TOWNSHIP MAP OF THE STATE OF IOWA Compiled from the United States Surveys & Other Authentic Sources - Rare Book Insider
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TOWNSHIP MAP OF THE STATE OF IOWA Compiled from the United States Surveys & Other Authentic Sources

Folding pocket map dated 1854 with full period hand-coloring and ornamental border (24" x 29") in gilt-lettered cloth, as issued. Map quite nice with only very minor separations at a few fold junctions; cloth cover partially detached. Very Good
More from Charles Agvent
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AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED

Two-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED "James Buchanan" on the recto and verso of the first leaf of a single folded sheet (7-3/4" x 9-5/8") to John Y. Mason, former Secretary of the Navy under President Polk, regarding the aging Dolley Madison (who would die about 2 weeks after this letter was written), plans for a visit, Pennsylvania politics, and possible investments in Virginia state bonds. Housed in a brown morocco-backed green cloth clamshell box (10-1/2" x 13"). Toward the end of her life, Dolley Madison (20 May 1768-12 July 1849), widow of the 4th president of the United States, lived in abject poverty. In 1849, Congress appropriated $20,000 toward the purchase of her husband's papers, and in her will, she appointed Buchanan, Mason, and Richard Smith as trustees. In this letter Buchanan, having recently served as Secretary of State under Polk writes to his fellow trustee. In part: "I returned from Washington last night, having done the best I could for Mrs. Madison. I found it difficult to persuade her that she ought not to have the whole premium placed in her hands at once, in which event it would have been of little or not service to her. The old lady has greatly changed since I saw her last. She is now very feeble. It is my purpose, God willing, to pass the next winter at New Orleans. It would do your heart good to see Walker. He is as plump as a partridge & as lively as a lark. He has already got 21 cases in the Supreme Court. Should a judicious selection be made of a Candidate for Canal Commissioner at Pittsburg on the 4th proximo, which I have no reason to doubt, we shall redeem this State, in handsome style in October; but the day has passed in Penn[sylvania] when a Democratic nomination is equivalent to an election. The popular will must now be consulted in the selection of Candidates: & this being done, we have as large a Democratic majority as ever." Interesting content with a typed transcript of the letter incorporated into a certificate of authenticity. Creasing from mailing. Near Fine in a Near Fine clamshell box
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KNULP. Drei Geschichten aus dem Leben Knulps

Light blue cloth with printed paper labels on the front cover and spine, in the original dustwrapper. With 16 full-page illustrations by Niklaus Stoecklin. These three stories were first published in 1915. Laid in is a very personal two-page TYPED LETTER SIGNED in pencil on both sides of a 5-7/8" x 8-1/4" sheet by the Nobel Prize winner presenting the book to his correspondent, George Goetz, who has signed his name at the top of the title page and noted the gift. Here is a Google translation of the letter: "Your letter of December 27 arrived yesterday. The post brought it to my house through deep snow and a fiercely blinding sun, along with your kind words and greetings, and it did not miss its target; it gladdened, warmed, and strengthened my heart. If it weren't for the miracles of love, how could we continue to live?The poor situation I have been in for the past 5 months can only be described from the outside, for it was external causes, everyday biological demands, that I proved unable to cope with. Inwardly, the beginning was certainly earlier and more significant: it was the day I wrote the last few lines of Knecht's life and completed this work. I was then poorer by a friend and comrade with whom I had lived for 12 years; A door had closed through which I had been able to enter the timeless at any time for many years; a source of play and joy was blocked off, a refuge destroyed. But this only had its full effect more than two years later, on a ridiculous occasion. On September 1st, Mem pulled out all my upper jaw teeth and made a denture. And although I was quite patient with everything, it became apparent that I was delaying an effort of adjustment that I no longer had the strength for. And with that, everything else began to slide. My worries became three times as heavy, everything beautiful and cheerful fled and wasted away. This had to be overcome, and it hasn't been yet. Strangely, my friend Romain (who was 11 years older than me) had to undergo exactly the same dental operation around the same time and died shortly afterward.The Baden poems have [?]; nothing more was written during this time. Now, as every year at this time and well into spring, the gout is quite active again and paralyzes almost all of my fingers. At least we have sun, which heats two of our rooms quite nicely every morning until around 2 o'clock.Dear Mr. Goetz, thank you for the gift of your letter. I would also like to give you something, and will try the Knulp." From the estate of George Goetz, a Danish Jew living in Sweden because of persecution. He maintained a correspondence with Hesse, only recently discovered, from 1939 to 1951. Their letters discussed everything from the trivial to Hesse's work and its place in Nazi Germany. One common point of interest was the German-Jewish philosopher Constantin Brunner (Goetz would later become President of the International Constantin Brunner Institute.). This book, as well as several other titles inscribed to Goetz, were discovered with the letters and is now being offered for public sale for the first time. Very Good in a Good dustwrapper
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TYPED LETTER SIGNED (TLS) Quoting from his Book STRENGTH TO LOVE, Matted and Framed

Superb letter on Southern Christian Leadership Conference stationery dated 12 August 1963. "I want to personally thank you for the support which you have given to our nonviolent direct action movement to eliminate the immoral and shameful practice of racial discrimination and segregation from American life. I am particularly pleased that as part of your contribution to our work you have acquired a copy of my latest book STRENGTH TO LOVE. In the preface of this book I said: 'In these turbulent days of uncertainty, the evils of war and of economic and racial injustice threaten the very survival of the human race.' These words are even more relevant to this current phase of the civil rights revolution than it was when the preface was printed. It has always been a source of inner strength to me and those of my associates in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to be able to meet and overcome many of the indignities and humiliations of segregation in America with unswerving faith in the American dream of freedom for all men. I believe it can be said that the Strength To Love in the midst of adversities is one of the most significant features of the nonviolent direct action movement in our country today." SIGNED "Martin L. King, Jr." Matted in deep blue and maroon with a casual photograph of King standing at his desk with a photo of Gandhi behind him. In an antique carved gilt frame 21-1/2" wide by 17" high. Near Fine and handsomely presented
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CAMDEN’S COMPLIMENT TO WALT WHITMAN. MAY 31, 1889. Notes, Addresses, Letters, Telegrams

Decorated maroon cloth, frontispiece portrait of Whitman after a sculpture by Sidney H. Morse. BAL 21436. SIGNED by the great poet on the front endpaper and dated "Dec: 16 '89." The earliest inscribed copy noted by Blanck was in November, and we are aware of at least 3 copies of this book signed on the same December date. This tribute to Whitman on his seventieth birthday contains one contribution by him--"Autobiographic Note & Response"--as well as contributions by Ernest Rhys, Horace Traubel, Mark Twain, Richard Watson Gilder, Julian Hawthorne, Hamlin Garland, William Rossetti, William Morris, Edward Carpenter, John Burroughs, Richard Bucke, Edmund Clarence Stedman, William Dean Howells, John G. Whittier, and others. "Except for certain copies Traubel mailed, distribution of most local copies was in the hands of Attorney Thomas B. Harned and Judge Charles G. Garrison of Camden. Traubel's entry about Whitman for December 16, 1889 is both typical and telling: 'Harned, he said, had just left the house. He brought me down a dozen copies of your book. It seems that Judge Garrison is to take them, and wants my signature. Oh yes! I shall sign them -- sign them for Tom and for the Judge, both, for their sakes'" (WALT WHITMAN QUARTERLY REVIEW, Fall1989, Vol. 7 No. 2, pages 79-87). With a copy of the issue of WALT WHITMAN QUARTERLY REVIEW and accompanying miscellaneous items. Pastedowns and endpapers somewhat discolored due to glue in binding with little effect on the signed page; slight fading to spine. Near Fine with a fine signature
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THE JUNGLE

Tall octavo (7" x 10-7/8") bound appropriately in embossed quarter pigskin and butcher paper sides; 384 pages. The First Illustrated Edition of this modern classic with a new preface by the author. Copy #887 of 1500 with 12 full-color wash-and-ink drawings, 8 full-page and 4 two-page spreads, and 33 two-color line drawings by Fletcher Martin. SIGNED by both the artist and the author on the colophon page. An affordable way to acquire a signed copy of this important book, now somewhat uncommon in this condition. Sinclair's powerful exposure of the Chicago meat-packing industry is still a staple on the menus of many high school reading lists. His account of the social and human abuses of the yards, where packers used "everything about the hog except the squeal," led to major reforms in the industry and, along with UNCLE TOM'S CABIN, is one of the few American novels to have a lasting impact on the way we live our lives. Indeed, when this book was published Jack London said, "What Uncle Tom's Cabin did for black slaves, The Jungle has a large chance to do for the white slaves of today." President Theodore Roosevelt was so shocked by what he read that he made sure a clean meat act, the Pure Food and Drug Bill, was signed into law, popularizing at the time the rather obscure term "muckraker." Later in life, Sinclair said of his masterpiece: "I aimed at the public's heart and by accident I hit it in the stomach." Bookplate on the front pastedown. Close to Fine in a Near Fine slipcase
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AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS)

CARVER, George Washington Lengthy 4-page handwritten letter on both sides of two sheets of 8-1/2" x 11-1/8" Tuskegee Institute letterhead to a young friend and aspiring poet, Ralph Douberly. Throughout the letter, Carver reiterates his enjoyment in being in Douberly and Douberly's friend Billy's lives, and being able to witness the evolution of their artistic talents. Some of the content seemingly supports the theory that Carver, who never married nor had children of his own, may have had a sexual interest in the young men he supported. In part: "I was especially anxious to know that you all arrived home safely, as there are now so many accidents on the roads. It was a genuine treat to have you two dear boys spend the night here. As I have said to you before, nothing is more inspiring and makes me happier than to have as my personal friends dear young people who have God given talents and destined to make their mark in the world. I wish you dear boys would not feel timid towards me, as I am so proud of your talents, indeed you seem like my boys, and whenever you reach a mile-stone of attainment my heart will swell with pride. I have just finished giving one of our neighbor's boys an oil massage, he wants to enter West Point Military School, but is 15 pounds under weight, and they won't accept him, the parents came to me and begged me to do it, I have given him six massages and he has gained 5 pounds." Towards the end of the letter, Carver responds to a few poems Douberly recently sent him: "The poems are rich and fascinating. The Dreamers of Dreams, is a true Vestigia, the way you have it arranged I like it very much. Your comfort style is good. The Young Poets' Dream is a gem. A beautiful piece of writing. Dust. In this poem your soul has been given more freedom & expression than in the others, I believe we will suggest a rearrangement of verses only when you come over again. It is truly beautiful. The Sea. is the gem of them all, new thought, airily written and makes a most striking appeal. They all are good. Your splendid attainments and fine qualities make me very happy, as I see so much in the future for you." SIGNED "G.W. Carver." With the original envelope addressed by Carver and with an invoice from 2000 from the respected autograph dealer Robert F. Batchelder. Evenly toned with normal creases from folding. Near Fine
  • $1,500
  • $1,500
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TYPED LETTER SIGNED (TLS)

ROOSEVELT, Franklin Delano Two-page letter as governor of New York with the first page on State of New York Executive Chamber stationery to Mayor John J. Fogarty of Yonkers, NY, regarding the hardships of unemployed New Yorkers at the beginning of the Great Depression. In part: "The present outlook is that next winter a great many families in the State will face serious privation unless they can be helped by substantial public and private relief. Unfortunately, the employment situation is not improving. Many persons who have been able to keep their heads above water during the past two years of employment shortage will have come to the end of their resources, when winter sets in. For my part, as Governor of the State, I intend to help in every way in my power. As Governor, I shall join in a general appeal to the people of the State to continue their generous help to those whom unemployment is forcing to ask for relief to clothe, feed and shelter their families. As Governor of the State, I have insisted that all public works be pushed ahead as fast as possible to give employment." In conclusion, Roosevelt asks Fogarty to return a questionnaire, not present here. An excellent letter showing Roosevelt in action in the early years of the Depression from which he ultimately led America through when elected to the highest office in the land a little over a year after this letter was written. Faint creases from mailing. Fine with a dark signature
  • $1,250
  • $1,250