There is no more famous American autograph than that of John Hancock, another signer of the Declaration of Independence. His signature on that document was so bold that “John Hancock” has become a synonym for autograph. Here he too writes to Robert Morris concerning providing money for American prisoners of war during the Revolution. Item 35. $17,500.

And then there’s a letter from P.T. Barnum to a friend. In it he describes his circus as “truthful, moral, instructive, honorably conducted, honestly presented.” Yes. And, there’s a sucker born every minute too. Item 8. $2,000.

Among the other famous autographs to be found in this wonderful catalogue are John Quincy Adams, Susan Anthony, Chester Arthur, John James Audubon, James Buchanan, Aaron Burr, Winston Churchill, Grover Cleveland, his wife and mother-in-law, Charles Darwin, Amelia Earhart, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Millard Fillmore, James Garfield, Ulysses Grant, Herbert Hoover, Harry Houdini, Pope John XXIII, John Paul Jones, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lafayette, Abraham Lincoln, James and Dolley Madison, James Monroe, Florence Nightingale, Franklin Pierce, Cecil Rhodes, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, John Philip Sousa, Harry Truman, John Tyler, Martin Van Buren, Daniel Webster and Woodrow Wilson.

While some of the most famous signatures are a bit expensive, there are many notable signatures under $200, some under $100. For just $25, you can pick up the autograph of David Wilmot, author of the Wilmot Proviso. This amendment to a funding bill for the Mexican War would have prohibited the extension of slavery to the new territories captured at that time. Though passed by the House, the amendment was not adopted by the Senate, so it never became law, but it helped to harden the positions developing between the North and South during the late 1840s.

Catherine Barnes can be reached online at www.barnesautographs.com or by phone at 215-247-9240.