Autographs

Notables

Astor of the Titanic

Lot 132
Astor, John Jacob (IV) (1864-1912) Financier, international businessman. Killed in the sinking of the Titanic.

Signature ("J. J. Astor"). Clipped signature, 3½ x 1¼", n.p., n.d. Toning around edges, small pencil mark below signature, adhesive residue on verso and wrinkles to immediate left of signature. Good to very good condition.

Penned by a successful businessman and respected international figure who met a storied end, Astor's signatures are rare and highly sought after by both Titanic and business collectors.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 133
Barton, Clara (1821-1912) American nurse and founder of the American Red Cross. The "Angel of the Battlefield, " Barton distributed supplies and organized care of wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Establishing the American Red Cross in 1881, Barton served as the organization's first president and coordinated and supervised activities during the 1880s and 1890s. With Barton's perseverance, the role of the Red Cross internationally expanded from strictly war time efforts to include distribution of relief during natural disasters.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Clara"). One page, recto and verso, "Home", July 5, 1906. To "Dearest Marvin." Transmittal envelope included. Transmittal fold, otherwise fine.

Written near the end of her life, a very personal letter; "How sorry I am to know you are so weak...I seem to get no news to tell you but sad things, so many people that I know getting into accident or killed..."
Estimated Value $400-500.

Lot 134
Booth, Maud Ballington (1865-1940) British-born American reformer, founded Volunteers of America with her husband in 1896. Pioneering work rehabilitating inmates at notorious Sing-Sing and other prisons made her one of the most influential prison reformers of the 20th century, and she was instrumental in the development of the parole system. Also an active suffragette and founding member of the Parent Teacher Association.

Autograph Note Signed ("Maud B. Booth"). Three pages, recto and verso, 5½ x 3½", New York, February 25, 1931. Black ink on blue note paper, the first page is a note about the Ballington Booth's departure from the Salvation Army, the second is a quote inscribed in Booth's Bible by her husband. Both pages signed, both in fine condition.
Estimated Value $75-100.

Lot 135
Carnegie, Andrew (1835-1919) Scottish-born industrialist, owner of the largest steel and iron works in the United States on his retirement in 1901. Remembered for his philanthropic undertakings.

Signature ("Andrew Carnegie"). Clipped signature, 3½ x 1", n.p., n.d. In blue ink. Bottom right corner is missing, small spot of adhesive residue at top edge, otherwise very good condition.
Estimated Value $75-100.

Lot 136
Carnegie, Dale. Signed Book ("Dale Carnegie"). How To Win Friends and Influence People New York: Simon and Schuster. 1937, 312 pages with index. Dust jacket printed at top edge "This is copy No. 614797 of the most popular work of non-fiction of our time." Dust jacket work with minor tears, chips and paper loss. Strip of light toning inside book cuts through signature. Overall, very good condition.
Estimated Value $100-150.

Lot 137
Catt, Carrie Champman (1859-1947) American suffragette leader, Catt was instrumental in planning the campaigns that finally won women the right to vote. In her later years, she was devoted to the causes of world peace and child labor.

Lot of two. 1). Typed Letter Signed ("Carrie Chapman Catt"). One page, quarto, New Rochelle, New York, March 18, 1931. On Catt's letterhead. To Ida Corey. One horizontal and two vertical folds. Fine condition. 2). Signature ("Carrie Chapman Catt"). One page, 5 x 3¼", New Rochelle, March 18, 1931. Adhesive residue on verso, else fine.

Catt's reply leaves one to wonder about the collector's original letter: "...I was a bit amused at your request to remember a special train of suffragettes, etc. I do not remember that any such train ever went to Seattle. What did go was a special train of Republican women in the year 1920..."
Estimated Value $125-150.

Lot 138
Dow, Charles H (1851-1902) American publisher, he established Dow Jones & Company in 1882 and founded the Wall Street Journal in 1889.

Document Signed Twice as Trustee ("Charles H. Dow"). One page, recto and verso. A 6% First Mortgage Bond, number 386, for the Amity Canal, Reservoir and Improvement Company in Colorado, for $500.00. Sixteen coupons, payable semi-annually, are still attached; the principal is payable April 1, 1901. Dow has signed twice verso in the Trustee's Certificate printed on the docket panel. Signed recto by "A.B. Koen" as president, and "RA French" as secretary, of the company. Beautifully engraved recto and verso. Expected folds, else fine.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,500.

Lot 139
Ford, Henry. Typed Letter Signed ("Henry Ford"). One page, small quarto, Dearborn, January 19, 1942. On his letterhead. To Miss Agatha Laughlin. Transmittal envelope included, as is a small typed card indicating Ford signed the letter personally. Transmittal folds, minor toning, else fine.

Ford was dedicated to the Edison Institute, named after his friend and mentor, and spent many of his later years working to improve the collection and research resources there. Miss Laughlin made a donation of "two silk dresses, gold watch, portfolio and cardcase" to the Institute and here receives Ford's commendations for her "thoughtfulness in making this contribution. I hope it will give you a feeling of satisfaction to know that these articles will be preserved."
Estimated Value $1,600-2,000.

Lot 140
Frank, Otto (1889-1980). Father of Anne Frank. As the only Frank family member to survive the Holocaust, Otto Frank devoted his life to the memory of his daughter after admitting that he had not truly known Anne until reading her famous diary.

Signature ("Otto Frank"). Signed greeting card, 6 x 4½", n.p., circa 1966-1967. Signed in blue pen underneath holiday greetings. Very good condition.

A beautiful UNICEF holiday card inscribed "Reciprocating your good wishes".
Estimated Value $900-1,000.

Noted Civil War Photographer

Lot 141
Fredericks, Charles D. Check Signed ("CD Fredricks"). Partially printed, accomplished in autograph. 8 x 3", New York, February 1, 1871. Drawn on the Manufacturers and Merchants Bank and made payable to Elizabeth Eddowes. Fredricks signs the recto. Punch cancelled, endorsed and stamped verso. Faint, minor foxing. Fine.

Many of the Confederacy's most famous generals were photographed by Fredricks, including McCullough, Beauregard and Lee.
Estimated Value $200-300.

Lot 142
Gambino, Carlo (1902-1976) Legendary Mafia don. The "Godfather" began his life of crime in Italy, where he was inducted into the "Honored Society" at the age of 19. At that time, Musolini had made it clear that he would not allow the "Society" to continue, and Gambino emigrated to America to join his family, the Castellanos. He began working as a runner during Prohibition, and soon joined forces with Lucky Lucino slowly moving up to be the head of one of the Five Families of organized crime in New York. It was only towards the end of his life that the authorities were able to catch up with him, often trying to deport Gambino who had never become a citizen. The sickly Italian used his ill-health to avoid trial and deportation, frequently faking heart attacks.

Check Signed ("Carlo Gambino"). Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. New York, November 1961. Drawn on Gambino's S.G.S. Associates account at the Chase Manhattan Bank and made payable to Angela Maritos. Punch and stamp cancelled, none of which affect Gambino's signature. Fine.

Gambino signs this check issued by S.G.S. Associates -- his public and labor relations firm which settled disputes for a cache of impressive clients. One of Gambino's legitimate businesses, alas, the company was closed after both state and federal investigations.
Estimated Value $550-650.

Lot 143
Genet, Citizen (Edmond-Charles-Edouard) (1763-1834). French diplomat. Genet created the first international crisis for the United States by attempting to draw the nation into France's war with England and Spain. While in America, the diplomat acted against President Washington's policy of neutrality and attempted to raise recruits for the cause. As a result, he was ordered back to France, which would most certainly have resulted in his death. Washington took pity on Genet and refused to extradite him.

Document Signed ("E C Genet"). One page, 7½ x 6¼", Albany, 1816. Being a receipt for stock dividends received from Charles D. Cooper. Docketed on verso. One horizontal and two vertical folds, tiny tape repair to verso. Very good condition.
Estimated Value $250-300.

Lot 144
Genet, Citizen (Edmond-Charles-Edouard). Autograph Document. One page, 8 x 2¼", Greenbush, New York, June 12, 1829. Being a receipt for work written by Genet, signed and witnessed by the laborers and "ML Genet". Docketed on verso. Water stain at lower left corner, toning to edges. Good to very good condition.

Following his marriage to Governor Clinton's daughter, Genet settled down and became an important member of his community. By 1829, he was a firmly established American.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 145
[Genovese, Vito] Tax Document (1897-1969). Mob leader. Born in Italy, Genovese immigrated to the United States and quickly became an important member of the Lucky Luciano gang. He returned to Italy in 1937 in order to avoid arrest for murder, but was brought back following World War II on the charges. Fortunately for him, charges were dropped and he was released after the prime witness against him was mysteriously murdered. Never far from trouble, in 1958 Genovese was arrested again for drug related charges which resulted in a 15 year prison sentence. He died while serving his time .

Like other mafioso (most notably Al Capone), Genovese got into federal trouble when filing (or not filing) his taxes. This "Offer in Compromise", dated March 7, 1933, in Boston, outlines measures taken after Genovese failed to file taxes for 1931. Citing his "complete ignorance of the law requiring returns", he was fined $92.00 "in lieu of 25% penalty and interest from due date." We wish we had the "attached brief" mentioned, it would be interesting to see the specifics of Genovese's report, but this remains an unique article attached to one of the most powerful and notorious members of the American Mafia.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 146
Greeley, Horace (1811-1872). American newspaper editor well-known for his anti-slavery sentiments in the years leading up to the Civil War.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Horace Greeley"). One page, quarto, New York, October 27, 1850. On blue lined paper. To C.G. Brown, Esq. Penciled notations, foxing, age toning, and adhesive residue on two right verso corners. In very good condition overall.

Greeley communicates with a Mr. Brown in Newburyport, Massachusetts, regarding a speaking engagement and it is obvious the editor's schedule is very full "...I cannot now say that I shall have it in my power to spend a Sunday evening with you...don't rely on me and don't advertise me prior to receiving a direct promise from me..."
Estimated Value $225-300.

Lot 147
Hearst, William Randolph (1863-1951) American newspaper publisher whose personal animosities deeply influenced his editorial policy. Established a publishing and motion picture syndicate during the 1920s and 1930s that stretched from coast to coast. His palatial mansion, San Simeon, was furnished with antiques and artifacts from across the globe.

Signed Typed Document ("W R Hearst"). Three pages, quarto, Los Angeles, February 16, 1945. On Los Angeles Examiner letterhead. To Hearst Newspaper publishers. Accompanied by an 9 x 7" sepia toned photograph of Hearst emerging from an aircraft. Mailing folds, very minor toning at edges, pages stapled at top left. Fine condition.

Hearst lays down the law to his publishers when faced with wartime restrictions. One can almost hear him dictating the various points: "...Let us not leave any advertising out of the papers...when circulation is greater than we can supply with the amount of print paper at hand, please raise circulation rates...PLEASE RAISE YOUR ADVERTISING RATES UNTIL THE RATES LIMIT THE ADVERTISING SUFFICIENTLY...This is the way they did it in England...it is the way you will have to do here...answer this communication and let me know what steps you approve taking to raise the rates as proposed above." The great businessman/publisher speaks!
Estimated Value $300-400.