Mann Page. American patriot from a powerful Virginia family; member of the Continental Congress. Wartime ALS, 1p, folio, Baltimore, March 5th, 1777. With original leaf addressed to Brigadier General George Weedon, bearing his extremely rare franking signature and a straight line postmark, “Baltimore, March 15”. Also docketed by Weedon in his hand.

Important letter on politics, his lack of transportation and health problems: “Baltimore March 5 1777 Dear Sir, I wrote to you by Coll Spotswood but by accident my letter did not fall in his Way. I now enclose it to you to let you see I had not forgot you. We have nothing worth telling you of in this place except that Congress has been so mad as to return to Philadelphia. I am left prettily in the lurch, expecting that we were fixed at this place, I sent back our Chariot & now do not know how to move my baggage. Wives are sometimes sad encumbrances. I have not heard for some time from Virginia, but hope all are well. Why need you think the Lustre of the Virga Army is tarnished by Buckner’s misconduct? True, he is a Virginian, but compare other Virginians with him & they will appear in brighter colors. It is by comparison only that we judge of Men & Actions, therefore a few bad men or actions make good men & actions show more conspicuously. I am still in the Small Pox, therefore cannot write more than that I am, Your affectionate friend, Mann Page Jun.” Address leaf---“Brigadier General George Weedon, Free, Mann Page Jun.” Docketed—“M.Mann Page Jun, 1777”.

$2,800

ALS,"GC" 2pp, 4to, Charleston, S.C., 29 April, 1796. With integral leaf addressed to his son, Henry Clymer bearing a black straight line "Charleston / April 29" postmark and a manuscript "25" in upper right corner.

Describes a harrowing sea voyage in which the Delaware Signer tells of his wife's problems on the ship: "...I had acquainted you of the circumstances which bring me here; but as the land conveyances may arrive earlier than the the water I will just inform yyou that your mother bore the voyage worse than I had expected.- ..her complaints were greatlt aggravated by the tediousnes of the passage, the violent rolling and tossings of the vessel, the effect of dead colors and head seas, having had scarcely anything else.- TheseGod knows were enough for one poor weakly frame- but the dreadful clattering of a pump set it on by her fragmenting sleep must come on addition..."

$1,250

A Jewish leader and businessman in Philadelphia and Baltimore, Cohen operated a lottery office which was most successful. This ticket, about the size of a check and printed from a woodblock in red and black represents one of his largest endeavors, about 1818. Numbered 4818 it is also countersigned by Liski Tiesman.

$675

Autograph Letter Signed, 8 pages, 8vo, Headquarters Military Division of the Missouri, Chicago, Illinois, October 22, 1874. To Colonel William C.Church. Four of the eight pages are pictured.

The recipient, William Conant Church (1836-1917) was one of the greatest journalists in he nation. He and George Wood Wingate established the National Rifle Association in 1871 and replaced General Ambrose Burnside as President in 1872. With his brother he had established the Army and Navy Journal. At the time this letter was written to him by Custer he had covered the famous rifle match at Creedmore between the Irish military team and a U.S.Army team which eventually won. Custer was so imbued with the idea of rifle competition he decided to set up some matches in the West. This great letter unpublished until it first appeared on the market a short time ago reads as follows:

My Dear Col I have had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Major Leech & some of the other members of the Irish Team who have been paying a brief visit to the West. Major [Arthur Blennerhassett] Leech was kind enough to present to me the Rigby rifle used by him in the International Match at Creedmore. I am deeply interested in growing attention being paid to rifle practice in this country and have been practicing and intend to continue my practice with a view to attaining greater perfection in the use of the rifle at long range. I have clipped the score of Mr.Rigby from the Army & Navy Journal made in the recent match for the Beswick Cup and have strong hopes of making a better one before the holidays overtake us. I am glad to see an earnest movement begun assuring service of the prominent men in the West particularly in Chicago looking to the formation of an organization here similar to that at Creedmore. It is the intention to establish a range in or near Chicago and if the proposed plans reach maturity I think it will not be long until the riflemen of the west reexercise a challenge from those of the west. And I am sure such a contest would not only increase the deep interests already felt in this important matter but would go far toward encouraging the establishment of ranges throughout the country. Do not be surprised if your correspondent appears as a contestant. Such is my personal inclination and I will only be prevented by official engagements. I expect to find at Monroe, Mich a long range Remington rifle with which I will continue my practice as soon as I return to the Plains which will be in November, early in the month, say before the 15th. I have a target erected convenient to my quarters at Fort Lincoln and a range of great convenience. I wish you would mail to me at Monroe, Michigan Wed or Thurs an issue of the rules &c governing Creedmore & the matches which took place there. Also give me the dimensions of targets &c with the scores made in International & Beswick matches. If sent to Monroe, Mich by this 5th of Nov I will get them. I have also to request & have so promised the gentlemen that you place in the hands of Major Leech and Mr.Rigby each a copy of Life on the Plains inscribed on the fly leaf with my compliments. Do this to my account I greatly oblige; I believe I can get up a team or a portion of a team in the west, say on the frontier that would not hesitate to compete with the same number of those who belonged as do balance of the successful team at Creedmore. Truly yours G.A.Custer

$32,000

ALS, 4 pages, 8vo, New Orleans, 19th March, 1876. To General William Montague Browne who had been on the personal staff of Davis during the war.

Davis was made president of the Carolina Insurance Company in 1870. In this letter Davis denies responsibility for a company’s demise: “…I lost enough of money by that loosely conducted injudicious transaction to be quite unwilling to bear the responsibility of the failure of that company which I believe only lasted thus long by the means it derived from the Carolina. Had my proposition to examine into its affairs been adopted its unsoundness would have been revealed soon after examination commenced…Our babes in the woods went into a den of wolves. Not knowing even the meaning of the terms employed they bargained with two of the sharpest and least accomplished men in the town and relied on their oral appearances and on their ‘honor’…”

He goes on to relate payouts from the liquidation of the company by Carolina Insurance in Virginia and South Carolina.

$2,200

David Hall (1714-1772) Printer, bookseller

Two Original Documents Signed; one 2 pages, folio, February 3, 1766, the other 1 page, folio, January 1, 1771. Some slight ink erosion and chipping affecting a few words professionally strengthened at some folds.

Benjamin Franklin hired David Hall in 1743 to assist him in his printing house, having worked for Franklin’s friend, William Strahan, in London. In a letter to Strahan a year later Franklin remarked, “…Mr. Hall…gains ground daily in the esteem of all that know him…He is obliging, discreet, industrious, and honest.” He took Hall into partnership in 1748 and the enterprise became Franklin & Hall; on February 1, 1766 Franklin sold his interest in the most important printing business in the colonies to David Hall.

William Sellers had been Hall’s journeyman in the printing house. Upon his purchase of this lucrative printing business from his mentor Benjamin Franklin, Hall immediately took Sellers in as a partner creating the new firm of Hall & Sellers, the most significant printing establishment in the colonies. In addition to printing all the paper money for the colony of Pennsylvania, Hall & Sellers continued the contract with the state that Franklin had negotiated which included all pamphlets, and official documents.

The two documents offered here are the original partnership contracts between David Hall and William Sellers; the first, the original dated February 3, 1766 (two days after Hall purchased the printing house from Benjamin Franklin) and the second dated January 1, 1771, extending the partnership with Sellers for another five years.

The first reads in part, “…Articles of Agreement indented and made the Third day of February in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-six between David Hall of the City of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania, Printer, of the one Part, and William Sellers, of the same Place, Printer, of the other Part. Whereas the said David Hall and William Sellers have determined to enter into a Copartnership, for the carrying on of the Business of Printing in the City of Philadelphia aforesaid; it is therefore covenanted, granted, and agreed by and between the said Parties to these Present, and thye said David Hall and William Sellers do each of them covenant, and mutually agree, each with the other of them in Manner following…that they, the said David Hall and William Sellers, shall be partners in carrying on the Trade and Business of Printing in Philadelphia…for and during the Term of Five Years….That all charges of Types, Paper, Ink, Balls, Tympans, Wool, Oil, and other Things necessary to Printing; together with the charge of all common and necessary Repairs of the Press, and its Appurtenances; and alkso the charge of Rent…shall be divided into two equal Parts…That all Money received, or to be received, for Printing, or for anything done, or to be done, relating to the Business of Printing aforesaid, by the said David Hall, and William Sellers, either as Gratuity, Premium, Reward, or Salary from the Government or from others, shall be divided into two equal parts….”

A unique pair of contracts documenting the partnership of David Hall and William Sellers who printed all of the currency, papers, and official documents in colonial Pennsylvania as well as continuing the Poor Richard’s Almanac started by Franklin in 1732.

$15,000

Gatling, Richard J. American inventor and businessman (1818-1903); originally created farming equipment but is now best known for the rapid-fire Gatling gun, which saw limited use toward the end of the Civil War. Great association Typewritten Letter Signed "R.J. Gatling," as president of the Gatling Gun Co., 1/4 p, 4to, on the company's imprinted stationery, Hartford, CT, 7/11/1885. He requests "Colt's Pat. Fire Arms Mfg. Co." of the same city to "Please construct for us, at your earliest convenience, a model gun, like those last furnished to the United States, but using the spring extractor." Light fold and edge wear, with uneven toning near edges, overall VG. Gatling's famous gun was officially adopted after the Civil War, but not until the Spanish-American War was it widely used, in an improved version. He had sold his gun patents to Colt in 1870, but as we see here, he was not finished improving the design; a spring extractor would have increased efficiency by automatically ejecting casings from spent cartridges. Colt would fully absorb the Gatling Co. in 1897.

$3,000

JOHN HANCOCK. First Signer of the Declaration; arguably the most famous American autograph. Document Signed, “John Hancock, President”, 1 page, oblong folio, [April 1, 1777]. Countersigned by Charles Thomson, as Secretary. Framed and double matted

Appointment of Livits as “Second Lieutenant in a Regiment of Foot whereas Seth Warner, Esq. is Colonel”. Initially the document was printed using the term “United Colonies”; the word “Colonies” has been scratched out and replaced by “States” in manuscript three times.

The document is dated in an additional Autograph Document Signed by John Lansing (1754-1829), as military secretary to General Philip Schuyler, written on the lower left side: “The first Day of April 1777. It being suggested to Major General Schuyler Commanding in the Northern Department that Lieutenant Livits's former commission was lost by accident- this commission is granted in consequence of that suggestion. By the General?s Command, J.Lansing, Jr, P Secy”.

On March 6, 1787, Lansing was appointed by the New York legislature along with Alexander Hamilton and Robert Yates, as a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention where he helped frame the U.S.Constitution.

$7,500

Huge photograph, 13 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches with long inscription, "To Miss Stella Fischer With the gratitude of the candidate to one of the faithful forces at home head quarters. Warren G.Harding". Possibly written while running for President.

$650

Harry Houdini (born, Ehrich Weiss). TLS in pencil with manuscript note at bottom, 1p, oblong 4to, New York, August 9, 1926. To Oliver Barrett

Houdini writes: "The enclosed [not present] Lincoln items might interest you. Regards, Sincerely yours, Houdini". In his hand at the bottom Houdini has added, "I saw 2 Lincoln letters in Gordon Bennet father's sale".

An interesting association between Houdini, the greatest escape artist of all time, and Oliver Barrett, who assembled the most important collection of Lincoln artifacts and manuscripts in history. A side note: Barrett was also Houdini's lawyer and represented him in several lawsuits exposing fake mediums.

$1,850

John Jay. American patriot; first Chief Justice of the United States. ADS, with his name incorporated two additional times in the body of the document, 1p, 8vo, Bedford, 31 Augt., 1792. Also signed by Samuel Lyon.

An agreement betweeen Jay and Lyon delineating monies owed to Jay by Lyon with method of payment. Lyon served as a Major of Westchester County minute men during the Revolution.

$2,900

JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY. Document signed, 1 page, huge folio (22 x 17 inches), June 20-28, 1958.

When John F.Kennedy sought re-election to the United States Senate in 1958, he undoubtedly already had presidential aspirations. The fascinating document presented here is entitled, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Democratic Pre-Primay Convention Certificate 1958.The partially printed document reads in part, "We certify that the State Convention of the Democratic Party was held in accordance with the requirements of law at Boston, on the 20th + 21st + 28th day of June, 1958, and the following candidates were endorsed for nomination at such Convention, to be voted for at the ensuing State Primary on the ninth day of September, 1958."

This large certificate consists of five columns, including the office to be filled, the candidate's name, his home address, a statement of "not more than 8 words" identifying any public offices he may have held, and a space for a written signature. Massachusetts voters in 1958 went to the polls to elect a governor, a lieutenant governor, state secretary, state treasurer, state auditor, attorney general, and "SENATOR IN CONGRESS". The final slot gives Kennedy's name and address (122 Bowdoin St. Boston), and he is identified as "present United States Senator For Renomination", and also as a "veteran", a reference to his service in the U.S.Navy in World War II. In the last column Kennedy has personally signed his name, "John F.Kennedy", a magnificent perfect example in blue ballpoint, thus formally certifying his nomination. The document is also signed by Massachusetts Governor Foster Furcolo, and the remaining five candidates for office.

Furcolo went on to retake the governor's mansion in the 1958 election, and voters returned Kennedy to a second term in the Senate. Two years later, in 1960, voters elected JFK the 35th President of the United States. Kennedy was the youngest man elected to the presidency; and he was the youngest to die in office when he was felled by an assassin on November 22, 1963. This is a most unusual relic from JFK's last statewide victory before winning the White House

Minor scattered evidence of routine handling, and several small staple holes at the top of the page do not intrude in any way on Kennedy's signature, and in fact, add more credence to the originality this unique document.

$12,500

RICHARD HENRY LEE. Signer of the Declaration from Virginia. LS in the hand of James Lovell who also signs this letter, 1p, large 4to, York Town [VA], May 1778. Addressed to “Honble John Langdon, Esq., Continental Agents, Portsmouth [NH], bearing a manuscript “York Town May 19” postmark, which is unlisted in Phillips.

Important letter in which Lee and Lovell send dispatches destined for the U.S.Ministers in France. Because of the date, these were undoubtedly the treaties with France that had just been ratified by Congress. Of particular note is the phrase “…Your wisdom will dictate pointed orders….for sinking them in Case the Vessel should be unfortunately taken…” The letter reads,

“Sir, In hope that you have provided a Packet Boat agreeable to the directoion of the Marine Committee sent to you on the 5th Instant, we now forward to your care important dispatches for France, which you are requested to give in charge to a trusted Captain to deliver with his own Hand to our Commissioners at Paris. Your wisdom will dictate pointed Orders for conveying the packets without Injury with Secrecy and the utmost Despatch; but, for sinking them in Case the vessel should be unfortunately taken. We are Sir Your Humble Servants Richard Henry Lee James Lovell John Langdon, Esq.”

James Lovell (1737-1814), like many of the men of his time, did not start out to be a Revolutionary. He was an educator in what was later to become Boston Latin, an assistant to his father, John Lovell. After the Battle of Bunker Hill he was taken as a prisoner of war by the British to Halifax where he remained until exchanged for Col.Philip Skene in 1776. On his return he was elected as a member of Congress and sent this directive with Lee as part of the Marine Committee.

This fine letter was part of the Langdon Papers which were deaccessioned by the Portsmouth Historical Society in the early 1990’s. It was sold privately before the bulk of that material was auctioned and has never appeared on the market.

$9,500

ABRAHAM LINCOLN. DS, 1p, 4to, Washington, November 9, 1861. Authorizes the Secretary of State to affix the seal of the United States to "the envelope of a letter addressed to ' His Excellency Jose Joaquin Perez, President of the Republic of Chile'..."

$6,500

ABRAHAM LINCOLN and ULYSSES S.GRANT. Signatures of each on the first page of a Lippincott & Co. Civil War autograph album. Lincoln has signed in ink, Grant in pencil adding the words, Lt.Gen. USA. On the inside front cover is a ticket of admission to the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, dated May 12th, 1868. Housed in a full blue calf box with gold lettering on the face and the spine. All signatures are fresh and sharp.

The members of Lincoln’s cabinet have affixed their signatures to subsequent pages following Lincoln, all written on one side only in the following order with some adding words or dates:

William H.Seward, Auburn [Ill, Secretary of State], S(almon) P.Chase [Secretary of Treasury], Edwin M.Stanton [Secreatry of War], J(ohn) P.Usher, Indiana [Secretary of the Interior}, M(ontgomery) Blair, Maryland [Postmaster General], Gideon Welles, Connecticut [Secretary of the Navy], Edw. Bates of MO [Attorney General], H(annibal) Hamilin Wash., Mar 29, 1864

Also included in this historic little volume are over two hundred autographs of Senators and Congressman of the period including such luminaries as Henry Wilson, Lyman Trumbull, Thomas A.Hendricks,John Sherman, Charles Schurz, Benjamin Franklin Wade, Schuyler Colfax, James G.Blaine, and many other Civil War period legislators.

At the back of the book are several tickets of admission to the Columbian Exposition of 1893.

POR

Vintage Photo of Joe Louis in Boxing Pose
Joe Louis (USA, 1914 - 1981)

Signed photo of Joe Louis, 8 x 10 inches; indistinct photographer's stamp on verso. Inscribed in his hand, " To Joe Weisberger, Yours Truly, Joe Louis". In another hand the date, "June, 1941" has been added.This was near the time he fought Billy Conn

$800

JAMES MADISON. Document Signed, 1p, large folio, December 23, 1811.Countersigned by JAMES MONROE (1758-1831), as Secretary of State, later succeeding Madison as 5th President of the United States.

Passport for the Brig Lucy of Salem, "bound for Bordeaux and laden with Fish and Cotton..." Fine War of 1812 period document signed by two Presidents; seals immaculate.

$2,400

Carson City Nevada Gold Coin Certificate of Deposit
Nevada Gold Deposit (USA, 1875 - 1876)

A certificate of deposit marked from the Carson City Savings Bank of Carson, Nevada, "In United States Gold Coin", 3 7/16 x 8 1/4 inches. The deposit was for forty dollars and is dated August 15, 1876. With the imprint of Krebs Lith.Co., signed by the cashier, endorsed (cashed) by A.C.McDonald. At the top right is a vignette of an 1870 ten dollar gold piece; to the left is a screaming eagle with wings spread. The entire certificate is printed in a brown ink. A wonderful western gold related piece of Americana.

$185

An Early Land Grant Encompassing a Major Portion of Passaic, New Jersey signed by Four Native Americans with their totem signatures; 2 pages, small folio, September 28, 1709.

Reads in part: "Know all men by these presents that Woo Naghpoint, Tathoghharout, Passihohap, Kangoran, and Muklas the native Indian proprietors of sundry tracts of land in the Eastern division of New Jersey, for a valuable consideration to us in hand paid...in consideration of the sum of five shillings current money of New York...paid by Rachell he widow...of Petrus Bayard...do grant...unto the said Rachell Bayard her heirs and assigns forever All that certain piece or parcel of land in the said Eastern division of New Jersey situate lying or being upon Pasaick beginning below the great falls Arassondegaat called Sorhomork by the native Indians running from Pasaick river west till it meet with a fall Wissekagh-same and thence north up the said fall till it meet with a certain foot path and marked trees and thence South to Pasaick river containing about two or three hundred acres be it more or less within the hindos and bounds aforesaid together with all and singular woods underwoods trees timber meadows swamps waters streams rivers runs and all other...elements and appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging in any ways appertaining....New York, this twenty-eighth day of September Anno Domini 1709..."

Franklin D.Roosevelt. ALS, 2 pages with closing and signature. "Your devoted Father" written diagonally at the top of the first page; on Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland Vice President's stationery, New York, n.d., but probably 1925 because of the content. To his son James "Jimmy" Roosevelt.

With interesting references to politics, and negotiations for building Val-Kill. He writes in part, "Dear Jimmy, It is perfectly great to get your letters & to know that you are really enjoying it so much. I had a lurking suspicion you would as it is all something you hadn't any conception of! ...The caravan got to Campo safely and Mother came down Aug.6 & joins me at Horseneck Beach...The swimming pool [note:this was built at Val-Kill in 1925] is practically completed & I hope to go in it next week end. Also, the foundation for the cottage are started- Clinton & I have taken the contract at a price of $4,000 cheaper than the lowest Poughkeepsie contractor. I am very busy with the new Parkway through the four Counties..."

POR

The most famous baseball player of all time; held the single season home run record from 1927 until 1961. Signature, “Sincerely, Babe Ruth” in blue fountain pen on small old album page secured by the previous owner in 1946. Some mounting traces, fold through signature touching “R”.

$4,200

DS, 2pp, folio, Charleston, SC, April 20, 1795

Reads in part, "Whereas my brother, John Rutledge stands bound to Thomas Parker in & by a certain Bond dated the thirteenth day of August, in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two in the penal sum of Two thousand one hundred and twelve pounds eighteen shillings & four pence...the day of payment having elapsed the said Thomas Parker hath requested the said John Rutledge to secure him in the payment of said debt & it hath been agreed between the said parties that I should accordingly secure the same...."

John Rutledge was a statesman, jurist, brother of Signer Edward Rutledge; President of the South Carolina General Assembly

$1,750

Autograph Letter Signed, 4pp, 4to, Charlestown {S.C.}, Nov.29th, 1777. To Henry Laurens.

John Rutledge (1739-1800). Statesman, jurist, brother of Signer Edward Rutledge; President of the South Carolina General Assembly. Rare ALS to Henry Laurens congratulating him on his becoming President of the Continental Congress and other matters:

Chas.Town Nov.29th, 1777 Dr Sir, I recd. Your favor of Octr 26th last Wednesday Evening- It cd not have arrived at a more unlucky time as the Judge of the Admiralty, & Attorney General, were on the Circuit, & ther Register out of Town, so that, I cd not possibly obtain obtain any information on Arthur’s Case.- I determined however, to detain the Express in Expectation that on Transes return, I might know what I wanted, but I could not.- I have indeed seen the Pleadings in the Cause, but the Minutes of the Court’s proceedings were lent by the Register to Mr.Reid, who is also on the Circuit- so that I cannot as yet know why the appeal was not admitted, or, what are the contents of Mr.Moultries Letter, which you mention.- & altho’ it is impossible for the Bearer to reach you, within the Time allowed by the Bench of Appeals, yet, that there may be no lacking on my part, I think it proper to send him off, to apprize you of the Circumstances abovementd.- I shall detain Zimmoman until the Return, from the Circuit, of the Gen --- Abovementioned , when I shall see the Attorney General & you shall hear from him, & on the Subject. I thank you for the copy of Mr.Dudlio’s letter & really know not which to be most amazed art, his Villainy, or his Independence.- I think however, it was a pitiful Shift of General Howe’s---How little does he yet know of America! Without Doubt, your Friends Letters accompanying this [not present] give you the Intelligence of an Embargo at Cape Tancers and Martinique, the American Vessels being ordered from the Cape, & any other News we have- I will therefore, only add, that Indian Affairs both as to Creeks & Cherokees, wear a favorable Aspect, & if we can keep ‘em supplied with Goods, I think they will continue peaceable- I am anxious to hear the Determination of Congress relating to the Southern Indian Trade---The Little Carpenter & Great Warrior are on their Way down, from Sondea, being very desirous to come to this Town. A Sloop is just arriving here, bound from Grenada to New York with 70 Puncheons of Rum & 6 Hogsheads of Sugar, for the King’s Troops here—The Mate & Crew rose on the Captn, & brought her in here, so that, The Resolve of Congress, declaring Vessels & Cargoes, in such Circumstances, Prize, came opportunity. Give me Leave to congratulate you on being elected President of Congress---I know the Office will involve you in a Multiplicity of Business & and great Fatigue, but, you are a Man of Business, & will disregard Fatigue, when, the Enduring it assists our Cause---The Choice affords me much Pleasure, because without Compliment, I am certain Congress have not a Member so fit for the Chair, & they have, in this Instance, not only shewn themselves sensible of Merit, but paid it due Honour—I should indeed lament your not being on the Floor, when Questions of Important are in Debate, did I not presume, that such will always be first considered, in a Committee of the whole House. I am with great Esteem & Respect Sir, Yr. obed. Hble Servt J.Rutledge The Honble Henry Laurens, Esq. Docketed in Laurens’ hand: “Presdt Rutledge/ 29 Novbr 1777/ Rec’d 21 Decem"

$8,500

Scarce ALS, 2 ½ pp, 8vo, Washington, Dec.31, 1918. With original envelope addressed in his hand to Mrs.Edward K.Hall. Writes in part mentioning a gift: “Mr. Hall and I caught the train handily and rode together to the City of Brotherly Love where he deserted me. I write to thank you for your delightful case of Mc while in Montclair. The arrangements you and Mr.Hall made for my comfort were perfect. The problem of getting two heavy bags and a portfolio from 36 W.48th St, New York to Montclair staggered me…” With original postmarked envelope addressed in his hand.

$1,200

Autograph Manuscript, 1p, 8vo, n.d., (1870) With an original pen and ink drawing by Twain on the verso depicting a caricature of a German soldier.

A working manuscript with many corrections in his hand, of an essay for The Galaxy, a magazine founded by Col. William C. Church and his brother Francis. It was titled in the magazine, Memoranda by Mark Twain. “History Repeats Itself”. Many of Twain’s early writings appeared in this magazine. William Church, with George Wood Wingate established the National Rifle Association in 1871.

The manuscript is partially complete and has the number “27” at the top. Twain has taken a fictitious article supposedly published in a Hawaiian newspaper quoting a man who, based on his mother’s life teachings, abstained from tobacco, gambling, and liquor, and compared it to his own grandmother’s words of advice. A copy of the entire essay is included.

This manuscript reads, “…[Put up] those wicked cards this minute! - two pair & a jack, you numskull [“fool” crossed out], & the other fellow’s got a flush! I never have gambled from that day to this [“with” crossed out] never once without a ‘cold deck’ in my pocket. I cannot even tell who is going to lose in games that are being played, unless I dealt myself. [“She admonished me, too, against” crossed out]. When I was [“four crossed out] two years of age she asked me not to drink & then I made a resolution of total abstinence. That I have adhered to it & have enjoyed the [“benefit of it comfort” crossed out] beneficent effects of it through all time, I owe to my grandmother- let these tears attest my gratitude. I have never [“tasted a dro” crossed out] drank a drop from that day to this, of any kind of water. #”

$9,500

Autograph Letter Signed, 8vo, on lined printed United States Senate Chamber (crossed out) stationery, with the address “76 Indiana Avenue" in his hand and dated at Washington, Feb. 22, 1868 To Col. William C.Church.

Early in his career Twain sent out articles to various publications. One of them was the Galaxy Magazine founded by Col. William C. Church and his brother Francis in 1866. Twain starts his letter with a somewhat sarcastic “Friend Church”, and then castigates the publisher for not returning an unused article: “Confound it, when a man sends you an article & you don’t want it, why in mischief don’t you return it at once & give him a chance to use it elsewhere? W’s ballad has emasculated that squib now. This isn’t right, you know. Yours truly, Sam L Clemens”

$5,500

George Washington. Autograph endorsement on verso of an order by Capt. Charles Edmonstone 20 November 1768 (but probably in 1771). 1 page, 4to, creases expertly mended, tipped at top edge to another sheet. Washington's endorsement six-lines, 17-words.

The Edmonstone document reads, “ By Charles Edmonston Esq.: Captn of the 18th or Royal Regt of Ireland and Commanding His Majesty’s Garrison at Fort Pitt: Whereas Laurence Morrison hath made of application to me, to inclose the Big Meadows and Longfields at the lower end of them for pasturage and to raise grain for the use of Pack Horses, Beef Cattle, etc., that may be sent up for the Benefite of this Garrison, also to keep a House of Entertainment for the Accommodation of His Majestys Troops, and other Travellers, and it being agreeable to a late act of Assembly, made in Pennsylvania, and for the reasons above mentioned, I do hereby Permitt the said Laurence Morrison to take up, and Improve, the Big Meadows, on General Braddock’s Road, and any land he may think necessary adjoining them. And to be subject to such Regulations as may be ordered by the Commander in Chief or by the Commander on this district for the Good of His Majesty’s Service. Given under my hand at Fort Pitt this 20th day of Novr.1768. Chas.Edmonstone Capt Royal Regt. Of Ireland”.

This important document is one of only two regarding the Great Meadows that I have ever seen. For the other, Washington’s bill of sale for the land encompassing The Great Meadows, see my ad in MAD, March 2006, which contained this historic explanation:

It came to the attention of Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia that the French were creating outposts on English land near the Pennsylvania-Ohio border. Dinwiddie was a major stockholder and huge supporter of the Ohio Company of Virginia, a major land speculation group. In December of 1753 he sent young George Washington to meet with the French commander, Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, at Fort Le Boeuf [now Waterford, Erie County, Pennsylvania]. There Washington found the information he had been instructed to acquire, that the French were encroaching on English land and making alliances with the local Native American tribes. He reported back to Dinwiddie, who raised £10,000 to mount an expedition to ward off the French. Washington was soon promoted to lieutenant colonel and was sent to the frontier with a group of 300 backwoodsmen from Virginia and Kentucky under the command of Colonel Joshua Fry. As the company neared Cumberland, Maryland, Colonel Fry was seized with a fever and died suddenly, leaving Colonel Washington in command. Scouring the countryside for the French, he found a small party and instituted a skirmish in which the French leader Jumonville was killed along with several followers. Washington and his troops retreated to the Great Meadows, marshy grassland located eleven miles east of what is now Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Here the young Colonel Washington and his troops hastily built a fortification they called “Fort Necessity,” perhaps as they were under such military duress. The French forces commanded by Coulon de Villers, numbering over 1400, attacked across the Great Meadows on July 3, 1754, at the aptly named Battle of Fort Necessity. Because of the numerous casualties inflicted on the British soldiers, Washington accepted terms of a conditional surrender, the only time in his military career he capitulated to the enemy. Thus began both the French and Indian War and the wars between France and England, which continued until the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. More important, it signaled the emergence on the international scene of the most important American military and political career of George Washington.

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