raab great collections: 19th century

Raab Great Collections

The 19th Century

All material is guaranteed to be genuine, without time limit, to the original purchaser. We want you to be satisfied, so any item not purchased on layaway may be returned (in the same condition as received) for a full refund within 5 days of receipt. We accept Mastercard, Visa, American Express, check or money order. A lay-away plan is also available and can be customized to fit your needs.

P.O. Box 471Ardmore, PA 19003

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The Raab ColleCTion

Table of Contents

Page 4: Introduction to building a collection.

Page 5 - 8: T ips on preserving, displaying, loaning and donating individual pieces or collections.

Page 9 - 32: The 19th Century sample collection/catalog.

3 - 34: 19th Century Highlights from our Previously Sold Archives

Page 35: Letters from Dead Presidents: Appearances Can Be Deceiving (an article as seen on Forbes.com.)

Page 36: Fall Preview

“It is the duty of every good citizen to use all the opportuni-ties, which occur to him, for preserving documents relating to the history of our country.” Thomas Jefferson

The Raab ColleCTion, llC. P.O. Box 471, Ardmore PA 19003 * 800.977.8333 * www.raabcollection.com

Building a Quality Collection

The 19th CenturyAn Introduction to building a collection

As we often remind our clients, a collection is a function of the collector ’s personality. There is no singular correct path, but there are helpful markers to follow, markers we use ourselves in guiding what pieces to offer our clients.

1) Buy what you love. Do not buy something you think you ought to love or only rely on someone else’s estimation of the piece in making your decisions. If you buy what you love, it will be a positive presence for years to come, something you’ll always appreciate.

2) Buy the best. Within your budget, buy the best, which usually means concentrat-ing on fewer rather than several pieces. One great piece will always outshine several medium quality pieces.

3) Consider what story you would like to tell. Many great collections, in keeping withthe interests of their collectors, will tell a compelling story in history. And that story is made more significant because it reflects the personality of the owner. Such a men-tal exercise in refining your goals will help guide your focus.

This New Publication

In this booklet, a first, we tell the story of one era in history, the 19th century, usingmaterial from our inventory and organized as a timeline of one of the more conse-quential periods of American conflict, territorial and intellectual growth. The goal is not only to tell the story of one era. By using representative pieces, we do hope to guide the reader from the foreign influences that opened the Napoleonic era, through the upheavals of ante-bellum and reconstruction periods and ending at the doorstep of Roosevelt and American growth. Our goal is beyond this: to demonstrate the scope and nature of a great collection and to arm the reader with the tools to create one.

Raab Collection binders created using archival, acid-free materials.

Collectors and their CollectionsChoosing how to preserve and share your collection is an important decision. Each collector brings to this task his or her own personality. There is no single correct option but rather a variety from which you can alternately sample depending on the document and your preference. Below are some options that our customers have cho-sen, along with some answers to frequently asked questions.

Storing your autographs

Some collectors choose not to display their pieces, instead storing them in acid-free sleeves in binders. The advantage here is easy access and leaner storage requirements. Care needs to be taken to ensure proper buffered, acid-free environments. We provide necessary materials for all pieces bought from us.

Framing

The creation of a framed display can be an artistic process. Some people hire inte-rior designers to incorporate their new piece of history into an existing environment, while others handle their own framing and placement.

A skilled fine arts framer will understand that any historical document must have the proper acid free environment and will carry sufficient insurance to cover your prop-erty during the process. He or she will know how to properly hinge and suspend the framed material.

The variable components of the frame are the color and quality of the frame and the matting, the seat of the document (for instance, whether it is floated above the mat or laid behind it), and the image with which you frame the document, if any. Good framing will range in price from $150 on up, depending on the size of the presenta-tion and cost of the specific frame. Double sided framing is a possibility, as are other creative means of preservation.

(left) Example of how one client chose to beautifully frame his Thomas Jefferson letter.(right) Working with framer to pick the right frame and matting to complement the piece.

Clam shell binder

These binders are essentially hollow books, with space within to securely house a document. They sit comfortably on book shelves and, instead of the title of the book on the spine, you can display your chosen title for the document. Opening these bind-ers can often reveal an exhibit within, with an image of the historical figure, descrip-tion and elegantly presented document.

(top and left) 3 examples of clam shell binders(bottom) The inside of a clam shell for a Hancock letter to George Washington.

Loan to an institution

The process of historical preservation in the United States is a democratic one, and collectors play an important part in passing down our nation’s legacy to the next gen-eration. They are also lenders to some of our most storied institutions and national exhibitions. The Raab Collection facilitates this process, which involves not only identifying pieces of sufficient importance but also coordinating loans with existing or planned exhibitions. See below for some examples.

Some clients choose to create their own publicly accessible institutions. This is a larger undertaking, one that was more common in the early 20th century, but it con-tinues to be done today.

National Constitution Center. Philadelphia, PA.

An Abraham Lincoln letter on loan to the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum. Courtesy of a private collector and arranged by The Raab Collection.

Donate to your favorite institution

Some collectors donate historical documents as a way to leave their legacy. Among the more common destinations: your alma mater, a local historical society, a charity. A proper appraisal will ensure your legal tax deduction. General Care

Owning an original piece of history is an exhilarating experience. To touch a docu-ment created by a famous figure from the past makes you part of that document’s history and also a part of its preservation. So do not feel like you can only handle his-tory with literal white gloves (we think such an approach is more smoke and mirrors than substance). What you should do, however, is make sure your hands are not oily, touch the fringes of the document where less writing is present, avoid direct sunlight for periods of time longer than 1 hour, and avoid exposure to water or excessive hu-midity. When using any form of adhesive it is best to consult a conservator, who can also help you make repairs to documents. Never use standard tape. Keep in mind that although they are much younger, 20th century letters contain higher acid concentra-tions and therefore deteriorate much faster when not properly cared for.

Insurance

Just as you would insure your wedding ring or other valuables, so should you insure an autograph collection as it grows. This typically involves a rider to your existing home owners or renters policy.

Andrew Jackson letter beautifully displayed at the National Constitution Center, courtesy of a private collector and arranged by The Raab Collection.

The 19th Century, A Sample Collection

John Adams, American Democracy, and Prelude to the Election of 1800

The aftermath of the Revolution and the lead up to the War of 1812 were tumultuous. As conflict with France grew and threatened war, President Adams adroit handling of the XYZ affair made him immensely popular. This letter reveals Adams at his best as leader, politician, classicist and historian. Letter Signed as President, Philadelphia, May 2, 1798, “To the Citizens of Baltimore.” “…The sense you entertain of the conduct of a foreign nation in threatening with destruc-tion the freedom, and Independence, of the United States, and representing the Citizens of America as a divided people, is such as patriotism naturally and necessarily inspires... Republics are always divided in opinions concerning forms of Government, and plans, and details of administration - these divisions are generally harmless, often salutary, and seldom very hurtful, except when foreign Nations interfere, and by their acts, and agents, excite and foment them into parties and factions; such interference and influence, must be resisted and exterminated or it will end in America, as it did anciently in Greece, and in our own time in Europe, in our total destruction as a republican Government and Independent power. The liberal applause you bestow on the measures pursued by the Government, for the adjustment of differences and restoration of harmony, your resolutions of Resistance in preference to sub-mission to any foreign power, your confidence in the Government, your recommendation of measures of defences of the Country, and protection of its commerce, and your generous reso-lution to submit to the Expences and temporary inconveniencies which may be necessary to preserve the sovereignty, and freedom of the United States are received with much respect.” $65,000

The Dawn of The Napoleonic Era: A Spy Among the Bedouins Napoleon’s expedition, an effort to set a foothold in Arabia and to frustrate English trade to India, began in May 1798. The Battle of the Pyramids in July 1798 and Napo-leon’s victory ended centuries of Mamluk rule in Egypt. Although August brought a defeat at the hands of Lord Nelson and ended an effort at a quick Middle Eastern conquest, Napoleon set about installing an organization in Egypt and also began a campaign of cultural influence. Theodore Lascaris de Vintimille was chosen to un-dertake a secret campaign among the Bedouin tribes, to live among them and learn their ways long before Lawrence of Arabia did the same. In this letter, as he’s setting up his various infrastructures, Napoleon ensures that his spy will be funded and that his efforts to map out and organize territory far from the main headquarters would be recorded. Order Signed , Cairo, Egypt, November 8, 1798, he orders that, “the expenses paid by... Lascaris architect for.. . recording of territories will be submitted to a commission named by the chief engineer.” Lascasris, known as Lascaris of Arabia, is a figure of great note and entire novels are dedicated to his exploits. $5,500

Chief Justice John Marshall: a Constitutional Opinion

Formerly on loan to the National Constitution Center

The Marshall Court set out to define who specifically had access to the Federal courts under this clause, and those cases considered major are reported in The Founders’ Constitution. One included case is Strawbridge v. Curtiss (1806), where Marshall found that every party on one side of a case must be competent to sue, or liable to be sued, to reach Federal court. In a second case, Corporation of New Orleans v. Winter (1816), he reaffirmed the Strawbridge case, and went on to hold that citizens of ter-ritories (such as Puerto Rico and Guam today) were not citizens of states under the Constitution, and could not sue in Federal court. No comparable document exists in private hands. $175,000

Andrew Jackson, The War of 1812, the Creek War, and American Expansion

The War of 1812 saw not only conflict between the US and England but also saw vari-ous alignments of native tribes, among them a faction of Creeks, who allied them-selves with the British. In the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Andrew Jackson won a de-cisive victory. Secretary of War John Armstrong chose Gen. Thomas Pinckney and Indian Agent Benjamin Hawkins to negotiate a treaty but Jackson felt their terms too lenient and set his own. The Treaty of Fort Jackson was signed on August 9, 1814 and ceded 23 million acres of Creek land in Alabama and Georgia. In this letter, Jackson sends his official report on the treaty.

Letter Signed , Head Quarters 7th Military District, Fort Jackson, Augt. 9, 1814, to Governor Blount. “[The Creeks] have this moment consummated the Convention by their signatures… I found considerable difficulty in making the arrangements with them in con-sequence of a letter written by Genl. Pinckney to Colonel Hawkins, which he requested to be made known to the Chiefs as the terms of peace, and which contained several promises of indemnity for losses sustained by them in the present war…. The whole of Alabama and the valuable parts of Coosa and Kahawha in all containing about twenty two millions of acres are contained in this cession.”

This freed Jackson to continue south to Louisiana to engage the British forces at the Battle of New Orleans. $35,000

President James Monroe and the Era of Good Feeling

On his famed tour through the North, after leaving Boston, Monroe traveled to the nearby town of Salem, Mass. There a committee, led by one of its most prominent citizens, Benjamin Pickman, Jr., invited Monroe to attend a reception. The President wrote to Pickman and the committee, both to express his gratitude and to assure them that he would be sympathetic to their needs.

Letter Signed with Monroe’s handwritten revisions, early July 1817, to the Commit-tee of the Town of Salem. “The respectful invitation to visit the town of Salem was highly gratifying to me; and the flattering reception I have met with has excited emotions which I am unable to express. With regard to the important interests which are noticed in your ad-dress, they shall always receive from me, while I have the honor to administer the govern-ment, every encouragement, which is consistent with a due regard to the other great interests of the country. And I earnestly hope that your ancient town may long continue to enjoy that prosperity to which its commercial industry and enterprise have so largely contributed.”

In discussing his responsiveness to the hopes and needs of New England as expressed to him by Salem, Monroe crossed out “...it is equally the disposition and duty of the American government and people to cherish and support them...”, and inserted a much more personal “they shall always receive from me... ,” expressing his own intended per-sonal concern and involvement. $4,500

Jefferson, Foreign Entanglements & Reflections on The Revolution

In this letter, Thomas Jefferson warns against foreign entanglements, discusses the post-Napoleonic division of Europe, and characterizes in glowing terms liberty and the cause of the Americans in the Revolution, doing so in a critique of Carlo G. G. Botta’s book, History of the War of American Independence. Letters of Jefferson char-acterizing the work of a historian or the American revolution are uncommon. Autograph Letter Signed , Monticello, July 2, 1820. “I thank you for De Pradt’s book on the Congress of Aix la Chapelle… We gather from him great outlines, and profound views of the new constitution of Europe... These are things we should understand to know how to keep clear of them. I am glad to find that the excellent history of Botta is at length translated…. He has had the faculty of sifting the truth of facts from our own histories, with great judg-ment, of suppressing details which do not make a part of the general history, and of enliven-ing the whole with the constant glow of his holy enthusiasm for the liberty & independence of nations. Neutral as an historian should be in the relation of facts, he is never neutral in his feelings, nor in the warm expression of them, on the triumphs and reverses of the conflicting parties, and of his honest sympathies with that engaged in the better cause...” $75,000

The Underground Railroad

This pardon is the only known pardon of a black per-son convicted of harboring slaves and underground railroad activity. Document Signed , Washington, July 19, 1854. “.. .Whereas it appears that at the March term 1851 for the Criminal Court of the District of Columbia, Noah C. Hanson was convicted of harboring slaves …; and whereas it has been made satisfactorily to appear to me that the imprisonment the prisoner is now undergoing should be conditionally remitted. Now therefore, be it known that I, Franklin Pierce, President of the United States of Amer-ica… have granted and do hereby grant unto him, the said Noah C. Hanson, a pardon and release from so much of said judgment and sentence...” Frederick Douglass relates, “Hanson was no sooner let out of jail that he hastened to my house. A more grateful creature I never saw.” What possessed the pro-slavery Pierce, who disliked

abolitionists, to pardon a black man for harboring runaway slaves at the behest of Gerrit Smith, we can only wonder. Confronted by escape attempts organized by the abolitionists, southern leaders became convinced that they needed to take extreme measures to defend their institution. These measures helped bring on the Civil War. $28,000

Lincoln and the Conditions Inside Fort Sumter

This letter is part of ‘Team of Rivals,’ a major exhibition this year at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

By late 1860, Abner Doubleday was second in command of the fort, serving under Rob-ert Anderson. Doubleday did not trust the Buchanan Administration and determined to communicate with Lincoln and a few others himself. He had to do this indirectly, because as a military man, providing information over the head of his commanding officer could be considered insubordination. Doubleday would therefore communi-cate with them through his brother. Here is proof that Lincoln was sent Doubleday’s reports from inside Fort Sumter.

Autograph Letter Signed , Springfield, January 24, 1861, to Ulysses Doubleday. “Yours of the 15th inclosing that which I now return was duly received, and for which I thank you. I have neglected for a few days to return the inclosed. Yours truly, A. Lincoln.” A rare let-ter of Lincoln directly relating to the events in Fort Sumter. $36,000

U.S. Grant, General Meade, the Overland Campaign and a Potential Flanking by Lee

In March 1864, General U.S. Grant was given command of all Union armies. He de-vised a coordinated strategy that would strike at the heart of the Confederacy from multiple directions. The scene of action was to be Fredericksburg, where the two armies faced each other across the line of the Rapidan River. The Rapidan is a tribu-tary of the Rappahannock River which runs just to the south of the main flow, so Grant’s forces were mostly between the two rivers. Bull Run was to the north, be-tween the Rappahannock and Washington. Grant’s chief concern was that Lee would try to flank him on his right (Lee’s left), cross the Rappahannock, and get between the Army of the Potomac and Washington. Autograph Letter Signed , April 20, 1864 to Major General George Meade, ordering him to “Set Engineers to building Blockhouses at all the bridges between Bull Run & the Rappahannock both included. They should be put up with all rapidity.” The series of block-houses were designed to obstruct an attempted flanking attack and river crossing by Lee and thus provide defensive cover for the Army of the Potomac’s imminent campaign which began on May 3, 1864. In addition to preventing Lee’s advancing too far north, the blockhouses would also help secure the railroad between Washington, Manassas and Brandy Station, a critical route to help supply Grant’s massive army. $11,000

Reconstruction & President Andrew Johnson

A Pardon For Judah Benjamin’s Right Hand Man for Serving the Confederacy in the “Rebellion”

Document Signed as President, Washington, July 5, 1865, reciting that “Whereas L.Q. Washington of Richmond, Virginia by taking part in the late rebellion against the govern-ment of the United States, as made himself liable to heavy pains and penalties, and whereas the circumstances of his case render him a proper object of Executive clemency,.. .I, Andrew Johnson...hereby grant to the said L.Q. Washington a full pardon and amnesty for all offenses by him committed arising from participation...in the said rebellion.” Additional conditions were added in pen, predicating the pardon on Washington taking the oath of alle-giance, and making it void if he ever acquires “any property whatever in slaves or make use of slave labor...” Secretary of State William Seward also signed the pardon. $4,000

The Era of The Union League of Philadelphia

The Union League of Philadelphia was founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to sup-port the Union and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln, and raise funds for the war effort. It laid the philosophical foundation of other Union Leagues across a nation torn by Civil War, and made an enormous contribution to the Union victory. Ulysses S. Grant had a close connection to the League, as during the war he was received there, after the war it actively promoted his candidacies for President, and from its ranks came numerous Grant presidential appointees.

George Boker was one of the Union League founders, and later held the office of President. The history of the Union League calls him its “life and backbone.” At the end of the 19th century, Civil War veteran and business mogul Joseph G. Darlington served as Secretary and then President. He was a long-time autograph collector, and this is his collection, which covers the years from 1860 to the turn of the century. As Secretary, he handled the correspondence relating to the gala banquet held in honor of Grant’s birthday in 1893.

Some collectors seek to collect groups that tell a story themselves, such as Signers of the Declaration of Independence and Civil War generals, and these groups may in-clude signatures as well as letters and documents. For those collectors, what follows may provide a starting point.

Robert E. Lee and the Union League’s President

After the war, Lee accepted an offer to serve as the president of Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) in Lexington, Virginia, and served from Octo-ber 1865 until his death. Education took the place of military conflict. Autograph Let-ter Signed , Lexington, Virginia, March 9, 1866, to Joseph G. Darlington, future presi-dent of the Union League. “Your letter of the 27th ulto., misdirected to Richmond, has been received. I have known Mr. and Mrs. Ball, principals of Springwood School, for many years; and believe anyone entrusted to their care will be properly cared for & educated.” $5,800

Confederate General James Longstreet Will Honor His Old Personal Friend and War Foe, Ulysses S. Grant

After the war, Longstreet endorsed Grant for president in 1868, and attended his in-auguration ceremonies. The two had been close friends. Grant died in 1885 and was frequently honored afterwards. The Union League invited Longstreet, who had been Grant’s best man at his wedding, to a dinner in commemoration of Grant’s birthday, and in this letter Longstreet accepted, apparently without regard for the objections he would meet in the South. Autograph Letter Signed, Gainesville, Georgia, February 19, 1893, to George W. Childs, publisher of the Philadelphia Public Ledger news pa-per, who had tendered the invitation. “Your kind note of invitation for the Grant banquet of the 27th of April proximo is received and duly noted. It gives me much pleasure to assure you that I shall be happy to meet the wishes you so generously express.” $1,500

The Team of Rivals

Abraham Lincoln put together a support team none have equalled, composed in part by the famed Team of Rivals. Here in one group are: an Autograph Note Signed of Lincoln’s first Vice President, Hannibal Hamlin, dated as VP nominee in 1860; an Autograph Note Signed of his Secretary of State, William Seward, dated February 4, 1860, during his run for the nomi-nation; an scarce Autograph Note Signed of his Secretary of the Interior, Caleb Smith, dated November 17, 1862, on Department letterhead; a very uncommon Autograph Letter Signed of his Attorney General, Edward Bates, dated No-vember 20, 1862, on his department letterhead;

a fascinating Autograph Quotation Signed “Truth is the strongest” by his Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon Chase, dated October 29, 1862 and on his department letter-head; a signature of Navy Secretary Gideon Welles; a signature of Secretary of War Simon Cameron; an Autograph Note Signed of his later Secretary of the Interior John Usher dated April 26, 1864, while in that office; a signature of his later Secretary of the Treasury, W.P. Fessenden; a signature of his later Secretary of the Treasury, Hugh McCullough, on his Secretary’s card; an Autograph Note Signed of the Treasurer of the United States, Francis E. Spinner, dated March 19, 1863, and on his letterhead; and a Typed Letter Signed as Secretary of State on May 13, 1902, by Lincoln’s former private secretary, John Hay. Included is an 1865 assassination silk mourning ribbon in memory of President Lincoln.

The broad scope of this collection, its association with the Union League and dates contemporary with the election and war make it particularly uncommon. $2,100

The Confederates at Gettysburg & Anderson’s Return to Ft. Sumter

William Barksdale was a Mississippi Congressman who went into the Confederate service when the war commenced. He was one of four Confederate generals killed at Gettysburg, and his signature is very scarce. Signed sentiment completely in his hand, addressed to Darlington and dated June 8, 1860.

Autograph Note Signed from Robert Anderson, commander at Fort Sumter when it was bombarded and had to surrender in 1861. When the war ended in 1865, he was given the honor of re-raising the U.S. flag over Sumter. He mentions that very event in this note dated April 1865, in which Anderson tells Darlington “your note of March 29th did not reach me until after my return from Fort Sumter & that I was thus prevented from complying with your request.” $1,700

Generals, Admirals, Notables of the Union

These men and their colleagues that ultimately led the North to victory. This group includes: A lengthy signed poem by Union League founder George Boker, about the war and specifically praising the idea of blacks serving in the Union Army; signa-tures of commanding generals of the Army of the Potomac George B. McClellan, Am-brose Burnside, Joseph Hooker and George G. Meade; signatures of corps commander and Gettysburg hero Winfield Scott Hancock; signatures of generals Benjamin Butler, Franz Sigel (dated 1862), and close Lincoln friend Col. Edward D. Baker, killed at Balls Bluff and the only member of Congress to die in the Civil War. There are Au-tograph Notes Signed, all dated 1862, of generals John Dix, John Wool, and Frank Blair, an undated one of John McClernand, and one dated 1899 of Nelson Miles; an Autograph Note Signed , September 16, 1861, of Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt, who was later prosecutor at the trial of the Lincoln assassins; a Typed Letter Signed of General Horace Porter dated 1897; and a printed Letter Signed, dated 1901, from Samuel Pennypacker, the youngest general to serve the Union cause. There are also signatures of Adm. David Farragut and David D. Porter; and war date Autograph Notes Signed of Samuel F. DuPont and Andrew H. Foote. Lastly there are Autograph Letters Signed of wartime Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin (1860) and the boy Governor of Rhode Island and Salmon Chase son-in-law William Sprague (1863). $3,200

Generals, Notables of the Confederacy

These men played an important part in the Confederate war effort, earning a place in history. Included are a franking signature of Jefferson Davis as a U.S. Senator, Autograph Notes Signed from 1860 of Confederate Congressmen John A. Gilmer and A.R. Boteler; and signed cards of generals Joseph Johnston (who led Confederate forces in the West), Jubal Early, P.T. Beauregard (who commended at Charleston when Fort Sumter was fired upon), and cavalry generals Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee. There is a Typed Letter Signed of General Joseph Wheeler dated 1899; and an 1897 Autograph Letter Signed of General John T. Morgan to the Union League, praising the new U.S. Senator Boise Penrose, which it had supported. $2,000

United States Supreme Court At The End of The 19th Century

In 1890-91, Darlington obtained cards signed by the entire sitting Supreme Court. These included Chief Justice Melville Fuller, who has dated his card October 25, 1890; Stephen Field, the last remaining appointee of President Lincoln, Samuel Blatchford, whose card bears date of January 10, 1891; Joseph Bradley; former Confederate officer L.Q.C. Lamar; Horace Gray; Henry B. Brown; David Brewer, who signed January 14, 1891; and John M. Harlan, whose grandson of the same name also served on the Su-preme Court. $800

The Spanish American War

Victory in this quick war brought the United States into possession of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines, and thrust it onto the world stage for the first time. This grouping includes material signed by many formative figures in this conflict, includ-ing: a Typed Letter Signed of Admiral George Dewey, who secured the Philippines by sinking the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay; a signature of Nelson Miles, commanding General of the United States Army during the Spanish-American War; a very scarce signature of Charles D. Sigsbee, commander of the USS Maine, which blew up in Havana harbor and launched the war; an Autograph Letter Signed of Capt. Robley Evans, who commanded the battleship USS Iowa in the victorious Battle of Santiago de Cuba; many more. Accompanying this group is a colorful menu for the Clover Club’s Peace Jubilee celebrating the war ’s victorious end, October 27, 1898, signed by attendees Joseph Wheeler, Nelson Miles, Charles D. Sigsbee, Adna Chaffee, William Shafter, Capt. Robley Evans, Civil War general Daniel Sickles, Richmond Hobson, who won a medal of honor in connection with the sinking of the USS Merrimac. $3,100

Grover Cleveland Honors General Grant

Plus other presidential autographs

Grover Cleveland was elected President for the second time in November 1892, and would be inaugurated on March 4, 1893. Autograph Letter Signed of Grover Cleve-land, Lakewood, N.J., February 20, 1893, to George Childs, publisher of the Philadel-phia Public Ledger news paper: “I fully appreciate your kind thoughtfulness in sending me an invitation to attend the celebration of the birthday of General Grant on the 27th day of April next. I am in full sympathy with the sentiment that underlies this celebration and it would give me great pleasure to meet the good people of Philadelphia who will assemble on the occasion you contemplate. I regret that I am obliged to say however that I have no hope that the public duties which will press upon me at that time will permit me to do so.” Also included in this group are an Autograph Note Signed of John Tyler, “Please accept this as my autograph as requested.” ; a signed sentiment of Franklin Pierce, dated April 4, 1862; and an Autograph Letter Signed of Millard Fillmore, Buffalo, February 28, 1862. $2,200

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert Prince Albert, beloved husband of Queen Victoria, died on December 14, 1861. Victo-ria wore black in mourning for the rest of her long life. Starting in 1875, and lasting over a period of five years, Smith, Elder & Co.of London published a five volume biography of the Prince entitled “The Life of His Royal Highness the Prince Con-sort.” This is the entire five volume set, four volumes of which she inscribed to John Tulloch, the most prominent churchman in Scotland. $4,000

Harriet Beecher Stowe Quotation From Eva’s Deathbed Scene in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”

In the moving culmination of the deathbed scene of Uncle Tom’s cabin, Little Eva points to the heavens, and here Stowe picks up the text. Autograph Quotation Signed , March 30, 1894. “‘I’m going there,’ she said, ‘to the spirits bright, Tom. I am going before long.”‘ Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Chap. XXIII, Harriet Beecher Stowe. Written for Charlotts Nich-ols.” $6,000

Mark Twain and the Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Twain’s characters were often composites drawn from several different friends, and so it was with Becky Thatcher, the leading lady in Tom Sawyer. Laura Hawkins, an-other neighbor in Hannibal, is considered to be part of the composite that went into her character. But the name, physical description, and his clear infatuation have led many scholars to conclude that Becky Pavey played a defining role.

Autograph Letter Signed , January 9, 1885, to “My dear Becky.” Twain writes “I shall certainly not fail to come if I get the time, but the chances are many against me, for I am not often able to do as I would but as I?must. Still, I?shall hope. I was very glad indeed to hear from you. Sincerely, your old friend, S.L. Clemens.” Fine, in clear pencil, and extremely unusual with Twain signing himself as “Your old friend.” On the verso is a note written and signed by Becky Pavey Boas, April 14, 1919. “It was with sincere regret that my childhood friend Samuel Clemens did not dine with us.” Thus, this sheet has the autographs of both Twain and Becky. $8,500

Renoir and the Impressionist Exhibitions In this letter of Renoir to famed artistic subject, Madamme Charpentier, he notes the exhibition of one of his great paintings in the Impressionist Exhibition of Georges Petit in 1886.

Autograph Letter Signed , August or September 1886, La Chapelle St. Briac, to Ma-dame Charpentier. “The Petit exposition having ended, there remains only for me to thank you...As I hear you are not in Paris, won’t you please drop a word to Petit so that he might know if he should bring your painting or hold it until your return. I am in Brittany in a wonderful place and I am working. A thousand good wishes to Georges and kisses to the children. Your good and sincere friend. Renoir.” SOLD

19th Century Highlights from our Previously Sold Archives

In small part:

* A Copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln.

* The Last Will and Testament of John Brown, signed the day he was put to death.

* The Original Order to Seize the Rosetta Stone. Available at the British Library. (pictured below)

* The Only Known Letter of Robert E. Lee from Gettysburg not in an institution.

* Ralph Waldo Emerson letter defining aspects of transcendentalism and universalism.

* Meriwether Lewis’s signed receipt for his pay for the Lewis and Clark expedition (pictured below.)

* Napoleon’s original order to invade the Iberian Peninsula.

* The document that offically ended the Spanish-American War, signed by President William McKinley (pictured below.)

* President John Tyler ’s order to execute the first comprehensive treaty between the United States and the Republic of Texas.

* An Abraham Lincoln letter hoping for God’s approval of the Union Cause.

* The original orders to prepare to start firing on Fort Sumter, issued to the channel batteries in Charleston harbor.

As Published With Forbes

Letters from Dead Presidents: Appearances Can Be Deceiving

It’s not very often that someone tries to sell me something I already own. But it happens more often than you might think.

This week, I received a call from a man whose father, now deceased, owned a very important letter by Woodrow Wil-son, found folded within the book The Bridge to France, by Edward N. Hurley. When I received a scan of the letter, I im-mediately recognized it; in fact, I own it. Not only was the letter similar to mine, it was exactly the same, every stroke of the signature identical, a facsimile (shown at right). This experience is not unique. Famous facsimile copies of letters of dignitaries such as Queen Victoria, Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, and Thomas Jefferson come our way several times each year, often tucked within books.

Since some facsimiles were made long ago, they look old to an untrained eye. They can even look authentic to descen-dants of the writers themselves, such as those of Revolution-ary War figure Nicholas Biddle, who arrived at our offices with a gorgeous letter by George Washington to Col. Biddle. He wanted to know what I would pay for it. Instead, I walked into my vault and pulled out the original. The family had long since sold it, and I was the owner. Another time a descendant of a high ranking Revolutionary War general sent me their family treasure, also a letter from General Washington, only to find out that someone a century earlier had copied the original onto laid paper, the very kind of paper that Washington had used (shown below). The original is now in an institution, and the folds in two known copies differed from one another, a clear sign that facsimiles were involved.

Sometimes we are offered genuine forgeries. But there is a category of people who unwittingly offer us repro-ductions and who are not engaged in nefarious activi-ties. In addition to the above, this was the case with a man who had a letter related to farming written by Thomas Jefferson, and with its envelope still present, he proudly proclaimed. I informed him that envelopes were not in use during that period of history and that the letter in his possession had been famously copied by a company for promotional purposes a century ago.

Where the piece has been duplicated for inclusion in a book, the author typically sought and obtained permis-sion to reproduce the original. However, the case is not always so quickly solved. How could, for example, a close relative of Gerald Ford bring us a historic signed photograph of the former president, a family gift, and not know it was a copy? Many descendants sell or do-

nate their letters and, seeking to keep a piece of their family legacy, copy the original. This can result in numerous copies made for several interested parties. With time recol-lections fade, and so does the memory of a facsimile.

Fall Preview

Our semi annual New York showcase will take place this fall. This will be an exhibition of signficant documents and new acquisitions, built around our early Fall catalog.

We are pleased to relate that we have accepted an invitation from the Federal Judicial Conference of the 3rd Circuit to create an exhibition of American and legal history, and to speak on the subject of American documentary history, at their annual fall meeting.

The Raab ColleCTion

raab great collections: 19th century

Documents

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raab collection binders

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