M-003: Autographs Collection

SCOPE: Autographs of significant individuals that have been collected by the St. Louis Mercantile Library over the years.

HISTORY: Several of the Signatures are of early St. Louisians and therefore of local interest. Others have arrived in a very haphazard way at the Library - a visit by the person, a dashed off signature after a speech in the Mercantile Library Lecture Hall, etc.

EXTENT: 154 clipped signatures, letters, and writing samples from 147 distinct individuals collected as part of an autograph collection.

ACCESS: This is collection M-003. This collection is available for on-site use only in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, depending on condition. Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building. More information about conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page.

RESTRICTIONS: None

Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is “From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.”

 

INVENTORY

Below is a list of signatories, with brief descriptions of the signed item when applicable.

  1. Anderson, Thos. L. (Mo. Rep)
  2. Brackenridge, H. W.
  3. Bradford, A. W. (Governor of Maryland) 1864
  4. Charless, Joseph (2)
  5. Combs, Leslie
  6. Connors, William
  7. Corey, Sam´l (Governor. of Maine) 1864.
  8. Edwards, N.
  9. Lind, Jenny
  10. Lisa, Manuel
  11. Mullanphy, Bryan
  12. Mullanphy, John
  13. Pettit, Spencer (Killed by Tom Biddle)
  14. Scott, John (Congressman) 1817
  15. Smith, J. Gregory
  16. Taylor, Z.
  17. Tucker, Th. T. (United State Treasurer)
  18. Unidentified (1): A 2018 addendum to the collection added the following signatures:
  19. Newspaper clipping about coin sale, No Date
  20. Collection of Autographs: Stephen Douglas, W.P Fesserder, George Beneraft, Edain Stanton, David Porter No Date
  21. Joel Abbot (18 Jan 1793 – 14 Dec 1855): U.S. Naval Officer who served in war of 1812 and served Commodore Perry in 1852 visit to Japan, Letter dated 28 Jan 1822
  22. Robert Anderson (14 Jun 1805 – 26 Oct 1871): Union commander at Fort Sumpter, S.C., Letter dated 18 Mar 1861 (1 month before hostilities commenced)
  23. Eunice White Beecher (26 Aug 1812 – 08 Mar 1897): Author and wife of Protestant Clergyman/abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher. Letter dated 21 Feb 1893
  24. Gracie Bell: Opera Singer, Contract dated 26 APR 1893
  25. Francis Preston Blair Jr. (19 Feb 1791 – 08 Jul 1876): Founder of the Republican Party Undated genealogy
  26. Francis Preston Blair Jr. (19 Feb 1791 – 08 Jul 1876): Founder of the Republican Party Undated signature
  27. George H Blickhahn: Served as a surgeon with the 28th Colored Infantry (Volunteer Union Soldier) Letter dated 18 Oct 1864.
  28. Abraham Bradley (22 Feb 1767 – 07 May 1838: Assistant post master general for 30 years. Letter dated 26 Nov 1822
  29. Edward S. Bragg (20 Feb 1827 – 20 Jun 1912): Democratic Politician and Civil War General from, Wisconsin, Letter dated 18 Oct 1900
  30. Edward Broward ?: Stamp Dealer, Letter dated 14 Dec 1863
  31. Benjamin Gratz Brown (28 May 1826 – 13 Dec 1885): Senator and Governor of Missouri, Signature and newspaper clip dated 18 Dec 1865
  32. Joseph C. Cabell (28 Dec 1778 – 05 Feb 1856): Member of the Virginia Senate and chief fund-raiser for University of Virginia. Letter dated 20 Dec 1826
  33. Augustus A Chapman (09 Mar 1805 – 07 Jun 1876): Representative for Virginia’s 12th district 1843-1847 Letter dated 14 July 1846
  34. William Merritt Chase (01 Nov 1849 –25 Oct 1916): American Painter, Letter dated 29 Mar 1878
  35. George W. Childs (12 May 1829 – 13 Aug 1928): Publisher, Letter dated 28 June 1863
  36. James Clark (16 Jan 1779 – 27 Aug 1839): Representative from Kentucky (1813-1816 and 1825-1831), Letter dated 25 Dec 1825
  37. Cassius Marcellus Clay (19 Oct 1810 – 22 Jul 1903): Abolitionist, Letter dated 1894
  38. H. Clopton (24 Aug 1847 – ? ): U.S. District Attorney (with Col. Slayback when he was shot in office of Post-Dispatch) Letter dated 18 Oct 1882
  39. Seth W. Cobb (5 Dec 1838 – 22 May 1909): U.S. Representative from Missouri Letter dated 16 Apr 1894
  40. Thomas W. Cobb (1784 – 01 Feb 1830): U.S. Representative (1817-1821 and 1823-1824) and Senator (1824-1828) from Georgia, Letter dated 12 Mar 1820
  41. Walter S. Cox (25 Oct 1862 – 25 Jun 1902): U.S. Federal Judge –Presided over Cha5rles Guiteau trial Letter dated 21 Apr 1881
  42. Uranus H Crosby (14 Jun 1805 – 26 Oct 1871):Coupon for Crosby opera house art assoc. Dated 1866
  43. Charles Curtis (25 Jan 1860 – 08 Feb 1936): Senate majority leader and 31st Vice President of the United States Letter dated 05 June
  44. Samuel Whittlesey Dana (13 Feb 1760 – 21 Jul 1830): Representative (1797-1810) and Senator (1810-1821) from Connecticut, Folder-no item
  45. William Henry Westray Darley (09 Sep 1801 – 31 Jul 1872): Composer, Letter dated 16 Oct 1857
  46. John Davenport (16 Jan 1752 – 28 Nov 1830): U.S. Representative from Connecticut (1799-1817), Letter dated 10 Feb 1808 
  47. F. De Sanpure (?): Writing about Senator Robert W. Barnwell Senator from South Carolina Letter dated 26 Jul 1852
  48. John D. Dickinson (28 Jun 1767 – 28 Jan 1841): U..S. Representative from New York (1819-1823 and 1827-1831) Letter dated 02 May 1831
  49. William Dickinson: Physician/Surgeon, Professor, Receipt with date 3 Feb 1888
  50. William Dickinson, Physician/Surgeon, Professor, Abstract of positions held dated 13 Jan 1894
  51. F. Dickman: Manager of Pope’s Theatre in St. Louis Letter dated 13 Jun 1894
  52. Paul Da Chaillu (31 Jul 1831? – 29 Apr 1903) : Zoologist and Anthropologist Letter dated 6 Mar 1901
  53. Cecile Eissrig: Actress, Signature- No date
  54. Cecile Eissrig: Actress, Letter dated 6 May 1893
  55. John Eubank: U. S. Patent office Letter dated 9 Nov 1850
  56. James Fairman (1826 – 12 Mar 1904: Painter, Letter dated 20 Nov 1899
  57. Hamilton Fish (3 Aug 1808 – 7 Sep 1893): American Politician, Governor of New York, U.S. Senator, Secretary of State Letter dated 10 Jun 1871
  58. Thomas B. Florence (26 Jan 1812 – 03 Jul 1875): U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania (1851-1861) Letter dated 20 Mar 1858
  59. John Forsyth Sr. (22 Oct 1780 – 21 Oct 1841) 13th U.S. Secretary of state, 33rd Governor of Georgia Letter dated 26 Mar 1838
  60. Ephraim Hubbard Foster (17 Sep 1794 – 06 Sep 1854) United States senator from Tennessee and member of Whig Party Letter dated 28 Jan 1839
  61. Myles Birket Foster (04 Feb 1825 – 27 Mar 1899): English watercolor artist, engraver and illustrator Letter dated 14 Apr 1892
  62. Richard Le Gallienne (20 Jan 1866 – 15 Sep 1947) : English author and poet. No date
  63. James Abram Garfield (19 Nov 1831 – 19 Sep 1881): 20th president of the United States Facsimile of letter dated 11 Aug 1881
  64. Mary Euphemia "Effie" Germon (13 Jun 1845 – 06 Mar 1914): Actress No Date
  65. Joseph Gist (12 Jan 1775 – 08 Mar 1836): U.S. Representative from South Carolina, Letter dated 14 Feb 1823
  66. John M Glover: Missouri Representative (either John Montgomery Glover or his nephew John Milton Glover - Both Missouri Representatives.), Envelope No date
  67. John M Glover: Missouri Representative (either John Montgomery Glover or his nephew John Milton Glover - Both Missouri Representatives.), Signature No date
  68. Andrew Robison Govan (13 Jan 1794 – 27 Jun 1841): U.S. Representative from South Carolina’s 4th district 1822-1827. Letter dated 10 Apr 1826
  69. Grandremy: Postcard from France in French Postcard dated 20 Mar 1902
  70. James Guthrie (05 Dec 1792 – 13 Mar 1869): United States Secretary of Treasury & President of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Letter dated 31 Jul 18??
  71. Edward Hagan (01 Feb 1846 – 20 Feb 1893): New York State Senator Letter dated 16 Sep 1862
  72. Edward Everett Hale (03 Apr 1822 – 10 Jun 1909) American author, historian and Unitarian minister Postcard dated 15 May 1893
  73. William John Hammond (1799 – 1848): Comedian and Manager Letter dated 19 June 1840
  74. Marcel Housteau: Letter dated 2 June 1890
  75. Thomas Wentworth Higginson (22 Dec 1823 – 9 May 1911): Minister, abolitionist, author, soldier Undated card
  76. Louis Baraguey d'Hilliers (13 Aug 1764 – 6 Jan 1813): French Army General during French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars Letter in French
  77. John Hogan (2 Jan 1805 – 5 Feb 1892):Missouri Congressman-Signature only No date
  78. John Holland (1805 – 1880): British artist, Letter dated 08 Nov 1838
  79. J Howbridge: Author, Letter dated 10 Jan 1893
  80. John J. Ingalls (1833 – 1900): Senator from Kansas Letter dated 05 Apr 1871?
  81. Charles Jared Ingersoll (1782 – 1862): American Politician/Lawyer Letter dated 07 Mar 1845
  82. Joseph Reed Ingersoll (1786 – 1868): American Politician Letter dated 29 Oct 1852
  83. George Inness (01 May 1825 – 03 Aug 1894): American Landscape Painter Letter dated 26 Nov 1869
  84. Francis Johnson (19 Jun 1776 – 16 May 1842): U.S. Representative from Kentucky (1812,1813,1815)
  85. General George Wallace Jones (12 Apr 1804 – 22 Jul 1896): Senator from Iowa, 1896, Letter dated 18 Sep 1894 Enclosures (obituary clipping)
  86. F. Jordan (1860-1910): Actor No date
  87. Preston King (14 Oct 1806 – 12 Nov 1865): U.S. Representative and Senator from New York Letter no date
  88. Philander C. Knox (06 May 1853 – 12 Oct 1921): Senator from Pennsylvania and 40th United States Secretary of State Letter dated 20 Jan 1914
  89. Charles Kunkel: Music Publisher and Publisher of Kunkel’s Musical Review Card dated 7 Aug 1891
  90. Lambelin: Jesuit Priest in St. Louis Signature, no date
  91. Robert Lansing (17 Oct 1864 – 30 Oct 1928): 42nd United States Secretary of State, Signature, no date
  92. Edwin Leigh (M.D.) (1815 – 1890): Author, Letter dated 16 Jul 1862
  93. Maurice Leloir (1 Nov 1853 – 7 Oct 1940): Artist and Writer, Letter dated 22 Feb 1886
  94. F. Lepere: Envelope dated 3 Jun 1891 addressed to Lepere
  95. William H Lepere: Letter dated 13 Jun 1894, to Lepere, not signed
  96. S. Lincoln & Son Coin Dealer in London Letter dated 02 Aug 1867
  97. S. Lincoln & Son Coin Dealer in London Letter dated 07 Jun 1863
  98. Lewis F. Linn (05 Nov 1796 – 3 Oct 1843): Senator from Missouri, (1827-1843) Letter dated 12 Mar 1840
  99. George McManus (23 Jan 1884 – 22 Oct 1954): American cartoonist Letter dated 1 Nov 1893
  100. Edwin Markham (23 Apr 1852 – 07 Mar 1940): Poet, Newspaper Clipping
  101. Edwin Markham (23 Apr 1852 – 07 Mar 1940): Poet, Letter dated 20 Jan 1901
  102. Marshall, Signature Feb 1862
  103. Louis McLane (1786-1857) American lawyer and Politician Letter dated 06 Sep 1837
  104. Joseph J Mickley (1799-1878): Father of American Numismatics-Coin Collector Letter dated 02 Apr 1862
  105. John Baptist Miège, S.J. (18 Sep 1815 – 21 Jul 1884): Jesuit Prelate and missionary to the United States Letter dated 12 Oct 1863
  106. U. Morrill: Letter dated 14 Jan 1863
  107. Napel: Lecturer, address 192 Madison Ave. New York Letter dated 24 Nov 1883
  108. Arnold Naudain (1790 – 1872): U.S. Senator from Delaware (1830-1836) Letter dated 04 Jul 1835
  109. John Nicholson: Located letters with same signature in James Madison Papers Letter dated 31 Mar 1792
  110. Alex Nisbes: To William B. Reed, Biographer and District Attorney of Philadelphia from 1851-1856 Letter from22 Feb 1841
  111. John W Norton: Opera manager, Letter dated 23 Jul 1892
  112. Joseph Nourse (1754 – 1841): Register of the Treasury Letter dated 26 Aug 1825
  113. Charles A. Oesue?: Letter dated 8 Feb 1892
  114. Francis Parkman (1823 – 1893): Historian-Author, Note dated 01 Jun 1893
  115. Leon Germain Pelouse (1838 – 1891): Painter, Letter dated 08 Apr
  116. Maxwell Phillips: Note dated 18 September
  117. Peter Stephen Du Ponceau (1760 –1844): American linguist, philosopher, jurist Letter dated 10 Mar 1800
  118. Rafailli: Letter dated Mar 1898
  119. George W. Reed (1831 – 21 Dec 1906) Union Soldier, Recipient of Medal of Honor Letter dated 14 Sep 1812
  120. Read: Son of George Read, Signer of the Declaration of Independence Letter dated Feb 1811
  121. Thomas Brackett Reed (1839 – 1902): U.S. Representative from Maine 1895-1899 Newspaper clipping and signed card 1895
  122. John Rhea (1753 – 27 May 1832): U.S. Representative from Tennessee Letter dated 5 Mar 1812
  123. Henry Mower Rice (29 Nov 1816 – 18 Jan 1894): Senator from Minnesota (1858-1863) Signature dated 1862
  124. John Roane: Letter dated 28 Mar 1828
  125. Major Isaac Roberden (11 Sep 1763 – 15 Jan 1829): Chief of Topographical Bureau (1818-1829) Letter dated 24 Sep 1821
  126. M Romero: Letter to William H. Lepere Letter dated 19 Jun
  127. M Romero: Letter dated 10 Apr 1893
  128. S. Rosecraus: Card dated 15 Apr 1864
  129. Russell Sage (4 Aug 1816 – 22 Jul 1906): American financier, railroad executive and Whig Politician from New York Envelope with news clippings and signature card 1892
  130. John Sartain (24 Oct 1808 – 25 Oct 1897): Artist who pioneered Mezzotint engraving Letter dated 3 Jul 1891
  131. James S Sherman (1855 – 1912) Vice President of U.S. (1909-1912) Letter dated 12 Mar 1909:
  132. Reverend Narayan Sheshadri, Note dated 21 May 1891
  133. Franz Sigel (1824 – 1902): Union General, Envelope dated 07 Mar 1895
  134. Beaumont Smith (15 Aug 1885 – 02 Jan 1950): Australian film director, producer and exhibitor Letter dated 10 May 1893
  135. Samuel Smith (27 Jul 1752 – 22 Apr 1839): U.S. Senator and Representative from Maryland Letter dated 1 Oct 1813
  136. William Beauman Smith: Ticket to McCulloush Dramatics Club 1886-1887 Season
  137. Joel Walker Sweeney (1810 – 29 Oct 1860) Musician and early black face minstrel performer No date
  138. William B. Swett (13 Aug 1824 – 25 Mar 1884): Founder of New England Industrial School for the Deaf-mutes Letter dated 21 Aug 1862
  139. Thomas, Letter dated 2 Jun
  140. Jeff Thompson (1826 – 1876): Commander of Cavalry in the Missouri state Militia, Card dated 3 Aug 1863
  141. Daniel D Tompkins (1774 – 1825): American Politician, Portrait print and letter dated 06 Aug 1844
  142. David Trimble (Jun 1782 – 20 Oct 1842): U.S. Representative from Kentucky 1817-1827 Letter dated 12 Feb 1827
  143. James Noble Tyner: Postmaster General, Postmaster Commission Certificate 1879
  144. Antony Vallon: French Landscape Painter, Letter in French dated 2 Mar 1890
  145. George Washington: Attorney at Law, Letter dated 9 Jan 1897
  146. F. Wayand, Department of State Letter dated 18 Oct 1855
  147. Alex P. Webb: U.S. Counsel to Philippines Letter dated 23 Jul 1888
  148. Mohammed Alexander Russell Webb: U.S. council who embraced Mohammed, News Clippings with signature
  149. Edward D. White (1845 – 1921): Chief Justice of U.S. Note dated 20 Jan 1914
  150. Hugh Lawson White (30 Oct 1773 – 10 Apr 1840): U.S. Senator (1825-1840) from Tennessee Letter dated 19 Dec 1836
  151. Mary E. Wilkins (Freeman) (1852 – 1930): Author, Letter dated 05 Nov 1900
  152. Lewis Williams (1782 – 1842) Representative (1815-1842) from North Carolina Letter dated 20 Mar 1820
  153. K. Wilson (1821 – 1891): American Politician Letter dated 23 Feb 1883
  154. Francis Wilson: Theatre Manager, Letter about opera dated 28 Feb 1898