Search Results: Authors starting with F from Stuart Lutz Historic Documents, Inc.

JAMES FAIR (1831-1894). An Irish Roman Catholic immigrant, Fair became a highly successful mining engineer and businessman in Nevada when the Comstock Lode was discovered in Virginia City, Nevada. He later helped build the South Pacific Coast Railroad and served one term in the Senate between 1881 to 1887. DS. 1 pg. 6” x 12”. April 24, 1878. Ormsby County, Nevada. A document signed “Jas G. Fair” on the verso. It is a summons to appear before the District Court of the Second Judicial District in Ormsby County, Nevada in the suit of “J.M. Baldwin vs. The Consolidated Virginia Mining Company and James G. Fair”. According to the hand-written description of the case, the suit “…plaintiff alleges you ousted him and his possession in interest from on or about the 1st day of May 1876 and that you still wrongfully and unlawfully withhold the same from him to his damage in the sum of $3,000.00. Therefore plaintiff now…ayes judgement” on winning back the title to his land and the… Read More

(NIAGARA FALLS - CAVE OF THE WINDS). DS. 1pg. 7 ½” x 6”. 1855. Niagara Falls. A partly printed certificate acknowledging that M.W. Ponds “has passed behind the Central Fall and Cave of the Winds on the American side of Goat Island. Given under our hands, at Niagara Falls, this 3 day of August 1855”. There are two vignettes of the famous falls and an ode to the spectacle: “What august scenes salute the wandering eye! Floods that seem gushing through the unriver sky, Plunge madly down from glory into gloom – Flash up in spray, and thunder from the tomb…”. The cave, discovered in 1834, was destroyed in a rockfall in 1954. There is a decorative border and the certificate was once folded. There are mounting remnants on the verso that do not affect the front.

HENRY WELLS (1806-1878). Wells started in the express business as an agent for Harnden's Express, running from New York to Albany. He went on to start his own firm, Wells & Company, which ran a route from Buffalo to Detroit, the first express company to venture west of Buffalo. As a young man, William G. Fargo served as a messenger with Wells & Company, and eventually became Wells' partner. In 1850, Wells & Company joined with two other express companies to form the American Express Company with Wells serving as its president from 1850 to 1868. American Express covered the eastern sector of the United States; Wells, Fargo & Company, formed in 1852, covered the western sector. WILLIAM FARGO (1818-1881). Fargo started in the express business at age thirteen with a thirty mile mail route. Sometime later, William Fargo served as a messenger with Wells & Company, the first express company to venture west of Buffalo. Fargo became a partner in Wells & Company and, in 1850, they joined with two other… Read More

(1829-1915). Working along with his older brother, William, the co-founder of the American Express Company, James became a prominent figure in the railroad and express industries. He became president of American Express in 1881 upon his brother's retirement from that position. DS. 1pg. 8 ½" x 11". February 2, 1897. New York, NY. A partially printed document signed "Ja. C. Fargo" consenting to the change of a power source at his 56 Park Avenue address in New York City: "The undersigned, who is the owner of the property known as No. 56 Park Avenue in the City of New York, and hereby consents to the operation of the railroad of the New York and Harlem Railroad Company, or any portion thereof, by said Company, or by its lessee, the Metropolitan Street Railway Company, by an underground current of electricity, compressed air motor, or by any mechanical power other than locomotive steam power and the overhead trolley system of electric traction." Today, that address is the home of the American… Read More

PHILO FARNSWORTH (1906-1971). Farnsworth was an American inventor best known for his pioneering work in television technology. SB. N.d. Np. A book signed “Philo Farnsworth”. It is a first edition of George Everson’s biography The Story of Television: The Life of Philo T. Farnsworth, New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1949. Farnsworth wrote on the first free front end-page “To Dave Evans Sincere regards Philo Farnsworth”. It lacks a dust jacket. Farnsworth’s signature is uncommon (as he was largely forgotten or ignored), and the signed first edition is rare.

GERALDINE FARRAR (1882-1967). Farrar was an American opera singer and movie actress. PS. 5 ½” x 3 ½”. 1949. N.p. A small, black-and-white photograph signed “Ga Farrar 1949”. She is shown holding two dachshunds,. In fine condition, though the photo is a bit grainy.

THOMAS S. MILL (1830-1897). Mills, a South Carolinian, was the assistant adjutant general to Confederate general Richard H. Anderson; he was wounded at Seven Pines, captured at Petersburg and exchanged shortly before the end of the war. CARY F. GRIMES (1829-1862). Grimes, a Virginian, commanded the Grimes Battery / Portsmouth Light Artillery of soldiers from Portsmouth, Virginia. He was killed at Antietam when he was shot while on his horse. ADS. 2pg. 7 ½” x 8 ½”. August 3, 1862. Head Qrs Andersons Division. An autograph document signed “Thos S. Mills A.A. Genl” to Captain Cary Grimes. He wrote: “Head Qrs Andersons Division Aug 3, 1862 Capt Grimes Comdg Battalion Artillery Genl Mahone commanding directs that you send immediately one of your Batteries to Weir bottom Church for the purpose of annoying the enemy Gunboats should they attempt to ascend the Appomattox, taking care that your battery is not unnecessarily exposed. Should you require a guide, call up on Cooper at Halfway… Read More

ALS. 1pg. 8” x 10”. March 13, 1879. Bridesburg, Pennsylvania. An autograph letter signed “Barton H. Jenks” to Moses Taylor concerning a San Francisco to China undersea cable: “I have taken the liberty of referring to you Cyrus W. Field Esqr, as to my not being easily led astray, by visionary projects; you will remember I projected the Union Central Railroad from Schuylkill Co to the Lehigh Valley Rail road and united with Judge Packer. Mr. Sayer & others in presenting that matter to your attention; I am calling Mr. Field’s attention to an instrument for Deep Sea Sounding, without a line; its use will save time & money in ascertaining the bottom of the Pacific Ocean for laying his Cable from San Francisco to China. With considerations of esteem…”. The letter is in fair condition with waterstaining and fold separations that have been repaired.

CYRUS W. FIELD (1819-1892). Field was the driving force behind the first telegraph cable across the Atlantic Ocean. After unsuccessful attempts in 1857 and 1858, Field succeeded in laying a working cable between Ireland and Newfoundland in August 1858, only to have it fail four weeks later. He finally succeeded in laying a working cable in 1866. Field then went on to help establish elevated railroads in New York City, and to collaborate with Jay Gould in various railroad projects. SB. 36pg. 4 ½” x 6 ¾”. No date. No place. A book signed “Cyrus W. Field” on the front cover. It is entitled Catalogue of the Portraits of distinguished Naval Commanders and representations of Their Warlike Achievements, exhibited in the Naval Gallery of Greenwich Hospital. London: William Clowes and Sons, 1853. It is ex-libris The Caldwell Collection, Library of Knox College, Galesburg, IL. Greenwich Hospital was a home for disabled Royal Navy sailors in the 18th and 19th centuries; the building later became the… Read More

TLS. 8” x 10”. 4pg. June 30, 1915. New York. A lengthy typed letter signed “Dudley Field Malone” to Secretary of State Robert Lansing, who had just been appointed after William Jennings Bryan resigned: “I have purposely refrained from writing to you before now because, from experience, I know the veritable deluge of letters and telegrams that must have been poured upon you after your appointment by the President. But, I do want to tell you how sincerely happy I am that the President, the country, and the Democratic Party have been credited with an appointment which has given such obvious unanimous satisfaction to the American people. I know I do not state the facts too strongly because the people of our country, partly through conviction that the Diplomatic Serices should be headed by a man of skilled ability and partly through the contstant misrepresentation of Mr. Bryan’s honest efforts, was most anxious that a man of your eminent qualifications should be chosen for Secretary of… Read More

EUGENE FIELD ADVISES NOT TO BUY A FIRST EDITION OF DICKENS’S PICKWICK PAPERS – “THE ONLY PICKWICK TO HAVE IS THAT IN ‘THE ORIGINAL PARTS’…” EUGENE FIELD (1850-1895). Field was an American author best known for his children’s books. ALS. 2pgs. N.d. N.p. An autograph letter signed “Field”. Concerning book purchases, the letter advises the recipient to buy the serialized version of Charles Dickens’s The Pickwick Papers instead of the first-edition book. There is also a list of other books and prices in Field’s handwriting. “… My Dear Wilson – Dont buy any ‘first’ editions of Pickwick. The only Pickwick to have is that in ‘the original parts’, for it was first issued in numbers. See? I will secure for you a list of prices paid by a friend of mine for his Dickens ‘firsts’. Today I mailed you, care of Broadway theatre a little fool-book about the ‘sentiment of flowers’. Hastily Field.” It is in fine condition with light folds.

EUGENE FIELD (1850-1895). Field was a noted American humorist, poet, and author of children’s literature. AMS. 1pg. 5” x 5”. October 17, 1892. No place. An autograph manuscript signed “Eugene Field” quoting part of his 1883 poem “The Wanderer”: “And as the shell upon the mountain height Sings of the sea. So do I ever, leagues and leagues away,— So do I ever, wandering where I mav,— Sing, O my home! Sing, O my home! Of thee!” It is matted in green and framed in gold with a portrait, and in very fine condition.

EUGENE FIELD (1850-1895). Field was an American poet best remembered for “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod” and “Little Boy Blue”. PS. 4 ¼” x 6 ½”. No date. No place. A cabinet card signed “Eugene Field” in the lower right corner. The image shows Field in a suit and staring slightly off-camera. RareBookHub shows only one Field signed cabinet card ever selling, and noted signed photograph collector Wesley Marans did not have one. There is light wear to the corners (including by the signature’s paraph) and some faint staining to the image. The image was taken by Place and Coover.

EUGENE FIELD (1850-1895). Field was an American author best known for his children’s books. MSS. 2pgs. April 12, 1892. N.p. An autograph manuscript signed “Eugene Field”. Field wrote out and signed his poem “A Spring Poem from Bion”. The poem’s title and the capital letters that begin each verse are decorated in light green ink: “A Spring Poem from Bion. One asketh: ‘Tell me, Myrson, tell me true: What's the season pleaseth you? Is it summer suits you best, When from harvest toil we rest? Is it autumn with its glory Of all surfeited desires? Is it winter, when with story And with song we hug our fires? Or is spring most fair to you— Come, good Myrson, tell me true!’ Another answereth: ‘What the gods in wisdom send We should question not, my friend; Yet, since you entreat of me, I will answer reverently: Me the summertime displeases, For its sun is scorching hot; Autumn brings such dire diseases That perforce I like it not; As for biting winter, oh! How I hate its ice and snow!… Read More

6pg. 8 ½" x 11". December 5, 1939 & December 6, 1939. Clearfield, PA. An archive of letters from the 1939 case of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Various Individuals on Charge of Aiding and Abetting in Cock Fighting. The letter from the law firm of Smith & Maine explains the subsequent documents: "A transcript of the docket of 'Squire Johnston in connection with proceedings against a substantial number of individuals on charges of aiding and abetting in cock fighting has been handed to me for attention. It is my understanding that the Court directed the County Controller to make an audit or investigation of the record in the hands of 'Squire Johnston to determine the present status of affairs with particular reference to collection and disposition of certain fines and forfeitures. The transcript seems to fully set forth the desired information and I will be prepared to discuss the matter with you at your convenience." The following pages show the legal transcripts for the alleged cock fight that took… Read More

MILLARD FILLMORE (1800-1874). The Thirteenth President, Fillmore served as comptroller of the State of New York from January 1848 to February 1849. He resigned to become Vice President, and upon Zachary Taylor’s death in July 1850, Fillmore became President. Manuscript book. 5 ½” x 8”. 110 numbered pages. Europe. 1866. A manuscript book in the handwriting of former President Millard Fillmore. He recounts the money his wife spent on their 1866 European vacation, as well as the places they visited. He signed the inside front cover using his wife’s name, “Mrs. Millard Fillmore At Paris, May 18, 1866”. In Fillmore’s handwriting on the very first page, he writes about “Bonnets”, “Shawls”, “Handkerchiefs” and “Laces”. A few pages later, under the heading “Milliners”, Fillmore writes that his wife visited “Mm. Rivet 52 Notre Dame de Lorette By Miss Soule” and “Ms Diels 23 Boulevard des Caperciaes by Nellie Bam”. There are similar pages for “Dresses &… Read More

JOHN FITCH (1743-1798). Fitch was an American inventor who created the first steamboat service in the United States. Letter. 1pg. October 30, 1787. Philadelphia. A contemporary copy of a letter sent by John Fitch to the New Jersey state legislature. It concerns a dispute regarding Fitch’s rights to a patent on the steamboat. Frustrated that British steam engine designs were not available in the States, Fitch had invented and successfully operated his own version two months earlier; the Constitutional Convention members took a break from the debates on August 22, 1787 to watch Fitch’s invention ply the Delaware River. Fitch communicated: “Sir Wednesday next having been prefixed at the last Session of the Legislature of the State of New jersey, to hear the claims of the parties disputing the steam boat. I should have attended accordingly but on waiting on Mr Levi Hollingsworth a principle & acting member of the Rumsey Company, in order to know the intentions of said company…them prosecuting… Read More

THOMAS FITCH V (1725-1795). Fitch was a Revolutionary War-era Connecticut politician. ADS. 1pg. March 1768. An autograph document signed “Fitch” as a member of the colonial Connecticut House of Representatives. This brief financial document mentions Johnathan Trumbull Sr. (1710-1785), who was soon to become Colonial Governor of Connecticut: “Sir Col. Huntington has accounted with me … in Oct 1765 amounting to £27 u 2 u 6 which you will please charge me with in the Company Books…Fitch To Mr Jos. Trumble”. The document is in very good condition and has folds.

JOHN FLAXMAN, SR. (1726-1803). Flaxman was a British artist and sculptor. ADS. pg. 5” x 7”. August 16, 1763. An autograph document signed “John Flaxman” indicating the sale of a bust by to “Mr. Nourse”. The receipt lists the cost of the bust and related packing box, and notes that payment was duly received. The receipt is in fine condition.

(FLORIDA). DS. 1pg. December 26, 1843. Escambia County, Florida Territory. A handwritten legal document concerning an estate dispute. It was signed by a clerk and docketed on the verso by several other parties, including U.S. Marshal for the District of E. Florida John Beard. “To the Marshals of the Territory of Florida, Greeting We command you that of the goods and Chattels Lands and tenements of John N Stockton deceased in the hands of William T Stockton administrator to be administered you cause to be made the sum of one thousand seven hundred and thirty three dollars and forty seven cents for his principal and interest there on up to the eight day of December 1843 and eight per cent interest thereon until paid which John Campbell lately in our Superior Court for the County of Escambia in the western District of Florida recovered against the said William T Stockton administrator as aforesaid and the further sum of three dollars and eighty-seven cents Which to the said John Campbell was adjudged… Read More