AMERICANA
THE SIGNED HANDPRINT OF CECIL B. DEMILLE ~~ ACKNOWLEDGED FATHER OF AMERICAN CINEMA
DeMILLE, CECIL B. (1881–1959). Legendary American film director, producer and actor; between 1914 and 1958, he made 70 feature films, both silent and sound; acknowledged as a founding father of the American cinema; his films are distinguished by their epic scale and by his cinematic showmanship. His right handprint, boldly signed, “C.B. DeMille” in the right margin, aligned below his handprint.
LENGTHY MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE LETTER IN ENGLISH ~~ TO JOHN NEAL, THE AMERICAN WRITER WHO ADVOCATED FOR WOMAN’S RIGHTS, ADVOCATED THE END OF SLAVERY AND RACIAL PREJUDICE — WHO WAS STAYING AT ENGLISH PHILOSOPHER, JURIST, AND SOCIAL REFORMER JEREMY BENTHAM’S HOME, WHOM IS REGARDED AS THE FOUNDER OF MODERN UTILITARIANISM.
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. Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “Lafayette”, in English. Two pages, quarto. “La Grange” [his home], June 6, 1826. Fine condition. Addressed on integral address leaf to “John Neal, Esq. at Jeremy Bentham’s, Esq., Queen Square Place, Westminster, London”.
10 DAYS AFTER THE NAZI ANSCHLUSS OF AUSTRIA, AND 3 DAYS BEFORE DICTATOR FRANCISCO FRANCO CAPTURES MADRID (THUS ENDING THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR), AND 5 MONTHS BEFORE GERMANY WAS TO INVADE POLAND THEREBY STARTING WWII, ROOSEVELT WRITES CANDIDLY OF HIS OBSERVATIONS AND THE PERPLEXITY OF THE WORLD SITUATION THAT WAS LAID BEFORE HIM.
ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN DELANO. (1882 – 1945). Thirty-second President of the United States (1933-45). Simply stunning, and highly revealing, Typed Letter Signed, “Franklin D. Roosevelt”, as President, on imprinted The White House stationery. One full page, quarto. Washington, D.C., March 25, 1939.
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT ACCEPTS A COPY OF HEAVY WEIGHT FIGHTER FLOYD PATTERSON’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY
ROOSEVELT, ELEANOR. (1884-1962). First Lady. Typed Letter Signed, “Eleanor Roosevelt”, on her name-imprinted stationery. One page, large octavo. New York, May 4, 1962.
1850 “THE SLAVERY QUESTION ABSORBS EVERYTHING STILL”
JOHNSON, ANDREW. (1808-75). Seventeenth President of the United States (1865-9). Good and rather scarce, Autograph Letter Signed, “Andrew Johnson” written during the period of extreme political debate in the United States. 1 1/2 pages, quarto. “House of Rep[resentative]s”, May 29, 1850.
PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON SIGNS A “DOLLAR A YEAR MAN” CHECK FOR SERVICES RENDERED IN WORLD WAR I
WILSON, (THOMAS) WOODROW. (1856-1924). Twenty-eighth President of the United States. Scarce Document Signed “Woodrow Wilson”, as President. Wilson signs a ‘War Industries Board Check’ for one dollar. Countersigned by Chairman of the War Industries Board BERNARD BARUCH (1870-1965) American financier, statesman and political consultant. 8½” x 3¼”. Washington, D.C., September 6, 1919.
MARK TWAIN WRITES TO RUDYARD KIPLING’S ATTORNEY, A.T. GURLITZ: “AN AUTHOR IS INJURED BY THE PUBLICATION OF ANY UNAUTHORIZED EDITION OF HIS WORKS” ~~ CLARIFYING HIS VIEWPOINTS ON COPYRIGHT LAW FOLLOWING A HIGH PROFILE CASE DURING WHICH TWAIN HIMSELF PROVIDED TESTIMONY IN DEFENSE OF AUTHORIAL RIGHTS
CLEMENS, SAMUEL L. [MARK TWAIN]. (1835-1910.) American humorist, lecturer and writer. Autograph Letter Signed twice, “S.L. Clemens” and “S.L.C.” Three very full, separate pages, octavo. Ampersand, N.Y., September 14, 1901. Very fine condition.