1852 – A letter describing the overwhelming support for a Whig candidate for the state assembly from the Horse Shoe Bar mining community
by “Edwin”
Califonia. Envelope or Cover. Very good. A two-page letter without mailing envelope sent by “Edwin” to James Hicks at an unknown location, probably in Vermont from the content. In nice shape with a 3” split along one mailing fold. In this very well-written letter, Edwin, a Democratic, described the overwhelming bipartisan support of the Whig candidate, “White,” (not Thomas Jefferson White) is receiving from the miners and merchants of Horse Shoe Bar. It reads in part... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1862 – A letter from one cousin to another expressing concern for the Union and worrying about soldiers who had been captured
by Emeline
Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1862. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This four-page letter was sent by Emeline to her cousin in Mary at Bristol, New Hampshire. It is datelined “Fort Wayne Ind. Aug. 23”/62” and enclosed in a mailing envelope franked with a 3-cent Washington stamp (Scott #65) that was postmarked at Fort Wayne two days later. In this letter Emeline expressed her fear that the Union might not survive and her concern about the fate of captured... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1969-1970 - Photographic archive documenting a teenagers' successful two-year Soap Box Derby Career
by Assembled by David Brenstuhl and family
Includes many photographs of the national All-American Soap Box Derby finals at Akron, Ohio Lancaster and Akron Ohio, 1969-1970. This archive contains approximately 140 photographs ranging in size from 2.25" x 2.75" to 8" x 10". Most are b/w (about 30) and color (about 110) 3.5" square or 3.5" x 5" snapshots. The others are b/w and include official "photo finish" shots and professional publicity photos. Also included is a letter with a xerographic image of another racer and his car. All are in... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
Circa 1851-1857 - Letter sent via the Augusta & Atlanta Rail Road (later the Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company) regarding the delay of a visit home because the family and its enslaved workers had contracted Scarlet Fever
by A. M. Fannin
Envelope or Cover. Very good. This stampless letter measures 15½" x 9¾". It was sent by A. M. Fannin and M P Allen to their relatives, care of "Miss L. A. Fannin / Madison / Ga." It bears a faint circular red "Augusta & Atlanta R.R." station agent postmark and a manuscript "5" rate mark. In this letter Fannin and Allen express their concerns about a Scarlet Fever epidemic that has struck their family and... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1810 - Letter from a father to his son providing $250 related to a legal problem with regard to bail, harm to a bull by his dogs, and a proposed usurious loan
by Joseph Fearon
Philadelphia, 1810. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This one-page stampless folded letter was sent by Joseph Fearon of Philadelphia to his son, John on Bald Eagle Creek in Lycoming (now Clinton) County, Pennsylvania. It is datelined "Philadelphia 25th March 1810" with a circular "PHI" postmark dated "27 MR" (ASCC p. 345). It bears a "PAID" handstamp and a manuscript, triple-rate "51" cent rate mark indicating it had contained to enclosures. In nice shape with a small hole where... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1865-1902 - An archive related to John W. Finch, a soldier from Ontario who fought in the American Civil War with a Michigan regiment, defended western Canada from Fenian Raids as a militiaman, and spent the remainder of his life living in both countries
by John W. Finch
Various, 1902. Various. Very good. This archive consists of fourteen items: 1. 14 March 1865 – An envelope with an enclosed letter sent to Finch by his sister in Canada while he was serving in Company C, 22nd Michigan Infantry. The envelope bears a St. Mary’s, C.W. (Canada West) circular postmark and a straight-line handstamp reading “Canada – 10 – Cents”, the full postage rate. It also bears a rare oval handstamp that reads, “Paid By... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
GOOD FOR A LOAF OF BREAD, A GAME OF POOL, A HALF-PINT OF CREAM, OR A ROLL IN THE HAY
by From the Estate of Robert (Bobby) Palazzo, Westlake Village, California
Western Trade Token Collection with Additional Exonumia.Collection of forty-eight western tokens plus other exonumia composed mostly of merchant "good for" tokens, several Pony Express commemorative 'so-called-dollars', a tool-check, and a 'dog house' license. These were issued at various locales, mostly in Nevada with a couple from California. The tokens were identified by Palazzo, John Schilling, or Holabird Auctions. Palazzo's old and badly worn cardboard mounts have been replaced with new Lighthouse coin 'flips' and the original information... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1840 – An exceptional political letter describing America’s first major nation-wide campaign rally, which was held in Erie, Pennsylvania for William Henry Harrison, the Whig candidate for president in the 1840 election
by B. F. Fuller
Madison [Ohio], 1840. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This three-page stampless folded letter measures 16” x 12” unfolded and is datelined “Madison [Ohio,] Sept. 20th 1840.” It was sent by B. F. Fuller to his nephew, N. L. Janes at Berkshire, Vermont. It bears a manuscript postmark, “North Perry / O Sept. 26” and a “25” rate mark, both in blue ink. In nice shape. A transcript will be provided. In this letter, Fuller describes the Whigs’ campaign... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1838 – A letter from a manufacturer in Maryland to his father, a farmer in New Hampshire, breathlessly reporting that a Congressional Committee had voted in favor of expelling one Congressman for the killing of another in a duel
by Lyman Fulton
Laurel, Maryland, 1838. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This stampless, folded letter, measuring 15” x 9.5” unfolded, was sent by Lyman Fulton from Laurel, Maryland to his father, James, a farmer near Francestown, New Hampshire. The cover bears a red handwritten postmark and rate marking, “Saurel. P.Gs.Co (Prince Georges County) / May 15 1838” and “Paid 25”. In nice shape. In this letter, Lyman reports that his sister Mary’s “health was in a precarious state,” however, more... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1886 - The "father of the modern American museum," G Brown Goode, thanks a man for donation an "Idol" to the Smithsonian's "United States National Museum
by G. Brown Goode
Washington, DC, 1886. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This one-page letter to G. S. Faucher Esq. of West Winstead, Connecticut is written on letterhead that reads "United States National Museum / Under Direction Of / The Smithsonian Institution." It is dated October 28, 1886 and signed by G. Brown Goode as the Smithsonian's Assistant Director. The letter is enclosed in an official United State National Museum - Smithsonian Institution penalty envelope and has been canceled with a duplex... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1829 - Letter from Josiah C. Goodridge in New Hampshire to his sister at the Carrey Pottawattamie Indian Reservation at Niles, Michigan
by Josiah C. Goodridge
Carrey Pottawattamie Indian Reservation, Niles, Michigan, 1829. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This stampless folded letter measures 15.5" x 12" unfolded. It was datelined "Newboston [New Hampshire] March 11th 1829 and send by Josiah C. Goodridge (sometimes Goodrich) to his sister, "Mrs Fanny Simerwell / Cary on the St Josep's / Michigan" via as annotated on the cover "From [the] fort Wayne [Indiana] the post office." The letter to Fanny reads in part: "I... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1810 – Letter from the Commanding General of a Massachusetts Militia Division to one of his brigade commanders expressing irritation that an election of a company officer had been bungled
by Major General Nathaniel Goodwin
Plymouth, Massachusetts, 1810. Unbound. Very good. This one-page letter measuring 7½” x 12½” was sent from Plymouth, Massachusetts by Major General Nathaniel Goodwin, the Commanding General of the 5th Massachusetts Militia Division, to Brigadier General Lincoln, one of his brigade commanders on 22 August 1810. It bears no postal markings and was likely courier-carried as docketing indicates Lincoln received it the same day. It is in nice shape with a tiny bit of insect predation. In... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
Creeper's Jeep
by Gramatky, Hardie
New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1948. First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Very Good -. Gramatky, Hardie. 8vo. Complete. First edition with $2.25 on dust jacket. Inscribed by Gramatky on the title page, "For my very fine friends / -The Kollikers / with all good / wishes / Hardie Gramatky / 1948". Sound binding with intact hinges. Clean pages; small faint dampstain at bottom margin of title page. Almost no wear to cover. Dust jacket missing small... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1857 – A letter describing a voyage from New York City to San Francisco, California to include crossing the Isthmus via the Panama Railroad from a young man, relocating from Maine with his mother and siblings to join their father, a federal construction supervisor at Vallejo
by William Wallace Hanscom
San Francisco, 1857. Unbound. Very good. This three-page letter, datelined “Navy Yard Mare Island / September 10th 1857 Cal.”, was written by William Wallace Hanscom. Quite legible and in nice shape. Hanscom wrote this letter to a friend after arriving at Mare Island in San Francisco Bay along with his mother on the Steamer Illinois. It reads in part: “We sailed from New York on the sixth of July 1857 with about 50 passengers... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1853 – A printed advertising circular announcing the merger of Haviland and Limoges porcelain concerns sent to one of the most important potteries in Virginia
by Edward Haviland
New York City, 1853. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This advertising circular dated February 1st, 1853, measures approximately 8½” x 10½”. It was signed in print by Edward Haviland, et.al. and mailed from New York City to Hugh C. Smith & Company of Alexandria, Virginia. It is franked with an attractive and rather scarce recut 1-cent blue Franklin stamp (Scott #9) canceled with an equally attractive circular New York postmark. It is annotated “Circular” in the upper right... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1801 – Order for a Tennessee sheriff to seize the property of a woman convicted of not paying taxes on land that she owned
by Henderson, John C.
Wilson County, Tennessee, 1801. Unbound. Very good. This manuscript seizure order was issued by the State of Tennessee, on 18 September 1801. It directs the Wlson County Sheriff to seize and auction the property of Mary Henry to pay her delinquent land taxes, for which she had previously been convicted. It reads in part: “You are hereby commanded that the goods & chattles & lands and tennements of Mary Henry you cause to... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1764 – The Acts and Orders passed by the Colony of Rhode Island in May 1764
by Henry Ward, Secretary
Newport, Rhode Island: Samuel Hall, 1764. String. Good to Very Good. May, 1764. At the General Assembly of the governor and Company of the English colony of Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantations, in New-England, in America; begun and holden at Newport, within and for the colony aforesaid, on the first Wednesday in May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-four, and fourth of the reign of His Most Sacred Majesty George the Third, by... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1869 – Check drawn on the “Banking House of L. H. Hershfield & Bro” of Helena, Montana that was printed on revenue stamped paper
by Lewis H. Hershfield
Helena, Montana, 1869. Unbound. Very good. This Hershfield Bank check measures approximately 8.5” x 4”. It features an illustration of a prospector with picks and shovels strapped to his back wiping sweat from his brow as he traverses rocky terrain with his dog by his side. It is printed on orange, two-cent revenue stamped paper, Scott RN-81. The check, for $2,500, is payable to I. G. Baker & Brother and has been signed “L. H. Hershfield & Bro.”... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1886 - Report card from Vanderbilt University enclosed in a school advertising envelope that features an all-over illustration of the campus
by G. D. Hicks
Nashville, Tennessee: Vanderbilt University, 1886. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This Vanderbilt University report card for G. D. Hicks measures 5" x 9½". It was sent to Hicks, who resided in Nashville on College Street. The report card, for the term ending January 31, 1886, is enclosed in its original illustrated mailing envelope which features an all-over illustration of the school's campus. It is franked with a two-cent stamp (Scott #210) that was canceled with a duplex Nashville,... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1948-1950 – Two mimeographed letters from a China missionary, one just after he returned to the country as the Nationalist Government was on its last legs and the other shortly after Mao Tse Tung’s Communist Government had taken over
by George W. Hollister
Hinghwa, Fukien, China, 1948. Envelope or Cover. Very good. The earliest letter has two pages and is datelined “Hinghwa, Fukien / October 30, 1948 China” in the final days of Chaing Kai Shek’s Nationalist Government. The second has three pages and is dated April 6, 1950, shortly after Mao Tse Tung’s Communist Government had taken over. The mimeographed form letters were sent by George W. Hollister to Mrs. Fred C. Rice in Canton, Ohio. Both are enclosed in... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1848 – A letter from a woman in Ash Glen, Pennsylvania welcoming her brother’s fiancé into the family
by Emily Hoopes
Ash Glen, Pennsylvania, 1848. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This three-page stampless folded letter measures 14.5” x 9.5’ when opened. It was written by Emily Hoopes of Ash Glen, Pennsylvania to Deborah Price of Philopolis, Maryland on ‘’4 mo. 26TH. 1848” (the Quaker method of expressing April 26, 1848. It bears a circular Westchester, Pennsylvania post mark and a “5” rate stamp, both in blue. In nice shape. In this letter, Emily welcomes Deborah to the... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1920 – Two printed postcard requests from Austria asking American relatives to purchase and send Food Drafts exchange for rations from the American Relief Warehouse in Vienna
by Herbert Hoover
Vienna, Austria, 1920. Unbound. Very good. One of the two cards, with an undated linear postal cancellation, would have been mailed in the first half of 1920. The Vienna postmark on the other card has an indistinct date, however, it would have been mailed later in the year as Christmas approached. Both are franked with Austrian stamps. The first card has a vertical fold, chips at the corner tips, and a short, closed tear. The Christmas-themed card is in nice shape. The... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1881 – Letter written on a photomechanically illustrated lettersheet advertising a boarding house in the Adirondack mountains
by M. C. Hubbard
Keen Valley, New York, 1881. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This four-page letter is written on photomechanically illustrated stationery advertising the Maple Grove Mountain House in Keen Valley, New York. The letter from M. C. Hubbard to her son, John, in Minneapolis, Minnesota was written on 18 September 1881. It is enclosed in a three-cent green U. S. postal service stamped envelope (Scott # U163) that has been canceled with a concentric circle handstamp a circular Keene Valley... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
A flag and letter presented to an official or journalist by a California Issei who would later be arrested and incarcerated by the FBI on December 7, 1941
by Kobotru Inouye
Redwood City, California, 1940. This typed letter, dated 17 October 1940 and signed by a prominent Issei member of California's Japanese-American community presents a 2' x 4' silk U.S. flag to an unnamed person, presumably a government official or journalist. Both are in nice shape; the display case is not original nor part of this lot. The letter reads in part: "At the present time, both Europe and the Far East is going through a turmoil, and the results of the outcome no... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC
1859 - Letter on behalf of John C. Fremont forwarding an article from the San Francisco Bulletin defending his ownership of the Mariposa Ranch that was sent to the influential Washington DC journalist-politician, Francis P. Blair, from San Francisco by the poet-politician Colonel Charles James
by Colonel Charles James
"At the request of Col Fremont I send you the inclosed answer to the charge made at the Attorney Genl's Office of fraud in the Survey of his Mariposa Grant." San Francisco, 1859. Unbound. Both Blair and James had been free-soil Democrats who were instrumental in both forming the new Republican Party in 1856 and securing John C. Fremont to run for President on its ticket. Although, Fremont was not one of the major candidates to represent the Republicans in his hat... Read More
Offered by Kurt A. Sanftleben, LLC