OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, JR. — A SIMPLY STUNNING LETTER FROM THE FUTURE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE TO HIS MITRESS: CLAIRE CASTLETOWN, THE LADY CASTLETOWN ~~ “THE GREATEST EXPERIENCES OF LIFE ARE: WAR, WOMEN, A STORM AT SEA, AND THE MOUNTAINS”
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, JR. (1841-1935). Associate Justice, United States Supreme Court, 1902-1932. Autograph Letter Signed, “O.W. Holmes”, Four full pages, quarto. Beverly Farms, Massachusetts. August 7, 1897. To his mistress.
SCARCE CHECK FROM BARON VON STEUBEN ~~ HE JOINED GEORGE WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE AND FORMED THE RAG-TAG AMERICANS INTO A FORMIDABLE FIGHTING FORCE
VON STEUBEN, FRIEDRICH [BARON]. (1730-1794). Prussian-American General of the American Revolutionary army; provided invaluable aid to the American Revolution, joining George Washington at Valley Forge in 1778 where he transformed the Americans into a cohesive fighting force. Rare Partly-Printed Check Signed, “Steuben”. One page, oblong narrow octavo. New York, November 21, 1791.
SAMUEL ADAMS — ORDERS PAYMENT BE MADE TO A REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSIONER
ADAMS, SAMUEL. (1722-1803). American patriot; Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Uncommon Partly-Printed Document Signed, “S. Adams”, as Governor of Massachusetts. One full page, quarto. Boston, February 27, 1796. Very fine condition.
SAM HOUSTON ~ AN: “I AM HOUSTON’ BOLDY SIGNED FREE-FRANKED ENVELOPE
HOUSTON, SAM. (1793-1863). American soldier and politician; first president of Republic of Texas. His free-franking Signature, “From / Sam Houston”, on the front of a pale yellow envelope
JOSE DE SAN MARTIN ~~ THE “PROTECTOR AND LIBERATOR OF PERU”
SAN MARTÍN, JOSÉ DE. (1778-1850). Argentine General, known as the “Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru”; one of the principal leaders of the independence movement in South America from the Spanish Empire in the 19th Century; served as the Protector of Peru. Scarce Partly-printed Document Signed, “José de San Martín”, in Spanish. One page, quarto. Lima, “Le 22 Dece[ember] de 1821-22”.
THOMAS JEFFERSON AND JAMES MADISON SIGNED MEDITERRANEAN SHIP’S PASSPORT — FOR THE BRIG BETSEY OF NEW YORK ~ 1806
JEFFERSON, THOMAS. (1743-1826). 3rd President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Partly-printed Document Signed “Th. Jefferson” and countersigned by the Secretary of State, “James Madison”. Tall quarto, [approximately 10 1/2 x 12 inches – sight] on vellum, with embossed paper wafer Seal of State of the United States affixed at lower left. June 14, 1806.
UNION GENERAL PHILIP SHERIDAN ~ HIS BOLD SIGNATURE
SHERIDAN, PHILIP HENRY (1831-1888) U.S. Army officer and a Union general in the Civil War. His Signature and rank: “P.H. Sheridan / Lt. General,” as cut from a larger document. One page oblong octavo. [approximately 1 ½ x 5 ¼ inches].