The History Buff, Inc.

Ansel Adams (1902-1984). American photographer, renowned for his landscapes. Unique Photo Post Card Signed, showing a panaoramic view of Mount Ranier and signed on the back of the post card Ansel Adams .Price: 495.00

John James Audubon (1785-1851). Spectacular 3 page letter (ALS) to his son Victor written from Manchester, UK (August 1830) in which he discusses various business interests and the progress on his Birds of America as well as other subjects including The French Revolution.The letter has some minor defects but is in overall fine condition. It is signed John J. Audubon. Price: $OLD

Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929). American educator and author, noted for America the Beautiful. Choice Full Signature on 3.25 in. by 1 in. slip of paper. Price:$OLD

Wallace 'Wally' Beery (1885-1949). American Actor and Academy Award Winner. Beautiful Rare Vintage Signature. $OLD

Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975). American artist, noted for his Western murals and paintings. An Autograph Note Signed, one page, quarto, on personal "THOMAS H. BENTON 3616 Belleview Avenue Kansas City, Missouri 64111" letterhead, dated May 16, 1972.Price: $495.00

 

Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957). Legendary American Actor, best remembered as the leading actor in The Maltese Falcon (1941), Casablanca (1942), and African Queen, (1951), to name a few. A Unique Associational Document Signed, "Humphrey Bogart", being an Occidental Bank of Africa Five Franc note [Banque De L'Afrique Occidentale] , neatly signed on one side by Bogart and his wife Mayo, and a dozen others. $OLD

 

Gutzon Borglum.( 1867-1941). American sculptor, designer of Mount Rushmore. A Scarce Photograph Signed of Mount Rushmore by the sculptor, being a 3.5 in. by 5.5 in. postcard of a work in progress.Price: $925.00

 

Marjorie Buell (1904-1993). American Artist and Cartoonist, creator of Little Lulu cartoon strip. Rare Original Color Sketch of Little Lulu, standing on a fence, waving, on an approximate 3.5 in. by 5 in. postcard, with one-cent stamp on verso, postmarked, Philadelphia, PA., August 2, 1943. The first we have ever handled. In very good condition and ideal for framing.Price: $OLD.

Billie Burke (1885-1970). Legendary American Actress, Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, in the classic The Wizard of Oz (1939). Very Rare Vintage Signature. Price:$225.00

Marc Chagall (1887-1985). Russian Painter, artist, spent most of his life in Paris and the United States. Striking Israeli First Day Cover Signed, bearing two large commemorative stamps of stained glass windows designed by Chagall. $OLD

 

Marc Chagall. Eye catching color 25.5 x 39 poster of Chagall’s work for the Die Zauberflote Mozart at the Metropolitan Opera, signed in black artists’ pencil. In fine condition.

Price: $OLD

 

Frederick S. Church (1842-1924). American illustrator and painter, especially loved for his playful depictions of animals, children, and attractive women. Magnificent Autograph Letter Signed, with Original Illustration.Price: $OLD

 

George M. Cohan ( July 4, 1878 – 1942).This offering is a nice vintage pencil signature on a 3 in x 1.5 in white card, n.p.,n.d. but circa 1930's. Signed, Yours--George M.Cohan. A fine example of Cohan's signature.Price:$125.00

 

Colin Clive (1898-1937). Legendary British Actor who became typecast in horror genre after his brilliant portrayal as Dr. Frankenstein in the 1931 classic, Frankenstein. Very Rare Photograph Signed. $OLD.

 

Joan Crawford (1908-1977). Academy Award Winning Actress. Vintage Signature, on a small octavo sheet, c. 1934.Price: $OLD.

 

Joan Crawford (1908-1977). Academy Award Winning Actress. Handsome Photograph Signed. One of Hollywood's most enduring stars, a signed and inscribed 5 in. by 7 in. portrait of MGM star Joan Crawford. The bust portrait shows a radiant and beautiful Crawford. Inscribed on the lower left of the image: "Hello to Ruben Ordoves from Joan Crawford".Price: $225.

 

Montague Dawson. The world's most reknowned marine artist. Beautiful signed, framed print depicting The Battle of Trafalgar.Signed Montague Dawson. These prints published in London in the 1970's very difficult to find..Price: $1850.00

 

James Dean (1931-1955). Legendary American Actor, teen idol, died tragically in a car crash. Choice Vintage Signature, "James Dean", on a 4 in. by 1.5 in., trimmed slip, no place or date, but circa early 1950s. Ample margins for framing, accompanied with a 3.5 in. by 4.5 in black and white portrait of Dean. Ideal for framing.Price: SOLD

Charles Dickens (1812-1870). Preeminent English author of the nineteenth century. Rare Autograph Quote Signed. Price:$OLD.

The DOORS Jim Morrison (1943-1971) and the Doors. Legendary Rock Band. Very Rare Document Signed, being a fabric self-adhesive backstage pass for the "doors soft parade tour", signed by all four members of the band. Price:$OLD

 

Arthur Conan Doyle (1868-1930). British Physician turned novelist and the literary genius who created Sherlock Holmes. Unusual Autograph Letter Signed. Price:$1,850.00

 

Clint Eastwood (b.1930). Academy Award Winning Actor, Director. Very Attractive Photograph Signed, being a black and white bust portrait from the classic Western, Pale Rider (1985). Price:$150.00

 

Clark Gable (1900-1960).Legendary American Actor. Known as the "King of Hollywood," noted for his rugged machismo, best remembered for the role of 'Rhett Butler' in Gone With the Wind. Outstanding Vintage MGM Photograph Portrait Signed, to the famed French film magazine, Ciné Miroir. $1,750.00

 

Daniel Chester French (1850-1931). Famous American sculptor who his known mainly for having rendered The Sitting Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.Handwritten 1921 letter signed Daniel C. French. In overall fine condition.Price:$175.00

 

[F. Scott Fitzgerald]. Book Description: Princeton University Press, 1919. Cloth. Book Condition: Very Good. Includes poems by John Peale Bishop and Edmund Wilson (Jr.), as well as Henry Chapin and Van Dyke who wrote the Preface, but also three poems by student (Class of 1918) F. Scott Fitzgerald, his first appearance in print, though the name shown is T. Scott Fitzgerald, through a typographical error.Olive green cloth, with some slight browning ad mottling.Pages show normal aging typical of a book almost a hundred years old.Overall remarkable condition. 179 pages, top-edge gilt slightly worn, contents very fine. Unusual item for Fitzgerald lovers and scholars. A rather remarkable find because of its condition.

Price:$649.00

 

Graeta Garbo (1905-1990). Swedish Actress and Hollywood Legend. Four-Time Academy Award Nominee, 1954 Special Academy Award. A Fine TLS, written in 1969. $2200.00

 

Greta Garbo (1905-1900). Swedsh Actress and Hollywood Legend. Four-Time Academy Award Nominee, 1954 Special Academy Award. A Choice Bold Vintage Signature, on a light green album page. Price:SOLD

 

Chester Gould (1900-1985). This offering is a 3 in.x 5 in white card on which Gould has sketched the Tracy image and signed and inscribed To Jane Mendoza, best wishes, Chester Gould, n.p, , 3/4/78. The card is in excellent condition.Price:$495.00

 

Charley Grapewine (1875-1956). American Vaudevillian and Character Actor best remembered as 'Uncle Henry' in the Wizard of Oz (1939). Very Rare Photograph Signed, circa 1940. Possibly the rarest signature of all the major actors in the Wizard of Oz, this prize SP is the only one seen in over thirty years.Price: $2,950.00

 

Zane Grey. (1875-1939). American novelist and dentist, noted pioneer of the Western as a new literary genre. Document Signed Check. Price:$195.00

 

Jack Haley (1898-1979). Legendary Hollywood Actor. Beautiful Wizard of Oz Photograph Signed, measuring approximately 8 in. by 10 in., no place or date but circa early 1970s, showing left to right, the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, Dorothy, and the Scarecrow, the 1939 Masterpiece, The Wizard of Oz.Price: $OLD

 

Hall, James and Nordhoff, Charles. Extremely rare typescript from famous movie Mutiny on the Bounty signed by both authours. Price:$1200.00

 

Haring, Keith ( 1958 – 1990) was a pre-eminent artist and social activist whose work responded to the New York street culture of the 1980s. Haring became famous for his chalk street drawings and murals as well as his graphic work which is very much collected and his better works command very high prices in today's art market.This offering is a hand drawn Haring sketch that is on a 3 in x 5 in. off white card . The Sketch of his iconic baby figure and measures appx. 1.5"x 1" and is signed K. Haring '89 (peace symbol??). Price:$`1200.00

 

Ernest Hemmingway (1899-1961). American Author and Nobel Laureate (1954). Document Signed Check, "Ernest Hemingway", one page, oblong, Ketchum, Idaho, months before his death. In very good condition.Price:$3,500.00

 

Katharine Hepburn (1907-2003). Four Time Academy Award Winning Actor and Legend of the Silver Screen. Beautiful Vintage Signature, cut from an album, no place or date but circa 1934, on a small octavo sheet, with a black and white bust portrait of Hepburn laid on to the sheet, and accented with gold paint pen design. Price:$OLD.

 

Katharine Hepburn (18977-2003). Iconic star of American film and stage, widely recognized for her sharp wit, New England gentility and fierce independence. A screen legend, Hepburn holds the record for the most Oscars won by any actress at four. Beautiful Vintage Photograph Signed to Baseball Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx, being an 8 in. by 10 in. black and white head and shoulders portrait, no place or date, but circa 1940s. Price:$2,500.00

Billie Holiday (1915-1959). Legendary Jazz and Blues Singer, Member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2000). Rare Document Signed, the Contract for Billie Holiday's Last Performance, one page, quarto, dated May 20, 1959, New York City, being an American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) Standard Form of Artists Engagement contract, for a one day concert at the Phoenix Theatre, for which Holiday will be paid $350. A typed notation adds that "Billie Holiday to Supply Pianist." Signed with a large ink signature :"Billie Holiday" and countersigned by the operator of the Phoenix Theatre.Price:$9,500.00

Winslow Homer (1836-1910). Foremost American Landscape and Marine Genre Painter. Was one of the great illustrators during the Civil War, sending battlefield sketches and producing lithographs for Harpoer's Weekly. One of the foremost painters of the nineteenth century. Good Art-Related Autograph Letter Signed, one page, Scarboro, Maine, October 3, 1901, on watercolors at the Pan-American Exhibition. Price:$3,750.00

 

Bob Kane (1917-1999). American Artist and Cartoonist who created "Batman" in May 1939. A Set of Original Sketches of Batman and Robin on separate sheets, being bust portraits of the 'Cape Crusaders,' on quarto-sized sheets.Price:$1,450.00

 

Jerome Kern (1885-1945). Legendary composer and father of the modern musical. Vey rare ALS.Price:$2200.00

 

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936). English Author, Nobel Prize for Literature (1907), noted for his exotic tales and adventures of the British Empire. 1908 Interesting Literary-related Typed Letter Signed. $OLD.

 

Walter Lantz (1900-1994). American cartoonist, creator of "Woody Woodpecker. Original Autograph Sketch Signed Walter Lantz. In excellenyt condition on 3 x 5 white card.Price::$250.00

 

Stan Laurel (1890-1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892-1957). American-British Comedy Team, and the most successful comedy duo in the history of the silver screen.Photograph Signed, being their famed publicity portrait, no place or date, but circa late 1940s.Price: $2,500.00

 

Ernesto Leucona (1896-1963). Famed Cuban Composer. Uncommon, Rare Vintage Photograph Signed, being a postcard sized image, close-up head and shoulders portrait staring intensely into the camera. Inscribed on the lower margin in green, in Spanish.Price: $1,450.00

 

Harper Lee.(b.1926-2007) American writer. To Kill a Mockingbird, One Page Typescript Signed. Price:$325.00.

 

Franz Liszt (1811-1886) The renowned mucician and composer writes a ALS of of condolennce regarding death of musical prodigy Carl Eckert. Price: $2750.

 

George Lucas. Academy Award Winning Director, Creator of the Star Wars epic. Color Photograph Signed, 8 in. by 10 in., n.d., but c. 1980, showing the creator and director of the Stars Wars saga posing with two of his creations, the ewoks and C3PO. Boldly signed and inscribed in silver: "To Dr. Mascher, May the force be with you. George Lucas". In fine condition. $OLD

 

Jack London (1876-1916). American author and short story writer, noted for his adventure tales of the Alaskan wilderness and high seas, including Call of the Wild and White Fang. A Handsome Rare Photograph Signed, in sepia tone. Extremely scarce. Price:$2,950.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (07-1882). Nineteenth Century American Poet. A Rare Autograph Verse Signed, being a stanza from one of his noted works, Excelsior. Holograph verses by Longfellow are very uncommon.Price: $1800.00

 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882). Nineteenth century American poet, noted for Paul Revere's Ride, The Song of Hiawatha, The Village Blacksmith, and Excelsior. A Rare Autograph Verse Signed, being a stanza from one of his noted works, Excelsior, one page, oblong, octavo, dated March 8, 1871, no place.Price:$1800.00

 

Henry Wadsworrth Longfellow (1807-1882). Nineteenth Century American Poet, noted for Paul Revere's Ride, The Song of Hiawatha, The Village Blacksmith, and Excelsior. Photograph Signed, being a cabinet sized portrait. Price:$1800.00

 

Amy Lowell (1874-1925). American Poet of the Imagist School, Pulitzer Prize Winner (1926, Posthumously). Good Content Typed Letter Signed, one page quarto, personal imprinted letterhead, November 6, 1918. Price:$395.00

 

Henry Louis 'H.L.' Mencken (1880-1950). American literary critic, humorous journalist, essayist, whose comic skepticism about human progress is a treasure for all interested in extravagant language. Sharp and Witty Good Content Typed Letter Signed to the famed writer, architectural critic, historian and philosopher, Lewis Mumford (1895-1990). Price:$425.00

 

Jean Fransois Millet (1814-1875).French Landscape Painter. Very Good Content Autograph Letter Signed, one page, octavo, Barbizon, dated December 22, 1867, discussing the sudden death of his friend and leading post-impressionist painter, Theodore Rousseau.Price: $2,500.00

 

Grand Ma Moses (1860-1961). A beautiful christmas card signed Grandma Moses,With Love and the card is accompanied by an envelope of transmittal in her hand. Price: $OLD

Grand Ma Moses (1860-1961). Legendary American folk painter. A Beautiful Signature on the verso on a personal "Grand ma Moses" postcard. Price:$OLD

Grandma Moses(1860- 1961). A Christmas card which is of a typical size 4.5 in. x 3.5 in.and the front cover has an image of one of her paintings as shown in the full listing . The card is in fine condition with a bold, clear signature , Grandma Moses , circa 1950. Price:$OLD

 

Henry Moore (1898-1986). Premier British Sculptor. Good Art Related Content Typed Letter Signed, "Henry Moore", one page octavo, on personal letterhead, November 27, 1957. "…I have sent to the shippers, the 'Mother and Child with Apple' and the 'Draped Reclining Figure' (the small 'Reclining Figure' Egyptian has not yet been returned from an exhibition…) I will get the remainder of the works promise to you ready…". Letter shows normal aging, folds, with additional holograph address postscript by Moore on verso.Price: $795.00

 

Reinhold Niehbur (1892-1971). American Protestant theologian and philosopher, composer of the famed Serenity Prayer, noted for his influence in reshaping American thought concerning history, society, politics and religion. Very Uncommon Autograph Letter Signed, April 30, no year, on official "Bethel Evangelical Church, Detroit" stationary, one page, oblong, octavo. Reads: "Dear Mrs. Weer: Thank you for your kind letter. I have filled out the two cards you enclosed for your grandson. It is a pleasure to welcome you to our service. Yours, R. Niebuhr". Very choice.Price:$495.00

 

Pablo Picasso(1881-1973). Spanish artist and sculptor, widely regarded as the most influential artist of the 20th Century. A Stunning Color Portrait Signed Picasso . The artist standing in front of his home.Price: $1595.00

 

Maureen O'Hara [Maureen FitzSimons] (b. 1920). Irish-American Film Actress. Very Desirable Vintage Photograph Signed, from the 1950 John Ford Classic Western, Rio Grande, being an approximate 8 in. by 10 in. black and white publicity photograph of the stunningly attractive O'Hara wielding a pair of pistols. Rare in this form.Price: $350.00

 

Rembrandt Peale (1778-1860). American Neoclassical painter, studied under Benjamin West, most noted for his distinguished portraits of Washington, Jefferson, Napoleon, and Dolley Madison. Art Related Autograph Letter Signed. Very nice reference to a work in progress. Very Rare in this form. Price:$1,950.00

Norman Rockwell (1874-1978). Iconic American artist and illustrator.Typed letter signed with great content.The letter is on octavo sized personal stationey with one transfold in the middle and it is dated November 16, 1943, Arlington Vermont. It is in very good condition as shown except for normal aging and toning. It is signed in blue ink by pen, Norman Rockwell. Price: $325.00

Dr. Seuss [Theodore Geisel] (1904-1991). American author and illustrator of children's literature, including The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and The Grinch That Stole Christmas. A Signed Cat in the Hat Illustration. Boldly signed in block print across the top of the crate: "Dr. Seuss". A very choice collectible, ideal for framing. Price:$695.00

 

Samuel Francis Smith (1812-1865). Four stanzas of America written out in Smith's hand and signed. Two stanza on two seperate 5.5 in x 8 in leaves of paper and signed by Smith. Price:$2500.00

 

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) .Nice ALS with literary content written in 1921.Price:$1650.00

Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn (b.1918). Russian Author. Nobel Laureate (1970). Typed Letter Signed, in German, one page, quarto, d. August 17th, 1983, Cavendish, VT. The Russian writer and leading dissident against the Soviet system, in exile, writes to a German schoolmaster and his students. Translation reads in part: "… I regret that translations of my books appear in the German Language with large errors, and also their quality is rarely satisfying. Fortunately this does not concern the ‘Gulag Archipelago.’ The French translations are very good and appear fast… My best desires for you and your pupils. I would hope that my books help… them get through today’s difficult situation in Germany… Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn". In fine condition. 918). Russian Author. Nobel Laureate (1970). Typed Letter Signed, in German, one page, quarto, d. August 17th, 1983, Cavendish, VT. The Russian writer and leading dissident against the Soviet system, in exile, writes to a German schoolmaster and his students. Translation reads in part: "… I regret that translations of my books appear in the German Language with large errors, and also their quality is rarely satisfying. Fortunately this does not concern the ‘Gulag Archipelago.’ The French translations are very good and appear fast… My best desires for you and your pupils. I would hope that my books help… them get through today’s difficult situation in Germany… Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn". In fine condition.Price: $695.00

Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn (1918). Russian Author & Nobel Laureate (1970). Typed Manuscript Signed, one page, quarto, being a transcription of the first page of the Gulag Archipelago, his most famous novel. Boldly signed in Cyrillic: "Alek Solzhenitsyn". In fine condition. Price:$595.00

Gertrude Stein (1874-1946). Legendary American writer, long a resident of Paris, associated with Picasso, Matisse; coined the phrase "The Lost Generation". A Lyrical Autograph Quote Signed, being a play on her most famous verse, "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose." Price:$1,950.00

Dorothy Stratten (1960-1980). Model, Actress, and Playboy Playmate of the Year, (1980), tragically murdered by her estranged husband on August 14, 1980. She has grown to legendary status in the genre.Exceptionally Scare Photograph Signed, being an 8 in. by 10 in. black and white publicity portrait by Crown International Pictures for her debut film, Galaxina. Stratten's signed items are exceptionally rare and considered one of the scarcest celebrity signatures of the 20th Century.Price: $2,500.00

 

Ellery Queen, a.k.a. Fredric Dannay (1905-1982). Co-creator with his cousin Manfred B. Lee of the Ellery Queen mystery novels 1929, and publishers of the acclaimed Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Autograph Letter Signed, "Frederic Dannay 'Ellery Queen'", one page, quarto, August 30, 1979, on Official "ELLERY QUEEN Mystery Magazine" letterhead.Price: $295.00

 

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978). American Painter, illustrator. Art-Related Autograph Note Signed, one page, on the verso of a postcard, marked, April 16, 1964.Price:$695.00

 

Rodolph Valentino. (1895-1926). Legendary Screen Idol. His death at age 31 caused a national panic which resulted in several suicides. Very Rare Document Signed, associated with the bigamy scandal that rocked his career, being a promissory note to his first wife for $5,000, dated May 1, 1922, payable on May 15, 1922, drawn on the Commercial Bank of Los Angeles, measuring approximately 8 in. by 3.5 in. Boldly signed with his full rare Italian signature: "Rodolfoh Valentino". Price:$3,950.00

 

Jules Verne(1828-1905). French author, extraordinarily anticipated the advance of technology and considered the "Father of Science Fiction." Autograph Note Signed, dated January 18, 1883, responding to a woman regarding her letter. Affixed to another sheet. Tersely written, a very fine example.Price: $1,695.00

 

Jules Verne (1828-1905). Herbert, Amiens French postcard photo of Verne sitting at his desk, with pen in hand, signed and inscribed in fountain pen in French.Price:$2400.00

 

Richard Wagner (1813-1883). Famed German Composer. Originator of music drama and pioneer in the development of the Leitmotiv. Uncommon Autograph Letter Signed, one page large octavo, Paris, April 25, 1861. A fine letter, in French, roughly translated, discussing his return to Germany, from which he had been in exile for twelve years, and mentioning an invitation.Price:$3,500.00

 

Robert Penn Warren (1905-1989). American writer of novels and poetry. Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, noted for All the Kings Men. Autograph Note Signed. Very fine.Price: $150.00

 

John Wayne (1904-1979) Academy Award Winning Actor; One of the Great Hollywood Legends. An exceptional Black and White Publicity Portrait Signed, no place or date, being a studio print, from director John Ford's classic, The Quiet Man (1952), showing a dapper Wayne dressed in a black coat and necktie, gazing directly into the camera. No flaws, perfect for framing. Price:$1,800.00

 

John Wayne (1904-1979) Academy Award Winning Actor, American Icon. A Very Fine Black and White Publicity Photograph Signed, measuring approximately 8 in. by 10 in., no place or date, but a photo credit on the lower left circa 1970, posing in a classic Western outfit, from director Howard Hawks classic Rio Lobo (1970). Price:$1,650.00

 

Benjamin West (1738-1820). American Painter. Noted as the first American painter to paint figures in historical scenes. In 1772 appointed official historical painter of King George III. Very Nice Autograph Letter Signed, one page, large octavo, February 22, 1812, Newman Street [London]. Boldly written in dark ink, with exceptional clarity, tipped to a larger leaf. A very desirable letter and fine example. In very good condition.Price: $2,500.00

 

James McNeil Whistler (1834-1903). American painter, best known for his work Mrs. George Washington Whistler, better known as Whistler's Mother. A Fine Autograph Note Signed with the Artist's famed "Butterfly Signature." $OLD

 

John Geenleaf Whittier (1807-1892). American poet, writer, abolitionist, known as the Quaker Poet. An Uncommon Autograph Verse Signed, on an oblong, octavo sheet, dated March 22, 1875. Price:$950.00

 

Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938). Legendary American Author. Extraordinarily Rare Typed Letter Signed, July 13th, 1935, New York City. Returning from Europe, Wolfe takes time to respond to a letter of praise concerning his second work, Of Time and the River. Price:$3,500.00