AMERICANA

JEFFERSON DAVIS —  SCARCE ALS WRITTEN WHILE STILL UNDER INDICTMENT FOR TREASON, UNTIL ANDREW JOHNSON ISSUED, JUST 7 WEEKS LATER, ON CHRISTMAS DAY OF 1868   — A PRESIDENTIAL “PARDON AND AMNESTY” FOR THE OFFENSE OF TREASON TO “EVERY PERSON WHO DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY PARTICIPATED IN THE LATE INSURRECTION OR REBELLION”.

DAVIS, JEFFERSON.  (1808-1889).  First and only President of the Confederate States of America (1861-1865).  Uncommon Autograph Letter Signed twice; “Jefferson Davis” and “J.D.”, while still under indictment for treason in the US.    Four pages, octavo.  “Sunday evening”, [England], November 1, 1868.  To “James Spence Esq., Abercromby Square, Liverpool”.

HARRY HOUDINI —  ON HIS MAGNIFICENT TWO PAGE, COLOR PICTORIAL LETTERHEAD!

HOUDINI, HARRY.  (1874-1926).  Legendary American magician.   Early Typed Letter Signed, on a wonderful pictorial illustrated letterhead showing a young Houdini in a full-face bust pose.  One page, large quarto, [with a second integral internal page printed in red and black detailing Houdini’s feats of magic and his tour schedule].  Dortmund, Germany, June 21, 1901. 

NATHANAEL GREENE  — A SCARCE ALS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOST TRUSTED MAJOR GENERAL   —  SENDING A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR A PRINCETON GRAD WHO WAS TO STUDY WITH GEORGE WYTHE

GREENE, NATHANAEL.  (1742-86).  Major General of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War; he emerged from the war with a reputation as General Washington’s most talented and dependable officer, and is known for his successful command in the southern theater of the war.  Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “Nathanael Greene”.  Two pages, quarto.  Savannah, April 13, 1786.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS SIGNED DOCUMENT

DOUGLASS, FREDERICK (1818-1895)  American abolitionist, editor, orator, author and statesman.  Partly-printed Document Signed  “Fredk Douglass,”  in his capacity as Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia.  Three pages, folio.   October 30, 1885.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON — HIS BOLD FREE-FRANKING SIGNATURE ON A TREASURY LETTER ADDRESSED TO CHARLES LEE

HAMILTON, ALEXANDER (1755-1804) U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Founding Father, political philosopher and economist. His Free-Franking Signature, “A. Hamilton,” on an integral address leaf of a Treasury Letter, addressed to “Charles Lee Esquire, Collector at Alexandria.” With straight “New York Sept 25,” and “Free” cancellations.

SAMUEL COLT:   THE INVENTOR OF THE REVOLVER

COLT, SAMUEL.  (1814-62).  American inventor of the revolver.  Rare, and early, Autograph Document Signed, “Samuel Colt”.  One page, small octavo.  New York, October 15, 1836. 

GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER WANTS HIS ‘ARMY AND NAVY JOURNAL’ DELIVERED TO HIS NEW POSTING IN THE DAKOTA TERRITORY

CUSTER, GEORGE ARMSTRONG (1839-1876)  U.S. Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars;  best remembered for his disastrous engagement at the ‘Battle of Little Bighorn’.  Boldly penned Autograph Letter Signed, “G.A. Custer, U.S. Army”.  Very full page,  quarto.  “Elizabethtown KY.,  “June 8, 1872.”