[Bicycle History – Boston]. DS. 8” x 36”. Boston, Mass. October 29, 1888. This document calls for the membership to back the proposed purchase of a building adjacent to the club’s building for the purpose of expansion. “In the opinion of many …the present building is already quite inadequate for the use of the club; and they feel certain, that if in the future, the club is to take and maintain a high position and rank among the institutions of similar character in the country, a larger building and more ample accommodations will be necessary….” The Massachusetts Bicycle Club was founded on January 10, 1879. It was headquartered on Newbury Street in Boston and by 1885 boasted a membership of 225. Signed at the conclusion by 30 members of the club in support of the acquisition. An interesting early bicycling related document. Fine.

“Camp Meigs-Readville Oct. 31, 1862- Charge and Specification against Private John G. Beecher of Co. E. 45th Reg. mass – Charge, overstaying his furlough…” 1862, Camp Meigs, Readville Oct. 31st. Civil War letter. 2pp 7 ¾” x 9 ¾” “said John Beecher received a Furlough Oct. 25th which expired Oct 28th at 7 o’clock p.m. About six o’clock that evening his son applied for an extension of his father’s furlough, which was refused, and was told to tell his father to return to Camp by the first train from Boston, the next morning. He failed to and Thursday a.m. Oct. 30th I left for the city in search of him. I first visited his house in Chelsea, found his wife who reported that he left home on the afternoon of the previous day for Camp. Knowing from this he must be in Boston I returned and go an officer who soon found and arrested him, he was brought to Camp Friday morning by an officer from the city and delivered to me by a corporal of the Provost Guard…” “The undersigned having examined the case of private Beecher finds him guilty by his own confession of the whole charge… I sentence him to 3 days in the guard house on bread & water.” An interesting look at the personal hardships placed on families during the war. The sentence of Beecher is approved and signed “R. A. Peirce, Brig. Gen’l” though we find no listing of Peirce as a general

THOMAS NAST. DS. 1pp. 8" x 3". Morristown, N.J. August 22 1892. A check signed "Th: Nast" drawn on "The First National Bank". He paid "Delmonicos Twenty-five Dollars". The check has the usual "X" cancellation marks but the signature is dark and the condition is fine.

Boies Penrose (1860 - 1921) American lawyer and Republican politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. TLS. 1 page. 8 1/2” x 11”. Nov. 27, 1914. On Penrose’s personal letterhead. Addressed to Samuel Dickson, Esq., Philadelphia, Penna. “Dear Mr. Dickson: I have yours of the 25th instant. I entirely agree with your criticisms on the Wilson administration in connection with Mexico. I am very familiar with this situation. I have given a good deal of attention to it and am in receipt of a large correspondence direct from Mexico regarding matters there. I have postponed opening the subject in a public way until a favorable opportunity should occur and, of course, during the last few months I have been too much occupied with my own campaign to take the subject up. I intend, however, to resume consideration of the matter at an early date and will file your communication and bear your views in mind. Hoping to see you soon, I am Yours truly, Boies Penrose”. During the Wilson Administration, the United States occupation of Veracruz, which began with the Battle of Veracruz, lasted for six months in response to the Tampico Affair of April 9, 1914. The incident came in the midst of poor diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States, related to the ongoing Mexican Revolution. Very Fine.

CALEB SMITH. ANS. 1pp. 8" x 12 1/4". Indiana. 19th March 1833. An autograph note signed by Caleb Smith at the conclusion of a lengthy autograph legal document signed. Smith penned: "Personally came into open Court Caleb B. Smith who being duly sworn on his oath saith that the matter & things in the above bill of complaint contains so far as Robert Russell and William Clary and Abner S Bond are severally concerned...Caleb B Smith". The note is darkly penned and in fine condition. The overall piece has some light toning that affects nothing.

CAROLINE and WILLIAM ASTOR. ADS. 1pp. 8" x 2 3/4". New York. March 14 1871. A check signed "Caroline W. Astor" and completely engrossed by her. The "Chemical Bank" check paid "Mr. Wm. Astor One hundred & sixty four Dollars and one cent". It is endorsed on the verso "Wm Astor". There is a cut cancellation that does not affect either signature and a thin ink line through Caroline's signature, but her autograph is still fully readable.

WALTER P. CHRYSLER. ADS. 1pp. 6 3/4" x 2 3/4". New York. Feb 9, 1931. A "Central Hanover Bank and Trust Company" check signed "Walter P Chrysler Jr.". He paid "The Chieftain Cafe $2.-". The check has the usual punch cancellations that barely affect the engrossment but not the signature. It is in very fine condition with a dark signature.

ROGER SHERMAN (1721-1793). Statesman. Sherman is the only man to sign all four of the following important American documents (from Connecticut): the Articles of Association, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution. SAMUEL HUNTINGTON (1731-1796). Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Connecticut.

MDS. 1 page, 7 1/2" x 7 1/4". To John Lawrence Esqr. Treasurer of the State of Connecticut. “Sir Please to pay unto George Pitkin Clerk of the Supr. Court One hundred & twenty nine pounds & twelve shillings being the balance of his account for fees & expenditures paid at the adjourned Supr. Courts in the Counties of Fairfield & New Haven Decemr. 1778: and charge the state in amount for the same. By order of Roger Sherman & Samuel Huntington – Assistants.”

Also signed by Jedediah Huntington. A fine and rare association of two Connecticut Signers signing on a single document.

Matthias William Baldwin (1795 - 1866) An American manufacturer of steam locomotives. He opened his machine shop in 1825. The business grew to become Baldwin Locomotive Works, one of the most prolific and successful locomotive manufacturing firms in America. ALS. 2 pages. Phila Feb 21st 1839. “Dear Sir, Your letter dated the 19th was duly received. It is true when the bargain was made with M. William it was expected I should receive money – equal to – and at that time the exchange was about 1 ½ peer cent for Eastern funds. We were allowed that sum ( or what – it was) and it was put in the -. On referring to the contract I find also, that the money was to be current in the Banks of Detroit. One of the Banks was -. I learn from a Gentleman just arrived from – who has been there all Winter, that Notes of –-Road & Banking Co, an - - and even more sought after – the State Bank. Though this is the case, they are not – currant out of the state. I – the notes of the - - - offered to take with the note and bear they were not as well known in other states. They were-. – this may be, is of little consequence, your object is to get your money and mine is to pay you. And that you may not be unsuccessful in you efforts. You have my consent to give whatever discount that may be – to get - -. I presume you will uses all due – to get at – at as low a rate as you can. And I hope you will under these circumstance take the best – to get exchange and not - it at the present moment, as I know a very difficult to purchase – at -. I will not – you however if you think you must have it immediately. I would remark that I - - - - money will be offered; for it was to grand against that , that the City Banks – mentioned. I would suggest that property of purchasing Flour with the money by his means; perhaps something may be saved. - - turnout as I expect, it will – my debt to your after reserving what - - regards to about 2700 dollars. This I hope soon to be able to settle, and could I now get what is due me, and will soon be hard, I can pay that, and all other debts more due. It is owing to the difficulties of collecting, that I am at all embarrassed.My liabilities have been – since you were here last Fall about Thirty Thousand dollars . My – is good, having mores to do – I can - complete in proper – with a good p of enough to help me – I am sorry your shout – determined not to fell away under orders for Copper, and hope often the offered I have made you about the note, you will reconsider you -, and continue to supply my wants. Should you so decide I hope you will write me immediately as I am in want of some, as soon as it can be made. My health is improving, and I - think I shall be able to attend to – again as usual. I have little doubt but I can give my Copper – as I have had –offer from manufacturers, - but I don’t want to make a change - cant be avoided. Let me hear from you – Yours truly, M. W. Baldwin.” Fine content and excellent condition letter for this important railroad related autograph.