Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 43

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Businessmen, Educators & Lawyers

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 178		Blackstone, Sir William (1723-1780) English jurist; author of Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765-69), the definitive pre-Revolutionary War source of common law and extremely influential on jurisprudence in the United States; often quoted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Exceedingly rare ALS ("W Blackstone"), 1½pp (recto/verso), 9"x 7¾", Priory Place, 1779 Sept. 13. Written to an unidentified person about prison reform, possibly to William Eden, first Lord Auckland (1744-1814), for both he and Blackstone were deeply involved in this issue. Fine; mounting remnants at right margin of verso. Boldly penned and signed. Accompanied by an engraved portrait of Sir William. Only two Blackstone ALsS have ever appeared on the market that we know of. In his Commentaries, Blackstone established that English law was a system of justice comparable to Roman law and the civil law of Europe. At about the same time, 1764, modern penology -- the school which assumes that criminal acts are deliberate choices -- was launched with the publication of Crimes and Punishments by Beccaria. In this letter, written the year before his death, Blackstone is setting up the English penal system: "It is with Pleasure that I acquaint you that I think I have prevailed on Mr. Howard to act as a Supervisor. He writes to me, that Sir Charles Banbury had mentioned Dr. Fothergill as One who would Take a part in such a Business, & adds that he would cheerfully act with such a Collegue. I write to Sir Charles by this Post, to learn Dr. Fothergill's Resolutions, which I hope will be as we could wish. If he accedes, the Commission will then be full; & Dr. Fothergill, Mr. Gerard, & Mr. Gayler may immediately be nominated in Council, & perhaps make some Progress this Autumn. I like some of Mr. Milne's Hints exceedingly, & understand Your Sketch of them perfectly well: I am particularly pleased with the artificial Island in which he would build the Penitentiaries. I say Islands…for I think the Inconvenience of building the Houses so as to adjoin, would overbalance the Saving made by having only one Chapel & one Set of Officers. But this consideration is at present rather premature. If we cannot engage Dr. Fothergill, perhaps Dr. Smith may serve. He has some Knowlege & Merit, & has been particularly attentive to this Subject. But I think his Powers are very limited, & that he is too apt to [be] opinionated. When once the men are fixed, the Form of the Nomination may be easily supplied." Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $7,763
Lot 179		Edison, Thomas A (1847-1931) One of the most prolific inventors in history; creator of the first industrial research laboratory. ALS ("E"), 1p on toned, ruled paper, 6¾" x 4¾", n.p. (19)20 Sept. 13. A lab note to Moore, his record production man: "Recd report from Inspector 3 Rotators marked Vasaline. Please have these removed at once & disc changed to no Vasaline." Fine. Matted to 14¼" x 12". Estimated Value $350 - 450. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 180		Holladay, Ben (1819-1887) American financier who financed the Pony Express. Ornately engraved check signed as president of the Oregon and California Railroad Company, 3¼" x 9", San Francisco, 1870 Dec. 10. Fine. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 181		Rockefeller, John D., Jr (1876-1960) Philanthropist and businessman; the only son of Standard Oil industrialist John D. Rockefeller, Sr. Two TLsS on "Rockefeller Center / New York / 20 letterhead," 1p each, 10½" x 8", New York, 1945 May 23 and June 7. Both to Dr. Irvin Stewart, Office of Scientific Research and Development in Washington, D.C., regarding a possible involvement with the Rockefeller Foundation. Fine; one staple and a couple of staple marks at top. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 182		Washington, Booker T (1856-1915) Born a slave, he founded Tuskegee Institute in 1881 and became recognized as the nation's foremost black educator. TLS as Principal of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Industrial, 1p, 5½" x 8½", Tuskegee, Alabama, 1904 Nov. 8. To three men, thanking them for a report they submitted "covering the irregularities at the Salesroom." Estimated Value $150 - 250. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 183		Wells, Henry & W. G. Fargo. American Express stock certificate signed by Henry Wells as president and by W.G. Fargo as secretary, 1p, 8¼" x 12", New York, 1866 May 1. Granting two shares of the company to Zephaniah M. Miller. Internal Revenue stamp with star cancellation. Fine; minor foxing; cancellation cuts affect only the signature of treasurer Alex Holland, not Wells or Fargo. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold