AE Monthly

Article Archives Search

AE Reviews


American Historical Autographs From Joseph Rubinfine American Historical Autographs from Joe Rubinfine. By Michael Stillman Joseph Rubinfine's List 152 is described as a collection of American Historical Documents. These are documents running from the late 18th century to the early 20th, and the great majority are from names everyone knows. They range from the most collectible of American autographs, such as Washington and Lincoln, to those not quite so weighty, like Van Buren and both presidential Harrisons. This is certainly a worthy catalogue for those who collect important American autographs. Item 22 is an interesting Washington letter as it comes from the in-between period, post Revolution but prior to his being elected president. So what was the father of his country doing then? Well, one thing he was doing was managing his farm. On August 22, 1785, he wrote a lengthy letter to Bataille Muse, who was Washington's agent for collecting rents. In it Washington speaks of the amount he is willing to pay for wheat, including a lengthy discussion of determining a fair price. In it, you see a glimpse of the principles which guided his actions. Washington is determined not to pay more than the market price being charged in Alexandria, taking care to note that a couple of bushels sold at a premium because someone was in a hurry does not constitute market value. On the other hand, Washington makes it clear he is not looking for any bargains either, just a fair price. Referring to the market price, Washington writes, "My prices are always governed by the Alexandria cash market - for I will neither give more, nor expect it for less." Priced at $35,000. Item 19 is a letter you will never see from a politician today. Benjamin Franklin was just too honest. This is a cover letter for a recommendation for Dr. Thomas Ruston, along with an apology for oversleeping and missing him in the morning. States Franklin, "Excuse my not seeing you this morning, I was heavy to Sleep having taken a large Dose of Opium last Evening." No, that excuse would not fly in political circles today. This letter was written in 1789 and in the later stages of his life, Franklin used opium to relieve severe arthritic pain. $35,000. General William Tecumseh Sherman is best remembered for two things: his "March to the Sea" through Georgia, and his steadfast refusal to run for president despite attempts to draft him for such a run. In 1884, he issued what has become known as the "Sherman Statement," the ultimate promise not to run. That statement has been slightly adjusted to "If nominated I will not run; if elected I will not serve." However, Sherman's disdain for politics and unwillingness to be involved goes back much earlier than that. Here is a letter from 1868, 16 years prior to his famous declaration, to H.W. Slocum, who commanded Sherman's left wing in his "March to the Sea." Among his quotes are, "As to politics it is impossible for language to convey my distaste of them." And then there's, "I have seen Fear, Cowardice, treachery, villainy in all its shapes contort & twist mens judgment & actions, but none of them like Politics." Some things never change. And finally, "They have tried to rope me in more than once, but I have kept out and shall do so, as long as I can & then I hope I shall die before what little fame I have is lost and swept away...." Sherman would prove to be faithful to his ideals the remaining 20 years of his life, though he quite likely could have been president if he wanted. Item 1. $4,000.
American Historical Autographs From Joseph Rubinfine 39-page letter from George Armstrong Custer to his wife. Moses Dawson's "A Historical Narrative of the Civil and Military Services of Major-General William H. Harrison, and a Vindication of his Character and Conduct as a Statesman, a Citizen, and a Soldier," has been lauded by bibliographers such as Howes and Field as being one of the best accounts of the west during the War of 1812, and of the military career of General Harrison. What they didn't point out, and perhaps did not realize, was that the future president had helped to finance its publication. Perhaps this had an impact on the book being so laudatory of the General. Unfortunately, Harrison was having a hard time paying his bills, and the project ended up ruining Dawson at the time. In this 1824 letter to Dawson, a clearly embarrassed Harrison writes, "I regret that I cannot immediately comply with your request to pay the balance of your account." He goes on to say, "I assure you it is not a little mortifying to Me that you have lost everything by this work...." and "I owe you an apology for not paying over the Money...." Ironically, 16 years later, when Harrison ran (successfully) for president, Moses Dawson was on the other side, writing, "Sketches of the Life of Martin Van Buren, President of the United States," for his opponent. Maybe that isn't so ironic after all, considering how Harrison had stiffed him. Item 12. $5,000. General George Armstrong Custer will always be remembered for his one big mistake, but there were many things he could do well. One of them was to write letters. In January 1869 he wrote a 39-page letter to his wife Elizabeth at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from his location in Oklahoma. He talks about his situation, his men, and probably just about everything else. Several of the men mentioned would play roles on that fateful day in Montana seven years later. Something else that also can be seen in this letter is Custer's great love for his wife. Perhaps that explains why Elizabeth Custer would devote her 57 years of widowhood to upholding the memory and reputation of her husband. Item 36. $100,000. Abner Doubleday was second in command of the Union forces at Fort Sumter when the firing on that fort signaled the outbreak of the Civil War. Years later, he would write to James Edward Kelly, an illustrator producing drawings of that momentous event. Kelly had provided him with sketches, and Doubleday responded with comments on even the smallest of details about the scene. How he could have remembered the position people were holding their arms at that event from 20 years later is beyond me, but Doubleday either had a remarkable memory or remarkable imagination. Oddly, despite his role at this historic moment, Doubleday is best remembered for something he didn't do: invent baseball. Item 37. $12,500. Joseph Rubinfine may be reached by phone at 561-659-7077 or by email at JoeRubinfine@mindspring.com.

American Historical Autographs From Joseph Rubinfine

American Historical Autographs from Joe Rubinfine.

By Michael Stillman

Joseph Rubinfine's List 152 is described as a collection of American Historical Documents. These are documents running from the late 18th century to the early 20th, and the great majority are from names everyone knows. They range from the most collectible of American autographs, such as Washington and Lincoln, to those not quite so weighty, like Van Buren and both presidential Harrisons. This is certainly a worthy catalogue for those who collect important American autographs.

Item 22 is an interesting Washington letter as it comes from the in-between period, post Revolution but prior to his being elected president. So what was the father of his country doing then? Well, one thing he was doing was managing his farm. On August 22, 1785, he wrote a lengthy letter to Bataille Muse, who was Washington's agent for collecting rents. In it Washington speaks of the amount he is willing to pay for wheat, including a lengthy discussion of determining a fair price. In it, you see a glimpse of the principles which guided his actions. Washington is determined not to pay more than the market price being charged in Alexandria, taking care to note that a couple of bushels sold at a premium because someone was in a hurry does not constitute market value. On the other hand, Washington makes it clear he is not looking for any bargains either, just a fair price. Referring to the market price, Washington writes, "My prices are always governed by the Alexandria cash market - for I will neither give more, nor expect it for less." Priced at $35,000.

Item 19 is a letter you will never see from a politician today. Benjamin Franklin was just too honest. This is a cover letter for a recommendation for Dr. Thomas Ruston, along with an apology for oversleeping and missing him in the morning. States Franklin, "Excuse my not seeing you this morning, I was heavy to Sleep having taken a large Dose of Opium last Evening." No, that excuse would not fly in political circles today. This letter was written in 1789 and in the later stages of his life, Franklin used opium to relieve severe arthritic pain. $35,000.

General William Tecumseh Sherman is best remembered for two things: his "March to the Sea" through Georgia, and his steadfast refusal to run for president despite attempts to draft him for such a run. In 1884, he issued what has become known as the "Sherman Statement," the ultimate promise not to run. That statement has been slightly adjusted to "If nominated I will not run; if elected I will not serve." However, Sherman's disdain for politics and unwillingness to be involved goes back much earlier than that. Here is a letter from 1868, 16 years prior to his famous declaration, to H.W. Slocum, who commanded Sherman's left wing in his "March to the Sea." Among his quotes are, "As to politics it is impossible for language to convey my distaste of them." And then there's, "I have seen Fear, Cowardice, treachery, villainy in all its shapes contort & twist mens judgment & actions, but none of them like Politics." Some things never change. And finally, "They have tried to rope me in more than once, but I have kept out and shall do so, as long as I can & then I hope I shall die before what little fame I have is lost and swept away...." Sherman would prove to be faithful to his ideals the remaining 20 years of his life, though he quite likely could have been president if he wanted. Item 1. $4,000.

American Historical Autographs From Joseph Rubinfine

39-page letter from George Armstrong Custer to his wife.

Moses Dawson's "A Historical Narrative of the Civil and Military Services of Major-General William H. Harrison, and a Vindication of his Character and Conduct as a Statesman, a Citizen, and a Soldier," has been lauded by bibliographers such as Howes and Field as being one of the best accounts of the west during the War of 1812, and of the military career of General Harrison. What they didn't point out, and perhaps did not realize, was that the future president had helped to finance its publication. Perhaps this had an impact on the book being so laudatory of the General. Unfortunately, Harrison was having a hard time paying his bills, and the project ended up ruining Dawson at the time. In this 1824 letter to Dawson, a clearly embarrassed Harrison writes, "I regret that I cannot immediately comply with your request to pay the balance of your account." He goes on to say, "I assure you it is not a little mortifying to Me that you have lost everything by this work...." and "I owe you an apology for not paying over the Money...." Ironically, 16 years later, when Harrison ran (successfully) for president, Moses Dawson was on the other side, writing, "Sketches of the Life of Martin Van Buren, President of the United States," for his opponent. Maybe that isn't so ironic after all, considering how Harrison had stiffed him. Item 12. $5,000.

General George Armstrong Custer will always be remembered for his one big mistake, but there were many things he could do well. One of them was to write letters. In January 1869 he wrote a 39-page letter to his wife Elizabeth at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from his location in Oklahoma. He talks about his situation, his men, and probably just about everything else. Several of the men mentioned would play roles on that fateful day in Montana seven years later. Something else that also can be seen in this letter is Custer's great love for his wife. Perhaps that explains why Elizabeth Custer would devote her 57 years of widowhood to upholding the memory and reputation of her husband. Item 36. $100,000.

Abner Doubleday was second in command of the Union forces at Fort Sumter when the firing on that fort signaled the outbreak of the Civil War. Years later, he would write to James Edward Kelly, an illustrator producing drawings of that momentous event. Kelly had provided him with sketches, and Doubleday responded with comments on even the smallest of details about the scene. How he could have remembered the position people were holding their arms at that event from 20 years later is beyond me, but Doubleday either had a remarkable memory or remarkable imagination. Oddly, despite his role at this historic moment, Doubleday is best remembered for something he didn't do: invent baseball. Item 37. $12,500.

Joseph Rubinfine may be reached by phone at 561-659-7077 or by email at JoeRubinfine@mindspring.com.