Search Results: Titles starting with A from Montgomery Rare Books

New York, 1868. Fine. 8" x 5", 3 pp, usual mail folds, on Mayor's Office Letterhead with NYC crest, some ink feathering to signature.<br /> <br /> John Thompson Hoffman (January 10, 1828 - March 24, 1888) was the 23rd Governor of New York (1869-72). He was also Recorder of New York City (1861-65) and the 78th Mayor of New York City (1866-68). Connections to the Tweed Ring ruined his political career, in spite of the absence of evidence to show personal involvement in corrupt activities. He is to date the last New York City mayor elected Governor of New York. The two volume set refered to in this letter is likely: "Treatise upon the estate and rights of the corporation of the city of New York, as proprietors. New York, E. Jones, 1862" Dear Sir: On the 20th instant I sent you by Espress the two (2)Vol. Hoffman Treatise which you asked for. I enclose the Express receipt. J W Beach informs me you have not rec'd them. I hope they are not lost as I cannot replace them.

Worcestershire, 1919. Fine. 6" x 4", 4 pp. in legible handwriting. Content: Leaving England back to the U.S. to get away from the gloomy weather, " We are sailing to America on the 20th of March...we have done all we can at this time for the YMCA...we are glad to get back to the sunshine to cure these colds...I remember the time in Oxford when you were so gracious"<br /> <br /> Julia Marlowe (born Sarah Frances Frost; Aug 1865 - Nov 1950) was an English-born American actress and suffragist, known for her interpretations of William Shakespeare. Most of Julia's acting reviews were stunning. Audiences and critics alike were kind to her. She had homes in Egypt, England, Switzerland, as well as the United States. In 1894, Julia married Robert Taber, but they were later divorced in 1900. Her second marriage was to her long-time co-star, E. H. Sothern in 1911. They were considered the greatest Shakespeare duo of the era. In 1921, she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of… Read More

Cambridge, MA, 1878. Fine. 6" x 4", 2 pp., on folded stationary, previous auction seller wrote "auto" on rear, note is signed "T. W." the poems is signed in full. Addressee is Mrs. Guiney, likely Louise Imogen Guiney. Content: " I send the German book with Schnetzler's (likely German poet August Schnetzler) little poem by express."<br /> <br /> Thomas Wentworth Higginson (Dec 1823 - May 1911) was one of the most distinguished and multi-talented Unitarians of the nineteenth-century, yet few people today are aware of his prominence or the extent of his interests and achievements. Minister, author, activist, lecturer, soldier, naturalist, physical fitness enthusiast. In November 1862 he received an offer to command the first black regiment of the Civil War, the 1st South Carolina Volunteers, which he readily accepted. While in camp, Colonel Higginson socialized with his men and took note of the songs they sang, resulting in the first account in… Read More

np, 1918. Brown wraps with title in blue. Very good. 6"x 9", 31 unnumbered pages, with no publisher or date identified. 30 B&W photographs, one on each page, below some pictures: U.S. Official; on some pictures: U.S.A. Signal Corps. The pictures display the horrible, graphic atrocities and death as a result of the Great War. Short, cynical, rhetorical captions beneath the photos accentuate the horrors of war. Light wear at edges, 1/2" torn at top of spine, rusted staples, light handling smudges at margin.

Wilcox County, AL, 1859. Folio, 15.5" x 12.5" folded horizontally through the center. Completely in manuscript with ink on blue paper with lined columns. A full accounting: credits on the left side of the ledger sheet, debits on the right. Docketed on verso; "Estate of Levi H. Seltzer, Dec'd Acct. Current Partial Settlement, 1859. Two small holes along the center fold, possibly where staples were removed, loss of a few numbers, else Very Good.<br /> <br /> The account includes funds for hiring out Negro slaves: "Negro hire for 1857... 452.50... Negro hire for 1857... 76.90. The accounting concludes:State of Alabama, Wilcox County, Personally appeared before me Zo. S. Cook Judge of Probate in and for said county and state, Mary C. Abbott ADMX and J.S. Abbot as Admr of the estate of Levi H. Seltzer decd. /s/ 14 July 1859, Zo. S. Cook, Judge.<br /> <br /> Levi H. Seltzer [1833 - 1853] was the first husband of Administratrix Mary Calloway Parks {Seltzer]… Read More

Pittsburgh, PA, 1980. Very good. SIGNED "M. B. Ridgway", 8.5" x 11", 1 p., with Ridgeway's home address block stamped in red, usual mail folds, torn upper left corner from staple removal, light smudging in first three lines of second paragraph. Addressed to Madame Alexandre Renaud, wife of the mayor of St. Mere Elise, historic village where 82nd Airborne Paratroopers landed on D-Day, June 6, 1944. <br /> <br /> Matthew B. Ridgway (1894 - 1994) was a 4-Star General who as Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Dvision led action inSicily, Ital and dropped in with his troops during the invasion at Normanday. After WWII Ridgway resurrected the United Nations war effort during the Korean War and became the 19th Chief of Staff of Staff of the Army.<br /> <br /> Sainte Mere Eglise is a town in Northern France which was the site of an unintended battle early in the morning of D-Day and became the first town liberated and held later that same day. The Mayor… Read More

Boston, MA: The Brunswick Hotel, 1903. 8" x 6.25", 1 p. folded. In a note of condolence, Whiting professes the heartfelt poetic emotion for which she was well known. Fine note with no defects noted.<br /> <br /> Lilian Whiting (October 3, 1847 - April 30, 1942) was an early female pioneer in field of American journalism. She served as newspaper editor-in-chief (Boston Budget), column writer and author of poetry and short stories. Lilian was from a heralded lineage as a direct descendant of Cotton Mather on her mother's side and from Rev. William Whiting, the first Unitarian Minister in Massachusetts from her father's side. "My Dear Mrs. Lowe - May I tell you how my heart is with you in your great sorrow and I pray for you that the Comforter may come and enfold you in His gender love and Holy Presence. With affectionate sympathy, /s/ Lilian Whiting

np, 1880. Fine - clean, collectible.. SIGNED "J A Garfield / Nov 2, 1880" with authentication note on verso, "written on his day of election - & very first rate for President / C. Hines" <br /> <br /> The uniqueness of this card is that it was signed on Garfield's election day to the position of President of the United States. Garfield, the 20th President, lasted just 200 days, March 4, 1881, until his death on September 19, 1881, as a result of being shot by assassin Charles J. Guiteau on July 2, 1881. Includes period cabinet card by Chapman, Smith with advertising on the rear.<br /> <br /> James A. Garfield, (Nov 19, 1831 - Sep 19, 1881) was nominated on the 36th ballot of the Republican Convention as a compromise candidate. He was a Union General during the Civil War serving with distinction at the battles of Shiloh and Chickamauga. Elected to Congress from Ohio in 1862, he is the only President to be elected as sitting Congressman. In his very… Read More

The Rectory, Cossington. Fine. 7" x 4.5", 2 pp. bordered in black (mourning stationary following her husband's death in 1842), dated 8 Oct 1846, with mail folds. Content: Making arrangements and appointments, "Mr. Moxon begs you will send him a line - he has appointed me to meet hi at Doctors Commons on Friday next at twelve", likely being Edward Moxon,(Dec 1801 - Jun 1858, a British poet and publisher, significant in Victorian literature). She likens her unfortunate life situtation to that of a fictional characther, "Am I not like the Lady in The Bold Stone for a wife - waiting the consent of the three guardians?"<br /> <br /> 7" x 4.5", 2 pp. on stationary with mail fold. c. 1865. Content: Date established by Hood's comment "I am going to leave the War Office..." which he did in 1875; "I send you a picture of Lake House Wanstead - the house where I was born - it was originally the banquet hall of Wanstead House.";… Read More

Rockland, ME, 1859. Fine. 9.75" x 8", 1 pp. folio in neat, readable period script. Usual mailing folds, two tiny tears at fold on bottom, a jagged edge on left margin, likely where excised. <br /> <br /> Chalon Burgess (1817-1903), a Presbyterian minister whose published writings include The Life and Character of Abraham Lincoln with Some Lessons of His Death and The Presbyterian Church of Silver Creek, N.Y. Burgess was the pastor of the First Congregational Church of Harmony, N.Y. from 1861 to 1875 and pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Silver Creek, N.Y. from 1875 to 1891. He was also a member of the International Sunday School Association. Burgess' writings include sermons, newspaper editorials, and diaries. Notable is his travel diary, dated 1880, relating to his trip to London and Glasgow for the celebration of the Centenary of Sunday Schools. Burgess was a prominent member of the Chautauqua Institution. Originally the Chautauqua Lake Sunday School Assembly, was… Read More

Washington DC, 1859. Very good. Strong, bold signature nearly 4" long on a note from the President to his Secretary of State, Lewis Cass, in the year leading up to the Civil War. 9.75" x 8", 1 pp. An ink spot touching one word at top third, two small, closed tears at fold and at the bottom of page, reinforce at rear left edge, likely from a stationary booklet.<br /> <br /> James Buchanan (1791-1868), was the 15th President of the U.S. from 1857 - 1861, during the build-up leading to the Civil War. Buchanan was the only U.S. president from Pennsylvania, and the only one to remain a lifelong bachelor. His political career ran through the U.S. Senate, Secretary of State, and Ambassador to Britain. Historians rank his presidency low on the scale as he failed to address the growing disparity between slave and non-slave states, leaving the impression that he supported the Southern States to choose their own course. During his tenure the Dred Scott decision gave the impression… Read More

Baltimore, MD, 1901. Fine. 7" x 4.5", 4 pp. in very legible hand, addressed to "L. I. G.", most probably Louise Imogen Guiney. Content: Railing against the Reformer, "You see, the Reformer was going around with an axe, and as it was just as likely to fall in my direction..."; waxing romantically about her ancestral homeland, " It was the home of my paternal ancestors, who hunted the deer and and drank their deep draughts of spiced stuff, and hurled the spears at their enemies across the marches."<br /> <br /> Lizette Woodworth Reese (Jan 1856 - Dec 1935) was an American poet and teacher in Baltimore, MD. She often was praised by critics for her facility with sonnets. Her words were melodic and appealing.<br /> <br /> Louise Imogen Guiney (Jan 1861 - Nov 1920) was an American poet, essayist and editor, born in Roxbury, Massachusetts. For more than 20 years, she worked at various jobs, including serving as a postmistress and working in… Read More

1889. Fine. ALS handwritten in full. 9" x 7.75" note paper folded in half for writing, folded again for sending. Excellent firm writing in black ink. Pages bordered in black, likely as a show of mourning for her brother, Col. John Cromwell Dent who had died on January 1, 1889. Verso has the word 'petition' in blue pencil and discoloration around and below the verso fold.<br /> <br /> Julia Boggs Dent Grant (January 26, 1826 - December 14, 1902) was the 18th First Lady of the United States and wife of Ulysses S. Grant. They were married in August 1848 and had four children together. In her later years, when she was in D. C., she became the doyen and mentor to First Ladies Cleveland, Harrison and Roosevelt. "S. E. 66th / New York / Dec 7th 89 / Mr. Loveland / Dear Sir Thanking you for the kind wishes expressed in you note and for the prompt attention to my petition. I am sincerely J D Grant"<br /> William A. H. Loveland was a Railroad Baron, Lt. Gov. of… Read More

Fayette County, Indiana, 1937. Very good. Autograph manuscript letter, 7.75" x 12.25", mailing folds into sixths, light age spotting along right margin. Legal complaint by lawyer Smith on behalf of his client for the recovery of a sum of $1806.72 plus $500 in damages due his client David Maze on recto. Verso contains filing information by County Clerk, G. Ginn.<br /> <br /> Caleb Blood Smith (Apr 16, 1808 - Jan 7, 1864) was an American journalist and politician, serving in the Cabinet of Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. He was educated at Cincinnati College and Miami University, studied law in Cincinnati and in Connersville, Indiana, and was admitted to the bar in 1828. He began practice at the latter place, established and edited the Sentinel in 1832, served several terms in the Indiana legislature, and was in the United States Congress in 1843-1849, having been elected as a Whig. Lincoln appointed Smith as the U. S. Secretary of the Interior in 1861 as a reward… Read More

Providence, RI, 1846. Fine. 10" x 8", 1 p, folded stationary, docketed on verso to Zachariah Allen, Esq, North Main St. Content: Letter of reccomendation for John Hyde, "...an honest industrious man conversant with manufacturing as a mill wright,"<br /> <br /> Tristam Burges (Feb 1770 - Oct 1853) was a U.S. Representative from Rhode Island as a Federalist and served for ten years. He originally studied medicine but upon the death of his father he abandoned the study of medicine. He was graduated from what is now Brown University and became a prominent member of the Federalist Party. He was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island in May 1815, serving for just one year. Burges was elected to the US Congress in 1825 and served for ten years. He was known for his witty repartee with Anti-New England Virginian John Randolph. He favored a protective trade tariff, and he lost re-electing because he refused to accept a tariff compromise proposed by Henry… Read More

1966. AUTOGRAPH and SIGNED by Mamie Eisenhower in bold red felt tip pen. 4.75" x 11.37" folded to open from the top. Holly wreath in red and green on the front designed by Ruth Keppler who was the head artist at Woodward & Lathrop, Washington D.C.'s first Department Store. This card signifies a contribution to the Washington Heart Association on the rear. Fine condition. "Dear Elise - Am retiring this year as Santa's Helper - Am going to relax at Holiday Time except for the children - A card will always come your [way] to let you know you are in our thoughts - M.

Ridgefield, CT, 1960. Fine. 7" x 10.5", 2 pp., on personal letterhead stationary. Very readable, written in blue ink on both sides. Stamped mailing envelope included.<br /> <br /> Alice Geraldine Farrar (1882 - 1967) was an American soprano opera singer and film actress, noted for her beauty and acting ability. She had a large following among young women, who were nicknamed "Gerry-flappers". Farrar made her debut at the New York Metropolitan Opera in Romeo et Juliette in 1906. She appeared in the first Met performance of Puccini's Madam Butterfly in 1907 and remained a member of the company until her retirement in 1922, singing 29 roles there in 672 performances. Farrar recorded extensively for the Victor Talking Machine Company and was often featured prominently in that firm's advertisements. Her personal life was of great interest to the public, including alleged affairs with Arturo Toscanini, Enrico Caruso. In the year of this letter she received two (2)… Read More

np, 1797. Very good. 12.75" x 7.75", 2 pp. docketed on the folded rear panel to: Evans Whorry, Esq, at or near Little Falls / To the care of Wm Porteous. Age toned, usual mail folds, hole along left margin where wax was removed, not affecting front page, interrupting two words on the second page, not his signature. Content: Van Vechten informs his client that he has done his best to represent him in light of the facts of the case, "This Settlement is founded upon an opinion given by the Chancellor in a case similarly circumstanced in every respect...I thought it best to close the business at once, without incurring further costs", <br /> <br /> Abraham Van Vechten (December 5, 1762 - January 6, 1837) was an American lawyer and a Federalist politician who served twice as New York State Attorney General. In 1784, he married Catharina Schuyler (1766-1820), eldest daughter of Philip P. Schuyler (1736-1808) of the prominent Schuyler family. In 1792, he was elected one of… Read More

1954. Fine. AUTOGRAPHED "Grace Coolidge" and dated on note card in fine condition. Signature 3.5" long on a 5.25" x 3.5" card.<br /> <br /> Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge (Jan 3, 1879 - July 8, 1957) was the wife of the 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge. She was the First Lady from 1923 to 1929. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 1902 with a bachelor of arts degree in teaching and joined the Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech in Northampton, Massachusetts to teach deaf children to communicate by lip reading, rather than by signing. She met Calvin Coolidge in 1904, and the two were married the following year. As her husband advanced his political career, Grace avoided politics. When Calvin Coolidge was elected Governor of Massachusetts in 1919, she remained at home in Northampton with their children. In 1929, Calvin Coolidge's term as president ended, and the couple retired to Northampton. After her husband's death in 1933,… Read More

Washington DC, 1878. 9.75" x 7.5", 3 pp., on lined stationary, impeccable, crisp, readable penmanship. Very fine letter in which Henry writes to Joseph Patterson to thank him for setting up a Smithsonian Institution testimonial to himself. Henry is effusive in his humility and generous in his gratitude. Better than average content from a prson whos signature is seldom encountered. This may have been one of the last letters he ever signed; he mentions an illness in the firs line and he died a few months later on May 13, 1878.<br /> <br /> The first Smithsonian Secretary, Joseph Henry, served from 1846 to 1878. A professor at the College of New Jersey, he was a physicist who conducted pioneering research in electromagnetism and helped set the Smithsonian on its course. Too poor to pay tuition, Henry did not attend the Albany Academy until the late age of 21 despite being admitted to the school earlier. When a position opened up in 1826, Henry accepted a job as the school's… Read More