Interesting collection of three items, each signed by a notable figure, including: Texas politician Thomas P. Ochiltree (AQS); historian and journalist Hendrik Willem van Loon (draft manuscript and an ALS); and English traveler and author Frederick G. Burnaby (ALS). In overall fine condition. Individual descriptions are as follows:
Thomas P. Ochiltree: AQS, one page, lightly-lined, 5.75 x 9, Hoffman House letterhead, January 21, 1888. Ochiltree pens a verse from Tennyson, in full: “Howe’er it be, it seems to me, / ’Tis only noble to be good. / Kind hearts are more than coronets, / And simple faith than Norman blood.” Affixed to a slightly larger sheet. Central vertical and horizontal folds (the vertical fold passing through a single letter of the signature), a few small tears to the left edge, and general wrinkling from adhesive to reverse, otherwise fine condition.
Hendrik Willem van Loon: Historian and journalist (1882–1944) best known for his 1921 book The Story of Mankind. Draft manuscript for an unidentified NBC program, 8.5 x 11, seven pages, dated 1926, heavily revised throughout in van Loon’s own hand, beginning: “Poor old Robespierre has been sadly sidetracked. I was just about tomdissect [sic] the poor man’s incredible ego…for he had neither brain nor heart nor any other organs, as far as anyone has ever been able to discover.” Stapled to the top is an ALS, one page, 8 x 10.5, personal letterhead, August 6, 1927, transmitting the draft and commenting on his near-indecipherable handwriting. In overall fine condition.
Frederick G. Burnaby: English traveler and soldier (1842–1885) known for describing his journey on horseback to the Khanate of Khiva through Russian Asia in the book A Ride to Khiva, which brought him immediate fame. Third-person ALS signed twice in the text, “Lt. Colonel Burnaby,” one page both sides, 4.75 x 7, Cavalry Barracks letterhead, September 15, 1881. In part: “Lt. Colonel Burnaby presents his compliments to the author of Relton Reggs & begs to thank him.” Reverse of second integral page bears an ALS from the aforementioned author and recipient of this letter, Luis Jackson, transmitting it to a collector. In fine condition, with some show-through from writing to opposing sides and mounting remnants to reverse. RR Auction COA.
