The inventor of what is commonly known as rubber signed this check dated just weeks before his death Check Signed: "Chas. Goodyear" on a 2¼x6¼ check. Drawn from the Bank of the Metropolis in Washington D.C. for $200.00. Entire check visible. Included in the frame is a plaque and a black and white image of Goodyear, 6x8 visible. Total size 23¼x18. Charles Goodyear (1800-1860) received patent number 3633 from the U.S. Patent Office in 1844 for vulcanized rubber, a material that is waterproof, yet flexible. For this innovation, Goodyear was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1976. Each of us uses rubber in hundreds of ways every day. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was named after him nearly 40 years after his death. Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 23¼x18.

TLS: "R.J. Gatling", 1p, 8½x11½. Hartford, Conn., 1885 April 14. As President, on stationery of The Gatling Gun Company. To Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company, Hartford. In full: "The Chief of Ordnance, State of New York, advises us that he has sent two Gatling Guns here for repairs, and that if anything is needed in the way of appendages or spare parts, that he be furnished with a list of the same, before he gives the order for them. As soon as the guns are received, please put them in good working order, and furnish us with a list of the articles required as above." Exactly 20 years before this letter was written, John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln with a Derringer pistol. Twelve days later, U.S. Cavalry Sgt. Boston Corbett shot Booth with a Colt revolver. By the 1850s, Richard J. Gatling (1818-1903) had become wealthy from agricultural inventions such as machines for sowing rice and wheat. He is best known for inventing the rapid-fire Gatling gun, the first practical machine gun, patented in 1862, the year The Gatling Gun Company was founded in Indianapolis.

Stock certificate signed by company founder Rockefeller, not long after the oil giant became a trust. Stock Certificate signed: "J.D. Rockefeller" as President, "H M Flagler" as Secretary and "J A Bostwick" as Treasurer of the Standard Oil Trust, 1p, 11½x7¼ with 4¼x7¼ receipt portion attached at left. New York, 1883 October 13. Certifying that "Frank Edward Bliss is entitled to Fifty Shares in the equity to the property held by the Trustees of the Standard Oil Trust...." Each share was valued at $100. On verso, this certificate was transferred on June 25, 1891 by "Frank Edward Bliss/per Elijah Bliss Atty". Witnessed: "George R. Blair". The Standard Oil Trust, created in January 1882, placed all stocks and properties of over a dozen oil companies (including JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER's Standard Oil Company of Ohio) into a trust, of which Rockefeller owned over a third of the combined holdings, under the control of nine trustees. The trust was dissolved by court decree in 1892.

Very rare stock certificate for 1000 Shares of the Common Capital Stock of One Hundred Dollars each of the P. Lorillard Company, signed by Duke as President of Southern Investment Co., of Canada Stock Certificate signed: "JB Duke" as President of Southern Investment Co., of Canada, Limited on verso, 1p, 12x7¾. New York, 1913 May 6. Certificate 2881, certifying "that Southern Investment Co., of Canada, Limited is the owner of One thousand Shares of the Common Capital Stock of One Hundred Dollars each of P. Lorillard Company...." Also signed by the Treasurer and Vice President of P. Lorillard Company. THE P. LORILLARD COMPANY, founded by Pierre Lorillard in New York in 1760 to process tobacco, cigars and snuff, is today the oldest tobacco company in the U.S. In 1890, JAMES BUCHANAN DUKE founded the American Tobacco Company, which controlled 150 factories with a capitalization of $502 million at the time it was dissolved by order of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1911. Duke also had a number of hydroelectric power interests. In 1916, the Southern Investment Co. of Canada was assigned to Duke's Orlando Water Power Corp. Duke's wealth enabled him to endow a number of educational institutions, including Trinity College (now Duke University).

The businessman signed this letter that's beautifully framed with an image of him! Typed Letter Signed: "F. O. Stanley" on an 8½x11 sheet of paper (8¼x10 visible). One page. Dated October 9, 1911. Message in Part: "I am enclosing checks amounting to $3000. In reference to lease of the State land you mention, I have no objection to having it transferred to you, provided it is agreeable to Mr. Young, and I am writing him in reference to the same". Freelan O. Stanley (1849-1940) and his brother Francis E. Stanley became businessmen who developed the Stanley Motor Carriage Company, eventually building the Stanley Steamer. Their steam-powered automobiles grew extremely popular, although it was eventually superseded by the Model T. Steam engine vehicles gradually became obsolete technologically. After Stanley was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of tuberculosis in 1903, Stanley resolved to get some fresh air. Until his death in 1940, Stanley for the most part resided in Estes Park, Colorado. Through his investment in the fledgling town, Estes Park grew significantly.

This extraordinary letter was handwritten, signed and dated by Barnum. It's written on unique letterhead that incorporates a flyer from his Gallery of American Beauty and talks about his financial woes and about Charles Stratton - better known as General Tom Thumb, one of Barnum's biggest attractions. Autograph letter signed "P.T. Barnum". 1 page, Barnum's American Museum, New York, February 28, 1856. To Messrs H.B. Curtis & Scribner. The letterhead that this was written on is unusual and increases this piece's interest. It was written on letterhead from Barnum's American Museum, New York. The right side, which is overall 4¾ x 7½ has a 3½ x 7½ blank area for writing and a left margin promoting Barnum's subsidiary enterprises. The integral leaf at left is a handbill promoting Barnum's "The Gallery of American Beauty,/One Hundred Premiums presented to the Handsomest Women In America!" In full: "As I am in debt to you for professional services I send you by Express my account books which I assign to you. I trust in the course of time you will be able to collect something handsome & if you do not obtain sufficient to pay what I owe you, I still hope to be able to pay the balance.…"

Stock certificate, bearing Buick's signature, that was issued for one of his few later enterprises connected with the automobile industry. Stock Certificate signed: "D.D. Buick" as President and "F.O. Patterson" as Secretary of the David Buick Carburetor Corporation, 1p, 10¾ x 8¼. No place, 1921 August 20. Certifying that F.U. Wells "is the owner of one hundred Shares of Ten Dollars each of the Capital Stock of the David Buick Carburetor Corporation…." The corporation issued capital stock of $3 million, and the embossed corporate stamp indicates the company was formed in 1919. Buick (1855-1929) formed Buick Co in 1902 and invented the valve-in-head engine. He built his first car in 1903. Printed yellow seal at lower left. By 1927 Buick, poverty-stricken and in ill health, returned to Detroit, where he took a position as an instructor at a trade school. That year, a million cars bore his name on their radiators, but Buick died a virtual unknown in 1929. Buick is one of the scarcest of all automotive signatures. Slight yellowing in areas, vertical fold runs between "D.D", nicked at bottom edge just at start of fold, otherwise fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 18 x 24½.

Extraordinary photograph capturing the two innovators together. Rare Photograph signed: "Henry Ford" and "Harry Ferguson". Sepia, 13¾ x 11 overall, image 11 x 8 (one surface). HARRY FERGUSON, a manufacturer of tractors in England and Ireland, developed the Ferguson tractor, a scale model of which is shown on the table in this photograph. His system of tractor-implement integration utilized a hitch, the linkages, and controls of which made the tractor and implement work as a single unit operated almost entirely from the seat of the tractor. Seeking an American market for his product, Ferguson entered into an agreement with HENRY FORD and the Ford Motor Company. Ford, who had formed Ford Motor Company in 1903 and was noted for introducing the successful assembly-line method of production, was to manufacture and market the Ferguson tractor in the U.S. The company commenced making the tractors in 1938, but the agreement was terminated after WWII. Ferguson then began manufacturing his own equipment in Great Britain and the U.S. Portions of 3 middle letters of Ferguson's signature on dark portion (adequate contrast). Minor surface blemishes at blank margins. Fine condition. Frame has minor surface ships and wearing at corners.

The professional racecar driver who co-founded Chevrolet signed this beautifully framed typed letter. Typed Letter Signed: "Louis Chevrolet" in black ink. 8x10 ½ visible of an 8½x11 sheet. One page. Framed with two descriptive plaques and an image of Chevrolet. Dated October 9, 1931. Letterhead from the Glenn L. Martin Motors Company. Letter in part: "I suppose you are wondering what is becoming of us, and our reduction gears drive motor…This summer we made two different reduction gears, which we tried, but they didn't prove successful, as we couldn't mount them securely enough on the nose of our present crankcase. This forced us to redesign the reduction gear for incorporation on a special crankcase, layout of which is now being completed. If nothing unforeseen happens I expect to have a motor with a new reduction gear running before long". Louis Chevrolet (1878-1941) was born in Switzerland, but moved to France as a boy and then Canada and the United States as a young man. He co-founded the Chevrolet Motor Car Company on November 3, 1911, in Detroit, Michigan. After leaving Chevy in 1916, he co-founded a company named Frontenac Motor Corporation with his two brothers.

Typed DS: "Thos A Edison" as Director, 1¼p, front and verso, 8x11. West Orange, N.J., 1925 June 11. Countersigned: "Charles Edison" as Chairman, "Fred W. Roh" as Assistant Secretary (initialed "HE" by Howard Eckert, Secretary) and "H.F. Miller", "J.V. Miller" and "Henry Lanahan" as Directors. "Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of Directors of/the Edison Storage Battery Company". Two resolutions were passed, one concerning the leasing of a portion of the second floor at 702 Beacon Street, Boston for three years at $170 per month, the other relating to tax audits and Internal Revenue Laws. The Edison Storage Battery Company was organized in New Jersey on May 27, 1901 to develop, manufacture and sell Edison's alkaline storage batteries. It produced batteries for mining lamps, train lighting and signaling, submarines, electric vehicles and other uses. The company had its own research department and sales force, but it also sold batteries through separate sales companies, including the Edison Storage Battery Supply Company and Miller Reese Hutchison, Inc. Thomas A. Edison, Inc. was incorporated on January 27, 1896 as the National Phonograph Company, then reorganized and newly incorporated as Thomas A. Edison, Inc.

The famous lock inventory writes a letter to his wife, complete with printed drawings of some of his locks. Autograph Letter signed: "Linus," (and "Linus Yale Jr." on verso) 1¼ p, 3½ x 8. Johnson's Hotel, 1856 January 9. The inventor of the cylinder lock and combination lock writes to his wife, Kate. In full: "Here I am at Johnson's Hotel 9 o'clock Wednesday evening. Got along tolerably well on the only train through from Philad. Left at 2 P.M.- Found the MS. and brot (sic) it on asked John to send the note which accompanies it out to you. Did you get it? What do you think of the modification? Don't it show the way the wind blows? I think it is clear he thinks well of it or is at least anxious it should not come to N. York but I shall take it up to the Founders and try. I had much rather they would publish it. I am sorry we can not push it although it will by management go without. Got orders from Hull & Dodds for two more locks. Oseur is not in yet so don't know what is the news. My appointment with the Bank of Commerce is for tomorrow. Hope to succeed. Morris thinks it's a good idea to keep Remington in the business. Love to Children and much love to you always.…"

T. BOONE PICKENS, SAM WALTON, ARMAND HAMMER and DONALD TRUMP A First Day Cover honoring businessman Andrew W. Mellon, signed by four of the most prominent businessmen of America. First Day Cover signed: "Boone Pickens", "Sam M Walton", "Armand Hammer" and "Best Wishes/Donald Trump", 6¼x3½. FDC honoring Andrew W. Mellon, 3-cent stamp affixed, postmarked Washington, D.C., December 20, 1955, FIRST DAY OF ISSUE. SAM WALTON (1918-1992), founder and Chairman of the Wal-Mart discount department store chain, expanded his empire to more than 1,500 stores. ARMAND HAMMER (1898-1990), the Chairman of Occidental Petroleum for more than 30 years, was also successful in enterprises ranging from pencil factories to cattle. T. BOONE PICKENS (b. 1928) established Mesa Petroleum, the largest independent oil company, with an initial investment of just $2,500. The empire of real estate mogul DONALD TRUMP (b. 1946) includes Trump Tower and Trump Plaza in New York City and the Taj Mahal Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 21¼x17.