Government & Politics from Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts, ABAA

This New York City district attorney and Republican politician served as New York's 47th governor (1943-54); he was a presidential contender in 1940, although the nod was given to Wendell Willkie instead, but in 1944 was the Republican's candidate against FDR. TNS, 1p, 6¼" X 7", New York, NY, 20 February 1940. Addressed to John Stacker. Fine. On personal… Read more

The first Jew ever elected to statewide office in Nebraska and the first Democratic senator elected from that state since 1934 was this politician, who served as Republican mayor of Omaha (1973-76) before switching parties and being elected to the U.S. Senate (1976-87). Perfect and bold signature in blue ink on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p.,… Read more

Considered the most powerful secretary of state in U.S. history by some (under Eisenhower, 1953 to 1959), this well-rounded diplomat also served as a delegate to the U.N. General Assembly, negotiator of the Japanese peace treaty, United States senator and more. Fine bold signature in blue ink on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card with his full name… Read more

This member of Parliament from London was an influential Labour Party advocate in the 1920 and authority on England's agricultural problems. Large and bold signature and "Member of Parliament / England" in black ink on a 5¼" X 4" slip, n.p., n.y. 9undated, but circa 1930). Near fine. Nice example.

The powerful Republican senator from Illinois (1967-85) was often considered presidential timber. Bold signature in black ink (dated "2/26/68" in his hand at upper right) on a special heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p. Near fine. Single staple hole at upper left. Accompanied by a very good unsigned 8" X 10" glossy photograph, an informal closeupt of a… Read more

This influential French politician and long-time senator, that country's ambassador to the United States (1926-27), headed high-level foreign affairs committees in the 1930s and in 1932 was appointed French delegate to the League of Nations. ALS, 1p, 5¼" X 8¼", Paris, France, 6 October 1934. On letterhead of the "Commission des Affaires Etrangeres," Berenger handsomely pens a patriotic if… Read more

Extraordinarily versatile New York politico who served the Empire State in Congress (1843-45), as lieutenant governor (1848) and governor (1849-50), and in the Senate (1851-57), then acted as Ulysses S. Grant and (briefly) Rutherford B. Hayes' Secretary of State (1869-77). Printed DS, 1p, 16" X 10", Albany, NY, 25 January 1850. Very good. Faint age toning, with original folds;… Read more

The namesake son of New York's famed governor, Congressman and Secretary of State was likewise a politico and state legislator, also serving as Assistant Treasurer of the United States (1903-08) and serving in Congress (1909-11). ALS, 2pp (lettersheet), 5" X 8", Garrison, NY, 27 September n.y. [likely 1873]. Addressed to Nelson K. Hopkins. Near fine. Writing to the noted… Read more

Known as "Mr. Republican," this Ohio senator -- son of President William Howard Taft -- served from 1939 to 1953 and is best known for sponsoring the Taft-Hartley Labor Relations Act in 1947. Bold signature in blue ink on a 3¼" X 1" slip neatly tipped to address portion of a First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½, cancelled in… Read more

This Confederate Army soldier became a Georgia political leader and state legislator, serving as a Democrat in the U.S. Congress from 1891 to 1911. TLS, 1p, 8" X 10½", Washington, DC, 10 March 1910. Addressed to John O. Walker. Near fine. Faint original folds; singe discreet staple hole at upper left. On letterhead of the "Committee on Appropriations," Livingston… Read more

This American career diplomat served as U.S. Ambassador to Italy (1905-07 ) and to France (1907-09 ), among other important posts; he was one of five American Peace Commissioners who attempted to negotiate a treaty between France and Germany to end World War One, an attempt that failed. ALS, 4pp (lettersheet), 5" X 8", London, England, 17 August 1886.… Read more

The 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon was a liberal British statesman, member of Parliament, the longest-serving Foreign Secretary (1905-16), in which capacity he stated as the Germans invaded Belgium that "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime"; later British Ambassador to the United States (1919-20). Meaty ALS,… Read more

This innovative banker, who served as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under McKinley (1897-1901) and president of the National City Bank (1909-19), helped found the Federal Reserve System, created the hugely successful war bond program that funded World Wars One and Two, and made his the first bank to open overseas branches. TLS, 3pp (separate leaves), 5½" X 8½",… Read more

This Norwegian-born American politician and journalist served Minnesota as Congressman for 16 terms between 1917 and 1949; from 1919 to 1923 he served as majority whip. TDS, 2pp (separate leaves), 8" X 10½",n.p., 17 May 1937. Very good. Two faint horizontal original folds; inoffensive staple holes at upper left and upper right corners. Double-spaced text of a speech given… Read more

The younger brother of perennial presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan served twice as Nebraska governor (1923-25, 1931-35), twice as mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska (1915-17, 1935-37), and in 1924 was Democratic vice presidential candidate together with presidential candidate John W. Davis. Large, bold "yours truly / Charles W. Bryan" in black ink on a buff heavy stock 5" X 3"… Read more

This American diplomat represented King Kalakau as the Hawaiian consul-general to Italy. "I remain / faithfully yours / JC Hooker" in brown ink on an irregular-shaped 3½" X 2" slip clipped from an ALS, n.p., n.y. [dated 12 January 1889 in docket in another hand]. Very good. Faintly age toned. A good number of words in Hooker's hand on… Read more

Nicknamed "The Easy Boss" (as well as "Me Too" for petulantly resigning his U.S. Senate seat in 1881 at Roscoe Conkling's urging), this powerful New York Republican party political boss served as Congressman (1873-77) and Senator (1881, 1897-1909) -- but is remembered not for legislative prowess but rather for the political clout that made him Theodore Roosevelt's political godfather.… Read more

This American politician and diplomat represented New York in Congress (1881-88), served as U.S. Minister to Spain during the Spanish-American War and in 1906 was named president of the National Publicity Bill Organization which advocated campaign finance reform. Attractive and bold signature below a typewritten "Very sincerely yours" on a 4¼" X 1 3/4" slip, n.p., n.y. Near fine.… Read more

This interesting figure combined his scholarly and linguistic skills (first American to translate Ivan Turgenev and Leo Tolstoy) with a diplomatic career (among other posts, he served as American Consul General in Constantinople, first American Minister to Romania and Serbia, U.S. Minister to Greece, etc.). Partial ADS on a 3" X 1½" slip with printed border, n.p., n.y. Very… Read more

This successful Ohio-born industrialist, investor and businessman practiced law and entered politics in New Mexico, serving in Congress (1873-77); he served in the Union Army during the Civil War (father and brother joined the Confederacy) and was filled with disgust over the carnage and cruelty he witnessed, so when Benjamin Harrison appointed him Secretary of War in 1891 no… Read more