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. 

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. 

CHECK SIGNED BY POET AND ABOLITIONIST JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

LOWELL, JAMES RUSSELL. (1819-1891).  Poet, Critic, Satirist, Diplomat, and noted Abolitionist.   Attractive Partly-printed Check Signed:  “J.R. Lowell”. 

JOHN AMHERST TO JEFFERY AMHERST  —   BEST KNOWN FOR HIS SUCCESSFUL SERVICE DURING THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR,  AND DURING THE PONTIAC REBELLION, AMHERST AGREED TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF SMALL POX INFECTED BLANKETS AMONG THE NATIVE AMERICAS, THE ONLY RECORDED CASE OF BRITISH SOLDIERS GIVING SMALLPOX-CONTAMINATED BLANKETS TO NATIVE AMERICANS.

AMHERST, JOHN (1718- 1778). Brother of Lord Jeffrey Amherst, Admiral in the British Navy who went on to serve as Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth. Uncommon Autograph Letter Signed, “John Amherst.” Two very full pages, large quarto. “Thatched House, St. James Street, [London] April 10, 1760”. Very fine condition. To his brother JEFFERY AMHERST, 1ST BARON AMHERST (1717-1797). 

PRE-REVOLUTIONARY WAR MASSACHUSETTS PAY WARRANT  —  SIGNED BY SIR FRANCIS BERNARD

BERNARD, SIR FRANCIS.  (1712-1779).  Governor of New Jersey and Massachusetts.  Partly-printed Document Signed, “Fra Bernard”, as Governor of Massachusetts, on a pay order.  One page, octavo.  Cambridge, January 27, 1769. 

CHECK SIGNED BY LONGFELLOW

LONGFELLOW, HENRY WADSWORTH.   (1807-82). American poet.  Partly-printed  Check  Signed, “Henry W. Longfellow”,  with internal printed Internal Revenue stamp.   7″ x 2.75″ inches, Cambridge, Massachusetts.   September 6, 1881.