Autographed Letter: Postmaster of Boston
Letter from Post Office, Boston, Mass, Office of the Postmaster to Mr. John H. Holmes, esq, Editor of the Herald, Boston, Mass responding to a complaint by the Herald that the Springfield Republican was not received on time and pointing out that if it was not delivered on time to the post office, the post office could not deliver on time to the Herald. Some edge tears and loss of paper upper right not affecting text. A nice piece of Postal memorabilia for the collector.
The signature is strong and rare, unfortunately the letter is somewhat tattered and with toning and staining on the edges as well.
Price: $17.00
1906 Charles A. Prouty Autographed Letter Interstate Commerce: Railroads
Nice letter on Interstate Commerce Commission letterhead to Chas. S. Hanks of Chestnut Hill, Mass. regarding Railroad legislation and articles and also the sentiment exists for support of this legislation...Some folds and edge toning but nice signature of the commissioner...rare item.
Charles A. Prouty (1853-July 8, 1921) was an an American Democratic politician and government official who served as a commissioner of the ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission) from 1896 to 1914. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate from Vermont in 1914, losing to incumbent Republican senator William P. Dillingham.
Early life
A native of Newport, Vermont, Prouty graduated at the top of his class at Dartmouth College. He worked at the Alleghany City Observatory in Pennsylvania for a year, but ill-health forced his return to Vermont, where he read law for two years and was admitted to the Bar in 1877.
Vermont businessman and politician
As well as practicing law, Prouty worked in a number of positions. He was twice elected State's Attorney in 1882 and 1884, and to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1888. He served as principal of Newport Academy for two years. From 1888 to 1896, Prouty served as Reporter of Decisions for the Vermont Supreme Court. He also helped to found the Orleans Trust Company and the Newport Electric Company. He served as general counsel for the Rutland and Central Vermont Railroads.
Interstate Commerce Commission
On December 14, 1896, President Grover Cleveland nominated Prouty to the ICC. Prouty was confirmed by the Senate on December 17, and was sworn in on December 21 to serve an unexpired term ending in 1901. President Theodore Roosevelt reappointed him in 1901 and in 1907.[3] Prouty served a one-year term, elected by his fellow commissioners, as Chairman of the Commission from 1912-1913. While on the Commission, he urged Congress to increase regulation of railroad rates, and allow the Commission to value railroad property. When Congress finally enacted the latter reform, Prouty resigned, effective in 1914, to become the Commission's first Director of Valuation. Prouty ran for Senator from Vermont in 1914, but lost to incumbent Republican Senator William P. Dillingham. Prouty had received the endorsement of the Prohibition and Progressive parties, while failing of nomination at the Democratic convention. When the Democratic candidate, Charles D. Watson, withdrew, the party's state committee substituted Prouty as the Democratic candidate as well. However, Prouty was defeated by about 7,000 votes.
Later life
In 1918, Prouty became the United States Railroad Administration's director of the Division of Public Service and Accounting. On July 8, 1921, he died at his Vermont home.
Price: $19.00
Nicholas Biddle: President of the Second Bank of America- Poetry Manuscript
The Pearl; or Affection's Gift. Christmas and New Year's Present. Philadelphia: Thomas T. Ash-Chestnut Street. 1832. The four stanza work can be found in this edition but it is not ascribed to anyone. In our hand written manuscript copy it is ascribed to 'Chapman' by Biddle in 1832. This is Nicholas Biddle manuscript copies of perhaps an additional work he was creating for publication. Two sheets written on Water Marked Paper 'Amies Philad a' with a dove and a branch in its beak. Signed N. Biddle and then Biddle 1832. Also copied is 'The Young Novice' by Miss Mitford and a poem written and incorporated into the work entitled "Ode to Bogle" by Nicholas Biddle, first published by Biddle in 1820. Extremely rare and important manuscript material from a Pennsylvania man who had a large influence on the finances of the United States...
Nicholas Biddle (January 8, 1786 – February 27, 1844) was an American financier who served as the president of the Second Bank of the United States.
