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.…"
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 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.…"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.…"
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, 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.
The two sign a 3-page, handwritten 1863 letter to their son Willy, away at school
Autograph letter signed: "Yr Affectionate Father/Saml F.B. Morse" and "Your loving
mother/S.E. Morse", 1 page, 4½x7½. 5 West 32nd Street, 1863 November 22. To their
son Willy. Samuel F. B. Morse married his second wife, Sarah Elizabeth Griswold, in
1848. In a three-page letter, Mrs. Morse writes about family affairs, about his pet
"Spottie is full of mischief. He tears many things that comes in his way." She tells him
she is "going to have somethings on Christmas" wanting to know if he has "enough
handkerchiefs…." Beneath his wife's signature, Morse writes, in part: "I add a few
lines to your dear mother's letter. She says the truth when she says she thinks of you every
day. Both you & dear Arthur are constantly in our thoughts…You must do all you can
to please Mrs. Charles, Mrs. Fay and the other teachers and be diligent in your
Studies…." Samuel Finley Breese Morse (1791-1872) was an American painter and
inventor. While attending Yale College Morse painted for a living and later studied art in
Europe.
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.
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.…"
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.…"The two sign a 3-page, handwritten 1863 letter to their son Willy, away at school
Autograph letter signed: "Yr Affectionate Father/Saml F.B. Morse" and "Your loving
mother/S.E. Morse", 1 page, 4½x7½. 5 West 32nd Street, 1863 November 22. To their
son Willy. Samuel F. B. Morse married his second wife, Sarah Elizabeth Griswold, in
1848. In a three-page letter, Mrs. Morse writes about family affairs, about his pet
"Spottie is full of mischief. He tears many things that comes in his way." She tells him
she is "going to have somethings on Christmas" wanting to know if he has "enough
handkerchiefs…." Beneath his wife's signature, Morse writes, in part: "I add a few
lines to your dear mother's letter. She says the truth when she says she thinks of you every
day. Both you & dear Arthur are constantly in our thoughts…You must do all you can
to please Mrs. Charles, Mrs. Fay and the other teachers and be diligent in your
Studies…." Samuel Finley Breese Morse (1791-1872) was an American painter and
inventor. While attending Yale College Morse painted for a living and later studied art in
Europe.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.…"
The famous inventor penned a section of answers on this questionnaire!
Printed Questionnaire filled out by an assistant who has signed: "Thomas A. Edison" at the
conclusion, but with 11 words in Edison's hand, 1p, 7¾x10½. J.K. Macomber, Professor of
Physics at the Physical Laboratory Agricultural College in Ames, Iowa, sent Edison and other
authorities in the field, a printed questionnaire, dated September 27, 1879. Macomber
message, in part: "The people of the Western States have been imposed upon by lightning-rod
peddlers more, perhaps, than by any other class of swindlers. Among other rods being sold in
Iowa is one known as the 'Chambers' rod, widely has been patented by the 'Chambers'
National Lightning Protection Company,' of Cincinnati, Ohio. Briefly, this system consists on an
Iron rod running along the ridge of the building with points at each end projecting
upward…Many public buildings in thus State have been furnished with these rods…I beg leave
to submit the following interrogations." Macomber lists seven questions for Edison to
answer. Edison dictated his answers to an assistant who handwrote his replies in a
hand resembling Edison's.
Autograph Letter, unsigned, 1p, 6¾x9. Boston,
1783 October 31. To "His Excellency Meshech Weare Esqr. President of
the State of New Hampshire". Begins: "Sir". In
full: "In compliance with the Request of the Two Branches of the General
Court I inclose you Two Acts of this Government making provision to prevent
the Destruction of Fish by Mill-Dams in Merrimack River & c - As the
Design'd [illegible] of this Bill will much Depend upon the measures that
shall be Adopted by the Legislature of your State, I am to Request that your
Excellency will be pleas'd to lay those Acts before them, and cannot but flatter
myself that they will Take such effectual Steps as will ensure the good
Effects for which our Govt. Court had in View in passing the
Bill - I am with Sentiments of [portion of word crossed out] Esteem, Sir,
Your Excellency's Most Obedt & Humbl Servt." Hancock's retained copy of
his letter to Weare. Docketed in unknown hand on verso. The Merrimack River,
which begins in Franklin, New Hampshire, flows for 110 miles - southward to
Massachusetts and then northeast to the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border --
before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.
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.Business & Finance | Unsigned Posters
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JOHNNY WEISSMULLER - POSTER UNSIGNED - HFSID 169684Poster, unsigned. Color, 13½x16¼. Loew's Incorporated 1954 reproduction of a promotional poster for the 1932 film, Tarzan The Ape Man, M-G-M's inaugural Tarzan film and the first to star Johnny Weissmuller in the title role.Price: $325.00
