Bank check, 7 x 2.75, filled out and signed by Custer, “G. A. Custer,” payable to Mrs. Clifton for $20, February 14, 1873. Attractively matted and framed with an original cabinet photo of Custer to an overall size of 18 x 11.5. In very good condition, with expected cancellation cuts to the body and heavy show-through from endorsements on the reverse (affecting the first letter of Custer’s signature). Making camp at Taylor Barracks in Elizabethtown, the 7th was busy monitoring activities of the Ku Klux Klan, fighting bushwhackers, and shutting down illegal distilleries. This check was issued to the post’s laundress, who had married the quartermaster’s clerk, Harry O. Clifton. She was a friend of Custer’s wife, Elizabeth ‘Libbie’ Custer. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA.
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Fully handwritten transcript of his farewell speech given on April 21, 1865, signed “Jno. S. Mosby,” one page, 7.75 x 11.75, penned in 1905 as a souvenir, when he was serving as an assistant attorney in the Department of Justice. Mosby writes, in full: “Soldiers—I have summoned you together for the last time. The vision we cherished of a free and independent country has vanished, and that country is now the spoil of a conqueror. I disband your organization in preference to surrendering to our enemies. I am no longer your commander. After an association of more than two eventful years, I part from you with a just pride in the fame of your achievements and grateful recollections of your generous kindness to myself. And now, at this moment of bidding you a final adieu, accept the assurance of my unchanging confidence & regard. Farewell!” A block of toning and a few staple holes to the upper left and light creases to corners, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by the original Department of Justice mailing envelope addressed in Mosby’s hand.
Signed book: Gone With the Wind. First edition, first printing (with “Published May, 1936” on the copyright page, “1936” on the title page, and a price of $3.00 on the front flap of dust jacket). NY: The Macmillan Company, May 1936. Hardcover with dust jacket, 6 x 8.75, 1037 pages. Boldly signed on the first free end page in fountain pen, “Margaret Mitchell.” Autographic condition: light toning and soiling to first free end page, otherwise fine. Book condition: VG-/G. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA.
Highly desirable vintage matte-finish 8 x 10 full-length photo of Ruth posing at the end of one of his mighty swings, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To my good friend, Mrs. J. P. Tehan, From, Babe Ruth.” Mild scattered soiling, a tack hole to the right edge, and slight rippling to top edge, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by full letters of authenticity from PSA/DNA and JSA. A fantastic pose of the ‘Sultan of Swat.’ Pre-certified Steve Grad/PSA/DNA.
ALS signed “Ethel,” three pages, 5.75 x 7.75, personal Hickory Hill letterhead, notated 1975. Letter to Robert S. McNamara, who served as secretary of defense in the cabinets of both John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. In part: “We had our first meeting of the board last week without you—and I know what Jack meant when he said: ‘one man can make a difference’…I thought back over the years about what an extraordinary friend you were to Jack and Bobby and to Jackie and me. In that first year of searching for the right direction—lost in a bewildering cloud of doubt and confusion, your judgment, strength and bold spirit encouraged us to continue Bobby’s quest to seek a newer world. Bob—you were the rock on which all of us leaned. Your optimism was contagious, and your constant urging to look at the bigger picture resulted in improving the quality of life for many thousands. Bob—you were there when I needed you. What more can be asked of a friend?” In fine condition. Ethel Kennedy founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights in 1968, which is likely what she is referring to when she mentions continuing “Bobby’s quest to seek a newer world.” A choice association between sender and recipient, highlighted by excellent Kennedy family content. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
TLS signed “Bob Jones,” one page, 6.75 x 9.75, personal letterhead, April 18, 1958. Letter to fellow golfer Pete Kosky, in part: “Actually my illness was much over-advertised, and I made a very quick recovery.” Double-matted and framed with a photo of Jones admiring his shot to an overall size of 19 x 16.5. In fine condition. In 1948 Jones was diagnosed with the rare central nervous system disease syringomyelia, a debilitating disorder in which a cyst forms within the spinal cord. Five months after this letter was written the people of St. Andrew’s, Scotland, awarded Jones the Freedom of the City and the Royal Burgh of St. Andrew’s awards in what has been called the most moving ceremony in the history of golf. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
Boldly penned AQS on an off-white 6.25 x 2.75 slip, signed at the conclusion, “Julia Ward Howe, September, 1899.” Howe pens a line from her most famous patriotic verse, ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic.’ In full: “‘Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.’” Nicely double-matted and framed with an engraved portrait to an overall size of 12.25 x 16. In fine condition, with a central vertical fold. A fabulous example of this iconic quote. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1760 until his death in 1820 whose reign was marked most notably by the loss of British control over the American colonies. Partly-printed vellum DS, signed “George R,” one page, 13.75 x 9.5, October 27, 1760. King George appoints John Duncanson to be “Surgeon to Our Battalion of Fencible Men of Argyllshire, commanded by Our Trusty and Welbeloved John Campbell.” Signed in the upper left by King George III and countersigned by William Pitt the Elder. The white paper seal affixed to the upper left remains fully intact. Impressively double-matted and framed with a color image of the king to an overall size of 21 x 28. In very good condition, with three heavy vertical folds, and scattered creases and soiling; both signatures are especially strong and bold. The plan of raising a fencible corps in the Highlands was first proposed and carried into effect by William Pitt the Elder in 1759. Dating to the following year, this exceedingly early appointment was signed on just the third day of King George’s reign. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
ALS, one page, 4.5 x 7.5, no date but circa 1840s. Letter to Mssrs. Tucker, in part: “Please get a slip printed immediately in some peculiar color and run it diagonally across all your bills saying Will Soon Close & get it posted on all the Tom Thumb bills before Sunday morning next.” Barnum adds a handwritten postscript, “I think Will Shortly Close reads better and should be printed large type…you had better order them at once.” Docketed on the reverse, most likely by Barnum, “Mr. Barnum Regent Street.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds. Barnum was a self-made millionaire whose riches and wildly popular circuses were the direct result of his cutting edge advertising tactics. His experimentation with ad content—from deadlines and guarantees to active tense and dramatic visuals—revolutionized the modern marketing practices. Barnum’s specific mention of Tom Thumb here is an uncommon treat. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
Extraordinary dipping pen used by President Kennedy to sign the Peace Corps Act of 1961. The Esterbrook pen measures 6.25″ long and features a black plastic grip with a Lucite handle imprinted with “The President—The White House.” Includes an ALS from Sargent Shriver to Congressman Michael J. Kirwan of Ohio, two pages, Foreign Service of the United States letterhead, November 9, no year. In part: “We have been receiving excellent receptions here in South America as we visit various countries which have expressed an interest in the Peace Corps. The demand for P. C. Volunteers is great—we could place 2,000 down here alone. The press has been fine so far, & I’m asking our Washington office to mail you copies of the editorials which have appeared so far….Please accept my sincere thanks for your help, guidance, & encouragement.” These are beautifully matted and framed together with a photo of the bill signing to an overall size of 30.5 x 18.25. In overall fine condition.
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