BONNET, Henri (1888-?)

Typed Note Signed

This noted diplomat served as French ambassador to the U.S. from 1944 to 1954. TNS, 1p, 8½" X 11", Washington, DC, 1947 June 10. Addressed to Kenneth Parker. Fine. On letterhead of "Ambassador de France aux Etats-Unis," Bonnet thanks the Parker Pen Company namesake -- founder George Parker's son -- for sending him a particular new pen, "a great favourite of mine." Comes with a 1945 news agency 10" X 8" photograph of Bonnet and others signing the United Nations charter for France. .

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Book number: 15953

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: AUTOGRAPH, AUTOGRAPHS World Leaders & Statesmen

BOONE, Ray "Ike" (1923-2004)

Signature

Patriarch of this 3-generation baseball family (father of Bob and grandfather of Aaron and Bret) and a two-time All-Star, this infielder debuted with the Cleveland Indians in 1948, and also played for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Milwaukee Braves and Boston Red Sox before retiring in 1960. Small bold signature, irregular 2" X 3.4", tipped to the upper right corner of a picture postcard showing Boone in uniform during his days as a Tiger (1954-58), 3¼" X 5½", n.p. n.y. Very good. Tape stains at each corner and couple along edges; tape stains along top and bottom edge of clipped signature as well. Since Boone is depicted at bat, it appears he's about to take a swing at the tipped-on signature. Despite tape flaw, fairly attractive. .

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Book number: 21560

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Athletes

BOOTH, Ernest (1898-1959)

Typed Note Signed

This screenwriter was sentenced to life in prison in 1924 for robbing a bank, but his writings came to the attention of "American Mercury" editor H.L. Mencken, who began publishing his short stories; in 1928 the Clara Bow silent film "Ladies of the Mob" was released and in 1931 the Sylvia Sidney talkie "Ladies of the Big House"; in 1937 he was paroled and co-authored the screenplay for the 1938 Warner Brothers comedy "Penrod's Double Trouble" and the 1942 drama "Men of San Quentin," but trouble followed Booth -- he had various run-ins with the law and was finally sentenced to 20 years for a string of robberies up and down the west coast, dying in prison of tuberculosis. TNS, 1p, heavy stock buff 5½" X 3¼" card, n.p. n.y. [postal cancellation from Placerville, CA on 27 October 1937]. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93, future noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar). Near fine. On a preprinted "penny postcard," the just-released ex-con, who'd only been out of Da Joint for a couple months, writes: "During the life of my present parole agreement -- 28 months more -- I can not write of the things which, perhaps, are closest to to my experiences of the past decade. Thereafter, I may return to the field as a realistic writer. For the present I am writing for movies -- Warner Bros at this period.." Large, bold signature in black ink. Great content explaining his situation and referring to "Penrod's Double Trouble." Unusual and scarce. .

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Book number: 43658

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Authors

BORAH, William E. (1865-1940)

Signature / Unsigned Photograph

The Lion of Idaho" served 32 years in the U.S. Senate (1907-40); he was a powerful progressive Republican famed for his isolationist views, briefly in 1936 considered a presidential contender. Bold full signature on a heavy stock 3¼" X 2¼" card, n.p. n.y. Fine. Accompanied by a superb glossy 10" X 8" black and white news agency photograph (International News Photo) depicting the unveiling of a life-size statue with a row of naval officers at attention on each side of it. Original mimeographed paper label neatly affixed to verso, dated 6 June 1947, captions this scene "Honor Late Idaho Senator" and describes it: "Midshipmen from Idaho attend the unveiling of a statue in the rotunda of the Capitol of the late Senator William E. Borah of Idaho. Mrs. Borah, the widow, is at left center. At right center is Senator Henry C. Dworshak.. who accepted the statue in behalf of the U.S. Government following the unveiling ceremony.." Also present is the original "United States Senate" transmittal envelope bearing Borah's facsimile free-frank signature at upper right and 19 December 1927 postal cancellation. .

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Book number: 40755

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Government & Politics

BORCHERS, Adolf (1913-96)

Photograph Signed

This German Luftwaffe fighter ace and Knight's Cross recipient took part in the Spanish Civil War, invasion of Poland, Battle of France and Battle of Britain, and is credited with downing 132 enemy aircraft in 800+ missions, mainly on the Eastern Front. PS, 3½" X 4 3/4", n.p. n.y. Near fine. Modern sepia-tone print of a head-and-shoulders portrait of a young Borchers in uniform wearing his Knight's Cross. There's a faint facsimile signature of Borchers running across the bottom margin, and Borchers signs boldly above this in think blue ink. An attractive later life example. .

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Book number: 37723

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Military

BOREN, James (1925-2010)

Signed Original Drawing

This bureaucratese critic par excellence was actually a businessman, writer, educator, civil servant, politico and even tongue-in-cheek 1992 presidential candidate (for the APA = Apathy Party of America) who came to fame with his 1972 "When in Doubt, Mumble: A Bureaucrat's Handbook" and several similar titles (such as "Fuzzify! Borenwords and Strategies for Bureaucratic Success"). Signed Original Drawing, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p. n.y. Fine. On an actual library catalogue card for his most famous book "When in Doubt, Mumble," Boren signs twice ("James H. Boren / Jim Boren") in black ballpoint at left, and at right draws a comic little character -- apparently Boren's image of inanely smiling bureaucratic ineptitude personified, what appears to be a lit fuse in front of him. On the verso, Boren draws this lit fuse squiggle again and explains its meaning: "My symbol for a Mmumble. JB." [sic] This item has been matted (with verso note visible on mat verso) in red (overall dimensions 10" X 8"). The ultimate Boren memento for fans of Boren's bureaucratic burlesque (with its motto: ""When in charge, ponder.. When in trouble, delegate.. When in doubt, mumble") and its founding figure, Laurence C. Peter of "Peter Principle" fame, who wrote the introduction to "When in Doubt, Mumble"! Incredibly unusual. .

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Book number: 45244

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Authors

BORNGEN, Ernst (1916-89), BROMEN, Wilhelm (1915-90), HELBIG, Joachim (1915-85), KETSCHER, Hans (1912-89), and SCHLUND, Franz (1913-95)

Signed Commemorative Envelope

These five German Luftwaffe were all awarded the Knight's Cross: Borngen was an ace who flew 450 combat missions and downed 41 enemy aircraft; Bromen was a pilot who flew more than 600 combat missions and is credited with downing 7 enemy aircraft and destroying 76 tanks, 12 supply trains and 4 armored trains; Helbig was a bomber pilot who flew 480 combat missions in many of WW2's major battles and is credited with destroying 182,000 gross register tons of Allied shipping; Ketscher was a hauptmann and observer; Schlund was a gunner and radio operator with Helbig's crew, flying more than 200 combat missions. Signed Commemorative Envelope, 6½" X 4¼", cancelled at the Royal Air Force North Coates base, U.K. 28 February 1971. Fine. Left half consists of a pictorial color cachet showing an RAF aircraft in flight, captioned "Closure of the Station / 28th February 1971," with text at right detailing the flight on which this envelope was flown. Special circular postal cancellation. These five figures each sign boldly in varying blue inks, each adding a title and military abbreviations beneath their signature. Envelope verso bears inkstamped biographical details (in German) of each. Accompanied by six fine high-quality modern prints of WW2-era photographs -- portrait of Bromen and Ketscher, informal snaps of Helbig and his crew, etc. A superb assemblage of signatures on an appropriate item. .

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Book number: 37815

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Military

BOSKOVSKY, Willi (1909-91)

Signature

Conductor of the renowned Vienna Philharmonic. Large signature in blue fineline, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p. 1980 December 6. Very good. With original envelope. .

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Book number: 26709

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: AUTOGRAPHS" Music Music

BOSMAN, Petrus (1928-2008)

Signature

This principal dancer at the Royal Ballet performed often with Margot Fonteyn and Natalia Makarova. Large fun signature in bright green fineline, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p. 1979 September 1. Fine. With original envelope. Great example!.

Main Street Fine Books & ManuscriptsProfessional seller

Book number: 29046

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Dance

BOSSY, Mike (1957-2022)

Signature

This Canadian ice hockey star played right wing for the New York Islanders (1977-87) and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991. Choice signature in blue fineline on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card, dated by him 27 February 1979 at upper right. Fine. With original envelope. A bold early exemplar from the rising 22-year-old. .

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Book number: 49246

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Athletes

BOSWORTH, Welles (1868-1966)

Typed Letter Signed

The renowned American Beaux-Arts architect famed for New York City's AT & T Building, MIT's Cambridge campus, Theodore N. Vail's mansion (Morristown, NJ) and much of the noted Rockefeller family estate Kykuit (Tarrytown, NY) spent much of the 1920s and '30s in France, where patron John D. Rockefeller Jr. placed him in charge of the restoration of the Palace of Versailles and Notre-Dame de Reims. TLS, 1p, 8½" X 9", New York, NY, 1924 July 2. Addressed to Dr. Samuel W. Stratton, president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1861-1931, noted University of Chicago physicist who created the Bureau of Standards). Near fine. Just a few years after completing MIT's campus, its creator writes to MIT's president, "It is a great pleasure to hear from you and to know that you are going to be accessible all summer. I am, of course, involved just now in clearing up accumulations during my long absence, but look forward to an early date when I can come over to Boston to see you.." Handsomely signed. Bosworth was an MIT graduate, by the way -- class of 1889. A quite uncommon autograph. .

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Book number: 28553

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Art & Architecture

BOTTA, Vincenzo (1818-94)

Autograph Quotation Signed

This Italian professor of philosophy and Italian language/literature visited the U.S. to research the public schools and decided to stay; he wed noted poet/writer/educator/socialite Anne Lynch and their New York brownstone became a popular salon for authors and artists. AQS, 1p, 6 3/4" X 9", Newport, RI, 31 September 1872. Addressed to "Carlo T. Brooks." Near fine. Mild age toning; small chip at upper left, not affecting text. Botta boldly pens in brown ink (entirely in Italian) an original 9-line verse on this leaf from a keepsake album of some sort. Recipient Charles T. Brooks, 1813-83, was a transcendentalist, a Unitarian pastor in Newport, Rhode Island and a translator of German texts (notable Goethe and Schiller) as well as a poet and writer who appeared in the transcendentalist publication "The Dial." Botta's verse, roughly translated, reads: "To Charles T. Brooks / by Channing enlightened disciple / zealous apostle of song and civilization, / of letters of cultural eminence, / of Goethe a happy interpreter / of Dante's homeland a devoted admirer, / these lines / in this album he writes about friendship, / and as a sign of [?] and sincere affection / dedicates to his friend / Vincenzo Botta." At lower left he notes the date and place -- since his wife lived and taught for many years in Providence, Rhode Island, Botta may well have been visiting her family there at this time. In 1880 Brooks published "William Ellery Channing: A Centennial Memory," a tribute to this fellow Unitarian minister whose theology much influenced the transcendentalists. Quite an intriguing and unusual item. .

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Book number: 49740

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Authors

BOTTS, Walter (1900-72)

Signed Postal Cover

This singer and saxophonist who played with the likes of Harry James gained later fame for serving as the model for James Montgomery Flagg's famed World War Two "I Want You for U.S. Army" recruitment poster, posing as Uncle Sam pointing at the viewer; he also posed for Norman Rockwell. Signed Postal Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, on May 16, 1970. Fine. Features the "American Legion / Veterans as Citizens" six-cent stamp. Not a First Day Cover, apparently, as the cancellation notes "Armed Forces" rather than "First Day Cover." No decorative cachet at left; no distracting recipient's name/address present. Botts signs boldly in black ballpoint at just left of center. Uncommon. .

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Book number: 21248

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Art & Architecture

BOULANGER, Gustave (1824-88)

Photograph Signed

This famed French painter was an academic painter celebrated for his depictions of historical Oriental and classical Greek and Roman scenes. PS, heavy stock 2½" X 4¼", n.p. n.y. Near fine. Rounded corners (as issued). Outstanding carte-de-visite half-length portrait of Boulanger in three-piece suit and tie, right hand in pants pocket and left hand dramatically foisting a cigarette. Sharp backstamp in brown of photographer Bingham in Paris. On the blank margin below his portrait, Boulanger signs boldly in brown ink with his usual crabbed "G. Boulanger." Undated, but likely circa 1870. A superb example -- and quite scarce. .

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Book number: 42301

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Art & Architecture

BOURNE, Silvanus (1756-1817)

Autograph Letter Signed

This politico served as consul to Cap Francois (Haiti) from 1790 to 1791, vice consul of Amsterdam (1794-97) and consul general of Amsterdam (1797-1816). ALS, 1p + integral address leaf, 7 3/4" X 9 3/4", Philadelphia, PA, 1794 December. Addressed to William Taylor, a well-known Baltimore flour merchant. Excellent content from the just-appointed vice consul on the eve of his departure to this noted businessman who appears to be a close friend. In part: "..am happy to find your Activity in business & the Success attending it; and I flatter myself, that my Son when of age, (at which time shou'd suppose you wou'd wish to Retire from the active part) will be able to manage it, with as much propriety & Care, as 'tis now done, provided you & he can agree on Terms, mutually beneficial.." Of his own rising fortunes, Bourne notes: "I am well paid for my post & once are much beyond my expectation, the money is Sure tho to be paid by installments my future prospects are beyond calculation, this in the Strictest Confidence, hope my Son will in future Support his present principal good Character both at home & abroad. I am Solicited much for him at Boston, I tell them nay, no such thing, they offer money, Cloathing & c. I refuse all, & determine he shall Serve out with you.." And, cryptically: "I have heard nothing about Mr. Johnson, if he resigns, your way will be, to procure the most Reputable merchants & others in Baltimore to Recommend your Brother for the office to the President of the United States, who with the Consent of Senate appoints all officers, foreign & Domestic -- depend, I shall do all I can.." Integral address leaf and free-franked signature accomplished in another hand. .

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Book number: 29938

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Government & Politics