Signed Documents from Stuart Lutz
Stuart Lutz latest catalogue, with photos of Amelia Earhart and Orville Wright on the cover.
By Michael Stillman
Stuart Lutz Historic Documents has issued a new catalogue of over 200 manuscripts and other signed documents and photographs. The catalogue does not appear to have a title, and perhaps that is because it covers more ground than can readily be described in a few words. These are primarily American, as in United States, items, though there is an occasional Canadian, English (often American Revolution related), French, and even Chinese, Peruvian, Sri Lankan articles. Dates range from an early 17th century Peruvian manuscript to late 20th century signed pieces by people still with us (and still signing) today. While everything in this catalogue will be of interest to some autograph collector, there are many that pertain to specific events which will be of interest to other collectors. Certainly some are of less than consequential matters, such as Warren Harding trying to collect his speaking fees, William McKinley appointing a postmaster, or Louis Armstrong's order for lip salve (okay, this one is important -- he couldn't have played without it). However, William Tecumseh Sherman's comments on the handling of President Garfield's assassin is fascinating, and the signed photograph of Martin Luther King with his associates at St. Paul's in London is notable as it was taken while he was on his way to Oslo to pick up the Nobel Peace Prize. Let's take a look at a few the items here offered.
The aforementioned General Sherman expressed his strong beliefs in the process of fair trial after the assassination of President Garfield, although he seems to have already made up his mind without waiting for an unbiased verdict. Writing to Mrs. C. Augusta Hooper, he states, "Because Guiteau committed the greatest crime of modern times and deserves to be tortured, torn limb to limb yet the soldier's duty is to protect him till trial, convicted and executed in the manner prescribed by law." He notes that "Guiteau will be punished with death by hanging after a full & fair trial." Don't you have to have that "full and fair trial" first before you decide what, if any, punishment is appropriate? The circumstance of this letter was an apparent attempt on assassin Guiteau's life by a soldier named Mason assigned to guard him. Sherman says he will not be involved in any charges against Mason because he considers the soldier's action, though wrong, something to be handled by his subordinates. In other words, he bows out of the case by saying he does not want to imply that an attempt on the assassin's life is worthy of much concern. Having said that the assassin deserves be torn from limb to limb, but will be tried instead, Sherman says, "This may seem too merciful -- nonetheless it is the fact and this distinguishes civilization from Barbarism." Then, in an addition that might make Sherman as popular with women today as he was with Georgians in 1865, the old soldier tells Mrs. Hooper, "We know of course that women act from feeling and not Reason -- but the experience of centuries is that Reason is the better friend." Item 171. Priced at $1,250.
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Signed Documents from Stuart Lutz
Susan B. Anthony looks in a less than celebratory mood on her 80th birthday
That comment should be a good segue to item 7, a cabinet card picture of Susan B. Anthony, signed on her 80th birthday. The famed leader of the women's suffrage movement has the dourest of expressions. Even Sherman would look jolly next to her. However, she had every reason to look a bit more cheerful, as this photograph was taken in Rochester, New York, in 1900, the year she convinced the University of Rochester to admit women. $2,500.
Some things are almost too weird to believe, but here is a strange 1848 letter appropriate to collections of Spanish conquistadors and creepy tourists. One Joseph L. Brolasky sent this letter from Lima, Peru, back home to Philadelphia, after a visit to the cathedral which held the remains of Francisco Pizarro. Pizarro was the greedy, brutal 16th century conqueror of Peru and the Incas. Evidently Mr. Brolasky and his friends got to view the embalmed remains of the conquistador, assassinated two centuries earlier. "His flesh was dry and withered to the bone," Brolasky tactfully observed. Then, they make their ghoulish decision: "Observing his legs protruding from beneath the coverings of the body and being perfectly bare I considered it would be well to take a small part of one for a curiosity to send to the States." So, while Brolasky distracts the guard with conversation, a friend pulls out a penknife and slices off a section of Pizarro's Tibialis Anticus muscle (evidently Brolasky knew his human anatomy). Did they really do this? I don't know, but if you're ever at the cathedral in Lima, and get to see the body (try bribing the sexton -- that worked in 1847), check out Pizarro's left Tibialis Anticus. Let me know if it's missing. Item 160. $400.
In 1979, President Carter sent a letter to Pennsylvania Congressman Bud Shuster thanking him for his "support of my efforts to resolve the situation in Iran. Your public statements are a welcome expression of our commitment to defend the security, honor and freedom of Americans everywhere." It's a good thing they were able to "resolve" that situation, or who knows where it might have led to today. Item 24. $1,500.
Ralph Kiner made it to baseball's major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946, and began a run of seven straight seasons as the leading home run hitter in the National League. The man must have made millions. Actually, he didn't. At the time, team owners were in full control. There was no free agency. Players took what they were offered or retired. There was no other choice. In 1947, Kiner hit 51 home runs and batted .313. Item 111 is Kiner's reward, his contract for 1948. The slugger was paid a whopping $25,000 for his effort. In 1953, the Pirates traded Kiner to the Chicago Cubs after he complained about his pay. Kiner was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975, and has been a broadcaster for the New York Mets ever since the team began play in 1962. $750.
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Signed Documents from Stuart Lutz
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Attention K-Mart shoppers. Item 117 is a group of three letters from 1916-1918 signed by Sebastian Kresge, better known simply as S.S. Kresge. S.S. Kresge was not only his name, but the name of the 5 and 10 cent stores he founded that once anchored the downtowns of communities all across the country. The five and dime was one of the most popular forms of retailing during the first half of the 20th century. They were variety stores, selling all types of inexpensive merchandise. Along with Kresge there were many familiar names, such as W.T. Grant, Woolworth's, S.H. Kress and J.J. Newberry. Alas, the format lost favor with the advent of discount stores. These venerable old names disappeared from the landscape. No problem for Kresge's. They morphed into Kmart, and became the nation's largest retailer. Eventually, even Kmart failed, went into bankruptcy, and then merged with Sears, another old, one-time dominant retailer, where together they dream of what they once were -- yesterday's Wal-Mart. But, back to Mr. Kresge, who never had such problems. He was a strong prohibitionist, and contributed his time, money, and prestige to the cause. These letters, written to Pennsylvania Governor Martin Grove Brumbaugh, firmly support the prohibitionist view. "I take the same stand that W.A. [evangelist Billy] Sunday does and that is I will give my best efforts and will not give up the fight until the liquor business is entirely wiped out..." Kresge would live to see his dream come true with enactment of Prohibition in 1920. He would also live to see Prohibition repealed in 1933, and many more things, as he lived to age 99 in 1966. $750.
Stuart Lutz Historic Documents may be found online at www.HistoryDocs.com, telephone 973-275-9699.
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