Sale 336

U.S. and Worldwide Stamps and Postal History


Other Notable Leaders
 
 
Lot Photo Description
Lot 1050
Barnard, Christiaan Neethling, South African cardiac surgeon; conducted first successful human heart transplant.

Magazine cover and drawing, both signed; Time magazine cover featuring Barnard signed "3/1/68, Chris. N. Barnard" in light gray ink; printed annotated drawing of the human heart boldly signed "Chris Barnard" in blue in the unprinted margin; magazine cover folded in thirds horizontally, both Fine; professionally matted and framed together with a descriptive plaque, overall 20½" x 40½".
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1051
Bell, Alexander Graham (1847-1922), American engineer, scientist and inventor of the first practical telephone.

Photograph, 5" x 7", dated December 1898 and inscribed and signed "With kind regards from Alexander Graham Bell, Dec. 1898"; tiny bit of flaking in image area, still Fine; professionally matted and framed to an overall 15½" x 13½".
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1052
Ben-Gurion, David (1886-1973), An Israeli politician and its first Prime Minister.

Typed Letter Signed "D. Ben Gurion" (in Hebrew) to Moshe Sharett, Tel Aviv, March 24, 1963, three full pages in Hebrew with several handwritten corrections;

A detailed letter describing the various opposing factions in the early years of the State of Israel. He goes to considerable length in expressing his views on the rise to power of Menachem Begin and, in his opinion, how that might lead to an alliance with the National Religious Party. In part,
"… But in our Knesset there exists an unholy alliance cutting across the entire political spectrum… And it is well within the realm of probability that tomorrow this alliance will include the National Religious Party… This alliance confers the stamp of approval upon Begin in the eyes of many who would otherwise recoil from him in revulsion if our domestic situation were not as wretched and shameful as it is."
Accompanied by a complete translation; Fine.
Estimate $5,000 - 7,500

A SIGNIFICANT LETTER ILLUMINATING BEN GURION'S POLITICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL AND EXPLAINING HIS TREPIDATION OVER THE RISE OF MENACHEM BEGIN.

The letter offers an insight into how David Ben Gurion understood the complex political situation of the young State of Israel. Ben Gurion describes how the rise to power of Menachem Begin could endanger the future of the State of Israel and, in his words, "can be the cause of grave damage to the state of Israel". Ben Gurion's analysis into how the party under Begin could then forge an alliance with the National Religious Party (not, in his view, a positive event), seems prescient today.

View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1053

Biddle, Clement, American Revolutionary War soldier, with the rank of Colonel; deputy quartermaster general of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey militia; Commissary General under Nathanael Greene (1777-1780) under George Washington at Valley Forge; first U.S. Marshal (1789-1793) for Pennsylvania.

Autograph Letter Signed "Clement Biddle, C.G.F." [Commissary General of Forage], two pages (opposite sides of the same leaf, Elizabeth Town New Jersey Nov. 29, 1778, to Moore Furman as Deputy Quartermaster General at Pittstown to secure provisions for the troops, in part, "Gen. Greene & myself are here on our way to Middlebrook…the Troops are crossing at Kings ferry & will be at their winter Camp in a few Days," etc., mentions Hackettstown and Morristown, address panel with endorsement, "Express/ C. Biddle C.G.F." and "Public Service"; Fine.
Estimate $500 - 750
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1054
Boone, Daniel (1734-1820), Iconic American pioneer and frontiersman; forged the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap from North Carolina and Tennessee into Kentucky.

Manuscript document signed "Daniel Boone DS" (District Surveyor), 2/3 page, 12½" x 15¾", June 18, 1784; document is a survey for a 50,000 acre tract of land in Lincoln County Virginia, for Philip and James Moor and John Donaldson, the property begins "one mile from the mouth of Laxton's Creek… I have lay'd it off in five subdivisions", with a drawing of the property and showing these subdivisions. Strong signature, Fine; professionally matted with a portrait and framed to an overall 24½" x 20½".
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000

Expertization: Kenneth Rendell COA.

Daniel Boone "made his way to Owsley County on a two-year hunt from 1769-1771. In 1784 he returned and surveyed some 50,000 acres for James Moore and Col. John Donelson. Boone used a huge rock at the mouth of Sexton's [Laxton's ~ed.] Creek, on which he carved his initials, as his starting point in these surveys. This rock, known as "Boone Rock" or "Goose Rock" is still there, located approximately nine miles south of Booneville on Highway 11 South. Boone loved this peaceful area and chose to own his own land in Owsley County." ~ from
A Romantic History of Owsley County by Joyce Wilson.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1055
Carson, Christopher Houston "Kit" (1809-1868), American frontiersman, served as guide for John C. Fremont on Oregon Trail into Sierra Nevada.

Document signed "C. Carson" as a Colonel and commanding officer of the Navajo Expedition, 15½" x 9¾", Fort Canby, New Mexico, August 1863; document is a report of persons hired and employed in the Quartermasters Dept., all of whom deserted, with pay due, on August 10, 1863; 12 names are given, all Indian Scouts and, judging by their names, all Native Americans; very minor breaks at fold junctions, Very Fine with bold signature; professionally matted with a portrait framed to an overall 29½" x 18".
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000

AN EXCEEDINGLY FINE AND RARE "KIT" CARSON DOCUMENT, SIGNED WHILE HE WAS ENGAGED IN THE NAVAJO EXPEDITION.

Expertization: Kenneth Rendell COA.

In 1863, Kit Carson was commanded to conduct a "scorched earth" policy against the Navajo people — burning crops and killing livestock. After the defeat of the Navajo tribe those who surrendered were forced on the "Long Walk", during which numerous Native Americans starved, drowned or froze to death. "Kit" Carson, hearing of the loss of Navajo life, notified Carleton that the deaths were attributable to "want of a sufficiency to eat. I respectfully suggest to you the propriety and good policy of giving the Indians…while en route to Basque Redondo, sufficiency to eat."

View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1056
Churchill, Sir Winston (1871-1947), British historian, orator and politician, Prime Minister (1941-1945, 1951-1955).

Pencil sketch signed "Winston Churchill, March 1940", 6½" x 8½", also signed by the artist "Swamy"; few tiny, light tone spots over its entirety, otherwise Very Fine; professionally matted and framed to an overall 22½" x 18¼".
Estimate $3,000 - 4,000

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1057
Clemens, Samuel Langhorne (Mark Twain), American humorist and author.

Autograph Letter Signed, "Samuel L. Clemens, Mark Twain", full page, 4½" x 7", Buffalo, Feb. 14 (no year). Clemens writes: "I am only too proud of the chance to help with this the only Valentine I venture to write this day — for although I am twain in my own person I am only half a person in my matrimonial form, and sometimes my wife shows that she is so much better and nobler than I am, that I seriously question if I am really any more than about a quarter!". Slight ink smears, mounting remnants on verso, just a bit pale, otherwise Fine and rare.
Estimate $7,500 - 10,000
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1058
Custer, George Armstrong (1839-1876), U.S. army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars; killed at the battle of Little Bighorn.

Autograph Letter Signed "G.A. Custer" as general, 7¾" x 5½", ca. 1864, in full:

"Major

Oblige me by assisting the bearer of this note to arrange the Brigade report. I was absent all day yesterday and this morning. I am unable to understand how & where you get certain numbers which you have placed in pencil in the report.

G.A. Custer"


Very Fine; professionally matted and framed with a portrait, two descriptive plaques (one of which is loose in the frame) and a U.S. Army brass belt buckle; overall 28½" x 24½".
Estimate $4,000 - 5,000

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1059

Douglas, Stephen A., U.S. Senator from Illinois (1847-1861); Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860, lost to Abraham Lincoln, whom he had defeated two years earlier in a Senate race following a famed series of debates.

Free frank, "free, S.A. Douglas"", on small white envelope addressed in another hand to Boston, clear "Washington D.C. Feb. 13" c.d.s., faint small stain well clear of frank, Very Fine.
Estimate $300 - 400
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1060
Earhart, Amelia, American aviatrix pioneer and author; first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic and the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross; on her last flight, initiated June 1, 1937, her plane disappeared over the Pacific with last confirmed transmission on July 2, 1937.

Signed photo, 8" x 10". blue ink Professionally matted and framed to an overall 16" x 19½".
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1061
Edison, Thomas Alva (1847-1931), American scientist and inventor of the light bulb, phonograph record and motion picture camera among numerous other electronic devices.

Signed photo, 9" x 7", circa 1920, photo shows Edison in his lab, with his assistants, one of whom is holding a framed award bearing Edison's likeness, boldly signed on the lower portion of the mount, Very Fine. Matted and framed to an overal 15½" x 14¼".
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000

A FINE PHOTO OF THE INSIDE OF EDISON'S LABORATORY AROUND 1920, WITH A BOLD SIGNATURE.

Expertization: Kenneth Rendell COA.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1062
Einstein, Albert (1879-1955), German theoretical physicist and discoverer of the theory of general relativity; winner of Noble Prize in Physics in 1921; emigrated to the United States in 1933 due to rise in power of the Nazis under Aldof Hitler.

Typed letter signed 8½" x 11", June 10, 1939, on his stationery, to Edward B. Popper congratulating him for his work on behalf of Jewish refugees, then Einstein goes on to say:

"The power of resistance which has enabled the Jewish people to survive for thousands of years has been based to a large extent on traditions of mutual helpfulness. In these years of affliction our readiness to help one another is being put to an especially severe test. May we stand this test as well as did our fathers before us.

"We have no other means of self-defense than our solidarity and our knowledge that the cause for which we are suffering is a momentous and sacred cause."


Very Fine; professionally matted with a photo and a descriptive plaque (letter and plaque have come loose in frame) and framed to an overall 27½" x 19½.
Estimate $4,000 - 5,000

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1063
Geronimo (1829-1909), Prominent military leader of the Chiricahua Apache; fought Mexican and U.S. troops in attempt to maintain tribal Apache lands.

Signed card, 4" x 2¼", in pencil, obtained at the time of the 1904 Democratic Convention, held in St. Louis during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Geronimo was taking part in the Exposition, where he was an important attraction, offering his signature and photograph for sale. The signature is accompanied by an Exposition "Stockholder's coupon ticket" booklet, including a "Photo Pass", a four-part guest's ticket to the Democratic Convention and a Convention "Assistant Sergeant at Arms" ribbon/button. All are displayed with the signed card, along with a photo of Geronimo and a descriptive plaque, in an 18½" x 29¼" shadow box frame (the booklet has slid partly out of its holder). An impressive display.
Estimate $5,000 - 7,500

Expertization: Rendell opinion letter.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1064
Gershwin, George (1898-1937), American composer and pianist; collaborator with Ira Gershwin (elder brother) on numerous Broadway shows, won Pulitzr Prize for his folk opera "Porgy and Bess".

Document signed "George Gershwin", 5¼" x 7¼", February 9, 1936, program cover of the "Forty-Third Sunday Concert" with the National Symphony Orchestra, where Gershwin was the featured pianist; also signed by Hans Kindler, who was the conductor that day; Very Fine; professionally matted with a photo of Gershwin, illustrated sheet music from "Porgy and Bess" and two descriptive plaques, and framed to an overall 32" x 30"; a handsome presentation.
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.

At this concert Gershwin played "Concerto in F" and a five-movement orchestral suite from "Porgy and Bess".

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1065
Hancock, John (1737-1793), American merchant, statesman and noted patriot; president of the 2nd Continental Congress.

As President of the Continental Congress, 11½" x 8½", November 6, 1776, a commission for Elijah Vors to the rank of major; usual folds, script light but legible, Hancock's signature very bold with the usual flourish; archivally repaired splits, Very Good. Professionally matted and framed with a portrait and a descriptive plaque; overall 31" x 19".
Estimate $7,500 - 10,000

A FINE 1776 HANCOCK DOCUMENT.

Expertization: Kenneth Rendell COA.

John Hancock served as a member of the Continental Congress from 1775-1780. At the time this document was written, the spirits of the American citizens were quite low after numerous British victories. It was during this period that Hancock, his wife and their newborn daughter abandoned Philadelphia and moved to Maryland.

View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1066

Hand, Edward (1744-1802), brigadier general in the Continental Army, and as Adjutant General he assisted Washington during the siege of Yorktown.

Free frank, "Free Edw: Hand" on undated folded cover addressed in his hand (no pun intended) to John Dickinson "in Council, Philadelphia." Fine.
Estimate $400 - 500

Dickinson was a delegate to the Continental Congress, making this almost certainly a war-dated frank.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1067
Henry, Patrick (1736-1799), American orator and politician; one of the Founding Fathers and famous for his speech declaring "Give me Liberty or give me Death" .

Partly printed document signed "P. Henry" as Governor of Virginia, 14" x 14", on vellum, October 2, 1786, with the seal of the Commonwealth at lower left, Henry grants James MacCorkle a 1,000 acre tract of land in Jefferson County. Minor toned spots, usual folds, fine signature, Very Good; professionally matted with a portrait and framed to an overall 26½" x 19½".
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000

Expertization: Kenneth Rendell COA.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1068
Jackson, Thomas J. ("Stonewall"), Confederate General during the American Civil War; considered one of the most gifted military tacticians in U.S. history; accidentally killed by his own troops.

Autograph note signed TJ Jackson, Maj. Genl., 7¼" x 9½", no place, March 6, 1862, stating in full:
"Captain, this note will be handed to you by Mr. Kiefer who is a member of the secret police"
folded in half for display with a bit of toning surrounding the area of the note itself from a previous display, Fine; professionally matted and framed with a portrait and a descriptive plaques; overall 26" x 17½".
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000

Expertization: Ken Rendell Certificate.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1069
James, Frank (1843-1915), Famous American outlaw and older brother of Jesse James.

Autograph Letter Signed "Ben", two pages (both sides of the same leaf), 8" x 11", St. James Castle (Gallatin Missouri), October 11, 1883, to his wife Annie James in which he expresses his domestic side, saying, in part:
"Why you are becoming right affectionate in you 'old age' I am so glad you are. And it seems a long time since you have seen your 'Hubby'. Does it. I too miss my precious ones and wish I was with you…"
He then continues with his discussions about strategy with his defense attorney (Judge John F. Philips and General C. T. Garner) in part:
"Mr. Garner was up to see me yesterday and he and me agree on this question of bail. He says I ought to be out and he is going to do all he can to get me. But as Philips is the Sr counsel they all will have to go according to his instructions. I am of the opinion he will consent to make an application for bail…"
Very Fine; professionally matted and framed, together with the original envelope in which James mailed the letter, to 13" x 17" (open on both sides to display both pages of the letter). That frame is then hinged onto a 19½" x 30¼" display frame below a portrait of James and a descriptive plaque; the framed document can then be lifted to reveal not only the second page of the letter, but mounted under the frame is an engraved plaque containing the letter's full transcription.
Estimate $4,000 - 5,000

Expertization: Kenneth Rendell COA.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1070
Jones, John Paul (1747-1792), United States naval fighter in the American Revolutionary War.

Autograph document signed 7" x 8", August 18, 1778, Brest, France; personal letter of recommendation for Benjamin Hill in which Jones conveys Hill's accomplisments while under his command, in part:

"(Hill)…voluntarily served under my command on board the Ranger…the compliment of that ship's officers being full, this gentleman has not been rated on the ship's books. Yet in the whole of his conduct, his behavior has been much to my satisfaction. He landed with me at Whitehaven and commanded one of the boats on that expedition. He acquited himself well in the engagement with the Enemies Ship of War Drake — and himself with his apprentice were with me in the Providence on the Expedition at the Island of Madame in Gulph [Gut] of Canso and he contributed very much to my success by his knowledge of that Navigation. For all which services he has not yet been rewarded. Therefore I recommend him warmly to the attention of Congress and of the Marine Boards of Wages, and as an officer who has really merited a commission. Given under my hand and seal at Brest, the 18th day of August, 1778. (signed) J.P. Jones (seal)

N.B. Mr. Hill commanded the Ranger's guns in the Waist in the engagement.
Few archivally repaired edge tears and minor tone spots, Fine; professionally matted and framed to 12" x 14" with that frame being hinged onto an 18½" x 32¼" display frame below a portrait of Jones; the framed document can then be lifted to reveal an engraved plaque containing a full a transcription. A marvelous display.
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000

A FINE AND RARE DOCUMENT SIGNED BY JOHN PAUL JONES PRAISING HIS TRUSTED ASSISTANT BENJAMIN HILL.

Jones' failed attack on Whitehaven, England, mentioned in the letter, was described in great detail in
Lloyd's Evening Post of April 27-29, 1778.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1071
Kearny, Philip, Jr., U.S. army officer in the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War; killed at the Battle of Chantilly in 1862.

Autograph Letter Signed, "Phil", four full pages; July 29, 1862, Harrison Landing; a chatty 4-page letter to "John" in which he discusses the merits of a soldier named "Watt" and his (Kearny's) love of horses, "… You have no idea of our elegant horses. I have five or six elegant models. I am ready to buy more…"; Fine.
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000

Philip Kearny was killed a month later, September 1, 1862, after distinguishing himself at the second battle of Bull Run where he mistakenly rode into enemy lines and, refusing to surrender, tried to escape.

View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1072
  Langdon, John (1741-1819), Delegate to Continental Congress from New Hampshire (1775-76, 1787); served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War; President of New Hampshire (1785-86, 1788-89); member, U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 and Signer of the U.S. Constitution; U.S. Senator from New Hampshire (1789-1801); Governor of New Hampshire (1805-09, 1810-12); received 9 electoral votes for Vice-Presiden (1808).

Free frank and autograph letter signed, November 26, 1800, Washington City; address panel franked "free J Langdon, Senator of the U.S." with "Washington, Nov 27" postmark and "Free" handstamp; addressed in his hand to "Honre. De La Tombe, late Consul General of France, Philadelphia"; half-page letter on integral second leaf regarding sending Tombe a copy of the "the Presidents speech" signed "yours sincerely, J Langdon" with flourishes; clean and Very Fine.
Estimate $1,500 - 2,000
View details
Lot 1073
Lee, Richard Henry (1732-1794), Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Virginia best known for his motion in the Second Continental Congress calling for the colonies' independence from Great Britain.

Letter signed, 1 page, Yorktowne [Va.], May 1778, in the hand of James Lovell, who has also signed; integral address leaf addressed, also in Lovell's hand, to "Honble John Langdon, Continental Agents, Portsmouth", with rare manuscript postmark, "Yorktown May 19th" at lower left;

"In hope that you have provided a Packet Boat agreeable to the Direction of the Marine Committee sent to you on the 5th Instant, we now forward to your Care important Dispatches for France, which you are requested to give in Charge to a trusty Captain, to deliver with his own Hand to our Commissioners at Paris. Your Wisdom will dictate pointed Orders for conveying the packets without Injury with Secrecy and the utmost Dispatch, but, for sinking them in Case the Vessel should be unfortunately taken."

a Fine, noteworthy letter.
Estimate $4,000 - 5,000

AN INTERESTING LETTER ATTESTING TO THE NEED FOR SECRECY WHEN SENDING DISPATCHES TO PARIS DURING THE WAR.

John Langdon, along with John Adams and Silas Deane, were the original members of the Marine Committee, later expanded to include members from each of the 13 colonies, including Lee and Lovell. On May 4, 1778 the Continental Congress discussed the Treaty of Alliance with France, which had been signed on February 6th in Paris by American and French officials; the dispatches referred to in this letter most likely reported the outcome of these discussions.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1074
Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870), Graduate of West Point, U.S. army officer and Commander in Chief of the Confederate Armies.

Autograph Letter Signed "R E Lee", 5" x 6½", Lexington Virginia, October 9, 1868; to Edwin James, in response to James' request for birth dates for Charles Lee, most likely his father ("Light Horse" Harry Lee) brother, and Bushrod Washington (George Washington's nephew) and related to Robert E. Lee's wife, Mary Anna (a Custis); clean and Very Fine; professionally matted, along with a portrait, a modern "Geneological Chart of the Lees of Virginia" and a descriptive plaque, and displayed in a 34¼" x 38¼" shadow-box frame with an embossed depiction of a (family) tree. A handsome display.
Estimate $4,000 - 5,000

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1075

Lee, Robert E., free frank, "R.E. Lee/Lt.Asst.Chf" on folded cover addressed by E. Herring of The war Dept., Engineer Service, to Ft. Calhoun, red "Washington City Mar. 17" c.d.s. and matching "Free," 1836 pencil docketing, Fine. Lee was promoted to First Lt. later the same year.
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1076
Lee, Robert E., cover front only addressed in Lee's hand sent to a Mr. Ruston by an "M.F." in lieu of Lee's autograph; the cover is franked with two 2¢ black & two 3¢ rose (73, 65), tied together by four blue targets with a matching "Lexington Va. Dec. 27" c.d.s., sent to a "Genl C.M. Wilson (?)" in Mexico City, large "5" and "7" handstamps opposite address and Lee's instruction "By Steamer to Vera Cruz," the reverse is a note datelined "Mexico, 10 Feb. 1866," in part, "I did not have an autograph of Gen'l Lee, but here you have his handwriting; it concerned an autograph letter from him…which…Wilcox has kindly given me for you. Will it do for your English friend? Yours M.F." Fine and unusual.
Estimate $300 - 400

Expertization: 2007 APEX Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1077

[Lincoln, Mary], wide bordered mourning envelope addressed in her hand to Dr. Anson Henry, Olympia, W.T. with 3c Rose (65) tied by geometric cork, Chicago c.d.s., manuscript. "Overland Route" at upper left, approx. half of reverse is missing and stamp with corner nick, Very Good. Accompanied by 2 7/8 x 4 3/8 in. albumen print of Mrs. Lincoln mounted on board. According to the owner's notes, Dr. Henry drowned off the coast and never saw this cover.
Estimate $300 - 400
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1078
Lindbergh, Charles A. (1902-1974) and Amelia Earhart (1897-1937), American aviator, author, inventor and explorer; made famous non-stop flight from New York to Paris in the "Spirit of St. Louis".; American aviatrix pioneer and author; first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic and the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross; on her last flight, initiated June 1, 1937, her plane disappeared over the Pacific with last confirmed transmission on July 2, 1937.

Document Signed by both, "Charles A. Lindbergh" and "Amelia Earhart", 28" x 7½", an illustrated, eight-panel foldout souvenir brochure, one side with a coast to coast map of the Trans Continental Air Transport Inaugural Flight, July 7-9, 1929; the reverse contains information about the flight and is signed by Lindbergh, his wife Anne, Earhart and other notables. This particular souvenir of the flight was given to passenger Betty Brainerd. It is displayed in a 34½" x 31½" shadow box frame, along with six photos including Mr. & Mrs. Lindbergh, Earhart and the plane City of Los Angeles.
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000

A SUPERB AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE PAIRING OF SIGNATURES OF TWO OF THE GREATEST PIONEER AVIATORS.

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.

Provenance: Betty Brainerd McClane— a typed letter accompanies in which she states that she was the only person to whom Lindbergh gave his autograph. He signed two of these brochures for her.

In 1929, Trans Continental Air Transport (later TransWorld Airlines or TWA) had the help of these two popular aviators in the promotion of commercial air travel.

View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1079
Lindbergh, Charles A. (1902-1974), American aviator, author, inventor and explorer; made famous non-stop flight from New York to Paris in the "Spirit of St. Louis".

10" x 8" photograph of Lindbergh standing by the Spirit of St. Louis, signed "Charles A. Lindbergh" on the image, Very Fine; professionally matted and framed to an overall 17½" x 17".
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1080
Masterson, William Barclay ("Bat") (1853-1921), a noted figure from America's "Old West"; buffalo hunter, U.S. Army scout, frontier lawman, U.S. Marshal, and sports editor and columnist for the New York Morning Telegraph.

Partly printed document signed "W.B. Masterson" as Sheriff of Dodge City Kans., 8" x 10", May 16, 1878; document is a Summons to Dodge City, which is being sued by one George M. Hoover for $600 in damages for unstated causes; Very Fine. Professionally framed to 12" x 14" (open on both sides), and hung on a larger display frame containing a portrait, a plaque and a one-page biography, overall 21½" x 37½".
Estimate $5,000 - 7,500

A CHOICE AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE DOCUMENT SIGNED BY THIS LEGENDARY WESTERN FIGURE.

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1081
Meade, George G., U.S. Army officer and civil engineer involved in coastal construction including several lighthouses; Civil War Union general, rising from command of a brigade to the Army of the Potomac; best known for defeating General Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Gettysburg (1863)..

Autograph Letter Signed, April 4, 1864, with printed heading "Head-Quarters, Army of the Potomac;" the general replying to a request for an autograph to be sold at the Great Central Sanitary Fair later that year in Philadelphia. Obtained by William Struthers and donated, it was priced at $2 and also contained a carte-de-visite. Though the photograph no longer remains, this letter still resides in the original Sanitary Fair folder it was sold in, with the name of the donor written on the front. The folder, printed by Henry Ashmead, who also published A Priced Catalogue of Autographs… For Sale at The Great Central Fair, is in a remarkable state of preservation, kept in the family until sold by Catherine Barnes more than a century later. Very Fine and choice.
Estimate $500 - 750
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1082
Napoleon I (1769-1821), Military and political leader, Emperor of the French; established the Napoleonic Code .

Letter signed "Bonaparte" as General, 8¾" x 13¾", two pages (both sides of the same leaf), May 18, 1798; on ornate illustrated letterhead to "General Vence Commander of the Armies", translated in full:

To the Major General at Moulay. 18th May Year 6 of the Republic
One and Indivisible


Bonaparte, Member of the Institut National, General in Chief
of the Army of England


To General Vence, Commander of the Armies

I have given orders, Citizen General, to the ordinance commissioner to equip twelve dispatch boats to maintain frequent contact between the army and the port. I should like to dispatch at least two every ten days.
You will send the first ones between the islands of Elba and Corsica. As the channel is extremely narrow they should be able to find out if the Iseadre can use this route. At the same time they will find out from Intelligence about the lower route she used.
I have ordered the two best Venetian vessels to be armed for war and two frigates to be equipped as cargo boats.

Bonaparte


Very Fine; professionally matted and framed to 15¼" x 20" (open on both sides to display both pages of the letter). That frame is then hinged onto a 28" x 44" display frame below a colored portrait of Bonaparte and a colored engraving of a battle scene from Napoleon's Egyptian Expedition; the framed document can then be lifted to reveal not only the second page of the letter, but mounted beneath the frame is an engraved plaque containing the letter's full transcription.
Estimate $4,000 - 5,000

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.

In March of 1798, Napoleon's military plans to invade Egypt were approved, and on May 9, Napoleon and his troops departed from Toulon. The land battles were successful and Napoleon was eventually able to take command of the area. However, his position was weakened due to the defeat of his naval forces by the British under Horation Nelson. In 1799, seeing that he could not be assured of futher exploits to bolster his reputation, Napoleon returned to France from Egypt, and with the Treaty of Paris of June, 1802, Egypt was resecured by the Ottoman Empire.

View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1083
Newton, Sir Isaac (1643-1727), English mathematician, physicist and natural philosopher, formulated laws of gravity and motion, established the study of optics and built the first reflecting telescope.

Manuscript document signed "Is Newton" as Master of the Mint, 7½" x 11½", June 27, 1701, acknowledges receipt from Lord Fitzharding of "Two Thousand and four hundred and Twenty Five Pounds and eleven shillings and one Penny out of Tonnage Duty"; Fine; professionally matted and framed with a portrait, a small bronze medal featuring Newton's likeness, and a descriptive plaque; overall 24¼" x 20¼".
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.

Sir Isaac Newton was invited to become Master of the Mint by an old friend, Charles Montague. He remained in this position well into his eighties. During his tenure, he standardized British coinage and profited handsomely from his £600 per year, plus his additional payments for each bag of silver or gold produced by the mint.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1084
Oakley, Annie (Butler) (1860-1926), Noted markswoman and "Wild West Show" star, "Little Sure Shot".

Autograph Letter Signed Annie Oakley Butler, 6" x 9", Amityville Long Island N.Y. no date; writes to young fan, in part, "My dear little girl, Of course we both remember you. And was glad to rec-" your letter… I enclose a small photo one of my latest…" and signs "Affect-" Annie Oakley Butler"; couple heavy horizontal folds, one just affecting last word of signature, Fine; Professionally matted and framed with a portrait and two descriptive plaques; overall 22½" x 21".
Estimate $5,000 - 7,500

A RARE AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY THIS LEGENDARY WESTERN PERSONALITY.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1085
Pasteur, Louis (1822-1895), French chemist and microbiologist, discovered the process by which bacteria in liquids can be destroyed by heating, named "pasteurization" in his honor.

Photograph seated in his study (?), 7" x 5", signed and inscribed [translated] "L. Pasteur, a souvenir of 27 December, 1892" below the image; slight wear and minor stain, still Fine. Professionally matted and framed to an overall 16¼" x 14¼".
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1086
Revere, Paul (1734-1818), American silversmith and noted patriot; famous for his role as messenger to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the movement of the British forces.

Autograph document signed, 6¼" x 2", August 19, 1793, an invoice for several metal items to a Mr. David Greenough, executed entirely in Revere's hand, in effect, containing two signatures, once at the top as "Bot of Paul Revere", then signed at the bottom "Recd pay Paul Revere"; clean and Very Fine; professionally matted with a small engraved portrait and name plaque and framed to an overall 16" x 21½"; a bit of mold is just beginning to affect the matting, but apparently not the document.
Estimate $7,500 - 10,000

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1087
Sheridan, Philip Henry, a Union general in the American Civil War; helped to develop Yellowstone National Park.

Autograph letter signed, Oct 19, 1864, 4½" x 8", two pages in pencil; Sheridan's report to General Grant detailing his role in the victory over enemy forces, describing how he "took the affair in hand", and touting the bravery of his officers and men, in part,

"having been driven back 4 miles. I here took the affair in hand & quickly united the corps & formed a compact line of battle just in time to repel and attack of the enemy, which was handsomely done at about 1 PM…Affairs at times looked badly but by the gallantry of my brave officers & men disaster has been converted into a splendid victory".

Letter with some edge wear, a couple of small, minor holes and a sealed 2" tear at the lower left of the second page, not affecting the signature, Very Good. Professionally framed in two 9¼" x 16" frames mounted side-by-side on sliding tracks on a 48" x 26" display frame flanked by relevant Sheridan collateral including a colored reproduction of a battle map of the Battle of Cedar Creek Va.; when the two smaller frames are slid apart they reveal a transcription of the letter.
Estimate $5,000 - 7,500

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.

In the summer of 1864, the Confederate Army, under the leadership of General Jubal Early, was threatening the Federal captital. It was at this time that General Sheridan took command of the Army of the Shenandoah and defeated Early and his troops.

View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1088
Sitting Bull and William F. ("Buffalo Bill") Cody (c.1831-1890/1846-1917), Lakota Sioux Medicine Man and Chief, Head of the Sioux Indian War Council, prophesied the Custer massacre, and with Gall and Crazy Horse, defeated Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn.

Carte de Visite signed "Sitting Bull" and picture postcard signed "W.F. Cody, 'Buffalo Bill'"; on reverse of the Sitting Bull card, in another hand "signature on the other side was written by Sioux Indian Chief 'Sitting Bull', Monday, Oct. 6, 1884, at Association Hall, Philada.— Given to me by Mr. Ja M. Bullock, who got it from him (Sitting Bull)". Both signatures are bold and Fine. Professionally matted and framed with two descriptive plaques and a photo of Sitting Bull in a full War Bonnet as he appeared in "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" Show; overall 23½" x 19".
Estimate $5,000 - 7,500

A RARE PAIR OF IMPORTANT WESTERN AUTOGRAPHS, BEAUTIFULLY DISPLAYED.

Expertization: Rendell opinion letter for Sitting Bull.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1089
Stoneman, General George (1822-1894), U.S. Army officer, Union cavalry general in the Civil War, 15th Governor of California (1883-1887).

Autograph letter signed "George Stoneman, Maj. Genl, Pr. of War", 15½" x 10¼", two pages (on opposite sides of the same leaf), September 16, 1864, Military Prison Charleston S.C.; letter is to the Adjutant of the Sanitary Commission, Hiton Head, S.C., in part "If you have any stores or clothing in hand for distribution our poor fellows here, many of whom are entirely destitute, would be most happy to receive them, and I know of no way in which the generosity of their relatives and friends can be better applied than in relieving the unfortunate Federal prisoners now confined in this city. Should you think proper to make me your agent, I will see that every thing is properly applied, and that the most needy and destitute are first suplied, which is not always the case."; slight browning on first page of letter, couple small holes, not affecting text, Fine. Professionally framed to 21½" x 15½" (open on both sides to display both sides of letter), and hung on a larger display frame containing a colored portrait, a colored view of Roper Hospital (?) and a black and white print of both sides of the letter, overall 28½" x 34½".
Estimate $4,000 - 5,000

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.

Stoneman was captured during a July 1864 attempt to free Union prisoners from the infamous prison at Andersonville, S.C. In September, in order to prevent Union bombardment of the city of Charleston, he and 600 fellow prisoners were moved to confinement at Roper Hospital in the center of town. In retaliation 600 Confederate prisoners were moved to Morris Island, which was under fire from Confederate cannons. As a result, both sides halted their bombardment. In October 1864 Stoneman was an exchange prisoner and the next month joined Sherman on his "march to the sea".

General Stoneman was immortalized in the lines from the popular song, "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down" by Robbie Robertson of The Band: "Virgil Cain is my name and I served on the Danville train Til Stonman's cavalry came and tore up the track again", depicting the General's role in disrupting Confederate transportation.

View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1090

Wayne, Anthony (1745-1796), Continental Army soldier and statesman; his fiery personality and his often ill-advised attacks quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the nickname of "Mad Anthony"..

Free frank "AntyWayne" on July 12, 1781 folded cover to Robert Morris at Philadelphia, docketed in Morris' hand "Genl. Wayne-Battle near James River"; some wear along central vertical fold and some repairs, none affecting signature, Fine.
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500

On July 6 General Wayne led a bayonet charge at the Battle of Green Spring, allowing him to escape from a trap set by Cornwallis.

Morris was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 1091
Wright, Orville (1871-1948), American inventor and builder of first successful airplane.

Photograph, 8" x 10", signed on the image; trace of mold inside frame, not yet affecting photo, which is Very Fine; professionally matted and framed to an overall 15" x 18¾".
Estimate $1,500 - 2,000

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.
View details and enlarged photos
Lot 1092
Wright, Wilbur (1867-1912), American inventor; builder and pilot of first successful airplane.

Photograph, 7" x 9", undated, signed and inscribed on the image "To Col. Geo. L. Anderson with my compliments"; bit of mold inside of frame, not yet affecting photo, which has a very light central scuff mark but is otherwise Very Fine; professionally matted and framed to an overall 13" x 16¼".
Estimate $5,000 - 7,500

Expertization: Kenneth Laurence COA.
View details and enlarged photo