Bob Burke Collection of Presidential and First Lady Signatures
MS931
/repositories/2/resources/2020
Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives
English
28.5
Linear Feet
14 oversized boxes
1760
2025
circa 1760-2025
Bob Burke is an attorney and author who lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Material types include signatures on paper, photographs, and envelopes, correspondence, land grants and other legal documents, receipts, tickets, and writing clippings. Presidential items are bound in an oversize three-ring scrapbook while First Lady items are in frames, with labels.
Burke, Bob, 1948-
Biographical and Historical Note
Bob Burke was born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, in 1948, and lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He holds bachelors from University of Oklahoma (1970) and a juris doctorate from Oklahoma City University (1976). In addition to being practicing lawyer working against workers' compensation alternatives known as "opt out" schemes, Burke has written, co-written, and edited many books on a number of topics; titles include
A History of First Assembly of God - Broken Bow, Oklahoma (1985), 3,500 Years of Burkes (1988), Courage Counts: The Life of Larry Derryberry (2003), and John Steinbeck Was Wrong about Oklahoma! (2008).Sources:
- Bob Burke Attorney, Author, Historian website. Available at
[http://www.bobburkelaw.net/home]
- Grabell, Michael. "Companies Can't Set Own Rules For Injured Workers, Okla. Court Says," National Public Radio, 2016 September 13. Available at
[https://www.npr.org/2016/09/13/493805684/oklahomas-top-court-says-companies-cant-set-own-rules-for-injured-workers]
Collection Overview
This collection contains sigantures and other handwriting from United States Presidents and their First Ladies, all women. Material types include signatures on paper, photographs, and envelopes, correspondence, land grants and other legal documents, receipts, tickets, and writing clippings. Presidential items are bound in an oversize three-ring scrapbook. First Lady items are in frames, with labels. Many items come with an image, art or photograph, of the person as well. All presidential items are in Box 14; John F. Kennedy's materials are at the end of the volume and folder 1 is located inside the scrapbook.
Arrangement
Both Series 1. First Ladies materials and Series 2. Presidents materials are arranged in order of their tenure in the presidency. One folder contains an assortment First Lady signatures, and is listed at the end of that series.
Preferred Citation
Bob Burke Collection of Presidential and First Lady Signatures (MS931), Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for use.
Conditions Governing Use
The nature of the WFU Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Archives and Special Collections of ZSR Library claims only physical ownership of most materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.Copyright for materials resides with the creators of the items in question or their descendants, unless otherwise designated. Users of this collection are responsible for using the materials in conformance with U.S. copyright law.
Presidents--Autographs
Presidents--United States
Presidents' spouses--Autographs
Presidents' spouses--United States
First Ladies materials/repositories/2/archival_objects/16695118092008circa 1809-2008Madison, Dolley, 1768-1849/repositories/2/archival_objects/166952undated1Scope and ContentsHandwritten addressed envelope to Richard Cutts, a U.S. Representative and Superintendent of General Military Supplies who was married to Dolley's sister Anna, from Orange Co., Virginia
Tyler, Julia Gardiner, 1820-1889/repositories/2/archival_objects/16695318891Scope and ContentsHandwritten and signed note
Polk, Sarah Childress, 1803-1891/repositories/2/archival_objects/166954undated2Scope and ContentsHandwritten and signed card
Grant, Julia Dent, 1826-1902/repositories/2/archival_objects/166955undated2Scope and ContentsHandwritten and signed card
Garfield, Lucretia Rudolph, 1832-1918/repositories/2/archival_objects/166956undated3Scope and ContentsEnvelope signature, undated
Cleveland, Rose Elizabeth, 1846-1918/repositories/2/archival_objects/166957undated3Scope and ContentsHandwritten and signed letter to Mrs. Lamb from Glengarry, Torrisdale, Philadelphia
Cleveland, Frances Folsom, 1864-1947/repositories/2/archival_objects/16695819134Scope and ContentsHandwritten and signed letter to John Robertson from Frances Cleveland Preston, Princeton, N.J.
Roosevelt, Edith Kermit Carow, 1861-1948/repositories/2/archival_objects/166959undated4Scope and ContentsSecond page of handwritten and signed thank you note
Taft, Helen Herron, 1861-1943/repositories/2/archival_objects/16696019091930circa 1909-19305Scope and ContentsHandwritten and signed letter of regret, April 26th, no year, from Wyoming Avenue, possibly Washington, D.C.
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961/repositories/2/archival_objects/166961undated5Scope and ContentsHandwritten and signed note
Harding, Florence Kling, 1860-1924/repositories/2/archival_objects/16696219246Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you note to Miss Alice Robertson, from Washington, D.C.
Coolidge, Grace Goodhue, 1879-1957/repositories/2/archival_objects/16696319296Scope and ContentsTyped and signed note with birthday wishes sent to H. M. Van Tine, White House Photographers Association, from Northampton, Mass.
Hoover, Lou Henry, 1874-1944/repositories/2/archival_objects/16696419291933circa 1929-19337Scope and ContentsHandwritten and signed thank you note from Washington, D.C., dated June 20, no year
Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962/repositories/2/archival_objects/16696519447Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you note to Mrs. Morgenthau from the White House
Truman, Bess Wallace/repositories/2/archival_objects/166966undated8Scope and ContentsHandwritten and signed thank you note, from Independence, Missouri
Eisenhower, Mamie Doud, 1896-1979/repositories/2/archival_objects/16696719568Scope and ContentsTyped and signed letter from the White House
Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy, 1929-1994/repositories/2/archival_objects/16696819619Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you note to Mrs. Young from the White House
Johnson, Lady Bird, 1912-2007/repositories/2/archival_objects/16696919649Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you note with personal message to Mrs. Lyle H. Boren from the White House
Nixon, Pat, 1912-1993/repositories/2/archival_objects/166970undated10Scope and ContentsHandwritten and signed page from letter
Ford, Betty, 1918-2011/repositories/2/archival_objects/166971198410Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you note to Don Gibson
Carter, Rosalynn/repositories/2/archival_objects/166972199811Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you note to Bob Burke
Reagan, Nancy, 1921-2016/repositories/2/archival_objects/166973197811Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you note to Schuyler E. Tallman
Bush, Barbara, 1925-2018/repositories/2/archival_objects/166974198412Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you note to Reverend and Mrs. Dancer from the Vice President's Residence
Clinton, Hillary Rodham/repositories/2/archival_objects/16697519932003circa 1993-200312Scope and ContentsSigned photograph
Bush, Laura Welch, 1946-/repositories/2/archival_objects/16697619902008circa 1990-200813Scope and ContentsSigned photograph
Obama, Michelle, 1964-/repositories/2/archival_objects/166977200813Scope and ContentsSigned photograph
Assorted First Lady signatures/repositories/2/archival_objects/17571819662017circa 1966-2017142Scope and ContentsContains materials from Roosevelt, Bush, Clinton, and Johnson
Presidents materials/repositories/2/archival_objects/16702217602020circa 1760-2020Washington, George, 1732-1799/repositories/2/archival_objects/166978undated14Scope and ContentsTwo language clippings from geographic survey documents
Adams, John, 1735-1826/repositories/2/archival_objects/166979undated14141Scope and ContentsSignature clipping
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826/repositories/2/archival_objects/1669801809, undated14Scope and ContentsA two-word phrase, "our minister," clipped from letter to lawyers from Monticello; reproduction of text, including clipped words
Madison, James, 1751-1836/repositories/2/archival_objects/166981181114141Scope and ContentsState of Maryland military pass for the Schooner Fly, Baltimore, by the President (10 x 16)
Monroe, James, 1758-1831/repositories/2/archival_objects/166982undated14Scope and ContentsSignature clipping
Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848/repositories/2/archival_objects/166983183214Scope and ContentsClipped language from a will; signature of Adams as executor
Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845/repositories/2/archival_objects/166984182914Scope and ContentsLand grant to James Burnside for military service, signed by Jackson (10 x 15)
Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862/repositories/2/archival_objects/166985183814Scope and ContentsLand grant to [unidentified first name] Fair Alcorn for military service, signed by Van Buren (10 x 15); Envelope addressed to Van Buren, clipping.
Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841/repositories/2/archival_objects/166986181414Scope and ContentsState of Ohio Hamilton County deed transfer (8 x 12)
Tyler, John, 1790-1862/repositories/2/archival_objects/166987185114Scope and ContentsSignature clipping from Charles City County, Virginia, legal document
Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849/repositories/2/archival_objects/16698818451849circa 1848-184914Scope and Contents"With the respects of the President, James K. Polk," note
Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850/repositories/2/archival_objects/166989undated14Scope and ContentsSignature clipping
Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874/repositories/2/archival_objects/166990185114Scope and ContentsLand grant for military service of James Patterson in War of 1812 (10 x 16)
Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869/repositories/2/archival_objects/1669911855, undated14Scope and ContentsTwo signature clippings
Buchanan, James, 1791-1868/repositories/2/archival_objects/166992undated14Scope and ContentsSignature clipping
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865/repositories/2/archival_objects/166993185414Scope and Contents3 clippings from an Illinois indenture; reproduction
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875/repositories/2/archival_objects/1669941866, 186714Scope and ContentsCaptaincy promotion signed by Johnson and Edgar Stanton, Secretary of War (16 x 19); appointing Mathias Marin as Captain of the Navy, retired
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885/repositories/2/archival_objects/166995undated14Scope and ContentsSignature clipping
Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893/repositories/2/archival_objects/166996undated14Scope and ContentsSignature clipping, undated
Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881/repositories/2/archival_objects/166997186614Scope and ContentsReceipt for $200, Washington, D.C.
Arthur, Chester Alan, 1829-1886/repositories/2/archival_objects/166998undated14Scope and ContentsSignature
Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908/repositories/2/archival_objects/166999188614Scope and ContentsLand grant certificate (10 x 16)
Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901/repositories/2/archival_objects/167000188814Scope and ContentsCheck from Fletcher's Bank made out to Charles R. Berry for $5
McKinley, William, 1843-1901/repositories/2/archival_objects/167001189614Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you note to Victor Viaux, Boston, from Canton, Ohio
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919/repositories/2/archival_objects/167002191314Scope and ContentsTyped and signed note to H. W. Wallace, National Progressive Party, from Office of Theodore Roosevelt, the Outlook, N.Y.
Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1915-2011/repositories/2/archival_objects/167003192314Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you note to H. P. Slater,
El Paso Herald editor, from the Supreme Court of the United StatesWilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924/repositories/2/archival_objects/167004undated14Scope and ContentsSignature; Marine appointment (15 x 19), undated; NY County Postmaster appointment (14 x 18), 1916; Marine appointment (15 x 19), undated
Harding, Warren G. (Warren Gamaliel), 1865-1923/repositories/2/archival_objects/167005189514Scope and ContentsProof of publication,
Macon StarCoolidge, Calvin, 1872-1933/repositories/2/archival_objects/167006193114Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you letter to Charles E. Tuttle, Vermont, from Northampton, Mass.
Hoover, Herbert C./repositories/2/archival_objects/1670071962, undated14Scope and ContentsSignature; typed and signed letter of regret to Professor Herman Harvey from the Waldord-Astoria Towers, N.Y.
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945/repositories/2/archival_objects/1670081931, undated14Scope and ContentsSignature; typed and signed letter to Bob Smith, Tennessee, from Warm Springs, Georgia, on New York State Governor letterhead
Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972/repositories/2/archival_objects/167009196214Scope and ContentsTyped, signed thank you letter to Mr. Alex Lee, photographer, from Independence, Missouri, envelope with signature
Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969/repositories/2/archival_objects/167010195714Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you letter to Percival F. Brundage, Bureau of Budget director, from the White House
Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963/repositories/2/archival_objects/167011196114Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you letter to Mrs. Smeltzer, from the U.S. Senate, loose, at end of book
Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973/repositories/2/archival_objects/167012undated196514141Scope and ContentsSigned photograph, "With Every Good Wish," for Mabel Wade (8 x 10). Signed inauguration envelope.
Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994/repositories/2/archival_objects/1670131971, undated14141Scope and ContentsTyped and signed thank you note to Lyle H. Boren; paper with handwriting, "Best wishes to Eileen Our new citizen! From Richard Nixon"
Ford, Gerald R., 1913-2006/repositories/2/archival_objects/1670141975, undated14Scope and ContentsSigned color photograph of Betty Ford and Gerald R. Ford (8 x 10); two signed color photographs of Gerald R. Ford (8 x 10); thank you note to Jim Vitti from the White House
Carter, Jimmy, 1924-/repositories/2/archival_objects/167015undated14141Scope and ContentsThree signed photographs, 2 color, 1 black and white (8 x 10); signed color photograph to Cody Burke; two signatures
Reagan, Ronald/repositories/2/archival_objects/1670161975, undated14Scope and ContentsSigned photograph to Ray Kester (8 x 10); signed cover of Annals of Iowa, Vol. 43, #3; Signed color inauguration photograph
Bush, George, 1924-2018/repositories/2/archival_objects/167017undated14141Scope and ContentsSigned color photograph (8 x 10); signed color photograph to Cody Burke
Clinton, Bill, 1946-/repositories/2/archival_objects/167018undated14141Scope and ContentsSigned color photograph of Bill Clinton (8 x 10); signed color photograph of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill Clinton (8 x 10)
Bush, George W. (George Walker), 1946-/repositories/2/archival_objects/1670192001, undated14141Scope and ContentsSigned color photograph with the Dalai Lama (10 X 8); signed inauguration ticket in the name of Dick Cheney; signed color photograph, to Gordon Michael (8 x 10); signed color photograph, to Cody Burke
Obama, Barack H. (Barack Hussein), 1936-1982/repositories/2/archival_objects/167020200814141Scope and ContentsSigned cover of
People magazine and signed photographTrump, Donald, 1946-/repositories/2/archival_objects/16702320152020circa 2015-2020141Scope and ContentsFive signed photographs
Biden, Joseph R., 1942-/repositories/2/archival_objects/206275undated141Scope and ContentsSigned photograph
Reagan, Ford, Carter, and Nixon group photograph/repositories/2/archival_objects/167021undated14Scope and ContentsGroup photograph (8 x 10), signed by each