. Black-bordered ALS: "Lister", 1p, 4x6. Portland Place, London, 1899 September 14. To Dr. John D. Scott. In full: "I thank you for the copy you have kindly sent me of your eloquent address in which you properly vindicate the honour of our noble profession. I thank you also for your exceedingly generous reference to my own work." Joseph Lister, created 1st Baron Lister of Lime Regis in 1897, was the founder of antiseptic surgery. He introduced carbolic acid as an antiseptic in 1865 and in 1877, demonstrated conclusively that his method of antisepsis reduced danger to life from surgery. Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of29x22.

Hancock handwrote, dated and put his "John Hancock" on this letter to the "Gentlemen of the Senate & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives" in 1783, while he was Governor of Massachusetts. He wrote this letter to inform the recipients that he had received an "Application for Sundry Articles for the use of the Tribe" from the Penobscot, which offered their services to the colonies during the American Revolutionary War. This letter was written less than eight months before the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the war between the colonies and England. Draft autograph letter signed "J.H." as Governor of Massachusetts. 1 page, 7¾x6¼. Council Chamber, Boston, Massachusetts, Feb. 7, 1783. Addressed to the "Gentlemen of the Senate & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives". In full: "I have this moment Rec'd a Letter from Colonel Lithgow, by Two Indians of the Penobscot Tribe, these Indians are come to make Application for Sundry Articles for the use of the Tribe. The Letter with the Commissions given one of these Indians by Brigr. Genl. Lovell, I have directed the Secretary [to] lay before you.…"

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.

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 famed inventor sends a letter to an influential Kentucky congressman. Autograph Letter singed: "Saml F.B. Morse". 1p, 7¼ x 10. No place, no date. Morse writes to a Kentucky congressman instrumental in getting congress to appropriate $30,000 for an experimental line between Washington and Baltimore upon which, in May of 1844, he transmitted, using a code of dots and sashes that he developed (The Morse Code), his famous salutation “What Hath God Wrought”. 1 page, 7¼ x 10. Written and signed in black ink “Saml F.B. Morse” to: William P. Thomasson (congressman from Kentucky) from the telegraph room 9:30 P.M. In full: “Dear Sir / If there is any thing of interest / in the house to send to Baltimore / I will send it / Respectfully / Yr. Mo. Ob. Servt” Kentucky (1843-1847). Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 32¼ x 21¾. Minor chip on frame left front, minor wearing at frame corners. Samuel F. B. Morse (1791-1872) was an accomplished portrait and mural painter and founder of the National Academy of Design. On a trip to Europe in 1830, while observing French semaphores, he realized that messages could be sent even more quickly using an electrical spark.

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.

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.

Peters complains to her husband that the guards are taking over too much of the house. Autograph Note Unsigned: "J." on verso, 2p, 8¼ x 10¾, yellow sheet, front and verso (hinged to show both sides). Matted and framed to overall size of 41 x 22¼ with three metallic plaques and two unsigned photos (b/w, approximate size 4½ x 6½). No place, no date. In full in Hughes handwriting: "An airplane race is around 3 Pylons [sketch to the left] and the one back of the pilot is called the 4th Pylon or the pilot's pylon-upside down, within note, secretarial-For Mr. Hughes - at bottom, Peters' note, written beneath her husband's, begins -Its OK about the car - But I am Still having my stuff moved out of garage into one of back room off kitchen - which those guards have usurped for their card games & TV viewing - originally they started out using one john (dressing room) they have ended up with more floor space than we have - & it infuriates me.". On verso, Peters has written a note: "Dearest Love- I have gone to Mrs. Brinds for a couple of hours. She has 8mm movies of her trip to Israel. I will be very careful & will remember everything you want me to remember I love you - J. Can I run 'Becket' tomorrow (Weds.…"

Amazing collection from the founders of the great “Express” companies. Comprises (1) Partly Printed Check endorsed: "Alvin Adams" on verso, 7½ x 3. San Francisco, California, 1877 August 14. Wells Fargo & Company check, payable to Alvin Adams for $46.10. Secretary Signed: "William G. Fargo" on front. (windowed to show both sides of certificate) Lightly soiled. Fine condition. (2) Stock Certificate signed: "Henry Wells" as President, "Alexander Holland" as Treasurer and "Jas. C. Fargo" as Secretary of the American Express Company, 1p, 11¾ x 8. New York, 1866 May 28. Issue of 18,000 shares of Capital Stock; each share was worth $100. Certificate No. 661, certifying "that R. A. Porter of Keenu New Hampshire is entitled to One Share in the American Express Company...." On verso, the certificate has been transferred on June 28, 1866, the date of its issue (windowed to show both sides of certificate). Lightly creased. Light show through of revenue stamp affixed to verso. Fine condition. (3) Stock Certificate signed: "Wm G. Fargo" as President, "E.P. Ross" as Treasurer and "J.N.…"

Rare early stock certificate signed by Getty. Stock Certificate signed: "J. Paul Getty" as President, “H. M. Hoffnagle” as Secretary. 1p, 13x8. Certificate number 331 representing 1000 shares of the Capital stock in OKLAHOMA OIL CORPORATION registered in the name of G. W. Woolley, vignette of a railroad sitting in an oil field printed on upper left side, with various oil related vignettes around border, large gold seal of the corporation affixed on lower left side. 3½  x 8½  partly-printed transfer register with red 50 stamp affixed to left side. Fine condition. Frame to an overall size of 27x25. Verso viewable from back of frame. In 1916, Jean Paul Getty (1892-1976) and his father, George, had incorporated the Getty Oil Company, an early precursor to the great conglomerate. His multistate operation went international in 1949, when he completed a deal to lease oil fields in Saudi Arabia. During the Depression Era, he had bought extensive quantities of stock and in 1956 he gained control of Pacific Western, which he renamed Getty Oil, ending a 19-year stock battle with Standard Oil. The significantly larger Getty Oil Company became the world's largest privately owned business and made the enterprising Getty a billionaire.

Letter by Charles Babbage, signed as C Babbage, dated June 11 from Manchester. Expressing pleasure in seeing Miss Manwaring at his party and commenting on the weather for the Horticultural Exhibitions. Babbage is known as the "Father of Computing." ALS: "C Babbage", 1p, 3½x4. 1 Dorset St (Manchester, England), June 11 (no year). Begins: "My dear Madam". In full: "It will give me great pleasure to see Miss Manwaring at my party to night. I am glad on awakening this morning to find the clouds promise a fine day for the Horticultural Exhibitions. Shall we meet there." Charles Babbage (1791-1871) is known as the "Father of Computing" for his ideas about building an "analytical engine", the predecessor of the digital computer. He proposed operations research that involved the idea of using machines to perform routine mathematical operations, eliminating errors in human calculation. Although he never built his computer, his ideas influenced those who later carried out his ideas. Lightly creased, soiled and stained. Upper-right corner is missing. Top-right corner of frame is splintered.  Framed to an overall size of 28x18.

The developer of the internal-combustion machine that uses oil as a fuel writes to a grieving acquaintance. Rare ALS: "Diesel," 2pp, 3¾x5½, separate sheets. Haus Diesel, 1909 April 14. In German with English translation to Dr. Bloch. In full: "I did not completely understand your telephone message yesterday and that you were personally grieved; and only today I learned about the facts. I ask you to accept my expression of heartfelt sympathy. I would have expressed the same to you yesterday at the cemetery if I had been informed." Diesel patented his engine in 1892. Diesel engines are less smooth-running, heavier, and initially more expensive than gasoline engines but make more efficient use of cheaper fuel. They are widely used in ships, heavy vehicles, power installations and in passenger cars. Diesel signed material is rare in any form. Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 35¼x20.