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Sale 86
The Manuscripts, Collectibles & Space Auction
| The William K. Steiner Collection - First Ladies |
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| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 221 |
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Harrison, Anna Symmes & Grace Coolidge (1775-1864), In 1841 Mrs. Harrison became the First Lady of the United States during President William Henry Harrison's brief one-month term in office. Anna was 65 years old during her husband's presidential term, she is the oldest woman ever to become First Lady, as well as having the distinction of holding the title for the shortest length of time, and the first person to be widowed while holding the title. Mrs. Harrison never lived at the White House as she was ill at the time of President Harrison's Inauguration. Autograph letter signed as "Wife of President," 1 page, 7 x 7½ in., brown ink on plain paper, Northbend, August 12, 1844. The widow responds to a request from a friend: "I received your letter while I was on a visit to one of my children in the city of Cincinnati, or I would have attended to your request sooner, but hope it will not arrive too late for the purpose you design it for- Accept Sir, my best wishes for your health & happiness / ever your friend…" Strong bold signature. Red seal remnant; age toned; slight staining. With free franked envelope, 3¼x 5½ in., no place, April 6, c. 1842-1864. To Mrs. Mary L.R. Steet, Indianapolis, Indiana. Age toned. One inch vertical tear bottom left corner. After the President's death, Anna held the franking privilege form September 9, 1841 until her own death on February 25, 1864.
Grace Coolidge (1879-1957) autograph letter signed, 2 pages, 6¾ x 5¼ in., Northampton, Mass., Jan. 16, 1934. A year after the death of Calvin Coolidge, the former First Lady writes to Calvin Coolidge Republican Recruits, Hicksville, Long Island, acknowledging with appreciation a card bestowing membership in their organization upon her.
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500.
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| Unsold |
Lot 222 |
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Kennedy Onassis, Jacqueline. Autograph letter signed ("Jackie"), on stationery engraved "1040 Fifth Avenue, 3 pages, 7½ x 5¼ in. (New York), Dec. 21, 1974. To world-renowned dancer and choreographer Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993): "Dear Rudolf - We are leaving for Switzerland this afternoon and I am really heartbroken not to be here for your opening - but fortunately will be back to see you dance before you close here - it sounds wonderful. Dear Rudolph [sic] - I am always missing you in places - I feel so badly about what happened with your vacation this summer. I wanted so much for you to have a rest and a happy time - it was so sad when Perry fell through - and I thought I had thought of everything - but I didnt think a war would break out in Cyprus, throwing all Greeks into near hysteria. I was really upset - I hope you know that - and understand my feelings for you. I am always your friend and will always do anything I can to make you happy. Let's hope for better luck next time! So much love - and happy happy New Year - and à bientôt." Holograph transmittal envelope is addressed to Mr. Rudolf Nureyev c/o Hurok Productions in New York City.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
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| Realized
$1,031 |
Lot 223 |
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Kennedy, Jacqueline (1929-1994) First Lady (1961-63) and wife of John F. Kennedy. After Kennedy's assassination, she married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. Autograph letter signed, on stationery engraved "Hyannis Port / Massachusetts," 3 pages, 7¾ x 5¾ in. A charming letter to Herbert Robinson, U.S. Customs, Idlewild Airport, New York, thanking him for rushing her through customs on September 12 (1954), her one-year wedding anniversary, so that she could rush home to celebrate. "Dear Mr. Robinson You must think me the rudest most ungrateful person who has ever descended from the skies upon American soil. A whole week has gone by without my writing to thank you for being so incredibly kind - the day I got back from Europe, Sept 12, and you let me rush through customs so I could get up to Hyannisport in time for my first anniversary. I can't ever thank you enough - it made all the difference in the world - and to think I might have wasted those happy hours sitting in line with my vaccination card. It seems to be the most romantic situation every time I see you - either I am about to be engaged - or having an anniversary! I hope you'll be there at Idlewild when I come through on my Golden Wedding Day. Thank you so very much for all you did and please forgive me for not writing sooner. It seems after you come home everthing is very hectic for a while - and I hardly even had time to call up my mother! Very Sincerely / Jacqueline Kennedy." The transmittal envelope is torn, lacking a return address, but the holograph address to Mr. Robinson is present, as is the New York Sep 21 1954 postal cancellation and a 3¢ postage stamp. Jacqueline Bouvier and John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-1963) were married on September 12, 1953.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500.
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| Realized
$2,375 |
Lot 224 |
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Roosevelt, Eleanor. Collection of fourteen typed letters signed, one as First Lady of New York, on Executive Mansion / Albany" letterhead, the remainder on personal letterhead, most 7 x 6 in., twelve from 211 East 62nd St., New York, between 1953 and 1955. To Anna McGowan, who served as head of the Roosevelt's household staff at Campobello; her husband Edgar was groundskeeper. The 1932 letter from Albany acknowledges a telegram of congratulations after FDR had won the presidential election. The letters mention spending time with various Roosevelt children and grandchildren at Hyde Park, moving into her apartment on 62nd St., lecture tours, trips to Washington, work for the American Association for the UN, the annual memorial service held in the rose garden at Hyde Park (where Franklin was buried and Eleanor would join him in 1962), and her world tour in 1955, after which she wrote, "My trip was most interesting and I enjoyed every bit of it, especially the parts of the world I had not seen before. It is good to be home though and surrounded with family and friends." An additional letter, written in 1956 to Dan Paonessa, congratulates him on his success in writing abut his traumatic experiences. (15 letters) With two 8 x 10 in. photos of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, one on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1941, and one with their 13 grandchildren on FDR's fourth Inauguration Day, January 20, 1945; also, three different postcards of Mrs. Roosevelt.
Estimated Value $500 - 750.
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| Realized
$900 |
Lot 225 |
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Roosevelt, Eleanor. Two typed letters signed as First Lady, on The White House letterhead, 1 page each, 9¼ x 6¼ in., Washington, May 28, 1937 and June 30, 1937. To Dorothy (probably Dorothy Thompson (1893-1961) who wrote a newspaper column, "On the Record," which ran in more than 150 newspapers). On May 28: "The President says that Senator Barkley understands and that everything is included in the Black-Connery Bill. What the League [of Women Voters] will have to do is to support whatever is good in the bill, as it would be impossible to separate them all." One penciled note at top right. Among other provisions, the Black-Connery bill championed a six-hour day and a 30-hour work week as a means of increasing employment during the Depression. A weakened bill passed the Senate but was defeated in the House. On October 24, 1938, FDR passed into law the Fair Labor Standards Act, which advocated a 40-hour workweek and New Deal spending to create jobs. On June 30, she wrote: "…I have given your proposed amendments to the President. I shall be at Hyde Park on the third of July and shall be happy to see you if you can stop."
With two 8 x 10 in. photos of the President and Mrs. Roosevelt, one leaving Warm Springs, Georgia on Dec. 3, 1933, after spending Thanksgiving there, and one on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1941. Also, three different postcard photos of Mrs. Roosevelt.
Estimated Value $300 - 500.
View details and enlarged photo
| Realized
$456 |
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