Andrew Pickens Butler (1796 –1857). U.S. Senator From South Carolina. Co-author of the Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854 with Stephen Douglass. Free Franked Envelope. 7 ¼” x 3 ½”. “Free A. P. Butler”. Addressed to Jos. Starke Sims, Esq., Pacolet Mills, Union Dist., S.C.

Anne Grant (1755 – 1838). Scottish poet. ALS. 1 ½ pages with integral address leaf. To a friend, Grant writes a lengthy letter;

21st January 1832

My Dear Sir Why should I not say my dear friend when I feel myself have an interior claim upon you to that effect before I proceed further I must in justice say that I have no where met with warmer gratitude and attachment than from the few Americans to who I show civilities Services were quite out of my power But whatever I did came from the Heart & was so understood this serves to cover an answer to a letter full of affection and gratitude from Mr. Andrew Bigelowe who it appears had written twice some time ago no doubt in the same stile without receiving any answer, I think I could scarce be such a Savage as to neglect so much kindness. One of his or mine must have been lost This letter was brought by a very pleasing relation of his Stevens by name Who is now in Manchester & wishd my answer to be sent to him to forwarded, but I think it more direct to be sent thro your good offices by the packet for I am impatient to let the good Soul know that age has not with me extinguished all human feeling Bye the bye, I received with this letter a tour to Sicily & Malta of his writing of respectable size & equally respectable contents, indicating much f his natural gentleness and good feeling. Excepting indeed on one subject which carries him uprite of his native element, & it make him appear like a Pigeon in a passion to poor John Bull he is on all occasions unmerciful Now I really think Jonathan Calf ought to respect himself in his progenitor from whom he derives such a rich inheritance of good blood, good language good laws & above all to use his own phrase good Nations. It is ungracious to trumple on the poor old Gentlemen in the day of his on the poor old Gentleman in the day of his adversity, but one shall not begin a subject which has no end but rather speak of Dear Mrs. Booth & her pretty Chickens, As Macduff says. I have a kind of partial interest about the youngest which I should not indulge knowing how little these Blossoms are to be with & in such a case I should be sorrier than I ought to be. We are all quiet & grave here few parties none gay no wonder. Standing as we do on an Isthmus between Revolution & cholera, & without very kindly feelings to each other where Politics differ while matters are come to a crisis which makes a Neutrality impossible. The inclosed will be sent of course to the Packets. I shall be inconsolable if it does not arrive. I love all your children the “Like Jacob lendest of the youngest born”. Mrs. Booth knows that I love her & suspects me of loving you.

A denial would be unworthy of Anne Grant

J. P. Morgan’s Partner In Drexel, Morgan And Company ANTHONY J. DREXEL (1826-1893). Banker and founder of Drexel, Morgan & Co. His Clipped Signature, “A..J. Drexel” A scarce autograph. Extremely Fine.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Commissions William Barton A Justice Of The Peace Signed By Declaration Of Independence Signer Thomas McKean. Partially Printed Document. 15 1/4” x 12”. Lancaster, Pennsylvania.. October 20, 1808. Vignette of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Seal at text and Thomas McKean Governor banner at top center. Attached paper wafer seal affixed at upper left. The document appoints William Barton to be a Justice of the Peace. William Barton (1754 - 1817). Pennsylvania lawyer, scholar, and designer (with Charles Thomson) of the Great Seal of the United States. The document states in part “…I the said Thomas McKean, Have appointed, and by these Presents, do appoint and commission you, the said William Barton to be a Justice of the Peace, in the District, Numbered 1, in the county of Lancaster….” Signed by Thomas McKean as Governor at top left above the seal. Thomas McKean (1735-1817). Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Delaware; Pennsylvania Governor; Statesman. Long active in the public affairs of both Delaware and Pennsylvania, McKean eventually came to the conclusion that separation from England was the only possible course of action for the colonies, and used his considerable influence and parliamentary skills in the Continental Congress towards that end. With one short interruption, he was a member of the Continental Congress from Delaware 1774-83 and its president in 1781. Interestingly, he simultaneously held public offices in two states-Delaware and Pennsylvania-during much of this time. He is generally given credit for framing the Delaware state constitution (1776), but there is some question as to whether he was the sole author. He served as Pennsylvania governor 1799-1808 and, while his administration was active in promoting education and internal improvements, it "was a veritable storm center in state politics," characterized by very bitter personal and factional jealousies. Some aging and overall toning. Fine.

ARMAND HAMMER (1898 – 1990). Industrialist, art collector, philanthropist. Signed Book. “The Quest of the Romanoff Treasure” by Armand Hammer. Hardcover. 241 pages. New York, 1932. Presented to one of his fellow fraternity brothers, “To Dr. John J. Jaffin in memory of the good old days of Mu Sigma with best wishes. Armand Hammer, November 22, 1932” Some separation of the binding. Fine.

NATHANIEL BOWDITCH (1773-1838).  Astronomer; Mathematician; Insurance Executive.  Bowditch was constantly reading and studying from early childhood, constructing his own almanac when he was 15.  In 1802, he wrote The American Practical Navigator, a treatise which explained the principles of navigation and practical methods of their application.  The rights to this were purchased by the United States Navy, and it was commonly referred to as “the seaman’s bible.”  His works in astronomy and in the development of mathematical tables are widely known.  He was a long-time member and President of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. DS. 1pp. 5” x 2”. Boston. Dec 11, 1834.  A check signed by Nathaniel Bowditch while an actuary of the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company.  He paid P. Adams twenty-five dollars.  There are two cancellation holes away from the signature and it is in fine condition overall.

Document Signed. New York. November 21, 1878. 1 page. Attractive blue-tinted draft on August Belmont company check “A.B. & Co” Payable “This our second of Exchange” to the order of Mrs. Mary Schumann … ” Eagle vignette atop. Signed boldly and perfectly. August Belmont (1816 - 1890). Financier; Diplomat. At the age of fourteen, Belmont began working at the office of the Rothschilds in Frankfurt, Germany. His skill for finance won him numerous promotions within the company until in 1837, during the financial panic, he formed his own company in New York with his only tangible asset being that of his agency in the U.S. for the Rothschilds. Within a few years, Belmont was one of the leading bankers in the nation. Very Fine.

AUGUST BELMONT JR. (1853-1924) American financier, builder of New York’s Belmont Park and a major breeder and owner of Thoroughbred horses. Typed Letters Signed, “August Belmont & Co,” by Belmont on company letterhead One page, 8 1/2” x 11”. The letter, written to Miss Elinor [sic?]Douglas Wise, reads, in part:

“ … In addition to the $400 credited to you on November 2nd for the months of October and November, our Prior has opened with us a credit in your favor of $200 - per month … To enable you to avail of this credit while abroad, we are writing to-day to Messrs. De Rothschild Freres … requesting them to hold at your disposal the approximate equivalents of the above amounts … We are sending to Messrs. De Rothschild a specimen of you signature, so that you will have no difficulty in identifying yourself when you apply to them for payments … ”

According to our research, the recipient of this letter, ELEANOR DOUGLAS WISE went on to marry the 8th, and final, Duke de Richelieu in 1930. Usual folds. Overall Very Fine

AUGUST BELMONT (1813-1890) Partially printed Bill of Exchange Drawn on August Belmont & Co. Signed "August Belmont & Co," by Belmont. New York. January 31, 1876. This item has been authenticated and encapsulated by PASS-CO.