Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - November - 2005 Issue
Famous Signatures And Documents From The Raab Collection
The first U.S. pilot's license ever issued.
Item 23 is a remarkable item tying together the U.S., Mexico, Italy and France. In 1860, Giuseppe Garibaldi unified Italy, threw out foreign troops, and set an example for freedom in the world. One of those he inspired was General Luigi Ghilardi. Meanwhile, France was attempting to expand its empire, and had invaded Mexico. Ghilardi traveled to America to meet General McLellan, carrying letters of introduction from Garibaldi. However, with the U.S. engaged in its own Civil War, there was little it could do to help the cause other than provide Ghilardi with safe passage to the border. Ghilardi would make it to Mexico to assist the patriots, but he was later captured and executed by the French in 1864. However, Ghilardi's cause would soon triumph. French forces would leave a few years later and their puppet ruler, Maximilian, was captured and executed in 1867. Item 23 is those introductory letters from Garibaldi that General Ghilardi carried with him to the United States. $1,900.
Here is a most quaint and unusual letter for a politician. Chester Arthur signed it on November 8, 1880, just after he was elected vice-president. It is addressed to George Hillier, a Republican campaign contributor. Hillier had made a $60 contribution, which he followed up with another of $50. However, the later $50 was not needed. So, the Vice-President-Elect sent Hillier a letter saying that it probably would not be needed, and if not, he would send the money back. Send the money back? A politician returning money? Times have certainly changed. Arthur's signature would become presidential a year later when President Garfield was assassinated. Item 28. $1,200.
Here is something rather amazing: the first pilot's license ever issued by the United States. It was issued to William MacCracken, founder of the National Aeronautic Association and a strong advocate for government regulation of aviation in the 1920s. In 1926, MacCracken was appointed Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aeronautics. He was issued the license in 1927, and it is signed by his boss, Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover. The following year, Hoover would be elected president. Along with the license is MacCracken's photo pilot's identification card. MacCracken's license, in its "official no." box, clearly states that it is number "1." Item 38. $38,000.
Not all of the documents are quite so old. Item 54 relates to issues still current today. It is two photographs from the Reagan administration. One shows Mrs. Reagan planting a kiss on her husband's press secretary, James Brady. The other shows the President shaking Sarah Brady's hand. Each comes with an inscription from the first couple. Mr. Brady's is signed by Mrs. Reagan, to my "Y & H" (young and handsome), "with my love." Mrs. Brady's carries a more formal "with warmest regards & friendship" from the President. We can guess which of these two was more comfortable with friends. Brady was seriously injured in the 1981 assassination attempt on Reagan, and although unable to continue to serve, he remained officially as Reagan's press secretary for the remainder of his two terms. However, he and his wife would fall out of favor with many of Reagan's supporters as they became, strangely enough, avid advocates of gun control. The "Brady Bill," which requires background checks for handgun purchases through dealers, was named for them. $3,200.
The Raab Collection is located online at www.raabcollection.com. Their phone number is 800-977-8333.
