Presidents and First Ladies

president and first ladies

John Adams pens a pair of legal documents at the start of the Revolution

1001. John Adams Autograph Document

Signed. Boldly penned pair of legal documents written in the hand of John Adams, who signs the earlier example within the text, “John Adams,” two pages, 6 x 3.5 and 3 x 3.75, with the first accomplished at Braintree on April 16, 1765, and reading: “For Value rec’d I promise to pay John Adams or his order, Nine Pounds Three Shillings and Nine Pence of lawful Money on Demand, with Interest, Witness, my Hand, Test.” The document is countersigned by Isaac Tirrell and Rachel Marsh, a nanny and general ladies’ maid in the home of John and Abigail Adams just prior to the Revolution. The second unsigned document relates to a case between Joseph Blake, Jr., and Samuel Stoddard, held at the Suffolk Inferior Court in April 1766, which finds Adams amassing a legal fee to the sum of £2.1.6. The sheet is countersigned by two others in the lower left. Archivally mounted, matted, and framed together to an overall size of 17.25 x 10.75. In overall fine condition, with a few light stains. Starting Bid $500

1002. James Monroe and John Quincy Adams Document Signed as President and Secretary of State.

Partly-printed vellum DS, signed “James Monroe” as president and “John Quincy Adams” as secretary of state, one page, 11.25 x 15, January 23, 1822. Scalloped-top ship’s pass issued to the “Ship Meteor of New York, Nathan Cobb master of commander…mounted with no guns, navigated with Sixteen men, To Pass with her Company Passengers Goods and Merchandize without any hinderance seisure or molestation.” Signed at the conclusion by President Monroe and Secretary of State Adams. The white paper seal affixed to the lower left is creased but remains intact. In very good to fine condition, with wrinkling, light soiling, and a few small stains. Starting Bid $200

Press copy of a letter from Adams following his successful negotiations in the Treaty of Ghent

President Jackson awards a tract of 150 acres due to a surgeon of the American Revolution

1003. John Quincy Adams Press Copy Letter. Rare origi-

nal press copy of an ALS by John Quincy Adams, one page, 7.5 x 9, February 15, 1815, addressed from Paris and sent to Under Secretary of State Henry Goulburn, referencing his departure from Ghent, where he had just negotiated the treaty that ended the War of 1812. In part: “Your obliging favour of 23d ulto. reached Ghent, some days after my departure from that place...Mr. Hughes was detained so long in descending the Garonne from Bordeaux, that Mr. Baker has probably arrived before him. I hope they are both ere this safely landed in the United States. Until we hear of the arrival of one of them, my own anxious wish has been and will be to hear no news from America. At least no news of military operations.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered small areas of paper loss due to ink erosion. Starting Bid $200

1004. Andrew Jackson Document Signed as

President. Vellum manuscript DS as president, one page, 19 x 15.5, August 20, 1829. Military land grant awarded by President Jackson for service in the Revolutionary War. In part: “In consideration of Military Service performed by John Trezvant a Surgeon for the War to the United States, in the Virginia Line, on Continental Establishment…There is granted by the United States unto Cadwallader Wallace assignee of said Trezvant, a certain Tract of Land containing One Hundred and Fifty Acres situate between the Little Miami and Sciota Rivers.” Signed at the conclusion by President Andrew Jackson and countersigned by Commissioner of the General Land Office George Graham; also endorsed on the reverse by Graham. The white paper seal affixed to the lower left is stained but remains intact. In fine condition, with a few tiny holes and small stains. Starting Bid $200

Polk and Buchanan appoint the US Consul at Mexico City after concluding the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

1005. James K. Polk and James Buchanan Document Signed. Partly-

printed vellum DS as president, one page, 18 x 14.5, July 28, 1848. President Polk appoints John Black as “Consul of the United States of America for the City of Mexico,” and requests “The Government of the Mexican Republics, Its Governors and Officers to permit the said John Black fully and peacefully to enjoy and exercise the said office.” Boldly signed at the conclusion by President James K. Polk and countersigned by Secretary of State James Buchanan. The white paper seal affixed to the lower left remains fully intact. In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds, some edge staining, and a few scattered tiny holes. Starting Bid $300

1007. Abraham Lincoln Autograph Endorsement Signed.

Autograph endorsement signed with his initials as president, “Please see Mr. Goggin, A. L.,” on a 9 x 3.5 envelope imprinted “The Secretary of War, Washington,” bearing an affixed three-cent postage stamp. The envelope has also been annotated by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton: “Mr. Goggin, Application to bring person from Richmond.” Handsomely mounted, matted, and framed with a large portrait of Abraham Lincoln to an overall size of 15.75 x 24.25. In fine condition, with three vertical folds. William L. Goggin, a Whig politician and lawyer from Virginia, had served in congress with Lincoln from 1847 to 1849. Starting Bid $300

President Lincoln endorses the promotion of a wounded captain, who raised a volunteer company when “the first gun was opened on Fort Sumpter”

1006. Abraham Lincoln Autograph Endorsement Signed as President. Historic autograph en-

dorsement signed as president, “A. Lincoln,” originally penned on the reverse of a letter written to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and signed by more than 30 officers of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, two pages both sides (split at central fold for framing), 7.5 x 12, June 24, 1864. President Lincoln endorses the promotion of a captain in the 82nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Lincoln writes, in full: “Capt. Griffith served about three months in the Creek War in 1836, in the Mexican War through its whole duration, rising from a private to a Lieut., and now in this war, from July 1861 till now, rising from a Lieut. to a Capt. He now desires to be an Assistant Quarter Master, or Commissary of Subsistence, & if his service in that line can be now useful let him be appointed.”

The letter to Stanton, written from Cadwalader Barracks in Philadelphia on June 18, 1864, describes Captain O. B. Griffith’s career of service and recommends his promotion: “When the first gun was opened on Fort Sumpter, Capt. Griffith immediately started a company for the war. He joined the 82nd Penna. Vols., and has proved himself a soldier on many a hard fought field. At the battle of Fredericksburg, in charging Marye’s Heights, Capt. Griffith was highly complimented upon the battle-field, amid a shower of bullets, by his Colonel, for his bravery. As the Captain is now unable to perform duty with his company, owing to his wound, the undersigned officers, respectfully ask that he be commissioned Assistant Quartermaster, or Assistant Commissary of Subsistence, as a reward for his long and faithful services.” Archivally corner-mounted and framed to an overall size of 24 x 16. In fine condition, with a tiny hole at the bottom of the first page. Accompanied by color copies of the reverse of each page. A superb, highly desirable presidential endorsement in support of a Civil War hero. Starting Bid $1000

Rare presidential commission by James A. Garfield, signed just 16 days before he was shot by Guiteau

1008. James A. Garfield Document Signed as

President. Rare partly-printed DS as president, one page, 21 x 16, June 16, 1881. President Garfield appoints Daniel P. Foley as “Third Lieutenant in the Revenue Service of the United States.” Boldly signed at the conclusion by President James A. Garfield and countersigned by Secretary of the Treasury William Windom. In very good to fine condition, with light staining to top edge and upper right corner areas. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from JSA, a print of Garfield’s ‘Lawnfield’ home, and a copy of a letter regarding the document by Garfield’s biographer, John M. Taylor, in part: “I think that commissions such as yours are one of the rarest forms of Garfield’s presidential autograph. If you recall, the Senate was at loggerheads with Garfield for most of his brief term, so little was acted on which required Senate consent.” Unlike most Garfield documents signed as president (which are postal commissions and do not require Senate approval), this is the much rarer type of document which required Senate confirmation for the appointment. A very scarce presidential autograph signed by Garfield just weeks before he was shot by Charles Guiteau. Starting Bid $1000

1009. Chester A. Arthur Document Signed as President. Partly-printed

DS as president, one page, 17 x 13.5, May 16, 1882. President Arthur appoints Loren B. Hurd as “Postmaster at Springfield, in the county of Windsor, State of Vermont.” Boldly signed at the conclusion by President Chester A. Arthur and countersigned by Postmaster General Timothy O. Howe. The gold seal and partial red ribbon remain affixed at lower left. Permanently mounted to a slightly larger foamcore board and in very good to fine condition, with some splitting along the central vertical fold, and ribbon-related staining to the lower left corner. Starting Bid $200

1012. Franklin D. Roosevelt Signed

Photograph. Fantastic vintage matte-finish 8.75 x 10.25 photo of President Roosevelt tipping his cap during a July 1934 visit to Hawaii, affixed to its original 9.75 x 12.5 mount, neatly signed in the lower right corner in fountain pen, “Franklin D. Roosevelt.” The mount is also signed in pencil by the photographer, “M. Arthur Robinson, F.R.P.S.” Ornately doublematted and framed to an overall size of 20 x 23. In fine condition, with light silvering to the darker areas of the image. A great image showing the president adorned with traditional Hawaiian flower leis, clearly enjoying his time in the tropics. Starting Bid $200

Gorgeous engraved pendant watch presented to Eleanor by FDR to commemorate their marriage

1010. Eleanor Roosevelt’s Sterling Silver Pendant Watch Given to Her By FDR. Eleanor Roosevelt’s

beautiful personally-owned and -used Swiss lady’s .900 silver hunting cased pendant watch, sold through A. Frankfield & Co. of New York and so signed on dial, presented to her by her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt. The finely decorated silver case is artistically ornate and elaborate with a textured pebble pattern and floral theme, with her initials engraved in an escutcheon on the front, “E. R.” The rear cover opens to reveal the skillfully engraved cuvette with gift inscription and date of their marriage, “F. to R., March 17, 1905.” Manufacturer’s engravings inside the front cover also include the serial number, “15766 S,” “K & M 0.900,” and a silver hallmark. The watch has a 35 mm case diameter, white enamel dial, Louis XV gilt hands, cylinder escapement, 6 jewels, stem-wound and lever set. The small setting lever next to the dial at the 4 o’clock position shifts and locks upward toward the pendant, and may be pushed back or returned simply by closing the cover. The watch is in exceptional original condition, running well despite not being serviced for decades, showing hardly any wear but abundant tarnish to the silver case, here preserved just as it was passed along. The dial is clean and ideal, and the hands are in excellent condition. Includes a color copy of a detailed letter of provenance on White House letterhead from Lillian Rogers Parks, who was a best-selling author as well as housekeeper and seamstress at the White House for over 30 years, from President Hoover through President Eisenhower. Starting Bid $1000

“It does not prove your rightness making unkind remarks about some people who see in Nazi-ism ideals of peace and good-will”

1011. Franklin D. Roosevelt Typed Letter Signed as President. TLS as president, two pages on two adjoining sheets,

7 x 9, February 10, 1938. Letter to Colonel Arthur Murray, in part: “I begin to think that events in this world move with a velocity which increases with every passing year. Even since your letter, written on January twenty-fourth, so many new things have happened that you are completely out of date! Another crisis in Germany, but it does not prove your rightness making unkind remarks about some people who see in Nazi-ism ideals of peace and good-will.

I am getting on better with some of your people—for they are really showing signs of wanting to meet me part of the way—perhaps not fifty percent yet! I, too, am pursued by catch-cries in this country, and I am in the midst of a long process of education—and the process seems to be working slowly but surely.” In fine condition, with rusty staple holes to the upper left corner. Accompanied by two typed replies from Murray. Starting Bid $500

1013. Franklin D. Roosevelt Signed Sketch. Pencil drawing of FDR

accomplished by an amateur artist on a tan 7.5 x 10.25 sheet, signed in fountain pen in the lower margin, “Franklin D. Roosevelt.” Double-matted and framed to an overall size of 14.5 x 18. In fine condition, with slightly irregular light toning. Accompanied by a 1932 letter of transmittal from Roosevelt’s private secretary, M. A. LeHand, sending the signed drawing to Carolyn Brown (evidently the artist). Starting Bid $200

“You never can tell what the Senate will talk about or what it’ll do after it talks...conversation in the Senate is for publication not for voting purposes”

1014. Harry S. Truman Autograph Letter Signed. Rare ALS signed “Harry,” three pages, 5 x 7.5, United States Senate letterhead, April 1, 1935. Handwritten letter to John Snyder, later his Secretary of the Treasury. In part: “The Senate is in session and talking as usual. We were supposed to consider the Pure Food draft as submitted by the M.D. Senator from New York, Royal S. Copeland. Instead of discussing the matter under discussion we are hearing all sorts of oratory about the work relief bill. You never can tell what the Senate will talk about or what it’ll do after it talks. When I listened to all the talk on it when under consideration I thought it was lost but it carried 73 to 16 so you see conversation in the Senate is for publication not for voting purposes.” Beautifully double-matted and framed to an overall size of 23.5 x 14. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

“I would like to have some foundation of the facts if possible... Rumors sometimes just start you know”

1015. Harry S. Truman Typed Letter Signed. TLS signed

“Harry,” one page, 7.75 x 10, United States Senate letterhead, April 22, 1940. Letter to friend and legal advisor Rufus Burrus in Independence, Missouri, in part: “I certainly did appreciate your good letter of the Eighteenth, and I think there is much meat in it. I haven’t yet had a chance to talk the situation over with Clark. Your suggestion is a dandy, but I would like to have some foundation of the facts if possible. As soon as I learn anything definite on the subject, I will write you further about it.” He adds a handwritten postscript: “Rumors sometimes just start you know.” Nicely double-matted and framed to an overall size of 14.5 x 16.75. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

Oversized Eisenhower portrait presented to William Russell, President Emeritus of Teachers College of Columbia University

1016. Dwight D. Eisenhower Signed Oversized

Photograph. Vintage matte-finish 10.5 x 13.5 photo of Ike seated and holding his glasses, signed and inscribed in the lower border in fountain pen, “For the Honorable William Russell, with best wishes and warm regard to a distinguished American—from his old friend, Dwight D. Eisenhower.” Matted and framed to an overall size of 15.75 x 18.25. In fine condition. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA. Starting Bid $200

Governor Clinton clears the air on sex education: “If you learn how plants & frogs work and reproduce why not people?”

1017. Bill Clinton Autograph Letter Signed. Interest-

ing ALS as the Governor of Arkansas, signed “Best, Bill,” three pages on two sheets, 7.25 x 10.5, Governor’s Mansion letterhead, April 3, no year but circa 1980. Letter to Joanne Sullivan, in part: “I loved going to your school and talking with your child and the other students. I did not say to the reporter that ‘teachers should not make the moral decision’ for the students. He asked whether I thought students would conclude that premarital sex was permissible from the very fact of sex education being taught in the schools and therefore that teachers had an obligation to teach that premarital sex was a sin—I replied that I thought a responsibly taught sex education (a misnomer probably) course would not give students the information that premarital sex was OK, that students would be more likely to do the responsible, right thing, but that we had to be careful in public schools not to become involved in teaching any particular religious beliefs—The young man just misunderstood. What I think we should do is to explain to children at an appropriate age—I’d say 9th grade or 10th—maybe before—how their bodies work—we had it 17 years ago in Hot Spring in 10th grade biology—No one thought it was wrong. If you learn how plants & frogs work and reproduce why not people?” In fine condition. Starting Bid $300