Joe Rubinfine Offers Signed Documents from America's Greatest Leaders

Here is an item that pertains to the family of two of America's most notable presidents, Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt. The two were related, though not closely. They were fifth cousins. However, Franklin's wife, Eleanor, was Eleanor Roosevelt both before and after her marriage, being Theodore Roosevelt's niece. This wasn't the only case of marriage between the two branches of the Roosevelt family. In 1904, Franklin's niece, Helen Roosevelt, married Theodore Douglas Robinson, Theodore Roosevelt's nephew. Item 41 is a the signature wedding album from their marriage, with Helen Roosevelt Robinson's gilt initials. The signatures within are a who's who of the Roosevelt family. At the top are the signatures of then President Theodore Roosevelt and his wife Edith. Farther down are the signatures of future President Franklin Roosevelt, an unknown man of 22 at the time, and Eleanor Roosevelt, that “Roosevelt” being her maiden name, as she was engaged, but not yet married to Frranklin. Other Roosevelts present included Franklin's mother Sara Delano Roosevelt, Theodore's notable daughter Alice Roosevelt, and Corrine Roosevelt Robinson, Theodore's sister and mother of the bride. Interestingly, this same album would be taken out 29 years later (1933) when the Robinsons' daughter Alida married Kenneth S. Walker. This time, it is President Franklin and his wife Eleanor who topped the guest list. Once again, Franklin's mother Sara Delano Roosevelt, now 79, attended. Theodore Roosevelt was no longer living, but his son Kermit dropped by. The bride's mother and Theodore's sister was also there, along with the noted political commentator Stuart Alsop, who was Theodore's great-nephew. $7,500.

Here is one more Roosevelt family item. It is a photograph of Franklin inscribed in 1932 while he was still Governor of New York “To my nieces Amy, Diana & Jean from their affectionate uncle Franklin D. Roosevelt.” These nieces were more closely related to Eleanor and Theodore than to Franklin, being the daughters of Eleanor's brother Hall Roosevelt. Item 37. $1,500.

Item 42 is the University of Pennsylvania diploma for a relative of another famous American Franklin, this time Benjamin Franklin. Richard Bache Jr. was the son of Franklin's only daughter. After his graduation in 1810, Bache served in the War of 1812 and as Postmaster of Philadelphia. His wife was the sister of Vice-President George Dallas (under James K. Polk) and they had nine children. However, in 1832, Bache abandoned his family and moved to Texas, where he held various positions for the remainder of his life. He served on the Texas Annexation Commission but voted against joining the U.S., reputedly because he didn't want Texas under the domain of his estranged brother-in-law, Vice-President at that time. Among those who signed the diploma was Professor Benjamin Rush, better known for signing the Declaration of Independence. $6,500.

Joe Rubinfine may be reached at 321-455-1666 or Joerubinfine@mindspring.com.