Allan Pinkerton (1819 – 1884). Founder of Pinkerton National Detective Agency. DS. Chicago, December 8, 1876. 1 page. 8 ½” x 3 ¼”. Partly-printed bank check drawn on Merchant Savings, Loan & Trust Company, payable in the amount of $261.20 Allan Pinkerton and endorsed on verso by him. An attractive graphic check with a bold endorsement. Bank cut cancellation, all paper intact. Excellent condition.

Ebenezer Breed. American merchant and owner of Charlestown’s Breed’s Hill. It was upon Breed’s Hill that much of the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought. Autograph Document Signed, “Ebenr Breed,” internally. One page. No place. 1774. Breed writes: “Mr. Baker to Ebenr Breed To the hire of a horse & shay to Salem ₤4.10.0 To a horse & sulky to Medford and Cambridge and to Jamaca [sic] to Call a Councill & Expenses 4.0.0 ₤8.10.0.” Pen notation at lower edge identifies Breed as owner of Breed’s Hill. Usual folds, some very light toning to left edge, else Very Fine.

Samuel Slater. (1768-1835). Slater, born in England, violated British law when he memorized the plans for textile machines and moved to the United States. He slowly set up a plant in Rhode Island and produced an abundant amount of cloth. He continued by building plants in other New England states. ALS. 1pp. 8" x 9 3/4". N. Providence. Oct. 21, 1812. A lengthy and rare autograph letter signed addressed to his brother John Slater. “I did not make out to get the fair arms cast until yesterday & was fixing this morning to send a special messenger with them, just as the bearer Mr. Carpenter came along & said he was on his way up there by whom I send them. Mr. Carpenter feels anxious about his son’s working for us. He says if you will put him to a Mule he shall work at it 6 months for his board & engage for 2 years providing you can agree what wages he’s to have after the six months. His father feels anxious to have him in steady business & I doubt not you may now agree with him for reasonable wages if wanted. Yrs. S. Slater” A rare Slater ALS being one of only two we’ve had. Very Fine.

WILLIAM BINGHAM (1752-1804). American statesman from Philadelphia who helped to found the first bank of the new nation. Autograph Pay Order Signed, “Wm Bingham.” One page, 7 ½” x 3 ¼”. “Black Point.” November 24, 1792. With docketing on verso. Bingham writes:   “Please to pay to Mr. William Lloyd on order five hundred & seventy dollars, for value received, which charge to Account   Your obed Serv. Wm. Bingham. Nicholas Law Esq. New York.”   A leading Philadelphia banker and financier who aided the Revolutionary cause, William Bingham was also a major land developer in the early years of the American nation, purchasing over 2 million acres in Maine in addition to land in upstate New York. Our note was drafted at Bingham’s recent New York purchase, where he established a country retreat on 200 acres of Black Point farmland that is today known as Bingham Hill. 

François Joseph Paul de Grasse (1722 – 1788). French Admiral who commanded the French Fleet at the Battle of Chesapeake, leading to the British surrender at Yorktown. DS. 1 page. 8” x 12 ½”. Signed while “Aboard the Orient, March 8, 1778” Article of the Gunner aboard the ship L’Orient. Not fully translated though the document details the cordage necessary for mooring cannons following the new method of procedure. The quantities of rope and other details of the procedure are provided. The Orient was an 80 gun ship in the French navy. In 1778 it was reduced to 74 guns and was wrecked in Trincomalee in the East Indies in February 1782. (Wikipedia). Folds. A scarce war date document signed by the French naval commander who secured American victory at Yorktown through his naval blockade.

Clarence H. MacKay. S. 4 1/4" x 2 3/4". n.p. n.d. A signature of Clarence H. MacKay on a small card, inscribed to "Mr. Colville". It is in choice condition.

1786, CT. Anderson CT Note issued as payment for service in the War in which “The State of Connecticut doth owe unto Benjamin Ripley who hath served in the Connecticut Line of the continental Army, the sum of seven pounds nine shillings & two pence…in gold or Silver, on or before the first Day of June, A.D. 1788.” A soldier’s family would typically be issued four of these notes, each redeemable in a different year. Singed as treasure by Peter Colt. Punch cancelled at signature. A nice example of Revolutionary War fiscal paper.

“I am not at all surprised that the Indians should be uneasy at the recall of the Commissioners without others being appointed by the Province…” Sir Henry Moore (1713 – 1769). British Colonial leader, Royal governor of New York from 1765 – 1765. ALS. 2 ¼ pages. 6 ¼” x 8”. New York, Augst. 21, 1769. Sr.I am extremely concerned to hear of the accident mentioned in your letter to me & Hope that before this comes to hand, you will be free from all the effects of it. I am not at all surprised that the Indians should be uneasy at the recall of the Commissioners without others being appointed by the Province in their ( ), & mentioned my apprehensions of it to some members of the assembly before their proragation, but it was without effect and , & the inadequate provision made for the Interpreters and Smiths shows how little the matter in agitation was then understood; I shall renew my application to the members in Town, that they may be better prepared at the opening of the approaching session, where I hope every thing will be settled to the satisfaction of the Indians, & shall to morrow lay before His Majesty’s Council what you have urg’d upon that Head. The division of the County of Albany has been brought upon the carpet, in almost every session of assembly since my arrival here; All joyn in allowing it to be necessary, but they cannot agree on the like of division. I have never seen the petition mention’d in your letter concerning this matter, & shall be obliged to you for your sentiments on it, in support of it; as in all probability this affair will be reviv’d again in the next session, I should be glad to be prepar’d for any objections which may be rais’d to you plan. Nothing by my absence from this City & my indisposition since my return, has prevented my ( ) to you on the subjects of your former letter. I beg you will make my Compts. & apology to Col. Johnson, for not having forwarded his commission sooner, I can assure him it was order’d immediately upon the receipt of your letter & the delay has only been owing to the cause here set forth, but shall be dispatched immediately. I am with great truth & regard, Sr. your most obed.t & huml. Sert. H. Moore” Moore pens this letter just three weeks prior to his sudden death in New York City on September 11, 1769. Docketing is in Johnson’s hand. Fine.

Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974). Lindbergh was the first solo man to fly across the Atlantic nonstop. His 1927 flight to Paris in The Spirit of St. Louis took him thirty-three hours and made him a hero. His later life was controversial, as his first child was kidnapped and Lindbergh advocated American neutrality during World War II. Signed Photo. 8” x 10”. A Choice Portrait of Lindbergh wearing a suit. Boldly signed “C. A. Lindbergh”. The photograph is currently framed in an early, period worn, silver plated metal frame. A wonderful example for one seeking a nice Lindbergh signed photo. Excellent.