Freelance Historian

The World of Historical Manuscripts and Ephemera

Rare Honolulu Pearl Harbor Attack Newspaper

Steven | March 2, 2010

I’ve been consigned a good many items from the famous John Lattimer estate, and will be posting sneak previews of the auctions here on my site. But to begin, I want to share some of the listings that went up last night. Here is a rare Honolulu Star-Bulletin December 7, 1941 newspaper on the attack [...]

John F Kennedy Inaugural Program

Steven | March 20, 2009

Just a quick update, as I had large shipment of clipped autographs and letters come in late today, and I’m still sorting them.  I had to take time out to get this listed right away, however.  This is a beautiful John F. Kennedy Presidential Inaugural Program, still in its original mailer!  Absolutely wonderful condition.

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See the [...]

1864 Union Soldier’s Letter: “Fighting Rebs & Copperheads”

Steven | January 27, 2009

This is the complete transcript to a letter home written by Corporal Erastus Winters of the 50th Ohio Infantry in General Tecumseh Sherman’s army.  He talks about the fall of Atlanta and fighting General Hood’s Rebels across Georgia, and his feelings about the Rebel sympathizers back home.  This letter is currently up for auction on [...]

1831 Annual Return of 2d Brigade of 7th Division GA militia

Steven | January 25, 2009

Here is a bit of history you don’t see every day. This is the annual “return” (report) of the 2nd Brigade of the 7th Division, Georgia State Militia. At this time in our nation’s history, most of the armed forces were state militias, and in Georgia’s case, their troops were for anything but [...]

Confederate Veteran Writes Former Commander

Steven | January 19, 2009

May 26, 1900 letter written by BP Haynes, late Second Sergeant of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry, to his former brigade commander, General WL “Old Tige” Cabell.
In part:
“My Dear General and Friend — It is with pleasure I acknowledge the receipt of three copies of your report of the part that Cabell’s Brigade took in Gen [...]

1910 Christmas Postcard: Santa on Early Curtiss Flyer

Steven | January 17, 2009

Just listed tonight is a delightful 1910 color with embossed gilt holiday postcard featuring Santa Claus flying what appears to be a very early Glenn Curtiss “aeroplane” over a town, and using a signal lantern to beam “A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL” into the sky:

eBay listing for 1910 Holiday Postcard – Santa in Early [...]

Blogging Historic Auction Listings

Steven | January 16, 2009

As you can see below, I am making an effort to post the auction listings of interesting items that I have had consigned. I hope that you find this interesting and educational, even if you don’t bid (but why wouldn’t you, on such interesting stuff?)

1836: US Army Seals Border as Texas Revolution Rages

Steven | January 15, 2009

(This item ends Jan-17-09 18:02:16 PST)
Description: ALS 2pp. 4to, Natchitoches, Louisiana, March 21, 1836.
Sutler and former explorer and Indian scout George Kennerly writes home to St. Louis as US troops on the border of the US and Mexico at the Sabine River await the arrival of General Gaines. Gaines, commander of the Southwest District, was [...]

Auction of Civil War VMI Cadet Autograph Ends Tonight

Steven | November 26, 2008

Here’s something you don’t run across every day. This is the clipped signature of John S Wise, who was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute during the Civil War, and fought as cadet at the Battle of New Market.  Later in the war he became a Lieutenant in the Confederate Army.
After the war, he [...]

Durbin Ward (1819 – 1886)

Steven | November 22, 2008

Thought I’d get back into the the habit of really updating the blog, instead of just posting “twitters” in the side column.
Today’s look is at Mr. Durbin Ward of Ohio. Self-taught and a voracious reader as a youngster, as an adult he passed the bar and became law partners with fellow Whig Thomas Corwin, who [...]