Documents & Manuscripts
The Documents and Manuscripts collection brings together some of the most important written records of American history to pass through private hands. Gary Hendershott has handled presidential autographs from every era of American governance, Civil War correspondence from generals and common soldiers alike, military commission documents bearing the signatures of presidents and secretaries of war, and historical land grants that trace the physical expansion of the Republic.
Gary's expertise in historical documents is grounded in decades of authentication, research, and placement. He works with master framer Ken Laurence on archival preservation and museum-quality presentation of rare documents, ensuring that each piece is protected and displayed to the highest conservation standards. His ability to verify provenance, identify forgeries, and contextualize documents within the broader historical record has made him a trusted resource for collectors, scholars, and institutions worldwide.
The collection includes Confederate officer correspondence, Brock documentation relating to Tecumseh, original period tintypes and photographs including the famous Custer and Libbie tintype, and written records that illuminate the private dimensions of public history. From Washington-era documents to World War II correspondence, these papers preserve the written word as a primary witness to the events that shaped the nation.
Presidential Autographs
Signed documents, letters, and manuscripts from American presidents spanning the founding era through the modern age. Gary has handled autographs from Washington through Lincoln and beyond, each authenticated to the highest standard and preserved in archival framing by master conservator Ken Laurence.
Civil War Correspondence
Letters written from the front lines, officer dispatches, and personal correspondence that reveal the human dimension of America's bloodiest conflict. This includes Confederate general officer correspondence, dispatches from the campaigns of JEB Stuart and Stonewall Jackson, and letters from common soldiers that bring the cost of war into intimate focus.
Military Commission Documents
Original officer commissions bearing the signatures of presidents and secretaries of war, the formal instruments that conferred command authority upon the men who led armies. These documents span from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War and are among the most important written records of American military history.
Historical Land Grants & Treaties
Signed land grants, territorial documents, and treaty papers that trace the physical expansion of the nation. These bear the signatures of presidents who shaped America's geography and include documents relating to Native American relations and frontier settlement.
Period Photographs & Tintypes
Original albumen prints, ambrotypes, and tintypes capturing the faces and moments of American history. Highlights include the famous tintype of General Custer and wife Libbie, Bill Anderson of Quantrill's Raiders half-plate tintype (1864), and Civil War officer portraits that put human faces on the written historical record.
Archival Framing & Preservation
All documents are preserved to museum-quality standards through Gary's partnership with master framer Ken Laurence, whose archival framing techniques protect these irreplaceable papers for future generations while presenting them with the dignity their historical importance demands.
Related Collections
Presidential
Museum-quality presidential memorabilia and artifacts of national significance.
Civil War
Confederate and Union artifacts of the highest order.
Museums & Institutional
Material placed with leading museums and cultural institutions worldwide.
Interested in Historical Documents?
Gary Hendershott is a recognized authority on American historical documents and manuscripts. Whether you seek a presidential autograph, military correspondence, or wish to authenticate a document in your possession, a private inquiry is always welcome.
Request a Private Inquiry