AMERICANA
HUDSON MAXIM: “A MOMENT WHEN THE WORLD IS TEETERING ON THE RIM AND VERGE OF … HELL.”
MAXIM, HUDSON (1853-1927) U.S. inventor and chemist who invented a range of explosives, including a high power smokeless gunpowder. The book: Capitalism vs. Bolshevism by George L. Walker Inscribed on front free endpaper: “To my friend Dr. W.R. Whitney with great regards and all best wishes for Christmas 1919 – a moment when the world is teetering on the rim and verge of … hell…”
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS, THE GRANDSON OF JOHN ADAMS AND THE SON OF JOHN QUINCY DETAILS HIS EUROPEAN TRAVELS AND COMMENTS ON THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SCENE
ADAMS, CHARLES F. (1807-1886). American diplomat and editor, grandson of John Adams and son of John Quincy Adams; during the American Civil War, served as United States Minister to the United Kingdom, and was crucial to Union efforts to prevent British recognition of the Confederate States and to maintain European neutrality; featured and had major roles in national and state politics before and after the Civil War. Good Autograph Letter Signed, “C.F.A.”, on blind-embossed Bath stationery. Four very full pages, octavo. Venice [Italy], May 23 and 24, 1868.
SCARCE LETTER FROM THE COMMANDER OF ‘OLD IRONSIDES’ DEFENDING HIS ACTIONS AS CAPTAIN AND RESTATING THE EVIDENCE GIVEN IN HIS COURT MARTIAL OF 1825
STEWART, CHARLES. (1778 – 1869) United States Naval officer who commanded a number of US Navy ships, including USS Constitution; saw service during the Quasi War and both Barbary Wars in the Mediterranean along North Africa and the War of 1812. Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “Cha. Stewart”. Four full pages, quarto. Philada[elphia], June 10th, 1829. To Hon. Samuel D. Ingham, Secretary of the Treasury, Washington.
THE LIMITED EDITION OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT’S: THE WINNING OF THE WEST
CONTAINING A FABULOUS AND LENGTHY MANUSCRIPT PAGE, ALL IN ROOSEVELT’S HAND, ON THE ACTIONS AND CHARACTER OF GEORGE WASHINGTON DURING THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE NORTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS
ROOSEVELT, THEODORE. (1858-1919). 26th President of the United States. The Daniel Boone Edition of his: The Winning of the West. First Edition. Set #120 of only 200 thus issued. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, 1900. Four hefty volumes. Brown leather spines with gilt lettering.
EXCESSIVELY-RARE SIGNATURE OF AMERICAN PIONEER PHOTOGRAPHER ~~ MATHEW B. BRADY
BRADY, MATHEW B. (1822/1824 –1896) Early adaptor and one of the most famous photographers in American history; best known for his depiction of the events and personalities of the Civil War. His excessively-rare, Signature “M.B. Brady”, as an endorsement, penned on the verso of a check made out to him in the amount of $18.75 from the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
LAFAYETTE WRITES TO “MR. HAMILTON”
LAFAYETTE, GILBERT DU MOTIER [MARQUIS DE]. (1757-1834). French military leader and statesman, who fought on the side of the colonists during the American Revolution and later took a prominent part in the French Revolution. Attractive Autograph Letter Signed, “Lafayette,” in French. One page, octavo. Paris.’ Tuesday in the morning, November 27’, no year.
“I WENT TO JEFFERSON DAVIS, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMM[ISSION] AND ASKED HIM IF HE WOULD DO ME THE PERSONAL FAVOR TO REPORT THE BILL. HE DID SO ON THE 23RD OF FEB. ON THE 26TH AT MY REQUEST HE MARRIED IT AS AN AMENDMENT UPON THE ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL…”
WILSON, HENRY. (1812-1875). 18th Vice President of the United States. Good Autograph Letter Signed, “Henry Wilson”, as Senator from Massachusetts. Four full pages, quarto. Natick [Massachusetts]. June 3, 1869.