autograph

JACQUELINE KENNEDY LAMENTS: “I WISH I DID KNOW MORE ABOUT MY FORBEARS”

KENNEDY, JACQUELINE [MRS. JOHN F.]  (1929-1994). First Lady.  Revealing Autograph Letter Signed, “Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy”, on her imprinted Hickory Hill stationery.  Two full pages, octavo. 

ROBERT FROST:  “IF THERE IS ONE THING WE HATE AS POETS, IT’S SEEMING BUSY OR IN DEMAND.  ISN’T THAT SO[?]  IT’S NOT BECAUSE I’M EITHER THAT I HAVEN’T SENT YOU A POEM…. I SHALL BE AS GOOD (OR BAD) AS MY WORD”

FROST, ROBERT.  (1874-1963).  American poet; noted for his depiction of New England life; mot honored poet of the 20^th Century with 4 Pulitzer Prizes;  recited his: “The Gift Outright” at John Kennedy’s inauguration, from memory after his reading copy blew away.  Curious Autograph Letter Signed, “Robert Frost”.  2 1/2 pages, octavo.  South Shaftsbury, Vermont, January 21, 1921. 

CLAUDE MONET ~ TO HIS WIFE, WHILE ENGAGED IN PAINTING: THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT & THE WATERLOO BRIDGE SERIES

“[I’M JUST] BACK FROM [PAINTING AT] THE HOSPITAL AND I’M QUITE TIRED, JUST TIRED FROM WORK. I DECIDED TO GO EARLY; YOU’LL SEE, IT’S THE SUREST WAY TO DO SOMETHING USEFUL THERE; I THINK [THE VIEW] IS ADMIRABLE IN ANY WEATHER.”

MONET, CLAUDE (1840-1926) Revered French Impressionist painter; his painting Impression, Sunrise is the inspiration for the term Impressionism.  Increasing scarce, and of the highest order: Autograph Letter Signed, “your old man, Claude,” in French, on imprinted “SAVOY HOTEL, EMBANKMENT GARDEN, LONDON”, stationery.  Four very full pages, octavo. “Saturday 5:30 in the afternoon”, no year, but most likely February 1900. 

JUST 14 WEEKS AFTER HIS SON BENJAMIN’S DEATH IN A TRAIN WRECK ~ WHERE BOTH HIS PARENTS SAW HIM NEARLY FULLY DECAPITATED AND JUST 6 WEEKS AFTER HIS INAUGURATION AS PRESIDENT, FRANKLIN PIERCE SHOWS THE DEPTH OF HIS PERSONAL CONCERNS 

PIERCE, FRANKLIN (1804-1869) 14^th President of the United States. Surprisingly Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “Fr. Pierce”, as President, on black-bordered mourning stationery. 2 1/2 pages, octavo. “Washington [D.C.], April 17, 1853. 

THE INFAMOUS ‘SPY’ MATA-HARI —  RENEWS HER NEWSPAPER CLIPPING SERVICE

[MATA-HARI] Stage name used by MARGARETHA GEERTRUIDA [MACLEOD] ZELLE.  1876-1917. Dutch exotic dancer, courtesan, and alleged World War I spy; rose to fame in Paris circa 1905 with sensual, near nude, Asian-inspired performances; Accused of being a double agent for Germany and France, she was arrested in 1917, tried on largely circumstantial evidence, and executed by firing squad on October 15, 1917; her name endures as a symbol of intrigue and seduction. Surprising rare Autograph Letter Signed, “Mata Hari” in French. 

HENRY CLAY ASKS TO FORWARD HIS LETTER TO FRANCE — AN ATTRACTIVE AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED

CLAY, HENRY.  (1777-1852).  American lawyer, statesman, and diplomat who represented Kentucky. Attractive Autograph Letter Signed, “H. Clay”.  One page, quarto.  

EUGÈNE IONESCO PENS: “DON’T LET THE WORD ‘PREFACE’ FRIGHTEN YOU. IN TRUTH, IT WILL BE A WAY OF VISUALIZING THE PROBLEM OF A POSSIBLE LITERARY CRITICISM….”

IONESCO, EUGÈNE.  (1909-1994).  Romanian-born French playwright;  Uncommon Autograph Letter Signed, “Eugene Ionesco”, in French.  Two full pages, octavo.