89). Elected President 1988. Faced with escalating budget deficits, he abandoned his electoral pledge of "no new taxes" and accepted a tax package that was designed to reduce the deficit but largely failed to do so as recession and an anemic recovery combined to produce the lowest growth rate since the Great Depression. In 1992 he was defeated in his bid for reelection by Democrat Bill Clinton.

Typed Letter Signed ("George"). One page, quarto, Washington DC, December 13, 1976. On embossed George Bush stationery. To Bruce Robertson-Dick. Transmittal envelope included. Mailing folds, some soiling and toning to edges. Very good.

A casual note to a Maine harbor master with an interesting mention of Bush's then-current position "...of all the jobs I have had, none has been more challenging or more rewarding than being head of the CIA."
Estimated Value $100-150.

Lot 250
Bush, George W (b.1946). Forty-third President of the United States. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Yale University, Bush furthered his education by gaining his MBA at Harvard. Continuing to follow in his father's footsteps, George then served in the Texas Air National Guard. Naturally, in 1988 Bush worked on his father's Presidential campaign and subsequently entered politics formally, serving two consecutive terms as Governor of Texas, beginning in 1994.

Autograph Note Signed ("George"). One page, recto and verso, 6¼ x 4¾", n.p., January 1, 1995. On a "Governor-Elect George W. Bush" notecard. To Ronald Wade. Transmittal envelope included. Fine.

Ron Wade has been a friend to many Republican presidents, is a close friend of George W. Bush and was appointed by Bush to his Presidential Inaugural Committee. This letter illustrates their friendship: "Thanks for your letter -- Thanks for your friendship -- We may need your advice -- I'll pass your letter on to our folks."
Estimated Value $500-600.

Lot 251
Carter, James Earl (b. 1924) 39th president of the U.S. (1977-81). After a spectacularly successful campaign for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination, Carter, although a Southerner and political outsider, narrowly defeated the Republican candidate, Pres. Gerald Ford; his running mate was Walter Mondale. Carter's presidency was plagued by difficult relations with Congress, which ratified his two Panama Canal treaties (1977) giving eventual control of the canal to Panama, but would not ratify his arms limitation treaty with the Soviet Union (1979). He was successful, however, in effecting (1979) a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. During Carter's term of office the U.S. suffered high interest rates, inflation, and then recession, all of which he had little success in controlling. In Nov. 1979 a group of Muslim militants in Teheran, Iran, took some 50 U.S. citizens hostage and held them until Jan. 1981. Carter's failure to attain their release before the 1980 presidential election contributed to his defeat by Ronald Reagan. Since leaving office, Carter has been active in human rights issues, often serving internationally as an observer during first-time free elections, and has worked as an international mediator in North Korea, Haiti, Bosnia, and elsewhere. He has also worked with Habitat for Humanity, an organization that helps working-class people build and finance new homes.

Typed Letter Signed ("Jimmy") with Presidential Pen used to sign H.R. 5419. One page, quarto, Washington DC, November 1, 1979. On White House Stationery. To Lady Bird Johnson. Some mat burns on letter, signature is faded but not illegible, otherwise very good condition.

A great political connection. H.R. 5419 authorized additional money for the Lyndon Baines Johnson National Historic Site and the presentation of the signing pen is a nice a symbol of Carter's great respect for Mrs. Johnson.
Estimated Value $850-950.
Ex. Ruddy Collection.

Lot 252
Cleveland, Frances Folsom (1864-1947) Married to Grover Cleveland at 21, in the White House. Known for her beauty, grace and charm she was one of the most popular First Ladies of the 19th century.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Frances Folsom Cleveland"). As First Lady. Three pages, recto and verso, octavo, Washington DC or New York, August 14, 1886. On "Executive Mansion / Washington" stationery. To Mr. Wm. C. Wilkinson. Lot includes transmittal envelope. One horizontal fold, very minor surface soil on one page. Fine.

Only two months into her marriage, Mrs. Cleveland pens a note of thanks for a book of poems. "...I shall take pains to do as you wish about the Ode to Webster -- and I feel sure the President will enjoy it very much..." and she includes information about summer plans to visit the Adirondacks.
Estimated Value $125-150.

Lot 253
Cleveland, Grover (1837-1908) 22nd (1885-89) and 24th (1893-97) president of the U.S. An enemy of machine politics, he was named the Democratic "clean government" candidate to oppose James G. Blaine in 1884, and was elected after a bitter campaign. As president he pursued his conscientious, independent course, offending the zealots of his party by his moderate use of the Spoils System. In the 1888 election, Cleveland campaigned on a lower tariff, but in spite of a popular majority he lost the election to Benjamin Harrison. The panic of 1893 struck a hard blow at his second administration, and he angered radical Democrats by securing repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act. The party rift widened when he refused to sign his tariff measure as altered by the protectionist Sen. A.P. Gorman. In the Pullman strike (1894), he sent in troops and broke the strike on grounds that the movement of the U.S. mail was being halted.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Grover Cleveland"). Three pages, octavo, New York, March 18,1890. To A.S. Habell, Jr, of the Baltimore Sun. Transmittal envelope (in Cleveland's hand) included, as is an unsigned cabinet photo of Cleveland, taken by CM Bell. Transmittal folds, adhesive from early repairs has darkened somewhat at folds, one area of discoloration on verso of last page, minor surface soil to all three pieces, pencil notations on the transmittal envelope. Very good condition.

Great content, as Cleveland may be a slipping a hint that he was prepared to run again for the Presidency (which he would do successfully, two years later), "Your letter proposing that I write something for the farmers for publication in the weekly Sun is at hand. After reflection I am of the opinion that such a course would not be for the best. It is not unlikely that I may in another way before long have something to say for their benefit. I wish the articles published in the Sun could be brought to the attention of the farmers in the West from which quarter I am daily (almost) in the receipt of applications for this type of matter. I am quite sure something is going on among them in the way of serious thinking...I am sure no one can fail to appreciate the splendid work the Sun (The Baltimore Sun) is doing."
Estimated Value $850-1,050.

Lot 254
Cleveland, Grover. Signature ("Grover Cleveland"). As President. One page, 4¼ x 2½", Washington DC, n.d. Black ink on an "Executive Mansion / Washington" card. Minor soil to edges, otherwise fine.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 255
Coolidge, Calvin (1872-1933) 30th president of the U.S. (1923-1929). Vice president (1921-23) before becoming president upon the death of Warren G. Harding. Coolidge's New England simplicity and personal honesty were appealing. His faith in laissez-faire business, economy in government, and tax cuts, and his opposition to agricultural price fixing all reflected the national mood. Through his public statements he encouraged the stock market speculation of the late 1920s and left the nation unprepared for the economic collapse that followed. He chose not to run again in 1928.

Check Signed ("Calvin Coolidge"). As President. Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. Washington DC, February 23, 1929. The check is drawn on Coolidge's account at The Commercial National Bank and made payable to Thomas W. White, Collector, in the amount of $354.29. Punch cancelling, stamped verso. Some ink from verso visible at the top and bottom of the check, but text and signature are not affected. Fine.

Eight days before leaving the White House to Hoover, Coolidge pays his taxes.
Estimated Value $600-650.

Lot 256
Coolidge, Calvin. Signature ("Calvin Coolidge"). One page, duodecimo, Washington D.C., n.d. In blue ink, signed "White House / Washington" card. Very minor abrasions to bottom corners, faint adhesive residue on verso. Very good to fine condition.
Estimated Value $100-150.

Lot 257
Coolidge, Grace (1879-1957) A dedicated educator, she believed First Ladies had an obligation to address social issues of the day and worked tirelessly for child welfare.

Signature ("Grace Coolidge"). As First Lady. One page, 4¾ x 2¾", Washington DC, 1927. On "The White House / Washington" card in black ink. Includes transmittal envelope. One minor abrasion to bottom right corner. Very good to fine condition.
Estimated Value $50-75.

Lot 258
Eisenhower, Dwight D. Presidential Pen used to sign S. 497, the Washoe Reclamation Project Bill. With a letter from Gerald Morgan, Special Counsel to the President to Nevada Senator George W. Malone indicating the origin of the pen (Malone was from Washoe County). The letter shows some mat burns and adhesive residue on verso shows through somewhat. Overall, very good to fine.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Ex. Ruddy Collection.

Lot 259
Eisenhower, Dwight D (1890-1969) American general and 34th president of the U.S. (1953-61). A West Point graduate, he had a meteoric rise as a military commander during World War II. Eisenhower coordinated and directed the Allied invasion of Europe in June 1944. In Dec. 1944 he was made general of the army (five-star general) and upon his return to the U.S. became army chief of staff (1945-48). After organizing the defense forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Eisenhower resigned (1952) from the army to campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. Popularity as a World War II hero brought him an easy election victory over his Democratic opponent, Adlai E. Stevenson. One of Eisenhower's first moves as president (July 1953) was to fulfill a campaign promise to end the Korean War. In domestic affairs, Eisenhower remained aloof from the legislative process and took few initiatives. Despite a heart attack he easily won reelection in 1956. His administration then took a more active role in the growing Civil ights movement. In 1957 he sent federal troops to Little Rock, Ark., to enforce a court-ordered school desegregation decision, and later Congress enacted federal civil-rights legislation. Also in 1957, the president promulgated the so-called Eisenhower doctrine, which committed the U.S. to an active role in the Middle East to protect the region from Communist aggression. Tensions with the Soviet Union increased, however, and a summit meeting (1960) with Nikita Khrushchev ended abruptly because of conflict over U.S. espionage flights over the USSR. In 1959 the coming to power of the Communist Fidel Castro in Cuba posed other problems, and Eisenhower broke diplomatic relations with Cuba just before leaving office in Jan. 1961.

Original unsigned pencil sketch (as President) on an off-white 5½ x 5½" perforated page. Pencil date of April 14, 1959. Folds, incidental surface soil, else fine.

Accompanied by a photocopied letter of provenance which reads, in part: "Howard Barney McCray came into possession of approximately 38 'doodles' done by President Dwight Eisenhower while he was in the White House. Howard acquired the doodles from his grandfather, the Honorable Jack Z. Anderson....the president would 'doodle,' sometimes on the agenda, sometimes on...paper during the discussions...Mr. Anderson...would retrieve the doodles over a period of several months...It is my understanding that this is documented at the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene Kansas. It is my further understanding that the Eisenhower Museum has photostats of the doodles..."
Estimated Value $250-300.

Lot 260
Ford, Gerald R. Typed Letter Signed ("Jerry Ford"). As Congressman. One page, octavo, on House of Representatives letterhead, Washington DC, July 19, 1971. Includes transmittal envelope. Signature is penned boldly in blue ink, though slightly smudged. In fine condition.

In full: "Dear Mr. Haskins: / Thank you so much for your lovely birthday letter. I am deeply grateful for your kind and thoughtful greeting and good wishes. / Warmest personal regards. / Sincerely".
Estimated Value $100-150.

Lot 261
Ford, Gerald R. Typed Letter Signed ("Jerry Ford"). As Congressman. One page, quarto, on "Congress of the United States / Office of the Minority Leader / House of Representatives" letterhead, Washington DC, July 7, 1972. To Mr. J.L. Pruett of Clute, Texas. In very good condition.

In full: "Dear Mr. Pruett, / replying to your recent letter, I am pleased to send you the enclosed autographed postcard, family pictures and a copy of my biographical sketch. I am also enclosing a few issues of my newsletter in which I discuss legislation debated in [white out] the House of Representatives. / I hope you find this material helpful in your talks to your students and I am glad to be of service. / Warmest personal regards. / Sincerely, Jerry Ford".
Estimated Value $100-200.
Ex Superior Collectibles Sale, November 15, 16, 1997.

Lot 262
Garfield, James A (1831-1881) 20th president of the U.S. (March-Sept., 1881). He served in the Union army until 1863, when he became a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and followed his party's radical Reconstruction program. Elected president in 1880, he declared war on the leading faction of his party by appointing James G. Blaine secretary of state (passing over the "Stalwarts" of the influential Roscoe Conkling); won a victory with his appointment for port collector of New York; and began prosecution of frauds in the U.S. postal service. On July 2, 1881, he was shot by a disappointed office seeker, Charles J. Guiteau. Garfield died Sept. 19 and was succeeded by Vice President Chester A. Arthur.

Endorsement Signed ("R.A.G"). One page, recto and verso, Washington DC, March 9, 1881. On Executive Mansion letterhead. The endorsement is on an Autograph Letter Signed by Ambrose Burnside, written only five days into Garfield's Presidency. Garfield signs in purple pencil. A few light pencil notations, reinforcing tape to right edge verso, scattered minor surface soil. Fine.

Any Garfield Presidential document is rare and this piece, from so early in his term, presents a wonderful opportunity. Garfield endorses the appointment of Le Barron B. Colt "...as District Judge of Rhode Island...Mr. Colt is the choice of the entire delegation here." Garfield's endorsement in full "Make out the appt of Mr. Colt -- J.A.G."
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.