TASKER H. BLISS (1853-1930) US general and diplomat. He served in the Spanish–American War, in 1902 negotiated the treaty of reciprocity with Cuba. Towards the end of World War I he was chief of general staff in Washington 1917–18, represented the USA on the Supreme War Council in 1918, and was chosen as one of the five US delegates to the Inter-Allied Peace Conference in Paris in 1919. Clipped Autograph. 5”x 2”. “Tasker H. Bliss” above typed “General, Chief of Staff. U.S.A. Permanent American Military Representative.” Fine.

CHARLES GUITEAU (1841 - 1882). Assassin of President James Garfield. An interesting ADS in which Guiteau, serving as an attorney for his client who has received a forged check; “Rec’d $5 in settlement of Pyne & Miller’s claim of $17.60 in an alleged forged check for that amt. Issued by Lynch Bros. Dated 14 Sept. 1876. Charles J. Guiteau, atty…” Accompanied by the original check which was the subject of the forgery as well as a contemporaneous envelope written “Autograph of Chas. J. Guiteau, the murderer of Prest. Garfield”. All are wonderfully framed in a gold gilt with a cranberry colored matting. An unusual combination. Fine.

[Bicycle History – Boston]. DS. 8” x 36”. Boston, Mass. October 29, 1888. This document calls for the membership to back the proposed purchase of a building adjacent to the club’s building for the purpose of expansion. “In the opinion of many …the present building is already quite inadequate for the use of the club; and they feel certain, that if in the future, the club is to take and maintain a high position and rank among the institutions of similar character in the country, a larger building and more ample accommodations will be necessary….” The Massachusetts Bicycle Club was founded on January 10, 1879. It was headquartered on Newbury Street in Boston and by 1885 boasted a membership of 225. Signed at the conclusion by 30 members of the club in support of the acquisition. An interesting early bicycling related document. Fine.

Jesse H. Jones (1874 – 1956). Businessman. Served as head of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, the federal agency which was originally created by Herbert Hoover to provide financial support for industrial growth and expansion during the Great Depression and, later, during World War II. TLS. 1 page. April 6, 1938. Washington, D.C. Jones writes to Senate Secretary Edwin A. Halsey; “Pardon my delay in acknowledging the picture of the Vice-President, Senator Truman and myself taken recently in your office upon the occasion of Senator Truman’s exhibiting to the Vice-President and me the two revolvers originally belonging to Jesse James. Your thoughtfulness and trouble in getting the autographs of Vice-President Garner and Senator Truman is appreciated, as also is the reference to “Jesse James” Jones. Sincerely your friend, Jesse H. Jones” A fine association and interesting content.

[Colony of Connecticut – Vagrants]. Connecticut. Feb. 2, 1764. 7 ½” x 8 ¼”. Colony of Connecticut Debter to Moses Averel Constable of Kent. For transporting vagrants from Kent to Litchfield one adams & his wife & four children by virtue of a warrant signed…persons were directed to Canterbury to victuals and lodging…one night…” Below, the town orders the Treasury of the Colony to pay the amount due. An interesting document related to homelessness during the Colonial period.

The Massachusetts Centinel. May 29, 1790. 10” x 15 ½”. 4 pages. Length front page treatise for the Easter Circuit Court, “The Charge of Chief Justice Jay, to the Grand Juries on the Eastern Circuit. Fine.

WENDELL PHILLIPS (1811-1884) a Prominent abolitionist from 1837, President of the Anti-Slavery Society from 1865-1870. So highly regarded were his oratorical abilities that he was known as "abolition's Golden Trumpet". Like many of his fellow abolitionists, Phillips took pains to eat no cane sugar and wear no clothing made of cotton, since both were produced by the labor of Southern slaves. It was Phillips's contention that racial injustice was the source of all of society's ills. Like William Lloyd Garrison, Phillips denounced the Constitution for tolerating slavery. Autograph Letter Signed. 4pp. 5" x 8". n.p. 4 Dec '81. Phillips writes to a fellow lawyer and friend, Mr. Dyer: "There is no setting ahead of you my bar friend – and reading over and over you exquisitely words – just the sweetest of all notes” as my wife keeps saying. I feel sort of nervous in trying my ‘rentice hand, as Bacus says, at telling you how very beautiful your flowers were – how welcome….” Phillips goes on to relay a song to his friend, then: “…but even without Ben Johnson in my view, my vote’s nothing to yours – Please just think of the most grateful things you could say if you were touched to the very heart & then fancy me saying it – if you can - & it will be alright…Wendell Phillips.” Light toning to folds on last page, else Fine.

Autograph Letter Signed, “Gene.” Four pages, 5” x 8”. Philippines. March 23, 1945. The letter reads, in part: “ … The people here are very friendly and generally speak good English the best part of it here is that we can hire our laundry done & fairly cheap too. We had to change our money to Pesos & Centavos because they don’t use American money here … Since we landed her we’ve had one air raid and that’s all we’ve seen of them since . While the Japs were here they forced the Filipinos to work for money which they printed and when they left the money automatically became worthless … I hope by now your snow is gone … it must have been an awful winter. I’d gladly give up all of this for it though … ” Extremely Fine.

TIMOTHY PICKERING. ALS. 1pp. 8" x 12 3/4". Philadelphia. July 11th 1795. An autograph letter signed "T. Pickering" to "John Pickering": "You will deem me a negligent trustee: but knowing it to be proper to make up Salary accounts at the close of a quarter, I waited accordingly. I have now the pleasure to inclose your Salary from Feby. 11th to June 30th inclusively, amounting to Three hundred and eighty six dollars & eleven cents in one post note...". The letter is in fine condition with dark ink.