McLeod signs a document detailing the expenses and commitments required of a guide on an upcoming fur trapping trip. Partly Printed DS: "A.N. McLeod", 1p, 6½ x 11¾. Montreal, Canada, 1820 October 20. In French, translated. In full: "BEFORE THE NOTARIES of the Province of Lower-Canada in Montreal, residing there, undersigned: was present Joseph Alexis Jeussaume de Rigaute Who has voluntarily committed himself and commits himself by these presents to Messrs. William McGillivray, Simon McGillivray, Archibald Norman McLeod, Thomas Thain, and Henry Mackenzie, of Montreal, Merchants and associates, under the name of McTAVISH, McGILLIVRAYS & Co.…"

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.…"

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.

Fulton signed this document - buying 32 lots of land in the town of Jersey, New Jersey for $1,000 - in 1809. He signed it the same year that he filed his first patent for improvements in navigation by steam and one year after marrying his wife Harriet Livingston. Pieces by Fulton are rare in any form, and legal documents, like this, are doubly so. Accompanied by an unsigned engraving of Fulton based on an Alonzo Chappel portrait. Manuscript document signed "Robert Fulton". 3 pages plus docket, 7½x12¼, 2 sheets front and verso, with embossed Jersey Company seal and 1-inch square paper seal on page 3 by signatures. Nov. 3, 1809. This document was signed between Fulton and the president of the Jersey Company. Fulton agreed to buy a block of land containing 32 lots in the town of Jersey in Bergen County, New Jersey for $1,000. Fulton signed this document one year after marrying Harriet Livingston, his partner's niece, and the same year that he filed his first patent for improvements in navigation by steam. Fulton is scarce in any form and this is a fine example suitable for framing and display. Lightly toned, stained, soiled and creased. Random ink stains. Edges are torn. Pinholes in both sheets. Corners are rounded Folded thrice and unfolded. Worn, torn, toned and with pinholes along folds.

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.…"

Chastened by a messy divorce from his first wife, the famed director signs a prenuptial agreement with his bride to be, Evelyn Baldwin, who has also signed here. Document signed: "David Wark Griffith", "Evelyn Baldwin", 2 pages, 8½x13. No place, 1936 March 2. In anticipation of his pending marriage to Evelyn Baldwin, Griffith irrevocably transfers to her all rights to an annuity contract with the Aetna Life Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, yielding annual income of $5,632.80 for the rest of her life. In exchange, Baldwin releases Griffith, along with his heirs and assigns, from any additional claims except for assets freely given to Baldwin by Griffith. The agreement is to become effective only on the consummation of the Griffith-Baldwin marriage. David Llewelyn Wark GRIFFITH (1875-1948) directed his first film in 1908, and in 1910 became the first to shoot a film in Hollywood. His Judith of Bethulia (1914) was among the first feature films, and the controversial Birth of a Nation (1915), became the first blockbuster movie hit, inspiring the movie industry that we have known since. Griffith co-founded United Artists studio with Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Five of his movies are deemed important enough for preservation in the US Film Registry.

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 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.…"

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.

SIR WALTER SCOTT 1823 promissory note signed by Sir Walter Scott highlights relationship with publisher James Ballantyne. Promissory Note signed: "Walter Scott", 8x3¼. Edinburgh, 1823 May 3. The great Scottish poet and novelist agrees to repay his publisher in twelve months. In full: "Twelve months after date, pay to our order, at our Printing Office here, eight hundred and seventy five pounds sterling, for value received. James Ballantyne & Co." Sir WALTER SCOTT (1771-1832), considered to be the father of the historical novel, had first met JAMES BALLANTYNE (1772-1833) in 1783 while attending Kelso Grammar School. In 1799, Ballantyne privately printed the two pamphlets with which Scott began his writing career, An Apology for Tales of Terror and The Eve of St. John, a ballad, beginning a literary and business partnership that would last throughout Scott's lifetime. The greatest success of James Ballantyne and Co. came in 1808, when Scott's second narrative poem, Marmion, was printed by Ballantyne for publisher Archibald Constable (Scott's first narrative poem, The Lay of the Last Minstral, had been published by Constable in 1805). Scott's romantic work, Rob Roy (1818) was also published by James Ballantyne and Co.

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.…"

Signed autograph letter (1871) to an experimenter, in which Morse discusses "the present Science of Electro-Magnetism." ALS: "Saml F.B. Morse". 1½ pages, 5 x 8, front and verso. New York, 1871 February 22. The inventor of the Morse Code and the Electromagnetic Telegraph writes to G.W. Varnum, M.D., Montgomery City, Mo. In full: "I received yesterday through my friend & your Cousin J.B. Varnum, Esq your letter of the 16t. instant. In regard to the experiment mentioned in your letter, it is by no means new. Indeed it was from observing this effect, upon a needle, of the magnetism of an electric current (not indeed upon the modern electromagnet, which was the result of his observation,) that Oersted founded the present Science of Electro-magnetism. The use made also of this effect of the magnet upon the needle, to indicate the presence of an electric current upon the telegraph wires, is almost universal in the Offices in Europe; every instrument being furnished with a Galvanometer for the purpose, So although although (sic) not new, you have at least the satisfaction of having independently Suggested a valuable use of the magnetic needle. With respect Yr. Ob. Serv."  G.W.