Autographs

Notables

Lot 148
Key, Francis Scott. Autograph Document Signed ("F S Key"). Signed twice. One page, small quarto, Frederick County, Maryland, December 29, 1804. Docketed and signed in Scott's hand on verso. Being a legal document concerning the petition of John Troxel, Jr. and the judgment rendered against it in favor of Elizabeth Faris. Toning to edges, faint penciled notations, else fine.

Fairly early in Scott's law practice (which he began in 1801) he sends this petition to the "Honble Judges of Frederick County Court". Shortly after this petition, Scott moved his practice to Georgetown and his sterling reputation as a lawyer led to his being asked to negotiate the release of a prisoner in Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812. Key's experiences in Baltimore Harbor were the catalyst to his composition of "The Star Spangled Banner."
Estimated Value $800-900.

Lot 149
Lillie, Gordon (Pawnee Bill) (1860-1942) Showman and promoter, Pawnee Bill took Wild West shows across the country and to Europe, in much the same way as Buffalo Bill had. In 1908, Pawnee Bill bought into Buffalo Bill's show and consolidated the show into "Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Great Far East."

Promissory Note Signed ("Gordon Lillie"). Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. 8½ x 3¼", Philadelphia, January 23, 1912. Drawn on the Fidelity Trust Company of Philadelphia, $20,000 is promised to Gordon Lillie on November 1, 1912. The amount is promised by "Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Great Far East Combined" with Lillie signing as President and Charles Metius signing as Treasurer. Vertical fold, minor creasing, minor toning. Very good condition.

Here the great showman is promised payment (the fabulous sum of $20,000!), probably for his management of the venture. The Wild West shows were hugely successful and became complicated businesses, given the number of performers, venues and shows they entailed.
Estimated Value $500-600.

Lot 150
Lipton, Sir Thomas (1850-1931) Scottish-born businessman and importer, Lipton's development of shipping methods and the tea bag ensured the success of his company and made his a household name. An avid yachtsman, Lipton lost his attempts for the America's Cup five times but earned the title "world's best loser."

Autograph Quotation Signed ("Thomas Lipton"). One page, large octavo, Cowes, England, August 11, 1928. Blue ink on "Yacht Shamrock" stationery. Corner abrasions at top left and bottom right, minor surface soil, album page residue on verso (not visible recto). Very good condition.

"There's no fun like work," penned from one of Lipton's world-famous Shamrock Yachts during Cowes Week, this letter has a great sentiment and great yachting connections.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Analyzing Lucky Luciano

Lot 151
Luciano, Charles "Lucky" (1897-1962). Notorious member of the Mafia. Born into a poor family in Italy, the Luciano clan emigrated to the U.S. in 1906, and it was just inside of a year that the young Charles had been arrested of shoplifting. It was in his early childhood that he developed a friendship with Meyer Lansky, and began dealing drugs. Forming a network of underworld friends, Luciano took full advantage of the opportunities presented by Prohibition. He later joined the infamous Murder Incorporated. In 1936 he was sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment for a plethora of charges, but managed to maintain his control from the inside. In 1946 he was allowed to return to Italy, but it was not long before Luciano continued his crimes, this time from Cuba. The United States then persuaded Cuba to likewise return the criminal boss to Italy, where he died of a heart attack.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Charles"). Two pages, small quarto, Italy, August 26, 1960. Probably to Barney Glassman. Accompanied by a letter from Barnett Glassman to psychologist Irene Marcuse and two answering letters from her, including a complete graphological analysis of Luciano's personality. The ALS has transmittal folds and minor chips at bottom, overall very good to fine condition.

Lucky's voice rings out of this letter: "...that party from Rome came to see me, I told him why you was looking for him...I would like to know if the lawyers are going to do something, in suing. Take care of yourself." The accompanying letter from the graphologist puts a fascinating light on Luciano's personality, as she had no idea whose handwriting she was analyzing: "...a person of practical intelligence, in addition to good common sense...He has reached independence of thought and action -possesses the ability to plan and organize his tasks efficiently...Sociable and outgoing of nature he likes to mix freely with others. Important is his personal integrity and sincerity...will keep a given promise if ever possible..." A great lot!
Estimated Value $4,000-UP.

Lot 152
Rockefeller, John D (1839-1937) One of America's great industrialists, he controlled the oil industry via Standard Oil Company (founded 1870) and the Standard Oil Trust (1882).

Signed Standard Oil Trust Stock Certificate ("JD Rockefeller"). Elaborately engraved with ornate green border, oblong folio, New York, June 16, 1887. The stub is attached at left and the transfer is completed on the verso. The signatures have been machine cancelled (which is unusual, there is generally a hand cancel through the signatures), there is some easily camouflaged separation between ribs of the cancellation; toning to edges. Very good.

Printed in green, black and white with an elaborate engraved vignette of the U.S. Capitol building at top center. Mr. Robert Miller purchased 75 shares of the Standard Oil Trust, which he took out of his name in 1893 and held in a stockbroker's name until 1898, when the shares were cancelled. This may mean that Miller's shares were part of the huge group Rockefeller bought back in the late 1880s/early 1890s.
Estimated Value $2,400-2,700.

Lot 153
Wanamaker, John (1838-1922) American businessman. Developed the idea of the "department store" around 1876 and made the reality a success with agressive marketing techniques and promotions. A pillar of his community, appointed Post Master General by Harrison.

Letter Signed ("John Wanamaker"). One page, small quarto, Philadelphia, April 6, 1905. On "Private Office/John Wanamaker/Philadelphia" stationery. To H. Clay Evans. Transmittal folds with some separation, soil to edges, minor toning. Good condition.

Addressing the American Consulate General in London, Wanamaker practices his exceptional networking skills. "I thank you for your long painstaking and prompt letter in answer to mine. You give me a great deal to think about and I hope to see you on your return...I do not know what your future is to be, but you can rely upon my being interested in every move that you make."
Estimated Value $200-300.

Lot 154
Interesting Large Lot. Forty-three items, some ALSs, some TLSs and a few signatures. This lot has two main categories: Physicians/Professors and Prominent Women of the 1930s and 1940s. The President of Dartmouth, Edward Martin Hopkins; Ina Claire; Gladys Carrol, Rise Stevens (a Signed Photo); Boak Carter; Fairfield Osborn; Jane Addams; Helen Hokinson; Frances Parkinson Keyes; Frances F. Cleveland Preston; Ruth Nichols; Elizabeth Bache and Helen Astor are just a few of the notables in this bunch. There are two main addressees featured here: Dr. Ernest Groves of the Institute for Research in Social Science at the University of North Carolina; and Winifred Mallon, Washington DC journalist and President of the Women's National Press Club -- their respective interests are reflected in the content and writers of many of the letters. Most of the letters provide interesting reading -- the activities, intellectual decisions and networking of early- to mid- century movers and shakers from all spheres are easy to find. Conditions range from very good to fine.
Estimated Value $500-600.