R.M. Smythe & Co. to hold Internet auction of historical materials including autographs and more.. On October 1, 2007, R.M. Smythe & Co. will hold an Internet auction on eBay live of an eclectic collections of historical materials including autographs, photographs, ephemera, books and Americana.
Jan 7, 1852, to the Secretary of State of New York, enclosing one copy of the “United States Official Register” for 1851, signed “Danl Webster” as Secretary of State.
306 WEIDMAN, JEROME [2] ($100-Up)
American playwright and novelist (1913-98); achieved great success with his book for Fiorello! about LaGuardia. TLS 10/25/1958“Attached..is a copy of the plan for FIORELLO, [present, 10 pages]..isn’t it customary..for the producer to put out some money in the form of an advance?..Sincerely, Jerry.”In fine condition. The show would become a hit.
307 WELLS, HERBERT GEORGE ($300-Up)
English writer of fiction and non-fiction in many genres (1855-1946); considered one of the fathers of science fiction; most famous for books like The Time Machine and War of the Worlds. Small ANS, 1p, 12mo, on imprinted card, London. Wells writes in his small clear hand a four line note, signing“Very Sincerely, H. G. Wells.”A very fine example.
308 WEST, W. E. ($50-Up)
American portrait painter (died 1857). Short ALS “W.E. West.” He writes, “My dear Doct Francis, Will you let Mr. Vialy know there is a picture for him at 62 Clinton Place - God help you my dear Friend you shall hear me again...” Unusual, in very good condition.
309 WHEELOCK, JOHN HALL [16] ($65-Up)
American poet (1886-1978), descendant of Eleazar Wheelock, founder of Dartmouth College. Group of letters and cards to Prof. Ray Irwin, Syracuse, NY, over the period 1966 to 1978, the last of which written by Mrs. Wheelock when her husband was not well. The first letter, TLS Aug 8, 1966,“You write very beautifully about my ‘Random Reflections’: your letter gave me the greatest pleasure..Yours sincerely, John Hall Wheelock.”Thus a long correspondence was initiated. Fine group, deserving of a place in a literary collection.
310 WILSON, CHARLES E. ($60-Up)
US Secretary of Defense and businessman (1890-1961). Partly-printed DS “C.E. Wilson”as Secretary of Defense, 1p, folio, Washington, nd (ca. 1955). Certificate of Esteem to Carl A. Maduri for entertaining US troops in Europe in 1954. With DOD seal. Soiling, edge wear, else very good.
311 WIRT, WILLIAM [2] ($50-Up)
American author and statesman (1772-1834); Attorney General of the U. S., and credited with making that position one of genuine influence and importance. Two free franked sheets, Jan 22, 1825, and signed “Wm Wirt Att Gen U.S.”addressed to Joseph Cabell, Richmond, small hole from seal tear; the second, undated, to John Coalten, Richmond, signed as the first, but torn, pieces missing, aged and worn.
312 WISTER, OWEN [2] ($110-Up)
American novelist (1860-1938); his novel The Virginian is considered the first American western. TLS “Owen Wister,” 1p, 4to, on his business stationery, Philadelphia, 11/14/1922. He thanks journalist and editor [Mark] Sullivan for sending him some a friend’s article on late tabloid journalism pioneer Lord Northcliffe, and praises Sullivan’s work, offering to let him use it for advertising. With a brief holograph postscript at close. toned, otherwise very good. With biography.
313 WOLCOTT, OLIVER, Jr. ($50-Up)
Second US Secretary of the Treasury (1760-1833); Governor of CT; son of the
