Search Results: Authors starting with R from Stuart Lutz Historic Documents, Inc.

(HORSE RACING). ALS. 3pg. 8” x 9 ¾”. February 7, 1833. New York, NY. An autograph letter signed “Eliza Colden” to William P. Haskins of Troy, New York. The letter regards a racetrack rental gone wrong. This is a very early mention of American racetracks, since they were not in common use until after the Civil War. In part: “I understand that Mr. Colden wrote yesterday to Mrs. Wells making an offer for the Course but at the time he did it he had no conception that Mr. Dey had gone over to the other party and rented the course to Burr’s man Mr. Botts during the next Races for the trifling sum of $350. I feel hurt to think that while we were doing every thing in good faith to aid and assist and after having spent my money that we should be thus treated Mr. Dey, not even thinking it worth while to mention the subject to either myself or Mr. Colden. Had Mr. Dey done his duty and got possession and you wished to have rented the property you might have got $1000 for it during next May… Read More

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The Mohawk and Hudson Railroad was one of the first railroads in America and the very first in the state of New York. It was began in 1826 and opened in 1831. ALS. 1pg. 8” x 10”. 1831. New York. An autograph letter signed “H. Beeckman” to Barrent Beeckman, the Treasurer of the Albany and Schenectady Turnpike. Beeckman wrote to an Albany man about investing in an early railroad. Originally known as the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, it was one of America’s first railroads, established only a few years after the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Beeckman also mentions the Albany and Schenectady Turnpike Company, which had managed the road between those two towns since 1797. “Yesterday I recd a written notice from T. Van Vechten Esq. President of the Albany and Schenectady Turnpike d 20th ulto In conformity to said notice, I agree to become entrusted in the Rail Road contemplated to be made in the same numbers & shares I now hold in the Turnpike & Eighteen shares. I remain Yours respectfully H… Read More

BASIL RATHBONE (1892-1967). A legendary actor, Rathbone is best remembered as Sherlock Holmes and the Sheriff of Nottingham. PS. 10” x 8”. No date. No place. A sepia toned photograph signed “Sincerely Basil Rathbone” in blue fountainpen. It shows a staged shot from the 1939 movie Rio, and it shows Rathbone in the middle, wearing a pith helmet; there is film information on the lower margin. It is in fine condition.

NANCY REAGAN (1921-2016). Reagan was First Lady. ALAN KRANOWITZ (1941-2002). Kranowitz was a legislative official and lobbyist who worked most closely with the Reagan administration. TLS. 1pg. June 11, 2002. Office of Nancy Reagan. A typed letter signed “Nancy Reagan”, sending condolences to the widow of Alan Kranowitz: “Ronnie and I were so sorry to learn of Alan’s death recently. Although there are certainly no words to ease the pain at this difficult time, we want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We know that losing Alan is an incredibly painful reality. But we hope that in time your fond memories of him will bring you peace. He was a great patriot whose service to our country went beyond the call of duty. Alan’s service as my husband’s chief Congressional liaison helped further his second term legislative agenda. Ronnie joins me in sending our deepest condolences. God bless you and your family.” The letter is in fine condition and comes with the… Read More

NANCY REAGAN. Nancy was the wife of Ronald Reagan, the Fortieth President. JAMES BRADY (1940- ). Brady was appointed President Reagan’s Press Secretary in January 1981. On March 31, 1981, he was shot in the head by John Hinckley during the Reagan assassination. Since leaving the White House, Mr. Brady and his wife Sarah founded Handgun Control to lobby for stronger gun control laws. On November 30, 1993, President Clinton signed the “Brady Bill” into law. IPS. 10” x 8”. No date. No place. A photograph signed “Nancy” to James Brady, inscribed “To my Y & H with love Nancy”. “Y & H” was the Reagan’s nickname for Brady, “Young & Handsome”. The image shows Nancy Reagan and James Brady outdoors, with Brady wearing equestrian gear. It is in pristine condition.

RONALD REAGAN (1911-2004). Reagan was the Fortieth President. NANCY REAGAN (1921-2016). Reagan was First Lady. LILLIAN GISH (1893-1993). The long-lived Gish was a prolific film actress sometimes called “The First Lady of American Cinema”. Her first movie credit was in 1912, and her last was in 1987. PsS. N.d. [1981]. N.p. [Washington]. A pair of color photographs signed “Ron” and “Nancy” as President and First Lady. Taken at a 1981 White House event shortly after Reagan’s inauguration, the photos depict the Reagans with long-lived film actress Lillian Gish. Coming from a Hollywood background themselves, Ron and Nancy certainly would have known Gish, who was at this time still a working actress into her late eighties. “Dear Lillian – It was wonderful seeing you again. Let’s do this more often. Warm Regards Ron” and “To my dear Lillian – With much love Nancy”. Both photos are in fine condition.

RONALD REAGAN (1911-2004). Reagan was the Fortieth President. TLS. 1pg. June 15, 1988. Washington. A typed letter signed “Ronald Reagan” as President to Jeremy Kranowitz, a senior graduating high school; he was the son of President Reagan’s assistant for legislative affairs. The President wrote on “The White House” letterhead: “Nancy and I are delighted to join with your family and friends in congratulating you on your graduation from high school. This is a special time for you, I know, a time for making plans and mapping dreams. Enjoy it, and don’t be afraid to feel a bit of justified pride in knowing that the hard work, dedication, and self-discipline that saw you to this day will serve you well in the coming years. Whatever future course you follow, I hope you’ll remember that learning is a lifetime process. It doesn’t end with a diploma – it continues through every day we’re granted on this good earth and through every opportunity we take to explore and understand.… Read More

RONALD REAGAN (1911-2004). Reagan was the Fortieth President. SB. 432pg. No date. No place. A first edition of Speaking My Mind signed “Ronald Reagan” on a bookplate attached to the first free endpage. The book was published in 1989 by Simon and Schuster, and it is in the original dust jacket protected by a mylar sleeve. The book is in near-fine condition with some pages remaining unopened. There is a Ronald Reagan Library Gift Shop price tag still attached to the front dust jacket.

(MONTANA). 3 ALsS. 1-3pgs. 1885-6. Red Bluff, Montana Territory. A trio of letters signed “J. W. Williams” and written to the Auditor of Montana Territory in Helena. In all three cases, Williams inquires about a missing warrant for bear furs, getting quite testy in the third and longest one at the fact that his warrant never arrived: “…I can not nor I will not make afadavet [sic] that Warrant No 3069 is lost as I never had it in my possession. It never reached me at Red Buff [sic] PO…if you have not done your duty and neglected your Bisness [sic] it is not my fault. I dont [sic] propose to put my self to any more trouble on your account & am not Responsible for your acts. I dont [sic] think that you ever mailed the warrant to me at Red Bluff at any time…”. The letters are in fine condition.

JOSEPH REED INGERSOLL (1786-1868). Ingersoll was a Pennsylvania lawyer, politician, diplomat and U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania. ALS. 1pg. 8” x 10”. March 10, 1836. Washington D.C. An autograph letter signed “J R Ingersoll” as a Representative from Pennsylvania. Addressed to Philadelphia lawyer William Morris Meredith (1799-1873), at this time President of the Philadelphia Select Council and later to become U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. The letter concerns an important case in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court – Commonwealth vs. Allmyer, concerning rights to Franklin Square in Philadelphia. “My Dear Sir Your bulletin this moment received gives me much solicitude. I do not see the possibility of my absenting myself during the whole of the next week which (at least) would be the consequence of my entrusting with you in the trial of Com vs Allmyer. I must hope that the chapter of accidents aided by the constitutional reluctance of the Chief Justice to urge business will prevent… Read More

WILLIAM H. REHNQUIST (1924-2005). Rehnquist was a longtime Supreme Court Justice. He served for thirty-three years, including almost twenty as Chief Justice. SB. 12pgs. N.d. N.p. A published copy of a major Supreme Court decision signed “William H Rehnquist” as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on the first page. It is a copy of the Supreme Court’s December 12, 2000 decision in the monumental Bush v. Gore case. The Supreme Court which essentially decided the 2000 Presidential election in George W. Bush’s favor by preventing a recount of contested Florida ballets. Rehnquist had been Chief Justice during this major episode in the history of American elections. This is not the small bound printings issued by the Court, but a larger printing done elsewhere; it is not bound and it is in fine condition.

Archive. 11 pieces. 1956-1957. California. An archive of several GOP pieces addressed to Ken Ladd, President of the Young Republicans of San Joaquin County. It includes two typed letters signed by Governor Goodwin J. Knight, as well as a typed letter signed by United States Senator Thomas H. Kuchel. There is also a letter from Lieutenant Governor Harold J. Powers and a signed photograph from Lieutenant Governor Bob Finch. The grouping also contains two typewritten documents; one lists the delegation from the San Joaquin County Young Republicans who will attend the State Young Republicans Convention, and the other has the by-laws of the Young Republicans of San Joaquin County. There are also a couple of form letters with GOP content

(CHINA). Archive. Three pieces. January 7, [no year] (2pgs); February 27, 1948 (1pg); November 30, 1948 (1pg). [Shanghai], China. A trio of letters written and signed in English to an American named Mary Watson. They were written by at least two different people in China during the Chinese Communist Revolution. All three concern the violence, suffering, and uncertainty that prevailed in China at the time. One letter states: “…Many times I decided to write to you, but I did not know to write a letter in such drastically changeable times. I wished to report some good news to you, but failed so many times. Peace movement is not likely to be successful. War is going on. Many people have been killed in battle-fields by war, even more people died because lack of food and cloth. Several days ago, it is said, more than 1,000 people have died in the streets in Shanghai due to the cold weather. Price index jumped three times in ten days. How the poor can stand? So the common people in every part of this… Read More

(PHILADELPHIA IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION). ADS. 1pg. 8” x 6 ¼”. May 7, 1777. No place [Philadelphia]. An autograph document signed “John Young Secy” stating: “At a meeting of the Committee of Fifty May 7, 1777 On motion. Voted that a Committee be appointed of this board to assist the Commisarys – the better to enable them to prosecute the Arduous works for which this board was instituted. Messrs John Lisle, Robert Smith & Edward Evans were unanimously chosen.” Philadelphia’s Committee of Fifty was chosen in April 1777 to remove all the provisions and stores in the city so that they did not fall into British hands. In early 1777, Washington was uncertain of the British plans, but he suspected they involved capturing Philadelphia. In September, following Washington’s defeat at Brandywine, the British began an eight month occupation of the city, wintering in relative luxury while the Continental Army suffered at Valley Forge. There were some prestigious citizens on the… Read More

ALEXANDER ASBOTH (1811-1868). Asboth was a Hungarian-born military officer who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He later became an American ambassador. JOSEPH REYNOLDS (1822-1899). Reynolds was a Major General in the U.S. and Union Armies. LS. 2pgs. June 14 & 16, 1864. Pensacola, Florida. A letter signed “Asboth” and “J. J. Reynolds”. From Pensacola, Asboth communicated Major H. M. Porter in New Orleans concerning a Mrs. Tilton, who wished for permission to cross through military lines in order to conduct business in Pensacola. On the verso, a brief message from Reynolds recommended granting Tilton the permission she sought. “Major Your favor of 11th inst introducing Mrs Tilton is received but I do not consider it advisable at present to allow her to go through the lines, without orders from New Orleans, and I would therefore acquest you to see General Banks or General Reynolds and obtain their decision in the matter. The Navy Dispatch boat ‘Glasgow’ can bring… Read More

SYNGMAN RHEE (1875-1965). Rhee was a South Korean politician who served as the first president of South Korea from 1948 to 1960. His presidency was defined by anti-communism and close ties to the United States during and after the Korean War until rising protests forced his resignation and the inauguration of the Second Republic of Korea. TLS. 2 pg. 8” x 10”. March 5, 1954. Kyung Mu Dai. A typed letter signed “Syngman Rhee” to “Mr. James Murfin”: “I was pleased to receive your letter and to know of your enthusiasm for collecting letters from well known people of the world. In particular I note that you are interesting {sic} in keeping these for your children and grand children for their historical interest. I would like to say how important it is for these children to know freedom, and to know peace in their time. To achieve peace – permanent peace – will require the cooperation of all non-aggressive peoples. When a ruthless, ambitious power threatens a neighbor the combined… Read More

ELMER RICE (1892-1967). Rice was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright famous for Street Scene. TLS. 1pg. May 13, 1949. Stamford, Connecticut. A typed letter signed “Elmer Rice”. On his personal letterhead, Rice replied to an inquiry concerning the rights to a musical (operatic) version of his Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Street Scene. He mentions composer Kurt Weill (1900-1950), who wrote the music for the opera. “Dear Mr. Stephens: Everyone connected with the musical version of Street Scene has left the handling of the subsidiary rights much to Kurt Weill, since he is more familiar with this field than the rest of us. I am under the impression that he has made an arrangement with Schirmer’s for the handling of the stock and amateur rights, but I am not absolutely sure. So I am forwarding your letter to him and you will no doubt hear from him direct. Cordially yours, Elmer Rice”. The letter is in very good condition; it has a received stamp and is very slightly wrinkled.

EDWARD VERNON “EDDIE” RICKENBACKER (1890-1973). Rickenbacker was an American fighter pilot during World War I and II. With 26 aerial victories, he had the most of World War I. He was also a race car driver, an automotive designer, and a long-time head of Eastern Air Lines. PS. 6” x 8”. N.d N.p. A signed photograph “To my dear friend ‘Charlie Froesch” Eddie Rickenbacker”. The image is a black-and-white photograph of a middle-aged Rickenbacker. He is in full-military uniform with drawings of World War I bombers in the background as a remembrance of Rickenbacker’s heroism and success as a pilot. The photograph is in excellent condition.

STATES RIGHTS GIST (1831-1864). Gist, from South Carolina, was a lawyer and a Confederate brigadier general. He was killed at the Battle of Franklin in 1864. DS. 1pg. 7 ¾” x 9 ¾”. April 29, 1861. Charleston, South Carolina. An early Confederate commission signed “S R Gist Adjutant Genl of So Ca”. Two weeks after Fort Sumter, Gist signed a commission, appointing “A.A. Talley MD…Surgeon with the Rank of Major, and Jno. S. Buist Asst. Surgeon of the S.C. Army, will be obeyed and respected accordingly.” The letterhead is from the “Adj. & Insp. Genl’s Office” and is embossed. There is light staining to the left margin and minor repairs to the verso. A scarce autograph, particularly war-dated.