AL CAPONE, PANCHO VILLA and others Mexican 5-Peso Note, signed by attendees at a gambling party organized south of the border by the Chicago gangster in the early 1920s to evade Prohibition. Currency signed: "Al Capone", "Pancho Villa", "Edna Lovell", "Governor Ralph J. Marilyn", "Lloyd C. Pawley, "Mayor Rossi", "R. Mack Reid", "Shanty Malone" and other unidentified signatures, 6x2¾. Mexican 5-Peso Note, issued January 1, 1915. Also signed on obverse of the bill: "Harry Lloyd Kayan, "Ozzie", Betty Porter", "Barbara Briggs", "H. W. Pennington", "Jane Martin" and others. Alphonse "AL" CAPONE (1900-1947), expelled from school at 14, joined New York criminal gangs and became a trusted lieutenant of Johnny "The Fox" Torrio, leader of the Five Points Gang, acquiring his nickname of "Scarface" after gaining the scars in a fight. In 1918, Torrio moved to Chicago at the invitation of mob boss "Big Jim" Colosimo, and Capone - fleeing murder charges in New York - soon followed.
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER 10¼x14, Sepia photograph of the world's first billionaire shown in a suit and tie from the waist up. Photograph signed: "John D Rockefeller/May 7th 1923", Sepia, overall, 8x10 image, one surface. Merchant and businessman John D.Rockefeller, Sr. (1839-1937) established his first oil refinery in 1863 near Cleveland, Ohio. His enterprise became the largest in the region within three years; he incorporated the Standard Oil Company of Ohio in 1870 and bought out all of his major competitors by 1872. Rockefeller was a shrewd - critics claimed unscrupulous - business man - but the only legal problems he faced were anti-monopoly legislation and litigation, which he resisted through the use of holding companies. Rockefeller was the first billionaire, and the richest man of his time. Adjusted for inflation, he may have been the richest man of all time. From 1885 to 1910, he founded four philanthropic institutions, eventually contributing more than one-half billion dollars. The Rockefeller wealth, channeled through several foundations and trusts, remain major philanthropies.
HENRY DERINGER Rare handwritten note to his son saying "keep steady to your business and all will go right and straight" Autograph Note signed: "HD" and "H Deringer" in his hand as part of his son's name in the address, 2p, 7¼x9¾, front and verso. No place, no date, but circa 1833. Postscript written on verso of an address leaf addressed in his hand to his son: "John H Deringer Esq/Tioga Village/Tioga County/Penna". In full: "P.S. I am pleased to hear that you have commenced selling goods and that you are coming on so well, keep steady to your business and all will go right and straight." Ink note (unknown hand) on address side: "Henry Derringer [sic]/1833". Henry Deringer (1786-1868) invented the short barreled, heavy caliber pocket pistol that still bears his name. (The pistol type is spelled "Derringer"; only those of his manufacture are spelled with the single "r".) The popular weapon, easily concealable but packing a wallop, was "the weapon of choice of riverboat gamblers". John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln with an original Deringer. Deringer autographs are rare. Mailing fold at the "HD". Fragile.
JOHN HANCOCK Hancock handwrote, dated, and placed his “John Hancock” on this 1788 letter of introduction to Winthrop Sargent - Revolutionary War veteran and deputy to the first Governor of the Northwest Territory, the same year Hancock persuaded Massachusetts to approve the Constitution by 19 votes. This letter introduced Hancock's friend Nathaniel Balch, known as "the Governor's Jester," to Sargent. Manuscript letter signed "John Hancock" as Governor of Massachusetts. 1 page, 8x10, matted and framed to an overall size of 30 x 20. Boston, Massachusetts, Sept. 28, 1788. Noted at upper edge as "Volume 1, No. 06".) To Major Winthrop Sargent, in full: "I take the liberty to recommend to your notice Mr. William Balch, a Son of Mr. Nathaniel Balch of this town, a friend of mine, and a gentleman that I have a very great esteem for. He is about to take up his residence & settlement at Muskingum, & I trust that his abilities & integrity will be acceptable to you & beneficial to your new settlement.
JOHN HANCOCK 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.
ORVILLE WRIGHT. Photograph signed: "Orville Wright". B/w, 6¼x4½ overall, image 5x3¼ (one surface). Captioned at lower margin: "First Man-Flight, December 17, 1903/Kitty Hawk, N.C." Orville Wright (1871-1948) and his brother, Wilbur (1867-1912), made aviation history with their Flyer in Kitty Hawk, on North Carolina's Outer Banks, on December 17, 1903. While the Wrights had been testing their gliders on Kill Devil Hill for a number of years, this was their first test of their motorized, heavier-than-air flying machine. At 10:35 a.m., Orville Wright was at the controls of the 21-foot biplane with the 40.3-foot wingspan. The 605 pound craft, powered by a 12-horsepower engine that had four piston cylinders and revved to 1,090 rpm, left the ground, staying aloft for 12 seconds and covering 120 feet at an altitude of ten feet. Later that day, during one of their three test flights, Wilbur also manned the controls, traveling 852 feet in 59 seconds. In 1905, Wilbur and Orville decided to stop flying and tried to market their machine, first offering it to the U.S. government and then flying it in France.
SAMUEL F.B. MORSE He signs a glowing (1854) autograph letter, enthusiastically recommending his former assistant Otis Wood to any prospective employer. Framed in a Gallery of History display to 36x22 ALS: "Sam. F.B. Morse," 1½ pages, 7½x9¾. Po'keepsie, 1854 February 3.To Otis E. Wood, Esq., Utica.In full: "Most happy shall I be, if by a simple letter of mine, I can render you or your worthy brothers any service. Your brother Orrin S. Wood was my first Telegraph pupil, after the first (the experimental) line was established between Washington & Baltimore. He will undoubtedly recollect my predictions at that time, for him, that having taken the enterprize at its very commencement, and made himself thus early master of all that pertained to it, he would have an experience, possessed by no other, which would enable him to command any position he might choose, not only one of usefulness but I believed also of fortune. I am gratified in believing that he has attained a position, at least of well earned competence if not of fortune, which he richly deserves for his high and honorable personal character, as well as his eminent Skill & perseverance.
ORVILLE WRIGHT Orville Wright signed this document in 1945 to lease 135 acres of farm and pastureland that he owned in Indiana. This document was signed three years before Wright's death and offers a look into how he paid his bills late in life. Lease signed "Orville Wright" as Lessor. 2 pages, 8½x12¾, single-sided sheets, bound with two staples at top edge. Feb. 6, 1945. Wright signed this lease agreement to lease 135 acres of farm and pastureland in "Township 23 North", Indiana [possibly Fowlerton] to Clayton W. Dickerson of Jonesboro, Indiana. The lease's term was from March 1, 1945, to Feb. 28, 1946. Dickerson leased the farm - which included improvements like an orchard, garden lot and barn - for $6 per acre or a total of $810, paid in full to Wright on Sept. 1, 1945. This lease also laid out Dickerson's responsibilities. In short, he had to maintain the land and its buildings out of his own pocket and pay one-half the cost for seed and fertilizer and for threshing and hulling any crops, with Wright paying the other half. Wilbur (1867-1912, born near Millville, Indiana) and Orville (1871-1948, born in Dayton, Ohio) formed the Wright Cycle Company in 1892 and manufactured bicycles.
JOHN HANCOCK and JOHN AVERY, JR. As Massachusetts Governor and Secretary of State, both sign a manuscript document appointing Superior Court Justice David Sewall to the Commonwealth's Supreme Court (1781). Ornate Manuscript DS: "John Hancock" as Governor of Massachusetts, 1 page, 21¾x13. On vellum. Boston, 1781 February 20.Countersigned: "John Avery Secy". Appointment of David Sewall as Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. On verso, appears a short Manuscript DS: "John Hancock". In full: "In Council February 20th 1781. Hnble David Sewall Esqr appeared at the Council Chamber Subscribed the Declaration and the Several Oaths prescribed by the Constitution of the Commonwealth to qualify himself for the Office within mentioned." Born in York, Maine, SEWALL (1735-1825), Councillor for the Province of Maine (1766-1777), was Justice of the Superior Court of Massachusetts (1777-1781) when he received this appointment to the State's Supreme Judicial Court. He served until 1789 when he was appointed Judge of the U.S. District Court of Maine (1789-1817).
THOMAS EDISON This rare document is a patent drawing, signed by Edison, for a Bolivian patent on the incandescent bulb. This patent was to protect Edison's rights to design of the bulb in Bolivia and has his full "umbrella" signature - a rarity. Rare Patent Drawing signed: "Thomas Alva Edison". 1 page, 16x22, 12x18 visible. Headed: "Lamina 3/Bolivia" at upper right corner. This patent, which was filed in Bolivia, features two imprinted drawings for one of Edison's actual patents relating to his incandescent lamp.Also signed: "Chas H. Smith" and "Geo. T. Pinckney" as "Testigos" [Witnesses]. Edison (1847-1931) patented more than a thousand inventions, including the incandescent electric lamp, the phonograph (his favorite invention), the mimeograph, the alkaline storage battery and the microphone. Edison also filed and received patents in other countries. Most of them, such as this patent filed in Bolivia in 1880, duplicated the U.S. patents, but they protected his work in those countries.
WALT DISNEY and HIS ARTISTS Extraordinary collection including a sketch of Mickey Mouse by Walt Disney himself, and another sheet with original drawings of Disney characters by Disney artists, a composer and a business manager. Framed with two photos to an overall size of 25x33. Framed Collection, including: 1) Original Art inscribed and signed: "To John Adrian, Hoping he will be able to draw better than this - Walt Disney", 6¾ x 10½ sheet, upon which Disney has drawn a pencil sketch of Mickey Mouse. Horizontal fold creased at center. Lightly toned and soiled. Otherwise, fine condition. 2) Original Art signed by each of the following: drawing of Goofy, signed "Ted Sears, Santa Clara - 41"; Pluto, signed "Norm Ferguson"; Donald Duck, signed "Franklin Thomas"; Bacchus, signed "Jim Bodero"; J. Thaddeus Toad, signed in pencil "Toad - of Toad Hall, Webb Smith"; Autograph Musical Quotation signed, "I'm the Reluctant Dragon What Ho! Quite So!/Charles Wolcott S. S. Santa Clara, 1941". Also signed by Disney's business manager
SAMUEL COLT Samuel Colt Autograph Letter Signed to Edward Wesson Regarding the Development of a Dragoon Form Revolving Carbine. ALS signed: "Saml. Colt-" on page 1 and "S.C." on page 2. The letter is four integral pages written on pages one and two and addressed on page four, 8" x 9.75", New Haven, Connecticut, April 12, 1847, and postmarked the same day. Very fine condition. Framed by the Gallery of History, 31½x39. Samuel Colt writes asking that Wesson bore and rifle two long barrels that Colt expressed to him that day. Colt explains that "I want them for moddles [sic], & not having as yet any convenience for boring & rifling anything but pistol barrels" he is giving the tooling commission to Wesson. Colt gives specific instructions asking that Wesson make the barrel of one gun to accommodate "a round ball 50 to the pound loading at the britch [sic] & must not be any larger in the bore than the sample pistol barrel I send you." Shortly after this letter was written Colt moved his operations from New Haven to New York and began the production of the Colt Dragoon Revolver.
WALT DISNEY and RAYMOND DISNEY Disney writes of pet project & film premier of Mary Poppins Typed Letter Signed: "Walt Disney". 6 x 9. August 3, 1964. Written on California Institute of the Arts letterhead. ½ inch tear at top right, creased at mailing folds, minor surface creases. Fine condition. In full: Dear Mr. Kinsey: Mrs. Von Hagen and I understand that you'll be with us on August 27, for the invitational World Premiere of “Mary Poppins” and a showing of our “Cal Arts Story” at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. We're very pleased with the opportunity to personally show you our plans for Cal Arts, and are looking forward to talking with you at the reception following the premier. Tickets for you and your guest, and a police pass with directions for valet parking in front of the theatre, will be mailed to you August 15. If you don't receive them by the 20th, call our premiere office at VI 9-7175, and they'll be able to help you out.” Walt Disney signed this letter of August 3, 1964, to Kersy Kinsey, on behalf of the California Institute of the Arts - commonly known as Cal Arts. Mrs.
SAMUEL F.B. MORSE 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.
JOHN HANCOCK 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.Business & Finance | Tickets
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IRVING ASHER - MEAL TICKET SIGNED 12/18/1951 - HFSID 181980IRVING ASHER He signs this meal ticket from the Paramount Continental Café for $.45 Meal Ticket Signed: "Irving Asher", 5½x3½ receipt. Paramount Continental Cafe meal ticket for $.45. Dated in ink (unknown hand) under signature: "12/18/51".Sale Price $81.00
$90.00
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ALBERT B. "HAPPY" CHANDLER - TICKET SIGNED - HFSID 31883ALBERT B. "HAPPY" CHANDLER This ticket is signed by the MLB Commissioner and Kentucky Governor Ticket signed on verso: "Best wishes / A.B. Chandler. / U.S. Senator. / Kentucky.", 3½x2. Nicknamed "Happy",Albert B.
Sale Price $180.00
$200.00
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CHARLOTTE (CHARLOTTE HAGENBRUCH) DIETERLE - MEAL TICKET SIGNED - HFSID 224097CHARLOTTE DIETERLE Meal ticket for two orders of lentil soup, a chicken sandwich, and a coffee signed by the German director's wife Meal ticket signed: "Charlotte Dieterle", in pencil, 3¾x4. Dated March 7 in unknown hand. Meal ticket for 2 Lentil Soups, 1 Chicken Sandwich on wheat toast, and 1 coffee for a total of $1.80.
Sale Price $162.00
$180.00
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CHARLOTTE (CHARLOTTE HAGENBRUCH) DIETERLE - MEAL TICKET SIGNED CIRCA 1949 - HFSID 224096CHARLOTTE DIETERLE A meal ticket from the Paramount Continental Cafe signed by the actress and wife to German director William Dieterle Meal ticket signed: "Charlotte Dieterle", in blue ink, 3½x5½. Dated circa 1949 in unknown hand. Mel ticket 77263 for a total of $2.20.
Sale Price $162.00
$180.00
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Y. F. "PETE" FREEMAN JR. - MEAL TICKET SIGNED 01/07/1952 - HFSID 182193Y. F. FREEMAN, JR. Meal ticket from the Paramount Continental Cafe, signed by film executive Y. F. Freeman, Jr. in 1952 Meal ticket signed "Y F Freeman Jr" in pencil. 3½x5½ with perforated top edge. Stamped in purple ink: "Jan 7 1952". Meal ticket for $1.20 at the Paramount Continental Cafe.
Sale Price $81.00
$90.00
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KURT KREUGER - TICKET SIGNED 02/08/1977 - HFSID 15786KURT KREUGER. Ticket signed: "Kurt Kreuger" on front, 6p, 4x5¾, front and verso (three sheets stapled together at upper margin). No place, issued 1977 February 8. "Holiday Ticket" for the Swiss Transportation System. Five ride ticket stamped twice (February 12 and February 20, 1977 dates) on verso of last page.
Sale Price $162.00
$180.00
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ALAN J. PAKULA - MEAL TICKET SIGNED 03/27/1952 - HFSID 181944ALAN J. PAKULA The director's signed meal ticket from the Paramount Continental Café. Dated in 1952. Meal ticket signed: "Pakula", 3½x5½. Meal ticket from Paramount Continental Café, dated in unknown hand March 27, 1952. Alan J.
Sale Price $180.00
$200.00
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ALAN J. PAKULA - MEAL TICKET SIGNED 05/01/1952 - HFSID 182190ALAN J. PAKULA The director's signed meal ticket from the Paramount Continental Café. Dated in 1952. Meal ticket signed: "A. J. Pakula", 3½x5½. Meal ticket from Paramount Continental Café, dated in unknown hand May 1, 1952. Alan J.
Sale Price $180.00
$200.00
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ALAN J. PAKULA - MEAL TICKET SIGNED 12/11/1951 - HFSID 182191ALAN J. PAKULA The director's signed meal ticket from the Paramount Continental Café. Dated in 1951. Meal ticket signed: "A.J. Pakula", 3½x5½. Meal ticket from Paramount Continental Café, dated in unknown hand December 11, 1951. Alan J.
Sale Price $198.00
$220.00
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WILLIAM PERLBERG - MEAL TICKET SIGNED CIRCA 1951 - HFSID 182206WILLIAM PERLBERG Meal ticket for an order of Waldorf Salad signed on the verso in pencil Meal ticket signed: "Wm Perlberg", in pencil, 3½x5½. Dated circa 1951 in unknown hand. Perlberg has ordered a Waldorf Salad for 85¢.
Sale Price $180.00
$200.00
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MARK ROBSON - MEAL TICKET UNSIGNED 01/19/1954 - HFSID 182194[MARK ROBSON] Unsigned meal ticket from the Paramount Continental Café, showing Robson's dinner order Meal ticket unsigned, 3½x5½. Robson has ordered a "club dinner" for $1.05.
Sale Price $45.00
$50.00
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JANE RUSSELL - MEAL TICKET SIGNED 10/09/1951 - HFSID 182163JANE RUSSELL Jane Russell signs a meal ticket in pencil. Meal Ticket signed on verso in pencil: "Jane Russell", 3½x5½. Russell was cast in The Outlaws in 1941 after a much publicized
Sale Price $90.00
$100.00
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HAL B. WALLIS - MEAL TICKET UNSIGNED 12/24 - HFSID 182179[HAL WALLIS] Especially hungry while working on Christmas Eve, Wallis orders 6 orders of cold cuts, with a side of sliced tomatoes Meal Ticket, unsigned, 3½x5¾. Meal ticket from the Cafe Continental, 196[?] December 24.
Sale Price $40.50
$45.00
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ROBERT WYLER - MEAL TICKET SIGNED 03/20/1952 - HFSID 182229ROBERT WYLER The American film producer, known for The Heiress signs a meal ticket for the Paramount Continental Café in 1952. Meal Ticket signed: "Robert Wyler", in pencil, 3½x5½. Meal ticket for the Paramount Continental Café. Unknown hand dates the receipt March 20, 1952.
Sale Price $180.00
$200.00
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ROBERT WYLER - MEAL TICKET SIGNED 10/20/1950 - HFSID 181972ROBERT WYLER The American film producer, known for The Heiress signs a meal ticket for the Continental Café in 1950. Meal Ticket signed: "Robert Wyler", in pencil, 3½x5½. Meal ticket for the Continental Café. Unknown hand dates the receipt October 20, 1950.
Sale Price $180.00
$200.00
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ROBERT WYLER - MEAL TICKET SIGNED 12/20/1951 - HFSID 181975ROBERT WYLER The American film producer, known for The Heiress signs a meal ticket for the Paramount Continental Café in 1951. Meal Ticket signed: "Robert Wyler", in blue ink, 3½x5½. Meal ticket for the Paramount Continental Café. Unknown hand dates the receipt December 20, 1951.
Sale Price $180.00
$200.00
