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

This most renowned of British naval heroes is almost as famous for his scandalous open affair with one of the most famous and beautiful women in England, the married Emma Hamilton, despite having lost most of his teeth, the use of his right eye and his right arm in various military successes; his nautical victories against the French made him Napoleon's nemesis; killed aboard his ship "Victory" in the battle of Trafalgar. ALS, 1p, 7" X 8¼", Burnham, 1793 February 2. Addressed to "Gentlemen." Near fine. A boldly penned and handsome example of Nelson's scarce right-handed penmanship, four years prior to losing his right arm in a July 1797 battle and having to learn to write left handed. Rather cryptic financial content, reading in full: "I am glad to hear You did not bring our trust money into the Lands as they had risen so very much. I shall be in Town on tuesday Evening & shall probably see Mr. Creed on Wednesday, therefore please to let the money Remain in your hands 'till you hear farther from my… Read More

This U.S. Army general led the American Division in the Pacific during World War Two and later served as Korean War commander. ALS, 1p, 7¼" X 10½", Fort Bragg, NC, 1949 November 2. Addressed to Mary B. Day. Near fine. Staple holes at upper left, not affecting text. Chatty personal note on letterhead of Headquarters V Corps. "Lydia will join me here soon and we will settle to normal living again. Mother is much better now...." With original envelope, addressed in Hodge's hand and also signed. Uncommon. Accompanied by a superb original 1949 black-and-white glossy news agency photograph (International News Photo), 8½" X 6½". Original newsprint mimeographed text sheet still present and tipped to verso (as issued). Titled "Says Reds Arm Koreans and Flout Pact," this text begins: "Called back to the United States for an over-all review of the Korean situation, Lt. General John R. Hodge, U.S. Commander in Korea, is shown (right) with Secretary of War Robert Patterson as he went to report to President… Read More

This Rhode Islander came from a line of military officers -- including his brother John Jay (1815-95), noted naval officer. ALS, 2pp (recto and verso), 7" X 8", New London, CT, 1858 December 3. Addressed to "Doct. Duffield" (D. Bethune Duffield, 1821-91, well known scholar and poet). Good plus. Binding traces along left margin; chip at lower left corner, not affecting text; some fold separations archivally mended on verso side. Overall clean, quite legible and not unattractive despite condition. On September 10, 1858, the 45th anniversary of the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie (fought largely by Rhode Islanders on the American side) was commemorated, with many celebrations taking place in Detroit. Here Almy writes to one of the participants in these ceremonies: "We had the great pleasure in September last of reading in the New York Times many extracts from your very grand & elegant Poem delivered in that month on the ever memorable anniversary of Perry's gallant achievement on Lake Erie." Almy asks for a… Read More

This Union officer, a brevet general awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, is credited with inventing dynamite circa 1866 independently from Alfred Nobel; he invented other explosive manufacturing processes as well, and from 1868 to 1903 operated an explosives plant in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Handsome ALS, 1p, 5½" X 9", Oliver's Mills, PA, 1903 June 10. Addressed to Captain Isaac P. Gregg, who was in charge of gathering appropriate noteworthies for the dedication of an equestrian statue of General Joseph Hooker. Very good. Slight age toning. On black-bordered mourning stationery, Oliver thanks Gregg "that I shall be so generously provided for... at the Brunswick Hotel. I cannot say what train I will come on, but I will find my way to the Hotel in the afternoon or evening without difficulty...." A dyn-o-mite example!

This American naval officer was among those killed in the explosion of the Kearsarge on April 13, 1906, at Guantanamo, Cuba. Partly-printed ADS, 1p, 7½" X 3", Washington, DC, 1903 October 19. Near fine. Usual cancellation perforations, slightly affecting text. Check drawn on The Riggs National Bank, made out in Hudgins' hand to "Army and Navy Club" in the amount of $10 and boldly signed. Bank vignette at left.

After distinguished World War One service, this U.S. Army general served as Chief of the War Plans Division of the War Department (1927-31), then in 1932 was named head of the Army War College; served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the War Department (1935-36) and commander of the Fourth Army and IX Corps (1936-38). ANS, 1p, 7" X 9 3/4", Washington, DC, 1934 February 20. Addressed to Mr. Thuringer. Very good. Single water spot over several letters, though no blurring; else fine, clean and attractive. Gracious reply to an autograph request, penned large and bold and signed in full on "The Army War College" letterhead.

British airship commander, the first to use a British airship on patrol in World War One and the first to make a transatlantic airship flight in 1919. ALS, 2pp (single leaf), 4½" X 7½", Cardington, England, 1930 February 25. Addressed to the librarian of Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. Near fine. Single original mailing fold. Blind-embossed crest. Boldly penned in blue fountain pen from the "Royal Airship Works," Scott transmits "the 'Royal Aeronautical Society' Journal, of November 1929 [not present], which include a copy of the lecture I gave before the Society, on the subject of 'Handling & Mooring of Airships'...." Handsomely signed in full. Scott was killed eight months later in the spectacular crash of the airship R 101 in northern France -- which signaled the end of Britain's interest in dirigibles. Extremely scarce in this form, especially with dirigible content.

British Royal Navy admiral who saw extensive service in the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic War. ALS, 1p, 7¼" X 8½" (tipped to heavy album leaf of same size), Spithead [off coast of southern England], 1800 November 2. Addressed to "Gentlemen." Near fine. Writing from aboard "His Maj. Ship Phoebe," Barlow remarks: "Mr Sewell the Kings Advocate General of Lower Canada informs me by letter of the 14th Augt. last -- that he has transmitted to you as set of Bills payable to me or order... I request you will send them to me under cover... my reason for not having them sent to Portsmouth is that we are only waiting a fair wind to sail for Ireland...." Handsomely penned. A scant three months later (2 February 1801), at the Straits of Gibraltar, Barlow would for the second time in his career capture a French frigate -- for which victory he was knighted and given command of the HMS Triumph in the Mediterranean. An attractive piece written just shy of his greatest… Read More

This German Luftwaffe fighter ace was the last group commander of the 2nd Jagdgeschwader (II./JG2) and a Knight's Cross recipient, downing 47 enemy aircraft, many of them over the English Channel and in North Africa. ALS, 1p, 8¼" X 11", Bayreuth, Germany, 1 August 1997. Addressed to Gerry D. Fridlund. Fine. On lined stock, Karch pens an American admirer in black ballpoint, entirely in German. He notes that many of his things were destroyed in a bombing attack just before the end of World War Two, and he lost all of his photographs from 1944 and 1945 and therefore can't fulfill his request for an image from this period; he encloses a photograph from October 1943, showing him conversing with officers from his unit at their air base in Normandy. Boldly signed. The photograph is included, being a modern high quality print, 3½" X 5". On the blank lower margin, Karch signs boldly. Also present is the original mailing envelope, addressed in Karch's hand and… Read More

This obscure Revolutionary War figure is remembered for "Nicholson's Regiment," a militia unit he commanded from New York raised in Quebec from New York soldiers, their task being to help defend Canada; they were formed in 1776 and disbanded late that year. ALS, 1p, 8½" X 11", New York, 1785 March 9. Addressed to Evans Wharry, likely a "Nicholson's Regiment" officer. Very good. Moderate, even age toning. Asks Wharry to take care of a promissory note. In part: "...Capt Black is dayly at me for the amount of the note I gave him last winter on your account... take such measures (either by payment or otherwise) as will releive [sic] me from such applications...." Attractive, interesting and uncommon. Comes with large, early 20th century catalogue slip from pioneering autograph dealer Forest H. Sweet of Battle Creek, Michigan.

This U.S. Air Force officer co-piloted "Bockscar," the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki three days after the "Enola Gay" dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima. ANS, 1p, 5 3/4" X 7", n.p., n.y. Fine. Handsome sentiment penned boldly in later years in black fineline: "To The 67th Battalion / U.S. Navy Seabees / Best Wishes and Good / Luck to my favorite Battalion / in WWII that helped dig the / Atomic Bomb pits for the 'Fat / Man' Bomb and 'Little Boy' / Bomb on Tinian Island in / 1945 -- that ended the war in / August of 1945 / Fred J. Olivi / Co-pilot B-29 / 'Bockscar' / Nagasaki Mission / 9 August 1945 / P.S. / Our living / Quonset Huts / were good / shelter." (What a "living Quonset Hut" is we haven't a clue!) A superb sentiment from the officer who never regretted participating in an action that killed about 74,000 people and injured about 75,000 but resulted in a quick end to the war, perhaps saving a far greater number of Japanese and American lives.

This English naval commander took part in several engagement of the American Revolutionary War: hewent to the relief of Acre while plenipotentiary at Constantinople and compelled Napoleon to raise siege (1799); he destroyed the Turkish fleet off Abydos (1807); in 1810 he became vice admiral and in 1821 full admiral. Unsigned integral address portion, 3 3/4" X 6", n.p., n.y. Very good. Two original faint folds visible. At center of this address portion, Smith boldly addresses it to "Messrs. Eversfield & Horne / Smith Street / Westminster." Small illegible postal cancellation at right; fragments of red wax seal still present. Not signed, but an interesting, attractive handwriting example -- and inadvertently includes his last name.

The rear admiral who served as commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic Fleet (1901-03) took part in the attack on Fort Sumter, saw action aboard the Colorado as part of the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron in 1861-62 and the Judith in Pensacola Harbor, and was executive officer on the Housatonic when she was destroyed by a torpedo off Charleston; from 1865-68 he served aboard the Hartford in the Asiatic Squadron. Partly-printed ADS, 1p, 7½" X 3", Washington, DC, 1903 July 3. Very good. Check drawn on The Riggs National Bank, filled out in Higginson's hand for $25 to John T. Devine and boldly signed. Usual cancellation holes touch upon the signature in several spots, but overall a very handsome piece. Vignette of bank at left.

This son of a West Point graduate U.S. Army general became-- a West Point graduate U.S. Army general! He served as Chief of Staff with the 90th Infantry Division in World War Two and as commanding officer of the 357th Infantry Regiment, earning a Distinguished Service Cross for "extraordinary heroism" at Normandy in 1944; in the Korean War he took part in the U.S.'s first battle in that conflict, the Battle of Osun, and was supposedly the first American general seen by reporters in the field. ANS, 1p, buff heavy stock 5½" X 3¼" postal card, n.p., n.y. [postal cancellation New York, NY, 28 November 1957]. Near fine. Printed response card from the New York Civil War Round Table for their 10 December meeting from officer Arnold F. Gates (1914-93), noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar. Barth crosses out the "will" attend line and pens boldly in black ink: "Dear Gates: Sorry to miss the meeting but a farewell party is being given for us here on Dec. 10. Please give my greetings to the membership. I have… Read More

This British officer of the Royal Navy saw much action in the Bourbon War (1778-83) and worked his way up the ranks to Rear Admiral. ALS, 2pp (single leaf), 8" X 12½" (lettersheet), n.p., 1 October 1810. Addressed to "The Hon'ble G.C. Berkeley / Admiral of the Blue and / Commander in chief of / HM Ships & Vessels." Very good. Minor edgewear. In July 1810 Poulden was named Principal Agent for Transports at Lisbon; his superior would have been Berkeley (1753-1818), who at this time was in Lisbon in charge of the supply system (men, food and weapons) for Wellington during the Peninsular War, in which Great Britain, Spain and Portugal fended off French troops during the Napoleonic Wars. In this letter, Poulden seeks guidance about "an occurrence which took place yesterday on board the British Hero No 132 Transport" in which a deserter "had legally forfeited his wages and clothes." The more important issue was "the effect this measure of the officers of the [HM Ship] Melpomene will have on the crews of… Read More

Supposedly the first officer killed in the Mexican-American War (the May 11th Battle of Palo Alto) was this U.S. Army artillery officer known as the "Father of Modern Artillery" for innovations such as a better saddle and the "flying artillery" -- lighter artillery pieces that can be moved from place to place. ALS, 1p lettersheet, 8" X 10", Ordnance Offices, New York, 12 December 1829. Addressed to Major Hoops. Very good. Handsomely, swiftly penned in rich brown ink, Ringgold here writes the military store keeper at Watervliet, New York, that "In October last I had the honour to transmit to you thro' the Quarter Master at this post by direction of the Ordc Department, together with invoices of the same certain ordnances and stores for which I have to beg you will furnish the usual receipts as the Quarter is nearly closed." After lengthy salutation and hurried signature, he adds rank of "Lt on ordc post / Com'g ordc dept." Integral address leaf also in his hand (and notes "'On public service'"). This… Read More

This British naval officer commanded the fireship HMS Blaze in 1856 when he captured Calcutta and in 1857 at capture of Hoogly in West Bengal; he was knighted in 1782 for his service in India, became rear admiral in 1787 and named commander-in-chief of The Downs in 1790, became a baronet and was named governor of Newfoundland in 1792, became vice-admiral in 1793 and became a member of Parliament -- among numerus other accomplishments. ALS, 2pp (recto and verso), 7½" X 9¼", Albemarle, England, 1796 June 22. Addressed to "My Lord Duke." Very good. Minor mounting traces on verso of blank integral address leaf. Presumably on behalf of a constituent from his district, King "beg[s] leave to become a Solicitor to your Grace, in behalf of a Person who was formerly clerk in the ordnance at upnor Castle, which situation he left on account of ill Health, and being now in indigent Circumstances, humble implores the benefit of the Charter-House. He has many Years been a regular Voter in favour of Government at… Read More

This celebrated English naval officer joined as a volunteer in 1672 and retired as Admiral of the Fleet in 1705, distinguishing himself with many commands in wars ranging from the Third Anglo-Dutch War in the 1670s to the War of the Spanish Succession in the early 18th century; he is often remembered for destroying the Spanish treasure fleet in the Battle of Vigo Bay in 1702 and for commanding the naval forces that captured Gibraltar in 1704. ALS, 2pp (lettersheet), 5 3/4" X 7", Canterbury, England, n.y. September 29. Addressed to "D[ea]r Madm." Near fine. Faintly age toned. Flowery words of condolence presumably to a daughter of a deceased friend, reading: "As I can never forget the obligations I hv to the Dutchess of Roxborough nor think off her without the uttmost concern so give me Leave to condole with you in the sincerest manner for the Loss off her, that was not only Valluable to her owne family butt to every one that knew her, and though her Death was what we had all reason to feare yett I… 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.

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.