L. Frank Baum Signed book American Fairy Tales

American author (1856–1919) best known for the children’s classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Signed book: American Fairy Tales. Chicago: George M. Hill Company, 1901. Hardcover, 6 x 8.5. Signed and inscribed on the first free end page, “Dear Dorothy—These stories are different from other fairy tales, but I hope they will please you by way of contrast & I had more fun writing them than any other book I have published. Always yours, L. Frank Baum, Chicago, Oct. 30, 1901,” adding “Miss Dorothy Roundtree,” below his signature. Autographic condition: missing top left corner, and uniform toning to page, with a few spots of trivial soiling, otherwise fine condition. Book condition: G+/None. Off-white cloth-covered boards; edges worn, with several small tears in cloth, mostly at corners and spine-ends; heavy rubbing and soiling to exterior; painted illustration on front cover almost entirely rubbed off; spine sunned; front board bows up slightly at upper corner; moderately shaken with partial tears in paper over front and rear hinges; few interior hinges cracked; upper corner of signed ffep torn. A rare and sought-after literary signature, enhanced by Baum’s lengthy inscription, and admission of the pleasure he had writing the book, despite the fact that the Wonderful Wizard of Oz was enjoying best-selling success. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=492

Elvis Presley Personal Check

Personal check, 8.25 x 3, filled out in another hand and signed by Presley, “E. A. Presley,” payable to Jerry Schilling for $300.00, December 3, 1975. Notation in another hand to left edge reads, “20.00 a day for Jerry Schilling for 15 days.” Three vertical folds, stamp to center, and a small red pencil notation to top left, otherwise fine condition. Schilling met Presley when he was only 12 years old at a pick-up football game. Several years later, Presley hired him as a bodyguard while on the road. A nice Elvis item with great association to one of his trusted friends. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=132

Harry S. Truman Signed State of the Union Address January 7, 1953

Rare original press release issued prior to Truman’s State of the Union address on January 7, 1953, eight pages both sides, 8 x 14, signed at the conclusion in fountain pen. With incredible content throughout, Truman reflects on his presidency and looks toward the future. In part: “In just two weeks, General Eisenhower will be inaugurated as President of the United States and I will resume—most gladly—my place as a private citizen of this Republic. The Presidency last changed hands eight years ago this coming April. That was a tragic time: a time of grieving for President Roosevelt—the great and gallant human being who had been taken from us; a time of unrelieved anxiety to his successor, thrust so suddenly into the complexities and burdens of the Presidential office.

Not so this time. This time we see the normal transition under our democratic system…The President-elect is about to take up the greatest burdens, the most compelling responsibilities, given to any man. And I, with you and all Americans, wish for him all possible success in undertaking the tasks that will so soon be his.

I took the oath of office on April 12, 1945. In May of that same year, the Nazis surrendered. Then, in July, that great white flash of light, man-made at Alamogordo, heralded swift and final victory in World War II—and opened the doorway to the atomic age…The United States has sought to use its pre-eminent position of power to help other nations recover from the damage and dislocation of the war. We held out a helping hand to enable them to restore their national lives and to regain their positions as independent, self-supporting members of the great family of nations…

The world is divided, not through our fault or failure, but by Soviet design. They, not we, began the cold war. And because the free world saw this happen because men know we made the effort and the Soviet rulers spurned it—the free nations have accepted leadership from our Republic, in meeting and mastering the Soviet offensive…

Meanwhile, the progress of scientific experiment has outrun our expectations. Atomic science is in the full tide of development; the unfolding of the innermost secrets of matter is uninterrupted and irresistible. Since Alamogordo we have developed atomic weapons with many times the explosive force of the early models, and we have produced them in substantial quantities. And recently, in the thermonuclear tests at Eniwetok, we have entered another stage in the world-shaking development of atomic energy. From now on, man moves into a new era of destructive power, capable of creating explosions of a new order of magnitude, dwarfing the mushroom clouds of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

We have no reason to think that the stage we have now reached in the release of atomic energy will be the last. Indeed, the speed of our scientific and technical progress over the last seven years shows no signs of abating. We are being hurried forward, in our mastery of the atom, from one discovery to another, toward yet unforeseeable peaks of destructive power…The war of the future would be one in which man could extinguish millions of lives at one blow, demolish the great cities of the world, wipe out the cultural achievements of the past—and destroy the very structure of a civilization that has been slowly and painfully built up through hundreds of generations…

Our ultimate strength lies, not alone in arms, but in the sense of moral values and moral truths that give meaning and vitality to the purposes of free people. These values are our faith, our inspiration, the source of our strength and our indomitable determination…Let all of us pause now, think back, consider carefully the meaning of our national experience. Let us draw comfort from it and faith, and confidence in our future as Americans.” In fine condition.

This speech marked the important transition from FDR to Truman to Eisenhower, and continued the tradition begun by Roosevelt of delivering an oral speech before Congress, rather than a written message. Along with numerous references to the atomic bomb and nuclear warfare—one of the most lasting and controversial legacies of Truman’s administration—this famous State of the Union address also holds an important allusion to nuclear tests at Eniwetok, which confirmed to the world that the US had successfully developed the hydrogen bomb. Reflecting on his achievements while in office and looking towards the future of American policy and people, this is an extraordinary speech rife with historic content. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=74

John Quincy Adams Unsigned autograph manuscript

Unsigned autograph manuscript, one page both sides, 4.75 x 5, no date. Adams pens detailed notes related to the Quincy family history, including a chronological genealogy spanning the second half of the 17th century and early half of the 18th century, recording births, marriages, and deaths between 1648 and 1715. A portion also bears the inscription from a family tombstone penned in another hand, to which Adams has added some notes in the margins. Perhaps most interesting is that this traces the history of the “Quincy” name—other members of his family tree also used “Quinsy” and “Quinsey.” In fine condition, with central vertical and horizontal folds (one slight edge separation), and show-through from writing to opposing sides. An especially appropriate piece as it deals with Adams’s lesser-known side of the family—as the son of John and Abigail Adams, his lineage is perhaps the most prominent point of his biography. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.    

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=12

Johnny Cash Unsigned handwritten Bible study questionnaire answer

Unsigned handwritten Bible study questionnaire answer, one lined page, 8.5 x 11. Cash answers “Problem VII,” from Chapter 3, and writes, in full: “The man would not have received his healing if Peter had not lifted him to his feet. The effort must be made on our part to seek ways to work the will of God. ‘Faith without works is dead.’ James 2.26. Faith without works is not only dead. True faith and strength of faith is manifest only through works.” In fine condition. Cash was a devout, but troubled Christian, and a biblical scholar. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.

Bidding for the Marvels of Modern Music Auction opens Mar 13, 2014 & ends Mar 20, 2014 

http://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=274

Johnny Cash Working handwritten lyrics King of the Hill

Working handwritten lyrics to Cash’s song ‘King of the Hill,’ on both sides of an 8.25 x 11 lined sheet. Lyrics read, in part: "If you're gonna be King of the Hill / So he left his job at the cotton mill / in the Harlan mines / The last one out at quittin time / Already workin when the whistle blew / Never complain about a job to do / When they asked who can you say I will / Can be king of the hill." In very good condition, with rough edges and scattered creasing and soiling. Cash’s working lyrics are seldom available, with this song providing a great example of the creative process. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=273

Bidding for the Marvels of Modern Music Auction opens Mar 13, 2014 & ends Mar 20, 2014 

Janis Joplin Signed 8 x 10 Photo

Extraordinarily scarce vintage glossy 8 x 10 photo of Joplin singing into a microphone on an outdoor stage, signed and inscribed in black felt tip “To Vic, Love, Janis Joplin.” Some scattered creases and tape remnants to reverse of horizontal edges, otherwise fine condition. Only the second 8 x 10 of Joplin we have ever offered, making this a true rock rarity. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=545

Samuel L. Clemens Signed book The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg and Other Stories and Essays

Signed book: The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg and Other Stories and Essays. Later printing. NY: Harper and Brothers, 1902. Hardcover, 5.5 x 8, 1900 pages. Signed on the front pastedown, “Latest effort: He laughs best who laughs least. Truly yours, Mark Twain, Jan. 13/09.” Autographic condition: fine. Book condition: G+/None, with paper over front and rear interior hinges torn. An excellent example of Clemens’s characteristically wry outlook, appropriate for this particular collection, which ran the spectrum of humor, despair, and irony.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=589

James Buchanan Signed Book Supreme Court Decisions

Signed book: Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States in August and December Terms, 1801, and February Term, 1803. Vol. I. Second edition. NY: C. Wiley, 1812. Hardcover, 5.5 x 8.5, 479 pages. Top of the title page bears Buchanan’s ownership signature, “James Buchanan,” and the front pastedown bears a personal bookplate of William Henry Harrison. Autographic condition: very good, with moderate toning to signed page, a mostly removed signature under Buchanan’s, and a couple of light bends and creases. Book condition: VG-, nicely repaired with new leather along spine and edges. Buchanan was in fact nominated to the court in 1844, but declined. An interesting title with the unique distinction of being owned by two former early chief executives.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=35

Nelson Mandela Scarce signed book Madiba

Scarce signed book: Madiba. South Africa: Martin Schneider and Company, 1997. Hardcover with dust jacket, 9.75 x 11.5, 144 pages. Signed on the title page in blue felt tip, “N. Mandela 10.12.97.” Autographic condition: fine, with some light rippling to signed page. Book condition: G+/VG.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=263

Apollo 15 Flown printed fabric Bolivian flag Signed Dave Scott

Flown printed fabric Bolivian flag, 6 x 4, flown to lunar orbit aboard Apollo 15, signed in blue ink on the yellow panel, “Flown around the Moon for 6 days (74 orbits), Apollo 15, July 26–Aug 7, ’71, Dave Scott, Apollo 15 CDR.” Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Scott which reads, in part: “I hereby certify that the national flag of Bolivia included with this letter was flown around the moon for 6 days (74 orbits) during Apollo 15…July 26-August 7, 1971…and was carried in my Personal Preference Kit (PPK) aboard the Command and Service Module, Endeavor…This national flag of Bolivia has been in my personal collection since returning to Earth.” In fine condition. Pre-certified Steve Zarelli and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=485

Walt Disney Signed book Perri First edition

Signed book: Perri. First edition. NY: Simon & Schuster, 1958. Hardcover with dust jacket, 8 x 10, 78 pages. Signed and inscribed on the half-title page in blue felt tip, “To Bill Jr. with my best, Walt Disney Xmas ’58.” Autographic condition: fine, with some slight toning to signed page. Book condition: VG+/VG+.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=728

Buddy Holly Signed 1958 Coral Records photo

Scarce vintage 3.5 x 5.75 Coral Records promotional postcard photo of The Crickets, signed in black ballpoint by Buddy Holly and in blue ballpoint by Joe Mauldin. A few light bends and creases and some light rubbing to finish, otherwise fine condition. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=823