Americana

Simpson, Alan and Erskine Bowles

The Moment of Truth: Report of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.

Washington, D.C 2010.

First edition of Simpson and Bowles’ final report on The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers. Signed by Alan Simpson on the half-title page, “Merry Christmas!! Alan Simpson.” In fine condition.

New Orleans Souvenir Album and Travel Brochure Collection.

: Various, 1938-1960.

Rare collection of 5 souvenir albums and nine pictorial travel brochures printed between 1938 and 1960. The souvenir albums include a “Souvenir Condensed History of New Orleans for the Tourist” (c. 1955), a “Souvenir du Restaurant Antoine”, “New Orleans, America’s Most Interesting City”, an early accordion-style pictorial album, and “Winter in New Orleans: Season 1908-1909”Continue reading "New Orleans Souvenir Album and Travel Brochure Collection."

[Aldrin, Buzz]

Buzz Aldrin Signed Two Dollar Bill.

Washington, D.C : United States Treasury, 1976.

Rare two dollar bill signed by American astronaut and the second man to land on the moon, Buzz Aldrin on the 200th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence. Matted and framed, the entire piece measures 10.5 inches by 5.75 inches. In near fine condition.

Stowe, Harriet Beecher

Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly and A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1892.

Finely bound example of the author’s classic work. Octavo, bound in full morocco, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt, volume with title vignettes and six wood-engravings. Lengthily signed by the author as follows, “There is no death to such as thou dear Eva,Continue reading "Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly and A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin."

Reagan, Ronald and George H. W. Bush

Ronald Reagan and George Bush Inaugural Gift Collection.

1981.

Fine collection of official gifts from the inauguration of Ronald Reagan as President and George H. W. Bush as Vice President of the United States. The collection includes a sterling silver money clip and pill box embossed with the Reagan Bush inaugural logo and a fountain pen from the inaugural reception of George H. W.Continue reading "Ronald Reagan and George Bush Inaugural Gift Collection."

Schwab, Charles M

Address Delivered at the Memorial Service Held in Honor of Andrew Carnegie Tuesday, November 25 1919.

Pittsburgh : Carnegie Music Hall, 1919.

First edition of Charles M. Schwab’s Address at the Memorial Service of his mentor Andrew Carnegie. Octavo, original wrappers. Presentation copy, inscribed by Charles M. Schwab on the front free endpaper, “To my friend George Steelman, with sincere regards, C. M. Schwab.” In near fine condition. Rare and desirable signed.

Kennedy, John F

John F. Kennedy Signed Inaugural Address.

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Rare Souvenir Edition of Life Magazine’s Inaugural Spectacle commemorating the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. Quarto, original wrappers, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by John F. Kennedy on the front panel, “To Evie Symington with very good wishes John F. Kennedy.” The recipient, Evelyn Symington was the wife of Amherst, Massachusetts-born politician Stuart Symington. SymingtonContinue reading "John F. Kennedy Signed Inaugural Address."

Ward, James

A History of Gold as a Commodity and as a Measure of Value Its Fluctuations both in Ancient and Modern Times with an Estimate of the Probable Supplies from California to Australia.

London : William S. Orr & Co, c. 1850.

First edition of Ward’s extensive survey of gold and gold mining, published at the height of the California Gold Rush. Octavo, original wrappers bound in full goatskin, retaining a section of the hand-colored folding map of the Gold Regions of Victoria and New South Wales. In near fine condition. Ownership inscription to the front panelContinue reading "A History of Gold as a Commodity and as a Measure of Value Its Fluctuations both in Ancient and Modern Times with an Estimate of the Probable Supplies from California to Australia."

Gazette of the United States. No.XXXVII. Wednesday, August 19, 1789.

New York : John Fenno, Wednesday, August 19, 1789.

Rare original printing of the Gazette of the United States, issued during the presidency of George Washington on August 19, 1789. Folio, one page, folded, this issue includes a the following articles, many continued from previous issues: Extract of a Letter on Weights, The Bow, By Express From Paris, and Sketches of the Proceedings ofContinue reading "Gazette of the United States. No.XXXVII. Wednesday, August 19, 1789."

Gazette of the United States. No. XXXI. Wednesday, July 29, 1789.

New York : John Fenno, July 29, 1789.

Rare original printing of the Gazette of the United States, issued during the presidency of George Washington on July 29, 1789. Folio, one page, folded, this issue includes a the following articles, many continued from previous issues: Sketch of the Political State of America, Original Specimens of Eloquence, Foreign and Domestic Miscellaneous Articles, and SketchesContinue reading "Gazette of the United States. No. XXXI. Wednesday, July 29, 1789."

The Massachusetts Centinel. Wednesday, October 21, 1789.

Boston : Russell, Benjamin, October 21, 1789.

Number II, of Vol. XII of “the most influential and enterprising paper in Massachusetts after the Revolution”, Benjamin Russell’s Massachusetts Centinel, issued on Wednesday, October 21, 1789 (Hudson, 147). Folio, one page, folded. The issue includes front-page articles on recently enacted acts allowing compensation for Members of the Senate and House of Representatives and theContinue reading "The Massachusetts Centinel. Wednesday, October 21, 1789."

[Prince, Marie]

1940s Westover Schoolgirl Scrapbook.

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Rare scrapbook from the collection of Marie Prince, documenting her tenure at The Westover preparatory school for girls in the early 1940s. Quarto, bound in three quarters morocco, the scrapbook contains several letters, notes, and large format photographs. In near fine condition.

Thomas, Douglas H. [John Hanson]

John Hanson Genealogical Archive.

c. 1880-1885.

Rare genealogical archive documenting the life and heritage of the first President of the Confederation Congress John Hanson, whose biographers have argued to be the true first President of the United States. The archive is composed primarily of letters, historical records and biographical documents prepared by Hanson’s ancestors, most notably several biographical volumes composed byContinue reading "John Hanson Genealogical Archive."

Atherton, Gertrude

The Splendid Idle Forties: Stories of Old California.

New York : The Macmillan Company, 1902.

First edition of the first novel in the author’s California series. Octavo, original cloth elaborated stamped in gilt, illustrated by Harrison Fisher. In near fine condition. An exceptional example.

Foner, Eric

Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution 1863-1877.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1988.

First edition of this “smart book of enormous strengths” (Boston Globe) that has become the classic work on the wrenching post–Civil War period, an era whose legacy reverberates in the United States to this day. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To the Farham Family, WithContinue reading "Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution 1863-1877."

Civil War Era Account Book and Letter Archive.

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Rare Civil War era bookkeeper’s log and letter archive primarily documenting claims for Civil War risk premiums in the Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims. Quarto, bound in three quarters morocco. Laid in are over two dozen letters of correspondence between the the office of Glidden and Williams postdated between 1854 and 1882 and insuranceContinue reading "Civil War Era Account Book and Letter Archive."

Roosevelt, Theodore; William Howard Taft; John Muir; John Burroughs; Bernard Baruch et al. [Olga Roosevelt]

Theodore Roosevelt Signed and Inscribed Autograph Quotation Book.

c. 1903.

Olga Roosevelt’s autograph book, lengthily inscribed and signed by Theodore Roosevelt as President of the United States, William Howard Taft as Vice President of the United States and several other famous figures of the era, including naturalists John Muir and John Burroughs and financier Bernard Baruch. Octavo, bound in full vellum with hand painted decorationsContinue reading "Theodore Roosevelt Signed and Inscribed Autograph Quotation Book."

Brown, Dee Alexander. [Harper Lee]

The Bold Cavaliers: Morgan’s 2nd Kentucky Cavalry Raiders.

Philadelphia and New York : J. B. Lippincott Company, 1959.

First edition of the author’s Civil War classic. Octavo, original half cloth, cartographic endpapers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee on the front free endpaper to close University of Alabama college friend, Charles Weldon Carruth, “To Charles with love, Nelle.” In the fall term of 1945, Lee andContinue reading "The Bold Cavaliers: Morgan’s 2nd Kentucky Cavalry Raiders."

Kennedy, Jacqueline; Oleg Cassini

Jacqueline Kennedy Oleg Cassini Dress Design Archive.

1961.

Rare collection of original Oleg Cassini dress designs, sketches, photographs, letters and a gown from Cassini’s personal collection. The collection includes a French magazine page inscribed by Jacqueline Kennedy, “afternoon + Theatre”, a letter typed by Cassini’s secretary Kay McGowan transcribing Kennedy’s instructions to him, an original Cassini Studio pencil sketch, a chart of sixteenContinue reading "Jacqueline Kennedy Oleg Cassini Dress Design Archive."

Antique Post Card Album.

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Antique postcard collection containing dozens of vintage postcards postdated in the early 1900s. From the collection of Dora Sims. Oblong octavo, bound in decorated cloth. The collection includes postcards with scenic views of Cleveland, Yellowstone National Park, Niagara Falls, the Columbia River Highway, and the Mississippi River, In very good condition. A charming collection.