AMERICANA
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.
OUTSTANDING HENRY CLAY AUTOGRAPH DOCUMENT STATING HIS POSITION IN THE POLITICAL SCANDAL THAT HAD HIM DENYING CHARGES THAT HE MADE A DEAL WITH JOHN QUINCY ADAMS TO MAKE HIM SECRETARY OF STATE, IF HE BACKED ADAMS, FOR PRESIDENT IN THE 1824 ELECTION
CLAY, HENRY. (1777-1852). American statesman; represented Kentucky in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives; Speaker of the House; Secretary of State, in John Quincy Adams administration; received electoral votes for President in the 1824, 1832, and 1844 presidential elections; helped establish the National Republican Party and the Whig Party; for his role in defusing sectional crises, he earned the nickname: “the Great Compromiser”. Superb, and Important Autograph Notes Signed: “Mr. Clay” in the body of the document. 1 ½ closely written pages, quarto. No place, no date. [Washington, D.C. — also docketed ‘February 4, 1824’ on verso].
HOUDINI SIGNS A SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS MEMBERSHIP CARD IN 1923
HOUDINI, HARRY. (1874-1926) Legendary Hungarian-American magician, escapologist, showman, film producer and actor. Partly-printed multi-color ‘’The Society of American Magicians’’ membership card Signed: “Harry Houdini,” as president of the society. Membership card is for Earl DeForrest, member #989.
BRIGHAM YOUNG TO CHURCH ELDER GEORGE CANNON — VOICING HIS OUTSPOKEN REBUKE OF FEDERAL TROOPS BEING STATIONED IN UTAH IN 1859
YOUNG, BRIGHAM. (1801-1877). Fascinating and important Manuscript Letter Signed, “Brigham Young sen[ior]”. Three very full pages, quarto. Salt Lake City, June 23, 1859. Excellent condition. To Church elder George Cannon.
PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON AT WAR! — WITH THE BARBARY PIRATES — DURING A LULL IN THE TRIPOLITAN WAR, HE ASSURES MARYLAND CONGRESSMAN NICHOLSON THAT HE EXPECTS NO EXPANSION OF HOSTILITIES, AND IS THEREFORE REDUCING AMERICA’S NAVAL FORCE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN — “CERTAINLY NEITHER ECONOMY NOR PRUDENCE PERMITS TO KEEP IN ACTUAL SERVICE ALL THE FORCE WHICH MIGHT BE NECESSARY IN THE WORST STATE OF THINGS; FOR THEN WE OUGHT TO KEEP A LARGE STANDING ARMY…”
JEFFERSON, THOMAS. (1743-1826). 3rd President of the United States; and principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Important Autograph Letter Signed, as President, to Joseph H. Nicholson, noted politician and statesman from Maryland. Washington, D.C. February 23, 1803. One very full page, quarto.