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American Autographs From Joe Rubinfine American Historical Autographs #154 from Joe Rubinfine. By Michael Stillman Joe Rubinfine has issued his List 154 of American Historical Autographs. They range from a colonial appointment in 1671 to a signed copy of Douglas MacArthur's 1964 Reminiscences, the latter being number 1 of a limited edition run. While political and military figures predominate, there are also signatures from writer Harriet Beecher Stowe and poets Henry Longfellow and John Greenleaf Whittier. For those who collect the signatures and manuscripts of America, this is a most noteworthy collection. Anything signed by Abraham Lincoln is highly collectible, but here is a most interesting letter, written on the eve of his celebrity as a national figure, which would arise from the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858. It also illustrates his evolving role from lawyer to politician. It is an appeal to friend and fellow Illinois Republican political leader Gustave Koerner, an abolitionist German immigrant, for assistance. Koerner played an important role in rallying fellow Germans to the Union cause a few years later. The Democratic legislature had passed a reapportionment measure that had gerrymandered legislative districts in their favor. Republican Governor William Bissell, in a moment of absentmindedness, signed the bill, quickly crossing out his name when he discovered the mistake. The Democrats then sued in court to force the Attorney General to enforce the law, on the grounds that the Governor could not later change his mind once he signed a bill into law. Ultimately, lawyer Lincoln and the Republicans proved successful, the court ruling that the Governor could change his mind while the bill was still in his possession. Lincoln's letter to Koerner asking the latter to consult on the case is offered as item 24. Priced at $32,000. Item 7 ties together two of America's least-loved figures of its early days. Aaron Burr, who came within a hair of being elected president in 1800, would seal his infamy when he killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel a few years later. However, his reputation would further descend when he engaged in an action, whose aim is still in doubt today, but apparently was intended to set up an independent state in the southwest. He was tried for treason and acquitted, but any hope for restoration of his reputation was long gone. The other discredited figure mentioned in this document is Benedict Arnold, and he needs no introduction, his name long ago becoming synonymous with "traitor." Way back in early 1776, 20-year-old Aaron Burr served as an aid to General Arnold. On May 17 of that year, Burr wrote out an order for the return of some armaments, noting that it was, "By Order of Genl. Arnold..." Item 7. $3,250.
American Autographs From Joe Rubinfine Abraham Lincoln's letter to Gustave Koerner. Any good subordinate knows how to kiss the appropriate part of his boss' anatomy, and Oliver Hazard Perry was no exception. Perry would go on to be a naval hero in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. In 1808 he wrote Commodore John Rodgers in support of more Congressional aid for the navy, but in a classic piece of buttering up the boss begins, "I hope from my not having previously written it will not enter your mind that it is possible for me to neglect you. No Sir, there is no one that...has more of my respect than yourself, a respect founded on my opinion of you as a professional Character - and what is more on your Character as a man - and I have the pleasing reflection of knowing that my opinion coincides with every officer of respectability on this station." I don't know what Rodgers reaction was to this letter, but if I had been him, I would have immediately made Perry an admiral. Item 15. $3,000. Item 11 offers a candid and revealing look at the personality of George Washington. It is a letter written to a British merchant in 1818 by Bushrod Washington, Washington's nephew and U.S. Supreme Court Justice, who inherited Mount Vernon from his childless uncle. As a private and unadorned look at America's first leader by the person who probably knew him better than anyone but Martha, it is a rare opportunity to understand this great leader free from the embellishments that were mandatory for public pronouncements about him. What Bushrod reveals is a contemplative man, a good listener despite his enormous powers to tell others what they should think. "He was contemplative without the appearance of abstraction - reserved, without being austere, & taciturn, apparently from a desire to hear the sentiments of others rather than to express his own." Who was the last political leader about whom that could be said? "These traits, accompanied by native dignity of character by which he was remarkably distinguished, forbid every thing like familiarity even from his nearest relations, to whom he was nevertheless, always kind & affectionate. I never witnessed an act of levity committed in his presence by any person, nor did I ever hear opinions sported before him which were offensive to morality, religion or good manners. Altho he seldom spoke a great deal, yet his observations when he delivered them, were obviously the result of deep reflection, & were always marked with consummate wisdom." Bushrod goes on to say that his uncle could still relate highly amusing anecdotes, though never any which were inappropriate. Other traits Bushrod points out are that Washington was naturally high-tempered, yet had so learned to control it that no one would have suspected this. He answered all letters promptly, and accomplished more business in a period of time than anyone else his nephew ever knew. While president, he was familiar with the details of all matters of state, knowledge he obtained by receiving reports with the minutest of detail. Though born with a healthy appetite, Washington was temperate in his diet, and followed an early to bed, early to rise regimen. Those to whom we assign larger than life status are really just humans, possessed of human frailties, and ultimately may disappoint us. Washington was a remarkable man, one whose dignity and strength of principles support the enormous reputation his countrymen afforded him. $10,000.
American Autographs From Joe Rubinfine none Here is a letter that will surprise anyone familiar with American presidents. It is a letter from Warren Harding to Calvin Coolidge addressed, "My dear Mr. President." Of course both were presidents, but Coolidge succeeded Harding when the latter died. Considering that Coolidge only became president on Harding's death, how could Harding have ever addressed him as "Mr. President?" The answer is Harding made lots of mistakes when he was president, and this was evidently one more. He should have placed a "vice" before "president" in his salutation. This October 1922 letter includes some obligatory pleasantries along with talk of upcoming political contests. Harding speaks confidently of the races, but the midterm 1922 elections were disastrous for the Republicans, with their incumbent governor in Harding's home state of Ohio being upset, despite the President's confidence. Item 44. $3,500. Item 17 is the financial accounting books of Washington lawyer Francis Scott Key. Key, of course, is better known for his musical creation than his legal career, having penned "The Star Spangled Banner" after an evening in Baltimore. However, these accounting records from 1827-1831 don't indicate he received any royalties from this song that remains immensely popular almost two centuries later. However, there was a payment to one "Samuel Houston" in 1830. Two years later, Keyes would defend Houston in proceedings before the House of Representatives. Sam Houston, at the time a former Tennessee congressman, had caned Congressman William Stanbery on the street after a perceived insult. Houston was found guilty, but received only a reprimand and fine. He would, of course, later move to Texas. Key's accounting books are priced at $2,500. From the Wild West comes this letter, from Dona Ana County, New Mexico, Sheriff Pat Garrett, to his wife back home in Uvalde, Texas. The date is March 22, 1896. Fifteen years earlier, while Garrett was Sheriff of Lincoln County, N.M., he had shot famed outlaw Billy the Kid. The Kid had escaped Garrett's custody while awaiting execution, but Sheriff Garrett tracked him down and shot him. It was an incident that would leave Garrett forever with both fame and notoriety. By 1896, he had been hired by Dona Ana in hopes of solving the murder of Albert Fountain (he didn't). In this letter Garrett informs his wife that his job is good, and that he will be coming to Uvalde by train to bring her back with him, but that they will leave their possessions in Texas until they are certain of their long range plans. Garrett spent the years after his famous killing in various law and other jobs, and in 1901 was appointed Customs Collector in El Paso by President Theodore Roosevelt (but was not reappointed five years later). In 1908, Garrett was murdered, possibly because of the land deal in which he was involved, or ulterior motives such as revenge, fear that he might yet solve the Fountain murder, or simply water rights on his ranch. One man was tried for his murder, but that individual was acquitted with the help of lawyer Albert Fall (who was also suspected of involvement in the Fountain murder years earlier). That's the same Albert Fall who would prove to be the aforementioned President Harding's biggest mistake; the Secretary of the Interior responsible for the Teapot Dome Scandal. Item 42 is Garrett's letter back home. $3,500. There are dozens more intriguing documents to be found in Rubinfine's catalogue. You may find Joe Rubinfine in West Palm Beach, Florida; phone number 561-659-7077 or reach him by email at Joerubinfine@mindspring.com.

American Autographs From Joe Rubinfine

American Historical Autographs #154 from Joe Rubinfine.

By Michael Stillman

Joe Rubinfine has issued his List 154 of American Historical Autographs. They range from a colonial appointment in 1671 to a signed copy of Douglas MacArthur's 1964 Reminiscences, the latter being number 1 of a limited edition run. While political and military figures predominate, there are also signatures from writer Harriet Beecher Stowe and poets Henry Longfellow and John Greenleaf Whittier. For those who collect the signatures and manuscripts of America, this is a most noteworthy collection.

Anything signed by Abraham Lincoln is highly collectible, but here is a most interesting letter, written on the eve of his celebrity as a national figure, which would arise from the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858. It also illustrates his evolving role from lawyer to politician. It is an appeal to friend and fellow Illinois Republican political leader Gustave Koerner, an abolitionist German immigrant, for assistance. Koerner played an important role in rallying fellow Germans to the Union cause a few years later. The Democratic legislature had passed a reapportionment measure that had gerrymandered legislative districts in their favor. Republican Governor William Bissell, in a moment of absentmindedness, signed the bill, quickly crossing out his name when he discovered the mistake. The Democrats then sued in court to force the Attorney General to enforce the law, on the grounds that the Governor could not later change his mind once he signed a bill into law. Ultimately, lawyer Lincoln and the Republicans proved successful, the court ruling that the Governor could change his mind while the bill was still in his possession. Lincoln's letter to Koerner asking the latter to consult on the case is offered as item 24. Priced at $32,000.

Item 7 ties together two of America's least-loved figures of its early days. Aaron Burr, who came within a hair of being elected president in 1800, would seal his infamy when he killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel a few years later. However, his reputation would further descend when he engaged in an action, whose aim is still in doubt today, but apparently was intended to set up an independent state in the southwest. He was tried for treason and acquitted, but any hope for restoration of his reputation was long gone. The other discredited figure mentioned in this document is Benedict Arnold, and he needs no introduction, his name long ago becoming synonymous with "traitor." Way back in early 1776, 20-year-old Aaron Burr served as an aid to General Arnold. On May 17 of that year, Burr wrote out an order for the return of some armaments, noting that it was, "By Order of Genl. Arnold..." Item 7. $3,250.

American Autographs From Joe Rubinfine

Abraham Lincoln's letter to Gustave Koerner.

Any good subordinate knows how to kiss the appropriate part of his boss' anatomy, and Oliver Hazard Perry was no exception. Perry would go on to be a naval hero in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. In 1808 he wrote Commodore John Rodgers in support of more Congressional aid for the navy, but in a classic piece of buttering up the boss begins, "I hope from my not having previously written it will not enter your mind that it is possible for me to neglect you. No Sir, there is no one that...has more of my respect than yourself, a respect founded on my opinion of you as a professional Character - and what is more on your Character as a man - and I have the pleasing reflection of knowing that my opinion coincides with every officer of respectability on this station." I don't know what Rodgers reaction was to this letter, but if I had been him, I would have immediately made Perry an admiral. Item 15. $3,000.

Item 11 offers a candid and revealing look at the personality of George Washington. It is a letter written to a British merchant in 1818 by Bushrod Washington, Washington's nephew and U.S. Supreme Court Justice, who inherited Mount Vernon from his childless uncle. As a private and unadorned look at America's first leader by the person who probably knew him better than anyone but Martha, it is a rare opportunity to understand this great leader free from the embellishments that were mandatory for public pronouncements about him. What Bushrod reveals is a contemplative man, a good listener despite his enormous powers to tell others what they should think. "He was contemplative without the appearance of abstraction - reserved, without being austere, & taciturn, apparently from a desire to hear the sentiments of others rather than to express his own." Who was the last political leader about whom that could be said? "These traits, accompanied by native dignity of character by which he was remarkably distinguished, forbid every thing like familiarity even from his nearest relations, to whom he was nevertheless, always kind & affectionate. I never witnessed an act of levity committed in his presence by any person, nor did I ever hear opinions sported before him which were offensive to morality, religion or good manners. Altho he seldom spoke a great deal, yet his observations when he delivered them, were obviously the result of deep reflection, & were always marked with consummate wisdom." Bushrod goes on to say that his uncle could still relate highly amusing anecdotes, though never any which were inappropriate. Other traits Bushrod points out are that Washington was naturally high-tempered, yet had so learned to control it that no one would have suspected this. He answered all letters promptly, and accomplished more business in a period of time than anyone else his nephew ever knew. While president, he was familiar with the details of all matters of state, knowledge he obtained by receiving reports with the minutest of detail. Though born with a healthy appetite, Washington was temperate in his diet, and followed an early to bed, early to rise regimen. Those to whom we assign larger than life status are really just humans, possessed of human frailties, and ultimately may disappoint us. Washington was a remarkable man, one whose dignity and strength of principles support the enormous reputation his countrymen afforded him. $10,000.

American Autographs From Joe Rubinfine

none

Here is a letter that will surprise anyone familiar with American presidents. It is a letter from Warren Harding to Calvin Coolidge addressed, "My dear Mr. President." Of course both were presidents, but Coolidge succeeded Harding when the latter died. Considering that Coolidge only became president on Harding's death, how could Harding have ever addressed him as "Mr. President?" The answer is Harding made lots of mistakes when he was president, and this was evidently one more. He should have placed a "vice" before "president" in his salutation. This October 1922 letter includes some obligatory pleasantries along with talk of upcoming political contests. Harding speaks confidently of the races, but the midterm 1922 elections were disastrous for the Republicans, with their incumbent governor in Harding's home state of Ohio being upset, despite the President's confidence. Item 44. $3,500.

Item 17 is the financial accounting books of Washington lawyer Francis Scott Key. Key, of course, is better known for his musical creation than his legal career, having penned "The Star Spangled Banner" after an evening in Baltimore. However, these accounting records from 1827-1831 don't indicate he received any royalties from this song that remains immensely popular almost two centuries later. However, there was a payment to one "Samuel Houston" in 1830. Two years later, Keyes would defend Houston in proceedings before the House of Representatives. Sam Houston, at the time a former Tennessee congressman, had caned Congressman William Stanbery on the street after a perceived insult. Houston was found guilty, but received only a reprimand and fine. He would, of course, later move to Texas. Key's accounting books are priced at $2,500.

From the Wild West comes this letter, from Dona Ana County, New Mexico, Sheriff Pat Garrett, to his wife back home in Uvalde, Texas. The date is March 22, 1896. Fifteen years earlier, while Garrett was Sheriff of Lincoln County, N.M., he had shot famed outlaw Billy the Kid. The Kid had escaped Garrett's custody while awaiting execution, but Sheriff Garrett tracked him down and shot him. It was an incident that would leave Garrett forever with both fame and notoriety. By 1896, he had been hired by Dona Ana in hopes of solving the murder of Albert Fountain (he didn't). In this letter Garrett informs his wife that his job is good, and that he will be coming to Uvalde by train to bring her back with him, but that they will leave their possessions in Texas until they are certain of their long range plans. Garrett spent the years after his famous killing in various law and other jobs, and in 1901 was appointed Customs Collector in El Paso by President Theodore Roosevelt (but was not reappointed five years later). In 1908, Garrett was murdered, possibly because of the land deal in which he was involved, or ulterior motives such as revenge, fear that he might yet solve the Fountain murder, or simply water rights on his ranch. One man was tried for his murder, but that individual was acquitted with the help of lawyer Albert Fall (who was also suspected of involvement in the Fountain murder years earlier). That's the same Albert Fall who would prove to be the aforementioned President Harding's biggest mistake; the Secretary of the Interior responsible for the Teapot Dome Scandal. Item 42 is Garrett's letter back home. $3,500.

There are dozens more intriguing documents to be found in Rubinfine's catalogue. You may find Joe Rubinfine in West Palm Beach, Florida; phone number 561-659-7077 or reach him by email at Joerubinfine@mindspring.com.