American Historical Ephemera & Photography

The lot is highlighted by 13 items identified to United States Presidents, many autographed, including: 

TAFT, William Howard (1857-1930). 2 signed items, including: Card signed ("Wm. H. Taft") and inscribed in Taft's hand, "Washington June 1st 1928." 3 5/8 x 3 1/4 in. (light soiling, remnants of paper and adhesive on verso)-- Card signed ("Wm. H. Taft"). 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (light soiling). Consignor relates that the 2 signed cards were given to 13-year-old Mary Atwood during her visit on 1 June 1928, at Justice Taft’s invitation, to the Taft residence on Wyoming Avenue, Washington, DC. Ms. Atwood had written Taft a note requesting his autograph, and he personally telephoned her and invited her to his home. Ms. Atwood's father accompanied her on the visit. 

HARDING, Warren G. (1865-1923). Personal check signed ("Warren G. Harding"), payable to "Woodward & Lothrop," for $15.00, drawn on the Riggs National Bank, Washington, DC 19 June 1923. 8 1/4 x 3 in. -- COOLIDGE, Calvin (1872-1933). 2 signed items, including: Printed "The White House, Washington" card signed ("Calvin Coolidge"). 4 1/4 x 2 3/4 in. (light soiling). -- Signature clipped from typed letter ("Calvin Coolidge"), 7 3/8 x 2 1/4 in. -- HOOVER, Herbert (1874-1964). Card signed ("Herbert Hoover") and inscribed in Hoover's hand, "Washington DC June 13 1928." 4 x 2 1/2 in. 

TRUMAN, Harry S. (1884-1972). 4 items, 2 of which are signed, including: Typed letter signed ("Harry S. Truman"), addressed to Mrs. Pool. Independence, MO, 16 August 1962. 1 page, on "Harry S, Truman, Independence, Missouri" letterhead, water damage to Truman's signature and tape residue near lower margin. Truman acknowledges Mrs. Pool's letter request of "August 6th," and references an autographed picture of her son enclosed with the letter. The photograph, which is included with this lot, shows President Truman at a Washington Senator's baseball game and was taken by Mrs. Pool's young son, Gary Pool. The 5 x 7 in. silver gelatin photograph is signed ("Harry S. Truman") and inscribed in Truman's hand, "To Gary Young" (rather than "Young Gary Pool"). --2 partial, printed tickets for the 1949 inauguration of Harry Truman and Alben Barkley (unsigned, some light edge and corner wear). 

FORD, Gerald R. (1913-2006). 3 items, one of which is signed, including: St. John’s Church bulletin signed ("Gerald R. Ford"), Lafayette Square, Washington, 15 September 15, 1974. Accompanied by a typed cover letter signed by Mildred Leonard, Personal Assistant to the President, to Mary Pool. The White House, Washington, 4 October 1974. 1 page, on "The White House, Washington" letterhead, referencing the St. John's Church bulletin signed by Ford. -- Typed message with printed signature of Gerald R. Ford. The White House, Washington, DC, Christmas 1976. 1 page, on "The White House, Washington" letterhead. -- Printed card with presidential seal, including a message of thanks for prayers extended to the Fords during an illness, with printed signatures of Betty Ford and Gerald R. Ford. 6 x 3 1/2 in.

[With:] 5 items signed by Vice Presidents, including:

CURTIS, Charles (1860-1936) Vice President under Herbert Hoover. 2 signed items, including: Card signed ("Charles Curtis"), Washington, DC, 11 April 1829. 4 1/4 x 2 in. (tape residue on verso). -- Typed letter signed ("Charles Curtis"), addressed to Miss Atwood. United States Senate, Washington, DC, 25 June 1928. 1 page, "United States Senate, Washington, DC" letterhead, folds, light toning. Curtis writes to Miss Atwood in response to her request for his signature. 

DAWES, Charles Gates (1865-1951), Vice President under Calvin Coolidge. Clipped signature ("Charles G. Dawes"). 3 x 2 1/4 in. -- GARNER, John Nance (1868-1976), Vice President under Franklin D. Roosevelt. Card signed ("Jno. N. Garner"). 5 x 3 in. (minor spotting). -- BARKLEY, Alben William (1877-1956), Vice President under Harry S. Truman. Signature clipped from typed letter ("Alben W. Barkley"), with date ink stamped in lower margin "Aug 16 1946." 8 x 3 1/2 in. 

[With:] KELLOGG, Frank Billings (1856-1937), US Senator (MN), Secretary of State (Coolidge), and Nobel Peace Prize winner 1929. Card signed ("Frank B. Kellogg"). 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. -- BYRD, Harry F. (1887-1966). US Senator (VA), Governor (VA). Signature clipped from typed letter ("Harry F. Byrd"). 6 1/2 x 2 in. 

[With:] 4 photographs of John F. Kennedy, including: 7 x 9 3/4 in. (sight) silver gelatin photograph of Kennedy housed under 10 x 12 in. mat (tape residue to verso). -- 8 x 10 in. silver gelatin photograph of John F. Kennedy with Jacqueline, Caroline, and John, Jr. (tape residue on verso). -- 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. (sight) copy image of President Kennedy and Vice President Johnson at 1961 Inaugural, housed under 14 x 11 in. mat with applied paper label on verso from "Capital Images, Incl., Washington, DC. -- 8 x 10 in. copy image of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy in a convertible with Texas Governor John Connally and his wife Nellie (some creasing to image). 

[Also With:] Replica plate with inscription on bottom, “Authentic Reproduction of a plate of White House China made by Haviland of Limoges, France in 1861 for President Abraham Lincoln and personally selected by Mary Todd Lincoln." 9 1/2 in. dia., numbered 538 of a limited edition of 2500, marked twice by Haviland, France, with personal inscription to Mary Pool, dated 30 March 1970. With original box. Accompanied by KLAPTHOR, Margaret Brown. White House China of the Lincoln Administration in the Museum of History and Technology. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Press, 1967. 

Together, 20+ items involving US Presidents, Vice Presidents, and other political figures. Condition generally very good. 

Provenance: Descended directly in the family of Mary Atwood Pool (1914-2009). Washington, DC, resident Mary Atwood Pool began collecting autographs of notable American historical figures at the age of 14, with each autograph acquired by her direct communication with the historical figure, their staff, family members, or attorneys. Additional information regarding the collection is available upon request.