Autographs
Done
New York, NY, United States
Auction Details
Autographs
It is doubtful that anyone needs to be reminded that the names of Americans have a surprising way of turning up on the pages of history. Foremost among them are the names of U.S. presidents, and the fall autographs auction includes some remarkable illustrations of this, including an extraordinary album of autographs by presidents—a continuous run of autograph letters, many outstanding in content and condition, from George Washington to Harry Truman—one of only a handful of such albums ever offered at auction (pictured left). Other important Americans in the sale include a Revolutionary War–dated letter signed by Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben concerning Cornwallis’s abandonment of his own troops; and an endorsement from Major General George Custer, signed by him during the Civil War.
The world is wide and there are heroes everywhere, like Marie Curie, whose uncommon autograph note signed to a dancer wanting help making her costume glow is available; or Florence Nightingale, who, in an attractive autograph letter, thanks an engineer for supplying equipment to a girls’ school in Sarajevo; or Rabindranath Tagore, who stole a moment to sign a photographic portrait of himself.
In addition to yet more exceptional autographs—such as a copy of Black Muslims in America signed and inscribed by Malcolm X, and the autograph notes by John Ford for his 1939 film Stagecoach—there are also notable items by writers, artists, entertainers, astronauts, scientists, musicians, and others.
Auction Curator:

Marco Tomaschett
Specialist, AutographsSOLD
Est.
$1,500
-$2,500
SOLD
Est.
$7,000
-$10,000
SOLD
Est.
$400
-$600
SOLD
Est.
$600
-$900
SOLD
Est.
$800
-$1,200
SOLD
Est.
$1,000
-$2,000
Est.
$600
-$900
Lot Passed
SOLD
Est.
$1,000
-$1,500
Est.
$700
-$1,000
Lot Passed
SOLD
Est.
$1,500
-$2,500
SOLD
Est.
$600
-$900
SOLD
Est.
$300
-$400
Est.
$600
-$900
Lot Passed
SOLD
Est.
$700
-$1,000
SOLD
Est.
$1,500
-$2,500
SOLD
Est.
$600
-$900
SOLD
0235: James Montgomery Flagg. Ink drawing Signed, with a 5-line poem in holograph. Np, [April 1921].
Est.
$600
-$900
SOLD
Est.
$600
-$900
SOLD
Est.
$700
-$1,000
0238: Al Hirschfeld. Typed Letter, unsigned, with small ink drawing, to illustrator Don Freeman. Np,
Est.
$600
-$900
Lot Passed
Est.
$400
-$600
Lot Passed
TOP



![H.G. Wells. Three Autograph Letter Signed, to Denys Kilham Roberts. [London], 18 October 1930; 1: H.G. Wells Three Autograph Letter Signed, to The Author Editor Denys Kilham Roberts. The first, sending a copy of judgment in the Deeks case [not present] and suggesting that he publish it in The](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603670_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)



![William Butler Yeats. Autograph Letter Signed, "WB Yeats," to his publisher Charles Elkin Mathews: William Butler Yeats Autograph Letter Signed, "WB Yeats," to his publisher Charles Elkin Mathews ("Dear Mr. Matthews [sic]"), concerning a dispute about terms of an agreement involving Mathews and](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603678_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)








![Jean Cocteau. Photograph Signed and Inscribed, "A Abelardo Arias / TrËs / amicalement / Jean: Jean Cocteau Photograph Signed and Inscribed, "A Abelardo Arias / TrËs / amicalement / Jean Cocteau / [star] 1961," bust portrait by Harcourt showing him with hand on painted table and looking](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603693_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)
![Howard Cook. Holograph greeting card Signed and Inscribed, with two ink drawings. Np, 1967.: Howard Cook Holograph greeting card Signed and Inscribed, "With great good wishes to all [at Mission Gallery, Taos, NM]," with two ink drawings, in black and orange ink. The drawings, unsigned,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603695_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)



![James Montgomery Flagg. Ink drawing Signed, with a 5-line poem in holograph. Np, [April 1921].: James Montgomery Flagg Ink drawing Signed, with a 5-line poem in holograph. The drawing, depicting a shirtless man wearing a laurel crown, playing a flute, and leaping from his front door. Signed](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603703_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)

![Keith Haring. First Day Cover dated and Signed, with small ink drawing. Np, 1988.: Humane Treatment of Animals First Day Cover with Crawling Baby Keith Haring First Day Cover dated and Signed, "K. Haring / 88 [astrological Earth symbol]," at lower right, with small ink drawing.](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603706_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)



