Calvin Coolidge Thanking Hudson Maxim for Book, Most Likely Inventor's Bio In Which Coolidge is Praised

A 1p typed letter signed by 30th U.S. President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) as "Calvin Coolidge" at lower right. The sizeable signature measures approximately 3.25" x 1.875" alone. December 15, 1924. [Washington, D.C.] On a leaf of watermarked stationery with "The White House / Washington" embossed at the letterhead. Expected wear including flattened paper folds and a minor stain touching the top edge, else near fine. 7" x 8.875."

President Coolidge thanked chemist and inventor Hudson Maxim (1853-1927) for the "book which came with your compliments. It was good of you to remember me in this way and I shall be very glad to add this volume to my library…"

The book that Maxim sent Coolidge [not included in this lot] was likely a first edition copy of Maxim's biography as reported by Clifton Johnson, "Hudson Maxim: Reminiscences and Comments" (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1924). This book provided a biographical overview of Maxim's life, from his childhood to the present, and was interspersed with Maxim's opinions and observations of the world, political and otherwise.

Coolidge's predecessor, 29th U.S. President Warren G. Harding, had died suddenly in August 1923, and Clifton Johnson recorded Maxim's remarks about the two men and the political transition. While Maxim conceded that Harding was "Websterian…almost a great man," ultimately, being too much of a "mother's boy," Harding lacked sufficient "blood and thunder" to be a superlative leader. Coolidge, on the other hand, inspired Maxim's confidence. "I expect Coolidge to prove better fitted for the office of president than Harding has been, because I think he has backbone. A man may have brains and many admirable traits, but unless he's got backbone too, he doesn't accomplish things. In times of stress he wilts just like a cut blade of grass in the sun…" ["Hudson Maxim: Reminiscences and Comments" (1924), p. 250.]

Hudson Maxim patented smokeless gunpowder in the United States in 1890. Smokeless gunpowder was a chemical propellant which emitted less particulate matter, smoke, and odor after a firearm or artillery explosion than the traditional "black powder" or gunpowder. He was the younger brother of machine gun inventor Hiram Maxim, and the uncle of Hudson Percy Maxim, who developed a weapon silencer.

Calvin Coolidge served as president between August 1923 and March 1929.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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