AMERICANA

SIGNED POSTCARD PHOTOGRAPH OF HOUDINI IN 1914

HOUDINI, HARRY.   [Professional name of Ehrich Weiss].  (1874-1926).  American magician.  Black-and-white octavo postcard Photograph Signed, “Harry Houdini,  S’field, [Sheffield, UK] Feb. 2, 1914”, across  the darker portion of his image. 

ALEXANDER HAMILTON WRITES TO CLEAR UP SOME ISSUES CONCERNING THE IMPLICATION OF RULES SURROUNDING THE TONNAGE ACT,  AND ITS PROVISIONS

HAMILTON, ALEXANDER. (1755-1804). First Secretary of the U.S. Treasury;  political philosopher and economist; author of ‘The Federalist Papers’; Aide to George Washington in Revolutionary War.   Good Manuscript Letter Signed, “Alexander Hamilton.” 1 ½ pages, quarto. “Treasury Department” [New York City], June 10, 1791.

JOHN HANCOCK  —  A SCARCE EARLY FINANCIAL SIGHT-DRAFT —  BOLDLY SIGNED BY HIM

HANCOCK, JOHN.  (1737-1793).  American patriot and statesman, who was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.  Autograph Endorsement Signed, “John Hancock”, on the verso of a sight-draft drawn for payment to John Hancock.  One page, oblong octavo.  Halifax, Nova Scotia, November 21, 1766. 

EMILY DICKINSON QUOTES EMILY BRONTE

‘THOUGH EARTH AND MAN WERE GONE AND SUNS AND UNIVERSE CEASED TO BE AND THOU WERE LEFT ALONE, EVERY EXISTENCE WOULD EXIST IN THEE’

DICKINSON, EMILY.   (1830-1886).  American reclusive poet; unrecognized in her own time, yet now praised for her style and brilliance, and the integrity of her vision.  Exceeding-rare, and highly important Autograph Letter Signed, “Emily”, in pencil.  Three pages, octavo.  [Amherst, Autumn 1884], to Mrs. Samuel E. Mack.   In very fine condition.

PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS IN THE WAKE OF THE “X,Y,Z AFFAIR” ADDRESSES THE CITIZENS OF HAMILTON, MASSACHUSETTS:   “DURING MY ADMINISTRATION;  THE ZEAL TO CONVINCE THE WORLD, THAT WE ARE NOT A DIVIDED PEOPLE;  THEIR OFFER OF THEIR PROPERTY AND LIVES, TO SUPPORT THE HARD-EARNED LIBERTY OF THEIR COUNTRY; AND THEIR CONFIDENCE UNDER HEAVEN, THAT WE SHALL BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE MOST POWERFUL EFFORTS, AND MACHINATIONS OF FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC ENEMIES”

ADAMS, JOHN.  (1735-1826).  Second President of the United States, Signer of Declaration of Independence.  Exceedingly choice Manuscript Letter  boldly Signed, “John Adams”, as President, just days after making the details of the ‘X,Y,Z Affair’ known to Congress.  One full page, small quarto.  Philadelphia,  May 19, 1798.  To: ‘The Inhabitants of: The Town of Hamilton in the State of Massachusetts”. 

BAYARD TAYLOR —  AUTHOR OF ‘THE FIRST GAY NOVEL’  TO BE PUBLISHED IN AMERICA  —  PENS A FABULOUS EARLY ILLUSIONARY LETTER:  “NOW, THAT YOU YOURSELF WEAR THE FETTERS MATRIMONIAL, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DREAM ME INTO THEM SO EASILY.”

TAYLOR, BAYARD. (1825-1878) American poet, literary critic, translator, and travel author.  Exceptional and early Autograph Letter Signed “J. Bayard Taylor”. [Taylor was christened ‘James Bayard Taylor’ at birth, thus the “J” in his signature].    Two full pages, quarto. Phoenixville, June 16, 1847. To Taylor’s early friend and apprentice in the printing trade, Edward Paxson, (1824-1905), later Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

LINDBERGH RETURNS SOME AIR MAIL COVERS  —  THAT WERE SENT TO HIM EARLIER IN 1932, THE YEAR OF THE LINDBERGH BABY KIDNAPPING AND MURDER

LINDBERGH, CHARLES A.  (1902-74).  American aviator, engineer and Pulitzer Prize winner; the first person to make a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.  Uncommon Autograph Letter Signed, “C.A. Lindbergh”, on his imprinted Charles A. Lindbergh, 39 Broadway stationery.  One page, small quarto.  New York, November 18, 1932.  Excellent condition.