1274. JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER (1839 - 1937) American industrialist and philanthropist who organized Standard Oil and virtually monopolized the industry until he was forced by a Supreme Court ruling to dissolve the company and break it up into regional producers and refiners. Early D.S. "John D. Rockefeller" also signed by his wife LAURA C. ROCKEFELLER, 1p. folio, Cleveland, Sep. 17, 1868, in which the Rockefellers sell a parcel of land in Cleveland for the sum of $5,100. Folds, one of which bears a tear nearly across the document with no paper loss, slight soiling and edge wear, otherwise good to very good.$600-800

"...I always was a `Peace Maker'..."

1275. JAY COOKE (1821 - 1905) American banker whose marketing of government bonds was essential for the financial support of the Union. Cooke was later quite active in railroad and mining ventures. Good content A.L.S. on his Jay Cooke and Co. banking letterhead, 2pp. 4to., Philadelphia, Mar. 22, 1879. As he recoups from steep losses from his financing of the Northern Pacific Railroad, Cooke here invests in real estate in the West. In part: "...I always was a `Peace Maker' & suppose I shall be able to keep the peace between you and Blood. I will see that you get N/E % Com'n anyhow...Now plan to attend at once to the following & try to have the documents here by 3rd April...". Cooke then discusses at length obtaining paperwork related to parcels of land in Lawrence, KS, apparently from Massachusetts textile manufacturer Amos Adams Lawrence, after whom the town of Lawrence was named. Fine condition.$600-800

1276. LELAND STANFORD (1824 - 1893) American railroad builder and magnate, Governor of California and the prime promoter and financier of the Central Pacific Railroad's construction of the western link of the transcontinental railroad. A.D.S. as Governor penned at the bottom of a petition attesting to the good character of a doctor bound for Mexico, Maupsette [?], Ca., Dec. 15, 1862, in full: "I am personally acquainted with most of the gentlemen whose names affixed to the above certificate and can cheerfully certify that their statements are entitled and confident. Leland Stanford Gov. of Cal.". Two marginal stains, otherwise very good. $700-900

1277. JOHN JACOB ASTOR (1864 - 1912) American financier, served in the Spanish-American War, drowned in the Titanic disaster after he turned down a seat in a lifeboat. Scarce full signature "John Jacob Astor" removed from a document, 1901. Very good.$100-150

1278. JAY COOKE (1821 - 1905) American banker whose marketing of government bonds was essential for the financial support of the Union. Cooke was later quite active in railroad and mining ventures. D.S. 1p. oblong 8vo., [New York, Jan. 19, 1871], a bold endorsement signature "Jay Cooke & Co" on the verso of a Wells Fargo $50 gold exchange bill made out to Fred D. Stuart. A signature above Cooke's lightly touches it, else very good condition. $150-200

1279. JAY COOKE L.S. signed with initials "J.C." 1p. 8vo., [n.p.], July 16, 1858, to Mr. Hale, in part: "...I have just recd the enclosed...Don't do anything about this matter till I see Mr. Thomas...". Stapled to another letter, slight smearing to signature, otherwise very good. $150-200

1280. ENZO FERRARI (1898 - 1988) Italian automobile manufacturer who formed his own firm in 1940 to make the world's fastest racers and sports cars men would kill for. T.N.S. 1p. on a 6" x 4" card, Modena, Dec. 1985, a one-sentence letter of thanks. With transmittal envelope. A few light spots, otherwise very good.$400-500

1281. HENRY M. FLAGLER (1830 - 1913) American financier closely associated with Rockefeller in forming Standard Oil and builder of the Florida East Coast Railway. T.L.S. "H. M. Flagler" on his Palm Beach letterhead, 1p. 4to., Mar. 4, 1908 thanking his correspondent for sending a copy of a newspaper article titled: "The Oil Industry in America", adding: "...which I shall read with interest...". Light toning, else very good.$150-200

1282. BILL GATES (b. 1955) Zillionaire founder and largest stockholder of computer software giant, Microsoft. I.S.P. 5" x 7" color, a chest, up portrait boldly inscribed and signed. Near fine.$100-150

1283. JAY GOULD (1836 - 1892) American financier and "robber baron" who manipulated railway stock prices, looted the Erie Rail Road's treasury, and brought on the panic of "Black Friday". Closely-cut signature, nicely matted with a portrait and ready to frame. $75-100

1284. JOHN HAYS HAMMOND (1855 - 1936) American mining engineer and businessman, leader of the mining faction whose protests against South African government policies led to the Jameson Raid (January 1896), an abortive attempt to overthrow the Transvaal government and set up a South African federation under the British flag. Hammond was arrested and condemned to death but was later released. T.L.S. 1p. 8vo., Washington, Apr. 22, 1925, to W. A. Shelton, in part: "...I am very glad to get your letter which reminds me of our pleasant association...I think the time to which you elude when I was greatly discouraged was in my Freshman year. I had attended two recitations when I had a very severe attack of dysentery which laid me up...". Boldly signed, mounted, very good. $30-50

1285. FERDINAND DE LESSEPS (1805 - 1894) French diplomat and promoter of the Suez Canal. Scarce A.L.S. 1p. 8vo., Paris, Mar. 2, 1862 to Mr. Labatier sending along a set of notes which he had dictated the day before. Near fine condition, nicely double-matted with a portrait and framed. $100-150

1286. MARCONI STOCK CERTIFICATE An attractive Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America stock certificate bearing an attractive vignette of Liberty holding scales, flanked by the world's eastern and western hemispheres and wireless telegraph transmitting towers. Punch and ink cancelled, still a handsome item for display. $50-75

1287. JOSEPH PULITZER (1847 - 1911) American newspaper publisher and owner of the New York World, established the Pulitzer Prize to encourage public service and education. Rare full signature "Joseph Pulitzer" cut from a letter, mounted. Very good.$150-200

1288. IRVING THALBERG (1899 - 1936) Pioneering American film producer who produced such classics as The Good Earth. T.L.S. "I. Thalberg" on Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer letterhead, 1p. 4to., Culver City, Jan. 29, 1926, a carbon contract issued to scriptwriter DONNA BARREL agreeing to pay her $500 for her work on the film "Their Second Honeymoon" which starred Tyrone Power and Loretta Young. File holes at top as one would expect, otherwise boldly signed and fine. $200-300

1289. 19TH & 20TH CENTURY STOCK CERTIFICATES Good group of twelve stock and bond certificates, many featuring fine engravings including stock certificates for The Cincinnati, Washington and Baltimore Railroad Co., Utica and Waterville Rail Road Company, Utica and Mohawk Valley Railway Company, North Butte Mining Company, The National City Bank of New York, Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Co., Inc., The Oil Creek Rail Road Company, mortgage bonds for The Kentucky and Tennessee Railroad Company, Stafford Meadow Coal Iron City Improvement Company of Scranton, as well as government bonds for The City of Providence (Sewer), and six percent bonds for State of South Carolina, and Philadelphia. Most bear numerous cancellations, otherwise in very good condition. $200-300

1290. EARLY OIL DRILLING Good content A.L.S. 2pp. 8vo., Buffalo, N.Y., Aug. 6, 1865 in which the correspondent (signature illegible) sends his brother news and announces "...'Our' Oil Company have `struck oil' The boring is not yet completed but oil can now be [?] from the hole. It is confidently expected that a 500 barrel well will be obtained. The best of evidences are now obtained. If my stock should prove to be worth 3 or 4 hundred thousand I would be as well off as `if I was rich'...If [underlined] I strike a good flowing well I can let you have all the money or oil you want[?] How much will you take more than I owe you at 7 per cent Interest. Let me know immediately [underlined]...". Usual folds with partial splits, small loss at top margin, otherwise very good. $100-150

1291. THE WHEAT PIT Interesting late nineteenth century pen and ink illustration on a 14" x 11" (approx.) sheet entitled "The Wheat Pit - N.Y. Produce Exchange" showing frenzied traders on the floor of the exchange. At bottom, in another hand someone has written "G. Kauffman", presumably the artist, but we have found no information. Possibly drawn for one of the illustrated weeklies such as Harper's or Leslie's. A few pinholes, light soiling, corners dented with chipping at top right corner, otherwise very good. Fine for display. $100-150