Search Results: Titles starting with A from The Raab Collection

1897. Frederic Remington Shortly after the discovery of America, the Spanish people became obsessed with the idea that somewhere in the interior of the New World there were rich mines of gold and silver, and various expeditions were sent out to search for these treasures. From 1540-42, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado led a well-equipped force of conquistadores north from Mexico in search of the supposedly fabulously wealthy Seven Cities of Cibola and the country of Quivira. The force included 230 horsemen, some with several horses, 62 soldiers on foot, 5 friars with their assistants, and a military guard, numbering altogether about 330. They had fifteen hundred horses, mules, and cattle, and these were likely the first of their breeds in the United States. With various parties heading far into the unknown northwestern and northeastern territory, they went throughout Arizona and reached as far as the Grand Canyon and the plains of Kansas. Although no riches were found, Coronado’s journey added greatly… Read More

28/01/1851. Dorothea Dix The case study says, “Her case does not promise an early or complete restoration, And that the issue that developed during the last few days of her residence in Washington made it obligatory to place her where she would be under observation at all times. Her own life was perished and at times she would throw herself on the floor of the Public Library room in the presence of 40 or 50 persons and offer importunate prayers for their salvation. She wandered at night in an undress in the hotel preaching at the doors of acquaintances raising them from sleep to converse on various topics…”Dorothea Lynde Dix was an advocate on behalf of the indigent mentally ill who, through a vigorous and sustained program of lobbying state legislatures and the United States Congress, created the first generation of American mental asylums. During the Civil War, she served as a Superintendent of Army Nurses.Autograph Letter Signed, 3 pages, Washington, January 28, no year but ca. 1851, to Rev.… Read More

08/08/1889. Edwin Booth Edwin Thomas Booth was an actor who toured throughout the United States and the major capitals of Europe, performing Shakespearean plays; he was also brother of John Wilkes Booth. Autograph Letter Signed, Narragansett Pier (Rhode Island), Aug. 8, 1889 to New York Evening Post editorial writer Edward P. Clark. “Please place my name among those of contributors to the Welch Memorial Fund.” Very good, with the original envelope in his hand. Booth, one of America’s greatest actors of the 19th century is often overshadowed by the notoriety of his brother, John Wilkes Booth.Of the fund mentioned the New York Times ran an article on April 3, 1889 which read in part “Friends of the late Philip H. Welch, the humorist and journalist, who died recently under pathetic circumstances, have organized a fund for the education of his four children, each of whom is under 9 years of age.”

10/04/1797. Horatio Nelson This document was sold by famed autograph dealer Walter Benjamin in 1911 Horatio Nelson is a towering figure in history and perhaps the greatest naval figure of all time. A brilliant tactician, original strategist, fearless fighter and inspiring leader, he reveled in his celebrity, and enjoyed a scandalous extra-marital affair with Emma, Lady Hamilton.At sea, ‘the Nelson touch', as it was called, is evident in his strategic memos to his captains. To Nelson, a major part of his strategy was to line his ship’s up in a particular order that he pre-determined. This order of sailing would then be continued into battle, so making the determination of an order of sailing was a major part of his strategic thinking. For example, before the Battle of Trafalgar, he spent the entire forenoon employed in forming the Fleet into the Order of Sailing.In his memo to his captains before Trafalgar, Nelson specified his plans to keep the order of sailing as the order of battle (in… Read More

07/07/1809. George III ""...No causes of doubt or difference any longer existing, the relations of peace and amity between us and our said good friends, should be strengthened and confirmed..."" This was only the 5th UK ambassador to the new United States; we have never seen such a high level authorization beforeThe French Revolution led to a series of conflicts in Europe, in which the French were pitted against the great dynastic powers of Europe. When war first flared up in 1793, these powers, led by Great Britain, but also including Prussia, Austria and others, were trying to reverse the outcome of the revolution and restore the French monarchy. However, French victories and the rise of Napoleon changed the complexion of the situation, and a series of wars resulted, with shifting coalitions, lulls and flare-ups, and the nations of Europe devoting their entire life’s blood to achieve success. These conflicts lasted until 1815, when with the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, the 22 years of… Read More

12/12/30. Albert Einstein We obtained this photograph directly from the Guard heirs, and it has never before been offered for saleIn December 1930, Albert Einstein visited America for the second time. It was originally intended as merely a two-month working visit as a research fellow at the California Institute of Technology, but Einstein’s popularity made the trip headline news. After arriving in New York City, Einstein was taken to various places and events, including Chinatown, a lunch with the editors of The New York Times, and a performance of Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera on December 12, where Einstein, an opera buff who revered Mozart, Bach, and other great composers, was cheered by the audience on his arrival.William Guard was engaged by the Manhattan Opera Company as a press representative upon its organization in 1906. Upon the company's dissolution, he took a similar position with the Metropolitan Opera, remaining with the company until his death in 1932. Einstein met Guard at his… Read More

23/02/1954. Albert Einstein An increasingly uncommon letter of Einstein on the role of religions, philosophy, peace, and the dangers of the atomic age (that he helped usher in)Albert Einstein believed that wars stood in the way of human progress, and he was a lifelong pacifist (though he did not believe in pacifism at any price or in all situations). He was also an active promoter of world peace, from the days of World War I right up to his death in 1955. In fact, one of his last acts before his death was to add his signature to a statement of nine scientists warning that the world risked universal annihilation unless the institution of war was abolished. Knowing his stance, people from all over the world appealed to him to assist various causes consistent with these beliefs, and to give statements supporting individuals and groups that did so.Einstein was also not a member or follower of any organized religion. He considered himself a Jew, but was not a practicing Jew. And as for the Christian… Read More

08/1852. Alfred Lord Tennyson It was in 1850 that Tennyson reached the pinnacle of his career, publishing his masterpiece, ""In Memoriam A.H.H."", dedicated to his close friend Arthur Henry Hallam. Later the same year, he was appointed Poet Laureate by Queen Victoria, succeeding William Wordsworth. In the same year, Tennyson married Emily Sellwood, whom he had known since childhood. In 1852, they had their first child, a son. Emily was sleepless and unwell for close to 2 weeks after the birth.,That son, Hallam Tennyson, 2nd Baron Tennyson, would serve as the second Governor-general of Australia, in office from 1903 to 1904. He was previously Governor of South Australia from 1899 to 1902.Franz Anton Mesmer was a German physician with an interest in astronomy. He theorized the existence of a natural energy transference occurring between all animated and inanimate objects; this he called ""animal magnetism"", sometimes later referred to as mesmerism. Mesmer's theory attracted a wide following between… Read More

12/09/1866. Alfred Lord Tennyson This letter comes from an old collection and has not been on the market in generationsAlfred Lord Tennyson long reigned as Poet Laureate under Queen Victoria. His career took off in 1850 after the publication of In Memoriam, followed by Maud, The Charge of the Light Brigade, and Idylls of the King. The Princess is a poem of the forbidden love between Prince and Princess.In 1866, one of his friends planned a trip to the United States and offered to send him what was then a luxury and oddity: a pipe used by the Powhatan Native Americans. Tennyson was a well-known smoker and relished the gift.Autograph quotation signed and Autograph letter signed, September 12, 1866, to a Mr. Thompson. ""Thy voice is heard thro' rolling drums. A Tennyson.""""There is the line for you. I have no friends I know of either at Liverpool or Southampton to whom you might address the Powhatten pipes. I should think you had better send them direct to me at Farringford. Many thanks for your… Read More

11/05/1880. Abraham Lincoln|Ambrose Burnside Ambrose Burnside instantly put down his business the moment he heard about Lincoln’s call for troops on April 17, 1861, and rallied to the colors. He had some good success early in the war in North Carolina, and was given command of the Army of the Potomac. He led the army to a disaster at Fredericksburg and was removed from the top post by President Lincoln, who nonetheless sought another command for Burnside. He was ultimately transferred to command the Department of Ohio in 1863 (where he arrested Clement Vallandigham and defended Knoxville). He was brought back to Virginia in 1864 where he pushed for the mining of Confederate lines which led to the unsuccessful Crater explosion which was meant to break the Confederate line at Petersburg 1864. The failure of the Crater plan, for which several other generals shared blame, led to Burnside’s removal from command. As historian Charles Bracelen Flood observed “The Battle of the Crater ended Ambrose… Read More

1859. Washington Irving This was published in the work as the Preface to the final book; Written after the completion of the book and included and sent along with the final, the concluding touches on a shining literary career The statement of principle, written for publication in virtual letter form, for a work of great importance in American literature and biography Irving: The Work is “the crowning effort of my literary career.” Washington Irving, Literary Giant and First American Professional Author & Biographer[video width=""1920"" height=""1080"" mp4=""https://raab-collection-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/20231204112747/Untitled-6.mp4"" poster=""https://raab-collection-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/20231204112742/Screen-Shot-2023-09-28-at-1.39.53-PM.jpg""][/video] For Washington Irving, telling the story of George Washington was a lifelong passion. Irving’s mother named the future writer after Washington and took the boy to… Read More

26/02/1941. Winston Churchill “It seems to me that very probably you will want the celebration to be public, and in that case I think the best thing I could do is not to take the chair, but to come if I possibly can as a guest.”February 1941 was packed with momentous events. The Italian attack on Greece was spreading to include the Germans and British. Hitler sought to press Yugoslavia to join the Axis. On February 9, in a famous speech on the war broadcast over the BBC, Churchill told President Roosevelt in a heartfelt plea, ""Give us the tools, and we will finish the job."" The U.S. House of Representatives passed Lend Lease and Churchill began considering what that would mean in terms of munitions. On the 10th Britain severed diplomatic relations with Romania due to the presence of 500,000 German troops in that country. A few days later German General Rommel arrived in Libya to take over the Afrika Korps, and began operations against the British. On the 15th, Churchill warned President… Read More

15/03/1826. Andrew Jackson No American had more to do with the acquisition of Florida than Andrew Jackson. On March 10, 1821, President Monroe named Jackson “Commissioner of the United States with full power and authority to take possession of and to occupy the territories ceded by Spain...” On the same day, he was also appointed by Monroe to act as Governor and was holding that post when the ceremonies of transfer from Spain to the United States took place on July 17, 1821 in Pensacola. Three months later Jackson left Florida (never to return), and Monroe appointed William DuVal to succeed him. DuVal proved to be a good choice and he was reappointed by Presidents Adams and Jackson in the years to come.The Pope family of Kentucky were strong and early supporters of Andrew Jackson, and a tradition of the Popes claims that at a caucus held in Alexander Pope’s law office, Andrew Jackson was first brought forward as a candidate for the Presidency in 1824. When Jackson visited Louisville he was… Read More

15/08/1835. Andrew Jackson Document signed, Washington, August 15, 1835, being a patent issued to John Goulding and Reuben Brackett “For Machinery for facilitating the evaporation of solvents or fluids and in various water proof compositions or mixiures from the cloth or other substance to which said mixtures or compositions may be applied and also for condensing the same again or converting them from an aeriform into a liquid state."" The document is signed by Jackson as President and John Forsyth as Secretary of State. The patent is noted in publications of the time, including the Journal of the Franklin Institute and The Mechanics’ Magazine.

20/04/1838. Andrew Jackson Newly retired, he had sent his cotton from the Hermitage to be sold in New Orleans and had borrowed thousands of dollars against their prospective saleAlthough cotton was the sole cash crop of The Hermitage, cotton plants covered only 200 of the more than 1000 acres of the plantation. Production of any other crop was difficult due to the intense amount of labor needed to raise cotton. The perpetual process of planting, weeding then picking required by “king cotton” ruled the daily lives of the enslaved. Andrew Jackson knew he would have to cease depending on cotton for income eventually. The land was wearing out, the price of cotton was falling and the limited growing season made it a great risk.Maunsel White amassed a fortune running a cotton factory business in New Orleans, and became the owner of several plantations in southern Louisiana. White married Celestine de la Ronde, who hailed from a wealthy New Orleans family allied with military leader and U.S. president… Read More

06/09/1824. Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson bought commodities for the Hermitage from his neighbor Francis Saunders. Among these were wheat and salt. Saunders was also a court commissioner in Tennessee, so Jackson dealt with him on various legal matters as well.Autograph document signed, Tennessee, September 6, 1824, being a promissory note evidencing a debt Jackson owed Saunders. “On the second day of November next, I promise to pay to Francis Saunders or order, payable and negotiable at the Branch Bank of the State of Tennessee at Nashville, for value received. Witness my hand that this 6th September 1824.”1824 was the year Jackson first ran for president. John Quincy Adams was declared victor in the House of Representatives. In 1828 Jackson would run again and win.

Albert C. Barnes The archive documents important moments in both these efforts Included is a sub-archive of letters of Mrs. BarnesAlbert C. Barnes was an American chemist, businessman, art collector, writer, educator, and the founder of the Barnes Foundation. Barnes made a fortune as the developer of the antiseptic Argyrol, and subsequently amassed an impressive collection of more than 2,000 pieces of rare art. His extensive holdings include many European and American impressionist masterpieces and early modern art, including works by Cezanne, Matisse, Van Gogh, and Picasso. His collection of 181 Renoir paintings continues to be the largest number of the artist’s paintings gathered in one location.Barnes started the Barnes Foundation in 1922 as an educational institution, with strict limits to its use and very specific rules about its operations. Barnes was known for his ambition and his artistic sensibility, as well as his eccentricity.At the Foundation, he insisted that the art be displayed… Read More

15/01/1781. Thomas Jefferson In a long letter mentioning Nathanael Greene, he justifies his decision to hurry the appointment of the Deputy Quartermaster of Southern Virginia, saying""Maj. Claiborne will do justice to the Baron’s expectations."" This letter has been in the same private collection for generationsFollowing Horatio Gates's defeat at Camden, South Carolina, Washington's supporters in the Continental Congress allowed the commander in chief to select a new commanding general for the Southern Department, a break from its earlier insistence on reserving the choice of such important positions to civilian authority. Washington did not hesitate in picking Nathanael Greene, knowing that his experiences as both a combat commander and the quartermaster general made Greene the best choice to rebuild a shattered department. But he also ordered Inspector General Friedrich von Steuben to proceed south as well, informing him that he was to take over the department's base area in Virginia and… Read More

25/04/1945. George S. Patton He also updates the General on the safety of a key member of the French resistance, saying he has evaded the SS and livesHenri Giraud commanded the French 9th Army during the Battle of France. In May 1940, he was captured by the Germans, but made a successful escape from captivity in April 1942, after two years of careful planning. From within Vichy France he worked with the Allies in secret, and after Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa by the Allies in November 1942, he assumed command of French troops in Allied-held North Africa. In January 1943, he took part in the Casablanca Conference along with Charles de Gaulle, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Later in the same year, Giraud and de Gaulle became co-presidents of the French Committee of National Liberation, but he lost support and retired in frustration in April 1944.Following Giraud's daring 1942 escape from a German prison, Heinrich Himmler ordered Giraud's assassination, and had seventeen… Read More

22/08/1881. Chester A. Arthur The same records show only one other letter of Arthur dating from August until the death of Garfield having reached the market, making this a real rarityJames Garfield was president for just four months when he was shot on July 2, 1881, at the Sixth Street Station of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad in Washington, by Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office-seeker. In early August Garfield had started to improve, but on August 15 1881, Garfield took a turn for the worse. By late August, the Cabinet had given up hope for his recovery.Letter signed, as Vice President, on his letterhead, August 22, 1881, to J.B. Shaw of Lafayette, Indiana. ""My dear sir, I regret to say that I shall not be able to attend the re-union of the soldiers and sailors of the Northwest at Lafayette on the 22nd-23 of September.""Letters of Arthur as Vice President are very uncommon; he served only a few months in that position.