James Buchanan wanted for years to be President. As early as 1844, he was a serious contender. He finally achieved his ambition in 1856, only to ineptly preside over a nation falling apart at the seams, with the South finally seceding during the waning days of his administration. In 1847, he wrote this letter to George Guier, a Philadelphia Democrat who was evidently not a Buchanan supporter. Buchanan, in typical political fashion, pretends he is more interested in the Democratic Party than his own ambitions, and while acknowledging the two haven't been close, attempts to at least neutralize Guier's opposition if not make him a supporter. Writes Buchanan, "I have no ambitious aspirations beyond that of a desire to obtain & preserve the good opinion of my fellow citizens.' Yes, that and be elected President. Item 19. $4,600.

Buchanan failed to win the nomination that year, but it was just as well because the Democratic nominee, Lewis Cass, lost to Whig candidate Zachary Taylor. Taylor ran a candidacy not merely short on specifics, but totally absent of them. Taylor was a war hero, but with the end of the Mexican War, which had helped unify the nation, the disposition of the newly acquired territory, whether it be free or slave, was starting to tear the nation apart. So Taylor ran on his personal popularity, saying little but platitudes. Cass ran on a popular sovereignty platform - let the new territories decide whether to have slavery. This was a more pro-South position as heretofore these areas were off limits to slavery. Taylor said nothing, which appealed more to the North, while his being a southern slaveholder himself, appealed to the South. Writes the vague Taylor in this 1848 letter, "...if I can be instrumental in moderating to some extent the bitterness of party and political asperity, I should consider myself more than fortunate." Taylor did, and won, and then incensed many of his southern compatriots by trying to push the newly acquired territories to statehood while they were free. However, he died a year into office before accomplishing his goals, allowing for weaker leaders than he to try, unsuccessfully, to compromise their way into a resolution. Item 20. $7,500.

You may reach The Raab Collection at 800-977-8333. Their website is www.raabcollection.com.