Confederate

 

Union

 

Presidents & First Ladies

 

Other Historical

 

Recent Additions

 

Show Dates

 

Sales History

 

If you have any questions or would like to report a problem, contact the
  sitemanager or Steven L. Hoskin.


Thank you for visiting!!




no.4849  
ADAMS, CHARLES FRANCIS (1807-86) 

American Author, Diplomat, & Congressman; Appointed U.S. Minister to England by President Lincoln; Son of John Quincy Adams; Grandson of John Adams.
Signature, “Charles Francis Adams, Boston, 16 December 1879,” on a 2.75” X 4.25” slip of paper.............$40


no.5741   ADDAMS, JANE (1860-1935) 

American Social Reformer & Feminist; Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize - 1931.
Signature and sentiment, “Faithfully Yours, Jane Addams,” on a 6” x 9 ¼” sheet of her Hull-House, 800 South Halsted Street, Chicago imprinted stationery. Lightly and evenly toned, with two horizontal folds......................$100 SOLD


no.4290   ALDRICH, THOMAS B. (1836-1907) 

American Author & Editor.
Signed card, 1.75" X 3.5", "Thomas Bailey Aldrich." A few stains......................$30 


no.5334   ARCHBOLD, JOHN D. (1848-1916) & ROCKEFELLER, WILLIAM A. (1841-1922) 

American Financiers; Co-founders of Standard Oil Company.
Partly-printed Document Signed, 7 ¾” x 11”, New York, August 2, 1898, as company officers, Jno. D. Archbold, Secretary, Wm. Rockefeller, Attorney in fact,” a certificate for one hundred shares in the Standard Oil Trust. Lightly and evenly toned, with light vertical folds; no paper loss from cancellations at both signatures....................$1,100


no.5227   BARNUM, PHINEAS T. (1810-91) 

American Showman.
Autograph Letter Signed, 5” x 8”, written shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War and the burning of Barnum’s New York City museum, regarding the submission of a paper for publication.

“Museum, Oct. 30/[18]65. My dear Carleten, A friend of mine has preferred the enclosed for a publishers notice. I should like very much to have you publish it if [?] Renkins thinks it is O.K. I have written for Renkins to call on you & see it. Truly yours, P.T. Barnum.”

Several folds and light creases
.....................$750



Document


Address Leaf

no.4188   BARRY, WILLIAM T. (1784-1835) 

U.S. Postmaster General – 1829-35; U.S. Senator – Kentucky - 1814-16.
Letter Signed, 8” x 10 ½”, Post-Office Department, September 15, 1829, W.T. Barry, Postmaster General,” a printed circular letter, announcing the appointments of Charles K. Gardner as assistant postmaster general and Obadiah B. Brown as chief clerk, and informing of official procedure for their duties in handling government deposits and payments. Both Gardner and Brown countersign at lower left, and Gardner also franks an integral postal leaf, addressed to the Bank of the United States at Savannah, Georgia. In part:

“…that all checks and drafts for payments, will hereafter bear the signatures of Charles K. Gardner, Assistant Postmaster General, and will also be registered and countersigned by Obadiah B. Brown, Chief Clerk…”

Several areas of slightly irregular toning; numerous small edge chips and tears; the usual folds, with paper loss to address leaf from the opening of a wax seal
....................................$125


no.6093   BATES, EDWARD (1793-1869)

U.S. Attorney General – 1861-64; U.S. Congressman – 1827-29 – Missouri.
Signature, “Edwd. Bates,” on a lightly-toned 1 ¼” x 3” slip of paper...................................$125 SOLD


no.6028  BENTON, THOMAS HART (1782-1858) 

American Statesman – Missouri; War of 1812 Veteran & Aide-de-Camp to General Andrew Jackson; U.S. Congressman from Missouri, 1821-55; Father-in-Law of John C. Fremont.
Franking Signature, as U.S. Senator from Missouri, “Free, Thomas H. Benton, U.S. Senate,” on a 1 ¼” x 4 ¼” slip of brown paper..........................$75


no.6199   BIERCE, AMBROSE G. (1842-1914?)

Union Lieutenant – Indiana; Author.
Bierce used his experiences with Company C, 9th Indiana Infantry at Shiloh, Corinth, Chickamauga, Atlanta, and numerous other engagements as the basis for his macabre and bitterly sarcastic short stories, including An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, Chickamauga, and The Coup de Grace

Signature, in pencil, “Compliments of Ambrose Bierce,” on an unused 6” x 9” book page.

Lightly and evenly toned, with a few small edge chips
................................$195


no.6027   BIERCE, AMBROSE G. (1842-1914?) 

Union Lieutenant – Indiana; Author.
Bierce used his experiences with Company C, 9th Indiana Infantry at Shiloh, Corinth, Chickamauga, Atlanta, and numerous other engagements as the basis for his macabre and bitterly sarcastic short stories, including An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, Chickamauga, and The Coup de Grace

Signature, in pencil, “Compliments of Ambrose Bierce,” on an unused 6” x 9” book page.

Lightly and evenly toned, with a few small edge chips and tears
.......................$195 SOLD


no.5346   BINGHAM, WILLIAM (1752-1804) 

Member of the Continental Congress; U.S. Senator – Pennsylvania - 1795-1801; Founder of the Bank of North America; President of the Philadelphia & Lancaster Turnpike Company.
Partly-printed Document Signed, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1795, “Wm. Bingham,” a 7 ¾” x 9 ½” vellum stock certificate, “…that Morgan & Douglass of the City of Philadelphia are entitled to one Share of Stock…” of the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike Company, signed as president of the company. Countersigned by the company treasurer, “Wm. Govett.”. Unusual, excellent condition, with light, even toning and two vertical folds.................$1,500 SOLD


no.3385   BENTON, THOMAS HART (1782-1858) 

American Statesman - Missouri; War of 1812 Veteran & Aide-de-Camp to General Andrew Jackson; U.S. Congressman from Missouri, 1821-55; Father-in-Law of John C. Fremont.
Signature, “Thomas H. Benton, M[issou]ri,” on a 1.5” X 5.75” portion of an album page.............................$80 SOLD


no.6096   BLAIR, MONTGOMERY (1813-83)

U.S. Postmaster General - 1861-64; Brother of Francis P. Blair, Jr.; Mayor of St. Louis Counsel for Dred Scott before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Signed Card, 2” x 3 ¼”, with unusual full signature, “Montgomery Blair.”

Old mounting remnants on reverse
..........................$150


no.5627   BORGLUM, GUTZON (1867-1941) 

American Sculptor.
Creator of the Presidential Monument at Mt. Rushmore, the Confederate Memorial at Stone Mountain, Georgia, and the North Carolina Monument at the Gettysburg Battlefield. Signature, “Gutzon Borglum,” on a 3” x 5” index card. Lightly and evenly toned, with a light paper clip indentation at lower left and a few superficial stains. Accompanied by the transmittal envelope, with the typewritten address, “R.O. McNeil, 424 Campbell Avenue, Roanoke, Virginia,” and a December 16, 1930, San Antonio, Texas postmark................$195 SOLD


no.6097   BRANDEIS, LOUIS D. (1856-1941)

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice – 1916-39.
Signed Card, 2” x 3 ½”, “Louis D. Brandeis.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with a few small stains; old mounting remnants on reverse
...................................$125


no.6194   BRUCE, BLANCHE K. (1841-1898) 

First Full-Term Black U.S. Senator – 1875-81 – Mississippi; Appointed Register of the U.S. Treasury - 1881.
Document Signed, 8 ½” x 14”, Washington, D.C., September 8, 1890, “B.K. Bruce,” as District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds, on reverse of a real estate deed of trust.

Lightly and evenly toned, with one small hole along one of three folds
................................$200


no.5596   BRUCE, BLANCHE K. (1841-1898) 

First Full-Term Black U.S. Senator – 1875-81 – Mississippi; Appointed Register of the U.S. Treasury - 1881.
Signature, “B.K. Bruce, Miss[issippi],” on a 2” x 4 ½” portion of an album page................$125


no.5595   BRUCE, BLANCHE K. (1841-1898) 

First Full-Term Black U.S. Senator – 1875-81 – Mississippi; Appointed Register of the U.S. Treasury - 1881.
Signature, “B.K. Bruce, Miss[issippi],” on a 1 ½” x 4 ½” portion of an album page.................$125 SOLD


no.5134   BUCKINGHAM, WILLIAM A. (1804-75) 

Governor of Connecticut – 1858-66; Republican U.S. Senator – 1869-75 – Connecticut.
Connecticut Civil War-date signature, “Hartford, July 23rd 1863, Yours Truly, Wm. A. Buckingham,” on an imprinted 4.25” x 5” sheet, as governor of Connecticut. Light staining....................$75


no.6082   BURR, AARON (1756-1836)

Vice-President of the United States - 1801-05; Killed Alexander Hamilton in a Duel on July 11, 1804.
Full Signature, “Aaron Burr,” on a 1” x 2 ½” slip of paper, removed from a letter.................................$350 SOLD


no.3887   BURR, AARON (1756-1836)

Vice-President of the United States - 1801-05; Killed Alexander Hamilton in a Duel on July 11, 1804.
Two page Autograph Letter Signed, on a single 7.75" X 12" sheet, written early in Burr's tenure as U.S. Senator, regarding the legal affairs of an unnamed recipient, and making reference to papers in the possession of Burr's wife Theodosia, who would die of cancer a few years later. In full:

                                                                                                                                    Philad'a., 9th Nov. [17]91

My dear Sir, 

                        Your letter from Norris Town was sent to a Mrs. Budden's Daughter of my Landlady & lay there some days before the mistake was discovered.

                        I enclose your Letters to Edwards & [?]. The former is the Attorney who has been making surveys & c. & the Latter is a man who may be, and is quite willing to be, serviceable to you in any other way. Mrs. Burr will tell you what kind of man he is. I have no further directions or even advice to give you. Theo[dosia] has the Custody of your Papers, you will gather from them and from Edwards much more Information about your Kaatskill affairs than I could in any other way give you.

                        Heaven speed & prosper you - remember the Impatience with which I shall expect you - a Line from Albany will find me in four Days & would be a great pleasure & relief to me. I shall be but half pleased to see you unless you convince me that you have attended well to the subject of several Conversations which we had here & which I am pleased to see by your letter from Norris Town, was then fresh in your mind. 

                                                                                                                                    Yrs. faithful. & affect.
                                                                                                                                                    A. Burr


Separation, with no paper loss, at upper and lower horizontal folds; minor paper loss, old tape repairs, and two small holes affect a few words of text at center
........................................$1,100 SOLD


Page 1


Page 2


no.6100   CALHOUN, JOHN C. (1782-1850) 

American Statesman - South Carolina; U.S. Secretary of War - 1817-25; U.S. Vice President - 1825-32; U.S. Secretary of State - 1844-45.
An ardent proponent of states’ rights, Calhoun was known as “The Great Nullifier” while in the Senate. 

Signature, “J.C. Calhoun,” on a 1 ¾” x 3” portion of a letter, with closing and the notation, “(Sec’y of War, 1820),” in another hand.

Lightly and evenly toned, with a few small edge chips
............................$200 SOLD



Page 1


Page 2

no.5413   CALHOUN, JOHN C. (1782-1850) 

American Statesman - South Carolina; U.S. Secretary of War - 1817-25; U.S. Vice President - 1825-32; U.S. Secretary of State - 1844-45.
An ardent proponent of states’ rights, Calhoun was known as “The Great Nullifier” while in the Senate. 

Undated two-page Autograph Letter Signed, on the first and second pages of a folded 4 ½” x 7” lettersheet, discussing the business ventures of a friend and, in conclusion, obliquely complimenting the unidentified recipient’s commentary on the abolition and slavery issues, which were destined to tear the country apart in the years immediately following Calhoun’s death in 1850.

“D[ea]r Sir, I am glad to be informed that the Gentleman to whom you refer has determined to make his establishment in sheep husbandry in the highlands of N[orth] C[arolina]. I do not doubt, from my knowledge of the county, he has made a wise selection. I would be glad to know his name and location, as I have a friend who has extensive possessions in the mountains of S[outh] C[arolina] & who thinks of engaging in the same business & would I doubt not desire to profit by his example. I return the letter accompanying your note. You do not condemn too sharply the abominable doctrine of proscription for opinion sake. If not stopped it is destined to be our ruin. With great respect, J.C. Calhoun.”

Excellent overall, with two light horizontal folds
................................$995 SOLD


no.6002   CAMERON, SIMON (1799-1889) 

U.S. Secretary of War - 1861-62. 
As a contender for the Republican nomination for the presidency in 1860, Cameron threw his support to Lincoln when promised a cabinet seat. His brief tenure as Secretary of War was so marked by corruption that he was forced to resign in 1862. 

Autograph Letter Signed, 4 ¾” x 7 ¼”, discussing a Pennsylvania election with “Master Rodney A. Mercier,” and sending autographs of Abraham and Mary Lincoln.

“Harrisburg [Pennsylvania], Oct. 11, 1866. My dear Young Friend, Your letter of yesterday has relieved my great anxiety for the vote of Bradford, and I thank you. I felt certain of your Father’s reelection but I was not so certain of Col. Tracy’s vote, especially since the defection in Phila[delphia]. We all say, all hail for the great North of Pennsylvania. This morning we think the majority will be 18, or 20,000. Please accept a note, I send for your Album in the handwriting of Mrs. Lincoln with the frank of the good President. When you make us the promised visit with your mother & Mrs. Goodrich, I will hunt up for you some other relics. With remembrance to your Father & Mother believe me to be your Friend, Simon Cameron.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with several folds, a few superficial edge tears, and an ink stain at the conclusion of the letter
..................$450


no.6001   CAMERON, SIMON (1799-1889) 

U.S. Secretary of War - 1861-62.
As a contender for the Republican nomination for the presidency in 1860, Cameron threw his support to Lincoln when promised a cabinet seat. His brief tenure as Secretary of War was so marked by corruption that he was forced to resign in 1862. 

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”, responding to an autograph request from “Richard E. Stilwell, N.Y.”

“Washington, July 22 [no year]. Sir, Below is my signature. Resp[ectfull]y, S. Cameron.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with the usual light folds
...................$100


no.5770   CAMERON, SIMON (1799-1889) 

U.S. Secretary of War - 1861-62.
As a contender for the Republican nomination for the presidency in 1860, Cameron threw his support to Lincoln when promised a cabinet seat. His brief tenure as Secretary of War was so marked by corruption that he was forced to resign in 1862. 

Signature, as U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, “Simon Cameron, Penn[sylvani]a,” on a 2” x 4 ¾” portion of an album page.

Lightly and evenly toned
.....................$80


no.4814   CAMPBELL, JAMES (1812-93) 

U.S. Postmaster General – 1853-57.
Autograph Letter Signed, 5” x 8”, as U.S. Postmaster General during the Presidency of Franklin Pierce, to prominent U.S. Congressman “Hon. T[homas]. B[irch]. Florence,” requesting an appointment for a Mr. Carroll.

“Washington, Sept. 16, 1856. My dear sir, I enclose you a letter just received from young Carroll. Can’t something be done for him in Philadelphia? If the United States offices are all filled, can’t we get some employment under the City authorities? As Ever, Truly Yours, James Campbell.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with several folds and a few stains
......................$70


no.4309   CHANNING, WILLIAM E. (1780-1842) 

American Unitarian Clergyman.
Undated Autograph Letter Signed, 4" X 5", to an unnamed recipient, "My dear Sir, I expect to perform the communion service next Sunday. Should any thing prevent, I will inform you. Yrs. Truly, W.E. Channing. Monday m[orn]ing." Two light horizontal folds; superficial edge chipping at top; typewritten notation at bottom.......................$75 


no.6103   CHASE, SALMON P. (1808-73)

U.S. Treasury Secretary - 1861-64; U.S. Supreme Court Justice - 1864-73.
As Lincoln’s Treasury Secretary, Chase was instrumental in the efforts to finance the war and was responsible for the issue and acceptance of paper money as legal tender. Continued rivalry and strife with Lincoln precipitated his appointment to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by the death of Roger B. Taney in 1864. 

Signature, “S.P. Chase,” on a 1 ¼” x 3 ½” slip of paper, removed from a letter as U.S. Treasury Secretary
............................$100


no.6033   CHASE, SALMON P. (1808-73)

U.S. Treasury Secretary - 1861-64; U.S. Supreme Court Justice - 1864-73.
As Lincoln’s Treasury Secretary, Chase was instrumental in the efforts to finance the war and was responsible for the issue and acceptance of paper money as legal tender. Continued rivalry and strife with Lincoln precipitated his appointment to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by the death of Roger B. Taney in 1864. 

Autograph Letter Signed, 4 ½” x 5”, as a first-term U.S. Senator from Ohio, requesting additional copies of his speech, probably Chase’s impassioned oration opposing the Fugitive Slave Act, a provision in the Compromise of 1850 which required northern citizens to assist in the return of suspected runaway slaves to the South, delivered before the U.S. Senate on March 26 – 27, 1850.

“Wash[ingto]n, May 6, [18]50. Dear Sir, Please send me 20 more copies of my speech, in packages of 5 each, as the enclosed $1 will pay for. Y[ou]rs, S.P. Chase.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with several horizontal folds and minor paper loss at the corners
...............................$550


no.6009   CHASE, SALMON P. (1808-73)

U.S. Treasury Secretary - 1861-64; U.S. Supreme Court Justice - 1864-73.
As Lincoln’s Treasury Secretary, Chase was instrumental in the efforts to finance the war and was responsible for the issue and acceptance of paper money as legal tender. Continued rivalry and strife with Lincoln precipitated his appointment to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by the death of Roger B. Taney in 1864. 

Autograph Letter Signed, 6 ½” x 8”, as a young Cincinnati attorney, to “Moses Barlow, Esq.,” a prominent Ohio judge, declining a speaking engagement in Xenia.

“Cincinnati [Ohio], Oct. 18, 1832. My Dear Sir, I have been absent from home nearly a year without opportunity of giving any attention to my private business, which has suffered greatly from my neglect of it. I have given three weeks to constant speaking for our causes since my return from Washington. Under these circumstances I am compelled to deny myself the gratification of meeting our friends at Xenia again during the campaign. I may, and, if possible, shall, visit one or two points where I have not yet spoken, and shall speak also in this county. This is all I can do & perhaps more than, in justice to my other engagements I ought to do. Yours truly, S.P. Chase.”

Lightly soiled, with the usual folds and light creases; minor brushing of ink in several areas
...........................$200


no.4033   CHOATE, RUFUS (1799-1859) 

U.S. Senator – 1841-45 - Massachusetts.
Signature, “Yrs., R. Choate,” on a .5” X 2.5” slip of paper, inlaid to a 5” X 8” period steel engraving..................................$20


no.6010   CLAY, HENRY (1777-1852) 

American Statesman - Kentucky; U.S. Secretary of State - 1825-29; Presidential Candidate - 1824, 1832, & 1844.
Clay urged the preservation of the Union and the gradual emancipation of the slaves. He was instrumental in the passage of the "Compromise of 1850.” 

Franking Signature, “H. Clay,” on a 1 ¼” x 1 ¾” slip of paper; affixed to a larger sheet, with the collector’s notation, “U.S. Senator and M.C. from Ky. The Statesman of the Union,” beneath.

Lightly toned and soiled
.................................$120 SOLD


no.6195  CLEMENS, SAMUEL L. (1835-1910) 

American Author.
Signed Card, 2” x 3 ¼”, with sentiment and desirable double signature, “Y[ou]rs Truly, Saml. L. Clemens, Mark Twain.” Affixed, beneath a 2 ¼” x 3 ¾” photograph of Clemens as a young man, to a 5” x 7 ½” album page. 

The corners of both the card and the image have been clipped diagonally, and there are several glue stained areas around and on the surface of the photograph
.......................$2,000


no.5656   CLEMENS, SAMUEL L. (1835-1910) 

American Author.
Partly-printed Document Signed, Hartford, Connecticut, April 17, 1875, “Saml. L. Clemens,” a 3” x 8” signed check, also accomplished by Clemens, drawn on the First National Bank of Hartford for $15.24, payable to Paul Thomson. Lightly and evenly toned, with a few superficial edge tears; a few pinholes at left, well away from signature...........................$1,750 SOLD


no.5338   CORNING, ERASTUS (1794-1872) 

American Industrialist – New York Central Railroad Founder; Democratic U.S. Congressman – 1857-59 & 1861-63.
Autograph Letter Signed, 5” x 8”, as U.S. congressman from New York, responding to a request for the appointment of the former U.S. Minister to Ecuador, Van Brugh Livingston, from William W. Campbell, a prominent New York judge and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and promising to pursue the matter directly to President James Buchanan.

“Washington, Dec. 18, 1858. W.W. Campbell, Esq., My dear Sir, I duly rec[eive]d your favor of the 25th ult[imo] requesting my aid in obtaining the appointment of Doct[or] Livingston as consul at La Union San Salvador. I have seen the Dep[ut]y Sec[retar]y of State who will advance to the President to make the appointment. I hope to see the President on Monday when I trust I shall be able to bring the matter to a point. Yours Very Respectfully, Erastus Corning.”

Several light folds and a light diagonal crease at lower left, well away from text
..........................$295


no.5041   CRESWELL, JOHN A.J. (1828-91) 

U.S. Postmaster General – 1869-74; U.S. Senator – 1865-67 – Maryland.
Partly-printed Document Signed, Washington, D.C., November 1, 1875, “Jno. A.J. Creswell,” a 3.5” x 8” dividend check, drawn on the Office of the Commissioners of the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company, made payable to Walter Snyder in the amount of forty-five cents..................$75


Back to top

no.3599   DALLAS, ALEXANDER J. (1759-1817) 

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury - 1814-16 - James Madison Administration.
Closing and signature, as U.S. Treasury Secretary, on a mounted 1.5" X 4.75" slip of paper, removed from a letter: "I am, Dear Sir, most respectfully & faithfully, Yrs., A.J. Dallas, 25 Sept. 1816."
....................$40


no.2536D   DALLAS, ALEXANDER J. (1759-1817) 

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury - 1814-16 - James Madison Administration.
Signed .75" X 2.75" slip, removed from a letter: "A.J. Dallas.”...................................................................................$25 



Front


Reverse

no.6113   DAVIS, DAVID (1815-86)

U.S. Supreme Court Justice – 1862-77 – Appointed by Abraham Lincoln; U.S. Senator – Illinois – 1877-83.
Personal Calling Card, 2 ¼” x 3 ½”, signed on reverse as U.S. Supreme Court associate justice, “With the compliments of David Davis, Asso. Jus. S.C.U.S., Apl. 7, 1868, Washington City, D.C.”

Somewhat heavier toning at bottom; old glue staining and collector’s pencil notations on the front
...................................$120


no.4042   DAVIS, JOHN (1787-1854) 

Governor of Massachusetts - 1834-35; Whig U.S. Senator - Massachusetts - 1835-41 & 1845-53.
Signature, "John Davis," on a .75" X 3.25" slip of paper, mounted, along with an engraving, to a 5.5" X 8.5" sheet...........................................$20 


no.5975   DAWES, HENRY L. (1816-1903) 

Republican U.S. Congressman & Senator - Massachusetts - 1857-93; Commission Chairman for the Five Civilized Tribes - Indian Territory – 1893-1903.
Autograph Quotation Signed, on a 2 ¼” x 4 ¾” slip of paper.

“There is no such word as ‘fail’ in a brave boy’s dictionary. H.L. Dawes.”

Minor bleeding of ink in several areas; light vertical fold at center
...............................$125


no.6143   DEARBORN, HENRY (1751-1829) 

U.S. Secretary of War – 1801-09; American Revolutionary War Colonel on George Washington's Staff; U.S. Major General – War of 1812.
Franking Signature, as U.S. Secretary of War, “H. Dearborn,” on a 1” x 2 ¾” portion of a postal cover.

Lightly soiling at center
...........................$125


no.5866   DEARBORN, HENRY (1751-1829) 

U.S. Secretary of War – 1801-09; American Revolutionary War Colonel on George Washington's Staff; U.S. Major General – War of 1812.
Document Signed, War Department, May 4, 1808, "H. Dearborn,” as Secretary of War, a partly-printed 8” x 10” letter, informing Clement C. Biddle, the son of Revolutionary War General Clement Biddle, of his appointment to Captain in the Light Dragoons by President Thomas Jefferson. The attached leaf, addressed in a clerical hand, is addressed to “Captain Clement C. Biddle.”

In June of 1807, the USS Chesapeake was fired upon by the British frigate HMS Leopard off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia. The American vessel quickly surrendered, and was searched by the British for deserters. Anticipating war with England, young Biddle entered the army, but he resigned his commission the following year when armed conflict was averted. When the War of 1812 broke out, Biddle recruited a company of volunteers and served as colonel of the 1st Pennsylvania Infantry later in the war.

General soiling and wear, with a few small holes at the intersections of several folds and a one-inch tear, with no loss of paper, in the upper margin
...........................$495 SOLD


no.6114   DENNISON, WILLIAM (1815-82) 

U.S. Postmaster General – 1864-66; Governor of Ohio – 1860-62.
Signature, probably a free-frank, “W. Dennison,” on a lightly-soiled 1 ½” x 4” slip of paper............$100


no.6005   DENNISON, WILLIAM (1815-82) 

U.S. Postmaster General – 1864-66; Governor of Ohio – 1860-62.
Signature, with date, “W. Dennison, March 17/[18]66,” on a 1 ¾” x 4 ½” portion of an album page.

Lightly and evenly toned, with minor bleeding of ink, a light vertical crease at center, and a small ink stain in the upper margin
..............$100 SOLD


no.4594   DEPEW, CHAUNCEY M. (1834-1928) 

American Businessman & Financier; President of the New York Central Hudson River Railroad Co. - 1885-99; Republican U.S. Senator - New York - 1899-1911.
Typed Letter Signed, on imprinted 8” x 10” stationery as U.S. Senator, recommending to Leonard K. Graves, a U.S. Army assistant surgeon and Vermont native, that his request for promotion be submitted by Vermont Senators William P. Dillingham and Redfield Proctor.

“Washington, D.C. Dictated. June 6, 1902. Leonard K. Graves, Esq., Capt. and Asst. Surgeon U[nited] S[tates] V[olunteers], Manila, P[hilippine] I[slands]. Dear Sir – I am in receipt of your letter of April 20th. Considering the circumstances of your appointment I think it would be better policy for the appeal for you promotion to come from Senators Dillingham and Proctor. Yours very truly, Chauncey M. Depew.”

Evenly toned, with the usual folds; tearing and chipping at left edge
..................................$75


no.5580   DEWEY, GEORGE (1837-1917) 

U.S. Admiral – Spanish-American War; Union Lieutenant – Served under Farragut in the Atlantic Blockade & Capture of New Orleans
.
Signature with rank (in another hand), “George Dewey, Commodore” on a 1 ¾” x 3” slip of paper, imprinted “U.S.N. Comd’g Asiatic Station,” a command to which Dewey was assigned in 1897 and which he held during the Spanish-American War............................$125 SOLD


no.5670   DOUGLAS, STEPHEN A. (1813-61) 

Democratic Presidential Candidate – 1860; Democratic U.S. Senator – Illinois – 1847-61.
Douglas and fellow Democrat John C. Breckinridge split the party vote in the Presidential election of 1860, allowing Lincoln and the new Republican Party to win. Upon secession and the outbreak of war, Douglas urged support of the administration and its policies. Franking signature, “free, S.A. Douglas…” on a lightly soiled 1” x 2 ¾” portion of an envelope.....................$150 SOLD


no.5921   DOUGLASS, FREDRICK (1817-95) 

American Abolitionist & Lecturer.
Douglass escaped from slavery in 1838, bought his freedom with money earned in England, and returned to found the abolitionist newspaper North Star. He recruited several black regiments for Civil War service and campaigned tirelessly for equal rights, both during and after the war. 

Signature, with sentiment and date, "Very truly yours, Fredk. Douglass, 1873," on a 1 ½” x 4” slip of paper. 

Lightly and evenly toned, with a few stains and a horizontal fold through the paraph
..............................$395 SOLD


no.5225   EADS, JAMES B. (1820-87) 

American River Engineer & Inventor.
Eads made enormous contribution to the Union cause by developing and manufacturing the iron-clad gunboats which helped in the opening of the Mississippi and other western rivers. 

Autograph Note Signed, 5” x 5”, inscribed to, and crediting, prominent Republican U.S. Senator Angus Cameron of Wisconsin for political assistance rendered in Eads’ effort to open the mouth of the Mississippi River below New Orleans to permanent navigation by installing jetties to scour sedimentation from the