Offered for the benefit of The Bravest Fund

131. THE FIREMEN AND THE FLAG: FIREFIGHTER-SIGNED SET An outstanding, important and excessively-rare collection of seven sequential color photographs, each 14" x 11", showing the now world-famous trio of New York City firemen raising the American flag above the still-smoldering wreckage of the two World Trade Center towers. The dramatic final image shows the flag raised above the ruins with the three firefighters standing at its base. Firefighters Johnson, McWilliams and Eisengrein have each placed their bold, black ink signatures in the photo's white bottom margin. In chronological order, the images show the Brooklyn-based firefighters George Johnson of Rockaway Beach, Dan McWilliams of Long Island (both from Ladder 157), and Billy Eisengrein of Staten Island (Rescue 2) removing the remnants of a flag from their makeshift pole, securing the flag to the lanyard, hoisting the flag and then securing the lanyard. On that fateful September 11th, 2001, photographer Lori Grinker of the renowned agency Contact Press Images, left her Brooklyn apartment and glimpsed the flames emanating from the twin towers. She began photographing the disaster as she made her way by foot across the Williamsburg Bridge and thence downtown. Shortly after 3:00 PM, Grinker was standing in front of the shattered windows on the second floor of Two World Financial Center when the three firefighters walked into view and proceeded to raise the American flag over the ruins. These photographs give a perspective of the event different than the image taken by Hackensack Record photographer Thomas E. Franklin. Indeed, Grinker's powerful images explicitly depict the utter devastation at the scene, with at least five destroyed fire trucks and rescue vehicles amidst the rubble, and other firemen probing the wreckage. The final four photographs show the determined firefighters alone as they raise the flag (see identical set, next lot). This historic collection of images is the only such sequential set showing a scene which has become a defining moment in America's history. This portfolio is strictly limited to a set of thirty, twenty-five sets signed and dated by photographer Lori Grinker and with only five sets signed by the firemen. Our set is #2/30. These high-quality digital prints are protected by individual acetate folders, and are contained within a green silk and leather archival slipcase with gold lettering. The collection also includes a letter signed in type by attorney William Kelley of The Bravest Fund attesting to the authenticity of the firefighter's signatures. Both the firefighters and the photographer have agreed to donate 60% percent of the proceeds of Alexander Autographs' sale of this set to The Bravest Fund, a charity founded by the firefighters in these photographs. The fund is dedicated to benefiting members of the FDNY, NYPD, EMS and Port Authority Police that suffer career-ending injuries or death, including those affected by the terrorist attacks on September 11th but not covered by existing benefit programs. Alexander Autographs is also pleased to donate the usual seller's commission to this fund. Only one sale of a signed photo of the firemen signed exists, fetching approximately $80,000.00 at Christie's earlier this year.$15,000-20,000

132. THE FIREMEN AND THE FLAG - PHOTOGRAPHER-SIGNED SET A duplicate set of the photographs described above, of identical size and quality, but with the final image signed by photographer Lori Grinker alone. Grinker has boldly penned in the white bottom margin: "SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 LORI GRINKER 6/30" As noted in the above lot, the photographer-signed set is limited to only twenty-five sets, of which this is number #6/25. The photographs are similarly protected by clear acetate and are enclosed in the same fine green fabric and leather clamshell box. $8,000-10,000

133. SAMUEL FRANCIS SMITH (1808 - 1895) American clergyman and poet, author of our nation hymn "America" (1832), otherwise known as "My Country `Tis of Thee". A.Q.S. on a gold-edges card: "My country, - `tis of thee, S. F. Smith 1832-1884". Fine. $250-350

Written by a survivor aboard the Carpathia

134. TITANIC SURVIVOR´S TELEGRAM A superlative Titanic relic, a brief telegram penned by a survivor of the sinking of the Titanic telling a friend or relative of the survivor's salvation, written from aboard the rescue ship Carpathia! The text is written on a Marconi International Marine Communication Co. form, [Apr. 18, 1912], in part: "Mrs. Michael Murphy Hostra Aughna Cliff County Longford Ireland Maggie and Jane safe". The senders were Margaret and Jane Murphy, who boarded at Queenstown, and were among the few third class passengers to survive the disaster. They were not charged, as the telegram is stamped "NOT TRANSMITTED" likely due to the vessel's arrival in port. Near fine.$1,500-2,500

135. NEW YORK SUBWAY BLUEPRINTS A fine lot consisting of well over fifty blueprints measuring approximately 40" x 24", ca. 1950 depicting the Interborough Rapid Transit's (I.R.T.) Seventh Avenue Extension line of the New York City Subway. The line, which before September 11, 2001 ran from 34th. St. Penn Station to South Ferry, carried the 1, 2, 3 & 9 trains. It was completed during 1917 and 1918, one of the most significant periods of subway expansion in the city's history which by 1920 had doubled the total mileage of the system. The blueprints in this lot are copies of the original 1914 plans produced ca. 1950, which were completed for the Engineering Department of the State of New York Public Service Commission. The plans detail various cut-away views of the track bed, stations, ventilation, stairwells and other features along the line. There are also a few overhead views of the plans which appear to include much of the line between 34th. Street Penn Station to about Canal Street, with significant portions dealing with the sections between 14th. St. and Varick St. as well as detailed plans for the subway station underneath Pennsylvania Station. Moderate soiling, wear and a few tears especially at the margins, overall good to very good condition. Should be viewed. $400-600

136. ILLUSTRATED WHALING SHIP JOURNAL A great whaling journal, 52 pp. folio, all written in ink with approximately 315 entries devoted to "A whaling voyage in the N. Atlantic" of the Brig Thomas Winslow that sailed from Westport, Massachusetts, commanded by Captain Peleg Cornell covering the period from July 20, 1839 through June 5, 1840. The voyage seems to have been fairly successful as the author depicted the special events with many ink drawing of whales and blackfish for those killed, tails for those missed, coffins for crewmen who died, ships for other whalers sighted or spoken to, sails for the types used; and turtles and porpoises for those animals sighted; but, unfortunately, he did not have a sketch for the mutiny that occurred towards the end of the expedition. In very small part: "...July 20 1839...all hands on board at 4p.m...July 21...saw Blackfish caught two...Aug. 2...raised large Sperm whale...Sunday [Aug. 4]...cuttin whale at 6 got off head...at 12 we finished cuttin body...Aug. 7...finished boiling the oil...Aug. 11...spoke [to] ship Penn [of] Nantucket...Oct. 27....at 2p.m. saw Sperm whale at 4:30 fastened with [?]...chased til dark...shortened sail for the night...Oct. 28...in company with...Bark Hope Davis at 5 Davis struck the whale...Jan. 11, 1840...at 8 John F. Haines fell overboard...after being absent 10 minutes looked for him was not to be found. Suppose him [here a sketch of a coffin says it all]...Mar. 3...saw humpbacks...Mar. 12...went on shore at 3p.m. Daniel Eason [of] New Bedford died with the consumption...Mar. 13...at 2p.m. buried Daniel Eason on the dead mans coast...Mar. 22...saw Blackfish...got one capsized in the boat...Apr. 7...saw two whalemen...May 13...whales at 1:30...chased til sundown. Went alongside of one whale. Boat steerer missed the whale...May 14...saw nothing til 10 saw spout [distance] 3 miles...May 31...at 4p.m. Pardon Francis, Henry Wilson left the mast heads and came down for a row [fight] at 4 Joseph Francis was ordered to go aloft. He said he would not go aloft again this voyage. Thomas Williams [here a list of eight men] denied [to do their] duty...they said they had cruised long enough not to see anything...said they did not go for pleasure...swore they would not be confined below. If the captain under took it he would get striked down...Henry Wilson [swore] if Capt. Cornell layed his finger on him he would go into him as far as he could...June 1...eight men below...". Apparently, the uprising must had some impact on the captain since it is recorded that the Winslow returned to Westport just over a week later on June 8, 1840. A great piece of New England whaling history with some negligible paper loss where previously newspaper clipping had been mounted while the book was used for a scrap album. Unbound, but complete with the last two pages detached and some damp stains throughout. Overall very good.$3,000-5,000

137. BRIGHAM YOUNG (1801 - 1877) Leader of the Mormon church who succeeded Joseph Smith as head of the church and led the mass migration to Salt Lake Valley. Young was also the first governor of Utah Territory. Important and rare D.S. "Brigham Young" 2pp. legal folio, Salt Lake City, Mar. 2, 1866, a contract in which Young sells to Joseph A. Young multiple tracts of land totaling in excess of 218 acres, for the sum of $3,281.25. Also signed by GEORGE Q. CANNON (b. 1827), a prominent Mormon missionary sent on missions to California and the Hawaiian Islands. In 1860 Cannon was made "apostle" and was sent to Europe, sending thirteen thousand emigrants from there to Utah. In 1862 he returned and edited the "Deseret News". A third signer of the document is AMOS MILTON MUSSER, an original church historian, jailed for polygamy. Fine condition.$2,000-3,000

138. BRIGHAM YOUNG Rare partly-printed D.S. "Brigham Young" and also signed by his second wife, MARY ANN YOUNG (1834-1882), 4pp. legal folio, Salt Lake City, July 29, 1873, an indenture in which Young agrees to sell a "50 square rod" parcel of land in Salt Lake City to his nephew, LeGrande Young, for the sum of $5,000. Boldly signed by both at conclusion, light folds, otherwise near fine and perfect for display. Mary Ann Young was Young's second (and likely favorite) wife, and agreed to permit Young to take additional wives. LeGrande Young became a successful lawyer and church lobbyist in Washington. Very good. $2,000-3,000

139. NO LOT

140. SAM HOUSTON (1793 - 1863) American soldier and politician, defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto and became first president of the Republic of Texas. Scarce partly-printed D.S. "Sam Houston" as Governor of Texas, 1p. folio, Austin, Mar. 15, 1860, a grant of 160 acres of land in Rusk Co. to one Philip Russell, "By virtue of and Act to authorize the location Sale and Settlement of the Mississippi and Pacific Rail Road Reserve...". Russell apparently had been granted the land following the appropriation of his own land for use by the railroad. Moderate foxing, with three larger spots at top, middle and bottom of central vertical fold, boldly signed, set in a gilt wood frame. $1,500-2,000

141. JOHN BROWN (1800 - 1859) American abolitionist who became obsessed with idea of abolishing slavery by force, massacred five slavery adherents at Pottawatomie, seized the arsenal at Harper's Ferry and was hanged for treason. Nice bold signature "John Brown" closely-cut and mounted, sold with a signature of his friend and financial supporter, GERRITT SMITH. Two pieces, very good. $1,000-1,500

142. FREDERICK W. BENTEEN (1834 - 1898) American army officer, a captain in Custer's 7th Cavalry who was ordered by Custer to patrol an area near the Indian's village during the battle at Little Big Horn. During the action, Benteen relieved Reno's forces who were under attack, the two groups held out until relieved by forces under Terry. Signed endorsement removed from a document "F.W. Benteen". Along with the upper portion of the document showing that the endorsement was signed at Fort Rice, D.T., Apr. 3, 1878. Mounting stain on upper portion, signature very good to fine.$800-1,200

Cody and "Pawnee Bill"

143. WILLIAM F. CODY (1846 - 1917) "Buffalo Bill", American scout and showman, he started his career as a rider with the Pony Express, and in later years organized and promoted "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show". Good content A.L.S. "W. F. Cody" on his "Buffalo Bill's TE Ranch" letterhead, 1p. 4to., Sedalia, Mo., Apr. 25, 1916 to Henry, in part: "...Had time to go to a notary today before Lillie and his Oklahoma attorney came to see us. I signed with [?] for [Gordon W. "Pawnee Bill"] Lillie. I think the documents you spoke of...They want me to appear at a trial May 8th at Pawnee Okla. I have promised to do so, although it will be a hardship and cost me several hundred dollars...". Very good.$700-900

144. FREDERICK DOUGLASS (1817 - 1895) Black-American reformer born a slave, Douglass was instrumental in the creation of the Union Negro regiments which fought with great distinction during the war. Fine bold signature on a card: "Very truly yours Frederick Douglass Nov. 24, 1875". Mounted upon the same page is a rare original albumen photograph of Douglass, 2 1/4 x 3 1/2", showing him in a stern, chest, up pose. Light soiling, otherwise very good. $300-400

Slaves accused of murdering a white mother

145. SLAVE MURDER TRIAL A great archive of five Georgia Supreme Court documents mostly in folio format, related to the murder of a Mrs. Peggy Saddler by a slave named Hill, 13pp. total, Decatur Ga., April, 1859. These documents give an official look at a horrifying nighttime attack upon a mother and her young children by a gang of slaves, resulting in the mother's murder. Hill alone was singled out for the crime. The archive includes a list of the jurors selected for the trial; the court's brief of evidence against Hill, with a character witness's defense statement; an acknowledgment that the State Supreme Court agreed to retry the case; the court's guilty finding against Hill; and finally the court's request of Sheriff Harell to present Hill at the gallows to be executed. The Supreme Court brief of evidence shows the brutality with which the crime took place, in very small part: "...The first I knew of anybody coming there...was after we had all gone to bed...I heard...someone at the door...said they were going to kill us all...Hill...came in the house...mother said to the one holding her `if you let me go. I will give you a pretty'...he said `I don't want any of you pretties' and then they all commenced fighting...I found Peggy in the yard lying down badly wounded all over the head...In the yard there looked to be some Gal. or so of blood...I saw Hill...on Monday...in his masters field and found blood all over him...[Hill] has been as far as I knew a very humble and obt. boy...". With such damning evidence brought against Hill the court had no other choice but to return a verdict of guilty, in part: "...on this nineteenth day of August 1859...that you Hill, a slave be taken...to the common jail...and be there safely kept until Friday the 9th day of September next and that on said day that you be taken...to the gallows within one mile of the Court House...[and] hung by the neck until you are dead...". With the verdict officially returned, Sheriff Harell received this request in September, in part: "...You are hereby commanded to bring the body of the said Hill a slave before me in the Court House...at the hour of 10 o'clock A.M. to be re-sentenced for execution...". A sad but in-depth look into antebellum justice. Minor soiling, else good to very good. $1,500-2,000

146. SOUTH CAROLINA SLAVE BILL OF SALE An unusually large partly-printed South Carolina slave bill of sale, 1p. 15" x 20", Richland, South Carolina, Apr. 20, 1811 concerning the sale of slaves to Planter Jim Hay, in part: "...Six negro slaves...one female slave named Bella, one female slave named Hester, and her three children named Louisa, Serina, and Allick-and a young Negro Fellow named John...". The slaves were transferred from Daniel Hay, who was most likely Jim's brother. An endorsement at the bottom of the document shows that the document was recorded in the Parish of Feliciana, Louisiana, May 16, 1822 indicating the Hay must have moved his plantation to that state. Slave documents of this size are seldom seen and this is the first we have encountered. Fold separations and weakness repaired with archival tape on verso, usual toning and spotting, else very good. $300-400

147. EMANCIPATION LEADERS Excellent oval collage-type photo, 10 1/2" x 13 1/2" overall depicting those Senators and Representatives of the 38th Congress who voted to enact the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery, with Lincoln shown at bottom, Hannibal Hamlin at the top, and Schuyler Colfax at center. There appears in print at the edge of the image: "Entered According to Act of Congress in the year 1865 by Powell & Co....New York". Near fine.
$400-600

" ...We were surrounded on three sides by fire..."

148. SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE Fine content eyewitness account of the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906, an A.L.S. 3pp. legal folio, in pencil, written by U.S. Post Office administrator Guy T. Gould to his parents on April 23rd, 1906, only five days after the destruction of the city. From "Ruins" as he puts his location, Gould writes, in small part: "...the earthquake hit us about 5:12 AM...everything bounced around like rubber balls...such a sight as the street were - fire, naked people, children, dead people & animals...the fire was getting pretty close but I managed to get enough men to get the first class [mail] off the floor...we were surrounded on three sides by fire...we had no water to fight with, the glass in the windows was broken and the sashes on fire...[we] worked like demons, fought in a perfect hell of fire...from noon until four o'clock we fought the fire with wet sacks...but the mail was saved - the building was saved, & all inside of it...babes were born while the mothers fell from exhaustion on the hot bricks...men & women went crazy, men would beg the soldiers to shoot them...saloons were looted, the soldiers were drunk...". Gould continues, mentioning that the soldiers detailed to guard the post office had become drunk, and a gunfight had erupted between the soldiers and post office staff, with some soldiers strung up by their thumbs! Much more! Last page bears a horizontal separation with no loss and easily repaired, else very good. $300-500

149. NO LOT