John Wanamaker Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
JOHN WANAMAKER
Born: July 11, 1838 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died: December 12, 1922 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Biography
In 1875, JOHN WANAMAKER (1838-1922) established the first department store, bringing a collection of specialty stores together under one roof in the former freight depot of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Philadelphia. Wanamaker, who was one of the first major retailers to employ advertising agencies to sell his goods, was also a leader in offering "fringe benefits" to his employees, who enjoyed paid vacations, health care, life insurance, pensions and financial aid for further education. As Postmaster General under President Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893), Wanamaker issued the first commemorative stamps (over protests from Congress) and proved these could be moneymakers.
Style
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JOHN WANAMAKER - AUTOGRAPH - HFSID 46361Pictorial card signed by John Wanamaker in black ink, displaying an oval image of Independence Hall. The signature reads "John Wanamaker". Wanamaker was notable for establishing the first department store and serving as Postmaster General.Price: $260.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - AUTOGRAPH ENVELOPE UNSIGNED 09/07/1892 - HFSID 175415Envelope hand-addressed by John Wanamaker to Alfred L. Wanamaker in 1892, postmarked in Washington, DC. Unsigned, it includes a 2¢ stamp and documents Wanamaker's role as Postmaster General. Notable historical context surrounds the recipient’s identity.
Sale Price $135.00
$160.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - AUTOGRAPH LETTER FRAGMENT SIGNED 1912 - HFSID 155768Fragment of a letter handwritten by John Wanamaker in 1912, signed "With all good wishes for 1912, Your aged friend." Includes another letter fragment on the verso, dated January 10, 1912, from Atlantic City.
Price: $260.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/16/1898 - HFSID 1833Letter signed by John Wanamaker, handwritten and dated August 24, 1898, to "Mr. Mescur." In the letter, Wanamaker discusses the impracticality of a certain chair's construction. The item is on personalized stationery and consists of two pages.
Price: $500.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 09/06/1892 - HFSID 175414Letter signed by John Wanamaker, dated September 6, 1892, and addressed to "My dear Alfred." Inquiring about Alfred's plans, Wanamaker is writing as Postmaster General. The autograph reads "Jno Wanamaker."
Price: $500.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - AUTOGRAPH SENTIMENT SIGNED 11/30/1895 - HFSID 49296Card signed by John Wanamaker, dated in 1895, includes the inscription "Yours autographically" along with his name and location. Wanamaker was a prominent businessman known for establishing the first department store in the United States.
Sale Price $175.00
$220.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - CALLING CARD SIGNED 09/30/1891 - HFSID 145065Calling card signed by John Wanamaker on September 20, 1891, in black ink, reading "Jno Wanamaker/Sept 20-91". Captioned "The Postmaster General", this card highlights his role in retail and postal service innovations.
Sale Price $165.00
$200.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - DOCUMENT FRAGMENT SIGNED 06/17/1889 - HFSID 79729Fragment of a document signed by John Wanamaker in 1889, inscribed as "Jno Wanamaker". The document includes a copper-colored Post Office Department seal and additional signatures, with a pencil notation stating "June 17-89".
Price: $380.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - INSCRIBED AUTOGRAPH QUOTATION SIGNED 08/17/1921 - HFSID 76289Quotation signed by John Wanamaker, dated 1921, reads "Do todays work today". Handwritten on monogrammed stationery, it is inscribed to Mr. John R. Clements, showcasing Wanamaker's notable contributions as a businessman and Postmaster General.
Sale Price $315.00
$380.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 03/07/1908 - HFSID 16779Manuscript letter signed by "John Wanamaker", handwritten and dated 1908, addressed to Honorable William B. Smith. Wanamaker expresses gratitude for sympathy following his son's death, detailing the impact of the loss. Inscribed on his own stationery from the private office in Philadelphia.
Price: $500.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 03/13/1889 - HFSID 84473Letter signed by John Wanamaker on Office of the Postmaster General letterhead, addressed to Col. R. H. Grierson in 1889. Wanamaker expresses gratitude for a congratulatory letter, signing as "Postmaster General" and dating it March 13, 1889.
Sale Price $315.00
$380.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 04/01/1874 - HFSID 78430Letter signed by John Wanamaker, dated April 1, 1874, from Philadelphia, discussing a meeting regarding the Continental bill now before Congress. The letter contains his signature, "Jno Wanamaker", and emphasizes the importance of the recipient's presence.
Price: $600.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 04/25/1889 - HFSID 1836Letter signed by John Wanamaker, addressed to Henry Bowen in 1889, expressing regret for missing a contribution. Signed as Postmaster General, it includes a request for twenty-five copies. Wanamaker, a pioneering retailer, played a significant role in advertising and employee benefits.
Price: $380.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 08/08/1906 - HFSID 169472Letter signed by John Wanamaker, dated August 8, 1906, expressing gratitude to Seymour Eaton for a copy of "Roosevelt Bears" while voicing dissatisfaction with a list of nominees for a board. Signed on personalized stationery.
Price: $450.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - PHOTOGRAPH MOUNT SIGNED - HFSID 264594Photograph of John Wanamaker shows him in formal attire, signed by him on the mount as "John Wanamaker". Taken by F. Gutekunst, it highlights his role as a pioneering retailer and Postmaster General.
Sale Price $425.00
$500.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - PHOTOGRAPH MOUNT SIGNED 03/06/1893 - HFSID 26351Photograph of John Wanamaker, taken by C. M. Gilbert, shows him in a dark coat and bowtie. It is signed on the mount with "Yours very Truly/Jno Wanamaker/March 6-93", dated 1893. Wanamaker was a notable American businessman and Postmaster General.
Price: $500.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - THIRD PERSON AUTOGRAPH DOC. TWICE SIGNED - HFSID 36339Document authored by John Wanamaker provides a defense against accusations of complicity in the Keystone National Bank scandal. Signed twice within the text, it consists of 7 pages and is addressed to the Philadelphia Press, dated circa 1891.
Price: $800.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - TYPED LETTER FRAGMENT SIGNED - HFSID 40105Typed letter fragment signed: "Jno Wanamaker", referencing his role as Postmaster General under President Benjamin Harrison. Captioned "Very respectfully/Postmaster General", it highlights Wanamaker's contributions to retail and postal services in America.
Price: $200.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 04/23/1906 - HFSID 16778Typed letter signed: "John Wanamaker", dated April 23, 1906, addressed to Honorable William B. Smith. Wanamaker explains his inability to visit due to attending the opening of a new building in New York, expressing his affectionate regards.
Price: $400.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 04/26/1901 - HFSID 321493Letter signed: "John Wanamaker", dated April 26, 1901, expressing regret for declining an invitation to deliver an address at Mount Union College due to a full schedule. Wanamaker was Postmaster General and a pioneer in department store retailing.
Sale Price $325.00
$400.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 05/24/1900 - HFSID 1803Typed letter signed by John Wanamaker in 1900, addressing Henry S. Allen and expressing inability to provide information on a prior question. The letter is inscribed on Wanamaker's stationery and includes a message about contributions to general knowledge.
Price: $400.00
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JOHN WANAMAKER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 09/13/1919 - HFSID 1135Typed letter signed by John Wanamaker, dated September 13, 1919, addressing Mrs. Taylor Allderdice about a legislative bill. The letter includes a pencil correction and is on a sheet from his private office in Philadelphia.
Sale Price $795.00
$950.00
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PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRISON - CIVIL APPOINTMENT SIGNED 01/13/1890 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 175528Civil appointment signed by "Benjamin Harrison" as President and "John Wanamaker" as Postmaster General, dated January 13, 1890. This document appoints Hamilton M. Adams as Postmaster for Huntington, West Virginia, highlighting significant historical figures.
Price: $1,800.00
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PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRISON - CIVIL APPOINTMENT SIGNED 07/10/1890 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 5280Civil appointment signed by Benjamin Harrison as President and John Wanamaker as Postmaster General, appointing Peter H. Vosburgh as Postmaster of Matteawan, New York, dated July 10, 1890. Document includes a gold seal and red ribbons.
Price: $1,800.00
