‎Autographs‎

‎STEFAN, Karl (1884-1951)‎

‎Printed Document Signed‎

‎This prominent Nebraska politician served Congress as Republican from 1935 until his death. Printed DS 10pp rectos only 8½" X 14" Washington DC 1938. Near fine. Faint horizontal fold; staple at upper left. Mimeographed press release titled "Five Republican Congressmen in Lincoln Day Broadcast Over CBS" and consisting of texts of patriotic speeches aired over the Columbia Broadcasting System on February 12 1938 by Stefan and four other Congressman -- Daniel A. Reed Leo A. Allen B. Carroll Reece and Charles W. Tobey. Signed huge and bold Stefan who adds "MC / Nebraska" in blue ink at upper right of the first page. Quite unusual in this format. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 10077

‎CHAPMAN, Oscar L (1896-1978)‎

‎Signature‎

‎Secretary of the Interior 1949-53 under Harry S. Truman. Full signature in blue ballpoint heavy stock 5" X 3" card n.p. 1971 November 29 typed. Fine. Beneath his signature Chapman has typed in a little mini-biography: "Assistant Secretary of the Interior May 4 1933 / Succeeded to Under Secretary / Succeeded to Secretary of the Interior." With original envelope. Accompanied by a superb original black-and-white glossy 1953 news agency photograph International News Photo 9" X 7". Original mimeographed newsprint text sheet present and tipped to verso as issued. Titled "Washington Conference" this vintage image shows Chapman seated at a desk with another gentleman poring over an open notebook. Text reads "With inauguration day moving ever closer key men in the Eisenhower administration-to-be have been conferring with men in the Truman administration whose posts they will take over. Governor Douglas MacKay. the Secretary of Interior-designate is shown in conference with Interior Secretary Oscar Chapman in Washington yesterday." A choice desireable vintage photograph itself scarce. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 27411

‎CARLISLE, Kitty (1910-2007)‎

‎Inscribed Photograph Signed‎

‎The widow of playwright Moss Hart was an accomplished actress singer and long-time patron of the arts; her best-known film is the 1935 Marx Brothers vehicle "A Night at the Opera." IPS 8" X 10" n.p. n.y. Near fine. Attractive informal glossy head-and-shoulders portrait of a smiling Carlisle in later years handsomely inscribed and signed in blue fineline in a light area at lower left: "Dear Terry / warmest / greeting and / good wishes from / Kitty Carlisle." An excellent example. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 29601

‎ANDERSON, Clinton P (1895-1975)‎

‎Typed Note Signed‎

‎Secretary of agriculture under Truman 1945-48 and New Mexico senator 1949-73. TNS 1p 8½" X 11" Albuquerque NM 1939 October 26. Addressed to Owen Davies. Near fine. On Anderson's "General Insurance" letterhead the future cabinet member orders a copy of Ruth Underhill's "First Penthouse Dwellers in America" adding that his check will also "cover the 3-cent postage on the book." Interesting that Anderson shows an interest in this 1938 hardcore Native American classic. And-- gulp! Shipping a book at three cents -- those were the days. Large bold signature on this exceptionally early item. Accompanied by an original and exceptional 8½" X 6½" glossy black-and-white news agency photograph showing President Truman and a small group of high-powered men. Newsprint text affixed to verso dates this image 7 April 1947 titles it "President Reviews Capital's Biggest Army Day Parade" and describes the Washington DC scene: "More than 7000 troops highlighted Army Week today in an Army Day parade down Constitution Avenue. President Truman reviewed the parade from a stand on the south end of the elipse. Photo shows left to right: Commerce Secretary W. Averill Harriman; Fleet Admiral Wm. D. Leahy the President's Chief of Staff; Agriculture Secretary Clinton Anderson; Secretary of War Robert Patterson; Treasure Secretary John Snyder and President Truman." An evocative pair -- early letter and choice photograph. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 31202

‎BRIGGS, Austin (1909-73)‎

‎Signed Postal Cover‎

‎This popular American cartoonist and illustrator trained under "Flash Gordon" cartoonist Alex Raymond before taking over that strip briefly and also the "Secret Agent X-9" strip; co-founded the Famous Artists School; in 1969 he was elected to the Society of Illustrators' Hall of Fame. Signed Postal Cover 6½" X 3½" n.p. n.y. NOT a First Day Cover but a mint example of Briggs' 1959 7-cent "Jupiter" balloon stamp is affixed at upper right. At lower left in black ballpoint Briggs signs large and bold adding "Designer." With original transmittal envelope Paris 1970. A superb example. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 25196

‎OTT, John Nash, Jr (1909-2000)‎

‎Typed Letter Signed‎

‎Banker turned. time-lapse photography pioneer This time-lapse cinematographer medical researcher and inventor designed and built time-lapse equipment showcasing his photography techniques in the 1950s film "Dancing Flowers" and the 1956 Walt Disney documentary "Secrets of Life"; as a medical researcher he explored how human and animal health as well as plant growth could be effected by color temperature; his time-lapse adventures are recorded in his 1958 memoir "My Ivory Cellar." TLS 1p 8½" X 11" Winnetka IL 1948 January 26. Addressed to noted Lincoln and Civil War scholar ARNOLD F. GATES 1914-93. Near fine. On "phototronics inc" letterhead Ott chats with one of the earliest admirers of his work: "I. am glad to hear you found the Popular Mechanics article interesting and like this type of work. I have a number of assistants helping me at the present time but as our organization is growing rapidly I anticipate needing additional help before too long. I will be glad to have you give me a little more of your background particularly concerning photography." Bold full signature. Early and unusual and rather uncommon! unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 28251

‎NEAGLE, Dame Anna (1904-86)‎

‎Inscribed Photograph Signed‎

‎Enormously popular English actress of the 1930s and '40s specializing in historical heroines "Nell Gwyn" "Victoria the Great"; returning to the stage in "Charlie Girl" she set a record with 2062 performances over seven years. IPS 11" X 14" n.p. Los Angeles CA 1940 n.d. Near fine. Beautiful high-quality full-length portrait of a young Neagle in the film "Irene" 1940 wearing an ornate period costume handsomely inscribed to an Evergreen Theatres Corporation Portland OR employee: "For Katherine Marshall -- / With every good wish -- / Anna Neagle / 1940." A superb and unusual oversize portrait -- not the kind sent out for run-of-the-mill autograph requests. With original envelope. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 18871

‎DE CORDOVA, Elsie Maass (?-?)‎

‎Signed First Day Cover / Unsigned Autograph Note‎

‎One of the nine younger siblings of American nursing martyr Clara Maass 1876-1901 who during the Spanish-American War in which yellow fever killed more combatants than combat volunteered for yellow fever experiments to determine the cause of the disease; bitten by the mosquitoes that carry the disease she became the only American to die as a result of the experiments and the public furor roused by her death brought an end to this first-ever case of informed consent human experimentation; on the 50th anniversary of her death Cuba issued a stamp in her honor and on the 100th anniversary of her birth she was a charter inductee in the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame and the United States issued a stamp in her honor. Signed First Day Cover 6½" X 3½" cancelled at Belleville New Jersey on August 18 1976 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Fine. No decorative cachet at left; no distracting recipient's name/address present. Single 13-cent "Clara Maass / She gave her life" stamp at upper right. Down the center vertically Maass's sister signs boldly and in full in black ballpoint. Quite nice. Also present is a stiff beige 6¼" X 3½" card unsigned on which de Cordova notes "I am also enclosing two 2-cent Cuban stamps that the Cuban government issued in 1951" and below this is affixed two pristine examples of this stamp. De Cordova's name/address label DeBary Florida is also affixed. Portion of original transmittal envelope cancelled 22 November 1976 present. Nice pair of both issues honoring this nurse signed by the only known surviving sibling 75 years after her sister's tragic death. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 25130

‎GRIBAYEDOFF, Valerian (?-?)‎

‎Signed Ink Sketch‎

‎Shortly after Joseph Pulitzer acquired the "New York World" in 1883 he hired this Russian-born writer journalist and artist -- whose fine etched portraits helped make him one of the fathers of modern newspaper illustration and incidentally helped make Pulitzer's new venture influential and profitable; he also illustrated such books as the first American edition of Tolstoy's "Ivan the Fool" 1891. Stunning original signed ink sketch heavy stock 7¼" X 9 3/4" art board n.p. n.y. Very good. Pleasantly age toned to a creamy vellum color; lower left corner triangular roughly 4" X 2¼" and lower right corner ditto roughly 2 3/4" X 1" creased and strengthened on verso but not terribly noticeable or disfiguring on recto; mounting traces on verso. A stunning head-and-shoulders portrait of General William T. Sherman in uniform later years gazing intently at the viewer. Finely executed in great detail Sherman appears tired and rather haggard with thinning hair and white beard. The eyes in particular are exceptionally well done and lifelike grabbing the viewer with their piercing intensity. Gribayedoff signs quite small at lower left noting "after photo" below his signature. We have not been able to pinpoint the occasion for this portrait or the specific photographs on which it is based but likely it accompanied a "New York World" story about Sherman. Gribayedoff originals are quite scarce and desirable. Despite mild corner damage a most handsome piece. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 24932

‎BURNS, George (1896-1996)‎

‎Signed Postal Cover‎

‎Legendary longevous comedian of radio film and television with wife Gracie Allen; ironically his late-life film "The Sunshine Boys" with Walter Matthou in 1976 earned him an Oscar and began the second phase of his career. Signed Postal Cover 6½" X 3½" cancelled in the city of Burns' birth New York New York on the day of his birth January 20 1974. Single 8-cent "George Gershwin" stamp at upper right. Fine. At the center Burns pens large and bold in blue ballpoint "Best -- / George Burns." Small portion or original transmittal envelope also present. An enterprising envelope honoring another George cancelled in an appropriate place on an appropriate date. Most unusual! unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 24446

‎GORDON, Vera (1886-1948)‎

‎Inscribed Photograph Signed‎

‎The epitome of Yiddish motherhood in silent films such as "Humoresque" 1920 and talkies such as "Abie's Irish Rose" 1946. IPS 8" X 10" n.p. 1923. Very good. Unusual matte finish closeup inscribed "To the boys / of Camp / Lewis / With love / Vera Gordon / 1923." Uncommon. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 15631

‎TUCKER, Sophie (1884-1966)‎

‎Inscribed Photograph Signed‎

‎The last of the red-hot Mamas" a popular vaudeville singer and performer; also appeared in a handful of films such as "Broadway Melody" of 1937 and "Sensations of 1945." IPS heavy stock 3½" X 5½" n.p. n.d. ca. 1960. Very good. Tape stain at each corner and one at bottom edge close to but not touching signature. Postcard portrait though address and message side blank. Striking Maurice Seymour head-and-shoulders closeup of Tucker in later years dressed like a red-hot mama indeed in fur stole and sequined gown. Boldly inscribed in blue ballpoint near the bottom "to / Donald / Burnell / Best / wishes / Sophie / Tucker." Very striking. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 23030

‎SMITH, William A (1918-89)‎

‎Autograph Note Signed / Unsigned Booklet‎

‎This American artist is often remembered for his friendship with Carl Sandburg which resulted in his striking 1968 U.S. postage stamp; other stamps include his award-winning 1972 "Sidney Lanier" and the 4-stamp 1973 series "Rise of the Spirit of Independence." ANS 1p 8¼" X 11" Pineville PA 1973 October 9. Addressed to Mr. Johnston. Near fine. Two horizontal mailing folds. Friendly "Thank you for your gratifying reaction and comment on my stamp designs." in Smith's handsome calligraphic hand. No doubt refers to his award-winning 4-stamp "Rise of the Spirit of Independence" stamps which had been released the previous month. Accompanied by a stunning 4pp heavy stock 8½" X 11" color leaflet issued in 1953. Near fine. Smith's 1978 centennial "Carl Sandburg" stamp which shows a left-facing Sandburg in profile was based on a charcoal portrait made much earlier showing a right-facing Sandburg published here for the first time in 1953 -- a full quarter century before its stamp appearance! The front cover of this glossy leaflet features this portrait which once open pages 2 and 3 shows on the lefthand side a manuscript fair copy of Sandburg's then-new poem "Names" in his distinctive script dated from Connemara Farm Flat Rock North Carolina 25 December 1952. The righthand side shows the same text beautifully typeset. Rear leaf page 4 indicates "First publication of CARL SANDBURG'S most recent poem" and "Some time ago we asked Mr. Sandburg for permission to print this poem as a keepsake for his seventy-fifth birthday party." Thus this booklet represents the true first appearance of this well-known poem which begins: "There is only one horse on the earth / and his name is All Horses. / There is only one bird in the air / and his name is All Wings. / There is only one fish in the sea / and his name is All fins." Though no publisher is cited on this bibliographically-challenged printed piece the publisher was perhaps Broadcast Music Inc. of New York -- whose president and founder Carl Haverlin was an old friend of Sandburg's and was instrumental in organizing the celebrations honoring his friend's 75th. Sandburg at that time was at the height of his fame and these fetes garnished much press coverage. It's not known how many of these booklets were produced but likely a modest number for private distribution to friends and colleagues. A superb letter and scarce printed keepsake. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 25860

‎HIRSCHFELD, Al (1903-2003)‎

‎Signed Book Illustration‎

‎Renowned and prolific caricaturist whose inimitable style captured hundreds of actors in the pages of the "New York Times" from 1929 until his death. PS 1p 4½" X 7½" n.p. n.d. ca. late 1980s. Near fine. Full-page illustration verso of text page 51 from John Mason Brown's "Insides Out: Being the Saga of a Drama Critic Who Attended His Own Opening" the London: Herbert Jenkins Limited edition ca. 1942 an operating room scene in which the patient looks backward up at the angled mirror on the wall and proclaims "Great God! Look at me up there on the wall!" Signed nicely by the artist simply "Hirschfeld" as usual at lower right in his usual black fineline. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 19421

‎ALEXANDER, Franklin O (1897-1993)‎

‎Signed Postal Cover‎

‎Long-time "Philadelphia Evening and Sunday Bulletin" syndicated editorial cartoonist from 1942. Signed Postal Cover 6½" X 3½" n.p. n.y. Fine. NOT a First Day Cover but a mint uncancelled example of the stamp designed by Alexander 3-cent "In Recognition of the Important Service Rendered Their Communities and Their Nation by America's Newspaperboys" at upper right. Near the center in bold red fineline Alexander signs boldly in full. Small portion of original transmittal envelope cancelled Jenkintown Pennsylvania on 1969 August 19. Most unusual item. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 25181

‎(PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF PHARMACY)‎

‎Autograph Manuscript Unsigned‎

‎Founded in 1821 and today operated under the auspice of the University of Pennsylvania this institution is the first pharmaceutical college in North America. AM unsigned 2pp 6½" X 8½" n.p. n.d. Very good. Slight separations along single horizontal fold. Headed "Library of the Philada College of Pharmacy / Circular" this unsigned essay is a thumbnail history of this institution's library prepared to be typeset and distributed for collection-building purposes. "More than twenty years ago" it begins "the College of Pharmacy commenced the formation of a Library for the use of its members and their apprentices when by the Liberality of some of the early friends of the Institution and a small appropriation from the College about five hundred volumes were collected; soon after this effort the college procured a lot on Ground rent and erected their present hall on Felbert Street above 7th. This large expenditure has prevented the College from doing any thing more for the library except to bind periodicals taken in exchange for our Journal until the past Year. we have come to the conclusion that the next most important object to promote the interest of our Profession is the building up of our Library and extending its usefulness by collecting together every thing we can procure in relation to the early as well as present history of Pharmacy and its colateral branches. we earnestly request from our members and other interested in the prosperity of our useful Institution such books as they may be willing to spare from their own collections." There's a prescription for success! The ink paper and handwriting are all consistent with a date roughly 20 years after the founding of the college: circa 1840. Fascinating bit of pharmaceutical and library history. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 15276

‎DONNELLY, Paul C (?-?)‎

‎Signed First Day Cover‎

‎This NASA administrator served as Kennedy Space Center Test Support Officer; he directed the Apollo countdowns. Signed First Day Cover 6½" X 3½" cancelled at Kennedy Space Center Florida on 2 August 1971 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Two joined 8-cent "United States in Space" and "A Decade of Achievement" stamps at upper right. Fine. Near lower left in black fineline Donnelly signs boldly adding "Assoc Dir Ops / KSC - NASA." Small portion of original transmittal envelope also present. Uncommon. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 24301

‎DILKE, Charles W (1843-1911)‎

‎Autograph Letter Signed‎

‎This British statesman was an influential member of Parliament espousing both imperialist and radical causes simultaneously; he was a member of William Gladstone's cabinet in his second administration but was ruined politically when he was cited as a correspondent in a divorce suit; his controversial life inspired the play "The Right Honourable Gentleman." ALS 3pp 4½" X 7" London England 1904 February 23. Addressed to publisher William Heinemann 1863-1920. Near fine. Marked "Private" this curious and lengthy letter showing Dilke's perplexity at the review copies of books that his wife had been receiving from Heinemann: "My wife has never reviewed a word in her life so far as she can remember altho' in the early days of the 'Saturday Review' she wrote in it upon most other topics. My wife is not even indirectly interested in English books for she has no time to read them with the exception of those of one or two personal friends and has less knowledge of the modern English book than the the ordinary reader. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 14372

‎McCUTCHEON, John T (1870-1949)‎

‎Signed Ink Drawing‎

‎Pulitzer prize-winning editorial cartoonist with the "Chicago Tribune" 1903-45. Original signed ink drawing 14½" X 18" n.p. 1928. Very good. Slight edgewear and minor soiling. Labeled "Cartoons of the Day" in cursive by McCutcheon on the lower margin this handsome three-panel piece contains three unrelated topics. The top panel titled "Mr. Hoover completes his geographical education" depicts Hoover standing between a bookcase with volumes labeled "North America" "Europe" "Far East" "Asia" and "Africa" and a table with a lamp on it reading a large volume titled "South America." The middle panel titled "A new topic monopolizes dinner table conversation" depicts a tableful of well-dressed ladies and gents encircling a lady discussing stocks; to the far left at this table sits a lone lady labeled "Prohibition" and to the right sits a lone lady labeled "Florida Boom." The lower panel titled "Government ship inspection from illegible description" depicts a clerk in the foreground gazing at a large ship named "Vestris" saying "I guess that ship looks all right" and filing out a form. Signed simply "McCutcheon" at lower right as usual. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 15043

‎WALSH, David I (1872-1947)‎

‎Typed Note Signed / Signed Leaflet‎

‎This Democratic politician served Massachusetts both as its 46th governor 1914-16 and as senator 1919-47. TNS 1p 8" X 10½" Washington DC 1937 April 14. Addressed to future Lincoln and Civil War scholar Arnold F. Gates 1914-93. Near fine. Light original horizontal folds. On "United States Senate" letterhead Walsh transmits present a signed copy of a recently-delivered speech. Accompanied by aforementioned speech an 8vo 8-page "Congressional Record" offprint titled "Reorganization of Federal Judiciary" being the text of the senator's radio address delivered at Carnegie Hall in New York on March 12 1937. In this fiery speech Walsh denounces President Roosevelt's controversial court-packing scheme. Signed large and bold near the bottom of the self-cover along with "Compliments of." Walsh was a well-known critic of FDR's plan to enlarge the Supreme Court making this signed memento particularly desireable. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 1515

‎BRIGHT, Jesse D (1812-75) and WHITCOMB, James (1795-1852)‎

‎Signed Stone Lithograph‎

‎U.S. senators from Indiana. Most unusual item: single leaf 7¼" X 9¼" probably the frontispiece of an Indiana state history captioned "Indiana" at the top. Below this is a charming stone lithographed pastoral scene depicting a shirtless man in the foreground chopping down a tree vast fields extending behind him; the sun is just breaking over the horizon and a bull is romping playfully. Facsimile signatures of Indiana senators Albert S. White and Edward A. Hannegan appear below this. Their Senate terms overlapped from 1845 to '49 thus dating this frontispiece. Their two successors Bright who served 1845-62 and Whitcomb 1849-52 have each signed boldly beneath the facsimiles. Very good. Moderately foxed throughout but overall attractive. An interesting pairing of Hoosiers on an appropriate if odd item. Whitcomb died in office while Bright was expelled from the Senate for treason. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 22616

‎GRAY, Dolores (1924-2002)‎

‎Inscribed Photograph Signed‎

‎The noted stage actress singer and dancer is best remembered for "Annie Get Your Gun" 1947-50; in 1954 she won a Tony for "Carnival in Flanders." Unusually large IPS 11" X 14" n.p. 1976 November 13. Very good. Very minor edgewear; slight mounting traces on verso. Attractive formal head-and-shoulders pose circa 1960 inscribed big and bold "To my dear Fred / a fan and / a friend! / Best / always / Dolores / Gray / 11/13/76." Uncommon in this oversize format. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 22509

‎AUTRY, Gene (1907-98)‎

‎Inscribed Photograph Signed‎

‎Known as "The Singing Cowboy" this Western star appeared in dozens of films between 1934 and 1954; turning his attention to baseball he became successful owner of the California Angels. IPS 3½" X 3½" n.p. n.d. October 1955. Very good. Light tape stain at each corner. Original one-of-a-kind black-and-white snapshot of Autry in full cowboy regalia signing an autograph surrounded by a couple of fans. At the bottom in bold black fountain pen he inscribes and signs: "To Donald / With My best / wishes / Gene Autry." The ink skips a bit on the "ld" in "Donald" and the "st" in "best" and one tape stain imposes partly on the "G" in "Gene." Overall still an attractive example on a unique image. Likely taken at the Coliseum in Chicago. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 25810

‎JEFFREYS, John (1759-1840)‎

‎Free-Franked Envelope‎

‎The second Earl and first Marquis of Camden served as lord lieutenant of Ireland 1795-98 secretary of war and twice president of the council; later he was chancellor of Cambridge University. Free-franked front portion of envelope 5" X 3½" Leven Oaks England 1832 January 12. Near fine. Bold red circular postal cancellation. Addressed entirely in Jeffreys' hand and signed simply "Camden" at lower left. A handsome piece. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 28702

‎PRINGLE, Aileen (1895-1989)‎

‎Signature / Unsigned Photograph‎

‎This silent screen siren appeared opposite Rudolf Valentino in "Stolen Moments" 1920 and her 1924 film "Three Weeks" caused a furor; she appeared in talkies such as "Jane Eyre" throughout the 1930s and was nicknamed "Darling of the Intelligentisa" by journalists because of her literary friendships and second husband novelist James M. Cain. "For Richard / from / Aileen Pringle in black fineline on a fine heavy stock 5" X 3" card dated by her 26 March 1985 at upper right. Fine. With original envelope. Accompanied by a fine 4 3/4" X 7½" heavy stock sepia-tone half-length portrait of her at the height of her fame bearing printed inscription and signature. A superb pair. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 19049