William Dudley (1686 – 1743) a man of brilliant talents, which he exercised both in civil and military life. At the age of twenty he was sent on a most important and delicate mission to Canada, to negotiate an exchange of prisoners. Son of Joseph Dudley Colonial Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1702 to 1715. Samuel Gerrish. Publisher, bookseller. A strong advocate of the Regular Singing Movement in Boston during the 1720’s. John Weld. Member of the prominent Weld family of Massachusetts. “Whereas my honoured Granfather Joseph Weld of Roxbury has recorded to him in the records of Roxbury, two hundred & seventy eight acres in the four thousand granted to Roxbury by reason of Dedham, ( ) them as may be seen by the records of the town and general court and John Weld being the only surviving grandchild of the said Joseph have & Do by these presents convey and make over to my cosin Joseph Weld of Roxbury all my right, title or interest in the said two hundred & seventy eight acres or what may be granted to me on the petition now to be preferred to the honorable court to have & to hold the same to the said Joseph Weld his heirs & assigns forever. As witness my hand & seal this 24th Novr. 1736…Signed by John Weld at the conclusion and witnessed at left by Sarah Weld. William Dudley has signed below indicating that John Weld appeared “and acknowledged this instrument as his voluntary act & deed” John Weld signs again on the following page “It is agreed by & between the parties within …John and Joseph Weld that in case of any heirs of the first named Joseph except the within grantor shall recover any right or part in the within granted…the said John or his heirs will repay to Joseph, his heirs or assigns the one half of the consideration money…John Weld. Below, Prominent Bostonian Samuel Gerrish signs recording the transaction. A superb association of prominent Massachusetts individuals signing a single land memorandum document.

William Green (1873 - 1952) Second long-term president of the American Federation of Labor, serving from 1924 until his death in 1942.TLS. 1 page. 8 1/2” x 11”. On imprinted American Federation of Labor Letterhead. Washington, D.C. December 12, 1945. Addressed to Mr. Harold Sherwin of Rosalia, Washington. “Dear Mr. Sherwin: I acknowledge receipt of the letter dated November 30th signed by you and other members of the Adult Bible Class of the Rosalia Methodist Church. I cannot believe that you mean to convey the idea that wage proposals submitted by different groups of labor are unreasonable and unjustifiable. In this letter, however, you and your associates do not draw the line between reasonable and unreasonable proposals. Very truly yours, Wm. Green President American Federation of Labor.” A choice example for display.

JAMES G. FAIR S. 1pp. n.p. n.d. A signature "James G. Fair Nevada" on an album page while Senator. It has dark ink and is in very fine condition.

JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, JR.. ALS. 2pp. 4 1/2" x 7". 4 West Fifty-Fourth Street. Thursday. An autograph letter signed "John D. Rockefeller Jr" addressed to "Miss Ferris": "I can't tell you how...I am with this wretched weather. Upon one drive with you at least, I had been counting and had hoped it might be two. Instead we cannot drive at all. Really I am very much disappointed. Do you suppose you will try me once more and be good enough to let me know when next you come to town? Please do. I must apologize for not sending you word until so late yesterday noon; I tried earlier but failed; and hope very much that you were not inconvenienced in getting to the theater. May I send you these flowers as an evidence of my very sincere disappointment about the drive." The letter is in very fine condition.

John Wanamaker. ANS. 1pp. 8" x 13". Philadelphia. Nov 13, 1899. An autograph note signed by famed merchant John Wanamaker that states: "To The Real Estate Trust Co of Philadelphia Please deliver above Bonds to Mr. Williams & take his receipt for the same & Oblige Jno Wanamaker". There is a typed statement above: "RECEIVED of John Wanamaker Twenty five thousand dollars in Lehigh Valley Railroad Company Trust fives, to be held in trust by this Company as collateral for payment of rewards for detection of offences under his proposition made public this date. Said Bonds to be returned on surrender of this receipt one year from date." The document is in very fine condition overall.

Reverdy Johnson (1796 – 1876). Maryland statesman and jurist. Whig Senator from 1849 – 1850, Attorney General of the United States under Zachary Taylor. He served in the U.S. Senate again from 1863 – 1868. Defended Mary Surrat for aiding the Lincoln assassination conspirators. ALS. 4 pages. 5” x 8”. Balt. 25, Nov. 56. To Thomas B. Stevenson, Esq. “Mr. Anderson has enclosed me your letter to myself of the 13th inst. & it is but this moment rec’d. on my return from the North, where I have been for some days. Mr. Clay’s letter to you, with the note to it published by Colton. I was first informed of it by Mr. Anderson but for ( ) I saw it, I should have been wholly unable to conjecture what it was I ( ) that could possibly cause Mr. C. to … And even as it is, I can not reconcile his ( ) conduct towards me while we to the last …& apparently friends. With his being seriously …that I acted as you, … To Mr. A for a copy of your last letter to him upon the subject. I trust you will hereafter ..so even if you do not … is to be satisfied that no man …wo cant have entertained toward Mr. C. such a …as the note upon to …to me. Circumstances it is proper that I should use it to many cirmcumstances over me… publishing the case … Mr. A. you & myself have had. I will of course send you a copy Y hope you will see nothing in it to which you can object. With much respect, your obdt. Servt. Reverdy Johnson” Interesting content revealing an apparent rift between Johnson and Clay. Couple of fold splits repaired with archival tape. Fine.

WILFRED C. LELAND. DS. 1pp. 8 1/2" x 3 1/2". Detroit. Sep 7 1920. A "Peoples State Bank" document for the "Lincoln Motor Co" signed by "W.C. Leland V.P. Genl Mgr." and "W.T. Nash Sec. Treas". The promissory note borrowed $250,000 at 6% interest for three months. Revenue stamps are attached to the back the piece is in fine condition overall. W.T. NASH was the son of CHARLES NASH, one of the founders of the American automobile industry.

GEORGE FREDERICK PEARSON, naval officer, born in New Hampshire, 6 February, 1796; died in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 30 June, 1867. He was appointed midshipman, 11 March, 1815, and cruised in the frigates "United States" and "Independence" in the Mediterranean in 1816-'20, and in the West Indies in 1822-'3. He was commissioned lieutenant, 13 , January, 1825, commanded the schooner "Shark" at Norfolk in 1839, and served at the Portsmouth navy-yard in 1839-'41. He was promoted to commander on 8 September of the latter year, was in the "Falmouth" at Norfolk in 1852-'3, and became captain, 14 September, 1855. He commanded the steamer " Powhatan" in the East, Indies in 1858-'60. During the civil war he rendered valuable service as commandant of the Portsmouth navy-yard, which post he held at his death. He was retired by law, being over sixty-two years old, 21 December, 1861, and became commodore on the retired list, 16 July, 1862, and rear-admiral. 25 July, 1866. Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H. May 18, 1861 To His Excellency, Ichabod Goodwin, Governor of New Hampshire I have herewith to send for your information a communication received to-day by commander Missroon of this yard from Commander Taylor of the U.S. Navy. As you will therein perceive, the information given to Commander Taylor by the officer in charge of Fort Constitution to say the least of it may lead to unfortunate circumstances, inasmuch as it would be subversive of all military rules for the commander of a frigate bearing a friendly flag to be ordered to heave to and send a boat ashore when about to enter any friendly port whatever. Besides, as no person is more competent of judging than yourself, there are times when it may be dangerous for a large ship to heave to and send a boat on shore, to say nothing of the delay, owing to the tides, in reaching the Navy Yard. Aware that your object is for the officer in charge of the fort, to present all suspicious vessels and those without the United States flag, from entering the harbor during the day and all vessels at night without a thorough examination, I am confident that you will give orders that will effectually prevent accidents of a serious character. United States ships may be coming here at any moment, and we all should regret any unfortunate accident which might arise from a misunderstanding of orders. I have the honor to be Most respectfully, Your Obt. Servt. G. F. Pearson

ANNA ELIZA LEAK. ISP. 2 1/2" x 4 1/4". n.p. Aug. 24, 1871. A carte-de-visite signed and inscribed on the verso by Leak: "I write poetry & prose holding my pen between my toes. Ann E. Leak Born without arms age 29 years Georgia Aug. 24, 1871." The photograph shows her sitting on a counter with her bare feet on a silver tea service. Considering the circumstances, the writing is incredibly neat, dark and legible. She performed this routine in the same shows that featured Tom Thumb, among other noteworthy attractions. It was Barnum who invented the concept of the sideshow as a source of additional income, and also he who merged his "Hall of Human Oddities" with his circus. It is quite rare to see remnants of Barnum's spectacles, save those of Tom Thumb, in our age. The item shows some wear around the edges, but is in fine condition overall, and a reminder of what passed for entertainment years ago.