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Letter, 1836 Dec. 6 / Thomas Walker Gilmer, 1802-1844 (1 l.)--Letter, 1808 Jan. 10 / John Randolph, 1773-1833 (1 l.)--Letter, 1843 Nov. 11 / John Taliaferro, 1768-1853 (2 p.)--Letter, 1826 Feb. 26 / Littleton Waller Tazewell, 1774-1860 (1 l.)--Letter, 1872 Aug. 3 / Alfred Tennyson Tennyson, 1st baron (1 l.).
The collecting of autographs of American presidents is done with a passion that is not found about similar figures in other countries. Canadian prime ministers or Finnish presidents are not the focus of hobbyists. The enthusiasm of getting a set of presidential signatures is something of a comment on the energetic American historical emphasis on the country's chief executives. Even in George Washington's time there were forgers who allegedly would produce a Washington letter for a drink at a tavern, so the authenticity of Presidents is a subject marked by intrigue and misadventure. Paul C. Richards' scarce volume is a useful guide to a subject marked by increasingly high prices in the auction rooms. He was a great benefactor of Boston University, where his Robert Frost and Theodore Roosevelt collections are a permanent testimony to his relentless searching of attics and garrets and shrewd purchases.