Winner of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. German Lieutenant-General in the Second World War, commanded the 344th Infantry Division and the 9th Panzer Division. In the last weeks of the war, he commanded a group named "Combat Team Jollasse," comprised of the remains of the 344th Infantry Division and the 10th Waffen SS Division "Frundsberg." Signed letter, in German, to a collector mentioning a signed photograph (not included) and wishing him luck with his collection. Dated November 3, 1986, and signed "E. Jolasse." $165.00

Skilled and respected artillery general during the War of the Revolution, ultimately becoming the chief artillery officer for the army. Friend and confidante of George Washington. First United States Secretary of War 1785-1794. Manuscript War Department letter dated May 30, 1793, authorizing "all the brass mounted muskets put into order." Large, bold signature "H. Knox" as Secretary of War. $725.00

British General, Napoleon's jailer on the island of St. Helena during the time that the former emperor was exiled there, from 1815 until his death in 1821. Lowe was a target of the exiled Napoleon's spite, and is sometimes implicated in conspiracy theories surrounding the Emperor's death. Signature clipped from a document, "Hudson Lowe." $125.00

Union Major-General, winning the Congressional Medal of Honor for action at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Commanded US Army 1895-1901, retired as a Lieutenant-General. Successful Indian fighter, he fought the Nez Perce 1877 and the Apaches under Geronimo 1886. Organized and trained troops for the Spanish-American War 1898. Typed letter dated August 29, 1890, recommending a US Army lieutenant for brevet rank under an Act of Congress to reward "gallant services in Indian campaigns." Excellent content as Miles recounts the lieutenant's conspicuous gallantry in action against the Nez Perce and later the Apache war against Geronimo's band. Signed in pencil "N. A. Miles, MG" as major-general commanding the Division of the Pacific. On very thin paper with some age discoloration, and a few spots of paper loss. Archivally de-acidified and backed. Scarce, with very good content. $1200.00

Union Major-General, winning the Congressional Medal of Honor for action at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Commanded US Army 1895-1901, retired as a Lieutenant-General. Successful Indian fighter, he fought the Nez Perce 1877 and the Apaches under Geronimo 1886. Organized and trained troops for the Spanish-American War 1898. Very nice manuscript letter on Headquarters Division of the Pacific stationery, dated November 23, 1889. Addressed to General HENRY L. ABBOTT (1831-1927), an engineer officer who had commanded the Union siege artillery at Petersburg. Although only a colonel in the regular army, Miles addressed him by the brevet rank of major-general of volunteers awarded for his Civil War service. The letter concerns a visit by Abbott and his attendance at an event hosted by Miles. Fine condition, boldly signed "Nelson A. Miles." $285.00

Distinguished US Navy officer, one of the heroes of the early American naval tradition, brother of Matthew C. Perry. Veteran of the Quasi-War with France, victor of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. Fantastic letter entirely in Perry's own hand, addressed to Commander WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE (1774-1833). US Navy Officer, one of the first heroes of the American naval tradition. He saw active service in the Quasi-War with France and the wars with the Barbary States. Succeeded Isaac Hull in command of the famed US Frigate Constitution, "Old Ironsides," during the War of 1812. The letter hints at naval intrigue and political maneuvering, and mentions several of the top officers of the day. Dated September 20, 1807, and signed "O. H. Perry." A rare item from one of the legends of the early US Navy. $3900.00

Patriot activist, served as member of the Board of War and Quartermaster-General of the Army during the War of the Revolution. Appointed Secretary of War 1795, he served until dismissed by political enemy John Adams in 1800. An ardent Federalist, he opposed the war of 1812. Original manuscript document dated June 19, 1784, at West Point, where John Burges has been paid 92 days extra pay for his services as an artificer, as the last of the Massachusetts Regiments to remain at West Point. Burges was part of the tiny caretaker force that remained when the Continental Army was disbanded following the Revolutionary War. The American army would eventually just number a few hundred men once most of the remainder, like Burges, mustered out. A great Revolutionary artifact, signed by Pickering as Quartermaster General. $490.00

Senior naval officer in the U.S. Navy who served under six Presidents for nearly four decades. He served aboard the Constellation and commanded both the Insurgente and and the Maryland. His service included the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. Serving in the Navy during its formative years, he became a senior officer and helped to develop the practices and traditions that emerged. Rodgers was noted for commanding the largest American squadron to sail the Mediterranean Sea. He also commanded the USS John Adams which was the flagship of the fleet that would defeat the Barbary states of North Africa. It was during the War of 1812 where Rodgers, serving as a ranking officer, fired the first shot aboard the USS President and played a leading role in the recapture of Washington DC after it was burned by the British.
This letter is handwritten and signed by Rodgers. Dated April 13, 1831, it is a letter of the Navy Commission Office directing the replacement of the tin roof of the Ship House over the Pennsylvania which had been blown off by a gale of wind. Included with the letter is the postal cover, with the free frank signature of Rodgers, directed to the Commanding Officer, Navy Yard, Philadelphia. $475.00

Son of Commodore John Rodgers and Civil War naval officer. Captain of the monitor "Weehawken," Rodgers would distinguish himself in the attack on Fort Sumter in April 1863 and against the Confederate ironclad "Atlanta." He received the Thanks of Congress and a promotion to Commodore. He took command of the ship, Dictator, but ongoing design and construction problems kept him with that ship for the remainder of the war. Post war, Rodgers would command the Boston Naval Station, take command of the Asiatic Squadron, command Mar Island and eventually become the Superintendent of the United States Naval Observatory.

This document is written on the official stationary of the U.S. Navy Yard, Boston. Dated June 22, 1867, the letter requests a one week leave of absence for E.J. Brooks, 1st Assistant Engineer. It is approved and signed by Alex Henderson, chief engineer. The document has been signed "Granted, John Rodgers." $475.00

The U.S.S. Constitution is a wooden-hulled three masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, the frigate is the world's oldest floating commissioned naval vessel. Launched in 1797, the USS Constitution was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third constructed out of the six.

The Constitution is most famous for her actions during the War of 1812 against Great Britain when she captured numerous merchant ships and defeated five British warships. It was after a battle with the HMS Guerriere, that the Constitution was nicknamed "Old Ironsides." The frigate's popularity inspired public outcry anytime the subject of scrapping came up, repeatedly saving it from being dismantled. Today, the Constitution serves as an historical symbol of the Navy's role in war and peace. The frigate is the oldest commissioned vessel afloat in the world.

This rare, original receipt is in excellent condition and dated August 27, 1798. It was issued to confirm the receipt of $66.66 for the rental of a piece of land occupied in building the frigate, Constitution. A partially printed document, issued in Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. $16,000.00

Original letter addressed to Colonel Robert Pogue, commanding the 4th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers. The author, William Shotwell, encloses newspapers with an "account of the Battle of Queenstown, the President's message, and many other things." He mentions seeing Mrs. Pogue, from whom he bought some oxen, and assures the colonel that his family is well. Dated November 18, 1812. Some tape repairs to missing sections of paper. No postal markings on the integral address leaf, so this was carried and delivered privately. A great piece of early Americana from a war that left relatively few paper documents. $195.00

On November 28, 1833, a group of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officers, including Captain Matthew Perry and Commodore Charles G. Ridgely, founded the United States Naval Lyceum at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Organized to "promote the diffusion of useful knowledge, to foster a spirit of harmony and a community of interest in the service, and to cement the links which unite us [Navy and Marine Corps officers] as professional brethren," the Lyceum consisted of a library, a museum, and for a brief time boasted its own journal, Naval Magazine. Additionally, members of the Naval Lyceum were among the leading voices in favor of the establishment of a formal naval academy.

Fifty-five years after its founding, the United States Naval Lyceum was disbanded. After ceasing operations, the Lyceum's collections were transferred to the United States Naval Academy where they became the core of the Naval Academy Museum's collection.

Measuring 15" x 18" this United States Naval Officers Membership diploma of the United States Naval Lyceum is issued by the Navy Yard, New York and dated December 29, 1836. It contains the signatures of:

Charles Goodwin Ridgely (1794-1848,) President: Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Ridgely served with Edward Preble during the First Barbary War. He was promoted to captain and placed in command of Erie. He commanded the Brazil Station and saw campaigns against the West Indian Pirates.
Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858,) 1st Vice President: The brother of Oliver H. Perry and serving as Commodore of the U.S. Navy, Perry commanded a number of ships. He served in the Mexican-American War and the War of 1812. Perry aided in setting the first course of instruction at Annapolis and organized the naval engineer corps. With the advent of the steam engine, he was a leading advocate in the modernization of the US Navy and was dubbed "The Father of the Steam Navy."

Tunis Cravin (1813-1864,) 2nd Vice President: Cravin served in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was an officer in the US Navy and a leading surveyor and hydrographer of the navy. During the Civil War he commanded the ironclad Tecumseh, 1863-1864, and went down with her in Mobile Bay.

$3500.00

2nd US President, Member of the Continental Congress for Massachusetts, early and vocal advocate for the Declaration of Independence. Adams was instrumental in negotiating the treaty ending the War of the Revolution. Adams has written 12 lines in Greek, undated, concerning the Ionian Confederacy, transcribed from Herodotus's history of the Persian Wars, Book 1, Chapter 141. The text concerns the conquest of Lydia by the Persians, when the Ionians and Aeolians belatedly offered their allegiance to the conqueror Cyrus. An annoyed Cyrus in turn relates a fable, the moral of which hints at the dangers inherent in waiting too long to submit to Persian rule. The only portion of the document written in English is the heading "The Ionian Confederacy. Herodutus. Lib. 1. c. 141." Like most of the founding fathers, John Adams was the product of a classical education, spanning Latin school in his teens through classical studies at Harvard in early adulthood. Being able to read the Greek and Latin classics in the original, and to pepper letters and conversation with appropriate quotations from the same, were the marks of a cultivated mind in the eighteenth-century. Also included is a smaller four-word Greek quotation written by Adams, and set with a beautiful impression of his "JA" seal in red wax above. Examples of presidential autograph material in any language except English are exceedingly rare. A fine and attractive pair of documents, offering insight into the intellectual world of one of the most significant of the founding fathers. A translation is provided. $6900.00

6th US President, Diplomat, son of 2nd US President John Adams. A particularly effective Secretary of State under James Monroe, he was largely responsible for drafting the Monroe Doctrine. Note written by Adams, being a jury verdict in a civil case in which Adams was attorney for the plaintiff. Apparently Adams won his case, since this verdict is signed by the jury foreman. A scarce artifact, as Adams spent most of his life in public service and relatively little time practicing law. Not signed. $395.00

15th US President, the only president to remain a bachelor his entire life. A popular and active Democratic politician, he served as Franklin Pierce's Minister to the United Kingdom. It was his misfortune to preside over the ever-deepening secession crisis, and his lack of action during that critical time has brought criticism ever since. When he left office he presented his successor, Abraham Lincoln, with a fractured country and a looming civil war. Superb manuscript letter to Postmaster General James Campbell, dated March 26, 1853, entirely in Buchanan's hand. Excellent political content concerning the political appointment process and how offices were distributed. A terrific, and scathingly accurate, assessment of the realities of politics from a master politician. Buchanan thanks Campbell for actions on behalf of a protégé, and commiserates concerning obstacles to the advancement of an apparent Campbell favorite. "True policy, as well as an honest heart," he writes, "dictates that one should be true to his friends." A fantastic item, one of the best Buchanan documents we've ever seen. $3500.00

Soldier of the Revolution, third Vice-President of the United States, serving in the Jefferson administration. He is infamous for killing political opponent Alexander Hamilton in a duel, and for having been tried (and acquitted) for treason in a scheme allegedly involving the carving out of a personal kingdom from the Louisiana Purchase territory. A one page tall narrow folio engraved document dated Princeton, March 19, 1802 signed by 7 of College of New Jersey (now Princeton) alumni and friends which reads " We whose names are underwritten do hereby engage to pay the sums severally annexed to our names, to the Trustees of the college of New Jersey...for the purpose of rebuilding the said college, lately destroyed by Fire, and for the re-building the said College, lately destroyed by Fire, and for replacing the library and Philosophical Apparatus thereof." Below the printed part seven men have signed, dated March 19, 1802 pledging various amounts. Signed by Princeton alumnus Aaron Burr while serving as US vice-president. Also signed by US Constitution Signer Gouverneur Morris, US Senator Jonathon Mason, Revolutionary War officer Aaron Ogden and later Governor of New Jersey. Continental Congressman John E. Howard, scientist John Ewing and Jona Dayton, Revolutionary War officer, Signer of the US Constitution, Speaker of the US Congress and US Senator . Besides being a graduate himself, Burr had close ties to Princeton, as his father was the school's second president. $5500.

22nd and 24th US President, only president to serve two non-consecutive terms, first Democrat to become president after the Civil War. Large, partially-printed two-page document concerning the state board of health and its investigation into a business in Queens that was producing "offensive and deleterious stenches." The document is signed "Grover Cleveland" as governor of New York. Dated July 20, 1883. $495.00

30th US President, Governor of Massachusetts. Amazing juvenile autograph album (2 x" by 4 x") kept by Georgia Wilder, a cousin of Coolidge's, when Calvin was a child. Contains the autographs of numerous children and residents of Coolidge's hometown of Plymouth, Vermont, including his mother VICTORIA J. COOLIDGE, who died in 1885 at the age of 39, and his only sibling ABIGAIL G. COOLIDGE, who died in 1890 at the tender age of 14. Also signed by Coolidge's (and Wilder's) grandparents HIRAM D. MOOR and ABIGAIL MOOR. Signed on the fifth page, "Your Cousin, J. Calvin Coolidge, Plymouth, Vt. Feb 12, 1885" by the twelve-year old future US President! His full name was John Calvin Coolidge – he dropped the "John" later in life. It is difficult to over-state the rarity of this item – documented childhood autographs of US Presidents are rare enough to be considered virtually non-existent, especially in private hands. This is a superb example, combining the signatures of Coolidge's friends, neighbors, and family from his tight-knit Vermont home town. A terrific find, and an absolutely unique Coolidge item. $3900.00

30th US President, Governor of Massachusetts. He succeeded to the presidency upon the death of Warren Harding, for whom he served as Vice-President. Typed letter on Coolidge's official stationery as Massachusetts governor, dated June 15, 1920, thanking a supporter for a message of congratulations. Coolidge is almost certainly referring to his recent nomination as vice-president on Warren Harding's Republican ticket. Signed in full "Calvin Coolidge." $385.00

30th US President, Governor of Massachusetts. He succeeded to the presidency upon the death of Warren Harding, for whom he served as Vice-President. Original White House letter sending thanks for a message of "comfort and assurance" after the death of Harding. The name of the recipient has been cut out of the letter, presumably to protect their privacy, but President Coolidge's signature is bold and crisp, and the White House stationery header remains. Dated August 4, 1923. An unusual and rare presidential item with a President commenting on the death of his predecessor. $725.00

First Lady of the United States, wife of President Calvin Coolidge. Elegant and well-loved, she was considered one of Calvin Coolidge's most valuable political assets. Fluent in sign language, she worked for decades with deaf children. Card signed and inscribed, "Autograph, Grace Coolidge, April 30, 1929." Done just after she and her husband had left the White House. Slight crease through the center, but still a strong and attractive signature. $95.00

Wife of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, First Lady of the Confederate States of America. She greatly aided President Davis during his term, and later helped him write his memoirs. Charming letter written and signed by Varina Davis in 1904 to Colonel L. P. Yerger of Mississippi, concerning all sort of personal affairs and her own opinions and observations, including her troubles with "the whole race of pepper and mustard under the guise of Reporters..." Especially interesting are her comments regarding the "War in Manchuria," referring to the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. She writes, "I do not love either side, but it is a weak power struggling against a powerful and unscrupulous adversary and I hope the Righteous God of Battles will help the worthy helpless ones." One back page smudged but legible, otherwise very good and with the original envelope. Signed "V. Jefferson Davis." $560.00

34th President of the United States with a career that held much military and political success. Dwight D. Eisenhower was born October 14, 1890, in Denison, Texas. He graduated from West Point in 1915. He distinguished himself in World War I and II and advanced rapidly through the ranks. President Truman made him chief of staff in 1945 and supreme commander of NATO in 1951. Eisenhower was elected president on the Republican ballot with running mate Richard Nixon in 1952 and again in 1956. This museum quality frame, measuring 23.5" x 18" houses two smaller frames. The frame on the left features a portrait of Eisenhower. On the right, a framed letter dated March 17, 1949. In the letter addressed to Mr. Barnett Chaiken of Chicago, IL, Eisenhower thanks Chaiken for the previously received personal note and snapshots. It is signed "Dwight D. Eisenhower." $1200.00

34th US President, General of the Army and Supreme Allied Commander during World War Two. Colorful cartoon cover of the official program for the 1949 Yale-Columbia football game, inscribed and signed by Eisenhower. Museum-quality framed with a portrait photograph of a smiling Eisenhower in uniform. $590.00

34th US President, General of the Army and Supreme Allied Commander during World War Two. Beautiful copy of Ike's memoir Waging Peace: The White House Years 1956-1961, (Doubleday & Company, Inc: Garden City, NY, 1965). This copy is one example of the limited edition run of 1,500, personally signed by Eisenhower. This one is number 957, and is boldly signed "Dwight Eisenhower." A great copy of a large (741 pages) and impressive work by one of our most important and accomplished presidents. $1250.00

34th US President, General of the Army and Supreme Allied Commander during World War Two. Typed letter on Ike's "Headquarters European Theater" official stationery, sending thanks for a congratulatory letter. War-dated January 31, 1944, and boldly signed "Dwight D Eisenhower." There is a streak of age toning across the letter, probably from cracked glass in an earlier picture frame, otherwise very good condition and a nice World War Two era piece. $395.00

First Lady of the United States, wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. 8" by 10" black and white photograph of a smiling Mamie at a press conference. Signed on the front "Mamie Eisenhower." A lovely image. $115.00

13th U.S. President, ascending to the office from the vice-presidency upon the death of President Zachary Taylor in 1850. Approved the Compromise of 1850, and signed the controversial Fugitive Slave Law. Partially printed document authorizing the affixing of the seal of the United States to "the further respite granted to James Clemens." Dated August 5, 1857, and signed "Millard Fillmore" as president. $850.00

13th U.S. President, ascending to the office from the vice-presidency upon the death of President Zachary Taylor in 1850. Approved the Compromise of 1850, and signed the controversial Fugitive Slave Law. A copy of the 69-page work The Seat of Government by Joseph B. Varnum, Jr., concerning the creation of Washington DC. Inscribed on the front, "President Fillmore from the Author." This book was presented to Fillmore from Varnum, and was part of his personal library. Not signed by Fillmore. $950.00

13th U.S. President, ascending to the office from the vice-presidency upon the death of President Zachary Taylor in 1850. Approved the Compromise of 1850, and signed the controversial Fugitive Slave Law. Beautiful oversized manuscript document empowering Captain William J. McCluney to ratify a "Convention of Peace, Friendship, and good Understanding between the United States and His Highness the Sultan of Borneo." Dated February 1, 1853, and set with a wax an a paper United States seal. Signed "Millard Fillmore" as president. $1900.00