Speaking of Jefferson, here is a letter from Jefferson in his role as Washington's Secretary of State confirming to Nicholas Fish his appointment as Supervisor of the Federal Revenue for the State of New York. The document is dated May 2, 1793. Fish had fought in the Revolutionary War and would go on to be involved in New York politics, a Federalist (which would put him on the opposite side of the political fence to Jefferson). Of course, after 1800, the Federalists seriously faded as a political force, and so Fish would run for Congress and Lieutenant Governor but would lose his races. However, Nicholas Fish would be the patriarch of one of New York's most successful political dynasties. His son, Hamilton Fish, was a Congressman, Senator, and Governor of New York as well as President Grant's Secretary of State, and the next three Hamilton Fishes (II through IV) would all be New York congressmen. $13,500.

 

Elizabeth Custer has to be one of the greatest profiles in loyalty ever. Her husband, General George Armstrong Custer, is a well-known figure, but only because of his total defeat at Little Big Horn, where he and all of his men died in battle against the Indians. It left the man with a tarnished reputation. Elizabeth then devoted the remainder of her life, and she outlived her husband by more than half a century, to rehabilitating his reputation. She wrote several books, including Boots and Saddles or Life in Dakota with General Custer. Offered is a later printing of the first edition from 1904. $250.

 

For those who think today's economic times are tough, here is a reminder of how bad it can be - The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. Steinbeck's novel follows a family of "Okies" during the Depression from their drought-devastated farm to the fields of California. Offered is a 1937 first edition, first printing of one of America's greatest novels. $2,500.

 

Yeoman's in the Fork may be reached at 877-936-6261 or info@yeomansinthefork.com. Their website is found at www.yeomansinthefork.com.