Sell or Auction Your William Howard Taft Signed White House Card for up to Nearly $1,000 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions
FREE APPRAISAL. To buy, auction, sell or consign your William Howard Taft signed White House card that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
Free Appraisal, Auction or Sell Your William Howard Taft Signed White House Card
William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857 – March 8, 1930) was the 27th president of the United States (1909–1913) and the tenth Chief Justice of the United States (1921–1930), the only person to have held both offices. Taft was elected president in 1908, the chosen successor of Theodore Roosevelt, but was defeated for re-election by Woodrow Wilson in 1912 after Roosevelt split the Republican vote by running as a third-party candidate. In 1921, President Warren G. Harding appointed Taft to be chief justice, a position in which he served until a month before his death.
Below is a recent realized price for a William Howard Taft signed White House card. We at Nate D. Sanders Auctions can obtain up to these amounts or more for you:
William Howard Taft Signed White House Card. Sold for nearly $1,000.
Consign your William Howard Taft signed White House card at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Send a description and images to us at [email protected].
Here are some recent items that our auction house, Nate D. Sanders (http://www.NateDSanders.com) has sold:
Exceptional William Howard Taft typed letter signed with his hand-edits and an additional autograph note signed, dated 31 January 1916, just two days after President Wilson nominated Louis Brandeis to the Supreme Court. Addressed to his close friend and Washington journalist, Gus Karger (who also happened to be Jewish), Taft rips Wilson’s ”Machiavellian” and ”satanic skill” in his selection of Brandeis, whom he calls ”cunning”, a ”hypocrite” and a ”power for evil”. Brandeis was the first Jewish member of the Supreme Court, and Taft writes that the ”clannishness” of Jews will prevent them from opposing Brandeis, in addition to much other content focused on Brandeis’ religion. Taft famously opposed Brandeis’ nomination to the Court, and this is one of the first letters by Taft where he discusses it; scholars have painted much of Brandeis’ opposition to pure anti-Seminitism, which this letter elucidates. Taft gets right into the criticism, beginning the letter with, ”Our worthy President has developed more qualities of Machiavelli than even I, with a full appreciation of the admirable roundness of his character, had suspected. When I think of the devilish ingenuity manifested in the selection of Brandeis, I can not but admire his finesse. Of course, joking aside, it is one of the deepest wounds that I have had as an American and a lover of of the Constitution and a believer in progressive Conservatism, that such a man as Brandeis could be put in the Court, as I believe he is likely to be. He is a muckraker, an emotionalist for his own purposes, a socialist, prompted by jealousy, a hypocrite, a man who has certain high ideals in his imagination, but who is utterly unscrupulous [handwritten] in method of reaching them [], a man of infinite cunning, of marked ability in that direction that hardly rises above the dignity of cunning, of great tenacity of purpose, and, in my judgement, of [handwritten] much [] power for evil. He is only one of nine on the Court, but one on the Court is often an important consideration; and even if the [handwritten] rest of the [] Court is against him, he has the opportunity to attack their judgements and weaken their force by insidious demagoguery, and an appeal to the restless element that can do infinite harm. I sincerely hope that he can be defeated in the Senate, but I don’t think so. Your description of the outburst against him when nominated, together with the dark brown taste in the mouth of protesting Senators the next morning, is an indication of the satanic skill in his selection. The intelligent Jews of this country are as much opposed to Brandeis’ nomination as I am, but there are politics in the Jewish community, which with their clannishness embarrass leading and liberal and clear-sighted Jews. I venture to think that the leading Jews of New York, Boston, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati and the other cities, who are not bound up in emotional uplifting, and who do not now tend to socialism, are as much troubled over this appointment and as indignant as any of us can be, but Brandeis’ foresight as to himself has strangled their expression lest they arouse bitter criticism against them [handwritten] selves [] by their own people. I talked with Isaac Ullman of New Haven, some little time ago about Brandeis. Isaac is on all the great Jewish committees, and he says there is a great feeling of antagonism toward Brandeis among the leading Jews, because his present superlative and extreme Judaism is a plant of very late growth. He says that he was no Jew until he was rejected by Wilson as Attorney-General, because the leading Jews of the country told Wilson that Brandeis was not a representative Jew. Since that time, Brandeis has adopted Zionism, favors the new Jerusalem, and has metaphorically been re-circumcised. He has gone all over the country making speeches, arousing the Jewish spirit, even wearing a hat in the Synagogue while making a speech in order to attract those bearded Rabbis whose invitation to the silver wedding in such numbers you promoted. If it were necessary, I am sure he would have grown a beard to convince them that he was a Jew of Jews. All this has made it politically difficult for not only the Jews but for anybody looking for office where there are Jews in the constituency, to hesitate about opposing Brandeis. The humor of the situation I can, not, even in the sorrow of the appointment, escape. When I consider the heartfelt indignation of [Senate Majority Leader Henry Cabot] Lodge and [Senator John W.] Weeks at having to alienate the Jews of Massachusetts, with their candidacies just before them, I derive some wicked amusement. Weeks is the candidate of the Shoe Machinery Company, and of all organizations in the country, Brandeis is anathema to them. Lodge’s friends in Boston, Major Higginson and others, regard Brandeis as the most exalted type of the dishonest trickster. Wilson has projected a fight, which with master art he will give the color of a contest, on one side of which will be ranged the opposition of corporate wealth and racial prejudice, and on the other side the downtrodden, the oppressed, the uplifters, the Labor unions, and all the elements which are supposed to have votes in the election. This will lead to the confirmation because of the white-livered Senators that we have. The Senate has been LaFolletized and Gomperized so that it has ceased to be the conservative body it was. But as so often happens in such a well devised Machiavellian scheme, the ultimate result is not going to be to Wilson’s advantage, if we nominate any man whose conservatism appeals to the business men. His willingness to put a socialist on the Bench, and a muckraker, will drive from him the element that he might call upon because he has saved us from war, and that is strong among the business men. This appointment will be remembered long after the excitement of the confirmation has passed away, and it will return to plague him, as it ought to. It is too ingenious and too unscrupulous. Machiavelli’s philosophy and policy were lacking in the same way. When you consider Brandeis’ appointment, and think that men were pressing me for the place, es ist zum lachen [it is laughable]. You know me well enough to know that my judgement on this subject is not in the slightest degree colored by the fact that men had suggested me for the place. I never for one moment credited the possibility of Wilson’s considering my name. The thoughts of the Judges of the Supreme Court, if they could be interpreted, would form interesting reading. I am coming down to Washington as you know, and I shall be glad to continue this subject when I meet you. It will probably have worked itself out then, thought there may be some people strong enough to continue the fight until then. Affectionately yours, [signed] Wm H Taft”. Taft continues the letter with an autograph note reading, ”Horace [Taft’s brother] writes he is delighted with the appointment but he would have preferred [labor lawyer Frank Walsh]. I have written him that he evidently doesn’t appreciate the perfectness of the nomination in all its phases. The only name in the same class is that of [Samuel] Gompers.” Four pages on 4 sheets, each measuring 8” x 10.5”. Discoloration and dampstaining to lower left of all pages, much of which can be framed out, uniform toning, and stain from paper clip on page 1, overall in fair to good condition. Sold for $10,000.
William Taft Supreme Court Signed Photo by All Nine
9.5″ x 9″ matte photo of the Taft Supreme Court, circa 1921, signed by all nine justices. William Howard Taft was the only President to become a U.S. Chief Justice. Appointed in July 1921, he is shown here seated in the middle of the front row. He signs, “Wm H. Taft”. The remaining eight justices are (front row) William R. Day, Joseph McKenna, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Willis Van Devanter, (back row) Louis D. Brandeis, Mahlon Pitney, James C. McReynolds and John H. Clarke. Taft served as Chief Justice until his death in 1930. The sepia photo by Clinedinst Studio is matted and framed to an overall size of 18″ x 17″. Creasing in signature area, else very good. Chipping to frame; paper backing has been removed. Overall very good. Sold for $3,411.
Ronald Reagan Rare Autograph Letter as President With Great Chicago Cubs Baseball Content
Autograph letter signed as President on White House stationery, no date but circa the summer of 1988, to the wife of Chicago Cubs great, Charlie Grimm. Ronald Reagan grew up outside of Chicago and lived there until sometime in the 1930’s. Grimm was a first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Wrigley family owned Chicago Cubs. As a manager for the Cubs, he led the team to National League championships in 1932, 1935 and 1945. He was brought out of retirement to direct the Cubs again in early 1960, but the team got off to a slow start, and owner P.K. Wrigley swapped Grimm with another former manager, Lou Boudreau. Grimm died in Scottsdale, Arizona at age 85, from cancer. His widow, who this letter is written to was granted permission to spread his ashes on Wrigley Field. In the Presidential letter, Reagan writes, “Dear Marion, It’s good to hear from you & to know you are all settled back in Ill. I wonder if Mr. Wrigley will look down on the upcoming night game at Wrigley Field and protest its happening. He was totally against night ball. Nancy thanks you for your kind words & so do I. We’ll be looking forward to your book. (Forgive the blob) Give our best to Deedie. All the best, Ron.” Excellent condition. Sold for $3,000.
Ronald Reagan Signed Letter
Autographed letter signed by Ronald Reagan. Composed in black ink on a Presidential Seal card and dated 28 April 1991, Reagan writes to Marion Grimm, the widow of Chicago Cubs great, Charlie Grimm. In part: “…bless you for what you had to say. I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that scores of those people she lists as informants have gotten in touch and told me they’ve never met her or communicated any of those stories she claims to have heard from them…Sincerely – Ron.” Soiling to lower left corner, otherwise very good. Sold for $1,500.
Scarce Lyndon B. Johnson Autograph Letter Signed
President Lyndon B. Johnson autograph letter signed to Arthur J. Goldberg. Dated only “Sunday”, letter was likely composed sometime between 1965-67 when Goldberg served under LBJ as United Nations Ambassador. Written on an LBJ Ranch card, letter reads, “Dear Dorothy and Arthur – All you did in planning came out in one of the most beautiful and gay dinners we’ve attended – You were thoughtful – gracious & generous and we will always appreciate it and remember. Thanks again – Lyndon”. Single-page letter measures 5.25″ x 3.75″. Fine. With a handwritten and signed LOA from Arthur Goldberg’s son on Goldberg’s Supreme Court Justice stationery. Handwritten letters by Johnson as President are exceedingly rare. Sold for $1,100.
FREE ESTIMATE. To buy, auction, sell or consign your William Howard Taft signed White House card that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).