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.

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.

Thirtieth U.S. President - 1923-29

Signed White House Card, 2 ¾” x 4 ¼”, as President, “Calvin Coolidge.”

Condition is pristine, both front and reverse.

Accompanied by the White House transmittal envelope, with the typewritten address, “Reverend Edgar Thomas Read, Calvary Methodist Protestant Church, Easton, Maryland.,” and a January 8, 1929, Washington, D.C. postmark. Also present is a cordial typewritten letter of the same date, on White House stationery, from Mr. Coolidge’s secretary, Everett Sanders, sending the card.

“Washington, January 8, 1929. My dear Mr. Read: I very thoroughly appreciate your very proper desire that your boy should have an autograph letter of the President. Knowing the President’s interest in boys, I am sure that if this were the only request coming to him of this nature, he would gladly comply with it. The difficulty is, however, that we are quite overwhelmed with requests of this kind from adults, as well as school boys and girls from all parts of the country. To comply with them all would mean that the President could do little else. Of course, to make an exception in your case would be unfair to the others. I am sure you will understand and that the boy will be satisfied with the enclosed autographed card. Sincerely yours, Everett Sanders, Secretary to the President.”

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, 1 ½ pages, on the first and final pages of a 4” x 6 ¼” black-bordered letter-sheet. Writing from her residence in New York City, Mrs. Davis thanks the recipient for a memorial speech for her deceased husband, Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

“The Gerard, W[est] 44^th St. Dear Mr. Rosson, Please accept my sincerest thanks for the speech you made after your valuable and generous contribution to the needs of your people and mine. Your tender and admiring memory of my husband which my niece tells me you so gracefully expressed, has given me more pleasure than I can formulate in words and will always render me very cordially yours, Varina Jefferson Davis. 6^th April 1900.”

There is light soiling and wear, along with a horizontal fold at the center.

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.

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

Letter Signed, 5” x 8”, four pages on a folded letter-sheet. Writing to a concerned constituent as chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Garfield provides information relating to government funding for the Ashtabula, Ohio harbor.

“Washington, D.C., February 2, [18]74. H. Hubbard, Esq., Ashtabula, Ohio. My Dear Sir: Yours of the 31^st inst[ant] came duly to hand this morning. You are laboring under a mistake in supposing that the Com[mite]e on Appropriations has cut down the estimates for Ashtabula Harbor. In fact the subject of Rivers and Harbors has not been before the Com[mite]e at all. The Com[mite]e on Commerce of which Hon. William A Wheeler of N.Y. is Chairman, has charge of that bill. That Committee makes up the bill and reports it to the House, it is then usually referred to the Com[mite]e on Appropriations. What has been done thus far is this: The estimates submitted on the 1^st day of the Session, by the Treasury recommended $50,000 for Ashtabula Harbor. On the reassembling of Congress after the Holiday vacation, the President sent a message enclosing revised estimates made by the different departments. In that revision the estimate for Ashtabula Harbor was cut down to $15,000. Why this was done I do not know nor did I know that it was done at all up to the time I wrote you last. I shall do what I can to secure a good appropriation for Ashtabula Harbor, but in view of the deficit in the Treasury, there is a very strong desire on the part of Congress to cut down the appropriations as much as possible and it will be very difficult to get the amount raised above what is requested in the list of estimates sent in by the Engineers Dep[artmen]t. I hope you will let our friends understand just the situation of the case. I should be very sorry to have them suppose that my committee had cut down these estimates. With kindest regards I am Very Truly Yours, J.A. Garfield.”

There is light, even toning, with a few stains and the expected folds, and the first page of the letter is lightly soiled. The letter-sheet is illustrated unfolded, with pages one and two on adjacent leaves, as are the third and final pages of the letter.

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.

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

Document Signed, 2 ¾” x 8 ¼”, Washington, D.C., February 11, 1868, “U.S. Grant,” a partly printed check drawn on Jay Cooke & Co. Bankers, also accomplished by Grant, payable to Wesley Chappel for twenty dollars.

There are three punch and cross-cut cancellations, none affecting the signature, along with superficial paper loss in the upper left corner.

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.

Nineteenth U.S. President - 1877-81; Union Brigadier General - Ohio

Full Signature, “Rutherford B. Hayes,” on a 5 ¼” x 8 ½” sheet of stationery, imprinted “Leon Rheims, Importer. 5, 7, 9, Union Square. New-York…” at the upper left. Hayes has made the unexplained notation, “Gettysburg,” above his signature, perhaps responding to a Civil War related question from the unnamed recipient.

A horizontal tear at the center has been repaired on the reverse, and there are several light creases.

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.”

Seventh U.S. President - 1829-37

A Double-Signed Check, as President

Document Signed, 2 ¾” X 7”, as President, Washington, August 24, 1835, “Andrew Jackson,” a partly printed check, also accomplished by Jackson. Drawn on the Bank of the Metropolis for $200, the check is made payable to Jackson’s son, “Andrew Jackson, j[u]n[io]r,” and thus bears a second full signature.

The check is lightly and evenly toned, with several folds and light creases. A cross-cut cancellation at center intersects portions of the upper signature.

Third U.S. President - 1801-09

Autograph Note Signed, 3” x 6 ¼”, a personal, handwritten dinner invitation. Although the year is unstated, the note can probably be traced to 1814, one of only two years after Jefferson’s presidency when the seventh day of November fell on a Monday. The other was 1825, the final year of his life.

“Th: Jefferson asks the favor of Mr. Davis to dine at Monticello tomorrow (Tuesday). Monday, Nov. 7.”

Bearing light soiling and wear, along with several fold lines and creases, the note has been affixed to a 7 ¾” x 9 ¾” sheet, with the manuscript notation, “Thos. Jefferson, Signer Declaration of Independence & President U. States,” above. There is show-through of the recipient’s name, “Mr. Davis,” also in Jefferson’s hand, from the reverse.

Seventeenth U.S. President - 1865-69

Signed Album Page, 6 ¼” x 8”, “Andrew Johnson, Greeneville, Tenn[essee],” beneath the signatures of former U.S. Secretary of War John Bell, the candidate of the Constitutional Union Party in the 1860 presidential election, and former Tennessee Governor James C. Jones. The signatures can surely be dated to the 1847 to 1859 period, during which all three men served as U.S. Senators from Tennessee.

The outer margins bear somewhat heavier toning, and there are several binding holes along the left edge.

Thirty-Fifth U.S. President – 1960-63

Typed Letter Signed, as President on 7” x 10 ½” White House stationery, to “Honorable Edmund G. Brown, Governor of California, Sacramento, California.”

In expressing appreciation for Governor Brown’s cooperation in support of a house bill to preserve California’s salmon and steelhead trout resources, President Kennedy gives voice to the spirit of conservation, for both domestic and strategic purposes, that would define American policy for almost two decades.

“Washington, August 21, 1962. Dear Governor Brown: Your letter regarding the Administration’s program for the preservation and enhancement of our individual natural resources is highly appreciated. The legislative proposal, as contained in H.R. 11356 and identical bills, would authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with your Department of Fish and Game, to take appropriate action to preserve and develop the salmon and steelhead trout and other fishery resources of the streams entering the Pacific Ocean from the State of California. These resources, vital to California’s economy, are of national concern. It is imperative that they be given adequate protection and, where possible, increased in abundance. The program will strengthen our hand in international negotiations, and advance our long-range plans for fishery conservation. We are pleased, therefore, to know that you are solidly behind Mr. Miller’s bill. Sincerely, John Kennedy.”

There are two light horizontal folds, a few staple holes in the upper margin, and several filing stamps and handwritten notations.

Sixteenth U.S. President - 1861-65

A Request for a Lieutenant’s Promotion – Just Two Months Before He was Mortally Wounded at Cedar Creek

“The above, written by a very good man, is submitted to the Secretary of War. A. Lincoln.”

Noted as a resident of Allentown, Pennsylvania in the accompanying National Archives records, Mr. Baldwin was undoubtedly a caller at the Executive Mansion, and was directed to write his request, hoping that President Lincoln would approve and advance it through the proper channels. His letter, accomplished in pencil, in full:

“Aug. 12^th 1864. To His Excellency, Abraham Lincoln, President of the U.S. I desire the transfer or promotion of my brother, Lt. Henry M. Baldwin, Battery M, 5^th Reg[imen]t U.S. Artillery, to any vacancy in the Regt. which you may decide it possible to place him, consistent with the good of the service. Very Resp[ectfull]y, F.H. Baldwin.”

There is no record of Lieutenant Baldwin’s promotion or transfer before he was severely wounded through the chest and left arm on October 19, 1864 – just two months later - at the Battle of Cedar Creek. He died on November 8, 1864 at Sheridan Hospital, near Winchester, Virginia.

The letter is in excellent condition, with creases from two vertical folds.                                                                                      

Sixteenth U.S. President - 1861-65

Civil War-Date Document Signed, 11" x 18", as President during the final two months of his life, Washington, D.C., February 14, 1865, “Abraham Lincoln,” a partly printed appointment for “…Ayres Stockley…Deputy Postmaster at Rockland, in the State of Michigan.” Countersigned by the Secretary of State, “William H. Seward.”

Born in Philadelphia in 1824, Ayres Stockley settled in Michigan in the 1850’s. He died at Calumet on May 27, 1911 and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Ontonagon, Michigan.

There is staining in the center, and slight bleeding of ink in Lincoln’s signature; clean separation and superficial paper loss along and at the intersections of the usual folds.

Sixteenth U.S. President - 1861-65

Civil War-Date Document Signed, 15” x 19”, as President, Washington, July 29, 1861, “Abraham Lincoln,” a partly printed appointment for “…Stephen Brooks…Surveyor of the Customs for the District of Middletown in the State of Connecticut.” Countersigned by the Secretary of the Treasury, “S.P. Chase.”

The document is in excellent overall condition, with light age toning and several minor paper breaks at the intersections of the usual folds. Both signatures are distinct and free from flaw in every respect.

Sixteenth U.S. President - 1861-65

Civil War-Date Franked Envelope, 3” x 5 ¼”, as President, “A. Lincoln.” The envelope is also addressed by Lincoln, to “Rev[erend] Z.P. Wilds, 120 Prince Street, New York,” and has a June 21, 1862, Washington postmark.

The previous day, Lincoln met with a six-member delegation of Progressive Friends, composed of Thomas Garrett, Alice Eliza Hambleton, Oliver Johnson, Dinah Mendenhall, William Barnard, and Eliza Agnew. The group presented the President with a memorial, urging him to decree the emancipation of the slaves, the position adopted at the Friends’ annual meeting. It is quite worthy of note that Lincoln wrote Reverend Wilds, well known as a longtime missionary to the poor of New York City, the day following his meeting with this group of prominent leaders in the Abolition and Underground Railroad movements.

Set into an attractive, inlaid pedestal frame, the envelope bears general soiling and wear, along with minor paper loss along the right edge and above the somewhat smudged postmark.

U.S. First Lady - 1809-17

Autograph Quotation Signed, on the front leaf of a 5” x 8” letter-sheet.

“A Toast. ‘The Rights of man the Gift of God; The powers of government the Grant of the people.’ D.P. Madison. Washington, June 6^th 1842.”

The letter-sheet is lightly and evenly toned, with light soiling and wear. There are two horizontal folds and old glue staining in the upper margin.

Franked Envelope, 3 ¼” x 5 ¼”, “Free, J.K. Polk,” addressed in another hand to “Gen[eral] Thomas H. Bradley (Care of Gregg & Elliott), Philadelphia, Penn[sylvania],” also bearing a Washington City postmark and stamped “Free” postal designation.

There is nothing to indicate if the envelope is dated to Polk’s tenure in the U.S. Congress, 1825-39, or to his single term as U.S. President. The recipient, Thomas H. Bradley, a Williamson County, Tennessee native, served in the 1^st Tennessee Volunteers during the Second Seminole War. Afterward, he established a large plantation on the Mississippi River in Arkansas, becoming one of the wealthiest planters in the area. In 1861, Bradley, a Unionist Democrat, was elected to the Arkansas Secession Convention, at which he was named brigadier general of Arkansas state troops.

Moderate soiling and wear is somewhat heavier at the edges.

Eleventh U.S. President - 1845-49

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”. Just three weeks before his election to the presidency, Polk directs “Gen[era]l Bradley, Franklin, Tennessee” in the posting of a letter to William G. Childress, possibly a member of the family of Polk’s wife, Sarah.

“Columbia [Tennessee], Oct[ober] 16^th 1844. My Dear Sir: I have written a letter to Wm. G. Childress – by this day’s mail, addressed to him at Franklin. I have to request that you will take it out of the office and send it to him to night, as I desire that he shall receive it early. I make this request because he may not call at the Post office for a day or two. You will oblige me by sending it out. In haste, Your friend, James K. Polk.”

The integral leaf is addressed by Polk to “Gen[era]l Thomas H. Bradley, Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee,” and bears an October 16, Columbia, Tennessee postmark. A Williamson County native and veteran of the Second Seminole War, Bradley was at this time probably helping Polk, a fellow Tennessee Democrat, in his ultimately successful presidential campaign. In the years leading up to the Civil War, Bradley established a large plantation on the Mississippi River in Arkansas, becoming one of the wealthiest planters in the area. He was elected to the 1861 Arkansas Secession Convention, at which he was named brigadier general of Arkansas state troops.

Overall condition is excellent, with the usual folds and an old paper clip stain in the upper margin. There is a small area of paper loss in the lower margin of the address leaf, due to the opening of the wax seal.

U.S. First Lady - 1845-49

Signed Card, 2 ¼” x 3 ¾”, “Mrs. James K. Polk, ‘Polk Place,’ March 7, 1889.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with a few superficial stains.

U.S. First Lady - 1845-49

Signed Card, 2” x 3 ¾”, “Mrs. James K. Polk,” dated in another hand on reverse, “May 4, 1887.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with minor bleeding of ink at the “P” in the last name.

U.S. First Lady - 1933-1945

Signatures, in two rare forms, “Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt),” on a 5” x 6 ½” linen letter-sheet, with the notation, “Albany, N.Y., Apr[il] 14, 1932,” in another hand beneath.

U.S. First Lady - 1933-1945

Signed White House Card, 2 ¾” x 4 ¼”, as First Lady, “Eleanor Roosevelt.”

The card has light soiling and wear and there is a small stain in the lower left corner. 

U.S. First Lady - 1901-09

Signed White House Card, 2 ½” x 4”, as First Lady, "Edith Kermit Roosevelt,” with “THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON,” embossed in the upper right corner. While autographed items of Mrs. Roosevelt are common, signed White House cards are seldom seen.

Lightly and evenly toned, with minor paper clip staining in the upper left corner and old mounting remnants on reverse. Accompanied by the well-worn White House transmittal envelope, with the typewritten address, “H.F. Seeley, Esquire, 130 Oak Street, Bridgeton, New Jersey.”

32^nd U.S. President - 1933-45

Signed White House Card, 2 ¾” x 4 ¼”, as President, “Franklin D. Roosevelt.”

One tiny stain beneath the signature; small mounting remnants on reverse. Condition is pristine otherwise.

Accompanied by a Typed Letter Signed from FDR’s private secretary, M.A. “Missy” LeHand, on White House stationery, dated July 29, 1936, sending the card to “Miss Jewel Allen, Veterans’ Hospital, Oteen, North Carolina.”

32^nd U.S. President - 1933-45

Personally Writing to a Young Polio Victim Who Hopes to go to Warm Springs

Typed Letter Signed, on embossed 8” x 10 ½” stationery as New York Governor, to “Miss Lenora Burge, 228 N. Orange Street, Rialto, California,” apparently a young polio victim, hoping to go to Warm Springs. Responding personally to her request for information, FDR refers the matter to the head physician at the well known rehabilitation center, founded by Roosevelt in 1927 for the treatment of others afflicted with polio.

“Albany, June 8, 1931. Dear Lenora:- I have your letter of May 27^th and am taking the liberty of sending it to Dr. Leroy W. Hubbard, the physician in charge at Warm Springs, Georgia, with the request that he send you full information about Warm Springs. Very sincerely yours, Franklin D. Roosevelt.”

Overall condition is excellent, with light, even toning and two horizontal folds.

32^nd U.S. President - 1933-45

Appointing and Directing a U.S. Navy Ensign to Report for Duty at Puget Sound

Document Signed, as acting secretary on an imprinted 8” x 10" Navy Department form, Washington, May 8, 1919, “Franklin D. Roosevelt, Acting Secretary of the Navy,” a temporary appointment for “Ensign…Harold J. Bellingham, U.S.N., Thirteenth Naval District.” Ensign Bellingham is further directed to report for duty at the Puget Sound, Washington Naval Station.

There are two spindle holes and several small staples holes in the upper margin, and the document bears general soiling and wear, along with two horizontal folds.

Twenty-Sixth U.S. President – 1901-09

Signed White House Card, 2 ¾” x 4”, as President, “Theodore Roosevelt.”

Nearly pristine, both front and reverse.

U.S. First Lady – 1909-13

Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, 4 ¼” x 5 ½”, dated “1919” in another hand at the conclusion. Writing on imprinted stationery from the family home in Quebec, Mrs. Taft arranges to send a copy of her autobiography, along with autographs from her husband, which are no longer present.

“To W.E. Ambler. My dear Mr. Sir: I will send you an [sic] copy of my book which costs three dollars and a half, but I am in Canada now, and I can not get it easily. I will get it when I go back to my own country. Mr. Taft sends autographs but that is all. Yours sincerely, Helen H. Taft. July 3^rd.”

Condition is excellent overall, with a horizontal fold at the center.

27^th U.S. President - 1909-13; U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice - 1921-30; U.S. Secretary of War - 1904-08

Typed Letter Signed, on imprinted 5 ½” x 9” stationery as U.S. Secretary of War. At the request of his brother, Henry Waters Taft, War Secretary Taft sends a letter of introduction, not present, for the former Secretary of the U.S./Venezuelan Boundary Commission, ”Mr. Severo Mallet-Prevost, 931 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y.”

“War Department, Washington, November 11, 1904. My dear Mr. Mallet-Prevost: I have a note from my brother Harry asking a letter of introduction for you and Senor Nunez to the Superintendent at West Point. I take pleasure in inclosing a letter herewith, and hope it may reach you in time.  Very sincerely yours, W.H. Taft.”

Overall condition is excellent, with a horizontal fold at center, a few unobtrusive stains, and very minor bleeding of ink in Taft’s signature.

27^th U.S. President - 1909-13; U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice - 1921-30; U.S. Secretary of War - 1904-08

Signed White House Card, 2 ¾” x 4 ¼”, as President, “Wm. H. Taft.”

The card is pristine, both front and reverse.

Thirty-Third U.S. President - 1945-53

Signed White House Card, 2 ½” x 4”, as President, “Harry S. Truman.”

There is minor brushing of ink at the “H” in Truman’s signature, along with extremely light soiling in the left and upper margins.

Accompanied by the White House transmittal envelope, with the typewritten address, “Joseph Connell, 24 Sweden Street, Waterloo, Liverpool 22, England.” and an October 20, 1945, Washington, D.C. postmark.

Thirty-Third U.S. President - 1945-53

Autograph Note Signed, an inscribed signature on a 3” x 5” index card.

“Feb. 8, 1954. To Peter Sinton with best wishes for a long & happy life. Harry S. Truman.”

There is minor brushing of ink to several letters.

Accompanied by the transmittal envelope, imprinted Harry S. Truman, Federal Reserve Bank Building, Kansas City 6, Missouri, with the typewritten address, “Mr. Peter Sinton, 2 Laurel Street, San Francisco 18, California,” and a February 8, 1954, Kansas City, Missouri postmark.

Eighth U.S. President - 1837-41

Autograph Letter Signed, on a 4 ½” x 7 ¾” sheet. Writing from his Kinderhook, New York estate, Van Buren cordially responds to an autograph request from this letter’s unnamed recipient.

“Lindenwald, October 6^th [18]48, Dear Sir, I send my autograph with much pleasure, & am, with thanks for the obliging expression contained in your letter, very respectfully & truly yours, M. Van Buren.”

There are two light vertical creases, several old glue stains, and a few superficial edge tears; the corners have been trimmed diagonally.

Eighth U.S. President - 1837-41

Vice President Van Buren urges Erastus Corning’s support in the establishment of Oglethorpe University

Autograph Letter Signed, 1 ½ pages, on front and reverse of the first leaf of an 8” x 10” letter-sheet.

As U.S. Vice President, Van Buren recommends Samuel Kennedy Talmadge and solicits the support of prominent New York businessman and politician Erastus Corning, at this time the mayor of Buffalo, for the establishment of a college in Georgia.

“Washington, March 14^th 1836. My Dear Sir, My friend Mr. Talmadge of Georgia visits our section of the Union in the hope of obtaining subscription for a seminary of Learning in his State, the merits of which he will explain. It is well known that our Southern friends have heretofore been very liberal in respect to similar applications coming from us, & I sincerely hope that Mr. Talmadge may be able to report on his return the existence of a reciprocal spirit on our part. You will promote the deserving object & serve a worthy man by extending to Mr. Talmadge such facilities as may be in your power. I am D[ea]r Sir very truly yours, M. Van Buren.”

The endeavor proved successful, as Oglethorpe University opened its doors in Milledgeville, Georgia in 1838, with Talmadge serving as its president from 1841 until his death in 1865. Due to the Civil War, specifically the enlistment of many of its students in the southern army and the loss of its endowment which was invested in Confederate bonds, the school was closed from 1862 until 1866. When the Georgia capital was relocated to Atlanta in 1870, Oglethorpe University was moved to that city.

The usual light folds and toning detract very little, and there are two unobtrusive remnants from past framing on the blank final page of the letter-sheet.

U.S. First Lady – 1915-21

Signed White House Card, 2 ¾” x 4 ¼”, as First Lady, “Edith Bolling Wilson.”

Very slight brushing of ink at “B” in signature; pristine otherwise, both front and reverse.