AMERICANA

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.

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.”

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).