Sixth U.S. President - 1825-29

Franked Panel, 3” x 4 ½”, “J.Q. Adams,” as U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts, the front portion of a postal cover, also addressed by Adams to his nephew, “Lieut[ena]n[t] Thomas B. Adams, Fort Brooke, Tampa Bay, Florida,” with stamped free designation and an October 11 [1837], Washington City postmark.

The brother of John Quincy Adams, third son and youngest child of John and Abigail Adams, Thomas Boylston Adams died in 1832. Born in 1809, his son of the same name and the addressee on this panel, was stationed at various posts in the South after graduation from West Point in 1828. Young Lieutenant Adams subsequently saw action in the Second Seminole War, during which he died of disease at Fort Dade, Florida on December 14, 1837, one month after the receipt of this mailing at the outpost, as indicated by vertical docketing at left beneath the postmark. On the panel’s reverse (images are available upon request) are approximately fifteen partial lines from the associated letter, with social content, presumably in the hand of a family member.

Sixth U.S. President - 1825-29

U.S. Congressman John Quincy Adams submits information relating to the loss of a Seminole War troop transport in Tampa Bay, Florida

Autograph Letter Signed, 7 ½” x 9”, to “James Collier Esqr., Cohassett, Mass[achuse]tts,” with excellent early-Florida, Seminole War association.

As Congressman from Massachusetts, the former U.S. President informs Collier that he has submitted a report to Secretary of War Joel Poinsett regarding payment for the services of the schooner Rubicon in the rescue of the transport Charles Wharton, lost while carrying U.S. troops bound for service in the Second Seminole War. Congressional records state: “the ship Charles Wharton was chartered by the United States for the purpose of transporting nearly three hundred volunteer troops, with arms, provisions, baggage, and a quantity of sauer kraut from Philadelphia to Tampa Bay. While on the voyage, and so laden, about the 20^th of December [1837], she grounded on a shoal near the entrance of Tampa Bay, and was found in a very perilous condition…” The same record further indicates that the crew of at least one other vessel, “…at great risk, and with much labor, aided and assisted in saving the troops, the guns, ammunition, and private property of the officers.”

“Washington, 24 Feb[ruar]y 1838. Sir, I have submitted your Letter of the 6^th inst[an]t to the consideration of the Secretary of War, and have received an answer from him enclosing a report from the acting Quartermaster General T[rueman] Cross of the following report: ‘In reply to the Letter of Mr. James Collier referred to me by the War Department a few days since I have the honour to state that this office possesses no information whatever in relation to the loss of the ship Charles Wharton or the services alleged to have been rendered by the Schooner Rubicon. It appears however, by Mr. Colliers own admission, that the Quarter Master at Tampa Bay, paid the Captain of the Rubicon six hundred dollars, which it is a fair presumption was the value of his services.’ The fair presumptions of the Quarter-Master General may doubtless be rebutted by positive testimony. If you have any such, I shall be happy to give any assistance in my power to exhibit the same before the proper department. I am, very respectfully, Sir, your obed[ien]t Serv[an]t, J.Q. Adams.”

Interestingly, Adams’s nephew, Thomas Boylston Adams, a lieutenant in the U.S. Army and a Seminole War veteran, had died of disease at Fort Dade, Florida just two months earlier, on December 14, 1837. Also of note, Trueman Cross, the acting quartermaster general mentioned in this letter, was killed on April 21, 1846 by Mexican bandits near Fort Brown, Texas, just three days before the United States declared war with Mexico.

The sheet bears general soiling and wear.  Paper weakness and minor separation at the usual folds, along with several chips and tears in the margins, none affecting the text of the letter, have been professionally stabilized with archival backing on the reverse.

U.S. First Lady – 1825-29

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”, with a seldom-seen second form of her signature, “Wife of John Quincy Adams,” added at the conclusion. Graciously writing to the wife of the politically connected Benjamin Ogle Tayloe, the former first lady sends an engraving for Mrs. Tayloe’s collection.

“Quincy [Massachusetts], 28th Oct[o]ber, 1842. Herewith I have the pleasure my Dear Madam to send you the promised engraving to be placed so flatteringly in your elegant Collection of Autographs, where I shall have the gratification of shining, at least through a reflected light, among the brilliant luminaries who so greatly adorn your Book. In the hope of soon meeting you and Mr. Tayloe in Washington; permit me to offer the sentiment of regard of Louisa Catherine Adams. Wife of John Quincy Adams.”

Although the engraving mentioned is no longer present, this letter is accompanied by a 3 ¼” x 6 ¼” address panel, also addressed by Mrs. Adams, to “Mrs. B.O. Tayloe, Washington.”

The letter has a few light water stains and small edge tears, detracting very little from excellent overall condition.

Fifteenth U.S. President - 1857-61

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”, as U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, to “Samuel C. Patterson, Esq.”  Writing from his hometown in Pennsylvania, Buchanan recommends one Robert King for a position as an official for the 1840 census.  In an interesting four-line postscript, Buchanan further reveals that King had been passed over for superintendent of the Columbia & Philadelphia Railroad, completed in 1834 as the first government-built rail line, in favor of a Mr. Cameron, probably a member of the politically connected family which included future War Secretary Simon Cameron.

“Lancaster, 19 September 1839. Dear Sir, There is a very respectable man, by name Robert King Esquire, a citizen of Marietta in this County who is desirous of obtaining the appointment to take the census for the townships of Manor, East & West Hempfield, Raphoe, Mountjoy & East & West Donegal.  He has met with reverses of fortune in his day & is now obliged to work hard at his trade for his living; but there is no man in the town where he lives who maintains a better character.  He is an acting magistrate & a man of business & is an active & efficient friend of the present State & National administrations.  I believe his appointment would give general satisfaction whilst it would be peculiarly agreeable to your friend sincerely, James Buchanan.  P.S. Mr. King was powerfully recommended as superintendent of the Columbia & Philadelphia Rail Road; but Mr. Cameron was appointed.  I consider that his appointment to take the census, whilst it would be an excellent one in itself would be highly politic.”

The letter is lightly and evenly toned, with a few edge chips and tears.  Paper weakness at one of three horizontal folds has been reinforced on the reverse, and there is show-through of old hinging on the reverse in the upper and lower margins.

U.S. First Lady – 1886-89 & 1893-97

Signed Photograph, 4 ¼” x 6”, as First Lady, “M.W.J. – from - Frances F. Cleveland, 1894,” a cabinet photo imprinted Copyright by C.M. Bell on the lower edge of the image.

The image is unaffected by minor wear and chipping to the edges of the mount.

U.S. First Lady – 1886-89 & 1893-97

Autograph Letter Signed, as First Lady, two pages on individual leaves of a monogrammed 4” x 6” Executive Mansion letter-sheet, the conclusion, closing, and signature being situated vertically on the reverse of the first page.

Near the end of the third year of her husband’s second term as U.S. President, Mrs. Cleveland expresses gratitude to Mr. Dubois, head usher at the Executive Mansion, for a Christmas gift from the household and security staff.

“Dear Mr. Dubois, The ‘ushers and Police’ have again given me a most delightful surprise and touched me deeply by their thought of me. The gift is a lovely one beside being very useful and one which will remind me every day of the thoughtful courtesy and generosity of these good friends of mine. Will you express to the donors of my beautiful Christmas present my earnest thanks, and my sincere good wishes for the welfare of each. Very truly yours, Frances F. Cleveland, 27 Dec. 1895.”

The center horizontal folds have been reinforced on the reverse of both pages.

Sister of Grover Cleveland

Autograph Letter Signed, on the imprinted 5” x 8” stationery of the Executive Mansion at Albany, New York.  During the final months of her unmarried brother's tenure as New York Governor, Rose Cleveland expresses their gratitude and good wishes upon the receipt of a gift from this letter’s recipient.

“5 January 1885. Dear Mr. Wood, Thanks for the kindness which prompted the sending of your package. I hope I may sometime have time to more appreciatively acknowledge all such remembrance. With kind regards from the Governor and myself to you and your mother. Yours, Rose Elizabeth Cleveland.”

Light, even toning, a small stain at lower center, and reinforcement of the folds on reverse detract very little.

First Lady of the Confederacy

DAVIS, VARINA ANNE (1864-1898)  Daughter of Jefferson & Varina Davis; Known as the “Daughter of the Confederacy”

Signed Album Page, 4” x 7”, “Varina Jefferson Davis.,” also signed and dated by the Davis’s daughter, Winnie, at their Mississippi home, “Varina Anne Davis, Beauvoir, Miss., Nov 5^th 1893,” with the collector’s biographical notations in the lower margin.

Overall condition is excellent, with light, even toning.

First Lady of the Confederacy

Autograph Letter Signed, 4 ½” x 7”, to “Danl. E. Soper, Esqr.,” marked “Personal.” Writing on “Beauvoir House” imprinted black-bordered mourning stationery, due to the death of her husband, Jefferson Davis, just two months earlier, the former Confederate First Lady responds to a request for the autographs of her family and refers the recipient to a New Orleans photographer for a picture of Mr. Davis.

“…Dear Sir, I thank you for the bookmarks sent & return you my autograph & the back of a letter addressed to me by my Husband. My Daughter is in Italy & consequently I cannot send her autograph. W.W. Washburne, Canal St., New Orleans will I am sure send you the best picture he has of Mr. Davis if you apply to him. Believe me Respectfully & truly yours, V. Jefferson Davis. Feb[ruary] 17^th 1890.”

A center horizontal fold and a few superficial stains detract very little from excellent overall condition.

First Lady of the Confederacy

“Mr. Davis is not writing any thing…He is not strong and both of us nil very much in a valetudinarian kind of old aged way truly depressing.”

Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, front and reverse of a 5” x 8” sheet, signed with her seldom-seen full name.

From her Mississippi home, Mrs. Davis thanks a friend, identified only as “Mr. Derby,” for his assistance during the illnesses of both an unnamed friend and her daughter Varina Anne “Winnie” Davis, known throughout the South as the “Daughter of the Confederacy,” due to her birth in the Confederate White House in Richmond during the Civil War. Particular gratitude is expressed for Mr. Derby’s help with Winnie’s literary pursuits, presumably relating to at least one of the books she would publish in the subsequent years, most notably An Irish Knight of the Seventeenth Century, The Veiled Doctor, and Foreign Education for American Girls. In an amusing, melancholy conclusion, Mrs. Davis laments her husband’s lack of literary possibilities, along with the couple’s declining health. Former Confederate President Jefferson Davis died the following year, on December 6, 1889.

“Beauvoir House, 18^th April, 1888. Dear Mr. Derby, I am disappointed over my poor friend’s MS, but know that you did your very best for me and her, for though uncertain sometimes of your success, I never am of your kind desire to serve your friends. Winnie is today is [sic] so unwell that she commissioned me to thank you very gratefully for the trouble you have taken in her behalf and as you decide the question of name as you and our dear old friends the Lovells think best. She does not feel able to read the proof. She will be in New York in the course of the summer and I hope will see you and them while there. Mr. Davis is not writing any thing but has had several literary propositions which have not been accepted. He is not strong and both of us nil very much in a valetudinarian kind of old aged way truly depressing.  With the hope that you and yours are all well I am my dear friend, Very truly yours, Varina Howell Davis.”

There are several areas of slightly heavier toning , along with the usual horizontal folds.

Thirteenth U.S. President - 1850-53

Autograph Letter Signed, 5” x 8”, an excellent example with a full signature.

“Washington, July 18. J. Streum, Esq. D[ea]r Sir, I have yours of the 4^th and I enclose a general letter as I have not time to write more. Truly yours, Millard Fillmore.”

The year is unstated, but the handwriting is consistent with Fillmore’s letters from his 1849 to 1853 tenure as Vice President and President. Although we can’t be sure, it is conceivable that Fillmore’s haste in this correspondence was associated with his becoming President just days after the unexpected death of Zachary Taylor on July 9, 1850.

The overall condition is excellent, with very light, even toning and two horizontal folds.

Twentieth U.S. President – 1881; Union Major General - Ohio

Signed Photograph, 2 ¼” x 4”, “J.A. Garfield, Ohio,” a Brady carte-de-visite.

There is light soiling and wear, and the upper corners of the card have been trimmed diagonally. The ornate back-mark has been marred by past mounting.

U.S. First Lady – 1881

Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, on separate 3 ¾” x 5 ½” sheets of Mrs. Garfield’s monogrammed, black-bordered mourning stationery, sending an autograph of her late husband.

“West Mentor, O[hio], July 15^th 1902. Mr. Jesse W. Weik, Greencastle, Ind[iana]. Dear Sir, On my return from California I found your request for one of General Garfield’s autographs. I have very few left for distribution but inclose this token from a cancelled check. Very truly, Lucretia R. Garfield.”

Both sheets bear light, even toning, old glue staining on reverse, and a horizontal fold at the center. There are a few minor stains on the first page, along with two pinholes in the upper margin.

18^th U.S. President - 1869-77; Union Lieutenant General

Autograph Letter Signed, 1 ½ pages, on front and reverse of a 5” x 7 ½” sheet.

The letter can undoubtedly be dated to the presidency of Grant, as he is writing to the widow of U.S. Secretary of War John A. Rawlins regarding her property and financial affairs, in light of her move from Washington after her husband’s death. A longtime friend, Rawlins served as trusted aide and advisor to Grant during the Civil War and as Secretary of War from the beginning of Grant’s presidency until his untimely death from tuberculosis on September 6, 1869. After Rawlins death, Grant was named trustee of the benevolent fund established for the family and served as executor for the Rawlins children.

“My Dear Mrs. Rawlins, Enclosed I return deed of property to be recorded, and checks for amount stipulated as first payment in it. I have ordered your furnature [sic] from Washington and when I go there will send to you all accumulated interest. I think you may be able to pay five hundred of the outstanding debt now. Hoping you will be very happy in your new home, I remain, Very Truly Yours, U.S. Grant.”

The sheet bears general soiling and wear, scattered stains, and old tape repairs to several of the usual folds. There is minor brushing of ink to portions of Grant’s signature.

29^th U.S. President - 1921-23

Signature, “Warren G. Harding,” on a ¾” x 2 ½” slip of watermarked paper, removed from a White House letter.

U.S. First Lady – 1889-92

Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, undated, as First Lady on a 4” x 6” Executive Mansion letter-sheet. Writing to former Union General Lew Wallace, more recently the author of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, Mrs. Harrison discusses a social engagement at the Wanamaker’s, undoubtedly referring to noted merchant John Wanamaker, the U.S. Postmaster General during President Harrison’s four-year term in office.

“Washington. Dear Genl., I had expected to have gone with you to Genl. Wanamaker’s this evening but something has happened to prevent my doing so. But I have written her to see if tomorrow evening will be as convenient & I presume it will, as she will only arrive at home today. So if it is as agreeable to you, I will advise you of the hour later as Mrs. Wanamaker will probably not return before two o’cl[ock] today. The President has been enquiring for you. Very truly, Caroline S. Harrison.”

Accompanied by the Executive Mansion transmittal envelope, addressed by Mrs. Harrison, to “Genl. Lew Wallace, Ebbitt House.”

The letter bears light, even toning, and there is a horizontal fold at center, along with superficial paper loss at the upper left corner. Being situated on the first and final pages of the letter-sheet, the letter is illustrated in one image, unfolded.

Ninth U.S. President - 1841

Document Signed, 2 ¼” x 4 ½”, a manuscript note as aide-de-camp to General “Mad Anthony” Wayne, requesting a supply of paper from the quartermaster.

“Sir, be pleased to Issue one Quire Paper for the use of the publick. Wm. H. Harrison, Comm[an]d[i]n[g]. The Quartermaster, 7^th Oct. 1796.”

The note bears light soiling and wear, along with a few small stains.

U.S. First Lady - 1929-33

Signed White House Card, 2 ¾” x 4 ¼”, as First Lady, “Lou Henry Hoover.”

Overall condition is very good, both front and reverse, with light, even toning and an area or two of very minor soiling.

The card is sold with the transmittal envelope and a typed letter from Mrs. Hoover’s secretary, dated January 27, 1933, sending the autograph. Both pieces bear White House embossing and the typewritten address, “Mrs. J.G. McCreery, East Lawn Sanitarium, Northville, Michigan.”