SCHUYLER COLFAX (1823-1865) U.S. Representative from Indiana, Soeaker of the House of Representatives and the 17th Vice President of the United States. Autograph note signed, in third person, “Mr. Colfax.” One page, 5” x 8”. No place. Monday, Morning, no date. Colfax writes to accept an invitation. Mounting trace on verso. Overall Fine.

JOHN ERICSSON (1803-1889) Swedish inventory and engineer. After working on locomotive steam engines early in his career, John Ericsson turned his engineering talents to steam engines in maritime applications. Ericsson is best known for his invention of the twin screw propulsion design and for his design of the USS Monitor. Autograph Letter Signed. One page, 4 3/4” x 7 1/2”. No place. January 10, 1860. Ericsson writes, in part: “ …. I have looked quite carefully into the buckmill matter and strongly advise your backing the application of the 24 in. engine. The best we can do is 3 1/2 turns of the buckmill shaft and then if there are ‘hard points’ our engine will stop -- Altogether this taking the place of animal power applied directly to the work we should avoided … ” Mounting trace on verso. A few minor toning spots. Overall Very Fine.

Charles Thomson (1729 – 1824). A Patriot leader in Philadelphia during the American Revolution. He was secretary of the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1789, for its entire existence. Cut signature, 2 ¼” x ¾” tipped to a slightly larger backing paper measuring 3 ¾”x 2 ¼” overall. “Cha Thomson Secy. Excellent.

Robert Lansing. ALS. 1pp. 8 1/4" x 5 1/2". Watertown, N.Y. April 16th 1894. An autograph letter signed by Robert Lansing on his personal legal letterhead: "I enclose herewith a copy of a letter...its contents, I fear, will be anything froma greeable to you, especially in view of the fact that the Grace Claims were dismissed...You of course know May much better than I do but the little I saw of him and the correspondence we have had rahter give me the impression that he was what we would call among lawyers a 'light weight'...". The letter is in very fine condition with some light toning that affects nothing.

James C. Dobbins (1814 – 1857) Secretary of the Navy under President Pierce; instrumental in enlarging and reorganizing the navy. 8” x 10”. Manuscript Letter Signed by James C. Dobbins to Major G. F. Lindsay, U.S. Marine Corps., Washington D.C. “Navy Department, Feby 7th, 1856. Sir, The Commandant at New York has been instructed to comply with your wish to place on board the small steamer to sail from New York for Warrington, Va; “some clothing for Marines stationed at the latter place.” Very respectfully, yr. Obt. Svt. J. C. Dobbins”. Very Fine.

Joe McCarthy. DS. 1pp. 12" x 7 3/4". Wisconsin. 1951. A "Four Wheel Drive Auto Company" stock issued to and signed by Senator Joe McCarthy. Top center vignette of two allegorical men flanking the company's logo. Lightly punch cancelled, though not affecting the signature in any way.

MARCUS HANNA. ALS. 1pp. 8" x 10". Clev O. Oct 7/99. An autograph letter signed "M A Hanna" on "United States Senate" letterhead. He wrote to "F B Thurber": "I am in rec't of your of the 5th inst and herewith enclose my cheque for $250.00". The letter has the usual folds with dark ink; it is in fine condition overall.

Note Number 479 for £12.17.5 issued to Ned Freedom. Freedom has written his mark, “x,” on verso.

Freedom is listed as a member of the all black 2nd company, 4th regiment of the Connecticut Line. This company was commanded by David Humphreys’ and consisted of 48 black privates and NCOs. It was formed in October of 1780 and served until November 1782. In addition, Freedom’s Schedule of Property from his pension, dated 1820, notes that he enlisted in either 1776 or 1777 and served as a private in Col. Meig’s Regiment, Captain Mansfield’s Company. He was discharged at West Point on June 2, 1783. It is also known that Freedom was married with three children by 1820. Circular punch cancellation. Overall Very Fine.

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950). Irish-born dramatist, critic and essayist; Nobel laureate. Shaw ranks as one of the most important literary figures of the 1900s. In a career spanning nearly 60 years, Shaw wrote over 50 plays, most being comedies appealing to the emotions of the audience. He was a mischievous and original thinker, involving himself in various social issues. He was awarded the 1925 Nobel prize for literature. TLS. 1 page. 8” x 10”. On his imprinted letterhead “10 Adelphi Terrace. W.C.”, Shaw’s London residence. Shaw writes to prominent British scholar, Gilbert Murray suggesting the latter take up a project to translate Cyrano de Bergerac for English actor and theatre manager Lewis Waller; “I write to you the spur of the moment, having just had a violent shock through the telephone. Said shock was caused by the voice of Lewis Waller asking me to make him a high-class translation of Cyrano de Bergerac for performance in the spring. Now from Euripides to Rostand is a long jump; but in a certain way the mere feat of translation is of the same character. There is a genuine vein of phantasy and grace of expression to be preserved – and more poetry, after all, than there is in Aristophanes. Would you be disposed to take on the job? If so, although Waller has an unspeakable terror of you as the terrible translator of Euripides, and probably believes you to be personally exactly like Doctor Johnson, the thing might be managed. There may event be money in it. Yours ever, G. Bernard Shaw” A fine letter which would display nicely.