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Profiles in History
   
Historical Document Auction 63
31. Bush, George H.W. Rare autograph letter signed (“George 
Bush”) as President, 2 pages (5 x 3.5 in.; 127 x 89 mm.), front 
and verso. [Washington], 10 April 1992. To Joseph Kingsbury-
Smith). On both sides of a Presidential correspondence card with 
Presidential seal in gilt and “The President” imprinted to the right. 
Fine condition.
The day a “New York Times” article calls the arrival in 
Washington of George W. Bush a symbol of the President’s 
alarm at the state of his campaign, President George H.W. 
Bush tells 84-year-old Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist 
Joseph Kingsbury-Smith he wishes “there were more people 
out there who had your values and decency in this rather ugly 
Presidential year…”
 
Bush writes in full: Dear Joe, That was a lovely lunch at Bartletts. Your 
kind note to me was correct about that. It was a great pleasure being with 
you. In this rather ugly Presidential year I wish there were more people out 
there who had your values and decency. With Respect, George Bush. 
In an unusually long press conference held the day he wrote this 
letter, President Bush took issue with an article in that day’s “New 
York Times” which quoted an unnamed Republican strategist as 
saying “George Jr. has been talking to a lot of Republicans around 
the country and picking up alarm. He’s also been saying his dad 
complains that the speeches are not too good and wants to know 
why can’t he have initiatives to present to the public.” The article 
went on to say that “his son’s arrival [in Washington]...was a symbol 
of the President’s alarm at the state of his campaign.” At the hour-
long press conference in the White House Rose Garden, President 
Bush acknowledged that his son was in town but insisted that the 
“Times” story “simply is not true. If I were dissatisfied you’d know 
about it loud and clear...” Hence the President’s comment in this letter 
about it being a “rather ugly Presidential year.” In the November 
election, Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton defeated President Bush 
and businessman Ross Perot, running as an independent.  Journalist 
Joseph Kingsbury-Smith (1908-1999), a national editor and chief 
foreign writer for Hearst Newspapers, won the 1956 Pulitzer Prize 
for Distinguished Reporting of International Affairs as a member 
of a three-man team that included William Randolph Hearst, Jr. 
and Frank Connif and which had conducted a series of interviews 
in 1955 with Nikita Khrushchev and other top Soviet leaders. 
Handwritten letters of President Bush on his “President” cards are 
rare and desirable. $1,000 - $1,500
32. [Byrd, Richard E.]. Studio Key Book Photograph Album 
from the adventure documentary With Byrd at the South Pole 
(Paramount, 1930). Bound by Paramount Studios in a gray linen 
album, (180+) (10 x 7.75 in.; 254 x 197 mm.) black & white still 
photographs taken during Byrd’s expedition to the South Pole. 
Each photograph has been linen backed to protect and secure the 
photographs in the album, which is imprinted in black lettering 
with the production number and title on the spine, “1420 With 
Byrd At The South Pole”.  Some of the photographs exhibit mild 
toning; overall, in fine condition. An extraordinary assemblage of 
photographs of the famed explorer and his team adventuring in 
the harsh environment.  $800 - $1,200

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310-859-7701
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age
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Truman Capote signed Breakfast  at Tiffany’s TV  pilot 
agreement.
33.  Capote, Truman. Document signed (“Truman Capote”), 2 
pages (8.5 x 11 in.; 216 x 279 mm.), being an agreement on 
Paramount letterhead, 22 March 1977, relating to compensation 
for legendary agent Irving “Swifty” Lazar to serve as Executive 
Producer on a TV pilot based on Capote’s novel, Breakfast at 
Tiffany’s. Signed by the author on the second page in blue 
ballpoint,  “Deal approved as above: Truman Capote.” To the right, 
Lazar has cosigned the agreement, “Irving Paul Lazar”. Stated 
pilot was never picked up by a network. Excellent association 
with Capote and his classic novel. Mild toning and wear, and 
staple holes to the upper left corners. $600 - $800
34. Carter, Rubin “Hurricane”. Boxing license application 
signed (“Rubin Carter”), 2 pages (approx. 5 in. x 3 in.; 127 x 76 
mm.), being the front and back of blue card stock, 26 October 1962, 
with a black and white headshot of Carter stapled to the upper 
right corner. Listing his address in Paterson, New Jersey, Carter has 
written out the necessary information in the blanks, including the 
name of his manager (“Carmen Tedeschi”), and the response (“No”) 
when asked if he had “been convicted of a crime since last license”. 
Signed at the lower right corner, “Rubin Carter”, in bold blue ink. 
Two original binder holes at the head and one vertical crease down 
the center; overall, in good condition. 
Rubin “Hurricane” Carter’s 1962 Boxing License 
Application.
This boxing license application is dated just two months before his 
first notable victory, a decision against perennial contender Holley 
Mims on 22 December 1962. The following year he fought six 
times and won four, crowned by a thrilling win against past and 
future world champion Emile Griffith. Carter’s style and punching 
power (which resulted in many early-round knockouts) drew 
attention, establishing him as a crowd favorite and earning him 
the nickname “Hurricane”. However, he is probably better known 
for his controversial convictions (in 1967 and 1976) for three 
June 1966 murders in Paterson, New Jersey, and his subsequent 
release from prison in 1985. His life story of false incarceration 
and racial injustice was portrayed on the silver screen in the 1999 
film starring Denzel Washington, Hurricane, based on Carter’s 1974 
autobiography. Signed material dating from his early boxing career 
is quite rare. This boxing application, dating from the second year of 
his professional career (and after his first stint in prison), is especially 
desirable. $800 - $1,200

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