Historic and Military Autographs, & Militaria

A dog bite leads to an international incident… Superb content L.S. " Brunet " as secretary to the French Legation to the United States, 3...

(1797 - 1883) Black American abolitionist born a slave, she became the first black woman to speak out against slavery and lectured throughout the East

A highly-unusual and rare ink drawing on an oblong 4to sheet of lined paper c. 1860-80 depicting three black dancers, two women and a man by an unknow

Extremely rare hand-forged slave collar, ca. 1840’s, approximately 18” in length and likely used on a child on a plantation. The collar is composed of

Extremely rare hand-forged slave collar, ca. 1840’s, approximately 14 3/4” in length and likely used on a child on a plantation. The collar is compose

Scarce manuscript D.S., 1p. 8vo., Bourbon Co., Ky., June 7, 1841 in which James M. Allen and William Parker agree to: "...manumit and forever s...

JAMES ALFORD (c. 1769 - 1842) was born enslaved in Elizabethtown, N.J. who early in life had a spiritual awakening at age eighteen that compelled him

Written on his auctioneer's letterhead Very rare slave auctioneer's letter on his auction house letterhead with imprinted transmittal envel...

Partly-printed slave bill of sale, 1p. legal folio, Savannah, Georgia, Jan. 25, 1789, for the purchase of "Will", a mulatto man, "Dav...

Slave bill of sale, 1p. 12mo., [n.p.], Oct. 24, 1853, in part: "Received of R. B. Kyle eight hundred and fifty dollars in full payment for a ne...

Manuscript D.S., 1p. 4to., Gallatin, Ky., Nov. 14, 1836 in which a father deeds a four year-old slave boy to his son. In part: "...in considera...

Unusual A.D.S., 1p, oblong 8vo., [n.p.], Jan. 14, 1836, in which a man buys a slave, "Ned", from the "Slate River Company" for t...

Manuscript document 1p. 4to., Wake County, North Carolina, Sept. 10, 1849, an Indenture in which Sarah Edwoods sells to Carbon [?] Edwoods "......

Partly-printed D.S. 1p. 8vo., Vicksburg, MI, Mar. 1, 1853, in which S. Edwards, the Sheriff and Tax Collector, bills the heir of one Silas Hilson for

Fascinating last will and testament of Stephen Goggin, 2pp. legal folio, Madison Co., Kentucky, Mar. 24, 1841 in which the rather bitter writer cuts o

Fascinating manuscript D.S. 50pp. legal folio attached with ribbon at top margin, Austin, Tex., Jan. 13, 1869 detailing a suit in which the executors

A large selection on slave advertisements, including the auction of an entire riverfront plantation with about 600 acres and 71 named slaves, all cont

A copy of the Springfield Republican, Springfield, Mass., Nov. 1, 1860, 8pp. folio, which reports among other things, "...Another slaver captur...

Three ca. 1918 hard mount photographs of a Jefferson County, Tenn. family playing doctor with their black friend. One depicts a woman with her child t

An issue of the newspaper Negro World: A Newspaper Dedicated to the Interests of the Negro Race", founded by Marcus Garvey in 1914. This copy i...

A small broadside printed on pink paper measuring 6" x9", published by the White Supremacist Citizens' Council of Greater New Orleans ...

Muhammad Speaks, Outside Illinois, Oct. 20, 1967, 28 pp. Cover pictures the leader of the Nation of Islam with the quote "Warning Black Politic...

An amazing relic of an extreme arm of the Civil Rights movement, a 17" x 21" poster printed by "Jihad Productions" - clearly hav...

An very rare, early printed broadside measuring 5 1/2" x 3 1/2" , Feb. 18, 1792, reading, in full: "The Public is desired to take no...

Lot of six items signed by prominent American abolitionists and preachers, includes: HENRY WARD BEECHER, A.L.S. 1p. 8vo., Brookly, July 17, 1864, allo

Interesting A.L.S. of one Thomas Braihwaite in St. Johns, Virgin Islands, 4pp. 4to., Apr. 1795 to John Sharpe in New Jersey. Braithwaite was likely a

Rare imprint, 166p. 8vo. (uncut), [n.p.], 1876, headed: "A CENTENNIAL FOURTH OF JULY DEMOCRATIC CELEBRATION The Massacre of Six Colored Citizen...

Printed pamphlet titled: "Colored Mariners in Ports of South Carolina: Message from the President of the United States Transmitting the informa...

(1817 - 1895) Black-American reformer born a slave, Douglass was instrumental in the creation of the Union Negro regiments which fought with great dis

(1817-1895) Black-American reformer born a slave, Douglass was instrumental in the creation of the Union Negro regiments which fought with great disti

(1817 - 1895) Black-American reformer born a slave, Douglass was instrumental in the creation of the Union Negro regiments which fought with great dis

(1817 - 1895) Black-American reformer born a slave, Douglass was instrumental in the creation of the Union Negro regiments which fought with great dis

"One of my two half brothers, who fell in the attack at Harper's Ferry Oct. 185…his remains have come into my possession…" (b. 1821) ...

(1856-1915) Black American educator born a slave, established and headed Tuskegee Institute to provide practical training to blacks. Bold signature on

(1856-1915) Black American educator born a slave, established and headed Tuskegee Institute to provide practical training to blacks. Fine bold signatu

(1816-1901) American manufacturer turned abolitionist who became involved with John Brown started a relief fund for his family after his execution, al

An original copy of the The Southern Workman, Feb. 1904, 127pp. 8vo., published by the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute and "contains ...

A copy of the Ku Klux Klan publication Vigilance, ("Champion of Militant Americanism"), Oct. 10, 1924, 8pp. 4to. The cover bears an image ...

A Native American - and an Episcopal Saint (1807 - 1902) "He that prays [for his people while] standing"; (also known as John Johnson), t...

A missionary and ambassador to hostile Indians (1741 - 1808) A Presbyterian missionary among the Oneida and Tuscarora people in North America. He was

A.L.S. 2pp. 4to., Homer, Iowa, Apr. 22, 1854 by surveyor J. W Ellis to Warner Lewis. Ellis opens his letter discussing surveying business, then mentio

Fine content A.L.S. on illustrated letterhead showing the city of Cincinnati, 4pp. 4to., Cincinnati, Apr. 21, 1844 in which Jonas and Hannah Bandsley

(1803-1864) U.S. Senator from Texas, Chief Justice of that state and key player in the Indian Wars. Bold signature on a small sheet adding "Tex...

Scarce printed treaty, "Treaty Between the United States and the Sac and Fox Indians", 8pp. legal folio, Washington, May 18, 1854, signed ...

Rare Indian Sun Dance photograph titled "Sun Dance. Making a Brave", 7" x 4 1/2" oval, Boorne & May photographers imprint, C...

(1770 - 1838) American soldier and explorer in frontier service under Gen. Anthony Wayne against Indians, and who later joined Capt. Meriwether Lewis

(1836-1891) King of Hawaii (1874-91), his ideas of reform aroused political opposition culminating in revolution and his powers restricted by a new co

(1810-1891) An American showman, businessman, scam artist and entertainer, remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and for founding the circus that

(1810 - 1891) American showman who opened his circus, "The Greatest Show On Earth", merged with James Bailey to form Barnum and Bailey Cir...

The signatures of four of P. T. Barnum's most famous "little people" executed on a single album sheet, includes: CHARLES S. STRATTON [...

(1846 - 1917) "Buffalo Bill", American scout and showman, he started his career as a rider with the Pony Express and in later years organi...

(1846 - 1917) "Buffalo Bill", American scout and showman, he started his career as a rider with the Pony Express, and in later years organ...

A rare copy of The Deseret News, Fillmore City (Utah's first capital), Wednesday May 12, 1858, Vol. VIII, Nov. 10, 4pp. The lead article is titl...

"First Mate was knocked out of the Boat by the Whale and drownd the Boat was literally stove to pieces…" A fine whaling ship diary descri...

"Lowered and struck, he stove the larboard boat...." A fine event-filled whaling ship logbook from the brig William, hailing from Fall Ri...

Manuscript D.S. "J. Inghram Keeper of the Light House" 1p. oblong 8vo., Pensacola, Oct. 25, 1826, a receipt of Winslow Lewis: " for t...

A limited edition signed book Titanic: The Exhibition Signature Series, #25/100, Wonders Press: Memphis, 1997. This beautiful hardbound edition is 222

A charming ca. 1918 Jefferson County, Tn. snapshot family photo album showing a close connection with the local black population through many affectio

A great collection of five ca. 1870 cabinet cards related to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Includes: a view of Carpenter's Hal...

Outstanding collection of 23 exceptional and historically important 5" x 7" original glass negatives pre-1904, taken during the constructi...

A Mexican silver eight reale "piece of eight" recovered from the destroyed pirate and privateer city of Port Royal, Jamaica. The city beca...

Fine lithograph, The Life of a Fireman. The race. - "Jump her boys, jump her!, (New York: Nathaniel Currier, 1854), colored by hand, by and aft...

A ironic relic of the disastrous 1942 fire at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, a 7" x 6" fragment of the club's 1940 "PERM...

GEORGE W. CARTWRIGHT Prominent Westchester, New York civil engineer, reputed to have been the engineer and architect of "Sing-Sing", the n...

A superb example of mid-nineteenth century American folk art toys, a handmade rolling marble you expertly crafted from wood. The game features two sta

A good early riverboat letter, 1p. folio, Franklin, Apr. 29, 1849 written by Benjamin Stowe to his brother, in part: "This morning…a young Mr. ...

TATEISHI "TOMMY" ONOJIRO The youngest of a group of Samurai who toured the United States in 1860 on Japan's first diplomatic venture b...

A scarce issue of the short-lived Irish American newspaper, The Western Star and Harp of Erin for Apr. 24, 1813, (New York), 8pp. sm. folio. uncut. Th

A pair of folio maps, printed on opposite sides of a folio sheet. One side bears a "Map of The Californias by T. J. Farnham" (1845). The r...

"There has been a man hung and two men murdered since you left…" Good content A.L.S., 3pp. 4to., Denver, June 23, 1860 in which C. D. Ron...

"Constant booming of dynamite as the soldiers tried to check the flames by blowing up buildings…" Contemporary typescript Ms.S. with holo...

Interesting manuscript D.S. 2pp. oblong 8vo., New York, Dec. 1866, regarding the passage of the steamship Victor which wrecked shortly after this docu

Fine pair of antebellum letters by the Brewson sisters of Atlanta concerning the death of a family friend, John Natt, killed in a train derailment cau

A scathing anti-embargo act broadside, ca. 1805-06, aimed directly at Secretary of the Treasury, Albert Gallatin and titled: The CONSTITUTION gone ! !

A.L.S. "Russell Kellam" 1p. 4to. with integral address leaf, [n.p.] Nov. 18, 1819 to James Fraser, a merchant in Savannah asking him to se...

Romantic A.Ms. (unsigned) 2pp. legal folio, [n.p., n.d.], penned in a fine hand by an unknown poet, in part: "...My jest it is merry the truth ...

Fine content A.L.S. by "Thomas Stevens", 2pp. 8vo., New York, July 10, 1894, in part: "... Hudson's 'Law '-- is a capital...

Printed ribald poem titled "The Fair Maid's Song, when all alone", 6" square, no printer noted. In it, a pretty maid laments the ...

Sunday school teacher goes ham… Manuscript D.S., 1p. legal folio, Lycoming Co., Pa., April, 1844, a court document in which a "Grand Inquest&q...

Rare, well-executed sideshow banner, ca. 1940s, 8' wide, 7 1/2' tall, canvas with metal attachments in corner reinforced with leather corner...

Scarce broadside, 1p. folio, Cambridge, Aug. 31, 1808, (printed by Hillard & Metcalf, 1808) titled "Illustrissimo Jacobo Sullivan, armigero...

A vintage brass shield from the H.R.A. (Harvard Rowing Athletics) 1913 season, measures 13 1/2" x 18" and mounted to a 15 1/2" x 21&q...

Partly-printed document, 2pp. folio, Quay County, N.M., June 30, 1905 to Dec. 24, 1907 and July 24, 1926 to July 25, 1926 to Jan 4, 1930. Each ledger

Set of two ledger books, about 110pp. total, sm. folio, Middletown, Ct., listing by name the amount and type of assistance given to impoverished resid

Lot of two early maps of the United States, the first 10" x 8 1/2", printed by John Walker, ca. 1798, hand-colored, some offsetting, and; ...

Interesting handcrafted miniature chest of drawers, 10" high (from base) x 8" deep, constructed from plywood c. 1930's. Chest features...

Good content A.L.S. mentioning oil wells, 4pp. 8vo., Parkersburg [W.V., n.d., ca. 1870] in which A. H. Davenport writes a lady friend. In part: &quo...

A humorous item, being a partly-printed D.S. 1p. sm. 8vo., Darby, Pa., Apr. 6, 1924, in which a doctor prescribes "Whiskey O.T. Sing Tablespoon...

A fine lot of three badges and two medals issued by the Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners), includes a fine example from St.

Excellent lot of three badges issued by the Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners) in 1907, including a Peoria, Illinois, 1907, g

Excellent lot of four badges, one medal, and two brooches. The first is issued by the Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners), c.1

A choice set of Charles Hamilton's most ambitious and still-definitive reference work, American Autographs (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press...

An unusual piece, an engraved invitation, 6" x 4", to dine with George and Martha Washington during his Presidency. The document reads, in...

"Stipple" engraving of George Washington, after a painting by Gilbert Stuart, 23 1/2" x 16 1/2" (sight), ca. 1820, shows Washing...

A souvenir medal created for the 1889 Chicago Centennial of the Birth of our Nation, 36mm. struck in white metal by Childs and Company Medalists of Ch

(1752-1810) Officer in the Continental Army during Revolutionary War, commander of the Light Dragoons, nephew of George Washington. A.D.S., 1 p., 2 3/

(1735-1826) Second President of the United States and a drafter of the Declaration of Independence, which he also signed. Adams later joined Franklin

Fascinating D.S. 2pp. legal folio, [Washington, ca. June 8, 1798], an invoice submitted by shipwright and carpenter David Evans and headed: "Th...

(1756 - 1836) Vice President under Jefferson with whom he had been tied in the Presidential election of 1800, defeated through the efforts of Alexande

WILLIAM SULLIVAN (1774-1839) Massachusetts jurist and political leader. Son of Governor James Sullivan (1744-1808), he was noted for his defection fro