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

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,… Read more

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… Read more

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,… 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

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 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… 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 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.… 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