JOHN HAYS HAMMOND (1855-1936) American mining engineer, and father of John Hays Hammond, Jr.. He developed diamond and gold mining in South Africa and California and helped found De Beers, the largest diamond producer in the world. He was the leader of a group of British immigrants who tried to overthrow the South African Republic, and was arrested and sentenced to death in January 1896. He avoided his sentence after paying a $125,000 fine. Typed Letter Signed. May 16, 1930, 1 page. Addressed to T.M. Vangelder, President of the American Association for the Recognition of Merit regretting he cannot join the Advisory Board. Hammond notes he is “retiring from all active work…” He signs “John Hays Hammond.” 6” x 8”. Light paperclip mark to bottom, o/w Fine.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND (1855-1936). Mining engineer, called "America's greatest miner"; Financier. "No other figure in history ever added so much to mankind's supplies of gold and silver. Through his efforts mines in the United States, Africa, Mexico, South America, Central America, and Russia have added hundreds of millions of dollars [in 1916 dollars] to the world's wealth." (Men Who are Making America by B.C. Forbes). Hammond began his career in mining working for George Hearst in 1879 and soon thereafter began collecting statistics on gold mining for the United States Geological Survey, an experience which proved invaluable to his future. In the 1890s Hammond was hired by Cecil Rhodes to be his chief mining engineer of the Consolidated Gold Fields of South Africa, the company controlling the Rhodes interests on the Rand. It was Hammond who recommended Rhodes sell his outcropping mines and change to deep level development, a move which proved extremely successful. In 1896, Hammond was sentenced to death following the "Jameson Raid", resulting from the Transvaal mining interests belief that they were being treated unfairly by South African president Paul Kruger. Hammond was ultimately released after five months and a payment of $125,000.00. Upon returning to the United States in 1899, Hammond was the consulting engineer for a who's who of famous American mining and railroad financiers including: E. H. Harriman, William C. Whitney, the Guggenheims and Guggenheim Exploration Company and numerous others. He was active in recommending and securing many of the Guggenheim mining properties. He retired in 1907 due to poor health but continue many activities. Truly an important figure in mining and financial history, with the information merely providing a small sample of his activities. TLS. 1 page. Lookout Hill, Gloucester, Mass. September 21, 1929. To Mr. Louis Wiley, The New York Times. New York City. “Many thanks for your kindness in sending me the clipping from the New York Times of September 5th and September 6th. “Our committee will give careful consideration to the suggestions made as to the Stephen T. Mather Memorial after we have succeeded in obtaiing adequate subscriptions for an appropriate memorial. It will give me pleasure to confer with you before any action is taken. With sincere regards, Very truly yours. John Hays Hammond”. Fine.

JOHN NICHOLSON (d. 1800). State official; Land speculator. Nicholson was a shady Pennsylvania state official who resigned all his state offices in 1794, having been impeached, but acquitted, by the Pennsylvania Legislature just prior to his resignation. Scarce Partially Printed Document Signed “Jn Nicholson.” Comptroller-Generals Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. September 29, 1789, 1 page. Octavo. Nicholson held the office from 1782 to 1794 and was often regarded as “the financial dictator of the state.” The document reads: “Theses certify William Leary late private 11th Penna. Reg’t hat been allowed a pension of four dollars per month, by the State of Pennsylvania, agreeable to Acts the United States, on account of would or disabilities received or incurred in the army of the United States during the late war, and that the same hath been paid him until the first day of May, 1789 and no longer…” Uneven edges as made, light stains. Overall Fine condition. A rare original period form and one of the first we have encountered.

1784, Pennsylvania. 8 1/2" x 6". Partly printed Council certificate in which David Rittenhouse is directed to pay "James Campbell Adm. Of Thomas Flahead late Private , of the Pennsylvania Line,...one year's interest on his depreciation certificate." Countersigned by JOHN NICHOLSON (d. Dec. 5, 1800), Comptroller general of Pennsylvania; with Robert Morris formed numerous land companies. These certificates were issued to pay the interest on depreciation certificates that had been previously issued to compensate soldiers on unpaid back pay and make up losses suffered by the troops from having been paid in depreciated currency. An interesting document displaying some of the financial chaos which was prevalent during and after the war. Fine.

1784, Pennsylvania. 8 1/2" x 6". Partly printed Council certificate in which David Rittenhouse is directed to pay "Hugh Barnett Corporal of Hazens Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line,...one year's interest on his depreciation certificate." Countersigned by JOHN NICHOLSON (d. Dec. 5, 1800), Comptroller general of Pennsylvania; with Robert Morris formed numerous land companies. These certificates were issued to pay the interest on depreciation certificates that had been previously issued to compensate soldiers on unpaid back pay and make up losses suffered by the troops from having been paid in depreciated currency. An interesting document displaying some of the financial chaos which was prevalent during and after the war. Fine.

(1795-1870) Kennedy a novelist best remembered for Horse, Shoe Reunion. ALS 1pp 7 ½” x 9 ½”. Annapolis Md. Jany 13, 1847. Signed “John P. Kennedy” to “Watts Galusha...Presdt of the Phil. Soc. Rutgers. Coll.”: “I have received your letter of the 9th inst. announcing to me my unanimous election as an Honorary Member of the Philo clean Society of Rutgers College. I beg leave to return my thanks to the Society for this flattering testimonial of their good opinion and the spare them that I accept the honor they have conferred upon me with a satisfaction that is greatly enhanced by the high reputation which the college and its students have won in the general esteem of the country” It is in very fine condition.

JOHN S. PILLSBURY (1828-1901). American politician, businessman, Governor of Minnesota and philanthropist. Manuscript Document Signed, “J.S. Pillsbury.” Six pages, 8” x 12 1/2”. Minnesota. June 24, 1878. The document sets forth the articles of incorporation for the Minneapolis Belt Railway Company. With green notary seal on sixth page and blue oval “FILED IN THE OFFICE OF MINN SECREATY OF STATE” stamp on first page. Pages attached by brads and silk ribbon. Very Fine.

JOHN RINGLING (1866-1936) Best-known and most sucessful of the seven Ringling brothers, five of whom merged the Barnum & Bailey Circus with their Ringling Brothers Circus. Stock certificate transfer Stub Signed, "Jno. Ringling." Extremely Fine.

Cut Signature. 2 ¼” x 1”. JOHN TILLMAN LAMPKIN, (1811-1870). Mississippi Congressman and secessionist. Some tape that slightly affects Lampkin’s signature