JFK signs his Pulitzer Prize-winning Profiles in Courage 88. John F. Kennedy. Signed book: Profiles
In Courage. Later printing. NY: Harper and Brothers, 1956. Hardcover with dustjacket, 6 x 8.5, 266 pages. Signed and inscribed on the first free end page, “To D.L. Maresh, Best Regards, John Kennedy.” Dated “2-20-58” in black tip in another hand under Kennedy’s signature. In very good condition, with partial split along front hinge, some light toning to fore edges, moderate rubbing and wear to boards and spine, and an owner’s signature to first free end page. Dustjacket also rates good to very good, with scattered toning and soiling, some scattered edge tears and paper loss, and clipped inside. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)
Lincoln’s $5 check to a Springfield publishing company where the dark horse presidential hopeful gauged the political climate of 1860 America 89. Abraham Lincoln. Highly desirable Springfield Marine and Fire Insurance Company check, 7.25 x 2.5, filled out and signed by Lincoln, “A. Lincoln,” payable to Bailhache & Baker for $5.00, April 21, 1860. In very good to fine condition, with usual cancellation cut through signature (professionally reinforced on the reverse), several vertical folds, a few light ink smudges, a couple slightly affecting signature, and some light creasing and trivial toning. Four weeks before his presidential nomination, Lincoln wrote this $5 check to the Springfield, Illinois, publishing company that operated the Illinois State Journal. The editor and co-owner of that business, Edward L. Baker, was married to Lincoln’s niece, and the future 16th chief executive was a frequent visitor to the office, where the pair would monitor the political press by pouring over East Coast newspapers, and monitor the mood of the country while discussing national and state affairs. The publication was also one that printed Lincoln’s Cooper Union speech, an address delivered in New York City that outlined his views on slavery, and many historians maintain, was responsible for helping win him the election later that year. Because of Lincoln’s silence on political issues prior to his inauguration, political observers looked to other sources for information about his attitude toward the nation’s growing political crisis—including the editorial pages of the Illinois State Journal. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $1000)
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Presidents & First Ladies