William Duer Takes Control of Merchant Ship DUER, WILLIAM (1747-1799). Duer, a colonial merchant and financier, made money by owning New York forests and mills. He was a delegate to the Provincial Congress and the New York constitutional convention and signed the Articles of Confederation. He was a secretary of the Board of the Treasury, speculated in western lands and served as Assistant Treasury Secretary under Alexander Hamilton. In 1792, he was imprisoned for debt, which alone caused a financial panic in New York City. Autograph Note Signed. August 11, 1785. 7 ½” x 6 ¾”. To a Captain Seymour; “The bearer Captain Henry is authorized by me to take charge of the Vessel bought of you on my account by Mr. Stephen Sayre, the terms of which I will comply with. Wm. Duer” A docketing note on verso indicates the ship in question was the Schooner Julia. Some toning at folds. A nice early American Autograph.

Methode pour Etudier de Geographie Tome IV by M. L’abbe Lenglet Dufresnoy.Paris. 1736. Signed at top of first table of contents pages, “William Ellery, Jr., 1785,” by WILLIAM ELLERY III (1761-1836) Son of William Ellery and . 487 pages, plus index. 4” x 7”. Wear to leather cover and spine. Some minor toning Overall Fine.

WILLIAM H. VANDERBILT (1821 - 1885); Financier; Railroad builder; Son of “Commodore” Vanderbilt. 8” x 13”. DS, one page both sides. November 19, 1878. An agreement for land between William H. Vanderbilt and the New York Loan & Improvement Company for $175,000. Signed by Vanderbilt at the bottom of the second page. Some separations along folds and edge chinks. Very Good.

WILLIAM H. VANDERBILT. DS. 4pp. 8" x 12". New York. September 1, 1874. A lengthy legal document signed "W H Vanderbilt" concerning the railroads. It states in part: "...William H Vanderbilt...party of the first part and The New York and Central and Hudson Rail Road Company party of the second part...the second part heretofore purchased of one Lebbens B. Ward all that parcel of land situate in the City of New York and hereinafter described...the purchase price thereof except the sum of Two hundred thousand dollars...". The document continues with a minute description of the parcel, between 59th and 60th Streets and 11th and 13th Avenues. Vanderbilt's signature is dark and the pages have been attached to a larger, beige piece of paper. It is in very fine condition overall.

WILLIAM NORTH (1755-1836) American soldier in the Continental Army, U.S. Senator from New York, and member of the first Erie Canal Commission. Partially Printed Document Signed, “W. North.” One page. 13 ¼” x 17”. December 1, 1813. The document is an indenture between North and Samuel D. Fuller granting Fuller rights to a parcel of land in the town of Schoharry for a yearly sum of fifteen American dollars. Both North’s and Fuller’s seals are intact. Some edge wear at upper edge. Prior professional repair to split at left edge shows toning along with one other small spot to right of Jay’s signature, Else Very Fine.

WILLIAM SHUBRICK (1790 - 1874). Rear Admiral. Served in the United States Navy from 1806 - 1861. Received a congressional medal for his service on the U. S. S. Constitution. Signature cut from a document. 5” x 2 1/2”. “Wm. Bradford Shubrick, Commandant” Excellent

William H. Taft (1857 – 1930). 27th President of the United States. TNS. 1 page. 7´x 5”. No place. No date. To a Dr. Hinsdale; “Thank you for sending me the clipping which you do. It recalls a time so long ago that sometimes I hardly think it ever was.” A nice bold signature. Some light toning. Fine.

Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965). British Prime Minister. Signed Photo Postcard. 5 ¼” x 3 ½”. Bold signature “Winston S. Churchill” along the bottom. Pencil notation on verso indicates the photo was taken aboard HMS Benbow at Malta. The photo shows Churchill addressing sailors aboard the ship. Excellent condition.

ROBERT TREAT PAINE (1731-1814) Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Autograph Statement Signed, “Robert Treat Paine,” internally. One page 7 ½” x 12 ½”. Bristol. May 2, 1771.Writ of Sezure, Robt. T. Paine vs. Cory Durkee. Paine writes: “This writs I then delivered to the within named Robert Treat Paine full seizure of the land and buildings herein mentioned and the appurtenances thereof & Left him in the peaceable possession of the same & so I return this execution fully satisfied.” The above referenced writ appears on the recto of this document and details the facts of the writ, in part: T: “George the Third by the Grace of God and Great Britain, France & Ireland King & Defendr of the Faith To the Sheriff of Our County of Bristol his under sheriffs or deputy Know you that Robert Treat Paine of Trenton in the County of Bristol Esq in our inferior court of common pleas Holden at Trenton in and for our County of Bristol on the Second Tuesday of March last by the consideration of the same court … against Covey Durfee of Freetown in the same county Marriner in a plea … whereby he demands against the said Covy Durfee the northerly half part of the tenth great lot in Freetown formerly called a Freemans lot & is bounded as Follows … therefore we command you that without delay you cause the said Robert Treat Paine to have full seizing of the land and buildings thereon standing and the appurtenances thereof and make it to appear to our justices of our inferior court of common pleases next to be hold at Trenton in and for our county of Bristol the Second Tuesday of June next … this twenty seventh day of April in the Eleventh year of our Reign Annoque Domim 1771 Timothy Fales…” Usual folds, some very light edge wear. Overall Very Fine.