Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 82

The Fall Manuscript, Collectibles, Stamp and Space Memorabilia Auction

Statesmen and U.S. Supreme Court Justices

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 767		Bryan, William Jennings and Horace Greeley. William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) Three-time presidential candidate, secretary of state, and lawyer (Clarence Darrow's opponent in the Scopes Trial of 1925). Typed letter signed as Secretary of State ("W.J. Bryan"), one page, on embossed Department of State letterhead, July 1, 1913. To the Diplomatic and Consular Officers of the U.S., asking them to extend courtesies and assistance to Mr. John O. McReynolds (brother of the attorney general), who was about to go abroad. Stain down left margin. Large, bold signature. Horace Greeley (1811-72) renowned editor, reformer, and presidential candidate. Autograph letter signed as editor of the New York Tribune, one page, on Tribune letterhead, 8 x 5", New York, Nov 13, 1864. To a lawyer asking him to consider a project "without prejudice" Fine but, like most of Greeley's letters, practically illegible. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $148
Lot 768		Clay, Henry (1777-1852) Lawyer and statesman famed for his oratory. He served three terms as Speaker of the House of Representatives and was Secretary of State from 1825 to 1829. His three attempts at the presidency--in 1824, 1832 and 1844--all came to naught. In 1824, he threw his electoral votes to John Quincy Adams, who made him secretary of state; the Jacksonians denounced this "corrupt bargain." Along with Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun, he formulated the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Compromise of 1850. Lincoln was a great admirer of his. Autograph document signed ("H. Clay"), 2pp, 12½ x 7½", Lexington (Kentucky), n.d. (c. 1800). Addressed "To the Honble the Judges of the District Court of Lexington sitting in Chancery"; Clay represents James and Lucy Barbour and William and Fanny Johnson in a land case. Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 300. The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly Hills. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $160
Lot 769		Douglass, Frederick (1817-95) Born a slave, he became a leading abolitionist, author, lecturer, and editor; he helped recruit black regiments for the Civil War and was consulted by Lincoln. Autograph document signed ("Fredk. Douglass") as Recorder of Deeds of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC, Oct. 1, 1881, on the docket leaf of a 5pp folio partly-printed document, Deed of Trust Chattels of William Murdock to Henry A, Williams and Lewis Clepham. Bound together at top with two staples, light overall toning; some slight tears to docket leaf at right and left borders, not affecting Douglass' signature. Overall in very good condition. Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $276
Lot 770		Kennedy, Robert F (1925-1968) U.S. attorney general and adviser during the administration of his brother President John F. Kennedy (1961-63). Later U.S. senator (1965-68), he was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the presidential nomination. Typed letter signed as U.S. Senator, on official letterhead, one page, 10¾ x 8", Washington, May 15, 1968. To James R. Wetmore of Whittier, California, "I just wanted you to know that I have received your comments concerning the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although we are in disagreement on this particular matter, I did want you to know that I appreciated your taking the time to write to me." Fine. We don't know what Mr. Wetmore said which prompted Senator Kennedy's disagreement. We do know that six weeks earlier, on April 4, 1968, RFK was campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination in Indianapolis, Indiana, when word came of Dr. King's assassination. Kennedy was advised not to appear in front of the crowd, many of whom were African American, and who were not aware of Dr. King's death. Literally taking his life in his hands, Robert Kennedy stood in front of the crowd and gave them the sad news. Two months later, on June 5, 1968, Kennedy himself was assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Estimated Value $400 - 600. The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly Hills. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $252
Lot 771		Lincoln, Robert Todd - 1883 Letter Referring To Battle of Gettysburg. Manuscript letter signed ("Robert T. Lincoln") as Secretary of War for President Chester A. Arthur, on War Department Washington DC stationery, 3pp, 10½ x 8", Feb. 13, 1883. In part: "I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant asking that authority be given for the purchase, from the Quartermaster's Department, of a flag for the use of the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, and to state in reply, that in consideration of the history of said college in connection with the battle of Gettysburg your request will be granted." A remarkable association letter, written by a secretary and signed by Mr. Lincoln. Accompanied by the original envelope addressed to Messrs E. J. Brenner and Chas. Runewald at Gettysburg Pennsylvania, postmarked on the front Washington DC February 14, 1883 and stamped on the back as received, Gettysburg PA, February 15. Very fine condition. Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,107
Lot 772		Root, Elihu (1845-1937) U.S. lawyer and statesman; he served as Secretary of War and Secretary of State. U.S. Passport signed as Secretary of State, 17 x 11¾", Washington, April 28, 1906. Being No. 11378 issued to Jennie M. Demann, with bright orange Department of State seal and very bold signature by Root. Light toning and tiny pinhole at one fold, else fine and very attractive. Estimated Value $150 - 200. The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly Hills. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $92
Lot 773		Tweed, William "Boss" (1823-1878) American politician most notable for being the "boss" of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th century New York City and state. At the height of his influence, Tweed was the third-largest landowner in New York City, a director of the Erie Railroad, the Tenth National Bank, and the New-York Printing Company, as well as proprietor of the Metropolitan Hotel. Partly-printed document signed ("W. M. Tweed"), one page, 7 x 8¼", April 1, 1864, New York City. Approving an expenditure request of $42.00 for street repair and supplies. Small punch hole at top left margin. Very good condition. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $98
Lot 774		[American Statesmen] Collection of Eight Biographies. William H. Seward, Life and Public Service of John Quincy Adams (NewYork, Derby, Miller & Company, 1849) First Edition; Frederick E. Goodrich, The Life and Public Services of Grover Cleveland (Maine, H. Hallett & Co., 1884) First Edition; William Ralston Balch, The Life of James Abram Garfield, Late President of the United States (Philadelphia, Hubbard Bros.,1881) first edition; James G. Blaine, Memorial Address, Life and Character of James A. Garfield, President of the United States (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1882); General Lew Wallace, Life of Gen. Ben Harrison (Ohio, N.C. Hamilton & Co., 1888); Will Irwin Herbert Hoover: A Reminiscent Biography (New York & London, The Century Co., 1928); William Graham Sumner, American Statesman, Andrew Jackson As A Public Man (Boston, Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1883); P. F. Collier & Son The Life of William McKinley (New York, 1901). All books in good condition with the exception of the McKinley which is in poor condition. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Unsold
Lot 775		Brandeis, Louis D (1856-1941) American lawyer and associate justice on the Supreme Court of the United States from 1916 to 1939; first Jewish Supreme Court justice. Autograph letter signed, one page, on personal stationery, 6½ x 5½", Washington, D.C., May 14 (19)41. To Elisha Friedman, regarding a case. Sending thanks and adding, "I assume you will confer with Robert Szald." Brandeis died five months after writing this letter, which is in fine condition and is attractively matted and framed in a silvered wood frame to an overall size of 11¾ x 11". Estimated Value $200 - 250. The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly Hills; Catherine Barnes. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $300
Lot 776		Frankfurter, Felix (1882-1965) Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court (1939-1962). Autograph letter signed ("F.F.") as Supreme Court Justice, one page, on Frankfurter's engraved Supreme Court letterhead, Washington, Saturday, n.d. but with Nov. 22, 1946 penciled at top right. To "Dear Fred," probably Fred Vinson, who was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from June 6, 1946 until his death on September 8, 1953. In part, "I was brought up by a rather austere chief--my first seven professional years were spent with Stimson [Henry Stimson was U.S. Attorney for the U.S. District of N.Y.]….even he did not mind occasionally hearing pleasant truth!… I should like to say that I thought you handled the conference as a chief should--wisely and genially but as the leader.…" One staple mark at upper left corner. Estimated Value $400 - 600. The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly Hills. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $271
Lot 777		Miller, Samuel F. and Levi Woodbury. Samuel F. Miller (1816-90) was appointed by Lincoln and served from 1862-90. Autograph letter signed ("Sam. F. Miller") as associate justice, 4pp, 8 x 5", Washington, Mar. 29, 1875. To a judge regarding Supreme Court opinions on railroad taxation, personal news, etc. Levi Woodbury (1789-1851) was appointed to the Supreme Court by James K. Polk in 1845; he was also Secretary of the Treasury under Jackson and Van Buren, and Secretary of the Navy under Johnson. Letter signed as Secretary of the Treasury, one page, 6 1/2 x 8" (Washington, c. 1838-41), to Joshua Gordon in Portland, Maine, regarding a payment that Gordon should have received under the Treaty with Spain (Spain had agreed to pay 12 million reales to compensate American citizens whose commerce was damaged by Spanish policies). Both fine; one small edge tear in the Miller letter. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 778		Taney, Roger Brooke (1777-1864) Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1836-64), best known for writing the Dred Scott Decision in March 1857, in which he declared that blacks were not and could never become citizens of the United States, that the framers of the Constitution believed that blacks "had no rights which the white man was bound to respect; and that the negro might justly and lawfully be reduced to slavery for his benefit…." Manuscript document signed ("R. B. Taney") twice on the verso, one page, 13¼ x 8"., Frederick County, Maryland, c. 1812. Legal document signed as attorney for the plaintiff. Very good condition. Estimated Value $100 - 125. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $74
Lot 779		Vinson, Frederick (1890-1953) Served as Secretary of Treasury under President Harry S. Truman. He was the 13th Chief Justice of the United States, appointed by President Truman. Nine documents signed ("Fred M. Vinson"), being a collection of nine cancelled business checks, partially printed, engraved with Vinson''s name and Attorney At Law, accomplished in autograph, drawn on the The Louisa National Bank, Louisa, KY., 3 x 9", dated October 3rd, 5th and 6th, 1922. Bank cancellations do not affect the signatures. Light age toning and some slight staining. Overall very good. Estimated Value $350 - 450. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 780		Warren, Earl (1891-1974) 30th Governor of California and 14th Chief Justice of the United States. Block of 3¢ stamps signed "Earl Warren Governor of California, September 9, 1950," on a 6 x 3½" notice from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Estimated Value $100 - 125. The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly Hills. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold