Search Results: Autographs from Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts, ABAA

Wildly popular, pioneering early children's program (1947-1960) that established the genre and became a cultural phenomenon: Kean wrote more than 2,000 episodes and invented the show's many colorful characters (1947-55), coming up also with its famed "Cowabunga!" tagline, its theme song and every other song sung on the show (97 of them), while Smith was its long-time beloved host. Archive of letters and documents relating to copyright infringement issues as pursued by the "Howdy Doody" chief writer and its host in the 1990s and '00s. This fascinating and complex archive contains many hundreds of items -- dozens of original letters ranging from lengthy and meaty legal topics to personal matters to brief notes transmitting newspaper articles and countless photocopied book and other excerpts containing "Howdy Doody" content, the majority with handwritten addenda from Kean.Only a few letters and an inscribed 8" X 10" photograph hail from "Buffalo Bob" Smith, who died shortly after he and Kean retained a… Read More

Popular and prolific American playwright. Nice archive of five TLsS, each 1p, 8½" X 11", Shoreham, NY, 1942 June 3 to December 11. Addressed to poet Joseph Auslander (1897-1965) at the Library of Congress. Very good to fine. All concern the donation of Pollock's manuscripts to the Library of Congress (although he protests protests, "I don't want to crowd you with Pollockiana...."). "...nothing would give me greater pleasure," writes Pollock, "and particularly because... the inspiration for my most successful play, 'THE FOOL', came of an afternoon's reading in that Library." Regarding the manuscript of his just-completed autobiography ("Harvest of My Years"), Pollock sheds some light on his work methods: "...all but the first two chapters of this are written in pencil. The first two were dictated and typed, and, if you desire, with the combination I will include a note of explanation. The pencilled manuscript is voluminous, of course, and, should you prefer, I could substitute a typed script with pen… Read More

The astrolabe, one of the oldest of scientific instruments (dating to the early medieval period), has a variety of uses -- most commonly the planispheric astrolabe, which allowed astronomers to calculate the position of the sun and prominent stars in relation to the horizon and the meridian, and the mariner's astrolabe, which allowed mariner's celestial navigation and evolved into the sextant. Offered here is an intriguing modern archive of astrolabe materials (1970s-80s vintage) from the noted Chicago industrial designer/writer/illustrator/architect Paul Ritter MacAlister (1901-90) -- a fascinating, exhaustive archive concerning a do-it-yourself astrolabe kit (glossy printed cardboard) that he and Adler Planetarium curator, trustee and chairman of the board Roderick S. Webster (1916-97) designed and marketed together, along with a couple other similar projects. Flolydia M. Etting (1915-94) was another Chicago-area designer involved in this project. It is approximately one banker's box full of… Read More

Little is known about this popular 19th century American composer and pianist except the names of some of his compositions, which include "Night Before Petersburgh" (1867), "The Nation's Hero Grand March" (1868), "Love Among the Roses" (1870), "The Mocking Bird" (1872), "Lutheran Hymn" (1879) and "Polka de Concert" (1882). AMuQS, 1p, 6" X 4", City Hotel, Providence, R.I., 10 April 1872. Very good. Faint age toning at edges, with couple of miniscule archivally-closed (on verso) edge tears. Hoffman handsomely pens in brown ink three measures of music, identifying them above as "'Polka' / The Belles of Providence" and boldly signing below, adding the date and place. Quite attractive.

Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison's grandson was a noted American journalist, editor of the "New York Evening Post," an ahead-of-his-day civil rights activist, prominent pacifist, and a founding member of the NAACP. ANS, 1p, 5¼" X 7¼" (lettersheet), Palo Alto, CA, 7 April 1940. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93, noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar). Near fine. On letterhead of "Hotel President," Villard thanks this admirer "for your kind & much appreciated note about my books," adding, "A little volume on my German & English experiences last fall is now out 'Within Germany'...." Boldly penned and signed in full in blue ink. (In this 1939 study Villard, who was born in Germany of American parents, depicts Nazidom's thuggish ways and sympathizes with the German population.) A superb example.

This German-born American artist and sculptor circulated among the elite avant garde modernist circles of Europe (with Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso) and America (with Alfred Stieglitz and Georgia O'Keeffe); he's best known for lithographs of New York cityscapes and, later, of Colorado and New Mexico scenes, as he moved west and briefly served as art director of the then-new Denver Art Museum. ALS, 1p, 8½" X 11", Denver, CO, n.y. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93, noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar). Near fine. Excellent content penned in his bold, handsome script in brown ink, reading in part: "In answer to your question: 'have you ever turned out a Lincoln head or bust?' I can only say that for years I have had a bust of that grand head in my mind, -- (and, in my opinion, it is one of the most plastic faces of really great men) -- but I have not yet have had the opportunity to execute it. -- May I ask why you asked me that question?" Undated, but… Read More

American novelist whose realism paved the way for 20th century fiction; remembered for "Main-Travelled Roads" (1891), a short story collection, he was also awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his 1921 novel "A Daughter of the Middle Border." Excellent content ALS, 7¼" X 10¼", Hollywood, CA, 25 September n.y. [1939]. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93, noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar). Near fine. Faint original folds. On his imprinted "2045 DeMille Drive" letterhead, Garland tells this admirer "I am gratified by your expressed liking for my mystery book. Putting it together was an absorbing task. At 79, one naturally asks "where do we go from here?" Boldly penned in black ink in Garland's dashing script, with a holograph postscript: "The University Libraries are exhibiting the artifacts as a library -- archeological display." The "mystery book" in question is certainly Garland's very last book, "The Mystery of the Buried Crosses," his exploration of psychic phenomenon, an interest that consumed him… Read More

The French government awarded this young American Red Cross ambulance driver the Croix de Guerre for his exceptional courage in World War One during the Second Battle of Chemin des Dames on 29 July 1917; he went on to serve as assistant general counsel to the National Labor Relations Board and as law professor at the University of Wisconsin. ANS, buff heavy stock 5½" X 3¼" preprinted "penny postcard, Washington, DC, 25 August 1934. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93, noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar). Near fine. What question prompted the then-labor union figure to pen "Yes, if you won't call me professor" and sign boldly in full is unknown, but intriguing. He also notes "National Labor Relations Board / 25 August 1934" at upper right.

The "Dean of American Biographers" claimed a distinguished Massachusetts lineage that hailed back to Governor William Bradford of Plymouth Colony; he pioneered and popularized the psychological form of biography, cranking out more than one hundred of them. ALS, 1p, 5½" X 9", Boston, MA, 6 October 1904. Addressed to W.E. Waterhouse. Good plus. Most of first full paragraph rather smeared and more of it a bit feathery. The biographer as rent collector: "I understand that I am entitled to rent on my store 103-105 Brighton Avenue from the time of appointment of the trustee, September 20th, till I am formally notified of the surrender of the store into my hands. If this is correct will you please make your arrangements accordingly?" Penned in bold brown ink on his imprinted letterhead and signed in full. Odd.

This regional writer and Colorado Women's Hall of Famer (inducted 1990) hailed from a distinguished Colorado family and penned numerous popular books and pamphlet's about that state's colorful history. ANS, 1p, buff heavy stock 5½" X 3¼" card, Downing, CO, n.y. [postal cancellation 25 July 1951]. Addressed to Arnold Gates (1914-93, noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar). Near fine. On her imprinted correspondence card, Bancroft tells this admirer: "Thank you enormously for your kindness in sending the Herald-Tribune clipping. I should never have known anything about it or been able to run it down but for you." Regarding her just-published "Silver queen, the fabulous story of Baby Doe Tabor" -- the story of the famed rags-to-riches wife of noted Colorado businessman Horace Tabor -- she adds, "I wonder if your wife wouldn't be interested in my booklet about Baby Doe Tabor ($1.10 with mailing) who lived in Central City during her first marriage?… Read More

This lifelong "Century Magazine" assistant editor strongly urged the powers to publish a novel by an unknown author named Joseph Conrad, thus another publisher issued it in 1902; he excelled at maritime writing, his first book being "The Call of the Sea and Other Poems" (1902) and two romantic high seas adventures, "Under Rocking Skies" (1905) and "The Middle Passage" (1920), in addition to the nonfiction "John Paul Jones" (1916) -- all of which he recounts in his memoir "The Joys and Tribulations of an Editor" (1924). AMS, 1p (lettersheet), 5½" X 8¼", n.p., n.y. [lightly pencilled "3-29-23" at lower left in another hand]. Near fine. Tooker handsomely pens a lengthy paragraph from his 1920 "Century Magazine" essay "A Boyhood Alongshore" about growing up on the New England coastline. Evocative sea memories, reading in part: "I remember the absolute hush of the morning; even the boat… Read More

This Boston businessman was partner in the firm of Winslow, Rand & Co. Wholesale Grocers. ALS, 1p, 8" X 10½", Boston, MA, 23 December 1881. Addressed to "Friend Nutter." Very good. Original folds; single archivally closed (on verso) edge tear. On imprinted company letterhead listing the four principal officers, Watson comments interestingly on the use of soap: "I shall see that you have the soap today. Some fellows are awfully particular, and think that they must wash once a week. Now annual baths, or monthly baths, are great institutions, but I know you are a 'stubborn cuss', and will stick to your old habits and customs, and I trust that the superior quality of the goods sent you, will satisfy the fastidious tastes of you revellers in luxury." Handsomely penned in black ink and signed in full at the close. Intriguing remarks about personal hygiene of the day -- sounds like recipient may have been, as the Brits say, a "right Nutter"!

The tiny western Massachusetts town of Stockbridge -- best known as Norman Rockwell's home town -- had a vibrant art colony of painters and sculptors in the late 19th and early 20th century, Daniel Chester French a leader among them; prominent among them was this artist, known mainly for her portraits. ALS, 3pp (lettersheet), 5" X 6½", New York, NY, n.y. April 9. Addressed to Mrs. Stowe (Hilda Robinson Smith Stowe, 1881-1965, wife of Harriet Beecher Stowe's grandson, Lyman Beecher Stowe). Fine. On stationery bearing her printed "77 East Eighty-Ninth Street" address, Kobbe expresses doubts "about David's picture" -- Stowe's son David Beecher Stowe, born 1916 -- noting "I... feel that you are a little disappointed in it -- I cant expect to be perfectly satisfied with the way a portrait is done but at least you must be perfectly satisfied with the likeness. Dont hesitate to say if you are not satisfied... if you want me to try again, we can arrange perhaps to meet in Stockbridge some time this summer --… Read More

This noted Congregational clergyman came from a line of noted Congregational clergymen; he pastored the Church of the Pilgrims in Brooklyn, New York, for half a century and wrote much well-regarded religious history. ALS, 2pp (lettersheet), 5" X 8", Brooklyn, NY, 4 January 1882. Addressed to Henry E. Pierrepont (1808-88), a wealthy merchant of the famed Brooklyn Pierrepont family. Very good. Lightly age toned. On imprinted "80 Pierrepont Street," Storrs writes to a member of the family after whom his Brooklyn, New York street was named and introduces to him "Mr. E. Grant Marsh... son of Rev. Dr. John Marsh, formerly of this city, and very probably thus known to you. I have not met Mr Marsh often in later years, as he has been living in another part of the city: but I know him well in his earlier youth, and have known of him since; and I am confident that the duties of any office entrusted to him will be promptly and faithfully performed...." Nicely penned in brown ink and boldly signed at the close.… Read More

This English novelist spent many years in western Canada (a town is named after him in Alberta) and cranked out dozens of popular prairie adventure novels often set in Canada such as "Lorimer of the Northwest" (1909), "Prescott of Saskatchewan" (1913), "The Lure of the North" (1918) and "Northwest!" (1922). AS, 1p, 4½" X 7", Skinverness, Cumberland, England, 1 May 1921. Addressed to Mr. Blodgett. Near fine. Friendly note to admirer, reading in part: "Please excuse brevity. I have to work pretty hard, & autograph collecting has recently become popular...." Boldly penned in brown ink.

British artist celebrated for his vibrant paintings of fruit and flowers, though he also produced historical scenes such as the prize-winning "Melancthon's First Misgivings of the Church of Rome"; some credit him with single-handedly reviving interest in still lifes, and no less than J.M.W. Turner called him one of the three great colorists of his age. ALS, 3pp (lettersheet), 4½" X 7", London, England, 21 November 1845. Addressed to "Sir" (Robert Vernon, Lance's best and earliest patron who collected many of his works and formed a collection that became the nucleus of the Tate Gallery, now Tate Britain). Very good. Mounting traces and small chip to blank fourth leaf. Gracious note boldly penned in brown ink helping a young fellow artist, reading in part: "The bearer of this note (Mr. Saddler) whose talent I think you will much admire, is very anxious to be hired as a labourer in the Vernon vineyard. He not only engraves but draws architectural subjects beautifully, and it struck me you might find him… Read More

The 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon was a liberal British statesman, member of Parliament, the longest-serving Foreign Secretary (1905-16), in which capacity he stated as the Germans invaded Belgium that "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime"; later British Ambassador to the United States (1919-20). Meaty ALS, 6pp (4pp lettersheet + separate single leaf), 4½" X 7", Chathill, England, 17 January 1899. Addressed to "My dear Dewar" (editor George A.B. Dewar). Very good. Two faint horizontal folds; old non-staining tape traces at margin of 4th and 5th pages. On imprinted estate letterhead, Grey boldly pens in his large and legible hand detailed thoughts about his upcoming book titled "Fly Fishing," published by J.M. Dent & Co. in London later that same year and reprinted several times. "I am very glad that you like the Mss. for it is most difficult to form any opinion of one's writing & I… Read More

This German-American artist and illustrator contributed to "Harper's Weekly" as a young man and also did book illustrations for Sidney Lanier and others; he lived in a New York tenement building with African-Americans, who often figure prominently in his oil paintings; in 1893 some of his work was exhibited in Chicago at the World's Columbian Exposition. ALS, 1p, 7½" X 8 3/4", New York, NY, 13 May 1877. Addressed to Frank L. Robinson. Very good. Bit of mild wear. Boldly penned in black ink, Kappes writes to what's presumably his agent or an art gallery owner: "Should the prices affixed to my pictures retard the sale in any respect, you can make such reductions as you may think proper. I should be loath to part with them at a greater reduction than 25 per cent. If you will kindly consider this as the maximum...." Scarce. Kappes autograph material is seldom seen.

This British admiral served as aide-de-camp to King George V (1911-12) and retired as a vice admiral in 1918. ALS, 1p, 6½" X 8¼", La Croix, France, 25 October 1928. Addressed to "Sir" (noted American autograph collector Reverend Cornelius Greenway). Near fine. Writing from "Villa Torriano," the Italian-style the admiral had built the previous year near St. Tropez, Napier commends his correspondent for "your World War Memorial Building, & your effort to collect photographs of distinguished officers of the allied forces," but feels that "as I held no important command afloat during the war, my photograph would be out of place in such distinguished company...." Attractively penned in blue ink.

Hailed as one of the heroes of the pivotal Battle of Jutland in 1916, this Royal Navy officer fought heroically there and was awarded the DSO (Distinguished Service Order) -- and later was awarded a second DSO for his role in quelling Turkish shore batteries at Salif; by 1931 he had risen to the rank of rear admiral, then chucked it all to enter the clergy for the Church of England and serve a poor parish in London. ALS, 2pp (single leaf), 5" X 8", London, England, 16 September n.y. Addressed to "Dear Sir" (noted American autograph collector Reverend Cornelius Greenway). Near fine. On letterhead of "The Red Ensign Club," Woods cordially denies a photo request because "I was never an Admiral at sea, and I am certainly not qualified to appear alongside those you mention. I congratulate you on your Collection and your war record and hope your wounds do not trouble you too much...." Attractively penned, with brief penciled note from Greenway at the conclusion.