[POLITICS]. A collection of signatures of First Ladies, incl. Helen TAFT, Edith WILSON, Grace COOLIDGE, and Eleanor ROOSEVELT.

CLEVELAND PRESTON, Frances F. (1864-1947), First Lady of the United States (1886-1889, 1893-1897). Card signed ("Frances F. Cleveland Preston"). 1 3/4 x 3 1/4 in., autographed ca 1913-1947, during her marriage to Thomas J. Preston, Jr.

TAFT, Helen Herron "Nellie"(1861-1943), First Lady of the United States (1909-1913). 2 signed items, including:

Autograph note signed ("Helen H. Taft"), addressed to Miss Atwood. Fassifern Cottage Pointe-Au-Pic, P.Q. Canada, 13 June [no year]. 1 1/2 pages, on "Fassifern Cottage Pointe-Au-Pic, P.Q. Canada" letterhead. Mrs. Taft explains that she doesn’t have any checks because “Mr. Taft” deposits money in her account each month. -- Card signed ("Helen H. Taft, Washington, DC"). 3 1/4 x 2 3/4 in.

WILSON, Edith Bolling Gault (1872-1961), First Lady of the United States (1915-1921). Clipped signature ("Edith Bolling Wilson"), 3 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. Accompanied by a typed cover letter, unsigned, addressed to Mary Atwood. 2340 S Street, N.W. Washington, DC, 12 May 1933. 1 page, on "2340 S Street, N.W. Washington, DC" letterhead, referencing the enclosed signature from Mrs. Wilson. An Ancestry.com website search of “S Street” in the District of Columbia City Directory 1933 has “Wilson Woodrow Mrs” at the above-mentioned S Street address (see image page 1028).

COOLIDGE, Grace Anna Goodhue (1879-1957), First Lady of the United States (1923-1929). 7 signed items, including:

Card signed ("Grace Coolidge"), dated 1 May 1933, approx. 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. -- Typed letter signed ("Grace Coolidge"), addressed to Mrs. Pool. Columbus, Polk County, NC, 14 December 1939. 1 page, 6 x 9 1/2 in., on "The Narrows, Columbus, Polk County, North Carolina" letterhead, creased at folds, some chipping to edges, with original envelope signed ("Grace Coolidge"), postmarked 15 December 1939. -- Typed letter signed ("Grace Coolidge"), addressed to Mrs. Pool. Northampton, MA, 4 July 1940. 1 page, 6 x 9 1/2 in., on "112 Washington Avenue, Northampton, Massachusetts" letterhead, creased at folds, some chipping to edges, with original envelope signed ("Grace Coolidge"), postmarked 4 July 1940. -- Typed letter signed ("Grace Coolidge"), addressed to Mary A. Pool. Northampton, MA, 11 November 1940. 1 page, 6 x 9 1/2 in., on "112 Washington Avenue, Northampton, Massachusetts" letterhead, creased at folds, some chipping to edges, with original envelope signed ("Grace Coolidge"), postmarked 10 November 1940.

HOOVER, Lou Henry (1874-1944), First Lady of the United States (1929-1933). Printed "The White House, Washington" card signed ("Lou Henry Hoover"), 4 1/4 x 2 3/4 in. Accompanied by a typed cover letter signed by P.A. Butler, Secretary to Mrs. Hoover. White House, 6 October 1931. 1 page, "The White House, Washington" letterhead, referencing the enclosed signature of Mrs. Hoover.

ROOSEVELT, Anna Eleanor (1884-1962), First Lady of the United States (1933-1945). 5 items, including:

7 x 10 in. silver gelatin photograph of Eleanor Roosevelt signed lower right, ("Eleanor Roosevelt"), given to Mary Atwood during her visit with Eleanor Roosevelt on 15 December 1936. -- Printed "The White House, Washington" card signed ("Eleanor Roosevelt"), 2 3/4 x 4 in., used to admit Miss Atwood to the White House. Accompanied by a typed cover letter signed by Edith Helm, Secretary to Mrs. Roosevelt. The White House, Washington, DC, 8 December 1936. 1 page, "The White House, Washington" letterhead. Ms. Helm thanks Miss Atwood for her kind letter and invites her to meet with Mrs. Roosevelt using the autographed card as admission to the White House. -- Typed letter signed ("Eleanor Roosevelt"), addressed to “My dear Miss Atwood.” White House, Washington, DC, 17 December 1936. 1 page, "White House, Washington" letterhead. Roosevelt thanks Ms. Atwood for flowers. Accompanied by an unsigned thank you card, approx. 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 in., from Mrs. Roosevelt, which was originally enclosed with the 17 December 1936 TLS. -- Franked envelope stamped "Anna Eleanor Roosevelt." Envelope was postmarked 28 October 1962, 15 days before Mrs. Roosevelt's death on 7 November 1962.

EISENHOWER, Mamie Geneva Doud (1896-1979), First Lady of the United States (1953-1961). 3 items, including: Printed "Gettysburg, Pa." card signed ("Mamie Doud Eisenhower"), 4 x 3 in., accompanied by original envelope addressed to Mary Pool, with "Mamie Doud Eisenhower" stamp. -- Card signed ("Mamie Doud Eisenhower"), 4 x 2 3/4 in.

JOHNSON, Lady Bird (1912-2007), First Lady of the United States (1963-1969). Card from "LBJ Ranch, Stonewall, Texas" with signature of Lady Bird Johnson, which appears to be printed, 3 3/4 x 5 in. Accompanied by typed cover letter signed by Betty Tilson, Staff Assistant to Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson. LBJ Ranch, Stonewall, TX, 15 September 1976. 1 page, on "LBJ Ranch, Stonewall, Texas" letterhead, referencing the enclosed card.

FORD, Elizabeth Boomer “Betty” (1918-2011), First Lady of the United States (1974-1977). Typed letter signed ("Betty Ford"), addressed to Ms. Pool. The White House, Washington, DC, 13 July 1976. 1 page, "The White House, Washington" letterhead, light folds. Mrs. Ford thanks Ms. Pool for her kind words regarding Mrs. Ford's prayer for Dr. Maurice Sage.

[With:] HAYES, Fanny (1867-1950), only daughter of President Rutherford B. Hayes. Typed letter signed ("Fanny Hayes"), addressed to Miss Atwood. Hospice Marcott, Lewiston, Maine, 10 April 1935. 1 page, on "Hospice Marcott, Lewiston, Maine" letterhead, light fold. Hayes writes to Miss Atwood, apologizing for not being able to locate an autograph from her father. Accompanied by typed letter signed by Frances E. Schwartz, Assistant Secretary, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, Spiegel Grove, Ohio, addressed to Mary Atwood. Fremont, Ohio, 15 May 1935. 1 page, on "Spiegel Grove, Fremont Ohio" letterhead, light folds, loss to top right corner. Schwartz writes to Ms. Atwood after receiving correspondence from Fanny Hayes, and reveals that "all of the books and papers belonging to Rutherford B. Hayes have been presented to the State of Ohio."

Together, 20+ items, 18 of which are signed by First Ladies of the United States. Condition generally good unless otherwise noted.

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.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.