The first American to orbit the Earth (Project Mercury, 1962) had been a highly-decorated fighter pilot in World War Two, China and Korea before his distinguished NASA career, then became a highly-respected Democratic U.S. senator from Ohio (1974-99). Color IPS, 8" X 10", n.p., n.y. Near fine. Printed photograph, a head-and-shoulders smiling closeup of a young Glenn in suit and bow tie, a model of the Mercury ship visible at left in background. In a light area at lower left, he boldly inscribes and signs in black ink: "Best regards to / Donald Burnell - / John H. Glenn, Jr. / Mercury Astronaut." Undated, but early to mid-1960s vintage. Glenn used this image and added this credential only in the few years following his history-making earth-orbiting flight. A lovely 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 smiling young Percy in suit and tie. (Signature at upper right is Autopen.) A nice example of a signature that's surprisingly uncommon, for Percy's office used the Autopen extensively -- this early example, though, signed soon after taking office and before Autopen use took over much of his routine signing and correspondence! With original transmittal envelope.
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 ill-fated sentiment in English in dark purple ink, presumably to an American: "Independence has been the foundation and maintenance of our two Democracies. They have never ceased to strive for greater right and justice among all citizens and all men. They are now exerting a like effort towards the end of all war and the establishment of lasting peace among all peoples of good will." Boldly signed at the close, with his title "ambassador of the French Republic"
This New York politician and legislator served as lieutenant governor (1925-26) and was appointed by President Herbert Hoover Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (1927-33), serving under Andrew W. Mellon and Ogden L. Mills. Printed DS, 1p, heavy stock 20" X 16", Washington, DC, 10 July 1930. Very good. Mildly edgeworn, with some inoffensive light marginal marks. Headed "Herbert Hoover, / [ornate American Eagle vignette] / President of the United States of America" in large elaborate typeface, this oversize faux vellum decorative certificate testifies that (these portions handwritten) James C. Perry has been appointed Medical Director in the Public Health Service. Signed boldly in brown ink at lower right by Lowman, and he pens "Acting" in front of the printed "Secretary of the Treasury" -- signifying that he signed this during a time when for some reason (this was the height of the Depression) he was filling in for his boss Andrew Mellon. Circular flute-edged gold foil seal at lower left. Unusual -- a rare instance of this Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (who was never appointed to the higher office) actually signing as Secretary of the Treasury. James C. Perry was one of the first American public health officials stationed in Panama.
This English aristocrat, the 4th Baronet, was a Royal Navy officer who rose to Vice Admiral and served in Parliament from Brighton for 25 years. ADS, 1p, 5" X 3¼", Shoreham, U.K., 9 October 1839. Very good. Lightly age toned. Front portion of envelope, boldly penned by him in brown ink from his residence at Castle Goring near Shoreham that he rented from Mary "Frankenstein" Shelley (he later purchased it), Percy Shelley's ancestral estate. Addressed to a local gentry from a venerated family: "The Honorable Mrs. Vernon Harcourt / Westdean / Midhurst." (Caroline Mary Vernon Harcourt, 1789-1871, was the wife of Leveson Venables Vernon Harcourt, 1788-60.) Signed "GeoBPechell" at lower left. A handsome example.
This Republican politician and state legislator served Massachusetts in Congress (1885-89) before being appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy (1898-1900) by President William McKinley, who in 1900 appointed him the first civil governor of Puerto Rico (1900-01); a high-level Wall Street business career in the sugar refining industry then followed. Printed DS, 1p, 9 3/4" X 14 3/4", Washington, DC, 13 September 1898. Very good. Faintly age toned, with two original horizontal folds. Spanish-American War honorable discharge certificate for ALFRED B. FRY (1860-1933), a distinguished mechanical, civil and marine engineer of many accomplishments who joined the Navy on April 4, 1898 and served as Passed Assistant Engineer assigned to the Civil War vintage monitor U.S.S. Nahant tasked with defending New York harbor; on June 22 he was promoted to Acting Chief Engineer on the armed yacht (!) U.S.S. Stranger, part of the West Indies Blockading Squadron off Havana, Cuba. In this handsome document with ornate typefaces and a steel-engraved vignette of a military steamship chugging across choppy waters, Fry is released after "Having served with fidelity in the United States Navy... in the War between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain...." Boldly signed in brown ink at lower right by Allen as "Acting Secretary of the Navy" Allen's predecessor as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, had resigned on May 10, 1898 to form his own cavalry regiment (the fame "Rough Riders") and join the war effort, thus Allen stepped in on May 11. Quite an attractive item.
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; several small expert archival mends on verso. Attractive certificate appointing Stukely Ellsworth of Buffalo a notary public for Erie County, boldly signed at lower right by Fish in brown ink as governor. Ellsworth (1826-76), descended from Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth and Benjamin Franklin, was a noted New York attorney who in 1850 had just entered the law. A handsome example.
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 lawyer and politician (1816-1904) just-renominated as New York State Comptroller (1872-75), the young Columbia Law School graduate, who served as aide-de-camp to Governor John A. Dix, asks a favor: "A very worthy man a neighbour of mine by name of Grace is anxious to secure work as a stone cutter (his trade) on the New Capitol at Albany. Can't you oblige me by having him appointed?" and closes by sucking up: "Congratulating you on your triumph renomination which pleases all the Republicans in my section of country." Boldly, legibly penned in brown ink.
American regional artist famed for his murals; great nephew of the Missouri statesman. Large, bold "Thanks / Thomas H. Benton" in blue ink on a 5½" X 2¼" slip, n.p., n.y. Very good. Though undated, likely of 1950s vintage. An attractive example.
This Republican politician from Florida served the Sunshine State first as U.S. representative (1963-69) then as U.S. senator (1969-74). TQS, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., n.y. Near fine. Gurney signs large and bold in blue ballpoint at center this card on which an admirer typed near the bottom one of his better-known statements: "The United States is the only country where it takes more brains to figure your tax than to earn the money to pay it."
This Montana politician was truly a one-term wonder: He served one term in the Montana house of representatives (1912), one term in the state senate (1933-35) and one term as governor (1935-37). Signed Business Card, heavy stock 3¼" X 1¼", n.p., n.y. Near fine. THE coolest business card ever: Diecut to the actual rectangular shape of this state with printed blue border and all of its 56 counties lightly outlined in green, with blue printed "Elmer Holt / Governor" at center and "Montana" in red along the lower edge. Just above his printed name, Holt signs boldly in vivid blue ink. Verso features the Montana state seal printed in green. Most unusual and actually quite scarce.
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 Cincinnati, Ohio on 10 October 1960 with special "First Day of Issue" cancellation. Fine. Four-cent Robert A Taft at upper right and superb Art Craft cachet "Honoring Robert A. Taft" filling left side.
The greatest of all Federalists, the noted attorney who organized the Federal Party, was a Massachusetts statesman and Congressman (1789-97), famed for his 1796 speech defending Jay's Treaty; he declined the presidency of Harvard University in 1806 due to failing health. ADS, 1p, 7¼" X 2 3/4", Dedham, MA, 9 October 1794. Very good. Faintly age toned, with tiny tape stain at three corners (not affecting text) and couple of small expert archival mends on verso. "Recd of Fisher Ames fine Shills / for serving a writ, being a Coroner of Suffolk, / Fisher vs Inhabts of Dedham, to July Court 17[?]4 / Dedham Oct 9, 1794" boldly penned in brown ink and signed by the recipient, Samuel Holbrook, at the close. Holbrook (1729-94) was a Dedham local. Docket on verso. Nice, if curious anbd cryptic, example.
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 tells this Floridian that "I am in favor of the [Telepost] bill and will do all in my power to have it passed by Congress. The District Committee reported the measure favorably yesterday and I hope will call it up in the House the next District day...." This important communications bill granted the Telepost Telegraph Company the right of way. Nicely signed in brown ink.
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. Addressed to C.W. Ernest. Near fine. On "Legation of the United States / London" letterhead, White as first secretary of that office under minister Edward J. Phelps writes that "The Minister highly appreciates the expressions of approval, respecting the new Extradition Treaty, contained in your letter; and the kind way in which you are good enough to convey to His Excellency your 'sincere and hearty admiration' of the manner in which he represents our country here is particularly gratifying to him. I may say, in his absence, that if all our countrymen had the opportunities, which it is my privilege to enjoy, of seeing for themselves how watchful he is of their interests and with what great ability Mr. Phelps represents the United States in this country, they would share your admiration and approval." Intriguing closing: "With regard to the final clause of your letter, in which you object to "Mr. [Thomas F.] Bayard's treatment of the fisheries case', Mr. Phelps thinks, when the correspondence shall have been made public and the affair settled, you will change your mind." (This last refers to the controversial Fisheries Retaliation Act, which allowed the U.S. President to block Canadian ships from entering American ports if he thought they were treating American fishermen unfairly). A fascinating and meaty letter worth further research.
The publisher of the "Chicago Daily News" (from 1931) showed his versatility when he became a Republican presidential candidate briefly in 1936 and accepted FDR's appointment as Secretary of the Navy in 1940. TLS, 1p, 8" X 10½", Washington, DC, 1943 March 14. Addressed to Rose Bigman. Very good. Faintly age toned, with inoffensive staple hole at upper left. On "Department of the Navy" letterhead, Knox tells the secretary to then-household-name popular syndicated columnist and radio journalist Walter Winchell that "Receipt is acknowledged of... the check of Mr. Walter Winchell in the sum of $440.50 constituting the amount spent on Mr. Winchell's recent tour of duty which he is returning to the United States Navy....." and goes on to explain these funds will "be deposited to the credit of the appropriation 'Pay, Subsistence, and Transportation, Navy, 1943'...." Large and handsome signature in black ink. Winchell was a lieutenant commander in the naval reserve, and in February 1943 Knox told a house naval affairs committee that Winchell was considered inactive and would not be called to duty. Winchell was an outspoken critic of isolationists, and his broadcasts attacking public figures had caused controversy and criticism.Apparently he had returned to duty briefly and received some compensation before Knox retired him and he chose to return the pay he had received. Intriguing!
The very first issue of "Time Magazine" -- March 3, 1923 -- pictured on its front cover this Illinois politician known as "Uncle Joe," a colorful Republican who served in Congress for close to half a century (1873-1923) and as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1903 to 1911. Bold signature and date ("June 5, 1922") in black ink on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card. Very good. Faint age toning. Typed three-line text along top reads: "'Uncle Joe' Cannon, Danville, Ills. Oldest member of U.S. House of Representatives. Now serving 23rd term. Age 86 years." A nice example signed near the end of his remarkable five-decade Congressional career.
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, 6pp (4pp lettersheet + separate single leaf), 4½" X 7", Chathill, England, 17 January 1899. Addressed to "My dear Dewar" (editor George A.B. Dewar). Very good. Two faint horizontal folds; old non-staining tape traces at margin of 4th and 5th pages. On imprinted estate letterhead, Grey boldly pens in his large and legible hand detailed thoughts about his upcoming book titled "Fly Fishing," published by J.M. Dent & Co. in London later that same year and reprinted several times. "I am very glad that you like the Mss. for it is most difficult to form any opinion of one's writing & I have great confidence in your judgement," he writes. "I am sending a few more photographs of Shetland, but I hope you will be able to let me have them again as they are borrowed from a friend...." Mentions fishing legend William Hardy ("I got a note from Hardy on Saturday & as I happened to be in Alnwick that day I went to see him") and all manner of advice concerning dry flies, etc. "There might be a note at the beginning of the book to say that some passages are reprinted either literally or with alterations from an article, which I wrote for the New Review in 1893. I wrote about this to A. Grove, who was then Editor & at whose request the article was written, and he consents. Some small things keep occurring to me, which ought I think be added with advantage in one or two of the Chapters. Can this be done easily after the book is in type; or ought I to make a first to do it at once? I might for instance say something more about striking. It is difficult to be sure how one does it, but I dont do it with a turn of the wrist. It seems to me a quick movement of the forearm & the difficulty is to get the maximum of rapidity with the minimum of violence, and in dry fly fishing to adjust the force of the movement to the amount of slack line, which must vary a little according to the nature of the cast and the position of the fish...." Fascinating to any fly fisherman.
Lord Curzon -- technically, Lord Curzon of Kedleston (1898-1911) then Earl Curzon of Kedleston (1911-21) -- was an influential but quarrelsome British statesman who served as Viceroy and Governor-General of India (1899-1905) and Prime Minister David Lloyd George's Foreign Minister (1919-24), along with many other top government posts. ALS, 4pp (lettersheet), 4½" X 7", Basingstoke, Great Britain, 30 October 1909. Addressed to "Sir Henry" (Henry Bemrose, 1827-1911, partner in printing/publishing firm William Bemrose & Sons, member of Parliament, mayor of Derby). Near fine. On imprinted letterhead of his "Hackwood" estate, Curzon lives up to his curmudgeonly reputation and takes Bemrose to task for errors in a book he published, ""All Saints Middlesbrough: A History of the Church and Its Parish" by Barry Jewitt. In his large, flowing, semi-legible script, Curzon begins curtly with "Jewitt was all wrong," then itemizes four detailed factual errors he found. Boldly penned and attractive -- and quite interesting, if challenging to decipher.
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", Florence, Italy, 19 September 1921. Addressed to Richard Washbourne Childs (1881-1935). Very good. On "Grand Hotel" letterhead with crest, Vanderlip writes his friend the newly-minted American Ambassador to Italy to explain his project and ask for help. In part: "I am making a rather extensive study of European affairs. I have been in Germany, Czech-Slovakia, Austria and Switzerland and have met the chancellors and government people. I am particularly anxious to get a really correct view of the situation here in Italy and I am going to ask you to help me economise my time by arranging an appointment or two. Senator Carlos Schanzer, one of the delegates to the League of Nations Assembly... has given me cards to Mr Belotti, Minister of Industry and Trade and to the Minister of Labour, and has asked me specially to see them...." Nicely signed in blue ink. An intriguing letter in excellent condition -- interesting insight into Vanderlip's research for his 1922 book "What Next in Europe?"
