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.

Frederick Samuel Duesenberg wrote this letter on Duesenberg Motor Company letterhead in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1916. In it, he talks about his family and the engines he was building, including one for Barney Oldfield, the first man to drive a mile a minute in 1903. ALS: "F. S. D & family" in pencil, 2p, 8¼x10¾, front and verso. St. Paul, Minnesota, 1916 February 5. On letterhead of Duesenberg Motor Company to "Dear George Mrs B. & Mary", the Bird family of San Diego, California. In full, with original spelling and grammar: "Your most welcome letter rec'd several weeks ago and it found me in bed but was about over my pneumonia got out of bed three weeks ago and was out for two weeks & then had a touch of rhuematism & went back to bed for a week & this is my first day up. I havent been out of doors since the middle of Dec. We were sure pleased to get your letter I have spoken of you people so often that Mrs D feels she knows you quite well. We did think of coming out west this winter and should have done so but for the fact that we are so busy getting out motors for various purposes. We are building one for Barney Oldfield at Los Angeles. We are building some motors for the Navy Sea planes for the U.S.…"

George Eastman responds to a Charles Edison regarding music selections Typed Letter Signed: "Geo Eastman" as Chairman of the Board of Eastman Kodak Company, ¾p, 8x7¼. Rochester, New York, 1929 February 5. On letterhead of Eastman Kodak Company to Charles Edison, son of Thomas A. Edison. In full: "I return herewith the lists of musical compositions which were enclosed in your letter of February 2nd, having marked eight of them as requested: Ave Maria (Schubert), Evening Star from Tannhauser, Largo-Xerxes (Handel), Londonderry Air, Marche Militaire (Schubert), Meistersinger - 'Prize Song' (Wagner), The Swan (Saint-Saens), Traume (Wagner). The compliment implied in your request is greatly appreciated." At the time of this letter, THOMAS ALVA EDISON (1847-1931) was continuing to perfect his favorite invention, the phonograph (he had first recorded sound in 1877, but put his invention aside the following year to work on the incandescent light), and was manufacturing and marketing a new line of radios. In the summer of 1929, he would also offer lateral cut records and accompanying players, but the company would cease recording operations in October 1929. Thomas' son, CHARLES EDISON (1890-1969), who was then Chairman of the Board of Thomas A. Edison, Inc.

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.

The founder of the Chrysler car manufacturer signed this printed pencil sketch in ink on January 27, 1934 Printed Art Signed in Ink: "W. P. Chrysler 1/27/34". Original pencil sketch was drawn by M. H. Herrin; this is a printed copy of that sketch. Sketch is 5¼x8¼ on a sheet, 7¾x10½ of which is visible. Features plaque. Walter P. Chrysler Sr. (1875-1940) began his professional career with an apprenticeship as a railroad mechanic. He got his start in the automotive industry in 1911 with Buick in Flint, Michigan. By the end of the decade he was one of the wealthiest men in the United States due to his skills at mechanical engineering and cutting costs. After gaining control of the Maxwell Motor Company, he formed Chrysler Corporation in 1925 and later bought Dodge. He built New York City's Chrysler Building in 1960. Frame lightly chipped in one spot towards bottom left corner. Image lightly toned. Otherwise, fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 19x29.

Hughes loans actor Louis Wolheim to Samuel Goldwyn for The Awakening. Document signed: "Howard Hughes", 3p, 8½x12½. Los Angeles, California, 1928 April 28. Hughes' Caddo Company loans actor Louis Wolheim to Samuel Goldwyn Inc. to appear in a film titled The Innocent. (The film was released later that year by United Artists as The Awakening.) Signed on p3. Also signed by a representative of Samuel Goldwyn Inc. (name illegible). Some dates added in ink (unknown hand). Accompanied by typed letter signed "Jos. W. Engel" on letterhead The Caddo Company, dated 1928 May 12, delaying by one day the period of Wolheim's loan-out so that he can spend an extra day filming The Racket. Larger than life HOWARD HUGHES (1905-1976), movie mogul, aircraft designer and builder, political intrigue, and the world's richest man at the time of his death, dashing lothario turned ultra-eccentric recluse, continues to fascinate, as evidenced by a recent film biography (The Aviator, 2004), and even a film about a fake biography (The Hoax, 2007). JOSEPH W. ENGEL (1883-1939), a movie executive, was production manager on Hughes's air combat extravaganza, Hell's Angels (1930). He went on to produce many films for Fox, mostly Westerns, in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

The artist and inventor signs this letter recommending that Congress purchase letters of General Henry Knox owned by a lady and wishing the courts would effectively put an end to the pirating of his telegraph invention. ALS: "Saml. F.B. Morse", 2p, 7¾x10. Po'keepsie, N.Y., 1849 July 23. To C.S. Daveis, Esq., Portland, Me. Daveis (1788-1865) was a prominent Maine attorney. In full: "Yours of the 17th inst I received on Saturday evening & this morning I called on Mrs Beekman and read her your letter. She feels that she has (as she undoubtedly has) a valuable deposit of papers, which ought to belong to the State or the United States Government. She is well disposed towards accommodating you with the sight and use of the letters of Gen. Knox. She says that the papers are contained in several boxes, and the search will be attended with some labor but that she will select out those of Gen. Knox and lay them by themselves. That she should be desirous of reaping pecuniary benefit from papers possessing so much value to the state, is both natural and proper, and she felt gratefully that part of your letter which promised her you did. Why cannot something be done at the next session of Congress for their purpose? Should you be in Washington, please think of it.…"

. The company issues an early stock certificate signed by the company co-founders. Stock Certificate signed: "Henry Wells" as President, "Wm G. Fargo" as Secretary and "Alex Holland" as Treasurer of the American Express Company, and "Wm R. Osborn". one page partially printed front and verso, 10¼ x 6½, April 20, 1857. The American Express Company was formed in 1850 with the merger of three competing companies engaged in the transportation of goods and valuables between the East and the new banking and express demands brought on by the gold rush of the West. Included in the merger was one company each headed by Henry Wells and William Fargo. This unincorporated group of investors started the company with a company has since had a long history of mergers and acquisitions. This stock certificate, number 2020, issued 10 shares of a capital stock of 7,500 shares to William R. Osborn, with a value of $100 per share. The certificate features an engraved vignette of a train and steamboat, which salutes transportation. It was published by Baker and Duyckinck of New York. Osborn signs on verso indicating his receipt of the stock: "Wm R. Osborn." In black ink. Fine condition. Minor chip at lower front area of framing.

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.

The framed race car engineer signs a biographical page from a pamphlet. Pamphlet signed: "Ferrari", 8 x 11¼. Enzo Ferrari (1898-1988), whose name is synonymous with quality engineering, began his racing career in 1919 and soon became a test driver for Alfa Romeo. About 1939, Ferrari organized his own factory but was prevented from producing his own automobiles for four years because of a contract with Romeo, which feared competing against the famed Ferrari name. During WWII, Ferrari's factory was converted to produce ball bearings and other equipment. In 1947, however, Ferrari's first car with the prancing horse insignia debuted. A lifetime racing enthusiast, Ferrari produced few automobiles for private consumer sales until the 1953 debut of the 250 Europa, the first of the long line of Ferrari street cars that to this day remain highly valued as collectibles. Ferraris excelled on international racing circuits and garnered ten wins in the Formula One Constructors' Championship from 1956 to 1983 - more than any other make. Surface creases, otherwise fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 15 x 25¾. 8 photocopied pages of the pamphlet included on back of frame.

His handwritten March 1783 letter as Governor of Massachusetts, instructing a garrison commander to forbid a ship full of Tories to disembark, requiring them to sail instead for New York (still in British hands) Autograph Letter, unsigned, 1 page, 7¾x12. Written as Governor. Boston, Massachusetts, 1783 March 27. To William Gordon, Commander of the Garrison in Dartmouth. In full: "I have this moment received your Letter by Express, giving information of the arrival of a Flag with a Number of Persons on board who were desirous of remaining some time at Dartmouth. I have laid the state of this Flag before the Council, & in consequence of their advice you are hereby Directed upon no pretense whatever, to suffer any of the Persons or any of the Effects brought in the Flag to be Landed at Dartmouth, or in any other place, but that you give immediate Directions for the Departure of the Flag with the Persons, & their effects to New York, and that after the Receipt of this Letter you make a point of Embracing the first fair wind to put her under Sail for New York, as no circumstance can possibly induce me to Deviate from this order. I am Sir your very humble servant.…"

Wright signs a check for $72.20 to County Treasurer Chas. Anderton, Sr., who endorses it. Check filled out and signed "Wright Cycle Co/W.W.", 8x3. Dayton, Ohio, 1905 January 27. Drawn on the Winters National Bank, payable to Chas. Anderton, Sr., Treasurer. for $72.20. Endorsed by Anderton on verso. During 1904 and 1905, the Wrights built and tested new planes and engines. An improved Flyer II was flown near Dayton, Ohio in 1904. They began designing Flyer III. At Simms Station, Ohio, on October 5, 1905, Wilbur flew for 24 miles in 38 minutes, landing only when their new Flyer III gas tank ran dry. The Flyer III was powered by a 15 horse powered engine. This was the Wright brothers' first flight of more than a half hour and renewed their confidence in man's ability to sustain flight. They had invented the first fully practical airplane that could turn, bank, circle and fly figure eights. On May 30, 1912, Wilbur Wright died of typhoid fever at the age of 45. Charles Anderton, Sr. (1843-1910), a decorated Civil War veteran, was Sheriff, and later Treasurer of Montgomery County, Ohio. Numerous vertical tears at top blank margin. Circular cancellation hole has removed the "cle" in Cycle.