93

Continuous run of only Autograph Letters Signed by presidents from Washington to Coolidge

Autograph album containing 29 ALsS by each of the U.S. presidents from Washington to Coolidge,

including extraordinary letter by John Adams also signed by Jefferson, letter by Washington praising the growth of Federalist Party, letter by Lincoln pardoning an alleged deserter, and additional ALsS or TLsS by Hoover, FDR, Truman, Grant and Coolidge. Many of the ALsS are signed as president, including those by Madison, J.Q. Adams, Jackson, Lincoln, Benjamin Harrison, Theodore Roosevelt, and Coolidge--or dated during Civil War, including those by Fillmore, Lincoln, Grant, Arthur, and McKinley; also, each letter whose text is not autograph was signed as president, including those of Grant, Coolidge, Hoover, FDR, and Truman. Each letter hinged or mounted along one edge to recto album leaf, each accompanied by a fine engraved or photographic portrait bound-in or inlaid. Folio, crushed red morocco by Macdonald of New York, covers with 8 gilt rules, gilt title and eagle on front cover, spine tooled in gilt in compartments, all edges and wide turn-ins gilt, morocco doublures, rear hinge starting at head, minor rubbing to edges; top edge gilt, watered silk moiré flyleaves, gutters cracked at Washington and FDR, minor discoloration to flyleaves; cloth slipcase, worn.

Vp, 1785-1945.

  • Notes: * George Washington. "G:Washington," to his nephew William Augustine Washington, discussing shipment of fish and corn, congratulating him on his recent wedding, and praising the growing strength of the Federalist Party: "The Election of Generals [Henry] Lee & [John] Marshall to Congress are pleasing Events. The Representation from this State will be much strengthened thereby. The regret is, that there was not more of their politic's sent. The reflection however, that we are gaining strength must console us for the present, and stimulate Federal men to greater exertions in future." 2 pages, 4to, with integral blank; folds, uncommonly good condition. Mount Vernon, 20 May 1799.
    * John Adams; and Thomas Jefferson. Written and signed in London by Adams, additionally dated and signed in Paris by Jefferson, "Th:Jefferson," as U.S. Ministers to Great Britain and France respectively, to Collector of New York John Lamb, ordering him to Algiers to negotiate treaties. Additionally signed thrice by Adams, in the third person within the text. 2 pages, 4to, with integral blank; short separations at folds repaired verso with paper, faint toning at folds and all edges. [London], 6 October; Paris, 11 October 1785. It is a noteworthy coincidence that both Adams and Jefferson died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—a document they both drafted and one of the very few that both men signed; this letter is another.
    * Thomas Jefferson. "Th:Jefferson," as Secretary of State, to merchant James Brown, sending packages to Richmond to be stored until requested by [Thomas Mann] Randolph at Monticello. 1 page, 4to, with integral address leaf, additionally signed with free frank and addressed in holograph; faint toning at lower edge and upper left corner, faint offsetting throughout, folds. Philadelphia, 1 July 1792.
    * James Madison.  Signed as President, to "Sir," forwarding a reply [not present] to a message from the General Assembly of Tennessee. 1 page, 4to, with integral blank; small hole at right edge repaired recto with paper, faint staining at folds. Washington, 25 June 1809.
    * James Monroe. "Jas. Monroe," as Secretary of State, to [Charles Everett (d. 1848)?], conveying instructions from President Madison concerning the command at Fort Norfolk in VA, the lifting of Madison's unpopular trade embargo and the state of international trade, and controversy involving his brother Joseph and Thomas Jefferson's nephew Peter Carr, who had insulted Joseph. 4 pages, 4to, written on a folded sheet; faint bleedthrough throughout, faint uneven soiling to terminal page affecting signature, folds. Washington, 9 April 1814.
    * John Quincy Adams. "J.Q. Adams," as President, to General Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn, thanking for the gift of a book on entomology, conveying letters from General [Joseph Ferdinand] Wingate [not present], and declining to dine. 1 page, 4to; uncommonly good condition. Quincy, 26 July 1826.
    * Andrew Jackson. Signed as President, to his brother-in-law Samuel Donelson, sending his second annual message to Congress [not present; in the message, Jackson reports on the effectiveness of the Indian Removal Act (signed into law in May of that year) and defends the administration's removal policy], requesting comments on the text, and hoping he would share it with Representative Randal McGavock if Donelson's arrives first. 1 page, 4to; folds. Washington, 7 December 1830.
    * Martin Van Buren. To Francis Wilkinson Pickens, thanking for sending his address, praising his aloofness from the approaching "turmoil at Washington" [opening of the 28th session of Congress on December 4?]. 2 pages, 4to, written on recto and verso of single sheet; faint bleedthrough, faint scattered staining; folds.  [Kinderhook], 1 December 1843.
    * William Henry Harrison. Signed as Major General, to District Paymaster Samuel Huntington, attesting to the service of Captain William S. Drake and Major John Lodwick soon after Siege of Fort Meigs. 1 page, 4to; folds, docketing on verso. "Seneca Town" [near Fort Stephenson, OH], 12 May 1813.
    * John Tyler. To M.D. Philips, sending the Bardstown, KY, mailing address of former KY Governor Charles A. Wickliffe. 1 page, 4to; folds. "Sherwood Forest" [Charles City, VA], 21 March 1853.
    * James K. Polk. Signed as Representative, to  Col. Samuel Hervey Laughlin ("My Dear Sir"), remarking that Henry Clay's Land Bill which was just passed by the Senate is substantially the same as the one vetoed by the president in 1832, concerning 1836 federal election and the Bank of the U.S. 2¾ pages, 4to, written on a folded sheet with address panel on terminal page; faint scattered foxing, folds. Washington, 27 April 1836.
    * Zachary Taylor. Signed twice ("Z. Taylor" and "Z.T."),  as Commander of the Army of Occupation, to overseer of his plantation Thomas W. Ringgold, concerning plantation management. 5 pages, 4to, written on two sheets one being folded, address panel on terminal page; faint bleedthrough throughout, folds. Corpus Christi, TX, 11 October 1845.
    * Millard Fillmore. To "My Dear Sir," thanking for sending a report on the Crimean War. 2 pages, 8vo, with integral blank. Buffalo, 24 August 1861.
    * Franklin Pierce. To Walter  S. Alexander, responding to questions about the relatives of the late Charles G. Atherton. 2 pages, 8vo, with integral blank; slight fading to signature and text. Concord, 30 November 1868.
    * James Buchanan. Signed as Senator, to Philadelphia merchant and publisher of the Pennsylvanian newspaper Benjamin Mifflin, reporting on the good health and spiritedness of President Jackson. 1 page, 4to, with integral address leaf with Franking Signature; faint marginal discoloration from prior matting, address panel lacking upper portion (but not affecting text). Washington, 17 December 1834.
    * Abraham Lincoln. "A. Lincoln," as President, to "Whom it may concern,"  pardoning an alleged deserter. 1 page, 8vo, with integral blank; short closed separation at fold repaired verso, faint scattered soiling, folds. Washington, 28 April 1864.
    * Andrew Johnson. "A. Johnson," as Representative, to Alfred O.P. Nicholson  ("Friend Nicholson"), remarking that President Polk approves of recommendation of E[lbridge] G[erry] Eastman to assume editorship of the Nashville Union. 6½ pages, 4to, written on two folded sheets; faint scattered soiling. Washington, 14 July 1846.
    * Ulysses S. Grant. "U.S. Grant / Maj: Gen," to Brigadier General Montgomery C. Meigs, recommending a new tent designed by Colonel Charles Whittlesey. 1¼ pages, 4to, ruled paper, with integral blank; short closed separation at center vertical fold repaired with tissue, faint scattered staining. Nashville, 24 December 1863.
    * Ulysses S. Grant. Letter Signed, "U.S. Grant," as President, to former RI Governor Elisha Dyer, thanking for praise of his message to Congress. 2 pages, 8vo, written on a folded sheet. With the original envelope. [Washington], 15 December 1869.
    * Rutherford B. Hayes. To "My Dear Sir," listing the names and home towns of former cabinet members. 1 page, 8vo. Fremont, 19 December 1890.
    * James A. Garfield. "JAGarfield," as Representative, to General Charles H. Grosvenor, discussing speeches for a campaign. 3 pages, 8vo, written on a folded sheet; slight fading to few letters of signature, moderate toning throughout, folds. Mentor, 22 August 1877.
    * Chester A. Arthur. "C.A. Arthur," as Acting Assistant Quartermaster General, to Quartermaster General Cuyler Van Vechten, reporting status of delivery of uniforms for Quartermaster General Meigs. 1 page, 4to, "Quartermaster General's Department" stationery; folds, docketing verso. New York, 16 August 1861.
    * Grover Cleveland. To Charles E. Rice, declining to give a commencement speech at Mount Union College. 1¼ pages, small 8vo, with integral blank; horizontal fold. Princeton, 3 May 1902.
    * Benjamin Harrison. "BenjHarrison," as President, to U.S. Marshal Brad D. Slaughter, written on telegram form, concerning sentence of C[linton] E. Dixon. 1 page, oblong 8vo, "Telegram" form; moderate even toning overall, ink stamp at upper right ("Charged"), folds. [Washington], 20 April 1892.
    * Wiliam McKinley. "WmMcKinley Jr," to his cousin William K. Miller, describing the first days in Union Army camp. 4 pages, folio, written on a folded sheet, second leaf lacking lower half (not affecting text), faint bleedthrough overall, folds. Weston, 11 August 1861.
    * Theodore Roosevelt. Autograph Quotation Signed, 12 lines from his address delivered on the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, quoting Lincoln. 1 page, 4to, White House stationery, with integral blank. Washington, 20 February 1909.
    * William H. Taft. "WHTaft," to General George R. Dyer, sending cordial greetings. 2½ pages, small 4to, "Princess Hotel" stationery, pale blue paper, written on three sheets; folds. [Hamilton], Bermuda, 1 January 1921.
    * Woodrow Wilson. To editor of The Century Magazine Richard Watson Gilder, submitting a "moral" essay for publication. 1 page, 8vo. Princeton, 7 October 1899.
    * Warren G. Harding. "WGHarding," as Senator, to "Dear Colonel," sending Christmas greetings. 2 pages, square 8vo, "United States Senate" stationery, written on first and terminal pages of folded sheet; horizontal fold. Washington, 23 December 1917.
    * Calvin Coolidge. Typed Letter Signed, as President, to James Blanchard, instructing him to tend to the flowers at the grave of Calvin [his son, who died of blood poisoning on July 7, 1924]. 1 page, 4to, White House stationery, with integral blank; horizontal fold. Washington, 12 May 1925.
    * Calvin Coolidge. Signed as President, to James Blanchard, sending a gift [not present] for tending to the flowers during the summer [at the gravesite of his son, Calvin]. 1 page, 4to, White House stationery, with integral blank; folds. With original envelope. Washington, 19 October 1925.
    * Herbert Hoover. Typed Letter Signed, as President, to General George R. Dyer, sending greetings on his retirement. 1 page, 4to, White House stationery, with integral blank; horizontal fold. With original envelope. Washington, 25 February 1933.
    * Franklin D. Roosevelt. Signed as President, to General George R. Dyer, expressing interest in viewing his autographs of Abraham Lincoln. 1 page, 4to, White House stationery, with integral blank; horizontal fold. With original envelope. Washington, 15 May 1933.
    * Harry S. Truman. Typed Letter Signed, as President, to Representative Walter G. Andrews, thanking for his letter [commending Truman's denunciation of the racism expressed by the Daughters of the American Revolution]. 1 page, 4to, White House stationery, with integral blank; horizontal fold. Washington, 19 October 1945.

    This album is at auction for the first time. Although albums of presidential autographs containing clipped signatures or documents are relatively common, some better ones containing letters and documents appear less often, the last few important examples being offered at Christies on December 5, 2017 (14998-90), December 10, 1999 (9262-174), and September 27, 1995 (7759-25). The last important presidential album containing a large run of only autograph letters, such as the extraordinary album in the present lot, was offered at Sotheby's on April 26, 1978 (4114-244), and before this, at Anderson Galleries on November 13, 1935 (4201-306), and before this, Joseph Sabin on November 18, 1876 (95).

    Provenance: Property of a descendant of a New York collector.
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