Correspondence to Francis Ellingwood Abbot, radical theologian and editor of The Index. Francis Ellingwood Abbot (1836-1903) was a philosopher and theologian, best known as the founder of the Free Religious Association (1867), editor of the weekly publication The Index (1870-1880), and President of the National Liberal League (1876). After studying the works of Charles Darwin, Abbot dedicated his life to reconciling the perceived difference between scientific study and religious revelation. His Free Religious Association rejected all religious authority, and was considered extremely radical for the time.rnHis criticisms of Protestantism and Roman Catholicism made Abbot a figure of national prominence, especially through the weekly publication of The Index. Abbot-+s radicalism made it difficult for him to find a steady career, although he did eventually find himself teaching at Harvard University--an appointment which was met with much backlash in the academic world.rnAbbot spent his entire adult life championing his unique theory of -½Free Religion,-+ which attracted considerable attention and debate on both sides of the Atlantic. However, personal tragedy struck in 1892, when his wife Katie died suddenly. After spending the last decade of his life studying and writing, Abbot ended his own life at his wife-+s grave site on October 23, 1903.rnrnAs evidenced by the covers contained in this lot, Abbot carried on correspondence with many of the most prominent scientists, philosophers, and writers of his day. These include:rnCharles Darwin (1809-1882), famed British scientist who helped to establish the modern understanding of evolution.rnCharles Voysey (1828-1912), British theist who was condemned by the Privy Council for heterodoxy.rnFrederick Maxse (1833-1900), British Royal Naval officer and radical political activist.rnGeorge Holyoake (1817-1906), British newspaper editor who coined the term -½secularism-+ in 1851.rnAnnie Besant (1847-1933), British activist who was prominent in the National Secular Society.rnThomas Butler Gunn (1826-1904), British illustrator and newspaper correspondent during the Civil War.rnMax M++ller (1823-1900), German philologist and one of the founders of comparative religion.rnAlan Greenwell (1824-1914), brother of British poet Dora Greenwell.rnrnEight of these covers are accompanied by photocopies of their original contents from the Harvard University Archives. The letters to Mr. Abbot, notably that from Charles Darwin (on his headed notepaper and revealing some of his own beliefs)) demonstrate the considerable attention he attracted from his contemporaries, and shed light on his radical religious beliefs. rnAll 10 covers are addressed to Abbot while he was editor of The Index; eight while the publication was based in Boston, and two to Toledo, Ohio. Based on the photocopied letters, the envelopes (including Darwin) appear to be addressed in the hand of the senders. A variety of frankings are represented, including adhesive stamps and postal stationery. Condition is generally F-VF; all 10 covers are pictured on the facing page. (Image)

CV. 200

James "Jimmy" Doolittle (American Pilot, 1896-1993), Oct. 13, 1932 Washington Bicentennial cover from the Southwestern Aviation Conference in Dallas, TX, signed by both Jimmy Doolittle and Dallas postmaster George C. Young, signature partially obscured by cancel, minor faults at top, still a very attractive cover signed before Doolittle immortalized his legacy during WWII (Image)

CV. 50

Fitzhugh Lee (1835-1905; CSA Cavalry General, 40th Gov of Virginia, Spanish-American War General), bold endorsement on "Soldiers Mail" cover with Office of Commanding General/ Seventh Army Corps printed cc, franked with 2c (222), tied by indistinct Havana, NYPO c.d.s., Very Fine and quite scarcernLee was the nephew of renowned CSA General Robert E. Lee. (Image)

CV. 75

Ferdinand Maximillian (Archduke and Prince of Austria, Prince of Hungary and Bohemia, Emperor of Mexico; 1832-67) two ALS; March 1853 datelined "Villa Lazarovich" (the Trieste residence of Maximilian) and addressed to Julie Oldofredi-Hager (a German poet) with the accompanying unfranked envelope with boxed Trieste cancel; 1856 letter (in English) datelined "Triest" and signed as the "Archduke of Austria", includes some Mexico related items incl 1863 and 1865 ALS of Benito Juarez (Mexican President 1858/72) who ordered Maximilian's execution after his fall from power; also a letter from the US Consulate General at Tampico addressed to the Commanding Officer of the "USS Paul Jones" (a steam-gunboat) mentioning cruelty of the French to the Mexicans after Maximilian's defeat and a comparison between American and French naval vessels; finally an 1869 letter from the US Ambassador to Mexico (T.H. Nelson)recounting his arrival in Mexico and thanking recipient for the intro letter to General Gamboa; usual mixed condition but Fine overall (Image)

CV. 75

Deng Xiaoping (Paramount Leader of China, 1904-1997), February 2, 1979 cover commemorating Deng Xiaoping's visit to the Johnson Space Center at the request of President Jimmy Carter; the cachet depicts Xiaoping with astronaut Fred Haise in the cockpit of a shuttle; the owner of the cover visited China in 1986 and had Xiaoping autograph it in ballpoint pen; signature somewhat shaky due to Xiaoping's advanced age at the time; a photograph of the owner with Xiaoping provides excellent provenance; Very Fine, an attractive cover signed by one of the most preeminent political figures of the 20th century (Image)

CV. 1,000

U.S. Senators and Representatives of the 1840s/50s. a small booklet (6x7-+"; binding non-existent so basically the unbound signatures) with numerous autographs of the 1840s/50s incl most of the US Senators at the time including (in the order of the States as present in the book) South Carolina JC Calhoun (US Vice President 1825-32), AP Butler, Georgia (John) Macpherson Berrien, H Johnson, W Dawson, Alabama Ben Fitzpatrick, William King, Mississippi Jefferson Davis (later President of Confederate States), HS Foote, Louisiana Pierre Soule, H Johnson, Ohio Tho Corwin, W Allen, SP Chase (later US Treasury Secretary), Pennsylvania Dan'l Sturgeon, Simon Cameron, James Cooper, Virginia JM Mason, Robt Hunter, Massachusetts John Davis, Dan Webster (later US Secretary of State), Rhode Island John Clarke, Alb C Greene, Connecticut Roger Baldwin, John Niles, Truman Smith, New York John Dix, DS Dickinson, William H Seward (later US Secretary of State), New Jersey JW Miller, WL Dayton, North Carolina Geo E Badger, Willie Mangum, (tear in page affects both signatures), Iowa AC Dodge, GW Jones, Wisconsin IP Walker, Kentucky JR Underwood, Thomas Metcalfe, Tennessee HL Turney, Jno Bell, Indiana JD Bright, EA Hannegan, Jas Whitcomb, Illinois Sidney Breese, SA Douglas, Jas Shields, Missouri Thomas H Benton, David R Atchison, Arkansas Solon Borland, Michigan Alpheus Felch, Thomas Fitzgerald, Lewis Cass, Florida DL Yulee, James Westcott Jr, J Morton, etc., also includes signatures of many Members of the House of Representatives of the same period and a signature of Henry W Longfellow pasted onto the Pennsylvania page, virtually all of the signatures clear and legible though a few just affected by some paper aging, a Fine and fascinating volume

CV. 750

ASTRONAUT AUTOGRAPHS INCLUDING JUDITH RESNIK signed "Judy Resnik" on a NASA photograph, John Young and Bob Crippen on a NASA photograph, Don Peterson on a NASA photograph, John Glenn on a black & white, Stanley C. White, Astronaut Flight Surgeon on U.S. Scott #1194 plate block, Buzz Aldrin on two books and Marshall Islands First Day Ceremony program. Overall very fine.

CV. 200

OVER 370 AUTOGRAPHED BASEBALL COVERS generally from the 1980's-1990's. Mostly first day and event covers. Includes many Hall-of Famers: Bob Feller, George Kell, Enos Slaughter, Rick Ferrell, Red Schoendienst... many more. Also a Kareem Adbul Jabbar signed Gateway cover. Generally F-VF.

CV. 500

AUTOGRAPHED SPORTS COVERS PLUS BONUS A nice group of live signed sports covers including two Gateway Wayne Gretzky covers, a Gateway Paul "Bear" Bryant, two Zaso Pete Rose covers, a Zaso Brooks Robinson, a Naismith FDC signed by Red Auerbach and a Lou Boudreau/Stan Musial signed cover. The bonus is about 45 photos with printed signatures of 1971 New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies (includes some "Hall of Famers"), Fine group

CV. 150