Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 35

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

U.S. Presidents & First Ladies

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 196		(Presidents) Six Signed Presidential Appointments For A Naval Surgeon. An archive of Naval documents pertaining to the service of John F. Murphy includes six Naval commissions Signed by four Presidents: one by William McKinley, 1 June 1901 (three months before he was assassinated); two by Theodore Roosevelt, 19 Mar. 1902 (vellum is wrinkled), and 19 Jan. 1906; one by William H. Taft, 15 Mar. 1912 (some scattered foxing); and two by Calvin Coolidge, 21 Oct. and 22 Dec. 1926. All are countersigned by the current Secretary of the Navy. All are vellum except the Coolidge documents, which are paper, and all but one document (Coolidge) have the lovely Naval engravings at top and bottom; all documents have the blue Naval seal, small portions of which are lacking on four documents. A seventh presidential commission, engraved with Woodrow Wilson's name and with all of the vignettes and seal, lacks the presidential signature and is signed on 3 April 1918 (the day before the Senate voted to declare war in World War I) by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels. Through the years, John F. Murphy is variously appointed Assistant Surgeon in the Navy, Surgeon in the Navy, and Medical Director in the Navy. Very good to fine condition. Accompanied by a panoramic photo, 10½" x 18¾", showing The Atlantic Fleet at a 1912 banquet in New York; some edge tears. Also included are Murphy's 1894 public school diploma, his 1900 diploma from the University of Michigan; his humorous "Neptune" certificate for crossing the Equator in 1901 aboard the U.S.S. "Solace"; a commendation signed by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels in 1920 for meritorious service while serving during World War I on the ship "George Washingrton"; a 1920 letter regarding Murphy's commendation for a silver star, and some correspondence from the Navy. An excellent overview of a Naval surgeon's career. Estimated Value $3,500 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,565
Lot 197		(Presidents) Truman, Eisenhower, & Nixon. 6x8" Newspaper photograph of Dwight D. Eisenhower taking the oath of office on January 20, 1953; outgoing President Harry S. Truman is at far left and incoming Vice President Richard Nixon is at far right. All three men signed at various times. From left to right: "Harry S. Truman 2-9-63"; "with best wishes Dwight D. Eisenhower," no date; and "from Richard Nixon 9-16-85." All three signatures are in black ink. Light toning, else fine. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $489
Lot 198		Reagan, Ronald. Typed Letter Signed "Ronnie," 2½pp, 11x8½", n.p., 6 Nov. 1945. Fine. Written while Reagan was still a Democrat to columnist Walter Winchell, the most powerful and feared journalist of his time, regarding a speech in a Los Angeles high school by the hate-monger agitator and propagandist Gerald L.K. Smith. "…The re-birth of Naxiism is apparently to take place in Los Angeles. Our old friend, Gerald L.K. Smith, has been holding out here for several weeks…." Reagan says that Smith is in tight with the Los Angeles City administration and that, in an effort to prevent Smith from speaking, he, Eddie Cantor, Harpo Marx, and members of "500 civic and religious organizations appeared before the School Board to prove Gerald was subversive." Smith charged them all, as well as servicemen from the American Veterans Committee, with being communists, and Smith was allowed to speak at the high school where "The police bravely assualted the high school kids and managed to arrest about 20." Reagan almost chortles as he describes how the audience booed Smith: "…the acoustics must have been pretty bad. All anyone could hear were the 'boo's of a very disrespectful audience. We had five rows of servicement right down in front reading newspapers….When it finally became apparent that Gerald's needle had stuck and all he could say was 'Communist', our hand-picked audience rose cheerfully, 'Heiled' him and adjourned to the Olympic Auditorium where a meeting was held under the auspices of the Mobilization for Democracy…." Reagan, who was obviously hoping for national coverage of this event from his friend, tells Winchell to call him collect at home for more information. A note in pencil from Winchell to Reagan is at the top of the first page. Ironically, Winchell would be brought down by his support for Senator Joe McCarthy. A most interesting Reagan letter. Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000. Forbes Collection. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 199		Reagan, Ronald (1911-2004) 40th President of the United States (1981-89). Campaign hat signed on the crown "Ronald Reagan Aug. 15 - 1988" as President, during the Republican National Convention that took place in New Orleans in August 1988. The white Styrofoam hat has a red, white and blue paper ribbon band. There are a few tiny tears in the band, else fine. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $449
Lot 200		Roosevelt, Edith and Eleanor. Edith K. Roosevelt Free-franked envelope with "Oyster Bay, Jan 12 1921" postmark addressed in her hand; very good. Eleanor Roosevelt, Typed Letter Signed as First Lady on "The White House" letterhead, 1p, 9¼x6" 26 Nov. 1942, thanking Miss Sharon for some material regarding a service that is needed in London. Very good; both left corners are missing, affecting nothing. Estimated Value $150 - 250. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 201		Roosevelt, Eleanor (1884-1962) First Lady, diplomat, humanitarian. Photograph by famed photographer Karsh Inscribed and Signed, "To Hildegarde with good wishes Eleanor Roosevelt," 13¼x10¼", n.p., n.d. Fine. Also signed by the photographer, "Karsh / Ottawa." Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $403
Lot 202		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 203		Roosevelt, Franklin D (1882-1945) 32nd President of the United States (1933-45). White House Card Signed, 2¾x4¼", n.p., n.d. Fine; toned line around edges from a previous framing and two small tape remnants on the verso. Estimated Value $400 - 600. Sang Collection. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $546
Lot 204		Roosevelt, Theodore (1858-1919) 26th President of the United States (1901-09). Beautiful 9¼x5¾" Photograph Signed boldly across the lower edge. No photographer's name, but imprinted "Rockwood N.Y. Copyright, 1900." A three-quarter albumen photo of Roosevelt in formal dress, mounted--a giant cabinet card. Fine; minor toning. The photo was taken while Roosevelt was governor, but the date he signed is unknown. Very handsome! Estimated Value $900 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,668
Lot 205		Roosevelt, Theodore. Typed Letter Signed on "The Kansas City Star" letterhead, 1p, 11x8½", New York, 23 Sept. 1918. Very good; age wear and toning. To W. L. Cole of St. Louis, regretting that he can not accept an invitation to speak and adding, "I am keeping in close touch with Mr. Hays, Republican National Chairman and I suggest that you also keep in touch with him." He writes a final sentence in pen, "With real regret" and makes two holograph corrections to the text. From 1917 Roosevelt was an editorial contributor to the Kansas City Star. Fewer than four months later, on January 6, 1919, Roosevelt died. Estimated Value $700 - 900. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 206		Roosevelt, Theodore (1858-1919) 26th President of the United States (1901-09). White House Vignette Signed, 3½x4¾", n.p., n.d. Fine; toned line around edges from a previous framing and two small tape remnants on the verso. Estimated Value $400 - 600. Sang Collection. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $748
Lot 207		Taft, William H. and Helen H. Typed Letter Signed "Wm H Taft"as a law professor at Yale, on personal letterhead, 1p, 9¼x7", New Haven, Conn., 14 Dec. 1915. Very good; damaged lower edge affects nothing and can be trimmed or matted out. Telling a woman that "…it would not be proper for me to write such a letter as that which you ask" [?!] With transmittal envelope and accompanied by a free-franked envelope, "Helen H. Taft / Free," postmarked from Cincinnati, Ohio, 1930. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $316
Lot 208		Taylor, Zachary (1784-1850) 12th President of the United States (1849-50). Letter Signed "Z. Taylor" as President, 1p, 9¾x8", Washington, 27 July 1849. Fine; lightly affixed at upper and lower left corners to a larger sheet; tip of upper left corner is missing, affecting nothing. The President thanks a lawyer in Baltimore for a book: "You will please accept my thanks for your kind attention in sending me the 'Narrative of Events which occurred in Baltimore…during the Revolutionary War'." Zachary Taylor is the third rarest President in items signed as President. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,910
Lot 209		Truman, Harry S (1884-1972) 34th President of the United States (1945-53). Typed Letter Signed as President on White House letterhead, 1p, 9x7", Washington, 7 Nov. 1951. Marked "Personal," to American philosopher and writer, Will Durant, who wrote The Story of Civilization with his wife Ariel. Truman thanks Durant for his visit and his suggestions and hopes that Durant will listen to his national broadcast that same night. "…I think you will find that, with the exception of the murderers and crooks in China, we are in pretty close agreement. " He continues with sharp criticism of both the communist and the nationalist Chinese governments. "The Chinese communists confiscated all our Government property in China, imprisoned our consuls and murdered some of our missionaries and I am not quite broadminded enough to endorse that procedure. I am hoping you are right that they will not continue to be the tail to Russia's kite but I've got to see a demonstration of it before I believe it. I've been very badly mistaken in Chinese Governments. When I became President of the United States I thought Chiang Kai-Shek's Government was on the road to a real reform government in China. I found by experience that it was the most corrupt and terrible Government that China ever had. I am never to be satisfied with a Government that maintains its power by murder and slave labor. I think …probably after you and I are being investigated by historians fifty or sixty years from now, there will be a settlement in China - at least I hope so…." Superb content. Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 210		Truman, Harry S. World War II Victory Proclamation Broadside Signed and Inscribed to the veteran and seemingly-immortal White House Executive Clerk Maurice C. Latta, who began as a clerk at the White House under President William McKinley in 1898 and who would serve for fifty years-- through 1947 : "This was a happy birthday to me [Truman's birthday was May 8]. I hope this will be a happy Christmas for you. 12/25/45. To Mr. Maurice C. Latta. Harry S. Truman." This impressive document, bearing a six-inch signature by Truman, is printed on a 21¾x14½" leaf of heavy-stock presentation paper, dated in print May 8, 1945, the date the unconditional surrender of Germany to the Allies was ratified in Berlin. Across the top of the page, in blue lettering is: "By The President Of The United States Of America." The initial "T" in the first paragraph is gold and each paragraph thereafter begins with either a blue or red letter, two paragraphs having three words in red lettering. The proclamation begins: "The Allied Armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God's Help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender…." While celebrating the victory in the West, Truman acknowledges, "The victory won in the West must now be won in the East. The whole world must be cleansed of the evil from which half the world has been freed…." and the President appoints Sunday, May 13, 1945, as a day of prayer. The document is recessed in a beautiful 24x18" inch tortoise-shell frame. In superb condition. A Victory Proclamation signed by Truman sold for $19,500 in 2004. Scarce. Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000. Sang Collection. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $17,250
Lot 211		Truman, Harry S. Autograph Note Signed "HST" in pencil as President, 1p, 8x5", n.p., n.d. Fine. To Secretary of State Dean Acheson: "Dean: - At 10"30 see if you can start a break up, diplomatically. HST" A penciled note at the bottom of the page says, "on file between 1/10/52 & 1/129/52." During this time, Korean truce talks had stalled. Included is a carbon copy of a letter from Acheson to the President, dated 10 Jan. 1952, thanking him for a photo from "…what I hope has been a useful, if enhausting, conference…." and a block of Truman postage stamps. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 212		Truman, Harry S. Typed Letter Signed on personal stationery, 1p, 10½x7¼", Independence, Missouri, 14 May 1962. Very good; spotting at lower right and upper edge, most of which could be matted out. To Mr. and Mrs. Kleinberg in Los Angeles, thanking them for planting trees in the B'nai B'rith Sanctuary in honor of his birthday. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $161
Lot 213		Truman, Harry S. Book Inscribed and Signed, "To Joe Bell From Harry S. Truman," on the frontispiece, no place, no date, 11¼x¼". The book is titled Mr. President. The First Publication From the Personal Diaries, Private Letters, Papers and Revealing Interviews of Harry S. Truman…by William Hillman (New York: Farrar, Straus and Young, 1952), 253 pp. Rubbing to cloth covers and stamp from a previous owner, else very good. (1884-1972) 33rd President of the United States,1945-1953. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $253
Lot 214		Truman, Harry S. White House Card Signed "Harry S. Truman" and co-signed "Bess W. Truman," 2¾x4¼", n.p., n.d. Fine; two small tape remnants on the verso. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $299
Lot 215		Truman, Harry S. Typed Letter Signed on personal letterhead, 1p, 10½x7¼", Kansas City, Missouri, 10 Sept. 10 1956. To Lawrence Spivak of "Meet The Press," regretting that he can not appear on the program "with the very heavy schedule being set up for me during the campaign months…". Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 216		Truman, Harry S. Color Photograph Inscribed and Signed, "To Mrs. Robert Becker From Harry S. Truman," 5x7" n.p., n.d. Very good. An older Truman is helped by a steadying hand from behind as he descends some stairs. The handwriting is a little unsteady, as well. With a block of Truman stamps. Estimated Value $150 - 250. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 217		Truman, Harry S. First Edition of Volume One of Memoirs by Harry S. Truman. Year of Decisions Signed in black ink on the first end page, n.p., n.d. Published in 1955 by Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, N.Y., 597 pp. Nice tight copy with light toning. Dust jacket is soiled with chipped edges. Estimated Value $125 - 175. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $300
Lot 218		Tyler, John (1790-1862) 10th President of the United States (1841-45). Autograph Letter Signed, 1p, 8¼x7¼", Sherwood Forest (his farm outside of Richmond, Va.), 31 July, 1853. Very good; scattered foxing. To an unnamed gentleman regarding a Mr. John Prescott. In part:; "…I have to say that I have no recollection of such a person…and not the slightest remembrance of having given him a certificate of character corresponding with the copy which you have embodied in your letter now before me….If I ever knew Mr. Prescott I have most strangely forgotten him." Boldly penned and signed. Estimated Value $900 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,080
Lot 219		Van Buren, Martin (1782-1862) 8th President of the United States (!837-41). Autograph Document Signed twice, "M.V. Buren," 1p, 9¼x7¾", n.p., 6 April 1817. Very good; two holes in right margin affect nothing. A bill rendered to the executors of Isaac Clason for a case argued in the Court of Errors. With holograph address on verso. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 220		Washington, George & Huntington, Samuel. Letter Signed as First President of the United States, 1p, 9x7¼", United States, 26 Feb. 1790. Addressed to one of the Governors of the twelve United States, each of whom received a similar letter from the President. In. full: "Sir, I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency an Act passed in the second Session of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States - entitled 'an Act for giving effect to the several Acts therein mentioned, in respect to the State of North Carolina, and other purposes.' I have the honor to be, With due consideration Your Excellency's Most Obedient Servant G^o:Washington." Housed in a handsome, custom-made, cocoa-colored holder with black leather spine and tips and gilt lettering. Huntington, Samuel. Autograph Letter Signed "S. Huntington" as Governor of Connecticut, 1p, 11x7¼", Norwich (CT), 27 Feb. 1790. Very good; somewhat brittle, with breaks at top margin and edges of top fold; moderately toned; archival reinforcement to two lower folds on verso, old tape marks at top of letter, affecting only the word "Norwich." Addressed "To the President of the United States of America. Sir I am honoured with your letter of the 20th, Instant covering An Act Entitled an Act for giving effect to several Acts therein mentioned in respect to the State of North Carolina, & other purposes…." The docket on verso reads, "President Washington Febry 27th: 1790 No. 2" probably indicating that this was the copy written by Huntington to be kept in his files. Housed in a handsome, custom-made, cocoa-colored holder with black leather spine and tips and gilt lettering. Huntington signed the Declaration of Independence and was a member of the Continental Congress (1776-84), serving as its president (1779-81). He was Governor of Connecticut from 1896 to 1896. In 1585 and 1587, North Carolina was the scene of the first attempts to establish English settlers in America. The first attempt, led by Ralph Lane, failed. The second colony, led by John White and built on Roanoke Island, mysteriously disappeared, leaving only the word "Croatan" carved on a tree. From this "Lost Colony" came Virginia Dare, the first child born to English parents in America. In 1663, North Carolina became a proprietary colony under a charter granted by Charles II; it was named in honor of his father, Charles I. In 1729, seven of the eight proprietors sold their interests to the Crown and North Carolina became a royal colony. In 1774, the colony sent delegates to the First Continental Congress, and on April 12, 1776, North Carolina became the first colony to instruct its delegates to vote for independence. Later that year, North Carolina adopted its first constitution and chose Richard Caswell as governor. On July 21, 1778, the colony ratified the Articles of Confederation. During the American Revolution, there was relatively little fighting within the colony, but many North Carolinians saw action elsewhere. In 1788 North Carolina delayed approving the United States Constitution until the Bill of Rights was added, assuring certain freedoms for the people, many of which had been suggested by North Carolina at the Hillsboro Convention of 1788. Finally, on November 21, 1789, North Carolina ratified the Constituion, becoming the twelfth state in the Union. While copies of the Acts referred to in these letters are not extant, they leave a paper trail in the wake of the most recently created United State and, as such, represent an invaluable piece of American history. Estimated Value $70,000 - 80,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 221		Washington, George (1732-99) 1st President of the United States (1789-97) Autograph Letter Signed "G^o: Washington," twice, once at the end of the letter and once on the holograph address leaf, 1p, 9x7¼", Mount Vernon, 5 Mar. 1786. Very good; overall toning; partial separation at both edges of center fold; minor edge chips. Written to Patrick Henry, who is referred to as "His Excell.y The Governor" on the letter and "His Excelly Patrick Henry - Governor &c Richmond" on the address leaf. Washington writes: "Sir, Your Excellency's favor of the 6th ult^o came duly to hand, but I had no opportunity before the 2d inst. of laying it before the Directors of the Potomack Company. By the board, I am desired to inform your Excelly, that they decline taking the six felons in the public goal, at the same time that they feel themselves obliged by the offer.…" During the years after the Revolutionary War, Washington spent much of his time rebuilding Mount Vernon, which had suffered during his absence. He also served as president of the Potomac Company, begun in 1785, whose purpose was to plan, design, and construct a canal on the Potomac River. Washington and his Board of Directors made all of the decisions, having no American civil engineers to aid them. Here Washington refuses the offer of prison labor to work on the canal. Estimated Value $27,000 - 33,000. Byron Reed Collection, Christie's, 8 Oct. 1996, Lot 225. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $34,500
Lot 222		Washington, George. Partly-printed Document Signed "G:^o Washington" as Commander-in-Chief, 1 p., 11½" x 8", Head-Quarters, 9 June 1783. "These are to Certify that the Bearer hereof Edmund E. Hill Matross in the 2nd New York artillary Regiment, having faithfully served the United States from the 1st Jany. 1777 untill the present period and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby Discharged from the American Army." Also signed by "J Trumbull Jun.," Washington's aide-de-camp, and by the adjutant, James Bradford. The lower part of the document notes that Hill "has been honored with the Badge of Merit for Six Years faithful Service…." Printed on the verso is the statement that the certificate "shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace"; until that time, he should be considered on furlough. Signed in print by George Washington. A matross was a soldier who assisted artillery gunners in loading, firing, sponging, and moving the guns. The document is not in great condition; it is worn and toned, trimmed at top and bottom (a couple of lines are missing at bottom), with a few small areas of paper loss. That being said, Washington's signature is quite bold, and it is still a valuable Revolutionary War discharge. It has been handsomely matted with a small image of Washington and a biographical plaque and housed in an impressive antique-gold frame; its overall size is 24" x 25½". Ready for display. The document is accompanied by photocopies of documents regarding Hill's Revolutionary War service: muster rolls for Nov. 1779 through April 1783; and three 1820 documents for his pension, including two declarations detailing his enlistment in 1777 for three years as a carpenter in Col. Hay's Regt., Capt John Wood's company, and his subsequent enlistment as a matross in the summer of 1779 for the duration of the war, in Capt. Andrew Moody's company of artillery under Col. John Lamb, 2nd New York Regt. of Artillery, where he served until his discharge 9 June 1783. He further states that two men named Hackett and Holly took his discharge signed by Gen. Washington some seven years ago (c. 1813) in order to obtain some land in his name, and that he has never seen it since. Another document from Haverhill, Massachusetts records shows that Hill was born in Manchester, England (1746) and arrived in America in 1767; he died in 1821 at the age of 75. Estimated Value $8,000 - 12,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $13,225
Lot 223		Wilson, Edith Bolling (1872-1961) First Lady; 2nd wife of Woodrow Wilson. Autograph Letter Signed, 1p, 6½x4¾", Washington, D.C., n.d. Fine; some toning at top edge. To Mrs. Warren, inviting her to join Mrs. Wilson and "a few other friends" for lunch on December 5th. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $259
Lot 224		Wilson, Woodrow (1856-1924) 28th President of the United States (1913-21). Autograph Sentiment Signed, "A man's most authentic autograph is the record of his life. Woodrow Wilson. Princeton, 24 Oct. 05" as president of Princeton University, 2½x4½". Very good; the ink is a little faded but clearly legible. Estimated Value $400 - 600. Sang Collection. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $575

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