Autographs from Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts, ABAA

The father of inertial navigation" was an American aeronautical engineer and scientist who founded M.I.T.'s Instrumentation Laboratory (today the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory), without which designed the guidance computers that made the Apollo moon landings possible. Heavy stock buff 6½" X 3½" card, inscribed and signed large and bold in blue fineline "Best Regards / to / Paul Johnston… Read more

The son of famed evangelist Dwight L. Moody was an educator and editor who succeeded his father in managing the renowned Northfield Schools and also continued the famed Conferecnes until his death; in 1900 he authored "The Life of Dwight L. Moody." ALS, 3pp (lettersheet), 4½" X 7", New York, NY, 21 May n.y. Addressed to Mrs. Ropes. Near… Read more

This Methodist minister preached in New Mexico in the late 19th century. Intriguing ALS, 2pp (single leaf), 5½" X 9", Albuquerque, NM, 19 January 1889. Addressed to Professor J. Haskell. Very good. A bit age toned. Nice content about New Mexico, reading in part: "We arrived in Santa Fe on the 27th Dec and remained there for ten days.… Read more

This American publisher founded a pornography empire with "Hustler" magazine in 1974 -- which also made him a controversial First Amendment rights figure and with it a 1978 assassination attempt that left him paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Heavy stock 5" X 3" card, the right of which has a 1 3/4" X 2 3/4" glossy head-and-shoulders color magazine… Read more

The third bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee (1898-1935) and president of the National Council of the Episcopal Church (1922-25) was an influential educator who served as the University of the South's vice-chancellor (1890-93) and eighth chancellor (1908-35). ALS, 2pp (separate leaves), 5" X 8¼", n.p. (likely Sewanee, TN), 12 October 1892. Addressed to C.C. [sic] Gilman. Very… Read more

The well-known Presbyterian minister was British born, but preached in Boston for much of the 1820s, publishing his sermons and the 1820 "Ecclesiastical History," then switched to Episcopalianism and becoming first rector of that city's Grace Church; he moved to Vermont in 1830 and preached there until his death. LS, 1p (lettersheet), 4½" X 7½", "Elliott St." (Boston?), n.d.… Read more

Instead of playing football to get into the NFL, this college football star played football and got into the NFL in order to pay for law school! Playing tackle and captain of the varsity team at University of Pennsylvania, he faced off with "Galloping Ghost" Red Grange of University of Illinois in the 1925 Rose Bowl; two years pro… Read more

The principal of Kawaiahao Female Seminary in Honolulu was the second wife of Titus Coan (1801-81), a Connecticut minister known as "The Bishop of Kilaueau," long-time Christian missionary in Hawaii, and she worked alongside him and aided in his writings; her brother was Hiram Bingham II (1831-1908), son of the famous Christian missionary in Hawaii and himself a Congregationalist… Read more

This prominent Church of England cleric, scholar and writer (whose many books included the popular 1894 "Life of Christ") was long associated with Westminster Abbey and served as Dean of Canterbury as well as chaplain in ordinary to the royal household; he was a friend of Charles Darwin's, served as one of his pallbearers, preached his funeral sermon… Read more

This extreme, ahead-of-his-day advocate of women's rights, free speech, abolition and other social and economic reforms was an anarchist and pamphleteer; he began editing the anarchist magazine "The Word" in 1872 and was often arrested for his activities. Bold signature and place ("EH Heywood / Princeton / Word") on a heavy stock 3" X 1 3/4" card, n.p., n.y.… Read more

The first Episcopal Bishop of Washington (1896-1908) is best known for obtaining the land and getting constructed the Washington National Cathedral (Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul). ALS, 3pp, 5" X 8", Washington, DC, 1900 November 30. Addressed to Colonel Richard Lathers (1821-1903, prominent Charleston and later New York commission merchant, banker, diplomat, insurance and… Read more

Tis leading proponent of Christian Universalism (which sought to reconcile all of humanity with God regardless of religion) was an influential member of the Universalist Church of America, author of a number of books on the topic, and founder/editor of "The Trumpet and Universalist" magazine. ANS, 1p, 7" X 5 3/4" (inlaid to 7¼" X 8½" sheet), Cambridge, MA,… Read more

This U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer (inducted 1974) played National Hockey League right wing for the St. Louis Eagles, Chicago Black Hawks and Detroit Red Wings from 1934 to 1945 as well as in the American Hockey League minors for the St. Louis Flyers and elsewhere, finally coaching for the University of North Dakota "Fighting Sioux" team from 1949… Read more

The successor to the Andrews Sisters was this pop music sensation of the 1950s and '60s often remembered for "Sincerely" (1955) and "Sugartime" (1957) and whose squeaky clean image became somewhat tarnished by the youngest sister's affair with mobster Sam Giancana; eldest sister Christine (born 1926) died in 2018 and middle sister Dottie (born 1928) in 2012. IPS (verso),… Read more

Columbia University's legendary long-time head football coach (1930-56) played tackle with the Massillon Tigers and Buffalo All-Americans; in 1960 he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. PS, 7½" X 10 3/4", n.p., n.y. Very good. Minor damage at upper right of top edge, faintly impacting the "h" in "wishes. Page from a 1952 Columbia University football… Read more

This popular film and television actor is most often remembered for "Twister" (1996) and "Titanic" (1997). IPS, heavy stock 5" X 7", n.p., n.y. Near fine. Black-and-white printed postcard, image side bearing an informal head-and-shoulders portrait of a sober young Paxton in classic 1980s mullet haircut. Across the dark bottom, in bright silver ink, he boldly inscribes and signs… Read more

No U.S.A.A.F. officer faced off with Luftwaffe aces more than this fighter pilot, with 1,000 combat hours and 500 operational sorties; he claimed 15.5 victories over Europe, mostly with the 4th Fighter Group of the 335th Sighter Squadron. Choice PS, heavy stock glossy 8" X 10", n.p., n.y. Fine. High-quality modern print of a WW2-era closeup showing Blakeslee in… Read more

This utility infielder and pinch hitter debuted with the Kansas City Athletics in 1960, and also played for the Washington Senators (1961-62), Baltimore Orioles (1963-67 -- 1966 World Series champions), New York Mets (1967), Cincinnati Reds (1968), Atlanta Braves (1968), St. Louis Cardinals (1969) and Oakland Athletics (1969-70). IPS, 8" X 10", n.p., n.y. Fine. Mat-finish printed head-and-shoulders of… Read more

This U.S.A.A.F. officer downed 14 enemy aircraft over the Pacific in 1943-44 with the 7th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group; he appeared in three small film roles post-war, then became test pilot and personal pilot for Howard Hughes. PS, heavy stock glossy 8" X 10", n.p., n.y. Fine. High-quality modern print of a WW2-era scene showing a… Read more